Women’s Volleyball Championship: Nigeria beat Morocco, to face Algeria in 5th place match – Newstrends
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Women’s Volleyball Championship: Nigeria beat Morocco, to face Algeria in 5th place match

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2 years ago

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NIGERIA’S women’s senior volleyball team

Women’s Volleyball Championship: Nigeria beat Morocco, to face Algeria in 5th place match

NIGERIA’S women’s senior volleyball team have qualified to play the fifth place match after beating Morocco 3-0 ( 26-24,25-21,29-27 ) in the best loser match at the ongoing 2023 Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship in Yaounde, Cameroon.

The match is played at the Palais Polyvalent des Sports de Yaounde on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria had earlier on lost to Kenya in the quarterfinals match on Tuesday 0-3 (14-25,17-25,11-25).

Nigeria played in the group pool A with Cameroon (host), Burundi, Mali, Algeria and Egypt.

Nigeria beat Mali 3-0(25-18,25-14,25-20),lost to Cameroon 0-3 (17-25,13-25,18-25), then beat Burundi 3-0 (25-17,25-14,25-9),lost to Egypt 0-3 (14-25,17-25,20-25).

In the final group stage match, the country lost to Algeria 2-3(16-25,18-25,25-23,26-24,6-15).Then proceeded to the quarter finals stage and lost to Kenya 0-3 ( 14-25,17-25,11-25) on Tuesday.

Nigeria finished their grouped stage , pools A with three win matches  and two losses with seven points. While Morocco in their group stage pool B , won three and lost two matches.

Nigeria will now face Algeria for the fifth place match on Thursday, while Morocco will face Uganda for the seventh place match on Thursday.

NAN recalls that Algeria and Nigeria were in the same group stage pools A in which Algeria defeated Nigeria 3-2 ( 25-16,25-18,23-15,24-26,15-6). Both teams will be meeting for the fifth place match on Thursday.

Also Morocco and Uganda were in pools B ,Uganda defeated Morocco 3-2( 25-15,26-28,17-25,25-16,15-11). Both teams will be meeting for the seventh place match on Thursday.

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The current ranking places the following countries respectively :
Mali is placed ninth, Burkina Faso tenth , Burundi 11th and Lesotho is placed 12th.

Reacting to the victory, Samuel Ajayi, head coach of Nigeria, said that with the aids of our key players which changed the game, we were able to gain control of the game.

“I am very happy for the victory today against Morocco because the team deprived us in year 2021 championships in Rwanda for the third place match.

“ And I told my players that they should take their revenge back by winning irrespective of playing in the classification match.

“ Match is a match and in every match you play, you have to build  confidence and I really appreciate my players because they stuck to the instructions,“ he said.

Ajayi revealed that the players were not under pressure throughout the game against Morocco. I told my players to be more focused and fight harder and it yielded results.

He said in the last grouped stage match, Algeria defeated us, but my players have realised our mistakes.

“And I believed that when we face Algeria on Thursday, we will reaffirm ourselves in the concentration and I do not expect anything less than victories in the match,” he said.

Other results from the best loser match, Algeria beat Uganda 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-16).

NAN reports that Nigeria will face Algeria for the fifth position match.

The 2023 Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championships which started on Wednesday and ends on Aug. 29.

Twelve teams are participating ;Nigeria, Cameroon  (host), Burundi, Mali, Algeria, Kenya, Morocco, Rwanda, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Lesotho and Egypt.

Women’s Volleyball Championship: Nigeria beat Morocco, to face Algeria in 5th place match

( NAN)

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Napoli set €100m price tag on Osimhen amid Juventus interest

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12 hours ago

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April 27, 2025

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Victor Osimhen

Napoli set €100m price tag on Osimhen amid Juventus interest

The transfer saga surrounding Victor Osimhen continues to heat up ahead of the summer window, with Napoli placing a hefty €100 million valuation on the striker should Juventus push to sign him.

While Osimhen’s widely reported release clause stands at €75 million, this figure is applicable only to clubs outside Italy. Domestic rivals like Juventus would have to dig deeper and engage in direct negotiations with Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, who is well-known for driving hard bargains in the transfer market.

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DAZN journalist Orazio Accomando has shed light on Napoli’s stance regarding a potential move to Turin.

“There’s interest from the Premier League (Chelsea and Manchester United in the lead), but also from Barcelona for Osimhen,” he posted on X.
“The clause for going abroad is 75 Million Euros.

“Juventus could join in, but it will depend on qualification for the Champions League and the outgoing market. The request for Italian clubs is 100 Million Euros.”

Napoli set €100m price tag on Osimhen amid Juventus interest

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Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 in extra time to win Copa del Rey

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April 27, 2025

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Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 in extra time to win Copa del Rey

A Jules Kounde goal in the dying minutes of extra time handed Barcelona a dramatic 3-2 win over fierce rivals Real Madrid in an enthralling Copa del Rey final in a raucous atmosphere at Seville’s La Cartuja stadium on Saturday.

Barcelona won a record extending 32nd Spanish Cup title thanks to a stunning strike from the French defender, who slotted a low drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards in the 116th minute.

The match ended on a sour note for Real Madrid as Antonio Ruediger and Lucas Vazquez, both on the bench after being substituted earlier, received red cards for dissent from the sidelines, with Jude Bellingham also being flashed a red after the final whistle for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Pedri put Barca ahead in the 28th minute with a brilliant curling strike into the top corner from outside the box in a first-half they dominated.

However, Real took control in the second half as Kylian Mbappe, who was absent from the starting XI as he has yet to regain full fitness from an ankle injury, came off the bench to score the equaliser from a free kick in the 70th minute.

Aurelien Tchouameni gave Real Madrid the lead seven minutes later with a towering header from a corner before Ferran Torres found the equaliser in a counter attack in the 84th minute that took the game to extra time.

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Just when it seemed like the title would have to be settled in a penalty shootout, Kounde finally scored the winner that earned Barca a title that gave German manager Hansi Flick his first major title with Barca, crowning a brilliant season in which they are also bidding for the LaLiga and Champions League titles while Real are now left only with LaLiga as they bid to avoid a trophy-less campaign.

“It was a good time to give the fans something to cheer about. Let’s enjoy it, but don’t overdo it because the Champions League semi-finals are coming up in a few days,” player of the match Ferran Torres told TVE.

“Happy and tired. Without a doubt, it was the most physically demanding game I’ve played in my life. But we’re a great team who never gives up.

“It tastes better that way, especially when it’s Real Madrid in front of us.”

It was a nail-biting, ill-tempered encounter fueled by Friday’s turmoil ignited after Real Madrid decided to boycott pre-match activities in protest against the Spanish FA’s refereeing.

Final official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who had given an emotional pre-match press conference on Friday, was faced with a series of challenging decisions, including an added-time penalty for Barcelona that was eventually overturned following a lengthy VAR review.

Torres had a header hit the post just before half-time, marking a one-sided first half in which Real Madrid, lacking in form, were fortunate to only be trailing by a single goal.

In an attempt to swing the momentum, Ancelotti brought on Mbappe from the bench to replace the ineffectual Rodrygo. The French forward changed the dynamic of the game, creating numerous problems for Barcelona with his high-paced combinations with Vinicius Jr.

Despite two clear chances from Vinicius Jr. being denied by stunning saves from Wojciech Szczesny, Mbappe managed to find the back of the net in the 69th minute with a low strike from a free kick.

Just as Barcelona appeared to be on the backfoot and Real Madrid were gaining control, Torres equalised in the 83rd minute. This set the stage for a dramatic conclusion, with Barcelona securing the winner to the euphoria of their fans.

Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 in extra time to win Copa del Rey

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Real Madrid demand referee change, could boycott Copa Del Rey final

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2 days ago

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April 26, 2025

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Real Madrid demand referee change, could boycott Copa Del Rey final

Real Madrid refused to partake in planned Copa del Rey final related activities on Friday because they were angry at complaints made by the match officials earlier in the day, the club told media in Seville.

The referee for Saturday’s match against rivals Barcelona, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, welled up when speaking about pressure officials have faced from Real Madrid TV this season.

Spanish champions Real Madrid boycotted the press conference, the open training in front of media, the traditional presidents’ dinner and a pre-match photo-call.

“Real Madrid told the RFEF they will not take part in the press conference or the official training session looking forward to the (final),” said the Spanish football federation.

This week the club’s television channel launched a new video attacking the referee for the final, something they have done to various officials this season.

Los Blancos also published an open letter in February claiming Spanish refereeing was “rigged” and “completely discredited”.

Real Madrid have form when it comes to boycotts: in October they stayed away from the Ballon d’Or ceremony because their winger Vinicius Junior was not named the best player in the world.

“Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected,” the club said at the time.

De Burgos Bengoetxea had spoken about the effect criticism from Real Madrid’s television channel was having on his family life.

“When a child of yours goes to school and there are kids telling him that his father is a ‘thief’ and comes home crying, it’s totally messed up,” De Burgos Bengoetxea told a news conference.

“What I do is try to educate my son, to say that his father is honest, above all honest, who can make mistakes, like any sportsperson,” he continued, becoming emotional.

“This is really messed up… but the day I leave (the job), I want my son to be proud of what his father is, and what refereeing is, it has given us many values.”

Wiping away tears, the 39-year-old called for deeper thought on the issue of referee abuse.

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“It’s not right what we are going through, many colleagues, and not just in professional football, but also at grassroots level,” he added.

“Everyone should reflect about where we want to go, about what we want from sport and from football.”

Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, the referee in charge of VAR for the final, suggested officials could take further action over Real Madrid TV’s broadcasts in the coming weeks.

“Have no doubt that we are going to have to start taking much more serious measures than we are taking,” said Gonzalez Fuertes.

“We will not continue to allow what is happening. Soon, you will hear from us.

“We are going to make history, because we are not going to continue to bear what we are putting up with.”

Copa del Rey ref statements ‘unacceptable’: Real Madrid after boycotting final build-up

Real Madrid said complaints made by Copa del Rey final referees against pressure from the club’s television channel were ‘unacceptable’ on Friday, after pulling out of planned pre-match activities.

“These statements… made in a premeditated manner 24 hours before the final against one of the participants, demonstrate, once again, a clear and manifest animosity and hostility of these referees towards Real Madrid,” said the Spanish champions on the eve of Saturday’s cup final in Seville.

Real Madrid refused to take part in planned Copa del Rey final related activities on Friday because they were angry at comments made by the match officials earlier in the day, the club told media in Seville.

The referee for Saturday’s match against rivals Barcelona, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, welled up when speaking about pressure officials have faced from Real Madrid TV this season.

Spanish champions Real Madrid boycotted the press conference, the open training in front of media, the traditional presidents’ dinner and a pre-match photo-call.

“Real Madrid considers the public statements made by the Copa del Rey final referees unacceptable,” said the club in their statement.

Madrid took particular issue with the final’s VAR referee Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes suggesting referees were “united” and looking to take collective action against the pressure they had received from Real Madrid TV.

“Even more surprising statements, in a threatening tone… to announce supposed measures or actions that are far removed from the principles of fairness, objectivity and impartiality that should prevail just hours before (the final),” continued Madrid’s statement.

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“In view of the seriousness of what has happened, Real Madrid hopes that those in charge of the RFEF and the refereeing profession will act accordingly, adopting the relevant measures in defence of the prestige of the institutions they represent.”

Spanish media report Madrid want the referees changed for the final and could even refuse to play if that does not happen.

This week the club’s television channel launched a new video attacking the referee for the final, something they have done to various officials this season.

“Real Madrid told the RFEF they will not take part in the press conference or the official training session looking forward to the (final),” said the Spanish football federation.

Los Blancos also published an open letter in February claiming Spanish refereeing was “rigged” and “completely discredited”.

Real Madrid have form when it comes to boycotts: in October they stayed away from the Ballon d’Or ceremony because their winger Vinicius Junior was not named the best player in the world.

“Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected,” the club said at the time.

– ‘It’s totally messed up’ –

De Burgos Bengoetxea had spoken about the effect criticism from Real Madrid’s television channel was having on his family life.

“When a child of yours goes to school and there are kids telling him that his father is a ‘thief’ and comes home crying, it’s totally messed up,” De Burgos Bengoetxea told a news conference.

“What I do is try to educate my son, to say that his father is honest, above all honest, who can make mistakes, like any sportsperson,” he continued, becoming emotional.

“This is really messed up… but the day I leave (the job), I want my son to be proud of what his father is, and what refereeing is, it has given us many values.”

Wiping away tears, the 39-year-old called for deeper thought on the issue of referee abuse.

“It’s not right what we are going through, many colleagues, and not just in professional football, but also at grassroots level,” he added.

“Everyone should reflect about where we want to go, about what we want from sport and from football.”

Gonzalez Fuertes had suggested officials could take further action over Real Madrid TV’s broadcasts in the coming weeks.

“Have no doubt that we are going to have to start taking much more serious measures than we are taking,” said Gonzalez Fuertes.

“We will not continue to allow what is happening. Soon, you will hear from us.

“We are going to make history, because we are not going to continue to bear what we are putting up with.”

 

Real Madrid demand referee change, could boycott Copa Del Rey final

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