Football

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has run the rule over Argentina’s opponents at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and declared that none of them will be capable of stopping superstar Lionel Messi who is desperate for a winners’ medal as he gradually winds down his playing career.

Simeone, himself an accomplished former Argentine international midfieder, made this known at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday moments after leading his team to a 3-2 victory over Nigeria’s Super Eagles Team B in the GOtv Max Cup friendly.

New Arsenal head coach Unai Emery was the "unanimous" choice to "drive the next chapter" at the club, says chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

Emery, 46, joins the Gunners having left French champions PSG after guiding them to the Ligue 1 title.

The Spaniard also won four domestic cups with the French giants, having previously steered Sevilla to three successive Europa League triumphs.

The Moroccan Football Federation has written to FIFA to complain about US territories being allowed to vote to decide the 2026 World Cup hosts, according to the BBC. Morocco are bidding to host the tournament, against a joint proposal from the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Former Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti is set to take over as Napoli coach, according to reports in Italy on Tuesday. Ancelotti, who was sacked by the Bundesliga champions last September, was reported to be holding talks with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis in Rome on Tuesday night.

Atletico Madrid defeated the Super Eagles 3-2 in Uyo to win the GOtv Max Cup on Tuesday. Kelechi Nwakali put the home team in front with a superb strike from outside the box that beat goalkeeper Jan Oblak. However, Europa League champions Atletico drew level soon after when Emem Eduok was dispossessed in his own half of the pitch.

Out-of-favour Nigeria international Nnamdi Oduamadi has officially cut ties with Italian Serie A giants, AC Milan after eleven years with the Rossoneri.

Oduamadi, 27, joined the Italian giants in 2008 before signing a first professional contract with the club the following year but has mostly had to make do with loan spells at various clubs in the country which includes Torino, Varese, Brescia, Crotone and Latina before his last stint with HJK in Finland.