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Tag: AFCON

  • AFCON Final: Don’t watch Nigeria v Cote d’Ivoire if you have heart condition – Doctor warns

    AFCON Final: Don’t watch Nigeria v Cote d’Ivoire if you have heart condition – Doctor warns

    An Akure-based medical practitioner and Chief Medical Director of Sckye Hospital, Dr Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, has warned Super Eagles fans and football lovers who are highly emotional and have heart conditions to avoid Sunday’s final.

    Ikubese, who stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Akure, said these category of persons should instead involved in diversionary measures instead.

    Super Eagles of Nigeria will face host nation, Elephants of Cote D’ivoire, on Sunday in final of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    Reports said that about four Nigerians were reported to have lost their lives while watching the Eagles’ semi-final match against South Africa on Wednesday.

    Ikubese suggested that such people should pick their phone and follow the live scores, to avoid screaming and leave the update if they were feeling uncomfortable.

    “I will counsel that this category of persons should not watch the live transmission of the match.

    “If they must do, however, they should deliberately engage in diversionary therapy as to minimize their systemic reactions to the activities therein.

    “They can pick up their phones and be engaged therein while watching the match and deliberately play down their emotions, acting like the outcome of the match is of no consequence to them.

    “On no account should they scream or jump up. If in spite of all these, they yet begin to feel uncomfortable, they should quit watching.

    “If they are not sure of conducting themselves with such level of decorum, they should boycott the live transmission and watch the highlights thereafter,” he said.

    Ikubese later condoled with the families of those who lost their loved ones while watching the football encounter.

    He wished Nigeria luck in the coming encounter.

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles observe minute silence for lives lost

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles observe minute silence for lives lost

    The Super Eagles on Thursday night observed a minute silence in honour of the lives of Nigerians lost in the course of Nigeria’s semi-final match against South Africa.

    No fewer than four persons died, Wednesday night while watching the semi-final match at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    They include a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; Deputy Bursar, Kwara State University, Malete, Ayuba Abdullahi, and a corps member serving in Adamawa, simply identified as Samuel, among others.

    Anambra-born businessman Osondu Nwoye, based in Cote d’Ivoire, was also reported to have collapsed inside the stadium while watching the match and died later in hospital.

    Nigeria booked a berth to the AFCON final after a dramatic penalty shootout win against Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

    The Super Eagles prevailed 4-2 on penalties following a nervy and captivating 1-1 draw at the end of 120 minutes.

    A video posted on the Super Eagles’ official X handle (formerly Twitter) saw the team observing a minute of silence after their dinner for all the lives lost during the game.

    Captain Ahmed Musa, who led the session, expressed the team’s heart-felt condolence for the families of those affected by the tragedy, adding that the team identifies with them in this difficult time of their lives

    “Yesterday (Wednesday), we lost four good Nigerians because of our semi-final game against South Africa.

    “So, we will observe one minute of silence, and afterwards pray for God to give their families the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

    “There is nothing we can do but to identify with them in this difficult time of their lives because they need our support right now.

    “Insha Allah, on Sunday, we are going to lift that trophy for them and for our country,” he said.

    Musa afterwards requested one of the team’s players, Chigozie Awaziem, to pray for the repose of their souls.

    NAN also reports that one of those who lost his life was Chief Nwoye, who was the President and Director-General of Group Auto Promotion.

    According to an eyewitness, Nwoye was so elated and shouted on top of his voice when Victor Osimhen scored the second goal, which was later cancelled by VAR.

    It was reported that the shout resulted in his collapsing inside the stadium.

    All frantic efforts to revive him failed, as he was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

    While the whole country was rejoicing on Wednesday, the people of Amanuike community in Anambra State, where he hails from, were thrown into mourning.

    He was an illustrious person, the richest man in the community, who provided shelter, shade, and succour to many in that community.

    But experts said excitement could cause sudden death if there was an underlying health condition.

    Nigeria take on hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the AFCON 2023 tournament at the Stade Olympique Alassane-Ouattara d’Ebimpé in Abidjan on Sunday from 8.00 p.m.

  • AFCON: Portable blasts Nigerians for focusing on the wrong thing

    AFCON: Portable blasts Nigerians for focusing on the wrong thing

    Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola  popularly known as portable has berated Nigerians who are celebrating Super Eagles‘ win Against South Africans despite the  economy hardship in the country.

    It is no news that the nation erupted into joy yesterday after the Super Eagles team won their match against South Africa sending them into the finals.

    Portable took to his Instagram page to berate Nigerians for focusing on the wrong thing.

    According to Zazoo, the dollar rate is getting high and what they are celebrating is the Super Eagles win.

    He lambasted those who were hungry and used their last cash to go watch football.

     

  • AFCON 2023: Injury woes hit South Africa as key player set to miss clash against Super Eagles

    AFCON 2023: Injury woes hit South Africa as key player set to miss clash against Super Eagles

    South African national team, Bafana Bafana has suffered a huge injury setback ahead of their clash with the Super Eagles of Nigeria as one of their key players, Thapelo Maseko is injured and may miss the remainger of the tournament.

    The 21-year-old forward cropped an injury during the quarter-final clash against Cape Verde, in which South Africa emerged victorious. This unfortunate development has cast doubts over Maseko’s availability for the crucial semi-final against Nigeria.

    Thapelo Maseko is a versatile winger, capable of playing on both the right and left sides, as well as functioning as an attacking midfielder.

    Should Maseko miss tomorrow’s encounter against Nigeria, his absence will be felt as he has been instrumental for his club, Sundowns, this season, contributing with one assist and two goals in 16 appearances across all competitions.

    The nature of Maseko’s injury is uncertain, but there are feelers that the young attacker is currently on crutches and will not be able to participate in the remaining matches of AFCON.

     

     

  • AFCON 2023: Coach Peseiro urges Super Eagles players to give their best against South Africa

    AFCON 2023: Coach Peseiro urges Super Eagles players to give their best against South Africa

    Jose Peseiro, the Super Eagles head coach, has urged  his players to give more than 100 hundred per cent on the pitch when they confront the Bafana Bafana of  South Africa tomorrow..

    Nigeria and South Africa will clash in a semi-final tie at the Stade de la Paix, Boauke on Wednesday night.

    The Bafana Bafana of South Africa has won four consecutive games in a row since the 2-0 defeat to Mali in their opening fixture.

    Peseiro, who praised his players for their impressive performance in the competition so far, reckoned it is important for his team to work hard against the South Africans.

    “We’re doing a good job. Good organisation and good commitment, we play like a team together,” the 63-year-old Portuguese coach said.

    “It will be a tough match against a good national team.

    “We want to beat South Africa to reach the final. For that we have to play a high-level match against a South African team who eliminated Morocco, who did a fantastic World Cup.

    “We must play 100% or more to beat a very good team.”

  • AFCON 2023: Egypt dumps head coach after disappointing performance

    AFCON 2023: Egypt dumps head coach after disappointing performance

    Rui Vitoria has been sacked as Egypt head coach after the African football giants hopes of a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph were dashed last week, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced.

    In a statement, the EFA board of directors “thanked Portuguese manager Rui Vitoria and his staff,” adding it was “reviewing foreign coaches’ resumes”.

    In the interim, former al-Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef would take charge of the national side, who were knocked out of the competition last week in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    The loss in the last 16 was a bitter pill for the Egyptians, who had gone to Ivory Coast hoping to win a first AFCON since 2010, a year before talisman Mohamed Salah made his senior international debut.

    The team had already lost the Liverpool star to a hamstring injury, after what local pundits called a lacklustre group stage performance with three draws.

    The EFA had last week “apologised” to Egyptian fans for “not achieving their ambitions”.

    Vitoria, whose tenure with the Pharoahs lasted under two years, is among a host of AFCON coaches on their way out.

    The tournament has been a success for the continent’s underdogs, and disappointing for its heavyweights.

    The five top-ranked African nations were all knocked out before the quarter-finals, as well as the four semi-finalists from the last edition.

  • AFCON 2023: Prophet’ Odegbami sees Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire finale on February 11!

    AFCON 2023: Prophet’ Odegbami sees Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire finale on February 11!

    Dr. Olusegun Odegbami won the Africa Cup of Nations gold and two bronze medals in seven years of energetic and diligent service to Nigeria in international football at senior level. The team was then known as Green Eagles. He was the star of the 12th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Nigeria in 1980, scoring two excellent goals in a Final that saw Nigeria spank the Fennecs of Algeria 3-0 at the National Stadium, Lagos.

     

    During that tournament, he scored three goals, just as he did at the 1978 finals in Ghana, where Nigeria picked up bronze medals after Tunisia abandoned the classification match as a result of Baba Otu Mohammed’s equalizer. He also played at the 1976 edition in Ethiopia, where the Green Eagles finished third behind Morocco and Guinea – the only AFCON played on league basis till date.

     

    Prior to the 34th edition in Cote d’Ivoire, the one named ‘The Mathematical’ had told everyone who cared to listen that Nigeria would be champions of Africa after February 11 – the day of the Final match scheduled for the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara. Very few believed him.

     

    Even as he addressed the Super Eagles at their Pullman Hotel in Abidjan on the eve of their encounter with Guinea Bissau (final match of the group phase), some persons who were there did not quite share in his conviction that the Eagles would be champions. Today, many have been ‘converted’, and the 71-year- old legend says he is happy that things are going according to his expectations.

     

    “I said long before the finals that we would be champions of Africa. Many people thought I was just sounding off. Now, they are seeing their light. Everyone appears to believe now that the Super Eagles can do it.

     

    “Now that we are in the semi-finals, I am seeing that we are going to be playing the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire in the Final. We are beating South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire will beat Democratic Republic of Congo. The stage is set for a classic Final match on February 11.”

  • AFCON 2023: Late drama as Cotê d’Ivoire come from behind to beat Mali

    AFCON 2023: Late drama as Cotê d’Ivoire come from behind to beat Mali

    10-men Cotê d’Ivoire came from a goal down to beat Mali 2-1 in extra time to progress to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire.

    The Elephants had a sloppy start to the game as Mali created majority of the chances which led to them getting a penalty in the early stages of the game.

    Lassine Sinayoko was brought down in the penalty box by Côte d’Ivoire’s Odilon Kossounou, and a penalty was awarded after the latter was shown a yellow card.

    Adama Traore’s effort from the spot was saved by goalkeeper, Yahia Fofana.

    Kossounou was sent off in the first half after he received a second yellow card following another challenge on Lassine Sinayoko.

    Mali’s dominance continued in the second half as they had a man more than Côte d’Ivoire, but the host managed to contain them for some time.

    The Eagles finally had what they kept pushing for throughout the game; the opener in the 71st minutes.

    Substitute Nene Dorgeles weaved through the Côte d’Ivoire defence to find open space, and hit from outside the box to beat Yahia Fofana who was rooted to score the opener.

    Cotê d’Ivoire unexpectedly got the equalizer through Simon Adingra who scored from a rebound, following Seko Fofana’s long-range which hit the Malian defence.

    Oumar Diakete scored late in extra-time to win it for Cotê d’Ivoire with a clever back heel finish.

    Cotê d’Ivoire will play D.R Congo in the semi-finals at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Feb. 7.

  • AFCON 2023: Football titbits from Cote D’ Ivoire

    AFCON 2023: Football titbits from Cote D’ Ivoire

    AFCON 2023 is gradually winding down as the competition has entered its semi-final stages.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) brings you behind the scenes from the tournament.

    Divided Ivorians

    Prior to the match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Palancras Negras of Angola, many Ivorians supported the Nigeria and even wore Super Eagles jerseys, while others saw them as a big threat and competitor and want them out.

    Boastful Angolans

    Apart from their coach, Pedro Gonglaves and few players who boasted they would defeat Nigeria, many Angolans living in Ivory Coast and the ones who travelled for the purpose of the AFCON started boasting of having a complete team, saying they were sure of victory against Nigeria.

    Scarcity of Tickets

    It’s been a herculean task getting tickets to watch games at the 2023 AFCON. Ticket sales are a little bit on the high side as they are not readily available in stores or stadia across the country.

    The scarcity has made it possible for some persons to hoard the tickets for sale at different points in the country, and they have been selling at exorbitant rates.

    Between Obi Cubana and Peter Obi

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, Peter Obi came all the way to support the Super Eagles of Nigeria. He wore the supporters club jersey and cheere the team with other members of the club.

    Obi said football is one of the unifying factors in the country and he has come to his love for his country.

    Another football lover, Obi Cubana also travelled all the way from Lagos to lend his hand of support to the Super Eagles. He was seen cheering them whilst the game against Angola was going on.

     

    Ademola Lookman’s dad too

    Call him a proud dad and you will never be wrong, Mr Ademola was physically present at the Felix Houhouet stadium to watch his son don the green white green jersey of Nigeria and of course his presence was worth it.

    The Atalanta forward scored a beautiful goal in the dying minutes of the first half to earn Nigeria the semi-final ticket at the expense of Angola.

    His dad was full of praises for his son, saying he was overwhelmed with his perfomance and that of the team generally.

    He urged them to continue to make the country proud.

    ……Senator Akpabio also in attendance

    Nigeria’s senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio flew in from Abuja to physically support the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    He was spotted at the VIP section of the Felix Houghpouet stadium to cheer the boys against the Palancras Negras of Angola

    Highly Motivated Super Eagles

    Feelers from the camp of the Super Eagles has it that each player has been given the huge sum of $30,000 with additional $4000 camp allowance.

    Fair Officiating

    So far, officiating at AFCON has been judged to be largely fair.  Referees, VAR and match officials have been given thumbs -up for a job welldone in the tournament.

    The tournament also made history as four female officials took charge of the match between Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau.

    Ivory Coast Jersey In Hot Demand

    The orange coloured jersey made the most sales as fans from other African countries even demand for it. The replica jerseys are being sold between 6,000 and 15,000 CFA.

    Ivorians love to don their jerseys as a means of supporting the national team.

    It’s very easy to identify most Ivorians as a result of their beautiful jerseys and caps to match.

  • AFCON semi-finals: Super Eagles told to fine-tune midfield

    AFCON semi-finals: Super Eagles told to fine-tune midfield

    Ebere Amaraizu, former board member and South-East Director, Nationwide League One (NLO), has urged the Super Eagles to fine-tune their midfield before their semi-final encounter in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

    Amaraizu, who said this in an interview on Saturday, stressed the Super Eagles should not rest on their oars but focus on the semi-final encounter.

    “Super Eagles should make haste to fine-tune their midfield and make it flow well with its number 10 (Iwobi). Then Zaidu in number 3 should be made to be more clinical.

    “With this and more, the Super Eagles have all that it takes to overcome any opponent and bring the trophy to Nigeria,” he said.

    He, however, praised the Super Eagles for an impressive encounter with the Angolans, which they won 1-0.

    He said: “The Super Eagles coach and squad performed exceptionly well in their quarter-final encounter. The runs from the wing created the space and chance for our goal.

    “The Angolans tried to give good account of themselves but nevertheless were overwhelmed by Super Eagles’ technical and tactical disposition.”