International Football
WE ARE CONDEMNED TO DEFEAT EQUATORIAL GUINEA, SAYS SUPER FALCONS COACH, DENNERBY
Ahead of the Super Falcons’ crucial match against Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, Head CoachThomas Dennerby says the Cup holders will do everything possible to secure one of the two semi final spots.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference held at the Cape Coast stadium, Dennerby said the team will work as they have worked from the beginning. “We are not making any changes. We work as we have done from the beginning. We will try our best to secure the position as one of the two teams in Group B that will qualify for the semi finals.”
Responding to a question on what he intends to do differently against Equatorial Guinea who have also won two Women Africa Cup of Nations titles, he said: “It is to stay by our plan. Don’t get stressed because if the players feel they have a stressed coach it will probably affect the players. So, keep on walking and following the plan.
“Like we said in the first game when we lost to South Africa that we don’t do any changes and we have trust in what we are doing and we keep on doing it better and better each day. We also said after the first game that we will probably improve as the tournament went on and I think that is what is going to happen. The Falcons will get better. I hope we have our best performance so far tomorrow and I hope we keep improving ahead of the semi finals.”
The Swede further said he was happy the team created a lot of chances against Zambia, noting that they will keep working on improving the conversion rate. “First of all, I am very happy that they created a lot of good chances. That is the first step and to be honest, everybody that saw the game is aware that we probably should have scored more goals. So, we just have to find good technique to score more goals.”
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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