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Lewandowski Unveiled As Barcelona Number 9

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Robert Lewandowski, former Bayern Munich Striker has been unveiled to the Barcelona fans with the number 9 shirt at the Camp Nou on Friday.

Lewandowski was presented as Barcelona’s new No.9 following his €50 million (£42m/$51m) transfer from Bayern Munich.

The European highest goal scorer has inherited the iconic jersey from Memphis Depay, who has been linked with a Camp Nou exit following Lewandowski’s transfer.

Lewandowski turns 34 later this month but dismissed any suggestion that his best years are behind him at his first press conference at Barca’s stadium on Thursday, even though he didn’t hit the net for the club in pre-season.

I think my age is not important right now, it’s just a number. I feel better than when I was 29,” he said.

He added, “I know that Barcelona was not going through an easy time, but when I spoke with Joan and heard about the project and the way they wanted to follow, I thought that the best thing was to make the jump to Barcelona.”

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Dubai Based Academy Opens Summer Football Camp In Nigeria

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A Dubai-based global football academy, Yoshi Football Academy, has concluded plans to begin a summer football camp In Nigeria in order to provide a standard platform for talent recognition and development.

Yoshi Football Academy Summer is an annual football talent hunting camp designed to discover young talents and expand the scope and structure of football for career and sports development.

The football camp is slated to launch between the 13th to 27th of August at the Tuft Arena, Sani Abacha Way, Inside Riverplate Park, Wuse, Abuja is open to young talents aged 14-18.

According to the Founder and Head Coach, Ahmad Geidam the camping will offer participants various opportunities including access to international scouts and agents, player development, access to training facilities and techniques and automatic membership to YFA, Dubai. He added that a seminar will be conducted for players and parents in order to sensitize them against fake sports agents and failed opportunities.

He said, “YSC will provide participants opportunity to train and develop with experienced coaching and technical staff while also engaging in daily routine drills in order to keep them actively fit and healthy.

“As a growing football and talent development academy, we have been working hard to build the right connections in the process of creating a community of international scouts, agents and most importantly the best in terms of quality players.”

Geidam further stated that the academy will organize a football tournament at the end of the training camp with winners receiving awards and trophy and having access to join the academy membership program.

The Academy Senior Consultant and Nigeria National League brand ambassador, Coach Marcelo Anyanwu said the summer camp will provide an avenue for the development of Nigerian football and deepen the Nigerian football structure for a strong representation at continental and global competitions.

“The former Arsenal soccer school coach said the summer camp will definitely build a better future for grassroots football in Nigeria and create a pathway for the upcoming stars.”

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Super Falcons Lose To Morocco Women Amidst Red Card Saga

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The super falcons of Nigeria are out of The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after loosing out 4-5 on penalties against the atlas lioness of Morocco.

This was after playing out a 1-1 draw with hosts Morocco for over 120 minutes in the competition’s semi-final match

The Super Falcons who are 9 times winners and defending champions lost two players to red card offences for greater parts of the second half. Players Halimatu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade were sent off in the second half for rough tackles. These red cards contributed greatly to the loss of the falcons.

Halimat Ayinde was sent off barely 3 minutes into the second half by a VAR decision. The Falcons however proceeded to score just 12 minutes later after a rebound shot from substitute Uchenna Kanu was deflected by Moroccan player Yasmin Mrabet, resulting in an own goal.

The atlas Lioness of Morocco went to equalize just four minutes later when a mistake from Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie led to a goal from Moroccan player Sanaa Mssoudy.

The falcons were again reduced to nine players when a VAR decision upgraded the yellow card of Rasheedat Ajibade to a red card for malicious tackle.

The defending champions however held their own despite the pressure to drag the game into extra times and eventually penalties. The Moroccan women were however victorious after Falcons player Ifeoma Onumonu failed to convert her penalty.

Many sports people and individuals in their reactions towards the match have said the red card decisions were too harsh.

A crowd of 45,562 viewed the match in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium – a record attendance for a game on the African continent.

The super falcons will now battle Zambia for the third place, while Morocco and South Africa will challenge for the title in the WAFCON finals.

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CanCristiano Ronaldo join Lionel Messi at PSG? Man Utd star’s agent offer CR7 to French club

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to leave Manchester United this summer having already informed the club that he wants to spend the final few years of his career playing for a club competing in the Champions League. United cannot offer Ronaldo Champions League football next season as the club has been relegated to the Europa League after failing to finish top four in the English Premier League last season.

United endured a dismal campaign last season missing out on a top-four spot and getting knocked out of the Champions League from the Last 16. Ronaldo, who returned to United from Juventus last summer, has never played in the Europa League so far in his career.

Apart from his desire to play in the Champions League, Ronaldo is also reportedly upset with United’s lack of ambition in the transfer market so far this summer. The superstar forward is thus looking for a move away from Old Trafford with his agent Jorge Mendes offering his services to several top clubs.

As per a report in ESPN, Ronaldo’s agent Mendes recently discussed the possibility of the Portuguese star joining French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG0 this summer. Mendes met with PSG’s sporting director Luis Campos and club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to discuss the move.

However, as per the report, PSG have rejected the chance to sign Ronaldo for various reasons. The club believe they do not have room for Ronaldo in the squad as they already have the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in their star-studded attacking unit. PSG also reportedly believe they can’t fit Ronaldo in their wage bill considering his staggering salary.

The prospect of witnessing two legends of the game – Ronaldo and Messi play together for a club can be a salivating prospect for football fans around the globe. But it seems the two legends are unlikely to don the same jersey anytime soon in the near future.

With Ronaldo already 37 and Messi also entering the wrong end of his 30s, fans might never get to witness two greats play together for the same club. While Messi had left his boyhood club FC Barcelona to join PSG last season, Ronaldo had made a dream comeback to United.

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Peseiro Goes Tough On Players Diet, Distances Family, Friends from Team’s Hotel

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

In a bid to ensure his players make the cut against Leone Stars on Thursday, Coach Jose Peseiro on Sunday read a fresh riot act regarding teams’ diet and discipline around the hotels.

The former Venezuelan gaffer has warned Super Eagles stars to desist from over-feeding while in camp in a bit to stay fit for the tasks ahead.

Findings revealed that the Portuguese have also barred friends and families from visiting players in camp in a desperate measure to avoid distraction, which according to him could be counterproductive for the team.

” The new manager has warned the player to wary of how they eat in camp. Peseiro has fumed at over-feeding because he said such habits will surely take its toll on players at the long run.

” He also warned players to avoid all sorts of distractions coming from friends, and family members while in camp. Towards this end, anyone without any business in the camp are not allowed around the hotel,”.

Peseiro will face Sierra Leone in what will be his first official match as Nigeria’s gaffer after Super Eagles lost to Mexico and Ecuador in an international friendly match.

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Williams Ekong’s own goal hands Mexico 2-1 win over Super Eagles

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Super Eagles’ captain William Troost-Ekong on Saturday cleared into his team’s net to gift Mexico a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in an international friendly at Dallas in the United States.

The match was the Super Eagles’ first of two international friendlies lined up by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). It was also head coach Jose Peseiro’s first game in charge of the team, and part of their preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

While Nigeria failed to qualify for this year’s FIFA World Cup, El Tri are using the game to prepare for the event in Qatar.

The match was the first of three friendlies for the Mexicans before their CONCACAF Nations League opener against Suriname in June.

Santiago Gimenez opened the scoring for a makeshift Mexico squad in the 13th minute.

It was with a great finish as they got their international window off to a positive start In front of a healthy crowd in Arlington.

The Mexicans bossed the first half with Gerardo Martino using the second half primarily as an opportunity to integrate Diego Lainez and Edson Alvarez from the bench.

Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho made some superb saves to contain their opponents in the first half and keep the Super Eagles in the game.

Peseiro’s boys however grew more into the game in the second half and got a well-deserved equaliser through Cyriel Dessers in the 54th minute from a powerful header. It was Dessers first international goal for the national team.

However, defender Troost-Ekong inadvertently conceded an own goal in an attempt to clear the ball from a delicate cross into the penalty box in the 56th minute.

The match was thereafter cagey and saw the introduction of a few players from the Nigeria Professional Football League League (NPFL) towards the end, with about 20 minutes left.

Enyimba’s Victor Mbaoma, and Ishaq Rafiu and Chiamaka Madu (both from Rivers United) replaced Terem Moffi (Lorient FC, France), Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France) and Dessers (Feyenoord, Netherlands) respectively.

They helped the team to hold on for a commendable finish.

Troost-Ekong’s own-goal eventually proved the difference between the two sides, in spite of coming barely two minutes after Dessers equaliser for Nigeria.

Super Eagles will face Ecuador on Thursday before attention shifts to the 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Mauritius in June. NAN




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Barcelona gives Messi, Neymar opening to return from PSG

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has said Neymar and Lionel Messi can only return to the club from Paris Saint-Germain as free agents.

According to Laporta, it would make “no sense” to pay money for players that both previously played for the club.

“Who doesn’t like Ney? He is an exceptional player, but he has [three] years on his contract with PSG. He is effectively enslaved to money.

“The only way he could come back to Barca is for free. It would be irrational to pay a transfer fee for a player you have already had.

“Leo left how he left. We would all have liked him to end his sporting career here, but because of [LaLiga’s] fair play rules and because of PSG’s offer, it was not to be.

“If he wants to return one day, it would have to be for free. And the technical staff would have to decide if he fits the new project or not” Laporta told L’Esportiu.

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Robert Lewandowski and 4 biggest football transfers that can happen this summer

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

While Kylian Mbappe is reportedly set to extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain and turn down a move to Real Madrid, there are still a number of big players who are expected to be on the move this summer. From Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong, here is a look at the top five players who can change clubs in the 2022 summer transfer window.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski reportedly has his heart set on a move to Barcelona this summer. The 33-year-old has been a prolific goalscorer for Bayern since joining the Bundesliga giants in 2014. He also played an instrumental role in helping the club win the Champions League in the 2019-20 season.

Lewandowski had recently said he has possibly played his final game for Bayern Munich. The Polish striker is likely to sign for Barcelona this summer, who have already agreed personal terms with him. “It’s very possible that this was my last game for Bayern. I cannot say that at 100%, but it may have been [my last game]. We want to find the best solution for me and for the club,” Lewandowski had said earlier.

2) Frenkie de Jong

The highly-rated Barcelona midfelder has been linked with a move to Manchester United. Frenkie de Jong is regarded one of the best midfielders in the world at present but hasn’t quite managed to make an impact for Barcelona since joining the club in 2019.

Though Barcelona manager Xavi has insisted he would like to keep De Jong at the club, the La Liga giants might have to sell him and cash in on him amid their financial struggles. Manchester United’s newly-appointed manager Erik Ten Haag is a huge admirer of the former Ajax star and views him as a key member for his revival project at United.

3) Antonio Rudiger

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is another top player who will be on the move this summer. The German center back has reportedly agreed a 4-year contract with Real Madrid and will join the La Liga giants at the end of the ongoing season. Rudiger played a huge role in Chelsea’s famous Champions League triumph in the year 2020-21.

Aurelien Tchouameni

Talented French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is on the radar of several top European clubs this summer. Liverpool were locked in a transfer battle with Real Madrid for his services. However, as per reports, Real have now pulled out leaving it upon Liverpool to pay the French star’s release clause and get him to Anfield this summer. Tchouameni currently plays for AS Monaco in the French league.

5) Gabriel Jesus

Manchester City are likely to move out Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus this summer after the arrival of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez at the club. Arsenal are the favourites to land Jesus and are reportedly set to launch a bid for him soon. Jesus had joined Man City in 2017 and has since won 3 Premier League titles with the club already.

(All Photograph:AFP)

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Meet 62yrs Old Super Eagles New Coach Peseiro

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The Nigerian Football Federation confirmed the appointment of Jose Peseiro on Sunday to replace Gernot Rohr, Super Eagles longest serving coach.

The NFF had sacked Gernot Rohr in December 2021 after failing to meet expectation. He was with the team for 64 months. 

The football body appointed Austin Eguavoen who led the Super Eagles team that finished in third place at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt back in 2006 as interim Technical Adviser.

But he failed to help Nigeria win the 2021 African Cup of Nations as well as qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The NFF hopes that the Portuguese, Peseiro will help the team return to past glory.

These Are Five Things  To Know About Peseiro:

Peseiro who is 62 years was born April 1960 at Coruche, Portugal.

The new Super Eagles boss has coached 18 teams including Sporting Cp, Venezuela national team, Braga, Porto, Allen Ahly and assistant coach of Real Adrian.

Peseiro was a footballer who played for Oriental, Amoral and four other teams.

He won the Egyptian Premier League of 2015-2016 season (Ahl Ahly);  the Portuguese League Cup 2012- 2013 (Braga) and  the UEFA Cup runner up (Sporting CP) 2004-2005 among others.

The new head coach is an  educationist with a degree in physical education/sports sciences.

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Eagles To Face Tunisia As Emefiele Promises $50,000 For Each Goal

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Following their emergence as the leader of group G, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn to play 2004 African champions Tunisia in the round of 16 at the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The match is expected to be played on Sunday at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua, Cameroon.

Poor form Tunisia had finished third in Group F behind Mali and The Gambia after losing 1-0 to the West African nation in their final Group F encounter.

The team qualified to the round of 16 as one of the best losers after gathering just three points.

Tunisia recorded one win in the group against Mauritania and lost to Mali in controversial circumstances before a 93rd minute goal from Musa Barrow condemned them to third place in their group.

The Eagles are familiar opponents with the North Africans, having defeated them 1-0 in the third-place match of the 2019 tournament in Egypt, with Odion Ighalo scoring the only goal of the encounter.

Meanwhile billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has promised the Super Eagles the sum of $250,000 (N102.89m) if they win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The Eagles will also receive N49,389,600 ($120,000) for the six goals they scored in the group stage of the competition based on the promise made by the Coalition Against COVID-19.

CACOVID is a private sector-led platform established to assist the government in combating Coronavirus in the country.

The Coalition had promised to reward the squad with the $20,000 for each goal scored in the group stage.

The Eagles finished the group stage with six goals, which amounted to $120,000.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, who represented CACOVID during a visit to the team’s camp in Cameroon, said their impressive group stage performance convinced CACOVID to increase the amount for every goal scored to $50,000 in the round of 16.

He said, “I came with a message from the CACOVID. The CACOVID is the coalition of private-sector companies that was set up to fight COVID-19 in Nigeria and they have been happy with the performance of the team

“During the meeting I had with the captain (Ahmed Musa) and the coach (Austin Eguavoen), I delivered a message from CACOVID and the message is that, for every goal that is scored, the team will receive the naira equivalent of $20,000 so far, you have earned for yourself the naira equivalent of $120,000.

“We held a CACOVID meeting again because everyone is overjoyed for everything you’ve done so far, CACOVID has asked me to raise the ante.

“From the round of 16, for every goal scored, you will earn for yourselves as a team the naira equivalent of $50,000.

“Also, Femi Otedola, who is a member of CACOVID, has asked me to tell you that if you lift the trophy, he has in the bank for you, the naira equivalent of $250,000. This is just the beginning and I can assure you that if you win your round of 16 games, another promise might be made.”

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