Sports

South African coach, Pitso Mosimane in line for Super Eagles job

Published

2 weeks ago

May 24, 2023

South African coach, Pitso Mosimane is in line to take over as manager of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, according to sources close to the Al-Ahli Saudi FC gaffer.

However, that will come if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) can do away with Portuguese head coach, Jose Peseiro whose contract runs out next month.

According to reliable sources in the NFF, Mosimane tops a list of five coaches favoured to take over the Eagles’ job when Peseiro’s contract ends.

The Portuguese has not impressed during his time and there are indications that his contract will not be renewed following a string of poor results including a 1-0 home loss to Guniea Bissau in a recent World Cup qualifying match played in Abuja.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly of Egypt coach is highly rated after winning three CAF Champions League titles with, as well as winning promotion with Al-Ahli Saudi FC, and the Nigerian football egg heads would prefer to have him lead the three times African champions.

“Pitso Mosimane is among five coaches being considered to replace Jose Peseiro as Nigeria coach, according to reports,” an NFF insider said on Wednesday.

“He is not the only coach on the radar but Mosimane is highly rated and with his contract with the Saudi club ending soon, he is surely in line to replace Peseiro. He is not the only one though as there are four other top coaches pencilled down but Mosimane ticks all the right boxes,” the insider who preferred anonymity said.

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Sports

FIFA honours Osimhen after amazing season with Napoli

Published

17 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.