The tentacles of politics is threatening to spread out in football in DR Congo leading to the indefinite suspension of the country’s premier league.
The decision to order the suspension of the championship comes from the government there who fear stadium violence could break out at end of Kabila’s mandate, giving football stadiums, have in previous instances, proven fertile grounds for upheaval.
In Gambia though the league has resumed following a brief suspension. The Gambia Football Federation league went on a brief sabbatical a week before the presidential election. However, the championship is back to action but there is looming air of uncertainty after out-going President Yahya Jammeh’s dramatic U-turn to dismiss the polls as rigged.
ECOWAS issued a statement making pronouncement of a possible use of force after seeing diplomatic efforts to talk Jammeh out of clinging onto power hit the buffers.
A deathly quiet now reins in the West African nation since the regional bloc’s pronouncement with patrols by armed security personnel increased.
The new found political chattering by lively civilians that once punctuated the air in the days following Jammeh’s defeat, is now dictated by a deathly quiet with military presence conspicuous everywhere.
Jammeh has until January 19 to step aside and with a month from that date, it’s strongly believed the domestic league might be stopped again.
In Zimbabawe, national team gaffer Kalisto Pasuwa found himself tossed around in the press after it turned out that he dropped goalkeeper of the year Petros Mahari from his provisional squad for Gabon Africa Cup of Nations.
It was first claimed that Kalisto was carrying out vendetta against Mahari who got voted by sports writers as the best shot-stopper. News of Mahari being overlooked have had supporters breathing down on Kalisto’s neck. But the Warriors coach has defended his decision, insisting, bring in any new player would jeopardize his selection.
In a robust defense of his highly controversial move, Pasuwa said: ‘I’m a professional coach and surely what do I benefit from destroying players’ careers? The thing is we have mostly settled for continuity’s sake’
As countries ready themselves for the Gabon finals, Cameroon are dabbled into a rancor with star player Joel Matip and six other A-teamers.
The seven players were included in Cameroon’s 35-man provisional roster but phoned to inform the coach they wouldn’t be coming due to their bad experiences with previous staff of the national team.
Enraged by the players actions, Cameroon Football governing body released a strongly-worded statement hinting they may take punitive measures or report them to FIFA for legal action.
The players are Alla Nyom (West Bromwich Albion), Adre Onana (Ajax Amsterdam), Guy Ronald Ndy Assembe (Nancy), Andre Zambo Anguissa (Marseille), Maxime Poudje (Bordeaux) and Ibrahim Amadou (Lille).
This drama certainly comes as an unwanted distraction to the Indomitable Lions preparation for Gabon.
In Ghana, Legend Reverend Osei Kofi today opted to open up on how he got ‘tormented’ out of his job of representing retired footballers by out-going sports minister Nii Lantei Vanderpuye.
Giving details on how it happened, triple Olympian Kofi said he’d been told from a reliable source that the minister wanted him sacked before being issued a dismissal letter April this year.
Vanderpuye hasn’t shied away one bit from brouhaha throughout his tenure as sports minister, as he also is believed to be the man behind the trailing of two journalists on allegation of false reporting in Ghana.
On the other side of football spectrum in Accra, is comments made by Nigerian legend Jay Jay Okocha. The retired football was asked to name his best Ghanaian footballer of all time and the 43-year-old former Bolton man settled for Tony Yeboah.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I will say my best Ghanaian football of all-time will be Tony Yeboah. Tony was a great guy,”[/perfectpullquote]
he said.
“I have played with lots of players but Tony was exceptional, he always does a magic even when there is no hope.
“With Tony in the team you are assured of a goal in every match, he will just pop up out of nothing and get you a goal. So I will say Tony Yeboah.”
Also trending, is news of Latif Blessing being feted as Ghana domestic league’s Most Valuable Player. The offensive minded midfielder beat Madeama star Kwasi Donsu and Abdul Bashiru to the prize. On the awards ceremony held last Friday, Latif also received another gong for scoring seventeen (17) goals in the league.
While we are at it… Nigeria’s Amos Adamu risks facing a further two-year ban from all football related activities by FIFA. The latest development is linked to allege breach FIFA’s code of ethics which, if found to be true, could spell the end to his involvement with Africa Cup of Nations Organizing Committee where he is a member.
The 62-year-old -once touted long term successor of Issa Hayatou to the CAf hot-seat – was banned for three years by the world football governing body for soliciting bribes in exchange for votes, an accusation he, to this day, denies.
In Lome, Togo’s administrative capital, there’s this disturbing news of six players sustaining serious injuries. The players were among First division club Foadan’s team bus traveling from Notse where they were due to play a game.
Eyewitnesses say, the costa developed fault while attempting to apply the brakes before veering off the road and slamming against what, according to reports, looks like pile of debris smashing the windscreen in the process.
Reacting, the Togolese Football Federation said in a release: “The accident occurred at the intersection of Gando in Mango and resulted in injuries including six serious cases who are now admitted to intensive care at the hospital in a local hospital”
In Dakar, it’s all joy after Senegal got crowned Caf Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations winners for the fourth time.
Senegal beat hosts Nigeria 8-4 on Sunday to seal a place in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup slated for the Bahamas next year.
Zamalek’s chairman Mortada Mansour is something of an untouchable in Egyptian football. The controversial lawyer is widely feared and has strong connections with government officials. His manipulative powers over football authorities came to light today after Reda El-Beltagy ‘was forced to resigned’ from his post as head of refereeing committee.
Mansour lodged a vigorous campaign calling for Reda’s sacking or else Zamalek, his club, will pull out of the on-going Egyptian domestic championship.
Backed by fellow first division side Ismaily in the threat to boycott the league, the under pressure Egyptian FA were forced to act, prompting El-Beltagy to vacate the post just two months following his appointment to the job, according to various Egyptian papers.
While Mansour –who was intent on running for the presidency in the North African country before pulling out – might sigh a huge relief at seeing his demands for a new referee chairman met, but we certainly won’t be seeing the back of this case too soon with El-Beltagy determined to lodge a complaint of sheer intimidation and harassment to the Egyptian parliament against Mortada.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I’ve received intimidating messages on my phone from Mortada Mansour in the past period,”[/perfectpullquote]
Beltagy explained to Sada El Balad TV channel.
“I took the decision a while ago, but the final decision was made two days ago. After every Zamalek match Mansour calls me more than 10 times and I don’t answer him,” he added.
Essam Abdel-Fattah is the new refereeing committee boss.
Featured Photo: “Jay-Jay – so good they named him twice.”(courtesy of Jay Jay Okocha google plus page )
