Former Nigerian and Flying Eagles Captain, Isaac Promise was pronounced dead by the management of Austin Bold, the club he was playing for before his Death.

The cause of the 31-year old’s death was however unrevealed remains a shocking one as the player was on the team’s bench for the team’s US championship victory last Saturday.

Isaac Promise started his national team career with the 2003 Golden Eaglets squad to the FIFA U17 World Cup in Finland but he became more prominent with the 2005 Flying Eagles set to the FIFA U20 World Cup in the Netherlands where he captained the side that had the likes of John Obi Mikel, Taye Taiwo, Ogbuke Obasi to the final of the competition where they finished second behind a Messi led Argentina.

Subsequently, while the trio had respectable career with the senior national team especially Mikel Obi, Isaac Promise failed to make more than three appearances for the Super Eagles.

However, he managed silver medals at the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2005 and the Beijing Olympics in 2008. His leadership skills on the field of play rather than his goal-scoring abilities were the major reasons why Nigerians looked forward to him playing in the super Eagles for long and maybe grow into a mature role of a striker and leader on the field of play but sadly this was never meant to be.



Meanwhile, he had more or less, a journeyman type of career playing majority of his club football in Turkey in the Turkish league from 2005 till 2017, he played for 7 Turkish clubs most notably in Genclerbirligi where had his highest Tally of 29 goals in 93 appearances in 3 years.

He also featured for the likes of Trabzonspor, Manisaspor, Antalyaspor, Balikesirspor, Karabukspor, Al Ahli, Georgia Revolution and Austin Bold.

His total tally of 80 goals in just over 340 appearances is a pointer to the fact that much more could have been achieved by the Zarian born player if things were done a bit differently.

Taye Taiwo, Mikel Obi, Obasi Ogbuke, Onyekachi Apam, Dele Adeleye, Sani Keita all had a reasonable time with the Super Eagles at one point or the other, Isaac on the other hand was like Olubayo Adefemi who died in Greece in 2011, left with many potentials unrealised and many Promises unfulfilled

May his soul rest in peace and may God grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Source: https://cheapgoals.com/isaac-the-promise-that-was-never-fulfilled/

Seeing goalkeeper score a goal for their teams are fairly uncommon in football, they spend most of the entire 90 minutes in their marked territory (18-yard box), a restricted area on the pitch which is meant for depending. They deal with the ball, so as to safeguard the opposition from scoring.

While at that, it is profoundly unusual for a goalkeeper to move beyond this area and join an attack, as this leaves the team defense vulnerable for counter-attacks and long-distance volleys until the goalkeeper comes back to defend.

Goalkeeper scoring a goal would be an incredible sight to behold and to be remembered when it does occur, their goals will tend to come with drama, gut-wrenching disbelieve and excitement, as the giant frames amble forward for the dying seconds in a last-ditch attempt to salvage a match either an equalizer or that most-win champions league away match.

Today, CheapGoals is taking a glance through the years for goalkeepers who have managed to give the footballing fans extraordinary goals, and sometimes exceptional skills beyond the sticks. Below are a list of top goalkeepers with the most goals in football history.

Dimitar Ivankov (42)



The Bulgarian international has that brilliant touch in regards to scoring goals, with 42 goals through the span of his career, just as in winning trophies. In 10 years at Levski Sofia, with whom he won eight noteworthy titles, he also won a Turkish Cup for Keyserispor in 2008, scoring two solid penalties in the deciding shoot-out, as well as the Super Lig.


Rene Higuita (41)



The Colombian shot-stopper is one of the most ‘colourful‘ characters ever to have manned the stick. He won 68 caps for Colombia, scoring eight goals.

He played at the World Cup in 1990 and gained recognition for his outfield tarrying prior to Roger Milla’s goal for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon which thumped the South Americans out of the competition. At club level he played most for Atletico Nacional, winning a Copa Libertadores in 1989.

Many consider Higuita to be something of a comic figure than a serious goalkeeper because of his disastrous d*cking around for Colombia at the 1990 World Cup. El Loco as he’s fondly called invented the silly “Scorpion Kick “at Wembley in a friendly match against England in 1995 from a misplaced Jamie Redknapp cross.

Jorge Campos (46)



He is affectionately remembered by football fans for his peculiar, self-designed clown bright kits, he began his career in 1988 at Pumas and could not dislodge their number one goalkeeper at that time, so requested to be played on the outfield position during his second season at Pumas and went on to score 14 league goals.

It has turned out to be trite to claim that goalkeepers are extremely bored players, but no player fulfilled that generalization better than Jorge Campos.

All through his time in the game, he regularly became bored manning the stick and was set in a striking role by his coach, to great impact, scoring multiple times in his playing days. In spite of being the only 1.68m, he won 130 caps for el Tri as a goalkeeper and played in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.

Nothing is impossible when you’re a flat out maverick.

José Luis Chilavert (67)



The Paraguayan international holds the record for the most international scored by a goalkeeper piling on an amazing 8 goals for Paraguay. The first goalkeeper ever to score a hattrick was tremendously fruitful all through his long and controversial career, procuring respect as a prestigious free-kick expert.

The 52-year-old, who captained his national side in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and 2002, conceded that football fans used to shout at him when he would come out with the ball. However, Chilavert says that he had faith in his abilities and even working on taking penalty and freekicks.

Chilavert scored 10 goals in 35 games for Velez during the 1997/98 season which for any position would be noteworthy and appreciated, he enjoyed nine productive seasons with Velez Sarsfield (Argentina) for whom he scored nearly 50 goals. He won four league titles, a Copa Libertadores as well as Intercontinental Cup against Milan in 1994.

Rodrigo Ceni (131)



The undisputed lord of the goalscoring goalkeepers, no goalkeeper has notched in more goals than this Lionel Messi of goalkeepers. The Brazil international has played more than 900 games for Brazilian outfit (Sao Paulo) and he holds the record for goals scored in the Copa Libertadores for his club.

He’s also the first goalkeeper to reach a 100 goal landmark. In 2006 in a league game against Cruzeiro he saved a penalty while 2-0 down, minutes after that he scored through a free-kick and later leveled the match with a penalty. In a long, distinguished career, Ceni has hoisted two Copa Libertadores titles, three Brazilian leagues and a World Club Championship against Liverpool in 2005.


Source:https://cheapgoals.com/top-10-goalkeepers-with-the-most-goal-in-football-history/

The 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will get underway in December as football is taken to another surface as players and countries aim for glory on the sand in Paraguay.



Super Sand Eagles of Nigeria and Senegal are the two teams who have the opportunity to represent the continent at the World Cup from November 21 and December 1, 2019.

The draws were held in Asuncion the capital of the host country and Nigeria who finished second in the CAF beach soccer Nations Cup earlier in the year was placed in Group D which has powerhouses Brazil, Portugal, and Oman.

Senegal who are current African Champions, on the other hand, were grouped in Group C with Belarus, United Arab Emirates and Russia

In this write up we take a look at the two African sides and their opponents.

NIGERIA

Nick: Super Sand Eagles
Beach AFCON Titles: 2X
World Cup App: 5
Best finish: QF 2006 & 2011
Coach: Audu Adamu



Super sands eagles are one of Africa’s powerhouses in beach soccer in Africa, the West Africans are two times beach AFCON winners first in 2007 and 2011 while managing two quarter-final finishes in the world cup first in 2006 and 2011.

They are also ranked twentieth (20) in the beach soccer world ranking, second behind highest ranked African team, Senegal.

It was against the Senegalese that the Nigerians failed to win their third Beach AFCON title in December 2018 after losing 6-1 to their opponents in the final in Egypt.

However, they will now face powerhouses Brazil and Portugal while Oman will be their third group stage opponents as they bid to better their last FIFA Beach soccer World Cup appearance in the Bahamas where they failed to scale past the group stage

BRAZIL

The Defending Champions from the Bahamas are also the tournament’s most successful team winning 5 out of the championships last 9 editions. Even before FIFA’s take over of beach soccer World Cup, the South American team won the Beach soccer world championship nine out of ten times.

They will be expected to at least get a podium finish this time on South American soil in Paraguay, Audu Adamu has his work cut out already.

PORTUGAL

The Europeans are the second team aside Brazil to have won the Beach World Cup before and after FIFA took over the handling of the competition, the side may not have been as successful as Brazil but they can boast of winning the 2015 edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Portugal are also the current Champions of the Euro Beach Soccer League and their history shows that they are a force to reckon with.

OMAN

The least prestigious of all the teams in the group, Oman has only played thrice at the FIFA Beach world cup and have never made it past the group stage of the competition.

Call them the whipping boys of the group and you may not be wrong.

SENEGAL

Nick:
Beach AFCON Titles: 5X
World Cup App: 7
Best finish: Quarter Final
Coach: Amadou Diop



Africa’s most successful beach soccer national team and reigning Beach AFCON winners will be participating in it’s seventh FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. However, despite the frequent qualification for the World Cup, the team has not progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the competition with their last participation coming in the Bahamas two years ago.

This year they will face a relatively easy group stage opponents in Group C which has the United Arab Emirates, former world champions Russia and Belarus

BELARUS

Well, the tournament’s newcomers have the opportunity of being unknown to serve upsets to any who may want to underrate them.

The Europeans will be playing in it’s first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and it is left to be seen what they have up their sleeves

RUSSIA

Russia won back to back FIFA Beach soccer world cup in 2011 in Ravenna, Italy and 2013 in Tahiti. The Europeans will be Senegal’s biggest threat going into the competition

UAE

Asia’s two-time champions will be playing in only their second FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup after featuring in 2013.

However, their Asian triumphs came in 2007 and 2008 and are not expected to be a big barrier to the Senegalese.


Full draws.

A–Paraguay, Japan, Switzerland, USA.
B–Uruguay, Mexico, Italy, Tahiti.
C–Belarus, UAE, Senegal, Russia.
D–Brazil, Oman, Nigeria, Portugal.

Competition holds between November 21 and December 1, 2019.


Source:https://cheapgoals.com/fifa-beach-world-cup-nigeria-senegal-represents-africas-in-paraguay/

Former Barcelona and Cameroon‘s striker, Samuel Eto’o Fils some week back called it time on his illustrious career which spanned over twenty years and various clubs scoring around 300 goals in just over 500 appearances

The Indomitable Lions all-time goalscorer made his national team debut at the age of 15 and during the span of his career, he finished winner of the African Cup of Nations twice, first in 2000 and two years later. In fact, he is the all-time highest goalscorer in the African Cup of Nations with 18goals.

He also won Africa player of the year, four times a feat no other African player has been able to repeat so far, his club career has even been more glamorous and trophy-laden, playing for a plethora of clubs which included Barcelona, Inter Milan, where he won his second successive treble just a season after leaving Barcelona.



With this number of achievements and many others, it wasn’t out of place when many started seeing him as Africa’s best football player of all time even according to some, better than George Weah who is still the only African football to be named the best player in the world.

However, as expected this is still being debated across the board on different bases and bias possible, for some it is about his style of play compared to others, while to some the comparison is linked to solely finding who should be referred as Africa’s best striker between he and Ivorian, Didier Drogba.

In this write-up, we try to identify the few frontmen from Africa who can be mentioned in the same line with the Cameroonian who came third in 2005 FIFA best player award. Here’s a quick look at the top African Greatest Strikers of all time:

George Weah
Nationality: Liberia



Certainly needs no introduction as the now 25th president of Liberia, was then a big superstar on the footballing scene, playing with some of Europe’s finest football club including PSG, Chelsea, Monaco, Marseille, and AC Milan amongst others.

In over 400 total club appearances he scored about 200 goals in his club career which he started at Bong Range Rovers, he also played at some African clubs including Tonnerre Yaounde in Cameroon where incidentally, Roger Milla had one of his finest stints too.

In 1995, he made waves after becoming the first African to win the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or, and since then the only African player to win these awards.

He also won the African Footballer of the year In 1989, he then followed with two more awards in 1994 and 1995, the latter which seemed the magic year for the Liberian winning UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: 1994–95, BBC African Footballer of the Year: 1995, Ballon d’Or: 1995, FIFA World Player of the Year: 1995 following it with the FIFA Fair Play Award in 1996, and silver award at the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1996.

Unfortunately, Liberia status as a football minnow deprived Weah of a chance to feature at the FIFA World Cup but he did enough to lead them to two Africa cup of Nations appearance in 1998 and 1992.


Roger Milla
Nationality: Cameroon



Eto’s fellow national, Roger Milla may have attained international stardom and recognition with his feat as the then oldest player to have played at the FIFA world cup in Italia 1990 after been persuaded by the country’s then-president to come out of retirement and represent the Indomitable Lions at the age of 38.

He heeded the call and as well featured and scored at the 1994 FIFA World cup at the age of 42 becoming the oldest goalscorer at the World Cup. His unique celebration at the 1990 World Cup may be what many remember Milla for but those who saw him play and his statistics speak volumes that he is more than just a late bloomer.

Milla scored 43 goals in 77 games for the Indomitable Lions, an average of 1 goal in every two games, a stat that Eto struggled to meet albeit slightly. In club football, Roger Milla plied his trade majorly in Cameroon and France with As Monaco, Valenciennes, Saint- Etienne amongst many others.

His awards include Cameroon Première Division: 1972 in and 1973, African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1975, Coupe de France in 1979-80 with Monaco and another Coupe de France triumph with Bastia in 1980–1981 and two Africa cup of Nations title in 1984 & 1988.

Individually, he was deemed African Footballer of the Year in 1976 and 1990, Africa Cup of Nations Best Player in 1986, African cup of Nations Top Scorer in 1986 and 1988, FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot in 1990 and FIFA World Cup All-Star Team in the same year.

Although, Eto may have been able to dwarf his achievements on the national and club scenes but Old Roger Milla was certainly Gold.


Didier Drogba
Nationality: CIV



Ivorian striker and Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba reigned during the same time with Samuel Eto, but his consistency and achievement at Chelsea rivaled the Cameroonian striker.

It is difficult to think of a legendary striker at the London club than the man who arrived in 2004 from Marseille and etched his name into the English Premier League history and indeed Chelsea’s, warming his way into the heart of the blue fans.

In 220 appearances, Drogba scored over 100 goals leading a new chapter in the clubs history, winning 4 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 3 league cup and the Uefa Champions League. He also won the League and League cup in Turkey with Galatasaray.

Despite being Ivory coast’s record goalscorer, Drogba could not win the AFCON with the Elephants, although he finished twice as runners up in 2012 and 2005, he also led the team to their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2006. He won two African player of the year awards and also was nominated for the 2009 FIFA best player award.

Abedi Pele
Nationality: Ghana



Father to current Black star captain, Andre Ayew and his sibling Jordan Ayew, Abedi Pele was a force for Ghana during his career, in fact up till the Marseille legend is still considered Ghana’s best player ever.

Furthermore, he was the first African player to be nominated for the FIFA best player award in 1992 and 1993, even before George Weah became the first African recipient.

Pele led Marseille to their first and only Uefa Champions League trophy and also had successful stints with Lyon and Lille, making over 450 appearances and scoring over 150 goals.

Although his records were surpassed by Asamoah Gyan as Ghana’s highest goalscorer, Pele is still a big part of Ghana’s footballing history with 73 appearances and 33 goals. He also has the highest number of African cup of Nations appearances with 8 tournament involvements and won 3 African players of the year award.

Nwankwo Kanu
Nationality: Nigeria



Just like Drogba, Kanu had an illustrious club career winning the EPL with Arsenal twice and also was part of the invincibles in 2003 and also won the Fa Cup there times, twice with the gunners and once with Portsmouth, he won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995 and the Dutch Eredivisie.

With Nigeria, he failed to win the AFCON, but he won the 1993 FIFA U17 World Cup, 1996 Olympics Gold medal where he played a big part and also featured at the world cup severally.

He won 2 African players of the year awards and is considered won of the best African exports despite suffering a heart problem at Inter.


We can’t finish this without giving honorary mentions to a few other African strikers who have make great exploits both on African soil and abroad: Emmanuel Adebayor, El Hadj Diouf, Tony Yeboah, Benni McCarthy, Emmanuel Amunike, Hossam Hassan, Rasheed Yekini, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Mahmoud El-Khatib and lastly Patrick Mboma.


Finally, the argument as who out of the six players talked about in this write up, is the best will always be argued, the argument does not look like one which will end anytime soon as the likes of Salah, Sadio Mane, and Aubameyang are making new exploits and breaking new grounds, but on the bright side, it’s a good statement to show that African football is not a dry land for talents.



However, if you have your preferred list, please don’t hesitate to drop them in the comment box.


Source: https://cheapgoals.com/6-of-the-best-african-strikers-of-all-time/

Surelypaws101:
This too https:///HBPETXcYj0S48peM3A4vnZ

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The All African Games female football event will see a lot of big games when it kicks off in August 16 as the continent’s biggest female footballing nation’s go head to head.

In Group A hosts, Morocco, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Mali will slug it out while Africa’s most successful team at tbe FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Nigeria were handed a tough Group B draw with Cameroon, South Africa and Zambia awaiting the Christopher Danjuma led side.

Just like the men’s tournament, all teams who participated in the African women’s Championship last year will play this tournament although this will serve as the qualifiers for the 2020 Olympic games women’s football event while the qualifier for the men’s football events at the Olympics will be the CAF U 23 Championships which is to come in Egypt later in the year.

Meanwhile, the Super Falconets opponents will include South Africa, Zambia and Cameroon all of who have suffered defeats against Nigeria in recent times.

The super falconets will also want to have a successful tournament as Nigeria are on the verge of securing the hosting of the 2020 FIFA U20 World cup.


CAMEROON



The hosts of the 2016 African women’s Championship and runners up to the Champions Nigeria, were also at the receiving end of another Nigerian triumph at the AWCON in 2018 as the Falcons beat Cameroon in the semi finals.

Although, the central African country qualified for the 2019 women’s world cup in France and also in 2015 in Canada, they are yet to feature at the FIFA U20 world cup and infact only three countries have represented the continent since the inception of the tournament, Nigeria, Ghana and DR Congo taking the honours.

However, their current U20 team can draw inspiration from the fact that the country featured at the 2012 Olympics alongside the South Africans, a terrain the Nigerian Female team have failed to feature since their last Appearance at Beijing 2008. The young lionesses will hope to keep the Nigerians out of the Olympics in Tokyo 2020 once again but this time it’s not the main team who will fight the battle, it’s the young talents in the U20 where Nigeria has a upper hand having featured in all U20 world cups including a final appearance twice.


SOUTH AFRICA



Banyana Banyana have over time improved rapidly and have appeared at the last two Olympic games in 2012 and 2016. Similarly, they featured at the FIFA women’s world cup for the first time at the 2019 edition in France.

The experience above and the preparation and support the South African Football Federation (SAFA) has given female football in the country including the establishment of the female league this year is enough to cause a concern for Danjuma and his ladies even though the South Africans do not have a pedigree when it comes to women’s football at the U20 level.


ZAMBIA



The zambians look like the whipping girls of the group, they lack the pedigree whatsoever in women’s football and it showed at the AWCON in Ghana 2018 where they failed to get out a group that had Nigeria, South Africa and an uninspiring Equatorial Guinea.

However, there were glimpses of hope as performances against South Africa and Equatorial Guinea got the team four points out of nine after beating the latter by five goals in the opening game. Subsequently, it will be disastrous for them to be underestimated by any team including the Falconets.



Source: https://cheapgoals.com/all-african-games-2019-familiar-foes-await-falconets/

The Confederations of African Football (CAF) has made the draws for the 2019 All African Games Football event to be held in Morocco later in August.

However, unlike previous editions where players from the age of 23 and below were used to execute the competition, this time around CAF has changed its rules stating that countries should make use of their U20 teams for the All African Games.

Furthermore, with the inability to sort out qualifiers, teams who played at the CAF U20 Nation’s cup last year in Niger were qualified automatically to feature at the All African Games by CAF. The participants will be Morocco (hosts) Burkina Faso, Burundi, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal

Consequently, Coach of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles team Paul Aigbogun will lead his U20 squad expected to be dominated by majority of players who featured at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland in May to the All African Games.



Furthermore, the Flying Eagles have now been drawn in Group A of the Africa Games football event alongside hosts Morocco, South Africa and Burkina Faso. The Nigerians came third four years ago in the Republic of Congo with a team that had current Super Eagles players such as Sheu Abdullahi and Oghenekaro Etebo.

However, for the Nigerians they will hope to replicate the feat of 1973 the first and only time the country has won Gold at the tournament but first they need to get the better of the following three when the tournament starts on August 16.

MOROCCO

The Atlas lions have never had a podium finish at the men’s event of the all African games since inception of the games although the competition was played by U23 in the past but now CAF has changed its rules stating that U20 teams should play the men’s event.

In that category as well the North Africans have not been impressive with their U20 sides either as they have not qualified for the CAF U20 Nation’s Cup and the FIFA U20 World Cup in over 12 years. Although they boast of a fourth place finish at Holland 2005 FIFA World youth championships, the last time they featured.

SOUTH AFRICA

The southern Africans consider themselves as rivals to Nigeria in almost every category of football, this won’t be an exception either, infact the match is expected to pose more threat to the Nigerians than that of the host.

Laurel-wise at this level the Amajitas have finished on the podium twice, one silver medal finish and another bronze medal finish in 2011 and 1999 respectively. Nigeria faced South Africa at the CAF U20 Championship last year before both sides participated at the FIFA U20 world cup in Poland, so their is a tint of familiarity between both teams ahead of the Group B encounter.

BURKINA FASO

Burkina Faso finished second in 2015, the Burkinabe may want an improvement on that result and as such may be a tough nut to crack for Paul Aigbogun men.

However, aside that Burkina Faso played in the CAF U20 Championships last year and although failed to qualify for the U20 World Cup, they may find the experience at the CAF Competition pivotal to any success they may want achieve in Morocco.



Source:https://cheapgoals.com/all-african-games-2019-flying-eagles-face-hosts-in-race-for-gold-medal/

anonimi:


You have done well bro. Excellently well.
May the Good Lord reward your labour of love. Amen.
Keep it up. Cheers.

Thanks

OGHENAOGIE:
well I understand that's the Nigerian environment and tomoro they would say we don't hype the league...do u hype a non existent thing...this is why sometimes I don't blame rohr whose attention is full blast abroad...

Exactly the problem we are facing..

OGHENAOGIE:
I love the spirit and appreciate the op for this but u could have gotten a recent pics the warri wolves pics still has former flying eagles keeper Ambrose vanzekin pics...
on the flip side it's high time nass sign the bill to make Nff a separate body from sports ministry...and football should well packaged as a premium business model...see as the pics worse pass amateur for abroad we go reach dee one day sha

You'r right brah.. I searched for every of the teams recent picture , I even send mails and chat them up on their social media platforms in regards with this articles and other. No single reply till now..

Took solace in searching from Google before the article lose its relevance

The 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League season is almost upon us and with the brouhaha of the previous season over, the league has returned to its twenty teams format.

Some of the familiar names are making a return to the top flight after years of wandering in the lower division, unlike recent past though no privately owned team got promoted.

After Weeks of Nigeria National League actions, eighth group winners were paired against each other and only four of them could move into the new NPFL season. Warri Wolves were able to overcome Dynamite FC on penalties in Enugu while Jigawa Golden Stars beat NAF FC 3-2 in a five goal thriller. Akwa Starlets and Adamawa United got the better of 3SC and Road safety.

Presenting the 2019 NPFL newly promoted teams:


Warri Wolves



Nickname: Wolves
Last Appearance: 2016
Coach: Kester Ojo-Osagie
Stadium: Warri City Stadium


Akwa Starlet



Nickname:
Last Appearance: Debut
Coach: Aniedi Dickson
Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium


Jigawa Golden Stars



Nickname:
Last Appearance: 2012
Coach:
Stadium: Hadejia Stadium


Adamawa United



Nickname:
Last Appearance: 2001
Coach: Justin Madugu
Stadium: Ribadu Square Stadium, Yola

The 20 teams that will play in the NPFL are now complete and the season-ending Super Four to determine the winner of the Nigeria National league will take place from July 31 to August 3, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.


source: https://cheapgoals.com/2019-20-npfl-season-meet-the-newly-promoted-teams/

The FIFA U17 World Cup is one the very few competitions where African teams have been able to show dominance on the World Scene. African teams have won the competition seven times with Nigeria accounting five of the trophies and Ghana getting the other two.

However, while Ghana has not participated at the U17 for quite some time now, Nigeria have won two of the last three editions only missing the 2017 editions.

This year the 2019 edition is scheduled for Brazil and Nigeria have qualified alongside two debutants and one team who will be making their second FIFA U7 World Cup appearances and we take a look at the four Africa representatives.


NIGERIA

Nickname: Golden Eaglets

Appearance: 12

Debut: 1985

Last Appearance: 2015

Best Performance: Winners (x5)

Coach: Manu Garba



Golden Eaglets as the Nigerians are called are the tournament’s most successful team with 8 podium finishes all being the trophy deciding final match. The West Africans have won five finals and losing three other finals.

The first of the wins came in the first edition of the competition in 1985 while they added another in 1993, 2007 and back to back wins in 2013 and 2015 make up the five title triumph by Nigeria.

With the Current Champions, England failing to qualify for the 2019 edition in Brazil, Nigeria will definitely be considered as one the favourites even though they were quite unimpressive in the CAF U17 Championship in Tanzania earlier in the year where they came fourth behind Cameroon, Senegal and Angola. However, with a coach who won the 2013 edition it may be wrong to write the west Africans off totally.


ANGOLA

Nickname: Palanquinhas

Appearance: 1

Debut: 2019

Last Appearance: –

Best Performance: Debut

Coach: Pedro Goncalves



Angola were only making their third CAF U17 Championship in Tanzania in February but they made the most of it by qualifying for their first ever FIFA U17 World Cup after coming third beating five times world champions Nigeria in the third place match.

The Palanquinhas do not posses much experience on the world level although they could look to the record making 2006 national team side who made the FIFA world cup held in Germany thirteen years ago.

With Capita, they have the highest goalscorer at the CAF competition with four goals and may likely be the team’s source of goals at the mundial against hosts Brazil, Canada and New Zealand.


SENEGAL

Nickname: Terranga Cubs

Appearance: –

Debut: 2019

Last Appearance: –

Best Performance: –

Coach: Malick Daff



Senegal enter this territory for the first time in their history although their qualification was on administrative basis after Guinea was stripped of their world Cup ticket for fielding over-aged players during the tournament

Guinea was abolish from the competition by CAF for age falsification. The CAF Executive Committee then approved Senegal as their replacement even though they failed to make the semi finals.

Their reward is a group D pairing with the USA, Netherlands and Japan.


CAMEROON

Nickname: The Indomitable Cubs

Appearance: 2

Debut: 2005

Last Appearance: 2005

Best Performance: Group Stage

Coach: Thomas Libiih



The young Indomitable Lions are the Champions of Africa albeit they are appearing at their second ever FIFA U17 World Cup after lifting the African title in Tanzania.

The last time they were at the World Cup they failed to qualify from the group stage and will be hoping to go one better or even all the way in Brazil and with the CAF U17 best player Steve Mvoue and Ismaila Seidou the team’s highest goalscorer at the competition still very much in the team, fans at home will be expecting a decent outing against Spain, Argentina and Tajikistan at the World Cup.




SOURCE: https://cheapgoals.com/fifa-u17wc-meet-africas-four-representatives-to-brazil/

mansakhalifa:
Me looking at Odegbami's sideburns... Legendary stuff.

Nice post @Op

Thanks, � yu get that kin sideburns?

The 2019 African Cup of Nations held in Egypt ended on Friday 19 of July with Algeria lifting the trophy for the 2nd time in their history.

However, over the course of four weeks, fifty two matches were played with 102 goals scored in totals totalling an average of 1.96 goals per game.

At the end of the competition, Algerian Midfielder Ismael Bannecer ended the competition as the competition’s best player while Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo scored five goals to become the competition’ s highest goalscorer equalling the highest scored by any Nigerian player at a single edition.

His feat becomes the fifth time in the history of the competition that a Nigerian will go home with the goalscorers gong and although the striker has now called it time with the national team, we in this write up compare how the Ex-Watford strikers fares in comparison to other Nigerians highest goalscorers in the AFCON history.

1) Segun Odegbami – 6 goals
Year: Ghana 1978 (3), Nigeria 1980(3)



The Mathematical on two different occasions managed to finish as one of the highest goalscorers in the competition. In each occasion he scored three goals recording 6 across the two tournaments.

The first time was in 1978 when rivals Ghana hosted the competition. Odegbami netted three times in the competition where Nigeria finished third having lost to Uganda in the semi finals while they were awarded the bronze after opponents Tunisia walked off in extra time while the score was level at 1-1 to protest the officiating.

However, Odegbami shared the highest goalscorer gongs with two other players in Ghana with Ghana’s Opoku Afriyie and Uganda’s Philip Omondi scored 3 each as well.

Meanwhile, in 1980 Odegbami was instrumental as Nigeria hosted and won the AFCON in 1980. Once again, Odegbami scored three goals and once again shared the Golden boot withe Morocco’s Khalid Nabied.

However, it needs to be stated though Odegbami achieved these feats when the AFCON was still in it’s 8-teams format.

2) Rashidi Yekini – 9goals
Algeria 1992 (4), Tunisia 1994 (5)



Nigeria’s all time record goalscorer, late Rashidi Yekini top scored the AFCON on two different occasions and just like Odegbami, he did so consecutively.

The first was in 1992 when the eagles finished third in the competition while he top-scored in the 1994 edition where the super eagles lifted the trophy for the second yime.

Meanwhile, unlike Segun Odegbami who shared the Golden boot on both occasions, Yekini was the sole receiver of the award having finished with more goals than any other challenger.

3) Julius Aghahowa – 3 goals
Mali 2002



Aghahowa will be remembered for one thing, his trademark summersault after every goal at the 2002 World Cup and Nation’s cup. However, this is not to say the striker won’t be remembered for his goalscoring abilities.

He top scored the 2002 Nation’s Cup where the super eagles finished third once again, although he shared the award with two Cameroonians, Salomon Olembe and Patrick Mboma who both scored 3 as well. Aghahowa’s exploits at the Nation’s Cup earned him a spot at the 2002 FIFA world cup in Korea/Japan.

4) Jay Jay Okocha – 4 goals
Tunisia 2004



Austin Okocha was pivotal as Nigeria finished third once again in the AFCON. The midfielder who had a sensational tournament also went home with the Golden Ball award at the edition won by the hosts.

His spectacular free kick in the quarter final against arch rivals Cameroon was the pick of the four goals he scored at the tournament. Although, he shared the record with four other players who finished four goals as well. Cameroon’s Patrick Mboma, Tunisia’s Dos Santos, Mali’s Fredrick Kanoute and Morocco’s Youssef Mokhtari also notched four goals in the tournament.

5) Emmanuel Emenike – 4 goals
South Africa 2013



After long years of wait and third place finishes, the super eagles were able to lift the trophy for the 3rd time in 2013. The Eagles led by Stephen Keshi got a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso courtesy of Sunday Mba strike.

However, Emmanuel Emenike had led the Nigerians through a rough group stage ride scoring four times for the Super Eagles. Albeit,he too had to share the award with Ghana’s Mubarak Wakaso who scored four as well.

SOURCE: https://cheapgoals.com/afcon-golden-boot-how-does-ighalo-fare-compared-to-previous-nigerian-winners/

HARDDON:


I want very long coat slant Male....

Of course

Please, Holla me when she's on heat. Got pure breed GSD

The FIFA Women’s World Cup may have come and gone but the excitements will never be immediately forgotten, in fact, the 2019 edition held in France is considered the most successful of all the eight editions held since it’s the first edition.



From the followership of the game to the on-field display; tactical and technical style of play from majority of the teams on display, it showed the game from the female perspective has grown in leaps and bounds.

Despite the controversial display by majority of the referees albeit in relation to the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the competition shone with record numbers recorded from viewership on television and crowd turnout at match centres with one Million, one hundred and thirty one thousand three hundred and two fans in attendance across all the games.



Although several male competitions were held in between June and July, with the African Cup of Nations, Copa America & CONCACAF Gold Cup all also played during that period of time, fans followed the games in France with rapt attention. Almost every game gave excitement, drama and there was no shortage of goals either, 146 goals in 52 matches an average of 2.81 per match.

The numbers showed that teams are developing, competition becoming stiffer and though the United States of America may have clinched their fourth title in history with a comfortable 2-0 win over the Netherlands, it’s not to say the level of competition was low in the tournament. Megan Rapinoe and her Stars & Stripes team were the headlines of the tourney but the Dutch women were the models of the development in the women’s game.



The Oranje ladies came into the competition as European Champions a feat they achieved in the 2017 Uefa Women’s Championships but with countries like Japan, England hosts France and other top female footballing Countries not many expected the team which was making just its second appearance at the World Cup to reach the finals with Vivianne Miedema and Lieke Martens propelling the Europeans.

Despite this developments, it’s unfortunate that African teams find it difficult to progress to the latter stages of the competition, in fact, the gap of quality between top female football teams and African teams is still as wide as used to be. it’s quite inexplicable that perennial African champions, Nigeria lost to France by 8 goals as recent as 2018 while South Africa even though regarded as a fast-rising country in female team lost by 7 goals in a friendly to Norway just before the World Cup.



While big margin scorelines can be a one-off thing and the African teams cannot be mentioned in the same line with Thailand who conceded 13 against the Champions, all African teams will wish to have at least one FIFA Women’s World Cup final appearance like Netherlands who has just two appearances in the world cup and an Olympic medal like Japan has, the Nadeshiko played in two of the last three FIFA Women’s World Cup final winning one.

The big question now is why are Nigeria and other African teams stagnant in the development of the women’s game? A lot of complex but interwoven factors contribute to this, the biggest of which is poor administration. African football federations poorly manage the male team, oftentimes there are cases of corruption, none payment of bonuses and lack of preparation towards tournaments, this is also the same with female teams albeit it’s worse with little to nothing done to fulfil promises made.



Another perspective to administration is the lack of proper and functional female football leagues, the structure of female football competition, it’s and the exposure in Africa is nothing to write home. While across Europe female teams, have their own leagues and have the female version of the Uefa Champions League while majority African countries do not even have a Women’s League. Nigeria, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and South Africa have represented Africa on the World scene, only Nigeria has a league which is even run in an inconsistent manner while South Africa are just on the verge of kick-starting its own female league, the less said about the rest the better.

Thembi Kgatlana, Asisat Oshoala, Francesca Ordega, Gaelle Enganamouit, Ajara Nchout are the big names in African female football, they follow the trail blazed by Perpetual Nkwocha, Mercy Akide, Stella Mbachu and others.

These names are a testament to the immense talent that abounds in African teams. Perhaps the society needs to change its outlook towards female football and footballers, many parents would frown at the idea of their female children taking a career in sports nevertheless football. Asisat Oshoala and Francisca Ordega have previously mentioned how their parents tried to to stop them from playing the game in the past.

From the Nigerian perspective, it’s a shame that the Super falcons, despite having 8 World Cup appearances just like USA, Japan, Norway, Brazil, Sweden and Germany, are the only team of all 7, not to have featured at the semi-finals of the World Cup.

A model team looked up too by others have become ordinary and average, living on past glories and if care is not taken the next big step into the next realm of female football would not be taken while other are sprinting far beyond reach.

While having a consistent league is not a guarantee to a World Cup trophy but at least the quality and competition on a better pedestal will help unearth potential stars.

Administrators should do better to organize and create publicity for the women teams. Proper arrangements and plans should be done for them before their various tournament but for now, African countries have not done enough in terms of female football.


Source:https://cheapgoals.com/fifa-womens-world-cup-a-big-success-but-africa-still-lagging-behind/

CC: LALASTICLALA, DOMINIQUE, SEUN, MYND44

Kenturkey048:
OP u use the same people for Seychelles and Central Africa republic...

Yeah, it was a silly error I failed to see as at time of updating, only the moderators can edit it since it has hit FP

1witGod:
Chai! You get eye shadow!

Sorry about that, it was a silly error

MaNyEsq:
Is it me or am I really seeing double here? Central African Republic and Seychelles are the same players. And Somalia have same or similar players on the back row [three players starting from the right] as Seychelles and Central African Republic.

That's was a mistake, can't edit anymore only if the moderators allow

Playing at the highest level of National team football is every professional football player’s dream, a status which the African Cup of Nations and other Continental competitions have, just right behind the FIFA World Cup.

For every player born or eligible for an African team, playing at the AFCON is an achievement of the sort. Since the inaugural edition of the competition which saw three teams participate in it, the competition has grown in leaps and bounds with the number of participating teams rising.

In 2019, the competition for the first time sees a record number of 24 teams participating and as expected three new countries have registered their names on the attendance sheet for the biggest football fiesta in Africa.

Madagascar, Burundi and Mauritania join thirty-nine others who have featured at the AFCON having qualified for the first time in their histories, however, with the 24-team format more teams are expected to debut at the competition in subsequent edition but until then, here are the teams that have never played at the AFCON


Central African Republic



Ranking: 112
Nickname: Les Fauves
Head coach : Vacant
Captain : Joeffery Kondogbia
Home Ground: Barthélémy Boganda Stadium

Chad



Ranking: 174
Nickname: Les Sao
Head Coach: Moudou Kouta
Captain : Ezechiel N’Douassel
Home Ground: Stade National


Comoros



Ranking: 148
Nickname: Les Coelacantes
Head Coach: Amir Abdou
Captain: Nadjim Abdou
Home Ground: Stade Said Mohamed Cheikh


Djibouti



Ranking: 195
Nickname: Shoremen of The Red Sea
Head Coach: Julien Mette
Captain: Ahmed Daher
Home Ground: Stade du Ville

Eritrea



Ranking: 202
Nickname: Red Sea Camels
Head coach: Alemseged Efrem
Captain: Henok Goitom
Home Ground: Cicero Stadium

Eswatini



Ranking: 141
Nickname: King shield
Head coach : Kosta papic
Captain : Siyanbonga Mduli
Home Ground : Somhlolo National Stadium

Gambia



Ranking: 161
Nickname: The Scorpion
Head coach: Tom Saintfiet
Captain: Pa Modou Jagne
Home Ground : Independence Stadium


Lesotho



Ranking: 145
Nickname: Likuena (Crocodile)
Head coach: Moses Maliehe
Captain : Samuel Setono Kh’etsekile
Home Ground: Setsoto Stadium


São Tomé and Príncipe



Ranking:. 185
Nickname: The Falcons and True Parrots
Head coach: Gustave Clément Nyoumba
Captain: Luis Leal
Home Ground: Estádio Nacional 12 de Julho


Seychelles



Ranking: 194
Nickname: Pirates
Head coach: Gavin Jeanne
Captain : Jone jaubert
Home Ground: Stade Linité


Somalia



Ranking: 202
Nickname: Ocean Stars
Head coach: Bashir Hayford
Captain: Hassan Ali Roble “Babay
Home Ground: Mogadishu National Stadium


South Sudan



Ranking: 168
Nickname: Bright Stars
Head Coach: Ramsey Sebit (Caretaker)
Captain : Jumma Genaro
Home Ground: Juba National Stadium


Source:https://cheapgoals.com/the-teams-that-have-never-played-at-the-afcon/

Majority of the group stage matches at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Egypt may have looked like a dose of sleeping pill, a punishment of boredom for being too engrossed with the European leagues but slowly a storm was building the supposed experienced sailors on the sea of African football failed to see.

Twelve group stage winners and runner ups were joined by four best losers for the round of 16 in the new format, Senegal had a routine victory over Uganda with Sadio Mane scoring to put the Teranga Lions through but the first tremo came from Cairo at the Al Salam Stadium, Benin republic changing the script of the play, for a team that drew all it’s 3 group games to qualify, Morocco who gathered all 9points were the favorites.

Benin republic had led in the 53rd minutes but En Neysri restored parity, Ajax Amsterdam wonderboy Hakim Ziyech had the chance to win it in the added time but only struck his kick at base of the bar. The west Africans had never made the quarter finals in previous participation in the Nation’s Cup but went on to do so by beating the North Africans on penalties.



Hosts Egypt were expected to have an easy ride over South Africa but Thembinkosi Lorch scored five minutes from time to send various magnitudes of earthquake and heartbreak across the streets of Egypt. It wasn’t supposed to happen, but the unthinkable happened.



This came after a pulsating game between the defending Champions Cameroon and Nigeria had showered rain of goals.



The Super Eagles took the lead, went behind during the cause of the game and managed to secure the win. Odion ighalo‘s brace made it 10th goal in 10 games for Nigeria while Alex Iwobi scored a smart goal to send the sloppy West Africans through.

Madagascar continued it’s giant slaying and fairy tale run towards the AFCON title eliminating DR Congo, the last of Group A teams left in the competition. For a team that started it’s AFCON campaign from the very beginning in the preliminary qualifiers, the malagasy have “over” over-acheived and they did in style.



Three debutants started the competition, Madagascar, Burundi and Mauritania, while other two were baptized in fire, malagasy finished atop Group B unbeaten, beating 2013 Champions, Nigeria and fellow debutants Burundi.



Tunisia managed to edge Ghana on penalties while Ivory Coast had Zaha to thank for their lone goal Victory over fellow west Africans, Mali.



For an AFCON criticised for low turnout of fans, boring matches and poor tactical display in the group stages, the round of 16 results just showed one thing…… The games has just begun



AFCON 2019 Quarter-finals

Senegal vs Benin, July 10. 5pm

Nigeria vs South Africa, July 10. 8pm

Ivory Coast vs Algeria, July 11 5pm

Madagascar vs Tunisia, Juy 11. 8pm


#AFCON2019

Source : https://cheapgoals.com/afcon-2019-madagascar-lead-upsets-in-tantalizing-round-of-16/

CC: LALASTICLALA, MYND44, DOMINIQUE, ROBOSKY02

dfrost:


OP, please check your work again. See below:

Egypt
Winners: ×7 (1957, 1959, 1986, 1988, 2006, 2008, 2010)

Cameroon
Winners: ×5 (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017)

Egypt actually won the 1998 edition. I guess that's what you are referring to.

Yea, mistake... Thanks for the correction

dominique:
Op Tunisia won in 2004 not 2006

Thanks for the correction

Once again, Africa goes on it’s biggest football show piece, the Africa Cup of Nations, the 32nd edition in the competition’s history after the first ever showpiece in 1957, 62 years ago.

Since then the competition has undergone varying degrees of changes and of course different countries across the continent have since won it, some multiple times, others once while many still await their first win.

With as much as three countries making their debut appearances at the 2019 edition of the competition in Egypt and as well as 24 teams taking part for the first time in the bi-annual competition, Africa may see a New Champion arise by July 19. First let’s look at the past winners.

Egypt
Winners: ×7 (1957, 1959, 1986, 1988, 2006, 2008, 2010)
Runners Up: 2



The pharaohs are synonymous with one thing, the African Cup of Nations, and although they may have only appeared at the World Cup just on two occasions, the North Africans have won a record 7 titles including a treble from 2006 to 2010, the last time they won it.

Of the seven times when they won it, three have come when they hosted the competition, a stat which pits them as favorites especially considering the fact they ended the last edition as runners up to Cameroon.

Cameroon
Winners: ×5 (1984,1988, 2000, 2002, 2017)
Runners Up: 2



The Indomitable Lions as they are fondly called are the second most successful side in Africa winning the Championship five times, pulling one clear of Ghana who have four.

The latest of their triumph came in 2017, 17 years after winning it last at the Ghana/Nigeria edition. Unlike Egypt, the Cameroonians have the record of becoming the first of only three African sides who have made the last eight of the world cup.

Even though they failed to qualify for the last World Cup in Russia, the defending Champions of the competition are still one of the favorites to lift it once again.

Ghana
Winners: ×4 (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982)
Runners Up: 5



Black Stars of Ghana are the third most successful team in the competition having won it four times in their history. The first was in 1963 before adding another two years later.

It was not until 13 years after before they tasted Afcon glory again, adding the last one they won 4years later in 1982. However, there have been cases of near misses for the west Africans finishing second five times, the latest being in 2015.

Nigeria
Winners: ×3 (1980, 1994, 2013)
Runners Up: 4



The Super Eagles of Nigeria only lifted the third title six years ago which was the last time they featured at the tournament. Before then, the eagles won the Afcon in 1980 and 1994.

However, they hold the record for most semi final appearances and third place finish. Coached by German tactician, Gernort Rhor, the Super Eagles have only lost twice to African opposition in 19 appearances. With such numbers it would be difficult to write off the Nigerians.

Ivory Coast
Winners: ×2 (1992, 2015)
Runners Up: 2



Ivory coast’s first of their two triunphs came in 1992 before their golden generation which had Gervhino, Solomon Kalou and Yaya You’re went on to win the second elusive title in 2015 at the expense of Ghana.

The Elephants came close to winning twice as well first finishing second to Egypt in 2006 and losing shockingly to Zambia in 2012.

DR Congo
Winners: ×2 (1968, 1974)
Runners Up: Nil



DR Congo won it’s two titles, first in 1968 as Congo Kinshasa and the second in 1974 as Zaire. They have never finished as runners-up

The rest on the list of former Champions include Zambia (2012), Tunisia (2004) and Sudan (1970) have all won it once and finished runners up twice. South Africa (1996), Algeria (1990), Ethiopia (1962), Morocco (1976), Congo (1972) have one title win each.


SOURCE: https://cheapgoals.com/the-14-countries-who-have-won-the-afcon/

The 2019 Total AFCON will be held in Egypt from the 21st of June till July 18 and will be 32nd edition of the competition. Originally it was scheduled for Cameroon but was awarded to the North Africans after the Central African nation couldn’t meet up with the preparations.

Unlike the previous editions of the competition, the 2019 edition will be unique not only because it will feature 24 teams for the first time but also because it will involve the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the first time.

However, despite the increase in the number of participating countries, there will only be six stadia in four cities to host the games across Egypt and we take a look at how they look like and which big matches will be holding there.

CAIRO

Cairo International Stadium
Capacity: 75,000
Owners: Egyptian FA
Opened: 1960
Home To: Zamalek, Al Ahly and Egypt National team



The Cairo stadium, one of Egypt’s most symbolic stadiums will be host to Africa cup of nations games once again after it hosted during the 2006 AFCON held in the country.

Previously the stadium could hold up to 120,000 spectators before it was decreased to 75,000 to meet CAF standards. The stadium will host 5 Group A games including the curtain raiser between Zimbabwe and Egypt on June 21st as well as the final game of the competition

With Egypt playing all their Group A games in the Stadium, four knockout matches as well as the final, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to book an hotel near the stadium in order to grab and not miss the biggest matches the competition will offer.

30 June Stadium
Capacity: 30,000
Owners: Egyptian Air Defense Force
Opened: 2012
Home to: Pyramids Sc



The stadium opened in 2012, will host Group C games, Five out of six group C matches and as well group A’s final game between Zimbabwe and DR Congo.

The stadium was involved in a crowd stampede in 2012 in an Egyptian league game will also be the venue of three knock out games.

Group C game between Senegal and Algeria on the 27th of June is one big game to watch out for.

Al Salam Stadium
Capacity: 30,000
Owners: Egyptian Military
Opened: 2009
Home To: El Entang El Harby, Al Ahly



Group D which include Morocco, Namibia, Ivory Coast and South Africa, considered as the competition’s group of Death will have most of it’s games played in the Al Salam Stadium which is owned by the Egyptian Military.

The stadium is one of the six which hosted the FIFA under 20 world cup ten years ago will also host matches from Group B; Burundi v Guinea and group C match between Algeria and Tanzania, one Quarter final clash and the third place play off.

This is a venue with potentially exciting games, with matches involving Ivory coast and Morocco

SUEZ

Mubarak International Stadium
Capacity: 27,000
Opened: 1990
Home to: Petrojet



The stadium hosted some of the matches at the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2009 and will be one of the venues of the 2019 AFCON. Angola, Mauritania, Mali and Tunisia will have their group games at the venue.

Also, two knockout stage matches; a quarter finals and a round of 16 match will be played in the Stadium also known as the SUEZ stadium.

ALEXANDRIA

Alexandria Stadium
Capacity: 20,000
Owners: Alexandria Government
Opened: 1929
Home To: Al Ittihad, Smouha



Here is the venue which concerns majority of Nigerian football fans as the Super Eagles alongside their group B opponents will slug it out on the natural grass turf of the Alexandria Stadium.

The stadium was also a host to the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations games and was opened in 1929 becoming Africa’s first and oldest stadium. Two knockout stage matches will also hold there

ISMAILIA

Ismaily Stadium
Capacity: 18,525
Owners:
Opened: 2009
Home To: Ismaily SC



Ismaily’s traditional home is not a stranger to international competition having hosted FIFA U20 World Cup matches as well as CAF Confederations and Champions league matches.

The stadium will host five Group F matches including Cameroon’s second group g games.

SOURCE: https://cheapgoals.com/afcon-2019-the-venues-that-will-host-the-games/

The 32nd edition of the African Cup of Nations can be arguably said to be the most anticipated of all Afcon Tournaments.

This is not just because of the level of awareness created for the competition but as well because a whole lot of countries more than usual will be participating at this year’s event.

Therefore, this means that a higher number of fans across the continent at large will be following the proceedings in Egypt. With 24 teams now playing at the competition and as well the schedule being in the summer where majority of leagues in Europe are in their off season, the followership is expected to increase.

However, while the opening game of the competition and the final match is usually well watched by millions of fans, there are various other groups stage games and potential knockout round fixtures which can pass as the final before the final. We take a look at some of the the fixtures you should not miss this AFCON.

Group A
Egypt v DR Congo
Venue: Cairo International Stadium
Date: 26/06/2019 Time: 9pm



You may argue that Egypt have a relatively easy group with Zimbabwe and Uganda pitched with the hosts but it is the second group game with D.R. Congo that will likely worry the Egyptians.

If you compare or refer the game to as a clash similar to Al Alhy and TP Mazembe, then you may not wrong. Both teams have a good mixture of home based players and foreign based players. While Egypt has 14 players from the Egyptian league in their 23-man squad, DR Congo boasts of Five playing in the country’s local league.

While Egypt can boast of Africa’s biggest export currently in the mould of Mo Salah, DR Congo can bank on Cedric Bakambu and Yannick Bolaise to deliver the goods.

Although, Egypt is expected to make it out of the group, however, should the opening game against Zimbabwe go against the Pharaohs and DR Congo fails to get the maximum point against Uganda in their own opener, the game will be a win or burst affair for both sides and it will be left for the team that wants it most for the taking.


Group C

Senegal v Algeria
Venue: 30 June stadium
Date: 27/06/2019. Time: 6pm



This would likely be a battle of supremacy in Group C, a game which decides who tops the group which also consist of Kenya and Tanzania as well.

While Senegal are on a six-game winning streak and with one more game before they face the Algerians, the North Africans also boast of a six-game unbeaten run with 4 wins and 2 draws.

With both sides known for their offensive type of play and the quality of players at their disposal, the match will have no shortage of neutrals watching on.

Moreso, while Liverpool Saido Mane and Napoli defender Kalidou Coulibaly will be on the team for the west Africans, barring any injury, Manchester City’s Riyadh Mahrez will be leading the line for Algeria. At least a tint of English Premier League display for the English fans.


Group D

Ivory Coast v South Africa
Venue: Al Salam Stadium
Date: 24/06/2019. Time 3:30pm



If anyone thinks the Bafana Bafana of South Africa are push overs then such persons need to meet the Super Eagles of Nigeria for a recount of how difficult it was to nick a point in two matches against the 2013 hosts.

Ivory Coast on the other hand may feel confident going into the fixture on Sunday but may be wary of their opponents who have not lost in 12 games. However, the game is expected to be a high scoring match both teams possessing fast paced and skillful forwards in Nicolas Pepe and Wilfred Zaha for the west Africans and Percy Tau for the South Africans.

Why else do we watch football if not for the flair and the goals?

Morocco v Ivory Coast
Venue: Al Salam Stadium
Date: 28/06/2019. Time: 6pm



Should the game between South Africa and Ivory coast not interest you that much, it’s however certain you would likely not want to miss Morocco against the Elephants of Cote D’Voire.

Anytime any day this is a clash that will interest most neutral, most especially with the opportunity to see the left footed Ajax forward, Hakim Ziyech on display, it is a chance not many would likely turn down.

Also it is a match that will potentially decide the group winners, and after all said and done, you may want to hope Namibia have done their defensive home work with a pass mark, there is no need stating what will happen if otherwise.


Group F

Cameroon v Ghana
Venue: Ismailia Stadium
Date: 29/06/2019. Time: 7pm



Second most successful team at the AFCON and defending Champions, Teranga Lions of Cameroon were pitted in an easy group with Benin and Guinea-bissau who was coincidentally also in their group in 2017.

However, in Ghana they have an opponent and a rival, the black stars may still be searching for their first AFCON title in close to 30years, nevertheless, they are no push overs at all.

Although both teams are expected to make it out of the group, the clash between the two power houses in African football is a final before the main final. Not many would pass the chance to see the game, not many Nigerians would for sure.





Source: https://cheapgoals.com/afcon-2019-the-five-must-see-big-games-of-the-group-stage/

Less than 24 hours to the start of Africa’s biggest football fiesta the whole of the continent is eagerly anticipating the Africa Cup Of Nation‘s as well as the actions and excitements that comes with it.




Furthermore, there will be array of stars on parade for their respective countries, and since this is the first AFCON to be held in the summer with the major leagues on break, there is no case of a big player missing out on the competition.

However, in this write up we take a look at the players who have the potentials to dazzle at the 2019 edition of the competition in Egypt, while some of them are prominent, others showed their potential weeks coming into the competition.

Nicolas Pepe
Position: Forward
Country: Ivory Coast
Club: Lille



Pepe is one of Africa’s most sought after player, having posted impresive display for Lille in the Ligue Un last season, scoring 22 goals just behind Kylian Mbappe on the top scorer chart

The 24-year old was born in France but decided to represent the Ivory Coast, the youngster has been courted by the biggest Clubsides in Europe including the current Uefa Champions League holders, Liverpool.

It will be interesting to see what Pepe has in him on display at the AFCON.


Wilfred Zaha
Position: Forward
Country: Ivory Coast
Club: Crystal Palace



Another Ivorian who would definitely add to the quality of the Elephants forward line and just like Pepe, Zaha is also courted by English Premier League top guns as well as European heavyweights.

Similarly, Zaha chose to represent Ivory Coast ahead of England after being neglected despite his impressive showing with the U21s in previous years.

The 26-year Old featured at the 2017 AFCON in Gabon and it is memory the Crystal Palace forward will he hoping to erase and better in Egypt as the 2015 Champions were dumped out of the last edition at the group stages.


Fitson Abdul Razak
Position: Striker
Country: Burundi
Club: Js Kabylie



Well before the start of the qualifiers for the AFCON, Abdul Razak was virtually unknown apart from his native Burundi and in the Algerian League where he plays his club football with JS Kabylie.

However, after guiding his country to it’s first ever Afcon appearance, the striker has become a name to reckon with after finishing the qualifiers with 6 goals in 6 games to finish second behind Odion Ighalo who top-scored the qualifiers with seven goals.

It is left to be seen how he would fare with a higher level of competition, a similar turnout of statistics for the striker could lead Burundi to an unprecedented showing at the AFCON.


Piqueti Djassi
Position: Forward
Country: Guinea-bissau
Club: Al Shoulla



Probably the least known player on this list, however Piqueti Djassi is a player with enough quality that can terrorise defenders and opponents.

Guinea-bissau are making their second appearance at the AFCON and it was at there debut at Gabon 2017 where Piqueti shone after scoring an impressive solo goal against Cameroon in their group game.

However, it is expected that the 2017 experience could push the 26-year old to a better showing in Egypt.

Hakim Ziyech
Position: Forward
Country: Morocco
Club: Ajax



After a stellar season with Ajax, the Morocco playmaker now has his sights set on the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ziyech has been making a name for himself with Dutch Eredivisie champions Ajax Amsterdam. This season, he netted 21 goals in all competitions and played an integral role in his club reaching the semi-finals of the Uefa Champions League.

Ziyech’s performances in the Eredivisie and the Champions League over his two-year spell at Ajax have attracted the attention of Europe’s top clubs

Hakim has powering left foot, searing pace and boundless energy, all of which will be on show at this year’s Afcon tournament, and will be looking to help his team to their first Afcon since 1976.


Alex Iwobi
Position: Midfielder
Country: Nigeria
Club: Arsenal



Alex Iwobi has been a regular member for the North London outfit with his impressive displays, which has seen him attrack interest from several European clubs

Since he made his Premier League debut in 2015, Iwobi has gone to provide 11 goals and 16 assists in 100 Premier League games for the Gunners

With John Mikel Obi stating that the 2019 AFCON could be the last tournament he would appear for Nigeria, fans have been anxious hoping to find a Midfielder who could take the mantle from the man who was touted in his early years as the heir to Jay Jay Okocha.

Alex Iwobi seems to be the most likely to fill into the big shoes to be left behind by the Chelsea legend and after featuring at the 2018 FIFA world cup and playing important roles in the qualifiers, there are high hopes on what the Arsenal midfielder would show at the competition.

Saido Berahino
Position: Forward
Country: Burundi
Club: Stoke City



Another Burundi striker, another English born player now turning out for his country of origin.
Berahino was heralded as the next big thing for the three Lions during his time at West brom.

Now with Stoke City in the Championship, the striker will be another source of creativity and threat for Burundi alongside Fiston Abdul Razak after a long period of drought in front of goal threw him into the wilderness of international football with England, now choosing to represent his county of origin.

Hopefully the forward can show the quality he had in his youth football, one thing many would be looking out for at the AFCON


Moussa Wague
Position: Defender
Country: Senegal
Club: Barcelona



Moussa Wague secured an unprecedented move to FC Barcelona last year after impresive showings at the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea and at the FIFA World Cup in Russia where he scored against Japan

With his move to Barcelona alot has been expected from the defender especially from national team handlers and with the experience of the likes of Kalidou Coulibally to learn from, Wague could be one of the best defenders in the world, a good show at the AFCON could be a big step to that.


Percy Tau
Position: Midfielder
Country: South Africa
Club: Union Saint Gilloise



No longer an unknown name on the African continent and especially for Nigerians, Tau is not a name that would be forgotten quickly after his terrorising display against the Super Eagles in the qualifiers.

The diminutive attacker will be spearheading a hopeful South African team at this years Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) looking to bring glory to the nation from the Southern part of Africa.

Tau’s individual brilliance also earned him the prestigious Footballer of the Year award and Players’ Player of the Year award in his final season with Sundowns, and found himself among the list of nominees for African Player of the Year award as well.

The U-S Gilloise of Belgium striker could prove too much for South Africa’s opponents in group A including the hosts, Egypt.


Andre Onana
Position: Goalkeeper
Country: Cameroon
Club: Ajax



Not many African countries can boast of a young goalkeeper with enough European football experience under his belt.

Andre Onana won the domestic double with Ajax in the Netherlands, including an impressive run in the Champions League where they got to the semi finals beating Real Madrid and Juventus on their way.

He would be as important as every other player in the Teranga Lions squad even though he has a healthy competition for the number one spot with Carlos Kameni and Fabrice Ondoa.


Do add any other player you think should've make the list.

Source: https://cheapgoals.com/afcon-2019-the-top-10-players-to-watch-out-for/

The Premier League 2019/2020 season is practically around the corner as the full list of fixtures were revealed earlier today.

Defending champions Manchester City will open their title defence with a trip to the London to face West Ham United, but it's Liverpool who open the 2019/20 season on the evening of Friday 9 August when they take on newly promoted and Championship winners Norwich City.

Manchester United will host Chelsea at  Old Trafford in the highlight fixture of the opening weekend on Sunday 11 August.

Arsenal will travel to St James Park for their opening fixture of the new season, before facing Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United within their first seven Premier League matches.

While, Tottenham Hotspur will face play-off champions Aston Villa, while Sheffield United end their top-tier exile with a trip to Bournemouth.

See and download full premier league fixture on : https://cheapgoals.com/premier-league-fixtures-2019-20-liverpool-face-norwich-man-utd-host-chelsea/

The 2019 NPFL season has come to an end, but still to be played for is the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederations Cup places up for grabs, as well as the league title.

Twenty four teams started the journey in January, 8 of them have dropped into the Nigeria National League, they include 2016 Aiteo cup finalists, Niger Tornadoes, Remo Stars, Bendel Insurance, Kwara United, Go Round, El kanemi Warriors, Yobe Desert Stars and Gombe United.

Meanwhile, Defending Champions Lobi Stars, Aiteo Cup holders, Enugu Rangers, two times Champions league winners Eyinmba, Kano Pillars, Former Aiteo cup Champions FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Akwa United will jostle for supremacy in the Super 6.

We take a quick look at the six teams ahead of the Championship play-offs

Rangers International
Coach: Gbenga Ogunbote



The flying antelopes are currently enjoying a good spell which started last season when they won the Aiteo cup enroute to the CAF Confederations cup group stages.

They went on a 8-match unbeaten run on the continent from the preliminary stages till the double header against Tunisian side, Es Sahel who they lost to home and away thus ending their cup dreams.

However, on the home front the Enugu based team topped the Group A standings and despite having to shuffle between the league and CAF Confederations cup, they became the first team to secure Super 6 places with two round of matches to spare and they would be hoping to clinch the title they won in 2016 after long years of wait.

Considered as the favorites to lift the NPFL trophy or at the least secure a Champions league spot by bookmakers, Rangers would be banking on usual suspects like Godwin Aguda, Micheal Uchebo, Seka Pascal and Bright Silas amongst others while Ghanaian Goalkeeper Nana Bonsu who has been tremendous this season will hope to finish on a high after been named in Ghana’s AFCON preliminary squad.

Lobi Stars
Coach:



Lobi and Enugu Rangers are the major reasons why Nigeria has its 4 Continental spots restored this season after making it through the long and tedious qualifying stages to the group stages.

Although, Lobi just like Rangers went out at the group stages, recording just two wins; one against Mamelodi Sundwons in Enugu and another against Asec Mimosas.

Once the markurdi based side completed their outstanding games, they went from relegation contenders into the Championship places confirming their super 6 participation on the final day of the season.

Unfortunately, the defending Champions of the NPFL lost their Coach Solomon Ogbeide on the final match day hours before matchday but still found the encouragement to hold on to snatch a draw away from Remo Stars to confirm their NPFL super 6 status.

The team is currently on an 9-game unbeaten run winning 3 games drawing 6 and they would hope to carry and improve such form into the competition as they hope to become the first side since Kano Pillars in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 to win the NPFL title back to back.

Enyimba Fc
Coach: Usman Abd’Allah



The Aba elephants last played on the continent in the 2017/2018 season where they got to the semi finals of the CAF Confederations Cup partly due to the abrupt end to the 2017/2018 season as well as Nigeria’s reduced slot on the continent.

This season however they have a chance to return to the continent and as well get their hands on the trophy they last won in 2015 after battling MFM FC for the final Super 6 slot.

Enyimba gathered 33 points from 22 games in Group A and although they do not have Mfon Udoh (now with Akwa United) as their talisman, they will be considered as contenders for the title as well as a return to the CAF Champions League where they remain Nigeria’s sile winners.

Kano Pillars
Coach: Musa Ibrahim



The 4-time NPFL Champions will be led by veteran skipper Rabiu Ali as they seem to add a fifth title to their trophy haul.

Having lost the Aiteo cup final last season to Enugu Rangers after losing a 3-goal lead and consequently a CAF Confederations Cup place, the northerners will not want to be shut out of the continent once again.

They will have the chance to revenge the last season’s loss to Rangers when both teams face off on the 10th of June in the Super 6.

With veteran and experienced players like Gambo Muhammed and Rabiu Ali still in the team, it will be totally wrong to write off the Sai Masu Gida who will likely have a good number of supporters at the Agege stadium.

Akwa United
Coach: Rafael Everton



The promise keepers are one of the only two teams in the super 6 to have never won the Nigeria Professional Football League. Although the Akwa-Ibom team have won the Aiteo cup twice in 2015 and most recently in 2017.

However, it would be dangerous on the premise of this to write off the team as likely winners of the Npfl Super 6 after overturning a poor start to the season to finish atop Group B with 38 points, one above second placed Kano Pillars.

Key to this turnaround is former Enyimba striker Mfon Udoh who finished the season with 8 goals from as many games and as well have enough experience to lead the Uyo landlords to a CAF Champions League place.

United got three wins away from home in the regular season which shows the promise keepers can comfortably get wins anywhere and can as well count on Ndifreke Effiong for goals in case Mfon Udoh fails to deliver

FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Coach: Uche Okagbue



The youngest squad in the Super 6 by far, after a overhaul of majority of it’s player before the start of the season. Ifeanyi Ubah is the second team in the Championship play off yet to win the NPFL.

Although just like Akwa United, they have won the Aiteo Cup once in 2015. The team come into the Super 6, recovering from a three-game losing streak to win it’s last two games of the season to salvage their Continental ticket dreams.

While little maybe known about the Anambra based side, team striker Uche Ihuarulam might pose a threat for opposing team although the team’s inconsistency may be their greatest undoing.

However, it might be dangerous to write-off the team’s chances based on that as they are capable of beating any team examplified by the team’s scalp of Akwa United on the last day of the season as well as beating Kano Pillars in the season, both of who are fellow Super 6 contenders.


Source: https://cheapgoals.com/npfl-super6-the-six-sides-battling-for-the-league-title/

After 22 round of matches, the 2018/2019 regular season comes to an end after series of unending actions and drama. For all involved, it was a season that had it all, the goals, the ups, and the downs, the cherished away wins and certainly, the uncertainty that follows each match day, unarguably it is the most difficult season any of the 24 teams involved have played.

Although the abridged format allows teams to play a lesser number of games and travel less distance compared to previous, it did came at a price of having 8 teams relegated at the end of the campaign after the league retained all its team from last season including 4 more teams from the Nigeria National League.

Remo Stars and Yobe Desert Stars were poor all season long and as such dropped back into the lower league after amassing 20 and 15 points total respectively. Niger Tornadoes, Gombe United, Bendel Insurance, Kwara United, Go Round, and El Kanemi Warriors followed suit.

At the other end of things, the top 3 teams from Group A and B will battle for three CAF Competition places and more importantly the NPFL crown. Nigeria’s 4 spots on the continent were restored this season after the impressive runs of Lobi Stars and Enugu Rangers to the group stages of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup.

Interestingly, both teams made the top three play-off places in group A and could likely feature on the continent for the second season running, they would be joined by Enyimba FC from Group A while Akwa United, Kano Pillars, and FC Ifeanyi Ubah will also bring in more competition after finishing in the top three places in Group B.

All the six teams will now head to the Soccer Temple, Agege Lagos where the NPFL super 6 will hold starting from the 4th of June. The competition will be played in a league format while the top 3 teams will qualify for the CAF competitions while the 4th CAF spot will be picked by the Aiteo Cup winners.

On Tuesday, May 28, the League Management Company released it’s schedule of fixtures for the games even as there are hopes of securing TV rights for the competition. Three games will be played per day with two of them to be played under floodlights. Below is the schedule of the fixture.




Matchday 1: 04/06/2019



Enyimba FC vs Rangers Internationals – 3 pm
Kano Pillars vs Akwa United – 5 pm
FC Ifeanyi Ubah vs Lobi Stars – 7 pm.



Matchday 2: 06/06/2019



Akwa United vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah – 3 pm
Rangers Int’l vs Lobi Stars – 5 pm
Kano Pillars vs Enyimba – 7 pm



Matchday 3: 07/06/2019



Kano Pillars vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah – 3 pm
Lobi Stars vs Enyimba FC – 5 pm
Akwa United vs Rangers Int’l – 7 pm



Matchday 4: 10/06/2019



Rangers Int’l vs Kano Pillars – 3 pm
Akwa United vs Lobi Stars – 5 pm
Enyimba FC vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah -7 pm



Matchday 5: 12/06/2019



FC Ifeanyi Ubah vs Rangers Int’l. – 3 pm
Enyimba FC vs Akwa United -5 pm
Lobi Stars vs Kano Pillars -7 pm


Source: https://cheapgoals.com/npfl-six-of-the-best-seeks-continental-places-league-glory/


Cc:lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

Chelsea winger Eden Hazard opens up ahead of Real Madrid move and Europa League final against Arsenal as he vows never to play for another English club. admitting he has grown up during his time at the club.

On Wednesday evening in Baku against Arsenal, Hazard will likely play for the final time in a Chelsea shirt. Chelsea will miss him and, in truth, we all will.

Here is a player who has been in the PFA Team of the Year four times and twice led his side to the Premier League title. When the mood takes Hazard, he is utterly devastating.

The shimmies, the low centre of gravity, the Velcro close control, the zig-zag slaloms and the clinical finishes have become staples of the Premier League. Quite simply, the best of Hazard is the best of any player in Europe.

READ MORE ON

https://cheapgoals.com/hazard-vows-never-to-play-for-another-english-club-as-he-opens-up-ahead-of-madrid-move/