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Rebecca Welch to make history as the first female referee of a Premier League game as she has been selected to officiate Fulham’s match against Burnley on December 23, 2023.
Welch became a referee in 2010, juggling the job with her work in the British National Health Service.
She officiated a Football League match between Harrogate and Port Vale in 2021, becoming the first woman to hold the position.
In addition, Welch was the first female official to officiate games in the FA Cup’s third round and the Championship.
She made history last month when she became the first woman to act as fourth official in a Premier League game as part of the team for Fulham’s match against Manchester United.
Welch is also in charge of several high-profile women’s fixtures, including games at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand has said Wayne Rooney was his worst ever teammate.
During their tenure at Old Trafford, Ferdinand and Rooney won numerous trophies, including Champions League and Premier League ones. However, Ferdinand has since disclosed that they used to argue a lot while playing.
In the latest episode of BBC podcast, hosted by Rugby League legend Rob Burrow, Ferdinand said: “The worst team-mate I have probably had the most arguments with is Wayne Rooney, to be honest with you.
“Never came to blows, it was on the pitch.
“We never argued in training really, it was just match day, we probably argued once every two or three games, effing and blinding, screaming at each other because I wanted more from him.”
[OpinionNigeria]
SUPER Falcons legend Mercy Akide-Udoh has described her CAF Awards win in 2001 as ‘special’, while charging the Nigerian senior national teams to win their tournaments next year.
The former Nigeria striker won the first-ever African Player of the Year award for women in 2001, setting the stage for the likes of Cynthia Uwak, Perpetua Nkwocha and record six-time winner Asisat Oshoala.
Akide, who won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title with the Super Falcons in 1998, 2000 and 2002, was in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday to see her compatriots steal the show.
Nigeria swept the big prizes on a glorious night for the country as Victor Osimhen was named Player of the Year, Oshoala Player of the Year (Women), Chiamaka Nnadozie Goalkeeper of the Year (Women) and the Super Falcons National Team of the Year (Women).
“I feel blessed to have been the first woman to win this award back then,” Akide-Udoh said.
“It was very special and I think it was the beginning of recognition for women’s football in Africa.
“I am excited that other Nigerians have done it again and I hope that we will see more of this in future. If anybody had told me that it would take so many years before another Nigerian man would win it again, I don’t think any of us would have believed it, but that’s football and God knows best.
“I am proud of all the winners and I hope that as Nigeria has won so many awards tonight, this will be the start of more success for our football, from the AFCON in January to the women winning their own too and then to the FIFA World Cup.”
Osimhen was the first Nigerian man to win the main award since Kanu’s success 24 years ago and the Napoli striker will be the key man for the Super Eagles as they seek their first Africa Cup of Nations since 2013 at the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire in January and February next year.
[NaijaTimes]
On Monday, the Napoli striker beat Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah to the star prize at the awards ceremony in Marrakech.
On Tuesday, December 12, Victor Osimhen, the newly crowned CAF 2023 African Player of The Year, penned a gratifying message to celebrate his top prize.
In an extended message posted on his X account, the Napoli striker told an inspiring story of how he started as a hawker on the streets of Olusosun in Lagos to becoming a global icon in football.
On Monday, the Napoli striker beat Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah to the star prize at the awards ceremony in Marrakech.
Reflecting on his journey to stardom, the 24-year-old wrote, “As a young boy who came from the streets of Olusosun, who had to hawk in traffic almost every day of the week while growing in order to survive the numerous challenges my family and I were facing, becoming a Treasure in Africa and World Football was a wild dream. Words can’t express the joy in my heart; this is a very special moment for me.
“My football journey has been a rollercoaster of highs, tough lows and emotions. The goals, echoes and jubilation of victories keep me going even when the critics, hate and pain of defeats hit me hard in the chest. The support of my amazing family, my fans most especially my Nigerian supporters and the love for the beautiful game of football motivates me to aim higher daily.”
He added, “Losing my dear parents in the course of this journey leaves a scar in my heart as they have always been my major driving force for success since I was a kid, may their souls continue to rest in peace.
“To my wonderful family thanks for always having my back and loving me so much. I wouldn’t have made it this far without your esteemed support.
“To my fans and Nigerian supporters, your dedication in supporting me on the good days and bad days do not go unnoticed, even amidst the arrows of hatred thrown at me y’all still stood by my side. I am grateful.
“Winning the CAF Best African Player 2023 is a testament to my hard work, your love and support. I am so proud of myself for achieving this prestigious award.
“Thank you CAF, to all the coaches I have played under both local and international, your wisdom and knowledge have played huge roles in guiding my footballing career, thank you so much.
“I am sure my parents in heaven are smiling at me, this is for you.
“I also congratulate Chiamaka Nnadozie and Asisat Oshoala for their prestigious awards. Dreams do come true! Thank you, everyone, GOD is the greatest.”
[https://www.tori.ng/]
A host of Nigerian X users are taking pleasure from the posts of the Confederation of African Football after the football governing body tweeted in some local languages of the country.
CAF joined a host of other people across the world in celebrating Nigerian trio Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie after they were recognised as the best players and goalkeeper in Africa on Monday night while also celebrating the Super Falcons team that emerged as the best Women’s team on the continent.
Osimhen was named African Footballer of The Year after beating Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah to the award at a ceremony in Marrakech on Monday, with compatriot Oshoala winning the top prize in the women’s category.
Nnadozie beat fellow goalkeepers in the form of Moroccan shot-stopper Khadija El-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Olaminii to claim the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of The Year for 2023.
The achievement means Osimhen became the first Nigeria to win the men’s best player award for the first time since 1999 after Kanu Nwankwo claimed the honour. But for Oshoala, it was a record-extending sixth award and the first for Nnadozie.
In celebrating the Nigerians and the women’s team, CAF in a series of posts on their official X handle has been tweeted in Yoruba, Igbo and, pidgin languages.
One of the tweets in Yoruba read, “Mo so fun yin o #CAFAwards2023”
Another tweet in pidgin read, “Naija full ground, Naija gather dey, Naija no dey carry last!”
Tweeting in Igbo, CAF wrote, “Osi na nwata buru ogaranya 1! Inspiring the next generation with greatness.”
Reacting to the tweets, an X user, JosephOnuorah wrote, “This guy na one of us – Nothing anyone can tell me! Proper naija boy behind the CAF handle We see you bro ”
Klinsdon commented, “Admin where are you from? You speak Yoruba and now Igbo! . This admin must be a Nigerian. You spoke our languages including pidgin English! I twalle for you jor! ”
Aisah Baby added, “Globally recognised. Yoruba too sweet.”
Basking in the euphoria, Otunba GCFRN wrote, “Thank you #CAF_Online. Yoruba to the world!”
Unjoerated Joe also commented, “Igbo to the world.”
Turkey’s football leagues will resume on December 19, ending a brief suspension caused by a violent attack on a referee, the federation announced on Wednesday.
Matches were suspended hours after MKA Ankaragucu club president Faruk Koca rushed onto the pitch and punched referee Halil Umut Meler after the final whistle in Monday’s first division match in the Turkish capital.
Meler was released from hospital in Ankara on Wednesday, after undergoing observations and receiving a phone call from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish Football Federation chief Mehmet Buyukeksi said the sport’s governing body will announce penalties for the altercation on Thursday.
He told reporters that weekend matches will be rescheduled to help deal with the incident’s repercussions.
“We had decided to postpone the matches in all leagues indefinitely. With the decision we took today, all leagues will restart on Tuesday, December 19,” Buyukeksi said.
Buyukeksi added he expected Meler, a respected 37-year-old with accreditation to referee international matches, to recover and join the officiating crew of the Euro 2024 championship to be held between June and July in Germany.
“We expect Halil Umut Meler to take part in Euro 2024. There is no possibility of him quitting refereeing right now.”
Images of Monday’s incident showed Koca rushing onto the pitch with a group of men and knocking out Meler with a blow to the left side of his face.
Meler was kicked several times in the ensuing melee.
Koca appeared to be incensed at Meler for sending off one of his players and then awarding a stoppage-time goal that allowed visiting Caykur Rizespor to leave Ankara with a 1-1 draw.
Meler released a statement Tuesday saying Koca had threatened his life.
“Faruk Koca punched me under my left eye and I fell to the ground. While I was on the ground, they kicked my face and other parts of my body many times,” Meler said.
“Faruk Koca told me and my fellow referees: ‘I will finish you’. Addressing me in particular, he said: ‘I will kill you’.”
[Vanguard]
The outspoken president of La Liga, Javier Tebas, has been re-elected to his position as head of Spanish football’s two top divisions, the league said on Tuesday.
Tebas, 61, had resigned in November in order to seek a fourth term and was the only candidate.
He assumed the presidency of La Liga for the first time in April 2013 and was re-elected in 2016 and 2019.
“The Electoral Commission of the National Professional Football League (La Liga)… has agreed to the definitive proclamation of Mr. Javier Tebas Medrano as President of the National Professional Football League, for a period of four years,” La Liga said in a statement.
Tebas, the former club president of Huesca, is credited with reforming Spanish football’s TV rights bargaining by centralising a system which previously relied on clubs negotiating individually.
He has butted heads with the presidents of Real Madrid and Barcelona over their support for a proposed European Super League.
And he has raised hackles abroad with his criticism of clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, arguing that their Gulf-based ownership amounts to “financial doping”.
Kingsley Coman scored the only goal for the Bundesliga champions, who had long since secured their place in the last 16, to leave United without even the consolation of dropping into the Europa League.
An embarrassing early exit from Europe's elite competition increases the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag with United also languishing in sixth in the Premier League.
The damage to United's Champions League hopes was done long before the arrival of Bayern when they failed to win three of their four games against Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
Copenhagen beat Galatasaray 1-0 on Tuesday to join Bayern in the last 16, with the Turkish giants finishing third.
"We didn't lose it today, that's clear," said Ten Hag.
"We had I think opportunities in games (against Copenhagen and Galatasaray). We were in winning positions; we scored many goals and we gave it away."
It is just the fourth time that an English side has finished bottom of their Champions League group.
A troubled season for Ten Hag reached a new low on Saturday when Bournemouth won for the first time at Old Trafford and with ease in a 3-0 victory.
The former Ajax boss responded by recalling Raphael Varane to the starting line-up for the first time in nearly two months.
The Frenchman has been surprisingly frozen out by Ten Hag but is likely to have a big part to play in the coming weeks as Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw had to be replaced during Tuesday's action, adding to an already lengthy injury list.
"We are losing players and losing players who are very decisive," added Ten Hag, who was also without Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.
"In many games it was the case in this campaign that we didn't have players available."
Bayern were already assured of progressing as Group A winners but Thomas Tuchel's men had a point to prove themselves after suffering a 5-1 hammering at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
"It's never comfortable at Old Trafford, but I think we deserved to win. "We needed a reaction, and we got a reaction," said Tuchel.
Harry Kane started on his return to England and played a decisive role in the winning goal as he teed up Coman to blast past Andre Onana.
Bayern remain unbeaten in the Champions League group stages since 2017 and extended a competition record of nine consecutive away wins at this stage of the competition.
Yet the German giants rarely had to get out of second gear as they look forward to the knockout stages in 2024.
"After the result at the weekend we had a really high motivation here," said Kane.
"I think there could have been a bit more in the final third. We had a good start to the season, but I feel like there are a few more gears to go up."
There was no such excuse for United's lack of urgency as they bowed out with a whimper.
Shaw's long-range effort that Manuel Neuer comfortably batted behind was United's only shot on target.
But the loss of Shaw at half-time and Maguire during the first half, to an apparent groin injury, only added to Ten Hag's woes ahead of a daunting trip to Liverpool on Sunday.
United did have one big chance to go in front early in the second half, but Bruno Fernandes' wild effort that flew well over the bar summed up his side's lack of quality and composure in the final third.
Bayern were also far from their free-flowing best.
However, they needed just one slick move to win the game as Kane flicked Thomas Mueller's pass into the path of Coman to fire home his fifth goal of the season 19 minutes from time.
Napoli reached the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday after seeing off Braga 2-0 and ending a home hoodoo which had stretched back two months.
The Italian champions qualified second in Group C behind Real Madrid thanks to Serder Saatci’s clumsy own goal and Victor Osimhen’s first goal since early October, both which came in the first half.
Walter Mazzarri’s side would have got through even with a single-goal defeat but in the end comfortably qualified for the next round, snapping a six-match winless streak at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
A first win in Naples since beating Udinese in late September made sure that Napoli finished the group stage on 10 points, six ahead of Braga who drop down to the Europa League.
Braga knew that they had to win by at least two goals in order to leapfrog Napoli and Bruma wasted a great chance to put the away side into the lead with just two minutes on the clock, lashing wide from close range after confusion in the Napoli area.
However their task was made that much taller in the ninth minute, when the unfortunate Saatci tripped over Matteo Politano’s low cross and sent the ball spinning towards his own goal.
Braga goalkeeper Matheus did his best to keep the scores level but could only claw the ball out after it had already crossed the line.
Napoli pushed for a second but had a superb Alex Meret save to thank for Braga not pulling level with a Ricardo Horta rocket from distance.
However in the 33rd minute newly-crowned African player of the year Osimhen effectively sealed Napoli’s passage into the next round.
Moments before the Nigeria striker was left open-mouthed at Piotr Zielinski not squaring to him when he was completely unmarked just yards from goal, opting instead to smash a shot straight at Matheus.
But this time Natan played the right pass afer bursting down the left flank and allowed Osimhen to bundle in his seventh goal of what has been a difficult campaign to date in southern Italy.
Osimhen’s first goal in this season’s Champions League left Braga needing to score four goals without reply to get through and the wave of relief was tangible both in the stands and on the pitch.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa should have scored when Osimhen perfectly teed him up in the 65th minute, but the Cameroon midfielder could only shot straight at Matheus.
The only negative note of proceedings was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s continued struggle for form, the out-of-sorts Georgian yet to open his account in Europe’s top club competition this term.
However he will have another chance in the new year thanks to a win which broke a painful run of three straight losses and could bring some confidence back to troubled Napoli.
Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala have made the final shortlists for the 2023 Globe Soccer Awards in the men’s and women’s categories.
Osimhen, who was on Monday crowned best player in Africa, is among the 11 players in contention for the Men’s award.
The other players who made the shortlist are Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Vinícius Jr (Real Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Bernardo Silva (Man City), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Erling Haaland (Man City) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr).
Osimhen is looking to become the first African player to win the Best Men’s Player at the Globe Soccer Awards.
Oshoala has been shortlisted alongside Aitana Bonmatí, Mary Earps, Fridolina Rolfo, Linda Caicedo, Amanda Ilestedt, Georgia Stanway, Olga Carmona, Sam Kerr and Debinha for the Women’s award.
The Barcelona Femeni forward won a seventh CAF Women’s Player of the Year award on Monday night in Marrakech, Morocco
The awards gala will hold at five-star Atlantis, The Palm, on January 19, 2024 in Dubai.
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The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau has praised the trio of Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie for making Nigeria proud at the 2023 CAF Awards in Morocco on Monday night.
Nigeria became the biggest winner at the event, winning three major awards to make history.
Victor Osimhen won the African Player of the Year award to end Nigeria’s 24-year wait for the coveted prize.
Super Falcons star, Asisat Oshoala won a record-breaking sixth African Women’s Player of the Year award following a sensational season with Barcelona, which culminated in a league triumph and Women’s Champions League glory.
Another Super Falcons star, Chiamaka Nnadozie, was named African Women’s goalkeeper of the year.
The Super Falcons were named the women’s team of the year after their impressive showing at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Gusau expressed his delight after a history-making night for Nigeria in Morocco.
Gusau said: “I am very excited tonight. This has been hugely rewarding for our football and for our country as a whole. I congratulate Osimhen, Oshoala, and Nnadozie, and I congratulate the Super Falcons as a team for bringing us this honour.
“My charge would be that they all keep doing what they know how to do best, keep improving, and keep winning. The sky will be the beginning for them.”
Gusau was present at the event. He was presented with the women’s team of the year award won by the Super Falcons.
He dedicated the award to all women football teams in Africa.
Nnadozie used the opportunity to encourage young footballers not to give up on their dreams.
“To all the young girls growing up in Africa, dreaming of becoming a footballer one day, believe me dreams do come true. My dad didn’t want me to play football, but I’m sure he’s gonna see this and be happy. So, keep dreaming, keep working, and I believe that one day you’ll get to this stage.”
- Asisat Oshoala extends a record sixth CAF African Women’s Player of the Year Award
- Osimhen wins first CAF African Player of the Year award in the men’s category
- Morocco and Nigeria win National Team of the Year awards
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala won the biggest individual awards at the CAF Awards 2023 in the Moroccan city of Marrakech on Monday night, 11 December 2023.
Osimhen, the Nigerian striker who made headlines in Italy and also for his contribution in the Super Eagles jersey, won the CAF African Player of the Year for the first time while his compatriot, Oshoala won her record sixth CAF African Women’s Player of the Year.
Osimhen's remarkable journey saw him fend off stiff competition from Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian striker Mohammed Salah.
Nigerian icon Oshoala secured the CAF Women's Player of the Year for a record sixth time. The attacker’s dominance continued as she inspired Barcelona to Champions League glory, finishing as the club's top scorer with 27 goals across all competitions.
Morocco's Walid Regragui was crowned CAF's Best Coach of the Year in the Men's category – recognised for guiding the Atlas Lions to a historic World Cup semi-final run in Qatar.
South Africa's Desiree Ellis secured the Best Coach award in the women's category for her outstanding work with Banyana Banyana. This was Ellis’ record fourth award in this category, which she has won consistently since 2018.
In CAF InterClub, South Africa and Al Ahly’s Percy Tau won the CAF InterClub Player of the Year.
Senegal's Lamine Camara, the 19-year-old FC Metz forward, clinched the CAF Young Player of the Year award, marking his meteoric rise in African football.
Moroccan prodigy Nesryne El Chad won the inaugural CAF Women's Young Player of the Year award.
Morocco won the Men’s National Team award following their performance at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, while Nigeria won the Women’s National Team of the Year award.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly clinched the Male Club of the Year award, with the women’s award going to South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.
South Africa dominated the continent’s Best XI players in the Women Category while two members of Morocco’s World Cup semi-final team were included in the male version.
The ultimate winners in each category were decided through a voting process involving a panel comprising CAF Technical Committee, Head Coaches, National Team captains and media professionals.
Full List of Award Winners:
Player of the Year (Men): Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli)
Player of the Year (Women): Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)
Interclub Player of the Year (Men): Percy Tau (South Africa, Al Ahly)
Interclub Player of the Year (Women): Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)
Coach of the Year (Men): Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Coach of the Year (Women): Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Men): Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Women): Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)
Young Player of the Year (Men): Lamine Camara (Senegal, Metz)
Young Player of the Year (Women): Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)
National Team of the Year (Men): Morocco
National Team of the Year (Women): Nigeria
Club of the Year (Men): Al Ahly (Egypt)
Club of the Year (Women): Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Former AC Milan striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has rejoined the club as an advisor, RedBird Capital Partners, owners of the Serie A outfit announced on Monday.
In a statement published through GlobeNewsWire, RedBird confirmed that Ibrahimovic is back for a third spell at the club – even if he is their employee officially – and also that he will also serve as a Senior Advisor to AC Milan Ownership and Senior Management.
Zlatan is one of the most iconic football players to have ever played the game having won 34 trophies across his spells with Malmo, Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and the Los Angeles Galaxy, with over 500 club goals to his name.
It was back on June 4 of this year that the 41-year-old announced his retirement from football following Milan’s final game of the Serie A season, and there had been speculation about what would be next.
The answer is a return to Milan as an Operating Partner at RedBird. As per the statement, Ibra will ‘collaborate with RedBird’s global investment team in supporting the firm’s existing investment portfolio across sports, media and entertainment’.
He will also ‘help source and evaluate new investment opportunities for the firm, and will advise RedBird portfolio companies on commercial projects, digital content strategies and strategic brand building initiatives to extend their presence on a global basis’.
At AC Milan, Ibra will serve as a Senior Advisor to Ownership, which is led by RedBird and includes the New York Yankees.
Gerry Cardinale commented on the return: “We have all been fortunate to witness Zlatan’s greatness as a player and his contributions in leading AC Milan to the top of Serie A. What makes a winner of Zlatan’s caliber is not just physical talent, but also high intellect and an entrepreneurial spirit.
“At RedBird, we have developed partnerships with a very select group of high-performing world class athletes and artists who are able to thrive in the RedBird ecosystem across our sports, media and entertainment portfolio.
Bruno Fernandes has apologised for Manchester United’s embarrassing defeat against Bournemouth as the Portugal star admitted his side did not have enough effort or quality.
United suffered their first-ever home loss to lowly Bournemouth on Saturday as the Cherries swept to a 3-0 shock victory.
Erik ten Hag’s men were so poor that the margin of defeat could have been even more humiliating, but the result was already bad enough to trigger boos from fans at the final whistle.
As the pressure mounts on Ten Hag, United captain Fernandes said the players should take the blame for the miserable performance
“I want to apologise for the performance. It was not acceptable, starting with me. I’m not talking about anyone else,” he said.
“But I think everyone agrees in the dressing room that the performance was (not) at our level and we have to perform much better.
“It was underperforming quality-wise, effort-wise and not as aggressive as we were in the last game against Chelsea.
“If you don’t do your job, you’re not going to win the game.”
Inconsistent United have lost 11 of their 23 matches in all competitions this season.
Ten Hag admitted after the Bournemouth game that he did not believe his squad have the quality to be consistent at the highest level.
Fernandes said he was at a loss to explain why United are unable to maintain a steady run of form.
“I don’t know (why it was so different to Chelsea) but it’s been consistently like (this),” Fernandes told MUTV.
“When we win a game, the next one we don’t perform in the same way we did before.
“I don’t know if it’s like a lack of concentration or focus or something else, but it’s something that we have to be aware that after winning a game we have to get that consistency of winning games.
“Even sometimes (if we are) underperforming but getting the result.”
United have little time to find a solution as they prepare for Tuesday’s do-or-die Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, with the Red Devils only progressing if they win and the other Group A game between Copenhagen and Galatasaray ends in a draw.
Then comes a Premier League trip to rivals Liverpool next Sunday, a match Fernandes will miss after collecting his fifth booking of the season against Bournemouth.
“Obviously we know that now the next game is going to be really tough,” Fernandes said.
“We have to win and obviously wait for a good result on the other game for us.
“But we have to do our job first of all, and thinking and understanding that is going to be a tough game for us.
“But we are capable, more than able, to get the result.”
AFP