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NWFL Super Six: Bayelsa, Edo Queens Boost Title Quest With Victories

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The 2023/2024 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership Super Six reached Matchday three with three riveting games at Samson Siasia Stadium in Bayelsa state capital on Wednesday.

The two South-South teams, Bayelsa Queens and Edo Queens, significantly boosted their title chances with victories, while Nasarawa Amazons and Rivers Angels played out a goalless draw in the first match of the day.

Nasarawa Amazons 0-0 Rivers Angels

Nasarawa Amazons continued their search for a first win in the Super Six after a 0-0 draw with fellow former league champions, Rivers Angels, in a cagey affair.

Olamide Adugbe came close for Rivers Angels in the fourth minute, but her attempt went wide. Despite numerous chances from both teams, including Bibiana Odoh missing a sitter for Nasarawa, the game ended in a stalemate.

The result places Rivers Angels second on the log with five points from three games, ahead of their next encounter against Confluence Queens on Friday. Nasarawa Amazons have two points from three games and will hope to secure their first win against in-form Edo Queens.

Confluence Queens 0-2 Bayelsa Queens

Hosts of the Super Six, Bayelsa Queens, secured their second win of the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Confluence Queens, thanks to goals from Zainab Olapade and Chinyere Igboamalu.

Olapade opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick in the 23rd minute. Mercy Omokwo almost doubled the lead in the 37th minute, but her effort hit the crossbar.

Igboamalu, who replaced Cameroonian Evannick Touta, doubled the lead in the 88th minute with a sublime finish. The 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League bronze medalists now top the table with seven points from three games, ahead of their next encounter against Heartland Queens. Confluence Queens will face Rivers Angels next.

Heartland Queens 1-3 Edo Queens

Edo Queens bounced back from their 2-1 loss to Rivers Angels with a 3-1 victory over debutants Heartland Queens. Chioma Moses broke the deadlock in the 34th minute for Edo Queens, followed by Kafayat Mafisere doubling the lead five minutes later.

Emem Essien extended the lead two minutes into the second half with a rebound goal. Emmanuella James reduced the deficit for Heartland Queens in the 69th minute, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their second loss of the Super Six.

This marks the first time this season that Obi Ogbala’s side has suffered consecutive losses, and they will face table toppers Bayelsa Queens on Friday.

The NWFL Premiership Super Six continues with more exciting games as Matchday Four beckons at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Friday, May 24, 2024.

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Belgium Appoints Rudi Garcia As National Team Coach

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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.

 

 

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Nuri Sahin Fired As Borussia Dortmund Head Coach

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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.

 

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Man City Sign Brazilian Teenager, Vitor Reis For £29.6M

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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.

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