Sports

Guinea-Bissau won’t be easy game – Osimhen

Published

1 year ago

January 20, 2024

Victor Osimhen

Guinea-Bissau won’t be easy game – Osimhen

After their hard-earned victory over the host, Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, at the ongoing AFCON, Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, says they are expecting a tough game from the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau in their last group game on Monday.

The Super Eagles relaunched themselves in the African Cup of Nations with the narrow win, with the Napoli forward handing Nigeria the opportunity to earn the full point after he was hacked down in the box.

According to BSNSports.com.ng, Osimhen has admitted how strong the Guineans were, and recognised how they approached matches with determination.

“We aim for a strong performance against Guinea-Bissau. They will undoubtedly approach the game with determination, and we won’t underestimate any team, considering what they’ve done to qualify.

“We met them in the qualifiers and know how strong they are. They defeated us at home, while we also beat them away.

“So, we are expecting a tough game against them. We will do our best to win,” Osimhen stated.

Meanwhile, a former Nigeria defender, Amaechi Otti, has said that the Super Eagles rose to glory against the Elephants on the crest of luck, adding that it is not impossible for the team to reach the tournament’s podium on the wings of luck.

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Otti, who played domestic football with Rangers FC before moving to Europe, told Exclusivenews.com.ng that the Super Eagles still have a lot to do to achieve their dream of winning the AFCON title.

“Looking at the matches statistics, one can say it was a one- way traffic for the hosts, Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire,” Otti said. “The home team enjoyed about 65 per cent ball possession. They also had over 450 completed passes against Super Eagles 35 per cent possession and over 240 completed passes.

“Therefore, on the balance of play, the Elephants could understandably be said to be better and perhaps deserves to win. But then, you don’t always need the best of play or performance to win on a big stage such as this.

“I think today, the Super Eagles rose on the wings of luck to win and I hope such divine favour drives them through to glory in the entire tournament”.
Otti also spoke on the performance of Jose Peseiro with the Super Eagles so far saying that those who engaged him should “look themselves in the face and ask fundamental questions that border on morality, fairness and sincerity.

“First and foremost, was he accepted as the bestman for the job before his appointment’? Has he worked and proved he is the best since his employment?

“We’ve seen what he has brought to the table since his arrival, but his employers have displayed absolute lack of political will, courage and patriotic zeal to do the needful,” he stated.

Guinea-Bissau won’t be easy game – Osimhen

Sports

Newcastle stun Liverpool to secure Carabao Cup victory

Published

21 hours ago

March 17, 2025

Trends Admin

Newcastle stun Liverpool to secure Carabao Cup victory

Newcastle United clinched their first domestic trophy in 70 years with a stunning 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak sealed a historic win, igniting celebrations among the club’s passionate supporters.

Defender Burn put Newcastle ahead just before halftime, powering in a header from a corner to send the black-and-white-clad fans into raptures

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Buoyed by their lead, Newcastle doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute when Swedish forward Isak coolly slotted the ball past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Premier League leaders Liverpool pulled one back deep into stoppage time through Federico Chiesa, but it was too little, too late as Eddie Howe’s side held firm to lift their first major domestic trophy since 1955.

Newcastle stun Liverpool to secure Carabao Cup victory

Sports

EPL: Merino header gives Arsenal slim win over Chelsea

Published

2 days ago

March 16, 2025

Trends Admin

EPL: Merino header gives Arsenal slim win over Chelsea

Chelsea’s challenge for a place in next season’s Champions League faltered in a toothless 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday as Fulham beat Tottenham 2-0.

Mikel Merino scored the only goal of a disappointing contest at the Emirates as Arsenal pulled clear in second place and to within 12 points of runaway leaders Liverpool.

Chelsea badly missed the presence of the absent Cole Palmer due to illness as they meekly surrendered to a damaging defeat for their hopes of a top-four finish.

The Blues remain in fourth for now but have five sides from Manchester City in fifth to Aston Villa in ninth within four points of Enzo Maresca’s team.

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Arsenal have struggled badly for goals since the loss of Kai Havertz to a season-ending injury has forced midfielder Merino into a makeshift centre-forward role.

The Spanish international proved the match winner from a corner as he looped a header from Martin Odegaard’s delivery inside the far post on 20 minutes.

Chelsea barely threatened but were nearly gifted a route back into the game when David Raya fumbled Marc Cucurella’s shot and the ball trickled wide.

At the other end, Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez made a brilliant stop to prevent Merino doubling Arsenal’s lead with the best effort of the second half.

But the game petered out with little goalmouth action as a limp performance will do little to quieten the critics of Maresca’s style of play among the Chelsea support.

EPL: Merino header gives Arsenal slim win over Chelsea

Sports

Chelsea beat Man City to win Women’s League Cup

Published

2 days ago

March 16, 2025

Trends Admin

Chelsea beat Man City to win Women’s League Cup

Chelsea edged past Manchester City in the Women’s League Cup final to win their first trophy under Sonia Bompastor and keep their bid for a historic quadruple alive.

Bompastor has exceeded expectations since succeeding Emma Hayes as head coach last May, winning 26 of her 28 games.

Mayra Ramirez netted an early opener for Chelsea, bundling in a rebound that bounced off City skipper Laia Aleixandri at Derby County’s Pride Park.

Aoba Fujino levelled after the break with a stunning strike, but an own goal by Yui Hasegawa restored Chelsea’s lead and ended their three-year losing streak in League Cup finals.

“It feels great, for sure. I’m really happy,” Bompastor said.

“From the beginning of the season we said we are going to be ambitious and when you have the opportunity to win a first title that is always really positive so I am really happy for that reason and I am really proud of my players.”

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City, who were playing their first game under interim boss Nick Cushing following Gareth Taylor’s sacking five days ago, dominated play after Chelsea’s opener.

But they were unable to find a way through during the first half as Chelsea’s solid centre-back paring of Millie Bright and Nathalie Bjorn stood firm, limiting City’s chances to ambitious efforts from the edge of the box.

Chelsea appeared to regain control after the interval, but Fujino’s powerful strike flew past Hannah Hampton and into the roof of the net before Hasegawa’s own goal handed momentum back to Bompastor’s side.

They remain in the hunt for the Champions League and FA Cup, while they have all but secured a sixth successive Women’s Super League (WSL) title, sitting eight points clear at the top of the table with six games remaining.

This final marked the start of an intense 12-day battle, with Chelsea and City playing each other four times in a row.