Sports

English Premier League side Watford have sacked boss Claudio Ranieri after 14 games and less than four months in charge. The Italian, 70, was appointed on 4 October but managed only seven points from 13 Premier League games. Last Friday's 3-0 home defeat to Norwich saw Watford drop into the bottom three with 18 matches left and prompted Ranieri's departure. A club statement said a change was needed to give a new appointment time to lift Watford out of trouble. "The Hornets' board recognises Claudio as a man of great integrity and honour, who will always be respected here at…

Augustine Eguavoen has stepped down as the interim coach of the Nigeria national team. This follows the Super Eagles’ 1-0 defeat to Tunisia in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 clash on Sunday. Eguavoen had led the three-time champions to three straight wins against Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau. However, they fell short against a Covid-stricken Tunisian team in the knockout stages. “What happens next is that I’m the interim coach and Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). “I will go back to my position and allow the NFF (to) make a decision on the way…

Nigeria have crashed out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a 0-1 loss to the North African side, Tunisia. A goalkeeping error from Maduka Okoye gave the Carthage Eagles the goal just two minutes into the second half. More to follow…

Augustine Eguavoen has made eight changes for the much-anticipated round of 16 clash against Tunisia in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Super Eagles must win to qualify to the next stage after picking up nine points in the group stage. Sadiq Umar, who scored against Guinea-Bissau, gives way for Taiwo Awoniyi in the starting XI. Zaidu Sanusi comes in for Jamilu Collins in defence while Kenneth Omeruo replaces West Bromwich Albion’s Semi Ajayi. Torino’s wing-back Ola Aina takes the place of Tyrone Ebuehi. Maduka Okoye will start between the sticks, despite the impressive performance of Francis Uzoho in…

President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday morning gave a pep talk to the Super Eagles, ahead of their second round match against Tunisia tonight in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. Speaking via video conference from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President spoke with Coach Augustine Eguavoen, , Captain Ahmed Musa , Amaju Pinnick, President of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), and Nigerian Ambassador to Cameroon, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin (retd). Mentioning two of the players, Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon, by name, President Buhari urged the Super Eagles to continue making Nigerians happy, not only by winning the second round match,…

Super Eagles interim head coach Austine Eguavoen has blamed Umar Sadiq for not carrying out his instruction in Saturday’s 3-1 win against Sudan. Sadiq took the place of Taiwo Awoniyi eight minutes from time and didn’t too much to justify his introduction. The Almeria forward also failed to make much impact following his introduction in Nigeria’s first game against the Pharaohs of Egypt. Eguavoen defended the striker after the game against the seven-time champions, but this time around aimed dig at 24-year-old for his poor performance. “Our substitution has been spot on, you can see Taiwo Awoniyi as the lone…

Group D of the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations kicked off with a fierce battle as Nigeria’s Super Eagles lock horns with Egypt on Tuesday in Garoua. Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal put Nigeria ahead in the 30th minute of the game, with a shot into the top-left corner of the goalpost. Leicester City’s attacker scored the brilliant through an assist from Taiwo Awoniyi. Super Eagles dominated the first quarter of the game, pinning down Egypt’s main man, Mohamed Salah. Ahmed Hegazy of Egypt took the first free-kick in the first minute of the game. In the 25th minute, minutes Moses Simon…

Taiwo Awoniyi will lead Super Eagles’ attack against Egypt in today’s group D clash against Egypt at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Awoniyi will be supported by the duo of Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze. Maduka Okoye will be in goal, while Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi will occupy the right and left-back positions. Watford’s Wiliam Troost-Ekong will pair Kenneth Omeruo in central defence. Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo and Kelechi Iheanacho will operate in midfield. Super Eagles Line-up Okoye Aina Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Sanusi Ndidi, Aribo Iheanacho Chukwueze, Awoniyi, Simon

2021 AFCON: Super Eagles Reveal Squad Numbers The Super Eagles of Nigeria have revealed their new squad numbers ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye would adorn the number one jersey, while Francis Uzoho has 23 leaving Daniel Akpeyi with 16 jersey. The third goalkeeper John Noble has 27. Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo retains his number 10, Odion Ighalo will wear number 9, while Chidera Ejuke will wear number 13. In the absence of injured duo; Leon Balogun and Oghenekaro Etebo, Semi Ajayi and Frank Onyeka will wear number 6 and 8 jerseys respectively.…

Amidst fun and fanfare, the 1st edition of Uwaoma Abia Unity Cup final match is currently ongoing at Uma Ukpai Primary School field between Ama Ogbu and Imagba compunds of Asaga Ohafia. The football competition is sponsored by legal luminary, Mr. Etigwe Uwa SAN. The football match started with a kickoff by the Ezema Atita of Asaga Ohafia, HRH Eze Sunny Ukweni.   Photos below: