Sports

Rohr Reveals It Took Two Years to Convince Lookman to Play for Nigeria

Published

4 weeks ago

September 18, 2024

Gernot Rohr, the former coach of the Nigerian national football team, has disclosed that it took nearly two years of effort to persuade Ademola Lookman to switch his international allegiance from England to Nigeria.

Lookman, who has emerged as a key player for the Super Eagles and is considered a strong contender for the Africa Player of the Year award, had previously represented England at various youth levels, including winning the U20 World Cup in 2017.

Rohr shared that his efforts began in 2020, but Lookman’s approval to play for Nigeria was only finalized in 2022, after Rohr had already left his position as Nigeria’s coach. Rohr had initially included Lookman in his provisional squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), but the final approval came only after the tournament in Cameroon.

Reflecting on the process, Rohr noted, “It started in 2020 and the approval came in 2021 when I was no longer the coach of the team. I listed him in my provisional list for the AFCON, but we were still waiting for approval. It came in 2022 just after the tournament in Cameroon. I am happy with his progress so far even though he scored twice against my team.”

Rohr also mentioned that Lookman had been involved with the senior England setup for some time, which made the transition more complex. Despite the lengthy process, Rohr expressed satisfaction with Lookman’s decision to join Nigeria and his subsequent contributions to the team.

Sports

CAF Confirms Morocco as Host for 2024 Women’s Champions League

Published

12 hours ago

October 16, 2024

Online Editor

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially designated Morocco as the host for the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League finals. The tournament will take place from November 9 to November 23, as announced on CAF’s official website.

Morocco previously hosted the last edition of this prestigious competition. Among the eight teams competing this year is Nigeria’s champions, Edo Queens. The current title holders are Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa.

The tournament offers significant financial incentives, with winners receiving $400,000 and runners-up taking home $250,000.

Sports

Messi Matches Ronaldo’s Record with Hat-Trick Against Bolivia

Published

12 hours ago

October 16, 2024

Online Editor

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 10 international hat-tricks after scoring three times in a dominant 6-0 victory against Bolivia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.

In addition to his goals, the 37-year-old forward also provided two assists, showcasing his playmaking abilities. With this win, Argentina solidifies its position in the South American qualifiers, currently leading the table three points ahead of second-placed Colombia and six points clear of their arch-rivals Brazil.

On the same evening, Ronaldo’s Portugal faced Scotland in the UEFA Nations League but was held to a frustrating 0-0 draw, leaving the superstar visibly upset post-match.

Sports

Mourinho Targets Barcelona’s Ansu Fati for January Transfer to Fenerbahce

Published

12 hours ago

October 16, 2024

Online Editor

Fenerbahce manager, Jose Mourinho, is reportedly planning a January transfer move for Barcelona forward Ansu Fati. After spending last season on loan at Brighton in the Premier League, Fati, now 21, returned to Barcelona but has struggled for game time under new coach Hansi Flick.

Once considered a potential successor to Lionel Messi, Fati’s limited opportunities at Barça have fueled speculation about a possible departure. According to *AS*, Mourinho is keen to bring the Spain international to the Turkish league, offering him the chance for regular football at Fenerbahce.

Fenerbahce’s sporting director, Mario Branco, is expected to initiate discussions with Fati’s representatives soon, confident that the promise of consistent playing time will help secure the forward’s move.