Sports
OLYMPICS; Brazil hammer Super Falcons in opening match
The Super Falcons began their campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on a shaky footing, losing 0-1 to Brazil in their first match.
Nigeria came into the game on the back of an impressive showing at the 2023 FIFA World Cup and an eight-game unbeaten run.
They started the match well, missing a couple of chances to have taken the lead in the French city of Bordeaux.
Many thought the team would go into the tunnel with the lead or at least all square with the South Americans. But Gabi Nunez finished off finely with about eight minutes to the end of the first half to give Coach Randy Waldrum’s side a mountain to climb in the second half.
Upon the resumption of the second half, the Nigerians rallied to get back into the game. But their final balls were rarely threatening the Brazilian defence.
Despite running some changes and bringing in fresh legs to push for an equaliser, the Brazilians defended gallantly to deny the Super Falcons the leveller.
Nigeria’s next game is against world champions Spain. That match is on the 28th of July before the team take on Japan on the 31st.
In the other Group C game, Spain saw off Japan 2-1 while the US defeated Zambia 3-0 in a Group B tie. France mauled Colombia 3-0 in a Group A encounter on the same day.
Sports
Transfer: Neymar in shock return to Barcelona after Santos move
Neymar Jr., a former forward for Paris Saint-Germain, may be returning to his old team, Barcelona.
This follows his brief stay at Santos, the club he frequented as a youngster.
The Brazilian confirmed his transfer from Al-Hilal, a Saudi Pro League team, to Santos on Monday.
Al-Hilal will terminate his contract, and he will sign a brief six-month contract with his Santos.
June 2025 was the expiration date of his initial contract with Al-Hilal.
Neymar will also be a free agent after his six-month stay with his hometown team.
Fichajes.net reports sources close to the Brazilian as saying that he is keen on returning to Europe in 2025.
The former PSG superstar wants to prepare himself to lead Brazil in the 2026 World Cup.
After Santos, Barcelona has emerged as one of Neymar’s top destinations, the report claims.
When Neymar Jr. relocated from Santos to Barcelona in 2013, his journey into European football officially began.
In 186 appearances across all competitions, the Selecao great helped the Catalan team score 105 goals and dish out 76 assists.
Sports
Transfer: Marseille move to sign Iheanacho on loan
Olympic Marseille, a Ligue 1 team, is interested in loaning Sevilla forward Kelechi Iheanacho for the rest of the season.
After the Nigerian failed to make an impression after joining on a free transfer last summer, Sevilla is willing to let him go this month.
This week, the Rojiblancos acquired Jerome Akor Adams, a fellow countryman, from Montpellier, a French team.
Despite having other offers on the table, Iheanacho is reportedly leaning toward a move to Marseille, according to French publications.
According to reports, Sevilla and the striker have contacted Marseille.
Before the winter transfer window closes, the 28-year-old is anticipated to make a decision regarding his future.
Sports
Former Belgium player Radja Nainggolan arrested for alleged cocaine smuggling
Former Belgian footballer, Radja Nainggolan has reportedly been arrested for alleged involvement in cocaine smuggling.
According to a report by Corriere della Sera, the former AS Roma midfielder was allegedly part of a smuggling operation transporting cocaine from South America to Antwerp.
The Brussels public prosecutor’s office confirmed Nainggolan’s arrest as part of a large-scale raid on 30,000 houses in Antwerp and Brussels on Monday, January 27, 2025.
“The federal judicial police of Brussels carried out thirty house searches on Monday morning in the context of a case from the Organized Crime department of the Brussels public prosecutor’s office. The searches mainly took place in the province of Antwerp and in Brussels.”
“The investigation concerns suspected activities related to the importation of cocaine from South America to Europe via the port of Antwerp, as well as its distribution in Belgium. We can confirm that the footballer RN (Radja Nainggolan) has been taken into custody in connection with this case,” the statement read as quoted by UK outlet, Daily Mail.
“Given that interrogations are ongoing, and in compliance with the principle of presumption of innocence, no further comment will be made at this stage.”
Nainggolan, 36, currently plays for Lokeren-Temse, a lower-tier club in Belgium. He rose to prominence during his time in Italy, representing clubs such as Inter Milan, AS Roma, and Cagliari.
The former midfielder announced his retirement from international football in 2018 after being omitted from Belgium’s squad for the FIFA World Cup that year.
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