Tag: General Sports

Head coach of the Nigerian national football team, Jose Peseiro disclosed the strategy behind their impressive 1-0 victory against Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Peseiro’s men secured the win in a solid display against the Elephants, restricting them to few chances in the game.

The Portuguese coach revealed that he formulated the game plan during the team’s training tour in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Peseiro emphasized the importance of closing down space, defending well, and working hard to prevent Ivory Coast from playing their style of football.

Peseiro said ” I started thinking about how to approach this game when we were in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

“Cote d’Ivoire is a strong team with good players, so we need to close down the space and defend very well.

“We know we have to work hard and not allow them play their football. The players did well to stick to our plan in the game.”

The Super Eagles will now shift their focus to the final group game against Guinea-Bissau at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, aiming to secure qualification from Group A.

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Ghana and Egypt play an entertaining 2-2 draw as both countries share one point each in their second group match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

A Mohammed Kudus brace wasn’t enough for Ghana to secure the win in their African Nations Cup clash with Egypt as goals from Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed meant the points were shared. Both sides remain winless in the competition after two games and there was more concern for Egypt who saw Mohamed Salah limp off just before the break.

It was a fairly even start to the game, with neither side enjoying decent chances or seeing a great deal more of the ball than the other. However, things went terrible for Egypt and wonderful for Ghana in a short space of time as Salah went down off the ball and was substituted with an apparent injury in first-half stoppage time. A minute later, Ghana was in the lead as Kudus fired in a beautiful goal from the edge of the box.

Egypt thought they had pulled level early in the second half when Mohamed Abdelmonem put the ball in the back of the net but the goal was ruled out for offside. Egypt carved out another good chance when Omar Marmoush, who was excellent throughout, tested Richard Ofori’s resolve with a dangerous shot but the Ghana goalkeeper pulled off a strong save.

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Nigerian striker Gift Orban has completed his transfer to French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon from Gent.

As reported by French sports daily L’Equipe the French giants sign the Nigerian striker for a fee of around €13m (approximately N12.6 billion in Nigerian currency) and he will ink a four-and-half-year deal with the club.

His move to Lyon is expected to help the French side rediscover their form again having started the season badly and currently languishing in 16th position on the league table scoring only 17 goals in eighteen games.

Orban joined Gent in January 2023 from Norwegian club Stabaek after impressing in Norway, helping Stabaek gain promotion to the topflight division with 22 goals in 27 matches.

He signed a four-and-half-year deal with the Belgian side and quickly settled in the Belgian side like a duck to water, notching 20 goals in his first twenty-two appearances across all competitions. But after just a year into the deal, Lyon secured an agreement with Gent to sign Orban this transfer window.

His eye-catching performances earned him call-ups to the Nigeria national team.

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Victor Osimhen, is optimistic about the Super Eagles’ performance against Ivory Coast in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The match, scheduled for January 18, holds special significance for Osimhen as it takes place in the land of his childhood idol, Didier Drogba.

The Super Eagles commenced their AFCON campaign with a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea, with Osimhen contributing a goal to the team’s tally. Now, they face Ivory Coast, the current leaders of Group A, who secured a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau.

Nigeria last claimed the AFCON title in 2013, defeating Burkina Faso in the final. Since then, they have been striving to recapture the championship. Osimhen, recognized as one of the standout players in Jose Peseiro’s squad, acknowledges the historical significance of the Super Eagles in AFCON and emphasizes the need to restore the country’s footballing image.

Osimhen, who plays for Napoli, considers it an honor to compete in AFCON on the home soil of his childhood idol, Didier Drogba. He reflects on his admiration for the Ivorian legend during his younger years in Nigeria, where he emulated Drogba’s playing style and celebrated goals in a manner reminiscent of the iconic figure.

“The Super Eagles have a history closely linked to the Afcon, but since 2013, we have been looking for a new coronation. It’s been more than a decade, that’s a long time for a football-loving country like Nigeria,” Osimhen remarked.

As Nigeria aims to regain its AFCON glory, Osimhen’s performance will be crucial in overcoming Ivory Coast and advancing in the tournament. Despite scoring against Equatorial Guinea, Osimhen seeks to elevate his game and contribute to the Super Eagles’ quest for success in AFCON 2023

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Former Nigerian international, Austin Okocha, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ ability to overcome Ivory Coast in their upcoming match at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their opening clash, Okocha believes the Nigerian team has the potential to defeat the host country.

In a conversation with Cafonline, the former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star highlighted the importance of experience, desire, and mindset as key factors for success in the tournament.

Okocha emphasized that the Super Eagles, being professionals, understand the significance of the match and suggested that their mindset will play a crucial role.

“When you play the host country, it is even more difficult. But, of course, the beauty of football is that if you want to be champions, you have to win against the best,” Okocha stated.

He acknowledged the difficulty of facing the host country but expressed belief in Nigeria’s potential to secure a victory.

Reflecting on the upcoming match, Okocha said, “We Nigerians, we know that it will be a difficult match but also, we believe that we have enough potential to be able to win this match.” The former midfielder’s optimism stems from the Super Eagles’ preparation and the talent within the team.

As Nigeria faces Ivory Coast, the outcome of the match will be crucial in determining the Super Eagles’ path in the AFCON 2023 tournament.

Okocha’s confidence in the team’s potential reflects the collective hope of Nigerian football fans for success in the competition.

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In a highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) clash, William Troost-Ekong fired Nigeria to a 1-0 victory over Cote d’Ivoire. The intense match took place at the Stade Allassane Ouattara on Thursday, January 18, 2024.

Despite Cote d’Ivoire entering the game as favorites, Nigeria defied expectations and secured their first win in the 2023 AFCON tournament. Early in the game, Victor Osimhen, the reigning CAF Men’s Player of the Year, had an opportunity to put Nigeria ahead, but his shot from inside the Ivorian penalty area sailed over the crossbar.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili made crucial saves to deny Cote d’Ivoire, with Seko Fofana posing a threat with powerful shots. The first half concluded without either team finding the back of the net, despite Nigeria having the majority of shots.

Ten minutes into the second half, Nigeria was awarded a penalty after a VAR review for a foul on Victor Osimhen. Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong stepped up and delivered a powerful shot into the net, securing the lone goal of the match in the 55th minute.

Both teams had opportunities to add to the scoreline, but Nigeria held on for a 1-0 victory over the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, enhancing their prospects of advancing to the knockout stage of the 2023 AFCON.

Nigeria will face Guinea Bissau in their final group game, while Cote d’Ivoire must defeat Equatorial Guinea to secure progression in the tournament.

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The Ivorian government has declared today 18th January a public holiday in Ivory Coast ahead of their crucial clash with Nigeria in their 2023 AFCON group A game at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara.

The Alassane Ouattara Stadium can accommodate over 60,000 fans, and for sure, at least 50,000 of those fans will be Ivorian fans, as tickets for the game had already been sold out days before the tournament started.

The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire take on the Super Eagles of Nigeria later today by 6 pm in their second game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The game is expected to be a tough one.

Nigeria takes on Cote d’Ivoire in their second game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Because of the kind of quality players that both countries possess, the game is expected to be a tough one but the Elephants are the slight favorites because of Nigeria’s poor form recently.

A win for the host would see them qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament while the Eagles require a win to keep hopes of going further in the competition alive.

Nigeria started the tournament on a not-too-impressive note, drawing 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea, while Ivory Coast who are the host of the tournament got off to a flying start with a 2-0 win over Guinea Bissau.

Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have met six times in the AFCON, with two wins for each country and two draws.

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American footballer Sergino Dest has hinted that his future at the club may only materialize if there is a change in the managerial position, particularly if head coach Xavi were to leave his role.

The 22-year-old United States of America national team right-back, enjoyed regular starts under former Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman, but faced challenges, including injuries, during Xavi’s tenure and had an unsuccessful loan spell at AC Milan last season.

In the 2023/24 season, Dest went on loan to PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie, where he is enjoying a great season sparking talk of a return to Spain.

Despite having a contract with Barcelona until 2025, Dest appears skeptical about returning as long as Xavi remains in charge.

When questioned about the possibility of returning to Barcelona, Dest stated via Voetbal International, “Only if the situation changes there. Xavi is still there now. So at the moment, no, that will be too difficult.”

The uncertainty surrounding Dest’s return to Barcelona aligns with reports of growing unrest within the club, with Xavi facing scrutiny due to disappointing results.

If the situation at Barcelona continues to deteriorate, it could impact Dest’s prospects and potentially lead to a change in the coaching staff.

The defender’s remarks suggest that his future at the club is closely tied to the managerial dynamics, emphasizing the importance of a favorable environment for his potential return, one that will mean having club legend Xavi out of his position as manager.

FC Barcelona will face Unionstas in a Copa Del Rey fixture on Thursday, January 18, 2024, a timely opportunity to get victory and put behind their dissapointing Spanish Super Cup loss to rivals Real Madrid, earlier in the week.

In La Liga, the Catalans are placed fourth, 8-points off surprise league leaders, Girona a situation that has added pressure on Xavi, with certain reports suggesting he could be sacked if the club loses grip of a champions league spot.

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Algerian Influencer, Sofia Benlemmane has been deported and banned from Cote d’Ivoire for life, after ridiculing the country during AFCON. She said Ivorians live in poverty compared to the pre-historic era.

She also said Algeria is too developed to be in Africa and that it should be in Spain.

Following the widespread video in which she used derogatory language towards the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations host nation, depicting the country in a negative light, she was arrested yesterday at the stadium by the Rapid Intervention Brigade.

Benlemmane had uploaded a clip on social media that compared Ivory Coast unfavorably with her country Algeria while sousing derogatory language towards the West African nation.

“They live in misery here. I recorded a video yesterday at the bus station, and it’s the worst, like the prehistoric era. If I had some powers, I would have brought Algerians here to witness this,” she said in the video.

“What a difference with Algeria! Long live Algeria. I thank God for giving me a country like Algeria. Normally, Algeria is not supposed to be in Africa. It was supposed to be situated between Portugal and Spain.”

Her arrest was seen as one of the ways to clamp down on incidents of xenophobia with some incidents of discrimination or tension related to nationality having been reported at the tournament.

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The Brave Warriors of Namibia made history yesterday at the 2023 African Cup of Nations when they beat Tunisia  1-0 in their group opener game to record their first-ever win in the Africa Cup of Nations match.

Namibia, ranked 115th in the World, who has never won a single game at AFCON scored the winner in the 88th minute of the game after missing a lot of chances early in the game. Deon Hotto’s goal was the only goal to separate the two sides and ensure that the Brave Warriors moved top of the group table.

The 33-year-old beat the offside trap to nod home a well-floated ball into the box. It is Namibia’s first-ever win at the AFCON having previously participated in three editions (1998, 2008, and 2019).

Tunisia, who won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004, were unable to find the back of the net as Namibia goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua put in an impressive performance.

Tunisia did force a sharp save out of Loydt Kazapua in the final 15 minutes with a header that was acrobatically tipped over the top but that was as close as they came in a game where they were expected to dominate.

Haythem Jouini swiped a shot wide in front of goal and Msakni – aiming to score at a record-equalling sixth Afcon – was also wasteful, finding himself foiled by Kazapua again when he found his range during a sustained period of pressure for the Carthage Eagles.

The North Africans, who are the third highest African side in the Fifa rankings at 28, looked nervy and out of sorts. They join Ghana as former winners who have lost their opening match at the tournament while Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, and Nigeria were all held in games they were expected to win.

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