International Football
Forget Russia 2018, Algeria’s Coach Tells Zambia
Sports Villages Square has gathered that a Zambian publication has reported that the coach of Algeria, Lucas Alcaraz has advised Chipolopolo to focus on qualifying for the 2022 Qatar World Cup finals because they have a slim chance of making it to the 2018 edition in Russia.
Although the statement was made hours before the surprised 1-0 win last Tuesday, his argument was being considered as valid.
Just hours before the Tuesday’s match, the Spaniard said both Algeria and Zambia have slim chances of securing a slot at the Russia finals despite Nigeria dropping points against Cameroon.
Group leaders, Super Eagles were forced to a 1-1 draw by Cameroon barely 24 hours to the Algeria-Zambia clash in Constantine.
Nigeria with 10 points, leads the pack, three better than Zambia. Alcaraz said that despite Zambia’s victory over Algeria, the Chipolopolo are still outsiders to qualify for the Russia showpiece.
“Zambia has a balanced squad with a blend of youngsters but I don’t think they can make it for the World Cup in Russia. I know it was an interesting result in Cameroon, which gives hope to other teams, but still the momentum is with Nigeria.
“Zambian coach (Wedson Nyirenda) has a good team but I think he should concentrate on building a strong team with the focus on qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. I believe the Qatar target is attainable if they can maintain the same performance,” Alcaraz said.
He, however, said it will be painful for Algeria and Cameroon missing the Russia finals because they are perennial qualifiers for the prestigious championship.
“Zambia will not feel much pain to miss out on the World Cup because they have never been to the tournament but it is different with us (Algeria) and Cameroon.
“Surely it will be something hard to accept although it looks like that is what is going to happen. Anyway football is unpredictable and the unexpected can happen in the remaining games,” Alcaraz said.
Algeria have made four appearances at the World Cup while Cameroon have featured a record seven.
Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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In a compelling twist of football destiny, Davide Ancelotti is stepping into his own spotlight as he begins his first head coaching role at Brazilian club Botafogo—just months after parting ways with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti, at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as Botafogo’s new manager, the club announced on Tuesday, following the sacking of Renato Paiva. Davide, who has spent the last decade working alongside his father at some of Europe’s top clubs—including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid—has signed a one-year deal with the Rio-based team.
This marks a significant milestone for the younger Ancelotti, whose career has long been shaped by his father’s influence, but who now faces the challenge of carving his own identity on the touchline.
The move comes shortly after both father and son departed Real Madrid at the end of last season, with Carlo taking over the Brazilian national team. Now, in a poetic alignment, father and son find themselves on different paths within Brazilian football—one leading the Seleção, the other steering the fortunes of a storied domestic club.
Botafogo’s decision to appoint Davide follows a controversial parting with Paiva, who was dismissed just days after their exit from the Club World Cup. Though he oversaw a stunning win over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Palmeiras in the round of 16 proved to be his final act after just four months in charge.
As Davide Ancelotti begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether the son of one of football’s most decorated managers can step out from his father’s shadow—and perhaps, in time, build a legacy of his own.
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