NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
10 Africans unsettled in the English Premier League: #3 Joel Matip
The January transfer window is a few weekends away. In our anticipation and excitement of possible moves, we have taken to lay down 10 “unsettled” African stars in the English top flight, the Premier League. Number 3 on our list is a former Cameroonian international.
Joel Matip of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield on September 22, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
(Sept. 21, 2018 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
Of course, it is nice to see the likes of Mo Salah, Percy Tau and Hakim Ziyech shine for their nations over the most recent international break but it also raises questions about some popular names who are finding themselves in sticky situations. There are a number of African players dubbed to be the next Sergio Ramos and Xavis of this world but are currently unsettled at club level. Their potential is endangered by their lack of game time. Here’s a list of the XI players whose progress has stalled. What better time to look at these than now when the January transfer window is fast encroaching?
CB – Joel Matip
The former Cameroon captain is another African player based in the English Premier League that is finding minutes very hard to come by. Joel Matip has been pushed further away from the first team by the resurgence of Englishman Joe Gomez who has cemented his position alongside Virgil Van Dijk in the centre of the Liverpool team’s defence. Matip, widely regarded as a wall in the German Bundesliga for his heroic antics in blocking threats from his goal, has gradually lost his X-factor at the Anfield club where he is continuously in and out of the team. It seems that he is still the same player from Germany when watching him play but without a guaranteed place in the team.
Verdict: Matip needs a manager who trusts in the 27-year-old’s abilities to fulfil his potential and Klopp is not looking like the right manager for him. There are greener pastures!
African midfield trio help Fulham secure a point against Watford
Here is our pick of the premier league weekend. Second half changes saw a midfield three with a Togolese, Ivorian and Cameroonian player propel Fulham to a valuable point against Watford.
The Premier League weekend kicked off with new boys Fulham welcoming highflying Watford who had won all of their first four matches, only losing to Jose Mourinho and Manchester United in the fifth. It is in games with opposition outside the so called “big six” that the Whites’ big money signing, Jean Michel Seri would be expected to really have a go, splash his creative juices and run the match from start to finish. As expected, Watford proved to be a tricky opposition, forcing the Craven Cottagers to start on the back foot after Andre Gray had put the visitors ahead in the second minute.
The Ivorian, Seri and his teammates were forced to play ping pong basic football as the Premier League fourth placed team showed why they had done so well in their first matches of the season. There was simply no place for Jean Michel Seri and his creative juices to flow in the first half. Watford’s defence marshalled by Belgian-Congolese, Christian Kabasele was as cool as ice, pocketing Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic who had proved lethal in all his Fulham matches from the time he was loaned from Newcastle and most recently when they made the move permanent in the summer. Up front, a much slimmer Troy Deeney who recently lost close to 6.4kilos in weight continued enjoying dividends of his new shape as he partnered with Andre Gray. It was business as usual in the midfield and the flanks as arguably Watford’s best player of the campaign so far, Roberto Pereyra, William Hughes and Abdoulaye Doucoure emerged as a superior backbone while Holebas ran up and down the left wing at will. After watching the first-half, one would be tempted to conclude that Fulham could be easily one of the easiest candidates for relegation and that their over £100 million expenditure on transfers in the summer was misdirected. However, things took a different twist in the second forty-five minutes.
Floyd Ayite of Fulham and Daryl Janmaat of Watford in action during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Watford FC at Craven Cottage on September 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
(Sept. 21, 2018 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
“With Seri, Ayite and 22-year old Anguissa now deployed as Fulham’s backbone, tables turned. The West-African flavor now present, helped bring the best out of everyone else at the Cottage. ”
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa of Fulham in action during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Watford FC at Craven Cottage on September 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
(Sept. 21, 2018 - Source: Steve Bardens/Getty Images Europe)
Fulham Manager, Slavisa Jokanovic made two changes in the midfield of three, bringing in Togolese international, Floyd Ayite and Cameroonian prodigy, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa who joined them in the summer from French Ligue 1 side, Marseille. With Seri, Ayite and 22-year old Anguissa now deployed as Fulham’s backbone, tables turned. The West-African flavor now present, helped bring the best out of everyone else at the Cottage. England teenager, Ryan Sessegnon found his rhythm in the left-wing back position putting out any fires and racing upfield at the slightest of opportunities. He even burst his nose at some point but changed his shirt and ran back into the match. Argentine Luciano Vietto on loan from Atletico Madrid got his playmaker instincts resuscitated as a more spirited Fulham led from the midfield by the Ivory Coast-Togo-Cameroon trio pressed for an equalizer.
It eventually came in the 78th minute as Vietto won the ball on the left flank and setup Mitrovic for his fifth goal of the season launching him to the top of EPL scoring charts alongside Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. He could have had a second but Watford goalkeeper, Ben Forster was equal to every challenge and ensured the match finished tied at one goal apiece. Mitrovic who was pocketed the entire first-half of the match by Kabasele now looked the most dangerous player on the pitch. The African midfield personnel deployed in the second half by Fulham really lifted the spirit of the team and their game play.
The question for Jokanovic now will be whether he will stick to his guns or sacrifice even the captain of the team, Kevin McDonald to deploy Seri, Anguissa and Ayite? Oh perhaps change the tactics to accommodate all? Only time will tell. Fulham will visit Everton this coming weekend before welcoming Arsenal at the Craven Cottage the following one.
As for Cameroon, Togo and Ivory Coast, they will be delighted with their boys repping them in style. With the AFCON 2019 Qualifiers continuing in October and the tournament itself kicking off in June next year, there is no better way to prepare for the showdown than deciding Premier League matches.
Jean Michael Seri of Fulham runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Watford FC at Craven Cottage on September 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
(Sept. 21, 2018 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
CAF President Ahmad Questions Cameroon's Ability to host AFCON 2019
Already having cast doubts of Cameroon’s AFON 2019 hosting viability, Ahmad questions if the West African nation can assemble the resources and infrastructure needed for a 24 team tournament.
More doubt has been cast by the Confederation of African Football over Cameroon’s ability to host next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, with CAF President Ahmad Ahmad raising the possibility that the tournament may be moved.
This isn’t the first time President Ahmad has expressed doubt in Cameroon’s ability to hold AFCON 2019. With the Confederation of African Football’s decision to expand the tournament from 16 to 24 teams made back in July 2017, the demand for up to snuff infrastructure has been a source of increased tension between the federation and host nation.
After an inspection in February, CAF President Ahmad Ahmad urged Cameroon to improve their efforts to convince the federation of their viability as hosts after the inspection revealed that preparations were behind schedule.
CAF President Ahmad Ahmad AFP/Getty Images
Now a year after challenging Cameroon to prove they can host AFCON, taking place between June 7th and 30th 2019, President Ahmad has once again raised the possibility that the tournament could be moved.
"I am not sure Cameroon is ready to host the AFCON," he told KweséESPN. "There are many things which are still wanting and yet there is little time left.
"It would be dangerous to risk African players, especially the professionals plying their trade in Europe and other continents, to play under difficult conditions and facilities."
It must be said that there seems to be a small fount of pressure coming from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s official offer to support Cameroon’s hosting efforts. Even though in March, Fouzi Lekjaa, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation President, moved to end speculation regarding next year's AFCON during a press conference during the ongoing CAF Women's Football Symposium, let’s think about it from CAF’s perspective for a second.
With less than a year until AFCON 2019, to express doubt in a nation’s preparations suggests the federation may have contingencies to fall back on. Even though Morocco was eventually looked over by FIFA in their selection of North America as World Cup 2026 hosts, they proved during that process that they had the resources and infrastructure to ensure the potential of a positive, professional, and safe experience for the players and fans alike on that scale.
Dieudonne Happi, the chairman of the Normalisation Committee appointed to run the Cameroonian Football Association said it was a historical moment to see that Morocco is ready to come in and help them stage the biennial tournament.
““There must be no more of the rumours that have been circulating for some time,” he added. “The relationship between the governments of Morocco and Cameroon have come a long way.”
FECAFOOT holding a press conference in Cameroon addressing AFCON preparation.
"This is real brotherhood because the governments of the two countries have always been close," added the FECAFOOT chief. "This puts an end to all rumours. There is no way we can fail to help each other."
In addition to the indirect pressure for Morocco, CAF President Ahmad further expressed the possibility of the tournament being moved by urging Cameroon to be ready.
"If you are not ready, come out open and say you are not ready," Ahmad urged, but will be ready next time.
"In 1996, Burkina Faso was supposed to host the AFCON but said they were not ready, and South Africa took up the chance to host."
Should Cameroon retain the 2019 event, it’ll be the first time they've hosted AFCON since the 1972 edition, which was won by the Republic of Congo after defeating Mali 3-2 in the final.
CAF Afcon inspection committee in Cameroon/Journal Du Cameroon
"If you asked me”, President Ahmad added,” Cameroon would be the best country to host the AFCON now because of their football history, but there are still some questions about their readiness to host a successful tournament.
"Cameroon are still having big problems with infrastructure like the pitches and even hotels," added Ahmad. "Equatorial Guinea jumped in at the last moment to host 2015 AFCON and this can also happen."
The CAF are expected to officially pronounce whether or not Cameroon will retain their hosting rights during the CAF Extraordinary General Assembly to be held on September 30 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. We wait with bated breath.
World Cup Rush: Lauren believes history will repeat itself for African teams
"To be honest with you I can't see any of them go further than the quarter-finals."
Former Arsenal and Cameroonian international, Lauren has assessed Africa’s world cup chances and came to a conclusion that there can be no light at the end of the tunnel. Lauren believes that amongst Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, and Tunisia - none of them will get past the last eight. The former defender believes that the management of African teams and the football culture as a whole needs some “structural” changes if performance on the global stage is to improve. He is also convinced his experiences have positioned him to add value to the footballing world.
“To be honest with you I can’t see any of them go further than the quarter-finals. This is my honest opinion because we are still one step behind the top teams. I don’t like to lie to people. I am very honest, I speak my mind because we don’t do things the right way.It happens in football, it happens in so many other African societies. But maybe I will try to help African football with the knowledge I have got about business and how to do things in a structural way”
Lauren represented Cameroon at the world cup finals in France 1998 and Japan/South Korea 2002. To date, the best performers from Africa have only managed to go as far as the quarter-finals. Cameroon first achieved the feat in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and most recently, Ghana in 2010.
Hugo Broos Unsure of Cameroonian Future
The 2017 AFCON winning coach admits that he is uncertain of his future at the Indomitable Lions.
The 2017 AFCON winning coach admits that he is uncertain of his future at the Indomitable Lions. He was quoted comparing his situation to a soap opera after leaked documents revealed that the country’s football body wants him out. Broos wants his future resolved by the 15th of December. After an impressive AFCON 2017 victory in February with Cameroon with the youngest team in the tournament, Broos’ men looked a shadow of themselves in this past summer’s Confederations Cup. Cameroon tallied 1 point across 3 matches, as they failed to build on the momentum from their Gabon triumph. With the team’s identity and leadership now in question, we’ll be keeping a close eye on developments here. Read more on Broos’ reaction here.