Tag: General Sports

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Interim Coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Justin Madugu, has expressed unwavering optimism, the team can win the 2024 WAFCON title despite recent challenges.

Madugu, who assisted Randy Waldrum at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, emphasized the team’s determination to rectify the setback from the last Cup of Nations setback.

The Falcons, having secured qualification for WAFCON 2024, are set on proving that the loss to South Africa was a temporary lapse. Madugu stated, “Our target and focus is nothing other than going for the trophy in Morocco. We have to prove that what happened last time around was a mistake which we are ready to correct by winning back the trophy.”

Reflecting on the experience gained from the last WAFCON, Madugu highlighted the lessons learned and affirmed the team’s commitment to avoiding past errors. He acknowledged the challenges faced since taking charge as head coach but expressed gratitude for the collective efforts of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), players, and backroom staff.

In response to whether there is any particular team the Super Falcons fear in Africa, Madugu confidently asserted, “Super Falcons do not fear any team in Africa. Rather, other countries should dread us. We have not fallen to the level of dreading anybody. We have respect for every team, but Super Falcons will never dread anybody.”

Looking ahead, Madugu outlined the team’s broader goals, aiming not only to secure victory in WAFCON 2024 but also to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He emphasized that the success achieved so far is a collective effort and expressed confidence in the team’s journey, stating, “The aim is to qualify for the Olympic Games and win the 2024 WAFCON.”

With the Super Falcons under Madugu’s interim leadership, Nigerian football enthusiasts are hopeful for a triumphant return to the WAFCON stage and potentially securing a ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

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In anticipation of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023, FIFA has announced the finalists for The Best Women’s Goalkeeper and The Best Men’s Goalkeeper, recognizing outstanding talent between the goalposts in women’s and men’s football.

For The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper, the finalists, listed alphabetically, include Mackenzie Arnold (Australia / West Ham United FC), Catalina Coll (Spain / FC Barcelona), and Mary Earps (England / Manchester United). These exceptional athletes have showcased exemplary goalkeeping skills, earning them a spot among the elite contenders for this coveted recognition.

In the realm of men’s football, The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper finalists, also presented alphabetically, feature Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Sevilla FC), Thibaut Courtois (Belgium / Real Madrid CF), and Ederson (Brazil / Manchester City FC). These goalkeeping maestros have demonstrated prowess and resilience, earning their places as frontrunners for the prestigious award.

The selection process involves an international jury, including women’s and men’s national team coaches, captains, specialist journalists, and fans registered on FIFA.com. The diverse perspectives ensure a comprehensive evaluation of goalkeeping excellence.

FIFA promises further excitement with upcoming announcements of finalists for additional categories, such as The Best FIFA Women’s Coach, The Best FIFA Men’s Coach, The Best FIFA Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Player, and the FIFA Puskás Award.

The culmination of this prestigious event is set to take place at a special ceremony on Monday, January 15, 2024, in London, England. This marks the third occasion that FIFA has chosen London as the venue for The Best FIFA Football Awards, following the successful ceremonies in 2017 and 2018. Football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the unveiling of the winners who will join the illustrious ranks of past recipients.

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Former Barcelona winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, has addressed the recent controversy surrounding his choice of Mohamed Salah over Victor Osimhen for the 2023 African Player of the Year award. The football great insists that his comments were taken out of context.

In a viral video posted on the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) social media platforms prior to the award announcement, Amuneke expressed his preference for Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah. This choice triggered a backlash from Nigerians, who criticized the former Super Eagles forward, labeling him as ‘unpatriotic’ and suggesting envy towards Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who eventually clinched the coveted title.

Amuneke, reacting to the uproar, dismissed the criticism and implied that his words were misunderstood. Speaking on the Nigerian Sports Village Square, moderated by veteran journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Amuneke clarified, “I want you to understand the rumors that you guys are spreading concerning me not voting Osimhen. I was never elected to vote.”

The 1994 African Player of the Year explained that during a discussion about the Arabian team, a former player and captain of the Egyptian national team asked him to choose between Hakimi and Salah. Amuneke stated, “There was a time Osimhen was mentioned in that discussion. He came to me and asked ‘Hakimi or Salah.’ I have to say Salah. And the reason why I said Salah was because I played in Egypt, I lived in Egypt, and I know some of the guys there.”

Amuneke emphasized that there was no intention to vote against Osimhen, highlighting the achievements of the 24-year-old striker, who was part of Amuneke’s Nigeria U17 squad that won the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup.

The football legend urged Nigerians to refrain from spreading false news and creating false impressions, emphasizing the responsibility of journalists to inform the public accurately.

Victor Osimhen, with 31 goals in 39 matches for Napoli last season, claimed the African Player of the Year award, joining the ranks of Nigerian football greats such as Rasheed Yekini, Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, and Victor Ikpeba.

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Nigeria Football Federation [NFF] President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau has congratulated Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie and the Super Falcons for their wins at the 2023 CAF Awards ceremony in Morocco.

As reported by the NFF media and communications department, President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau was a very happy man on Monday night, as Nigeria swept important honours at this year’s CAF Football Awards held in Marrakech, Morocco.

The NFF supremo was personally present at the Hotel Movenpick and collected the first honour that came Nigeria’s way – Women’s National Team of the Year. He dedicated the award to all women football teams on the African continent.

Chiamaka Nnadozie, who shone brightly at the FIFA World Cup finals in Down Under this year summer as the Super Falcons reached the Round of 16, was the undoubted winner of the honour of Goalkeeper of the Year (Women). The Paris FC of France safe hands made a moving speech: “To all the young girls growing up in Africa, dreaming of becoming a footballer one day, believe me dreams do come true. My dad didn’t want me to play football but I’m sure he’s gonna see this and be happy. So, keep dreaming, keep working and I believe that one day you’ll get to this stage.”

After Asisat Oshoala won a record-extending sixth award as Player of the Year (Women), the auditorium went silent as it was time to present the men’s version. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah were the final three.

Osimhen was crowned, becoming the first Nigeria player in 24 years to take the gong. The last person was Nwankwo Kanu, back in 1999. Kanu also won in 1996, after Rashidi Yekini in 1993 and Emmanuel Amuneke in 1994. Victor Ikpeba took the crown in 1997.

Gusau said: “I am very excited tonight. This has been hugely rewarding for our football and for our country as a whole. I congratulate Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie, and I congratulate the Super Falcons as a team for bringing us this honour.

“My charge would be that they all keep doing what they know how to do best, keep improving and keep winning. The sky will be the beginning for them.”

Osimhen became the first player in the history of the African Football Awards to have been crowned Player of the Year (Men) after having pocketed the Young Player of the Year (Men) in an earlier year. Only last Monday, the 24-year-old was crowned the 2022/2023 Player of the Year in Italy’s Serie A, after having won the Young Player of the Year in the same league in the 2021/2022 season.

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As reported by the Akwa United FC media depratment, former Super Eagles of Nigeria and Lille of France goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama visited the clubs-house in Uyo.

The Chairman and Management Staff members of Akwa United FC received the celebrated former goalkeeper at the club’s office in Uyo on Monday, December 11, 2023.

According to report from the visit presented by the clubs media department, the legendary goalkeeper who holds the record as the most capped Super Eagles player, previously played for the defunct Ibom Stars Football Club which later metamorphosed into Akwa United.

In his remarks, Enyeama expressed delight over the structure on ground after being led round the facility, saying a lot has changed under the leadership of the current chairman.

Enyeama said “I must say that I am really impressed with the structure I have seen on the ground. It wasn’t like this during my time and I can see that a whole lot has changed.

” I didn’t expect anything less with a man like Elder Paul Bassey as the Chairman. Elder Bassey has that midas touch. Even when I was still playing for the national team, he is one of those very senior journalists in this country that commands a lot of respect from players and officials.

“Elder Bassey knows what it means when we talk about players welfare and from what I’m seeing here, I can say that this camp is comfortable and conducive for players and this should be the standard for any NPFL club.

“My coming to Akwa United office today was to meet with the Chairman, have the opportunity of seeing the place I started from, get closer to the team and offer a few words of encouragement and support as well as have that feeling with the club once again”.

The former Enyimba and Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel shot stopper urged Akwa United and all up and coming footballers to stay focused and work hard while looking up to God as their only source of strength.

In his remarks, Elder Paul Bassey expressed appreciation to the Super Eagles legend for making time to visit “his root” and revealed that the visit is a great motivation to the team.

“We are really excited to have a legend of the game come and visit us at Akwa United. Let me particularly thank you for not forgetting your root; where it all began for you. The Ibom Stars Football Club you played for is now Akwa United and you have a pride of place in the history of our great club.

“Your journey from this club took you to the senior national team where you played and captained and also set a record of being the most capped player in the history of our country’s football. You won many honours and also played for many years in Europe. Coming to visit us today is a big motivation and we really appreciate you. Feel free to stop by at any time because you are our legend”.

The club boss presented to Vincent Enyeama the club’s current jerseys as a souvenir and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner also had a brief session of discussion with some Akwa United players.

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Nigerian duo, Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala have been named CAF best In the Men and Women’s category respectively for the year 2023.

Osimhen overcame challenge from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Mohammed Salah to become the first Nigerian winner of the CAF Men’s player of the Year award since 1999, while Oshoala claimed a record extending crown in the women’s category.

Also, Super Falcons and Paris FC shotstopper, Chiamaka Nnadozie was named CAF Women’s goalkeeper of the Year 2023 while the Super Falcons won the Women’s National team of the Year award at the colourful award ceremony in Morocco on Monday, December 11, 2023.

More Details shortly.

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As reported by CAF ONLINE, Some of Africa’s most celebrated football names including former winners of African Player of the Year joined their Moroccan counterparts in an exhibition match staged in hounour of those who lost their lives during the tragic Earthquake in September 2023.

The earthquake largely affected areas around Marrakech – the venue that will host Monday night’s CAF Awards.

On Sunday afternoon, the Legends joined over 100 kids from in and around Marrakech and a number of football officials.

The African legends included El Hadji Diouf (Senegal), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Manuel Jose Luis Bucuane (Mozambique), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Geremi Njitap (Cameroon), Pascal Feindouno (Guinea), Herita Illunga (DR Congo), Charles Kabore (Burkina Faso), Thomas Nkono (Cameroon) and Abedi Pele (Ghana).

Emmanuel Amunike (Nigeria), Ahmed Hassan (Egypt), Siaka Tiene (Côte d’Ivoire), Jonathan Pitroipa (Burkina Faso), Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia), Khalilou Fadiga (Senegal), Patrick M’Boma (Cameroon), Titi Camara (Guinea), Salomon Kalou (Côte d’Ivoire), Siphiwe Tshabalala (South Africa), Anthony Baffoe (Ghana) and Mustapha El Haddaoui (Morocco) were part of this memorable tribute game.

Notable women stars who played are Gaelle Enganamouit (Cameroon), Alberta Sackey (Ghana), Clementine Toure (Côte d’Ivoire), Onome Ebi (Nigeria) and Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria).

Two-time African Player of the Year – 2001 and 2002 and Senegalese icon El Hadji Diouf said: “We are one Africa and when one country hurts, we come together to show support. We have to be together especially in times like this. We want to show the families that we stand with them and that we shall never forget what happened. We are truly sorry for their loss.”

Former Togo captain Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor added: “It is very important that we are here for the people of Marrakech and for them to know that we are with them in this.”

“Seeing the young children of Marrakech in the stands at the stadium meant so much to us as we really want to show them that we stand with them. When I was young, my parents supported me in education and in every way possible, so I felt their pain and hope that they went away inspired that we are with them.”

2015 Africa Women’s Player of the Year Gaelle Enganamouit from Cameroon added her voice to her colleagues and said, “It is an honour to give this love from our hearts. We need them to know that they are not alone. Football is very powerful. It is a platform that we can use to pass on this very strong message.”

Selfies at the end of the game with the young fans and most importantly an air of hope and feeling of trust from old friends, foes and new ones at large.

Cameroonian icon Patrick Mboma made a moving tribute at the end of the game saying, “This is a matter of solidarity. It was truly a tough time. It is important to show that we are with them in spirit. Football is a tool that we can use to show support and solidarity and with these star players in town for a few days, the message is clear. We are with the people of Marrakech.”

Marrakech has since made tremendous progress on the journey to recovery and with the CAF Awards 2023 in town, this is a momentous occasion to further show why football is the beautiful game and why football is more than a game.

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Rivers United FC forward, Nyima Nwagua fired the Nigerian side past Tunisia’s Club Africain 1-0 on matchday three of the 2023/2024 CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Visiting Club Africain were enjoying the outing in Uyo before Rivers United FC skipper, Nyima Nwagua struck the only goal of the group C fixture at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

The only goal of the match arrived in the 43rd minute when Enyinnaya Kazie found Nwagua with a pass in the opposition penalty. The forward took a turn before firing a low-shot into the bottom left corner for the all-important winner.

The visitors who came with their fans to Nigeria pulled all systems in their arsenal but were resisted by the Pride of Rivers in a second half to produced few chances as both teams shared period of dominance.

The game ended 1-0 in favour of Rivers United FC, their first ever victory over Club Africain.

Their previous two meetings ended in favour of Club Africain.

In 2017, the Tunisians defeated Rivers United FC 0-2 in Port Harcourt before winning 3-1 in the second leg in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Six years on, it is the Nigerian side who have the bragging right after the first-leg.

That result takes Rivers United FC level with Club Africain on six points, same tally for Ghana’s Dream FC following their 2-3 away win over Academica do Lobito of Angola in the other CAF Confederation Cup group C fixture on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

Rivers United FC will travel to Tunisia on matchday four, hoping to avoid defeat in their bid to pick one of two quater-final tickets from the group.

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Ademola Lookman bagged a brace to lead Atalanta past AC Milan who had compatriot Samuel Chukwueze in action 3-2 in a thrilling Serie A clash at the Gewiss Stadium on Saturday night.

Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman scored the opening goal in the 38th minute of the Serie A match.

The winger received a Teun Koopmeiners’ cross , cut inside between defenders before firing a shot that took a deflection off  Nigerian-blood Fikayo Tomori on its way into the net.

AC Milan fought-back just before the halftime break through frenchman, Olivier Giroud in first half stoppage time.

Atalanta restored their advantage 10 minutes after the break when Lookman graced the roof of the net from six yards after he awell worked pass by Charles De Ketelaere.

The Super Eagle has now scored six goals and provided two assists in 16 league appearances for La Dea this season.

He was replaced by Aleksey Miranchuk with a tension-soaked finale still to come.

Former Real Madrid forward, Luka Jovic equalised for AC Milan in the 80th minute but Atalanta kept the fight and got due reward late in the game.

Luis Muriel netted the winning goal deep into stoppage time to seal a 3-2 win over AC Milan, a victory that gave the home crowd enough cheer and confidence for Lookman and his teammates as they push further up the log In Italy.

For Samuel Chukwueze , it was another game to forget in Milan clolours as he was taken enough early in the second half.

With the result, third placed AC Milan lose further ground on the top-two, Inter Milan and Juventus, while Atalanta move up to seventh place with 23 points from 15 matches.

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