Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Heartland Queens Announce Open Screening for 2024-25 NWFL Season. Heartland Queens have announced an open screening for prospective players as they prepare for the upcoming 2024-25 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) season. The screening exercise is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 21st August, at Ndegwu Primary School in Ndegwu, Owerri. The programme is set to commence at 8 am. This open screening provides an opportunity for talented female footballers to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot on the Heartland Queens’ roster for the forthcoming season. The club is keen on bolstering its squad as it…

Jamie Vardy Shines as Leicester Hold Tottenham to a 1-1 Draw. All eyes were on Tottenham’s new £65 million striker, Dominic Solanke, as Spurs aimed to demonstrate they had the firepower to challenge for a top-four finish. However, it was the 37-year-old Leicester City veteran, Jamie Vardy, who stole the spotlight in their 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium. Tottenham took the lead through Pedro Porro in the first half, dominating much of the game. However, their inability to capitalise on their chances allowed Leicester to remain in the contest. Vardy, making his first appearance of the season,…

Thierry Henry Resigns as France U-21 Manager Following Olympic Success. Thierry Henry has officially stepped down from his role as the manager of the France U-21 national team. The former Arsenal and Barcelona star made the decision to terminate his contract, citing “reasons of his own” for his departure. Henry’s resignation comes shortly after leading the French U-21 side to a silver medal at the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympics. His leadership during the tournament was widely praised, with the team narrowly missing out on the gold medal. While the specifics behind Henry’s decision to leave remain unclear,…

Kevin De Bruyne Criticises ‘Passes Completed’ Statistic as ‘Useless. Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has expressed his disdain for the ‘passes completed’ statistic, labelling it as the “most useless statistic” in football. Speaking candidly about the metrics used to evaluate player performance, De Bruyne argued that a high pass completion rate does not necessarily equate to a productive or impactful performance on the pitch. The Belgian playmaker pointed out that it is possible to achieve a 96% pass completion rate by making safe, sideways, or backward passes throughout a match. However, such statistics do not reflect a player’s…

John Obi Mikel Calls for Ex-Internationals to Lead Sports Federations. Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has made a strong case for ex-internationals to be appointed as Presidents of sports federations. Mikel, who enjoyed a distinguished career both at the club and international levels, argued that those who have played or actively participated in sports at the highest level are best suited to run the federations governing these sports. Mikel’s demand reflects a growing sentiment among sports professionals who believe that the experience and expertise of former athletes are crucial in effectively managing and developing sports in Nigeria.…

Christian Nwachukwu Secures Victory for Botev Plovdiv with Lone Goal. Christian Nwachukwu played a decisive role in Botev Plovdiv’s narrow 1-0 away victory, scoring the only goal of the match. The win was a hard-fought one, with Botev Plovdiv showing determination and resilience on the road. Ehije Ukaki and Samuel Akere were also involved in the victory, featuring in the match for 11 and 22 minutes, respectively. Their presence on the pitch helped maintain the team’s strong performance throughout the game, ultimately securing the important three points. Nwachukwu’s goal ensured that Botev Plovdiv emerged victorious, adding to the…

Barau FC Unveils Former Super Eagles Coach as New Technical Adviser. Barau FC, a Nigeria National League (NNL) club, has officially announced the appointment of Salisu Yusuf as their new technical adviser. The unveiling took place on Monday, marking a significant addition to the club’s coaching staff. Yusuf, a seasoned coach with extensive experience in Nigerian football, has signed a one-year contract with Barau FC. At 62, the former Super Eagles assistant coach brings a wealth of expertise to the team, with a clear mandate to guide Barau FC to promotion into the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). …

Sterling ‘Has Let Team-Mates Down’, But Maresca Faces ‘Impossible Job’. Chelsea’s early season troubles have surfaced, with Raheem Sterling at the centre of controversy before their Premier League opener against Manchester City. Sterling, who was notably absent from the matchday squad, expressed his dissatisfaction just an hour before kick-off, raising questions about his future at the club. The drama began when Sterling’s representatives released a statement seeking “clarity” on his role at Chelsea after he was left out of the squad. This move did not sit well with many, including former Manchester City defender Micah Richards, who accused Sterling…

Mbappe Makes La Liga Debut as Real Madrid Draw with Mallorca. Kylian Mbappe made his much-anticipated La Liga debut as defending champions Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Mallorca on the opening day of the season. After scoring in Real Madrid’s 2-0 UEFA Super Cup victory over Atalanta earlier in the week, the France captain was keen to make an impact in his first domestic outing since his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain. However, despite several promising moments, Mbappe was unable to find the back of the net in his league debut. Real Madrid took…

Dr. Daniel Igali Criticises Nigeria’s Sports Strategy After Paris 2024 Olympic Disappointment. Following Nigeria’s underwhelming performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Dr. Daniel Igali, President of the Wrestling Federation and an Olympic gold medallist, has expressed his deep frustration with the country’s approach to sports development. In a candid statement, Igali criticised Nigeria’s lack of serious investment in sports, stating that the nation is “not ready to succeed” and is more focused on rhetoric than action. Igali highlighted the chronic underfunding of sports in Nigeria, pointing out that athletes often lack the resources and consistent training necessary to compete…

Captain Taofeek Malomo Announces Departure from Shooting Stars. Taofeek Malomo, the captain of Nigeria Premier Football League side Shooting Stars, has officially announced his departure from the club. The experienced midfielder shared the news on his X (formerly Twitter) account, confirming that his time with the Oluyole Warriors has come to an end. Malomo, who has been a key figure for Shooting Stars, has opted to continue his football career abroad. He has signed a two-year contract with Albanian club KF Bylis. The move marks a new chapter for the player, who has been integral to Shooting Stars’ midfield…

PSG’s Gonçalo Ramos Sidelined for Three Months After Ankle Surgery. Paris Saint-Germain striker Gonçalo Ramos is set to miss the next three months of action following ankle surgery. The Portuguese forward sustained the injury during PSG’s Ligue 1 opener against Le Havre, a match that marked a significant setback for the newly signed player. Ramos, who joined PSG in a high-profile transfer worth €90 million, was forced to leave the pitch after just 20 minutes into the game. The injury necessitated immediate medical attention, and subsequent evaluations determined that surgery was required to address the issue. This injury…