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NIGERIAN ‘PELE’, RABIU ALI EYES KOTOKO SCALP AWAY IN KUMASI
Better known as Pele on the Nigerian domestic football scene, talismanic captain of Kano Pillars, Rabiu Ali has predicted a tough duel away to Asante Kotoko in the reverse CAF Champions League preliminary round tie to be played this weekend in Kumasi.
A fortnight ago, Kano Pillars secured a hard-fought 3-2 home win at the Sani Abacha Stadium nevertheless the 33-year-old Ali is confident his side would scale the hurdle against the battle-hardened Porcupine Warriors at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.
“We are not expecting an easy match in Kumasi against Asante Kotoko. Unlike in the first leg, we know what to expect in the second leg match,” Ali who scored the second goal and provided the assist for the winner by Mohammed Gambo in the first leg tie in Kano told CAFOnline.com
“ It was a difficult game for us in Kano. Now we have to prepare well ahead for the return leg in Kumasi because we know Asante Kotoko is big club.”
Though the Ghanaian side are by far experienced being two-time continental champions in 1970 and 1983 as well as winning a record 24 Ghanaian Premier League title, Ali who turn 39 next month (September 27) and has won three successive Nigeria league titles with Kano Pillars between 2011 and 2914 remains unperturbed.
“Football is full of surprises and nobody can predict the outcome of the match in Kumasi because it will be a big battle.
“We (Kano Pillars) have participated in the CAF Champions League in the past and even reached the semi-finals in 2011 when we lost to Heartland of Owerri.
“We have not done better than that since then but we have so much motivation especially after winning the Aiteo Cup ( Nigerian version of the FA Cup) for the first time and we believe we can do well in this year’s CAF Champions League.”
An energetic attacking midfielder, Ali was sanctioned in June and would miss the opening 12 matches of the impending domestic season for allegedly inciting the crowd against match officials during a Playoff match in Lagos.
“I’m not a controversial or stubborn player. I don’t like to lose matches; I love only to win and that is why I would want to do everything possible for my team to win.
“I have won three league titles with Kano Pillars and I’m really delighted with the Aiteo Cup win after we lost in the final last year.
“We will press for a win against Asante Kotoko in Kumasi and we can’t be talking of defending.
“We have players that can help us and I think Mohammed Gambo who scored the winning goal for us against Asante Kotoko in Kano would be our joker again in Kumasi.
“Matches like this is very difficult to predict. It’s going to be a tough match but we ( Kano Pillars) are hopeful of qualification to the next round,” added Rabiu who was named Pele for his velvet skills way back from his days at Kuka Primary School in Kano.
Meanwhile, the aggregate winner between Kano Pillars and Asante Kotoko would face either Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia or Hafia of Guinea in the CAF Champions League second round fixture.
Fixtures
Friday, 23 August 2019
- Al Ahly (Egypt) vs Atlabara (South Sudan) (4-0)
- KCCA (Uganda) vs African Stars (Namibia) (2-3)
- Cote d’Or (Seychelles) vs Fomboni (Comoros) (2-2)
Saturday, 24 August 2019
- Raja Athletic Club (Morocco) vs Brikama United (Gambia) (3-3)
- El Merreikh (Sudan) vs JS Kabylie (Algeria) (0-1)
- Zamalek (Egypt) vs Dekadaha (Somalia) (7-0)
- Generation Foot (Senegal) vs LPRC Oilers (Liberia) (0-1)
- Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) vs Hafia (Guinea) (1-2)
- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) vs AS Otoho (Congo) (1-2)
- Zesco United (Zambia) vs Green Mamba (Eswatini) (2-0)
- Township Rollers (Botswana) vs Young Africans (Tanzania) (1-1)
- FC Platinum (Zimbabwe) vs Big Bullets (Malawi) (0-0)
- Primeiro de Agosto (Angola) vs KMKM (Zanzibar) (2-0)
- Orlando Pirates (South Africa) vs Green Eagles (Zambia) (0-1)
Sunday, 25 August 2019
- *El Nasr (Libya) vs Tempete Mocaf (Central African Republic) (0-1)
- Horoya (Guinea) vs Stade Malien (Mali) (1-1)
- ASCK (Togo) vs Buffles (Benin) (1-1)
- AS Vita (Cameroon) vs UMS de Loum (Cameroon) (0-0)
- El Hilal (Sudan) vs Rayon Sports (Rwanda) (1-1)
- Enyimba (Nigeria) vs Rahimo (Burkina Faso) (0-1)
- USM Alger (Algeria) vs SONIDEP (Niger) (2-1)
- Gor Mahia (Kenya) vs Aigle Noir (Burundi) (0-0)
- Mekelle (Ethiopia) vs Cano Sport (Equatorial Guinea) (1-2)
- Asante Kotoko (Ghana) vs Kano Pillars (Nigeria) (2-3)
- Petro Atletico (Angola) vs Matlama (Lesotho)(2-0)
- Nouadhibou (Mauritania) vs SOA (Cote d’Ivoire) (0-0)
- Elect Sport (Chad) vs CMS (Gabon) (0-0)
- Simba (Tanzania) vs UD Songo (0-0)
- Pamplemousses (Mauritius) vs Fosa Juniors (Madagascar (0-1)
*Match will be played in Cairo
-CAF
Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD had targeted their Group F opener as their best chance to get a win on the board at the Club World Cup, with Brazil’s Fluminense and German side Borussia Dortmund expected to advance from Group F.
South Africa’s Sundowns took all three points with a 1-0 win over the South Koreans and went top of the group after Fluminense drew 0-0 with Dortmund.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
African and Asian teams are not expected to make much of an impact at the new-look 32-team Club World Cup so points are like gold dust for the likes of the Sundowns and Ulsan.
KEY QUOTES
Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns coach: “We prepared tactically and strategically very well, and then we found a commitment between everybody. I think it was clear we made a very wonderful first half. It was important that we could keep the pace and not stray from the game plan in the second half, so that we could score a second goal that for little details or little centimetres, we could not do.”
Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD head coach: “We had targeted this game to win because we understand the other two teams in the group, Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund, are favourites. Our players gave their best efforts in this game and we’re very proud of their efforts. Now we need to recover quickly for the next game.”
-Reuters
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With a year until Mexico makes history as the first three-time World Cup host, the dream of a spectacular showcase is colliding with the practical challenges of modernising the iconic Azteca Stadium for global soccer’s premier event.
Beneath the imposing silhouette of Mexico’s football cathedral – where Pele dazzled with Brazil in 1970 and Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ propelled Argentina to glory in 1986 – construction crews tackle the formidable task of bringing one of the sport’s most storied venues into the 21st century.
The stakes are magnified as the ‘Santa Ursula colossus’ will host the tournament’s opening match, a global spectacle that will focus the world’s attention on Mexico from day one.
Renovations will expand the stadium’s capacity from 87,000 to 90,000, with upgrades centred on meeting FIFA standards through new changing rooms, enhanced hospitality zones, revamped VIP areas and additional seating in spaces previously occupied by boxes and lounges.
While government officials and football administrators envisioned the project as a symbol of national pride, the renovation process has eroded trust between developers, local residents and other stakeholders.
Stadium administrators announced in February that they had secured a 2.1 billion peso ($110.19 million) credit line from local financial group Banorte – along with a controversial new name: Estadio Banorte.
FIFA regulations mean the stadium will be referred to as “Estadio Ciudad de Mexico” during the World Cup, yet the rebranding has sparked a fierce backlash from some fans, who view it as sacrificing football heritage for commercial interests.
HARSH REALITY
The backlash over the stadium’s new name represents only one facet of the mounting tensions. Box and suite holders – some with relationships spanning decades – have threatened legal action after FIFA announced it would commandeer their seats during the tournament, overriding established contracts.
One member of the Mexican Association of Box Holders has already filed a legal challenge to defend access rights.
Beyond the stadium walls, frustration runs equally deep. Residents of Santa Ursula and surrounding neighbourhoods fear that promised infrastructure improvements like pedestrian bridges and transit lines will fail to address fundamental issues including inadequate lighting, water shortages and persistent traffic congestion.
“We’re not the stadium’s backyard,” one local resident told Expansion Politica. “But we’re always treated that way.”
By contrast, Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico’s other two host cities, face fewer obstacles.
Guadalajara’s 48,000-seat stadium, opened in 2010, has already hosted major events including the 2011 Pan American Games, while Monterrey’s 53,500-capacity venue, inaugurated in 2015, needs only minor upgrades – primarily new turf and a pitch ventilation system.
“We’ll install a system to ventilate and oxygenate the pitch before replacing the grass,” said Alejandro Hutt, Monterrey’s Host City Manager. “That will be an important legacy from the World Cup and beyond.”
As construction continues, Javier Aguirre’s Mexico squad are building towards a crucial summer, with a Gold Cup title defence ahead and friendly matches against Turkey this week, followed by Japan and South Korea in September.
After failing to advance beyond the group stage at Qatar 2022 – their worst World Cup performance since 1978 – Mexican fans crave more than just a well organised tournament. They want to see Mexico break the ‘fifth-game‘ curse and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986, the last time they were World Cup hosts.
-Reuters
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All contenders are now known for this year’s President Federation Cup grand finale, following Saturday’s elimination of Edo Queens and Ibom Angels in the women’s semi-finals.
Multiple-winners Rivers Angels saw off the stiff challenge of Ibom Angels of Uyo 1-0 in Aba, while Nasarawa Amazons bumped Edo Queens 2-0 in Ayingba.
Cup holders Rivers Angels, who have won the competition nine times, will have their hands full against 2005 and 2019 champions Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia.
In the men’s competition, Abakaliki FC of Ebonyi are getting set to tackle Kwara United FC in the final.
Results of Semi Finals (Women)
- Rivers Angels (Rivers) 1-0 Ibom Angels (Akwa Ibom)
- Edo Queens (Edo) 0-2 Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa)
Results of Semi-Finals (Men)
- Abakaliki FC (Ebonyi) 0-0 Ikorodu City (Lagos) – Abakaliki FC win 5-4 on penalties
- Kwara United (Kwara) 1-0 Rangers Int’l (Enugu)
WOMEN’S FINAL
- Rivers Angels vs Nasarawa Amazons
MEN’S FINAL
- Abakaliki FC VS Kwara United
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