SPORTS

Juventus face AC Milan for fourth Italian Cup title in row

Published

7 years ago

March 1, 2018

Holders Juventus booked their ticket to the Italian Cup final for the fourth year in a row to set up a meeting with AC Milan after a 1-0 win over Atalanta in a semi-final second leg tie played in the snow in Turin on Wednesday.The first leg ended 1-0 in Bergamo thanks to an early Gonzalo Higuain goal, and Juventus also won the second when Miralem Pjanic slotted in a 75th-minute penalty awarded after Blaise Matuidi was fouled in the box.

The three-time holders will play AC Milan who battled past Lazio 5-4 on penalties in the Stadio Olympico after their semi-final remained goalless after extra time.

Nikola Kalinic almost scored the winner after 117 minutes but sent the ball over the bar when alone in front of goal, sending the game to penalties.

AC Milan could thank the saves of teenage goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for a spot in the final in Rome on May 9 with centre-back Alessio Romagnoli scoring the winning penalty.

“It was a night of suffering. This is a very young team, we must get them back to being the team that made the fans dream,” said Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso.

The win extends Gattuso’s unbeaten streak with AC Milan to 13 games, with six straight wins.

But the former AC Milan midfielder insisted there was too much talk about him and how he has turned around the team.

“I’m not a tactical guru. I’m just a lucky guy.”

Five-time winners Milan last won the Cup in 2003, with their last final in 2016.

Earlier Juventus took on Atalanta, whose Serie A game Sunday was snowed off, with light snowfall still in the Allianz Stadium.

“Compliments to the lads for what they did tonight and are doing this season,” said coach Massimiliano Allegri.

‘Not an obsession’
It will be a record 18th final for Juventus with Allegri’s side bidding for a 13th Cup in total.

“We will play in a historical stadium, but it must not become an obsession,” continued the Juventus coach of their bid for a record fourth Cup crown.

“In the first half we had difficulty closing them down, after the break Douglas Costa started playing in a centre-forward role and that broke the game open.”

Higuain missed out as he recovers from a sprained ankle.

Atalanta had come out firing with Alejandro Gomez sending over the bar with Gianluigi Buffon tested as he latched on to Josip Ilicic’s deflected cross pushing over the top.

Gomez thought he had scored the equaliser for Atalanta after the break with Buffon off the line, lobbing the Juventus captain, only for the ball to bounce off the outside off the post.

The breakthrough came when Juventus were awarded a penalty when Matuidi went down under pressure from defender Gianluca Mancini, with Pjanic slotting in to the fury of Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

“That penalty was non-existent,” blasted Gasperini as his side missed out on their bid for just a second Cup title after 1963.

AC Milan and Lazio battled for 220 minutes in total between the San Siro and the Stadio Olympico in a tie between two ambitious sides who have rediscovered their form in Serie A and the Europa League.

Lazio threatened early with AC Milan staying in the game thanks to Donnarumma who tipped over a Ciro Immobile shot within the first five minutes and then denied Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with his legs.

Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha also did well to clear off Suso after a quarter-of-an hour, but almost created an own goal by badly clearing Hakan Calhanoglu freekick.

Both sides had their chances in the second half with Milinkovic-Savic again missing in the final minute.

After their gruelling match both sides face tough weekends in Serie A with Lazio hosting Juventus and AC Milan a derby against city rivals Inter Milan.

SPORTS

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Date, Time & Where To Watch Nigeria Vs Germany Match

Published

4 days ago

September 4, 2024

Adaeze Okechi

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup: Nigeria vs Germany | fab.ng

Nigeria’s Falconets have secured a crucial win in their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign, defeating Korea Republic 1-0 in their group opener. The match played in Bogota, saw a thrilling late goal from Flourish Sabastine that sealed the victory for the Nigerian team.

This victory has placed the Falconets in a strong position to advance to the Round of 16. As they continue their journey in the tournament, all eyes are now on their upcoming match against tournament favourites Germany. Stay tuned to find out when this exciting clash will take place.

Falconets Edge Out Korea Republic

In a fiercely contested match between two familiar rivals, Nigeria’s Falconets emerged victorious over Korea Republic. Despite limited scoring opportunities, the Nigerian team managed to capitalize on their chances, especially in the second half.

The Koreans, who had suffered a narrow defeat to Nigeria in the previous U-20 Women’s World Cup, nearly took an early lead in the 28th minute. However, a crucial save by Shukurat Oladipo prevented the goal. Nigerian goalkeeper Shukurat Bakare also faced a challenge, failing to save a pull-out attempt from the Koreans.

In the second half, both Amina Bello and Sabastine had their shots blocked by the Korean defence. The decisive moment came when substitute Sabastine managed to find the back of the net with a well-placed shot.

The Falconets will now face a tough test against the three-time champion German team in their next match. Experts expect the Germans to be strong favourites in the upcoming encounter, as they have already defeated Venezuela.

Nigeria vs Germany: Time and where to watch Falconets 2nd FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup game - Pulse Sports Nigeria

Germany Dominates Venezuela in World Cup Opener

Germany made a powerful statement in their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign, crushing Venezuela 5-2. The decisive victory puts them in a strong position to secure their fourth title.

The officials awarded Zdebel the Player of the Match title over Bender. Zdebel provided a crucial assist during the game. Bender scored two goals, delivering an impressive performance. However, the judges considered Zdebel’s impact on the game more significant than Bender’s goal-scoring feat.

Meanwhile, Falconets Head Coach Chris Danjuma emphasized that his team’s focus is on their own performance, rather than dwelling on the strength of their upcoming opponent, Germany. He stressed the importance of getting their tactics right against the Korean Republic in their opening match.

Analysts have well-documented Germany’s dominance in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. They have only suffered two losses in their last 20 group matches, sending a clear warning to their other group opponents.

Falconets’ Journey to FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

The Falconets secured their place in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup by successfully navigating their qualifying campaign. They defeated both Tanzania and Burundi on aggregate, securing one of Africa’s coveted tickets to the championship.

Despite their dominance in qualifying, the Falconets faced a setback at the African Games. They settled for a silver medal after failing to defend their gold. However, they displayed promising form in their first friendly against Australia, before facing a loss against Mexico.

Nigeria’s History at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

The Falconets made their debut in the competition in 2002 when it was known as the U19 Championship. Since then, they have consistently participated in the tournament, representing Nigeria on the global stage.

The Falconets have competed in various countries, including Thailand, Russia, Chile, Germany, Japan, Canada, Papua New Guinea, France, and Costa Rica. This year, the competition features 24 teams for the first time, making it more competitive than ever.

The Falconets understand the challenges ahead and know that they must start strong in Bogota to have a realistic chance of advancing to the Round of 16.

Falconets’ Group Stage Opponents

The Falconets have been placed in a challenging group for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. They will face Korea Republic, Germany, and Venezuela in their group-stage matches.

Nigeria’s second group game will be against Germany, taking place three days after their opening match against Korea Republic. The match will be held at the 10,000-seat Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota.

The Falconets will conclude their group stage campaign against Venezuela on September 7th. This match will be played at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali.

Nigeria vs Germany

Date and Time: The Falconets of Nigeria will face Germany in a highly anticipated match. The teams will play on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024. The 10,000-seat Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota will host the game.

Where to Watch: Football enthusiasts can catch the live action on SuperSport and FIFA+. The match is scheduled to kick off at 11:00 PM Nigerian time.

For more sports updates, check here.

OPINION

Check Out These 10 African Footballers Who Own Jets

Published

1 week ago

August 30, 2024

Adaeze Okechi

African Footballers That Own Jets | fab.ng

African footballers have reached remarkable heights in their careers, which have enabled them to lead luxurious lives, including the ownership of private jets. Let’s take a look at some of them below.

1. Samuel Eto’o

Samuel Eto’o, the retired Cameroonian striker, is renowned for his stellar career at Barcelona and Inter Milan. He has consistently been one of the highest-paid African footballers.

His financial success is evident in his ownership of a private jet. Eto’o’s jet, a Bombardier Challenger 604, is valued between $6 million and $7 million, as reported by Liberty Jets.

2. Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba, the iconic Ivorian forward celebrated for his time at Chelsea, stands as one of the most influential and wealthy African footballers. His successful career has afforded him the luxury of a private jet.

Drogba’s jet, a custom $76 million Versace model with an exotic interior, was purchased to commemorate his 45th birthday. This acquisition highlights his status as one of the richest African footballers.

3. Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian forward playing for Liverpool, is among the highest-paid African footballers. His contributions to Liverpool’s success have granted him the means to own a private jet.

Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has amassed a market value of around €55 million and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2019.

4. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Gabonese striker known for his time at Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, and now Marseille, is another African footballer who owns a private jet.

He often showcases his jet on social media, reflecting his luxurious lifestyle. His consistent performances on the field have earned him this luxury, underscoring his personal and professional achievements.

5. Emmanuel Adebayor

Emmanuel Adebayor, the former Togolese footballer with a career spanning Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Manchester City, is well-known for his opulent lifestyle, which includes a private jet.

His wealth extends to multiple homes in different countries and an impressive collection of vehicles, further illustrating his successful career and love for luxury.

6. Sulley Muntari

Sulley Muntari, the former Ghanaian midfielder who played for clubs like Milan and Portsmouth, also boasts ownership of a private jet. His career earnings, accumulated over years of playing for various clubs, including Hearts of Oak in Ghana, have allowed him to enjoy such luxuries.

7. Asamoah Gyan

Asamoah Gyan, Ghana’s all-time leading goalscorer and former national team captain, is famous for his extravagant lifestyle. His success on the field has enabled him to purchase a private jet, adding to the many symbols of his wealth.

8. Alex Iwobi

Improved text:

Alex Iwobi, the Nigerian footballer currently playing for Fulham, has amassed significant wealth throughout his career, demonstrated by his ownership of a private jet. With a market value of approximately €25 million, Iwobi’s success is evident in his luxurious lifestyle.

9. Wilfried Zaha

Wilfried Zaha, known for his skilful play, recently moved from Crystal Palace to Galatasaray in Turkey. Zaha is reported to own a private jet, which highlights the financial success he achieved during his Premier League career.

10. Gervinho

Gervinho, the former Ivory Coast international who played for clubs such as Arsenal, is one of the African footballers who own private jets. This luxurious jet adds to his already impressive collection of cars, reinforcing his reputation for living a life of luxury.

Get more updates here.

SPORTS

Vitor Roque Left Barcelona In Tears After Being Sacrificed To Aid Struggling Finances

Published

2 weeks ago

August 28, 2024

Reporter

Vitor Roque left Barcelona in tears | fab.ng

His departure from Barcelona has been marked by visible emotion from Vitor Roque. The 19-year-old striker left the club’s training facilities in tears after officials confirmed his transfer.

Barcelona has loaned Vitor Roque to Real Betis for one year. However, all indications suggest that this move contradicted the Brazilian youngster’s wishes. The transfer appears to have deeply affected Roque, highlighting the challenging nature of his situation at Barcelona.

Vitor Roque’s tenure at Barcelona has been fraught with difficulties. The young striker joined the Catalan club in January, carrying high expectations on his shoulders. Unfortunately, his time at Barcelona has not met these lofty hopes. Instead, Roque’s stint with the team has devolved into what many consider a disastrous experience, falling far short of both the club’s and the player’s initial aspirations.

Vitor Roque struggled to establish himself under former manager Xavi Hernandez.

He found himself relegated to the fringes of the squad, unable to secure regular playing time. The arrival of Hansi Flick as the new manager failed to improve Roque’s situation. Instead, the club sidelined him early in the season, offering him few opportunities to show his talents.

The final days of Roque’s Barcelona tenure proved emotionally charged. During his last training session with the team, the young Brazilian reportedly broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the situation. His teammates and manager Hansi Flick stepped in to console the distraught player before he retreated to the changing rooms.

Vitor Roque broke down in tears during his final training session. Everything he had been going through was building up, and he just couldn’t hold it in any longer. @Mariio_RB

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 27, 2024

Roque’s departure from Barcelona clearly caused him obvious emotional pain. His visible distress also affected those at the club who had hoped to see him succeed. The scene at his final training session underscored the difficult nature of his exit and the unfulfilled potential of his time with the Catalan giants.