Sports
King of Football, Pele goes home
Football legend Pele has finally bowed to the struggle with death as its cold hands snatched him away at the age of 82.
Pele who was a three-time World Cup winner had been battling with his health for some time and was hospitalised in early December.
“He had a hip transplant and did not have a proper, ideal rehabilitation. So, he has this mobility problem, which ends up leading to a certain depression.”
Pele will always be remembered for the great moments over his career, his goals and of course, titles.
On November 19, 1969, he scored his 1,000th goal for Santos against Vasco da Gama.
Pele made his debut with Santos at the age of 15 on September 7, 1956, against Cubatao, a match in which he scored a goal.
Less than a year later, the teenager played his first match with the Brazilian national team.
It was on July 7, 1957, against Argentina at Maracana, and he scored once again. However, his goal was not enough for the Selecao to win the match and they lost 2-1.
“This boy is going to be the best football player in the world,” said Waldemar de Brito, who discovered Pele.
Pele made his World Cup debut in 1958 at the age of 17, becoming the youngest player to lift the trophy. Brazil defeated the host country Sweden 5-2 in the final, with Pele scoring a brace.
Four years later, Pele participated in his second World Cup, one which was also won by Brazil.
Yet, he struggled with a groin strain and only featured in two games.
Brazil missed out on the trophy in 1966, but Pele led them all the way to glory four years later, when the Selecao beat Italy in Mexico.
Pele’s last match with Brazil was against Yugoslavia on July 18, 1971. In 2013 he received the honorary Ballon d’Or for his successful career.
The Brazilian legend featured for Santos between 1956 and 1974, netting a momentous 1,087 goals in 1,118 matches and winning numerous titles.
In 1975, he moved to New York Cosmos where he played for two seasons and scored 64 goals. Pele decided to hang up his boots in 1977.
***Urges Super Eagles To Go For Gold
By Friday Idachaba Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has applauded the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their Wednesday night triumph over Bafana Bafana of South Africa and qualification for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ododo who gave the applaud in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah on Thursday in Lokoja commended the Super Eagles for their display of resilience and the “Can-do Spirit” of Nigerians.
He said that the Eagles in the thrilling semi final encounter held their nerves throughout the game and the emotionally charged penalty shootout won by the Super Eagles 4:2.
The Governor noted that the build up to the game demonstrated the undiluted passion by which Nigerians are known to rally in defence of their country in difficult times.
Ododo equally urged all Nigerians to continue to support the Super Eagles to soar in their quest to bring home the coveted continental trophy.
“This win by the Super Eagles proves that Nigeria has what it takes to bounce back from its temporary setbacks as a nation.
“We are inspired as a country and we must all support the Super Eagles to bring home the trophy as they go against the Ivory Coast in the Final this weekend”, Governor Ododo said.
The Governor also urged all Nigerians to pray fervently for the Super Eagles to clinch the Nations Cup adding that the team needed the support of all Nigerians to bring home the trophy. (Ends)
The Nigerian National Team, Super Eagles has defeated South African Bafana Bafana on penalties at the Stade de la Paix (Stadium of Peace) in Bouake, Ivory Coast to advanced to the final of the African Cup of Nations
Kelechi Ihenacho scored the winning penalty for Super Eagles as Nigeria displaced the South African team from the final of Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria opened the scoring in the 67th minute through a penalty after Osimhen made his mark.
South Africa star player Mokoena equalised in the 90th minute sending the game to extra time, the extra time ended in a stalemate, and the game advanced to penalties.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, saved two penalties, while Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty to send the Eagles to the final
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has defeated Angola in the quart final duel with Angola to advance to semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Lookman’s first half goal
Moses Simon’s perceptive pass gave Lookman the rear chance to score his third goal of the knockout stage
With the victory over Angola the Super Eagles have been tipped to be the new tournament favourites however their opponents with confident had created occasional scare.
This is the first time Nigeria have won four consecutive matches at a single Afcon edition without conceding a goal.
Having scored two goals against Cameroon in the last 16 as his first ever Afcon goals, Lookman has become the fourth Nigerian to score at least three goals in the knockout rounds of a single Afcon tournament, after Odion Ighalo in 2019 (4), Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004 (3) and Rashidi Yekini in 1994 (3).
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