African Sports
CAF Appeals To British Gov’t To Release African Stars

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appealed to the British government to allow African players to travel for next month’s 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
After Liverpool blocked Mohamed Salah’s invitation to Egypt’s squad, the Premier League announced that other clubs will not release their players to travel to red-list countries due to fears of the coronavirus.
However, Fifa responded to the statement with a personal message from President Gianni Infantino to British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson on Wednesday.
The African football body has also asked the British government to grant exemption to the continent’s stars for the second round of the World Cup qualifiers that will start in September.
“Caf has noted the current circumstances in place in Britain regarding the lack of sporting exemptions for players returning from several African countries after the international window next week,” read the statement on its website.
“Caf, acting on behalf of all African Member Associations, African players and fans, has urged the British Government to urgently provide the required exemptions to enable African players to compete for their countries in the upcoming Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers.
“Caf notes that similar exemptions were granted by the British Government to enable the attendance of delegations and officials, amongst others, at the finals of the European Championship held less than two months ago.”
Caf also added that the situation of African countries in the red-list is not as serious as other foreign nations.
“It is further noted that the circumstances in the African countries on the red list in many cases are in fact less severe than other countries not currently on this list or for which exemptions were previously provided,” it continued.
“Furthermore, Caf would like to reiterate that the upcoming matches will be delivered under the strict protocols developed by Fifa and applied across the world, as was the case in previous windows and continental tournaments successfully delivered without any incidents.
“These protocols have now proven beyond a doubt that they mitigate the risks involved, reflecting the success of commensurate protocols applied domestically in England and other parts of the world.
“In light of the above, Caf has appealed as a matter of urgency, to the Football Association (FA) and the British Government that the same treatment previously applied to Europe now be extended to Africa under the principles of solidarity and equal treatment.”
Source: GhArticles.com/Allfootball.com
African Sports
Ivorian Football Federation Elects Idriss Yacine Diallo As New President

Idriss Yacine Diallo has been elected as the president of the Côte d’Ivoire Football Federation, following a second round of voting in Abidjan on Saturday.
The President of the Ivorian Football Federation polled 63 votes against his challenger Sory Diabaté who polled 61 votes.
Former Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba didn’t get enough votes in the elections to become new president of Ivorian Football Federation and dropped out in the first round.
The Chelsea legend now has failed failed twice and could not join the list of former footballers like Samuel Eto’o, Denis Obua (Uganda), Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia), Leodgar Tenga (Tanzania), Walter Nyamilandu and Congolese Jean-Michael M’Bono who later become President of their various country’s football governing body.
Iddris Yacine Diallo will lead the Ivorian Football Federation for the next four years.
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Source: GhArticles.com
African Sports
Nigeria Sacks Coach Augustine Eguavoen After 2022 World Cup Failure

Head Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen, has been sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation [NFF].
A statement by the NFF on Thursday, March 31, reads: “Following the failure of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the erstwhile Technical Adviser, Augustine Eguavoen has stepped down from that position with immediate effect.
“The NFF has in the meantime withdrawn the two-and-half years’ contract offered the coaches and terminated the appointment of the entire technical crew of the team with immediate effect.
“A new crew will be announced after a proper review to lead the new charge of reinvigorating the Super Eagles to face future challenges appropriately.”
The sacked crew included ex-internationals like Emmanuel Amuneke and Joseph Yobo.
Eguavoen took charge of the Super Eagles before AFCON 2021, after former coach, Gernot Rohr, was sacked due to unsatisfactory performances during the first round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The former Super Eagles full-back, Eguavoen, initially stepped down after Nigeria’s Round 16 exit at the AFCON in Cameroon but was rehired to take charge of the final playoff round against Ghana.
Nigeria were eliminated by virtue of the away goal rule after drawing 1-1 at home in the return leg, with the first leg in Ghana ending goalless.
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Source: GhArticles.com
African Sports
CAF Official Reported Dead Following Stampede At Nigeria-Ghana Game

An official of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reportedly died following the chaos that erupted after the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Nigeria – Ghana in Abuja on Tuesday night.
The deceased has been identified as Dr Joseph Kabungo, a Zambian medical practitioner.
He was CAF’s designated Doping Officer for the game.
Dr Kabungo, according to reports, lost consciousness after he was beaten and stepped on as fans tried to make their way out of the stadium, leading to a stampede.
British-Nigerian journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana announced this on his Twitter page.
He indicated the cause of death has not been confirmed by the Zambian government and the bereaved family has been duly confirmed.
Update: His name is Dr Joseph Kabungo from Zambia. He was on duty as Doping officer. He collapsed suddenly and died. Cause of death not confirmed yet. His family, the Zambia FA and the government of Zambia have been duly informed. https://t.co/6wJVOQUWWy
— Osasu Obayiuwana (@osasuo) March 30, 2022
Ghanaian journalist, Collins Atta Poku, who might have witnessed the unfortunate incident said the deceased was rushed to an ambulance closer to Ghana’s dressing room.
But all attempts to resuscitate him proved futile.
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Source: GhArticles.com