U-23 AFCON: Olympic Eagles depart for Tanzania

The national U-23 team will Thursday (today) depart for Dar es Salaam, where they will take on their Tanzanian counterparts in the first leg of their second round qualifying match for the 2023 U-23 AFCON.

Led by coach Salisu Yusuf, the team camped at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan for two weeks.

In the process, they have engaged in two friendlies against VIA Football Academy, Ibadan and Shooting Stars Sports Club.

The initial 32-man list had also been pruned, while fresh legs were also invited to beef up the squad ahead of the two-legged affair against the Tanzanians.

Arrow Left #1 Icon Created with Sketch.

Arrow right #1 Icon Created with Sketch.

While they lost the first friendly game against VIA Academy 3-0, the second against 3SC ended 1-1.

In his assessment after the 3SC friendly, head coach of the team, Salisu Yusuf said, “It was a good match. It was the first game that gave us a real test and allowed us to experiment the squad.”

On the readiness of the team in the face of the changes to the squad, Salisu added, “We have to be ready despite the circumstances we find ourselves, we are trying to build a team with a positive mind and get the result we need against Tanzania.

“We have studied our opponents in videos and we have organised tactically on how to prosecutes to the games home and away.”

According to Yusuf, 18 players and nine officials are headed for Tanzania to prosecute the first leg, while the rest of the squad will continue training in Ibadan.

The first leg of the match is on Sunday, while Nigeria will host the return leg in Ibadan next week.

Punchng

Fred, Fernandes lead Man United to dominant win over Tottenham

Manchester United moved within a point of the Premier League's top four after a dominant 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Grizzlies 115, Knicks 112 (OT): Scenes from the return of Knicks-related heartbreak

The Knicks are back, friends! And so is the requisite heartbreak that comes with watching the Knicks. Our guys fought their hearts out in the second half, erasing a 19-point deficit on the road against a superior foe. They managed to send the game into overtime with a clutch three from a resurgent Cam Reddish.

Nets lose opener to Pelicans, 130-108, as Ben Simmons fouls out with 4 points

Things did not go as planned. The Brooklyn Nets got walloped in the season opener, 130-108, by the New Orleans Pelicans despite Kevin Durant’s 32 points on just 21 shots.

Zion scores 25 points in return, Pelicans rout Nets

Zion Williamson resumed his assault on backboards and basketball players, leaving both at the mercy of his skills and strength.

“It’s like he didn’t miss a beat,” New Orleans coach Willie Green said. “You just throw the ball to him and watch what he does.”