Referee Aklesso Gnama

Aklesso Gnama, the Togolese who refereed Plateau United 0-1 home loss to Tanzania two years ago will handle Saturday’s crucial Olympic Games qualifiers of Nigeria and Tanzania in Ibadan.

He was also the fourth official in last month’s home loss of Remo Stars to AS FAR of Morocco in the Confederations Cup.

Two years ago, Plateau United lost to Simba at home and managed a goalless outing away.

He however handled the Bayelsa United 4-2 home win over Ghana’s Ashante GB in last year’s Confederation Cup preliminary round.

Aklesso Gnama with his compatriots Komlan Domenyo Adiwotso, Jonathan Koffi Ahonto and Komlanvi Aklassou assigned  the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and reserve referee respectively are already in Ibadan.

The match commissioner, Cameroon’s Alim Konate Aboubakar and  Bechir Hassani from Tunisia, the referee assessor have also arrived.

Also in Nigeria is the delegation of U23 Men National Team of Tanzania. They are housed at Carlton Gate Hotel in the sprawling city and looking forward to having a feel of the Lekan Salami Stadium turf on Friday evening.

Tanzania and Nigeria played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam on Saturday last week, and goals are needed to separate them and determine which side goes ahead to face the winner of the fixture between Uganda and Guinea in the ultimate round before the continental finals slated for Morocco in 13 months’ time.

A goal in each half, from the spot and in opposite directions, was the account of the first leg, and Head Coach Salisu Yusuf says his boys are primed for a decisive victory when the whistle goes for kick-off at 4pm on Saturday.

“We went to Tanzania to win but it was just not possible. The boys really worked hard and I must commend them for their effots. However, we have been working hard on our weak points and believe we will get the job done on Saturday.

“The entire team is happy with the hospitality from the Oyo State Government. We are happy to be able to focus entirely on the match without any distractions.”

Merchandise for sale at Souq Waqif market in Doha ahead of the World Cup, which starts on Nov 20, 2022. 

Boxloads of wooden camels, plates with pictures of Qatar’s skyscrapers, gold necklaces, football hats and scarves arrive every day in Doha’s Souq Waqif market, where traders eagerly await World Cup fans.

The narrow alleys of the century-old market will be a magnet for the one million football followers expected at the tournament, which kicks off on Nov. 20.

“There will be huge crowds, we have never experienced anything like this,” said Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al-Nama, head of the souq stables that organises camel and pony rides. “Inshallah (God willing), we are ready.”

Crowds are already growing as a World Cup buzz mounts.

Fan zone attractions and temporary stores are being set up around Nama’s camel enclosure and the hundreds of small stores selling incense, spices, carpets, gold and even falcons and other birds and animals. Press reports said stores will be allowed to open 24 hours a day during the World Cup.

When Souq Waqif opened in the early 20th century, traders stood at the entrance shouting at passers-by to buy their goods. Its name means the “Standing Market”.

Devastated by a major fire in 2003, most of it has been rebuilt with arched pedestrian alleys, as part of a project to regenerate central Doha.

Foreign fans “will have a lot of fun”, said Yasmine Ghanem, a 28-year-old member of Qatar’s national women’s golf team, who was sat in a Souq Waqif cafe drinking coffee and eating pancakes.

“It will be a great mixture of Arab culture and football,” she added.

Every evening, terraces are now filled with people drinking coffee and puffing on shisha tobacco pipes – it is a zone with no alcohol.

But traders, who have long been preparing for the World Cup, are expecting more. Nama cites the camels kept in an enclosure on a square as one attraction.

“I think that many tourists will want to see the camels and take pictures with them, because they are not found in Europe and East Asia,” he said.

Souvenir stores have packed their shelves. At his small store selling gold necklaces, Saleh Mohammed is looking for a motorbike rider who can deliver to hotels.

Dominated by the spiralling minaret of the Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Centre, the Al Rawnaq company has for decades concentrated on textiles, cheap clothes and toys.

Now the aisles are filled with scarves, flags and hats emblazoned with the names of the 32 competing nations – especially hosts Qatar.

In one corner, one worker makes flags, some up to 10 metres long.

Tens of billions of dollars have been spent on a new metro and infrastructure that has given the city a dramatic makeover. Outside Doha, many new resorts have been built.

Qatar wants to use the World Cup to bolster a campaign to increase visitor numbers from 1.5 million a year to six million by 2030.

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said his company is investing “hundreds of millions of dollars” on new infrastructure and promoting tourism.

“Qatar can certainly use this opportunity to position itself as a family friendly destination,” said Kamilla Swart-Arries, associate professor in sport and tourism at Hamad bin Khalifa University.

“The World Cup will just amplify and maximise the changing perception that people may currently have about Doha and Qatar.”

At the World Cup countdown clock on seafront Corniche road, Bangladeshis, Indians, Nepalis, Pakistanis, Kenyans and Ugandans from Qatar’s huge migrant community flock to take selfies next to the modernist structure.

“I am a fan of Lionel Messi and I have a ticket to see Argentina play Saudi Arabia,” said Anwar Sadath, 56, an Indian accountant.

“It will be a memorable event.”

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo scored on his return to the starting lineup as they sealed a place in the Europa League knockout rounds with a 3-0 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Ronaldo, who was left out of the squad for the weekend Premier League trip to Chelsea for disciplinary reasons, scored United’s third goal after Diogo Dalot and Marcus Rashford had given the home side a comfortable lead.

United are in second place in Group E with 12 points from five matches ahead of their visit to Real Sociedad in their final pool game next week, where victory could see them top the table and book a place straight into the last 16.

Erik ten Hag’s side never looked troubled against Moldovan outfit Sheriff and might have been out of sight by halftime after creating numerous chances but only had Dalot’s header from a Christian Eriksen corner just before the break to show for it

Defender Harry Maguire came on for the second half having missed the previous eight games with a hamstring injury as United doubled their lead when Rashford headed in Luke Shaw’s cross in the 65th. Ronaldo netted a late third from close range.

The group winners qualify for the last 16 while the eight runners-up will compete in February’s playoffs where they face the eight teams coming third in their Champions League groups

Sociedad defeated Omonia 2-0 thanks to goals from Robert Navarro and Brais Mendez, while Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma kept their knockout round hopes alive with a 2-1 win at HJK Helsinki in Group C after striker Tammy Abraham scored their opener.

They have seven points from five matches and lie in third place, needing to beat Ludogorets at home next week to stay in the competition.

PSV PROGRESS

Dutch side PSV Eindhoven had earlier advanced to the knockout stage following a 2-0 home win over Arsenal thaks to goals from Joey Veerman and Luuk De Jong.

The result ends Arsenal’s 100% start to Group A, though they had already sealed a place in the top two before the loss.

Ferencvaros are into the last 16 as Group H winners after a 1-1 draw with AS Monaco, who must win their final fixture at home to Red Star Belgrade to make sure of second place.

Ferencvaros have qualified for the post-Christmas stages of European competition for the first time since 1974-75.

Belgium’s Royale Union Saint-Gilloise were crowned Group D winners with a 2-0 victory at Malmo, while Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin beat visiting Portuguese side Braga 1-0 to move above their opponents into second place in the pool.

Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Pedro were on target as the Italians came from behind to beat Midtjylland 2-1, and were joined on eight points in Group F by Sturm Graz, who defeated Feyenoord 1-0 with a 93rd minute winner from Otar Kiteishvili.

Any of the four teams could still advance from that group.

The controversial VAR decision to rule out Harry Kane’s stoppage-time winner against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday prevented Tottenham Hotspur from progressing into the Champions League knockout stage as Group D winners with a match to spare.

Instead Antonio Conte’s team now go into a final “matchday” with all four teams in the group, including Eintracht Frankfurt and Marseille, still in the running for a last 16 spot.

While Group D is the tightest, there are still several other issues to be settled next Tuesday and Wednesday, with 12 teams through to the next round but only three guaranteed top spot.

If two or more clubs are level on points at the end of the group stage, a number of criteria will be taken into consideration to decide the next round qualifiers, starting with the head-to-head record among the teams in question.

It then goes to superior goal difference and then goals scored in those matches

Here is a detailed look at the group permutations ahead of next week’s final round of games:

Group A

Napoli and Liverpool have clinched the top two spots with the Italians on 15 points and the English club on 12. The winner of the group will be decided in the final match between the two in Liverpool next week.

Ajax, on three, are almost certain of a Europa League spot ahead of their match against Rangers, who do not have a point.

Group B

In a similar situation Club Brugge (10) and Porto (9) have booked their knockout stage tickets but the group winner is to be decided. Porto host Atletico Madrid, currently in the Europa League spot, while the Belgians travel to Bayer Leverkusen, who are a point behind Atletico.

A win or even a draw against Leverkusen could be enough for Brugge to win top spot.

Group C

Everything is settled as Bayern Munich have comfortably secured top spot with maximum points from five matches. Inter Milan, in second place on 10, also advance, leaving Barcelona in third to compete in the Europa League. Viktoria Plzen are bottom without a point.

Group D

A tense night is expected on the final matchday in this group with all four teams still in contention.

Leaders Tottenham Hotspur, on eight points, visit Olympique Marseille, in last place on six with a win or a draw enough to see them through.

Between them sit second-placed Sporting Lisbon and Eintracht Frankfurt, both on seven points, who play each other.

Should Tottenham lose and the other pair draw, Marseille would win the group with nine points and three teams would be locked on eight. In that scenario Sporting would advance in second place thanks to a win and a draw against the Londoners. Spurs would then be consigned to the Europa League.

Group E

Chelsea, the 2021 champions, are already through in first place ahead of their final group game with Dinamo Zagreb, whose best hope is a Europa League place. The second spot is a shoot out between AC Milan and Salzburg, with the Italians needing only a draw in the San Siro.

Group F

Defending champions Real Madrid have secured qualification but the winner of the group has yet to be decided. They top the standings on 10 points and face already-eliminated bottom club Celtic.

RB Leipzig, on nine, travel to Shakhtar Donetsk, who have six, needing a draw to advance. A Shakhtar win would leave both on nine, with Shakhtar advancing on their head-to-head record.

Group G

This group has been decided with Manchester City making sure of top spot. Borussia Dortmund, three points behind, advance as well but cannot dislodge City because of their head-to-head record. Sevilla, on five, are guaranteed a Europa League spot but as above, cannot overhaul Dortmund. Last-placed Copenhagen are already eliminated.

Group H

Paris St Germain and Benfica, both on 11 points and with an evenly balanced head-to-head after two 1-1 draws, have qualified already but the group win is still up for grabs.

The French side faces Juventus, on three points in third place and desperate to salvage a Europa League spot from their disappointing campaign.

Benfica travel to Maccabi Haifa, also on three, with the Israeli club hoping for a third place finish ahead of the Italians. PSG’s goal difference is +8 and Benfica’s +4.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been fined £30,000, the Football Association said on Thursday, but he has avoided a touchline ban following the red card he received during the Reds’ 1-0 win over Manchester City earlier in October.

The German was sent off for confronting Anthony Taylor after the referee decided against penalising City’s Bernardo Silva for a challenge on Mohamed Salah.

Klopp later said that he should have dealt with the situation differently, admitting: “The red card is my fault. I went over the top in the moment…

“I don’t think I was disrespectful to anybody, but when you look at the pictures back, I know myself, at 55 years, the way I look in these moments is already worth a red card – who cares what I say.

“I lost it in that moment, it’s not OK. But I think, a little bit as an excuse, I would like to mention: how can you not whistle that foul?”

He has now been found guilty of improper conduct by an independent panel and handed a £30,000 fine.

England’s governing Football Association, however, could lodge an appeal against that decision once it receives the written reasons from the panel.

An FA statement read: “Jurgen Klopp has been fined £30,000 for breaching FA Rule E3 during Liverpool FC’s Premier League match against Manchester City FC on Sunday Oct 16.

“The manager accepted his behaviour during the 86th minute was improper, and an independent regulatory commission imposed his sanction during a hearing.

“This sanction is subject to appeal by either Jurgen Klopp or the FA following receipt of the independent regulatory commission’s written reasons.”

In February 2021, Klopp was fined £45,000 after accepting an FA charge for questioning the integrity of referee Kevin Friend and/or implying bias after a 1-1 draw with West Ham.

Liverpool, eighth in the league standings with 16 points from 11 games, host 18th-placed Leeds United on Saturday.

• FIFA release second edition of Setting the Pace – the only women’s football benchmarking report of its kind, providing a comprehensive analysis into the elite women’s football landscape globally
• Report analyses 30 leagues and 294 clubs, providing administrators with tools to inform strategy and decision-making
• Report recognises growth and development in several key areas, with contributions from all six FIFA Confederations

FIFA has today published the second edition of Setting the Pace – its leading benchmarking report that provides insights into the factors that drive success in women’s football clubs and leagues. 

As part of FIFA’s goal to accelerate the growth of women’s football globally, the report features data from 30 of the top women’s football leagues and 294 clubs, and charts the changes and developments that have occurred in elite women’s football since the first edition was released in May 2021. 

The comprehensive analysis is based on data related to sporting, governance, financial, player, and fan engagement topics, and features women’s football clubs and leagues from all six FIFA Confederations.

Compiled with the support of Deloitte analysis, Setting the Pace can be used by clubs and leagues across the globe as an educational tool and reference point, aiding administrators to make informed decisions by considering best practice examples and providing practical solutions for the game’s key stakeholders to learn from one another. 

Speaking on the second edition of the report, Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, said: 

“Clubs are the foundation of our game, and by creating specific tools that paint an accurate picture of the women’s club landscape, we aim to increase the data available on women’s football and support decision-making processes.”

“With this in mind, we are proud to publish the second edition of Setting the Pace – a document that assesses the reality of the game across key areas, presents emerging challenges and opportunities, and demonstrates our clear commitment to accelerating the growth of women’s football.”

The detailed report, released following nine months of project planning, data collection, validation, and analysis, reveals several key findings, and recognises some important, positive trends in the women’s game. 

Key findings of Setting the Pace 2022 include:

• 90% of leagues had a written strategy in 2022, compared to 79% in 2021.
• The number of leagues with a title sponsor has grown over the past year, with 77% of leagues having a title sponsor in 2022, up 11% from 2021.
• Ten leagues indicated that they secured broadcast revenue in 2021, compared to nine in 2020. Of the leagues that receive broadcast revenue, 90% have a club licensing system.
• Clubs with written women’s football strategies tend to perform better both on and off the pitch. 78% of clubs that won their league in the past three seasons had a written strategy, compared to 65% for those that didn’t.
• In 2022, there has been encouraging signs regarding revenue growth. 7% of all clubs generated greater than USD 1m of revenue from matchday, broadcast, commercial, and prize money sources, while clubs recorded year-on-year commercial revenue growth of 33%. In turn, leagues have experienced year-on-year growth of 24% in commercial revenues. Both positive trends clearly highlight the improved commercialisation and ability to attract sponsors despite the global pandemic and uncertain global economy.
• Clubs spending more than USD 100,000 on marketing and activation also have proven to generate on average much higher commercial revenues (USD 1,100,000) than those spending less than USD 100,000. This demonstrates the virtuous cycle of commercial growth, allowing women’s football to unlock its full commercial potential.
• International transfer fees in professional women’s football hit a new record of USD 2.1m in 2021, an increase of 73% on 2020.
• Clubs have witnessed strong growth in merchandising sales over the past year. Over half of the clubs analysed sell women’s cuts online, and over a third sell men’s cuts (up from 18% previously). Clubs that don’t sell merchandise on matchday generated significantly less commercial revenue (USD 116,000 in 2021) than those that do (USD 311,000).
• Having player representation can be a positive force in improving player welfare. Where leagues have player representation (27 of 30 leagues), almost half have minimum salary requirements compared to a third for those that don’t.

Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer, added:

“The data in this year’s report underscores that organisations that are prepared to invest in women’s football are receiving a return, and we expect this will only continue as more clubs and leagues, as well as broadcasters and partners, truly recognise the unique growth opportunity that exists in women’s football.”

”Since the launch of FIFA Women’s Football Strategy in 2018, and in the period since the publication of the first edition of Setting the Pace, we’ve witnessed some significant developments and milestones in women’s football. But there’s so much left to be achieved, and this will occur as we continue to share expertise and best practice, and remain open to regularly and transparently analysing the women’s football landscape.” 

“FIFA continues to take proactive steps to accelerate the growth and development of women’s football globally, and it is our commitment to continue producing this report as we strive to assist clubs and leagues in their mission to professionalise their operations.”