Gift Orban is poised to join the growing Nigerian presence in the French Ligue 1, with Olympique Lyon reportedly on the verge of securing the young striker from Belgian club KAA Gent. Reports from Pulse Sports indicate that Orban, who was overlooked by Super Eagles boss Jose Peseiro for AFCON 2023, is set to make the move from Belgium to France in January. According to trusted transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Olympique Lyon is finalizing the deal to sign the 21-year-old talent, and the completion of the transfer is expected in the coming hours. Romano announced the imminent move on social…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
The Nigerian journalist accuses South Africa’s manager, Hugo Broos, of being overly clever in his justifications following the team’s humiliating loss to Mali in the AFCON 2023. Solace Chukwu criticized the Belgian coach for attributing their 2-0 defeat to Mali to a physical mismatch. During the AFCON 2023 Group E opener, Mali demonstrated their prowess, establishing themselves as potential dark horses for the tournament. Despite a promising start for South Africa, including a missed penalty by Percy Tau, the Malian team dominated in the second half, securing victory with goals from Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko. After the disappointing defeat,…
According to a report from the Evening Standard, Manchester United is actively pursuing Chelsea’s versatile defender, Trevoh Chalobah. The 24-year-old, who has not secured a regular spot in Chelsea’s starting lineup, is seeking more playing time, making a move to a prestigious club like Manchester United an attractive option. In the race for Chalobah’s signature, Manchester United faces competition from Inter Milan and Bayern Munich. Renowned for his flexibility, the Chelsea defender can operate both as a central defender and a fullback. This versatility makes him an appealing option for Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, especially for managing rotation…
The Best FIFA Awards took place on Monday night in London, UK, with Lionel Messi securing his third FIFA The Best Men’s Player award, beating competition from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé. Pep Guardiola, Messi’s former manager at Barcelona, received the Men’s Coach of the Year accolade. Aitana Bonmatí, the Barcelona and Spain midfielder, clinched The Best Women’s Player award, adding to her Ballon d’Or Féminin title. Here is the full list of winners: – Puskás Award: Guilherme Madruga (Botafogo-SP) – FIFA Fair Play Award: Brazil senior men’s players – FIFA Fan Award: Hugo Miguel Iñiguez…
Anthony Joshua Favors Usyk Over Fury in Heavyweight Showdown Anthony Joshua has expressed his prediction that Oleksandr Usyk will come out victorious in the upcoming undisputed heavyweight title clash against Tyson Fury. However, Joshua has revealed his preference for a future bout against Fury. Scheduled for March 8, Joshua is set to face former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia. The outcome of this match could potentially determine the next challenger for the winner of the Fury vs. Usyk showdown on February 17. Joshua commented, “It’s going to be a good fight. I think Usyk edges it. I’m…
AS Roma has officially announced the immediate departure of José Mourinho and his coaching staff from the club. Mourinho, unveiled as the Giallorossi’s 60th coach in May 2021, achieved success by guiding the team to victory in the Conference League in Tirana on May 25th, 2022, and to the Europa League final in Budapest last season. Dan and Ryan Friedkin expressed their gratitude, stating, “We would like to thank José on behalf of all of us at AS Roma for his passion and efforts since his arrival at the club. We will always have great memories of his tenure at…
Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi, despite arriving late, delivered an impressive performance during the Super Eagles’ training on Monday night at the Ecole Nationale de la Police in Abidjan. Iheanacho, initially a doubt for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations due to a muscle injury while playing for Leicester City in the Sky Bet Championship, appeared fit and prepared for upcoming action. In a notable moment, the 27-year-old, alongside vice-captain William Troost-Ekong and winger Moses Simon, addressed the players before the commencement of the training session. Terem Moffi, who joined the team’s Pullman Hotel base on Sunday, showcased his readiness…
Newcastle United is reportedly contemplating activating the release clause in the contract of AS Roma standout Paulo Dybala. Dybala, previously linked with clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, is now a potential addition to the Magpies during the current January transfer window. As per Corriere Della Sera, the prospect of the Argentina World Cup winner making a move to Newcastle is gaining traction once again. The player’s £11 million release clause might be a key factor in the potential transfer. However, the current weekly wages of £183,000 for Dybala could pose a challenge for Eddie Howe’s team, given their…
Lionel Messi secured The Best FIFA Men’s Player award on Monday, prevailing over Erling Haaland, despite both players receiving an equal number of votes. The winner of the accolade was determined by votes from media representatives, national team coaches, national team captains, and fans. Messi and Haaland amassed 48 points each, but the Inter Miami superstar was declared the winner because he garnered more votes from national team captains compared to the Manchester City striker. While Haaland received more votes from national team coaches and the media, Messi’s higher support from captains and fans contributed to his victory. FIFA’s rules…
Lionel Messi secured his eighth FIFA Best Player of the Year award, a feat met with controversy and disbelief. Despite Messi’s triumph over Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, critics argue that the recognition is unwarranted for the following five reasons: 1. Subpar Performance in 2023: Messi’s 2023 season, while not devoid of achievements, fell short of his legendary standards. Transitioning from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami, he claimed the French Ligue 1 title and led Inter Miami to the League Cup. However, this performance was deemed merely decent and not exceptional, making his claim to the best player title questionable.…
Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has revealed the players, coaches, and goalkeepers he voted for in various categories for the 2023 FIFA Best Award. Messi, who clinched the FIFA The Best men’s award on Monday, secured the accolade ahead of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and former Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé. Here is the breakdown of Messi’s votes: FIFA 2023 Best Player: 1. Haaland 2. Mbappé 3. Alvarez FIFA Best Goalkeeper: 1. Ederson 2. Onana 3. Ter Stegen The FIFA Best Coach: 1. Pep Guardiola 2. Xavi 3. Luciano Spalletti
In a compelling start to their 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) journey, two-time champions Algeria found themselves in a 1-1 draw against a determined Angola, who orchestrated a second-half comeback to clinch a valuable point in Group D. ALG 1-1 ANG: Match Recap and Updated AFCON Group D Standings Algeria, fielding a star-studded lineup with players from Europe’s top five leagues, asserted early dominance in Bouaké. Baghdad Bounedjah displayed his scoring prowess by volleying a precise over-the-top pass from Youcef Belaïli into the net, granting the Desert Warriors a well-deserved lead. Despite Bounedjah’s early heroics, Angola remained steadfast, adjusting…
On March 8 in Saudi Arabia, Great Britain’s Anthony Joshua is set to take on MMA fighter Francis Ngannou in a heavyweight showdown. Previously dismissing the idea of facing Cameroon-born Ngannou as a “gimmick fight,” the 34-year-old Joshua is now committed to this bout. Ngannou, a 37-year-old former UFC champion, entered professional boxing in October, delivering a knockdown to Tyson Fury before narrowly losing by decision. The undercard features Joseph Parker against China’s Zhilei Zhang, with Briton Nick Ball facing Rey Vargas for the WBC featherweight title in his first world-title bout. Ngannou surprised the boxing world last year by…
Premier League teams are now particularly susceptible to facing Financial Fair Play (FFP) penalties following a recent alteration in regulations. The Premier League’s recent implementation of its most stringent points deduction in history signifies a notable shift in its stance on financial compliance. The November 10-point deduction handed to Everton for violating financial regulations serves as a stark reminder to all league clubs regarding the importance of upholding fiscal responsibility. This unprecedented penalty not only underscores the league’s gravity regarding financial mismanagement but also establishes a precedent for future enforcement. Understanding the rules of profitability and sustainability The Premier League’s…
Super Eagles media officer, Babafemi Raji, has addressed concerns regarding Victor Osimhen and Alhassan Yusuf training separately from the main squad. Osimhen played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea, while Yusuf was substituted in the second half by Joe Aribo. Raji reassured that both players are expected to be ready for selection in the upcoming match against Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday. “Alhassan Yusuf left the pitch yesterday due to a cramp, and Victor Osimhen experienced a slight strain. However, it’s nothing to worry about; it’s just precautionary. They should still be available for selection when…
Ederson, the goalkeeper for Manchester City and Brazil, clinched the 2023 The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award following his outstanding performance in a triumphant season with the club. As the mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s squad, Ederson played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s success, securing victories in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. The 30-year-old showcased his exceptional skills in the Champions League final against Inter, making crucial saves, including a spectacular one in the closing moments, ensuring Rodri’s 68th-minute goal secured the title. This marked Ederson’s first time receiving the prestigious award, a notable achievement after finishing…
Ghana endured a disastrous start to their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, suffering a surprising 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde in their inaugural Group B encounter. Veteran forward Jordan Ayew points to a crucial missing element that the team needed to overcome Cape Verde’s challenge. Cape Verde’s Jamiro Monteiro capitalized on a 17th-minute opportunity after Richard Ofori parried a powerful shot, giving the Blue Sharks an early lead. Although the Black Stars leveled the score with a goal from Majeed Ashimeru, it was disallowed for offside. Alexander Djiku managed to score Ghana’s lone goal in the 56th minute. Unfortunately,…
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United’s recently acquired minority shareholder, attended the clash at Old Trafford where his investment team battled Tottenham Hotspur to a 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Sunday. Despite facing significant pressure during an action-packed first half, Manchester United managed to take the lead twice courtesy of their revitalized attacking duo, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford. Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur responded for Tottenham, leading to a balanced but less eventful second half. The draw saw Tottenham drop out of the top four, while Manchester United climbed to seventh place. Game Highlights: Hojlund, who had previously taken…
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has shared that acquiring a stake in Manchester United ranks as the most thrilling endeavor in his life. Ratcliffe, along with his company INEOS, has reached an agreement to purchase a 25% stake in United. The billionaire made his inaugural visit to Old Trafford for Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur since the announcement of this arrangement. Speaking publicly for the first time since the agreement, Ratcliffe addressed journalists gathered in the press conference room ahead of kick-off. “It’s the first match for me since we sort of got there, if you like,” Ratcliffe mentioned during his…
Real Madrid secured a triumphant El Clasico victory over Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final, with Vinicius Junior’s first-half hat trick setting the stage for a memorable win. Capitalizing on defensive lapses from Barcelona, Vinicius Junior showcased clinical finishing, securing his three goals in the opening half. The scoring continued in the second half as Rodryo Goes added another for Madrid. Barcelona’s woes escalated when Ronald Araujo received a red card in the second half, compounding their disastrous evening in Saudi Arabia. The game unfolded rapidly, with Real Madrid taking the lead within the first seven minutes. Jude Bellingham’s…