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Super Eagles Physically And Mentally Fit For Cameroon Clash, Raji assures—-Babafemi Raji, the Super Eagles’ Media Officer, on Friday in Abidjan, said the players were all fit and battle ready ahead of their Round of 16 clash against the Cameroon.

The Super Eagles take on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a crucial Round of 16 clash of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan on Saturday.

All 25 players participated in the Super Eagles training held at the Police Nationale Ecole de Police D’ Abidjan on Friday.

The players took part in the session which was mostly light workouts.

The first 30 minutes of the session was open to journalists and the public.

Raji who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the training noted that there were no injury concerns as all players were ready and available for selection.

“No injury concerns, the players are pumped up and all members of the squad are available for selection and in good spirit.

“Tactically, the coaches have been working all day and night to ensure they get the right strategy for the match tomorrow.

“What Nigerians should expect is an outright win. We don’t want to go the extra mile by getting to extra-time.

“We just want to do justice within 90 minutes.

“We call on Nigerians to support us and pray for us,” he said.

On the call for forwards Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze to be more clinical in front of goal, Raji said it was the responsibility of the team as a whole and not just a particular individual or department.

“Football is a team sport. We don’t look at departments or individuals in football. It is a team sport.

“We win, lose or draw together. This time tomorrow we will win together,” he said.

On the possible inclusion of Kelechi Iheanacho in the matchday squad against Cameroon, Raji noted that the decision was that of Coach Jose Peseiro.

“We’ve talked about it. It’s the coach’s beat.

“When the coach deems it fit he (Iheanacho) will come in. He is fit and good to go. When he (the coach) is ready, he will tell him it’s time,” he said.

On the performance of Super Eagles’ current number one goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, he noted that the goalkeeper was in the form of his life, adding, however, that he usually drew his strength from the support of the team.

“Nwabili is having a good time, same with the other goalkeepers in the squad.

“In every department, there is competition, which is very great.

“Asides Nwabali, every other goalkeeper in this tournament is good to go; Francis Uzoho is in top form, same with Olorunleke Ojo.

“So, like I keep saying, football is a team sport, it is a team event. We don’t look at individuals.

“The moral support he gets also comes from his teammates; the likes of Uzoho and Ojo,” he said.

The training which began at about 4.30 p.m. ended at 6.30 p.m.

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JUST IN: Crystal Palace Relegated to Conference League Amid Ownership Controversy

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Crystal Palace Relegated to Conference League

JUST IN: Crystal Palace Relegated to Conference League Amid Ownership Controversy—-Crystal Palace have been demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League next season by the UEFA governing body due to multi-club rules.

The governing body’s decision stems from Palace breaching its multi-club ownership rules and Uefa said the Eagles could appeal its ruling with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, could replace FA Cup winners Palace in the Europa League.

Eagle Football Holdings – owned by American businessman John Textor – holds stakes in Palace and Lyon, with Uefa rules stating that clubs owned, to a certain threshold of influence, by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European competition.

Uefa’s rules set a deadline of 1 March 2025 to show proof of multi-club ownership restructuring – a deadline which Palace missed.

Palace argued Textor does not hold any decisive influence at the club, but Uefa have not accepted the Premier League side’s defence.

Lyon, who also qualified for next season’s Europa League, take precedence over Palace because of their higher league position.

The seven-time French champions finished sixth in Ligue 1, with Palace 12th in the Premier League but qualifying for European competition by winning the FA Cup.

Earlier this week Lyon won their appeal against relegation from Ligue 1 after they were demoted for financial reasons, which affected Palace’s chances of playing in the Europa League.

Had Lyon’s relegation been upheld, they had agreed with Uefa to be excluded from the Europa League, clearing the way for Palace to play in the competition.

English football has two allocated Europa League spots, with Aston Villa securing the other after finishing sixth in the Premier League.

Forest replace Palace in the Europa League after finishing seventh, with their Conference League spot going to the Eagles instead.

More to follow.

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Chelsea Permit Noni Madueke To Undergo Medical Ahead Of Arsenal Move

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Chelsea Permit Noni Madueke To Undergo Medical

Chelsea Permit Noni Madueke To Undergo MedicalAhead Of ArsenalMove—-Chelsea have reported given Noni Madueke permission to undergo a medical with Arsenal in London ahead of his £52m proposed moved away from the club.

The England international, 23, will not train with Chelsea in the United States on Friday and instead travel back to the UK.

An agreement has been reached on a £52million ($70.38m) deal while personal terms were previously agreed on a five-year contract.

Madueke is set to become the second player to move from Chelsea to Arsenal this summer after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made the move across the capital for £5m. Raheem Sterling, Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Willian also all moved from Stamford Bridge to north London during manager Mikel Arteta’s tenure.

After joining Chelsea from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in 2023 in a deal worth €33m, Madueke made 92 appearances for the west London club, scoring 20 goals and providing nine assists. He appeared in five of Chelsea’s Club World Cup games in the U.S., where Enzo Maresca’s side have reached the tournament’s final.

Madueke began his career in the academies of Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur before moving to PSV as a 16-year-old in 2018. Initially appearing for the club’s reserve side, he made his senior debut in January 2020 and went on to become an established part of the team the following season. He made 80 appearances for the club, recording 20 goals and 13 assists.

The England international is Arsenal’s fourth signing of the summer after the arrivals of Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and Christian Norgaard from Brentford.

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