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Victor Osimhen, Other Nigerian Players Undergo Doping Tests In 2023 AFCON

Nigerian players including striker, Victor Osimhen have been made to undergo multiple doping tests at the ongoing 2023 AFCON.
The star has been showing extraordinary stamina and strength which has endeared him to fans.
Due to the enormous energy, he poured into Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on January 22, the reigning African player of the year was reportedly subjected to multiple doping tests.
Though initial reports claimed that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) subjected him to doping tests after Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Cameroon on January 27, it was gathered that the tests took place after the Super Eagles’ game against Guinea-Bissau.
It was not only Osimhen that was tested on the Nigerian side. Super Eagles’ key players like FC Nantes forward Simon Moses and Eagles’ vice-captain William Troost-Ekong, who have been very prominent in Nigeria’s progress in the tournament so far, also underwent dopping tests.
It was also revealed that other players from other teams who have exhibited extraordinary strength so far in the 2023 AFCON were also subjected to CAF random doping tests which are said to be a usual practice in such a global football tournament.
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AFCON: Drogba Celebrates With Osimhen After Nigeria’s 2-0 Win Over Cameroon

Didier Drogba, the world-renowned Chelsea legend, celebrated with Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen after Nigeria secured a 2-0 victory over Cameroon in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16 on Saturday night.

Osimhen gave an impressive display in Nigeria’s attack, as two goals from Ademola Lookman sealed the victory for Jose Peseiro’s side against Cameroon.

The 25-year-old has been the subject of intense speculation over his club’s future after Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentiis announced a few days ago that he would leave the Serie A champions at the end of the season.

On Saturday, reports claimed that Osimhen had already decided to join Chelsea at the end of the season.

Later that night, Osimhen met up with one of Chelsea’s legendary strikers, Drogba at AFCON, where he was congratulated by the Ivorian after Nigeria defeated Cameroon.

The pair also spoke together on Ivorian network NCI where Osimhen said: “It is an honour to play on the land of Didier Drogba, my idol.”

Osimhen will now hope to lead Nigeria to victory when they tackle Angola in the AFCON quarter-final on February 2.

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Nigeria To Play Angola In AFCON Quarterfinals After Knocking Out Cameroon

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to face Angola in the upcoming round of the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

 

Nigeria will play the Giant Sable Antelope in the AFCON 2023 Quarter Finals by 6pm, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, on Friday, February 2, 2024.

Ademola Lookman’s brace, each from the two halves of the game, gave Nigeria the win over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a hard-fought game.

Moreover, the Super Eagles remain unbeaten in the tournament.

According to CAF Online, Angolan forward, Jacinto Dala says they deserve to qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament.

The team defeated Namibia on Friday 3-0, with Jacinto Dala involved in all three goals.

Worthy of note, Angola have reached the last eight of the tournament for the first time since their run to the semi-finals in 2008.

“We had a good performance today. The team deserved this qualification, and I’m very happy we made it happen.

“I will say the commitment and the involvement of all the players helped me win this man of the match,” he said.

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LaLiga: I Am Leaving Barcelona At End Of Season – Coach, Xavi Shocks Fans

Xavi Hernandez, the Barcelona manager, has revealed he will be leaving the LaLiga club at the end of this season.

Xavi was speaking after the Catalans lost 5-3 to Villarreal in a league game on Saturday.

The result leaves Barca 10 points behind rivals Real Madrid on the log.

According to Xavi, he spoke with the board and communicated his decision.

He said: “I will leave Barcelona in June.

“We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change. As a Culé, I think that it’s time to leave.

“I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June.”

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BREAKING: Super Eagles Beat Cameroon, Reach AFCON Quater Finals

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have defeated the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 to reach the Quarter finals of the ongoing AFCON.

Ademola Lookman scored a brace to secure the win for Nigeria.

His first came in the 36 minute making the West African giants go into the break stronger.

The Super Eagles came surging forward in the second half and gave no breathing space to the Lions of Cameroon before finally getting the winning goal in the 90th minute to seal victory.

Nigeria will face Angola on Friday by 6:00pm in the Quarter Finals of the competition.

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Nigeria vs Cameroon: Kanu Predicts AFCON Round Of 16 Clash

Nwankwo Kanu, the Arsenal legend, has predicted that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will emerge victorious against Cameroon in today’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 clash.

In a video post via his X account on Saturday, the former Nigeria international also urged Nigerians to keep praying and supporting Jose Peseiro’s men as they tackle Cameroon.

The former Ajax and Inter Milan star, however, admitted that the match will be difficult but the Super Eagles will come out victorious.

“Nigeria vs Cameroon. What ever it is, you [Super Eagles] are coming out strong, victorious,” Kanu said.

“Let’s us keep praying, supporting the team, it will be a difficult game, but we have the team.

“Believe, come on boys you can do it. You have done it before, you can still do it again.

“Get the victory and we keep moving. Remember we are heading to the finals to win the tournament.”

Nigeria head for the game after beating Guinea-Bissau 1-0 in their last game, while Cameroon won 3-2 against Gambia.

The kick-off time for the match is 9:00 pm.

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Klopp to Quit Liverpool at End of Season

Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
This was announced by the clud in a short statement on X.
The club revealed that the German communicated his decision to leave to the ownership.
“Jürgen Klopp has announced his decision to step down as #LFC manager at the end of the season, having informed the club’s ownership of his wish to leave his position in the summer,” the statement read.
Klopp took over as Reds boss in October 2015 and his contract was due to run until 2026 but two days after qualifying Liverpool for another Wembley final, he informed the club of his decision to quit.
 
“I told the club already in November,” Klopp told Liverpool’s website
“I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people at this moment when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.
 
“I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.
 
“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew already for longer that I would have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.
 
“After the years we had together and after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together, the respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth – and that is the truth,” he added.
Klopp led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years in 2019-20, having won the Champions League the previous season.
He also lifted the FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Super Cup, as well as the FA Community Shield during his nine-year stay at Anfield.
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Xabi Alonso Speaks on Replacing Klopp as Liverpool Manager

Bayer Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso has reacted to rumours that he will take over Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of the season.
Recall that Klopp made a shock announcement on Friday that he would be leaving the role at the end of the current campaign.
Alonso’s name has been mentioned as one of the strong candidates to succeed the German, following his impressive stint at Leverkusen.
The former midfielder played for the Reds in the mid-2000s and was part of Rafael Benitez’s side that conquered Europe in Istanbul in 2005.
When Alonso was asked on Friday if he could become the next Liverpool manager, he said: “That’s a direct question! I don’t have a direct answer. I’m happy here right now, that’s for sure, and only thinking about Leverkusen.”
On Klopp’s exit, he added: “I was surprised by Jurgen’s news. I have huge respect for Jurgen and Liverpool. At the moment I am really happy here and enjoying my work. Each day and game is a challenge. We are on an intense and beautiful journey here at Leverkusen.”
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You Didn’t Deserve FIFA Best Award – Ex-Ballon d’Or Winner Tells Messi

Lothar Matthäus, a former Ballon d’Or winner, has criticized Lionel Messi, stating that the Argentina captain did not merit the Best FIFA Award for 2023.

Speaking on Sky Deutschland, Matthaus insisted that Messi did not deserve the FIFA award, adding that Manchester City’s Erling Haaland should have won the prize.

Messi recently won the FIFA Best Award ahead of Haaland.

“He can’t be the winner this time. I think he was the best footballer of the last 20 years, but he has been in Paris and Miami, where he is now creating hype, and not won any major titles,” Matthaus said.

“If you look at the great successes, there is no way past Manchester City and – when choosing the best player – Erling Haaland. He won the most important titles with Man City. His strike rate was impressive.

“That should be decisive when you choose the best and most important player – and that was Haaland.”

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The Best: FIFA Told To Bar Every Captain Who Voted For Messi

Janusz Michallik, the former United States international, has urged FIFA to bar every captain who voted for Lionel Messi to win the 2023 FIFA The Best Men’s Player award.

Messi recently took home his second consecutive and third overall prestigious trophy.

The Argentina World Cup winner closely beat Manchester City’s Erling Haaland to the award.

However, Michallik wants national team captains who voted for the Inter Miami forward to be stripped of their voting rights, including the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Luka Modric, and Mohamed Salah.

“Last season was based on the entire year because he played such a vital role for Argentina, not just in winning it but obviously his play alone, we gave it to him. This year, I mean this is just crazy. I mean I couldn’t believe it in a way and I think we are used to this right,” Michallik said (via ESPN FC).

“I didn’t lose any sleep over it but I will tell you what. Everyone that voted for Messi to win it should be barred from voting ever again really because that is just nonsense.”

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