Did You Know: Obscure/Odd Soccer Facts.

[sabremike]

Zaire was sub-Saharan Africa's first representatives in the finals. Remarkably, the first African appearance was by Egypt as far back as 1934 - for one game, in a tournament that was knockout football from beginning to end. It was not until 1970 that Morocco became the second African qualifiers.

I think it must have been Soccernomics where you read that dismal tale about the racial abuse of Zaire players - certainly, it was a book in which Simon Kuper had a hand. Billy Bremner (usefully dead from a libel perspective) was named as one of the abusers.

Yup, that's it (he quoted one of the Zaire players mentioning either a player's number or captain status and it was Bremmer). But the biggest dick move in the entire book was his co-author throwing his own dad under the bus to get himself over by talking about how he was a racist.

 

[alko]

Boateng Brothers (Jerome and Kevin-Prince) played on 2 FIFA World Cups: 2010 and 2014 (there were more, but this 2 are important). Jerome for Germany and Kevin for Ghana. There were also 2 games between this national teams.
What is also interesting is the fact, both played for Germany National Team U21 in 2009.

The truth is, they are only half-brothers from fathers side.

 

[alko]

Lutz Pfannenstiel:
Jail in Singapore, 25 clubs in 13 countries, nearly died on the pitch.

Lutz Pfannenstiel did not only play for 25 clubs but also a record six FIFA Confederations. The 45-year-old former goalkeeper started his career in his country Germany for FC Bad Kötzting in 1991. He
finally retired in 2011 in Namibia where he played for Ramblers. He also played for clubs from New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, Albania, USA, and Brazil among others


Sebastian Abreu:
Defensor (Uruguay), 1995–1996
San Lorenzo (Argentina), 1996-1998 and 2000-2001 (loan)
Deportivo La Coruna (Spain), 1998-2004
Gremio (Brazil), 1998 (loan)
Estudiantes Tecos (Mexico), 1999-2000 (loan) and 2004 (loan)
Club Nacional (Uruguay), 2001 (loan), 2004-2005, 2013-2015
Cruz Azul (Mexico), 2002-2003 (loan)
America (Mexico), 2003 (loan)
Dorados de Sinaloa (Mexico), 2005-2006
Monterrey (Mexico), 2006
San Luis (Mexico), 2007
Tigres UANL (Mexico), 2007
River Plate (Argentina), 2008 (loan) and 2008-2009
Beitar Jerusalem (Israel), 2008
Real Sociedad (Spain), 2009 (loan)
Aris Thessaloniki (Greece), 2009-2010
Botafogo Rio De Janeiro (Brazil), 2010-2012
Figueirense (Brazil), 2012 (loan)
Rosario Central (Argentina), 2013-2014 (loan)
SD Aucas (Ecuador), 2015 (loan)
Sol de America (Paraguay), 2016
Santa Tecla (El Salvador), 2016
Bangu Atletico Clube (Brazil), 2017
Central Espanol (Uruguay), 2017
Puerto Montt (Chile), 2017
Audax Club Sportivo Italiano (Chile), 2018
Deportes Magallanes (Chile)

 

[Artorius Horus T]

From 'Manchester' to Manchester - a few people may know that the only English top flight champion to end its title defence in relegation is Manchester City.

Less well known, but suitably ridiculous, is that City were the division's top scorers in both those campaigns. These were the days when the tie-breaker for clubs with identical points tallies was goal average ie goals scored divided by goals against. City had a goals average above one - the equivalent to positive goal difference - the year they went down.

Another Manchester City tit bit : from United and City, City are the oldest of the two and won their first FA Cup before United did.

City entered the league in 1899, 8 years prior to United. (FYI in 1902, United was super close of bankruptcy)

Until up to 1951, the difference between the number of league titles was only 2

The number of trophies in total up to 1976; 6 for City, 10 for United.
(League titles, FA Cups + European Cup)

 

[Stray Wasp]

Another Manchester City tit bit : from United and City, City are the oldest of the two and won their first FA Cup before United did.

City entered the league in 1899, 8 years prior to United. (FYI in 1902, United was super close of bankruptcy)

Until up to 1951, the difference between the number of league titles was only 2

The number of trophies in total up to 1976; 6 for City, 10 for United.
(League titles, FA Cups + European Cup)

The matter about age and who entered the league first depends on whether or not you consider Manchester United and Newton Heath as two utterly distinct entities.

Newton Heath, formed in 1878, played in the top flight as early as 1892. Ardwick joined Football League Division Two in 1892, then changed its name to Manchester City two years later. Ardwick was the name adopted in 1887 by West Gorton (St. Mark's), a club founded in 1880.

Either way, 1902/3 is considered the year that a club called Manchester United first competed in the Football League. 1906 marked their promotion to the top flight. In only their second Division One campaign they dethroned the era's best team, Newcastle United, as Football League Champions. But United regained their title the following season.

There's an interesting reference to that success here: How Manchester City were dogged by the new neighbours