African News Today

<strong>2023 U-20 AFCON: CAF Congratulates Flying Eagles MOTM Winner</strong>

23Feb

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

2023 U-20 AFCON: CAF Congratulates Flying Eagles MOTM Winner

Confederation of African Football, CAF, has congratulated Flying Eagles striker, Solomon Agbalaka, following his impressive performance in the win over Egypt which resulted in a Man of the Match Award at the 2023 U-20 AFCON. The Flying Eagles of Nigeria defeated the Young Pharaohs of Egypt 1-0 at the Cairo international stadium on Wednesday, February 22. Agbalaka scored the sole goal of the match when he headed in to give Nigeria the lead in the 71st minute. Reacting, CAF in a tweet on its official Twitter handle congratulated the youngster. The tweed read, “Congratulations Solomon Agbalaka, our #NGAEGY Total Energies Man of the Match!” The win marked the Flying Eagles first win in the competition after they were beaten 1-0 by group leaders, Senegal on Sunday, February ...

<strong>CAF Robbed Me Of Best Player Award in 2013 – Mikel</strong>

18Feb

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

CAF Robbed Me Of Best Player Award in 2013 – Mikel

Mikel Obi, former Super Eagles captain, has claimed that he was robbed of the 2013 African Player of the Year award by the Confederation of African Football, CAF. Mikel was the star performer for Nigeria during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa as he helped his country clinch the tournament. No Nigerian has won the African Player of the Year award since 1999, when Kanu Kwankwo won the honour ahead of Ghanaian defender, Samuel Kuffour following his impressive form in front of goal for Arsenal. Since then, no Nigerian footballer has gone home with the accolade but only Austin Okocha (twice, in 2003 and 2004) and Mikel Obi (in 2003) were among the final three nominees before losing to Samuel Eto’o and Yaya Toure. Speaking on the award, Mikel in a YouTube intervie...

<strong>Super Eagles Will Qualify For World Cup Under Peter Obi – LP VP</strong>

9Jan

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, World Cup

Super Eagles Will Qualify For World Cup Under Peter Obi – LP VP

Datti Baba-Ahmed, the vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, has expressed optimism that the Super Eagles will qualify for the World Cup if Peter Obi wins the presidential election. Recall that Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, losing out to Ghana. Baba-Ahmed stated this on Sunday when he featured alongside Peter Obi, on The Peoples Townhall, an event organised by Channels Television and its partners He said they would prioritize ensuring that Nigeria wins the Nations Cup as well as qualification for every World Cup tournament. Recall that the three-time Africa Cup of Nations failed to make it to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, losing the spot to Ghana. See Also: Tinubu Describes Obasanjo’s Endorsement of Obi As ‘Blind Leading ...

<strong>Why Osimhen Is Serie A Strongest Striker – Totti</strong>

17Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Why Osimhen Is Serie A Strongest Striker – Totti

Francesco Totti, Italy and AS Roma legend, has named Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen as the best striker in the Italian Serie A. Totti was instrumental in the Italian squad that clinched the FIFA World Cup in 2006. Totti in an interview with BepiTv1 said, “The strongest striker in Serie A? In my opinion, it is Osimhen. First, because he (Osimhen) scores when the ball falls to him he scores. “And then he makes himself available to the team. He is always in the right place at the right time.” See Also: Victor Osimhen Scores His 30th Goal for Napoli The Nigerian striker produced 10 goals and three assists in 30 appearances in his debut season in Italy despite injury woes, suspensions, and coronavirus issues. Osimhen has improved on those numbers as he bagged 18 goals and...

<strong>Why 2022 World Cup Is Greatest For Africa – Oliseh</strong>

14Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Africa, News, Sports, World Cup

Why 2022 World Cup Is Greatest For Africa – Oliseh

Sunday Oliseh, former Super Eagles coach, has rated the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar as the best so far for African teams. Morocco made record as the first African team in history to qualify for the World Cup semi-final against France after they defeated Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-final. The Atlas Lions of Morocco topped group F after finishing ahead of Belgium, Croatia, and Canada. The North African side then beat Spain in the round of 16, emerging victorious with a 3-0 scoreline in the penalty shootout. Morocco will play against defending champions France in Doha’s Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday (today). Commenting on the match, Oliseh tagged this the greatest tournament for Africa as each African side that participated in the tournament won at least one match. Olis...

<strong>Qatar 2022: Figo Blames Santos For Morocco Defeat</strong>

12Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Morocco, News, Sports, World Cup

Qatar 2022: Figo Blames Santos For Morocco Defeat

Luis Figo, a Portugal legend, has called out head coach, Fernando Santos for the team’s ouster from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Figo during an interview with Sportskeeda, said that Santos was not supposed to bench Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s defeat against Morocco in the quarter-finals. See Also: World Cup: He’s Exceptional – Van Gaal Lauds Ziyech The former Portugal international who represented them at the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup, said Santos cannot win the World Cup while benching Ronaldo, noting that the coach got the decision wrong. However, Ronaldo who has clocked 37 years was also left on the bench for the round of 16 match against Switzerland, with 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos being favoured to start. Figo said, “You can’t win the World Cup with Cristiano...

<strong>Oliseh Reacts To Morocco’s World Cup Record Win</strong>

11Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Morocco, News, Sports, World Cup

Oliseh Reacts To Morocco’s World Cup Record Win

Sunday Oliseh, former Super Eagles coach, has praised the Atlas Lions of Morocco for their historic win over Portugal in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. Morocco became the first African team to make it to the semi-final of the World Cup when they beat Portugal at the Thumama Stadium, Doha. Youssef En-Nesyri bagged the winning goal in the 42nd minute of the match. Despite attempts by Portugal to level scores in the second half, the North African side remained resolute to win the match with a single goal. See Also: World Cup: Ighalo Tips Morocco To Shock Portugal Speaking on the goal in a tweet on his Twitter handle, Oliseh tweeted, “After 48 years of trying Morocco has made Africa into world superpower status in football. Ecstatic & privileged to be he...

World Cup: Ighalo Tips Morocco To Shock Portugal

10Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Morocco, News, Sports, World Cup

World Cup: Ighalo Tips Morocco To Shock Portugal

Odion Ighalo, former Super Eagles striker, has tipped Morocco to shock Portugal when they meet in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Saturday. Morocco turned out as the second African team after the Super Eagles of Nigeria to beat Spain at the World Cup after they emerged victorious over the 2018 winner on penalties. Morocco beat the European giant 3-0 on spot kicks after a barren draw. The North African side is the fourth African team to reach the quarter-final of the World Cup. Each of the previous teams to have reached this stage did not progress further, with Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002), and Ghana (2010) being knocked out in agonizing circumstances. See Also: World Cup: He’s Exceptional – Van Gaal Lauds Ziyech Prior to Saturday’s (today)...

<strong>World Cup: He’s Exceptional – Van Gaal Lauds Ziyech</strong>

9Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Morocco, News, Sports, World Cup

World Cup: He’s Exceptional – Van Gaal Lauds Ziyech

Louis van Gaal, Netherlands coach, has described Morocco star, Hakim Ziyech as an exceptional player who contributes hugely to his team’s success. Ziyech who has been on impressive form for Morocco at the World Cup, has played a key role as his team booked their place in the last eight against Portugal after beating Spain on penalties. The Moroccan side played out a 0-0 draw with Spain but won the game on penalties after extra time. The Moroccan winger who was speculated to be on the verge of a move back to Ajax in the summer earned a commendation from Dutch boss, van Gaal. See Also: World Cup: CAF Congratulates Senegal For Qualifying For Next Round Responding to a question on Morocco coach, Walid Regragui, van Gaal said, “Well, I can’t judge [axed Spain head coach] Luis E...

<strong>W’Cup: Cameroon FA President Eto’o Apologises For Attacking Man</strong>

7Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Senegal, Sports, World Cup

W’Cup: Cameroon FA President Eto’o Apologises For Attacking Man

Samuel Eto’o, the President of the Cameroon Football Federation, has apologised for physically harassing a man after a World Cup match on Monday. Eto’o in a statement issued on his Twitter handle on Tuesday said he was provoked by a fan who was probably an Algerian fan as part of an ongoing row following Cameroon’s win over Algeria in the World Cup play-off match in March. See Also: World Cup: CAF Congratulates Senegal For Qualifying For Next Round The statement partly read, “After the Brazil-South Korea match, I had a violent altercation with a person who was probably an Algerian supporter. “I would like to apologise for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality. I apologise to the public for this unfortunate incident.” Recall that Alger...