AFCON 2023: Nigeria, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, others set for quarter-final clashes – Newstrends
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AFCON 2023: Nigeria, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, others set for quarter-final clashes

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AFCON 2023: Nigeria, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, others set for quarter-final clashes

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Cote d’Ivoire 2023 round of 16 fixtures was concluded on Tuesday, paving the way for thrilling quarter-final clashes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that eight teams advanced to the quarterfinal stage.

The matches played in the round of 16 were close contests, but the best teams made their way to the quarterfinals.

Angola qualified after battling to a 3-0 win over Namibia on Saturday to meet Nigeria in the quarterfinal stage.

Nigeria had defeated their counterpart, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, 2-0 on January 27.

The Super Eagles will then have a stern test against two-time quarterfinalists, Angola’s Palancas Negras, in the quarterfinal on Friday at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan at 6 p.m.

DR Congo secured a slim victory against a gritty Egpyt on Jan. 28, winning the game via penalty shootout 8-7 after a dramatic 1-1 draw in regular time; they are now set to battle Guinea.

Guinea ended the race for Equatorial Guinea on Sunday with a shock 1-0 win to face DR Congo in the quarterfinal stage.

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Other intriguing match-ups include Monday’s encounter, which saw a late penalty that sent Cape Verde through 1-0 against Mauritania.

Host Cote d’Ivoire got through to the quarterfinals after an intense penalty shootout (5-4) against defending champions Senegal after battling out a 1-1 draw in regular time. Cote d’Ivoire will aim for another upset against Mali.

On Tuesday, in the last round-of-16 tie, Mali bundled out opponents Burkina Faso 2-1 to book a place in the quarterfinal stage to face host Cote d’Ivoire.

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Ronaldo’s hat-trick leads Al Nassr to a 6-0 Victory over Al Wehda

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Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo’s hat-trick leads Al Nassr to a 6-0 Victory over Al Wehda

In a stunning display of dominance, Al Nassr secured a resounding 6-0 victory against Al Wehda in the Saudi Pro League 2023-24 clash on Wednesday at the Al-Awwal Stadium in Riyadh, with Cristiano Ronaldo stealing the spotlight by scoring a hat-trick.

The match started with Ronaldo narrowly missing an opportunity to open the scoring in the second minute, but he quickly made amends by capitalizing on a defensive error from the Al Wehda goalkeeper to give his team the lead.

Just seven minutes later, Ronaldo showcased his aerial prowess by nodding in a delightful cross from Brozovic, notching his 40th club goal of the season and doubling Al Nassr’s advantage.

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Although Al Wehda thought they had pulled one back through Odion Ighalo, the goal was disallowed for offside, maintaining Al Nassr’s lead. Otavio extended the lead further with a composed finish, courtesy of a precise through ball from Mane.

Mane himself got on the scoresheet just before halftime, courtesy of a clever assist from Otavio, rounding off a sensational first-half performance for Al Nassr.

The second half saw no respite for Al Wehda as Ronaldo completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish after being set up by Mane. Al Nassr’s dominance was further highlighted by substitute Al Fatil, who sealed the victory with a late goal, hammering the ball into an empty net.

With this emphatic win, Al Nassr maintains its position as the second-placed team in the league table, trailing leader Al Hilal by nine points. Meanwhile, Al Wehda finds themselves in 12th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Ronaldo’s hat-trick leads Al Nassr to a 6-0 Victory over Al Wehda

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Iheanacho eyes Aston Villa, turns down Leicester’s £65k weekly offer

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Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho eyes Aston Villa, turns down Leicester’s £65k weekly offer

Kelechi Iheanacho, a Super Eagles and Leicester City striker, has rejected a new contract with the club despite interest from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 27-year-old striker has made only ten league starts in the EFL Championships this season, with Enzo Maresca preferring Zambian Patson Daka to lead the line for the Foxes.

Iheanacho, along with Wilfred Ndidi, are nearing the end of their Leicester City careers, as their contracts expire in June 2024. While the defensive midfielder wants to join a Premier League top-six club, Iheanacho is not interested in staying at the King Power Stadium.

According to Football Insider, the highest-scoring African in the history of the FA Cup was offered an improved deal with a weekly wage of £65,000, but the Nigerian striker rejected the offer.

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‘‘He (Iheanacho) has been offered a new deal but not prepared to sign. But we will wait till the end of the season and see,’’ the report stated.

Several reasons might have sparked Iheanacho’s reaction, with the absence of playing time at the forefront. According to Football Fancast, Aston Villa are interested in bringing the 2021 FA Cup winner to Villa Park as a backup for Ollie Watkins.

The Villains have enjoyed a great season under Unai Emery and have their eyes locked on a place in the UEFA Champions League next season. Should Iheanacho join Villa, he would have the luxury of playing alongside skilled players like Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey, Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby.

Aston Villa view Iheanacho as an experienced Premier League forward, representing a summer bargain that could make all the difference next season at Villa Park.

In 10 starts for Leicester, Iheanacho found the back of the net five times and created one goal, averaging a goal involvement every two games.

The Foxes have secured a return to the English Premier League after relegating on the last matchday in the previous season.

Iheanacho eyes Aston Villa, turns down Leicester’s £65k weekly offer

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Real Madrid win 36th La Liga title as Girona beat Barcelona

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Real Madrid win 36th La Liga title as Girona beat Barcelona

Real Madrid won La Liga on Saturday after beating Cadiz 3-0 before Girona defeated last year’s champions Barcelona 4-2 to seal Los Blancos’ triumph.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side did their homework against the Andalucian stragglers to virtually guarantee a record-extending 36th Spanish title, confirmed when Barcelona dropped points at Montilivi.

Girona’s dramatic victory saw the Catalan minnows qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Brahim Diaz netted in the 51st minute to put Madrid ahead and then set up Jude Bellingham for the second, with Joselu tapping home a third to leave Madrid on the cusp of the title.

“We leave our skins out there on the pitch to live moments like today’s, we are so close to the league,” Joselu told Real Madrid TV.

“There are young players who are very hungry for titles, veterans who are delighted to be here… and these are special moments.”

Ancelotti played a heavily rotated side ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

The coach selected only captain Nacho Fernandez from the starting line-up that earned a 2-2 draw in Bavaria this week.

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois started for the first time after a nine-month lay off after a knee injury and kept a clean sheet.

Madrid midfielder Luka Modric became the oldest player to appear for the club in La Liga, at 38 years and 238 days, breaking late Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas’ record from 1965 by five days.

Madrid striker Joselu came close to reaching a dangerous cross and Chris Ramos fired off target for the visitors in an otherwise slow start at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Ruben Sobrino barged his way past Eder Militao on the counter-attack after half an hour but Nacho slid in well to thwart him as he prepared to shoot.

The visitors, 18th and still battling to stay up, shaded the first half, although Dani Ceballos had a shot blocked after Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma went walkabout at a corner.

– ‘Waiting for this day’ –
Courtois made a superb save to deny Ramos early in the second half and his team took the lead immediately afterwards.

The Cadiz striker shook free of Nacho and ran in on goal but Courtois produced a superb save.

Moments later Diaz sent Madrid ahead, receiving from the evergreen Modric on the edge of the area, turning slickly and curling an effort into the top corner.

“Thibaut is the best in the world, he’s had a terrible season and we were waiting for this day to come,” added Joselu.

Bellingham, on as a substitute for Turkish teenager Arda Guler, added the second soon after entering the fray.

Modric and Diaz combined well, with the latter squaring for Bellingham to put the finishing touch on a fine team move.

It was the England international’s 18th league goal of the season, keeping him in contention to finish as the top scorer.

Madrid put the cherry on their cake after a superb run by Nacho.

Poised to depart at the end of the season, the Spaniard was hailed by the Bernabeu after setting up Joselu for a simple finish in stoppage time.

Los Blancos could celebrate after Girona came from behind twice to defeat Barcelona for the second time this season in a thrilling derby.

Barcelona took the lead through Andreas Christensen but La Liga’s top scorer Artem Dovbyk levelled with his 20th goal of the campaign.

Robert Lewandowski’s penalty sent Barcelona ahead but substitute Portu made a huge impact in the second half for Girona.

The winger netted the equaliser and then set up Miguel Gutierrez to put Girona ahead.

Portu sensationally volleyed home the fourth to ignite Girona’s tiny Montilivi stadium and get the party started.

Real Madrid win 36th La Liga title as Girona beat Barcelona

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