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Tag: Riyad Mahrez

  • Mahrez: Algeria, Nigeria have great history together

    Mahrez: Algeria, Nigeria have great history together

    Algeria’s team captain, Riyad Mahrez, has talked about one of the most memorable moments in Africa Cup of Nations history, which involved Nigeria.

    He remembered a game that is still very special to him, his teammates, and his country.

    Mahrez spoke during a press conference on Friday, a day before their quarter final match against the Super Eagles in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The Algerian team captain said Nigeria is a team they know well, talking about past games in the Afcon and during friendly matches.

    Mahrez said those meetings, especially in the continental competition, created strong memories because of how important they were for Algeria on the world stage.

    Read Also: AFCON 2025: Senegal edge Mali to book semi-final spot

    “Well, obviously when you think about Nigeria, we played them in the African Cup in 2019, and we also played them in a friendly match.

    “You definitely can’t forget that moment for me and for the team, for our country.”

    The moment Mahrez talked about happened during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, a game that has since become one of the most important matches in the competition’s history.

    In that match, Algeria beat Nigeria 2–1 with Mahrez scoring a crucial free-kick in the last moments of stoppage time, which helped Algeria win and prevented Nigeria from making it to the final.

    “It was an incredible moment. It’s always nice to play against a big and strong team. I’m really happy to be back at this stage and to play against a team like Nigeria again.

    “That’s where big players belongs. I’m really excited and looking forward to the game because I know it’s going to be a great game to watch and to play.”

  • Algeria’s Mahrez expects tricky clash with Super Eagles

    Algeria’s Mahrez expects tricky clash with Super Eagles

    Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has warned that quarter-final showdown with Nigeria  at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations could once again deliver late drama, as the two former champions  renew their rivalry in Marrakech on Saturday.

    The Fennecs booked their place in the last eight following a tense extra-time victory over DR Congo, sealed by Adil Boulbina’s decisive goal late in the contest.

    Nigeria, meanwhile, cruised into the quarter-finals with a commanding 4–0 win over Mozambique, reinforcing their status as one of the tournament’s most impressive sides.

    Read Also: EPL: Wilson stuns Chelsea as Fulham claim 2-1 win under Rosenior

    Saturday’s encounter revives memories of the 2019 AFCON semi-final, where Mahrez’s iconic stoppage-time free-kick eliminated Nigeria and propelled Algeria toward eventual glory.

    Speaking to Algerian outlet Ebotola, Mahrez reflected on his team’s performance against DR Congo, insisting Algeria deserved their progression.

    “I think overall, if the balance had to tip to one side, it was ours,” Mahrez said. “We played against a strong Congolese team that stayed compact and gave us little space, but we remained solid.”

    Looking ahead to Nigeria, the former Manchester City winger acknowledged the quality of the Super Eagles and the difficulty of the task ahead. “Nigeria? We know them well. The match will not be easy,” he admitted, adding that Algeria’s defensive discipline and individual brilliance could once again be decisive.

    Pressed if another dramatic moment could settle the tie, Mahrez smiled: “A free kick in the last minute again? We’ll see. Anything is possible.”

  • Mahrez leads Algeria to AFCON cruise against Sudan

    Mahrez leads Algeria to AFCON cruise against Sudan

    Captain Riyad Mahrez scored in each half as 2019 champions Algeria eased to a 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan in their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations.

    Mahrez got the opener after just 82 seconds to the delight of the Algerian fans who made up the vast majority of the 16,115 crowd at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

    The former Manchester City winger, now with Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia, got his and his team’s second goal just after the hour mark and Ibrahim Maza wrapped up the win late on as Algeria started in the best possible fashion in Group E.

    Among the spectators in the Moroccan capital was France legend Zinedine Zidane, whose parents came from Algeria and whose son Luca was starting in goal for the Desert Foxes.

    His appearance on big screens in the ground drew huge cheers from Algerian supporters who will have been delighted to see their team produce a convincing performance.

    Algeria were eliminated in the first round without a win at each of the last two AFCON tournaments but wasted no time in breaking the deadlock against the group outsiders.

    Read Also: Governor Otti hosts Abia-born Super Falcons after 2024 WAFCON triumph

    The match was little over a minute old when Mohamed Amoura’s ball across the penalty box was met by a back-heel from Hicham Boudaoui to tee up Mahrez. He took a touch before firing in.

    Zidane then did well to save at the feet of Sudan’s Yaser Awad Boshara but Algeria were by far the better side.

    Sudan’s chances of getting back into the game were then severely dented when Salaheldin Adil was sent off six minutes before the interval for a second booking for chopping down Rayan Ait-Nouri.

    Ramy Bensebaini had a goal disallowed for offside moments later but Mahrez made it 2-0 on 61 minutes as he connected with a lovely outside-of-the-boot assist from Amoura.

    Mahrez, appearing at his sixth AFCON, now has eight goals at the tournament. He came off to an ovation from the Algerian fans late on.

    Substitute Maza, of Bayer Leverkusen, finished from Baghdad Bounedjah’s knockdown with five minutes left to score Algeria’s 100th  AFCON goal and make it 3-0.

    Sudan have now won just once in 17 Cup of Nations matches since lifting the trophy in 1970.

    Earlier in the same group, Burkina Faso came from behind to beat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1 thanks to two goals deep in injury time in Casablanca.

    Basilio Ndong was sent off just after half-time for Equatorial Guinea but they looked set to win the game when substitute Marvin Anieboh headed in on 85 minutes.

    However, Georgi Minoungou equalised in the fifth added minute before Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba grabbed a dramatic 98th-minute winner.

  • Mahrez relishes  Al-Ahli’s Asian Champions League success

    Mahrez relishes  Al-Ahli’s Asian Champions League success

    Al-Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez said he was driven to lead his Saudi Pro League side to the Asian Champions League Elite title by a barren first season at the Jeddah-based club as the Algerian added another trophy to his packed resume on Saturday.

    Mahrez had a quiet game by his standards as Al-Ahli defeated Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 to win the continental title for the first time at King Adbullah Sports City, but the 34-year-old had been influential throughout the club’s run to the title.

    With nine goals and eight assists in 13 appearances in the competition, the five-times Premier League winner with Leicester City and Manchester City was one of the key factors in Al-Ahli securing success.

    Victory means Mahrez and teammate Roberto Firmino added the Asian Champions League Elite to the UEFA Champions League crowns they won with City and Liverpool respectively, completing a rare continental club double.

    “It’s different,” Mahrez said when asked to compare the Asian title win with his other successes.

    Read Also: NNPCL : NFF congratulates Kida on appointment as Chairman

    “There was the title with Leicester, (the 2019 African Cup of Nations) with Algeria, with City. I think all have a different taste, a different emotion. I cannot say I prefer one or the other.

    “I think this is as good as all the titles I have. It’s a different competition, a different continent, this is new.

    “Last year when I came here and we didn’t win anything I was really upset, and this year I really wanted to make a stand and win something with this club, these players, the board, the manager and the people behind him.

    “We’re so happy and we have to enjoy it now.”

    Al-Ahli’s win sparked wild celebrations throughout the night across Jeddah as a club that has often lived in the shadow of neighbours Al-Ittihad and Riyadh’s Al-Hilal finally tasted continental success after runners-up finishes in 1986 and 2012.

    Matthias Jaissle’s side completed their title-winning run as the only unbeaten team in the competition, winning 12 and drawing one of their 13 games.

    Al-Ahli had been in ominous form throughout, but it was the 3-2 semi-final success over four-times champions Al-Hilal on Tuesday that allowed Mahrez and his teammates to believe the trophy could be won.

    “Throughout the competition we played so well,” he said. “We didn’t lose one game, we played against many teams whether it was big teams, games away or home. We always played well.

    “The group stage was not easy. We managed the group and after the semi-final we showed to everyone that we are the best team.

    “Even against Al-Hilal, who are a very good team, we showed to everyone we can beat anyone and I think we deserve it.

    “I’m the first, when a team deserves something, to lift my hand to say congrats to them, and today it’s our turn.”

  • Iheanacho’s Leicester City ranked 40th best club in the world

     

    Kelechi Iheanacho’s Leicester City have been ranked the 40th best club in the world. The Premier league side, who also have Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi in their must play squad took first from the back in the Global Club Soccer top 40 rankings by a team of football researchers on opinion pool site 538.

    The Foxes finished 9th on the log table last season with 52 points in 38 matches. It is safe to say it is different stokes for the two Eagles at the King Power Stadium. While Iheanacho who was dropped from the Super Eagles squad ahead of the ongoing Nations cup in Egypt was having little or no playing time compatriot Ndidi remained a regular for the club where they once stared alongside Algeria international Riyad Mahrez who has since moved over to Manchester city and who only last night stopped Nigeria from proceeding to the final of the Nations cup with his super strike at the last minute.

    Interestingly Iheanacho played for Manchester City between 2015 and 2017 scoring 12 goals in 46 appearances.

    Premier League defending Champions Manchester City topped the ranking with Champions league winners Liverpool occupying the third place behind Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich while Barcelona and Chelsea round off the top five best clubs in the world.

    Manchester United however finished 34th in the world behind the likes of Young Boys, PAOK and Eibar.

    Football analysts at FiveThirtyEight came up with the system that saw Everton, who finished 12 points behind the Red Devils last season, eight places ahead in the table rankings.

    The football researchers produced a Soccer Power Index (SPI) that ranks teams by giving them an offensive and defensive rating.

    The ratings refer to the number of goals the team would be expected to score against an average team on a neutral field and a defensive rating that represents the number of goals they would be expected to concede.

    These ratings produce an SPI rating which gives a percentage of available points – a win is worth three, a draw worth one, and a loss worth none.

    Here are the Best 10 clubs according to the Ranking released Monday.

    1 – Manchester City

    2 – Bayern Munich

    3 – Liverpool

    4 – Barcelona

    5 – Chelsea

    6 – PSG

    7- Real Madrid

    8 – Atletico Madrid

    9 – Olympiacos

    10- Ajax

  • Riyad Mahrez rubbishes retirement announcement  

    Riyad Mahrez rubbishes retirement announcement  

     

    * Wasn’t me, but hackers

    Leicester City striker and Algerian international Riyad mahrez has rubbished insinuations that he has retired from football.

    The 2016 Africa footballer of the year revealed that a statement on his facebook account announcing his retirement was a hoax and the handwork of hackers.

    The social media post said that the Leicester City star’s playing career had come “to an end” but, according to Sky Sports News, it was the work of a hacker.

    “After the last consultation with many doctors, I’ve decided to stay away from football,” the statement read. “As my time as a football player comes to an end, I would like to say few words.

    “I want to thank everybody for the kindness and support they have shown me in this incredible city, you will be always in my heart.”

    Mahrez’s Leicester future hung in the balance when a deadline day move to Manchester City fell through, after which he was absent from training for a week.

    However, the Algerian has since affirmed his commitment to the Foxes after scoring a 97th-minute equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth last weekend.

    Meanwhile British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has threatened to put a block on England travelling to this summer’s World Cup following the alleged poisoning of a former spy on British soil.

    Ex-double agent Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia are currently critically ill in hospital after being found unconscious in Salisbury on Sunday.

    Speaking in the House of Commons, Johnson suggested that England will boycott Russia 2018 if Moscow was shown to be behind the incident, with the pair being exposed to an “unknown substance”.

    “If things turn out to be as many members on both sides of the house suspect that they are, I think we will have to have a serious conversation about our engagement with Russia,” he said.

    “For my own part, thinking ahead to the World Cup this summer, I think it will be very difficult to imagine that UK representation at that event could go ahead in the normal way. We would certainly have to consider that.”

    England’s World Cup campaign is due to get up and running with a match against Tunisia in 104 days

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Guardiola eager to watch Mahrez against Man City

    Guardiola eager to watch Mahrez against Man City

     

    Despite failed bid to have the Riyad Mahrez in his fold during the transfer market, Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola says he is looking forward watching the Algerian international lined up against Man City on Saturday.

    Guardiola tried and failed to sign Mahrez on transfer deadline day last month with the Premier League leaders unwilling to meet Leicester City’s £95 million valuation of the Algeria playmaker.

    Mahrez reacted by going on strike, much to Leicester City’s dismay, although the 2016 PFA Player of the Year ended his self-imposed exile by returning to training on Friday morning and has declared himself available to play against the club he wanted to join at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

    Whether Leicester City manager Claude Puel opts to include Mahrez in his 18-man squad remains to be seen but Guardiola hopes he features.

    “Hopefully he will play, I want him to come back soon and play, we enjoy watching him and hopefully he’ll come back soon with Leicester and play at his level,” the Manchester City manager said.

    Guardiola will be without the injured Leroy Sane, David Silva, Gabriel Jesus, Fabian Delph and Benjamin Mendy  on Saturday but John Stones is available again after illness along with Phil Foden, who has been out for seven weeks with ankle ligament damage.

    Guardiola said Sane will not be fit for the Champions League Round of 16, first leg away to Basel  on Tuesday  but revealed the Germany winger was running again and hinted he could be back sooner than expected. Sane was initially ruled out until late March with ankle ligament damage but could now be back this month.

    Sane suffered ankle ligament damage as a result of Joe Bennett’s challenge

    Guardiola, who also said Jesus would be back within the next fortnight, took a pot-shot at Gary Neville by insisting he would name a full substitutes’ bench against Leicester City.

    The Algeria international had not trained with the club since his proposed transfer to City failed to materialise during the January transfer window.

    But Mahrez was back at Leicester’s training ground on Friday, where he was seen smiling and laughing with his teammates.

    Aymeric Laporte’s tussle with Jamie Vardy could prove to be the key battle when Manchester City face Leicester

    Foxes manager Claude Puel said in his pre-match news conference on Thursday Mahrez would miss the game at the

    Etihad, although the situation since appears to have moved on.

    “I think Riyad will be not available for the Saturday game against Manchester City,” said Puel.

    “I hope he can get his head right and come back with us and work hard. The best way is to come back and enjoy his football.

  • Riyad Mahrez absent as Leicester resumes training

    Riyad Mahrez absent as Leicester resumes training

     

    Want away Riyad Mahrez has missed Leicester training for a fourth time in a week since a proposed Deadline Day move to Manchester City failed to materialise.

    The Algeria international has missed the Foxes’ last two Premier League matches and was absent as Claude Puel’s side returned to training at their Belvoir Drive complex after being given Monday off.

    It remains unclear whether Mahrez has been given permission from the club to miss the latest session, or whether he is still refusing to attend and his availability for Saturday’s league fixture against Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad,

    Sky Sports News was told by a friend of the player that Mahrez has been left “depressed” by the club’s decision to not accept City’s final offer, believed to be a player-plus-cash offer worth an estimated £60m.

    Puel, last Friday said that the Premier League winner had been given some time off to clear his head, and admitted after Leicester’s 1-1 draw with Swansea on Saturday that he expected “nothing” and his immediate focus was on the rest of his squad.

    Asked when he expected the former PFA Player of the Year to return to the Leicester squad, Puel said: “I expect nothing.

    The most important thing is not to think about one player, but to think about my team and my squad.

    “Today, just after the game, Riyad is not my preoccupation. My preoccupation is about my available players and to keep them in a positive attitude and to continue this good work.”

    Mahrez, who still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract, last played for the Foxes in their 2-0 victory against Watford at the King Power Stadium on January 20.

    Mahrez who failed in his bid to qualify Algeria for the World cup in Russia had his eyes set on last minute move away from the King Power Stadium in the hit of the transfers but the move hid the rocks with a bang at a team when embattled Nigerian teammate Ahmed Musa succeeded in heading back to former club CSKA Moscow where he has since settled down even scoring a goal in a comeback friendly match.

    Aside from Manchester City, Arsenal equally showed interest in the Algerian unfortunately every move came to nothing at the end of transfer market. Some however believer the 26 year old will overcome the disappointment and get back to action in due course.

  • Mahrez leaves Algeria camp to complete transfer

    Mahrez leaves Algeria camp to complete transfer

    Leicester City forward Riyad Mahrez has been allowed to leave the Algeria training camp to “formalise” a transfer on deadline day, the Algerian Football Federation said on Thursday.

    Mahrez, a key member of Leicester’s Premier League title-winning side in 2015-16 when he was voted PFA Player of the Year, has been the subject of bids from Italian club Roma.

    Read also: Iheanacho Unveiled as Leicester City Player 

    Several Premier League clubs are also likely to be keen to sign the 26-year-old, who has scored 35 goals for Leicester since arriving from French club Le Havre in 2014.

    A statement from the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) said Mahrez, preparing for World Cup qualifiers against Zambia, had been allowed to travel back to Europe.

    Read also: Mahrez: We didn’t let Ranieri down 

    “Mahrez was authourised by the national coach, Lucas Alcaraz, and FAF to make an express trip to Europe to formalise his transfer to his new club,” a statement said.

    “The selection will, therefore, fly without him Thursday morning to Lusaka to face Zambia on Saturday.”

    Mahrez has played in all three of Leicester’s Premier League matches so far this season.

    Also, check out: Ahead of 2018 World Cup Qualifiers: We can beat Nigeria, others to sole slot, says Algeria’s coach

    The English transfer window closes at 2200 GMT on Thursday.

  • Ndidi on target for Leicester, Musa still missing

    Ndidi on target for Leicester, Musa still missing

    Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi grabbed a 38th minute goal to shoot premier league defending champions Leicester into the lead on Saturday as they beat Watford 3-0.

    Ndidi who was in action for the entire duration of the match, has been enjoying regular playing time at King Power Stadium.

    Saturday’s tie saw the Nigeria international rise to the occasion in front of 31,628 spectators.

    Algeria international Riyad Mahrez consolidated on Ndidi’s achievement when he grabbed Leicester’s second goal in the 58th minute Marc Albrighton scored the third goal to finally put the match out the reach of the visitors.

    Watford’s defence was creaking badly and just before half-time it broke. Danny Drinkwater’s cross was not cleared by Etienne Capoue and Ndidi took full advantage to score his third goal of the season for Leicester.

    That was far the visitors could go in terms of threat while Leicester were rampant. Christian Fuchs went close with a free kick but somehow the lead stayed at one.

    Then Mahrez, always a threat, took advantage as Mariappa failed to take the opportunity to clear. The Leicester wide man started his waltzing and, suddenly, there was Heurelho Gomes picking the ball out of the net.

    Albrighton, also excellent, finished the rout from a squared ball from Vardy.

    The duo of Ahmed Musa and Isaac Success though listed were not used by Leicester and Watford respectively.