Soccer Archives | Page 4 of 14

Why Real Madrid paying to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold early is unprecedented

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago52 mins

Real Madrid’s decision to pay approximately €10 million (£8.4 million) to secure Trent Alexander-Arnold’s early release from Liverpool—just a month before his contract was set to expire—is a rare and strategic move in modern football. Typically, clubs allow players with expiring contracts to leave on a free transfer, especially when the remaining time is minimal. However, Real Madrid’s urgency stemmed from their desire to have Alexander-Arnold available for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which commences on June 18, 2025. His Liverpool contract was due to end on June 30, making him ineligible for the tournament unless an early agreement was reached This proactive approach is unprecedented, particularly for a player who was on the verge of free agency. It underscores Real Madrid’s commitment to fielding a competitive squad for the Club World Cup, a tournament offering significant financial incentives, with potential earnings up to €100 million for the winners Moreover, the move highlights Real Madrid’s long-term planning. With veteran right-back Dani Carvajal facing injuries and advancing in age, securing Alexander-Arnold not only addresses immediate concerns but also ensures a seamless transition for the future. The club’s willingness to invest in an early transfer, despite the player’s impending free-agent status, reflects a strategic blend of short-term necessity and long-term vision

Liverpool Confirm €35m Deal for Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago52 mins

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Dutch defender Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, after triggering his €35m (£29.5m) release clause. The 24-year-old right-back, who can also operate as a winger, will join Liverpool on a six-year contract, with the fee to be paid in three instalments. The deal will be officially completed when the summer transfer window opens on Sunday. Frimpong, a key figure in Leverkusen’s 2023/24 German domestic double-winning campaign, scored five goals and provided 12 assists in 48 appearances last season. He previously contributed 14 goals and 12 assists across all competitions in the 2022/23 season, underlining his attacking impact from the right flank. Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, is understood to be a strong admirer of Frimpong’s versatility, work rate, and offensive capabilities, viewing him as a crucial addition to the squad. Frimpong’s arrival will bolster Liverpool’s options at right-back and on the wings ahead of the new season. Frimpong’s transfer will also see his former club, Celtic, benefit from a sell-on clause potentially worth £5m. The Scottish side had sold him to Leverkusen for up to £11.5m in January 2021, having initially signed him from Manchester City’s academy in 2019.

Unity Cup Tournament: Super Eagles, Reggae Boyz Light Up London

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago25 mins

Nigeria, winner of the only previous edition in the year 2004, will seek to retain their title against the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica in a potentially-explosive Unity Cup Invitational Tournament final match at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium in west London on Saturday evening. This year’s tournament has delivered handsomely on the sporting, cultural and friendship platforms, fulfilling most of the objectives of the organizers for different races in the United Kingdom to bond better and experience cutting-edge entertainment in an atmosphere of sheer euphoria and no-strings-attached camaraderie. Neither the Reggae Boyz nor the Super Eagles had it easy making it into the final, as they were stretched to the limit by the Soca Warriors and the Black Stars respectively. The Boyz led 2-0 against the Warriors, only to see their opponents draw level, and had to wait for a fortuitous added-time penalty to emerge victorious. The Eagles also led 2-0, after only 19 minutes, and looked to be coasting to a resounding win, only to take their feet off the pedal. Ghana’s youthful ensemble, led by the veteran Jordan Ayew, had the momentum for much of the second half, and after a well-taken goal by Brandon Thomas Asante, came very close to netting the equalizer in added time, only for goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to rise to the occasion. The stands at Gtech on Saturday evening will be a sea of green-and-white and yellow-and-black, but more than that, a festival of dancing, drumming, high decibel-singing and competitive spirit in an exhilarating atmosphere are guaranteed. Off the pitch, a lot of wrist-pumping and chest-bumping will be in motion. Nigeria’s victory over bitter regional rivals Ghana on Wednesday was identical to their win over the same opponents in a friendly match in the Moroccan city of Marrakech in March last year, and even saw Cyriel Dessers, who scored the first against the Stars 10 months ago, doing the same on Wednesday with greater poise. On Saturday, Coach Eric Chelle will not only be looking for a third win in four matches for three-time African champions Nigeria. The prospect of holding a trophy after only four matches in charge makes it more appealing. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Waliu Ojetoye and Junior Nduka, midfielder Saviour Isaac and forwards Tolu Arokodare, Nathan Tella and Adamu Abubakar who sat out the win over Ghana will be hopeful of getting minutes, alongside Germany-based wing-back Felix Agu, now cleared to represent Nigeria. Former junior international Benjamin Frederick, called up in place of the absent Christantus Uche, will also be hopeful of seeing action at some point. Nigeria and Jamaica enlivened the city of Kingston in a memorable 2-2 draw in a friendly match prior to the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals in France.

CAF Announces Venues for 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago21 mins

The venues that will host the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for the Kingdom of Morocco, 5th – 26th July, have been unveiled. They are: . Olympic Stadium, Rabat . Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca . Père Jégo Stadium, Casablanca . El Bachir Stadium, Mohammédia . Honor Stadium, Oujda . Berkane Stadium, Berkane Nigeria’s Super Falcons, nine-time champions, will play in group B of the tournament alongside Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana. GROUP A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR Congo GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana GROUP C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania

Pre-WAFCON Test: Super Falcons Won’t Pull Punches against Cameroon – Madugu

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago25 mins

Head Coach Justine Madugu says the Super Falcons will entertain no hold-backs when they take on Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in two friendly matches at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Saturday and at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta on Tuesday. “Our objectives for these two matches include improving our game philosophy and tactical approach. We want to observe and assess the players in line with our philosophy. We are determined to improve the team’s coordination, team spirit and mentality towards winning the Women AFCON. “Yes, these are friendly matches but we must approach things with the right mentality, with the attitude that we want to win, and with the mindset that we are already at the championship. It will not be right for us to treat the games with kid’s gloves and earn results that will have an untoward psychological effect on the team going to Morocco.” Madugu insists that the players understand the nature and size of the rivalry between Nigeria and Cameroon on the field of play, and will approach the games with the seriousness they deserve. “We must ensure a positive mentality and keep to the gameplan. It is important for us to use the games to underscore our preparedness for the Women AFCON.” The Falcons and the Lionesses are no strangers to one another. Most recently, the Falcons won a penultimate qualifying fixture for last year’s Olympics 1-0 on aggregate, courtesy of Esther Okoronkwo’s barnstorming effort at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja in the return leg. The win sent the nine-time champions to the final qualifying round, where they faced South Africa’s Banyana Banyana. That fixture was also settled by the odd goal – Rasheedat Ajibade’s penalty kick in Abuja. That feat qualified the Falcons for their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in 16 years. When Cameroon hosted the Women Africa Cup of Nations nine years ago, the Falcons were there to deny them glory in the final, with Desire Oparanozie scoring a late goal to crown Nigeria for the eighth time. Madugu has invited an interesting blend of the old and the new, home girls and those plying their trade abroad, with captain Ajibade, multiple award-winning goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Christy Ucheibe and forwards Toni Payne and Francisca Ordega the old and wise heads that the younger ones can learn so much from. The Super Falcons will be up against Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in group B of the 13th Women AFCON in Morocco. SUPER FALCONS FOR LIONESSES’ CHALLENGE: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens); Morufa Ademola (Edo Queens) Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens) Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Amarachi Odoma (Edo Queens) Forwards: Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Olamide Bolaji (Remo Stars Ladies); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Emem Essien (Edo Queens)

Chelsea Crowned Conference League Champions After Thrilling 4-1 Win Over Real Betis

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago51 mins

Chelsea have been crowned UEFA Conference League champions after a dominant 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the final held in Wroclaw. Enzo Maresca’s tactical changes at halftime sparked a remarkable second-half comeback, with goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moises Caicedo securing the win for the Blues. The triumph makes Chelsea the first club in history to win all three of UEFA’s major trophies: the Champions League, Europa League, and now the Conference League. Real Betis took the lead in the first half, but Chelsea’s second-half performance proved too strong for the Spanish side, who could not hold off the Blues’ relentless attacking display.

Unity Cup: Super Eagles, Black Stars In Explosive Clash in London

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago47 mins

Three-time African champions Nigeria and four-time champions Ghana will bring alive the Unity Cup Invitational Tournament in London on Wednesday when both regional rivals clash in the second semi-final of a tournament of immense cultural and sporting relevance. Both teams bring a number of critical elements into the encounter taking place at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, including a 74-year rivalry in which Ghana have smiled more than Nigeria, but either team has felt like they lost a World War 3 whenever results did not go their way. Until March last year, when they won a friendly match against the Black Stars 2-1 in the Moroccan city of Marrakech, thanks to goals from Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles had not beaten their West African foes in 18 years. That was when Taye Taiwo’s shot from a free-kick outside the box condemned the Black Stars to defeat in a group phase encounter in Port Said, at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations. The Black Stars won the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification pitching both teams together, on the away goal rule, and retain the bragging rights of the biggest win in their clashes – a 7-0 spanking of then Red Devils in a Jalco Cup match in Accra on 30th October 1955. Ghana also won the two teams’ only previous clash at Brentford, running away 4-1 victors in a friendly encounter on 6th February 2007. However, the Super Eagles have equally had their day in the sun, such as the 3-0 trashing of the Black Stars in Port Harcourt to earn passage to the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, and eliminating the Cup holders from the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations. Wednesday’s clash in west London is another opportunity for the Super Eagles to prove their mettle, with Head Coach Eric Chelle having called an interesting blend of home-based talent and boys based overseas. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is expected to be in goal, with Semi Ajayi, Felix Agu, Sodiq Ismaila, Igoh Ogbu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Junior Nduka, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi and Waliu Ojetoye available for slots in the defence, and Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Papa Daniel Mustapha, Saviour Isaac and Collins Ogwueze tugging for the midfield shirts. Christantus Uche was yet to arrive in the team’s Doubletree By Hilton Ealing abode as at Tuesday evening. Ahmed Musa, Simon Moses, Kelechi Iheanacho, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Samuel Chukwueze, Sikiru Alimi and Adamu Abubakar are available for Coach Eric Chelle in the fore-line, as Tolu Arokodare, who a few days ago clinched Belgium Pro League’s top scorer award, was scheduled to arrive on Tuesday night and might not feature having not trained with the team. NIGERIA, GHANA IN HISTORY 20 0ct 1951 (Jalco Cup): Nigeria 5 Ghana 0 11 Oct 1953 (Jalco Cup): Ghana 1 Nigeria 0 30 Oct 1954 (Jalco Cup): Nigeria 3 Ghana 0 30 Oct 1955 (Jalco Cup): Ghana 7 Nigeria 0 27 Oct 1956 (Jalco Cup): Nigeria 3 Ghana 0 27 Oct 1957 (Jalco Cup): Ghana 3 Nigeria 3 25 Oct 1958 (Jalco Cup): Nigeria 3 Ghana 2 10 Oct 1959 (Olympics Qualifier): Nigeria 3 Ghana 1 26 Oct 1959 (Olympics Qualifier): Ghana 4 Nigeria 1 22 Nov 1959 (Jalco Cup): Ghana 5 Nigeria 2 28 Aug 1960 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 4 Nigeria 1 10 Sep 1960 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 2 Ghana 2 9 Oct 1960 (Nkrumah Cup): Nigeria 0 Ghana 3 29 Oct 1960 (Zik Cup): Nigeria 1 Ghana 1 8 Apr 1961 (AFCON Qualifier): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0 30 Apr 1961 (AFCON Qualifier): Ghana 2 Nigeria 2 17 Dec 1961 (Friendly): Ghana 5 Nigeria 1 10 Nov 1962 (Friendly): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0 23 Feb 1963 (Nkrumah Cup); Ghana 5 Nigeria 0 30 Oct 1965 (Zik Cup): Nigeria 0 Ghana 4 7 Nov 1965 (Zik Cup): Ghana 3 Nigeria 0 23 Jan 1967 (Zik Cup): Nigeria 2 Ghana 2 12 Feb 1967 (Zik Cup): Ghana 2 Nigeria 0 22 Oct 1967 (Zik Cup): Ghana 2 Nigeria 1 23 Dec 1967 (Zik Cup): Nigeria 2 Ghana 2 10 May 1969 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 2 Ghana 1 18 May 1969 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 1 Nigeria 1 8 Jan 1973 (All-Africa Games): Nigeria 4 Ghana 2 10 Feb 1973 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 2 Ghana 3 – abandoned, match awarded 2-0 to Ghana 25 Feb 1973 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0 11 Aug 1974 (Festival): Nigeria 1 Ghana 0 17 Aug 1974 (Festival): Nigeria 0 Ghana 1 24 Aug 1975 (Festival): Ghana 1 Nigeria 2 30 Aug 1975 (Festival): Ghana 3 Nigeria 0 4 Sep 1977 (Ecowas Cup): Nigeria 2 Ghana 1 8 Mar 1978 (AFCON): Ghana 1 Nigeria 1 21 July 1978 (All-Africa Games): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0 1 May 1983 (ECA Anniversary): Ghana 1 Nigeria 0 15 Oct 1983 (Olympics Qualifier): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0 30 Oct 1983 (Olympics Qualifier): Ghana 1 Nigeria 2 5 Mar 1984 (AFCON): Ghana 1 Nigeria 2 27 July 1986 (Friendly): Ghana 2 Nigeria 0 2 Sep 1990 (AFCON Qualifier): Ghana 1 Nigeria 0 13 Apr 1991 (AFCON Qualifier): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0 23 Jan 1992 (AFCON): Ghana 2 Nigeria 1 9 Mar 1994 (Friendly): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0 28 Aug 1999 (Friendly): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0 11 Mar 2001 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0 29 July 2001 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 3 Ghana 0 3 Feb 2002 (AFCON): Ghana 0 Nigeria 1 15 Dec 2002 (Friendly): Ghana 0 Nigeria 1 30 May 2003 (LG Cup): Nigeria 3 Ghana 1 23 Jan 2006 (AFCON): Ghana 0 Nigeria 1 6 Feb 2007 (Friendly): Ghana 4 Nigeria 1 3 Feb 2008 (AFCON): Ghana 2 Nigeria 1 28 Jan 2010 (AFCON): Ghana 1 Nigeria 0 11 Oct 2011 (Friendly): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0 25 Mar 2022 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0 29 Mar 2022 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 1 Ghana 1 23 Mar 2024 (Friendly): Ghana 1 Nigeria 2

Unity Cup 2025: Africa Meets The Caribbean in London on GOtv

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago23 mins

The 2025 edition of the Unity Cup kicks off today in London. The competition returns after 21 years, ready to deliver a week of football, culture, and community. Running from May 27 to 31 at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, the tournament features four national teams: Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, each competing in a straight knockout format. It’s football with flair, backed by a deeper mission: celebrating the enduring ties between Africa and the Caribbean. Today’s opener sees Trinidad & Tobago face Jamaica at 7:45 pm, while tomorrow brings a blockbuster clash between long-time West African rivals Nigeria and Ghana at 7 pm. Winners advance to the final on May 31, with a third-place playoff earlier that day. But Unity Cup 2025 is more than a sporting contest. It doubles as a diaspora culture festival, with music, food, and performances that reflect the richness of African and Caribbean heritage, especially among UK-based communities. Launched in 2002 to promote unity through sport, the tournament returns at a time when questions of identity, solidarity, and representation feel more urgent than ever. Its comeback is both timely and symbolic. For participating teams, the stakes go beyond pride. Nigeria, for example, sees the Unity Cup as a valuable warm-up ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifiers, giving the coaching crew a chance to test combinations and sharpen the team’s rhythm. With top-level football, carnival-like atmosphere, and GOtv bringing it straight to your screen, Unity Cup 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration of connection, on and off the pitch. Stay tuned to GOtv for match details and coverage updates.