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Anthony Joshua Planning ‘Serious Investment’ in EFL Club

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago04 mins

Anthony Joshua is currently in talks over a potential investment into one EFL Championship club. Joshua has forged huge earnings from his career in heavyweight boxing and is reported to have a net worth of around $83 million. The 35-year-old has been making investments with his boxing fortune, including purchasing property in the London area. And now, headlines materialised that Joshua could be looking to purchase a share in a club he knows well. The Watford-born and bred boxer is looking to invest in the club, further cementing his hero status in his hometown. He told Seconds Out: “We wanted to move into private equity, venture capital funds. “As you earn, naturally you want to save, so rather than me spending recklessly I’m trying to invest money into certain asset classes and that was an opportunity that presented itself. “Nothing’s come of it yet. It’s a serious investment. If it comes off it’s one that should do well. “If they went back to the Premier League then I’d need to get a shop on Market Street because the traffic that would be coming through Watford would be phenomenal. “I remember being on Market Street and watching the football fans. “I’m not a massive football fan myself but watching the fans steamroll Market Street and steamroll Vicarage Road were real good scenes. “If we don’t do it then good luck to them anyway because they’re a great team.” The Hornets finished 14th in the Championship, securing their place in the division comfortably for another year. Since their Premier League relegation at the end of the 2021-2022 season, Watford have spent three seasons in the Championship without securing a return. In the 2022-2023 season, they finished mid-table in 11th place, with Joao Pedro as their leading scorer. The following 2023-2024 campaign saw them drop slightly to 15th, with managerial changes not helping a period of instability at the club. The current 2024-2025 season concluded with them in 14th, with Vakoun Bayo leading their scoring. While they’ve shown some attacking capability, consistent results have eluded them, and they haven’t been in contention for promotion in any of these seasons. Given their lack of Championship play-off action yet again, Watford have since parted ways with manager Tom Cleverley. Joshua’s investment would likely help try to restore the club’s chances of pushing for a place back with the country’s elite.

Leicester City Wants £9Million For Wilfred Ndidi

Our Reporters3 weeks ago3 weeks ago03 mins

Leicester City could reportedly be set to see Wilfred Ndidi leave the club for just £9m this summer. The 28-year-old joined the Foxes in January 2017 from Genk in Belgium for £17m, soon establishing himself as a key player in the East Midlands. Ndidi has been a preferred option at the base of midfield this term, playing 25 matches for Leicester in the Premier League, providing four assists. Despite the Nigerian’s best efforts, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s troops have endured a woeful season, with relegation back to the Championship confirmed earlier this month. Leicester are currently occupying 19th position in the Premier League standings, a mammoth 18 points behind West Ham United in the safety of 17th. According BBC Sport, a key part of Ndidi’s transfer availability has been revealed following confirmation of Leicester finishing in the bottom three. The report claimed that the 28-year-old’s contract contains a release clause which has now activated after the Foxes’ relegation was sealed last week. As a result, Ndidi is now supposedly available for a fee of £9m during the summer trading point, with the midfielder potentially departing the King Power Stadium. It remains to be seen whether the 52-time international wishes to remain at Filbert Way and help the club regain its top-flight status next term. Premier League stalwarts Everton and French giants Marseille were known to be keen on securing the services of Ndidi before the start of the current season. Despite a sobering relegation, there are reasons for Leicester fans to be optimistic about an immediate promotion from the Championship next term. Only Daniel Iversen, Danny Ward and club legend Jamie Vardy are out of contract this summer, meaning that the Foxes could retain the core of their squad. Keeping as many Premier League players at the King Power as possible should give Leicester a healthy advantage over their second-tier rivals.

Victor Moses, Luton Town Part Ways

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Luton Town’s Victor Moses has less than three months left on his contract and his future is set to be away from the Championship club. That’s according to Africa Foot, who state the 34-year-old is aiming for new opportunities in the summer window. At the end of last season, Moses was released by Spartak Moscow and was without a club until Luton Town signed him on a free transfer in September 2024. He’s played 18 games so far this season. Luton Town appointed Matt Bloomfield as their new manager in January. Moses has played only once under his orders, against Preston North End in January. The manager has left the former Chelsea man out of the squad since then. Therefore, Moses has decided not to sign a new contract at Luton Town and leave them as a free agent. The player is managed by Roof and a source close to the agency has told Africa Foot that they can’t ignore his current situation at the English club. “He hasn’t played much since the beginning of the year, which is a fact we cannot ignore,” a source said. “But internally, the decision has been made: he’ll leave the club at the end of the season. He wants to end his time here on a high note, so he remains focused and professional until the end. His future will be determined very soon, but one thing is certain: he won’t retire.”

Middlesbrough boss Carrick backs Iheanacho to keep scoring

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Michael Carrick has backed Kelechi Iheanacho to build on his first goal for Middlesbrough and boost the push for a Sky Bet Championship play-off place. Boro moved level on points with sixth-placed West Brom and two points shy of Coventry in fifth after coming from behind to beat Oxford 2-1. Iheanacho’s strike in the 48th minute, when he powered in Samuel Illing-Junior’s cross, cancelled out Michal Helik’s opener for Oxford seven minutes before the break. But Iling-Junior, who was a menace throughout on the left for Middlesbrough, delivered another low cross into the area with 10 minutes left for defender Neto Borges to flick a brilliant finish into the net. That proved enough to earn an important win with just seven matches remaining, turning around a game which had seen Boro booed off at the end of the first half. And former Leicester forward Iheanacho is up and running, having scored for the first time since moving from Sevilla in January on loan. Boro boss Carrick said: “He is happy. We are trying to keep the smile off Neto’s face as much as anything! He was delighted too. “But Kel knows it. He has played at a level, and goals make you feel a bit better, naturally. “I wasn’t concerned, I knew he would score and hopefully he has got more in him, I am sure he has. It was a massive goal for us. “I thought it was a bit slow, a bit sticky first half. Credit to them, they started well. They put us under pressure with long balls, long throws, counter attacks, and we were slow. “I liked how we responded and we spoke about being positive. There is going to be a hell of a lot more ups and downs before the end of the season. We can’t let it affect us. We have to stay positive with it.”

Iheanacho Opens Middlesbrough Goal Account

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Kelechi Iheanacho’s first league goal in nearly 18 months helped spark a Middlesbrough revival and earn a 2-1 win over Oxford that has strengthened Teesside hopes of a Sky Bet Championship play-off place. The 28-year-old former Leicester striker finished confidently and powerfully inside three minutes of the second half to cancel out Michal Helik’s opener seven minutes before half-time. To cap Iheanacho’s first goal for Middlesbrough since arriving on loan from Sevilla in January, Brazilian defender Neto Borges also flicked in his first for the club and that turned out to be Boro’s winner with 10 minutes left. Middlesbrough, who have won three home league games in a row for the first time since October 2023, are now level on points with sixth-placed West Brom with seven matches remaining. Coventry are two points further ahead. Oxford, buoyed by ending a nine-match winless run in their last outing, deserved to be ahead before the break. In fact, they could have had more than one. The first fantastic chance for the visitors arrived as early as the fifth minute. Matty Phillips got beyond his man down the line and crossed perfectly, but Przemyslaw Placheta’s first-time effort was turned behind by Mark Travers. Phillips was the next to be wasteful. The experienced winger scuffed an effort wide of the back post from close range when he looked certain to turn Siriki Dembele’s corner into the net. Despite a number of occasions when Middlesbrough looked to find an opening in the final third, the nearest they came to scoring was when Hayden Hackney struck off target from 22 yards. Oxford got their reward in the 38th minute. Middlesbrough’s failure to deal with a long Will Waulks throw into a crowded box ended with Mark Harris’ cushioned lay-off landing perfectly for Helik to hammer low inside Travers’ bottom right corner. Even then Middlesbrough could have been level before half-time but Iheanacho, who had beaten a couple of defenders, saw his effort hit the bar after he had lifted his finish over Jamie Cumming. The disappointment on the Nigerian’s face soon disappeared after the break when he powered in the equaliser. Iheanacho pounced on Samuel Iling-Junior’s brilliant delivery from the left touchline, missed by Ciaron Brown, and struck first time beyond Cumming. Suddenly Iheanacho had a new lease of life. He played in substitute Morgan Whittaker down the right, where he clipped a cross to the back post for Tommy Conway to head goalwards for Cumming to save. And with 10 minutes remaining Middesbrough grabbed a stylish winner. Iling-Junior, impressive down the left, played a clever one-two with Aidan Morris and from his low cross into the area Borges was on hand to flick brilliantly beyond Cumming.

SWAN partners Nigeria Customs ahead of African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has pledged full media support for the upcoming African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship, set to take place in Abuja from April 1-14, 2025. In a courtesy visit led by SWAN President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, discussions centered on fostering a productive working relationship to amplify the championship’s impact and promote volleyball’s growth in Nigeria. The NCS volleyball team, Nigeria’s sole representative, is eager to improve on its fourth-place finish in 2021 and aims to leverage home advantage to make history as both hosts and potential champions. The Nigeria Customs Service, as the sole sponsor of the event, has committed significant resources to ensure a world-class tournament, making it the first-ever African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship hosted in the region. Speaking on behalf of the SWAN President, Secretary-General Ikenna Okonkwo praised the Customs Service for taking the bold step to bring Africa’s top club volleyball tournament to Nigeria. “This is a historic moment for Nigerian sports. Hosting an event of this magnitude is a testament to the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to sports development. As the sporting media, we are proud to partner with Customs to ensure this championship gets the visibility it deserves, both locally and internationally,” Okonkwo stated. FCT SWAN Chairman, Kelechi Onwudiwe, assured that the sporting press in the capital city would fully mobilise to give the event maximum coverage, working together with the SWAN National leadership. “We are committed to delivering a viral championship, one that will showcase the passion and dedication of the Nigeria Customs Service and its Comptroller General. This partnership goes beyond the championship; it is a foundation for a stronger relationship between Customs and the sporting media,” Onwudiwe emphasised. Responding, NCS Comptroller General CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR) welcomed the collaboration, highlighting the vital role of the media in making the championship a success. “We are not just hosting this championship; we are aiming to make history. With SWAN as a strategic media partner, we are confident that this event will leave a lasting impact. Beyond volleyball, we look forward to a sustained working relationship with the sporting media for the promotion of various sports under Customs,” the CG said. With this landmark collaboration, SWAN and the Nigeria Customs Service are set to make the 2025 African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship a defining moment for Nigerian sports. The SWAN delegation also included FCT SWAN Vice Chairman Victor Okoye, FCT SWAN Secretary Samuel Ahmadu, and FCT SWAN Welfare Officer Joan Iwuchukwu.

IJF Handball: Nigeria draw USA, Azerbaijan, Moldova in Group B

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

Nigeria’s Under-23 Men Handball team has been drawn against United States of America (USA) and Azerbaijan in Group B of the 5th IHF Emerging Nations Championship slated between 11 and 16 of March, 2025 in Vana, Bulgaria. The International Handball Federation revealed the championship groupings on Wednesday following the completion of the Draw at the IHF Headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. It can be recalled that the Nigerian side lost to the Americans in one of the group games in the first edition of the Emerging Nations Championship held in Georgia in 2019 and they defeated Azerbaijan in another group game in the 2023 edition hosted in Bulgaria. According to the President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Mr. Samuel Ocheho, assured that the Federation will ensure they succeed at the championship. “This is a tricky group for our boys but i see opportunities as it is an opportunity for the team to improve on their previous 7th place standings in the championship. “We also know our opponents in this competition and we will give all the necessary support for the team to succeed because we believe they will thrive in the championship,” he said. Ocheho also appealed to the National Sports Commission to also support the efforts of the HFN in their continued push to put Nigeria handball in the global space. The IHF Emerging Nations Championship is a competition organised by the World Handball governing body, the International Handball Federation (IHF) for countries participating in the four-year plan of the European Handball Federation and some of the best ranked countries that didn’t qualify for the World’s Men Handball Championship.

Championship strugglers fire Wayne Rooney

Our Reporters5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney stepped down as Plymouth manager on Tuesday after just seven months in charge of the Championship strugglers. Rooney leaves with Plymouth rooted to the bottom of the second tier following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at relegation rivals Oxford. Plymouth sit four points from safety after winning just four times and losing 13 of their 23 league games following Rooney’s appointment in May. Plymouth have been thrashed 6-1 by Norwich and lost 4-0 against both Bristol City and Coventry in recent weeks to heap the pressure on the former England captain. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the board of Plymouth,” said Rooney. “Thanks also to all the staff who made me feel welcome and who make the club such a special place, the players and fans for their efforts and support during my time as head coach and I wish them all the best for the future. “To the Green Army thanks for making the games at Home Park so special, they are memories that we will share forever. “Plymouth Argyle will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to look out for and take interest in their results.” A statement on the club website added: “Plymouth Argyle can confirm that the club and head coach Wayne Rooney have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect. “We would like to thank Wayne and his team for all their efforts and wish them well for the future.” It is 39-year-old Rooney’s latest managerial flop. He was sacked by Birmingham after only 15 games in charge last season. Birmingham were eventually relegated from the Championship after Rooney’s exit. Rooney was also unable to keep Derby in the Championship after the club were hit with hefty points deductions when they went into administration and breached Football League accounting rules. He earned plaudits at Derby for keeping them in the survival battle until the end of the season but quit the Rams in the aftermath of their relegation in 2022. Rooney also had a spell as DC United manager in the United States before returning to England. Feted as one of the greatest players of his generation, Rooney is Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer and also held that record with England for eight years before it was broken by Harry Kane in 2023. He won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup in a glittering 13-year spell with United that ended in 2017.