Sports

The Nigerian Football Federation has released a 24-man list for the AFCON 2022 qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho. Six players were put on stand-by for the ties. FULL LIST Below: GOALKEEPERS M. OKOYE F. UZOHO J. NOBBLE DEFENDERS W. EKONG K. OMERUO L. BALOGUN C. AWAZIEM J. COLLINS Z. SANUSI 0. AINA T. EBUEHI MIDFIELDERS W. NDIDI 0. ETEBO S. AJAYI S. ABDULLAHI J. ARIBO FORWARDS A. MUSA M. SIMON A. IWOBI S. KALU V. OSIMHEN K. IHEANACHO S. CHUKWUEZE S. UMAR STAND-BY AKPEYI. MACHU. MOFFI. ONYEKURU. OLISE. OLAYINKA. ADELE

Henderson Outstanding performance with effective communication. Commanded his area very well. 7.5 Aaron Wan-Bissaka Watertight up against Raheem Sterling and was rarely caught out. Wasteful in the final third. 6.8 Victor Lindelof Defended well. 6 Harry Maguire: He dominated the majority of his duels with Sergio Aguero absent. 7 Luke Shaw: Outstanding performance with a superb goal 8.5 Scott McTominay Disciplined in shielding the back four and not shy in directing the attackers whenever United pressed. 6 Fred Reiterated why he is undroppable in the United midfield. His passes were probing and Fred gave United balance. 7 Bruno Fernandes Pressed…

French striker, Oliver Giroud gave Chelsea an outstanding victory against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 first leg in Bucharest. Giroud's superb moment of improvisation not only delivered the win and a vital away goal but also continued new manager Thomas Tuchel's unbeaten start at Chelsea and put them in pole position to reach the quarter-finals. In a tie played in Romania instead of Spain because of Covid-19 restrictions, Giroud demonstrated athleticism and technique to send an acrobatic effort beyond Atletico keeper Jan Oblak in the 68th minute. The goal was originally ruled out for offside before a…

Brighton moved 10 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone by stunning Liverpool, whose recent struggles at Anfield continued. Steven Alzate got a fortuitous but deserved winner for the Seagulls, who are now unbeaten in four league matches. The Reds, who are seven points behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more, have not won at home since 16 December and have failed to score in three consecutive games at Anfield for the first time since October, 1984. After going 68 games without a league defeat at their home ground, Jurgen Klopp's side have now also lost back-to-back…

Jesse Lingard scored twice on his West Ham debut as the Hammers cruised past Aston Villa in the Premier League to strengthen their top-six hopes. Manchester United loanee Lingard - making his first Premier League start in 13 months - netted West Ham's second with a thunderous effort after 56 minutes. And the 28-year-old doubled his tally in the closing stages after Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez failed to hold on to his strike. Midfielder Tomas Soucek had put the visitors in front at Villa Park, finishing off Said Benrahma's pass in the 51st minute. Ollie Watkins gave Villa a glimmer…

1. The decision to start Alonso paid off. He was the focal point of our attack. What a goal from him. 2. CHO was terrific today. He could have easily had a hat trick of assists had our players finished his crosses. 3. Jorginho and Kovaciç were outstanding their role. Quick movements and distribution of the ball. Mount too. 4. The defence was solid too. Thiago Silva was a monster alongside Rudiger that Burnley had no attempt at goal for the entire game. 5. Chelsea is still building the team under Tuchel but he seems to have a defined plan…

Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel started life at Chelsea with a 0-0 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Wednesday night. The replacement for Frank Lampard made a handful of changes for his first game in charge, including a tactical switch to a three-man defence, and they dominated the opening exchanges without creating too many chances on goal. Leander Dendoncker headed Wolves’ only effort of the half over the bar shortly before the break. Edouard Mendy - 6. Had a watching brief for 70 minutes, then had to watch the ball bounce off his bar. Cesar Azpilicueta - 6.…

Following the announcement of Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea’s new manager after the sacking of club legend and all time highest goal scorer, Frank Lampard, with the club's hierarchy hoping the German is the man to unlock the potential of their most gifted talents. Thomas Tuchel is one of the most complex personalities in European football management. The 47-year-old is known as a political power player and control freak, but also as a tactical visionary and methodical thinker. He was dismissed by Paris St-Germain in late December after months full of fights between him and sporting director Leonardo. While some in…