Sports
Libya vs Nigeria: CAF keeps parties in suspense
The Confederation of Africa Football is keeping all concerned in suspense after failing to announce its verdict on Wednesday as regards the botched AFCON qualifying Group A fixture scheduled for October 15 at Benina Martyrs Stadium.
It appears the football body has yet to arrive at a decision, with BeIN Sports revealing that the Disciplinary Committee entertained explanations from both parties on Wednesday via video conference, with Libya and Nigeria duly represented.
CAF had previously decided to cancel the Libya-Nigeria match after the Nigerian national team left Libya in protest at the diversion of its flight to Labraq Airport, where they were locked in for 18 hours with neither food nor water.
Nigeria had called on CAF to intervene to rescue them from detention inside Labraq Airport, according to the Nigerian side’s allegations.
CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, said that the incident was under investigation as the rules for receiving visiting teams are being reviewed, stressing that CAF will take strict decisions in this crisis and will not tolerate any deviation.
Sports
UCL: Vinicius slams UEFA as he misses Liverpool vs Real Madrid clash
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior has hit out at UEFA after picking up an injury that rules him out of Wednesday night’s Champions League clash at Liverpool.
The LaLiga champions have confirmed that Vinicius has a hamstring problem and will miss the next three weeks of action.
The Brazilian has now lashed out at the packed fixture list.
Vinicius took a full part in their 3-0 win against Leganes on Sunday but will not travel to Merseyside due to “an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg.”
In a message on social media, Vinicius pointed the finger of blame at executives behind a hectic fixture schedule that has most notably seen UEFA expand the Champions League by at least two matches, writing: “Crazy calendar. Time to recover.”
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti will also be without Lucas Vazquez and Aurelien Tchouameni for the match.
Sports
Mohamed Salah Speaks On Dumping Liverpool Amid Contract Delay
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool forward says he is “disappointed” by the club’s failure to offer him a new contract – and looks more likely to leave than stay.
The 32-year-old, Liverpool’s top scorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions, is out of contract at the end of the season.
Salah scored twice in the 3-2 win against Southampton on Sunday, including the winner from the penalty spot, to take Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Egypt forward, who joined the Reds from Roma in 2017, told reporters, external after the win at St Mary’s: “We are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club.
“I’m probably more out than in.”
Asked if he was disappointed that he is yet to receive an offer, Salah said: “Of course, yeah.
“I’m not going to retire soon so I’m just playing, focusing on the season and I’m trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I’m disappointed but we will see.”
Liverpool have not publicly commented on Salah’s remarks.
A club source told BBC Sport that contact between Liverpool and Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, is ongoing and has been positive.
Only Manchester City forward Erling Halaand has scored more Premier League goals than Salah this season, with the Egyptian netting 10 times in the top flight.
According to Opta, Salah’s goals and assists have been worth 17 points to Liverpool this season – the most of any player in the division.
Salah signed a three-year contract extension with the club in 2022, with that deal set to expire in the summer.
“You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this,” said Salah.
“I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end it is not in my hands or the fans’ hands. Let’s wait and see.”
Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and club captain Virgil van Dijk are out of contract at the same time as Salah.
Liverpool rejected a £150m offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in September 2023 and multiple sources have reported that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) remains interested in bringing Salah to the Saudi Arabia Pro League.
Following a 3-0 win against Manchester United in September, Salah said he treated the game as if it was the “last time” he would play at Old Trafford.
After scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory against Brighton this month that took Liverpool top of the table, Salah wrote on X: “No matter what happens, I will never forget what scoring at Anfield feels like.”
Sports
NPFL: Rivers United return to summit, Remo Stars fall
Rivers United reclaimed top position in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, after a 1-0 victory over Abia Warriors.
Former Akwa United striker Ndifreke Effiong netted the winning goal for Finidi George’s side in the 58th minute.
Rivers United top the standings with 25 points from 13 points.
Azeez Falolu and Boslam Dawi scored both goals as Katsina United defeated Remo Stars 2-0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
Shooting Stars returned to winning ways courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Bayelsa United. Anthony Okachi scored the decisive goal after 16 minutes.
Former champions Plateau United claimed a 2-0 victory over Nasarawa United in Jos. Shina Kumater scored an own goal in the 51st minute to hand Plateau United the lead. Olawale Doyeni doubled the home team’s advantage nine minutes from time.
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