Sports
NFF pulls Super Eagles from AFCON qualifier after Libya Airport nightmare
By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigeria Football Federation has decided to pull the Super Eagles out of Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.
This follows a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team has been stranded since their arrival on Sunday afternoon.
The Nigerian delegation was en route to Benghazi for the crucial qualifier when their chartered aircraft was dangerously diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for hajj operations.
The unexpected diversion left players and officials stranded without any assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation.
In a statement on Monday, the NFF detailed the chaotic situation, explaining that the team remained at the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, which is three hours away.
“The Nigerian delegation for Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya is still at Al Abraq Airport, 12 hours after landing.
The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport just as the pilot was completing his approach to Benghazi Airport,” the NFF stated.
The NFF further noted that the fatigued and frustrated players have now resolved not to play the match.
The NFF, supporting the players’ decision, is currently arranging for the team to fly back to Nigeria, effectively pulling them out of the fixture.
“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer, and NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” the statement concluded.
Reacting to the situation, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment by the Libyan authorities.
Sports
EPL: Bournemouth stun Manchester City with historic win
Antoine Semenyo and Evanlison scored as Bournemouth sealed their first-ever win against Manchester City at Vitality Stadium.
The Cherries, in good form after picking up four points from their last two games against Aston Villa and Arsenal, started quickly and full of positivity.
Ederson was forced into a double save after just two minutes as he denied Semenyo and Justin Kluivert.
With the tone set, Bournemouth continued to press high and they were rewarded in the ninth minute when Milos Kerkez’s cut-back from the byeline was turned in by Semenyo.
City failed to muster an attempt on target during a largely frustrating first half.
Bournemouth came out for the second period full of confidence and were close to doubling their lead in the first minute, but Ederson was sharply off his line to keep Evanlison’s effort out.
Evanlison made sure with his next opportunity, though, sliding to meet Kerkez’s low ball and nestling it into the bottom corner.
The hosts should have made it three moments later but Adam Smith, presented with an open goal, blazed over the bar after Marcus Tavernier’s shot came back off the post.
City finally registered an attempt on target in the 80th minute, albeit a tame one, with Erling Haaland struggling to get any power on his volley.
And two minutes later, Josko Gvardiol headed beyond a despairing Mark Travers to offer hope but the Premier League champions were unable to grab an equaliser.
The defeat means City slip to second after Liverpool came-from-behind to beat Brighton, while Bournemouth climb up to eighth.
Sports
EPL: Salah goal sends Liverpool top of table after 2-1 win over Brighton
Liverpool came from behind to beat Brighton at a rocking Anfield and go top of the Premier League on the day their two title rivals both suffered defeat.
Brighton had looked set to move up to third in the table when Ferdi Kadioglu’s fine strike from 16 yards flew in via the inside of the post in a first half they dominated.
But Cody Gakpo’s left-wing cross went straight into the net for Liverpool’s equaliser, his third goal against Albion in four days after his Carabao Cup double.
And Mohamed Salah curled a beauty into the far corner from the right side of the box to completely turn the game around three minutes later.
It was an especially impressive comeback because Brighton had been playing so well – and keeping the home crowd quiet at times.
They could have led by more but Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved Georginio Rutter’s effort – before the second-half comeback.
Liverpool, who have won 13 of their 15 games under new manager Arne Slot, are two points above Manchester City after their shock defeat by Bournemouth, while Arsenal were beaten at Newcastle.
Sports
Arsenal’s Premier League hopes dashed by Newcastle defeat
Newcastle put a huge dent in Arsenal’s title aspirations on Saturday, winning 1-0 to give leaders Manchester City the chance to move eight points clear of the Gunners at the top of the Premier League.
Alexander Isak scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 12th minute, heading home Anthony Gordon’s pinpoint cross from the right.
Arsenal struggled to get out of first gear and although they dominated possession, they produced just one shot on target in the entire game.
Mikel Arteta’s men have now picked up just one point in their past three games as their title push quickly runs out of steam.
If defending champions City win at Bournemouth later on Saturday they will be eight points clear of the Gunners. Liverpool, a point behind City, host Brighton at Anfield.
Arsenal have pushed Pep Guardiola’s City hard in each of the past two seasons and appeared to be well-equipped for another title challenge but the gap already looks alarmingly big.
The injury-hit visitors started brightly in the opening seconds at St James’ Park, with Leandro Trossard dragging the ball wide.
But the home side, who had not won for five matches, quickly settled and Sweden forward Isak got between Gabriel and William Saliba to head home from Gordon’s exquisite first-time cross.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka lacked penetration but headed just wide in the 18th minute after leaping above his marker.
Newcastle defender Lewis Hall blocked Mikel Merino’s shot on the line after a Declan Rice corner caused chaos but the visitors lacked rhythm and failed to match the intensity shown by the home side.
Arteta opted against making changes at half-time and Newcastle came close to doubling their lead almost immediately, with Joe Willock’s shot saved by David Raya.
The Spanish boss threw on 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and Oleksandr Zinchenko for Gabriel Martinelli and Merino just after the hour mark.
Isak fired a shot at Raya that the Arsenal goalkeeper pushed away before Rice muscled his way into the Newcastle area and flashed a shot wide.
Arteta made further changes, introducing defender Ben White and forward Gabriel Jesus in the desperate push for an equaliser.
Arsenal struggled to build up a head of steam as the clock ticked down but they squandered a golden chance to equalise when Rice headed just wide from a Saka cross in stoppage time.
The Gunners, still missing captain Martin Odegaard, suffered a shock defeat against Bournemouth last month and drew 2-2 with Liverpool last week.
They have tough games coming up against Inter Milan in the Champions League and Chelsea next week.
The win lifts Eddie Howe’s Newcastle to eighth in the table ahead of the later kick-offs on Saturday.
AFP
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