September 2024 | Page 22 of 26

Mikel admits role in Osimhen’s transfer

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago05 mins

John Obi Mikel has revealed he played a key role in trying to get Victor Osimhen to Chelsea. The Napoli and Nigeria striker was heavily linked to the goal-shy Premier League side for much of the summer transfer window, but ended up joining Galatasaray on loan. Given Osimhen’s role in ending Napoli’s 33-year wait for a league title as Serie A’s top scorer in the 2022/23 campaign, it seemed rather remarkable that he landed in the Turkish Super Lig which is ranked as the tenth best in Europe. But as former Blue Mikel revealed, it wasn’t for the want of trying from either Chelsea or Osimhen. “I mean, a lot happened, and I think it’s an open secret that I was involved in the deal,” he said on his Obi One Podcast. “I was involved in trying to make sure that I get Victor to the club. A lot happened, it was very interesting, because I think I hear a lot of people saying this and saying that about Victor and and how greedy he is and stuff like that. “I just want to categorically say it here that I know the kid since from the very first day he joined the national team, my relationship with him has been very, very good. And since then we’ve kept in contact and been friends. “I know what he’s capable of, and I just want to say that is absolutely not true. Victor is not a greedy boy. He only wants to get what he deserves. And that’s not a problem. “He wasn’t asking for all that bulls*** [£500,000 per-week]. I know what happened. I was there, in the midst of everything. So I can tell everybody that that is definitely not true. “He’s not a greedy boy, he just wants to play football and get what he deserves, a player knowing what he’s worth and asking to be paid what he’s worth is not a problem.” Osimhen was heavily-linked to both Chelsea and Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli during the final days of the transfer window, and talkSPORT understands that he rejected the latter approach. Meanwhile, personal terms are understood to have held things up for the Blues, something Mikel alluded to while suggesting that the deal may not be over. “We were very very close to getting this deal done but there were slight issues and problems that we couldn’t get over the line,” Mikel said. “Of course the medical couldn’t be done even if the deal got done. “I know exactly where we stopped and exactly where we are with the deal, if eventually in January we have to pick it up again I know exactly where we are and where we have to start from. “I was the guy right in the middle of everything and there were a couple of days where I didn’t sleep.”

Eguavoen: Super Eagles can’t be intimidated by any team

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago05 mins

Augustine Eguavoen started his fourth stint with the Super Eagles on a fabulous note, with the three-time African kings decimating Benin Republic’s Cheetahs 3-0 in Uyo on Saturday. The 58-year-old intends to continue along the win-and-smile path when Nigeria confront Rwanda at the Amahoro National Stadium, Kigali on Tuesday afternoon. “We play to win all the time, because Nigerians expect their team to win all the time. And because we have a team with great personnel, we play every team with respect but we don’t get intimidated by any. “Our objective for Tuesday’s game is the three points.” Team captain William Ekong, speaking at the pre-match post conference at the Amahoro Stadium on Monday, just before the Eagles’ official training, echoed the tactician: “We are here for a purpose. With Coach Eguavoen, who has coached the team before, we all feel like a family. We will play for each other and go for the three points that will establish us at the top of the table.” Table-toppers Nigeria, still basking in the great-feel of their 3-0 defeat of the Cheetahs, take on the Amavubi (Wasps) at the refurbished 45,000-capacity facility in the heart of Kigali in a Matchday 2 encounter of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, from 2pm Nigeria time. Tuesday’s encounter is the first of four battles between the Eagles and the Amavubi in the next 12 months, with the two teams to clash in November in Nigeria in the final round of this qualifying race, and then do a home-and-away in the 2025 FIFA World Cup race with the Wasps also hosting Nigeria first in March next year. Coach Torsten Spittler, a German, has roused the country of 13 million people to believe that the Amavubi can torpedo Nigeria, Libya and Benin Republic, and earn their first ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations since 2004. He flaunts an impressive record though, having led the team to win three of their last eight matches, drawing four and losing one. Spittler intends to set defenders Claude Niyomugabo, Fitina Omborenga, Ange Mutsinzi, Jean Claude Niyomugabo and Christian Ishimwe against Nigeria’s twin-terrors Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, who both concocted the three goals that deflated the Cheetahs in Uyo. In the midfield, Olivier Niyonzima, Bonheur Mugisha and Jean Bosco Rubineka can prove a handful on their day, and at the fore, Spittler has implicit confidence in Gilbert Mugisha, Bienvenu Mugenzi and Innocent Nshuti, who got the team’s equalizer against Libya in Tripoli last week. Eguavoen confirmed on Monday that all 23 players in the Nigeria team abode at the Radisson Blu are fit and ready, meaning that goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali should be expected to start, alongside captain Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey at the heart of defence, while Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi will be wingbacks. Wilfred Ndidi will possibly anchor the midfield that will have Alex Iwobi or Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, while Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze could still start at the fore.

Colombia 2024: Falconets spank Venezuela, hit Round of 16

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

Goals by Amina Bello, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Flourish Sabastine and substitute Joy Igbokwe against Venezuela in Cali on Saturday took two-time silver medallists Nigeria to the Round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. Bello guided home a cut-back by the irrepressible Okwuchukwu for the first goal against the South Americans in the 16th minute, before Okwuchukwu turned goalscorer in the 28th minute when she met a corner kick with a bullet header to make it 2-0 for Nigeria. Okwuchukwu, who scored Nigeria’s only goal in their 1-3 loss to Germany on Wednesday night, was at it again in added time of the first half, when she assisted Flourish Sabastine with a pull-out that the latter converted to put daylight between both countries. Substitute Joy Igbokwe made it four, four minutes into added time, with the result effectively steering the Falconets to the Round of 16 of the competition. Victory earned the Falconets six points and a plus three goals difference in their group D campaign, with their Round of 16 game to come up in Bogota on Thursday.

Morocco 2025 qualifier: Ademola Lookman wins Man of the Match award

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago01 mins

Ballon d’Or Player of the Year nominee Ademola Lookman has emerged the Man of the Match winner in Super Eagles three nill victory over The Cheetahs of Benin Republic. The Atalanta of Italy playmaker struck shortly before half time, to the Abuja fans into frenzy. Lookman also compounded the woes of the Beninoise with a header in the 83rd minute. The pacy player’s efforts put Nigeria to top Group D with three points ahead of Libya, Rwanda who are on one point respectively, while Benin Republic are fourth place with no point.

Ogun LGA Elections: COYOF drums support for Delu

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

The Coalition of Ogun Youth Forum (COYOF) has reassured of their unalloyed support for Honourable Babatunde Adeluola ahead of Abeokuta South Local Government Chairmanship poll. According to the group, “Abeokuta South Local Government as one of the premier Councils in the country deserves no less but an astute, a technocrat and versatile man in charge. “No one can fill this void than the man of the people, Babatunde Adeluola (Delu). “Having served for decades as a financial expert, Delu will be prudent with public funds. “Our incoming chairman is youthful, vibrant, energetic, listening and shall be useful for everyone, especially the youths in the LGA. “Let’s join hands and support Delu to achieve great dreams for our beloved Local Government. “Our iconic local government deserves the best brain and no other than Delu. “Delu for sure!!! “Vote DELU, Vote Progress!,” the group stated. Adeluola, a financial expert with several years of experience, is the candidate of the All Progressive Congress.

Morocco 2025 qualifier: Osimhen, Lookman sink Benin Rep’s Cheetahs

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

A brace from Ballon d’Or Player of the Year nominate Ademola Lookman and strike by the African footballer of the Year were all the Super Eagles needed to claim tops in Group D of the AFCON 2025 qualifier. The Atalanta of Italy playmaker struck shortly before half time, to the Abuja fans into frenzy. Osimhen replaced Victor Boniface after half time to increase the tally at 78th minute of the tie. Lookman compounded the woes of the Beninoise with a header in the 83rd minute. AC Milan midfielder Samuel Chukwueze made his mark with a swinging free kick but the Beninoise goalkeeper averted danger. Galatasaray of Turkey forward Osimhen started from the bench while the interim gaffer of the senior national team, Austin Eguavoen, opted for Leverkusen of Germany forward, Boniface to the team’s assault. Stanley Nwabali was in goal as team captain, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Ola Aina provided him cover in the defence. Bruno Onyemaechi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi were saddled with midfield role. Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Boniface combined in the attack. Nigeria will travel to face Rwanda, while Benin hosts Libya on Tuesday in the next round matches of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers. The former African champions lead the group with three points ahead of Libya, Rwanda on one point respectively while Benin Republic are rock bottom with no point.

Morocco 2025 qualifier: Eguavoen benches Osimhen, starts Boniface

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago01 mins

African footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen will start from the bench in this afternoon’s AFCON 2025 qualifier against Benin Republic in Uyo. However, the interim gaffer of the senior national team, Austin Eguavoen, opted for Leverkusen of Germany forward, Victor Boniface to the team’s assault. Stanley Nwabali retained his place in goal and will get cover from team captain, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Ola Aina. Bruno Onyemaechi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi were saddled with midfield role. Samuel Chukwueze will join Boniface in the attack. The tie will kick off at 5pm Nigeria time.

Youths endorse Delu as Abeokuta South LGA boss

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago01 mins

Youths in the Abeokuta South Local Government have thrown their weight behind Babatunde Adeluola to emerge as the new Council boss. The group, under the aegis of Coalition of Ogun Youth Forum (COYOF), endorses Adeluola as the best candidate for further develop the local council area. Adeluola, popularly known as Delu, a financial expert, is believed to bring his wealth of experience over the years to bear in the administration of one of the historic Local Governments in Nigeria. Some of the Youths comments are; “Adeluola is the perfect man for the task. “Adeluola will bring youthful experience for development.”