Tag: Football - Page 32 - African News Today

I Am in My Best Shape – Super Eagles’ Forward

5Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

I Am in My Best Shape – Super Eagles’ Forward

Super Eagles forward, Samuel Kalu has fired warnings to the camp of Algeria and Tunisia ahead of the international friendly fixtures coming up this month. The Super Eagles will face Algeria on Friday, October 9th and the Tunisian national team on Tuesday, October 13th and the Bordeaux man has been included in the West African team's roaster. Samuel Kalu who was on the scoresheet when Bordeaux faced Dijon over the last weekend told OwngoalNigeria he is heading to the Eagles camp in high spirit. "I feel really good with my body and shape. Last year wasn't the best for me but I am getting myself back. Let me say that for a long time I have not been this fit. So, I am heading into the games in my best shape and form."

Saka: Nigeria’s Target Gets England Call-up

1Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Africa, English Premiership, Nigeria, Sports

Saka: Nigeria’s Target Gets England Call-up

Arsenal star and Super Eagle's target Bukayo Saka has been included in England team billed to face Wales, Belgium and Denmark in their upcoming games in October. The Three Lions will face the Welsh side in a friendly at Wembley on October 8 before taking on Belgium and then the Danish team in a Nations League outing. Saka has been who has been in fine form for Arsenal was a target for the Super Eagles having been of Nigerian descent. The youngster was born in England to Nigerian parents and has represented the European country at age grade levels of U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21. If the the left-back features for the three Lions then that would end his Super Eagles chances according to FIFA rules. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick had previous...

NFF Constitutes Head of Coaching Crews of National Teams, Names Danjuma, Bosso, Olowookere

26Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

NFF Constitutes Head of Coaching Crews of National Teams, Names Danjuma, Bosso, Olowookere

The Nigerian Football Federal has constituted new technical crews for a host of National teams. Among the nominees to head the teams are former U20 Boys coach, Isah Ladan Bosso, Chrostopher Danjuma and Bankole Olowookere who was appointed Head coach of U17 girls. According to the list, the U20 team, Flying Eagles bench will be led by Isah Ladan Bosso, assisted by former international defender Oladuni Oyekale as first assistant with Jolomi Atune as second assistant; Samaila Marwa Keshi, assistant coach/scout while Suleiman Akanmu completes the crew as goalkeeper coach. Similarly, the U17 boys will be led by Fatai Amoo, assisted by Ahmed Lawal Dankoli as first assistant; Nnnamdi Onuigbo, second assistant; Hassan Abdallah, assistant coach/scout; and Danlami Kwasau as goalkeeper trai...

Breaking: Chelsea Complete Signing of Senegalese Keeper, Edouard Mendy

24Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

English Premiership, News, Senegal, Sports

Breaking: Chelsea Complete Signing of Senegalese Keeper, Edouard Mendy

Chelsea have secured the services of Edouard Mendy from Ligue 1 club Rennes on a deal worth about £22million. The 28-year old Senegalese has signed a five-year deal from the French outfit making him Chelsea’s seventh signing of the summer transfer window. The goal keeper is expected to be in contention for the club’s weekend fixture against West Bromwich Albion should he pass COVID-19 testing protocols. He will compete with the Blues club record reigning, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Willy Caballerro for a starting spot between the sticks. Mendy after completing his transfer said, "I am so excited to be joining Chelsea. It’s a dream for me to be a part of this exciting squad and to work with Frank Lampard and all of his coaching staff. I look forward to meeting my team-mates and can’t...

Ighalo Fires Blank as Manchester United Beat Luton Town

23Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports

Ighalo Fires Blank as Manchester United Beat Luton Town

Nigerian forward, Odion Ighalo failed to find the back of the net as Manchester United defeated Luton Town 3 – 0 in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. Ighalo was handed a spot in the starting lineup but failed to capitalise on a rare start as he failed to register a shot on target for the match. The match marked the first outing Ighalo will fail to score for the Red Devils after starting a match, after banging in goals in his previous four starts. The forward was substituted for Mason Greenwood in the 79 minutes. Greenwood ended up scoring United’s third goal of the match. United booked their place in the fourth round after goals by Juan Mata in the 44th minute from the penalty spot and Marcus Rashford in the 88 minutes added to Greenwood’s 79 minutes strike s...

Sports Minister Lauds Kwara Governor for Naming Stadium After Veteran Footballer, Yekini

12Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

Sports Minister Lauds Kwara Governor for Naming Stadium After Veteran Footballer, Yekini

The Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare has lauded the kind gesture of the Kwara State governor who renamed the state’s Sports Complex Stadium after Super Eagles player, late Rashidi Yekini. This was disclosed as the governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited the Minister in his office in Abuja on Thursday to deliberate prospects of youth and sports development. Dare appreciated the governor for taking a bold step in immortalizing the former African footballer of the year who died on May 4, 2012. Rashidi who hails from Kwara passed on at the age of 48. Governor AbdulRazaq announced at the meeting that progress has been made in immortalizing football icon, Rashidi Yekini by naming the Kwara State Sports Complex Stadium Ilorin after him. The sports minister encouraged the governor t...

CAF Postpones Continental Club Competitions Due to COVID-19 Upsurge

11Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Africa, Covid-19, News, Sports

CAF Postpones Continental Club Competitions Due to COVID-19 Upsurge

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed all the remaining matches in Africa’s two continental club competitions for a second time due to COVID-19 concerns. The postponement was informed by a surge in COVID-19 cases in Morocco which caused cancellation of fixtures in the North African country during the first two weeks of September, Punch reports. Two Moroccan clubs are still in the semi-final stage of the CAF Champions league and Confederations Cup and were scheduled to host the last two rounds of the Confederations Cup. Ahmad Ahmad, CAF chairman during a press conference said the decision was reached after consultations with the various parties. CAF disclosed in August that the two-leg Champions League semi-finals which will see Egyptian club faceoff against Egyp...

Nigerian Born Tomori on the Brink of Making Everton Switch

9Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

English Premiership, News, Nigeria, Sports

Nigerian Born Tomori on the Brink of Making Everton Switch

Chelsea’s defender, Fikayo Tomori is on the verge of signing a season-long loan with Everton. Talks have advanced between both clubs as Everton continue their busy transfer market which has seen them bolstering their squad ahead of the new season. The Toffees are believed to have hijacked the deal from French side Rennes, who were close to sealing the deal for the 21-year old defender. Everton’s interest seems to have been ignited by failure to sign Gabriel Magalhaes who opted to join London side, Arsenal. Despite a sterling start for Chelsea in his debut season, Tomori lost his place in the starting lineup after the recovery of Antonio Rudiger from injury. Chelsea coach, Frank Lampard failed to utilise Tomori for any of the club’s games after the COVID-19 enforced break. The s...

AFCON Trophy Missing from Egyptian Football Association Headquarters in Cairo

4Sep

By adminNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Corruption, Crime, Egypt, News, Sports

AFCON Trophy Missing from Egyptian Football Association Headquarters in Cairo

News emerging from Egypt has it that the trophy the country's national team won thrice in a row was discovered missing from the country's football federation headquarters. According to reports, the discovery was made as preparations were being made to create a museum where all the trophies and awards won by the Egyptian football teams will be kept and displayed. Ahmed Shobir, a former Egyptian Football Association, Vice President, is quoted as saying: "Officials of the committee which meets every five years and currently manages the Football Association were surprised that the trophy was not available, in light of their desire to create a museum at the federation headquarters, which would feature the trophy and the national team’s kits. "However, (they) were surprised to find that...

NFF, Nike to Unveil National Team New Jerseys October

2Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, News, Nigeria, Sports

NFF, Nike to Unveil National Team New Jerseys October

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is set to unveil new kits for Nigerian National Teams designed by kit-sponsors Nike in October. The NFF’s Communication Department disclosed in a statement on Tuesday. Finishing touches were put to the designs with observations and comments taken, and Nike officials fully briefed on the minute details of the preferences of the NFF chieftains during a virtual meeting of NFF officials and Nike executives. NFF team which met with Nike officials include Pinnick, vice presidents, Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko; General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi; board members Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Felix Anyansi-Agwu; Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; Head of Marketing, Alizor Chuks and Special Assistant to Pinnick, Nasiru Jibril. The new jerseys we...