EL KHABI POWERS OLYMPIACOS TO AN EUROPEAN TITLE
Ayoub El Khabi was the hero for Olympiacos as they took on Italian side Fiorentina in search of their first European trophy at the OPAP Arena in Athens. The Italian side were looking to make amends for their loss at this same stage in the competition last season. The Italians showed that they meant business early on as Nikola Milenkovic had the ball in the back of the net in the 10th minute but it was ruled out for offside. The first half ended goalless as goal scoring chances were few and far between both sides. Both sides made a couple of substitutions to swing the contest in their favour, but they remained deadlocked till the end of normal time.
Just when it seemed like they were heading to a penalty shootout to determine the winner, Santiago Hezze teased an inviting cross into the box in the 115th minute. El Khabi glided across and flicked it into the back of the net with a perfectly placed header, getting just enough on his flick-on to guide the ball into the back of the net. All of a sudden, the Greeks were in dreamland! There was a VAR check for offside but he was adjudged to have been onside. The Moroccan has been sensational in the Conference League this season, turning up on the biggest stages for his club. He scored five goals against Aston Villa in the semi finals, including a hattrick away at Villa Park to guide them to the final. He scored eleven goals and provided one assist across nine appearances in the competition He scored the most goals across all European competitions this season with 14 goals to his name.
The Moroccan was named the UEFA Europa Conference League Player of the Season becoming the first player to score eleven goals in the knockout phase of any major UEFA men’s club competition knocking the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema off the top spot. He also picked up the goal of the competition award for his overhead kick against Tel Aviv in the Round of 16. As far as debut seasons go, this was a historical one.
BONO HEROICS STUN AL NASSR
Al Hilal faced off against Al Nassr in the final of the King Cup of Champions. Al Nassr was out for revenge against their old foe while Al Hilal were aiming to secure a domestic treble. Al Hilal led for most parts of the game but Al Nassr managed to get a late equaliser to force the match to extra time and penalty shootout eventually. Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bono was the hero as they went on to win the game on penalties. The Moroccan has been very vital to Al Hilal’s charge on all fronts, helping them secure an unbeaten league title and the Saudi Super cup.
The Moroccan international had little to do in the first half but delivered superbly whenever he was called upon. He made a superb save to deny what would have been an equaliser by Cristiano Ronaldo late on in the first half. He made a flurry of saves to leave the Al Nassr attackers frustrated for most parts of the game.
On a day where his counterpart goalie was red carded for handling the ball outside the area and even his two center backs were sent off in the second half, he wasn’t found wanting. Ronaldo was notably annoyed as Bono’s brilliance denied him a goal. Although, the goalie had the upright to thank as a sensational overhead kick by Ronaldo left him glued to the spot and the woodwork came to his rescue to deny the striker. His goal was breached eventually in the 88th minute by Alman Yayha’s close range header. Nine man Al Hilal managed to hold off ten man Al Nassr in extra time, taking the game to penalties.
His teammates looked to him for inspiration and he delivered expertly. The Moroccan international produced two top class saves to deny Al Nassr’s last two spot kick takers and secure the trophy for his team. His brilliance in the penalty shootout ensured Al Hilal were crowned champions and ultimately secured a domestic treble. A memorable debut season in the Saudi Pro League for the CAF goalkeeper of the year.
LES VERTS DOWN METZ TO GAIN PROMOTION
Saint Etinne took on Metz in the first leg of their two-legged Ligue 1 Relegation Playoffs fixture at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium. Etienne continued their 8 game unbeaten run at home defeating Metz in the first leg of the playoffs. Malian international, Ibrahim Sissoko gave them the lead following a well worked team move before Ivory coast international, Ismael Traore leveled the match for Metz just before the break with a powerful header from a corner kick. Saint Ettiene secured the winner through Irvin Cardona late on in the second half. He flicked the ball into the back of the net from Cafaro’s deep cross to grab a headed goal of his own & the win for Les Verts.
There was still all to play for in the second leg with Metz hosting the fixture on this occasion at the Stage Saint-Symphorien. The match started on a lively note as Senegalese forward Amadou Diallo was shown a red card for a rash challenge on Dennis Appiah. It seemed the gods had given approval to Ettiene’s qualification at that point. The red card seemingly invigorated the home side as a nice passage of play saw them take the lead. A cross into the box evaded everyone till it found Matthieu Udol who hit a low first time cross across the face of goal and Lamine Camara turned it home as he found himself in acres of space in the opposition box. A timely way for the Senegalese international to score his second goal in all competitions this season. Mikautadze grabbed a second for Metz, winning a penalty after some fine work down the flanks and he converted it himself. His spot kick was aided by the inside of the post but all that didn’t matter as he had gotten his goal and doubled the lead.
Their joy was short-lived as Leo Petrot ghosted in to tap the ball in at the back post after a flick on by Aimen Moueffek from a corner. Game on! Les Verts had a goal ruled out by the VAR in the second half.
Metz would come close to grabbing the winner in extra time but were denied by superb goalkeeping. The away side grabbed the winner thereafter as two substitutes combined for the goal. A move down the right for Etienne saw the ball end up with Natjanael Mbuku & he teed up Senegalese forward Ibrahima Wadji to grab the winner for them in the 117th minute.
LOOKMAN SHINES IN ATALANTA LOSS
Atalanta took on Fiorentina in their final league game of the season at the Gewiss Stadium. It was an entertaining game with lots of goals in the first half for both teams. The away side raced to an early lead through Andrea Belloti’s header in the fifth minute of the match. Atalanta equalised soon after through the man of the moment, Ademola Lookman who has been in a hot streak of form recently. Charles De Ketelaare picked out the Nigerian winger with a delicious defence splitting through-ball. Lookman raced forward with the ball and dinked it beautifully over the keeper. A calmly taken equaliser!
Fiorentina would take the lead once again as Nico Gonzalez finished expertly on the half volley from Cristiano Biraghi’s cross. Atalanta weren’t going to be outdone just yet as Giorgio Scalvini scored his first goal of the season in the last match of the season. He picked up the ball from Lookman, strode forward and unleashed an unstoppable pile driver from outside the box to give the home side the equaliser. Belloti restored Fiorentina’s lead afterwards just before the break as a shot was deflected kindly into his path in the opposition box, allowing him to tap it into the back of the net. One of the easiest goals he’ll ever score.
Ademola Lookman was hugely influential on the pitch as no other player completed more dribbles than he did. He won eight out of the ten ground duels he contested & no other player equalled his efforts.
He was substituted for Gianluca Scamacca in the 56th minute. Nigerians should feel more confident going into the World cup qualifiers considering the form he is in at the moment.
ADARABIOYO MAKES A U-TURN
Tosin Adarabioyo left Fulham as a free agent at the end of the season after opting against a contract renewal at the London side. Newcastle FC were believed to be front runners for his signature till Chelsea swooped in and overtook the Magpies in bid for his signature. Indications were Tosin was going to come to an agreement with Newcastle but a change of mind last week allowed Chelsea to move ahead in the race to sign the defender.
In a statement by Fabrizio Romano on X last week; “Tosin Adarabioyo to Chelsea, here we go! Initial approach one month ago and verbal agreement reached today. Medical tests have also been booked, set to take place next week. Documents set to be signed after medical, if all goes to plan. Exclusive story, confirmed.”
The Man City academy graduate would be a smart signing for The Blues as they aim to fortify their defence following the departure of defensive stalwart, Thiago Silva. Goodluck for the future Tosin!
CAMARA SUSPENDED
Malian midfielder Mohamed Camara has been controversially suspended for putting white tapes over a Ligue 1 LGBTQ+ support logo during a match last month. In a statement released by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) saying: “After hearing the player Mohamed Camara, and noting his refusal during the meeting to carry out one or more actions to raise awareness of the fight against homophobia, the Commission decided to impose a four-match suspension.”
The Monaco midfielder played in their four nil win over Nantes on the 19th of May with pieces of white tape covering the anti-homophobia logo on the chest of his jersey indicating a personal aversion to the LGBTQ+ awareness campaign. Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro declared his support for Ligue 1’s LGBTQ+ campaign while declaring that the situation will be dealt with internally. Meanwhile, the midfielder has received a show of support from the Malian Football Federation team. They released a statement declaring that the fundamental rights of players as citizens should be protected in all circumstances. It’ll be interesting to see how the case unfolds from here.