Tosin Abayomi

Can you name the winners of the FIFA World Cup?

Following their weekend win against Espanyol, Madrid were hoping to consolidate their spot at the top of La Liga with a victory at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuain.

Rivals <a href="https://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/football/barcelona-lose-2-1-to-leganes-in-la-liga-id8906891.html" id="ab6503f0-d457-580b-86ad-d19ac6ea5348">Barcelona</a> just before the Real Madrid game and victory would have put the reigning European champions on top of the league.

Sevilla however were not to be pushovers as they scored six against Levante in their last fixture.

Jesus Navas and his teammates started at a high tempo with transition into counter attack to find Portuguese striker Andre Silva who scored two goals in quick succession.

Wissam Ben Yedder scored the third goal of the encounter when he latched on to a rebound just before the half time break.

Speaking after the game <a href="https://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/world-cup-2018/spain-sack-lopetegui-hierro-in-charge-for-2018-fifa-world-cup-id8492774.html" id="057dd7c7-95f1-549b-92c5-39c043333b57">Real Madrid coach </a> was not impressed with the showing in the first half but urge his players to bounce back in their nest league game against title and derby rivals Atletico Madrid.

said, "We had a bad first half, Especially a bad start, when they scored two goals and set the tone for the game.

"We have to pick ourselves up, we have another important game in three days so we congratulate Sevilla and recognise we have not played how we wanted."

Real Madrid resume action in La Liga at home against city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday, September 29.

Real Madrid could not capitalise on Barcelona slipping up as they were shocked to at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Real Madrid suffer 3-0 defeat away to Sevilla

After their victories of Seychelles and Liberia in an international friendly the Super Eagles will return to action against Libya in October.

The game against Libya in the AFCON qualifiers will be a double header which will go a long way to determine the teams that progress from the group.

The Super Eagles are currently third in group E of the qualification series behind Libya and South Africa who have four points each.

<a href="https://sja.sportradar.com/w/Pulse/4785-48238/023100" id="a0255990-e04a-517b-bbfc-394f4ffe4c5c">Nigeria stats</a>

The NFF have however decided that Ahmadu Bello stadium is the most suitable for the must win game against Libya after the team spent majority of its 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

According to a report by Complete Sports, the venue for the game against Libya has been decided <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/rohr-inspects-ahmadu-bello-stadium-in-kaduna-for-libya-clash-id8761330.html" id="c00c4ebf-772d-5c66-a057-5e4aab8cc393">after Rohr inspected the facilities earlier in August</a> and the areas lacking in the stadium will be fixed before the encounter.

The report says, “I want to inform you that there is no issue about the venue for our match against Libya because we have decided to play at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna. Coach Rohr is satisfied with the facilities he inspected and he did not reject it as reported.

“We have informed CAF that the venue of the match with Libya will be Kaduna and we are not going back on that."

The report also confirm that any major flaw observed during inspection will be corrected before the game.

“What ever flaws observed during the inspection of the stadium will be put in place before the end of the month.”

The Super Eagles take on Libya in the first leg, before <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/super-eagles-of-nigeria-to-face-libya-in-algeria-2019-afcon-id8839559.html" id="727a4ee2-429e-5778-8157-d0c7b436e5da">they travel to Algeria to face Libya in the second leg also scheduled for October</a>.

The all important AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and Libya will be played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna.

NFF confirm Kaduna to host next AFCON qualifier against Libya

The <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/liberia-1-vs-2-nigeria-super-eagles-win-friendly-id8842208.html" id="660046de-e857-5ac3-84d6-27bd7f77f475">Super Eagles laboured to a 2-1 win over Liberia</a>at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex on Tuesday, September 11.

<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/henry-onyekuru-happy-with-first-goal-in-liberia-1-vs-nigeria-2-id8842244.html" id="4f56463b-f4ed-5034-aa0f-a029dd693935">Goals from </a> and Simy Nwankwo in the first half were enough to give the Super Eagles victory despite a late goal by Liberia.

Ogu who did not feature in a single game at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and also the 3-0 win over Seychelles in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

The 29-year-old was a surprise choice by Rohr as captain for the encounter but given the amount of time and experience he has with the national team, he was the obvious choice.

Ogu played as a member of the three-man defense and also mixed up with defensive midfield during the encounter as Nigeria came out with a win their second after the World Cup.

The midfielder took to his official Instagram account to reveal his happiness about captaining Nigeria to victory which he described as a dream come true to meet the President of Liberia who was the opposing captain and also hailed the talent of his teammates.

He said, “Don’t wake me up from this dream. Captain the Super Eagles of Nigeria with such Wonderful talents in a game against Liberia with the President of Liberia on the pitch and the only African player to win the Ballon d or.I will never forget this day in my life .. i feel blessed.”

<a href="internal:/article/8842975" id="3333e941-34c6-5c29-8d2d-5a7bc7cbdddf">[No available link text]</a>

Ogu will return to action for Hapoel Beer Sheva FC in an Israel Premier League encounter against FC Ashdod on Saturday, September 15

The midfielder is expected to be part of the Rohr squad for the <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/super-eagles-of-nigeria-to-face-libya-in-algeria-2019-afcon-id8839559.html" id="71405db1-e78f-5652-97a4-2617d0a0d543">next AFCON qualifiers doubleheader against Libya in October</a>.

In the absence of Mikel Obi and Ahmed Musa, Gernot Rohr gave John Ogu the chance to Captain Nigeria.

'Don't wake me up from this dream' Ogu says after captaining Super Eagles in friendly game

The NFF administration hinted that the Super Eagles of <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/super-eagles-to-play-saudi-arabia-friendly-after-seychelles-id8767022.html" id="4b982ed9-9b54-5a22-8594-686a390c9a3e">Nigeria may play an international friendly game with Asian powerhouse Saudi Arabia</a>after their all-important 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Seychelles.

The Amaju Pinnick led NFF were however unable to get the negotiation process over the line according to AllNigeriasoccer.

According to several reports the NFF have however made arrangements for the Super Eagles to partake in a friendly before the players depart to their various clubs.

Following the conclusion of the AFCON game against Seychelles, the Super Eagles will take a flight directly to Liberia where they will face their host in Monrovia on Tuesday, September 11.

<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/super-eagles-boss-reveals-squad-seychelles-vs-nigeria-id8765664.html" id="171304b8-92e4-5dc6-ba4f-3101538888da">The players invited for the Seychelles games</a> will participate in the encounter against Liberia.

The Liberians however also have an AFCON qualifier at home to DR Congo on Sunday, September 9.

They lost their first game of the qualification series to table topper Zimbabwe and need points to keep their hopes of progressing alive.

The Super Eagles have come up against Liberia on 13 occasions with two defeats, three draws and eight victories.

The squad called up of the qualifiers against DR Congo will also be used for the game against Nigeria.

Nigeria will face Liberia in a friendly as the initial proposed encounter with Saudi Arabia could not be agreed on.

NFF cancel Saudi Arabia friendly, set up Liberia as replacement

<h1>European football governing body have officially revealed the official match ball for the new tournament called the</h1>

The new ball is designed by international sportswear makers Adidas and draws a comparison with the Telstar 2018 which was used for <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/world-cup-2018-russia-5-things-to-know-about-fifa-world-cup-id8494517.html" id="6dd58609-ba99-5a2b-82ab-962021077e90">the </a>.

The tournament which brings together the finest football nations in Europe get a face lifting ball with a splash of several colours used in the design.

Asides the UEFA Nations League colours replicated extensively on the match ball, Adidas also added the official logo of the tournament to the ball.

According to several reports the ball won’t come cheap, football supporters interested will have to dole out a substantial sum of up to €150 or £135 to purchase the ball.

The 55 nations under the European football association are divided across four leagues which were due to their coefficient rankings.

The teams will play across each other in a round robin format in September, October, and November.

<a href="internal:/article/8819075" id="24b63140-a264-58cf-b9b4-7ed97b3727ee">[No available link text]</a>

The finals are slated for 2019, and teams will progress or be relegated from their various groups and division according to their overall points and performance.

The competition also serves as a qualification step for teams that will participate at Euro 2020.

The competition officially kicks off on Thursday, September 6 when <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/france-world-cup-winning-stars-honoured-with-two-stars-id8810120.html" id="08974f27-c0b0-57d3-a704-24c503c9dec4">reigning World Champions France</a> take on Germany.

All is set for the UEFA Nations League after the unveiling of the match ball.

Check out photos of the official match ball for Europe’s new tournament

The 29-year-old has been rumoured to have broken up with Mayte as they both removed their couple pictures from each others official Instagram account.

Sanchez has, however, come out to clear doubts that his relationship with Mayte is over in an emotional post.

<a href="https://sja.sportradar.com/w/Pulse/34120-54571-35/030100" id="52748760-73fe-50bd-8661-08e5bedce3c7">Alexis Sanchez</a>

In the post, Sanchez Instagram reveals that he and Mayte took the decision not to be together and follow their  'on their own paths'

The message on his Instagram said, “I wish you the best of the world it was beautiful to have met you and to share nice moments with you, but we decided that each one should follow their own path, to seek our dreams.

“I do not usually do this but I ask respect from all those who speak without knowing to do harm because behind everything there is family and children... respect.”

<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/alexis-sanchez-consoles-girlfriend-after-her-aunt-is-murdered-id8087911.html" id="fedf9f21-bd3b-5b1c-89d0-6d990a5c34b7">Sanchez who consoled Mayte after her aunt is murdered</a> also responded to criticism suggesting the pair ended their relationship on a bad note.

<a href="https://sja.sportradar.com/w/Pulse/35-54571/023100" id="54976c19-2048-5d82-a71a-c03c17ba9fee">Manchester United</a>

Sanchez said, “Is it necessary to hurt a couple, family, friends etc … with so many lies?

“I wish you happy and that there is not so much evil in your hearts. KARMA do not bother my partner RESPECT.”

Sanchez is expected to return to action when Manchester United travel to face table-topping Watford FC in their next Premier League fixture on Saturday, September 15.

Alexis Sanchez took to his official Instagram account to officially confirm the end of his relationship with Mayte Rodriguez.

Manchester United star breaks up with girlfriend on Instagram

Here are 5 things to know about Semi Ajayi

<a href="" id="cb33247c-a114-517f-a712-4f712c9adb13">Oluwasemilogo Adesewo Ibidapo Ajayi</a> was born in Crayford, London, England on November 9, 1993, which makes him24-years-old.

Semi had his youth development at Charlton Athletic and was loaned out in 2012 to Dartford to get more experience after his progression to the first team.

After a season at Dartford, he was snapped up by Arsene Wenger at Arsenal in 2013 where he was integrated to the youth team.

He was loaned out to Welsh side Cardiff City in 2015 and The Bluebirds decided to exercise the option to make the deal permanent.

Semi was loaned out to AFC Wimbledon, Crewe Alexandra and later to Rotherham United who decided to give him a permanent deal in 2017.

Unlike some Semi was born and raised in England and is set to make his debut appearance for the Super Eagles.

Semi previously wore the green and white of Nigeria but at youth level when he represented <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/flying-eagles-beat-mauritania-5-0-qualify-for-niger-2019-afcon-id8641954.html" id="530f2f38-5d6b-5ae3-a177-1e3bce9b50a9">the country’s U-20 team </a> at the 2013 Toulon Tournament but was not included in the squad to the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Since then he has not been invited for any age grade competition to represent the senior team

Semi is a central defender who stands at 6ft and 4Inches, he is imposing and dominant in the air to his physique and is comfortably bringing the ball out of the back like most central defenders do nowadays.

He faces stiff competition from <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/super-eagles-defender-william-troost-ekong-unveiled-at-udinese-id8764180.html" id="d248ac4c-d327-50ca-ac6e-97797fa8ea60">Udinese</a> and well as Brighton &amp; Hove Albion defender Leon Balogun.

Another thing Semi brings to the Super Eagles is the constant threat from set pieces as he has contributed eight goals in a total of 87 appearances at club level.

<a href="internal:/article/8817365" id="1faf993c-2201-5f16-aea7-fb8878eb270a">[No available link text]</a>

Still 24-year-old he has a lot to learn and is still playing in the second division of football in England but will hope his consistent playing time will give him an edge to be a key player for the Super Eagles in the future.

<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/semi-ajayi-midfield-role-vs-millwall-impresses-rotherdam-boss-id8781056.html" id="4570b0a6-74d2-5887-b702-a9bee3ce3d8a">Semi was recently hailed by Rotherdam boss </a> for a league game against Millwall.

5.   Semi’s personal life and awards

Semi has been on the constant move around several clubs in the United Kingdom and his most prized achievement will be getting to the EFL League One play-offs with his current club side

Like fellow newcomers <a href="" id="d8380ecb-b130-53e6-b252-f4b9ce7b2b2c">Samuel Kalu</a> and <a href="" id="7e0102de-6c87-5bef-a662-8b43529db0b6">Jamilu Collins</a>, he has no international accolades and is not married.

Here are the things to know about the youngster who is set to make his debut for the Super Eagles.

5 things to know about new Super Eagles defender

The new kit in partnership with International sportswear giants Nike comes after the release of their first two strips for the season.

Their third kit which is an alternate outfit for <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/chelsea-star-victor-moses-models-new-home-jersey-by-nike-id8364713.html" id="f64fa923-01ed-5976-87ed-0c13a076d964">their traditional blue strip</a> comes with a different shade of the colour.

According to the Nike website, the new attire contains the NikeConnect logo on the shirt which is a first in football.

The new NikeConnect logo on the jersey is to give fans access to the range of Nike products, which was unavailable <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/chelsea-hazard-launches-new-away-kit-despite-uncertain-future-id8640746.html" id="7b037394-7e79-5d1b-833c-e2586f7b15c6">on the club’s yellow second strip</a>.

The statement read, “By scanning a NikeConnect logo on the shirt label through the Nike app, fans are able to access product, customized content and exclusive experiences.

“They can also participate in the development of a special Chelsea FC Shirtholder’s Edition Fan Jersey.  “This co-creation experience includes collaborating with Nike designers during the course of a multi-stage, authentic design process, resulting in a Fan Jersey available to Shirtholders.”

<a href="https://sja.sportradar.com/w/Pulse/38-54571/023100" id="4d5961a3-1ac6-5a0a-a11a-62a56261f552">Chelsea</a>

The statement on the Nike website also reveals that the print on the third strip is an aerial depiction of the clubs stadium.

"The Blues’ historic home is honored within the print, creating a link to London even when the team is playing away. Matched with teal blue shorts and crimson socks.

“The dynamic textural print on the shirt’s center appears at first glance to be a contemporary pattern, but upon closer inspection transforms into an aerial depiction of Stamford Bridge and its surrounding area.

“The jersey’s design is just as progressive and innovative. Inspired by the heart of London, the DNA of the capital’s leading club is threaded throughout the jersey.

“The dynamic textural print on the shirt’s center appears at first glance to be a contemporary pattern, but upon closer inspection transforms into an aerial depiction of Stamford Bridge and its surrounding area, the statement read.

The new third strip is will most be used for the clubs away campaign <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/chelsea-arsenal-draw-minnows-in-2018-19-europa-league-id8794957.html" id="8de5518b-8df4-56f1-b800-58bd2d4e1516">in the </a>.

The new Chelsea third strip comes with a new technology for the clubs fans.

Chelsea unveil 3rd strip with NikeConnect technology

Ghana world cup 2018

Star players such as Paul Pogba, Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and a host of other players arrived to a royalty treatment for national duty for the first time after <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/world-cup-2018-russia-5-things-to-know-about-fifa-world-cup-id8494517.html" id="6dd58609-ba99-5a2b-82ab-962021077e90">the </a>.

<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/world-cup-2018-paul-pogba-tells-england-its-not-coming-home-id8620479.html" id="1e92c15f-645d-57ae-9f23-89bd0aec4d47">The French are World Champions following their triumph over Croatia</a> at the Luzhniki Stadium in the final of the World Cup hosted by Russia.

The Champions posed for pictures as they regrouped for the first time after their World Cup victory.

Benjamin Mendy, Kylian Mbappe, and Blaise Matuidi among the stars who were dressed to appeal on the blue floor before they posed for pictures with a giant trophy at their base.

France take on Germany away and the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League fixtures as they switch their attention to European domination after they fell short in the final of Euro 2016.

Didier Deschamps who led the victorious French team to another lead triumph made little changes to team list for the encounters, the only replacement made due to injury.

Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda’s injury meant he is replaced in the squad by Benoit Costil.

The two stars signify the country’s world triumph in 1998 and 2018 which Deschamps was a part of both successes.

The French stars were well received for their exploits at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

World Cup-winning stars honoured with two stars on return to Clairefontaine

<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/alisson-becker-5-things-know-about-liverpools-new-goalkeeper-id8636706.html" id="50a45560-2be1-52fc-b9a9-0b29989c8d97">Alisson was brought in by </a> as a reinforcement in the summer transfer window for Loris Karius who had a howler in their 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final.

<a href="https://sja.sportradar.com/w/Pulse/243609-54571-44/033100" id="7bd7982a-7920-51ef-847f-9f6327cdad55">Alisson Becker stats</a>

The 25 -year-old shotstopper kept three clean sheets in his opening games against West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Brighton &amp;Hove Albion.

Alisson however had his reputation soiled in his fourth game with Liverpool two goals ahead an attempt to be fancy on the ball resulted in a steal for <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/kelechi-iheanacho-scores-in-leicester-city-4-fleetwood-town-0-id8782119.html" id="d367388f-e90c-53d8-966a-33cfa4929cd8">Leicester City striker </a> to square the ball to teammate Rachid Ghezzal for the first goal conceded by Liverpool in the Premier League this season.

Twitter users did not spare the new Liverpool goalkeeper whom they had harsh words for following his performance.

<a href="https://sja.sportradar.com/w/Pulse/44-54571/023100" id="d0f306b4-68a0-56f1-a237-5b85a50e76ac">Liverpool stats</a>

Reactions to Alisson Becker's mistake

Some Twitter users compared the Brazilian shotsopper to his predecessor Karius who moved to Besiktas.

"That’s what £60m+ gets you. What are you doing Alisson."

<a href="internal:/article/8798808" id="12f02840-a055-5553-bfa8-ed919a66af69">[No available link text]</a>

"Difference is if Karius does what Alisson does and he will be ruined for weeks. Alisson didn’t look shook."

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"Alisson tried to dribble an Igbo man?"

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"Alisson ruining his own confidence,spoiling his cleansheet and harming the teams momentum ,so annoying ffs"

"Mignolet and Karius watching Allison’s error."

Liverpool fans reacts to Alisson mistake

Alisson had the backing of Liverpool supporters following his mistake against Leicester City.

The second most expensive keeper in football was cautioned a s his error did not cost the Anfield side any points, but they reiterated that no more mistakes will be tolerated.

A fan said, "And if is going to get done in such horrific, a-little-bit-funny style trying to escape danger with his feet I’d rather it happened early and in a game where ultimately it didn’t matter. Next time just boot it out you beautiful beardy bastard."

"Alisson’s saved us points already but cost us none, he’ll learn to be slightly less risky but his confidence has helped us massively. He won’t be affected at all by that error!"

Alisson will go an international break with Brazil and will hope to have a better outing with Liverpool went they return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, September 15.

Alisson Becker was not spared on Twitter for the role he played as Liverpool conceded for the first time this season.

Twitter mocks Liverpool’s new goalkeeper for horror against Leicester City

The London based sides were paired with minnows in Europe with Arsenal getting a tricky tie to face Sporting Lisbon.

The group stage awards were held in Monaco <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/antoine-griezmann-wins-uefa-europa-league-player-of-the-season-id8794725.html" id="ad30e456-7b08-5039-ac64-06258e462d95">and also crowned </a>following his efforts to help Atletico Madrid to the title.

<a href="https://sja.sportradar.com/w/Pulse/38-54571/023100" id="70ba0418-2c77-513b-93ac-ac5f54811fea">Chelsea </a>

The defending champions however will not take part in this season's edition but the competition which is known to cause upsets provided an intriguing group phase.

The 48 teams were divided into 12 groups with the top two from each group progressing to the round of 32 knock out stage.

2018/19 Europa League draw in full

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Group A - Bayer Leverkusen, Ludogorets, FC Zurich, AEK Larnaca

Group B - Red Bull Salzburg, Celtic, RB Leipzig, Rosenborg

Group C - Zenit St Petersburg, FC Copenhagen, Bordeaux, Slavia Prague

Group D - Anderlecht, Fenerbache, Dinamo Zagreb, Spartak Tranava

Group E - Arsenal, Sporting Lisbon, Qarabag, FC Vorskla

Group F - Olympiakos, AC Milan, Real Betis, Dudelange

Group G - Villarreal, Rapid Vienna, Spartak Moscow, Rangers

Group H - Lazio, Marseille, Frankfurt, Apollon Limassol

Group I - Besiktas, Genk, Malmo, Sarpsborg

Group J - Sevilla, Krasnodar, Standard Liege, Akhisharspor

Group K - Dynamo Kiev, FC Astana, Rennes, Jablonec

Group L - Chelsea, PAOK, BATE Borisov, Vidi FC

<a href="https://sja.sportradar.com/w/Pulse/42-54571/023100" id="9260a57e-ea59-5ef7-b2e4-1101d6f6d5e0">Arsenal stats</a>

After the conclusion of the draw, the group stages of competition begins on Thursday, September 20 and the final will be played at the Baku Olympic Stadium Azerbaijan on Wednesday, 29 May 2019.

Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal have discovered their group stage opponents.

Chelsea, Arsenal draw minnows

The Atletico Madrid star was rewarded for his outstanding performance in the 2017/18 Europa League.

<a href="https://sja.sportradar.com/w/Pulse/85859-55917-2836/033100" id="cb8b20a7-29f5-5171-b98e-c49e689b20e6">Griezmann stats</a>

The 27-year-old Griezmann won the award ahead of compatriot Dimitri Payet who led Marseille  to the final only to lose to Atletico.

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Griezmann's teammate Diego Godín  who captained Atletico Madrid to the title was in third place.

The French star was named the winner in Monaco at the draw ceremony for the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League which his Atletico Madrid side will play no part in.

In the final against Marseille, Griezmann was awarded the match of the match as he scored the two goals that guaranteed Atletico Madrid's victory.

<a href="https://sja.sportradar.com/w/Pulse/2836-55917/023100" id="3246c3a7-65b2-5537-ac3d-16992c695f59">Atletico Madrid</a>

He also went on to have a fruitful outing at <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/world-cup-2018-griezmann-mandzukic-set-record-in-final-id8619336.html" id="052e0cc4-49d3-5b8e-b538-e999f88481e5">the </a> and was awarded the silver ball.

Griezmann's Atletico Madrid side will face Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Club Brugge in Group A of the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League group stage and the final of the tournament will be played in their home ground Metropolitano Stadium.

Griezmann has been rewarded for the role he played in Atletico Madrid winning the Europa League.

Atletico Madrid star named UEFA Europa League Player of the Season

The 24-year-old was one of the new comers on Rohr’s list as he was not part of the team to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Even though he received call up to the Nigeria U-20 squad for the Toulon tournament in 2013 Semi is in line for his first appearance for the senior team.

In a report by Ajayi revealed that he is delighted <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/super-eagles-boss-reveals-squad-seychelles-vs-nigeria-id8765664.html" id="92fdc22a-495a-597f-9063-ccd9a29b6d8f">to have been called up to the national team</a> but was not expecting it.

He said,  “I'm over the moon. It's the greatest honour to be able to represent your country and I'm looking forward to linking up with the squad.

“I've played for the under 20s at the Toulon International Festival and that was a great experience but it's even better to be called-up to the full squad.”

Semi who joins fellow <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/samuel-kalu-profile-victor-moses-replacement-in-super-eagles-id8766014.html" id="beedeaf3-70e0-5a26-9421-301521c6cd81">new boys </a> and Jamilu Collins stated that upon received the call up to the team by the assistant manager that he was short of words and has always been intent on representing the Super Eagles

He said,  “I was a bit speechless to be fair and a I didn't really know what to say, but when I got my words back I told him I would 100% be interested in playing for my country and it just went from there.

“I wasn't expecting it, I had no idea. I got a call during the week from the assistant manager asking me if I'd like to represent Nigeria and I was delighted.

“He said that they've been watching me closely this season and that they've liked what they've seen, which is obviously what's led to the call-up.

“I'm really delighted and I just need to continue working hard and pushing on.”

The young defender who can play as a holding midfielder will hope to make his first senior appearance when the Super Eagles take on Seychelles in a qualifier and <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/super-eagles-to-play-saudi-arabia-friendly-after-seychelles-id8767022.html" id="30c53fc6-d8ca-56c1-b98a-3ef019bd63e6">the friendly encounter against Saudi Arabia</a>.

Semi Ajayi says its an honour to represent the Super Eagles but was not expecting a call up.

Super Eagles new boy surprised with first call up

Kelechi Iheanacho has finally replicated his fine form for Leicester City during pre-season where he scored in friendly games against Valencia, and <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/kelechi-iheanacho-scores-in-leicester-city-2-losc-lille-1-id8690396.html" id="f54463c6-dc1f-5166-b956-66164b5c4494">French </a>.

The 22-year-old has however been unable to find the net for the Foxes in their opening three Premier League games against Manchester United, Wolverhampon Wanderers and Southampton.

<a href="https://sja.sportradar.com/w/Pulse/31-40942/023100" id="c77a53e9-9903-50aa-8679-432ba90eecfd">Leicester City stats</a>

The Nigerian international however opened his account against the lower league side just as he did last season.

Leicester City took a first half lead through goals by Christian Fuchs and Vicente Iborra as they went for the break.

Upon resumption for the second half Iheanacho scored Leicester's third of the game when he converted a cross by Marc Albrighton.

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Tosin Abayomi

Articles written by the author