Sports
Super Falcons Of Nigeria Are Halfway To Paris Olympics After Beating South Africa
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have given themselves a big edge in their quest to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Earlier today, the Super Falcons of Nigeria hosted the Banfana Banfana of South Africa at the MKO Abiola national stadium in Abuja for the first leg of the 2024 Olympics qualifiers in the third round.
As expected, it was a tension-filled game due to the rivalry that has been established between the two countries in recent years.
During the first leg of the last phase of the qualifiers in Abuja, the Falcons had a couple of chances to take the lead early in the first half. But they were not clinical enough with their chances.
It wasn’t until the 41st minute that the Nigerian team finally got the chance to grab the match opener when Noko Matlou brought down Chinwendu Ihezuo in the eighteen-yard box.
Falcons’ captain, Rasheedat
Ajibade converted the penalty in the 43rd minute to give the hosts a deserved one-goal lead.
In the second half, the Banfana Banfana had more goal attempts but Paris FC goalkeeper, Nnadozie Chiamaka was too good to allow any goal in.
Despite a couple of chances that fell to both teams in the second half, they both failed to score to the advantage of Nigeria who finished the game with a slim one-goal lead.
The 9 times African champions are expected to finish the job against the reigning African champions in Pretoria, South Africa on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
If the Super Falcons beat or draw with the Banyana Banyana in South Africa, they will qualify for the 2024 Olympics for the first time since 2008.
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili made a spectacular debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering an impressive performance in the women’s 200m event.
After a disappointing setback in the women’s 100m, Ofili showcased her resilience by clinching victory in her heat with a new season’s best time of 22.24 seconds on Sunday, August 4. The victory has qualified her for the 2024 Olympics 200m women’s semi-finals which will take place this evening.
Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi, has stressed that he doesn’t care how much movement he makes in a game as people continue to take note of his walking technique.
In recent times, videos of Lionel Messi practically walking while his team are off the ball have kept many football enthusiasts talking. Many believe that it is a technique to prevent being injured, some say he does that because other players are doing the hard work for him.
But in an interview with Clank Media, Lionel Messi who turned 37-year-old earlier today, June 24, 2024, said not running when he is off the ball has been a part of his game from his days at his boyhood club, Newell, in his native country, Argentina.
“When I was at Newell’s, there were two or three times a week we were sent to run around the grounds. I used to hide behind a tree. Running without a ball was never my thing. Heh”, Lionel Messi said.
“I have always been very self-critical. I am the first to know what I do right and what I do wrong. When I walk, I analyse the opponent’s positioning, how we stand when we don’t have the ball, get away from the marker and be able to initiate a counterattack.
“I don’t pay much attention to GPS, statistics or data. I never cared how much I ran in a match.”
Note that Lionel Messi had used his walking technique while off the ball to win virtually everything in world football including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League, one FIFA World Cup, and a record 8 Ballon d’Or.
In just two matchdays in the ongoing European Championship (Euro 2024), three countries have secured their place in the tournament’s round of 16.
Interestingly, the Three Lions of England and France, seen as the Super favourites to win the Euro 2024, will have to wait until the last day of the group stage to confirm their place.
Earlier today, June 22, 2024, Portugal’s national team, ably led by five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, defeated Turkey 3-0 to book themselves a place in the round of 16.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and an own goal from Samet Akaydin made all the difference.
Ronaldo provided an assist for Portugal’s third goal, which was his 7th in the history of the tournament, and the all-time highest in the European Championship.
Recall that Portugal defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening game in Group F. Hence, the Portuguese side now have 6 points in two games.
Whether or not they beat Georgia in their last group stage game on Wednesday, June 26, the Portuguese side will play in the round of 16. However, they need to win the game to ensure they finish top of Group F.
Other two teams that have already booked themselves a place in the Euro 2024 round of 16 with a game in hand are the hosts, Germany, and Spain.
Germany are topping Group A with 6 points in 2 games, while Spain are topping Group B with 6 points in two games.
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