Sports

Ghanaians React As Eguavoen is Spotted in England ‘Spying on Partey’

Published

3 years ago

February 23, 2022

Eric

Ghanaian fans have reacted ahead of the Black Stars Qatar 2022 World Cup play-offs against Nigeria, after Super Eagles interim coach, Austin Eguavoen, was spotted at the Emirates Stadium in England last Saturday watching the Arsenal versus Brentford Premier League clash.

Eguevoen and his assistants have been on a tour of England, where they have met with several Eagles stars in the country, as well as having contacts with potential targets like Crystal Palace duo Micheal Olise and Eberechi Eze.

During the visit, the coach was pictured watching a game at the Emirates with some Ghanaian fans believing he went there to spy on their star midfielder, Thomas Partey, who put up a class performance in the 2-1 win for the Gunners.

With the picture of Eguavoen at the Emirates circulating the media space, Ghanaians are scared that he has gone to tactically spy on their midfield man, Partey.

Reacting to the picture posted by Ghanasoccernet on Twitter @Akansie_123 wrote, “Really, now it’s clear they mean business!! They are scouting our players and not leaving anything to chance.”

@bobodealaso1 “Nigeria are out there working and scouting our best players while Ghana is trying to figure out who will coach the team.”

@smallGhod joked, “Why are they dressed like the secret service while scouting Partey. They mean business.”

Eguavoen did not only go to watch Partey, he was also there to assess Brentford’s Frank Onyeka, but the midfielder was an unused substitute.

Ghana underperformed at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, failing to win a single group game before crashing out of the competition, while Nigeria impressed in their group stage but shockingly lost 1-0 to Tunisia to crash out in the last 16.

The Nigeria Football Federation has tasked Eguavoen to continue with the team till at least the World Cup play-offs in March, with former Tanzania coach Emmanuel Amuneke joining the backroom staff.

The Punch

Sports

CAF Crowns Ademola Lookman As African Footballer of the Year

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Eric

Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman, has been named the CAF Footballer of the Year for the past year.

Lookman was announced as the winner at an elaborate event in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night.

The Atalanta star won the prize ahead of Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

It has been an incredible year for Lookman, who became the first player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League/UEFA Cup final since 1975, netting the three goals within 26 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman was included in the Team of the Year for the Europa League, and ended the season having had a direct hand in 18 top flight goals for La Dea.

The 27-year-old was ranked the 14th best player during the Ballon d’Or gala on October 28.

Sports

Panel Clears Mbappe of Rape Allegation

Published

2 weeks ago

December 13, 2024

Eric

The Swedish Prosecution Authority announced today that the inquiry into rape allegations against French footballer Kylian Mbappé has been closed due to a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed.

This is according to multiple reports on Thursday morning.

The allegations had drawn international attention, casting a shadow over the football star’s career.

Mbappé, who had consistently denied the allegations, has yet to make an official statement regarding the decision

His legal team had previously emphasised his commitment to due process.

Mbappe was “linked to rape investigation in Sweden” and that he intended to reserve any explanations for the Swedish justice system “if necessary,” according to his lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard.

“He prioritises providing his explanations, if required, to the Swedish judiciary,” Canu-Bernard told AFP, while strongly condemning “media allegations suggesting that Kylian Mbappé had commented on the events of his trip to Stockholm.”

The case, which began earlier this year, involved accusations stemming from an alleged incident in Stockholm. The prosecutor’s decision not to press charges marks the end of months of scrutiny and speculation.

Sports

Man United Engage van Nistelrooy on Interim Basis As Ten Hag Gets the Boot

Published

2 months ago

October 28, 2024

Eric

Manchester United have announced the termination of Erik ten Hag’s contract after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to take interim charge.

The Dutchman was dismissed following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, which left United sitting 14th in the Premier League table.

A club statement said: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”