Sports

Arsenal down Man Utd in thrilling Emirates encounter

Published

4 years ago

January 22, 2023

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Eddie Nketiah’s 89th minute winner kept Arsenal on course for the Premier League title as they downed Manchester United late on.

The two sides both had to come from behind at different periods as the contest ebbed and flowed in north London, but ended with the Gunners firmly on top.

The Red Devils remain the only team to beat the Gunners this term – and threatened to do so again when the in-form Marcus Rashford scored a sublime opener from distance.

Erik ten Hag’s celebrations highlighted the importance of the clash, but their lead was short lived as Eddie Nketiah levelled proceedings. Arsenal were able to dominate the midfield and took the lead in the second-half when Bukayo Saka cut-in before scoring in impressive fashion.

The hosts’ lead was similarly short-lived as the bandaged Lisandro Martinez scored a clever header in front of the away following to level the contest once more. It looked as if the contest would end level, but Nketiah sent the Emirates in raptures, after a VAR check, as he flicked home late on.

The contest at the Emirates had a whiff of the Sir Alex Ferguson vs Arsene Wenger about it, such is the quality of these two teams, who are once again up at the top. Here are five talking points from north London.

It has probably been well over a decade since an Arsenal vs United clash involved two teams who were in a good moment, ready to compete and at ease with what they are. The contest, with all its history, has always attracted big audiences and been a game to look out for, but it lacked what we had today.

On Sunday it felt like we’d rewound the clock to a time when these two heavyweights were challenging for honours – and that is exactly what they look set to do. Arteta and Ten Hag have created teams that are befitting their club’s rich history.

At the Emirates we were treated to a 90 minutes that was full of quality, full of energy and full of optimism for both sides. Arsenal supports will have left the happier, but fans can’t have been anything but pleased with what they saw as both outfits showed why they are firmly on the rise.

No Jesus, no problem
The Brazilian was the marquee signing at the Emirates in the summer and quickly showed why in the early months of the season. Even when Gabriel Jesus wasn’t scoring, he was having a notable affect on the team and the fear was, were he to get injured, Arsenal would drop off.

That fear became a reality at the World Cup, but Nketiah has filled in seamlessly and continues to justify the new contract he penned in the summer. For much of the season he’s been Jesus’ understudy, but is proving he’s more than capable of leading the line for a side with title aspirations.

His header levelled the contest, and showed the predatory instincts he’s long been credited with. Jesus is set to be sidelined for several more weeks but his absence is certainly not being felt as Nketiah produced perhaps the moment of the season so far with the winner.

Casemiro’s absence felt
Ten Hag was keen to remind fans that when United beat Arsenal earlier this season, they did so without Casemiro. Much was made of the Brazilian’s absence in north London, which came as a result of his yellow card at Crystal Palace in midweek.

Scott McTominay stepped in to fill the void but he is not a five-time Champions League winner. Casemiro’s arrival has galvanised the United midfield, but without him Arsenal exploited and dominated the middle of the park. They were able to play through the visitors, which allowed them to feed their attacking stars.

You imagine, had Casemiro started, that we would’ve seen a different game, but it was the Gunners who were able to take advantage.

You have to remind yourself sometimes that the man wearing the United No 10 shirt is the same man from last season. Rashford was a player bereft of confidence and form and you wondered whether he would get back to the heights he once threatened to reach as a youngster.

Now though, after an impressive pre-season and a new manager giving him instructions, Rashford is leading United’s attack. His strike at the Emirates showed bags of quality, but could only have been scored by a man brimming with confidence in his own ability.

His strike was his ninth in all competitions since the end of the World Cup – a tally not bettered by anyone in Europe.

Sports

Lionel Messi retires from international football

Published

1 month ago

August 31, 2026

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Argentina football legend, Lionel Messi, has drawn the curtain on his international football with Argentina after an illustrious career with the South American nation.

The 39-year-old made a total of 207 appearances, announced his retirement on Monday.

He won the World Cup in 2022, and was a runner-up in 2026 and 2014. He also secured two Copa América titles.

Messi wrote in a statement, “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all – not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.”

Messi, who made 207 appearances and reached three World Cup finals, is widely regarded by fans worldwide as the greatest footballer ever.

Sports

Tinubu orders comprehensive reform of Nigerian football after resignation of NFF board

Published

2 months ago

August 27, 2026

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football to ensure the national football team overcome repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments.

“The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football,” he said.

Tinubu, according to a statement on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, made the decision to help the country “overcome repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments”.

“Football, Nigeria’s most popular sport and the greatest beneficiary of public support, investment and national attention, has continued to struggle basically due to structural deficits within the system,” the president said.

The President noted that while other sports had recorded meaningful progress since the reset of the sports sector under the re-established National Sports Commission, football has continued to struggle because of structural weaknesses within the system.

He stressed that Nigerian football must begin to match the country’s exceptional talent, passion and resources with stronger institutions and sustained performance.

President Tinubu directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the NFF Secretariat and relevant football stakeholders to ensure continuity in essential football administration and facilitate a broad, consultative reform process.

The process will include appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF while safeguarding Nigeria’s obligations within the international football framework.

The President called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition and work together to build a stronger, more accountable and successful football system.

Sports

Ibrahim Gusau confirms resignation as NFF president, Mohammed Sanusi steps down as general secretary

Published

2 months ago

August 27, 2026

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Ibrahim Gusau has confirmed his resignation as the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The former chairman officially announced his resignation at a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday.

He said: “After consultation with family, friends and stakeholders, I just want to tell you that I have decided to resign from my position.

“As Nigerians, nobody is greater than this country. We all love our country and its progress. And as people who have been in football and managing football, we need to look at ourselves and ask, ‘What next?’ so we made a lot of consultations.”

Gusau added that he also advised members of the NFF board to follow his footsteps. He clarified, however, that he cannot say whether they would heed his advice.

A few minutes after Gusau’s announcement, the NFF, on its X page, confirmed the resignation of Mohammed Sanusi as the federation’s general secretary.

The mass resignation comes a few weeks after the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the women’s World Cup for the first time since the competition’s inception. The disappointment triggered backlash for the NFF board members.

According to rumours, the NFF leadership was pressured to step down after intervention from top brass of the Federal Government, from the National Sports Commission (NSC) to the presidency.

Gusau was elected NFF president in 2022, and his tenure was supposed to end next month, with an elective congress scheduled for September 27.

The fate of the congress is uncertain as reports claim that a normalisation committee will be set up to oversee the federation’s affairs until further notice.

Under Gusau’s leadership, the Super Eagles, like the Falcons, also failed to qualify for the men’s 2026 World Cup, despite Africa getting 10 slots for the first time. The failure also extended to age-grade football, with the men’s U-17 and U-20 teams missing out on World Cups.