Sports
‘Awa Lokan’ – Edo Queens’ Moses Aduku, Osigwe Goodness Set Sights On Maiden Glory
Head coach of Edo Queens, Moses Aduku, is confident that his team’s time has come to win their maiden Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership title on Sunday.
As the final matchday of the 2023/2024 NWFL Premiership Super Six at hand, all eyes would be on the crucial clash between Edo Queens and Bayelsa Queens in Yenagoa.
Aduku is no stranger to success, having previously led Bayelsa Queens to an epic domestic title in Benin City, the current home ground of Edo Queens, in 2022.
Additionally, the former international won the President’s Federation Cup with the Yenagoa-based side before making the switch to Edo Queens.
However, with three South-South teams—Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, and Delta Queens—claiming the last three league titles, Aduku believes it’s now Edo Queens’ turn to shine.
“We are condemned to win on Sunday. I am from this state (Bayelsa State), and I believe all the other South-South teams have gone for the continent. Therefore, Edo, Awa lokan (it’s our turn),” Aduku told theNWFL.com.
He added, “I want to thank God for today’s victory. Nasarawa Amazons is not a pushover. The first half was tight, but I told my girls in the second half that we needed this match, and my captain did the magic.”
Currently, Edo Queens sit atop the Super Six table with nine points, ahead of Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens, who they face on Sunday.
Aduku hailed the support of Edo State government and pledged to bring home the coveted silverware.
“I believe Edo State is already in jubilation mode, but we will keep our jubilation for Sunday. The government has done a lot for this team. I must tell you the truth, this team is one of the most motivated. Honestly, the government has really done a lot for this team. Our payback is to give them the trophy,” he continued.
“90 more minutes will speak. I don’t like making bold predictions because I believe fate will determine it, but I trust that my players are ready. On Sunday, it is going to be a Cup final and the winners take it all.
“Definitely, we are going to come out smoking. This is not a league standard when you say home and away. It is one-off and we are good to go. We will wait for Sunday and see who will take the title.”
Edo Queens’ star player, Osigwe Goodness, who is also in the running for the highest goal scorer prize, is prioritizing the league title over individual accolades.
“When the first half ended, the coach reminded us about the reason why we are here. We did play badly in the first half but we couldn’t score. I believed that in the second half, we would definitely win and that was what happened,” she said.
“What is on my mind now is the trophy. However, the highest goal scorer is on my mind because it will be a big opportunity for me to experience that happiness. If the highest goal scorer award didn’t come, it might be the will of God, but the trophy will not slip from us if I miss out on the highest goal scorer.”
Edo Queens are determined to secure their maiden league title with a victory over Bayelsa Queens on Sunday, adding a dramatic finish to an already thrilling season.
Sports
Belgium Appoints Rudi Garcia As National Team Coach
The Belgian Football Federation has named Frenchman Rudi Garcia as the new head coach of the national team, following the sacking of Domenico Tedesco after a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign.
In a statement released on Friday, the federation confirmed the appointment of the Underworld former Napoli, Lyon, and Roma manager, who will be formally introduced to the press later in the day.
READ MORE: Nuri Sahin Fired As Borussia Dortmund Head Coach
Garcia’s task will be to rejuvenate the Red Devils after their early exit from the European Championship and underwhelming performances in the Nations League.
Belgium recently parted ways with Tedesco, who had been in charge since February 2023.
The Italian-German coach was brought in to rebuild the squad following the departure of the country’s celebrated “golden generation” under Roberto Martinez but failed to deliver the expected results.
The team now faces a critical relegation play-off against Ukraine in March, before beginning their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a trip to North Macedonia in June.
Garcia brings a wealth of experience, having coached top European clubs such as Marseille and Lyon.
He also made his mark at Lille between 2008 and 2013, leading the French side to a Ligue 1 and Coupe de France double in 2011.
However, his most recent role at Napoli in 2023 ended in disappointment after just five months.
Sports
Nuri Sahin Fired As Borussia Dortmund Head Coach
Borussia Dortmund have sacked head coach Nuri Sahin after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Bologna in Tuesday’s Champions League match, marking the club’s fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions.
The decision follows a string of poor performances that have left the club in 10th place in the Bundesliga, 20 points adrift of league leaders Bayern Munich.
Sporting CEO Lars Ricken expressed that the club had “lost faith” in Sahin, explaining that the decision was painful but necessary.
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“We have unfortunately lost faith that we will achieve our sporting goals,” Ricken said. “We value Nuri Sahin and his work very much, we hoped for a long collaboration, but after the game in Bologna, this was unavoidable.”
Sahin, who had been promoted to head coach in the summer following his role as assistant to Edin Terzic during Dortmund’s surprise Champions League final run last season, acknowledged the disappointment.
“Unfortunately, I was not able to live up to Dortmund’s sporting ambitions at this point in time. I wish this special club all the best.”
The defeat against Bologna caps a difficult season for the club under Sahin’s stewardship.
Despite their strong showing in last season’s Champions League, where they lost to Real Madrid in the final, Dortmund have struggled in the Bundesliga and were eliminated from the German Cup by Wolfsburg.
Their away form, in particular, has been disastrous, with only four wins and nine losses in 15 matches away from the Westfalenstadion.
Dortmund’s leadership, which has historically favored former players in managerial roles, now faces the task of finding a suitable replacement for Sahin.
German media reports suggest potential successors could include Erik Ten Hag, the former Manchester United boss who has been spotted attending Dortmund games recently, or Roger Schmidt, formerly of Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen.
In the interim, U19 coach Mike Tullberg has been appointed to take charge of the first team, starting with Saturday’s home match against Werder Bremen.
The sacking of Sahin is the latest chapter in a turbulent managerial history for Dortmund since the departure of Jurgen Klopp in 2015, with the club having cycled through eight different head coaches in that time. Only Lucien Favre managed to stay longer than two years.
Sahin’s tenure as manager was a significant moment for Dortmund, as he was one of the club’s own, having come through the ranks and played over 270 games for the team, including being part of the squad that won the 2011 Bundesliga title.
However, his time at the helm of the senior team has proven to be short-lived as Dortmund now seek a new direction.
Sports
Man City Sign Brazilian Teenager, Vitor Reis For £29.6M
Manchester City have completed the signing of 19-year-old defender Vitor Reis from Brazilian club Palmeiras, the Premier League champions announced on Tuesday.
The Brazilian youth international joins on a four-and-a-half-year deal for a reported fee of £29.6 million ($36.2 million).
Reis, a right-footed centre-back, expressed his enthusiasm about joining the English giants. “I’m excited to join Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in the world,” said Reis.
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“Everyone has seen the amazing achievements in recent seasons, and I want to make my mark as we seek more trophies. Working with Pep Guardiola is something every young player wants to do, and I know he can help me to develop into the best player I can be.”
City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, highlighted the qualities that attracted the club to Reis.
He said, “Vitor Reis is one of the most promising young defenders in the world, and we’re delighted to have been able to bring him here. He is excellent on the ball and outstanding in the air — he has all the attributes needed to be one of the best.”
The signing of Reis is City’s second addition of the January transfer window, following the arrival of Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov.
Reports indicate that the club is also pursuing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush before the window closes.
Manchester City, currently fifth in the Premier League table, have faced challenges this season due to a series of defensive injuries.
However, the team showcased their attacking strength with a dominant 6-0 victory over Ipswich on Sunday.