Sports
Lobi Stars Appoint Finnish Coach Mika Lönnström

Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi has appointed Finnish coach Mika Lönnström as the new head coach of the club. The announcement was made during a ceremony in Makurdi on Wednesday, where club chairman Philip Nongu shared that Lönnström’s appointment is part of efforts to improve the team’s performance and competitiveness.
Nongu welcomed the new coach, emphasizing that Lönnström’s expertise and dedication would help elevate the team. “We are gathered here today to introduce Mr. Lönnström to the Benue community, the players, and sports journalists. He will work alongside the technical crew with the aim of improving the club’s current position,” said Nongu.
The chairman assured the public that the club’s current standing in the league is temporary, expressing optimism that the team will soon rise out of the relegation zone. He also urged the players to maintain discipline, stressing that it would no longer be “business as usual.”
Lönnström’s appointment was further supported by James Iorpuu, a board member, who congratulated the coach and assured him of the necessary support. Iorpuu also praised Governor Hyacinth Alia for his unwavering commitment to sports and his vision for Lobi Stars to compete at the highest level.
Technical adviser Daniel Amokachi expressed enthusiasm about Lönnström joining the club, noting that his work ethic and experience would bring positive change. “In modern football, young players who work tirelessly are essential, and we are excited to work with them, especially as we await the opening of the transfer window for further decisions,” Amokachi said.
In his remarks, Lönnström expressed his excitement about joining the Nigeria Premier Football League side and the club’s rich history. He pledged to work diligently to lead Lobi Stars to success in the coming seasons.
Sports
Super Eagles World Cup squad: Which players will face the axe?

Super Eagles Squad Selection: Players Likely to Miss Out
With the March 21 and March 25 fixtures approaching, Super Eagles head coach Finidi George is set to trim the squad to 23 players. Ahead of the March 17 announcement, here are the players who might miss out.
The squad features NPFL standouts, including Remo Stars’ goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, Enugu Rangers’ defender Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, and Niger Tornadoes’ forward Papa Daniel Mustapha. Despite their domestic performances, they might not make the final cut due to stiff competition from overseas-based players.
Several players are battling injuries, making their selection unlikely. Maduka Okoye (Udinese) underwent wrist surgery in December and isn’t expected back until April. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio) suffered an ankle sprain on February 25, and while reports suggest he could return early, his chances remain slim. Akor Adams (Sevilla) has yet to make his Super Eagles debut and remains out with a training injury from February.
Some players may be excluded due to lack of form or irregular playing time. Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough) struggled at Sevilla before moving to the Championship in January, raising match fitness concerns. Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars) may lose his spot due to limited game time and rising competition. Paul Onuachu (Southampton) has struggled for consistency in England, while Cyriel Dessers (Rangers) has had mixed performances, making his selection uncertain.
Others who may miss out include Umar Sadiq, Joe Aribo, Chidera Ejuke, Alhassan Yusuf, Christantus Uche, and Igoh Ogbu.
With a talent-packed squad, Chelle faces tough decisions before finalizing his 23-man squad for the crucial fixtures.
Sports
Guardiola Vows to Rebuild Man City After Narrow Win Over Spurs

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has pledged to restore the club’s dominance after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
A 12th-minute goal by Erling Haaland proved decisive as City moved into fourth place in the Premier League standings, strengthening their bid for a Champions League spot. However, the narrow win highlighted the club’s struggles this season, as they remain far from the dominant force that has won four consecutive league titles under Guardiola.
Despite their recent success, Manchester City has endured an underwhelming campaign, currently 20 points behind league leaders Liverpool. Their hopes of retaining the Champions League title were dashed following elimination by Real Madrid, leaving the FA Cup as their only shot at silverware this season.
Guardiola acknowledged the decline but expressed confidence in his team’s resurgence.
“Never will be this season the old City. Old City were too good, but we will be back,” he stated.
City controlled the first half, creating several chances to extend their lead, but missed opportunities kept Spurs in the game. Tottenham, struggling in 13th place, grew into the match and dominated possession in the second half, but failed to break through City’s defense.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou admitted his team’s early struggles cost them the game.
“We were too wasteful in the first half. Against City, that lets them get into a rhythm,” he said.
Despite another defeat, Postecoglou was encouraged by his side’s second-half display.
“It’s disappointing to lose again, but it did look more like us today,” he added.
With City still fighting for a top-four finish, Guardiola is expected to make significant squad changes in the summer to strengthen the team. Addressing defensive vulnerabilities and regaining consistency will be key to City’s ambitions next season.
Meanwhile, Tottenham will shift their focus to the Europa League, as their chances of a strong league finish remain slim. The club is expected to make key reinforcements in the summer transfer window to improve their squad for the next campaign.
As both teams enter the final stretch of the season, City will look to secure Champions League qualification while Spurs aim to salvage their season through European competition.
Sports
Guardiola Regrets Not Strengthening Squad in Summer Transfer Window

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has expressed regret over his decision not to strengthen his squad during the summer transfer window. In hindsight, he believes that rejecting the opportunity to revamp his team was a mistake, especially given the impact of injuries on their disappointing start to the season.
Guardiola had initially decided against making new signings, relying on his existing players, with only Savinho and a returning Ilkay Gündogan joining the team. However, the club has since moved to refresh their squad, agreeing a deal for Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov and negotiating with Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush.
Reflecting on his summer decision, Guardiola said, “I relied on the team and thought we could do it again with the same players. But after the injuries, wow, maybe we should have done it differently.”
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