The Executive Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Desmond Amadin Enabulele has confirmed Coach Greg Ikhenoba as the substantive Head Coach of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin.

He also announced the appointment of Mr Austin Iyamu and Peter Obanor as the Technical Director and Team Manager of Bendel Insurance FC respectively.

The Sports Commission, in the same vein, announced the appointment of Coach Rollanson Aituairi
Odeh the General Manager of Edo Queens FC in his strategic plans for the effective management of the two state-owned clubs.

Others appointed by the Commission chairman included Mr Idemudia Osigbemen as Insurance FC scouting coach while Mr. Anthony Ipogah, was appointed as Edo Queens players’ scouting coach.

Princess Omoyemwen Adeyinka Afolabi was appointed as the welfare officer of Edo Queens.

Coach Greg Ikhenoba was confirmed as the substantive Head coach of Bendel Insurance FC, following his ability to guide the team out of relegation after the resignation of his former boss, coach Monday Odigie who was head coach and technical director.

The appointment of Austin Iyamu was a replacement for the vacant position of Coach Monday Odigie.

Following the outstanding performance of Edo Queens in the 2023/24 NWFL premiership and CAF Women’s Champions League, the Sports Commission boss renewed Moses Aduku’s contract as the Head Coach of Edo Queens.

As a result, Aduku has signed to remain with Edo Queens for two more years.

Enabulele charged the newly appointed officials of the state-owned football clubs to bring their expertise and experience to bear in the discharge of their professional duties as much is expected from them.

He also called for synergy between new appointees and other members of the teams in driving the process of change for
the overall development of the clubs

Enabulele added that the new appointments were based on their professional track records in the game of football

Meanwhile, the Edo State Sports Commission has perfected plans to unveil the newly appointed coaches, team manager and players of Bendel Insurance FC on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

The unveiling ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM at the New Festival Hall, Government House Benin City.

Neymar said that the 2026 World Cup will be his last adding he was confident that Brazil would qualify for the finals in North America.

“I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance and I will do everything I can to play in it,” the 32-year-old attacker, who has not played for Brazil in more than a year, told CNN.

He also told the American news network in the interview published on Tuesday that he would not rule out reuniting with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at U.S. club Inter Miami.

“Obviously, playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible,” Neymar said at an award ceremony in Dubai.

Brazil have struggled in South American World Cup qualifying.

After 12 of the 18 rounds, they are fifth in the 10-nation group. But the top six are guaranteed places in the World Cup and Brazil are five points ahead of Bolivia in seventh.

“I have a lot of faith in the team, in the players who are emerging, who are young,” he said. “We’re not in a position where we would like to be.”

“I think together we can achieve something very big. We have a year, a year-and-a-half to work, to do the right things to reach the World Cup,” Neymar said.

Neymar started Brazil’s first four qualifying games but went off injured at half time as they lost to Uruguay in October 2023. After knee surgery he was out for a year.

He returned for his Saudi club Al Hilal with two brief appearances in October and November but injured a hamstring and has not played since. He said he is targeting the World Cup.

“I want to be there, I’m going to try to do my best, to work very hard so that I can be with the Brazilian team.”

He will be 34 by the time the competition in the USA, Canada and Mexico, kicks off.

He could play in the United States before then. Al Hilal will appear in the expanded Club World Cup in the United States in June where Miami, with Messi and Suarez, will also be competing.

“They are my friends.” said Neymar, who also played with Messi at Paris Saint-Germain. “We still speak to each other. It would be interesting to revive this trio.”

“I’m happy in Saudi Arabia, but who knows? Football is full of surprises.

“When the news came out that I was leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the transfer window was closed in the United States, so I didn’t have this option.”

AFP

Nigerian international Victor Osimhen ruffled a few feathers with his decision to stay at Galatasaray after Manchester United expressed keen interest in the striker.

The 26-year-old, who is on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, has been the subject of transfer speculation during the January transfer window.

The Super Eagles striker is, however, bent on seeing out his season-long loan spell with the Turkish Super Lig giants.

Osimhen’s decision has reportedly left Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis extremely upset.

Amid the ongoing standoff, Osimhen has reportedly reached out to Napoli’s director Giovanni Manna to explain his decision to remain in Turkey.

According to Turkish outlet Persindeyiz Galatasaray, Victor Osimhen explained to Manna that he is committed to spending the entire season at Galatasaray before making a final decision on his future in the summer.

“I made a promise to Galatasaray. I’m quite happy here. The fans love me very much. I can’t leave them. If the teams that made offers still want me in May, we will sit down and talk again,” Osimhen stated.

Osimhen’s statement sets the tone for another interesting summer transfer window after the season.

The former Lille striker was arguably one of the hottest topics in the last transfer window.

Osimhen has been impressive since joining Galatasaray in early September, scoring 13 goals in 16 appearances across all competitions for the club.