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Champions League: Yaya Touré becomes first African coach to reach league phase

Published

1 minute ago

August 27, 2026

Champions League: Yaya Touré becomes first African coach to reach league phase

Ivory Coast football legend Yaya Touré has made history as the first African coach to lead a club into the UEFA Champions League league phase, after guiding Slovan Bratislava through a dramatic qualifying play-off against Slovenian champions Celje.

Touré achieved the landmark on Wednesday night when Slovan Bratislava defeated Celje 2-1 after extra time in the second leg of their Champions League play-off, securing a 3-2 aggregate victory and a place in the 2026/27 league phase.

The achievement is a remarkable start to Touré’s coaching career, coming during his first season as a senior club manager.

Slovan entered the second leg with the tie finely balanced after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first meeting.

The Slovak champions made a bright start in the return fixture and took the lead in the 18th minute through captain Andraž Šporar, who produced a composed finish after receiving a long pass and lifting the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

Celje responded before half-time when Svit Šešlar converted a penalty in the 34th minute to bring the hosts level.

Neither side could find the decisive goal during the remainder of normal time, sending the contest into extra time with a place in the Champions League league phase at stake.

Touré’s team eventually produced the breakthrough in the 100th minute.

Cristian Martínez became the match-winner when he found the net during extra time, giving Slovan a 2-1 lead on the night and a 3-2 aggregate advantage.

Celje could not find another response, allowing Slovan to celebrate a historic qualification.

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For Touré, the achievement is particularly significant because he only recently made the transition from coaching assistant to senior manager.

The former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder was appointed Slovan Bratislava head coach in 2026, taking over his first senior managerial role after gaining experience as an assistant coach.

Before moving to Slovan, Touré worked in coaching roles at Standard Liège, with the Saudi Arabia national team and at Tottenham Hotspur, where he worked with the club’s youth setup.

His first major assignment as a head coach has now produced one of the biggest milestones achieved by an African manager in European club football.

Touré’s qualification also builds on the breakthrough achieved by Nigerian coach Ndubuisi Egbo.

Egbo became the first African coach to lead a club in the Champions League qualifying rounds when he guided KF Tirana of Albania through the opening stage of the competition in 2020.

Tirana defeated Dinamo Tbilisi under Egbo but failed to advance into the main phase of the competition.

Touré has now gone a step further by successfully guiding Slovan through the final qualifying hurdle and into the competition’s main league phase.

The distinction is important because the Champions League underwent a major structural change from the 2024/25 season, replacing the traditional group stage with a 36-team league phase.

Each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents, with the highest-ranked teams progressing directly to the round of 16 and others entering a play-off round for places in the knockout stage.

Slovan Bratislava’s qualification means Touré will now lead the club into the competition proper, where it will face some of the biggest teams in European football.

The club’s opponents will be determined by the Champions League league-phase draw.

Touré arrives at this stage of his coaching career with extensive experience of the competition as a player.

He won the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in the 2008/09 season, as part of the side that completed a historic treble under Pep Guardiola.

During his time at Barcelona, Touré also won two La Liga titles before moving to Manchester City in 2010.

At City, the Ivorian became one of the most influential players in the club’s modern history, helping the team win three Premier League titles, among other major honours.

His performances during City’s rise to the top of English football established him as one of the finest midfielders of his generation.

At international level, Touré was equally influential for the Ivory Coast national team.

He won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, helping the Elephants secure their first continental title in more than two decades.

The former midfielder retired from professional football in 2020 before beginning his transition into coaching.

His progression from assistant roles to senior management has now culminated in a historic Champions League achievement.

The milestone is also significant for African football because African coaches have historically had fewer opportunities to manage clubs in Europe’s biggest competitions compared with their European counterparts.

Touré’s success with Slovan could therefore provide greater visibility for African coaches seeking opportunities at the highest levels of European football.

The achievement also comes amid an encouraging start to Slovan’s domestic campaign.

The Slovak champions have maintained a strong run under Touré, adding confidence to their European qualification campaign.

For Touré, however, the real test is only beginning.

Reaching the Champions League league phase guarantees Slovan a place among Europe’s elite clubs, but the team will now have to compete against opponents with considerably greater financial resources and experience.

The Ivorian manager will have the opportunity to demonstrate whether his early success can translate into sustained performances against Europe’s top sides.

Whatever happens in the league phase, Touré has already secured his place in African football history.

From winning the Champions League as a player with Barcelona to becoming the first African coach to guide a club into the competition’s league phase, the Ivorian has added another remarkable chapter to his European football story.

Champions League: Yaya Touré becomes first African coach to reach league phase

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NFF President Gusau, Board Members Resign Amid Super Falcons World Cup Failure

Sports

NFF President Gusau, Board Members Resign Amid Super Falcons World Cup Failure

Published

5 hours ago

August 27, 2026

Trends Admin

NFF President Gusau, Board Members Resign Amid Super Falcons World Cup Failure

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and several members of the executive committee have resigned amid mounting pressure over the federation’s management of Nigerian football, following a series of national team failures and investigations into the use of public funds. General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi confirmed the development on Wednesday, stating: “Yes, the news about the resignation of the president and myself is true.” The resignations mark a historic moment for Nigerian football, being the first time an NFF president has resigned in the history of the game in the country. The development comes barely a month before the federation’s elective congress, which had been scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The NFF board had come under intense pressure following the poor management of Nigerian football, with the latest debacle being the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in the tournament’s history. Nigeria had participated in every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991, making this a significant setback for the country’s most successful women’s football side. The Super Falcons lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, ending their title defence and forcing them into a playoff route for World Cup qualification. Their hopes were subsequently ended by a 2-1 defeat to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana. The women’s team’s failure follows the Super Eagles missing consecutive FIFA World Cups, having failed to qualify for both the 2022 and 2026 editions. Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel publicly called for changes in the NFF leadership, warning that Nigeria risked missing a third consecutive World Cup if Gusau remained in office.

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The crisis has been compounded by investigations into the management of funds released by the Federal Government for Nigeria’s national teams. The Department of State Services (DSS) has been examining the use of a ₦17 billion intervention fund approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to settle outstanding wages, bonuses, and other payments owed to national team players. According to reports, security agencies have beamed their searchlight on officials of the NFF to show proof of what they did with the massive fund released to the Glass House. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have also reportedly stepped in to check the federation’s finances. The EFCC and ICPC investigations have proceeded to the point where the NFF has cited them as a reason for not releasing financial records under a Freedom of Information request. An authoritative source told Vanguard: “It’s a normal thing for DSS to go through all documents relating to the funds released,” dismissing fears of witch hunt or hounding. However, the probe extends beyond financial matters, with reports of other intelligence agencies examining communications between NFF officials and foreign nationals.

The executive committee of the NFF headed by Ibrahim Gusau was under intense pressure to resign, following the spate of failures and also following the resignation of more than half of its members. Eight of the 13 members of the NFF board have, allegedly, quit their positions. The board had reportedly met and considered the option of resigning en-masse to pave the way for a Normalisation Committee to run the country’s football for a period, allowing for needed reforms before a new board is elected. An official of the National Sports Commission reportedly described the resignation as “the first step towards restructuring the NFF.” A National Sports Commission official told Daily Post that the resignation is part of a restructuring effort, with the aim of implementing a new governance structure. The official noted that the resignations could allow for a “normalisation committee” to be established to oversee the transition.

The reported resignations could halt the scheduled September 27 elections into the board of the NFF slated for Lafia, Nasarawa State. The election was expected to usher in a new Executive Committee for the next four years, with the electoral roadmap already released. However, the dramatic change at the top of the federation has raised fundamental questions: Will Lafia still host the congress? Will the Federal Government or the National Sports Commission intervene? The NFF Statutes provide for dissolution when at least nine of 13 members resign, further complicating the situation.

Stakeholders like Chief Segun Odegbami, Dr. Danladi Bako, Barrister Godwin Dudu-orumen and Tony Ubani are all of the opinion that Gusau and his clique have no moral right to seek reelection. Another strong voice that is singing the same song, London-based anti-corruption crusader in football, Osasu Obayiuwana has joined them. The NFF’s ability to effectively govern Nigerian football has been widely questioned, with critics pointing to the “rotten” and “filthy house” of Nigerian football governance. The federation’s handling of funds has been a central concern, with one stakeholder noting that “no NFF administration has enjoyed the kind of financial windfall that the Gusau board has enjoyed,” yet there is “little or nothing to show for it.”

NFF President Gusau, Board Members Resign Amid Super Falcons World Cup Failure

Sports

Manchester City stage late comeback to beat Bournemouth 2-1 in Maresca’s debut

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3 days ago

August 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Manchester City stage late comeback to beat Bournemouth 2-1 in Maresca’s debut

Guehi and Gvardiol rescue Italian manager as VAR drama hands City dramatic comeback victory over resilient Cherries

Manchester City produced a dramatic late fightback to snatch a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, handing Enzo Maresca a winning start to his Premier League tenure in the most thrilling fashion imaginable. A huge banner reading “Welcome back Enzo” was held aloft by City fans as the Italian — who served as Guardiola’s assistant during City’s treble-winning 2022-23 season — emerged from the tunnel before kickoff. Wearing a sharp black suit, Maresca certainly looked the part on the touchline, but the slickness synonymous with City’s play under Guardiola was not quite there until the late comeback.

The visitors stunned the home crowd in the 26th minute when Marcus Tavernier finished off a swift counter-attack. The move began with Adam Smith’s long pass before Rayan worked the ball to Evanilson, who delivered a well-weighted pass across the area. Tavernier arrived at the back post and finished from close range to give Bournemouth a deserved lead. City had started brightly and created an early opportunity in the 13th minute when Nico O’Reilly delivered a dangerous cross toward Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker, sporting a new close-cropped haircut, found space inside the area but failed to make proper contact. It was a miss that would set the tone for a frustrating afternoon. Bournemouth nearly doubled their advantage two minutes before the break when Rayan found Justin Kluivert unmarked inside the area, but Gianluigi Donnarumma saved the Dutchman’s low effort.

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Erling Haaland, who has scored 22 goals in 14 Premier League games in the month of August during his career, failed to take any of his five chances on the day. The Norwegian, who shed his long blond hair on the eve of the new season describing his close-cropped look as “new season, new trim,” might have looked sharp, but his finishing was rusty. Haaland passed up two opportunities in the second half, shooting over in the 72nd minute before failing to make clean contact with Guehi’s cross three minutes later. Guehi had earlier set up Haaland in a great position in the 75th minute, but the striker was unmarked five yards out from goal and failed to convert.

Marc Guehi, playing in defensive midfield for only the third time in his career in a curious tactical move by Maresca, missed a clear chance to level the score in the 51st minute. He headed wide from close range after meeting Elliot Anderson’s corner while unmarked. Somehow, Guehi fluffed his lines from two yards out with the goal at his mercy and Petrovic in the Bournemouth goal in no man’s land. It surpassed Haaland’s woeful first-half miss with an even worse header from virtually on the line.

Maresca made the critical decision to send on French playmaker Rayan Cherki, and the move changed the course of the match. Cherki floated in a superb corner from the right with his left foot, which found Guehi unmarked five yards out from goal in the 84th minute. Guehi powered his header past Petrovic to make it 1-1. It was redemption for Guehi, who had earlier headed wide from close range, and he put aside that miss to spark the turnaround.

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Then came the decisive moment. Cherki played in Josko Gvardiol inside the penalty area, and the Croatian defender guided a cool finish into the bottom corner in the first minute of stoppage time. The goal was initially flagged for offside, prompting wild celebrations on the Bournemouth bench. But following a lengthy video assistant referee review, the goal was awarded, prompting huge celebrations on the City touchline. Maresca punched the air when Gvardiol’s goal was awarded and went onto the field after the final whistle to hug his players.

“It is the perfect day, to be honest,” Maresca said. “I was very pleased when the game started to see the banner on the other side. And I was pleased because we give them the joy of the three points. It was quite emotional and the perfect day.” The victory handed Maresca his first three points as City manager in his first Premier League match in charge, but he acknowledged his side remains a “work in progress.” City had shown improvement from the side that was beaten 3-0 by Arsenal in last Sunday’s Community Shield, but for most of the game, it looked as if Maresca was going to start with consecutive defeats.

For Bournemouth, managed by Marco Rose in his Premier League debut, the defeat ended a remarkable 18-match unbeaten run across all competitions dating back to January. It was Bournemouth’s first defeat in any competition since January, ending their club-record unbeaten run. Despite the late heartbreak, the Cherries produced an impressive performance that will offer encouragement for the season ahead. The result was particularly painful for Bournemouth, who had enjoyed the best season in their history last campaign, finishing sixth and securing European football for the first time.

Maresca began his time as Guardiola’s replacement with a 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield last weekend and has had to deal with the departure of star midfielder Rodri to Barcelona. But Maresca opted against Bournemouth to deploy Guehi — a center-back — as a holding midfielder instead. It was a contentious decision given there were other midfield options on the bench, and it might prove to be a one-off, but Guehi grew into the role. Replacing a legend is always difficult, as David Moyes experienced when Sir Alex Ferguson left neighbours Manchester United in 2013, and the late comeback will come as a major relief in City’s first Premier League game without Pep Guardiola in a decade.

Manchester City stage late comeback to beat Bournemouth 2-1 in Maresca’s debut

Sports

Salah scores brace as Trabzonspor beat Basaksehir 2-1

Published

3 days ago

August 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Salah scores brace as Trabzonspor beat Basaksehir 2-1

Mohamed Salah marked his first Turkish Super Lig start for Trabzonspor in style, scoring twice as the club defeated Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 on Sunday.

The Egyptian forward opened his account for Trabzonspor in the eighth minute before adding a second goal early in the second half to secure the club’s first Super Lig victory of the season.

Salah, 34, had previously made his league debut for Trabzonspor as a substitute in a 1-1 draw against Kasimpasa. He also started the club’s Europa League play-off first leg against Ferencvaros before earning a starting role against Basaksehir.

The former Liverpool star needed just eight minutes to break the deadlock. He capitalised on an error by Basaksehir goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer, reacting quickly to put the ball into the net.

Basaksehir responded in the 19th minute when Eldor Shomurodov converted a penalty to level the score at 1-1.

Salah restored Trabzonspor’s lead three minutes after the restart. He combined with Ernest Muçi before producing a first-time finish to make it 2-1.

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The Egyptian forward came close to completing a hat-trick, but two further efforts were ruled out. One was disallowed for a foul, while another late effort was ruled offside.

Salah also received a yellow card after the referee judged that he had simulated a foul inside the penalty area.

Despite missing out on a hat-trick, his brace proved decisive as Trabzonspor secured their first Turkish Super Lig win of the season.

The performance also provided an impressive start to Salah’s new chapter in Turkish football following his departure from Liverpool after nine seasons with the Premier League club.

Trabzonspor will now turn their attention to the Europa League play-off, where they face Ferencvaros in the second leg after suffering a 1-0 defeat in the first encounter.