Category sport-news

A former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, is unhappy over the treatment of ex-internationals by football authorities in the country and won’t advise his son to play for Nigeria. 

West spoke on Thursday in Lagos during the service of songs for former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai.

“What kind of nation is this? With the type of example that they have shown with Shofoluwe, Stephen Keshi, Thompson Oliha, Rashidi Yekini, I’ll never advise my son to put his feet for this country,” the former AC Milan player, who was visibly angry, told reporters at the event in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos.

The ex-defender accused football authorities of doing little to support Rufai’s family following the death of the goalkeeper, who was Nigeria’s first choice at the 1994 World Cup.

“It’s disheartening that you have Lagos State, you have the Nigerian Football Association. They drop the bulk on the family. I felt in my spirit that there is nothing to put your life on the line for. That’s why I say I have to shift back so that I will not implode. It’s grieving.

“My mother passed on. I never shed tears. My father passed on in my hands. I never shed tears,” he said. “When Rufai passed on, I had goose pimples on my body. And every individual I’m speaking to, there were tears rolling down my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?”

READ ALSO: Tinubu Mourns Ex-Eagles Goalkeeper Peter Rufai

Describing Rufai, a former Sharks Football Club player, as a “football evangelist,” West accused the Lagos Football Association and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of not supporting the legend’s family.

“Do we have a Football Federation or do we have a Football Association in this Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist, has to be treated this way, and his family.

“Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit within our groups to ask for money? That is madness. Look, please let me go. I don’t want to pour my heart,” he said angrily before abandoning the interview.

Rufai, fondly called “Dodo Mayana,” was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and the country’s debut at the FIFA World Cup the same year. The footballer died last month.

Eberechi Eze, an English international, was left out of the Eagles’ team for their European match on Thursday, giving the impression that he was moving closer to an agreement with Arsenal worth a reported $ 60 million ($81 million).

Eze was not chosen by Palace manager Oliver Glasner to play in the Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad in either the starting eleven or the substitutes.

The 27-year-old attacking midfielder may now miss out on a grand swan salute to Selhurst Park fans, who have him as a hero for scoring the winning goal in Palace’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester City at Wembley for the first time the south London club had ever won a major trophy.

When the Premier League’s current summer transfer window opened, Tottenham Hotspur’s attempt to sign Eze appeared to be on hold, but Arsenal’s arch-rivals in north London have since abandoned that deal.

Eze would become Arsenal’s seventh signing of the transfer window if he were released at the age of 13, with both striker Viktor Gyokeres and midfielder Martin Zubimendi among the players who have already made a number of notable moves to the Emirates.

READ MORE: Arsenal to begin its Premier League campaign over Man United

This week, Kai Havertz’ knee injury caused The Gunners’ interest in Eze to grow even more.

The German international completed Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United in their opening Premier League game of the new season last week when he started as a substitute.

Havertz was not present at the club’s Wednesday open training session at the Emirates, though.

Havertz won’t be able to play on the sidelines for how long, but Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta appears determined to strengthen his squad regardless as he fights to win their first Premier League title in 22 years. They finished last year as runners-up to Liverpool.

Spurs, in contrast, finished the campaign in 17th place despite claiming victory in the Europa League championship.

Arteta will speak to the media on Friday to discuss Arsenal’s league game against Leeds on Saturday.

According to reports on Wednesday, Arsenal are close to acquiring Eberechi Eze from Tottenham Hotspur in what could be one of the most audacious moves of the Premier League’s summer transfer window.

The 27-year-old Crystal Palace attacking midfielder appeared to be heading for Spurs’ area of north London.

However, it is now speculated that Arsenal may scuttle the deal and sign England international Eze from the Emirates after Kai Havertz was injured in a knee injury.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal and Palace had reached a definitive agreement to sign Eze, which would have cost Arsenal around the $ 68 million ($91 million) release clause and be in line with the price that Spurs were willing to pay.

After Havertz suffered a broken leg, Arsenal’s interest increased.

READ ALSO: Man United to launch premier league campaign at Arsenal

The German international completed the match in the second half of Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United, but he was unable to attend Arsenal’s Wednesday open training at the Emirates.

Spurs, who won the Europa League final, finished the campaign in a lowly 17th place, one place above the relegation zone, while Premier League champions Liverpool finished second last season and are expected to contend for the title once more.

Before Palace’s Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad at home to Chelsea, Eze trained on Wednesday and played 84 minutes of the weekend draw at Chelsea. Coach Oliver Glasner said he and Eagles captain Marc Guehi would both start the European tie.

Before Chelsea, I believe many of you were unaware Marc and Ebs had started and played almost the entire game, Glasner said in a press conference prior to the game on Wednesday.

“Due to all the rumors, the majority of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow. They are committed, though, once more.

They are committed to the team, they have a contract here, they played a crucial role for us, and they will play a crucial role as long as they are here, according to Glasner, who also led Palace to Community Shield glory in a penalty shoot-out victory over Liverpool.

Because they are good, they are committed to the team, and they want to leave as Crystal Palace players who have always given 100% of their time, which I don’t know at the moment.

“We expect this from them until the end of their contract, whenever this is,” they said. “This is what they have done since they signed.

Guehi, the captain of the palace, will remain in contract until 2027, while Eze’s contract expires in 2027.

This noise, these rumors, Glasner said, “It’s been written for weeks, not just for three days.”

Alan Shearer, a legendary Newcastle player, has accused wantaway striker Alexander Isak of “igning the fire” of his row with the Magpies by claiming that the club has broken its terms.

The Sweden international, who scored the second-highest goalscorer in the Premier League last season, did not feature in Newcastle’s opening game of the campaign, a goalless draw away at Aston Villa last Saturday.

According to reports, Liverpool rejected a £110 million ($149 million) bid for the 25-year-old, while Newcastle fought to secure a £100 million British transfer record fee.

Despite being chosen as the Premier League 2024/25 team of the year, Isak made a statement on Tuesday stating that he had decided not to attend the Professional Footballers’ Association awards ceremony.

The relationship can’t continue when promises are broken and trust is lost, according to Isak, who added that the club has known my position for a long time.

However, Shearer, the former Newcastle captain and manager, claimed Vlado Lemic’s agent had misled his client in an interview with Betfair.

Shearer said, “If I were him, I would immediately get his agent in a room and fire him immediately because he is supposed to be advising him on signing that six-year deal with no get out clause.”

It’s ridiculous, really. It’s absurd to say that someone said, “Oh, I’ll be able to get out at the end of the season,” to borrow someone else’s opinion of football. Really? Come on, please.

READ MORE: &nbsp: Swiatek defeats Paolini to win the WTA Cincinnati Open Championship.

‘Wrong way, ‘ 

The former England striker continued, “I’ve always said there are two sides to every story, but my feelings are the same: he’s handled it the wrong way.”

Even making this statement last night seems like it didn’t help anyone, which he didn’t even need to do.

Isak had been promised an improved contract, but Newcastle decided to delay because they had been under pressure to adhere to financial sustainability regulations.

Newcastle said in a statement late on Tuesday that they could welcome Isak back into the squad despite his sadness over his comments.

A club official never made a statement stating that Alex could leave Newcastle United this summer.

Our best players are still a part of our family, and Alex will be welcomed back when he is ready to play alongside his teammates.

Since joining Real Sociedad in 2022, Isak has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances, including the winner against Liverpool in the League Cup final earlier this year, which put an end to Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.

Liverpool have already overhauled their squad, which won the Premier League title last year, with a budget of around $300 million.

Following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, they have also recovered over $ 200 million in sales and are still interested in attacking options.

Before the two clubs’ next Premier League game on Monday at St James’ Park, any agreement is unlikely to be reached.

Brown Ideye, a former Super Eagles forward, has retired from the game after a long and successful career that spanned more than ten years.

He left Enyimba, who was once the two-time African Champions League champions, last year.

Ideye described the decision as one filled with “mixed emotions,” revealing in a heartfelt message shared on Tuesday that it was the result of extensive reflection and reflection.

The 36-year-old forward expressed deep gratitude to everyone who assisted him in his football career, including players, sports journalists, coaches, teammates, and the faithful supporters who supported him throughout his highs and lows.

Ideye played for top clubs like Dynamo Kyiv, West Bromwich Albion, Olympiakos, and a number of others throughout his professional career, playing in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

He won titles, had memorable goals, and gained respect both on and off the field.

READ MORE: &nbsp: Swiatek defeats Paolini to win the WTA Cincinnati Open Championship.

Many thanks for the picture. twitter.com/91tYYUUOti

In particular, Ideye was a member of the Super Eagles’ squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) under late coach Stephen Keshi, enlisting him in Nigerian football history.

He claimed that playing the game gave him “incredible joy, sad days, the opportunity to travel and see the world, lifelong friendships, and so many unforgettable memories” during those times.

Ideye expressed gratitude to Nigeria for the opportunity to represent the nation, claiming that being a member of the Super Eagles was an honor.

Ideye promised that the sport would always be a part of his life as he prepared for the beginning of the chapter despite leaving the professional game.

After 30 people were killed in protests, civil society organizations in Angola on Tuesday urged the Argentine football federation and legendary player Lionel Messi to abandon planning for a friendly this year.

As part of Angola’s celebrations marking its 50th anniversary in November, the two football associations have been in talks to schedule a match in Luanda.

Four civil society organizations accused Angolan authorities of “systematic repression” in an open letter sent to the Argentine Football Association, the national team, and the Lionel Messi Foundation.

The organizations, which include Catholic, legal, and pro-democracy organizations, said that refusing to play in the planned match “would be a noble gesture of international solidarity and respect for human rights.”

READ MORE: Swiatek defeats Paolini to claim the WTA Cincinnati Open title.

The World Bank claims that Angola is one of the world’s top oil producers, but that nearly 38 million people there live in poverty, or about a third.

Late in July, protests against fuel price increases turned into violence when looters raided stores, causing a backlash from police who opened fire with live bullets.

In what was the worst unrest in the southern African nation in decades, there were at least 30 fatalities, more than 270 injuries, and roughly 1, 515 arrests.

While large-scale sporting events are attracting public funds, thousands of kids and adults are experiencing chronic hunger, severe anemia, and widespread food insecurity, according to the letter.

According to a report released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for 2025, 22.5 percent of the population is undernourished.

The groups claimed that the MPLA, the party that has been in power since 1975’s independence from Portugal, was only one of the few who had business opportunities in Angola.