Tag: Sports - Page 24 - African News Today

Rohr Picks Musa, Ekong, 22 Others for Cameroon International Friendly

25May

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Rohr Picks Musa, Ekong, 22 Others for Cameroon International Friendly

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has selected captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong and home boys John Noble and Anayo Iwuala among the 24 Super Eagles who will do battle with five-time African champions Cameroon in a prestige friendly in Austria on Friday next week. The list also has goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho, defenders Ola Aina and Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Abdullahi Shehu, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Simy Nwankwo, Turkey –based former U20 defender Valentine Ozornwafor, Denmark –based midfielder Frank Onyeka and Lorient FC of France’s Terem Moffi are also included. Nigeria, who have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times but have been bumped by Cameroon in the final of the competition on three...

Don’t Blame Anybody for Your Struggles, Amokachi Replies Lawal

25May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Don’t Blame Anybody for Your Struggles, Amokachi Replies Lawal

Former Super Eagles of Nigeria assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi has hit back at Raheem Lawal over an indictment of being unfairly dropped from the 2013 African Cup of Nations winning squad, noting that the midfielder was not best suited for selection into the eventual title-winning side. Recall that Lawal had on his Instagram story alleged that Amokachi dropped him from the team because he was not among the players the gaffer intended to sell after the showpiece in South Africa. In his reaction, Amokachi lauded the 31-year-old for his talent, but urged him to desist from blaming others for his failure. He said, “For me 100 per cent when names were mentioned on who could take over from Jay Jay Okocha, Raheem was the closest to him and that is the truth,” Amokachi stated on Monday i...

Osimhen Loses Coach As Napoli Sack Gattuso

24May

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

News, Sports, Youths

Osimhen Loses Coach As Napoli Sack Gattuso

Victor Osimhen will work under a new coach come next season following the sacking of Gennaro Gattuso by Napoli. Gattuso’s sack was announced by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis after they failed to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League. Needing a win against Hellas Verona on the final day of the season, to pick one of the four Champions League slots, Napoli could only draw 1-1. Napoli took the lead in the 61st minute through Amir Rrahmani who was set up by Osimhen. But Hellas Verona equalised in the 69th minute and held on to quash the hopes of Napoli qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition. The result means Napoli were leapfrogged by Juventus into the top four as the former Serie A champions thrashed Bologna 4-0. They ended the season...

Union Berlin Bids Awoniyi Farewell With Special Award

23May

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

Union Berlin Bids Awoniyi Farewell With Special Award

Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi received a special award for his service from Union Berlin before Saturday’s home clash against RB Leipzig, reports Completesports.com. Awoniyi made his last appearance for Die Eisermen on Saturday following a successful loan stint with the club. The 23-year-old scored five goals in 19 league appearances for Urs Fischer’s side. The Nigeria international returned to action last weekend after spending over two months on the sidelines due to injury. The forward was granted United Kingdom work permit this week which put in a position to play for his parent club Liverpool next season. He has been linked with a move to West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City. Union Berlin are also rumoured to be interested in signjng him on a permanent deal...

NPFL: Ahmed Musa Part of Kano Pillars Team to Face Katsina United Away

23May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

NPFL: Ahmed Musa Part of Kano Pillars Team to Face Katsina United Away

Nigeria Professional Football League club, Kano Pillars have said that Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa will be part of the travel party for Sunday’s (today) away fixture against Katsina United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. The forward made his debut and sole appearance since rejoining the club in the 1-0 home win against bottom club Adamawa United last weekend. Musa played a crucial role as he set up Rabiu Ali for the winning goal 10 minutes from time. “In another development, Media Officer of the club, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa confirmed that @NGSuperEagles captain, @Ahmedmusa718 would feature in the match but goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo will be absent through Malaria related illness and will be replaced by Ghanaian Idrissu Ibrahim,” the club tweeted on Saturday night. Kano ...

Enyimba Can Reverse CAF Confederation Cup First Deficit – Iwuala

22May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Enyimba Can Reverse CAF Confederation Cup First Deficit – Iwuala

Enyimba player, Anayo Iwuala has expressed optimism that the team has what it takes to overturn the first-leg deficit against Egypt’s Pyramids FC and book a place in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup. The Aba based club suffered a 4-1 defeat in the first leg played last Sunday and face a herculean task in the second leg. Iwuala is, however, confident that his team can score three goals without reply in the second leg to secure qualification for the next round. “We just have to put our heads together, work as a team with one mind, its football and I believe anything is possible. We have to get the three goals, we can and it’s possible and I believe come Sunday we will get the three goals by his grace,” Iwuala told the club’s website. The winger is available for the ga...

Boavista Signs Awaziem Permanently from Porto

22May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Boavista Signs Awaziem Permanently from Porto

Super Eagles defender, Chidozie Awaziem has signed for Boavista on a permanent deal from FC Porto. The Nigerian joined Boavista on an initial loan deal last summer by the club have now decided to make the deal permanent. The deal made Awaziem the most expensive signing in the history of the club after the deal cost Boavista €5m to acquire his services from the Portuguese side, Porto. However, the defender may yet still leave Boavista with a number of clubs in France interested in his services. The 24-year-old made 27 league appearances for Boavista in the 2020/21 season. Awaziem made 10 league appearances for Porto first team after joining the club in 2015. He has spent time on loan with clubs in France, Turkey and Spain.

WBO Issues Joshua 48-Hour Ultimatum to Secure Fury Mega-Fight

20May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

WBO Issues Joshua 48-Hour Ultimatum to Secure Fury Mega-Fight

The World Wrestling Organisation, WBO, has issued Anthony Joshua a 48 hours ultimatum to prove his bout with Tyson Fury can take place before he is mandated to fight Oleksandr Usyk. The decision would serve as a hindrance to the planned undisputed heavyweight championship fight between Joshua and Fury billed for August 14 in Saudi Arabia, SkySports reports. A court ruling on Monday that said Fury must fight Deontay Wilder again on September 15, implied that Joshua may fight Usyk next. Promoter, Eddie Hearn had labelled Usyk as Joshua’s “Plan B” because he is the WBO mandatory challenger. Earlier, the governing body had agreed to keep Usyk’s right pending due to the magnitude of the Joshua vs Fury title bout but Joshua has two days to prove the fight can go ahead unless he will ...

Super Eagles to Play Mexico in June Friendly – NFF

19May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Super Eagles to Play Mexico in June Friendly – NFF

The Super Eagles of Nigeria is set to face Mexico national team in an international friendly on June 3rd in log Angeles, USA, the Nigerian Football Federal confirmed. This was disclosed by the NFF Director of Media, Demola Olajiire, noting that the match will follow suit after the June 4th friendly against Cameroon in Australia. The report by the NFF confirmed the earlier announcement by the Mexico Football Federation, FMF, that the country will play against Nigeria as part of its buildup for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. The Mexican FA in a statement said the match is billed for the Los Angeles Coliseum at 8pm local time and as a demonstration of its seriousness, the Mexican FA has said tickets for the game will go on sale on May 27 and urged the national team’s supporters to trave...

I Gave Oliseh Painkillers to Play AFCON 2000 Final – Okocha

19May

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

I Gave Oliseh Painkillers to Play AFCON 2000 Final – Okocha

Former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha says he gave Sunday Oliseh painkillers to play at the 2000 African Cup of Nations final against Cameroon in Lagos. Oliseh was almost forced to pull out of the final after aggravating a hamstring injury in their 2-0 win over South Africa in the semi-final. The defensive midfielder had a huge impact in the quarter-final win over Senegal, coming off the bench to bag an assist as the Eagles came from a goal down to beat the Teranga Lions 2-1. Recounting the final defeat to Cameroon on penalties, after full and extra time ended 2-2, Okocha told The PUNCH, “We were having a good tournament heading into the final but Sunday (Oliseh) was not fully fit to play. “We needed him in the team for the final and also as the captain of the team, so I o...