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Ghizlane Chebbak: Late bloomer on the rise

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Ghizlane Chebbak: Late bloomer on the rise

Morocco’s football goddess focused on creating her own legacy

 

Another Golden Boots award for Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak Image Credit: CAFonline

 

By Ed Emeanua

 

She is a woman. She is 34-years-old. Most think she’s already well past her prime. But who cares? She’s a late bloomer on the rise and very focused on creating her own history.

 

Her name is Ghizlane Chebbak, captain extraordinaire of Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, who is busy these days creating her own legacy and making sure that her name will never be forgotten.

 

She already commands a folklore image of sort in her native Morocco, but Chebbak’s name and reputation transcends her nations  boundaries. The rise of Morocco’s Women’s football cannot be separated from the breakout from obscurity of the Atlas Lionesses skipper to the spotlight of world football.

 

Morocco reached their first ever final in Women’s football On 26 April, 2006 at the 2006 Arab Women’s Championship, with a 4–2 win over Egypt in the semi-final and falling 1-0 to Algeria in the final.

 

The Atlas Lionesses made their first appearance on the WAFCON stage after 2006 by virtue of being picked as hosts of the 2022 edition of the tournament. The team has managed a meteoric rise going from a totally unknown footballing nation in the Women’s game to making back-to back WAFCON final appearances.

 

The Atlas Lionesses has also tucked in a World Cup knockout-phase accomplishment within that time frame. Conspicuous in the lofty rise and transformation of Morocco’s Women’s football is the effervescent personality of Chebbak, the Atlas Lionesses’ inspirational leader.

 

The Atlas Lionesses is perhaps no stranger to the game, having been surrounded by the allure and success of football from birth. Larbi Chebbak, her father, also played for Morocco and was part of the 1976 Atlas Lions team that captured the nation’s only African Cup of Nation (AFCON) title.

 

 

In a culture that defied Women participation in sports, least of all football, Larbi, by his involvement gave her daughter his blessing to pursue her dreams. She has done just that and more.

 

With her tremendous skills, personality, and incredible leadership, Chebbak has led Morocco’s Women’s national football team into hearts in her nation. With her inspirational leadership, the Atlas Lionesses has converted even diehard deviants into breaking the cultural mold for the sake of national fervor.

 

This was evidenced on July 26, 2025, when with only 13 minutes spent, the crowd jam packing the 21,000-capacity filled Olympic Stadium in Rabat and venue of Saturday’s final game of the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) championship, roared into life and celebration.

 

They had every cause for jubilation. Atlas Lionesses has just shot into a gallant beginning. Their mercurial captain has done it again. As usual, Chebbak has led the charge for her side by scoring the first goal of the 2024 WAFCON final game against Nigeria with a breathtaking shot from well outside the box.

 

 

Rifling her curling strike just low enough to ensure that the scudding missile eluded the diving length of Nigeria’s awesome goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, the Atlas Lionesses captain has aroused a national sports support base known for national fervor. “Cheb-bak! Cheb-bak! Cheb-bak!” they roared in appreciation of their beloved team and skipper.

 

The sublime strike marked her fifth goal of the championship, separating her from only Senegal’s Nguenar Ndiaye, with whom she was jointly tied on 4 strikes before the epic final game with Nigeria. It was also enough to earn her Golden Boots winner of the 2024 WAFCON tournament.

 

Chebbak continues her streak of milestones never slacking from where she left off after the last WAFCON championship.

 

By her feats at the just concluded 2024 WAFCON, the Atlas Lionesses captain thus catapults herself into joint two-time winner of the WAFCON Golden Boots (2022, 3 goals) and 2024, 5 goals) with only Genoveva Añonman of Equatorial Guinea (2008, 6 goals) and 2012, 6 goals).

 

Genoveva Añonman Equatorial Guinea Image credit: Witters Sport-Witters Sport-USA TODAY Sports

 

Both are bested by only Perpetua Nkwocha of Nigeria, a 4-time winner of the WAFCON Golden Boot award (2002, 4 goals), (2004, 9 goals), (2006 7 goals), and (2010,11 goals).

 

However, by winning the 2022 and 2022 Golden Boot title, Chebbak becomes the second women to win the award consecutively tying only Nkwocha of Nigeria, who won the WAFCON Golden Boot award 3 times consecutively in 2002, 2004, and 2006.

 

Nigeria’s midfielder Perpetua Nkwocha and Frances defender Ophelie Meilleroux vie for the ball Image credit: Getty Image

 

Chebbak is also WAFCON Best Player (Golden Ball) award winner in 2022 although she ceded the title to Rasheedat Ajibade of Nigeria who carted home the prize at the recently concluded WAFCON 2024.

 

Chebbak (2022) also joins Nkwocha (2004) and Añonman (2012) as the only women to have won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards on the same stage and at the same tournament.

 

Esther Okoronkwo’s star of Nigeria’s story

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Esther Okoronkwo’s star of Nigeria’s story

AFC Toronto forward powers Super Falcons WAFCON 2024 ‘Mission X’ to fruition with her sweet left foot 

 

Esther Ok
Nigeria accomplishes “Mission X” at the 2024 WAFCON Championship in Morocco Image credit: cafonline

 

By Ed Emeanua

 

Nine-time past champions Nigeria was always going to be considered major threat for titlist at the just concluded 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) championship with the formidable South Africa defending.

 

Certainly, not after Super Falcons had characteristically publicly stated their lack of illusion over the opposition against their bold intentions at the championship well before its commencement. Nigeria adopted the mantra “Mission X” for the championship with Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie stating on arrival to Morocco that: “We’re here to take home what is rightfully ours.”

 

Hosts Morocco was just one of the dangerous floaters for the title, with other dark horses in Zambia, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, and Tunisia, also with similar ambitions. The stage was set for an epic battle for the diadem with twelve contenders in the fray.

 

When all was said and done, it was mission accomplished once again for the Super Falcons of Nigeria. Africa’s most successful Women’s national team waltzed through to an inspired 3–2 comeback win over hosts Morocco to capture the brand new WAFCON cup on first try.

 

The victory is Nigeria’s tenth in the editions, which the nation’s women’s side achieved on Saturday night at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, where AFC Toronto forward Esther Okoronkwo clearly emerged as the star of her nation’s WAFCON 2024 story.

 

Who would have thought the 28-year-old forward the likeliest to turn fate around in such a high stakes encounter when all the chips were down against the Nigerians, with her team 2-0 under water amidst a stadium packed to the brim with over-zealously ecstatic Moroccans spurring  the Atlas Lionesses on?

 

Esther Ijeoma Okoronkwo Woman of the Match

 

Least of all, Okoronkwo has been dwarfed by the presence of versatile striker and six-time CAF African Women’s player of the year awardee, Asisat Oshoala, in the Nigerian team.

 

So too was team captain and Atletico Madrid forward Rasheedat Ajibade and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, a two-time CAF African goalkeeper of the year winner taller in repute than Okoronkwo in the Super Falcons side.

 

Credit: cafonline

 

However, it was the AFC Toronto star who rose taller to bail out her sinking team with their sails twice broken by a buoyed Atlas Lionesses in the first half of the epic final game.

 

Okoronkwo’s emergence as a Super Falcons leader has been gradual and steady. She earned her Nigeria senior debut in a friendly on June 10, 2021, against The Reggae Girlz of Jamaica and scored her first international goal in a 2022 WAFCON qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan, helping her nation to a 1-0 away win and championship qualification.

 

The Abia State born talent made Nigeria’s 23-woman team to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Nigeria Summer Olympics squad, becoming a mainstay in the national team setup.

 

Morocco roared to a gallant start in the 21,000-capacity filled venue and shot into the lead with only 13 minutes into the tie. Atlas Lionesses mercurial captain Ghizlane Chebbak led the charge for her side by scoring the first goal with a breathtaking shot from outside the box, rifling her curling strike low to elude the diving length of goalkeeper Nnadozie.

 

Jorge Vilda’s side then upped the ante with another strike in the 21st minute with Sanaâ Mssoudy stretching Atlas Lionesses’ lead. Mssoudy’s goal came off a clever Ibtissam Jraidi slipped-in pass to Mssoudy in space, allowing the sleek Moroccan winger enough room to make a measured bottom right finish.

 

Astounded, Nigeria went into the break down by two goals and licking their wounds. But Justin Madugu’s heroines returned from half-time break full of determination and much eagerness to make a response,

 

Okoronkwo took charge after a VAR review handed Nigeria a hitherto elusive opening against a well rehashed Moroccan resilience led by center back Nouhaila Benzina after the hour mark. Cruelly, VAR held Benzina culprit for the handball incident in the penalty call, allowing Okoronkwo to score from the spot and halving Morocco’s lead in the 64th minute.

 

Rather than being dissipated by providence, the Super Falcons were energized by the chance of fate. Six minutes later, Okoronkwo ran rings around a handful of Moroccan opposition maneuvering her way into the opponent’s eighteen yard box before turning into a provider after kneading the ball through to a well-positioned Folashade Ijamilusi, who threaded the ball beneath stranded goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi and into the bottom corner drawing Nigeria level on 2 goals apiece.

 

With just 2 minutes left on the clock, Nigeria scored the winner when Okoronkwo sweet left footed delivery off a freekick assisted Jennifer Echegini to calmly redirect the ball into the far right corner of Er-Rmichi’s net in the 88th minute, completing a famous comeback in a WAFCON final game.

 

Echegini Jennifer Onyinyechi of Nigeria celebrates her goal during the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final match between Morocco and Nigeria Image credit: cafonline

 

Okoronkwo’s heroics at the final game establishes her as one of Nigeria’s standout stars at the 2024 WAFCON. Her sweet left foot became increasingly effervescent from the quarterfinals stage of the tournament when she scored once and twice assisted her teammates to find the net in Nigeria’s 5-0 mauling of gusty Zambia.

 

However, her best game was served out at the final event where Okoronkwo unsheathed and then thrust her dagger into the hearts of Moroccans, ensuring the remarkable brevity to their enduring vociferous support.

 

It was a game where the Nigerian forward marshaled out a well-crafted rendition of superlative football artistry which saw her putting away a sublimely taken spot kick, providing a breathtaking assist for Ijamilusi’s leveler at 2-2, and teeing up Echegini to score the winning goal off a supremely taken free kick. Okoronkwo’s inspiration was truly the difference in Super Falcons’ dramatic 3-2 comeback domination over Morocco and their accomplishment of “Mission X” at WAFCON 2024.

 

Okoronkwo picked up Player of the Match award for her brilliance, while Nnadozie emerged Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Chebbak won the championship’s highest goal scorer award.

 

Rasheedat Ajibade picked up the Player of the Tournament title for her brilliance all through the championship.

 

Possibility: Osimhen to Galatasaray

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Possibility: Osimhen to Galatasaray

Fabrizio Romano’s hype of Napoli striker’s move to Istanbul sets ‘X’ buzzing

 

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – NOVEMBER 7: Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray celebrates victory during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Galatasaray A.S. and Tottenham Hotspur at Rams Park on November 7, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images) Facebook

 

By Ed Emeanua

 

Fabrizio Romano’s latest hype of Napoli forward Victor Osimhen’s belated move to Galatasaray S.K as a possibility has sent ‘X‘ formerly known as Twitter buzzing.

 

The football transfer news expert posted on his ‘X’ handle that both Napoli and Galatasaray are now on the same page on the move, with the key words in his post: “here we go soon!” seeming to have ignited the beehive with buzzing responses from various quarters.

 

Fabrizio Romano reposted
@FabrizioRomano Galatasaray are closing in on Victor Osimhen deal, here we go soon!
€40m immediate payment.
€35m in one year.
€5m add-ons based on goals.
10% sell-on clause on future profit.
Clause to avoid sale to Italian clubs next two years.
Verbal agreement in place.

The responses are various and below. Excerpts.

alperen
@alpernerdm
SOLO IL GALA
(ONLY THE GALA)

Wojtek 
@wojtekthebrown
Kader gayrete aşıktır…
(Destiny is in love with effort…)
Abdullah Dinler @AbdullahDinler5
Fenerin tarihinden büyük topçu almışız
(We’ve got a great striker from Fener’s history)
evan ferguson
@mangelonichols
sonunda be sonunda
(finally, finally)

İsaa
@isaks0y
ALLLAHHH #WelcomeBackOsimhen

Batuhan_31
@efe_31_46
Here we go

Keltik Mokoko
@CelticMokoko
HAYIRLI OLSUN MU
(Good luck to you)

Baran#Hedef26
@maurobarandiii
“Here we go”

Italia Striker@italiastriker
His attitude lately was off, but that club TikTok mocking him? Completely unnecessary too. Osimhen and Napoli both ruined what could’ve been a graceful goodbye. Still, thanks for the unforgettable moments champ. We move

Mithat Yavuz @MithatYavuz
HERE WE GO SOON!

 

carlo holse @joelfurkiid
başlıyoruz
(We’re starting)

 

 

Pyramids draw at the death again

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Pyramids draw at the death again

The Heirs of the Pharaohs leave Sundowns fans heart broken in Johannesburg

 

Pyramids’ Walid El Karti, in blue, scores in the 94th minute as the game against Mamelodi Sundowns finished 1-1. Reuters © Siphiwe Sibeko/MSN

 

By Ed Emeanua

 

Twice, Egyptian side Pyramids Football Club have mercilessly thrust their knife right where two South African clubs’ hearts used to be. Both times, ‘The Heirs of the Pharaohs’ have also managed to achieve their gruesome feats at the death. All these have also happened in the current edition of the African Champions League’s where the Egyptians continue to be a study in resilience against South African foes.

 

For the South African fan, here are some very charitable words of wisdom: If you’re a bully, treat ’em good. And, if you’re a chucky, nobody chucks ‘pon ’em. Meaning don’t mess with Egypt’s Pyramids. Yeah!

 

Over the weekend in South Africa, that lesson was well learnt as the gritty Pyramids pulled level with just four minutes before stoppage time to take an eye popping 1-1 hard fought draw from Pretoria to Cairo. It is the first leg of the African Champions League final on Saturday.
With the away goals rule still in play in African club events; the advantage now goes to the Club from New Cairo through the exploits of Walid El Karti’s headed goal from the far post after a stoic flourish to the exchanges at Loftus Versfeld stadium.
Pyramids continue to showcase a knack for last minute heroics against South African opponents in the current African Champions League. At the semi-final stage, the Egyptian side that was once-upon-a-time in North Africa simply known as Al Assiouty Sport at its formative year in 2008, also shattered expectations while breaking South African hearts in their dismissal of Orlando Pirates from the bash.
That time, The Heirs of the Pharaohs also stalemated the first leg of their semi-final against Pirates in a 0-0 tie in Johannesburg before winning the reverse fixture 3-2 at their base in Cairo. Congolese forward Fiston Mayele was the star of the story of Pirates’ 2025 Champions League semi-final epitaph.
Walid El Karti (right) struck for Pyramids in the 94th minute to leave the African Champions League final finely poised heading into the second leg in Cairo © Reuters/MSN
After the visitors had twice shot into the lead in Egypt, and for the records, scoring their second goal with just six minutes remaining, Pyramids’ thirty-year-old Congolese forward decided to take took matters into his hands by latching onto a loose ball inside the box from a corner kick to score the winner.
The Egypt side has achieved the repeat of their heart-breaking feat against a South African club amidst showcasing a remarkable resiliency in today’s first leg event of the final games of the championship. Sundowns shot into their 54th minute lead through the Brazilian, Lucas Ribeiro’s sublime left-footed bender off an awry Pyramids defensive evacuation that fell kindly for prolific goalscoring midfielder.
Yet, the initial happenings in the tie were in line with general anticipation which clearly, favored the South African side as the clear favorites before the game against Pyramids, a side that was only taking part in their second Champions League competition.
But the persistent press by the visitors continued to rattle a host with an overrated belief that their Fort’s high-altitude advantage is more than enough impetus to curtail the force of the fleet-footed challengers from North Africa.
Sundowns, who were Champions League winners in 2016, had a first-half chance to score quashed by the ever-present super goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy save of Iqraam Rayner’s’ glorious effort. Yet, the Egyptians’ counter forays up field continued to unfurl fleets, if not troves of flaws in Sundown’s less than impressive backline.
All the same, Pyramids were forced to endure till almost the last action of the encounter when Mohamed Hamdy’s cross from the left was not prevented from bobbing in the box by Sundowns’ lethargic defense line, allowing the ball to hurtle on beyond them to the far post for the lurking El Karti to score.
Sundowns must now wait for the return leg at Cairo’s Air Defense Stadium on Sunday, June 1, to take their chances at a reprieve. But it is highly doubtful.

 

Germany, FIFA, set Agu loose for Nigeria

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Germany, FIFA, set Agu loose for Nigeria

Eric Chelle adds his long-sought German bomber to his Super Eagles fleet

 

Felix Agu of Bremen in action during the Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt at Weserstadion on April 05, 2025, in Bremen, Germany. Photo by Stuart Franklin. Source: Getty Images

 

His last name translates to ‘Tiger’ in Nigeria’s Igbo dialect. Literally, both the German Football Association (DFB) and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) may have unknowingly unleashed a young beast, setting free the roaring feline to roam freely with Nigeria’s senior national team, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

 

Felix Agu has been allowed to play for the Super Eagles by FIFA and Germany. According to the NFF, this has been achieved following Germany’s DFB confirmation to the World football body that the Germany born player whose parents are of Nigerian descent, can represent his Fatherland.

 

“Felix Nnaemeka Agu confirmed ok to play for Nigeria’s @NGSuperEagles” the NFF announced on their official X account.

“The German FF have written to confirm that the player has never represented them at any official game at the A and Junior level.

“Played (Agu) only 2 friendly games for the U21 team in 2019. Welcome Felix”!

 

This also means that Nigeria boss Eric Chelle, has now realized his wish of having his long-sought ‘German Bomber’ within fingertip for inclusion in his modest and poor-spirited Super Eagles fleet.

 

The Super Eagles blame their misfiring defensive setup for the side’s Achilles heels in recent loss of form.

 

In Nigeria’s last five games, a 0-0 stalemate against arch-rivals Ghana Black Stars in an Africa Cup of Nations (ANC) qualifier on December 28, 2024, and a 2-0 away victory against Rwanda in a CAF World Cup (CWC) qualifying play on March 21, 2025, are the Super Eagles only clean slates since November.

 

Before then, the Super Eagles had uncannily surrendered a goal lead against visitors Rwanda, going on to end the game with a painful loss against the Amavubi in a home tie in the Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) qualifier on November 18, 2024.

 

The Home-based assemblage of the Super Eagles, despite defeating their Local Black Stars setup 3-1 in the reverse fixture of their ANC game on home turf, still managed to maintain their enduring poor defensive legacy of inability to maintain a clean sheet in recent games.

 

18/11/24 ACO Nigeria 1 – 2 Rwanda View events
22/12/24 ANC Ghana 0 – 0 Nigeria
28/12/24 ANC Nigeria 3 – 1 Ghana
21/03/25 CWC Rwanda 0 – 2 Nigeria View events
25/03/25 CWC Nigeria 1 – 1 Zimbabwe View events
28/05/25 FRI Ghana 13 : 00 Nigeria
06/06/25 FRI Russia 12 : 00 Nigeria
31/08/25 CWC Nigeria – Rwanda
07/09/25 CWC South Africa – Nigeria

 

Perhaps, the most glaring of the Super Eagles’ defensive frailties occurred in Nigeria’s insipid showing against the Zimbabwe Warriors in a CWC qualifier before an expectant home crowd at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on March 25, 2025.

 

After huffing and puffing to a lone goal lead off a header by prolific goalscoring forward Victor Osimhen against a well-organized Warriors defense-minded side, Nigeria still managed to contrive a surrender of the priceless advantage at almost the last kick before stoppage time.

 

Chelle, Nigeria’s newly appointed national team selector later identified as a priority a need to add sterner personnel to the defensive setup of his side in hopes of fortifying the Super Eagles’ uninspiring defense and stemming the team’ fast cascading downward spiral into ambivalence.

 

With such defensive talents lacking domestically, the Malian born Nigeria manager has seen fit to take his search outside the country’s shores where he now hopes to lure talented Nigerian footballers born into the diaspora to the national team.

 

Their inclusion is intended by the new manager to riffle competition within the team and add needed ounces of muscle to the side’s qualities to achieve the overall new national project of making the Super Eagles great again.

 

Chelle has consistently expressed his fondness for Agu, the Bundesliga Werder Bremen’s fullback, and has already added Germany born defender to the fold in the upcoming Unity Cup friendlies in London well ahead securing his clearance to play for Nigeria.

 

A grateful Nigeria fanbase can only keep fate and hope that the newly unleashed German bomber set to arrive Chelle’s camp in London next week, will help right the course of the Super Eagles’ wobbling and fumbling defense.

 

 

Sundowns, Pyramids in high stakes epilogue

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Sundowns, Pyramids in high stakes epilogue

Who wins bragging right as first team in Africa to take home the glittering brand-new CAF Champions League Trophy?

 

By Ed Emeanua

 

Beginning from today, ready or not, you can’t’ hide, Africa must find and crown the first winners of the glittering, brand-new CAF, TotalEnergies champions league trophy.

 

When the dust of this footballing reverie that is slated to stretch over a day more than a week settles, the finalists-Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids-are set for a historic reality check as the 2024-2025 joust for the Africa champions league competition comes to an epic climax.

 

The CAF Champions League final will be played over two legs. The first is billed for the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in South Africa on Saturday, May 24, 2025, while the second leg comes up on June 1, 2025, at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.

 

 

At stake is more than just who wins the battle and as such, some image lifting bragging rights. The stakes cannot be higher coming at the eve of CAF and TotalEnergies’ decision to introduce the allure of one of the teams being called the winner of the new trophy added to the bargain.

 

These two befitting remnants of gladiators in the continent’s prime and most glamorous club championship must now focus on settling their sporting contentions first in South Africa, then in Egypt. Fame will surely search out whom to bestow upon this historic favor of being called the winner of the freshly minted trophy. When all is said and done today at Mamelodi Sundowns’ Loftus Versfeld Stadium where the South African club hosts the first leg in Johannesburg, the picture of who’s favored and who is not could begin to emerge.

 

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Brazilian attacking midfielder, Lucas Ribeiro, is very capable of turning heads. He equally has the enviable ability for redirecting historic favors to his Bafana baStyle enclave. So too can Congolese Fiston Mayele of Pyramids potentially turn around the hands of time and forge out a winner from the hitherto unenviable also-ran casting of Egypt’s modest ‘The Heirs of Pharaohs’ club side in today’s CAF Champions League final first leg billed for Pretoria.

 

The 26-year-old Brazilian has now found the net the total of 16 times in today’s South Africa highly competitive Premier League setup, even striking the mark twice last weekend alone to end his long-suffering mid-season goal scoring meltdown. The South American has also helped Sundowns to a record-stretching eighth unbroken South African league championships on the trot. In so doing, the Brazilian has successfully positioned himself as clear favorite for the Premier Soccer League’s Golden Boot winner.

 

Mayele, 30, has already shown he’s got a back fortified with a tough-as-nail hard bark in the manner he broke South Africans’ hearts in the Pyramid’s semi-final’s destruction of Orlando Pirates. Having stalemated the first leg against Pirates 0-0 in Johannesburg during the first leg, ‘The Heirs of Pharaohs’ then marched on to the finals by winning the reverse fixture 3-2 in New Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.

 

But it was the visitors who shot into the lead twice in Egypt during the second leg, including scoring their second goal with just six minutes left on the clock. It took only the special talents of the Pyramids’ Congolese resources to bail out the cat from the dungeons after latching onto a loose ball inside the box from a well delivered corner kick to score the winner.

 

Al Ahly bests Al Hilal again

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Al Ahly bests Al Hilal again

 

As Red Devils book semi-final showdown with Sundowns

 

 

Al Ahly showed sterner pedigree harnessing a semi-finals showdown with Sundowns in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League by posting another win over Al Hilal in a 1-0 second-leg triumph at the Sheikh Bedia Stadium, Nouakchott, Tuesday sunset.

The first leg in Cairo ended by a similar scoreline, as the reigning champions again posted a commanding display in the reverse play to secure an emphatic 2-0 total win over the Blue Jewel.

The Red Devils’ midfielder Imam Ashour consistency again showed as he again scored the decisive goal this time in the 80th minute.

The victory paves the way for the Egyptians to their 21st Champions League semi-final appearance and a sensational sixth in a row at that–also setting the stage for a collision with usual adversaries Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa for a promising must-see clash.

Edgy opener in Nouakchott

 

The match in Nouakchott, Mauritania opened on a tender footing for both teams, but with a determined will to carry the day, as the combatants jousted for midfield sway. Swiss coach Marcel Koller, appeared the more inclined to enforce his football philosophy with his Egyptian team in the early minutes.

The Al Ahly press led to an unforced error by the home team in the 9th minute as the visitor’s Slovenian forward Nijk Gradishar latched onto a skewered pass to let fly a scorching shot but Ivorian goalkeeper Issa Fofana saved for the Blue Jewel.

A knock on Imam Ashour in an aerial fray soon showed that the home team had set their target on the man who had been instrumental to their first leg capitulation in Cairo.

However, the 30-year-old forward re-engineered promptly and remained troublesome all game long.

Al Ahly created a great opportunity in the 34th minute, but a low cross eluded both Gradishar and Wissam Abu Ali and went begging.

Ashour’s thunderous shot from distance minutes later was rebuffed by Fofana, while Al Hilal returned the favor just before half-time when a low cross into the box only coerced some level of agitation within the visitor’s box before being booted clear.

Ashour finds the target late to secure the victory

 

In the second half, The Blue Jewel surged forward with added vigor. Evidently, their clearest chance presented in the 64th minute with winger Ahmed Salem going through on a one-on-one with Mohamed El Shenawy, but was turned down by the rock-steady Egypt goalkeeper.

The African champions remained resilient and found the breakthrough ten minutes before game time was called.

Substitute Taher Mohamed Taher then plied in a well placed cross into the box, allowing Ashour to find the mark.

Al Ahly stood their ground despite home team’s closing forays and eight minutes of added time. But it was Ahmed Reda who came close to increasing the scoreline in injury time, but Fofana’s lightening-quick reaction kept the scoreline somewhat close.

Epic showdown with Sundowns awaits

 

The champions must now turn their focus to an epic semi-final showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, who in turn weathered the storm of Esperance de Tunis in their own testy quarter-final play.

The familiar foes have created a volatile rivalry in recent seasons, and their promising clash is set to draw continental eyes to their event again.

Onuachu return from injury date mooted

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Onuachu return from injury date mooted

Nigerian international could be available for injury hit Saints next weekend

Fulham fans thrilled for Iwobi’s heroics

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Fulham fans thrilled for Iwobi’s heroics

Ecstatic ‘Friends of Fulham’ praise their Nigerian international for helping down Brighton

 

Premier League

Venue:Craven Cottage
Attendance:26,368
Image Credit: friendsoffulham.com

 

By Ed Emeanua

 

Ecstatic Friends of Fulham are thrilled for midfielder Alexander Iwobi’s two goals heroics that helped the home side bring down Brighton on Thursday in their midweek Premier League fixture.

 

Forget that the Seagulls can ruffle Fulham’s feathers. Thursday’s 3-1 loss at Craven Cottage to the the Lily Whites is only Brighton Hove Albion’s third loss of the season. But it is the newest in a string of nine winless games in the top flight against nemesis Fulham.

 

Adoring Fulham fans love their team for its resilience and craft against their higher placed opponent on the Premier league table but love Iwobi more.

 

In the fans’ reaction after Thursday’s game on the ‘Friends of Fulham’ forum, diehard Cottagers supporters rooted for their team and players, showering both with plenty of love.

 

https://youtu.be/7WiEVKw5mH8

 

Drewry66 wrote:

Drewry66

#141

December 05, 2024, 09:17:16 PM
I love Iwobi so much!!!!!
And St Eve agreed:

St Eve

#142

December 05, 2024, 09:17:40 PM
Yeeeees
And TC’s Sporran too:
Ezoic

TC’s Sporran

#143

December 05, 2024, 09:17:43 PM
and again!!
And on and on the Iwobi love flowed. Volz stated:

Volz

#144

December 05, 2024, 09:17:53 PM
So well deserved for Iwobi!

Caedal

#145

December 05, 2024, 09:18:08 PM
Iwobi has easily been player of the season so far
Ezoic

Twig

#146

December 05, 2024, 09:18:46 PM
Iwobi will be MoM but Robinson has also been superb.

Steeeeeeeeeed

#147

December 05, 2024, 09:19:11 PM

Quote from: Caedal on December 05, 2024, 09:18:08 PM

Iwobi has easily been player of the season so far

Agreed, he has been terrific, and very enjoyable to watch the way he plays, seems a very positive fella.

Deeping_white

#148

December 05, 2024, 09:20:13 PM
Berge top notch once again btw, long way away from the Villa game where he got scapegoated
Ezoic

bencher

#149

December 05, 2024, 09:20:26 PM
Iwobi has been such a great signing. Brilliant goal and fantastic player.

Steeeeeeeeeed

#150

December 05, 2024, 09:21:26 PM

A game of 4 quarters.

Luckily we were brilliant in the last quarter.

Caedal

#151

December 05, 2024, 09:21:35 PM
I still cant believe we got battered by Wolves
Ezoic

Twig

#152

December 05, 2024, 09:22:32 PM

Quote from: Caedal on December 05, 2024, 09:21:35 PM

I still cant believe we got battered by Wolves

I was there and everything that could go wrong did.

Caedal

#153

December 05, 2024, 09:23:48 PM
Have to confess I was skeptical about the Iwobi signing at the time, but he’s been consistently excellent

FFC007

#154

December 05, 2024, 09:25:40 PM
Who was that numpty who ran onto the field….  ::angry::
Ezoic

Twig

#155

December 05, 2024, 09:25:55 PM
Yesssss

Steeeeeeeeeed

#156

December 05, 2024, 09:26:04 PM

There’s a punter running  on the pitch, the bench are laughing their heads off so seems a funny one, shame the camera cuts away.

3-1 Game Over  ::scarf::

FFC007

#157

December 05, 2024, 09:26:11 PM
An excellent win…. Up to sixth now…..  ::scarf::
Ezoic

Deeping_white

#158

December 05, 2024, 09:26:18 PM
Good job Brighton wanted it more than us eh ::scarf::  ::scarf::  ::scarf::

First State

#159

December 05, 2024, 09:26:26 PM
Consider ourselves lucky, Brighton was the better team today.

 

 

Player ratings: How Iwobi & co fared

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Player ratings: How Iwobi & co fared

Fulham 3-1 Brighton and Hove Albion

 

Image Credit: Fulhamish

 

Fulham moved into the top six of the Premier League (yes you read that right, the top six) after a superb win over high-flying Brighton at the Cottage. Despite being pegged back in the second half, Fulham turned the tide and closed the game out well to continue our impressive bounce back following our previous home game which saw a humiliating defeat at the hands of struggling Wolves. Arsenal will be the favourites when they visit the Cottage on Sunday, but they’ll be given a hell of a game by Marco Silva’s side, George Rossiter reports for Fulhamish.

 

Bernd Leno

Had quite a lot to do, especially in the first half as Brighton flexed their quality and fluidity in the final third. A powerful effort from a tight angle early on from Joao Pedro was saved well by Leno to prevent Brighton instantly getting a handle back on a game that Fulham had led early on. Then made an even better save from Adingra 35 minutes in from close range. Of course it was aimed very close to the German, but the positioning and reflexes to parry it away from danger was very impressive. Won’t have liked conceding a fairly slow-moving strike from Baleba, but the accuracy of his effort was enough to find the corner, ultimately. 7/10.

 

Timothy Castagne

 

Image credit: Fulhamish

 

Potentially a surprise inclusion considering Kenny Tete’s recent run of form, but also maybe not considering Tete’s previous injury record. Wasn’t bad or overly rusty, but especially in the first half there was far too much of a Brighton threat coming from his side of the pitch. Time after time Mitoma and especially Estupinan were able to fire in dangerous crosses that Castagne was unable to close down and block. Had quite a quiet second half after that, with little defensive work to do but ultimately also not providing much of an attacking threat. 6/10.

 

Issa Diop

Solid if not spectacular from Diop. The most important thing to note is that’s yet another game where he’s bought composure and quality to a backline and not produced a complete clanger. That maturity and focus will really give Silva a headache when Andersen returns from injury. Cynics may say he could have done more for the Brighton goal, but realistically he was having to cover for a ball that had gone over another defender’s head. Biggest strength was his ability in the air, often getting the better of Joao Pedro on long balls and defending brilliantly from corners. 6.5/10.

 

Calvin Bassey

Looked a bit ropey for me in this game, probably summed up by describing his highlight of the game. A double block from two efforts via Estupinan and Pedro was impressive, but came as a result of his own mistake. On numerous occasions in the first half he seemed to be caught ball watching, something that continued into the second half. First he lets Van Hecke go free to head just over from a corner, and moments later a long ball drifts over his head which leaves Fulham outnumbered on the edge of their own box, and Baleba capitalized to score. Not awful by any means, just too many little errors across the 90. 5.5/10.

 

Antonee Robinson

Really mature performance from Fulham’s captain. With the number of crosses coming in from the left hand side, Robinson was constantly getting to balls first ahead of Adingra and Pedro to prevent opportunities for our opposition. When Fulham attacked, he looked to get involved, when Brighton had the ball he was ready in position, he was just constantly switched on in and out of possession. These are the performances and traits of a player that leads by example, which will be why the armband has been handed to the American twice in the last week. 7/10.

Sander Berge

Considering Berge has gone from strength to strength in recent weeks, this was a quieter display from the Norwegian. The box-style midfield put pay to any chances of Berge showing off his ball progressing abilities for a large majority of the game. Furthermore, a poor challenge from behind on Pedro which led to his booking meant that he could not be overly forceful in his challenges going forward, which was frustrating with him being the holding midfielder of the three. Certainly grew into the game as Fulham improved in the second half, but nothing spectacular to report on here. 6/10.

 

Alex Iwobi

Not just our match winner but also probably our player of the season so far too. Some of the flicks and turns Iwobi is pulling off at the moment are evidence of a man with the full confidence of his manager and full confidence in his own abilities. His first goal was easy enough but was taken calmly and set Fulham away nicely. His second was not simple by any means. The turn was so intricate giving the Brighton defenders around him, the extra touch taken to manipulate the shooting position was exquisite, and the finish into the bottom corner was beautifully placed. Beyond his goals, Iwobi looked bright on the ball across the pitch and put in the leg work in a more central position. What a guy. 8.5/10. – Man of the match.

 

Emile Smith Rowe

Not as strong a performance as at Tottenham but I’m still seeing enough to be confident that this more advanced ten position is the one that works best for our England international. The pressure he is able to put on a team’s defenders with his pressing is evident even in games like this one where he was quieter overall. Also got to multiple loose balls in Brighton’s half before their defensive players did, showing a sharpness which wasn’t quite there when he first arrived at Fulham. He’s had good and bad days, but right now I’m content he’s growing into the club as a star player and starting to thrive in a position that suits him best. 6/10.

Harry Wilson

Finally got the start he deserved after a number of wonderful cameos from the subs bench. For all the headlines the winger has made with his game-winning goals in recent weeks, these showings in the last week against Tottenham and Brighton have shown so many strengths in his game. This ability he has to beat his man and then spot either Robinson or the winger ahead of him across the pitch and find him so easily is stunning to watch. If this form and confidence can be maintained, he will be one of our biggest goal threats and creative options all in one. 7/10.

 

Reiss Nelson

Found him so hard to judge for the majority of his 70 minutes on the pitch. So often he was looking to pass back to Robinson rather than take his man on. It’s hard to know whether that’s due to a lack of options in front of him or a lack of confidence to beat his man, which was his biggest attribute in the substitute cameos he made when he first arrived from Arsenal. If it was a lack of confidence, that could have not been more evident as when he went through on goal and despite multiple opportunities, simply denied himself the chance to shoot until eventually the chance was gone. Hopefully his hamstring injury isn’t too bad. 5.5/10.

 

Rodrigo Muniz

Thought Muniz was absolutely brilliant here. This is not a man that has a spell on the bench and loses his motivation or sharpness, Muniz simply wants to give his all for the team and to improve every day on the training pitch. Had two efforts go close in the first half, one header from a corner glanced wide in the first 15 minutes before another effort just before half time also went close. Early on in the second half, he spun his man on the halfway line and played a long ball across the pitch on the half volley directly to Nelson. That skill and precision, plus his hold up play, show the progression of the man as a player, we just need another purple patch goals wise. 7.5/10.

 

Substitutes

 

Andreas Pereira (70’ for Smith Rowe)

Could have been easy to have lost motivation after being booed onto the pitch by pockets of fans (wrongly or rightly), but you can’t fault him for creating the second goal by finally producing a decent set piece delivery. Didn’t do much bar that, but it was an important contribution nonetheless. 6/10.

 

Adama Traore (70’ for Nelson)

Provided a threat from both wings either side of Harry Wilson being subbed off. Willingly ran the channels in an attempt to chase after long balls when the striker found themselves out of position and helped seeing the game out by pressing the Brighton defence back and tracking back himself. 6/10.

 

Josh King (80’ for Wilson)

 

Wonderful to see Josh make his Premier League debut for the club. Considering his stature, it was particularly impressive how willing he was to throw himself into aerial duels, not to mention he was incredibly hard to dispossess on the ball. Had a couple of lovely passes into Iwobi and overall did not look out of place in a high intensity Premier League fixture. 6.5/10.

 

Raul Jimenez (80’ for Muniz)

Didn’t really offer much of a threat when he came on and often found himself drifting wide and not occupying the box. Took a man with him which gave Iwobi space to get the shot away for our third, if we’re reaching for positives or things of note. 6/10.

 

Jorge Cuenca (90+1’ for Berge) came on too late to be fairly assessed.

Marco Silva

For almost all of our time in the Premier League under Silva, this nagging issue of starting second halves poorly has persisted over and over again. It was the opposite here. Fulham went into the break in the lead but were the second best side on the pitch. However, despite Baleba’s goal, we were undoubtedly the better side in the second half and played on the front foot from the moment the referee blew his whistle to kick off the second 45. Also worth commenting on a couple of brave decisions selection wise. Muniz played brilliantly and Pereira created a goal off the bench despite his recent controversies. Lots of credit for the boss here. 8/10.

 

 

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