International Football
India 2022: Olowookere invites 35 players to Flamingos’ camp for DR Congo
Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has called 35 players to the camp of the U17 Girls’ National Team, Flamingos to begin preparations for next month’s 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Flamingos actually started a qualifying campaign for the championship two years ago, defeating their Guinean counterparts home and away, before the global coronavirus pandemic compelled world football –governing body, FIFA to jettison the process and forget the 2020 competition altogether.
However, just like it has done with the U20 Women’s World Cup, FIFA has retained the designated host nation for the 2020 event, India as host for the 2022 finals. The championship will hold 11th-30th October.
The Flamingos will start their campaign for this year’s finals when they play away to the U17 girls of DR Congo in Kinshasa on 6th March 2022. The return leg is scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 19th March.
All invited players have been advised to report to the Chida Hotel, Abuja on Monday, 7th February.
Goalkeepers: Christiana Uzoma (Nasarawa Amazons); Faith Omilana (Honey Baggers); Jessica Inyama (Immaculate Queens); Odinaka Nweke (Rivers Angels)
Defenders: Sharon Onwere (Skillful Feature); Loveth Boigyande (Honey Baggers); Vera Samuel (Royal Queens); Comfort Folorunsho (Delta Queens); Blessing Sunday (Edo Queens); Mistura Yusuf (FC Robo); Tumininu Adesina (Naija Ratels); Sandra John (Rivers Angels); Olamide Oyinlola (Naija Ratels)
Midfielders: Imoh Jones (Ibom Angels); Obianuju Akwubo (Osun Babes); Joy Igbokwe (Mees Palace); Taiwo Aseere (Honey Baggers); Mary Popoola (Sunshine Queens); Aminat Folorunsho (Lakeside Academy); Blessing Solomon (Taraba Queens); Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Cynthia Mega (Prince Eletu Queens); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels); Olaronke Ola (Royaltom Queens)
Forwards: Priscilla Omeje (Nasarawa Amazons); Precious Daniel (Waco Girls); Alvine Dah-Zossu (Osun Babes); Halimat Yusuf (Kwara Ladies); Chidera Okenwa (Heartland Queens); Mercy Itimi (Bayelsa Queens); Aminat Bello (SGH Amazons); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens); Raheemot Adebayo (FC Robo); Onyinyechi Kalu (Imo Angels); Kesiena Ojiyoiwi (Osun Babes)
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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