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FIFA RANKING: Nigeria Now Placed 44th, As Belgium Retain Top Spot
In the ranking table published on the website of the world football governing body on thursday, Nigeria garnered 1431 points as against 1415 it had in September.
The movement has now placed Nigeria as the third in Africa behind Tunisia and Senegal.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that it was during this period that the Eagles thrashed Libya 4-0 (home) and 3-2 (away) in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Tunisia is ranked 22nd in the world and Senegal 25th. Congo DR (ranked 46th and Morocco(47th) are the other African countries among the top 50.
On the global scene, Belgium are now ranked world number one, ahead of France with the narrowest of margin–just one point in the new the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking published. The Belgians have 1733 points to France’s 1732 points.
In September, the two countries were tied on the first spot.
The top two remain out in front after a month in which each of them enjoyed a win and a draw, with Belgium and France beating Switzerland (8th, unchanged) and Germany (14th, down two) respectively in the UEFA Nations League. Brazil are third with 1669 points, Croatia fourth with 1635 and England fifth with 1619 points. Leo Messi’s Argentina are ranked 12th in the world.
ENYIMBA CRASH OUT OF CAF CONFED CUP
Two-time CAF Champions League winners, Enyimba FC of Aba, crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup after losing 1-2 to host Raja Casablanca of Morocco in the second leg of the semi-final tie played at the Stade des Martyrs.
Enyimba were unable to overturn as first leg loss at home as they suffered a 2-0 loss to Raja Casablanca at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.
Abdelilah Hafidi gave the Moroccans a first leg advantage in the game played at the refurbished Aba stadium.
The first half ended 1-0 in favour of the Moroccans, Zakaria Hadraf gave the host the lead just before the halftime break.
Upon resumption of the second half Enyimba knew only a goal will keep them in the competition.
However Isiaka Oladuntoye turned the ball into his own net to give Raja a two goal lead in the 88th minute.
Abdulrahman Bashir pulled one back for Enyimba almost immediately but it was not enough as Raja held on for the win.
MIRACLE OF ASABA AS RANGERS WIN AITEO CUP IN DRAMATIC COMEBACK
Enugu Rangers produced a miraculous come -back at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State on Wednesday after holding Kano Pillars 3 - 3 in regulation time before beating Sai Masu Gida 4 - 2 on penalties to win the 2018 Aiteo Cup in dramatic fashion .
Rangers found themselves three goals down in the 50 th minute but a titanic resurgence in the 77 th minute spearheaded by substitute Kelvin Itoya saw the Flying Antelopes draw level before holding their nerves to win the ensuing penalty shoot out and send their fans , led by the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, into delirious celebrations at the packed Asaba stadium.
Rangers, who last won the title in 1983, thus take over from 2017 champions Akwa United, who were ousted in the quarter- finals. They were rewarded with N25m while Pillars went home with N10m.
The two Nigeria Professional Football League sides were meeting for the first time in the final of the competition. But while Rangers were playing in their 13 th final, Pillars were appearing in their fourth final.
Rangers, coached by Gbenga Ogunbote, were on the back foot for 75 minutes of the match with coach Ibrahim Musa's Pillars starting the match the brighter of the two sides, dominating play and pegging the Flying Antelopes back in their half .
They duly grabbed the curtain raiser in the fifth minute when captain Rabiu Ali fired home from close range after the Rangers' defence could not deal with a low cross.
In the 20 th minute , Pillars doubled their lead after goalkeeper Femi Thomas palmed Ibrahim Al - Hassan ’s corner-kick into his own net. Isaac Loute then scored against his own side , under pressure from Junior Lokosa. It could have all but ended Rangers' hopes, but referee Adebimpe Quadri ruled Lokosa offside.
Rangers however, fell further back in the 50 th minute when Nyima Nwagua swept in the third.
Rangers started their come - back in the 77 th minute after substitute Itoya’s long range shot beat David Obiazor in the Pillars' goal. Chidera Ezeh got the second goal in the 82 nd minute and the Enugu side drew level in the 90 th minute after Ajani Ibrahim headed home from close range amidst a sea of Pillars legs .
Pillars talisman Ali blazed his side ’s first spot kick high and wide in the ensuing shootout, Nana Bonsu , on for Thomas , saved another Pillars ’ kick before Loute scored Rangers ’ fourth kick to hand victory to the Flying Antelopes. The former Pillars man sent Obiazor the wrong way to lead Rangers to the podium for their sixth Cup title .
Rangers will represent Nigeria in the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup .
EPL Matchday 10 Fixtures
Saturday 27/10/18
Liverpool - Cardiff City 3:00pm
Southampton - Newcastle 3:00pm
Fulham - Bournemouth 3:00pm
Watford - Huddersfield Town 3:00pm
Brighton - Wolves 3:00pm
Leicester - West Ham 5:30pm
Sunday 28/10/18
Crystal Palace - Arsenal 2:30pm
Burnley - Chelsea 2:30pm
M. United - Everton 5:00pm
Monday 29/10/18
Tottenham - ManCity
The Beautiful Game ⚽
Post by: Wisdom Joseph
Facebook: Wiz Flames
Instagram: Wizflames
In the ranking table published on the website of the world football governing body on thursday, Nigeria garnered 1431 points as against 1415 it had in September.
The movement has now placed Nigeria as the third in Africa behind Tunisia and Senegal.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that it was during this period that the Eagles thrashed Libya 4-0 (home) and 3-2 (away) in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Tunisia is ranked 22nd in the world and Senegal 25th. Congo DR (ranked 46th and Morocco(47th) are the other African countries among the top 50.
On the global scene, Belgium are now ranked world number one, ahead of France with the narrowest of margin–just one point in the new the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking published. The Belgians have 1733 points to France’s 1732 points.
In September, the two countries were tied on the first spot.
The top two remain out in front after a month in which each of them enjoyed a win and a draw, with Belgium and France beating Switzerland (8th, unchanged) and Germany (14th, down two) respectively in the UEFA Nations League. Brazil are third with 1669 points, Croatia fourth with 1635 and England fifth with 1619 points. Leo Messi’s Argentina are ranked 12th in the world.
ENYIMBA CRASH OUT OF CAF CONFED CUP
Two-time CAF Champions League winners, Enyimba FC of Aba, crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup after losing 1-2 to host Raja Casablanca of Morocco in the second leg of the semi-final tie played at the Stade des Martyrs.
Enyimba were unable to overturn as first leg loss at home as they suffered a 2-0 loss to Raja Casablanca at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.
Abdelilah Hafidi gave the Moroccans a first leg advantage in the game played at the refurbished Aba stadium.
The first half ended 1-0 in favour of the Moroccans, Zakaria Hadraf gave the host the lead just before the halftime break.
Upon resumption of the second half Enyimba knew only a goal will keep them in the competition.
However Isiaka Oladuntoye turned the ball into his own net to give Raja a two goal lead in the 88th minute.
Abdulrahman Bashir pulled one back for Enyimba almost immediately but it was not enough as Raja held on for the win.
MIRACLE OF ASABA AS RANGERS WIN AITEO CUP IN DRAMATIC COMEBACK
Enugu Rangers produced a miraculous come -back at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State on Wednesday after holding Kano Pillars 3 - 3 in regulation time before beating Sai Masu Gida 4 - 2 on penalties to win the 2018 Aiteo Cup in dramatic fashion .
Rangers found themselves three goals down in the 50 th minute but a titanic resurgence in the 77 th minute spearheaded by substitute Kelvin Itoya saw the Flying Antelopes draw level before holding their nerves to win the ensuing penalty shoot out and send their fans , led by the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, into delirious celebrations at the packed Asaba stadium.
Rangers, who last won the title in 1983, thus take over from 2017 champions Akwa United, who were ousted in the quarter- finals. They were rewarded with N25m while Pillars went home with N10m.
The two Nigeria Professional Football League sides were meeting for the first time in the final of the competition. But while Rangers were playing in their 13 th final, Pillars were appearing in their fourth final.
Rangers, coached by Gbenga Ogunbote, were on the back foot for 75 minutes of the match with coach Ibrahim Musa's Pillars starting the match the brighter of the two sides, dominating play and pegging the Flying Antelopes back in their half .
They duly grabbed the curtain raiser in the fifth minute when captain Rabiu Ali fired home from close range after the Rangers' defence could not deal with a low cross.
In the 20 th minute , Pillars doubled their lead after goalkeeper Femi Thomas palmed Ibrahim Al - Hassan ’s corner-kick into his own net. Isaac Loute then scored against his own side , under pressure from Junior Lokosa. It could have all but ended Rangers' hopes, but referee Adebimpe Quadri ruled Lokosa offside.
Rangers however, fell further back in the 50 th minute when Nyima Nwagua swept in the third.
Rangers started their come - back in the 77 th minute after substitute Itoya’s long range shot beat David Obiazor in the Pillars' goal. Chidera Ezeh got the second goal in the 82 nd minute and the Enugu side drew level in the 90 th minute after Ajani Ibrahim headed home from close range amidst a sea of Pillars legs .
Pillars talisman Ali blazed his side ’s first spot kick high and wide in the ensuing shootout, Nana Bonsu , on for Thomas , saved another Pillars ’ kick before Loute scored Rangers ’ fourth kick to hand victory to the Flying Antelopes. The former Pillars man sent Obiazor the wrong way to lead Rangers to the podium for their sixth Cup title .
Rangers will represent Nigeria in the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup .
EPL Matchday 10 Fixtures
Saturday 27/10/18
Liverpool - Cardiff City 3:00pm
Southampton - Newcastle 3:00pm
Fulham - Bournemouth 3:00pm
Watford - Huddersfield Town 3:00pm
Brighton - Wolves 3:00pm
Leicester - West Ham 5:30pm
Sunday 28/10/18
Crystal Palace - Arsenal 2:30pm
Burnley - Chelsea 2:30pm
M. United - Everton 5:00pm
Monday 29/10/18
Tottenham - ManCity
The Beautiful Game ⚽
Post by: Wisdom Joseph
Facebook: Wiz Flames
Instagram: Wizflames
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