FIRST TOUCH October 2018 WHERE IS THE CEILING... FOR WILFRIED ZAHA? ODION IGHALO DOES NOT FEAR FOR HIS LIFE! FT AFRICAN LEGENDS SERIES DIDIER DROGBA, THE IRREPLACEABLE CHELSEA LEGEND SUPER MARIO BALOTELLI THE 'BLACK SHEEP' THAT EVERYONE LOVES ROMELU LUKAKU "THE BELGIAN OF CONGOLESE DESCENT" FirstTouch Africa TABLE OF CONTENTS p.3 p.5 ODION IGHALO DOES NOT FEAR FOR BENNI MCCARTHY: FROM SUPER HIS LIFE! PLAYER TO SUPER COACH p.6 p.8 FRANCE - A GREAT INCUBATOR FOR ROMELU LUKAKU AFRICAN SOCCER TALENT. "THE BELGIAN OF CONGOLESE A SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM OR NOT? DESCENT" p.10 p.12 FT AFRICAN LEGENDS SERIES: DIDIER SUPER MARIO BALOTELLI: DROGBA, THE IRREPLACEABLE THE 'BLACK SHEEP' THAT EVERYONE CHELSEA LEGEND LOVES p.15 p.17 WHERE IS THE CEILING FOR WILFRIED IS SADIO MANE - REAL MADRID ZAHA? MATERIAL? ODION IGHALO DOES NOT FEAR FOR HIS LIFE! Written By: Tinotenda Magiya Croatia where his nation fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS the eventual finalists. He tried his best in front of goal but to no avail and was eventually demoted to the bench in the THAT SOCCER PLAYERS GO following match against Iceland. All his efforts in the THROUGH OUTSIDE THE tournament have gone down the drain in the memories of the radical fans who feel that his only contribution was to PITCH THAT THE FANS huff and puff goal-scoring opportunities. Ighalo has since received death threats from numerous people on his social SELDOM PAY LITTLE media accounts which is unacceptable. The player goes to lengths to score a number of goals for his country only to ATTENTION TO. be paid back by insults when he is out of form. Some players go through emotional torture because of the abuse that comes from the fans when they are not “It was painful but not enough to make me quit the performing well, and some are forced to fear for their country.” lives. This is the story of a certain Nigerian who is one of — ODION IGHALO, NIGERIA & CHANGCHUN YATAI the many players that have been threatened by their own fans in the midst of a bad performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. This is not the first time that a player or coach received death threats because of unfortunate circumstances. Former Watford centre forward, Odion Ighalo was one of Former Chelsea and Italy national team coach, Antonio the first names on the Nigerian team sheet at the recent Conte fell prey to similar attacks from Juventus fans who FIFA World Cup hosted in the cold land of the Russians. He blamed him for the injury of Claudio Marchisio in August played in Nigeria’s first match in the tournament against 2014. Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Carlo FirstTouch| pg.3 Tavecchio revealed that Conte received death threats on the internet.Soccer fans are entitled to their opinions and reactions after bad performances but there is a line ought to be drawn in terms of expression. Death threats have a toll on a player’s mindset whenever they play as they feel unsafe, even in their own country. Ighalo talked to BBC Sport after revealing that not only him but his family too received such threats. After all, we need to remember that soccer is a sport made possible by these players who represent our clubs and national teams. The players are human beings and have emotions which need to be protected like any other. No one deserves to feel unsafe especially after working their socks off for the love of the game only to be attacked by the very same people they sacrifice a lot for. Denounce these actions and save the lives and careers of our players. We are with you Ighalo! FirstTouch| pg.4 BENNI “Benni is the long-standing record goalscorer for Bafana Bafana so surely giving him a chance to lead McCARTHY: the side wouldn’t be a bad idea after all, or so at least I would like to think, “local is lekker”, as most From Super South African football fanatics would say.” player to Super — SIPHOSETHU THWALA, FIRSTTOUCH AFRICA coach Written By: Siphosethu Thwala Moreover, Mccarthy himself has learnt a great deal as a young coach, making a lot of mistakes while also Recent changes in football have seen an increasing trend making a lot of positive strides while at the helm of of former players venturing into management after the team. All that has enabled the 40-year-old hanging up their boots. For some, things have worked out Mccarthy and his team to finally clinch a cup and open well while on the other hand, the same can’t be said for up the club’s trophy cabinet to introduce their first others. Nonetheless, zooming into our very own continent ever trophy with the hope for more silverware in the we recently witnessed one of the greatest players to ever future. Benni has achieved what only few have been come out from South Africa lifting his first ever cup as able to by winning this cup. With a glamorous football coach. This is none other than Benni “18 area” Mccarthy. career which saw him lift the UEFA Champions League The Cape Town born former Orlando Pirates striker led his with Jose Mourinho during their time at Portugues team FC Cape Town to glory in the recently ended MTN 8 giants FC Porto, an equally glamorous coaching career cup competition. FC Cape Town beat Supersport United 4- is dawning. 1 on penalties to claim the richest cup tournament in the continent cruising all the way to the bank with an 8 million With one cup in the bag, many will agree that the rand cheque ( USD 540 000), quite a historical moment for stakes are now even higher for Benni and consistency Benni in only just his second season as a coach. is key if he is to engrave his name as one of the best local coaches in South Africa. Whether or not he can go on to win the league with his team, is a story for another day. But rest assured, the former Blackburn Rovers marksman certainly has the right attitude which will help him develop faster and become a better coach. Many have even earmarked him as a future Bafana Bafana (the South African men’s national team) coach and I would totally approve of that idea. Mind you, Benni is the long-standing record goalscorer for Bafana Bafana so surely giving him a chance to lead the side wouldn’t be a bad idea after all, or so at least I would like to think, “local is lekker”, as most South African football fanatics would say. His journey as coach has been an encouraging one I must Either way, Benni’s maiden trophy as coach might just say. Leading his team to the top 5 in the 2017/2018 season be the right tonic to propel him to be counted was quite an achievement for someone who was being amongst some of the best local coaches in South thrown in the deep end of the very volatile coaching job. Africa (provided he stays consistent and doesn’t get Mind you, he also happened to be the manager when FC the sack). Cape Town lost to the very same Supersport United last season, so this was more like revenge being served at its very best by Benni and company. In his two year stay at the club, Benni has certainly improved both his side as well as himself in the process. FC Cape Town have become an organised side that many teams find hard to break down due to how well they are organised. FirstTouch| pg.5 France - A Great Incubator for African Soccer Talent. A Sustainable System or Not? Written By: Dennis Takaendesa the French leagues, it’s almost certain that they will be of African descent. Francophone West African countries such as Ivory Coast, Togo, Mali as well as Algeria and Tunisia in the north are the most common, as result of the close ties between the above countries and France due to colonial history. France is simply not so uptight with their immigration laws which have amounted to a sizeable number of African parents moving to the country in search of “greener pastures.” Here is the interesting part. An African is born a great football talent - whether or not they grew up playing in the streets with a rubbish ball, dancing past cars. They are simply born good, it seems to always come with the blood. Take my word for it. The reason why African Nabil Fekir of Lyon celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with his team mates during the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais countries are not at the top, is just as the adage says - fewer resources or The reigning world champions won the 2018 FIFA World cup in mismanagement of them thereof has seen the style. Les Blues made lightwork of a resilient Croatian side as continent’s football systems lag behind despite they cruised to a 4-2 victory that warranted them the world cup hosting the brightest of talent. Now, those gold. With a squad averaging 26 years of age, the joint second African children born in France, and because youngest squad at the tournament in Russia, not many would they are born good football players - France’s have seen France going all the way, at least I didn’t - especially established systems and infrastructure make that the tourney had been won by ‘experienced’ and ‘talented’ them great.