Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Burna Boy Launches Football Academy In Nigeria, Opens Doors For Aspiring Young Players. Nigerian music sensation Burna Boy has taken a significant step in giving back to his community by launching the ‘Burna Boy Football Academy’ in Nigeria. This initiative is designed to offer aspiring footballers, aged between 4 and 16, access to top-notch coaching and facilities, providing them with the opportunity to pursue professional careers in football. The academy will operate across four different locations in Nigeria, ensuring that young talents from various regions can benefit from this initiative. Burna Boy’s commitment to nurturing young talent in Africa…

Cristiano Ronaldo to Receive UEFA Champions League All-Time Top Scorer Award. Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League, is set to receive a special award from UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin. The accolade will be presented during the 2024/25 Champions League draw on August 29 in Monaco. Ronaldo’s record-breaking achievements in the competition are nothing short of extraordinary. With 140 goals to his name, the Portuguese forward has secured his place as a football legend. His illustrious career in the Champions League includes five titles and a remarkable seven seasons as the tournament’s top scorer. …

Enyimba Complete Signing of Bendel Insurance Striker Ismail Sarki. Enyimba have successfully signed Ismail Sarki from Bendel Insurance. Sarki, who was the top scorer for Bendel Insurance in the previous season, is set to bring his goal-scoring prowess to the Aba-based club. Last season, Sarki registered seven goals in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), making him a key player for Bendel Insurance. His move to Enyimba is expected to bolster the team’s attacking options as they prepare for the upcoming season. Enyimba, known as one of the most successful clubs in Nigeria, are looking to build on…

Arsenal Secure Signing of Mikel Merino for €32m. Arsenal have officially confirmed the signing of Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad for a reported fee of €32 million, with an additional €5 million in potential add-ons. The 27-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the Gunners, which includes an option to extend for an additional season. Merino, who was reportedly keen on the move to the Emirates Stadium, turned down two other proposals from Spanish clubs in order to join Mikel Arteta’s squad. The Arsenal manager had identified Merino as a top priority, and the club moved swiftly…

Cristiano Ronaldo Hints at Future Retirement Plans. Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he may end his illustrious football career at Al Nassr, his current club in Saudi Arabia. Speaking in a recent interview, the Portuguese superstar expressed his contentment with life both at the club and in the country. “I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years… but probably I will retire here at Al Nassr,” Ronaldo stated. He went on to highlight his happiness at the club, adding, “I’m very happy at this club, I feel good in this country too. I’m happy…

New Process for Carabao Cup Third Round Draw Announced. Update on details of the new format for the Carabao Cup third round draw has been revealed and it’s set to take place on Wednesday night, 28 August 2024. This season, the draw will introduce a slight alteration to accommodate the expanded European fixtures as disclosed on (arsenal.com). With the Champions League and Europa League now featuring additional matchweeks, these new dates coincide with the Carabao Cup third round, scheduled for the weeks commencing 16th and 23rd September. To avoid any fixture clashes for teams participating in European competitions, the…

NPFL Increases Salaries for Match Officials. The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has announced a significant increase in the salaries of match officials across the top-flight league. The decision sees a 50 percent rise in the indemnities paid to referees and other match officials, reflecting the league’s commitment to improving the welfare and performance standards of its officials. Gbenga Elegbeleye, the NPFL chairman, confirmed the salary increase, emphasising that it is part of broader efforts to enhance the quality of officiating in the league. The move is expected to boost morale among match officials and contribute to the overall…

Nigeria’s First Olympic Medallist, Nojim Maiyegun, Passes Away at 83. Nojim Maiyegun, Nigeria’s first-ever Olympic medallist, has died at the age of 83 in Vienna, Austria. The former boxer etched his name in history by winning a bronze medal in the light-heavyweight boxing category at the Tokyo 1964 Olympics. His achievement marked a significant milestone for Nigeria, as it was the first time the nation secured an Olympic medal. Maiyegun’s victory in Tokyo not only brought pride to Nigeria but also inspired a generation of athletes across the country. He was celebrated not just for his skill in the…

Victor Osimhen Rejects €70 Million Saudi Offer. Super Eagles and Napoli star Victor Osimhen has reportedly turned down a lucrative €70 million contract offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli. The 24-year-old forward, who is currently one of Europe’s most sought-after talents, declined the proposal due to disagreements over salary terms and his release clause. Osimhen, who has a release clause set at €130 million, has not received any bids that meet this valuation. Despite the interest from Al Ahli, the Nigerian international remains committed to his ambitions in European football, where he continues to attract attention from top…

Lionel Messi to Miss Argentina’s World Cup Qualifiers Due to Injury. Argentina will be without their captain Lionel Messi for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia due to an ankle injury. The 37-year-old Inter Miami forward has been a key figure for the national team but will have to sit out these crucial matches as he recovers. In Messi’s absence, Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni has called up Paulo Dybala, who will look to fill the void left by the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. Meanwhile, Ángel Di María, another experienced campaigner, is also missing from…

Bruno Labbadia Appointed as 37th Head Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially announced the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Football Team. Labbadia, who succeeds Finidi George, becomes the 37th individual to take on this prestigious role. Labbadia’s appointment comes at a crucial time, as the Super Eagles look to rejuvenate their campaign in the ongoing AFCON 2025 Qualifiers. Finidi George, who had only been in charge for about a month, resigned in June following disappointing results in the qualifiers.…

John Obi Mikel Responds to Nicolas Jackson’s Challenge. Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has responded to Nicolas Jackson’s recent comments with a measured and sportsmanlike tone. Following Chelsea’s 6-2 triumph over Wolves, Jackson, who scored the opening goal, had fired back at Mikel’s earlier criticism with a sharp retort on social media, suggesting that Mikel should “shut up” if he continued scoring goals. In a recent episode of the Obi One Podcast Mikel addressed Jackson’s challenge with a calm and encouraging message. He stated, “If he plays well, I will praise him! If there is something to be…