Sports
2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup: First African Country To Qualify For The Quarterfinals
Nigeria became the first African nation to qualify for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup quarterfinals, which are presently being held in the Dominican Republic. With a resounding 4-0 victory over Ecuador on Saturday night at Cibao Stadium, the team reached this milestone.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
According to FIFA.com, Nigeria’s comprehensive win was powered by goals from S. Moshood, who opened the scoring with a penalty in the 28th minute and added a second deep into stoppage time.
Chidi extended the lead in the 54th minute, and Effiong completed the scoring with a well-taken goal in the 66th minute.
This victory puts Nigeria at the top of Group A with six points after two games, following an earlier win.
Their strong display and unbeaten run has made them a formidable force in the tournament and has earned them a well-deserved quarter-final spot.
Next, Nigeria will face the hosts, the Dominican Republic, in their final group match on Wednesday at Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez.
This game presents an opportunity for Nigeria to finish the group stages on a high as they prepare for the knockout rounds.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Group A standings:
Sports
BREAKING SPORTS: FIFA Releases Last Ranking For National Teams In 2024, See Top Ten In Africa, Globally
Among African nations, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have claimed the fifth position, although they have experienced a considerable decline in their global ranking.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
According to the rankings published by FIFA on Thursday, December 19, Nigeria remain in their previous position as the fifth-best team in Africa.
However, the Super Eagles have faced a tumultuous year, culminating in an eight-place drop to 44th globally by the end of 2024.
This fall in the rankings can be attributed to lackluster performances during the crucial final 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. In matches against regional rivals Benin Republic and Rwanda, Nigeria struggled significantly, resulting in a series of disappointing outcomes and no victories.
In contrast to Nigeria’s struggles, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana have had a remarkable resurgence, climbing three spots to finish the year ranked 57th in the world. This improvement reflects their recent form and victories during the qualifiers, highlighting a successful turnaround for the team.
Nigeria’s West African counterparts, Ghana, faced their own set of challenges this year, concluding the year in a disappointing 77th place globally. This ranking illustrates the difficulties both Ghana and Nigeria have encountered in maintaining their status among Africa’s elite football teams.
Top 10 African Teams in FIFA Rankings:
1. Morocco – 14th
2. Senegal – 17th
3. Egypt – 33rd
4. Algeria – 37th
5. Nigeria – 44th
6. Côte d’Ivoire – 46th
7. Cameroon – 49th
8. Mali – 51st
9. Tunisia – 52nd
10. South Africa – 57th
On the world stage, the top ten international teams remained stable from the previous month, with Argentina securing the number one position. France holds strong at second, while Spain maintains third place in the rankings.
England and Brazil round out the top five, showcasing the prominence of these nations in global football.
2024 FIFA World Ranking (Top 10):
1. Argentina – 1867.25 points
2. France – 1859.78 points
3. Spain – 1853.27 points
4. England – 1813.81 points
5. Brazil – 1775.85 points
6. Portugal – 1756.12 points
7. Netherlands – 1747.55 points
8. Belgium – 1740.62 points
9. Italy – 1731.51 points
10. Germany – 1703.79 points.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Sports
Tijani Babangida said. “My Wife Lost Her Eye After Undergoing Plastic Surgery”
Ibrahim, Babangida’s younger brother, and Fadil, his six-month-old kid, were killed in the tragedy. Their housekeeper had a broken leg, and Babangida himself had a leg ailment. Babangida and his family had to endure a grueling recuperation process following the collision. Maryam was sent to the Netherlands for treatment after suffering from severe injuries and memory loss.
But after having plastic surgery, her health deteriorated and she lost one eye. “The worries I’ve gone through will never leave me,” Babangida acknowledged after considering the emotional toll. Maryam was also unable to remember important facts of the accident due to the shock. I told her about the accident and our young boy after we had been in the Netherlands for three months. She began to inquire about his name. “She is unable to recall anything,” Babangida revealed. Despite the tremendous obstacles, Babangida sent his sincere appreciation to his Dutch football teammates who organized a fundraiser to pay for Maryam’s medical care. Her recuperation is still not complete, and doctors predict that she will need to stay in the hospital for an additional year to deal with the psychological and physical effects. Babangida’s tenacity has garnered praise, demonstrating his unwavering dedication.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Sports
Final EPL Table Following Yesterday’s Games: Man Utd Closes the Gap on City in Title Race
Chelsea maintained their lead with a vital victory over Brentford yesterday, while Manchester United scored a thrilling victory against Manchester City, adding another twist to the Premier League title fight.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Chelsea kept their title ambitions alive with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge. The Blues took the lead late in the first half when Marc Cucurella headed home from a pinpoint cross by Noni Madueke in the 43rd minute. Brentford, however, tested Chelsea’s resolve with a series of dangerous attacks, but goalkeeper Robert Sánchez made critical saves to deny the visitors.
In the 80th minute, Enzo Fernández intercepted a loose ball and sent Nicolas Jackson on a marauding run. Jackson beat Ethan Pinnock and slotted a composed finish into the bottom-right corner to double Chelsea’s lead.
Despite a late scare when Bryan Mbeumo scored a breakaway goal in stoppage time, Chelsea held on for the win. They remain two points behind League Leaders, Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
In a pulsating Manchester derby, United staged a stunning late comeback to beat City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. City took an early lead through Josko Gvardiol’s towering header, and it looked like they were on course to extend their dominance in this fixture.
United struggled to create chances until a costly error by Matheus Nunes in the 75th minute changed the game. The midfielder’s misplaced back pass forced him into a desperate challenge on Amad Diallo, conceding a penalty. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and calmly converted to level the scores.
Minutes later, Lisandro Martínez delivered a perfectly weighted long ball over City’s defense, allowing Amad to lob Ederson and tap into an empty net, sealing an unforgettable victory for the Red Devils.
The win moves Manchester United up to 13th place on 22 points, narrowing the gap to their rivals City, who sit in 5th with 27 points.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
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