Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has debunked his rumours retirement from the national team, Super Eagles, saying he only took a break from the team.
LEADERSHIP reports that the former Leicester City striker did not feature in any of Nigeria’s seven matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire where the team finished as runners-up, as well as the last two World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic respectively.
Musa last started a game for the Super Eagles in 2021 during a World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde when he played 67 minutes in a 2-0 victory.
His most recent appearance for three time African champions was a seven-minute sub in a friendly game against Guinea in January. But speaking to newsmen in Kaduna at the weekend after the AREWA Celebrities Friendly Match he organised, Musa described his alleged exit from the national team as a rumour.
“I only took a little break from the National Team. But I didn’t exit the team,” he said, putting to rest speculation about his future with the Super Eagles. According to him, the friendly match was put together to foster unity and strengthen relationships among northern Nigerian celebrities as well as promoting a sense of community and togetherness.
He emphasized his desire for a united front among AREWA celebrities, stating, “I want us to come together as one family, with love, affection and one voice.” Musa has also been without a club since his contract with Turkish side Sivasspor was terminated in February.
With the international tournaments in the rearview mirror and the start of the new Premier League season less than a month away, business is beginning to pick up in the transfer market. With the riches that England’s top flight clubs have to offer, money is expected to be spent frivolously as the days tick down to the first game of the campaign....Read More
Thus far, some teams have already managed to splash the cash, whether it be on players who will make an immediate impact, those who are ones for the future, or the rare talents who qualify for both. Taking these elements into account, plus the cost of the players, these are the best Premier League signings of the 2024/25 summer transfer window so far.
Ranking factors
The following factors have been considered when ranking the top 10:
Immediate impact the player is expected to have
The potential of the player
The transfer fee
Interest from other clubs
Best Premier League Signings 2024/25 Summer Transfer Window
Rank
Player
Club Left
Club Joined
Fee
1
Leny Yoro
LOSC Lille
Manchester United
£52m
2
Amadou Onana
Everton
Aston Villa
£50m
3
Savinho
Troyes
Manchester City
£33.7m
4
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Leicester City
Chelsea
£30m
5
Omari Hutchinson
Chelsea
Ipswich Town
£22m
6
Ian Maatsen
Chelsea
Aston Villa
£37.5m
7
Tosin Adarabioyo
Fulham
Chelsea
£0
8
Luis Guilherme
Palmeiras
West Ham United
£25.5m
9
Joshua Zirkzee
Bologna
Manchester United
£36.5m
10
Archie Gray
Leeds United
Tottenham Hotspur
£30m
10 Archie Gray
Leeds United to Tottenham Hotspur – £30m
Beloved by the Leeds United faithful, it was always hard for Archie Gray to leave a club so near and dear to his heart. With his father, grandfather and great-uncle all turning out for the Yorkshire side, the teenage midfielder was the fourth member of the Gray family to wear the famous white shirt, and nearly led Daniel Farke’s team to promotion.
In not doing so, Leeds emotionally revealed they had no other choice but to sell their star asset. Brentford originally came calling, but after a deal could not be struck, it was Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham who won the race. With him being crowned the 2023/24 Championship Young Player of the Season, Spurs have signed a player who could run their midfield for years to come.
9 Joshua Zirkzee
Bologna to Manchester United – £36.5m
The honour of becoming the first signing of the INEOS regime at Manchester United belongs to Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee, who joined the club after weeks of speculation regarding his future. The former Bayern Munich man was bought to Old Trafford to act as an alternative to Danish frontman Rasmus Hojlund, who sometimes struggled to hit the mark in his debut season.
Although a completely different type of player to Hojlund, Zirkzee is an exciting option to have at United, giving them various ways to line-up game by game, including with him and the Dane starting in attack together. With a creative flair and eye for goal, this could turn out to be a bargain deal for Erik ten Hag.
8 Luis Guilherme
Palmeiras to West Ham United – £25.5m
One third of Palmeiras’ famed young attacking trio, Luis Guilherme is one to watch at West Ham United as he adapts to the pace and power of the Premier League. The teenage sensation made his name in his native Brazil alongside other wonderkids such as Endrick and Estevao Willian, both of whom have also secured massive transfers to Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively.
With the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen to unseat on the flanks, the long game may be the approach that new Hammers boss Julen Lopeteugi takes to ease the forward into the team. If it’s not next season, though, this is a player to keep an eye on as he blossoms into adulthood.
7 Tosin Adarabioyo
Fulham to Chelsea – Free Transfer
With financial fair play being something that Chelsea have to be very aware of this summer given their past transgressions, deals like these are priceless to Enzo Maresca’s side. In Tosin Adarabioyo, the Blues have acquired a player with plenty of proven Premier League experience, something that many of this young Chelsea team lack.
Adarabioyo is also more reliable when it comes to his fitness than many other members of Chelsea’s backline. Joining on a free transfer, the former Manchester City academy graduate represents a total steal for the West Londoners, especially given there was also reported interest from the likes of Manchester United.
6 Ian Maatsen
Chelsea to Aston Villa – £37.5m
Speaking of financial fair play and Chelsea, the next player on this list has given the Blues a total of £37.5m in pure profit, a sum that will keep the PSR margins happy. Ian Maatsen shone on loan at Borussia Dortmund, with the Dutch full back enjoying a brilliant campaign which saw him named in the Champions League Team of the Season as voted for by fans.
Dortmund weren’t able to win the famous trophy, but the 22-year-old proved he belonged at the elite level. With Unai Emery’s Aston Villa re-entering Europe’s premier competition next season, players of this calibre were a must-have, whilst also addressing an area of weakness for the Villans too.
5 Omari Hutchinson
Chelsea to Ipswich Town – £22m
After Ipswich Town’s incredible back-to-back promotions, the first thing on their transfer to-do list was simple. Keep hold of Omari Hutchinson. The starlet had shone for them in the Championship in the previous year, and keeping together the spine of the team was incredibly important for Kieran McKenna.
Given that the Tractor Boys were in League One just two seasons ago, if you had told fans then they would be spending £22m on a player a couple of years later, they would think it was unfathomable. But, that’s what it took to retain their key man, who registered 11 goals and six assists in 2023/24.
4 Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Leicester City to Chelsea – £30m
Another man who excelled in the Championship last season was Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The Englishman had settled into the Foxes midfield during their most recent Premier League stint and stuck around after Leicester found themselves shockingly relegated to the second-tier last season.
Under new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, the 25-year-old managed 26 goal contributions in the league as his side comfortably secured promotion back to the promised land. As his head coach moved to London, Dewsbury-Hall soon followed in a move that could spell bad things for the likes of vice-captain Conor Gallagher.
3 Savinho
Troyes to Manchester City – £33.7m
The most controversial transfer of the summer goes to Manchester City signing Savinho from French side Troyes. The Brazilian was magnificent on loan at Spanish club Girona last campaign, helping the Catalan outfit secure an unlikely place in the upcoming Champions League. It led to speculation regarding his future and the Cityzens pounced.
What makes the deal so eyebrow raising is that Troyes is owned by the City Group, the collective that are also in charge of the English champions as well as other teams across the globe. With Manchester United unable to sign Jean-Clair Todibo from another Sir Jim Ratcliffe owned club, some fans believe there is a double standard to this deal. Perhaps that is just jealousy though, as the winger is bound to be an exciting prospect at the Etihad.
Founded in 2013, City Football Group have now increased their multi-club empire to 14 teams after acquiring Istanbul Basaksehir.
2 Amadou Onana
Everton to Leicester City – £50m
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Everton’s need to sell players to keep the club’s finances stable and Aston Villa’s need to have players who can help them in Europe makes this deal the perfect scenario for both parties. Amadou Onana had outlived his time at Godison Park, with the Belgian international more than proving he was ready for the next challenge in his career.
There are plenty of talented midfielders at Villa Park, so competition for places will be strict. However, the sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus may leave Onana with an open door to walk right into as Unai Emery looks to build on what has already been an outstanding 18 months in charge. Considering there was also interest from Barcelona and Manchester United, Villa have done exceptionally well to secure the 22-year-old, who could become even more impressive at his new club.
1 Leny Yoro
LOSC Lille to Manchester United – £52m
The shock of the summer. For the longest time, it seemed that teenage defender Leny Yoro was destined to wind up at Real Madrid. Los Blancos had made it clear they saw the Frenchman as a part of their future, but were unwilling to match LOSC Lille’s asking price and wanted the player to run down his contract.
There’s a line in the film ‘The Damned United’, where Brian Clough is told by his assistant that one of their targets was 99% certain to join another club. Which meant one thing. He hadn’t signed yet. Sensing an opportunity, Manchester United entered negotiations for Yoro with that mindset and came away with their man, who could become the centre-piece of their next title winning defence if things play out as Red Devils fans will hope.
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The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf, has rubber-stamped the sacking of the interim management of the Nigeria Premier Football League side, Kano Pillars.
The chief of staff to the governor, Shehu Wada Sagagi, confirmed this in a chat with the media in Kano.
Sagagi said that the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Kwankwaso did not act in any manner that contravened the official position of the state chief executive.
He revealed that the government had embarked on the reorganization process that will place the club, on the scope , where it can compete favorable amongst it soccer peers.
“The commissioner for sports is the one supervising Kano Pillars , they have to be subordinate to him, what is always expected from him is to exercise due diligence at all times,” he stated to the media.
“The commissioner did not act without the approval of the governor, he has made his submissions to the governor and he is waiting for approval.”
DAILY POST recalled that the Alhaji Babangida Umar Little led management board was sacked last week.
FCT Football Association has concluded plans to stage Division One League Super 4 Finals on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Area 3 Football Pitch.
According to the chairman of the FCT league committee and a member of NLO board, Barrister Babatunde Bucknor, the winner of the Super 4 which will be decided on points will represent FCT in the NLO Division 2 play-off .
The super 4 fixtures released by the organisers, Camp United will engage FGT FC in the first match of the day at 1:pm, while the second game billed for 4 pm, will see IB Sports confronting New Dawn .
To qualify for the Super 4 Finals. Camp Utd emerged from Group A with 12 points, Future Guarantee FGT top won Group B with 10 points, while T B Spots New Dawn finished top in Group C and Group D with 9 and 10 points respectively.
The final will witness the presence of FCT director sports development, Lukas Istifanus, as a special guest and he will be assisted by the chief host, Adam Mouktar Mohammed (Chairman FCT FA) and Haruna Ilerika (FCT FA Scribe).
Muhammad Tijani is looking forward to scoring more goals for Sky Bet Championship club, Plymouth Argyle after bagging a brace in the club’s victory over Cheltenham Town.
Wayne Rooney’s side thrashed the EFL League Two club 5-1 in their first pre-season game.
Tijani was on target in the 36th and 59th minutes respectively.
The 24-year-old stated that he is determined to maintain his scoring form going into the new season.
“Going into the season with the same hunger. A big thank you to our fans that came to Whaddon Road,” Tijani wrote on X.
The striker joined Argyle on loan from Czech Republic outfit, Slavia Prague last month.
The Jordan Nwora Foundation (JNF), in collaboration with New York Square, a Beninoise NGO, Enfant Du Benin Debout, along with Beninoise and Ghana Basketball Federations (FBBB & GBBA) have opened a new vista aiming at fast tracking the development of basketball at the youth level.
To achieve the set target, JNF and its collaborators in partnership with FIBA Africa Zone 3, organized basketball camps for boys and girls between the ages of 14-18 across the zone recently. With the support from the hierarchy of FIBA Africa, the multiple camps were held in iconic cities like Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, Accra in Ghana, as well as Makurdi, Abuja, Lafia, Lagos and Onitsha, all in Nigeria as well in since 2021.
Some talents discovered at these camps have secured basketball scholarships to foreign and local institutions among other benefits.
Within the year under review, three camps have been successfully held in Port-Novo/Cotonou, in Republic of Benin, (June 4th, 5th and 6th). Same for Tamale, in Ghana (June 4th-6th) and Awka, South-East Nigeria (June 21-23).
The success of the camps were further bolstered by the decision of the organizers to partner with other organizations to provide some logistics at each centre.
According to organisers, the camp held in Ghana was exceptional, in the sense that Africa witnessed a first of its kind collaboration which culminated in the construction of a basketball court and borehole for the local community in Tamale, by one of the partners, New York Square, while Jordan Nwora Foundation provided all the materials and also handled the camp’s technical aspect with support from FIBA.
With respect to the event in Ghana, President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Col Sam Ahmedu (Rtd), stated that, “It became necessary to explore the idea of each party contributing resources towards achieving the overall objective.
The construction of a borehole and basketball court for the local community has indeed opened up a new vista in youth development.”
Col Ahmedu added that, “Besides acquiring basketball knowledge during the JNF Camp, the folks of Tamale have been blessed with a borehole and basketball court, The Dr. Baba Sampanah Memorial Court, which is a legacy left behind by the donors, and for ages to come.”
“The mission to promote youth development, healthy lifestyles, and community cohesion through sports were therefore pursued, and successfully achieved with flying colors,” a visibly excited Col Ahmedu stated.
In his remarks, Daniel Isaacs, the Founder and CEO of New York Square, posited that, “it is a blessing to be part of this historic partnership, which I hope will serve as a model for the future of Sports in Africa”.He added that, “New York Square, in collaboration with FIBA Africa Zone 3 and the Jordan Nwora Foundation is dedicated to using sports as a vehicle to provide sporting infrastructure, as well as support, guidance and mentorship for the youths of Africa.
WNBA legend, Rushia Brown, who mentored the youths during the camp remarked that, “it was such an honor to be part of the court dedication. To see the gratitude in the faces of the youths [in Tamale], and the opportunity of impacting their lives during the camp was life-changing for me. Our focus includes inculcating in the youths the benefits of clean water, healthy living and well-being, quality education and gender equality”.
Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen will receive a €4 million wage increase at Paris Saint-Germain after agreeing personal terms with the French giant.
According to Tuttosport, the reigning African best footballer striker has penned a five-year deal worth €14 million per season with PSG, which represents a significant pay rise from his current €10 million annual salary at Napoli.
The 25-year-old’s agent, Roberto Calenda, was in Paris earlier this week to negotiate with PSG, but the Ligue 1 side must still reach an agreement with Napoli to finalise the transfer.
While Napoli and new coach Antonio Conte are open to parting ways with Osimhen, PSG appear reluctant to meet the player’s €130 million release clause. Reports suggest they could offer €100 million plus a player to secure the deal.
The former Serie A champions are keen to offload players before bringing in reinforcements for Conte’s squad. Completing Osimhen’s sale would pave the way for the former Italian champions to sign Romelu Lukaku who is seen as a potential replacement for Osimhen at the Stadio Maradona.
Despite interest from Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli, Osimhen has remained focused on continuing his career in Europe, with the Premier League being his initial preferred destination, but the English clubs are not willing to meet the player’s €130 million release clause
The former Lille striker has maintained a professional attitude in pre-season training with Napoli amid ongoing negotiations. He has impressed Conte despite not featuring in the coach’s plans for the upcoming campaign.
With just five days to the commencement of the Paris 2024 Olympics, sports development minister, Senator John Owan-Enoh has urged Nigerians to throw their weight behind Team Nigeria’s contingent as they set to do the nation proud at the global sporting fiesta.
Nigeria’s contingent comprises talented and world-class athletes are set to take the world by storm after several months of preparation and training, with world record holder Oluwatobiloba Amusan, Ese Brume, Blessing Oborodudu, Odunayo Adekouroye, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Aruna Quadri and the two Favours (Ashe and Ofili) among others the country is counting on to surpass its best outing at the quadrennial games achieved at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics..
“My aspiration for Team Nigeria is to surpass its best Olympic outing achieved at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA.
“Our athletes are putting in tremendous effort and dedication in their preparations. We are confident that with the support of every Nigerian, our team will excel and make the nation proud,” Senator Enoh said
Senator Enoh revealed that the athletes will be fully motivated to excel at the Games, their welfare is a top most priority. “The entire 100 million naira contributed by the Federal House of Representatives will be given to the athletes,” the Minister announced at the parley with journalists in Abuja on Thursday.
“Additionally, domestic camping allowances, foreign training grants, foreign training allowances, Olympic Games allowances, and winning bonuses will be given to ensure our athletes are well-supported,” he said.
A total of 87 athletes will be representing Nigeria in 12 sporting events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games kicking off on Friday, July 26. The sports are athletics, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling, badminton, boxing, canoeing, cycling, basketball (women) and football (women).
The 2024 Committee for Ladies Golf Section (LGS) of the IBB International Golf and Country Club has unveiled four toilets and one store facility at the practice Range of the club golf course, Abuja to improve public health, hygiene and dignity to create a better environment for all.
Unveiling the toilet facilities, the club’s lady captain, Julie Okah Donli, said the gesture was borne out of a desire of the 2024/25 Ladies Golf Section (LGS) committee to meet a dire need in the history of the club, saying the committee agreed to make personal sacrifices to ensure that they delivered a project that would outlive their one year tenure in office.
Donli explained that access to clean, safe, and well-maintained sanitation facilities is a basic human right. and essential for public health, personal dignity, and the well-being of the entire community.
According to her, “This project is a testament to our commitment to these values and to creating a better environment for all”.
She noted that the project is a significant milestone in the community.This event may seem small to some, but it represents a major step forward in improving public health, hygiene, and dignity for everyone who uses this space.
The lady captain hinted that the project was self-funded by the 14 members of the LGS committee. “I am indeed so proud of the Committee members who, together, undertook this self-funded project in the wake of the harsh economic realities.”
She appreciated the construction team, for their meticulous work and for ensuring that the facilities meet the highest standards of cleanliness and accessibility, saying their efforts have made a tangible difference in our community.
“As we officially unveil these new facilities today, let us remember that this is more than just a building; it is a symbol of progress, respect, and care for our community. Let us continue to work together to ensure that everyone has access to the necessities that promote health and dignity”, she said.
She also announced that the Junior Open takes place on the course and the use of the range is for participants of the Open who wish to use the range. “Same with Ladies Open participants who wish to use the range. And all golfers who use the range. But essentially for the Childrens golf clinic that has daily participants for two weeks, the range toilets are more crucial. The store is also very handy for storing items during the event.”
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