BEB Weekend Sports: News!

Eagles Hit Seychelles Thrice


Nigeria’s Super Eagles expectedly rolled over Seychelles Pirates in yesterday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with a 3-0 at the Stade Linite in Victoria.

With the victory the Super Eagles have closed the gap on Group E front runners Libya and South Africa who played out a goalless draw in Durban.

Nigeria dominated from the kick-off and claimed the lead in the 15th minute. Ahmed Musa sent a left-footed volley toward goal, with the ball rebounding off the underside of the crossbar before bouncing off the body of Seychelles goalkeeper Dave Mussard.

The Super Eagles doubled their advantage on 34 minutes, with Chidozie Awaziem steering a shot into an empty net after Kelechi Iheanacho’s initial effort direct from a free kick rebounded off the upright and left Mussard with no chance to recover.

Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo nearly added a third just two minutes later when he sprung the offside trap and lobbed the goalkeeper, only to see his effort hit the top of the crossbar and bounced back into play.

Yet the China-based forward waited only 12 minutes into the second half to put his name on the score sheet, converting a penalty which was won by Samuel Kalu to put the Super Eagles three goals to the good.

Seychelles had only one real chance to pull a goal back, with a long punt catching the Nigerian defence square and allowing Perry Monnaie to run onto the ball, but he sent his effort wide of the target in the 63rd minute.

The teams will return to AFCON qualifying action in a month’s time, with Nigeria at home to Libya and the Seychelles away to South Africa.

Spain beats England to earn Nations League win


England's Nations League campaign opened with defeat as they were beaten by Spain in their first match since the World Cup.

Marcus Rashford gave England the perfect start with an 11th-minute strike from Luke Shaw's pass but Spain responded with an almost instant equaliser thanks to Saul Niguez's low finish.

Rodrigo Moreno then took advantage of poor marking at a free-kick to score the winner from close range after 32 minutes.

England suffered a blow just after half-time when Shaw was taken off on a stretcher with a head injury following an accidental collision with Dani Carvajal but they rallied late on and could have earned a draw.

David de Gea, who saved brilliantly from Rashford's header in the first half, denied his Manchester United colleague once more and England were furious Dutch referee Danny Makkelie ruled out an injury-time finish from substitute Danny Welbeck after Spain's keeper tumbled under pressure from the striker.

England were left to ponder their first competitive defeat at Wembley since they lost a Euro 2008 qualifier to Croatia in November 2007, a run stretching back 24 games - and also Gareth Southgate's first home defeat as manager.

Osaka wins US Open as Serena rages


Naomi Osaka won the US Open after an angry Serena Williams accused the umpire of being a "thief" in some of the most dramatic scenes at a Grand Slam final.

Williams was given a game penalty for her outburst, which followed racquet smashing and another code violation as Osaka won 6-2 6-4 in New York.
Osaka, 20, kept her focus to become the first Japanese to win a Grand Slam.

Williams refused to shake hands with umpire Carlos Ramos after the match.

The American, 36, graciously congratulated Osaka at the net after the 20th seed completed an extraordinary victory and, although Williams' behaviour will grab the attention, nothing should detract from a classy and composed display from Osaka at Flushing Meadows.

Farah wins Great North Run for record fifth time


Mo Farah won a record fifth Great North Run in a course record of 59 minutes and 26 seconds on Sunday in Newcastle.

It was also Farah's fifth win in a row in the race, with New Zealand's Jake Robertson 31 seconds back in second.

London Marathon champion Vivian Cheruiyot from Kenya won the women's race for a second time in three years.

David Weir set a new course record to win the men's wheelchair race for the seventh time, with Martyna Snopek taking the women's race.

Farah narrowly missed out on his half marathon personal best, finishing four seconds outside it after fading inside the final 200m, having pulled clear of Robertson with about two miles to go.

Robertson, who finished a close second to Farah last year, clocked 59:57, with Belgium's Bashir Abdi third in 60:43.

from Bola Esho's Blog

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