Sports

FIFA hammer awaits Nigerian football coach Salisu if…

Salisu Yusuf, a coach with Nigeria’s national men’s football team is to face FIFA sanctions if allegations that he collected bribe to influence a match outcome is proved beyond reasonable doubt

Published

6 years ago

July 25, 2018

Africa News Watch

Salisu Yusuf, a coach with Nigeria’s national men’s football team is to face FIFA sanctions if allegations that he collected bribe to influence a match outcome is proved beyond reasonable doubt.

He was caught on camera accepting money from men posing as football agents to influence his squad selection for the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Said to have been captured in September 2017 by controversial journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who was also behind the scandal that rocked the Ghanian Football Federation that led to the resignation of president Kwasi Nyantakyi, the incident brings to fore the rot in the football system.

Yusuf was coach of home-based Super Eagles to CHAN last February in Morocco, where they finished as runners-up to the hosts.

The footage, which saw the coach pocketing $1000 (N360,000) to pick two players for the championship, was broadcasted by BBC Africa Eye on Tuesday.

In the video, one of the ‘agents’ told Yusuf,“ So if anything goes through and these players are able to get their contracts, you will get 15% of that contract,” to which the 56-year old replied; “they will be in CHAN.”

Yusuf has since denied the allegation, insisting that he did not promise or commit to selecting any player for the competition, also clarifying that he received $750 not the $1000 claimed in the report – an amount he says falls within the gifts FIFA code allows.

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Sports

Wafcon 2024 draw throws up interesting pairings

Published

10 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The draw for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26 next year which was held on Friday, threw up some interesting match-ups to look forward to as hosts Morocco found themselves in what has been described as the group of death.

The Atlas Lionesses will have to contend with Zambia, DR Congo and Senegal in Group A, while Group B has record 11-time continental champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria slugging it out with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, just as current defending champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa will do battle with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in Group C.

The top two sides in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed finishers.

Though qualification for the 2024 Wafcon was completed in December last year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was forced to push the finals into 2025 because of international football’s congested calendar, which included the participation of Nigeria and Zambia at the Olympics.

Morocco also staged the 2022 edition of Wafcon, ending as runners-up, and former international Fatiha Laassiri believes home support will provide “a real advantage” next year.

Wafcon 2024 group draw with world ranking in brackets:

Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102).

Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153).

Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).

Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.