World Cup
Coach, players fired after Equatorial Guinea fail to pitch for World Cup tie
Equatorial Guinea have fired coach Juan Micha and kicked out several key players after a strike meant the team failed to travel to Malawi for a World Cup qualifier, with the country now facing possible sanctions from world football body FIFA.
Several regulars, including veteran captain Emilio Nsue, have also been removed from their squad for their last Group H qualifier against Liberia on Monday, officials said on Sunday.
Key players refused to travel for their penultimate group qualifier last Thursday, citing continual complaints over conditions and money, after which the coach and some players were kicked out of the squad.
Micha’s dismissal was confirmed in a social media post from the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation.
“The Ministry of Sports has given players called up for these FIFA matches who believe they can continue to defend their country the opportunity to put their names on a list,” the statement added.
“Otherwise, anyone who doesn’t do so will be deemed to have opted out and will no longer be part of the national team.”
A new squad has since been named for Monday’s match, with Casto Nopo appointed interim coach.
The list excludes many of the players who were in the squad at the last Cup of Nations, where Equatorial Guinea caused a major sensation by beating hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 in the group phase.
The result was hailed as the biggest shock in Cup of Nations history and followed an upset 1-1 draw with Nigeria in their opening fixture of the tournament in early 2024.
Equatorial Guinea finished ahead of the two heavyweights in the group standings but were then eliminated in the last 16 by a last-gasp goal for Guinea.
Since then, Equatorial Guinea have qualified for the upcoming Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, which kicks off on December 21, but are out of contention for a place at next year’s World Cup.
-Reuters
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Morocco will host Africa’s four-team World Cup playoffs next month which offer the possibility of an additional place at next year’s finals in North America, the Confederation of African Football has confirmed.
All winners of the nine African qualifying groups advance to the finals in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. next June, but there is also a route for a potential extra place for one of the four best runners-up.
They will play a mini tournament in Morocco in November to determine a single team that will go on to compete in an inter-continental playoff in March for a place in the 48-team field at the 2026 World Cup.
The identity of the four teams for next month’s initial African playoff will only be finalised when the group fixtures conclude on Tuesday.
They will play two semi-finals in Morocco on November 13, at venues still to be confirmed, and then a final on November 16.
The teams will be paired according to their position in the next FIFA rankings, to be issued on October 23, with the highest-ranked side taking on the lowest and the second-highest taking on the third-highest.
FOUR COUNTRIES ALREADY QUALIFIED
Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria have all qualified for the World Cup with games to spare and home success for Ghana later on Sunday will see them add their name to the list.
On Monday, Cape Verde can qualify with a win in their fixture at home while the Ivory Coast and Senegal can join them on Tuesday if they do the same.
In Group C, however, there are various permutations with Benin, Nigeria and South Africa all in the running when they play their last games on Tuesday.
Morocco will host the Africa Cup of Nations from December 21-January 18 and co-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Spain.
The north African kingdom is also hosting next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the third successive time, plus the U-17 Women’s World Cup, which kicks off next Friday.
The country also regularly stages other continental footballing events and allows its stadiums to be used by countries whose own infrastructure is considered unfit for use in international competition.
-Reuters
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Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has confirmed that two of his most influential players — Sessi d’Almeida and Yohan Roche — will be unavailable for selection after receiving their second yellow cards in the Cheetahs’ hard-fought 1–0 victory over Rwanda on Friday.
Rohr has reportedly expressed disappointment over the suspensions but remained optimistic about his team’s chances against his former employers.
“We have lost two players for the match against Nigeria as a result of a second yellow card,” Rohr said. “But all is possible for the three teams — South Africa, Benin and Nigeria. We now have the decision in our hands. This can be a little advantage, but we will see. Big suspense until the end of the qualifiers.”
Key Losses for the Cheetahs
The absence of Sessi d’Almeida, a combative defensive midfielder who plies his trade with Pau FC in France’s Ligue 2, will be a major blow for Benin. Known for his tenacity, tactical intelligence, and leadership, the 29-year-old is the heartbeat of Rohr’s midfield — often dictating play and breaking up opposition attacks.
D’Almeida, who previously featured for Barnsley and Valenciennes, has been one of the Cheetahs’ most consistent performers throughout the qualifying campaign.
Also suspended is Yohan Roche, the dependable central defender who plays for Red Star FC in France. The 27-year-old, of Beninese and French descent, has been a key figure in Rohr’s backline, bringing composure, aerial strength, and organization to a side that has conceded just four goals in the qualifiers.
His absence leaves a significant void in Benin’s defensive setup as they prepare to face Nigeria’s potent attack.
A Familiar Foe Awaits
For Rohr, Tuesday’s encounter carries special meaning. The Franco-German tactician previously managed Nigeria from 2016 to 2021, leading the Super Eagles to qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and a third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Now on the opposite side, Rohr is hoping to guide Benin Republic to their first-ever World Cup appearance — a historic feat that would mark the pinnacle of his coaching career.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles, also missing star forward Ademola Lookman through suspension, are determined to bounce back and keep their qualification hopes alive.
With both sides depleted but motivated, Tuesday’s clash in Uyo promises to be a tactical and emotional battle — one that could shape the destiny of Group C in Africa’s road to the 2026 World Cup.
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Nigeria’s Super Eagles have finally arrived in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, ahead of Tuesday’s must-win clash against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in the final Group C matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers.
The team touched down at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, at 8:05 a.m. on Sunday, following a ValueJet-operated flight that brought the Nigerian delegation back from Angola. According to reports, the airline dispatched a special aircraft to facilitate the team’s prompt return after logistical delays.
Team media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that the Super Eagles will hold a closed training session at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday evening as they begin final preparations for the high-stakes encounter.
A pre-match press conference has been scheduled for Monday at 6:00 p.m., followed by the team’s official training session at 6:30 p.m., the first 15 minutes of which will be open to the media for coverage.
The match against Benin, described by observers as a “zero-option” fixture, will determine Nigeria’s qualification fate as the race for the 2026 World Cup intensifies across Africa. The Super Eagles, under coach Eric Chelle, will be aiming for a decisive victory to keep their hopes of reaching
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