Tag: Sports - Page 28 - African News Today

“My Seniorman Iheanacho On Fire” – Ndidi

19Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

“My Seniorman Iheanacho On Fire” – Ndidi

Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has said fellow countryman Kelechi Iheanacho is on fire currently, after his FA cup heroic saw Leicester City qualify for the final against Chelsea. Iheanacho scored a brilliant goal as Leicester won 1-0 against Southampton in Sunday's semi-finals at Wembley stadium. His impressive form in front of the goal puts him in contention for a place in the finals as Leicester makes a first FA Cup final since the 1968/1969 season. Iheanacho scored in the 55th minute after latching up on his initial effort which was blocked. It took his tally for the current campaign to 15, the most by any Leicester player this season. Reacting to the win and Iheanacho’s contribution, Ndidi who equally played a crucial role in the win posted on Twitter, “So proud ...

Iheanacho Scores as Leicester City reach FA Cup Final

19Apr

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

Iheanacho Scores as Leicester City reach FA Cup Final

Kelechi Iheanacho scored his 15th goal of the season as Leicester City defeated Southampton 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday. The 24-year-old forward separated the teams at the Wembley Stadium with his 55th-minute strike. Since his FA Cup debut in January 2016, Iheanacho has scored 14 goals in 19 games - more than any other player in the competition. His record of 15 goals so far this season puts him two goals behind former Watford star Odion Ighalo, who scored 17 goals in all competitions in the 2015-16 campaign. The second-half strike also made the Nigeria international the latest African star to score at Wembley in a FA Cup game after Morocco's Hakim Ziyech scored Chelsea's only goal against Manchester City on Saturday, and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed a...

LMC React to Musa’s Kano Pillars Return After Unveiling

17Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

LMC React to Musa’s Kano Pillars Return After Unveiling

The League Management Company, LMC, has welcomed the signing of Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa by NPFL side, Kano Pillars. The Kano based football club officially unveiled Musa as their player on Friday. Musa is making a return to Pillars after spending three seasons in his first spell (2009 – 2012). Reacting to his unveiling today, LMC wrote on their Twitter handle, “He’s back! “The ‘Guv’nor’ is back to where it all began. Ahmed Musa has signed a short-term deal with Kano Pillars until the end of the season.”

16Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Rohr Applauds Musa’s Kano Pillars Move

Coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr has expressed delight with the return of team captain, Ahmed Musa to NPFL side, Kano Pillars, saying the move afford him match fitness. Musa has been without a club since parting ways with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in October last year and he has now agreed on a deal that will keep him at Kano Pillars till at least the end of the current season. Rohr said, “I am delighted for Ahmed Musa to be able to play again with his old club of Kano Pillars. “This will allow him to keep in shape while waiting to find a club elsewhere in the world. “Kano Pillars are a good club and I wish him all the best at the club.” Rohr’s decision to invite Musa for last month’s AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho was questioned by critics as Musa was dee...

Delta Claims 2020 National Sports Festival Top Spot with 384 Medals

15Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Delta Claims 2020 National Sports Festival Top Spot with 384 Medals

Delta State contingent has emerged as the winner of the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival held in Edo State between April 2 and 14, 2021. The state achieved the feat with 158 gold, 116 silver, and 110 bronze, African News Today gathered. The second spot was occupied by the host, Team Edo with 129 gold, 104 silver, and 108 bronze while Team Bayelsa finished third with 56 gold, 55 silver, and 58 bronze. Completing the top five places were Rivers on fourth with 33 gold, 34 silver, and 61 bronze; Lagos fifth with 32 gold, 40 silver, 54 bronze. The rest of the top 10 were Oyo sixth – 31 gold, 30 silver, 42 bronze; Akwa Ibom Seventh with 20 gold, 24 silver, and 44 bronze; Ogun had 16 gold, 23 silver, 39 bronze to emerge eighth; Kano ninth with 11 gold, 22 silver, 33 bronze...

Super Eagles Captain, Musa Signs for Kano Pillars

14Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Super Eagles Captain, Musa Signs for Kano Pillars

Captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Ahmed Musa has rejoined Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL, club Kano Pillars until the end of the 2020/2021 football season. A statement by the office of the chairman of the club, Surajo Shuaibu Jambul, disclosed that an agreement has been reached between both parties. Musa, 28 last played for Saudi Arabia club, Al Nassr in October 2020. He has been without a club since then. But the former CSKA and Leicester City forward has now rejoined his former club. The statement partly read, “Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has sensationally returned to Kano Pillars FC for the remainder of the 2020/21 Nigeria Professional Football League season (NPFL). “Musa previously played for the Pride of Kano in 2009 where he ended the season as...

Anichebe: Kanu Endeared Arsenal to Nigerians, Africans

13Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

English Premiership, News, Nigeria, Sports

Anichebe: Kanu Endeared Arsenal to Nigerians, Africans

Victor Anichebe, former Super Eagles forward has said that the Kanu Nwankwo’s heroics at English Premiership club Arsenal attracted Africans and Nigerians to lend support to the club. He said this in an interview with Premier League Productions, noting that Kanu’s exciting skills caught his attention. Kanu amassed 273 appearances for the gunners in the Premier League, netting 54 goals with 29 assists. Anichebe, a product of Arsenal academy, recounted the privileged opportunity to had trained alongside Kanu in the senior national team, adding that the Atlanta Olympic gold medalist has envious skills. He said, “I came into the national team with Kanu, kind of star-struck when I saw him. The long journey he had in his career in the Premier League.” “He got a lot of Africans and N...

Osimhen Urges Napoli to Keep Battling for Top Four Finish

12Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Osimhen Urges Napoli to Keep Battling for Top Four Finish

Nigerian Striker, Victor Osimhen has called on his Napoli teammates to maintain the fighting spirit that could see them seal a place in the top four this season. Osimhem said this after bagging the last goal in their 2-0 away win at Sampdoria on Sunday. It was a return to winning ways for Napoli who lost away to Juventus in their last fixture. Fabian opened scoring for Gennaro Gattuso’s side in the 35th minute. Napoli moved into fourth place on 59 points following the win with eight games remaining. However, they have dropped to fifth after Atlanta beat Fiorentina 3-2 to retain the fourth spot. Osimhen took to his official Twitter handle to tweet, “We keep fighting @sscnapoli ,” The 22-year-old has scored five goals in 16 league appearances for Napoli this season.

Mahrez Wins PFA EPL Fans’ POTM Award Ahead of Iheanacho

10Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Algeria, English Premiership, Nigeria, Sports

Mahrez Wins PFA EPL Fans’ POTM Award Ahead of Iheanacho

Manchester City and Algerian winger Mahrez has bettered Kelechi Iheanacho and other nominees to claim the PFA Premier League Fans’ Player of the Month for March. Mahrez was announced as the winner on the PFA’s verified Twitter handle. Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Manchester United on loan forward Jesse Lingard were among the list of shortlisted players for the award. Others are Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw. Iheanacho was in sublime form in March, earning a Premier League Player of the Month. He was also declared the winner of Leicester City’s Goal of the Month award for March.

Sports Ministry Clarifies State of National Sports Festival Amid Cancellation Rumours

8Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Sports Ministry Clarifies State of National Sports Festival Amid Cancellation Rumours

The 20 National Sports Festival, Edo 2020, is holding as scheduled with competitions going according to plan, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has clarified. The clarification was contained in a statement issued by the Assistant Director Press Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ramon Balogun, on Thursday. It read, “The Ministry and the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) for the festival are unaware of any plans or threat by the Edo State Government to shut down the sports festival as there has been no official meeting or communication that relayed such information. “The Honorable Minister, Permanent Secretary and Directors are on the ground in Benin City where the Festival is holding, and it is expected that the Edo State Government would formally invite the Minist...