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Emmanuel Adebayor, a former Togo striker, has spoken up about his departure from Arsenal.
Adebayor, speaking with Optus Sport, claimed the then-manager Arsene Wenger banished him from the training ground.
Wenger signed the striker from Monaco and he finished the 2007/08 season with 30 goals in all competitions.
However, the next summer, a bitter contract wrangle led to several top European clubs courting Adebayor.
And although he eventually put pen to paper on a new deal, his relationship with Wenger had been broken.
And the Frenchman asked Adebayor to leave, with Manchester City landing him from their Premier League rivals.
“I had a great season in 2008, I had everyone calling me,” Adebayor said.
“Milan, when Milan was great with Kaka, Gattuso, Maldini and Shevchenko, but I said I wasn’t going, I’m staying with Arsenal.
“I went on holiday but when I came back to the club I had a meeting with the boss, and he said ‘I don’t need you any more.’ And I was like ‘wow’, what am I going to do?
“I wanted a chance to fight for my place and he said no. He said if I stayed I’d not be in the squad for the league, not in the squad for the Champions League or the cup. I thought, ‘ok, this is harsh’.
“I decided to try and give it a chance to force my way back in, but I came back the next day to the training ground and they blocked the gate.
“I wasn’t allowed to enter the Arsenal training ground facility and that’s when I realised it was over.”
A heartwarming moment has captured the internet’s attention, as a video of Cameroonian football legend and President of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, recognising a former teammate working as a security guard goes viral.
The encounter reportedly took place after an Ecobank Group seminar in Douala, Cameroon, according to a report shared on X by a news platform, ED HUB.
In the video, Eto’o, surrounded by fans and attendees, was leaving the venue when someone offscreen called out his name.
At first, he glanced back briefly before walking on, but then he stopped, turned again, and realised it was an old friend.
The man, dressed in a security uniform, walked into the frame, and Eto’o’s face lit up in recognition.
The former Barcelona star warmly shook hands with his old teammate, embraced him briefly, and exchanged pleasantries in Bassa’a, a Cameroonian dialect.
Eto’o was visibly moved, repeatedly patting his friend’s arm as they reminisced.
Turning to the crowd gathered around them, Eto’o introduced the man, saying, “He was my colleague. I played with him.”
The touching moment has drawn widespread admiration on social media, with many users praising Eto’o for his humility.
This heartfelt moment has however earned him praise among netizens.
Hendrïxx, tweeting as @Mr_humble87, wrote, “When life favors you, don’t ever think others are lazy. Bravo to Eto’o on acknowledging his old teammate.”
Another user, @MrsLucyEssel, wrote, “Much respect to Etoo. Even if he doesn’t meet him again this man would forever remember this day.”
Dark Cookies, tweeting as @ayo30bg, speculated on how Eto’o recognised him, saying, “I think he called him a name his old friends or close family calls him and caught his attention very fast.”
Some users even translated parts of their conversation spoken in Bassa’a.
Keke, tweeting as @corenti67008438, explained, “He Said: we need to meetup, we can’t speak right now because I have meetings in 10 minutes but tell Christian (assistant of Eto’o and friends of both) to do everything we meetup we gonna speak my friend. I’m happy to see you.”
Many netizens reflected on the unexpected twists and turns of life.
Twiddle™, tweeting as @Boison__, wrote, “Life be someway o. May all the boys we roll with succeed and may we all meet at the top!”
Another user, @Phemmydeji, added, “Life is deep. Sometimes you really can’t understand the mystery.”
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Spanish La Liga side Sevilla have signed in Nigerian striker Akor Adams from French Lique Club, Montpellier HSC.
The Nigerian has scored three goals and registered three assists for La Paillade this season with the club currently rock bottom of Ligue 1.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who revealed earlier on his X handle that talks were at the advanced stage for the player to join Sevilla before the closure of the January transfer window on Friday, January 31, 2025 midnight, has later revealed that the deal has been sealed for €5.5m transfer fee.
Adams has been Montpellier’s go-to Number 9 since joining the club in the summer of 2023. Since arriving from Norway, he has scored 13 goals in 49 games. However, Sevilla have now acquired his services.
In financial difficulty and facing relegation to Ligue 2, Montpellier had been looking to raise funds this month. Adams represented one of La Paillade’s more bankable assets.
Italian Serie A side Udinese have removed Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye from their registered players list amid an ongoing investigation into alleged betting irregularities.
The 25-year-old, who is being investigated over suspicious betting patterns surrounding a yellow card he received during Udinese’s 2-1 win against Lazio on March 11, 2024, faces a potential five-year ban if found guilty.
Investigators raided Okoye’s house following a complaint by betting agency Sisal, whose algorithm detected unusual gambling activities linked to the goalkeeper’s yellow card for time-wasting in the 90th minute.
The Prosecutor’s Office in Udine also searched the premises of Diego Giordano, a pizzeria owner whose restaurant is frequented by Juventus footballers, as part of the investigation.
Udinese have replaced Okoye with newly-signed goalkeeper Egil Selvik in their 25-man squad, though it remains unclear if the decision was due to the allegations or the Nigerian’s season-ending wrist injury.
The club’s coach, Kosta Runjaic, had earlier maintained that the team’s atmosphere remained positive despite the controversy.
“We haven’t talked about it; we’re focused on Como. The atmosphere is still very good; the team spirit is there, and we’re working diligently,” Runjaic said.
Okoye, who joined Udinese in 2023 from Watford, has made 37 appearances for the Italian club. His legal representatives have dismissed the betting allegations as baseless.
The 28-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the standout players for Fulham in the highly competitive Premier League, contributing significantly to the team’s efforts on the pitch.
Iwobi has been in exceptional form this season, netting seven goals and providing three assists for Marco Silva’s side. This marks Iwobi’s most prolific campaign in the English top flight since he began his professional journey with Arsenal a decade ago, highlighting his development and growth as a player.
In a recent interview with Lagos Talks FM, Okocha shared his pride in Iwobi’s achievements, affectionately referring to him as his nephew. He remarked, “I am very happy with him (Iwobi) and his progress.”
Notably, Iwobi has been a consistent presence in the Fulham squad, featuring in all 22 of their Premier League matches this season, demonstrating both his fitness and reliability.
Meanwhile, Washington Egor has been appointed as the new head coach of Ikorodu City Academy. The announcement of Egor’s appointment was made official by the club on Tuesday, signalling a new chapter for the academy.
Egor, a rising coach in the football scene, will be supported by Emmanuel Otupe as his assistant.
In his first statements as head coach, Egor expressed his eagerness to make a meaningful impact at the Lagos-based club. “I’m delighted to work with the Oga Boys,” Egor stated in an interview with Ikorodu City Academy media. He also mentioned that he has been closely following the development and progression of the team, indicating his familiarity with the club’s dynamics.
Egor emphasized his commitment to the team’s success, saying, “I’m dedicated and ready to continue the good work with the help of the Almighty God and the support of the Management.”
Under his leadership, Ikorodu City Academy will compete in the Nationwide League One, where Egor aims to foster talent and drive the team towards achieving greater heights.
[NaijaNews]
Arsenal is expected to pay Napoli €90 million, based on the release clause included in Victor Osimhen’s loan agreement to Galatasaray.
Osimhen joined the Turkish club on loan from Napoli in September 2024, after negotiations with Al-Ahli, PSG, and Chelsea did not materialize.
Since Galatasaray does not have an option to buy the player, Osimhen is expected to return to Stadio Maradona in the summer. However, it is unlikely that he will remain there long-term.
Osimhen’s contract with Napoli is set to expire in June 2026, but the club has agreed to extend it until 2027 before loaning the striker to Galatasaray last year.
Next summer, Osimhen will have a €75 million release clause to leave Napoli permanently. Nevertheless, according to RAI Sport, the fee to sign him permanently this month is currently set at €90 million, as Galatasaray would receive a portion of the fee if Osimhen departs in January.
This scenario seems unlikely, however, as Galatasaray’s coach and directors have confirmed that the Nigerian striker will remain with the club until the end of the season.
Earlier this month, La Repubblica reported that Osimhen rejected an opportunity to join Manchester United during the winter transfer window.
Transfer expert Pete O’Rourke has noted that Arsenal is “exploring a move” for the Nigerian international “as they look to bolster their attacking options” before the transfer window closes.
Osimhen currently earns €10 million at Napoli, but Galatasaray is paying him only €6 million in wages for this season. The 26-year-old striker has been impressive, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in 18 appearances across all competitions for Galatasaray.
Udinese coach Kosta Runjaic emphasizes that the club maintains a positive atmosphere as they gear up for their upcoming match against Como at Sinigaglia, despite the ongoing investigation involving Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye related to betting irregularities.
Maduka Okoye, 25, is currently under investigation by the Udine Public Prosecutor’s Office following unusual betting patterns associated with a yellow card he received during a Serie A match against Lazio in March 2024.
Runjaic stated, “Our primary focus is on the upcoming game against Como. While I’m not aware of specific conversations among the players, I remain engaged in discussions about our formations and tactics. The atmosphere in the locker room is very good, and the team spirit is strong as we continue to work diligently and with intensity.”
Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that betting agency Sisal detected unusual betting activities, particularly concerning wagers placed on Okoye receiving a booking during the match. He was cautioned for time-wasting in the 64th minute of Udinese’s 2-1 victory.
The investigation has also brought another individual into the spotlight, Diego Giordano, a 40-year-old pizza restaurant owner in Udine. Allegations suggest that a verbal agreement regarding the betting related to Okoye was made at Giordano’s Biffi pizzeria before being finalized at a Sisal betting outlet shortly before the match.
Should Okoye be found guilty under Article 24 of the Italian Code of Sports Justice, which bars professional athletes from gambling on events organized by FIGC, UEFA, and FIFA, he could face a suspension ranging from seven months to four years. However, Okoye’s legal team has firmly rejected the allegations, asserting that there is insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims.
This situation arises as Okoye is recovering from wrist surgery, which has sidelined him from play. To ensure adequate coverage in the goalkeeping position, Udinese has signed Norwegian goalkeeper Egil Selvik.
Since joining the club in 2023 after a stint at Watford, Maduka Okoye has made 37 appearances across all competitions and has established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper at Udinese before his injury.
Egyptian club, Zamalek ended Enyimba’s CAF Confederation Cup journey with a 3-1 win in their final Group A match at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday.
Having already secured the top position with 11 points, the Egyptian side demonstrated their strength against Enyimba, who were aiming for a victory to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
Mostafa Shalaby opened the scoring for Zamalek with a well-placed header in the 29th minute, followed by Seifeddine Jaziri doubling the lead shortly after halftime.
Enyimba responded in the 57th minute when Ifeanyi Ihemekwele scored, bringing a flicker of hope for a comeback. However, Jaziri’s second goal just three minutes from full time sealed the match for Zamalek.
In the other match in the group, Al Masry advanced with a solid 3-1 win over Black Bulls Maputo, highlighted by Fakhreddine Benblewssef’s impressive first-half hat-trick.
This result meant Enyimba finished outside the qualification spots, ending their ambitions of expanding their impressive collection of continental titles, which includes two CAF Champions League trophies.
As the eight-time Nigerian champions shift their focus to the Nigeria Premier Football League, which resumes on January 23 with a critical match against former champions Kano Pillars, there is an opportunity to channel their experiences from this competition into their domestic performance.
Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, participated in the 2025 edition of the Houston half-marathon in the US.
In a post on X account on Sunday, the governor announced that he completed the 21-kilometre race “in 2 hours 53 minutes”.
Makinde added that the finish was faster than his achievement at the 2022 Berkeley half-marathon in San Francisco, California.
He said he achieved the time despite the “freezing temperatures at 1 degree Celsius” throughout the Houston half-marathon race.
“I also took part in a 5k fun run yesterday, which I completed in 38 minutes,” the post reads.
The Houston half-marathon has gained popularity since its debut in 2002. It is part of the three-race annual sporting event in Houston, alongside the marathon and 5km race.
Addisu Gobena of Ethiopia won this year’s men’s half marathon, clocking 59 minutes and 17 seconds.
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Makinde is, however, not the first Nigerian governor to participate in a marathon event. Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, participated in the 21.79km Coal City half marathon in 2024. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, finished the 10km Access Bank Lagos City marathon in 2022.
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The Olympics were about to take place in Moscow. The world was in crisis. The Games were threatened. The USA reacted, imposing sanctions on the USSR and boycotting the Games!
It was a model established during the previous Games in 1976 by African countries that deployed the power of sport to fight a global injustice.
In December of 1979, the USSR invaded Afghanistan and took over the Asian country.
The man that was President of the United States was Jimmy Carter.
Amongst other actions taken, Jimmy Carter stopped his country’s athletes from attending the 1980 Moscow Olympics. The 447 American athletes were made to pay the ultimate price in sport – giving up their dreams of becoming Olympians, and missing out on the benefits that often came with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become rich, powerful and famous. All of this for a cause ‘unconnected’ directly to sport.
It was a huge sacrifice by the ‘innocent’ USA athletes considering that there was an alternative. They could have done what British athletes did. The UK boycotted the Games but the athletes competed as individuals.
So, what did the American government do to ‘compensate’ the American athletes?
Two weeks ago, Jimmy Carter died.
Part of the tributes written in his honour during his burial was the recall of the aftermath of the 1980 Games that the USA boycotted for reasons outside of sports.
He invited the affected American athletes to the White House, feted them, recognised them officially in America as Olympians, and decorated each of them with the US Congressional Award, the highest civilian honour in the USA.
President Jimmy Carter once ran into one of the athletes at the airport several years after the boycott. He went to the athlete and apologised to him saying “I am sorry”.
It was a lesson to the world on how to treat sports heroes that make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. He must have drawn lessons from what happened at the Montreal Olympics on ‘how not to treat sports heroes as political Pawns’.
It was 1976.
The 21st Olympiad was about to start in the Canadian city of Montreal.
The Frontline States in Africa were fighting a war of liberation and Independence. These were countries sharing common borders with South Africa. They included Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Namibia and so on. Nigeria was far away in West Africa, but as the undisputed ‘Giant of Africa’ at the time, probably the only African country with the might, the means, and the resources to champion the cause of fighting the last vestiges of colonialism and Apartheid in the continent, was a leader of the Frontline struggle, staying upfront in pursuit of justice for ‘brother-Africans’.
Along with Tanzania, Nigeria led 29 countries (27 from Africa) to boycott the 1976 Olympic Games for the first time in history.
It was a huge price for the athletes to pay – to give up the life-changing, once-in-a-life-time chance (along with attendant benefits) for the struggle against injustice to fellow Africans.
It was the first such major political incursion into International Sport. It gave birth to, probably, the ‘worst’ Olympic Gomes in history, one that denied hundreds of African athletes the opportunity to showcase their talent, and to exploit the opportunities that would have impacted their lives for good and forever as Olympians and possible medal winners.
It was quite a sacrifice to make. The athletes were thrown out of the Games like dirty rags.
And what did the governments of the 27 African countries do to compensate or reward their athletes? To this day, 48 years later, nothing! Zero! Rien du tout!
Their story and sacrifice were forgotten, buried in the archives of gathering dust, until two years ago.
A humble Nigerian citizen, Allen Onyema, came along, heard the Montreal Olympics story and decided to do what Jimmy Carter did 45 years ago, and even more!
As Jimmy Carter was being buried as a hero in the United States, I was remembering Allen Onyema who is alive and kicking.
Two years ago, before an audience that included some legendary international athletes, Filbert Bayi from Tanzania, Ron Freeman from the USA, all the surviving members of the 1976 Nigerian Olympic team, Allen Onyema held a reception where he recalled their sacrifice, feted and celebrated the athletes and rewarded each one of them.
He funded the construction of a beautiful edifice within the premises of Nigeria’s foremost diplomatic institution, the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs in Lagos, with a ‘Wall of Fame’ on which were inscribed, in Gold, the names of all the athletes. The structure has become a national monument, forever.
Allen further appointed them ‘Ambassadors of Air Peace’, the largest privately-owned commercial airline fleet in Africa, with the benefit to fly, free-of-charge and in Business Class, on any domestic route in Nigeria any number of times, and on one international flight a year, to any destination around the world where Air Peace flys to, for the rest of their lives. I testify that we are all enjoying the benefits today.
This 18th day of January, 2025, Jimmy Carter and Allen Onyema are on my mind! May the Creator of the Universe bless them.
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Former Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has revealed that Kylian Mbappé became “a little jealous” after Lionel Messi joined the French club in August 2021.
Neymar made the statement on Thursday during a podcast hosted by Brazilian World Cup winner Romário, where he shared insights about life at PSG and the dynamics within their star-studded front three.
Neymar, who joined PSG for a world-record £222 million transfer fee in 2017 after his successful stint at Barcelona, admitted there were tensions between him and Mbappé but described their relationship as generally positive.
“He’s not annoying,” Neymar said in response to Romário’s question about Mbappé.
“I have my things with him, we had a little fight, but he was fundamental for us when he arrived.
“I used to call him golden boy. I always played with him, said he was going to be one of the best. I always helped, talked to him, he came to my place, we had dinner together,” Neymar recalled.
However, Neymar added that Messi’s arrival in 2021 created a rift.
“We had some good years of partnership, but after Messi came he was a little jealous. He didn’t want to split me with anyone. And then there were some fights, a change in behavior,” Neymar stated.
Mbappé joined PSG from Monaco in the same year as Neymar, with both players brought in to help the club secure its first UEFA Champions League title — a feat that remains elusive.
Neymar reflected on the challenges the team faced due to inflated egos within the squad.
“It is good to have egos, but you have to know that you don’t play alone. There needs to be another guy by your side. Big egos were almost everywhere, it can’t work.
“If nobody runs and nobody helps, it is impossible to win anything,” Neymar said.
Neymar, who now plays for Saudi club Al-Hilal, concluded his time at PSG with an impressive record of 118 goals and 77 assists in 173 appearances.
Mbappé has since moved on to Real Madrid.
29-year-old Clement Adewale Adeyemi Oluyide, on Thursday, slumped and died on the football pitch at the Ataoja School of Science, Osogbo, during the 5th Isiaka Adeleke Memorial Cup final tournament in Osun State.
Incidentally, Oluyide, an Ikinyinwa-Ijesa born football star, died on his birthday anniversary trying to win laurel to celebrate his 29th birthday ceremony.
Oluyide, a midfielder whose team was playing against Ejigbo local government area team, slumped on the field while his team was preparing to take a free kick.
The demise of Adewale Oluyide was confirmed in a statement by the Osun State Police Command issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, Mrs Yemisi Olawoyin Opalola.
Opalola stated that Adeyemi Adewale Oluyide from Ilesa West local government area football team slumped on the pitch of Ataoja School of Science and was rushed to Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where he was confirmed dead.
The Police spokesperson added that his remains were deposited at the hospital morgue.
The shocking incident has thrown Ikinyinwa-Ijesa into mourning as all public activities were suspended in honour of the departed illustrious son of the community.
No official statement has been issued by the Osun State government or the organisers of the tournament in memory of the first executive governor of Osun State, late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.
Mikel Arteta warned Liverpool that “sensational” Arsenal are back in the Premier League title race after beating Tottenham 2-1 in the north London derby on Wednesday.
Desperately needing a win to close the gap on leaders Liverpool, Arteta’s side staged a stirring fightback after Son Heung-min’s early opener for Tottenham.
Dominic Solanke’s own goal hauled Arsenal level before Leandro Trossard’s strike put them ahead late in the first half at the raucous Emirates Stadium.
Second-placed Arsenal’s first win in four games in all competitions moved them within four points of Liverpool.
Although Arne Slot’s team have a game in hand and remain title favourites, Arteta is convinced Arsenal have what it takes to track down the Anfield club.
Asked if Arsenal are title contenders, Arteta said: “Yeah we are. There is so much to play for. We can see how difficult it is for every team.”
It was a cathartic victory for Arsenal, who had been knocked out of the FA Cup third round by 10-man Manchester United on penalties on Sunday, just days after losing 2-0 at home to Newcastle in the League Cup semi-final first leg.
A draw at Brighton in the league prior to those disappointments had left injury-hit Arsenal looking like outsiders in their hunt for a first title since 2004.
But Arteta, whose side face another test against Aston Villa on Saturday, was relieved to see his players show the hunger they will need to overhaul Liverpool in the second half of the season.
“We were sensational. It was a big test after two games and not getting rewarded,” he said.
“We were incredibly good in the last game against United and we ended up losing somehow.
“It’s how you respond to a situation. These boys want more, They want to be tested and questioned, then they want to go on the pitch. We have big examples of that today, playing 72 hours after 120 minutes on Sunday.
“To play the biggest game of the season for our people, it was a test of attitude, what we are made of, the courage we have. From minute one, we fully deserved to win the game.”
– ‘Unlucky we didn’t score 10’ –
Pressed on whether the north London derby success had restored confidence in Arteta and his team, the Spaniard added: “We can’t control that. We lost in the most incredible way against Manchester United.
“My confidence comes from seeing the players and how they perform every day. If my confidence comes and goes with each result then we should not be doing this.”
Showing the confidence that Arteta prizes so highly, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice insisted they should have dispatched Tottenham by a far greater margin.
“You can tell that tonight meant more than anything. From the first minute, the first half was pure domination,” he said.
“We showed the intent, the pressure, the desire, you could tell it was a derby. I think we were probably unlucky that we didn’t score 10. That is the feeling.”
England midfielder Rice was in boisterous mood after playing through injury to anchor Arsenal’s midfield.
Hitting back at his critics, Rice said: “As I’ve got older I don’t get the recognition I deserve.
“I was bought for a big fee and I play for Arsenal. Not a lot of people like Arsenal. I keep my head down and I know my qualities.”
Like Arteta, the former West Ham star is confident Liverpool can be reeled in, as long as Arsenal take advantage of any further slips from their rivals.
“Every time Liverpool have drawn we have not capitalised on it and that’s been a kick in the teeth,” he said.
“To close the gap is important, a big night for us.”
[Vanguard]
Super Eagles Team B will be up against Senegal, Sudan and the Republic of Congo in Group D of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which has now been postponed to August 2025.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
At the draw for the championship held inside the famous Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday evening, joint-hosts Kenya head group A that also includes Morocco, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.
Kenya and 2018 winners Morocco will clash in the opening match of the tournament.
Tanzania, another joint-hosts, head group B, and will confront Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Central African Republic – conquerors of Cameroon. All five will fight for two slots in the knockout rounds.
Uganda, the third joint-hosts, will battle Niger Republic, Guinea and two wild card holders to be determined by the Confederation of African Football, in group C.
GROUP A: Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia
GROUP B: Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic
GROUP C: Uganda, Niger Republic, Guinea, Wild Card 2, Wild Card 1
GROUP D: Senegal, Congo Brazzaville, Sudan, Nigeria
