Nigeria’s exhilarating victory over South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final has secured their place in the final against Ivory Coast. While the team basks in the glory of their accomplishment, there are specific players whom Nigerian coach, José Peseiro, should contemplate omitting from the lineup for the final showdown. 1. Moses Simon First on the list is Moses Simon, whose performance in the semi-final against South Africa fell short of his usual standards. Despite being a standout player in earlier matches, his display against South Africa left much to be desired. While acknowledging Simon’s contributions throughout…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
FIFA has addressed the rumors surrounding the potential trial of the ‘blue card’ at elite football levels. In a recent statement, FIFA clarified that reports suggesting the introduction of the ‘blue card’ in top-tier football are inaccurate and premature. The international football governing body emphasized that any such trials, if considered, should be conducted responsibly and limited to testing at lower levels. FIFA intends to reaffirm this position during the discussion of this agenda item at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) scheduled for March 2, 2024. IFAB, responsible for determining the Laws of…
Chelsea has a longstanding agreement with manager Mauricio Pochettino to evaluate his position at the club at the conclusion of the season, as per information from 90min. Despite facing pressure due to a lackluster first half of the season, Pochettino received a boost with a convincing 3-1 FA Cup victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday, showcasing Chelsea’s potential. However, dropping into the bottom half of the Premier League table ahead of an important February, including the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, emphasizes the challenges ahead. Sources had indicated to 90min before the Villa win that Pochettino’s position is not immediately…
Thiago Alcantara is set for another stint on the sidelines after sustaining a fresh injury during his first appearance of the season for Liverpool. The 32-year-old midfielder struggled with a hip problem in the latter part of the previous season, officially sidelined in April 2023 with an initially underestimated issue. Thiago made his comeback last weekend, more than nine months later, entering as a substitute for the final five minutes in Liverpool’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal. Unfortunately, it appears that this brief return might be the last for a while, as reports from The Times indicate that Thiago picked up…
Nigeria has earned a spot in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles secured their place by prevailing over South Africa in a penalty shootout during their semi-final clash on Wednesday. The match concluded with a 1-1 scoreline after both regulation time and extra time. The first half was dominated by Bafana Bafana, with no goals scored. However, in the second half, Nigeria took the lead when Victor Osimhen was fouled inside the area, and William Troost-Ekong converted the penalty to put the Eagles ahead. Late in the game, Alhassan Yusuf conceded a penalty, which…
President Bola Tinubu has commended the Super Eagles for their victory in the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, expressing, “You have made us all proud to be Nigerians!” In a tweet posted on his verified X handle on Wednesday night, President Tinubu encouraged the national senior soccer team to bring glory to the nation. He wrote, “From the Southernmost cape of Africa to the Plains of Mauritania and the coast of West Africa… You have made us all proud to be Nigerians! Go… Soar in the AFCON Finals. Well done, boys!” The Super Eagles are vying…
In an exhilarating semifinal showdown at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Sébastien Haller left an indelible mark on Ivory Coast’s football legacy, guiding them to the final with a memorable winning goal against the Democratic Republic of Congo. The intense match unfolded beneath the blazing sun of northern Abidjan, where early controversy surrounded a disallowed goal by Cédric Bakambu due to a disputed handball. Amidst the sweltering conditions, Ivory Coast, buoyed by passionate home support, relentlessly pressed forward. Wilfried Singo’s persistent crosses and Franck Kessié’s near miss off the post kept the Elephants on the edge. The tension heightened…
The vice-president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Shehu Dikko, has praised the head coach of the national team, Jose Peseiro, for his courageous decision-making during the semi-final match against South Africa in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles secured victory through a penalty shoot-out against Bafana Bafana on Wednesday night. Dikko, expressing his sentiments on his verified X page, commended Peseiro for placing trust in other players from his squad as the game entered its crucial phases. In his message, Dikko congratulated Jose Peseiro, acknowledging the coach’s fearless and deliberate choices. He specifically highlighted Peseiro’s decision…
South Africa extends congratulations to Nigeria’s Super Eagles for securing a spot in the AFCON finals. Bafana Bafana acknowledges their defeat in the semi-finals via penalties and pays tribute to Nigeria’s excellent performance throughout the competition. In a farewell message on social media, South Africa’s national team credits Nigeria for their achievement and expresses gratitude to the citizens of their country for unwavering support during the tournament. The post reads: “Well done to Nigeria 🇳🇬 for making it to the final of AFCON 2023. South Africa 🇿🇦, thank you so much for your unwavering support for @BafanaBafana throughout this tournament.”…
Stanley Nwabali is determined to deliver more impressive performances for the Super Eagles, as reported by DAILY POST. The Chippa United goalkeeper showcased his skills in the semi-final triumph against South Africa on Wednesday night. Nwabali, who stood out during the penalty shootout, saved two kicks and demonstrated excellence throughout the game, contributing to the Super Eagles’ 4-2 victory on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time. Expressing his commitment, the 27-year-old stated at a press conference in Bouake, “I want to maintain consistency whenever I represent my country.” Following his outstanding performance, Nwabali was honored with…
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has become a sought-after player due to his outstanding performances at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Chippa United’s first-choice stopper in the Premier Soccer League, Nwabali, is reportedly attracting interest, particularly from Kaizer Chiefs. Nigeria’s head coach, Jose Peseiro, chose the 27-year-old as the team’s primary goalkeeper over Francis Uzoho for the AFCON tournament. Nwabali has showcased his skills in six matches, conceding only two goals against Equatorial Guinea and South Africa, contributing significantly to the Super Eagles’ progress in the continental competition. The tournament marks Nigeria’s chance to secure victory since their last…
In the pivotal semi-final clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, Peter Obi, the LP flag bearer, expressed his appreciation on the platform formerly known as Twitter following the Super Eagles’ triumphant performance. Peter Obi Reacts to Super Eagles Victory over South Africa Today marked yet another moment of triumph for Nigeria as our national football team, the Super Eagles, demonstrated exceptional determination, overcoming South Africa’s Bafana Bafana to secure a place in the finals of the ongoing AFCON tournament. Despite encountering numerous challenges along the journey, Nigeria emerged victorious in a tense semi-final match…
Manchester United are currently leading the race to secure the services of Brentford striker Ivan Toney, with Arsenal potentially deterred by his £80m price tag. Chelsea, on the other hand, is concentrating its efforts on Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, as per TEAMtalk. Galatasaray has decided against pursuing a move for Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen before the Turkish transfer deadline this week. However, they plan to revisit their interest in the Dane during the summer, according to ESPN. Liverpool is keeping a close eye on the development of Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson with a view to a potential summer transfer, as…
Chelsea smoothly advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday night, securing a surprising one-sided victory over Aston Villa in a fourth-round replay at Villa Park. Conor Gallagher opened the scoring with his first goal of the season early in the game, establishing dominance. Nicolas Jackson, making his first start since returning from international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, added to the lead. Enzo Fernandez extended Chelsea’s advantage soon after halftime, putting the game beyond Villa’s reach. A late goal from Villa substitute Moussa Diaby in stoppage time provided a consolation but couldn’t overshadow Chelsea’s…
Since Todd Boehly acquired Chelsea Football Club in June 2022 from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the club has experienced a notable decline. Despite a substantial investment of over a billion pounds in three transfer windows, the team’s on-field performance has not reflected the significant financial outlay. Chelsea, traditionally known as the Blues, has faced mounting pressure from supporters accustomed to success, particularly after consecutive league defeats against Liverpool and Wolves, where they conceded eight goals. Mauricio Pochettino, the current manager, has come under scrutiny, with fans clamoring for his dismissal. In response to the challenging situation, Chelsea legend Didier Drogba…
Hugo Broos, the head coach of South Africa, expressed his belief that his team outperformed Nigeria in the semi-final clash on Wednesday, despite the 2-4 penalty shootout loss. Despite falling behind in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) game, the Bafana Bafana managed to force extra time. Reflecting on the defeat, Broos argued that his team played exceptionally well and deserved to emerge victorious. Acknowledging the challenges of football, Broos highlighted the strong performance of his team, especially in the first half. He emphasized their dominance with the best chances, contrasting it with Nigeria’s limited opportunities. Broos mentioned tactical…
Barcelona’s managerial contender, Hansi Flick, is reportedly in the process of learning Spanish and remains open to the prospect of succeeding Xavi, as per a recent report. With Xavi set to step down at the end of the 2023/24 season, Barcelona is actively searching for a new head coach. The club has a tradition of appointing managers with past ties to the team as players, with ex-midfielder Thiago Motta and former defender Rafa Marquez being among the names linked to the role this time. Motta, currently coaching Bologna in Serie A, is in contention, while Marquez is at the helm…
Manchester United is reportedly planning to focus on signing players entering the final year of their contracts in the upcoming summer transfer window, as per a report. During the January window, the Red Devils concentrated on streamlining Erik ten Hag’s squad and did not secure any signings, despite the manager expressing a desire to bring in a striker. A recent report from 90min indicated that Timo Werner was on their shortlist before his loan move from RB Leipzig to Tottenham Hotspur, and Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy was also of interest. United’s commitment to complying with the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability…
The revelation of Victor Osimhen’s injury has sent shockwaves through Nigerian football, casting uncertainty over the Super Eagles’ crucial Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against South Africa. Victor Osimhen, who missed the Super Eagles’ journey to Bouaké on Monday due to abdominal discomfort, is currently being assessed by the team medics in Abidjan. If deemed fit, he may join the team later today, according to The Athletic. However, amid the initial disappointment, a different perspective is emerging: could Osimhen’s injury, if he’s unfit for Wednesday’s clash, actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the team? Osimhen’s Undeniable…
The Confederation of African Football has assigned Egyptian official Amin Mohamed Omar as the referee for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, scheduled for Wednesday. The match, set to kick off at 5 pm Cote d’Ivoire time (6 pm in Nigeria), will have Omar’s compatriots, Mahmoud Kamel Abouelregal and Ahmed Hossam Ibrahim, serving as assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2, respectively. Sudanese Mahmood Ali Ismail will act as the fourth official. Attia Essa Amsaaed from Libya is designated as the reserve assistant referee, while Yacoub Ali Elmi from…