NEWS
Africa has Football talent, says Rwanda President Paul Kagame
The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame has made it clear that there is a lot of football talent in the African continent.
“Africa has talent. There’s no doubt about it but our best players should not need to always move abroad to unleash their full potential,” said Kagame after receiving the CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022 in a function that took place at the Serena Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda.
Kagame together with His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco where recognized by CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe in their effort and contribution towards developing the game on the continent.
Dr. Motsepe who was accompanied by the FIFA President Gianni Infantino conferred the Awards to Kagame and the representative of King Mohammed VI and Minister of Education, Preschool and Sports, Chakib Benmoussa. The event was also attended by some Member Association Presidents and legends.
In his acceptance speak, the Rwanda President who has supported Football in the continent and has also financially supported the regional CECAFA Club Championship for over 10 years said he was happy to receive the Award with both hands.
He pointed out that throughout their struggles in Rwanda’s history, football has played a key role in uniting people. But he made it clear that a lot of effort is needed so that the best football talent in Africa does not go abroad. Kagame commended the work being done by CAF president Motsepe and FIFA head Infantino to develop the sport on the continent.
On behalf of the King of Morocco, Benmoussa thanked the CAF President for the Award and also announced that the Kingdom of Morocco has decided, together with Spain and Portugal to present a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
Dr. Motsepe said it was a special day for African football where two individuals who have contributed greatly to the development of football as a sport, were recognized.
“This ceremony today is in acknowledgment of the significant manner in which they have contributed to the development of African football,” he said, pointing out that in order for African football to progress further, partnership is needed among the 54 African nations.
Rwanda will also host the 73rd FIFA Congress at the BK Arena in Kigali 16th, March 2023.
The national team of Sudan defeated Tanzania 2-1 in an international friendly match played last evening in Saudi Arabia.
Aldhayib Abdirizak gave the Sudan team the lead after 11 minutes at the King Fahad Stadium. Issa Vitalis made it 2-0 for Sudan after 27 minutes.
But after the break, the youthful Tanzanian side led by Belgian based professional Kelvin John pushed forward in search of goals. Ahmad Ibrahim Ahmada Hilika pulled out back for Taifa Stars after 80 minutes.
Kwasi Appiah, the Sudan head coach said that he was happy with the opportunity to have the friendly match to help him test the players.
Taifa Stars acting coach Hemed Morocco said his players made some mistakes early in the game, but improved later after recess. The two teams will face-off again o Saturday in another friendly match.
The two teams are using the friendly matches to prepare ahead of the matches next month for the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Sudan are placed second in Group B with 4 points, while Tanzania are fourth in Group E with three points in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
The CECAFA Kagame Cup 2024 will take place in Tanzania.
The regional tournament organised under the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) will take place from July 20th to 4th August, 2024.
John Auka Gecheo, the CECAFA Executive Director has confirmed that some guest sides will take part in the tournament which will return this year after it was last held in 2021.
“We are glad that this tournament will be returning after two years to provide a brilliant preseason platform for the teams to prepare better before the start of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League, CAF Confederations Cup and the different Leagues back home,” dded Gecheo.
He explained that besides the respective Premier League champions from the 12 Members Associations including Zanzibar, CECAFA will also invite some other teams to spice up the tournament.
Uganda’s Express FC beat guest side Nyasa Big Bullets from Malawi 1-0 in the final when the tournament was last held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 2021. Tanzania’s Simba SC have lifted the CECAFA Kagame Cup a record six times, while Young Africans SC (Tanzania) and Tusker FC (Kenya) five times each. The teams that have lifted the title three times each include; APR FC (Rwanda), Al Merriekh (Sudan), SC Villa (Uganda) and Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC.
Young Africans SC have retained the Tanzania Premier League title.
Coach Miguel Gamondi’s team brushed a side Mtibwa FC 3-1 in a League match played on Monday at the Manungu Complex in Morogoro to claim the 2023/2024 title.
Charles Ilanfya gave the home side a 1-0 first half lead, but Young Africans SC fought back after recess to score three.
Goals by Kennedy Musonda, an own goal by Nasry Kombo and Clement Nzie were enough to see Young Africans SC collect vital three points.
The win sent Young Africans SC to 71 points with three more matches to play, while Azam FC are second on 60 points and Simba SC third with 57 points.
” I want to thank the players for the hard work. Playing against Mtibwa FC was not an easy match, but am glad the players worked hard and won. It has been a very busy season of hard work and am grateful to the players and management, ” said Gamondi.
The Argentine made it clear that Young Africans SC has what it takes to win several titles and now they will complete the League and other tournaments locally before starting to plan well for next season.
Gamondi also guided Young Africans SC to the quarter final stage of the 2023/2024 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League where they lost 3-2 in penalties to Mamelodi Sundowns FC of South Africa.
Taifa Stars defender Novatus Dismas Miroshi has helped FC Shakhtar Donetsk win the 2023/2024 Ukrainian Premier League title.
Shakhtar Donetsk won the title after seeing off arch-rivals, Dynamo Kyiv, winning 1-0 in a League match played last Saturday.
The win sent Shakhtar Donetsk top with 70 points with two matches to yet to be played, while Dynamo Kyiv have 63 points. Shakhtar Donetsk will now represent Ukraine in the UEFA Champions League 2024/2025 qualification.
The young Miroshi has been with Shakhtar Donetsk after moving on loan from the Belgian Zulte Waregem in the summer.
Miroshi who has lately been a main player for the Taifa Stars also featured for the national team at the TotalEnergies Caf Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Cote d’Ivoire early this year.
Apart from Miroshi, FC Shakhtar Donetsk also boost of another African player Lassina Traore from Burkina Faso.
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