Sports

2, November 2024

Football: Goalkeeper Thomas N’Kono says he never suffered racism in Spain ⁰

Legendary Cameroon and Espanyol goalkeeper Thomas N’Kono has played down the scourge of racism plaguing Spanish football.

According to N’Kono, he never suffered racism during his nine years in Spain playing for Espanyol back in the 80s.

“Maybe I have been very lucky or maybe things were better before, I don’t know, but I have always felt respected, even very loved [in Spain],” N’Kono said.

“I swear I am very grateful to the people. I imagine you also get what you give. But today, when I go through Spain and arrive at a field, people who recognize me greet me with great affection. And in the boxes they treat me with honour, I guess in the end you get what you give.

“I never would have known I deserved this respect so much later. But I am not saying that racism does not exist, I am saying that I have been lucky not to suffer from it, but I cannot speak, I am privileged, I am aware that there are black people in this country who suffer from this problem,” N’Kono added

N’Kono also spoke about Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. who has labelled Spain a racist country after having a series of terrible experiences.

“If Vinicius wasn’t so decisive, they wouldn’t even pay attention to him,” N’Kono said.

“He should be grateful to people, grateful for what you have and give it back because what you give is always what you receive. At least that’s how I’ve experienced it.”

Source: Tribuna.com

28, October 2024

Football: Manchester United have sacked Erik ten Hag ⁰

The Dutchman has come under increased pressure in recent weeks and Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham proved to be the final straw for co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in interim charge while United search for a new head coach.

Ten Hag leaves with United down in 14th place in the Premier League, seven points off the Champions League places after just three wins from their first nine games.

A Manchester United statement read: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

Ten Hag leaves United after two and a half years in charge in which he won the 2023 Carabao Cup and the FA Cup last season.

Source: Evening Standard

26, October 2024

FECAFOOT denies any involvement in charity matches against Brazil ⁰

FECAFOOT has issued an official statement to clarify its position regarding two charity matches scheduled for December 2024. These matches, announced on social media, are set to feature former stars of the Indomitable Lions facing off against a selection of Brazilian legends.

The event, which has quickly garnered the interest of football enthusiasts and several prominent figures in Cameroon, has become the center of controversy. In light of the numerous inquiries it has received, the governing body of Cameroonian football has taken a stand to distance itself from the organization of these matches.

In its statement, the Federation clearly emphasizes that it is not involved in any way with the organization of these exhibition matches. This clarification extends to the president of Fecafoot, who is also not personally associated with the event.

This clarification raises questions about the actual organizers of these matches and their legitimacy. It also highlights the need for caution regarding the use of the image of former Cameroonian internationals in sports events.

The firm stance of Fecafoot urges supporters and the media to exercise caution regarding this event, as its organizational details remain unclear. The Federation implicitly reminds that any official event involving the image of Cameroonian football should normally receive its approval.

Source: Footboom

20, October 2024

Conor McGregor lost $500,000 after backing Francis Ngannou to lose by knockout ⁰

Ngannou made his long-awaited return to MMA against Ferreira at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

The Cameroonian steamrolled his opponent with a brutal first-round stoppage, becoming the inaugural PFL Super Fight heavyweight champion and maintaining his status as the lineal king of the glamour division.

Ngannou had not stepped foot inside the cage since successfully defending the UFC heavyweight strap against Ciryl Gane in January 2022 – and MMA legend McGregor was predicting an upset.

The Irishman was banking on Ferreira’s reputation as a knockout artist as he has lumped $500k on the South American giant.

“Tonight’s bet for me. 500k on Ferriera to win by KO at 12/5. $1.7m return,” he captioned a voice note posted on X.

McGregor went on to brag about his recent run of form in sports betting with an accompanying voice note.

Source: Talksports

20, October 2024

Francis Ngannou KO Renan Ferreira ⁰

Francis Ngannou made a dominant return to MMA as he brutally dismantled Renan Ferreira in his first fight inside the cage for two years. Against a backdrop of personal heartache following the passing of his infant son, Kobe, earlier this year, ‘The Predator’ delivered a devastating performance to reassert his claim as the most dominant heavyweight on the planet.

Ngannou departed the UFC in 2022, while still reigning as the promotion’s heavyweight champion. A dispute over contract terms led him to make an unexpected leap into the world of boxing – where he had a surprising amount of success.

Sharing the ring with Tyson Fury in October 2023, the Cameroonian equipped himself well, even knocking down ‘The Gypsy King’ before dropping a close decision on the judges’ scorecards. His return to the squared circle against Joshua earlier this year, however, did not go to plan – as Ngannou was knocked out cold inside two rounds.

GIVEMESPORT’s Key Statistic: Francis Ngannou hasn’t lost an MMA fight since July 2018, when he was defeated by Derrick Lewis.

Back in the more familiar surroundings of the MMA cage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, though, Ngannou scooped the PFL Heavyweight Superfight Championship by pounding Ferreira unconscious in the first round. The former UFC Heavyweight Champion set the tone with an early takedown, secured dominant top position and then fought off Ferreira’s attempt at a triangle choke.

He was then free to unleash a furious barrage of strikes on his grounded opponent – and footage taken from cageside proves just how power Ngannou possesses.

Ngannou’s KO of Ferreira was Ruthless

From the camera stationed just inches from the action, every time Ngannou lands on Ferreira it sounds more like he is hitting him with a baseball bat than his fist. Unable to do much to avoid the onslaught, Ferreira was essentially only waiting for the referee to stop the action.

The official eventually acted, but not before Ferreira had taken more punishment than was necessary. By the time Ngannou threw his final punch, the Brazilian was already unconscious.

Ngannou would dedicate his victory to his late son Kobe, who sadly died in April at the age of only fifteen months. “Without Kobe, we wouldn’t be here tonight. I hope they can remember his name.” Ngannou said after his win.

Ferreira, to his credit, is a former PFL heavyweight tournament winner, and has a KO victory over Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader on his resume. But he just couldn’t muster anything against Ngannou.

‘The Predator’ does not currently have his next fight lined up, but few PFL heavyweights will be lining up to face him after his dominant victory on Saturday night.

Culled from GIVEMESPORT

18, October 2024

Ngannou returns to MMA to take on Brazil’s Ferreira: Here are all the fight details ⁰

Cameroonian fighter Francis Ngannou is set to make his long-awaited return to the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) circuit to challenge the Professional Fighters League’s (PFL) heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira of Brazil.

Here’s everything you need to know about the fight night:

When is the Ngannou vs Ferreira fight?

The fight is scheduled for Saturday, October 19.

When is the Ngannou-Ferreira ring walk?

Ngannou and Ferreira will begin their ring walks for the main fight at 11pm (20:00 GMT).

Where is the Ngannou vs Ferreira fight taking place?

The fight will be held at Mayadeen, an events venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

What are Ngannou and Ferreira fighting for?

The PFL Super Fights heavyweight championship belt.

Where and how can I follow the Ngannou vs Ferreira fight live?

Al Jazeera will have live text and photo coverage of the fight from 15:00 GMT.

The fight will be streamed and broadcast live on multiple regional platforms that are charging pay-per-view fees.

What will be the duration of the MMA fight?

MMA fights vary in their number of rounds and the duration of each round, with title fights generally being the longest. In this case, the fight will be spread over five rounds of five minutes each. The total duration, if all five rounds are completed, will be 25 minutes.

What’s the MMA fight ring called for Ngannou vs Perreira?

The custom cage for this fight will be called the PFL SmartCage.

PFL MMA — The fight will be held in the PFL’s custom MMA cage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [Courtesy of the PFL]

Who is Francis Ngannou?

The 38-year-old fighter began his career in 2013 in France before switching to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) two years later and became the promotion’s heavyweight champion in March 2021. He kept the title until 2023, when he left the promotion.

Ngannou signed with the PFL in May 2023, and the promotion agreed to let him follow his boxing aspirations, which saw him take on Tyson Fury in Riyadh on October 28, 2023, and Anthony Joshua, also in Riyadh, on March 8, 2024.

The Cameroonian’s journey began at the age of 12 when he worked in a sand quarry. In his mid-20s, he embarked on a long and life-threatening journey from Cameroon to France – a trip he once described as “hell”.

Ngannou crossed the Sahara Desert and spent a year in Morocco before entering Spain through the Mediterranean Sea. Upon reaching Spain, he was detained for entering irregularly and spent two months in custody before regaining his freedom and finally making it to France.

In Paris, he was homeless until he found a fitness centre where he could sleep and start training as a fighter.

PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants Press Conference at the The Anthem in Washington D.C., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL) — Francis Ngannou’s last MMA fight came in 2022 [Courtesy of the PFL]

Who is Renan Ferreira?

The Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter began his career in the United States in 2013 and joined the PFL in 2023.

The 34-year-old won the PFL heavyweight title in a fight against Denis Goltsov, whom he beat in a second-round total knockout.

Ferreira, nicknamed “Problemo” has also recorded a win over Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in a three-round non-title crossover fight on February 24.

What’s Ngannou’s MMA fight record?

Fights: 20
Wins: 17
Losses: 3
By knockout: 12 wins, 0 losses
By submission: 4 wins, 0 losses
By decision: 1 win, 3 losses
By disqualification: 0 wins, 1 loss

What’s Ferreira’s MMA fight record?

Fights: 19
Wins: 13
Losses: 3
By knockout: 11 wins, 1 loss
By submission: 1 win, 1 loss
By decision: 1 win, 0 losses
By disqualification: 0 wins, 1 loss

What has Ngannou said about the fight?

On Ferreira: “Renan is at the top of the line [of MMA fighters] but my entire life, my biggest opponent has always been me. On Saturday night, I am going to get him, so he should be ready.”
What to expect from the fight: “This is an MMA fight, so everything will be on display. We’ve prepared everything, and everything will be on display. Ferreira is preparing some things because he is a jiu-jitsu black belt, and he is not undermining my punching power.”
Plans for a knockout victory: “I am going to fight strategically and according to how the fight presents itself. In my career, I went for a knockout, but it didn’t work out for me. The times when I did score a knockout, it wasn’t something that I had planned. I know I have 25 minutes, so I am going to lay my game plan down in that 25 minutes and win the fight.”

What has Ferreira said about the fight?

On Ngannou: “Both of us came from humble beginnings. We had an incredible career to reach where we are right now. It is a great honour to be fighting one of the strongest men in the world.”
What to expect: “We are both complete fighters. We can strike and grapple as well. I am ready to fight wherever the fight goes.”

What are the pre-fight events?

The main fight will be preceded by four events:

Women’s Featherweight: Cris “Cyborg” vs Larissa Pacheco
Bellator Middleweight: Johnny Eblen vs Fabian Edwards
Featherweight: Husein Kadimagomaev vs Zafar Mohsen
Lightweight: AJ McKee vs Paul Hughes

Who is on the undercards?

Five undercard fights will build up to the main event in Riyadh:

Bantamweight: Raufeon Stots vs Marcos Breno
Lightweight: Makkasharip Zaynukov vs Dedrek Sanders
Featherweight: Ibragim Ibragimov vs Nacho Campos
Middleweight: Mostafa Nada vs Ahmed Sami
Featherweight: Youssef Al Housani vs Taha Bendaoud

Has Ngannou left boxing for MMA?

No. The fighter has been pursuing both since leaving the UFC in early 2023.

Source: Al Jazeera

16, October 2024

Football: Tuchel agrees to become next England manager ⁰

Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has agreed to become the next England manager.

The BBC has been told by two different sources that German Tuchel will become the third non-British permanent manager of the England men’s team after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

England have been without a permanent manager since Gareth Southgate resigned following the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain.

Lee Carsley, who the Football Association put in charge on an interim basis, will remain in place for England’s final two Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland in November, with Tuchel set to formally take over after that.

Tuchel’s formal unveiling is expected on Wednesday at Wembley.

His main target will be leading England through qualification for the 2026 World Cup which takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

An approach was also made for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola in the summer to see if had an interest in the role.

Tuchel is familiar with English football having managed Chelsea between January 2021 and September 2022.

The 51-year-old lifted the Champions League, Fifa Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup with the Blues before being sacked.

In June, the former Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain and Borussia Dortmund manager ruled himself out of the running to take over at Manchester United having met Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in France.

He won the German Cup with Dortmund and two Ligue 1 titles at PSG, including a domestic treble in 2019-20.

His last high-profile job was manager of Bayern but, after the club failed to win the Bundesliga title for the first time since 2011-12 last season, he left the position despite still having a year to run on his contract.

Neither the FA nor Tuchel’s representatives would comment publicly when approached by BBC Sport.

Source: BBC

14, October 2024

Africa Cup of Nations: Cameroon, Algeria qualify, Nigeria refuses to play in Libya ⁰

Nigeria’s refusal to play an Africa Cup of Nations fixture in Libya after alleged “inhumane treatment” of their squad, overshadowed Algeria and Cameroon qualifying on Monday for the 2025 finals.

“This is getting scary,” said forward Victor Boniface on social media after the Nigerian squad were stranded at an airport 225 kilometres (140 miles) by road from Benghazi, the match venue.

“We have been stuck at the airport for almost 13 hours with no food, Wi-Fi or place to sleep. Africa, we can do better,” he added on X (formerly twitter).

Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba, who accompanied Nigeria to north Africa, told AFP: “If CAF know their job, Libya ought to be banned from international football.”

Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 in Uyo last Friday in Group D and the teams were set to meet again in the fourth round in Benghazi on Tuesday.

Furious at the way they were allegedly treated, the Nigerian delegation returned home on Monday, a CAF official confirmed to AFP.

A Libyan Football Federation statement said: “We reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation.

“There are no grounds to accuse the… Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating the incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles.

“It is important to highlight that just last week our own national team faced significant challenges upon arrival in Nigeria.”

CAF reacted to the incident by saying in a statement that they had been in contact with Libyan and Nigerian authorities.

“The matter has been referred to the CAF disciplinary board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated CAF statutes and regulations,” it said.

Free-kick sinks Kenya

Ahead of the Group D fixtures on Tuesday — Rwanda host Benin in the other — Nigeria and Benin were well placed to fill the top two places and qualify for the finals.

Three-time AFCON champions Nigeria have seven points, Benin six, Rwanda two and Libya one, halfway through the six-round qualifying competition.

In Group J, Cameroon substitute Boris Enow beat Kenya goalkeeper Bryne Omondi off a free-kick outside the area to give the five-time AFCON title-holders a 1-0 win and qualification.

Kenya, beaten 4-1 in Yaoundé last Friday, were forced to move the home fixture to Uganda as stadiums in Nairobi are being renovated for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Second-placed Zimbabwe beat Namibia 3-1 to move four points ahead of Kenya in the fight for the other qualifying place. The rivals meet next month in the penultimate round.

Borussia Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini converted an 18th-minute penalty to earn two-time AFCON champions Algeria a 1-0 Group E win over Togo in Lome.

Algeria have a maximum 12 points from four outings and second-placed Equatorial Guinea are likely to join them at the 2025 tournament, which Morocco will host.

Substitute Dorian Hanza scored in added time to give Equatorial Guinea a 2-1 win against Liberia in Paynesville, and a five-point advantage over Togo.

Captain Elias ‘Domingues’ Pelembe, who turns 41 in November, opened the scoring for Mozambique in a 3-0 Group I victory over Eswatini. It moved the Mambas (snakes) above Mali to first place.

However, Mali will qualify if they win in Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday. The fixture is one of 16 scheduled.

Source: AFP

13, October 2024

Ugandan Deputy Speaker meets Andre Onana ⁰

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, and his son had a memorable encounter with Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana during the player’s visit to Uganda ahead of Cameroon’s AFCON 2025 qualifier match against Kenya.

Tayebwa, an ardent Manchester United fan, expressed his excitement at seeing an African footballer succeed at one of the world’s biggest clubs.

“We are thrilled to see an African, particularly from our continent, playing at such a prestigious level with Manchester United. Onana has settled in well, and we continue to pray for his success,” Tayebwa said.

In a light-hearted moment, Tayebwa joked about researching whether Onana has any Ugandan roots, noting the shared heritage between Uganda’s Bakiga people and Cameroon.

He also revealed that Onana had invited him and his son to watch a live match at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s home ground, a gesture Tayebwa welcomed with enthusiasm.

Onana is in Uganda as part of the Cameroon national team’s preparations for their AFCON qualifier at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

Source: Nilepost

13, October 2024

Indomitable Lions: Marc Brys threatens to resign ⁰

In an unexpected twist, Marc Brys, head coach of the Indomitable Lions has issued an ultimatum that is now shaking the apparent calm following the recent joint statement from FECAFOOT and the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education (MINSEP).

The reason for this ultimatum is the absence of Mununga from the match sheet, the assistant to the 62-year-old Belgian tactician.

“If my assistant’s name is not on the match sheet soon, I will resign,” Brys declared at the post-match conference following Cameroon-Kenya.

This statement, unusually frank in the otherwise reserved realm of Cameroonian football, raises many questions about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the national team.

The Belgian coach, not widely known to the public despite his experience, appears ready to put his position on the line for his assistant. This stance reveals not only a deep attachment to his coaching staff but also a possible reliance on his collaborator.

Timing

The timing of this declaration is particularly intriguing. While one might expect to see a jubilant coach following his players’ 4-1 victory over the Kenyans, Marc Brys made a heavy statement.

In recent days, tensions seemed to have eased between the governing bodies of Cameroonian football, but Brys has rekindled the embers of a latent conflict. His threat of resignation could be interpreted as a gesture of solidarity, but also as a tactic to safeguard his personal interests.

This situation highlights the fragility of the balance within the Indomitable Lions’ coaching setup. It also raises questions about the actual autonomy of the head coach in his technical choices and the potential interference in the composition of his staff.

The response of FECAFOOT to this ultimatum will be crucial. Will they yield to Brys’s pressure, risking the creation of a precedent, or will they maintain their position, even if it means losing their coach just months ahead of important deadlines?

This emerging crisis reveals the challenges facing Cameroonian football, caught between sporting ambitions and behind-the-scenes power struggles. The future of Marc Brys and his assistant may well become a symbol of a broader fight for control over the technical leadership of the Indomitable Lions.

While awaiting a resolution, Brys’s explosive statement leaves Cameroonian football in uncertainty, reminding us that even in sports, stakes often exceed the simple context of the pitch.

Source: Koaci