BEB Weekend Sports: News!

Ighalo scores as Nigeria defeat Burundi


Nigeria edged past tournament debutants Burundi at the Africa Cup of Nations.


Second half substitute Odion Ighalo scored the only goal after 77 minutes in Alexandria with a curled finish past Burundi goalkeeper Jonathan Nahimana.

Burundi - the lowest-ranked side at the tournament - had struck the crossbar in the first half through defender Frederic Nsabiyumva's looping header.

Guinea face Madagascar in the other Group B match later on Saturday.

FC Midtjylland striker Paul Onuachu had Nigeria's first real chance on goal after 12 minutes as his header forced Burundi goalkeeper Jonathan Nahimana in to action.

Burundi, 134th in the world standings, remained unfazed and Cedric Amissi's close-range shot required a good save from Nigeria's Daniel Akpeyi.

Arsenal's Alex Iwobi and Villarreal 20-year-old Samuel Chukwueze offered the Super Eagles' main attacking threat, but Gernot Rohr's side were frustrated by a resolute and organised Burundi side - captained by Stoke City striker Saido Berahino - until Ighalo's introduction.

The Shanghai Greenland Shenhua striker, formerly of Watford, produced a quality finish just four minutes after entering the field, following Ola Aina's delightful back-heeled pass.

Nigeria were without striker Samuel Kalu, who had been taken to hospital after suffering from "severe dehydration" in training on Friday - a day after players' union Fifpro had called for the tournament organisers to increase their planned number of heat breaks from two to four per match.

The Super Eagles now face Guinea on Wednesday , while Burundi take on fellow debutants Madagascar on Thursday.

De Ligt decides to join Juve


Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt has opted to join Juventus this summer, according to Sky in Italy.

Juventus have moved ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona in negotiations for the 19-year-old, but are still to agree personal terms with De Ligt's agent, Mino Raiola.

Raiola is demanding a fee of at least £10.7m and a get-out clause which would vary at the end of every season, but would not drop below £134m.

Should the Netherlands international seal a move, it would make him the second-highest-paid player at Juventus, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo.

It is understood the transfer will cost the Italian side in the region of £62m.

Matthijs de Ligt said Cristiano Ronaldo spoke to him about a potential move to Juventus during the Nations League final.

De Ligt is one of Europe's most sought-after players after captaining Ajax to the Dutch league and cup double as well as the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.

According to Sky in Italy, the centre-back has made the decision to join Serie A champions Juventus, turning down Manchester United, Barcelona and PSG.

De Ligt would become Maurizio Sarri's first signing as Juventus manager after he left Chelsea to return to his native Italy.

Federer goes for 10th Halle title


Roger Federer will play David Goffin in the Halle Open final as he bids for a 10th title at the tournament.

The Swiss, 37, beat Andy Murray's Wimbledon doubles partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3 6-3 in the semi-final.

Belgian world number 33 Goffin, 28, reached his first ATP tour final since 2017 with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 win against rising Italian star Matteo Berrettini.
"It is very special," said eight-time Wimbledon champion Federer, who is the top seed at Halle.
"I am glad I got another chance this year, because I really didn't know if I would ever play another Halle final."
It has not been a straightforward run on grass in Germany for the 20-time Grand Slam champion so far, who dropped a set against both Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Roberto Bautista Agut in earlier rounds.

Goffin knocked out world number five and home favourite Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals on Thursday, but has lost seven of his last eight meetings with Federer.

Ruiz Jr. says Joshua lacks boxing skills and vows to win again


Unified world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr has claimed Anthony Joshua is "not good at boxing" and vowed to land another victory when they fight again.

Ruiz, 29, stunned Joshua to win the IBF, WBA and WBO titles on 1 June and is under contract to take a rematch.

The rematch has been mooted for later this year, with a return to New York's Madison Square Garden a possibility.
"The rematch is going to be the same. I am going to be more prepared and more ready," Ruiz said. 
"I know his flaws. I can do a lot better. The only thing that he can do is just run around, he's not good at boxing."
Ruiz was born in California but fights under a Mexican flag by virtue of his parents' nationality, and consequently became Mexico's first-ever world heavyweight champion.

On Saturday he returned to Imperial, California, and - flanked by a Mexican Mariachi band - was paraded through the area where he grew up in the back of a convertible car.

It capped a "rollercoaster" three weeks since he floored Joshua four times to inflict a seventh-round stoppage and a first career defeat on a man who was a 1-25 favourite with bookmakers.

Ruiz was a late replacement to face the Briton, and since the win has appeared on high-profile US talk shows, shown off his titles in Mexico City and seen his Instagram following rocket from 60,000 to 960,000.

from Bola Esho's Blog

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