Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Marcus Rashford is prepared to leave Manchester United after spending nine years in the club’s senior team. The Manchester-born academy product was left out of the squad for Sunday’s derby win at City, leading to reports that the Red Devils were willing to sell him as soon as next month. “For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” Rashford told Henry Winter on Tuesday when he was asked if he would stay at Manchester United or leave the club. “When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going…
By Nurudeen Obalola Vinicius Jr has won The Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year prize ahead of Rodri. He was presented with the gong at the The Best FIFA Awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday. Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinicius had finished second to Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri in the Ballon d’Or weeks ago, sparking controversy and eliciting bitter reactions from Vinicius, his Real Madrid teammates, fans and the club hierarchy. Vinicius won the 2023/2024 UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, and their manager Carlo Ancelotti has been voted Men’s Coach of the Year. Emma…
Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a drugs test and been suspended by the Football Assocation, the English Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday. The Blues said they were contacted by the FA after an “adverse finding in a routine urine test”. Ukraine international Mudryk has however denied knowingly using any banned substance and Chelsea say they will work to establish what caused the test result. The 23-year-old last played for Chelsea on November 28 and has missed the last five matches in all competitions. He was included in the matchday squad for the Chelsea’s victory against Aston Villa on…
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman on winning the 2024 CAF Awards African Player of the Year prize. The President also lauded Super Falcons star Chiamaka Nnadozie for bagging the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award and the Super Falcons for being named the Women’s National Team of the Year. The awards were announced on Monday night at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco. Lookman, who plays his club football with Atalanta in Italy, beat off competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Cote d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhe Guirassy and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams…
Manchester United are open to letting Marcus Rashford leave the club and have put the forward up for sale, according to reports in England. Rashford has been marginalised and on the way out of Old Trafford as part of a cultural reboot deemed necessary to transform the club after standards were allowed to decline for more than a decade, the Guardian claimed on Monday. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is intent there can be no passengers and is ready to cut his losses on Rashford if there are suitors in January. A willingness to take short-term pain in pursuit of long-term gain was…
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.…