Tag: Sports - Page 35 - African News Today

Osihmen Returns, Features in Napoli’s Away Loss

25Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports, Youths

Osihmen Returns, Features in Napoli’s Away Loss

Some 77 days after playing his last game in the Italian Serie A, Victor Osimhen played for 25minutes yesterday in Napoli’s 2-1 away loss to Verona. Osimhen was last in action for Napoli on November 8 in their 1-0 away win over Bologna before he joined with Nigeria for the 2021 AFCON Qualifiers against Sierra Leone where he sustained a shoulder injury on November 13 in Super Eagles 4-4 draw at home against the Leone Star of Sierra Leone in Benin City. While still recuperating from the injury, Osimhen was tested positive to COVID-19 on January 1 while he was cleared of the virus on Friday January 22. Yesterday, he came on in the 65th minute to replace Andrea Petagna but he could not save his team from going down to Verona in the tie. Osimhen reportedly has a very light bra...

Ahmed Musa on the Verge of Joining West Brom

25Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Ahmed Musa on the Verge of Joining West Brom

Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa is on the verge of joining Premier League club West Bromwich Albion on a short-term deal. Musa has been without a club since departing his former club, Al Nassr in October 2020. Daily Mail reports that English side have requested for a visa for the 28-years-old winger and he is billed for a medical on Wednesday. The Eagles forward’s career has been on a downturn since he left Russian club, CSKA Moscow in 2016. He bagged 55 goals in 167 appearances for the Russian side before he signed for Leicester City in the summer of that year. The Nigerian international who has been capped 95 times struggled to make his mark at the King Power Stadium, as he made just seven league starts in 21 appearances. Musa signed for the Foxes after they had lifted th...

We Must Take our Chances Against Brentford – Iheanacho

24Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

We Must Take our Chances Against Brentford – Iheanacho

Nigeria footballer, Kelechi Iheanacho expects a tougher atmosphere at the Brentford Community Stadium when they clash again in the fourth round of the same competition today. Iheanacho calls on his teammates to take their chances against obviously improved Brentford as they chase down their first FA Cup title. “We played them last time in the FA Cup and probably the team has changed a little bit,” Iheanacho told LCFC TV via video call. “They were a good side last time we played them, and they have good quality players as well, so they might hurt us if we’re not careful. We need to just be ourselves, play our own game and make sure that we get the win. “We need to take our chances when they come in the first half, so they don’t take us to the second half. “They’re at home, an...

Former Nigerian Goalkeeper, Joe Erico is Dead

22Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Former Nigerian Goalkeeper, Joe Erico is Dead

Joe Erico, former Nigerian goalkeeper and assistant coach of the Super Eagles has died. Erico, widely known as ‘Jogo Bonito Exponent,’ was the goalkeeper of Electricity Connectors of Nigeria (ECN) and for Green Eagle of Nigeria during his time. He promoted the ‘Jogo Bonito’ – an aesthetic football philosophy that is based on the tip-tap playing pattern similar to that of Brazilian Samba. He introduced the style of play in Nigeria in the 90s’ – while still the coach of Julius Berger FC aka Adewale Bridge boys. Erico alongside late coach Shuaibu Amodu and late Stephen Keshi qualified the Super Eagles for the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup, but they were dismissed before the tournament. The former goalkeeper’s death was confirmed on Thursday morning by the Super Eagles media office...

Nigeria Suffer Defeat in U17 WAFU B Final Despite Late Fightback

19Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cote d'Ivoire, News, Nigeria, Sports

Nigeria Suffer Defeat in U17 WAFU B Final Despite Late Fightback

Nigeria lost 3-2 to C Côte d’Ivoire in the final of the 2021 WAFU U-17 championship at the Stade Kegue in Lome, Togo on Monday. The who beat Burkina Faso to secure a place in the final and qualification for CAF U17 African cup of Nations failed to clinch the ultimate trophy. The Ivorian side who were unbeaten since the group stages bagged the first goal from a corner kick in the 15th minute. They almost doubled in the 32nd minute, but Eaglets goalkeeper Destiny Umuwahen saved a goal-bound shot from attacker Charles Likpa. The Eaglets came close to equalising in the 42nd minute, but a long-range shot from Christian Nwachukwu sailed over the bar. In the 59th minute, the Baby Elephants doubled their lead through Abdrumane Konate, who tapped in from close range. Seydou Traore...

Ekong Lauds Golden Eaglets After AFCON Qualification

17Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Ekong Lauds Golden Eaglets After AFCON Qualification

William Troost-Ekong, Super Eagles assistant captain, has congratulated Nigeria’s representatives at the 2021 WAFU B tournament, the Golden Eaglets for reaching the final. The U17 side qualified for the final of the WAFU B U17 tournament and also secured a place at the U17 Afcon in Morocco with a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso on Friday. The team won the match with a strike in the 77th minutes by Michael Emmanuel Papo to book a place in the final. The Fatai Amoo’s side qualified for the Semi-finals of the tournament in Togo thanks to a superior goal difference over Ghana after Cote d’Ivoire beat Ghana in the last match of the group stage. Ekong took to his social media handle immediately after the match to congratulate the team. He wrote, “Well done boys! Keep making us proud! Ne...

WAFU B Tourney: Golden Eaglets Tackle Burkina Faso For Final Ticket

15Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Africa, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

WAFU B Tourney: Golden Eaglets Tackle Burkina Faso For Final Ticket

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will take on Burkina Faso on Friday (today) in the semi-final of the WAFU B tournament at the Stade De Kegue, Lome. Fatai Amoo’s side came second in Group B behind Cote d’l voire who did them a big favour by edging out Ghana 3-1 on Tuesday. The Eaglets started the competition with a 1-0 loss to the Ivorians before battling to a 1-1 draw against perenial rivals Ghana. Burkina Faso on the other hand thrashed Benin Republic 5-1 in their opening game and played a 0-0 draw against Niger in their second Group A fixture. With the Eaglets scoring once in two games and wasting a number of chances coach Amoo hopes his side will discover their scoring boots this time around. “They (Burkinan Faso) are one of the favourites from what I saw of them. T...

Didier Drogba Divorces Wife After 20 Years of Marriage

15Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cote d'Ivoire, News, Sports

Didier Drogba Divorces Wife After 20 Years of Marriage

Former Chelsea and Cote d’Ivoire legend, Didier Drogba and his wife of 20 years, Lalla Diakate have divorced. Drogba disclosed this in a post on his official Instagram handle, noting that the announcement became important following speculation in the media. There were rumours that the football icon had separated from his wife whom he married in June 2011 in Monaco. Drogba, 42, said that making the decision to separate from his wife was a difficult but necessary decision. The couple had three children together. Drogba in the statement said his priority at this point is the protection of their children and their privacy. He wrote, “I am not used to discussing my private life, but due to speculation in the media today, I will confirm that unfortunately after 20 years together L...

Iwobi Ends 15-month EPL Barren Spell For Everton

14Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

English Premiership, News, Nigeria, Sports

Iwobi Ends 15-month EPL Barren Spell For Everton

Super Eagles forward, Alex Iwobi ended his barren spell in front of goal in the premier league when he scored in Everton’s win over Wolves o Tuesday. The Nigerian scored the opening goal as Everton got the better of Wolverhampton Wanderers, winning 2-1 at the Molineux to maintain good standing in the Premier League. The goal marked his first in the Premier League since September 2019 and also his second goal in 19 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees this season. He scored with just 6 minutes into the match after he latched on to Lucas Digne’s low cross and fire past Rui Patricio in goal for Wolverhampton. However, the lead was cut short after 9 minutes, as Wolves hit back through Ruben Neves who volleyed home from Pedro Neto’s cross. Everton kept searching and go...

I Will Continue Applying For Jobs With Nigeria’s National Teams – Finidi

12Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports, Youths

I Will Continue Applying For Jobs With Nigeria’s National Teams – Finidi

Former Super Eagles winger Finidi George insists he will continue to apply for jobs with Nigeria’s national teams despite being overlooked twice. Finidi has failed to get the nod for the U-17 job twice. “I’m very disappointed but I understand the Nigerian system quite well,” Finidi told BBC Sport Africa. “It’s a matter of having the patience. So I’m open continue to improve myself with the hope of getting a chance to coach one of the country’s youth teams. “When you have the right qualifications, attitude and professionalism, you can only aim for the best and it may even be a chance with the senior side, the Super Eagles, we shall see.” George is not only continuing his search for a coaching role but is also keen to continue improving himself as he splits his time ...