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Palace coup rocks Peseiro Eagles camp

‘Omo Alhaja’, Abdallah  called up to replace George, Shorunmu in Super Eagles Abuja Camp

 

 

Finidi George and Ike Shorunmu have been unceremoniously ousted as Super Eagles assistant trainers in manager José Peseiro’s backroom staff in a manner akin to a palace coup.
 While Abiodun ‘Omo Alhaja’ Baruwa will replace ousted former Nigeria goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu in manager José Peseiro’s staffing position, Usman Abdallah, his third Assistant Coach moves up one notch in the ranks to take up former international winger George’s place in the ongoing Super Eagles camp in Abuja.
Their ouster of the former assistants was allegedly orchestrated by their Portuguese boss who recommended to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that the the should be fired for lack of harmony in the Super Eagles workforce.
Shorunmu, 55, played 36 games for Nigeria from 1992 to 2002 and replaced Aloysius Agu as Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer when Paseiro became Nigeria’s newest Super Eagles manager.
While George who doubles as Enyimba FC manager can now fully rejoin his Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) outfit with his ouster from the Super Eagles assistant trainer position, Shorunmu will remain jobless in the interim.
Sources close to the Super Eagles teams disclosed that the players are largely unfazed by the sudden shake up in the team’s coaching staff with their African Nations Cup qualifying game against the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau at home only days away.
“The players in camp in Abuja are not particularly bothered by this recent development in the camp,” our source confided.
“As you this is Nigeria, so anything is possible. These players are Nigerians too, so they appear to be used to the idea that anything can happen at anytime in the team.
“But from what I have seen and heard so far, the players are just focused on the task of playing Guinea Bissau and getting the results they want”.
Nigeria clashes with Guinea Bissau, Friday, March 24 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja and travels to the Stadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Monday, 27 March to meet the Djurtus in the reverse tie.

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Football

Former China FA chief get life in prison

Chen-Xuyuan Image credit: Inside World Football

As China sentences FA officials to prison terms in the latest crackdown on corruption

 

March 26—Chen Xuyuan, a former president of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), has been sentenced to life in prison for bribery in the latest crackdown on the country’s corruption-plagued football landscape, Andrew Warshaw reports for Inside World Football.

 

Chen is reported to have accepted more than (€10.3 million) in bribes following one of China’s most significant anti-corruption probes in years.

 

The sentence came after investigations into over a dozen high-level football officials since late 2022.

 

Jail sentences for corruption were also handed down to Chen Yongliang, former vice-secretary general of the soccer association, who received 14 years, and former vice-president Yu Hongchen, who received 13 years. Dong Zheng, former Chinese Super League general manager, was jailed for eight years.

 

The official Xinhua news agency reported that Chen had caused “tremendous damage” to Chinese football, citing a court ruling. According to state media, his assets were confiscated, and he was stripped of his political rights for life, a penalty often slapped on disgraced officials.

 

Chinese football has long grappled with corruption, which fans have blamed for the enduring poor performance of the national team.

 

Chen, 67, took over as head of the Chinese Football Association (CFA) in 2019. In a state TV documentary on corruption aired in January, he confessed to accepting bribes. He described one incident the night before he became CFA chairman when he received backpacks containing cash from two local football officials.

 

Confessions of corruption have become a standard feature on national television since President Xi Jinping came to power.

 

Former Everton midfielder Li Tie, who was once head coach of the national men’s team, and Du Zhaocai, former CFA vice chairman, who are both similarly accused of corruption, have yet to receive their judgments.

 

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Football

Morocco, Egypt and Mali know foes

Gettyimages-CAFonline

As 2024 Olympics Football Tournament Group opponents confirmed

 

 

The three African nations set to represent the continent at this year’s Paris 2024 Olympics had their Olympic journey officially mapped out on Wednesday evening after the official draw of the Men’s football competition was conducted in Paris, France, CAFonline reports.

 

Morocco, reigning champions of the TotalEnergies CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, was in an exciting group that included South American powerhouse Argentina, Ukraine, and an Asian nation that will finish third at the Asian Cup.

 

The African champions kick off their campaign against Argentina before facing the Asian representatives before concluding their Group B assignment against Ukraine.

 

Egypt, runners-up at the TotalEnergies CAF U-23 AFCON, is drawn in Group C. They will face Spain, the Dominican Republic, and the Asian Cup runners-up.

 

Semi-finalists in 1964, the Pharaohs will be keen to leave their mark in France this year.

 

Bronze medalists, Mali comprised Group D, which consisted of the Asian Cup champions Paraguay and Israel.

 

There could potentially be a third African representative at the Paris showpiece. Guinea, who finished fourth at the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, has an outside chance of being the fourth African representative, provided they overcome the fourth-placed finishers at the Asian Cup.

 

Guinea will join hosts France, the United States of America, and New Zealand in Group A if the result is favorable.

 

The opening match of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament will take place on 24 July. France will face off against the United States of America at the Vélodrome stadium in Marseille.

 

Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 Draw Outcome:

Group A: France, United States of America, Guinea or AFC4, New Zealand

Group B: Argentina, Morocco, AFC3, Ukraine

Group C: AFC 2, Spain, Egypt, Dominican Republic

Group D: AFC1, Paraguay, Mali, Israel

 

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African Games

Nigeria in titanic clash with Uganda

Image credit:CAFonline

 In the African Games opening game

 

Ladan Bosso Image credit: CAFonline

 

As the curtain rises on the 13th edition of the African Games, all eyes turn to Accra, where former champions Nigeria will face Uganda in the opening match at the Accra Stadium, CAFonline reports.

 

The stage is set for a riveting encounter between two footballing powerhouses in Group B, with anticipation reaching fever pitch among fans and pundits alike.

 

This showdown holds added significance as it marks a rematch of the recent U20 Africa Cup of Nations clash between Nigeria and Uganda, where the Nigerian U20 national team emerged victorious with a hard-fought 1-0 win in Egypt.

 

With both sides eager to assert dominance early in the tournament, Thursday’s fixture promises to be a battle of skill, strategy, and determination.

 

Ahead of the highly anticipated opener, coaches Ladan Bosso of Nigeria and Morley Ochama of Uganda addressed the media at the pre-match press conference, offering insights into their teams’ preparations and mindsets.

 

Coach Bosso exuded confidence in his squad’s readiness, emphasizing their discipline and talent as they aim to make Nigeria proud on the continental stage.

 

“We have prepared a lot for this competition,” Bosso remarked.

 

“The players are disciplined and ready for the action… We are counting on the players’ talents and the support of the Nigerians living here in Ghana to encourage and support the boys.”

 

Echoing his coach’s sentiments, midfielder Daniel Bameyi expressed the team’s determination to excel under Bosso’s guidance and bring honor to Nigeria.

 

“We are delighted to play under coach Ladan Bosso again,” Bameyi stated.

“We want to make Nigeria proud. There are many Nigerians here in Ghana, and I know they will come out in their numbers to support us in our victory against Uganda.”

Meanwhile, Coach Ochama exuded optimism about Uganda’s prospects, emphasizing their preparedness and eagerness to compete against the Nigerian giants.

“We do respect Nigerians as superpowers of African football,” Ochama acknowledged.

 

“But we don’t fear them… A lot has changed since they beat us the last time, and we are ready to show them we have improved.”

Ugandan player Ronald Madoi echoed his coach’s sentiments, expressing confidence in his team’s ability to overcome Nigeria.

“My colleagues and I are ready to show Nigeria that a lot has changed since we last met,” Madoi affirmed. “There is nothing new in football these days, including surprises.”

With both teams brimming with confidence and determination, Thursday’s clash is poised to be a thrilling spectacle, setting the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating tournament in Accra.

 

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