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Message to Super Falcons at The FIFA Women’s World Cup

On behalf of all Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu extends best wishes to the Super Falcons as they prepare to face Australia in their second group match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.
 
The President, like other football-loving Nigerians, takes immense pride in the Super Falcons’ impressive performance in the opening match against Canada, a formidable opponent and the reigning Olympic Champion.
 
He firmly believes that the upcoming match on Thursday will be a thrilling encounter that will culminate in victory for the Nigerian team.
 
Acknowledging the Super Falcons’ remarkable achievements as a dominant force in women’s football in Africa, President Tinubu is confident that the blending of new talents with seasoned veterans will propel Nigeria’s success in women’s football to even greater heights in this tournament.
 
He assures the players and the coaching crew of the enthusiastic support of all Nigerians, urging the team to continue exemplifying Nigeria’s spirit of determination and excellence both on and off the pitch, serving as worthy ambassadors of the nation.

[NTA]

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‘I didn’t know football’ before I met him – Gundogan hails Pep Guardiola

Barcelona midfielder Ikay Gundogan has revealed that he “didn’t know anything about football” before his arrival at Manchester City.

The German international arrived at the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 for £20 million and was Pep Guardiola’s first signing after the Spaniard gaffer joined Manchester City. 

Gundogan left City last summer after seven years at the club, winning several trophies, including a treble as the club’s captain in his last season.

While reflecting on his time under Guardiola, he revealed that Guardiola had much influence on him at the club.

“Before I joined Manchester City, I thought I knew football,” said the five-time Premier League winner. ”I was 25 or 26 years old, and I’d seen a lot. I’d played in the Champions League final.”

“But now standing here after seven years of Pep’s school, I’d say I didn’t know anything about football before. His influence on the team and me personally was immense.” Gundogan told ESPN.

He also admitted that he needed to seek a new challenge, which was the reason behind his departure from the Champions League winners.

“I’ve known him [Guardiola] well for seven years, but I like challenges and constantly surpassing myself. All that the coach and [Barcelona] have done to convince me is that my desire to sign for the club has grown a lot.”

Gundogan made 304 appearances in all for Manchester City, scoring 60 goals and assisting 40.

[OpinionNigeria]

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"NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame" and Investiture of Air Peace Ambassadors" Event

The events, powered by Air Peace in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), are to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Nigerian heroes in the fields of sports and diplomacy. They are to honor the 1976 Montreal Olympics Athletes, as well as the 1980 African Cup of Nations football team, both of which brought immense glory to Nigeria.

The events will take place on Friday, 28th of July, 2023, in Lagos, Nigeria.

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Last modified on Wednesday, 26 July 2023 12:57

PSG to offer Osimhen N43bn

Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian and Napoli striker, is expected to earn €50 million (N43 billion) if he joins French giants Paris Saint-Germain during this transfer window.

Aurelio De Laurentiis, the owner of Napoli, expects a million-dollar offer for the player and believes PSG is the only club that can afford the Nigeria international.


Due to De Laurentiis’ high asking price, other top clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich have withdrawn from negotiations for Osimhen.

Last week, it was reported that PSG had offered €120 million for Osimhen, which the Serie A champions had already rejected.

According to multiple reports, Napoli values Osimhen at €150 million, and no club is willing to meet that asking price at the moment.


“The only club in the world that could afford Victor Osimhen is Paris Saint-Germain,” De Laurentiis told Mediaset.

“If (PSG president) Nasser Al Khelaifi submits a bid of around €200 million, we’ll see what happens.” Victor, in my opinion, will remain here.”

According to Sky Sports, PSG and Al-Hilal have agreed to a €300 million deal for Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, though the player has not yet agreed to play in Saudi Arabia.

If the World Cup winner leaves, Osimhen would be an excellent replacement.

According to elfutbolero.us, if Napoli signs the 24-year-old, he could earn €50 million as the team’s star, but Osimhen is not interested in moving to Ligue 1.

Osimhen scored 26 goals and assisted five times in 32 league appearances last season, helping the Partenopei win Serie A for the first time in over three decades.

He was also the first African to win the prestigious Capocannoniere award given to Serie A’s top scorer.

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‘Super Falcons won’t be intimidated by Australia’s large crowd’

The large number of supporters by co-hosts, Australia, will not prevent the Super Falcons from giving their best in tomorrow’s second group match of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup holding in Australia and New Zealand, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has assured.

 

After holding Olympics champions, Canada, to a 0-0 draw in their first group match, Coach Randy Waldrun and his players have another mountain to climb tomorrow against group leaders, Australia.
The Nigerians need to win or at worse avoid defeat to stand a chance of progressing to the round of 16.

In their game against Canada, the Super Falcons enjoyed great support from Australian fans.
“The Australians really gave us good support in the game against Canada because they wanted the Super Falcons to win so that Canada won’t stand a good chance of qualifying from the group by the time they meet Australia in their last group match. But we don’t expect the Australians to cheer our girls against their team on Thursday,” NFF Secretary General, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, told The Guardian from the team’s camp.

Sanusi is optimistic that the Super Falcons will turn the heat on Australia and their large supporters tomorrow.

“Our girls should know how to handle such situation. They have seen it all in women’s football and I am optimistic that we will win the match,” he said.

Nigeria and Australia will set alight the Lang Park in Brisbane/Meaanjin tomorrow morning in what is one of the most-anticipated clashes of the group stage at this ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

With the maximum three points from their opening match against Republic of Ireland in Sydney on July 20, the Matildas know they have a fight on their hands against nine-time African champions, Super Falcons, who refused to bow to Olympic champions, Canada, in Melbourne the following day.

 

The Super Falcons know only a win will be good enough to stand them in good stead for a place in the Round of 16, as only the two top-placed teams in each of the eight groups will make progress in a tournament that has welcomed 32 teams for the first time ever.

“Of course, it is the World Cup. You have to accept the fact that you are going to play the best teams in the world and you have to be alive to that responsibility and face it with your full chest,” team captain, OnomeEbi, told thenff.com after the tournament draw that was conducted in Auckland, New Zealand in October 2022.

Yesterday, Ebi reiterated the position of the Super Falcons: “We will go in there and play to win. There are no two ways about it. Only three points will be good enough for us.”

Ebi says their five-match unbeaten streak is one of the callipers that will keep the girls going strong on a turf much more familiar to their opponents and in front of dozens of thousands of a partisan crowd at the Lang Park.

Before the draw with Canada, the Super Falcons had pipped Costa Rica 1-0, edged Haiti 2-1, trounced New Zealand 3-0 and slayed Lions Women’s Football Club 8-1 before the World Cup.

 

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has returned to training after being excused for one day following the MVP-winning performance against Canada in Melbourne, and consistency is expected in the selection of the rearguard, with Michelle Alozie and Ashley Plumptre on the wings, and veteran Osinachi Ohale and youthful Oluwatosin Demehin at central.

The co-hosts will have to do without their talismanic captain, Sam Kerr, who has been the face on most advertisements pertaining to the tournament here.

Antithetically, Nigeria has gained with the return of the fabulous Rasheedat Ajibade – whose goal against Cameroun in the Women Africa Cup of Nations’ quarterfinals secured Nigeria’s passage to these finals – and midfield battering ram Halimatu Ayinde from suspension.

Asisat Oshoala, who suffered a knock against the Canadians, could be excused, with Nigeria sufficiently blessed in Desire Oparanozie, Jennifer Echegini, Gift Monday and Uchenna Kanu.

Meanwhile, some Nigerian analysts have advised Waldrum to bench the duo of Francisca Ordega and Oshoala in tomorrow’s second group match against Australia. Instead, they want the coach to pick among Uchenna Kanu, Ifeoma Onumonu and Gift Monday to lead the Super Falcons’ attack.

They want the coach to avoid the mistake by former coach, Edwin Okon at Canada 2015 edition of the World Cup, in which Ordega and Oshoala were ineffective against Australia. That match ended 2-0 for Australia in the city of Winnipeg.

[Guardian]

 
 
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PSG to offer Victor Osimhen N43bn

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is expected to earn €50m (N43bn) if he makes the move to French giants Paris Saint-Germain in this transfer window, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis expects to receive a million-dollar offer for the player and has credited PSG as the only club that can afford the Nigeria international.

 

Other top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich have pulled out of negotiations for Osimhen due to De Laurentiis’ high asking price.

PUNCH Sports Extra had reported last week that PSG has already made an offer of €120m for Osimhen which the Serie A champions have already rejected.

According to several reports, Napoli values Osimhen at €150m and no club is currently willing to meet that asking price.

“The only club that could afford Victor Osimhen is Paris Saint-Germain,” De Laurentiis told Mediaset.

“If (PSG president) Nasser Al Khelaifi wants to send in a bid around €200m we wait and see what happens. I personally think that Victor will stay here.”

Sky Sports reported that PSG have reached a €300M deal with Al-Hilal for Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, although the player has not yet agreed to play in Saudi Arabia.

If the World Cup winner leaves the team, Osimhen would be the striker’s ideal replacement.

According to elfutbolero.us, if Napoli buy the 24-year-old, the player could receive a salary of €50m to be the star of the team but Osimhen is not keen on a move to the Ligue 1.

Osimhen scored 26 goals and made five assists in 32 league appearances last season, which was crucial to the Partenopei winning the Serie A title for the first time in over three decades.

He also became the first African to claim the prestigious Capocannoniere award, given to the top scorer in Serie A.

[OpinionNigeria]

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Man Utd ‘in talks’ and Kylian Mbappe transfer claim made

Manchester United are just a couple of weeks away from kicking off their Premier League campaign. Erik ten Hag’s men are feeling pretty confident after a pre-season win over Arsenal over the weekend, and Wrexham and Real Madrid are next up in the Red Devils’ busy summer schedule.

United have been busy in the transfer market this summer, too, snapping up Mason Mount and Andre Onana, while a striker signing and exits are likely before the end of the window. With that in mind, we have rounded up all the latest transfer news and rumours surrounding Old Trafford.

Mbappe links

United are said to be in the mix to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe this summer. According to Sky Sports, the Red Devils are one of the clubs interested in a move for Mbappe, who is the subject of a huge offer from Saudi Arabia.

PSG are said to have accepted the offer from the Saudis, but Mbappe may not be willing to make that move. According to the report, PSG are open to offers from any club as they look to avoid losing their star man for free down the line. It’s claimed United, Chelsea and Tottenham are in contact, while Real Madrid are still said to be the most likely destination.

McTominay talks

West Ham are said to have opened talks with United over a possible deal for midfielder Scott McTominay. United are said to be keen on strengthening the midfield role this summer, potentially adding Sofyan Amrabat to ensure sufficient back-up for Casemiro.

McTominay is likely to be sacrificed as Ten Hag looks to upgrade, and according to the Daily Mail, West Ham are in talks over a deal. The Hammers need to replace Declan Rice this summer following the England star’s move to Arsenal, and McTominay could be the answer.

[Manchesterworld]

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Rangers transfers: The eight players with uncertain Ibrox futures

et, with this acquisition spree, the club’s playing pool inevitably has started to take on a bloated look. Since the release of five players at the end of last season, only Antonio Colak has been moved on. It leaves Beale with more than 30 senior personnel – a figure he considered far from ideal over his first since month in charge as he stated a desire to operate with a far leaner squad. To reach that point, decisions will require to be made on a number of likely fringe performers … at best. Scott Wright’s departure seems set in stone, but beyond that there appears seven players with currently uncertain Ibrox futures. Below we detail the situations for those in that category:

Glen Kamara

The end for the Finnish international at the Govan club has been declared nigh for months, but still no concrete bid for the midfielder has materialised. Beale said last week there had been “quite a few enquiries” for the 27-year-old, whose time in Scotland is patently up. Leeds United have been credited with a strong interest but perhaps the issue is ponying up the fee Rangers are seeking for a player signed from Dundee for £50,000 in January 2019. It has been reported that a £5million buy-out clause was inserted into the improved four-year deal he agreed two years ago. It is a stretch to see any club parting with that for a player whose career has stalled in the past year, which may explain the limbo he finds himself in. Rangers may require to drop their asking price significantly to move him on.

Rabbi Matondo

 

The winger feels firmly the odd man out among the phalanx of attackers the Rangers manager will now be able to call upon. It is impossible to believe that the Welsh international will be in the mix for minutes as Danilo is poised to join newbie attackers Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers and Abdallah Sima, with Fashion Sakala and Kemar Roofe also in tow. It simply hasn’t worked out for the 22-year-old since his near £3m move from Schalke last summer and he doesn’t look to possess what is required to thrive at Ibrox. As someone therefore likely to be no more than a wage drainer, Rangers must be prepared to cut their losses and accept a cut-price fee to resolve his unhappy situation.

Ianis Hagi

The bald fact is that you require to go back a year-and-a-half for any significant contribution to the Rangers cause from the Romanian international, hardly his fault with a serious cruciate ligament sustained in January 2021 costing him a full 12 months of his career. Yet, it feels as if the Ibrox side have moved on and that this provides the playmaker no real in – despite Beale handing him a new contract in December last year as he worked his way back to fitness. The 24-year-old’s name in itself should ensure he retains value and attracts suitors. Recouping the £3m they paid Racing Genk for him three years ago might be best for all parties.

Robby McCrorie

It must be agonising for both the 25-year-old keeper and the club he started training with aged only 14 that a parting of the ways appears inevitable. Rangers cannot give the Scotland under-21 international what he wants, and needs, following his considerable patience at hoping his chance to earn first-choice status through impressing on loan, and proving his capabilities when selected. He did all he could as regards the former through loan spells with Berwick Rangers, Greenock Morton and, more recently and notably, Livingston. He did all he could as far as the latter goes as also in never looking short of the required attributes across his outings in the past two years. A sequence – bolstered by four-game run at the conclusion of last season – in which he conceded only one goal and contributed to two wins over Celtic. Beale, though, ultimately decided it would be too great a risk to elevate him to no.1 for the coming season and, with Jack Butland handed that status, he has deemed it necessary to seek pastures new.

John Lundstram

 

Rangers ought to have learned lessons through being burned financially in allowing Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Jack when it comes to dealing with players in the final year of their deals. The Englishman is in that position, with no strong indications he or the club are pushing to agree on an extension. The impending arrival of Jose Cifuentes, and the additions across 2023 of Nicolas Raskin, Todd Cantwell and Kieran Dowell, coupled with Ryan Jack’s return to the fore and Tom Lawrence comeback from long-term injury, would appear to have pushed the 29-year-old Englishman down the pecking order for earning a regular midfield slot. Especially with the desire for youthfulness and energy accented by Beale. Earning a fee for him now – after he was brought in as a free agent two years ago – and also saving on his salary would appear to make sense.

Fashion Sakala

Rangers may not want to act hastily with the decidedly mixed-bag Zambian forward, even as some seem desperate to push him to the exit door. As the quicksilver frontman proved with a goal and penalty-winning contribution in the 2-1 friendly win over Hamburg last weekend while all the club’s summer frontline recruits were in action, the 26-year-old can be useful. He has been, too, as an impact player in the past. In contrast to all the recent arrivals in his area of the pitch as yet being unproven. Of course, if that mythical £4m bid from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club ever became reality, it could be a different story. Until such times, though, he seems worth retaining.

Kemar Roofe

 

The horrendous injury record of the Englishman dictates that he isn’t a player to be moved on as he enters the final season of his current deal. The 30-year-old’s luckless run with physical ailments frankly would seem to preclude him holding a sale value. His opportunities could be limited by the transfer splurge on forwards but his keen eye for a goal could yet mean he still has a role to play in the forthcoming season, albeit a limited one.

Borna Barisic

The third senior player on Rangers’ books now in the last year of his contract, if the recent speculation was to be believed a £1m offer from Nottingham Forest meant he was destined to be removed from said books. It has gone quiet in recent days over this offer from the English Premier League club. And, with the service the left-back has provided across five years at Ibrox, it could be worth discovering if he would consider a Jack-style one-year extension.

[scotsman]

 
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Liverpool Star Wanted By Two La Liga Clubs: Is Another Senior Player On The Verge of An Exit?

According to a report from Liverpool Echo, Thiago Alcantara is on the radar of Sevilla and Real Sociedad. It was also stated that the Spanish veteran is said to have admirers in Saudi Arabia, although he has firmly declined offers from the Middle Eastern league, stating that he has no intentions to leave Anfield this summer. Moreover, Thiago was linked with a return to Barcelona over the past week, but there have been no further developments in that direction.

Thiago’s Disappointing Season At Liverpool In The Last Campaign

Thiago experienced a disappointing period with Liverpool in the previous campaign, struggling to make a significant impact in the Premier League. The 32-year-old’s productivity for the Merseyside club was hindered by injuries, resulting in him making only 21 appearances across various competitions last season.

Despite the challenges, the Spanish midfielder’s abilities deserve recognition, as he displayed impressive statistics. In the Premier League, he averaged 1.2 dribbles, 0.9 shots, 2.4 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, and 0.7 clearances per 90 minutes. Moreover, Thiago showcased accuracy in distributing possession from midfield, completing 86.5% of his attempted passes in the English top tier, as per stats via whoscored.

Thiago Alcantara
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool shoots at goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool FC at London Stadium on April 26, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Should Klopp Sanction His Exit?

Thiago continues to play a vital role at the Merseyside club, but his age becomes a significant factor when considering the impact of a potential departure. At 32, he is reaching the later stages of his career, raising questions about his ability to perform at the highest level consistently. Losing a player with his wealth of experience and technical skills could create a void in Liverpool’s midfield, as his composure and vision have been valuable assets to the team.

 

The Spanish veteran faced challenges finding his rhythm due to injuries and disrupted match fitness, limiting his influence on games and preventing him from showcasing his full potential last season. However, it is worth noting that with a fresh start and improved fitness, his performance may be resurgent.

In their efforts to rejuvenate the midfield, Liverpool has made notable additions like Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer. Nevertheless, Thiago could serve as an excellent mentor and understudy to these young talents, offering valuable guidance and experience as they develop within the team. This is why Jurgen Klopp has agreed to keep him at Anfield, as the benefits of retaining his services outweigh the risk of losing him for free next summer.

[the4thofficial]

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New Denis Zakaria bid submitted from former boss after West Ham United talks - Fabrizio Romano

West Ham are under threat in their pursuit of Denis Zakaria from Juventus after Fabrizio Romano reported a new bid going in from Monaco.

The Swiss, who spent last season on loan at Chelsea, is one of numerous midfield targets for the Hammers this summer, but had looked to be one of the closest to completion.

It now appears to be a head-to-head choice for the 26-year-old after the Ligue 1 side, managed by his former Borussia Monchengladbach boss Adi Hutter, entered the race with a concrete bid.

 

 
 

Reporting via Twitter on Tuesday evening (25 July) Romano wrote: “EXCL: AS Monaco have submitted first bid to sign Denis Zakaria from Juventus. He’s among priority targets for the club as Adi Hütter knows him well.

“Zakaria will now assess options. Many clubs want him — West Ham also negotiated with Juventus to sign him. Up to the player.”

Competition

 

This is exactly the risk with playing the transfer market as the Hammers are currently doing, as being moderately advanced on moves with multiple target at once leaves the club open to hijacks.

If Monaco are seen to be acting decisively in the pursuit of Zakaria, likely to replace another player linked with a Hammers move in Youssouf Fofana [L’Equipe, 27 June], then they may look the more attractive option.

And the fact that Hutter has managed the exit-bound Juventus man before in the Bundesliga is another link that might hand Monaco that advantage.

It appears that West Ham are far enough down the line for them to still be a viable option should the Swiss international decide he wants a return to the Premier League.

But, while there is of course potential competition for all targets the longer the door is left open, it looks it has now got very real in the Zakaria race.

The latest development likely leaves West Ham with a choice between making a concerted final effort to convince both player and club that the London Stadium is right for his next move, or to quickly turn their attentions elsewhere.

[westhamzone]

 
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