Tag: Football - Page 33 - African News Today

FG Lifts Restriction on Sports, See List

8Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

FG Lifts Restriction on Sports, See List

The Federal government of Nigeria has granted permission for the resumption of non-contact sports in Nigeria. This was made known by Dr. Sani Aliyu, National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, during its daily press briefing in Abuja. Aliyu said low risk sporting activities could resume as government continues to ease the coronavirus induced lockdown measures. These sports include athletics, lawn tennis, table tennis, golf, cricket, cycling, among others. However, contact sports like football, boxing, wrestling, Taekwondo, rugby, swimming and basketball remain banned until further notice. He said, “For recreational parks/communal sports, restrictions are removed on outdoor communal non-contact sports and the use of recreational parks for supervised physi...

Arteta Lauds Aubameyang’s FA Cup Heroics, Hopes Striker Extends Gunners Contract

2Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

African Development, Finance, Gabon, Interview, News, Sports

Arteta Lauds Aubameyang’s FA Cup Heroics, Hopes Striker Extends Gunners Contract

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has lauded the contribution of Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the gunners FA cup final triumph against Chelsea at Wembley. The 31-year-old forward scored both goals as Arsenal came from behind to clinch a 2-1 victory in the final on Saturday, to win their first 14th FA cup. “Big games require big moments from big players, and he’s delivered that in the semi-final and he’s done it again in the final,” Arsenal.com quotes Arteta. “That’s why you ask about those players. Some were questioning that he couldn’t do it in big games. There we go. He was a big, big part of delivering this trophy. He’s done it and we are so proud to have a player like him in our squad.” The prolific talisman has been linked with a host of clubs in Europe due to...

Napoli Completes Club Record €50m Deal for Nigerian Striker Osimhen from Lille

1Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

African Development, Employment, Finance, News, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

Napoli Completes Club Record €50m Deal for Nigerian Striker Osimhen from Lille

Napoli has completed the club record signing of Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen from Ligue 1 side, Lille. Osimhen who bagged 18 goals in 38 appearanced for Lille in the just concluded 2019-20 season joins Napoli for a club record €50 million (£45m/$59m) fee. Speculations had linked the forward with several top European clubs after his topnotch form in front of goal, including scoring against Premiere league clubs Arsenal and Liverpool but Osimhen has opted for the Serie A side. Osimhen has scored four goals in 10 appearances for the super Eagles of Nigeria. He first moved to Europe in 2017 with Wolfsburg in German Bundesliga, before joining Charleroi in Belgium on a initial loan deal which was later made permanent. He was prolific in Belgium as he scored an impressive 36 goals...

Glasgow Rangers Boss, Gerrard, Excited to Sign Balogun

25Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

Glasgow Rangers Boss, Gerrard, Excited to Sign Balogun

Steven Gerrard, Glass Rangers coach has said that the club is excited to have acquired the services of Nigerian defender Leon Balogun. Balogun, 32, sealed a one-year contract and an option for an extension with Rangers after exiting relegated English club Wigan Athletics. He moves to Glasgow with massive experience from spells at Premiere League and German Bundesliga and spent last season at Wigan Athletic. Injury to defender Niko Katic means he will provide the side with much needed defensive reinforcement. Steven Gerrard Rangers gaffer said he is delighted to have signed the experienced Nigerian international who much needed defensive experience. Gerrard said, “I am pleased to secure the signature of Leon. He is an experienced center half who will add strength and depth to...

Egypt’s Iconic Goalkeeper, Essam El Hadary Hangs his Gloves at the Age of 47

24Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Egypt, Sports

Egypt’s Iconic Goalkeeper, Essam El Hadary Hangs his Gloves at the Age of 47

Egypt’s legendary goalkeeper, Essam El Hadary announced his retirement from football in a television show on Thursday. El-Hadary last played for Egyptian second division club, Nogoom, based in Giza. El Hadary’s last club was Nogoom, an Egyptian second division club based in Giza. He said football was experiencing a lot of conflict of interest at the top level. “Football is my second wife and I have divorced it. I am not returning to play football again, the entire system has errors and club heads attacking each other, and may God be in the help of the players,” El Hadary said. Despite his surprise at the present circumstances surrounding the game, El Hadary was in no doubt of his status as the Egypt’s greatest goalkeeper. “There is nothing to add to my footballing history. T...

NFF Congratulates Egbo on Historic Feat of Guiding Tirana to Domestic Title

22Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

NFF Congratulates Egbo on Historic Feat of Guiding Tirana to Domestic Title

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has congratulated Emmanuel Ndubuisi Egbo on becoming the first Nigerian and African to oversee a domestic title triumph with a European club. Egbo, former Nigerian goalkeeper has coached his team, KF Tirana to Albanian top tier league glory with three matches yet to be played. The gaffer has also led the team to UEFA champions League qualification. Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, President of the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday sent a message to Egbo saying, “I congratulate you and wish you only the best. This is also to say that we are very proud of your wonderful achievements”. The former goalkeeper replied: “Thank you Sir, I appreciate it so much. We thank God for his Grace and goodness. It is not my achievements; it’s our achievements as ...

Ivory Coast FA Presidency: Players Refuse to Support Didier Drogba’s Election Bid

14Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cote d'Ivoire, Sports

Ivory Coast FA Presidency: Players Refuse to Support Didier Drogba’s Election Bid

Former Ivory coast and Chelsea talisman, Didier Drogba’s chances of emerging the President of Ivory Coast’s Football Federation suffered a setback after players declined endorsing his candidacy for the top position. The 42-year-old is one of the three prominent candidates for the Ivorian Football Federation top job but he is yet to gain the endorsement of any of the five special interest groups necessary to get onto the ballot for the September election. Drogba expected to get support of the footballer’s union, header by erstwhile team mate Cyrille Domoraud, but the group opted to support Idriss Diallo, one of the two opposition candidates. The Association of Ivorian Footballers in a statement said, “The majority of our members decided to grant our endorsement to the list led by M...

Ivorian defender, Serge Aurier Mourns Brother Who Was Shot Dead in France

13Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cote d'Ivoire, Crime, English Premiership, Security, Sports

Ivorian defender, Serge Aurier Mourns Brother Who Was Shot Dead in France

Christopher Aurier, younger brother of Ivory coast defender, Serge Aurier was shot dead in Toulouse, France by unknown shooter. This was confirmed by Serge Aurier’s London based club, Tottenham Hotspur on Monday after reports had it that Christopher was found shot in the stomach by emergency services. The identity of the shooter is unknown at the moment. Tottenham said in a statement, “The Club is deeply saddened to confirm media reports that Serge Aurier’s brother passed away in the early hours of this morning.” “Everybody at the Club sends their sincerest condolences to Serge and his family. Our thoughts are with them all.” Christopher, played for French fifth division side Rodéo Toulouse last season- after spells at Racing Club de Lens, Gueugnon, Chantilly and Belgian clu...

Eagles’ Striker Paul Onuachu Tests Positive for COVID-19 as Club Plans Preseason

10Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, Nigeria, Sports

Eagles’ Striker Paul Onuachu Tests Positive for COVID-19 as Club Plans Preseason

Super eagles of Nigeria forward, Paul Onuachu has tested COVID-19 positive as his club KRC Genk prepares for their first pre-season match. Announcing his status, Onuachu who said that he is asymptomatic and feeing well, reports that his Instagram followers have grown by 10,000 after his status was made public. The Nigerian striker was the only member of the Genk squad who tested positive to the virus after the club conducted tests this week in readiness for the resumption of pre-season games. Onuachu said two of his previous tests after his return to Belgium came back negative before the latest round of tests. He said, “I’m very well as I talk with you.” “I’m not just in the mood to talk right now. It’s the third test and the first two were negative. “In a couple of days ...

Women’s Football in Africa Needs a Face Lift to Attract Investors – Asisat Oshoala

10Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports, WAFCON

Women’s Football in Africa Needs a Face Lift to Attract Investors – Asisat Oshoala

Reigning Africa women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala has charged cooperate bodies and football governing bodies in Africa to invest towards the growth of women’s football if they are to compete favourably with their well-funded counterparts across the world. Super Falcons of Nigeria Captain, Oshoala said that the attitude and structure of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) and football associations in the continent have been a stumbling block towards attracting investors to sponsor women’s football in Africa. In a chat with the media, Oshoala expressed her displeasure at the cancellation of the 2020 African Women’s championship by CAF and advocated proper rebranding of women’s football in Africa to make it appealing to potential investors and required publicity from the ...