Soccer Bunter

M10 TWS WIRELESS BLUETOOTH HEADSET & PHONE CHARGER(BLACK)

IS CHRIS HUGHTON THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE BLACK STARS JOB

Chris Hughton is a manager with an excellent reputation, but things have not gone all that well for him over the last couple of years.

Having been let go by Brighton in 2019 as they club sought to take their game to the next level, his spell at Nottingham Forest played out in a predictable manner. While many hailed him as the type of character to potentially stabilise what had been a very difficult club to manage, he instead would be sacked by them seven games into the current campaign.

Hughton has been linked with a number of roles in recent months, although he it now looks as though he could be about to take the step into international football.

It has been widely reported in Ghana today that Chris Hughton could be about to become their next national team coach and is currently in the country to discuss a potential deal.

The 53-cap Ireland international was apparently not the first choice for the role, with My Joy Online claiming that his appointment may come as a result of some political pressure.

Joy Sports understand a high ranking member of the government is pushing for the appointment of the former Norwich City manager as the next head coach of the senior national team. Meanwhile, the GFA’s executive council have a different option for the job.

Mentioned on Monday during Midday news the efforts to hire Chris Hughton coming from the top.

Hughton was rejected by former leadership.

This current ExCo is being pushed to accept him. He is not their choice, but they are likely to accept it.

Ghana are one of the most successful teams in Africa, although they are currently going through a difficult patch. They were recently eliminated from the African Cup of Nations in the groups stages.

March will also see them take on Nigeria in a two-legged tie, with the winners taking a place at this year's World Cup in Qatar. The possibility of managing at the tournament would surely be an appealing one for most coaches.

Hughton's only previous coaching experience in international football came during a spell as the Republic of Ireland assistant manager under Brian Kerr. The 63-year old also has some links to Ghana, with his father hailing from the country.

This appointment is far from certain at the moment, although it would certainly be an interesting one for Irish football fans

PREVIEW: ATLANTA VS INTER MILLAN

Atalanta boast a 100% competitive winning record in 2022 (W2), scoring an impressive eight times and putting their preceding two-game winless Serie A (SA) run behind them in the process (D1, L1). They broke the deadlock inside the opening 20 minutes in both of those recent successes, and they’ll be hoping for the same again here as they look to close the eight-point gap on opponents and league-leaders Inter Milan.

That’s easier said than done as Atalanta have won just once across the last ten H2Hs (D5, L4) and their home league record this term is far from impressive (W3, D3, L3). Worryingly for them, they conceded 2+ goals in each of those three home league defeats and all three losses came against sides also in the division’s top seven ahead of this round.

A last gasp extra-time winner saw Inter claim their first Supercoppa Italiana triumph since 2010, bringing home their first major trophy of the season. The defending SA champions will be looking to add more silverware and are in impressive form, winning eight league matches in a row, and have now registered five more points than they had after the first 20 rounds in last season’s title-winning campaign.
Inter’s bookmakers' favourites tag here is justified by their formidable SA away record (W7, D2, L1), and with each of manager Simone Inzaghi’s last six meetings with Atalanta producing 4+ goals, we might see a blockbuster clash here. However, don’t be shocked by a slow start from the visitors given there’s yet to be a single goal scored inside the opening ten minutes in any competitive away match involving Inter this term.

Players to watch: Atalanta’s Luis Muriel has stepped up to replace injured Duván Zapata, netting three goals across his last two outings including twice before the 30th minute. Meanwhile, Alexis Sánchez has scored three times after the December break, including the Supercoppa winner in midweek - Inter have now won all 13 games he’s scored in for the club

PREVIEW:Barcelona vs Madrid

It's not quite the war seen between the Catalonia and Madrid regions in the 1900s, or the intense on-field rivalry from the early 2000s, but El Clásico still retains its charm as one of the most intense football matches in club football as the Supercopa de España returns to Saudi Arabia in a battle between fierce rivals with contrasting fortunes.
Barcelona are a whopping 17 points behind La Liga (LL) leaders Real Madrid and struggling to remain in the European qualification race, all of which acts as a stark reminder of how far Barcelona have fallen this season. Their absentee list adds to the inconsistencies of a side that is yet to stitch together a three-game winning run this season. A six-match unbeaten competitive streak (W3, D3) coming into this semi-final cup clash is promising though, especially as this tournament may represent Barça’s best shot at silverware this season.
However, the Catalan outfit’s five-game winless run in El Clásico fixtures (D1, L4) threatens to halt their attempt to claim a record-extending 14th Supercopa title. Defensive questions also continue to circle around Xavi Hernández’s side after a late goal last time out made it just one clean sheet across Barcelona’s last nine competitive matches.
That unwanted record may be extended as 11-time Supercopa winners Real have scored seven goals across their previous two matches, and have now won 13 of their last 15. They are therefore justified favourites to make it five H2H wins in a row, which would be their longest winning streak over Barcelona since 1965!
Winning here will also see ‘Los Blancos’ avoid consecutive losses in this competition, although the last time that happened it came vs none-other than Barcelona! If things remain tight as this game progresses, a late burst could come to Real’s rescue as three of their last four H2H wins saw them strike beyond the 80th minute. A fifth of their LL goals this season came during that period too.
Players to watch: Luuk de Jong has scored Barça’s last two LL goals - both were match openers. Meanwhile, Karim Benzema could be the star for Real after netting their final goal in nine of his last 11 goalscoring club games, as well as in the previous Supercopa H2H.

NIGERIA VS EGYPT MATCH PREVIEW

Group D in the latest edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to open with a bang as two of the continent's elite clash with Nigeria taking on Egypt. Making their 19th AFCON appearance, Nigeria will be looking to go one-step further than they regularly do, given they’ve reached the semi-finals of this tournament on 15 occasions, on their way to securing three continental titles.

Entering the tournament undefeated and topping their qualifying group (W4, D2), the ‘Super Eagles’ are the pick of many to take the crown, especially after topping their recent World Cup Qualification group after winning four of their six matches (D1, L1). New manager Augustine Eguavoen will be hoping to take the 2019 bronze medalists to the next level, his first assignment being to secure Nigeria’s second win vs Egypt in seven attempts (D2, L3).

The Egyptians enter this tournament having navigated both their AFCON qualification group (W3, D3) and their World Cup Qualification group (W4, D2) undefeated while securing pole position on both occasions. In truth, Egypt have historically dominated the African continent with their record tally seven AFCON titles, however, falling short in the semi finals and the third-place playoff of the recent FIFA Arab Cup will have left a sour taste in the mouth of the ‘Pharaohs’.

A cagey affair is predicted then, given that six of the last eight H2H meetings have concluded with less than 2.5 goals scored. No matter the goals notched in this clash, a close scoreline is predicted nonetheless as nine of the last ten fixtures were decided by a one-goal margin or drawn.

Players to watch: Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho enjoys striking late as six of his last seven goals have come after half-time, while Mohamed Salah could be key to Egypt’s success, having racked up six goal contributions across his last nine AFCON matches (G4, A2).

2021 AFCON Group C Preview: Comoros set for explosive debut against Aubameyang-less Gabon
Comoros Islands

Comoros will be making history on Monday as they take to the pitch for the first time ever at the Africa Cup of Nations when they lock horns with Gabon in Group C at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.

Gabon, on the other hand, are making their eighth appearance at the continental tournament and will be looking to progress into the knockout stages for the first time since 2012.

Les Coelecantes, who finished runners-up to Egypt, won two, drew three and lost one of their six qualification games to collect nine points and edge out third-placed Kenya by two points.

Comoros were last in action back in September when they steamrollered Seychelles 7-1 in a friendly fixture at the Stade Omnisports de Malouzini to end their three-game winless run.

As they prepare for their first-ever game on the biggest stage in the continent, Amir Abdou's men will set their sights on upsetting a Gabon side who are 43 places ahead in the latest FIFA World rankings, before going up against African giants Morocco and Ghana.

Gabon, on the other hand, secured their place in the Africa Cup of Nations as they finished runners-up in Group D of the qualifiers, only behind group winners Gambia on goal difference.

Patrice Neveu's men, who won three, drew one and lost two of their six qualification games, finished level on 10 points with the Scorpions and one above third-placed Congo DR.

Gabon have managed just two wins from six competitive games since then, which has seen them miss out on a place in the playoffs for the 2022 World Cup after finishing seven points behind Group F winners Egypt.


The Brazilians head into Monday's game fresh off the back of a 1-1 draw with Mauritania in a warm-up friendly match on January 4, when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Pape Ibnou Ba scored for either side to force a share of the spoils.

Having missed out on a place in the 2019 edition, Gabon will be desperate to make their mark in Cameroon and three points in this weekend's opener will undoubtedly serve as a morale boost ahead of their final two group stage games

LOWER DIVISION SIDE NOTTINGHAM FOREST DUMP ARSENAL OUT OF THE FA CUP...

Championship side Nottingham Forest knocked
Arsenal out in the third round of the FA Cup, as substitute Lewis Grabban came off the bench to fire home a deserved winner and seal a huge 1-0 victory.

Fifteen minutes after coming on as a substitute, Grabban tapped home a cross with seven minutes remaining to set up a fourth round clash with holders Leicester City.

Arsenal have now been knocked out at the third round stage of the FA Cup for just the second time in their last 25 seasons.

And Forest was the last team to knock them out this early in a 4-2 win in the 2017/18 campaign.

In the opening stages, Ben White cut in from the right side and tested the waters early with an early shot, but his effort went wide of the post.

Shortly after, Rob Holding fired an audacious volley wide as the visitors pushed for the opener.

But Forest responded with a spell of possession of their own to rile up the City Ground fans.

Eddie Nketiah, whose future remains unresolved with his contract expiring next summer, struck a fierce effort wide of the post for the Gunners’ closest chance of the match with 30 minutes played.

Nuno Tavares was having a tough game on the left flank and Mikel Arteta decided to bring him off for Kieran Tierney.

The Portuguese was not carrying an injury and was visibly irate by the decision, chucking his globes to the ground as he made way for the Scot.

The sides deservedly went into the interval all square with few clear cut opportunities for either side.

Brennan Johnson had the best chance of the match so far as he fired a low effort at Bernd Leno who got down well to save.

The game sprung to life in the second half and Nketiah should have got the opener for Arsenal when Bukayo Saka crossed an inch-perfect delivery for him to completely miscue his header.

James Garner fired a superb curling free-kick goalwards but Leno blocked well, but Forest would be aggrieved not to have a penalty seconds after when Jack Colback was hauled over in the box.

But the hosts got their deserved goal late on when Grabban fired home the winner to seal the latest upset in a weekend of shock results in the oldest competition in football

MILLAN SAIL TO VICTORY IN VENICE

Another headline-grabbing goal from Zlatan Ibrahimović and a brace from Theo Hernández saw Milan maintain their winning start to 2022, returning to the top of the Serie A table on Sunday with a 3-0 victory against Venezia.

Milan arrived steadily into Venice via canal boat but wasted no time picking up the pace from kick-off, with Ibrahimović tapping home Rafael Leão’s cross after just two minutes and becoming only the second player since 2000 to score against 80 different teams.

Pasquale Mazzocchi had a nightmare half hour trying to contain the Portuguese winger, as Venezia struggled to forge any opportunities to test a very young Milan defence. The hosts had hope through Thomas Henry and David Okereke if they could isolate the young centre backs, but it simply didn’t happen often enough. Henry was unfortunate not to have won a penalty after being tugged down by Alessandro Florenzi, but Venezia were otherwise toothless heading into HT.

Stefano Pioli’s side were quick out of the traps once more and doubled their lead after 48 minutes. Hernández, who scored the second in September’s reverse fixture, latched onto a smart pass from Leão, before burning Mazzocchi and rifling home to make it 2-0.

Moments later, Hernández bagged his fourth of the season - his third against Venezia - from the spot, after Michael Svoboda tried to make up for an error by blocking a certain goal with his hand, receiving his marching orders in the process. It put the ‘Rossoneri’ in cruise control for the final half hour, seeing things out with ease for the clean sheet.

Three points puts pressure on rivals Inter to respond with a win against Lazio. Venezia, meanwhile, are now winless in seven and must stop the rot before mammoth clashes against Inter and Napoli in a few weeks time.

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