Argentina hints at Icardi’s absence as Albiceleste lines up Israel friendly
REPORTS in Argentina indicate that the Albiceleste boss, Jorge Sampaoli has already decided not to take Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi to the World Cup as he has enough firepower upfront in the build up to the World Cup.
Argentina is in the same group with Nigeria, Croatia and Iceland in the Russia 2018 World Cup.
There is a great deal of competition for places in the team going to Russia over the summer.
Icardi was famously snubbed by previous tacticians, but has been called in several times by Sampaoli.
The 25-year-old now has four senior caps for the Albiceleste, but is yet to score a goal.
Foxsports in South America now report that Icardi won’t be in the squad for the World Cup, partly due to his performances for Argentina, but mainly because of a tense rapport with other players.
This season, Icardi has contributed 18 goals in 22 Serie A appearances for Inter.
Meanwhile, Argentina will play a friendly match against Israel in June as part of its preparations for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
The competition is just a few months away and things are beginning to take shape for Jorge Sampaoli’s men. While rumors of Paulo Dybala getting left out of next month’s friendly matches broke out on Monday, other news officially got announced as well.
Marvel School Ughelli will meet St. Paul’s College Ozoro in final match
MARVEL International School, Ughelli has qualified to meet St. Paul’s College, Ozoro in the final match of the second edition of Zenith/delta Principals’ Cup football competition for all secondary schools in the state.
The final match will take place on Friday at the Ozoro Polytechnic Stadium.
The two finalists emerged after about 16 weeks of intense competition in various parts of the state in the youth developmental competition.
The Government of Delta State and sponsors, Zenith Bank plc. revived the competition only last year after 28 years.
On Monday, Marvel International School edged out Otukutu to book a ticket in the final of this edition. It was not an easy one for the Marvel Boys, as they had to win 3-1 on penalties after fulltime score stood at 0-0.
In the second semifinal match decided only yesterday, St. Paul’s College, Ozoro at the Kwale Stadium defeated Boys Secondary School, Obiaruko 2-0 in a highly entertaining encounter.
Isike Precious registered the first goal in the 29th minute, while Godwin Nwalogho scored the second goal in the 51st minute. St. Paul’s is quite lucky to have qualified for the final taking place in its base, hence it is expected to enjoy home support on Friday.
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and other top functionaries in the state, as well as top officials of sponsors, Zenith Bank, are billed to attend the final together with chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and former national team players. “It has been a long road to get this far but we thank God and we are certain that the final will be a befitting climax for the competition,” Tony Pemu, head of the organizing team said yesterday.