Tag: Sports - Page 39 - African News Today

Ahmed Musa Denies Sheffield Wednesday Links

26Nov

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

English Premiership, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

Ahmed Musa Denies Sheffield Wednesday Links

Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has debunked reports linking him with a move to Sky Bet Championship club Sheffield Wednesday. Musa is currently a free agent after terminating his contract with Saudi Arabia Professional League club Al Nassr. The winger insists he wants a return to top-flight football and is not interested in a move to Sheffield Wednesday. “I don’t know where the story [potential move to Sheffield] is coming from because I don’t pay attention to rumours and gossip,” Musa told BBC Sport Africa. Musa also talked about his time with English Premier League club Leicester City. The 28-year-old scored five goals in 33 appearances for the Foxes. “For some reasons things didn’t actually work out there [at Leicester], but you can’t focus too much on the past,” h...

Edouard Mendy Inspires Chelsea to Champions League Knockout Stage Qualification

25Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Sports

Edouard Mendy Inspires Chelsea to Champions League Knockout Stage Qualification

Senegalese goalie, Edouard Mendy was in sparkling form on Tuesday as Chelsea booked a spot in the knockout stage of the Champions League after beating Rennes 2-1 in France. Mendy in a post-match interview said he is hoping to continue his impressive form for the west London side. The shot-stopper who made the switch to Chelsea in the summer transfer window from their opponent in the game, Rennes made impressive saves to keep his side in the match. Callum Hudson-Odoi had given Frank Lampard’s side the lead in the first half but Serhou Guirassy’s equaliser with five minutes remaining appeared to hand Rennes a point. But substitute, Olivier Giroud scored the winner in injury time to book Chelsea’s place in the knockout stage of the Champions League with two group games to spare. ...

Super Eagles Need Continuity – Okocha Backs Under-fire Rohr

25Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Super Eagles Need Continuity – Okocha Backs Under-fire Rohr

Former Super Eagles midfield maestro, Austin Okocha said that Gernot Rohr is the right coach to lead the national team to more silverware as he lauded the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), for renewing his contract. The German tactician has come under pressure from various quarters, including former national team players Among whom are Yakubu Ayegbeni and Daniel Amokachi for the team’s below-par performance in their 2022 African Cup of Nations qualifier matches against Sierra Leone. Amokachi in an interview with Brila last week said that Rohr is not the right man for the job and should be sacked. But Okocha shares a different sentiment from some of his national teammates, insisting that Rohr has delivered the goods since his appointment in 2016 and deserves to lead the Super Eagl...

CAF President Ahmad To Appeal FIFA’s Ban

24Nov

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Africa, Madagascar, Sports

CAF President Ahmad To Appeal FIFA’s Ban

CAF president Ahmad Ahmad is set to appeal his five-year ban from all football-related activities by FIFA over alleged corruption at CAS. FIFA’s Ethics Committee announced Ahmad’ s ban citing violation of their code of ethics represented in the unlawful acceptance of gifts and benefits. However, reports have emerged to confirm that the 60-year-old from Madagascar will appeal FIFA’s decision at CAS. The Ethics Committee pointed out that the penalty imposed on the CAF President and FIFA’s vice president came as a result of his behavior during the period between 2017 and 2019. “The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Ahmad Ahmad, the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and a FIFA Vice-President, guilty of having breached art. 15 ...

FIFA Bans CAF President Ahmad Ahmad For Five Years

23Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

FIFA Bans CAF President Ahmad Ahmad For Five Years

World football governing body, FIFA has placed a 5-year ban on Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Ahmad Ahmad for contravening various codes of ethics. FIFA made the announcement on Monday following the meeting of the executive committee. Ahmad, 60, from Madagascar, was convicted on charges bothering on offering and receiving gifts, abuse of position and mismanagement of funds. A statement from FIFA read, “The investigation into Mr Ahmad’s conduct – from 2017 to 2019 concerning various Caf-related governance issues, including the organisation and financing of ah Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca, his involvement in Caf’s dealing with the sports equipment company Tactical Steel and other activities.” The ban will impede on Ahmad’s plans of contesting for a second term in...

22Nov

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

We Won’t Sack Rohr – Pinnick

President of the Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pelvin Pinnick has reiterated his support for Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr despite recent calls for the German's sack. Rohr has been a subject of major criticism after the Super Eagles failed to beat the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header. The Super Eagles were forced to a 4-4 draw by the Leone Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City last Friday, while both sides battled to a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture on Tuesday at the Siaka Stevens Stadium, Freetown. Pinnick has however backed the former Gabon and Niger coach to continue on the job. “Rohr has done well as our coach, qualifying us for the World Cup and finishing third at the AFCON. It was the same coach...

Osimhen Renders Verdict on Gattuso’s Expertise

21Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

Osimhen Renders Verdict on Gattuso’s Expertise

Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen has lauded his club coach, Genaro Gattuso while giving an insight into his experiences playing under the former midfield maestro at Napoli. The Super Eagles striker in an interview with Brila said that the Napoli manager is a great manager that inspires confidence within the group. He added that many people misjudge the character of the coach based on what they see on TV but noted that he is has interesting personality. He said “When we see people from the tv we quickly judged them you know, but for me, I think he’s a great man and also he’s becoming a great coach.” “When I first went to Napoli I went to his house and I know the way he speaks to me and how he really wants me and this is the most important thing for a man that I really watch on T...

Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa Linked with West Ham, Newcastle

20Nov

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

English Premiership, Nigeria, Uncategorized, Youths

Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa Linked with West Ham, Newcastle

Reports making the rounds have it that Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa’s representatives are talking with a host of clubs in Europe, including some in the Premier League. Musa is hoping to secure a move back to English football in the coming weeks. Various sides in England’s top flight have been approached to see if they would like to acquire the player, including Newcastle, West Ham, Burnley and Sheffield United, as well as Palace – but it remains to be seen if they will make an offer. The Nigeria international is one of the higher profile free agents currently available having left his former club Al Nassr last month.

Super Eagles Play Out A Goalless Draw with Sierra Leone

17Nov

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sports

Super Eagles Play Out A Goalless Draw with Sierra Leone

The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday were unable to score as Sierra Leone held them to a goalless draw as both team jostle for a place in the Africa Cup of Nations competition in 2022. Four days earlier, the Sierra Leone team had come down from four goals down to clinch a draw in Benin-city against the Eagles. But after vowing to bounce back in Freetown with a victory, the Nigerian football team failed to do enough to breach their opponent’s goalnet. The result leaves Nigeria at the top of its qualifying group with eight points, just one point above Benin in second place with four games played. Sierra Leone remain third with three points. The Super Eagles, despite the two draws, remain favorites to finish first in the group and advance.

Crown FC Player Collapses, Dies During Friendly Match

17Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Crown FC Player Collapses, Dies During Friendly Match

Crown Football Club of Ogbomoso, Oyo State player, Usman Yusuf died during a friendly match in Abeokuta, Ogun Sate after collapsing on the pitch. Reports say Yusuf lined up for Geteway United FC during the first half against Sliema Wanderers. The death of the player who was claimed to be on trial for Gateway United took place on Sunday afternoon at Muda lawal Stadium, Asero, Abeokuta. Late Yusuf allegedly collapsed during the match, but he was resuscitated after the intervention of the medics. He was taken to the State Hospital afterwards where he reportedly died. Moses Ojewumi, Media officer of the Gateway FC, confirmed the incident on Monday in Abeokuta. He said, “Usman Yusuf who came on trial played the first half in a friendly for Gateway United FC against Sliema Wand...