NEWS – Page 60 – Football Flame

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Cameroon power into AFCON knockout rounds

Vincent Aboubakar of Cameroon scoring their second goal during Cameroon against Ethiopia, African Cup of Nations, at Olembe Stadium on January 13, 2022.Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko Ekambi have both scored twice as the hosts beat Ethiopia 4-1 to become the first team through to the knockout stages at the African Cup of Nations.Cameroon recovered from going 1-0 down in just the fourth minute before overwhelming their visitors on Thursday to earn two wins from their first two games.Ethiopia's Dawa Hotessa Dukele had stunned the Olembe Stadium into silence with the opening goal.But having come from behind to win their opening game against Burkina Faso, Cameroon again shook off that early blow, Ekambi equalising four minutes later before they really took control.Aboubakar pu...
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Barcelona 2-3 Real Madrid: Madrid wins the clash in Spanish Super Cup against old rival

Federico Valverde of Real Madrid celebrates during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final football match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the King Fahad International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 12, 2022.Real Madrid won the first El Clasico of 2022, beating rival Barcelona 3-2 in extra time on Wednesday in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup.It was Federico Valverde’s goal in the 98th minute that gave Los Blancos the win in Saudi Arabia, sending them into Sunday’s final, where they will play either Atletico Madrid or Athletic Bilbao.Carlo Ancelotti’s team entered the day as the favorites, and they managed to put themselves in the lead twice, only to blow their leads, including conceding the 2-2 equalizer with seven minutes to go on a fine finish by Ansu Fati.Barca started ...
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‘Caged lion’ Sanchez wins Inter Italian Super Cup

Alexis Sanchez of FC Internazionale lifts the trophy as players and staff celebrate following the 2-1 victory in the Italian SuperCup match between FC Internazionale and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 12, 2022 in Milan, Italy. Alexis Sanchez said he felt like a "caged lion" after his last-gasp striker won the Italian Super Cup for Inter Milan in Wednesday's dramatic 2-1 extra-time triumph over old rivals Juventus.With penalties looming at the San Siro Sanchez poked home from close range in the 121st minute of a gruelling contest to hand Simone Inzaghi his first trophy since arriving at Inter to replace Antonio Conte in the summer.Chile forward Sanchez, who has started just four matches this season, was submerged by celebrating teammates as he charged to the sidelines to...
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Max-Alain Gradel’s goal gives Ivory Coast 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea

Ivory Coast's forward Max-Alain Gradel (R) celebrates with teammate after scoring a goal during the Group E Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast at Stade de Japoma in Douala on January 12, 2022.Max-Alain Gradel’s early goal was enough to secure the Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday but the minnows proved no pushovers in the Group E encounter.Gradel, captaining a powerful Ivorian team that had Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha on the bench, struck home a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area in the sixth minute as they made a rapid start to the clash at the Japoma Stadium.Ivory Coast's forward Max-Alain Gradel (C) shoots and scores a goal during the Group E Africa Cup of Nation...
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Guinea-Bissau miss late penalty in draw

Guinea-Bissau's midfielder Pele (L) fights for the ball with Sudan's forward Yasin Hamed during the Group D Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Sudan and Guinea-Bissau at Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua on January 11, 2022.Guinea-Bissau missed a late penalty as they were held by Sudan in their Group D opener in the Africa Cup of Nations.Midfielder Pele saw his 82nd-minute spot-kick kept out by Sudan goalkeeper Ali Abou Achrine, with Piqueti striking the bar on the rebound.Abou Achrine had been adjudged to have fouled Steve Ambri inside the area.Guinea-Bissau's Joseph Mendes also hit the post with a first-half header and Frederic Mendy saw an effort cleared off the line late on.Earlier in Group D Kelechi Iheanacho was on target as Nigeria comfortably beat seven-time champio...
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Nigeria 1-0 Egypt: Iheanacho fires Super Eagles to Group D win

Egypt's defender Ahmed Abou el Fotouh (R) kicks the ball past Nigeria's forward Samuel Chukwueze (L) and Nigeria's forward Kelechi Iheanacho (C) during the Group D Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Nigeria and Egypt at Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua on January 11, 2022. Even despite the perceived lack of firepower in the Nigeria squad prior to the tournament, the Super Eagles launched their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with relative ease following a dominant win over Egypt.Kelechi Iheanacho’s first-half goal, a superbly struck half-volley, was enough to see Nigeria through the Group D opener in what a disappointing outing for Egypt.Moses Simon, Joe Aribo and Iheanacho caused their opposition all manner of problems and should really have added to the scoreline. Th...
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Last-gasp Sadio Mane penalty hands Senegal victory over Zimbabwe

Senegal's forward Sadio Mane (L) shoots and fails to score as Zimbabwe's goalkeeper Petros Mhari (R) prepares to make a save during the Group B Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Senegal and Zimbabwe at Stade de Kouekong in Bafoussam on January 10, 2022.Senegal's Sadio Mane converted a penalty seven minutes into stoppage time to hand the pre-tournament favourites a 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe at the start of their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) campaign in Bafoussam on Monday.Zimbabwe defender Kelvin Madzongwe was penalised for blocking a shot with his hand extended away from his body in the penalty area in a heartbreaking turn of events for his side as they were on the cusp of an upset at the start of Group B action.Senegal are Africa’s top ranked team but had only 18 pl...
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Gordon, Firmino impresses as Liverpool come from behind to beat Shrewsbury

Kaide Gordon of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-1 during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Shrewsbury Town at Anfield on January 9, 2022 in Liverpool, England.Under-strength Liverpool had to come from behind at Anfield against League One Shrewsbury Town to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.The seven-time winners were shocked by Daniel Udoh's opener for the visitors.But teenager Kaide Gordon quickly levelled, before Fabinho fired the Reds ahead for the first time with a penalty for handball just before the break.Substitute Roberto Firmino's backheel wrapped up an ultimately emphatic win before Fabinho scored his second.Fabinho of Liverpool scores the fourth goal making the score 4-1 during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Live...
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Tottenham survive huge scare to beat League One Morecambe

Tottenham Hotspur's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Moura (L) celebrates with Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane after scoring his team's second goal during the FA Cup third round football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Morecambe at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on January 9, 2022Tottenham summoned the cavalry to secure a place in the FA Cup fourth round, coming from a goal down to beat Morecambe.Shrimps defender Antony O'Connor sidefooted a volley in from 10 yards to score the game's opening goal after 33 minutes, prompting wild celebrations among the travelling supporters.But their hopes of a famous victory faded as goals from Harry Winks and substitutes Lucas Moura and Harry Kane gave Tottenham victory.Spurs boss Antonio Conte make a host of changes, naming Kane a...
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Marseille score precious win in Bordeaux

Cengiz UNDER of Olympique de Marseille and Remi OUDIN of Girondins de Bordeaux during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Bordeaux and Marseille at Stade Matmut Atlantique on January 7, 2022 in Bordeaux, France.Cengiz Under's first-half strike earned Olympique de Marseille their first league away win in 44 years against COVID-hit Bordeaux, as a 1-0 victory sent the visitors second in Ligue 1.The Turkey international pounced on a poor goal kick from Bordeaux captain Benoit Costil to fire home after 37 minutes, ending a 36-match unbeaten run for the hosts in this fixture, stretching back to October 1977.The result left Marseille second with 36 points, 10 behind runaway leaders Paris St Germain, while Bordeaux remain 17th with 17 points.Cengiz UNDER of Olympique de Marseille celebrates his go...
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Manchester City shrug off Covid outbreak to thrash Swindon

Manchester City assistant manager Rodolfo Borrell (right) before the Emirates FA Cup third round match at the Energy Check County Ground, Swindon. Picture date: Friday January 7, 2022.Rodolfo Borrell took charge of the English champions with Guardiola and assistant Juanma Lilo among 14 backroom staff affected by a major outbreak.City were still able to name a strong starting line-up featuring just four changes from their 2-1 win at Arsenal last weekend with England international Kyle Walker and captain for the night Ilkay Gundogan among those coming into the side.Seventy-one places separate the sides in the English football pyramid and the visitors' class quickly showed.Cole Palmer was one of the few youngsters handed a chance by City's absences and laid the opening goal on a plate for Ber...
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Carlo Ancelotti set to make at least four changes for Alcoyano clash

Coach Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Getafe v Real Madrid at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on January 2, 2022 in Getafte Spain.Carlo Ancelotti will make changes to his starting lineup for tonight’s Copa del Rey clash with Alcoyano.Real Madrid were stunned by the Alicante side in this competition last year, leaving Alcoi with their tail between their legs.Los Blancos will be desperate to avoid the same fate this time out, but Ancelotti will still take the opportunity to rest key players.Second-choice goalkeeper Andriy Lunin will start the game, while Dani Ceballos, who has been out injured for more than 150 days, will get his opportunity.Thibaut Courtois, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric are all expected to be rested for this game.Head coach...
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Monaco hires Club Brugge coach Clement to replace Kovac

Club Brugge's head coach Philippe Clement pictured during a soccer match between Club Brugge and RSCA Anderlecht, Sunday 19 December 2021 in Brugge, on day 20 of the 2021-2022 'Jupiler Pro League' first division of the Belgian championship. Monaco appointed coach Philippe Clement on a 2 1/2-year deal on Monday after firing Niko Kovac during the midseason break.The 2017 French league champion said on its website that the 47-year-old Clement signed on until June 2024 from Belgian side Club Brugge.“His ability to bring the best out of young and talented squads while meeting higher and higher objectives throughout his career, make him the fitting person (to) bring Monaco back into the elite of French soccer and on the European scene,” Monaco vice president Oleg Petrov said.Clement played ...
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AS Monaco part ways with Niko Kovac

AS Monaco Head Coach Niko Kovac during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint Germain and AS Monaco at Parc des Princes on December 12, 2021 in Paris, France.With speculation rife about manager Niko Kovac parting ways with AS Monaco, the news was officially confirmed on the club’s website over the weekend. “AS Monaco announce that the club has taken the decision to part ways with Niko Kovac. The Croatian coach was informed on Thursday during a preliminary meeting,” read the statement on the club’s website. “Niko Kovac arrived in the Principality in July 2020 and led the team 74 times. AS Monaco will announce the name of its new head coach very soon. Until then, Stephane Nado, coach of the reserves, will train the first team.”Having taken the managerial post back in 2020,...
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NFF appoints Portugal’s Jose Peseiro as Super Eagles head coach

José Peseiro reacts during a Group B match between Venezuela and Ecuador as part of Copa America Brazil 2021 at Estadio Olímpico Nilton Santos on June 20, 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, on Wednesday announced the appointment of Jose Peseiro as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Peseiro’s appointment was announced in a statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications.According to the statement, the NFF Executive Committee endorsed the proposal for the appointment of Peseiro at a virtual meeting held on Wednesday to deliberate on important issues in Nigerian football.Mr Olajire noted however that the appointment of Peseiro would take effect after the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Cameroon.“Aft...
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Austin Eguavoen shares his view on Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen

Victor James osimhen of Nigeria during the 2019 African Cup of Nations match between Tunisia and Nigeria at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on July 17, 2019. Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen has praised Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, saying the Nigerian has the qualities he is looking for in a striker.Osimhen has been brilliant for both club and country this season, although he is currently sidelined with a facial injury.The 22-year-old has scored nine goals in 14 appearances for Napoli this season while he was also Nigeria’s top scorer in the second round of 2022 World Cup qualifiers with four goals.Osimhen is expected to lead the line for Nigeria at the 2021 AFCON after confirming he would be available for selection. The news is a major boost for Nigeria and Eguavoen....
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Sergio Ramos sees red as PSG snatch league draw

French referee Jeremie Pignard (C) shows a yellow card to Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish defender Sergio Ramos during the French L1 football match between FC Lorient and Paris Saint-Germain at the Yves Allainmat-Le Moustoir Stadium in Lorient, western France, on December 22, 2021. Paris Saint-Germain will go into the winter break with a 13-point advantage at the top of Ligue 1 after narrowly avoiding a humiliating defeat at second-bottom Lorient.Mauro Icardi's stoppage-time goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for PSG, who ended the game a man down due to Sergio Ramos being given his marching orders.Thomas Moncondui's 40th-minute effort gave Lorient the lead and they appeared on track to secure a major upset until Icardi's late intervention.PSG lead from second-place Nice and third-place Marseille by 1...
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Liverpool handed Africa Cup of Nations update as CAF president sets out plans

Patrice Motsepe, CAF President, delivers his introductory speech during the draw ceremony for the 2022 African Cup of Nations (CAN) in Yaounde, Cameroon, on August 17, 2021. The Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe believes the rearranged Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead as scheduled next month in Cameroon.There have been conflicting reports recently over whether or not the competition will go ahead as planned as the world continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic.Africa's football showpiece, usually held every two years, was scheduled to be played last summer but was postponed because of the pandemic.The European Club Association expressed its 'deep concerns' earlier this month about whether players would be safe at the tournament amid a rise in covid cases.Bu...
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Europa Conference League: Tottenham Hotspur’s campaign over after UEFA awards Rennes 3-0 victory

General view inside the stadium of the Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham Hotspur's European campaign for this season is over after UEFA awarded Rennes a 3-0 victory in their final Europa Conference League group match on Monday.Spurs were unable to fulfil the 9 December fixture due to a swathe of COVID-19 cases in the squad.As a result they finish third in the group behind group winners Rennes who progress directly to the last 16 and Dutch side Vitesse who now face Rapid Vienna in a knockout play-off."The Uefa Appeals Body took the following decision: to declare the 2021/22 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Stade Rennais FC, that was initially scheduled to be played on 9 December 2021, as forfeited by Tottenham Hotspur FC, who is therefore deemed to...
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England and Wales get tough Nations League draws

A view of the UEFA Nations League logo during the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 League Phase Draw at the UEFA headquarters, The House of European Football, on December 16, 2021, in Nyon, Switzerland. England will face Italy, who beat them in the Euro 2020 final, and Germany in the group stage of the 2022-23 Nations League, while Wales have been drawn with Belgium and the Netherlands.Gareth Southgate's side are in Group A3, which also includes Hungary, while Wales are in Group A4, which is completed by Poland.Scotland face the Republic of Ireland, Armenia and Ukraine in Group B1.Northern Ireland are in Group C2 for the tournament, which begins on 2 June.Ian Baraclough's side will play Greece, Kosovo and one of Cyprus or Estonia, who must first meet in a play-off next March to determine who go...
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