Sports
Egypt Beat Super Eagles Of Nigeria In Cairo Ahead Of AFCON 2025
Egypt secured a narrow 2-1 win over the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday night in a pre-Africa Cup of Nations friendly at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday night, December 16.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Ahmed Saber finished calmly from close range. The move stemmed from slick work on the right by Zizo, whose low cross picked out Saber arriving unmarked.
The Super Eagles responded with greater intent as half-time approached and went close to drawing level through Paul Onuachu. The striker met a long throw from Frank Onyeka with a well-placed header, only for Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy to produce a sharp save.
Pressure eventually told in first-half stoppage time. A delayed free kick from the right by Zaidu Sanusi confused the Egyptian area, and Chidozie Awaziem reacted quickest to nod into an empty net and restore parity.
Egypt reclaimed the lead shortly after the restart. Mostafa Mohamed read the situation well as Nigeria’s offside line failed to hold, racing through before drilling his finish beyond Amas Obasogie.
The Super Eagles injected fresh energy as the match wore on and enjoyed spells of possession. Still, a disciplined Egyptian defence limited clear chances, allowing the hosts to secure a win.
The game doubled as a useful dress rehearsal for the Super Eagles. Midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Obasogie both made unofficial debuts, while Stanley Nwabali started despite recent concerns over wrist and ankle soreness.
Onyeka was handed a rare start in midfield, and Onuachu led the line, with key figures such as Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon yet to report for duty.
Nigeria will travel to Morocco on Thursday as preparations intensify for the 2025 AFCON. The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania, and will begin their campaign against Tanzania on December 23 in Fez.
Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, has hailed Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario as one of the greatest players of all-time in the FIFA World Cup scoring charts after scoring a hat-trick in his side’s 3-0 win over Algeria this week.
Messi also expressed surprise that the former Inter Milan and Real Madrid striker wasn’t in first place.
The 38-year-old Inter Miami forward surpassed Ronaldo’s 15 World Cup goals before equalling Germany legend Miroslav Klose’s 16 World Cup goals, thanks to his three goals against Algeria in their World Cup opener.
“It is a great honour to be able to compete with all these greats, including Ronaldo Nazario, among the players I have watched,” Messi said (as per Albiceleste Talk).
“He was one of the greatest players of all time, and yet he is not in first place. So in the end, it’s just a statistic.”
Messi will now hope to lead Argentina to victory when they face Austria in their next game.
DR Congo midfielder, Ngal Ayel Mukau, has admitted there was no tactical plan to contain Cristiano Ronaldo in their 2026 World Cup opener. The Leopards held Portugal to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, after Yohan Wissa’s header cancelled out Joao Neves’ goal.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Mukau accepted Ronaldo is still one of the greatest players, but is not the same as before.
He said: “A special plan to contain Cristiano Ronaldo? To be honest, not really.
“We know that he isn’t the same as before. He’s a bit older now. But still, he’s one of the greatest… much respect to him.” Mukau’s comments come amid calls from fans and pundits for Ronaldo to be given limited playing time in the national team.
Ghana won a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening World Cup Group L clash in Toronto on Wednesday.
Caleb Yirenkyi bundled in the winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, sending thousands of Ghanaians in Canada’s largest city into a frenzy and settling an otherwise attritional battle.
Both sides largely struggled to generate chances in the first half after Panama striker Cecilio Waterma’s second minute attempt was steered away by outstretched Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi.
The Black Stars didn’t attempt a shot on goal through the first half.
The second half played out under steady rain at the Toronto Stadium but saw more sustained attacking play.
Cristian Martinez triggered a massive roar from the loud Panamanian contingent when he lashed a shot into the side-netting in the 60th minute.
But the match looked headed for a scoreless draw until Yirenkyi put the Black Stars ahead.
Ghana’s veteran coach Carlos Queiroz turned to his side’s fans after the goal, urging them on in celebration.
Queiroz only took charge of the Black Stars a couple of months before the start of the tournament.
Wednesday’s fixture made him only the second coach to appear in five consecutive World Cups, after leading Portugal in 2010 and Iran in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Loud boos rang out across the crowd of nearly 43,000 during a second-half hydration break under pouring rain.
Ghana triumphed despite being without Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey, who is facing trial on rape charges in Britain. Canadian authorities denied him a World Cup visa, over the British case.
Colombia beat debutant Uzbekistan
Colombia beat World Cup debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 in their opening Group K game on Wednesday thanks to an inspired performance from Luis Diaz at the Estadio Azteca.
The Bayern Munich forward provided an assist, a goal and also hit the post as the Colombians resisted a battling performance from the Uzbeks in front of 80,824 spectators in Mexico City.
Diaz’s superb lofted pass allowed Daniel Munoz to volley in after 40 minutes, but Abbosbek Fayzullaev equalized with his nation’s maiden World Cup goal as he reacted first to head in a rebound from Eldor Shomurodov’s saved volley.
Diaz put Colombia back into the lead as he fired a shot that Uzbek goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov should have stopped.
In the dying seconds Jaminton Campaz made it three for Colombia with a fine header.
The win put Colombia top of a group that also features Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who drew 1-1 earlier.
AFP
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