Tag: Sports - Page 12 - African News Today

AFCON 2021: Why Referee, Janny Sikazwe Stopped Tunisia Vs Mali Early

14Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Mali, News, Sports, Tunisia

AFCON 2021: Why Referee, Janny Sikazwe Stopped Tunisia Vs Mali Early

Janny Sikazwe, the referee at the centre of the controversy at the end of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations match between Tunisia and Mali on Wednesday, was suffering from heat stroke and severe dehydration. It has been revealed that Sikazwe was taken to hospital after the game. Tunisia have appealed for their Group F opening fixture to be replayed, after Sikazwe blew the final whistle after just 85 minutes and then again 17 seconds before 90 minutes were up. Mali eventually won the encounter 1-0. AFCON’s head of referees, Essam Abdel-Fatah, has now come out to defend the performance of Sikazwe, claiming he was suffering from the effects of the 34-degree heat level and 65 percent humidity in Limbe, Cameroon. “The referee suffered from heat stroke and very severe dehydration, wh...

Onuachu Wins 2021 Belgian Golden Boot Award

13Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Onuachu Wins 2021 Belgian Golden Boot Award

Paul Onuachu has been named the winner of the 2021 Belgian Golden Shoe award. Onuachu becomes the first-ever Nigerian and the fourth African to claim the prestigious honour. Three Africans, Aruna Dindane of Cote d’Ivoire (2003) Morocco’s Mbark Boussoufa twice (2006 and 2010) and DR Congo’s Dieumerci Mbokani (2012) had previously won the award. Read Also: AFCON 2021: West Brom Send Ajayi Good Luck Message Ahead Nigeria vs Egypt The Belgian Golden Shoe award is given at the beginning of each year to the best footballer in the country’s First Division A for the past year. Onuachu polled 333 votes to beat the Club Brugge duo of Noa Lang (272 votes) and Charles De Ketelaere (271 votes) to second and third, respectively. The 27-year-old finished in third position last ye...

Sudan Coach, Tia Says Match Against Nigeria Will Not Be Easy

12Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, News, Sports, Sudan

Sudan Coach, Tia Says Match Against Nigeria Will Not Be Easy

Sudan national team head coach, Burhan Tia, has made an honest confession ahead of his side’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, tie with Nigeria on Saturday. Sudan will take on Nigeria in their second Group D fixture at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua, this weekend. The Falcons of Jediane head to the game following a 0-0 draw against Guinea-Bissau in their first game on Tuesday, while the Super Eagles defeated Egypt 1-0. Asked about facing Nigeria in their next group game, Tia said it would not be easy. “It will not be easy, as well as facing Egypt, but these are matches that we have put in our minds and our program before the tournament,” Tia was quoted by Filgoal as saying. Meanwhile, Nigeria are on top of Group D with 3 points from one game, while Sudan are in the thi...

AFCON 2021: West Brom Send Ajayi Good Luck Message Ahead Nigeria vs Egypt

11Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

AFCON 2021: West Brom Send Ajayi Good Luck Message Ahead Nigeria vs Egypt

English Championship club West Bromwich Albion have sent a good luck message to Semi Ajayi, as the Super Eagles of Nigeria get set to face Egypt on Tuesday. The Eagles will begin their AFCON 2021 campaign against the seven-time African champions in Garoua. This will be the ninth meeting between both countries at AFCON, with Nigeria recording four wins to Egypt’s two with two draws. Read Also: Why Ighalo Won’t Be Part Of Eagles At AFCON 2021 –NFF At The 2010 AFCON in Angola, the Egyptians came from a goal down to win 3-1 And went on to win the title. For Ajayi, this will be his first-ever appearance at a major tournament for Nigeria. And ahead of today’s big clash, the Baggies wrote on Twitter: "Wishing Semi Ajayi all the best with Nigeria at AFCON 2021 “The SuperEa...

Day Two Fixtures At AFCON 2021 In Cameroon

10Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

Day Two Fixtures At AFCON 2021 In Cameroon

Following is the schedule of matches to be played at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon on Monday: Group B Senegal vs Zimbabwe, 2 p.m. Read Also: Why Ighalo Won’t Be Part Of Eagles At AFCON 2021 –NFF Guinea vs Malawi, 5 p.m. (Both matches are to hold at the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam) Group C Ghana vs Morocco, 5 p.m. Comoros vs Gabon, 8 p.m. (Both matches are to hold at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde) Source: Punch

Musa, Chukwueze On Target As Super Eagles Beat Coton Sport In Practice Match

8Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Cameroon, News, Nigeria, Sports

Musa, Chukwueze On Target As Super Eagles Beat Coton Sport In Practice Match

A goal in each half by Ahmed Musa and Samuel Chukwueze, earned the Super Eagles a 2-0 win against Cameroon club side Coton Sport in a practice game in Garoua on Friday. The game was arranged as part of preparation for the Eagles ahead of their 2021 AFCON Group D opener against Egypt on Tuesday. Musa opened scoring in the first half before Chukwueze doubled the Eagles’ lead in the second half. Starting for the Eagles in the friendly were Maduka Okoye in goal, Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo and Zaidu Sanusi in defence. The midfield had Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo and Chidera Ejuke while Kelechi Iheanacho, Musa and Taiwo Awoniyi led the attack. See Also: Ashleigh Plumptre Switches Nationality To Nigeria In the course of the first half Musa was replaced by Alex Iwobi...

Joshua Dumps Trainer McCracken Ahead Usyk’s Rematc

7Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, Uncategorized

Joshua Dumps Trainer McCracken Ahead Usyk’s Rematc

Anthony Joshua has confirmed he will ‘work with some good coaches’ in a ‘new environment’ before his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. This is coming after questions were asked over Joshua’s coaching team after his defeat to Usyk in September. Following the loss, AJ spent time in America visiting several gyms and coaches, ahead of his contracted rematch with the Ukrainian this year. Joshua has appeared to suggest he will switch up his training squad or base, having consulted Rob McCracken. He said in a Dubai interview: “I’m a loyal character. I believe loyalty’s important. Read Also: 2021 AFCON: Super Eagles To Depart For Garoua Today Via Charted Flight “I’ve been based in Sheffield and had a good chat with my coach and I wanna try some new things, I wanna try a new environment. “Maybe...

Why Ighalo Won’t Be Part Of Eagles At AFCON 2021 –NFF

6Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

Why Ighalo Won’t Be Part Of Eagles At AFCON 2021 –NFF

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo will not feature at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. This was revealed this morning by the NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire in an interview with Brila FM. Read Also: 2021 AFCON: Super Eagles To Depart For Garoua Today Via Charted Flight Recall that Ighalo was still expected to arrive the Super Eagles camp as at yesterday and was handed the number 9 jersey by Austine Eguavoen on Wednesday night ahead of the tournament. The veteran striker was widely expected to lead the Eagles attack in the absence of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. However, in a new twist, Olajire confirmed that Ighalo’s Saudi Arabia club, Al Shabab has refused to release him for the the bi-annual showpiece. ...

2021 AFCON: Super Eagles To Depart For Garoua Today Via Charted Flight

5Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

2021 AFCON: Super Eagles To Depart For Garoua Today Via Charted Flight

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will depart for Garoua, Cameroon, today January 5th 2022, via chartered flight ahead of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. This was revealed by the Eagles’ media officer Babafemi Raji. According to the spokesman, the Eagles will depart Nigeria at 8pm for the venue of their Group D games. Read Also: AFCON: Ndidi, Iwobi, Troost-Ekong, Iheanacho Five Others Arrive, 23 Players Now In Camp Meanwhile, Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo is the latest player to arrive the team’s Abuja camp. Aribo hit camp on Tuesday night which has taken the number of players to 24. Also, the four players still expected are Samuel Chukwueze, Odion Ighalo, Jamilu Collins and Tyronne Ebuehi. Source: CompleteSports

Ashleigh Plumptre Switches Nationality To Nigeria

4Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

Ashleigh Plumptre Switches Nationality To Nigeria

Nigerians are excited after former England youth international Ashleigh Plumptre got approval to switch her allegiance to the Super Falcons. The 23-year-old defender, who plays for Women's Super League side Leicester City, is eligible to represent the African women's football powerhouse because of her father's Nigerian heritage. After joining training camps in Austria and Abuja, she has now been cleared by world football's governing body Fifa and is eligible for Nigeria's tricky 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations play-off against Ivory Coast in February. "We are happy to receive Ashleigh's official clearance from FIFA," NFF director of communications Ademola Olajire told BBC Sport Africa. "It was only possible because of her commitment and dedication. She made the federation's ...