Author: Brila

Former Super Eagles forward Julius Efosa Aghahowa has slammed Gernot Rohr for his poor tactical approach in Nigeria’s 2-0 defeat to Croatia in their opening game at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Speaking on Brila FM’s World Cup studio, the former Wigan striker said the Coach’s approach to the game was very poor. “It is sad because I know we can do better than this. Of course, there is still hope but we have to do it the hard way now. “These (Croatians) are world class players who know how to win by exploiting little details.” Aghahowa also slammed Rohr…

Croatia opened their 2018 World Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Super Eagles at the Kaliningrad Stadium this evening to send Zlatko Dalic’s men to the top of Group D. An own goal from Stoke City midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo gave Croatia a half-time lead on the Night before Luka Modric secured all three points with a second-half penalty to cap off an efficient performance against a lackluster Super Eagles. Nigeria were slightly improved in the second period and it took some clever defending from Perisic to thwart a header from Leon Balogun, who had arrived late at the front post to meet a Victor Moses corner. Croatia showed…

Cristiano Ronaldo has emphatically won the first round of his World Cup duel with eternal rival Lionel Messi — reveling in the adulation after his dramatic hat-trick while the Argentine flopped against Iceland. Messi knew he had to find something special to match the Portuguese on Saturday but ended up squandering a golden chance to write his own headlines as he failed to convert from the penalty spot. Then, with just seconds remaining in Moscow, the Barcelona man stood over a direct free-kick, mirroring the opportunity Ronaldo had the previous evening against Spain. Ronaldo puffed out his cheeks, hitched up…

Iceland earned a famous point from their debut game in the 2018 World Cup in Russia as they held Argentina to a 1-1 draw in Group D at the Otkritie Arena in Moscow this afternoon. Lionel Messi missed a second-half penalty as Argentina were held by Iceland in their World Cup Group D opener in a memorable fashion. Scoring their First World Cup goal, earning first World Cup point against the Jorge Sampaoli-led Argentina side. Lionel Messi saw his spot-kick saved by Hannes Thor Halldorsson as a battling Iceland side held on for the draw. Sergio Aguero gave Argentina the lead with his first ever World Cup in…

Ahead of the Super Eagles’ World Cup opener against Croatia later today, the NFF President has promised through their sponsor, to give $50,000 for every goal scored. The Eagles have gotten the best preparation of any Nigerian team to ever grace the World Cup and will be fully motivated from all angles with the latest announcement by the NFF Boss Amaju Pinnick. “We know how important it is for us to win the match against Croatia. I have spoken to the team and they have assured us of total concentration ahead of the game. So we decided with our sponsors that…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria possible starting XI for their Group D game against Croatia at the Kaliningrad stadium later today has been released. Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr is sticking with the 4-3-3 formation, and has kept faith with 19-year-old goalkeeper Francis Uzoho ahead of Chippa United’s Daniel Akpeyi and Enyimba’s Ikechukwu Ezenwa. On-Loan Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo also gets the nod ahead of new Brighton’s new signing Leon Balogun and partners Bursaspors’ William Troost-Ekong in central defense. There are no other surprises in the team. Starting XI: Francis Uzoho, Shehu Abdullahi, William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Brian Idowu, Etebo Oghenekaro,…

Hours before Nigeria open their campaign in the FIFA 2018 World Cup, Ahmed Musa has sent a farewell message to CSKA Moscow following the official completion of his six-month loan deal from Leicester City.

Brazilian referee, Sandro Ricci, will alongside two compatriots and two Spaniards, handle Nigeria’s opening Group D game against Croatia at Kaliningrad on Saturday in World Cup in Russia. Ricci will have Emerson de Carvalho as his First Assistant Referee (AR1) and Marcelo van Gasse as Second Assistant Referee (AR2), both Brazilians. Antonio Mateu and Pao Cebrian, both Spaniards, will be the Fourth Official and Reserve Assistant Referee (RAR), respectively. Nigeria vs Croatia match is one of four matches slated for Saturday at the World Cup which got underway on Thursday, with Argentina facing Croatia in the other Group D match.…

Croatia Coach Zlatko Dalic is confident he has the perfect mix of youth and experience as his team gear up for their World Cup Group D opener against Nigeria on Saturday. Croatia have failed to advance past the group stage since their debut as an independent country at the 1998 World Cup in France, where they finished third. Although drawn in a tough group in Russia with Argentina, Nigeria, and Iceland, they believe they have what it takes to make the knockout rounds. Labeled as the best Croatian squad since the 1998 group, they will once again need to deal…

Cristiano Ronaldo’s late free-kick has earned Portugal a point in their opening 2018 World Cup fixture, as the European champions played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain. Ronaldo had already netted two first-half goals to put his side ahead, only for Diego Costa to score either side and Nacho – at fault for the Selecao’s opener – to complete the stunning turnaround. On his 36th outing at a major international tournament, however, Ronaldo sent a free kick up and over the wall to beat David de Gea for a third time, meaning the spoiled were shared at the Fisht Olympic Stadium. Prior to that late twist, Spain through…