Tag: Football - Page 4 - African News Today

Super Falcons Lament Over Unpaid WAFCON Bonuses

6Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports, WAFCON

Super Falcons Lament Over Unpaid WAFCON Bonuses

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is still yet to pay the Women’s National Team their allowances and bonuses from last month’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON. The Super Falcons deliberately missed training before their third-place play-off against Zambia over their unpaid bonuses and allowances. According to The Nations, each player is owed over $10,000 including the bonuses for their three wins which enabled the team to qualify for the WAFCON semi-finals in Morocco. A member of the team disclosed to BBC Sport Africa that they have been told different lies regarding their payments. See Also: NFF to face Potential Sanction by FIFA Over Contract Breach “They said the money had been approved and will get to us in a few days’ time – that was before the game again...

“He Wants To Fight For Trophies”, HNK Hadjuk Chief Lauds Awaziem’s Signing

3Aug

By Kosi UchennaNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

“He Wants To Fight For Trophies”, HNK Hadjuk Chief Lauds Awaziem’s Signing

Mindaugas Nikolicius, HNK Hadjuk Split sporting director is excited to have secured the serves of Super Eagles defender, Chidozie Awaziem from Boavista. Awaziem joined the Croatian club on a season-long loan from the Portuguese club, Boavista. Reacting to the deal, Nikolicius said, Awaziem, 25, rejected a host of clubs to join them. He said, ”From the first contact with him, we felt that he was interested in coming to Hajduk because he wants to fight for trophies,” Nikolicius said. See Also: WAFCON 2022: Super Falcons Lose Third Place Match To Zambia “He turned down many significantly more lucrative offers precisely because of this and thus proved that he puts football development, the desire to progress and play at a high level before money. “I am of the opinion tha...

Rufai Delighted By Ndidi’s Return To Action

31Jul

By Kosi UchennaNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Rufai Delighted By Ndidi’s Return To Action

Peter Rufai, a former Nigerian goalkeeper, has expressed delight over the return to action of Super Eagles midfield maestro, Wilfred Ndidi. The Eagles midfielder featured in Leicester City’s 3-1 win over Derby Country in a friendly match. Ndidi, 25, injured his ankle during his club’s training camp in Evian. It forced him to miss the last two friendly games against OH Leuven and Hull City. However, the Nigerian has made a return to full action. His return excited Rufai who expressed joy during an interview with Complete Sports. “It was really sad that injury slowed down Ndidi towards the tail end of last season. However, I am delighted that he has return to full fitness. “I can’t really wait to see him don the Super Eagles jersey because he always gives out his best whe...

Olayinka Scores Twice As Slavia Prague Qualifies for UEFA ECL Next Round

29Jul

By Kosi UchennaNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Olayinka Scores Twice As Slavia Prague Qualifies for UEFA ECL Next Round

Nigerian international, Peter Olayinka, marked the birth of his child by bagging two goals as Slavia Prague trashed St. Joseph 7-0, in the second round of the Europa Conference League, ECL. The Super Eagles player scored the second and third goals as his Czech Republic based side qualified for the third round with an 11-0 aggregate. Olayinka got his first goal in the 18th minute of the match through a header off a cross. He scored his side’s third goal with a header also in the 28th minute. See Also: CAF Awards: Oshoala Wins Record Fifth Player Of The Year Award Slavia Prague will play against Greek opponents, Panathinaikos in the third round. The first leg is scheduled to take place on 3 August while the second leg will take place on 11 August. Olanyika was on t...

Nigeria Planning to Co-Host AFCON 2025 With Benin– Pinnick

27Jul

By Kosi UchennaNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Nigeria Planning to Co-Host AFCON 2025 With Benin– Pinnick

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick has said that the country may co-host the 2025 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, with the Benin Republic. President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick has said that the country may co-host the 2025 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, with the Benin Republic. According to Pinnick, plans are in motion by both nations to host the biennial football competition. He said that the Confederation of African Football, CAF, may withdraw the hosting right for the 2025 AFCON from the intended hosts, Guinea. Pinnick in an interaction with the press in Lagos on Tuesday said, “We are putting a bid together for a co-hosting of the tournament with the Benin Republic. “The Minister of Sports has given his endorse...

Napoli Striker Victor Osimhen Debunks Transfer Rumours

26Jul

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Napoli Striker Victor Osimhen Debunks Transfer Rumours

Napoli striker and Super Eagle player, Victor Osimhen, has debunked rumors concerning his departure from his club this summer. The 23-year-old striker is linked with moves to various clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle, and Bayern Munich. The Nigerian player is reported to be valued at around £85 million in the transfer Market after bagging 18 goals for Napoli across all competitions last season. But he claims that the reports of him moving away from Napoli are just rumours, pressing that the club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has assured that he will be part of their future plans. See Also: Osimhen Renders Verdict on Gattuso’s Expertise ’I’m in Napoli. And I have great respect for my club,” he told Corriere Dello Sport as per Daily Mail. “They are jus...

Super Eagles Forward Dessers Set For Serie A Transfer

26Jul

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Super Eagles Forward Dessers Set For Serie A Transfer

Super Eagles striker, Cyriel Dessers is set to complete a transfer to Serie A newcomers Cremonese from Belgium club, Genk. This was disclosed by Italian transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano on his Twitter handle. Romano wrote, “Former Feyenoord striker Cyriel Dessers is set to leave Genk in order to join Serie A side Cremonese. Talks are progressing well since last week and the deal could be sealed soon. 🇧🇪🇳🇬 #transfers. “Dessers was in Italy with his agents days ago and he’s tempted by Serie A chance.” Dessers, 27, spent the last season at Eredivisie side, Feyenoord Rotterdam on loan. See Also: Oregon 2022: Amusan Speaks After Setting World Record The Nigeria international bagged 10 goals in 12 appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League last season. He returned...

Eze Nets Spectacular Goal Against QPR in Pre-season

25Jul

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

English Premiership, Nigeria, Sports

Eze Nets Spectacular Goal Against QPR in Pre-season

English-Nigerian professional footballer Eberechi Eze scored a sensational goal to put Crystal Palace in the lead against Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in a pre-season match on Saturday. Eze’s 20-yard screamer gave Palace the lead in the 29th minute. The English-Nigerian attacking midfielder took the ball from his box and struck the ball past the keeper of his former club. See Also: CAF Awards: Oshoala Wins Record Fifth Player Of The Year Award African player Wilfried Zaha was also on the score sheet as he netted twice to put his team 3 goals up against QPR. Although the match ended with a three-to-nil win over QPR, Eze’s goal stole the spotlight in the friendly match at Loftus Road. Source: The Nation

South Africa President Congratulates Banyana Banyana On Winning First WAFCON

24Jul

By Kosi UchennaNo Comments

South Africa, Sports

South Africa President Congratulates Banyana Banyana On Winning First WAFCON

Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, has congratulated the country’s female national team, the Banyana Banyana for winning the 2022 WAFCON hosted by Morocco. Cyril Ramaphosa - South African President The South African side beat hosts, Morocco, 2-1 to clinch their first-ever WAFCON title. The game was won through a brace by Hildah Magaia to put the game safely at 2-0. Morocco’s goal 11 minutes before full-time was not enough as South Africa held on to win the match. South Africa became only the third team to win the WAFCON after Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. Reacting to the feat, Ramaphosa tweeted on his official Twitter handle, “Congratulations to @Banyana_Banyana on making history and winning their first ever title at the Women’s Africa Cup of National la...

FIFA Congratulates Zambia For Winning First Ever WAFCON Medal Against Falcons

23Jul

By Kosi UchennaNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

FIFA Congratulates Zambia For Winning First Ever WAFCON Medal Against Falcons

World football governing body, FIFA, has congratulated the Copper Queens of Zambia for claiming a hard-fought win over the Super Falcons of Nigeria to finish third at the WAFCON 2022 in Morocco. The Zambian side claimed the win through an own goal by Chiamaka Nnadozie in the 28th minute of the match. The win meant they claimed their first ever WAFCON medal. The loss marked the second time the Falcons will claim a fourth-place finish at the competition, the last being in 2012. See Also: WAFCON 2022: Waldrum Assures of Victory Against Zambia Despite Depleted Squad FIFA in a post on its Twitter handle said, “Congratulations to the Copper Queens who finish 3rd in #WAFCON2022.” Four teams will represent Africa at next year’s FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Z...