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The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has named Morocco hosts for the 2025 AFCON, while a joint bid from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania got the nod for the 2027 AFCON.
Morocco won the hosting right by garnering 22 votes, after Algeria, Zambia and a joint bid by Nigeria/Benin Republic withdrew before the voting.
At their voting at the Cairo Marriott Hotel in Egypt on Wednesday, the Executive Committee of CAF announced the North Africans and East Africans as hosts for the 2025, 2027 editions respectively.
A joint bid by Nigeria and Benin Republic as hosts for the 2025 or 2027 AFCON did not make the cut.
Nigeria hosted the competition in 1980 and co-hosted with Ghana in 2000.
Morocco won the right to host AFCON by garnering 22 votes, after Algeria, Zambia withdrew before the voting.
CAF also unveiled the joint bid from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, as the winning bid for 2027 fiesta, after second round of voting.
Morocco will be hosting the AFCON for the second time, after it hosted in 1988 while Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be hosting for the first time.
(NAN)
- Date: 27/09/2023
- Competition: La Liga
- KO: 18:00 UTC +1 / 19:00 CEST
- Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
After a painful Madrid-derby defeat, Real Madrid looks to bounce back in La Liga when they take on Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Real Madrid vs Las Palmas Betting Tips: Real to win to nil
Having made a perfect start to the season with five wins from their first five games of the season, Real fell to a disappointing 3:1 loss against city rivals Atletico on Sunday.
Now down to third in the table, Carlo Ancelotti´s men will be expected to make a quick return to winning form against a Las Palmas side currently 15th in the division.
At the Bernabeu, Real have been in good form this year with ten wins and just one loss from 14 league matches completed on home soil. Most recently, Los Merengues emerged with a 2:1 win against fellow Champions League qualifiers Real Sociedad. It is worth noting that Real have managed just one clean sheet in their last six home La Liga contests.
Visiting Las Palmas arrive in Madrid having broken a five-game winless streak with their first victory of the season this past weekend. The Islanders had taken just two points from their first five games of the season before a narrow 1:0 win against Granada this past weekend.
Back in the top flight for the first time since 2018, García Pimienta´s side have yet to pick up a point or score in three successive 1:0 away losses at Valencia, Girona and Sevilla. All six of the visitors' matches this season have seen under 2.5 goals scored while they failed to score in four of those games.
With Real expected to produce a reaction after Sunday´s loss at Atletico, I´m backing Ancelotti´s men to bounce back with a straightforward win against a side that looks a little short in the attacking areas.
Real Madrid vs Las Palmas Head to Head (H2H) stats
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Las Palmas 0 : 3 Real Madrid La Liga
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Real Madrid 3 : 0 Las Palmas La Liga
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Real Madrid 3 : 3 Las Palmas La Liga
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Las Palmas 2 : 2 Real Madrid La Liga
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Las Palmas 1 : 2 Real Madrid La Liga
- Competition: EFL Cup
- Date: 27th September 2023
- Kickoff: 19:45 UTC +1 / 20:45 CEST
- Venue: Anfield
Can Liverpool record a seventh straight win on Wednesday against Leicester City in the English League Cup?
After failing to make it into the Champions League places in the English Premier League last season Liverpool needed a positive response and that is what the team has produced so far. Jürgen Klopp's men started the 2023/24 season with a draw against Chelsea - a tie they arguably should have lost - but since then have won all their games. In the League Cup, however, the Reds have often struggled in recent games. They failed to win their last three games in this competition, so Klopp will not take this game lightly.
Speaking of a poor 2022-23 season, Leicester City should not be forgotten. The Foxes got relegated after nine seasons in the English top flight. Like Liverpool, Enzo Maresca's side have rebounded this season and currently sit at the top of the Championship table.
Liverpool vs Leicester City Betting Tips: Liverpool to win
Liverpool may not have won their last three games in this competition but don't write them off at Anfield. In addition, the 'Reds'' are the in-form team, having not only won each of their last six games but also scored three goals in five of them.
They kept a clean sheet only once in that period but that is no reason to believe Leicester will win this game. Leicester lost each of their last three competitive meetings with Jürgen Klopp's side.
- Best Tip: Home win
- Liverpool vs Leicester City prediction: 2-1
Liverpool vs Leicester City Head to Head (H2H) stats
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Liverpool 4 : 0 Leicester City Club Friendlies 1
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Leicester City 0 : 3 Liverpool Premier League
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Liverpool 2 : 1 Leicester City Premier League
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Liverpool 2 : 0 Leicester City Premier League
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Leicester City 1 : 0 Liverpool Premier League
Brazil legend, Ronaldo Nazario, has got married for a third time.
The 47-year-old walked down the aisle with 33-year-old model Celina Locks in Ibiza.
The stylish pair wore all white as they celebrated the occasion with family and friends at the weekend.
A picture on social media showed the pair being showered with white flower petals as they made their way from the altar.
“Today we bring our families together for an intimate religious celebration,” Celina wrote on social media.
“And thus marks the beginning of a week of many celebrations.”
Ronaldo and Celina had announced their engagement in January after the former Real Madrid striker proposed on a Caribbean break.
The couple had been dating for the past seven years.
Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has threatened to sue Napoli over a TikTok video that was posted on Tuesday.
The clip appears to mock Osimhen for missing a penalty during their 0-0 draw with Bologna in Serie A last weekend.
That proved to be the game’s defining moment and was a rare miss from the Nigerian – who has scored three goals already in his first five matches this season.
The video was eventually pulled down by Napoli following a serious backlash on social media.
Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, has hinted that Osimhen is considering legal action against his club.
“What happened today on Napoli’s official profile on the TikTok platform is not acceptable. A video mocking Victor was first made public and then, but now belatedly, deleted.
“A serious fact that causes very serious damage to the player and adds to the treatment that the boy is suffering in the last period between media trials and fake news. We reserve the right to take legal action and any useful initiative to protect Victor,” Calenda said.
At least seven clubs booked their places in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Tuesday night.
Current holders Manchester United thrashed Crystal Palace 3-0 at Old Trafford.
Alejandro Garnarcho, Casemiro and Anthony Martial got the goals for the Red Devils.
The match was the night’s only fixture pitting two top flight clubs against each other.
Elsewhere, Wolverhampton Wanderers lost 3-2 to Ipswich Town, while Luton Town were stunned 1-0 by Exeter City.
Burnley hammered Salford City 4-0, Mansfield Town needed penalties to see off Peterborough United after the game ended 2-2.
Port Vale defeated Sutton United 2-1 and Middlesbrough beat Bradford City 2-0.
- Competition: EFL Cup (Second Round)
- Date: Tuesday, 26th, September 2023
- Kickoff: 20:00 UK/21.00 CEST
- Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester)
Manchester United, the reigning champions, kick off their EFL Cup defense in front of their loyal fans at Old Trafford as they welcome Crystal Palace on Tuesday.
The Red Devils enter the showdown on Tuesday as the reigning champions of the tournament, as they managed to finally end their trophy drought last season and bring the first silverware to Old Trafford since 2017, defeating Newcastle 2-0 in the final. The delicate start to the 2023-24 campaign for United, with four defeats and only three victories in their first seven challenges, casts a shadow on their ambitions. Such a performance doesn't align with the club's reputation, especially after significant investments during the summer. However, Erik ten Hag's team momentarily put their troubles aside with a hard-fought 1-0 win over newcomers Burnley over the weekend, breaking a streak of three consecutive defeats.
On the other hand, it seems that the EFL Cup is not Hodgson's Eagles' favorite tournament, as they have never managed to win it, and they have also never been in a position to compete for the same trophy, with the second round being the furthest they've gone in three out of the last four editions. Crystal Palace, in fact, booked their clash with the Red Devils at the "Theatre of Dreams" by convincingly defeating Championship newcomers Plymouth 4-2 at the end of August. The Selhurst Park-based squad embarked on the current campaign with notable inconsistency, compiling two wins, along with the same number of draws and losses, in their first six Premier League contests.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Betting Tips : United to Win
Following the EFL Cup clash on Tuesday, Crystal Palace won't need to return to South London as just four days later, on Saturday, they face another showdown with the Red Devils at Old Trafford in the seventh round of the Premier League. Despite United's recent inconsistency, we anticipate Erik ten Hag will quickly devise a plan to revive his squad. Primarily, the Dutch tactician will need to address the defensive concerns, as conceding 14 goals in their last six matches appears highly alarming. Therefore, it all hinges on the performance of Manchester's defense – if the backline fulfills its duties as expected, the Red Devils will likely commence their EFL Cup defense on a high note.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Head to Head (H2H) stats
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Manchester United 2 : 1 Crystal Palace Premier League
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Crystal Palace 1 : 1 Manchester United Premier League
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Manchester United 3 : 1 Crystal Palace Club Friendlies 1
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Crystal Palace 1 : 0 Manchester United Premier League
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Manchester United 1 : 0 Crystal Palace Premier League
- Competition: LaLiga
- Date: Tuesday, 26th September 2023
- Kickoff: 20:30 UTC +1 / 21:30 CEST
- Venue: Estadi Mallorca Son Moix (Palma de Mallorca)
Mallorca are a team from the bottom half of LaLiga, but they should be good enough to avoid the relegation. Mallorca started the 2023/24 season with five points from the first six rounds. On Saturday, they lost 5-3 on the road against Girona. The guests were far from the points as the home side had a 5-1 lead already in the 57th minute. The next game will not be much easier as Javier Aguirre's team will welcome the league champs, Barcelona. Mallorca are rarely trashed at their own stadium (0:1 goal difference in two matches at Estadi Mallorca son Moix), but allowing five goals is not a good sign before playing versus Barcelona is not a good sign.
Barcelona are the reigning LaLiga champion. They are sitting at the top of the table with 16 points from six matches (at least until Real Madrid plays their game on Sunday against Atletico Madrid). Barcelona won the last six matches in all competitions. On Saturday night, Xavi's team won 3-2 at home against Celta Vigo. Guests had a 2-0 lead until the 81st minute, but the home side scored three goals late in the game and won all three points. That kind of turnaround will give a lot of confidence to Barcelona.
Mallorca vs Barcelona pick: Barcelona to win
Mallorca always have a hard time against Barcelona. The team from Palma de Mallorca lost the last 11 h2h games against the Catalan side. This time shouldn't be different, so Barcelona to win should be the best bet for this tie.
Mallorca vs FC Barcelona Head to Head (H2H) stats
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FC Barcelona 3 : 0 Mallorca La Liga
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Mallorca 0 : 1 FC Barcelona La Liga
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FC Barcelona 2 : 1 Mallorca La Liga
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Mallorca 0 : 1 FC Barcelona La Liga
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Mallorca 0 : 4 FC Barcelona La Liga
Nigerian forward, Gift Orban has been slammed with a two-match ban after receiving a red card in the game between his team, KAA Gent and KAS Eupen.
Gift Orban received his first red card as a professional footballer on Sunday, September 24, as Gent came from behind to defeat Eupen 2-1 in a Belgian Pro League encounter at the Ghelamco Arene.
In the 45th minute of the game, the referee confirmed Orban’s dismissal following a VAR review for elbowing Rune Paeshuyse in the neck in an off-the-ball incident. That led to a straight red card for the youngster.
Due to the suspension, Gift Orban will miss the league match between the Buffalos and league champion Antwerp. He is likely to also pay 1,500 euros as a fine.
If the Super Eagles invitee had received a straight red for acting violently, he would have been suspended for multiple games, but since it was his first infraction, his punishment was more lenient.
A statement from the Belgian FA read, “The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office ruled that it involved ‘physical misconduct’, and more specifically a brutal push with high intensity’. For Orban, it is the first red card in 57 professional matches. According to the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, that clean criminal record works to his advantage.
“A minimum suspension of two matches – being the lower limit as determined in the indicative table – is appropriate,” it said. Furthermore, a fine of 1,500 euros is requested.
The club also announced that they would consider any recommendations for a peaceful resolution and will decide on the sanction later today, September 26.
Recall that Orban missed the Super Eagles’ 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game against So Tomé and Principe earlier this month due to fitness issues. He has suffered from an injury and troubles with his form so far this season. In his previous five appearances for Gent, he hasn’t scored a goal.
However, he has managed to score six goals in 11 games for the Belgian team across all competitions.
[NaijaNews]
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The joint bid by Nigeria and neighbours, Benin Republic is expected to win the hosting right of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Confederation of African Football, (CAF) will name host nations for the 2025 and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals on Wednesday.
The Executive Committee of CAF will vote on the bids for the 2025 and 2027 editions of the AFCON at a meeting billed to take place at the Marriott Hotel in the Zamalek area of downtown Cairo.
Morocco is guaranteed to get the nod to host the 2025 finals.
The joint bid by Nigeria and the Republic of Benin is in contest with Senegal, Egypt, Botswana and a tripartite arrangement of Uganda/Kenya/Tanzania for the 2027 event.
Algeria was a strong candidate for the 2027 event until the North African country withdrew from the race on Tuesday morning.
Nigeria has put forward the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja; Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt; Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo; Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos; Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna; Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba; Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City and; Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.
In the Republic of Benin, the Stade Mathieu Kerekou in Cotonou and the Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto Novo are listed.
[DailyPost]
Nigerian attacker, Victor Osimhen has landed in trouble as Napoli are considering a fine for him over his action when susbsstituted in the club’s last serie A game against Bologna on Sunday evening.
Osimhen berated manager Rudi Garcia and angrily approached the bench after his substition in the encounter.
Osimhen missed a penalty in the 0-0 draw against Bologna before he was substituted in the closing stages of the encounter.
But as he left the pitch, the former Lille star looked angry with Garcia and held up two fingers to the coach in an apparent suggestion that more than one striker should be on the pitch with the team still needing a goal.
According to Il Mattino, Osimhen and Garcia will meet at Napoli’s training ground later in the week to discuss the incident and the player could be fined for his outburst.
The report added that Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo had a ‘harsh’ talk with Osimhen inside the dressing room after the match.
When asked about Osimhen’s furious reaction, Garcia said at his post-match interview: “As for when he went off, we talked about that, what I say to my players remains in the locker room.
“We have a lot of quality in the squad and on the bench, so Simeone, Politano and Elmas came on, I still have Jesper available too,” he said.
Osimhen will now hope to lead Napoli to victory when they face Udinese in their next game on Wednesday.
[Newsguru]
The minister of sports development, Senator John Owan Enoh, will be attending the Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee meeting in Cairo, Egypt, as Nigeria intensifies its bid to host the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
Nigeria and Republic of Benin submitted a joint bid to host the AFCON 2025 after CAF stripped Guinea rights to stage the event.
The Sports Minister and the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will be attending the meeting as representatives of the federal government of Nigeria.
According to a press statement released on Tuesday by the minister’s media office and signed by Kola Daniel, Nigeria’s delegation will make presentation to CAF’s executive committee during their meeting in Cairo, Egypt.
All countries, who submitted bids to host the AFCON tournament in 2025 and 2027 respectively are expected to attend the meeting during which the independent assessment committee of CAF will submit their reports for assessment and discussions by CAF Exco.
The CAF’s inspection team had previously visited Nigeria to assess facilities at different proposed host venues around the country.
The Nigerian delegation includes the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar; president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau; general secretary of the NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and bid coordinator, Mallam Mainasara Ilo.
Nigeria will make a 10-minute presentation to the CAF’s executive committee and, thereafter, will be allocated time to answer questions from its presentation.
The meeting will hold on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
[Leadership]
Arsenal forward, Bukayo Saka has cited a key advantage the Gunners have over Tottenham Hotspur in their upcoming North London Derby on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal are set to lock horns with Tottenham at the Emirates in a Premier League derby.
Ahead of the encounter, Saka spoke to Arsenal’s in-house media about the advantage of playing at home in front of the club’s supporters.
The England star reckons the fans and the environment they will create at their stadium could give them an edge in their match against Tottenham.
“I’m really excited, it is a massive advantage [to be at home]. Personally, the feeling I have every time I play at the Emirates is that we are going to win and the people are behind us,” Saka said (per the club’s official website).
“The support that the fans give us, not allowing us to lose, gives us that extra confidence boost.”
“Since last year, all the players and everyone around the club has realised what the fans have been doing at the Emirates and they’ve created a really beautiful atmosphere. I’m forever grateful for the love and support that we receive.”
[DailyPost]