Sports
Gov. Radda Dismisses Katsina United FC Management
Governor Dikko Radda has taken decisive action by dismissing the management of Katsina United FC, the state-owned Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) team.
The announcement was made promptly by the Katsina Commissioner for Sports, Malam Yusuf Rabiu-Jirdede, in a statement released on Wednesday.
The decision to remove the management follows Katsina United FC’s recent 1-0 defeat to Kano Pillars Football Club in an NPFL away match on October 8.
The Commissioner emphasized that this dissolution is a strategic move by the government to revitalize the club for improved performance in the league.
An interim management committee has been sanctioned by the government to supervise Katsina United until a new management team is appointed.
He said “Those appointed to head the affairs of the club as members of the interim management committee are as follows, Alhaji Kabir Danlami-Rimi, Gaddafi Muhammad-Rudwan, Aminu Abdullahi-Leno and Abubakar Sani.
“The outgoing management is to hand over the affairs of the Club, including all assets to the interim management committee with immediate effect.
“The state government appreciates the effort of the outgoing management’s profound contribution and wishes them all the best in their future endeavours,” he added
Katsina United marked a triumphant return to the NPFL for the 2023/24 season after spending a year in the lower division, Nigeria National League (NNL).
The team secured promotion by clinching a 1-0 victory against Kano Pillars during the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 playoffs held at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium in Asaba.
Sports
Valencia Flood: Real Madrid, Other Matches Suspended
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) has postponed Real Madrid’s La Liga away game against Valencia, initially scheduled for this weekend, due to catastrophic flooding that has claimed more than 95 lives in eastern Spain.
The suspension announced on Thursday also extends to Villarreal’s home match against Rayo Vallecano, as well as three second-division matches involving teams from flood-affected areas.
READ ALSO: New Tax Reforms Will Benefit All Regions Equally – Tinubu
The RFEF acted at La Liga’s request to delay these matches, following devastating flash floods that have impacted the Valencia region.
“It has been agreed to postpone matches that were to be played in professional and non-professional competitions, both in 11-a-side football and in indoor football (in the Valencia region),” the federation stated.
The federation had already postponed several midweek Copa del Rey first-round matches, including Valencia’s tie against Parla Escuela, in response to the widespread destruction.
As Spain mourns the lives lost, a moment of silence will be observed this weekend at football matches nationwide, including the league leaders Barcelona’s Catalan derby against Espanyol on Sunday.
Sports
Olayinka Undergoes Surgery, Set For Long Road To Recovery
Nigeria international, Peter Olayinka is set to miss significant game time after undergoing surgery on an Achilles tendon injury, Red Star Belgrade has confirmed.
The forward sustained the injury during last week’s UEFA Champions League match against AS Monaco, forcing him off the field early.
READ MORE: Osimhen Casts Doubts Over Touted Winter Move To Chelsea
In an official statement, the Serbian club revealed that Olayinka had surgery in Finland, performed by a renowned specialist.
“Peter Olayinka was successfully operated on in Finland by a famous doctor, following an Achilles tendon injury he suffered in Monaco,” Red Star’s statement read.
“The surgery went smoothly, and we now await his recovery period to assess his return timeline. We wish him a swift recovery and hope to see him back on the field soon.”
Olayinka, who has contributed two goals and two assists across six league appearances this season, is expected to be sidelined for six to nine months as he recovers.
His absence will be felt both by Red Star Belgrade and Nigeria’s national team, where he has been a valuable asset.
The extended recovery period means Olayinka will miss much of Red Star’s season and a portion of Nigeria’s upcoming international fixtures.
Sports
Osimhen Casts Doubts Over Touted Winter Move To Chelsea
Chelsea Football Club of England’s desire to sign Nigerian International, Victor Osimhen during the January transfer window is looking more and more unlikely to happen.
This is coming as the 25-year-old striker on the books of Napoli but on a season-long loan to Turkish giants Galatasaray has expressed a desire to see the loan through.
Osimhen bared his mind, after scoring his fourth goal for Galatasaray in their 2-1 victory against Besiktas in Monday’s Turkish Super Lig Istanbul Derby.
ALSO READ: Rodri Outshines Vinicius Jr. To Win 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or
Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, cited the Nigerian international, thus, on if he would be in Turkey for the second half of the season, “Yes, I am here.”
Biztellers reports that Osimhen has been in scintillating form since joining the Turkish Super Lig leaders on loan from Napoli in September.
He has netted in three consecutive league games, including a spectacular overhead kick against Antalyaspor last weekend.
His latest goal came in the 67th minute against Besiktas, when he expertly headed home Gabriel Sara’s cross to double Galatasaray’s lead before the visitors pulled one back in stoppage time.
Osimhen’s clarification became necessary because of Chelsea’s sustained interest in his services, as the Blues continues the search for a proven striker who can guarantee at least 20 goals per season.
Those that matter at the London side see Osimhen as the ideal candidate to solve their striker problems.
This is even as the former Lille forward’s performances in Turkey have caught the attention of Chelsea legends John Mikel Obi and Didier Drogba, who have both endorsed him as an ideal signing for their former club.
Okan Buruk’s Galatasaray have benefitted significantly from Osimhen’s presence, with the striker contributing four goals and four assists in just six appearances.
Osimhen’s contributions have helped the team to the top the Turkish Super Lig standings with 28 points from 10 matches, maintaining an impressive run of eight wins and two draws in their last 10 games across all competitions.
The victory over Besiktas has helped Galatasaray open a six-point gap ahead of second-placed Samsunspor, while the defeated remain fourth with 20 points.
With Osimhen confirming his commitment to Galatasaray until the summer, Chelsea may have to wait until 2025 to secure the services of the former Lille player, who continues to enhance his reputation in Turkish football.