Sports
Debutants! Meet Nigeria’s AFCON Newcomers
It has been a mixed season for Bassey with Fulham this season but his performances for the Cottagers was enough to convince Peseiro to hand the defender a spot on the team.
The defender will hope to give a good account of himself at his first AFCON with the national team in a tricky Group A.
The 23-year-old has been heavily criticised for his underwhelming performance for the Eagles but now he has a chance to prove his doubters wrong in Abidjan.
Bassey has been a regular for Fulham this campaign and has made 17 appearances for the Cottagers and most notably sacrificed himself and picked up a red card in a match against Arsenal as they earned a 2-2 draw at the Emirates.
Lookman’s skillful and creative style of play has been a highlight in Italy for Atalanta, where he has scored seven goals and provided three assists in 18 Serie A appearances this season.
His inclusion in the Eagles squad adds versatility and attacking flair to the team’s forward line and he will be keen to add to his goal tally for Nigeria. In the pre-tournament friendly against Saudi side, Al Gharbi, on Sunday, the winger scored four goals for the Eagles as they claimed a convincing 12-0 win.
Terem Moffi
Moffi was called up to the Eagles squad as a replacement for the injured Victor Boniface on Tuesday. Moffi made his international debut in June 2021, scoring four goals in 14 games, but had initially failed to make the cut in coach Jose Peseiro’s side despite his six goals for Nice since the start of the season.
The 24-year-old has been pivotal for OGC Nice in the Ligue 1 this season as he bagged a brace against PSG on September 15 scoring the winner in the 3-2 victory.
Raphael Onyedika
Onyedika has been earning comparisons to France W’Cup winner Paul Pogba since last year and the 22-year-old versatile midfielder brings his skill and creativity to the Eagles squad.
He made his national team debut on September 27, 2022 and has since made three appearances for the Super Eagles while providing one assist.
Since joining Club Brugge in August 2022, Onyedika has made 72 appearances across all competitions for the Belgian club scoring one goal and providing one assist.
Alhassan Yusuf
Another Nigerian plying his trade for a Belgian side, Yusuf of Royal Antwerp is not only an AFCON newcomer but also a Super Eagles new boy. Yusuf was a last minute replacement for injured Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and the midfielder can make a name for himself at the competition.
Yusuf who last season won a double of both the Belgian Pro League and Belgian Cup, is although not at the same level as Ndidi but he is a quality ball winning midfielder. This season, he has made 23 club appearances across all competitions and has scored one goal and provided three assists.
Bright Osayi-Samuel
The Eagles starting right-back heading into the 34th edition of the AFCON, Osayi-Samuel is one of Nigeria’s players who have been in excellent form since the start of tue 2023/24 season.
The 25-year-old has appeared 24 times for Fenerbahce across all competitions this season, scoring two goals and registering four assists.
The Nigerian is one of Europe’s defender with highest number of assists this term. His service on the right flank will definitely help the team draw out opponents and as striker, Victor Osimhen, will hope, earn goals.
Stanley Nwabali
Nwabali is one of the two goalkeepers in the Eagles squad making their debut at the tournament.
The former Lobi Stars keeper, who had already been capped by the home-based Eagles, has been in great form for Chippa United, keeping seven clean sheets in 15 games and conceding 14 goals in South Africa’s topflight division.
Nwabili, known for his proficiency with his feet is not without quirks. His eccentric style is evident in the six yellow cards he has already received this season.
It remains to be seen if the 6ft5in keeper will be able to displace Francis Uzoho, whose inclusion in the AFCON squad has been heavily criticised.
Olorunleke Ojo
Enyimba’s first choice will battle Nwabili for the second choice position. Ojo is the only player from the Nigeria Premier Football League in the squad and he has blown hot and cold for the Enyimba this term despite their recent impressive results.
Ojo recently won the NPFL title in 2023 but despite his accolades, Ojo’s lack of international experience introduces an element of uncertainty.
Debuting in the pressure cooker of the AFCON might be a risk Peseiro is hesitant to take.
Bruno Onyemaechi
Determined to battle Zaidu Sanusi for the starting left back position, Onyemaechi has made 12 appearances for Boavista in the Portuguese topflight league this season has provided one assist.
Also capable of playing as a centre-back, Onyemaechi made his national team debut on September 10, 2023 in a 6-0 win over Sáo Tomé and Principé in the final group game of the AFCON qualifiers. He has gone on to make two more appearances for the Eagles.
Sports
Tottenham Fight Back To Hold Brighton
Tottenham fought back from two-goals down to secure a deserved point against Brighton.
The Seagulls were second best for much of the match but found themselves 2-0 up after 31 minutes thanks to Yankuba Minteh’s early strike and Yasin Ayari’s powerful drive.
However, Richarlison halved the deficit just before half-time when he stopped a shot by Mohammed Kudus before slotting in.
Spurs dominated the second half but their finishing let them down as Richarlison and substitute Xavi Simons were both unable to make the most of promising opportunities.
But the equaliser came eight minutes from time when Jan Paul van Hecke turned Kudus’ cross into his own net.
Spurs then pushed for a winner as they looked to continue their impressive start to the season, but Brighton held on for the point.
Bundesliga: Kane Continues Goal Harvest (5)
Harry Kane scored his second hat-trick of the season as Bayern Munich overcame a shaky start to win at Hoffenheim and continue their 100% start.
The England captain, 32, broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a clinical first-time finish from a cleverly worked low corner, and doubled Bayern’s lead from the spot after Albian Hajdari was harshly penalised for a handball.
That broke Hoffenheim’s resistance and Kane completed his ninth Bundesliga hat-trick with another penalty, given for a foul on substitute Michael Olise after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.
This time Kane sent home keeper Oliver Baumann the wrong way for his 13th Bayern goal in seven matches across all competitions this season, adding to his Champions League double against Chelsea last Wednesday.
“Hat-trick Harry is what they called me in school,” Kane told Tidesports source after the match. “That one kind of stuck when I was younger.”
“Any ball in the box, whether penalty or not, I back myself to hit the target.”
Hoffenheim had the better of the first 45 minutes, Fisnik Asllani only able to hit the post after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer passed straight to the Kosovan.
They eventually got some reward for their efforts, former West Ham full-back Vladimir Coufal’s deflected free-kick beating Neuer to earn the Czech his first goal for the club.
Ex-Liverpool winger Luis Diaz hit the top of the bar late on as he failed to continue his record of scoring in every Bundesliga game this season, but Serge Gnabry added a fourth for Bayern with the last kick, converting a rebound from a tight angle after Baumann saved from Joshua Kimmich.
Nicolas Jackson made his first start since joining Bayern on an initial loan deal from Chelsea, but the Senegal striker had a very quiet game before being replaced in the 62nd minute.
In Italy, Lorenzo Pellegrini fired Roma into the Serie A top four as Lazio had two players sent off in a fiery derby.
The midfielder found the bottom corner in the 38th minute as Roma extended their unbeaten run to four games against their city rivals.
Lazio have lost three of their opening games of the season and had Reda Belahyane and former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi dismissed in late drama.
Roma started well and Rome-born Pellegrini claimed the vital goal – his fourth in a Rome derby after being available for transfer in the summer – following good work down the right by Matias Soule.
But the hosts will rue missed opportunities as Boulaye Dia, Mattia Zaccagni and Alessio Romagnoli all had openings.
With four minutes left substitute Belahyane was shown a red card for a late studs-up challenge on Manu Kone.
Danilo Cataldi struck the outside of the post for Lazio in a last-gasp effort to snatch a point, while team-mate Guendouzi was sent off for dissent after the final whistle.
Sports
Zidane’s Son Switches Allegiance To Algeria
Luca Zidane, the son of France’s World Cup-winning playmaker Zinedine, has switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria.
Born just outside Marseille, the 27-year-old goalkeeper had appeared for France at various youth levels.
The move, which was approved by Fifa, may enable Zidane to follow in his father’s footsteps by appearing at a World Cup, with Algeria expected to secure a place at the 2026 finals in North America in their qualifier against Somalia next month.
Zidane, who is the second of four brothers, all of whom came through the Real Madrid academy, currently plays for Spanish second tier side Granada.
He played two matches for Madrid and has La Liga experience at Rayo Vallecano, but dropped a level in 2022 to play for Eibar before heading to Andalusia in 2024.
Zidane qualifies for the North African country through his father, whose parents hailed from the Kabylie region of Algeria.
Zinedine Zidane, who is regarded as one of the games greatest players scored twice for France in their 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil, but was famously sent-off in the 2006 final, which was won by Italy after a penalty shootout.
Sports
Man Utd Beat Chelsea To Ease Pressure
Manchester United capitalised on Robert Sanchez’s fifth-minute red card to secure a crucial victory over Chelsea in torrential rain at Old Trafford.
The first match in Premier League history to see two or more goals, red cards and substitutions in the first half was settled by goals from United skipper Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, who was the other player sent off before the break.
It was Sanchez’s dismissal that set the course of the game though.
The Spain international raced from his goal to meet Bryan Mbeumo as the striker ran beyond the Chelsea defence.
Sanchez then upended the forward outside his area rather than allow him past to tap the ball into an empty net.
Enzo Maresca’s response to the red card was to take off both Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian and, as Cole Palmer had to be replaced after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury, Chelsea had lost three attacking players in the space of 20 minutes.
Trevor Chalobah pulled one back for Chelsea with a header 10 minutes from time but United kept their nerves at bay to make it to the final whistle with their lead intact.
The victory was United’s second of the season and came in front of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who gave head coach Ruben Amorim assurances over his future 48 hours earlier.
It also means Chelsea have still not won at Old Trafford since 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson was United manager.
-
Maritime2 days ago
Minister Tasks Academy On Thorough-Bred Professionals
-
Maritime2 days ago
Customs Cautions On Delayed Clearance, Says Consignees May Lose Cargo
-
Maritime2 days ago
NCS Sensitises Stakeholders On Automated Overtime Cargo Clearance System
-
Maritime2 days ago
Lagos Ready For International Boat Race–LASWA
-
Maritime2 days ago
Shoprite Nigeria Gets New Funding to Boost Growth, Retail Turnaround
-
Politics2 days ago
I Would Have Gotten Third Term If I Wanted – Obasanjo
-
Sports2 days ago
Bournemouth, Newcastle Share Points
-
Sports2 days ago
Iwobi Stars As Fulham Overcome Brentford