International Football
Budweiser Game of Kings Team Managers Eager to Coach John Terry, Roberto Carlos
Two lucky fans have emerged managers of the two teams that will feature international football legends, John Terry and Roberto Carlos and football stars from the Nigerian Professional Football League in the Budweiser Game of Kings match scheduled to hold in Lagos this weekend.
The keenly contested audition held at the Southern Sun Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos saw Osinachi Egbuche and Seun John emerge team coach of Smooth FC and Kings FC respectively out of hundreds of hopefuls who were eventually pruned to 30.
Budweiser is a product of International Breweries Plc, a proud part of AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer with over 400 beer brands. The premium lager organised the audition that tested the manager-hopefuls’ tactical mastery and technical know-how of the beautiful game.
The judges, including veteran journalists, Mitchell Obi and Harry Iwuala, and co-anchor of the Kings of Football show and Budweiser Brand Ambassador, Ozoemena Chukwu, fondly called Ozo by fans, assessed the prospective team managers on other qualities such as communication skills, leadership potential, and man-management skills.
Sharing his thoughts on the audition, Mitchell Obi said “For me, it was revealing to observe the level of understanding of football by Nigerian fans, and I believe this is an opportunity to push the dimension and cultivate the culture of promoting our domestic football.
“This contest has opened a new phase for those who want to get involved in supporting the game.”
On her part, Marketing Manager, Budweiser, Olajumoke Okikiolu, said, “Budweiser Game of Kings team managers audition has been an interesting contest. We received numerous applications from consumers who desired to coach Smooth FC and Kings FC, and it was heartening to see many of those who made it to the final stage of the audition display a remarkable knowledge of football.
“It will also be interesting to see how the fan-led teams fare against each other in what will undoubtedly be a pulsating match on game day.”
Before being announced as one of the winners, a passionate Segun John refused to accept the notion of defeat when questioned on the possibility of his team losing. Segun, without mincing words, said, “I will not take defeat, I cannot take defeat, I must win.
“I will withdraw any player who thinks he is on the pitch to sell bread and butter. I will even bench John Terry or Roberto Carlos if they don’t meet my standard.”
Osinachi Egbuche who emerged coach of Smooth FC also expressed optimism about his team’s chances of lifting the trophy.
“I am confident in my coaching abilities and can’t wait to show my tactical superiority come game day,” he said.
The game day match will air on SuperSports, NTA Network, and STV to cater to fans who will not be at the stadium to see their football icons play.
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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