Super Eagles of Nigeria have landed another goalkeeper option as the world football governing body, FIFA, approved the nationality switch of Arthur Okonkwo.
Arthur Okonkwo was born to Nigerian parents in London, England, on September 9, 2001. He developed his football career at Arsenal Academy from childhood.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper gained promotion to Arsenal’s senior team on July 1, 2021, but wasn’t able to establish himself at the club’s senior side.
Hence, Arthur Okonkwo was on loan at Crewe Alexandra between July 29, 2022, to January 15, 2023. He spent the second half of the 2022-2023 season on loan at Sturm Graz.
Since September 1, 2023, Okonkwo has been on loan at fourth-tier club, Wrexham AFC, and he is expected to return to Arsenal at the end of this season.
Since then, the English-born goalkeeper has made 26 appearances in all competitions for Wrexham, in which he kept 11 clean sheets.
Arthur Okonkwo has played for England under-15, under-16, under-17, and under-18 national teams. He has made a total of 11 appearances for all the aforementioned teams.
Now that FIFA has permitted Okonkwo to play for Nigeria, it is left to be seen whether the NFF will invite him to the national team anytime soon.
If that happens, the youngster will compete with Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabali for the starting shirt in the national team. Recall that Nwabali overtook Uzoho in the national team and was Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper throughout the 2023 AFCON.
Chelsea could shift attention to Victor Boniface as they continue their search for a new striker this summer.
The West London side have been linked with Boniface’s compatriot, Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen is expected to leave Serie A champions Napoli at the end of the current season despite signing a new contract last December.
Chelsea, who are desperate to sign a new striker following another underwhelming campaign, face competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal for the 25-year-old.
According to BILD chief transfer expert, Christian Falk, the Blues are now keeping tabs on Boniface.
“Nicolas Jackson has not yet managed to solve the striker problem at Chelsea,” Falk told CaughtOffside.
“Someone else could do that in the future: Victor Boniface, [he] came from Saint-Gilloise in 2023 for €16m…Contract until 2028. Current market value €40m. Chelsea are tempting, but Bayer don’t want to sell him.”
Boniface, who is currently sidelined with an abductor injury has scored 16 goals and registered eight assists in 23 games in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen this season.
Nigeria Defender, William Troost-Ekong says he would consider playing in the Saudi Arabia Professional Football League in future.
Troost-Ekong was named the Most Valuable Player, MVP, at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
The 30-year-old is said to have caught the eye of a number of clubs in the Saudi Arabian top-flight during the competition.
The centre-back is currently on the books of Greek Super League outfit, PAOK Salonica.
The former Watford player admitted he will be interested in playing in Saudi Arabia if he had the opportunity.
“I can’t tell you that now because it’s not right in front of me,” Troost-Ekong stated in an interview with CNN World Sports Amanda Davies.
“The Saudi League is something which is exciting, you saw quite a lot of the best players who were part of the AFCON have headed in that direction and are playing there.
“If that option is in front of me, then, I will have to study it a bit more and consider it.”
Asked if he would love to play alongside Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo’, he said; “Who wouldn’t? One of the best players in the world. We’ll have to see what happens but I’m happy at PAOK.”
Toni Kroos will return to the German national team ahead of this summer’s European Championship, the Real Madrid midfielder confirmed on social media on Thursday.
Kroos, 34 – who retired from international football in 2021 – had revealed earlier this month that he was considering the move before Euro 2024, which will be hosted by Germany.
“Guys, short and painless: I will play for Germany again from March,” Kroos posted on Instagram.
“Why? Because I was asked by the national coach, I’m up for it and I’m sure that a lot more is possible with the team at the European Championships than most people believe!”
Kroos made 106 appearances for Germany between 2010 and 2021, scoring 17 goals, and was a key member of the team which won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
He retired after facing criticism for his performances in Euro 2020, when Germany were eliminated by England in the round-of-16.
The midfielder has been career-best for Real Madrid this season, helping them to the LaLiga summit.
Inter Miami forward, Lionel Messi, has given away his latest Ballon d’Or trophy only months after he won it controversially ahead of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
Last October, Messi was crowned the best player in the world for a record eighth time, after he led Argentina to glory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The 36-year-old was handed the award almost seven months from winning the one major honour that had eluded him throughout his career.
It left some fans and pundits furious, as they felt Manchester City’s Haaland was more deserving.
However, four months on from the award win, Messi has given away his latest individual prize.
According to Spanish journalist, Miquel Blazquez, Messi has donated his Ballon d’Or trophy to Barcelona despite not winning it with his old club.
This will allow Barca to place their all-time-great former player’s eighth award alongside the other seven that are in their club museum.
Messi cemented a legacy as arguably the greatest player in soccer history at the Nou Camp, winning 10 Spanish titles and four Champions Leagues while scoring an incredible 672 goals in 778 games.
Nigerian football legend, Chief Segun Odegbami, has said how the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire defeated the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations final on February 11, was similar to how the national team won the edition in 1980.
The ex-international said the Super Eagles were overpowered in the final for playing in an inspiring and electrifying atmosphere favourable to the Ivorian team as they hosted the tournament, which was similar to what happened to the then Green Eagles when Nigeria hosted and won in 1980.
Odegbami said this in a recent exclusive interview with Vanguard in Lagos, while providing insights into the performance of Jose Peseiro’s side that clinched silver medals at AFCON 2023.
The former Nigerian footballer said the Green Eagles beat the Algerian team at the final of the 1980 because the stadium was filled with 100,000 Nigerians including late President Shehu Shagari, making the atmosphere an inspiring one to win.
Nigeria beat Algeria 3 – 0 in the 1980 AFCON final as Odegbami got a brace while the third goal came from late Muda Lawal.
He likened the same to the trajectory of the Ivorians in the just concluded biggest African football showpiece where the Elephants were more inspired.
Odegbami said, “And when it even came to our turn, you don’t go to the finals like that against a team that was that inspired. You know, I was a witness to the 1980 Cup of Nations. We were not the best team in that Championship.
“We got to the final against Algeria that were easily the best team, they were the better team between the two at the final. But we were supported by 100,000 Nigerians on that field. There was no single Algerian supporter and the kind of support we received was unprecedented. Our president was sitting there and so on.
“The atmosphere was intimidating, it was electrifying, it was positive for us. It was negative for the Algerians. And we did what we could not ordinarily do. We scored goals we could not ordinarily score. And we won, and we are still celebrating it today.”
Comparing the latest edition to what favoured Nigeria 44 years ago, Odegbami said, “And that was exactly what happened to the Ivorians. They were inspired, they were lifted and we were intimidated, dispirited, and so on.”
The 71-year-old commended the federal government for massive rewards given to the players, saying they were rewards for lifting the spirit of the country at a very difficult time.
He said, “It happened like that and I believe that’s why the government rewarded the situation, that they did their best and went beyond expectations. They lifted the spirit of the country. Nigeria had never supported a team the way they supported this team, even though at the start, people did not have an interest.
“But getting to the final, every Nigerian all over the world was interested in that match and seeing the national team play. It unified Nigerians. We were going through some of the worst times in our history. Then you can imagine the hardship that people are going through – the political turmoil, the economic turmoil, the social turmoil and yet there was something the whole country wanted to celebrate.
“It was something that lifted us out of that low morale, and that was the football matches going on in Cote d’Ivoire. So, it attracted unprecedented interest and that was what the federal government rewarded. I will see it as the positive not as a negative. I won’t lament anything. We might not have been perfect.”
Napoli captain, Giovanni Di Lorenzo has labelled Victor Osimhen “a champion” after the forward rescued a draw for the club against Barcelona on Wednesday night.
The Serie A champions held the Blaugrana to a 1-1 draw at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Robert Lewandowski gave the visitors the lead on the hour mark.
Osimhen, who was playing his first game for Napoli since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, equalised 15 minutes later.
It was the forward’s first goal in the UEFA Champions League this season.
“Osimhen is a champion and he returned with the right mindset. He will give us a hand, just as Simeone and Raspadori will, now the coach has a lot of options to choose from,” Di Lorenzo said after the game.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been bestowed with the prestigious chieftaincy title of Ugo Egbema, which translates to “The Pride of Egbema Kingdom.
The prestigious chieftaincy title was conferred upon him by His Royal Majesty, Nzeobi Evaristus Amida, the traditional ruler of Mgbede community.
The traditional ruler expressed the significance of the honour, attributing it to Nwabali’s exceptional performance that led Nigeria to the 2024 AFCON finals.
His Royal Majesty acknowledged the goalkeeper’s outstanding saves, which not only contributed to the success of the Super Eagles but also brought immense pride and honour to the Egbema Kingdom.
Recalling Nwabali’s stellar contributions to the Super Eagles, the traditional ruler emphasized the need to celebrate individuals who bring honour and glory to their people.
In addition to the chieftaincy title, Stanley Nwabali was also rewarded at the state level.
Nigerian goalkeeper Nwabali honoured with chieftaincy title
The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, acknowledged the goalkeeper’s achievements by conferring a state honour upon him and presenting a generous gift of N20 million.
The governor commended Nwabali for his outstanding contributions to Nigerian football and his exemplary representation of Rivers State on the national stage.
Bayern Munich have decided not to fire Thomas Tuchel following a 3-2 defeat to Bochum on Sunday.
The result saw the Bundesliga champions slip eight points behind current leaders, Bayer Leverkusen.
It also meant Bayern could go trophyless for the first time in 12 years.
The loss to Bochum was their third defeat in a row across all competitions.
Following the game, Bayern cancelled Tuchel’s post-match press conference, leading to speculations that the former Chelsea boss would be dismissed.
However, Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has said Tuchel will remain in post and that he is refusing to resign owing to his desire to fight on.
The club’s CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, also insisted that the embattled head coach will not be dismissed.
“I feel rubbish. I don’t believe in big statements about the coach.
“This issue isn’t on our mind at the moment,” Dreesen said.
Patrick Cantlay started the day with a five-shot lead at The Genesis Invitational and saw it reduced to two at 14-under after producing three birdies and two bogeys on Saturday, including one at the 17th, for a 70 while his pursuers finished strong.
“Being from Southern California, it’s one of the tournaments on the list that I’d like to win the most,” said Cantlay.
Xander Schauffele and Will Zalatoris both closed with back-to-back birdies for rounds of 65 to move into a share of second place at 12-under.
Schauffele started with an eagle at the par-5 first hole then made four birdies on the back nine while Zalatoris fired seven birdies and a bogey.
"To play good golf around Riviera you've got to sort of fire on all cylinders and been able to do that the last couple days," said Schauffele.
Luke List lies in solo fourth place at 11-under after signing for a 68 while Harris English shot a bogey free 65 for a share of fifth place at 10-under alongside Australia's Jason Day, the only non-American in the top-5, who made three bogeys, three birdies and an eagle at the par-5 17th.
Famed Riviera Country Club is the annual host for the Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour. The classic course is a favorite among pretty much everyone on Tour.
Previous championships held there include the 1995 PGA Championship, the 1983 PGA Championship, the 1948 U.S. Open as well as the 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship.
Here’s a closer look at three significant events coming to Riviera.
2026 U.S. Women's Open
The 18th green at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
In 2026, the club will celebrate its 100th year and one big way to commemorate a nice, round number like that will be with the playing of the U.S. Women’s Open, the first women’s championship to be held there.
“We’ve always sought majors,” Megan Watanabe, the first female president of the club, told the Associated Press. Her family bought the property in 1989.
“Because we have never hosted a women’s championship, it made sense,” she said. “Also for the Olympics. I wanted the women to be comfortable and experience Riviera before the Olympics.”
2028 Olympics
The second green at Riviera Country Club for the 2024 Genesis Invitational. (Photo: Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Speaking of the Olympics, the men’s and women’s golf competitions will be held at the Riv in 2028, when the city of Los Angeles hosts the Summer Games for a third time. It’ll be the fourth playing of golf since the sport was brought back to the Olympics in 2016. Riviera was announced as host in 2017.
2031 U.S. Open
The clubhouse at Riviera Country Club, host of the Genesis Invitational in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)
Just after the 2023 U.S. Open was played at Los Angeles Country Club, the U.S. Golf Association announced plans to return to Southern California.
Eighty-three years after Ben Hogan won a U.S. Open at Riviera, the national championship returns to the storied venue.
The 2031 U.S. Open will be the fifth USGA championship held at the club. Riviera has also hosted the 1998 U.S. Senior Open and the 2017 U.S. Amateur.
Patrick Cantlay has eight PGA Tour career wins
Third round leaderboard
-14 P Cantlay (US); -12 X Schauffele (US), W Zalatoris (US); -11 L List (US); -10 J Day (Aus), H English (US); -8 C Conners (Can), JT Poston (US), H Matsuyama (Jap)
Selected others: -5 S Scheffler(US); -4 T Fleetwood (Eng), R McIlroy (NI), V Hovland (Nor); S Power (Ire)
American Patrick Cantlay leads the Genesis Invitational by two shots heading into the final round.
Cantlay, 31, was five shots clear at the halfway stage but his advantage was cut after he struggled to a one-under 70 in his third round on Saturday.
Xander Schauffele and Will Zalatoris both carded 65s to move 12 under overall - two behind Cantlay.
World number two Rory McIlroy hit five birdies and three bogeys as he carded a 69 and is joint 27th on four under.
The four-time major champion is joined by Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, who shot a 71 at the Riviera Country Club in California.
Cantlay, who is seventh in the world rankings, opened with a birdie but handed the stroke back at the third when he missed a seven-foot putt to save par.
He then recovered to make tap-in birdies at the 11th and 13th to climb to 15 under, before trouble off the tee at the penultimate hole led to a bogey.
Fellow American Schauffele, meanwhile, started strongly with an eagle at the par-five first and produced four birdies in his final nine holes, while compatriot Zalatoris made seven birdies and just one bogey.
On Saturday, Woods, 48, addressed his exit and confirmed the details of his health condition in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I would like to confirm that I had to withdraw from @thegenesisinv due to illness, which we now know is influenza,” he said. “I am resting and feeling better.”
“Good luck to the players this weekend. I’m disappointed to not be there and want to thank @GenesisUSA and all the fans for the support,” Woods concluded.
Woods has withdrawn from the Genesis Invitational due to influenza.
SEAN M. HAFFEY/GETTY
Woods bowed out of the tournament when he was 1-over through six holes Friday after having back spasms along with flu symptoms. He was subsequently driven off the golf course by a rules official at 1:35 p.m. local time, according to an article posted on the PGA Tour website.
The hall of fame golfer was then treated for “potential dehydration and dizziness related to his illness” by emergency personnel at the Riviera Country Club course, per PGA Tour.
Woods had been suffering flu-like symptoms the previous night that worsened by Friday, Rob McNamara, EVP of TGR Ventures shared in a statement.
“He had a little bit of a fever and was better during the warm-up,” read McNamara’s Friday statement, per PGA Tour. “But then when he got out there and was walking and playing, he started feeling dizzy. Ultimately, the doctors are saying he’s got some — potentially some type of flu and that he was dehydrated.”
“He’s being treated with an IV bag and he’s doing much much better and he'll be released on his own here soon,” concluded McNamara.
On Thursday, Woods discussed having back spasms after attempting to hit an 8-iron from the right side of the 18th fairway.
Woods also suffered back spasm prior to leaving the competition.
BEN JARED/PGA TOUR VIA GETTY
"Well, my back was spasming the last couple [of] holes and it was locking up," he said, according to ESPN. "I came down and it didn't move, and I presented [the] hosel first and shanked it."
In April 2023, Woods had fusion surgery on his right ankle to manage post-traumatic arthritis he suffered in a car accident in February 2021. He then took a break from competing for nearly eight months, during which time he suffered from back spasms.
After competing on Thursday, per ESPN, Woods said of his right ankle, "Things are a little bit sore, but that's to be expected.”
Through his physical strain, he managed to end the day tied for 49th landing eight shots behind first-round leader Patrick Cantlay.
"I'm going to be rusty, and I have to do a better job at home prepping," Woods said, according to the outlet. "We need to do a better job with lifting and treating and continuation of rehab protocols, all those things. I just haven't done it in a while."
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