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Author: Val Kosi

  • Guardiola Wins Premier League Manager of the Season Award

    Guardiola Wins Premier League Manager of the Season Award

    Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has been awarded the 2023/2024 Manager of the Season.

    Guardiola, 53, clinched the award ahead of the quartet of Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Jurgen Klopp and the manager of Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola.

    He amassed 91 points leading to his record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title with the Manchester side over the weekend. He edged the Gunners who finished second place with 89 points.

    Speaking after winning the award, the Spaniard was quoted as saying by the Premier League website: “I want to share it, yes, oh yes! Especially with Mikel [Arteta] for the incredible job he has done until the last game, bringing us to our limits.

    “Of course, for Jurgen [Klopp], for the unforgettable battles for many, many years. And Unai Emery is doing something unbelievable again to bring Aston Villa to the [UEFA] Champions League.

    “And Andoni Iraola, with Bournemouth, being his first season in the Premier League, doing what he has done, coming back from the tough start of the season.

    “It is an honor to be alongside all of them and to win this trophy. We will defend this award as best as possible in the future.”

    The former Bayern Munich gaffer has now claimed the award five (5) times since joining the English side in 2016 having won it in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons respectively.

    He also won the award in the 2020/2021 and 2022/2023 seasons respectively, thereby becoming the second manager with the most Premier League Manager of the Season awards after Sir Alex Ferguson who has received the award 11 times.

    The duo of Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger have claimed the award three times each, while Jurgen Klopp has won it twice.

     

  • Barcelona Announces Sack of Manager Xavi

    Barcelona Announces Sack of Manager Xavi

    Barcelona has announced the sack of Xavi Hernandez as the club’s manager after three seasons.

    Xavi, 44, replaced Ronald Koeman when he joined the club on November 6, 2021 – and has won two major titles (La Liga and Supercopa de Espana) in the 2022/2023 season upon his appointment.

    “In a meeting at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, president Joan Laporta has informed Xavi Hernández that he will not be continuing as FC Barcelona coach in the 2024-25 season.

    “The meeting happened at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and was also attended by sporting vice-president Rafa Yuste, director of sport Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco, Xavi, Òscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre,” Barcelona announced in a statement issued on Friday.

    The club thanked Xavi for his work as coach, as well as for his inimitable career as a player and as team captain – and wished him every future success in the world.

    Barcelona disclosed that Xavi will be coaching the team for the last time in Sunday’s game away to Sevilla.

    “During the next few days, FC Barcelona will be announcing the new first team structure,” the statement added.

    The former Al Sadd manager was in charge of 141 matches as Barcelona gaffer and won 89 times. He drew 23 games and lost 29.

    While Real Madrid are already champions of La Liga this season and currently on 94 points, Barcelona have amassed 82 points in second place with a game to conclude the campaign.

    They were eliminated by Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey having lost 4-2 at San Mames Stadium.

    According to reports, Hansi Flick will be appointed as the new manager of the Spanish side.

  • Chelsea Appoints Maresca as New Manager

    Chelsea Appoints Maresca as New Manager

    Chelsea Football Club has appointed Enzo Maresca as its new manager following the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino a few weeks ago.

    Maresca, 44, signed a five-year contract with the west London club with an option of one additional season.

    “We look forward to supporting him and the rest of the sporting team in fulfilling their potential and our expectations over the years to come.

    “He is a highly gifted coach and leader that we are confident can help fulfill our vision and competitive goals for the Club,” the Chelsea ownership group was quoted as saying by sports journalist, Fabrizio Romano on the appointment of Maresca.

    On his part, the Italian gaffer said: “To join Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any coach.

    “I look forward to working with a very talented group of players and staff to develop a team that continues the club’s tradition of success and makes our fans proud”.

    According to Fabrizio, six (6) staff members from Leicester City will join Maresca’s coaching staff – and Chelsea will pay a compensation fee of over 10 million euros (€10m).

    Before his latest appointment, Maresca was the manager of Leicester City and led the side to the recently concluded Championship title thereby propelling the Foxes to the English Premier League for the 2024/2025 season.

     

  • Chelsea Confirm Adarabioyo Signing on Free Transfer

    Chelsea Confirm Adarabioyo Signing on Free Transfer

    Chelsea Football Club (CFC) on Friday, June 7 confirmed the signing of centre-back, Tosin Adarabioyo on a four-year deal.

    CFC secured the signing of the defender ahead of competition from Manchester United, who were reportedly interested in the player.

    Adarabioyo, 26, joined the West London side on a free transfer after a four-year stint at Fulham, where he made 132 appearances and scored 5 goals.

    “Chelsea is a huge club and this is a full-circle moment for me. I was born three miles away from Stamford Bridge and made my professional debut there. I’m very excited and looking forward to helping push the club in the direction we want to go,” the defender was quoted as saying by sports journalist, Fabrizio Romano.

    He added: “I’m here at Chelsea to win, I want to win. Before confirming the move, I gave Sterling and Cole Pammer a call and they had nothing but positive things to say about the club and the project.”

    Adarabioyo will join Chelsea on July 1, 2024, thereby becoming the club’s first signing in the summer transfer window.

     

  • Sports Minister Directs NFF to Establish Measures for Super Eagles’ World Cup Qualification

    Sports Minister Directs NFF to Establish Measures for Super Eagles’ World Cup Qualification

    The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has ordered the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to highlight plans that will help secure the Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup qualification.

    Mr. Enoh disclosed this in a meeting with the NFF and the coach of the team, Finidi George on Thursday.

    “Yesterday the 13th of June, I met with @thenff and Coach Finidi. I directed the Nigeria Football Federation to urgently put in place the necessary framework to ensure Nigeria qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in addition to addressing issues that have hindered high performances and growth of Nigerian football,” he stated on X, formerly Twitter on Friday.

    Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh in a meeting with NFF officials and Finidi George on Thursday, June 13 (Photo Credit: @OwanEnoh on X)
    The minister also directed the NFF to take proactive and progressive steps immediately, especially touching on various areas including the current coach of the national team, the competence of both the NFF Technical Committee and Technical Department as well as the discipline of players in the national team camp.

    “We further admonished the NFF on the introduction of new fruits of Nigerian players wherever they can be found, to ensure the best legs represent the country at every given time,” he added.

    Senator Enoh gave the NFF officials and its technical team a week to present its comprehensive position, indicating the positive progressive steps that have been taken to get the team ready for the next round of competitive matches, emphasizing that “we honestly do not want excuses”.

    Nigeria has managed to secure a point in the last two games of the qualification stage having played out a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo – and lost 2-1 to Benin Republic, a side ‘managed’ by the former gaffer of the team, Gernot Rohr.

    The Super Eagles currently sit fifth with 3 points after four games in Group C, while Zimbabwe is placed bottom of the group having amassed 2 points.

    Rwanda leads the group with 7 points, tied on the same tally with South Africa and the Benin Republic in second and third respectively, while Lesotho has gathered 5 points in fourth place.

    While nine (9) African teams are expected to participate at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with a possibility of one more in the ‘FIFA Play-off Tournament’, it looks delicately poised for Nigeria to be amongst the participants.

     

  • Finidi Reportedly Resigns as Super Eagles Head Coach

    Finidi Reportedly Resigns as Super Eagles Head Coach

    The former Ajax player has faced heavy criticisms from Nigerian football fans after Nigeria’s last two 2026 World Cup qualification games against South Africa and Benin.

    Finidi led the team to a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo – and suffered a 2-1 loss to Benin.

    Following the unfavorable results, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in a communique on Thursday expressed readiness to appoint a foreign technical adviser to manage the Super Eagles.

    “The Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologized to Nigerians for the dismal output and subsequent very poor returns of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles, in four out of 10 matches in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

    “The committee resolved to beef up the NFF Technical Department with more qualitative hands. Equally, the Technical and Development Sub-Committee will be re-jigged with immediate effect,” the communique reads in part.

    It is unconfirmed if the decision of the NFF has led to the reported resignation of the former Nigerian international.

    Nigeria in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualification stage occupies fifth position having amassed 3 points; Zimbabwe is placed bottom of the group with 2 points.

    Similarly, Rwanda tops the group with 7 points; tied on the same tally with South Africa and Benin in second and third respectively, while Lesotho has accumulated 5 points in fourth place.

     

  • Rangers Pip Bendel Insurance to Win 2023/2024 NPFL Title

    Rangers Pip Bendel Insurance to Win 2023/2024 NPFL Title

    Rangers International of Enugu has emerged as the champions of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season after defeating Bendel Insurance 2-0 at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday.

    Kenechukwu Agu opened the scoring with a free-kick in the 33rd minute as the tie ended one-nil in the first half.

    Chidiebere Nwobodo fed off Japhet Opobo’s effort to seal the victory for the host five minutes after the hour mark.

    Fidelis Ikechukwu’s side achieved the feat with a game to complete the campaign having amassed 67 points in 37 matches.

    The Flying Antelopes have now claimed the NPFL title 8 times, with the first and second coming in 1974 and 1975.

    The Enugu side also clinched the title in 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 2016, and for the eighth time this season.

    While Rangers have won the title, the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup places are yet to be confirmed with Remo Stars in second place on 62 points; last season’s champions, Enyimba with 60 points in third, while Shooting Stars have accumulated 59 points in fourth.

    Similarly, Heartland and Gombe United have been confirmed relegated with both teams on 38 and 25 points respectively, while Sporting Lagos in 17th (46 points), and Doma United with an outstanding game in 18th (43 points) can still fight for their place in the Nigerian top division.

     

  • Chelsea Hosts Man. City, Manchester United to Face Fulham in 2024/2025 Premier League Matchday 1 Fixtures

    Chelsea Hosts Man. City, Manchester United to Face Fulham in 2024/2025 Premier League Matchday 1 Fixtures

    Chelsea will welcome Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in the biggest game of the 2024/2025 Premier League matchday one (1) fixtures on Sunday, August 18.

    Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United and Fulham will commence the season opener on Friday, while Ipswich Town will trade tackles with Liverpool on Saturday.

    Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton versus Brighton & Hove Albion, and the tie between Newcastle United and Southampton will also take center stage on Saturday.

    Other Saturday contests are Nottingham Forest versus Bournemouth, West Ham United facing off Aston Villa as well as Brentford versus Crystal Palace.

    Champions of the 2023/2024 English Football League (EFL), Leicester City, and Ange Postecoglou’s side, Tottenham Hotspur will complete the matchday one game of the new season at the King Power Stadium on Monday, August 19.

    2024/2025 Premier League Matchday 1 Fixtures in Full

    1. August 16 (Friday) – Manchester United Vs Fulham (8 pm)

    2. August 17 (Saturday) Ipswich Town Vs Liverpool (12:30)

    3. August 17 (Saturday) Arsenal Vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (3 pm)

    4. August 17 (Saturday) Everton Vs Brighton & Hove Albion (3 pm)

    5. August 17 (Saturday) Newcastle United Vs Southampton (3 pm)

    6. August 17 (Saturday) Nottingham Forest Vs Bournemouth (3 pm)

    7. August 17 (Saturday) West Ham United Vs Aston Villa (5:30 pm)

    8. August 18 (Sunday) Brentford Vs Crystal Palace (2 pm)

    9. August 18 (Sunday) Chelsea Vs Manchester City (4:30 pm)

    10. August 19 (Monday) Leicester City Vs Tottenham Hotspur (8 pm)

  • Lookman Wins Atalanta Player of the Season

    Lookman Wins Atalanta Player of the Season

    Nigerian winger, Ademola Lookman has emerged as Atalanta’s 2023/2024 Player of the Season.

    Lookman, 26, shone like a million star, netting thrice (hat-trick) as Atalanta put three past Bayer Leverkusen to lift the UEFA Europa League at Aviva Stadium, Dublin City, Ireland.

    He fired home the first 12 minutes into the game – and found the back of the net for the second and the third in the 26th and 75th minute respectively.

    The former RB Leipzig player had earlier scored two goals in the competition before the final.

    He also played a pivotal role in Gian Piero Gasperini’s side fourth place finish (69 points) in the Serie A, scoring 11 goals and registering 8 assists in 31 appearances.

    With a goal in the Italian Cup, he amassed 27 goal contributions (17 goals and 10 assists) in 45 matches across all competitions.

     

  • Sports Minister Bemoans Limited Roles of Nigerian Referees at World Stage

    Sports Minister Bemoans Limited Roles of Nigerian Referees at World Stage

    The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has expressed displeasure over the limited roles of Nigerian referees on the international stage.

    Mr. Enoh voiced his dissatisfaction in a meeting with the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) on Thursday and highlighted the significance of Nigerian referees’ involvement outside the shores of the country.

    He mentioned the need for the referees to deepen and strengthen their professionalism in order to attract greater participation in International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions.

    “I am not happy that Nigerian referees are not playing critical roles in both FIFA and CAF flagged competitions as a result of failure to reach the performance and professional threshold set out by both international bodies,” the minister said.

    He also encouraged them to take the current 2024 FIFA Member Association Refereeing Development Course seriously.