Sports

JUST IN: Super Falcons Break Olympic Jinx, Qualify For Paris 2024

Published

1 month ago

April 9, 2024

Editor

Super Falcons of Nigeria have qualified for the 2024 Olympics after a 16-year absence from the competition.

The Coach Randy Waldrum-led side secured qualification on Tuesday after seeing out a goalless draw against Bayana Bayana of South Africa to win 1-0 on aggregate.

The second leg played on Tuesday evening in Pretoria ended in a goalless draw as the spirited Falcons ensured Nigeria qualified for her first Olympic games since 2008–a historic feat for the nation’s female football team.

Nigeria were resolute in defence to resist all goalscoring opportunities which the South African team initiated to score a goal.

The Falcons had secured a 1-0 win over the Banyana Banyana in the first leg of the fixture played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Friday.

A first half penalty by Rasheedat Ajibade was enough to place the Falcons on the right pedestal on Friday as Coach Randy Waldrum’s girls secured an important advantage that sealed their qualification.

Uchenna Kanu came close to breaking the deadlock in Pretoria but her effort from the right was deflected for a corner by a South African defender while Chiamaka Nnadozie was confident in goal for the Falcons.

The Falcons, who reached the quarter-final at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, have now qualified for the women’s football event for the first time since 2008.

They lost in the third round of qualifiers in 2016 (Rio, Brazil) and 2020(Tokyo, Japan) to Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast respectively.

The Falcons have only previously played at the Olympics in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

The 2024 Olympics is slated to take place in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

Sports

EPL: Haaland Finishes Top Goal Scorer [See list]

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Erling Haaland has finished as the English Premier League (EPL) top goal scorer for a second consecutive season as Manchester City beat West Ham 3-1 to win a fourth consecutive title.

The Norwegian striker was absent for two months of the season through injury and struggled to match the heights of his debut campaign at City when he struck 52 times in all competitions, including a Premier League record 36.

The 23-year-old failed to add to his 27 Premier League goals on the final day but still proved decisive in the run-in to help City secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive English top-flight crown.

Haaland scored nine times in his final seven Premier League appearances of the season to help City edge Arsenal to the title by two points.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who himself started the season at City, was second in the top scorer standings with 22 goals, one ahead of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

EPL Top Goal Scorer Chart
27: Haaland (Man City)

22: Palmer (Chelsea)

21: Isak (Newcastle)

19: Foden (Man City), Solanke (Bournemouth), Watkins (Aston Villa)

18: Salah (Liverpool)

17: Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

READ ALSO: Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles
16: Bowen (West Ham), Mateta (Crystal Palace), Saka (Arsenal)

14: Jackson (Chelsea), Wood (Nottm Forest)

13: Havertz (Arsenal)

12: Cunha (Wolves), Hwang (Wolves), Trossard (Arsenal), Wissa (Brentford)

11: Alvarez (Man City), Eze (Crystal Palace), Gordon (Newcastle), Morris (Luton), Nunez (Liverpool), Richarlison (Tottenham)

10: Adebayo (Luton), Bailey (Aston Villa), Fernandes (Man Utd), Hojlund (Man Utd), Jota (Liverpool), Olise (Crystal Palace)

Sports

PHOTOS: Man City Fans, Players Celebrate Record Fourth EPL Title In Style

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Man City on Sunday made history after clinching their fourth consecutive English Premier League (EPL) crown.

At the blast of the final whistle, the Etihad was occupied with fans and players in jubilant mood as the lush green pitch turned white and blue.

Sports

Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Pep Guardiola has said he has intention to leave Man City after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title, and sixth in seven years, on Sunday.

Phil Foden scored twice as City beat West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad to edge out Arsenal by two points and deny the Gunners a first league title in 20 years.

“When I moved here if someone had said I would win six leagues in seven seasons I would say you’re insane – no way,” said Guardiola.

“All these players for Manchester United and Liverpool and Chelsea, all these teams. Now is our period. We are part of that,” added the 53-year-old.

Guardiola has now won 15 major trophies in eight seasons as Man City manager and could add another in the FA Cup final next weekend.

The Catalan has a contract at the Etihad until 2025 and said he intends to see out at least one more year in Man City.

“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying after eight years. We have talked with the club — my feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and during the season we will talk.”