Sport
Troost-Ekong Confident Super Eagles Can Win Fourth AFCON Title in 2025
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has expressed the team’s determination to claim their fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title at the 2025 tournament.
The group stage draw, held in Rabat on Monday night, placed Nigeria in Group C alongside Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles, Uganda’s Cranes, and Tanzania’s Taifa Stars. Troost-Ekong emphasized the importance of respecting these opponents, noting that no game in African football is easy anymore.
Speaking through the Super Eagles media, the Al Kholood defender highlighted the team’s growth since finishing second at the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. “The AFCON 2025 draw is done, and it’s exciting to see the groups. Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania are teams we must respect,” he said.
Troost-Ekong also pointed to the team’s quality and experience as key factors for success. “We’ve learned a lot from our past performances. This time, we’ll be more prepared and work hard to ensure everyone is fit and ready. We have what it takes to not just advance but go all the way.”
Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about working under the new coach and the opportunities the tournament presents. “It’s going to be an exciting year, and I’m very happy with the AFCON draw. We are ready to give our best.”
Sport
Onyedika Celebrates First Champions League Goal Against Man City
Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika is overjoyed after scoring his first-ever UEFA Champions League goal, despite Club Brugge’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Onyedika, who has been a key player for the Belgian club, found the back of the net on Wednesday night, giving Brugge an early lead before City responded with three goals to secure the win.
Speaking about the moment, the Super Eagles star admitted it was a proud milestone in his career.
“I don’t know how to describe the feeling, but scoring my first Champions League goal at City’s stadium is incredible. I’m really proud,” he told Flashcore.com.
He also reflected on the match, acknowledging the team’s struggles after their opening goal.
“We knew it wouldn’t be easy, and after we scored, we became a bit careless. Once City equalized, they gained momentum, and our mistakes made it even tougher.”
Sport
Tanzania Coach: “We Are Ready” for Super Eagles and Tough AFCON Group
Tanzania’s head coach, Hemed Suleiman Ali, has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete against the Super Eagles and their other Group C rivals at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Taifa Stars have been drawn alongside former champions Tunisia, Uganda, and Nigeria in what many consider a challenging group.
Tanzania, currently the lowest-ranked team among them, will have a tough task ahead, but Ali remains optimistic about their chances.
Acknowledging the difficulty of the group, Ali made it clear that his team was not backing down.
“We are ready. We’ve seen our opponents, and we know it won’t be easy, but it’s not easy for anyone. There is no such thing as an easy group in this competition,” Ali told CAF Online.
“If you qualify for a tournament like this, you must prepare well. We know who we’re up against, and we know what we need to do. The only way forward is to get ready and fight hard to make our people proud,” he added.
Sport
Mikel Arteta Says David Raya Might Not Be Ready for Sunday’s Man City Match
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted that goalkeeper David Raya might not be available for Sunday’s highly anticipated Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Raya was absent during Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Girona in the Champions League, with Arteta opting for experienced shot-stopper Neto in his place.
The 34-year-old, who joined Arsenal on a season-long loan from Bournemouth, made his debut but had a shaky start. He was caught off guard in the 28th minute when Arnaut Danjuma capitalized on a mistake to put Girona ahead
Despite the early setback, Arsenal responded well. Jorginho leveled the score from the penalty spot in the 38th minute, while teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri sealed the win with a stunning goal, showcasing why he’s one of the club’s most exciting young talents.
Arteta remained tight-lipped about the details of Raya’s injury but confirmed that the Spanish goalkeeper was unable to play. “He certainly could not play, and he’s injured, and that’s it. We’ll see how it improves,” he told reporters after the match.
When asked if Neto could step up as a long-term replacement, Arteta expressed confidence in the veteran keeper.
“Yes, that’s why he’s here, to do that job, and he’s done it for 20-odd years in his career, he said. I’m very happy, first of all, that he played.
It’s been seven, eight months since his last competitive game, and it’s not easy, so I’m very happy that he played and we won again.”
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