Tag: Football - Page 30 - African News Today

Edouard Mendy Inspires Chelsea to Champions League Knockout Stage Qualification

25Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Sports

Edouard Mendy Inspires Chelsea to Champions League Knockout Stage Qualification

Senegalese goalie, Edouard Mendy was in sparkling form on Tuesday as Chelsea booked a spot in the knockout stage of the Champions League after beating Rennes 2-1 in France. Mendy in a post-match interview said he is hoping to continue his impressive form for the west London side. The shot-stopper who made the switch to Chelsea in the summer transfer window from their opponent in the game, Rennes made impressive saves to keep his side in the match. Callum Hudson-Odoi had given Frank Lampard’s side the lead in the first half but Serhou Guirassy’s equaliser with five minutes remaining appeared to hand Rennes a point. But substitute, Olivier Giroud scored the winner in injury time to book Chelsea’s place in the knockout stage of the Champions League with two group games to spare. ...

Super Eagles Need Continuity – Okocha Backs Under-fire Rohr

25Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Super Eagles Need Continuity – Okocha Backs Under-fire Rohr

Former Super Eagles midfield maestro, Austin Okocha said that Gernot Rohr is the right coach to lead the national team to more silverware as he lauded the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), for renewing his contract. The German tactician has come under pressure from various quarters, including former national team players Among whom are Yakubu Ayegbeni and Daniel Amokachi for the team’s below-par performance in their 2022 African Cup of Nations qualifier matches against Sierra Leone. Amokachi in an interview with Brila last week said that Rohr is not the right man for the job and should be sacked. But Okocha shares a different sentiment from some of his national teammates, insisting that Rohr has delivered the goods since his appointment in 2016 and deserves to lead the Super Eagl...

FIFA Bans CAF President Ahmad Ahmad For Five Years

23Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

FIFA Bans CAF President Ahmad Ahmad For Five Years

World football governing body, FIFA has placed a 5-year ban on Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Ahmad Ahmad for contravening various codes of ethics. FIFA made the announcement on Monday following the meeting of the executive committee. Ahmad, 60, from Madagascar, was convicted on charges bothering on offering and receiving gifts, abuse of position and mismanagement of funds. A statement from FIFA read, “The investigation into Mr Ahmad’s conduct – from 2017 to 2019 concerning various Caf-related governance issues, including the organisation and financing of ah Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca, his involvement in Caf’s dealing with the sports equipment company Tactical Steel and other activities.” The ban will impede on Ahmad’s plans of contesting for a second term in...

Osimhen Renders Verdict on Gattuso’s Expertise

21Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

Osimhen Renders Verdict on Gattuso’s Expertise

Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen has lauded his club coach, Genaro Gattuso while giving an insight into his experiences playing under the former midfield maestro at Napoli. The Super Eagles striker in an interview with Brila said that the Napoli manager is a great manager that inspires confidence within the group. He added that many people misjudge the character of the coach based on what they see on TV but noted that he is has interesting personality. He said “When we see people from the tv we quickly judged them you know, but for me, I think he’s a great man and also he’s becoming a great coach.” “When I first went to Napoli I went to his house and I know the way he speaks to me and how he really wants me and this is the most important thing for a man that I really watch on T...

Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa Linked with West Ham, Newcastle

20Nov

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

English Premiership, Nigeria, Uncategorized, Youths

Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa Linked with West Ham, Newcastle

Reports making the rounds have it that Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa’s representatives are talking with a host of clubs in Europe, including some in the Premier League. Musa is hoping to secure a move back to English football in the coming weeks. Various sides in England’s top flight have been approached to see if they would like to acquire the player, including Newcastle, West Ham, Burnley and Sheffield United, as well as Palace – but it remains to be seen if they will make an offer. The Nigeria international is one of the higher profile free agents currently available having left his former club Al Nassr last month.

Super Eagles Play Out A Goalless Draw with Sierra Leone

17Nov

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sports

Super Eagles Play Out A Goalless Draw with Sierra Leone

The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday were unable to score as Sierra Leone held them to a goalless draw as both team jostle for a place in the Africa Cup of Nations competition in 2022. Four days earlier, the Sierra Leone team had come down from four goals down to clinch a draw in Benin-city against the Eagles. But after vowing to bounce back in Freetown with a victory, the Nigerian football team failed to do enough to breach their opponent’s goalnet. The result leaves Nigeria at the top of its qualifying group with eight points, just one point above Benin in second place with four games played. Sierra Leone remain third with three points. The Super Eagles, despite the two draws, remain favorites to finish first in the group and advance.

Crown FC Player Collapses, Dies During Friendly Match

17Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Crown FC Player Collapses, Dies During Friendly Match

Crown Football Club of Ogbomoso, Oyo State player, Usman Yusuf died during a friendly match in Abeokuta, Ogun Sate after collapsing on the pitch. Reports say Yusuf lined up for Geteway United FC during the first half against Sliema Wanderers. The death of the player who was claimed to be on trial for Gateway United took place on Sunday afternoon at Muda lawal Stadium, Asero, Abeokuta. Late Yusuf allegedly collapsed during the match, but he was resuscitated after the intervention of the medics. He was taken to the State Hospital afterwards where he reportedly died. Moses Ojewumi, Media officer of the Gateway FC, confirmed the incident on Monday in Abeokuta. He said, “Usman Yusuf who came on trial played the first half in a friendly for Gateway United FC against Sliema Wand...

16Nov

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

Super Eagles Depart for Freetown Today

The Super Eagles squad and their officials will travel to Freetown, Sierra Leonean capital today (Monday) aboard a chartered flight for the Tuesday’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Leone Stars. The Eagles who played out a 4-4 draw on match day three against the Leone Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium last Friday will be eager to redeem their battered pride when both teams rekindle hostilities at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown. Gernot Rohr’s side will be without their top marksman, Victor Osimhen for the encounter after the 21-year-old dislocated his shoulder in the reverse fixture in Benin City last Friday. Osimhen who has scored four goals in the AFCON qualifiers for the Eagles and has made four assists as well will be out for at least two weeks.

AFCON Qualifier: “We Will Work to Put Things Right” – Iwobi Begs Nigerians After Disappointing Draw

14Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

AFCON Qualifier: “We Will Work to Put Things Right” – Iwobi Begs Nigerians After Disappointing Draw

Super Eagles forward, Alex Iwobi has expressed disappointment over the team’s display in their African cup of Nations qualifiers match against Sierra Leone on Friday in Benin City. The team threw away a four-goal lead to allow their opponents draw the match 4-4 on home soil. Although the Everton of England forward banged a brace, it went unnoticed as the Super Eagles went on to surrender their four goals advantage and share the spoils at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Friday. Iwobi in a post on social media on Friday described the result as disappointing and pleaded with Nigerians that the team will work even harder to achieve a better result in the return leg on Tuesday. He said, “Deeply Disappointed, we’ll Work to Put Things Right.” The second leg is scheduled to take pla...

Eagles in a Humiliating 4-4 Draw With Sierra Leone

13Nov

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sports, Youths

Eagles in a Humiliating 4-4 Draw With Sierra Leone

The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Friday even were forced to to settle for a disappointing 4-4 draw after leading with a 3 goal deficit in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on Friday at the new Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State. The Super Eagles were leading their West African neighbours Sierra Leone with a 4-1 scoreline in the opening half-hour of Friday’s tie before they blew the lead and ended up with a 4-4 draw. It was Alex Iwobi that opened the flood gates of goals in the 4th minute before Victor Osimhen doubled the lead. The Everton midfielder made it 3-0 in the 27th minute and then Samuel Chukwueze increase the tally three minutes afterward. When Kwame Quee reduced the deficit to 4-1 late in the first half, many saw it just as a face-saving goal b...