International Football

WORLD CUP 2014 STADIUMS BECOME HOME TO CORONAVIRUS VICTIMS

Published

6 years ago

March 30, 2020

The costly football stadiums Brazil built and refurbished in the run-up to the 2014 World Cup are finding new life as health centres for patients with coronavirus.

Local governments have started signing agreements to use the stadiums – once destined for star-studded matches – as makeshift hospitals and vaccine centres to help deal with an expected surge of Covid-19 cases.

With football in the country suspended until further notice, more than half the clubs in Brazil’s Serie A have given up their stadiums as authorities in densely populated Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro seek to expand hospital capacity to deal with the crisis.

Current South American champions Flamengo are giving control of their famous Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro to health authorities, said club president Rodolfo Landim.

“In this grim moment, I wanted to invite our great Red and Black nation to renew hope and work for better days. Let us take care of our elders, help those who need it most,” he wrote in a message to supporters.

Authorities in Sao Paulo – Brazil’s biggest city – said they would install 200 beds in a field hospital at the Pacaembu municipal stadium to relieve pressure on the city’s hospitals. Work is already underway at the venue – where football legend Pele played hundreds of matches for Santos FC – while two of the city’s big clubs were also lending a hand.

Santos announced that a temporary clinic would be set up in one of the lounges inside its Vila Belmiro stadium.

Corinthians said they have made their Itaquerao stadium and their training headquarters available “so that the authorities can evaluate how they can be used to combat the spread of the disease”.

On March 23, Allianz Parque, home of the Palmeiras football club in Sao Paulo, a line of people snaked around the outside of the stadium as if a match were about to start. But these were not football fans – they were high-risk Brazilians spaced 3m apart and there to get flu shots.

For Brazilians, it is a useful transformation of structures dubbed “white elephants” that later became symbols of corruption in Latin America’s largest economy.

Back in 2014, the idea of Brazil spending US$11 billion (S$15.7 billion) to host the World Cup was a contentious one, with locals and foreigners alike arguing that a nation struggling to provide basic health care, education and even sewage has no right diverting resources to a football championship.

As construction began, the staggering price tag for the stadiums fuelled a frenzy of protests. One common chant: “We want hospitals with Fifa standards!”

In neighbouring Argentina, six major clubs including Buenos Aires’ Boca Juniors and River Plate have also opened their gates should officials need the space.

Brazil currently has over 4,000 confirmed infections and deaths top 100.

A week ago, Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta had predicted the virus would reach its peak in the country between April and June, anticipating a drop in Covid-19 infections from September.

Mandetta warned the health system in the country of 210 million people could reach saturation by the end of April.

–AFP

International Football

World record winning streak sets up Morocco for AFCON challenge

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2025

Kunle Solaja

A world record run of 18 consecutive victories has set up Achraf Hakimi-inspired Morocco perfectly for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign on home soil.

The streak began in June 2024 when they edged Zambia 2-1 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, with the most recent a 4-0 hammering of Uganda last month in a friendly.

Spain had held the record since 2009 with 15 wins — a mark Morocco overtook by defeating Congo Brazzaville 1-0 two months ago in another World Cup qualifier.

Morocco have scored 55 goals in the 18 matches and conceded just four, while keeping 14 clean sheets.

It is this outstanding form, home advantage and the hoped-for presence of 2025 African player of the year Hakimi that has seen Morocco installed as firm favourites to be crowned African champions.

Paris Saint-German full-back Hakimi sprained an ankle after being fouled in a UEFA Champions League loss to Bayern Munich, but initial fears that he would miss the AFCON seem to be decreasing.

Speaking after the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington at the weekend, coach Walid Regragui said: “We hope he will be available for our first match against the Comoros.

“He is doing better. He is improving. He wants to be here (Morocco). He is our leader, our captain,” said the tactician who defied the odds by taking Morocco to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar.

Hakimi, fellow full-back Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United, goalkeeper Yassine ‘Bono’ Bounou, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and forward Youssef En Nesyri form the core of the Atlas Lions line-up.

While Hakimi, wearing a medical boot at the awards ceremony in Rabat to protect his injury, was hailed as the best player in the continent, Saudi Arabia-based Bono won the best goalkeeper award.

Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid was not in Qatar, but has emerged as a clinical finisher. He was the leading scorer with seven goals in 2025 AFCON qualifying.

Treasured trophy

Winning the most treasured football trophy in Africa would not only trigger joy across the kingdom, but also huge relief.

Morocco won their sole AFCON title in 1976 in Ethiopia.

The closest Morocco have come to conquering Africa since then was in 2004 when they fell 2-1 to hosts Tunisia in the final. Regragui was part of the losing team.

“My wishes are that many people will visit our beautiful land for the AFCON and that Morocco will be crowned champions,” said the 50-year-old coach.

After facing Comoros in the December 21 opening match, Morocco meet Mali five days later and Zambia on December 29.

All the Moroccan matches in Group A will be at the 68,700-seat Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which will also stage the final.

Mali, arguably the strongest of the 12 contenders who have never won the competition, have set a minimum target of reaching the semi-finals.

“I read an article describing us as ‘big outsiders’ — that is accurate,” said coach Tom Saintfiet, who took debutants Gambia to the 2022 quarter-finals.

“Mali are on a par with teams like Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Senegal. We may not have as many global stars, but our group is cohesive, determined and talented,” the Belgian added.

While Morocco and Mali are expected to be the two sides to progress from Group A, Comoros coach Stefano Cusin had a warning for his rivals.

“For the big African nations, playing against us is a bit like going to the dentist — nobody enjoys it,” said the Canadian-Italian.

After losing three of four home 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Zambia dumped former Chelsea manager Avram Grant. His replacement is ex-international defender Moses Sichone.

Zambia have disappointed since a stunning 2012 AFCON final triumph over Ivory Coast, but captain and defender Lubambo Musonda is optimistic, saying he is “looking forward to a great tournament”.

-AFP

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International Football

Seven-A-Side Football Governing Body, AFC7 Appoints Cameroon Legend Jean II Makoun as Ambassador

Published

2 weeks ago

November 25, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Former Cameroon international Jean II Makoun

The African Football Confederation 7 (AFC7), which oversees the seven-a-side version of football, has taken a major leap in its mission to expand the visibility and growth of Football 7 on the continent with the appointment of former Cameroon international Jean II Makoun as its new ambassador.

According to reports from Cameroon’s Kick442, the decision brings into the fold one of the most technically accomplished midfielders of his generation—an ideal fit for a football discipline built on skill, intelligence, close control and quick execution.

Makoun enjoyed a distinguished career spanning nearly 20 years, turning out for top European clubs including Lille, Olympique Lyonnais, Aston Villa and Olympiacos.

He earned over 60 caps for the Indomitable Lions, becoming widely respected for his exceptional ball mastery, vision, tactical awareness and ability to dictate tempo under pressure.

These qualities mirror the demands of Football 7, where agility, creativity in tight spaces and rapid transitions define the game.

AFC7 President Bamnga Jacques expressed strong optimism about the impact Makoun will bring to the sport’s development.
“We welcome Mr. Makoun and are confident in his ability to drive the growth of Football 7 across the continent,” he said.

Makoun’s first assignment as ambassador will take him to Morocco this week, where he will participate in a high-profile seven-aside exhibition match aimed at showcasing the dynamism, flair and fast-paced appeal of the sport.

Football 7—also known as seven-aside—is a compact, high-tempo variation of association football played on smaller pitches with shorter halves. Its emphasis on technique, fluid attacking play and swift decision-making has fueled rapid global growth, and AFC7 is determined to position Africa at the forefront of this evolution.

With Makoun joining the team, AFC7 plans to deepen its development programmes, strengthen community engagement, and create competitive platforms that will accelerate the rise of Football 7 across the continent.

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