Sports

Man United duo of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, in ‘positive talks’ to switch allegiance to DR Congo

Published

2 months ago

March 27, 2023

Manchester United defenders, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, are reportedly in ‘positive’ talks over a switch of allegiance to represent the DR Congo at international level.

Right-back Wan-Bissaka, whose parents are originally from the DRC, had previously represented the eastern African country at youth level while Tuanzebe, was actually born in Congo before his parents emigrated to the UK.

With their chances of making it into the main stream Three Lions team, the duo are said to be set to take a chance and represent their original country.

A report on Monday in a local publication in the DRC, Leopard Football Leader, said the country’s national team coach, Sebastien Desabre, has spoken at length with Wan-Bissaka and the United player would consider the offer, especially if the country qualifies for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.

“The duo of Manchester United defenders, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe have held positive talks with the DR Congo Football Association with the suggestion they may switch their allegiance to African nation,” the report said.

“DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre held ‘positive’ talks with Wan-Bissaka and Tuanzebe’s representatives.”

“Both defenders have represented England at youth level but could still switch allegiance to the African nation with Gareth Southgate so far overlooking them for a senior debut. Neither Wan-Bissaka or Tuanzebe have been capped by England at senior level.”

“Central defender Tuanzebe, currently on loan at Championship club Stoke City, was born in the Congolese city of Bunia, while right-back Wan-Bissaka is of Congolese descent.”

Wan-Bissaka previously made one under-20 appearance for DR Congo, an 8-0 friendly loss to England in October 2015, before playing twice for England’s under-20 side and three times for the Under-21s in 2018 and 2019.

Related Topics:Aaron Wan-Bissaka Axel Tuanzebe Democratic Republic of Congo Featured Football Manchester United

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Sports

FIFA honours Osimhen after amazing season with Napoli

Published

16 hours ago

June 7, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Following his record-breaking season with Napoli where he scored 26 goals to win the Serie A top scorer award, Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen has been honoured by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

The world football governing body Tuesday presented Osimhen with a customized jersey and soccer ball for his “superb displays for Napoli in the 2022/23 season,” which led to Napoli winning the Scudetto after a 33-year wait, according to an official of FIFA, Gelson Fernandes, in a “special message” to the 24-year-old Nigerian forward.

“Victor Osimhen, you represent at the moment what football can do,” Fernandes wrote in an Instagram post.

“From Lagos to Napoli where people love you, you have suffered, but your love for football and determination have guided you.

“Keep going, keep pushing. Africa needs examples and millions are watching and dreaming.”

Osimhen became the first African to win the highest goal scorer award, while also becoming the first player since Zlatan Ibrahimovic to win both the Capocannoniere and the Scudetto in the same season, a record which has stood for 14 long years.

His horde of honours was also enhanced with a National Award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic bestowed on him by former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Sports

Tunisian tennis star, Ons Jabeur zooms into French Open quarter-finals

Published

2 days ago

June 6, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Tunisian tennis sensation, Ons Jabeur took a step further in her quest to win the 2023 French Open Grand Slam when she defeated World number 36, Bernarda Pera 6-3, 6-1 to zoom into the quarter-finals.

Jabeur, ranked number 7 in the world, and who only won her first WTA 1000 title at the Madrid Open last year, has since then been facing a downward slide coupled with injuries which saw her either missing out on some tournaments or crashing out in early rounds.

However, the 28-year-old who became the first ever African woman to reach a Grand Slam final last year, was at her best when she defeated Pera to move to the next stage on Monday night.

Though Jabeur was not at her fluent best and was herself broken three times in the first set and at the start of the second set, she still raced through the final six games, sealing victory in 63 minutes.

“I never thought about something was missing or I didn’t reach all four of them,” the African said after the match.

“Maybe it’s a good thing. It came and hopefully, we’ll set it to all semi-finals and then all finals,” she added.