Onana: Cameroon Knockout at the AFCON

Published

1 year ago

February 2, 2024

Onana

Andre Onana’s participation at the Africa Cup of Nations has drawn to a close after Cameroon suffered a 2-0 defeat against Nigeria in the last 16.

Our no.24 was an unused substitute at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, with his cousin Fabrice Ondoa selected in goal instead.

Ademola Lookman, formerly of both Everton and Leicester City, opened the scoring after 36 minutes played, latching onto a pass from Victor Osimhen to slam home his effort past Ondoa.

The game was put beyond the Indomitable Lions’ reach inside the final stages, with Fulham man Calvin Bassey’s low cross turned home by Lookman once more, securing progression for Jose Peseiro’s side.

Nigeria had the ball in the net during the opening stages in the Ivory Coast, with Semi Ajayi’s effort ruled out for offside, sparing Cameroon’s early blushes.

Frank Magri’s shot was the first chance Rigobert Song’s side had on goal with 20 minutes played, as the former’s volley sailed into the stands.

It was, however, the three-time AFCON champions who took the lead before the interval, with Osimhen initially showing great strength to hold off Oumar Gonzalez.

The Napoli forward played in Lookman with a neat pass and the 26-year-old made no mistake from close range, tucking home despite Ondoa’s best efforts.

As the second half began, Cameroon’s Georges-Kevin N’Koudou looked to threaten down the right flank, with his advances thwarted by the resilient Nigeria defence.

Lookman took aim from distance as he went in search of both his and his nation’s second goal of the game, but he couldn’t quite connect with his own drive.

But as we reached the final stages, the former RB Leipzig man made no mistake in securing Nigeria’s progression to the last eight, notching home from close range.

Bassey’s cross from the right was cleverly flicked home by the tricky forward, beating Ondoa for a second time across the 90 minutes.

It wasn’t to be for Cameroon and Onana on this occasion, as their AFCON hopes ended in this last-16 defeat, as they failed to reach the heights of their success back in 2017.

Our commiserations go to Andre and the Indomitable Lions.

Transfer: Galatasaray return for Osimhen with fresh proposal as Gyökeres begins strike

Published

10 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Turkish giants, Galatasaray, have returned to Napoli to continue the talks on signing Victor Osimhen.

Fabrizio Romano, the Italian football transfer expert, reports that the Turkish side submitted a new proposal structure to Napoli on Friday.

It includes a €70m fee with bank guarantees for the installments which is now left for the Italian side to decide upon.

Meanwhile, Sporting CP striker, Viktor Gyökeres has continued with his strike in protest against the club.

The player, according to Romano, will not show up in training at Sporting again at any moment this summer.

“His decision is clear as reported during the week, he only wants Arsenal, it’s over with Sporting,” Romano wrote on X.

Gyökeres has also informed Sporting president about that 5 days ago that he wants to join the Premier League club.

In another development, Nottingham Forest have sent a complaint to the Premier League over Morgan Gibbs-White’s move to Tottenham.

Nottingham is working on potential legal action as they believe Spurs made an illegal approach to the player, as Sky Sports reported.

NNL: Coach Aluma commends Warri Wolves players for NPFL promotion

Published

13 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Warri Wolves head coach, Napoleon Aluma, has commended his players for securing promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

Warri Wolves topped Group B of the Nigeria National League, NNL, playoffs, courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Crown FC.

The Seasiders will now return to the NPFL for the first time in four years.

Aluma also praised goalkeeper Joke Efevwerha for maintaining his composure despite a mistake during the match.

“I had so much confidence in my team. Despite the error from my goalkeeper, who has been one of the best throughout the regular season, we stayed focused and got the win,” Aluma said after the game.

Warri Wolves will now face Wikki Tourists to determine the overall winner of the 2024–25 NNL season.

Club World Cup: Why we thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 – PSG manager, Enrique

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Paris Saint-Germain manager, Luis Enrique has suggested that his team thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 in the Club World Cup semi-final tie on Wednesday because his players played a great great match against the Spainsh LaLiga giants.

According to Erinque, PSG did really good against the Los Blancos, adding that his players kept playing and fighting despite the “stifling heat”.

Four goals from Fabian Ruiz, Ousmane Dembele and Goncalo Ramos gave the Parisians the victory against Xabi Alonso’s side.

“It is a very special moment for us, Parisians, for all the supporters, the entire club,” Erinque told PSG TV.

“I think we did a really good job and played a great match. We are happy, we are in the final and it has been an incredible season. We want to win this [Club World Cup] final.

“Everyone saw the stifling heat, it is incredible to play in that. I think it affected both teams [PSG and Real Madrid], but we kept playing and fighting,” he said.

Enrique’s side will now face Chelsea in Sunday’s final at the MetLife Stadium.