Sports
Super Eagles To Get Substantive Coach ‘Any Moment From Now,’ Says Pinnick
A former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick says the Super Eagles will get a substantive head coach “any moment from now”.
Pinnick, a FIFA Council member, gave the hint on Friday.
“Any moment from now, I am sure they would be announcing a coach, an enterprising coach at that,” he said during an interview on Channels Television’s Sports Tonight.
The Super Eagles have been without a coach since the departure of George Finidi in June 2024 after Jose Peseiro left the coach following the three-time African champions second-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Augustine Eguavoen has since then served in an interim capacity as the Super Eagles gaffer, leading Nigeria to a place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Despite his feat, the NFF is poised to hire a new coach for Nigeria ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers which resume later in the year.
The Super Eagles are in the fifth position in Group C of the African qualification series for the World Cup set to be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. They are winless in four games, managing a meager three points, four less than the leaders of the lot Rwanda.
We Would Still Qualify
Pinnick, is, however, hopeful of the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the quadrennial tournament.
“We believe we would still qualify by God’s grace,” he said.
“I speak to the president [of the NFF] every other day and I know he is very religious about qualifying Nigeria for the World Cup. It is going to be a tough call. I don’t want to raise the hopes of any Nigerian that we would qualify. But we would try our human extreme. When I say human extreme, on a scale of 1-10, we would get to that 10 and see if we can make it happen. We believe it is divine.”
Since making their debut at the 1994 World Cup, the Super Eagles have never failed to qualify for the football showpiece. They missed the last edition in Qatar after losing on the away goal rule to Ghana in the playoffs. Nigeria also did not the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Sports
Former Brazilian Football Star Marries ex-Wife’s Niece
Ex- Brazil international Hulk has tied the knot with Camila Angelo, his ex-wife’s niece, in a religious ceremony on Friday, 3 January, 2025,
The couple had already formalised their union in a civil ceremony in 2020.
An ecstatic Hulk expressed his joy on Instagram as he shared photos from his wedding, writing, “Before God and the promises of our love, we unite in one heart, beginning our eternity together, life! I love you.”
The wedding took place in Hulk’s hometown of Campina Grande at The Diocesan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Conception, which was adorned with a sea of white roses. A grand reception is planned for January 7 at a luxury resort in João Pessoa, involving 500 professionals, including chefs, floral designers, and lighting technicians.
Hulk was previously married to Iran Angelo, Camila’s aunt, for 12 years. Their marriage, which ended in 2019, produced three children: sons Ian and Tiago, and a daughter, Alice.
The relationship between Hulk and Camila became public in December 2019, just months after his split from Iran. The couple married in September 2020, and in 2021, they welcomed their first child, Zaya, followed by their second child, Aisha, in 2023.
The relationship has drawn criticism from Camila’s family and a cross section of people following the scenario. Rayssa, one of Iran’s sisters, condemned the union on social media, writing, “Today is a hard day to swallow, a day that reveals how far betrayal can go when it comes from the people we least expect. If my mother were alive, I am sure she would not be able to bear such monstrosity.”
Sports
Dembele’s last-gasp goal fires PSG to French Super Cup glory
Ousmane Dembele netted a last-gasp winenr as Paris Saint-Germain beat Monaco 1-0 to win the French Super Cup on Sunday.
It is the third consecutive year the Ligue 1 champions have won the trophy.
PSG, who had clinched both the league and the French Cup, have now won the competition for the 11th time in the last 12 years.
In a lively encounter at Doha’s Stadium 974, PSG had 27 chances but failed to break the deadlock.
But Dembélé ensured the game did not go to penalties, when he sealed the win two minutes into injury time.
The Frenchman netted inside the far post after Fabián Ruiz laid on a neat pass across the face of the goal.
PSG return to league action next Sunday when they host St Etienne while Monaco visit lowly Nantes on Friday.
Sports
Manchester United Firm As Liverpool Miss Golden Opportunity
Liverpool and Manchester United played to an exciting 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday, sharing the spoils in a fast-paced encounter. Despite Liverpool being the favorites due to United’s recent struggles, the visitors showed resilience and a much-improved performance.
Manchester United started strong, managing to contain the pro-Liverpool crowd early on and creating several chances. Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Højlund were key in getting behind Liverpool’s defense. Amad Diallo missed a great opportunity from Dalot’s cross, and Højlund was denied by Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson.
After a goalless first half, Manchester United came out to build momentum against Liverpool in the second. Lisandro Martínez broke the deadlock with a brilliant finish after a clever pass from Bruno Fernandes. However, Liverpool responded quickly, with Cody Gakpo equalizing through a stunning goal that left Matthijs de Ligt behind.
The game took another twist when Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Manchester United’s De Ligt’s handball. Mohamed Salah converted from the spot, giving the home team the lead. But United fought back, and Amad Diallo’s cool finish leveled the score once more.
Both teams had chances to win the match in the dying moments. Harry Maguire had an opportunity in injury time, but the game ended in a draw, meaning Liverpool couldn’t take advantage of Arsenal’s draw against Brighton earlier in the weekend.
Player ratings for Liverpool saw Mohamed Salah earn a solid 7.7/10, while Cody Gakpo and Ibrahima Konaté both received 7.7/10 as well. For Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes stood out with a performance rating of 8.7/10, followed by Lisandro Martínez with 8.2/10.
In the end, both teams earned a point, with the result being a fair reflection of a match full of excitement and attacking play.
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