Sports
AFCON 2023 qualifiers: Expectations high as Super Eagles face Sierra Leone
By Wednesday, the Super Eagles camp had a full house. All the invited players for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone have arrived and are in training.
This means Napoli’s Victor Osimhen who pulled the Serie A side to their first Scudetto in 33 years is set to go. Just like Taiwo Awoniyi, who single-handedly saved Nottingham Forest from relegation from the Premier League.
They will be expected to score the goals that will down the Leone Stars.
“I think Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi and Taiwo Awoniyi will definitely shine.
“Divine Nwachukwu, as well. He will surprise people if he gets enough playing time. I am sure of it,” Clinton McDubus, a top football analyst and podcaster tells DAILY POST.
For Nigeria, there is all to play for.
Guinea Bissau have gone top of Group A following their 1-0 victory over Sao Tome & Principe.
The win takes them up to 10 points after five games with a one-point lead over Jose Peseiro’s men.
They will confirm a place in their fourth successive AFCON if Sierra Leone fails to beat Nigeria in the other group game on Sunday.
This presents a challenge for Nigerian players, who have been accused in the past of not performing to their optimum best in the green-white-green.
In McDubus’ opinion, it is not that straightforward.
“Many things make it harder to perform in national team football- less time training together to build on-pitch chemistry compared to club football, more rigid systems due to the demands of knockout/tournament football, players having to adapt quickly to unfamiliar systems and teammates, amongst other things,” he explains.
“In Nigeria’s case, there is also the lack of a defined playing philosophy, which often leads to too much tinkering.
“On the part of the players, the only real motivation to give your all for the Nigerian national team is passion for the country.
“This is not often as rewarding for players’ careers as performances for their clubs, where they get paid well and where injuries are handled more professionally. Going the extra mile for the national side has its risks, and players may choose to give only bare minimum and avoid these risks,” he added.
However, he does expect that with most leagues around Europe on break, it might be time to see the best from Peseiro’s squad.
“With the European season over, the players will want to sign out on a high, without those considerations holding them back.
“We should definitely see them at their best and most devastating,” McDubus adds.
Mikel Merino led Arsenal to a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
Merino’s first-half header settled the London derby at the Emirates Stadium and saw second-placed Arsenal move within 12 points of leader Liverpool.
Arsenal’s title hopes have faded in recent weeks, but it closed the gap on Liverpool, which was playing Newcastle in the English League Cup final later in the day.
Merino rose in the 20th minute to flick Martin Odegaard’s near post corner beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. It was enough to secure a first league win for Mikel Arteta’s team since February 15.
Defeat for fourth-placed Chelsea means it missed the chance to extend its one-point lead over Manchester City in fifth and boost its chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
Arsenal, on 58 points, is 10 clear of four time defending champion City.
Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen netted a hat-trick as Galatasaray secured a decisive 4-0 win against Antalyaspor on Friday night.
Álvaro Morata added a goal from the penalty spot to complete the dominant victory.
Osimhen opened the scoring at Rams Park, converting an assist from Morata in the 30th minute.
Morata doubled the lead with a penalty in the 45th minute and three minutes into the injury time of the first half, Osimhen struck again, assisted by B. Yılmaz.
The Nigerian striker completed his hat-trick, with Y. Akgün providing the assist in the 52nd minute.
This hat trick elevates Osimhen’s season tally to 20 league goals in 22 appearances, making him the top scorer in the Turkish Süper Lig.
Since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli after the fourth game of the season, Osimhen has amassed 26 goals and 5 assists across all competitions in 30 appearances.
Galatasaray’s dominant display reinforces their position at the summit of the Süper Lig.
Prior to this match, they led the standings with 68 points from 26 matches, maintaining an unbeaten record with 21 wins and 5 draws.
Their closest rivals, Fenerbahçe, have accumulated 61 points from 25 matches.
With this victory, Galatasaray extends their lead to 71 points, bolstering their pursuit of the league title.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has provided the latest update on Bukayo Saka ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Chelsea this weekend.
Saka has been sidelined for over two months due to a hamstring injury.
The England winger has missed several matches for Arteta’s side, including their draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Speaking in his pre-match interview ahead of Sunday’s clash, Arteta said Saka is getting closer to returning to action for the Gunners.
“He [Saka] is getting closer,” Arteta said.
“He’s stepping up and making very good progress. Let’s see when we decide to throw him in, how he reacts, and how quickly he can regain full fitness.”
Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League table, behind leaders Liverpool.
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