Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has addressed speculations surrounding his future, particularly the links with Premier League clubs Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal. The Frenchman, who joined Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League six months ago from Real Madrid, is reportedly considering a move away. Despite the transfer rumors, the 36-year-old Ballon d’Or winner has refuted the claims about his potential departure, expressing that the reports are untrue. Benzema also criticized the French media for creating unfounded stories. In his statement to L’Equipe, quoted by The Mirror, Benzema said, “It is completely false! The French media don’t know what…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
South Africa secured their place in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group E with a goalless draw against Tunisia. Despite a slow start in the tournament, Bafana Bafana advanced to the knockout stage, narrowly surpassing Namibia, who finished third with the same number of points. Conversely, Tunisia had a challenging time in the group, failing to secure a win and accumulating only two points in three games. They drew against Mali in their second group stage match after losing the first to Namibia. South Africa has now joined group leaders Mali, who also played to a goalless draw against…
Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, recently opted to dismiss head coach Chris Hughton following a disappointing performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The decision was made after Ghana’s early exit from the tournament, culminating in just two points in Group B, drawing 2-2 with both Egypt and Mozambique, and succumbing to an initial 2-1 defeat by Cape Verde. Several factors contributed to Hughton’s dismissal: 1. Poor Group Stage Performance: Ghana’s showing in the AFCON 2023 group stage was lackluster, failing to secure a victory and resulting in an early departure from the tournament. 2. Inconsistent…
As the knockout stage of AFCON 2023 gradually takes form, the spotlight shifts to the Golden Boot race, with the unexpected twists in the tournament capturing everyone’s attention. Initial discussions and predictions about potential top goal-scorers in AFCON 2023 have been rendered obsolete as key players representing their countries defy expectations, stepping up to make a significant impact on the tournament. They have not only put their nations on the map but have also provided their teams with a competitive edge in the pursuit of the coveted title on the continent. Leading the charge as the highest goal-scorer at AFCON…
Reviewing the group phase of the Africa Cup of Nations that challenged preconceptions about the continental showcase. The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations group stage has been filled with drama, reaching new heights in Cote d’Ivoire. Predictions that the host nation would depend on other group results and that defending champions Algeria might exit early were scoffed at initially. Despite Algeria’s undefeated streak since November 2022, they failed to secure a win in the group stage, continuing their winless run since the 2019 final. The tournament opener between Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau set the stage for a compelling group phase.…
Continuing their pursuit of a domestic double, the North London Blues aim for a spot in the FA Cup fifth round as they face Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. CHE vs AVL: Match Preview, Kick-Off Time, Team News, and Potential Starting Lineup After a convincing 6-1 victory over Middlesbrough on Tuesday, Chelsea secured a place in the EFL Cup final. Match Preview Mauricio Pochettino, now at the helm of Chelsea, is on the verge of leading his new team to domestic success after facing challenges during his five-year tenure at Tottenham Hotspur. Chelsea’s triumphant journey to Wembley, propelled by goals…
Jose Peseiro, aiming to guide the Nigeria Super Eagles to a fourth AFCON title in Cote d’Ivoire, has disclosed rejecting a contract extension despite leading Nigeria to the round of 16 at AFCON 2023. In an interview with SportTV+ via record pt, coach Peseiro shed light on his decision. Despite a challenging start in the 34th AFCON, the Portuguese manager successfully steered Nigeria to the round of 16. Reflecting on the journey so far, Peseiro, the former Porto manager, emphasized Nigeria’s commendable performance in a tough competition. He acknowledged the pre-tournament favorites but highlighted the unpredictability, atmospheric conditions, and the…
The Super Eagles are set to recommence training today in preparation for their Round of 16 clash against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in AFCON 2023. Tuesday served as a designated rest day for the squad. As outlined in a statement by Super Eagles media officer Babafemi Raji, training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday will be conducted behind closed doors. However, the media will have access to the first 15 minutes of Friday’s session. Under the guidance of coach Jose Peseiro, the team has been practicing at the Police College in Cocody since arriving in Abidjan for the 2023 Africa…
An electrifying moment unfolded at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro as Angola secured victory over Burkina Faso, propelling them to the top of Group D and resulting in the elimination of the 2019 champions. The atmosphere in the stadium was transformed as the dust settled, casting a gritty shroud over what was once a vibrant spectacle of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). As a journalist covering this significant football event in Ivory Coast, I, along with some colleagues, traveled from Yamoussoukro to Abidjan for the games, which included the defending champions defeating Guinea and the Group D…
Romelu Lukaku has revived speculation about a potential move to Saudi Arabia by expressing his belief that the Saudi Pro League will become “the best league in the world” in the coming years. Following a tumultuous return to Chelsea, Lukaku had the opportunity to join the Middle East’s Al Hilal, but he declined the offer, aiming for a return to Inter. However, complications with Juventus led to both clubs withdrawing their interest, paving the way for Roma to sign him on a season-long loan. During Roma’s training sessions in Saudi Arabia, Lukaku shared his thoughts on the Saudi Pro League,…
Barcelona has been ousted from the Copa del Rey after a 4-2 defeat against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night. In an exhilarating quarter-final showdown, brothers Inaki and Nico Williams both found the net during extra time. Gorka Guruzeta opened the scoring for the hosts with an early strike from a rebound within the first minute. Barca retaliated before halftime, securing two goals in a span of five minutes courtesy of Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal. Athletic staged a comeback, leveling the score in the 49th minute with a towering header from Oihan Sancet, ultimately clinching the victory in extra time.…
Manchester United has officially announced that Anthony Martial is set for an extended period on the sidelines following groin surgery. Having been absent since early December due to illness, manager Erik ten Hag had been vague about Martial’s condition in public statements, citing his unavailability without divulging details. However, it has now been revealed that Martial has been contending with a groin injury. After undergoing successful surgery to address the issue, the striker is expected to be out of action for approximately ten weeks. A club statement reads, “Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has completed successful surgery to address a…
The Round of 16 matchups for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations have been officially confirmed following the conclusion of all group stage matches on Wednesday night. Notable encounters include Nigeria versus Cameroon, Senegal against hosts Cote d’Ivoire, and Morocco facing off against South Africa. The Round of 16 fixtures is set to commence on Saturday, January 27, and will conclude on Tuesday, January 30. The full schedule is as follows: – Angola vs Namibia – Nigeria vs Cameroon – Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea – Egypt vs Congo DR – Cape Verde vs Mauritania – Senegal vs Cote d’Ivoire -…
Djamel Belmadi, the coach of Algeria, has resigned from his position as head coach of the national team following their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations finals on Tuesday. While there has been no official announcement from Belmadi or the Algerian football federation, Algerie Presse Service, a state-run news agency, reported on Wednesday that Belmadi disclosed his decision in the changing room after Algeria’s 1-0 loss to Mauritania in Bouake. During the post-match press conference, when asked about his future, Belmadi told reporters, “When we return to the country, I will tell you.” Algeria was scheduled to depart from…
Egyptian football icon Ahmed Hasan has accused Mohamed Salah of orchestrating his departure from the Africa Cup of Nations after sustaining a muscle injury. The Liverpool star was substituted due to a hamstring tweak in Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana, prompting Jurgen Klopp to confirm the club’s intention to fly the 31-year-old back for treatment. Salah, absent from Egypt’s tense draw with Cape Verde as they barely advanced to the knockout stages, is expected to stay away from future matches until fully recovered. Former Egypt captain Hasan, a four-time Africa Cup of Nations winner, expressed his disappointment at Salah’s decision…
FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE – Tuesday night had the potential to end in disaster for Chelsea and head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Entering the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough, they needed to overturn a one-goal deficit after a humiliating defeat by the mid-table Championship side a fortnight ago. With Chelsea positioned ninth in the Premier League, Pochettino, already facing some fan displeasure due to his Tottenham connections, would have been under scrutiny if they had been eliminated. For nearly two decades, Chelsea epitomized a win-at-all-costs mentality on and off the pitch. The BlueCo regime that succeeded Roman Abramovich…
Jose Mourinho faced dismissal from Roma due to inconsistent performances, marking his third consecutive managerial departure after spells with Tottenham and Manchester United. Jose Mourinho’s Compensation by Club 1. Roma: Mourinho received a €3 million payout upon being sacked from his managerial role at Roma. 2. Manchester United: The largest payout came after Mourinho’s departure from Manchester United, with a compensation of €23 million from the Red Devils. 3. Chelsea (First Sacking): Mourinho’s second most substantial payout was €21 million after being sacked from his initial managerial position with Chelsea. 4. Real Madrid: Mourinho’s third highest payout was €20 million…
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has flown back to England for treatment on a hamstring tear, raising concerns about his availability for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and dealing a setback to Liverpool’s title aspirations. The Egyptian forward had to witness his national team’s narrow advancement to the AFCON knockout stage with a 2-2 draw against Cape Verde on Monday from the sidelines. His absence further dampens Egypt’s prospects for securing their first continental title since 2010. The injury, sustained during the match against Ghana, initially carried a glimmer of hope, with the Egyptian Football Association holding onto the possibility of…
Despite a 2-2 draw against Mozambique on Monday night, Ghana remains in contention to progress to the Round of 16 in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Despite surrendering a two-goal lead in their last group game, the Black Stars secured the third position in Group B with two points, trailing behind Cape Verde and Egypt. Although facing a challenging situation, there is still a glimmer of hope for their tournament aspirations. The top four teams finishing third in the group stage will advance to the knockout phase, providing Ghana with a pathway to qualification. To secure advancement, Ghana is…
Heartland’s technical adviser, Christian Obi, assures that his team will emerge stronger in the second half of the 2023-24 Nigeria Premier Football League season. Obi believes there is much for his team to demonstrate in the remaining matches of the campaign. Currently positioned at the bottom of the NPFL table with 16 points, the Naze Millionaires have faced a winless streak in their last two games since Christian Obi’s return to the club. Notably, Obi has been given a five-game ultimatum by the Imo State government. In an interview, Obi expressed optimism, stating, “The league is still open, and Heartland…