A football analyst Oma Akatugba has faulted Victor Osimhen’s outburst over a claim credited to a former Super Eagles coach Finidi George.
Osimhen, who missed Nigeria’s twin World Cup qualification games against South Africa and the Benin Republic, fired back at Finidi over a comment allegedly made by the ex-coach accusing him [Osimhen] of non-commitment to the Super Eagles.
But Akatugba believes the Napoli forward should have handled the situation better and respected Finidi, one of the former Nigerian footballers who paved the way for the country’s players in Europe.
“So, at least for anything you’ve got to respect all that. So, based on that, I think Osimhen should have done better,” he said on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
“There are better ways to handle things, and I think that he should have done better. If he’s watching this right now, if I were with him, this would be the same thing I would tell him.
“So, let’s clarify what Osimhen did cannot be encouraged. It must be condemned,” he said.
According to Akatugba, Osimhen should have gone the way of another Super Eagles player, Sadiq Umar, whom the team’s handlers declared unfit and left the side’s camp for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) only to play for his club side days.
“What did he do? He made a public statement respectfully clearing things up without disrespecting anybody even though he had every reason to. I think that is the way a professional should deal with things like this,” he said.
However, the analyst said Osimhen is dedicated to the national team and passionate whenever he plays.
“Victor gives his all whenever he plays, whether for Nigeria, Napoli, or his local team in Olusosun [the area in Lagos where Osimhen grew up]. So, that is who he is. He’s very passionate, he’s very emotional,” he said.
“All of these are the attributes you see him display on the field of play. That energy is the same energy he used to vent his anger on that live Instagram post.”
As Osimhen’s outburst continues to make headlines, the Super Eagles are without a coach following Finidi’s resignation last Saturday.
The former Ajax Amsterdam man resigned from his post after two games as head coach. He was appointed on April 29, 2024, following a stint as the team’s interim handler, where he managed two friendly games – against Ghana and Mali (Nigeria defeated the Black Stars but lost to the Eagles).
But defeat to the Benin Republic in a 2026 World Cup qualifiers and an earlier draw against South Africa left Nigeria’s hopes of making the tournament hanging.
The results led to a backlash from fans and other stakeholders. In the wake of the development, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the search for a foreign technical adviser. That did not go well with Finidi, who tendered his resignation.
As of the time of this report, the football body has yet to comment on Finidi’s resignation.
Paris Olympics: Oshoala Targets Podium Finish With Super Falcons
Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala has expressed confidence they could upset the rankings with a podium finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Super Falcons are drawn in Group C, with world champion Spain, former world champion Japan, and South American champion Brazil.
“At the World Cup last year, people said the same thing,” Oshoala told fifa.com. “They said we were in the Group of Death [with Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland] and could not qualify. But we did.
“I have a lot of confidence in this team. We have many young players, and we can make things difficult for our opponents.
“We don’t just think about getting out of the group, I think we can actually walk away with a medal.”
Oshoala said she is looking forward to her first Olympics after she has been featured in the World Cup, UEFA Women’s Champions League, WAFCON, and in the top leagues in England, Spain, China, and now the USA.
“This will be a special event,” she said. “I’ve never been to the Olympics before, but I’ve heard much about it. I look forward to it so much – if I make the team!”
And for the Super Falcons second group game at the Paris Olympics, ‘Agba Baller’ will come face-to-face with several of her former teammates at Barcelona.
“It’s going to be fun! Before the World Cup, we had this chat within ourselves on the team. We all wanted to play each other, but we didn’t get drawn into the same group. We all still keep in touch. It will be a cool experience,” she said.
Rangers To Get N150m Reward For NPFL Title Win
Rangers will be rewarded with a prize money of N150m for winning the 2023/24 season Nigeria Premier Football League title.
On Sunday, the Flying Antelopes claimed the NPFL title for the eighth time following a 2-0 victory over Bendel Insurance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
Kenechukwu Agu and Chidiebere Nwobodo scored the two goals for the hosts in front of a packed crowd at ‘The Cathedral’, which also included Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah.
The Coal City outfit last won the title eight years ago.
Rangers will be presented with the trophy after their final game of the season against Plateau United in Jos this weekend.
Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League next season.
Enyimba Must Pick Continental Ticket – Head Coach
Enyimba head coach, Olanrewaju Yemi, has said his team can’t afford not to win their final match of the season against
The People’s Elephant will welcome Plateau United this weekend.
Enyimba need a win to secure a continental slot next season.
Yemi revealed that the players are aware of the importance of the game.
“We can’t afford to toy with the game against Plateau United,” he told the media.
“A win will guarantee a place in the continent next season.
“The players know what is at stake, we can’t compromise, we must give everything to get the maximum points, anything aside that we have failed the club and the fans.”
Joshua Moves Ahead Fury In New WBC Rankings
Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has jumped above Tyson Fury and into first place in the latest WBC heavyweight rankings, with the ‘Gypsy King’ now ranked second.
Fury lost his WBC heavyweight title when Oleksandr Usyk beat him in May’s undisputed clash in Saudi Arabia.
Having previously been ranked champion, Fury has now fallen into the challenger pecking order and has been placed as the second-ranked heavyweight contender by the WBC.
The organisation has placed him below long-term British-Nigerian rival Joshua, who sits behind Usyk, whom he has lost twice.
Joshua has impressive back-to-back wins over Francis Ngannou and Otto Wallin under his belt, and he may well compete for the vacant IBF title against Daniel Dubois in September.
Agit Kabayel rounds out the top three after his impressive underdog win over Frank Sanchez on the Fury vs Usyk bill in May.
Zhilei Zhang sits in fourth after his huge KO win over Deontay Wilder, while Nigerian heavyweight boxer Efe Ajagba makes up the top five, holding the WBC ‘silver’ trinket belt.
Jared Anderson is in sixth with Martin Bakole and Kabayel’s rival Sanchez ranked at no.7 and no.8. Joe Joyce keeps a place in the top ten in ninth while rising star Bakhodir Jalolov completes the list.
It is another damaging blow for the ‘Gypsy King’ who had held the belt since beating Wilder in 2020. He had since made some big defences against the likes of Derek Chisora, Dillian Whyte and Francis Ngannou on his march to the undisputed clash.
Luckily for the Briton, he will get a shot at immediate redemption on December 21 when he is signed to face Usyk in a sequel. It will be a chance to earn back his precious WBC belt and hand Usyk his first career defeat, just as the Ukrainian inflicted on him in their previous encounter.
Fury is now back in the gym six months out from the clash and has vowed to rewrite his name in the history books.
Transfer: Dele-Bashiru Set To Seal Move To Lazio
Lazio is close to completing a move for Hatayspor midfielder Fisayo Dele -Bashiru.
According to a Sports Digitale reporter, Resat Can Ozbudak, Lazio and Hatayspor have agreed on a €7m transfer fee for the player.
Dele-Bashiru is now set to undergo medical at Lazio before signing his contract.
The 22-year-old only arrived at Hatayspor on a free transfer last summer after severing ties with Sheffield Wednesday.
The talented midfielder made his competitive debut for Nigeria in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa two weeks ago.
Dele-Bashiru’s ability to play multiple roles in midfield will provide much-needed depth and versatility to the Lazio team.
Aston Villa Eye Iheanacho On Free Transfer
Aston Villa are reportedly monitoring the situation of Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Manchester City academy product has less than two weeks before the expiration of his contract with Leicester City and will be available on a free transfer as from July 1, 2024.
Iheanacho has decided to end his seven-year association with Leicester City after turning down multiple offers to extend his stay at the King Power Stadium.
According to Football Insider, Aston Villa are in the market for a new forward to replace 20-year-old Jhon Duran as Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign him this summer.
The Lions are keeping tabs on Iheanacho regarding a potential transfer in the summer transfer window.
If the deal goes through, the Nigerian national teamer will occupy a homegrown player slot on Aston Villa’s Premier League roster for the 2024-2025 campaign. He spent his formative years at Manchester City before turning 21.
Iheanacho is a seasoned campaigner in the Premier League, as he is four games away from reaching a milestone of 200 games in the English top-flight.
His statistics in the Premier League are descent – registering 67 goal involvements (42 goals, 25 assists).
Iheanacho was tipped for big things after winning the Golden Ball award at the 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
Man Utd Flew To Ibiza To Ask Me To Stay – Ten Hag
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says the club interrupted his summer holiday when they flew out to tell him they wanted him to stay.
Ten Hag’s future was in doubt before he led United to victory in the FA Cup final, but the club decided to keep the Dutchman in place.
“The club management came to me while I was on holiday in Ibiza,” Ten Hag said on Dutch TV channel NOS. “They suddenly appeared on my doorstep and told me they wanted to continue with me.”
United finished eighth last season – their lowest position in the Premier League era.
New United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is thought to have spoken to former Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel but the Red Devils eventually opted to keep Ten Hag.
“Manchester United have told me that they spoke with Tuchel, but they eventually concluded that they already have the best manager,” he added.
“Ineos took their time. They are new in football, its normal to reflect on the season. It’s no secret that they talked with multiple candidates.”
In his debut season, the Dutchman led the club to third place in the Premier League, the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals, and the EFL Cup victory in 2023.
Ten Hag has the backing of the United board but confirmed he has yet to iron out a deal for a new contract.
He said: “Manchester United and I still have to find an agreement for the new contract. This isn’t easily done – we will still have to talk about this.”
Sabalenka Will Not Play Olympics To ‘Prioritise Health’
World number three Aryna Sabalenka says she will not compete at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris to prioritise her health.
The 26-year-old retained her Australian Open title in January but lost to Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in the French Open quarter-finals.
That was the first time the Belarusian had lost before the semi-finals of a major since the 2022 French Open.
The tennis competition at the Games takes place on the clay courts at Roland Garros from 27 July to 4 August, with the US Open beginning 22 days later.
The US Open – where Sabalenka was runner-up last year – takes place on hard courts.
“I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I’m ready for the hard courts,” said Sabalenka.
“Especially with all the struggles I’ve been struggling with the last months, I feel I have to take care of my health.
“It’s too much for the scheduling, so I decided to care for my health.”
Athletes from Russia and Belarus who qualify for the Games can only compete as neutrals in Paris, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russian men’s world number four Daniil Medvedev is among the players who intend to compete at the Olympics as a neutral athlete.
Sabalenka is set to play in Berlin as part of her Wimbledon preparations, having reached the semi-finals last year.
Wimbledon takes place from 1-14 July.
Euro 2024: Romania Record Stunning Victory Against Ukraine In Group E Opener
Romania recorded their first victory at a European Championship in 24 years with a stunning win over Ukraine in Group E.
Captain Nicolae Stanciu gave Romania a surprise lead in the 29th minute, finding the top corner with a brilliant strike from 20 yards out.
Razvan Marin then doubled the Tricolours’ lead after 53 minutes with a long-range effort that squeezed under Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
Romania scored four minutes later when Denis Dragus tapped in Dennis Man’s cross from close range.
Their only previous win at the Euros came in 2000 where a late Ionel Ganea penalty helped them beat England 3-2 in the group stage.
Ukraine’s players are appearing in their first major tournament since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.
Last week, their forward Mykhailo Mudryk said his family were facing Russian missiles “day and night” in his home city of Krasnograd.
Romania are 24 places below their opponents in the world rankings and had warmed up for the Euros with disappointing goalless draws against Bulgaria and Liechtenstein.
But cheered on by a wall of yellow in Munich, they were gifted the opener when Lunin’s poor clearance was intercepted by Man, who teed up Stanciu for a wonderful whipped first-time shot into the net.
Buoyed by their goal, Romania dominated, and minutes later, Stanciu almost scored directly from a corner with another curling effort that beat Lunin and cannoned off the crossbar.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Lunin had a poor game and was also at fault for Romania’s second when he misjudged the flight of Marin’s strike and the ball went under his attempted save.
Edward Iordanescu’s side added a third to confirm their biggest win in the tournament as Dragus finished following a mazy run from lively Parma forward Man.
Romania – who were unbeaten in qualifying – are now in a strong spot to progress from Group E and face Belgium in their next match on Saturday.
Ukraine, quarter-finalists at the Euros three years ago, disappointed, taking 77 minutes to record a shot on target.
Substitute Roman Yaremchuk struck the top of the crossbar for Serhiy Rebrov’s team deep into second-half stoppage time.
Ukraine face Slovakia in their next fixture on Friday.
