SPORTS
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will clash in a “historic” fight for the undisputed heavyweight title in Saudi Arabia on February 17, it has been announced.
British star Fury will put his WBC belt, Lineal heavyweight belts on the line, while the WBA, IBF and WBO titles held by Ukraine’s Usyk will be up for grabs in Riyadh.
The winner will be crowned the heavyweight division’s first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis who reigned from 1999 to 2000.
Fury, 35, and Usyk, 36, were originally expected to clash on December 23 but Fury’s poor displayed in a split-decision victory over MMA star Francis Ngannou last month forced a delay.
The pair will finally step into the ring in 2024 as Fury looks to add to his record of 34 wins with one draw since turning professional in 2008.
“This is a historic event. The whole world of boxing has been waiting for many, many years, and they now have this fight,” Fury’s promoter Frank Warren told reporters at a press conference in London on Thursday.
“For the first time this century, we will have an undisputed heavyweight champion.
“As a promoter I’ve been banging my head against the wall. But now we have the creme de la creme. These two undefeated heavyweight fighters.”
In typically combative mood at the press conference, Fury referenced his 2015 victory over Usyk’s fellow Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko, which earned him the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
“I already relieved one Ukrainian of all the belts, and now I’m going to take them all back,” Fury said.
“Usyk’s a champion, I’m a champion. It’s going to be a fight for the ages.”
Fury believes a victory over Usyk would cement his status as one of the all-time greats.
“He’s a good boxer, slick. But I’ve seen people like him before, and when they fight the big man, they lose,” he said.
“I believe we’re both destined to be here. I’m destined to become the undisputed champion, and more than that, cement my legacy.”
Usyk kept his cool amid Fury’s insults, which included taking swipes at his opponent’s height and his ear-ring.
“Yes I’m a little man. I’ll speak in the ring,” Usyk said.
Fury has held the WBC belt since he defeated Deontay Wilder in 2020 and has defended the title three times.
He stopped Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April 2022 and beat Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium eight months later.
Usyk, who has won all 21 of his fights, has been the WBA, IBF and WBO title holder since defeating Anthony Joshua in 2021.
The Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is reportedly close to leaving Championship team Leicester City to sign with FC Barcelona the following summer.
Aside from FC Barcelona, the English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur are also preparing to challenge the Spanish champions for the services of Wilfred Ndidi.
His deal at Leicester City is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, and renewal is primarily dependent on Leicester City’s chances of returning to the Premier League next summer.
After Leicester was relegated to the Premier League the previous season, Ndidi was rumored to be leaving the King Power stadium, especially after players like Harvey Barnes, Timothy Castagne, and James Maddison left for elite clubs.
However, he remained at the club and he has made 15 appearances in all competitions, recording three goals and four assists so far this season. He has helped Leicester gain the upper hand in the standings with 13 wins in their opening 16 games.
Barcelona are trying to sign the Super Eagles midfielder for free, as they have done for the past two seasons, due to their well-known financial difficulties.
Because of the Bosman ruling, Barcelona will be able to sign Ndidi to a contract in January with the expectation that he will be available for a free transfer the following summer.
The Catalans are not the only team interested in the Nigerian, as Ange Postecoglou, the manager of Tottenham, has reportedly shown a strong interest in Ndidi.
Teamtalk, a UK publication, reports that Postecoglou is willing to bring Ndidi to the team when his contract expires in the summer of 2024 because he does not think Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is the best fit for his system.
No fewer than seven Super Falcons players have been nominated for the women’s categories of the CAF Player of The Year Award, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The CAF list, which was largely dominated by Nigerians, has Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, Osinachi Ohale, and Uchenna Kanu.
The Falcons had a remarkable year having gotten to the round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and were very close to qualifying for the quarter-finals before being knocked out of the competition on penalties by England.
At the club level, some members of the team had an outstanding season.
Ajibade has been very consistent for the Falcons and has also been a key figure for Atletico Madrid. The forward scored nine goals in 28 games for the Spanish club last season.
Toni Payne has also been a consistent player for Sevilla Women. She had three goals and four assists in 28 appearances for the club last season.
Oshoala, who was also nominated for the Ballon d’Or where she finished in 20th position, helped Barcelona to the UEFA Champions League title. She also outstandingly won the Laliga, recording 21 goals and three assists in 28 appearances.
The former Robo FC player along with 29 other players will battle vie for the prestigious Player of the Year, which Oshoala claimed for a record fifth time during the last Awards Gala in July 2022 in Rabat, Morocco.
Just as in the men’s category, the best women’s goalkeeper will be rewarded for the first time to celebrate the heroic efforts of the shot-stoppers.
Ten players have been nominated for the first-ever CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award with Nnadozie one of the favourites to win the award.
Nnadozie was immense for her Paris FC side, as she helped them qualify for the Champions League group stage.
According to the African football governing body, ten nominees each have been pencilled for the Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year and Young Player of the Year, limited to players not more than 21 years old.
The finallists of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Ivory Coast have each been rewarded with a place in the Club of the Year category.
The Awards Gala is to be graced by the crème de la crème of African football on December 11 in Marrakech, Morocco.
Former Chelsea midfielder and retired Nigeria international, John Obi Mikel has vowed to ensure that he makes his countryman, Victor Osimhen join Chelsea next summer.
Obi Mikel who had the best part of his football career at Chelsea believes that Victor Osimhen is the kind of striker the Blues have been lacking since Didier Drogba left the club.
While speaking with Osimhen on his podcast: Obi One Podcast, the 2012 UEFA Champions League winner said: “Next season, I know you’re gonna come to Chelsea man!
“I’m telling you, I’m gonna be the agent to broker that deal.
“I’m gonna make sure that happens. We are crying out for someone like you — since Drogba left the club”.
Obi Mikel is a legend at Chelsea with huge access to the club and the West London side have shown interest in Victor Osimhen, especially in the last summer transfer window. Hence, there is a high chance that he could broker Osimhen’s move from Napoli to the West London side in the forthcoming summer.
However, the process might not be as easy as anticipated because Osimhen, who is said to be a fan of Chelsea before he became a professional footballer, said he doesn’t have a favourite club in the Premier League.
The 24-year-old Nigerian striker who still has until June 30, 2024, before his contract with Napoli expires, however, noted that most of the people who are currently close to him are Chelsea fans.
“I don’t have a favourite PL team but I’ve two jerseys: Chelsea and Man United”, Osimhen told Obi Mikel.
“Many friends of mine are Chelsea fans, few are Man Utd fans”.
“Premier League is the most appreciated league by every African player — it’s a huge league”.
Xabi Alonso the coach of German side, Bayer Leverkusen has cried out over the timing of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
The next edition of AFCON will run from January 13 to February 11, 2024 in Cote D’Ivoire.
Leverkusen will be without five regular stars during the period.
Two Players, Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella could miss playing for Leverkusen for the period of AFCON if called to camp by Super Eagles of Nigeria coach, Jose Peseiro.
Moroccan forward Amine Adli, Burkina Faso centre-back Edmond Tapsoba, and Ivorian defender Odilon Kossounou are the other players Leverkusen could miss during the AFCON finals.
Alonso said it is a situation his team has to deal with.
“It is a concern for January and February, perhaps not having five players. It is a reality. We have to accept that,” Alonso told Transfermarkt.
[Newsguru]
LeBron James claimed 32 points and 11 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers ended a three-game losing streak with a 122-119 win at the Phoenix Suns.
Kevin Durant scored a game-high 38 points for Phoenix in what was both teams’ in-season tournament opener.
The Suns led 96-89 at the end of the third quarter after Durant scored nine points in a span of 71 seconds.
But the Lakers opened the fourth quarter with an 11-0 run to take the lead and ultimately held on.
After missing Wednesday’s game at Houston with a hip injury, Anthony Davis added 18 points for the Lakers, who won on the road for the first time in six tries.
Both teams now have a 4-5 record this season, with the Suns having played without Devin Booker (calf) for the seventh time in eight games.
There were a total of nine NBA games played on Friday, all part of the league’s new in-season tournament.
Luka Doncic scored 44 points on 17-of-21 shooting as the Dallas Mavericks beat the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 144-126. Kyrie Irving added 27 points for Dallas, who are now 7-2.
The Philadelphia 76ers enjoyed a seventh straight win as Joel Embiid had 33 points and 16 rebounds in a 114-106 win at the Detroit Pistons.
Jaylen Brown scored a game-high 28 points to help the Boston Celtics end a two-game losing streak with a 121-107 home win against the Brooklyn Nets, with Jayson Tatum adding 23 points.
Antetokounmpo scores 54 points but Bucks defeated by Pacers
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 29 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves came from behind for their fifth straight win, beating the San Antonio Spurs 117-110, despite 29 points from number one draft pick Victor Wembanyama.
Fred VanVleet drilled two late three-pointers as the Houston Rockets rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 104-101 at home to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Mark Williams had 21 points and a career-high 24 rebounds as the Charlotte Hornets won 124-117 at the Washington Wizards.
Elsewhere, the Sacramento Kings won claimed a 105-98 home win against the Oklahoma City Thunder while the Utah Jazz recovered to win 127-121 at the Memphis Grizzlies.
[Leadership]
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has hailed Leandro Trossard following his side’s Premier League win over Burnley on Saturday.
Arteta said Trossard connects everyone, adding that the Arsenal forward is so intelligent.
He was impressive for Arsenal against Burnley at Emirates Stadium.
The Belgian scored a goal as Arsenal defeated Vincent Kompany’s side 3-1.
Speaking about Trossard’s display, Arteta said at his post-match press conference, “That is the word – I think he connects everybody. He’s so intelligent.
“I think he moves in ways that attract people that generate spaces and options for people.
“Today he did that really good because it was so difficult and the spaces were so small to attack. He gave us a lot of threat and possibilities to connect and find spaces for us.”
[DailyPost]
SAMUEL Chukwueze was back in action after a one-month layoff yesterday and made a goal contribution in AC Milan’s 2-2 draw at Lecce.
The Super Eagles winger was playing his first match since sustaining a hamstring injury during Nigeria’s 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia in a friendly in Portimao, Portugal on October 13.
Chukwueze was on from the start and assisted Milan’s second goal by Tijani Reijnders in the 35th minute as the visitors took a 2-0 lead.
Lecce pulled it back to 2-2 in the 70th minute and Chukwueze was taken off nine minutes after as a stunned Milan sought to regain their lead.
The assist was Chukwueze’s first goal contribution in eight Serie A appearances for Milan since joining them from Villarreal in the summer but it was only his third start.
In England, Joe Aribo was once again left on the Southampton bench as they defeated Semi Ajayi’s West Brom 2-1 in the second-tier Championship.
Aribo, who is in the Super Eagles squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe this week and next week, has now been an unused substitute five times in the Championship this season.
The 27-year-old midfielder has started only once and been substituted on 10 times for the Saints, who rose to fourth place with yesterday’s home win.
Centre-back Ajayi, who is also in Nigeria’s latest squad, came on as an 82nd minute substitute for West Brom’s scorer Kyle Bartley.
Ajayi, 30, has made 10 Championship appearances this season, seven from the start, and scored two goals for seventh-placed West Brom.
Also in the Championship yesterday, Kelechi Iheanacho was in leaders Leicester City’s starting line-up as they lost 1-0 at Middlesbrough.
The Super Eagles striker played the full game as Leicester City’s dodgy form persisted with their second straight defeat.
Iheanacho has started eight games and made eight substitute appearances in the Championship this season, registering five goals and one assist.
In Germany, Super Eagles defender Kevin Akpoguma, who was excluded from the latest squad, was in action for all 90 minutes for Hoffenheim as they played a 1-1 draw at Augsburg.
It was 28-year-old Akpoguma’s fourth start and seventh appearance in the Bundesliga for sixth-placed Hoffenheim this term.
In Belgium, Nigerian midfielder Alhassan Yusuf was impressive in Royal Antwerp’s central midfield and played all 90 minutes as they thrashed visiting Standard Liege 6-0.
The 23-year-old Yusuf, who is yet to make his Super Eagles debut, has made five starts and five substitute appearances for fourth-placed Royal Antwerp in the Belgian Pro League this season.
[NaijaTimes]
TOTTENHAM Hotspur’s Ange Postecoglou made history today as he won the English Premier League Manager of the Month award for the third time in a row, with Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah claiming the Player of the Month prize.
The Australian adds the October prize to those he received for August and September, making him the first head coach ever to win the first three Manager of the Month awards available to him, and the first to claim the first three awards from the start of any EPL season.
Only three other managers have won the award for three consecutive months, with Postecoglou joining Antonio Conte, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
Postecoglou is however yet to match Guardiola’s record run of four consecutive awards, which the Manchester City manager accomplished in the 2017/2018 campaign.
Spurs finished October at the top of the Premier League table, and were the only side to win all of their matches during the month. They achieved away wins over Luton Town and Crystal Palace, and a 2-0 home victory against Fulham.
Postecoglou topped a poll of a four-man shortlist, beating Guardiola, Klopp and Aston Villa’s Unai Emery after votes from fans were combined with those of a panel of experts.
Salah’s brilliant form throughout October led him to win the Premier League Player of the Month award ahead of five other nominees, including Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Brentford’s Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo.
With the win, Egypt forward Salah moves alongside Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie to earn the accolade for a fifth time, and now has more Player of the Month awards than any other active Premier League player.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo (six), Steven Gerrard (six), Harry Kane (seven) and Sergio Aguero (seven) have won the award more times.
The 31-year-old Salah joins Tottenham Hotspur pair James Maddison and Son Heung-min as this season’s Player of the Month winners so far.
[NaijaTimes]
The Super Eagles will be without Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen and Leicester City midfield maestro for the team’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against the Harambe Stars of Zimbabwe and the Crocodiles of Lesotho.
Nigeria’s squad list for the November encounters was released late Thursday by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
A snapshot of the list shows Nigeria are heading into the games with 23 players as they begin their quest for a place in the global football fiesta billed for the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Osimhen will miss the games due to an injury he sustained in Nigeria’s friendly match against Saudi Arabia. Ndidi will also not feature in the matches owing to injury concerns.
AC Milan’s new boy Samuel Chukwueze is another notable absentee from the list while under–fire goalkeeper Francis Uzoho made the cut.
Nigeria, three-time African champions, will face the Crocodiles of Lesotho on November 16 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo before locking horns with Zimbabwe on the 19th of the same month.
They are in Group C of the qualification series alongside South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales)
Midfielders: Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
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Luis Diaz started for Liverpool hours after his kidnapped father was released but lost 3-2 to Toulouse on Thursday as West Ham ensured they have European football in 2024 and Leverkusen progress.
The stunning upset in France came courtesy of goals from Aron Donnum, Thijs Dallinga and Frank Magri as Liverpool sank to their first defeat in the Europa League this campaign.
However, the game was not without controversy with VAR intervening to rule out an equaliser deep in injury-time from Jarell Quansah.
“It was well deserved to lose because they won pretty much all the decisive challenges, battles,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp as his side missed a chance to book their place in the knock-out stages.
Toulouse now sit on seven points, two behind the Premier League club and three ahead of third-placed St Gilloise in Group E.
With 36 minutes gone, Donnum pounced on Kostas Tsimikas and robbed him of possession before slotting home via a deflection to give Toulouse the lead at the break.
The buoyant hosts got a second when Dallinga took a touch in the box and drilled past Caoimhin Kelleher on 58 minutes.
An own goal from Cristian Casseres on 73 minutes gave Liverpool a lifeline but the hosts, pushed on by a vibrant home crowd, punched back immediately.
Three minutes later, Kelleher could not hold a firmly hit cross and Magri was on hand to restore Toulouse’s two-goal buffer.
Diogo Jota, on for Diaz, struck a second for Liverpool in the 89th minute.
The hosts were able to see the game out to claim a precious three points, but not before an equaliser seven minutes into injury-time by Quansah was ruled out after video review for an adjudged handball much earlier in the build-up.
– West Ham’s journey continues –
Last year’s Europa Conference League winners West Ham ground down Olympiakos with a Lucas Paqueta goal on 73 minutes being the difference between the two sides.
The win moves them top of Group A and with nine points they are assured of either Europa League or Europa Conference League football in the new year.
Villarreal beat Maccabi Haifa 2-0 in Larnaca, Cyprus with the fixture moved due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Rennes ran out 3-1 winners against Greece’s Panathinaikos, while fellow French side Marseille went top of Group B with a 2-0 win at AEK Athens.
In Group B, Brighton took a big step towards booking their place in the knock-out stage with a comfortable 2-0 win away to Ajax.
Goals either side of the break from Ansu Fati and Simon Adingra gave the Seagulls a famous win on the home turf of European royalty.
The Premier League team now have seven points and sit three clear of AEK Athens in third place.
Rangers gained a crucial three points over Sparta Prague with a 2-1 home victory thanks to Danilo and Todd Cantwell.
Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen wrapped up qualification for the knock-out stages with a 1-0 win in Baku against Group H rivals Qarabag.
A Victor Boniface penalty in the fourth minute of second-half injury-time was enough to give Xabi Alonso’s side a fourth win in four.
With Liverpool and Roma losing, Leverkusen are the only side to have booked their place in the next stage of the competition.
– Slavia sack Rome –
The second biggest surprise of the night came in Prague when Slavia Prague downed Jose Mourinho’s Roma 2-0 to leapfrog the Italians into first place in Group G.
“I can’t explain this. I don’t know myself,” said Mourinho. “I’ll be honest — Slavia extremely deserved to win and Roma extremely deserved to lose.”
Strikes from Vaclav Jurecka in the 50th minute and Lukas Masopust 16 minutes from time inflicted Roma’s first defeat of the campaign and moved Slavia to top spot with nine points, level with the visitors.
In the group’s other game, Swiss side Servette beat Sheriff Tiraspol 2-1 thanks to a 92nd minute penalty by Chris Bedia.
[OpinionNigeria]
VAR was supposed to help cut out egregious and costly refereeing mistakes but the technology has come under heavy fire from Premier League managers who have lost faith in the system.
The video assistant referee was introduced in the 2019/20 season for “clear and obvious errors” or “serious missed incidents” in specific situations.
The promise was that it would lead to “more correct and fairer judgements”, even though the Premier League conceded that 100 percent accuracy was impossible.
But feelings are running high after high-profile incidents that have overshadowed the action on the pitch.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta launched a blistering attack on the decision to let Newcastle’s goal stand after his team’s 1-0 defeat last weekend, labelling it a “disgrace”.
Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal was checked for three separate VAR offences but survived them all to earn Newcastle the three points.
“We didn’t deserve to lose the match,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “We lost the match because of the clear and obvious decisions. It’s embarrassing. A disgrace.”
The Spaniard’s comments were made in the heat of the moment but the club came out strongly in support of their manager in a statement the following day.
“Arsenal Football Club wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening,” Arsenal said.
– ‘Sporting integrity’ –
The angry fallout after the game at St James’ Park echoed another VAR controversy in the high-stakes fixture between Tottenham and Liverpool in late September.
Officials wrongly disallowed a goal from Luis Diaz after a misunderstanding over the on-field decision and Spurs went on to win 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Referees body Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) released the audio of the decision that led to the disallowed Diaz goal.
In the recording, video assistant referee Darren England says the check is “perfect” before swearing when he realises a mistake has been made. “They’ve restarted the game. Can’t do anything, can’t do anything,” he adds in exasperation.
PGMOL admitted a “significant human error” and Liverpool issued a statement in which they said “sporting integrity” had been undermined.
“We fully accept the pressures that match officials work under but these pressures are supposed to be alleviated, not exacerbated, by the existence and implementation of VAR,” the club said.
Manager Jurgen Klopp even called for the game to be replayed.
Wolves have far more cause for complaint, with four high-profile penalty decisions going against them, potentially with far-reaching consequences.
Arteta stuck to his guns before Arsenal’s Champions League match against Sevilla this week, suggesting it was the duty of managers to discuss the issues around the use of VAR.
“Errors are part of evolution,” he said. “The trajectory is never going to be (always upwards), there are always going to be bumps in the road and these things are necessary to improve the game in the right way.
“But we have to talk loudly. If you have a problem and you put it in your drawer, the problem is in the drawer and it’s going to stink at some point.”
League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan says coaches want to see changes — including the video assistant referee working with the same referee each week.
“PGMOL have confirmed to us that they are actively looking at how best to incorporate VARs into match-day refereeing teams, to ensure the dynamic between on-field referee and VAR is conducive to producing positive outcomes,” Bevan told the Daily Mail.
“The managers are also calling for a review (and simplification) of the interpretation of the term ‘clear and obvious’ in VAR decision-making, as this is a cause of much confusion at present.”
Henry Winter, chief football writer for The Times, urged the Premier League to listen to the managers of its clubs.
“Anyone who attends a game or watches on television knows that VAR has never been more contentious,” he said.
“Some grown-up debate is required. The starting point is that, love it or loathe it, VAR is here to stay.
Quadri Aruna has been listed as the 15th player to qualify for the season-ending World Table Tennis Finals for the top 16 players in the world.
The Nigerian will be making his third appearance at the WTT Finals after he was confirmed on Thursday November 9, as the latest qualifier among the top 16 that are expected to compete at the event taking place in Doha, Qatar.
The WTT Finals is regarded as the peak of the WTT Series, and it provides the opportunity for the best 16 men’s players in the world to battle for a share of $340,000 prize money at stake as well as ranking points to shore up their rating for their qualification for Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Aruna remains the only African player to have featured in the WTT Finals having competed at the maiden edition in Singapore as well as the 2022 edition in China.
In his maiden outing, the Nigerian caused a major upset after beating world number eight Liang Jingkun of China 3-1 to hit the quarterfinal while he was beaten by Brazil’s Hugo Calderano to exit the tournament.
At the 2022 edition in China, he exited in the first round after losing 3-1 to world number eight Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju.
For the third consecutive edition, Aruna will be making a return to compete against the world elite players from January 3 to 5, 2024, while the Nigerian holds the record as the first African to hit the quarterfinal of the tournament.
In the list of confirmed players made public by WTT, Aruna has been included as the latest qualifiers to join the squad heading to Doha.
Players that had already booked for spots at the tournament include Fan Zhendong (China), Wang Chuqin (China), Ma Long (China), Hugo Calderano (Brazil), Liang Jingkun (China), Lin Yun-Yu (Chinese Taipei), Felix Lebrun (France), Lin Gaoyuan (China), Jang Woojin (South Korea), Lin Shidong (China), Tomokazu Harimoto (Japan), Dimitrij Ovtcharov (Germany), Dang Qiu (Germany) and Darko Jorgic (Slovenia).
The battle for sole slot will be between Anton Kallberg (Sweden) and Marcos Freitas (Portugal) while the only option for Freitas to steal the spot from Kallberg is if he reaches the final of WTT Feeder Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal later this month.
Doha, renowned for its record of hosting world-class international sporting and WTT events, will host the best 16 men’s singles and eight men’s doubles pairs at the Lusail Arena as the stars of WTT compete for the 1500 ITTF Table Tennis World Ranking Points on offer and the chance to be crowned season-ending champions.
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Real Sociedad all qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League with two group games to spare on Wednesday.
They join holders Manchester City and RB Leipzig, both of whom secured their progress on Tuesday, in clinching spots in the knockout phase.
Record 14-time winners Real Madrid swanned into the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday with a comfortable 3-0 win over Braga to maintain their 100 percent record.
Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes were on target for the Spanish giants, who sealed progress from Group C even without rested top goalscorer Jude Bellingham.
Brazilian wingers Vinicius and Rodrygo have been criticised for their lack of goals this season and both responded with classy finishes to help send their team through after Diaz opened the scoring.
Madrid have four wins from four games, leading the group on 12 points ahead of Napoli, second on seven after a 1-1 draw with bottom team Union Berlin.
Los Blancos goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga suffered an injury in the warm-up, with Andriy Lunin stepping in to replace him.
The Ukrainian was immediately called into action, diving to his right to palm away Alvaro Djalo’s penalty in the sixth minute.
Lucas Vazquez had pulled Cristian Borja down in the area, but the Portuguese side could not take advantage from the spot.
At the other end Diaz had a goal ruled out for a foul by Vinicius, but the former Manchester City midfielder did not have to wait too long for another, this time valid.
Sent through on the left side of the area, Rodrygo cut the ball back to Diaz who fired into the roof of the net from close range to break the deadlock.
The 24-year-old broke out into sarcastic celebration, drawing a VAR screen as if to dare the officials to try and disallow this strike.
Diaz, operating in Bellingham’s usual attacking midfield role, did well on a rare start and was involved in most of Madrid’s forward moves.
Bellingham, who has netted 13 times in 14 games since his summer switch, watched on from the bench as Ancelotti let him recover from a shoulder problem he suffered in the Rayo draw.
Diaz should have struck again but was denied by a superb double save from Benfica goalkeeper Matheus early in the second half.
Vinicius netted the second before the hour mark, with some clever movement and footwork in the box and then a smooth low finish.
It was his fourth goal of the season across all competitions in 12 games, low by his own standards, but Ancelotti has predicted he and Rodrygo will outscore Bellingham by the end of the campaign.
Rodrygo netted Madrid’s third with an exquisite chipped finish after his compatriot Vinicius played him in, with Ancelotti celebrating on the sidelines.
The coach advocated patience for his dynamic duo up front and both paid him back with goals that delighted the Santiago Bernabeu.
Lunin thwarted former Barcelona striker Abel Ruiz in stoppage time with an excellent save to keep out his header and preserve Madrid’s clean sheet.
AFP