Alaba Akintola and Consider Ekanem both made it into the semifinals of men’s 200m, with both athletes booking automatic spots from their heats.

Alaba finished second in his heat, crossing the line in a time of 21.08 seconds.

Ekanem also finished second in his heat clocking 20.94 seconds.

Meanwhile, three Nigerians have qualified for the semi-finals of women’s 200m.

The three athletes are Chisom Onyebuchi, Olayinka Olajide, and Moforehan Abinusawa.

As the countdown continues, 8 days to the historic event, excitement has been mounting among athletes and fans alike.

The highly anticipated Accra 2023 in Ghana, will see greatly energetic performances as several teams will feature on the track events.

One name that evokes heroism in the history of the African Games is Deji Aliu of Team Nigeria. Aliu holds the esteemed record for the fastest 100-meter finish ever recorded in the African Games, a landmarking feat achieved in 2003 when he raced through the track in an astounding 9.95 seconds. This feat etched his name in the record books and also underscored his status as one of the continent’s premier sprinters.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s sports development minister, Enoh said, “just like Deji Aliu, I am urging you all to do wonders in Accra and shut down the tracks with your speed and agility. This is the kind of moments where legends are made, thus I am charging you all to go for gold and go for broke.”

As athletes from across Africa prepare to converge in Accra for the 2023 African Games, team Nigeria will depart the shores of the country on March 4th, 2024.

The Napoli striker’s future is reaching a climax as Europe’s top clubs stir unwavering excitement around football fans.

Chelsea, Arsenal, and Newcastle, flush with cash, are reportedly leading the chase. However, Paris Saint Germain is also in the mix, eyeing Osimhen as a potential successor to Kylian Mbappe.

Meanwhile, Barcelona, emerges as an intriguing possibility for the Nigerian superstar despite financial hurdles and a contrasting playing style.

Jose Peseiro, who has closely worked with Osimhen on the Nigerian national team, sees no limit to the striker’s potential. He has dismissed concerns about Osimhen’s fit at Barcelona while comparing his situation to Erling Haaland’s successful integration into Manchester City’s system.

“I think he can play for any team in the world,” Peseiro asserts.

“I’m not going to say one to avoid speculation. He is an animal when it comes to pressing, very good with his head, in the area, and with his eye, which he also associates.
“Of course, he doesn’t associate like other Barça players, but City also looked for associative football and went for Haaland.
“Aren’t City winning? Isn’t Erling scoring goals? Osimhen is a player to play for Barça, Madrid, or another.
“Other associative players do not have his vertical movements, his aerial ability, or his pressure. He can play on the best team in the world.” Peseiro concluded.

Sebastien Haller, who was admitted for treatment against testicular cancer in July 2022, scored two spectacular goals to help Ivory Coast win their third continental title

After the match, where he scored the goal that secured one of the most unlikely Africa Cup of Nations title wins for Ivory Coast, Sebastien Haller got engaged in a television interview which he had to pause as he broke down in tears.

It was just over a year ago that the striker showed he had won his biggest contest yet, when he returned to football six months after overcoming testicular cancer.

And now here he was, pitch-side in Abidjan’s Alassane Ouattara Stadium, witnessing the fevered celebrations after his goal gave the Elephants a 2-1 win over Nigeria and a third Nations Cup title.

“We dreamed of this moment so many times,” Haller said.

“We hoped to get to this point and once again the match wasn’t an easy one. The joyous scenes we see now, what’s happening in the country, they deserve it too. I really hope it does a lot of people good.”

South Africa and Nigeria will clash on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, in the semi-final at the Stade de la Paix, Bouaké.

Meanwhile, the former Ajax star stated that the Super Eagles must engage the same fighting spirit they used against Angola to dispatch South Africa.

“Listen, guys, already before the tournament, the whole nation doesn’t have confidence in you guys; you build the confidence yourselves. You have it in your head now that you are going to win the Cup, and nothing is going to stop you,” Babangida said.

“Because you already showed it in the last match [against Angola]. Because it is only the confidence that you show that makes you beat that team [Angola] and the discipline you used in that match, you are the same again against South Africa; you are going to beat them.

“They can make all the mouth and I’m sure no team is going to stand in your way. We are waiting for you to bring the cup to Abuja, and God willing, you will bring the cup.”

Broos tends to bank on his side to upset the super eagles at the tournament which is slated for Wednesday, February 7, 2024.

“Reaching the semifinal is very special for South African football,” said Belgian coach Broos.

“Maybe we can make a surprise (vs Nigeria) now.

“The hunger is big to play the final next Sunday.”

Broos led the Cameroon side to win the 2017 African Cup Of Nations.

However, the Super Eagles defeated South Africa 2-0 in the semi-final of the 2000 edition of the AFCON.

Also, Nigeria won 2-1 the last time both countries met in the quarter-finals at the 2019 edition hosted by Egypt.

Arsenal reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points after an earned victory in a tense match at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners deliberately refused defeat while their opportunity came hugely when Liverpool’s normally reliable keeper, Alisson, in tow errors, gifted Arsenal the goals that ensured three crucial points.

It sparked massive elation at the final whistle as Arsenal condemned Liverpool to only their second league defeat this season, their first since a highly controversial loss at Tottenham in late September.

Arsenal had a lightning start when Bukayo Saka gave them a 14th-minute lead, turning home a rebound after Alisson saved from Kai Havertz.

The hosts dominated proceedings but a defensive shambles allowed Liverpool to restore parity seconds before the break, Gabriel turning the ball into his own net via his hand after a mix-up between keeper David Raya and William Saliba as they challenged Luis Diaz.

Liverpool carried more momentum after the interval with Alexis Mac Allister going close twice and Curtis Jones just off target before the Gunners were the next beneficiaries of a calamitous error, this time between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, that saw them restore their lead after 67 minutes.

Alisson rushed from his goal and kicked fresh air as Van Dijk tried to deal with a long clearance, leaving Gabriel Martinelli with the simplest of finishes into an empty net.

And Liverpool’s misery was compounded in the closing stages when defender Ibrahima Konate was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Havertz, before substitute Leandro Trossard added a third in stoppage time – Alisson once again at fault as he allowed a routine near-post shot through his legs.

The Black Stars captain, after a while, rendered an unqualified apology on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, evening, where he took responsibility for the team’s elimination.

“I would like to apologise for the results of the AFCON that we just exited. We should have done better. We should have gotten better results too,” Ayew apologized in a video posted on his Instagram handle.

“As the captain of the squad, I take full responsibility for what happened on the pitch for the playing body.”

In the comments sections, several celebrities flooded the photo-sharing platform to lend their support to the Le Havre forward.

Hit-makinh Nigerian artiste Davido wrote “Nothing spoil baba!”, to which Ayew responded: “My brother, we keep going.”

Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie also shared: “You love your country and we love and appreciate you king. We can be in our feelings because of how attached we are when we see the flag but trust me we are grateful for your efforts.”

In response to the ‘Country Side’ hitmaker, Ayew said: “Sarkodie it’s understandable, thanks for the support.”

Ghana failed to win a single game during the AFCON in the Ivory Coast as the team got booted out of the tournament at the group stage.

The Eagles of Mali have qualified for the quarter-finals of AFCON 2023 after a 2-1 win against Burkina Faso on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

The last time mali reached the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations was in the year 2013.

The Malians had a great chance at the start thanks to an own goal by Edmond Tapsoba at the 3rd minute of the game.

Three minutes into the second half Mali went 2-0 through Lassine Sinayoko.

In the 57th minute Burkina Faso pulled a goal back as Bertrand Traore converted from the penalty spot.

Mali’s next match will be with rejuvenated Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals on Saturday, February 3, 2024, in Bouake.

Moses Simon, a super eagles player, has said the Super Eagles will give their best to beat the Palancas Negras of Angola in their quarter-final clash.

While the match will take place at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on Friday February 2, 2024, the two teams will battle for a place in the semi-final of the games.

The Super Eagles had earlier defeated big names Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite their impressive display in the competition, Simon pressed that it is important for the players to keep their feet on the ground.

“It is going to be a difficult game, like the ones against Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon, and even Equatorial Guinea. We must be at our best and focus on the prize,” Simon was quoted by newsmen.

The match will kick-off at 5pm local time (6pm Nigeria time).