SPECTACULAR 9JA

Cameroon and Serbia served up a World Cup (WC) classic at the Al-Janoub Stadium as a stunning 3-3 draw left a fascinating Group G wide open. After suffering defeat to favourites Brazil last time out, Serbia started with intent, causing problems from the wide areas, and Aleksandar Mitrović was unlucky to see his curling effort smash the woodwork early on. Despite being limited by a stern Eagles side, the Indomitable Lions were undeterred and they broke the deadlock with just under 30 minutes gone. A corner was flicked to the back post by Nicholas Nkoulou, and Jean-Charles Castelletto tapped home for his first international goal and Cameroon’s first in his competition since 2014. Serbia, who topped their WC qualifying group ahead of runners-up Portugal, showed why they were fancied by some ahead of the tournament however, as they responded through a quickfire double. Towering Serbian centre-back Strahinja Pavlović powered a header past goalkeeper Devis Epassy, who was playing...

The toxic environment of the Nigeria League has once again extinguished one more privately owned club, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Football Club, or simply MFM FC, of Lagos, exclusivenews.com.ng reports. The Lagos-based Nigerian professional Football League club was relegated to the lower cadre of the league, Nigeria National League at the end 2021/2022 Season. They finished last with 36 points from 38 points at the end of the season. MFM had in 2016\2017 season finished second in the league behind Plateau United, with 42 points from 38 matches. They were the country’s second representative in the 2017-2018 African Champions League, where they were knocked out in the second match. Exclusivenews further gathered that General Overseer of MFM, Pastor Olukoya has refused to sponsor the football club again. The club is wholly owned by the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, a Pentecostal Christian Organization. The toxic environment of the league which has no...

Super Eagles duo, Alex Iwobi and Joe Aribo saw their market value move up in the latest release by the popular valuation and statistics online platform, Transfermarkt. Iwobi has been in scintillating form for Premier League club, Everton this season. Everton have scored 11 goals in the league this term and Iwobi has been involved in half of those. The midfielder has scored one goal and provided six assists in 14 league appearances for the Toffees. The 26-year-old linked up with Everton from Arsenal in 2019. His compatriot, Aribo also saw an increase in his market value. Aribo, who joined Southampton for £4.5m plus add-ons this summer is now valued at €15m. He has scored two goals in 13 league appearances for the Saints. Credit : Abbeylivenetwork 

Sports Brief earlier reported that Mohamed Sanusi, the secretary general of the Nigeria Football Federation, has decried comments from several quarters that the football house is having it rough with Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro. There are reports in several sections of the media that Peseiro, appointed in May, has yet to receive a salary. It was gathered that the situation has led to a breakdown of the relationship between both parties, but Sanusi branded the remarks as ‘outright falsehoods’. “Most of these speculations and innuendoes are simply ridiculous because we have no problem whatsoever with Mr. Peseiro. He is doing his job as Head Coach of the Super Eagles and, contrary to some of the more fictitious claims, he has not reported the NFF to FIFA with regard to his wages. “I want to appeal to the media to make efforts to get their facts right before going to press. There is no need to speculate and engage in half-truths and outright falsehood in these matters. Some...