Category: Sports

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Finidi George Insists He Is Not Desperate To Head Super Eagles

<img width="664" height="359" src="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240327-131513.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240327-131513.jpg 664w, https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240327-131513-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px" /> <h2><a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/27/kenneth-omeruo-passes-verdict-on-finidi-george-after-super-eagles-defeat-to-mali/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The interim manager of the Super Eagles</a>, Finidi George, has stressed that he is not under pressure to become the head coach of the team.</h2> The Nigerian Super Eagles have been without a permanent coach since Jose Peseiro's contract expired on February 29, 2024, over two weeks after the national team finished second in the 2023 AFCON. Initially, the Nigeria Football Federation made efforts to extend Peseiro's contract but he reportedly refused to accept the pay package of the football body. Hence, the NFF had to call on interested coaches to apply for the vacant position, and several head coaches, including coach Finidi George, have applied. Interestingly, George, who served as Jose Peseiro's assistant coach, was appointed as the Super Eagles' interim head coach, pending the appointment of a new permanent coach. His first assignment was to lead the Super Eagles against Ghana in an international friendly, and <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/22/super-eagles-of-nigeria-beat-10-man-ghana-in-morocco/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his team won 2-1,</a> motivating many football stakeholders that the Enyimba head coach will be given the coaching job. Unfortunately for the 52-year-old former Nigeria international, the Super Eagles lost 2-0 to lowly-rated Mali in their second friendly game barely four days after their victory over Ghana. How they lost to Mali made many believe that coach Finidi George has reduced his chances of being named the head coach of the team. “I felt really good when I was told to take charge of the team. I have been with the team for almost two years, I know all the players, their strengths, and their weaknesses but I am only here to serve Nigeria the way I know how to do stuff", he told Modo TV. “I will just take these two games and go back to my club. Whatever the decision is taken after, so be it. I’m not under pressure to say I must get the role permanently.” The post <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/28/finidi-george-insists-he-is-not-desperate-to-head-super-eagles/">Finidi George Insists He Is Not Desperate To Head Super Eagles</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.naijanews.com">Naija News</a>.

mingooland · March 28, 2024 · 2 min read

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Crisis averted as Edmonton Oilers dodge a bullet in Winnipeg

After being run out of Scotiabank Arena Saturday in Toronto and then blowing a 3-1 lead Sunday in Ottawa, the Edmonton Oilers were looking for…

mingooland · March 27, 2024 · 1 min read

General

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Left In Uncontrollable Tears In Press Conference [Video]

<img width="720" height="505" src="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240325-174029.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240325-174029.jpg 720w, https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240325-174029-300x210.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /> <h2><a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2023/10/31/vinicius-junior-signs-new-contract-with-real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior</a> was left in uncontrollable tears after a pre-match press conference turned into an event for mostly questions about racism.</h2> Vinicius Junior is currently with the Brazil national team for the FIFA international break in March. He created the chance that earned his countryman, Endrick his first goal for Brazil's national team against England at Wembley Stadium on March 23. The goal helped Brazil to beat England in front of a capacity filled Wembley Stadium. Ahead of Brazil's friendly game against Spain at the Santiago Bernabéu by 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, Vinicius represented his country at the pre-match press conference. Most of the reporters at the press conference made virtually all their questions about the racial attacks he has been battling with at Real Madrid. Recall that since last season, the 23-year-old right-winger has been engulfed in racial abuse, especially by fans of opposition clubs in Spain. A couple of sanctions have been slammed on fans and clubs over the racial abuse targeted against the Brazil international. Hence, reporters took advantage of his appearance at the press conference ahead of the Brazil vs Spain clash to ask him questions concerning the racial attacks. And obviously, that didn't go down well with him. After managing to control himself, Vinicius Junior said: "I’m sorry but I just want to play football, do everything for club and family, and never see black people suffering”. Note that Vinicius has scored 18 goals and provided 8 assists in 28 games for Real Madrid so far this season. Watch as Vinicius cry below: [video width="720" height="900" mp4="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Snapinsta.app_video_433761415_1060644238367467_1368303987830237218_n.mp4"][/video] The post <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/25/real-madrids-vinicius-left-in-uncontrollable-tears-in-press-conference-video/">Real Madrid’s Vinicius Left In Uncontrollable Tears In Press Conference [Video]</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.naijanews.com">Naija News</a>.

mingooland · March 25, 2024 · 2 min read

General

William Troost-Ekong Says He Played 2024 AFCON With Injury, Reveals Return Date

<img width="714" height="494" src="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240325-140042.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240325-140042.jpg 714w, https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240325-140042-300x208.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 714px) 100vw, 714px" /> <h2><a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/02/27/william-troost-ekong-claims-he-knows-victor-osimhens-next-club/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Super Eagles vice-captain William Troost-Ekong</a> has stressed that he played in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with an injury as he revealed when he is likely to return to full fitness.</h2> William Troost-Ekong finished the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast as the best player of the tournament after leading the Super Eagles to a second-place finish. The 30-year-old PAOK Salonica of Greece defender scored three goals during the tournament but couldn't stop the hosts of the tournament, Ivory Coast from scoring two goals in the final. Over a month after the tournament which ended on February 11, 2024, William Troost-Ekong revealed to CNN World Sports how he managed to play the 2023 AFCON with a torn bicep femoris. He said, "I had a torn bicep femoris, which is basically the outside part of the hamstring. It happened during the tournament and I think I had a small tear initially in the second group stage game against Cote d’Ivoire. I managed to play on and then after the final I had another MRI, and we realised it was really ruptured. “It was very sore playing with it, and I couldn’t really train after the second group game. I was just trying ice to keep the swelling down. “I might do half an hour of training the day before each game, and then during the game, a combination of painkillers and adrenaline means you can get through it. The day after each game it was definitely showing as I was struggling to walk.” William Troost-Ekong is currently undergoing a recovery process after <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/02/28/william-troost-ekong-confirms-his-fitness-status-ahead-of-surgery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he was operated on to treat a lingering injury.</a> Troost-Ekong told CNN that he is expected to be fit enough to return to the field in May which means that he is expected to be ready for football before the commencement of the 2024-2025 season. This also means he should be available for the Super Eagles of Nigeria when the team take on South Africa and Benin Republic in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in June 2024. “I should be back and fit again in May, but I think it’s probably season over. You never know how rehab will go but I don’t want to rush it because, at my tender age of 30, you have to be smart about these injuries,” Troost-Ekong said. “I want to be 100% for next season, 100% right. If I can play at the end of this season that’s great, if not then I will be ready for next season.” The post <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/25/william-troost-ekong-says-he-played-2024-afcon-with-injury-reveals-return-date/">William Troost-Ekong Says He Played 2024 AFCON With Injury, Reveals Return Date</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.naijanews.com">Naija News</a>.

mingooland · March 25, 2024 · 3 min read

General

Two Super Eagles Players Leave Camp Ahead Of Clash With Mali

<img width="690" height="409" src="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240325-083133.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240325-083133.jpg 690w, https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240325-083133-300x178.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px" /> <h2>An injury crisis has hit the camp of <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/22/ghana-coach-otto-addo-says-black-stars-know-how-to-beat-super-eagles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Super Eagles of Nigeria</a> ahead of their international friendly game against Mali at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26.</h2> Naija News has earlier reported Fulham defender, <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/24/fulhams-calvin-bassey-ruled-out-of-nigeria-vs-mali-friendly/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Calvin Bassey sustained an injury ahead of the Super Eagles of Nigeria's friendly game against their West African rivals, the Black Stars of Ghana.</a> The former Ajax defender didn't train a day before the game on March 22 but made the substitutes roaster for the game. In his absence, Nigeria beat Ghana 2-1. Calvin Bassey's injury has forced him to return to England on Sunday, March 24, for further medical examination and treatment. Aside from him, Frank Onyeka has been ruled out of the international friendly game against Mali at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday. Unlike Bassey who sustained his injury during training, Naija news gathered that Onyeka sustained his injury during the Super Eagles' 2-1 win over Ghana on Friday. Though the nature of Onyeka's injury has not been disclosed just like in the case of Bassey, the severity of the injury can't permit him to feature for Nigeria against Mali. Hence, the Brentford midfielder has returned to the United Kingdom for further examination and further treatment as the Premier League entered the last phase of the 2023-2024 season. With this development, Super Eagles interim coach, Finidi George who has promised to make some changes in the team that will face Mali, is left with no choice but to shake up his starting lineup against the Malian team on Tuesday. The post <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/25/two-super-eagles-players-leave-camp-ahead-of-clash-with-mali/">Two Super Eagles Players Leave Camp Ahead Of Clash With Mali</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.naijanews.com">Naija News</a>.

mingooland · March 25, 2024 · 2 min read

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Hyman hits 50 but Edmonton Oilers fumble away another one

mingooland · March 25, 2024 · 1 min read

General

Toronto Maple Leafs punch holes in Edmonton Oilers

mingooland · March 24, 2024 · 1 min read

General

Super Eagles Edge Black Stars 2-1 in Tough Marrakech Duel

Ademola Lookman dispatched a slick team move to score the winning goal for Nigeria against Ghana in Morocco. The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arise.tv/super-eagles-edge-black-stars-2-1-in-tough-marrakech-duel/">Super Eagles Edge Black Stars 2-1 in Tough Marrakech Duel</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arise.tv">Arise News</a>.

mingooland · March 22, 2024 · 2 min read

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Edmonton Oilers unleash their ammo in lopsided Buffalo hunt

mingooland · March 22, 2024 · 1 min read

General

Ex-Real Madrid Star, Robinho Fights Against His Jail Term In Brazil’s Supreme Court

<img width="518" height="353" src="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240321-184805.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240321-184805.jpg 518w, https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot_20240321-184805-300x204.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 518px) 100vw, 518px" /> <h2><a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2021/03/10/rape-court-upholds-nine-years-jail-term-for-robinho/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Former Real Madrid and Manchester City forward, Robinho</a> is making efforts not to serve his 9-year jail term in his home country, Brazil.</h2> The lawyers of Robinho approached Brazil's supreme court earlier today, March 21, to appeal that the 9-year sentence slammed on their client should be suspended. What happened to Robinho? After Robinho had played for Santos, Real Madrid, and Manchester City, he joined the Italian Serie A club, AC Milan, in 2010 and played for the club until 2015. During that period, the 2005 World Soccer Young Player of the Year winner was allegedly involved in a gang rape at a Milan nightclub in 2013. He was found guilty of the allegation and was sentenced to 9 years in prison in 2017 while he was playing for a Brazilian club, Clube Atlético Mineiro. His lawyers appealed the judgment and they won the appeal in 2020. Unfortunately for him, the judgment was re-established in 2022 in the Italian Supreme Court. But Robinho wasn't sent to jail because he was in Brazil and the country doesn't give room for its citizens to be extradited even with an international warrant of arrest. Hence, Italian authorities had to write the Brazilian government to allow Robinho to serve his 9-year jail term in Brazil. Earlier this month, the appeal court in Brazil ruled in favour of the request from Italy. But the lawyers of the 40-year-old retired footballer had to appeal the judgment at the Supreme Court on Thursday. It is left to be seen whether Brazil's supreme court will uphold the 9-year jail term of the 100-cap Brazil international. The post <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/21/ex-real-madrid-star-robinho-fights-against-his-jail-term-in-brazils-supreme-court/">Ex-Real Madrid Star, Robinho Fights Against His Jail Term In Brazil’s Supreme Court</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.naijanews.com">Naija News</a>.

mingooland · March 21, 2024 · 2 min read