International Football
UPDATED: QATAR 2022 QUALIFIERS PITCH SUPER EAGLES AGAINST MINNOWS
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
The Super Eagles’ journey to a seventh FIFA World Cup finals kicks off in October with a home fixture against Central African Republic, while Cape Verde Islands and Liberia are the other teams in Group C of Africa’s second round qualifiers.
The Super Eagles’ journey to a seventh FIFA World Cup finals kicks off in October with a fixture against Liberia, while Cape Verde Islands and Liberia are the other teams in Group C of Africa’s second round qualifiers.
Forty teams were drawn into 10 groups, but only one country per group will reach the last qualifying round where Africa’s five representatives for Qatar 2022 will emerge.
Going by current rankings and pedigree in international competitions, Nigeria have an easy group in theory. Thirty-first in the world and third in Africa, no other team in the group come close to the Super Eagles.
Cape Verde are in 78th spot in global standing (16th in Africa), while Central African Republic are 26th in the continent and 109th in the world.
Liberia are the lowest rated in the group – 44th in Africa and 152nd in the world.
Unlike the other teams in the Group C, none of which have ever advanced to the final qualifying round in the continent, Nigeria have missed only one FIFA World Cup finals (Germany 2006) since their debut at the global tournament in 1994.
Nigeria and Cape Verde have never met in a competitive game. A friendly match on January 9, 2013 ended goalless. It was a warm-up for that year’s Africa Cup of Nations which the Super Eagles won in South Africa,
While the Central African Republic will be engaging their Nigerian counterparts for the first time on the road to Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, Liberia had fallen victims to their West African “big brother” on two occasions in FIFA World Cup qualification.
For the 1986 tournament, which Nigeria would fail to qualify, the then Green Eagles stopped the Lone Star of Liberia 4-0 in the first round, winning both legs 3-0 in Lagos and 1-0 in Monrovia.
And on the road to sealing their second FIFA World Cup participation in 2002, Nigeria were in Group B of the second round qualifiers with Liberia, losing 1-2 in Monrovia and winning 2-0 in Lagos.
Nigeria won the group to go through with just a point over Liberia. Sudan, Ghana and Sierra Leone finished behind the duo in that order.
At Mali 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria and Liberia were in Group A with the host nation. Julius Aghahowa’s 63rd minute goal won the last group match against Liberia, which ensured that the Super Eagles topped the group.
The qualifiers for AFCON 2013 also brought Nigeria and Liberia together; their paths crossing in the second round. Nigeria returned from Monrovia with a 2-2 outcome and wrapped up the tie 6-1 at home to progress 8-3 aggregate.
The Super Eagles recent results have given their compatriots hope of advancing from Group C. Their last two matches in the qualifiers for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations saw the Super Eagles winning at home (2-1 against Benin Republic) and 4-2 in Lesotho.
Other highlights of the draw include the disappointment that at least two of the continent’s past representatives at FIFA World Cup will miss the next edition in Qatar.
Due to their low rating and the lottery of the draw, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and the Ivorien Elephants, as well as the Black Stars of Ghana and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana find themselves in the same groups.
In Group D are Cameroon, Africa’s record qualifiers for the global tournament, who have been to the finals seven times. They also have the honour of being the first African team to reach the quarterfinals in 1990.
The Ivorien, on their part, qualified three times.
Both teams, who will now go head-to-head for the sole ticket in Group D, will attempt to redeem themselves after failing to qualify for the last edition in Russia.
For the Black Stars of Ghana, who recently fired and hired their coaching crew, the main hurdle in Group G are South Africa. Ghana have featured in three finals, including at South Africa 2010 where they missed the semifinals when a last minute goal-line handball by Luis Suarez ensured that Uruguay survived at the expense of the last African team standing.
Apart from playing as hosts in 2010, South Africa also qualified for 1998 and 2002 editions.
The second round of Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Africa starts in October and will be concluded in the same month a year later. The third and final round will then hold between November 8 and 16, 2021 in a two-legged knockout format.
The Super Eagles’ journey to a seventh FIFA World Cup finals kicks off in October with a home fixture against Central African Republic, while Cape Verde Islands and Liberia are the other teams in Group C of Africa’s second round qualifiers.
The Super Eagles’ journey to a seventh FIFA World Cup finals kicks off in October with a home fixture against Central African Republic, while Cape Verde Islands and Liberia are the other teams in Group C of Africa’s second round qualifiers.
Forty teams were drawn into 10 groups, but only one country per group will go reach the last qualifying round where Africa’s five representatives for Qatar 2022 will emerge.
Going by current rankings and pedigree in international competitions, Nigeria have an easy group in theory. Thirty-first in the world and third in Africa, no other team in the group come close to the Super Eagles.
Cape Verde are in 78th spot in global standing (16th in Africa), while Central African Republic are 26th in the continent and 109th in the world.
Liberia are the lowest rated – 44th in Africa and 152nd in the world.
Unlike the other teams in the group, none of which have ever advanced to the final qualifying round in the continent, Nigeria have missed only one FIFA World Cup finals (Germany 2006) since their debut at the global tournament in 1994.
Nigeria and Cape Verde have never met in a competitive game. A friendly match on January 9, 2013 ended goalless. It was a warm-up for that year’s Africa Cup of Nations which the Super Eagles won in South Africa,
While the Central African Republic will be engaging their Nigerian counterparts for the first time on the road to Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, Liberia had fallen victims to their West African “big brother” on two occasions in this competition.
For the 1986 FIFA World Cup, which Nigeria would fail to qualify, the then Green Eagles stopped the Lone Star of Liberia 4-0 in the first round, winning both legs 3-0 in Lagos and 1-0 in Monrovia.
And on the road to sealing their second FIFA World Cup participation in 2002, Nigeria were in Group B of the second round qualifiers with Liberia, losing 1-2 in Monrovia and winning 2-0 in Lagos.
Nigeria won the group to go through with just a point over Liberia. Sudan, Ghana and Sierra Leone finished behind the duo in that order.
At Mali 2002, the Africa Cup of Nations hosted that year by that West Africa state, Nigeria and Liberia were in Group A with the host nation. Julius Aghahowa’s 63rd minute goal won the last group match that ensured the Super Eagles topped the group while Mali were runners-up.
The qualifiers for AFCON 2013 also brought Nigeria and Liberia together. Their paths crossed in the second round. Nigeria returned from Monrovia with a 2-2 outcome and wrapped up the tie 6-1 at home to progress 8-3 aggregate.
The Super Eagles recent results have given their compatriots hope of advancing from Group C. Their last two matches in the qualifiers for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations saw the Super Eagles winning at home (2-1 against Benin Republic) and away (4-2) to Lesotho.
Other highlights of the draw include the disappointment that at least two of the continent’s past representatives in FIFA World Cup will miss the next edition in Qatar.
Due to their low rating and the lottery of the draw, Cameroon and the Ivorien Elephants as well as Ghana and South African find themselves in the same groups.
In Group D are Cameroon, Africa’s record qualifiers for the global tournament, together with Côte d’Ivoire. The Indomitable Lions have been to the finals seven times, and have the honour of being the first African team to reach the quarterfinals in 1990.
The Ivorien, on their part, qualified three times. Both of them however missed the last edition in Russia.
For the Black Stars of Ghana, who recently got a new coach, they will face South Africa in Group G. Ghana have featured in three finals including at South Africa 2010 when they missed the semifinals through a last minute goalie handball by Luis Suarez for Uruguay.
Apart from playing as hosts in 2010, South Africa also qualified for 1998 and 2002 editions.
The second round of Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Africa starts in October and will be concluded exactly a year later. The third and final round will then held between November 8 and 16, 2021.
The Super Eagles’ journey to a seventh FIFA World Cup finals kicks off in October with a home fixture against Central African Republic, while Cape Verde Islands and Liberia are the other teams in Group C of Africa’s second round qualifiers.
Forty teams were drawn into 10 groups, but only one country per group will go reach the last qualifying round where Africa’s five representatives for Qatar 2022 will emerge.
Going by current rankings and pedigree in international competitions, Nigeria have an easy group in theory. Thirty-first in the world and third in Africa, no other team in the group come close to the Super Eagles.
Cape Verde are in 78th spot in global standing (16th in Africa), while Central African Republic are 26th in the continent and 109th in the world.
Liberia are the lowest rated – 44th in Africa and 152nd in the world.
Unlike the other teams in the group, none of which have ever advanced to the final qualifying round in the continent, Nigeria have missed only one FIFA World Cup finals (Germany 2006) since their debut at the global tournament in 1994.
Nigeria and Cape Verde have never met in a competitive game. A friendly match on January 9, 2013 ended goalless. It was a warm-up for that year’s Africa Cup of Nations which the Super Eagles won in South Africa,
While the Central African Republic will be engaging their Nigerian counterparts for the first time on the road to Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, Liberia had fallen victims to their West African “big brother” on two occasions in this competition.
For the 1986 FIFA World Cup, which Nigeria would fail to qualify, the then Green Eagles stopped the Lone Star of Liberia 4-0 in the first round, winning both legs 3-0 in Lagos and 1-0 in Monrovia.
And on the road to sealing their second FIFA World Cup participation in 2002, Nigeria were in Group B of the second round qualifiers with Liberia, losing 1-2 in Monrovia and winning 2-0 in Lagos.
Nigeria won the group to go through with just a point over Liberia. Sudan, Ghana and Sierra Leone finished behind the duo in that order.
At Mali 2002, the Africa Cup of Nations hosted that year by that West Africa state, Nigeria and Liberia were in Group A with the host nation. Julius Aghahowa’s 63rd minute goal won the last group match that ensured the Super Eagles topped the group while Mali were runners-up.
The qualifiers for AFCON 2013 also brought Nigeria and Liberia together. Their paths crossed in the second round. Nigeria returned from Monrovia with a 2-2 outcome and wrapped up the tie 6-1 at home to progress 8-3 aggregate.
The Super Eagles recent results have given their compatriots hope of advancing from Group C. Their last two matches in the qualifiers for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations saw the Super Eagles winning at home (2-1 against Benin Republic) and away (4-2) to Lesotho.
The second round of Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Africa starts in October and will be concluded exactly a year later. The third and final round will then held between November 8 and 16, 2021.
Here’s the pairing for the second round of 2022 FIFA World Cup (Africa draw):
Group A: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, Djibouti
Group B: Tunisia, Zambia, Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea,
Group C: Nigeria, Cape Verde Islands, Liberia, Central African Republic,
Group D: Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Malawi,
Group E: Mali, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda,
Group F: Egypt, Gabon, Libya, Angola,
Group G: Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia,
Group H: Senegal, Congo Republic, Namibia, Togo,
Group I: Morocco, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sudan,
Group J: DR Congo, Benin Republic, Madagascar, Tanzania
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
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.
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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