William Troost-Ekong says Africa is ready despite Nigeria’s FIFA Worl…

There is one thought that has followed William Troost-Ekong throughout the FIFA World Cup. grenadier.co.za

What if Nigeria had been there?

As one of the country’s most respected footballers and a former captain of the Super Eagles, Troost-Ekong has watched Africa continue to make its mark on football’s biggest stage with equal measures of pride and frustration.

Pride because African football continues to prove it belongs among the world’s elite.

Frustration because he firmly believes Nigeria should have been part of that story.

“I think the motivation has always been there,” Troost-Ekong says.

“All of us are incredibly eager to see Nigeria back at the World Cup, and missing out again only increases that desire.”

“I would have loved to see Nigeria there because, when you watch the African teams performing so well, you cannot help but think Nigeria would also have put in a strong performance.”

“Looking at the quality and talent within the squad, I believe they would have been ready. Many of the players have matured, and some also gained valuable experience at the 2018 World Cup.”

It is not bitterness that comes through in his voice, but belief.

Belief that one of Africa’s footballing giants has the talent to compete with the very best.

Belief that missing consecutive World Cups should become the catalyst for meaningful change rather than another painful chapter.

“It would have been wonderful to see them compete, but I also think this serves as an important lesson,” he says.

“We need to reflect on our preparation and identify what needs to change in order to reach the next level ahead of the next World Cup.”

“The players will continue working hard, sharing ideas, and doing everything possible to improve.”

“I have never felt there was a lack of motivation or commitment from the players. I simply believe there are several areas that need to change, and this time those changes will be essential if the team is to succeed.”

While Nigeria’s absence still hurts, Troost-Ekong has found plenty of reasons to smile watching the continent’s representatives continue to challenge the traditional powers.

The former captain believes the gap between Africa and Europe and South America has never been smaller.

In fact, he believes this tournament is where African football takes another historic leap forward.

“I think so,” he says when asked whether this is Africa’s breakthrough World Cup.

“At the last World Cup, Morocco broke down those barriers and showed everyone what is possible.”

“Based on what we have seen so far in this tournament, many African teams, players, and individual performances have demonstrated that they can compete with the very best in the world.”

“I am very hopeful that this could be the World Cup where an African team goes even further than Morocco did. If they reach that stage, hopefully they can go all the way.”

His faith in Morocco national football team remains unwavering.

With Morocco preparing for a blockbuster Round of 16 clash against France national football team on Thursday, 9 July (22:00 CAT), Troost-Ekong believes they once again carry the hopes of an entire continent.

“Morocco is definitely the first team that comes to mind,” he says.

“Senegal and Ivory Coast both did exceptionally well too until their eliminations, and they were a bit unlucky.”

Football fans across Africa will be hoping his prediction proves correct.

The Morocco-France showdown promises to be one of the biggest matches of the tournament, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake, and viewers can watch every moment live on SuperSport.

As the official broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup across sub-Saharan Africa, SuperSport is bringing fans all 104 matches live, making this the most accessible FIFA World Cup ever, with comprehensive coverage available across television, streaming and digital platforms so that supporters never miss a moment of the world’s biggest sporting spectacle.

Away from the football, Troost-Ekong has embraced a different side of the tournament during his time as part of SuperSport’s world-class broadcast team.

Instead of arriving as an opponent focused solely on training sessions and matchdays, he has been able to experience South Africa in a way he never could during his playing career.

“I have really enjoyed it,” he says.

“It has been great being part of the SuperSport team and meeting some amazing current and former players.”

“Although it has been a little colder than I am used to, I have had a fantastic time. It is also the first time in many years that I have been in South Africa without being here as a player.”

“When you are playing, you are naturally a bit more restricted in terms of what you can and cannot do. This time, I have been able to take everything in and experience some of the best parts of South Africa whenever I have not been working.”

The football has not been the only highlight.

“Absolutely,” he laughs when asked about whether he is enjoying South Africa’s food and culture.

“I have enjoyed some great food, listened to good music in all the right places, and had one or two drinks since it is my off-season.”

“It has been nice to enjoy everything outside of work because, once I head back home, it will be time to focus on my other job, which is still playing football. Pre-season will begin, and everything will become much more serious again.”

For now, though, Troost-Ekong watches on as an analyst rather than a player — still carrying the disappointment of Nigeria’s absence, but optimistic that Africa’s story at this FIFA World Cup is far from finished.

If Morocco can overcome France on Thursday night, they will not only keep their own dream alive, but also continue carrying the hopes of a continent still chasing its greatest-ever World Cup achievement.

Watch Morocco vs France live on SuperSport this Thursday at 22:00 CAT, as SuperSport continues to bring you every moment of the FIFA World Cup—live, unrivalled and in one place.

SOURCE: SuperSport

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Le FC Barcelone a officialisé la nomination de Benjamin Kugel au poste de préparateur physique au sein du staff de Hansi Flick. Ce renfort s’inscrit dans la volonté de l’entraîneur allemand de s’entourer de collaborateurs de confiance avant le début de la nouvelle saison.

Une collaboration de longue date avec Hansi Flick

Benjamin Kugel retrouve un visage bien connu en la personne de Hansi Flick. Les deux hommes ont travaillé ensemble pendant plusieurs années au sein de la Fédération allemande de football, où Kugel a occupé un rôle clé dans la préparation physique de la sélection nationale. Cette collaboration a notamment été marquée par le sacre de l’Allemagne lors de la Coupe du monde 2014, une réussite à laquelle le nouveau préparateur physique du Barça a contribué en coulisses grâce à son expertise.

Une solide expérience à travers l’Europe

Avant de rejoindre le FC Barcelone, Benjamin Kugel a bâti une carrière riche dans plusieurs clubs européens de renom. Il a notamment exercé au Werder Brême, au FC Cologne, au PSV Eindhoven ainsi qu’à Benfica, développant une réputation de spécialiste reconnu dans la préparation physique de haut niveau. Son parcours, partagé entre le football de clubs et la sélection allemande, constitue un atout important pour le staff de Hansi Flick, qui souhaite mettre en place des standards physiques élevés.

Le Barça poursuit la mise en place de son projet

Avec cette nomination, le FC Barcelone confirme sa volonté de renforcer chaque secteur de son organisation sportive. L’arrivée du technicien allemand vient compléter le staff de Hansi Flick, déterminé à préparer son effectif dans les meilleures conditions afin de relever les défis de la saison à venir.

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Relebohile Mofokeng’s move to Belgian champions Royale Union Saint-Gilloise is exactly the kind of transfer South African football should be celebrating. It represents ambition, belief and the willingness to step outside his comfort zone in pursuit of greatness.

Mofokeng must stay the course

Mofokeng must never find himself falling into the trap that has caught far too many South African footballers who have made the move abroad. Too often, players return home before they have truly given themselves a chance to succeed.

They come back to the familiar surroundings of the PSL, where life is comfortable, the language and culture is familiar to them, and they are already recognised wherever they go.

The PSL remains one of the strongest and best-paying leagues on the continent, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, for the country’s brightest talents, it should be viewed as a launchpad rather than the final destination.

I won’t mention names, but there has been a recurring pattern of Bafana Bafana players struggling to cope with the realities of living and playing in a foreign country.

Football is more demanding, expectations are higher and nothing is handed to you. Success requires patience, resilience and a willingness to fight through difficult periods. That is why I hope we don’t see Mofokeng back in the PSL anytime soon, regardless of how challenging things become in Belgium.

The 21-year-old is leaving behind everything that has made him comfortable. He is entering an environment where nobody owes him anything and where he must prove himself all over again.

It will be cold, lonely and frustrating. There will be moments of self-doubt, but those moments should strengthen his resolve rather than weaken it.

Coach Hugo Broos has already warned that Mofokeng may not feature regularly during his first six months in Belgium because the club could place him on a programme to improve his physical strength.

No need to panic

If that proves to be the case, neither the player nor the public should panic. Development is rarely linear, and patience will be essential. Equally, he shouldn’t lose his place in the Bafana squad, even if he is not playing every week.

Exposure to a higher standard of football and a demanding environment will ultimately make him a better player than regular football in his comfort zone. Few people realise just how close Mofokeng came to joining German powerhouse Bayer Leverkusen.

That alone should tell us how highly he is regarded beyond South Africa. If he remains patient and continues to develop, there is every reason to believe an even bigger move could follow in the future.

Credit must also go to Orlando Pirates for allowing him to spread his wings rather than standing in the way of his progress. As a patriot and someone who believes South Africa’s best talent should test itself at the highest level possible, I can only wish Mofokeng well.

His move should serve as a reminder to every young footballer in this country that real growth begins when you are prepared to leave your comfort zone behind.

Renato Marin part en prêt au Portugal après une saison au PSG.

Après un an au PSG, le gardien de 19 ans, Renato Marin quitte le club parisien et part en prêt au CD National, 14e du dernier exercice du championnat portugais. Le portier italo-brésilien avait signé dans le club de Ligue 1 en provenance de l’AS Roma.

La saison passée, celui qui était troisième gardien dans la hiérarchie des gardiens du groupe de Luis Enrique a joué trois matchs. Marin est devenu champion de France avec deux matchs disputés contre Lorient (2-2, J32) et Brest (1-0, J33). Le club parisien voit un deuxième jouer partir après le départ de Gonçalo Ramos vers l’AC Milan.

The post PSG : Le gardien Renato Marin part en prêt au Portugal au CD Nacional appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has described their loss to Norway as the beginning of a “new adventure”.

The Brazilians journey in the World Cup came to an end after they suffered a 2-1 defeat in the Last 16 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Norway will now go on to face England in the quarter-finals when they square off on Saturday.

Ancelotti admitted his side deserved more from their World Cup defeat to Norway, insisting they controlled the match for long periods before Erling Haaland proved decisive.

“I think we deserved to win the game,” Ancelotti told FIFA.

“We knew they could play that way; they tried to maintain the intensity of the game by retaining possession. We had the game under control for 70 minutes, but Haaland ended up deciding it.

“A defeat is the beginning of a new adventure.

“We have to keep improving, to find new ideas. It is not an end, it is the start of a new cycle.”

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