AFCON
AHMAD, ALLEGEDLY DEFRAUDS CAF ON FALSE TRIPS
Palpable tension pervades the African football governing body, CAF following revelations by the BBC that more allegations are against the president, Ahmad of Madagascar.
An investigation by the BBC reveals that Ahmad received two sets of expenses, claiming to be in two different countries, for the same nine-day period during the 2018 World Cup.
According to documents seen by the BBC, the FIFA vice-president twice claimed for payments from CAF for work carried out between 23 June and 1 July.
First, the documents indicate he signed for daily allowances that stated that he was in Egyptfor this spell – before later adding his signature to a document claiming he was in Russiaat the same time.
As a vice-president of football’s world governing body, Ahmad should have been paid his daily World Cup allowance of $450 by FIFA since they organise the tournament – meaning he may have received three sets of payments for the nine-day spell in question.
CAF, whose headquarters are in the Egyptian capital Cairo, has no role in organising the event.
“President Ahmad took [sic] contact with the FIFA administration to support him in its action for CAF’s reforms and to get the process more transparent,” CAF replied to BBC Sport in a statement.
“The details of this cooperation will be announced very soon. For now, as the President have [sic] a very deep respect of the institutions, he keeps his answers for FIFA’s teams, which will lead the future audit.”
In June, FIFA and CAF announced that the former will install its own Secretary General to oversee administrative reform in the governance of African football’s ruling body from 1 August.
The decision to appoint Senegalese Fatma Samoura as a General Delegate to CAF is unprecedented in the 115-year history of FIFA, which has never had recourse before to help guide the administration of a confederation.
Ahmad, who took charge of African football in March 2017, is currently being investigated by both FIFA’s Ethics Committee itself and by French anti-corruption authorities – with an unusual kit deal involving a French gym equipment supplier among the lines of inquiry.
The 59-year-old from Madagascar, whose organisation is currently hosting the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, has strenuously denied any wrongdoing in previous statements.
Double Double Payment?
In early June 2018, Ahmad travelled to Moscow to attend both the FIFA Congress on 13 June and the World Cup, which ran between 14 June and 11 July.
Documents seen by the BBC indicate that Ahmad flew from Russia to Egypt on 23 June for a four-day stay before heading back to Moscow after a trip home to Madagascar between 27 June and 1 July.
Nonetheless, the documents suggest that, on 28 September last year, Mr Ahmad collected $18,450 from Caf for a 41-day stay in Russia between 7 June and 17 July.
His signature can be seen at the bottom of a page detailing the expenses, which came under the heading ‘Mission: World Cup Russia 2018.’
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
13 November 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier: Osimhen’s 1st goal: Nigeria 1-1 Benin Republic; Referee: Issa Sy of Senegal
14 November 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier: Osimhen’s 23rd goal: Benin Republic 1-1 Nigeria; Referee: Issa Sy of Senegal
Victor Osimhen’s 81st-minute goal against the Benin Republic on Thursday night in Abidjan did not only save the face of the Super Eagles from a possible defeat, it is also a milestone goal.
It was his 23rd goal for Nigeria in 37 appearances. With the goal, he becomes Nigeria’s joint-second all-time top scorer, having matched Segun Odegbami’s 23-goal record.
Only Rashidi Yekini with 37 goals scored more. Incidentally, Osimhen opened his scoring for Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Benin Republic in 2019 when he scored his first Nigerian goal, a penalty kick that brought the scoreline to 1-1 in the 45th minute.
Like it was on Thursday 14 November in Abidjan, the 13 November 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Benin Republic was also refereed by Senegal’s Issa Sy.
What an irony! Libya handed Nigeria AFCON ticket
AFCON
Osimhen saves the face of already qualified Super Eagles as Group D 2nd ticket goes down the wire!
A late goal from Victor Osimhen saved the day for the Super Eagles who forced a 1-1 draw with Benin Republic at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan which had hitherto become Benin Republic’s slaughter ground of visiting teams.
After a ferocious opening by the Super Eagles, the Benin Republic suddenly turned the tide as defender Mohammed Tijani surged forward to beat the Nigerian defence line in the 16th minute.
With the goal, it was the first time that the Super Eagles had conceded in the series and it looked as if Benin had also picked a ticket, moving to a 9-point haul that would have been unassailable by either Rwanda and Libya even if they win their respective last matches on Monday.
As they held on tenaciously to the lead, Victor Osimhen leaped high in between two Beninese defenders to nod in a cross from Simon Moses from the left flank.
That changed the narrative as Benin will now have to play hard to pick a qualification ticket on Monday when they meet Libya.
But it is still advantage for Benin Republic owing to their better goal difference. Even if they are beaten by Libya and tie at seven points apiece, Libya will need a heavy scoreline to wipe off their current deficit of four.
The second ticket from Group D is still open to the trio of Benin, Rwanda and Libya. But it is advantageous Benin. All could end up with seven points apiece if Libya beat Benin Republic and Rwanda beat Nigeria in Uyo.
The matchday 4 of Libya and Nigeria was akin to a war as the Super Eagles were literally held hostage for 20 hours at an abandoned airport. The treatment meted to the Super Eagles made it impossible for the match to go on.
The Libyan actions generated global outrage. The Confederation of Africa (CAF) consequently awarded the match to Nigeria.
Paradoxically, the award and Libya’s win over Rwanda have taken a lot of burden off the Super Eagles as they pick qualification tickets, even with two matches to spare. The worst-case scenario for them is to place second on the Group D log.
Libya snatched a narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali, thanks to a late strike by Fahd Saad Mohamed.
The game was closely contested, with both sides creating chances but struggling to find the back of the net.
Rwanda’s Innocent Nshuti came close on several occasions, but Libyan goalkeeper Bader Hassan stood firm.
The win pushed Libya up to four points, although they remain at the bottom of Group D, while Rwanda stays in third with five points
Against Benin and officiated by Issa Sy, Osimhen equals Segun Odegbami’s feat
Osimhen saves the face of already qualified Super Eagles as Group D 2nd ticket goes down the wire!
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