Brentford has secured the services of Nigerian defender Benjamin Frederick on a permanent basis. Initially joining the Bees on loan from the Simoiben Academy based in Kaduna last summer, Frederick caught the attention of the London club with his performances. Now, Brentford has opted to exercise the buy option, as confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The permanent contract will keep Frederick at Brentford until June 2028. The 18-year-old showcased his talent during his time with Brentford’s B team, earning his permanent move to the club. Frederick also represented Nigeria’s U-20 side at the U-20 World Cup in Argentina, where…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Track star Rhasidat Adeleke has been subjected to online racial abuse from certain fans who argue that she doesn’t deserve to be hailed as an Irish legend. Despite her exceptional talents and achievements, some fans have refused to acknowledge Adeleke’s legendary status, citing her African heritage. Born in Dublin to Nigerian parents Ade and Prince Adeleke, the gifted sprinter rose to prominence at the age of 14 by clinching the junior sprint double at the Irish Schools championships for Presentation College. A month later, she represented Ireland and secured a silver medal in the 200m at the European Youth Olympic…
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has clarified his decision to substitute Jude Bellingham during their 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Bellingham was replaced by Luka Modric in the 75th minute of the match at the Allianz Arena. The England midfielder left the field with Real still pursuing an equalizer after Leroy Sane and Harry Kane had overturned Vinicius Jr’s record-equalling opener. Although losing Bellingham, who has tallied 21 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances this season, was a setback, Ancelotti explained that the player had been experiencing physical difficulties since the hour…
Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer, has unveiled plans for Premier League referees to potentially provide explanations to stadium crowds and TV viewers regarding VAR decisions they have altered after consulting the VAR monitor. These explanations would occur exclusively when referees have reviewed incidents using the pitch-side monitor and would not apply to VAR checks that do not result in overturned on-field decisions. The proposed change awaits approval from the Premier League, although it is expected to be swiftly implemented for the upcoming season. Webb highlighted the effectiveness of similar practices observed in FIFA tournaments, such as the Women’s World…
Manchester United made further adjustments to its executive lineup on Tuesday evening. In an official announcement, it was disclosed that interim CEO Patrick Stewart and chief financial officer Cliff Baty will depart at the conclusion of this season through mutual agreement. As the club transitions into a new era under co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, Jean-Claude Blanc, CEO of Ratcliffe’s INEOS Sport, will assume the role of chief executive until former Manchester City executive Omar Berrada assumes the position on July 13th. Roger Bell, former INEOS Sport chief financial officer, will succeed Baty. Ratcliffe expressed gratitude to Stewart and Baty for their…
Amaju Pinnick, the former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), refutes claims of influencing Finidi George’s appointment as the Super Eagles head coach. Although Pinnick had publicly endorsed Finidi as his preferred candidate, suggesting a possible influence on the NFF’s decision, Finidi ultimately secured the position over Emmanuel Amuneke. Pinnick, now a member of the FIFA council, emphasized his hands-off approach regarding his successor’s decisions. He highlighted his amicable relationship with the current NFF president, Ibrahim Gusau, asserting that he did not impose any coach on him. In an interview with Lagos Talks FM, Pinnick expressed frustration at the…
A timely hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski propelled Barcelona to a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Valencia on Monday night. Barcelona, eager to leapfrog Girona into second place, initially took the lead midway through the first half. However, a goalkeeping error and a subsequent penalty saw Valencia surge ahead 2-1 by halftime. The game took a decisive turn when Giorgi Mamardashvili received a red card, reducing Valencia to ten players. Lewandowski capitalized on the advantage, scoring two opportunistic goals and a brilliant free-kick. His performance was particularly notable amidst ongoing speculation about his future in Catalonia. Barcelona’s title aspirations had faded earlier…
According to a report, Manchester United would only entertain the possibility of selling Marcus Rashford under two specific conditions. Firstly, Rashford would need to express his desire to leave the club, and secondly, a ‘substantial’ bid for the player would have to be received. Rashford’s form has been inconsistent during the 2023/24 season, with only eight goals and five assists in 40 appearances for Manchester United. Recent reports suggest that United are open to the idea of Rashford leaving as part of their summer rebuilding plans, with Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund being the only players considered off-limits.…
Paris Saint-Germain has officially secured the Ligue 1 championship title. This confirmation comes after AS Monaco’s loss to Lyon on Sunday. PSG’s 3-3 draw against Le Havre on Saturday meant they needed Monaco not to win last weekend to clinch the title. Monaco’s defeat leaves them trailing behind PSG by 11 points, with just three matches remaining this season. PSG is poised to potentially win all four trophies available this season, maintaining their dominance in French football. Since their acquisition by the state-backed Qatari Sports Investment in 2011, PSG has claimed 10 of the last 13 Ligue 1 titles.
Thiago Silva has officially announced his departure from Chelsea at the end of the season as a free agent. Since joining the club in the summer of 2020, the 39-year-old Brazilian has left an indelible mark on Chelsea’s history, amassing over 150 appearances and playing a crucial role in the club’s successes, including the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. Speculation surrounding Silva’s future had been circulating in recent weeks, given his contract’s impending expiration in the summer. Both Silva and Chelsea have now confirmed the decision for him to part ways with the…
Finidi George has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), following a recommendation from its Technical and Development Committee. Previously, Finidi served as an assistant to José Santos Peseiro and temporarily assumed the role of interim coach for two friendly matches in Morocco last month. His team secured a notable 2-1 victory against Ghana, ending an 18-year winless streak against the Black Stars. However, they faced a setback with a 0-2 defeat against Mali in the second friendly. A member of Nigeria’s ‘Golden Generation,’ Finidi George boasts an impressive playing…
A new chapter in the history of the Super Eagles begins with the appointment of Finidi George as the permanent Head Coach of the Nigerian national team. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has made a significant decision in entrusting Finidi George with the leadership of the Super Eagles, following thorough deliberations by the Technical and Development Committee. This move signifies strategic reasoning behind their selection process. In a field of qualified contenders, the choice of Finidi over other candidates has sparked discussions regarding his suitability for the role. Here are three compelling reasons why the NFF opted for the former…
Bayern Munich’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, has affirmed their readiness for the upcoming battle against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. The former Bundesliga titleholders will host the first leg at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. In anticipation of the clash, Tuchel emphasized his team’s preparedness to face the challenge posed by the 14-time champions. “We’re ready to confront whatever Real Madrid throws at us,” Tuchel stated. “Facing Carlo’s team is always a unique experience. We aim to make it tough for them and count on our fans’ support in the stadium. This match is evenly poised, and we’re prepared…
According to the UK Times, Premier League clubs voted on Monday to approve a proposal that would introduce limitations on spending, including transfers, wages, and agent fees. The proposal entails capping spending for top clubs to a fixed amount equivalent to the lowest sum received by the bottom side in TV revenue. The vote, achieved with a required majority of 14 votes, was unanimous. During the Premier League shareholders’ meeting, 16 out of the 20 teams expressed their support for the proposal. However, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa voted against it, while Chelsea chose to abstain. The objective…
Arsenal’s relentless pursuit of their first Premier League title since the legendary Invincibles era has captured the attention of the football world this season. While Mikel Arteta’s side maintains a comfortable lead, the journey to glory is never without its challenges. One potential hurdle looms large in their late-season visit to Old Trafford on May 12th, 2024, where an unpredictable Manchester United side awaits. Manchester United’s form this season has been inconsistent, but their ability to disrupt their arch-rivals should not be underestimated. Even in a transitional period, United possess the talent and historical motivation to thwart Arsenal’s quest for…
According to the UK Telegraph, Manchester United is open to selling the majority of their squad this summer, with only three players exempt from potential transfers. The club’s new leadership, led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and incoming CEO Omar Berrada starting from the 2024/2025 season, is prepared to take a decisive approach to potential sales at the end of the current season. This stance is influenced partly by United facing constraints due to the Premier League’s spending regulations. Missing out on Champions League football for the next season has dealt a significant blow to the plans of INEOS, the…
Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou is mourning the tragic loss of his 15-month-old son, who passed away on Monday. The MMA star initially posted a distressing message earlier in the day, sparking concerns from his fans, before later confirming the heartbreaking news of his son’s death. Ngannou shared a poignant message about his son’s passing on his official X (formerly known as Twitter) handle. “Too soon to leave, but yet he’s gone,” he expressed. “My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe, was full of life and joy. Now, he’s lying without life. I shouted his name over and over…
At least 11 teams have already secured their spots in the upcoming season’s Champions League. These clubs have solidified their qualification based on their guaranteed positions in their respective leagues. Notable among them are Arsenal and Manchester City from the Premier League. Joining them are Real Madrid and Barcelona from Spain, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich from Germany, Inter Milan and AC Milan from Italy, PSV and Feyenoord from the Netherlands, and Paris Saint-Germain from France. It’s worth noting that the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League will mark the inaugural season under the new 36-team league phase format. Of the additional…
Robert Lewandowski sent a resounding message about his future at Barcelona by netting a hat-trick to orchestrate a remarkable comeback against Valencia. Speculation swirled before the match regarding Xavi Hernandez’s potential decision to bench Lewandowski. However, the Polish striker silenced any doubts with a stellar performance against a formidable Valencia side. Barcelona initially seized the lead through Fermin Lopez’s header, only for Valencia to swiftly equalize as Hugo Duro capitalized on Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s mistake. The tide turned further in Valencia’s favor as they took the lead with a penalty converted by Pepelu after Ronald Araujo’s foul in the box.…
Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel has confidently stated that forward Serge Gnabry will find the net against Real Madrid in their upcoming Champions League semi-final showdown. Tuchel’s team is set to host Real Madrid in the first leg of the semi-final on Tuesday. The Bundesliga powerhouse secured their place in the last four by defeating Arsenal in the quarter-final stage. Addressing the media ahead of the highly anticipated clash, Tuchel made a bold prediction about which of his players would score against the La Liga leaders. According to Tuchel (as reported by Madrid Universal), he said, “Gnabry is going to…