Category: Sports

It’s unusual to see Sheriff Tiraspol leading a group that includes Manchester United and Real Sociedad. However, after a resounding away win over Omonia Nicosia, Moldovia now leads Europa League Group E.

They will need to be focused on Thursday (today) as the Red Devils of Manchester travel to their homeland in search of their first away win in Europe this season.

After dealing with the threat of now-injured Nigerian striker Sadiq Umar in their opening 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad, United now face Umar’s little-known countrymen Iyayi Atiemwem and Rasheed Ibrahim Akanbi, who both scored for Sheriff, as they saw off Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho’s Omonia Nicosia 3-0 away from home.

Midfielder Akanbi with a goal and an assist and Atiemwen with another from the spot as Uzoho watched from the bench.

Akanbi was on fire against Omonia, as the disguised forward scored one – inside two minutes – and assisted another to set up his two direct goal contributions. He had two shots, 35 touches 13/22 passes, two chances created, 3/4 ground duels, one tackle, 100 per cent successful dribbles and a yellow card.
The Nigerian is playing for the first time in Europe this season, as Sheriff had a totally different line-up in the Champions League last season. The midfielder will be hoping to make the most of his game time against one of the big clubs in Europe today.

Against Omonia, Akanbi was very well supported by defender Armel Zohouri, as the right full-back managed to make two key passes for his teammates, one of which resulted in a goal for the hosts.

From a defending point of view, all the laurels go to Cedric Babolo and Gabi Kiki as the centre-back pair will be expected to maintain their record of six interceptions every game. Akanbi, Zohouri, Babolo and Kiki will be four players to keep an eye on, in this game.
Atiemwen will be hoping to add to his goals tally after converting from the spot in their opening group win. The 26-year-old forward, who began his career at the youth side of hometown club Bendel Insurance in Benin City, can count on his experience at this level to wreak havoc against visiting Manchester United.

The winger made a cameo appearance in the Champions League against Manchester City in 2019, while starring for Dinamo Zagreb, as the English giants ran out 2-0 winners.

Manchester United are aware of the threat of the Nigerians, as well as Guinean Momo Yansane, and admitted it on their website ahead of today’s clash.

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“Guinean international forward Momo Yansane could be one United will have to keep tabs on, given his tally of 12 goals for Stjepan Tomas’s side last season,” United wrote on their website.

“Fellow striker Iyayi Atiemwen is also considered a handful too, given his former pedigree with Dinamo Zagreb. Finding the net twice already this season, the 26-year-old will be bidding to build on his European tally. Finally, fellow countryman to Atiemwen, Akanbi is perhaps Sheriff’s most dangerous forward, known for his speed and trickery down the left flank. Registering five goals and two assists in 13 games so far this season, the Nigerian moved from Turkish side Kocaelispor this summer and has certainly hit the ground running in Moldova.”

United’s Premier League game last weekend was cancelled due to the passing away of Queen Elizabeth II, but they will be hoping to make this away trip count. Erik Ten Hag’s men have won two of their three outings since this season began.

The Molodovan hosts have shown real strength in their backline, not conceding a single goal in their last three fixtures and also not conceding more than one goal in each of their last 12 games now.

UEFA announced on Wednesday that Arsenal’s Europa League match against PSV Eindhoven, which was originally scheduled for this week, will now take place on October 20.

Due to a lack of police resources in the aftermath of Queen Elizabeth II’s death last week, the group stage match has been moved from Thursday.

With the queen lying in state between Wednesday and her funeral on Monday, September 19, a massive police operation is required in London this week.
“The rescheduling of this match was possible following the Premier League’s decision to postpone the domestic match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC, which was originally scheduled to be played on 19 October,” said the governing body of European football.

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“UEFA would like to thank the Premier League and the clubs concerned for their flexibility and cooperation in the rescheduling of the UEFA Europa League match which had been postponed due to the impossibility for local police forces to guarantee its secure staging,” he added.

According to the CIES Football Observatory, Napoli and Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is ranked third in the target man shooter category among forwards under the age of 25.

The Nigerian moved up six places in the ranking, which was released by the football observatory on Monday, with a score of 93.3.

Chelsea’s Kai Havertz tops the list with a score of 94.3, while Atletico Mineiro forward Matias Zaracho is second with a score of 93.4.

Osimhen’s score of 93.3 puts him 0.3 points ahead of Barcelona’s Ferran Torres in fourth place.
Darwin Nunez, Liverpool’s €80 million signing, is fifth with a score of 92.6.
In the fifth position is Liverpool’s €80m signing, Darwin Nunez, with 92.6 score.

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Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, Roma’s Tammy Abraham, Atletico Madrid’s Matthaüs Cunha, Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus and Evanilson De Lima, who plays for FC Porto complete the top 10.

Despite being a subject of transfer speculations at the recently concluded transfer window, Osimhen stays with Napoli and has started the season in style.

Prior to his injury that has ruled him out for three weeks; the 23-year-old has scored two goals and assisted one from five matches played in the Serie A. While he also played a key role in Napoli’s 4-1 win over Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.

Griezmann returned to Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window of 2021, joining Diego Simeone’s team on a two-year loan deal that would most likely turn into a €40 million transfer.

Last season, the forward was a vital member of the first team, but things have changed dramatically at the start of this season.

Griezmann has been introduced at the closest possible point to the 60th minute in every game thus far, including Wednesday night in the Champions League, when he went on to score an extremely late winner.

That’s due to the fact that his loan includes a clause that Atleti will only have to pay the €40 million if he is involved in half of the team’s games, but that means playing at least half of each match.

However, according to SPORT, Barcelona have already informed the Madrid club that they believe they’re already owed the money for the transfer.

That’s due to 31-year-old playing 80% of games last year and the Catalan giants claim that the loan deal was only for one year, with the second year only coming into effect if he played 50% of games.

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They argue that with the deal only being for one year, that’s the only year in which the amount of games he played mattered towards the permanent transfer clause.

Barca believe that it doesn’t matter if Griezmann plays 4 minutes, 28 minutes or all 90 minutes, Atleti already owe them the €40 million.
The report says that Joan Laporta’s side are preparing a lawsuit should their rivals fail to pay them for the permanent move, which could be an issue for Atleti.

Whilst Barcelona’s financial problems have been well publicised, the side from the Wanda Metropolitano’s problems haven’t been spoken about quite as much.

Five players had to reduce their wages in the first team in order to help out in the summer, and that’s exactly why they’re trying to avoid paying for Griezmann.

Fans have reacted to the possibility of a December fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, with many advising the two-time heavyweight champion not to take the fight.

On Monday, Joshua accepted WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s challenge after the latter called him out on social media on Monday, challenging the British-Nigerian to a Battle of Britain in December.

Joshua responded to Fury’s antics on Twitter, writing, “Yea calm. I don’t participate in online discussions for clout, so if you’re serious, contact @258mgt (Joshua’s management). In December, I’ll be ready.”

However, fans have warned the British-Nigerian to exercise restraint in the same Joshua post.

Popular influencer, Daniel Regha wrote, “Anthony Joshua don’t get ahead of yourself, you are far from ready to fight Tyson Fury judging by your performance against Usyk in which you lost twice in a row; you are no doubt a great boxer, but you are not on Fury’s level yet. Act wise, rebuild yourself before taking on a challenge. No offense.”
Another user, @KingBalmainn commented, “I know you’re not a coward Anthony but sometimes there are battles you don’t fight physically. Tyson Fury is a different type of beast, to be honest.”

@currentiyke joked that Joshua wanted more punishments, “Lmaooo the one you’ve collected never satisfy you?”

Another Twitter user, @ogunsanyah did not think Joshua had any chance at all writing, “Lmao. You that Fury will beat like a lost ram. You that is fighting like you’re applying makeup. Like you didn’t see how aggressive Mike (Tyson) was during those awesome years.”

However, Olufemi Zosu believes Joshua should not be discouraged, “Why are you guys discouraging AJ? “Quitters Never Win and Winners Never Quit”. Joshua, just make a wish and believe in Jah it gonna come through.”
It was Sported Extra also reached out to some boxing fans on the streets. One of these, John Jimoh harbors little hopes of a Joshua victory.

“About the Tyson versus Joshua fight, honestly, I feel Joshua is about to go on his third losing streak.

“Though Joshua is faster than Fury, Fury is still quite calm and collected. Joshua is going into this fight with anger in him and hunger for “revenge”, more like a comeback. Which to me, is not the best for now,” he said.

“If I were to be Joshua, I would go for a less competitive person first, before accepting to fight Fury. If you watch Joshua well, it’s quite evident he gives up quickly so I think Joshua is no match for Fury. But above all, I still wish my countryman the very best.”

Tomilola Isijola who enjoys combat sports and is a fan of UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes Joshua actually stands a chance.

“Tyson Fury one minute said he wants to retire and spend time with his family, and the next minute, he’s looking for an opponent to fight. It’s interesting the way he called Anthony Joshua out and I think it will be an exciting watch. It’s sounding like he’s asking Joshua to come and redeem himself.

“I think Joshua may stand a chance because he may be coming with the aggression from the fight he recently lost (against Usyk) and I think that he is going to prepare so well for Fury.”

A Nigerian man in his 50s, Taiwo Stephen thinks Joshua is now less physical but can still pull an upset, “I think Anthony Joshua’s form has dropped.

“Back when he first started, he used to fight with more aggression knocking out opponents, but along the line, around when he became Heavyweight champion, he became a less physical fighter, so if he can put more effort and fight as he used to in the beginning, he can beat Fury.”

Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) has admitted that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) incidents at Chelsea and Newcastle on Saturday were mistakes, according to Sky Sports.

This comes after the Premier League asked the officiating board to investigate the referees’ body.

Saturday’s Premier League action was marred by a couple of decisions that were either overturned, thanks to the intervention of VAR or not given.

After the Premier League called for an investigation into key decisions at Stamford Bridge and St James’ Park, PGMOL has acknowledged errors were made in the incidents that denied West Ham and Newcastle goals.

In west London, West Ham were denied a late equaliser when Maxwel Cornet’s goal was chalked off after a VAR review judged that Jarrod Bowen had fouled Chelsea goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy in the build-up.

The West Africa Network for Peace Building, WANEP, has donated football jerseys to youths in the Nyuwar Community of Gombe State’s Balanga Local Government Area.

The initiative aims to promote peaceful coexistence among the state’s Lunguda and Waja tribes.

Two sets of 16 Jerseys, two sets of football socks, two balls, two sets of captain bands and whistles, four sets of training bibs for regular training of each team, and two sets of Goal Keeper Jerseys were donated.
Mr. Mohammed Farouk, representative of the WANEP National Network Coordinator, Mrs. Bridget Osakwe said the choice of football wears was borne out of the proposals made by the youths and women from the Nyuwar community during the various peace dialogues held.

He said “the participants recommended the introduction and provision of sporting facilities for activities between them so that the long-standing bond of unity and peace would be resuscitated and strengthened, stopping in its track the hostilities that have in recent times threatened centuries of relations between them.”

Farouk said each of the two clubs, “Wonders Sparrows” and “Gilengitu FC” of Nyuwar, were a mixture of players from both tribes, to strengthen their relations.

“The community proposed three activities, one of which is strengthening sporting activities in the community as a unifier of the youths in the community. It will support peace-building processes in the community,” Mr. Farouk stated.

He said WANEP was using an all-inclusive approach so as to carry everyone along.

Receiving the items from the representative of WANEP, in Talase, the Chairman of Balanga Local Government Area, Mr. Garba Umar, represented by the Chief Administration Officer, Mr. Adamu Yerima, thanked WANEP for the gestures.
He commended the move as a very good step in bringing peace and development to the people in Nyuwar and Balanga Local Government Area as a whole.

Me Umar said; “With this thing, it will unite us the more. The two teams, you know, when a footballer wears a uniform, it gives him a new spirit, and the spirit will make him unite with others.”

The Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, represented by the Director and Head, Rescue and Rehabilitation, Mr. Mohammed Garba, said the gesture by WANEP had made his organisation the happiest because, with the unity and peace in Nyuwar, Gombe SEMA would have fewer burdens in its hands.

“As part of our efforts in ensuring that peace prevails, we are in constant collaboration with organisations like WANEP to ensure that we send the message of peace to local communities where there used to be violence from time to time. So, it is the continuation of this that today, we are giving these football jerseys and footballs to these two clubs from Nyuwar,”Mr. Graba explained.

He is delighted that sports were being used to quail the recent recurring crisis between the Lunguda and Waja tribes in Nyuwar because sporting activities are global facts that generate peace everywhere in the world.

Me Garba said;“Problems are forgotten and friendship is built as a result of the sporting activities being conducted. It will go a long way to strengthen the friendship, especially when it is handled properly.”

Sports Officer of Balanga Local Government Area, Mr. Abubakar Magaji thanked WANEP for the gesture, saying “he is delighted that Waja and Lunguda will now come back to being one like they were in time past.”

Some of the players expressed their gratitude to WANEP for accepting and responding to their request for peace in the area.

One of them, Nasiru Ardo expressed his gratitude and promised that because the items are meant to unite the two tribes, no stories of crisis would be heard from their end, because they were already united now.

Also Suleiman Ayuba said there would be no more fighting in Nyuwar now; they would now be playing five times a week in the community.

He however called on well-meaning sons and daughters of Nyuwar and Balanga to step in and provide such facilities for the needed peace to reign in the area, saying outsiders should not be ones always coming to provide peace and unity for them when from within that can be done.

Recalled that the Lunguda and Waja Tribes in Nyuwar, who had lived together as one for over two centuries, have in recent times engaged in attacks and counter-attacks, but came out strongly to condemn it and vowed to recover their lost unity and peace.

WANEP, which has also been at the forefront to ensure restored peace, had intervened severally to help them get back together.

It is hoped that other stakeholders will step in to lend their voices.

Celtic midfielder, Matt O’Riley, has decided to rule out any possibility of leaving the club amidst reported interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.

O’Riley admitted that some clubs are looking to sign him this summer but stressed that he wants to work with Celtic this season.

As per ESPN, apart from Arsenal and Liverpool, O’Riley has also garnered interest from Manchester United, Leicester City, Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund.

Amidst this interest in him, O’Riley told Danish outlet Bold: “Yes, there are some of the clubs that have inquired about me. However, I cannot say which clubs they are.

“But even though it’s great to know that there is a lot of interest in me, I only have one thing in mind, and that is to do well for Celtic.”

O’Riley joined Celtic from MK Dons in January earlier this year for £1.5 million.

Former Liverpool midfielder, Danny Murphy, has advised Everton star, Anthony Gordon, to stay at Goodison Park this season, despite Chelsea’s transfer interest.

The former Liverpool midfielder is very impressed by the Toffees’ 21-year-old, who has reportedly been the subject of a £60million offer to move to Stamford Bridge.

“I completely understand the interest,” Murphy said on talkSPORT, “I think he’s a brilliant prospect.

“He’s got lovely balance, two good feet, very courageous on the ball, goes hunting the ball down to make things happen.

“That’s a real trait in a young player, especially in an Everton side last year struggling.

“I think, for the lad, he will benefit more from playing another year at Everton, definitely.”

Heavyweight Deontay Wilder believes that Anthony Joshua’s lack of confidence played a major role during his rematch defeat to Oleksandr Usyk on Sunday morning.

Pundits have commented that Joshua delivered an improved performance in Saudi Arabia following his loss to Usyk last year but it wasn’t enough as the Ukrainian retained his heavyweight titles via split decision.

Wilder, who is set for a ring return on October 15 against Finland’s Robert Helenius, believes Joshua showed a lack of confidence in the build-up to the fight and has questioned the 32-year-old’s mentality.

“Sometimes you just look at both fighters, and sometimes the eye test will tell it all,” Wilder told ESNews on Wednesday.

“The body language is telling a story, the way the momentum of a fighter is telling a story, you could look at Usyk and tell how confident he was, how the tables have turned, you could tell he owned it, he feels like who he is.

“With Joshua, you could tell that he wasn’t himself, his usual self of being motivated and secure within himself.”
Wilder also claimed he received an offer from Eddie Hearn before Joshua’s fight with Usyk and says that was a sign the promoter did not have full confidence in Joshua’s ability to reclaim the heavyweight titles.

“Eddie Hearn came to us, after everything is over with my fight, talking about offering a deal,” said Wilder.

“My thing is we’re busy. For me, it’s easy to see what was going on. Boxing’s solely a business, it’s not a sport. It’s strictly a business.

“But he was trying to contact us for reassurance. All of a sudden you want to make a fight because even you don’t have confidence in your own fighter that he was going to win.

“For me, he was trying to make a deal to ensure he can lock something in but the thing about it is when you lose that price goes up. He ain’t going to get no solid deal locked in. We’re not stupid, when you’re

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Manchester United striker, has been told that he must make do with the Europa League because no one wants to sign him.

With less than two weeks until the start of the new season, the Portugal international’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.

However, despite his desire to join a Champions League team ahead of the new season, the 37-year-old football legend has been told to accept that he will remain with his current employers.

According to Alex Crook, a talkSPORT transfer journalist and Manchester United fan, no club is currently interested in signing the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar.

Ronaldo returned to England on Tuesday and reportedly held crunch talks about his future with the club.

However, while the outcome of the talks is still unknown, Crook stated that the Portugal captain must accept the fact that he will remain at Old Trafford.

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“He can say he wants to leave the football club as many times as he wants, but he needs to find someone willing to take him on,” he explained on Wednesday’s White and Jordan show.

“Right now, the super clubs, the Champions League clubs that he aspires to play for, aren’t forthcoming.”

“Once again, Oliver Kahn at Bayern Munich has stated that he does not fit the play they want to play.” Paris Saint-Germain is not looking after the interests of its owners.

“So, the question for Ronaldo is who will sign him, with Thomas Tuchel also not interested in taking him to [Chelsea], even though they don’t have an out and out striker on their books.”

“At the moment, the answer is nobody,” he added.

The activities of women’s football development in Nigeria in recent times have drawn the attention of more sports stakeholders, particularly those in the football community.

Chief (Mrs.) Dilichukwu Onyedinma, the former Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), was the most recent speaker. She claimed that domestic women’s football in the nation is gradually collapsing and that, if immediate action was not taken, all previous gains would be completely lost due to poor administration.

The current chairwoman of the NWPL, Aisha Falode, had earlier attacked the former NWFL board by asserting that the nation’s women’s football league is now better organised and managed.

It was reported that Falode said, “With the former board, they never got a single sponsorship and the league witnessed so much retrogression with the highest number of walk overs in the history of women’s football in Nigeria.”

To the shock of many football fans, Mrs. Onyedinma wondered why the current leadership would simply be left in the hands of one person with subpar football management skills after the NWFL was professionally managed from pro-level (division two standard) under her watch as board chairperson.

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“I chose to watch events play out out of maturity. It is embarrassing to learn that Folade is comparing our legacy in women’s football to her directionless and visionless leadership.

“Where do I begin? What is the current state of women’s domestic football development? One person is in charge, and as a result, everything is crumbling. No more responsibility. Nothing to hang onto. Unlike what happened when we were there, no fresh grassroots players have emerged in the last five years or so.

She reportedly has difficulty calling Congress on a yearly basis. The NWFL is currently run like a state league. Congresses were held without any problems at the appropriate times and in various states while I served as the chair of a board that was properly constituted. There is no way a leadership structure that is typically intended for a full board structure can work effectively with just one person making decisions by themselves.

“We didn’t have to run cap in hand to the NFF begging for money when we were growing up. The board, which was properly appointed through an election, always looked for funding to adequately carry out our programmes.

“As a board, we gave a thorough account of everything we did, and the documented copies are available for everyone to see. According to Mrs. Onyedinma, a former executive board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), “These days, there are claims of sponsorship agreements with no details for the clubs to see.

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The current NWFL leadership, which was renewed two years ago, has been in place for more than five years, operating in violation of the NFF hierarchy’s requirements by not having a properly constituted board.

Aisha Folade was reappointed as NWFL Chairperson in 2020, and this medium has learned exclusively that the nation’s football body instructed that a board comprised of nine members, including six representatives from participating clubs and two independent board members, be constituted in accordance with the applicable article via an official memo dated January 14, 2020.

However, investigations showed that, up until the time this report was filled, the League lacked an elected and legally constituted board.