International Football

MY PRIORITY IS WORLD CUP, NOT AWCON, SAYS FALCONS’ COACH, DENNERBY

Published

6 years ago

November 5, 2018

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.

International Football

Amokachi, Adebayor and Amanda Dlamini confirmed for CAF African Schools Championship Finals

Published

13 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Kunle Solaja

African football legends, Emmanuel Adebayor, Daniel Amokachi and Amanda Dlamini are some of the top names that have been confirmed for the Continental Finals of the CAF African Schools Football Championship 2024 scheduled in Zanzibar between 21 – 24 May 2024.

The CAF African Schools Football Championship is the school’s competition that includes over 44 African countries with over 800 000 participants of Boys and Girls under the age of 15.

This is the second edition of the competition that is not only focused on Football but also on a number of programmes including Young Referee’s Programme, Young Reporter Programme and Safeguarding.

Adebayor, CAF Player of the Year in 2008, represented Togo at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany for their only appearance at the tournament. Ex-striker for Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and others, the Togolese star has had a successful career, earning over 85 caps with Les Eperviers.

Nigerian football star Amokachi played 42 international matches for the Super Eagles. He participated in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups and was part of the team that won the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 and the Olympic Games in 1996.

Former Banyana Banyana (South Africa) captain Dlamini played in two TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations competitions where they finished third and second in 2010 and 2012, respectively. She is one of the few footballers, both in the men’s and women’s national teams to reach 100 caps.

Dlamini recently made history when she became the first female to be part of the world commentary feed at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

Also on the list are local stars Abdi Kassim Sadalla, former Tanzanian National Team Captain, and Hilda Masanche, Head coach of the Tanzania U17 Women’s National Team.

The Legends will feature in various activities to promote and support football development among African youth.

The finals will bring together talented young players from across the continent, providing them a platform to showcase their skills and passion for the game.

-CAF

International Football

Nigeria’s Nnadozie, Malawi striker, Chawinga scoop top awards in France

Published

3 weeks ago

April 30, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Malawi striker Tabitha Chawinga and Chiamaka Nnadozie of Nigeria have been named the best player and best goalkeeper respectively in the French women’s league.

Chawinga wasted no time in making an impact upon her arrival in France after joining Paris Saint-Germain from Inter Milan in less than one year.

The Malawi captain joined PSG in the summer of 2023 and has quickly showcased her talent, resulting in the top award on Monday night.

She played 25 matches, scoring 18 goals and providing 10 assists while donning the iconic red and blue jersey.

As a semifinalist in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, PSG’s number 22 became the first Malawian to score a goal in a European competition.

Meanwhile, Nnadozie has had an exceptional season with Paris FC which had led to dethrone Christiane Endlerthe – long standing best goalkeeper in the French women’s top-flight.

The Nigerian goalkeeper boasts 10 clean sheets in 28 appearances in the French league.

For the first time in her career, Nnadozie has been recognized in this category, ending the dominance of Endler, who was named the best goalkeeper in the French league from 2019 to 2023.

Chawinga and Nnadozie’s achievements highlight the growing influence of African players abroad as their performances will pave the way for future generations of footballers from the continent to shine on the global stage.

International Football

What a twist of fate! Before now, Morocco and Algeria were allies

Published

3 weeks ago

April 29, 2024

Kunle Solaja

When FIFA Suspended Morocco for Supporting Algeria’s Independence

Despite Morocco’s historical solidarity with Algeria, the regime continues to politicize sporting events in search of opportunities to undermine Morocco’s territorial integrity.

Algeria continues to push with its obsessive tendency to undermine Morocco’s territorial integrity despite the country’s long-standing solidarity with its National Liberation Front (FLN) in international sporting events.

Last week, the Algerian regime confiscated the jerseys of a Moroccan club RS Berkane ahead of a CAF Confederation match in Algeria due to the fact that they featured a full map of Morocco.

The decision drew outrage from Moroccans and international observers who decried Algeria’s politicizing of sporting events and its constant search for opportunities to undermine Morocco’s territorial integrity.

On Saturday, Algerian journalist and political analyst, Oualid Kebir, took to social media exposing the regime’s disregard for Morocco’s historical support for the Algerian FLN in international sporting events.

Kebir highlighted Morocco’s “heroic” and “strong supportive stances” during Algerian’s challenging times during French occupation. “Morocco’s historical and heroic stance at that time is added to the honorable and strong supportive stances at that time towards Algeria,” the post read.

Kebir’s statement referred to Morocco’s Royal Football Federation (FRMF) organizing a match in 1958 against the FLN team despite the fact that the team was not recognized by FIFA. The team consisted then of French Muslim (Algerian) players who had been suspended by the French Football Federation.

FIFA’s justification at the time for punishing Morocco was due to the licensing of the FRMF clubs to play against the FLN team.

“Today, the military regime disguises ingratitude and compels Algerian clubs and sports teams to refuse to play and confront their Moroccan counterparts who display the map of Morocco on their jerseys!” Kebir wrote, decrying Algeria’s ungratefulness to Morocco’s historical support.

“This is the reward for standing with us during difficult times?!” he stressed.

Attached to the post was the official document from FIFA outlining its decision to revoke the affiliation of the FRMF due to Morocco’s authorization of its clubs to play matches against the Algerian national team, despite FIFA’s objections.

Algeria’s blatant attacks on Morocco’s sovereignty have especially peaked over the past days with the country staunchly attempting to politicize yet another sporting event.

One such event occurred during the Arab Championship this week, where the Algerian U-17 national handball team withdrew in protest of Morocco’s jersey featuring a full map of Morocco that includes its southern provinces.

After the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced RS Berkane to be the winner of the Sunday match, Algeria relentlessly appealed the decision, losing the appeal in the process.

However, the regime announced that they would take their case to a higher court, alleging that the jerseys include a political symbol.

In January 2023, Algeria orchestrated a similar attack on Morocco through the African Nations Championship (CHAN). During the tournament, the Algerian regime denied the Moroccan team the right to participate and defend their title, while using the tournament’s opening ceremony as a political platform to express support for the Polisario Front.

-Morocco World News