Sports
Crouch make epl history as stoke draw against Brighton
PETER CROUCH created another piece of Premier League history as he made his 143rd substitute’s appearance to help Stoke to a useful point.
The former England centre-forward has already scored more top-flight headers than any other player and now has another record for his collection.
Yet if Crouch will take a permanent reminder of his special moment back to the Potteries, referee Lee Mason will want to forget his night’s work as soon as possible.
What a pity they didn’t have a video assistant to help out the short-sighted official who missed Ryan Shawcross’ blatant first-half trip on Brighton striker Glenn Murray.
For while Mark Hughes’ team were well worth their point from an unexpectedly entertaining match, there can be no question that the Seagulls were robbed of the victory which would have taken them back to eighth place in the table.
All of the early running came from the visitors, who made their attacking intentions clear from the sixth minute when Mame Diouf’s shot was deflected over by Gaetan Bong.
Shawcross’ powerful back-post header required a sharp save from Matt Ryan before Davy Propper’s slip gave Xherdan Shaqiri another shooting opportunity which Lewis Dunk did well to charge down.
A second Shawcross header was more comfortably dealt with by Ryan as Stoke looked to capitalise on their early dominance.
Yet in their rush to get forward they left the back door wide open and should have paid the price when Propper’s 19th minute through ball gave Jose Izquierdo a clear run on goal.
But with team-mates screaming for a square pass, the Colombian winger went for glory and curled his shot wide of the far post.
Mark Halsey
RYAN SHAWCROSS’ foul on Glenn Murray was a clear penalty.
It’s one of the easiest calls a referee will ever get to make.
Ref Lee Mason was in a great position to spot it but switched off and got it horribly wrong. Then he’s looking at his assistant — I have no idea why!
It was a damn sight closer than Izquierdo’s next effort, which went for a throw-in to the amusement of the Stoke fans.
And those travelling supporters had even more to laugh about when their team seized a 27th minute with a goal of real quality.
Shaqiri’s beautiful pass over the top caught the back-pedalling Brighton defence appealing in vain for offside as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting brought the ball out of the sky with an exquisite first touch before sliding his shot into the bottom corner.
It was the Cameroon striker’s first goal since his double against Manchester United in September and no more than Stoke deserved for their positive approach.
But they got away with murder when Murray was sent flying by Shawcross’ mistimed 39th minute challenge.
It was as clear a penalty as you will see all season yet ref Lee Mason and his assistant both failed to spot the blindingly obvious.
Even the mild-mannered Chris Hughton was left fuming by the decision to award a free-kick to Stoke as he delivered an earful to embarrassed fourth official Kevin Friend.
Spurred on by the burning sense of injustice, Brighton forced their way back into the game when Propper’s surging 44th minute run rook him past four Stoke defenders before his low cross was swept inside the near post by Pascal Gross.
But they could not maintain parity for more than a couple of minutes before Darren Fletcher’s corner in first-half stoppage time was nodded across goal by Choupo-Moting for Kurt Zouma to power home.
And Stoke should have extended their lead five minutes after the break when Ramadan Sobhi pounced on another sloppy pass by Propper but was thwarted by Ryan’s charge from his line.
Brighton, though, refused to chuck in the towel and levelled again on the hour.
Zouma’s failure to clear Dale Stephens’ cross allowed Murray to tee up Izquierdo with a cunningly disguised reverse pass.
And though the winger’s attempted pull-back was blocked by Kevin Wimmer, there was no stopping his follow-up effort as he lashed his shot inside the far post.
Captain of the Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade, has said the team is determined to become the best women’s football team in the world.
Ajibade spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a reception hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of the Falcons following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Nigerian ladies clinched their 10th continental title after a hard-fought campaign, further cementing their status as Africa’s most successful women’s team.
Ajibade, in an emotional speech, said the team’s goal goes beyond continental glory.
“We’re not content to rest on our laurels. Our vision is bold. We want to become the best women’s football team in the world,” the Atletico Madrid star said.
She described herself as “a proud daughter of Nigeria” and paid tribute to the dreams of young girls across the country who look up to the team.
“This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream,” she said.
Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of the team, coaches, and technical crew, thanked the Federal Government for its support and appealed for continued investment in women’s football.
President Tinubu, in his address, conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew.
The President also approved the allocation of three-bedroom apartments to each team member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player, while members of the technical team received $50,000 each.
He praised the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and inspiring unity through their performance.
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said.
“You have inspired me too. You represent the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you and the next generation.”
The President said the Falcons’ WAFCON victory was not just a sporting feat but a symbol of the courage, discipline and resilience that define Nigerians.
“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency,” he said.
The reception was attended by top government officials, sports administrators, and stakeholders in the football community.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Super Falcons on their historic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
The Falcons, who came from two goals down to seal the win in Rabat, clinched their 10th WAFCON title—further cementing their status as the most successful team in the history of the competition. Reacting to the victory, Oseni described the performance as “a warrior’s triumph that speaks volumes about the indomitable Nigerian spirit.”
In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele in Ibadan, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said the team’s resilience should serve as a symbol of hope and unity for the entire nation. “They refused to surrender. That comeback from two goals down defines who we are as Nigerians—strong, focused, and unstoppable when united,” he said.
The Falcons had gone behind in the 13th minute when Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak capitalised on a loose ball to fire past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The hosts doubled their lead through Sanaâ Mssoudy before halftime, putting Nigeria on the back foot before the break.
However, second-half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini turned the game on its head, securing victory for Coach Justin Madugu’s side and avenging their 2024 semi-final loss to the North Africans. Oseni also hailed Madugu’s tactical brilliance, describing him as “the architect of a new chapter in women’s football in Nigeria.”
The lawmaker who also chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) joined other national figures, including President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in celebrating the Falcons. The President had earlier taken to his verified social media accounts to praise the team’s performance, declaring, “Mission X: Complete!” while Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, described it as a flawless display of Nigerian spirit.
Oseni urged the Falcons not to rest on their laurels but to build on the momentum ahead of their title defence and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “This is just the beginning. You have inspired millions of girls across the continent. Keep flying the flag and keep making Nigeria proud,” he added.
He also called on sports authorities and private stakeholders to invest more in women’s football, noting that the team’s success was proof of the untapped potential in the sector. “We have global stars in the making. Now is the time to give them the platform and support they truly deserve,” the lawmaker submitted.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced a thrilling comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday, clinching their record-extending 10th continental title.
The win was sweet revenge for Justin Madugu’s side, who were eliminated by the Atlas Lionesses in the semi-finals of the previous edition.
Despite a bright start by the Falcons, it was the Moroccans who struck first in the 13th minute. A loose ball fell kindly to tournament top scorer, Ghizlane Chebbak, who rifled her effort past Chiamaka Nnadozie to hand the hosts an early lead.
Nigeria tried to respond through Ijamilusi Folashade, but her tame effort was easily gathered by Moroccan goalkeeper, Khadija Er-Rmichi.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Fatima Tagnaout released Sanaâ Mssoudy, who drove into the box and fired a low, left-footed strike beyond Nnadozie to make it 2-0.
Morocco maintained their advantage into the break as both sides went into the dressing room with the scoreline firmly in the hosts’ favour.
The Super Falcons returned with renewed purpose in the second half, stepping up their intensity and putting the Moroccan defence under sustained pressure.
Nigeria nearly pulled one back when a collision between Er-Rmichi and defender Nesryne El Chad almost gifted the Falcons a goal, but the Moroccan defence cleared their lines in time.
The pressure eventually paid off in the 63rd minute when a ball hooked back into the area by Ijamilusi struck the arm of defender Nouhaila Benzina, resulting in a penalty. Esther Okoronkwo stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to halve the deficit.
Eight minutes later, Okoronkwo turned provider, sprinting down the right flank before cutting back a well-timed pass for Ijamilusi, who made no mistake from close range to level the tie at 2-2.
The Falcons completed their sensational comeback in the 88th minute when Jennifer Echegini reacted quickest to a deep free-kick, stabbing home from close range to spark wild celebrations on the Nigerian bench.
The victory sees Nigeria reinforce their dominance in African women’s football, securing their 10th WAFCON title and reasserting their status as the queens of the continent.
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