Tag: General Sports

Manchester United’s inability to secure the signing of Erling Haaland continues to weigh heavily on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. THE ATHLETICNG reports.

The global superstar, now at Manchester City, could have been wearing the red of Manchester United, but destiny had other plans.

Solskjaer, who coached Manchester United for three years, revealed how he had alerted the Red Devils’ owners to Haaland’s talent during his time at Molde.

Manchester United had the chance to acquire Haaland for a mere €8 million, but their hesitation allowed him to slip away.

In an interview with Overlap, as reported by EuroFoot, Solskjaer said, “I had Haaland at Molde for two seasons. The summer before I arrived here (at Man United), I contacted the club and urged them to sign this boy. I was convinced he would become top-class.”

“However, the club declined in June or July 2018, citing they had sufficient player reports,” Solskjaer revealed.

“Then, when I became the caretaker manager, Molde had sold Haaland to RB Salzburg for just €8m. I immediately advised the club to sign him while he still had a release clause. We knew then that nobody else would pay that amount – €20m would have been a bargain. However, the decision was made by the club not to pursue it at that time.”

“We didn’t make any offers or pursue him until after he started scoring for Salzburg. By then, everyone else was already interested. His release clause at that point was still reasonable – €60m.”

Unfortunately for Manchester United, by the time they showed serious interest, his price had skyrocketed to €60 million, making it too late for them to secure his signature.

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Nigeria U-20 national team head coach Ladan Bosso has named a Flying Eagles squad, which comprises 20 players to compete in the men’s football event at the 13th African Games.

The 13th All African Games is scheduled to take place from March 8 to March 23, 2024.

The selected players include goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu, captain Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Daniel Daga, and forwards Charles Agada and Olalekan Ibrahim.

Bosso has also included defenders Musa Abdullahi and Godwin Sampson, midfielders Favour Izuogu and Ibrahim Idris, and forwards Nasir Muhammed and Sunday Joseph in the squad.

Nigeria is placed in Group B alongside Uganda, South Sudan, Senegal, and Tunisia for the men’s football event, which commences on Thursday.

The Nigeria squad is scheduled to depart from Abuja on Tuesday, with matches set to be held at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Legon.

In Group A, Ghana, Congo, Benin Republic, and The Gambia will compete, with matches taking place at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Flying Eagles emerged as runners-up in the men’s football event at the 12th African Games held in Rabat, Morocco, in October 2019, narrowly losing to Burkina Faso in the final.

The finalized Flying Eagles squad for the African Games includes:

Goalkeepers: Nathaniel Nwosu, Clinton Ezekiel, Samuel James

Defenders: Daniel Bameyi, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Oladapo Akintola, Godwin Sampson, Haruna Aliyu, Rabiu Abdullahi

Midfielders: Daniel Daga, Favour Izuogu, Auwal Ibrahim, Yinka Oladunjoye, Sulaiman Idris

Forwards: Kehinde Ibrahim, Charles Agada, Nasir Muhammed, Sunday Joseph, Olalekan Ibrahim, Sadiq Isiyaka

READ MORE: 23 Falconets handed call-ups for African Games

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The contract of Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro with the Super Eagles has expired, prompting discussions within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) about whether to extend his tenure or seek a new coach.

Despite guiding the Super Eagles to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, Nigerian football icon Segun Odegbami has expressed a lack of confidence in Peseiro’s abilities.

The Super Eagles displayed a commendable performance throughout the tournament, reaching the final despite facing challenges prior to its commencement. However, they suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in the final match.

In recognition of their efforts, the players and staff were honored with the Member of the Order of the Niger title and received landed properties in the nation’s capital.

Peseiro’s contract was set to expire at the end of February, but negotiations for a new deal between him and the NFF fell through. On March 1, Peseiro announced via social media that his time with Nigeria had come to an end, expressing gratitude to the Super Eagles players and the NFF for their cooperation.

Following Peseiro’s departure, there has been speculation about whether the NFF should appoint a new coach or offer Peseiro an improved contract.

Odegbami, a Nigerian football legend, shared his perspective on the matter, expressing doubts about Peseiro’s capability to surpass his achievements with the Super Eagles.

For 22 months, he (Peseiro) did his best for Nigeria, but his best was obviously not good enough when the team was preparing to go for AFCON,” Odegbami told Arise TV.

“But through the four weeks of AFCON, there was relief because the team came up, started to do fairly well and got to the finals.

“He was handsomely rewarded in such a way that he created history. I don’t think any coach in the history of football has ever been that lavishly rewarded not for coming first, but for coming second.

“Peseiro insisted that his mandate was to get to the semi-final of the AFCON. For some of us, that was not good enough. Our dream for Nigerian football is to be among the best in the world.

“So, when you have someone whose ambition is to get to the semi-finals of an African cup, definitely he does not get to that mark.

“As far as we are concerned, he has done well, he has served the country, delivered on his own personal mandate, and has been handsomely rewarded. He should just take his largesse to his country and enjoy himself because for where we are heading, he can not deliver from what we saw at the AFCON,” the legendary Nigerian

With the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup qualifiers looming, the NFF faces a pressing decision. Delaying the appointment of a new coach or the renewal of Peseiro’s contract could have adverse effects on the Super Eagles’ preparations.

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Coach Chris Danjuma has finalized the selection of a 20-player Falconets squad to represent Nigeria in the women’s football event of the 13th African Games.

The continental championship is scheduled to commence this Thursday, prompting Nigeria’s contingent to depart the country on Tuesday for the battleground in Ghana.

Danjuma has carefully crafted a squad consisting of three goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders, and six attackers, ensuring a well-rounded and adaptable lineup for the Falconets.

Highlighted names on the roster include goalkeeper Faith Omilana, defenders Shukurat Oladipo and Jumoke Alani, midfield talents Chioma Olise and Olushola Shobowale, as well as attackers Blessing Okpe and Judith Okah.

Providing additional depth to the squad, the experienced coach has also included players such as Anderline Mgbechi, team captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem, midfielder Adoo Yina, and forward dynamo Chiamaka Okwuchukwu.

As defending champions, Nigeria finds itself placed in Group B, alongside challenging opponents Morocco, Senegal, and Cameroon. Host nation Ghana, on the other hand, will contend with Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda in Group A.

All the thrilling action is set to unfold at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Eager to defend their gold medal, the Falconets, champions of the women’s football event at the 12th African Games in Rabat, Morocco, back in October 2019, are poised for another triumphant campaign.

Here is the list of the 20 Falconets selected for the African Games:

Goalkeepers: Anderline Mgbechi, Rachael Unachukwu, Faith Omilana

Defenders: Shukurat Oladipo, Oluchi Ohaegbulem, Jumoke Alani, Chidinma Ogbuchi, Oluwabunmi Oladeji, Chidera Okenwa

Midfielders: Adoo Yina, Joy Igbokwe, Chioma Olise, Chinyere Kalu, Olushola Shobowale

Forwards: Motunrayo Ezekiel, Blessing Okpe, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Loveth Edeh, Judith Okah, Delight Nwosu

The Falconets are prepared to showcase their skill and determination as they strive for success in the upcoming tournament.

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Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has attracted interest from English Championship club Queens Park Rangers.

This report is according to Italian journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Nwabali emerged as one of the revelations of the 2023 AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast.

After making his competitive debut for the Eagles against Equatorial Guinea, Nwabali went on to keep four straight clean sheets.

His standout performance included crucial saves in the semi-final win against South Africa, helping Jose Peseiro’s side reach the final, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to Côte d’Ivoire.

The goalkeeper’s impressive displays have garnered attention from clubs both within and outside Africa. Romano disclosed that Queens Park Rangers and Saudi Arabia side Al Ettifaq have expressed interest in the shot-stopper.

“Nigeria GK Stanley Nwabali, on the list of different clubs as Al Ettifaq in Saudi and Queens Park Rangers in UK have enquired about him,” Romano stated. “His South African club Chippa United will consider his future move in the next months.”

Nwabali began his career at Go Round FC in 2019 before transitioning to Enyimba in 2020. He later played for Lobi Stars and Katsina United before joining South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Chippa United in 2022.

The goalkeeper earned his first cap for the Nigerian national team in 2021 in an international friendly against Mexico. His remarkable performance in the semi-final encounter against South Africa during AFCON 2023 earned him the Man of the Match award.

The goalkeeper has since resumed training with Chippa United FC, and is calm and focused on playing for the South African PSL club, amidst keen interest in his services.

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Nigerian forward, Ademola Lookman scored his eight Italian Serie A goal of the season on Sunday as Atalanta fell at home against Bologna.

Ademola Lookman found the net for Atalanta, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 2-1 home defeat against Bologna in the Serie A on Sunday.

That goal marked Lookman’s eighth league goal for Atalanta this season, having missed a significant part of the season on International duties with Nigeria at the AFCON.

Following this result, Atalanta has suffered consecutive defeats, while Bologna has extended their winning streak to five matches.

Lookman opened the scoring for Atalanta in the 28th minute, but Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee leveled the score from the penalty spot in the 57th minute. Zirkzee’s goal takes his tally to 10 goals in 26 Serie A appearances.

In the league table, Atalanta currently occupies the sixth position with 46 points, while Bologna sits fourth with 51 points.

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Akwa United FC made a triumphant return to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, with a 3-1 victory over Enyimba FC in a Nigeria Premier Football League matchday 23 fixture held on Monday, March 4, 2024. The game witnessed both teams striving for maximum points in a fixture steeped in history.

Akwa United got off to a strong start, as left-back David Phillip capitalized on a cross from inside the opposition area to score within six minutes of play, giving the hosts an early lead and setting the stage for their successful return to Uyo.

This initial goal provided the platform for further attacks from Akwa United, although the visitors also had their opportunities in a tightly contested first half. Enyimba’s Imo Obot proved to be a significant threat with his set-pieces, notably rattling the crossbar with goalkeeper Jean Efala beaten.

At halftime, Akwa United FC held a narrow 1-0 advantage.

Just six minutes into the second half, Akwa United extended their lead as Sani Suleiman capitalized on a well-executed through ball, rounding the onrushing Ojo Olorunleke before slotting into the empty net.

This goal reassured the fans of the Promise Keepers who had gathered at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium to witness the match.

Despite Enyimba FC’s efforts, including two free-kicks by Imo Obot that struck the crossbar, the turning point came in the 75th minute when goalkeeper Jean Efala was deemed to have brought down Enyimba FC forward Chijioke Mbaoma inside the penalty area. Mbaoma calmly converted the penalty, setting up a tense finale.

Despite late pressure from the champions, Akwa United FC held their ground and sealed the victory with a third goal deep into stoppage time. Enterprising forward Sani Suleiman completed his brace in stoppage time, securing a convincing 3-1 win for Akwa United FC against Enyimba FC.

READ MORE: Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali linked to QPR

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In a thrilling culmination to the month-long spectacle of youth football, Eziudo (Ezinihitte) emerged triumphant in the 2023 Ikukuoma Mbaise U-20 tournament final, clinching the title with a resounding 2-0 victory over Ere Na Birigwe on Sunday, March 3, 2024.

The scene was set at the Ezeagbogu Central School Field, Ezinihite, Mbaise, as Chukwuebuka Miracle etched his name in the annals of grassroots football with a standout performance. The young prodigy dazzled spectators with a stunning brace, propelling Eziudo to glory.

Chukwuebuka opened the scoring with a spectacular volley from outside the box just 13 minutes into the game, setting the tone for his team’s dominance. Despite Ere Na Birigwe’s attempts to claw back into the contest, Chukwuebuka doubled Eziudo’s lead in the 67th minute with a mesmerizing solo effort, effectively sealing the victory and securing the championship title.

In the battle for third place, Umuoree Eziudo (Ezinihitte) showcased their prowess, defeating Obokwu Community (Ezinihitte) 2-1. Iheanacho Valentine starred for Umuoree Eziudo, netting a brace to lead his team to victory.

The tournament also recognised outstanding individual performances, with Achor Chinemezu of Eziudo Ward 8, Ezinihitte, named the Best Player of the Tournament. Ekenna Godday from Onicha Nwankwo earned the title of Best Goalkeeper, while Okaehialam Chijioke of Umuoree Eziudo claimed the Top Scorer award with five goals to his name.

High Chief Dr. Summers VC Nwokie (Ikukuoma 1 Of Mbaise), the generous sponsor of the 2023 Ikukuoma Mbaise U-20 Football Tournament, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the winners and all participating teams. He expressed optimism for the future, anticipating even greater success in the forthcoming editions of the tournament.

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