International Football
‘World Cup War’: Black Stars claim Super Eagles have sent spies to Ghana!
Understandably, a fixture of Nigeria and Ghana hold a big significance for both countries who have been rivals since 1951.
But this month’s back-to-back fixtures appear to be the biggest since both teams’ maiden encounter on 20 October 1951.
It is not just because it is a World Cup qualifying fixture as there have been such encounters in the past. But above all the previous match-ups, this month’s own is the ultimate as the aggregate winners go to the zenith of football competition – the World Cup, the very first in the Gulf Region and the first with the 36-team format.
It is therefore not a big surprise at manoeuvres and counter-manoeuvres allegedly by both camps.
According to Ghana, Nigeria have already begun their underground work and operations ahead of the 2022 World Cup playoff first leg against Ghana on March 25, 2022.
Ghana are expected to host Nigeria at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium before the second leg to be played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on March 29, 2022.
A report in Ghanasoccernet claims that Nigeria have sent spies and scouts to Ghana to monitor proceedings and preparations of the Black Stars team ahead of the game.
According to the report monitored by Sports Village Square, the delegation has been sent to Ghana to prepare grounds for the team before they arrive in the country on 23 March.
The reports has it that the members of the delegation are currently lodging at a plush hotel in East Legon.
“They will later move to Cape Coast to scout for a good hotel for the team and the travelling supporters.
“Last week it was reported that The Nigeria Football Federation has already requested for 10,000 tickets for the game against Ghana.
The three-time AFCON champions are hoping to beat the Black Stars in order to make their seventh World Cup appearance this year in Qatar.”
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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