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HARD-FIGHTING FALCONETS CRASH OUT OF U20 WORLD CUP

Nigeria Have been knocked out of the 2018 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup after first-half goals from Aitana Bonmati and Patricia Guijarro sealed a 2-1 win for Spain on Thursday in Concarneau.
Despite a much-improved and purposeful second-half showing against the Europeans, which culminated in Peace Efih halving the deficit, the hard-fighting Falconets lacked the extra quality to complete a fightback.
The Falconets were second-best early on in the contest, and duly fell behind to an exquisite Bonmati finish 13 minutes into the game, a strike that beat goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie hands down.

Nigeria continued to live dangerously as the game progressed, and were only saved by the crossbar as Bonmati's free-kick struck the frame, although replays suggested the ball might have crossed the line.
Nnadozie was quick to rescue her team moments later, sticking out her left foot to deny Claudia Pina in a one-on-one situation.
However, the sustained pressure saw the Spaniards extend their lead in added time, Guijarro with a composed finish to notch her fifth goal of the tournament.
Nigeria came out stronger in the second half and were rewarded for their improved display, Efih tucking into an empty net, following up Rasheedat Ajibade's parried effort in the 57th minute.
The game failed to produce any further goals, thus resulting in a quarter-final elimination for Nigeria, the fourth time the West Africans have been knocked out at this stage of the competition.
It was the Falconets' ninth appearance following earlier exits in 2004, 2006 and 2008.


MOSES ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT

Victor Moses has retired from international football in order to focus on his club career at Chelsea.
The 27-year-old has called time on his Nigeria career after winning 37 caps for the Super Eagles.
Moses scored 12 goals for his country over a six-year period and was part of the squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
He also played every minute of Nigeria's most recent World Cup campaign in Russia, which ended in a group-stage exit

"I would like to announce that after much thought I have made the decision to retire from playing international football," Moses wrote on social media on Wednesday.
"I have experienced some of the best moments of my life wearing the Super Eagles shirt and have memories with me that will last a lifetime.
"Nothing will ever compete to what it felt like to represent Nigeria on behalf of our country.
"However I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on club career and my young family as well as to allow the next generation of Super Eagles stars the opportunity to step up and to flourish
"We are blessed as a nation to have so many exciting young players coming through and now is their time.
"I have already spoken to the manager by telephone and would like to say thank you to him and his staff, the NFF and all of my teammates for all of their support over the years.
"Most importantly I would like to say thank you to the Nigerian people for believing in me and supporting me over the years. It's meant the world to me and my family and I will always be a proud Nigerian supporting the team.
"Thank you for the memories and good luck to the team for the future."

WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG QUITS BURSASPOR AMID UDINESE LINKS

William Troost-Ekong has parted ways with Turkish outfit Bursaspor, with Udinese thought to be his likely destination.
The Nigeria international released a statement on his social media accounts, informing of his decision while appreciating his now-former team.
This comes in the wake of several reports from Italy claiming the former Gent defender has agreed on a deal with Udinese, who recently lost veteran centre-back and captain Danilo to Bologna.
“I want to say a big thank you to everyone in Bursa and Bursaspor especially my teammates and staff for everything,” Troost-Ekong posted on Instagram.
“I will always have great memories of my time in Turkey as a player but also as a man.
“However, the time has come for a new step in my career. I want to wish Bursaspor a great season and I will now follow the team as a fan.
“So, of course, lastly I want to say a special thank you to Texas and all the fans who supported me and the team. I will remain one of you now.”
Troost-Ekong, 24, joined Bursaspor in a deal reported to be worth €1 million from Belgian outfit Gent last summer and featured in 28 Turkish Super Lig encounters, netting thrice – including the consolatory in their 2018-19 season-opener against Fenerbahce.

MAN CITY STAR KELVIN DE BRUYNE SUFFERS INJURY

The Premier League champions could be without one of their most influential players after he picked up an injury in training on Wednesday
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, Goal understands.
De Bruyne sustained the injury during training on Wednesday and will be fully assessed in the coming days, but he is already on crutches and sources close to the player believe he could be out of action for anywhere between two and three months.
It is believed he has injured the lateral ligament in his knee, a more accurate diagnosis is expected soon.

ARSENAL LOSES MAITLAND-NILES FOR TWO MONTHS

Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles has suffered a 'small fracture' to his left leg and will be out for six to eight weeks.
Maitland-Niles, 20, had been expected to be a regular in the first-team squad this season following a promising previous campaign.
However, after suffering the injury during the first half of the opening Premier League match against Manchester City , Maitland-Niles could now be set for up to two months of rehabilitation.
Arsenal lost 2-0 against champions City in new head coach Unai Emery's first league game in charge.
The Gunners head to Chelsea on Saturday and provided an injury update on Thursday morning ahead of Emery's scheduled press conference.
Arsenal reported left back Nacho Monreal and Danny Welbeck were both 'in full training' so should come into contention for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Defender Carl Jenkinson is, however, also expected to be out for six to eight weeks after he 'sustained a significant sprain to his right ankle', which is likely to mean the player will not be leaving on loan to a Sky Bet Championship club.
Sead Kolasinac should return to training from his knee problem in October, while club captain Laurent Koscielny continues his recovery from achilles surgery.


EPL FIXTURES
Saturday, 18 August
Cardiff v Newcastle 12:30pm
Everton v Southampton. 3:00pm
Leicester City v Wolves  3:00pm
Tottenham v Fulham  3:00pm
West Ham v AFC Bournemouth  3:00pm
Chelsea v Arsenal  5:30pm

Sunday, 19 August
Man City v Huddersfield  1:30pm
Burnley v Watford  1:30pm
Brighton v Man Utd  4:00pm

Monday, 20 August
Crystal Palace v Liverpool  8:00pm

The Beautiful Game ⚽

Post by: Wisdom Joseph

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