Category: Sport

English Premier League side AFC Bournemouth have sacked their head coach Scott Parker after Matchday Four.

The club made the announcement on Tuesday morning on its official website stating that Parker will be replaced in the interim by former Bournemouth midfielder, Gary O’Neil.
It was reported that Parker becomes the first manager to get the boot in the 2022/2023 season after losing his last three games of the season at the helm.

The statement which quotes club owner, Maxim Demin, reads, “AFC Bournemouth can announce that the club has parted company with head coach Scott Parker.

“Maxim Demin said: ‘I would like to place on record my gratitude to Scott and his team for their efforts during their time with us. Our promotion back to the Premier League last season under his tenure will always be remembered as one of the most successful seasons in our history.
“’However, in order for us to keep progressing as a team and a Club as a whole, it is unconditional that we are aligned in our strategy to run the club sustainably. We must also show belief in and respect for one another. That is the approach that has brought this club so much success in recent history, and one that we will not veer from now. Our search for a new head coach will begin immediately.’

“Gary O’Neil will take interim charge of the team, and will be assisted by Shaun Cooper and Tommy Elphick,” the statement concluded.

Parker’s sacking comes after Bournemouth’s 9-nil thumping against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, having won only the first game of the season against Aston Villa and a Carabao Cup second-round fixture against Norwich on penalties.

The former Fulham captain and coach led The Cherries to promotion to the Premier League after finishing behind his former club in the Championship.

Celtic midfielder, Matt O’Riley, has decided to rule out any possibility of leaving the club amidst reported interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.

O’Riley admitted that some clubs are looking to sign him this summer but stressed that he wants to work with Celtic this season.

As per ESPN, apart from Arsenal and Liverpool, O’Riley has also garnered interest from Manchester United, Leicester City, Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund.

Amidst this interest in him, O’Riley told Danish outlet Bold: “Yes, there are some of the clubs that have inquired about me. However, I cannot say which clubs they are.

“But even though it’s great to know that there is a lot of interest in me, I only have one thing in mind, and that is to do well for Celtic.”

O’Riley joined Celtic from MK Dons in January earlier this year for £1.5 million.

Former Liverpool midfielder, Danny Murphy, has advised Everton star, Anthony Gordon, to stay at Goodison Park this season, despite Chelsea’s transfer interest.

The former Liverpool midfielder is very impressed by the Toffees’ 21-year-old, who has reportedly been the subject of a £60million offer to move to Stamford Bridge.

“I completely understand the interest,” Murphy said on talkSPORT, “I think he’s a brilliant prospect.

“He’s got lovely balance, two good feet, very courageous on the ball, goes hunting the ball down to make things happen.

“That’s a real trait in a young player, especially in an Everton side last year struggling.

“I think, for the lad, he will benefit more from playing another year at Everton, definitely.”

Club football has returned, and clubs have been spending big in the transfer market to bolster their squads — but not all great deals have to be expensive. Several players are still without a team after their contracts with previous clubs expired in early July. As we approach the September deadline, JOHNNY EDWARD has assembled an out-of-contract XI comprised of Super Eagles stars in a 3-5-2 formation.

Daniel Akpeyi (Goalkeeper)

Following a four-year spell, Akpeyi left South African giants Kaizer Chiefs, after making 69 appearances for the Amakhosi.

Akpeyi made 12 appearances for Chiefs last season, with the Nigerian keeping five clean sheets and conceding seven goals.

He made 175 appearances while featuring for Chippa United and Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League, conceding 168 goals and keeping 63 clean sheets.

The 35-year-old, who has been plying his trade in South Africa since 2015, when he joined Chippa from local side Warri Wolves, is believed on the radar of PSL clubs Sekhukhune United and Royal AM.

Wherever he ends up, Akpeyi will bring a wealth of experience and quality with him as he continues his successful career.
He has made 19 appearances for the Super Eagles since his debut for the three-time African champions in 2015.

Shehu Abdulahi (right back)

Having left Turkish side Bursaspor in 2020, Abdulahi spent two seasons at Cyprus side, Omonia Nicosia, where he was part of the squad that won the Cypriot Cup in May.

The Nigeria international would add solidity to any defensive line, but his inconsistency means clubs could be wary of the defender, who can also function as a right-back.

Abdulahi, 29, is one of Nigeria’s trusted defenders and should hook up with one of the European sides before the transfer window closes.

Sunday Mba (midfield)

The scorer of the winner against Burkina Faso in the final of 2013 AFCON. Sunday Mbah was vital to Nigeria’s triumph at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

He was on loan at Rangers before the World Cup. After the world cup, there was a back and forth between Warri Wolves and Enugu Rangers when he wanted to leave for Bastia.

In December 2014, the midfielder signed for French side Bastia, after which he left for Yeni Malatyaspor in 2015. The 32-year-old is currently without a club.

Godfrey Oboabona (Centre-back)

Oboabona finds himself available for free following his departure from Georgia’s Dinamo Batumi in 2021. Considered a future star just a few years ago after he starred for Nigeria at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, the 31-year-old is a hot topic in the free agent market, with Scandinavian clubs reportedly keen on acquiring his services.

Juwon Oshaniwa (left back)

He was part of the squad that won the 2013 edition of AFCON in South Africa. The former Sharks left-back also made the 2014 World Cup squad. He dumped the now-defunct Sharks FC for Ashdod FC in Israel.

The 30-year-old then moved to Hearts in 2015, but that moved signaled the downturn for his career as he could only muster 24 appearances after spending two years in Scotland. In 2018, Juwon was signed by Akwa United, where he made 12 appearances. He ha been without a club since 2019.

Ramon Azeez (Midfield)

Azeez has been without a club since he was released by Granada in 2021, which is quite surprising. At 29, Azeez still has enough years left in the tank.
Rumours are linking the dynamic midfielder, who represented Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup, with a return to Segunda clubs, but the former Granada player has expressed a desire to play topflight football. His talent is not in doubt, though.

Mikel Obi (Midfield)

Former Chelsea star Mikel is one of the biggest Nigerian names in the free market. The mercurial midfielder made 374 appearances for the Blues and scored six times.

He won a Champions League title, one Europa League, two Premier League titles, three FA Cup titles and one Carabao Cup) title with Chelsea. At 34, Mikel will bring his winning mentality to his next club.

He last played for Kuwait SC in 2021 after earlier spells at Tianjin Teda, Middlesbrough, Tranzonspor and Stoke.

Mikel Agu (Midfield)

Somewhat of a forgotten man, Agu is currently without a club after his Spanish team Fuenlabrada released him this summer. He made an assist in 15 appearances before he was released.

He joined the club from Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes in January, but only stayed for just six months.

At 29, Agu still has a lot to give, but it may not just be in the biggest of leagues.

Interest in the ball-winning midfielder is not huge, but second-tier clubs could extend his career.

Ogenyi Onazi (Midfield)

Onazi parted company with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Adalah FC after guiding the club back to the topflight division.

Boasting an Italian cup title, the AFCON title with Nigeria and the Lithuanian league title with FK Zalgiris Vilnius, the 29-year-old should still have plenty to offer, but he is yet to get a deal.

According to his agent, Ayodele Makinwa, interest in Onazi has been rife, with European clubs keen on securing the defensive midfielder on a short-term contract.

Onazi was the star man of the Super Eagles with his commanding displays in the middle of Stephen Keshi’s side that won the 2013 AFCON as well as reaching the second round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Brown Ideye (Striker)

Coach Ilhan Palut enticed Ideye into a move to Turkish club Goztepe, with the promise that the former Dynamo Kiev striker would be the club’s top marksman, but the Nigerian never flourished at the club as he scored only three goals and two assists in 32 games.

Ideye was part of the 2013 AFCON-winning Eagles squad, scoring in the 4-0 semi-final win over Mali, as the Nigerians cruised to a third continental triumph in South Africa.

Sly Igbonu (Striker)

Former Midtjylland forward Igbonu left FK Nizhny Novgorod four weeks after he signed a one-year deal with the Russian club over fear of his safety in March.

The 31-year-old became the first Nigerian footballer to quit the Russian Premier League as a result of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, taking advantage of a FIFA rule that allowed players to suspend or terminate their contracts tied to Ukrainian and Russian clubs for the rest of the 2021/22 season.

He made only two appearances for the club before his departure.

Nigerian midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, has completed his first degree at De Montfort University in England.

The Leicester City midfielder revealed this in a video interview with Football Daily explaining that the degree will afford him more options outside football.

Ndidi explained that the knowledge in business and management would come in handy as he plans to get into business after he retires from playing.

He said, “Yeah, I am done. I did like a 10-course class which can enrol me into a proper university degree.”

Back in 2019, Ndidi was interviewed by Sportsmail and spoke extensively on his desire to pursue education while still being an active footballer.

“I have spare time, so instead of sitting and playing FIFA, it’s good to understand the four walls of schooling,” Ndidi told Sportsmail.
“In Nigeria some players want to play football and then they forget about school. But if you do both you can continue with whichever one works out, instead of just hoping for football, football — and then you don’t make it.”

Ndidi also spoke about a vision to create more options outside football for youths in Nigeria.

“All my life I wanted to play football and this is my career now but there was pressure from my dad not to go that way because he wanted me to stay at school. He was not convinced I was doing the right thing until he first saw me on television, playing for the Under 17 national team.

“The population of Nigeria is massive and it is so hard to make the grade as a footballer, so I have a clear vision of a place where you can play football and study, either in Lagos or Abuja.

“I have spoken to my godfather about making it happen. If kids don’t make it in football, I want them to think they can get a degree and work, instead of roaming the streets.”

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has predicted some of the Premier League matches that will take place this weekend.

The Red Devils travel to Southampton in the early kick-off after finally winning their first game of the season against Liverpool on Monday.

“This is an important game. United wants to progress, but if they draw or lose, people will say that their victory over Liverpool was an accident. It’s all about consistency. We can score goals, and if we can keep a clean sheet, we will win the game. That’s all there is to it. “The score is 0-2,” Evra predicted on Betfair.

Chelsea will host Leicester, looking to rebound from a 3-0 loss at Leeds United.
Evra said: “Chelsea’s last match was a shock. I said recently that Mendy is the best goalkeeper in the world but those mistakes cost you a lot, he knows, he’s a world class player. Leicester are struggling, I don’t know what’s going on. I see Chelsea winning because they will want to fix that humiliation. Prediction: 2-0.”

On the late kick-off between Arsenal and Fulham, he added: “Arsenal go into this in great form, I don’t think it will be an easy game though. Fulham can upset Arsenal, but I think at home they will have just enough. Prediction: 2-1.”

Heavyweight Deontay Wilder believes that Anthony Joshua’s lack of confidence played a major role during his rematch defeat to Oleksandr Usyk on Sunday morning.

Pundits have commented that Joshua delivered an improved performance in Saudi Arabia following his loss to Usyk last year but it wasn’t enough as the Ukrainian retained his heavyweight titles via split decision.

Wilder, who is set for a ring return on October 15 against Finland’s Robert Helenius, believes Joshua showed a lack of confidence in the build-up to the fight and has questioned the 32-year-old’s mentality.

“Sometimes you just look at both fighters, and sometimes the eye test will tell it all,” Wilder told ESNews on Wednesday.

“The body language is telling a story, the way the momentum of a fighter is telling a story, you could look at Usyk and tell how confident he was, how the tables have turned, you could tell he owned it, he feels like who he is.

“With Joshua, you could tell that he wasn’t himself, his usual self of being motivated and secure within himself.”
Wilder also claimed he received an offer from Eddie Hearn before Joshua’s fight with Usyk and says that was a sign the promoter did not have full confidence in Joshua’s ability to reclaim the heavyweight titles.

“Eddie Hearn came to us, after everything is over with my fight, talking about offering a deal,” said Wilder.

“My thing is we’re busy. For me, it’s easy to see what was going on. Boxing’s solely a business, it’s not a sport. It’s strictly a business.

“But he was trying to contact us for reassurance. All of a sudden you want to make a fight because even you don’t have confidence in your own fighter that he was going to win.

“For me, he was trying to make a deal to ensure he can lock something in but the thing about it is when you lose that price goes up. He ain’t going to get no solid deal locked in. We’re not stupid, when you’re

According to ANAMBRA PEOPLE, Air Peace, a private Nigerian airline, announced on Monday that it has given some compensation to Anambra’s gymnastics sensation, Stephanie Onusiriuka.

Onusiriuka received one million Naira from the airline’s Chairman, Allen Onyeama, according to the airline’s Twitter handle @flyairpeace.
It went on to say that this was in recognition of her performance at the recent African Club Gymnastics Championship in Pretoria, South Africa.

The 11-year-old also received free flight tickets to all Air Peace destinations for training and competitions, according to the airline.
“Congratulations to Stephanie Onusiriuka, an 11-year-old Nigerian who recently won a gold medal at the Junior Olympics Level of the African Club Championship in Pretoria.”

It added: “Supporting young talent, especially in sports, is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility orientation”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onusiriuka, alongside eight other gymnasts from the Abuja-based Tony International Gymnastics Club, featured at the Aug. 12 to Aug. 13 event in Pretoria.

The Nigeria Football Federation has explained why the Falconets’ U20 Girls National Team players and officials overstayed at Istanbul Airport.

The NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, stated in a statement on Wednesday that there were numerous factors that contributed to the players’ delay at the Turkish airport.

According to him, a combination of factors, including the inability to obtain transit visas, resulted in the team spending 24 hours at the Istanbul airport on their way back from the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

The statement read:, “The NFF did not book the team’s tickets from Costa Rica; FIFA did. FIFA also did not envisage the hitches that saw the team delayed for more than three hours in Bogota, and another one hour in Panama. By the time the team got to Istanbul, the flight to Abuja had left.
“Our officials pleaded for compassionate transit visas so as to take the players and officials to a hotel inside the town, but this was not possible as they were informed that Nigeria had been removed from the list of countries whose citizens were issued visa-on-arrival in Turkey. The airline then took the team to a sleeping area at the airport and gave them tickets to have meals every five hours. This situation has nothing to do with NFF, who had made arrangements to receive the team in Abuja before the complications in travel arrangements.”

He said that the NFF had implored the world football governing body, FIFA, to intervene with the Embassy of Germany to issue the team transit visas before their departure from Nigeria, in order for the team to be able to travel through Germany, adding that “this did not happen”.

On the issue of body wear, Sanusi said, “The players were handed three sets of green jerseys and two sets of white jerseys, several house-wear types and training jerseys. The players opted to wash only their jersey top (no other stuff) because when the first set of body-wear was sent to the laundry people at the hotel, it returned with some FIFA and NFF badges at the front and names at the back peeled by the machine.”