Sports
Flying Antelopes Target Maximum Points Against Oluyole Warriors
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and his wards have their eyes set on the maximum points at stake as the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International FC of Enugu return to its hallowed ground, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, ‘The Cathedral’ for the rearranged match day 16, NPFL 2023/2024 fixture against old rivals, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan on Thursday, December 28, 2023.
Media Officer, Rangers FC, Nobert Okolie gave an insight into what obtained in the camp in statement in Enugu on Wednesday.
He maintained that having re-discovered its winning formula after a few weeks of glitch, the Nnewi born tactician was positive going into the fixture against coach Olugbenga Ogunbote and his ‘Oluyole Warriors’ gang from the industrial city of Ibadan.
He stated, “Smarting from a heartwarming 1-1 draw in Aba against oriental rivals, Enyimba, coach Ilechukwu and his lieutenants are not leaving anything to chance as they continued the build-up to this fixture against an old rival in a newly laid pitch with high optimism.”
Ilechukwu said, “It will be a tough match but we have prepared well to earn a deserved win. No disrespect to our opponent, they are a quality side with an experienced coach, but we have our work cut out and we shall get the job done by the grace of God. Playing before our home fans will be an added advantage and we believe it will count in our favor on Thursday.”
Going into this fixture the form guide for Rangers was D,W,L,L,L while that of the opponents was L,D,L,D,L even when both sides are blessed with quality mix of youth and experienced players that will keep fans yelling for more as was the case in 1977 in Kaduna in the second leg of the semi-final of CAF Cup Winners Cup encounter.
Since 2009, both sides have met sixteen times with each grabbing five wins apiece with six encounters ending in a draw.
Rangers prides itself as the second most lethal attack in the season thus far with nineteen goals scored as against seventeen scored by the visiting, 3SC just as the Enugu side currently occupy the 9th spot of the log with nineteen points and a game in hand while the Ibadan side is a spot below with same number of points but an inferior goals aggregate.
Supporters of Rangers and football fans in Enugu are expected to troop out in their numbers to watch this titanic soccer battle between two traditional clubs as two of the most decorated and oldest clubs in the country take center stage at ‘The Cathedral’ that has been starved of actions for over two and a half season with the gates thrown open on the directive of the executive governor of Enugu state, H.E, Dr. Peter Mbah.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have unveiled a striking new 10-star jersey ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), celebrating the team’s unparalleled success on the African continent.
The newly designed kit features 10 stars encircling the team’s badge, with each star representing one of Nigeria’s 10 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles.
The symbolic design reflects the Super Falcons’ legacy as the most successful side in the history of the competition.
READ MORE: Germany Appoint Jurgen Klopp as New National Team Head Coach
The nine-time defending champions first wore the special jersey during Thursday’s 2-1 international friendly victory over Tanzania’s Twiga Stars, giving supporters a glimpse of the new look ahead of the continental showpiece.
Justin Madugu’s team will now turn its attention to Morocco, where it will be aiming to capture a record-extending 11th WAFCON title and further cement its dominance in African women’s football.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to begin on Saturday, with Nigeria opening its title defence against tournament debutants Malawi on Tuesday at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
See the jersey below
The German Football Association (DFB) has officially appointed former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp as the new head coach of the country’s men’s national football team.
Klopp, 59, replaces Julian Nagelsmann, who departed following Germany’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The announcement was made on Friday during a press conference in Frankfurt by DFB President Bernd Neuendorf.
SEE MORE: Ex-Liverpool Boss, Jurgen Klopp Named Global Head Of Soccer At Red Bull
Neuendorf confirmed that Klopp has signed a contract that will run until the summer of 2030, keeping him in charge through the next FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal. He added that Klopp will officially assume his new role on August 15.
Speaking during the unveiling, Neuendorf expressed confidence that Klopp is the right man to restore Germany’s status as one of world football’s elite nations.
Germany’s latest World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the Round of 32.
The exit marked the country’s third consecutive poor World Cup performance since lifting the trophy for a fourth time in Brazil in 2014.
The four-time world champions also failed to progress beyond the group stage at the 2018 and 2022 editions, while their only knockout victory in the last five major tournaments came during Euro 2024, where they reached the quarter-finals on home soil.
Klopp had previously indicated his interest in leading the national team after Nagelsmann’s departure earlier this month.
Widely regarded as one of football’s most successful managers, Klopp built his reputation at Mainz before guiding Borussia Dortmund to domestic success.
He later transformed Liverpool into one of Europe’s dominant clubs, winning multiple major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and the English Premier League.
Germany will now look to Klopp to oversee a long-term rebuild and guide the national team back to competing for major international honours.
Spain’s celebrations after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup were overshadowed by tragedy after a 13-year-old boy died and several others were injured when a fountain collapsed during jubilant scenes in the western Spanish town of Ciudad Rodrigo.
The heartbreaking incident occurred shortly after Spain secured a historic 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, ending a 16-year wait for the country’s second global football title.
RELATED NEWS: BREAKING: Spain Dethrone Argentina to Win 2026 FIFA World Cup
According to local authorities, emergency services received multiple distress calls at around 12:30 a.m. local time after a fountain packed with celebrating fans suddenly collapsed.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Ciudad Rodrigo City Hall confirmed the teenager’s death and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
“The city hall of Ciudad Rodrigo expresses its sadness and presents its condolences for the death of a boy of 13.”
The municipality described the incident as a devastating turn of events, saying: “What should have been a celebration of Spain’s team in the football World Cup turned into tragedy.”
Emergency services also confirmed that another youth was injured in the collapse, while several others sustained injuries as rescue teams rushed to the scene.
Local media reported that the fountain gave way under the weight of dozens of fans who had climbed onto the structure to celebrate Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The fatal accident cast a somber mood over celebrations across the football-loving nation, with many expressing grief just hours after Spain’s memorable victory on the world stage.
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