Post by QPR Report on Mar 28, 2009 8:42:04 GMT
Stephen Constantine . And was posting on his website what he could do. I think it was the period just before appointed Holloway. And the strange thing: Quite a number of messageboard posters were convinced!
The Times/Russell Kempson
Stephen Constantine warms to challenge in Sudan
Former Millwall first-team coach is relishing the task of guiding the African country to the 2010 World Cup finals
As Stephen Constantine answers his mobile phone, raucous laughter breaks out in the hotel dining room. A chorus of “You're fined, coach,” breaks out and he immediately accepts the levy of £20. It had cost him £10 when talking on the team bus but, for a second offence, the penalty is doubled.
It is Constantine's fault. As the new coach of Sudan, it was he who imposed the strict rules and he who insisted on his players signing a code of conduct. He had to release five of them from his initial training squad for various misdemeanours.
”The discipline here was shocking,” Constantine said. “I think it's the first time that the final squad has all turned up and all stayed in camp. Before, they used to just come and go as they pleased.
”Ask them to turn up at 7pm, they'd stroll in at 7.30. They're very laid-back here, there's no urgency and that's what they were used to. But I think they understand now. I've not come here for a holiday, I want to build a team.”
With the closing stages of the laborious African World Cup qualifying process kicking off this weekend - the five group winners qualify for the finals in South Africa next year - there are other challenges for Constantine, the former Millwall first-team coach, to overcome. Not least finishing above Mali, who Sudan play in Khartoum today, Ghana and Benin in group D.
”You could say we're just six games away from the World Cup,” Constantine said. “Even if we could get third place, we'd qualify for the finals of the African Nations Cup, but it's going to be really diffcult. None of our players play abroad but they're very good technically and as good as a lot of the other Africans playing in Europe.”
London-born Constantine, 46, retains a gritty underdog mentality, which was honed during his days as national coach of Nepal, India and Malawi. Yet, on his travels, rarely has he had to tread as carefully politically as on his latest adventure.
An estimated 300,000 people have died over the past five years in Darfur, in western Sudan, during fighting between rebels and Government forces. Arising from the conflict, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese president, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
After Constantine's appointment last month, he was warned by the British Embassy to keep a low profile. “I've not felt threatened at all,” he said. “The people have been very hospitable and the politics is none of my business. I hope to visit Darfur in May. I have a responsibility as national coach and have to be seen. I feel it's my duty to go there.”
No low profile today, when a capacity crowd of 45,000 is expected in the Al-Merreikh Stadium as Sudan attempt to blunt the force of Frédérick Kanouté, the Seville and Mali striker.
“Hopefully, we can cause an upset,” Constantine said. “No, I haven't met the president yet. But, if we win, I'm sure I will.”
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article5989743.ece
The Times/Russell Kempson
Stephen Constantine warms to challenge in Sudan
Former Millwall first-team coach is relishing the task of guiding the African country to the 2010 World Cup finals
As Stephen Constantine answers his mobile phone, raucous laughter breaks out in the hotel dining room. A chorus of “You're fined, coach,” breaks out and he immediately accepts the levy of £20. It had cost him £10 when talking on the team bus but, for a second offence, the penalty is doubled.
It is Constantine's fault. As the new coach of Sudan, it was he who imposed the strict rules and he who insisted on his players signing a code of conduct. He had to release five of them from his initial training squad for various misdemeanours.
”The discipline here was shocking,” Constantine said. “I think it's the first time that the final squad has all turned up and all stayed in camp. Before, they used to just come and go as they pleased.
”Ask them to turn up at 7pm, they'd stroll in at 7.30. They're very laid-back here, there's no urgency and that's what they were used to. But I think they understand now. I've not come here for a holiday, I want to build a team.”
With the closing stages of the laborious African World Cup qualifying process kicking off this weekend - the five group winners qualify for the finals in South Africa next year - there are other challenges for Constantine, the former Millwall first-team coach, to overcome. Not least finishing above Mali, who Sudan play in Khartoum today, Ghana and Benin in group D.
”You could say we're just six games away from the World Cup,” Constantine said. “Even if we could get third place, we'd qualify for the finals of the African Nations Cup, but it's going to be really diffcult. None of our players play abroad but they're very good technically and as good as a lot of the other Africans playing in Europe.”
London-born Constantine, 46, retains a gritty underdog mentality, which was honed during his days as national coach of Nepal, India and Malawi. Yet, on his travels, rarely has he had to tread as carefully politically as on his latest adventure.
An estimated 300,000 people have died over the past five years in Darfur, in western Sudan, during fighting between rebels and Government forces. Arising from the conflict, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese president, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
After Constantine's appointment last month, he was warned by the British Embassy to keep a low profile. “I've not felt threatened at all,” he said. “The people have been very hospitable and the politics is none of my business. I hope to visit Darfur in May. I have a responsibility as national coach and have to be seen. I feel it's my duty to go there.”
No low profile today, when a capacity crowd of 45,000 is expected in the Al-Merreikh Stadium as Sudan attempt to blunt the force of Frédérick Kanouté, the Seville and Mali striker.
“Hopefully, we can cause an upset,” Constantine said. “No, I haven't met the president yet. But, if we win, I'm sure I will.”
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article5989743.ece