Sports Archives | Page 12 of 36

Morocco 2025: Super Eagles to conclude qualifying campaign on November 18

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The Confederation of African Football has picked Monday, November 18 for Nigeria’s final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda, scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. The Matchday 6 encounter will draw the curtain on the race from Group D for slots at the 35thAfrica Cup of Nations finals to be held in Morocco December 2025/January 2026. CAF has also appointed Moroccan match officials for the game, with Samir Guezzaz in the role of referee at the encounter that will commence at 5pm Nigeria time. His compatriots Zakaria Brinsi, Abdessamad Abertoune and Kech Chaf Mustapha will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively. Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana will be the commissioner while Somalian Ali Mohamed Ahmed will be in the role of referee assessor. For the Matchday 5 clash with Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday, 14th November, that will commence at 7pm CIV time (8pm Nigeria time), CAF has appointed officials from Senegal to superintend, with Issa Sy to be referee. His compatriots Djibril Camara, Nouha Bangoura and El Hadji Amadou Sy will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively. Ivorian Rene Williams Sere will be commissioner while Angolan Inacio Manuel Candido will be referee assessor.

2024 Ballon d’Or: Ademola Lookman finishes 14th World’s best

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Atalanta star and Nigeria international Ademola Lookman has finished in 14th place in the final rankings of the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Lamine Yamal becomes youngest Kopa award winner

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal became the youngest ever winner of the Kopa Trophy at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, an award which recognises the best under-21 player in men’s football.

Rivers Hoopers defeat Oluyole Warriors to stay unbeaten

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Rivers Hoopers made it a second consecutive victory following their 77-43 win over Oluyole Warriors in the Atlantic Conference in Benin.

Ballon d’Or faces Real Madrid no-show over Vinicius JR snub

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

Real Madrid announced they would not attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday, believing their star striker Vinicius, widely regarded as the favorite for the men’s award, has been unfairly overlooked.

Man United sacks manager Erik ten Hag

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Manchester United have sacked Erik ten Hag after a dismal start to the season. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new football structure kept Ten Hag in charge after winning the FA Cup but have parted ways with the manager just five months after that success at Wembley. United lost 2-1 against West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday, which represented their fourth loss in nine league games, and Ten Hag was relieved of his duties on Monday. Ten Hag was heavily backed in the summer transfer window and signed Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte but results have been poor. The Dutchman’s spending in time charge of United surpassed £600million and he failed to build on an excellent first season, which saw United finish third and win the Carabao Cup. United contacted other managers in the build-up to the FA Cup final last season. Ten Hag oversaw a stunning victory against Manchester City at Wembley and Ineos decided to extend his contract, despite compelling evidence suggesting he should have been relieved of his duties. The statement confirming Ten Hag had been sacked read: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. “We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future. Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.” Ratcliffe made radical changes after acquiring a minority stake in United and there was mixed reaction to keeping Ten Hag after he oversaw the most defeats in all competitions since 1977/78. Although United won the FA Cup last term, they finished eighth in the Premier League, which was their lowest-ever finish in the top-flight, and recorded a minus goal difference.

Nigeria thump Niger Republic, qualify for 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Cup holders Nigeria reached the final of the 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship in style on Sunday, after a come-from-behind 3-1 thumping of Niger Republic’s Junior Mena in Lome, in the process earning a ticket to next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations. The neighbours to the north went in front after only nine minutes of the second semi-final at the Stade Kegue, but just as they did against Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday, the seven-time African champions were unruffled. Instead, they found a better shape and dominated afterwards, scoring three marvelous goals that took them to the Final, where they clash with West African arch rivals Ghana, who had earlier seen off Cote d’Ivoire 2-1. Against the run of play, the Junior Mena came close to doubling their advantage in the 33rdminute, but Nigeria survived and shortly after, found the equalizer that their endeavour merited. Clinton Jephta finished with aplomb from outside the box to put Flying Eagles on level terms in the 35th minute, after an eye-catching interchange of passes among Kparobo Arierhi, Abba Maigari and Nasiru Salihu. Jephta was on song again 13 minutes after the restart, putting Nigeria ahead for the first time in the match, and goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt deserves praise for his excellent saves that maintained Nigeria’s advantage. The Flying Eagles netted the third in added time, through Olalekan Alonge. President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said: “I commend the fighting spirit of the Flying Eagles in reaching the final of the WAFU B U20 Championship and in the process, winning a slot at the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations. I watched their first match against Burkina Faso (which they lost 0-1) but the team has continued to improve with every match since then. “The NFF is delighted with their performance. We believe they have what it takes to go all the way and successfully defend their title against the Ghanaians in Wednesday’s Final.”

Saka: Arsenal should have won it

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Bukayo Saka couldn’t hide his disappointment after we were twice pegged back to draw at home to Liverpool on Sunday. After missing our last two games with a hamstring injury, our No. 7 was back with a bang, smashing home at the near post to put us ahead. But despite Mikel Merino also finding the net in the first half, we could only take a point against high-flying Liverpool. After the game Saka said: “We’re disappointed. I feel like we didn’t show our best selves for 90 minutes and it cost us in the end. We believe we should have won it. “For sure, there’s definitely some positives – Liverpool are a top team, credit to them. But the overall feeling is that we didn’t show our best selves for the whole game, especially more in the second half, and it cost us in the end.” Saka’s goal was his 50th Premier League goal for the club, becoming the youngest player in our history to reach a half century. Another milestone for our 23 year old academy product. “Hopefully that can push us to some silverware as well,” he added. “I hate to miss games, so I was buzzing to be back. I had this game in mind to come back for and I was feeling good out there, and I was happy to get an early goal.”