Antoine Griezmann Cements Legendary Status with Atletico Madrid FC

 Antoine Griezmann enhanced his legendary status with his brace in their mid-week La Liga match with Getafe on the 19^th of December. The match ended 3-3, after Getafe rallied from 1-3 down to equalize against an Atletico Madrid side that was short of one player because of a red card awarded against Stephan Savic.

Despite his trophy-filled career, Griezmann’s latest achievement remains a sweet one, having just equaled the over 50-year record of the legendary Luis Aragones, as the highest goal scorer in the history of Atletico Madrid. With any other goal he scores for Atletico, he’d become the indisputable highest goal scorer in the club’s history, eclipsing Aragones and with the 2023/24 season close to halfway, achieving this feat is imminent.

The Record  -19^th December 2023

Number of goals     Total matches        Name of player

173                              370                            Luis Aragones

173                             364                            Antoine Griezmann

 

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN’S FOOTBALL TRAJECTORY

Antoine Griezmann’s career is filled with trophies, right from the age grades to his current level. He started his adult football career in Spain, with Real Sociedad, and then moved to Atletico Madrid in 2014. After 94 matches with them, he moved to Barcelona, for a reported sum of € 120 million but soon returned to continue his harmonious relationship with Atletico. With Barcelona, Griezmann won the Copa de Rey, maintaining a record of winning a trophy for every club he’s played for in his senior career.

He’s known for his versatility to play across different attacking positions and has remained consistent for over a decade. Griezmann has won the UEFA U-19 Championship, FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Championship, the UEFA Europa Cup. The Spanish La Liga and Segunda and has also been a runner-up for the highest goal scorer award in the World Cup, and UEFA Championship. At 32 and still active, very little separates him from the most accomplished football stars on the World stage such as Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo! Apart from the Balloon D’or, where he’s only got a third position, very little separates him from their achievements.

Apart from a little stint in the youth academy with his hometown club, UF Mâconnais, where he started his career, Griezmann has never played his club football in his country of origin, France. This has not stopped him from currently having over a century of caps with them. He’s been very fortunate in enjoying no career-threatening injury and has maintained some consistent runs in his playing career.

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN’S FOOTBALL LEGACY

Griezmann’s career remains fulfilled even at this phase of his career, and he still has more active years ahead of him. Very few players enjoy the privilege of winning the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Cup, and listless club and individual titles that he’s won in his career. To have competed at the highest level of European–World football, especially with his stint at Atletico Madrid and Barcelona FC, is a testament to his unquestionable football skill. Maintaining a prominent role in a star-packed French national team for almost a decade further strengthens the quality he possesses and whenever he decides to retire from the beautiful game, his imprints would be difficult to be instantly forgotten.

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AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF NIGERIA's FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT: 1959-2009.

ANC2023: HOW FAR CAN LIVERPOOL FC GO WITHOUT MO SALAH?

The Confederation for African Football 2024 African Nations Cup would run from the 13^th of January 2024 to the 11^th of February 2024. Within a fortnight, players from participating countries would join their various camps to prepare for the tournament. Liverpool FC lethal striker, Mo Salah would be leading the Pharaohs of Egypt in their quest to win the title in Ivory Coast. He’s been a livewire for his national team and his availability is crucial to their title quest at the Nations Cup. He’s not won any major title with his national team and this quest would certainly be taken seriously by Salah and his team.

 

Mo Salah, the Jewel

Mo Salah remains one of Africa's greatest strikers and his importance in the Liverpool FC team is immeasurable, just like it is for the Pharaohs. Coach Jurgen Klopp has done much to fortify his attack with the purchase of Darwin Nunez Luiz Diaz, and Gakpo, but despite this, the team still relies greatly on Salah to rally them to victory, especially at difficult times. The consistency of the other striking force has remained questionable and epileptic. That is where Salah’s value continues to soar. His skill, dexterity, and experience often come to bear in their pursuit to win the 2023/24 English Premier League.

 

Mo Salah would be Missed

Liverpool FC would have to deal with the absence of Mo Salah when the ANC starts. Egypt’s first match would be against Mozambique on the 14^th of January, then against Ghana on the 18^th of, January, and Cape Verde on the 22^nd of January. On paper, they stand a good chance of qualifying from their group and that could take him away from his club, missing matches in the Premier League, League, and FA Cup until February, even if Egypt doesn't get to the final. If they do get to the final, then Salah would effectively be away for about 5 weeks. He'd be sorely missed except his replacements can replicate his scintillating performances.

 

Liverpool FC matches from January 1 to 11^th February when the ANC ends:

o   Newcastle(h) – January 1^st      - EPL

o   Arsenal (a) – January 7^th – FA Cup

o   Bournemouth (a) – January 21^st - EPL

o   Chelsea(h) - January 31^st - EPL

o   Arsenal (a) - February 3^rd - EPL

o   Burnley(h)- February 10^th - EPL

 

He’d miss several crucial matches whose consequence could affect their bid for titles in different competitions. Their major rivals such as Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Manchester City FC would have no such absentees and any negative consequences of Salah's absence could effectively cost Liverpool FC the English Premier League and possibly other titles. Another important issue would be the fear of injury and fatigue from his participation at the ANC. The team would have to step up their game to cover for his absence as that remains the best solution to this issue.

Despite Mo Salah’s absence, Klopp Can still be Trusted

Jurgen Klopp is known as an astute coach, adept at raising his team to overwhelm the foray of any opposition. Since taking over at Liverpool, he’s taken them to a new level of success, winning six titles so far. Apart from his first season and the 2022/23 English Premier League season, Liverpool FC, has continued to challenge for titles both within England and Europe. He’d again prove his mettle as one of the world’s best current coaches, to rise above this transitory hiccup.

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AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF NIGERIA's FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT: 1959-2009

REAPING THE BENEFITS FROM NIGERIA’S FEAT AT THE 2023 CAF AWARDS

 

The Nigerian trio of Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, attained legendary status, with their individual honors at the CAF Awards.  Also, the female football team won the Team of the Year title. Victor Osimhen, won the African Footballer of the Year (Male), Oshoala, won the female version, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, won the Best African Female Goalkeeper of the Year. It was a culmination of the great season they had last season, extending upto the current period. Osimhen helped his team, Napoli FC win the Italian Scudetto, for the first time after 30 years and was the highest scorer in last season’s Scudetto. Oshoala helped her team, Barcelona FC win the female UEFA Champions League and took Nigeria to great heights in the last Female World Cup Competition. Chiamaka Nnadozie has grown steadily to become amongst the best female goalkeepers in the World and this was solidified by her feat in the last Female World Cup and the performances of her club, Paris FC, in last year’s UEFA Champions League.

THE FACTORS THAT WOULD DETERMINE THE 2023/24 EPL WINNER

There are still 22 games in the English Premier League, and scenarios about how the season will end have begun to emerge. Five teams have so far demonstrated consistent ambition to be termed potential contenders. Each of these teams has encountered the twists and turns of the EPL and the expectations are that more drama would occur at various stages of the League.

Several details always determine the winner of any competition and for the current EPL, we expect the following to determine the final outcome;

-    Consistency of good results

-    Perfect squad management amidst injuries, suspensions and loss of form

-    Taking the right actions during the January 2024 transfer window

-   Effects of the CAF January 2024 African Nations Cup

-  The burden of multiple match schedules

 

After the week 16 matches, Liverpool FC, with 37 points occupied the first position. They stood one point ahead of second-placed Arsenal FC, two points above rampantly surging Aston Villa FC, four points above title holders, Manchester City FC, and seven points above fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur FC. Apart from Aston Villa FC, the other clubs have at different times occupied the first position.

 

      EPL STANDINGS AT WEEK 16

 

THE PERMUTATIONS

CONSISTENCY OF GOOD RESULTS

Within the first ten matches of the EPL, fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur FC had a wonderful run of ten matches, winning eight and drawing two. They beat Liverpool, and Manchester United and drew with Arsenal FC. At 26 points, they occupied the first position, but thereafter, disaster arose! They lost 1-4 at home to Chelsea FC, 1-2 against Wolves, 1-2 to Aston Villa, and 1-2 against West Ham FC until respite came with a 3-3 draw against Manchester City FC and last weekend’s 4-1 win against Newcastle FC. Such undulating performance captures the dynamics of the EPL and the benefits of good results. Pundits would point to injuries and suspensions to Spurs' important players, during their capitulation to Chelsea. They lost James Maddison (three months injury), Van de Van (3months injury), Cristian Romero (three-match ban), Destiny Udogie (1-match ban), Yves Bissouma (1-match ban). This narrative is not isolated to Tottenham, since; other clubs suffer the same fate.

Aston Villa FC has experienced an astounding evolution since Unai Emery came. In the past weeks, they have thumped Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal FC. If they continue with this good run, the odds favor them to surprise bookmakers. They currently are not overwhelmed by injuries, loss of form, or multiple suspensions of their main players. They stand a good chance!

 

PERFECT SQUAD MANAGEMENT AMIDST INJURIES, SUSPENSIONS AND LOSS OF FORM

Good players and superior tactics win games rather than total dependence on big names!. With the EPL regulations permitting the registration of up to 45 players (including the academy players), teams must build their squad whilst considering obstacles such as suspensions, loss of form, and injuries to their players within the season. Manchester City has invested wisely and by combining the first team and the rest of the squad, they have remained a formidable squad in the past three seasons. Despite the loss of their talismanic captain, Kelvin De Bruyne, since the beginning of the season, they still compete at the highest level. This attribute has enabled Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC, to remain serious contenders. Any negative consequence of squad depletion to positive results should be attributed to bad planning.

For Manchester City, Tottenham, and even outsiders Manchester United FC, the return of some important players from injury could cause a significant turnaround to enable them to win the title. With an on-form De Bruyne, Maddison, and Van de Van in their respective clubs, their fortune could improve far beyond their current situation.

 

THE ASIAN CUP & JANUARY 2024 AFRICAN NATIONS CUP

Liverpool FC would be without their main striker, Mo Salah, for over two weeks, when the 2024 Confederation for African Football, African Nations Cup begins in January 2024. Their fortune or otherwise could be determined by how well his team manages his absence. For Tottenham, they’d be without Yves Bissouma and Pape Mattr Sarr, further depleting their midfield that’s already suffering from the loss of James Maddison. They’d also be without their captain, Heung-Min  Son, who would participate in the same period in the Asian Nations Cup.

 

THE JANUARY 2024 TRANSFER WINDOW

Player transfers are dicey; some players seamlessly integrate and others never do, even after their first season. The January transfer window remains an opportunity for teams to reinforce their squad to cover for any flaw they need to correct in their squad. With the intricate competition for the EPL, the most successful team in the January transfer window, amongst the main contenders, could carry the day by July 2024.

 

THE BURDEN OF MULTIPLE MATCH SCHEDULES

Only Tottenham has fewer matches than the other teams. They’re not involved in any European competition. Their players shouldn’t be affected by fatigue and could take this advantage to consolidate, but they have a depleted squad and can only win the title if they can perfectly strengthen their squad in January 2024.

In their current situation, Manchester City and Arsenal FC, stand the best chance to win the EPL, judging from their consistent form, these past seasons. They already have a stable squad and wouldn’t suffer from any competition-related exits in January. Beyond them, the experience of Unai Emery could help Aston Villa FC, spring a major surprise by winning the EPL!

 

 

 

 

CAF 2023 Awards: Congratulations Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie!!

The winners of the Confederation for African Football (CAF) Awards, 2023 were announced this evening and it was an entire clean sweep for Nigeria in the most important individual categories.

 

WORTHY WINNERS

Asisat Oshoala of the Barcelona FC Women's team won the best African Female Footballer trophy, Victor Osimhen of Napoli FC, Italy, won the male category, whilst Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC (W) won the best African Female goalkeeper award. For these Nigerians, it is a culmination of several years of hard work and consistent exploits. This year’s title was the sixth for Oshoala. Victor Osimhen won the Best African Young Player award seven years ago and today’s award affirms his legendary status. Osimhen performed the herculean task of helping his club, Napoli FC win the Italian Scudetto, after over thirty years since world soccer legend, Diego Maradona, helped them achieve this feat. For Oshoala, she was an extremely important figure in helping her team win the Women's UEFA Champions League, last season, and her exploits in the Women's World Cup were, very remarkable.

 

                                       The last Nigerian footballer to win the male African Footballer of the Year award was Kanu Nwankwo, the former Ajax, Arsenal, and Inter Milan FC Player. He won it in 1996 and 1999 whilst in Arsenal and Inter Milan FC respectively. Osimhen’s success marked the first time in twenty-four, years for a Nigerian to win this trophy. He did not win this award on a platter of gold, as he was able to ward off the competition from Egyptian legend Mo Salah, Liverpool FC, and Achref Hackimi, PSG France.

Chiamaka Nnadozie’s award is another worthy recognition for a player who has consistently made his country and club proud with her consistent performances and has made pundits suggest her invitation to help solve the goalkeeping quagmire in the male team. Her goalkeeping skill and agility are beyond doubt and like the other two players; they stand a chance of furthering their victories since age is on their side! Like Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie’s performances in the last Women's World Cup Competition cannot go unnoticed, as she virtually carried the Nigerian team.

 

THE RESILIENT NIGERIAN SPIRIT

The life journeys of these players are like a Netflix-scripted grass-to-grace film story that would continue to inspire several other young African youths to be dedicated and focused in whatever good work their hands find to do! Osimhen is attributed to have hawked the streets of Lagos selling sachet water for road users and lost his parents at a very tender age. This story is not far from Oshoala’s whose success has brought her family from the throes of darkness and poverty.

These individual awards for this trio are a testament to the benefits of focus and dedication that can positively transform the life of anyone. Whilst they revel in this euphoria, their awards are not complimentary to the despicable state of this sport in Nigeria. It only serves as an inspiration to their admirers about developing a resilient spirit, especially in the situation the Nigerian state finds itself and the attendant suffering of the citizenry!

 

 

 

AMAS OBASOGIE, NIGERIA’s LATEST GOALKEEPING SENSATION!

                              

Though blessed with enormous crude oil deposits and amongst the largest producers of crude oil, it’s never a surprise to see fuel queues in most Nigerian towns and cities. Despite its huge petroleum deposits, Nigeria has no functional oil refinery and imports diverse forms of petroleum products. It has become a pattern for the populace to suffer amidst an abundance of mineral, human, and agricultural resources!

AMAS OBASOGIE AND THE PLIGHT OF THE NPFL PLAYERS

The story of Amas Obasogie, the young goalkeeping sensation of Bendel Insurance FC of Benin City, draws a similar paradox to the Nigerian situation described above. He’d be twenty-four years old in a few weeks, captains his team, and remains the anchor of their very shrewd defense. With him in goal last season, they achieved an unbeaten run of 26 matches. This season, he’s achieved more than a handful of clean sheets. He’s extremely good, like many home-based players; national team recognition has been futile for reasons best known to the handlers!

THE VOID WAITING FOR AMAS OBASOGIE TO COVER

The controversial retirement of Victor Enyeama, in 2015, left a big gap in the goalkeeping department of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, allowing several pretenders. Most of them have done their utmost to preserve their goalkeeping integrity, but the fan's verdict has been rather contemptuous of them. Whilst they suffer in silence from criticism, it remains evident that Nigerian football has suffered a continual drop for the past decade and the same has been the entire defense. After Joseph Yobo’s retirement, no central defender has matched his quality which cannot be rated amongst the best we have had.

With the agony Nigerians have suffered from their porous defensive formations, heightened by the calamitous goalkeeping prowess of its custodians, the remarkable performances of Amas Obasogie now appear a respite Nigerians can enjoy. He had been given very little attention until last month when he received his first call-up to the national team to replace Italy-based Maduka Okoye. That is the snub virtually every Nigerian-based player suffers until they join any European club, no matter how mediocre.

COMPETENCE OVER CAMARADERIE

The clamor for Amas has been consistent from the local press! His form has improved, despite the rising attention on him. The euphoria of his singular invitation to the national team was emphatic and, Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, financier of Bendel Insurance FC, released a statement to congratulate Amas Obasogie,  restating his conviction about his capabilities to excel. Like Nigeria’s crude oil and the suffering of her people amidst the wealth it has created for other endowed nations such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya, et al, another snub for Amas at the national team, would not be a surprise to the writer. Things happen, especially in Nigeria. Apart from possibly monetary reasons, nothing affirms a diaspora player to be of better quality than his counterpart at home. The quality of French captain, Kylian Mbappe, at PSG France, has not diminished his quality below his other colleagues most of whom play in better-rated leagues in England, Spain, Germany, and Italy. The same can be said of several German players.

Nigeria has a new goalkeeping sensation with the capacity to cover our gap, enhance our national pride, and become a veritable inspiration to upcoming Nigerian footballers. He’s still young but experienced and like Osimhen, Oshoala, Boniface, and other promising Nigerian footballers, he must be supported to excel in his chosen trade!