Arsenal is on the verge of welcoming back midfielder Fabio Vieira as they gear up for their return to Champions League action next week. Vieira, who joined Arsenal from Porto in July 2022 for a €35 million fee, has been sidelined since the end of November due to a groin injury that required surgery. During this period, the 23-year-old missed 14 games for Arsenal but is making progress in his recovery. According to the Evening Standard, Vieira’s rehabilitation is going well, and he anticipates returning to training soon, with the hope of rejoining the team within the next two weeks.…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has offered an explanation for his team’s 1-0 loss to Lazio in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match on Wednesday. Tuchel expressed disappointment in his team’s failure to capitalize on clear chances in the first half, attributing the defeat to missed opportunities. Addressing the media post-match, Tuchel remarked, “In the first half, we had to take the lead. We had three clear chances. We have to capitalize on these opportunities. [The second half was] characterized by uncertainty again. It was a bit chaotic. We did everything to lose this match. It was…
Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has finally addressed reports of online threats directed at him following his standout performance in the 2023 AFCON match against South Africa. In an interview with BluePrint, Nwabali asserted, “I must go back to my club,” emphasizing his commitment to Chippa United, the South African club he joined in October 2022. Downplaying the threats, the goalkeeper remarked, “This is football,” highlighting the inherent competitiveness of the sport and suggesting that such reactions, while unwelcome, are not entirely surprising. “I must go back to my club because they own me,” reiterated Nwabali, underscoring his professional responsibility and…
Breaking News: Ivory Coast Players Granted N118 Million and Luxurious Homes as Reward for Winning AFCON 2023 President Alassane Ouattara has acknowledged the Ivorian national team’s outstanding success at AFCON 2023 by hosting a reception to commend their remarkable achievement. Each member of the championship-winning squad is set to receive a substantial reward of N118 million (KSh 12 million) and the keys to a lavish villa. Coach Emerse Fae will be honored with $164,000 (KSh 24 million). Ivory Coast’s team officials, coaches, and players are also bestowed with prestigious titles within the National Order of Merit, with team officials receiving…
Tottenham Hotspur is considering a renewed pursuit of Wolves’ Pedro Neto as they actively search for a new winger this summer, according to information from 90min. Since the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as head coach, Spurs have bolstered their squad with wide players such as Manor Solomon and Brennan Johnson on permanent deals last summer. Additionally, they hold a £15.5m option to buy Timo Werner at the end of his loan from RB Leipzig. Sources indicate that Tottenham plans to bring in another winger for the 2024/25 season, ideally seeking a belated center-forward replacement for Harry Kane as well. Among…
In an interview with beIN Sports, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino affirmed that he is unafraid of the possibility of being sacked. The former PSG boss dismissed concerns about pressure and rumors, emphasizing his indifference to the ongoing speculation. “I don’t care about the rumors. I don’t care about the tension. I don’t care about the pressure. I don’t care about the stress. We know really well what our reality is, and we are going to keep working,” stated Pochettino. As of now, Chelsea holds the 10th position in the Premier League, having accumulated 34 points from 24 games.
Bayern Munich faces an uphill battle to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Lazio in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday. Ciro Immobile’s second-half penalty, earned through a foul by Dayot Upamecano, who was subsequently sent off, made the difference at Stadio Olimpico, marking an historic night for the Italian side in European competition. Despite dominating possession and registering 17 shots, Bayern failed to land a single one on target. Lazio, managed by Maurizio Sarri, worked diligently off the ball to limit the impact of Bayern’s attacking prowess. While not a…
Chelsea is calm about their financial situation and is not on the brink of violating spending regulations, according to information gathered by 90min. After a transfer window in January where Chelsea didn’t make any signings, there were concerns about potential financial sanctions due to significant spending under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital over the past year. However, sources close to Chelsea express confidence that such concerns are unfounded. The club points to its successful record of player sales in recent years as evidence of its financial stability. During the previous summer, Chelsea made substantial sales, including Kai Havertz, Mason Mount,…
Liverpool is set to appoint a new sporting director before finalizing the selection of a successor to manager Jurgen Klopp, as per information obtained by 90min. The Reds are actively seeking a replacement for Klopp, with a primary focus on securing a sporting director following the departure of Jorg Schmadtke after the close of the January transfer window. Swift developments are anticipated in this regard. However, there is currently no frontrunner for the position, and Liverpool has explored the possibility of former sporting director Michael Edwards returning on a consultancy basis to assist in the search for suitable candidates. In…
Former Nigerian international, Emmanuel Amuneke, has shed light on the reasons behind Victor Osimhen’s relatively subdued performance at the recent 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast. Osimhen, who was considered a frontrunner for the Golden Boot, managed to score only one goal in the tournament as Nigeria faced a 2-1 defeat against Ivory Coast in the AFCON final last Sunday. Addressing Osimhen’s performance, Amuneke shared his insights with News Central TV, stating, “In this AFCON, Osimhen dedicated a significant amount of time to assisting the team defensively. When you have a striker known for his danger, constant…
Maduka Okoye continued his outstanding performances last night with a commanding display against Juventus, contributing to Udinese’s surprising 1-0 victory over the Old Ladies in Turin. Reasons Why Super Eagles Coach Peseiro Should Consider Recalling Maduka Okoye to Nigeria’s National Team: 1. In-form and Confident: Okoye is not just making saves; he is displaying confidence and leadership in the goalkeeping position. His composed performance under pressure, especially against a formidable team like Juventus, showcases his mental strength and ability to handle significant moments. 2. Building for the Future: At 24 years old, Okoye represents the future of Nigerian goalkeeping. Reintroducing…
Nigerian football legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha has offered words of encouragement to his nephew, Alex Iwobi, who faced cyberbullying after Nigeria’s defeat in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Ivory Coast last Sunday. Okocha took to his Instagram account on Tuesday to share his support, advising Iwobi to “keep going.” In his Instagram post, Okocha emphasized the goodness of God and extended his prayers to Nigeria and those who harbor negativity and hatred towards others. The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder encouraged treating people with kindness and highlighted the importance of unity in life. “We love you…
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Idah Peterside, has called on the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to immediately dismiss José Peseiro in the aftermath of Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday night. While William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria an early lead with a header in the 38th minute, Ivory Coast made a strong comeback in the second half, securing two goals. Expressing his disappointment with the Super Eagles’ performance, Peterside criticized the lack of a defined playing style, suggesting that Peseiro adopted a defensive approach reminiscent of Jose Mourinho’s tactics. “We all know…
In Tuesday evening’s Champions League round of 16 first leg clash, Manchester City secured a 3-1 victory against Copenhagen. The reigning champions swiftly took the lead as Kevin De Bruyne scored a superb goal after ten minutes. Unexpectedly, Magnus Mattsson equalized for Copenhagen, but Bernardo Silva regained the lead for Man City just before halftime. The game unfolded with Copenhagen adopting a defensive 4-5-1 formation, attempting to thwart Man City’s attacks. Despite their efforts, Foden’s clever through ball found De Bruyne, who scored a brilliant goal. Silva came close to doubling the lead, but Vavro’s own crossbar intervention kept Copenhagen…
On Tuesday, Mohamed Salah was observed back in Liverpool’s training sessions, signaling his imminent return from a hamstring injury. Salah had encountered controversy when he initially returned to Liverpool for treatment during the Africa Cup of Nations, refuting claims that he had abandoned his national team. Originally planned to rejoin AFCON later in the competition, Salah’s return was expedited after Egypt’s unexpected elimination, allowing the 31-year-old to focus on regaining full fitness. After missing the last four Premier League games, Salah participated in training on Tuesday, gearing up for the upcoming match against Brentford on Saturday. Additionally, goalkeeper Alisson and…
Tinubu Holds Meeting with Super Eagles at Aso Villa President Bola Tinubu is presently in a meeting with the Super Eagles at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. It is noteworthy that the Super Eagles experienced a 2-1 defeat against Ivory Coast, the host country, in the finals of the 2023 African Nations Cup (AFCON) on Sunday night. Following the match, President Tinubu commended the Super Eagles for their resilient performance in the Nations Cup final.
AS Roma is reportedly showing strong interest in acquiring the services of Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye from fellow Italian Serie A club Udinese when the summer transfer window opens. Okoye, who secured a permanent move to Udinese from Watford last summer, initially took some time to secure regular playing time. However, he has since become a consistent starter for the Italian club. The 24-year-old has notably performed well this season, recording three clean sheets in eight matches across all competitions. Roma is eyeing Okoye as a potential replacement for the departing Rui Patricio, according to reports from romapress.net. The…
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu met with the national team, the Super Eagles, where he announced that each member would be honored with national awards (Member of the Order of the Niger, MON). The accolades also included flats in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and a parcel of land. The delegation to the presidency was led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, along with officials from the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. The Super Eagles secured the second position in the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, and all team members were…
Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Tuesday. Despite a game filled with attacking efforts but lacking in overall quality, Brahim Diaz’s moment of brilliance in the early second half proved decisive for Madrid’s crucial away win. The game unfolded with Leipzig initially having the ball in the net within the first two minutes, only for VAR to rule out Benjamin Sesko’s header due to a foul on goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Sesko continued to challenge Lunin, but the Ukrainian goalkeeper showcased excellent saves to keep the…
Bukayo Saka has acknowledged that Arsenal aimed to make a statement to their Premier League title rivals by dominating West Ham United with a 6-0 victory over the weekend. Following their recent 3-1 triumph against Liverpool, Arsenal showcased their prowess by delivering an exceptional performance against West Ham, remaining within two points of Jurgen Klopp’s side at the league’s summit. Saka, who missed a crucial penalty in the previous season’s draw against West Ham that ended Arsenal’s title challenge, was determined to avoid a repeat this time. “We knew this was a significant game, and winning it was crucial for…