South Africa’s goalkeeper, Rowen Williams, has disclosed the high regard his Nigerian counterpart, Stanley Nwabali, holds for him. Nwabali has exhibited exceptional form for the South African club, Chippa United, this season, boasting the third-best clean sheets record in the league. Notably, he has maintained four consecutive clean sheets during the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. Reflecting on Nwabali’s impressive performance, Williams shared, “I’m happy for him. I had a chat with him when we played each other in Port Elizabeth, and it’s quite surprising that he told me I inspire him.” Williams expressed his satisfaction…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Former Real Madrid standout Isco has implored midfielder Toni Kroos not to consider retirement from professional football in the near future. Speculation arose about Kroos contemplating retirement during the previous season. Ultimately, the German footballer opted for a one-year contract extension with Real Madrid, a decision shared with teammate Luka Modric. In the ongoing season under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, Kroos has already participated in 30 matches across various competitions. Following Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday, the 34-year-old shared his sentiments on Instagram, stating, “Proud of the team. We move on.” Isco,…
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has shared his ideal five-a-side team in a recent conversation on The Official Man City Podcast. Haaland’s dream lineup includes Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In detailing his chosen five players, the Norwegian international mentioned: “I think I need to take a couple of Brazilians then. I would like to see Ronaldinho, Messi, Cristiano, [Paolo] Maldini to be back there, then I need a ‘keeper, no? I would take [Iker] Casillas.” Haaland played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s successful campaign, securing a Treble last season. Additionally, he attained the second position in the 2023…
Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho remained conspicuously absent from the pre-match press conference leading up to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against South Africa, underscoring the ongoing discord with head coach Jose Peseiro. Iheanacho has yet to make an appearance during the current tournament in Ivory Coast. Peseiro had attributed his limited playing time to ongoing recovery from injury. Notably, other players like Terem Moffi, Ahmed Musa, Bruno Onyemaechi, among others, have also not been featured. Despite the announcement by CAF that Iheanacho would join Peseiro for the press conference ahead of the clash against Bafana Bafana, the player…
Son Heung-min is set to make a prompt return to Tottenham Hotspur following the unexpected elimination of his South Korea side from the Asian Cup on Tuesday. Despite being considered favorites to win the competition, South Korea suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat to Jordan in one of the tournament’s major upsets. The final opponent for Qatar or Iran awaits. While this outcome is undoubtedly disappointing for Son and South Korea, Spurs fans will likely anticipate the return of their star forward to club-level action sooner than initially anticipated. Brighton & Hove Albion is Spurs’ next opponent on February 10, which…
Jose Mourinho is reportedly eager for the opportunity to return for a third stint as Chelsea manager, according to a recent report. Current Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is facing significant pressure as his team has dropped back into the bottom half of the Premier League table. After Chelsea’s 4-2 defeat to Wolves over the weekend, some fans inside Stamford Bridge were heard chanting Mourinho’s name. Mourinho, who is currently without a coaching position after departing Roma in January, has expressed his fondness for Chelsea since leaving England. The Daily Mail reports that he would “love” to return to Stamford Bridge…
Zaidu Sanusi faces significant uncertainty regarding his participation in Nigeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash with South Africa, as reported by DAILY POST. The left-back from Porto was absent from the team’s final training session in Bouake on Tuesday night, having struggled with injury throughout the AFCON 2023 finals. Sanusi, who has started four out of Nigeria’s five games in Cote d’Ivoire, has received criticism for his cautious performances for the Super Eagles during the tournament. In the potential absence of Sanusi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi are being considered as possible replacements in the starting lineup against…
Nigerian economist and Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has called upon the Super Eagles to emerge victorious in their football match against South Africa scheduled for Wednesday. Using her Twitter platform on Tuesday, the former finance minister extended her well-wishes to the senior team and urged them to triumph over the South African squad in the semi-final clash set to take place at Stade Bouaké in Bouaké, Ivory Coast. In pushing for success, Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the importance of securing a win in the semi-finals to advance to the finals of the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON).…
Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly contemplating a tactical shift at Chelsea to revive their season after a string of poor results. Chelsea suffered a 4-2 defeat to Wolves on Sunday, leaving them in 11th place in the Premier League, with their aspirations of a Champions League return diminishing. According to reports from the Standard UK, the Chelsea coach is exploring the option of adopting a three-man defense to enhance the team’s defensive solidity. This tactical adjustment is seen as a measure to provide better protection for Thiago Silva, who faced vulnerabilities in the recent loss to Wolves. The potential tactical change…
Chelsea fans voiced their frustration on social media following a 4-2 loss to Wolves at Stamford Bridge, with many directing criticism toward manager Mauricio Pochettino. Despite his past success in the EFL Cup, some supporters are questioning his leadership, especially leading up to the final against Liverpool later this month. Chelsea’s recent decline in the league standings has added to fans’ growing dissatisfaction. Interestingly, a number of fans have suggested that 61-year-old Jose Mourinho should take over from Pochettino as the team’s manager. One fan expressed urgency, stating, “Sack Pochettino and hire Jose Mourinho now before we return to London.”…
Former Super Eagles captain and Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has made his prediction for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, foreseeing a showdown between Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Ivory Coast secured a 2-1 victory against Mali, while the Super Eagles triumphed over Angola, earning them spots in the tournament’s last four. Nigeria is scheduled to face South Africa in the initial semifinal on Wednesday evening, while Ivory Coast will contend with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mikel’s forecast implies a potential rematch between the two teams, as they previously clashed in the group stage, with Jose Peseiro’s…
Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, has responded to reports linking Jurgen Klopp to the club’s head coaching position. As Barcelona intensifies its search for a new head coach, Klopp’s name has emerged as a potential candidate. In a recent interview, Deco, deeply connected to Barcelona both as a former player and current director, addressed the swirling rumors, shedding light on the club’s current stance regarding their managerial situation. Deco Offers Insights on Klopp Speculation Deco, recognizing Klopp’s coaching prowess, described him as a “top coach.” However, he swiftly tempered expectations and speculation, stating, “Klopp is a top coach, but I don’t…
As reported by Standard, the upcoming semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will showcase host nation Ivory Coast as they seek to continue their impressive journey against DR Congo. Ivory Coast vs DR Congo: Team News, Date, Kick-off Time, and Venue Despite parting ways with their manager after a 4-0 defeat in the final group game, the Elephants secured a place in the knockout stage. Under interim coach Emerse Fae’s guidance, they clinched a tense penalty shootout victory over Senegal. The quarter-final against Mali was filled with extraordinary moments, featuring a 90th-minute equalizer from Simon Adringra and a…
Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has disclosed his football role model. Nwabali expressed admiration for Bayern Munich legend Manuel Neuer, citing him as his mentor. He emphasized his fondness for watching videos of Neuer before match days, finding motivation from the legendary goalkeeper. During an interview at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, Nwabali also mentioned his enjoyment of playing as Neuer on PlayStation. In a video shared by photojournalist Pooja on X, the Chippa United star stated, “I love playing my PlayStation, I love watching my role model, I love watching Manuel Neuer even before…
Several football legends, including Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, and Michael Owen, are slated to participate in a high-profile over-35s World Cup set to take place this summer, as reported by the Daily Mail. Organized by the Elite Players Group (EPG), the tournament, known as the EPG Cup, will feature eight teams, each representing past FIFA World Cup champions: England, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Uruguay. To be eligible for participation, players must be over the age of 35 and have earned national caps or made 100 top-flight appearances. The team captains, who also happen to be founders of the…
The Super Eagles have garnered a prize of $2.5 million (N3 billion) for advancing to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Following their 1-0 victory over Angola last Friday, Nigeria is set to face South Africa in the semi-final with a chance to secure a spot in Sunday’s final. Jose Peseiro’s squad, alongside South Africa, DR Congo, and hosts Ivory Coast, has already secured a $2.5 million prize. Prior to the tournament, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe had announced a 40% increase in prize money. Should Nigeria progress to the final, they stand to earn a minimum of…
The Nigeria High Commission in South Africa has cautioned Nigerians to exercise caution in their celebrations and expressions if the Super Eagles emerge victorious against the Bafana Bafana in the upcoming African Cup of Nations semi-final match. This advisory comes in response to alleged inflammatory online comments made by some South Africans against Nigerians residing in the country. The High Commission issued the warning through a statement titled “Advisory on Safe Conduct for Nigerians in South Africa Before, During and After 2024 AFCON Match Between Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana,” released on Monday, February 5, 2024. The statement urged Nigerians…
Reports suggest that the FA Cup, a fixture in English football for 153 years, may undergo an unprecedented rule change, marking a significant departure from its historical norms. Unlike the recent introduction of VAR, which represented a notable shift, the FA Cup has seen relatively few revolutionary alterations over time. While the FA has experimented with the removal and subsequent reinstatement of replays in the third and fourth rounds, discussions now revolve around a potentially groundbreaking rule change. According to The Times, the FA is seriously considering implementing sin-bins, where players could be temporarily sent off for 10 minutes for…
The 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, held in Ivory Coast, has progressed to the semi-final stage, with four teams just two victories away from claiming the trophy. In the first semi-final, three-time AFCON champions Nigeria will face South Africa, while the second semi-final features hosts Ivory Coast against DR Congo. Each of the remaining four teams has previously secured the AFCON title, with DR Congo enduring the longest drought since their last continental triumph in 1974. The tournament, scheduled to conclude on February 12 with the final match, has led to the departure of numerous players from their clubs…
As per Standard reports, the clash to determine the first finalist for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations between South Africa and Nigeria on Wednesday will be influenced by their formidable defenses. Nigeria and South Africa, set to face off, have both showcased strong defensive performances. The Super Eagles have allowed only one goal in this AFCON, securing a hard-fought victory over Angola to reach the semi-finals. Their defensive resilience has been noteworthy, evident in their solid record. Bafana Bafana, equally impressive, boast four consecutive clean sheets, with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams playing a crucial role in their penalty shootout success…