SPORTS

Napoli’s Hamsik still has eyes on Serie A title

Published

6 years ago

March 16, 2018

Napoli skipper Marek Hamsik insists his side are still in the Serie A title race as they battle to avoid falling seven points behind Juventus before the international break.

“Napoli aren’t giving up anything,” said Hamsik, after six-time defending champions Juventus pulled four points clear in midweek.

“Anything can definitely happen. The league still gives us opportunities, there are so many points and so many games.”

Massimiliano Allegri’s Old Lady can extend that advantage on Saturday when they visit struggling SPAL.
With 10 games to play this season, Napoli desperately need to return to winning ways at home against Genoa on Sunday.

Juventus’ victory against Atalanta was their 12th consecutive league win, and they have become accustomed to turning the championship into a one-horse race with the arrival of spring.

“I see a team that is growing,” said coach Allegri whose side are targeting a historic treble of Serie A, Italian Cup and Champions League titles.

The first big move has been made and Juve have not conceded a goal in the league since December 30 against Verona.

“The victory against Atalanta was very important to give a good blow to the championship, even if there are still many games left,” said defender Mattia De Sciglio, adding that Paulo Dybala’s last-gasp winner against Lazio in the Stadio Olimpico earlier this month had proved a turning point.

“From a psychological point of view it gave us an extra push to believe even more in this Scudetto.”

Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli are in a mini-crisis having fallen to a 4-2 home defeat by Roma, followed by a goalless draw against Inter Milan at the San Siro last weekend.

“We have to believe to the end, there’s still the head-to-head game (against Juventus on April 22) and Juventus have two tough away games in the run-in,” said Hamsik.

Romans conquer Europe

Roma will be looking to consolidate third position as they travel to Crotone after booking their ticket to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in a decade.

But sporting director Monchi warned his side from getting carried away.

“We must find the right balance,” said the Spaniard.

“We cannot stop at the beautiful and important victory over Shakhtar. Every time we start to win then the first defeat becomes a disaster.”

Read More: Sandro lifts Juventus top of Serie A before Napoli play

Also riding high in Europe, fourth-placed Lazio host midtable Bologna, trying to hold off Inter Milan, just a point behind in fifth.

Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio reached the Europa League quarter-finals thanks to a 2-0 second-leg win at Dynamo Kiev.

But AC Milan — six points off the Champions League places in sixth — are licking their wounds after being dumped out by Arsenal.

Next up for Gennaro Gattuso’s side, who are unbeaten in their last nine Serie A games, are lowly Chievo.

“This is a young side. These two games against a very strong Arsenal side showed we could cause them problems,” said Gattuso.

Fiorentina — rebuilding after the sudden death of captain Davide Astori — travel north to Torino.
Guardian

SPORTS

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

Published

3 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.