Sports
Rohr Equals Amodu’s Record As Eagles Most-Capped Coach
Gernot Rohr equalled Shaibu Amodu as the coach with the most games for the Super Eagles in their 2-0 win over Liberia in Tangier, Morocco last Saturday.
The game was Rohr’s 53rd as Eagles coach, same as Amodu, who had several stints with the national team between 2001 and 2015.
Rohr was appointed Eagles coach on August 5, 2016, after stints in Gabon, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
The Franco-German replaced Sunday Oliseh, who resigned as Eagles coach six months earlier.
His first game in charge of the Eagles was against Tanzania on September 3, 2016, in the final game of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, winning 1-0.
He went on to win his next two games 2-1 against Zambia and 3-1 against Algeria in the 2018 World Cup qualifying games.
His first defeat came in Nigeria’s first match in the 2019 AFCON qualifiers, losing 2-0 to South Africa at the GodswillAkpabio International Stadium, Uyo, June 10, 2017.
Out of the 53 games, he has managed the Eagles, Rohr has won 28, drawn 12, and lost 13 times, garnering a 52.83 per cent win ratio.
The former Niger coach enjoyed his best winning streak of four games between September 8, 2018, and October 16, 2018, defeating Seychelles 3-0, Liberia 2-1, and Libya twice 4-0 and 3-2.
The streak also extended to not losing in the five next games, amassing his best non-losing streak of nine games, extending until June 8, 2019.
This was however stopped by Senegal, who defeated Nigeria 1-0 in an international friendly on June 16, 2019, at the Ismaila Stadium, Egypt in the build-up to the 2019 AFCON.
The 68-year-old had his longest losing streak of three games between June 2, 2018, to June 16, 2018, losing to England 2-1, Czech 1-0 and Croatia 2-0.
His most popular scoreline is a 1-0 victory which he secured eight times, while his highest winning margin is 4-0 — against Cameroon in the 2018 World Cup qualifier on September 1, 2017, and against Libya in the 2019 AFCON qualifier on October 13, 2018.
The 4-4 draw against Sierra Leone on November 13, 2020, in the 2021 AFCON qualifier in Benin, Edo State was the game with the highest number of goals involved.
It was also the same time he had his longest winless streak of five games after he had earlier lost 2-0 to Serbia on March 27, 2018, before playing a 1-1 draw against DR Congo on May 28, 2018.
He has played against Cameroon the most, five times, winning twice, two draws and losing once.
In his five years in charge, Rohr has used a total of 82 players, with vice-captain William Troost-Ekong his most-capped player with 47 games for the national team under the current gaffer, one ahead of captain Ahmed Musa.
Alex Iwobi is third, playing 44 times, while Wilfred Ndidi has played 40 games for the Eagles under Rohr to place fourth ahead of Leon Balogun, who is fifth with 35 appearances.
OdionIghalo, who made his Eagles return after over two years’ absence, is Rohr’s most prolific striker with 13 goals ahead of Osimhen and Iwobi with nine goals each.
Rohr has led Nigeria to two competitions, crashing out of the group stage at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, before winning the bronze medal at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
Rohr broke the record with the highest number of national teams games managed for Nigeria when the Eagles host Cape Verde in their final group game of the 2021 AFCON qualifier at the TeslimBalogun Stadium, Lagos, yesterday.
Sports
Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues
Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.
Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.
However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.
Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.
Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.
Sports
City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road
Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.
The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.
City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.
But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.
Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.
Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)
Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.
Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).
In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.
West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.
The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.
And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.
Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.
Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.
But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.
Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.
Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.
Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.
Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.
Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.
Sports
PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1
Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.
The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.
PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.
Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.
Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.
Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.
Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.
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