Lionel Messi built on his 13th minute assist to Luis Suarez, netting a stupendous finish for the Herons just 15 minutes later.
After a 2-2 draw in the first leg that saw Inter Miami seize an away goals advantage, the Herons came out firing on home turf in the second leg on Wednesday night.
The Herons opened the scoring just eight minutes in, with Suarez providing the goal on a Messi assist.
Just 15 minutes later, though, Messi got one of his own, firing home a feed from Diego Gomez to make the score 2-0.
The Argentine’s brilliant first half set the tone for the Herons, shooting them to a 3-1 victory (5-3 aggregate) over NSC.
Now, they’re off to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
The CONCACAF Champions League is Inter Miami’s first crack at a trophy this season, having won the club’s first-ever piece of silverware last season in the Leagues Cup.
Perhaps more importantly, though, the tournament gives Miami a chance to qualify for the Club World Cup, where they can match up against some of the world’s best.
Following Wednesday’s cup match, the Herons will be back in action this weekend as they return to MLS play. They’ll play host to D.C. United on Saturday as they look to bounce back from a frustrating defeat to CF Montreal.
As for the Champions Cup, Inter Miami will play the winner of FC Cincinnati and CF Monterrey Thursday evening, in the next round of the tournament.
[Leadership]
Full List: Siasia, Amuneke, Okpala, Nine Others Who Submitted Application For Super Eagles Job
AFOLABI
Samson Siasia and Emmanuel Amuneke were among those who met the deadline for submitting application letters to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the vacant post of head coach of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles.
Naija News reports that the Super Eagles coaching job application was open until yesterday, March 12th.
Recall that the NFF had publicized an advert seeking a passionate and experienced coach with a winning mentality.
The ideal candidate would have experience managing at the highest level, with a proven track record of success. Knowledge of African football was a plus, but not mandatory.
The Super Eagles coaching position was declared vacant just last week following former gaffer, Jose Peseiro‘s contract expiration at the end of February 2024.
Reports emerging on Wednesday morning revealed that at least twelve coaches beat the deadline for submitting application letters yesterday.
According to Vanguard, among those who successfully submitted their applications to the NFF are the former head coach of Tanzania’s senior men’s team, Taifa Stars, and the ex-coach of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning team, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, Emmanuel Amuneke. Finidi George, who was Peseiro’s assistant coach, and former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh also submitted applications.
Others who filed their applications before the deadline are Samson Siasia, former Super Eagles head coach whose FIFA ban will soon be lifted, Sylvanus Okpala, ex-Super Eagles assistant coach under the late Stephen Keshi, and Michael Nsien, ex-USA U-16 team coach of Nigerian descent.
Former Real Madrid striker, Ronaldo Nazario has hailed Jude Bellingham, comparing him to his former teammate Zinedine Zidane.
Ronaldo said he loves to watch Bellingham play for Real Madrid.
“I was watching a few matches at the Bernabéu and I was looking for Bellingham,” Ronaldo was quoted by Madrid Universal as saying.
“He reminds me a little bit of Zidane with his quality. I love the way Jude Bellingham plays.
“I love to watch him play, he goes forward all the time.”
Bellingham joined Real Madrid from Dortmund last summer.
The 20-year-old has scored 20 goals and provided nine assists in 31 games for Carlo Ancelotti’s side so far this season.
[DailyPost]
Former Super Eagles technical adviser, Jo Bonfrere has endorsed Emmanuel Amuneke for the team’s vacant coaching job.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, declared the position vacant following the expiration of Jose Peseiro’s contract.
Peseiro was in charge of the three-time African for 22 months.
The Portuguese guided the West Africans to second position at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Amuneke, who is one of the coaches favoured to take over from Peseiro confirmed he has already applied for the job.
Bonfrere believes Amuneke has what it takes to lead the Super Eagles.
“Yes, I agree Nigeria needs a local coach at the moment. Not a foreigner,” Bonfrere told VON.
“But the country will have everything to gain if the authorities should appoint Emmanuel Amuneke for the job. I know him very well.
“He has a very strong mentality. He has the discipline and technical savvy to achieve results. In fact, if the Federation calls me to provide technical backup to Amuneke, I will gladly accept the task.”
Anthony Joshua was well rewarded for his second-round knockout win over Cameroonian boxer Francis Ngannou in the main event of the “Knockout Chaos” card in Saudi Arabia in the early hours of Saturday morning (Nigerian time).
Joshua won his fourth straight fight with the KO victory over Ngannou in Riyadh.
After securing consecutive victories in 2023 with wins over Jermaine Franklin in April and Robert Helenius with a seventh-round knockout in August, Joshua cruised to a fifth-round technical knockout win over Otto Wallin in December, who had been expected to be a formidable opponent, especially with his southpaw stance.
Joshua has now secured knockout wins over two fighters who took Tyson Fury the distance in Wallin and Ngannou.
The British-Nigerian was already on hand to get $40m (N63.7bn) for the fight but due to his win by a KO, Joshua received an extra $10m (N15.9bn) making a total of $50m (N79bn) while Ngannou pocketed $20m (N31.8bn).
Popular musician, Drake who is accustomed to placing large wagers on high-profile sports games and losing most of those bets was on the losing side again after Joshua defeated former UFC champion Ngannou as the Grammy winner lost a $615,000 (N950m).
If the wager had been successful, the Canadian-born rapper would have won just less than $2m (N3.1bn).
Drake has been known as a curse to athletes as whenever he bets on them, most end up on the losing side. Therefore, athletes prefer he doesn’t bet on them and celebrate loudly when they are able to win despite him betting on them like Israel Adesanya did when he beat Pereira in 2023.
WBC heavyweight champion Fury has hailed Joshua following his victory over Ngannou with Joshua also expressing readiness to face the Brit after the undisputed fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury, who watched the game, said he has a ‘bigger fish to fry’ against Usky and stated that he is available to face Joshua after his rematch in October.
“Me and Usyk have got an undisputed world heavyweight championship coming up. He (Joshua) just had a show fight in Saudi Arabia, which is fantastic for the show, but for the actual real boxing, it is me and Usyk who fight for the number one and number two positions for the undisputed championship of the world,” Fury said.
“So that (the fight with AJ) is on the back burner for now. Great performance from AJ, fantastic, but unfortunately I have got bigger fish to fry in Usyk on May 18, and then we have a rematch in October. So, after that, if he is still available and I’m still available, let’s get it on.”
Fury is scheduled to face Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 in a historic, undisputed showdown, with the winner potentially facing Joshua in the future.
In the post-match conference, Joshua expressed readiness to face the winner of Fury vs Usyk for a chance back at the world heavyweight titles.
“I just want to fight… and that next fight I want is the winner of Fury vs Usyk,” he said.
Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney has hailed Kobbie Mainoo for his performances for the Red Devils so far this season.
The former England striker said Mainoo always makes the right decision on the pitch of play, adding that the youngster reminds him of former Man United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Mainoo has become a key player in manager Erik ten Hag’s midfield, delivering a number of stellar displays.
“I think he is been incredible at such a young age, the maturity he shows,” Rooney told TNT Sports.
“When you see young players come into any first-team they are normally a bit raw and they normally play off the cuff.
“He reminds me of a young Bastian Schweinsteiger, in how he plays, enticing players in.”
He added, “He always seems to make the right decision. So I think he’s got a bright future.”
[DailyPost]
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has hailed Anthony Joshua following his victory over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou on Friday night in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua sent the 37-year-old Cameroon-born former UFC heavyweight champion, a two-fight professional boxing novice, to the canvas in the opening round with a straight right to the chin.
The “Knockout Chaos” fight then lived up to its billing in spectacular fashion. Joshua sent him crashing again in the second, first with a right-left combination and then an explosive right after he had beaten the count.
The referee stepped in and stopped the fight, with Joshua declared the winner by knockout victory and Ngannou out cold and receiving treatment before getting back, stunned, to his feet.
Fury, who watched the game, said he has a ‘bigger fish to fry’ against Usky and stated that he is available to face Joshua after his rematch in October.
His words: “Me and Usyk have got an undisputed world heavyweight championship coming up.
“He [Joshua] just had a show fight in Saudi Arabia, which is fantastic for the show, but for the actual real boxing, it is me and Usyk who fight for the number one and number two positions for the undisputed championship of the world.
“So that [the fight with AJ] is on the back burner for now. Great performance from AJ, fantastic, but unfortunately I have got bigger fish to fry in Usyk on May 18, and then we have a rematch in October.
“So, after that, if he is still available and I’m still available, let’s get it on.”
Fury is scheduled to face Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 in a historic, undisputed showdown, with the winner potentially facing Joshua in the future.
[OpinionNigeria]
Former Nigerian winger, Emmanuel Amuneke has put himself in the running to be the next head coach of the Super Eagles.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, declared the position vacant on Friday following the expiration of erstwhile handler, Jose Peseiro’s contract.
The NFF requested interested coaches to apply for the top job and also listed the requirements.
“Yes I did [apply to be the next manager],” Amuneke told popular journalist Osazu Obayiwana.
The 53-year-old is one of the leading candidates to take over from Peseiro.
The former Barcelona star has handled the Nigeria U-17 side and Tanzania national team in the past.
Nigerian-born British boxer Anthony Joshua showed class once more early Saturday as he recored a brutal second-round knockout victory over his Cameroonian challenger Francis Ngannou.
The highly anticipated heavyweight clash took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and AJ, a Joshua is popularly called, was simply ruthless as he floored his opponent.
Ngannou, the former UFC champion, entered the bout with the aura of his impressive debut against Tyson Fury, but Joshua proved too powerful, solidifying his title aspirations.
Joshua displayed phenomenal power and precision, dismantling Ngannou in a mere two rounds.
Ngannou, who shocked the world by flooring Fury in November before a split-decision defeat, aimed for a repeat against the former two-time heavyweight champion.
The Cameroonian started strong, threatening with his left hook and a looping right.
However, Joshua countered with a devastating straight right in the opening round, sending Ngannou crashing to the canvas.
The second round saw both fighters swinging wildly.
Media
Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen is set to make his 100th Serie A appearance for reigning champions Napoli against Torino.
The Partenopei will entertain Torino at the Diego Armando Maradona on Friday (today).
Osimhen linked up with Napoli from Ligue 1 club, Lille in 2020.
The 25-year-old has featured in 99 league games from a possible 141.
The striker has so far scored 61 goals for Napoli in the Italian top-flight.
He helped Napoli win their first Scudetto in over three decades last season, netting 26 times in 32 league outings.
More...
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has declared the Super Eagles head coach position vacant.
Former handler of the side, Jose Peseiro officially left the post at the end of last month.
There were speculations that the NFF was still negotiating with Peseiro but the latest decision by the soccer house suggests otherwise.
Interested coaches, both expatriates and locals are now expected to submit their application to the NFF.
Peseiro guided the Super Eagles to second position at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The NFF also declared the position of the U-17 coach vacant.
Former Super Eagles defender, Nduka Ugbade was last in charge of the team.
Africa’s highest ranked table-tennis player, Aruna Quadri on Wednesday won a second medal for Nigeria at the ongoing 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana.
This was after the 35-year-old Quadri fell 4-3 to Egypt’s Omar Assar in the final of the men’s table tennis singles event.
The contest between the two rivals lived up to expectations as they thrilled the audience with breathtaking skills.
Assar took the first set 11-8, while Quadri who is currently the world number 14 ranked player, bounced back to claim the second and third 11-2, 11-2.
The Egyptian clinched the fourth set 11-7 before Aruna won the fifth set 11-9.
Assar then won the last two sets 11-9, 11-0 to claim the gold medal.
Offiong Edem won Nigeria’s first medal on Tuesday when she clinched the bronze medal in the women’s singles event.
(NAN)
LEICESTER City manager Enzo Maresca is a very happy man following the return to fitness of Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.
The Foxes claimed their first win in four Championship matches last night, beating Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light as Ndidi was introduced in the second half.
The Nigeria midfielder had been out since December, missing out on the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Cote d’Ivoire.
Ndidi’s muscle injury also ruled him out of 10 Leicester City fixtures, four of which they lost.
Last night’s away victory kept Leicester City on top of the English second-tier, three points clear of second-placed Ipswich and five of third-placed Leeds United, with the first two spots guaranteed promotion to the Premier League.
“It’s an important win,” Maresca said in his post-match interview. “Especially after three defeats in a row. Sometimes you have to win games in an ugly way. [In the] first half we were quite good, in the second half we suffered, but in this moment, the win is so important.
“The first half, especially the first half an hour, was unbelievable. We had many chances, we missed and we have struggled to score goals in these games. But at the end, it was important to win the game.”
It was a welcome return for Ndidi in midfield, the Nigeria international managing 20 minutes in his first appearance since the end of December.
“I’m very happy. We need him, Wilf is so important to us so it’s good to have him back,” Maresca added.
[NaijaTimes]
Jude Bellingham has been banned for two LaLiga games for “contemptuous or disrespectful attitudes towards a referee” after he received a red card in the aftermath of Real Madrid’s controversial 2-2 draw at Valencia, Spain’s competition committee confirmed on Wednesday.
The England international was shown a red card for arguing with referee Jesús Gil Manzano, who had already blown his whistle moments before Bellingham scored what would have been a game-winning header.
The referee’s post-match report said Bellingham had shown an “aggressive attitude” and allegedly shouted “It’s a f—ing goal” repeatedly.
The Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee handed Bellingham a two-game ban – the minimum possible for the offence, under its rules – on Wednesday, for what it called “attitudes of disrespect or a lack of consideration towards the referee,” with a €700 fine for the club, and €600 for the player.
In evidence to the committee, Madrid argued that Bellingham had not displayed an aggressive attitude, saying that the player had only spoken once to the referee, and denied that his words were offensive or insulting.
The committee found that the club had not proven their case beyond doubt based on the evidence presented, and so the body consequently had to accept the referee’s interpretation of Bellingham’s conduct.
Bellingham will miss Madrid’s LaLiga games against Celta Vigo on Sunday and Osasuna on March 16, returning for their match with Athletic Club on March 31.
He is set to feature for Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday, as they host RB Leipzig in the second leg at the Bernabéu.
Bellingham is also one yellow card away from a possible one-match suspension in the Champions League after picking up two already this season.
[Leadership]