Europe

3, March 2019

Barcelona defeats Real Madrid for 2nd time in four days ⁰

La liga leaders Barcelona, have registered another El Calsico victory, beating Real Madrid 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Barcelona’s players celebrate their win at the end of the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 2, 2019. (AFP)

The Catalan giants had humiliated Los Balncos 4 days ago at Bernabeu in the Copa del Ray semis, and were looking for another triumph at Real’s home turf on Saturday Night.

Ernesto Valverde’s men managed to break the dead-lock when Ivan Rakitic lifted the ball over the Real’s keeper, 26 minutes into the match.

The league leaders held-on to the advantage, and with the full 3-points, temporarily moved 10 points clear of 2nd placed Atletico Madrid at the La Liga summit.

27, February 2019

Kolo Toure is first Ivorian Coach in England ⁰

After the dismissal of Claude Puel, Brendan Rodgers has been appointed new Leicester coach in the English Premier League for three seasons.

Rodgers has again chosen as his deputy, the Ivorian Kolo Toure with whom he was already on the bench at Celtic Glasgow in Scotland.

The 2015 African champion, UEFA B license holder, won the UEFA A License last November, becoming the first Ivorian to become an assistant coach in England.

It should be remembered that, Kolo Touré was also assistant coach of the Ivorian national team under Ibrahim Kamara.

Kingsley Betek

25, February 2019

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa refuses substitution in Carabao Cup Final ⁰

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa refused to leave the pitch during the Carabao Cup Final after Maurizio Sarri tried to substitute him off due to an injury.

Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (C) sits on the pitch and asks for medical attention during the English League Cup final football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in north London on February 24, 2019. (AFP)

Chelsea’s Italian head coach Maurizio Sarri (L) reacts after Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga remains on the pitch after an attempt to substitute him for Chelsea’s Argentinian goalkeeper Willy Caballero (R) during the English League Cup final football. (AFP)

Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga gestures toward the bench after his number came up for substitution and didn’t leave the pitch during the English League Cup final football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in north London on February 24, 2019. (AFP)

The incident resulted in Sarri throwing a bottle in the Wembley dugout and storming off down the tunnel. Chelsea lost the match to Man City on penalties.

Presstv

11, February 2019

Champions League: Choupo-Moting swapped the Championship for PSG… now he could lead the line against Man Utd ⁰

When Stoke City got relegated from the Premier League less than 12 months ago, few could have expected one of their transfer flops to be leading the line against Manchester United in the Champions League this week.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored just five goals in 32 games for the Potters – ironically, two came in a 2-2 draw against Manchester United – and was a major disappointment after his move from Schalke 04.

The Stoke misfit saw his contract cancelled by mutual consent when they dropped out of the top flight and, to the surprise of many, he landed on his feet with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Cameroon international has had a limited role in the French capital but is clearly relishing being part of one of Europe’s top clubs.

Now, he’s been thrust to the forefront of their bid for Champions League glory and could lead the line in their last-16 first leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

**Choupo-Moting could start at Old Trafford with Neymar and Cavani ruled out**

The powerful 29-year-old made his Bundesliga breakthrough with Hamburg as a teenager and made 10 appearances for Germany up to Under 21 level, scoring eight goals.

In May 2010, however, he received a senior call-up by Cameroon, the country of his father’s birth, ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

Despite once coming under an investigation into his international eligibility, Choupo-Moting has won 48 caps for Cameroon and scored 14 goals.

**The Cameroonian had a tough time at Stoke as they were relegated**

The striker spent three years at Mainz 05 from 2011 to 2014 before making his way to Schalke 04 for a three-season stint.

His form earned him his Premier League move to Stoke City, although he could not build on a bright start as the Potters were relegated and he was sidelined from March onwards by a groin injury.

The big-name superstars of PSG have limited him to an impact sub role, but he started against Bordeuax at the weekend and is now primed to feature at Old Trafford given Neymar and Edison Cavani are ruled out.

**The former Stoke man is primed for a big role against Man Utd at Old Trafford**

Choupo-Moting recently spoke about the challenge of facing a “changed” Manchester United as he expects a tough clash.

He told RMC : “Manchester United, they have changed. But it’s always like that when you change coaches.

“There may be a new state of mind in the team, everyone wants to show their best.

“But I do not care about other teams, we have to think about ourselves, we believe in ourselves.

“We have the quality to beat anyone but it will be a tough match because Manchester United are a very good team with great quality players.”

Source: Mirror.co.uk

4, February 2019

Serie A: Nicolas Nkoulou sees first red card in Torino’s stalemate ⁰

The Cameroon international was given the marching order for the fourth time in his career at Stadio Paolo Mazza

Nicolas Nkoulou was shown his first Serie A red card in Torino’s 0-0 stalemate with SPAL on Sunday.

On the back of a three-game winless run, the Bull bounced back to winning ways against Inter Milan last week but their effort to commence to a run was frustrated by Leonardo Semplici’s side.

Nkoulou’s sending off with 25 minutes to play did not help their cause either.

Goal.com

1, February 2019

Premier League: Fulham beat three rivals to sign Cameroon defender ⁰

Slavia Prague defender Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui is set for a Deadline Day move to the Premier League, we can reveal.

Ngadeu-Ngadjui is ready to fly into the UK to finalise a move, with Fulham having won the race for his signature.

Cardiff, Crystal Palace and Derby County also asked about the Cameroon international – who was recently named captain of his country by coach Clarence Seedorf.

The 28-year-old is a domineering centre-half, and Slavia are loathed to lose him but the lure of the Premier League has proven too much and are ready to cash in for the right price.

Fulham hope to secure his signature before the window shuts at 11pm on Thursday night.

Source: Teamtalk

17, January 2019

UK: Bisong Foundation stages charity football match between Cameroon’s 1990 World Cup stars and Cambridgeshire Police FC ⁰

Former Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and a UK Selection took on the Cambridgeshire Police Football Team in an enthralling game of football organised by the Bisong Foundation at the Cambridge Stadium in Trumpington. The police team actually looked forward to the game and were expecting a tough one as they had to play against some of the Cameroon team who played in 1990 World Cup quarter-finals against England.

Under the theme of integration in diversity and a shared sense of belonging, Bisong Foundation chose to leverage the powerful influence of elite footballers to mobilise the community and promote personal, social and community development.

Bisong Foundation believes that football as the world’s most popular sport, can help break down barriers created by ignorance or prejudice and bring together people from different backgrounds to create, expand and strengthen social ties and network, play, watch and enjoy the game.

Bisong Foundation feels that the benefit of effective community engagement with the police can increase public perceptions of safety, a tendency towards a reduction in disorder and anti-social behaviour as well as an increase in confidence and trust between the police and the local community.

Using football to facilitate interaction between the police and community members in a non-enforcement context helps to reduce bias on the part of community members and police officers. It also helps both groups to break down personal barriers and overcome stereotypes.

Our ultimate goal is to build a united society where everyone is valued irrespective of ethnicity, religion, sexuality, disability or any other perceived differences. We believe that if we continue to work together for equality, we can change attitudes, and build a society where everyone feels they belong.

PC Josh – Player / Coach of Police FC adorning Young People with medals

When former FECAFOOT and FA referee, Samuel Taku gave the kick off, the game went into high pitch quite rapidly with the police team pressing on the ex-Lions back line, creating some scoring chances. One shot by the Police side bounced off the post in the early stages of the first half. However, one-time great Songo’o Jacques maintained calmness to his defensive line as the team flew through the centre of the midfield controlled by African legend Cyrille Makanaky towards the opposing goal with their pacey forwards led by Joseph Desire Job, ex-Middlesbrough FC goal getter.

The first goal went to the police team through the left from a cross that deceived the entire ex-Lion’s defence including ever present Songo’o Jacques. The ex-Lions team started to find their rhythm and were quickly levelled through Desire Job.

At the start of the second half, the police team went straight at the ex-Lions as they aimed to demonstrate their physical fitness and strength. The ex-Lions came twice from behind to draw level. The game ended 3-3 after regular play time. In the penalty shootout, all-time great Cyrille Makanaky scored the decisive penalty as the ex-Lions beat the police team 5-3.

The Runners Up trophy was handed to the police team by Mrs Karyne Tazi, Managing Director of the Women’s Resource Centre in Wolverhampton and the Winners’ trophy was presented to Cyrille Makanaky captain of Former Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and Legends of African Football by Mrs Annette Nti, President of the Women’s Association of Hainaut, Belgium. Medals were equally awarded to children and young people by the police team.

Mrs Nti awarding the Winner’s Trophy

Mrs Melanie Ngangen, Secretary of Charity Ensemble Manchester was head of delegate of children and young people who attended the event. She has been working with children to educate them about the heritage of Cameroon and was delighted to meet and interview legends of Cameroon and African football.

Cyrille Makanaky posing with the Young Generation

Mrs Tazi awarding the Runners – Up trophy to the captain of the Police FC

The police team raised £130 to support the work of Bisong Foundation.

*The author is Co-Founder of Bisong Foundation and also its Marketing Coordinator and Community Officer

6, January 2019

Bayern Munich hand Ribery ‘heavy fine’ for angry Tweetstorm ⁰

Bayern Munich on Sunday said it will impose “a heavy fine” on Franck Ribery over an obscenity-laced outburst on social media, after the French striker became embroiled in controversy for eating a gold-coated steak.

The punishment comes after Ribery lashed out at critics in a string of angry posts on Twitter and Instagram on Saturday. It is the latest scandal to engulf the 35-year-old, who is deeply unpopular in his native France but revered by German fans.

“I had a long talk with Franck and I let him know that we would impose a heavy fine on him and he accepted it,” the club’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic told journalists in Qatar, where the club is on a training camp.

“He used words that we, FC Bayern, cannot accept and that Franck does not have the right to use, as a role-model and player of FC Bayern,” added Salihamidzic.

On Thursday, Ribery posted a video on social media showing him in a Dubai steak house owned by celebrity Turkish restauranteur Salt Bae and rubbing his hands before tucking into a huge chop coated in gold.

That ostentatious luxury, and the reported cost of the meal, drew ferocious criticism before Ribery — who earns an estimated eight million euros a year with the German champions — hit back.

“Let’s start with the envious, the angry, surely born because of a broken condom,” read the first of the posts on Ribery’s Twitter account. “F*ck your mothers, your grandmothers and your whole family tree,” he wrote, having taken care to sanitise the French word “n*quez”.

Salihamidzic made clear that Ribery did not pay the bill himself because he had been invited to the restaurant.

“Franck has been slandered and insulted,” said Salihamidzic. “And not only Franck, but his pregnant wife, his child and his mother, who is currently in hospital for an operation. Franck wanted to defend himself and defend his family. He has the right to do that. I support him in that, but unfortunately he totally lost control.”

German media and social media users had called on the reigning Bundesliga champions to punish the striker, who is out of contract at the end of the season after 11 years at the club. “Bosses must suspend Ribery,” urged Germany’s bestselling Bild newspaper.

The news portal T-Online went even further, slamming Bayern for not taking firmer action. “Ribery should not play for Bayern anymore,” it said in an editorial. “With this fine, the club falls short of drastic repercussions and that is a fatal signal.”

– Hated at home, loved abroad –

Ribery’s outburst comes less than two months after the forward insulted and attacked French TV pundit Patrick Guillou who had criticised his performance following Bayern’s 3-2 loss against Dortmund.

Bayern later made Ribery post a video apology on the club web site. Despite being known as one of France’s best players, Ribery is little loved at home, partly because of his perceived key role in the French team’s infamous training ground strike during their disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Ribery’s reputation was also damaged by allegations that he had had sex with an underage prostitute although charges in the case were dropped for lack of evidence in 2014.

Ribery announced his retirement from France duty after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which he missed due to a back injury.

But run-ins with the media and perceived displays of arrogance have kept Ribery in the headlines, and he has repeatedly been mocked on the French satirical puppet show “Les Guignols” as a dim-witted, out of touch figure.

It’s a different story in Germany, where Ribery is known as “King Franck” to grateful Bayern supporters. Since joining the Bavarian giants in 2007, Ribery has helped the team win the Champions League in 2013 as well as eightBundesliga titles and five German Cups.

Although he now sees less time on the pitch than in his younger days, Ribery finished 2018 in style scoring four goals in the final three matches of the year. But Bayern bosses have indicated the current season is very likely to be Ribery’s last.

AFP

18, December 2018

UEFA Champions League draw: Liverpool vs Bayern, Man United vs PSG ⁰

Football fans all over the world are relishing the mouth watering ties served up for the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, including a match between last season’s finalists Liverpool and German champions Bayern Munich.

The round of 16 draw, held on Monday paired defending champions Real Madrid, who are chasing a fourth successive title, and Dutch side Ajax. Juventus, who have the services of Portuguese talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, will take on Spain’s Atletico Madrid. Ronaldo won four titles with Real Madrid.

Struggling Manchester United have been handed a seemingly herculean task of stopping Neymar and Mbappe’s Paris Saint Germain.

The other round of 16 fixtures includes Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund, Lyon vs Barcelona and AS Roma vs FC Porto. The first legs will be played on February 12-13 and February 19-20, while the return legs will be played on March 5-6 and March 12-13. Fans are now sharing their predictions and thoughts on several social media polls.

Source: Africa News

16, October 2018

France’s all-time top scorer Thierry Henry is Monaco’s new manager ⁰

France’s all-time leading scorer and Arsenal great Thierry Henry landed his first managerial job on Saturday after Monaco hired him as a replacement for Leonardo Jardim, who was dismissed last week. The 41-year-old Henry started his professional career at the Riviera club and played in the French league with Monaco from 1994 to 1999.

He has signed on as Monaco’s coach for three seasons to June 2021 and starts on Monday. “I thank AS Monaco for giving me the opportunity to coach the team of this club, which is so special to me,” Henry said in a statement on the club website. “I am very happy to come back to AS Monaco and extremely determined to meet the challenges ahead. I cannot wait to meet the players to start working together.”

‘Thierry’s ready’

Henry has no experience as a manager but has been working as an assistant to Belgium coach Roberto Martinez since 2016 and helped lead the team to third place at the World Cup in Russia.

Henry becomes the latest member of the French squad that won the 1998 World Cup to embrace a coaching career, following Laurent Blanc, Didier Deschamps, Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane, among others.

“Thierry’s ready,” France manager Deschamps told French TV news network TF1. “He has everything” to be a good coach.

“He’s throwing himself into an exciting, exhilarating project where he’ll have to take responsibility. It’ll be up to him to take the reins,” Deschamps added.

“Thierry is ready to be head coach in a club,” Martinez told L’Equipe sports paper in an interview. “He likes what he does, and enjoying it is an essential part of this job.”

Henry turned down an offer from Bordeaux this summer and was in the running at Aston Villa.

At Monaco, which is winless in its past 10 games in all competitions, Henry’s first task will be to get the team back in contention in the league. A traditional powerhouse in French football, Monaco secured top-three finishes over the past five seasons and won the 2017 league – under Jardim – but is currently in 18th place in the standings and in last place in its Champions League group.

“Thierry is both aware of the task ahead and eager to start his new job,” Monaco vice president and CEO Vadim Vasilyev said in a statement. “He can count on our trust and all our support to bring a new dynamic to the team and carry out the mission.”

“His knowledge of football, his passion for the game, his high standards and his commitment to our colours make his nomination a reality.”

Arsenal great

Henry’s first-class career was launched in 1994 by Monaco coach Arsene Wenger, who five years later brought him to Arsenal.

Wenger promoted Henry to Monaco’s first team after the fast and technically gifted forward scored more than 30 goals with the under-17s in one year. Aged 17, Henry played his first French league game in August 1994. He ended up playing 141 matches in all competitions with Monaco, winning the 1997 league.

At Arsenal, he joined the pantheon of modern greats. He scored at least 20 league goals in six consecutive seasons and became Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer. He won seven trophies with the Gunners, among them two Premier Leagues including the unbeaten 2003-2004 side.

Henry ended his 20-year playing career four years ago after claiming multiple trophies, including the Champions League and the World Cup. After he retired, he worked as a TV analyst and quit his role as a UK Sky Sports pundit in July to focus on his ambition to become a manager.

Henry holds the French record of 51 goals in 123 internationals. He won the 2000 European Championship but finished on a low: In 2009 came the infamous handball in the decisive goal against Ireland in a World Cup playoff. At the World Cup in South Africa, France didn’t win a game and caused a scandal by refusing to train before their final match.

Coach Raymond Domenech arguably played his part in the debacle by dropping the hugely influential Henry from the starting lineup and souring a fragile atmosphere within the squad. It was a sad and humiliating end to Henry’s international career when he made his final appearance as a second-half substitute, with his shell-shocked side trailing South Africa 2-0 and headed for the exit.

(FRANCE 24 with AP and AFP)