TheNewsGuru

Tag: AFCON

  • Why I no longer watch football matches – Naira Marley

    Why I no longer watch football matches – Naira Marley

    Nigerian music star, Naira Marley, has revealed the reasons why he does not watch football matches.

    Marley said this while reacting to Nigeria’s elimination from the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

    Nigeria crashed out of the 2021 AFCON after a 1-0 defeat to Tunisia on Sunday night.

    Reacting after the game, Marley, in a series of tweets via his Twitter handle after the game, also criticized referee Maguette N’Diaye, who officiated Nigeria’s clash with Tunisia for not awarding the Super Eagles a penalty during the encounter.

    “From when I saw a player called Ifa in the Tunisian team, I knew we weren’t gonna win. Referee head come be like orunmila,” Marley tweeted.

    “Referee didn’t give us that corner, he didn’t give us penalty for that handball but he wanna check VAR to give us red card kmft. Fuck football man.

    “This is why I don’t watch football anymore because of Nigeria and fucking Arsenal.”

  • How Super Eagles crashed out of 2021 AFCON

    How Super Eagles crashed out of 2021 AFCON

    Shining Nigeria’s Super Eagles and title favourites became lacklustre on Sunday and crashed out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Garoua, Cameroon.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the high flying Super Eagles became rudderless when confronted by the Tunisians losing 0-1 to the side that managed to qualify from the group stage.

    How it happened; Nigerians still wonder, but what is obvious is that Nigeria is now out of 2021 AFCON and berated Tunisia are now into the competition’s quarter-finals.

    In the Round of 16 match at the Stade Roumde Adjia, the Super Eagles failed to raise their game to the expected level and fell to the team they were not expected to lose to.

    The Eagles of the Carthage in North Africa were not expected to win, given the depletion they had claimed to have witnessed.

    Moreover, they had squeezed through to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.

    But the Super Eagles who had won their first three games sauntered through the first half.

    Their wings were clipped as Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze could not find their way on the flanks.

    Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi were not better in the central area of the Nigerian side’s attack, and they were easily dispossessed of the ball.

    After a goalless first half, during when they mostly sat back, team captain Youssef Msakni gave the Tunisians the lead two minutes after the restart.

    Maskni beat one defender and found space to shoot from outside the penalty area.

    Goalkeeper Emil Okoye only had a touch on the ball but failed to stop it from resting in the net.

    The complexion of the game changed when substitute Alexander Iwobi was sent off after the 66th minute, seven minutes after coming on for Iheanacho, following a tackle on Msakni.

    The Super Eagles fought back, but the Tunisians defended as a unit, and withstood the waves of Nigerian attacks which were any way uncoordinated.

    And this was in spite of the introduction of Peter Olayinka for Awoniyi (59th minute), Sadiq Umar for Chukwueze (74th minute) and Ahmed Musa for Joe Aribo (88th minute).

    Rather, it was even the Tunisians who threatened to increase their lead, with Okoye on hand to punch away a well-struck Naim Sliti shot after 74 minutes.

    But Simon did have a chance to level matters for Nigeria, when his free-kick from just outside the penalty area missed the target.

    Also, Umar had his shot missing the target by inches late in the game, just as Wilfred Ndidi also missed target in the third minute of five added minutes.

    Tunisia who won the AFCON title in 2004 will now face Burkina-Faso in the quarter-finals stage on Saturday in Garoua.

  • AFCON: Burkina Faso beat Gabon to reach quarter-finals

    AFCON: Burkina Faso beat Gabon to reach quarter-finals

    Burkina Faso edged Gabon on Sunday in Limbe after penalty kicks for a place in the quarter-finals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

    Ismahila Ouedraogo scored the winning penalty kick for a 7-6 penalty kicks win after a 1-1 draw.

    The game was sent to extra-time after a dramatic late equaliser, after a tight encounter, and an even more tense shoot-out was ultimately decided by the 22-year-old Ouedraogo.

    There had been a penalty kick in normal time after Issa Kabore was brought down by Sidney Obissa in the 14th minute.

    But Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore slammed his effort against the crossbar.

    The Aston Villa man was not to be denied 10 minutes later though when he ran on to a through ball from Hassane Bande.

    He slotted in off the post past the onrushing Jean Noel Amonome.

    Gabon thought they were level four minutes before half-time as a long ball from skipper Bruno Ecuele Manga found Aaron-Salem Boupendza.

    The latter cut inside and finished well, but was ruled to be offside.

    Obissa received his marching orders in the 67th minute after picking up a second yellow card, but Gabon still forced extra-time.

    A corner-kick in the opening minute of added time was headed in by Ecuele Manga, though it went down as an Adama Guira own goal.

    An extra 30 minutes could not separate the sides and so the game went to penalty kicks, with both teams scoring six each of their respective first eight attempts.

    After Lloyd Palun hit Gabon’s ninth penalty kick against the bar, Ouedraogo finally ended things by sending Amonome the wrong way.

    The Burkinabes will now meet Tunisia on Saturday in Garoua.

  • Reactions pour in as Super Eagles crash out of 2021 AFCON

    Reactions pour in as Super Eagles crash out of 2021 AFCON

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Sunday crashed out of the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a 1:0 loss to Tunisia.

    Following the loss in a thrilling encounter in which Alex Iwobi saw red, Nigerians have expressed diverse reactions with former Senate President Bukola Saraki saying the Super Eagles gave their all.

    “Tonight, our Nigeria Super Eagles gave their all! Even though we had so much promise and we are disappointed with the result, in football, you win some and you lose some! I salute our players, our coaching staff, and everyone who contributed to our success so far,” Saraki stated.

    Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari is currently trending on Twitter and Facebook following the loss of the Super Eagles.

    President Buhari had earlier had a video conference with the coaching crew and players before the knockout match. Now, many Nigerians are saying Buhari’s call was the reason the Super Eagles crashed out.

    However, others believe that lack of coercion on the part of the Super Eagles was the cause of the abysmal performance.

    Former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu believes that many things went wrong with the match.

    “Sad, but it’s football for you. Many things went wrong; and on a day things will go wrong for a man, even the gods will go on holiday.

    “Many lessons to learn, though. Did the #SuperEagles approach the game with the right mentality? Could we have managed the game better? Could the officiating have been better? Etc.

    “In all, let’s not be harsh on the boys. They’re great guys. They did their best and also gave us happy moments at the earlier stages of #AFCON2021. Let’s pick our pieces and let the journey to a better #supereaglesofnigeria continue. Surely, the #Eagles will fly again,” Ekweremadu stated.

    https://twitter.com/JibrilOdianosen/status/1485366564803289090?t=FsgmWM_xN8gFYWw7HSJCRg&s=19

  • BREAKING: Super Eagles crash out of AFCON 2021

    BREAKING: Super Eagles crash out of AFCON 2021

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria have crashed out of the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) ongoing in Cameroon.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Eagles were dumped out of the 2021 AFCON following a 1-0 loss to ailing Tunisia on Sunday.

    Youssef Msakni hit a stunning strike past Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye from outside the penalty area to put the match to rest.

    Msakni’s right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner of the post was assisted by Mohamed Dräger.

    Okoye had his hand on the ball but his effort counted for nothing as the ball rebounded down into the goalkeeper’s net.

    The highly rated Super Eagles had to play with 10 men after Alex Iwobi received a red card shortly after being subbed in to replace Kelechi Iheanacho.

    TNG reports the Tunisian team went into the encounter without their head coach and with 12 players down with COVID-19.

    However, the Super Eagles could not bank on the advantage to qualify for the quarter final round of the 2021 AFCON.

    Tunisia went through and will now play Burkina Faso who beat Gabon on penalties to reach the quarter finals.

    Meanwhile, many have blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for the poor outing of the Super Eagles against Tunisia.

  • Super Eagles players to get one plot of land each if they win 2021 AFCON

    Super Eagles players to get one plot of land each if they win 2021 AFCON

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles players will get one plot of land each if they should win the 2021 edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Group Managing Director (GMD) of Revolution Plus Property, Bamidele Onalaja made the promise on Sunday in a video chat with Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa.

    Onalaja also promised the Super Eagles players the sum of N1 million for every goal scored in the knockout stages of the 2021 AFCON.

    “By the special grace of God, before you guys enter the semi finals, I plan to come join you. I just said let me make you guys happy. For every goal you guys will score during the knockout stages, Revolution Plus Property will pay you guys a N1 million per goal. I am very serious about it. If you score 20 goals that is N20 million.

    “Also, we said, once you lift the AFCON, every player and the technical crew have a plot of land either in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abeokuta or any area of your choice that Revolution Plus Property is. And we are very serious about it,” Onalaja said.

    In his response, Musa said it is good that the gesture is coming from Revolution Plus Property, adding that he will inform the team of Onalaja’s promise.

  • AFCON: Buhari calls out Iheanacho, Simon in video chat with Super Eagles

    AFCON: Buhari calls out Iheanacho, Simon in video chat with Super Eagles

    President Muhamamadu Buhari on Sunday called the Super Eagles to charge them up as they play Tunisia in the second round of the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari especially called out Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon in the video conference and told the team to ensure victory over Tunisia.

    Buhari also spoke with coach Augustine Eguavoen, Captain Ahmed Musa, Amaju Pinnick, President of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), and Nigerian Ambassador to Cameroon, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin (retd).

    He urged the Super Eagles to continue making Nigerians happy, not only by winning the second round match, but to eventually lift the trophy.

    “You’ve been doing Nigeria proud. You’ve been winning. Please keep on winning. The Federal Government is supporting you, and I say thank you to all the technical crew and the players.. Please keep doing the country proud,” Buhari said.

    The President applauded the good work being done by the Hon Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, saying the country appreciates it.

    Responding, Coach Eguavoen said; “We are so excited that His Excellency, President Buhari, has come to speak with us this morning. On behalf of the players and the technical crew, I want to say thank you very much sir.

    “The group stage has passed, and your speaking to us is a morale booster. Thank you for your support, Mr President, we also thank the Hon. Minister, and the NFF President. We are so privileged, and want to promise that you should just relax, we’ll come out victorious. We won’t let the nation down.”

    Ambassador Olonisakin said the over 4 million Nigerians living in Cameroon have been giving robust support to the Super Eagles since they arrived Garoua, Cameroon, on January 5, “and they will continue to do so.”

    Ahmed Musa, on behalf of the players, appreciated Mr President, noting that it is not easy to speak with the leader of a country, and they count themselves privileged.

    “We will make Nigeria proud, now that we have the blessings of the father of the nation,” Musa said.

    NFF President, Asaju Pinnick described the video conference as “a priceless privilege,” and thanked President Buhari and the nation at large for their prayers and support.

    He said under the current dispensation, Nigeria has won the Under 17 football tournament twice, “and we want to win the African Cup of Nations too.”

  • AFCON 2021: I am not excited by TSG recognition — Ndidi

    AFCON 2021: I am not excited by TSG recognition — Ndidi

    Super Eagles’ midfielder Wilfred Ndidi on Saturday said he was not excited by the recognition accorded him by the Technical Study Group (TSG) at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

    Ndidi was among other list of the Super Eagles’ players who made it to the list of Best Players of the Group Stage at the 2021 AFCON.

    Super Eagles’ wing forward Moses Simon also made the list following his superlative performances for his team.

    The competition’s TSG, while releasing their Best of the Group Stage on Saturday, picked the Nigerian for the left forward position in the Best Eleven.

    He was picked ahead of Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Senegal’s Sadio Mane who could only make it to the substitutes bench on the list.

    Ndidi’s teammate and captain, William Troost-Ekong, also made the list, being named for the right side of the centre-back positions.

    Coach Austine Eguavoen was also recognised for his team’s performance of winning all their three games so far by being named the Best Coach of the group stage which ended on Thursday.

    On the recognition by the TSG, Ndidi said he wasn’t really excited about the accolade, adding that he was more focused on the game and helping the team achieve the desired goals.

    “I don’t really bother about these things.

    “I just want to play football, enjoy the game, improve myself and try to help the team.

    Also speaking on the difference between the 2019 team and the current team, Ndidi noted that though the team was still the same, however, the mentality and style had changed.

    “It is the same team, but different philosophy. Its just the fact that our current manager (Augustine Eguavoen) made us understand and made everything simple and basic.

    “To just believe in ourselves and also gave us the push and the freedom to express ourselves. But in as much as we have that freedom, we have to also play for the team.

    “So, that’s the difference between the 2019 and this team,” he said.

    Nigeria will file out with three wins in three from their group phase campaign in a win-or-burst AFCON round of 16 encounter against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia at the Stade Roumdé Adjia in Garoua, Cameroon.

  • AFCON 2021: We respect Nigeria but we’re battle-ready for anything – Tunisia’s coach

    AFCON 2021: We respect Nigeria but we’re battle-ready for anything – Tunisia’s coach

    Tunisia’s Assistant Coach, Jalel Kadri, says they are battle-ready for the Round of 16 clashes with Nigeria at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday in Garoua.

    Kadri who represented Head Coach Mondher Kebaier at a pre-match press conference on Saturday in Garoua said this was in spite of the lot of respect they have for Nigeria at the tournament.

    Newsmen reports that Sunday’s encounter between Nigeria and Tunisia will take place at the Stade Roumdé Adjia in Garoua from 8 p.m.

    “We respect Nigeria because they are a formidable side. But, as you know also, Tunisia is a side with a rich history in the AFCON. We thrive on collective effort and always have a positive mindset.

    “We have experienced players and the Nigerian team must also realise that they are meeting a battle-ready Tunisian team and we will do everything to ensure that we win the game.

    “We are still ambitious and very hopeful. It is true that our strengths have been reduced, but it can happen to any team in football.

    Kadri, whose team has also been ravaged by positive COVID-19 tests, said his team were going into the game against Nigeria with a positive mindset.

    As of late Saturday evening, there were no indications as to whether some of their star players, such as Wahbi Khazri, will return for the game.

    “The COVID-19 virus has ravaged our team but we are hopeful that the players available can rise to the challenge.

    “This situation was imposed on us and we have been forced to take some hard decisions on the field of play.

    “It is not only about the players but also our technical staff, but we will try to manage the situation to ensure that victory goes to our side,” the coach said.

    On the number of players affected by COVID-19 and those who have recovered, Kadri said there was no information about that at the moment.

    He however added that the players available were ready to play.

    “We do not yet have information about how many players will be available for the game as we are still waiting for the test results.

    “We have 23 players that are ready and prepared to give their best against all odds.

    “Technically speaking, we are ready, in spite of the difficult situation we have found ourselves. But we have to adapt.

    “We have our principles as well as our strengths and weaknesses and know what it takes to confront our opponents,” the coach said.

  • COVID-19, injury hit Comoros ahead of clash with Cameroon

    COVID-19, injury hit Comoros ahead of clash with Cameroon

    Comoros, who have proven to be giant-killers at this 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), will be without a goalkeeper and coach Amir Abdou on Monday.

    That is when the tournament debutants face hosts and five-time champions Cameroon in Yaounde.

    Their camp has been hit by 12 positive COVID-19 tests, with seven players being hit, including the two remaining goalkeepers in the squad.

    And this has come with number one goalkeeper Ben Boina being out through injury.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that team officials have however assured that they were working round the clock to change the situation for the better.

    ”We will do everything in our power to find a solution,” team general manager El Hadad Himidi said.

    “It’s the coach and the only fit goalkeepers, and the situation is really complicated.”

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had earlier ruled that teams affected by COVID-19 must play matches even if they have no recognised goalkeeper in their squad.

    “A team will be required to play a match if they have a minimum of 11 players available who have tested negative.

    “In the event of the absence of a goalkeeper, another player from the team must replace the goalkeeper, provided the total number of available players is at least 11.

    “In exceptional cases, the Organising Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations will take the appropriate decision,” CAF had stated.

    Comoros will now be hoping that the injury suffered by Boina could be considered an exceptional case.

    This is because the goalkeeper sustained the injury and had to leave the field following a challenge which led to Ghana’s Andre Ayew being sent off.

    NAN reports that Comoros had shocked Ghana 3-2 to eliminate the Black Stars and qualify for the Round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides.