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Ex-international Tackles FIFA For Staging Club World Cup During AFCON

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FIFA

Former Egypt international Ahmed Hossam Hussein Abdelhamid, publicly known as Mido, has tackled world governing body FIFA for staging the Club World Cup at the same time as the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The 18th edition of the Club World Cup, which was earlier scheduled for December, will now be held from February 3 to 12, 2022, in the United Arab Emirates while the Afcon finals will take place from January 9 to February 6 in Cameroon.

Originally, an expanded Club World Cup in China was planned to be held in June and July 2021 but due to fixture congestion caused by the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on football, the Tokyo Olympics, Uefa European Championship and Copa America it was postponed from mid-2020 to mid-2021.

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As a result, FIFA announced in March 2020 they would postpone the expanded Club World Cup to later in 2021, 2022, or 2023.

On December 4, 2020, the Fifa Council announced the Club World Cup, using the previous format, would be held in late 2021 and hosted by Japan.

However, on September 8, 2021, the Japan Football Association dropped its commitment to host the tournament, owing to the possibility of restrictions on fan attendance due to the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

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Numerous countries expressed interest in hosting the tournament as bidding was reopened, including Brazil, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.

On October 20, 2021, the Fifa Council announced the UAE as the host of the tournament and postponed the event from late 2021 to early 2022.

According to Mido, who played for several clubs in the Premier League, including Tottenham Hotspur, Middlesbrough, and West Ham United, the world body has disrespected Africans with the decision.

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READ ALSO: FIFA Releases Shortlist For The Best Football Awards 2021

FIFA deciding to hold the Club World Cup while Afcon is going on is a sign of disrespect to African football,” former Ajax star tweeted in Ara

“It wouldn’t have been the case with the Euros or Copa America.”

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The draw for the competition was conducted on Monday with Chelsea set to face Auckland City, Al Jazira, or Al Hilal in the semi-finals.

Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal will face the winner between hosts Al Jazira and New Zealand side Auckland while Egyptian giants Al Ahly will take on Mexican side Monterrey and the winner will face Copa Libertadores winner Palmeiras in the semis.

Bayern Munich are the defending champions, but will not defend their title after being eliminated in the 2020-21 Uefa Champions League quarter-finals.

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African champions Al Ahly take part for a second successive time having finished third in the previous edition.

(PUNCH)

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EPL: Mikel Obi Reveals Why Chelsea Failed To Beat Arsenal in 1-1 Draw

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Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has claimed Chelsea failed to defeat Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, because of an early red card to Moises Caicedo.

The two London rivals played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo was sent off in the 38th minute following a VAR check.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Why Arsenal Could Win The Title This Season – Guardiola

But it was Chelsea who took the lead after the break, thanks to Trevor Chalobah’s header.

But the Gunners equalized through Mikel Merino.

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So far this season, Chelsea have received seven red cards in 20 games across all competitions this season.

READ ALSO:EPL: Alan Smith Names Only Two Clubs To Compete For Title

That’s four red cards this season; it’s not good enough. I’ve spoken about it; the manager needs to talk with the players, because it’s costing us games as well,” Mikel Obi said on his podcast.

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“If you look at that game, if we finished with eleven men, I think we could’ve won. Maybe not easily, but comfortably, we could’ve secured a win.”

 

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EPL: Slot Reveals When Salah Will Leave For AFCON

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Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has revealed that Mohamed Salah was “not happy” to be dropped for their 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.

Salah was named on the bench at the London Stadium for the Premier League fixture.

Slot took the bold decision, as he looked to arrest a poor run of form, that saw the Reds lose nine of 12 matches.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Berbatov Names Team That Can ‘Surprise’ Arsenal In Title Race

Salah was not summoned from the bench for the entire 90 minutes, as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealed victory.

It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us,” Slot said.

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“I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future. He wasn’t happy he wasn’t starting but he wasn’t the only one.”

READ ALSO:EPL: Man Utd Suffer Fresh Injury Blow Ahead Of Everton Clash

Salah could yet return to the starting line-up as Liverpool host Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

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The 33-year-old will remain available for the next four matches, before he leaves to join Egypt’s squad for the African Cup of Nations.

“It’s 15 December,” Slot confirmed.

But always in these situations there is the player and the national team involved and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us.”

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Davido Reacts As Gov Adeleke Dumps PDP

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Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has reacted to the shock resignation of his uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The singer kept it short but loaded, posting “Jeje… ” widely interpreted as a subtle message of calmness, quiet movement, or strategic withdrawal as the political storm around the governor intensifies.

Governor Adeleke’s resignation, though only discovered on Monday night was actually tendered on 4 November 2025, ahead of the party’s national convention in Ibadan. His aide, Olawale Rasheed, leaked the letter online, confirming the governor had walked away from the troubled party weeks ago.

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READ ALSO:Gov Adeleke Resigns From PDP

In the letter addressed to his Ward 2 chairman in Ede North, Adeleke cited the unresolved crisis at the PDP national level as the reason for quitting. He appreciated the party for backing his rise as senator and later governor.

The revelation has thrown today’s scheduled Osun 2026 governorship primary into confusion. While the state chapter announced a postponement due to factional firestorms, the National Working Committee insists the primary must hold — even though Adeleke remains the only aspirant who bought the form.

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There is growing speculation that the governor is now eyeing a second term under the Accord Party, which several of his aides are rumoured to have already infiltrated and taken over in Osun.
His earlier attempt to defect to the APC reportedly hit a brick wall, with party leaders rejecting his move.

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