Sports

Super Eagles Come From Behind To Draw Russia

Published

1 year ago

June 6, 2025

The Daily Voice

Super Eagles Come From Behind To Draw Russia

A depleted Super Eagles side sign off from international duty with a draw in Moscow.

Nigeria came from behind to earn a draw in a first-ever senior international match against Russia.

The Super Eagles arrived in Moscow full of confidence after winning the Unity Cup in west London last week, though they can perhaps take even more confidence at securing the result without several key names such as Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina.

Those absences did open the door for the likes of Victor Boniface and Christantus Uche to impress, but it was Tolu Arokodare who made the most of the opportunity and has staked a claim to start the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa later this year.

As for Valery Karpin’s Football Union of Russia, who have been suspended by FIFA and UEFA since October 2022, it’s the first time they have failed to win since October 2023 – a run that stretched eight games.

The hosts took the lead just before the half hour mark and slightly against the run of play, though the creation of the goal – albeit fortuitous – was sublime.

Danil Krugovoy got forward from left-back and sent in a teasing cross intended for teammate Nikolay Komlichenko in the middle. However, Semi Ajayi couldn’t help but get the final touch as he sent the ball into his own net.

Just over a week ago, Ajayi forced an own goal at the right end as Nigeria beat Ghana in the Unity Cup semi-final but on this occasion, luck was not on his side.

Despite not creating much either side of the goal, the Super Eagles were unlucky to be behind at the break.

As Fisayo Dele-Bashiru raced clean through, he looked certain to equalise but Paris Saint-Germain’s backup goalkeeper Matvey Sofanov showed no signs of a Champions League final hangover by making a wonderful save to keep out the effort.

Russia should have doubled their lead early in the second half when Viktor Melekhin was left unmarked following a free-kick. But with just Maduka Okoye to beat, he side-footed an effort high and wide.

That miss would comeback to haunt the hosts as Nigeria substitute Arokodare showed his best Osimhen impression by pouncing on a rare mistake from Safonov to equalise.

In truth, Russia had the best chances to win the game but Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye made two fine saves – including one at full stretch to keep out Aleksey Batrakov’s effort that was destined for the bottom corner – whilst Dmitri Barinov blazed over right at the end.

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Sports

World Cup 2026: Messi Pinpoints What Argentina Did Wrong Against Cape Verde

Published

1 week ago

July 4, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, has pinpointed what his team did wrong against Cape Verde during both sides’ World Cup Round of 32 encounter.

The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes at the Miami Stadium, but Argentina went on to win 3-2 in extra time.

Diney Borges’ own goal ensured Lionel Scaloni’s side eliminated the Blue Sharks from the competition.

Speaking at his post-match interview after the game, Messi admitted that Argentina couldn’t press Cape Verde properly during the encounter.

According to him, Scaloni’s side was also disjointed against the African side, and their lines were far apart.

“I think we couldn’t press them well, our lines were kind of far apart at times,” Messi said via FIFA’s website.

“When we wanted to jump from the defensive pivot, it was too far a distance for the center-backs, and we ended up a bit disjointed.

“They always had an extra man because we couldn’t match up, and that’s why they kept the ball and made us run, because we couldn’t press them properly.”

Sports

‘We Dignify Our Country’ — Bubista Hails Cape Verde’s Historic World Cup Run

Published

1 week ago

July 4, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Cape Verde head coach Bubista has said they can be proud of their historic run at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Completesports.com reports.

The Blue Stars bowed out of the competition following a 3-2 defeat to defending champions Argentina in Miami.

Blue Stars Put Up Brave Fight

Argentina took the lead twice in the keenly contested encounter and the West Africans answered both times, but with ten minutes to play in extra time a Lionel Messi corner led to an own goal from Diney Borges that sent La Albiceste into the Round of 16.

Messi opened the scoring shortly after the first hydration break, calmly lifting the ball over the advancing Vozinha after bringing down Lisandro Martinez’s precise pass over the top.

Cape Verde equalised in the 59th minute through Deroy Duarte.

Vozinha made several key saves, including blocking Messi from point blank range to send the game to extra time

It took the Albiceleste just two minutes of extra time to retake the lead. Lisandro Martinez collected a loose ball from a corner kick and lashed over Vozinha at the near post.

Cape Verde refused to surrender. Left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral produced one of the goals of the tournament, curling a sensational effort into the top corner from the edge of the box to draw Bubista’s side level for the second time in the contest.

Messi’s corner however caused an own goal that saw Argentina through to the last 16.

Bubista Thumbs Up Players

Bubista said Cape Verde, who were making their maiden World Cup appearance, had dignified themselves with their performances in the competition.

“We dignify what our country is. We drew twice against the world champions, we took it to extra time… More than anything, it’s being proud of our players who were dignified in the World Cup. We showed our identity,” Bubista was quoted by FIFA.com.

Sports

World Cup 2026: Ghana’s Performance Was Below Average —Gyan

Published

1 week ago

July 4, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has delivered a candid assessment of Ghana’s performance following the team’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia, describing the display as below the expected standard and insisting the South Americans fully deserved their victory.

Ghana’s hopes of advancing at the FIFA World Cup came to an end after Colombia capitalised on a first-half opportunity to secure the only goal of the match, sending the Black Stars out of the tournament.

Reacting to the outcome, Ghana’s all-time leading scorer said the Black Stars lacked the intensity and attacking determination required in a match of such importance.

“Today’s performance was below average, no sense of urgency,” Gyan was quoted by Ghana sport platform Joy Online.

Gyan expressed concern about Ghana’s inability to commit enough players forward, particularly after falling behind, noting that the Black Stars struggled to pose sustained attacking threats inside the Colombian penalty area.

“We (Ghana) did not have men in the box.”

Also Read:World Cup 2026: Semenyo Calls On Black Stars To Be More Aggressive With Referees After England Penalty Row

He contrasted Ghana’s approach with that of Colombia, saying the South Americans maintained their attacking intent even after taking the lead instead of merely defending their advantage.

“Colombia were ahead but kept fighting to score more.”

Summing up the contest, the former Sunderland and Al Ain striker conceded that Colombia were the better side on the day.

“To summarise everything, Colombia deserved the win.”

Gyan’s comments add to the growing post-match analysis following Ghana’s exit from the tournament, with several players and football analysts pointing to the team’s struggles in the attacking third despite signs of improvement in defensive organisation under newly appointed head coach Carlos Queiroz.