CAF ANC2023: FIREWORKS BEGIN IN COTE D’IVOIRE

 

Today, the  13^th of January 2024, twenty-four African national teams are converged in Cote D’Ivoire for the commencement of the African Nations Football Cup tournament. It’s a culmination of over a year of rigorous planning and organization to highlight the best of African Football players to the global audience.

Two years ago, five nations (Morocco, Ghana, Algeria, Senegal, and Cameroon, represented Africa in the FIFA World Cup Competition in Qatar. Morocco surprised the world by becoming the first African nation to qualify for the semi-final stage, since the beginning of the FIFA World Cup. Over the years, the number of participating teams has increased, and so has the prize money for the participating teams and winners. The Confederation for African Football (CAF), has also signed bigger broadcast rights to further enhance the development of African football and as the competition kicks off today, planning and organization, will move from the board rooms to the football fields at the six-stadia accredited for this competition.

 

THE OPENING MATCH: COTE D’IVOIRE VS GUINEA BISSAU

This evening, Group A partners, and hosts, Cote D’Ivoire would lock horns with Guinea Bissau, at the Alassane Quattara Stadium, Abidjan, to start off the 34^th African Nations Cup Competition. Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea are the other teams in group A and they’d play the second match of the competition tomorrow afternoon. On paper, this group has strong teams with each having a fair chance of qualification. Cote D’Ivoire, looks like a team in transition, but could also ride on an overwhelming home support to progress to the next stage. They have won the competition in the past(1992, 2015) and once boasted of players such as Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure, Yaya Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Salomon Kalou, et al. Presently, the team is short of such a caliber of stars. Their opponents, Guinea Bissau can be rightly categorized as one of Africa’s rising football nations enjoying the liberalization of international transfers through the Bosman Ruling. They have most of their players in the Portuguese league and have sprung some surprises in the recent past. It’s not their first participation at the African Nations Cup Competition.

The current dynamics of football make it difficult to predict a lesser opportunity for qualification for Guinea Bissau or any other team. A considerable amount of players participating in the competition ply their trade in the European leagues and the margins of their exposure and experience are very little. The beauty of this competition is its capability to showcase several hidden African football talents and inspire others in various local leagues across Africa. Football has become a veritable profession that has rescued several poor families in Africa from hunger, poverty, and the ineptitude of diverse African governments whose focus on building a workable social structure to support the people, has been underwhelming.

Beyond the razmatazzz of the sounds of vuvuzelas, the screaming of football fans, the dancing of supporters, and other excitements the football brings, the time has come for African football leagues to begin to make deliberate efforts towards attracting players from other continents and/or even their own kith and kin leaving Europe to develop their local leagues. The beauty of the African geographical landscape, its fauna, and flora must be used to attract others to build stronger football leagues in different African states. It is difficult but possible!

 

CONTENDERS AND PRETENDERS FOR THE CAF ANC 2023

 

The stage is set for the commencement of the ANC 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire. Twenty-four of Africa's best national football teams, including the defending champions, the Taranga Lions of Senegal, and all the teams that represented Africa in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, would be competing for this title. Matches would be played in six stadia and five towns, in Cote d’Ivoire.

 

List of Qualifiers:

Group A – Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.

Group B – Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.

Group C – Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, and the Gambia.

Group D – Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Angola.

Group E – Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, and Namibia.

Group F – Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania

 

THE GATHERING OF AFRICAN FOOTBALL STARS

This competition draws African footballers playing for clubs in different parts of the world and the quest for getting the best players has made several Nations very meticulous in their player selection. African Players from the European leagues form the greatest bulk of footballers participating in this competition. With the current form of these teams, especially judging from the heroics of Morocco at the Qatar World Cup, every team would expect their best players to take them to stardom. The Moroccans would likely try to prove that their performance at the last FIFA World Cup was not a fluke. Egypt, who narrowly lost out to Senegal for the World Cup ticket, would expect the brilliance of Mohamed Salah to wipe away the pains of their painful loss to Senegal at the final of the last tournament in Cameroon, whilst Senegal would hope that their mercurial stars, Saido Mane, Koulibaly and others would help them retain the title. The Nigerian national team led by current African best footballer, Victor Osimhen would hope that he'd be able to inspire his colleagues to help Nigeria restore her pride in the current ANC.

 

 

PERMUTATIONS

Such permutations remain the basis of people's expectations in determining how the winner of this competition would emerge. The quality of players, their current form, team cohesion, and their past records are important factors. Just like the contenders, several underdogs abound who have not done much on the African and world stage to speculate their capacity to win the CAF ANC2023. Unlike in the past, the margins between teams are hugely thin and upsets would come in the same way as major contenders would meet bookmakers’ predictions.

On paper, teams such as Senegal, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Algeria, and Ghana appear the main contenders but hypothetical predictions sometimes fail, as they did during the last competition.  Then title holders, Algeria, exited at the group stage, just like Nigeria (2nd round). Within three days to the start-off of the competition, Nigeria had lost three very important players, whilst Cameroon wouldn't be having the services of their popular goalkeeper, Andre Onana. These are outcomes of the competition being held during the tick of the ongoing leagues across most continents. The best team would emerge from whosoever can perfectly manage their results with their best available resources.

 

JUDE BELLINGHAM IS WORTH THE RAVE!

He moves with speed and poise. He’s a creative midfielder with good ball control and balance. Some years ago, during COVID-19, he was barely known outside his hometown. Today, Jude Bellingham rubs shoulders with World greats, Modric, Kroos, Nacho, Rudiger, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Rudiger, Courtois, et al at Real Madrid.

 

THE MAKING OF A STAR

Twenty-year-old Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid FC of Spain started on a goal run, scoring 8 consecutive goals in nine matches; most of them, in spectacular fashion. Several times he's rescued Real Madrid FC from defeat and currently leads the La Liga goal-scorers chat with 13 goals. Though he’s yet to complete a full season with his new club but has captivated the Real Madrid supporters with his brilliance.

He’s always shown signs of greatness very early in his career. Bellingham got into the first team of Birmingham City, at 16 and became the youngest first-team player in their history.  At Borussia Dortmund FC, he scored on his debut to become their youngest goal scorer. He joined Birmingham City FC as a child and by 2020 sealed a transfer to Borussia Dortmund FC in Germany. He snubbed Manchester United, Liverpool amongst others to join Dortmund; a club with good tradition for youth development. Even with the humble beginning of his club football, Borussia Dortmund coughed about 25 million British pounds, plus some add-ons for his transfer. He believed that like Jordan Sancho, he’d grow at Dortmund. Truly, he excelled with them, before his move to Madrid. He captained the team and won the German FA Cup 2020-21 with them and they had a second-place finish in the league. He also won the Bundesliga Player of the Season.
Bellingham has represented England in all age grades, including the senior national team. He's played 18 times already for the senior team and registered his name on the score sheets. He achieved this feat against Iran at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

 

Speaking about his move to Madrid, Jude said thus; 

"I'd always been aware of the interest from England so that was pretty normal,"

"It was a bit of a surprise when my dad sat me down and said: 'You've had a bit of interest from Real Madrid.'

"I think that was maybe about 12-15 months ago. When he said that I had goosebumps, and my heart was close to stopping. It's something you don't expect growing up - being able to play for a team like this."

THE STAR BOY OF WORLD FOOTBALL

As overwhelmed as he was, Bellingham settled immediately and has become an important player for them. With his outstanding performance, his £113m, six-year transfer fee looks to be worth it. He joins Steve Macmanaman and David Beckham, two English players who dazzled at Real Madrid. Jude has had a great time showcasing his skill and looks ready to compete with the Vinicus Juniors, Mbappes, and Haaland, as the new star boy of World football.

His value continues to increase by the day. His coach Carlo Ancelotti, rates him currently as the World’s best player. His early integration into Real Madrid FC has been astounding and despite his role as a midfielder, Bellingham’s capacity to decide games in his team’s favor continues to make him invaluable. He’s not likely to stop soon because his best is yet to come!

 

 

Note:

This article was edited and republished. Some parts were earlier published in https://worldinsport.com/     

CAN BARCELONA FC OVERCOME THEIR STRUGGLES?

 

For a team known for the fluidity and flair of their possession football, Barcelona FC has witnessed an undulating campaign so far in the 2023/23 football season. Their successes have made them stand out so much that a little setback draws immediate attention and scrutiny from both fans and foes!

Playing their week 19 match against Las Palmas FC at the Gran Canaria Stadium, Barcelona FC had a torrid time overcoming the stubborn resistance of their hosts. They won 1-2, through a penalty scored by Iker Gundogan, in the 93rd minute of extra time.  Such has been their situation this season.  Almostthe same scenario occurred with Almeria FC in week 18 and against this season's surprise team, Girona FC.  They lost 4-2; it was never so in the past. They appear to be losing the aura that the presence of such greats as Lionel Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, and many others brought to the team. Also,the daily struggles of overcoming their huge debts and the Financial FairplayRegulations Rules remain daunting enough to affect their on-field activities but they still survive.

 

WHY IS BARCELONA FC STUTTERING SO HARD?

They currently stand in the third position, with 41 points, and are 7 points below joint leaders, Real Madrid and Girona FC, yet, criticisms continue to grow about the current form of Barcelona FC. It is such high standards they have set for themselves in the past seasons and Coach Xavi Hernandez has received so much scrutiny about what the issues are with his team.  Truly they've dropped points in matches that ordinarily they would win. Injuries and loss of form to their important players such as star striker, Robert Lewandowski, goalkeeper Andre Ter Stegen, Pedri, Joao Felix, et al have affected their fortunes.  Lewandowski has scored just 3 goals since September 2023 and going by his standards, it is very underwhelming. Keeper Marc Andre Ten Stegen has been out with injury for some time and his stabilizing presence in the team cannot be ignored.  In everything, Xavi Hernandez has received the unalloyed support of club President Joan Laporta, despite the extreme criticism by the press!

 

 

 

 THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT FOR BARCELONA FC

Against Las Palmas FC, theirnew striker, the Brazilian whiz kid Victor Roque was introduced and showed flashes of his skill, and the expectation is that he'd integrate fast to help the stuttering Lewandowski, Joao Felix, and others. Coach Xavi though has promised not to put him under pressure to allow him to settle.

 

With their current form and the consistency of Real Madrid and Girona FC, it would be difficult for Barcelona to retain the La Liga title. They're enjoying an interesting transition though, with several young and enterprising players establishing themselves and Barcelona's future looks very bright provided they're able to keep these players in good form.  Players such as Ferran Torres, Gavi, Pedri, Victor Roque, Yamal, and Araujo are very young but have huge experience and the current glitch looks surmountable once they maintain their good form.

ANC2023: SUPER EAGLES OF NIGERIA, FAVORITES OR BYSTANDERS?

The African Nations Cup starts off in Cote d’Ivoire within a fortnight and the Super Eagles of Nigeria are participating. About thirty years ago, they ranked the 5^th best nation in the world and attracted so much global attention through the scintillating performance of the team at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA. This was the apogee of Nigeria’s football history. The Super Eagles won the 1994 ANC in Tunisia and players such as Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West, Victor Ikpeba,  got huge transfers to some of the best clubs in Europe.

Fast forward to 1996, the Nigerian football team won the gold medal in the Olympics, beating the star-studded teams of Brazil and Argentina, on their way to achieving this feat. Kanu Nwankwo won the CAF African Best Player Award, in 1996 & 1999, and Victor Ikpeba followed in 1997.  These events occurred just within six years after Professional Football was legalized in Nigeria. Most of the players had just left the local league. Thompson Oliha, playing for African Sports D’Abidjan(Cote D’Ivoire), same with Finidi George, Ajax Amsterdam, Ben Iroha, Vitesse Arnhem were recurring features on Coach Clemence Westerhof’s team list in the 1994 team and under Coach Bonfere Jo, Joseph Dosu, ‘owned’ the goalkeeping shirt and never crumbled to the onslaught of Bebeto, Romario, Diego Simeone, Gabriel Batistuta, and others.

 

THE SUPER EAGLE: ANY HOPE FOR OPTIMISM?

Amidst a conglomeration of minnows, the Super Eagles qualified for the ANC in Cote d’Ivoire, but not without several heartaches and drama! They lost at home to minnows and have not won any friendly match for three years. On paper and in current form, Nigeria boasts of possibly the best array of established African players, paying for good clubs across the World. From Victor Osimhen(Napoli FC, Italy), Ademola Lukeman(Atlanta), Maduka Okoye(Udinese), Ola Aina(Nottingham Forest, England), Victor Boniface(Bayer Leverkusen, Germany) Alex Iwobi(Fulham, England), Adebayo Adeleye(Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel ). Herein, the paradox begins! Coached by Jose Peseiro, a Portuguese, whose success ratio in his coaching career rates below 35%, the Super Eagles, has turned to a team without flair, style, guile, or tactical sagacity to overwhelm even the most unprepared opposition. He’s lost more matches than any other coach of the Super Eagles and even with the unique talents of the team, watching the Super Eagles has become a nightmare!  His disgust for players in the Nigerian league is palpable and has never manifested any attribute to consider him a good coach!

SUPER EAGLES SUFFERING THE BURDEN OF INEPTITUDE

Football is filled with so much drama and unpredictability! Sometimes, even the so-called minnows overwhelm giants and we hope the Super Eagles can replicate the feat of Denmark, in the 1992 European Nations Championship! Captain Ahmed Musa and Kenneth Omeruo, remain the only survivors of coach Stephen Keshi’s team that won Nigeria’s last ANC trophy in 2013 and expect that at the twilight of their careers, they’d be able to motivate the current players’ to a good result. Victor Osimhen just won the African Best Footballer award, Victor Boniface, has successively won the Bundesliga Best Player of the Month award for four months starting from August. These successes offer good reasons for Nigerians to be optimistic about Nigeria’s chances but the trajectory of the team under Jose Peseiro leaves much to be desired. Whilst questions continue about the competence of the coach, it is further worsened by the actions of the Nigerian Football Federation, who continue to owe Peseiro backlogs of salaries, and attributing his performance to this anomaly would be in order! The pessimism surrounding the Super Eagles’ participation in ANC2023 and Peseiro’s below-par reign will continue to instigate debates, unless they prove the pessimists wrong and give Nigerians a reason to smile and celebrate, after the ANC. Only such success would guarantee him a place in the annals of Nigerian football history.

 

MICHAEL EMENALO: THE UNASSUMING FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATOR WHO HAS TURNED THE SAUDI FOOTBALL LEAGUE AROUND!

 

The football trajectory of Mike Emenalo remains an example of some veritable strategies about management as encapsulated by Barack Obama, the  44th President of the United States Of America: 2009-2017, in this video: https://youtu.be/YNY4UFaHbP4?si=JmzNZ21QCwfv-B_d.

 

Mike Emenalo ventured into football management about two decades ago and has mastered the strategy of getting the job done whilst working silently! His work profile speaks for itself. His foray into the Saudi Football League shows his global value, considering the nature and magnitude of the project; his presence remains a  sweet incense to the mega-rich sovereign investment fund managers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia!

It's intriguing to understand how this unassuming and humble Nigerian, has perfectly ticked every aspect of football administration. Mike Emenalo started off as a footballer with Rangers International Football Club, of Enugu, in South-Eastern Nigeria, played for the Nigerian national team, the Green Eagles, and moved into football administration. In a nation where sports administrators are accused of diverse corrupt practices, such as converting allowances of players, favoritism in selecting players, etc Emenalo continues to enjoy high-profile jobs that have made him a veritable model in the world football industry!

Mike Emenalo started as a footballer in Rangers of Enugu, and left after about three years to the United States of America, to further his education. He got a degree in international relations with political sciences at Boston University, in 1989, and took some time to continue his career in the USA. Despite not being an integral member of the team that qualified, Nigeria for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, he was invited by the legendary Coach Clemence Westerhof and played every match except Nigeria’s first game against Bulgaria. He played for RC Molenbeek, in Belgium, and moved to Germany, England, the USA, and Israel. It is possible, that his two-year stay in Israel, with Maccabi Tel Aviv FC, changed the course of his entire life.

Emenalo’s Journey into Football Administration

He started off in the USA, with the Tucson Soccer Academy in 2006, but switched to Chelsea FC, England in 2007, as opposition scout, then assistant first-team coach, when Israeli-born Avram Grant, became the coach. He stayed for ten years with Chelsea, occupying different important positions. Mike Emenalo became a close confidant of the then owner Roman Abramovich and in his role as technical director, from 2010, supervised their flourishing player transfer policies. Under him, players such as  Juan Mata, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, N'Golo Kanté, Eden Hazard, and Cesc Fàbregas, joined the club. He was involved during the coming of Jose Mourinho, the special one! As technical director, Chelsea did not just buy players, but won several trophies,

 

LIST OF TROPHIES

·         Premier League: 2009–10, 2014–15, 2016–17

·         FA Cup: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2017–18

·         Football League Cup / EFL Cup: 2014–15

·         UEFA Champions League: 2011–12

·         UEFA Europa League: 2012–13

In November 2017, Mike Emenalo left Chelsea FC and moved to Monaco FC, France to supervise the project of another Russian Billionaire; Dmitry Rybolovlev He occupied the same role of sporting director but left two years later. In July 2023, Emenalo was given the responsibility to become the first sporting director of the reinvigorated Saudi Roshan League. This project is hugely backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund which in June 2022 took equity control over four of the country's top football teams - Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli – as part of the country’s Vision2030 plan. Under it, football plays an integral part in the kingdom’s aim to diversify its economy, boost tourism, and create an atmosphere of investments to strengthen national prosperity and enhance global appeal. Under his guidance, the Saudi League has within a year become the most congested haven for some of the world’s best footballers.

Emenalo, a Lesson for Football Administrators in Developing Economies

For example, the Nigerian Football industry ranks far above Saudi Arabia in its achievements in world football. It has won several world football tournaments and ranks amongst the top 10 countries for football exports across the world, with its players achieving several titles, in Europe, Asia, and the rest of the world, unlike Saudi Arabia. Football administrators, especially in developing economies, like Emenalo’s home country, can seek wise counsel through direct and virtual interactions from this erudite football administrator, and knowing his unassuming nature, everyone stands to benefit. Such wise action would help rid them of unscrupulous practices and enable them to rank alongside the likes of Emenalo et al.

Michael Emenalo remains a veritable example for football administrators in developing economies. Getting the job done whilst keeping your integrity attracts greater recognition than soiling your hands with some filthy lucre!