Sports
Osimhen opens up after Napoli president blasts him for rejecting Manchester United move
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.
Sports
CAF Confederation Cup: Enyimba bow out after defeat to Zamalek
Enyimba have been eliminated from this year’s CAF Confederation Cup following a 3-1 loss to holders Zamalek in Cairo.
Forward Seifeddine Jaziri bagged a brace for Zamalek, while Mustafa Shalaby scored the other goal.
Enyimba got their goal through Ifeanyi Ihemekwele.
Enyimba finished third in Group D with five points from six games.
Another Egyptian club, Al Masry, joined Zamalek in the quarter-finals of the competition after they beat Black Bulls of Mozambique 3-1 to record nine points.
No Nigerian club has won the CAF Confederation Cup in the past.
News
Haaland signs 10-year contract with Manchester City
By Francesca Hangeior.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2034, the club announced on Friday.
The 24-year-old Norwegian, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, has been a pivotal figure in the club’s recent successes.
His initial contract was set to expire in 2027, but the new deal reflects the club’s confidence in Haaland’s importance to their future.
“Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year Manchester City contract, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2034,” the statement said.
Reflecting on the new contract, Haaland expressed his delight at extending his stay.
“I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club.
“Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters, and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody,” he said.
Haaland thanked his teammates, manager Pep Guardiola, and the City staff, stating, “They have made this such a special place to be, and now I am City no matter what. I want to keep developing, keep working to get better, and help us achieve more success going forward.”
Since his arrival, Haaland’s impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. In his debut 2022/23 season, he scored 52 goals across all competitions, the highest-ever tally by a Premier League player in a single season, breaking the previous league record of 36 goals.
His goals were instrumental in City’s historic treble-winning campaign, which included the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles.
In addition to collective success, Haaland garnered numerous individual accolades in his debut season, including the PFA Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year awards.
Despite an injury that sidelined him for nearly two months during the 2023/24 season, Haaland continued his prolific form, scoring 38 goals in 45 appearances, including 27 in the Premier League, securing a second consecutive Golden Boot.
Sports
SAD: Footballer slumps, dies during match in Osun
By Francesca Hangeior.
Osun State Police Command has confirmed the death of Adeyemi Adewale, a football player for the Ilesa West Local Government Area team, who slumped during a match in Osogbo, the state capital.
Adewale, 29, was participating in the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match at the Ataoja School of Science on Thursday when he collapsed on the field.
Efforts to save him proved futile as he was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead upon arrival.
Spokesperson for the Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident in a statement, adding that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death have commenced.
“Today, (Thursday) while the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match was going on at Ataoja School of Science, one Adeyemi Adewale ‘M’ 29yrs, a player of Ilesa West Football team, slumped on the pitch.
“He was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by a doctor,” the statement said.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the teaching hospital’s morgue.
-
Metro22 hours ago
Father And Daughter b3headed Over Land Dispute In Delta Community
-
News22 hours ago
Banditry: Bandit Leader Bello Turji Reportedly On the Run, Son Wasted Amid Military Offensive
-
Politics22 hours ago
Edo Guber Election Petition Tribunal to Reconvene Tomorrow
-
News17 hours ago
Reps Direct Ministry of Health to Provide Detailed Report on Nutrition Interventions Amid Malnutrition Crisis
-
News22 hours ago
Hajj: CSO lauds NAHCON’s selection of new Saudi-based service provider
-
News12 hours ago
Alleged medical trip: Wike reacts, says I’m fit and very healthy
-
Metro12 hours ago
SAD! Police nab man for allegedly st3bbing in-law to d#ath
-
News11 hours ago
Polytechnic Workers To Begin Warning Strike Wednesday