International Football
CHAN 2018 : COTE D’IVOIRE IN SHOCK LOSS TO NAMIBIA
Form books were turned into shreds as Namibia stunned one of Africa’s football powerhouses, Cote d’ Ivoire, by a lone goal victory in the -0 in the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group B match at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco on Sunday.
The Elephants dominated possession in the early stages of the game as they looked to break the deadlock against the Brave Warriors.
However, the West African side suffered a blow when Pacome Zouzoua went down injured in the 32nd minute and he was replaced by Manasse N’Goh.
The Brave Warriors, who were making their debut appearance in the Chan finals, then applied some pressure on the Ivory Coast defence with the half break fast approaching.
But forwards Junias Theophilus and Absalom Iimbondi failed to convert Namibia’s goal-scoring opportunities.
Ricardo Mannetti, the Namibia coach, made a change 18 minutes after the restart – introducing Itanumua Keimuine as the Southern African side looked to take the lead.
They should have snatched a late winning goal when Petrus Shitembi set-up second-half Panduleni Nekunde.
The latter turned beautifully inside the box, but he fired straight at Ivorien goalkeeper Ble Hortalin, who made a comfortable save.
However, Namibia did grab a late winning goal when Vetunuavi Hambira scored with a header in stoppage time and ultimately, the Brave Warriors emerged 1-0 winners.
Côte d Ivoire: Hortalin, Brito, Akassou, Coulibaly, Diomonde, Togui, Yao Alphonse (N’Guessan 77’), Sylla, Sanogo (Zan Bi 83’), Yao Raoul, Zouzoua (N’Goh 32′).
Namibia: Kazapua, Hambira, Hanamub, Karongee, Theophilus (Nekundi 74’), Fredericks, Ilmbondi, Somaeb (Keimuine 63’), Kejijkere, Shitembi (Nenkavu 90+2’), Kambanda.
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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