International Football
MY PRIORITY IS WORLD CUP, NOT AWCON, SAYS FALCONS’ COACH, DENNERBY
Nigeria coach Thomas Dennerby talks up Super Falcons’ chances ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2018. The Nigerian sides have won eight of the previous editions making them the most successful side in the history of the biennial championship.
Below are excerpts of the interview conducted by CAF with Dennerby;
CAFOnline.com: You are the second expatriate to coach the Super Falcons after Dutchman Jo Bonfrere, how easy for you to leave your comfort zone in Europe and come to Africa?
Thomas Dennerby: No problems at all. I have been in this business for a long time (since 1989) and I’m aware of all the challenges that can show up. You need to be experienced to live in another culture and handle some issues you do not normally do.
How do you rate the performance of your team in the qualifier against Gambia last June?
First of all, our defending was outstanding, and they (Gambia) had only one scoring chance against us over the two games, which was very good for us. The team really worked hard to stay compact and follow the match plan. Our attacking play was also good. I think we had more than 15 attempts in each game. The difference between the first leg and the second leg was that we were sharper when finishing in the second leg.
What are your thoughts about your opponents in Group B?
We have three good teams in the group. I have a good idea about the South African team. Honestly, I don’t have a good picture of Kenya and Zambia but we can go into the three matches with our good plans and organisation. We have to train well for the matches because we have not got a game since we played against the Gambia in our last qualification match. First we start with South Africa, a really tough game because we know that South Africa has played about seven games this year and have prepared very well and have improved. Kenya and Zambia are also improving their teams and are trying to come closer to Nigeria. Everyone is concerned about Nigeria; it is natural but we believe we can handle it. I think it will really be tough games and it is important not to underestimate any opponent and perform well in every game.
How will you assess your preparations ahead of the AWCON in Ghana?
So far we have a really good accommodation (the team is camped at the pristine Jubilee Chalets located in Epe suburb of Lagos State); we have good food and the pitch is okay and the training is okay. During the weekend, we had to let some players go and play for their clubs in the league but not everybody, so we are doing well. The foreign-based players have joined so we have two good weeks to plan and work very well before we arrive in Ghana for the AWCON.
With your experience over the years, what do you hope to achieve at the AWCON in Ghana since this is going to be your first major tournament with the team?
I have been to two World Cups; two European championships and Olympic Games with Sweden’s women national team, so I have the experience when it comes to big tournaments on how to work and how to show up. You must have plans for every possibility because sometimes you start well but finished badly or sometimes you could start badly and ended well. We have to make the players relax and focus on the next game without putting them under unnecessary pressure. Of course, we have 11 players on the field at a time and what should be the responsibility of each player is how to make my team better from my position. They just have to be relaxed to do their jobs and trust their teammates. There won’t be any problem if they have such attitude and mentality at the tournament.
What will be your ambition in Ghana?
Our ambition is to win the tournament but importantly to secure our ticket to the 2019 World Cup in France. Of course, we know it is never going to be easy because there is a big improvement from many teams; so it is important to have preparation if you want to win games.
From your interaction with the players, who will be your key players in Ghana?
Honestly, after the two games against Gambia, I think Amarachi Okonkwo was good. But we have talents in our team both in defence and the forwards. There is Asisat Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie and they both combined to score six goals against Gambia. They have to be in good form if they want to be successful in Ghana and we also have some young players knocking on the door and I hope this tournament will bring out some other stars.
What is your coaching philosophy?
I’m two-way minded. First of all, when you talk about defending it has to be very strict, because you absolutely have to know that you need to do and when to do it [when your team is moving you need to know; when we move the ball and where you need to be or how to press or adjust. of course, when it comes to attacking we need to get five or six different options in training so that we know when to move a particular way. When it comes to attack, we want the creativity of the individual players to show because they have to take the decisions on the field and decide which is the best option since I can’t do that from the bench.
Are you under any form of pressure going into this championship because everybody expects Super Falcons to win?
There is always pressure on the head coach and you have to live with that. I am 59 years now but I am lucky to have experience from two world cups, two Olympics, two European championships and as head coach for so many clubs as well as playing in the Champions League. I have won a lot and I know my own feelings; what can I do for the team before the game, during the game and so forth? But we can just focus on our jobs and not speculate too much; I think we are going to have a good tournament in Ghana.
Soccer chiefs from Europe and South America will hold a final meeting before a Thursday deadline to decide whether and where this month’s “Finalissima” between Spain and Argentina will be played, with London emerging as the leading candidate after doubts over Doha, multiple sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
The match between European champions Spain and Copa America holders Argentina had been scheduled for March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
However, it has become increasingly unlikely that Qatar will host the fixture after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) has been pushing for a swift resolution, mindful that the March international break is viewed as vital preparation ahead of the June-July World Cup in North America.
“I know that negotiations are underway,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Spanish Public Radio (RNE) on Monday. “The first thing, as a society, is to stop the conflict, but once you are immersed in it and you don’t know how long it will last, the solution would be, as long as you can’t play there, to find another venue as soon as possible.
Wembley Stadium staged the previous edition in 2022, when Argentina beat Italy, but it is set to host England v Uruguay on March 27. London, however, has other stadiums capable of staging the showpiece, leaving the English capital as the most likely alternative should Doha be ruled out, sources confirmed.
ALTERNATIVE OPPONENTS CONSIDERED
While keen to face Argentina and high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, sources told Reuters that Spain had made clear their priority was not to waste the last window of international fixtures before the World Cup and they were already contemplating alternative opponents.
With Spain also due to face Egypt three days later, any change would require agreement between the RFEF and European soccer body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, global governing body FIFA and the Argentine FA (AFA).
The RFEF, AFA and UEFA did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
A spokesperson for South American confederation CONMEBOL told Reuters that several meetings between the parties had taken place in recent days but did not confirm Thursday’s deadline or London as the preferred venue.
Madrid was initially proposed by the RFEF but rejected by the AFA, who preferred a neutral venue rather than giving Spain home advantage.
Morocco offered to stage the game, but the RFEF was unwilling to back their Mediterranean neighbours amid tensions behind the scenes over the 2030 World Cup, which Spain, Morocco and Portugal will co-host. Both Spain and Morocco are campaigning to stage the final.
Miami was also considered, with Messi based there at Inter Miami, but Hard Rock Stadium is hosting the Miami Open tennis tournament at the same time.
-Reuters
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International Football
Spain-Argentina ‘Finalissima’ in Qatar at risk amid US, Israel attacks on Iran
The match between Spain and Argentina, tagged “Finalissima” in Doha, is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The contest between European Championship winners Spain and Copa America champions Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, with potential big-name draws including Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
“Qatar Football Association announces the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches, effective from today and until further notice,” the association said in a statement on Sunday.
“The new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course through the Association’s official channels.”
The final call on whether to postpone the game rests with event organisers UEFA and CONMEBOL.
The Bahrain Football Association postponed all its matches until further notice, while the Asian Football Confederation on Sunday announced it was delaying Champions League Elite fixtures in the region.
The Asian Champions League Two, currently at the quarter-final stage, has also been impacted, along with games in the Challenge League.
Countries across the Middle East have been on high alert since Saturday, when the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, aimed at diminishing Iran’s military capability.
Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. targets around the region, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
On Sunday, Qatar’s interior ministry reported a fire in an industrial zone after debris fell from an intercepted missile.
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International Football
Iran Conflict Casts Uncertainty Over Super Eagles’ Four-Nation Tournament Opener
Nigeria’s Super Eagles may face fresh uncertainty ahead of their scheduled participation in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, Jordan, following reports that Iran — their intended first opponents — is now at war after attacks by the United States and Israel.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier confirmed that the Super Eagles would compete in the mini-tournament during the FIFA Men’s International Window in March 2026. The competition is slated to run from March 27 to 31 in the Jordanian capital.
Under the original fixture schedule, Nigeria were due to open the tournament on Friday, March 27 against Iran’s senior national team at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium. Hosts Jordan were set to face Costa Rica the same day at the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
However, the escalating military confrontation involving Iran has cast serious doubt over the participation of the Iranian national team and the viability of the opening fixture.
While tournament organisers in Jordan have yet to issue an official statement regarding possible changes, the developing security situation is expected to force urgent consultations between the participating federations, tournament organisers and FIFA.
The competition was designed to provide competitive match exposure during a window initially reserved for the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria’s inclusion in the tournament had already generated debate at home, with observers questioning whether the NFF’s commitment signalled a shift in focus away from potential qualification disputes.
The new geopolitical crisis further complicates matters. International conflicts often trigger travel restrictions, airspace closures and security advisories that can directly affect national teams’ ability to assemble and travel.
Should Iran withdraw or be unable to participate, organisers may be compelled to seek a replacement team or adjust the fixture format entirely.
Nigeria are scheduled to face hosts Jordan on March 31 in their second match of the tournament, while Costa Rica and Iran were originally billed to meet the same day at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Kick-off times for the four fixtures had yet to be officially announced before the outbreak of hostilities.
For the Super Eagles, the tournament was seen as an opportunity to build cohesion and test tactical adjustments ahead of future competitive engagements. Now, attention will turn to whether the event can proceed as planned — and whether Nigeria’s opening match will require a late reshuffle.
The NFF is expected to monitor developments closely and may issue further clarification in the coming days as the regional and international situation evolves.
Meanwhile, Reuters has quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead. But the Iranians have dismissed the claim, saying that the leader is ‘firmly commanding the field’. Both Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran.
President Donald Trump says action will give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. Hits were reported in Israel and Gulf states as Iran retaliated. The attack has triggered fear and panics as as Iranians flee cities.
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