International Football
SUPER EAGLES ARE WEAKEST TEAM IN GROUP D, SAYS AGUERO
BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA.
Manchester City and Argentina’s striker, Sergio Aguero has dismissed the Super Eagles as the least headache Argentina will face in Group D when the Russia 2018 begins next year.
Sports Village Square gathered from an Argentine publication, Dobleamarilla, that while Aguero has some respects for Croatia and still wondering on what to expect from Iceland, he easily dismissed Nigeria as a team not to be worried about, despite last month’s 4-2 defeat of his team.
He saw Nigeria’s victory as accidental and was also aided by his absence in the second half of the match which he spent in the hospital after losing consciousness in the dressing room.
He told the publication that he only asked about what happened after he regained consciousness. He believed the Argentina side lost because they were thinking about him in the hospital.
“That happens sometimes, because it was because they thought of me, they were scared, I do not know, “said Aguero. On Croatia, Aguero said: “Croatia has a great midfield. They have Modric, Rakitic, you have Perisic who plays outside and he’s very fast, Croatia is a bit more complete.”
Continuing, Aguero remarked on the third Group D opponents: “Iceland is one of the debutants, they do not play badly, they are a very organized team and they have (Gylfi) Sigurðsson, who is the one who drives. We play them first; they are therefore the most important game. They will not be easy”.
On the overall Russia 2018 World Cup, Aguero said it was good that Argentina is not being tipped as one of the top favourites.
He believed that the pendulum was swing in the directions of France, Germany and Brazil. “It’s good that they do not take us as candidates,” he said.
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
-
Nigerian Football1 week ago
I prefer a foreign coach for the Super Eagles, says Amaju
-
Olympics5 days ago
Brazilian women train in Zidane’s birthplace ahead of Nigeria Super Falcons clash
-
Premier League1 week ago
Nigerian-born Man United’s new striker promises creativity and unpredictability to fans
-
Nigerian Football1 week ago
Osimhen’s outburst was a moment of madness, says Amaju
-
Olympics6 days ago
Teams plan for lack of toilets on Paris opening ceremony barges
-
Olympics9 hours ago
This is my story: Odegbami on how he is stranded in London
-
OBITUARY1 day ago
BREAKING! Former Heartland FC owner, Iwuanyanwu, dies at 81
-
Olympics4 days ago
Super Falcons’ opponent, Brazil’s Marta and 3 Africans listed among 10 footballers to watch at Paris 2024