Connect with us

Published

on

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.

0Shares
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Entertainment

Adesanya Opens Up On His UFC Loss, Says Pereira’s ‘Juju’ Is Real

Published

on

UFC

Adesanya Opens Up On His UFC Loss, Says Pereira’s ‘Juju’ Is Real—-Nigerian-born UFC star Israel Adesanya has suggested that his rival Alex Pereira’s spiritual influence, or “juju,” is a legitimate factor in their fights.

During a recent appearance on the “JRE MMA Show” hosted by Joe Rogan, the former middleweight champion backed claims made by ex-light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka about Pereira’s connection to shamanic practices.

“You know what Jiri said about the whole juju thing? That’s real. That’s real,” Adesanya affirmed, referencing Prochazka’s previous statements accusing Pereira of using spiritual forces in his fighting.

Adesanya highlighted the eerie similarities between his UFC losses to Pereira and their previous matchups in Glory kickboxing, suggesting a pattern linked to these spiritual forces.

“When I fought him in Miami, the guy beat me in the biggest arena, Madison Square Garden, just like he did the last time in Brazil,” Adesanya recounted.

Reflecting on the moments leading up to his losses, Adesanya noted how he often seemed to be in control before Pereira staged a late comeback. “I was beating him, had him hurt at the end of the first round… and then he gets me in the last round,” Adesanya explained.

He attributed these turnarounds to more than just physical ability, suggesting a deeper spiritual element. “It’s his spirit, his ancestors, or his people praying for him… There’s something about him—he knows how to recover well,” Adesanya added.

While acknowledging his own spiritual practices, such as relying on his parents’ prayers and fasting, Adesanya hinted that Pereira’s spiritual backing may give him an advantage.

For his part, Pereira has shrugged off the supernatural claims, asserting that belief in spirits is personal and that everyone possesses them. He expressed contentment with how his spiritual connections have supported his career.

With this latest development, the fierce rivalry between Adesanya and Pereira has taken on a mystical dimension, raising the question of whose spiritual strength will ultimately prevail in their future battles.

0Shares
Continue Reading

Sports

BREAKING: Bruno Fernandes Sent Off As Manchester United Held Porto In a 6-Goal Thriller

Published

on

Manchester United

BREAKING: Bruno Fernandes Sent Off As Manchester United Held Porto In a 6-Goal Thriller—-Bruno Fernandes the talking point again in the UEFA Europa League as he’s sent off for Manchester United after been previously sent off in the Premier League last weekend against Tottenham where they were thrashed at Old Trafford by the London Club.

Bruno had his red card appealed and is available to feature for Man United next games but again received another red card for a brutal high foot foul against Porto defender as he was booked for second time in the game to get sent off.

Manchester United were 2 goals up early this night through Marcus Rashford 7th minute opener and Ramus Hojlund scores his first goal of the season after returning from injury but Porto fights back to earn a first half draw and goes ahead in the 50th minute through Samu Omorodion.

Harry Maguire rescued a dramatic draw for 10-man Manchester United after they had surrendered a two-goal lead – and had Bruno Fernandes sent off – at Porto in the Europa League.

The injury-time effort could prove priceless for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag, whose side were moments away from their fourth loss in 10 games to start the season.

Instead, substitute Maguire rose highest to meet Christian Eriksen’s corner and headed superbly into the bottom corner in the first of five added minutes.

It was a thrilling conclusion to a chaotic encounter at Estadio do Dragao.

Porto could have added to their lead with the away side, even down to 10 men, forced to throw players forward, but failed to make them count and were punished by Maguire’s late header.

Despite salvaging something from the game, United have won only three of their first 10 matches of the season and, for the fourth European away game in a row, they failed to win despite having scored three goals.

 

0Shares
Continue Reading

Trending

0Shares