Tag: Sports - Page 41 - African News Today

CAF President Tests Positive for COVID-19

30Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Covid-19, Sports

CAF President Tests Positive for COVID-19

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Mr Ahmad Ahmad has tested positive for COVID-19. A statement on the website of the continental football governing body on Friday read:”the president after his arrival to Cairo on Oct. 28, presented mild flu symptoms and submitted to the COVID-19 protocol. ”Today, the test results are positive and the president immediately self-isolate for at least the next 14 days at his hotel. ”All those who have come into contact with Ahmad over the past seven days, especially during his trip to Morocco for the Confederation Cup, have been informed and requested to take the necessary measures.”

AFCON Qualifiers: Akpeyi, Etebo, Uzoho, Osihmen Return

29Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Sports

AFCON Qualifiers: Akpeyi, Etebo, Uzoho, Osihmen Return

The coach of Nigeria's super eagles Gernot Rohr has submitted the list of players who will feature in the AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone on November 13. OwngoalNigeria reports that Daniel Akpeyi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Joel Aribo, Francis Uzoho and Victor Osihmen are among the five players who are set to stage a return to the team following their absence in the team's double friendlies early October. Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will make the list public next week but it was gathered that invitations are already being sent to the players invited. The Super eagles will host Sierra Leone in a double header AFCON qualifier with the first being played in Benin city, Nigeria before the second leg encounter in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

NFF Appoints New Media Officers for National Teams as Old Ones Bow Out

28Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

NFF Appoints New Media Officers for National Teams as Old Ones Bow Out

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed new Media Officers for the country’s men and women senior football teams. This was contained in a statement by the football body’s Director of Media and Communications, Ademola Olajire on Tuesday in Abuja. According to the statement, NFF appointed Babafemi Raji as Super Eagles Media Officer and Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu as Super Falcons Media head. Olajire said, “For the Super Eagles, Raji takes over from Toyin Ibitoye who has been in the post for five-and-half years, while Tobe-Chukwu takes over from Jane Onyinye Nweze for the Falcons.” NFF lauded both Ibitoye and Nweze for the excellent services rendered to the teams and wished them success in their career. Reacting to the development, former Super Eagles Media Officer Oluwatoyi...

Mikel Aims to Secure Premier League Promotion with Stoke

24Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

Mikel Aims to Secure Premier League Promotion with Stoke

Nigerian international, John Mikel Obi has expressed optimism that his current side, Stoke City will secure promotion to the English top flight. The former Super Eagles captain concedes that the team will have to intensify efforts at improving their performance if their target of securing promotion will be achieved. Mikel made the switch to Stoke this summer and has played in five of their matches this season. He has been deployed in defensive roles while also featuring in his preferred holding midfield position. Ahead of Stoke City’s encounter with Brentford this weekend, Mikel said, “I just keep going, get ticking over and get the team to play and help the team defensively as well. “We’re trying to find a way to play out. You could see in the game (against Barnsley) that we d...

#EndSARS: Super Eagles Forward Lends Voice to Protest

17Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Human Rights, Justice, Law Enforcement, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security

#EndSARS: Super Eagles Forward Lends Voice to Protest

Super Eagles and Napoli forward, Victor Osihmen has joined the growing number of youths protesting against police brutality in Nigeria. The forward was on target for Italian outfit Napoli when they hosted Atalanta in a Seria A game on Saturday. He scored in the 30th minute and used the opportunity to brandish a white shirt with the now popular "#EndPoliceBrutality" hashtag. The match would later end 4-1 in favor of Napoli who are now fourth on the table after four league matches. Napoli coach Gennario Gattuso had nice words to say about the Nigerian forward who joined his side at the beginning of the season from French side Lille. "Osihmen is a player who is giving us many game solutions. The way he moves scares teams against us. I'm happy for the goal."

Tunisia Forces Super Eagles to a 1-1 Draw in Austria

14Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports, Tunisia

Tunisia Forces Super Eagles to a 1-1 Draw in Austria

The Super Eagles of Nigeria were on Tuesday night forced to a 1-1 draw at the Jacques Leman Arena in Austria. Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho opened scoring in the 21st minute when he used a sharp turn in the box to score his first international goal in 2017. Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa was fouled few minutes inside the box as he tried to convert a pass from Alex Iwobi leaving the referee with no choice than to award a penalty to the West African side. Iheanacho stepped forward to take the spot kick but failed to convert what would have been Nigeria's second goal of the night. The Tunisian side however punished them for the miss with an equalizer from Drajer Mohammed who finished off a cross which Kenneth Omeruo failed to clear properly. The Super Eagles ...

Sports: African Champions, Algeria Beat Nigeria’s Super Eagles

10Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Algeria, Nigeria, Sports

Sports: African Champions, Algeria Beat Nigeria’s Super Eagles

The Dessert Foxes of Algeria defeated Nigeria 1-0 in last night's international friendly match played in Austria. The only goal of the match was scored by Borussia Monchengladbach defender Ramy Bensebaini’s lone strike after his first header was cleared by Nigerian defenders in the sixth minute. Coach Gernot Rohr handed FC Midtjylland midfielder Frank Onyeka his debut appearance in the middle of the park after Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi made his bow for the West African side. The Super Eagles failed to come into the game in the early minutes of the match while a well organized Dessert Foxes capitalized on their failure to put their acts together to draw the first blood which eventually resulted to the final outcome of the game. Nigeria will face Carthage Eagles of T...

Super Eagles Ready to Tackle Algeria, Tunisia

8Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Algeria, News, Nigeria, Sports, Tunisia

Super Eagles Ready to Tackle Algeria, Tunisia

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are battle ready for their encounter against African giants, Algeria and Tunisia as all the invited players have arrived and training ahead of the Friday and Tuesday friendly matches. The Eagles will play against the continent’s champions Algeria and Africa’s second-placed team Tunisia in Austria. The Eagles ranks were bolstered by the clearance of Kevin Akpoguma, former Germany U20 captain by FIFA to represent his fatherland having played for Germany at youth level. His clearance adds to the team’s defensive options which already boasts of stars such as Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun, Chidozie Awaziem, Wlliam Ekong, Olaoluwa Aina, Jamilu Collins, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Zaidu Sanusi. The Eagles will face an Algerian team that is on an 18-mach unbeaten ru...

Super Eagles’ Camp Bolstered by Musa, Onuachu Arrival Ahead of Friendlies

7Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Super Eagles’ Camp Bolstered by Musa, Onuachu Arrival Ahead of Friendlies

The Super Eagles’ Austria camp has been bolstered by the arrival of captain Ahmed Musa and Genk FC forward Paul Onuahu in time before the Tuesday deadline for arrival of players ahead of Friday, October 9 friendly against Algeria. This was disclosed by Toyin Ibitoye, Super Eagles Media Officer in a chat with News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday. The arrival of both players meant the team’s coach Gernot Rohr now has all the invited players in camp ahead of their match with the Desert Foxes of Algeria on Friday. Rohr invited Onuachu after Napoli star Victor Osimhen asked to be excused from the matches due to COVID-19 protocols in his Italian club, Napoli. Speaking on their arrival Ibitoye said, “Musa and Onuachu were the last to arrive in the camp, but they participated in Tuesday’s...

I Am in My Best Shape – Super Eagles’ Forward

5Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

I Am in My Best Shape – Super Eagles’ Forward

Super Eagles forward, Samuel Kalu has fired warnings to the camp of Algeria and Tunisia ahead of the international friendly fixtures coming up this month. The Super Eagles will face Algeria on Friday, October 9th and the Tunisian national team on Tuesday, October 13th and the Bordeaux man has been included in the West African team's roaster. Samuel Kalu who was on the scoresheet when Bordeaux faced Dijon over the last weekend told OwngoalNigeria he is heading to the Eagles camp in high spirit. "I feel really good with my body and shape. Last year wasn't the best for me but I am getting myself back. Let me say that for a long time I have not been this fit. So, I am heading into the games in my best shape and form."