International Football
Obituary: African sports journalism legend, Fekrou Kidane is dead
The world of sports journalism was shocked by the sudden death of the extraordinary Fekrou Kidane, an AIPS Honorary Member, on Monday night (October 10) at the age of 87. Fekrou, Ethiopia’s first sports journalist, first live football commentator (1957), founder of African Sport Journalists Union, author, teacher, pioneer and celebrated sports administrator had passed away at his place in Paris, France.
Condolence messages have been pouring in from every corner since the news of his passing surfaced on social media. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Sport and Culture, Ethiopian Football Federation, Ethiopian Athletics Federation and Ethiopian Sport Journalists Association are some of the organisations that reacted to the sad news by celebrating his immense contribution for the development of sports in Ethiopia
International Sports Press Association (AIPS) President, Gianni Merlo, said, “I am very shocked by the news. I knew Fekrou for over 40 years and he was a man of culture and principle who always found balance in his thoughts. He helped a lot to grow journalism in Africa and beyond. He always attended our congresses and came up with ideas that shape our profession and for this he will be missed by all of us.”
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Sport Journalists Association announced that it has already set up a committee to work with relevant stakeholders to celebrate the life well lived by its founder, supporter and protector until the end.
A LIFE IN SPORTS
Born in Addis Ababa in 1935 into a sports loving family, Kidane’s first introduction to sports was through his father’s love for St. George SA. His involvement never ceased to flourish since then.
He was the first Secretary General of the Ethiopian Cycling Federation, Ethiopian Olympic Committee, Ethiopia Tennis Federation, Shoa Football League and he was a Public Relations Officer of the Ethiopian Football Federation.
FOUNDER OF ESJA
He was the founder and the first president of the Ethiopian Sports Journalists Association in 1968. Kidane was also the Secretary General of the African Sports Journalists Union (1970-1974), member of FIFA Press Committee, director of the executive office of the president of International Olympic Committee (IOC) and The Department of International Cooperation.
He helped Ethiopia organise the 1968 and 1976 Africa Cup of Nations in Addis Ababa. He also served as a translator in Ethiopia’s UN mandated Peacekeeping Mission in Congo.
ILLUSTRIOUS JOURNALISM CAREER
He worked for French newspapers France Football and L’Équipe. He also had his own publication named Continental Sport, an English – French monthly magazine.
He served as an Editor-in-chief of Olympic Review, a publication of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He worked as a correspondent for the BBC.
-AIPS
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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