Sports

27, September 2020

Indomitable Lions: No Choupo-Moting as Conceicao invite 24 players for Japan friendly ⁰

The 31-year-old captain is a notable omission in Toni Conceicao’s final selection for their next international outing in the Netherlands

Former Paris Saint-Germain forward Eric Choupo-Moting has not been invited for Cameroon’s friendly match against Japan on October 9.

Choupo-Moting who is yet to find a new club after leaving PSG at the end of his contract in August, joins Dynamo Moscow’s Clinton Njie and Angers star Stephane Bahoken among the absentees in the 24-man team.

Young Boys star Jean-Pierre Nsame returns to the national team set-up after his goalscoring heroics in Switzerland where he scored 32 goals in 32 league matches last season.

The new invitees include Stoke City goalkeeper Blondy Noukeu, Germany-born midfielder Tsiy-William Ndenge, U23 star Samuel Gouet, Granada midfielder Yan Brice Eteki, Royal Excel Mouscron’s Serge Tabekou and ex-Bayern Munich forward Franck Evina.

The Indomitable Lions will be camped in the Netherlands from October 5 to 13, and they will play Japan at the Stadion Galgenwaard four days after their arrival.

Full List

Goalkeepers: Andre Onana (Ajax), Fabrice Ondoa (KV Oostende), Blondy Nna Noukeu (Stoke City).

Defenders: Ambroise Oyongo (Montpellier), Harold Moukoudi (Saint-Etienne), Collins Fai (Standard Liege), Jerome Onguene (RB Salzburg), Michael Ngadeu (La Gantoise), Joyskim Dawa (Valmiera), Ahmad Ngouyamsa (Dijon), Serge Leuko (Waasland Beveren).

Midfielders: Yan Brice Eteki (Granada), Tsiy-William Ndenge (FC Luzern), Jean Onana (Royal Excel Mouscron), Samuel Gouet (Altach), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Fulham), Pierre Kunde Malong (Mainz 05).

Forwards: Serge Tabekou (Royal Excel Mouscron), Karl Toko Ekambi (Lyon), Franck Evina (Hannover 96), Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys), Jean Pierre Nsame (Young Boys), Ignatius Ganago (RC Lens), Fabrice Olinga (Royal Excel Mouscron).

Source: Goal.com

25, September 2020

Football: ‘Nothing surprise me anymore,’ says Messi lamenting Suarez departure ⁰

Lionel Messi bid an emotional farewell on Friday to Luis Suarez, the day after the Uruguayan striker had said tearful goodbyes to Barcelona after the club sent him to Atletico Madrid.

“Today I went into the dressing room and the awful truth hit me,” Messi posted on Instagram, before renewing his criticism of club management.

“You deserved to be sent off as what you are: one of the most important players in the history of the club,” Messi wrote. “And not to be fired in the way they did it.”

“The truth is that at this point nothing surprises me anymore.”

Messi has a long-running feud with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu which intensified after Barcelona were humiliated 8-2 by Bayern in a Champions League quarter-final in August.

Messi tried to force his exit from Barcelona but finally accepted that he would have to see out the final year of his contract. Meanwhile, two of his closest friends on the team, Suarez and the Chilean Arturo Vidal have left.

The 33-year-old Suarez moves to Atletico on a two-year contract on a free transfer, although, if he does well, Barcelona could receive some money.

Suarez, who hit 198 goals for Barca, becoming the third highest goalscorer in the history of the club, cried as he bid an impromptu farewell to the club on Thursday.

“I’m going to keep playing, with fresh motivation, with the objective to show I can continue competing,” Suarez said.

“Everyone knows the relationship we have, Leo and me. I’ve already played against him in the Uruguay-Argentina matches, playing against each other is not going to change the feelings we have for each other,” Suarez said.

Messi and Suarez were neighbours in the beachside suburb of Castelldefels and would arrive at training together.

“How difficult it is going to be not to continue to share the days with you, both on the pitch and off it” wrote Messi in a post accompanied by seven pictures of the two men together, sometimes with their families. “We are going to miss you very much. It’s been many years, many cups of mate, lunches, dinners…Many things that I will never forget.”

“It’s going to be weird to see you with another shirt and much more to face you,” wrote Messi. “But I wish you all the best in this new challenge. I love you very much, I love you very much. See you soon, my friend.”

Source: AFP

25, September 2020

Indomitable Lions: Coach António Conceicao is on the search for new talent ⁰

Indomitable Lions coach António Conceicao says he is looking to improve his squad by looking for new talent both in Cameroon and further afield.

The Portuguese has now been in charge of the former African champions for a year after taking over from Dutchman Clarence Seedorf.

While the chance to train with his players and play matches has been affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic Conceicao has been keeping busy.

“I’m in regular dialogue with Fecafoot (the Cameroon Football Federation) to extend our work to the youth national teams, to make the best of our experience to for those teams,” he told BBC Sport Africa.

“Finding and developing new talent and bringing them to the national team is something that will make Cameroonians proud.

“I’m trying to improve the network in the countries where there are big Cameroonian expatriate communities through personal contacts and I can then observe players that I have identified.

“We’ve also been reaching out to young Cameroonian players playing abroad that can end up playing for other countries, in order to try to bring them on-board and want to play for Cameroon.”

Planning ahead

Since he took charge, after their exit from last year’s Africa Cup of Nations in the last 16 at the hands of Nigeria, the Indomitable Lions have been limited to playing three matches.

October’s international break gives him the chance to hold a training camp and play a friendly against Japan in the Netherlands.

“We will have the chance to bring together a squad of players for the first time after a break of almost a year,” he said.

“We’ll bring the group together, and work on team spirit; exchange ideas with the players on what we want to bring to the national team.

“Also get to know and observe players who are new to the team; give players the opportunity to play for the national team, so that we can also draw conclusions and get new ideas for the future.”

In November the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers resume and although Cameroon have qualified as hosts they are taking part in the campaign and have back-to-back games against Mozambique.

Conceicao has admitted that the coronavirus pandemic has created new problems for his team and Fecafoot.

“There are a number of additional logistical difficulties in organising team gatherings, with the increased difficulty of bringing in players to Africa,” he explained.

“I don’t want to focus on the problems instead I have to focus on the solutions that despite all the limitations will allow us to work with Fecafoot for the best of the team.

“At the moment I am working hard with Fecafoot to try and improve training conditions for the team, working conditions in general, and the running of the team.

“Things are going well with the federation, and we feel they’re open to co-operating.”

He also insisted that taking part in the Nations Cup qualifying process despite qualifying as hosts is something he feels is important.

“I want to look at this situation as a way of improving the national team and bring in new players, so as to be able to have the best possible squad for the tournament itself,” he explained.

Conceicao is fully aware of what is expected of him and his team by the Cameroon fans.

It is a major responsibility, I know how important the national team is for all the people in Cameroon and the pride they have in their national team,” he added.

“There is the added responsibility of hosting the Nations Cup in Cameroon in 2022. So I am very conscious of the hard work and the difficulties that come with this task but I am very motivated.”

Source: BBC

24, September 2020

Indomitable Lions: Another former defender M’Bom dies ⁰

Former Cameroon defender Ephrem M’Bom died on Sunday (20 September 2020) in Douala after a long illness. He was 66.

M’Bom was a member of The Indomitable Lions squad that played in the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations in Libya, and later in the same year he was part of the Cameroon squad that made its FIFA world Cup debut in Spain.

He spent his entire career at home, most notably with the legendary Canon Yaounde, winning five Cameroonian League titles (1979, 1980, 1982, 1985 and 1986) and three Cameroon Cups (1978, 1983 and 1986).

M’Bom also won three CAF trophies with Canon Yaoundé, namely the African Cup of Champion Clubs (now CAF Champions League) twice in 1978 and 1980, plus the defunct African Cup of Cups’ Winners in 1979.

M’Bom also had spells with Rail and Leopard in Douala and Dragon Yaoundé, before retiring in 1990. He held various positions in Cameroonian sports afterwards until his death.

Source: Boxscorenews

21, September 2020

Football: AC Milan’s interest in signing André-Frank Zambo Anguissa confirmed ⁰

AC Milan have a concrete interest interest in signing André-Frank Zambo Anguissa from Fulham before the window shuts, a report claims.

Milan are seemingly determined to add another midfielder before the window shuts in order to give head coach Stefano Pioli the four starter-level players he wants for his double pivot.

Although Chelsea’s Tiemoue Bakayoko continues to be the player most concretely linked, the name of André-Frank Zambo Anguissa has emerged in recent days as a potential alternative.

According to what is being reported by MilanNews, confirmations have arrived regarding Milan’s interest in Anguissa. The Cameroon international is one of the options considered to strengthen the Rossoneri midfield department.

In addition to the 24-year-old former Marseille anchorman, there is also Bakayoko and Lille’s Boubakary Soumarè, but the negotiations for the French duo are currently stalled as things stand.

Source: Sempremilan.com

21, September 2020

Football: Eto’o Beats World Cup Winners In FIFA 21 Ranking ⁰

Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o has one of the highest ratings of the new FUT Icons added to FIFA 21.

The African superstar was not only a devastating finisher, but gifted with pace and trickery. He used all of his assets to win three UEFA Champions League titles, while scoring in two finals himself.

The former FC Barcelona star joined some elite company in FIFA 21, with the likes of Manchester United legend, Eric Cantona, and former Real Madrid star Ferenc Puskas.

The two stars mentioned above have a slightly higher overall score than Eto’o, with Cantona at 93 overall, while Puskas has the highest of all the newcomers at 94.

The only other player of all the new icons that has a higher score than Eto’o is Xavi, while the Cameroonian beats a number of other World Cup-winning stars such as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Fernando Torres.

Source: Soccerladuna

19, September 2020

Bundesliga: Bayern Munich 8-0 Schalke ⁰

Bayern Munich have totally shocked Schalke by thrashing them 8-nil in their league opener.

Bayern started their fireworks as early as the 4th minute, as Serge Gnabry found the net with a fine shot. Leon Goretzka made it 2-nil with a low shot in the 19th minute.

The Bavarians added a 3rd through Robert Lewandowski, who scored a 31st-minute penalty. Gnabry then scored twice to get his hat-trick, before Thomas Muller bagged the 6th.

Leroy Sane capped his superb Bayern debut with a wonderful finish, as Jamal Musiala drilled-in the 8th to complete the rout.

Source: Presstv

19, September 2020

Football: FIFA head visits White House amid corruption investigation in Switzerland ⁰

FIFA president Gianni Infantino met President Donald Trump at the White House this week to discuss preparations for the 2026 World Cup in his third visit since the US was named co-host and amid an ongoing probe by the Swiss into corruption allegations in international football.

Infantino attended Tuesday’s signing ceremony for a diplomatic deal to improve relations between Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, FIFA said Thursday.

Infantino also met Trump the following day at the White House, the federation said. It was their first meeting since a special prosecutor in Switzerland opened a criminal proceeding against the FIFA president in July as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in international football.

Infantino is a suspect in regard to meetings he had with Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber, who has since resigned in the fallout from the case.

The Swiss proceeding relates to Infantino potentially inciting Lauber to commit abuse of public office and breach of official secrecy. Infantino has denied wrongdoing and called the allegations absurd.

Also while in Washington, Infantino spoke with US Attorney General William Barr, FIFA said in a statement.

Their meeting on Wednesday appeared to seek the effect of normalising the right of FIFA officials to meet prosecutors overseeing investigations of soccer.

“I have had similar meetings in Switzerland, and FIFA’s lawyers are also in regular contact with prosecutors and law enforcement agencies wherever and whenever needed,” Infantino said in the FIFA statement. “In this way, I am fully convinced that the credibility and reputation of FIFA is being restored at the highest level.”

The Infantino-Barr meeting at the Department of Justice offices was “using the opportunity to personally thank the US authorities, and especially the DoJ, for their work in the fight against corruption in football,” FIFA said.

More than 40 soccer and marketing officials have been indicted, made guilty pleas or have been convicted in a sprawling US case unsealed in 2015 under the leadership of one of Barr’s predecessors, Loretta Lynch.

The fallout from the American and Swiss cases rocked FIFA and removed a swath of soccer leaders, including its then-president Sepp Blatter. It opened a path for Infantino to win election in February 2016.

Infantino’s visit to the US came ahead of hosting FIFA’s online annual meeting of 211 member federations on Friday. He previously first visited the White House in August 2018 — two months after the US, Canada and Mexico were picked as the 2026 World Cup co-hosts — and again last September.

He and Trump also had lunch together in Davos, Switzerland, in January at this year’s World Economic Forum.

Former FIFA officials on trial

Infantino’s US visit came just after former FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke and the chairman of Qatar-based media group BeIN Sports, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, went on trial in Switzerland over the awarding of television rights for the World Cup and Confederations Cup.

The 59-year-old Valcke, already banned by FIFA’s ethics committee for 10 years for ethics violations, has been charged with accepting bribes, aggravated criminal mismanagement and falsification of documents.

Al-Khelaifi, who is also president of French champions Paris St Germain and sits on the executive committee of European soccer body UEFA, has been charged with inciting Valcke to commit aggravated criminal mismanagement.

The trial in Switzerland, which is where FIFA is based, began on Monday, September 14, and is expected to last until September 25. Three Swiss federal judges are expected to deliver a verdict by the end of October.

Also on Monday, FIFA and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at fighting crime and corruption in sport.

Infantino and UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly signed the agreement during an event dubbed ‘Tackling Corruption and Crime in and through Sport’ in Vienna where the UNODC is headquartered.

A FIFA press release said the agreement was to foster cooperation to “address threats posed by crime to sport”.

FIFA also said the agreement meant the two bodies would “fight against corruption and crime in and through sport” while also providing a positive influence for youth.

(FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS)

17, September 2020

Football: Choupo-Moting has left PSG ⁰

The former Stoke City player will not be staying in Paris for the new season following the expiry of his contract at the end of August

Eric Choupo-Moting will not return to Paris Saint-Germain for the 2020-21 season after both parties failed to reach an agreement for a new deal, Goal can confirm.

Choupo-Moting’s two-year deal with the French champions had expired at the end of June, but he was handed a short-term extension until the conclusion of PSG’s Champions League campaign.

The Ligue 1 champions were defeated 1-0 by Bayern Munich in Lisbon on August 23, with Choupo-Moting featuring for the final 10 minutes of the contest.

Following Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Marseille at the Parc de Princes, Thomas Tuchel admitted the French giants have lost the Cameroon captain alongside four other players this summer.

When asked about the Parisians’ transfer plans, the German tactician said; “Are there going to be new players? I really hope.

“It’s no secret, we lost five players including Choupo-Moting. It’s going to be complicated, we play a lot of matches. I don’t know if other teams that have played in the Champions League should play so much games.”

Since he moved to Paris from Stoke City in 2018, Choupo-Moting has been restricted to a substitute role in Tuchel’s team.

Out of the 31 Ligue 1 matches he played, the Indomitable Lions forward made 13 starts with 18 appearances as a substitute and he scored six goals in total.

Last month, the 31-year-old made a statement as a super-sub with the match-winning goal that sent PSG into the Champions League semi-final after their 2-1 victory against Atalanta.

Before Sunday’s league game, Tuchel revealed the ex-Schalke 04 star was offered a new deal which suggested he would play a similar role as last season.

“It’s one of the possibilities [a new contract for Choupo-Moting]. Everything depends on whether you want to stay and accept the club’s proposal,” Tuchel said.

Source: Goal.com

16, September 2020

Football: Bayern Munich no longer beat their opponents – they destroy them ⁰

European champions Bayern Munich begin the hunt for a ninth-straight Bundesliga title on Friday, but while their rivals ponder how to break their iron grip on the German league, the Bavarian giants have pressing issues to resolve on the eve of the new season.

Bayern host Schalke at the Allianz Arena to kick-off the Bundesliga season just 26 days after lifting the Champions League trophy in Lisbon to complete the treble.

They stand to play 57 games in a condensed 2020/21 fixture list, due to the knock-on effects of the coronavirus pandemic, but on Friday, Bayern will be able to play in front of a small number of fans for the first time since March.

However, they have already lost three of the Champions League-winning squad.

Ivan Perisic, Philippe Coutinho and Alvaro Odriozola have returned to Inter Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively after their loan deals expired.

“We have to make up for it,” head coach Hansi Flick admitted with Bayern facing Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup and Borussia Dortmund for the German Super Cup in the coming fortnight.

Bayern want to sign a winger, to back up Sane, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry with Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi again on their radar. They also want a defender.

– ‘They destroy them’ –

Flick’s star-studded squad finished last season on an all-conquering 21-game winning run, including the 8-2 thrashing of Spanish giants Barcelona in the Champions League’s semi-finals.

“The current team of Hansi Flick is perhaps the best Bayern team ever,” Hans-Joachim Watzke, chief executive of arch rivals Borussia Dortmund, declared last month.

“They no longer beat their opponents – they destroy them.”

Bayern’s last loss was at the hands of Moenchengldbach in December.

Watzke refuses to make any statements about Dortmund denying the Bavarians a ninth-straight Bundesliga title in 2020/21.

The messages are similar from the camp of Champions League semi-finalists RB Leipzig, who finished third in the Bundesliga behind Bayern and runners-up Dortmund.

“What Bayern did in Lisbon was impressive,” admitted Leipzig’s Germany defender Marcel Halstenberg.

“We are working to become even better and to reach their level.”

Bayern’s impressive run is down to the irresistible form of stars like Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski.

Mueller managed a league-record 21 assists, making a mockery of Joachim Loew’s decision to end his Germany career in March 2019.

Lewandowski netted 55 goals in 47 games last season, leaving him as the top-scorer in both the Bundesliga, where he hit 34 goals, and the Champions League, where he scored 15 times in 10 games.

However, to preserve the harmony in the dressing room, Flick and the club’s bosses must quickly resolve the future of defender David Alaba and midfielder Thiago Alcantara. Both are stalling over signing contract extensions.

– ‘Money-hungry piranha’ –

“I don’t know who is going to leave us and who is going to arrive again. It’s not the best way to prepare,” Flick has admitted.

Alcantara has been heavily linked to a move to Premier League clubs Liverpool and Manchester United.

Alaba is said to want a big pay rise.

A war of words broke out over the Austrian defender at the weekend after former club chairman Uli Hoeness branded Alaba’s agent Pini Zahavi a “money-hungry piranha”.

More diplomatically, Alaba hopes a solution can be found soon “so that the club, my teammates, but also the fans know where they stand”.

On Tuesday, midfielder Leon Goretzka said the squad can “block out” off-field mud-slinging.

“We are all professionals enough and strong as a community”.

However, the central midfielder called for fresh signings alongside winger Leroy Sane, goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel and defender Tanguy Nianzou from Paris Saint-Germain.

“We have a top squad, but I do believe that at least every position should be filled twice,” said the 25-year-old with one eye on this season’s dense fixture list.

Source: AFP