Indepth Analysis from the most influential sports writer from Nigeria! With his Refinery set to come on stream later this year, the time now seems perfect for Aliko Dangote and LA Rams’ Stanley Kroenke to be joint owners of Arsenal, the World’s 8th Richest Football Club or could Chelsea Owner Roman Abramovich be seeking a better deal from the Nigerian Billionaire?
Indepth Analysis from the most influential sports writer from Nigeria! With his Refinery set to come on stream later this year, the time now seems perfect for Aliko Dangote and LA Rams’ Stanley Kroenke to be joint owners of Arsenal, the World’s 8th Richest Football Club or could Chelsea Owner Roman Abramovich be seeking a better deal from the Nigerian Billionaire?
Exclusive Report By Ben Edokpayi ©
Word Count 2940
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, revealed plans in 2014, to purchase English Premier squad Arsenal FC — a move that could make him the first African joint owner of a top English FA club.
https://sportsbrief.com/football/10163-which-richest-football-club-world-2022/
A sequence of events before the Corona virus froze the plans in 2018.
However, after an excellent display of football at the AFCON tourney in Cameroon, which featured Senegal and Egypt in the finals, and with renewed talks about the transfer of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen to England, and sale of Chelsea Africa’s top billionaire seems to be back on track for his dream purchase, eight years after he first publicized the interest in a Forbes interview.
In a post match analysis about AFCON, former Super Eagles Coach Sunday Oliseh, who scored one of the best goals at the 1998 World Cup in France https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPcEHOjjXQg&t=10s said “Sadio Mané leads “Superb” Senegal to win arguably, the most qualitative AFCON in the past 20 years in terms of tactics, passion, and surprises. African football has come of age !! I am excited…”
Indeed AFCON in Cameroon was a pleasant distraction from the terrible war between Russia and Ukraine which may lead to a World War.
Just before this publication, the world watched and hoped that steady diplomacy from between global leaders such as France’s Emmanuel Macron and Israel’s Naftali Bennet with Russian and Ukrainian leaders, would produce a peaceful breakthrough.
Emmanuel Macron Walks a Fine Line on Ukraine https://nyti.ms/3G5XAba
The AFCON finals won by Senegal in a 4–2 penalty shoot out, anchored on a sublime angled strike by Sadio Mane, was played after CAF authorities gave the go ahead following a stampede that resulted in 8 deaths and injuries.
A statement from CAF read “Having noted the recommendations and undertakings from the government in regard to additional security provisions…the CAF Organizing Committee unanimously agreed to lift the suspension imposed on the Olembe Stadium.”
Whether Africa’s hottest striker Victor Osimhen who suffered a facial fracture in November joins an EPL club is still a hypothetical question, with Newcastle also mentioned as possible suitors. They are reported to have dangled a 140 Million Euros carrot before the Edo born striker. https://www.sportbible.com/football/newcastle-united-had-huge-140-million-double-transfer-swoop-rejected-20220131
Osimhen has since fully recovered and is back in action for Napoli FC, with a specially designed mask, some say with an experimental chip. His unquestionable efficacy in front of goal is still as good as ever.
In the match versus Venezia he scored a 59th minute goal followed by an Andrea Petagna to assure a 2–0 win for Luciano Spalleti’s side.
He and Parma Calcio’s Simy Nwankwo’s are currently Africa’s top goal scorers’ in Serie A, following excellent records set by a bevy of talented players from the Motherland.
Earlier in January Osimhen’s west German mentor Gernot Rohr, and first coach on the Super Eagles, was mentioned as having been approached to return to coach the Black Stars who are set to meet the Super Eagles in a World Cup double header Qualifier in March.
There was also talk about Nottingham Forest’s Chris Hughton being named as the new Black Stars Coach after he was seen in discussion with Ghana Football Association at the Accra Labade Beach Hotel where I stayed for the Nelson “Zoom Zoom” versus Sidney Dal Rovere fight in ‘88.
Part of his incentive for the job was that he would be able to attract Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi to the squad. However GFA this denied that move and has now confirmed Otto Addo ahead of their double header clash with the Super Eagles later this month. Meanwhile the former Super Eagles’ coach that Portugal’s Peseiro should move on has been heeded and the the authorities at the Glasshouse have confirmed that Austin Eguavoen will be at the helm with Emmanuel Amuneke as his assistant and Vincent Enyeama, who was oncee approached by Israel’s Maccabi Ironi Ashdod (Where former Bendel Insurance Star Thompson Oliha finished his career) is also a contender for goalie coach if the Super Eagles emerge from the Africa Zone!
https://www.completesports.com/pinnick-peseiro-free-to-take-another-job/
With Eguavoen still at the helm the Nigerian team will not have to worry about controversial coaching carousels.
It happened with Brazilian Carlos Alberto Torres who I interviewed in Boston in 1995 soon after his appointment. He never coached another Super Eagles game after Boston.
For historical perspectives, excerpts of that exclusive interview with Carlos Alberto Torres, whom I interviewed a year after I interviewed Pele (aka Arantes Des Nascimento in Palo Alto just before the 1994 World Cup) is important history for CAF, FIFA and CBF, the Brazilian Football Federation.
The late Carlos Alberto Torres was a Brazilian soccer player, considered along with Pele, as one of the top five footballers in the beautiful game of soccer. He is regarded as one of the best defenders of all time and captained the Brazil national team to victory in the 1970 World Cup, scoring the fourth goal in the final. That goal is considered one of the greatest goals in the history of the tournament.
I was fortunate to interview this legend in 1995 during the US Cup Soccer Tournament that featured Nigeria, the US National Team (coached by Steve Sampson), Mexico and Colombia.
He was hired as the Super Eagles’ technical advisor following the departure of the controversial Dutchman Clemens Westerhof.
Excerpts of the interview conducted in the lobby of the hotel where the Super Eagles stayed in Boston.
Question . There Are a Lot of Famous Carlos Alberto’s from Brazil. Which One of them Are You?
Answer. I was the first one, I think. There is Carlos Alberto Silva and then Carlos Alberto Parreira, who was coach of the Brazilian team which won the 1994, but I am Carlos Alberto Torres. I played in the 1970 World Cup with players like Gerson, Pele, Tostao, Rivelinho and Jairzinho.
Question. When Did You Stop Playing for Brazil?
Answer. In 1977, when I came to play for the New York Cosmos for six years. I retired in 1982.
Question. So How Old Are You Now?
Answer. Fifty.
Question. What Have You Been Doing Since You Retired in 1982.
Answer. Well, I have been coaching teams in Brazil since 1983. My first team was Flamengo — we were the Brazilian Champions in my very first year as coach and then the next year I coached Fluminense to the Rio De Janeiro Championship. In 1985 I moved to Corinthians in Sao Paulo and we finished among the top four Brazilian club sides that year, then in 1986 I took a leave of absence to work with the Brazilian TV Network Tele O’Globo, as a commentator for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
After the World Cup I moved to the US to coach the Miami Sharks in the defunct American Pro Soccer League for two years. I moved back to Brazil at the end of my contract to work with the Corinthians. And then in 1989 I decided to go into local politics. For four years I was a Rio De Janeiro city council man. Politics was a crazy decision and I don’t know why I did it. After my political life I returned to soccer as a coach of Botafogo, leading them to the COPA CONMEBOL (Championship for South America Club sides.) Last year I worked briefly for Fluminense before getting an invitation to work for the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) in November.
Question. So have you officially taken over as coach of the Nigerian National Team.
Answer. Not Yet. I already have the contract. But for the US Cup I am here with them just to help and then after this tournament I am going to take over.
Question. Before you got this
assignment what did you know about Nigerian soccer?
Answer. All over the world everybody knows about Nigerian players and football. In my opinion, Nigerian players really change their attitude to be more professional at all times they have the capability to be one of the best in the world. They should always be proud to play for their country. For example in Brazil we have the pride to wear Brazil’s yellow colors. My focus will be to change the attitude of the players towards their national team. For instance in the US Cup, Nigeria is missing several important players, because they don’t want to play for their country. I am going to try and change this attitude in all the age levels of national team soccer in Nigeria. I will help in the development of a football academy and try to bring in some companies to invest in Nigerian soccer and also begin a coaching exchange program between Nigeria and Brazil. There is a lot of work ahead.
Question. Nigeria is the African Champions and last year (1994) they were ninth in the world, which is one of the best achievements by any African team. What goals are you setting for yourself as you assume this position?
Answer. Continue to do better. I think they are in a position to be one of the best football teams in the world because the pool of talented players is great.
Question. What do you think of Clemens Westerhof, your predecessor?
Answer. I think he did a very good job.
Question. One problem Westerhof always complained about was the official interference in his duties. How do you intend to deal with this situation?
Answer. I am here first of all, because it is a pride to work with the Nigerian national team. I am sure a lot of coaches around the world would like to be in my position to work with these players, who are considered one of the best group of players in the world. Secondly, I am here because I want to help in the development of young players because there’s a bright future for them here. So the only thing here to do is the best.
Question. Are you satisfied with the terms of your contract?
Answer. Sure. I think the important thing is the chance the Federation has provided for me to work here.
Question. How Long Is The Contract?
Answer. The contract is for four years until the 1998 World Cup. But I hope to stay longer.
Question. Have You Been To Lagos Yet.
Answer. No, I haven’t yet for several reasons. But I have been in constant touch with the NFA Chairman who said I shouldn’t come now because of the competition (U.S. Cup.)
Back to Aliko Dangote’s Arsenal ownership quest.
Who knows maybe his statement that he would not watch the Qatar World Cup if the Super Eagles are beaten by the Black Stars is reverse mind games to boost the morale of the team about something else inexplicably bad for the image of sports.
In Cameroon, with the high level of soccer on display at the concluded AFCON tournament, Osimhen’s move to England alongside a wealth of talent such as Mane and Mohammed Salah, conversely will be a great advertisement for Aliko Dangote’s dream move and perfect scene setter for the Qatar World cup.
https://football-italia.net/napoli-star-osimhen-has-multiple-facial-fractures/
A visionary businessman, Dangote seemed to express his interest as a premier clubside owner with sponsorship of the refurbishment of the Moshood Abiola Stadium MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
On Feb. 4 the revamped stadium hosted its first match between The Falcons and their Cameroonian opponents. The Falcons won.
Just before the match Dangote visited the newly renovated pitch, adopted by him under the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare’s Adopt-a-Pitch initiative.
Believe it or not, mine has been a personal accountability mission (Pro Bono) to prove that there are no dark clouds in America for his stake after I interviewed for a Marketing Consultant Position at his palatial headquarters in Lagos Island with my childhood friend from Benin City Oare Ojeikere (Our Mothers Were Co Workers at the Central Hospital in Benin City). Ojeikere at the time of the interview was in charge of the Conglomerate’s Marketing Operations.
I think the time is perfect now.
Arsenal’s Pursuit of top striker Victor Osimhen will Certainly buoy Aliko Dangote’s desire for a stake in one of Europe’s richest sports clubs.
And here are some more reasons why people in their right minds should root for an Aliko Dangote Arsenal acquisition.
And of course a universal ingredient for successful business endeavors is perfect timing. And Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote certainly has the knack and plenty of success stories in that regard when it comes to establishing new businesses in African countries where the Dangote brand flourishes.
That sense of timing is also what guided Dangote to establish a cement plant in Ethiopia in 2015, considered one of the hotspots for setting up new enterprises in Africa. He followed that with another Cement plant in Lome, Togo in 2019.
https://www.forbes.com/profile/aliko-dangote/?sh=7f9b534122fc
His latest project, a $15 billion Refinery and project on the outskirts of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, will come on stream later this year.
With a single crude oil distillation unit, the refinery will be the largest single-train refinery in the world.
Sometime in 2018 it was also revealed that Dangote, a very good friend of Bill Gates and listed as the 66th richest man in the world by Forbes Magazine, is expanding his “Empowering Africa” commercial slogan into Asia which included another Cement plant in Nepal.
With a burgeoning home construction business following earthquakes there Dangote’s timing for a cement plant in Nepal’s Kathmandu region was spot on.
According to Bloomberg Business he invested $400 million in that Asian venture.
https://www.forbes.com/profile/aliko-dangote/?sh=5d6c814822fc
After honing his business savvy skills by establishing cement, sugar, flour and refinery ventures across the African continent, Aliko is now ready to expand his empire to embrace soccer; a perfect elixir for global stability and an endeavor that is all about timing on the field of play and sometimes in the boardroom.
And this year the World Cup in Qatar certainly would be the perfect icing on the cake.
Dangote, whose net worth is estimated at $13.6 billion, sources has ratcheted up his interest in purchasing a stake in Arsenal, one of the most successful and richest football clubs in the world.
It seems that the Arsenal quest is his next goal once the 650,000 barrel per day refinery he is constructing in Nigeria is completed this year.
“When we get this refinery on track, I will have enough time and enough resources to pay what they are asking for,” he told the BBC Hausa service recently of his interest to become an Arsenal shareholder.
As a fan Dangote’s interest in the club is buoyed by his enduring desire for Arsenal to reenact the “total football” era of the seemingly invincible 2003–2004 squad that featured stars like Dutch Star Dennis Bergkamp, Les Bleus heroes Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, and Robert Pires, as well as Nwankwo Kanu, the Super Eagles’ most potent #9.
In his BBC interview, Dangote spoke of the club needing a new direction. That might be a hard bargaining chip for majority stakeholder Stan Kroenke who owns 66.83 percent of the shares, and who I am sure thinks the club is doing just fine.
Kroenke, who also owns the Rams of the National Football League (NFL) in America, has Uzbekistan tycoon Alisher Usmanov, as a minority shareholder on Arsenal Holding Plc.
Why is all of this important for America? LA Rams owner Stan Kroenke is also a majority owner of Arsenal. Interestingly the Super Bowl on Sunday Feb. 13 between the Rams and Cincinnati Bengals is also the other important global football event to start 2022. https://www.forbes.com/profile/aliko-dangote/?sh=5d6c814822fc
https://www.the-sun.com/sport/4578587/arsenal-stan-kroenke-trophy-la-rams-super-bowl/
Only the sky’s the limit with Kroenke and Aliko Dangote as visionary owners.
What a dream it will be for Arsenal to qualify and play in next year’s UEFA Championship a year after the Rams play in the Super Bowl.
With an enduring vision to steer the Gunners toward “a new direction”, Dangote’s timing for a foray into Europe will certainly be perfect when and if he decides to purchase a stake in one of the most successful sports clubs in the world.
I am sure he has gotten Kroenke’s attention with all the right signals he is sending out about his interest.
According to Bloomberg, Dangote “discussed buying a stake in the club before talks with the owners fell through.”
The time may be perfect now as it was in 2014 when the club brought on quality players such as former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech (In 2014) who turned out to be the edge the club needed to win the English Premier League title for the first time since the 2003–2004 squad. Or maybe he has a better chance with Chelsea.
https://www.football365.com/news/60m-napoli-striker-one-of-arteta-edus-top-targets-for-arsenal
Roman is seen with my friend Michael Emenalo, former Chelsea Executive now with Monaco FC. Emenalo played for the Super Eagles at the 1994 World Cup.
