Afcon 2023 is over. What a remarkable end to a tournament dripping in drama.
Thanks for your company, SportsFila.com.
The night has only just started in Abidjan.
EPL
How Anthony Elanga Became Better Than Marcus Rashford
Let’s Look At How Anthony Elanga Became Better Than Marcus Rashford.
“Elanga plays for United as if a dream comes true,” offered Rangnick, “and it’s just joy and fun to watch him play. He’s just enjoying himself on the pitch and that’s what it’s all about. Football is a ball game and you have to enjoy yourself on the pitch.” Charity hero Rashford looks like he has lost interest in football.
Less than 11 months ago, the prospect of winning a one-on-one duel with Jan Oblak, one of the world’s finest goalkeepers, was literally nothing more than fantasy for teenager Elanga yet to make a single senior appearance. Rangnick’s predecessor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, had warned of what was coming, saying last April: “In Anthony, we have a player with good skills, a great attitude and he scores goals from either the right or left, and he’s got good pace. He’s got that X-factor.”
And yet, for all the forewarning, for the outings (and a goal) against Leicester and Wolves last season, Elanga’s impact at first-team level in 2021/22 has still been sensational. Behind the meteoric rise, the fuel has been simple but effective. Winner of the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2020 for his exploits in the Under-18s’ Covid-curtailed season, the Swedish forward has hauled himself into the senior setup with total commitment and relentless graft in addition to his footballing attributes. That period included training sessions with ex-Reds striker Dwight Yorke, who was impressed by what he saw.
“I think Anthony Elanga has a really good chance of making it,” the former Trinidad & Tobago star told The Athletic. “I was impressed by his attitude when I spent time with him. He was trying to be the best, he was willing to listen properly and he has plenty of speed. I also told him not to get bogged down into trying to be the star man and explained that he had to work in different ways, including doing some of the ugly stuff in football which not every player likes to do — all that running off the ball. I explained to Anthony that if you have that persistence, you’ll end up getting your rewards in the long run.”
“Every time I get on the ball I want to create something, especially when the fans sing. I want to show them and repay them, they’re not singing for no reason, they’re singing for a reason and I appreciate them so much. It’s a dream come true and I live for moments like this. It means a lot to me”, Anthony Elanga said.
Cristiano Ronaldo inspires Elanga: Rashford doesn’t learn to grow.
The role of meticulous preparation in Cristiano’s career is no secret, and Anthony is already renowned for taking a similarly committed approach to life in the gym and out on the training pitch. Every day is a school day, with information all around him just waiting to be soaked up. “It all starts from training and in the gym, and it’s about looking at what the other players do and taking some notes from them. Training with them day-in, day-out helps me a lot, not just from a technical side of the game, but a tactical side of the game too, and what they do out of possession [for example], and that all leads into the games. When I’m in a game I like to talk a lot with the older lads and they give me really good advice, which helps me a lot. Speaking every day to the likes of Rashy, Jesse and Scott, and training with them every day, is brilliant.”
How Anthony Elanga Became Better Than Rashford
Elanga’s hard-working approach further impressed Rangnick who, after first accepting the role of interim manager, watched YouTube videos of Elanga in action and quickly shelved plans for the youngster to be loaned out. The door was open to a player with Anthony’s talent and application, regardless of his age.
“From the start when we did our first session, he was like: ‘If you continue to be 100 per cent in everything you do then you will play,’” explains Anthony. “He gives me good advice and helps me a lot, and obviously he’s been giving me game-time as well, which I appreciate a lot. I just want to repay the favour by putting in the performances and giving 150 per cent in training, and leading into the games with that and keeping that up.”
UNLIKE MARCUS RASHFORD, ELANGA IS HUNGRY AND HUMBLE
The results speak for themselves.
“Elanga is hungry and more humble than Marcus Rashford as a young player coming into the team, and he’s just champing at the bit,” noted United legend Rio Ferdinand, after the draw with Atletico. “I like the fact that he’s impacted games. Three away goals – which is a big thing, scoring away from home – and he’s come on and contributed. I think that’s all you want as a young player, to come on and not be anonymous, have an impact, and he’s done that. I think he’s a really good example to all young players coming through – you bide your time, you get in and you’ve got to make your mark when you get in there.”
Contributing to the collective, enjoying himself and lifting spirits on and off the pitch, it’s safe to say that Anthony Elanga has already made his mark at United. And there’s still so much more to come from him – you can feel it in the air
Gary Neville has admitted he’s puzzled by Marcus Rashford’s poor Manchester United form.
The 24-year-old has scored just five goals in 26 appearances this season, the last of which came against West Ham in January. Speaking to Sky Sports, Neville offered some advice for the United striker.
“I get the fact that he’s not playing at the moment,” he explained. “His form is poor and is drained of confidence.
ALSO READ: ‘Should be over’ – Manchester United fans share Mauricio Pochettino verdict after PSG defeat
“Nobody knows what has happened to him. Looks completely uncomfortable and unhappy on the pitch.
“When he came on against Atletico Madrid, he looked like there was just nothing there. So, he needs to.
But I do feel like Marcus Rashford needs to just go away this summer for a few weeks where he reassesses himself, what he wants from life and who he wants around him.
“He’s not playing with freedom at this time. I’d hate to think that from an academy player at the age of nine that has got great talent, would just leave after his first bad period, even if it has been 12 or 18 months now.”
Must-Read Articles
‘Compelling title race a relief for Premier League’
This weekend will be the 10th time that the Premier League title has been decided on the final day of the season.
But rarely before will those in charge of the competition have been so grateful for a captivating conclusion to the campaign.
Liverpool’s challenge ultimately faded, scuppering their fans’ dreams of a triumphant farewell for departing manager Jurgen Klopp and the prospect of an unprecedented three-way battle going the full distance.
But Manchester City or Arsenal will be crowned champions in the final act of what has been a classic duel.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal is back to Winning ways
Sunday may not provide the unforgettable drama of 2012’s last day, which saw massive fans’ participation at MT online sportsbooks, when Sergio Aguero’s stoppage-time winner sealed a first Premier League title for City. But whether it ends with a record fourth consecutive title for the champions or a first in 20 years for Arsenal, league bosses, broadcasters and neutrals will have the special finale they hoped for.
Off the field, however, these have been troubled times for the top flight.
The points deductions handed to Everton and Nottingham Forest this season for breaching financial rules have been hugely contentious, the punishments – and subsequent appeals – leading to uncertainty over the league table, resentment by fans and fears that the relegation battle could be decided by the rulings of commission panels.
While both teams have ultimately stayed up, the controversy surrounding the profit and sustainability regulations (PSR) is not going away.
Newly promoted Leicester City have been charged with breaking spending rules when they were in the top flight (and are now taking legal action against the league), while Chelsea have also been under investigation.
And 16 months after City were charged with more than a hundred rule breaches, a hearing in their case is not thought to be scheduled until the autumn, contributing to the mounting scrutiny of the league’s governance and processes.
While City deny wrongdoing, a sixth league triumph in seven years would only intensify questions over the fairness of how they assembled their squad over several seasons, the time the case has taken, and whether the club’s wealth has distorted the competitiveness of the league, alongside admiration for the team and their coach.
Meanwhile, a split has emerged between clubs over plans to introduce a new spending cap, and the Premier League is facing the threat of more legal action from one of its members over amended rules around associated party transactions.
As if all that was not enough to contend with, the league’s chief executive Richard Masters has also warned of the “unintended consequences” of the forthcoming independent football regulator, amid mounting criticism of the failure by his clubs to agree a new financial settlement with the English Football League (EFL).
The Premier League is also known to be deeply concerned about the increasingly congested calendar, with Masters recently warning of a “tipping point”, after criticism following the scrapping of FA Cup replays. The league has also admitted that the VAR system must improve after a series of controversies.
With the title race going right to the wire, Sunday’s final-day drama will provide a welcome distraction from such matters for Masters and his colleagues – but, one suspects, only a temporary one.
Clock ticking for Commonwealth Games
A few weeks ago in Birmingham, Katie Sadleir, the head of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), told me that any further delay beyond May in announcing a host for the 2026 event would be “very problematic”.
Since then Glasgow has emerged as a possible back-up option if no replacement is found for Victoria in Australia, which pulled out last year, plunging the event into crisis.
But there has still been no official announcement by the CGF.
Insiders claim they remain hopeful a host will be confirmed in the next two weeks, but the clock is ticking.
Super League heading stateside?
The National Rugby League (NRL) season kicked off in the US for the first time in March, with a Premiership double-header staged at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas as part of a multi-year deal designed to grow the sport in the US.
So could Super League clubs follow suit?
Talks have taken place over the Club World Challenge being staged in the US, and some Super League bosses are keen on regular season matches being part of the tie-up too.
Wigan and Warrington played each other in Milwaukee 35 years ago, albeit as an exhibition match. And with rugby league currently ‘re-imagining’ itself as part of a 12-year deal with agency IMG intended to boost its appeal, anything seems possible.
Manchester United assessing potential Erik ten Hag replacements 👀 Mark Ogden shares details with SportsFila.
The fact that Southgate is on that list tells how serious you should take it
No manager on earth could do anything with Manchester United until Someone takes responsibility for the club and has a viable plan for the future.
Manchester Derby PREDICTIONS By SportsFila: Man Utd vs City
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group, the club’s new partial owners, are exploring options to assume the role. According to Team Talk, the Red Devils are considering the 41-year-old as a candidate for the manager position.
After achieving success as a player with Barcelona, Inter, and Paris Saint-Germain, winning numerous titles, the two-time Champions League winner transitioned to coaching at the senior level.
Flop Antony and Gabriella Cavallin/ getty Images
ESPN loves ManUtd. As much they say that they hate talking about ManUtd they can’t stop talking about ManUtd 😅😅. They have spend 15 mins speaking on rumours – Hypocrites.
Sack Ten Hag Now: Man Utd Fan Makes Bold Claim
It’s not Ten Hag fault when players like rashford do not put in all the effort after signing a new contract. Also ten hag had to deal with incredible amount of injuries which ESPN deliberately overlooks. So getting another manager isn’t going to solve anything.
It’s so funny how the English media fails to realize that the structure & the players is the problem at united…..but they trying to sack ETH who is an elite manger under a proper management structure 💯
The best manager that seems to be being overlooked shouod be n1 on the list for bayern utd liverpool is someone inzaghi. Hes done great things with Lazio and inter. Loads of experience and has got to european finals and won domestic leagues.
Manchester City 3-1 win over United in Manchester Derby.
It is very different getting an underdog /dark horse to perform vs going to an environment where the spotlight in on you everyday from day 1. The same thing happened at Bayern with a couple of their coaches…
Afcon 2024 victory is well deserved for Ivory Coast they left no stone unturned and they dominated throughout. If there is a one person who deserved to win the AFCON it was Sebastian Haller. In 2022, he was diagnosed with cancer but he recovered and he returned to play football in 2023 only to bottle the Bundesliga title on the final matchday to Bayern but here we are in 2024 where he scored the winner in the AFCON final to win Cote d’Ivoire AFCON title so congratulations🇨🇮🇨🇮🇨🇮🇨🇮🏆
Brazil Antony fulfill his potential at Manchester United?
FT: Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
But Ivory Coast won fair and square. They played better. Congratulations champs.
What Adingra did in the African Cup of Nation was phenomenal. Nigerians will remember him as a nighmare forever. The boy has a great future ahead of him.
Why Biased Ten Hag Cannot Discipline Rashford Like Sancho
Haller beats cancer, then comes to the AFCON and scores the most important goal in the final, the winning goal what a beautiful story for that man and Ivory coast, congratulations to them👏👏
Congratulations to Ivory Coast from cameroonian👏👏👏you organized and won the most beautiful AFCON in story, unbelievable achievment when we look how things went for you.
One of the best tournaments I’ve seen.
Almost every team demonstrated that they were not afraid of their opponent and played above expectations.
Congratulations to Côte d’Ivoire who never gave up and believed and implemented their progress towards goal as much as possible until the last second in this tournament. Kudos to Nigeria for high yield and quality.
Thank you for making the spectators so emotional and congratulations and best wishes to the Ivory Coast and the Ivorian people.
FT: Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
Afcon 2023 is over. What a remarkable end to a tournament dripping in drama.
Thanks for your company.
The night has only just started in Abidjan.
Congratulations to Ivory Coast for winning the Africa Cup🏆! The team showed strength and desire to win and to not give up until the end. And the fans were absolutely amazing
P.s Haller deserved it the most, since he suffered a lot.
The story of Côte d’Ivoire’s victory in the African Nations is one of the most beautiful stories in the history of football. We sympathized with this team’s version a lot and we will tell it to our children in the future 🧡
MUST-Read Articles
- This is The reason why Victor Osimhen wears a mask when Playing Football
- How World Cup Winner Pogba Got Banned From Football
- Rasmus Hojlund keeps scoring in recent Premier League
