According to reports, Taiwo Oloyede, a former Super Eagles winger, has strongly criticized Victor Osimhen for his recent outburst against Finidi George, the team’s former coach. In an exclusive interview, Oloyede bluntly condemned Osimhen’s behavior as impolite and disagreeable. Oloyede, a respected figure in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), attributed Osimhen’s actions to poor manners, a misguided upbringing, and a lack of competent advisers. He questioned Osimhen’s achievements, highlighting that leading the qualifiers in goals scored holds little significance if it doesn’t translate into success in major tournaments like the Nations Cup or Champions League. The former Super Eagles…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledges the complexities of the summer transfer market. Speaking to ESPN, Arteta emphasized his intent to strengthen every aspect of the squad. The Gunners are reportedly negotiating for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori. They had also shown interest in Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, who, however, chose to extend his contract with RB Leipzig. “I think it will be a bit of both,” Arteta commented on their expected activity level. “There are areas we need to improve, and we will try to do that. But the market is challenging. We have been proactive, determined, and have a clear…
Kevin De Bruyne is reportedly on the verge of leaving Manchester City this summer as he has agreed to personal terms with Saudi club Al-Ittihad, according to Rudy Galetti. Al-Ittihad has already held discussions with De Bruyne, although formal negotiations with Manchester City have not yet begun. Manchester City may consider letting De Bruyne depart if they receive a suitable offer, though his contract at the Etihad Stadium runs until 2025. The 33-year-old midfielder has been a pivotal figure for City since joining in 2015, winning numerous domestic and international titles during his tenure. For Al-Ittihad to secure De Bruyne’s…
Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, has responded to his penalty miss against Ecuador in the Copa America 2024 quarter-final. Messi missed his penalty during Argentina’s 4-2 victory over Ecuador in the shootout, securing their spot in the semifinals after a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez played a crucial role with two saves. Expressing his feelings to reporters post-match, Messi revealed his frustration: “I was very angry because I was convinced to take it that way if the opportunity arose. I had discussed it beforehand with Dibu and Rulli.”
France captain Kylian Mbappe has revealed that Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo always seeks to offer him advice and stay informed about his career. Mbappe shared these insights ahead of France’s Euro 2024 quarter-final clash with Portugal on Friday night, expressing his admiration for Ronaldo’s accomplishments. “It’s an honor to play against Cristiano, a player I’ve always admired,” Mbappe stated at his pre-match press conference. “Over time, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know him and have had several conversations with him. We’re still in touch.” Mbappe emphasized Ronaldo’s supportive role, saying, “He always tries to give me advice and…
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has urged Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams to opt for Chelsea over Barcelona. The London club has shown interest in the Athletic Bilbao star, with Cucurella acknowledging Barcelona’s interest as well. Speaking at his Euros press conference, Cucurella advised Williams not to hesitate to join Chelsea this summer, stating, “He would be a fantastic signing for Barcelona, but ultimately, it’s his decision. I’ve been encouraging him to choose Chelsea. It’s all up to him; he’s young but already has a lot of experience. I believe he has the potential to become a great player.” Cucurella also…
The Super Eagles have been placed in Pot 1 for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations draw. This was announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) via their official website on Wednesday. According to CAF, teams in Pot 1 include the highest-ranked nations based on the latest FIFA Rankings as of June 20, 2024. Nigeria, currently ranked as the fifth-best team on the continent, joins hosts Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Mali, South Africa, Cameroon, and Democratic Republic of Congo in Pot 1. The draw for the qualifiers has concluded, forming 12 groups (Groups A…
Arsenal is reportedly leading the race to sign Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, aiming to strengthen their defense. The young Italian, who has impressed with his performances for both Bologna and Italy, can play effectively at center-back or left-back, attracting interest from top clubs like Juventus and Chelsea as well. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is particularly interested in Calafiori’s versatility and defensive prowess, which were showcased during Bologna’s push for a Champions League spot and his contributions to Italy’s success in the European Championship. While Arsenal has not yet made a formal bid, they are considered frontrunners to secure Calafiori’s signature,…
Benin Republic, having defeated Nigeria for the first time in 65 years, could potentially be one of the opponents that the Super Eagles will face in the qualifying series for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Benin Republic is grouped in Pot 2 along with 11 other teams. Nigeria is likely to be drawn against one of these teams, setting the stage for a possible rematch with Benin Republic. The seeding criteria and regional considerations may lead to another clash between Nigeria and Benin Republic, following their recent encounter in the World Cup qualifiers last month. In addition to…
Inter Miami’s superstar Lionel Messi has been omitted from Argentina’s squad for the 2024 Olympics. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez also did not make the cut. However, Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez is set to participate in Paris. Messi, who secured Olympic gold in Beijing 2008, has been excused from the Paris squad to manage his workload. The 37-year-old is currently competing in the Copa America in the United States, where the Albiceleste have advanced to the quarter-finals. In Messi’s absence, Javier Mascherano has selected goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, Nicolas Otamendi, and Alvarez as the overage players for the summer games. Chelsea declined…
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is poised to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, according to Gianluigi Longari. Reports indicate that Ederson has already reached an agreement with the Saudi Arabian club. Negotiations are ongoing between Al Nassr and Manchester City regarding the proposed two-year contract valued at €60 million. Ederson’s potential move is seen as a replacement for David Ospina, who recently departed Al-Nassr after the expiration of his contract. City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly approved a new deal for Ederson’s backup, Ortega Moreno. If Ederson departs, Guardiola may elevate Ortega to the starting role.
Barcelona have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with their Spanish attacking transfer target, Nico Williams. The 21-year-old winger from Athletic Bilbao is highly coveted and Barcelona sees him as the perfect addition to bolster their left-wing position. According to media outlet El Chiringuito TV, Barcelona has come to terms with Nico Williams and his agent on a potential transfer. The next step involves negotiating a fee with Athletic Bilbao, who are unlikely to accept anything below the player’s €58 million release clause. Barcelona’s pursuit of Nico Williams reflects their ambition to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming season, but…
Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has agreed to extend his contract with the club until 2026. The Dutchman, who arrived from Ajax in 2022, had originally signed a deal set to expire in 2025. During his tenure at Old Trafford, he has secured two trophies in two years.
The quarter-final line-up for the 2024 Copa America has been finalized following the conclusion of the group stage matches on Tuesday night. Brazil drew 1-1 with Colombia, and Costa Rica secured a 2-1 victory over Paraguay. In the upcoming quarter-finals, each group winner will face the runner-up from another group. Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Colombia topped their respective groups to advance to the quarter-finals.
Real Madrid has received concerning news about Kylian Mbappe from the French national team head coach, Didier Deschamps. Mbappe finally completed his long-awaited move to Los Blancos on a free transfer after years of speculation and unsuccessful attempts to sign him from Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain. His arrival was officially announced on the club’s website at the beginning of June. The 25-year-old forward is currently representing France at the ongoing European Championship in Germany. Following an injury sustained in France’s opening match against Austria, the Ballon d’Or contender has been required to wear a protective mask. Despite this setback, Mbappe…
According to reports, Manchester City’s key player Kevin De Bruyne has indicated that manager Pep Guardiola has assured him he can leave the club if he requests a transfer. In an interview with HLN, Kevin De Bruyne clarified that while Guardiola has given him permission to depart Manchester City, he has not engaged in any talks or negotiations with other clubs about a potential move. As captain of the Belgian national team currently competing in Euro 2024, De Bruyne acknowledged the possibility of transferring to another club for a substantial transfer fee, which he described as “absurd money.” De Bruyne…
Manchester United has extended a five-year contract offer to Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt, as reported by Sky Germany. De Ligt has shown interest in the potential move, and initial discussions have taken place between United and Bayern regarding the terms of the transfer. Erik ten Hag, who previously coached De Ligt at Ajax, is keen to integrate the defender into his squad at Old Trafford for the upcoming season. Bayern values the 24-year-old at €50 million (£42.4 million) including add-ons. Meanwhile, United also maintains interest in England defender Jarrad Branthwaite. However, they will pursue the player only if…
Chelsea announced on Tuesday the acquisition of midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City. The Blues revealed this in an official statement on their website. Dewsbury-Hall has penned a five-year contract with the Premier League club based in west London. Expressing his delight, Dewsbury-Hall remarked, “It is amazing to be sitting here as a Chelsea player. This is a club people grow up watching and hoping to one day play for, so it is a privilege to be here.” In a related update, Manchester United confirmed that goalkeeper Tom Heaton has signed a new one-year contract with the Red Devils. “Everybody…
Chelsea will not include their forward Nicolas Jackson in any exchange deal during this summer’s transfer window, as clarified by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Tuesday. Recent reports suggested Chelsea’s interest in signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, potentially involving Jackson to lower the £115 million asking price. It was also rumored that Chelsea sees Isak as their main striker for the upcoming season under new manager Enzo Maresca. Addressing these reports, Romano tweeted from his X account, stating, “Chelsea is not including Nico Jackson in any negotiation as he’s considered an important part of the project. Jackson, also…
Finidi George, following his tenure as the head coach of the Nigerian National Team, the Super Eagles, has secured a new position as head coach with Rivers United. The 53-year-old will be unveiled by the former Nigeria Premier Football League champions on Thursday, taking over from Stanley Eguma who was dismissed towards the end of the previous season. The unveiling ceremony is scheduled to occur at Rivers United’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. Finidi’s return to coaching comes shortly after his resignation from the Super Eagles. Previously, the ex-Ajax winger managed Enyimba for three years, guiding them to the NPFL title…