Tag: General Sports

The AthleticNG presents a review of 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League [NPFL] matchday-eight games decided last weekend.

Nine matches were played across the country in the NPFL .

On Saturday, November 11 at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe, Doma United FC gunned down former NPFL champions Akwa United FC 1-0 to get the week-8 fixtures underway.

On Sunday, November 12, the biggest game of the day pitched Kano Pillars FC Vs Enyimba FC at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

Abdul Maikaba tutored Pillars beat the reigning NPFL champions 1-0 courtesy of an Abba Adam goal in the 19th minute of the match.

In Ikenne, Remo Stars Sports Club thrashed Gombe United FC 4-0 to pile more misery on the Savannah Scorpions who last weekend fell 0-3 at home to Doma United FC.

For the Remo Stars win, Sikiru Alimi netted twice for Daniel Ogunmodede’s in the game to go top of the goalscorers chart while Franck Mawuena and Aniekeme Okon scored the other goals.

The Antelopes continued the Flying start to life under Fidelis Ilechukwu with a hard-fought 2-2 away draw Vs Sunshine Stars In Akure.

In summary, eighteen-goals were scored in nine matches, with six home wins and three draws.

SATURDAY RESULT

Doma 1-0 Akwa United

FULL RESULTS ON SUNDAY
Katsina Utd 1-0 Rivers Utd
Sunshine Stars 2-2 Rangers
Lobi 1-0 Sporting Lagos
Kano Pillars 1-0 Enyimba
Kwara Utd 1-1 3SC
Tornadoes 0-0 Insurance
Remo Stars 4-0 Gombe Utd
Plateau Utd 3-1 Abia Warriors

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Latest Super Eagles invitee Nathan Tella bagged his first German Bundesliga goal ahead of a maiden International appearance for Nigeria.

Nathan Temitayo Tella scored his very first German Bundesliga goal, days after getting his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Tella who came on as a substitute scored the final goal as Bayer Leverkusen trounced Union Berlin 4-0 , in a matchday eleven fixture of the German Bundesliga, played on Sunday, November 12, 2023.

Tella was born in England to Nigerian parents and recently switched international allegiance from England to Nigeria.

In his last Leverkusen game before travelling to Nigeria to honour his International call-up, Tella was subbed-on in the 81st minute and made significant impact by scoring his first league goal in Germany in the 83rd minute.

The 24-year-old who can play as a central midfielder or right winger, earned his first call-up by coach José Peseiro for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria who are start resuming camp, on Monday are home to Lesotho on Day-1 in Uyo, before taking a trip to face the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Day-2.

Another Nigeria international in action for Leverkusen on Sunday, was Victor Boniface, who started the game and was substituted in the 87th minute.

The win means Bayer Leverkusen head into the international break, top of the Bundesliga log on 34 points – 2 points clear of Bayern Munich.

Xabi Alonso and his troops have recorded 10 wins, drawn once, and has not tested defeat so far, this season; having scored 34 goals and conceded 10 in the Bundesliga.

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Nigerian midfielder, John Ogu has named compatriot Victor Boniface as solution to Arsenal FC attacking problems.

Ogu [35] who currently plays for Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa in Isreal is a renowned fan of the Gunners and so means well for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Arsenal are expected to be active in the winter transfer market, with concerns mounting over the fitness of Brazilian star Gabriel Jesus.

The former Manchester City striker has struggled with injuries and has only started four Premier League games, scoring one goal this season.

In the abscence of Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah has stepped up to starting spot, finding the net five times in 12 league appearances.

In their 3-1 win on Saturday evening, the Gunners banked on goals from Trossard and defenders William Salliba and Zinchenko to triumph at the Emirates Stadium.

At the moment, Arsenal are already linked with a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney, but Ogu is convinced Boniface is the perfect player for the Londoners.

22-year old Boniface won numerous hearts with his performances for Bayer Leverkusen having only arrived from Belgium’s Union Saint Gilloise in the summer. The Super Eagles forward has already won the Bundesliga player of the month [1] plus three rookie awards.

Ogu believes Boniface could replicate his excellent performances in the Premier League, and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations bronze-winning midfielder has urged the Gunners to go all in for his compatriot.

Ogu, wrote on his X handle: “Dear Arsenal, don’t sleep on Boniface. Our solution.”

Boniface has seven goals and six assists in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen, and he has the most attempts on goal in the Bundesliga so far this season.

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Nigeria Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has named his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier vs Lesotho and Zimbabwe in November.

The list of invited players was published on the Nigeria Football Federation X handle on Thursday, November 10, 2023.

On the list, Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella gets a maiden call-up and is the only new name on the list.

Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Wilfred Ndidi are notable abscentees on the list while skipper Ahmed Musa misses for a third consecutive international break.

Jamilu Collins makes a return after a long layoff due to injury while Spain based forward, Sadiq Umar is preferred to red-hot M0ntpellier striker, Akor Adams.

The Super Eagles will kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a match against Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, followed by an away clash against Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday, November 19.

The Huye Stadium, located in Butare, Rwanda, has been chosen as Zimbabwe’s home venue for the qualifiers, as no stadium in Zimbabwe met the criteria for hosting FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

FULL List of Invited Players:

Goalkeepers:

1. Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
2. Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
3. Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy)

Defenders:

1. Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
2. Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal)
3. Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)
4. Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)
5. Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey)
6. Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)
7. Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
8. Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales)

Midfielders:

1. Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
2. Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England)
3. Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
4. Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards:

1. Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)
2. Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain)
3. Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
4. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
5. Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
6. Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)
7. Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)
8. Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)

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Europe’s football governing body, UEFA, has celebrated Nigerian striker Gift Orban after his hat-trick, on matchday four of the 2023/2024 Europa Conference League.

Orban who is finding his feet this season after a slow start netted Gent’s three goals in a 2-3 UEFA Europa Conference League win away to Iceland side Breidablik in Group B.

The 21-year-old fired Gent 1-0 ahead in the 6th minute.

A deep cross from Pieter Gerkens found the run of Orban, and he headed the ball over the goalkeeper in deft fashion.

The hosts then hit a brace from Svanthorsson on 16th and 18th minute to lead 2-1 at half-time.

In the second half, Gift Orban drew the Belgian side level with a 54th minute equalizer from the penalty spot.

He then completed his perfect hat-trick in the 69th minute to make it 2-3.

For the third goal, Moroccan forward Tarik Tissoudali received a fine pass in behind before squaring the ball to Orban, who applied a left-footed finish to seal the win.

Reacting to the feat, UEFA wrote on their Europa Conference League X handle:” The lad keeps on giving!.”

Also, Gift Orban has been nominated for the UEFA Confernce League player of the week award alongside Bodo/Glimt’s Faris Moumbagna, Svanthorsson of Breidablik and Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Dor Peretz.

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Nigerian striker Victor Boniface scored a late-winner as Bayer Leverkusen defeated Qarabag 0-1 in the Europa League on Thursday, November 9.

With the encounter heading for a stalemate, Leverkusen were awarded after Maksim Medvedev handled the ball inside his penalty area.

22-year old Victor Boniface stepped up to convert the penalty in the 94th minute to bag all three points for Xabi Alonso’s men at the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium, Baku Azerbaijan.

It is now four wins out of four group games for Bayer Leverkusen who top on 12 points.

Leverkusen have also won their last eleven matches and currently occupy top-spot on the German Bundeliga table.

For Boniface, that goal was his eleventh of the season and fourth in the UEFA Europa League this season.

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Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe has assured of their readiness to host a successful kick-off of the 2023/ 2024 Nigeria National League (NNL) on Saturday, November 11 at the renovated Lafia City Stadium.

The Deputy Governor has been working round the clock to ensure the Stadium is ready for the Nigeria National League opener and is happy the Lafia City Stadium is in perfect condition.

” Nasarawa State is ready to host the opening game and am happy with the facilities at the stadium,” Dr. Akabe said.

‘It’s also a thing of joy that the stadium got the approval of the NNL board to host the opening game which goes to show that the pitch is of international standard,” he stressed.

Aluo added: “The present board of the NNL is out to organize the best league in recent times and that was why we organised a seminar for all club coaches taking part in the league.

“Clubs should realize that we have zero tolerance for violence and any behavior that will bring the game to disrepute will not be tolerated.

“Our matches will be closely monitored as we will be sending compliant officers across all venues. “We expect the best and a grand opening game as we’re working hard to raise the standard,” he noted.

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As the excitement builds for the prestigious 2023 CAF Awards Gala set to take place on December 11, 2023, in Marrakech, Morocco, the African football community eagerly awaits the celebration of exceptional players, coaches, and teams. 

Among the nominations, only two Nigerians, Victor Osimhen and Gift Orban, have made the cut, earning recognition for their outstanding contributions to the sport.

Victor Osimhen, who had an explosive season with Napoli in Italy, is among the contenders for the coveted awards. He showcased his goal-scoring prowess by netting an impressive 31 goals in 39 matches, a remarkable feat that played a crucial role in Napoli’s triumph in the Serie A. Osimhen’s brilliance has continued into the current season, with six goals in ten appearances, underlining his consistency as a top-tier footballer.

On the other hand, Gift Orban’s nomination is a testament to his remarkable talent despite battling injuries. Last season, Orban displayed his scoring ability by bagging 20 goals in just 22 appearances for his club, KAA Gent. Even in the face of physical setbacks, Orban has managed to score seven goals in six appearances this season, further solidifying his reputation as a gifted footballer.

The preliminary list for the various award categories was assembled by a panel of CAF Technical Experts, African Football Legends, and media representatives from multiple countries. The performance of the nominees between November 2022 and September 2023 served as the evaluation period for these prestigious awards.

Victor Osimhen could win his first award as the African Footballer of the Year

For the top prize, the CAF African Player of the Year, thirty exceptional players have been nominated, while the CAF Interclub Player of the Year features twenty nominees. The Coach of the Year, CAF National Team of the Year, and Club of the Year categories each have ten nominees, and a new addition to the awards lineup is the CAF African Goalkeeper of the Year, which includes separate categories for men and women. Ten players have been nominated for this novel award.

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The winners in each category will be determined through a voting panel consisting of CAF Technical Committee members, media professionals, Head Coaches, Captains of Member Associations, and clubs involved in the group stages of the Interclub competitions.

While the nominations for the Women’s categories are yet to be revealed, the last edition of the CAF Awards Gala, which took place in July 2022 in Rabat, Morocco, saw Sadio Mane of Senegal crowned as the CAF African Player of the Year, and Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala securing her fifth CAF African Women’s Player of the Year title.

Gift Orban has been nominated for the Young Player of the Year award

The complete list of nominees in various award categories is as follows (in alphabetical order by Member Association):

Player of the Year (Men):

1. Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria and Borussia Dortmund)
2. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria and Al Ahli)
3. Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso and Bayer Leverkusen)
4. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon and SSC Napoli)
5. Vincent Aboubacar (Cameroon and Besiktas)
6. Ibrahima Sangare (Cote d’Ivoire and Nottingham Forest)
7. Seko Fofana (Cote d’Ivoire and Al Nassr)
8. Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo and Olympique Marseille)
9. Fiston Mayele (DR Congo and Pyramids)
10. Mahmoud Abdel Moneim “Kahraba” (Egypt and Ahly)
11. Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt and Al Ahly)
12. Mohamed ElShenawy (Egypt and Al Ahly)
13. Mohamed Salah (Egypt and Liverpool)
14. Mohammed Kudus (Ghana and West Ham United)
15. Thomas Partey (Ghana and Arsenal)
16. Serhou Guirassy (Guinea and VfB Stuttgart)
17. Yves Bissouma (Mali and Tottenham Hotspur)
18. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain)
19. Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco and Olympique Marseille)
20. Hakim Ziyech (Morocco and Galatasaray)
21. Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco and Manchester United)
22. Yahya Jabrane (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
23. Yassine Bounou (Morocco and Al Hilal)
24. Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco and Sevilla)
25. Peter Shalulile (Namibia and Mamelodi Sundowns)
26. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria and SSC Napoli)
27. Sadio Mane (Senegal and Al Nassr)
28. Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal and Tottenham Hotspur)
29. Percy Tau (South Africa and Al Ahly)
30. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Tunisia and Ferencvaros)

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Goalkeeper of the Year (Men):

1. Mohamed ElShenawy (Egypt and Al Ahly)
2. Yassine Bounou (Morocco & Al Hilal)
3. Andre Onana (Cameroon and Manchester United)
4. Ronwen Williams (South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns)
5. Edouard Mendy (Senegal and Al Ahli)
6. Oussama Benbot (Algeria and USM Alger)
7. Youssef El Motie (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
8. Djigui Diarra (Mali and Young Africans)
9. Pape Mamadou Sy (Senegal and Generation Foot)
10. Landing Badji (Senegal and AS Pikine)

Young Player of the Year (Men)

1.     Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso and Bournemouth)
2.     Souleymane Alio (Burkina Faso and New Stars)
3.     Ernest Nuamah (Ghana & Olympique Lyonnais)
4.     Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Morocco and Betis)
5.     Bilal El Khannous (Morocco and Genk)
6.     Gift Orban (Nigeria and KAA Gent)
7.     Lamine Camara (Senegal and Generation Foot/Metz)
8.     Pape Amadou Diallo (Senegal and Generation Foot/Metz)
9.     Pape Demba Diop (Senegal and Zulte Waregem)
10. Amara Diouf (Senegal and Generation Foot)

Interclub Player of the Year (Men):

1. Aymen Mahious (Algeria and USM Alger/Yverdon-Sport)
2. Oussama Benbot (Algeria and USM Alger)
3. Zineddine Belaid (Algeria and USM Alger)
4. Fiston Mayele (DR Congo and Young Africans/Pyramids)
5. Makabi Lilepo (DR Congo and Al Hilal/Valenciennes)
6. Hussein El Shahat (Egypt and Al Ahly)
7. Mahmoud Abdel Moneim “Kahraba” (Egypt and Ahly)
8. Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt and Al Ahly)
9. Mohamed ElShenawy (Egypt and Al Ahly)
10. Mostafa Fathi (Egypt and Pyramids)
11. Djigui Diarra (Mali and Young Africans)
12. Yahia Attiyat Allah (Morocco and Wydad Club Athletic)
13. Yahya Jabrane (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
14. Youssef El Motie (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
15. Peter Shalulile (Namibia and Mamelodi Sundowns)
16. Percy Tau (South Africa and Al Ahly)
17. Ranga Chivaviro (South Africa and Marumo Gallants/Kaizer Chiefs)
18. Ronwen Williams (South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns)
19. Ali Maaloul (Tunisia and Al Ahly)
20. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane

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Former Super Eagles skipper, Mikel Obi has recalled how the decision to bench John Terry caused the sack of Rafa Benitez at Chelsea FC.

Benitez was appointed Interim manager of Chelsea FC in 2022 and endured a difficult time off the field as he struggled with discontent by fans and players over his appointment.

In that time, Benitez decided to reduce the playing time of influential Chelsea skipper, John Terry, a decision that never went down well with the Englishman and now Mikel says it played a part in the clubs decision no to hand the Coach a permanent contract.

When asked on his podcast about the relationship at Chelsea with the former Liverpool FC boss, Mikel Obi said ” We made that clear. I think obviously Liverpool was a big rival for us, but coming into the club as well, I think the fans also didn’t like Rafa.

“I think there was something about Rafa and the fans that the fans didn’t take to him. Same as the players, we didn’t accept him as one of us.”

Then we had the thing with JT where JT got dropped, JT wasn’t playing as much as he wanted. Obviously JT always played and Rafa comes in and was like ‘you’re not going to play every game’.

“Obviously JT wanted an explanation, ‘why am I not played?’ and Rafa didn’t give him that.”

Co-host Jim White then asked if the Blues players then got together to solve Terry’s dilemma and conspire to get Benitez out – and Mikel’s answer ended up leaving those in the studio in stitches.

“JT got together by himself and decided yeah, your time is gone!”

Benitez was not entirely unsuccessful at Chelsea FC.

The Spanish manager won the Europa League, qualified for the Champions League, and finished third in the Premier League, but was not given a permanent contract at the end of the season.

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Kufre Ebong scored the lone goal to fire Akwa United FC to their first win of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League season.

Akwa United FC scrapped past a resilient Gombe United FC team 1-0 in a NPFL matchday six clash at the Eket Stadium on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

Former Nigeria U-23 striker, Kufre Ebong scored the match-winner in the 35th minute of the game.

Fresh from securing an away point vs Bendel Insurance FC last weekend, Akwa United FC started the NPFL week 6 match like a house on fire and had at least three attempts on goal in the opening quarter with Mustapha Dan’azumi etching the oppositions only attempt in that time.

Akwa United FC dominated possession but failed to create clear-cut chances until the 35th minute when a fine team move from the right was tapped home by Kufre Ebong to give the Promise Keepers a deserved 1-0 lead, one they maintained until the half-time break.

At the resumption of hostilities for the second half, Akwa United FC survived an early scare when Gombe United FC forward Wasiu Alalade was played through on goal but failed to hit the target with only the on-rushing goalkeeper Nurudeen Badmus to beat.

Nigeria U-23 striker, Edidiong Ezekiel had two opportunities to extend Akwa United FC lead but was denied on both occasions by last-gasp defending by the Savannah Scorpions defenders.

The Promise Keepers defence marshalled by highly-rated youngster Wisdom Ndon kept their perfect record at the back at home with a third cleansheet and fourth of the season.

At the expiration of regulation time, it finished Akwa United FC 1-0 Gombe United FC, a first win of the 2023/2024 season after six weeks.

Big relief for Akwa United FC Head Coach, Fatai Osho who will eye another victory when they host Plateau United FC at the Eket Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2023.

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