The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Argentina

  • Defeating Algeria imperative for national pride – NFF

    Defeating Algeria imperative for national pride – NFF

    Dr Mohammed Sanusi, General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ), on Friday said victory by the Super Eagles over Algeria in their last World Cup match was imperative to uphold national pride.

    Sanusi, who made this known in Abuja said that all necessary preparations were being made for the nation’s male national football team to maintain their lead in Group B of the world cup qualifiers.

    He said that the Super Eagles had all that was required to beat Algeria considering the level of support given to them by the NFF.

    The NFF scribe called on Nigerians to continue to support the team, promising that they would not disappoint the country.

    “The match against Algeria is about national pride and we are doing everything possible to win the match,” Sanusi said.

    NFF had last week released a 24-man list of players for the matches against Algeria and Argentina.

    The Super Eagles, which has qualified for the global event, will play Algeria on Nov. 11 in their last World Cup qualifiers and a friendly against Argentina on Nov.14, ahead of Russia 2018.

    NAN

  • Nigeria has good players, says Argentina Coach, Sampaoli

    Nigeria has good players, says Argentina Coach, Sampaoli

     Coach of Argentina Jorge Sampaoli has hinted the Super Eagles of Nigeria will give them a stern test in next month friendly game in Russia.

    Sampaoli who reckoned that the game will serve as part of the preparations for both teams ahead of the 2018 World Cup expect a tough test as he described Super Eagles players as strong and skillful.

    Argentina will play their first warm-up game against Russia before taking on Nigeria four days later, and Sampaoli who has called up all of his big name players for the friendly has revealed why he is expecting a tough game from Nigeria.

    “They (Nigeria) are a very physical side, and also technical in their style of play, which is totally different from the teams we faced during the World Cup Qualifiers. Nigeria also has some very good players”, Sampaoli said in Argentina.

    “For now they are one of the best teams in Africa, which tells a lot about their qualities, we are expecting a very challenging game from Nigeria. They are good in several ways”, he concluded.

    Head Coach of the Argentina national team, Jorge Sampaoli, has defended the choice of La Albicelestes playing a friendly with the Super Eagles.

    “We chose Nigeria as an opponent because we believe they can offer us the kind of strong competition we need before the Mundial next year.

    “They (Nigeria) are a very physical side, and also technical in their style of play, which is totally different from the teams we faced during the World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria also has some very good players,” Sampaoli said.

    The former Chilean national team coach also praised Nigeria as one of the best teams, despite being fifth in the African ranking.

    “For now, they are one of the best teams in Africa, which tells a lot about their qualities. We are expecting a very challenging game from Nigeria. They are good in several ways.
  • Messi on the verge of missing world cup

    Messi on the verge of missing world cup

     

    Argentina and Lionel Messi are on the verge of missing the World Cup for the first time since 1970, stumbling to a 0-0 draw against Peru before a capacity crowd in Buenos Aires.

    Only one round of qualifying remains in South America.

    Argentina, the runner-up to Germany in the World Cup three years ago in Brazil, plays on Tuesday against Ecuador in the thin air of Quito in the Andes.

    The Argentines are in sixth place, with the top four teams advancing automatically. The fifth-place team can advance by winning a playoff against New Zealand.

    It’s too close to call. But Uruguay are expected to get through the final round on Tuesday. After that, four teams are chasing the two automatic spots.

    That will leave two teams trying to reach the playoff, which looks like Argentina’s only route. It must win at 9,350 feet in Quito and get some help.

    Argentine will require all the luck they can get after a disappointing night in front of their home supporters.

    Their players, led by Messi, all trudged off the pitch at full-time. Every single of them appeared disappointed with the outcome and know their destiny is now out of their hands heading into next week and the crucial match against Ecuador.

    It is a game they really must win if they are to stand any realistic chance of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup.

  • Demichelis to retire at end of season

    Demichelis to retire at end of season

    Malaga defender Martin Demichelis announced on Monday he would retire at the end of the season.

    The 36-year-old left Manchester City last summer and joined Espanyol, before starting his second spell at Malaga in January.

    His final game, if selected, will be Sunday’s home match against Real Madrid, who could win La Liga.

    Demichelis, who also play in midfield, won 51 caps for Argentina and also played for River Plate and Bayern Munich.

    “Unfortunately this day comes to us all. I’ve been deliberating it for some time, as I have always been very worried about the end of a professional football career.

    “I am grateful to the profession, and in this case Malaga in particular, because they extended my career as a professional footballer,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Martin Demichelis played 106 times for Manchester City between 2013 and 2016.

  • Messi’s ban lifted after appeal to FIFA

    Messi’s ban lifted after appeal to FIFA

    Lionel Messi is free to represent Argentina in their World Cup qualifiers after his four-match international ban was overturned on appeal.

    The 29-year-old Barcelona forward was suspended for insulting an assistant referee during a 1-0 win over Chile in March.

    He missed one match,Argentina’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying loss to Bolivia.

    A FIFA appeal committee said his behaviour was reproachable, but the evidence was not sufficient.

    Messi would be available for matches against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru as Argentina fight to secure a place at next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.

    A fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (7,800 pound) was also lifted.

    During the Chile game, Messi was caught on camera venting his anger at an assistant who signalled he had committed a foul.

    He was not shown a card at the time.

    The FIFA appeal committee concluded that the evidence available was not sufficient to establish an infringement had occurred.

    “The appeal committee nevertheless underlines the importance of always showing respect to the match officials, stressing that such a principle is essential in football.

    “Any unsporting conduct that may be contrary to the principles of fair play cannot be accepted,” a statement.

  • Brazil back on top of FIFA rankings

    Brazil dethroned arch-rivals Argentina and returned to the summit of football’s world rankings for the first time in almost seven years, the ruling body FIFA published on Thursday.

    World Cup qualifying wins over Uruguay and Paraguay put the resurgent Selecao top for the first time since the 2010 World Cup with 1,661 points in the latest list of FIFA.

    While Brazil have qualified as the first team for the 2018 tournament in Russia, Argentina are struggling and lost their last game in Bolivia as they slipped to second in the rankings with 1,603 points.

    Reigning world champions Germany remain third and Chile fourth, Colombia climbed two into fifth, France remain sixth.
    Belgium slipped two to seventh, Portugal and Spain stayed eighth and 10th while Switzerland rose from 11th to ninth.

    Poland were one of six teams to record highest ranking in 11th place and Macedonia were the biggest movers when they climbed 33 spots into 133rd.

     

  • Brazil qualifies for 2018 FIFA World Cup

    Brazil qualifies for 2018 FIFA World Cup

    Brazil have become the first side to seal their place at the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia next year.

    Their 3-0 win over Paraguay, along with defeats for Argentina and Uruguay, means they cannot finish lower than fourth in South American qualifying.

    Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho, FC Barcelona striker Neymar and Real Madrid’s Marcelo scored Brazil’s goals.

    Neymar also missed a penalty kick as his side moved nine points clear of second-placed Colombia.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victory was Brazil’s eighth straight win under coach Tite.

    Paraguay, meanwhile, find themselves five points off the top four with only four games remaining.

    Two-time World Cup winners Argentina face a battle to qualify for Russia with their 0-2 loss to Bolivia in La Paz leaving them fifth, a point behind Chile.

    They will have to do so without forward Lionel Messi.

    The FC Barcelona player has been banned for four international matches for directing “insulting words’’ at an assistant referee during last Thursday’s 1-0 win over Chile.

  • Tevez unveiled by Shanghai Shenhua

    Tevez unveiled by Shanghai Shenhua

     

     

    Carlos Tevez has denied reports that he became the highest paid player in world football when he swapped his boyhood club Boca Juniors for the Chinese Super League.

    The Argentine international was unveiled by Shanghai Shenhua on Saturday and later trained with his new team-mates for the first time.

    But during his first press-conference the 32-year-old quashed claims that he is earning £615,000 per week at his new club, although the figure has been widely reported across the globe.

    He said: ‘After my last game I didn’t mention anything to the local media about my salary in China.

    ‘Salary matters shouldn’t be told to everyone, it’s a matter of respect for my team-mates.

    ‘My salary isn’t as high as the legends, but in order to respect my team-mates I won’t tell you how much.’

    Tevez arrived at his new home on Friday to a rapturous reception and became the latest big-name player to move to China after Oscar and Axel Witsel.

    He will join a squad that already boasts former Newcastle and Chelsea striker Demba Ba, and the Colombian international Fredy Guarin among its top stars.

    Tevez, an Argentina veteran with 76 appearances for his country will play alongside 28 nationals in the Chinese team, who have managed just 60 caps between them.

    He accepts that moving to the far east will bring pressure but insists that he will rise to the challenge.

    ‘There will probably be pressure, but because I love football very much I will use my passion for the sport. Even if there will be pressure I will forget about it on the field,’ Tevez said.

    ‘I know the CSL is getting tougher and tougher year after year, and this year will be extremely intense.’,

    Below however is the list of top 10 Best Paid Footballers in the world :

    1) Carlos Tevez (Shanghai Shenhua) £615,000 per week (£31.98m per year)

    2) Oscar (Shanghai SIPG) £400,000 per week (£20.8m per year)*

    3=) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) £365,000 per week (£19m per year)*

    3=) Lionel Messi (Barcelona) £365,000 per week (£19m per year)*

    5) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) £346,000 per week (£18m per year)*

    6) Hulk (Shanghai SIPG) £317,000 per week (£16.5m per year)

    7) Paul Pogba (Manchester United) £290,000 per week (£15m per year)

    8) Neymar (Barcelona) £289,000 per week (£15m per year)*

    9=) Graziano Pelle (Shandong Luneng) £260,000 per week (£13.5m per year)

    9=) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) £260,000 per week (£13.5m per year)

  • Argentina: Man captured after multiple slaying of women

    Three women were found murdered and two children severely injured in an act presumably committed by the partner of one of the victims, just days after massive nationwide rallies against the killing of women.

    The alleged perpetrator was captured on Monday in the western Argentina province capital of Mendoza hours after the bodies of the victims were discovered in the neighbouring town of Godoy Cruz.

    The suspect stabbed to death his partner, her sister and their 80-year-old mother, while he also left his 7-month-old child with life-threatening injuries.

    According to Mendoza security minister Gianni Venier, an 11-year-old son of the couple was also injured in the attack but managed to hide and call the police.

    On Wednesday women numbering in the tens of thousands marched in the streets of many Argentinean cities to protest the ongoing outbreak of violence against women.

    Report says in 2015 there were 286 so-called femicides in the country.

     

  • Messi primed to end Argentina drought

    Messi primed to end Argentina drought

    CHILE face Argentina in Sunday’s Copa America final for the right to call themselves South America’s dominant team but perhaps an even bigger question for football fans the world over regards whether Lionel Messi can finally win a major international title.

    The Barcelona forward has won every trophy possible with the Spanish club but he has lost three finals with Argentina, including in 2014 World Cup Final in 2014 and the Copa America last year.

    Sunday’s game against Chile in New Jersey gives Messi a chance to end both his personal hoodoo and that of Argentina, who have not won a major title since lifting the Copa America in Ecuador in 1993.

    “Getting to three finals in a row is impressive,” said Messi, whose first decider was a 3-0 loss to Brazil in the 2007 Copa America. “I hope we can win the Cup that we so desire.”

    “You learn all the time,” said Messi, who turned 29 on Friday.

    “We have been working together for another year, we are stronger as a group and we’ve really grown in a lot of ways.”

    The five-times world player of the year has been outstanding at the Centenary Copa America, even though he played the first three games as a substitute after injuring his back in a warm-up game.

    His sublime free kick in the 4-0 win over the United States took him on to 55 goals and above Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer.