Football

Qualifiers From Africa for Qatar 2022 have emerged

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African World Cup Final Qualifying Matches Scores

Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Morocco and Tunisia will be Africa’s representatives in the forthcoming FIFA WorldCup to be held in Qatar this year.

The Nigerian Super eagles will not be in Qatar 2022. Instead it is Ghana that goes through after holding the Nigerian team to a 1-1 draw in Abuja. The Nigerians did not do enough to win, however Ghana produced a highly tactical and defensive display and they must be commended. They were able to suppress the Nigerian midfielders in the second half of the match and should have even won that game if their strikers had been ruthless.

Cameroon overturned their first leg home defeat to beat Algeria 2-1 and qualify for Qatar 2022 against all odds. Kudos to them. They were never given any chance but they did it.

After Senegal’s one nil loss to Egypt in the first leg in Egypt, Senegal qualified after beating them on penalties in the second leg. However, it was a laser marred penalty shootout as some Senegalese fans kept pointing laser pens at Egyptian players taking the penalties. That’s home advantage used to the fullest..or the organizers will be taking a good look at the issue.

Morocco’s victory over DR Congo was never in doubt after forcing them to a 1-1 draw in the first leg.. Four nil winners in the second leg at home and Morocco cruises to Qatar 2022.

Away goal rule gave Tunisia victory over Mali and qualified them for the World Cup. After forcing Mail to a 1-1 draw in Mali, Tunisia then forced them to another goalless draw at home. 

African World cup Qualifiers final Round Preview

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African World cup Qualifier Final Round

The first leg of the final round of African world cup qualifiers has been played. It is looking good for Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. They all got good first round away results.Algeria downed Cameroon 1-0, Tunisia defeated Mali 1-0, and Morocco held DR Congo to a 1-1 draw.  It will now take a very determined effort by their respective opponents to overturn the outcome in the second leg. 

Although Egypt defeated Senegal 1-0 at home, Senegal, the current African Champions, is capable of overturning that result in the second game. 

Nigeria played a 0-0 draw with the Black Stars in Ghana. While Nigeria now have a slight edge as they play the second leg, they will be given a good run for their money by the Ghanaians.

UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Preview

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Chelsea will face Real Madrid in the Quarter Final.

They met last season in the semis and Chelsea were 3-1 winners. Will history repeat itself?. Chelsea is now getting into form and will be very difficult to beat, moreover, they are the European champions. If Real wants to beat Chelsea, they will need to be at their best and not what we witnessed at EI Clasico.

Atletico Madrid take on Manchester City.

City should know by now that this game will be a highly tactical one. Atletico Madrid are specialists at eliminating English sides. It was United last time out and City could be next. Pep Guardiola will need to assemble a team that can overcome the frustrations Atletico will gIve them.

Benfica Vs Liverpool.

On paper, Liverpool should win this. But the champions league always has spring surprises. Benfica will play a giant killer role. This will motivate them to give Liverpool a run for their money.

Villarreal play Bayern Munich.

This game should be Bayern’s for the taking. But Villarreal  convincingly defeated the almighty Juventus in the second round. 

Uefa Champions League; All quarter Final fixtures

All Quarters final first leg matches will take place on 5-6 April, and second leg matches will be played, 12-13 April.

The English Premier League at Match Day 29

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Manchester City are still top of the premier league with 70 points. They dropped points at Crystal Palace after being held to a 0-0 draw. Liverpool who are presently in second place can reduce the gap to a single point if they win their game in hand.

Chelsea are third with 59 points and set to consolidate their position in top 4. They won a hard fought victory over Newcastle last time out and they are looking good.

Arsenal complete the top 4 with 51 points and 3 games in hand. Arsenal are in good form presently. 

Manchester United are 5th with 50 points. They must keep winning games to stand a chance of a top 4 finish.

Westham United have lost form, formerly in the top 4, they now occupy 6th on the table. It is almost impossible for them to make the top 4.

Watford, Burnley and Norwich City occupy 18th, 19th and 20th position respectively. They are in the relegation zone. Everton are not far off thanks to their better goal difference over Watford.

Spurs may end up mid-table this season. They occupy 8th position presently and are stable.

 Leicester City that occupied the top 4 almost throughout last season, find themselves in 12th position with 33 points.

As the premier league approaches the end these are questions that will be answered before then;

Will Manchester City retain their title?

Can Arsenal / Manchester United make the top 4?

Will Everton be relegated?

Champions League Round of 16 Review

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Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have good first leg scores to take to their second leg matches. Chelsea easily defeated Lille 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool were 2-0 away victors over Inter, while Manchester all but assured their place in the quarters after brushing aside Sporting CP at their own backyard by 0-5.

Juventus, Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich will be given a run for their money in the second leg. Bayern earned a hard fought 1-1 draw against Salzburg and will fancy their chances in the second leg when they play at home. The same goes for Juventus after their 1-1 draw away to Villarreal. PSG defeated Real Madrid 1-0 but their fate will be decided when they visit Madrid in the second leg.

Manchester United and Ajax will need to take full advantage of home advantage when they take on Atletico Madrid and Benfica respectively in the second leg. United held Atletico to a 2-2 draw while Ajax earned a vital 1-1 draw.

Sporting CP and Inter will have to produce some magic if they will overturn their first leg scores.

Date & Time of Second Leg Fixtures (UEFA Champions League)

Tue. 8 March, 2022

Bayern Vs Salzburg

Liverpool Vs Inter

Wed. 9th March, 2022

Man. City Vs Sporting

Real Madrid Vs PSG

Tue. 15th March, 2022

Man. United Vs Atletico

Ajax Vs Benfica

Wed. 16th March, 2022

Juventus Vs Villarreal

Lille Vs Chelsea

Chelsea Win FIFA Club World Cup

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Chelsea Win Club World Cup

Chelsea have finally won the FIFA club world cup. They are now world champions. They achieved this feat after an extra time win against Brazilian South American Champions.

The game was always going to be a tough one for Chelsea against one of the best South American sides.

Chelsea were on top throughout the game. They had more possession but their problem was creating chances and taking them.

They finally got their reward in the 54th minute after a cross by Hudson- Odoi was headed in by Lukaku.

Palmeiras equalized in the 64th minute from a penalty after a hand ball in the Chelsea box.

However, deep in extra time, Chelsea went ahead after Havertz converted a penalty in the 117 mins to seal their first ever World cup win.

Chelsea , the European and SuperCup champions, are now World Champions.