No Nation Can Beat Super Eagles - Awoniyi

TAIWO Awoniyi is adamant that the club success enjoyed by his Nigeria teammates will be vital in their AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone.

The No ngham Forest

Lionel Messi Didn’t Get Respect He Deserved At PSG - Mbappe

PARIS Saint-Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe, has slammed the treatment of team-mate, Lionel Messi, during his two years in the French capital.

The mercurial Argenne announced last week that he would be leaving the capital club when his contract expires this month.

He will start a new jour- ney in MLS with Inter Miami, thus pu ng an end to a tumultuous spell in Paris.

Despite being considered by many to be the greatest of all me, even Messi wasn’t immune to the torrents of abuse hurled from the club’s hardline fanbase - something which Mbappe has deplored.

The 24-year-old Frenchman has told La Gazze a dello Sport: “We are talking about poten ally the best player in the history of football. It’s never good news when someone like Messi leaves.

“Personally, I don’t understand why so many people were so relieved that he was gone. We are talking about Messi. He needs to be respected, and instead he didn’t get the respect he deserved in France. It’s a shame, but that’s how it happened. We will have to do what we can to replace him.” forward was included in Jose Peseiro’s Nigeria team to play Sierra Leone.

With Messi gone and Neymar seemingly with one foot out the exit door, there could be a summer of genera onal change at PSG. However, it has been reported that Mbappe may not s ck around either.

Despite the player’s insistence, he will see out his current deal through to 2024, the Parisians are thought to be unwilling to let him leave on a free transfer next summer.

PSG could, therefore, start the next campaign with an en rely new front three - one of whom looks to have already been signed.

For that to happen, though, a suitable club would need to come in with the funds to lure the Frenchman away from his homeland.

That seems likely to be Real Madrid, who are reportedly willing to fork out up to €200 million (£174m/$216m).

Awoniyi played a crucial role in helping the English side escape relega on from the Premier League, scoring five goals in the club’s last three matches.

Samuel Chukwueze had a good season with Villarreal winning the Best African Player Award in La Liga, while Ademola Lookman excelled with Atalanta. Alex Iwobi delivered for Everton and helped the Toffees survive the axe in the Premier League.

The highlight of it all, however, was Victor Osimhen who became the first African to win the Serie A Golden Boot as Napoli clinched their first Scude o in 33 years.

Awoniyi now believes the club’s achievements can help the Super Eagles beat the Leone Stars.

“This is a game against Sierra Leone that is very important to the country because you have to play it once, it’s not a league game where you have an opportunity to play again,” Awoniyi told Soccernet.

He added: “That is how I see every Super Eagles game, and that’s the kind of spirit I will take to the game if I get to Liberia.

“This is a game that you have to put in your best because you only have 90 minutes to play. Perhaps, the next me you play again in

September or thereabout.

“Of course, Nigerians should not expect anything other than victory. Because looking at the caliber of players that we have in the team, these are players that have done well for their club sides, and I hope that we can bring home the same spirit that we have from our club sides.

“If we can bring it back, there is no na on that can beat the Super Eagles.”

The 25-year-old is making a return to the na onal team for the first me since September 2022.

However, he will face s ff compe on from the inform Osimhen, and Kelechi Iheanacho for a starting berth.

Nigeria top Group A with nine points and a point will be enough to send them to the finals to be held in Ivory Coast in January 2024.

The Super Eagles won the ini al mee ng against Sierra Leone 2-1 and will be aiming at comple ng a double on Sunday.