Tag: General Sports

Dominic Solanke has been recalled to England’s national team for the first time since 2017, effectively ending any chance of him representing Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Solanke, eligible for Nigeria through his father, had long been a target for the Nigerian Football Federation, but his latest call-up to the Three Lions squad confirms his future lies with England.

Solanke first gained attention for England’s youth teams, helping them win the U17 European Championship in 2014 and the U20 World Cup in 2017. However, despite his early promise, the former Chelsea and Liverpool striker had not featured in the senior team since his debut against Brazil in 2017.

Now, after a seven-year absence from the England squad, Solanke has been called up for England’s UEFA Nations League matches against Greece and Finland, thanks to his impressive form for Bournemouth. He has scored three goals in six games this season, following his 21 goals in 42 appearances last season.

Nigerian fans had hoped Solanke might switch allegiances and play for the Super Eagles during his long absence from the England squad. However, his recent selection for England has dashed those hopes, as playing in the upcoming matches will tie him to the Three Lions permanently.

Solanke’s recall is a blow to the Nigerian national team, which has been keen to recruit talented players with Nigerian heritage. Now, Solanke is set to continue his international career with England, as they aim to win the UEFA Nations League for the first time.

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Nigerian basketball star James Nnaji will join the New York Knicks as part of a major trade deal involving Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns. The preseason deal between the Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves has now been finalized.

In this three-team trade, the Knicks will receive Karl-Anthony Towns from the Timberwolves, while Julius Randle will head to Minnesota. Along with Nnaji, the Knicks will also receive three second-round picks and three sign-and-trade players from the Hornets: Charlie Brown Jr., Duane Washington Jr., and DaQuan Jeffries.

James Nnaji, a 20-year-old Nigerian center, was one of the youngest and most physically gifted players in the 2023 NBA Draft. Though initially expected to go in the first round, he was eventually picked in the second round. Nnaji has been playing in Europe with Barcelona, currently on loan at Girona.

Nnaji is now set to team up with fellow Nigerian star Precious Achiuwa on the Knicks, marking a new chapter in his promising NBA career.

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Former Nigerian champions, Enyimba FC will know their CAF Confederation Cup group stage opponents next week, THE ATHLETICNG reports.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the pots for the upcoming 2024 CAF Confederation Cup group stage draws, which will take place on October 7, 2024, as reported by BSN Sports.

Enyimba International, the only Nigerian team still in the inter-club competitions this season, secured their place in the group stage after a dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso. They now join Senegal’s Jaraaf in Pot 3 for the draw.

Other Nigerian clubs, including Rangers, Remo Stars, and El-Kanemi Warriors, were eliminated earlier in the competition, leaving Enyimba as the country’s sole representative.

Here are the full pots for the draw:

READ MORE: NPFL Boss Elegbeleye thrilled with away wins, draws.

Pot 1:

• Zamalek SC (Egypt)
• RS Berkane (Morocco)
• Simba SC (Tanzania)
• USM Alger (Algeria)

Pot 2:

• ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast)
• Stade Malien (Mali)
• Al Masry (Egypt)
• CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)

Pot 3:

• Enyimba FC (Nigeria)
• ASC Jaraaf (Senegal)

Pot 4:

• CD Lunda Sul (Angola)
• FC Bravos (Angola)
• CS Constantine (Algeria)
• Orapa United (Botswana)
• Black Bulls (Mozambique)

The group stage draw promises exciting matchups as the competition heats up in the Confederation Cup.

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NNL club Dakkada FC have officially announced the appointment of Emmanuel Ntuk as their new Head Coach. The club made the news public with an official statement today, October 3, 2024.

Dakkada FC Club Statement: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Emmanuel Ntuk as our new Head Coach. Until this appointment, Mr Ntuk was the Head Coach of Ibom Youth Football Club. The Uyo-born tactician is returning on a second stint at our club, having previously served as Technical Adviser of Akwa Starlets, as we used to be known. He also previously worked as Head Coach/CEO of Greater Tomorrow Academy, Police Machine, and Emlo FC, Uyo. We wish him tremendous success on his new assignment.
Management
October 3, 2024.”

This appointment marks a return to familiar territory for Coach Ntuk, who previously worked with Dakkada FC when they were known as Akwa Starlets. He brings a wealth of experience from his time with clubs such as Ibom Youth FC, Police Machine, and Emlo FC. His previous role as Head Coach/CEO of Greater Tomorrow Academy also highlights his leadership abilities.

READ MORE: What you need to know about the upcoming 2024/25 NNL season

Ibom Youth FC has also confirmed the news, releasing their own statement congratulating Coach Ntuk on his new role:
“Ibom Youth FC receives this news with cheer and wishes Coach Emmanuel Ntuk good luck at his new club.
Management
3/10/2024.”

Coach Ntuk will replace Emmanuel King, who was in charge of Dakkada FC during the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League season. With this leadership change, Dakkada FC is set to begin preparations for the upcoming 2024/2025 NNL season.

As part of their preparations, THE ATHLETICNG gathered that open screening of players will commence on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Uyo Township Stadium starting at 9 o’clock in the morning. This open screening will give the club a chance to identify new talents as they gear up for the new season.

Dakkada FC and its fans are hopeful that under the guidance of Coach Emmanuel Ntuk, the team will achieve success in the upcoming season.

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Former Heartland coach Hassan Abdallah has urged the Nigerian Football Federation to consider Montpellier striker Akor Adams for the Super Eagles, citing his impressive strength and performances in Ligue 1.

Adams, who has scored 57 goals and provided 18 assists in 145 European matches, has yet to receive his first cap for Nigeria’s senior team despite featuring in the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup.

READ MORE: Breaking: Aliou Cissé sacked as Senegal manager

Abdallah, who scouted both Adams and Victor Boniface, believes Adams’ physical dominance would offer Nigeria a unique dimension in attack.

“Akor has more strength than Boniface. He can bully defenders, but his intelligence is 50-50,” Abdallah told Brila FM. “When Akor is played between central defenders, they don’t move forward; they have to wait.”

Adams’ professional career began in Norway with Sogndal in 2018. After a strong rebound from injury, he joined Lillestrøm in 2021 and later Montpellier in 2023.

The 24-year-old striker has impressed in Ligue 1, scoring 10 goals in 33 appearances in his debut season and adding three goals and two assists in six matches this season.

Despite stiff competition from top forwards like Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Kelechi Iheanacho, Abdallah insists Adams’ strength and physical presence make him an asset.

“He has the power, and we need someone like that,” Abdallah concluded.

As Nigeria seeks to bolster its attack, Akor Adams’ case for a Super Eagles call-up grows stronger.

Key Statistics:

– 57 goals, 18 assists in 145 European matches
– 10 goals in 33 Ligue 1 appearances for Montpellier (2023)
– 3 goals, 2 assists in 6 Ligue 1 matches this season
– 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup participant

With Abdallah’s endorsement, Akor Adams’ prospects for a Super Eagles debut look promising.

Will Adams receive his first senior cap soon? Only time will tell.

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The Nigerian football scene has been rocked by a shocking development, as renowned coach Kennedy Boboye has initiated legal proceedings against Heartland FC over an outstanding debt of nineteen million naira (19,000,000).

Boboye, a two-time NPFL winner, was dismissed by the Naze Millionaires just a month after his appointment, following an order from Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma to reinstate the late coach Christian Obi.

According to Boboye, he left the club without any issues but has yet to receive his outstanding wages after his contract was terminated.

READ MORE: Abdallah backs highly physical Montpellier forward for Super Eagles call-up

“I left without any issues, but they have refused to pay my outstanding wages after terminating my contract.

It’s been almost a year now, and they seem unwilling to resolve it,” he stated. This prolonged delay has prompted Boboye to seek justice through the courts.

The dispute stems from Boboye’s brief tenure as Heartland FC coach, which was abruptly cut short by Governor Uzodinma’s intervention.

Despite his short stint, Boboye is entitled to his unpaid wages, which Heartland management has failed to settle.

Repeated attempts to contact the club have yielded no response, leaving Boboye with no choice but to seek legal recourse.

This development highlights the persistent issues plaguing Nigerian football, including unpaid wages and poor administrative practices.

The NPFL has struggled to address these concerns, which continue to affect coaches, players, and staff.

The league strives to improve its reputation and incidents like this underscore the need for urgent reform.

Meanwhile, the NPFL 2024/2025 season is underway, with teams competing fiercely for the top spot. Fans can stay updated on the latest scores, fixtures, and standings through various media outlets.

Exciting matches are lined up for the coming weeks, including clashes between Enugu Rangers, Bayelsa United, Kwara, Remo Stars, Lobi, Shooting, Heartland FC, and Niger Tornadoes.

The outcome of Boboye’s legal action remains uncertain, but it shines a spotlight on the NPFL’s ongoing struggles with financial management and administrative transparency.

The league navigates these challenges and coaches, players, and fans await a resolution that upholds the principles of fairness and accountability.

Kennedy Boboye’s decision to take Heartland FC to court over unpaid wages serves as a stark reminder of the NPFL’s lingering issues.

The league must prioritize addressing these concerns to ensure a more stable and prosperous future for Nigerian football.

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Enyimba FC secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Akwa United in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match on Wednesday in Aba.

The only goal of the game came from debutant Austin Onyemaechi, who headed home from an Imo Obot corner kick with just 12 minutes left on the clock.

The win helped Enyimba move up to fourth place on the NPFL table, having collected nine points from their first four games. Enyimba’s head coach, Yema Olanrewaju, was pleased with the result, stating, “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but the most important thing was getting the job done.”

READ MORE: NPFL Boss Elegbeleye thrilled with away wins, draws.

For Akwa United, the season continues to be a tough challenge. The team has yet to win a match this season, and Wednesday’s defeat follows a 1-2 loss to Sunshine Stars. Akwa United are currently 16th on the table with only two points after four games, putting more pressure on their coach, Baba Ganaru, to turn things around quickly.

In another NPFL match played on the same day, Bendel Insurance earned their first victory of the season by defeating Shooting Stars 1-0 in Benin City. Michael Eneruna scored the winning goal deep into stoppage time, securing three points for his team.

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Ademola Lookman delivered a standout performance in Atalanta’s convincing 3-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

The Super Eagles star forward scored his first-ever UCL goal and provided an assist, cementing his place in Atalanta’s history books.

Lookman’s impressive display saw him match the feat of Atalanta’s highest non-Italian goalscorer, Duván Zapata.

Zapata, the former Colombia international, holds the record for most goals scored by a foreign player for Atalanta with 82 goals in 191 appearances.

According to Opta statistics, Lookman became the second player in Atalanta’s history to score and assist in a Champions League game, emulating Zapata’s achievements.

READ MORE: Kennedy Boboye drags Heartland to court over unpaid wages

Lookman’s assist came in the 21st minute, setting up Berat Djimsiti for the opener.

He then struck the woodwork in the 36th minute before finding the back of the net just before halftime, courtesy of a pass from Sead Kolašinac.

Raoul Bellanova sealed the win for Atalanta with a header in the 48th minute.

Lookman was replaced by Mateo Retegui in the 60th minute, having already made his mark on the game.

The Ballon d’Or nominee has been in exceptional form for the defending Europa League champions, scoring his third goal of the season in six appearances.

His outstanding performances have been crucial to Atalanta’s success, and his UCL goal marks a new milestone in his career.

Atalanta’s win over Shakhtar Donetsk marks a strong start to their UCL campaign. With Lookman’s contributions, the Italian side will be confident in their ability to progress in the competition.

The team’s cohesion and strategy have been key factors in their success, and Lookman’s performances have been instrumental in driving their momentum.

Lookman’s achievement highlights the growing presence of Nigerian players in the UCL.

Other Nigerian players making waves in the competition include Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen) and David Chukwueze (Villarreal).

Their performances demonstrate the increasing influence of Nigerian talent in European football.

Ademola Lookman’s historic performance in Atalanta’s UCL win over Shakhtar Donetsk solidifies his position as one of Nigeria’s top

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Bendel Insurance FC is gearing up to face Shooting Stars in a highly anticipated matchday 3 fixture, and Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Yusuf Alli, is calling on fans to rally behind the team.

Alli emphasized the importance of home support in securing a favorable result, stating, “Insurance FC needs our support.

Bendel Insurance FC is our own. Edo people should see the club as their own and continue to give their support irrespective of the results they post”.

To encourage fan attendance, the commission has provided free shuttle services and distributed hundreds of jerseys and souvenirs. Alli assured that more initiatives are in the works.

READ MORE: Osimhen addresses surprise substitution on Galatasaray stalemate with Kasimpasa

“This match is crucial, and our boys need to get the maximum points; hence our call for all Benin residents to come to the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium today evening to cheer Bendel Insurance to victory,” Alli urged.

Bendel Insurance will host Shooting Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium today, Wednesday, October 2, 2024.

Match Details:

– _Date:_ Wednesday, October 2, 2024
– _Time:_ Evening
– _Venue:_ Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium
– _Opponent:_ Shooting Stars

Shooting Stars have also emphasized the importance of fan support in their previous matches. The team’s chairman, Babatunde Olaniyan Akoro, has made similar appeals to fans, highlighting the significance of home advantage.

The NPFL season heats up and Bendel Insurance and Shooting Stars will battle for crucial points. With fan support playing a vital role, both teams will rely on their loyal followers to propel them to victory.

Will Bendel Insurance emerge victorious, or will Shooting Stars spoil the party? The stage is set for an electrifying clash.

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The Senegalese Football Federation has announced the shocking departure of Aliou Cissé as the national team manager, bringing an end to his remarkable eight-year tenure.

Cissé’s impressive résumé includes:

– 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finalist
– 2022 AFCON winner
– 2022 World Cup quarterfinalist

During his tenure, Cissé transformed the Lions of Teranga into a formidable force, earning widespread respect and admiration.

The decision to terminate Cissé’s contract has sent shockwaves throughout the football community, prompting an outpouring of tributes and appreciation for his achievements.

READ MORE: Yusuf rallies support for Bendel Insurance ahead of Shooting Stars clash

Cissé took the reins in 2015 and steadily built a cohesive unit, blending experienced players with young talent. His leadership and tactical acumen played a pivotal role in Senegal’s success.

Under Cissé, Senegal reached the 2019 AFCON final, narrowly losing to Algeria. However, he redeemed himself by guiding the team to their first-ever AFCON title in 2022.

Cissé’s ability to balance domestic and international responsibilities was impressive.

He seamlessly integrated players from Senegal’s domestic league with European-based stars, fostering a unified team spirit.

The 2022 World Cup quarterfinal appearance marked a historic milestone for Senegalese football, with Cissé at the helm.

“Aliou Cissé is a Senegalese football legend. His contributions will never be forgotten.” – Senegalese Football Federation

“Cissé’s departure marks the end of an era. He will always be remembered as a pioneer.” – Former Senegal captain, Kalidou Koulibaly

The search for Cissé’s replacement is underway, with speculation surrounding potential candidates.

The football world bids farewell to Cissé’s tenure and his legacy serves as a testament to his dedication, passion, and leadership.

Key Statistics:

– 8 years as Senegal manager
– 102 matches managed
– 55 wins
– 25 draws
– 22 losses

Aliou Cissé’s impact on Senegalese football extends beyond his on-field achievements. He inspired a nation, instilling pride and unity.

The future of Senegalese football hangs in the balance, but one thing remains certain – Aliou Cissé’s name will forever be etched in the annals of African football history.

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