Sports | African News Today

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Nigeria Wins Australia 2:3 in Stunning Comeback

27Jul

By adminNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, World Cup

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Nigeria Wins Australia 2:3 in Stunning Comeback

In a thrilling and historic match at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, Nigeria achieved a remarkable comeback victory against co-hosts Australia, becoming the first African nation to win a match at the prestigious tournament. The game took place at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, leaving The Matildas facing a first-round exit. Australia, still missing the influential Sam Kerr due to injury, dominated much of the first half, and it looked like they had made a decisive breakthrough in stoppage time when Emily van Egmond scored the opening goal. This marked Van Egmond's first goal at the tournament in an impressive 12 years since she last found the net against Equatorial Guinea on July 3, 2011. However, Australia's lead was short-lived as Uchenna Kanu equalized for Nigeria just before hal...

Kai Havertz to Move to Arsenal From Chelseas for £65m

22Jun

By adminNo Comments

English Premiership, Sports

Kai Havertz to Move to Arsenal From Chelseas for £65m

In a significant transfer development, Arsenal Football Club has reached an agreement with Chelsea Football Club for the acquisition of German international forward Kai Havertz. The deal, valued at approximately £65 million, has been agreed upon by the two clubs. While the finer details of the agreement are yet to be disclosed, it is understood that the clubs have established an initial understanding that enables Havertz to engage in discussions regarding personal terms and undergo a medical examination. The transfer fee for the 24-year-old Havertz, who exhibited an impressive performance last season with nine goals in 47 games for Chelsea, includes potential add-ons that could further increase the overall cost of the deal. Havertz, who made his move from Bayer Leverkusen to Chel...

<strong>2023 U-20 AFCON: CAF Congratulates Flying Eagles MOTM Winner</strong>

23Feb

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

2023 U-20 AFCON: CAF Congratulates Flying Eagles MOTM Winner

Confederation of African Football, CAF, has congratulated Flying Eagles striker, Solomon Agbalaka, following his impressive performance in the win over Egypt which resulted in a Man of the Match Award at the 2023 U-20 AFCON. The Flying Eagles of Nigeria defeated the Young Pharaohs of Egypt 1-0 at the Cairo international stadium on Wednesday, February 22. Agbalaka scored the sole goal of the match when he headed in to give Nigeria the lead in the 71st minute. Reacting, CAF in a tweet on its official Twitter handle congratulated the youngster. The tweed read, “Congratulations Solomon Agbalaka, our #NGAEGY Total Energies Man of the Match!” The win marked the Flying Eagles first win in the competition after they were beaten 1-0 by group leaders, Senegal on Sunday, February ...

<strong>UCL: Osimhen Continues Goal Scoring Streak As Napoli Down Frankfurt</strong>

22Feb

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

UCL: Osimhen Continues Goal Scoring Streak As Napoli Down Frankfurt

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen continued his impressive form in front of goal as Napoli defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash on Tuesday. Napoli was awarded a penalty in the 35th minute when Osimhen was fouled in the box but the spot kick was missed by Georgia international, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Osimhen put Napoli ahead in the match after converting a Hirving Lozano pass five minutes after the missed penalty kick. The goal was the Nigeria international’s second in four Champions League matches for the Italian side this season. See Also: Why Osimhen Is Serie A Strongest Striker – Totti Osimhen, 24, has now bagged 20 goals in 24 matches across all competitions for the Serie A leaders this season. Th...

<strong>CAF Robbed Me Of Best Player Award in 2013 – Mikel</strong>

18Feb

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

CAF Robbed Me Of Best Player Award in 2013 – Mikel

Mikel Obi, former Super Eagles captain, has claimed that he was robbed of the 2013 African Player of the Year award by the Confederation of African Football, CAF. Mikel was the star performer for Nigeria during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa as he helped his country clinch the tournament. No Nigerian has won the African Player of the Year award since 1999, when Kanu Kwankwo won the honour ahead of Ghanaian defender, Samuel Kuffour following his impressive form in front of goal for Arsenal. Since then, no Nigerian footballer has gone home with the accolade but only Austin Okocha (twice, in 2003 and 2004) and Mikel Obi (in 2003) were among the final three nominees before losing to Samuel Eto’o and Yaya Toure. Speaking on the award, Mikel in a YouTube intervie...

<strong>Super Eagles Will Qualify For World Cup Under Peter Obi – LP VP</strong>

9Jan

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, World Cup

Super Eagles Will Qualify For World Cup Under Peter Obi – LP VP

Datti Baba-Ahmed, the vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, has expressed optimism that the Super Eagles will qualify for the World Cup if Peter Obi wins the presidential election. Recall that Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, losing out to Ghana. Baba-Ahmed stated this on Sunday when he featured alongside Peter Obi, on The Peoples Townhall, an event organised by Channels Television and its partners He said they would prioritize ensuring that Nigeria wins the Nations Cup as well as qualification for every World Cup tournament. Recall that the three-time Africa Cup of Nations failed to make it to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, losing the spot to Ghana. See Also: Tinubu Describes Obasanjo’s Endorsement of Obi As ‘Blind Leading ...

<strong>Why Osimhen Is Serie A Strongest Striker – Totti</strong>

17Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Why Osimhen Is Serie A Strongest Striker – Totti

Francesco Totti, Italy and AS Roma legend, has named Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen as the best striker in the Italian Serie A. Totti was instrumental in the Italian squad that clinched the FIFA World Cup in 2006. Totti in an interview with BepiTv1 said, “The strongest striker in Serie A? In my opinion, it is Osimhen. First, because he (Osimhen) scores when the ball falls to him he scores. “And then he makes himself available to the team. He is always in the right place at the right time.” See Also: Victor Osimhen Scores His 30th Goal for Napoli The Nigerian striker produced 10 goals and three assists in 30 appearances in his debut season in Italy despite injury woes, suspensions, and coronavirus issues. Osimhen has improved on those numbers as he bagged 18 goals and...

<strong>Why 2022 World Cup Is Greatest For Africa – Oliseh</strong>

14Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Africa, News, Sports, World Cup

Why 2022 World Cup Is Greatest For Africa – Oliseh

Sunday Oliseh, former Super Eagles coach, has rated the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar as the best so far for African teams. Morocco made record as the first African team in history to qualify for the World Cup semi-final against France after they defeated Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-final. The Atlas Lions of Morocco topped group F after finishing ahead of Belgium, Croatia, and Canada. The North African side then beat Spain in the round of 16, emerging victorious with a 3-0 scoreline in the penalty shootout. Morocco will play against defending champions France in Doha’s Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday (today). Commenting on the match, Oliseh tagged this the greatest tournament for Africa as each African side that participated in the tournament won at least one match. Olis...

<strong>Qatar 2022: Figo Blames Santos For Morocco Defeat</strong>

12Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Morocco, News, Sports, World Cup

Qatar 2022: Figo Blames Santos For Morocco Defeat

Luis Figo, a Portugal legend, has called out head coach, Fernando Santos for the team’s ouster from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Figo during an interview with Sportskeeda, said that Santos was not supposed to bench Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s defeat against Morocco in the quarter-finals. See Also: World Cup: He’s Exceptional – Van Gaal Lauds Ziyech The former Portugal international who represented them at the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup, said Santos cannot win the World Cup while benching Ronaldo, noting that the coach got the decision wrong. However, Ronaldo who has clocked 37 years was also left on the bench for the round of 16 match against Switzerland, with 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos being favoured to start. Figo said, “You can’t win the World Cup with Cristiano...

<strong>Oliseh Reacts To Morocco’s World Cup Record Win</strong>

11Dec

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Morocco, News, Sports, World Cup

Oliseh Reacts To Morocco’s World Cup Record Win

Sunday Oliseh, former Super Eagles coach, has praised the Atlas Lions of Morocco for their historic win over Portugal in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. Morocco became the first African team to make it to the semi-final of the World Cup when they beat Portugal at the Thumama Stadium, Doha. Youssef En-Nesyri bagged the winning goal in the 42nd minute of the match. Despite attempts by Portugal to level scores in the second half, the North African side remained resolute to win the match with a single goal. See Also: World Cup: Ighalo Tips Morocco To Shock Portugal Speaking on the goal in a tweet on his Twitter handle, Oliseh tweeted, “After 48 years of trying Morocco has made Africa into world superpower status in football. Ecstatic & privileged to be he...