France manager Didier Deschamps has downplayed concerns regarding Kylian Mbappe’s recent visit to a Swedish nightclub. After Mbappe missed Real Madrid’s match against city rivals Atletico due to injury, Deschamps cited fitness issues when excluding the forward from the France squad for the October international break. However, Mbappe quickly returned to the spotlight by starting in Real Madrid’s victory over Villarreal shortly after. The controversy intensified when Mbappe was seen at a Swedish nightclub on Thursday, the same night France played Israel, leading some to accuse the 25-year-old of neglecting his international responsibilities. When asked about the situation, Deschamps told…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
England interim manager Lee Carsley has confirmed that the injury suffered by Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka does not seem to be serious. Saka limped off during the defeat to Greece earlier this week with what appeared to be a hamstring issue and subsequently withdrew from the squad, making him unavailable for the match against Finland on Sunday evening. Carsley noted that Saka might have been fit enough to play in England’s second game of the October international break, but the decision was made to prioritize his long-term health. “Bukayo would have been close, but it would have been unfair to…
Former Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas has urged Chelsea and Arsenal fans to stop the ongoing comparisons between Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka. Fans frequently compare the two players on social media due to their similar age, left-footedness, and goal-scoring abilities. Earlier this week, Palmer was named England’s Player of the Year, a title Saka had held for the past two years. Fabregas, who played for both London clubs, addressed the issue on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, dismissing fake quotes attributed to him. He wrote: “The danger of social media is people really believe anything they read. No need to…
Libyan authorities reportedly detained the Super Eagles at Al-Abaq Airport on Sunday night, according to DAILY POST. Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe stated that the team’s chartered flight, initially bound for Benghazi, was diverted to a different city, located over two hours away from their intended destination. The team had departed Nigeria on Sunday morning for their AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign. The incident follows complaints from Libyan players about their treatment upon arrival in Nigeria the previous week for the AFCON qualifying matchday three encounter, which they lost 1-0 after Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s late goal.
Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal are reportedly eager to replace injured superstar Neymar with Real Madrid’s star forward, Vinicius Jr., in 2025. Neymar, currently sidelined due to a cruciate ligament tear, is expected to return early next year. However, with his contract set to expire in 2025, Al-Hilal is already exploring potential replacements. Vinicius Jr., a leading contender for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, has emerged as their top target. Despite his impressive form and a €200 million price tag, the Saudi club, known for its big spending on European talent, remains undeterred. According to MARCA, Al-Hilal views Vinicius as a…
Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has identified striker Victor Boniface’s key issue amid his ongoing goal drought for the national team. According to Eguavoen, Boniface tends to “overprepare” before taking a shot, which delays his decision-making in front of goal. Boniface failed to score again during Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Libya in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. The Bayer Leverkusen forward also couldn’t find the net in last month’s matches against Rwanda and Benin Republic. “Boniface is a very good striker, a clinical finisher, but he has…
Super Eagles caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen has remained tight-lipped on whether Fisayo Dele-Bashiru will start in the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya on Tuesday. Dele-Bashiru was the hero on Friday, coming off the bench to score the match-winning goal in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. The Lazio attacking midfielder replaced Alex Iwobi and netted four minutes before stoppage time, converting a pass from Moses Simon. When asked if Dele-Bashiru would start the second leg, Eguavoen emphasized that all players in the squad are capable of…
Morocco manager Walid Regragui has dismissed rumors that Manchester United right-back Noussair Mazraoui is dealing with a serious heart condition. Earlier this week, United confirmed that Mazraoui had undergone “precautionary” heart surgery, with the expectation of a recovery within a few weeks. However, some reports suggested a more serious illness could keep the Morocco international out for an extended period. Regragui, addressing the speculation, provided a reassuring update on Mazraoui’s health. “Noussair does not have any serious issues as reported, and he is aware of that,” Regragui said during a press conference. “God willing, he will be with us for…
Manchester City are seeking a decision on Pep Guardiola’s future with the club by the end of the year, according to a report. Guardiola, who is in the final 12 months of his current contract, has openly acknowledged that his time at City is nearing its conclusion. With the departure of long-standing director of football Txiki Begiristain at the end of the season, many speculate Guardiola may follow suit, marking the start of a new era when Hugo Viana arrives to replace Begiristain. City have consistently expressed their desire to keep Guardiola at the helm, though earlier reports suggested he…
England have shortlisted four potential managers to take over after Lee Carsley opted not to pursue the role on a permanent basis. Carsley, currently serving as interim coach, has decided against becoming the next full-time England manager, according to The Telegraph. This decision follows England’s disappointing Nations League defeat to Greece on Thursday, after which Carsley hinted he wasn’t interested in taking the role long-term. With Carsley stepping aside, the Football Association (FA) is now seeking alternatives. Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, whose contract expires at the end of the season, remains the FA’s “dream choice” to succeed Gareth Southgate. Also…
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has opened up about the contrast between his experiences at the club and with the Portugal national team. In an interview with ESPN, the 30-year-old acknowledged United’s difficult season, highlighting his frustration with the team’s recent struggles. “It’s not a positive moment [at United]. We’re not winning games,” he admitted. However, Fernandes expressed a sense of relief and joy when playing for Portugal. “The dynamics are very good. I’m in my country, speaking my language, with better food. I feel at ease and enjoy my football at a high level.” Despite the challenges at Old…
Victor Osimhen returned to training with Galatasaray on Saturday after being sidelined due to a muscle injury sustained in last month’s 3-3 home draw against Kasimpasa. The 25-year-old forward has missed Galatasaray’s last two matches as well as Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Libya. On Tuesday, Galatasaray shared a photo of Osimhen back in training on their X account. He is expected to be available for their upcoming league match against Antalyaspor next Sunday.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been advised to strip Bruno Fernandes of the captaincy. Former manager and professional footballer Alan Pardew urged the Red Devils boss to take the armband away from the Portuguese international, citing concerns over his ability to manage his emotions on the pitch. Speaking on talkSPORT, Pardew stated, “When you have a technical player as your skipper, it’s always dangerous because they can have off games. Even (Christian) Eriksen and (Michel) Platini had their off days in their primes.” He continued, “In the match against Liverpool, Fernandes didn’t have much of an impact because…
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has praised Ruben Amorim, who is widely regarded as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Fernandes commended the Sporting CP manager for transforming the club, noting Amorim’s consistency and his smart recruitment of players. Speaking to Tribal Football, Fernandes said, “Since Amorim arrived, Sporting has been the best team with the best football—very consistent and making the right signings. They’ve already won championships, which isn’t easy at Sporting, as they hadn’t won in 20 years, and now they’ve won two.” He added, “Whether he can replicate that success in England or elsewhere…
As the Premier League takes a brief pause for international fixtures, focus shifts to the fitness of key players for both Liverpool and Chelsea ahead of their much-anticipated clash on October 20th at Anfield. Liverpool, currently sitting at the top of the table, heads into the international break with strong momentum. However, the squad faces some injury concerns. According to LiverpoolWorld, 18 players from the Reds have been called up for national team duties, including new signing Giorgio Mamardashvili, who will represent Georgia in the Nations League. Despite their current form, Liverpool must contend with several injury worries, especially in…
France Football, the organizers of the Ballon d’Or, are set to introduce a new rule starting this year. With just over two weeks before the ceremony on October 28, speculation is rife about who will claim the prestigious award. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior is considered a strong favorite, with players like Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Rodri also in the mix. Vinicius was exceptional last season, helping Real Madrid win both La Liga and the Champions League. However, according to The Athletic’s Mario Cortegana, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner will not be interviewed by France Football prior to the event,…
Former Sweden head coach Janne Andersson has explained why he turned down the opportunity to manage Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Andersson was among the coaches linked to the vacant position during the summer and was reportedly the top candidate at that time. However, he declined offers from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) due to concerns over the terms of the contract. “Nigeria was very persistent and wanted me to take the job. There were many appealing aspects, but the overall situation wasn’t perfect. It didn’t feel 100 percent right, and it has to feel that way for me to fully commit,”…
Football, while thrilling to watch, is an intensely demanding sport that can put immense strain on players’ bodies, including their hearts. Despite rigorous training, diet, and medical care, heart issues sometimes lead to early retirement for some of the game’s top players. Let’s take a look at 8 players who were forced to retire due to heart conditions: Sergio Aguero (Cardiac Arrhythmia)Sergio Aguero’s much-anticipated move to Barcelona in 2021 was unfortunately cut short. After just five games, Aguero experienced cardiac arrhythmia during a match against Deportivo Alaves in the 2021/22 season. On medical advice, Aguero made the heartbreaking decision to…
Argentina captain Lionel Messi blamed the condition of the Estadio Monumental de Maturín pitch for their “ugly” 1-1 draw against Venezuela in Thursday night’s 2026 World Cup qualifier. Heavy rain in Maturín before kickoff caused a delay, and the teams eventually had to play on a waterlogged field. Nicolás Otamendi gave Argentina the lead, but Venezuela’s Salomón Rondón equalized in the second half. “It was very difficult, it leads to very ugly matches,” Messi told TyC after the game. “We couldn’t string together two passes. In the second half, we managed a bit more on the right, but it’s hard…
A crew of DStv sports journalists traveling to cover the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was attacked and kidnapped. The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that six of the crew members have been rescued. According to a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the media team was abducted along the Isseke-Orlu Road in Ihiala Local Government Area while traveling from Lagos to Uyo. In response to the incident, joint security forces launched a rescue operation that successfully recovered six kidnapped journalists. “Joint security forces have successfully rescued six…