by FSL News | 26 Mar, 2017 | African News
The Confederation of African Football’s (Caf) secretary general Hicham El Amrani, on Sunday, resigned from his position.
El Amrani resignation came just over a week after long-standing president Issa Hayatou was ousted from power following defeat to Madagascar’s Ahmad in the elections.
The 37-year-old Moroccan, who served as secretary general for the last six years, left no clues about why he resigned.
He esteemed the outgoing president Issa Hayatou and his executive and wished the new office great deliberations.
According to the letter below, his resignation will take effect on Monday, March 27, 2017.
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by FSL News | 24 Mar, 2017 | African News
Les Coelecantes of Comoros Islands beat Mauritius 2-0 in the first leg of their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Stade International Saïd Mohamed Cheikh in Mitsamiouli on Friday afternoon.
Les Coelecantes with a huge advantage will be looking to maintain their famous victory in the second leg in Mauritius on Tuesday, with the aggregate winner progressing to play in Group B for a place at the Cameroon finals.
The visitors were dealt an early blow in Friday’s first-leg match when Emmanuel Vincent was sent off after only 12 minutes for elbowing Comoros’ Ben El Fardou.
Marseille-born Benjaloud Youssouf netted after 65 minutes before Nantes-born Chaker Alhadur completed the home win 15 minutes later in northwestern town Mitsamiouli.
Les Coelecantes registered only their second victory for the 17 continental qualifiers since debuting in 2007 – the first came last year against Botswana.
If Comoros qualify they will face Morocco, Malawi and reigning champions Cameroon in Group B of the 2019 Nations Cup qualifiers with the first matchday scheduled for June.
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by FSL News | 21 Mar, 2017 | African News
Ivory Coast named Marc Wilmots as Les Éléphants new head coach on Tuesday.
The former Belgium coach Wilmots, 48, succeeded Michel Dussuyer who resigned in January after exited the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations at the group stage.
“The appointment of Marc Wilmots is a big catch for the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) which, despite the modesty of its resources, has managed to hire this world-renowned coach,” said the country’s FA in a statement.
Wilmots, who was also sacked by Belgium in July after failing to take their highly-rated team beyond the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, is now tasked to guide the Elephants to the 21st FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia and the 2019 Nations Cup in Cameroon.
He was the head coach of Belgium between 2012 and 2016 and lead them to the World Cup in Brazil.
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by FSL News | 20 Mar, 2017 | African News
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has banned Ghanaian referee Joseph Odartei Lamptey for life from any football-related activities, both national and international.
Lamptey was found guilty of breaching FIFA’s disciplinary code during the game between South Africa and Senegal in November last year.
The ban results from a penalty he awarded to South Africa in a 2-1 win over Senegal in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in November.
He penalised Kalidou Koulibaly for handball, but replays showed the ball hit his knee.
Football’s world governing body says it will give more details “once the decision becomes final and binding”.
Lamptey can now appeal to Fifa and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
One of his assistants, David Laryea, also from Ghana, had charges against him dismissed by Fifa’s disciplinary committee.
The win for South Africa left them in second place in the four-team group after two matches, with Senegal in third.
Lamptey, who also officiated at the Rio Olympics last year, declined BBC Sport’s invitation to comment, saying he would do so later.
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF), who made a complaint to Fifa over Lamptey, is happy with the decision.
“Today there are many reasons to be happy about this decision – a decision that will be remembered as being significant but will also warn everybody that they are being watched,” FSF vice-president Abdoulaye Sow told BBC Sport.
“All cheating and stealing will be punished according to its gravity.
“Fifa has clearly struck a big blow and has promised in its decision to talk again about the match when the decision is final and binding.”
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by FSL News | 17 Mar, 2017 | African News
Mrs Akosua Puni Essien, the wife of former Chelsea anchorman, Michael Essien, is the new owner of Italian third division side Como Calcio 1907.
Como Calcio 1907 has been in existence for 110 years and last participated in the Serie A in the 2002/2003 season
Mrs Essien, who is a popular businesswoman and philanthropist, a British citizen of Ghanaian origin bought the club for €237,000 at a bankruptcy auction held by FC Como Limited, Football Sierra Leone understands.
The Club release statement on their website announcing the news: “Football Como is pleased to announce that the Club has a new owner. As has just been confirmed by the court, which verified the requirements, we are pleased to announce, to the city of Como, to all the fans and supporters of the Club, Mrs Akousa Puni Essien is the new owner of Calcio Como 1907, called now FC Como.
“Mrs Puni Essien and his team will soon be in our city and be presented to the city, to the fans and supporters of the Club. In the meantime, they intend to let you know that they are honoured to be here, in Como, and become part of a club which boasts 110 years of history.”
This will automatically end any further speculation over the club’s future after it was declared bankrupt last year a move which saw them suffer relegation from the Serie B.
Meanwhile, Husband Michael Essien has joined Indonesian side Persib Bandung on a one-year deal.
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by FSL News | 16 Mar, 2017 | African News
Madagascar FA boss Ahmad pictured is the new Caf president.
Congratulations to the Madagascar FA president Ahmad Ahmad on his triumph over Issa Hayatou.
Ahmad Ahmad was elected the new head of Confederation of African Football (CAF), denying Issa Hayatou, the last of the old generation leaders in world football, his eighth term at the helm of the continental body on Thursday.
“I’m a candidate for change and the majority wants change. I’m the only one who could dare present a candidacy for change. And I’m vying to bring this change,” Ahmad was quoted as saying when launching his election bid. “Our football has been relying too much on its official course since 1957 when CAF was created. It is now high time for it to free itself and to update itself with the current situation”
Hayatou had headed CAF since 1988. The win sees Ahmad now become a FIFA vice president and take Hayatou’s place on the FIFA Council.
Madagascar Football Association chief Ahmad claimed 34 votes against Hayatou’s 20 to break Hayatou’s 29-year reign and give African football a new leader for the first time in three decades.
Caf former presidents
Abdel Aziz Abdallah Salem (1957-1958) – Abdel Aziz Moustafa (1958-1968) – Abdel Halim Muhammad (1968-1972) – Yidnekatchew Tessema (1972-1987) – Abdel Halim Muhammad (1987-1988)
Issa Hayatou (1988-2017) – Present is the Madagascar Football Association boss Ahmad
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