Sports
Mixed Reactions Trail Plan To Cancel AFCON
Ex-Super Eagles stars and fans alike have expressed divided opinion on the prospect of the Confederation of African Football cancelling the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Cameroon next year due to the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, Omicron.
A top CAF official told newsmen on Wednesday that the continent’s football governing body was deliberating over having the continent biennial competition cancelled due to the outbreak of the Omicron variant.
“I can’t say anything about whether the AFCON will hold or not until it (meeting) is concluded,” the CAF official said.
“We are presently deliberating on the next action to take and its likely CAF may call off the competition because Cameroon doesn’t seem to have the necessary COVID-19 protocols to curtail the new Omicron variant.”
With the tournament just 24 days away, the potential cancellation of AFCON has left former internationals and fans split in their opinions.
Former Eagles goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, added that there was no reason to ponder cancelling the competition.
“I don’t know why they’ve decided to take such a decision because we are Africans and our weather is better and favourable to battle the virus,” Shorunmu said.
Atlanta ’96 Olympics gold medallist Abiodun Obafemi, is, however, in support of the competition being called off.
He said, “This situation is of great concern to me because it has to do with players’ health and I don’t want any life to be in danger. So, I think whatever decision they (CAF) take, that will avoid any life being lost, I think I am for it in totality.
“I am very sure the medical team in CAF in collaboration with the World Health Organisation will come out with the best solution for African football.
“We know the Euro 2020 took place despite the coronavirus but we know they could manage the situation because they are very proactive. We can’t compare the way we respond to emergencies in Africa to that of the Europeans.”
Ismaila Mabo, former Super Falcons coach, said cancelling the major Africa tournament would be a hasty decision by CAF.
“I think it is too early for CAF to be talking about cancelling the AFCON tournament,” Mabo said.
“I’m not in support of this idea of cancelling the tournament; what they should be doing is devising other means to comply with the COVID-19 protocols.
“As a coach, my fear is this may affect the psyche of some players who have been working hard to be at the tournament.”
But Ibrahim Shonekan, a football fan, disagrees with Mabo.
“As much as I would have loved for the AFCON to hold, I think we need to put safety first. The lives of the players and others involved are at stake and if the competition cannot be held next year, we can wait another year.”
“Football is not a do-or-die affair and players’ well-being should come first. The virus is deadly and we don’t wish any of the players dead. If cancelling it (AFCON) will keep them safe, I am in total support of it.” Rita Akintoroye added.
Daniel Ebhodaghe, a Lead Cost engineer, questioned the intention to cancel the tournament.
“Has Premier League or LaLiga been cancelled because of this new variant?”
“They can control the recorded cases and at best they put the players coming to play in one camp, restrict their movements and anybody that breaks the protocol should be sent home.
“This is 2022 we are talking about and we are still thinking like we are in the 90s. Last season’s matches were played in empty stadiums.” he explained.
Kylian Mbappe scored a stoppage-time penalty to seal Real Madrid’s win against nine-man Rayo Vallecano, after Jude Bellingham was forced off with injury.
Nobel Mendy’s foul on Brahim Diaz in the 100th minute gave Mbappe the chance to put Real to within one point of Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
Vinicius Jr had opened the scoring for Real early on, a few minutes after Bellingham went off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Rayo Vallecano fought back, and levelled just after the break through Jorge de Frutos.
Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga hit the woodwork for Real, while Vallecano were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes of normal time to go when Pathe Cisse was shown a straight red card for a crude challenge on Dani Cebellos.
The home fans had been agitated at times before Mbappe scored from the spot, and there was time for more drama when Pep Chavarria was shown a second yellow card and dismissed in the 103rd minute.
Bellingham was distraught when he fell to the ground clutching the back of his left thigh after 10 minutes, but the England international was seen to be walking unaided shortly afterwards.
Vinicius Junior struck soon after Bellingham’s exit, curling in a sublime shot after cutting in from the left flank but Real fans grew restless as Vallecano grew in confidence with Chavarria lashing a shot over the bar just before half-time.
De Frutos equalised with a clinical finish, sweeping in a knock-down from Alvaro Garcia with a first-time shot and Thibault Courtois stopped Vallecano taking the lead when he used his feet to save from Andrei Ratiu.
Mbappe seemed set to score when he went around Augusto Batalla after the Vallecano keeper had moved out of his penalty area, but the Real striker’s shot hit the bar.
Cisse was shown the red card after he caught Cebello on the left ankle, and Real went close to taking the lead again when Camavinga’s header struck the post.
Real’s late pressure seemed to be for nothing until Mendy caught Diaz high up, giving Mbappe the chance to strike for his 22nd goal in La Liga.
Chavarria received his second yellow card, for a push on Rodrygo, just before full-time as Real claimed their sixth straight win in La Liga while Vallecano remained just one point and a place above the relegation zone.
Hugo Ekitike turned the game on its head to stun former suitors Newcastle United as champions Liverpool recorded their first Premier League win of 2026.
Newcastle attempted to sign Ekitike in three transfer windows over the course of three and a half years, and how the visitors rued losing out to Liverpool in the race to recruit the lethal striker from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.
After scoring in the reverse fixture in August, the Frenchman came back to haunt Eddie Howe’s side once again at a buoyant Anfield with two goals in two minutes before half-time.
Anthony Gordon had initially opened the scoring for Newcastle with a fine finish, but Liverpool quickly showed their powers of recovery to go on and win the game comfortably thanks to a devastating double from Ekitike, a well-taken goal from Florian Wirtz and a close-range finish from an emotional Ibrahima Konate.
Ten-man Brentford claimed a brilliant win at Aston Villa yesterday to dent the hosts’ Premier League title ambitions.
Dango Ouattara’s fine strike stunned Villa minutes after Kevin Schade was sent off for pushing his studs into Matty Cash’s midriff.
The returning Tammy Abraham had a goal disallowed as Villa lost successive home league games for the first time in two years.
They remain third in the table, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, while Keith Andrews’ Brentford sit seventh, four points adrift of the top five.
Striker Schade’s dismissal looked to have given Villa control, only for Ouattara to find the top corner.
Abraham thought he levelled three minutes into the second half after Caoimhin Kelleher parried Jadon Sancho’s strike, only for the goal to be ruled out – after a four-minute video assistant referee (VAR) review – as the ball went out before Villa attacked.
But there were no late heroics as Brentford defended valiantly to hold on for a deserved and impressive victory.
-
Niger Delta5 days agoPDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority
-
Sports5 days agoSimba open Nwabali talks
-
Nation5 days agoHoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries
-
Niger Delta5 days ago
Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River
-
Nation5 days ago
Maternal Mortality: RSG Identifies 6 High Risk Local Government Areas
-
Niger Delta5 days agoOkpebholo Assures Corps Members Of Improved Welfare
-
News2 hours agoTroops Kill Boko Haram Second-In-Command, 10 Fighters In Borno
-
News2 hours agoUrban Nigerians enjoy 40% faster internet than rural users — NCC