Ex-Cameroonian midfielder and once member of Cameroon national football team: Theophile Abega passes away at an age of 58. He was rewarded African footballer of the year title back in 1984. He also captained Indomitable Lions and took them to their first title’s win almost three decades ago. Cameroon Football Federation issued a statement on Thursday mentioning his death, however; it did not comment the reason of his death, but according to some reports, he died coz of a heart attack. The highest achievement of Abega was first African Nations Cup title win in 1984 by Cameroon under his captaincy. He also scored in the final clash with Nigeria in Abidjan and secured in 3-1 title win. Moreover, he played all the three Cameroon finals in 1982 World Cup finals in Spain, which was the first world cup appearance by a Cameroon team in world cup. He was unarguably the best soccer talent coming out of Cameroon or even from Africa until date. His death ended a whole era of African soccer … [Read more...]
Peter Odemwingie is ‘available’ for Nigeria
The soviet-born Nigerian footballer Peter Odemwingie was reportedly not available for Nigerian national soccer team, as blamed by Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi. But his allegations have now been ruled out by the striker himself; he says he still wants to play for his nation if he gets the call. The West Bromwich Albion striker was upset over recent comments of Keshi who said that he turned his back to his nation; perhaps, he felt much disappointment to see how he is being labeled as a rebel by his own country’s soccer coach. In a recent interview to an online portal he said, “I did not say I won't play for the national team. I am 31 now, it will be hard to play every game, but I had an open and honest discussion with the coach and I will be available when they call me. If the coach decides to call me, I am still available to play for my country. When I decide I want to stop playing I will come out and say so myself.” Earlier, as told, Keshi had blamed him of showing his retaliation … [Read more...]
AFCON 2013, Ghana is a tough challenge for Mali, Niger, and DR Congo
African Cup of Nations 2013 is on the cart, and every team is recollecting its resources to win the title. As of now, all the group teams have been finalized and most important group of them is Group B where Ghana is placed along with Mali, Niger, and, DR Congo. Ghana is obviously a toughest challenge for other group participants, or perhaps other teams of the event. Even DR Congo’s coach: Claude Leroy has accepted publically that facing Ghana is a real challenge for them, despite the fact that he is training DR Congo’s team since last many years. Notably, this would be Leroy’s seventh spell in AFCON and he is still skeptical of his team’s victory in presence of Ghana. His comments about Ghana are also important coz he himself has trained them from 2006 to 2008 in the past, so he understands them very well, especially in their flagship tournament they will do everything they can to claim the title. Group B’s first match will be in January between Simbas and Black Stars. On the … [Read more...]
Chidzambwa and others are banned for life by ZIFA
It was a match fixing scandal that happened in 2009 in Asia and there were many Zimbabwean players and officials who were since being investigated by Football Association. Now a final verdict has been pronounced by Zimbabwean Football Association (ZIFA) and found many accused as responsible for that fixing; hence they all are banned for life. Prominent names among them are former player Sunday Marimo Chidzambwa who is now a national soccer coach of Zimbabwe along with Henrietta Rushwaya, its ex-chief executive officer. Judgment was passed on yesterday by the supreme soccer governing body of Zimbabwe. ZIFA’s current chief executive officer Cuthbert Dube said, “We say zero tolerance to match-fixing and illegal betting. The dark episode should now be consigned to history's dump site and it is incumbent upon the entire family of football to jealously safeguard the beautiful game from its enemies.” Notably, the said investigation was independent and headed by a retired judge Ahmed … [Read more...]
Egyptian Football Season is suspended for Security Issues
Egyptian domestic football season has been deferred for an indefinite period by the Egyptian Football Association on Monday. This means, the scheduled Premier League football season would not kick start on its scheduled date, i.e., Wednesday. FA issued a statement on its website and told about its decision, however, they also informed to have requested to Interior Ministry’s approval to continue with the season, but they have yet to receive any reply from the ministry. Notably, 74 fans were killed in a violence that broke out after a premier league match between Ahly and Masry teams at Port Said Stadium. Besides, there were hundreds of injured fans too. No domestic match has since been played in Egyptian domestic premier league this year. Earlier, the news came to postpone the matches until 31st October, but very soon that decision was canceled too. Egyptian Sports Minister Al-Emary Farouq told about Prime Minister’s call directing him to take cabinet and presidential approval before … [Read more...]