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Did Rohr Foresee the Zambian Challenge?
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The Super Eagles’ qualification for the Russia 2018 World Cup has been postponed for another one month following the Zambia’s 1-0 defeat of immediate post-draw favourites, Algeria on Tuesday night.
The Super Eagles were initially projected to pick an outright qualification had the team achieved a double over Cameroon on Monday by taking the full points.
Picking of the ticket could also have been achieved on Tuesday if Zambia had not beaten Algeria in Constantine.
The stack reality now is that the Super Eagles have to win the next fixture against Zambia in Uyo to pick the ticket before a potentially tricky last match day fixtures which could involve horse trading with the two already eliminated giants, Cameroon and Algeria.
If Nigeria wins the October 7 fixture, the race to pick the Group B ticket gets to its climax. It will be coming on the eve of the 24th anniversary of that October 8, 1993 evening when Nigeria first qualified for the World Cup.
Hitherto, Zambia was the least expected to pose the most serious challenge for the Super Eagles, especially as the team was the first to concede goals and defeat in the power-packed Group B.
Moreover, the Zambian had the worst start in the final phase, losing on home soil.
But ahead of the Tuesday night surprised defeat of Algeria, Nigeria’s manager, Gernot Rohr at post match conference made reference to the danger posed by Zambia.
He told the gathering that the Zambian team that lost 1-2 at home to Nigeria was not the same side that beat Algeria 3-1 in Lusaka on Sunday.
“We are not done yet. We need to put up a good fight against Zambia when they come to Uyo next month”, he said as if he had premonition that Zambia could shock Algeria o n home soil.
“There have been changes in the Zambian side that lost to us and the team that beat Algeria 3-1 last Sunday”, Rohr said, noting that six new players have been injected into the side, especially from the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations under 20 earlier in the year.
Among the new inclusion that did not feature in the last October duel with Nigeria are Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala, Chisamba Lungu, Augustine Mulenga, Brian Mwila and Ziyo Tembo.
Two of them scored vital goals against Algeria that have put Zambia in contention for World Cup qualification. Patson Daka scored the vital goal that gave lifeline to Zambia on Tuesday night.
Patson Daka set Zambia on victory path on Sunday when he opened scoring in the sixth minute in the Lusaka 3-1 beating of Algeria.
A loss by Nigeria at home in October will put both Super Eagles and Zambia at par on points, but depending on the number of goals, Nigeria may have the edge on goal difference as the Super Eagles have a surplus of seven goals as against Zambia’s two.
Zambia will have to score three unreplied goals in the October match to be on equal level with Nigeria on all parameters.
A draw with Zambia on October 7 will stretch the group to the wire on the last match day on November 6 to set up potentially tricky fixtures as each will face the eliminated giants.
While Nigeria will be away to Algeria, Zambia will host Cameroon which may not up much resistance in the away fixture that means nothing to the team but could wish a complete routing of giants in the group.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD had targeted their Group F opener as their best chance to get a win on the board at the Club World Cup, with Brazil’s Fluminense and German side Borussia Dortmund expected to advance from Group F.
South Africa’s Sundowns took all three points with a 1-0 win over the South Koreans and went top of the group after Fluminense drew 0-0 with Dortmund.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
African and Asian teams are not expected to make much of an impact at the new-look 32-team Club World Cup so points are like gold dust for the likes of the Sundowns and Ulsan.
KEY QUOTES
Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns coach: “We prepared tactically and strategically very well, and then we found a commitment between everybody. I think it was clear we made a very wonderful first half. It was important that we could keep the pace and not stray from the game plan in the second half, so that we could score a second goal that for little details or little centimetres, we could not do.”
Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD head coach: “We had targeted this game to win because we understand the other two teams in the group, Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund, are favourites. Our players gave their best efforts in this game and we’re very proud of their efforts. Now we need to recover quickly for the next game.”
-Reuters
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With a year until Mexico makes history as the first three-time World Cup host, the dream of a spectacular showcase is colliding with the practical challenges of modernising the iconic Azteca Stadium for global soccer’s premier event.
Beneath the imposing silhouette of Mexico’s football cathedral – where Pele dazzled with Brazil in 1970 and Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ propelled Argentina to glory in 1986 – construction crews tackle the formidable task of bringing one of the sport’s most storied venues into the 21st century.
The stakes are magnified as the ‘Santa Ursula colossus’ will host the tournament’s opening match, a global spectacle that will focus the world’s attention on Mexico from day one.
Renovations will expand the stadium’s capacity from 87,000 to 90,000, with upgrades centred on meeting FIFA standards through new changing rooms, enhanced hospitality zones, revamped VIP areas and additional seating in spaces previously occupied by boxes and lounges.
While government officials and football administrators envisioned the project as a symbol of national pride, the renovation process has eroded trust between developers, local residents and other stakeholders.
Stadium administrators announced in February that they had secured a 2.1 billion peso ($110.19 million) credit line from local financial group Banorte – along with a controversial new name: Estadio Banorte.
FIFA regulations mean the stadium will be referred to as “Estadio Ciudad de Mexico” during the World Cup, yet the rebranding has sparked a fierce backlash from some fans, who view it as sacrificing football heritage for commercial interests.
HARSH REALITY
The backlash over the stadium’s new name represents only one facet of the mounting tensions. Box and suite holders – some with relationships spanning decades – have threatened legal action after FIFA announced it would commandeer their seats during the tournament, overriding established contracts.
One member of the Mexican Association of Box Holders has already filed a legal challenge to defend access rights.
Beyond the stadium walls, frustration runs equally deep. Residents of Santa Ursula and surrounding neighbourhoods fear that promised infrastructure improvements like pedestrian bridges and transit lines will fail to address fundamental issues including inadequate lighting, water shortages and persistent traffic congestion.
“We’re not the stadium’s backyard,” one local resident told Expansion Politica. “But we’re always treated that way.”
By contrast, Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico’s other two host cities, face fewer obstacles.
Guadalajara’s 48,000-seat stadium, opened in 2010, has already hosted major events including the 2011 Pan American Games, while Monterrey’s 53,500-capacity venue, inaugurated in 2015, needs only minor upgrades – primarily new turf and a pitch ventilation system.
“We’ll install a system to ventilate and oxygenate the pitch before replacing the grass,” said Alejandro Hutt, Monterrey’s Host City Manager. “That will be an important legacy from the World Cup and beyond.”
As construction continues, Javier Aguirre’s Mexico squad are building towards a crucial summer, with a Gold Cup title defence ahead and friendly matches against Turkey this week, followed by Japan and South Korea in September.
After failing to advance beyond the group stage at Qatar 2022 – their worst World Cup performance since 1978 – Mexican fans crave more than just a well organised tournament. They want to see Mexico break the ‘fifth-game‘ curse and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986, the last time they were World Cup hosts.
-Reuters
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All contenders are now known for this year’s President Federation Cup grand finale, following Saturday’s elimination of Edo Queens and Ibom Angels in the women’s semi-finals.
Multiple-winners Rivers Angels saw off the stiff challenge of Ibom Angels of Uyo 1-0 in Aba, while Nasarawa Amazons bumped Edo Queens 2-0 in Ayingba.
Cup holders Rivers Angels, who have won the competition nine times, will have their hands full against 2005 and 2019 champions Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia.
In the men’s competition, Abakaliki FC of Ebonyi are getting set to tackle Kwara United FC in the final.
Results of Semi Finals (Women)
- Rivers Angels (Rivers) 1-0 Ibom Angels (Akwa Ibom)
- Edo Queens (Edo) 0-2 Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa)
Results of Semi-Finals (Men)
- Abakaliki FC (Ebonyi) 0-0 Ikorodu City (Lagos) – Abakaliki FC win 5-4 on penalties
- Kwara United (Kwara) 1-0 Rangers Int’l (Enugu)
WOMEN’S FINAL
- Rivers Angels vs Nasarawa Amazons
MEN’S FINAL
- Abakaliki FC VS Kwara United
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