GiantNaija

Chukwueze: Why Super Eagles Star Took Penalty Against Morocco – Coach Chelle Explains Samuel Chukwueze has been at the center of discussions following Nigeria’s painful exit from the AFCON 2025 semi-final after a penalty shootout loss to Morocco. The Super Eagles were defeated 4–2 on penalties by the Atlas Lions after a tense encounter, with Chukwueze missing a crucial spot kick that could have given Nigeria the advantage during the shootout. Why Chukwueze Took the Penalty Reacting to the criticism surrounding the miss, Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, explained that Chukwueze was chosen based on merit and performance during training. According to Chelle, the players selected to take penalties were the most reliable and consistent during practice sessions. > “ We put Chukwueze for penalties because the guys who kicked the penalties were the best in training,” Chelle said. The coach made it clear that the decision was purely technical and not influenced by pressure or favoritism...

Super Cup Final: Real Madrid Defeat Atlético to Reach Showdown Clash The Super Cup final is set after Real Madrid secured a dramatic 2–1 victory over Atlético Madrid, booking their place in the highly anticipated final clash. The intense semi-final encounter, played in Jeddah, delivered early goals, late pressure, and non-stop action between the Madrid rivals. Early Goal Sets the Tone Real Madrid wasted no time in asserting dominance as Federico Valverde scored inside the opening two minutes, firing a powerful free-kick past Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak. The early breakthrough put Real in control and stunned Atlético Madrid from the start. Rodrygo Extends Real Madrid’s Lead In the second half, Rodrygo doubled Real Madrid’s advantage, finishing calmly after breaking through Atlético’s defence. His goal appeared to put the match beyond reach and strengthened Real Madrid’s push toward the Super Cup final. Atlético Madrid Fight Back Atlético Madrid responded quickly through Alexander Sørl...

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham: Archie Gray Nets First Professional Goal in Spurs' Victory ‎ ‎The Premier League matchup between Crystal Palace and Tottenham at Selhurst Park was a gripping affair, culminating in a tight 1–0 win for Tottenham Hotspur, highlighted by a significant goal from young midfielder Archie Gray. ‎‎First Half Excitement at Selhurst Park ‎Crystal Palace began the game with a sense of urgency, applying pressure on Tottenham early and generating several near opportunities via Jean-Philippe Mateta and Justin Devenny. Conversely, Spurs struggled to establish control and appeared vulnerable defensively for extended stretches. ‎Tottenham believed they had scored on two occasions in the first half. A header from Richarlison sparked celebrations, only for VAR to rule it out due to offside, offering a momentary reprieve for Palace supporters. ‎‎Archie Gray's Milestone ‎ ‎In the 42nd minute, Tottenham finally found the breakthrough. A cross from Pedro Porro caused conf...

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Excitement in Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals Arsenal narrowly defeated Crystal Palace in an exhilarating Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Emirates, moving on to the semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout. The match concluded with a 1–1 score at the end of regular time, with Arsenal ultimately coming out on top in a game filled with tension and late drama. (Sky Sports) ‎Key Moments ‎‎• Maxence Lacroix found himself in the spotlight for Palace, inadvertently scoring an own goal by deflecting Jurrien Timber's corner. ‎• Marc Guehi brought the game level in the 95th minute, leading to the penalties. ‎‎• Both sides converted 15 flawless penalties until Lacroix failed to score on the decisive kick, securing the win for Arsenal. • ‎‎Kepa Arrizabalaga emerged as Arsenal's savior in goal, making an essential penalty save during his fourth appearance for the club. (Sky Sports) ‎Match Summary • ‎Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, made eight alterations to h...

Nigeria Super Eagles Commence AFCON Journey With Hard-Earned Victory The Nigeria Super Eagles began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament with a hard-fought 2–1 win against Tanzania, highlighted by an outstanding second-half goal from Ademola Lookman. ‎Competing in Morocco, Nigeria aimed to make a strong impression in Group C following their recent World Cup qualification setbacks. The Super Eagles started strong, dominating the early moments and creating multiple clear opportunities, though they faced resistance from a skilled Tanzanian goalkeeper. ‎The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Semi Ajayi capitalized on an Alex Iwobi corner, heading the ball into the net and earning Nigeria a well-deserved lead before halftime. ‎‎In response, Tanzania came back energized after the interval and equalized through Charles M’Mombwa, who scored with a composed finish from close range after a defensive error. This equalizer prompted a quick reply from Nigeria. Just minutes lat...

‎Morocco vs Comoros — AFCON 2025 Match Summary, Highlights & Significant Moments The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) began dramatically as hosts Morocco commenced their tournament with a 2–0 win against Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. This match, played on December 21, 2025, signaled the start of a significant continental event, captivating football fans not only across Africa but worldwide. ‎ Full Time: Morocco 2-0 Comoros ‎‎Morocco secured a well-fought 2–0 victory against the Comoros national team in the opening match of the tournament. Though the Atlas Lions maintained possession for most of the match, they encountered difficulties in converting early opportunities, including an early saved penalty, before finally taking the lead in the second half. ‎ Goal Scorers ‎• ‎Brahim Díaz (55′) — The Real Madrid player gave Morocco the lead with a composed finish following effective buildup play. ‎• Ayoub El Kaabi (74′) — The substitute solidified the...