International Football
EGYPT SET FOR GHANA’S CHALLENGE
Despite having picked their ticket ahead of the last match day of the World Cup 2018 qualifiers, the Egyptians are not leaving anything to chances and had possibly taken their Sunday match with Ghana Black Stars as part of the build up to the World Cup.
Coincidentally, it was Ghana that eliminated Egypt in the last stretch to Brazil 2014 World Cup four years ago. It has therefore turned a payback time.
Sports Village Square has gathered from Egyptian publication, Ahram that Egypt on Monday kicked off their preparations for the away game against Ghana.
“Sixteen players were available in the national team’s first training session amid preparations for Ghana match,” the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) revealed in a statement on social media.
“Etoile du Sahel’s striker Amr Marei was rested from today’s (Monday) training, but he will be available tomorrow (Tuesday) with Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny, Braga’s striker Ahmed Hassan “Kouka” and Lens’ defender Karim Hafiz.”
“Ahly’s international players (who lost the champions league final against Wydad Casablanca on Saturday in Morocco) will join their teammates on Tuesday,” the statement added.
Last month, Egypt’s coach Hector Cuper called up 16 foreign-based players for the Ghana game, before adding nine local-based players from Ahly and Zamalek for the squad last Wednesday.
Liverpool’s in-form winger Mohamed Salah is the prominent absentee in Egypt’s current camp after being allowed to rest by Cuper, while Al-Raed’s winger Mahmoud “Shikabala” Abdel-Razek has been called up for international duty for the first time in three years.
Shikabala could be Salah’s replacement against Ghana after his recent outstanding performances in the Saudi league.
Egypt ended a 27-year World Cup drought after defeating Congo 2-1 earlier this month to book their ticket for next year’s World Cup in Russia.
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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