Tag Futebol

The ICC has announced a seven-man local advisory panel in the USA whose aim is to form a meaningful strategy for the future promotion and development of cricket in the country. The announcement comes in the wake of the USA Cricket Association’s Associate membership being suspended at the ICC Annual Conference in June.At the time of the suspension, ICC chief executive David Richardson stated that cricket in the country was “fragmented” and that the only way for the sport to move forward was for the warring factions, most notably USACA and the American Cricket Federation, to come together. In a sign of that potentially becoming a reality, ACF chairman Jagan Jagannathan and USACA liaison Dr Vincent Adams were two of the seven people who have been added to the advisory panel, which will be under the direction of ICC head of global development Tim Anderson.Former ACF chief executive Jamie Harrison remained staunchly against any reunification of the ACF and USACA. Most of the ACF’s member leagues are formerly USACA members who split away in the fallout of the controversial 2012 USACA general election, when two thirds of member leagues were barred from voting. Jagannathan’s presence on the advisory panel is an indication that the ACF’s hardline stance has softened since Harrison’s resignation in May.Adams was a former member of the ACF’s advisory board until he decided to run for president against Gladstone Dainty in the USACA general elections, which took place in March. After losing to Dainty, Adams was appointed to a USACA liaison committee whose aim was to rectify issues raised by the ICC at the June 2014 ICC Annual Conference in hopes of avoiding suspension.Two other members of the panel, former USACA board member Brian Walters and USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville, were both part of USACA’s governance review committee established in February 2013. That committee was formed in conjunction with TSE Consulting’s governance reform recommendations for a new USACA constitution – one which would have set term limits for the current board and cut its power by 50% – that was ultimately never passed. Walters resigned from the USACA board in March 2014 over frustration from lack of progress in governance reforms, a week after the resignation of former chief executive Darren Beazley.The TSE report also recommended athlete representation on a USACA board under a new constitution. The ICC announced that its own USA advisory panel included Usman Shuja, who recently retired as USA’s all-time leading wicket-taker in 50-over cricket in a national team career stretching from 2006 to 2014. Shuja, 36, has an MBA from Northwestern University’s prestigious Kellogg School of Management and is now working as a vice president of sales and business development for Texas-based startup company SparkCognition.The other two names on the advisory panel are Jim Isch, formerly of the NCAA, and Patrick Sandusky, chief communications and public affairs officer of the US Olympic Committee.Isch worked for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) from 1998 through 2015, the last five years as the NCAA’s chief operating officer before retiring early this year. He also served as interim president after the death of Myles Brand in September 2009 until current president Mark Emmert took over in October 2010. According to sources, the ICC initially came into contact with Isch in October 2013 during former ICC president Alan Isaac’s trip to Indianapolis to evaluate the progress of the Indianapolis World Sports Park complex.The NCAA is headquartered in Indianapolis and it is understood that the ICC views the city’s multi-sport base – the NFL’s Colts, NBA’s Pacers, minor league baseball and soccer franchises also call the city home – as an attractive launching pad for professional administration and development of cricket in the country. It’s one reason why the upcoming ICC Americas Cricket Combine was designated for Indianapolis instead of other potential venues and a sign that USACA’s headquarters might be shifted there from a currently rented office space in Lake Worth, Florida.

Egypt are the most successful nation in African football history with seven AFCON titles.

The Pharaohs boast a string of high profile players who have made their mark in top leagues around the world, and while they have never made it out of the group stages of the World Cup, their influence on global football is growing all the time.

Mohamed Salah is set to lead them out in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026, but is he the greatest Egyptian player of all time?

10 Wael Gomaa

Known for his brute strength and perfect positioning, Wael Gomaa neutralised some of the best attackers in Africa without needing rapid pace or recovery tackles – he was an expert at reading the game.

His performances for Al Ahly were a major reason behind the club’s dominance during the 2000s, as he helped secure numerous Egyptian league titles and multiple CAF Champions League trophies.

On the international stage, Gomaa was a cornerstone of Egypt’s golden generation, playing a crucial role in the national team’s historic Africa Cup of Nations victories in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

His consistency over many years, making 114 appearances for the Pharaohs, sets him aside as one of Africa’s best ever defenders.

9 Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan

Trezeguet has been one of Egypt’s most reliable performers in AFCON tournaments and World Cup matches, racking up nearly 100 caps for his country and scoring over 20 goals.

His goals at AFCON 2019, tireless running, and willingness to track back made him vital to Egypt’s balance. While not as globally famous as Salah, he has often been the perfect foil for the Liverpool legend, and has a respectable club career of his own.

Having starred in the Premier League for Aston Villa, the versatile forward has also won the Egyptian Premier League once and the CAF Champions League twice.

8 Mahmoud El Gohary

As a player, Mahmoud El Gohary contributed solidly despite not making as many appearances for his country as the other players on this list.

However, his international legacy is historic because of his overall influence on Egypt’s national team identity, with a managerial career spanning over 40 years.

He led Egypt to AFCON glory and qualification for the 1990 World Cup after 56 year absence from the world’s greatest competition, rebuilding belief in the national team.

Few individuals shaped Egypt’s international football structure and mentality more than El Gohary, who also won the nation’s top domestic league five times as a player and once as a manager.

7 Mohamed Elneny

Elneny’s importance is often underestimated, but his tactical discipline and leadership were crucial for Egypt during major tournaments. He played a key role in AFCON 2017 and 2021 and was part of the 2018 World Cup squad, providing stability in midfield.

Elneny rarely stole headlines, but Egypt often functioned better with him on the pitch, so it’s little wonder he earned over 100 caps.

He also boasts one of the most decorated club careers at the top level of any Egyptian player, winning the FA Cup with Arsenal and four Swiss league titles for FC Basel.

6 Mahmoud El Khatib

El Khatib’s international career came in an era with fewer global tournaments, but his impact remains significant having scored 24 times in 54 appearances for the Pharaohs.

He represented Egypt with distinction and brought wider African recognition to Egyptian football, being crowned African Footballer of the Year in 1983.

His club career was remarkable, winning the Egyptian league’s golden boot twice and helping Al Ahly to an incredible ten top flight titles.

5 Mohamed Aboutrika

Aboutrika was Egypt’s creative heart during one of its most successful international eras.

His intelligence, calmness and ability to score decisive goals made him indispensable in the 2006 and 2008 AFCON campaigns, and he went toe to toe with some of world football’s greatest stars on the international stage.

Scoring iconic goals – 38 in 100 caps to be precise – and linking midfield to attack effortlessly, Aboutrika’s skill and poise in the middle of the park is unmatched by any other Egyptian player in history.

4 Essam El-Hadary

Essam El-Hadary’s international importance cannot be overstated. He was the backbone of Egypt’s defense during their AFCON dominance and played a decisive role in multiple penalty shootouts.

Winning four AFCON titles and later becoming the oldest player in World Cup history, El-Hadary was the psychological leader of his national side for two decades, making a remarkable 159 appearances for his country.

His club career also yielded great success, as one of Al Ahly’s greatest ever players with countless domestic trophies to his name.

3 Ahmed Hassan

Ahmed Hassan’s case is built almost entirely on his national team legacy as opposed to club football.

He is Egypt’s most capped player and the emotional leader of the legendary squad that won three consecutive AFCON titles between 2006and 2010.

Subscribe for Deeper Takes on Egypt’s Football Legends Subscribing to the newsletter gives deeper analysis, player profiles and historical context on Egypt’s football greats—from Salah and Aboutrika to El‑Hadary—plus thoughtful coverage of related African and global football stories. Subscribe Subscribe for Deeper Takes on Egypt’s Football Legends Subscribing to the newsletter gives deeper analysis, player profiles and historical context on Egypt’s football greats—from Salah and Aboutrika to El‑Hadary—plus thoughtful coverage of related African and global football stories.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

He scored crucial goals, controlled midfield battles and set the tone physically and mentally.

Few players in African football history have dominated international tournaments the way Ahmed Hassan did over such a long period, managing a simply incredible 184 caps and scoring 33 times for his country.

2 Hossam Hassan

When it comes to pure national team impact, Hossam Hassan is one of one. He is Egypt’s all-time top scorer and one of the highest scorers in international football history, with 69 goals to his name for the Pharaohs.

He played across generations, adapting his game and remaining decisive well into his 30s, and at club level won a frankly ridiculous 14 league titles, 13 of which came in Egypt.

As a manager, he has guided the country to the 2026 World Cup, where he will hope to become the first Egyptian boss to guide his team out of the group stages.

1 Mohamed Salah

Even without an international title to his name, Mohamed Salah remains number one.

He is Egypt’s most important player of the modern era and carried the national team through multiple qualification campaigns almost on his own.

Salah led Egypt to the 2017 and 2021 AFCON finals and was decisive in getting Egypt to the 2018 World Cup, ending a 28-year absence.

While Egypt did not win a trophy during his peak, his goals, assists and insane trophy haul at the elite club level make him the undisputed greatest of all time, with more than 60 goals in over 100 caps.

Related Ranking The 10 Best Nigeria Football Players Of All Time

The Super Eagles boast some of the greatest African footballers of all time.

Posts ByBen Goodwin

	ICC president Ray Mali and the chief executive Malcolm Speed preside over the ICC executive meeting in Dubai © International Cricket Council

Imtiaz Patel, chief executive of Supersport, the South African broadcast network, will succeed Malcolm Speed as the ICC’s chief executive when he steps down in June. The ICC executive board, which met in Dubai on Monday, also named IS Bindra, the former president of the Indian board, as principal advisor, a new role.Patel and Bindra were shortlisted by a four-man ICC sub-committee comprising the ICC president, Ray Mali, the president-elect, David Morgan, the Cricket Australia chairman Creagh O’Connor, and the president of the BCCI, Sharad Pawar.Patel, a South African of Indian origin, is seen as a compromise candidate after concern among other ICC member nations over an Indian stranglehold on world cricket affairs had Bindra become the chief executive. A teacher before becoming development director at the United Cricket Board of SA – the forerunner of the current national body – in 1991, he joined SuperSport in 1999 and rose through the ranks to be its chief executive.It is understood that the Bindra-Patel arrangement was worked out over the last “two or three days” between the Indian board and other ICC members. The BCCI had initially pushed hard for Bindra and the prospect of an age bar ruling out its candidate saw its president, Sharad Pawar, writing a letter to the ICC pointing out flaws in the argument.The appointment bypasses concerns over a possible Indian stranglehold with Sharad Pawar in line to take over the top job from Morgan in two years. At the same time, the BCCI will have a key man in the top levels of the ICC keeping a tab on, and influencing, major decisions.Bindra, 66, himself was reportedly not to keen to relocate to, and work in, Dubai on a full-time basis, especially since he is on the governing council of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He recently told Cricinfo that he would also have to take into account his daughter’s education, and his position as head of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), the local association for the Mohali franchise.An ICC official said Bindra will be based in India and will be available to it whenever necessary to provide guidance.”We are delighted that Imtiaz is the board’s choice for the post of the next chief executive,” Mali said. “I have no doubt that if he accepts the position he will do a great job.”Morgan, who also takes over his post in June, said: “We are now negotiating the details of Mr Patel’s engagement. In anticipation of an early completion to that negotiation, I do look forward to working closely with him during my presidency. These are exciting and busy times for world cricket and I know that Mr Patel will bring his wide range of skills and broad knowledge of the game to the table in a way that will benefit cricket as a whole.”This has been a rigorous selection process and I am satisfied that we have exhausted every avenue to find the best person for the job. We are now in the process of negotiating the details with Mr Patel before he can be officially appointed.”The BCCI secretary, Niranjan Shah, told Cricinfo Bindra’s appointment was “an honour for a major cricket nation like India … Bindra is a man with great experience in cricket administration and his contribution at the highest level will be valuable.”

Trent Johnston: ‘These are exciting times’ © Getty Images

Trent Johnston, Ireland’s captain, has spoken of the pressures facing part-time players from the Associate nations as the demands on them grow.Ireland are playing more international cricket than ever in 2007, and that is causing issues as their amateur cricketers try to juggle the home and full-time work with increasing expectations on the cricket field. Only three of the side – Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) Niall O’Brien (Northants) and Boyd Rankin (Derbyshire) are professionals.Johnston, who works as a salesman for a textile company under former Ireland captain Angus Dunlop, said that having an understanding boss made his position easier. “We sat down last September and he said I understand your commitments, but I don’t think he realised the sort of level we’d be going to now. It’s something we’ll have to sit down and discuss.”It’s a hugely exciting time. Friends Provident matches (the English domestic competition) don’t affect work because it’s weekend cricket, but there’s other things going on, such as the Intercontinental Cup final against Canada in May. These are exciting times. I’ve not experienced this before, and I’m looking forward to the experience.”Warren Deutrom [the Irish Cricket Union’s CEO] is working on [sponsorship] and doing his utmost to achieve that. Our performance over here can only help him achieve those goals. A lot of people are knocking on the door and that’s outstanding.”It’s going to be massive for Irish cricket to keep this momentum going,” Johnston continued. “One thing we wanted to do here was put Irish cricket on the map – not just in the world but in Ireland itself. I think we’ve done that, and the public response back home has been fantastic.”This four-month trip was a massive undertaking for the Irish Cricket Union, and it is all about us giving something back to them, because they’ve done so much for us. I hope they’re going to get their rewards for that in the coming months and years.”

The Indian board has said that its policy on television coverage of matches will not change. The current policy is that TV coverage will start ten minutes before the game and end after the post-match presentation.Niranjan Shah, the board secretary, said “The BCCI has no plan to allow TV coverage from the point when the players get into the bus or inside the dressing-room area which is under total control of the ICC. It is emphasised by the BCCI that such coverage could only distract the mind, attention and concentration of the players and such distraction could neither be in the interest of the players nor in the interest of the game.”The board’s statement is in response to reports that Nimbus, who won the TV rights for the next four years, was planning to take television cameras into the team bus and dressing-room.”The BCCI currently wants us to start 10 minutes before the match and finish after the post-match presentation but they’ve agreed to our proposal and, from the next series, we can start two hours before”, Harish Thawani, the head of Nimbus, told on Tuesday. “And so the cameras will enter the team bus and begin coverage from the point when they get into the bus. We won’t invade the privacy of the players but would want to give our viewers a feel of team atmosphere and how they prepare for a match.”

Jack Russell: honorary life membership of MCC© Getty Images

John Major, the former Prime Minister and current president of Surrey, has topped the poll in the elections for the next committee of MCC. He will serve a three-year term, starting on October 1.The other new members of the committee are the recent Kent captain and England one-day representative Matthew Fleming, another old county captain in Nick Pocock (Hampshire), and David Faber, the former Conservative MP.Tom Graveney, the current MCC president, said: “It is marvellous that these Members have put themselves forward to serve on the MCC committee. In particular, I welcome the news that Matthew Fleming has been elected to the committee for the first time. Although I shall not have the pleasure of working alongside them, as I step down as president on September 30, I am sure that they will all provide valuable support to my successor.”MCC have also awarded honorary life membership to seven former Test cricketers, including Jack Russell, the England wicketkeeper. Russell retired from first-class cricket last summer due to a persistent back injury following a career that included 16,861 runs, 1191 catches and 128 stumpings. His finest moment for England came at Johannesburg in 1995-96, when he claimed a world-record 11 catches and then batted for almost five hours with Michael Atherton to save the Test.The other six players recognised for their service to the game are Wasim Akram, Mark Waugh and Michael Slater of Australia, the Sri Lankans Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva, and the former Zimbabwean captain Alistair Campbell.

Matthew Hayden – ‘We have a big challenge ahead’ © Getty Images

Matthew Hayden, who scored 99 in the second innings of the drawn test at Brisbane, admits that his team was surprised by India’s combative performance.His comments to came after India dominated Australia for much of the rain-interrupted match, first through their bowlers and then the batsmen. India took a first-innings lead over Australia before the game ended in an exciting draw.”Considering there was a lot of weather as well and it was an interrupted Test match, I think they fought particularly well,” Hayden said. “They have always been a good side, and they probably did take us by surprise a little bit. Not so much in their fighting characteristics, but just this was a wicket which was really going to suit Australia.”India’s steadily-improving overseas performance did not escape his attention: “Not only are they proving to be good players within their own country, but they are now starting to play a little bit better outside India. I have no doubt about that.”After India’s performance, Hayden was optimistic about the series ahead. “It really is set up for a very exciting summer, and I think Australia now have a really big challenge ahead.”

If all results in the last weekend of games in the women’s State League, the final is shaping as an Auckland-Wellington affair with the outstanding Canterbury team of recent seasons shut out of the picture.In today’s games Auckland and Wellington completed wins.Auckland beat Central Districts at Waikanae in a close-run game. Auckland were all out in the 50th over for 158. Natalie Scripps scored 30 off 40 balls and Helen Watson scored 28. While Melissa Murray finished with the better figures of two for 27 from nine overs, young spin bowler Aimee Mason bowled most impressively against the Auckland top order, including Rebecca Rolls and Emily Drumm to take one for 13 from her 10 overs.Central Districts replied with 146 with Nicole Thessman scoring 45 and Scripps taking four for 26 and Watson taking three for 14.In Wellington, at Kelburn Park, Northern Districts batted first and scored 93 in 44.3 overs. Anna Soma scored 27 and Victoria Brown 16. Jane Hunter-Siu took four for 11 off 7.3 overs.Wellington took only 23.3 overs to score 74/2 to take an eight wicket win. Anna O’Leary scored 33 not out and Maia Lewis 16 not out.A double-header of games will decided the finalists at the weekend. Canterbury plays Otago, Wellington plays Central Districts and Northern Districts plays Auckland.

A dead rubber never inspires much interest or enthusiasm. The finalday of the MRF Buchi Babu invitation tournament semifinal clashbetween the National Cricket Academy XI and Indian Airlines passedwithout much ado. Resuming at 350/5, the NCA boys added 88 to theirovernight score before succumbing. Skipper Reetinder Singh Sodhi whocame to this match with scores of 0, 0 and 1 in the last three inningshe played, got some much needed batting practice. The lad lookedconfident on the way to making an unbeaten 29 yesterday. Today, heextended himself further, stroking his way to 71 when he was finallydismissed. Just two runs later the NCA were all out for 438.The stars of the Indian Airlines team did not see much point in takingthe field on a hot Chennai day. With absolutely nothing to play for,VVS Laxman cooled his heels in the pavilion and let the youngsterssweat it out. Ravneet Ricky and Manish Sharma opened for Airlines,continuing an association that paid India rich dividends in theUnder-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Sharma however did not last long.After making just eight, he was scalped by India Under-19 mediumpacerMrithyunjay Tripathi. Ricky then took over, cutting and pulling withabandon. The wicket did nothing to assist the fast bowlers and anyattempt to bang the ball in short was treated with contempt.Ricky was also unafraid to use his feet against the spinners. Comingdown the track, he cleared the infield with consummate ease on morethan one occasion. When he finally fell, it was to a brilliant catchby substitute fielder Nikhil Doru. Stretching full length on the ropeswide of mid off, Doru plucked a ball out of the air just before itsailed over the ropes. Ricky’s entertaining 76 had ended in dramaticfashion.Shafiq Khan came in at the fall of the first wicket and hecomplemented Ricky well. If anything, he was more positive. Althoughnot as solid as the lad from Amritsar, Shafiq Khan hit the ball hard,taking a few risks too many. One such heave to the on side was snappedup by Rakesh Dhruve running in from long on. Shafiq Khan had made abrisk 63 from 55 balls.At tea, Vijay Dahiya and Arunkumar were toying with the bowling whenthe two captains agreed that enough was indeed enough. Over hot cup ofChennai `chai’ Dahiya informed the umpires that he had spoken to hisopposite number and that they had agreed to call of play. The umpireswere only too grateful and called stumps.Although there were a few muted celebrations in the NCA camp, the factthat they had advanced by virtue of first innings lead yesterdayitself rendered the whole day meaningless. In the other semifinalencounter, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation XI managed to squeakpast the New Zealand Cricket Academy XI in a tight finish. As aresult, the NCA XI takes on ONGC XI in the three day final whichcommences on September 1 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium at Chepauk.

Kalvin Phillips has told Leeds United that he wants to sign a new contract at Elland Road, David Anderson reports.

The Lowdown: Villa links

The 26-year-old has once again been linked with a move to Aston Villa in recent weeks.

Villa, who tried to sign Phillips back in 2019, are reportedly leading the race for the England international this summer and are willing to pay £60m for his services.

[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″]

Phillips would also be offered a huge salary worth around £10m a year in the Midlands, but it seems as if he now wants to remain in Yorkshire.

The Latest: Positive talks

Anderson took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon to provide a ‘big boost for Leeds’ regarding Phillips.

The midfielder has reportedly held talks with the board, which of course includes Andrea Radrizzani and the San Francisco 49ers group, and informed them that he wants to put pen to paper on a new deal this summer.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-40/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Huge…

Phillips starred under former manager Marcelo Bielsa and looks set to be key in a new role for Jesse Marsch. The American has gone with a double pivot at Elland Road and only has four central midfielders on the books.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

It is an area of the pitch that could do with bolstering in the summer, so knowing that their star midfielder wants to stay is massive. You could also say that a new deal for Phillips is well overdue, with his last extension coming in the club’s promotion campaign back in 2019/20 – he has since gone on to become England’s player of the year.

In other news: ‘Leeds feel…’ – Journalist now drops major injury twist after what he’s heard from Thorp Arch.