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(Watch Highlights) Super Eagles beat Black Stars

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Nigeria bounced back from last month’s painful Africa Cup of Nations final defeat by edging out 10-man Ghana in a high-profile friendly contest on Friday.

Playing their first match since throwing away a first-half lead to lose 2-1 against hosts Ivory Coast in the AFCON showpiece back in February, the Super Eagles defeated their West African rivals 2-1 in Marrakesh to boost interim boss and Nigeria legend Finidi George’s hopes of getting the vacant manager’s job on a full-time basis.

Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers gave dominant Nigeria – missing the likes of attacking talisman Victor Osimhen due to injury – a deserved advantage from the penalty spot after Ghana were penalised for handball, with Jerome Opoku later sent off in confusing circumstances to give the Black Stars a mountain to climb in their first game following another dismal AFCON campaign that led to Chris Hughton being sacked after a second successive group stage exit.

However, there were still plenty of positives to be taken by returning Ghana coach Otto Addo, who despite their numerical disadvantage saw his depleted and experimental side – without West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, among others – battle bravely and push hard for an equaliser.

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo spurned a number of chances including a missed close-range header before substitute Ademola Lookman rifled in a late second for Nigeria to continue his fine run of form at international level.

Spirited Ghana did get a goal that their efforts deserved late into second-half stoppage time, when Crystal Palace stalwart Jordan Ayew sent Stanley Nwabali the wrong way from 12 yards after a clumsy foul by Bright Osayi-Samuel on Semenyo.

However, it proved to be only a mere consolation as Nwabali held a last-gasp effort from range from Semenyo to secure a morale-boosting win for Nigeria in the latest edition of the so-called ‘Jollof Derby’, with Mali up next in another Marrakesh friendly on Tuesday evening as preparations continue for the return of World Cup qualifying in the summer.

Photo Credit: NGSuperEagles/ X

Tension at Anfield as Real Madrid monitor Liverpool star

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Liverpool risk losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid especially with the reports circulating in England if the Anfield club do not begin contract talks soon.

Alexander-Arnold has been one of the shining lights of the mega-successful Jurgen Klopp reign. The 25-year-old has been one of the Premier League’s chief creators over the last five years despite spending most of his Liverpool career at right-back.

Real Madrid are reportedly monitoring Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation at Liverpool with the defender set to enter his final season at Anfield.

Alexander-Arnold’s deal expires in the summer of 2025 and it is claimed that there have not yet been any talks with the England star over an extension.

He penned his latest Liverpool contract in 2021, a four-year agreement that has cemented him as one of the club’s key players. But reports suggest that there have been no discussions over extending his stay with his boyhood team.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Spanish giants Real Madrid have been keeping tabs on the supposed lack of progress on a new deal. Liverpool have not indicated any desire to sell the player but Los Blancos might fancy their chances if no negotiations take place between now and the start of next season.

Revealed: Why Real Madrid may call off move for Chelsea, PSG target

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Real Madrid are reportedly long-term admirers of Lille centre-back Leny Yoro and have been receiving positive reports about his progress but there’s a debate within the club over whether to try and sign him in this summer’s transfer window.

Yoro, 18, has a contract at Lille until June 2025 and a number of top European clubs are monitoring his situation with an eye to a deal.

Madrid’s priority signings for the 2024-25 season are the arrival of Kylian Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain and bringing in Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies.

According to ESPN, some at Madrid believe they should wait another year before investing the €50 million ($54.3m) which Lille expect to receive for the teenager should they allow him to move on.

Others argue that it’s worth moving for him now, believing that if Madrid don’t do so this summer, the defender will end up joining another club.

The report adds that Madrid would be best-positioned to sign Yoro if they opted to push for his signature, but said that PSG and Chelsea are also keen.

Yoro’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has an excellent relationship with PSG’s sporting director Luis Campos.

Yoro has reportedly been in contact with at least two players from the Madrid first team in recent months to get an idea of what awaits him at the Bernabeu if a deal comes to fruition.

Madrid have four senior central defenders in their squad: Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba and Nacho Fernandez.

Yoro would fit into the club’s long-standing policy of signing outstanding young prospects from Europe and around the world, such as Vinícius Júnior, Eduardo Camavinga, Rodrygo Goes and Endrick.

However, there is no consensus within the club on his signing as Madrid’s initial plan had been to delay the rebuild of the centre of defence until the summer of 2025.

Alaba and Rudiger are both 31, while Militao is just 26.

Madrid are also concerned about the prospect of a bidding war for Yoro’s signature, which would raise the potential cost of a deal.

Photo Credit:losclive/ X

“I was one hour away from Chelsea transfer with a plane waiting – then deal was called off”

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West Ham United midfielder Edson Alvarez has revealed that he was close to signing for Chelsea, and even had a plan waiting for him, before he joined the Hammers from Ajax last summer.

The Mexican international joined the Hammers from Ajax in a £35m deal last summer.

However, a year prior, Alvarez came close to joining Chelsea in the first transfer window of Todd Boehly’s reign as Chelsea owner.

Speaking in an interview with Caliente TV, the 26-year-old, who replaced Declan Rice at the heart of the West Ham midfield, said: “In year three [at Ajax], I had to go to Chelsea, the plane was waiting for me at the airport – then Ajax told me, ‘You know what: you’re not going’.”

“Whether people believe it or not, it doesn’t make any difference to me, I’m the one who is here and the one who is living it. I was an hour away from getting on the plane and going to sign for Chelsea.”

“Ajax told me: ‘You’re not going’. So, you’re not leaving, what do you do? There’s no way you’re leaving.”

Alvarez has impressed at the heart of West Ham’s midfield, making 35 appearances so far for David Moyes ‘ men.

“I was one hour away from Chelsea transfer with a plane waiting – then deal was called off”

“I was one hour away from Chelsea transfer with a plane waiting – then deal was called off”

Photo Credit: EdsonAlvarez19/ X

Revealed: Why Thomas Partey snubbed call-up to Ghana national team

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Thomas Partey has turned down a call-up to the Ghanaian national team as he continues to manage his workload after an extensive injury lay-off.

Partey started all three opening games of the Premier League season for Arsenal but has been hampered by various injuries since then.

The 30-year-old suffered a groin injury before having to undergo surgery on a serious thigh problem in November.

The midfielder was scheduled to return in early February but suffered a setback with the same injury.

Partey returned for his first minutes as a substitute in the 6-0 thumping of Sheffield United in early March but has played just 276 minutes of league football this season.

The Black Stars had called up the Arsenal player for their upcoming friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda but Partey is understood, according to the Metro, to have recused himself from national team selection as he attempts to reach full fitness.

He is not the only Gunners player to be staying in north London over the international break, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has not played a minute for Arsenal since last month’s Asian Cup, not called up to the Japan squad.

Footballer dies after playing in top-flight match

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A footballer has died from a suspected heart attack hours after he played in a top-flight match, with tributes pouring in from his club and fans.

Youssouf Keira, a centre-back for Guinean Ligue 1 club ASM Sangaredi, was found dead at his home in the early hours of Sunday.

The rising star had helped his team, which is based in the capital of Conakry, to remain undefeated all season.

But their winning streak, which lasted for nearly a year, was ended on Saturday evening when they lost 3-2 to Milo FC.

His club said he had done ‘everything possible’ during the match and had been ‘determined’ to achieve his goals alongside his team.

Tragically, at around 4am on Sunday, Keira was found unresponsive, with local media reporting that he suffered a heart attack.

His club was among those to pay tribute to the star player, describing his death as an ‘immense national loss’.

Former boss of the governing body of Guinean football, Mamadou Antonio Souaré, paid a heartfelt tribute, saying: ‘It is with great sadness that I have just learned the death of player Youssouf Keira following a cardiac arrest.

“AS Minors de Sangaredi loses a great defender who was promoted to a bright future.

“All my condolences to his biological family, to the Sangaredi Minors Sports Association as well as to the great Guinean football family.

“Rest in peace the warrior Youssouf Keira ‘Varane’!”

The Guinean FA announced: ‘It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of the ASM Sangaredi player Youssouf Keira.

“It took place this Sunday, March 17 2024.

“We offer our sincerest condolences to his grieving family, the club’s board and players, and the entire football family.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

ASM Sangaredi are fourth in Guinea’s top league, which comprises of 14 clubs, and sit five points behind leaders Hafia.

Chelsea star rebukes fan for criticizing Raheem Sterling over his awful performance vs Leicester

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Raheem Sterling’s penalty miss against Leicester is still generating furore as Noni Madueke hit back at a Chelsea fan on social media after he told the Blues star to apologise for his awful performance in the FA Cup.

Chelsea have reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup after beating 10-man Leicester City 4-2 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

However, the game is not one Sterling will want to look back on after the England international missed countless chances and was relentlessly booed by his own supporters before being subbed off for Madueke in the 86th minute.

The worst moment came in the first-half when he won a spot-kick and then took the ball off regular penalty taker Cole Palmer, only for his tame effort to be easily saved by Jakub Stolarczyk.

This could have been a very costly moment after Leicester came from 2-0 down to level the match, but injury time goals from Carney Chukwuemeka and Madueke saved Sterling’s blushes.

Afterwards, the 29-year-old posted an apology to fans on social media for the penalty miss, though many of his teammates were quick to rush to his defence.

Madueke was one of them, replying to his fellow winger with: “Bro no need to apologise… we appreciate you g.”

Some fans disagreed with the 22-year-old however, claiming that Sterling ‘needed’ to apologise for his errors, but Madueke wasn’t having any of it.

He responded to one by saying: ‘Be quiet man, people like you are the issue.’

It is not the first time that Madueke has hit out at a fan on social media, having previously told a supporter to ‘stay in your lane’ after he criticised the former PSV star’s performance in the win over Leeds in February.

As mentioned, Chelsea’s players have rallied around Sterling following the game, with Chukwuemeka later telling Standard Sport: “Raheem is an experienced player who has had an amazing career.

“We know what a great footballer he is. He has had goals, assists and won so many penalties this season. It happens at the end of the day, he is human and players miss chances.

“He had an off day and for sure we stick behind him. Let’s not forget, he got an assist for Cole’s goal.

“For us youngsters – especially for me, Noni and Cole – Raheem has helped us a lot since we came here.

“He is always on us showing what we can do well and what to improve on. He is always on us, inside and outside football, Raheem is a big part of what we do. He is like my big brother.”

(Watch Video) Antony’s meltdown when asked to play left-back during win over Liverpool

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Shock footage has emerged of Antony having a mini-meltdown after being asked by Erik ten Hag to play left-back during the thrilling win over Liverpool.

United’s rollercoaster 4-3 victory over their rivals in the FA Cup on Sunday was watched by Sir Alex Ferguson and two other legendary names at Old Trafford.

That dramatic late triumph secured a semi-final with Coventry as Erik ten Hag’s side remained in the hunt for silverware.

Scott McTominay got the Red Devils off to a flyer but Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah put the visitors ahead before the break – with both goals enraging Roy Keane.

Substitute Antony struck at the end of normal time to send the clash into extra-time, only for Harvey Elliott’s deflected effort to restore Liverpool’s lead.

Marcus Rashford then pounced late on to seemingly send it to penalties – but there would be another dramatic twist in store.

Another sub, Amad Diallo, fired home after a counter-attack in the closing seconds to win it – only for his celebrations to be cut-short after removing his shirt and getting sent-off as he picked up a second booking.

Fans were quick to praise manager Ten Hag as “meaning business” after they spotted four tactical changes he made as United chased the game – including Bruno Fernandes going to centre-half and Antony at left-back.

The Brazilian winger was moved to the unfamiliar role after Elliott’s goal as the Dutch coach went all-out to try and salvage something.

The switches occurred at the break in extra-time as midfielder Mason Mount came off the bench in place of centre-half Victor Lindelof.

Photo Credit: EmiratesFACup/ X

Chelsea Player Ratings vs Leicester: Jackson, Palmer, Mudryk, others shine, Sterling struggles

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It was a day to forget for Raheem Sterling despite his Chelsea side advancing to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Chelsea had a 2-0 lead at the break after goals from Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer, despite Sterling missing from the penalty spot.

But some awful defensive mistakes, and more poor finishing from Sterling, allowed Leicester back into the game.

Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke went on to give the Blues a 4-2 victory over ten-man Foxes who saw Callum Doyle sent off in the 77th minute.

Robert Sanchez – 5

Would have made Chelsea fans feel a little unnerved with the risks he was taking in the first-half on the ball. Axel Disasi was at fault for Leicester’s first goal but questions could be asked about why Sanchez was so far off his line.

Malo Gusto – 6

Was given the BBC’s Man of the Match after a solid display. He is marked down however, as he would have needed to get a ticket back into the stadium after he was done by Stephy Mavididi’s fancy footwork for Leicester’s equaliser.

Axel Disasi – 5

What was he doing for Leicester’s first goal? Yes, he was under a bit of pressure but he just needed to play a simple back-pass to Sanchez and his error brought Leicester back into the game.

Trevoh Chalobah – 6

Lost the ball on several occasions while trying to play out from the back. His partnership with Disasi looked weak at times.

Marc Cucurella – 7

Showed great tenacity to get forward and tap home the opener. Not always been great defensively for Chelsea but he was the best of the four for Mauricio Pochettino’s side today.

Moises Caicedo – 6

A solid but unremarkable performance which sums up his performances this season.

Cole Palmer – 7

Scored his 16h goal of the season in all competitions to double Chelsea’s lead in the first-half. Not his fault, but it could have been an easier afternoon if Raheem Sterling didn’t take the ball off him for the penalty.

Conor Gallagher – 6

Calm and composed on the ball in a solid performance before he joins up with Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Raheem Sterling – 3

Was energetic and got an assist but in truth, it was an absolute nightmare of a day for the winger.

He missed a penalty, then should have scored a one-on-one opportunity and was booed by the Chelsea crowd after sending a free-kick into Row Z in the second-half. The boos for Mudryk being substituted was telling too. A day he will want to forget about and quickly.

Mykhailo Mudryk – 7

Is showing signs of improvement and his energy was appreciated by the Chelsea fans who were not happy that he was taken off with over ten minutes to go at 2-2.

Nicolas Jackson – 8

Chelsea’s best player and Leicester could not deal with his pace. Showed a great burst of speed to set up Cucurella’s opener before catching out Callum Doyle who was sent off for a challenge on the striker mid-way through the second-half.

Manager

Mauricio Pochettino – 7

Decision to bring Mudryk off instead of Sterling didn’t go down well but his substitutes killed the game off in the second-half.

Substitutes

Carney Chukwuemeka – 7

Proved the match winner sliding in his finish under Stolarczyk after coming off the bench.

Noni Madueke – 7

The England Under-21 winger scored a stunning solo goal with the last kick of the game.

Ben Chilwell – N/A

Unused subs Petrovic; Badiashile, Thiago Silva, Acheampong; Harrison; Washington.

(Video) Madueke scores stunning goal! Chelsea 4-2 Leicester

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Another lovely goal, this time by Noni Madueke, who showed slick footwork as he ran at the heart of the Leicester defence and then bent a brilliant shot over Stolarczyk into the top corner.

That actually gets better with every viewing. Top finish.

Photo Credit: EmiratesFACup/ X