Sport

Equatorial Guinea head coach, Rodolfo Bodipo, has blamed the centre referee, Abou Coulibaly, for their 3-1 loss to Nigeria on Tuesday in Agadir, insisting that the arbiter made two wrong calls in favour of the home-based Super Eagles in the final Group C game at the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Equatorial Ginuea scored their first goal of the tournament courtesy of a header from Nsi Eyama in the 40th minute, but second half goals from Anthony Okpotu, Dayo Ojo and a penalty goal from substitute Rabiu Ali cancelled out the curtain raiser to send Nigeria through to the quarter-finals.

Javier Mascherano is set to leave Barcelona this week after spending and eventful seven-and-a-half seasons at the club. A message on the club's website confirmed his departure, saying the 33-year-old will be given "an institutional farewell on Wednesday at 11 am". The message reads;

Chelsea will be without their striker Alvaro Morata and Cesc Fabregas when they travel to Emirate on Wednesday night for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg match. The crucial encounter is coming after both sides played a goalless draw at Stanford Bridge about two weeks ago. As important as the game is, Chelsea would be missing their two starters due to injury.

Marca reports that Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is keen to reinforce his forward line with Alvaro Morata misfiring and they are closing in on Roma's Edin Dzeko. Although Morata started well, his recent goal drought has seen Chelsea scour the market with Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch some of the players to be linked. Roma's Edin Dzeko appears to be the chosen option though, with Chelsea ready to offer Michy Batshuayi in exchange for the Bosnian.

Talented Nigerian youngsters Eberechi Eze and Bright Osayi-Samuel wrote their names on the score-sheet in Queens Park Rangers 8-1 demolition of Bromley 8-1 in a friendly match.

Republic of Ireland U21 international of Nigerian parentage Olamide Shodipo was also among the scorers in the game staged at Harlington on Monday afternoon.

Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr has denied speculations in the French media that he has been contacted by French club Girondis Bordeaux to handle the team.

Rohr had a long history with Bordeaux having enjoyed an illustrious playing and coaching career with the former French champions.

The German played for Les Girondins for 12 years, making 352 appearances and the managed the side for six straight years.