AFCON: Nigeria’s Akor Adams names best team at tournament

Nigerian forward, Akor Adams, has named the Super Eagles as the best team at the AFCON.

The Sevilla star spoke to reporters after Nigeria defeated Egypt in the AFCON third-place playoff on Saturday.

Adams also said that he was proud of Eric Chelle’s side for winning the AFCON bronze medal.

Recall that the Super Eagles won six out of their seven matches at the AFCON.

Their only defeat was against the host nation, Morocco, as they lost 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out.

Chelle’s men defeated Tanzania, Uganda, Tunisia, Mozambique, Algeria and Egypt.

“We are the best team, we came for the gold but we didn’t take it . But we are proud of what we have been able to achieve,” Adams said.

“Everybody is going home with a better friendship with the next person. We are all grateful to Eric Chelle for what he has done for us as a group in the last three weeks. We are better people because of Chelle.”

AFCON: Nigeria’s Akor Adams names best team at tournament

AFCON: ‘I’m happy to get something, thank God’ – Bassey after Nigeria beat Egypt

Super Eagles centre-back, Calvin Bassey has expressed happiness after Nigeria defeated Egypt to win the AFCON third-place playoff on Saturday.

Bassey didn’t feature in the match due to suspension after picking up a yellow card against Morocco in the semi-final.

The Fulham star was in the stands as he watched Nigeria defeat the Pharaohs 4-2 on penalty shoot-out.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved the penalty kicks of Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

Reacting to Nigeria’s victory against Egypt, Bassey also thanked God for the outcome of the encounter.

“I’m happy to get something, thank God,” Bassey said in the mixed zone as he walked passed reporters inside the Stade Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.

Bassey was outstanding for Nigeria in every match he played for Eric Chelle’s side.

AFCON: ‘I’m happy to get something, thank God’ – Bassey after Nigeria beat Egypt

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles proud of performance in Morocco – Lookman

Ademola Lookman says the Super Eagles can be proud of their performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.

The Super Eagles ended their campaign on a positive note, edging the Pharaohs of Egypt 4-2 on penalities in the third-place match.

Nigeria finished second in the previous edition but failed to surpass the achievement in Morocco.

They lost to the hosts in a keenly contested semi-final.

Despite the setback, Lookman said they are proud of their performance in the competition.

“It was a good competition from us. We scored a lot of goals, we created a lot of chances. We played some good football.We can be proud of what we have done.”

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles proud of performance in Morocco – Lookman

AFCON final: ‘Africa’s image at stake’ – Senegal coach, Pape Thiaw

Senegal head coach, Pape Thiaw has insisted that Africa’s image is at stake as his team prepares to face Morocco in the AFCON final on Sunday night.

Thiaw spoke during his pre-match press conference, calling on spectators and match officials not to spoil the AFCON final.

Senegal and Morocco had defeated Egypt and Nigeria, respectively, at the semi-final stage.

“Today, it is the image of Africa that is at stake,” Thiaw said at his pre-match press conference.

“We must not spoil it. Playing the host nation is never easy because of the crowd, but on the pitch, it is 11 against 11.”

This comes as the Confederation of African Football, CAF, on Saturday, responded to Senegal’s complaints against Morocco ahead of the AFCON final on Sunday night.

 

AFCON final: ‘Africa’s image at stake’ – Senegal coach, Pape Thiaw

EPL: ‘Big gap’ – Man City’s Bernardo Silva hints on Arsenal winning title

Manchester City midfielder, Bernardo Silva has suggested that the club might be losing control of the Premier League title race after they lost 2-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s team had a chance to reduce the gap at the top of the league because current leaders, Arsenal, weren’t playing until later on Saturday evening when they faced Nottingham Forest.

United gave their best performance of the campaign so far in what was interim manager Michael Carrick’s first game in charge.

The home team were unlucky not to be ahead at halftime because two of their goals were disallowed by VAR for very small offside mistakes.

Also, Harry Maguire shot straight at the crossbar from close range. It was not until almost halfway through the second half that Carrick’s team managed to break the tie and score against Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Bryan Mbeumo scoring a great goal from a fast counter-attack.

Patrick Dorgu scored the winning goal with 14 minutes left because City’s defense was not as strict as usual.

The result could have been even worse if Mason Mount’s late attempt had been successful. The city’s players and Pep Guardiola looked sad after the game ended.

Silva said the gap between their team and Arsenal is getting bigger and harder to make up.

“It’s a big gap, and we won’t lie it’s not a big gap at all,” he said.

“We will keep fighting till the end,” he said.

City has gone four games without winning in the league, and Silva added, “They had more energy and intention. It always felt like they were almost ready to score, but we were never in the right place.

“We gave them what they want. They played the game in areas where they are strong and we are weak. Since I came to England, we’ve always been a very controlled team. There were a lot of things that were missing from us. Definitely a really bad day for us.”

Guardiola was also asked if Mikel Arteta’s team is getting too far ahead and he said, “It’s about how we grow as a team.

“I think we’ve done some really good things so far. To improve yourself, you might need to take a step back…”

EPL: ‘Big gap’ – Man City’s Bernardo Silva hints on Arsenal winning title

AFCON: Chelle reveals what he’ll do if NFF retains him as Nigeria coach

Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has revealed what he will do if the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, decides to retain him after the end of the AFCON tournament in Morocco.

Chelle led Nigeria to the semi-final stage before they lost to the host nation, Morocco.

Chelle’s men will take on Egypt on Saturday evening in a third-place playoff.

The Malian, who was appointed in January 2025, said he would bring in new players to the national team if the NFF retains him after the 2025 AFCON.

“If God gives me the chance to be the coach after this tournament, I’ve to bring some players,” Chelle said at his pre-match interview.

“My dream is to have twenty-two players, and all of them can take on the opposition. There is a lot of work to achieve that.”

AFCON: Chelle reveals what he’ll do if NFF retains him as Nigeria coach

AFCON 2025 sets new highest goals scoring record ever

The CAF Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, Morocco 2025 has rewritten the tournament’s history after becoming the highest-scoring edition ever, with 120 goals already scored.

This is coming ahead of the AFCON third-place playoff between Nigeria and Egypt, and also the final between Morocco and Senegal.

The landmark figure surpasses the previous record of 119 goals, which was scored during the last edition of the competition in Ivory Coast.

Before that, 102 goals were scored at the 2019 edition in Egypt when the tournament was expanded from 16 to 24 teams.

However, in the 2025 AFCON edition, several of Africa’s top players played leading roles in the scoring surge.

Among the highest contributors of goals to the impressive scoring record are Morocco’s Brahim Diaz, who leads the scoring charts with five goals.

Diaz is closely followed by Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Egypt’s Mohammed Salah, who have four goals each.

AFCON 2025 sets new highest goals scoring record ever

EPL: ‘You think you’re Ronaldo’ – Joey Barton slams Anthony Gordon

Former Premier League player, Joey Barton, has slammed Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon, saying that Gordon thinks he is Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barton said that the winger has not been doing well this season and is just fortunate to still keep his starting role at Newcastle.

On the Common Sense podcast, Barton criticized Gordon for his hairstyle and claimed that the winger has not made any big contributions on the field.

He said the former Everton player needs to get his game back on track if Newcastle United hope to finish in the Top Six.

He also said, “It doesn’t matter how many mad colours you put in your hair or Adidas f****** headbands (you have), it ain’t gonna work for you lad.

“Get yourself a short back and sides and start showing consistent performance because the way he moves around the pitch is not effective.

“He’s got this mad Ronaldo essence-like aura when he’s like Chloe Kelly. He’s got Chloe Kelly’s f****** aura but thinks he’s got Ronaldo’s aura.

“He’s fortunate that Harvey Barnes can’t even touch him. I’m telling you now, he is massively having a poke of himself and Newcastle United have got to finish in the top six. They’ve got a f****** scrap on to finish top six. They’re really close to finishing in the top six.”

Anthony Gordon has scored two Premier League goals this season and provided one assist.

He has five goals in the UEFA Champions League and one in the FA Cup.

EPL: ‘You think you’re Ronaldo’ – Joey Barton slams Anthony Gordon

LaLiga: Raphinha equals Cristiano Ronaldo’s record

Barcelona player, Raphinha, has matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s record in El Clasico matches after Barcelona beat Real Madrid during the week.

Ronaldo had a great career at Real Madrid, but his main challenge was playing in the El Clasico games against Barcelona.

The Portuguese star had a tough time facing the Catalan team, leading to a bad performance.

The Real Madrid legend won only eight times in his 30 El Clasico matches, and now Raphinha has achieved the same record.

The Brazilian winger has eight wins in just 12 games against Los Blancos, and he has also scored seven goals and provided three assists.

The former Leeds United player, who joined Barcelona for €58 million in 2022 after turning down offers from Chelsea and Arsenal, has been playing really well against their main rivals.

He has scored five goals and given one assist in the last four games between the two teams, including two goals in the Spanish Super Cup final earlier this week in Saudi Arabia.

In contrast, Ronaldo lost 14 times in El Clasico matches, but still scored 18 goals for Real Madrid.

He made only three assists, but could not score a hat-trick even though he scored two goals twice against the Catalan team.

Raphinha will get a chance to break the record later this season when the two teams play against each other in La Liga.

Both teams will play against each other towards the end of the season.

The match will take place at Camp Nou in May.

LaLiga: Raphinha equals Cristiano Ronaldo’s record

‘He plays with heart’ – Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan names his favourite striker

Former Black Stars of Ghana striker, Asamoah Gyan has named his favourite striker in today’s football.

Gyan was asked by Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand to name his favourite striker in today’s football who excites him.

The former Sunderland player, however, mentioned Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, insisting that the Galatasaray star plays with the heart.

“Victor Osimhen. Victor Osimhen plays with the heart. He gives everything,” Gyan told Ferdinand on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

“I’m surprised the big clubs in the world did not come for him. I’m appealing to Manchester United to come for him.”

‘He plays with heart’ – Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan names his favourite striker

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