International Football
WILL SUPER EAGLES BE IN GROUP OF DEATH AGAIN?
…another clash with Argentina looms
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
It is four days to the final draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the entire world is paying attention as to which team faces the other for the world’s most prized single sport event.
How time flies? Just a little over two years ago, the draw for the preliminary competition was held. Then there were 209 teams that played 871 matches, scoring 2,454 goals to create the final 32 teams now jostling for the biggest prize of a single sport event in the world.
To have come out of a field of 209 to be among the 32 finalists is not a mean achievement for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. That is not all. They are among the single digit number of teams of the 209 that did not lose a match in the entire qualifying series. The other undefeated sides include England, Brazil, Iran, Germany, Belgium and Spain.
For Nigeria, Germany and Spain, it was a repeat performance as the teams were also undefeated in the qualifying duels for South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014.
Whatever those records may be, they are better confined to the archives as greater battles now lie ahead.
The concern now is for favourable draw to enhance progress in what is potentially a stiff contest.
Nigeria’s manager, Gernot Rohr last month told a French sports newspaper, L’Equipe, that he was targeting the semi-finals. He will need the prayers to get a favourable draw that that will not only enhance the aspiration, but to make it smoother.
As the Super Eagles get set to make a sixth appearance at the FIFA World Cup attention shifts to the draws ceremony of Friday where the first round opponents of the will be named.
Possibly, Rohr’s mind is targeting the semi final slot to surpass the previous marks of quarter finals already reached by Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.
Many Nigerians will therefore be looking forward to a favourable draw to sustain the Super Eagles’ unbeaten run that has endured in the qualifying series but hardly hold in the final tournament.
When Osaze Odemwingie scored a first half goal that determined the tie between Nigeria and Bosnia Herzegovina three years ago in Brazil, it was the first time Nigeria won a World Cup match in 15 years, involving nine matches. Sadly, that was the last time Nigeria won a World Cup match.
Osaze Odemwingie connects a cross from a rampaging Emmanuel Emenike from the right flank to score against Bosnia Herzegovina at the Brazil World Cup. It was Nigeria’s first win of a World Cup match in 16 years.
Before then, the last time Nigeria won a World Cup match was the solitary strike by Victor Ikpeba in the 1-0 defeat of Bulgaria at the Parc des Princes in a France ’98 Group D match.
Victor Ikpeba scores against Bulgaria at the Parc des Princes in Paris in a Group D World Cup encounter in 1998. Up till Nigeria’s second group match at Brazil 2014, it was the last time Nigeria won a match in the World Cup.
But in the two of the five previous World Cup finals the Super Eagles had featured in, the team ended up in difficult group that is now commonly called ‘the group of death’.
In a statistics released by FIFA ahead of the 2014 draw, the Group D of 1998, and Group F of 2002 were classified as the groups of death in those World Cup competitions.
That will be the situation if for instance; Nigeria draws any of the quartet of Argentina, Brazil, Portugal and France in Pot 1 and any of the trio of Spain, England and Uruguay – all former World Cup champions – from Pot 2.
From Pot 3, owing to geographical consideration, Nigeria has limited choice of five out of the eight teams. From the preceding scenario, if Nigeria draws any of Sweden or Denmark in Pot 3, the Super Eagles are potentially in the Group of Death.
The positive point to note is that the team had survived one before in 1998 and even top the group and had did the same with relative ease in the CAF qualifying series for Russia 2018.
These are some salient points in a list of the most difficult groups of the last 59 years. In 1998, Nigeria had Spain, Paraguay and Bulgaria to contend with.
In that group of death, seeded Spain paid heavily for their defeat by Nigeria in their opening game.
In 2002, it was even a more difficult group, comprising former winners and runners-up, Argentina, England and Sweden. Nigeria did not survive, just as a seeded team; Argentina also fell at the first hurdle.
Russia 2018 will prove a very tough competition as seven of the eight past World Cup winners – Uruguay, Brazil, England, Argentina, Germany, France and Spain – qualified. Only Italy failed. For certain, there will be a South American team in Nigeria’s group as had been the pattern since USA 94.
Is it possible that the Super Eagles will draw Argentina again?
Pot 1: Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France
Pot 2: Spain, Peru, Switzerland, England, Columbia, Mexico, Uruguay, Croatia
Pot 3: Denmark, Iceland, Costa Rica, Sweden, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Iran
Pot 4: Serbia, Nigeria, Australia, Japan, Morocco, Panama, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
GROUPS OF DEATH IN WORLD CUP HISTORY
TALES OF THE MOST DIFFICULT GROUPS OF THE LAST 59 YEARS
In the chronicle of the World Cup draws, there have also been certain groups designated as “groups of death” owing to involvement of two or more strong teams.
According to FIFA’s statistics, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have twice fallen into such groups in 1998 and 2002.
Ahead of the Russia 2018 Final Draw, here is a presentation of the most difficult groups of the last 59 years. Teams that qualified for the next stage in bold
2014: Group G
Germany, Portugal, Ghana, United States
The eventual champions, Germany, came from this group.
2010: Group G
Brazil, Portugal, Cote d’Ivoire, Korea DPR
Here, two of world’s top five ranked teams have to go into confrontation. Joining them was the Cote d’Ivoire, second best African country. Those pairings easily made the Group G deadly confrontations.
Five-time World Cup champions Brazil had faced off against Portugal (ranked fifth in the world).
2006: Group C
Argentina, Cote d’Ivoire, Netherlands, Serbia & Montenegro
Newcomers Cote d’Ivoire put up a tremendous showing in a group that includes two pre-tournament favourites. The Elephants finish ahead of Serbia & Montenegro, who finish pointless after the shock of losing heavily to Argentina in their opening match.
2002: Group F
Argentina, England, Nigeria, Sweden
A seeded team also fell at the first hurdle in Korea/Japan, as Argentina fail to overcome last-placed Nigeria. England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson faced his native Sweden and both teams ultimately qualify for the next stage.
The World Cup Group of Death matches: England versus Argentina, Nigeria versus Sweden. The winners – England and Sweden – advanced from the group stage.
1998: Group D
Bulgaria, Nigeria, Paraguay, Spain
Seeds Spain paid a heavy price for their defeat to Nigeria in their opening match. After managing no more than a draw against Paraguay, the Iberians were forced to pack their bags.
Sunday Oliseh’s back-breaking goal spells doom for top seed, Spain in France ’98 Group D encounter with Nigeria.
1994: Group E
Italy, Mexico, Norway, Republic of Ireland
This is the last World Cup with 24 participants and also the last time that three European teams meet in the same group. The group finished with all four teams on four points and equal goal difference. Mexico progressed as group winners with three goals, while Norway returned home after notching only one goal.
1990: Group B
Argentina, Cameroon, Romania, Soviet Union
The biggest shock in an opening match in the 60-year history of the World Cup: world champions Argentina were humbled by Cameroon, but recovered in the matches that followed. Cameroon also beat Romania, and the Soviet Union were knocked out in their last World Cup before their nation was disbanded.
1990: Group F
Egypt, England, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland
Only one win in six matches (England’s 1-0 victory over Egypt) separated the four sides in this tightly balanced group. FIFA decided the final placing of the Netherlands and Ireland by drawing lots – the one and only time that this last resort has been necessary.
1978: Group 1
Argentina, France, Hungary, Italy
In the strongest group of the 1978 World Cup, France, starring young Michel Platini, only managed to beat Hungary and lost to Argentina, the hosts and Italy. Roberto Bettega’s goal gave the Azzurri victory over eventual winners Argentina.
1970: Group 3
Brazil, Czechoslovakia, England, Romania
In a group in which Brazil win all of their matches and Czechoslovakia none, world champions England’s 1-0 victory over Romania in their opening match proved decisive. The match between Brazil and England was regarded as the final that never was and will live long in the memory thanks to a miraculous save by Gordon Banks from a header by Pele.
1966: Group 2
Argentina, Germany FR, Spain, Switzerland
European champions Spain found themselves in a group with Argentina and eventual finalists Germany FR and lost 2-1 to both. The Swiss, who had an excellent World Cup pedigree, lost all of their matches and it took them almost 30 years to qualify for another final competition.
1958: Group 4
Austria, Brazil, England, Soviet Union
Pele’s first appearance at a FIFA World Cup was not blessed with an easy draw. The Soviet Union, starring Lev Yashin, lost to Brazil, for whom Vava scored twice. England achieved a draw against the Seleção, but let a point go a-begging against Austria. The Soviet Union came out on top in the deciding match.
International Football
Portugal call up same player named in England Under-18 squad
Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Mateus Mane has become hot property after Portugal named the 17-year-old in their Under-18 squad on Friday, one day after England included him in their squad.
Mane was called up for a second successive England youth camp by coach Liam Bramley before the team travel to Marbella for a four-team tournament this month.
Mane is eligible for both teams having played for the Portugal Under-17 side last season. As the Under-18 team is a non-UEFA age group, both nations are entitled to call the player up.
He made his England international debut last month against the Portugal Under-18 side who have named Mane in their squad for a four-nation tournament this month.
With both tournaments running concurrently, Mane can only play for one team and Wolves and England confirmed he would feature in Bramley’s side.
Reuters has contacted Portugal’s football association for clarification.
While players with multiple nationalities have played for more than one country if they are eligible, they are not allowed to switch allegiances at senior level – unless they have played only in friendly matches for the first country.
-Reuters
International Football
Soon Cisse ceases to be Senegal’s Coach
After 107 matches spanning nine years, Aliou Cisse will not have his contract renewed as Senegal coach, officials confirmed on Wednesday. Of the 107 matches, Cisse’s team won 70, drew 24 and lost 13.
But the impressive scorecard is not enough to impress his employers.
Thus, the end beckons for Cisse’s successful nine-year spell in charge of the side that included a first Africa Cup of Nations title and two World Cup qualifications.
He had been under increasing pressure after Senegal’s surprise last 16 exit at the 2023 Cup of Nations when they lost on penalties to hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
Senegal are unbeaten in six matches since then, but home draws with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso, and criticism from certain quarters over their style of play, made up the mind of the country’s sports ministry, who fund the salary of the national team coach, that a change was needed.
“The FSF would like to thank Aliou Cisse for his good collaboration and his brilliant results at the head of the various national selections that he has managed since his arrival in 2011 and wish him every success for the future,” the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) said in a statement.
FSF added Cisse’s exit stemmed from a failure to fulfil the targets in his last contract, which expired at the end of August, which included victory at the 2023 Cup of Nations and reaching the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
They also said the “regression of our national team in the FIFA rankings and the risk of disaffection between our national team and the Senegalese (public)” had played a role.
The FSF will appoint an interim technical team to lead the side in Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi at home on Oct. 11 and away four days later.
Cisse, 48, was captain of Senegal when they reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup with what is heralded as a golden generation of players.
He briefly had a spell as caretaker coach of the national team in 2012, but took over full time three years later.
He led Senegal to 2018 and 2022 World Cup qualification, making the last 16 in the latter before losing to England. They were beaten in the final of the 2019 Cup of Nations by Algeria.
The side made up for that disappointment when they beat Egypt in the final two years later to be crowned African champions for the first time.
International Football
Why FIFA banned Samuel Eto’o
Always in the news for bad reasons, Samuel Eto’o has again made global headlines. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has banned the former striker and the current president of the Cameroon Football Federation.
He is banned from attending Cameroon’s matches for the next six months for violating conduct rules during the recent U-20 Women’s World Cup, where his national team faced Brazil in the round of 16.
According to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, Eto’o was found to have breached articles 13 (“Offensive behaviour and violations of fair play principles”) and 14 (“Misconduct of players and officials”) of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code.
The sanction stems specifically from the match between Brazil and Cameroon, held on September 11 in Bogotá, Colombia. As a result, Eto’o will be prohibited from attending any matches involving Cameroon’s national teams, both male and female, across all age groups.
“Mr Eto’o has been notified today, the date on which the sanction comes into force,” stated the FIFA press release.
This is not the first time Eto’o has faced controversy. He previously drew attention for his behavior towards players and national team coach Marc Brys, whom he allegedly threatened in front of cameras if his directives were not followed.
During the Qatar World Cup, the former Real Madrid, Mallorca, and Barcelona player made headlines again after assaulting a fan who filmed him outside a stadium after a match.
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