FT African Legends Series: Didier Drogba, the irreplaceable Chelsea legend

After a short while, we have to reminisce the good old days. The times when African legends where still around, playing their best football in front of a crowd of tens of thousands, and millions behind a screen. This week, we focus on Didier Drogba, the Chelsea legend who had an illustrious career in England before moving to China and the MLS to wind down his career. Most people know about his highs, the times when he was the king of Stamford Bridge and a constant menace in a head to head against Arsenal. But what about the times when his career looked in jeopardy? Here’s the other side to Didier Drogba’s story.

“Two years later, Didier Drogba  returned to the club he had helped win their first and only UEFA Champions League trophy to date. He claimed that the decision was made easy by the fact that it was the Special One, Jose Mourinho who made the call and wanted him again back at the club. Although this time as backup to Diego Costa, Drogba’s presence was invaluable.”

— Tinotenda Magiya, FirstTouch Africa

The Ivorian striker was brought to London by the current Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho who was in charge of Chelsea at the time. He brought the African talent with the hope of being a backup to the Ukrainian Andriy Shevchenko, a £31 million investment made by the club in 2006. Although Drogba had arrived a year earlier, he was meant to be a temporary measure as Mourinho sought for his dream striker. Shevchenko went straight into the team but failed to live up to expectations. Didier kept his head down and found the net whenever he was handed an opportunity. In no time, it was evident that the African forward was Chelsea’s best bet as Shevchenko struggled to score more than 10 goals in the 48 matches he played between 2006 and 2009. Drogba survived that test and marched on in the blue colors.

Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates with fans and the trophy after the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on May 24, 2015 in London, England. Chelsea were crowned Premier League champions.

(May 24, 2015 - Source: Mike Hewitt Premier League/Getty Images Europe)

Shortly after, the club invested in the experienced Nicolas Anelka to give competition to the Ivorian centre forward who had personalized the number 9 spot. In fact, Anelka came with so much reputation that he was expected to start ahead of Didier Drogba as they challenged for the UEFA Champions League. They eventually lost the final to local rivals Manchester United but Didier Drogba was by far one of their best players in the team. In the end, Drogba created a formidable partnership with Anelka and Malouda in a season which saw the club win back to back FA Cup titles in 2008/09 and 2009/10 as well as lifting the English Premier League title in the 2009/10 season. The Chelsea legend overcame yet another hurdle set in front of him by the then Chelsea coach, Avram Grant. Drogba proved his worth and landed a place in the First XI of the West London club.

Former Ivorian footballer Didier Drogba (R) and Noel Gallagher present Mohamed Salah of Liverpool with the trophy for the FIFA Puskas Award 2018 during the The Best FIFA Football Awards Show at Royal Festival Hall on September 24, 2018 in London, England.

(Sept. 23, 2018 - Source: Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe)

As if these two tests were not enough, Chelsea made a mouthwatering £50 million bid for Liverpool forward, Fernando Torres in January 2011. El Niño was bought by Carlo Ancelotti because he suited the Italian’s style of play more than the traditional centre forward in Drogba. The African did not feel threatened by this record breaking signing as he was confident in his abilities. He humbly accepted being dropped to the bench and continued to work tirelessly in training to prove that he could still lead the line at Chelsea like he had done for 6 years. At the end of the 2010/11 season he scored a total of 11 goals as compared to Torres’ one goal which he scored in 14 appearances. The following season saw a significant amount of game time limited for Drogba which explains his 5 goals in the English Premier League. Even still, Torres had scored one more goal than him but the number of minutes he had played in 2012 , did not justify such a low return. As a result, Didier Drogba left the club of his dreams for greener pastures.

Two years later, Didier Drogba  returned to the club he had helped win their first and only UEFA Champions League trophy to date. He claimed that the decision was made easy by the fact that it was the Special One, Jose Mourinho who made the call and wanted him again back at the club. Although this time as backup to Diego Costa, Drogba’s presence was invaluable. His influence in the dressing room saw a disjointed Chelsea team return back to the top and win the English Premier League in his first season back at the club. The Blues claimed the 2014/15 crown as well as winning the Football League Cup that same year. He scored a total of 7 goals across all competitions in his last stint at the club that recognize the African great as one of their Legends. Although he did not play much, he still contributed to the success of the club. Because of that, Didier Drogba will never be forgotten by the Chelsea fans.

Didier Drogba is irreplaceable!

Reminiscing the globetrotting career of Kevin Prince-Boateng

“After playing for ten European clubs across the Bundesliga, English Premier League ,and the Italian Serie A, he is still going and doesn’t look like he will hang his boots anytime soon.”

— Tinotenda Magiya, FirstTouch Africa

There is so much to talk about when it comes to the career of the peculiar Ghanaian, Kevin Prince Boateng. Who does not remember his days at AC Milan when he played with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and crew or his heroic efforts at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa where Ghana proudly carried the weight of the entire continent on its shoulders. The half-brother to the German footballer, Jerome Boateng, has enjoyed an illustrious career but it was not all rainbows and unicorns. The player came from humble beginnings and faced many setbacks to be where he is today. This is the untold story of an African child and star, Kevin Prince Boateng.

Humble Beginnings

Kevin-Prince Boateng of AC Milan wears th jersey against racism during the Serie A match between AC Milan and AC Siena at San Siro Stadium on January 6, 2013 in Milan, Italy.

(Jan. 5, 2013 - Source: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe)

The Ghanaian international was born in Germany and started his career at Hertha Berlin. He was not quite an early bloomer as he made his first team debut at the age of 20. He later moved to Tottenham in a deal reported to be worth £5.4million. His success at the club was limited and got loaned to Borussia Dortmund in 2009 where he had a decent showing in front of the Dortmund fans. Financial constraints meant that the club could not secure his services on a permanent basis which later saw him moving to Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Days

It was at Portsmouth that he started showing signs of a potential World Cup player despite his issues with anger management. Although he led his club to the FA Cup final, he also went on to injure Michael Ballack’s ankle in retaliation to a slap that he claimed to have received from German international who was at Chelsea at the time. That is the incident that made him unpopular among the German fans. Kevin Prince-Boateng then moved to Genoa in 2010 who immediately loaned him to AC Milan who made it permanent a year later.

The Big Move

The move to Milan is what brought attention to an attacking prodigy that had been flying under the radar. In the past decade, not many Africans were being trusted in that Number 10 role that players like Mesut Ozil have made a name for themselves in. It's quite difficult to remember one who played in that position aside from Kevin Prince. Since then, only Younes Belhanda and Ziyech are the notable Africans who have played as an attacking midfielder in Europe. Boateng  became a highlight reel at the club where he won the Italian Serie A in the 2010/11 season before following that up with the Super Coppa Italiana later that year.

Fight against Racism

Kevin Prince Boateng and Jonathan Mensah of Ghana challenge Jozy Altidore of the United States during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Round of Sixteen match between USA and Ghana at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on June 26, 2010 in Rustenburg, South Africa.

(June 25, 2010 - Source: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe)

Several Milan players were the targets of racial chants from a section of the Pro Patria crowd in a friendly match back in 2013. The former Ghanaian international reacted by kicking the ball into the stands before leaving the pitch, and his teammates followed him off.

Life after Milan

Boateng has always been on the move as he has played for FC Schalke, Las Palmas, Eintracht Frankfurt and Sassuolo since his departure from Milan in 2013. He, however, had a brief spell when he returned to the Italian club in 2016 but it was short lived as his contract was canceled by the club by mutual consent. Kevin is still pretty much an active footballer wearing the Sassuolo colors and turned 31 in March. After playing for ten European clubs across the Bundesliga, English Premier League and Italian Serie A, he is still going and doesn’t look like he will hang his boots soon.

What’s your favorite memory of Kevin Prince-Boateng?

2018 Women’s AFCON: Heroines Without Capes

As an African woman myself, I know that whenever you show an interest in “manly” sports like soccer, a good number of your neighbours will start questioning your sexuality. Once you start playing it, it does not get any better because you are told that nobody will marry you as your soccer will scare men away. In spite of all these stereotypes, there are women who have not just played soccer but have taken a huge societal stance, and are going to represent their nations.

As you pack your bags to Accra, Ghana for the 2018 Total Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, here is a list of five women that you should look out for as they fly the flags of their countries high.

Jermaine Seoposenwe of South Africa tackles Jessica Samuelsson of Sweden during the Women's Group E first round match between Sweden and South Africa during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 3, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Aug. 2, 2016 - Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)

“There will of course be oozing talent, excellent tactics and impressive dribbles that will leave us yearning for more from others as well. Most importantly, this tournament will continue to combat the stereotype that soccer is a manly sport. Soccer is a passion that can be pursued by anyone, regardless of their gender.”

— Simiso Shabangu, FirstTouch Africa

Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria

Hillia Kobblah of Ghana challenges Simone Laudehr of Germany during the women's international friendly match between Germnay and Ghana at Benteler Arena on July 22, 2016 in Paderborn, Germany.

(July 21, 2016 - Source: Lars Baron/Bongarts)

After winning the Africa’s Female Footballer of the Year award in 2017, the 23-year old Nigerian has been rising from grace to glory. She has appeared for the Super Falcons in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. She was with Liverpool ladies in 2013, before she was taken by Arsenal Ladies in 2016. She is currently in China where she is not just playing for the China Dalian Quanjian FC, but has been crowned the best striker in the Chinese Women’s Super League. We are waiting expectantly to see what she will do for Nigeria in November 2018..

Barbra Banda, Zambia

She is currently hailed as the Zambian Sportswoman of the Year and she was She-polopolo’s top scorer in the 2017 Cosafa Women’s Championship. Notably, she is the reason why the Zambian team is even present at the tournament as she scored the winning goal against the Mighty Warriors of Zimbabwe. The striker’s tactics has wowed the whole of Southern Africa and we hope she will also grace the continent with her skills as it gathers in Ghana.

Grace Asentwaa, Ghana

She is only 17 but the midfielder was crowned player of the match in Ghana’s game against New Zealand in the final group game at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. If this young lady does grace us at the tournament, keep your eyes on her. It is inspiring and quite powerful to have someone at her age who has developed her passion to the level that Grace has. She is a gem for now and the future of global football.

Thembi Kgatlana , South Africa

Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa runs with the ball during the Women's Group E first round match between South Africa and China PR on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Aug. 5, 2016 - Source: Harry How/Getty Images South America)

The 22-year old was so instrumental in South Africa’s COSAFA Women’s Championship in Zimbabwe that she left with the Player of the Tournament award. As if that was not enough, she has also been nominated for the African Player of the Year Award. This means that in this tournament, we will not just be looking out for her spectacular performance on the field, but we will be watching if she takes this award away as well. She is not just the top goal scorer in her team, but she also represented the University Sports South Africa National Team at the World Student Games in Taipei, Taiwan.

Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene, Cameroon

She is also nominated for the Female CAF Player of the Year Award, but this is not the first time the recognition has shone on her. She was the best Player at 2016 Africa Cup of Nations. As we can guess, this title does not just fall on anyone, but it comes as a result of hard work and unquestionably splendid performances. These are some of the things that are drawing us towards this 29-year old Cameroonian player. She is currently progressing her career with Rossiyanka in the Russian Championship.

This is not in anyway a comprehensive list of the women that we should look out for in this tournament. There will of course be oozing talent, excellent tactics and impressive dribbles that will leave us yearning for more from others as well. Most importantly, this tournament will continue to combat the stereotype that soccer is a manly sport. Soccer is a passion that can be pursued by anyone, regardless of their gender.

Three reasons why you should watch the South African League

Andile Jali of Pirates and Luka Modric of Tottenham compete during the 2011 Vodacom Challenge final match between Orlando Pirates and Tottenham Hotspur at Coca Cola Stadium on July 23, 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

(July 22, 2011 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

Many times we soccer enthusiasts particularly rate European leagues highly because of the exciting and competitive nature of the game in those leagues. These include the English Premier League which is the most watched football league in the world, followed by the Spanish La Liga. But, what about the leagues in Africa? Is there really not something to look forward to in African Soccer Leagues? Certainly not. In this article we take a closer look at the South African Premier League, commonly known as the Absa Premiership and we provide some insights as to why you should highly consider taking some time and watch South African football.

1. It is the home of the famous “Vuvuzela”

African football is mostly known for the strong passion from football supporters who sing their favourite songs about their teams while also chanting songs about their favourite players. In South Africa, the fans do the most. They go above and beyond just singing songs but they add some flavour by blowing their vuvuzelas which most believe helps cheer the players on the pitch. The vuvuzela took centre stage during the memorable FIFA world cup which was held in South Africa back in 2010. The world was introduced to the vuvuzela and most liked the sound it makes when blown. That said, the ABSA premier league provides an endless opportunity for fans wishing to experience and witness how the vuvuzela is blown.

“the Absa premiership has become popular for the showboating exploits demonstrated by some of the players. The famous shibobos and crazy dribbling all add up to the things that make this league appreciated and exciting to watch.”

— Siphosethu Thwala, FirstTouch Africa

2. It is one of the most valuable and richest leagues in Africa

Yep it is. With a prize money of 10 million rands (USD 672 000), coupled with cup competitions (MTN 8, Nedbank Cup and Telkom Knockout) that make up a total prize money of close to 20 million rands up for grabs. This league certainly warrants the attention of true football lovers. Because of its value, the Absa Premier League has caught and attracted the attention of some famous footballers and in turn improved the quality of the league over time. Such players include Zimbabwe’s Benjani Mwaruwari who used to play for Jomo Cosmos before moving to the EPL in Portsmouth colors and eventually Manchester City not forgetting Knowledge Musona widely known as the “Smiling Assassin” who used to play for Kaizer Chiefs and now plies his trade in the Belgian First Division A for the most successful club in that league, Anderlecht.The legendary Roger Feutmba who used to don the jersey of Bafana Ba Style in Mamelodi Sundowns and scoring goals as a hobby. In present times, the league has produced quality players such as the South African internationals Itumeleng Khune, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Percy Tau, just to name a few, all who have become household names.

3. It is home to one of the biggest derbies in the world

Pirates fans celebrate during the Absa Premiership Final match between Orlando Pirates and the Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium on May 21, 2011 in Soweto, South Africa.

(May 20, 2011 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

Lest we forget, the Absa premiership also hosts two of the best teams in South Africa which happen to be arch rivals, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. These two emanate from the same famous South African township, Soweto in Johannesburg. As such, twice a season, both Chiefs and Pirates lock horns in the infamous “Soweto derby” which is watched by more than 90 000 fans at the biggest stadium in South Africa, FNB Stadium. Moreover, the Soweto derby is watched by millions of other football lovers and usually the country comes to a standstill when it is derby time because of the rich and intense rivalry between both sets of the teams’ fans. Personally I have experienced watching the derby countless times and trust me it becomes more than just a game, the passion is real!

Apart from the above reasons, the Absa premiership has become popular for the showboating exploits demonstrated by some of the players. The famous shibobos and crazy dribbling all add up to the things that make this league appreciated and exciting to watch for fans that follow it. With all said and said, don’t you think it's time to widen your viewing appetite and watch the ABSA premier league? I certainly think so.

CAF President Ahmad Questions Cameroon's Ability to host AFCON 2019

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.”

— Dieudonne Happi, the chairman of the Normalisation Committee FECAFOOT

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.

Liverpool making the right noises – Thanks to the Africans

The English Premier League is back with a bang, and some teams have already started looking promising. Manchester City shuttered Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in Matchday 1 and thrashed Huddersfield in a 6-1 win at home the following week. These results are not surprising at all considering how the Cityzens ended their season last year with a record-breaking 100 points after 38 games. Liverpool however went all out in the transfer market to beef up their squad after their bitter loss at the hands of Real Madrid in UEFA Champions League final a couple of months ago. Since then, there has been talk about them being ready to mount a title challenge in the league this year. Rightly so because they have already picked up wins in the first two matches they played against West Ham United and Crystal Palace. One thing that has been quite interesting though is their core of players who are of African heritage. Let’s look at what these players bring to the table.

Naby Keita of Liverpool is closed down by Andros Townsend of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park on August 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Aug. 19, 2018 - Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe)

Naby Keïta is the latest addition to the Merseyside team after he joined the club in a $67.6 million deal from RB Leipzig. We wrote earlier, about how the 23-year-old midfielder from Guinea was the missing piece of the spine of the Liverpool after they sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January 2017. We are starting to see the signs of a midfield general that dictates play when in possession and is not afraid to instigate the press whenever the team loses the ball. Keïta looks ready to emulate Steven Gerrard’s role in the team where the Englishman was the pinnacle of all the attacks in the team. Keita looks to have the engine to bomb up and down the pitch which has become one of the most significant assets of modern midfield players. Think of the likes of N’golo Kante.

Mo Salah. Not much needs to be said about him other than that he looks as sharp as ever. The Egyptian forward will bring the goals to Liverpool. That is certain after watching him bossing the best of defenders last season and scoring a record 31 goals in his first season in Liverpool. Although he could have a tough time this round now that the players know him and how he plays, still he poses a threat to any team with his blistering pace. Liverpool will be looking to pick another 3 points this weekend against Brighton, a match that will be aired at 12.30pm, Washington DC time, and you can bet on the African superstar to score.

Next up, there is the new Number 10, Sadio Mane from Senegal. The forward did not have the greatest time at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia tournament because his team was knocked out in the group stages but only just. He has since returned to the club that pays his bills, and he has been showing the hunger that Jurgen Klopp wants to see in all his players. His persistence can be seen in Liverpool’s most recent game, against Palace when he burst forward and kept going especially after some contact from Van Aanholt. He set his mind on the goal, and he saw to it when he rounded past the Palace keeper to score Liverpool’s second of the night. Mane’s creativity will be of great importance throughout the season and it is an added bonus for the club that he will not be leaving for the AFCON tournament in January like before because the tournament has been moved to September 2019. (Be sure to subscribe to our Newsletter where we keep you up to date with the build up to this tournament)

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool is fouled by Aaron Wan-Bissaka of Crystal Palace leading to a red card during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park on August 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Aug. 19, 2018 - Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)

In essence, these three players will be crucial to Liverpool’s fortunes if they remain fit because they have the quality and are delivering at the highest level. They are setting the bar high for other African players who wish to play in the best soccer leagues in the world. Do not be surprised if Liverpool wins it this year because their core of players is hungry and is willing to work tirelessly for that silverware that has eluded them for over two decades now.

Percy Tau Is One For The Future

The inevitable has happened, the hottest South African football talent might have just widened his circle of influence with his recent move to the English Premier League side, Brighton & Hove Albion. Percy Tau has penned a four year deal with the Seagulls, who are reported to have paid £2.8 million for his services, a record-fee for a South African.

A few months before today some thought the Senegalese legend, El-Hadji Diouf had gone mental. Diouf remarked that Percy Tau’s move to the big European leagues was long overdue and even went further to draw a comparison between the Witbank-born player with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. As the 2017/18 South African PSL season drew to a close, it becomes even clearer just how much potential the 24-year old possessed as he proved to be a special ingredient in Mamelodi Sundowns’ title-winning campaign. Tau capped off the season by winning three of the most coveted individual awards in South African football; South African Player of The Year, Players’ Player of The Season and joint-top scorer award. The move could not have come at a better time, especially since Percy had won all there was to win with Bafana BaStyle, including the CAF Champions League. This step up is actually less about him and more about his country’s progress and his role in charting it.

The Twitter community showed just how much the move means to South Africa as a people, who have been criticised for creating a haven of mediocrity by not allowing their players to seek new challenges. Even rivalries were put aside as fellow footballers and clubs took turns to congratulate Percy. Most remarkably was the top SA top-flight side, Polokwane City’s tweet, “Minus one problem! Hamba Kahle Simba (Go well, Lion).” Even the country’s top goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune who plays for a rival club in Kaizer Chiefs tweeted,

“All the very best in your new journey #KingTau @percymuzitau22 fly the SA high #ProudlySouthAfrican #GodIsGreat ”

But the journey is far from over for the speedy forward as he now follows the footsteps of the likes of Quinton Fortune who played for Manchester United, Benni McCarthy (Blackburn Rovers & West Ham United) and most recently, Steven Pienaar, who played for Everton. He might just have a whole lot more to prove given the nation’s hopes pinned on him in an ever-increasingly competitive world. Percy will have to adjust to the new surroundings, new football style, make new friends and prove his worth. He will begin his Brighton career with a loan move in the upcoming Premier League season to “get an experience of European football” and actually allow room to have his work permit finalized.

“Percy is a player we have highlighted for the future, and there is no doubting his talent, having been voted South African player of the season. Percy will go out on loan this season, play regularly and get some experience of European football. We will be watching his progress and monitoring his development over the season.” - Chris Hughton, Brighton & Hove Albion Manager

All South African eyes and many new eyes are on him now and he seems to be embracing the challenge and poised to do well.

“Going out on loan is always good to help a player develop and get better. It’s new for me to be in Europe, and I’ll get to work on myself and a few things that I need to improve...Last season was great, I got a few personal achievements, but we won the league as well, which is something that means so much to me. I’m happy to have gone down that path, but it’s over now and it’s time to make new memories.” - Percy Tau

Adjusting to life at Brighton could actually be aided by the African connection building up at the club with the arrivals of the Malian midfielder, Yves Bissouma, Nigeria’s Leon Balogun who will meet the Cameroonian, Gaetan Bong who has been at the club since 2015.

Let us know just how high you think Percy will fly the South African flag in the comment box below.

FT Post World Cup 2018: The Day Morocco Bullied Portugal

A Few Weeks Before This Day

At the end of the 90 minutes, I was kicking myself trying to conceive how Morocco lost that Group B clash against the European champions, Portugal. In fact, I am still questioning myself hoping to get answers on the Lions of the Atlas’ ordeal. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat throughout the match, cheering on, commentating and at times giving instructions through the television, as if they could actually hear me. That is just some hindsight into the level of passion I felt, which can be hardly described with words. At the end of the day, I was thoroughly entertained but walked away with a sinking feeling which has driven me to reflect in this piece.

Numbers Don’t Lie

Objectively, this is not just a “make Africa look good piece.” I am not a data junkie but let us look at the stats of the match for a second. Morocco had more of the ball with 55% possession, they also had five more shots than Portugal with a total of 15 shots with twice as many on target than their opposition. They had a superior passing accuracy of 76.4% compared to Portugal’s 71.7%, more passes in the attacking third, more key passes, more corners, more dribbles, more recoveries; essentially more of everything in attack. I am sure you are getting the picture now, Morocco actually bullied the 4th ranked team in the world. Hakeem Ziyech literally owned the midfield cutting inside from the left flank, Nordin Amrabat was unstoppable and the defense marshall, captain Mehdi Benatia adopted a second role - heading the ball goalwards at the wake of the countless opportunities, almost like a second striker.

The Significance

This was really huge to me as far as breaking stereotypes is concerned. African teams have been overtime described as “physical” which actually implies that they lack tactical awareness, organization, and are void of the ability to entertain. For the first time in my life, on the biggest stage of them all, I witnessed a European team pushed to the brink and made to defend in numbers, in other words, “park the bus”. Let me be clear, I do not see it in the view of the underappreciated rising to the occasion to prove haters wrong - shouting “I told you so,” but rather, in the light of football is a testament that no particular group of individuals has the inalienable right to mastery and dominance. Everyone can master and dominate, not just in sport but in everything. Allow me to echo the timeless declaration that all men are created equal with the hope that the more we roar it out, the more we move to actualize it.

Every Team Needs A Ronaldo

I am always reminded by my peers that in the end “football is about scoring goals.” Well, I actually concede to that fact but I cannot be robbed of the celebration of broken stereotypes. This gets me to the next point in moving past the “feel good dimension” to that of winning. Arguably the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo actually won that particular match and many others for his country. The recent addition to the Juventus squad delivered a lightning header in the 4th minute from a corner kick, which sealed the points for the European champions. As we celebrate the progression of African football in the context of the Moroccans, I suggest we also aspire not to just do enough but be the best. My hope and prayer are that the small boys and girls in the forgotten and well-known parts of the continent may grind as much as Ronaldo with the belief that they will seize even the smallest of opportunities, become the best players in the world and win battles for their nations.

Morocco finished the 2018 FIFA world cup campaign in Russia, bottom of Group B with a single point after having lost the opening match to Iran courtesy of an injury-time own goal, another loss to Portugal and drew 2-2 with the 2010 World Champions, Spain. The Moroccan matches were some of the most breathtaking matches of my 2018 World Cup experience.

Continue roaring, Lions of the Atlas! 

France's second World Cup triumph a win for African immigrants everywhere

France's World Cup 2018 winning team featured no less than 15 players with African roots.

Moscow, Russia - Luzhniki Stadium:  With a 4-2 win on Sunday, July 15th, France stepped over Croatia onto the podium for their 2nd ever World Cup title. The historical win marks their first major tournament win since 2000 when they won the European Championship, just two years after their legendary and inaugural World Cup win in 1998. And just like in ’98, France’s current batch of champions features a generous amount of immigrants. That first wave of the Golden Age graced the world with multinational French talents such as Marcel Desailly, Patrick Viera, and even Zinedine Zidane. For France, ’98 marked an unveiling of sorts of a talent pool so rich that for the tournament, then coach Aime Jacquet only selected three Parisians in his World Cup roster. The previous ’84 Euro-winning team had just one. The youth of Africa had created a new formula for the French.

Where was this infamous talent pool located? You’d have to go back to the late 1940s-50s when France was rebuilding the country after the destruction of WWII. By 1965, almost 3 million of France’s population were immigrants. By 1975, after a second wave of immigrants came to France from West Africa and the Caribbean, due to an economic shift and a country-wide labour shortage, 35% of France’s immigrants were African. These immigrants would often relocate on the outskirts of major cities such as Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, and in recent decades, these cities have become home to the children and grandchildren of these African immigrants. These cities are separated from Paris only by a single highway that circles around the city like a cage.

Thierry Henry, a youth product of Clairefontaine thrived in World Cup '98 for France

Timing, they say, is everything, but rarely a coincidence. During this same period of time, France were experiencing by far their least successful era in international football. Through 1960-1975, their men’s national team failed to qualify for two separate World Cup tournaments and a European Championship. In 1975, with the “How the f!@# do we get better?!” question creating pressure amidst the FFF (French Football Federation), then president Fernand Sastre created Clairefontaine, an academy for the country’s youth elite. At the time, Clairefontaine was regarded as arguably the finest footballing academy on the globe, as it produced some of the most gifted French players of the budding French Golden Age like Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka, and William Gallas. The rest is, what you call, history. 

Today, France's championship-winning World Cup team featured 15 players African roots, including the young man of the hour Kylian Mbappe, who was born to a Cameroonian father and an Algerian mother.  Defender Samuel Umtiti was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, before emigrating with his family when he was two years old. Fellow defenseman Adil Rami, was born in Corsica to Moroccan parents and is the only player in the squad with North African descent. Midfield general N’Golo Kanté is also of Malian heritage. It has been wonderful for the world to get to see the entire team of heroes as well as their African sports icons embraced for bringing honor to the nation they have chosen to represent.

Mbappe finished the tournament with 4 goals and World Cup's best young player honors. 

During the 2010 World Cup, the team encountered many discipline issues. Instead of an investigation into the dysfunction that had led to such a situation, the criticism was focused on questioning the players’ loyalty to their country since they had roots abroad.

I hope that this national pride continues. It was not too long ago, when in 2011, the French Football Federation and then France manager, Laurent Blanc, faced accusations that they had secretly discussed limiting the number of places for players from ethnic minorities at their headquarters in Clairefontaine that would have seen players as young as 12 passed over in order to make room for their white counterparts.” In 2000, a poll indicated that around 36 percent of the French population thought that there were “too many players of foreign origin in the French football team.” Though the newfound celebration of their multi-racial national team is a positive, it is even more essential that this respect extends to the non-sports playing immigrants in the country who are still dealing with racial and ethnic discriminations based on the color of their skin or the countries they may be migrating from.

Steven Nzonzi, a French midfielder for Sevilla, is born to a Congolese father. 

A fan of the game myself, it has been rather enjoyable to watch the world celebrate the Boys from the Banlieue. Like you, I have read the articles, Facebook posts, and Twitter comments celebrating the French team as the last standing African team in the tournament. As a Cameroonian, these statements have been relatable. A lot of us share a sense of pride when we see moments of African excellence such as this. And while I congratulate France for adding a second World Cup star to their jersey, this is not a hate piece against the country, but rather a challenge to the African football federations. While even the harshest critic would admit that luck was not on the side of the five African nations representing the continent in the 2018 World Cup, the reality has still been a bitter pill to swallow for most. Out of these countries, none made it past the group stage of the tournament. This marks the first time since 1982 where an African team hasn't progressed to the Round of 16 in World Cup competition. AFCON 2019 will represent a chance for the continent to celebrate its culture, and the teams, especially the ones who missed out on Russia, an opportunity at redemption. The question that will be looming over many heads at CAF and the Ghana’s, Nigeria’s, and Cameroon’s of the world is how can we not only retain but continue to improve the youth talent pool in our African countries?  

FT World Cup 2018: Live From Russia - We Witnessed A Monumental Upset

FirstTouch is in Russia for the World Cup 2018. We will be attending multiple games and celebrating the world’s game with fans from all across the world! Enjoy our blogs that document some of our experiences.

The opening game between Russia and Saudia Arabia set the country aflame with perhaps even more passion and jubilation for the World Cup now that the host nation had announced itself in such a real way to the world. The second game in Moscow for our viewing pleasure was Germany vs Mexico. The World Cup 2014 champions against CONCACAF's best contender. As Americans abroad, we felt inspired to support Mexico regardless of my own personal history in Germany. What a decision that would turn out to be. It was quite possibly one of the most exhilarating moments of my life to be in that stadium and witness such a game. The emotional overload, however, began as you entered the Moscow public transit. Some of the newer trains had televisions in it so you could watch highlights or even the games themselves, and with each passing metro station that brought us closer to the stadium, we could encounter more and more fans from each country. German fans and Mexican fans singing and descending upon the stadium with excitement for the first game for each country at the tournament. 

What made the game so thrilling was not just our incredible seats our father was able to acquire for all of us, but the ambiance of the atmosphere itself. I have yet to watch a game in Mexico, but due to the fact that the Mexican fans greatly outnumbered the German ones, the Luzhniki Stadium felt more like Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The charm of the World Cup is that everyone puts aside political beliefs and any and all seemingly divisive emotions to celebrate the world's game. Even with such a numerical advantage in the stands, I never felt any hostility. In fact, our seats were behind a group of Germans that came from a town one hour from Dortmund, the city I lived and played in. In front of them sat a group of Brazilians that were clearly there to support the Mexicans, but everyone was engaging in banter before the game. 

The game itself was a thrilling encounter and a tactical masterclass from the Mexican coach and players. Germany was not immediately prepared to play at the tempo Mexico started the game with, and Lozano's first-half goal led to an eruption in the stadium and beer showers from the Mexican fans above us. It was quite simply the best 1-0 game I have ever watched and I cannot wait for the next game we will go to. 

FT World Cup 2018: Live From Russia - Saudi Arabia meets Russia in the Luzhniki

FirstTouch is in Russia for the World Cup 2018 this summer. We will be attending multiple games and celebrating the world’s game with fans from all across the world! Enjoy our blogs that document some of our experiences.

Day 2 [June 14]

It’s no secret both my brother and I were a bit nervous ahead of our trip to Moscow. Between the both of us, Russia was one of the few European countries we have yet to cover in our travels for football or personal reasons. The only point of reference we had for the culture was our father, who also on the trip, travels to Moscow annually to help educate and assist their veterinary efforts in combating the Avian Influenza. This would be different though. Russia is hosting the 2018 World Cup, a month-long festivity with fans spanning the entire globe in attendance. Even though my family is Cameroonian, we were coming from the United States, and tensions between both US and Russian countries after the latter‘s perceived role in the outcome of the US’s 2016 Election couldn’t be more rigid.

What is interesting to me about perception, is that at times we often allow bias and fear to cloud our initial judgments which can greatly alter our experiences if we let them. Maybe politically, one could argue to justify these biases, but in Football, the World Cup has historically been full of instances where opposing nations have seized the once in every four-year opportunity and used it to be kind to one another. June 14th, the tournament opener between Russia and Saudi Arabia were no different. The match was held in Luzhniki Stadium and upon emergence from the Sportivnaya metro station, the energy from all of the fans was infectious. It was like we were all kids on our first day at summer camp! Excited to rep where we came from while eager to see all of the different places others represented as well.

After what seemed like 100 selfies and videos, we were seated in the middle of a sea of Russian fans, with Saudi Arabian fans flanking us on either side. It was clear from the Opening Ceremony to the national anthem, to the kickoff that this was more than an event to the Russians, it was a celebration. And boy was it a night to celebrate for The Golden Eagles, who after an inspirational speech from Putin, were on top of the Saudi Arabians as soon as the opening whistle sounded. It didn’t take long for them to break through when  Russia’s Top U-23 player Aleksandr Golovin crosses the ball into the opponent's box finding the head of Yuri Gasinskiy for their first goal in the 12th minute. With no exaggeration, I can confidently say I have never seen a stadium erupt like this in my entire life. Some were screams of relief, having been able to grab an early lead after an edgy first 10 minutes, and some were shouts of surprise, as Russia had not been expected to do well in the tournament this summer. Some were of excitement and joy, as the game would go on to be a 5-0 victory for the Russians, a result not even Putin himself expected. And that’s the beauty of a celebration no? As my family and I embraced the Russian fans around us after each of the five goals, each unique moment represented an equal right at emotion for all of us experiencing the match. And that’s what a real celebration is. We may all be here for different reasons but above all, we are here to celebrate and partake in the positivity that the World Cup exudes. Heading back to the hotel, everyone from the security guards to the metro workers, to our hotel staff was ecstatic and proud for their nation’s performance. And in the name of celebration, we couldn’t have been happier for them.

UCL Road to Kiev Final: Roma vs Liverpool

The story of the season so far has been the meteoric rise of Mohamed Salah. Purchased from Roma last summer for what was then a highly scrutinized fee, Liverpool have given him the stage to show his many talents and take that next step in becoming a truly World Class player. The first leg was symbolic of his entire season. With 2 goals and 2 assists, it wasn’t until he was substituted that Roma looked to have any advantages in the game. Roma have proven that they can find a solution for 3 goal deficits to Barcelona’s chagrin, and they will be hoping the Stadio Olympico inspires another comeback on Wednesday. After winning 4-1 at the weekend in their Serie A match against Crotone, they will be hoping for the same exact scoreline against Liverpool. Credit must be given to Jurgen Klopp who has inspired his side this far in the Champions League and brought back genuine excitement amongst the rabid Liverpool fans.

The winner of this tie will already know who they are facing in the final in Kiev on May 26th. Di Francesco will need to make sure his tactics are better than they were in the first leg if he is to hope for another dramatic comeback like the one he produced against Barcelona. With a newly signed contract extension, Roberto Firmino will be leading the line and hope to lead Liverpool to their first Champions League final in over a decade. All eyes will be on how Liverpool handle the early moments of the game, however, especially given that Manchester City scored early against them the last tie, but Klopp’s men were able to still produce a clinical display of quick, sharp counterattacking football to dispose of Manchester City. Dzeko vs Salah will prove to be the matchup that in all likelihood shapes how this second leg will play out.

Roma could dispose of Liverpool with the same 3-0 scoreline they produced the last time they played at the Stadio Olimpico.

Liverpool will be hoping Mane is fit and ready to go after reportedly visiting a hospital after the first leg. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will, unfortunately, miss out after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the first leg.

James Milner is a player reborn with Liverpool and leads all players in assists this campaign with a record 9 assists this season in Champions League.

Spotlight: Who is Yaya Toure?

As we approach the end of the English Premier League season, FirstTouch takes time to look back and appreciate one of the most influential players in the league. Yaya Toure, an all-round midfielder from Cote d’Ivoire, played for Barcelona and Manchester City in the best years of his career. The 33-year old is approaching the end of his time at the Etihad with his contract set to expire at the end of the 2017/18 season. Let’s look at what Yaya Toure has been through during his stay at the above-mentioned clubs in Europe.   

First off, let’s focus on his time at Barcelona. Yaya Toure joined Barcelona from Monaco in 2007 for £6.7m after being an influential midfielder for the French side where he rescued them from relegation. However, Toure had problems with the previous manager of the club, Laszlo Boloni, who was not playing him in his midfield most preferred position. When he joined Barcelona, he enjoyed the first season under Rijkaard where he made a total of 40 appearances which managed two goals. Yaya Toure was still in the shadow of big brother Kolo who was making a name for himself at Arsenal as a rock solid defender in the EPL. Guardiola took over the reins just a year later, and he preferred Busquets to Yaya Toure as the defensive midfielder for Barcelona in 2008. The promise of first-team football in his preferred position at Barcelona was not going to be possible. Guardiola used the player as a center-back in the UEFA Champions League final in 2009 when the team suffered from injuries. He was later allowed to move to the club of his dream in 2010.

Manchester City approached Toure and he, initially thought that he would be joining Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. It was his agent who clarified that he was joining the team who wears blue and he was excited by the challenge of joining a club that was in the shadow of their local rivals. Manchester City paid £24.6 million for the services of a player who was pretty much a reserve player and Toure was going to be receiving £139,000 a week. The journey of the African player to become a legend at the Etihad Stadium was set on course.

2012 was a year of history for the cash-rich Manchester club. It is the year that the club beat Manchester United to the title on goal difference. Sergio Aguero scored the winner for Manchester City in stoppage time of the last game in the 2011/12 season. Yaya Toure was an integral part of the club’s midfield. This earned him much respect in the English Premier League and comparisons with some of the greatest midfielders in the league like Keane, Vieira, etc. was just a moment away. Toure came out and thanked his teammates for the title and paid tribute to his manager for trusting in him and playing him in a position that he found difficult to maintain in the previous clubs he represented.

In addition to that, Toure evolved to become a ruthless attacker who scored goals that are still admired today. In the 2013/14 season, Yaya Toure assumed a more attacking role in Manchester City and even though he was primarily deployed as a defensive midfielder. This season, Yaya Toure managed to score 20 goals in the English Premier League which was unspoken off considering that he came from deep to set himself up and his contribution won his club the English Premier League title again as well as the FA Cup. At this moment, Yaya Toure had become the more popular player in his family and had stepped out of the shadow of the former Arsenal player.

His career might sound smooth when reading this piece, but Toure has had his fair share of controversy during his time at City. The player once threatened to leave the club because they had forgotten to show him love on his 31st birthday. His agent, Dimitry Seluk, is the one that confirmed the story that the player felt disrespected and the club was put under pressure. Some saw this incident as a stunt by the pair to pressurize the club to improve the terms of the contract, and the club fell for it. His contract saw him being the highest paid player in English football at $334,000 a week. All this was soon going to fade away with the player approaching the ‘old age’ years.

The manager who pushed him out of the club at Barcelona and laughed at Toure for joining a ‘s**t’ team eventually found his way to Toure’s home. Pep Guardiola has announced the new boss at Manchester City in 2016, and the Ivorian player probably knew that he was doomed. It is no secret that the pair had a rocky relationship because of the way the manager treated Toure at Barcelona and eventually forced him to move to the Citizens. This time, Guardiola took over a club where Toure was already a legend and was the focal point of the team before Aguero. The Spaniard soon changed that and eventually left Yaya out of the first team after his manager after Toure’s agent, Dimitry Seluk, called out Guardiola on his hypocrisy in coming to England after making fun of the club in 2010. This did not sit down well with Guardiola, and he punished the player because of his agent’s words. The fans were heartbroken by this situation but the relationship was mended, and Yaya was restored to the first team early last year. He played enough to earn another year in an extension.

This season seems like it will be his last at Manchester City and he has been ousted again for the third time in his career by the same manager. Guardiola brought replacements for the player because he does not believe in his abilities and it is about time that the player takes the next step in his career. Toure played in the 4-1 win against West Ham today, and he could only manage a second-half appearance even when the team has been confirmed champions of the Premier League this season. It is evident that Guardiola never like him and the African player will probably leave in the summer. It has been quite a journey for the Ivorian midfielder who won the La Liga (twice), Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup (twice), and the English Premier League on three occasions. He has undoubtedly subscribed his name in the Hall of Fame of not just English football, but on the European scene and he will be missed if he decides to call his time at the end of the season.

Zaha influential in Crystal Palace’s 5-0 win against Leicester

The game started with Crystal Palace at 35 points and needing to beat Leicester to have a chance at survival in the relegation battle. The club has been lifted by Zaha’s return from injury who has been influential in some of their best performances ever since he rejoined the club from Manchester United. The Cote d’Ivoire forward opened the first goal of the game after receiving a brilliantly flicked pass from McArthur before slotting in the top right corner of the net. 1-0 up against Leicester at home, Palace were looking for the perfect night. But all this came after two chances that were cleared from the line by both teams. Iheanacho blocked Tomkin’s header for Palace while Joel Ward saved Vardy’s shot. Palace then gained control of the game and Zaha gave a slick through ball to McArthur who shot on the turn and watched his shot roll into the bottom left corner of the goal. That was it for the first half.

Marc Albrighton was sent off on the 56th minute for dragging down Zaha as the last man. The rest of the show was reserved for the last minutes of the match where Loftus-Cheek scored the third goal on the 81st as he beat the goalkeeper one-on-one after receiving a defense splitting pass from Mamadou Sakho. Patrick Van Aanholt scored the 4th of the night after Hamer’s failed attempt at clearing the ball gifted the Palace player the opportunity to curl into the bottom right corner. Benteke came off the bench to score a penalty after he was brought down in the penalty area by Maguire in stoppage time.

Zambia 1993 Plane Crash: Remembering the fallen heroes

On the 27th of April in 1993, a talented Zambian squad on its way to Dakar, Senegal to play a world cup qualifier match, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean after shortly taking off from Libreville, Gabon. All the twenty-five squad members passed on, including the flight crew. As we remember the amazing Chipolopolo side, we look at some of the Zambians paying tribute to the fallen footballing heroes.

The Zambian captain, Kalusha Bwalya, who is a survivor of the 1993 national team set up after he had made separate arrangements to join the team in Dakar from his club, PSV Eindhoven, paid his respects on Twitter:

“Today I decided to go give homage to my fallen teammates a day earlier. A day does not go by that I don’t think about my family that I lost off the coast of Gabon in 1993. 25 years later my heart is still broken. A team that could have gone so far.” - Kalusha Bwalya

The former Chipolopolo captain who led the team to a historic and emotional 2012 AFCON title triumph, Christopher Katongo has also paid his respects encouraged the country to do more for the families of those who tragically passed on in the accident.

"We have to remember in a way that the family actually has to feel it. We are not doing enough for the family to really feel we had a hero.” - Christopher Katongo

Speaking about the country’s state at the time of the accident, Katongo added:

"The whole country was quiet. Nobody was shouting, it was only whispering. I had never seen the country quite like that. No one was listening to music, everybody was listening to the radio and every hour there was news of the crash." - Christopher Katongo

To the 1993 Copper bullets side, we remember!

The Football Governing board to probe allegations of racism between France and Russia’s recent friendly match

The match between France and Russia showcased a fine performance from Paul Pogba, however the 90 minutes were overshadowed by the ugly side of the game. It has since been reported that monkey chants could be heard from the crowd and these were obviously directed at the black players in the France national team. The Russians do not seem to be learning from their mistakes and this probed the intervention of FIFA. Evidence from the pitch-side photographer’s testimony and the audible abuse on a television broadcast after Pogba’s goal are to be considered before any decision is to be made. FIFA have also contacted the anti-discrimination Fare Network to help them investigate the racism case. No comment will be released until they have reached a conclusion on that investigation. This incident is one of the many that has been raised against Russian teams and FIFA’s punishment does not seem to work. Football is becoming toxic to the victims and this needs to be stopped. What does this mean for the World Cup which is going to be hosted in Russia? If racism is failing to be curbed in these friendlies, what more when thousands of black people tour the country during football’s premier tournament?

The Spanish midfielder takes a jibe at Zidane

Spanish midfielder Isco bagged a hat-trick in Spain’s 6-1 demolition of a Messi-less Argentina. The headlines from that match came in the post-match interview when he opened up about his situation at Madrid. The ambitious 25-year old bluntly stated that he does not have the confidence that a player needs in Madrid. This comes after he has seen a limited number of minutes on the pitch due to the resurgence of the young Asensio, and also the tactical approach to matches by Zidane. Many have seen this as an attack on his coach Zinedine Zidane as the player went on to say that, “At the national team, I have the confidence of the coach.” This clearly shows that he feels more alive when he is with Spain. Who should blame a player for being honest? Isco has stated the truth that he does not feel well appreciated at club level than at national level. However, his truth could land him in hot soup for he is a good player, but is not irreplaceable especially when considering the fact that the club can afford to send quality players like James Rodriguez on loan. Do you think Isco should have been more careful with the diction he used?

Abroad: Nigeria’s Ighalo talks about life in China

The Super Eagles and the Changchun Yatai striker has opened up about what it is like playing in the Chinese Super League. Odion Ighalo moved to Asia in 2017 from English side, Watford. He seems to have adapted to life in China, alluding that football is actually competitive in CSL than he initially thought or what most people would think because of the influx of foreign players and managers. Ighalo scored 15 goals in 27 appearances in his first season and now he has 1 in 3 matches.

"When I went there I was expecting a lower class of the league but when I arrived I saw how tough it is and said this is not what I had heard about.” - Odion Ighalo

The Super Eagles striker is also encouraging other African players to consider a move to the CSL should the opportunity beckon.

"If the opportunity jumps on them and they think properly about it, they should go because it's an opportunity to make some money, play in Asia and to experience the life and culture there." - Odion Ighalo