Sports
U-20 World Cup: Flying Eagles Won’t Be Intimidated By Argentina – Bosso
Argentina, the hosts and six-time champions, are set to face Nigeria in the Round of 16 of the FIFA U20 World Cup in San Juan.
Despite Argentina being considered the favorites, Nigeria’s head coach, Ladan Bosso, has expressed confidence that his team will not be intimidated by their opponents’ physicality or the enthusiastic crowd expected at the venue.
Argentina has had an impressive run in the tournament so far, winning all three of their group stage matches against Uzbekistan, Guatemala, and New Zealand.
They scored 10 goals and conceded just one, making them one of the top contenders for the title based on their strong track record and current form.
The Flying Eagles, having won their first two matches in the FIFA U20 World Cup, suffered a 2-0 loss to Brazil in La Plata.
As they gear up to face the pumped-up home team, some bookmakers are skeptical about their chances of success.
However, Ladan Bosso, the coach of the Nigerian team, expressed confidence in his players during their preparations for the match.
He stated that his Africa Cup of Nations bronze medallists are ready to match the intensity of the opposition and give their all in the encounter, promising a competitive performance on Wednesday(today).
He said “This is the World Cup and it is wrong to underrate any team. We won two of our three matches and had the same number of points in our group as Brazil and Italy. We are no pushovers in this campaign.
“It is going to be an interesting game. We want the quarter-final ticket and the Argentines also want the quarter-final ticket. We will go in there and dig our feet into the ground.”
Since their last tournament victory in 2007, the young Albiceleste have not progressed beyond the quarter-finals in the FIFA U20 World Cup. Despite Argentina being considered the overwhelming favorites, coach Ladan Bosso firmly believes that his team has a real chance of success in the upcoming fixture.
“We have to fight for the trophy. I think it is still open. Everybody can be there, and I believe we have the capacity to be there.
“We are into the knockout stage, and in the knockout stage, there is an approach we can employ for it, and we hope we’d have our plans executed accordingly.” Bosso told thenff.com.
Ahead of the match, Nigerian coach Bosso is expected to bring Benjamin Fredricks back into the starting line-up.
Additionally, Victor Eletu, a talented player from AC Milan U-19, is set to partner with Daniel Daga in a double pivot in the midfield for the Flying Eagles.
On the other side, Argentina coach Javier Mascherano plans to recall the lethal trio of Maximo Perrone, Valentin Carboni, and Federico Redondo while the Flying Eagles’ defense will need to pay special attention to these players.
Mascherano’s team is one of only two sides to finish the group stage with a perfect record, with the other being the USA. They have scored a total of 10 goals so far, trailing only Ecuador, who scored nine goals in a single game against Fiji to accumulate a total of 11 goals.
The victorious team from today’s match between Nigeria and Argentina will go on to face either Ecuador or South Korea in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Sports
Chelsea Handed Injury Boost As Omari Kellyman Nears Return
Chelsea are set to receive a welcome boost with Omari Kellyman nearing a return to action after a frustrating start to his Stamford Bridge career.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who joined the Blues from Aston Villa in a £19 million summer transfer, has been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since September.
Kellyman initially made an impression with Chelsea’s Under-21s, scoring twice in three appearances, including during a 4-2 defeat to Leipzig in the Premier League International Cup. However, his progress was halted by the injury, which has kept him out of action for months.
READ MORE: Chelsea Desires Permanent Deal For João Félix After Collapse Of Omorodion Deal
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Kellyman is now on track to return within the next four weeks, offering Chelsea a much-needed boost as the team looks to navigate a congested festive fixture schedule. The teenager is expected to be fit before Christmas and could soon make his senior debut for the club.
Reflecting on his move to Chelsea earlier this year, Kellyman expressed his excitement about joining the West London outfit. “It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join. It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started,” he said.
Kellyman’s footballing journey began at Derby County, where he progressed through the youth ranks and was promoted to the first-team squad by Wayne Rooney at just 16 years old.
After leaving Derby for Aston Villa in 2022, he signed his first professional contract and made his Premier League debut last season against Manchester City.
Despite his brief stint at Villa, which included a Europa Conference League appearance, Kellyman made the high-profile move to Chelsea in June, signing a six-year contract.
Now, as he edges closer to full fitness, both the player and the club will hope his long-awaited debut signals the start of a successful tenure at Stamford Bridge.
Sports
Chelsea Holds Scouting Summit With Enzo Maresca
Earlier this month, Chelsea Football Club convened a comprehensive meeting of their first-team recruitment team, aimed at aligning their efforts with the club’s overarching vision.
This scouting summit brought together approximately 30 of the club’s key talent identifiers, with the objective of reinvigorating the search for future stars in world football.
Adding an extra layer of inspiration to the gathering, Leicester City manager and former Manchester City assistant, Enzo Maresca, made a guest appearance. Maresca, who briefly worked alongside some of Chelsea’s current personnel during his time under Pep Guardiola, took time to pose for a group photograph with the team. Those present reportedly left the summit feeling “enthused, energised, and as motivated as ever” to uncover the next generation of footballing gems.
READ MORE: Osimhen Casts Doubts Over Touted Winter Move To Chelsea
The Italian tactician has maintained an interest in Chelsea’s squad and their emerging talents. A source close to Maresca suggested that he harbours a keen desire to see Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s brightest young signings, team up with Joao Felix, the Portuguese forward who enjoyed a brief but impactful loan spell at Stamford Bridge last season.
While Palmer continues to thrive at Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester City, Felix’s future remains uncertain, with speculation persisting about whether the Blues could revisit a permanent deal for the Atlético Madrid star.
Chelsea’s recruitment team will undoubtedly keep such possibilities in mind as they look to execute their shared vision, leveraging the energy from this summit to identify players capable of complementing the club’s long-term strategy. With Maresca’s words and presence leaving a lasting impression, the search for the world’s finest footballing gems continues in earnest.
Sports
Lukeba’s €90m Clause Attracts Real Madrid, PL Clubs
RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba has become a hot topic in the transfer market following details about his new contract.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lukeba’s release clause will come into effect in the summer of 2025, starting at around €90 million and varying from season to season.
This development has drawn the attention of football giants, with Real Madrid reportedly keeping a close watch on the French centre-back’s progress. Premier League clubs are also monitoring Lukeba as a potential defensive reinforcement for 2025.
READ MORE: Wizkid Breaks Spotify Records With ‘Kese (Dance)’ Release
The 20-year-old, who joined Leipzig from Olympique Lyonnais in 2023, has already made an impression in the Bundesliga with his composed defensive skills and tactical versatility. His rising profile has placed him among Europe’s most promising young defenders, making him a coveted target for top clubs.
Leipzig’s decision to include a fluctuating release clause highlights their commitment to protecting Lukeba’s value while leaving the door open for a future big-money move.
With Real Madrid and several Premier League sides in the mix, the 2025 summer transfer window is already shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Lukeba’s career. Fans and scouts alike will be closely watching his development as he continues to shine in Leipzig’s backline.