SPECIAL: RUSSIA 2018

The French team were not the only winners of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia as the curtains were drawn on Sunday in Moscow. Prior to seeing France lift the Trophy, the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) came together to decide where the Russia 2018 awards should go. Luka Modric named adidas Golden Ball Award winner despite Final defeat …

France have won the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ after defeating Croatia 4-2 in a thoroughly entertaining Final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday in what was a fitting end to an outstanding tournament. Despite Croatia having the majority of possession in the opening stages, France took the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. Antoine Griezmann’s lofted free kick …

France seal second World Cup triumph with a convincing 4-2 win over Croatia in a thrilling final. As exciting as Russia 2018, it’s a miserable World Cup for Africa’s representatives, with none of its flagbearers making it out of the group stages.  What went wrong for them at the 2018 World Cup? Our Contributing Editor, Michael Nnaji examines their shortcomings …

 Aliou Cisse has said he’s optimistic of Africa’s chances at winning the ultimate prize in football despite the dismal performance of the continent at this year’s tournament in Russia. Aliou Cisse, who is the only Black coach at the ongoing World Cup, led Senegal to an unsuccessful outing in Russia. “I’m certain that one day an African team, an African …

Yerry Mina’s second-half header on Thursday sent Colombia into a last-16 tie with England at the World Cup at the expense of Senegal, who lost out to Japan having received more yellow cards. Senegal spent the final 20 minutes pushing for an equaliser which would have sent the African side through – AliouCisse’s side were level with Japan in terms of …

Dozens of soccer fans scuffled and threw chairs after a live screening at a Belgian outdoor cafe of Poland’s 2-1 upset defeat by Senegal on Tuesday at the World Cup in Russia. A police spokesman told Reuters on Wednesday that one person was hurt in the incident in the port city of Antwerp but no arrests were made. Local newspaper …

Senegal became the first African team to win at this year’s World Cup, defeating Poland 2-1 on Tuesday, restoring hope that the continent could still make a big impact at the global football festival. Senegal’s Teranga Lions made Africans  proud on Tuesday evening with a 2-1 defeat of Poland at the Spartak Stadium in their opening Group H match. Senegal, …

Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Gernot Rohr, on Saturday said the team’s 0-2 loss to Croatia in their opening match of Russia 2018 was due to “many mistakes’’. Rohr, while speaking at the post-match conference of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group D fixture, said he and his players were aware they made some important mistakes during the game. The News Agency of …

High hopes for Senegal in their opening game on Tuesday after the four other African representatives have so far failed to get a point.  It will be Senegal’s first World Cup appearance since 2002 but the coach is counting on experience to get them through. Senegal will draw on the spirit of the late Bruno Metsu, the maverick French coach …

Tunisia coach Nabil Maaloul, speaking after his side lost 2-1 to England at Volgograd Arena thanks to two Harry Kane goals, has said that Russia 2018 is one of the best tournaments he has attended. Referencing previous World Cups in 2002 and 2006, Maaloul said that the facilities and infrastructure of the 2018 edition made it “one of the best” he had …

Super Eagles’ captain, Mikel John Obi has said that the team is fully committed and are united than ever to give their all for their country when they file out against debutants Iceland in their second Group D match on Saturday. The Eagles’ skipper, who spoke to AOIFootball.com exclusively at the team’s base in Essentuki, assured Nigerians of their readiness, whilst …

Africa has not had a good start so far at Russia 2018, with Nigeria, Morocco and Egypt losing their opening games. But the global football festival is just starting off and a lot of surprises are still possible. Our contributing writer Maximilian Lütgens, speaks in an exclusive interview with German trainer Lutz Pfannenstiel, who has worked in Africa as both …

With the opening match of hosts Russia against Saudi Arabia on 14 June at 17:00 hrs (Central European Summer Time) in Moscow, begins the 21st FIFA World Cup. Among the 32 participating national teams are also 5 African teams. On the second day of the tournament, Egypt (against Uruguay) and Morocco (against Iran) have to win two important points for …

As the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia begins, our contributing editor, Michael Nnaji, previews the chances of Africa’s representatives at the Mundial. The football fiesta will hold in Russia between 14 June and 15 July 2018. For the third time since the World Cup was expanded to accommodate 32 teams, Africa will be represented by 5 nations who emerged from …

Russian President Vladimir Putin has released a personal video address welcoming each of the 32 participating nations and the millions of expected fans arriving in Russia to the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals. With just days to go until the grand showpiece event begins on Thursday, President Putin has invited all those taking part in the first World Cup ever …

The Nigerian ambassador to Russia believes the country is a safe place for Black people, amid Western media’s drive to portray it as a place with rampant racism ahead of the FIFA 2018 World Cup. “Racism is a very serious issue, it breaks your morale, it breaks your concentration,” Ambassador Steve Davies Ugbah said at a press conference in Moscow on Friday. “When there …

Michael Ballack believes there is more going on behind the scenes between Joachim Low and Leroy Aziz Sané than has been said following the Manchester City star’s shock omission from Germany’s World Cup squad. Sané is the son of former German rhythmic gymnast and the 1984 Summer Olympics bronze medalist Regina Weber and former footballer and Senegalese international Souleymane Sané. …

With the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ just ten days away, the full squads of all 32 teams can finally be confirmed as anticipation for kick off cranks up another notch. All the initial provisional squads have been trimmed down, injuries weighed up and fitness assessed as the teams go through their final preparations ahead of the big kick-off in …

The threat of terrorist attacks in France has put paid to fans’ hopes of watching the World Cup on big screens in public spaces, France’s ministry for the interior has announced. The ministry said the terrorism threat means transmissions will only be allowed if they have taken the necessary precautions. That includes showing the matches in a secured public area …

Germany head coach Joachim Löw has named his preliminary squad for the World Cup, which kicks off in Russia next month. The DFB has extended the head coach’s contract through to the World Cup in 2022. German national coach Joachim Löw has named a squad of 27 players, who will accompany him to the national team’s training camp in Austria …