Football

Liverpool confirm departure of Origi, Karius, five others

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Liverpool have confirmed the departure of seven players, including striker Divock Origi, when their contracts expire at the end of this month.

Goalkeeper Loris Karius and former first-team players Sheyi Ojo and Ben Woodburn have also been released, along with three members of the club’s academy.

Origi spent eight years at Merseyside and sealed the Reds’ stunning second-leg comeback to sink Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate in the UEFA Champions League semi-final in 2019.

Announcing the Belgian’s departure, Liverpool wrote, “Divock Origi will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of June.

“Thank you for an incredible eight years of service and leaving us with so many special memories. [Divock Origi], Liverpool legend.”

Karius became notorious for his error-strewn performance in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid, and spent much of his subsequent Anfield career on loan.

Ojo made 13 senior appearances, scoring in the FA Cup win over Exeter.

Woodburn became the club’s youngest goalscorer — a title he still holds — when he scored in the League Cup match against Leeds United at the age of 17.

Football

Gattuso joins Valencia on two-year deal

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Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed as head coach of Valencia on a deal until June 2024.

The AC Milan legend replaces Jose Bordalas, who was dismissed just one season into a two-year contract.

This was after a campaign in which Valencia finished ninth and lost the Copa del Rey final to Real Betis.

Valencia said Gattuso “joins the club following an extensive career both as a player and as a coach.

“After hanging up the boots, he started his coaching career in 2012 with teams like AC Milan and SSC Napoli, with whom he won the Coppa Italia in 2020.”

Gattuso spent 18 months in charge of the Rossoneri after being appointed in November 2017.

They narrowly missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification by a solitary point during his one full season in charge.

He later took over Napoli, who he led to Coppa Italia glory in the 2019/2020 season.

But Gattuso departed a year later after again missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification.

The 44-year-old was appointed Fiorentina boss in May last year, only for the two parties to rescind that agreement a month later.

Gattuso has also had spells in charge of Sion, Palermo, OFI Crete and Pisa before re-joining AC Milan — initially with their Primavera side.

As a player, Gattuso won two Serie A titles and two UEFA Champions League medals during a glittering 13-year stay with AC Milan.

He was also a FIFA World Cup winner with Italy in 2006.

Football

BAYERN MUNICH INTERESTED IN SIGNING RAHEEM STERLING

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Bayern Munich are interested in a deal to sign Raheem Sterling from Manchester City this summer.

The Bundesliga champions are one of a number of clubs monitoring Sterling’s situation, with the England international entering the final year of his contract at City.

The BBC are reporting that Bayern Munich and leading clubs in Spain are considering an approach for the 27-year-old, who has scored 131 goals in 339 appearances across all competitions since signing for City from Liverpool in 2015.

Robert Lewandowski has announced his desire to leave Bayern this summer, whilst there are also doubts over the futures of Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane at the German club.

Sterling has previously spoken of a desire to play abroad and with Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez arriving at Manchester City to increase competition this summer, could decide on a new challenge after seven seasons with the club.

Football

CHELSEA CONFIRM CLUB TAKEOVER BY TODD BOEHLY-LED CONSORTIUM

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Chelsea have today confirmed the long-awaited news that the club has been taken over by a consortium led by Todd Boehly.

The Blues have been searching for new owners since Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the British government for his alleged links to Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine.

And, in that time, a consortium led by Todd Boehly has emerged as the next suitor, with a takeover finally happening for upwards of £4bn for the west London outfit.

It makes Chelsea the most expensive club ever to be sold across any sport, and will see the Blues usher in a new era.

What the Blues said

In a statement, the club wrote:

‘The consortium led by Todd Boehly, chairman and CEO of Eldridge, and Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Clearlake”), today announced completion of the ownership transfer of Chelsea Football Club (“Chelsea FC” or “the Club”). The consortium also includes Hansjörg Wyss, founder of the Wyss Foundation, and Mark Walter, co-founder and CEO of Guggenheim Capital. Walter and Boehly are owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Sparks. The transaction has received all necessary approvals from The Government of the United Kingdom, The Premier League, and other authorities.

Under the terms of the agreement, Boehly and Clearlake will share joint control and equal governance of the Club. Boehly will serve as Chairman of the holding company.’

Meanwhile, Boehly added:

“We are honoured to become the new custodians of Chelsea Football Club”

“We’re all in – 100% — every minute of every match. Our vision as owners is clear: we want to make the fans proud. Along with our commitment to developing the youth squad and acquiring the best talent, our plan of action is to invest in the Club for the long-term and build on Chelsea’s remarkable history of success.”

“I personally want to thank ministers and officials in the British government, and the Premier League, for all their work in making this happen.”

Entertainment, Football, World News

Erik ten Hag has been unveiled at Old Trafford, as new Manchester United manager.

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Erik ten Hag has been unveiled by Manchester United at Old Trafford as the club’s new manager.

On Monday morning, May 23, Ten Hag was shown around the stadium by director of football John Murtough, ahead of his press conference.

Another picture showed Ten Hag holding Manchester United’s 2021/22 season kit and posing for the cameras.

Speaking to the club website, Ten Hag said: “I would say the word ‘exciting’. I really look forward to doing this job, at this club with massive history, and we want to restore it where it belongs.”

The Dutchman replaces Ralf Rangnick, who was the interim manager after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired.


United finished in sixth place this past season and have just gone five years without winning any silverware.

Ten Hag believes United are better than the league position this past season suggested, adding: “Also know one year ago, this club, this team was second in the Premier League. There’s potential and now it’s up to us to get that out. It’s a process, it will take time but I’m convinced we will come to that point where we get success. We have to work hard and it has to be based on the right philosophy and strategy.”

Entertainment, Football, World News

Liverpool Sign Fulham Forward Fabio Carvalho.

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Liverpool have finally completed the signing of Fulham forward Fabio Carvalho after failing in a bid to bring the 19-year-old to Anfield in January, the Premier League runners-up announced on Monday.

The Portuguese teenager, who is understood to have signed a five-year contract, will officially join the Anfield club on July 1.

Carvalho, out of contract at the end of June, was set for a move four months ago on deadline day when a £5 million ($6.3 million) deal was agreed with the Championship winners but the transfer window closed without a medical and formal paperwork being concluded.

Liverpool have reportedly agreed to pay extra in add-ons and attach a 20 percent sell-on clause.

Carvalho played a key role in Fulham’s promotion back to the Premier League, scoring 10 goals and providing eight assists in 36 games as Marco Silva’s side won the Championship title.

He made his debut for Portugal U21s in March, having previously represented England at youth level.

Carvalho’s arrival will add another fresh face to Liverpool’s dynamic forward line, already boosted by the arrival of Luis Diaz in January.

Long-serving Belgium forward Divock Origi has not played enough matches to trigger a contract extension and was given a send-off at Anfield after Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Wolves.

Origi missed the match with a muscle injury and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed he had played his last game for the club as he would not be fit for Saturday’s Champions League final against Real Madrid.

Football

Cristiano Ronaldo announces tragic death of his newborn son

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Manchester United star, Cristiano Ronaldo has announced the sad passing of one of his newborn twins.

Ronaldo, who was expecting twins with girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, revealed in a tweet on Monday, April 18 that they welcomed a girl, while their son died.

The Portuguese star has also asked that his family’s privacy be respected during the “difficult” period.

“It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away. It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel. Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness,” he said in his statement.

In October 2021, Ronaldo had disclosed that he and Georgina were expecting twins.

Football

Ighodalo-led coalition calls for women-friendly Constitution

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A group, Rebuild Nigeria Initiative (RNI) has called on Nigerians and the National Assembly in particular to embark on a constitution amendment process that would right the wrong and harmful gender discrimination practices against women in the country.

The group noted that these constitutional amendments are prudent steps in the right direction in bridging the inequity gap to include more women in politics and leadership which strengthens the role of women in nation building.

The RNI in a statement signed by its president, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and secretary, Dr. Fatima Akilu among others said the ongoing constitution amendment process by the federal legislature is an opportunity to include more women in politics and leadership which strengthens the role of women in nation building.

The statement said the Rebuild Nigeria Initiative (RNI) is a “group of concerned Nigerians around the world who have come together in our humanitarian strategies to form a global coalition of strategic stakeholders and partners, with the primary goal of engaging all parties in meaningful dialogue, that can bring about constructive and peaceful resolutions and actions that foster unity, peace, progress and advancement of the great nation Nigeria”.

While stating its strong “support for ‘The Constitution Women want’, the RNI a noted that the “failure of the 9th National Assembly to pass a bill on March 1st 2022, which includes some of the following constitutional amendments, will be recorded as a sad day in Nigeria’s history.

• The right for a Nigerian woman to grant her foreign-born husband Nigerian Citizenship, while Nigerian men are able to get citizenship for their foreign-born spouse

• The right for a woman to take indigene ship of her husband’s state after 5 years of marriage

• 35% appointed positions for women

• 35% affirmative action for women in party administration and leadership

• Specific seats to be allocated for women in the National Assembly

“We are deeply saddened that majority of the National Legislators did not seize this moment in time to right the wrongs and harmful gender discrimination practices against women; our mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters”, the group said.

It further stated that “These constitutional amendments are prudent steps in the right direction in bridging the inequity gap to include more women in politics and leadership which strengthens the role of women in nation building.

“We call on all men and women of goodwill to support the “NIGERIAN WOMAN” by engaging the National Assembly to correct these issues. Nigeria is better and stronger through our diversity, inclusion, and equity for all Nigerians”.


Football

Greek footballer dies after suffering heart attack on pitch

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A Greek footballer has died after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch during a game where there was no defibrillator nor ambulance at the stadium.

The player, Alexandros Lampis, was playing for the Greek third-tier team, Ilioupoli, when the tragedy occurred five minutes into the game.

The 21-year-old collapsed at the First Municipal Stadium during a match on Wednesday.

The stadium is within a south-eastern suburb of the Greek capital Athens, but the ambulance did not arrive for 20 minutes, The Sun reports, and there was no way to resuscitate the stricken player at the ground.

The incident comes after the world watched in horror only eight months ago when Christian Eriksen collapsed suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest, while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020.

Eriksen has now joined Brentford in the Premier League where he hopes to play professionally and be selected to be part of the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Denmark squad.

Entertainment, Football

They should stop answering calls – Peter Okoye reacts as Tunisia sends Nigeria out of AFCON

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Popular Nigerian singer, Peter Okoye also known as Mr P, has reacted to the outcome of Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Tunisia.

The Super Eagles were beaten 1-0 by Tunisia on Sunday and have crashed out of the competition where they were expected to do more.

The Super Eagles had qualified for the knockout stages of the ongoing 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon after beating Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau to top the Group D on maximum points.

Reacting to the loss, Peter, one half of PSquare music group, took to his Twitter page to urge the Super Eagles to stop picking calls during any tournament.

He tweeted; ”Pls they should stop answering calls from Bubu…”

See his post:

Football

Buhari hails Super Eagles over performance in AFCON

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday commended the Super Eagles for winning all its group matches at the ongoing Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) in Cameroon.

Two second half goals by Sadiq Umar and Captain William Troost-Ekong gave the three-time African champions a 2-0 victory over Guinea Bissau in the last group D match played at Roumde Adjia Stadium in Yaounde.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President urged the Austin Eguavoen-led team to maintain the fine form throughout the competition.

He noted that Nigeria looked forward to seeing them win the competition.

Football

AFCON: Defending champions Algeria stunned by Equatorial Guinea

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Defending champion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Algeria were stunned by Equatorial Guinea in their second group game on Sunday night.

Algeria are on the verge of missing out on qualification for the round of 16, having also failed to win their first game in the Cameroon tournament.

The chanpions have just one point from two games and must beat Ivory Coast in their final Group E game to have a chance of reaching the last 16.

Esteban Obiang clinched Sunday’s victory for Equatorial Guinea in the 70th minute when he slid in at the far post to convert a flick-on in Douala.

The north Africans had two goals ruled out in what was a scrappy encounter, and the result ended their 35-match unbeaten run, as they suffered their first defeat since October 2018.

Thursday’s final round of games in the group will see the Equatoguineans face the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Limbe while Algeria take on group leaders Ivory Coast in Douala at the same time.

Football

Onuachu bags 2021 best footballer award in Belgium

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Super Eagles forward, Paul Onuachu has been voted winner of the 2021 Belgian Golden Shoe award.

The 27-year-old becomes the first-ever Nigerian and the fourth African to claim the prestigious honour in Belgium.

Aruna Dindane of Cote d’Ivoire, won it in 2003, Morocco’s Mbark Boussoufa, who won in 2006 and 2010 and DR Congo’s Dieumerci Mbokani, who won in 2012, are the only other Africans to have won the award.

The Belgian Golden Shoe award is given at the beginning of each year to the best footballer in the country’s First Division for the past year.

Onuachu polled 333 votes to beat the Club Brugge duo of Noa Lang (272 votes) and Charles De Ketelaere (271 votes) to second and third, respectively.

He finished in third position in the 2020 award edition, coming behind winner Lior Refaelov of Israel and second-placed Raphael Holzhauser.

But emerged winner this time around after scoring 29 league goals over the entire 2020-21 season and adding another 12 in the first half of the current campaign.

With the win, Onuachu becomes only the third Genk player in history to be named Belgium’s best and the first in 20 years.

The forward could not join his national teammates at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after sustaining a hamstring injury weeka before the Cameroon tournament.

Football

Nigeria begin AFCON campaign today with Egypt duel

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria will on Tuesday (today) be kicking off their campaign at the rescheduled 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) holding in Cameroon.

The team, led by technical director Austin Eguavoen, will be taking on the Pharaohs of Egypt in a Group D clash that promises to be thrilling.

Nigeria have met Egypt a total of eight time at the AFCON and have clinched victory three times and a draw on three other ocassions.

The Eagles will be looking to keep at bay, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who ahead of the game said, Egypt are “not the favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations, but we will do our best to reclaim the title.”

The game is billed to kick off by 5p.m at the Stade Roumdé Adjia in the northern Cameroonian town of Garoua.

In other news, Ahmed Musa, the national team’s most-capped player, has said he has charged his teammates to win the the trophy as a “parting gift” for him.

“I think this is my last AFCON InShaa Allah.

“I have spoken to the boys that this is the only gift you can give to me because this is my last AFCON. And the boys told me that they are ready.

“My first AFCON was in South Africa in 2013 and we ended up winning it. And my second appearance was in Egypt and we won the bronze.”

The Super Eagles will also be playing against Sudan and Guinea-Bissau in their other Group D clashes tor a chance to reach the last-16.

Football

Fans celebrate as Djokovic wins court battle to stay in Australia

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Novak Djokovic has won a court battle challenging the cancellation of his Australian visa, in a case that has drawn global attention.

The Tennis star had since been held by the Australian government after he was dramatically denied entry at Melbourne airport on Wednesday and sent to a notorious immigration detention hotel.

There was jubilation among the Serbian-Australian community and some 100 supporters of Djokovic camped outside the court when the ruling was announced.

It is yet uncertain that Djokovic will play in the Australian Open billed to start on 17 January, the reason for which he came to Australia in the first place.

The government’s lawyers have warned that Australia’s immigration minister has the executive power to overturn the court’s decision.

If that happens, the judge warned that Djokovic, currently the world’s number one men’s tennis player, won’t be able to return to Australia for three years.

If Djokovic finally participates in the competition and wins it, he will become the most successful men’s player in history with 21 Grand Slam titles.

Football

Cristiano Ronaldo expecting twins with partner

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Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has announced on Thursday that his partner, Georgina Rodriguez was pregnant and expecting twins.

The Portuguese forward posted an image of himself and Rodriguez in bed on Instagram and captioned it: “Delighted to announce we are expecting twins.

“Our hearts are full of love – we can’t wait to meet you.”

The birth of the twins will see Ronaldo become the father of six children.

Rodriguez already shares daughter Alana, who is three, with the 36-year-old, while Ronaldo has a son named Cristiano Jnr, 11, and twins Eva and Mateo, both four.

Minutes after the social media announcement, Ronaldo’s mother, Dolores Aveiro, wrote on Instagram: “Let my grandchildren be born healthy. That’s what matters the most.”

Rodriguez hails from the tiny Spanish village of Jaca, with her Argentine ex-footballer father, Jorge, and Spanish mother, Ana.

She spent time in England before meeting Ronaldo and learned English, spending time in places such as Bristol and Bath before returning to Spain and working in high-end retail.

Entertainment, Football

Hide your wives and girlfriends – Boma warns men

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Former Big Brother Naija Shine Ya Eye housemate, Boma Akpore, has urged men to hide the women in their lives from him.

The actor cum reality star issued the warning in a recent post on his official Instagram page.

Boma’s time in the house was highly controversial due to his romantic relationship with Tega, a married woman.

In his post, the self-acclaimed President of Okra gang shared a video of himself stepping out with confidence and wrote;

”The PRESIDENT is out hide whatever needs to be hidden Ooo, to avoid stories that touch the ❤️???.

I AM WHATEVER YOU SAY I AM, IF I WASN’T THEN WHY WOULD I SAY I AM.”

Football

Messi subbed off on home debut, Neymar scores as PSG win

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Lionel Messi was substituted on his home debut for Paris Saint-Germain after he struggled to make an impact against Lyon in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

The Argentine, who left Barcelona this summer for the French giants, was playing for the third time since his arrival.

He has failed to score a goal in the three appearances and on Sunday, he was replaced in the second half as PSG went on to beat Lyon to make it six wins from six in the league.

Messi did hit the angle of post and bar with a free-kick in the first half and forced a save from goalkeeper Anthony Lopes but was certainly below his best.

Lucas Paqueta had swept in Karl Toko Ekambi’s cross to give Lyon the lead in the 54th minute, before Neymar equalised with a controversial penalty on 66 minutes.

With the score at 1-1, Messi, 34, was replaced by right-back Achraf Hakimi and did not look happy at coming off.

The game was heading to a close when Mauro Icardi snatched all three points for the hosts with a injury-time winner, as he headed in Kylian Mbappe’s cross.

PSG’s next game is Wednesday’s Ligue 1 trip to Metz, as they bid to make it seven wins from seven at the top of the league.

Entertainment, Football, Lifestyle, Politics, World News

I don’t want to be a politician –Ighalo

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In an Instagram Live session monitored by PUNCH Sports Extra.
Heartland goalie, Ezenwa who hosted the session, had stated that as players who represented the nation and qualified them for the World Cup had the right to vie for posts in the Nigeria Football Federation set-up or any other political office.


Ezenwa went on to suggest that Ighalo could take up a political office someday but the former Eagles forward said he had no such plans, saying he detested politics.


“I don’t want to be president of anything. I don’t even like politics. I just want to play football, make money to feed myself, my children and my mother, that’s all.”

Ighalo who scored 16 goals in 35 matches for the national team also ruled out taking any football related political position.


“Some of us don’t want anything to do with Nigerian football after our retirement.”

Football, World News

Super Eagles to get N20 million if they secure victory against Cape Verde.

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Following last week’s announcement of a partnership agreement with the Nigerian Football Federation, Air Peace chairman, Allen Onyema has promised to give the Super Eagles N20 million if they beat Cape Verde in their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash.

Onyema made the promise in a video shared on the social media page of the Super Eagles, while also calling on all Nigerians to continue to support the country’s football team in their quest to gain a ticket ahead of the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup.

Onyema said, “If you win this match, I am going to give the team N20 million on arrival. I’ll bring the cash and hand it over.

“This will serve as a stepping stone in unifying our Nation. Go there and die for the country.

“You won your first match resoundingly, and we expect that the one happening in Cape Verde in 24hours time will not be different.

“Gentlemen, why I came to the airport at this time of the day 2 am to address is because of this. You are not just going to play football. You’re going to carry on your young shoulders the aspirations and the hopes of a Nation. You must help us in restoring hope to this country.

“Nigeria is a great country with so much potentials to achieve. We are yet to get there. We may have our differences but we love ourselves.

“We knew some of our players have to leave after the match and they had to do well before leaving because they cannot go to Cape Verde.”

The Super Eagles will continue their journey towards qualification for the World Cup against Cape Verde this evening after their resounding victory in their previous match against Liberia.

The team however would be without their key players like Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and William Troost-Ekong due to Covid restriction in the United Kingdom.

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