International Football
Desperate Liberia ring changes in squad, recall Spanish-born goalkeeper
With fate of topping the Group C of the African World Cup qualifiers dangling on a thread, Liberia Lone Star have recalled Spanish-born goalkeeper, Boison Wynney De Souza for the make or mar tie with Nigeria next week.
Liberia’s possible qualification is merely arithmetical, hoping to beat Nigeria and Central African Republic (CAR) and all the same expecting that neither Cape Verde nor CAR as well as Nigeria will win any of their remaining two matches.
That was the underlying reason their home match with Nigeria was further taken farther to North Africa hoping to diminish possible support for the Super Eagles.
They have also have to recall a goalkeeper that has been absent from the squad for nearly two years. According to Front Page Africa, it is a reward for the goalkeeper’s display with his new club FC Someșul Dej în România.
The shot stopper plays for FC Someșul Dej in Romania’s third tier will have to challenge Tommy Songo or Ashely Williams for the starting position in the Red White and Blue two reminding matches in the matches with Nigeria and CAR.
The news of the player being recalled was confirmed by his club on October 29, 2021 that they have received official communication for the keeper.
“We are happy to inform you that our team goalkeeper Boison Wynney De Sousa has been summoned to the Liberia national team, Good luck Boison” the club statement said.
Wynney who was given his Lone Star debut by James Debbeh in 2017 has been overlooked by the current coach and past coaches but he now has a chance to make things right.
The LIberi9an Far is yet to confirm the news of the return of the shortstopper to the national team but it is believed that their list of players for the two games will be released before November 3, 2021.
Liberia will face Nigeria on November 13 and take on Central African Republic on November 15.
He received his first call for the Liberia National Team on November 2, 2016.He made his international debut in the 0-3 away loss to Zimbabwe in the 2019 Africa cup of Nations qualifying rounds on june 11, 2021
Boison was born in Palma, Majorca to a Liberian father and a Brazilian mother. He was therefore eligible to represent Spain, Liberia or Brazil.
In another development young Liberian defender Daniel Paye has departed Liberian Club Bear Mountain for Danish second division club Jammerbugt.
The Liberian central defender has joined Danish first division club Jammerbugt Fodbold signed a three year deal with the club for an undisclosed fee.
The defender who spent the last three years playing in the Liberian league with Bea Mountain FC will now continue his football career in Europe.
Paye has been one of the outstanding defenders for Bea Mountain FC during his time at the club.
The player wrote on his official facebook page “After 3 fantastic years with Bea Mountain, I have now officially left the club to join Jammerbugt FC on a 3-year- deal.
I’ve loved every moment playing for Bea Mountain and leaving with memories that I will cherish forever.
I have always appreciated the love and support shown to me during my time at Bea Mountain and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone connected to the club, with a special mention to the incredible fans who always supported me.
I would like to wish the club success. Thank you for everything. I’ll always have Gold in my heart
Paye made his debut for the Liberia national team in a 1-0 friendly loss to Mauritania on 11 June 2021.
Jammerbugt Fodbold Club is a Danish association football club currently playing in the Danish 2nd Division. They play at Jetsmark Stadion in Pandrup, North Jutland, which has a capacity of 6,000. The club was formerly known as Jetsmark IF, which still is the name of the amateur department, and has also been known as Blokhus FC between 2008 and 2013.
Brazil will round off their 2025 calendar with two friendly matches in Europe next month, taking on Senegal and Tunisia as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, the Brazilian FA (CBF) announced on Thursday.
The five-time world champions, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, will face Senegal on November 15 at Emirates Stadium in London and, three days later, they will meet Tunisia in Lille, France.
The CBF announced that these fixtures were designed to “provide the team with valuable experience against African opposition” ahead of next year’s tournament in North America.
After the conclusion of the South American qualifiers, the choice of opponents follows October’s encounters against Asian teams, which saw Brazil beat South Korea 5-0 but suffer a stunning first defeat to Japan.
With coach Ancelotti facing limited preparation time after arriving in May from Real Madrid, the matches form part of a broader plan to expose Brazil to a variety of playing styles in preparation for next year’s the World Cup.
Looking ahead to March 2026, the CBF has indicated that Brazil’s next set of friendlies will likely be against top-level European nations, with the U.S. as the expected venue.
Ancelotti has been steadily implementing his vision for the squad and has emphasised the importance of adapting to diverse tactical challenges, particularly against teams from other continents.
CBF sources indicated that the plan for the three remaining international breaks would be to make final observations regarding players and tactical adjustments in November, lock in the starting line-up in March and strengthen ties with Brazilian fans with a final friendly at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana before departing for the tournament.
The upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia will provide an opportunity to test Brazil’s readiness against two of Africa’s strongest sides.
Senegal boast a formidable squad featuring Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson and Kalidou Koulibaly. They shocked Brazil 4-2 in their last encounter, a friendly played in Lisbon two years ago.
Tunisia, meanwhile, are known for their defensive organisation and have consistently performed well in African competitions.
Back in September they were the second African team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with two games to spare.
-Reuters
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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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