Rivers United secured a crucial 1-0 victory over USM Alger of Algeria in the first leg of their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final clash in Nigeria on Sunday.
Augustine Okejepha emerged as the home side’s hero, breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute with a clinical strike from the edge of the box at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Abubakar Adamu’s well-executed assist from a corner kick set the stage for Okejepha’s decisive goal, putting the home side in the lead early in the match.
Despite USM Alger’s efforts to contain Rivers United, the Nigerian team’s physical dominance was a significant factor throughout the game.
USM Alger struggled to match the intensity of their opponents, who looked eager to score more goals.
However, the arrival of rain after 70 minutes provided a brief respite for the Algerian side, allowing them to regroup and minimize the damage to a single-goal deficit by the final whistle.
Looking ahead to the second leg in Algiers on April 7, USM Alger faces an uphill battle to overturn the deficit and secure passage to the semi-finals.
With home advantage on their side, USM Alger will be determined to mount a strong comeback and keep their hopes alive in the competition. Judging by Rivers United’s performance, they will also put up a strong challenge in Algiers next week.
The stakes are high for USM Alger, and qualification to the next round offers an opportunity to continue defending their title and pursuing continental glory.
In the event of qualification, the overall winner of this tie will face the winner of the double confrontation between Abu Salim and RS Berkane in the semi-final.
Former TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup champions came from behind to snatch a late victor in a closely contested Egyptian derby
Former TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup champions Zamalek SC came from behind to snatch a late victory from Future FC in the Quarterfinals of the competition, which were played at the Al Salam Stadium on Sunday evening.
Ahmed Sayed’s stellar performance saw him assist Hamza Mahlouthi before getting the all-important win that canceled Khaled Abdelhamid’s opener. The White Knights walked away 2-1 victors.
The former champions were all over their opponents, who did well to absorb the pressure throughout the tie.
Zamalek first showed probing signs. The evergreen Shikabala almost opened the scoring with a brilliant solo run in the 27th minute, but an alert Mahmoud Elrhim saved his strike.
The lead unexpectedly came for Future, who broke in transition after absorbing most pressure. The game concluded with Mohamed Salama laying off a perfect ball for Khaled Abdelhamid, who found the opener against his former club.
With just seconds to the break and Future looking at going into the break with the lead, the White Knights showed their pedigree as Hamza Mahlouthi headed home the equalizer from a delightful corner by Ahmed Sayed.
Returning from the back, the 2018/19 champions continued surging forward in search of the lead. They were almost rewarded early into the second half after Shikabala again eliminated numbers to set himself up for a long-distance strike, which was met by the safe hands of Elrhim.
The lead did eventually come in the dying minutes of the game after the troublesome Seifeddine Jaziri was brought down in the box for the referee to point to the spot kick, as Sayed capped off a five-star performance with a conversion that took his goal tally in the competition to four.
Meanwhile, Abu Salim SC held former champions RS Berkane of Morocco to a goalless draw in a simultaneous fixture played in Libya. While the result may be disappointing for the Libyan side, who gave it their all against the Moroccans, they will head to the return leg with their heads held high from the positive performance against the two-time champions.
TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup First-Leg Results:
Experienced striker John Antwi proved instrumental as Dreams FC clinched a remarkable 2-1 triumph over ten-man Stade Malien in Bamako. The team showcased its mettle in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals, CAFonline reports.
Antwi’s heroics stole the spotlight. He netted a brace to propel the Ghanaian side to victory on foreign soil in the first-leg clash in Mali.
The away triumph marks a significant milestone in their maiden continental campaign, underscoring their determination to impact the continental stage ahead of next week’s second leg.
The result means Stade Malien faces an uphill battle as they seek to overturn the deficit away from home and salvage their hopes of progression in the competition.
Trailing initially to a Yoro Diaby free-kick, Dreams FC rallied courageously, with Antwi leading the charge.
In the 66th minute, Antwi ignited his team’s resurgence with a clinical finish past N’Golo Traoré, breathing new life into Dreams FC’s aspirations.
Buoyed by the equalizer, the Ghanaians intensified their onslaught, exposing Stade Malien’s defensive frailties.
The turning point arrived in the 74th minute when Antwi calmly dispatched a penalty, awarded after Issa Yacoubou’s handball, to complete his brace and secure a vital lead for Dreams FC.
Stade Malien’s hopes suffered a severe blow as Fadi Sidiki Coulibaly received a red card, reducing his side to ten men for the remainder of the encounter.
The numerical disadvantage compounded Stade Malien’s woes ahead of the return leg in Kumasi next week.
With momentum on their side, Dreams FC sets their sights on the return fixture, aiming to capitalize on their advantage and secure passage to the semi-finals.
United thought they had secured a late winner against the Bees on Saturday night when Mason Mount scored his first goal for the club six minutes into added time.
However, Brentford, who dominated the game at the Gtech Community Stadium, rescued an even later draw with Kristoffer Ajer scoring after 99 minutes to equalize.
Maupay, never afraid to wind up a member of the opposition, aimed a dig at McTominay after the contest, sharing a picture of the midfielder almost hauling the Frenchman’s shirt off during one tussle.
Alongside the picture, he wrote: ‘This fan was desperate for my shirt [laughing emoji].’
Littler, a massive United fan, aimed Maupay in response, writing on Instagram: ‘Talks more than he scores.’
Maupay scored eight times in 30 appearances this season, having managed just one in 29 last season.
He has also been involved in heated exchanges with Tottenham star James Maddison and Manchester City’s Kyle Walker recently.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank warned earlier this month that Maupay thrives on riling the opposition, insisting it makes the striker ‘tick.’
‘When he came here, he hadn’t scored a goal for ages. So what he has done to be at his current level is incredible. He deserves a lot of praise,’ Frank said.
‘I know there’s a lot of talk [over his antics], and I understand why it’s an excellent question to ask and something you want to discuss.
‘What I believe in is that every player is different. They need to find their own way for what makes them tick and makes them perform. I’m a big believer in that.
‘Then it’s my responsibility to guide them sometimes. Of course, I have spoken to Neal about it. I will keep that to myself, but he needs to do what he thinks is important.’
Celebrating and Honoring Manu Garba’s Remarkable Journey!!!
By Paul Okoku
Congratulations, Manu Garba, MFR, on your newly announced role as the Under-17 coach! Your experience speaks volumes, and your coaching prowess is genuinely world-class. As a former member of the Flying Eagles, 1983 set, who made history as the first national football team to represent Nigeria in the World Cup in Mexico in 1983, you know what it takes to win.
On behalf of the 1983 Flying Eagles, as the Vice Captain, we offer our heartfelt congratulations. We’re fully behind you every step of the way. Go out there and show them what you’re made of!
Indeed, you’re a proven leader who is humble, with integrity and honesty, and leads by example. Manu has produced world-class football players who graduated from age-grade (u17 and u20) national football teams to play for the Flying Eagles, Super Eagles, and club sides all over Europe, including the English Premier League (EPL).
Manu’s journey from the Flying Eagles 1983 set as a player to becoming a FIFA U17 World Cup-winning coach in 2013 is amazingly inspiring.
According to Manu, in his own words, as previously published, he has worked in the past with eight players named in the Super Eagles 23-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone.
Garba has groomed talented players such as Divine Nwachukwu, Adebayo Adeleye, Olorunleke Ojo, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, and Taiwo Awoniyi, who have all at one time or the other played under him either in the U17, Golden Eaglets or the U20, Flying Eagles categories.
Leicester City duo Ndidi and Iheanacho, Nottingham Forest striker Awoniyi, Enyimba goalkeeper Ojo, and Nantes winger Moses were part of the Flying Eagles squad coached by Garba that competed at the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup.
Apart from Divine Nwachukwu, Akinkunmi Amoo and Samson Tijani have also been invited to the Super Eagles, showcasing the talent nurtured by Manu’s coaching. Garba’s impact extends beyond the national team, with players like goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye and Olorunleke Ojo excelling in various tournaments.
It’s puzzling why he is not even mentioned in conversations about becoming the Super Eagles’ chief coach now that the position is vacant.
He has proven himself at the youth level, time and time again.
As the saying goes, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” I do not doubt that his days of becoming the chief coach of the Super Eagles team are on the horizon.
Below are the congratulatory messages from Manu Garba’s former teammates from the Flying Eagles 1993:
Paul Okoku: Thank you, my friend! It’s an honor to share this journey with you. 🎉
Chibuzor Ehilegbu: Congratulations Manu. Wishing you the best. 👏👏
Otti Amaechi: Congratulations, Garba Mohammed! I am just reading this news now. Congrats once again 👍👍👍
Dahiru Sadi: Congratulations on a well-deserved appointment, great coach.
Tarila Okorowanta: Manu Gabba is at it again. Congratulations, my friend and colleague,. All the best, mate.
Dr. Femi Olukanni: Congrats, Manu; I wish you well during this new appointment. Remain blessed.
Yemi Adebanjo: WISHING YOU THE BEST, MY GOOD FRIEND AND PADDY. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW APPOINTMENT. MAY ALMIGHTY ALLAH CONTINUE TO GUIDE AND PROTECT YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD 🙏AMEEN.
Patrick Udoh: Congratulations!
Sunday Edema Benson: Good day, coach. Congratulations on your new job. God bless you with good health.
Manu Garba: My able Vice Captain, teammate, and brother. Congratulations to us all. To all my teammates, thank you for your support, as this is a congratulations to us all.
Man Utd boss’ sack is ‘inevitable’ with ‘one foot outside’ Old Trafford already
Erik ten Hag is frustrated watching Man Utd draw at Brentford Image credit: Football 365
Erik ten Hag has ‘one foot outside’ of Man Utd following their 1-1 draw against Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday, according to reports, Jow Williams writes for Football 365.
Erik ten Hag is under pressure after Brentford draw
Man Utd took an undeserved lead through Mason Mount in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but Kristoffer Ajer swept home three minutes later to give Brentford a point.
Ten Hag’s side is now 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, which beat Wolves 2-0 on Saturday. Pressure is building on the Dutchman to show he can get good performances and results from the current group of players.
Jamie Redknapp was not impressed by what he saw from Man Utd. The former Liverpool midfielder reckons the current group of players looks like they will get Ten Hag sacked.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp said, “I’ve watched Manchester United under Erik ten Hag. I don’t know their style of play.
“I don’t know whether they play out from the back. They tried to do it at times, and they passed the ball to the keeper, who lumped it up the pitch. Do they do that for effect?
“I know they haven’t necessarily had all the back four that they would like, and if you’ve got [Lisandro] Martinez and [Raphael] Varane, it helps you build.
“But I don’t know what Man United’s way of playing is. They had so many opportunities today, Brentford; they were just better in every single department.
“And there’s lots of talk about the manager. Will he still be here next year?
“I think the way that the players are playing right now and that kind of performance, they’re going to decide because they’re the sort of performances that get the manager the sack because there was a lack of effort.
“And if they really liked this manager and wanted to play for him, they would do that.
“I saw many players just walking around, strolling, and not looking like they care. And they play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“And that, for me, shouldn’t ever happen. There’s too many of them.”
Redknapp added, “They gave up so much possession. There was a lack of energy with the ball and without the ball. They just made Brentford look like Real Madrid.
“That’s what I felt like I was watching. That shouldn’t have been the case, the way Manchester United was just so off it.
“The lack of desire to go win individual battles. It was too easy for them. It was almost as if Man United had nine men.”
On Ten Hag’s future, Redknapp continued: “It was another problematic result for Manchester United yesterday, so what does this mean for Erik ten Hag’s future as we continue to see new managers linked with the job at Old Trafford?
“It’s normal when you have new (co) owners to discuss the manager position internally. Conversations between INEOS and Ten Hag have been positive in recent months, but results in the final two months will be significant in deciding on Ten Hag. Also, Man United wants to finalize its board structure before deciding on the manager.
“As I said last week, there have also not been any talks between United and Gareth Southgate, despite rumors. Let’s see how the season ends for Ten Hag, with nothing being decided now.”
Ten Hag sack at Man Utd is ‘inevitable’
And now Spanish website Fichajes insists that Ten Hag has ‘one foot outside’ Man Utd and after the Brentford result his job at Old Trafford ‘is in danger’.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Man Utd board’s patience with Ten Hag ‘seems to be reaching its limit’ with Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and England’s Gareth Southgate ‘possible successors’.
Replacing Ten Hag in the summer now seems ‘inevitable’ with the Man Utd board set to make a ‘crucial decision that could redefine the club’s direction.’
Left speechless after PSG boss Luis Enrique’s latest public snub
Kylian Mbappe is set to leave PSG at the end of the season and has had another run-in with boss Luis Enrique as the Ligue 1 leaders took on Marseille in Le Classique on Sunday, Jacob Leeks reports for Mirror UK
Kylian Mbappe was left furious as PSG boss Luis Enrique hooked him from their 2-0 derby win over Marseille after 64 minutes.
The French superstar captained the Ligue 1 leaders at the Orange Velodrome for Le Classique on Sunday evening. But with PSG a goal up and a man down, Enrique opted to haul off the attacker for Goncalo Ramos.
Mbappe was left visibly shocked by the decision, shrugging as he saw his number on the board. The Frenchman then scrunched his face as he walked off the pitch.
After high-fiving most of the bench, Mbappe headed straight down the tunnel with Ousmane Dembele. After the final whistle, Enrique vigorously defended his decision, insisting he would not apologize.
“It’s the same music every single week… it’s so boring. I am the manager, and I make the decisions every day, every week. I am going to do the same until my last day in Paris,” he told Prime Video Sport.
“I always try to find the best solution for my team. I think I am right. Even if you don’t (understand it), I don’t care. I don’t care at all. Today, we made too many mistakes. It’s part of football; we must accept it and progress.”
Mbappe clearly remained unhappy, though, posting a cryptic picture on Instagram of himself with his back to the camera. The post also had no caption, and Mbappe did not speak to the media.
Before his substitution, PSG had already gone down to 10 men after defender Lucas Beraldo was sent off for bringing down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Despite seeing Beraldo head for an early bath, PSG still took the lead.
Vitinha fired a low strike past Marseille keeper Pau Lopez to open the scoring for the visitors seven minutes after the break. The hosts thought they had leveled just eight minutes later, though.
Jordan Veretout found the back of the net on the hour mark. But VAR eventually ruled out the goal after it was deemed that Luis Henrique had obscured PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s view.
Enrique made his controversial decision to dismiss Mbappe just three minutes later. But his decision appeared to be proven right, as Ramos fired four minutes from time to secure a win for the visitors.
The victory has seen them move 12 points clear of second-placed Brest at the top of Ligue 1. They need 10 points from their final seven games to win the title in Mbappe’s final season at the club.
Asec Mimosas hold Esperance to frustrating goalless draw at home
Image credit: CAFonline
Ivorian giants Asec Mimosas walked away the happier side on Saturday evening when they frustrated Esperance Sportive de Tunis to a goalless stalemate in what was the last round of Quarter-Final fixtures for the weekend played at the Stade Olympique in Tunis, CAFonline reports.
The 0-0 draw sets up a grand finish to the Quarter-Finals when the two sides meet in a return fixture in Abidjan next weekend, with both teams going into the clash on clean sheets.
Despite being starved of possession, the Ivorians were the first to get a chance at goal after Raed Bouchniba’s loss of possession in the danger area. Karidioula Mofosse almost capitalized on the error but saw his effort go wide off target.
The Tunisians eventually had a sniff at goal just before the half-hour mark after Ghaylen Chaleli’s dangerous ball almost caught the keeper off guard, who did just enough to fist it away from danger.
In the second stanza, the hosts continued from where they left off as they surged forward in search of the opener.
Coach Miguel Cardoso introduced fresh legs and injected much-needed pace into the host’s attack.
Second-half substitute Oussema Bouguerra was unlucky not to have found the opener after a well-struck effort from outside the box had Ayayi Folly well-beaten, but he was fortunate to see the ball come off the woodwork.
Midfield sensation Houssem Tka should have broken the deadlock in the 74th minute after doing well to rise above his markers for his header to go off target.
Despite being under severe pressure throughout the match, the Ivorians did well to absorb and thwart most of the attacks, escaping the North African nation with a confidence-boosting draw ahead of the return leg next weekend.
The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League return leg Quarter-Finals will occur on 05 and 06 April.
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals Results (First Leg):
Job speculation is least of worry for Manchester United boss
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says he does not care about speculation surrounding his job, BBC reports.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group is reportedly considering a coaching overhaul this summer.
England boss Gareth Southgate has been linked but said that was “completely disrespectful” as it is Ten Hag’s job.
“You know at Man United there will always be noise, rumours around the club, the manager, the players,” Ten Hag said.
“We are focusing on the process, we are focusing on the team to play better, to improve the way of play, so I don’t care about [it].”
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has also reportedly been looked at by United since Ineos took over football operations, but he has denied knowing of any interest from Old Trafford.
United won the Carabao Cup and finished third in the Premier League last season in Ten Hag’s first campaign, but they sit sixth this season after 11 defeats in 28 league games.
However, they went into the latest international break on the back of a memorable 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final win against Liverpool.
Ten Hag was under pressure during his first weeks as United boss after losing 2-1 to Brighton and then 4-0 at Brentford.
It is to Brentford that he takes his United team on Saturday evening.
Ten Hag realizes there will always be scrutiny of a manager at a club of United’s status.
He said: “I was trainer at Ajax. Similar.
“You get used to it, so we don’t care. Players don’t care, I don’t care. We are together in the boat and we know we have to perform and get the right results.”
Rodri (L) has once again been a critical figure for Man City this season ( Image: PA)
Manchester City host Premier League leaders and title rivals Arsenal on Sunday. Midfielder Rodri admits there is no margin for error for Pep Guardiola’s champions, who look to create fresh history, David McDonnell reports for Mirror.
Rodri has admitted Manchester City cannot afford any slip-ups as they hunt down a repeat of last season’s Treble triumph.
City host title rivals Arsenal on Sunday, with midfielder Rodri claiming nothing but victory will do if Pep Guardiola’s champions are to win an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League crown. The Gunners top the table on goal difference from Liverpool, with Guardiola’s side a point behind, and Rodri knows there is no margin for error as the big prizes loom into view.
“It’s not just this game that’s like a final, it’s all of them from now until the end of the season,” Rodri said. “We’re still in every competition, but any game you lose can practically leave you out of the running.
“That’s the level that this league demands from you—to reach between 90 and 100 points to win. We’re fighting for titles, and in this league, a draw is almost like a loss due to the high bar.
“So we have to win practically every game, which starts against Arsenal, which is currently the league leader.”
No English side has managed to win the title four seasons in a row, with Rodri—unbeaten in 62 games for City—claiming that their experience of being champions can give them the edge again.
“We have experience from previous years in managing these situations of being in multiple competitions,” said Rodri. “When you get into the dynamic of playing every three days at the highest level, you enter this competitive rhythm, which can help you reach a very high level.
“Every game until the end is going to be a final. We must win it, and we must win it with our philosophy and way, which has been successful in the last few years.
“This is the moment to give everything. We have to play confidently, like in the last few years, and be humble enough to run more than the opponent and do more if we want to win. We can use our experience to try to fight again.”
City have another Treble in their sights, and Rodri said Guardiola’s players are not daunted by the prospect of successfully defending all three titles to make history. “The target for us is to put ourselves into a position where we can fight until the end,” said Rodri.
“We’ve been working on this to arrive now. Now is the moment to make the last push. The goal is to fight for everything. We’ll need our people with us to do that—we’re solid at home with our fans. We need to feel that heat that they bring.
“Our objective is this: If we could show that we could win everything we won last season, why can’t we do it again? The most important thing is that we’ve reached this point of the season still in every competition, which is exactly the position we wanted to be in.”
