World Cup
Former Nigeria coach, Troussier targets World Cup spot for Vietnam
Globe trotting French coach Philippe Troussier who qualified Nigeria for the France ‘98 World Cup and recently signing a three-year deal with Vietnam has targeted the 2026 World Cup with his new team.
It will be Vietnam’s first World Cup appearance if Troussier’s dream is realised. His new deal was signed and Monday. Trousssier was sacked by Nigeria after the country became the first qualifier, outside the host s France and defending champions, Brazil, to qualify for the 1998 World Cup.
Nigeria signed him again in 2005, but the Frenchman also paid back by refusing to show up after he had been announced as the successor to Austin Eguavoen.
In Vietnam, the 67-year-old, who succeeds South Korea’s Park Hang-seo, has coached over 20 national and club teams during his long career.
He led Japan to the Asian Cup title in 2000 and was in charge of the co-hosts at the 2002 World Cup.
Troussier had a spell in charge of Marseille in 2004-2005 and he became coach of Vietnam’s Under-19s in 2019.
Vietnam, ranked 96th by Fifa, are preparing to play the 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar, with the date of the tournament still to be confirmed.
But Troussier made it clear he had his sights set higher.
“The expansion to 48 teams at the 2026 World Cup is an opportunity for Vietnam. This is the ultimate goal we all aim for,” he said during the signing ceremony, according to state media.
Troussier’s contract runs from March 2023 to July 2026, VNExpress said.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
Tunisia will chase only their second FIFA World Cup victory over European opposition when they face the Netherlands in their final Group F fixture.
The Carthage Eagles have struggled historically against European teams at the World Cup, with this match marking their 14th such encounter at the finals.
Their task is made even tougher by a Dutch side seeking to complete a sixth consecutive World Cup group-stage campaign without suffering defeat.
The Netherlands have built a reputation for consistency in the opening phase of the tournament, while Tunisia will be desperate to finish their campaign on a positive note with a rare triumph over European opposition.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA
Türkiye will renew acquaintance with Concacaf opposition for the first time at the FIFA World Cup since 2002, when they face the United States in a key Group D fixture.
The Turkish side have not met a team from the North and Central American confederation at the World Cup in nearly a quarter of a century and will be eager to end their campaign on a positive note.
For the United States, the stakes are equally significant. The Americans are bidding to win three successive World Cup matches for the first time in their history, having already secured victories over Paraguay and Australia.
The meeting pits a proud European football nation against an American side enjoying one of its strongest World Cup campaigns.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA
Curaçao will break new ground when they face Côte d’Ivoire in a crucial FIFA World Cup Group E encounter, marking the Caribbean nation’s first-ever World Cup meeting with African opposition.
The debutants have already impressed on football’s biggest stage and now face another significant milestone against an Ivorian side chasing history of its own.
The Elephants are aiming to qualify for the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time since making their tournament debut in 2006. Victory would strengthen their hopes of reaching the Round of 32 and establish another landmark in the country’s World Cup journey.
With both teams pursuing historic achievements, the encounter promises to be one of the most intriguing contests of the final group-stage round.
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