Sports

Arsenal stay top after thrilling draw at Liverpool

Published

3 years ago

December 24, 2023

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Neither Liverpool or Arsenal were able to strike a title blow as they played out a frenetic draw at Anfield.

The Gunners started impressively and took the lead when defender Gabriel headed home skipper Martin Odegaard’s free-kick in just the fourth minute, but Liverpool rallied and – after being denied a penalty when Odegaard appeared to handle – they were level shortly before the half hour mark when Mo Salah beat Oleksandr Zinchenko and blasted in at David Raya’s near post.

In a match played on the edge throughout, Trent Alexander-Arnold smashed against the bar for Liverpool following a fast break, but neither side was able to grab a winner.

This is a fixture which looms large in Arsenal minds given some of their past experiences here, with Mikel Arteta himself once in a Gunners side beaten 5-1 after conceding four times in the first 20 minutes. In such trying matches the need for a ‘fast start’ is often spoken about, but it is the need for a smart one which is more important.

And Arsenal were smart here, locking onto Liverpool’s creative players and giving them very little opportunity to find a pass. They stifled their hosts, forced early set pieces and then punished a Reds side who were guilty of slack marking. Gabriel’s goal came after just four minutes, but it was coming.

The goal understandably rocked Liverpool, but – backed by a raucous Anfield crowd who had been paying attention to Jurgen Klopp’s plea for atmosphere – they are smart enough team to work their way back into any match.

The game was on something of a knife edge with a frenetic beat, but Salah is cooler than most in those situations, and he knew he was getting the better of Zinchenko. Alexander-Arnold’s ball sent the Egyptian away and when he cut inside there was only one outcome when he drew back that famous left foot. Parity.

It was a game being played at a remarkable pace throughout, but especially so after Salah’s goal, with last ditch interceptions often needed to prevent fast breaks from either side and Arsenal’s wide men in particular looking very dangerous.

Bukayo Saka was ultimately too dangerous for Kostas Tsimikas and Klopp as he sent the Greek into his manager on the touchline, with the latter sustaining what looked to be another shoulder injury for a Liverpool left-back. It was a sign of just what was on the line for these two in a Premier League title race both will think they can win.

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The speed of the game really was quite remarkable, and perhaps it played a part in the odd decision not to take another look at Odegaard seemingly handling the ball in the Arsenal penalty area as his side led 1-0, with the lack of a VAR intervention looking more and more curious with each and every viewing of it.

Being a centre-back for a top level football team is hard work these days. Gone is the time of the yard dogs and the stoppers, and they’ve been replaced by the need to be a physical specimen who can seriously move.

Ibrahima Konate is just that, and the young Frenchman – who hasn’t perhaps shown his best form for much of this season – was terrific here as a last line of defence for several Arsenal attacks, often nicking the ball away from a Gunner at the vital moment. Gabriel was impressive for the visitors too, as we were treated to an exhibition of very modern defending.

So who does this draw benefit the most then? Probably Manchester City, in truth. Of the two sides involved it is of course a better one for Arsenal, with Liverpool particularly liable to lament that Alexander-Arnold chance which crashed against the bar.

Arsenal gained a good foothold in the game’s closing stages too though and so they will also have regrets, but overall it was a exhibition of two sides who will be there for the duration this season whatever happens with City. The race is very much on.

Sports

Lionel Messi retires from international football

Published

2 months 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.