Sports
Napoli Striker Osimhen Wins 2022/2023 Serie A Best Striker Award
Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has won the 2022/23 Serie A season Best Striker award.
The Serie A made the announcement on Friday, saying the striker fended off competition from Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao of AC Milan to scoop the prize.
The Nigerian bagged the award having scored 25 league goals this term, four more than his closest rival Martinez with just one game to go.
The Super Eagles forward emerged as the top striker having led Napoli to its first Serie A crown since the 1989–1990 season. That was the club’s third domestic title after previously winning it in 1987.
The 24-year-old player is on the verge of emerging as the first African to finish as the top scorer in Serie A.
He had earlier broken George Weah’s record for the most goals scored by an African in Serie A when he netted his 47th goal.
But Osimhen was not the only Napoli player to have made the headlines on Friday.
His strike partner Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named the Serie A Player of the Season.
The Georgian scored 12 goals and had 10 assists in the league this season. Overall, he got 14 strikes and 10 assists in 42 games in the current campaign.
Another Napoli star Kim Min-Jae emerged as the best defender while Lazio’s Ivan Provedel claimed the best goalkeeper prize.
Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barrela won the best midfielder crown.
Sports
Tinubu commends Super Eagles despite World Cup miss
The president then called on “football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders” to return to the “drawing board” and “plug all the loopholes.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday commended the Super Eagles for “their efforts” after missing out on ticket for the 2026 World Cup.
On Sunday, the Super Eagles lost to DR Congo 4-3 on penalties in the final match of the African playoffs for the World Cup. The game had ended 1-1 after extra time.
“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” Tinubu said in a statement.
The president then called on “football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders” to return to the “drawing board” and “plug all the loopholes”.
“Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory.”
The Super Eagles also missed out on the 2022 World Cup. It is the first time Nigeria have failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cups since the country’s debut in 1994.
The 2025 AFCON will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C against Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of engaging in “voodoo” practices during the penalty shootout of the African World Cup playoffs final on Sunday night.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing 4–3 on penalties, following a tense 1–1 draw after extra time.
Speaking to journalists after the defeat, Chelle claimed that members of the DR Congo technical crew were seen performing suspicious acts during the spot kicks.
According to him, someone on the Congolese bench appeared to use “some kind of water” to jinx Nigerian players before their attempts.
“During all the penalty sessions, DR Congo did some voodoo. Every time. Every time. That was why I was a bit nervous,” he said. “I saw something like water or something.”
Sports
Norway thrash Italy, qualify for first World Cup since 1998
Haaland scored the decisive brace in the space of seconds at a soaking San Siro for Norway, who completed Group I with a perfect 24 points from their eight qualifying matches.
Norway qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 after Erling Haaland struck again in a 4-1 thumping of Italy on Sunday which sealed a spot in next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Haaland scored the decisive brace in the space of seconds at a soaking San Siro for Norway, who completed Group I with a perfect 24 points from their eight qualifying matches.
Norway would have had to lose by nine goals or more to be overtaken by Italy for the group’s only automatic place for next summer’s finals in North America.
Haaland’s father Alf-Inge was still an international player when Norway last competed in the World Cup 27 years ago, a tournament won by Zinedine Zidane-inspired France.
And the Manchester City striker will be one of the players to watch in North America after smashing in 16 goals during qualifying.
JUST IN: FG Vows Swift Rescue of Abducted Kebbi Schoolgirls, Reaffirms Duty to Protect Citizens
Obasanjo, Fayose Trade Bitter Insults as Birthday Message Sparks Public Feud
BREAKING: Media Icon, Dan Agbese, passes on at 81
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Crime3 days agoBREAKING: DSS Recaptures Ansaru Terrorist Commander Linked to Church Massacre
-
Crime2 days agoArmy confirms death of two soldiers in Borno ambush
-
News2 days agoFG vows to end frequent power grid collapses
-
News2 days agoMarwa Vows Tougher Crackdown on Drug Traffickers in Second NDLEA Tenure
-
Business1 day agoJustrite Supermarket Sets For IFC’s $15m Loan For Expansion
-
International5 hours agoBREAKING: US House of Representatives Begins Investigation Into Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
-
News2 days agoBREAKING: PDP Expels Wike, Anyanwu, Fayose, Ajibade, others over alleged Anti-party activities
-
Sports4 hours agoTinubu commends Super Eagles despite World Cup miss