Category sport-news

The Super Eagles’ third-place finish in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is praised by the Federal Government, who cites the team’s dedication and “Nigeria’s rich football tradition.” &nbsp,

“Super Eagles, congratulations. I congratulate you on winning the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Idris Mohammed, the minister of information and national orientation, in a statement released late on Saturday. &nbsp,

Your participation in the tournament gave our nation a sense of pride and joy. You have fought with heart, talent, and resilience to maintain Nigeria’s rich football tradition.

You showed courage, unity, and belief in one another from the group stages to the closing bell in Casablanca. You not just played; you piqued the interest of millions of Nigerians at home and abroad.

Read more about Nwabali’s heroics as Nigeria defeated Egypt to earn bronze at the Olympics.

An unbroken fighting spirit

In the penalty shootout against Egypt’s Pharaohs, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two crucial spot kicks.

Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush of Manchester City were denied by the Chippa United shot-stopper to give Nigeria their ninth AFCON bronze medal.

After 90 minutes, Ademola Lookman converted the final spot kick to give Nigeria the victory in Casablanca, taking advantage of Nwabali’s saves.

Mohammed claimed that the victory adds to Nigeria’s rich history in Africa’s most important football competition.

He said, “You had discipline and an unbroken fighting spirit when you competed, especially when you faced strong teams.” &nbsp,

Thank you for your hard work and sacrifice, to our coaches, support staff, and each and every player who donned the green and white jersey. You persevered despite difficulties and gave your all. “&nbsp,

The minister told the team that “this bronze medal is earned with dignity and effort” after the country lost to Morocco in a heartbreaking semifinal penalty shootout on Wednesday. &nbsp,

Every Nigerian who praised, backed, and remained with you throughout this competition, “it belongs not just to you but to everyone else,” he said. &nbsp,

Bayern Munich defeated RB Leipzig 5-1 to defeat Bayern Munich, who scored their 21st goal of the Bundesliga season.

Bayern’s 11-point lead over Borussia Dortmund is renewed with the victory, which also serves to build on their record-breaking campaign.

Bayern, who are unbeaten, have only lost four points in their 18 games to reach a record-equalling 50. At this point in the German league season, Bayern has a record of 71 goals scored.

Romulo gave Leipzig a first-half lead before Bayern took the lead after the break, scoring only Aleksandar Pavlovic, Kane, Kane, Jonathan Tah, Serge Gnabry, Kane, Kane, and Michael Olise.

Read more about Martinez’s Inter-Right Fire and Napoli’s Past Sassuolo’s Squeeze.

In the opening half, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany praised Leipzig as “twice as good as we were,” adding, “but in the second half, my god, the boys delivered.”

We actually made the effort because we weren’t afraid.

Romulo, the Leipzig goalkeeper, said, “We played 75 minutes really well, then I don’t know what happened; we turned our heads.” That has to teach us something.

After 20 minutes, Romulo snuck past Bayern’s Tah to fire in an Antonio Nusa pass from close range, which Leipzig were strong early on.

Just after half-time, the hosts were undone in the most basic manner. Christoph Baumgartner picked up Gnabry’s pocket, who drilled the ball into the bottom corner.

After 67 minutes, Bayern again took the lead thanks to a Leipzig error.

Ridle Baku’s floated cross appeared harmless until an unmarked Kane made his way home in time and space.

After Leipzig’s resistance was broken, Jamal Musiala came on the bench late after a six-month absence due to injury, and Tah, Pavlovic, and Olise all scored in the final ten minutes.

Can Dortmund be saved?

Borussia Dortmund’s blushes were saved by an Emre Can penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time’s 3-2 victory at home to St Pauli.

Maximilian Beier was fouled by VAR in the final moments, sending Dortmund captain Can to the spot.

Can told Sky Germany, “What a rollercoaster ride.”

He continued, “We need to do much better to settle things down and improve our chances,” he continued.

Julian Brandt fired in from close range just before the break to overcame a poor first half for the hosts. In the 54th minute, Karim Adeyemi converted a Fabio Silva assist to give Dortmund a two-goal lead.

Rock-bottom St Pauli had only won once since September, but James Sands and Ricky-Jade Jones fought back to stun the hosts with inside 10 minutes in the second half.

Can converted nervelessly from the spot after Jones caught Beier close to the end of the penalty area.

Wouter Burger also scored the only goal in Leipzig’s 1-0 home victory over sluggish Bayer Leverkusen, propelling them into third place overall.

After nine minutes, Burger headed home with a superb free-kick to give the visitors three points.

Gurger referred to his free kick as “an important one.” This morning, I was a little practicing on them.

Hoffenheim, who were relegated last season, are now on track to make it to Europe’s top competition for the second time in their history, having last done so under current German coach Julian Nagelsmann in 2017/18.

Leverkusen are now three points behind the Champions League placings after losing four of their previous six games.

In Saturday’s 1-0 win over Udinese, Lutaro Martinez gave Inter Milan the lead six points clear of the top of the Serie A, as Napoli put pressure on themselves by defeating Sassuolo 1-0.

In the 20th minute, Martinez skillfully headed home the winner in the 20th minute to cap Inter’s nine-game unbeaten run in the top flight of Italy ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Champions League game against Arsenal.

Inter put pressure on Udinese high up the pitch, as Cristian Chivu wants his team to do, from beginning to end.

According to Chivu, “What we’re displaying on the pitch is a testament to the desire of these players,” because it’s difficult to change habits.”

“We defend high up the pitch, and we start with pressure from the forwards, from our midfielders’ work, from their determination to win duels, and from the courage of our defenders in maintaining a high line,” said one player.

Since losing the late November Milan derby, Inter have collected 25 of the possible 27 points, and they have once more demonstrated ruthlessness in their dealings with smaller teams, which both Napoli and AC Milan lack.

Milan, who are the only team to have three points off Massimiliano Allegri’s side, have lost a number of points to teams they should defeat. The first was back in August against Jamie Vardy’s Cremonese.

Inter, on the other hand, have a bad record against well-known opponents, which will put the Premier League leaders Arsenal at the San Siro to the test.

Following two defeats, which left direct qualification for the last 16 a question, four straight victories came at the start of the Champions League league phase.

After a three-game losing streak, Napoli remained six points clear of Inter in third place with Stanislav Lobotka’s first club goal in more than three years.

Napoli’s Struggle Continues

In Naples, Slovakia’s midfielder Lobotka broke a scoring duck that had already come up on the day of Napoli’s triumphant 2022/23 season. What would have otherwise been an even contest was decided by it.

Second-placed Milan host Lecce on Sunday, and the champions are tied for third with 43 points.

Even though Inter, the seven-time European champions, have not lost since the season’s opening day, are behind them.

Both Napoli and FC Copenhagen will face off in a crucial match that will determine their fate in the Champions League, with both teams at risk of dropping into the bottom four.

And a team that has already lost three players due to knocks from Eljif Elmas, Amir Rrahmani, and Matteo Politano, who also have injuries, might be without Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Andre-Frank Anguissa.

Politano, an Italian attacker, went down late on holding his hamstring after taking a snap shot, prompting Conte to express his frustration in the stands. Conte needs treatment on the field right away.

“In the upcoming days, we’ll learn more.” Apart from the fact that there isn’t any news, Elmas’ head was swaying a little, according to Cristian Stellini, Conte’s assistant.

“The boys were fantastic despite the difficulty (with injuries), which we don’t know how long will continue.”

Arsenal held on for a seven-point lead in the Premier League despite drawing Nottingham Forest to 0-0 at the City Ground on Saturday.

After Manchester City lost 2-0 to local rivals Manchester United in the lunchtime kick-off, the Gunners had a chance to increase their lead to nine points.

As Forest held out to increase their chances of survival, Arsenal were forced to pay for a poor first-half performance.

However, Mikel Arteta’s men are still in a strong position to put an end to a 22-year wait for the title.

Sean Dyche had criticized his team’s poor first-half performance against second-place Wrexham last weekend in the FA Cup.

READ MORE: Carrick’s first game in charge: Man Utd Stun Man City.

As the home team battled valiantly five points clear of the relegation zone, Dyche was able to get the response he needed.

Since the start of the year, City have been unable to put any pressure on Arsenal with four games without wins.

However, Arsenal couldn’t thwart a significant lead thanks to back-to-back goalless draws against Forest and Liverpool.

If Aston Villa defeats Everton on Sunday, they could close the gap at the top by four points.

In the opening period, the visitors had no chance on target.

Forest started to be stretched until Arteta fully flexed his strength off the bench in the second period.

Before the hour mark, Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard were all introduced at the break.

When Saka’s looping header from Declan Rice’s cross was brilliantly diverted behind by goalkeeper Matz Sels, it was the closest to breaking the deadlock.

Rice’s inviting free-kick delivery was too distracting for Merino to score.

With their 11th clean sheet in 22 league games, Arsenal could have at least come one step closer to the top.

The Super Eagles defeated Egypt to claim bronze at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties as the team’s hero. &nbsp,

After 90 minutes, the game ended goalless and crossed penalties. The Super Eagles won 2-4 after Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush’s efforts were saved by the Chippa United goalkeeper.

After suffering disappointments from shoot-outs that prevented them from competing in the 2026 World Cup and the 2025 AFCON final, the Super Eagles won in Casablanca.

In a play-off to advance to the World Cup intercontinental play-offs, Nigeria lost to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in November.

Then, three days later, they lost in the semi-finals of the AFCON to hosts Morocco.

Success won seven AFCON titles before falling short of the previous best-place finishers.

READ MORE: The Senegalese Hope Morocco Final Will Not Be Mane’s AFCON Goodbye.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ opening kick before Lookman scored, and Alex Iwobi, Akor Adams, Moses Simon, and Alex Iwobi scored.

Before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored, Stanley Nwabali saved both Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush kicks in the Premier League.

brick wall in Nigeria
TotalEnergies’ Man of the Match is Stanley Nwabali. #Football2Gether #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 twitter.com/IyGSiGMBHe

Three days prior, Egypt made six changes to the semi-final teams that lost to Senegal and Morocco, respectively.

The Pharaohs made their debut with Captain Salah, with Mohamed El Shenawy and Marmoush being the traditional first choices.

On the bench for Nigeria, Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both of whom were previous recipients of the annual African player of the year award, sat.

Most Moroccans backed Nigeria in a crowd that nearly ascended to the 45, 000-capacity Stade Mohammed V. When coach Hossam Hassan appeared on television and whenever Egypt gained possession, they whistled.

The great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both on national and club levels, is credited with giving the Super Eagles their support.

Goals were not permitted

On a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital, Nigeria and then Egypt both had dominance moments in a goalless opening half.

Onuachu deflected the ball past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir with his head before breaking the deadlock on 36 minutes.

However, a Moroccan referee’s VAR review revealed that Onuachu had unintentionally elbowed Hamdy Fathy. The Nigerian received a yellow card after the goal was blocked.

In the opening minute of the second period, Lookman found himself in the net in the net in the absence of Onuachu, who had been replaced by coach Eric Chelle. The goal was foreseen as being offside, though.

Following the break, Nigeria launched a number of attacks. Shobeir, the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir, was forced to make several saves following a generally uneventful opening half.

Salah never threatened, and the potential danger was quickly avoided when he did when Salah did cut in with the ball. As the play-off approached the hour mark to try to increase a blunt strike force, Marshmoush came on.

However, as the final ten minutes of the match progressed, Osimhen’s absence suggested that he might not have been fully fit.

Adams, Marmoush, and Marmoush both threatened to score in a flash, but neither was able to put the finishing touch on the board when the other players demanded it.

Egypt and Nigeria compete for third place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the latter aiming to take home the bronze medal for the first time.

In the semi-final, the Super Eagles were defeated by Morocco on penalties. Senegal, on the other hand, defeated Egypt.

Coach Eric Chelle has already chosen his starting lineup for the match, leaving out Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.

Your #SuperEagles will battle the Egyptian Pharaohs. #EGYNGA #AFCON2025 pic. twitter.com/6LB8YX4XZ8

The third-place matchup between Nigeria, who have won three times, and Egypt, who are seven-time winners, will be broadcast live on Channels Television.

A bit-by-bit update of the showdown between the heavyweights will appear on this page.

90+7: The game ends goalless and moves into penalties!

Semi Ajayi is replaced by 90+3′ Chidozie Awaziem.

Four more minutes have been added to 90 FIVE! Chidera Ejuke is Samuel Chukwueze’s opponent.

In the third-place AFCON 2025 play-off between Egypt and Nigeria, there is no goal after 80 minutes! #EgyNGA image twitter.com/p5zKoLFPAU

82′ Following a VAR review, the referee says there is no penalty for Nigeria for striking Akor.

Omar Marmoush’s 80′ falls, but the referee continues to play.

Nigerians who are 70 years old are patiently pursuing a breakthrough.

Bright Osayi-Samuel, age 63, is taken off! He has injuries. He succeeds Alex Iwobi!

Nigeria press continues, but the Super Eagles have yet to accomplish anything.

Oufa Shobeir quickly saves after shooting from range from 50 ft.

For Onuachu, Ademola Lookman, 46, arrives. The Atalanta man scores, but he is offended.

Half-time has ended with the whistle blaring. No end in sight yet!

45 The officials extended the game by four minutes!

39′ The referee overturns the game and sends Nigeria’s Paul Onuachu a yellow card following a VAR check.

Akor heads home after receiving another cross from 36′ Chukwueze!

Akor Adams, 35, attempts to dribble past, but the shot is blocked and a corner kick is made.

Mostafa Mohamed receives a long ball from Egypt’s Mohamed Hany at 34. However, the ball is blocked for a goalkick.

Just before the center circle, 32-year-old Raphael Onyedika fouls an Egyptian player.

An Egyptian counterattack is launched by Samuel Osayi at 29. From the resultant Nigerian attack, Bruno Onyemaechi crosses, but it directly hits the goalkeeper.

As Egypt’s tempo increases, Salah’s 28-foot kicks the ball.

After an Egyptian corner from Salah, who has been entreprising&nbsp, 24′ Nigeria clears their backline.

20′ It has been a slow buildup on both sides so far. One shot was made, and it was from Nigeria.

Stanley Nwabali was on hand to stop the danger when Mohamed Salah’s 18-footer makes an incisive pass that split Nigeria’s defense.

Akor Adams, 13, smashes his marker straight into the Egyptian goalkeeper!

10 ‘ Early pressure from Nigeria as we enter the opener door.

EGY 0–0 NGA#EGYNGA #AFCON2025

Semi Ajayi has been able to stop the North Africans’ attack despite 11′ Egypt trying to score a goal.

KICK-OFF!

Casablanca is playing a game. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic. twitter.com/SAqoYKocXl

1′ The action has begun!

“We are up and running,”

EGY 0-0 NGA #EGYNGA #AFCON2025