Category sport-news

Tottenham signed England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth a reported £34.7 million ($46.6 million) on Wednesday.

Gallagher agreed a long-term contract with the Premier League club that reportedly runs until 2031.

Tottenham won the race to sign Gallagher after Aston Villa also expressed interest in the former Chelsea player.

The 25-year-old was keen to leave Atletico for more regular action in a bid to secure a place in England’s squad for the World Cup later this year.

READ ALSO: Man United Appoint Carrick As Interim Manager

“I’m so happy and excited to be here, taking the next step in my career at an amazing club,” Gallagher said.

“I wanted to be a Spurs player and thankfully the club felt the same. It was very easy, it happened very quickly and I’m ready to get on the pitch.

“I know how great the fans are, I’m really happy to be a part of it here and want to create special moments and memories together.”

Gallagher’s signing is a boost to under-fire Tottenham boss Thomas Frank.

Frank is fighting to save his job after a dismal run of five victories in 20 matches, including seven defeats in 13 after last weekend’s FA Cup third round exit against Aston Villa.

Only seven months after arriving from Brentford to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou, pressure has mounted on Frank, who has been booed on multiple occasions by frustrated fans.

Gallagher’s signing will fill a void in Tottenham’s midfield after Rodrigo Bentancur had surgery on a hamstring injury on Tuesday, while Lucas Bergvall is also sidelined and Pape Sarr is at the Africa Cup of Nations.

“Conor is a top midfielder, who we have worked tirelessly to add to our squad,” Frank said.

“He is still young, so has plenty of room for improvement, but also has huge experience across the Premier League, La Liga and with the England national team.

“Conor has captained teams so will bring leadership, maturity, character and personality to our dressing room, while his running power, pressing ability and eye for goal will strengthen us in a key area of the pitch.

“I’m excited about working with him every day and I know the fans will love what he will bring to the team.”

Gallagher, who scored 10 goals in 95 appearances for Chelsea, was linked to Tottenham before joining Atletico in 2024.

The Federal Government has rallied the Super Eagles ahead of their semi-final tie with hosts Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), asking the team to go all out for victory.

“As you prepare to face Morocco in the AFCON semi finals, I want you to know that the whole of Nigeria stands firmly with you,” Information and National Orientation Minister, Idris Mohammed, said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

“Your journey so far has been inspiring. Match after match, you have shown discipline, courage, and belief, reminding us why the Super Eagles remain one of Africa’s most respected teams.”

Nigeria will take on Morocco in the semi-final of the 2025 AFCON, pushing for a second consecutive appearance in the final of the competition after they lost to Cote d’Ivoire in the 2023 edition.

To reach this stage, the West Africans beat Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-final in a dominant display that has put Nigeria as one of the favourities for the title.

Describing the Super Eagles run at the 2025 AFCON as historic, Mohammed told the players that their victories so far were not by accidents.

“They came from teamwork, confidence, and a fighting spirit. You have shown that same spirit in this tournament,” he wrote in the open letter addressed to the three-time AFCON winners.

As Eric Chelle’s led team file out against the Atlas Lions, the minister wants the Super Eagles to remember that they are not alone.

“You carry the hopes of millions of Nigerians. They believe in you and draw strength from your performances. Play with the confidence of champions, the unity of brothers, and hunger. Know your history and your worth.

“Stay focused, trust one another, and give your best from the first whistle to the last. Win every ball and fight for every chance. Never doubt what you can achieve together. You have earned your place at this stage. You possess the qualities to take it even further. Tonight, go out there and write another proud chapter in our football story. Play with heart. Play with pride. Play for Nigeria.”

Nigeria go into Wednesday’s game off the back of a winning run in the championship. They have scored 14 goals — the highest tally by any team at the AFCON.

All eyes are on Rabat as two continental giants — Nigeria and Morocco — clash in a blockbuster game in the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

READ ALSO: 2025 AFCON: CAF Appoints Ghanaian Referee For Nigeria Vs Morocco Showdown

The high-flying Super Eagles of Nigeria, parading the likes of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman among other game-changers, will face their biggest test yet in the tournament against the host nation.

Morocco, on the back of a long-running unbeaten streak, are under pressure to deliver the AFCON trophy, having only won it once in 1976.

With Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz leading the way for the Atlas Lions, Wednesday’s cracker promises to be a game that could define the 2025 AFCON.

Nigeria, three-time African champions, come into Wednesday’s match after what pundits have described as a seamless run.

Coach Éric Chelle’s team has a 100 per cent record in the competition, having won all five games so far.

Their commanding 2-0 victory over Algeria in the quarter-final drew applause from fans and commentators alike, who credit Nigeria with playing their best football in decades.

With 14 goals to their name, the West African giants have bulldozed their way into the last four of the competition and will be targeting another appearance in the final after they lost the 2023 edition to Côte d’Ivoire.

Stars In The Spotlight

The hosts will bank on the in-form Brahim Diaz, who has five goals to his credit at the 2025 AFCON, the highest tally in the continental battle.

The Real Madrid star’s goals have been instrumental to Morocco’s run.

He and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi bring attacking fluidity and defensive width to the 1976 champions.

The home crowd is also expected to be on hand to provide an electrifying atmosphere for the North Africans.

That home support is critical if they are to stop Nigeria’s attacking threats.

Osimhen and Lookman, past winners of the African Player of the Year prize, are firing from all cylinders.

Together, they have seven goals — three for Lookman and four for Osimhen.

The former also leads the tournament with four assists.

With Fulham’s Alex Iwobi dictating the pace with his precision passes, the Super Eagles are difficult to contain when in their element.

Team News: Nigeria Vs Morocco

While Nigeria have no major injury worries, they will be without captain Wilfred Ndidi, who is suspended after picking up a second yellow card in the win over Algeria.

Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika will most likely replace him in midfield.

Morocco is expected to have a full complement of players to pick from.

Nigeria vs Morocco: Head-To-Head History at AFCON
Morocco have historically had the upper hand, winning three of their five AFCON meetings.

The first match between them was in 1976, which the Maghreb nation won 3-1.

Nigeria lost again (2-1) to them in the final group stage of that same tournament.

The last time the two sides met at the AFCON was in 2004, where Nigeria lost 1-0 in Tunisia.

Nigeria vs Morocco: AFCON 2025 Kick-Off Time, Other Match Details

Match:                        Nigeria vs Morocco
Competition:             2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Venue:                        Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco
Kick-Off time/Date: Wednesday, January 14, at 9 pm (WAT)

Who Will Emerge Victors?

When the lights come on in Rabat, the Moroccans will be taking another shot at history while the Super Eagles chase another appearance in the final.

A sports journalist, Suleiman Adebayo, popularly known as ‘Pooja,’ has said that the Super Eagles must have a winning spirit in the African Cup of Nations semi-final match against hosts Morocco.

READ ALSO: AFCON 2025: Nigeria Vs Morocco Preview, Kick-Off Time For Semi-Final Clash

“We have to win it over Morocco because you are playing against a team that has the biggest fan [base] even in Africa,” he said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday.

“They have played [against] non-Africans several times as well. As I said, against Algeria, they played calmly as well; in that stadium in Marrakesh, we had over 30,000 Algerians, but this time it will be different.

“So hopefully I know they’ll be doing lots of pep talks, away from training sessions. So we have Victor Osimhen in that calm mode — just score for us, leave the antics, leave the, you know, body language, leave the mentality, and just give us the goals,” he added.

Adebayo, however, said the Eagles should expect hostility from the North Africans.

“If you are playing for a club side, it’s different from playing for your country. So the Super Eagles should expect hostility. They expect passion.

“They should expect a very hostile atmosphere, and as you said, the North Africans use lasers to distract players.

“So we are playing against the 12th man, but with what we’ve done so far — keeping a clean sheet back to back against Mozambique and, of course, Algeria, I think the boys have lots to offer,” he stated.

The sports journalist, therefore, called for comportment within the Super Eagles.

“So today, Victor Osimhen will be captain of the side. Remember, Wilfred Ndidi will be suspended because of two yellow cards. So we have Victor Osimhen as the captain of the side.

“So, the temperament has to start from the captain. Victor Osimhen has to be calm this time around because we’re playing a country with so many antics,” Adebayo said.

“We saw Algeria as well, you know, doing so many tactics, as you said, psychology-wise, they want to win before they win on the pitch. So, we have to be careful.

“[Sunday] Nwabali got a yellow card against Algeria. If he gets a yellow card against Morocco and we win, he will not play in the final.

“So everybody has to be on their right senses and, we still, you know, see against Uganda, which of course,” he added.

The 2013 African champions will trade tackles with the hosts on Wednesday for a place in the final of the continent’s showpiece.

A sports journalist, Suleiman Adebayo, popularly known as ‘Pooja,’ has said that the Super Eagles must have a winning spirit in the African Cup of Nations semi-final match against hosts Morocco.

READ ALSO: AFCON 2025: Nigeria Vs Morocco Preview, Kick-Off Time For Semi-Final Clash

“We have to win it over Morocco because you are playing against a team that has the biggest fan [base] even in Africa,” he said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday.

“They have played [against] non-Africans several times as well. As I said, against Algeria, they played calmly as well; in that stadium in Marrakesh, we had over 30,000 Algerians, but this time it will be different.

“So hopefully I know they’ll be doing lots of pep talks, away from training sessions. So we have Victor Osimhen in that calm mode — just score for us, leave the antics, leave the, you know, body language, leave the mentality, and just give us the goals,” he added.

Adebayo, however, said the Eagles should expect hostility from the North Africans.

“If you are playing for a club side, it’s different from playing for your country. So the Super Eagles should expect hostility. They expect passion.

“They should expect a very hostile atmosphere, and as you said, the North Africans use lasers to distract players.

“So we are playing against the 12th man, but with what we’ve done so far — keeping a clean sheet back to back against Mozambique and, of course, Algeria, I think the boys have lots to offer,” he stated.

The sports journalist, therefore, called for comportment within the Super Eagles.

“So today, Victor Osimhen will be captain of the side. Remember, Wilfred Ndidi will be suspended because of two yellow cards. So we have Victor Osimhen as the captain of the side.

“So, the temperament has to start from the captain. Victor Osimhen has to be calm this time around because we’re playing a country with so many antics,” Adebayo said.

“We saw Algeria as well, you know, doing so many tactics, as you said, psychology-wise, they want to win before they win on the pitch. So, we have to be careful.

“[Sunday] Nwabali got a yellow card against Algeria. If he gets a yellow card against Morocco and we win, he will not play in the final.

“So everybody has to be on their right senses and, we still, you know, see against Uganda, which of course,” he added.

The 2013 African champions will trade tackles with the hosts on Wednesday for a place in the final of the continent’s showpiece.

Manchester United confirmed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season on Tuesday, tasking him with leading the Red Devils back into the Champions League.

“Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour,” said Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United.

The former midfielder previously had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in 2021.

Carrick then took on his first permanent managerial role at second-tier Middlesbrough in October 2022 and was sacked in June last year after the club finished 10th in the Championship.

He has a daunting first task, preparing his men to face local rivals Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

United are seventh in the table but are in the race to qualify for the lucrative Champions League for the first time in three seasons.

The Red Devils are three points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool and only one point behind Brentford, in fifth spot.

A top-four finish would guarantee Champions League qualification and top five is likely to be enough thanks to the strong performance of English sides in European competition.

“I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing,” added Carrick.

“There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”

The Red Devils dismissed Ruben Amorim last week after a dismal 14-month stint at Old Trafford for the Portuguese.

But hopes of an immediate bounce were dashed, with caretaker boss Darren Fletcher overseeing a 2-2 draw against lowly Burnley in the Premier League and a 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup.

READ ALSO: [AFCON 2025] Osimhen’s Scoring Form Gives Nigeria The Upper Hand

Safe pair of hands

United’s exit from both domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle, plus a lack of European football, means they will play only 40 matches this season — their lowest number since the 1914/1915 campaign.

Carrick’s experience at United both as a player and coach are understood to have convinced the club’s hierarchy that he is the safe pair of hands they need over the coming months.

After spells at West Ham and Tottenham, he moved to United, winning five league titles and the Champions League in a 12-year stay.

When his playing career came to an end in 2018, Carrick joined the United coaching staff as an assistant to Jose Mourinho and then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Following Solskjaer’s dismissal five years ago he briefly took charge of the first team, securing impressive results against Chelsea, Arsenal and Villarreal.

However, his time at Middlesbrough ultimately proved a disappointment.

Armed with one of the biggest budgets in the Championship, they reached the play-offs in his first season in charge, losing to Coventry over two legs in the semi-finals.

Boro finished eighth and 10th in Carrick’s two full campaigns in charge and he was sacked at the end of last season for failing to achieve promotion back to the Premier League.