Sports
Finidi faces real test against Bafana
By Francesca Hangeior.
Just over a month, exactly 39 days after being named the substantive head coach of the Super Eagles, ex-international, Finidi George, will be in the dug out for what can be termed his first major test in charge, as Nigeria hosts South Africa in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying match in Uyo on Friday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
It’s the third game in the series for Nigeria and it will be followed by another tricky test against Benin Republic in Ivory Coast, the Squirrels adopted home ground on Monday.
With only two points from their first two matches, the Super Eagles are third in the Group behind South Africa and Rwanda, meaning Finidi’s task couldn’t have come harder, as he tries to tutor the Eagles back on track.
The 53-year-old seems to know that nothing less than victory is acceptable in the two games, regardless of the fact that South Africa have only beaten the Eagles once in a competitive game.
“We have trained well, the players understand the task. I trust my players and their quality. It’s a must win game,” Finidi during the pre-match interview.
“The AFCON win against South Africa is gone, this is a new game. We have our plans.”
The former Ajax player also seems to have a knack for scaling his first hurdle, bearing in him the result of the first of two friendlies he handled as well as his debut for the national team as a player in 1991.
In March, Finidi, in interim capacity led the team to a 2-1 win over Ghana before losing 2-0 to Mali.
As a player, Finidi made his debut for Nigeria in 1991 during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso, providing three assists for Rashidi Yekini and scoring once in a 7–1 rout. His performance in that game perhaps made Nigerians forget the pre-match embarrassment which saw the team play the game with some make shift shorts, which were cut from their tracksuits trousers, after the team’s kitman allegedly forgot their shorts in camp.
“I don’t have anything to prove. I am relaxed, it is football. I want to win, I understand the tasks. I am not scared, I played at the highest and we are going for a win.”
Finidi went on to make 62 appearances for Nigeria scoring two goals while winning the 1994 AFCON as well.
Before the game against South Africa and Benin, the current crop of players in the national team have, no doubt, also tested the resolve of the ex-international with eight of them arriving camp well beyond schedule for the clashes.
The ex-international had just one session with the complete 23-man squad on Thursday, their last session before the game but he insists the team’s plans aren’t disrupted.
“The strike affected just three players, I had enough sessions with the squad,” the coach said.
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Diagnosed Down With Viral Infection-Club
By Mario Deepromoter
Al Nassr struggled in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence on Monday, when the Saudi club kicked off the revamped Asian Champions League with a 1-1 draw against Al Shorta in Iraq.
Al Nassr captain Ronaldo did not travel with the squad for the match in Baghdad, with the club issuing a statement a day before stating that the Portuguese superstar had been diagnosed with a viral infection.
The statement read: “Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t feeling well today and was diagnosed with a viral infection.
“The team’s doctor confirmed he needs to rest and stay at his place.
“As a result, he will not be travelling with the team to Iraq today. We wish a speedy recovery to our captain.”
Al Nassr, who were knocked out of last season’s Asian Champions League in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Al Ain, were given a dream start in the Iraqi capital, when full-back Sultan Al Ghannam met Otavio’s astute, first-time pass on 14 minutes to finish low past Al Shorta goalkeeper Ahmed Basil
Ronaldo is yet to win a major trophy with Al-Nassr since joining the Saudi club.
Sports
Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa May Return To NPFL
By Mario Deepromoter
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has hinted on a possible return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Musa urged his supporters to decide on his next club among the 20 teams in the NPFL.
The former NPFL hotshot made the announcement on the social media.
“Let’s go again, which of this team’s do you wish for me to sign,” Musa wrote on X with the logos of the 20 NPFL clubs..
Musa previously had two stints with Kano Pillars in the NPFL.
The 31-year-old has been without a club since leaving Turkish Super Lig club, Sivasspor.
Sports
Champions League: Vinícius Jr Bags 2023-24 Best Player Award
By Mario Deepromoter
Superstar Vinicius Junior on Monday received his award as the Best Player for the 2023/24 Champions League.
Vinicius was decisive as the LaLiga champions won the title.
The Brazilian winger scored six goals and laid on five assists in the competition last season.
His ability to step up in crucial matches was instrumental in ultimately securing the trophy.
Meanwhile, Mbappe was also awarded as the top scorer of the Champions League, netting eight goals throughout the tournament.
Both players will be hoping to form a lethal duo that will dismantle opposing defences this season.
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