International Football
Bayelsa Queens have their fate in their hands
In few hours time at the Prince Herities Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, the Bayelsa Queens will engage Egypt’s Wadi Delga in the final matchday of Group B of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
A possible win is all they desire to get into the semi finals along with possible group leaders and defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.
But the group could turn into a Greek puzzle that could lead to employment of tie-breaker. Arithmetically, three teams could finish on six points each if Congo’s Mazembe should beat Mamelodi Sundowns and Bayelsa Queens beat Egypt’s Wadi Delga.
The 5-0 defeat of Wadi Delga by Mamelodi Sundowns comes handy for the South Africans who are likely going to have the edge on goal difference to move ahead.
On this account, Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens will need to go for the goals to avert a possible elimination on account of goal difference in the unlikely event of Mazembe beating Sundowns by three goals or more.
Although the encounter is a first clash of Wadi Degla and Bayelsa Queens, the Egyptians on home soil faces Rivers Angels last year.
Wadi Degla face West African opponents for a second time at the CAF Women’s Champions League in 2021 in their final group game, a must win clash saw them come up against Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana the game ended 2-2 despite Wadi Degla twice leading.
It will be recalled that the Nigerian champions began with a 2-1 loss to defending Champions Mamelodi Sundowns, they bounced back to win their next game against TP Mazembe 2-0.
In winning their second game after losing their opening game at the CAF WCL Finals Bayelsa Queens became the fourth side after Malabo Kings and Vihiga Queens in 2021, as well as Simba Queens at the current finals, to lose their opening game and then win their second game.
Progression to the next round will seen Bayelsa Queens become the first team from Nigeria to reach the last four, their counterparts Rivers Angels exited the 2021 tournament at the group stages.
Should Bayelsa Queens reach the Semi-finals they will become the second team from West Africa to do so along with the Ghanaian club Hasaacas Ladies, who ended as runners up in 2021.
If Bayelsa Queens do not reach the last four it will be for the first time that there will be no West African representative in the Semi-finals at the CAF WCL.
Should Bayelsa Queens reach the last four they will emulate the performance of the Nigerian national women’s national team, who made it to the last four of the recent 2022 WAFCON which was held in Morocco in July.
A win for Bayelsa Queens will see them become the first Nigerian team at the CAF WCL to win two games.
All five games involving Nigerian clubs at the CAF WCL have ended with a winner, none of the five games at the finals with either Rivers Angels or Bayelsa Queens has ended in a draw.
Of the five games involving Nigerian clubs at the CAF WCL in four of these games has the winning team kept a clean sheet, only in Bayelsa Queens 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies at the current competition has both teams managed to score.
Bayelsa Queens are the first Nigerian team to score in successive games at the CAF WCL, Rivers Angels failed to do so in their first two group games in 2021 losses to AS FAR and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. Before winning their final game 4-0 against Vihiga Queens.
Should they keep a clean-sheet Bayelsa Queens will be the first team from West Africa to keep two clean-sheets at the CAF WCL Finals, in 2021 between the three WAFU representatives they kept just two clean-sheets.
Ogoma Josephs who converted a penalty to open the scoring for Bayelsa Queens against TP Mazembe in their last game, had 89 touches of the ball more than any of her teammates.
Grace Igboamalu scorer of Bayelsa Queens second goal in the win over TP Mazembe attempted six shots on target in the game, with all six shots being on target.
In their win over TP Mazembe – Bayelsa Queens completed 397 passes to their opponents 297 passes, making a 100 passes more.
Bayelsa Queens made 272 of their 397 passes against TP Mazembe in their opponents half.
Against TP Mazembe the Nigerian club had a game high 97 final third entries.
Bayelsa Goalkeeper Ange Bawou made four saves from the four shot she faced in the win against TP Mazembe.
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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