Connect with us

Sports

U-23 Coach Optimistic as Nigeria Tackles Sudan Today

Published

7 years ago

on

National U-23 Football Team Head Coach, Imama Amapakabo is optimistic that his players will score the required number of goals to beat Sudan today when they meet in their final Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifier at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.

Nigeria lost the first leg in Omdurman 1-0 and needs to score at least two goals without conceding any to win the tie.Speaking after his team’s final walk out yesterday, Amapakabo told The Guardian that the lone goal the U-23 team conceded at the Al Merriekh Stadium in Omdurman last week had spurred his boys to work extra hard for today’s game.

The Super Eagles assistant coach said the arrival of some foreign-based players had boosted the team ahead of the game, adding that his wards were not under any going into the game.“The boys are ready for the game and also psychologically fit to interpret the tactics I want them to use against their opponents.

“Getting the right result to book a place in the 2019 Nations Cup in Egypt remains our top target. I am happy that Nigerian football fans will be on ground to give the players total support,” he said.A victory over Sudan will give the Nigerian side the ticket to the Egypt U-23 African Nations Cup to hold from November 8 to 22, where the best two teams will qualify for the 2020 Japan Olympic games.

“We were unlucky to lose the first leg game, but there is no need crying over spilt milk. Tuesday is here and the battle must be won. We are the defending champions and we must be in Egypt to defend our title.”

The Olympic Eagles have been training in Asaba since arriving in the Delta State capital on Sunday, and have been strengthened by the arrival of former FIFA U-17 World Cup–winning captain, Kelechi Nwakali.Nwakali will string things in midfield with Captain Azubuike Okechukwu, with Blessing Muyiwa, Sunusi Ibrahim, Stephen Odey and Taiwo Awoniyi expected to do a better job of putting away opportunities this time.

Goalkeeper Adamu Abubakar pulled a number of huge saves in Omdurman, and is expected to start, with former U17 World Cup winner John Lazarus and Ebube Duru at wingback.The Confederation of African Football has appointed Guinean official, Bangaly Konate as referee for the match, to be assisted by his compatriots Mamady Tere (assistant referee 1), Abdoulaye Sylla (assistant referee 2) and Tawel Younoussa Camara (fourth official). Mr. Luleseged Begashaw Asfaw from Ethiopia will be the match commissioner.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Ronaldo Celebrates Saudi Pro League Win with Al-Nassr

Published

1 month ago

on

May 22, 2026

By

Al Nassr captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has finally won the Saudi Pro League title.

They were confirmed champions on Thursday, thanks to a 4-2 drubbing of relegation battlers, Damac.

The title race had gone down to the final day after Al-Nassr dramatically dropped points against Al-Hilal the previous week.

Jorge Jesus’ side knew there could be no mistakes against a Damac side fighting for survival at the other end of the table.

Ronaldo was on the scoresheet, as his brace helped Al Nassr secure the title ahead of rivals Al Hilal.

Continue Reading

Sports

FIFA Lists Six Females Among 52 Referees for 2026 World Cup

Published

3 months ago

on

April 10, 2026

By

FIFA on Thursday unveiled its list of match officials for the June 11-July 19 World Cup, including 52 referees, six of whom are women.

Football’s governing body will also take 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials, who hail from all six confederations and 50 member associations.

“The selected match officials are the very best in the world,” said Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s chief refereeing officer.

“They were part of a wider pool of officials that was identified and monitored over the past three years. They have attended seminars and officiated at FIFA tournaments.

“In addition, their performances in domestic and international matches were regularly assessed.”
The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be the biggest in history, with a 48-team line-up and 104 matches to be played.

There are 41 more match officials than at Qatar four years ago, where 32 teams played 64 matches.

“The fact that six women match officials have been selected continues a trend that was started four years ago in Qatar as we aim to further develop women’s refereeing,” Collina said, with six women having already refereed in 2022.

AFP

Continue Reading

Sports

AFCON 2025: CAS Overturns CAF Verdict

Published

3 months ago

on

March 25, 2026

By

African football has been plunged into fresh uncertainty after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) provisionally suspended a controversial ruling that stripped Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco.

In an interim decision issued on Monday, CAS accepted Senegal’s appeal against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Board and ordered a “freeze” on the implementation of its verdict.

The move effectively places the 2025 AFCON title in legal limbo pending a full hearing.

The dispute stems from a chaotic final played in January 2026, where the Teranga Lions of Senegal defeated the hosts, the Atlas Lions of Morocco, 1–0 after extra time. The match took a dramatic turn late on when a contentious penalty was awarded to Morocco.

Although the spot kick was missed, Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest, prompting confusion before play eventually resumed, and the match was concluded. Weeks later, Morocco’s federation challenged the outcome, citing provisions within AFCON regulations relating to match forfeiture.

On March 17, CAF’s Appeals Board ruled in Morocco’s favour, declaring that Senegal’s walk-off constituted a breach severe enough to forfeit the match. The result was overturned to a 3–0 victory for Morocco, with Senegal stripped of the title.

Senegal swiftly condemned the decision as unjust and escalated the matter to CAS, arguing that the sanction was disproportionate and undermined the integrity of the on-field result.

CAS has now sided, at least temporarily, with Senegal’s request for urgent intervention.

By granting provisional measures, the tribunal signalled that enforcing CAF’s ruling before a full hearing could cause irreparable harm, particularly in a case involving the revocation of a major continental title.

The immediate consequence is that AFCON 2025 currently has no officially recognised champion. The trophy remains unassigned while legal proceedings continue.

Continue Reading

Trending