1. NWF introduces weightlifting clubs, prepares for Commonweaith Games qualifiers
Newly-elected President of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Yahaya Mohammed has said the body would introduce weightlifting clubs in various states as a way of boasting its grassroots programmes.
Mohammed’s election as
the NWF President was upheld last week, after the sports ministry over ruled earlier decision by the appeals committee for a re-run election.
With the dust raised by the sports federations’ election now settled, Mohammed says his board would embark on serious grassroots programmes to give Nigeria weightlifting solid foundation it deserves so as to be among a top contender at world level.
However, the new board led by Yahaya Mohammed says the nation’s weightlifting would be a sport to bank on in Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games.
Mohammed said the federation would soon commence preparation for the qualifiers for 2018 Commonwealth Games holding in Gold Coast, Australia.
He said the NWF would soon begin preparations for the world weightlifting championship billed for December this year in Los Angeles, USA, adding, “We would soon come up with a comprehensive programme but the immediate challenge is to start preparations for the World Championship in December.”
2. As Rohr monitors goalkeepers
Super Eagles’ Manager, Gernot Rohr has appointed a new goalkeeper trainer for the team ahead of the clash against Cameroon next month, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed.
NFF Communications Director, Ademola Olajire confirmed the appointment of the new coach.
The new coach, whose identity has not been disclosed, will team up with the team in Kano, where he will run the rule on the goalkeepers invited for the upcoming CHAN Qualifiers.
Olajire confirmed the coach will arrive Kano alongside the newly appointed goalkeeper trainer, but his appointment has been approved by the NFF.
He is expected to work alongside incumbent goalkeeper trainer, Alloy Agu, although reports have it that the coach has lost confidence in Agu as his goalkeeper trainer.
The goalkeepers in the CHAN camp are Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba FC), Okiemute Odah (Lobi Stars) and Dele Ajiboye (Plateau United).
Rohr already knows the strengths and weaknesses of another goalie called up Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah), and there’s a possibility that one of the quartet could be in goal against Cameroon if they impress him.
3.CHAN QUALIFIER: Home-based Eagles to train twice daily
Super Eagles chief coach Salisu Yusuf has revealed that Home-based Eagles will be having two training session every day.
The nation’s local professional players are camping in Kano in preparation for their fifth African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Togo.
Yusuf said the team will have morning and evening training which will begin at 7am and 4pm respectively.
The former Kano Pillars gaffer said the technical crew took the decision because of the limited time before their first leg encounter against Benin Republic.
The team play Togo on 13th August and return to Kano for the second leg on 19th August.
4.Man Utd’s Bailly banned for Super Cup against Real
Manchester United defender Eric Bailly will miss next month’s European Super Cup against Real Madrid after UEFA handed the Ivorian a three-match European ban on Monday.
Bailly was sent off for violent conduct in the second leg of United’s Europa League semi-final victory over Celta Vigo in May for his part in a melee in the final minutes of a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
He was suspended for the 2-0 win over Ajax in the final and will sit out a further two games, including the August 8 Super Cup clash against Champions League winners Real in Skopje, Macedonia.
Bailly will also miss United’s first Champions League group game, for which the draw will be made on August 24.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a fine debut season after joining United from Villarreal in 2016 for a reported fee of 30 million pounds ($36.7 million, 33.7 million euros).
5.Champions League - Qualification - July 25
18:00 Qarabag FK ? - ? FC Sheriff
18:00 Slavia Prague ? - ? BATE Borisov
18:30 AEK Athens? - ? CSKA Moscow
18:30 FC FCSB? - ? Viktoria Plzen
19:00 FK Vardar Skopje ? - ? FC Koebenhavn
19:45 Partizan Beograd ? - ? Olympiacos
6. Wenger to assess Nwakali through Thursday’s U23 friendly
Highly-rated Nigerian youth international, Kelechi Nwakali is in line to play for Arsenal when they take on Barnet in a pre season game on Thursday.
Nwakali had a fairly productive spell on loan to Dutch second division side, MVV Maastricht last season, but he is still not eligible to play in England, as he has not been issued a work permit by the Home Office.
However, he is back at the club, where he is training with the U23s preparing to take on Barnet on Thursday in front of manager, Arsene Wenger, according to a statement on the official website of Arsenal.
The game will afford the manager the opportunity to run the rule on the 18-year-old, who captained Nigeria to the U-17 World Youth Championship title in 2015, and also widely voted as the club’s best player among the players who went on loan last season.
It is a tradition for Arsenal to play Barnet during pre-season, and Nwakali won’t need a work permit to play in the tie as it is unofficial, with several Arsenal players, who are not yet qualified for a work permit, have in the past played in the game.
7. Lucas Perez tells Arsenal he wants out after 'ugly gesture'
Lucas Perez has reportedly told Arsenal he wants to leave after feeling "cheated" by the handing over of his No 9 shirt.
Perez has already admitted he would be open to a return to Deportivo La Coruna this summer, having started just three games for Arsenal in the Premier League and Champions League in his first season with the club.
The £17m signing still has hopes of earning a spot in Spain's squad for the 2018 World Cup, and - according to Spanish wesbite La Voz de Galicia - told Arsenal's transfer negotiator Dick Law of his desire to quit the Emirates.
Arsenal's record signing of Alexandre Lacazette this summer is likely to limit Perez's first-team opportunities at the club further, and despite Arsene Wenger sympathising with Perez's frustrations, the club's decision to pass over the No 9 shirt to Lacazette is the final straw for Perez.
8.Man City unveils £52m Benjamin Mendy
Manchester City have taken their spending on full backs this summer up to £133million after completing the signing of Benjamin Mendy from Monaco.
The French defender is the third full back to join the club this summer following the captures of Kyle Walker and Danilo.
The France international joins Pep Guardiola’s side in a £52m deal after flying out to Los Angeles to undergo a medical and join his new team-mates on their tour of America on Sunday.
The 23-year-old has signed a five-year deal and will wear the No 22 shirt at the Etihad Stadium.
He is primed to make his debut for his new side in Wednesday’s pre-season friendly with Real Madrid in LA.
The left back tweeted himself that it was: ‘a dream come true to play under Pep’s orders’.
City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, added: ‘Benjamin has all the qualities we are looking for in a full back. For such a young player, he has a wealth of top-level experience.
9.West Ham sign Mexico star, Hernandez for £16m
West Ham have completed the signing of former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez for £16 million ($20.8 million, 17.9 million euros), the Premier League club said on Monday.
A deal to bring Mexico’s record goalscorer to London Stadium was hammered out several days ago.
Hernandez has penned a three-year contract and will fly out to Germany in the coming days to join up with West Ham coach Slaven Bilic and his new team-mates.
The move follows the arrivals of England goalkeeper Joe Hart and Argentine defender Pablo Zabaleta from Man City, as well as Austrian winger Marko Arnautovic from Stoke in a club-record deal.
Hernandez, now 29, spent four seasons with United, where he scored 59 goals in 156 appearances, before going on loan to Real Madrid in the 2014/15 campaign.
The two-time Premier League winner left Old Trafford in August 2015 for Germany, where he was even more prolific, netting 39 times in 76 matches for Bayer Leverkusen
0 comments: