International Football
CAF Election 2017: Tension All The Way
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The Africa Hall in Addis Ababa is already used to high tension wired politics. It is the seat of African Union and it was there that the old OAU was founded and had held most of it meetings attended by African heads of states.
Another set of politicians are meeting there on Thursday morning. These are the African football politicians who are holding, perhaps, the most volatile election to constitute the executive of the 60-year old Confederation of African Football.
Palpable tension pervades the various hotels delegates to the CAF 39th Ordinary Assembly are staying as the clock ticks down to the 9am time of election of officers to direct the confederation’s affairs for the 2017 -2021 cycle. According to sources in the Sheraton Hotel, Addis Ababa abode of Issa Hayatou and most members of the CAF Executive Committee, there was apprehension as it is feared that Ahmad of Madagascar may have made inroad into the number of votes they expected.
“I must tell you, the Hayatou camp is jittery”, an Egyptian staff of CAF remarked in a message sent to Sports Village Square. According to information from the president’s camp, Hayatou was heard telling loyalists that he would not step down, no matter the odds.
Benin Republic’s Moucharafou Anjorin, one of the most trusted allies of Hayatou was seeing talking to Nigerian delegates, pleading they should back Hayatou and himself in the election and should not put powers in the hands of strangers.
Obinna Ogba, a senator and chairman of the senate committee on sports, is the leader of the Nigerian delegation to the CAF General Assembly. But it is Amaju Pinnick that has the voting power.
Other Nigerians at the assembly are Solomon Ogba, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s boss, NFF senior vice president, Seyi Akinwunmi, General Secretary Sanusi Mohammed and Hon. Nduka Irabor.
Ifeayi Ubah, the chairman of FC IfenyiUbah was being expected, even though there were fears he might not arrive before the election.
Kayode Tijani, Nigerian journalist in Addis Ababa, reported that the spirits of delegate in the Nigerian camp was high.
He dismissed as rumour, the stories going round that the sports minister has directed Amaju Pinnick to vote for Hayatou.
Most of the loyalists of Ahmad of Madagascar are staying in Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa. FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, who did not get the support of Issa Hayatou in the FIFA election last year, appears to be the rallying person for the anti-Hayatou forces.
Ahead of the election, Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick, according to Kayode Tijani who is on ground at Addis Ababa, is very confident.
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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