‘Magic Jay-Jay’- Another ex-Brazil star praises

‘Magic Jay-Jay’- another ex-Brazil star praises Okocha after Ozil called him his idol

The ex-Nigerian captain continues to receive plaudits from current and former players for his magic on the ball during his playing days Former Brazil midfielder Alex de Souza is the latest Brazilian to speak of the greatness of former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha. Okocha was known for his trickery, stopovers, dribbling skills and set piece quality on the ball during his playing career. The 48-year-old played for many clubs during his career, including Fenerbahce and Eintracht Frankfurt, who faced off in the Europa League last month. And ahead of the clash, the ex-Bolton Wanderers man was honoured by Fenerbahce, with Mesut Ozil presenting him with the number 10 jersey. Okocha was one of Ozil’s idols growing up, and the former German international took to his Twitter handle to share his excitement after meeting the former PSG star. Fenerbahce also shared the picture on their Twitter feed, and reacting to the tweet, Aled de Souza, who also played for Fenerbahce, called the ex-Super Eagles captain a magician on football. De Souza is not the first Brazilian to speak in awe of JayJay. Brazilian legend Ronaldinho also revealed the ex-Hull City man is one of the two number tens he admired most in the world of football. He was recently spotting a photo shot with the President of Niger Republic. Jay-Jay Okocha was also named among the ambassadorial assistance to the Super Eagles of Nigeria

Abdelhak Nouri’s family and Ajax Amsterdam finally reach compensation agreement

Abdelhak Nouri’s family reached a compensation deal with Ajax Amsterdam, four years after the young talent collapsed on the pitch. In July 2017, Abdelhak Nouri, then 20 years old, suffered a heart attack during a match in Austria and suffered severe brain damage. In 2018, Ajax Amsterdam admitted responsibility for not dealing with him correctly immediately on the pitch, but so far there had been no agreement on damages. Last January, the family threatened to take the case to court. From now on, this compensation should cover the cost of Nouri’s care, the loss of his potential income and non-material damages, but the amount of the agreement will remain confidential, reports the Dutch press. Nouri, who still suffers from serious and irremediable brain damage, collapsed on July 8, 2017 during

a friendly match between his club, Ajax Amsterdam against Werder Bremen in Austria. The man nicknamed “Appie” suffered from heart disease. His collapse shocked his family, friends, teammates and club, prompting international footballers to show solidarity with the young player and his family. Several months into his hospital stay, Ajax fans gathered outside the Nouri family’s home, showing support and sympathy for the player’s family and displaying signs bearing the slogan #StayStrongAppie. Back home in the summer of 2019, “Appie” seems to be getting better and better and would have even woken up after more than 2 years in a coma. The footballer was one of the most talented young players in the Netherlands. He started his career in 2005 at the age of 7 and played for the Dutch under-15, 16, 17, 18 and 19-year-old teams.

Africa Cup of Nations: Tournament is being ‘disrespected’, says former England striker Ian Wright

The Africa Cup of Nations is being “disrespected” by some negative media coverage, says former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright. The 24-team competition begins on 9th January and will feature a host of Premier League and European stars. Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is among those who have called for more respect to be given and shown to the competition, the tournament deserves more respect he says. “Is there ever a tournament more disrespected than the Africa Cup of Nations?” Wright said on Instagram. On the media coverage around Afcon he claimed: “There is no greater honour than representing your country. The coverage is completely tinged with racism. “We played our Euros across 10 countries in the middle of a pandemic and there’s no issue at all. But Cameroon, a single country hosting a tournament, is a problem. “There are players getting travelling, or when we should come back, or could we miss the international break?” Ajax’s Ivory Coast striker Sebastien Haller said the

asked if they will be honouring the call-ups to their national teams. Imagine if that was an England player representing the country being asked such ridiculous question. Can you imagine the furore?” Former Newcastle, Tottenham and Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong, who won 18 caps for Cameroon, says he recognises the double standard. “People don’t really give any respect to the Africa Cup of Nations,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “At the end of the day, our national teams are just as important as the European ones and the others. “When I was in a dressing room and every time I was going to a competition or on an international break, the respect and consideration was totally different from the club and the people from the club about the way we’re suggestion of if a player would want to miss the tournament to play for their club “shows disrespect for Africa”. He told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: “Would this [question] ever have been asked to a European player towards a European Championship? “Of course I will go to represent Ivory Coast. That is the highest honour.” However, the 27-year-old said having to miss club games “is very frustrating”. Haller added: “I hate having to choose between my country and my club.” Although several Premier League clubs will be without key players in January - including Crystal Palace who are set to lose Cheikhou Kouyate, Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew – Crystal Palace boss Vieira echoed Haller’s sentiments. “I respect and understand the passion and the importance to players to go and represent their country so I will never stop any player going to play the Africa Cup of Nations,” said Vieira, a World Cup and European Championship winner as a player with France. “I believe that competition needs to be more respected because this competition is as important as the European Championships.” Title hopefuls Liverpool face significant absences, with the Premier League’s leading scorer Mohamed Salah, fellow forward Sadio Mane and midfielder Naby Keita set to take part in the African tournament. Leaders Manchester City will lose Riyad Mahrez, while second-placed Chelsea will be without goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and West Ham’s Said Benrahma will be with Algeria. Leeds United, Newcastle United, Norwich City and

Tottenham are the only Premier League clubs not losing any players for the tournament. Players are allowed to play for their clubs until 3 January before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations after FIFA rules stating clubs must release players by 27 December was changed “in the spirit of goodwill and solidarity”. “Loads of the best players in Europe right now are African,” said Wright. “If we love them at club level why can’t we love them at international level like their counterparts across the globe? Why is this tournament constantly getting so much flak? “I have got to give a shout out to the players like Sebastien Haller who are taking a stand against the media backlash, plus Patrick Vieira for coming out and speaking about this. “This is why it is important to have a black manager who can let people understand where his roots are and how important this tournament is for African people. “I want to wish Cameroon every success in hosting this tournament and all the very best to the players and the fans.”

Africa Cup of Nations to go ahead as planned in Cameroon this month

health protocols. The CAF later said that it would be importing its own laboratory, bypassing local healthcare facilities, to test players during the tournament.

African football Chief, Patrice Motsepe confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead as planned in Cameroon this month dispelling rumours that the already delayed continental showpiece could fall victim to the Covid-19 pandemic. “I am going to watch on the 9th of January, Cameroon vs Burkina Faso,” Motsepe said, referring to the opening match of the 2022 tournament. The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) flew to the Cameroonian capital Yaoundé amid concerns over the country’s readiness to host the tournament. These included worries over a lack of organisation, incomplete building work and the threat of coronavirus outbreaks among the large number of players and staff set to descend on the under-resourced country in the next few weeks. Last month, the European Club Association (EAC) threatened to block players from participating in the tournament due to a lack of information about Fans will also be required to show proof of vaccination and present a negative Covid-19 test result to attend matches, officials announced. The CAF President said the fast-spreading Omicron variant posed “an enormous challenge” for the organisers but added, “we must always identify problems and challenges, and not shy away from them. “We have to have confidence and belief in ourselves as Africans. And we have to have confidence and belief that we can host a very successful Nations Cup in Cameroon.” Motsepe gave the green light for the event to go ahead after talks with Cameroonian President Paul Biya. Cameroon was originally awarded the hosting of the 2019 finals but the tournament was switched to Egypt when CAF found the West African country was not ready. Cameroon was then handed the 2021 tournament, which has since been delayed by 12 months due to the pandemic.