Leicester City Are Back In The Premier League

Leicester City have made their way into the Premier League winning automatic promotion from the Championship after Leeds United's 4-0 loss to QPR.

Leicester City have made their way back to the top tier of English football after just a year in the Championship thanks to Leeds' loss that gave the Foxes a four-point lead over Leeds with two match days left until the end of the regular season.


THE BIGGER PICTURE

Leicester had looked nearly certain to return to the top level when they opened up a 14-point lead over third place in February. Leicester's nine-year Premier League stint was halted by relegation last season. However, they had a bad run of play that made them need to gain some crucial points towards the end of the season, and they watched that lead fast evaporate.

It Wasn't Bribery, But An Agreement On A Coaching Job In Australia - Siasia Opens Up On FIFA Ban

Prior to being banned from Football Samson Siasia was one of Nigeria's fine coaches in history, having guided the Flying Eagles (U-20) and the Olympic Eagles (U-23) nationals to silver at the 2005 World Cup and the men’s football event of the 2008 Olympic Games, also an applicant for the vacant Cameroon national team's coaching job a few months before he was hammered by FIFA over allegation of bribery. 

The former Super Eagles coach in a recent interview with Athlist has refuted the allegation of bribery stating that what transpired between him and his contact, who was identified as a match-fixer was an agreement to take up a coaching job in Australia.

According to Siasia, he never knew the man he was talking to is a match-fixer. 

FIFA slammed Siasia for his alleged involvement in match-fixing in August 2019 but the 56-year-old, whose ban ends in a few months, whilst speaking to Athlist, narrated what really transpired between him and the match-fixer. 

In his words, "I spoke with someone who was trying to hire me as a coach in Australia, that's someone I didn’t know was a match-fixer.

"FIFA knew this guy, yet allow him to be around a FIFA tournament", Siasia added. 

The 1994 AFCON winner questioned the basis for his punishment saying, "It’s an allegation; they said bribery but shouldn't bribery involve when money changes hands, are there any proof of money changing hands?" Siasia asked rhetorically and responded, "No, there were none."

The Olympics silver medalist coach explained further that all he discussed with the guy was the terms of his proposed Australia coaching job and nothing else.

"We talked about how much salaries, transfers, bonuses, and sign-on fees were, and tha was all," Siasia told Athlist sports during the interview.

Samson Siasia also accused the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) of abandonment. 

He said, "Nigeria abandoned me at that time of need; that’s my own take on how this thing played out,” 

Due to lack of adequate finance, It took Siasia about 2-years to appeal the ban, and after doing so in June 2021 at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), he was able to secure a reduction of the suspension to five years and the cancellation of the additional fine of 50,000 Swiss francs ($54,000).

Next Super Eagles Coach ¦ NFF Shortlists Amuneke Among Final Three Candidates

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has shortlisted an ex-international, Emmanuel Amuneke, among the final three candidates to be considered for Super Eagles head coach job.

Amuneke once coached the Nigeria U-17 that won FIFA World Cup in 2015, and he was also in charge of the Tanzania national team, qualifying the Taifa Stars qualify for Afcon for the first time in 39 years..

According to Daily Post, a source in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirm that that the names of the three coaches have been sent to the executive committee by the technical committee who will seat to decide on the final man to give the job.

Domenec Torrent and Antonio Conceicao are other two coaches who made the final three-man shortlist for the Super Eagles coaching job.

The source said, “Torrent is the number one candidate among the foreign coaches with Conceicao being the second choice, while Amuneke is only local coach with the best CV, hence has been named among the final three candidates.”

DFMedia learnt that majority of the board members are in support of a foreign coach, while others prefers a local gaffer.

Domenec Torrent had been Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola's assistant before launching his own coaching career.

Antonio Conceicao was sacked after taking charge of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

I Was Young, Stupid, And Fearless - Mary Onyali Speaks On Her Record 11 Gold Medals At African Games (Video)

Nigeria's iconic sprinter, Mary Onyali, while recounting her days as Africa's best athlete and responding to a question that seeks how she feels being the overall gold medals record holder in the African Games, has stated that, she was only enjoying herself as a young sprinter while winning gold medals for Nigeria.

Onyali was speaking in a recent interview where she highlighted her joy and what the Athletics Federation Of Nigeria (AFN) should consider going forward based on the results of the 2023 African Games held in Accra, Ghana, last month.

When asked about how she feels being the most decorated athlete in the Africa Games, Mary said, "I never kept counting, it was fun, I was young, stupid and fearless (you can put it that way), I was just having a good time."

"Being in the midst of my country men and women and the rest of African nations, it was just a thing of joy," Mary added.

The Track And Field Is My Office

The Nigerian track and field legend also stated that being an athlete is her calling, what she's passionate about and according to her that's her office where she would do everything to succeed.

In her words, "This is what I love to do, I call the track and field facilities my oval office. So, whenever I get in there, I will feel like, I am in my office, and I am in charge."

Speaking about her observations at the 13th African Games in Accra, Mary said she's happy seeing home-based athletes competing for Nigeria and she urged the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to give the home-based athletes more opportunities to compete at such games instead of bringing in foreign-based athletes.

She said, "My joy seeing Nigeria compete at the African Games this year is the fact that home-based athletes were given the opportunity to compete and have finally arrived. They have been given the opportunity to make an impact, to show their talents, and the coaches as well, kudos to them. Both the coaches and the athletes, they've done extremely well.

"And I also want to appreciate the US-Based athletes, their Schools and officials for not releasing them, because they [Foreign-based athletes] would have been the one representing us in Ghana. A lot of the first-timers that came here would never forget this opportunity in a while. They will always remember that they were able to showcase their talents."

She concluded by asking coaches, AFN and all concerned people in the team Nigeria to always give the home-based chance.

Paris 2024 ¦ Waldrum Calls For Adequate Preparation As Super Falcons Face Brazil First (Video)

Following the release of the group fixtures for the Women's football competition of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the head coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria, Randy Waldrum, has appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the Sports Ministry to facilitate good preparations for his team.

The Super Falcons will square off against Brazil Women"s national team in their opening game at the Games on Thursday, July 25 at Stade Matmut-Atlantique, Bordeaux, France.

The Randy Waldrum’s led team will be against world champions, Spain, three days later at the Stade de la Beujoire, Nantes.

While the nine-time African champions will round off their group stage campaign against Japan on Wednesday, July 31.

Randy said the Olympics Football Competition is not different from the world cup because of the caliber of teams that are participating in the Olympics Women's Football competition.

Nigeria's Super Falcons will be appearing at their first Olympics, after sixteen years in Paris later this year.

Below is Randy Waldrum’s appeal video is as below:

Next Super Eagles Coach - Three Reasons Finidi George Is Out Of Favour With NFF

The interim coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Finidi , may be out of favour for the vacant position of the men's national team head coach.

Despite the public endorsement by former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick, Finidi George seems out of the reckoning for the head coach of the Super Eagles.

A top official has stated three reasons the odds are heavily stacked against the Enyimba head coach.

According to the official, besides not processing the requisite coaching badges, Finidi did not pass his audition after he was handed temporary charge for the friendlies against Ghana and Mali in Morocco last month.

The official stated, “He does not have UEFA Pro license, what he has is UEFA A license.

“His man-management during the matches in Morocco left a lot to be desired after he fell out with several of the players.

“He was also found wanting as per his decisions particularly the game against Mali when he made only two substitutions even with so many players on the bench, who did not play against Ghana.”

The former Ajax winger, who assisted Jose Peseiro at the recent 2023 AFCON, had been shortlisted by the NFF technical committee for further consideration by the Executive Committee who will meet again on Tuesday to deliberate on the appointment of a new coach for the Super Eagles.

A number of state FA chairmen carpeted Finidi as Eagles substantive coach after the friendlies in Morocco, where the Super Eagles beat Ghana 2-1 before they lost 2-0 to Mali.

Ahead of the double-header Paris 2024 Olympics final round qualifier, Super Falcons Head Coach, Randy Waldrum, has heaped praises on the Banyana Banyana of South Africa, stating that, they deserve some level of respect.

The American, added that, his team, the Super Falcons of Nigeria are however, one of the best teams in the world.

Randy Waldrum speaks in Abuja days before they will face South Africa in the first leg of the final round of the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifier.

Responding to questions on his thoughts about the South African team who have arrived and began training in Abuja ahead of the Super Falcons, Waldrum said, "My thoughts on South Africa is that they are a very good side, and they are the African champions, we have to respect them.

" I love the individual talents they have upfront, in particular, they are very dangerous, and I think the coach did a really good job organizing them."

Waldrum however reiterated how good his team has been since the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.

He noted that, the Super Falcons of Nigeria should be ranked among world best teams.

In his words, *As I've said before, and I would say it again, I really like our team and our squad, and I have all the confidence in them that we will perform very well."

He went ahead to add that " I think this team is world best and have the ability to be one of the world's best teams.

Paris 2024 Olympics ¦ Nigeria vs South Africa ¦ Super Falcons In Titanic Battle With Banyana (Video)

 

After three round rubbing matches, the Super Falcons of Nigeria and the Banyana Banyana of South Africa will square off for a Paris 2024 Olympic ticket.

The long-standing multidimensional rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria will be reignited once again as Banyana Banyana and the Super Falcons will face off for an Olympics berth next month. .

The fourth and final round of the Paris qualifying series has been scheduled to take place on April 5, and April 9, 2024 with the first leg to be held at the MKO Abiola stadium, Abuja while a Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa will host the reverse fixture.

The encounter at Nigeria capital’s magnificent facility will kick off at 4pm, with Algerian referee Ghada Mehat as referee.

Mehat’s compatriots Asma Feriel Ouahab and Lamia Atman will be in the roles of assistant referee 1 and fourth official respectively, while Mariem Cheddad from Mauritania will serve as assistant referee 2.

Senegalese Fadouma Dia, a former FIFA referee, will be referee assessor while Ghanaian Chrstine Ziga will serve as commissioner.

For the return leg scheduled for South Africa (venue to be decided) on Tuesday, 9th April, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Tunisian official Dorsaf Ganouati as referee.

She will be assisted by compatriots Houda Afine (assistant referee 1) and Emna Ajbouni (fourth official) with Egyptian Yara Atef Abdelfattah as assistant referee 2.

Agar Mezing from Cameroon will be the referee assessor while Cindy Dludlu from eSwatini will be commissioner.

The winner over two legs in early April will join 15 other senior women teams from across the globe for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament starting in Paris on 16th July.

Nigeria vs South Africa have in the recent times become exciting match ups owing to Banyana Banyana upgraded form, and recent results against their West African opponents, the Super Falcons of Nigeria.

Watch the preview via link below:

Video Nigeria vs South Africa Preview 

https://youtu.be/_0xvdxhMBWo

Head-To-Head

Both Nigeria and South Africa have met nine times since 2010. The Super Falcons and Banyana Banyana have won three contests each and have drawn three.

In July 2022, during the Women’s African Cup of Nations held in Morocco, South Africa edge Nigeria 2-1 in the preliminary stage.

Banyana Banyana also defeated the Super Falcons to clinch the inaugural Aisha Buhari cup in September 2021.

Invited Players For Both Teams

This encounter is crucial and the team managers for both the Super Falcons and Banyana Banyana understand the importance of these final round of the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifying series, hence, would put ahead their best legs in the all important match.

Barring injury and other unforeseen circumstances, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa are expected to file out in 4-4-2 tactical formation against the Super Falcons of Nigeria come Friday 5th of April 2024 at the MKO Abiola stadium in Abuja.

Thembi Kgatlana and Jermaine Seoposenwe will spare head the Banyana Banyana attack

In the midfield Hildah Magaia, Linda Motlhalo, hopefully Refiloe Jane would have fully recovers, Gabriel Salgado, Nthabiseng Majiya, and Noxolo Cesane.

The quadret of Karabo Dhlamini, Motalj, Bongeka Gamede, Lebohang Ramalepand and believing that Bambanani Mbane would have also fully recovered from injury. Kaylin Swart should be in goal for the Banyana Banyana.

The hosts of the first leg, the Super Falcons of Nigeria are expected to line up against the opponents in 4-3-3 tactical formation.

The following players have been invited by coach Randy Waldrum for the double header qualifiers:

Goalkeepers - Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi, Linda Jiwuaku

Defenders - Osinachi Ohale, Ashleigh Plumptre, Shukurat Oladipo, Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne, Chidinma Okeke

Midfielders - Abiodun Deborah, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, Rasheedat Ajibade, Tony Payne

Forwards - Omorinsola Babajide, Esther Okoronkwo, Ifeoma Onumonu, Asisat Oshoala, Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday, and Chiwendu Ihezuo.

Senegal Join Algeria, Morocco, Ivory Coast As The 4th Team To Qualify For 2023 AFCON Qualifier

Teranga Lions of Senegal have booked a ticket to defend their African Cup of Nations title at the 34th edition of the biennial tournament to be hosted in Ivory Coast next year.

Christian Atsu | My Heart Is Broken He Died This Way - Asamoah Gyan Pays Tribute To Ex-Teammate

Ex-Ghanaian International, Asamoah Gyan, while speaking about his late teammate, Christian Atsu, said the deceased trusted him so well in their playing days. 

Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 | I Love To Silence The Home Fans - Usman

UFC 286 Welterweight challenger, Kamaru Usman, has stated that he takes pleasure in beating his opponents in their own backyards. 

Osimhen Ready To Face Chelsea Or Man City In UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals

Napoli's talisman, Victor Osimhen, has stated that he's ready, alongside his teammates for the challenges ahead in the champions league.

Six Stunning Events Of Egypt 2023 U-20 AFCON

The 17th edition of the U-20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has come to an end in Egypt but left us with amazing memorable moments; some to be cherished for long while others to be forgotten quickly.

U-20 AFCON Final | Senegal Beat Gambia To Claim First Title

Senegal's young Lions of Teranga have emerged as winners of the Egypt 2023 U-20 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON).

U-20 AFCON | Tunisia vs Nigeria | Flying Eagles Trash Carthage Eagles 4-0 To Clinch Bronze Medal

 

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria soar higher and above the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the U-20 African Cup Nations 3rd Place match played at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday.

Video | Anthony Joshua Will Regain Top Spot, Tyson Fury Will Beat Usyk To Unified Bout - Patmola

Having lost his WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk twice, some boxing fans and pundits believed Anthony Joshua should forget about the top spot in the heavyweight division. 

2023 AFCON U-20 Quarter-Final | Uganda vs Nigeria | How Flying Eagles Will Perform Against The Hippos

Seven times U-20 African Cup of Nations winners, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria having finished 2nd behind group leaders, Senegal in Group A, are up against Group B leaders, the Hippos of Uganda in the second quarter-final of this year's U-20 African cup of nations. 

Osimhen Equals Cristiano Ronaldo's Serie A Record

Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian striker has equaled Portuguese international, Cristiano Ronaldo's goal-scoring record in the Italian Serie A.

Video | Flying Eagles Of Nigeria Beat Hosts Egypt, Agbalaka Says 'It's A Deserved Victory'

It was Nigeria's U-20 first point at the ongoing African cup of nations in Egypt and Nigeria defender and match-winner, Solomon Agbalaka says the Flying Eagles deserved their hard-fought 1-0 victory over hosts Egypt.

Why Osimhen Is A Strong Contender For CAF African Footballer Of The Year Award - Jay Jay Okocha Reveals

Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen, who currently plays his professional football with the Partenopei, in Italian Serie A, has attracted lots of accolades to himself for an exceptional performance this term.