Former Chelsea and Arsenal striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has become the Europa League’s all-time top goalscorer, equalling the record set by former Manchester United star, Radamel Falcao.

Aubameyang achieved the feat during Olympique Marseille’s 2-2 draw at Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday evening.

The former Barcelona star scored the opening goal as Marseille drew with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The former Gabonese international has now scored 30 times in the Europa League during his career.

Aubameyang has achieved this feat across 54 appearances, scoring for Borussia Dortmund (8), Arsenal (14), Barcelona (2), and Marseille (6).

However, it should be said that this doesn’t take into account goals from before the Europa League was rebranded from the UEFA Cup.

If it did, then former Manchester United star Henrik Larsson would still be the top scorer, but only just with his 31 goals placing him just one ahead of Aubameyang, Falcao and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Super Eagles vice-captain, William Troost-Ekong has been honoured by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno following his remarkable performance for the Super Eagles at the recently concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Troost-Ekong, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, was one of the key performers for Nigeria at the AFCON 2023 finals.

The centre-back, who scored three goals for the Super Eagles, was named Player of the Tournament.

The 30-year-old was also included in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Team of the Tournament.

Troost-Ekong presented a Super Eagles jersey to Governor Eno during a reception at the government house, Uyo on Thursday as a token of appreciation for the state’s unwavering support and encouragement.

The defender earlier visited Senate President, Godswill Akpabio at his office in Abuja.

Africa Cup of Nations Runners-up, Super Eagles of Nigeria have moved up by 14 spots to 28th in the February FIFA ranking.

In the ranking table published on the website of the world football governing body on Thursday, the team garnered 1,522 points as against the 1,474 points garnered in December 2023.

The upward movement further shot up the Super Eagles as the third placed team on the continent, behind Morocco and Senegal who have 1663 (12th) and 1620 (17th) points.

However, the newly-crowned African champions Cote d’Ivoire, reaped the rewards of their continental triumph on home soil by being in the 39th place having moved up by 10 spots.

AFCON second runners- up, South Africa climbed 8 spots to 58th, with Egypt (36th), Cameroon (51st) & Ghana (67th) dropping down after their early AFCON 2023 exits.

The Angolan side who were ousted in the last eight (93rd, up 24), are the biggest climbers in the latest global ranking.

In the points stakes, two-time Asian Cup winners Qatar (37th, up 21) chalk up the biggest tally (92.04 points) after capitalising on home comforts to successfully defend their continental crown.

Elsewhere, Jordan (70th, up 17), who were edged out in the final, made good ground, as did Thailand (101st, up 12), whose journey came to an end at the last-16 stage.

Qatar’s rise sees them enter uncharted territory, with two other teams also recording best-ever rankings.

Senegal (17th, up 3), which suffered a shoot-out heartbreak at the hands of the eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire in the AFCON Round of 16, broke new ground.

Tajikistan (99th, up 7) marked their maiden Asian Cup campaign by making a first-ever appearance in the top 100.

Other impressive performers are Equatorial Guinea (79th, up 9), South Africa (58th, up 8), Cabo Verde (65th, up 8), Namibia (107th, up 8) and Mali (47th, up 4).

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has urged Nigerians to stop cyberbullying teammate, Alex Iwobi following Nigeria’s defeat to Ivory Coast at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Following the Super Eagles loss to Ivory Coast, unpleasant remarks were hurled at Iwobi by some fans who faulted his performance in the game.

As a result, Iwobi, who currently plays for Fulham in the Premier League, confirmed leaving social media after the AFCON final match following the bullying.

Some unconfirmed reports later emerged online suggesting the former Arsenal star was considering calling time on his international career.

However, Osimhen has now shown his support to Iwobi, calling for the bullies to look at the mental health of Iwobi as footballers are only humans prone to making mistakes.

“I urge Nigerians that cyberbullying is bad because we are also humans,” the Napoli star said in Abuja on Tuesday.

“Sometimes we make mistakes. Sometimes, we have a good game, and we will get the hype. But of course, when you criticise, you have to be constructive when doing this type of thing.

“I think, to be fair, what they have done to Alex [Iwobi] is out of this world and not good. They should also look at his mental health because there are some of us who can take this to heart and then keep on grinding.

“And there are some of us that it gets to our heads, and they will lose focus, and we will lose form. So I think we are rallying around him. We have spoken to him individually and collectively.”

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has expressed his delight following the national honour bestowed on the team.

Peseiro and his players were received at the Presidential Villa by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday.

The Portuguese and his players were awarded with national honours, plots of land as well as flats in the Federal Capital Territory.

“Honored and proud. We were received and commended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who reinforced what we already felt from the Nigerian people, participating in AFCON made the whole Nation dream, happy and united!”

Peseiro wrote on his official X handle.The Super Eagles finished second at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The West Africans lost 2-1 against hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the competition.

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has credited the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire for being the better team on Sunday night.

This was after the hosts came from behind to seal a 2-1 victory in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Cote d’Ivoire 2023 in Ebimpe.

“They were better than us today; they managed the pressure better and did a remarkable job,” said Peseiro, who spoke after the match.

The Portuguese, who coached in his first AFCON, said he was sad that his team could not go all the way but conceded to his opponents on the night.

“My team did not play at the same level. My team is sad, but for me, they did what they could.

“We conceded goals from a few defensive errors and dropped the tempo against the Ivoirians.

“But I am proud of the way my players performed in this tournament,” he said.

William Troost-Ekong, the Super Eagles captain who scored Nigeria’s only goal of the match, was awarded the Best Player of the Tournament award.

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has said he is disappointed by their 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

In a post on Instagram, the Chippa United stopper also apologized to Nigerian fans.

Jose Peseiro’s men took a first-half lead through William Troost-Ekong.

But the Ivorians were level in the 63rd minute, before Sebastien Haller won the game in the 87th minute.

Nwabali’s caption on his picture, read:

“A disappointing and frustrating end. I deeply apologise to Nigerians.

“I was once a fan, still a fan and I understand how it feels giving you a disappointing night. We take full responsibility. Thanks for the whole support till the end. I love you all.”

Nigeria’s vice-president, Kashim Shettima has eulogised the Super Eagles despite the team’s failure to win the title at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles fell to a 2-1 defeat against hosts, Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the competition on Sunday night.

Shettima, who watched the game live at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan, stated that the players will be rewarded for their gallant effort in the game.

“We have tried our best and be rest assured that there is always the next time. You must have it in mind that the tragedy of life lies in not reaching your goal but the tragedy lies in not having a goal to reach,” the country’s number two citizen stated while addressing the players and their officials after the game.

“It is not a calamity to die with a dream, but it is a calamity when you don’t have a dream at all.

“A lot of countries, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and others exited the competition, two, three weeks ago.

“We have come this far, be rest assured that we will come back stronger in the next edition. There is cause for celebration. We are second best in Africa.

“You don’t have to be sad. We have every reason to celebrate. The nation is proud of you. You are the source of our unity. It is only when the Super Eagles are playing that we don’t talk about race or religion. You always unite the nation.

“The nation is in grief, but the nation is in solidarity with you. Be rest assured that your name will be written in gold in the history of football in Nigeria.

“I convey to you, the wish and regards from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There is no need for you to be sad. On Wednesday, we were celebrating and we came so close today. We lost the game within just 15 minutes.

“That’s what football is all about. We must understand that whichever way the pendulum swings, the trophy is still for Africa. It is the Africa Cup of unity and it came to West Africa.

“There is every cause for us to celebrate and rejoice. There is every cause for us to unite. Look at our mistakes and correct them in the next edition.

“Honestly, we are very proud of you and the nation will adequately compensate you for your sacrifice. You came close, there is no cause for you to be remorseful or sad. There is no reason for us to be sad or remorseful.”

President Bola Tinubu has saluted the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their tenacious performance in the final of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, held in Cote d’Ivoire.

Tinubu commended the team, the coach, the crew, and the entire management team for their hard work, assiduity, and sacrifice to come this far in the tournament.

He acknowledged the hurdles they consistently surpassed with steadily improving performance as they pulled through to the finals.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President urged Nigerians to be of good cheer, emphasizing that “we won a great victory in the hearts of Africa and the world by our grit, rigour, and determination in the field of play.”

“Let this passing event not dispirit us, but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love.

“To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow, do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true,” the President said.

At least six European clubs have reacted to Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, final on Sunday night.

Ivory Coast came from behind to beat Nigeria, thanks to second half goals from Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller.

William Troost-Ekong did score for the Super Eagles in the first half.

Reacting after the game, Napoli in a tweet via their X account wrote: “Regardless of the final result, you have made us and your nation proud. Congratulations, Victor!”

Also reacting, Leicester City wrote: “A heartbreaking end for Kel and Nigeria at #AFCON2023.”

Similarly, Atalanta tweeted, “An amazing #AFCON2023 campaign anyway for #Lookman and his @NGSuperEagles. We’re proud of you.”

On their part, the official account of Cádiz Club de Fútbol in Nigeria, wrote: ” S. Tough end for the @NGSuperEagles after defeat to Côte d’Ivoire. Proud of the road to the final, making a whole nation dream again.”

Also reacting, Brentford tweeted: “An incredible journey, Frank. You carried the hopes of a nation superbly. We are so proud of you.”

Similarly, Nottingham Forest wrote: “Commiserations, Ola.”

Ahead of Sunday’s Africa Nations Cup final clash between Nigeria and Ivory Coast, doctors have warned Nigerian fans with hypertension and other heart-related diseases to be cautious and take sleeping pills if possible.

The Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners warned Nigerians in a trending video on Saturday.

The association noted that the AFCON finals portend more health hazards because it will be a thriller.

It advised that those who could not occupy themselves with other activities should take a sleeping pill to avoid the tension associated with the encounter.

“The Association of the Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners warn Nigerians with hypertension and other heart-related issues to watch the AFCON finals slated for Sunday with utmost caution.

“We are concerned about the sudden death of Nigerians during the Semi-Finals between Nigeria and South Africa.

“The final match portends more health hazards as it promised to be a thriller.

“A caution to all Nigerians with hypertension and other heart-related morbidities to watch with caution.

“Otherwise, take a sleeping pill and wake up to hear the result if you cannot occupy the time with other activities. Remember your loved ones, win or lose, life must continue”, it stated.

Nigeria and Ivory Coast will slug it out for the star cash prize of $7 million by 9:00 pm Nigerian time on Sunday.

At least five Nigerian fans died during Nigeria’s semi-final victory against South Africa on Wednesday.

Chinese officials have cancelled two Argentina friendlies that were due to take place in the Asian country after Lionel Messi did not play for Inter Miami in a match in Hong Kong.

The world champions were set to face Nigeria in Hangzhou and the Ivory Coast in Beijing in March.

Fans in China were angered when the Argentina captain did not play for his club against a Hong Kong XI on Sunday.

Messi, 36, said he could not play because of a groin injury.

However, his non-appearance drew widespread criticism in China when he then featured off the bench three days later against Vissel Kobe in Japan.

“Beijing does not plan, for the moment, to organise the match in which Lionel Messi was to participate,” the Beijing Football Association said on Saturday.

When the Hangzhou match was cancelled on Friday their sports bureau said: “Given the reasons that everyone knows, according to the competent authorities, the conditions for the event to take place are not met.

“Fans in Hong Kong jeered Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham and chanted for their money back after Messi did not take to the pitch.

They have since been promised a 50% refund by match organisers Tatler Asia.

The match officials for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final have been announced by the Confederation of African Football, CAF.

Referee Dahane Beida from Mauritania will be the man in the middle for Sunday’s game.

The first assistant referee will be Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos of Angola.

Diana Chikotesha has been appointed second assistant referee for the match.

The fourth official will be Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi.

The final on Sunday will kick off at 9pm WAT at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.

In 1988, Nigeria lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the final, with referee Idrissa Sarr from Mauritania controversially ruling out a Henry Nwosu header for offside.

An Akure-based medical practitioner, Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, has warned Super Eagles fans and football lovers who are highly emotional and have heart conditions to avoid Sunday’s final.

Mr Ikubese, who stated this in a statement on Friday in Akure, said these categories of persons should instead be involved in diversionary measures.

Super Eagles of Nigeria will face host nation, Elephants of Cote D’ivoire, on Sunday in final of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Reports said about four Nigerians died while watching the Eagles’ semi-final match against South Africa on Wednesday.

Mr Ikubese suggested that such people should pick up their phones and follow the live scores to avoid screaming and leave the update if they were feeling uncomfortable.

“They can pick up their phones and be engaged therein while watching the match and deliberately play down their emotions, acting like the outcome of the match is of no consequence to them.

“On no account should they scream or jump up. If, in spite of all these, they yet begin to feel uncomfortable, they should quit watching.

“If they are not sure of conducting themselves with such level of decorum, they should boycott the live transmission and watch the highlights thereafter,” he said.

Mr Ikubese later condoled with the families of those who lost their loved ones while watching the football encounter.

Football enthusiasts in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia, have pleaded with the Aba Power Limited (APL) to improve the power supply in the city to enable them to watch Sunday’s AFCON final.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be locking horns in the final match with the host, Cote d’Ivoire, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

Nigeria defeated South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on penalty shootouts in Wednesday’s pulsating quarter-final to secure a spot in the final.

Some football fans in Aba said in separate interviews with journalists on Thursday that they had not watched any match in the tournament with public power.

A football agent, Bamidele Ayo, said that people no longer depended on public power but on generating sets.

“In civilised countries, power and water remain the basic amenities citizens get from the government, but in Nigeria, the government privatised them.

“Nigerians ought to watch the AFCON matches with public power, but it is not to be due to the power company’s failure to live up to expectations.

“I always use my solar power to watch matches in the comfort of my house for security reasons,” he said.

The media manager of Enyimba International FC, David Orji, said that he watched the Super Eagles semifinal match against Bafana Bafana with generator even with the high cost of petrol.

“Nobody can trust APL again in terms of power supply, so I will keep my generator ready for the final on Sunday.

“Power supply in Aba, a commercial town with millions of people who need it to carry out their day and night businesses, is not encouraging at all.

“I wish to call on the power company to improve on its supply because I know it can do better than what it has been doing all this while,” he said.

A resident, Uche Maduako, expressed dismay over his inability to watch the AFCON matches with public power.

Mr Maduako, therefore, urged APL to do the needful to ensure that people watch the AFCON final with public power.

He advised the Super Eagles to play massive attack and massive defence to ensure that they lift the trophy for the fourth time.

Kelechi Makwe, who deals in sportswear, said that he was not going to depend on APL to watch the AFCON or any other match.

“We need electricity light every day to power our fridge, iron our clothes and other neccesary things not only to watch AFCON,” Mr Makwe said.

Cote d’Ivoire head coach, Emerse Fae says he will work out a way to beat the Super Eagles in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of the Nations.

The Elephants will look to win a third AFCON title when they confront Nigeria at the Alassanne Quattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan on Sunday.

The hosts defeated Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in the semi-final on Wednesday night.

“We will take stock in the next two days, we will analyze Nigeria, even though we played them in the group stage, we will see the strategy to implement for the final,” Faé said after the game.

Cote d’Ivoire lost 1-0 to the Super Eagles in the group stage.

The final will kick-off at 9pm Nigeria time.

Vice President Kashim Shettima met with the Super Eagles following their win over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and promised that the Federal Government will reward  them for their “commitment and dedication.”

The Super Eagles disclosed this in a statement and photos shared on their official X handle early Thursday.

The statement read, “The Federal Government has promised to reward the Super Eagles for their commitment and dedication in reaching the final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivore.

“Vice President Kashim Shettima told the players and their officials in the dressing room, following their hard-fought victory over South Africa in the semi finals on Wednesday, that the government  and people of Nigeria are proud of their accomplishment.

“The VP was in company with Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Minister for Youths, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim  as well as oil mogul, Wale Tinubu, FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick, and NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau.”

The Super Eagles of Nigeria advanced to the final of the tournament after beating Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 on penalties.

Nigeria holds the record for the highest number of appearances at the AFCON semi-finals, having played 15 times.