Author: Selasi Fiawoyi

Three weeks ago we began a journey in which 32 nations contested for the biggest prize in international football and now only 2 remain standing. Argentina’s Demise Has Been A Long Time Coming And Messi Isn’t To Blame On Sunday in Moscow France and Croatia will contest for that coveted trophy in what promises to be an enthralling encounter. The French having been in a final 2 years ago in the Euros would not want a repeat of that feeling of loss when they were so close to glory. For Croatia this is uncharted territories as they have surpassed their…

As Cristiano Ronaldo was brandished a second yellow card of the tournament that effectively ruled him out of the quarter finals which they had no hope of reaching, that feeling must have rung in him once again, “I have failed at the world cup again”. For players like Ronaldo and Messi who’s Argentina team was a walking dead in many people’s eyes, much is expected of them after the pedestal they have placed themselves on in club football. For the past 10 years they have dominated at club level winning the Ballon Do’r between them. Everyone has their reasons for…

Argentina’s loss to Croatia on Thursday night has been something that was bound to happen sooner or later in this nascent world cup. From struggling to make qualification and winning one friendly against a not so much fancied opponent in Haiti, Argentina haven’t looked encouraging or promising in a long while. To blame one player for such a situation is forgetting what this sport of football is all about. Lionel Messi is a great player on his day but even the greatest need a supporting cast to compliment them. How is Messi to stop Caballero from making such a stupid…

A solitary goal from Luiz Suarez was enough for Uruguay to get past Saudi Arabia in Rostov. The Barcelona man was happy to sweep home at the goalmouth after a Carlos Sanchez cross from a corner sailed over Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais’ attempted punch and found the Barcelona striker unmarked at the far post. Both teams struggled to create chances in the second half, with half-chances the best either could produce. Cavani missed a vital chance four minutes from time when a fallen defender allowed him a one-on-one chance with Al-Owais at the top of the box but Saudi keeper…

Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 4th goal in two matches as Portugal won 1-0 to knock Morocco out of the tournament. Morocco made a great start and threatened inside the opening couple of minutes when Noureddine Amrabat crossed and Hakim Ziyech set up Khalid Boutaib, whose header cleared the bar. But any hope the had was shattered when, after four minutes, Ronaldo scored his fourth goal in two games when Joao Moutinho crossed and Ronaldo, all alone, headed high into the net. Ten minutes from the break, Karim El Ahmadi shot over after neat approach play, with Portugal having offered little…

Over the years there have been many great players. The Peles, The Maradonnas and many more. Players over the years have shone and shown their worth and class on the biggest of stages but one a Friday night in Socchi one man improved his already impressive status even further. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hattrick against former world champions Spain in what was an enthralling encounter on the world cup group stage. The game had everything. It was entertaining and exciting from start to finish but the night belonged to one man and that was Cristiano. The Real Madrid forward who…

Two-time champions Ghana made the right start to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, as Sadiq Ibrahim’s first-half strike gave them three vital points in New Delhi. In doing that, Ghana also broke the record for goals scored in consecutive Under-17 WC matches – 22 – a record they previously shared with Germany. Against a tactically solid but visibly nervous Colombia, Ghana came strong off the blocks, especially their attacking quartet of wingers Ibrahim, Emmanuel Toku and strikers Aminu Mohammed and Eric Ayiah. Ayiah pulled the strings in attack, effortlessly gliding in and out of spaces to put pressure on the…

Ghana’s Black Stars won the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations in emphatic style by beating Nigeria 4-1 on Sunday. Stephen Sarfo scored a brace while Atinga and Cobbina scored one each for the Black Stars. Rabiu Ali notched a late consolation for the Super Eagles. Nigeria entered the final as the favourites, having defeated Ghana 2-0 in a group game earlier in the tournament but were completely taken aback on the night by a determined Ghana. https://youtu.be/uErEA5ASFO0 The first goal came in the 45th minute when Sarfo turned brilliantly and on a half-volley dispatched the ball into the net. Further…