Sports

Flick Demands ‘Focus’ From Barca Ahead Of Crunch Atletico Clash

Published

6 months ago

March 15, 2025

Hansi Flick warned his Barcelona stars they need to focus to avoid crumbling against Atletico Madrid on Sunday in La Liga as they have in their previous two meetings this season.

Leaders Barcelona are a point ahead of Diego Simeone’s Atletico, third, going into the huge title clash at the Metropolitano stadium in the Spanish capital.

Barcelona led against Atletico in the first league match in December but Rodrigo De Paul levelled for the visitors and Alexander Sorloth hit a 96th minute winner which helped them usurp the Catalans at the top of the table.

Then in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg Barcelona let in two goals in the first six minutes and two late goals, including another Sorloth stoppage time strike in a wild 4-4 draw.

“I think we have had really two great matches and of course we have to be focussed from begninning to the end of the match,” Flick told reporters Saturday.

“I think in the first match, at the end of the match we were not so focussed like we can be, and also the second match was (the same) in the beginning and also at the end, so we have to take care about that.

“When you make mistakes Atletico can hurt you and this is what we have to defend against.”

Atletico Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday on penalties by rivals Real Madrid, while Barcelona beat Benfica to reach the quarter-finals.

Former Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez scored a penalty in the shoot-out for Atletico which was controversially disallowed because he may have touched the ball twice when he slipped as he took it

“It was an unlucky situation, I feel for him, he’s one of the best strikers,” said Flick, adding that it was “not a problem” for Atletico to have played 120 minutes because of their squad depth.

– ‘One of the superstars’ –
Flick has plenty of options himself with Dani Olmo seemingly ahead of Gavi in the pecking order for the attacking midfield spot.

Gavi and Barca defender Alejandro Balde were not included in the Spain squad to face the Netherlands in the Nations League quarter-finals next week, but the Barca coach hailed both players.

“(Gavi) came from a huge injury and he’s 20 years old and now at the moment he is I think, not the first (choice)… a more difficult situation but he’s doing great,” said Flick.

“At the moment our midfield is doing really good. I’m happy he’s here and I think he will play many, many years for this amazing club and be one of the superstars here.

“He can improve a lot, he will do this. His attitude is unbelievably good, he’s really focussed and really happy he is here.

“I think for the World Cup 2026 he will be there and be able to play, 100 percent.”

Flick said Balde was “one of the best” left-backs in the world, and also praised veteran centre-back Inigo Martinez, who was called up for Spain by national team coach Luis de la Fuente.

“With his attitude and mentality he’s unbelievably good for every team,” added Flick.

Related Topics:Atlético Barca Barcelona Flick

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Sports

[FULL LIST] World Cup: Nigeria, Others Face Elimination

Published

14 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

As African qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup heats up, Egypt and Morocco are edging closer to sealing their tickets to the global showpiece in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, while Nigeria’s hopes hang by a thread.

With four rounds of matches left, the race across the nine African groups is intensifying, leaving several giants at risk of missing out.

Below is the state of play across all groups:

Group A – Egypt in Command

Standings: Egypt lead Burkina Faso by five points.

Key Matches: Egypt vs Ethiopia; Burkina Faso vs Djibouti.

Outlook: Two wins could seal Egypt’s qualification.

Group B – Three-Way Battle

Standings: DR Congo, Senegal, and Sudan are split by one point.

Key Matches: Senegal host Sudan and face DR Congo; Sudan visit Togo.

Outlook: Sudan chase a maiden World Cup amid conflict at home.

Group C – Nigeria in Trouble

Standings: South Africa top with 13 points; Nigeria sit fourth with seven.

Key Matches: Nigeria host Rwanda, then face South Africa away.

Outlook: Nigeria must win both to stay alive. A ruling on South Africa’s alleged ineligible player could impact standings.

Group D – Cape Verde vs Cameroon

Standings: Cape Verde lead Cameroon by one point.

Key Matches: Cape Verde host Cameroon, then travel to Mauritius; Cameroon face Eswatini.

Outlook: Cape Verde eye historic qualification; Libya and Angola still lurking.

Group E – Morocco Poised for History

Standings: Morocco boast a perfect record (5 wins in 5).

Key Matches: Morocco play Niger and Zambia; Tanzania face Congo-Brazzaville.

Outlook: Atlas Lions could become Africa’s first confirmed qualifiers.

Group F – Ivory Coast vs Gabon

Standings: Ivory Coast one point ahead of Gabon.

Key Matches: Gabon host Ivory Coast; Ivory Coast face Burundi and Seychelles.

Outlook: A tight race between two resurgent sides.

Group G – Algeria Closing In

Standings: Algeria three points clear of Mozambique.

Key Matches: Algeria host Botswana, travel to Guinea; Mozambique meet Uganda and Botswana.

Outlook: Algeria well-placed but can’t slip up.

Group H – Tunisia in Control

Standings: Tunisia four points ahead of Namibia.

Key Matches: Tunisia vs Liberia; Tunisia vs Equatorial Guinea; Namibia face Malawi and Sao Tome.

Outlook: Tunisia could qualify early, but an Equatorial Guinea appeal looms.

Group I – Ghana Push for Redemption

Standings: Ghana lead by three points over Comoros; Mali trailing.

Key Matches: Ghana face Chad and Comoros; Comoros travel to Mali.

Outlook: Ghana could book qualification at home, making up for their AFCON 2025 failure.

Sports

13 Super Eagles Players Arrive Camp For World Cup Qualifiers

Published

2 days ago

September 2, 2025

Editor

The number of players in the Super Eagles’ camp has increased to 13, as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.

This follows the arrival of nine more players at the team’s camp in Ikot Ikpene on Tuesday, according to Promise Efoghe, the team’s media officer.

The new arrivals include Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Moses Simon, Chidozie Awaziem, Adebayo Adeleye, and Benjamin Fredericks.

They joined the quartet of William Troost-Ekong, Amas Obasogie, Felix Agu, and Raphael Onyedika, who checked into camp on Monday.

Efoghe confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria that out of the 23 players who were invited for the double-header fixtures, only 13 had arrived, with 10 more players still being expected.

“A total of 13 players are currently in camp, and we are expecting the rest of the squad to arrive later today and early tomorrow,” Efoghe said.

He also shared details of the team’s upcoming media engagements.

“There will be a press conference with the coaching staff and selected players on Wednesday at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium,” Efoghe stated.

“For Friday, the pre-match press conference will holbe held the same venue, and the first 15 minutes of the team’s training session will be open to media coverage.”

Players still beiexpected to be included arealkeeper Stanley Nwabali; defender Bruno Onyemaechi; midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka; and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers, Christantus Uche, and Tolu Arokodare.

Nigeria will host Rwanda on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, in a Matchday 7 fixture. They will then travel to Bloemfontein to face South Africa on Monday, in a Matchday 8 encounter.

The Super Eagles currently sit third in Group C of the African qualifiers with two points from two matches, behind leaders South Africa (four points) and Rwanda (also four points but with an inferior goal difference).

Only the top team in the group will qualify automatically for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Full 23-Man Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa);

Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania);

Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece).

Defenders:

William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia);

Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England);

Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England);

Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England);

Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece);

Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France);

Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany);

Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium).

Midfielders:

Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England);

Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England);

Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey);

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy);

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium);

Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain).

Forwards:

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy);

Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy);

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey);

Moses Simon (Paris FC, France);

Cyriel Dessers (Rangers, Scotland);

Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).

(NAN)

Sports

JUST IN: Ofili Confirms Turkey Switch

Published

3 days ago

September 1, 2025

Editor

Nigeria sprinter, Favour Ofili, has confirmed she is switching allegiance to Turkey, bringing an end to her long-running fued with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, according to The PUNCH.

Reflecting on the move in a post via her Instagram page on Monday, Ofili said her decision followed months of reflection after a turbulent cycle in which she felt let down by the Nigerian federation.

She explained that while she was proud of her career in Nigerian colours, repeated disappointments had left her with little choice.

“Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions.

“As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey.

“I am proud to have represented Nigeria for many years in a highly successful way, having won six gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals in championship meets and reaching the Olympic 200 metres final,” she said.

Ofili added that neglect from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Olympic Committee, particularly during the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games, had contributed to her decision.

She stressed, however, that her switch was not financially motivated.

“While that means sitting out this year’s championships in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives.

“I’m truly grateful to have discovered a new home in Turkey, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.

“I also appreciate the support I got from my coach, agent, sponsor and loved ones during this difficult time,” she said.

Her announcement comes after the president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Tonobok Okowa, admitted the federation was struggling to prevent the exodus of elite athletes due to poor funding.

He confirmed Ofili’s switch during the National Athletics Championships in Lagos, warning that more athletes could follow suit unless urgent financial support arrived.

Okowa said countries like Turkey had stepped up efforts to recruit foreign talent, offering substantial incentives.

“The kind of money they put on the table to get her is not something many athletes would refuse.

“That is why we are pleading with Nigeria as a nation and our government to come out and support us, so we don’t keep losing our athletes,” he said.

Ofili’s decision mirrors previous high-profile departures, including Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie and Femi Ogunode, who also left Nigeria to represent other nations.

Ofili will sit out the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo as she completes the switch, before beginning the next phase of her career in Turkish colours.