Author: Brila

Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa will be heading back home from Russia with Lionel Messi’s Matchday shirt, after failing to taste any World Cup action. Ezenwa received Lionel Messi’s shirt after the Eagles painful loss to the South Americans in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday Night. Messi scored a stunning goal against Nigeria to break the deadlock – and open his account for the tournament – before Marcos Rojo bagged a late winner to book their spot in the last-16 of the World Cup. At the full-time whistle, there was a complete contrast of emotions. As the Argentina stars celebrated…

Coach Hector Cuper has left his role as Egypt Manager after they were knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage without picking a single point. Cuper led Egypt their first World Cup finals for 28 years, finished bottom of Group A and failed to pick up a point. A 1-0 defeat by Uruguay was followed by 3-1 loss to Russia and ended with Monday’s 2-1 defeat by Saudi Arabia. The 62-year-old Cuper’s contract with the Egyptian Football Association has ended and it is reported that he will not be getting a contract renewal.

Super Eagles forward Odion Ighalo has tendered his sincere apology to Nigerians over his missed chances cost Nigeria a massive defeat against Argentina on Tuesday Night. In a chat with www.brila.net after the encounter in Saint Petersburg, Ighalo said he is indeed sorry for the missed chances even though it was a teamwork. Ighalo missed a one-on-one seven minutes from time, with Armani keeping out the shot down low, and Etebo then sent a free-kick into the side-netting as the South Americans were left badly exposed at the back. “Playing in the World Cup is the dream of…

Former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze has insisted that Marcos Rojo’s handball in the Argentina box during the Group D’s World Cup final match is a clear penalty. Rojo headed the ball onto his own hand in the box after a Super Eagles cross from the left flank before Odion Ighalo shot wide. Referee Cuneyt Cakir consulted the VAR and deemed the incident unworthy of a penalty, and 10 minutes later, Rojo struck a late winner for the Albiceleste to put them second in Group D at Nigeria’s expense. “It was a clear penalty for me,” Udeze who was in the Stadium spoke to Nigerians via…

Le Abiceleste of Argentina Skipper Lionel Messi has admitted they suffered a great deal against Nigeria before they could go into the knockout stage. Messi opened scoring for the South Americans after 14 minutes with a superb goal and he was named Man of the Match. “We suffered a lot, we did not expect to suffer this much and so it was a huge relief when we scored the winner,” he said. “It was a difficult match, but fortunately we went through.” Coach Jorge Sampaoli praised the courage of his team. “The players were really…

Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr has shifted focus to winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after leading the Eagles to an early exit at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Nigeria’s elimination is the third group stage elimination from the global football showpiece since they made their debut in 1994, where they reached the knock-out stages. And although the 64-year-old Rohr admitted that his side put in their best in the tourney, he has expressed his displeasure for their failure to move to the next round of the competition. After admitting a lack of experience, the…

Lionel Messi said on Tuesday he had not expected to suffer so much against Nigeria, but that he and his Argentina teammates were always confident about winning the crucial World Cup clash. The Barcelona forward opened the scoring with a fine goal in the dramatic 2-1 win over Nigeria that sent the South Americans through to the knockout stages behind Croatia in Group D. “We already knew we were going to win, we were confident that God would help us, that all would turn out well. But we did not expect the complication of the draw, of suffering so much,”…

Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel said the young Eagles side did every possible thing to progress ahead of Argentina into the last season on Tuesday Night in Saint Petersburg. Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi opened the scoring, shooting past Francis Uzoho in the 15th minute after a pass from Banega. Victor Moses restored parity from the spot in the 49th Minute before Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo volleyed home the winner with four minutes remaining. “We wanted to go through, we did all we can, we conceded two goals. We did everything we could,” Mikel told reporters after the game…

GOALS from Captain Lionel Messi and defender Marcos Rojo saw Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1 and progress to the last-16 in the process. Either side of those goals, a Victor Moses penalty had given the Super Eagles some hope. Argentina’s win coupled with Iceland’s 2-1 loss to Croatia ensured Jorge Sampaoli’s side progressed to the last-16. Argentina will now face France in the round of 16.

Marcos Rojo emerged as the shock saviour as his stunning late volley sent Argentina through to World Cup 2018’s round of 16 at Nigeria’s expense thanks to a 2-1 win. La Albiceleste’s tortured spell in Russia saw them come into the Group D-showdown at Saint Petersburg Stadium needing victory to stand any hope of avoiding just a second-ever group-stage elimination. Lionel Messi’s stupendous control of Ever Banega’s superb chipped pass and expert finish into the top corner in the 14th minute appeared to offer salvation. But the Super Eagles started the stronger in the second half and drew level on…