Sport
Monday, 19 December 2022 05:53
‘We needed this, we needed this for all the things we’re going through’, Argentines erupt in joy after epic World Cup final
Argentines let loose on Sunday and streets across the country became places of celebration after an epic World Cup final in which the national team beat France on penalties. It was the country’s third World Cup title, and the first since 1986. “I’m very happy, we really deserved this. The team suffered quite a bit, but it recovered as time went on,” said Josefina Villalba, a 55-year-old nanny who joined hundreds of fans at one of the many public plazas where giant screens were set up to watch the long-awaited match. Millions of Argentines cried, yelled and hugged as they…
Sunday, 18 December 2022 05:49
Croatia beat Morocco in World Cup third-place playoff match
It took Croatia just seven minutes to open the scoring through a header from Joško Gvardiol, before Achraf Dari equalized two minutes later. In an open and exciting game, Croatia retook the lead through a brilliant finish from Mislav Oršić on the stroke of half-time. Despite its best efforts, Morocco could not find another equalizer, finishing the tournament in fourth place to cap off a memorable few weeks in Qatar where Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals. Croatia's third-placed finish is its second at a World Cup, having finished third in 1998. In Russia…
Thursday, 15 December 2022 05:46
France celebrates team getting into World Cup final, fans cheer ‘gallant’ Morocco
Crowds in Paris and other French cities erupted in shouts of joy as France advanced to the World Cup final Wednesday, while disappointed Morocco fans mingled with the exuberant supporters of the winning team, paying tribute to the African country’s unprecedented achievement. Football fans streamed to the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, shooting off firecrackers and red flares, to an unending chorus of honking cars. On the famous avenue, many were brandishing French flags and singing “we are in the final.” Some Moroccan fans, wrapped in the North African country’s flag, also cheered their team in the streets of the French…
Wednesday, 14 December 2022 05:59
‘Messi, Messi, Messi’, Argentina erupts in joy after team breaks into World Cup final
The streets of Argentina turned into a party Tuesday as the national team beat Croatia by a comfortable 3-0 and earned this soccer-crazed South American country a spot in the World Cup final. Fans poured onto the streets of the capital of Buenos Aires as soon as the match ended, with people waving Argentina flags out of their cars while others jumped and sang in joy amid a sea of wearing the national team’s jersey. Earlier, Buenos Aires had come to a standstill on what was a scorching summer afternoon as fans packed cafes, restaurants and public plazas, where giant…
Sunday, 11 December 2022 05:42
Morocco make history as first African team in World Cup semifinal
The Atlas Lions of Morocco continued their fairy tale run in the 2022 World Cup on Saturday as they beat Portugal 1-0 to qualify for the semi-final stage of the Mundial after a thrilling encounter at the Al Thumama Stadium. Youssef En-Yesri’s towering header in the 42nd minute proved to be the tie-breaker as Morocco became the first African team ever to qualify for the semi-final of the World Cup. Though Cristiano Ronaldo was brought in early in the second half, the 37-year-old was unable to rescue his team as his quest for the elusive World Cup trophy went up…
Sunday, 27 November 2022 06:07
Goalless draws at World Cup result of cautious approach by teams - Analysts
A cautious approach from many teams in the opening round of the World Cup was behind a record-approaching number of goalless draws at the tournament in Qatar, FIFAs technical study group said on Saturday. But they predicted the games would get more expansive, and goals begin to flow, once teams had a chance to qualify for the knockout stages or were facing the prospect of an early exit. There were four goalless games in the opening 16 matches – an unprecedented 25% return in the first round of group games – and a fifth on Friday as England and the…
Friday, 25 November 2022 06:05
Dance and screams as Kizz Daniel entertains with ‘Buga’ at World Cup
Nigerian singer, Kizz Daniel, thrilled the crowd at the World Cup Fans Festival in Qatar on Wednesday Singing his hit song ‘Buga’, the excited crowd could be seen dancing and screaming in the video posted on social media on Wednesday night. Kizz Daniel had tweeted hours before his performance that he would unite the world with his music. The tweet read, “I will be live on FIFA stage 7pm Naija time ( 9pm AST ) uniting the world with music and football.” Another Nigerian artiste billed to perform during the ongoing 2022 World Cup is Patoranking. The tournament which started…
Wednesday, 23 November 2022 05:37
Hundreds of fans report World Cup ticket woes for 2nd day
Handwritten paper tickets were given to some fans to enter a World Cup game on Tuesday as hundreds more in Qatar struggled to retrieve their digital passes amid problems with FIFA’s mobile application for a second day. The Associated Press witnessed a FIFA staffer writing out replacement tickets from a white paper in an attempt to help fans waiting in line outside the France versus Australia match about 40 minutes before the start in Al Wakrah. Other fans were advised to show security staff their emails from FIFA confirming a ticket purchase and seat number in order to get in…
Monday, 21 November 2022 06:02
Qatar in disappointing 2-0 loss to Ecuador in opening World Cup game
WHAT HAPPENED? The opening game of the World Cup saw Ecuador beat Qatar 2-0 courtesy of two first-half goals from captain Enner Valencia. Ecuador's captain also saw a goal ruled out for offside. The result means Qatar become the first host nation ever to lose their opening game at a World Cup. THE BIGGER PICTURE It's obviously not the start Qatar will have wanted to make to a competition that had been plagued by controversy before a ball had even been kicked. Supporters also made their feelings clear about the match at half-time as they abandoned the game in large…
Wednesday, 02 November 2022 06:14
Super Eagles coach Paseiro’s salary unpaid since taking charge
Jose Peseiro, coach of Nigeria's national football team, has not received a single pay cheque from his employers, six months after being appointed to lead the Super Eagles. The 62-year-old, who took charge of the team in May, has however yet to make an official complaint to Nigeria's Football Federation (NFF) about the non-payment of his salary. In response, the financially stricken NFF, which receives its funding from the government, says it has come up with a plan on how to settle the arrears. The NFF already owes money to the Paseiro’s predecessor, Gernot Rohr, and to players from its…
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Thursday, 27 October 2022 06:43
Oyo set to host U23 AfCON qualifiers at upgraded Lekan Salami stadium
Oyo State government has commenced mobilization ahead of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifier match between the U23 National Team and Tanzania in Ibadan on Saturday. The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Seun Fakorede, made the disclosure during a news conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku in Ibadan. The second leg of the tie between the Dream Team and their Tanzanian counterparts would hold at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex. The two teams had played a 1-1 draw during the first leg of the match held in Dar es Salam, the capital…
Sunday, 02 October 2022 06:30
129 dead in Indonesia soccer match riot
Panic at an Indonesian soccer match after police fired tear gas to stop brawls left 129 dead, mostly trampled to death, police said Sunday. Several fights between supporters of the two rival soccer teams were reported inside the Kanjuruhan Stadium in East Java province’s Malang city after the Indonesian Premier League game ended with Persebaya Surabaya beating Arema Malang 3-2. The brawls that broke out just after the game ended late night Saturday prompted riot police to fire tear gas, which caused panic among supporters, said East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta. Hundreds of people ran to an exit gate…
Saturday, 01 October 2022 07:02
Nigeria Football Federation gets new president, Board
Ibrahim Musa Gusau has been elected as the new president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Gusau was voted into the position at the federation’s committee election held in Benin on Friday. The Zamfara-born football administrator defeated nine other contestants to emerge as the successor of Amaju Pinnick. He gathered 39 out of 40 votes in the re-run election after all the candidates had initially failed to meet the 22 votes requirements. Gusau had earlier managed 21 votes followed by Seyi Akinwunmi who got 12 and Shehu Dikko with 6 and a lone vote for Peterside Idah. Akinwunmi and Dikko,…
Friday, 16 September 2022 06:51
Buhari confers national honours on, shares N200m to Amusan, Brume, others who excelled in international sports
PRESS RELEASE President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja approved National Honours and cash awards of N200 million for Team Nigeria contingents to the 2022 Commonwealth Games and World Athletics championships. Speaking at a presidential reception in honour of the athletes, the President said his Government is committed to rewarding excellence, no less for members of Team Nigeria who ignited the spirit of victory in the nation through stellar performances at international competitions. Congratulating all the awardees and recipients, he expressed confidence that this will spur them to greater heights. The President who described the athletes as champions, worthy ambassadors,…