2024 | Page 71 of 75 | Trendbrio.com

Man Utd made Olise attempt before Bayern swoop

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago01 mins

Manchester United made an enquiry for Michael Olise this summer but could not sign him. The Red Devils did go after the former Crystal Palace winger, but only after Bayern Munich had moved ahead in the race. Per The Mail, Olise had already committed to Bayern and was not going to change his mind. United were even looking to use Sir Alex Ferguson to try and persuade the winger to join. However, Olise believes that he can get good game time at Bayern and can develop his game. Whether he comes back to the Premier League is unclear, but United will be monitoring his progress.

Zidane hints at Man Utd job

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago04 mins

Zinedine Zidane has admitted he is open to a long-awaited return to management after speculation linking him to Manchester United resurfaced. Zidane has been without a job since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in May 2021. The 52-year-old Frenchman has been linked with several roles in the past three years, including United, Bayern Munich and the national team jobs at United States, Brazil and Algeria, but is still biding his time. He sparked rumours that he could be preparing for a return to the dugout this week when he was spotted attending a training session at Real Betis. It comes amid pressure on Erik ten Hag at United following a poor start to the season, just months after the club’s new leadership team openly courted other managers. Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate were among those considered by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his advisors, while L’Equipe stated that Zidane was also interested in taking over from Ten Hag. In the end, Ten Hag was given a stay of execution, but the Dutchman remains on shaky ground after the 3-0 thrashing by Liverpool at Old Trafford. At the premiere of a film about his former Juventus manager Marcelo Lippi in February, Zidane was asked if he would return to coaching. He replied: “Why not, anything can happen. Now I’m doing other things, but we’ll see. I’d certainly like to return to the bench.” Zidane has only ever managed at Real Madrid so far in his coaching career, but was incredibly successful over his two spells at the club. The former midfielder won two La Liga titles and three Champions League titles before walking away at the end of the 2020/21 campaign. He has taken an unusually long time out since then, but his ethos is clear: he will only return for the right opportunity. “Never say never,” Zidane told L’Equipe in 2022. “Especially when you are a coach today. If I go back to a club, it is to win. I say this with all modesty. That’s why I can’t just go anywhere. “For other reasons, too. Certain conditions make things more difficult. When someone says to me, ‘Do you want to go to Manchester [United]?’ I understand English but I don’t fully master it. “I know there are coaches who go to clubs without speaking the language, but I work differently. To win, many elements come into play. It’s a global context. I know what I need to win. Of course, I might not always win, but I know that you need to have this, this and this. And I want to do everything on my side to optimise my chances of victory.”

Top African Coaches to attend CAF AFCON symposium in Abidjan

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

Top African coaches and tacticians will attend the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 Coaches Symposium in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on 12 and 13 September 2024. The two-day event organised by CAF in partnership with FIF Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (“FIF”) will kick-off on Thursday, 12 September 2024 with a Legacy discussion by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, Ivorian Government and FIF President Yacine Idriss Diallo. Between Thursday and Friday, 12-13 September, Coaches from 42 African Member Associations and global experts including from FIFA and EUFA will reflect on the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023. The coaches, including the Finalist – Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria and semi-finalists, South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo, will join their peers on a number of topical discussions. The conference will feature a comprehensive program, including insightful sessions, engaging panel discussions, and presentations by leading experts in the football community. Highlights of the event will include an in-depth analysis of the strategies that defined TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2023, a special focus on the masterminds behind the tournament, and a forward-looking discussion on the future of African football.

Ronaldo scores 900th career goal in Portugal win

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal in Portugal’s Nations League victory over Croatia on Thursday. The star forward found the net in the 34th minute at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon. “It means a lot,” Ronaldo said after Portugal’s 2-1 win. “It was a milestone I wanted to reach for a long time. I knew I would reach this number, because as I continue to play, it would happen naturally.” In the celebration, Ronaldo raised his hands to his face and dropped to his knees. “It was emotional because it’s a milestone,” he said. “It seems like any other milestone, but only I know, and the people around me, how hard it is to work every day, to be physically and psychologically fit, to score 900 goals. It’s a unique milestone in my career.” It was the 131st goal of his international career. The goal put Portugal up 2-0. Croatia later made it 2-1. He is the first man to reach the 900-goal milestone in official matches for club and country. Ronaldo plays club soccer for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Osimhen lands in Super Eagles’ camp

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago01 mins

Galatasaray of Turkey new man Victor Osimhen has finally arrived the Super Eagles’ camp in Uyo ahead of Saturday’s AFCON 2025 qualifier against Benin Republic. The striker, upon arrival joined his national teammates in training at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. Osimhen was received by the team’s captain, William Troost-Ekong, others players and officials. He was also congratulated on his recent loan move to Turkey. With Osimhen’s arrival, all the invited 23 players for the Benin Republic and Rwanda clash are in camp.

Osimhen: Onyekuru lured me to Galatasaray

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

African footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen has revealed that Henry Onyekuru furnished him with necessary information before agreeing to Galatasaray move. The Nigeria striker has joined in a straight loan from Napoli with a break clause for January. He said upon signing his contract: “When I heard about Galatasaray’s interest, it was an easy decision for me. I knew how big Galatasaray was and how much of a family club it was. They have an incredible fan base. “Henry Onyekuru is my friend and he played for Galatasaray, he told me how big the club, the fans and the people here are. “So it was an easy decision for me. When I landed at the airport, the fans welcomed me with so much emotion that I felt very happy. “These things are important for a player. I want to do everything I can for them. “I can’t wait to start this project. I’m very excited.” On a reunion with former Napoli teammate Dries Mertens, he continued: “Dries Mertens was always with me when I played in Italy. He became a big brother to me. He is a person I respect a lot, I am excited to be teammates with him again. “I can’t wait to meet my teammates as soon as possible. I was already watching Galatasaray games. “I follow Mertens to see how he plays since he came here. I was following his development as a person and as a footballer. “The interactions of the players with the fans when they score goals and win games are also exciting. Now I hope our fans will support me after every goal. I can’t wait. “I say hello to the Galatasaray fans, Osimhen is here. Thank you very much for welcoming me at the airport. It was a great welcome.”

Eguavoen: Eagles set to make great start in 2025 AFCON race

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago05 mins

Interim manager Augustine Eguavoen has declared that Nigeria’s Super Eagles are raring to go for all six points available in this month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against their counterparts from Benin Republic and Rwanda. The reigning African vice champions clash with the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday, 7th September and then keep a date with Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali three days later. “Our objective is clear: to pick the six points in both matches. The players know this, and are committed to accomplishing this. The matches will not be easy; no qualifying game can be taken for granted because all the teams want to play in the finals. However, we have spoken to the players and all of us are on the same page. “Starting with the match against Benin Republic on Saturday, nobody is mentioning anything about revenge. Our goal is three points, and then we aim for another three points in Kigali on Tuesday that will put us in good stead for qualification.” Eguavoen has a number of stalwarts who are truly determined to appease fans and enthusiasts for missing the two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in June, from which poor results threaten the Eagles’ chances of reaching the 2026 finals. AFCON’s Man-of-the-Competition William Ekong, also team captain, was overlooked for the ties against South Africa and Benin Republic as he was recovering from injury, but is back at the heart of the rearguard to lead the three-time African champions to hunt for points for another showpiece. Ekong scored three goals at the AFCON finals early in the year. Reigning African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen missed the two games in June, as defender Ola Aina and star forward Moses Simon due to injury. Osimhen just signed for Turkish giants Galatasaray and will be keen to impress his new employers, while banishing talks of his rustiness. Rapid-raider Simon, who on his good day can single-handedly decimate the opposition, is also eager to again dorn the green-white-green, just as Aina. Eguavoen is most likely to start goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, with Aina, Semi Ajayi, Ekong and Bassey at the rear, and any three of Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Alhassan Yusuf and Raphael Onyedika in midfield. Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface and Ademola Lookman are gunning for shirts at the fore. Lookman, in the list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or, will walk with a greater spring in his steps, and justifiably so. He scored three crucial goals for Nigeria at the AFCON, and his 17 goals and 11 assists steered Atalanta FC to the Europa Cup final, where his hat-trick did the damage on German club, Bayer Leverkusen. Saturday’s match will kick off at 5pm inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

Lagos signs MOU with Chinese Coy on rice value chains, agric productivity

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese food processing company, Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co. Limited, to increase productivity in the rice value chain and enhance food security in the State. Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Governor, who is currently in China with some Lagos State Government officials for the ongoing Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), witnessed the signing of the MoU on Wednesday. The Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Agriculture (Rice Mill Initiative), Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, signed the MoU on behalf of the Lagos State Government, while Group Director, Rice Industry Division, Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co. Limited, Mr. Wang Wei, signed on behalf of the Chinese company. The signing of the MoU was also witnessed by the Group Head of Rice, Wilmar Group, Mr. Prashant Trikha. The signing of the MoU and collaboration between the Lagos State Government and the Chinese company will enhance rice production and agricultural productivity in Lagos State in line with the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s quest for food security and agricultural revolution. He said: “We realise that we have the capacity to feed ourselves as a people, if we put the right investment in agriculture. That is why our administration has prioritised agricultural value chains. Our rice initiative, with the Imota Rice Mill is projected to provide 1,500 direct jobs and over 250,000 indirect jobs. The rice mill alone has a capacity to produce 2.8 million bags of 50 kg bags of rice yearly.” Lagos State Government is committed to enhancing agricultural productivity and has been actively engaged in the promotion of cultivation of rice to meet the high demand for rice consumption in Lagos State, further to which it has established a 32-metric-tonne per hour capacity rice mill in the Imota area of the State. Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co. Limited is one of the largest food processing companies in the Peoples Republic of China, which operates an integrated rice business covering the rice value chain, from cultivation to processing and distribution of milled rice.