Category: International Sports

By Ken Andrew

kennyandrewmuganda@gmail.com

Marcus Rashford and Casemiro starred as Manchester United produced a dominant display against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, winning 3-0. This is despite United deploying a makeshift defense that included three fullbacks and one central defender.

Raphael Varane returned to action after losing out in the world cup final and had a new central defense partner in Luke Shaw.

United took the lead in the 19th minute with Marcus Rashford converting a well worked corner. It did not take long for the next goal as three minutes later, Rashford was on hand again to assist Anthony Martial for the second goal. United sealed the emphatic win in the second half after Casemiro found Fred and the latter guided the ball past Wayne Hennessey in the Forest goal.

The win took United to 29 points, a point behind 4th place Tottenham, but the Red Devils have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Chelsea welcomed Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge in the first game of the evening. The Blues were in poor form before the World Cup break and this game was a must win for them in front of their home fans.

The urgency by Chelsea players was evident as they showed great forward play in the first quarter of the game, putting the Bournemouth backline on notice. Chelsea took the lead in the 16th minute after Kai Havertz converted a Rahim Sterling cross.

Mason Mount scored a stunning goal that put Chelsea two goals ahead in the first half.

They managed the game well in the second half despite several Bournemouth attacks and it ended 2-0 thanks to their first half goals.

The win lifted Chelsea to 8th on the log with 24 points as they aim to finish in the top four.

By Ken Andrew

kennyandrewmuganda@gmail.com

Dutch World Cup star Cody Gakpo has agreed to join Liverpool in the January transfer window, after months of being linked with Manchester United. Gakpo was Netherlands’ top scorer at the world cup with three goals. Following his performances with PSV at the start of the season and for the Dutch in Qatar, a big move was imminent.

There is speculation that the 23 year old’s decision was influenced by national, and soon to be club, teammate Virgil Van Dijk. The two spoke when Liverpool submitted their bid.

Manchester United were odds on favourites to sign Gakpo but Liverpool hijacked the deal at the last moment. It is reported that United representatives conceded defeat rather than tabling a counter offer. The signing leaves United still in search for a clinical forward.

The deal is said to cost around $54 million. Both suitors were discussing around that amount but Liverpool had more to offer upfront. The deal is a record for PSV who have never received such an amount for a player before.

Gakpo will link with the likes of Mohammed Salah and Darwin Nunez in the Liverpool frontline. He is also versatile enough to play in an attacking midfield role for the reds.

Liverpool currently sit sixth in the Premier League on 25 points.

All contracts have been signed and Gakpo will travel to England to complete the deal.

The move is subject to a medical and will be completed once the transfer window officially opens in January.

By Ken Andrew

kennyandrewmuganda@gmail.com

A brilliant Martin Odegaard second half performance inspired Arsenal to come from behind and beat West Ham 3-1 at the Emirates. The win ensured Arsenal extend their lead on their rivals as they moved on to 40 points. Surprisingly, their closest chasers currently are Newcastle United on 33 points.

West Ham took the lead with Said Benrahma converting a penalty after Michail Antonio was fouled in the box. Arsenal came out stronger in the second half and goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, gave the Gunners the lead. Eddie Nketiah sealed the win for Arsenal in the 69th minute.

Liverpool saw off Aston Villa 3-1, with youngster Stefan Bajcetic’s goal sealing the victory for the reds. More good news followed the win as the Reds agreed terms for the signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV. Gakpo was a key target for rivals Manchester United.

Tottenham came from 2-0 to draw with Brentford in a match that marked the resumption of the league.

Newcastle United beat Leicester 3-0, with all goals coming in the first half. Miguel Almiron’s goal scoring form continued as he finished off a brilliant run past several Leicester players. Chris Wood had opened the scoring with a penalty and Joelinton closed things out with a free header. The win took the Magpies to second on the table, above Manchester City who play Leeds on Wednesday.

Rayan Ait Nouri scored deep into extra time to help Wolves come from behind and beat Everton 2-1. Following Wolves’ win, Southampton who went down 3-1 to Brighton, sit at the bottom of the log. Finally, 10 man Crystal Palace were hammered 3-0 at home by Fulham.

27th December 2022

Chelsea vs Bournemouth

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

 

 

By Ken Andrew

kennyandrewmuganda@gmail.com

As the Premier League resumes on the 26th of December with mouth watering clashes, how do the standings look?

Arsenal sit top and hold a 5 point lead over Manchester City who are second on 32 points. Newcastle United, who exceeded expectations in the first part of the season, sit in third on 30 points ahead of Tottenham on 29 points. Manchester United on 26 points and Liverpool on 22 close out the top six.

Only 5 points separate Leeds in 15th from Wolves in 20th in a relegation battle that seems totally unpredictable as things stand. Wolves will seek inspiration from new coach Julen Lopetegui as they fight for another season in the English top flight.

With matters still far from being sorted across the table, it will be an exciting return and conclusion to the Premier League.

By Ken Andrew

kennyandrewmuganda@gmail.com

Former French international Blaise Matuidi has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35. The midfielder was a crucial part of France’s 2018 World Cup winning campaign.

Matuidi spent majority of the last decade playing for two of the biggest clubs in Europe, PSG and Juventus, before joining MLS side Inter Miami in 2020.

He was part of a fan favourite midfield trio for Les Bleus, alongside Ngolo Kante and Paul Pogba. Matuidi was also an important player in the plans of French Manager Didier Deschamps, who always used him in the big games.

Matuidi took to his Twitter to post a heartfelt message on his retirement. “Dear Football, I loved you so much. Football, you gave me so much, but the time has come to say enough. I accomplished my childhood dreams and the dreams I had as a grown man. It is with a lump in my throat, but with pride, that I turn over this new leaf today. Thank you!”

Matuidi closes out his career with 699 club appearances, 75 international caps and 22 major trophies,with the biggest prize in football, the World Cup amongst them. He will be remembered for his versatility and the energy he always brought in matches.

By Ken Andrew

kennyandrewmuganda@gmail.com

The Premier League returns on Boxing Day with seven games lined up on the day.

League leaders Arsenal will be looking to extend their current lead of five points over Manchester City as they face a tricky home fixture against West Ham. Arsenal will seek to continue their brilliant form from the start of the season where they only dropped four points in their opening fourteen games. They will however have to return to action without Gabriel Jesus who has been a key player for them. The Brazilian picked up a knee injury at the World Cup and is expected to be out until February.

In form defender William Saliba was on the bench as France lost to Argentina in the World Cup final. He rejoined the squad on Friday and will be available on Boxing Day against The Hammers. Saliba has been a very important piece in the rebuilding of Arsenal and one of the best defenders in the league this season. He is one of many Arsenal players in good form this season with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli also showing their quality.

It will be a crucial 24 four games for the Gunners as they aim for glory.

The Premier League returns on 26th following a World Cup that had everything in terms of entertainment. All eyes will be on Arsenal as they continue with their title charge. Can Mikel Arteta win Arsenal’s first league title since 2004?

Boxing Day Fixtures

Brentford vs Tottenham

Southampton vs Brighton

Leicester vs Newcastle

Crystal Palace vs Fulham

Everton vs Wolves

Aston Villa vs Liverpool

Arsenal vs West Ham

Tuesday 27th December

Chelsea vs Bournemouth

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

Wednesday 28th December

Leeds vs Manchester City

 

By Ken Andrew

kennyandrewmuganda@gmail.com

Manchester City and Liverpool treated fans to a thriller at the Etihad on Thursday in the Carabao Cup. City managed to edge their bitter rivals 3-2 on the night but the game was not devoid of quality. Fans did not have to wait for long for Erling Haaland to score as he pounced on a sublime Kevin De Bruyne cross to give City the lead in the tenth minute. Liverpool got their equalizer ten minutes later through Fabio Carvalho, who lost defender Manuel Akanji and guided the ball past Stefan Ortega in the City goal.

 

The second half got to a fast start with Riyad Mahrez netting two minutes in only for Mohammed Salah to get his first goal in the Carabao Cup a minute later. Liverpool had great chances to take the lead but Darwin Nunez had a poor night in terms chance conversion. City took the lead for the third time in the game after Nathan Ake got on the end of another De Bruyne ball into the box. City then managed the game well to give them their first win over Liverpool in five matches and seal a spot in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals.

With eight teams remaining, City are odds-on favourites to win the trophy. A win would give them their fifth trophy in six years in the Carabao Cup.

The quarterfinal draw took place after the match.

Carabao Cup Quarter finals (To be played on the week commencing January 9th)

Manchester United vs Charlton Athletic.

Southampton vs Manchester City.

Newcastle United vs Leicester City.

Nottingham Forest vs Wolves.

 

By Ken Andrew

kennyandrewmuganda@gmail.com

Current Ballon d’or holder Karim Benzema announced his retirement from international football at the age of 35 on Monday. This decision was seen coming by many after he was not recalled to participate in the World Cup final, despite his name being in the squad list.

Benzema has had an extremely rough period with Les Bleu despite managing 37 goals in 97 appearances for them. The striker had not played for France since 2015. He was only recalled into the national team in 2021 for the Euro 2020 tournament. The five year exclusion was instigated by a blackmailing case against him filed by his former teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Real Madrid in 2018, Benzema became a monster in attack for Los Blancos. His exploits led Madrid to multiple La Liga titles and a Champions League victory in 2022. He has featured in the La Liga team of the season since 2018 and won the topscorer ‘Pichichi’ trophy for the 21/22 season. His goal returns and performances in the same season led to him becoming the eighth different Real Madrid player to win the Ballon d’or. Even though he had spent a great part of his club career in the shadow of Ronaldo, Benzema eventually managed to show the world the full extent of his abilities.

Benzema’s international career has not been devoid of controversy. Not only would he have had a greater input for Les Bleus, but also would have been a world champion. He probably would have been France’s all time top scorer, a fete now held by his rival Olivier Giroud.

His  focus will now be on having a successful season with Real Madrid upon the resumption of European Leagues.

By Ken Andrew

kennyandrewmuganda@gmail.com

When Japan beat Germany in their opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the phrase ‘Project Bluelock’ was trending across multiple social media platforms. Those who sought to find its meaning came across an anime named Bluelock. The anime adaptation of the manga Bluelock started this year and it has already surpassed multiple expectations. Japan’s exploits at the World Cup were connected to the anime’s storyline by fans of the show.

Bluelock is an anime about football. The project Bluelock aims to find the best striker in Japan. Jinpachi Ego, the leader of the project cites lack of strikers with ego as the reason Japan never makes it past the round of 16 at world cups. The main focus is on building five, with five teams; V, W, X, Y and Z. Isagi Yoichi  is the protagonist in the story and he stars for Team Z in the first round. He stands out as a dangerous striker in building 5. Meguru Bachira, Rensuke Kunigami and Hyoma Chigiri also star in the first selection for team Z, each showing different strengths. In the end, after all teams faced each other, ego revealed that there are no other buildings.

With multiple depictions of real life footballers, the anime tries to be as realistic as it can get.

The anime is currently on its eleventh episode, closing out the first arc. The second selection arc is almost kicking off and if you have read the manga, it gets tastier. Its audience has really grown following Japan’s world cup run.

Bluelock’s popularity is currently rivaling some big names such as One Piece and Bleach. With alot still to be revealed in the anime, Bluelock is looking like an all time great already !