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Category: Sports

  • Chelsea sign Nkunku for £63m in 6-year deal

    Chelsea FC has completed the signing of France international, Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig.

    The 25-year-old forward made a pre-contract agreement to join the club in December, but has now completed the move for a reported £63 million on a six-year contract.

    He scored 23 goals in 36 appearances for the Bundesliga side during the 2022-23 season, and becomes the first major arrival since Mauricio Pochettino was confirmed as the club’s new manager.

    The club confirmed the signing via their Twitter account on Tuesday.

    Nkunku told the club website: “I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea. A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and team-mates.

    “Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world.

    “I’m very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt,” he said.

    Nkunku’s final action in Germany was scoring against Eintracht Frankfurt to help Leipzig lift the German Cup earlier this month.

    His arrival comes after Chelsea recorded their lowest-scoring season of the Premier League era, and one of the lowest in the club’s history.

    Chelsea had their league tally of 38, their worst return since 1924.

    Nkunku, who made his debut for France in November 2022, was forced to miss the World Cup in Qatar after injuring his knee during the team’s pre-tournament training camp.

    It was part of an injury-hit campaign that saw him make only 25 appearances in the Bundesliga, having been ever-present in the side during the previous campaign.

    Nevertheless his 16 league goals were enough for him to finish as the division’s top scorer.

    Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, said: “Christopher has proved himself one of the standout attacking players in European football over the past two seasons.

    “He has demonstrated his ability at the highest level with RB Leipzig and France and we look forward to him joining up with his new team-mates ahead of the new season.”

  • FIFA announces Official Song for 2023 Women’s World Cup

    FIFA announces Official Song for 2023 Women’s World Cup

    The highly anticipated Official Song for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ is nearly here, as Do It Again – BENEE ft. Mallrat is revealed as the title ahead of the anthem’s full release on 29 June*.

    Performed by two female artists from the host nations, BENEE from Aotearoa New Zealand and Mallrat from Australia, Do It Again embodies the spirit of unity, celebration, and empowerment that characterises the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and delivers an unforgettable backdrop for the tournament.

    BENEE, the billion-streaming New Zealand alt-pop artist, joins forces with Mallrat, the Australian singer and producer, to create a vibrant and infectious track that will captivate fans worldwide.

    In just one month’s time, the two artists will take centre stage to deliver a performance of Do It Again at the Opening Ceremony of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 to be held at Eden Park on 20 July. This performance will set the tone for the unforgettable tournament that lies ahead, starting with co-hosts New Zealand against 1995 winners Norway in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau.

    “Being a small part of this incredible celebration of women’s sport is an absolute dream come true for me,” said Stella Bennett aka BENEE. “As a keen young football player I just couldn’t have imagined this! I’ve loved the experience of writing a song which I hope reflects my excitement at having the world’s biggest women’s sports event held on my home turf, and I can’t wait to perform Do It Again live with Mallrat at the opening ceremony.”

    Grace Shaw aka Mallrat added: “I was so excited when FIFA asked me to be involved in this massive event, alongside BENEE, who is one of my favourite artists and also people. I am really looking forward to this experience and feel super grateful that I get to share it with my friend.”

    FIFA’s Creative Entertainment Executive, RedOne, said: “My two loves are football and music – this new FIFA song is the next instalment of our push at FIFA to celebrate and bring the world together for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.”   

    Stay tuned for the full release of Do It Again on 29 June. Tickets for the tournament – which kicks off one month today – are on sale via FIFA.com/tickets, while ticket-inclusive hospitality packages are available at FIFA.com/hospitality.

    *Do It Again – BENEE ft. Mallrat is scheduled for release on the morning of 29 June in Asia-Pacific – 28 June in other parts of the world  

  • 2023 AFCON: Thrilling weekend sees 14 nations book tickets

    *Ten places still up for grabs

    2023 AFCON: Thrilling weekend sees 14 nations book tickets
    Nigeria last won the AFCON title in 2013

    The thrilling weekend of TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Qualifiers saw more African football giants’ countries book their place in the continent’s biggest event set to take place between 13 January and 11 February 2024.

    The qualification of most of the former African champions this past weekend is again another indication that the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 is likely to be one of the most successful events in the competition’s history.

    There are still qualifier matches to be played on Tuesday as part of the Match Day Five fixture block.

    Zambia produced possibly the weekend’s most polished performance in front of their home fans in Ndola to secure an emphatic 3-0 victory against tournament hosts and former African champions, Cote d’Ivoire.

    The results ensured that ‘Chilopopolo’, crowned champions in Gabon 2012, will return to Africa’s most-watched sports event after an eight-year absence.

    The week of the qualifiers started on a high note for another giant of African football, Egypt. The record-winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations confirmed their place in next year’s tournament following a 2-1 victory over Guinea in Marrakech on Wednesday.

    In another match, a stoppage-time goal was enough for Equatorial Guinea, who beat Tunisia 1-0 on Saturday to secure their ticket for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in a row and a third appearance.

    On Sunday, Cape Verde recorded an emphatic 3-1 victory over Burkina Faso to confirm their spot for Cote d’Ivoire.

    Two second-half goals ensured Mali triumphed with a 2-0 win against Congo at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat in Brazzaville to cement their place for the AFCON finals early next year.

    Nigeria left it very late after a last-gasp winning goal saw them claim a 3-2 victory against Sierra Leone in Monrovia to add their name to the qualified nations for next year’s tournament.

    Nigeria’s win over Sierra Leone also confirmed Guinea Bissau’s fourth straight qualification for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, having won their match against São Tomé and Príncipe by a 1-0 score line on Wednesday.

    Hosts Cote d’Ivoire, African champions Senegal, FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, former Champions Tunisia, Algeria, South Africa and the ever-impressive Burkina Faso all booked their places in March 2023.

    The last round of qualifiers will be in September 2023.

    The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will kick off on 13 January 2024 and run until 11 February 2024.

    The event will take place in six different venues: Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara (56,000 seats) and Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny (28,000 seats), located in Abidjan. The remaining venues are Stade de Korhogo (20,000 seats), Stade de San Pedro (20,000 seats), Stade de Yamoussoukro (20,000 seats), and Stade de la Paix de Bouake (40,000 seats).

    Qualified Teams

    • Cote d’Ivoire (Hosts)
    • Morocco
    • Algeria
    • South Africa
    • Senegal
    • Burkina Faso
    • Tunisia
    • Egypt
    • Zambia
    • Equatorial Guinea
    • Nigeria
    • Cape Verde
    • Guinea Bissau
    • Mali

  • AFCON Qualifier: President Weah hails Osimhen’s marksmanship

    AFCON Qualifier: President Weah hails Osimhen’s marksmanship
    President George Weah with NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau (left) at the SKD Stadium in Liberia on Sunday.

    Seated in the presidential box as Nigeria beat Sierra Leone 3-2 in the Day 5 game of their group for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, President George Oppong Weah of Liberia could not stop singing the praises of Super Eagles’ forward Victor Osimhen who scored a brace.

    Following his excellent season in which he scored 25 league goals to steer SC Napoli to their first Italian Serie A title in 33 years, President Weah, the 1995 World, European and African Footballer of the Year had penned a personal letter to Osimhen asking him to keep working hard and breaking new grounds.

    On Sunday, as he sat in the presidential box of the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Paynesville with Nigeria’s Ambassadors to Liberia and Sierra Leone (Excellencies Godfrey Odudigbo and Henry Omakwu respectively), President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, NFF Board Members Rt. Hon. Nse Essien and Sunday Dele-Ajayi, among others, Weah could not stop singing Osimhen’s praises.

    The Napoli forward did not disappoint, with an outstanding performance, scoring in the 20th and 33rd minutes to steer Nigeria into a 2-0 lead.

    “That is what I call a striker. Good positioning always. Very athletic and knows where to be each time the ball is coming. He is so strong and a fighter par excellence.”

    The Nigeria forward is now the leading scorer in the qualifying series with seven goals, and has now racked up an impressive tally of 17 goals in 25 matches for Nigeria at senior level.

    Osimhen’s seven goals in this qualifying campaign include the one goal he scored against Sierra Leone in Abuja in June 2022 to eventually give Nigeria a 2-1 win and three points on the first day of the series, and four of the 10 goals against Sao Tome and Principe in Agadir, Morocco few days later, on a day Nigeria set a new international win-record.

    Apart from President Weah, members of the Nigerian community in Liberia as well as other ecstatic fans of Osimhen from Liberia and Sierra Leone trooped to the window area of the Super Eagles’ dressing room trying to force it open while shouting: “We want Victor!”

    Osimhen’s two goals took Nigeria in front before Mustapha Bundu and Augustus Kargbo drew level, but in added period, Kelechi Iheanacho made good from a dashing run by Zaidu Sanusi that stunned the Liberian defence.

    Victory took Nigeria to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals with 12 points, with a match to spare, alongside second-placed Guinea Bissau, on 10. The Leone Stars crashed out with only five points.

    Hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco, Algeria, South Africa, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Egypt, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Mali are the 14 countries that have qualified for Cote d’Ivoire 2023, with the remaining 10 to emerge in September.

    Nigeria will host the group’s whipping boys, Sao Tome and Principe in a purely academic exercise in September.

  • Eagles beat Sierra Leone 3-2, qualify for 2023 AFCON

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Sierra Leone 2-3 in Monrovia, Liberia.

    The three-time African champions picked the ticket after defeating the Lone Stars at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium with one game to spare.

    A stoppage-time tap-in from Kelechi Iheanacho was the most important goal in a match where the Super Eagles surrendered a two-goal lead.

    Jose Peseiro started the match with the attacking trio of in-form Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, and Moses Simon.

    He also preferred the backline paring over Kenneth Omeruo and Semilore Ajayi as Willam Troost-Ekong was benched.

    The Eagles showed their intent in the early minutes of the game when Osimhen’s header was only stopped by Ibrahim Sesay, Sierra Loanean’s goalkeeper.

    A few minutes later, Chukwueze fired high and wide from the edge of the box after he was teed up. He then scuffed a bigger opportunity after Osimhen wrestled the ball off a defender to set him face-to-face with Sesay.

    Shortly, the early pressure paid for Nigeria as Osimhen pounced on a long ball and executed a perfect lob over the on-rushing Sesay, who watched as the strike sailed into the empty net.

    The Napoli striker doubled the lead in the 32nd minute after he was sent through on goal by a cute pass by Joe Aribo.

    With a well-executed assist from Ahmed Musa, Osimhen capitalized on the defense’s neglect and unleashed a magnificent left-footed strike, further cementing the Super Eagles’ advantage.

    Osimhen’s brace also propelled him to the top of the scorer rankings with seven goals, surpassing Sadio Mané.

    Mustapha Bundu restored hope for the Leone Stars when he struck from the edge of the box to reduce the deficit just before the break.

    Sierra Leone emerged from half-time with renewed determination, launching relentless attacks on the Nigerian camp.

    Their efforts bore fruit as Augustus Kargbo equalized, leveling the score at 2-2. The momentum clearly favored the Sierra Leoneans, who continued to create opportunities, albeit leaving gaps for the ever-vigilant Super Eagles.

    In the end, it was Kelechi Iheanacho who seized the moment, securing Nigeria’s qualification with a crucial goal. This result also guarantees qualification for Guinea-Bissau.

  • FIFA WWCup: CAF hosts Technical Analysts workshop in Casablanca

    With the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ New Zealand and Australia 2023 fast approaching, Technical Analysts of the four African Nations at the global showpiece gathered for a two-day Technical Analysts Workshop in Casablanca, Morocco on 13 and 14 June.  See

    This is in line with CAF’s commitment to invest in women’s Football and empower African nations participating in global events. 

    The workshop, organized through the CAF Women’s Football Division in collaboration with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, was attended by the technical staff members and analysts of the four Participating Member Associations.   

    Reigning African champions South Africa, along with Morocco, Nigeria, and Zambia, are the four African nations set to compete at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ after securing their places in New Zealand and Australia by finishing in the top four of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco last year. 

    CAF Director of Technical Development, Raul Chipenda, said the workshop was in line with CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe’s vision of making African football to be globally competitive. 

    “Africa is becoming competitive on the global stage, and this was recently demonstrated in Qatar with Morocco’s historic semi-final qualification. We want to build on this momentum with our women’s teams as this speaks back to Dr Motsepe’s vision of making African football globally competitive,” said Chipenda. 

    “The workshop was designed to empower the teams’ analysts and technical staff with the necessary tools to harness their full potential – using data and technology. By leveraging this invaluable resource, the teams can optimize their preparations ahead of the World Cup. We will also be on standby should they need any form of support from CAF,” he concluded. 

    In addition to the workshop, CAF has signed an agreement with a Data company to provide insightful support to all African teams at the Women’s World Cup.  

    Nigeria face co-hosts Australia, Canada and Republic of Ireland in Group B. At the same time, Zambia take on Costa Rica, Japan and Spain in Group C. 

    Africa’s champions South Africa are in Group G with Argentina, Italy and Sweden, with Morocco, who will be looking to draw inspiration from the Atlas Lions’ unforgettable run in Qatar preparing to take on Colombia, Germany and South Korea in Group H. 

  • Paul Edeh emerges new Benue FA Chairman

    Paul Edeh emerges new Benue FA Chairman
    Barr Paul Edeh displays his certificate of return as new Benue FA chairman

    Naija Ratels Football Club proprietor, Barr Paul Edeh was on Saturday in Makurdi elected Chairman of the Benue State Football Association (BSFA).

    Edeh polled 28 votes to defeat his rival, Mr. Godwin Uwua, former Super Eagles Assistant Coach, who garnered one vote at the end of the elective congress.

    29 delegates from the 23 local government areas and other statutory representatives in the state voted in the election.

    Edeh said after the election, that his vision was to take football in the state to a higher pedestal, in line with international best practices.

    “My vision for Benue FA is anchored on a tripod encapsulated in the FIFA Forward Programme 3.0

    “They include increased investment in football development, more impact through the achievement of football development objectives, and continued oversight to ensure that all funds are used responsibly.

    “Under my watch, I will ensure that the Local FAs are empowered and given what is due to them,” he said..

    The Board under my watch will advocate that each Local FA develops its framework for developing the game in their local communities.

    “I will see how local FAs will operate with so much vigour and commitment to developing the game at the grassroots,” he said.

    The chairman said the board would focus on grassroots football, women’s football, welfare for footballers, training of coaches/referees, and encouraging education and sports.

    He, thereafter, announced a donation of N10 million and a Sienna minivan for the cash-strapped BSFA.

    The new 11-member board was elected unopposed and subsequently sworn in.

    The election was monitored by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) executive board members, and FA chairmen among other stakeholders.

    Edeh, a philanthropist and leading supporter of female football in Nigeria replaced Mrs. Margaret Icheen, who served for three terms before her election as an Executive Board Member of the NFF. 

     

  • NPFL: GTI pays champions Enyimba FC N100m prize money

    GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited at the weekend paid N100 million to Enyimba International Football Club of Aba for winning the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Championship Playoffs.

    Nelson Ine, Project Director of the Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF), said this in a press statement by TNFF’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, in Lagos.

    Ine said both officials and players of the team expressed gratitude to GTI, strategic partners to NPFL, and the Interim Management Committee (IMC) for the prize money.

    “On behalf of GTI Asset Management and Trust Ltd., I want to confirm the receipt of the prize money of N100 million by the 2022/2023 NPFL champions Enyimba FC of Aba.

    “I personally spoke with the team’s officials and management of the club as they all confirmed that the money is now in the account of the club,” Ine said.

    He added that the remaining five clubs that participated in the NPFL Championship Play-offs in Lagos from June 3 to June 11 had also received N5 million each.

    Ine stated that GTI had fulfilled its promise to the clubs made prior to the abridged league and charged the clubs to utilise the funds judiciously.

    “As an organisation, we are strongly committed to repositioning the NPFL and that is why we hit the ground running,” he said.

    He further said that next season would be keenly contested because the stakes would be higher.

    “Our advice to clubs is for them to go all out and attract the services of the best legs on the continent and beyond and fortify their teams ahead of next season.

    “GTI and IMC have just set the tone and there will be no going back in the restructuring of our league.

    “Nigerian clubs can do the needful by working towards regaining their dominance in African club football.

    “Our worthy champions Enyimba did it in 2003 and 2004 respectively and they can do it again alongside Remo Stars and Rivers United.

    “GTI has set up a transparent football ecosystem which is the best way to restore confidence in our clubs, sponsors, investors and stakeholders of our beautiful game,” Ine said. 

  • AFCON 2023 Qualifier: Full house as Eagles eye early ticket against Leone Stars

    All invited players are now in the camp of the Super Eagles in Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos as countdown begins for Sunday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying showdown with the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Monrovia.

    Table-toppers Nigeria, on nine points, will slug it out with the Leone Stars, four points behind and in third place, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Paynesville, Monrovia.

    The 22,000 -capacity arena will witness fireworks from 5pm Nigeria time (4pm Liberia time) as the Super Eagles seek to reach the finals of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire early next year, with a game to spare.

    For the last edition of Africa’s flagship football championship, the Super Eagles qualified for the finals with a game to spare after Paul Onuachu headed in with few minutes left against Benin Republic’s Guepards in Porto Novo.

    Three-time champions Nigeria will fire from all cylinders at the Paynesville, conscious that second-placed Guinea Bissau, two points behind, are likely to inflict defeat on group whipping boys Sao Tome and Principe in the other match of the pool.

    In the last weeks of 2020, the Leone Stars famously came from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with the Super Eagles at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City in another Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match (Cameroon 2021), and few days later, held the Eagles to a barren draw at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown.

    When both teams clashed on Day 1 of the ongoing series at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja a year ago, the Leone Stars drew the first blood before goals by Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen put Nigeria in the driving seat. The Eagles flew to Agadir, Morocco some days later to inflict a 10-0 defeat on Sao Tome and Principe, in the event setting a new international win-record.

    The Confederation of African Football has appointed Sudanese official Mahmood Ali Ismail as the referee for Sunday’s encounter, with his compatriot Mohammed Abdallah Ibrahim as assistant referee 1. Liban Abdourazak Ahmed from Djibouti will serve as assistant referee 2, with Mohamed Diraneh Guedi, also from Djibouti, in the role of fourth official.

    Gambian Bakary Jammeh will be the commissioner while Kokou Djaoupe from Togo will serve as referee assessor.   

  • Sani Lulu hails NFF supremo’s sincerity, vision, direction

    A former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi has praised the vision and direction of the current Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led NFF administration, saying the sincerity of its approach to issues and unambiguous intention to develop the game from the grassroots will culminate in steady growth of the Nigeria game.

    Speaking during a visit to the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Wednesday – the first since he left office in 2010 – the Omachi Attah of Igalaland described the present NFF team as “experienced, diligent and committed,” and expressed confidence that it will succeed with its focus on grassroots development and inclusivity in administration.

    “I feel honoured to be here. This is my first time in the NFF, sitting happily with a sitting NFF President, since I left office. I am happy about the path you have chosen, about the fact that you’re a bridge-builder and about your honest intentions in taking Nigeria Football to new heights.

    “I am happy doing what I am doing. I thank God for the little I was able to do with my team while we were. It was so many years ago but I still feel the passion because I never really left,” said Lulu, whose FOSLA Secondary School is the reigning champion of the National Principals’ Cup competition.

    Earlier, President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau praised the passion and energy of the former NFF supremo while in office, and commended the fact that he has continued to work with the same passion in producing excellent individuals through his football academy that nicely blends football with education.

    “You are one man we all respect so much because football is the centre of your existence. Even after leaving office as NFF President, you have remained in the game and your school continues to churn out good products for our football teams.

    “What you are doing is invaluable and it is making a real impact because very few people are providing the opportunity for our young men to blend their urge for education with their passion for football.”

    Gusau disclosed that the NFF is working in synergy with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Federal Ministry of Education, as well as the Nigeria School Sports Federation, to produce Nigeria’s representatives for subsequent editions of the African Secondary Schools Football Competition.

    FOSLA, as the country’s champion school, has been invited to participate in this year’s International School Sports Federation competition taking place in Morocco next month.

    Also present at the occasion were NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David and; Alhaji Suleiman Yusuf, Personal Assistant to Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi.