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Tag: draw

  • Paris 2024: Tanzania force Olympic Eagles to 1-1 draw

    Paris 2024: Tanzania force Olympic Eagles to 1-1 draw

    Two penalties, one in each half and at opposing sides, guaranteed that Saturday’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Tanzania in Dar es Salaam ended in a 1-1 draw.

    Captain Success Makanjuola netted for Nigeria in the 29th minute, after Qudus Akanni was fouled in the hosts’ vital area, and the 1996 champions thereafter created a number of chances that with a little more precision, would have put the match to bed by half time.

    The home team piled on the pressure in the second period at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, and hit the crossbar on two occasions before Djiboutian referee Souleiman Ahmed Djama awarded them a penalty that was brilliantly converted in the 74th minute.

    The Olympic Eagles fought tenaciously to earn a winner, with their minds on the $20,000 pledge for victory by the Chairman of NFF’s task force for youth competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi, but it was not to be. However, the boys return to the country on Sunday with their heads held high and determined to finish off the task with success when they host the Tanzanians at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on Saturday next week.

    The winner on aggregate will proceed to the next round of the Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The Africa U23 Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco in November 2023, will determine Africa’s flag bearers at the Men’s Football Tournament of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

  • Xavi frustrated with Barca draw: Youngsters can be a negative

    Xavi frustrated with Barca draw: Youngsters can be a negative

    Barcelona coach Xavi was left frustrated after their 2-2 draw with Osasuna.

    Gavi, Nico and Abde were all exceptional in the match, by far the Cules’ best performers, yet this left the coach frustrated at how little his senior stars contributed in comparison.

    “Abde, Gavi and Nico were extraordinary, they are propping up the team in difficult moments,” Xavi declared in his post-match press conference.

    “The youngsters are making a difference and that is difficult to digest.

    “It’s positive and negative because they won’t always be able to perform excellent because they are young.

    “They can’t be the props, other players have to work. We all have to demand more from each other.”

    When quizzed on the result, the former Al-Sadd coach was quick to make clear his distaste.

    “The point is insufficient, we’re left with a bad taste,” he said.

    “We competed well at 2-1. We had to keep the ball, but couldn’t succeed.

    “We haven’t been calm, nor did we manage to dominate the ball, as they penned us in and we suffered.

    “The equaliser comes from a set piece. They live on that strategy. It is very difficult for us to defend in the area and this can’t be. There are so many things to improve.”

  • Cameroon issues COVID-19 guidelines for AFCON final draw

    Cameroon issues COVID-19 guidelines for AFCON final draw

    Only invited persons with a COVID-19 negative test will be allowed to take part in Cameroon Africa Cup of Nations final draw.

    The Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi said in a statement on Friday.

    Kombi said the negative test must have a 72-hour validity as at Aug. 17, the day scheduled for the draw, and that special measures would be taken to test all guests.

    Wearing of face masks would be mandatory and social distancing will be strictly applied, officials said.

    At least, 1,500 people would take part in the draw, which would take place in the country’s capital city of Yaounde.

    The Confederation of African Football initially scheduled the ceremony for June but postponed it due to “logistics reasons” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The biennial football championship would take place in Cameroon from Jan. 9 to Feb. 6 2022, with 24 teams participating.

  • 2018 FIFA World Cup Draw: I pray Nigeria gets favourable draws – Adepoju

    Ex international, Mutiu Adepoju says he hoping the Super Eagles are giving a favourable group at the 2018 World Cup.
    The draws which is slated for December 1st could see the the three-time Africa Champions face one of the football power house in the group.

    Nigeria is placed in Pot 4, alongside countries such as Serbia, Australia, Japan, Morocco, Panama, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia.

    Pot 1 has Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, and France.
    Pot 2 has Spain, Peru, Switzerland, England, Colombia. Mexico, Uruguay, and Croatia.
    Pot 3 has Denmark, Iceland, Costa Rica, Sweden, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, and Iran.

    However, Adepoju told Soccernet.com.ng that though the Super Eagles are not afraid of tough teams but then, he would be delighted if they face lesser opponents in the group.

    “To be frank with you, every country is praying to have a cheap group for easy qualification to the knockout stages. But for you to be Champions, you must be ready to face the best teams,” Adepoju told Soccernet.com.ng.

    “On a good day, I want nothing but a very simple group for the Super Eagles because I really don’t want them to face teams like Argentina, Brazil, Germany, France , England and Spain.

    Soccernet.com.ng