football Archives | Page 6 of 12

Morocco to host 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that Morocco will host the 2024 edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League Finals. The CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 will be played between 09-23 November 2024. Morocco hosted the 2022 edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League – the premium women’s club football competition in Africa. Eight (8) Clubs will contest the top prize. Winners will get USD 400 000 in prize money with runners-up walking away with USD 250 000. Mamelodi Sundowns are the current holders – having won the competition twice in three years. Morocco’s ASFAR is the other team that has won the Competition – back in 2022 when they defeated Mamelodi Sundowns. Since it’s inception, the CAF Women’s Champions League played a key role in shaping women’s football in Africa. Morocco’s hosting of the CAF Women’s Champions League follows the nation’s successful hosting of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 which also enjoyed unparallelled success. Six Zonal tournaments took place to qualify 6 teams in addition to the host and the holder of 2023 title to the FT of CAF WCL 2024. The following teams are qualified: CAF Women’s Champions League Qualified Clubs: Holders: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) Host : ASFAR (Morocco) WAFU A : Aigles de la Medina (Senegal) WAFU B : EDO Queens (Nigeria) COSAFA : University of Western Cape (South Africa) UNAF : Tutankhamun (Egypt) CECAFA: CBE FC (Ethiopia) UNIFFAC: TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

Tuchel agrees to become England’s manager

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Thomas Tuchel has agreed to become England’s manager after talks with the Football Association accelerated on Tuesday. The 51-year-old will be the third foreign manager of the men’s team and the first from Germany. The FA has had Tuchel on its shortlist to find Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor since the beginning of the process, a list that also included Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and the interim manager, Lee Carsley, among others. It zeroed in on Tuchel, who led Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021 – the highlight on an impressive CV. He has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich in May. Tuchel follows Sven-Göran Eriksson and Fabio Capello in taking the job as an overseas head coach. The FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, who led the recruitment process alongside the technical director, John McDermott, has long been clear that nationality should be no barrier to the role. Bullingham made the point during the European Championship in June that the England women head coach, Sarina Wiegman, is Dutch. In others words, the FA was and is perfectly happy to put its trust in someone from outside England. There is no doubt that Tuchel is an anglophile. He speaks excellent English – a prerequisite for the FA in terms of an overseas candidate – and he embraced his 18 months or so at Chelsea, becoming a cult hero to their fans. Tuchel’s skills as an orator and a leader came to the fore when he spoke out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, despite Chelsea being owned at the time by a Russian, Roman Abramovich. Tuchel found that he loved the more personality-driven aspect of the British media. Tuchel is uncompromising and left his previous four jobs under something of a cloud, reports of fallings-out with players and directors following his exits from – in chronological order – Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern. On the other hand, when Tuchel hits his stride, he has the ability to energise and inspire, to build momentum. Hugely charismatic, he has a proven track record at the highest level, winning everything on the domestic front at PSG before narrowly failing to deliver them a maiden Champions League trophy, losing in the 2020 final to Bayern. He would make up for that on a personal level at Chelsea. At Dortmund, he had won the DFB-Pokal. At Bayern, he would win the Bundesliga. Tuchel would be expected to bring the English coach Anthony Barry with him, having worked with him at Chelsea and Bayern. Barry is an assistant to the Portugal manager, Roberto Martínez.

Sudan further sinks Ghana’s AFCON 2925 hope

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Ghana suffered a 2-0 defeat to Sudan in a crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Martyrs International Stadium in Libya on Tuesday. The Black Stars were seeking their first win in the qualifiers, but Sudan showed greater determination in the second half, scoring two goals to secure the points. Mohammed Kudus captained the team, with Inaki Williams leading the attack. Ibrahim Sulemana and Elisha Owusu operated in midfield, while the backline consisted of Alidu Seidu, Gideon Mensah, Mohammed Salisu, and Alexander Djiku. After a goalless first half, Sudan broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute through Al Tash Mohammed. He scored from close range after Mohammed Salisu’s unsuccessful goal-line clearance. Sudan doubled their lead three minutes later with Abdel-Rahaman’s precise shot, which beat Lawrence Ati-Zigi. Ghana made several substitutions in pursuit of a goal. Mohammed Salisu was replaced by Jonas Adjetey due to injury, while Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku came on for Antoine Semenyo and Ernest Nuamah. Alidu Seidu and Ibrahim Sulemana made way for Tariq Lamptey and Michael Baidoo. Despite creating a few chances, Ghana’s best opportunity fell to Inaki Williams in the 82nd minute, but he shot wide. The Black Stars pressed for a consolation goal, but their efforts were insufficient as Sudan secured their second win in the qualifiers. Ghana will face Niger and Angola in their remaining two matches in November.

Lagos SWAN suffers defeat against Obafemi Martins & Friends

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

It was an evening to celebrate football and professionalism as the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos SWAN) took on Obafemi Martins & Friends at the AstroSoccer Nigeria ground on Tuesday 8 October in a friendly game. This event was organised by PariPesa, a prominent player in the betting and gaming industry, to mark the unveiling of Nigeria’s football icon, Obafemi Martins, as its new brand ambassador. The match saw the Lagos SWAN team take control in the first half, with Onwunali Chinedu scoring a well-deserved goal from a powerful shot midway through the period. However, in the dying moments of the second half, former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins equalised after skillfully navigating the Lagos SWAN defense through a swift series of passes. The second half took a different dimension as fatigue took its toll on the Lagos SWAN team. Although a second half of equal chances, Obafemi Martins & Friends capitalised and scored four goals. Martins scored a hattrick to help his team to a 5-1 win over the Lagos SWAN captained by George Gift. After the game, PariPesa’s management expressed excitement over the partnership as the Country Manager, Damilare Obadimu described it as a real honour. The Head of Marketing, Olubunmi Adeyera said partnering with the former Newcastle United striker demonstrates their commitment to their customers in Nigeria, Africa and beyond. “This is a further demonstration of our commitment to our customers. In all our years of operation, we have delivered excellence in sport betting and the entire iGaming industry- Nigeria, Africa and globally.” Martins, in turn, expressed his delight in joining the PariPesa team and playing the Lagos SWAN team which he described as key stakeholders within Nigeria’s football ecosystem.

Gusau praises Tinubu, commends ValueJet crew for diligence

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Tuesday expressed the deep appreciation of the NFF and the Nigeria Football family for the warm words of encouragement from the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR following the Super Eagles’ return from a better-forgotten Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match adventure in Libya. On Monday, Mr. President put out a statement warmly welcoming the team back to home, and asking for prompt justice from the Confederation of African Football following the inhumane treatment of the Nigerian contingent. Mr. President also commended the proactive coordination between the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode and ensuring the safe return of the players. “We hereby express our deep and sincerest appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his warm and kind words of encouragement. These words have gone a long way to reassure the players of the firm support of the Government and people of Nigeria for what they do and the efforts and sacrifice they make in representing this great country. “The commitment and love for the team by the Government and the entire nation was aptly demonstrated by the physical presence of the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh at the airport to welcome the team back to Nigeria. “Mr. President as the father of the nation, has once again demonstrated his concern and keen interest in the beautiful game of football that unites our peoples from all walks of life and across all known mental, physical, spiritual, political and economic boundaries, and which fosters national unity and friendship among peoples and nations of the universe.” Gusau, who led the delegation to Libya, also commended the captain and crew of the ValueJet aircraft that flew the delegation to and from that country, saying that their patience, diligence, good manners, warmth and endurance made the trip less arduous for the contingent. “The captain (Mr. Abdul-Latif) and crew were awesome. I must commend, in particular, the captain. He did his job professionally and with a touch of excellence, and even intervened at a point to talk to the airport operatives to allow the NFF leadership to go outside the airport to find a way to hire vehicles for the team. As a fellow North African (Tunisian) who had worked in Libya previously, they were ready to offer him hotel accommodation but not any other member of the crew or any Nigerian, as all the hotels in the city disclosed that they had strict orders not to welcome any Nigerian nationality. He refused their offer and rather opted to sleep in the aircraft with the rest of the crew. “The captain and crew showed great maturity and kindness. We will never forget them.”

AFCONQ: Super Eagles land in Nigeria

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

Super Eagles players and officials have returned safely from Libya to Nigeria. The team landed at Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano about 6.01pm. “Super Eagles finally return to Nigeria. “Just landed in Kano,” NFF source hinted. The former African champions boarded a flight back to Nigeria after 13-hour delay at Libyan airport on Monday.. The former African champions were billed to play the second leg of the AFCON 2025 qualifier against Libyan national team on Tuesday but were refused entry by authorities at the airport. Having waited patiently at the airport for over 13 hours, the Nigerian side returned home without kicking a ball.

AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Dele-Bashiru rescues Super Eagles against Libya

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

A lone striker by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was all the Super Eagles needed to pip resilient Libya national team at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday. The Nigerian side had laboured to hit the back of the net before the Lazio FC midfielder struck in the 87th minute of the tie. The win keeps Nigeria on top of the Group D with 7 points ahead of Benin Republic on 6points. Nigeria needs an outright victory over Libya in Benghazi on Tuesday to punch her qualifying ticket to the next edition of AFCON in Morocco. Ballon d’Dor nominee Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface were listed to lead Super Eagles assaults against Libya. Stanley Nwabali retained his place between the sticks for Nigeria. The South African based goalie also got cover from the defence led by William Tristan Ekong, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi. Usual suspects like Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon were assigned the midfield role.

Kidnapped journalists regain freedom

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Kidnapped Sport journalists have regained freedom, Trendbrio.com have reliably gathered. The media men, according to a statement issued by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), were kidnapped on their way to cover the AFCON 2025 qualifier in Uyo. The SWAN statement reads; “We want to inform our Teeming Members across Nigeria and beyond that some of the Sports Journalists who were earlier kidnapped on their way to cover the first leg of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Super Eagles and Mediterranean Knights of Libya in Uyo, have been released. “The President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and indeed SWAN National Secretariat after making necessary contacts immediately our colleagues were abducted around Anambra/Imo axis, have been reliably informed of their release following pressure by the proactive Nigerian Security Operatives on the Kidnappers. “SWAN therefore commends the Security Operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army and Police for their prompt action which ensured that up to six of the held Sports Journalists regained their freedom with efforts to get the remaining person freed. “The rescued Media Practitioners, mostly Camera/Photojournalists are now on their way to either reunite with families or move on with other official duties. “We urge our members to remain calm and without fear in the discharge of their professional duties while maintaining regular communication with the various SWAN State Chapters’ Leadership for any formal purposes. @Also, be assured that the National Leadership of SWAN is committed to your welfare and overall well-being with uttermost regards as always.”