Tag: General Sports

Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has sent a powerful message of encouragement to new Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle, who is tasked with rescuing Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes.

Chelle, a Franco-Malian coach, was appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation earlier this month, with a clear mandate to secure Nigeria’s spot in the upcoming World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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However, the Super Eagles are currently sitting in a precarious fifth place in Group C, trailing Rwanda, South Africa, Benin, and Lesotho. Only the group winner will secure automatic qualification.

Speaking to Nation Sports, Rohr, who coached the Super Eagles from 2016 to 2021, expressed his confidence in Chelle but admitted the tough road ahead.

“Of course, I know Eric Sékou Chelle is now with Nigeria, and good luck to him. It’s not going to be easy for Chelle to qualify for the World Cup, but of course, everything is still possible,” Rohr said.

Nigeria’s World Cup hopes are in danger after a poor start to the qualifiers, with three lackluster draws and a shocking 2-1 defeat to Rohr’s Benin in June.

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To stand any chance of advancing, the Super Eagles must win all six of their remaining matches and hope for favorable results in other games.

Despite the steep challenge, Chelle remains determined to turn things around and lead Nigeria to World Cup glory.

Source: The Athletic NG

Sevilla head coach, Garcia Pimienta, has provided an update on the future of Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho at the club, following reports about his form and potential departure.

The 28-year-old joined Sevilla last summer after his contract with Leicester City expired, but his time in Spain has been challenging.

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Iheanacho has yet to score a goal in nine La Liga appearances, though he has shown good form in the Copa del Rey, scoring three goals in two games.

Despite his strong performances in cup competitions, Iheanacho has often been used as a backup at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.

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There have also been rumors suggesting that the Nigerian forward may be leaving the club, with some reports claiming he has gained weight, which could be affecting his performances.

Pimienta, addressing these concerns, denied the reports about Iheanacho being overweight.

“He isn’t overweight. We’re strict about that. After the injury, I’m not sure, but before Christmas, he was at his ideal weight. This week might be the first time he can train with the group. Iheanacho is part of the squad, and if he has to play, he will play,” the Sevilla coach said, as reported by Diario De Sevilla.

Pimienta also spoke about Iheanacho’s potential departure, amid speculation linking him to a move to EFL Championship side Leeds United.

“If it improves what we have, there’s no problem. I don’t know why some players click better with certain clubs or environments than others. I don’t know if Kelechi will stay until the end of the season. Offers have come in for him. He’s well-established in England and surely wants more playing time,” Pimienta stated.

He continued, “I understand he wants to leave, but if I consider he needs to play, he will play. For some reason, Iheanacho hasn’t performed here at the level we all expect, including himself. With his CV, some things just don’t make sense. Watching him train, you’d say, ‘This guy has more than enough quality.’”

Sevilla, currently 11th in La Liga, are aiming to pick up crucial points to qualify for European competitions next season.

Source: The Athletic NG

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is at the center of a betting scandal investigation after Italian authorities flagged a suspicious incident during a Serie A match.

The 25-year-old, who plays for Udinese, allegedly received a yellow card under unusual circumstances during a match against Lazio in March 2024, raising questions about potential match-fixing.

Suspicious Booking Triggers Investigation

In the 90th minute of the match, with Udinese leading 2-1, Okoye was cautioned for time-wasting—a seemingly routine booking.

However, investigators flagged this specific yellow card after detecting irregular betting patterns associated with it.

According to Football Italia, the prosecutor’s office in Udine is now looking into the matter after an algorithm from a betting agency identified abnormal wagering related to Okoye’s booking.

The investigation has led to searches at Okoye’s residence in Italy and the home of Diego Giordano, a pizzeria owner believed to be linked to the case.

Udinese Takes Action: Okoye Ousted from Squad

In light of the ongoing investigation, Udinese has removed Okoye from their roster for the 2024/25 season.

The German-born goalkeeper has been replaced by newly signed goalkeeper Egil Selvik in the club’s 25-man squad.

While Udinese has yet to comment publicly on the reasons for Okoye’s removal, the move comes amid the betting scandal and his recent wrist injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season.

A Cloud Over Okoye’s Career: Potential Five-Year Ban

The betting investigation could have severe consequences for Okoye’s career.

If found guilty of deliberate misconduct, he could face a suspension of up to five years, significantly affecting his professional future.

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This scandal has the potential to tarnish his reputation both at Udinese and within the Super Eagles.

Okoye had recently rejoined the Super Eagles after missing the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, but this scandal casts doubt on his continued involvement with the national team.

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A lengthy suspension could derail his international career and leave his future uncertain.

Rising Concern Over Betting in Football

Okoye’s case adds to a growing trend of betting-related misconduct investigations in football. Players like Newcastle United’s Sandro Tolani have previously faced long bans for involvement in similar offenses.

As Okoye prepares to contest the allegations, Udinese continues to distance itself from the scandal, with both the club and the player’s legal team working to address the situation.

Source: The Athletic NG

The Final Draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 will take place on January 27, 2025, in Rabat, where the 24 qualifying teams will learn their group-stage opponents.

Representatives from each of the competing nations will gather for the highly anticipated event, setting the stage for one of Africa’s biggest football competitions.

Tournament Structure and Key Dates Confirmed

Following the draw, the teams will be placed into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed sides, will progress to the knockout stage.

AFCON 2025 will be particularly significant as it marks Morocco’s first time hosting the tournament since 1988

The country is also preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

The competition will kick off on December 21, 2025, and run through to the final match on January 18, 2026.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has expressed high expectations, stating that he believes AFCON Morocco 2025 will be “the best AFCON in history,” reinforcing the ongoing development of African football on the global stage.

A Competitive Field With Top African Teams

The 35th edition of AFCON will showcase a competitive field, with teams such as defending champions Senegal, record winners Egypt, and former champions Algeria and Cameroon all vying for the title.

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Since its inception in 1957, AFCON has remained one of the premier football events in Africa, attracting tremendous excitement from both fans and players.

Morocco’s Commitment to Hosting a World-Class Event

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s efforts in preparing for AFCON 2025, thanking King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan government, and the Royal Federation of Moroccan Football for their commitment to hosting the tournament.

He also reiterated the goal to make African football globally competitive and among the best in the world.

“We will continue to make significant progress in developing and ensuring that African football is globally competitive and amongst the best in the world,” Motsepe said.

Morocco to Host Women’s AFCON 2024 Ahead of AFCON 2025

In addition to AFCON 2025, Morocco will also host the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2024.

The tournament will run from July 5 to July 26, 2025. CAF President Patrice Motsepe has emphasized the growth of women’s football across Africa, noting that he expects the Women’s AFCON to be a major success.

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Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Federation of Moroccan Football (FRMF), echoed Motsepe’s sentiments:

“We hope that the TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 will be the best event to honor Africa, and Morocco will make available the best conditions to host the rest of Africa and the world.”

Source: The Athletic NG

Ademola Lookman delivered an outstanding performance as Atalanta cruised to a 5-0 victory over Sturm Graz in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) strengthening their bid for a quarterfinal spot.

Despite a slow start to the year, Lookman made an immediate impact after coming on as a substitute at halftime, with Atalanta leading narrowly 1-0 on Tuesday UCL early kick off.

The Super Eagles forward had started the match on the bench, despite scoring in Atalanta’s recent 2-1 win over Napoli.

Lookman’s Second-Half Spark

Lookman wasted no time in asserting his influence on the game. His first potential assist, a pass in the 50th minute, was ruled offside, but the Nigerian forward stayed composed and continued to push the team forward with his skill and energy.

In the 90th minute, Lookman scored a well-taken goal, finishing a precise cross from Charles De Ketelaere, who was set up by a brilliant backheel from Juan Cuadrado.

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Four minutes later, Lookman turned provider, weaving through the Sturm Graz defense before setting up Marco Brescianini, whose composed finish completed the dominant victory.

A Perfect Second Half from Lookman

Lookman’s second-half performance was nothing short of exceptional. He had 35 touches and completed all 19 of his attempted passes, maintaining a 100% pass accuracy.

He created one big chance and registered two key passes.

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In addition to his playmaking, Lookman was a constant threat in front of goal, taking six shots—three on target, one off target, and two blocked.

Lookman has now scored four goals and bagged two assists in six UCL matches this season.

Source: The Athletic NG

Boavista Nigerian defender Bruno Onyemaechi produced an impressive individual performance, contributing a goal and an assist, but his efforts were not enough to prevent a 3-2 home defeat to Casa Pia in the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Monday.

The loss marked Boavista’s third consecutive defeat, leaving them in a precarious position in the league.

Onyemaechi’s Goal and Assist Highlighted in Defeat

The 26-year-old Nigerian international, who has been attracting interest from Turkish and Greek clubs, demonstrated his attacking quality once again.

Onyemaechi found the net for the third time this season and also provided an assist, but his contributions were overshadowed by his team’s defensive lapses.

Early Setbacks for Boavista

The match at Estádio do Bessa Século XXI got off to a rocky start for Onyemaechi, who was booked within the first four minutes.

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The yellow card ruled him out of Boavista’s next match. Despite the early setback, Boavista were determined to end their losing streak after consecutive defeats to FC Porto and Arouca. However, their defensive mistakes allowed Casa Pia to capitalize.

Casa Pia Capitalizes on Defensive Errors

Casa Pia struck first with two own goals from Boavista players, Rodrigo Abascal and Filipe Ferreira, in the 30th and 43rd minutes, respectively.

The errors handed Casa Pia a comfortable 2-0 lead heading into the break.

Onyemaechi Pulls One Back Before Halftime

Just before halftime, Onyemaechi gave Boavista a glimmer of hope. After a free kick, Onyemaechi pounced on a loose ball and slotted it home.

Initially flagged for offside, the goal was awarded after a VAR review, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.

Second Half Struggles as Boavista Fall Short

However, Boavista’s defensive issues resurfaced early in the second half. Casa Pia restored their two-goal advantage just 10 minutes after the restart, taking a 3-1 lead.

Matters worsened when Pedro Gomes was sent off, leaving Boavista to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.

Late Push Not Enough for Boavista

Despite being a man down, Onyemaechi continued to lead the charge for Boavista.

He provided a crucial assist to Róbert Boženík, whose goal brought Boavista back into the game at 3-2. However, Boavista could not find the equalizer, and Casa Pia held firm to secure the win.

Boavista’s Winless Streak Continues

Onyemaechi played the full 90 minutes, showing his attacking and defensive qualities in an otherwise frustrating outing for his team.

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With the loss, Boavista’s winless streak now stretches to eight matches, with five defeats and three draws.

The team remains at the bottom of the Primeira Liga standings with just 12 points from 18 matches, having secured only two victories this season.

Looking Ahead: Boavista’s Next Challenge

Boavista will next face a difficult test against high-flying Braga as they look to turn their fortunes around and end their prolonged slump.

Source: The Athletic NG

Cyriel Dessers showcased his “bulletproof mentality” with a brilliant hat-trick as Rangers triumphed 5-0 over Fraserburgh at Ibrox to secure their place in the fifth round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup.

Despite an early miss, Dessers’ composure and determination saw him get a hat-trick, proving his resilience and clinical ability in front of goal.

“I think it’s just the life of a striker, you will miss some chances,” Dessers said after the game. “You just have to stay in the game, and I know chances will come, and then I have to make the next one.”

The match began with Rangers dominating possession, but it wasn’t until the 27th minute that they broke the deadlock.

After missing an early opportunity, Dessers made amends by heading in a corner from captain James Tavernier to give Rangers the lead.

In the second half, French defender Clinton Nsiala doubled the advantage with a deflected shot before Dessers added a second, firing home a pass from Ross McCausland just five minutes later.

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He then turned provider, assisting McCausland for a fourth goal before completing his hat-trick with a clinical strike from a tight angle in the dying moments, sealing a 5-0 win for Rangers.

Despite losing his regular starting place this season, Dessers has made 33 appearances, starting 22 and scoring 16 goals.

His recent form has been marked by occasional inconsistencies, leading to speculation about his future at Ibrox.

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However, his hat-trick against Fraserburgh was a timely reminder of his quality and tenacity.

Rangers captain James Tavernier praised Dessers’ ability to rise above the noise and deliver when it mattered most.

“Cyriel is someone who always rises above the noise,” Tavernier said.

“I’m really pleased for him that he was rewarded with a hat-trick tonight. He’s been working hard, and it’s great to see him get the recognition.”

Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield, who was part of the BBC Scotland punditry team for the game, echoed those sentiments, comparing Dessers’ mentality to that of former striker Alfredo Morelos.

“Any good striker who misses a chance, they just go back for more,” Arfield said. “Dessers has that same bulletproof mentality – you need that as a striker.”

Dessers’ match-winning performance not only sealed a dominant victory for Rangers but also reaffirmed his value to the team.

Source: The Athletic NG

Victor Boniface has made a surprise return to training with Bayer 04 Leverkusen ahead of their crucial match against Atletico Madrid.

The Nigerian striker had been sidelined since November after suffering a thigh injury during Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Rwanda.

His return to full training has come as a welcome boost for Leverkusen, though he will not be included in the squad for Tuesday’s match at the Wanda Metropolitano.

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Leverkusen’s technical director, Thomas Eichin, confirmed that while Boniface is nearing full fitness, he will not feature in the upcoming Champions League tie.

“He’s participating in training, but he will not be part of the team for Tuesday evening,” Eichin said.

Despite Boniface’s absence, Leverkusen have continued their impressive form, winning 11 consecutive games and staying within four points of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table.

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In Boniface’s place, Patrik Schick has been in excellent form, scoring 12 goals in his last six starts for the club.

Source: The Athletic NG

Super Eagles and Rangers defender Leon Balogun has expressed his strong desire to represent Nigeria in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, despite recent setbacks.

The 36 year old experienced defender, who was notably left out of the Super Eagles squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) under coach Jose Peseiro, clarified that injuries, not retirement, were behind his absence from recent national team call-ups.

Balogun’s last appearance for Nigeria was in June 2022, when he played the final 19 minutes of their 10-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe.

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Despite limited playing time last season, Balogun has proven his worth to Rangers, making 18 appearances this term, contributing a goal and an assist, and securing his spot as a regular starter.

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In an interview with Brila Balogun revealed the truth about his injuries:

“It’s not that I’ve turned down any invitations.Unfortunately, I picked up an injury before the World Cup break, which was meant to be short-term, but it didn’t heal as expected.

After I recovered, I had a relapse. Since then, I’ve had no serious injury issues, and I’m still eager and motivated to represent the national team,” he explained

Balogun who has been capped 46 times by the Super Eagles of Nigeria confirmed he is yet to retire from international football

“I have always been available. I’ve never said that I retired from international football, and I think the people who need to know are aware that I’m still very much willing and ambitious to represent the national team,” the Germany-born defender said.

With the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers on the horizon, the veteran defender is focused on regaining his place in the Super Eagles squad and playing a crucial role in Nigeria’s campaign under coach Eric Chelle.

Source: The Athletic NG

The Executive Board of the African Clubs Association (ACA) as announced that Morocco will serve as the official headquarters for the association, with 8 out of 12 members voting in favor of the bid.

Morocco’s proposal stood out due to the country’s significant investment in world-class sports infrastructure and its commitment to advancing African football.

The nation’s strong track record of hosting major sporting events, including the FIFA Club World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations, was a key factor in the decision.

In addition to hosting the men’s and women’s Africa Cup of Nations this year, Morocco is preparing to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

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Paul Bassey, Vice President of ACA from Nigeria, confirmed the decision, stating,

“After evaluating the bids, we unanimously agreed that Morocco offers the best deal due to its high-quality infrastructure and its vision for football development across Africa over the next fifty years.”

He also highlighted that ACA will have offices in Rabat, near CAF and FIFA offices, which strengthens Morocco’s role in the global football scene.

Following the board meeting, ACA sent a letter to Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), congratulating him on Morocco’s successful bid to host the ACA.

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ACA President Hersi Said also congratulated Morocco and Lekjaa, expressing enthusiasm for the new chapter ahead.

“We are thrilled to begin this new era with Morocco as the host of the African Clubs Association,” Said stated.

A memorandum of understanding between ACA and Morocco will be signed on January 27 during the Africa Cup of Nations draw, marking the start of a long-term partnership and establishing ACA’s presence in Morocco.

Source: The Athletic NG