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…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
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…
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has shared insights into the strong bond he has formed with Gabriel Magalhaes during his initial six months at the club. Having made a record-breaking £105 million move from West Ham United in July, Rice quickly integrated into the Arsenal dressing room, naming Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus, and Aaron Ramsdale among his friends. However, he highlighted a special connection with Brazilian center-back Gabriel. “I’ve formed a lot of really good relationships here,” Rice revealed to Arsenal.com. “There’s a lot of different cultures, and I’m really close with Gabriel Magalhaes – we get on so, so well.…
Karim Benzema has alerted Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea by expressing his desire to leave Al Ittihad this month. The veteran striker’s move to the Saudi Pro League has soured, and he has informed the club of his wish to go on loan before the January window closes. According to AFP, a source close to the player revealed that Benzema rejected an offer to move to another Saudi Arabian club. In a reportedly tense meeting, he conveyed to his current employers that he feels unable to perform at his best due to the current pressure at Al Ittihad. The…
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips is poised to embark on a loan spell with West Ham following an agreement reached between the two Premier League clubs on Tuesday. Since his £45 million move from Leeds in July 2022, Phillips has featured in just 31 matches under Pep Guardiola. In December, Guardiola openly acknowledged that he couldn’t envision the English midfielder in his team. The 28-year-old is now on the verge of departing the Etihad on a temporary basis, with an option for a permanent move to West Ham. Phillips will return from City’s warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi alongside…
Andre Onana observed from the sidelines on Tuesday night as Cameroon staged a late comeback against Gambia, securing a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout rounds after narrowly avoiding potential elimination in the group stage. The Manchester United goalkeeper’s arrival in Ivory Coast, the host country, was delayed due to his commitment to the club. Unfortunately, he missed Cameroon’s opening Group C fixture against Guinea, which ended in a 1-1 draw due to travel delays caused by adverse weather conditions. In the subsequent match against Senegal, Onana had the opportunity to play but couldn’t make any saves in…
Mauricio Pochettino’s squad delivered one of their standout performances of the 2023/24 season, securing a place at Wembley and shattering Middlesbrough’s aspirations for a cup upset. The Blues will face either Liverpool or Fulham in the final next month, with the Reds carrying a 2-1 lead to Craven Cottage on Wednesday. Game Highlights: While Middlesbrough initially controlled the game, Chelsea came close to an early lead as Thiago Silva’s long ball set up Ben Chilwell’s run, but his header looped over the bar. Chelsea broke the deadlock on 15 minutes, as Chilwell’s run and Raheem Sterling’s assist allowed Armando Broja…
West Ham United has reached an agreement with Manchester City for the loan of Kalvin Phillips, as reported by 90min. The 28-year-old midfielder has seen limited playing time during his 18-month tenure at City, accumulating just 390 minutes in the Premier League across 16 appearances. Despite featuring more regularly in cup competitions and European matches, Phillips has faced increased competition in City’s midfield. West Ham has secured a loan deal for Phillips until the end of the season, with the Europa Conference League winners covering his wages. The agreement is believed to include an option to buy in the summer.…
The president of the Cameroon Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, was captured celebrating with players and coaches after their qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 on Tuesday night. In a viral video on social media, Eto’o joined the jubilant scene in the dressing room following Cameroon’s 3-2 victory over Gambia in their final Group C fixture. The former Chelsea and Inter Milan striker enthusiastically danced and embraced all the players. The Indomitable Lions are now set to face Nigeria in the Round of 16. The Super Eagles secured the second spot in Group A, trailing behind…