Nigerian talismanic striker, Victor Osimhen has insisted that he is contented at Italian Serie A club, Napoli, despite all the uncertainty concerning his future.
Recall that Victor Osimhen finished last season as Serie A’s top scorer after recording 26 goals which helped Napoli to win the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years.
Due to his prolific performance last season, Osimhen was reportedly on the wish lists of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Chelsea.
However, the clubs couldn’t do much as Aurelio de Laurentiis, the president of Napoli, insisted on receiving more than £100 million in exchange for the Nigerian international.
While the interested parties moved on to other targets, Osimhen stayed in Naples and started the 2023–2024 season with a respectable six goals and one assist from ten games.
As the 24-year-old approaches the final two years of his contract with Napoli, amid trouble in coming to an agreement with the club regarding a contract renewal, his long-term future is still far from certain.
Additionally, Osimhen was the subject of two odd Napoli TikTok videos that appeared to mock the striker. The club reportedly issued a private apology to the player after the striker’s agent threatened to sue the team over the incident.
On the other hand, Napoli’s president had made hints that Osimhen would be sold in 2024 if he did not agree to a new deal. It was reported that this had put Chelsea and Liverpool, who are reportedly in the lead to sign Osimhen, on red alert.
However, Victor Osimhen insisted in a recent Twitch interview with Mario Balotelli and Emiliano Viviano that he is “happy at Napoli”.
He added: “People don’t know how difficult it is to play in Serie A. From a tactical and physical point of view, it’s one of the most difficult leagues to play in.”
The Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) giants which are the Niger Tornadoes, will be looking for their first away victory of the season as they host their Chief-rivals, the Sporting Lagos FC, on Sunday (today).
The match is scheduled for Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the Onikan Arena in Lagos. The Sporting Lagos has already earlier lost their last two away games against the Abia Warriors (2-0) and the Rangers (2-0).
Sporting has not won in three matches played so far in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL). The Niger Tornadoes will be hoping to capitalise on their strong performance at home last week to pick up maximum points.
This will be the first time the two teams will face each other in the NPFL, with the Tornadoes currently in seventh position and the Sporting Lagos team in 12th position respectively.
[https://news.ng/]
THE General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation Dr Mohammed Sanusi has told the Super Falcons they cannot afford to miss out on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The nine-time African champions have not qualified for the women’s football event of the Games since 2008, and they face Ethiopia in Abuja on Tuesday as they seek to return to the global competition.
The first leg of the qualifying tie ended 1-1 in Addis Ababa last Wednesday, with Rasheedat Ajibade equalising for the Super Falcons after the hosts had taken a shock lead.
Sanusi, who watched the Super Falcons train at the Turf Arena in Abuja ahead of the return leg, reminded the African queens that they are an elite team that should be at the biggest events.
“The whole world still talks about how you captivated everyone at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand during the summer,” Sanusi told the players yesterday.
“The Government of Nigeria, the NFF and all stakeholders remain very proud of you. The NFF loves you and is happy with your outing and general conduct at the World Cup, on and off the field of play.
“Now, it is time to destroy this vexed issue of Olympics jinx. The last time you attended the Olympics was in 2008, in China. That was a long time ago. Missing three consecutive tournaments is enough; we have to take our place in Paris.
“I am happy with your game in Addis Ababa and I know you have the capacity to finish off the job here in Abuja on Tuesday.”
The Super Falcons trained at the Turf Arena on Friday and yesterday before moving to the MKO Abiola National Stadium today.
Tomorrow, both the Super Falcons and Ethiopia will have their official training sessions on the turf of the MKO Abiola National Stadium match venue.
The winners of the tie on aggregate will take on the winners of the Cameroon vs Uganda fixture in the third round of the qualifying series.
Uganda, who narrowly eliminated Rwanda in the first round, defeated the Indomitable Lionesses 2-0 in the first leg in Kampala on Thursday.
[NaijaTImes]
SOUTH AFRICA secured a hard-fought 12-11 victory over New Zealand last night to clinch a record fourth Rugby World Cup title in France.
Handre Pollard kicked four penalties to help the Springboks to the historic success against their bitter rivals at a rain-soaked Stade de France in Paris.
It was a nerve-wracking, edgy battle where defence ruled and the All Blacks lost captain Sam Cane to a first-half red card for a high tackle.
But South Africa prevailed to win a third successive knockout match in this tournament by a point and add to their titles in 1995, 2007 and 2019.
“The last three games have been quite tough, each one we have played has been a final and each one we have won by one point,” player of the match Pieter-Steph du Toit said in his post-match interview.
“As a team we like drama. It has helped us through the last few years, it shows the resilience of this team.
“We are honoured to play for the whole of South Africa and the Springboks. When we go back home it will be a warm welcome for us.”
The game drew a number of high-profile stars from other sports, including tennis stars Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic among the 80,000 spectators, and South Africa captain Siya Kolisi described how much this triumph meant to his people back home.
“Honestly, people who are not from South Africa don’t understand what this means for our country,” he said.
“It’s not just about the game on the field. Our country goes through such a lot. We are the hope they have.”
[NaijaTimes]
Jude Bellingham’s stunning double snatched Real Madrid a 2-1 comeback victory at Barcelona in his first La Liga Clasico on Saturday.
The England international, who has started his Madrid career in remarkable goalscoring form, unleashed a rocket into the top corner from distance after Ilkay Gundogan had sent hosts Barcelona ahead at the Olympic Stadium.
Bellingham then fired home a second in stoppage time to silence Barcelona fans and reach 10 goals in the top flight this season.
Barcelona hit the woodwork twice and had the better of the game but Bellingham, La Liga’s top goalscorer, is in unstoppable form and inevitably made his mark in his first Clasico.
Bellingham’s brace sent Madrid to the top of La Liga, ahead of Girona on goal difference, with both teams four points ahead of Barcelona in third.
The Catalans were boosted by the returns of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha from injury, with Xavi naming them on the bench, but Frenkie de Jong and Pedri did not recover in time.
His counterpart Carlo Ancelotti selected Ferland Mendy at left back over Eduardo Camavinga and Fran Garcia, once again deploying Bellingham in the number 10 role as he got his first taste of arguably the world’s biggest club football match.
However it was another midfielder playing for the first time in the Clasico who broke the deadlock — Barcelona’s summer arrival Gundogan.
The former Manchester City man was sharpest when Aurelien Tchouameni intercepted Ferran Torres’ pass, diverting it back into his own area.
Centre-back David Alaba tried to clear but was thoroughly unconvincing and Gundogan read his intentions, hopped onto the ball and swept past Kepa Arrizabalaga in the sixth minute.
– Post denies Barca –
Fermin Lopez, one of the emerging young Barcelona La Masia academy products who has broken into the first team, slapped a shot against the post after the intense Gavi pressed high to win the ball back.
Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger hammered wide from nearly 40 yards out as Madrid were held off by the hosts, with winger Vinicius Junior getting into tangles with Gavi and Ronald Araujo, deployed at right-back to try and shackle him.
Gavi, Gundogan and Lopez controlled the midfield, with Joao Cancelo’s more advanced position allowing Barcelona additional defensive security.
Barcelona struck the woodwork again when Inigo Martinez headed Lopez’s inch-perfect cross against the post early in the second half, with Arrizabalaga thwarting Araujo on the follow-up.
Madrid were reduced to long-range efforts but eventually one ripped into the net to level the score, with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved a Tchouameni piledriver but he could not keep out Bellingham’s blast, pulling Madrid level in a game they had struggled to find a foothold in.
With the game heading towards an unsatisfying draw for both sides, Bellingham intervened decisively — in the right place at the right time to shoot through Ter Stegen’s legs after Luka Modric diverted Dani Carvajal’s cross into his path.
[OpinionNigeria]
World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury beat mixed martial arts fighter Francis Ngannou in a split decision after their boxing bout went the distance in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Ngannou knocked Fury down in round three but the 35-year-old British fighter, though shaken, was able to continue.
The undefeated Fury earlier this week laughed off his opponent as a “big fat sausage” but afterwards acknowledged that the 37-year-old Cameroonian had effectively kept him off-balance.
“He’s a very awkward man, and he’s a good puncher and I respect him a lot,” Fury said of Ngannou, adding that it was “probably one of the toughest” fights he has had in a decade.
Fury was the overwhelming favourite against boxing novice Ngannou.
“This was my first boxing match, great experience –- I’m not giving any excuse,” Ngannou said in a ringside interview.
“I know I come up short, I’m going to come back and work harder… now I know I can do this.”
Fury’s WBC heavyweight belt was not on the line in the “Battle of the Baddest” in the Saudi capital Riyadh, but Saudi officials nevertheless hoped it would further boost the Gulf kingdom’s reputation as a top-flight boxing destination.
With all parties desperate to lend the contest some sporting legitimacy, the WBC had fashioned a “Riyadh Champion” belt to allow the winner to strut around the ring at the end with something other than a big, fat pay cheque.
Fury has been linked with a £50 million ($60.6 million) payout from Sunday’s exhibition bout, while he has said in the British press that Ngannou will earn £10 million.
[Vanguard]
Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has revealed he was always terrified to play against Ivory Coast legend, Didier Drogba.
Mikel Obi and Drogba played together at Chelsea in the Premier League and won many titles together.
But they faced each other a few times at the international level.
One of those came at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a video shared on CAF’s online social media, Mikel Obi said he was scared of Drogba because the striker is a great goal scorer.
“Obviously, the player I never wanted to meet, that I was lucky I didn’t meet quite a lot, was Didier Drogba. You know, I was always scared of meeting him. Because I knew at some point in the game he would score,” he said.
Nigerian sprinter, Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha has been banned for three years for doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Friday, October 27.
Nwokocha who won gold in the 4x100m relay at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, tested positive for Ostarine and Ligandrol in a sample collected on 3 August 2022.
She has reportedly admitted to the doping violation and accepted the sanction of a three-year ban. She has also been stripped of her gold medal from the Commonwealth Games.
The statement by the AIU reads: “The AIU, the Athlete and the World Anti-Doping Agency (“the Parties”) subsequently entered into a Case Resolution Agreement in accordance with Rule 10.8.2 ADR pursuant to which the Athlete acknowledges that she has been found to have committed ADRVs under Rule 2.1 and Rule 2.2 of the CGF ADR (and the ADR) by virtue of the CGF Decision, which is final and binding upon her;
“The Athlete agrees to be sanctioned with a period of Ineligibility of three (3) years; the Parties agree that taking into consideration the criteria in Rule 10.8.2 of the ADR, the period of Ineligibility shall commence on the date of Sample collection, i.e., 3 August 2022. Therefore, the period of Ineligibility shall be in effect until, and including, 2 August 2025; and in accordance with Rule 10.10 of the ADR (and to the extent that any results are not already disqualified by operation of the CGF Decision), the Athlete’s competitive results from 3 August 2022 until the date of the Provisional Suspension imposed by the AIU viz. 2 September 2022 are Disqualified with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prize money/prizes.”
[OpinionNigeria]
- Competition: Premier League
- Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CEST
- Venue: Selhurst Park (London)
For the last decade, Crystal Palace were constantly a mid-table team in the English top-flight division, finishing between 10th and 15th place. This season, at least at the start, the Eagles are again at the middle of the table, with 12 points in 18 matches, already eight above the danger zone.
Tottenham are coming to this season after the worst one in the last 14 years. The Spurs finished 8th and missed Europe by one point. Over the Summer, the club made significant changes by adding new coach Ange Postecoglou, selling Harry Kane, and using that money to add a few excellent players. Although it is still early, Tottenham looks great and are deservedly at the top of the league with 23 points in nine rounds.
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham pick: Tottenham to win
Crystal Palace had a very good start to the season, winning three of the first five games (four in the league & one in the Carabao Cup). Still, in the next six games, the Eagles won just once and had massive problems offensively, scoring just twice during that period.
Tottenham won seven of ten games this season in all competition and, along with Arsenal, are the only undefeated team in the Premier League. Their only loss this season came in the Carabao Cup vs Fulham on the road, but after the penalty shootout in a match where they heavily rotated the squad.
Even though many of us expected Tottenham to suffer offensively without Kane, that has not been the case so far. The Spurs have been great offensively, scoring two or more goals in eight of ten matches this season.
In the previous years, Tottenham had very little problems with Crystal Palace, as they beaten them in four of the last five games. Considering the difference in h2h games and a massive difference in form, we expect the Spurs to walk away with all three points.
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur Head to Head (H2H) stats
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Tottenham Hotspur 1 : 0 Crystal Palace
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Crystal Palace 0 : 4 Tottenham Hotspur
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Tottenham Hotspur 3 : 0 Crystal Palace
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Crystal Palace 3 : 0 Tottenham Hotspur
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Tottenham Hotspur 4 : 1 Crystal Palace
- Competition: Premier League
- Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CEST
- Venue: Selhurst Park (London)
For the last decade, Crystal Palace were constantly a mid-table team in the English top-flight division, finishing between 10th and 15th place. This season, at least at the start, the Eagles are again at the middle of the table, with 12 points in 18 matches, already eight above the danger zone.
Tottenham are coming to this season after the worst one in the last 14 years. The Spurs finished 8th and missed Europe by one point. Over the Summer, the club made significant changes by adding new coach Ange Postecoglou, selling Harry Kane, and using that money to add a few excellent players. Although it is still early, Tottenham looks great and are deservedly at the top of the league with 23 points in nine rounds.
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham pick: Tottenham to win
Crystal Palace had a very good start to the season, winning three of the first five games (four in the league & one in the Carabao Cup). Still, in the next six games, the Eagles won just once and had massive problems offensively, scoring just twice during that period.
Tottenham won seven of ten games this season in all competition and, along with Arsenal, are the only undefeated team in the Premier League. Their only loss this season came in the Carabao Cup vs Fulham on the road, but after the penalty shootout in a match where they heavily rotated the squad.
Even though many of us expected Tottenham to suffer offensively without Kane, that has not been the case so far. The Spurs have been great offensively, scoring two or more goals in eight of ten matches this season.
In the previous years, Tottenham had very little problems with Crystal Palace, as they beaten them in four of the last five games. Considering the difference in h2h games and a massive difference in form, we expect the Spurs to walk away with all three points.
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur Head to Head (H2H) stats
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Tottenham Hotspur 1 : 0 Crystal Palace
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Crystal Palace 0 : 4 Tottenham Hotspur
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Tottenham Hotspur 3 : 0 Crystal Palace
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Crystal Palace 3 : 0 Tottenham Hotspur
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Tottenham Hotspur 4 : 1 Crystal Palace
More...
Former Liverpool star, Mark Lawrenson has predicted the outcome of this weekend’s Premier League matches taking place across different grounds in England.
Manchester United will host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Chelsea will tackle Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Arsenal will clash with Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium and Liverpool will face Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Providing his predictions, Lawrenson told Paddy Power:
Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford
Arsenal 3-0 Sheffield United
Bournemouth 2-0 Burnley
Wolves 1-1 Newcastle
West Ham 2-0 Everton
Aston Villa 2-0 Luton
Brighton 3-0 Fulham
Liverpool 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City.
[Leadership]
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he could start some key players against Real Madrid on Saturday who have been out injured in recent weeks, if they arrive 100 percent fit.
The Spanish champions have been without forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong and defenders Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto in the lead-up to the match.
However all those players took part in training on Friday except for the latter, with Xavi saying he was surprised by their recoveries and determination to play against Real Madrid.
“I was surprised to see them in training too,” Xavi told reporters on Friday.
“Players that we had almost ruled out and they want to be there, they all want to play.
“They all feel very good and you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for the squad list.”
Barcelona’s only out-and-out striker Lewandowski has not played since going off injured against Porto in the Champions League on October 4 with an ankle problem.
“Evidently I won’t tell you the line-up or give clues, (but he’s) feeling very good, he’s well,” said the coach.
“They all feel good and want to be there — it’s a very important game.”
De Jong last played in September before he suffered an ankle sprain, while a hamstring injury has ruled Pedri out since August.
Winger Raphinha has been out with a thigh problem since September, while Kounde suffered a knee sprain against Granada on October 10.
Xavi said he would have no hesitance to start any of the returning players if they are fully fit.
“If they are 100 percent, I’ll play them, there’s no problem,” added the coach.
Barcelona have been forced to lean heavily on youngsters from their La Masia youth academy, with Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal and Marc Guiu all scoring important goals.
Xavi had some advice for the younger players who may feature against league leaders Real Madrid.
“Having homegrown players is a boost, it’s fantastic to have players from La Masia, they know about the rivalry, they know the importance of the game, it’s always fundamental,” said Xavi.
“(In the Clasico) there are always more nerves, more tension, controlling those nerves, controlling your character, the tempo of the game, it’s hard, because the heart is hot, but (you need) a cold head, I think that’s the key to these games.
“There is more emotion and desire than normal, but control is key.”
The coach noted Jude Bellingham’s impressive impact since arriving at Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
The England international has netted eight goals and is the division’s leading scorer.
“Bellingham is very important for Madrid with their change of system, he has freedom, and attacks well from deep,” added Xavi.
[Vanguard]
Nigeria forward, Victor Boniface has been presented with his Golden Boot prize for finishing joint top scorer in the UEFA Europa League last season.
Boniface shared the award with Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford.
The duo scored six goals in Europe’s second tier club competition last term.
The 22-year-old was presented with the award ahead of Bayer Leverkusen’s home clash against Qarabag at the BayArena on Thursday night.
Boniface’s impressive performance earned him a move from Belgian Pro League club, Union St Gilloise to Leverkusen in the summer.
The Nigerian striker has already registered two goals and an assist in three outings for Die Werkself this season.
Union Berlin have hit Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana with a one-week ban after his angry reaction to being subbed off in the side’s recent UEFA Champions League 1-0 home defeat to Napoli.
Fofana, who once again failed to score a goal or provide an assist for Union Berlin, was withdrawn in the 70th minute during the encounter against Napoli.
As the 20-year-old made his way past manager Urs Fischer, he refused to shake the coach’s outstretched hand or even make eye contact.
There was also a brief coming-together between Fofana and Fischer.
However, the decision to reprimand Fofana was confirmed by Union Berlin spokesman, Christian Arbeit, with manager Fischer saying: “Football is a team sport, you have to fit in and sometimes put yourself second. We hope that he learns from this.”
Fofana will not be considered for selection against either Werder Bremen at the weekend or Tuesday’s German Cup tie against Stuttgart as a result of the suspension.
The youngster will also train separately from the first-team squad for the duration of his suspension, before rejoining team training on Wednesday 1 November.
Meanwhile, Fofana, who moved to Chelsea from Molde last January, had already issued an apology via his social media account.
He said, “Following my behaviour during my exit from the field, I wanted to apologise to the club, the coach, my team-mates and the supporters.
“This gesture was not intended and in no way does it represent my attitude, all this was generated as a result of frustration because I wanted to continue helping the team to obtain a positive result.”