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Gabonese star, Aubameyang continues exploits as Barcelona trash Real Madrid in one-sided El Clásico

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African star, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has continued his exploits in the colours of Barcelona FC as the Gabonese professional footballer netted two goals for his team against arch rival Real Madrid on Sunday in the latest show of Spanish derby El Clásico.

Barcelona ran rampant against a Madrid side badly missing the injured Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy to continue their remarkable renaissance under Xavi, ending a five-game losing streak against Real Madrid in emphatic fashion with a 4-0 victory over their fierce rivals in Sunday’s El Clasico at the Bernabeu.

The El Clásico is the name given to any football match between rival clubs FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Originally referring to competitions held in the Spanish championship, the term now includes every match between the clubs, such as those in the UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Aubameyang, who recently joined Barcelona in the last transfer window after leaving Arsenal football club by mutual consent after falling out with Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta and suffering a dip in form.

The 32-year-old was stripped of the club captaincy after multiple disciplinary breaches, and was made to train on his own before not being invited on the Gunners’ mid-season trip to Dubai then managed to have his contract in north London terminated to facilitate a move to Barcelona.

Since joining a resurgent Barcelona side under club legend Xavi as manager, Aubameyang has been impressive. He has scored nine goals and assisted one goal in eleven games for the Spanish side. Analysts have begun to question Mikel Arteta’s man-management ability; it was his sour relationship with the Gabonese star that contributed to his departure.

Some have also asked if it was smart business on Arsenal’s side to terminate Aubameyang’s contract and let him leave on a free transfer to Barcelona.

After all said, Arsenal does not look like a team missing Aubameyang as the North London team has enjoyed a ride of great results since the beginning of the year, putting them in strong contention for the top four position in the English Premier League.

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South African club admits they can’t keep Nwabali

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Chairman of South African club side, Chippa United, Siviwe ‘Chippa’ Mpengesi, has given up on retaining the services of Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, who is now the subject of transfer speculations among top European and Asian clubs.

Mpengesi, in an interview with Idiski Times, admits the club has given up hopes of keeping their safe hands with the transfer talks gaining momentum.

He stated that the SA club is currently in talks with a few clubs abroad and will not hold Nwabali back should a good offer arrive.

“We are talking to a few clubs abroad. We also believe that he needs something better, especially after the performance that he showed at the Afcon,” the club chairman said.

“If the opportunity comes especially from abroad, of course even if it comes locally and the offer is for him, it’s not even for us. If the offer for him is better then we are not going to hold on to him.”

Mpengesi further underlined the club’s commitment to facilitating the player’s progression, whether it be through opportunities abroad or within the local Premier Soccer League.

There have been reports of interest in the Nigerian keeper from clubs in Europe following his sterling performances with Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations in Ivory Coast where he led the Eagles to the silver medal.

After the Afcon tournament where he emerged as the second best keeper, there have been interest in his services from English side Queens Park Rangers and Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq, and Mpengesi affirms Chippa United’s willingness to engage with both local and international suitors vying for Nwabali’s services.

Apart from clubs from abroad, there are also interest from local clubs including Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns and the chairman has conceded that Chippa will not stand in Nwabali’s path should the right offer comes.

Nwabali, a former Katsina United shot stopper in the Nigerian Premier League, is also being touted as a possible replacement for South African international keeper, Itumeleng Khune, whose future at Kaizer Chiefs looks uncertain.

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Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir fulfils promise of breaking world record at London Marathon

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Kenyan Olympic champion, Peres Jepchirchir, on Sunday, lived up to her promise of breaking compatriot Mary Keitany’s women’s-only world record to win the London Marathon.

Athletics World reports that Jepchirchir ran a tactical race, showed great composure, and had a good final kick to shake off her competitors to claim victory in a new women’s-only record of 2:16:16, breaking Keitany’s mark of 2:17:01 set in 2017.

“In what was a fast race, all the top four women ran faster than Keitany’s record with world record holder Tigst Asefa of Ethiopia clocking 2:16:23 for second place after pipping Kenya’s Joyiciline Jepkosgei who managed 2:16:24 to complete the podium,” WA said in a report after the race.

“The favourites for the race were clear past the halfway mark of the race with Assefa, Jepchirchir, Jepkosgei and Magertu Alemu running close to each other.

Jepchirchir and Assefa would exchange leads periodically as the other two stayed close until the final stretch.

“Jepkosgei then surged ahead in the final five minutes, remaining with Keitany’s women’s-only world record win sight.

“Jepchirchir then waited until the final metres before storming to the finish line, leaving her rivals trailing, after showing great pace and power to win in a new mark.

“With the strong field, Jepchirchir had predicted a new world record on Thursday and the race delivered just that.

“The Olympic champion can now look forward to defending her title in Paris as she set to join Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri in Kenya’s final three although Athletics Kenya will have a hard time selecting the third athlete to join them.”

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