Sports
‘Iheanacho’ll Become Better’
Wilfred Ndidi has noted that Leicester City and Nigeria team-mate, Kelechi Iheanacho, can continue to improve and put two years of criticism firmly behind him.
Iheanacho, 24, was overlooked by Nigeria for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals after finding himself on the fringes at Leicester City.
In recent months though, his fortunes have started to change as he scored seven times in four appearances for the Foxes to be named March’s Premier League player of the month and also signed a new deal to keep him at the club until 2024.
“Kelechi’s talent was never in doubt, but as it is in life, people love to criticise others when they are down,” Ndidi told Tidesports source.
“He was unfairly criticised and judged by different people. This is someone I have known from our youth days at the under-17 and I know his quality, so it’s not a fluke that he is producing his best football again.
“I am very happy for him because he’s doing wonderfully well now and everyone can see.
“It’s just sad that when he needed encouragement in the past few years many were quick to write him off, but thankfully some of these people have now turned around to praise him. That’s life.”Among those who criticised the player was the Nigeria manager, Gernot Rohr, who publicly questioned Iheanacho’s commitment and professionalism to the national team back in 2019.
But the Franco-German has since made a U-turn, following Iheanacho’s man-of-the-match award against Manchester United in Leicester’s FA Cup quarter-final win last month.
He was rewarded with a rare start for Nigeria in last month’s final two rounds of qualifying for the 2021 Nations Cup against Benin and Lesotho.
“We have all been impressed by Kelechi and this is very positive for our team to have a player doing well in a top league,” Rohr revealed.
Last Saturday, Iheanacho was in Leicester’s starting line-up against his former club Manchester City to make it six consecutive starts for the first time in his club career.
Ndidi now hopes to see the 2013 Under-17 World Cup winner and two-time Caf Most Promising Talent of the Year winner kick on.
“He’s a happy guy and Kelechi is only now enjoying a deserving reward for his tireless hard work,” Ndidi added.
“When you get a rhythm of games and the support of your coach, teammates and fans it can only get better.
“This latest chapter is going to give him the belief and confidence that he is a really important player for his club and country.
“I know and hope that he will continue to deliver for us. I never doubted him and I know he will bring more goals and performance that will continue to elevate him.”
Iheanacho has made 118 appearances, scoring 32 goals and providing 17 assists, since moving to Leicester from Manchester City on a five-year contract in 2017.
At international level, he has scored nine goals in 30 appearances for Nigeria since making his senior debut against Swaziland in November 2015.
He starred as Nigeria won the 2013 Under-17 World Cup for a record fourth-time and emerged as the tournament’s outstanding player, being voted the Most Valuable Player.
He also scored six goals to secure the Silver Boot as the competition’s second-highest goal-scorer.
Sports
Galaxy Win Sixth MLS Title
LA Galaxy won a record-extending sixth MLS Cup title as they beat New York Red Bulls to delight a home crowd at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The MLS Cup is the showpiece match at the end of the US season, pitching the champions of the Eastern Conference and Western Conference finals together.
This was the first MLS Cup between two sides from the largest cities in the United States, Los Angeles and New York, and it produced a hectic opening with all three goals scored in the first half-hour.
Red Bulls were the lowest seed to ever reach the final after finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, and their underdog status initially showed as Galaxy dominated the 29th MLS Cup early on.
Galaxy led after nine minutes when Joseph Paintsil squeezed his shot under goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, and it was 2-0 soon after as Dejan Joveljic ran through the Red Bulls defence and finished with the outside of his boot.
Both men celebrated by holding up the shirt of team-mate Riqui Puig, the former Barcelona player who ruptured his ACL in the Western Conference Final which Galaxy won to reach this championship game.
Galaxy threatened to overwhelm their opponents as Sean Nealis headed a free-kick against his own crossbar.
But Red Bulls centre-back Nealis pulled his team back into the game after 28 minutes when he chested down and volleyed in from 15 yards when Galaxy players failed to clear a corner.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the second half: Galaxy right-back Miki Yamane struck the outside of the post, before Emil Forsberg curled an effort off the upright for Red Bulls.
But Galaxy, who had home advantage because of their better record in the regular season, held on to win their first MLS Cup since 2014.
Red Bulls remain without an MLS Cup title in their history after losing on what was their second appearance in the championship game.
Sports
Bayern Extend Bundesliga Lead To Six Points
Bayern Munich continued their unbeaten start to the Bundesliga season with a 4-2 win against Heidenheim.
A double from Jamal Musiala and goals from Dayot Upamecano and Leon Goretzka saw Bayern extend their lead at the top of the table to six points as closest challengers Eintracht Frankfurt were held to a 2-2 draw by Augsburg.
Vincent Kompany was without the injured Harry Kane, Manuel Neuer, Mathys Tel and Serge Gnabry, with Musiala starting on the bench.
Leroy Sane spurned two excellent early chances from close range before Upamecano headed the hosts in front from a Joshua Kimmich corner.
Bayern enjoyed 86% possession and completed 10 times as many passes (503) as the visitors (51) in the first half, yet Alphonso Davies hit the post with the only other clear chance created.
To their credit, Heidenheim didn’t wilt and drew level when Mathias Honsak rounded stand-in Bayern goalkeeper Daniel Peretz after Upamecano under-hit a backpass.
Kompany immediately introduced Musiala from the bench and was rewarded five minutes later when the 21-year-old drove into the box and beat Kevin Muller with a low strike.
Bayern looked to have secured the three points when Goretzka’s shot deflected past Muller, but the visitors halved the deficit almost immediately through a Niklas Dorsch tap-in.
Any nerves soon dissipated when Musiala ran half the length of the pitch unchallenged to slot home the fourth and final goal.
Bayern will face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League tomorrow before returning to domestic duty away against Mainz on Saturday.
Sports
La Liga: Barca Stumble Again
Robert Lewandowski continued his superb start to the season but could not prevent Barcelona dropping points in a 2-2 draw with Real Betis.
Lewandowski scored his 16th goal of the league campaign before Ferran Torres cancelled out Giovani Lo Celso’s penalty – but Assane Diao snatched a point for Betis with a late equaliser.
Real Betis could have easily scored twice in the opening three minutes but Raphina cleared Diego Llorente’s header off the goalline before Abde Ezzalzouli – formerly of Barcelona – saw his one-on-one effort saved by Inaki Pena.
Lamine Yamal wasted a good chance to break the deadlock from close range but team-mate Lewandowski made no such mistake.
The Poland international converted Jules Kounde’s cross from close range to finish a fine team move and score for the 23rd time in 21 games in all competitions.
Betis emerged from half-time with renewed energy but spurned three more clear chances.
Sergi Altimira and Lo Celso sent headers wide of Pena’s post before the Barcelona goalkeeper was called upon to tip Chimy Avila’s snap-shot wide.
Betis finally got their just reward when Lo Celso converted from the penalty spot after Barca substitute Frenkie de Jong felled Vitor Roque – on-loan from the Catalans – as he raced into the area.
Barca pushed for a winner and found it when substitute Torres beat the offside trap to latch on to Yamal’s reverse pass and finish past Fran Vieites.
It looked like Barca would see out the win, but in the fourth minute of injury-time 19-year-old substitute Diao swept home to rescue a point for the hosts.
The draw sees Barca surrender control in the title race. Flick’s side are five points ahead of closest challengers Real Madrid but Los Blancos have played two games fewer.
Barca will be in Champions League action against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday (20:00 GMT kick-off) before facing Leganes in La Liga on Sunday, 15 December.
-
Business3 days ago
NCDMB Recommits To Youths’ Capacity Building
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Ex-Milad Declares Bayelsa Second Home At 70
-
News3 days ago
NSIB Begins Probe Into FlyBird Aircraft Incident
-
Editorial3 days ago
Another Look At Contributory Pension Scheme
-
News3 days ago
Rivers State Flood Committee Inspects Ongoing Desilting Of Major Cannals
-
Politics3 days ago
Senate President Promises Laws To Promote Nigerians’ Health Needs
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Okpebholo To Revive Moribund Edo Line
-
News3 days ago
Any Threat To Nigeria’s Security‘ll Be Resisted – Ribadu