International Football
All you need to know about TP Mazembe, Bayelsa Queens’ Champions League opponents today
- The Democratic Republic of Congo champions TP Mazembe began their inaugural campaign at the 2022 CAF WCL with a 1-0 triumph over Egyptian club Wadi Degla, courtesy of a goal from Merveille Kanjinga in the 7th minute.
- TP Mazembe became the sixth team to win their debut game at the CAF WCL with their win over Wadi Degla, they joined Hasaacas Ladies, Wadi Degla, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, AS FAR and Green Buffaloes to achieve such a milestone.
- TP Mazembe became the first team from the UNIFFAC Zone to win their opening game at a CAF WCL Finals with their win over Wadi Degla in their opening game. In 2021 their representative Malabo Kings lost to Hasaacas Ladies in their first game.
- Victory for TP Mazembe could see them progress to the next stage of the competition as long as Mamelodi Sundowns do not lose against Wadi Degla, they will be assured of progress with a win for Sundowns Ladies.
- A win for TP Mazembe will be the first occasion at a CAF senior women’s tournament that a representative of the Democratic Republic would win successive games or their opening two group games, at the 2006 WAFCON the DRC did not win any of their group games (D1 L2). While at the 2012 WAFCON they won their opening game against Senegal but were then defeated by Equatorial Guinea and South Africa in their next matches.
- In their first appearance at the WAFCON in 1998 DRC defeated Egypt in their opening game but then lost their next game to Nigeria and drew their final group game with Morocco to reach the Semi-finals. Where they lost to Ghana before ending third after defeating Cameroon on penalties in the play-off for third place.
- TP Mazembe in their opening group game were able to complete 76% of their tackles, while also having a passing success rate of 68%. Achieving a higher level than their opponents Wadi Degla.
- Of TP Mazembe’s five shots on target in their opening game against Wadi Degla, three of these were taken by the games lone goal scorer Merveille Kanjinga.
- Merveille Kanjinga was also Mazembe’s most influential passer in the game completing 27 passes against Wadi Degla.
International Football
Former Chelsea manager, Pochettino takes over US men’s team
Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been named new coach of the United States men’s team, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday.
Pochettino, who parted ways with Premier League side Chelsea in May after one season in charge, will take the reins of the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.
The Argentine, a former Paris St Germain and Tottenham Hotspur manager, said his decision to join U.S. soccer was not just about football, but about the journey the country was on and he could not pass up the opportunity.
“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me,” he said in a statement.
“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”
U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said Pochettino was a “serial winner with a deep passion for developing players”.
“His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”
The U.S. have been without a permanent coach since a humiliating early exit from the Copa America on home soil in July led to the sacking of Gregg Berhalter after his second stint as head coach.
The 51-year-old boss was first appointed in 2018 and led the Americans to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, but just weeks later found himself embroiled in a bitter public row with one of the team’s brightest emerging talents, Gio Reyna.
U.S. Soccer’s search for a new coach when Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022 included names such as Canada coach Jesse Marsch, but they ultimately rehired Berhalter in June last year with the full support of the players.
However, it proved unsuccessful as the U.S. failed to progress beyond the group stages of the Copa America after a shock 2-1 defeat to Panama and a crushing 1-0 loss to Uruguay.
Pochettino will take over after Mikey Varas, who has been appointed interim coach, oversaw friendlies against Canada last Saturday and New Zealand on Tuesday.
The U.S. drew 1-1 with New Zealand in Cincinnati after Christian Pulisic’s goal was cancelled out by Ben Waine’s late equaliser.
The U.S. will next play friendlies against Panama on Oct. 12 and Mexico three days later.
-Reuters
International Football
BREAKING – Video: Osimhen accepts to join Galatasaray
At last, Nigeria’s striker Victor Osimhen is out of the limbo. He has accepted to join Galatasaray on loan.
He is now asking for a release clause at Napoli to become €75m instead of €130m
He also wants a break clause for January in case top clubs approach him over move.
The final points are being discussed. He has been videoed celebrating with the Turkey club’s fans.
International Football
Uruguay striker Suarez to play last international match on Friday
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez announced his international retirement on Monday, ending a 17-year career with his national team as their top scorer with 69 goals.
The 37-year-old, who has 142 caps for his country, made his international debut in 2007 and was key in the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and won the Copa America a year later.
“Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” an emotional Suarez told a press conference.
“The fact that is my decision to retire and that I’m not retired because of injuries or that they stop calling me for one thing or another, that gives me a lot of comfort, it helps me individually.
“It’s difficult but it gives me peace of mind that until the last game I have given my all, and that flame has not been extinguished little by little,” the striker added.
Uruguay take on Paraguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Friday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup before facing Venezuela four days later.
Suarez scored the stoppage-time goal against Canada that secured third place at the Copa America in July and the striker added that one of his aims was to show he could continue to contribute to the national team.
“My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team … that last goal was very nice for them and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice for them,” he said.
“I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team and, well, I had the Copa America and yes, I could have done it (retired) perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium.
“I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye with the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done.”
Suarez has already said Inter Miami will be his last club after joining the Major League Soccer side last year to reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
-Reuters
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