Sports
Former Italy, Juventus, Chelsea Striker Gianluca Vialli Is Dead
The Chelsea Football Club community is devastated with the passing of former player and manager for the club, Gianluca Vialli at the age of 58.
According to the report gathered by Biztellers, Vialli, former Italy striker who played for Chelsea during a stellar career before going to become the club’s manager, had been undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Vialli eventually lost the battle to the disease on Friday, January 6.
Chelsea Chairman Todd Boehly and Co-Controlling Owner Behdad Eghbali confirming his death said in a statement: “This is truly an awful day for Chelsea Football Club. Gianluca’s legend will live on at Stamford Bridge. His impact as a player, a coach, and most importantly as a person, will be forever written across our club’s history. We send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to his family and friends.
“You’ll be missed by so many. A legend to us and to all of football. Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli.”
Sampdoria wrote on Friday in an emotional article: “You gave us so much, we gave you so much: yes, it was love, reciprocal, infinite. A love that will not die today with you. We will continue to love and adore you because – as you well know – you are better than Pelé. And because, despite everything, our beautiful season is destined to never end.”
They added: “We will remember you as a boy and a relentless centre-forward, because heroes are all young and beautiful and you, since that summer of 1984, have been our hero. Strong and beautiful, with that 9 printed on the back and the Italian flag sewn on the heart.”
Vialli began his career at Cremonese, his hometown club, before starring in Serie A for Sampdoria and Juventus, and ended his playing career at Chelsea before going into management and coaching. He scored 16 goals in 59 appearances for Italy and featured in the Azzurri’s 1986 and 1990 World Cup squads.
Vialli at Stamford Bridge in 1996, was a beloved figure at the club and is remembered for his contributions on the pitch and in the dugout during some of the most successful years in Chelsea’s history. He was also a well-known and iconic figure in his native Italy.
Vialli is survived by his wife Cathryn and daughters Sofia and Olivia.
Atalanta will be without Nigerian forward, Ademola Lookman for their crucial Champions League clash against Barcelona on Wednesday after the 27-year-old sustained a knee injury in training.
The Serie A club confirmed the news on Tuesday, revealing that Lookman had injured the lateral joint in his right knee and would not be traveling with the team to Spain.
Atalanta did not specify the exact length of Lookman’s absence, but reports from Italian media suggest he could be sidelined for up to a month.
READ MORE: Belgium Appoints Rudi Garcia As National Team Coach
His absence comes as a significant blow to the team, as Lookman has been a key player this season, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in all competitions.
Lookman was also instrumental in Atalanta’s Europa League success last season, netting a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
His form has helped Atalanta remain competitive both domestically and in Europe, with the club still in the Serie A title race and aiming for direct qualification to the Champions League last 16.
Currently sitting in seventh place in the Champions League’s 36-club league phase, Atalanta faces a must-win situation against Barcelona, who have already secured their place in the knockout stages.
With a tight race for qualification, any result other than a victory will likely see Atalanta forced into a play-off spot.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw held in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday, has set the stage for an exciting football spectacle.
The tournament, scheduled to kick off on December 21, will see 24 teams battle for continental glory, with intriguing matchups promising thrilling action.
Morocco, the tournament hosts and one of Africa’s strongest teams, will begin their quest for the title against Comoros in Group A.
They are joined by Mali and Zambia, completing a group filled with potential surprises.
RELATED NEWS: Super Eagles Await Group Stage Fate As AFCON Draw Holds In Morocco
Morocco, armed with Europe-based stars like Achraf Hakimi, will aim to become only the fourth AFCON host to win the title this century, following Tunisia (2004), Egypt (2006), and Ivory Coast (2024).
CAF president Patrick Motsepe expressed optimism about the tournament, calling it the “most successful AFCON yet.”
He praised Morocco’s preparations and highlighted the significance of hosting the AFCON as a stepping stone for the kingdom’s 2030 World Cup ambitions, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Originally planned for mid-2025, the tournament was rescheduled to avoid clashing with FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup in the United States.
Despite the change, excitement remains high as Africa’s best footballers converge on Morocco to vie for the continent’s top prize.
Group Stage Draw:
Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Former Belgian international footballer, Radja Nainggolan was arrested on Monday in connection with a large-scale investigation into cocaine trafficking through the port of Antwerp, the Brussels prosecutor’s office has confirmed.
The arrest followed a series of raids conducted across Belgium in the early hours of the morning. Several suspects were detained, including Nainggolan, as part of the operation.
“The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium,” prosecutors said in a statement.
READ ALSO: Super Eagles Await Group Stage Fate As AFCON Draw Holds In Morocco
Further details regarding the case have not yet been made public.
Nainggolan, 36, who was born in Antwerp, recently came out of retirement to join Belgian second-division club Lokeren. The midfielder made his debut over the weekend, scoring a goal in a 1-1 draw against K. Lierse.
The former national team star enjoyed a decorated career, earning 30 caps and scoring six goals for Belgium. He also played for top Italian clubs, including Roma, Inter Milan, and Cagliari, before returning to Belgium in 2021 to join Royal Antwerp. However, his stint there ended in early 2023, following a series of controversies.
Known for his brash personality and off-field incidents, Nainggolan was suspended in late 2022 after being caught smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench, according to Belgian media.
No timeline has been given for further proceedings.
Dele Farotimi Appointed National Organising Secretary of Afenifere
No Place For Sharia Court In Ogun State, Says Gov Abiodun
JUST IN: Tinubu Returns To Abuja After Energy Summit In Tanzania
APC Fingers Atiku For Nigeria’s Dysfunctional Opposition Parties
‘I Can Only Be Removed At A National Convention – PDP’s Samuel Anyanwu Declares
Fire Breaks Out On Air Busan Plane In South Korea, One Injured
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
