The Nation Newspaper

Tag: world cup

  • Toying with World Cup ticket

    Toying with World Cup ticket

    So, I shudder to ask why anyone thinks that I dislike Nigerian coaches simply because I speak the truth to them. Otherwise, why is it that the class of the 1994 Super Eagles is always around to replace one of their former teammates as Super Eagles coaches? I ask where is the espirit d’ corps as former teammates fighting the same course of reinventing our football based on their experiences and learning in Europe as ex-internationals? Would these 1994 class expect Finidi to be happy with them? Or do they not know that Finidi was the incumbent assistant coach of the Super Eagles?

    Yes, Emmanuel Amuneke has a right to aspire to any office. But it would have been wise for him to whisper tactics with them at the sidelines in training sessions than to be perceived rightly or wrongly as being the cog in the wheel in their quest to coach the Super Eagles. Amuneke mustn’t be a Super Eagles coach before he can contribute meaningfully to the way the team plays.

    Amuneke was adjudged the best African Player of the Year in 1994 and rightly so. The Zambians would never forget the name Amuneke for a very long time. Amuneke’s name is etched in the annals of Zambia’s football history, especially when the Africa Cup of Nations comes to the front burners.

    Amuneke, it was exposed, that one coach and one former NFF member didn’t visit him in Portugal but chose to have their discussion with him on the telephone. Amuneke was upright. Played for Nigeria as if his life depended on it. Great lad. Amuneke left indelible marks in Egypt playing for Zamalek FC. A worthy Nigerian ambassador wherever he played. But his feats as coach after the Golden Eaglets’ World Cup for Nigeria haven’t been inspiring. He needs to bid his time.

    Read Also: Discrimination: Buratai calls for expulsion of Chinese supermarket

    Amuneke helped Tanzania qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since 1982 as he led the Taifa Stars to the 2019 tournament.

    Interestingly, Nigeria has started poorly on the road to the 2026 World Cup qualification, drawing at home to lowly rated Lesotho and holding Zimbabwe to an embarrassing draw away from home and both games ended 1-1. The Super Eagles are currently third in Group C behind Rwanda and South Africa and would be hoping to get their first wins when they face the Bafana Bafana and Benin Republic next month.

    Finidi has in his hands a banana peel that can destroy his career since he would be prosecuting matches with assistants he has never worked with. In picking his assistants, he must pick the best and not charlatans. It would be a tragedy if, in the end, Nigerians remember Finidi as the man who did not qualify us for the World Cup. His best chance to resign is now, otherwise he sinks for life.

     The World Cup is neither executed through prayers nor is it a lottery centre where anyone can walk in to operate the gaming machines. No! It is a platform to showcase excellence built over time and not a stage to exhibit mediocrity as we have always done in the past.

    The countries that excel in sporting events have systems that guarantee enough funds for the sportsmen and sportswomen to compete with the best such as tax rebates on sport-friendly firms, lotteries, and businesses owned by wealthy nationals who know what is in such a sponsorship that benefits them by the sitting government. Such financial taxes are spelled out to companies and wealthy citizens after agreements have been reached. These cast-in-stone policies are binding to all the parties to such an extent that breaches are adequately addressed to allow either of the parties to seek redress in court.

  • JUST IN: Germany World Cup winner dies at 63

    JUST IN: Germany World Cup winner dies at 63

    Former Germany defender Andreas Brehme, who scored the winning goal in the 1990 World Cup final, has died aged 63.

    Brehme converted a late penalty in the final of the 1990 tournament to secure victory against Argentina in Rome.

    He earned 86 caps, including eight goals, for his country and won league titles while at Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

    “FC Bayern is deeply shocked by the sudden death of Andreas Brehme,” said the German club.

    “We will always keep Andreas Brehme in our hearts – as a world champion and even more so as a very special person.

    “He will always be part of the FC Bayern family. Rest in peace, dear Andi.”

    Brehme played for Kaiserslautern from 1981-86 and 1993-98.

    He won the Bundesliga title in 1998 and German Cup in 1996 during his time at the club, with whom he also had a spell as manager from 2000-02.

    Read Also: 2026 World Cup: NFF to shop for  friendlies  for Super Eagles

    “The FCK mourns the loss of Andreas Brehme,” said a Kaiserslautern statement.

    “He wore the Red Devils jersey for a total of 10 years and became German champion and cup winner with FCK.

    “In 1990, he shot the German national team to the World Cup title with his penalty and finally became a football legend.”

    Germany were managed by Franz Beckenbauer, who died aged 78 in January, at the 1990 World Cup.

    Brehme also scored when his country beat England on penalties in the tournament’s semi-finals.

  • World Cup 2026: South Africa, Ghana suffer shock defeats

    World Cup 2026: South Africa, Ghana suffer shock defeats

    Ghana and South Africa suffered shock defeats in qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Cameroon and Senegal were forced to settle for draws away from home.

    Ghana were beaten 1-0 by Comoros in their Group I contest in Moroni through Myziane Maolida’s fine solo effort two minutes before half-time.

    Meanwhile, Rwanda pulled off a shock 2-0 win at home against South Africa to move to the top of Group C ahead of Bafana Bafana and Nigeria.

    Senegal were held to a goalless draw by Togo in Lome and Libya fought back to draw 1-1 with Cameroon in front of a fervent crowd in Benghazi.

    Read Also: WCQ: South Africa go top of Nigeria’s group after Benin win

    Elsewhere, there were wins for Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Uganda and Namibia.

    Africa will have a guaranteed nine teams at the expanded 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with the chance of a 10th team to qualify via intercontinental play-offs.

    Tuesday’s African World Cup results

    Botswana 1-0 Guinea (Group G)

    Ethiopia 0-3 Burkina Faso (Group A)

    Lesotho 0-0 Benin (Group C)

    Malawi 0-1 Tunisia (Group H)

    Rwanda 2-0 South Africa (Group C)

    Somalia 0-1 Uganda (Group G)

    Eswatini 0-2 Cape Verde (Group D)

    Comoros 1-0 Ghana (Group I)

    Libya 1-1 Cameroon (Group D)

    Mauritius 0-0 Angola (Group D)

    Sao Tome e Principe 0-2 Namibia (Group H)

    South Sudan 0-0 Mauritania (Group B)

    Togo 0-0 Senegal (Group B)

  • Russia still reaping blessings of 2018 World Cup Hosting

     

    Hosts of 2018 World cup Russia, are still reaping the gains of the event which was held between June 14 and July 15 2018 in eleven Russian cities.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Tuesday that alcohol consumption in the country has dropped to all time low of 43%.

    The Organisation opined that the achievement was made under sport-loving president Vladimir Putin who has continued to approve moves at restrictions on alcohols sales and consumption and promotion while promoting healthy lifestyles.

    Recall that the authorities announced restrictions of alcohol sale and bans in some areas during the World cup in apparently to prevent a repeat of 2016 incident where fans clashed after Euro 2016 match between England and Russia.

    Moscow official Kirill Malyshkin had said during the World Cup “Executive power bodies have set the borders where the sale and consumption of alcohol will be banned, on the eve of a football World Cup match and the day it is held.”

    Gallant Russia players after losing to Croatia in the Q/final

    ‘The Russian Federation has long been considered one of the heaviest-drinking countries in the world,’ the report said, adding that alcohol was a major contributor to a spike in deaths in the 1990s.

    The report further linked the achievement to in increased life expectancies, which reached a historic peak in 2018, at 78 years for women and 68 years for men.

    Host Russia began their opening match of the 2018 World cup with a 5-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia and went all the way to the Quarter finals where they lost to eventual finalists Croatia on 3-4 on penalties after the match ended 2-2 after extra time.

  • Rejuvenated Falcons renew hope in 2-0 defeat of Korea Republic

     

    Super falcons added some icing on the cake as Nigerians celebrated Democracy Day June 12, as they defeated Korea Republic 2-0 at the ongoing Women’s World cup in France on Wednesday.

    The Thomas Dernneby led side who put up a poor show in the opener losing 3-0 to Norway rose to the occasion against Korea who were also desperate to have a win after losing their opening match by 4-0 to hosts France.

    The good news for Falcons started with own goal by Kim Do-Yeon in the 29th minute. The anxious Nigerian girls and the massive crowd at the stadium however had to wait for confirmation of the goal by VAR when it appeared as if Falcons Captain Desire Oparanozie touched the ball with his hands.

    The Nigerian side held on to the lone lead till the end of the first half.  On resumption of the second half both teams increased their desperation to take control of proceedings.  It was however falcons that had the much needed break in the 75th minute of the match thanks to Barcelona forward Assisat Oshoala who converted a well-placed pass from Chidinma Okeke.

    Goalkeeper of the side Chiamaka Nnadozie who was making her world cup debut made history as the youngest ever goalkeeper to maintain a clean sheet in the World Cup match at just 19.

    An elated Nnadozie remained confident that the team will qualify for the next stage despite losing the first match. Falcons are currently 3rd on the log behind Norway with three points. “I am optimistic we will qualify for the next stage the girls are ready and determined,” she enthused

    The team will file out against table toppers France on June 17 and will be praying to have an impressive run to stand a chance of progressing.

     

     

  • World Cup: No mental block for Falcons — Dennerby

    Head Coach of the Super Falcons, Thomas Dennerby has assured that the African champions will not suffer any mental block when confronting European opposition at the FIFA World Cup finals in France.

    Speaking during a press conference preceding the WAFU Women’s Tournament starting in Abidjan next week, Dennerby said he believes the Super Falcons have now gained enough confidence to stand their ground against European, American and Asian opposition any time the need arises.

    Read also: Thomas Dennerby: ‘My Thailand home, best place for relaxation’

    “The team now has the confidence to play against any team, whichever continent they come from. That is the benefit of the several training camps and friendly tournaments we have had this year. I definitely don’t think that it’s some kind of mental block when we lost to Canada in Spain. We know the reason why we lost the game and the biggest lessons are not to do tactics that the team has not practised in training, and also to stop playing only when the referee’s whistle goes for the end of the game.

  • Early Bird: ‘Vagina stadium’ unveiled ready for 22 World cup

     

    One of the 12 Stadia to be used for the 2022 world cup in Qatar, The Al Wakrah stadium has been unveiled signaling its readiness for action close to five years to the event billed for November 21-December 18.

    The stadium which controversially has been named “Vagina Stadium” with fans citing its shape for the label is the first to be completed as work continues on the remaining 11 scattered in seven regions of Lusail ,Doha ,Al Khor,Ash-Shamal,Al Wakrah, Umm Salal and Al Rayyan.

    The Al Wakrah stadium will host matches up to the quarter-finals and contains innovative cooling technology to bring temperatures down for the 40,000 fans.

    It was designed by the late British-Iraqi architect, Dame Zaha Hadid, who died suddenly of a heart attack in 2016, aged 65.

    When her plans were first released in 2013 they were said to have been inspired by the flowing shape of a dhow boat, a traditional Arabian pearl diving and fishing vessel. The drawings were topped with a structure resembling the sails of a dhow.

    But the images went viral with commentators suggesting the stadium looked more like female genitalia.

    At the time, Dame Zaha hit back saying: ‘It’s really embarrassing they come up with nonsense stuff like this. What are they saying? Everything with a hole in it is a vagina? That’s ridiculous.’ The architect was also behind great buildings such as the Aquatics Centre at the 2012 London Olympics, the MAXXI Museum in Italy and the Guangzhou Opera House in China

    The 2022 World Cup has already been moved to the winter months to avoid the searing summer temperatures in the Gulf.

    The stadium is 12 miles south of the capital Doha and has been designed to be able to bring down the heat to around 22C for spectators and players. Cold air will be piped in through vents while the retractable roof will provide shade to the pitch.

  • 2023 W/World Cup: South Africa battles for hosting right

     

    After successfully hosting the 2010 World cup, South Africa have again indicated interest in hosting the 2023 edition of the Women’s world cup.

    World soccer ruling body FIFA confirmed the Rainbow Nation’s bid on Tuesday the thus bringing to nine the number of countries interested in hosting the event.

    Other countries in the running for the hosting right include Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, South & North Korea and New Zealand.

    Although all documents relating to the bid are expected to be in the custody of the world soccer ruling body by October 4th 2019, decision on which country eventually gets the nod will not be made until March 2020.

    South Africa will be banking on her wealth of experience garnered in the course of hosting the world in 2010, the first time the African continent will be hosting the prestigious tournament regarded as the highest celebration of soccer excellence.

    The women’s world cup made its debut in 1991 with China hosting the very first edition which the United States won beating Norway in the finals.

    Other countries that have hosted the championship in include Sweden 1995, USA 1999 and 2003,China 2007, Germany 2011, Canada 2015 while this year edition has will hold in France.

    Although Africa is yet to host the Championship Nigeria has participated in all the editions of the women’s world cup posting an impressive outing in 1999 in the USA where the Falcons made it to the quarterfinals losing 4-3 to Brazil after extra time.

    Interestingly Bayana Bayana of South Africa who will be participating in this year’s edition in France, are qualifying for the event for the first time in 25 years after finishing as runners up in the African Women Nation cup in Ghana.

  • FIFA to hand Russia N21.7billion for World Cup legacy fund

     

    FIFA will allocate $60 million (about N21.7billion)  to a Russia 2018 World Cup legacy fund to help develop the sport in the country, following last summer’s tournament which was widely praised as among the best ever editions of the event.

    Meeting for the last time on Wednesday, Russia’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC) summarized the financial aspects of the tournament, which was held between June 14 and July 15 across 12 stadiums in 11 host cities.

    “FIFA will allocate at least $60 million for the legacy program. The amount will be used to support and develop children’s, women’s football and infrastructure,” said LOC chairman Arkady Dvorkovich, TASS reported.

    “We agreed to continue working on the legacy program and its content – this is the most important thing. The legacy program is being discussed by the Ministry of Sports, the RFU [Russian Football Union] and FIFA.”

    FIFA created a similar fund for the last World Cup in Brazil, which saw the South American nation receive a reported $100 million.

    Russia’s overall spending for the World Cup was equivalent to $10.6 billion, according to Dvorkovich, the majority of which came from the state budget.

    The FIFA Council hailed the Russia World Cup, which was the 21st edition of the tournament and was won by France, as the best in history at a meeting in October. Although close to seven months have passed since the last World Cup a recent report indicates that almost 2,000 Nigerians are among thousands of World Cup fans still stranded in Russia.

    The possibility of these stranded fans giving birth to children cannot be ruled out. It will be recalled that a Senior Russian lawmaker had called on her countrywomen not to have sex with foreign men visiting the country during the World Cup, saying Russian women “should give birth to our own.”

    In an interview with radio station Govorit Moskva, Tamara Pletnyova, the chairperson of the Duma committee on families, women and children, said she was concerned about a rise in single mothers.

  • ‘NFF hasn’t paid for Eagles’ Russia 2018 W/Cup outfit’

    Gt Stitches, the designer of the Super Eagles of Nigeria’s ceremonial attire to the Russia 2018 World Cup, on Thursday accused the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) of failing to pay for the outfit, nearly eight months after the Mundial ended.

    The clothing brand’s CEO, Esimaje Awani, made the allegation in a post on GT Stitches’ Instagram page.
    He said: “NFF refused to pay for ceremonial outfit almost one year after World Cup! This can only happen in Nigeria!!”

    Awani, who did not say how much the deal was worth, accused NFF President Amaju Pinnick of avoiding him over the debt.

    He said: “My brother Amaju has stopped picking my calls cos (sic) of this money. Someone at the office told me court is my only option!! What a shame!!”

    Responding to a critic who criticised him for “coming out now to spill this”, Awani challenged the NFF to deny his claims.

    He said: “Please, let NFF come out and say their part! I have not been paid period. Some persons might not be patient as I was on the subject matter.”

    The Nigerian-Canadian designed the outfit last year and it received critical global acclaim.

    The Super Eagles sent social media agog when they arrived in Russia decked out in the green and white local traditional attire complete with a green soccer ball printed on the collar, white loafers and boater hats.

    Nigerian luxury designer David Bowler designed the team’s other official suits for the Russia 2018 World Cup.

    These, alongside the jerseys designed by Nike which sold out in days in the United Kingdom, won Nigeria the best dressed team award at the Mundial.

    There has been no official comment on the matter from the NFF.