Author: Nurudeen Obalola
France’s 2018 World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps announced on Wednesday he will leave his post after the 2026 finals. “It will be 2026,” Deschamps told French broadcaster TF1. “I have been there since 2012, it is planned that I will be there until 2026… the next World Cup. “It will end there because it has to end at some point. It’s clear in my mind. “I have done my time, with the same desire, the same passion to keep the France team at the highest level, but 2026 is good.” Deschamps, 56, led France to World Cup glory in Russia…
On Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation announced Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles. Chelle will take over from Austin Eguavoen who has been in charge of the Super Eagles on an interim capacity. As Nigerians look forward to what Chelle has to offer, here are 10 interesting facts about the Malian presented by Sportingtimes.ng’s Korede James… Place of birth: Eric Chelle was born on November 11, 1977, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to a French father and a Malian mother. Playing career: During his playing career Chelle was a central defender who spent most of his…
The winners of this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) will take home $3.5 million following a significant increase in the prize money by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Nigeria’s Super Eagles B will be aiming for their first title in the competition having finished as runners-up in 2018, their best outing so far. “The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) announced today that the Prize Money of the Winner of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (“CHAN”) Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 has been increased by 75% and the Winner will now receive USD 3.5 million,” the continental governing…
By Korede James Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon earned Newcastle United a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. It is now two victories against Arsenal this season for Newcastle, who had edged out the Gunners earlier in the season in the English Premier League. Isak gave the Magpies the lead in the first half before Gordon doubled the lead early in the second half. Arsenal’s two best opportunities fell to the returning Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli who failed to convert. The Gunners would hope to…
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles. The appointment was announced on Tuesday night as the Malian replaces Finidi George, who quit the position in June last year. “The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men national football team, Super Eagles,” the governing body said in a statement tonight. “At its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, 2nd January 2025, the NFF Technical and Development…
By Korede James The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau has revealed that the new Super Eagles head coach will soon be announced. Following the resignation of Finidi George mid-2024, NFF Technical Director Austin Eguavoen has been in charge of the Super Eagles on an interim basis. The former international led the Super Eagles to qualify for the AFCON 2025 billed for Morocco. Despite Eguavoen securing the ticket for this year’s AFCON, the NFF has declared the Eagles coaching position vacant. “Nigerians will know the coach of the Super Eagles very soon,” Gusau said in an interview on NFF…
By Korede James French Ligue 1 club AS Monaco have been linked with a January transfer move for Genk’s Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare. According to Foot Mercato, Arokodare is a Monaco target, along with Sturm Graz’s Danish forward Mika Biereth. Monaco are keen to sign Biereth after former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun got injured. Biereth has been in impressive form since joining Sturm Graz from Arsenal last summer for €5 million, scoring 14 goals in 25 games. Monaco and Biereth have reportedly reached personal terms, but the Austrian club’s hefty €20 million asking price has stalled negotiations. Due to the…
By Korede James Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has said Chelsea would have still be in the English Premier League title race of they had signed Victor Osimhen or Sporting Lisbon striker Victor Gyokeres. Mikel said this in his latest criticism of Chelsea’s Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson due to his failure to convert scoring chances. The Blues were earlier in fine form, winning five consecutive games. But things have gone south of late with Enzo Maresca’s men, who have picked up just two points in four games, recording two draws and two defeats. They were closer to Liverpool in…
By Korede James Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club, Akwa United, have announced the re-appointment of Kennedy Boboye as their new head coach. “We have agreed a mid-season managerial contract with coach Kennedy Boboye,” the Uyo-based club confirmed on Monday. “Boboye who won the NPFL title with us in 2021 signed the deal today and he is expected to begin work with the team later this week.” Boboye will take over from Mohammed Babaganaru, who resigned in December. The 51-year-old Boboye has had spells in Plateau United and Sunshine Stars, as well as other NPFL clubs. Akwa United have managed…
By Korede James Super Falcons midfielder Deborah Abiodun has signed for National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Washington Spirit in the United States of America. Washington Spirit announced in a statement on Monday night that Abiodun signed a three-year contract. The 21-year-old was signed alongside forward Emma Gaines-Ramos. “The Washington Spirit has made the first additions to its 2025 rookie class, signing forward Emma Gaines-Ramos and midfielder Deborah Abiodun, the club announced today,” the top division side stated. “This year’s class comes in the wake of 2024’s historic group of first-year players highlighted by NWSL Midfielder and Rookie of the…