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Troost-Ekong Wins Promotion To EPL With Watford
Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong, will play in the English Premier League next season.
Ismaila Sarr’s penalty in the 11th minute proved to be the winner, as Watford beat Millwall 1-0.
Brentford’s victory at Bournemouth earlier on Saturday, meant that only three points would be good enough for Xisco Munoz’s men to earn automatic promotion to the top flight.
The win took the Hornets’ tally in the Championship to 88 from 44 games.
Watford have now been promoted alongside Norwich, who came down with them last season.
Troost-Ekong made a surprise move to join Watford in the English second-tier from Italian top-flight club Udinese last summer.
https://dailypost.ng/2021/04/24/troost-ekong-wins-promotion-to-epl-with-watford/
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It's easier to win at big clubs' - Pep Guardiola plays down his amazing trophy haul after winning 25th trophy of his career
Manchester City head coach, Pep Guardiola has played down his amazing trophy haul after helping Manchester City win the Carabao Cup, on Sunday, April 25th, making it his 25th major trophy of his coaching career.
Guardiola became the first manager to win the League Cup in four consecutive seasons on Sunday April 25, while no manager has lifted the trophy more times than the Spaniard (four – level with Brian Clough, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho).
Defender, Aymeric Laporte's late winner clinched a 1-0 win for City over Tottenham at Wembley, and despite experiencing success from his days at Barcelona to Bayern Munich and Man City.
Guardiola however says his success is due to the fact he has coached big clubs.
"It's good. I was in big clubs: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, here. That's why it's easier to do," Guardiola told Sky Sports after being asked about his managerial accomplishments.
Guardiola also spoke about supporters being allowed at Wembley- the first time his club have played in front of fans for months since the pandemic started.
"It's not full [in the stadium] but it was a great noise [from the supporters]," he added.
"Today we are incredibly happy that we have four in a row in this competition. We tried to win the game, created a lot of chances.
"They had some chances on the counter but in general we had a good game."
City are also close to winning the Premier League title as they have a 10-point lead over second-place Manchester United.
City will also face PSG in their semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
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Leipzig manager, Julian Nagelsmann 'agrees' personal terms with Bayern Munich to become their next coach
Leipzig manager, Julian Nagelsmann has reportedly agreed on personal terms with Bayern Munich to become their next coach.
According to Sky in Germany, Bayern made contact with title rivals Leipzig on Sunday and agreed on terms with the 33-year-old. The clubs must now agree a fee, with Leipzig demanding €25m
Nagelsmann had been linked with the vacant managerial post at Tottenham but his preference is to remain in the Bundesliga. He took RB Leipzig to last season's Champions League semi-finals and they are on course to finish second behind Bayern in the Bundesliga this campaign.
Nagelsmann will succeed Hansi Flick, who last week asked Bayern to terminate his contract at the end of the season after several disagreements with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.
Joachim Low will leave his position as manager of the Germany national team at the end of this summer's European Championship and Flick has been linked with becoming his successor.
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Quote:John Chukwudi Utaka Named Interim Head Coach Of The Montpellier Feminines
Ex-Nigeria international and Montpellier HSC forward John Chukwudi Utaka has been named interim head coach of the Montpellier Feminines.
The 39-year old is taking over from Senegal’s Frédéric Mendy who was sacked recently due poor run of results.
Utaka will be assisted by Frenchman Baptiste Merle and Sports Director Jean-Louis Saez.
Utaka played for Montpellier from January 2011 to July 2013 where he won the French Ligue 1 in his first season at the club.
The 39-year-old returned to the club in May 2020 after being appointed as a youth team coach.
He has a real opportunity to show what he is made up of as one of the few African coaches in charge of a European club.
Montpellier are ranked 6th on the league log with 27 points from 19 games this season in the French Women’s League.
https://ghanasoccernet.com/ex-nigeria-forward-john-utaka-appointed-head-coach-of-french-side-montpellier-feminines
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It used to irritate me' - Wilfred Ndidi speaks on emerging from Chelsea star N'golo Kante's shadow after joining Leicester
Leicester City star, Wilfred Ndidi has stated how the comparison with Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante ‘irritated’ him.
Ndidi was bought to fill the void left by Kante at the King Power Stadium after the latter's switch to Chelsea in July 2016
The super eagles midfielder has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League and is now wanted by many clubs.
Both players are renowned for their ball-winning skills and work rates but Ndidi says he finds such comparisons irrelevant.
"Yes it [comparison] used to irritate me but it's football and I completely understand the fans because they love to find something to talk about," Ndidi told BBC Sport Africa.
"Even before and then when I arrived at Leicester I heard it. I only wanted to be Wilfred Ndidi and not someone else.
"I focus on myself, I am always critical of myself, I do my best to improve as a footballer game by game and give my best for my club.
"The comparison with others, about who is better or if Kante and I play alike, is irrelevant to me. I think all that comparison was for those who love to talk and I didn't focus on it.
"You're comfortable when you are yourself and not listening or trying to be something you are not."
Ndid’s has helped Leicester City rise to third in the Premier League table and they are also through to the FA Cup final where they will face Chelsea on May 15.
Ndidi, 24, has three assists and a goal to his name in the Premier League ..
He now says he is focused on the team’s success and not ‘personal glory’.
"I just love to give my best and when the media talk about it, that's good for the team," he continued.
"I am not someone chasing personal glory or getting distracted because of the praises or criticism, you'll get both in football anyway.
"My job is helping the team. Doing everything I can to get three points and victory for the club, which is very important.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to be able to play in the Premier League and the chance to enjoy my game at a club like Leicester, where no player is more important than the team.
"I make a contribution like everyone else in the squad and if that helps us to achieve our collective effort, then I am happy to play my part."
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku fined for £7,000 for 'unsportsmanlike behaviour with provocative phrases' during their Milan Derby bust-up
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku have been fined for unsportsmanlike conduct after the pair clashed during January's Milan Derby at the San Siro.
The strikers, who play for AC Milan and Inter respectively, had a bust-up during the Coppa Italia quarter-final, which Inter won 2-1 after Ibrahimovic was later sent off.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said on Monday that Ibrahimovic had been fined 4,000 euros (£3,477), Lukaku 3,000 euros (£2,608), AC Milan 2,000 euros (£1,738), and Inter 1,250 euros (£1,086).
The former Manchester United stars exchanged insults during the match and Lukaku had to be restrained by his teammates at the end of the first half after being left infuriated by Ibrahimovic's comments.
Lukaku appeared to call the Swedish veteran a 'son of a b****' as well as shouting 'f*** your wife' while Ibrahimovic reportedly said 'Go do your voodoo s***, you little donkey' during the exchange.
Both players were fined for unsportsmanlike behaviour with provocative phrases, while the clubs were punished due to their responsibility for the conduct of their players. Lukaku and Ibrahimovic were also handed one-match bans in January.
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Quote:[b]Iheanacho Scores 14th Goal In 14 Games To Take Leicester Closer To UCL
Leicester city moved closer to champions league qualification as they came from behind to beat Crystal Palace, after Kelechi Iheanacho set up the equalizer and then scored a superb winner at the king power stadium.[/b]
Wilfried Zaha put the visitors ahead after only 12 minutes, with a first-time finish following a fine through ball from Eberechi Eze.
But Timothy Castagne equalised for the Foxes within five minutes of the second half by firing the ball into the roof of the net after being set up by Kelechi Iheanacho.
Palace nearly retook the lead but a superb sliding challenge from Jonny Evans denied Christian Benteke what would have been a tap-in into an unguarded goal.
That missed chance proved crucial as Iheanacho scored his 12th goal in nine games, when he cut inside on to his left foot and blasted the ball past goalkeeper Vicente Guaita for a late winner.
The result leaves the Foxes third in the Premier League, but takes them seven points clear of fifth-placed West Ham with five matches to go.
"It's a massive three points for us and we were nervous a bit," said Iheanacho.
"We changed it around and got control of the game and got them running. But there's still a lot of work to do, we can't talk about the Champions League until the last game."
Leicester, who have also reached the FA Cup final for the first time since 1969, have only played in the European Cup or Champions League once, reaching the quarter-finals in 2016-17 after winning the Premier League the previous season.
Their run-in includes games against Manchester United in second, Chelsea in fourth and Tottenham in seventh.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56796836
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Match Report: Real Madrid 1- Chelsea 1 (UEFA Champions League)
Chelsea have a narrow advantage in the Champions League semi-finals after playing out an impressive 1-1 draw with Real Madrid on Tuesday night, April 27.
The match which took place at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, saw Chelsea play with a high-intensity first half, one would have wondered if they were playing at home.
In Chelsea's line up, Cesar Azpilicueta captained the side from wing-back, with Ben Chilwell on the left flank, and a front three of Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner was backed up by a defensive pairing of Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen, ahead of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Spanish giants, Real Madrid played with a back thre, with key midfielder Toni Kroos returning to their team's line up. While former Blues players Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard we're on the team sheet with Hazard coming from the bench later on.
For Chelsea, Mateo Kovacic was the only player unavailable, as injury prevented him from facing his former club, meaning Jorginho and N'Golo Kante continued as the midfield pairing with Thomas Tuchel keeping faith in the same starting line-up that defeated West Ham United on Saturday.
Timo Werner had already forced a good save from former Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois when Pulisic found the net inside the first 15 minutes. After bringing down Antonio Rudiger's settled pass in the box, the winger showed great composure to dribble past Courtois and send a shot between the two defenders guarding the net.
But Madrid playing at home with their massively experienced head coach Zinedine Zidane equalized after striker Karim Benzema, pulled them level from a corner soon after clipping the outside of the post with an effort from range.
Both teams tussled and toiled in the second half but after the interval both teams couldn't live up to the hype as it remained goalless in the second half .
Chelsea will now take their slender away goal advantage into next week's return leg at Stamford Bridge.
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Update: Bayern Munich confirm Julian Nagelsmann new coach, will begin his new role on July 1
RB Leipzig manager, Julian Nagelsmann has been confirmed as the new head coach of Bayern Munich and will begin his new role on July 1.
Both RB Leipzig and Bayern announced the decision on Twitter.
Quote:Julian Nagelsmann to join FC Bayern as head coach. Hansi Flick's contract will be terminated upon request. pic.twitter.com/tJBpXSiozu
— ???FC Bayern English??? (@FCBayernEN) April 27, 2021
Quote:Julian #Nagelsmann to leave #RBLeipzig at the end of the 2020/21 season.
The 33-year-old will then take on a role as the new head coach of @FCBayernEN as of 1st July 2021. pic.twitter.com/SPx6wWkhGI
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) April 27, 2021
The move confirms the departure of Bayern's current boss Hansi Flick, who will step down when his contract expires on June 30.
Nagelsmann, 33, has signed a five-year contract with the Bundesliga champions.
Nagelsmann told the club's official website: "I will leave RB Leipzig with a heavy heart. I’ve been able to coach a special team here at a club with huge opportunities and the best possible conditions to work in. Everybody here, including the staff who work alongside the team, have ensured that we’ve written plenty of stories for the club’s history books and are continuing to do so now. I’m really proud of that."
RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said: "There has been a lot of activity over the past few days regarding the role as head coach of FC Bayern Munich. Following this, Julian Nagelsmann approached us and expressed in open talks that it is a lifelong dream of his to become coach of FC Bayern, and that he would like to make the move to Munich if the opportunity presented itself after the end of this season.
"Julian has taken a fantastic path in Leipzig and developed the club very successfully. He has not only improved individual players but has also taken the team as a collective to the next level."
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Footballer Gonzalo Higuain loses mum after battle with cancer
Former Chelsea, Juventus and Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain’s mum, Nancy Zacarias’ has died after losing a long battle with cancer.
She died aged just 64.
The news came just days after the Higuain, 33, and his brother Federico, 36, made MLS history after both scored in the same game in Inter Miami's 2-1 win at Philadephia Union.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 28, Inter Miami revealed it was saddened to hear of Nancy Zacarias’ death on Monday as it offered its condolences.
The club wrote: “The Inter Miami CF family is saddened to hear of the passing of Gonzalo and Federico Higuain’s beloved mother Nancy Zacarias.
“Our deepest condolences go out to our players and their entire family during this difficult time.
“We give the Higuains our full support as they cope with their loss.”
Nancy was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and underwent an operation the same year. The mum-of-four, whose husband Jorge was also a professional footballer, posted a selfie four weeks ago on social media, showing her with obvious hair loss as she prepared lunch at home.
Higuain’s family kept news of his mum’s illness from him because he was playing at the Copa America.
He was only told about the situation after Argentina lost a third successive major final by losing to Chile on penalties.
Higuain later revealed he came close to giving up football, saying:
“I decided immediately that I must stop playing football so that I could look after my mum.
“I suspected something was wrong at home during the Copa America, but it was still a huge shock when I was told the truth.
“I felt guilty, because I played in that final without knowing.
“My whole world came crashing down in that moment. I was not interested in anything else but my mum.
"I told her I was finished with football and if it had been down to me I would have stopped playing.
“Her reply was that when I played football it made her happy. She told me that she would not allow me to give up something I loved.
"She asked me to carry on for her - and I knew I had to grant that wish.”
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Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze to challenge Lionel Messi and Thibaut Courtois for La Liga Player of the Month award
Super Eagles of Nigeria and Villarreal winger, Samuel Chukwueze has been nominated for the La Liga Player of the Month award for April.
Chukwueze will compete with Barcelona star Lionel Messi, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa, Sevilla's Fernando, Real Betis' Claudio Bravo and Fernando Pacheco of Deportivo Alaves for the individual accolade.
Chukwueze was in terrific form for Villarreal in April scoring three goals in five Spanish elite division matches, while Messi found the net on four occasions from five matches
In the 5-1 away win of Levante at the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia on April 18, Chukwueze ended his 17-game goal drought in La Liga with two goals.
Against Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona on Sundayesprit 25, Chukwueze helped Unai Emery’s side score in the 26th minute after dribbling past his markers before firing into the back of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s net, though Barca later won the match.
The player with the highest number of votes will walk home with award.
Last month's winner was Real Madrid's Benzema.
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Cristiano Ronaldo's rape accuser demands £56million in damages for 'pain and suffering'
Juventus striker, Cristiano Ronaldo’s rape accuser is demanding a whooping £56million in damages.
Newly released court documents disclosed the amount Kathryn Mayorga is seeking after accusing the footballer of sexually assaulting her in a Las Vegas hotel room after meeting on a night out in 2009.
The former model wants £18m for “past pain and suffering”, £18m for “future pain and suffering” and £18m in punitive damages.
The 37-year-old’s expenses rack up to £1.4m with legal fees of £1.1m giving a total of £56.5m, which is two years of the Juventus star’s salary.
Ronaldo, 36, vigorously denies Mayorga’s claims of rape.
“I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in,” the Portuguese striker said in 2019.
In 2010 she accepted $375,000 (£270,000) as part of an out-of-court non-disclosure settlement. But three years ago, Mayorga filed a civil lawsuit in Las Vegas saying she had been “mentally incapacitated” when she agreed to it and signed it under duress.
Her legal team has filed a list of more than 60 witnesses they want to testify.
They include British former Big Brother star Jasmine Lennard, 35, who claims she dated the former Manchester United ace 10 years ago.
Also on the list are three police officers who investigated the original complaint, Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli, Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes and adviser Andy Quinn.
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Iheanacho Beats Ronaldo, Messi As Most Viewed Player On Transfermarket
Red-Hot Iheanacho Beats Ronaldo, Messi As Most Viewed Player On Transfermarket
Quote:Nigeria forward Kelechi Iheanacho is the most viewed player on the Transfermarkt website in the last 24 hours.
The Leicester City forward provided an assist and scored the winner in the Foxes’ 2-1 defeat of Crystal Palace in a Premier League tie Monday night at the King Power stadium and the Transfermarkt website has revealed the Nigerian as the top on the list of its 10 most viewed players.
Iheanacho is followed by Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema who spared the Los Blancos blushes Tuesday evening with the equalizer in their UEFA Champions League tie against Chelsea while Lionel Messi, the Argentine who has been inspirational for Barcelona in their bid to reclaim the LaLiga title is third.
Chelsea’s American forward, Christian Pulisic who scored the all-important away goal for the London Blues against Real Madrid Tuesday evening is fourth and he is followed by embattled Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo who has been blamed for the Old Lady’s uninspiring displays in the Serie A this term.
Another Chelsea player, Timo Werner is sixth with former Blues midfielder, Eden Hazard who has spent most of his season on the treatment table at Real Madrid surprisingly seventh, ahead of one of the most sought-after forwards in the world football, PSG’s Kylian Mbappé.
Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland is the ninth most viewed with Turkey striker, Burak Yilmaz incredibly making the cut as the 10th on the list.
Still valued at just €15m, Iheanacho has been in the news since he started his goal-scoring spree against Burnley in the Premier League culminating in the winner against Crystal Palace on Monday. He has scored nine times in his last seven Premier League games and was deservedly voted the Premier League Player of the month of March.
https://www.completesports.com/red-hot-iheanacho-beats-ronaldo-messi-as-most-viewed-player-on-transfermarket/
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Chelsea ready to sell Nigerian striker Tammy Abraham for £40m to fund Erling Haaland transfer
Chelsea football club are reportedly ready to sell academy product Tammy Abraham for £40million as coach Thomas Tuchel looks to fund a hit move for in-form Borussia Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland.
According to a new report by The Telegraph, Haaland is top of Tuchel’s shopping list this summer even though the 20-year-old could cost upwards of £100million after netting 53 goals in just 56 games.
Chelsea, with an already overpaid squad, need to free up the wage budget, to get a deal over the line and could sacrifice Tammy Abraham, 23, for around £40m.
West Ham are known to be keen on the Delta State indigene who snubbed representing Nigeria for England.
Abraham has scored 30 goals in 81 games for the Blues but has fallen way down the pecking order since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in January.
It is also believed Chelsea are keen to sell Olivier Giroud who has also struggled for gametime under Tuchel.
Giroud will leave on a free transfer, bringing his three-and-a-half years in west London to an end, except Chelsea give him a new contract.
Abraham and Giroud’s exits will free up around £200,000-a-week in wages which they can use to pay Haaland
b
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Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze to challenge Lionel Messi and Thibaut Courtois for La Liga Player of the Month award
Super Eagles of Nigeria and Villarreal winger, Samuel Chukwueze has been nominated for the La Liga Player of the Month award for April.
Chukwueze will compete with Barcelona star Lionel Messi, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa, Sevilla's Fernando, Real Betis' Claudio Bravo and Fernando Pacheco of Deportivo Alaves for the individual accolade.
Chukwueze was in terrific form for Villarreal in April scoring three goals in five Spanish elite division matches, while Messi found the net on four occasions from five matches
In the 5-1 away win of Levante at the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia on April 18, Chukwueze ended his 17-game goal drought in La Liga with two goals.
Against Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona on Sundayesprit 25, Chukwueze helped Unai Emery’s side score in the 26th minute after dribbling past his markers before firing into the back of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s net, though Barca later won the match.
The player with the highest number of votes will walk home with award.
Last month's winner was Real Madrid's Benzema.
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