Former Arsenal star Anders Limpar has expressed his desire to see Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyökeres join the Gunners, describing the potential move as “crazy.” Gyökeres, who has been in sensational form, is reportedly attracting interest from top European clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain. He has also been linked with a potential reunion with Ruben Amorim at Manchester United next year. Speaking to FotbollDirekt, Limpar shared his admiration for the Swedish striker and their personal connection. “I know Gyökeres very well personally; I acted as a bit of a mentor for him when he played…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has boldly claimed that Nigeria surpasses the United Kingdom when it comes to food and football legends. Speaking in a recent interview, Awoniyi praised Nigeria’s rich culinary culture and celebrated the nation’s football icons, highlighting their significant impact on the sport globally. “For me, Nigeria has the best food in the world,” Awoniyi stated. “Our dishes are rich, diverse, and full of flavor—nothing compares. And when it comes to football, we’ve produced incredible legends who have made a mark on the global stage.” Awoniyi’s remarks reflect the pride many Nigerians feel about the country’s contributions…
A DNA test has revealed that Vinícius Jr., the star winger for Brazil and Real Madrid, has ancestral roots in the Tikar tribe of Cameroon. The test, conducted by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in collaboration with AfricanAncestry.com on November 19, 2024, at Fonte Nova, traced the player’s lineage to the prominent Cameroonian tribe. To commemorate the discovery, a certificate of recognition was presented to Vinícius Jr., accompanied by a video detailing the legacy of his Tikar ancestors. This initiative is part of the CBF’s “Roots of Gold” campaign, which celebrates the heritage and pride of Afro-Brazilian communities with a…
Chelsea will resume Premier League action this Saturday with an away match against Leicester City following the international break. The Blues head into the fixture with strong momentum, currently sitting third in the league and firmly in the race for a Champions League spot. Maintaining this form will be crucial as they navigate the challenges of a long season. Amid ongoing transfer rumors, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen remains a frequent topic of speculation. Reports indicate that Chelsea made a late attempt to sign the Napoli forward during the summer transfer window but were unsuccessful. Now on loan at Galatasaray, Osimhen…
Manchester United is reportedly preparing a €100 million bid for Ademola Lookman, the Atalanta and Super Eagles forward, as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the 2025 season. Since joining Atalanta in 2022, the 27-year-old has been in exceptional form, playing a pivotal role for both club and country. Lookman was instrumental in Nigeria’s run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final and contributed significantly to Atalanta’s success, including a Coppa Italia final appearance and a historic UEFA Europa League victory, where he scored an impressive hat-trick. His stellar performances have earned him widespread recognition, including…
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has reportedly identified Xabi Alonso as the ideal candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti as head coach. According to Fabrizio Romano, Pérez believes Alonso possesses the necessary qualities, including the right style of football, to lead the La Liga giants. This season, Real Madrid has already suffered more defeats (3) than they did throughout the entire previous campaign (2), and the retirement of Toni Kroos has left the team lacking a clear midfield identity. Additionally, the arrival of Kylian Mbappé has disrupted the attacking chemistry. These factors have fueled discussions about Ancelotti’s future, despite his past…
Ademola Lookman has been nominated for Serie A Forward of the Year at the prestigious Gran Gala del Calcio Awards. This recognition underscores his standout performances in Italy’s top division. The 27-year-old Nigerian winger faces tough competition from Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, all of whom have played key roles for their respective teams this season. In addition to Lookman’s individual nomination, Atalanta’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, is also in the running for the Coach of the Year award, reflecting both the club’s success and the impact Gasperini and Lookman have had this season.…
Lionel Messi will have a new manager next season as Gerardo “Tata” Martino has stepped down as head coach of Inter Miami CF. According to ESPN, Martino resigned for personal reasons, leaving with one year remaining on his contract. The former Barcelona and Mexico coach is scheduled to address the media on Friday, joined by co-owner Jorge Mas and president of football operations Raúl Sanllehí. Martino’s departure comes weeks after Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated in the first round of the MLS playoffs, losing to No. 9 seed Atlanta United FC in a best-of-three series. Appointed in June 2023…
Chelsea will bid farewell to long-serving coach Henrique Hilario, who is set to join former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel in the revamped England staff starting in the New Year, according to reports. Hilario has been with Chelsea for nearly 20 years, having joined the club as a backup goalkeeper under Jose Mourinho in 2006. He made 39 appearances over eight seasons, with a significant number coming during his debut campaign when both Petr Čech and Carlo Cudicini were sidelined. The Portuguese goalkeeper stayed on as a player until his retirement in 2014, at the age of 38, before returning to…
Lyon are reportedly set to demand around €30m (£25m) for midfielder Rayan Cherki amid interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea. Following Lyon’s financial struggles and their provisional relegation at the end of the season, Liverpool quickly emerged as a potential suitor for the 21-year-old, with reports later suggesting that Chelsea had reignited their interest in the talented Frenchman. Cherki was close to a €15m (£12.5m) move to Paris Saint-Germain over the summer, but Lyon president John Textor recently made it clear that the midfielder is no longer available at such a low price, even with the club facing relegation. According…
The roster for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is now complete, with Mozambique securing the final spot after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau. Scheduled to kick off in December next year, the tournament will take place in Morocco, which qualifies automatically as the host nation. This prestigious event will showcase a mix of established giants and rising stars, all vying for continental glory. Among the qualified teams are former champions Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, and current titleholders Côte d’Ivoire, who impressed throughout the qualifiers. Iconic sides such as Nigeria, Tunisia, and South Africa also booked their tickets, ensuring…
Ruben Amorim’s first training session as Manchester United head coach received a boost with the return of center-back Leny Yoro to full training. United secured the 19-year-old’s signature for an initial £52m in the summer, beating Real Madrid to the deal, but his pre-season was derailed by a foot injury that has sidelined him until now. As a result, Yoro missed the Erik ten Hag era but now seems set to play an important role under Amorim. Having previously worked on his fitness through lighter sessions, he was spotted fully involved in Amorim’s first session. Yoro lined up in a…
Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira is set to return to management with Serie A side Genoa. The Frenchman, who managed Strasbourg for just one season before being dismissed during pre-season, is now poised for the fifth senior managerial role of his career. According to Fabrizio Romano, Vieira has reached an agreement to take over at Genoa following the departure of Alberto Gilardino on Tuesday. An official announcement is expected soon. Genoa currently sit 17th in the Serie A standings, and Vieira’s arrival will see him reunite with former Manchester City teammate Mario Balotelli, who joined the club in the summer…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly set to remain with the reigning Premier League champions after agreeing to a new contract. With his current deal set to expire in six months, there had been speculation that Guardiola might leave at the end of the season, especially with long-time ally Txiki Begiristain stepping down as sporting director. However, The Athletic reports that Guardiola has committed to a one-year extension, with an option for an additional 12 months. If the optional year is exercised, it would mark a decade of Guardiola’s service at the club. During the October international break, Guardiola…
Chelsea midfielder Joao Felix has expressed to manager Enzo Maresca that he believes his best performance comes from a central attacking position. Felix, who joined Chelsea permanently in the summer for £45 million from Atletico Madrid, has struggled to secure a spot in the starting XI. This season, he has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League. However, the 25-year-old has impressed in other competitions, scoring four goals in three Conference League matches and starting both Carabao Cup games. After scoring in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Croatia in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, Felix reiterated his preference…
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed the five finalists for the 2024 African Ballon d’Or, showcasing some of the continent’s top footballing talents. The shortlist includes Ademola Lookman, Achraf Hakimi, Simon Adingra, Nico Williams, and Serhou Guirassy, all of whom have delivered outstanding performances over the past year. Ademola Lookman has impressed with his creativity and goal-scoring ability for both club and country. Achraf Hakimi, a consistent fixture in such lists, continues to excel with his defensive strength and attacking flair on the right side. Simon Adingra has gained recognition for his breakthrough season, while Nico Williams has…
France international Paul Pogba, who has fallen out of favour recently, has resumed private training as he prepares to make his return to professional football after nearly two years away. According to an ESPN report, Pogba is aiming to relaunch his career with a competitive club in one of Europe’s top five leagues, following the termination of his contract with Juventus last week. The 31-year-old midfielder has been proactive in his recovery and training, with plans to return to full training by January 2025. This timing coincides with the expiration of his doping ban, which ends in March. Pogba was…
Nigeria concluded their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a surprising 2-1 loss to Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Despite having already secured their place in next year’s tournament as Group D winners, the Super Eagles were unable to maintain their unbeaten run. Samuel Chukwueze gave Nigeria the lead in the 59th minute with a brilliant solo effort, but Rwanda responded with two rapid goals from Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti, securing their first-ever victory over the Super Eagles. The defeat marks the first under interim manager Augustine Eguavoen, who may step down from…
Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk has assured fans that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will remain with the Turkish Super Lig champions until the end of the current season, despite interest from other clubs. Osimhen, on loan from Serie A side Napoli, has been a standout performer for Galatasaray since his arrival. Reports recently linked the 25-year-old forward with a potential January move to Premier League giants Manchester United, sparking speculation about his future. While Osimhen’s contract reportedly includes a clause allowing a winter transfer, Buruk has dismissed any notion of an early departure, highlighting the player’s commitment to the club. “Osimhen…
Arsenal’s search for a new sporting director has reportedly led them to consider Paris Saint-Germain’s football advisor, Luis Campos. The outspoken Portuguese transfer specialist was brought in by PSG as an outside consultant in July 2022, after building a strong reputation at French rivals Monaco and Lille. Both clubs managed to wrestle the French top-flight title away from PSG, thanks in large part to Campos’ eye for talent and recruitment. Following Edu’s unexpected resignation, Arsenal is believed to be eyeing the 60-year-old as a potential successor, according to Sky Sports. The club is still in the “early stages” of finding…