Sports
Enyeama’s S’Eagles Future In NFF’s Hands – Siasia
Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia, says he has accepted goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama’s apology after the duo rowed about the team’s mode of travel to Madagascar early this month.
However, Siasia added that Enyeama’s future with the Super Eagles now rests with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Enyeama has apologised for the row that led to him being dropped for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Madagascar.
Siasia stressed at the time that his act of indiscipline was totally unacceptable, while Enyeama insisted that his concerns were ‘completely misunderstood’.
“I have accepted the apology. I have nothing against him as an individual.” Siasia said.
“It was very unfortunate that the incident happened before our departure to Madagascar.
“Sincerely, I dropped the player because I was afraid of his state of mind before such an important match.
“It was a sensitive case yet the right thing to do to avert it spilling over and affecting the morale of the squad.
“But it is now left for the federation to decide on his [Enyeama’s] future with the team.”
Despite concerns being raised in a section of the media over his team’s spirit after the 3-1 defeat to Argentina in a friendly, Sasia said his focus was on the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
The battle for the ticket to the Nations Cup from Group B will be decided on the final day.
The Super Eagles will need to beat visiting Guinea 1-0 or by a two goal margin if the Syli Nationale score if they are to top the group on the head-to-head record between the two.
“Our main focus for now is not beating the Syli Nationale of Guinea, but to beat them silly,” said Siasia, who will release his list of call-ups for the crucial qualifier next week.
“We want a convincing win, so we need to beat them by as many as three clear goals.
“We have to prepare well and find a way to win convincingly to earn the sole group ticket.”
The Kenya Football Federation (FKF) has launched an investigation into allegations that goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has been involved in match manipulation.
The 37-year-old, who plays for Kenyan Premier League club Kakamega Homeboyz, has won over 30 international caps.
His most recent appearance for the Harambee Stars came in October last year, in a qualifier for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
An undated video posted online appears to show Matasi agreeing a deal to influence the outcome of a league game.
“I have spoken to him. He was also shocked at what he was seeing in the video and he told me he doesn’t know about match-fixing,” Homeboyz owner Cleophas Shimanyula told Tidesports source .
The FKF said it would work with world governing body Fifa, the Confederation of African Football and other “relevant authorities” during its investigation.
“We reaffirm our zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and are committed to safeguarding the credibility of our competitions,” a statement added.
“This investigation will adhere to FKF’s anti-match manipulation regulations and Fifa guidelines, ensuring a fair, transparent, and thorough process.
“The rights of the player and his club will be respected, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.”
Shimanyula backed Matasi, pointing to the fact the veteran has kept three clean sheets in as many games since joining the club a month ago.
“When we watched this video, we found that Matasi has not wronged the club,” he said.
“In a video there can misinterpretations and false narratives and we cannot trust everything.
“He will keep playing for us because there’s no wrongdoing on his part as far as we are concerned – unless there’s evidence or the FKF writes to us to say they are suspecting the player of some wrongdoing.
“He is innocent until proven guilty and then we will act.”
The FKF has called on anyone with credible information to assist its investigation, with any reports to be handled with strict confidentiality.
Shimanyula also challenged the Kenyan footballing community to provide evidence against Matasi.
“Kakamega Homeboyz is against any form of match manipulation,” he said.
Uefa has opened an investigation into allegations of indecent conduct by four Real Madrid players during their Champions League last-16 win against Atletico Madrid.
Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Dani Ceballos allegedly made gestures towards the home fans after Real Madrid beat their city rivals on penalties to book their place in the quarter-finals.
TV pictures showed German defender Rudiger appearing to make a throat-slitting motion, apparently towards the crowd after the shootout victory, while Mbappe was shown seemingly making a crotch-grabbing gesture.
Spanish media said Atletico reported the actions to Uefa last week.
The players could be at risk of suspension but there is no guarantee the case will be heard before their quarter-final with Arsenal. The first leg for that tie is at Emirates Stadium on 8 April and the return leg a week later.
In a statement, Uefa said: “[An] ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct” made by the four Real Madrid players.
“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”
The Premier League has announced it will have two transfer windows this summer to allow Manchester City and Chelsea to sign players before the Club World Cup.
The window will open between Sunday, 1 June and Tuesday, 10 June, then close for five days before running again from Monday, 16 June until Monday, 1 September.
This summer features the first expanded Fifa Club World Cup, which involves 32 teams and adopts the format of the regular World Cup of the past few years.
Chelsea and Manchester City are the Premier League teams in the tournament which takes place in the United States from Sunday, 15 June.
But the Premier League can only have 12 weeks of a summer window – hence the five-day break in order to run it until 1 September.
Fifa has allowed new players to be registered for the Club World Cup from 1-10 June, and again from 27 June-3 July for the knockout stage.
This is happening firstly, to bring order to the global registration system, world governing body Fifa only permits the transfer window in any individual country to be open for 16 weeks in any calendar year.
In Europe, precedent dictates four of those weeks are for the winter window, leaving 12 in the summer. In 2024, the Premier League transfer window opened on 14 June and closed on 30 August.