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World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and British boxer, Tyson Fury, has disclosed why Nigerian-British boxer, Anthony Joshua, did not make it past the fifth round in Saturday’s match.
Naija News reported that Anthony Joshua was knocked out by Daniel Dubois, during the International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight match on Saturday.
The 34-year-old Joshua, has, however, ruled out quitting from boxing after his fourth professional defeat.
However, speaking to journalists after the Wembley match, Fury advised fans not to be harsh on Joshua. He noted that Dubois was younger.
Fury explained that despite being ruled out by many, Joshua put up a strong fight during the match.
“He did a very good job and fair play to young Dan. Everybody wrote him off, you know. Coming here he was the world champion and everybody treated him like he was a bum and he showed what he is made of and it’s very good for him, fantastic, fair play.
“It’s heavyweight boxing, it happens, you get knocked spark out, it could’ve been me, in the heavyweight division that is what happens, one punch from being smashed, knocked out,” the British boxer said.
Speaking on what led to the loss, Fury continued, ‘I think what went wrong, for Joshua, is what always goes wrong in heavyweight boxing, a good right-hander on the end of the chin, and that was it.“
Daniel Dubois, the British professional boxer, has defeated Anthony Joshua, the two-time world champion, with a fifth-round knockout to retain his IBF world heavyweight boxing title.
The 27-year-old demolished his fellow Briton at a packed Wembley Stadium in the United Kingdom on Saturday night.
It was a nightmare outing for Joshua, 34, as Dubois floored the former heavyweight champion thrice in the first three rounds before eventually finishing him off after 59 seconds in the fifth round.
Dubois inflicted a fourth professional defeat on Joshua in front of 96,000 fans — the biggest crowd ever for a boxing event at the Wembley Stadium.
“I’ve only got a few words to say: Are you not entertained?” Dubois asked the crowd after earning the biggest win of his career.
“I’m a gladiator, I’m a warrior to the bitter end. I want to get to the top level of this game and reach my full potential.
“I’ve been on a rollercoaster ride. This is my time, this is my redemption story, and I’m not going to stop until I reach my full potential.”
When asked what went wrong, Joshua said: “Credit to him and his team. We rolled the dice at success and we came up short”.
“You know I’m pissed. You know I’m ready to kick up in the ring, but I’m going to keep my cool and keep very professional and give the respect to my opponent.”
Joshua was in a position to secure a possible fight against the winner of the December 21 fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
Dubois, 27, will now get that shot after improving to 21-3
Media
LIGHTS OUT ?? #JoshuaDubois pic.twitter.com/rNlOT1y6tD
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 21, 2024
The 2024/2025 English Premier League will continue this weekend with Chelsea traveling to West Ham kicking off proceedings for matchday 5.
Two standout games that are expected to catch the fancy of football fans are the clash between West Ham United and Chelsea – and Crystal Palace welcoming Manchester United to the Selhurst Park.
Enzo Maresca’s side enjoyed victory in the last encounter in the Premier League defeating Bournemouth courtesy of a lone goal by Christopher Nkunku.
However, the Hammers settled for a goal apiece against Fulham at Craven Cottage after they went behind in the 24th minute through Raul Jimenez, but Danny Ings who was assisted by Jarrod struck late to restore parity for the visitors.
The Blues have garnered 7 points in 4 matches going into the game and currently sit 8th on the log, whereas Julen Lopetegui’s men are 14th on the log with 4 points.
With early kick-off that comes with a lot of ‘drama’, the tie is expected to be a cracker at London Stadium.
In the other fixture, Crystal Palace will look to return to winning ways after playing out a 2-2 draw with Leicester City, and Manchester United is still basking in the euphoria of ten goals in two games after a 7-0 thumping over Barnsley in the EFL Cup and a 3-0 victory over Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium.
There will be no Luke Shaw, new signing, Leny Yoro, and a couple of others for Erik ten Hag to select from due to injury, and the likes of Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad are equally unavailable for Oliver Glasner.
While United are placed 10th with 6 points, Crystal Palace have just 2 points in 16th position – thus, a lot to fight for in the encounter.
Premier League fixtures for today
West Ham United Vs Chelsea (12:30pm)
Aston Villa Vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (3:00pm)
Fulham Vs Newcastle United (3:00pm)
Leicester City Vs Everton (3:00pm)
Liverpool Vs Bournemouth (3:00pm)
Southampton Vs Ipswich (3:00pm)
Tottenham Hotspur Vs Brentford (3:00pm)
Crystal Palace Vs Manchester United (5:30pm)
[Vanguard]
Former Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi has commended Ademola Lookman for choosing Nigeria over England whilst still at his prime.
Lookman, who was born in England to Nigerian parents, represented the European country at youth level.
The 26-year-old was part of the England squad that won the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The winger’s request to represent Nigeria was approved by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) in February 2022.
The Atalanta star has quickly established himself as one of the key stars in the Super Eagles.
Lookman, who won the UEFA Europa League title with Atalanta last season is the favourite to win the CAF African Player of the Year award.
Mikel believed the player made the right decision at the right time.
“Players have to wait for a while before they decide they want to represent their African root. I genuinely think it shouldn’t be that way,” Mikel said on BeIN Sports.
“If you have decided where you want to play. If you decide you want to play for England, France or Germany, you have to wait, if you don’t get called up that’s your decision.
“If you are 20-year-old, make your decision, don’t wait until you are 26, 28. Don’t wait until you are past your best and we become a second option.
“I think Ademola Lookman made the right decision to switch quickly to represent Nigeria, and he’s done really well. He played well last season and he’s such a fantastic player.”
[DailyPost]
Nigerian-born UFC star, Israel Adesanya, has placed a $10,000 stake on two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, in his IBF heavyweight title fight against Daniel Dubois.
The title fight is scheduled for September 21, 2024, at the Wembley Stadium, England.
The highly anticipated all-British clash will see 96,000 fans create an electric atmosphere at the venue familiar to Joshua but a new territory for Dubois.
This will be Dubois’ first fight at England’s national stadium, adding to the pressure on him and his team, led by trainer Don Charles.
In an Instagram post on Friday, Adesanya shared a picture of his stake placed on September 17, 2024, with the inscriptions, “Dubois, Daniel – Joshua, Anthony.”
“ÒGÚN This fight got beef…grab the #stake sauce,” the post read.
Adesanya’s bet showed that he picked Joshua as the winner, to win between the 10th and 12th rounds, with an estimated payout of $50,000.
However, Dubois had boldly declared his intention to knock out Joshua.
The 26-year-old Briton, who brands himself as “a good destroyer,” is confident he can deliver only the second knockout defeat of Joshua’s professional career.
“I aim to knock him out. That’s the programme. That’s the mindset; that’s the intention coming into this fight,” Dubois told Sky Sports.
“I’m going to focus my whole life on destroying him and just being a good destroyer, a good conqueror. Don’t wait. Go out there. Smash him.”
Joshua, 33, is coming off four straight wins, including a knockout victory over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
[Punch]
Victor Boniface, Super Eagles striker, has taken to social media to share an inspirational anecdote about his journey from paying “N30” to watch UEFA Champions League (UCL) games in Akure to making his debut in the competition.
The 23-year-old striker, raised in Akure, Ondo, made his UCL debut on Thursday in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-0 away victory over Feyenoord in the Netherlands.
He played 62 minutes in the encounter before he was substituted for Patrik Schick.
Boniface was pivotal in Leverkusen’s second goal with a crafty, disguised pass to Jeremie Fripong before the wingback laid a cross for Alejandro Grimaldo, who tapped in.
In a tweet on his X account after the game, the striker recounted his change of fortune from watching UCL matches at local viewing centres to basking in the competition’s electrifying atmosphere.
“From paying N30 to watch Champions League football for night back then for 323 army barrack Akure, to playing my first Champions League game. Proud of this moment,” Boniface wrote.
Boniface left Nigeria permanently in 2019. He joined Bodo/Glimt in Sweden from Real Sapphire Academy in Lagos.
Two Eliteserien league titles later, he left for Union Saint-Gilloise in the Belgian Super League, where he continued to improve. He was the joint top scorer in the 2022/23 Europa League with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford before leaving after one season to join Leverkusen.
Boniface was an integral member of the Leverkusen team that went unbeaten in domestic competitions last season.
He has notched up three goals and one assist in five appearances this season. He is currently on 24 goals and 11 assists in his 39-match Bayer Leverkusen career.
[TheCable]
Football fans often debate over who the greatest is—Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. But there’s a rare group of players who don’t have to choose. These stars have had the unique privilege of playing alongside both footballing legends, witnessing their greatness firsthand.
From brilliant Argentine attackers to stalwart defenders, these players bridge the gap between two eras of football royalty. Let’s dive into this exclusive list of 15 players who’ve shared a pitch with both Messi and Ronaldo.
1. Angel Di Maria
Ángel Di María has been a trusted lieutenant to both Messi and Ronaldo at different stages of his career. At Real Madrid, Di María was a key provider for Ronaldo, contributing to their La Liga and Champions League triumphs. Later, with Argentina, Di María formed a potent partnership with Messi, most notably scoring in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. After a brief stint at Juventus, Di María is back at Benfica.
2. Gabriel Heinze
Gabriel Heinze enjoyed a solid career as a defender, playing alongside both Messi for Argentina and Ronaldo during his time at Manchester United and Real Madrid. Heinze was a fierce competitor on the pitch and won the Premier League and La Liga during his career. After retiring, Heinze transitioned into management, including a stint with Atlanta United in MLS, though he is currently without a club.
3. Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala is one of the rare players who has expressed his difficulty in choosing between Messi and Ronaldo. Having played with Messi for Argentina and Ronaldo at Juventus, Dybala witnessed firsthand the brilliance of both players. Ronaldo’s remarkable 101 goals at Juventus were instrumental in Dybala’s admiration, though Messi’s leadership in leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 must have deepened his respect.
4. Deco
Deco had the privilege of playing with Ronaldo at the start of his career with Portugal and alongside Messi during his time at Barcelona. A midfield maestro, Deco witnessed Messi’s rise to greatness while being an established figure in a Barca team that won multiple La Liga titles. Playing with Ronaldo in the Portuguese national team, Deco saw glimpses of the superstar Ronaldo would become. Deco retired in 2013 and now works in football management.
5. Fernando Gago
A defensive midfielder who had the pleasure of playing with Messi for Argentina and Ronaldo at Real Madrid, Fernando Gago was a steady presence in both teams. Gago’s time at Madrid was marked by Ronaldo’s early days at the club, while his international career saw him share many pivotal moments with Messi. After retiring, Gago ventured into management and is currently coaching in Mexico.
6. Ezequiel Garay
Garay had the distinction of playing alongside Messi at international level with Argentina and Ronaldo at Real Madrid. Known for his solid defending and composure on the ball, Garay was an essential part of the Argentine squad for several years. He spent time at Real Madrid when Ronaldo first joined the club in 2009. Garay retired in 2020 after a successful career in Spain.
7. Andre Gomes
André Gomes had the rare opportunity of playing with Ronaldo for Portugal and Messi during his stint at Barcelona. Despite facing criticism during his time at Barca, Gomes remained a solid midfielder who learned from both legends. His time with Portugal allowed him to see Ronaldo’s leadership in action, while at Barca, he witnessed Messi’s magic unfold. Gomes now plays for Lille in Ligue.
8. Henrik Larsson
Henrik Larsson was at the tail end of his career when he played alongside Messi at Barcelona and Ronaldo at Manchester United. Despite his brief stints at both clubs, Larsson’s quality was undeniable. He scored crucial goals for Barca and United, making a lasting impact on the dressing room with his professionalism and experience. Larsson is now coaching in Sweden, having transitioned smoothly from player to manager.
9. Gerard Piqué
Gerard Piqué spent the majority of his career at Barcelona, where he played with Messi for over a decade. However, earlier in his career, Piqué played with Ronaldo at Manchester United before moving to Barca. As one of the best center-backs of his generation, Piqué was a key figure in both Messi and Ronaldo’s success stories, having seen both thrive in their respective environments.
10. Nelson Semedo
Semedo played with Messi during his time at Barcelona and shares the pitch with Ronaldo for Portugal. His time at Barca saw him witness Messi’s brilliance up close, while his international career provides him with a front-row seat to Ronaldo’s legendary exploits with Portugal.
11. Carlos Tevez
Carlos Tevez played with Ronaldo at Manchester United, where they won multiple trophies, including the Champions League. Tevez also featured alongside Messi for Argentina, forming part of a talented attacking lineup. His work ethic and intensity on the pitch made him a perfect complement to both superstars.
12. Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is one of the rare players who has shared the field with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the club level. He spent over a decade with Ronaldo at Real Madrid, where the duo helped the club win multiple Champions League and La Liga titles. In 2021, Ramos joined PSG, where he linked up with Messi following the Argentine’s high-profile move to the French club.
13. Lisandro Martinez
Lisandro Martínez has the distinction of playing alongside Messi for the Argentine national team and Ronaldo at Manchester United. A versatile defender, Martínez has seen both legends up close—he was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 World Cup, with Messi leading the charge. Meanwhile, his first season at United saw him line up alongside Ronaldo during a challenging campaign for the Portuguese forward.
14. Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi played with Ronaldo during his early days at Real Madrid. After developing into one of the best full-backs in the world, Hakimi moved to PSG, where he now shares the pitch with Messi.
15. Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho is one of the newest players to play alongside both Messi and Ronaldo. The young winger, a rising star at Manchester United, made his breakthrough just as Ronaldo was entering his final season with the club. Garnacho has since had the opportunity to train and play with Messi for the Argentine national team, representing the future of Argentine football.
These players have witnessed greatness from two of football’s biggest legends up close. Whether sharing a locker room or lining up on opposite sides, their unique careers have been enriched by the privilege of playing with both Messi and Ronaldo.
For football fans and bettors, watching these stars on the pitch is always thrilling. Want to make your football experience even more exciting? Bet on your favorite players and teams at iLOTBET—where every match is an opportunity to win big!
[OpinionNigeria]
Super Eagles of Nigeria have failed to move in the latest FIFA global ranking released by the world football body earlier today, September 19, 2024.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria who recorded one win and one draw during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers earlier this month, maintained their 39th position on the ranking.
Recall that the Super Eagles secured a 3-0 victory at home against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic and played to a 0-0 draw away against the Amavubi of Rwanda in the said AFCON qualifiers.
Despite their recent performances, the three-time African champions are currently ranked sixth in Africa. The top five teams on the continent based on the latest ranking are Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, and Tunisia.
Reigning FIFA World Cup champions, Argentina remain the best rated national team in the world according to the football body. Other countries in the top five globally are France, Spain, England, and Brazil.
Below are the top 40 ranked teams in the September 2024 FIFA ranking
1. Argentina
2. France
3. Spain
4. England
5. Brazil
6. Belgium
7. Netherlands
8. Portugal
9. Colombia
10. Italy
11. Uruguay
12. Croatia
13. Germany
14. Morocco
15. Switzerland
16. Japan
17. Mexico
18. USA
19. Iran
20. Denmark
21. Senegal
22. Austria
23. Korea Republic
24. Ukraine
25. Australia
26. Türkiye
27. Ecuador
28. Sweden
29. Wales
30. Poland
31. Egypt
32. Hungary
33. Côte d’Ivoire
34. Russia
35. Serbia
36. Tunisia
37. Panama
38. Canada
39. Nigeria
40. Venezuela
Former Arsenal striker, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 33, has been charged with drug smuggling after UK authorities uncovered cannabis worth £600,000 at Stansted Airport.
Emmanuel-Thomas, who currently plays for Greenock Morton after signing with the club earlier this year, was arrested on Wednesday morning at 8 am following the discovery by UK Border Force officials.
The drugs, weighing approximately 60 kilograms, were found in two suitcases that had arrived on a flight from Bangkok on September 2.
Drugs
According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), Emmanuel-Thomas was promptly arrested and charged with importing class B drugs.
The footballer, once praised by Arsène Wenger for his potential, is now in custody and is set to appear at Carlisle Magistrates Court on Thursday to answer the charges.
In addition to Emmanuel-Thomas, two women, aged 28 and 32, were also arrested at Stansted Airport in connection with the incident.
Both women face similar drug importation charges and were granted bail after their initial court appearance at Chelmsford Magistrates Court. They are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.
Senior Investigating Officer at the NCA, David Phillips, emphasized the agency’s commitment to tackling drug smuggling operations, noting that they work closely with Border Force to target both couriers and those organizing such crimes.
Phillips said: “The NCA continues to work with partners like Border Force to target those involved in drug smuggling – that includes both the couriers and the organizers.
“We would appeal to anyone who is approached to engage in any kind of smuggling to think very carefully about the likely consequences of their actions, and the potentially life-changing risks they will be taking.”
Emmanuel-Thomas, who began his football career at Arsenal’s youth academy at just eight years old, made his Premier League debut in 2010 in a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea.
However, after struggling to secure a place in the first team, he left Arsenal in 2011, signing with Ipswich Town for £1.1 million.
Nigerian striker Victor Olatunji made a remarkable UEFA Champions League debut, contributing both a goal and an assist in Sparta Prague’s commanding 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday.
Olatunji doubled Sparta Prague’s lead in the 42nd minute, finding the back of the net before assisting Qazim Laçi in the 58th minute for the team’s third goal.
Olatunji’s impressive debut earns him a spot among the select group of African players to have scored and assisted in their first Champions League appearance.
According to a football stats platform, Opta Joe, Olatunji is the third African player, and the first Nigerian, to score and assist on his UEFA Champions League debut, joining Daniel Cousin (Rangers vs Lyon, 2007) and Serge Aurier (PSG vs Shakhtar Donetsk, 2015) in this elite group.
To celebrate his goal, Olatunji lifted his jersey to reveal an undershirt with the inscription, “I am a Chosen, who are you?”—a nod to a recent viral trend that has sparked discussions on social media.
The trend gained traction after videos of testimonies shared by members of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries went viral.
The testimonies led to widespread online engagement, with many social media users parodying them.
However, the leadership of the church has refuted claims that the viral videos represent the true essence of their testimonies, stating that some of them have been doctored and taken out of context to mock their faith.
They clarified that the testimonies occurred in dreams and emphasised that people should be cautious of misleading content online.
[Punch]
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Former Nigerian international, Taribo West believes that Augustine Eguavoen always fails with the Super Eagles when it matters the most because he lacks “grace.”
Taribo West argued that Eguavoen lacks a certain grace that is essential for achieving success with the Super Eagles despite possessing strong coaching techniques.
Eguavoen, who also serves as the Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director, took charge of the senior men’s national team after the deal with the proposed German coach, Bruno Labbadia, fell through. This marks Eguavoen’s fourth stint in leading the team.
During his previous coaching stints, Eguavoen achieved a third-place finish at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations and led the team to win all three group games at the 2021 AFCON, but were eliminated in the round of 16 by Tunisia with a lone goal.
Despite his efforts, Eguavoen’s tenure has seen some near misses, such as narrowly failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and facing challenges in major tournaments.
Taribo West acknowledged Eguavoen’s tactical prowess in bringing out the best in the players but noted that consistent results have been elusive.
“Anytime Eguavoen leads the team, he brings a certain touch, taking the team back to those glorious days”, Taribo West, who is the founder of the Shelter in The Storm Miracle Ministry, said on Brila FM’s ‘No Holds Barred with Ifeanyi Udeze.
“In major tournaments, where you expect them to cross the line, something always happens. What Eguavoen is lacking is only grace.
“The team will play well, but the results won’t favour them.”
He added, “I don’t see why we go for foreign coaches when we can invest more in our local coaches.”
As the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year award slowly approaches, debates on who will win the men’s category have surfaced on social media.
With that in mind, we have compiled five reasons why Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman is guaranteed to win the prestigious African Footballer of the Year 2024 award.
Following the impressive form of Victor Osimhen in 2023, the Nigerian international became the fifth Nigerian footballer ever to clinch the award and the first in the 20s era to ever do so.
It is safe to say that Nigeria is returning to being the dominant force in African football as another Nigerian international, Ademola Lookman is perfectly poised to clinch the award making it back-to-back wins for Nigeria.
Questions as to what qualification Ademola Lookman possesses to win such an award have been asked and given his impressive run in the Serie A and also at AFCON 2023, it is safe to say that the winger is definitely not far from winning the award.
Can Ademola Lookman win the African Footballer of the Year 2024?
As things stand, Ademola Lookman is in the best position to be crowned the African Footballer of the Year 2024. The major prerequisites to clinch the award have been ticked by the Nigerian international at both club and national level.
READ ALSO: Tambuwal to establish Hisbah police in Sokoto
Ademola Lookman’s individual stats
Ademola Lookman’s individual stats as a footballer for Atlanta in the 2023/2024 series A and Europa League season were exceptional and the Nigerian international has also carried the form into the 2024/2025 season at the club.
The winger has been exceptional and is not shy of creating chances and also converting them himself.
One performance that would not be forgotten for days or years to come would be his trailblazing performance at the UEFA 2023/2024 Europa League final fixture Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen where he became the first African footballer in the history of any UEFA competition to score a hattrick in the finals.
Ademola Lookman’s Serie A stats (2023/2024)
- Matches Played: 31
- Goals Scored: 11
- Assists: 7
- Shots on Target: 25
- Yellow Cards: 4
- Red Cards: 0
Ademola Lookman’s UEFA Europa League stats (2023/2024)
- Matches Played: 11
- Goals Scored: 5
- Assists: 1
- Shots on Target: 9
- Yellow Cards: 2
- Red Cards: 0
Lookman’s Ballon d’Or 2024 nomination
Ademola Lookman became the only African player to be shortlisted in the final 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2024 Men’s Player of the Year award. This is a huge booster for his quest for the African Footballer of the Year 2024, as him being the only player with a nod in the men’s category recognizes his exceptional abilities in the 2023/2024 season. It remains to be seen if he would make the final top 10 shortlist at the award ceremony but Lookman seems to be focused now on working hard in the 2024/2025 season.
Ademola Lookman at AFCON 2023
Ademola Lookman was a game-changer for Nigeria at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast. It is safe to say he played a huge role in Nigeria’s progression to the finals of the tournament against all odds.
AFCON performance of both the player and his country would also be a huge decider in determining the winner of the African Footballer of the Year and as of the moment, the Atalanta forward ticks the two boxes with ease.
Ademola Lookman delivered an impressive performance during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the following key stats:
- Goals Scored: 3
- Netted twice in the Round of 16 against Cameroon.
- Scored the decisive goal in the quarter-final clash with Angola.
- Assists: 1
- Matches Played: 4
- Man of the Match Awards: 1 (in the match against Cameroon)
- Big Chances Created: 2
- Chances Created: 7
- Key Passes: 6
Importance in both the national team and at club level
The importance of a player at both national and club level would also play a huge role in selecting the African Footballer of the Year in the Men’s category.
The importance of a player in any team can be determined by the number of appearances such a player makes for his side and how much of a game-changer he is in such a team.
Over time Ademola Lookman has exerted his dominance in both the national and the club level making it almost impossible for both teams to function effectively in his noticeable absence.
Whenever Lookman is on the field of player there is always an extra spring in the gameplay of both Nigeria and Atalanta as he can be found opening spaces and creating chances during an attack.
Ademola Lookman titles won
Recognizing football as a team sport is also important which is why aside from what you have achieved as an individual on the field of play, what your team has achieved also plays a huge role in determining the winner of the Footballer of the Year award.
With Ademola Lookman’s side Atalanta picking up the UEFA Europa League title in the 2023/2024 club football season with him being a major contributor in guaranteeing his side the title in the finals, the scales of the African Footballer of the Year 2024 have officially tipped in his favour.
These five key reasons could tip the scales in favour of Ademola Lookman for the highly coveted African Footballer of the Year awards 2024.
Ambrose Vanzekin, the former Flying Eagles goalkeeper, said his family had to “beg around to survive and eat” during his spell as the goalkeeper trainer at Bendel Insurance FC.
The 38-year-old shared his financial ordeal in a recent video on his Tiktok page.
Vanzekin was appointed as the goalkeeper trainer at Insurance in 2021 — a few months before the club gained promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The goalkeeper coach said he was paid “N75,000 monthly,” and the salary “was not even sufficient for transport costs”.
Vanzekin added that he “begged for cash from people to attend training sessions” and “owed people all over my community”.
He said after his remuneration was increased, “transportation fees consumed almost everything,” and “I had to trek long distances at times to make training sessions”.
“During my first three years as Bendel Insurance’s goalkeeper trainer, I was paid N75,000 monthly. A whole me, Ambrose Vanzekin, somebody that went to the Olympics and brought silver medal back to Nigeria. I made Nigeria proud. I was paid an amount not up to $100 for three years,” Vanzekin said.
“I struggled for one year, and I struggled again the second year. I was unable to complete my training sessions with the team because of my struggles. The salary was not even sufficient for transport costs. Before one or two weeks, I would not attend training again. I loved the job and wanted to go, but there was no money.
“Sometimes, I begged for cash from people to attend training sessions. I owed people all over my community.
“After the government scrapped the management of Bendel Insurance over a disagreement between the governor and his deputy, my salary was increased to N260,000. But still, nothing is going fine. Transportation fees consumed almost everything. I had to trek long distances at times to make training sessions.
“I used to spend N2000 every day on transport. I do not even know how my family eat. They just beg around so that we can survive and eat.”
Vanzekin added that he had resigned from the job, saying the club management treated him “unfairly”.
Vanzekin was the goalkeeper of the Flying Eagles team that won silver at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands.
The team, which comprised Mikel Obi, Chinedu Ogbuke and Ambrose Efe, lost to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in the final.
Vanzekin was also the goalkeeper when Nigeria won the silver medal in the men’s football event at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
[TheCable]
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi club Al Nassr announced the departure of Portuguese coach Luis Castro on Tuesday, a day after starting their AFC Champions League Elite campaign with a disappointing draw.
Monday’s 1-1 stalemate with Iraq’s Al Shorta in the Asian competition compounded a slow start to the domestic season with the current contract of Ronaldo, 39, due to expire next summer.
“Al Nassr can announce that head coach Luis Castro has left the club,” said a statement posted on X.
“Everyone at Al Nassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future.”
Castro, 63, is the third coach to depart Al Nassr since Ronaldo’s groundbreaking arrival in early 2023 on a contract that was said to net him 400 million euros over two-and-a-half years.
Frenchman Rudi Garcia quickly left that April, followed by a brief stint by Croatian coach Dinko Jelicic before Castro was appointed in July last year.
The highly decorated Ronaldo is yet to win a Saudi trophy with the Riyadh club, with his sole silverware so far being last year’s Arab Club Champions Cup.
Al Nassr, who finished a distant second in the last Saudi Pro League season, have drawn twice in three matches at the start of the new campaign.
Ronaldo’s arrival heralded a rash of high-profile signings by Saudi clubs last year, with Neymar and Karim Benzema among those opting for the oil-rich, conservative kingdom.
AFP.