Union Berlin have hit Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana with a one-week ban after his angry reaction to being subbed off in the side’s recent UEFA Champions League 1-0 home defeat to Napoli.
Fofana, who once again failed to score a goal or provide an assist for Union Berlin, was withdrawn in the 70th minute during the encounter against Napoli.
As the 20-year-old made his way past manager Urs Fischer, he refused to shake the coach’s outstretched hand or even make eye contact.
There was also a brief coming-together between Fofana and Fischer.
However, the decision to reprimand Fofana was confirmed by Union Berlin spokesman, Christian Arbeit, with manager Fischer saying: “Football is a team sport, you have to fit in and sometimes put yourself second. We hope that he learns from this.”
Fofana will not be considered for selection against either Werder Bremen at the weekend or Tuesday’s German Cup tie against Stuttgart as a result of the suspension.
The youngster will also train separately from the first-team squad for the duration of his suspension, before rejoining team training on Wednesday 1 November.
Meanwhile, Fofana, who moved to Chelsea from Molde last January, had already issued an apology via his social media account.
He said, “Following my behaviour during my exit from the field, I wanted to apologise to the club, the coach, my team-mates and the supporters.
“This gesture was not intended and in no way does it represent my attitude, all this was generated as a result of frustration because I wanted to continue helping the team to obtain a positive result.”
In a remarkable feat, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has broken a record set by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry back in 2006. Salah scored a goal during Liverpool’s 5-1 victory against Toulouse in the Europa League at Anfield on Thursday night.
Coming on as a substitute with approximately 20 minutes remaining, the Egyptian international netted a sensational strike in the 93rd minute.
Diego Jota, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, and Ryan Gravenberch also contributed with goals for Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Salah’s goal against Toulouse brings his total to 43 goals in major European competitions for Liverpool, the highest ever scored by any player for an English club.
Out of those 43 goals, 41 were scored in the Champions League, with the remaining two being scored in this season’s Europa League campaign.
Hence, Salah has surpassed Henry’s previous record of 42 goals during his time at Arsenal – 35 in the Champions League and seven in the UEFA Cup.
Senegal professional football star, Sadio Mane, has reportedly bought French fourth-division club Bourges Foot 18.
Naija News learnt that Mane had been contributing some funds to the club to aid with their recruitment but would now be fully involved having also received the approval of the mayor of the city, Yann Galut.
The 31-year-old currently playing for Saudi Arabia Pro Club, Al Nassr, has reportedly completed the deal.
Mane confirmed the purchase on Wednesday after sending a video clip online saying, “We’ve been working with the city for the past three years. We’re here to nurture and organise the club. The challenge is immense, but if the people of Bourges remain involved, I’m confident we can achieve our goals. I believe I’ll be visiting Bourges very soon.”
According to Mirror, the club is located 250 kilometres from Paris in central France, but it has never played higher than the French second tier (as Bourges 18).
The club currently sit second bottom in Group B of the Championnat National. They were only formed two years ago following a merger between two clubs in the region.
The league is made up of a mix of amateur teams and professional clubs who field their reserves, the likes of Toulouse and Angers.
The last batch of the Champions League matchday three fixtures recorded 7 wins and just one draw in eight interesting encounters.
After FC Barcelona and Feyenoord won big in the early kickoff, today, October 25, other usual suspects didn’t disappoint tonight.
At St James’ Park, Borussia Dortmund proved to be too good for Newcastle United as they returned to Germany with a deserving 1-0 victory courtesy of a strike from Felix Nmecha.
At Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, the hosts ensured that the visiting Crvena Zvezda didn’t leave Germany in happiness as Leipzig thrashed them 3-1 courtesy of strikes from David Raum, Xavi Simons, and Dani Olmo.
Manchester City who visited Wankdorf Stadium felt more than being at home as they thrashed their hosts, Young Boys courtesy of strikes from Manuel Akanji, Erling Haaland from the spot-kick, and then Haaland from open play.
The biggest game of the night which took place at the Parc des Princes between PSG and AC Milan ended 3-0 in favour of the hosts courtesy of strikes from Kylian Mbappé, Randal Kolo Muani, and Lee Kang-in.
Below are all the results of the Champions League match day three games played on Wednesday, October 25:
Barcelona vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
2-1
Feyenoord vs. Lazio
3-1
Paris Saint-Germain vs. AC Milan
3-0
Newcastle United vs. Borussia Dortmund
0-1
Young Boys vs. Manchester City
1-3
Antwerp vs. Porto
1-4
RB Leipzig vs. Crvena Zvezda
3-1
Celtic vs. Atletico Madrid
2-2
[NaijaNews]
Galatasaray and Bayern Munich will face off in what will be a top-table leader decider on matchday three of Group A of the UEFA Champions League.
Galatasaray stunned Manchester United in the second round of the Champions League the last time out in a 2-3 win at Old Trafford. They host Bayern Munich with high prospects of extending their points in the standings, as they failed to win their first match against Copenhagen FC. Bayern Munchen might be facing a team that will give them a run for their money in the quest to make it three wins in three games.
Galatasaray are flying high this season; they have a 23-game unbeaten run with eight wins in nine matches in the Turkish Super Leagues, sitting second just below Fenerbahce. Bayern’s rival Leverkusen’s resoluteness is what keeps them from being the league leaders despite their impressive start to the season.
Form
Galatasaray: WWWWWW
Bayern Munich: WWWDW
Team news
Galatasaray are a bunch of healthy team at the moment, with no senior team player sidelined with it. In their last match against Manchester United in this competition, they lost Lucas Torriera to injury in the second half, but the Uruguayan is back in the squad.
Bayern’s squad is still facing shortages as they prepare for a challenging trip to Istanbul. None of Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Neuer, Dayot Upamecano, Gabriel Marusic, Raphael Guerreiro, or Tarek Buchmann are expected to be available due to various injuries.
The injury situation for Bayern got even worse in their recent victory over Mainz, as midfielder Leon Goretzka was suspected to have a broken finger. Although Serge Gnabry is nearing a return from a fractured forearm, there is uncertainty about his availability as of now.
Predictions
Galatasaray can take ample advantage of Bayern Munich’s depleted squad and pose a great challenge. It will be interesting to see.
Galatasaray 2 vs Bayern Munich 2
[Vanguard]
Anthony Joshua has said he is open to fighting Deontay Wilder on the same night of Tyson Fury’s undisputed boxing heavyweight battle against Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia next year.
Nigerian-Briton Joshua will first have his next bout in London, at either the O2 or Wembley Arena, in December, he revealed.
World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Fury’s next fight is against mixed martial arts star and former UFC world heavyweight champion, Cameroonian Francis Ngannou on Saturday.
A deal for Fury to face Ukrainian Usyk — which will see the winner become the undisputed world heavyweight champion — in Saudi Arabia has already been sealed.
Usyk currently holds the World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation heavyweight titles after beating former holder Joshua twice.
Speaking to Sky Sports in Austin, Texas ahead of last night’s United States Grand Prix, 34-year-old Joshua said: “If they get this undisputed fight on [Usyk vs Fury], which has been looming for a while, word on the street is that it’s supposed to be the undisputed fighters and then the undercard is supposed to be a big, lively one with me and Wilder.
“But, in the meantime, we’re going to be active this year. I’ve set my goals three times this year, and I’m still potentially going to get a fight in [before the end of the year].
“End this year on a high, God willing, and then move onto the next year and go out there and kick some more behind.”
Following those two defeats to Usyk, Joshua returned to winning ways by knocking out Finnish Robert Helenius in London in August, clearing the path for a future meeting with former WBC champion Wilder.
When asked by Sky Sports as to whether he has plans to face Fury in the future, Joshua said: “I’ll be honest, for me personally I’m here for the fans, and I know what they want, and my job is to deliver.
“I will 100 per cent do my end of the bargain, it’s up to the other team [Tyson Fury’s] to play ball.
“One step at a time. December I want to get out, April [vs Wilder] I need to be victorious, and then we can talk about the big fight in the future.”
[NaijaTimes]
Club football resumed last week, just after the second international break of the season, where continents prepare ahead of their continental campaigns.
It was also another round of matches before the third round of the European competitions, and Nigerian players plying their trade abroad once again featured for their respective clubs.
Let’s take a look at them
Saturday
Frank Onyeka registered a full appearance for English side Brentford in a 3–0 home victory versus Burnley.
Ola Aina came in for Sergi Aurier when Nottingham Forest threw away a two-goal advantage to settle for a draw at home against Luton Town. He was substituted in the 86th minute of the encounter.
Sadiq Umar was an 86th-minute substitute for Real Sodeidad, as the Spanish side clinched all three points via a lone goal versus Mallorca. He came on for Mikel Oyerzabal.
In Germany, Victor Boniface shone again for Bayern Leverkusen as he registered an assist for Xabi Alonso’s side in a 1–2 away win against Wolfsburg.
In France, Terre Moffi shone for Nice in a lone-goal home win against Marseille. He was, however, subbed off in the 72nd minute for Evans Gueesand.
In the English Championships, Jamilu Collins featured in Cardiff’s away loss to Blackburn Rovers.
Joe Aribo was an unused substitute for Southampton in their 1–2 away defeat to Hull City.
Kelechi Ihenacho came off the bench in the 84th minute for Jamie Vardy and scored Leichester’s third goal in their 1–3 away victory against Swansea City. Wilfred Ndidi was instrumental in this win too, as he featured from start to finish.
Semi Ajayi came on for Kyle Bartley in the 78th minute when West Bromwich hosted Plymouth Argyl and settled for a goalless draw.
In Scotland, Cyril Dessers was on target for new club Rangers when they hosted Hibernian in a 4–0 win.
In Belgium, Rapheal Onyedika played the entire minutes of Club Brugge’s 1-0 away defeat versus Koltrijk.
Ademola Lookman was on target for Atalanta in their 2–0 home win versus Genoa FC.
Simon Moses featured throughout Nantes’ 2–0 home victory against Montpellier. On the other side, Akor Adams started well but was hooked off in the 58th minute for Kelvin Yeboah.
Kenneth Omerou led his Turkish side Kasim Pasa in the defence when they carted away all three points away from home at Sivasspor via a lone goal.
Fisayo Dele-Ashiru played the entire 90 minutes for Hatayspor in their 4–0 away loss to league leaders Fenerbahce.
Chidozie Awaziem featured for his Portuguese side Boviasta in their 1–3 away win at Oliveriensie.
In Belgium, Gift Orban started for Gent FC but was eventually hooked off in the 62nd minute by Tarik Tissoudali in the 2–0 away defeat to Cercle Brugge.
[Vanguard]
On the occasion of his 60th posthumous birthday, former Super Eagles forward Rashidi Yekini has been honored by Google.
Google paid tribute to the late legendary striker with a special doodle.
Yekini passed away in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on May 4, 2012, at the young age of 48.
The doodle started with a biographical snippet about the iconic striker: “Today’s Doodle celebrates iconic Nigerian footballer Rashidi Yekini, an accomplished forward known as the ‘Goalsfather’ for his ability to sneak shots past the keeper. On this day in 1963, he was born in Kaduna, Nigeria.
“Yekini faced difficulties at the beginning of his life, including homelessness and poverty. He worked as a welder and mechanic to earn money, but his true aspiration was to pursue football. Soon, he started playing in front of scouts, and in 1981, he joined his first football club, UNTL FC, in Kaduna.
“The talented striker subsequently played for the Shooting Stars, scoring an impressive 45 goals in 53 games. His remarkable scoring abilities earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year in 1983, making him the first Nigerian player to receive this prestigious honor. The following year, he helped lead the Shooting Stars to the finals of the African Champions Cup.
“In addition to Nigeria, he also played for football clubs in Spain, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Tunisia, Switzerland, and Greece. While playing for a Portuguese team called Vitória Setúbal, he won the Bola de Prata (Silver Ball) as the league’s top-scoring player in the 1993-94 season.
“Happy birthday, Rashidi Yekini!”
Yekini is considered one of Nigeria’s finest strikers.
The former player of Vitoria Setubal in Portugal played a crucial role in Nigeria’s qualification for their first World Cup in 1994.
He was the top scorer at the Senegal 1992 and Tunisia 1994 nations cups.
Yekini was also the first Nigerian to score a goal at the World Cup.
Napoli Sporting Director, Mauro Meluso has revealed the club will hold new contract talks with Victor Osimhen in the next few weeks.
Osimhen looks a long way off agreeing a new contract with the Serie A champions after he was furious at the TikTok videos posted by the club.
Napoli were also unhappy after the Nigerian returned from international duty with an injury last week.
Meluso, however, stated that the Partenopei are planning a new round of talks with the 24-year-old’s representatives in the next couple of weeks.
“There will be a meeting between the President and Osimhen’s entourage over the next few weeks. It is part of the game and a little time is needed to think about it,” Meluso was quoted by Calciomercato.com.
The Nigeria international has less than two years on his contract with Napoli.
[nigerianeye]
Lionel Messi played the entire game on artificial turf in Inter Miami’s season finale early Sunday morning as Charlotte FC qualified for the MLS playoff with a 1-0 victory.
Messi, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, was the clear drawing card, and thousands in attendance were adorned in “Messi 10” jerseys.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner as the world’s top player went the distance in the meaningless game for Miami, which had already been eliminated from playoff contention. He finished with three shots and had two scoring chances. Messi’s apparent goal in the 49th minute was negated by an offside call, and his shot in the 62nd minute bounded off the crossbar.
[Leadership]
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Before now, Nigeria was a country noted for having some of the best goalkeepers in Africa. It is a long history that is littered with some of the biggest names in the game. Sam Henshaw Ibiam, popularly known as The Black Magnet during his active days, was Nigeria’s pioneer goalkeeper.
He kept for the national football team who were known as the “1949 UK Tourists”. He was followed by the likes of Inua Lawal Rigogo, The Cat, Peter Fregene, Joe Erico, Emmanuel Okala, Best Ogedegbe, Peter Rufai, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Ike Shorunmu, Alloy Agu and Vincent Enyeama. These goalkeepers occupy special places in Nigerian football folklore.
Writing on the extraordinary performances of Rigogo, a blogger, FantaXtik SMM submitted: “It was actually the former President of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkurumah, that named Rigogo “The Flying Cat.” After he watched Rigogo display some incredible somersaults, flying from pole to pole to the extent that the Ghanaian national team couldn’t even score him a single goal in 1964… in his spellbound amazement, Nkurumah named Rigogo, The Flying Cat. That was in the 60s and early 70s.
After the exploits of Rigogo, Fregene and Erico, the 80s ushered in a fresh breath when Emmanuel Okala and Best Ogedegbe mounted the saddle. Okala was of Enugu Rangers, while Ogedegbe was of IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan. The rivalry between the two was akin to that between the two clubs they belonged to. While Okala reigned supreme for club and country in the late seventies, especially during the 1978 World Cup and the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Ogedegbe was prominent during the AFCON tournament proper, which Nigeria won eventually, for the first time in history.
Peter Rufai, regarded as one of the finest, crowned his sterling career with the 1994 AFCON trophy and two World Cup appearances with his country. Same goes for Vincent Enyeama, who remains as the last Nigerian goalkeeper whose presence between the sticks exuded stability and confidence in the defence line. The legendary Super Eagles stopper amassed 101 appearances for Nigeria between 2002 and 2015, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013. Since his departure in 2015, Nigeria’s goalkeeping department has been inconsistent and fits and starts.
There were flashes of hope during the brief period of Carl Ikeme, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper whose promising career was cut short after he was diagnosed with life-threatening Leukemia in 2017. The disease denied him a place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Since Ikeme left, the situation with the goalkeeping department of the Super Eagles has remained coaches’ nightmare and a horrifying journey through the unknown for Nigerian football fans.
Former coach of the national team, Gernot Rohr, with all his assistants could not fix the problem before he left. Rohr stuck with Francis Uzoho who, from nowhere became Nigeria’s number one ahead of Maduka Okoye and Daniel Akpeyi.
What goalkeeping errors have cost Nigeria since 2019:
Most Nigerians still blame the Super Eagles failure in the 2019 AFCON on goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi. Rhiyad Marhez ‘free kick that earned Algeria a 2-1 win over Nigeria in the semi-final could not have beaten Enyeama, some Nigerians argued. Akpeyi’s positioning behind the wall he arranged made it easy for the clever Algerian star to poke in the decider without a sweat.
Nigeria’s defeat to Tunisia in the 2022 AFCON in Cameroon was blamed on Maduka Okoye’s loss of concentration. He was found wanting when it mattered most. And so, the Super Eagles that were declared the best team of the group stages and clear favourites to win the tournament got knocked out in the Round of 16, by a Covid19-ravaged Tunisia team that were second best in their group. But the goalkeeping error may not be over stretched going by the tactical blunders of the bench.
Again, on March 29, 2022, under a hot afternoon sun in Abuja, another goalkeeping error, this time, by Francis Uzoho cost Nigeria the ticket to Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. With the Super Eagles needing a win, of the slimmest margins to qualify for the World Cup, Thomas Partey’s early goal was conceded by a goalkeeper who was perhaps overwhelmed by the situation.
The Arsenal midfielder received a pass from the left side and from outside the 18 yard box, he unleashed a right-footed effort which Uzoho failed to stop, as it sneaked through his legs for the vital away goal. Despite the spirited efforts of his team mates, the Ghanaians who had a clear match plan, worked hard to earn a 1-1 draw to deny the Super Eagles the glamour and glitz of FIFA 2022 Qatar World Cup. Again, the blunders of the Austin Eguavoen led bench were huge.
In the recent international friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique, Uzoho’s howlers gave Saudi Arabia the opening goal. Their equalizer in the last minute of added time was also stoppable, although the blame on this cannot be entirely his as he deserved a better coverage from his defenders. He was still flatfooted against Mozambique when they scored the opener.
Goalkeeping errors in the national team have become one too many and a major source of worry to many football fans and stakeholders. With the 2023 AFCON coming up in January in Ivory Coast, Nigerians remain worried over the prospects of taking Uzoho to the AFCON as Nigeria’s number one.
Peseiro in defence of Uzoho, Okoye
Surprisingly, coach Jose Peseiro has put up a very strong defence of his goalkeeper after his howlers in the friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.
Coach Jose Peseiro attributed the poor performances of Super Eagles goalkeepers to the barrage of attacks from Nigerians each time they kept for the team.
He said the keepers were suffering from what he termed a crisis of confidence.
I like our players when they make mistakes, it is my responsibility. The goalkeeper is never free or calm because of the people. I don’t know why they attack the goalkeepers every time.
“Why don’t they attack the strikers when they lose the ball or miss to score when they get the chance to?”
“When I arrived here, I remember I was told to change the goalkeeper. I spoke with all of them, no one felt comfortable because everybody attacked them. They could make mistakes, it is my responsibility. Next time, I need to train him better.”
But former Nigeria youth international and Olympic gold medallist Dosu Joseph has blasted Peseiro. He expressed shock when he read the comments of Jose Peseiro, which suggested that there was no problem.
Dosu said Peseiro’s statement that strikers miss goals, and are not criticised, meant he did not want his goalkeepers to be called out even when they make mistakes.
“I am surprised that he is comfortable with what is happening, and his employers are not saying anything. Well, if NFF are comfortable with it, that’s fine,” Dosu remarked.
“I also read that Uzoho himself said those Nigerians who are criticising him should come for trials in Europe and show how good they are. Maybe he is not happy with those who want him to be a better goalkeeper.
“It is surprising how these present players respond to those who criticise them. If even former internationals are not qualified to correct them, then it is better to keep quiet.”
Former Flying Eagles goalkeeper of the Saudi ’89 Dammam Miracle fame, Emeka Amadi is sympathetic with the Super Eagles goalkeepers. He said the barrage of attacks on Uzoho was not helpful at all.
“It does not mean that if the goalkeeper makes a mistake we should crucify him. He will learn from his mistakes. He needs encouragement because he will be a better goalkeeper. He has all the traits of a good goalkeeper. Even De Gea, Manuel Neuer or Onana, they all make mistakes. We should not crucify what we have. No Matter how you look at it, even the person you want to put there cannot be above mistakes. If you emphasise too much on our goalkeepers mistakes, no matter who you bring, even if he is experienced and confident he will be afraid not to make mistakes and that is the worst thing to happen to a goalkeeper,” Amadi told Sports Vanguard.
Former Green Eagles goalkeeper Emmanuel Okala has attributed the recent fumbles of the Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, to the negligence of the team’s goalkeeper trainers. “As a goalkeeper trainer, you have a responsibility to train your keepers how to deal with set pieces, including free kicks. How to position themselves and arrange their defence line.”
Ike Shorunmu, a former Nigeria great and former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer would not want to comment on the issue when we called. However, in a chat with journalists in Uyo early this year, he called on goalkeepers in the domestic league to believe in themselves. Shorunmu said that the effects of an improved league would rub off on all departments of the national team, including goalkeeping.
“The thing is, we cannot perform any magic at the moment. That is why we come down to the league to work more with the goalkeepers. We can have better goalkeepers in the national team.”
He admitted that the worry being expressed by Nigerians was genuine. “For sure we need to improve our league and we need to believe in ourselves and our players. Life changes, and I don’t want to compare this time with our own time. We need to work with what we have now and do better with it.
“I just want the home players to believe in themselves. We as coaches will do our part, but then the rest depends on the players. On the pitch, they are to deliver what they have been taught.”
Options
Tired after a 10-year wait to see the Super Eagles lift the AFCON title again, Nigerians want to see the technical crew perform their role of finding perfect hands to man the posts for the Super Eagles at the AFCON in January. Soccernet’s Ayomide Oguntimehin captured the mood, “pressure is starting to mount up for the head coach of the Super Eagles, as well as fears among the Nigerian football faithful on not losing their AFCON glory over the lapses that can be solved beforehand”.
The writer went on to explore possible options. Oma Akatugba, a Europe-based Nigerian journalist told Oguntimehin that he had identified one Noah Atobulu and discussed with the Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro about the young goalkeeper. He wrote, “After the Mozambique game, Akatugba suggested a possible solution to the goalkeeping conundrum.” But who is Noah Atobulu?
Noah Atobulu is a goalkeeper with Nigerian heritage. He has previously represented Germany at the youth level. Atobulu is a regular for Bundesliga side Freiburg. “He could provide competition for the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping role, especially when facing strong opponents like the Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau in the upcoming AFCON tournament.
“They believe it could be challenging to convince him to switch to Nigeria due to his talent and prospects with the German national team,” Akatugna said, adding, “I promised to work on convincing him to change his nationality.”
Another name that has come for mention is Arthur Okonkwo, an academy graduate of the famed Hale End of Arsenal. He is currently with EFL League Two club Wrexham. Okonkwo is on season-long loan from the Gunners to Wrexham, after Ben Foster announced his retirement from the game. The 21-year-old has been loaned out more than once, playing for both Sturm Graz in Austria and Crewe Alexandra in recent seasons.
Instead of chasing goalkeepers of Nigerian descent in the diaspora, some Nigerians have suggested Israel based Adebayo Adeleye, a home-bred who moved to Israeli Premier League club Hapoel Jerusalem recently.
Former U-20 goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye is Nigeria’s best shot stopper in Europe so far this season, according to statistics website Tranfermarkt. Adeleye marked his first cap for the Eagles in their 3-2 win against the Leone Stars which sealed qualification to next year’s AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.
Although he has been invited severally to the national team camp, Francis Uzoho has been preferred by the selectors.
While there is no doubt that he has been good in the colours of Hapoel Jerusalem, he has to replicate the same with the Super Eagles.
In Super Eagles camp are other goalkeepers like Maduka Okoye and Ojo Olorunleke of Enyimba International of Aba. Emmanuel Daniel, once expected to succeed Vincent Enyeama, and Chijioke Aniagboso, who has shown promise but is yet to make his Super Eagles debut, are among the potential alternatives.
Peseiro’s dilemma
Peseiro’s dilemma is the time factor. Analysts are of the view that the coach would stick with his goalkeepers who have been with the team since 2020 as it could be counterproductive should a new goalkeeper be invited to the team. A goalkeeper’s role is beyond one’s ability to keep clean sheets. The role demands a huge responsibility and requires special skills; some natural while some acquired through training.
One who has been with the team, integrated into the team and imbued the team’s chemistry and familiarise with his defence line is the one the coach would choose ahead of a new product who may find it tough to get used to the rest of the squad within one or two months.
[OpinionNigeria]
Sir Bobby Charlton, the Manchester United legend who was a key figure in England’s 1966 World Cup victory, has died at the age of 86.
Charlton won 106 caps for England and scored 49 international goals – records for his country at the time.
During a 17-year first-team career with United he won three league titles, a European Cup and an FA Cup.
Charlton’s family said he “passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning”.
In November 2020, it was announced Charlton had been diagnosed with dementia.
He died surrounded by his family, who said in a statement they wished to “pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him”.
“We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time,” their statement added.
United paid a fond tribute to Charlton, describing him as “one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club”.
“Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world,” the club said.
“He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.
“His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.
“The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him.”
His death leaves Sir Geoff Hurst – the striker who scored a hat-trick in England’s 4-2 win over West Germany in the 1966 final – as the sole surviving member of the triumphant team.
Hurst posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Very sad news today. One of the true Greats Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away. We will never forget him and nor will all of football. A great colleague and friend, he will be sorely missed by all of the country beyond sport alone. Condolences to his family and friends.”
Charlton’s older brother Jack, who died in July 2020, and their fellow World Cup winner Nobby Stiles, who passed away in October 2020, had also both been diagnosed with dementia.
BBC
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been ranked the most valuable squad in Africa.
This was disclosed in an infographic shared on the team’s official X page on Saturday.
The Eagles are also ranked 10th most valuable squad in the world.
The countries ahead of the Eagles are England, France, Portugal, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, and Netherlands.
The three-time African champions are valued at €451.60 million.
Jose Peseiro’s men dropped one place in the September monthly FIFA rankings but retained their sixth spot on the continent.
[NewsEye]
Mohamed Salah was the Merseyside derby match-winner with a second-half double as Liverpool edged past 10-man Everton in the Premier League.
Salah’s confident penalty in front of the Kop End following Michael Keane’s handball ended a frustrating 75 minutes for the home side and he added a late second as the Reds went top of the table on Saturday lunchtime.
It took the Egypt international’s tally to 201 career league goals and victory maintained Liverpool’s recent dominance over their neighbours in this fixture.
Jurgen Klopp’s side searched for a way to break the deadlock in the second period after Ashley Young was sent off for two bookable offences, with both fouls coming on Luis Diaz.
The hosts had been finding it difficult to make in-roads despite having a man advantage, with many of their efforts from long range comfortable for Jordan Pickford to deal with.
The England international smothered Alexis Mac Allister’s rasping effort and Darwin Nunez’s strike, while dipping drives from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai both dropped narrowly over.
Everton maybe should have gone ahead in the opening couple of minutes but Dominic Calvert-Lewin could only divert his header straight at Alisson.
Dwight McNeil’s curling effort was also deflected over the crossbar, but they were finally breached with 15 minutes to go and again in injury time, leaving Sean Dyche’s side with only two wins in nine league games this season.
[Nation]