The stage is set for an exciting showdown as Nigeria and Ivory Coast face off in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday. While both teams possess formidable attacking prowess, the selection of Super Eagles’ front-three will be pivotal in breaking through the Elephants’ defense. Who should Jose Peseiro unleash against Ivory Coast? The Proven Trio: 1. Victor Osimhen: The talismanic Napoli striker brings physical strength and goal-scoring instincts, crucial for stretching Ivory Coast’s defense with his adept movement and finishing. 2. Moses Simon: The Villarreal winger injects pace, trickery, and directness into the attack. His ability to…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Arsenal is set to pursue their aspirations of claiming their inaugural UEFA Champions League title as they prepare to face FC Porto in the opening leg of their round of 16 clashes. POR vs ARS: UCL Round of 16 – Preview, Date, and Kickoff Time The English Premier League powerhouse enters this high-stakes encounter following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against PSV Eindhoven in their recent competition fixture. Eager to secure a victory against the Portuguese side, Arsenal aims to enhance their chances of advancing to the next phase. FC Porto, having secured a convincing 5-3 win against Shakter Donestk in…
Karim Benzema reportedly left an Al Ittihad training session on Monday after refusing to follow manager Marcelo Gallardo’s instructions. Throughout the January transfer window, questions arose about the Frenchman’s future in Saudi Arabia, especially when he didn’t return to training promptly after a mid-season break. Although it was later clarified that Benzema was genuinely stranded in Mauritius due to a cyclone warning, rumors persisted regarding his discontent with life in the Middle East. Despite links to Chelsea and Manchester United, Saudi dealmakers reportedly wanted Benzema to stay at Al Ittihad until at least the summer, with discussions planned for a…
Former Chelsea assistant manager Jody Morris has disclosed that Declan Rice was willing to return to Stamford Bridge in 2020, but Chelsea decided against pursuing the deal. Morris, who worked alongside Frank Lampard during his tenure as Chelsea’s permanent manager from 2019 to 2021, shared details about the club’s interest in re-signing Rice, who was released from Chelsea as a 14-year-old. According to Morris, Lampard initially expressed uncertainty about signing Rice, stating, “I don’t know, I haven’t really seen enough of him.” However, after a closer evaluation, Lampard became interested in Rice. Morris revealed, “About a month later, he was…
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag remains hopeful that center-back Lisandro Martinez will make a comeback before the conclusion of the season, despite his recent injury setback. Martinez sustained medial collateral ligament damage in his right knee during Sunday’s 3-0 victory over West Ham United. Although he initially attempted to continue playing, he eventually had to concede defeat in the 71st minute. The club later confirmed the nature of the injury and projected an absence of at least eight weeks, ruling out a return before April and casting doubt on his participation for the remainder of the campaign. Speaking at…
William Troost-Ekong has now matched Stephen Keshi’s record as the highest-scoring defender in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, as reported by Newsmen. The center-back secured his fourth goal in the AFCON finals during Nigeria’s semi-final triumph against South Africa on Wednesday night. Stephen Keshi, a former Super Eagles captain and coach, previously held the distinction as the sole defender to achieve this feat. Troost-Ekong initiated his AFCON goal tally in Nigeria’s 2-1 semi-final victory against South Africa at the AFCON 2019 finals hosted by Egypt. He then doubled his tally in a group game against Sudan two…
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…
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…