Author: Nurudeen Obalola

By Nurudeen Obalola Ademola Lookman has won the 2024 CAF Awards African Player of the Year prize, beating four other finalists at Monday’s ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco. The Super Eagles and Atalanta forward has succeeded his Nigeria international teammate Victor Osimhen after earning more votes from African national team coaches and captains than Achraf Hakimi, Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy and Ronwen Wlliams. Lookman, 27, has had an excellent 2024, beginning the year by scoring three goals to inspire Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations final in Cote d’Ivoire. He was included in the Team of the Tournament even as…

Reports on Monday suggest that former England international Dele Alli will begin training with Serie A side Como on boxing day, as he looks to regain fitness ahead of his next return to professional football. Alli, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Besiktas, was in attendance as Como inflicted a 2-0 defeat upon a troubled Roma side in Serie A on Sunday. Como manager, former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas, also admitted that there is a possibility that the Englishman starts training with the club in the near future. Now, according to reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Alli will start training with Como…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has given its public backing to Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman to emerge as the CAF Awards African Player of the Year on Monday night in Marrakech,  Morocco. The 27-year-old Atalanta star has had a brilliant year for club and country, but he is up against Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, Cote d’Ivoire winger Simon Adingra, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. According to the Confederation of African Football, the category is so keenly contested that they could not cut down the five nominees to three finalists like they did with other…

Chelsea moved to within touching distance of English Premier League leaders Liverpool with a 2-1 victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Sunday night, while Tottenham Hotspur defeated Southampton 5-0. Enzo Maresca’s side now sit second in the table two points behind the Reds, who have the advantage of having played a game fewer. However, Chelsea’s seventh consecutive win in all competitions will only serve to underline their status as genuine title contenders. Marc Cucurella’s first-half header set them on their way against Brentford, with the left-back stealing in to nod in from Noni Madueke’s curling delivery from the right…

Manchester United netted twice in the closing minutes to beat Manchester City 2-1 in a dramatic derby finale at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Struggling English Premier League champions City took the lead in the first half and looked to be coasting to only their second victory in 11 matches when United responded with two late goals, Cote d’Ivoire international Amad Diallo involved in both. Josko Gvardiola’s 36th minute header appeared to be giving City victory in a largely scrappy clash until United staged a remarkable turnaround to give new manager Ruben Amorim a landmark win early in his reign.…

Kate Scott, until recently known with her maiden name Kate Abdo, will be hosting the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony, along with Jalal Bouzrara. The ceremony is scheduled for Monday evening in Marrakech, Morocco. “Scott is a well-known sports broadcaster who worked for CNN and Sky Sports before joining CBS Sports. She speaks four languages, English, French, Spanish and German, and has hosted numerous events worldwide,” the Confederation of African Football said in a statement announcing her as co-host. “She is also well known for her role hosting the FIFA Ballon d’Or and Laureus World Sports Awards, both of which…

Wolves have sacked manager Gary O’Neil following a dismal run of four consecutive English Premier League defeats. The results have left the club stranded in the relegation zone, second from bottom in the table with just nine points from 16 games after Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to fellow strugglers Ipswich. “Wolves have parted company with head coach Gary O’Neil and his backroom staff,” the club announced on their official website on Sunday. “O’Neil arrived at Molineux just three days before the start of the 2023/2024 Premier League season, taking on a significant challenge and ultimately guiding the Old Gold to…

Tanzanian music superstar Diamond Platnumz and Dystinct, the Moroccan who is known for his genre that blends R&B, Afrobeats and Arabic influences, are two of the major acts to entertain the audience at the CAF Awards on Monday night in Marrakech, Morocco. “The 2024 CAF Awards will shine a spotlight on the best players, coaches and teams on the continent over the past year but will provide a platform to take in the sights and sounds of Africa’s vibrant entertainment scene,” the Confederation of Aftican Football stated on Sunday. Monday’s ceremony will be held at the Palais des Congrès in…

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi put in another solid shift on Saturday as Fulham drew their English Premier League clash 2-2 with Liverpool at Anfield. Iwobi was a menace on the left side of midfield, combining with Antonee Robinson to torment Liverpool down that flank. The Nigeria international was involved with Fulham’s second goal, finding Robinson with a fine pass before the left-back set up Rodrigo Muniz for the finish. Fulham stunned Anfield with an early goal, Andreas Pereira hooking the ball in acrobatically in the 11th minute. Things then went from bad to worse for the league leaders as…

Although they have no contestant among the five finalists for the 2024 CAF Awards Men’s Player of the Year, Cameroon have had more winners of the prize over the years than any other country. The winner of this year’s award will be crowned in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night, with Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman vying with Simon Adingra of Cote d’Ivoire, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, Ronwen Williams of South Africa and Serhou Guirassy of Guinea. Past winners of the African Footballer of the Year award, which was first introduced more than a half century ago, come from 17 different Confederation of…