The sports ministry of the Central African Republic announced that Rigobert Song, the former coach and captain of Cameroon, has been hired to lead the national team, although no specific details had been disclosed.
Song, a 48-year-old former athlete who coached the Indomitable Lions to the 2022 finals in Qatar after playing as a central defender for his nation at four World Cups, replaces Swiss coach Raoul Savoy, who was fired in October after the team’s failed Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. However, they are still in the running to qualify for the World Cup, and they will play Mali and Madagascar in March.
With four points from their first four games, the Central African Republic are five points behind Ghana and Comoros, the two co-leaders in Group I.
During the most recent World Cup, Song, who had experiences at Liverpool, West Ham United, Racing Lens, and Galatasaray, got into a fight with Andre Onana, which caused the Cameroonian goalkeeper to leave the competition in Qatar.
Moreover, Song managed Cameroon for 23 games, winning six of them, losing nine, and drawing eight. He also made 137 appearances for Cameroon as a player.
Former Barcelona star Rivaldo has passionately urged Brazil to swiftly seal the deal and secure Carlo Ancelotti as their new head coach. Reports from AS reveal that the Selecao are highly interested in appointing Ancelotti as the long-term successor to Tite, who resigned following Brazil’s quarterfinal departure from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
With Rivaldo’s endorsement and Ancelotti’s proven track record as a top-class manager, the Brazilian national team could potentially witness a revitalized era under the guidance of the highly respected and experienced Italian tactician.
The senior team is under the interim management of Ramon Menezes. Regarding Ancelotti’s likely selection to lead Brazil, Rivaldo said, “Ancelotti to Brazil? It will be historic. I hope he will be our first foreign coach, and we will be world champions with him in 2026 (World Cup at Mexico, Canada, and the USA).” an article from sportskeeda.com mentioned.
Rivaldo, the legendary Barcelona player from 1997 to 2002, helped Brazil secure their fifth World Cup title in 2002. Despite their decorated history, Brazil’s recent World Cup campaigns have been marred by four quarterfinal exits, with their most humiliating display occurring on home soil in 2014, finishing fourth. Before that, Brazil had only lost a World Cup match by more than two goals in the 1998 final against France.
Brazil has expressed a keen interest in appointing Carlo Ancelotti as their national team coach, despite the Italian manager having a year left on his Real Madrid contract. Neymar, the former Barcelona forward, has confirmed Brazil’s desire to bring Ancelotti on board. This unexpected development adds a tantalizing twist to the football world, as Ancelotti’s potential move to Brazil could bring a wealth of experience and strategic brilliance to the national team, setting the stage for an exciting chapter in international football.
The star player for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) spoke to BandSports;
“I know it’s the priority of the national team. The president wants to sign him, and, as players, we also want it to happen.
“For myself, for Vini, for Militão. We all know him. We know how amazing he is … to have him in the team would be very important. But there is nothing confirmed as of yet. We hope that he comes after his contract ends.” an article from sportskeeda.com reported.
The renowned Italian coach, Carlo Ancelotti, began his managerial career in 1995 at Reggiana. Since then, he has claimed every major title in club football but has yet to lead a national team. While he did serve as Italy’s assistant manager from 1992 to 1995, managing a national team remains an unexplored realm for this accomplished tactician.
Qinwen Zheng has announced that she is back with her original coach, Pere Riba.
Zheng and Riba’s history
Asian Games gold medalist Qinwen Zheng announced her breakup with her coach of over two years, Pere Riba, just before Roland Garros this year.
Following their different paths throughout the tennis world, Zheng recruited Wim Fissette, while Pere Riba was brought on as Brad Gilbert’s co-coach for the World No. 3 player, Coco Gauff.
Over the course of several months, both camps saw individual sporting triumphs; Gauff secured her maiden grand slam at the US Open, while Zheng secured the gold medal in the Asian Games.
After her success at the Asian Games, Zheng also made waves at the Zhengzhou Open. In the prestigious tournament, she was able to win her first WTA 500 title, propelling her for the first time into the WTA’s top 20 rankings.
Amid her triumphs, however, it was reported that Zheng had fallen out with her new coach, Fisette. Several reports claim that Fissette breached his agreement with Zheng in order to rejoin Naomi Osaka as coach.
Upset by the turnout of events, Zheng expressed her disappointment and said that breaking the contract was, for her, ‘immoral’. Zheng announced the news near the end of September.
Meanwhile, Riba, who was notably absent during Gauff’s stint at the WTA finals in Cancun, Mexico, also announced that he’s stepping back for “personal and family health reasons.”
Zheng is back with Riba
In her latest Instagram post, Zheng formally announced that she is back under the tutelage of her former coach, Riba, and that they’re ready “to embark on the journey together and prepare for the upcoming year.”
Qinwen Zheng announced she’s back working with Pere Riba for the 2024 season.
“Reunited after some time apart, ready to embark on the journey together & prepare for the upcoming year.”
Pere starting coaching Qinwen in 2021, but they split in 2023.
While some people rejoiced at the news of their reunion, there were others who were not so happy.
One X user recalled how Zheng got mad at her old coach for going back to Naomi Osaka, a player he coached for two years, and how this time Riba left Gauff’s team and reunited with her, calling the circumstances ‘weird.’
Funny thing today I saw, Qinwen Zheng was mad at her old coach for going back to Osaka, Pere Riba left team Coco Gauff "To spend time with family"
Exciting news from the football transfer market as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr is reportedly in talks to sign Spezia midfielder Kevin Agudelo. The 24-year-old Colombian has impressed with 99 Serie A appearances, scoring five goals and providing five assists. Additionally, Al-Nassr is set to welcome Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea, forming a formidable attack with Ronaldo and Talisca. Stay tuned for further updates on these exciting signings.
Al-Alamy is set to make waves in the football world with potential signings of Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan and Agudelo. After finishing second in the SPL, their recent additions of Benzema, Kante, and Koulibaly from Chelsea have intensified the excitement. Al-Alamy’s ambitious squad-building is poised to create an electrifying season ahead.
The stage is set for a thrilling season as this dynamic team seeks to conquer new heights and challenge the status quo. The football world eagerly awaits the dawn of a new era for “The Tigers,” where the game’s brightest stars unite under the banner of Al-Alamy.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sensational half-season at Al-Nassr: 14 goals, 3 assists. Despite a trophyless finish, he’s resolute about winning titles next year. Confidence and ambition drive him forward, captivating fans worldwide.
Ronaldo recently provided an interview with the Saudi Pro League’s official media:
“My expectation was a little bit different. To be honest. I expected to win something this year. But not always the way things go the way we want. Sometimes we need patience consistency and persistence to achieve things.”
Further, he mentioned “We improved a lot. Let’s say the last five or six months, the team improve a lot. Even the league, all the teams improve and my team as well. It takes time sometimes. But, if you believe it’s your goal, I think everything is possible. I expected to win something this year but we didn’t. But, next year I am really positive and confident that things will change and we’ll do in a better way. So, let’s believe in that and work on that,” an article from sportskeeda.com mentioned.
Al-Nassr’s attack gets stronger with Ziyech joining Ronaldo and Talisca, while potential signings Brozovic and Agudelo add effectiveness. The midfield duo of Luiz Gustavo partnered with the new additions, looks promising. However, the team’s next coach remains unknown, as Rudi Garcia was sacked last season, leaving fans curious about who will guide Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. in the upcoming season.
Sergio Ramos, a household name after Spain beat the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, is attempting to make a comeback into the Spanish team after a scintillating performance this season at the Paris St Germain club.
But will he be get to showcase his talent and adorn the field for Spain, one last time?
Sergio Ramos has made a last-ditch appeal to Spain manager Luis Enrique to include him in the national squad for the World Cup in Qatar for the first time in 18 months, according to a UK paper.
Ramos has 180 appearances for Spain’s senior team and the 36-year-old is the club’s most-capped player of all time. But he has not seen any selection in Spain’s first team and is dropped from the national squad.
Since early 2021 he has been bogged down by ongoing fitness issues. Ramos has not played for Spain since leaving Real Madrid as a free agent last summer to join Paris Saint-Germain.
The imposing central defender had a difficult year of fitness issues, which coincided with him dropping out of the Spanish squad and struggling for regular football.
But this season, however, he has enjoyed a resurgence of form and fortune in the French capital and this has prompted him to offer his services to defend the colours of Spain.
He represented Spain in four World Cups and three European Championships. He won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 UEFA European Championships, and he was named to the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2010, as well as the UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament in 2012.
Many would think that he has done his time but at 36 and with a resurgent career with PSG along the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylan Mbappe, some would give him another chance.
He has said in an interview published on Marca, “Everyone knows what playing for Spain means to me. I feel good, I’m available, but it’s a decision that doesn’t depend on me, it depends on the coach (Luis Enrique).
“I respect him a lot. I can only continue playing and waiting. I hope to have the opportunity to participate in a new World Cup.”
Sergio Ramos and Roger Milla
The struggle of Ramos is similar to that of Roger Milla who adorned the famous Cameroun jerseys in the World Cup and became another household name across the globe for this prowess.
Milla played as a forward and was one of the first African players to be major stars on the international stage. He played in three World Cups for the Cameroon national team.
Sergio Ramos rose to international prominence at the age of 38, when most forwards have retired, by scoring four goals in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, making him the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history.
Sergio Ramos was instrumental in Cameroon becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Milla broke his own record as the oldest World Cup goalscorer four years later, when he scored against Russia in the 1994 FIFA World Cup at the age of 42.
At the time, the world was captivated by Milla’s appearance on the field, and fans were ecstatic about his performances.
While Africa seem to be in need of another generation of Milla, Spain could probably bring back a powerful defender like Sergio Ramos to give another outlook to the game in Qatar.
After all, two of the best soccer players in the world today are also playing for their respective countries. Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal and Lionel Messi for Argentina are not much younger than the Spaniard.
Ronaldo is 37 and will play an important, albeit his last, role in the World Cup while Messi, 35 hopes he can win the cup for his country, at last.
NOTHING surprising seeing big-name coaches being shown the door if their teams don’t perform on the big stage.
Perhaps you may say it’s part and parcel of the game, or even an occupational hazard.
But hats off to Spain national coach Luis Enrique who announced his departure from international football days after Spain lost to Morocco on penalties in the round of 16 clash of the World Cup in Qatar. Maybe the same for Brazilian coach Tite after the shocker penalty-kicks loss to Croatia.
More inspiring, he took the blame for the team’s non-performance as at the start of the tournament they looked among the odds-on favourites after the awe-inspiring 7-0 white-wash of Costa Rica.
Even in my view, I thought this was Spain’s year as their strikers were simply awesome in their goalmouth finishings.
PARTING WAYS
In a statement by the Spanish football federation (RFEF), it was confirmed that the 52-year-old head coach would part ways with the national team just days after his side were knocked out of the competition in Qatar.
The decision came after both parties agreed to not extend his current contract which expires at the end of the year.
“The RFEF would like to thank Luis Enrique and his entire coaching staff at the helm of the absolute national team in recent years,” read a statement on the Spanish FA website, which stated that a report had been sent to the president, suggesting a change in manager would be ideal for a “new project” to begin.
It continued: “The coach earns the love and admiration of his collaborators in the national team and of the entire Federation, which will always be his home.”
FOURTH MANAGER
Spain’s Under-21 manager Luis de la Fuente is expected to replace him.
Enrique, who was first appointed Spain’s coach in 2018, had a contract until the end of the year. He is the fourth manager to get the boot.
De la Fuente joined the RFEF in 2013 as the Under-15 manager, having worked with players, such as Marco Asensio, goalkeeper Unai Simon, Eric Garcia, Pau Torres, Pedri, Carlos Soler and Dani Olmo when they were youngsters.
REVAMP SPAIN
Spain media said Enrique was initially hired in 2018 to revamp a national team that was struggling to move on from the golden generation of World champions from the 2010 World Cup.
Many would suggest that the former Barcelona coach did just that after introducing a host of youngsters like Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati. It is reported that Enrique would be keen to get back into club management now that his stint with the national side has come to an end.
Spain began their World Cup campaign in superb fashion after blanking Costa Rica 7-0. The initial euphoria soon turned sour. La Roja drew 1-1 to Germany, lost 2-1 to Japan before losing out in penalties to Morocco.
But whatever you may summarise, the big coaches know they have to throw in the towel if they don’t deliver the goods.
The price of big-time football, perhaps?
* Suresh Nair is an award-winning sports journalist who is also a qualified international coach and international referee instructor.
