AFCON 2019: Rohr not under pressure to deliver

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is not a man under pressure. The former Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso coach is leading Nigeria to 2019 Nations cup in Cameroon and from all indications he has no need to have sleepless nights.

Perhaps sleepless nights can only come, if he fails to qualify the Eagles for the championship which Nigeria has failed to qualify for on two occasions since lifting the trophy under late Stephen Keshi in 2013.

The Eagles were conspicuously missing in the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea and the 2017 edition in Gabon.

Prior to the World cup most Nigerians set what some analyst dubbed their 'private world cup target' that the Eagles should go beyond the round of 16 which has been the highest point we have reached and which we have repeated thrice 1994, 1998 and 2014.

Rohr was told to 'do well’ in Russia and was saved the usual "deliver or take a walk “headache for which coaching has come to be known.

Ahead of the series of qualifiers leading to the Nations Cup in Cameroon, President of Nigeria football Federation Amaju Pinnick has declared that the Glass House wants the coach to make "meaningful Impact" in Cameroon.

The NFF boss says the desire of the Glass House is not necessarily to win at all cost but to build a football culture with special emphasis on grooming younger players.

“Our vision, as we have indicated from day one, is to build a sustainable football culture for our dear nation. To do that, youth development is key,” said the NFF president.

“That is what we are trying to do with the U-15 squad which recently reached the final of the African Youth Games in

Algeria, and which will form the bulk of the next U-17 team.

“We will approach the matches one game at a time. Our objective is not only to qualify for the finals, but for the Super Eagles to also make a meaningful impact at the finals in Cameroon in the summer of next year,"

Well with that template in mind, Rohr on Friday dished out his squad in continuation of the qualifier against Seychelles.

The Eagles lost their opening match of the qualifying 2-0 at home to South Africa in June last year and resume away to Seychelles who have been dubbed minors in some quarters.

It is safe to assume that Nigeria will qualify for the main event and emerge from her group currently led by Libya with three points followed by South Africa with three points and Nigeria and Seychelles occupying the bottom without points.

As the Eagles begin the quest for qualification, and with strong believe in our minds that the team will ultimately pick one of the slots for the final tournament, the question is' what performance in Cameroon in your own thinking would translate to "Meaningful Impact?

FIFA Ban: Not yet Uhuru for Nigeria football

Aborted ban of Nigeria announced Monday by world soccer ruling body FIFA, has been described as a temporary succor and a time bomb waiting to explode.  

A cross section of soccer fans who bared their minds Tuesday on the issue on various platforms including live programs said the forced peace will not last insisting that finding a permanent solution to perennial war every world cup year at the Glass House should be the focus of all.

An Auchi based fan who gave his name as Durojaiye, likened what is happening in the football house to what is happening in the political arena in the country, and challenged Nigerians not to fold their hands and watch as  selfish individuals hijack the nation and the little that make them happy.

"I equate what is happening to our football today to what is happening in political arena.  We have seen that in spite of their promises and boasting both PDP and APC have failed to provide purposeful leadership so Nigerians should rise up in 2019 and look for a material outside these boastful parties to move the country forward. 

In the same vein the NFF election is in September, the two warring parties should be told in plain terms to take a walk so that we allow new people to contest elections. 

They don’t have monopoly of knowledge so they cannot be the only ones that can run football in a country of over 200 million," he said.

Another caller took the debate to the next level alleging that the brouhaha could be a gang up against the country for purely selfish reasons. 

"How are we sure that both factions are not fighting in the morning and partnering at night like our politicians who throw stones in the morning and fraternize at night while the people suffer and even kill themselves on their behalf?" she queried and yet another alleged that the squabble is merely diversionary with a view to ensuring that no question is asked about the funds used for the World Cup.

 "For me this unending disagreement is deliberate and diversionary.  

We went to world cup after so much swag and noise; we raised a lot of funds from corporate bodies and got funds from FIFA. 

If the squabble continues nobody will have the time to ask for the account.  Nobody will say come and tell us how much you raised locally and how much you got from FIFA, what is the total money gathered and how much was expended?

Nobody will ask for such records and that is what they want, very sad situation," submitted a very angry caller from Abuja.

FIFA in a letter confirming its decision to jettison the proposed ban added a last paragraph which indicates that it is still monitoring the situation in the country.

"FIFA will continue to closely monitor the situation in order to ensure that FIFA’s rules and regulations are fully adhered to" the letter added Monday.

Like the fear expressed by the fans it is apparent that the make-shift peace will not last the distance especially with a release by the legal representatives of the Giwa faction H.S Ardzard and co faulting  a tweet by Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbanjo recognising the Amaju Pinnick board. The release emphasised that there is separation of powers between Executive and Judiciary adding that setting aside a ruling of the judiciary appears to indicate that "government is at war with itself"

Former international Victor Ikpeba had earlier on Monday night football called for a change in the pattern of voting to elect the President of the Nigeria football Federation.  

According to the former Borussia Dortmund ace dubbed 'Prince of Monaco' while he was playing for the French side between 1993 and 1999; the FA Chairmen in the country are very powerful adding that ex-internationals who should have roles to play in the process have been sidelined.

Genevieve congratulates, prays for Falconets

Nollywood  star Genevieve Nnaji hit cloud 9 Monday after the Falconets pulled a hard fought draw against China to book a place in quarterfinals of the ongoing FIFA under 20 world cup in France. 

The Member of the Federal Republic recipient did not only give the  Rasheedat Ajibade captained side a pat on the back but wished them good luck while assuring them of her support all the way.

Taking to the social media Genevieve who is considered to be among one of the bests in Noollywood said

"Congratulations to the #SuperFalconsOfNigeria on their victory over China. Good luck in the quarter finals ladies. Rooting for you all the way #Falconets #France2018 #FIFAU20WWC…

A stoppage time goal re-launched the Falconets who were already few poles away of exit door into the frame of the competition. 

Chinese ladies had shot into the lead in the 41st minute thanks to Linyan Zhang. China held tenaciously to the lead but with seconds left to play, substitute Aishat Bello's cross from the right saw captain Rashdeedat Ajibade challenge for the ball with China right-back Jiaxing Dou. Bello's cross struck the Chinese defender as the ball made its way into the net, throwing the hitherto disappointed Nigerian bench into frenzy. 

The side that scored two goals and conceded two getting to this level will now face Spain on Thursday in one of the quarterfinal ties.

Samuel Eto'o signs for Qatar Sports Club

Cameroon international Samuel Etoo has signed for Qatari side Qatar Sports Club, the 13th club he will be playing for in his long soccer career spanning over 26 years

The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker is set to be unveiled any moment from now it was confirmed on Tuesday as he becomes the latest big-name to head for  Qatar's domestic league as it gears up to host the 2022 World Cup.

The club said on social media that it would 'present the international star Samuel Eto'o' at a press conference. It is understood he underwent a medical earlier in the day.

The four-time African player of the year will join former team-mates in Qatar, including ex-Barcelona midfielder Xavi, who plays for Al Sadd, and Wesley Sneijder who was at Inter.

In 2009, Eto'o won the Champions League with Barcelona playing alongside Xavi.

A year later he won the same trophy with Inter in the same team as Sneijder.

The Dutchman now plays for Al Gharafa in Qatar's domestic competition, the Qatar Stars League.

The signing is a coup for Qatar Sports Club, who finished in mid-table last season and currently have little hope of winning any domestic titles.

Earlier on Monday, Eto'o said Ligue 1 clubs had contacted him after he announced he was leaving Turkey last week.

The 37-year-old is now in the twilight of a fabulous career.

He enjoyed five hugely successful seasons with Barcelona from 2004 to 2009, before helping Jose Mourinho's Inter side win the treble of Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia titles in his first season in Italy.

He then had brief stints at Chelsea and Everton in the Premier League.

Eto'o also scored 56 times for his country in 118 appearances and won two AFCON cups with Cameroon.

The club via its verified twitter handle@QatarSportClub, declared;

"The management of Qatar Football Club is pleased to invite you to attend the press conference to present the international star Samuel Eto'o, which will be held on Tuesday at 8:00 pm at the Club

Arsenal Shares: Kroneke’s fresh offer dims Dangote’s desire

The desire of African richest man Nigeria's Aliko Dangote to become part owner of English premier league side Arsenal may have finally hit the rocks after American billionaire Stan Kroenke declared a fresh desire to have complete control of the club.

Kroenke according to latest report made an offer to minority owner Alisher Usmanov tabling his readiness to take complete control of the club. Arsenal's current value is put at £1.8billion.

Dangote has never hidden his love for the Emirates landlords while his desire to have a pie in the club has continued to prop up in the media circles every now and then.

 The international business mogul had at a time indicated his intention to have at least 16% share of the club, but with the current development it does appear that the desire will again return to the cooler.  

Dangote is however not the only one with such passion for the Gunners who are hoping not only to return to winning ways but also  intensify quest for trophies with new coach Unai Emery .

Rwandan President Paul kagame is equally a lover of the Gunners and there is no doubting the fact that both men will be praying for the team to do well as the new season kicks off Friday.  The Gunners flag off their quest for glory 2018/19 season with a home tie against defending champions on Sunday.

Arsenal showed impressive run their first pre-season under Unai Emery with a convincing 2-0 win over Lazio in Stockholm as Reiss Nelson and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found the net.

Why we settled for Amuneke-TFF

Chairman of Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Wallace Karia, has revealed the reason why the football house settled for Nigerian international Emmanuel Amuneke.

 The former Barcelona winger according to karia, has "considerable experience of African football as a player and now a national coach” He recalled that Amuneke played an important role in Super Eagles Nations Cup victory in 1994 in Tunisia, scoring a brace in the 2-1 defeat of Chipolopolo of Zambia at the then 25,000 capacity Stade El Menzah, in Tunis.

Amuneke's wealth of experience according to Karia is sure to produce the needed result in the Taifa Stars who will resume their campaign in the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cranes of Uganda on September 7 in Kampala.

Amuneke recently back from FIFA assignment in Russia where he teamed up with the Technical Study Group (TSG), put pen to paper on Monday, a deal which has been re-twitted over and over by many friends, former teammates and associates.

Amunuke prior to heading to Russia for the FIFA assignment had parted ways with Sudanese club side Al Khartoum SC.

Although the Nigerian saved the side from relegation in his less than a year sojourn in Sudan, disagreements over finances led to the parting of ways. He became coach of Al Khartoum SC in November 2017, and left in March 2018.

The former Julius Berger and Ocean Boys sweat merchant also coached the National under 17 side, leading the team to victory at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, beating fellow Africans Mali 2-1 at the Estadio Sausalito Stadium in the final.

The 47-year-old takes over from Salum Mayanga who was sent packing over poor results.

The Taifa Stars are sitting third in their group after playing out a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in Dae es Salam.

Tanzania's participation in the African Cup of Nations has been neither here nor there as they have either withdrawn of failed to qualify.  The side crashed out in the first round of the 1980 edition which was won by Nigeria. Taifa Stars biggest win according to available records is a 2-time 7-0 defeat of Somalia in 1985 and 2012 while their biggest defeat was a 9-0 demolition by Kenya 62 years ago.

AFCON 2019: Cameroon engage Seedorf for Lions

Host of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon have engaged former Dutch International midfielder Clarence Seedorf as coach of the Indomitable Lions to be assisted interestingly by former teammate Patrick Kluivert.

The duo's appointment was announced by Cameroon's Minister of Sport and Physical Education, Pierre Ismael Bidoung Mkpatt, at a news conference on Saturday and comes after talks with former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson failed hit the rocks

Seedorf takes over from the Belgian Hugo Broos, who led the side to a surprise victory at the 2017 African Nations Cup finals but was axed in November after failing to win a place at the World Cup in Russia.

Cameroon will defend their Nations Cup title on home soil in June next year, a first major finals test for the new management team.

Seedorf, 42, will take on his first national team job having had limited experience in coaching following brief spells with AC Milan, Chinese side Shenzhen and Deportivo La Coruna.

He led those teams in a total of 52 games, but is revered for an illustrious playing career, most notably at Ajax Amsterdam, Real Madrid and AC Milan, winning the Champions League with each club

He was also capped 87 times by the Netherlands between 1994 and 2008.

Former striker Kluivert's playing career also included Ajax, where he was a Champions League winner with Seedorf, Milan and most notably Barcelona where he spent six seasons.

He was assistant coach to Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal between 2012 and 2014, and was later briefly in charge of Dutch Caribbean nation Curacao. One of the results that forced the exit of former coach Hugo Broos was Super Eagles 4-0 demolition of indomitable lions at the Nest of Champions in Uyo ahead of the World cup.

 

Goals from Odion Ighalo, John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Kelechi Iheanacho were all the Gernot Rohr tutored side needed to post what was dubbed their biggest win en-route to Russia where they unfortunately failed to live up to expectations.