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AFCON 2025: Rohr Warns Eagles Ahead Of Uyo

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Sequel to their shock 2-1 defeat of Nigeria in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier in Abidjan last June, German Coach, Gernot Rohr is confident that The Cheetahs of Benin would yet again be at the ready when they face the Super Eagles in their Match Day 1 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification in September.
Both Nigeria and Benin are drawn in Group D along with Libya and Rwanda. While Benin will be home to Libya on Match Day 2, Nigeria will travel to Kigali to face the Amavubi (The Wasps) of Rwanda.
As the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) dilly dallies over naming a substantive coach for the Super Eagles since Finidi George ‘walked away’, after that insipid display in June, Rohr, who switched from Nigeria to manage The Cheetahs, is enthused about meeting a somewhat ’familiar foe’ at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 7.
“Our preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Nigeria and Libya are going well and I’m already in Cotonou to, first of all, offer support to our two teams playing in the continental cups.
After overseeing The Cheetahs’ defeat of the Super Eagles on the eve of his 71st birthday last June at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, the former Bayern Munich defender is equally hopeful about the prospect of handing Nigeria the humble pie in Uyo, adding that the Beninese team will parade a formidable front irrespective of their pedigree.
”We will be happy to play (Nigeria) in Uyo, which is really a fantastic stadium; one of the most beautiful stadia in Africa,” remarked the very experienced Rohr who ensured the Super Eagles qualification to the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup and Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. “In fact, I’m happy for Nigeria that they can play again there (in Uyo) because we could not play there for several reasons during my last two years with the Super Eagles.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are expected to resume camping in Uyo on September 1 ahead of their 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda, Tidesports report.
A team official, who disclosed this to our correspondent last Wednesday, said, “The backroom staff will be in Uyo from September 1, and we expect most of the players to arrive in good time.”
The three-time African champions will welcome the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on September 7 starting at 5 pm at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo and fly out to another 2026 World Cup qualifying rivals Rwanda, three days later for a second AFCON qualifier.
They are currently without a coach, with the Nigeria Football Federation stalling the appointment of a new handler following Finidi George’s exit from the saddle in June.
The body is currently torn between former Sweden coach Janne Andersson and Hervé Renard, with a vast experience in African football, having coached the national teams of Zambia, Angola, Ivory Coast, and Morocco.

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Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues  

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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.

 

 

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City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road 

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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.

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PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1 

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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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