Sports

PATRIOTISM! Arsenal’s Zinchenko Says He Would Fight In Ukraine If Called Up

Published

1 year ago

April 5, 2024

ADMIN

This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law lowering the country’s army mobilisation age from 27 to 25, the country’s parliament said on its website.

Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko says he would leave the Premier League to fight in Ukraine if his war-torn country called him up.

This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law lowering the country’s army mobilisation age from 27 to 25, the country’s parliament said on its website.

Mobilisation has been a divisive issue in a nation exhausted by more than two years of war with Russia, which has resulted in huge military losses.
Zelensky said in December that the army wanted to mobilise up to half a million people to battle Moscow’s forces in Ukraine.
Arsenal’s Zinchenko, who has won 60 caps for Ukraine, told BBC’s Newsnight programme he would answer a call-up.

“I think it’s a clear answer. I would go (to fight)”, he said.
He added that former school friends were involved in the conflict.
“It’s tough to understand that just recently we’ve been in the same school, we were playing in the playground or on the football pitch, and now they have to defend our country,” he said.
“And, honestly, (it’s) so hard to accept this, but it is what it is. We cannot give up.”

The 27-year-old former Manchester City player told the BBC he had donated about £1 million ($1.25 million) to help people in his country since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

“I know maybe some people might think that it’s much easier… for me being here (in London) rather than being there (in Ukraine),” he said. “I really hope that this war will end soon.”
The Arsenal player, who began his senior career with Russian team Ufa, said he is no longer in contact with friends or former teammates who are in Russia.
“Since the invasion really few (have) texted me and sent me some messages and I can’t blame them because this is not their fault,” he said.

“I cannot tell them, ‘Guys, do the protests outside and all these things’, because I know they can be (put) in prison.”
He said Moscow’s invasion had shown “all of us Ukrainians that we can’t be friends” with Russians any more.
“We will never forget what they have done to us, to our people,” he added. “And that’s what I will teach my kids as well. And my kids will teach their kids. This is not acceptable.”
Though Zinchenko decided against fighting he told AFP last year he hoped his children would understand why.
“I hope if my children ask me ‘Daddy what did you do in that time, how did you help?’, I will be able to look them in their eyes and reply I was doing my best.”
Several Ukrainian sports stars have previously joined the effort to defend their country, including world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Former WBO world heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko is mayor of Kyiv.

Sports

NFF denies owning Christian Chukwu $128,000 amid social media claims

Published

11 hours ago

April 15, 2025

Admin

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that it owed former Nigeria captain and Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, the sum of $128,000 before his death.

Reacting to the reports following Chukwu’s passing on Saturday, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, described the allegations as baseless and misleading.

“There is no record in the NFF of any outstanding indebtedness to ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu,” Sanusi said.

Read Also: President Tinubu, Atiku, Gov. Mbah mourn Nigerian football icon Christian Chukwu

“During the first term of the Board headed by Amaju Pinnick, a committee was set up to diligently peruse the documents of coaches who were being owed, even from previous NFF administrations.”

He explained that the committee had been mandated to verify and settle all legitimate debts owed to coaches, and there was no documentation indicating that Christian Chukwu was owed any funds.

“I am aware that ‘Chairman’ was in the employ of the NFF between 2002 and 2005, before he was relieved of his duties following a 1-1 draw with Angola in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Kano in August 2005. There is certainly no record of indebtedness to him in the NFF.”

Sanusi further urged anyone in possession of genuine and verifiable documents proving the NFF owed Chukwu or any other coach to come forward.

“As a credible organisation that is very much alive to its responsibilities, if we are confronted with any genuine document of indebtedness to any coach, we will offset the debt immediately,” he stated.

The NFF has reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability in managing its obligations, especially to individuals who have served the national teams.

Christian Chukwu, affectionately known as “Chairman,” captained Nigeria to its first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 and later coached the Super Eagles between 2002 and 2005.

Sports

UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final Second Leg Preview: Fixtures, Predictions

Published

11 hours ago

April 15, 2025

Admin

As the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals head into the decisive second-leg fixtures, clubs across Europe are preparing for season-defining clashes that will determine their place in the semi-finals.

Aston Villa vs Paris Saint-Germain (Aggregate: 1–3)
Second Leg: Tuesday, 8 p.m.
Aston Villa return to Birmingham with work to do after a 3-1 defeat in the first leg at Parc des Princes. Despite managing an away goal, overturning a two-goal deficit against a PSG side boasting significant European experience and attacking firepower will be a major task.

Under Unai Emery, Villa have shown resilience in Europe, but PSG remain favourites to book a semi-final spot.
Prediction: PSG expected to advance (Aggregate Prediction: 2–4)

Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona (Aggregate: 0–4)
Second Leg: Tuesday, 8 p.m.
Barcelona delivered a dominant performance at Camp Nou with a convincing 4-0 win. With a commanding advantage heading into the return leg, Xavi’s men are well-positioned to close out the tie.

Dortmund will rely on home support and pride, but overcoming such a margin against an in-form Barça side appears highly improbable.
Prediction: Barcelona strongly favoured to progress (Aggregate Prediction: 2–6)

Real Madrid vs Arsenal (Aggregate: 0–3)
Second Leg: Wednesday, 8 p.m.
Arsenal stunned the Spanish giants with a stunning 3-0 away win at the Bernabéu, capitalising on their pressing game and quick transitions. While Real Madrid have a rich history of remarkable comebacks in Europe, the Gunners’ advantage is substantial.

With composure and discipline, Mikel Arteta’s side are in a strong position to seal qualification.
Prediction: Arsenal likely to go through (Aggregate Prediction: 3–4)

Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich (Aggregate: 2–1)
Second Leg: Wednesday, 8 p.m.
This matchup is the most closely contested of the quarter-finals. Inter edged out Bayern 2-1 in Munich, though Bayern’s away goal keeps the tie wide open. With both sides stacked with attacking quality, the second leg at San Siro promises high drama.

Expect a fiercely competitive affair, but Inter may just have the edge with home support.
Prediction: Inter tipped to narrowly advance (Aggregate Prediction: 3–2)

Projected Semi-Final Pairings:

Paris Saint-Germain vs Arsenal

Barcelona vs Inter Milan