After securing a 3-1 victory against Cameroon in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal’s head coach, Aliou Cisse, was swiftly admitted to a hospital in Ivory Coast, where he will spend the night. The match at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium was followed by Cisse experiencing stomach discomfort, prompting his admission to Saint Joseph Moscati Catholic Hospital in Yamoussoukro. Despite the health scare, reports indicate that the 47-year-old coach is on a positive path to recovery. However, he will be absent from the team’s training session the following day. Providing updates on Cisse’s health, El Hadji Diouf, a former…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Real Madrid has received a significant boost with the return of versatile player Lucas Vazquez from injury ahead of their La Liga clash with Almeria on Sunday. The seasoned player had been sidelined since the 1-0 victory over Mallorca earlier this month due to a hamstring injury, causing him to miss the Supercopa de Espana finals. Despite being absent from the last four games, the 32-year-old has been included in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the Almeria match as Real Madrid aims to reclaim the top spot in La Liga from Girona. Lucas Vazquez, a nine-time Spain international, has provided two…
Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho has shared his thoughts on the experience of playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, one of his role models, at Old Trafford. Sancho and Ronaldo were teammates for 37 matches across various competitions for the Red Devils until the Portuguese star’s contract was mutually terminated in November 2022. Reflecting on the time spent training and playing alongside the Al-Nassr captain, Sancho expressed his gratitude to Ronaldo in an interview with Borussia Dortmund’s media team (via @TeamCRonaldo on X): “Playing with Cristiano Ronaldo was a dream come true. He’s a great professional and one of my role models…
Arsenal cruised to a 5-0 triumph over Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium, putting an end to a four-game winless streak in all competitions. The Gunners seized control early in the first half, with center-back Gabriel rising above the Palace defense to head the hosts into the lead. Gabriel added another goal before halftime, securing a two-goal advantage for Mikel Arteta’s side with another header at the far post. In the straightforward second half, Leandro Trossard added a third for Arsenal in the 59th minute, while Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time brace sealed a convincing victory for the Gunners…
Cameroon manager Rigobert Song has chosen not to single out goalkeeper Andre Onana following his team’s significant 3-1 loss to Senegal. Onana, who had missed the tournament’s opening match due to his delayed departure from Manchester United, was back in the starting lineup for Friday’s game. However, he couldn’t prevent Senegal from securing a substantial victory. Criticism was directed at Onana for Senegal’s third goal, scored late by Sadio Mane, as he seemed to take an extended time to react to a low strike, extinguishing Cameroon’s hopes of salvaging a crucial point. “I’m not going to blame anyone; I’m going…
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has emphasized the need for players to shoulder the responsibility for the team’s lackluster performance this season. Despite being only eight points adrift of the top spot, the reigning La Liga champions have fallen below expectations, particularly in games where they secured narrow one-goal victories. The recent 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana final and a close call against third-tier Unionistas in the Copa del Rey have heightened the pressure on manager Xavi. Kounde, however, urged the players to reflect on their individual and collective performances on the pitch. Speaking after the…
Chelsea is contemplating the acquisition of Bayern Munich sensation Alphonso Davies to enhance the squad under the leadership of manager Mauricio Pochettino. As reported by Football London, Chelsea is closely monitoring Davies and is devising a plan to secure the 23-year-old, who is also being pursued by Real Madrid. According to the report, the West London club in the Premier League is prepared to make a significant move for the Canadian left-back during the upcoming summer transfer window. Davies is currently under contract with Bayern Munich until the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. Chelsea has faced challenges on the left…
Daniele De Rossi made an impactful debut on the Roma bench, steering the team to a 2-1 victory over Verona. This triumph followed a challenging period for the club, marked by the departure of former manager Jose Mourinho due to a series of disappointing results. Roma’s legendary figure, De Rossi, quickly implemented his tactical approach, opting for a 4-3-2-1 formation. Despite facing challenges such as the absence of key players due to suspensions, international duties, and injuries, Roma successfully clinched the win. The breakthrough occurred when Stephan El Shaarawy set up Romelu Lukaku, who calmly found the back of the…
Reverend Jedidia Henry Kore, a Ghanaian prophet widely known as Prophet Fire Ogya, anticipates that the Black Stars, Ghana’s senior men’s national team, will exit the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations during the group stage. Prophet Fire Ogya gained attention for accurately predicting the outcome of Ghana’s initial match against Cape Verde, which ended in a 2-1 loss for Ghana. However, his forecast for Ghana’s subsequent game against Egypt, where he predicted a defeat and suggested winger Mohamed Kudus would struggle, did not materialize. The Black Stars ultimately played to a 2-2 draw against Egypt, with Kudus scoring twice. In…
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo emphasized that the Saudi Pro League surpasses the French Ligue 1. Ronaldo, who made this statement following his recognition at the Globe Soccer Awards on January 19, attested to the league’s quality after a year of playing there. The 36-year-old, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, joined Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League less than two months after parting ways with Manchester United. Ronaldo’s prolific performance in 2023 saw him score an impressive 44 goals for Al Nassr, ending the year as the world’s top goalscorer when including his goals for Portugal. Despite never playing…
Manchester United has officially announced the appointment of Omar Berrada as their new CEO, confirming his transition from his previous role as chief football operations officer at City Football Group, where he notably served Manchester City. This move comes following the departure of former Man Utd CEO Richard Arnold in November, coinciding with INEOS Group’s negotiations for a 25% stake in the club. Omar Berrada, recognized for his extensive experience in top-tier European football, previously held significant positions at Barcelona. The club emphasized its commitment to refocusing on football and on-field performance, with Berrada’s appointment as the initial step in…
Manchester United has renewed their interest in Bayern Munich’s former player Matthijs de Ligt, who previously played under manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax. De Ligt is reportedly open to leaving, and Arsenal has also been linked to the player (Mirror). Red Devils’ manager Ten Hag is keen on reuniting with Ajax forward Brian Brobbey at Old Trafford (Sky Sport Germany). Bayern Munich had their sights on Ronald Araujo, offering €75m (£64m) for the center-back. However, Barcelona rejected the approach and intends to extend a new contract to Araujo (SportBild). Manchester City is poised to secure the signing of Troyes…
Didier Drogba is confident that the Super Eagles of Nigeria possess the potential to emerge victorious and secure the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Ivory Coast football legend expressed his optimism amid Nigeria’s noteworthy 1-0 triumph over the hosts in the ongoing AFCON 2023, a result that surprised many due to the perceived strength of the opposition led by Jose Peseiro. In an interview with Official54fx, Drogba acknowledged Nigeria’s capabilities, suggesting that they could advance far in the tournament, even though they may not be considered among the favorites. He commented, “They can go far. But we [Ivory Coast]…
Egypt’s hopes at the Africa Cup of Nations suffered a significant setback on Friday as captain Mohamed Salah was ruled out of two games due to a hamstring injury. The Egyptian Football Association confirmed in a statement that Liverpool star Salah won’t be available for selection unless Egypt advances to the quarter-finals of the tournament. Salah, who came off late in the first half during Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday, will miss the final group game against Cape Verde on Monday and any subsequent last-16 match. With two draws in their opening games, Egypt must secure a victory…
Cape Verde has become the first nation to secure a spot in the knockout stages of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Mozambique 3-0. This victory positions them as likely Group B winners, a group that includes traditional football powerhouses like Egypt and Ghana. Cape Verde’s earlier warning sign, a 2-1 triumph over Ghana in the tournament’s opening fixture, was seemingly overlooked. Wale Agbede, the Head of Sports at Plus TV, emphasized Cape Verde’s historical competence in such tournaments, recalling their noteworthy performance three tournaments ago, where they reached the quarter-finals but faced unfortunate officiating. Despite the general…
Guinea-Bissau’s head coach, Baciro Cande, vows that his team will give their utmost effort against Nigeria, as reported by DAILY POST. Having suffered defeats to hosts Cote d’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea in their initial two matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the Djurtus find themselves without a win and must now defeat the Super Eagles to have a shot at progressing to the Round of 16. “We have one game left to close the group stage, and we hope to win,” stated Cande following his team’s loss to Equatorial Guinea on Thursday. Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau clashed in the…
Players from the Nigeria Premier Football League have lauded the exceptional performance of Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali in the triumphant match against Cote d’Ivoire. Nwabali played a pivotal role in securing Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over the hosts last Thursday, achieving his first clean sheet for the Super Eagles. The NPFL players commended Nwabali’s confidence, precise ball distribution, and crucial saves during the match against the host nation. Kingdom Osayi, goalkeeper for Doma United, remarked, “Nwabali’s command of the box was exceptional, and he truly stood tall for the national team when he was needed the most.” Endurance Ebedebiri, Rivers…
Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has provided insight into his decision to let captain William Troost-Ekong take a penalty during Nigeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory over Ivory Coast on Thursday. Osimhen earned a penalty after being fouled in the box during the match. Despite being the designated number one penalty taker for the Super Eagles, many anticipated Napoli’s attacker to take the spot-kick against the host nation. Surprisingly, Troost-Ekong stepped forward and successfully converted the penalty, securing a 1-0 win for the Super Eagles. In response to questions about the decision, whether it was his choice or…
Nigerian standout striker Victor Osimhen has emphasized the importance of not underestimating Guinea-Bissau in the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations fixture. Scheduled to face the Djurtus at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan next Monday, Jose Peseiro’s men are coming off a 1-0 victory against hosts Cote d’Ivoire in their second competition match at the Alassane Quattara Stadium on Thursday. With Guinea-Bissau facing potential elimination after losses in their initial two games against Cote d’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea, Osimhen acknowledges the need for the Super Eagles to approach the match with determination. Guinea-Bissau would have to defeat Nigeria…
Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu, has asserted that every participating country in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) fears Nigeria. Kanu made this statement following the Super Eagles’ 1-0 victory against Ivory Coast in a Group A match on Thursday. Captain William Troost-Ekong secured the three points for Nigeria with a penalty goal at the Stade Olympique Ouattara. With this result, Nigeria currently holds the second position in Group A, accumulating four points from two games, while Ivory Coast sits in third place with three points from two matches. The Super Eagles will face Guinea-Bissau in their…