International Football
Ghana dumps Nigeria out of World Cup, a flashback
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
On this date 49 years ago, a late minute goal scored by Ghana’s danger man, Kwasi Owusu sparked off riot in a World Cup qualifying tie between Nigeria and Ghana in Lagos. Scorelines were 3-2 in Ghana’s favour at the time of the riot.
FIFA later awarded the abandoned game 2-0 in Ghana’s favour. That was the last time Ghana had an edge over Nigeria in World Cup qualification series.
It was also the last time, a riot ever ensued in any international match involving the Nigeria national football team at home.
The Nigerian team had gone into the game with huge confidence having in the previous month won what was the country’s first ever continental honour in football, the gold medal of the 1973 All Africa Games in Lagos.
On the road to the victory, Ghana Black Stars were beaten 4-2 in the opening match.
With such confidence and playing at the then brand new National Stadium in Lagos where all previous opositions, except Algeria had been beaten silly, defeat never crossed the mind of any Nigerian football follower, let alone the players.
Before then, Nigeria had had a run of eight matches undefeated, winning seven and only drawing 2-2 with Algeria.
Boosted by the stats, the Nigerian side opened the game and within opening 15 minutes, Kenneth Olayombo had put Nigeria ahead.
That was taken to be an indication of better things to come. But barely three minutes later, Ghana equalised when their arrowhead man, Kwasi Owusu scored from the penalty spot.
Yakubu Mambo put Nigeria ahead again in the 23rd minute to enable Nigeria get a 2-1 lead into the halftime. But things turned awry in the second half as Owusu ran riots in the Nigerian penalty area.
Ten minutes into the second half, the rampaging Owusu levelled up for Ghana. While Nigerian threw everything upfront searching for a possible third goal to regain the lead.
The Ghanaians too became aggressive to the point that the Congolese referee, Paul Nkounkou sent off two players, Eric Amankwah in the 76th minute and later, Malik Jabir in the 83rd minute, reducing the Ghanaian team to nine men.
While the Nigerians were searching for a thrid goal and had thrown virtually all men upfront, a loose ball came to Owusu in the 87th minute and the cunny striker slotted it past Emmanuel Okala in goal!
The referee signalled a goal. The croowd did not take kindly to it, claiming Owusu who had just had a hattrick was offside.
The pitch invasion was followed by riot in which the Ghanaian team bus was burnt. The Nigerian government replaced the bus and had to send a special deligation headed by the then Lagos State Governor, Mobolaji Johnson to appease the Ghanaian ahead of the second leg match which ended goalless.
FIFA awarded the Lagos match by 2-0 to Ghana as it was treated as an abandoned match.
Ghana and Nigeria will again be engaged in another World Cup qualifiers next month.
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING: At last FIFA’s Axe falls on South Africa!
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa to Appeal FIFA Ruling Over Mokoena Eligibility Case
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Super Eagles Set for Double Friendly Showdown with Venezuela and Colombia in USA
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- CAF Confederation Cup1 week ago
Asante Kotoko End Kwara United’s Confederation Cup Campaign in Abeokuta
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup4 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers