[FM24] Hexagon Hijinks: Victor Oanase's Global Champions League Quest - Halfway House - Three Done, Three Left

[KibworthBull]

January 2038

Away to the side bottom of table is the perfect opportunity to tick off a nation. Even better that it's against the club we signed him from. Sao Tome & Principle is in the bag.

I'm not sure a victory over ourselves should be celebrated too much. But the cup draw put the 1st team and the 2nd team at loggerheads. The "1st" team, it wasn't, won the day, and it was a fantastic day for our new Burundi Left Winger, Yussuf Sindaharaye who ticked off another nation. 262 people bothered to turn up.

We are in danger of having our worst domestic season. A 2nd draw. This one was a barnstorming thriller - 3-3. The league is actually quite tight in comparison to last year, 4 clear with a game in hand.

Sao Tome & Principle

Burundi

[KibworthBull]

February 2038

It's the business end of the season. 1st v 2nd. Benfica's big chance to land a big blow.

A point a piece, they will only have 2 more games which means 5 points from our last 4 matches gives us our 3rd title in a row. We have now drawn our last two. #crisis

Our old foes, the Kaiser Chiefs met us in the Champions League Group's - we weren't great but had enough.

3 league draws in a row. It's almost getting tight.

The perfect response? 10-0 win. Our remaining games are against 15th and 16th. 

 

 

[KibworthBull]

March 2038

The champagne got popped. A nice 7-0 win away at the old boys. 

We only won the league by 5 points. Kudos to Benfica for getting so close.

 

We closely followed this with another Angolan Cup.

And seamless progression in the Champions League

A good month.

At the end of it we say goodbye to a number of squad players. It's time to cull and rebuild with a host of new foreigners. Whilst trying to retain our Champions League.

[KibworthBull]

April and May 2038

A routine victory to finish of the group stages before we faced Angolan opponents in the quarter-finals.

Fofana grabs a late goal to give us a slender advantage before we power through to the Semi-Finals.

Wydad Casablanca are a cut above the rest of Africa and we had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Even though we've won the Champions League, so that particular objective is out of the way, back to back trophies will help me on my step towards Legendary status.

Another 1-1 draw and the dreaded penalty shoot out followed. Step forward Burkino Faso's Marius Damiba who kept out the final spot kick to see us into the final. And he got the Man of the Match award. 

The final is in the middle of the World Cup - which is nice, our Egyptian opponents are going to be affected just as we are.

Burkino Faso

 

[KibworthBull]

June 2038

African Champions League Final - 2 legs, 2 reserve sides. Thanks to the World Cup.

Muana Limbombe is on his way out of the club, back to his native DR Congo, this hat-trick could have been his swansong.

A brilliant result from 1-3 after 60 minutes.

In Egypt, it was our turn for a fast start, before things got scary. We just about hung on.

The Best XI according to me and my coaching staff. The front 3 of Kamian, Fofana and Diedhiou are all want a way - Oil money likely to move them on. I have Angolan options on the bench that can help fill the void.

My summer focus is to find options to help tick off these nations. I've got options from Chad and Central African Republic who will attempt it but neither are that good. 

[KibworthBull]

August 2038

I am now an Angolan Icon...

To celebrate I've signed a raft of foreigners that I can tick off.

From Chad, Right Winger, Noa Djibrine. Not the greatest. But he plays in a position that does well in the nations.

From the Central African Republic, a Striker, Felix Bongotoutet. A finishing attribute and physicals to ensure that he should do what he needs to do against the right opponents.

From Uganda, James Sentamu, another Striker, should have no issues doing what is required. We've had similar and they did it.

Finally, for now, a Moroccan Winger, this one is actually to get into our side on merit. Hicham El Boukhary

We are now at our foreign limit, so these will be our options for nations this season unless the movement is out.

An early benchmark was put down in the Angolan Super Cup. A 4-0 win, the usual suspects with the goals.

A potentially tricky opening month in the league was negotiated in fine style until the easy one at the end of the month!

Edited November 26, 2023 by KibworthBull

[KibworthBull]

September 2038

The opening phase of the Champions League is the perfect opportunity to tick off a nation. Straight off the bat, it's Nation #56. Well done, Hicham El Boukhary.

Daniel Yakubu, the world hates you. A hat trick from Centre Back and gets pipped to the MoTM award.

Yakubu has to wait for a couple more matches. A brace and an assist. Nation #57.

The Super Cup is retained. On Penalties. We seem very good at these.

A perfect month - technically.

Morocco

Nigeria

[KibworthBull]

October 2038

After a routine league win, attention turned to the Cup, and could a rotated side progress and tick off a nation?

Yes. James Sentamu from Uganda scored and got the man of the match award, so a total win all round. 

The cut-throat nature of this particular beast means that Moroccan Hicham El Boukhary is surplus to requirements already - he was unregistered and has been sold back to Morocco. We've lost money on the deal, but have ticked off the nation so I am happy.

The African Champions League is also good for nations, Defensive Midfielder Michel Obambou-Ebane, Gabon, enjoyed it further up the field in the AMC role and grabbed a hat-trick as we knocked out Buffles from Benin.

What a month. A treble. #60 Chad has gone. The player is rubbish, but if you put enough quality around him, often enough, it turns out ok. Noa Djibrine thank you. You may not play much more now.

Uganda.

Gabon

Chad

[KibworthBull]

November 2038

Can this month be better than a treble nation?

Unlikely.

We've only got 2 that we are live with - Tanzania and the Central African Republic.

The scouts are out in the 22 nations we are still to tick off in the hope that they find someone. Malawi, Somali and Liberia. We'll be able to register them from next month.

 

[KibworthBull]

December 2038

The first game of the month/night and a new nation ticked off. Central African Republic becomes #61 thanks to a Felix Bongotoutet double.

Several debutants in the cup, 3 new nations premiered, a goal for one, but they were all overshadowed by a 16-year-old Angolan. 

The beauty of the Angolan Cup. We get to play B teams. Often they are poor. It certainly compared to us. It means we can blood random nations for ticking off. Somalia is in the bag! Liiban Sulub is a right winger, only 19 and it took him 4 games to do his job.

Somalia

Central African Republic

 

[KibworthBull]

January 2039

New Year, Out with the old.  73 goals in 90 games was a fantastic return. But it's time to clear a slot for the FGN lads.

In with the new?

No. We had a Zimbabwean lined up but he turned us down for the U.A.E.

It has finally happened though. A defeat in the league. Both goals were scored by former players - as we need just a point to clinch the title I had any nations needed to tick off in attacking positions. To say my mind is not on winning is an understatement!

[KibworthBull]

February 2039

Another title secured. Potentially my last one in Angola.

The only last thing is can we sneak out a couple more nations before we relocate?

Yes, we can. Peter Mphande is a 31-year-old AMC and hails from Malawi. A double and a MoTM against Club Recreativo e Desportivo do Libolo. Our 63rd nation.

Progress in the African Cup set up a local derby and also a strong start to the Champions League group stage with a win and a draw.

Another trophy, and local pride and the Angolan Cup is retained. 

Both my outstanding nations Hassan Said (Tanzania) and Saylee Macauley (Liberia) are playing as many minutes as possible.

I am now the best manager Angola has ever seen

Malawi

[KibworthBull]

March 2039

Our performances in the Champions League have not been as good this year, but we have still qualified for the Quarter Finals with a game or two to spare. 

An extremely late show against Al-Ahly with a double past the 90th minute for the win. 

A lorry load of FGNs leave at the end of the month

[KibworthBull]

April 2039

April is a quiet month. Just the odd Champions League game.

The pirates of Penzance (or Orlando) came and went in a blaze of glory.

Tunisian opponents in the Semi's

Whoever is in charge next season has seen some Angolan strength added. Miranda is a Right Winger from Interclube, Gasper a Left Winger, and Nguele a Right Back. Mainly added for depth, if I am still not a Legend, then I shall continue but hopefully I will be and it'll be someone else benefiting. 

[KibworthBull]

May and June 2039

I love a good two-legged Semi...

Winning 5-0 at home meant that we could relax on our Tunisian travels. We boldly called to put our Tanzanian Centre Back up front to see if he could finally tick off the nation. And it worked! It's only taken him 112 games. I said that he would do it eventually.

Al-Ahly in the final - victory should mean that we can move on as a Legend. As ever the international call ups have destroyed both squads.

Pot luck, you take your chances and we have it all to do in the return leg. With less players available.

It was always going to be tough but we didn't manage to get over the line

BUT in #breaking_news

Tanzania

So Angola is now done.

Time to find the next African nation to tick off the remaining nations.

Offical..

[KibworthBull]

December 2039

After 5 months unemployed, I AM BACK.... in more ways than one.

Returning to my first Angolan Club. They sit in the relegation zone in the 3rd tier, 6 points from safety with 8 games left. I've signed a 4-month deal. Time to go all BIG SAM on this club.

[KibworthBull]

December 2039 continued

Appearance fees have massively hampered our chances of signing randoms... these players want them. We can offer £15 - they want another digit adding on.

We've managed to find 2 - a Lesothoians and an Eritrean - sounds like the beginning of a crap joke. We also have an Eswatinian for 1 game - the guy we had 8 years ago - before he goes back home. Would be a miracle if he can get a MOTM.

Balls...

It doesn't rain but it pours...

Both the matches in December have fallen foul of the weather gods!

[KibworthBull]

January 2040

Well, this is it, the big month, 7 matches. It could all be over this month. We have 2 nations that we can tick off.

Malanje Sport Clube. THE place for the survival campaign to start. Shame we didn't get the memo.

A man sent off against São Salvador do Kongo but we hang on to the 3 points. 

Real Sport Ginga are in the RED, sorry in the Relegation Zone as well, and despite the luxury of missing two penalties, we made it back to back victories, thanks to Alberto Mateus.

One of our postponed games, meant we had a game in hand, and that started badly, 1-3 down but somehow we managed to sneak a 4-4 draw with the last kick of the game. It moves us off the bottom but means we travel next to the team at the top of the table.

We played with ten men for 86 minutes against Renascer do Estoril and came out with a point, our Eritrean scoring.

The month ends, home to Real Sambila and our entire forward line suspended. The boys are goal-shy at the best of times, take out our strikers and it was an uphill battle.

We've closed the gap but it's 2 wins from 2 and pray now.

[KibworthBull]

February 2040

Do or die. 2 games. 

Away at Cabinda (13th) and  Benfica Mambroa (18th) - if we can take it to the final day.

Which we do. Tyhali ticks off Lesotho with a fine display. 

Away to an already relegated side.

Benfica Mambroa scored twice early on and we were never in the tie.

I managed to get 11 points but needed 2 more. On the plus side, we did tick off a nation.

Lesotho

The 2nd job hunt in a night... they do say never go back....

[KibworthBull]

May 2040

Welcome to Lesotho.

I have a simple mission. 16 nations to tick off in Africa. That is it. Currently there doesn't appear to be any restrictions in the league so it's time to go hunting.

[corinthiano]

Should hopefully be an easy league to dominate and tick those nations off! Any nations you think are going to be harder, Seychelles, Comoros?

[KibworthBull]

4 minutes ago, corinthiano said:

Should hopefully be an easy league to dominate and tick those nations off! Any nations you think are going to be harder, Seychelles, Comoros?

Comoros should be okay as the league is also loaded - it was either Comoros or Lesotho.

There doesn't appear to be any restrictions in Lesotho so I am going a bit nuts on the 16 nations.

Zanzibar and Rwanda are proving tricky right now though.

[corinthiano]

I used to play 5-a-side with a Rwandan, can check if he would be available 

[KibworthBull]

20 minutes ago, corinthiano said:

I used to play 5-a-side with a Rwandan, can check if he would be available 

Depends.. how old will he be in 2040?

Actually... nope, will take him!

[KibworthBull]

Pre Season 2040

It would appear I have stumbled upon the perfect mix of low-rep nations and no restrictions on foreigners.

Our squad now has players from - (deep breath) - Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Liberia, Mauritania, Mayotte, Reunion, Seychelles, South Sudan, and Zanzibar.

I am bugging people in Comoros, Egypt, Niger, Rwanda, and Tunisia to find options. There are a few players that will only talk to us if we get promoted which is fair enough. I am less worried about Tunisia and Egypt because they can be done at any point in higher leagues as they are strong nations.

Henok Yosef (Eritrea) and Saylee Macauley (Liberia) are two players who have previously played for me and have both scored. We were missing that final link in Angola.

The season will start in September so maybe one or two more?

[KibworthBull]

September 2040

The transfer window has slammed shut, and immigration has told me that they will not let anyone else through border control until January.

But before this...

2 Niger players have come on board.

6 different nationalities in the starting lineup for the opening fixture of the campaign. CCX in the house. The most anti-climatic goalless draw imaginable.

I won't try and write out our opponents in the other game of the month. I'll let the picture show that. 

Goals for Reunion, Man of the Match for Zanzibar. Building blocks.

91% of the African nations have played for us now. Everyone lining up to be next.

[KibworthBull]

October 2040

After such success in Angola, not winning games of football feels odd. A defeat to start the month, was far from ideal. Matters are made worse by not scoring or getting the MoTM award.

I also had one of my Zanzibar players retire with no warning - he never played but it's the principle of the thing.

It mattered not as Ali Kheir scored against Mangau to tick off Zanzibar.

Finally, defeat in the Cup, our Equatorial Guinea striker got off the mark, but it's a few games we will miss out on now.

Zanzibar:

[KibworthBull]

November 2040

I need to keep reminding myself, all I need to do here is tick off nations. No.67 came in the 3-3 draw against Highlanders. Reunion is done.

Ryan Agathine, is a fine player from the Seychelles, he put in a stellar performance at DMC and scored too in the win at Lithabenang Golden.

We ensured that we get a 100% record for the month, thanks to Saylee MacAuley doing the "stuff" from Attacking Mid. Lovely stuff.

Linare look very good. We play them next month and on the last game of the season.

 

Reunion

Seychelles:

Liberia

[KibworthBull]

December 2040

We've reached that part of the season where everyone not getting game time gets annoyed. And they've started lining up...

One is Marvin Engonga from Equatorial Guinea, he scored from the bench and picked up the MoTM award against Kick4Life.

Since mentioning Linare in the previous month as "doing well", they've lost every game. So no surprises when they beat us. It's also the first game in 4 that we didn't tick anything off.

Aguer Lobong has come to me a couple of times to tell me he hasn't settled, now he has ticked off the nation of South Sudan, he can leave. I'm heartless, I really am.

Mauritania is not having much luck. Amadou wont be the one that does it.

Equatorial Guinea

South Sudan

The remaining list for Africa

[KibworthBull]

January 2041

Game at the start of the month, and a game at the end of the month, but with an active transfer window in between.

A goalless draw and a 5-2 thriller. Nothing ticked off but debuts for Comoros, so that's all but 2 nations have played for me.

We've doubled down on our Mayotte, Zimbabweans and Comoran's.

[KibworthBull]

February 2041

When a large part of your save is ticking off nations, so playing games, one or two game months are fairly boring. Especially when you have exhausted all types of recruitment to find the missing nations. I always prefer 3 games a week type scenario's and rotation rather than 1 every 3 or 4 weeks.

2nd v 3rd in the one game this month, the league is tight.

The board are expecting promotion - there is part of me that isn't bothered as I'll find another Lesothian club fairly quickly I would hope, and then bring the players across, but this country will be over quicker if we are winning.

[KibworthBull]

March 2041

With each passing nation, the task becomes easier. That's my mantra before every game. The players look fairly non-plussed by the team talk. They think I am odd.

Highlanders were seen off. Mohamed Franck getting the MoTM - he's from Comoros but hasn't scored yet. So we are getting excited, and he moves onto penalties straight away.

Something that wasn't seen coming, a guy from Mayotte scoring 4 goals in a game, step forward Brian Lepretre. Based on where we are in the season, he may not play again.

The league continues to be close, we lead by 2 but Linare have a game in hand. 3 left for us. Final game is home to Linare.

Mayotte

[KibworthBull]

April 2041

A long wait for a fine win.

All the success came from Lesothian nationals so it's not something to shout too much about.

The league is now a 2 horse race

Both games are within 5 days of each other. We have to wait 22 days for the first one.

[KibworthBull]

May 2041

2 matches, there could be another title, our first in Lesotho.

The good news?

Zimbabwe is done, Sean Mangwiro caps a fine individual display with a goal and MoTM.

The bad news?

We failed to beat 10th-placed Kick4Life and now sit 2nd before the final-day showdown.

The top two going into this one?

A perfect day?

Comoros scored the penalty as well, so that's another one ticked off

Zimbabwe

Comoros

[KibworthBull]

2041/42 Off Season Update

I've taken an International Job - wasn't looking but they offered it to me. 

Needs to think of 5 achievements to achieve in the international sphere.

Trying to be busy with the transfers, made a few, a full review next month.

[Sizeman21]

Good luck with Uganda!

[KibworthBull]

22 minutes ago, Sizeman21 said:

Good luck with Uganda!

Thanks. In the short term it's reminded me how much I don't normally enjoy international management.... but it's early days

 

[KibworthBull]

September 2041

Internationals First:

Back to back draws.

We need to win the group to qualify for the World Cup - unlikely

I am working on a few ideas for Achievements and will keep the powder dry until I have them properly figured out.

Domestically, the recruitment has been the outstanding nations, plus a Lesothoian. We've strengthened the Eswatini and Niger contingents especially.

Still unable to convince an Egyptian or a Tunisian to come on board. If I have to tick them off in North America then that's fine. It's the other 5 which scare me.

An opening day victory thanks to a Lesothian treble, and then backed up with a double. I may have to rest this guy.

 

[KibworthBull]

October 2041

October feels like a preamble to the league, 1 game and then a cup time, with an international break in the middle.

In the league game, we go with an Eritrean front two but it's a Lesothian super sub that makes it 3 wins from 3.

In the cup, 9 of the 11 are non-Lesothians and it's a Rwandan day, a hat-trick of assists for Vincent Kabanda and it's the 75th nation ticked off

I can though introduce my International Achievements

• Peak Rankings - Take a nation beyond its previous best-placed ranking.
• Improve a Nation by 50 - Improve a nation by 50 places - just in case I move nations without doing the Peak Rankings and take over a nation that is very close to their previous best
• Qualify for a World Cup - self-explanatory
• Win Secondary Int Cup - African of Nations, Euro etc.
• Win the World Cup - ditto
• 0 to 100 - give someone their debut and bring them through to 100 caps.

With back-to-back 4-0 wins, we appear to have achieved the Qualify for a World Cup

Rwanda:

[KibworthBull]

November 2041

Now the league starts in Earnest. 4 matches. Almost feels like a proper month.

A rare occasion against Rovers(LES) with a Right Back securing MoTM - I can't recall that happening very often, he's Lesothian so nothing to see here, but still it's unexpected.

Eswatini is a nation where luck is not present. My 4th attempt.

We continue to win games, despite the impact of the foreign legion, it's the Lesothians taking centre stage

I strongly suspect we will win the league, however, that's not much of a boast. I reckon I could put a couple of Sea Bass up front and still win games. They wouldn't get MoTM though.

[KibworthBull]

December 2041

6 African Nations left. 4 realistic due to our low reputation

A first for us this season, some dropped points - one of our Eritreans missed a 2nd-minute penalty. The other Henok Yosef is scoring nicely,  but not doing enough to impress the sponsors.

We still sit pretty at the top of the tree

The World Cup draw has taken place, it'll be nice to be there I suppose

[KibworthBull]

January 2042

2 additions. One is a return. Nxumalo was here 12 months ago but never got a sniff really.

Both the new boys score on their debuts, but the limelight is taken by a Lesothian sub scoring 2 late goals.

It's starting to grate these remaining nations... I have no options in moving on as they wouldn't be the standard of the North American Leagues I fancy.

Just before the window closed we popped over to Mauritania and bought in some new blood. A Left Back (Mohamed) and a Right Winger (Diallo)

[KibworthBull]

February 2042

Lesothian Cup - lower graded oppo. Surely someone can tick something off?

Eritrea!!! Eritrea!! Eritrea!! All 4 goals from our boys from there. Henok Yosef finally gets the MoTM.

The mood was slightly lowered by losing the next league game, but we bounced back with another win and another MoTM for Yosef. You're just showing off now.

We no longer sit top of the table

Eritrea:

[KibworthBull]

March 2042

12 games left in the season across the next 3 months, 3 more nations to "complete" Africa - well complete the nations we can get here. Can we do it and ride off into the sunset?

Defeat to 3rd place Matlama was not the best start. 

Our league form is falling apart but we have over-achieved already so there are no pressures on the job front.

A draw and a last-minute away win put us back on top for 12 hours, before some classic Bantu in the Cup Semi-Final.

Razak Boubacar is a player who complained he was out of position, and then went and did his job, scored a couple and ticked off Niger! My 5th player from that nation - this was a long haul. And we have a final to look forward to.

Wildly inconsistent. Love it

7 games left in the league, it's all to play for.

Niger:

[KibworthBull]

April 2042

I was a touch too happy pressing Submit Reply so missed the Ugandan friendly in Togo.

We also know to qualify for the African Nations next year we need to beat these guys.

But that's then, this is now.

And what a NOW it is - Abdel Aziz Gaye has been my keeper for most of the season as I bought in a steady stream of Mauritanians, some have scored, but none had gotten the MoTM award. Abdel is the man. Our man. Love him so much right now. Lijabatho were beaten, but that was as good as it got on the pitch

The defeat to Lioli has really impacted the league table. 3 points behind, 3 games left.

We've also had a Surinamese guy come through the intake - first time it's happened - Suriname is Victor's 2nd nationality

Mauritania.

[KibworthBull]

May 2042

Put a Left Back up front, he might get the Man of the Match award...

And he bloody did. Sibusiso Sikhondze has ticked off what was known as Swaziland, now Eswatini.

Ironically in the first game where we play our strongest side... we get slaughtered 3-1. In the Cup Final Too...

A league recovery, beating Matlama on the final day - they won the double.

We finished 4th, BUT ticked off the 3 we needed.

Eswatini!

That's the African part of the journey done (save the epilogue as I tidy up Tunisia and Egypt in the future) onto North America

We are 19% complete

[KibworthBull]

2042 World Cup

I have never in the history of playing FM, won the World Cup. This won't start today. I'm just saying for the record.

Romania in the first game.

Outclassed from almost the first kick. 

Romania make it two from two as they beat Mexico

A much better performance, but we crashed out. Guatemala and Haiti both went for 8 goals in a game so 7 over two matches is okay. I tell myself... crying on the plane.

We achieved by getting there. Anything else was a bonus.

[KibworthBull]

September 2042

Uganda African Nations Qualifying

Davis Sentamu didn't make the World Cup squad - I probably should have taken him. Just the 5 goals as Malawi are hit for 9. An expected victory, but the manner of it is surprising.

Followed up with a win at home to Mali. This was a lot closer. We move up to 102nd in the World.

And now the domestic front...

Welcome to....

Lesotho...

!!

Yes. I've been turned down for all the vacant jobs in Puerto Rico - my nation of choice so I remain where I was. Still unable to get any Tunisian or Egyptians to talk but I have recruited nations.

In come representatives from Aruba, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Pierre & Miquelon.

I may not be here long. For a variety of reasons.

Defeat to start the season, before a bounce-back victory.

None of the foreigners have done anything of note.

[KibworthBull]

October 2042

What a start to the month. Seventh heaven. And it continued. Lots of goals, no defeats, goals for some obscure North American nations and a job interview.

At international level, a trip to Rwanda was followed by a trip to Mali. 

 

Routine in Rwanda, a mauling in Mali - how we came away with a point is beyond me.

Malawi and Rwanda in March - both should be wins. We should be going to the African Cup of Nations.

 

We continue to await the result of the job interview...

[KibworthBull]

November 2042

The worst club in Puerto Rico AND the worst club on Saint Kitts and Nevis have both turned me down. I suspect my contract in Lesotho is causing problems. Compensation is too much.

Talking of too much. 

A 5-5 draw! We were losing 5-3 with 5 minutes to go. Bonkers game.

Carlton Cruz is my representative from Saint Barthelemy, he scored a double in the 2-0 win but the keeper got the MoTM award. What luck!

Form is good. We just can't get the right players to win the awards.

An international friendly in Reunion was my 700th in management.

I got together some old friends - which was ironic...