International Football
NIGERIAN STATES, SPONSORS LINE UP TO HOST SUPER FALCONS
The Nigeria Football Federation President and First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, has hinted that a good number of the body’s partners and sponsors, as well as some state governors have indicated wiliness to host the nine-time African champions. Super Falcons.
But the NFF is waiting for President Buhari to have the first honour.
According to a release from the NFF, Pinnick told the Super Falcons’ players that “already our sponsors are lining up to host and honour you for your achievement, as well as some state governors who have indicated their interest in hosting you, but all that will be after the President hosts you”.
In congratulating the players, Pinnick described them as one of the most accomplished teams in world football.
“I want to congratulate and also thank you once again for what you did on Saturday, making us all proud. You see, you displayed the quintessential Nigerian Spirit.
“You showed that the Nigerian flag strengthened you and that is why, even during the extra time, you were not tired,” he said when he visited the team at their Starview Hotel, Abuja in the company with the NFF General Secretary, Sanusi Mohammed and Head of Women Football, Ruth David.
Pinnick, who on Saturday, minutes after the triumph dedicated the trophy to President Muhammadu Buhari, said: “We can’t thank our father, President Buhari enough for his immense support to Nigerian Football.
The President is really happy for what you have done which has never been done by any women national team. Germany and America have dominated their respective confederation championships, winning eight titles each, but no country has ever won nine times.
“That is why the President wants to meet you as soon as possible.” The General Secretary, Sanusi Mohammed also commended the ladies, revealing that they were the focus at a seminar on Monday in Abuja held as preview to the National Sports Festival.
“Honestly, I was very happy on Saturday. I am proud of what you have done. You know, at the preview of the National Sports Festival, all the resource persons focused on you, the Super Falcons”.
Both captains, Rita Chikwelu and Onome Ebi, in their vote of thanks pledged that the team will give their best at the World Cup.
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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