Did Africa go to 2018 Soccer World Cup to compete or participate?

With a shameful record from 15 games, resulting in 10 defeats, 2 draws and just 3 wins, the Motherland continent bows of soccer World Cup without tangible reasons

I can as well categorize competitors of the FIFA World Cup into two: the contestant and participant – former being the highly motivated competitor eager to lift the trophy. Then the former, a qualifier who enters the tournament with no winning soul besides the spirit of sportsmanship and involvement. He comes back with a smartphone with overloaded memory of assorted photo albums and World Cup fun

moments.

Certainly, this is how the competition process works. Winners or losers notwithstanding, all participants are valued and respected for humbly participating. However, after participation comes accountability. This is because the very basic aim of going into any contest is to win not to participate. Therefore, a deplorable losing record is not what anybody wants to celebrate – not in soccer.

Going into this tournament, there were still hopes that Africa could beat her previous World Cup records. In 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, two teams – Nigeria and Algeria – reached the second round for the first time. Unfortunately, Africa – the Motherland continent was submerged in a mind-numbing losing humiliation.

Out of 32, the continent took five countries (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Nigeria and Senegal) to this tournament, played 15 games, which disgracefully resulted in 10 defeats, two draws and just three wins before the entire squads were sent parking. Believably, this did not come as a surprise because the continent has been consistent with very poor records in the FIFA World Cup competitions.

Russia simply is a prolongation of Africa’s global soccer woes. For instance, Egypt, placed in the weakest group in the tournament displayed no winning strategy until it slumped out. The team had bragged and relied on Mohamed Salah, described as one of the world’s best players. Someone might have told them that one tree does not make a forest.

Morocco’s demise added more salt to the injury for these North African soccer warriors did not win a single game. The team struggled in every game, even with Khalid Boutaib, the Yeni Malatyaspor forward named Best Player at the African Nations Championship earlier this year.

Africa’s low-spirited moments got even worse with Nigeria, which struggled and finally tripped off in Group D tagged the “Group of Death.” Duel involving Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, and Nigeria are obviously a tough battle zone. Yet, that should not be an excuse for substandard performance. In fact, Nigeria’s final loss – a game with Argentina unfolded their unpreparedness and total lack of competitiveness.

The remaining two teams, Tunisia and Senegal displayed good talents, but again, the occasion came down to either a win or a loss. Tunisia struggled to advance from a challenging group that also included both Belgium and England whereas Senegal contested strongly in Group H with Poland, Colombia, and Japan, but could not advance to a second round.

Senegal indeed made Africa proud winning a first game – and the continent’s too, against a poorly composed Poland. It drew Japan 2-2, but lost to Columbia. The Senegalese defeat by Colombia was their first in a World Cup group game. Even as they exited the competition, it held Africa’s strongest record at the finals – with three wins and just two defeats from their eight games.

As far as Africa is concern, the 2018 FIFA World Cup has come and gone. However, it might be significant to ponder on why this soccer-loving continent whose players are scattered all over Western countries playing professional soccer, still struggles in every global tournament.

Let us bear in mind that sports departments and soccer association in Africa are either poorly funded, or run by corrupt and greedy officers who would fraudulently trade their mandate for greed. Currently, the African soccer fraternity has become a recruiting ground for foreign teams who tactfully take advantage of a vulnerable system overrun by terrible fraud and brain drain. Even Chinese teams now go to Africa to recruit players to build their own professional league system. So how practicable could a continent unable to manage a professional soccer league system progress in the FIFA World Cup?

If the aforementioned issues and many more are not carefully addressed and thoroughly mitigated, Africa would remain incompetent sorry participants in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

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■ Publisher/Editor , Anthony Obi Ogbo, is the author of “The Influence of Leadership.” Contact >>>

PANIC MODE: TRUMP RAGES AT ‘RIGGED’ FBI

Trump Says The FBI Clearing Clinton Is More Proof The System Is ‘Rigged’

“You can’t review 650,000 new emails in eight days. You can’t do it, folks.”

Marina Fang Associate Politics Editor, The Huffington Post

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Sunday blasted FBI director James Comey’s announcement that Hillary Clinton will face no charges in connection with newly discovered emails the bureau has been reviewing.

Trump said Comey’s decision is proof that things in Washington are “rigged” in Clinton’s favor.

“Right now, she is being protected by a rigged system. It’s a totally rigged system,” Trump told supporters in Michigan. “You can’t review 650,000 new emails in eight days. You can’t do it, folks.”

Last week, Comey caused a shock wave in the presidential race when he announced the discovery of new emails connected to the investigation of Clinton’s use of a private email server while secretary of state.

But on Sunday, he affirmed that he would stand by his original conclusion that Clinton will not face criminal charges, because the new emails did not reveal anything of substance.

Most of the new emails, found on the computer of disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin, were duplicates of emails the agency had already reviewed, according to NBC News.

But Trump, who has seized upon Clinton’s email scandal to argue that she is corrupt and unqualified to be president, said Comey’s announcement is evidence that the system is “rigged” against him.

“Hillary Clinton is guilty. She knows it, the FBI knows it, the people know it,” he said. “And now it is up to the American people to deliver justice at the ballot box on November 8.”

“It’s unbelievable, unbelievable what she gets away with,” he added.

“We don’t want it taken away from us,” Trump later said of the election. “We don’t want it taken away.”

Trump surrogates also criticized Comey, claiming that the agency could not have reviewed the full number of emails in so short a time. GOP leaders, meanwhile, used the news to continue to attack Clinton.

Republicans have also threatened that if Clinton is elected president, she will continue to face investigations into the scandal.

“Hillary Clinton is the most corrupt person ever to seek the office of the presidency of the United States,” Trump said on Sunday. “The investigations into her crimes will go on for a long, long time.”

♦ Culled from The Huffington Post

Editor’s note: Donald Trump regularly incites political violence and is a serial liar, rampant xenophobe, racist, misogynist and birther who has repeatedly pledged to ban all Muslims — 1.6 billion members of an entire religion — from entering the U.S.

A Japanese plastic surgeon gave Nigeria’s Olympics soccer team $390,000 for coming third

Japanese plastic surgeon Katsuya Takasu has delivered on his promise of giving the Nigeria U23 team $10,000 each.

After defeating Honduras in the third place match at the Olympics soccer event on Saturday (Aug. 20), Nigeria’s players ended up with bronze medals on their necks and thousands of dollars in their pockets—thanks to Katsuya Takasu, a Japanese plastic surgeon.

The grinning Takasu flew into Rio to rewarded the team with $390,000 for their bronze medal win at the Rio Games after being impressed by the team’s resilience despite the haphazard planning and poor conditions before and during the Games.

After the Nigerian team was left stranded in Atlanta, USA, ahead of the Games because their flights had not been paid for, their plight made headlines. Eventually, the team landed in Rio just seven hours ahead of their first game, against Japan. But despite the less than ideal circumstances, the team served up an impressive performance to beat the Japan and eventually finished top of their group. But the money troubles didn’t end there. Hours before the quarterfinal match against Denmark, Nigeria’s players threatened to boycott the game in protest over unpaid allowances. After reading the team’s financial struggles, Takasu said he “felt the need to make a big contribution.”

Takasu donated $200,000 to the team to “cover bonuses and allowances” and also donated $10,000 to all members of the 18-man team as well as the team manager for winning bronze. Takasu flew to Rio to personally deliver cheques to the team.

“I had traveled from Tokyo prepared to reward them anyway, and to watch them win the bronze inside the stadium was very fulfilling,” he told BBC.

“This team showed resilience and fought the hardest to achieve success despite all their problems. Some people would have given up but they didn’t,” Takasu is reported to have said.

Takasu’s donation was briefly the subject of corruption allegations as officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) were forced to deny reports that they planned to make Takasu give the money to the federation rather than to the players. “To say NFF has ‘hijacked’ the money is outright mischief,” Amaju Pinnick, NFF president, said. “Nigeria is a sovereign nation and such a donation must go through a process. If we get a go-ahead, it will go directly to the team.” Reports had suggested the NFF planned to use the donation to offset salaries of members of the coaching staff who have not been paid for the last five months.

Takasu’s gesture was a positive turn in an otherwise poor Olympics outing for Nigeria. Despite lofty targets set by the country’s sports minister, the bronze medal won by the soccer team was the only medal recorded by the entire Olympics contingent.

Nigeria soccer team set to arrive hours before opening match vs Japan

A first plane was delayed because of problems in payment.

When Nigeria opens its men’s soccer tournament against the Japanese at 9 p.m. EDT Thursday, it will do so mere hours after some players arrived for the tournament. That’s because the players thought the plane was too small, a second delay in their trip to Rio. Reports emerged Wednesday that a first plane was delayed because of problems in payment. The second plane, too tiny, according to the BBC:

“The players were uncomfortable with the size of the plane,” team media officer Timi Ebikagboro told BBC Sport. “The [Nigerian] government stepped in,” he added. “The players have been assured of adequate medical care on the plane. It’s been challenging but most importantly we will be ready for the first game.”

Nigeria has struck gold before, in 1996, and boasts Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi (he recently corrected the long-organization of his name from John Obi Mikel) as well as Roma starlet Umar Sadiq and Sampdoria defender Amuzie Stanley.

Nigeria is in a tough Group B with Sweden, Japan, and Colombia.

Soccer: How Sudan U20s stun Nigeria to qualify for Zambia 2017

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles failed to reach next year’s Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Zambia, falling to a shock 3-4 home defeat to Sudan who sealed a famous qualification.

Sudan shocked Nigeria to book their place at next year’s Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, eliminating the defending champions on away goals.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Sudan pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory in Lagos – despite having Walaadihh Musa sent off on the hour mark.

Nigeria, who had 15 members of the 2015 Under-17 World Cup-winning side in their squad, had been huge favourites.

But Sudan are among seven teams to join hosts Zambia at the finals next year.

The top four sides at the African tournament will qualify for the Under-20 World Cup in South Korea in 2017.

Nigeria have enjoyed much success in youth competitions, both in Africa and globally.

They were expected to finish the job at home having earned a one-goal lead from the first leg and boasting a squad that included the likes of Victor Osimhen (pictured), the top scorer from the Under-17 World Cup in Chile.

And they got off to a great start, despite a heavy downpour and wet conditions, when Samuel Chukwueze put the hosts ahead after 15 minutes to make it 1-0 on the day.

Six minutes later, Sudan equalised through Amghd Ahmed but Nigeria again went in front when Bamgboye followed up a cross from Chukwueze and tapped in to make it 2-1.

But Sudan’s dogged determination helped them equalise again through Halid Abdamuleem to make it 2-2 at the break, 4-3 to Nigeria on aggregate.

With the pressure mounting on Nigeria, Sudan took advantage and stunned the hosts with a goal after 56 minutes from Musa to make it 3-2 to Sudan and 4-4 overall.

Just five minutes later, the goal-scorer Musa was sent off for dissent.

Nigeria took advantage immediately with Orji Okonkwo scoring after 67 minutes to make it 3-3 on the day. But still Sudan ploughed on despite being down to 10 men and losing 5-4 on aggregate.

Their reward came seven minutes from time when Halid Abdamuleem scored a shock winner for Sudan, his second of the game.

Nigeria were unable to respond, with Sudan holding on to win 4-3 and progress on away goals.

Nigeria had already endured a torrid week after the players threatened to boycott the game due to unpaid allowances and poor treatment.

It took the late intervention of Nigeria Football Federation vice president Seyi Akinwunmi to avert the crisis, with him donating $17,000 to the team.

Another country missing from the finals in Zambia 2017 will be Ghana who fell to a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Senegal on Friday.

Ghana are the only African team to have won the Under-20 World Cup, lifting the trophy in 2009 with a penalties victory over Brazil in the final in Egypt.

However, Senegal’s 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Dakar proved decisive, with Ghana failing to claw back the deficit.

Ghana gave the home fans some hope when they went 1-0 up, but Senegal’s dogged defence stopped them from adding to the tally, with Senegal becoming the first side to join the hosts Zambia at next year’s finals.

South Africa will also be at the finals after a 3-0 win over Lesotho on Saturday, winning 5-0 on aggregate.

Goals from Liam Jordan, Sibongakonke Mbatha and Sidney Mtshweni gave Amajita a comfortable victory.

Also on Saturday, Egypt won 4-0 away to Angola to book their place in Zambia. The victory gave Egypt a 5-0 aggregate win.

On Sunday, Guinea booked their place with a 2-1 win over The Gambia, going through by the same scoreline on aggregate after a goalless draw in the first leg.

Mali joined them at the finals by making home advantage pay to beat Burkina Faso 2-0 – again the sides had played out a 0-0 stalemate in the first match.

And Cameroon were able to absorb a 1-0 defeat by Libya – a game which is being played in Tunisia on security grounds – to qualify for Zambia, having earned a 3-0 win in the first leg.

Nigeria faces ban after government interference in football federation

By Kyle Lynch

The tough times for Nigerian football continued this week, as the entire federation (NFF) faces a possible suspension after being sanctioned by FIFA. Having failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations a few weeks ago, FIFA has now sent a warning to the federation after a Nigerian court ruled that former NFF president Amaju Pinnick be replaced by Chris Giwa. Under FIFA rules and regulations, the national government is not allowed to interfere with the federation’s decisions.

Below is a section from FIFA’s letter on the matter.

The decision of the Federal High Court in Jos, if implemented, would likely be considered as interference in the internal affairs of the NFF and the case would be brought to the highest authorities of Fifa for consideration of sanctions, including the suspension of the NFF. All members associations have to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties. In addition and according to article 68 of the Fifa Statutes, recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the Fifa regulations. Furthermore, it is the duty of each member association to ensure that these provisions are implemented by its members and possibly take sanctions against those which fail to respect these obligations.

This is not the first time Nigeria is under hot-water for government interference in football matters, as the Super Eagles were able to avoid a seven-month ban last summer for a similar incident, also involving Chris Giwa.

[ MORE: N’Golo Kante playing key role as Leicester’s miracle run continues ]

Should FIFA punish the NFF, Nigeria could be banned from playing in the Olympics this summer. With the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw set for June, the Super Eagles could also potentially miss out on their chance to play in Russia.

Afcon 2017: Nigeria fail to qualify after defeat by Egypt

Nigeria have failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations after falling to a 1-0 defeat in Egypt in their Group G match on Tuesday.

With just one game remaining and only the group winners to qualify, Nigeria cannot make up their five-point deficit to table-toppers Egypt.

Ramadan Sobhy’s 65th-minute winner puts Egypt on the verge of qualification.

Egypt face Tanzania in June and will book their place in Gabon with any result better than a 3-0 defeat.

Nigeria won the Nations Cup in 2013 but have now suffered back-to-back eliminations in qualifying.

Tuesday’s match in Alexandria became a virtually all-or-nothing tie after Chad withdrew from the group on Sunday, citing financial difficulties, and all results from their matches them were erased.

That left only three teams in Group G and in accordance with the rules of the Confederation of African Football only the winner would qualify for the finals.

Egypt have seven points with one match to play, against bottom club Tanzania, who have only one point but two games remaining.

To have any chance of qualification Tanzania would need to beat Egypt by a better scoreline the 3-0 defeat they suffered in Egypt last June because head-to-head records would come into effect in the event of the sides finishing level on points.

Tanzania would then have to beat Nigeria in their final match.

Cameroon 2-2 South Africa: Kekana scores goal of the year contender

Goal.Com

South Africa midfielder Hlompho Kekana scored a remarkable goal from inside his own half before Cameroon battled back to earn a 2-2 draw in Limbe and further damage its visitors’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifying hopes.

Shakes Mashaba’s side headed to Limbe without a win in its opening two Group M matches and an opener from Tokelo Rantie was canceled out by Cameroon forward Sebastien Siani on the stroke of halftime.

But Mamelodi Sundowns player Kekana then took center stage with a sensational 49th-minute strike that is set to define his career.

Nicolas Nkoulou nodded home to earn a point for new boss Hugo Broos in his first match, meaning Cameroon is a point ahead of Mauritania and five better off than South Africa ahead of Tuesday’s return in Durban.

063b64f0a5f64bdb40184765a9f2f71b — South Africa midfielder Hlompho Kekana scored a remarkable goal from inside his own half before Cameroon battled back to earn a 2-2 draw in Limbe and further damage its visitors’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifying hopes.

South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was grateful to see the loose ball scrambled clear when he spilt an early shot from Christian Bekamenga, and his side led in the 15th minute.

AFC Bournemouth striker Rantie darted in behind a sluggish Cameroon back line and coolly rounded Guy N’dy Assembe to score.

Khune made a stunning reaction save when Edgar Salli crashed a volley toward the top corner from a 38th-minute corner, while Rantie’s earlier composure deserted him when he scuffed a shot against Assembe’s boot on the end of a one-two from Mandla Masango.

Siani crashed home a fine effort from outside the area to haul Cameroon level but Kekana would relegate this to a footnote.

Collecting possession toward the right flank, around 60 yards from goal, the 30-year-old audaciously took aim with Bekamenga off his line and the ball sailed unerringly into the center of the goal.

Cameroon, perhaps understandably, struggled to regain its poise but equalized for a second time when Marseille defender Nkoulou converted a 66th-minute set piece.

South Africa defender Thulani Hlatshwayo hacked off his own goal line in stoppage time before Thulani Serero had strong penalty claims rejected at the other end in a frantic finish to a match that will be long remembered for Kekana’s exploits.

Nigeria to face sanctions for overpacked stadium

Supporters sit on the roof of a house to get a view of the pitch.Source:AFP — Supporters sit on the roof of a house to get a view of the pitch. Source:AFP

NIGERIA could face African Football Confederation (CAF) sanctions for allowing too many spectators into the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna Friday for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt.

An estimated 40,000 crowd was inside the 25,000-capacity northern Nigeria venue when the match kicked off after the Kaduna state government allowed fans free entry.

“Nigeria will most likely be penalised by CAF for poor crowd control even though there was no major incident before, during or after the match,” said a leading football official, who requested anonymity.

“Sanctions for such a shortcoming would be a fine and a warning,” he added.

Another official said the police failed to stop the crowd gaining access to the stadium even when it was clear that the capacity was overstretched.

Many spectators watched the 1-1 draw from inside the seating perimeter while police, some on horses, patrolled.

Supporters hanging from a tower.Source:AFP — Supporters hanging from a tower. Source: AFP

Other fans climbed a floodlights pylon to watch the clash of the former African champions.

In 2009, poor crowd control in Abidjan caused 19 deaths before a 2010 World Cup qualifier between hosts Ivory Coast and Malawi.

Investigators said ticketless fans were to blame for the stampede and the Ivorian FA was fined $47,000 by FIFA.

A stampede at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana in 2001 resulted in 127 deaths.

With a shameful record from 15 games, resulting in 10 defeats, 2 draws and just 3 wins, the Motherland continent bows of soccer World Cup without tangible reasons

Trump Says The FBI Clearing Clinton Is More Proof The System Is ‘Rigged’

“You can’t review 650,000 new emails in eight days. You can’t do it, folks.”

A first plane was delayed because of problems in payment.

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