The Nation Newspaper

Tag: African Football Confederation (CAF)

  • Babatunde, Okechukwu eye double titles in Morocco

    After knocking Mamelodi Sundown out of the CAF Champions League, Super Eagles players Babatunde Michael and Gabriel Okechukwu have set sights on winning the domestic league title as well as the continental trophy with Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca.

    Wydad Casablanca dumped out the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns out of the CAF Champions League after losing 3-2 on penalties.

    The South Africans lost the match 1-0, which saw the aggregate score locked at 1-1 but three awful penalties from Percy Tau, Yannick Zakri and Bangaly Soumahoro in the shootout sealed their fate.

    Wydad are currently leading the Botola Pro league table with 54 points, two points above their bitter rival Raja Casablanca who are on 52 points.

    A victory on Friday for Wydad Casablanca against Ittihad Tanger means Wydad will be leading the table with a maximum five points in 28 games and are closing to be the champions of the league. “We started well, and we are going to end it well,” said Babatunde.

    “We have been motivated to do double and we are aiming to make it happen. Our determination gave us a victory against the defending champions and we are not going to relent, we want the trophy and we are lifting the double to make the club and the people of Morocco proud of our success.

    “Personally, I dream of winning the league title and the CAF Champions League at the beginning of the season, but I think hard work has taking us to this level, it was a tough journey and we must finish it gloriously.”

    In the same vein, the former Super Eagles team B player Gabriel Okechukwu anticipating over the potential double title following his move from Ukraine.

    “I didn’t start the journey with my team mates but I am dreaming being part of history by winning the league title and CAF Champions league. The league is not over just like the CAF champion’s league battle is not over, we need to do more and prove to everybody that we are worthy champions. We need to remain focus and keep fighting to make the dream come alive,” said Gabriel

  • Fans seek stiffer penalties against erring African referees

    Fans seek stiffer penalties against erring African referees

    Football fans in Ebonyi have urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to mete stiffer penalties against referees who decide outcome of matches with their biased officiating.

    The fans who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abakaliki were reacting to Gabonese Referee Eric Castane’s controversial penalty award to Algeria which ensured its equalizer against Nigeria on Friday.

    The ‘dead-rubber’ World Cup qualifier played in Constantine thus ended 1-1 with the Eagles already through to ‘Russia 2018’ and finishing its qualification campaign without a loss.

    Emmanuel Uzor, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, noted that Castane towed the path of banned Ghanaian Referee, Joseph Lamptey in deciding the match in Algeria’s favor.

    “It is ridiculous to see a referee awarding a penalty in favour of player who pushed his opponent as the referee wanted to ensure that Algeria did not lose the match at home.

    “Such decisions account for the non-participation of African referees in major soccer competitions and CAF should descend more heavily on defaulters to save us from continued shame,” he said.

    Supporting this assertion, Princewill Nwankwo, a retired referee with the Ebonyi Referees Association, faulted the decision describing it as ‘shameful’.

    “The result is of no consequence to both teams otherwise I could have advised the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to protest the decision like Senegalese did against South Africa.

    “I know as a referee that we are not above mistakes but matches of such magnitude require utmost concentration and alertness from whoever is officiating,” he said.

    Vincent Okpalaka, Former Enugu Rangers International Defender, urged CAF to investigate Castane over the decision but advised Nigeria to concentrate on its subsequent matches.

    “The match showed that Coach Gernot Rohr was right not to feature some players during the qualifiers because those on parade performed below par.

    “The players should improve on their performances against Argentine in the upcoming friendly because Nigerians are already anticipating a drubbing from the South Americans,” he said.

    Chief Josiah Ogodo, a Quarry Operator and Soccer Enthusiast noted that match exposed the lapses in the Eagles which the technical crew should correct immediately.

    “It is clear that the goalkeeping and the left full back positions are still poor while the midfield and attack cannot operate efficiently without Mikel Obi and Victor Moses.

    “Rohr’s job is made difficult due to insufficient FIFA free windows before the world cup as he should stop experimentation and scout for experienced players to fill such positions,” he said.

    Mrs Juliana Nnoli, a Teacher and soccer buff supported this assertion and urged Rohr to maintain the present crop of players for the world cup preparation.

    “The coach should instill confidence in the players and make them believe that they can perform optimally in the world cup even without their best players,” she said.

  • CAF Confederation Cup: Rivers Utd, Rangers get opponents

    CAF Confederation Cup: Rivers Utd, Rangers get opponents

    Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt will face Rwanda’s Rayon Sport in the first leg of the final qualifying round of the CAF Confederation Cup.

    Also, Rangers International FC of Enugu will be away to Zesco United of Zambia in first leg of the final qualifying round of the competition.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African Football Confederation (CAF) released the draws on Tuesday.

    NAN also reports that Rivers United was dumped out of the CAF Champions League to the Confederation Cup with a 3-4 aggregate having lost 4-0 away to Al-Merrikh of Sudan.

    The first leg ended 3-0 in favour of Rivers United in Port Harcourt.

    Enugu Rangers having lost 1-4 to Zamalek of Egypt in the first leg could not score the number of required goals to take them to the group stage.

    The Flying Antelopes defeated Zamalek in Enugu 2-1 to go out of the competition 5-3 on aggregate.

    According to CAF, the matches are scheduled for April 7, 8 and 9, while the return leg holds from April 14 to April 16.

  • Fans chide soccer authorities over clubs ouster from CAF

    Fans chide soccer authorities over clubs ouster from CAF

    Football fans in Abakaliki have chided Nigerian soccer authorities over the ouster of its clubs in all categories of the African Football Confederation (CAF) competitions.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Enugu Rangers International beat Zamalek of Egypt 2-1 in Enugu on Sunday in the CAF Champions League round of 32 clash but lost 3-5 on aggregate after a 1-4 first leg loss.

    Rivers United also lost 0-4 on Saturday to El-Merriekh of Sudan and lost 3-4 on aggregate after winning 3-0 in the first leg in Port Harcourt.

    The fans who spoke to NAN on Monday in Abakaliki described the situation as appalling, noting that both teams’ subsequent qualification to vie in the Confederation Cup was not enough consolation.

    Dickson Ojeh, Team Manager of National Amateur League Side, Alter Nite FC of Abakaliki, said that the soccer authorities and clubs did not understand the politics involved in such competitions.

    “El Merriekh frustrated Rivers United with their fans pelting our players with stones, while Rangers were not allowed to record the proceedings of their first leg game in Cairo.

    “In a sharp contrast, Rivers United gave El-Merriekh a queens treatment in Port Harcourt, while Zamalek officials were flaunting their television relay rights in Enugu and moving freely as if they were in Cairo,’’ he said.

    Supporting this assertion, Chika Nwangele, Ebonyi United FC skipper, said that El-Merriekh and Zamalek had the full support of their nation’s soccer officials when prosecuting their matches.

    “How many Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials were involved in prosecuting both matches in Nigeria or accompanying the teams to Ombdurman and Cairo?

    “Zamalek and El-Merriekh players were visibly more motivated than their Nigerian counterparts who grapple with allowances and bonuses whenever they want to travel,’’ he said.

    Chief Okechukwu Nshii, former Head of Sports Department in Abakaliki Local Government Council, blamed the development on fatigue occasioned by a congested domestic schedule.

    “It is sheer madness for the Nigerian Professional League Board to organise matches during mid-week as top football nations in the world don’t practice such.

    “Clubs play as much as two matches in a congested week and this also affected Ifeanyi Ubah and Wikki Tourists FC who were eliminated in the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup,’’ he said.

    Mrs Peace Okenwa, a don and soccer buff, called on soccer authorities to consult former Abia Governor, Chief Orji Uzor-Kalu, for tips on his magic wand for Enyimba in 2003 and 2004.

    “Uzor-Kalu as a soccer strategist has the key of repeating Enyimba’s back to back winning success as Nigerian clubs have been groping in the dark since then.

    “CAF should also look-into the complaints lodged by Rangers and Rivers United against their opponents and treat them on merit because football no matter how keenly contested, should not be war,’’ she said. 

  • Saraki congratulates new CAF President, Ahmad

    Saraki congratulates new CAF President, Ahmad

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Thursday congratulated the newly-elected President of African Football Confederation (CAF), Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad.

    Saraki said in Abuja that Ahmad as a consummate technocrat would help to usher in an era of innovation and positive change in the affairs of CAF.

    “Ahmad’s victory is testament to his determination to positively alter the 29-year status quo in CAF,” Saraki said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu.

    “His predecessor, Issa Hayatou had served the organisation well; now, we look forward to the new leadership to usher in an era of change and effectiveness to raise the standard of African football across all levels.”

    Saraki also urged Football Associations (FA) across the continent to rally support for the new CAF president to deliver on his electioneering promises for the good of African football.

    “This is a new beginning and we cannot afford to make the mistakes of the past.

    “African football has been yearning for a new direction and now that this opportunity to inject fresh blood into the management of CAF has been realised, it is time for stakeholders to extend the frontiers and fortunes of African football at the global level,” Saraki said.

    He commended the outgoing President of CAF, Issa Hayatou, for his services and contributions to the development of football in Africa in his 29-year headship of the body.