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CAF
a day ago
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON - DR Congo: Hervé Happy's Strategic Approach
Hervé Happy is the new head coach of the Leopards Women's team He promotes a three-pronged management style: combining authority, a paternal posture, and active listening He has travelled across Africa and Europe to build a balanced squad When Hervé Happy talks about football, he doesn't just string words together — he builds. Word by word, look by look, connection by connection. The new head coach of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's women's national team has a name that sounds like a promise, but in his world, neither luck nor euphoria sets the pace. At 47, Happy understands the weight of responsibility. One call from Kinshasa changed everything: a clear and ambitious proposal — to take charge of the DR Congo women's national team just weeks before the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2025, set for July 5–26 in Morocco. The Cameroonian-born coach didn't hesitate. 'It's an honour, but more importantly, it's a mission,' he says calmly — a contrast to the urgency of the moment. Both a field man and an analyst, he's not venturing into unknown territory. As a technical advisor for the French Football Federation, stationed for several years at the Paris League, he led scouting and youth training programs. His method — built on high standards and knowledge-sharing — earned him the respect of the FFF's technical staff. Across Africa, he has also worked with several federations as a consultant and trainer. This dual African-European experience shapes a rare profile. DR Congo hasn't recruited a flashy name; they've chosen a builder. To assemble a solid team for the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Happy got to work immediately. He analyzed match footage, launched talent scouting in Europe, conducted an initial training camp in Tanzania, and carried out several scouting missions in Lubumbashi. In a tough group — Morocco, Zambia, Senegal — he isn't looking for excuses, but for solutions. What was your first reaction when FECOFA contacted you to lead the women's national team? Hervé Happy: It's always a great pleasure. Leading a national team is an honour. And in women's football, it's a very interesting challenge. You have to build, mentor, and help players progress. That's what motivates me. How would you describe your management style? I'd say it's hybrid. You have to be authoritative when necessary, hands-on when needed, and sometimes take a more paternal approach. I have two grown daughters, so I understand what it means to be both demanding and attentive. It's about balancing those three styles at the right time. Your first impressions during the Tanzania camp? I already knew the group. I'd seen a lot of the players in Europe, watched many of their games. But it's always better to have them in a training camp, to see them live. That's when you see their attitudes, team spirit, and group dynamics. It's very enriching. What did you tell the players at your first meeting? I told them it's a joy to be here, to play football. First and foremost, football should be a pleasure. Yes, there's a competition, but I want them to approach each session with enthusiasm. This first camp, and the next, are for evaluating everyone. We'll then select 21 players and 3 goalkeepers for the WAFCON. DR Congo is in a tough group with Morocco, Zambia, and Senegal. Your thoughts? If a team qualifies for AFCON, it means they're good. I take every opponent very seriously. Morocco will have home advantage, Zambia is always tough to handle, and Senegal is progressing rapidly. We're preparing one match at a time, with discipline. What are the three core values you want to instil in this group? First, discipline — in behaviour, both on and off the field. Second, humility — always. And third, strong character. You need heart to turn situations around. We saw it with the men's CAF Champions League — often it's the drive that makes the difference. What would you say to a young girl playing football in Kinshasa or Goma? I'd tell her to keep playing! But also to join a club. Football should be about enjoyment first. At that age, we're not talking competition. They need to discover the game and play freely. Let them have fun without pressure. Just last night, we passed by a beach and saw kids playing beach soccer. That kind of spontaneous football teaches a lot too.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bundesliga star duo ruled out of U21 Euros
Two French Bundesliga players have been ruled out of the upcoming U21 European Championship. The French Football Federation confirmed on Monday that Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitiké has withdrawn from the squad due to back problems. Advertisement VfB Stuttgart midfielder Enzo Millot will also miss the tournament, having pulled out for family reasons. Millot may have already played his final game for Stuttgart. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a summer move and reportedly has a release clause in the region of €18-20 million.
Morocco World
01-05-2025
- Health
- Morocco World
Young Footballer Dies After Cardiac Arrest During Match
French club AS Jeunesse Aubervilliers has confirmed the death of 14-year-old Senegalese player Ousmane Diaby, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a youth match in Auxerre last weekend. Diaby collapsed on the pitch and was airlifted to a hospital in Dijon. Despite days of treatment, he passed away on Wednesday morning. 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Ousmane Diaby,' the club said in a statement. 'After several days of fighting, Ousmane took his last breath this Wednesday.' The club has launched a fundraiser to help cover funeral and repatriation costs. By midday, nearly €10,000 had already been raised. 'Ousmane had a huge heart and was always ready to help,' the club added. 'He supported his mother daily, helped coach the younger teams, and always had a smile. He will never be forgotten.' Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, shared his condolences with the family and the club. Sudden cardiac death in sport Sudden cardiac death (SCD) among athletes remains a rare but serious concern in the world of sport. According to studies, SCD affects approximately 1 in every 40,000 to 80,000 athletes each year. The risk varies by sport and level of competition, with male NCAA Division I basketball players facing a higher estimated rate of 1 in 3,000 annually. In football, a FIFA-linked study recorded 617 cases of sudden cardiac arrest or unexplained death during or shortly after matches between 2014 and 2018. Many of these incidents were linked to undiagnosed heart conditions, most commonly coronary heart disease. Among athletes under 35, causes of SCD often include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, commotio cordis, and congenital heart defects. For those over 35, the leading cause is typically coronary artery disease. Medical experts continue to stress the need for thorough cardiac screening and emergency plans during training and matches to reduce the risks of sudden cardiac events in sport. Tags: Cardiac arrestFranceHeart Attack
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Ya Biladi
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Islamophobia : French Ministers seek control over Muslim bodies [Opinion]
France, the birthplace of the Declaration of the Rights of Man, claims to be a model of universality, yet it excludes a portion of its female citizens. Its strict stance against the veil in sports highlights how selectively its humanistic principles are applied. Under the guise of neutrality and equality, the state is actually upholding a narrow vision of secularism, which leads to intentional discrimination. For years, this policy has drawn significant international criticism. In October 2024, UN experts called the ban on the veil in sports «discriminatory» and a violation of fundamental freedoms, accusing France of failing to justify these restrictions with clear legal imperatives. Despite these warnings, the government persists, gradually institutionalizing this exclusion. Sports federations are following suit. The French Football Federation (FFF) and the French Rugby Federation have already banned the veil in their competitions. In January, the French Rugby Federation (FRR) prohibited conspicuous religious symbols, effectively barring veiled players from Saint-Denis Rugby 93 from pursuing their passion. This decision extends the 2021 law that allows federations to impose strict religious neutrality. But the push doesn't stop there. In February 2025, the Senate examined a bill aimed at explicitly banning all religious symbols in sports. Officially, it seeks to resolve a «legal gray area». Unofficially, the goal is clear: to permanently exclude veiled athletes from high-level competitions, making them invisible. A Governmental Cacophony This ideological escalation has caused division within the government. Marie Barsacq, the Minister Delegate for Sports, publicly opposed the blanket ban. «We must not exclude women from sports», she declared, emphasizing that sports should be a space for freedom and empowerment. She was supported by Minister of National Education Élisabeth Borne. However, both women faced opposition from Gérald Darmanin, Minister of Justice, and Bruno Retailleau, Minister of the Interior, who are strong advocates for a total ban in the name of a rigid interpretation of secularism. Yes, I want all religious symbols, including the wearing of the veil, to be permanently banned in sports competitions. — Bruno Retailleau (@BrunoRetailleau) March 19, 2025 This governmental discord highlights the ideological deadlock in France. Should the country defend an inclusive version of secularism that allows all women to participate in sports, or a coercive secularism that excludes them based on a dogmatic vision? At present, the latter approach prevails, disregarding the very principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity that France claims to uphold. The State on the Sidelines After the veil, the issue of breaks for fasting footballers has become a new point of contention. Every year, the question resurfaces: should Muslim players be allowed to pause briefly to hydrate after sunset during Ramadan? In France, the choice has been made to avoid tolerance. The French Football Federation (FFF) decided in 2023 to reject these game breaks, unlike other European leagues such as the Premier League in England or the Bundesliga in Germany, which have taken a more pragmatic approach. What could have remained a purely sporting decision has instead turned into a political issue, revealing a distinctly French obsession: regulating every detail of sports, even at the cost of creating problems where none existed. This regulatory zeal becomes even more absurd when it specifically targets certain religious practices. Professional footballers, assisted by medical teams, manage their diet and hydration based on their physiological needs. So why ban a brief pause that doesn't disrupt the game and is accepted elsewhere in Europe? This artificial debate distracts from a more worrying reality: a desire to control bodies, with the state seeking to dictate even how an athlete should eat or dress. French Contradictions By legislating every detail, France finds itself trapped in its own contradictions. Should all accommodations be banned in the name of neutrality, or should we recognize that sports can adjust to cultural and religious practices without betraying their core values? Some voices, though still too rare in the French political landscape, advocate for a more pragmatic approach: returning to the true essence of secularism, which guarantees everyone freedom of conscience, without discrimination. In other words, it's time for France to stop stigmatizing part of its population under the guise of neutrality and reconcile with its own principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Asharq Al-Awsat
18-03-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Thuram Drops Out of France Squad Due to Ankle Injury
France forward Marcus Thuram will miss their two-legged Nations League quarter-final against Croatia due to an ankle injury, the French Football Federation said in a statement late on Monday. The 27-year-old Inter Milan striker, named in Didier Deschamp's 24-man squad last week, said after Inter's 4-1 aggregate win over Feyenoord in the Champions League last 16 that he had been playing through the injury for the past month. The first leg against Croatia is in Split on Thursday and the return game at the Stade de France on March 23.
