Tag: Football - Page 21 - African News Today

Rohr: Ighalo’s Presence Would Have Boosted Goal Scoring Output of Osimhen, Iheanacho

22Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Rohr: Ighalo’s Presence Would Have Boosted Goal Scoring Output of Osimhen, Iheanacho

Super Eagles gaffer, Gernot Rohr has expressed optimism that the presence of former Super Eagles Forward, Odion Ighalo would have improved the finishing of young strikers such as Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho. Ighalo called it quits on his time with the Super Eagles after the 2019 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, where the team won the bronze medal after defeating Tunisia in the Third-Place match. He also emerged as the highest goal scorer of the competition and was named in the team of the tournament. Despite speculations of a return to the team during the just concluded 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, however, the German tactician stuck with Osimhen and Iheanacho to qualify Nigeria to the bi-annual tournament. Rohr while speaking in an interview with Elegbete TV, said that Igh...

NFF Assures Falcons Coach, Waldrum of Optimum Support

20Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, Uncategorized

NFF Assures Falcons Coach, Waldrum of Optimum Support

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has assured the coach of the Super Falcons, Randy Waldrum, of maximum support in a bid to build a formidable team that the world will reckon with by its performance at major tournaments outside the African continent. The assurance was given by Dr Mohammed Sanusi, NFF General Secretary, during a brief meeting with Waldrum in Abuja. The Federation expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Super Falcons at the Turkish Women’s Tournament, where the team won all their matches against teams such as Uzbekistan, Equatorial Guinea, and CSKA Moscow. He stated that the Amaju Pinnick-led administration was resolute in harnessing available human, material, and non-physical resources and assets to uplift the nine-time African champions to eventual ...

“My Seniorman Iheanacho On Fire” – Ndidi

19Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

“My Seniorman Iheanacho On Fire” – Ndidi

Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has said fellow countryman Kelechi Iheanacho is on fire currently, after his FA cup heroic saw Leicester City qualify for the final against Chelsea. Iheanacho scored a brilliant goal as Leicester won 1-0 against Southampton in Sunday's semi-finals at Wembley stadium. His impressive form in front of the goal puts him in contention for a place in the finals as Leicester makes a first FA Cup final since the 1968/1969 season. Iheanacho scored in the 55th minute after latching up on his initial effort which was blocked. It took his tally for the current campaign to 15, the most by any Leicester player this season. Reacting to the win and Iheanacho’s contribution, Ndidi who equally played a crucial role in the win posted on Twitter, “So proud ...

Iheanacho Scores as Leicester City reach FA Cup Final

19Apr

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

Iheanacho Scores as Leicester City reach FA Cup Final

Kelechi Iheanacho scored his 15th goal of the season as Leicester City defeated Southampton 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday. The 24-year-old forward separated the teams at the Wembley Stadium with his 55th-minute strike. Since his FA Cup debut in January 2016, Iheanacho has scored 14 goals in 19 games - more than any other player in the competition. His record of 15 goals so far this season puts him two goals behind former Watford star Odion Ighalo, who scored 17 goals in all competitions in the 2015-16 campaign. The second-half strike also made the Nigeria international the latest African star to score at Wembley in a FA Cup game after Morocco's Hakim Ziyech scored Chelsea's only goal against Manchester City on Saturday, and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed a...

16Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Rohr Applauds Musa’s Kano Pillars Move

Coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr has expressed delight with the return of team captain, Ahmed Musa to NPFL side, Kano Pillars, saying the move afford him match fitness. Musa has been without a club since parting ways with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in October last year and he has now agreed on a deal that will keep him at Kano Pillars till at least the end of the current season. Rohr said, “I am delighted for Ahmed Musa to be able to play again with his old club of Kano Pillars. “This will allow him to keep in shape while waiting to find a club elsewhere in the world. “Kano Pillars are a good club and I wish him all the best at the club.” Rohr’s decision to invite Musa for last month’s AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho was questioned by critics as Musa was dee...

Super Eagles Captain, Musa Signs for Kano Pillars

14Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Super Eagles Captain, Musa Signs for Kano Pillars

Captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Ahmed Musa has rejoined Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL, club Kano Pillars until the end of the 2020/2021 football season. A statement by the office of the chairman of the club, Surajo Shuaibu Jambul, disclosed that an agreement has been reached between both parties. Musa, 28 last played for Saudi Arabia club, Al Nassr in October 2020. He has been without a club since then. But the former CSKA and Leicester City forward has now rejoined his former club. The statement partly read, “Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has sensationally returned to Kano Pillars FC for the remainder of the 2020/21 Nigeria Professional Football League season (NPFL). “Musa previously played for the Pride of Kano in 2009 where he ended the season as...

Anichebe: Kanu Endeared Arsenal to Nigerians, Africans

13Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

English Premiership, News, Nigeria, Sports

Anichebe: Kanu Endeared Arsenal to Nigerians, Africans

Victor Anichebe, former Super Eagles forward has said that the Kanu Nwankwo’s heroics at English Premiership club Arsenal attracted Africans and Nigerians to lend support to the club. He said this in an interview with Premier League Productions, noting that Kanu’s exciting skills caught his attention. Kanu amassed 273 appearances for the gunners in the Premier League, netting 54 goals with 29 assists. Anichebe, a product of Arsenal academy, recounted the privileged opportunity to had trained alongside Kanu in the senior national team, adding that the Atlanta Olympic gold medalist has envious skills. He said, “I came into the national team with Kanu, kind of star-struck when I saw him. The long journey he had in his career in the Premier League.” “He got a lot of Africans and N...

Mahrez Wins PFA EPL Fans’ POTM Award Ahead of Iheanacho

10Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Algeria, English Premiership, Nigeria, Sports

Mahrez Wins PFA EPL Fans’ POTM Award Ahead of Iheanacho

Manchester City and Algerian winger Mahrez has bettered Kelechi Iheanacho and other nominees to claim the PFA Premier League Fans’ Player of the Month for March. Mahrez was announced as the winner on the PFA’s verified Twitter handle. Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Manchester United on loan forward Jesse Lingard were among the list of shortlisted players for the award. Others are Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw. Iheanacho was in sublime form in March, earning a Premier League Player of the Month. He was also declared the winner of Leicester City’s Goal of the Month award for March.

2022 World Cup: Super Eagles Confirm Qualifying Dates

7Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, World Cup

2022 World Cup: Super Eagles Confirm Qualifying Dates

The dates for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been confirmed. The Super Eagles media officer, Babfemi Raji, confirmed the dates for the qualifiers which commence in June 2020. Nigeria is drawn in Group C, alongside Cape Verde, Liberia and the Central Africa Republic. The three-time AFCON winners will begin the qualifiers with a home fixture against Liberia which is fixed between 5 – 8 June. Their next qualifier is an away tie against Cape Verde with the date set for 11 – 14 June. The Eagles will host the Central Africa Republic on matchday three and the date is set for 1 – 4 September while the reverse fixture which will be in Central Africa Republic will be 5 -7 September. On 6 – 9 October the Eagles will be on the road again...

6Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Iheanacho A Joy To Watch – CAF

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has expressed delight with the performance of Super Eagles and Leicester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, describing him as a joy to watch. The striker has been in sublime form in recent times for both club and country, scoring a hat-trick against Sheffield United and a brace in the FA Cup win against Manchester United. Iheanacho’s sparkling form culminated in a Premier League Player of the Month award for March. Impressed by the Nigerian’s performance, CAF posted a short video clip of Iheanacho’s dribbling skills and assist for the Eagles in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers on their verified Twitter handle, writing: “SuperEagles’ @67Kelechi is just a joy to watch.” Iheanacho will hope to improve on his tally for the national team at the AFC...