Sports

Liverpool, Bayern Munich join Forest in battle for Nigerian midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi

Published

1 year ago

August 30, 2023

Nigerian midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi is at the centre of a transfer tussle as English Premier League side, Liverpool and perenial German Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich attempt to hijack his move to Nottingham Forest.

According to renowned transfer news reporter, Fabrizio Romano, both Liverpool and Bayern have expressed interest in luring the Leicester City defensive midfielder away from Forest who were thought to have wrapped up the deal for the Nigeria player from relegated City.

Romano wrote in his popular column that Liverpool were reportedly investigating if they could make another late move for a midfielder in this summer’s transfer window and the 26-year-old Ndidi had been identified as Jurgen Klopp’s preferred player.

“The Reds have lost five midfield players this summer, with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho leaving for Saudi Pro League clubs, while Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left on free transfers,” the respected journalist wrote.

“Although Liverpool have signed Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo, there is probably still room for another addition to Jurgen Klopp’s squad and one surprise option could be a move for Wilfred Ndidi from relegated Leicester City.

“The Nigeria international has had some fine moments in his King Power Stadium career, though his form last season wasn’t the best as the Foxes got relegated.

“Nottingham Forest had already submitted an opening proposal to Leicester City for Wilfred Ndidi transfer.

“The East Midlands club have been linked with an interest in the Nigerian in the final days of the transfer window with some reports earlier this week even suggested that a deal was close”, he said.

Apart from the rumoured interest in Ndidi by Liverpool and Forest, there are also reports that Bayern is also weighing up a move for the player and have identified him as the man to add steel to their midfield.

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Sports

Coach of Mamelodi Sundowns female team suspended over sexual harassment allegations

Published

2 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns women’s team, Jerry Tshabalala, has been suspended indefinitely amid allegations of sexual harassment of players.

A statement by the management of the top South African team said the 44-year-old Tshabalala, who has been in charge of Sundowns’s women’s team for over a decade, has been accused of a number of allegations, including making inappropriate sexual comments to his players, as well as entering the dressing room and refusing to leave while players are completely naked.

In a statement released on Saturday, Sundowns said they had appointed a law firm to investigate the allegations against the coach with specific instructions to unravel allegations of improper conduct by the Tshabalala.

The club said it views the allegations in a very serious light and has relieved the coach of his appointment pending when the investigations are concluded.

“Sundowns has, in the interim, put Coach Jerry Tshabalala on special leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” the club statement said.

“This is not done to pre-empt the outcome of the investigation, but to ensure that the investigation can proceed expeditiously and protect the rights of all parties.

“In the event that the investigation establishes facts that warrant action, the Board will immediately take such steps as are appropriate.

“Mamelodi Sundowns will in due course make announcements on the findings of the investigation and the action to be taken,” the statement concluded.

The Sundowns female team have been a dominant force in women’s football in South Africa and on the continent since Tshabalala took over in 2012, winning seven domestic league titles, as well as two CAF Women’s Champions League crowns.

Sports

FIFA Ranking: Nigeria ends 2024 as fifth best team in Africa

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria’s men’s football national team, the Super Eagles, ended the year 2024 as the fifth best team in Africa in the latest FIFA world ranking for the month of December.

According to the rankings published by the world football governing body, Nigeria remains unchanged from its previous position, despite having a challenging international break.

The FIFA rankings also reveal that Nigeria suffered a significant decline this year, dropping eight places to end 2024 ranked 44th globally.

The decline follows disappointing performances during the final AFCON qualifiers for 2025, where the Super Eagles struggled against the Benin Republic and Rwanda, resulting in a lack of wins.

However, some of the Super Eagles bitter rivals like South Africa’s Bafana Bafana experienced a resurgence, climbing three positions to finish the year ranked 57th in the world, showing a marked improvement in their recent form and successful matches during the qualifiers.

It was a woeful year for West African rivals Ghana who ended the year in 77th position, which highlights the challenges the Black Stars have encountered in the outgoing year in its bid to maintain its positions among Africa’s elite teams.

Meanwhile, the Moroccan national football team, the Atlas Lion, retained its 14th position in the in the world while still maintaining its number one spot in Africa, holding the first position for the third year in a row.

In the world ranking, Morocco is followed by Senegal on 17th position, Egypt, 33rd, Algeria 37th, Nigeria, 44th, Côte d’Ivoire, 46th, Cameroon, 49th, Mali, 51st, and Tunisia in the 52nd position.

Top 10 African teams in 2024

1. Morocco – (14th)

2. Senegal – (17th)

3. Egypt – (33rd)

4. Algeria – (37th)

5. Nigeria – (44th)

6. Côte d’Ivoire – (46th)

7. Cameroon – (49th)

8. Mali – (51st )

9. Tunisia – (52nd)

10. South Africa – (57th)