Sports
Osimhen, Bassey, five other Nigerian players to participate in UEFA Champions League
VICTOR OSIMHEN
The forward will spearhead Napoli’s charge for a first UEFA Champions League title. The 23-year-old scored 14 goals in 27 league appearances for the Partenopei last season.
This is the second time Victor Osimhen will be playing in the competition after his experience with French club, Lille.
CALVIN BASSEY
Calvin Bassey linked up with Eredivisie champions, Ajax Amsterdam this summer and will be making his debut appearance in the competition.
Bassey featured in the final of the UEFA Europa League with his former club, Glasgow Rangers last season.
ZAIDU SANUSI
The left-back scored the decisive goal that won the Portuguese title for FC Porto last season.
This is the third time, Zaidu Sanusi will be playing in the competition for his club.
AKINKUNMI AMOO & PAUL MUKAIRU
Akinkunmi Amoo and Paul Mukairu will face their first real baptism of fire in the UEFA Champions League with Danish SuperLiga club, FC Copenhagen.
Copenhagen will face Manchester City, Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund in Group G.
SAMSON TIJANI
Former Golden Eaglets captain, Samson Tijani and his Red Bull Salzburg teammates are paired in Group E with former champions, Chelsea and AC Milan, as well as Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia.
FORTUNE BASSEY
The little-known forward is on loan at the Czech Republic side, Viktoria Plzen from Norwegian club, Ferencvaros. He will be making his debut appearance in the competition.
Sports
Gusau backs Falcons to shine at Olympics
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, is optimistic the Super Falcons will derive inspiration from their impressive performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand when they compete at the women’s football event of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Nigeria are pitted against Spain, Brazil, and Japan in a tough Group C of the tournament, which begins July 25, a day before the opening ceremony of the Games, and will run until August 10, when the Games come to an end.
The Falcons booked their spot at the Games for the first time since 2008 by defeating rivals South Africa 1-0 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.
The team’s coach, Randy Waldrum, has labelled their group the “group of death,” but Gusau believes the 11-time African champions can replicate their 2023 Women’s World Cup form, where they bowed out on penalties against England in the round of 16, having held Olympic champions Canada and Northern Ireland, and beating co-hosts Australia.
“We’ll try to improve on our World Cup performance, where we crashed out without losing a single game during regulation time. The girls have shown resilience and determination to qualify for the Olympics against all odds, and I trust them to carry that same spirit to the Games in Paris,” Gusau said.
Gusau is also setting his sights on the podium in Paris.
“After a performance at the World Cup in Australia or New Zealand, I know none of the teams in our group will take us for granted. We want to qualify from the group stage and target the semi-finals, which puts us in the medal range. I believe the team will do well in Paris and return to the country with medals on their necks. Missing three previous Olympic qualifications will motivate the girls to make their mark in Paris,” he added.
Sports
EPL: Liverpool in talks with Arne Slot to replace Klopp
Liverpool have opened talks with Feyenoord about appointing Arne Slot as their new manager.
According to Sky Sports, Slot is now the favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
The Dutchman is believed to tick all their key criteria for the role and the process could move quickly with the 45-year-old keen to join the Reds.
Slot lifted the KNVB Cup last weekend and guided Feyenoord to their first title in six years last season.
He appeals to Liverpool due to his aggressive, full-throttle style.
Slot’s penchant for a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation also fits Liverpool’s squad.
Sports
Guardiola confirms Haaland injury blow ahead of Brighton vs Man City
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said Erling Haaland will miss their Premier League trip to Brighton because of injury.
Haaland was not included in the squad for the FA Cup semi-final win over Chelsea on Saturday, after picking up a muscle problem against Real Madrid.
The Norway striker has not featured since then and is yet to resume training.
Guardiola, speaking at his press conference today, confirmed that Haaland will not play against Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Thursday.
However, Phil Foden and John Stones are available for selection.
“Erling is not ready for tomorrow [against Brighton].
“It’s not a big issue but he’s not allowed for this game,” Guardiola said.
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