Category: Football - Page 2 - African News Today

<strong>Why 2022 World Cup Is Greatest For Africa – Oliseh</strong>

14Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Africa, News, Sports, World Cup

Why 2022 World Cup Is Greatest For Africa – Oliseh

Sunday Oliseh, former Super Eagles coach, has rated the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar as the best so far for African teams. Morocco made record as the first African team in history to qualify for the World Cup semi-final against France after they defeated Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-final. The Atlas Lions of Morocco topped group F after finishing ahead of Belgium, Croatia, and Canada. The North African side then beat Spain in the round of 16, emerging victorious with a 3-0 scoreline in the penalty shootout. Morocco will play against defending champions France in Doha’s Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday (today). Commenting on the match, Oliseh tagged this the greatest tournament for Africa as each African side that participated in the tournament won at least one match. Olis...

<strong>Qatar 2022: Figo Blames Santos For Morocco Defeat</strong>

12Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Morocco, News, Sports, World Cup

Qatar 2022: Figo Blames Santos For Morocco Defeat

Luis Figo, a Portugal legend, has called out head coach, Fernando Santos for the team’s ouster from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Figo during an interview with Sportskeeda, said that Santos was not supposed to bench Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s defeat against Morocco in the quarter-finals. See Also: World Cup: He’s Exceptional – Van Gaal Lauds Ziyech The former Portugal international who represented them at the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup, said Santos cannot win the World Cup while benching Ronaldo, noting that the coach got the decision wrong. However, Ronaldo who has clocked 37 years was also left on the bench for the round of 16 match against Switzerland, with 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos being favoured to start. Figo said, “You can’t win the World Cup with Cristiano...

<strong>Oliseh Reacts To Morocco’s World Cup Record Win</strong>

11Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Morocco, News, Sports, World Cup

Oliseh Reacts To Morocco’s World Cup Record Win

Sunday Oliseh, former Super Eagles coach, has praised the Atlas Lions of Morocco for their historic win over Portugal in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. Morocco became the first African team to make it to the semi-final of the World Cup when they beat Portugal at the Thumama Stadium, Doha. Youssef En-Nesyri bagged the winning goal in the 42nd minute of the match. Despite attempts by Portugal to level scores in the second half, the North African side remained resolute to win the match with a single goal. See Also: World Cup: Ighalo Tips Morocco To Shock Portugal Speaking on the goal in a tweet on his Twitter handle, Oliseh tweeted, “After 48 years of trying Morocco has made Africa into world superpower status in football. Ecstatic & privileged to be he...

World Cup: Ighalo Tips Morocco To Shock Portugal

10Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Morocco, News, Sports, World Cup

World Cup: Ighalo Tips Morocco To Shock Portugal

Odion Ighalo, former Super Eagles striker, has tipped Morocco to shock Portugal when they meet in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Saturday. Morocco turned out as the second African team after the Super Eagles of Nigeria to beat Spain at the World Cup after they emerged victorious over the 2018 winner on penalties. Morocco beat the European giant 3-0 on spot kicks after a barren draw. The North African side is the fourth African team to reach the quarter-final of the World Cup. Each of the previous teams to have reached this stage did not progress further, with Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002), and Ghana (2010) being knocked out in agonizing circumstances. See Also: World Cup: He’s Exceptional – Van Gaal Lauds Ziyech Prior to Saturday’s (today)...

<strong>World Cup: He’s Exceptional – Van Gaal Lauds Ziyech</strong>

9Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Morocco, News, Sports, World Cup

World Cup: He’s Exceptional – Van Gaal Lauds Ziyech

Louis van Gaal, Netherlands coach, has described Morocco star, Hakim Ziyech as an exceptional player who contributes hugely to his team’s success. Ziyech who has been on impressive form for Morocco at the World Cup, has played a key role as his team booked their place in the last eight against Portugal after beating Spain on penalties. The Moroccan side played out a 0-0 draw with Spain but won the game on penalties after extra time. The Moroccan winger who was speculated to be on the verge of a move back to Ajax in the summer earned a commendation from Dutch boss, van Gaal. See Also: World Cup: CAF Congratulates Senegal For Qualifying For Next Round Responding to a question on Morocco coach, Walid Regragui, van Gaal said, “Well, I can’t judge [axed Spain head coach] Luis E...

<strong>W’Cup: Cameroon FA President Eto’o Apologises For Attacking Man</strong>

7Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Senegal, Sports, World Cup

W’Cup: Cameroon FA President Eto’o Apologises For Attacking Man

Samuel Eto’o, the President of the Cameroon Football Federation, has apologised for physically harassing a man after a World Cup match on Monday. Eto’o in a statement issued on his Twitter handle on Tuesday said he was provoked by a fan who was probably an Algerian fan as part of an ongoing row following Cameroon’s win over Algeria in the World Cup play-off match in March. See Also: World Cup: CAF Congratulates Senegal For Qualifying For Next Round The statement partly read, “After the Brazil-South Korea match, I had a violent altercation with a person who was probably an Algerian supporter. “I would like to apologise for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality. I apologise to the public for this unfortunate incident.” Recall that Alger...

<strong>World Cup: CAF Congratulates Senegal For Qualifying For Next Round</strong>

30Nov

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Senegal, Sports, World Cup

World Cup: CAF Congratulates Senegal For Qualifying For Next Round

The Confederation of Africa Football, CAF, has congratulated the Senegal national football team for qualifying for the round of 16 in the ongoing 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Recall that the Aliou Cisse’s team beat Ecuador 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium to clinch the second position in Group B, behind Netherlands. Watford striker, Ismaila Sarr converted a penalty to put Senegal in front in the first half. Ecuador equalized through Moises Caicedo midway through the second half, scoring from a close range. See Also: Oliseh Hints On Which Country His Son Will Represent However, Senegal restored their lead through Chelsea defender, Kalidou Koulibaly, who scored 12 minutes before normal time. Reacting, CAF in a tweet on its Twitter handle lauded Senegal for the feat. ...

<strong>Oliseh Hints On Which Country His Son Will Represent</strong>

29Nov

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Oliseh Hints On Which Country His Son Will Represent

Sunday Oliseh, former coach of the Super Eagles has disclosed that his son, Denzel will play for Nigeria in the future. This follows Denzel’s eligibility to represent multiple countries. The youngster’s mother is half Belgian and half Moroccan. Denzel is qualified to represent Nigeria and Belgium. Queried on which country his son will represent, Sunday Oliseh replied to a user on Twitter, “Naija”, accompanied by emojis of thumbs up and prayer. See Also: Former Eagles Coach, Oliseh Worried Over Ndidi’s Leicester Deployment Denzel is keen to follow his father’s path by becoming a professional footballer. Oliseh achieved remarkable feats in his playing days and lined up for many European giants such as Juventus and Ajax. The former Super Eagles player and coach co...

<strong>Why I Can Never Be A Ronaldo Fan -Mikel</strong>

26Nov

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Why I Can Never Be A Ronaldo Fan -Mikel

Mikel Obi, former Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder, has said that Cristiano Ronaldo has an excessive ego which has made him prefer Lionel Messi over the Portuguese. Ronaldo who was on target as Portugal beat Ghana 3-2 in the 2022 World Cup on Thursday, recently terminated his contract with Manchester United after his controversial interview with Piers Morgan. But Mikel in an interview with Dubai Eye said that he prefers Argentina striker, Messi over 37-year-old Ronaldo. See Also: 2022 World Cup: Addo Reacts To Ronaldo’s Penalty He said, “I’ve never been a Ronaldo fan really. “For me, when a player has so much ego, I don’t really get it. He’s never been one of my favourite players and that’s why I always go for Messi really.” Ronaldo set a record as the first playe...

UEFA WCL: Oshoala Bags Player Of the Match In Barca’s Trashing Of Benfica

20Oct

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

UEFA WCL: Oshoala Bags Player Of the Match In Barca’s Trashing Of Benfica

Nigerian international, Asisat Oshoala was named the Player of the Match in Barcelona’s 9-0 thrashing of Benfica in the UEFA women’s Champions League on Wednesday. This was contained in a tweet on the UEFA women’s Champions League Twitter handle. Oshoala bagged two goals and provided two assists as Barcelona kicked off their champions league campaign in Group D. The Super Falcons star assisted Barca’s first and second goals before getting on the scoresheet for her side’s third ad eight goals. See Also: The Nigerian had now netted three goals in all competitions for former European champions this season. She is the current African women’s Player of the Year and finished last season as the highest goal scorer with 20 goals in the Spanish league. Source: Compl...