Nigeria will face hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the Elephants defeated DR Congo 1-0 in their semi-final clash, courtesy of Sebastian Haller’s goal.

Côte d’Ivoire advanced to the knockout round of the tournament on the final match day of the group stage after Morocco defeated Zambia, allowing the hosts to progress as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Although Nigeria had already beaten Côte d’Ivoire once in the group stage of this tournament, the game is expected to be another intense face-off between the two footballing giants, who have five AFCON titles between them.

The Super Eagles earlier defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa via penalty shootout to book their place in the finals.

The final match will take place at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpé on Sunday, February 11, 2023.

The executive committee of the Cameroon Football Federation on Monday rejected the resignation tendered by its president, Samuel Eto’o.

Eto’o has been dogged by allegations of improper conduct, match-fixing and corruption.

The federation met to evaluate the Indomitable Lions’ outing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The meeting started with Eto’o offering to resign from the role and also invited the other members “to do likewise in good faith.”

“At the end of discussions and subsequent deliberations, the members of the executive committee decided to maintain their current mandates and thus unanimously rejected the president’s resignation thereby renewing their confidence in him to continue with the same spirit of reconstruction and development of Cameroon football at all levels as envisaged in his plan adopted by the elective general assembly of Dec. 11, 2021,” the federation said in a statement, referring to the date Eto’o took over as president.

There was no mention of head coach Rigobert Song’s future.

Cameroon needed a win in its final group fixture to qualify from the group stage, only to be eliminated by Nigeria in the round of 16.

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, will not fly with the rest of the team to the city of Bouake, the venue of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinal match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Wednesday.

The Nigerian contingents are expected to fly from Abidjan to Bouaké on Monday night, but the team’s media officer, Raji Babatunde, confirmed to Peoples Gazette that the Napoli forward will not travel with the team as a result of abdominal discomfort.

Osimhen will stay put in Abidjan, where the team has been based since the tournament began more than three weeks ago, and will be watched closely by members of the Nigerian medical team.

However, if he recovers by Tuesday morning, the reigning African football king will fly to Bouake to join the rest of the squad by evening.

Despite having scored only one goal at the ongoing AFCON so far, Osimhen has contributed massively in other areas on the pitch and his presence is very crucial for the team when Nigeria and South Africa face off at the Peace Stadium in Bouaké on Wednesday.

Arsenal will be fined £25,000 after six of their players picked up yellow cards against Liverpool, Goal reports.

The Gunners won 3-1 on Sunday in what was a feisty encounter.

Seven seven players were booked, including six yellow cards and a red for Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate.

Three out of the four Arsenal defenders who started the game – Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes – were all booked while Jakub Kiwior, who came in as a substitute for Oleksandr Zinchenko, also saw his name taken by the referee.

Declan Rice and Kai Havertz were also shown yellow cards.

The Premier League will slap a fine worth £25,000 on the north London side for the amount of yellow cards picked up.

Earlier in the campaign season, Chelsea and Liverpool were also fined, after at least six of their players were booked.

Former Nigeria captain, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has backed the Super Eagles to beat South Africa in the semi-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, and have the chance of winning the trophy.

Okocha, who spoke with Arise News ahead of Nigeria’s clash with South Africa on Wednesday, also said the last-4 clash is open.

The former Paris Saint-Germain star also advised Jose Peseiro’s men to take it one game at a time to achieve their ambition of winning the 2202 AFCON.

“It is open but of course as a hardcore Nigerian fan I expect our team to grab the opportunity and make it to the final and give themselves the chance to win it,” Okocha said.

“It’s one step at a time, we have South Africa to play next. We just have to earn the right to win a football match. It doesn’t matter how now, we just have to win.”

Okocha has been present at the 2023 AFCON matches involving the Super Eagles.

The former Bolton Wanderers’ star has been motivating and inspiring the Super Eagles players to victory.

Egypt Football Association (EFA) has sacked the head coach of the country’s national team, Rui Vitoria, following a disappointing outing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

“We want to thank the Portuguese Rui Vitoria, the coach of the Egyptian national team, and his assistant staff while studying the biographies of foreign coaches and presenting them at the next meeting,” the EFA said in a statement on Monday.

The seven-time champions managed to reach the round of 16 at this year’s AFCON with just three points, having drawn all of their three group stage matches, but were knocked out by DR Congo in a penalty shootout.

With the outcome at the tournament, which the EFA concluded did not suit the country’s football profile, the association has now decided to relieve Vitoria and his assistants of their positions.

He was the highest-paid coach in Africa before his dismissal.

“The council decided to approve the appointment of Mohamed Youssef as general coach of the first Egyptian national team until a foreign technical director is selected and the rest of the staff is formed,” the statement added.

He joined a growing list of coaches who have lost their jobs following disappointing outings at the AFCON. The names on the list include Jalel Kadri, who was sacked by Tunisia, Djamel Belmadi, sacked by Algeria and many others.

Cotê d’Ivoire midfielder, Oumar Diakite, has credited home fans for their comeback win over Mali on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

Diakite, who scored the winning goal, admitted the game was a difficult one, but they had their home fans who supported them throughout the 120 minutes.

“The supporters did what they had to do, and since this tournament started, we have seen the support of Ivorians; they have been pushing.

“Today, we had a difficult time in the game, including the red card, but they continued to push us and for us as players, when things begin to go like that, we only have the option to give our very best and look out for the victory and it is the reason why we were the winners,” he said.

Cotê d’Ivoire had a player sent off in the first half before going down by a goal to nil.

They, however, managed to come back into the game and won it at the closing stages of extra time.Diakite added that they knew the game was going to be difficult after the red card.

“We knew it was going to be complicated, it made it difficult for us, but we were able to do what we wanted with our mentality in place.

“We ran and we made efforts and I think we were paid at the end of the day, and we all went out to get this particular victory.

“We are happy because I scored the second goal. With this goal, I think I put happiness on the faces of about 30,000 Ivorian fans who were at the stadium.

“No words can describe how I’m feeling right now, but I’m happy,” he said.

Cotê d’Ivoire will now meet DR Congo in the semi-finals at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Wednesday.

Chelsea boss, Mauricio Pochettino, has told his winger, Mykhailo Mudryk that he needs to improve and must learn to play for the team.

The Argentine said this was the only way the Ukrainian could earn a regular place in his team.

Mudryk, 23, moved to Stamford Bridge in January 2023 but has struggled to make much of an impact in the year since then, scoring just four goals in 41 appearances.

Pochettino admits the winger has a lot of work to do.

“He started the game against Middlesbrough in the semi-final, which is one of the most important games for us,” Pochettino said of Mudryk appearing in the Carabao Cup.

“Yes, now he is on the bench. Look, it’s about the form during the season – if you keep your form and you are the best during every training session.

“As coaching staff, we are a meritocracy – we are going to play with the players who are going to do their best on the pitch.

“Of course, he needs to improve. He has amazing quality and potential, but it’s a [team] game, it’s not tennis.”

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has congratulated the national ream, the Super Eagles for qualifying for the semi-final at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The Super Eagles on Friday evening beat their Angolan counterpart by one goal to nil, scored in the 41 minutes by Ademola Lookman.

Governor Abiodun praised the resilience, tenacity and the team spirit displayed by the players in overcoming their opponents.

He urged the team to do Nigeria proud by qualifying for the finals of the African football showpiece.

He said: “I extend my warmest congratulations to our beloved Super Eagles on their impressive triumph over Angola, securing a well-deserved spot in the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations.

“The team’s extraordinary display of skill, tenacity, and teamwork has made our nation proud. This victory is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and I commend every player and member of the coaching staff for their exceptional performance.

“As a state, we stand firmly behind our national team and will continue to support them as they strive for further success.”

Atalanta winger, Ademola Lookman has entered the history book as the fourth Nigerian player to score three plus goals in the knockout stages in a single edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Lookman joined the exclusive list after netting the winning goal in the Super Eagles hard-fought 1-0 victory against the Palancas Negras of Angola on Friday night.

The 26-year-old, it would be recalled, bagged a brace in Nigeria’s Round of 16 win over perennial rivals Cameroon last week Saturday.

The late Rashidi Yekini was the first Nigerian to achieve the feat at the AFCON 1994 finals in Tunisia.

Former midfielder, Austine Jay Jay Okocha joined him on the list at the 2004 edition hosted by Tunisia.

Also, Odion Ighalo equaled the feat five years ago in Egypt.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, has arrived in Abidjan, the capital of Cote d’Ivoire, for the Super Eagles match against Angola.

The Super Eagles would trade tackles with the Angola national team in the ongoing All African Cup of Nations, AFCON, quarterfinal match.

Obi’s arrival in Abidjan was disclosed by his Special Adviser, Valentine Ozigbo via X.

He wrote: “Just arrived in Côte d’Ivoire with HE @PeterObi to support our soaring Super Eagles to victory in the Quarterfinals of AFCON 2023. Quite a pleasant lunch at Sofitel Abidjan.

“Let’s rally behind our team, knowing their strength and unity on the field mirror our spirit and passion as a nation. Together, we soar higher.”

Also in Ivory Coast are the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Bako Lalong, and Senator Ned Nwoko.

Posting on X, Lalong wrote: “Today, I joined H.E. #SPNigeria Godswill Akpabio on a journey to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, to rally behind the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they face Angola in the quarterfinals. The nation stands united in support of the Eagles, and I am confident they will bring pride to us. Go Eagles!”

Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala will seal a move to United States National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) outfit, Bay FC this week.

Oshoala’s current contract with Spanish Iberdrola side, Barcelona is due to expire this summer.

Bay FC, who are based in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, will reportedly pay €150,000 to secure her services.

The 29-year-old joined Barcelona from Chinese club Dalian Quanjian in 2019.

Oshoala won the UEFA Women’s Champions League title twice during her stay with the Blaugrana.

She has also played for Arsenal and Liverpool Ladies.

Julián Álvarez scored twice to propel Manchester City to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Burnley at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

The win kept City in touch with premier league leaders Liverpool and extended their impressive winning streak to nine matches.Before kick-off, Burnley faced a daunting task, having conceded 32 consecutive goals against City without a response.

Despite Erling Haaland’s return from injury, Pep Guardiola chose to stick with Álvarez up top, and the Argentine proved to be a relentless force.

Matheus Nunes set up City’s opener with a precise cross, allowing Álvarez to head home from the edge of the six-yard box.

A clever set-piece routine by Kevin De Bruyne provided Álvarez his second goal, showcasing clinical finishing past James Trafford.

Lyle Foster gave Burnley a moment to ponder with a curling effort just before halftime, but Vincent Kompany’s side faced an uphill battle.

The challenge worsened 27 seconds into the second half as Phil Foden’s delivery found Rodri, sealing the result.

With Burnley’s persistent efforts, they managed their first goal against City in nine games during stoppage time, with Ameen Al-Dakhil converting David Datro Fofana’s cross.

Burnley are now on a five-game winless streak, sitting seven points from safety and facing a tough triple-header against Fulham, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

City, on the other hand, will be expected to continue this run in upcoming matches against Brentford and Everton.

Rangers have announced the signing midfielder of Uche Ezeala.

Uche joined the Flying Antelopes from Nigeria Premier Football League outfit, Shooting Stars.

The 20-year-old failed to make a single appearance for the Oluyole Warriors in the first half of the campaign.

Uche was unveiled as Rangers player on Wednesday.

He started his playing career with Go-Round before moving to Shooting Stars.

Uche also had a brief spell with Niger Tornadoes in 2022.

Newcastle United halted Aston Villa’s 17-match unbeaten run in the Premier League at home, securing a commanding 3-1 win fuelled by Fabian Schar’s first-half brace.

Following a morale-boosting FA Cup triumph at Fulham, Newcastle aimed to avoid a fifth consecutive league defeat, a feat not experienced since 2021.

Despite early promise, clear-cut chances were scarce until Anthony Gordon’s close-range effort was deftly saved by Emiliano Martinez.

Undeterred, Newcastle capitalised on their positive start, with Schar netting two goals in four minutes, first converting Kieran Trippier’s corner and then doubling his tally after Gordon’s attempt hit the bar.

In the second half, Newcastle extended their lead as Jacob Murphy scored via a tricky deflection from Alex Moreno after Miguel Almiron’s delivery.

Villa responded with determination, as Ollie Watkins notched his 50th Premier League goal from Leon Bailey’s cut-back, setting the stage for a thrilling final quarter-hour.

Despite Villa’s late surge, Newcastle’s defence held firm, securing their first league win since mid-December.

Aston Villa hope to bounce back against Sheffield United on Saturday after their first home defeat in the Premier League since February 2023.

Al Ettihad striker, Karim Benzema could be reunited with former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr before the January transfer window closes.

Benzema’s future is uncertain and he has been linked with away from the Saudi Pro League club.

According to L’Equipe, the French striker has spoken to a Riyadh-based club, fuelling speculations that he could link up with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.

Head coach of Al-Ittihad, Marcelo Gallardo, is believed to have frozen Benzema out, with the club open to letting him leave on a temporary deal in January, but only within the Saudi Pro League.

Other than Al-Nassr, league leaders Al-Hilal are also being linked with the player.

Super Eagles defender, Ola Aina, has named the most skillful player in the team.

Aina has been one of Nigeria’s finest players at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Nottingham Forest fullback has been hailed for his quality on and off the ball.But he regards AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze as more skilful.

Speaking to reporters after training on Monday, Aina was asked if he was the most talented player in the Super Eagles squad.

He replied “I don’t know. I don’t think so”.

When pressed further on who was the most skilful player, Aina added, “Samuel Chukwueze. Yeah, I think it’s Samuel.”

Chukwueze has featured in three of Nigeria’s four games at the AFCON, starting in the wins over Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau.