Sports
Zimbabwe, Tough Test For S’Eagles – Rohr
Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr has described the match against the Brave Warriors of Zimbawe
as a tough test ahead of the 2019 African Cup of Nations slated for Egypt later in the month
According to Rohr, though the Eagles failed to find the net in the pre -Nations Cup friendly game
at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Saturday, the Zimbabweans really tested Super Eagles’ resolve and spirit, which bodes well for the expected task of challenging for glory at the Nations Cup proper.
It was a send forth game organised for the Eagles before they get out to Egypt and one the home team and indeed the fans expected a win from, but it proved to be a sterner test than the script had promised. In a game played under heavy rain and wet conditions, the visitors proved very stubborn as they demonstrated great determination and resilience.
They defended resolutely and snuffed out any threat the Eagles tried to engineer. With a compact midfield with robust tackles and impressive team cohesion, they were able to deny Nigeria space and time to express themselves. However, few Nigerian players, particularly, Samuel Chukwueze, Samuel Kalu, Leon Balogun and Oghenekaro Etebo were able to show some glimpses of brilliance and promise.
The Eagles were unable to take advantage of the rare and few opportunities that came their way, especially in the first half when leggy forward, Paul Onuachu was released by Alex Iwobi only for him to side net. Same tale continued in the second half when substitute Henry Onyekuru and Ahmed Musa’s crosses begged for connection to no avail.
In the end, it resulted in a scoreless stalemate, which was probably a fair result considering the industry of the visitors. The game also showed that Zimbabwe is certainly a dark horse that should not be taken for granted at the Nations Cup.
Coach Rohr, however expressed satisfaction with the performance of his players. He said that considering the difficult conditions the match was played in, all of the players deserved commendation for their performances, especially, their ability to try to play good football under extreme cold, wet and soggy conditions. He promised to continue to work to improve on lapses and performance of the team.
Liverpool’s season of abject misery worsened as they were beaten with embarrassing ease by a hugely impressive Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s Premier League champions were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Manchester City, but instead ran into a Forest side revitalised under new manager Sean Dyche and looking back to their best.
Liverpool head coach Slot gave £125m British record signing Alexander Isak a start, but he was totally anonymous once more and only lasted 67 minutes.
Forest went ahead after 33 minutes when defender Murillo shot powerfully past fit-again Liverpool keeper Alisson to subdue an already anxious Anfield.
Igor Jesus had a second ruled out for handball, but Forest doubled their advantage 39 seconds after the break when former Liverpool defender Neco Williams set up Nicola Savona for a crisp finish in front of The Kop.
Liverpool could barely raise a response in a desperate display, Forest increasing their lead 12 minutes from time when Morgan Gibbs-White scored after Alisson saved from Omari Hutchinson.
It means Liverpool, who lie 11th before Saturday’s late fixture, have now lost six of their past seven Premier League games as Slot’s near £450m summer spending spree comes under further scrutiny.
Forest, meanwhile, are surging away from the relegation zone and are up to 16th.
Michael Olise scored twice and provided a hat-trick of assists as Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich came from two goals down to thrash Freiburg.
The visitors stunned the defending champions by taking a 2-0 lead after just 17 minutes when Yuito Suzuki scored from close range and Johan Manzambi rose highest to head home Jan-Niklas Beste’s corner.
Bayern, who had not lost in the league since March, responded superbly and had restored parity by half-time.
Teenager Lennart Karl fired into the bottom corner from Olise’s pass in the 22nd minute and set up the Frenchman for a fierce finish in first-half injury-time, although Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu should have done better.
Bayern took control in the second period as Dayot Upamecano headed home Olise’s corner to put them ahead for the first time.
England captain Harry Kane netted his 14th league goal of the campaign on the hour mark, before Olise made it three assists when he threaded a pass through for Nicolas Jackson to finish at the first time of asking in the 78th minute.
Winger Olise completed a sensational afternoon with his second of the game six minutes later, driving at the Freiburg defence and curling into the far corner.
A 10th victory in the first 11 games left Bayern eight points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, while Freiburg remain 10th in the standings.
Vincent Kompany’s side visit Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday with both sides having a perfect record of four wins so far in the league phase of the competition.
AS FAR Morocco Win African Women’s Champions League (8)
AS FAR held firm to beat debutants ASEC Mimosas 2-1 in the African Women’s Champions League final and become continental champions for the second time.
Hanane Ait El Haj put the Moroccan club ahead from the penalty spot in the 13th minute after Safa Banouk had been tripped by Aboa Yapo.
ASEC Mimosas rallied after the break and Ami Priscal Diallo netted a fine header from Sopie Brou’s cross to drag the Ivory Coast club level 10 minutes into the second half.
But AS FAR were handed a second spot-kick in the closing stages when Noura Diarra committed a rash challenge on Sofia Bouftini.
This time it was Zineb Redouani who stepped up to stroke home in the 85th minute and restore her side’s lead.
Asastasie Gbehi came close to forcing extra time but she poked wide of the post in stoppage time, and the centre-back was sent off after the full-time whistle for dissent.
AS FAR move level with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns as two-time winners of the title, having first lifted the trophy in 2022.
The Rabat-based side will now take on Chinese’s Wuhan Jiangda on 14 December for a place at next year’s Fifa Women’s Champions Cup.
The winner of that match will face European champions Arsenal in the semi-finals of the inaugural competition early next year in London.
-
Featured4 days agoOil & Gas: Rivers Remains The Best Investment Destination – Fubara
-
Nation4 days ago
MOSIEND Calls For RSG, NDDC, Stakeholders’ Intervention In Obolo Nation
-
Nation5 days ago
Hausa Community Lauds Council Boss Over Free Medical Outreach
-
Nation5 days agoOgoni Power Project: HYPREP Moves To Boost Capacity Of Personnel
-
Nation5 days ago
Association Hails Rivers LG Chairmen, Urges Expansion Of Dev Projects
-
Nation5 days ago
Film Festival: Don, Others Urge Govt To Partner RIFF
-
News4 days agoNDLEA Arrests Two, Intercepts Illicit Drugs Packaged As Christmas Cookies
-
News4 days agoTroops Rescue 12 Abducted Teenage Girls In Borno