Sports

Morocco, Africa’s surprise in Qatar – Eagles coach

Published

1 year ago

December 10, 2022

Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro

Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has ranked Morocco as Africa’s biggest surprise team at the ongoing 2022 World cup in Qatar.

The Portuguese tactician who is currently in Qatar spoke on his observation about the teams he has monitored so far in an interview with the NFF TV on Friday.

Speaking on the performance of the African teams in Qatar, the Portuguese tactician said, “I think Ghana, Cameroon, and Tunisia achieved good results but lacked the consistency to advance to the round of 16.

“Cameroon played a fantastic match against Serbia and they beat Brazil, Ghana also defeated South Korea,.

“Senegal had a great performance in the group stage, but the big surprise at this year’s World Cup are Morocco. They are a well-organised team and conceded fewer goals. Only three teams in Africa have reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup; Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon and Morocco make the fourth team.

“They showed qualities and they are the best African team in Qatar.”

The Atlas Lions will play Portugal in the quarter-finals on Saturday at the Al Thumama Stadium.

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The 62-year-old tactician also revealed that he watched the last five editions of the World Cup and is in Qatar to watch the games courtesy of support from the Nigeria Football Federation.

“I have been to the last five World Cups watching the games live until now. I am in Qatar with the support of the Nigeria Football Federation.

“I think it’s important to evaluate the evolutionary trends of national teams in this competition.

“It’s a bigger competition for national teams. I can’t compare the organisation of the national teams, some teams have more time to prepare than other teams.

“But if you speak about the quality of the players, matches. As the coach of a national team, the Super Eagles, I can say that there are many qualities. Any national team can bring together the best players.”

“ I arrived in Qatar on December 2 and I have been watching the games live, watching two matches. I watched Portugal vs Croatia and how Cameroon defeated Brazil. It is possible to watch the games because the stadiums are not far from each other, I will watch the quarter-finals, semi-finals, third place and the final.

The Eagles’ chances of taking part in the 2022 World Cup were quashed after they lost on away goals rule against Ghana.

A Thomas Party 10 minutes long-range strike beat Francis Uzoho to put the Black Stars in a commanding position before stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong restored parity from the spot.

The three-time Africa champions however failed to score the all-important goal to secure a spot for the Mundial in Qatar leaving fans devastated. Punch

Sports

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Published

2 days ago

April 24, 2024

Trends Admin

Cristiano Ronaldo and Odion Ighalo

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Ex-Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has disclosed that the decision of Cristiano Ronaldo and other top footballers to ply their trade in Saudi Arabia was informed by pecuniary motives.

Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr last year in a stunning three-year deal that would see him earn €210.704 million in total.

Other top footballers, who have made names for themselves in Europe, have also moved to Saudi Arabia as the the oil-rich middle east nation injected massive cash into league in order to make it a football powerhouse.

Reacting to the move of Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia and the influx of big players to the Saudi league, Ighalo said the motivation behind these moves was money and not passion.

Ighalo made this known during an interview with sport journalist, Oma Akatugba.

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He said. “See people that are going to Saudi Arabia, big players. Is Ronaldo still playing for passion? He has made more than 100 times what I have in my life, but he still went to Saudi. You want to tell me that is passion? No, it’s for money.

“It’s only when we Africans say it they will say we like money. But these people don’t care, some of them want to be highest paid and all that,”

Ighalo left mainstream Europe for Chang Chung Yatai in 2017 after playing for Lyn, Udinese, Granada, Cesena, and Watford.

At Yatai, he earned a reported €200,000 weekly salary, before moving to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua where he also commanded a similar wage.

Ighalo spent one year in Shanghai before moving to Manchester United on a six-month loan deal.

After that, the 34-year-old joined Al Shabbab, where he started earning €170,000.

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Sports

MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Trends Admin

Lionel Messi

MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table

Lionel Messi showcased his brilliance with a double and an assist for Sergio Busquets as Inter Miami secured a 3-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday, keeping them at the summit of Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.

Despite a shaky start that saw Franco Negri inadvertently deflect a corner into Miami’s net within two minutes, Messi swiftly equalized in the 11th minute after Luis Suarez redirected a rebounded shot from the Argentine.

Messi continued to menace Nashville’s defense, narrowly missing another goal before providing an exquisite cross for Diego Gomez, whose header was denied by Nashville keeper Elliot Panicco.

Miami capitalized on their momentum as Busquets, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, nodded in a corner just before halftime, giving Miami a well-deserved lead.

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However, Miami suffered a setback as Gomez was stretchered off with an ankle injury, adding to their injury woes.

Although Nashville dominated possession in the second half, Miami remained resolute defensively. In the 81st minute, Messi sealed the win by converting a penalty after Leonardo Afonso was fouled in the box.

With this victory, Messi extended his impressive goal-scoring record to nine goals in as many games across all competitions for Miami.

Reflecting on Miami’s performance, manager Gerardo Martino praised his team’s resilience, particularly considering their depleted squad due to injuries.

Despite Miami’s success, Columbus Crew faced a tough battle, twice coming from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against Phil Neville’s Portland Timbers.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati clinched a 2-1 win over Atlanta United, with Luciano Acosta playing a pivotal role in their comeback victory. This highlights an eventful day in Major League Soccer.

MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table

Sports

Arsenal beat Wolves to return to top spot

Published

5 days ago

April 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Arsenal beat Wolves to return to top spot

Arsenal put their Champions League disappointment firmly in the past by beating Wolves at Molineux and moving back to the top of the Premier League.

Having blown their chance to leapfrog Pep Guardiola’s side six days ago by losing at home to Aston Villa and then being knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, it was a welcome triumph for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Leandro Trossard’s strike in the last minute of the opening period may not have been the most eye-catching of the Belgian’s career, but it was perfectly timed.

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It came at the end of a half where Arsenal seemed to have gotten stuck after a bright start and nearly fell behind to Gary O’Neil’s injury-ravaged side.

The visitors dominated the second half too, but were unable to carve out the clear chances that would have allowed them to take the game out of reach.

Captain Martin Odegaard added the second deep into stoppage time at the end of the game, turning in from a tight angle after his initial cross had been blocked.

The result means Arsenal are now a point clear of City, with a better goal difference but having played a game more.

They have the chance to apply some significant pressure to the defending champions when they entertain beaten FA Cup semi-finalists Chelsea on Tuesday.