SPORTS
Ronaldo Confident Portugal Will Reach World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo conceded that Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Serbia was “tough” but vowed that Portugal’s hopes of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup are “still very much alive.”
In spite an early goal from Renato Sanches in Lisbon, an equalizer from Dusan Tadic and a 90th-minute Aleksandar Mitrovic header saw Serbia leapfrog Portugal to win Group A in World Cup qualifying.
Fernando Santos’ men must now go through the play-offs in March if they are to qualify for the showpiece tournament.
Though captain Ronaldo reassured he still believes his side will qualify for Qatar.
“Football has shown us time and time again that, at times, it is the most winding paths that lead to the most desired outcomes,” the 36-year-old posted on Instagram.
“Yesterday’s result was tough, but not enough to get us down. The objective of being present at the 2022 World Cup is still very much alive and we know what we have to do to get there. No excuses.”
Ronaldo scored six goals in seven games for his country in qualifying, which included a goal against the Republic of Ireland that saw him become the all-time record goal scorer in international football, overtaking Iran’s Ali Daei (109).
Portugal head coach Santos played down a gesture made by Ronaldo after the late defeat.
He insisted that his captain was referencing March’s reverse fixture in Belgrade, in which Ronaldo was not awarded a stoppage-time goal despite the ball appearing to cross the line in the 2-2 draw.
“Nobody was explaining anything,” Santos told reporters when asked about Ronaldo. “He was telling the other guy that there [in Serbia] he had scored a goal at the last minute and that the referee didn’t count.
“That’s what he was saying at the time. It was not a matter for us to be there now. On the field, he said that we scored a goal there and the referee didn’t, but it’s his outburst. It’s perfectly normal.”
The Super Eagles camp in Cairo has grown to 22 players with the arrival of Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu, ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) international friendly match against Egypt.
News reports that Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman and defenders Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel reported to camp earlier on Monday at the Renaissance Hotel, joining a steadily increasing squad.
Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Igoh Ogbu and midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi were also among the latest arrivals to bolster the team.
They linked up with early arrivals Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who had checked in on Sunday.
Super Eagles Media Officer Promise Efoghe said that 20 players participated in the team’s first training session held on Monday evening.
“Training went smoothly and the players showed good energy and commitment, which is encouraging at this stage of preparations,” Efoghe said.
Efoghe said that Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika and Alebiosu arrived shortly after training, raising the number of players in camp to 22, with six more expected.
He said as part of preparations, the Super Eagles would play a friendly against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium.
“The friendly will help the technical crew assess team shape and readiness ahead of the AFCON challenge,” Efoghe said.
Nigeria, three-time champions, and seven-time winners Egypt will clash at 8 p.m. Egypt time (7 p.m. Nigeria time) in the build-up to the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
Efoghe confirmed that the team will depart Cairo for Féz on Thursday aboard a chartered flight to continue final preparations.
Nigeria’s quest for a fourth continental title, following victories in 1980, 1994 and 2013, begins on Dec. 23 against Tanzania, under the theme “NAIJA 4 THE WIN.”
The Eagles will also face Tunisia on Dec. 27 and Uganda on Dec. 30 in Group C, with all matches scheduled for the Complexe Sportif de Féz.
Egypt, the only nation to win AFCON three consecutive times, will battle South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe in Group B, with matches holding in Agadir.
As anticipation builds for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, set to kick off on December 21 in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football has released a list of items prohibited across all tournament stadiums.
According to the guidelines cited on CAF’s website on Monday, the rules are aimed at ensuring fan safety throughout the competition.
Fans attending AFCON 2025 matches in Morocco will be subjected to security screening.
They are advised not to bring prohibited items into stadiums to ensure safety, order and a smooth match-day experience.
Below is the list of items fans are advised to leave at home before entering AFCON stadiums:
Alcoholic beverages, Illegal substances and drugs, Weapons and sharp objects, Fireworks and pyrotechnics, Glass bottles or containers, Flammable materials, Racist, violent or discriminatory banners, Unauthorised political, religious or commercial signs, Drones and animals, Large umbrellas and oversized hats, Professional cameras and recording equipment, Musical instruments and loud horns, Radio-emitting devices (except mobile phones) and Heavy or large bags.
 | ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction |
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has disclosed that the team are still a work in progress following his expensive overhaul of the squad since last season.
The Spanish tactician made this known after the Citizens thrashed Crystal Palace 3-0 in Sunday’s Premier League game.
In a chat with the club’s website, Guardiola stated that the team are in a better position than last season.
“Many things we have to improve.
Madrid gave me a lot of things, that still we are not ready, not in mentality but in how to approach certain games. They are young some of the players. But 3-0 here is a big statement for us.“When you win in the past, you believe the past was perfect, always brilliant, always the red carpet.
When we won with 100 points, all the things we achieved, we had a lot of games like today. The resilience was part of that.“There are moments that you struggle. Madrid was not the perfect game, but it was a step. We fought unbelievably to achieve that.
“We are in a better position than last season. We are close in the competitions we are in.”
The Man Rotimi Makinde: A True Progressive by All Standards
ShareBy Kolapo Ogundare It is impressive to note that many well-meaning Nigerians are now coming out, recounting several good deeds...
FG, NBS Launch Nationwide MICS7 Survey
ShareFrom Francis Sadhere, Delta The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has officially launched the...
Finding Joy in Old Age: The Renewed Hope Intervention
ShareBy Bridget Tikyaa Getting to the life journey of a senior citizen should ordinarily be a source of pride, a...
CBN Revokes Licenses of Aso Savings, Union Homes Savings, Loans
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operational licences of Aso Savings and Loans...
Dangote Petitions ICPC, Accuses NMDPRA Boss of Corruption, Abuses
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission...
NDIC Liquidates Aso Savings, Union Homes, Pays N2m Deposits
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja The Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) exercised its appointment as the liquidator of Aso Savings and...
Reps Launch Nationwide Probe into Drug Abuse, Trafficking Crisis
ShareBy Ubong Ukpong, Abuja The House of Representatives has commenced a nationwide investigation into Nigeria’s worsening drug abuse and trafficking...
Clement Koko Assumes Office as CIPPON President
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja Clement Koko has been inaugurated as the President and Chairman-in-Council of the Chartered Institute of Professional...
Thousands of Drivers Wrongly Fined for Speeding Since 2021
ShareThousands of drivers could have speeding fines cancelled after a fault saw some cameras falsely triggered on English A roads...
UK Unemployment Rate Rises to 5.1 Per cent
ShareThe UK unemployment rate in the three months to October has increased to 5.1%, according to official figures. That marked...