According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea is exploring the possibility of acquiring Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson to address their goal-scoring challenges. In their pursuit of a consistent goal-scorer, Chelsea has considered options like Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen, both of whom come with substantial financial demands. Chelsea sees Evan Ferguson as a more cost-effective alternative to Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen. The 19-year-old, well-regarded in the Premier League, has showcased his quality over the past year, making him a promising option to lead Chelsea’s frontline in the long term. Ferguson’s appeal lies in the likelihood that he…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp playfully apologized to Curtis Jones for his limited playing time after the midfielder featured in the Reds’ 2-1 Carabao Cup semi-final win over Fulham at Anfield. Jones and Cody Gakpo scored for Liverpool in the first leg of the semi-final on Wednesday night. After the match, Klopp acknowledged in his post-match interview that he may have not utilized Jones enough, stating, “Curtis is extremely, extremely important to us, and he knows that. Coincidentally, I heard his interview, and the only thing that broke through was ‘I need more game time.’ I love that! So sorry, Curtis,…
As reported by football-espana on Tuesday, David Lopez has received a four-match suspension for comments made in October regarding Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias. The Girona veteran criticized the referee for his alleged “rude and insulting” behavior during the match against Almeria at Montilivi. Despite later apologizing and retracting his statements, Lopez now faces a ban. Girona expresses disappointment with the Competition Committee’s decision to impose a four-match suspension on Lopez, considering it unjust when compared to historical precedents, as noted by MD. Some within the Girona camp believe the severity of the punishment is disproportionate, possibly influenced by their current…
Renowned Italian sports journalist and football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, has officially confirmed the completion of all terms between Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund for Jadon Sancho’s imminent return to the Bundesliga on loan. The winger is expected to leave England today as Dortmund successfully secures his return to Germany. Despite his earlier successful stint with the club, Sancho has faced limited playing time under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United in recent months. Confidence has been growing in Germany about Sancho’s return, with Romano, known for his ‘here we go’ announcements, confirming through X that the talented player is…
Liverpool owner John W. Henry is personally committed to securing the signing of Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe. However, Mbappe has reservations about sharing the Real Madrid stage with Vinicius Junior, according to Mundo Deportivo. With Real Madrid growing increasingly concerned about their chances of signing Mbappe, they are contemplating shifting their focus to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, as reported by AS. Arsenal’s £22m bid for Getafe striker Borja Mayoral has been rejected, despite his impressive 12-goal performance in La Liga this season, as per The Sun. Barcelona is open to offers for every player in their squad at…
Chelsea is reportedly eyeing SL Benfica defender Antonio Silva as a potential replacement for Thiago Silva in the current January transfer window. Speculation surrounds Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for signings, especially with Thiago Silva expected to depart at the season’s end. Media rumors suggest that Chelsea attempted a transfer for Silva in the waning days of the summer window but failed. The promising Benfica defender, with 68 senior appearances and six goals, has been pivotal in their Primeira Liga campaign, securing second place with 24 appearances across competitions. Agent Jorge Mendes is reportedly negotiating a deal for Silva’s move to the…
Real Madrid secures a spot in the Supercopa de España final for the third consecutive year, emerging victorious in a thrilling eight-goal derby clash against city rivals Atletico that extended into extra time. This week, Spanish football temporarily moves to Saudi Arabia for the annual mini-tournament, with the Madrid derby marking the first of the two semi-finals; Barcelona is set to face Osasuna on Thursday. The teams exchanged four goals within a pulsating opening half-hour, with Mario Hermoso giving Atletico an early lead in the sixth minute. Los Blancos then staged a comeback with two goals in nine minutes from…
Reports suggest that Anthony Martial has declined the possibility of departing Manchester United in the ongoing transfer window. Instead, he is determined to remain with the club until the conclusion of his contract. The striker, who has faced reduced playing time in recent years due to injuries and a dip in form, is now in the final six months of the long-term deal he signed back in 2019. Despite losing his status as Erik ten Hag’s preferred ‘number nine’ to £72m signing Rasmus Hojlund, Martial has reportedly decided to stay at United. Martial has rejected interest from clubs such as…
The Super Eagles have officially arrived in Abidjan for the 2023 AFCON, as confirmed by Brainnews. According to Channelstv, the Nigerian national team, led by coach Jose Peseiro and captain Ahmed Musa, landed at the Aéroport International Felix Houphouet Boigny d’Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, in preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to commence on Saturday. Before their departure from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday morning, the team enjoyed a dinner hosted by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday at the State House in Marina, Lagos. The Super Eagles join other teams such as…
Chelsea encountered Middlesbrough in a challenging EFL Carabao Cup semi-final clash at Middlesbrough’s home ground, resulting in a captivating 1-0 victory for Middlesbrough and a tough start for Chelsea in the year 2024. Pochettino’s performance at Chelsea since assuming the role has been less than impressive, putting him at risk of potential dismissal if he fails to swiftly reverse the team’s fortunes. The upcoming second leg of the semi-final, to be hosted by Chelsea, presents an opportunity for redemption. A triumph against Middlesbrough would not only uplift Chelsea fans but also offer crucial support for Pochettino, who currently faces job…
Super Eagles icon John Mikel Obi is confident that the three-time African champions will emerge victorious in the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) tournament, as reported by npflupdates.com. Mikel, a key member of the Super Eagles squad that secured Nigeria’s third AFCON title a decade ago in South Africa, shared his optimism about the current team’s capabilities to conquer the 2023 AFCON. He particularly highlighted the impactful role of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, expressing belief that Osimhen would clinch the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. In an interview with CNN World Sport, Mikel stated, “Nigeria will win the…
Liverpool had to overcome an early deficit to secure a narrow aggregate lead against Fulham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night. A surprise but deserved advantage came for Fulham in the 19th minute when Willian capitalized on a weak header from Virgil van Dijk, eluded two challenges, and calmly slotted in low. Despite dominating possession, Liverpool struggled to break down Fulham’s resilient defense in the first half, with only Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota testing Bernd Leno. Substitutions played a pivotal role for Liverpool, with Darwin Nunez making a significant impact off the bench.…
SuperSport channels on DSTV and GOtv have reversed their earlier decision, and they will now broadcast all 52 matches of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cote d’Ivoire. The confirmation came via a tweet on Wednesday night: “No gree for anybody! Watch all 52 matches of the #afcon2023 on @supersports.” Contrary to last week’s announcement by Multichoice that DSTV wouldn’t be able to air the AFCON due to unsecured rights, SuperSport, in collaboration with NTA, will now broadcast the tournament live from Cote d’Ivoire. The AFCON 2023 is set to kick off on Saturday, 13 January 2024.
In a surprising turn of events reported by Sky Sports, Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana has sparked controversy by announcing his decision to skip the opening fixture of the upcoming AFCON tournament. Onana cited his priority to make appearances for Manchester United as the reason behind his absence. The former Ajax shot-stopper’s unconventional choice has left both fans and football pundits perplexed, as national team commitments traditionally take precedence over club duties. Onana’s bold decision to prioritize Manchester United over representing his country in a prestigious tournament has initiated discussions about player loyalty and the growing influence of club football over…
Who are the standout African players making waves in the realm of women’s football? As of 2024, African women’s football has witnessed the emergence of a plethora of exceptionally skilled players who have left an indelible mark both on the continent and the global stage. The accomplishments of these players serve as a testament to the escalating strength and acknowledgment of women’s football in Africa. Let’s delve into the careers and contributions of some of these remarkable athletes: 1. Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria) – Career Highlights: Six-time African Women’s Player of the Year, pivotal player at Barcelona with multiple titles including…
After spending a week in Abu Dhabi, the Super Eagles of Nigeria arrived in Lagos late on Tuesday, January 9, in preparation for the 2023 AFCON. The team initiated their 2023 African Cup of Nations campaign in Abu Dhabi on January 2, engaging in two warm-up matches before the tournament. In the first match, the Eagles secured a remarkable 12-0 victory against a local club in Abu Dhabi, with Victor Osimhen, the team’s talisman, contributing two goals. Despite the initial excitement over the team’s strong form, they faced disappointment when they lost 2-0 to Guinea, a fellow 2023 AFCON participant,…
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has confessed that he initially had no desire to part ways with Manchester City last summer. Despite securing a Treble victory with Pep Guardiola’s team, the English star revealed that his original intention was a temporary loan rather than a permanent departure. In an interview with Sky Sports (via GOAL), Palmer explained, “My intention was never to leave City. I wanted to go on loan for a year, return, and be ready for the first team. However, they informed me that a loan wasn’t an option—either stay or be sold.” He continued, “That’s when Chelsea approached…
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has analyzed their 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. The Blues struggled to assert dominance over the hosts and squandered several significant opportunities, with Cole Palmer notably culpable. Hayden Hackney’s first-half goal ultimately proved decisive, setting the stage for the return leg at Stamford Bridge. Reflecting on the performance, Pochettino remarked, “Discussing our display is challenging. We made some errors that led to punishment, resulting in their goal. Breaking down their defense was difficult, and though we created chances, our lack of clinical finishing was evident. Now, our focus…
The National Television Authority (NTA) has secured a monumental agreement to broadcast every captivating moment of the Africa Cup of Nations. Officially known as the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations or simply AFCON or CAN, this prestigious international men’s association football competition is a pinnacle event for the African continent. The 2024 edition is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, 13 January 2024, and conclude on Sunday, 11 February 2024, in Cote d’Ivoire. In a groundbreaking collaboration, NTA and Afro Sports have signed a game-changing memorandum of understanding, ensuring the exclusive broadcast of all 52 thrilling matches of the Africa…
AFCON 2023: Comprehensive Prize Money Breakdown and CAF’s Vision for Football Development As Africa’s football elite vie for the highest prize money in AFCON history, the tournament takes on added significance, not just as a sporting spectacle but also as a financial milestone. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has undertaken a bold initiative by increasing the prize money by 40%, aligning with its vision to enhance the tournament’s stature and inspire teams to showcase their best performances, according to Africa News. Detailed Prize Money Allocation: 1. Winner’s Reward: The champion of AFCON 2023 will receive a substantial USD 7…