Sports
European stars who could miss out on World Cup through the play-offs
AWAY from the international friendlies coming up, there are a few games going ahead this week with huge repercussions for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Twelve teams are left fighting it out to win the last six spots at next summer’s showpiece event and it guarantees some big names will miss out.
Sweden take on Italy and Croatia face Greece among others, which means in Europe alone, some stars from the domestic game will have to watch the World Cup on TV next summer.
Football Whispers have picked out an XI made up for players would could miss out if their countries fail to qualify via the playoffs…
Goalkeeper: Gigi Buffon (Italy)
The Italian goalkeeper is without doubt one of the greatest to ever play the game.
This is going to be his last season for Juventus and playing in the summer for the Azzurri would be the perfect goodbye to what has been an incredible career.
Centre-back: Dejan Lovren (Croatia)
Liverpool fans will tell you at any given opportunity, the Croatian defender is the main cause of most of their defensive issues.
Yet, for his country, the 28-year-old is still very key and a leader at the back.
Centre-back: Lonardo Bonucci (Italy)
The Juventus hero had been linked with a move to Manchester City and Chelsea over the summer, but shocked many with his move to AC Milan.
They may be struggling domestically, but the Italian defender is still one of Europe’s best passers from deep and has enjoyed an outstanding relationship with Buffon just behind him.
Centre-back: Kostas Manolas (Greece)
Often an Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target, the Greek defender has impressed over the last few seasons, but remains with Roma in Serie A.
Suspended for the first leg against Croatian, he will hope he can have a positive impact when they meet again in Piraeus.
Right wing-back: Stephan Lichtsteiner (Switzerland)
Captain of Switzerland, the ageing full-back has a never-give-up attitude that has helped him regain his place at Juventus time after time.
After Dani Alves and Juan Cuadrado arrived, his minutes were limited and he was left off their Champions League squad, but the 33-year-old battled on and is again Max Allegri’s starter.
Centre-midfield: Luka Modric (Croatia)
A star at Spurs, it wasn’t until his move to Real Madrid where the little Croatian really began to blossom.
Playing under Zinedine Zidane he has developed into one of the best players in the world.
His country needs him and the World Cup needs him in Russia.
Centre-midfield: Marco Verratti (Italy)
One of the jewels in Paris Saint-Germain’s crown.
The tenacious midfielder has never quite found the same high level for Italy, but given the chance to star at Russia 2018, it could be his time to shine.
Left wing-back: Ricardo Rodriguez (Switzerland)
The former Wolfsburg defender made a name for himself in Germany with rampaging runs down the flank.
A former Arsenal transfer target, he was signed by AC Milan in the summer.
The Swiss full-back has bags of energy and a superb left-foot.
Attacking midfield: Christian Eriksen (Denmark)
Sensational at Spurs under Mauricio Pochettino, the little Danish wizard could be one of Russia 2018’s stars if he can lead his country past the Republic of Ireland.
Premier League fans already know what he is capable of, it would be such a waste if he couldn’t show the rest of the world.
Attacking midfield: Lorenzo Insigne (Italy)
Under Maurizio Sarri, the diminutive forward has become one of the most dynamic players in Serie A.
Quick as a flash, he can help Napoli win games and has all the quality needed to become Italy’s talisman this summer.
Centre-Forward: Andrea Belotti (Italy)
Long linked with moves to Chelsea and Manchester United, the Torino hit-man continues to find the net for club and country.
After struggling up front, the 23-year-old is the goalscorer Italy have been waiting for.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Super Eagles.
This development was announced by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, in the early hours of Tuesday, following the approval of the NFF Executive Committee based on a recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee. Labbadia’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Born on 8th February 1966 in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia enjoyed a distinguished playing career, earning two caps for the German national team. His club career included stints at prominent clubs such as Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Arminia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC. Notably, he won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994.
Labbadia’s coaching career has seen him manage top-tier clubs such as Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen, among others. He holds a UEFA Pro License and is well-regarded for his tactical acumen.
With his appointment, Labbadia becomes the sixth German to lead the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr. Höner notably guided the Super Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Labbadia’s immediate task is to prepare the Super Eagles for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
Nigeria will face Benin Republic on Saturday, 7th September in Uyo, and Rwanda on Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali. The team will also play four additional qualifying matches in October and November as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, scheduled to be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles, placed in Group D, will face familiar foes Benin Republic, who recently defeated Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The draw for the AFCON qualifiers, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month, also sees Nigeria taking on Libya and Rwanda, both of whom are also part of the Super Eagles’ group for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Labbadia’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Super Eagles look to regain their dominance on the African continent and secure qualification for both the AFCON and the World Cup.
Finidi George has stepped into a new role as the technical manager for NPFL side, Rivers United, following his resignation as coach of the Super Eagles.
During his brief tenure with the Eagles, George’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Uyo and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan cast doubts on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification, prompting calls from fans for his dismissal.
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Nevertheless, Rivers United, the 2021-22 champions, expressed optimism in a statement on Wednesday via their official handle about having the former Eagles international manage their team.
“Finidi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, having had a distinguished playing career spanning over fifteen years,” the statement read.
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Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, General Manager of Rivers United FC, welcomed George, stating, “We are delighted to have Finidi George join our team. His appointment marks a new chapter in our club’s history, and we are committed to working together to achieve success.”
Expressing his gratitude to the club, an elated George remarked, “I am honored to have this opportunity, and I thank the Sports Commissioner, the General Manager, and the supporters for their confidence in me. I am committed to working hard and making the team win.”
Inter Milan were taken over by US fund Oaktree on Wednesday after the Serie A champions’ outgoing owners Suning missed a deadline to repay a debt worth hundred of millions of euros.
In a statement, Oaktree announced they had “assumed control” of Inter after the non-repayment of a “three-year loan to Inter Milan’s holding companies that matured on 21 May 2024 with a total balance due of approximately 395 million euros ($428 million)”.
Chinese conglomerate Suning have relinquished control of Inter to Oaktree three days after the team were officially crowned Italian champions for the 20th time.
Suning borrowed 275 million euros at over 12 percent interest three years ago to pay staff and players as the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the finances of clubs across Europe, putting up their controlling stake in the club as collateral.
“Oaktree is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for the long-term prosperity of Inter Milan, with an initial focus on operational and financial stability for the Club and its stakeholders,” Oaktree continued.
Inter became a powerful force at home and abroad after Suning acquired the club in 2016, with seven trophies including two Serie A titles and two European finals.
Simone Inzaghi’s team cruised to this year’s championship, winning the Scudetto with five matches remaining by beating AC Milan in a thrilling local derby.
Oaktree, which manages $192 billion in assets, said they are “committed to working closely with Inter Milan’s current management team, partners, the league and governing bodies to ensure the Club is positioned for success on and off the pitch”.
Inter ended up in the hands of Oaktree in a manner similar to the way another US fund, Elliott Management, took control of their local rivals Milan in 2018.
Elliott became Milan’s owners when Chinese businessman Li Yonghong was unable to repay a loan he had taken out when he bought the club from the late Silvio Berlusconi’s Fininvest the previous year.
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