SPORTS
Nigeria Keep 100 Per Cent Group D Record with Victory over Guinea-Bissau

Nigeria wrapped up their Group D campaign at the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua on Wednesday night.
The result, secured by second-half goals from Umar Sadiq and William Troost-Ekong, sees the Super Eagles top the group with a full haul of three wins (the only team in the competition to do so) and underline their status as one of the outright favourites for the title.
The African Wild Dogs, meanwhile, finished bottom of the log and have been eliminated from the Afcon.
With top spot assured before the match even kicked off, Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen opted to make several changes to his starting XI, resting the likes of Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi and Joe Aribo.
They enjoyed most of the possession early on, but Guinea-Bissau had the first real threat on goal.The African Wild Dogs saw striker Mama Balde brush past defender Semi Ajayi on 10 minutes and almost latch onto a loose ball in the penalty area, but Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho came off his line and bravely smothered the ball at the attacker’s feet.
The Super Eagles should have claimed the lead on 15 minutes through Ajayi, who rose highest to get on the end of Kelechi Nwakali’s free kick delivery, but the centre-back failed to keep his header down with the goal gaping.
Ten minutes later Nigeria cut open their opponent’s defence and Umar Sadiq almost succeeded in rounding goalkeeper Maurice Gomis, but he was unable to get a shot away under pressure from two recovering defenders.
Guinea-Bissau gradually found some attacking rhythm and created some pressure in the dying minutes of the first half, notably threatening through Jorginho just before the break, with the forward striking a volley through a crowd of players and just wide of Uzuho’s left-hand upright.
Nigeria were the dominant force after the restart and claimed a deserved lead on 56 minutes. Wilfred Ndidi put Kelechi Iheanacho into space and the forward provided a beautiful low cross with the outside of his left foot which curved away from the grasp of Gomis but allowed Sadiq an easy finish at the far post for 1-0.
Guinea-Bissau nearly levelled the game a short while later through Fali Cande, whose shot direct from a free kick took a deflection off the wall and flashed just wide of the target.
Nigeria claimed a second goal on 75 minutes when a sensational solo effort from substitute Moses Simon rebounded off the underside of the crossbar and was turned home at close range by William Troost-Ekong. The defender’s celebrations were initially cut short by the offside flag, but a VAR review overturned the decision and saw the Super Eagles go 2-0 up.
Guinea-Bissau had a couple of half-chances to reduce the deficit in what remained of the game, but ultimately Nigeria were able to hold out for a comfortable victory that maintains their momentum heading into the business end of the tournament.
Nigeria, as Group D winners, will face a third-placed team from Group B, E or F in their round of 16 clash, set for Garoua on Sunday 23 January.
SPORTS
Tottenham Interested in Crystal Palace’s Eze

Tottenham FC are exploring a deal for Crystal Palace and England forward Eberechi Eze.
Thomas Frank is looking to bolster his options in the final third after attacking midfielder James Maddison was ruled out for the majority of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
South Korea forward Son Heung-min left the club after 10 years earlier this month having scored 173 goals in 454 appearances, while midfielder Dejan Kulusevski is still out after knee surgery.
Thus Eze has scored 14 goals across all competitions for Palace last season, including in their 1-0 win against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
The 27-year-old made his England debut in 2023 and has won 11 caps for the Three Lions, including three appearances at Euro 2024.
Tottenham are also in talks with Manchester City over a move for Savinhobut multiple sources have indicated that Eze is now emerging as a player of serious interest for Spurs.
There is no confirmation whether Tottenham will look to progress with deals for both Brazil winger Savinho and Eze.
Arsenal also have an interest in Eze but are currently looking at trying to move players on, with the likes of Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira set to leave.
However, it remains to be seen whether Tottenham’s active interest in Eze results in Arsenal accelerating a move for the England international.
Eze joined Palace from Queens Park Rangers in a deal worth £19.5m in 2020 and has scored 40 goals in 168 appearances.
His contract at Selhurst Park is due to expire in the summer of 2027.
ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction |
SPORTS
Liverpool Stepping up bid to Sign Palace’s Guehi

Liverpool are stepping up their attempts to sign Crystal Palace and England center-back Marc Guehi.
Palace captain Guehi has a year left on his contract, but Chairman Steve Parish said earlier this week he could be sold this summer to avoid him moving on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.
Sources have said that Liverpool have held initial talks with a view to signing the 25-year-old before the summer transfer window shuts.
Liverpool are also trying to sign Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni.
The 18-year-old Italian is not seen as a potential rival for Guehi but more as one for the future.
Guehi was the subject of bids worth up to £65m from Newcastle last year.
The FA Cup winners are believed to want £40m for him now, but Liverpool want to pay less than that.
The Reds have already spent about £270m this summer, though they have recouped about £170m through player sales.
They have also had a £110m bid for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle, though sources have said the Swede remains determined to move to Anfield.
Signing Guehi and Isak would take Liverpool’s summer spending above £400m.
SPORTS
Finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games Begin in Enugu

The finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games, on Thursday began in Enugu with the arrival and accreditation of athletes at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.
Dan Onwuegbuna, Director, Information, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Enugu State, said in a statement on Thursday that the games would be held between Aug.
7 and Aug. 10 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and the Enugu State Sports Council.“The games is designed to help the state discover talents to represent the state at the forthcoming U15 National Youth Games scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6,” he stated.
Onwuegbuna said that apart from representing the state at the Youth Games in Asaba, talented athletes discovered would represent the state in other competitions.
He quoted the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu as thanking Gov. Peter Mbah for approving the games.
Onwuegbuna said that the games was made possible following the collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the state Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB).
The games finals followed the outcome of the inter- Secondary Schools competitions held at the local government areas in the six Educational Zones in the State – Enugu, Agbani, Awgu, Udi, Nsukka and Udenu.
“The games will feature athletics, boxing, chess, basketball, volleyball, football, tennis and scrabble,” Onwuegbuna stated.