Category: Sports - Page 51 - African News Today

Ighalo a Natural Goal Scorer and Poacher – Man United Manager, Solskjaer

28Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

Ighalo a Natural Goal Scorer and Poacher – Man United Manager, Solskjaer

Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo has earned commendation from his Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following his superb performance which earned them an FA cup semi-final place. Ighalo who switched to Manchester United in January banged his fifth goal of the season to help his team secure a win over Norwich city. He scored the first goal as United had to wait till extra time after 90 minutes to score the winner over their lowly rated opposition at Carrow road. Ighalo pounced on the ball to beat Norwich keeper Tim Krul five minutes into the match but the opponents fought back to score an equalizer in the second half. Solskjaer expressed admiration for the former Eagles hitman as he scored his fifth goal on his fourth start for United. “Odion knows how much we v...

Nigerian Forward, Alex Iwobi Inspires Everton to a Premier League Win at Carrow Road

25Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

Nigerian Forward, Alex Iwobi Inspires Everton to a Premier League Win at Carrow Road

Nigerian international Alex Iwobi was in sublime form as Premiership side Everton overcame relegation threatened Norwich City at Carrow road on Wednesday. Iwobi’s fine showing in the encounter inspired Everton to a win which placed them number 10 in the league standings. The Eagles attacker started his first consecutive games since the appointment of Italian Carlo Ancelloti as Everton’s manager in December, 2019. Iwobi sustained injury shortly after Ancelotti took charge. Iwobi featured for 90 minutes before being replaced by Gyfil Sidgursson in the extra time of the encounter. The win marks the Toffees first win since the restart of the Premiership after more than 100 days COVID-19 induced break. The 24-year-old Arsenal academy graduate was had a good showing throughout the ma...

Nigerian Football Federations Clarifies Status of NPFL Season

23Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, Nigeria, Sports

Nigerian Football Federations Clarifies Status of NPFL Season

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has debunked reports making the rounds that the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) has been cancelled. The federation clarified that discussion is ongoing on modalities and pattern of foreclosing the 2019/2020 football season, NPFL inclusive. NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi asked stakeholders to exercise patience pending the conclusion of consultations. Media reports had speculated that Nigerian Professional Football League club owners had elected to terminate the football season, after which representatives at next year’s continental club competitions would be chosen through Points Per Game (PPG) principle. Recall that 17 out of the 20 teams in Nigerian Professional Football League had voted for an end to the season due ...

Nigerian Duo- Ndidi and Iheanacho Commended by Brendan Rodgers for Fine Outing Against Watford

22Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

Nigerian Duo- Ndidi and Iheanacho Commended by Brendan Rodgers for Fine Outing Against Watford

Leicester city manager Brendan Rodgers has commended the character and performance of Nigerian players- Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and the rest of the team in their draw with Watford at the weekend. Ndidi began the match while Iheanacho was introduced from the bench as the foxes continue to chase a champions league spot. They duo had massive impact as their team shared the spoils with relegation threatened Watford. Leicester went ahead through a fine Ben Chilwell strike at the death of the match before a fantastic Dawson volley levelled the scores with the last kick of the game. Rogers in his post-match conference gave credit to his players for their fighting spirit and blamed the draw on lack of luck. He said his team deserved more than a point from the encounter. “I fel...

Former Eagles Player, Sylvanus Okpala asks NFF to Allow Eagles Handler, Rohr, Operate Freely

20Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

Former Eagles Player, Sylvanus Okpala asks NFF to Allow Eagles Handler, Rohr, Operate Freely

Ex Super Eagles of Nigeria player Sylvanus Okpala has requested more freedom for Eagles Head coach, Gernot Rohr to make decisions and continue building a team to conquer the sporting world. Okpala in a chat with the media asked the Nigerian football Federation (NFF) to accord the Franco-German technical adviser of the eagles the needed liberty needed to thrive. He asked the NFF to give Rohr the level of liberty that deceased handler Stephen Keshi enjoyed during his time as the head coach of Nigerian national team. In a chat with Brila, Okpala said,”When I was there with Keshi, we were given free hand to pick whoever we want to, in as much as some people may want to come in and want to interfere but Keshi won’t allow it.” “We were given free hand, I think anyone comes in but in ...

Nigerian Striker Victor Osimhen Excused from Lille’s Pre-season

19Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, Nigeria, Sports

Nigerian Striker Victor Osimhen Excused from Lille’s Pre-season

Prolific Super Eagles of Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen who plies his trade in France has been granted compassionate leave from the club’s pre-season. This was disclosed by Christopher Galtier, Lille head coach who expressed the club’s support for the player as he mourns the demise of his father. His leave will grant him time to grief with his family. Osimhen had flown to Nigeria in preparation for the funeral of his late father next week after being granted compassionate leave. Lille have begun preparation for the new season after last season was abruptly ended due to fears of COVID-19 spread. The clarification became necessary after Osimhen was missing from the club’s training sessions. Head coach Galtier said, “The only thing missing is Victor Osimhen, who had the misfortu...

African Football Federations Shortlist Clubs to Partake in Covid-19 Fund Raising Competition by FIFA

16Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Africa, Covid-19, News, Sports

African Football Federations Shortlist Clubs to Partake in Covid-19 Fund Raising Competition by FIFA

World football governing body - FIFA plans to raise funds to combat corona virus through a competition among continental Confederations when clubs are cleared to restart play with fans in stadiums. Each federation is expected to shortlist 16 teams for the competition. The clubs selected to represent the African continent are as follows: Enyimba Kaizer Chiefs Al Ahly Esperance TP Mazembe Hearts of oak Orlando Pirates Zamalek KCC Zesco United El Merika Sudan Gor Mahia Enugu Rangers AS Vita Raja Casablanca Wydad CASABLANCA The tournament will be played for a month concurrently in each continent over two legs. The funds raised will be managed by FIFA who would reward participating clubs at the Hall of Heroes in Zurich, Switzerland. Reports say, participating clubs we...

Nigerian Born Boxer, Anthony Joshua not Ruled Out of Bout with Pulev – Hearn

12Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

Nigerian Born Boxer, Anthony Joshua not Ruled Out of Bout with Pulev – Hearn

Eddie Hearn has allayed fears of any serious injury to the knee of Nigerian born boxer Anthony Joshua. Boxing promoter, Hearn has said that the fitness of Joshua would not be in question when he faces Kubrat Pulev. Joshua is speculated to have hurt his knee. Joshua, the WBA, WBO and IBF champion would be fit in time from the injury he picked up in training to fight Bulgarian Pulev for IBF title. Fears were expressed after Joshua attended the Black Lives Matter protest last week with a shield over his knee. Hearn has put speculation of a surgery to bed with this latest clarification. Hearn is quoted to have said, “When you’re on crutches with your leg in a brace it is never great, but it’s not something that will affect his 2020 career or his career at all,” “He will have ...

Trial of Lamin Diack for Doping Allegation Billed for Monday

8Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Africa, Corruption, Sports

Trial of Lamin Diack for Doping Allegation Billed for Monday

Former chief of IAAF Lamin Diack is set to be tried in Paris on Monday for alleged crime of corruption and money laundering related to a Russian doping scandal. Diack faces trial on account of alleged 3.5 million euros bribe from athletes. The athletes are thought to have bribed their way towards participation at athletics competitions, especially 2012 London Olympics in England. The 87 years old has quashed involvement in the accusations. His counsels haver insisted the accusations are unfounded. The Senegalese headed the athletics federation- IAFF, now known as World Athletics, between 1999-2005 and bossed the sporting world during his reign. He now endures a house arrest in Paris could face up to 10 years incarceration. Fresh documents presented to the court from his son and...

CAF Disburses CFA120 million to Member States Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

8Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Africa, Covid-19, Economy, Finance, Sports

CAF Disburses CFA120 million to Member States Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

African football governing body has followed the footsteps of FIFA in disbursing funds to member states to assist in the fight against Corona virus. CAF issued out cheques to representatives of member associations. The continental football governing body will also release an additional 6,393 million CFA francs that will see each federation receiving up to 120 million as subsidy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Football in Africa had been halted in March to curb the growing spread of COVID-19. While some leagues have been nullified, others are trailed by uncertainty and will be hoping on CAF and their federations to decide their fate. (Source:Africa news.com)