International Football
INTERIM SKIPPER, BALOGUN, DEDICATES WORLD CUP QUALIFYING TRIUMPH TO IKEME
Leon Balogun who captained Nigeria for the first time since his debut with Super Eagles on March 6, 2014 in a friendly match with Mexico in Georgia, USA, has dedicated the successful World Cup round off of the team to ailing goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme.
Balogun, a central figure in the solid defence Nigeria put up in the eight-match series leading to World Cup qualification was the captain of the team in the last match played against Algeria on Friday night.
The captain’s armband fell on him in the absence of the regular skipper, Mikel Obi who had to be rested owing to the long trip from China and the absence of his deputy, Onazi Ogenyi.
Balogun was quite appreciative of the gesture of leading the team. He tweeted about his delight. “Proud to have captained my country today and remain unbeaten at @FIFAWorldCup qualifiers. The road to Russia was an exciting and even more successful one. I dedicate this achievement to our team mate @Carl_Ikeme who started this journey with us. This one’s for you bro”.
His tweet got massive response as within few hours, he got 720 retweets and a thousand likes. Similarly, Balogun congratulated Ola Aina who had his first full match for Nigeria since his debut in the previous match against Zambia. He also congratulated the goal scorer, John Ogu.
He interim skipper wrote on twitter: “congrats to @Aina2Ola for making his full international debut. U did great brother. More to come #BallStoner. And special congrats to @ogujohnugo who’s been waiting for his chance so patiently. You deserved every minute today and I’m happy u rewarded urself with that goal”.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are expected to depart Algeria this Saturday for Russia to honour their friendly match fixture with Argentina on Tuesday.
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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