Sports

AFCON Final: Tips To Reduce Risk For Heart Attack Watching Tense Football Match

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2024

As Nigeria take on host Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, it’s important to know your health status before the game.

A game of football can be emotional, especially a final where the coveted AFCON trophy is at stake. Nigeria last won the title in 2013 and would have another chance to win their fourth title.

Following the Super Eagles victory against Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the semifinal, it is important to ensure you take your health seriously ahead of the final on Sunday.

Here are tips on how to reduce risk while watching a tense football game:

Engage in stress reduction activities

Managing stress is crucial for heart health. Practice stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to mitigate its effects. If the intensity of the game becomes overwhelming, take breaks to regain composure and calm yourself.

Don’t watch alone

Sharing the game experience with friends or family members can provide emotional support and contribute to a more enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere overall.

Stay Hydrated

It’s important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, especially if you’re indulging in snacks or alcoholic beverages. Proper hydration is essential for maintaining good cardiovascular health.

Recognise warning signs

Recognise the symptoms of a heart attack, including chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and lightheadedness. If you notice any of these signs, seek emergency medical attention without delay.

Avoid attaching too many emotions
It’s just a game of football, where the winner takes all. Stay informed about your favourite teams and players, but be mindful to avoid excessive emotional investment in the game. Emotional stress can impact heart health, so it’s important to maintain a balanced approach.

Have an emergency plan

Make sure you and those in your vicinity are aware of the location of the nearest hospital and how to access emergency medical services if the need arises.

Take breaks during the game

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, as a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for heart disease. Consider taking short breaks during the game to stretch or walk around, promoting movement and reducing the negative effects of prolonged sitting.

Sports

Ballon d’Or: Why Neymar Didn’t Win Award – Gerard

Published

7 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

Barcelona legend, Gerard Piqué has said that Brazil legend, Neymar could have won the Ballon d’Or had he remained at the Catalan side a little longer.

Neymar left Barça for PSG in 2017, becoming the costliest player in the world.

Pique said that the move stopped the Brazilian from winning the Ballon d’Or.

He said that the superstar footballer actually deserved to win the France Football award in his career.

Speaking on the PodPah podcast, Pique, who was Neymar’s teammate for many years at Barcelona, said he tried to convince the Brazilian not to make the move but the former PSG star did not listen to him.

“I’m convinced he deserved a Ballon d’Or. I think going to PSG hurt him. We tried to convince him not to go, we did everything possible.

“Everyone thought he was going to stay, even me, but it seemed that it was already decided. In the end, he had an incredible career,” he said.

The Brazilian was at Camp Nou until 2017 when he decided to move to PSG who were willing to activate his €222 million release clause.

He left for Al-Hilal in 2023 and returned to Brazil with Santos in 2025.

Sports

Lionel Messi Names 10 Best Young Players Currently

Published

7 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

Argentina and Barcelona legend, Lionel Messi, has named the 10 players he sees as future stars.

The legendary attacker has players from Chelsea and Liverpool in his list.

As part of an Adidas campaign, the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner was asked to name the players he deems the next big stars in the game.

The Inter Miami goal king partnering with Adidas Football for the ‘Messi+10: Season 2’ campaign named his 10 best rising stars.

He named Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, Kendry Paez, also of Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder, Brajan Gruda.

Others are Nico Paz (Como), Rodrigo Mora (Porto), Mika Godts (Ajax Amsterdam), and Kader Meite (Stade Rennes).

He named two female players, Barcelona’s Clara Serrajordi and Olympique Lyon’s Lily Yohannes.

Messi made a similar selection in 2024 to include Lamine Yamal, Antonio Nusa and Kenan Yildiz.

Sports

2026 World Cup: Why ‘England Can’t Win Trophy’ – Paul Scholes

Published

7 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

Former England international, Paul Scholes, has said that the country stands no chance of winning the 2026 World Cup to be hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

England became the first European country to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday after beating Latvia 5 goals to nothing.

Scholes said Thomas Tuchel’s team has ‘no chance’ of winning the tournament unless the German gaffer brings his ‘three best players’ back into the squad.

Tuchel will now be hoping to lead England to their first major trophy in men’s football since 1966.

The former Chelsea manager was appointed as Sir Gareth Southgate’s successor last year.

England made it to two European Championship finals and two World Cup semi-finals under Southgate but failed to lift those trophies.

But former Manchester United midfielder, Scholes believes that England has ‘no chance’ unless Tuchel brings his ‘three best players’ back into the fold.

Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish were left out of the team for their last matches.

“I was a little bit surprised. Those three players, they have to be in his squad and they will be in his squad for the World Cup,” Scholes said on The Overlap.

“If you look at the squad now, you would say they have virtually no chance of winning the World Cup. Even with those three players it’s still a big ask but it gives you more of a chance of winning the cup.

“Jude Bellingham has missed a little bit of football but he’s fit now so I would have brought him back in.

“Thomas Tuchel hasn’t got many games left now until the World Cup actually starts, it’s only the November break and then the March one and then we’re there so we need to get these players playing.”

While announcing his squad for the last international break, Tuchel insisted he had ‘no problem’ with the omitted players, especially Bellingham.