Connect with us

Sports

Minister Tasks S’Eagles On 2026 W’Cup Ticket

Published

on

The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan-Enoh, has urged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to start their qualifying campaign strong and pick a ticket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they host Lesotho tomorrow in Uyo.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
The minister said this yesterday in Abuja, ahead of the team’s opening home game against Lesotho tomorrow.
The Eagles will thereafter lock horns with Zimbabwe on Sunday in match day two of the doubleheader qualifiers.
He stressed the need for the team to be ruthless and avoid taking the same route that led to the heartbreaking non-qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“The memory of losing out during the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup is still fresh in the minds of Nigerians.
“The team should avoid leaving their fate to permutations. We should bring out our best to pick the first six points in front of us,” he said.
Owan-Enoh expressed confidence in the team’s ability and highlighted the immense pride the nation holds for the Super Eagles.
He urged the technical crew and the players to put their best foot forward in the two crucial games.
“I have complete faith in our talented squad. The Super Eagles have a rich history of success, and we believe they are fully capable of securing two wins in the upcoming matches.
“This is not just a football game; it is a representation of the spirit and resilience of the Nigerian people. I encourage our players to give their all on the field and make the nation proud,” he charged.
The minister also commended the coaching crew, led by Jose Peseiro, and support personnel for their dedication and hard work in preparing the team.
“As the Minister of Sports Development, I want to assure the full support of the government.
“We will continue to invest in sports infrastructure, training facilities, and program that nurture the talent of our young athletes,” he said.
Meanwhile, ahead of tomorrow’s qualifier, 22 players have arrived the Super Eagles camp in Uyo as they fine tune preparation ahead of the fixtures against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Sixteen players arrived the team’s camp yesterday, increasing the number to 22.
Bendel Insurance goalkeeper, Amas Obasogie is now the only player being expected in camp.
Obasogie replaced injured Udinese of Italy shot stopper, Maduka Okoye in the team.
The Super Eagles were expected to hold two training sessions (on Tuesday and Wednesday) before facing Lesotho tomorrow.
The match against the Likuena is slated for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Jose Peseiro’s side will also do battle with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium, Butare, on Sunday.

Continue Reading

Sports

Galaxy Win Sixth MLS Title

Published

on

LA Galaxy won a record-extending sixth MLS Cup title as they beat New York Red Bulls to delight a home crowd at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The MLS Cup is the showpiece match at the end of the US season, pitching the champions of the Eastern Conference and Western Conference finals together.
This was the first MLS Cup between two sides from the largest cities in the United States, Los Angeles and New York, and it produced a hectic opening with all three goals scored in the first half-hour.
Red Bulls were the lowest seed to ever reach the final after finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, and their underdog status initially showed as Galaxy dominated the 29th MLS Cup early on.
Galaxy led after nine minutes when Joseph Paintsil squeezed his shot under goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, and it was 2-0 soon after as Dejan Joveljic ran through the Red Bulls defence and finished with the outside of his boot.
Both men celebrated by holding up the shirt of team-mate Riqui Puig, the former Barcelona player who ruptured his ACL in the Western Conference Final which Galaxy won to reach this championship game.
Galaxy threatened to overwhelm their opponents as Sean Nealis headed a free-kick against his own crossbar.
But Red Bulls centre-back Nealis pulled his team back into the game after 28 minutes when he chested down and volleyed in from 15 yards when Galaxy players failed to clear a corner.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the second half: Galaxy right-back Miki Yamane struck the outside of the post, before Emil Forsberg curled an effort off the upright for Red Bulls.
But Galaxy, who had home advantage because of their better record in the regular season, held on to win their first MLS Cup since 2014.
Red Bulls remain without an MLS Cup title in their history after losing on what was their second appearance in the championship game.

Continue Reading

Sports

Bayern Extend Bundesliga Lead To Six Points

Published

on

Bayern Munich continued their unbeaten start to the Bundesliga season with a 4-2 win against Heidenheim.
A double from Jamal Musiala and goals from Dayot Upamecano and Leon Goretzka saw Bayern extend their lead at the top of the table to six points as closest challengers Eintracht Frankfurt were held to a 2-2 draw by Augsburg.
Vincent Kompany was without the injured Harry Kane, Manuel Neuer, Mathys Tel and Serge Gnabry, with Musiala starting on the bench.
Leroy Sane spurned two excellent early chances from close range before Upamecano headed the hosts in front from a Joshua Kimmich corner.
Bayern enjoyed 86% possession and completed 10 times as many passes (503) as the visitors (51) in the first half, yet Alphonso Davies hit the post with the only other clear chance created.
To their credit, Heidenheim didn’t wilt and drew level when Mathias Honsak rounded stand-in Bayern goalkeeper Daniel Peretz after Upamecano under-hit a backpass.
Kompany immediately introduced Musiala from the bench and was rewarded five minutes later when the 21-year-old drove into the box and beat Kevin Muller with a low strike.
Bayern looked to have secured the three points when Goretzka’s shot deflected past Muller, but the visitors halved the deficit almost immediately through a Niklas Dorsch tap-in.
Any nerves soon dissipated when Musiala ran half the length of the pitch unchallenged to slot home the fourth and final goal.
Bayern will face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League tomorrow before returning to domestic duty away against Mainz on Saturday.

Continue Reading

Sports

La Liga: Barca Stumble Again

Published

on

Robert Lewandowski continued his superb start to the season but could not prevent Barcelona dropping points in a 2-2 draw with Real Betis.
Lewandowski scored his 16th goal of the league campaign before Ferran Torres cancelled out Giovani Lo Celso’s penalty – but Assane Diao snatched a point for Betis with a late equaliser.
Real Betis could have easily scored twice in the opening three minutes but Raphina cleared Diego Llorente’s header off the goalline before Abde Ezzalzouli – formerly of Barcelona – saw his one-on-one effort saved by Inaki Pena.
Lamine Yamal wasted a good chance to break the deadlock from close range but team-mate Lewandowski made no such mistake.
The Poland international converted Jules Kounde’s cross from close range to finish a fine team move and score for the 23rd time in 21 games in all competitions.
Betis emerged from half-time with renewed energy but spurned three more clear chances.
Sergi Altimira and Lo Celso sent headers wide of Pena’s post before the Barcelona goalkeeper was called upon to tip Chimy Avila’s snap-shot wide.
Betis finally got their just reward when Lo Celso converted from the penalty spot after Barca substitute Frenkie de Jong felled Vitor Roque – on-loan from the Catalans – as he raced into the area.
Barca pushed for a winner and found it when substitute Torres beat the offside trap to latch on to Yamal’s reverse pass and finish past Fran Vieites.
It looked like Barca would see out the win, but in the fourth minute of injury-time 19-year-old substitute Diao swept home to rescue a point for the hosts.
The draw sees Barca surrender control in the title race. Flick’s side are five points ahead of closest challengers Real Madrid but Los Blancos have played two games fewer.
Barca will be in Champions League action against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday (20:00 GMT kick-off) before facing Leganes in La Liga on Sunday, 15 December.

Continue Reading

Trending