Sports
Super Falcons lose 1-3 to Japan, bow out of Paris Olympics
Super Falcons lose 1-3 to Japan, bow out of Paris Olympics
Super Falcons of Nigeria have crashed out of the 2024 Paris Olympics after losing 3-1 to Japan to make it three loss in three games.
Japan began the match with intense pressure, immediately pinning the Super Falcons back.
In the seventh minute, Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a superb save to deny the Japanese. The relentless pressure continued, with Osinachi Ohale making a crucial block nine minutes later.
The Asian champions broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, thanks to Chelsea forward Maika Hamano.
Ten minutes later, Mina Tanaka doubled Japan’s advantage, further demonstrating their dominance.
Nigeria responded with a goal three minutes before halftime, with PSG’s new signing Jennifer Echegini pulling one back for the Super Falcons.
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However, Japan’s Hana Kitagawa restored the two-goal cushion in stoppage time with a sublime free kick.
The second half saw the Super Falcons controlling possession as Japan adopted a defensive stance, focusing on counter-attacks.
In the 52nd minute, Japan was awarded a penalty after Rasheedat Ajibade was judged to have pulled an opponent in the box. However, following a VAR review, the decision was overturned.
Despite their best efforts, Nigeria ended the match at the bottom of Group C, failing to secure any points from their three games.
Japan’s victory solidified their position at the top of the group, showcasing their strength and resilience throughout the tournament.
Super Falcons lose 1-3 to Japan, bow out of Paris Olympics
Sports
Man United, Bournemouth Share Eight-Goal Premier League Thriller in Old Trafford Classic
Man United, Bournemouth Share Eight-Goal Premier League Thriller in Old Trafford Classic
Manchester United and Bournemouth served up one of the most dramatic games of the Premier League season as both sides surrendered leads and mounted comebacks before settling for a pulsating 4-4 draw at Old Trafford.
United went into the break with a 2-1 lead, but their advantage vanished within seven minutes of the restart as Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier struck to swing the contest in Bournemouth’s favour. The momentum shifted again when Bruno Fernandes curled home a superb free-kick, quickly followed by Matheus Cunha’s finish, turning the match on its head for a second time.
Just when United appeared set to claim victory, 19-year-old Eli Junior Kroupi smashed in a late equaliser six minutes from time to earn Bournemouth a deserved point in a breathless encounter.
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Amid the chaos, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim was rewarded for tactical adjustments, pushing Amad Diallo into a more advanced role. The move paid off early, with the Ivorian heading home from close range after 13 minutes following a blistering United start that saw them register six shots in the opening 10 minutes—their fastest in a league game since October 2022.
The match lived up to its billing, with both teams combining for 38 shots in a relentless end-to-end contest. Casemiro received a yellow card that rules him out of Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa, while late stoppage-time efforts from David Brooks forced sharp reaction saves from Senne Lammens to deny Bournemouth a famous win.
The draw proved costly for Manchester United, who slipped out of the Premier League top five, while 13th-placed Bournemouth extended their winless run to seven matches, despite an impressive attacking display in one of the season’s standout fixtures.
Man United, Bournemouth Share Eight-Goal Premier League Thriller in Old Trafford Classic
Sports
Nigeria, Egypt Renew AFCON Rivalry in Cairo Friendly Ahead of Morocco 2025 Showpiece
Nigeria, Egypt Renew AFCON Rivalry in Cairo Friendly Ahead of Morocco 2025 Showpiece
Three-time champions Nigeria and seven-time title holders Egypt will reignite their historic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) rivalry tonight as both teams clash in a high-profile international friendly match at the Cairo Stadium, serving as final preparations for the 35th AFCON finals in Morocco kicking off on Sunday.
The encounter offers both coaches the chance to assess squad depth and blood new faces ahead of the continental showpiece. Super Eagles coach Eric Sékou Chelle is expected to test several newcomers, including goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Usman Muhammed, Tochukwu Nnadi and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, as well as forwards Paul Onuachu and Salim Fago Lawal.
On the opposite bench, Pharaohs coach Hossam Hassan, an AFCON legend who scored seven goals in Egypt’s victorious 1998 AFCON campaign in Burkina Faso, is likely to shape his strategy around Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who remains in pursuit of his first AFCON title despite a glittering club career.
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Egypt’s squad also features Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Emam Ashour, and Mahmoud Trezeguet, alongside CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC duo Mohamed Hamdy and Mostafa Fathi, UAE-based Ibrahim Adel, and FC Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed.
For Nigeria, Chelle is expected to rely on established stars such as goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Zaidu Sanusi, midfield enforcers Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, and an attacking trio of Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
The highly anticipated Nigeria vs Egypt friendly will kick off at 8pm Egypt time (7pm Nigeria time), providing fans with a tantalising preview of what to expect when Africa’s giants collide at AFCON Morocco 2025.
Nigeria, Egypt Renew AFCON Rivalry in Cairo Friendly Ahead of Morocco 2025 Showpiece
Sports
Premier League: Arsenal Beat Wolves 2-1 in Thrilling Stoppage-Time Finish
Premier League: Arsenal Beat Wolves 2-1 in Thrilling Stoppage-Time Finish
Yerson Mosquera’s stoppage-time own goal handed Premier League leaders Arsenal a dramatic 2-1 victory over bottom-of-the-table Wolves at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The Gunners struggled to break down a resilient five-man Wolves defence, taking until the 70th minute to open the scoring. Bukayo Saka curled in a corner that goalkeeper Sam Johnstone pushed onto the post, with the ball rebounding off the keeper’s back to put Arsenal ahead.
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Wolves responded late, sending multiple crosses into the box before Mateus Mane found Tolu Arokodare, who headed home in the 90th minute to level the score and send fans into panic.
However, Saka delivered the decisive moment, cutting in from the right and curling a cross towards substitute Gabriel Jesus, only for Mosquera to inadvertently head the ball past his own keeper in stoppage time, giving Arsenal the victory and sending the home crowd into jubilation.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the game as a “rollercoaster,” praising his side’s resilience while acknowledging areas for improvement. The victory came despite the early withdrawal of Ben White with a hamstring injury.
The thrilling win extends Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points over Manchester City, as they prepare for a challenging trip to Everton next week.
Premier League: Arsenal Beat Wolves 2-1 in Thrilling Stoppage-Time Finish
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