 |
|
African football digest [Fri Sep 2nd, 2005]
Johannesburg (Reuters) - A digest of recent football stories from around Africa:
GUINEA
St Etienne striker Pascal Feindouno has given up the captaincy of Guinea on the eve of their World Cup qualifier against Malawi after being accused of indiscipline following a night out on the town.
Feindouno told a press conference in Conakry on Wednesday he wanted to return to a role as an ordinary player in the Guinea side.
"I don't like the role of captain. It is a lot of responsibility that is not easy to carry. I just want to revert to my role on the pitch," he said.
Feindouno, 24, has been Guinea's star performer in recent years.
The west African country are looking for a win over Malawi in Conakry on Sunday to strengthen their chances of qualifying for next year's African Nations Cup finals in Egypt.
- - - -
IVORY COAST
Coach Henri Michel has recalled former captain Tchiressoa Guel to his squad as a late addition ahead of Sunday's crunch Word Cup qualifier against Cameroon.
Guel had been dropped by Michel for last month's friendly in France and the vital Group Three decider in Abidjan on Sunday because Guel had been released by his French Ligue 2 club Nancy and was out of match practice.
But Michel has changed his mind and recalled Guel, telling journalists on Thursday: "I've confidence in the player. It is difficult at the moment because he has no club and I haven't had a chance to see him play. But he did such a good job for us over the last year that I feel I need to have him in the squad."
The Ivory Coast will qualify for a first ever appearance at the World Cup finals if they win Sunday's match at home to Cameroon, their nearest challengers in the group.
- - - -
EGYPT
International striker Ahmed Belal has signed for Konyaspor of Turkey from Egyptian champions Al Ahli.
The 25-year-old cost the Turkish club US$500 000 and has signed a three year contract, officials said on Wednesday.
The move allows Bilal a chance for more regular competition after losing his place in both the Al Ahli side and the Egypt squad following serious injury in April last year.
Belal was the top goal scorer in the Egyptian league at the end of the 2002/2003 season. He also led the attack for Egypt at last year's African Nations Cup tournament in Tunisia.
- - - -
TUNISIA
Early season league leaders Club Africain have signed an Iraqi player to bolster their squad for the season, Tunis's La Press newspaper reported on Thursday.
The 32-year-old central defender Ghassen Hamid, who had previously played in Sweden for seven years, has joined the club after impressing coach Youssef Zouaoui.
He will be the first Iraqi to play professionally in Tunisia.
News headlines from around the world.