Napoli manager, Walter Mazzarri hopes Victor Osimhen returns to his best as soon as possible after the Nigerian inspired a 2-1 away win at Atalanta on Saturday night.

Osimhen stepped up from the bench to teed up Elf Elmas for the winning goal at the Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo.

It was the striker’s first goal for the Serie A champions since he sustained a hamstring injury on international duty last month.

Mazzarri, who took charge of the Serie A champions last week has kind words for the talismanic striker.

“I didn’t need to be the Napoli coach to know that Osimhen is an excellent striker, I had watched him play!

“Fortunately he is back, I hope he gets his form back as soon as possible,” he said.

The 24-year-old has scored six goals in nine appearances for Napoli this season.

[DailyPost]

A friend, a foremost sports journalist, called me up last week from Abuja to inform me that he was racing to the office of the Minister of Sports to inform him of his decision to lead a national campaign to sack Jose Paseiro, the Portuguese coach of the Super Eagles. He wanted my urgent opinion.

Of course, I do not take decisions in a hurry, nor in a panic mode. I also do not swim with the tide of opinion based on emotional or sentimental outbursts, or be part of a mob action baying for the blood of a foreign or local coach, when everything around is skewed against any form of success.

I politely told him I had no opinion yet on the matter and would make it public when I do. That’s what I am doing now.

A new star is born!
I have traversed a similar path in the past, and got burnt by the power of narrower interests and personalities that have run and ruined Nigerian football for many years.

The core of the matter is that the Super Eagles are not winning their matches. Even easy ones. As far as the people are concerned, these last two drawn matches are ‘failures’ and someone must pay for them.

That person is Jose Paseiro. I won’t completely fall for such sentiments now. The Super Eagles should win AFCON 2023. They should also qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Let’s look at some of the issues that can truncate these goals.

Domestic Nigerian football.

There is no depth to the country’s domestic football. They were neglected for too long by successive football federation boards. The boards concentrated on the more personally ‘lucrative’ Super Eagles. They feasted on the fruits without properly feeding the roots. The tree eventually and inevitably weakened and withered, having been deprived of nutrients essential for development of players for a career in the domestic leagues – good nurseries, organisation, integrity, infrastructure, capacity building programs, adequate funding, great welfare packages, and so on. The only available ingredient has been the endless sea of young uncut diamonds in Nigerian players. Ironically, these players are doing everything to flee the country for greener pastures and better opportunities in other parts of the world, and not to strengthen the domestic leagues.

This uncontrolled migration has made nonsense of any attempt to build a serious national team of local players. The failure of the big clubs in the country to win any continental laurels confirms this. That is why all the recent foreign coaches employed don’t take the route of the domestic leagues to seek players for the national teams. The calibre of players is just not there.

So, Paseiro, like the others before him, concentrates on observing Nigerian players in the various leagues in Europe. He assembles the best of them that he finds to form the country’s Super Eagles. He also only has two days before most matches to work with the players before matches, making it impossible to build a team with any level of organised play, pattern and understanding. You do not build solid teams that way. They must have some time to train together, understand each other, be infused with a planned style and philosophy, and made to play several matches. That’s the only way a good team can emerge.

Under the present circumstances, the Super Eagles do not have such luxury. Coaches have been on this impossible mission for well over a decade.

AFCON and the World Cup are the only championships that provide a little time for the team to train together, to play some friendlies, to become a unit. The team uses the earlier group matches of the championship to get better.

That’s what happened during the transition between Gernot Rohr and Austin Eguavoen. A good team started to evolve during the group matches of AFCON 2021, only for the process to be disrupted by a difficult match and a costly error that saw the Eagles exit rather uncharacteristically ‘prematurely’. The baby and the bath water were thereafter thrown into the gully of history. The result is to begin-again.

That’s how Jose Paseiro came in to inherit an impossible and unchangeable situation. For as long as the present system is not changed, no coach in the world can change the fortunes of the Super Eagles. The best he can do is what Gernot Rohr and, now, Jose Paseiro have been doing – not wasting time on the local players from the domestic league (they are not good enough for the national team without additional exposure and training in Europe), scanning Europe for players of Nigerian descent, assembling the best of them for the short periods of time before matches that can NEVER make them a good team with organizational depth, and then going on their knees to pray for undeserved victories. They win some and lose most!

So, Nigerians are disappointed and angry, and bay for the blood of successive coaches.

Yet, deep down, the issues have roots in other issues. A proper study by proper experts is necessary.

Arm-chair critics masquerading as experts whose noise-making rises above the din of common sense and more careful interrogations blur proper and more meaningful conversations.

Meanwhile, the present Super Eagles are not strong in two major areas of the field – the mid-field and goalkeeping.

There is little that can be done about the team’s strength without the influence of a few players with exceptional skills and ability in certain areas of the team. Presently, there is a dearth of creative and attacking midfield players who can hold and distribute the balls well.

Goalkeeping has become a problem only because Paseiro refuses to see the difference between an efficient goalkeeper and one whose only qualification is his physical frame.

The last goal conceded against Zimbabwe, scored directly from a free kick 30 metres from his goal clearly exposed Uzoho’s weakness. It is an elementary goalkeeping error.

Finally, Nigeria should not panic and take decisions that will not impact anything, will not change the Super Eagles and will not provide guaranteed outcomes.

This is the time to be cool, calm and calculated.

Nigeria is blessed with a lot of good players presently. With a little bit of luck, more patience and the time shortly before AFCON 2023 used properly to build a stronger team, plus the return of one of the deadliest strikers on the planet, Victor Osimhen, in the team, Nigeria shall improve steadily into AFCON 2023.

In January, the team will use the group matches of the championship to get better, and possibly go on to win AFCON 2023. They will then gain the essential confidence to play more consistently and (at the end of AFCON) establish a stronger team that shall be able to go into the World Cup qualifying matches with more strength and purpose, and qualify for the World Cup as true champions of African football.

Barcelona remain third in La Liga after a late own goal rescued a draw at Rayo Vallecano.

Trailing at the break to Unai Lopez’s stunning strike, Barca dominated the second half but missed good chances.

They finally got their reward when Florian Lejeune bundled into his own net under pressure from Robert Lewandowski.

Second-placed Real Madrid face Cadiz on Sunday while leaders Girona host Athletic Bilbao on Monday.

Barcelona made six changes from the side that came from behind to beat Alaves before the international break, with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen absent through injury.

His replacement, Inaki Pena, looked shaky from the off and was beaten by Lopez’s ferocious right-foot effort midway through the first half.

Frustrated by a disjointed display, boss Xavi turned to former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan from the bench and Barcelona dominated the second half.

However, despite taking 10 shots to Rayo’s three after the break, they still needed the help of Lejeune in the 82nd minute, as he clumsily steered the ball past his own goalkeeper with Lewandowski waiting to pounce.

[Leadership]

ERLING Haaland broke yet another English Premier League goals record today as his Manchester City side surrendered the lead to draw 1-1 with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

The Norway striker fired City in front in the first half but Liverpool equalised late in the second half through Trent Alexander-Arnold to earn a share of the spoils.

Champions Manchester City were the more dominant side against their big rivals in the early part of the match and they got their reward in the 27th minute.

After another wayward kick out by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, Nathan Ake pounced on the ball, eased past three Liverpool players before slipping the ball to Haaland who fired home unerringly.

It was Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal since he joined Manchester City last season and he became the fastest player to reach that milestone in the competition’s history.

He reached the 50-goal mark in just 48 matches, beating the previous fastest player to score 50 goals in the Premier League, Andy Cole, who needed 65 matches.

Haaland is also the fastest player in Premier League history to reach 20 goals (14 games), 30 goals (27 games) and 40 goals (39 games).

However, his record-setting feat did not end in victory for Manchester City as Liverpool fought back to draw level.

Alexander-Arnold, who was one of the Liverpool players culpable for Haaland’s goal, equalised in the 80th minute with a smart finish off a pass from Mohamed Salah.

City could have been 2-0 up before Liverpool’s equaliser but Ruben Dias’ goal was ruled out for a foul on Alisson by Manuel Akanji.

With the result, Manchester City stay on top of the table, one point ahead of Liverpool and two clear of Arsenal, who would take top spot if they beat Brentford later this evening.

[NaijaTimes]

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has identified Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier, and Matt Ritchie as the three players who helped his team beat Chelsea 4-1 in Saturday’s Premier League tie.

Howe said Lascelles, Trippier, and Ritchie made sure that Newcastle did not surrender to Chelsea at St. James’ Park.

He also said that the Magpies made a statement against the Blues.

Newcastle opened the scoring through Alexander Isak, but Raheem Sterling equalised for Mauricio Pochettino’s side with a fine free-kick.

However, three second-half goals from Lascelles, Joelinton, and Anthony Gordon gave the host all three points.

Speaking at his post-match interview after the game, Howe said: “It was a real statement of character within the squad. We really asked the players to step up, and we really deserved to win. Big positives from today.

“The leaders within the group set the tone: Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier, Matt Ritchie. They make sure we don’t surrender.”

[DailyPost]

Manchester City will host league rivals Liverpool at Etihad this afternoon in the Premier League matchday 13 fixture.

Man City head into the game following a thrilling 4-4 draw against Chelsea while Liverpool defeated Brentford 3-0 courtesy of a Mohammed Salah brace.

Pep Guardiola’s side are on top of the Premier League table with 28 points from 12 games, while Liverpool are 2nd with 27 points.

Man City’s team news:

Man City’s striker Erling Haaland missed Norway’s final Euro 2024 qualifier against Scotland due to an ankle issue.

Goalkeeper Ederson also didn’t travel with Brazil for the international break, while Sergio Gomez (ankle), Mateo Kovacic (thigh) and Nathan Ake (knock).

Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring), John Stones (thigh), and Matheus Nunes, was declared “clinically unfit” while on duty with the Portugal national team, are set to watch from the sidelines.

Liverpool’s team news:

Liverpool’s medical team must make late calls on a number of players, including Joe Gomez (knock), Ryan Gravenberch (knee injury), Ibrahima Konate (hamstring injury) and Curtis Jones (hamstring injury).

However, all four players trained with the team ahead of the tough fixture.

But all of Andrew Robertson (shoulder injury), Stefan Bajcetic (calf injury) and Thiago Alcantara (hip injury) are still out with long term injuries.

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodri, Silva, Alvarez, Foden, Haaland, Doku

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Salah, Nunez, Jota

[TheNation]

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he wants Takehiro Tomiyasu to stay.

The Japan defender is a January target for Bayern Munich.

Anthony Joshua could revisit the Rumble in the Jungle as part of an “iconic” bout around the 50th anniversary of the legendary fight, says Eddie Hearn.

Promoter Hearn says talks have taken place over the heavyweight contender fighting in Africa, and that government backing for an event is available.

Joshua, 34, has Nigerian ancestry but has never fought on the continent.

“It’s something that would be iconic for the sport,” Hearn told BBC World Service’s Newsday of the proposals.

“When we’re visiting these countries, there’s government funding to stage these events.

“Sometimes that isn’t forthcoming in all areas but there have been discussions and I think it will happen in time.”

Muhammad Ali and George Foreman contested the heavyweight world championship in Zaire – now Democratic Republic of Congo – in October 1974 in one of the greatest fights of all time.

Both men were champions during the long careers that made them legends, with Ali knocking out Foreman in the eighth round to win the WBA, WBC and Ring titles.

Joshua held the WBA belt for a combined total of almost four years and has been IBF, WBO and IBO champion, although he is currently aiming to win back the titles he failed to regain from Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia in August 2022.

[Thisday]

Popular Nigerian professional footballer, Asisat Oshoala has warned people against flooding her DMs to beg for money.

The Barcelona striker in a Snapchat post on Thursday cautioned that she would no longer condone individuals flooding her inbox with excuses like their wives just giving birth or wedding expenses.

Speaking on how much she has been of help to people, Oshoala urged netizens to make use of their common sense and set their priorities right.

“While I enjoy having fun here, there are certain things that should be common sense.

“I help a lot of people here, but there are situations I won’t condone or support, such as ‘My Wife Just Gave Birth,’ ‘I Want To Have a Wedding,’ and so on. Use your common sense. Set your priorities right,” she wrote.

[DailyPost]