Paradise News

Category: Sports

  • Wilfred Ndidi: Leicester City boss gives injury update on Nigerian midfielder

    Leicester City head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has provided a positive injury update on Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, confirming his availability ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round clash against Manchester United

    Ndidi has been out of action since December 8, 2024, after suffering a hamstring injury during Leicester’s 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.

    The 28-year-old Nigerian was forced off in the 52nd minute at the King Power Stadium, with scans later confirming the extent of his injury.

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    Speaking ahead of Leicester’s trip to Old Trafford, Van Nistelrooy shared a positive update on Ndidi’s recovery, confirming that the midfielder is fit and ready to return.

    “Wilf is fine. He had a great week of training last week and this week. He’ll be part of the squad tomorrow,” the Leicester City boss said via the club’s official website.

    While Ndidi is set to make his comeback, Van Nistelrooy also revealed that a few other players are carrying minor injuries and will undergo late fitness tests before the final squad selection.#

    READ MORE:Super Eagles winger in contention for Ligue 1 ‘Top Passeur’ award – The Athletic NG

    Meanwhile, Manchester United are dealing with their own injury concerns, as key players including Lisandro Martínez (cruciate ligament), Johnny Evans (fitness issue), Luke Shaw (hamstring), and Mason Mount (muscle injury) are all ruled out.

    Leicester will be hope that Ndidi’s return adds much-needed defensive stability to their midfield as they look to secure a crucial FA Cup victory at Old Trafford.

    Source: The Athletic NG

  • Barcelona stars unhappy with club pursuit of Marcus Rashford


    Image Credits: GETTY IMAGES

    Barcelona players were reportedly unhappy with the club’s attempt to sign Marcus Rashford in January.

    According to SPORT, the Catalan side were pushing to sign Rashford on loan until the final hours of the transfer window.

    The player was open to the move and willing to make an economic effort to facilitate the deal.

    However, Barcelona’s financial situation made the transfer impossible.

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    Manchester United’s demands also complicated negotiations.

    The Red Devils were aiming to push Barca to cover at least 70% of Rashford’s salary.

    That figure was unaffordable for a club still restricted by financial fair play.

    Barcelona attempted to offload Ansu Fati or Andreas Christensen to reduce the wage bill.

    However, both players refused to leave, blocking any chance of securing Rashford’s loan.

    Beyond the financial aspect, there was discontent within the Barcelona dressing room.

    According to Catalunya Radio’s podcast Barca Reservat, the pursuit of Rashford angered key figures within the squad.

    The entourage of players like Pedri, Gavi, and Ronald Araujo were concerned by the club’s priorities.

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    They believed funds should be used to stabilise the contracts of current stars rather than chasing new signings.

    This frustration was reportedly communicated to the Barcelona board.

    With the club returning to the 1-1 financial rule after selling VIP seats at the Spotify Camp Nou, players wanted contract situations resolved first.

    Following this internal backlash, Barcelona’s sporting director Deco changed focus.

    He chose to renew the team’s key players rather than pushing for Rashford.

    Ultimately, Marcus Rashford remained at Manchester United, while Barcelona shifted their strategy.

    This situation goes to show the ongoing tensions within the club regarding financial decisions and squad priorities.

    Rashford now plays for Aston Villa and will make his return to United after the season finishes.

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    Source: Centred Devils

  • Kpaboro Arierhri explains why he Chose Lillestrøm SK over offers from top European clubs

    Nigeria U-20 star Kpaboro Arierhri has opened up about his decision to sign with Norwegian club Lillestrøm SK, despite receiving offers from top European clubs.

    Arierhri’s Rise to Prominence

    The 18-year-old striker was instrumental in helping Beyond Limits Football Academy win the 2024 Viareggio Cup in Italy, scoring in the final against C.N Brazzaville.

    His performance helped the team make history as the first African side to win the prestigious trophy.

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    Arierhri’s stellar performances attracted interest from several top European clubs, but he had already signed a pre-contract agreement with Lillestrøm last year, completing the finer details of the deal in 2024.

    Why He Chose Lillestrøm Over Top European Offers

    While offers from Aston Villa and Lyon were on the table, Arierhri explained that his priority was to find a club where he could play regularly and develop as a player.

    “I wanted the opportunity to play first-team football, which is why I chose Lillestrøm Sportsklubb, despite interest from several top clubs.

    Signing my first professional contract with Lillestrøm is an incredible feeling—I’m living my dream. My goal is to establish myself, score goals, and help the team win matches,” Arierhri told Africa Foot.

    Arierhri’s talent has been undeniable. He finished as the top scorer in The Creative Championship League (TCC) last season, scoring 22 goals in just 15 games.

    At the Viareggio Cup, he scored five goals in five matches, and in the Gothia Cup in Sweden, he netted four goals in five games, although Beyond Limits lost in the final to Sporting Lagos Academy.

    READ MORE:Wilfred Ndidi: Leicester City boss gives injury update on Nigerian midfielder

    Arierhri also made an impact for the Flying Eagles at the WAFU U-20 Championship in Ghana, scoring twice in the final against the hosts to help Nigeria claim the title.

    Source: The Athletic NG

  • Nine players missing for Manchester United vs Leicester clash


    Image Credits: GETTY IMAGES

    Manchester United are set to host Leicester City at Old Trafford this weekend in what promises to be an interesting encounter in fourth round of FA Cup.

    Ruud van Nistelrooy will be making his return to Manchester, as he looks to build winning momentum in what has been a tricky time for him so far at Leicester City as manager.

    The Red Devils will look to return to winning ways, after suffering a woeful 0-2 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.

    Before that, Ruben Amorim’s side went three unbeaten with wins against FCSB, Fulham and Rangers.

    United beat Arsenal on penalties at the Emirates back in January, thanks to heroics from Altay Bayindir.

    Now, they face what will still be a difficult challenge up against struggling Leicester City.

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    The Foxes come into this off the back of a 4-0 defeat away at Goodison Park, with David Moyes’ Everton cruising with ease.

    Leicester fans are already growing impatient with van Nistelrooy’s in-game management.

    They’ll arrive at Old Trafford in difficult circumstances too.

    Abdul Fatawu is set to miss out with cruciate ligament and set to miss remaining of the season.

    Harry Souttar, who is currently on loan at Sheffield United is set to miss remaining of the season after rupturing Achilles tendon.

    Odsonne Edouard is injured and doubtful for the clash.

    Wilfred Ndidi, another out with thigh injury and his defensive prowess will prove to be a huge miss.

    Finally, Ricardo Pereira is out with hamstring and expected to be out until March.

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    As for the hosts, Lisandro Martinez will of course be out after it was confirmed earlier that he had suffered cruciate ligament injury.

    He isn’t the only centre-back to miss out, with Jonny Evans out due to physical discomfort.

    Luke Shaw is expected to return to on-pitch action, but will miss Leicester clash.

    Lastly, Mason Mount who has struggled to stay fit since arriving at United.

    The Englishman is still out with muscle injury, but expected to be back in action by March.

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    Source: Centred Devils

  • Super Eagles winger in contention for Ligue 1 ‘Top Passeur’ award

    Super Eagles winger Moses Simon is in the running to receive a newly introduced honor in French football, as Ligue 1 organizers unveil the ‘Top Passeur’ badge, an award recognizing the league’s top assist provider.

    The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced the initiative on Wednesday, February 5, expanding its badge system, which previously only rewarded the league’s top goal scorer.

    Ligue 1 Introduces New Recognition for Assist Leaders

    Currently, Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé holds the badge for Ligue 1’s top scorer, having netted 14 goals in 20 matches. He is closely followed by Marseille’s Mason Greenwood (13 goals) and Lille’s Jonathan David (12 goals).

    In an effort to highlight creativity, the Ligue 1 has now introduced the ‘Top Passeur’ badge, which will be displayed on the jersey of Ligue 1’s leading assist provider.

    The first player to receive this badge is PSG’s Joao Neves, who has recorded six assists in 16 appearances this season, according to Ouest-France.

    Simon Among the Leading Contenders

    Super Eagles winger Moses Simon, one of Europe’s most effective dribblers, is a strong contender for the new honour. He has also provided six assists this season in 18 ligue 1 appearances.

    READ MORE:Super Eagles coach Chelle meets Premier League stars ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

    Simon is currently tied with Neves and Strasbourg’s Dilane Bakwa, but since the PSG star has played fewer matches, the Nigerian winger will need a strong performance in his next fixture to take the lead in the assist rankings.

    Simon’s Impact at Nantes

    The Super Eagles forward has been a key player for Nantes this season, directly contributing to 11 league goals (five goals, six assists).

    His goals have come against Saint-Étienne, Rennes, Lens, Montpellier, and Auxerre, while he has provided assists against Brest, Lyon, Lens, Nice, Angers, and Reims.

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    As Nantes prepare to take on Brest this weekend, Simon will have another chance to showcase his playmaking abilities.

    A couple of assists could see him surpass Neves and become the new holder of Ligue 1’s ‘Top Passeur’ badge.

    Source: The Athletic NG

  • Jesse Lingard suffers major business failure


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    Jesse Lingard’s clothing company, JLINGZ LTD, has been formally dissolved.

    Fans and pundits argued that he was prioritising social media and fashion.

    As his clothing range expanded, his form on the pitch declined.

    He kept pushing his brand even as his footballing impact faded.

    Football finance expert Kieran Maguire shared the news on X.

    Lingard launched JLINGZ when he was thriving at Manchester United.

    His performances were strong, and his brand was growing rapidly.

    However, many accused him of focusing too much on his off-field ventures.

    Criticism mounted, with many blaming his business distractions.

    Eventually, he lost his place in United’s first team.

    Lingard enjoyed a short resurgence on loan at West Ham.

    He was in brilliant form, scoring nine goals in 16 games.

    A permanent move to West Ham seemed inevitable but never materialised.

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    Instead, he made a surprise switch to Nottingham Forest.

    At Forest, he struggled to make an impact and soon faded away.

    Since then, he has struggled to stay relevant in football.

    Lingard was once a key player under Jose Mourinho at United.

    He played a major role in the club’s 2017 Europa League triumph.

    Fans adored him for his energy, flair, and clutch performances.

    But now, his career has taken a drastic downturn.

    His recent attempts to find a new club have been unsuccessful.

    Lingard has been training with different clubs but remains unattached.

    The dissolution of JLINGZ LTD marks the end of an era.

    It reflects how his brand, like his football career, has faded.

    For a player once tipped for greatness, it’s a sad decline.

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    Source: Centred Devils

  • INEOS make Manchester United academy cuts


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    INEOS have faced huge backlash from Manchester United fans for their cost-cutting decisions.

    When INEOS arrived at United, fans fell in the trap of thinking existing problems would be cut out.

    However, it has been the opposite.

    They have removed Sir Alex Ferguson as club ambassador and massively increased ticket prices.

    Yet, despite these price hikes, INEOS have not spent significantly on the first team.

    Now, their latest move has sparked fresh outrage among supporters.

    Next week’s FA Youth Cup fifth-round tie against Chelsea will not be held at Old Trafford.

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    Instead, it will take place at Leigh Sports Village, a venue without a train station or tram access.

    This decision has fueled speculation that INEOS deemed it too expensive to open Old Trafford.

    As per Manchester Evening News, every Youth Cup home game in United’s 2022 winning run was held at Old Trafford.

    The first team will not have played there for five days and will not again for another two weeks.

    Many fans believe there is no valid reason to move the game other than cost-cutting.

    United’s academy players will miss out on the experience of playing at Old Trafford in a key fixture.

    United and Chelsea are the most successful clubs in FA Youth Cup history.

    Their last meeting at Leigh in 2018 ended in a thrilling 4-3 win for United.

    Now, instead of a potential Old Trafford moment for new young talents, they play in Leigh.

    Supporters see this as another example of INEOS being out of touch with the club.

    Rather than investing in United’s future, their focus appears to be on cost-cutting measures.

    From ticket prices to academy decisions, fans are growing increasingly frustrated with INEOS.

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    Source: Centred Devils

  • Super Eagles coach Chelle meets Premier League stars ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

    Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle and his assistant Hedi Taboubi are reportedly in England to hold talks with key Premier League players, including Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, and Taiwo Awoniyi, as preparations intensify for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    With just three points from four matches, Nigeria faces an uphill battle in Group C, where Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin currently lead the race for the automatic qualification spot.

    The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March, needing maximum points to revive their campaign.

    Oparaku’s Advice: Build a Team, Not Just Individuals

    Former Nigeria international Mobi Oparaku has urged Chelle to prioritize team cohesion rather than relying on individual brilliance.

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    The 48-year-old, who played a key role in Nigeria’s historic gold-medal triumph at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, believes unity is crucial for success.

    “When they step onto the pitch next month, they should not see themselves as individuals playing for Nigeria but as a team representing the country,” Oparaku told Brila FM.

    “There’s a difference between a group of players coming to represent the Super Eagles and a unified team fighting for Nigeria. If they play as a team, we can properly evaluate them.

    But if we only talk about individual talents, then we don’t have a real team. I hope this new coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, can instill a strong team spirit for the World Cup qualifiers.”

    Super Eagles Seek Redemption Against Rwanda

    The Super Eagles will be looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Rwanda in Uyo during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

    That setback, under interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, did not stop Nigeria from securing a spot at the tournament in Morocco later this year.

    READ MORE:Ijamilusi lands mega move to Chinese club Liaoning Baiye FC

    However, Chelle now faces the task of reigniting Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes with a crucial victory over Rwanda on matchday five.

    Nigeria’s Qualification Challenge

    Nigeria will travel to Kigali to face Rwanda on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later.

    With Rwanda leading Group C on seven points—closely followed by South Africa and Benin—Nigeria must secure maximum points to stay in the qualification race. Lesotho sits fourth with five points, while Zimbabwe trails at the bottom with two.

    As Chelle meets with key players in England, Nigerian fans will hope these discussions translate into a more united and determined Super Eagles team when they return to action next month.

    Source: The Athletic NG

  • Carlisle United officially appoint Manchester United legend as head coach


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    Carlisle United have appointed former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes as their new head coach.

    Hughes, 61, enjoyed a legendary playing career, starting at United before going on to play for Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and others.

    He won numerous trophies, including two Premier League titles and three FA Cups at United.

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    Hughes famously scored in the 1991 Cup Winners’ Cup final, helping United lift the trophy under Sir Alex Ferguson.

    The Welshman is now set to take charge at Brunton Park, bringing vast managerial experience with him.

    Confirmation of the appointment can be viewed on their club website, where Hughes spoke of his reasons to join the club.

    He has managed over 500 Premier League games, including spells at Manchester City, Blackburn, Stoke, and Southampton.

    Hughes also managed Wales, guiding them to within a game of Euro 2004 qualification.

    His last role was at Bradford City in League Two, where he spent nearly two years.

    Joining Hughes at Carlisle will be Glyn Hodges, his long-time assistant and former Wales teammate.

    Both have signed rolling contracts and will lead training on Thursday before Saturday’s game against Grimsby.

    Carlisle sporting director Rob Clarkson praised Hughes’ arrival, saying:

    “I’m delighted that Mark has agreed to join Carlisle United.”

    “His experience and stature in the game speaks for itself. He will instantly command respect from all staff and players.”

    “The players we have here will suit the way he wants to play, and I’m sure our fans will really get behind him.”

    United fans will remember Hughes as one of the greats of the Ferguson era.

    Now, he takes on a new challenge, looking to make his mark in League Two.

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    Source: Centred Devils

  • Napoli chief explains why Alejandro Garnacho transfer collapsed


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    Manchester United were surprisingly busy in the January window, with unexpected departures.

    Marcus Rashford left on loan to Aston Villa in a shock move late in the window.

    Tyrell Malacia also departed, in move to PSV as his initial move to Benfica broke down.

    Alejandro Garnacho was also the subject of major interest from both Chelsea and Napoli.

    Despite speculation, the Argentine winger remained at Old Trafford as no concrete offers arrived.

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    Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has now confirmed their approach for Garnacho.

    “We liked [Alejandro] Garnacho, we made a very important offer to Manchester United.

    “To leave the Premier League he wanted to be economically satisfied, but we didn’t find it fair towards our players.”

    It seems that Garnacho would’ve demanded a high salary in comparison to Napoli’s current players.

    Antonio Conte was still a huge fan of the player, having made a phone call in attempts of convincing the player to join.

    United fans will now hope the Garnacho saga is over and that he can focus on his football.

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    Ruben Amorim will be keen to help him develop as United look to climb the table out of the bottom half.

    Garnacho’s performances this season have seen mixed reviews from United fans.

    The Argentinian has had to adapt to a 3-4-3 system which doesn’t necessarily get the best out of his qualities in-possession.

    The 20-year-0ld is a player who very much likes to play off the left flank, with space to drive into.

    However, that position doesn’t exactly exist in Amorim’s shape which has an emphasis on narrow 10’s.

    Garnacho was one of the two players dropped for Manchester Derby earlier in the season.

    However he was quickly reinstated into the lineup, due to an improvement in his attitude and approach.

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    Source: Centred Devils