Latest news with #Chelle
Powys County Times
31-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Builth Wells duo ‘climb Everest' by completing Wild Horse
EVEN though I hate the term 'bucket list', climbing to Mount Everest Base Camp is on mine, and my girlfriend's. However, I'm not sure that you really need to make the odyssey to Nepal now, Michelle Woods, after completing the Wild Horse 200 last weekend, organised by the fabulous Pegasus Ultra Running. Starting from Chepstow at 6am last Wednesday, May 21, she and her friend Izzy Watts spent the next four-and-a-bit days running, walking, climbing and at times crawling the 200 miles to the finish line in Rhossili, on the Gower Peninsula, collapsing onto the finish line gate, overlooking Worm's Head, just after 1pm on Sunday. During that gruelling trek, the Builth Wells duo amassed 31,644 feet of elevation. For reference, the summit of Mount Everest is 29,028ft. She's already climbed higher than Everest… so is there really any need to go there now, babe?! To put their feat into even more context, a friend's son mused in the pub on Monday: 'That's the sort of height planes fly at." Izzy 's partner, Gary, and I, had a bird's eye view of the event, as their support crew. Together, we traversed over 500 miles of roads, lanes, dusty tracks, car parks, fire roads and lay-bys in support of the girls – some, though definitely not me, would say our achievements were even more impressive. Kidding aside, their gargantuan slog was truly epic and inspiring. Despite taking every ounce of sweat, blood, tears and effort they had, a cohort of family and friends waiting for them at the finish line was ample reward. There were plenty of tears. Izzy and Chelle at Ponsticill Reservoir. (Image: Matt Jones) I've become something of an ultra marathon runner myself in the last 12 months, completing two. But there's no way I would take on one 200 miles in length. Izzy completed a 100-mile event last year, which almost broke her. So, what on earth possessed her to do one double the distance, I cannot possibly fathom. But, they're made of stern stuff, this pair. It pushed them to physical, mental and emotional breaking point – fuelled by a combination of energy drinks and gels, cake, sweets, cups of tea, salty snacks and bitesize bowls of cheesy mash and beans. Gary and I? Our bodies remain largely constructed of junk food, after we gorged on Maccies, chippies and bacon and sausage baps to get us through the week. The gang at the penultimate checkpoint in Penclawdd, Swansea, ahead of the girls heading off for the last leg, the 17 miles to Rhossili, on Sunday morning. (Image: Matt Jones) It was rewarding experience for us in the van too. Crew life was a mix of keeping the girls fed and watered, bandaged and dosed up with ibuprofen, and keeping them motivated. There was a real camaraderie forged with other runners and the dedicated individuals and teams keeping them going as well. If you like stats, here's some more eye-watering numbers from Chelle and Izzy's Wild Horse buffoonery. Chelle clocked up 446,669 steps over the course of 200 miles. It took them a little over 103 hours to reach the finish line (achieved on the event's fourth day, well ahead of the 6am cut-off on Monday morning). They passed 10 checkpoints, three of which were designated sleep stations, even though they only slept for around six hours in total. The winner, New Zealander Damian Watson, finished in a remarkable time of 51 hours, 51 minutes – smashing the course record by more than four hours. Of the event's starting field of 103 runners, 71 finished, while there were 32 DNFs (did not finish). This included one man found sleeping on a road; so delirious he told paramedics he was sleeping on a bench – he was immediately pulled from the race for his own safety… and sanity. You have to be slightly insane to enter a race like this in the first place. Our girls are recovering this week… but Chelle is already talking about entering the Mid Wales version of the Wild Horse, which is returning next year.
CAF
09-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF U20 AFCON: Éric Chelle's perspective on the future"
The TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations is not just a competition for young talent; it's a laboratory for the future. And among the most attentive observers is Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle who is closely monitoring the Nigerian U-20 side. Chelle, speaking to CAFOnline expressed his views of the competition and applauded the Nigerians for progressing to the next stage. "I'm very happy with our U20 team's qualification. It wasn't an easy match, because we were up against a very good team (Kenya). We reacted in this match. Every time we conceded a goal, the team responded well." The performance wasn't perfect, Chelle knows. He bluntly points to a physical deficit. "I felt we were a little tired. "It's true that we struggled with our attacking play, but it was a very interesting match to watch." Adding to his views on qualification, the coach emphasised that the importance of this tournament goes far beyond results. "U20 are 19-year-olds, 18-year-olds. These are players who, in a year, or even two years, will be in their country's senior national team. There are good players in this team, there are some in the Kenyan team too. I think it's good to come and watch', says the former Mali coach. What has impressed Chelle even more is the overall framework in which young players are evolving today. The former defender, now a renowned technician, is full of praise for the CAF "I was very pleased to see CAF technicians in the stands analysing the matches. I think CAF is trying to progress, to bring things that are helping our football in Africa to progress." For Chelle, these developments are shaping a more credible, more modern, and above all, more ambitious African football. "We have to make sure we have very strong football, so that we become the number one." While the Nigerian U-20s may not yet possess the collective rigor of a seasoned team, they have already awakened the pride of a demanding coach.
Morocco World
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Nigeria vs Zimbabwe: When, How to Watch & Score Prediction
Nigeria are ready to take on Zimbabwe in a must-win World Cup qualifier today as they are looking to build on their 2-0 win over Rwanda. Kick-off is set at 4 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT), and fans can catch the action live on SuperSport. Last Friday's victory ended a frustrating four-game winless run and reignited hopes of making it to the 2026 World Cup. Before Chelle took over, Nigeria had only managed three draws in four games, including a shock 2-1 defeat to Benin. Now, they sit fourth in Group C with six points—four behind group leaders South Africa and two behind Benin. A win against Zimbabwe is crucial. The two sides have faced off three times in World Cup qualifiers, with Nigeria winning twice. Their last meeting ended in a 1-1 draw. Nigeria's attack, spearheaded by African Best Player Ademola Lookman and goal machine Victor Osimhen, will test Zimbabwe's backline. Chelle is likely to stick with his 4-4-2 diamond formation, but injuries could force a few tweaks. Bright Osayi-Samuel remains a doubt, which might see Ola Aina shift to right-back and Bruno Onyemaechi slot in on the left. Samuel Chukwueze had a tough outing in the last match and could make way for Raphael Onyedika. Zimbabwe are rock bottom in the group and still hunting for their first win. They showed fight last time out, clawing back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Benin. But their defensive frailties are a major concern—they've leaked a group-high eight goals while scoring just four. Their recent form is worrying, with no wins in five matches. Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees will likely stick with his 4-2-3-1 setup but faces a selection headache. Captain Marvelous Nakamba is out injured, meaning Marshal Munetsi will wear the armband. Forward Tino Kadewere is also sidelined, forcing Nees to bring veteran striker Knowledge Musona out of retirement. Probable Lineups: Nigeria: Nwabali; Ekong, Bassey, Aina, Onyemaechi; Iwobi, Ndidi, Onyedika, Lookman; Simon, Osimhen. Zimbabwe: Arubi; Jalai, Garananga, Takwara, Lunga; Munetsi, Rinomhota; Musona, Billiat, Zemura; Dube. Predicted Score: Nigeria have much quality firepower upfront and are likely to beat a frail Zimbabwean side. Nigeria 3-0 Zimbabwe
BBC News
17-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Fifa Africa World Cup qualifiers fixtures
African qualifiers for di 2026 Fifa World Cup go resume dis week afta nine-month break - and di stakes dey high for some big names. Six rounds of di10-match group campaign still remain, di two fixtures dis month go, go a long way to decide di fate of many teams. Di nine group winners dey guaranteed a place for di finals for Canada, Mexico and USA. Di four best second-placed sides get a chance to earn one final spot via play-offs. Several managerial changes don take place since di last round for June, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia dey among di sides wit new coaches. Match Day 5 of di qualifiers go end on Friday, 21 March wit a total of 13 fixtures. World Cup qualifiers fixtures - Match Day 5 Monday, 17 March Tanzania vs Congo Wednesday, 19 March Liberia vs Tunisia Eswatini vs Cameroon Central African Republic vs Madagascar Mozambique vs Uganda Malawi vs Namibia Zimbabwe vs Benin Cape Verde vs Mauritius Sierra Leone vs Guinea-Bissau Thursday, 20 March Libya vs Angola Gabon vs Seychelles Gambia vs Kenya Comoros vs Mali Friday, 21 March Equatorial Guinea vs Sao Tomé and Principe Botswana vs Algeria Rwanda vs Nigeria Burkina Faso vs Djibouti DR Congo vs South Sudan South Africa vs Lesotho Togo vs Mauritania Ghana vs Chad Burundi vs Cote d'Ivoire Sudan vs Senegal Guinea vs Somalia Ethiopia vs Egypt Niger vs Morocco No room for error Among di heavyweights of di continent we no fit afford any mistake na Nigeria, dem get di greatest need for immediate results. Wit three draws and one loss to dia campaign, Super Eagles go hope to securing dia first win wen dem take on Rwanda wey dey top Group C. South Africa play host to Lesotho for di same group, as dem dey eye a vital victory wey fit see dem top the group if di result for Nigeria and Rwanda match go dia way. Nigeria neva win any match for Group C, dem dey four points behind leaders Rwanda, Eric Chelle dia new coach take a very high-profile role wey dey amplified by difficult circumstances. Di former Mali coach become di first non-Nigerian African to take charge of di Super Eagles. Di West Africans dey travel to Kigali bifor dem go host Zimbabwe, Chelle accept say dis na must-win matches for di three-time African champions. "Pressure dey for football," im tell BBC Sport Africa. "I go say time na di coach enemy. But I dey confident and I believe in my players." Star striker Victor Osimhen say him and im team-mates dey "desperate" to make the finals afta dem miss out on di 2022 edition for Qatar. Saintfiet hope to make history wit Mali Another new boss wey need positive results na Tom Saintfiet, im dey look to revive Mali campaign for Group I afta im take ova from Chelle. Di Eagles fit cut di four point gap wey di group leaders Comoros get, wen dem travel to face di Islanders. "We no dey an easy position but I get a very talented group," Saintfiet tell BBC Sport Africa. "Na big luxury to get so many quality players." Mali neva qualify for World Cup finals bifor, dem bin go unbeaten through preliminaries for di 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), Saintfiet dey upbeat about dia hopes. "After six matches wit four wins, two draws, I dey positive," di Belgian add. "We dey do eviritin to write history." Meanwhile for Group I, Ghana go look to put dia disastrous Afcon 2025 qualifying campaign behind dem against Chad and Madagascar. Corentin Martins na di man wey go dey di dugout for di latter, while Rigobert Song go face im first games as Central African Republic boss.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nigeria seek World Cup redemption, Sudan eye history
Underperforming Nigeria and disadvantaged Sudan share the spotlight ahead of two 2026 World Cup qualifying matchdays in Africa from Wednesday. Seeded to win Group C and automatically qualify, a Nigerian team boasting the past two African Footballers of the Year Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman lie fifth in a six-team section. In a qualifying competition spanning three years, the Super Eagles drew with Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa, then crashed to Benin in pursuit of a seventh World Cup appearance. Since finishing 2024 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up to hosts Ivory Coast, Nigeria have had three coaches -- locals Finidi George and Augustine Eguavoen and now Eric Chelle. Fired by Mali after a poor start to their World Cup campaign, Ivory Coast-born Chelle admits he faces a "huge challenge", starting with Rwanda away and Zimbabwe at home this month. Blessed with outstanding forwards Osimhen and Lookman, the coach says "football is about scoring goals and I favour an attacking style". Seeded fifth in Group B, Sudan occupy first place ahead of a top-of-table clash with three-time World Cup qualifiers Senegal in Benghazi as they try to reach the finals for the first time. The match is in Libya because Sudan has been engulfed in a civil war since April 2023. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and uprooted more than 12 million people. AFP Sport highlights five matchday five clashes as the African qualifying schedule reaches the halfway mark: Ethiopia v Egypt As if trying to contain star Egypt forwards Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud Trezeguet is not sufficiently daunting, Ethiopia must also deal with recent Manchester City recruit Omar Marmoush. Salah and Trezeguet are the leading scorers in African qualifying with five goals each -- between them netting all but one of the Pharaohs' 11 in Group A, which they lead by four points. Although this is a home fixture for Ethiopia, ranked 113 places below Egypt, it will be staged in Morocco because the east African country lacks a FIFA-approved stadium. Sudan v Senegal Ghana-born Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah has told his squad to imagine they are world superstars as they seek to stretch a two-point Group B lead over Senegal. "Look straight at the Senegalese stars and believe you are as good as they are. There is a war raging in your homeland and you are playing for your families and your country," he told them. Senegal can call on 32-year-old two-time African Footballer of the Year Sadio Mane, but will miss another high-profile forward, Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, due to a hamstring injury. Rwanda v Nigeria Nigeria may be ranked 80 places above Rwanda, but dare not underestimate the Wasps after what happened in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying last year. Rwanda forced a 0-0 draw in Kigali, then stunned Nigeria 2-1 in Uyo with Innocent Nshuti and Jimmy Mutsinzi scoring within three minutes during the second half. Chelle will not be the only new coach on view. Rwanda did not extend the one-year contract of German Torsten Spittler and hired Algerian Adel Amrouche. Gambia v Kenya Former South Africa star Benni McCarthy, part of the Manchester United backroom staff when Erik ten Hag was manager, debuts as Kenya coach, vowing to take the Harambee Stars to the World Cup. "With the right mindset and dedication from the players, and a willingness to learn and give everything they have got, we can surprise a lot of people," says the 47-year-old. African champions Ivory Coast are set to win Group F, so Kenya need wins away to Gambia and at home to second-placed Gabon to have a realistic chance of coming second and reaching play-offs. Ghana v Chad After failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and a World Cup loss away to shock Group I leaders Comoros, Ghana coach Otto Addo cannot afford any more setbacks. Chad are pointless, have scored just once, some stars are boycotting this match due to "poor organisation" and coach Kevin Nicaise quit to be replaced by Qatari Tahir Zakaria Gardia. So, it is hard to imagine Ghana, bolstered by Premier League trio Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo, failing to secure three points before a tougher assignment against Madagascar. dl/nf
