Tag: Football - Page 18 - African News Today

Rohr Picks Musa, Ekong, 22 Others for Cameroon International Friendly

25May

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Rohr Picks Musa, Ekong, 22 Others for Cameroon International Friendly

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has selected captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong and home boys John Noble and Anayo Iwuala among the 24 Super Eagles who will do battle with five-time African champions Cameroon in a prestige friendly in Austria on Friday next week. The list also has goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho, defenders Ola Aina and Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Abdullahi Shehu, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Simy Nwankwo, Turkey –based former U20 defender Valentine Ozornwafor, Denmark –based midfielder Frank Onyeka and Lorient FC of France’s Terem Moffi are also included. Nigeria, who have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times but have been bumped by Cameroon in the final of the competition on three...

Osimhen Loses Coach As Napoli Sack Gattuso

24May

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

News, Sports, Youths

Osimhen Loses Coach As Napoli Sack Gattuso

Victor Osimhen will work under a new coach come next season following the sacking of Gennaro Gattuso by Napoli. Gattuso’s sack was announced by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis after they failed to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League. Needing a win against Hellas Verona on the final day of the season, to pick one of the four Champions League slots, Napoli could only draw 1-1. Napoli took the lead in the 61st minute through Amir Rrahmani who was set up by Osimhen. But Hellas Verona equalised in the 69th minute and held on to quash the hopes of Napoli qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition. The result means Napoli were leapfrogged by Juventus into the top four as the former Serie A champions thrashed Bologna 4-0. They ended the season...

Union Berlin Bids Awoniyi Farewell With Special Award

23May

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

Union Berlin Bids Awoniyi Farewell With Special Award

Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi received a special award for his service from Union Berlin before Saturday’s home clash against RB Leipzig, reports Completesports.com. Awoniyi made his last appearance for Die Eisermen on Saturday following a successful loan stint with the club. The 23-year-old scored five goals in 19 league appearances for Urs Fischer’s side. The Nigeria international returned to action last weekend after spending over two months on the sidelines due to injury. The forward was granted United Kingdom work permit this week which put in a position to play for his parent club Liverpool next season. He has been linked with a move to West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City. Union Berlin are also rumoured to be interested in signjng him on a permanent deal...

NPFL: Ahmed Musa Part of Kano Pillars Team to Face Katsina United Away

23May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

NPFL: Ahmed Musa Part of Kano Pillars Team to Face Katsina United Away

Nigeria Professional Football League club, Kano Pillars have said that Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa will be part of the travel party for Sunday’s (today) away fixture against Katsina United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. The forward made his debut and sole appearance since rejoining the club in the 1-0 home win against bottom club Adamawa United last weekend. Musa played a crucial role as he set up Rabiu Ali for the winning goal 10 minutes from time. “In another development, Media Officer of the club, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa confirmed that @NGSuperEagles captain, @Ahmedmusa718 would feature in the match but goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo will be absent through Malaria related illness and will be replaced by Ghanaian Idrissu Ibrahim,” the club tweeted on Saturday night. Kano ...

Enyimba Can Reverse CAF Confederation Cup First Deficit – Iwuala

22May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Enyimba Can Reverse CAF Confederation Cup First Deficit – Iwuala

Enyimba player, Anayo Iwuala has expressed optimism that the team has what it takes to overturn the first-leg deficit against Egypt’s Pyramids FC and book a place in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup. The Aba based club suffered a 4-1 defeat in the first leg played last Sunday and face a herculean task in the second leg. Iwuala is, however, confident that his team can score three goals without reply in the second leg to secure qualification for the next round. “We just have to put our heads together, work as a team with one mind, its football and I believe anything is possible. We have to get the three goals, we can and it’s possible and I believe come Sunday we will get the three goals by his grace,” Iwuala told the club’s website. The winger is available for the ga...

Boavista Signs Awaziem Permanently from Porto

22May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Boavista Signs Awaziem Permanently from Porto

Super Eagles defender, Chidozie Awaziem has signed for Boavista on a permanent deal from FC Porto. The Nigerian joined Boavista on an initial loan deal last summer by the club have now decided to make the deal permanent. The deal made Awaziem the most expensive signing in the history of the club after the deal cost Boavista €5m to acquire his services from the Portuguese side, Porto. However, the defender may yet still leave Boavista with a number of clubs in France interested in his services. The 24-year-old made 27 league appearances for Boavista in the 2020/21 season. Awaziem made 10 league appearances for Porto first team after joining the club in 2015. He has spent time on loan with clubs in France, Turkey and Spain.

Super Eagles to Play Mexico in June Friendly – NFF

19May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Super Eagles to Play Mexico in June Friendly – NFF

The Super Eagles of Nigeria is set to face Mexico national team in an international friendly on June 3rd in log Angeles, USA, the Nigerian Football Federal confirmed. This was disclosed by the NFF Director of Media, Demola Olajiire, noting that the match will follow suit after the June 4th friendly against Cameroon in Australia. The report by the NFF confirmed the earlier announcement by the Mexico Football Federation, FMF, that the country will play against Nigeria as part of its buildup for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. The Mexican FA in a statement said the match is billed for the Los Angeles Coliseum at 8pm local time and as a demonstration of its seriousness, the Mexican FA has said tickets for the game will go on sale on May 27 and urged the national team’s supporters to trave...

Iheanacho’s Strike Wins Goal of the Month

17May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Iheanacho’s Strike Wins Goal of the Month

Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho has won the April goal of the month for his club side, Leicester City, African News Today has gathered. The Nigerian’s subline finish in the 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace was chosen as the club’s finest for the month. Iheanacho, 24, saw off competition from Jammie Vardy, Timothy Castagne, U23 stars Tyrese Shade, Thanawat Suengchitthawon, Cole Dasilva and Leicester City Women’s Natasha Flint to bag th honour. The Nigerian also won the award in March with his goal against Burnley. He was nominated alongside Ayoze Perez, Youri Tielemans, U23 star Kasey McAteer and Leicester City Women’s stars Shannon O’Brien, Esmee De Graaf and Sam Tierney. He was ranked as the second most in-form striker in Europe’s top five leagues in April with only ...

Nnamdi Kanu Blasts Iheanacho, Ndidi for Showcasing Nigerian Flag After FA Cup Success

17May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Biafra, News, Nigeria, Sports

Nnamdi Kanu Blasts Iheanacho, Ndidi for Showcasing Nigerian Flag After FA Cup Success

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has called out Super Eagles duo, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi for showcasing the Nigerian flag after winning the FA Cup in England. Both players were part of Leicester City side that outsmarted Chelsea by a lone goal at Webley Stadium on Saturday to clinch the prestigious cup in England. Iheanacho and Ndidi who are both from Igbo extraction displayed the Nigerian flag while celebrating their victory at full time. Kanu in his reaction slammed both players claiming it was a testament to their lack of support for his agitation for an independent state of Biafra. The IPOB leader expressed strong displeasure at the Leicester players, referencing Spain and Barcelona defender, Gerard Pique, who publicly identifie...

Osimhen Helps Napoli Edge Closer To Champions League Qualification With Fiorentina Win

16May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Osimhen Helps Napoli Edge Closer To Champions League Qualification With Fiorentina Win

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen was in inspiring form as his Serie A side Napoli produced an impressive performance to beat Fiorentina 2-0 away on Sunday to move them closer to booking a place at the Champions League. Lorenzo Insigne put Napoli in front and an own goal from Lorenzo Venuti made sure Osimhen’s side secured the maximum point in the match. The Nigerian, 22, was withdrawn in the 84th minute of the match. Osimhen has bagged 10 goals in 23 league appearances for Napoli this season. Gennaro Gattuso’s men moved to third position on the table with 76 points from 37 matches. The team will play their last game of the season against Hellas Verona on Saturday, May 22 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium Napoli will need at least a point in their last game of the sea...