Sport
Chelle calls Lookman the best in Africa as Super Eagles get ready for Rwanda WCQ
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has heaped praise on Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, calling him the best player in Africa as the team prepares for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in Uyo. Chelle defended his decision to bring Lookman into the squad despite his lack of recent game time, stressing that the Atalanta star’s quality and influence cannot be overlooked.
“Talking about Lookman, honestly, how do you make a squad list without the best player in Africa?” Chelle told reporters at his pre-match briefing. “It’s my responsibility to decide how much he can play, whether it’s five minutes or sixty. But leaving him out isn’t an option. I have full confidence in him.”
Lookman, who was crowned African Footballer of the Year and came close to a move to Inter Milan during the summer, has not featured for club or country since May 25. He had been working on his own fitness before linking up with the Super Eagles in camp. Nigeria will be counting on his spark and experience as they face Rwanda in a match that could decide their World Cup hopes.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken about his team’s performance after the Gunners suffered a 3-0 defeat to Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaks on the aftermath of the match and shares his analysis of the team and how they lost 3-0 to Brighton.
Speaking on the match, he shared: “I am really disappointed. In the first 20 or 30 minutes, the number of technical errors put us constantly under pressure. It was all related to the start.”
It can be noted that the team had been having a winning streak so far but fell at this match against Brighton.
Arsenal had won their opening four Premier League matches before the defeat, with the loss ending their perfect start to the season.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has spoken on the controversial offside goal in Manchester City’s recent derby win over Manchester United and shared how Manchester United had actually benefited from a similar decision in the past.
He recalled that three years ago, Manchester United won a derby game against Manchester City with a goal that was allowed to stand despite an offside decision.
“Three years ago, we lost the Derby at Old Trafford with a goal that had to be disallowed. No one apologised. We are still waiting for the apology, Sometimes it happens for you, sometimes against you. It’s football.”
The comments came after Manchester City’s 1–0 win over Manchester United, in which Erling Haaland’s goal was initially ruled offside before VAR overturned the decision. The refereeing body later acknowledged that the decision was incorrect.
UEFA has announced the venues that will host the major European club finals in 2028 and 2029.
The 2028 Europa League final will take place at the National Arena in Bucharest, Romania, while Belgrade’s National Stadium in Serbia will host the 2029 final.
For the Europa Conference League, Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, will stage the 2028 final, with the 2029 edition set to take place at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.
The Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam will host the 2027 UEFA Super Cup, followed by the Astana Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the 2028 edition.
Meanwhile, the 2028 Champions League final will be played at the Munich Football Arena in Munich, Germany, while Barcelona’s Camp Nou will host the 2029 final.
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