International Football
It’s all about winning against Ghana, says new boy Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman made his maiden debut for Nigeria against Ghana in Kumasi, and he is now dreaming of his first FIFA World Cup in Qatar with the Super Eagles’ victory in Abuja.
Despite his caps and success for England at youth level, the Wandsworth born accepted to be represent Nigeria through his parents and received the approval from FIFA in February 2022.
After making his debut for Nigeria as a 74th minute replacement for Moses Simon, Lookman spoke to CAFOnline.com about the reasons behind his choice and his excitement to play for the West African nation.
“I am very excited to be part of Nigeria’s National team and I’m feeling blessed and looking forward to helping the team,” Lookman told CAFOnline.com.
“Both my parents are Nigerians and I’ve always seen these [representing Nigeria] as a possibility. I came to Nigeria, frequently when I was much younger.
“I am familiar with the people and built up a family here, so the switch from England to Nigeria is not an unusual one for me. I am glad I made the switch.”
Lookman featured at U19, U20 and U21 level for England and helped the European side to win the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea, scoring thrice including a brace in their 2-1 Round of 16 triumph over Costa Rica.
With his senior debut in green-white-green at Baba Yara Stadium on Friday, the Leicester City man is backing his side to subdue their archrivals at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
“This is a special event, special moments, the expectations are high. For us, it’s about winning and giving our best in the match,” Lookman continues.
“Ghana is a strong team, very competitive and physical. We expect that but we’ll be ready.”
Having won an FIFA U20 World Cup with England, the former Charlton Athletic and Fulham star admits he is relishing the prospect of making podium successes with the Super Eagles.
“I hope to create great and memorable memories. Belief is a great thing not just in football, but I am sure when you believe put in hard work which I’ve been putting in you can achieve,” he said.
“I work every day to achieve my goal. I am glad to be a part of African history and glad to be here and I hope to give you [Nigerians] sweet memories.”
The winner of the doubleheader between the two nations will claim one of the five African slots for Qatar 2022 and Lookman will be keen to make an impactful presence in Tuesday.
-cafonline
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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