Nadal got off the defence of his Australian Open title with a nervy win over debutant Draper

Australian Open men’s defending champion Rafael  Nadal is through to the second round after a four-set win over Jack Draper in almost four hours. Nadal won through 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-1 to book a second-round meeting with Mackenzie McDonald.

Australian Open debutant Draper dropped 13 aces to Nadal’s six, and both players logged 46 unforced errors.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner had revealed he had to ‘rebuild’. “I need to build again all this momentum. I need to build again this confidence with myself with victories.

“By the way, I didn’t play that bad the first two matches of the year. I lost against two great opponents.

“I already have been here [Australia] for three weeks, practising every day with that conditions, with the best players. That helps a lot in general terms.”

Nadal revealed he is in a great place concerning his health. “I practice probably more than ever, more than the last 10 years, the last three weeks.

“Have been a positive experience in all ways. I’m very satisfied about these three weeks of work and, of course, having the family with me.”

In other news, Nick Kyrgios has had to withdraw from Australian Open 2023 because of an injury. An injury to his left knee has left the world No.21 unable to play before his home crowd. “(This is) one of the most important tournaments in my career. Hasn’t been easy at all,” Kyrgios revealed at a press conference.

“I’m obviously extremely disappointed. That’s life. Injury is a part of the sport. I guess I can draw some inspiration from someone like Thanasi (Kokkinakis) who has had a bunch of injuries and has bounced back,” Kyrgios added.

In the women’s draw, a heavily taped-up Emma Raducanu overcame Tamara Korpatsch in two sets 6-3 6-2. She was an onerous task in the second round where she will meet Cori Gauff, who dispatched Katerina Siniakova 6-1 6-4.

The complexion of the Nigeria Premier Football League took a different colouration as the match day 1 of the projected 18-day competition was concluded this Sunday.

Of the 10 matches, three ended in victories for the away teams while in four others, the away teams pulled off valuable points, drawing their games with the hosts.

Remo Stars of Ikenne and Rivers United were the only home teams that secured victories.

In fact, Rivers United had to squeeze water out of stone before they could overcome the stiff resistance put up by the visiting Lobi Stars.

Rivers United’s  lifeline came from a penalty kick nine minutes into the added time which Kenechukwu Augustine Agu scored.

Rivers United, last season’s runaway champions were given a good run even after they took the lead in the 16^th minute through Morice Chukwu. But the visiting Lobi Stars fought back 10 minutes into the second half when Umar Abba levelled up.

But for Rivers United’s late penalty goal, Remo Stars would have been the only home side with a comfortable victory.

They beat visiting El Kanemi 2-0. Samuel Anakwe opened scoring in the 30^th minute while Ezekiel Edidong doubled the lead three minutes to regulation time.

Enugu Rangers, the team with the longest stay in the Nigeria’s first tier league having not been relegated since 1972 suffered a home defeat when they lost to visiting Abia Warriors.

Bello Lukman shot the visitors ahead in the 41^st minute while Monday Yakubu added the second goal in the fourth minute of added time.  

At the adopted home of Kwara United in Ibadan, they were forced to a barren draw by visiting Gombe United.

Doma, at home also suffered the same fate following their 1-1 draw with visiting Sunshine Stars.

It was a floodgate of goals as Plateau United at home battled to a 3-3 draw with a rejuvenated Shooting Stars who opened scoring in the 6^th minute.

But the lead lasted for just three minutes as Emmanuel Onyebuchi levelled up in the 9^th minute.

Anthony Achu Okachi launched the Shooting Stars back into the lead in the 14^th minute and consolidated the lead in the 65^th minute.

Plateau United then began their great fight back. Izuchukwu Chimezie reduced the tally in the 72^nd minute before Onyebuchi levelled up 10 minutes later.

 All match day 1 results

• Remo Stars 2-0 El Kanemi Warriors
• Rivers United 2-1 Lobi Stars
• Doma 1-1 Sunshine Stars
• Bayelsa 1-1 Dakkada
• Plateau United 3-3 Shooting Stars
• Wikki Tourists 0-2 Niger Tornadoes
• Nasarawa United 1-2 Enyimba
• Akwa United 0-2 Insurance

Motsepe’s statement has techinically knocked out the Nigeria-Benin bid: “We cannot assign the organisation of the CAN successively to the same region.”

Although CAF President, Patrice Motsepe on Saturday confirmed that six bids are in the race to replace Guinea as hosts of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hosts, speculations have narrowed the bid to three.

Those currently in the race are: Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Zambia and Benin-Nigeria.

But the on-going spat between Morocco and Algeria may see both being tecnically edged out to avert possible boycott by any of the duo that may not win the bid.

Facility-wise, both are eminently qualified to host the tournament. But considering the last minute withdrawal of Morocco from the on-going African Nations Championship in Algeria, a reprisal boycott could be anticipated should the Moroccans get the bid.

Morocco have in the past five years been the destination for the hosting of most competitions in Africa. Among such are the 2017 edition of CHAN, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations last year as well as the Women’s CAF Champions League and the CAF Super Cup.

If Algeria gets the nod, another boycott from Morocco could be expected. Both countries rank among African football powers and the chances of their qualification for the championship is very high just as possible boycott looms.

With the two North African countries possibly being ruled out, the race then turns to West Africa and Southern African contest.

Benin-Nigeria hold the flag for West Africa, the region originally to host the championship. Zambia and South Africa from the Southern region are the other contestants.

If South Africa wins the bid as possibly the country with the best facilities among the quartet, it will be the  third time the country will be hosting after that of 1996 and 2013.

The influence of the CAF president, Motsepe, a South African, may also be suspected. Nigeria hosted in 1980 and co-hosted with Ghana in 2000. This time, it is another joint bid with Benin Republic who have never hosted just like Zambia.  

CAF officials will do inspection tours of all the candidates this month with the winners to be announced on February 10.

South African billionaire businessman Motsepe said the successful country or countries would offer the best “transport, logistics, hotels and beautiful stadiums”.

“Each region will have a chance to organise a CAN (Cup of Nations). We cannot assign the organisation of the CAN successively to the same region.”

With that statement, the joint bid of Nigeria and Benin appears dead on arrival as another West African country, Cote d’ivoire will host the preceeding edition meant for this year in 2014.

The pendulum therefore swings in favour of the Southern African region where South Africa and Zambia are the contestant.

Nelson Mandela’s Grandson Zwelivelile Mandela, who delivered an anti-Morocco political speech

Following Morocco’s complaint over statements made by the grandson of Nelson Mandela,  Zwelivelile Mandela at Friday’s opening ceremony of the African Nations Championship, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stepped in and declared that it is under an obligation and a duty, in accordance with its Regulations and Statutes and those of FIFA not to participate or get involved in politics and to be neutral on matters of a political nature.

CAF in a press statement on Sunday remarked that it has been informed that certain political statements were made during the opening ceremony of the CHAN in  Algeria on Friday.

“These political statements are not the statements of CAF and do not reflect the views or opinions of CAF as a politically neutral organisation.

CAF will investigate and look into the political statements and events at the opening ceremony of the  CHAN Algeria 2022 and assess whether there was compliance with the CAF and FIFA Regulations and Statutes. CAF will give an update in this regard in due course.

In the opening ceremony of the continental tournament, the Algerian regime invited Nelson Mandela’s Grandson Zwelivelile Mandela, who delivered an anti-Morocco political speech attacking the country’s territorial integrity. 

In addition to the politicization of the CHAN’s launching ceremony, Algerian fans in the stadium were filmed chanting offensive slogans comparing Moroccans to animals.

Morocco is not taking part in the tournament as the Algerian regime rejected the country’s request for its team to fly directly to Constantine, the Algerian city where its games were scheduled to be played. 

Spanish Super Cup – Final – Real Madrid v FC Barcelona – King Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – January 15, 2023 FC Barcelona’s Pedri celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates

Barcelona were crowned Spanish Super Cup champions after goals from Gavi, Robert Lewandowski and Pedri earned them a 3-1 win over bitter rivals Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Barcelona were dominant in every aspect of the game and took advantage of three mistakes by Real Madrid to score.

Manager Xavi Hernandez sprung a surprise as he shifted from his usual 4-3-3 system to play an extra man in midfield with only Lewandowski up front, while centre back Ronald Araujo was deployed at right back in order to try to slow down Real’s electrifying winger Vinicius Jr.

Vinicius was largely anonymous, while playing Gavi through the left-channel paid dividends as the youngster scored the opener and delivered two assists.

“We strengthened the midfield to look for taking over that area and Araujo was really good stopping Vinicius counters, we left them with no options and felt very comfortable,” captain Sergio Busquets told Movistar Plus.

“We knew that it was an opportunity that we had to seize, we are going through a time of changes in the club and in the dressing room and this win will strengthen us to continue fighting for more titles.”

Barcelona took the lead in the 33rd minute after Real defender Antonio Ruediger gave the ball away to Barca’s Sergio Busquets, who began a move that ended with Gavi all alone inside the box to score with a precise left-foot strike.

Lewandowski extended the lead 12 minutes later on the counter when defender Dani Carvajal was caught out of position and left Gavi alone on the left wing. Frenkie de Jong saw his team mate ghost into the empty space behind Carvajal and delivered a superb ball through.

He sprinted through the left channel before putting it on a plate for the Polish striker, who tapped into the back of the empty net.

Real Madrid, who had no shots on target in the first half, spent most of the second in panic mode, trying to avoid a bigger defeat.

Yet, once again a costly mistake allowed Barcelona to score. Substitute Dani Ceballos lost the ball in midfield and Gavi sprinted forward and crossed for Pedri to fire point-black into the empty net.

Karim Benzema scored a consolation goal for Real in added time, striking home on the rebound after Marc-Andre ter Stegen denied his first attempt.

Manchester United v Manchester City – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – January 14, 2023 Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford in action with Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji

Talking points from the latest round of Premier League games:

RAMSDALE PROVES HIS WORTH TO KEEP GUNNERS ON TRACK

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has had his critics at Arsenal but the 24-year-old proved his worth in the league leaders’ 2-0 victory at rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, making a string of fine saves to keep Spurs at bay.

Ramsdale made seven saves in total in the match, before the gloss was taken off his man-of-the-match performance after he appeared to be kicked by a Spurs fan following the final whistle.

“We showed the other face when we had to dig in, we needed some big moments from Aaron,” coach Mikel Arteta said.

“He was the difference when we needed him.”

WAS RASHFORD NOT INTERFERING IN FERNANDES EQUALISER?

Manchester United’s dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over rivals Manchester City on Saturday was not without its fair share of controversy.

With champions City leading 1-0 at Old Trafford until 12 minutes before the end, Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser was initially ruled out for offside against Marcus Rashford, the target of Casemiro’s throughpass, before VAR intervened.

Rashford was deemed not to have interfered and the goal stood, before the in-form England forward went on to score the winner. City were adamant they had been wronged by the officials.

“The first goal is a joke,” City defender Manuel Akanji told the BBC. “I understand he (Rashford) doesn’t touch the ball but he’s running for 30 metres until the last second. It is clearly offside.”

LAMENTABLE LIVERPOOL RISK MISSING OUT ON EUROPE

Liverpool’s lamentable season went from bad to worse as they were hammered 3-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion, and Juergen Klopp’s side are now in danger of missing out on European football completely.

Brighton used the win over a rudderless Liverpool to leap-frog the Reds and move up towards the Europa League places, and few teams will have anything to fear from Klopp’s toothless attack, which was missing the injured Darwin Nunez.

Not that his absence mattered – new signing Cody Gakpo started up front but Liverpool were so completely overrun in midfield that they barely threatened Brighton at all.

Klopp chose to blame a lack of organisation in his team for the result, a tacit admission that both he and his players have a lot of work to do if they are to make it into the top six by the end of the season.

WHERE TO NOW FOR AILING EVERTON?

Everton’s season continues to stumble from one dismal defeat to the next and amid fan protests inside Goodison Park following Saturday’s 2-1 loss to bottom side Southampton, the question for the club is “where to now?”.

Manager Frank Lampard admitted in the wake of the defeat that this was a must-win game for his team, as was the loss by the same scoreline to Wolverhampton Wanderers a few weeks back when the latter were also bottom of the league.

Fan frustration for now is focussed mostly on the board, especially as rival clubs close to the relegation zone bring in fresh talent to help their survival bid, while Everton remain silent in the transfer market.

There was a promise from the club’s board that last year’s flirtation with relegation would not be repeated, but if anything the situation looks more dire this time round. It is a famous name in English football that appears on an irreversible slide.

Manchester United are being urged to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen by a growing number of their supporters.

Several Manchester United supporters have once again reiterated their hopes of seeing the club make a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in this year’s summer transfer window.

The resurging Manchester United are desperate to add to their attacking options this month and are currently working on a deal to sign Burnely striker Wout Weghorst.

 They want to sign the Dutchman on loan as a short-term fix until the end of the season.

Their plan is to bring in a temporary solution to their goalscoring problems before looking to invest in a big-name striker during the summer.

Napoli ace Osimhen, two months ago, is on United’s shortlist of targets and is thought to be well admired.

The Nigerian international, who is under contract at the Italian giants until 2025, is the top scorer in Serie A this season, so far notching ten goals in 13 appearances. He has scored 11 goals in 16 matches in all competitions.

He is widely considered as one of most promising strikers in Europe, blessed with pace, trickery and an eye for goal. He is a player that a growing number of United’s supporters have frequently highlighted as the man they would like the club to bolster their forward line with this forthcoming summer.

And pleas for United to sign the 24-year-old increased further on Sunday evening after he scored again, helping Napoli seal a 2-0 away win over Sampdoria.

He scored the game’s opening goal, making a brilliant run from deep and then applying a superb finish from close range. Such is his record in front of goal this season and his importance in Napoli’s quest to win Serie A this season, they would require a hefty-sized transfer fee to let him go. Nevertheless, United’s fans are desperate to see him added to Erik ten Hag’s squad

Former Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo will play his first match on Saudi Arabian soil later this week.

Former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo is set to captain the Al Nassr-Al Hilal combined XI for the friendly against Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday.

The Portuguese ace, who left Old Trafford in November following his controversial interview with Piers Morgan, will play his first match on Saudi Arabian later this week, with an All-Star XI, consisting of players from Al-Nassr and Al Hilal, taking on French giants PSG at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh.

Al-Nassr manager Rudi Garcia recently confirmed that the 37-year-old would feature in the friendly, before making his competitive debut for the Saudi Pro League outfit against Ettifaq on Sunday.

It has since emerged that Ronaldo will also captain the All-Star XI against PSG, with the former Real Madrid attacker set to come up against long-time rival Lionel Messi.

Turki Al-Sheikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Entertainment, confirmed the news on Twitter – posting a video of himself handing the armband to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Ronaldo is yet to make his competitive debut for Al-Nassr, despite joining the club towards the end of December. He has missed the Saudi Arabian side’s last two matches through suspension, which came as a result of him smashing an Everton fan’s phone last April.

The Portugal captain parted company with United following his explosive interview with Morgan prior to the World Cup in Qatar, with the forward having criticised his then manager Erik Try Hag the club’s owners and several of his former teammates.

He left Old Trafford having registered 145 goals and 64 assists across his two spells in Manchester. He also won three Premier League titles and the Champions League.