Sports
Chelsea’s Maresca laments defensive errors after Brighton defeat
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s manager, expressed frustration over his team’s tendency to “gift” opportunities to opponents following a surprising 3-1 loss to Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues took the lead in the 24th minute through a header by Enzo Fernandez, assisted by a precise cross from Reece James after a pass from Moises Caicedo.
However, the game’s momentum shifted when Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah was sent off in the 53rd minute for a reckless challenge on Brighton’s Diego Gomez, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
READ ALSO: United beat Chelsea 2-1 to secure three points at Old Trafford
Brighton capitalized on Chelsea’s numerical disadvantage, with Danny Welbeck leveling the score in the 77th minute. In stoppage time, Maxim De Cuyper headed in a cross from Mats Wieffer, who had redirected Yasin Ayari’s delivery. Welbeck sealed the victory with a third goal in the dying moments, marking Chelsea’s second consecutive Premier League defeat.
This loss followed a similar pattern from the previous week, when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off early in a 2-1 loss to Manchester United. Maresca highlighted the recurring issue of disciplinary lapses and defensive errors.
“The message (in the dressing room) was clear,” Maresca said. “Against any team in the Premier League you cannot continue to give away presents. We are giving away presents. The red card is a big mistake because the game completely changed.”
Reflecting on the match, Maresca noted that Chelsea dominated the first half with 70% possession and multiple scoring chances.
However, Chalobah’s red card, triggered by a wayward pass from Andrey Santos, altered the game plan. The defeat left Chelsea in eighth place, with fans voicing their discontent at the final whistle. The team now faces a daunting challenge against Premier League leaders Liverpool on October 4.
“It’s a tough one because we were in control of the game,” Maresca said. “We scored one, we could have scored more. We had so many shots first half, 70 per cent of possession – everything was fine. Then suddenly because of our mistake, with the red card the plan completely changed. We played two games – first half, then unfortunately after the red card. For sure you cannot continue to make mistakes. They are big mistakes, game-changing, red card against United and today.”
Nigerians woke up on Saturday to the news of the death of Henry Nwosu, one of the most iconic footballers ever to lace his boots for the national team – Green Eagles, now the Super Eagles.
The Imo State-born footballer reportedly passed on, on Saturday morning, Segun Odegbami his former teammate and fellow 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, disclosed in a Facebook post hours after the development.
Odegbami said Nwosu died at about 4:00 a.m. at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit since Wednesday.
“After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at 4:00 a.m. this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos,” Odegbami wrote.
“It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news of the death of Henry Nwosu MON. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven.”
Nwosu was the youngest member of Nigeria’s squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, when the then Green Eagles claimed the country’s first continental title on home soil.
His death comes days after Nigerian football lost another notable figure, former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Onigbinde died on March 9 at the age of 88.
Both Nwosu and Onigbinde were key players in the Green Eagles set-up of the 1980s. Onigbinde served as coach of the national team between 1982 and 1984.
At club level, Nwosu played for several Nigerian sides, including New Nigeria Bank F.C. and Stationery Stores F.C. and at the end of active football, the ex-international, moved into coaching and youth development.
Godswill Akpabio, Nigerian Senate President on Sunday hailed the Super Eagles for securing bronze at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, saying the efforts put in securing the victory reflected the Nigerian spirit.
Conveying his excitement through Eseme Eyiboh, his spokesman, Akpabio said in a statement, hours after the team secured a place on the medals list, after beating their Egyptian counterparts of penalties that the feat would be an inspiration to other Nigerians.
Eyiboh, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, quoted his boss as saying: “On behalf of my family, constituents and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Super Eagles on their outstanding achievement in securing the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
“The match against the Pharaohs of Egypt was a testament to your skills and determination, and I commend you for your exceptional performance. Your victory is a reflection of the talent and resilience that Nigeria is known for, and we are proud to have you represent our country on the international stage.
“I urge you to celebrate this achievement with pride and use it as a motivation to strive for even greater heights in your future endeavours. Your achievement is a source of inspiration to millions of Nigerians, and we look forward to seeing your continued success.
“Once again, congratulations to the Super Eagles on this remarkable achievement. May your bronze medal serve as a reminder of your capabilities and the heights you can reach with hard work and determination.”
Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria’s Senate President, spared no words in eulogising the strong statement the Super Eagles of Nigeria, has been making since the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicked off on December 21 Morocco, one of them the decisive trouncing of the Desert Foxes of Algeria on Saturday.
Conveying his sentiments through Eseme Eyiboh, his spokesman, the Senate President, who described the Super Eagles as the pride of the nation, expressed great delight that by the victory, Nigeria had secured a spot in the Semi-Finals, urging the team to go for the top prize, which is the gold trophy itself.
Hear him: “I heartily congratulate the Super Eagles on their impressive 2-0 victory over Algeria, securing a well-deserved spot in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations,” Akpabio said while reacting to the outcome of the match played Saturday in Marrakech.
“I must say, you’re the pride of the nation. This achievement is a testament to the team’s unwavering dedication, resilience, and teamwork,” the Senate President told the high-flying Super Eagles.
Urging the players to maintain their focus and momentum as they face hosts Morocco in the semi-finals on Wednesday, he added: “We are proud of you; the 10th Senate and all Nigerians are behind you, cheering you on to bring home the trophy.”
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