TheNewsGuru

Tag: National Team

  • It’s high time to leave Ronaldo alone – Portugal coach, Santos

    It’s high time to leave Ronaldo alone – Portugal coach, Santos

    Portugal coach Fernando Santos admits Cristiano Ronaldo was unhappy being dropped for victory over Switzerland.

    Ahead of their World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco on Saturday, Santos offered more details of his chat with the former Manchester United striker about his decision-making.

    He said, I think it’s high time to leave Ronaldo alone.

    “He has never told me that he wanted to leave our national team and I think it’s high time we stopped with this conversation, that we stop with the polemics.

    “I spoke to him after lunch on the day of the game and invited him into my office.

    “For obvious reasons Cristano was not very happy about it as he has always been the starting player. He told me: ‘Do you really think it’s a good idea?’ but we had a normal conversation in which I explained my viewpoints and of course he accepted them.

    “We had a frank and normal conversation.”

  • A national team is the next step – Guardiola reveals

    A national team is the next step – Guardiola reveals

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that his next plan is coaching a national team.

    However, taking the Spain job is no certainty for the Catalan.

    He said, “A national team is the next step.

    “I need to take a break after seven years at Manchester City, I need to stop and see, learn from other managers, and maybe take this path.

    “I would like to be a coach at a European championship, a Copa America, or a World Cup.”

  • Finidi gives home-based players hope to play for Nigeria

    Finidi gives home-based players hope to play for Nigeria

    Super Eagles new first assistant coach, Finidi George, has revealed that the new technical crew, led by Jose Peseiro, will give more home-based players the opportunity to challenge for shirts in the senior national team.

     

    Finidi, a former Ajax and Ipswich town star, described Nigeria’s forthcoming international friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador as good introductory games for Peseiro.

     

    He assured all Nigerian footballers that everybody qualified to play for the country will get the chance to stake his claim to the team, advised the home-based stars to focus on improving their game.

     

    Nigeria will meet Mexico and Ecuador in two U.S. cities on May 28 and June 2 respectively.

     

    Speaking on plans for the games, which come after Nigeria’s failure to qualify for Qatar 2023 World Cup, Finidi said the process of building a new team wouldn’t have been made easier than with two games against two already established sides preparing for the Copa Mundial.

     

    He added that the games would present Peseiro an opportunity to assess the players available for selection ahead of the Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone next month.

     

    Expressing delight at being given the opportunity to contribute to Super Eagles’ resuscitation after the failure to qualify for the World Cup, Finidi acknowledged that the task ahead for the Peseiro-led technical crew is enormous, adding, however, that with adequate support from all stakeholders, Nigerians will see an indomitable team.

     

    He assured all the players invited to the national team camp of equal opportunity to fight for shirts in the emerging team, adding that the Super Eagles would soon return to their old glory.

     

    “The friendlies would be used to assess players and work out modalities to transform the Super Eagles to the level it belongs. Because Peseiro is new with the Eagles, we, the assistants, have resolved to guide him where necessary and make him comfortable in the terrain when he arrives in Nigeria.”

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Finidi still maintains his job at Enyimba.

     

    According to the former Ajax and Ipswich town star, the two roles would not clash because they are well defined.

     

    “Working with Enyimba has opened my eyes to the workings of the local league. Now, we will create more opportunities for NPFL players and ensure that only the best available Nigerians, no matter where they are based, get the chance to play for Nigeria.”

     

    On alleged interference in team selection by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials, Finidi said: “I have not worked with the Super Eagles before, so, I don’t know if such exists. My mission now is to give my best to the national assignment given to me by the NFF. This is another opportunity for me to work for my country after retirement from playing for the Super Eagles years ago,” he said.

  • Mario Balotelli recalled to Italy national team

    Mario Balotelli recalled to Italy national team

    Mario Balotelli has been called up for a three-day Italy training camp and Joao Pedro is among the new faces given the nod by manager Roberto Mancini.

    Balotelli has not played for his country for over three years.

    But the in-form striker was named among 35 players who will assemble for a camp in Coverciano from Wednesday to Friday this week.

    The enigmatic 31-year-old has scored nine goals for Adana Demirspor since joining the Turkish Super Lig side in July, including three in his past four matches.

    Brazil-born duo Joao Pedro and Luiz Felipe are among seven uncapped players brought in by Mancini .

    This has come two months before the European champions face North Macedonia in a World Cup qualifying play-off.

    Marco Carnesecchi, Giorgio Scalvini, Nicolo Fagioli, Davide Frattesi and Samuele Ricci were also called up for the first time.

    The Azzurri do battle with North Macedonia in a play-off semi-final at Stadio Renzo Barbera on March 24.

    If they come out on top in Palermo, Italy will then face Portugal or Turkey knowing a victory will seal their place in the tournament in Qatar this year.

  • Ghana sacks all national team coaches

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has axed all of its national team coaches.

    The decision, which takes immediate effect, affects both male and female national teams, the GFA said in a statement.

    “The GFA extends its appreciation to all coaches and members of the respective national teams for their contributions to our teams and Ghana football,” the statement said.

    Some fans and football analysts have been calling for the head of Kwesi Appiah, the head coach of the Black Stars, following a round of 16 exits at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

    Appiah’s contract expired at the end of last year.

  • Ighalo confirms retirement, says I'm leaving for younger players to grow

    Ighalo confirms retirement, says I'm leaving for younger players to grow

    Super Eagles Striker, Odion Ighalo on Friday confirmed his retirement from the national team, after leading the country to a third place finish at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
    Ighalo, who was the highest goal score of the competition, said on his twitter handle that he took the decision after extensive discussions with his family.
    He gave no reason for this decision in his handle.
    Ighalo, tweeting on Friday said “This is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to take. It has been an amazing five years journey, but after due consultation and extensive discussions with my family, I have decided that it is time for me to retire from the national team.
    “It has been an eventful and most memorable opportunity for me to serve my country with pride, passion and to contribute my quota to the development of our football, the memories will stay with me for a long time, and I am immensely grateful.”
    Ighalo, thanking the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr “for believing in me”, noted that “It is now time to concentrate on club football, and to give the younger players a chance to learn and grow”.
    The Shanghai Shenhua striker played 35 matches for Nigeria, scoring 16 goals in the process.

  • Like Mikel, Ighalo announces retirement from national team

    Like Mikel, Ighalo announces retirement from national team

    Nigerian forward, Odion Ighalo, has announced his retirement following the Super Eagle’s third placed victory over Tunisia on night at Egypt 2019.
    Odion, who is the highest goal scorer in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, informed coach Gernot Rohr of his decision before leaving to join his club in China immediately after the game.
    “He had discussed his decision with the coach before the third-place match, saying that the constant abuse was taking a toll on his young family but he was advised to keep it under wraps for the moment. After the game, he gave his jersey as a souvenir to the coach, said his goodbyes and left,” a source stated.
    Prior to the game, the 30-year-old posted a message on his WhatsApp status update that simply said “Final Game”.
    “He has been very strong for us,” Rohr said, “And it is sad that he wants not to continue.
    “But the door always is open for him any time.”
    Ighalo, something of a late bloomer, made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2015 as the Super Eagles lost 1-0 to Uganda in a friendly.
    He made 35 appearances for Nigeria, scoring 16 goals.
    He was also top scorer through the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with four goals and he could also finish the tournament as top scorer having scored five in Egypt.
    Recall that the team captain, Mikel John Obi also earlier announced his retirement from the national team.

  • BREAKING: Mikel announces retirement from national team

    BREAKING: Mikel announces retirement from national team

    Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has retired from the national team.
    He retired following the third-placed finish of the Super Eagles at Egypt 2019 AFCON.
    Mikel took to his verified Instagram page to make the announcement.
    Spotting his photo in the national colours, the former Chelsea ace wrote: “Egypt is a country where I’ve started and have finished my National career.
    “In 2006 I played my first official championship for my country. 2019 African Cup of Nations marks my last championship for National Team with Super Eagles.
    “My national career started in 2003 under 17 World Cup and I’m grateful for the national team for placing me on the world arena and giving me an opportunity to show my skill and have an incredible National and International career.
    “At the age of 32, it’s time for me to retire from the National team and let the youth take over, who’ve done an amazing job securing a bronze medal at AFCON 2019.
    “Thank you to all my Nigerian supporters and to my Country for all the trust, support and love you’ve shown me over the past 15 years.
    “Mikel am out!”