Sports

Liverpool Win League Cup As Van Dijk Strikes Late To Sink Chelsea

Published

2 years ago

February 26, 2024

Liverpool players pose with the trophy after the English League Cup final football match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley stadium, in London, on February 25, 2024. Virgil van Dijk scored the only goal deep into extra-time as Liverpool won the League Cup for a record tenth time. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Liverpool won the League Cup in dramatic fashion as Virgil van Dijk’s header late in extra-time sealed a 1-0 win against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp’s injury-hit side finished a gruelling clash with a host of raw youngsters on the pitch, but it was their experienced captain who clinched the club’s 10th League Cup triumph.

Van Dijk earlier had a goal controversially disallowed by VAR, but the Dutch defender pounced to nod home with just two minutes left.

It was Liverpool’s first trophy following Klopp’s bombshell announcement that he will step down at the end of this season.

The German will hope Liverpool’s first silverware since the 2022 FA Cup will be the springboard for an incredible farewell tour.

Quadruple-chasing Liverpool sit top of the Premier League, face Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday and take on Sparta Prague in the Europa League last 16.

It was another bitter Wembley experience for Chelsea, who lost the 2022 League Cup and FA Cup finals against Liverpool.

Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino has asked Chelsea fans not to judge him on “winning titles” in the midst of a troubled first season in charge.

But Chelsea remain without domestic silverware since the 2018 FA Cup and had only themselves to blame after missing a host of chances in normal time.

Ravaged by injuries to 11 players, Liverpool’s list of star absentees included Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Dominik Szoboszlai.

That meant starts for 20-year-olds Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott, while six of Klopp’s substitutes were 21 or younger.

Chelsea’s Serbian goalkeeper #28 Djordje Petrovic dives but is unable to prevent a header from Liverpool’s Dutch defender #04 Virgil van Dijk (not pictured) beating him during the English League Cup final football match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley stadium, in London, on February 25, 2024. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

– Goals Ruled Out –
Despite their youthful line-up, Liverpool settled quickly as Luis Diaz led the charge.

Taking advantage of Chelsea’s hesitant defending, Diaz advanced into the area for a fierce strike that forced a good save from Djordje Petrovic.

Against the run of play, Chelsea should have taken the lead with their first incisive raid.

Conor Gallagher’s cross deflected to Cole Palmer just six yards out, but his strike produced a superb save from Caoimhin Kelleher.

Ryan Gravenberch joined Liverpool’s ever-growing injury list when he was stretchered off after the midfielder’s leg twisted awkwardly in a challenge with Moises Caicedo.

Raheem Sterling thought he had given Chelsea the lead with a close-range finish from Nicolas Jackson’s cross, but the goal was disallowed for a tight offside against the Senegal striker before his assist.

Responding to Chelsea’s improvement, Liverpool were inches away from taking the lead through Cody Gakpo, whose glancing header from Andrew Robertson’s cross hit the far post.

Liverpool kept coming and Bradley’s goalbound shot was brilliantly blocked by Levi Colwill, who threw himself into the fray to repel the close-range effort.

Liverpool looked to have broken the deadlock on the hour when Van Dijk climbed above Ben Chilwell to head in Robertson’s free-kick.

But VAR intervened, prompting referee Chris Kavanagh to disallow the goal for offside against Wataru Endo, who blocked Colwill from marking the Dutch defender.

Axel Disasi should have rubbed salt into Liverpool’s wounds but the Chelsea defender made a complete hash of a close-range chance.

Chelsea went close again as Gallagher met Palmer’s cross with a flick that cannoned off the far post.

Gallagher wasted a golden opportunity to win it in the final minutes, receiving Palmer’s pass in acres of space but taking a heavy touch that allowed Kelleher to save.

In a pulsating finale, Kelleher made two more saves from Palmer and Christopher Nkunku in quick succession to force extra-time.

Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Jarell Quansah and Jayden Danns were all on by now, but if Liverpool’s youngsters lacked Chelsea’s experience, they were never overawed.

Danns almost guided his header over Petrovic and Elliott was inches away when he volleyed against the post.

Liverpool would not be denied and with penalties just two minutes away, Van Dijk met Kostas Tsimikas’s corner with a header that flashed past Petrovic as Klopp raised his arms with a smile that bordered on disbelief.

AFP

Sports

William Troost-Ekong announces retirement from international football

Published

6 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Admin

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an emotional close to a decade-long career with Nigeria’s senior national team.

The defender made the announcement on Thursday via a heartfelt statement posted on his X page, reflecting on his journey, achievements, and the honour of representing the country.

Troost-Ekong, who earned 83 caps and featured in five major tournaments for Nigeria, described the decision as one made “with peace,” noting that he had given everything throughout his international career. He recounted how a 2015 phone call from the late Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi changed his life and opened the door for him to make his senior debut just a month later.

“Going on to captain the Super Eagles was beyond my wildest dreams,” he wrote. “Nigeria took me in and trusted me to lead and represent a nation of 230+ million. From a boy born and raised in the Netherlands to the Oyibo Wall and eventually skippo is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart.”

The 31-year-old highlighted several milestones, including a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, appearances at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments—culminating in a memorable run at AFCON 2023, where he scored in the final and was named Player of the Tournament.

“To this day I still wish for a different ending,” he admitted, adding that becoming the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history was an honour he shared with every teammate who contributed to those moments.

Troost-Ekong expressed pride in being part of a generation of Super Eagles players who proved that members of the diaspora could return home and represent Nigeria with distinction. He also paid tribute to the coaches, staff members, and teammates who accompanied him on the journey, as well as fans he described as “the heartbeat of Nigerian football.”

“As a custodian of an iconic shirt, I’ve always known it was only borrowed,” he wrote. “Now it’s the turn of the next generation to continue to write their own story.”

While stepping away from the national team, Troost-Ekong made it clear that this is “not a final goodbye,” noting that his work within Nigerian communities will continue, along with his passion for the Super Eagles.

“The last decade has been filled with commitment, pride, and unforgettable memories,” he said. “Wearing the Super Eagles shirt has been more than playing football. It has been a duty, a privilege, and an honour.”

Troost-Ekong retires as one of the most influential defenders of his generation and a central figure in Nigeria’s football renaissance over the last decade.

Sports

Super Eagles captain Troost-Ekong retires from international football ahead of AFCON

Published

14 hours ago

December 4, 2025

ADMIN

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football weeks before the commencement of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

“Honoured. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagles. Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life. The journey may end here, but my support never will. Here’s to the next chapter,” the player said in a X post on Thursday highlighing his time with the Eagles.

The 35-year-old’s retirement from football came after several weeks of speculation regarding his future with the Nigeria national team.

He played 83 times for the Eagles, featuring in five major tournaments while clinching one silver and bronze AFCON medals as well as an Olympic bronze medal.

Troost-Ekong played a huge role in Nigeria’s runners up finish at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast but struggled to retain a regular starting position in recent games, especially with the arrival of youngster Benjamin Fredrick.

Despite his inclusion in Nigeria’s 55-man preliminary squad for the 2025 AFCON announced by the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday, the defender decided to retire ahead of the tournament.

Sports

Chelle Unveils Nigeria’s Provisional AFCON Squad (FULL LIST)

Published

3 days ago

December 2, 2025

ADMIN

…Boniface, Uzoho, Iheanacho Return

Victor Boniface, Ola Aina, Francis Uzoho, and Kelechi Iheanacho were among notable returnees as Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, unveiled Nigeria’s provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Aina was injured in Nigeria’s draw against South Africa in September during the World Cup qualifiers and is expected to be out for three months.

Boniface, Uzoho, and Iheanacho have not been part of the team in recent matches.

The 54-man AFCON list was released on the Super Eagles’ social media handles on Tuesday evening, just about three weeks before the competition in Morocco.

As expected, the list included regulars like Captain William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Stanley Nwabali, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze, and Zaidu Sanusi, among others.

A breakdown of the squad shows that they are six goalkeepers, 13 defenders, 12 midfielders, and 23 forwards.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro of Inter Milan, but on loan at Pisa, made the provisional squad and is expected to make the final list for the competition.

There are also four players from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on the roster: they are Adekunle Adeleke, Ebenezer Harcourt, Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ekeson Okorie, and Chisom Orji.
Nigeria’s final 28-man list will be unveiled on or before December 11. The 2025 AFCON will run from December 21st, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

The Super Eagles will play Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia in Group C and will begin camp in Egypt on December 10 for the competition.
Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON Provisional List
Below is Nigeria’s provisional squad for the 2025 AFCON:
Goalkeepers
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy); Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)

Defenders
William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors)
Midfielders
Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel); Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirligi SK, Turkey)
Forwards
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic Glasgow, Scotland); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen, Germany); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes); Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen, Czech Republic); Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United); Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves); Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (OH Leuven, Belgium); Philip Otele (FC Basel, Switzerland); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961 (Croatia); Emmanuel Michael (Linzer Athletik SK, Austria)