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Mathew can help solve Super Eagles midfield problem — Manu Garba

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Former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles head coach, Manu Garba believes Ifeanyi Mathew will be a good addition to the Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles have struggled for midfield creativity since the erstwhile captain of the side, John Mikel Obi quit international football.

Mathew, a former Flying Eagles and home-based Super Eagles midfielder has been overlooked by the national team selectors despite his impressive club form.

The 26-year-old has been in fantastic form for the Swiss club, FC Zurich this season.

The talented midfielder has scored one goal and provided three assists in 15 league appearances for FC Zurich in the Swiss Super League this term.

Garba stated that Mathew possessed the qualities to become a key star for the Super Eagles.

“I discovered Ifeanyi Mathew alongside Musa Muhammed in 2013 in Kano during my time as Golden Eaglet head coach,”.

‘Mathew was also instrumental in my team that won the U-20 AFCON in Senegal in 2015 and he was with us at the U-20 FIFA World Cup in New Zealand.”

“I have been motoring his progress since he was in Sweden up till now that he is in Switzerland.”

“He is the most consistent Nigerian midfielder in Europe at the moment and for him to join the Super Eagles will be of great value addition to the team ahead of AFCON especially in the midfield area where obviously the coach needs to work on going by the two games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.”

“One of his greatest qualities is his vision in connecting with the attack and defence in addition to his knack for goals from long range.”

“If you go back and watch our 2015 U-20 campaign in Senegal, most of the goals we scored were created by him.”

Mathew was also a member of the home-based Super Eagles side that featured at the 2016 Africa Nations Championship under coach Sunday Oliseh.

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Juventus sack Allegri after Italian Cup triumph

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Massimiliano Allegri has been dismissed by Juventus just two days after steering the team to victory in the Italian Cup.

Recall that the Turin club triumphed over Atalanta 1-0 in Rome, with Dusan Vlahovic securing an early goal.

However, Allegri’s behaviour marred the celebrations as he was ejected for ranting at match officials and dismissing the sporting director.

The Italian Football Federation’s disciplinary tribunal has since opened an investigation into Allegri’s conduct.

On Friday, Juventus officially announced Allegri’s departure in a statement via their website.

“Juventus announces that it has relieved Massimiliano Allegri of his position as head coach of the men’s first team,” Juventus’ statement partly read.

“The club wishes Massimiliano Allegri good luck in his future endeavours.”

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LaLiga Awards: Full list of nominees out as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Girona dominate

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LaLiga has revealed the shortlist for their upcoming end-of-season awards ceremony, which includes four categories and the team of the season.

The winners will be announced on May 28 at the KAFD Globe Soccer European Awards in Sardinia.

Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are among the favourites for the Player of the Year award, but Girona also has two nominees, with Artem Dovbyk and Aleix Garcia in the running.

Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid are also shortlisted for the prestigious award, with Takefusa Kubo, Kirian Rodriguez, Isco, and Alexander Sorloth in the mix.

The Young Player of the Year award has nominees under the age of 23 and is dominated by Girona and Barcelona. Among the candidates are newcomers Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal, along with Miguel Gutierrez, Savio, and Yan Couto from Barcelona. Kubo and Rodrygo from Real Madrid, Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis, Javi Guerra from Valencia, and Nico Williams from Athletic Club are also named.

For Goal of the Season, there are eight nominees, including Vinicius, Joao Cancelo, Saul Coco, Aitor Ruibal, Jesus Areso, Lamine Yamal, Joao Felix, and Memphis Depay.

The Coach of the Year award is the final category, with Carlo Ancelotti, Michel Sanchez, Diego Simeone, Ernesto Valverde, and Marcelino Garcia Toral all nominated.

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Former France international and World cup winner announces Old Trafford exit

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Raphael Varane has announced that his time at Manchester united will come to an end at the end of the current season after a three-year spell at the theatre of dreams. The former France international had the season disrupted by injuries and has not featured for his side since the 4-3 loss to Chelsea on April 4.

Varane arrived at Old Trafford amidst jubilation from the fans from Real Madrid in 2021 for an initial fee of about £34 million ($43 million) but did not live up to expectation. Although it was not entirely his fault as the club have been out of depth for a long time.

He was part of the team that won the 2023 league cup after newly appointed Dutch manager; Ten Hag led them to his first trophy with the club, which is the only cup that the club has lifted since Mourinho led them to silverware in the 2016-2017 season.

The experienced defender took to social media to announce his impending exit and to thank the club, teammates and fans for the love he was shown, in his post, he said “To you guys, supporters of Manchester United it’s been an amazing few years to play for this special club and wear that shirt.

“The first time I went to Old Trafford as a Man United player was insane, the atmosphere was amazing.

“I fell in love with the club, with the fans. You have to play for Man United to understand what that represents.”

The club hierarchy also appreciated Varane for his service to the club and wished him success in the next step of his career. According to their post, Varane added a “great deal of class and experience to the team”.

 

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