Sports

EPL: Why Lukaku Flopped At Chelsea – Koulibaly

Published

3 years ago

August 4, 2022

Chelsea’s summer signing, Kalodou Koulibaly has suggested that the club’s loanee, Romelu Lukaku struggled in the Premier League last season, due to a lack of ‘confidence’.

Koulibaly completed a move to Chelsea from Serie A club, Napoli earlier this summer before Lukaku completed the reverse move, as he secured a loan back to Inter Milan.

The Senegal defender, who knows Lukaku well from their time playing against each other in Italy, suggested that there could have been issues in the striker’s ‘private life’ that caused on-pitch struggles.

Speaking during his press conference on Wednesday, Koulibaly said: “Romelu is a good player, a nice player, a talented player.

“He is very strong and I was used to playing against him in Italy – I think he didn’t like to play against me!

“Last year I think maybe he didn’t have the confidence he needed to play like he wanted. Maybe something else, I don’t know.

“Football is not all about the pitch, it is also your private life and everything else, so maybe it was something that didn’t work with him over here.”

Koulibaly added: “We have a lot of talents, a lot of good players, a lot of winners, a lot of experienced players, a lot of young players. I wish Lukaku a good season but I wish Chelsea a better season.”

Sports

AFCON 2025: Four Teams Qualify For Round Of 16

Published

18 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

South Africa became the fourth team to confirm their place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bafana Bafana edged a five-goal thriller against rivals Zimbabwe, winning 3-2 on Monday evening.

Tshepang Moremi opened the scoring for Hugo Broos’ side, before Tawanda
Maswanhise equalised in the 19th minute.

Lyle Foster restored South Africa’s lead five minutes after the break, but Aubrey Modiba drew the match level in the 73rd minute.

The winning goal came with eight minutes remaining, as Oswin Appollis converted from the penalty spot.

The result took South Africa to six points, one behind group winners Egypt. Both sides have qualified for the next round, alongside Nigeria and Algeria.

Sports

AFCON: Uganda Coach Lists Three Things His Team Must Do Against Nigeria

Published

18 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

Uganda head coach Paul Put has outlined three key areas his side must focus on to secure victory against Nigeria when both teams clash in Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations tie.

Put’s side must claim all three points against the Super Eagles or risk an early exit from the competition. The Cranes have just one point in Group C after their opening two matches.
A win against Nigeria could see Uganda qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

However, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Put said that for Uganda to overcome Eric Chelle’s side, they must “concentrate be very prepared and win their duels” against Nigeria.

“We have to go for it [win against Nigeria] and we will do it,” Put said.

“Nigerians play at a high level in Europe, so we have to be very concentrated, very prepared and win our duels, which is one of the strong points of Nigeria.”