International Football
Budweiser Game of Kings Team Managers Eager to Coach John Terry, Roberto Carlos
Two lucky fans have emerged managers of the two teams that will feature international football legends, John Terry and Roberto Carlos and football stars from the Nigerian Professional Football League in the Budweiser Game of Kings match scheduled to hold in Lagos this weekend.
The keenly contested audition held at the Southern Sun Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos saw Osinachi Egbuche and Seun John emerge team coach of Smooth FC and Kings FC respectively out of hundreds of hopefuls who were eventually pruned to 30.
Budweiser is a product of International Breweries Plc, a proud part of AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer with over 400 beer brands. The premium lager organised the audition that tested the manager-hopefuls’ tactical mastery and technical know-how of the beautiful game.
The judges, including veteran journalists, Mitchell Obi and Harry Iwuala, and co-anchor of the Kings of Football show and Budweiser Brand Ambassador, Ozoemena Chukwu, fondly called Ozo by fans, assessed the prospective team managers on other qualities such as communication skills, leadership potential, and man-management skills.
Sharing his thoughts on the audition, Mitchell Obi said “For me, it was revealing to observe the level of understanding of football by Nigerian fans, and I believe this is an opportunity to push the dimension and cultivate the culture of promoting our domestic football.
“This contest has opened a new phase for those who want to get involved in supporting the game.”
On her part, Marketing Manager, Budweiser, Olajumoke Okikiolu, said, “Budweiser Game of Kings team managers audition has been an interesting contest. We received numerous applications from consumers who desired to coach Smooth FC and Kings FC, and it was heartening to see many of those who made it to the final stage of the audition display a remarkable knowledge of football.
“It will also be interesting to see how the fan-led teams fare against each other in what will undoubtedly be a pulsating match on game day.”
Before being announced as one of the winners, a passionate Segun John refused to accept the notion of defeat when questioned on the possibility of his team losing. Segun, without mincing words, said, “I will not take defeat, I cannot take defeat, I must win.
“I will withdraw any player who thinks he is on the pitch to sell bread and butter. I will even bench John Terry or Roberto Carlos if they don’t meet my standard.”
Osinachi Egbuche who emerged coach of Smooth FC also expressed optimism about his team’s chances of lifting the trophy.
“I am confident in my coaching abilities and can’t wait to show my tactical superiority come game day,” he said.
The game day match will air on SuperSports, NTA Network, and STV to cater to fans who will not be at the stadium to see their football icons play.
Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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In a compelling twist of football destiny, Davide Ancelotti is stepping into his own spotlight as he begins his first head coaching role at Brazilian club Botafogo—just months after parting ways with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti, at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as Botafogo’s new manager, the club announced on Tuesday, following the sacking of Renato Paiva. Davide, who has spent the last decade working alongside his father at some of Europe’s top clubs—including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid—has signed a one-year deal with the Rio-based team.
This marks a significant milestone for the younger Ancelotti, whose career has long been shaped by his father’s influence, but who now faces the challenge of carving his own identity on the touchline.
The move comes shortly after both father and son departed Real Madrid at the end of last season, with Carlo taking over the Brazilian national team. Now, in a poetic alignment, father and son find themselves on different paths within Brazilian football—one leading the Seleção, the other steering the fortunes of a storied domestic club.
Botafogo’s decision to appoint Davide follows a controversial parting with Paiva, who was dismissed just days after their exit from the Club World Cup. Though he oversaw a stunning win over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Palmeiras in the round of 16 proved to be his final act after just four months in charge.
As Davide Ancelotti begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether the son of one of football’s most decorated managers can step out from his father’s shadow—and perhaps, in time, build a legacy of his own.
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