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A little too late to make such decision ? Well, such thoughts are of the past now as the Nigeria Football Federation has announced that Portuguese tactician, José Peseiro will be the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles but will take charge after the Nations Cup next month. Head coach of Venezuela 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. (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images) The Federation had appointed former Green Eagles defender Austin Eguavoen as the interim coach after parting ways with Gernot Rorh earlier in the month after five years on the job. As at the appointment of the 56year old Eguavoen, many believe the former Sunshine Stars boss will take charge of the team in the African continental competition and to his favour, the Federation, led by Amaju Pinnick has now confirm Peseiro’s reign will only start after the AFCON. Who is Jose Pes

Barcelona’s Danish striker Martin Braithwaite has returned to the grass after months on the sideline. Xavi is set to have another player available after months on the sideline. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images) Braithwaite 30, went off injured after hurting his knee in the 74th minute of the club’s 2-1 win over Getafe back in August and has never feature since then. Braithwaite has made a good start to the season, scoring twice and assisting one in three league games prior to his injury, and Xavi will be delighted to have him back on the grass. Martin Braithwaite returns to training since his injury in August. (Photo Credits: FC BARCELONA) It is still to be seen whether the trip to Mallorca on the second of January will come too soon for the former Leganes man as return to the matchday squad nears, another positive news for the club after announcing the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City earlier in the week. Author: Kehinde Hassan Afo

The first half of the 2021-22 Premier League season has come to an end even if it is inconclusive due to the effects of the Covid 19. However, a lot of players have stood out in the past half and in this article, we take a look at the best XI at half way through in the English top-flight. Trent Alexander-Arnold (L) and Mohamed Salah in a file photo. (Image: Twitter/@premierleague) Goalkeeper - Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) The England goalkeeper joined the Gunners in the summer from Sheffield United in a £24m deal and was not well received in North London after his reputation with AFC Bournemouth and recently Sheffield United. The 23year old could not help his side avoid relegation to the Championship in his two previous seasons and a struggling Arsenal side, at the time of his arrival made fans feel they have spend on the wrong player. However, months after his first game for the club in the league, he has them in a Champions League place at Christmas, their first time in the position at t

The African Cup of Nations will finally kick off in Cameroun on the ninth of January, after the postponement of the 33rd edition in 2020 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Algeria's forward Riyad Mahrez and his teammates celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Final football match between Senegal and Algeria at the Cairo International Stadium. Image  credit: Getty Images Cameroun, the host nation have made the necessary preparations, according to the President of the country’s Football Association, Samuel Eto'o, who confirmed in a social media post that all is set for kickoff. “With the final preparations for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in motion, it was great to visit Olembé Stadium with CAF president Patrice Motsepe. In this stadium we will kick off with our first match on January ninth, Cameroun vs. Burkina Faso.” He wrote on his Facebook handle. The move to postpone the competition back in 2020 have seen several p

It is only a matter of time for young sensation Wisdom Obioma Sunday, who has played his way into becoming one of the next biggest names to ensue in a world of talented football players in Nigeria. Wisdom Obioma Junior, alongside German coach Daniel Lopez Martins (left) and Portuguese coach Oliver Schlegl (right) at Leads Football Academy while on trial. Photo Credits: Leads Academy. Born on the 12th of June, 2002, the highly rated young playmaker started playing football at a very young age, representing Lagos based clubs in Nigeria. Born and bred in Lagos, the 19year old grew in fame at a very young age, all for his abilities with the round leather at his feet. He had represented more than a couple of teams in Lagos in the likes of Young Gunners FC, Young Stars FC, All Stars FC and Pepsi Football Academy between 2014 and 2018 before moving to Abeokuta, Ogun State in 2018 to continue his education at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeouta, Ogun state, Nigeria. In his first yea

After being stripped of the armband by the club and the followed update that he will not be a part of the squad when they take on West Ham United in the Premier League on Wednesday, the 32year old will now be missing for the second game in a row. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has opened up on when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will return to Arsenal squad (Image: GETTY) Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has provided update on the return of Aubameyang to the squad, saying both the club and the ex-captain will need a bit of time to heal. Speaking in a prematch press conference, Arteta said: “We have the leadership group. In the last game we had Lacazette. We had Granit who was captain as well. It's not the time to make any rash decision." "We need a bit of time. It needs a bit of time to heal. For now he's not involved in the squad.” he added. With players expected to be leaving in preparation for the African Cup of Nations before the turn of the year, the cameo at the Goodison Par

It started over 13years ago during the tenure of the legendary Arsene Wenger and now after a couple of managers since the departure of the Frenchman, the captain curse continues to haunt Arsenal. Williams Gallas was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy for his outspoken nature. Photo Credits: PA:Press Association After the departure of Thierry Henry in 2007, the club have found it difficult with the other players named as captain so far. It is either a dip in form or injury problems. The first instance however was a completely different scenario. Here is a list of the players who have been affected by this curse. Williams Gallas - August 2007 to November 2008 The Frenchman was stripped of the captaincy for his outspoken nature. From the start, his move to the club from Chelsea was a topic of controversy and the man lived his time at the club never free of it. He criticized his teammates with the likes of Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri some of his victims. “I was probably one of the olde

In what has been a mixed season for the Gunners, a good performance from their captain and striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could have made it a completely different story. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks dejected after the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 6, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images) The Gabonnese has managed just four goals in the league this term, while spurring several other big opportunities to score goals and improve the results for Mikel Arteta's side in games. Having won the Premier League golden boot in his first full season, the 32year old finished just a goal behind Jamie Vardy the following season. However, his form has dipped since the start of last season, which coincided with his improved contract agreement with the club. He managed 10 league goals last season, a number which is very disappointing for a striker, who had scored 22 league goals in con

While contract talks between Chelsea and the German defender continues to breakdown as we approach the end of the season, when the defender will be a free agent, Chelsea will have to reach a neutral ground to ensure they keep Antonio Rudiger. Antonio Rüdiger of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on December 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) One of the best defenders in the world currently, Rudiger is one of Chelsea’s best player, and the most consistent, top performing of the centre backs. Yes, Chelsea are blessed with depth in this section but none of the others offers as much as Antonio Rudiger. Moreso, he is 28year old and for a defender, he still has almost a decade to go as a professional. His qualities are up there with that of the best defenders and the fact that he is a threat at both end of the pitch is another rarity that makes him difficult to replace. Thomas Tuchel side were

After the awkwardness of having to redo the draw for the Champions League round of 16, UEFA finally succumbed to the request of the stakeholders due to the technical error that occured in the first draw. The redrawn Champions League round of 16 draws means Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will not be facing each other, yet. (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The first draw did saw Manchester United against PSG, a contest which would have seen Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi go head to head once again for a place in the last eight. However, after the draw was conducted for a second time, it will be PSG who now take on Real Madrid while Manchester United take on Madrid's city rivals, Atletico. Interesting battles Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Atletico Madrid Getting a Manchester United with Cristiano Ronaldo is bad news for Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid. The Madrid club have suffered a lot in the hands of the Portuguese and the signs are not promising of their progre

Premier League, the most prophesied league in the world has seen some of the young talents in football make it recently that one tends to forget the age of this players due to their intelligence performances. But not to be gone unrecognized, we take a look at the best players under the age of 23 who have been impressive in the league as we approach the first half of the season. Reece James and Mason Mount have had a good start to the season. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images) 12. Marc Cucurella The Spanish left winger arrived from Getafe in the summer and has settled down quickly into the Graham Potter’s team. So far this campaign, he has been Brighton’s most consistent performer and has made 12 league appearances. For a 23 year old left back, who can also play as a left Midfielder, Cucurella gives Potter quality as well as different approach to the game. He might be yet to produce any attacking returns but has created 18 chances for his teammates. With time, that will also