Nigeria’s Ilenikhena sinks Barcelona with late goal for Monaco
Nigeria’s George Ilenikhena played the hero as AS Monaco secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over a 10-man Barcelona in a pulsating Champions League encounter on Thursday in France.
The Nigerian striker’s second-half goal proved to be the difference in a match filled with drama, as Barcelona struggled after an early red card to Eric Garcia.
The match took a dramatic turn just 11 minutes in when Barcelona’s Eric Garcia was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge, reducing the Spanish side to 10 men for the remainder of the game.
Monaco wasted no time capitalising on the numerical advantage, with Maghnes Akliouche opening the scoring in the 16th minute. Akliouche brilliantly maneuvered through Barcelona’s defense before firing a superb shot into the bottom right corner, leaving Marc-Andre ter Stegen helpless.
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Despite the setback, Barcelona fought back. Lamine Yamal, the young sensation, pulled Barcelona level with a stunning strike from outside the box in the 28th minute. His shot nestled perfectly in the bottom right corner, leaving Monaco stunned as the Catalans showed they still had plenty of fight despite being a man down.
Monaco continued to press, and Wilfried Singo thought he had restored the lead in the 35th minute, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
The French side kept the pressure on after the break, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen was called into action several times, notably denying efforts from Vanderson and Folarin Balogun.
The game was finally decided in the 71st minute when George Ilenikhena pounced on a turnover to launch a rapid counter-attack. The Nigerian forward coolly slotted the ball past Ter Stegen from close range, sending the home crowd into a frenzy as Monaco took a 2-1 lead.
Barcelona attempted to claw their way back, but Monaco’s defence held firm, and despite a valiant effort from the visitors, they couldn’t find an equalizer.
Ilenikhena’s match-winning goal handed Monaco a vital victory, keeping their Champions League hopes alive and highlighting the Nigerian’s growing reputation as a clutch performer on the big stage.
Super Eagles seal AFCON 2025 spot, draw 1-1 against Benin
Victor Osimhen’s late header helped the Super Eagles of Nigeria secure a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in Abidjan, clinching their qualification for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Benin, playing their matches in Côte d’Ivoire, took an early lead in the 16th minute when Mohammed Tijani headed in a short corner.
The goal followed a period of sustained pressure from the Beninoise side on the Nigerian defence.
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Benin nearly doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a crucial save to keep Nigeria in the game.
Osimhen threatened as the first half progressed, with a powerful header that narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, Benin came close again, but a shot veered inches wide of the right post, sparing the Eagles further trouble.
With nine minutes remaining, Osimhen rose to the occasion, connecting with a precise cross from Moses Simon to level the score at 1-1.
With this result, the Super Eagles top Group D with 11 points from five matches, while Benin hold second place with seven points.
BREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, following Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali.
This result leaves Rwanda with five points from five matches, rendering them unable to surpass Nigeria in the standings, even if they win their upcoming match against the Super Eagles in Uyo.
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Currently, Nigeria leads Group D with 10 points, followed by Benin with six points, Rwanda with five, and Libya at the bottom with four points.
Benin remains in contention for the second qualification spot and will face Nigeria in a crucial match tonight.
Libya is set to host Benin in the final Group D game on Monday.
Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
Nearly 40 years after making his professional debut, and 19 years after being battered into retirement, a 58-year-old Mike Tyson will climb back into the ring on Friday for a Netflix-backed bout that has drawn widespread condemnation across the boxing world.
Tyson, who terrorised the heavyweight division during an imperious reign in the late 1980s, is lacing up the gloves once more to take on Youtuber Jake Paul, 27, in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.
The fight, which will be comprised of eight two-minute rounds, was initially due to take place in July but was postponed in May after Tyson required medical treatment on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles after vomiting blood due to a bleeding ulcer.
That gory mid-air emergency has provided another piece of ammunition for the numerous critics who have condemned Friday’s contest as a macabre circus act that poses an unacceptable level of risk for Tyson, who last graced a professional ring in 2005, when he was beaten via a technical knockout after quitting on his stool against Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.
“Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson retired from boxing, and was shot to pieces, right? I mean, completely shot,” the prominent British fight promoter Eddie Hearn said this week.
“If anyone thinks that Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no emotional feelings toward the man, or you’re an idiot. It shouldn’t be happening.”
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Hearn’s rival promoter Frank Warren echoed those sentiments.
“Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting,” Warren said after the bout was announced. “It’s as simple as that.
“Anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it is ridiculous. You can be on a motorway stuck in a traffic jam and you get to the end of it and all it is is people who have stopped to look at a crash — and that’s what this is.”
Tyson, who US reports say is being paid around $20 million for Friday’s contest, has brushed off the concerns for his wellbeing, insisting when critics from the boxing world are motivated by jealousy.
“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” he said earlier this year. “The people who said that wish they were up here. No-one else can do this.”
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