The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Impressive  ADICO Aramoko  clinches  Agbeyewa Cup in Ekiti  

    Impressive  ADICO Aramoko  clinches  Agbeyewa Cup in Ekiti  

    In what many described as one of the most exciting finals in the history of  tournament,  Aramoko District Commercial High School (ADICO)  has emerged  champions of the  annual Agbeyewa Cup Secondary Schools Football Championship following  a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Igogo Commercial High School at the Olukismet Stadium, Ikere-Ekiti, on Tuesday, October 28th .

    Thereafter, the   MD/CEO of Agbeyewa Farms, Mr. Oska Sey Aiyeleso, alongside the Chairman of the Ekiti State Football Association, Chief Oluwole Oloworemo, presented ADICO Aramoko with a cash prize of  ₦1 million along with the  gold medal, a gold trophy and branded sports bags.

    The first runners-up, Igogo Commercial High School, received ₦750,000 and silver medal, while Eporo High School who claimed third place, got ₦500,000 and bronze medal. Efon High School finished fourth, receiving ₦250,000 in consolation prize money.

    Speaking after the grand finale, Alhaji Dauda Lawal, Director of Community Engagements at Agbeyewa Farms, described the third edition of the championship as the best so far. He emphasized that the competition continues to serve as a vital platform for discovering young football talents and nurturing them for both local and international opportunities.

    “This spectacular occasion showcased exceptional talent, sportsmanship, and teamwork among future stars who are combining education with sports,” Lawal said.

    Read Also: Three to die by hanging for robbing 87-year-old woman in Ekiti

    He added that the success of this year’s edition reflects the continuous support for school sports by the leadership of Agbeyewa farms under the Chairman, Mr. Niyi John Olajide, which has resulted in growth and impact of the tournament, noting that future editions will build on the remarkable achievements recorded so far.

    Meanwhile,  the  Sports Writers Association of Nigeria ( SWAN) Ekiti branch in recognition of the contributions of Mr. Olajide to sports development in Ekiti State was conferred as the Grand Patron of the Association and presented with an award at the occasion.

    The Olukismet Stadium was electrified with cheers from students, football fans, and dignitaries who gathered to witness the grand finale. Distinguished guests included His Royal Majesty, Oba Sunday Aiku-irawo Aniyi, the Obaleo of Erinmope-Ekiti; Dr. Olusola Osetoba, Technical Advisor on Sports to the Ekiti State Governor; Mr. Michael Omolayo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; Colonel Inusa, Commandant, 148 Battalion, Nigerian Army; DG Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism , Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre; representatives from the NSCDC, Ekiti State Police Command, Cavista Holdings, Glocient Hospitality, and members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ekiti State chapter.

    A major highlight of the event was the halftime entertainment, featuring Nigerian artist General Allen, who unveiled the official Agbeyewa Cup theme song, celebrating Agbeyewa’s status as the world’s largest cassava farm and showcasing the cultural richness of Ekiti State.

    The 2025 tournament kicked off with participation from over 150 secondary schools across Ekiti State. During the trophy presentation, dignitaries and royal fathers took turns presenting awards and commending the organizers for sustaining an impactful and glamorous grassroots sports initiative.

    The Agbeyewa Cup, sponsored by Agbeyewa Farms, continues to inspire young talents and foster community development through sports—solidifying its place as one of Ekiti State’s most celebrated youth football tournaments.

  • Olisemeka re-joins Rivers Hoopers for 2025 NPBL Play-Offs

    Olisemeka re-joins Rivers Hoopers for 2025 NPBL Play-Offs

    Towering Centre, Peter Olisemeka , has rejoined the reigning Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) champions, Rivers Hoopers, for the 2025 NPBL Final Eight Playoffs.

    Olisemeka is no stranger to Nigerian Basketball having helped the KingsMen win the 2024 NPBL title, and also featuring for the Nigerian champions at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in 2024 and 2025.

    One of his biggest highlights for the KingsMen came at the 2024 BAL, when Olisemeka helped Rivers Hoopers become the first Nigerian club to reach the BAL semi-finals, notching an inspiring eighteen points and twelve rebounds in the pivotal quarter­final victory over Tunisia’s US Monastir (92-88).

    Read Also: Alozie  reveals  secrets  behind  Super Falcons’ big win against  Zambia

    The six feet nine inch Centre who strikes a commanding figure, once again proved his perimeter dominance, by marking his return to the team with a game high twelve rebounds as the KingsMen thrashed Hoops & Read 73-50 during a matchday one of the 2025 NPBL Playoffs, on Monday, 27th October, 2025.

    Before joining the KingsMen in 2024, Olisemeka had spells across European leagues such as Romania (RM Vâlcea), the Netherlands (ZZ Leiden), Bulgaria, and Poland.

    At 33-years-old, Olisemeka’s presence and wealth of experience from playing top level basketball across Europe and Africa could prove vital as the KingsMen chase a third straight league crown.

  • PADDYSCO Sports Academy rewards talents at 9th anniversary in Lagos       

    PADDYSCO Sports Academy rewards talents at 9th anniversary in Lagos       

    • By Israel Olamilekan

    The 9th  edition of the annual ‘PADDYSCO Sports Academy Fiesta & Awards came to a successful end Sunday, October 26th in Lagos as Parents, guardians and enthusiasts were treated to great displays of football skills and ballet dance by kids under the watchful eyes of their trainers and coaches.

    Under the leadership of the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of the academy,  Peter Azunanaya Okereke, Paddysco Sports has steadily emerged as a beacon for youth sports development in Nigeria.

    Held at the City Pride School, Golden Estate by Raji Rasaki, Amuwo- Odofin, Lagos, the event started with a ‘Thanksgiving Service’ at Catholic Church of Visitation, 1st Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.

    Speaking at the well-attended event, Okereke  expressed happiness that the academy which was founded nine years ago with five  children has now grown to a population of over 300 with some of their products plying their trade in such countries as Finland, Sweden, Malta, Thailand and Hong Kong.

    According to him, the academy with three cardinal points of identifying, nurturing and promoting talents is unique because it’s made up of children between the ages of 3- 16 just as he stated that the fiesta is all about the children coming to showcase what they’ve learnt to their parents.

    He said: ” At PADDYSCO Academy, we identify, nurture and promote talents. Some of our kids are as young as three years and the good thing is that some of them will learn how to play either football or basketball while others will attain fitness.

    Read Also: Harness sports for national unity, Adelabu urges

    ” So, even if a child is not going to play football or take dancing as a career, at least they can attain fitness while growing up as well as know the importance of exercises and the essence of sports.

    ” And those whom we identify that can make a career in football, dancing, basketball and swimming, we develop them into what they’re supposed to be and also develop their career.”

    The founder while heaping praises on the parents for believing in what the academy is doing has kept it going for the past nine years, stated that apart from developing the children, they also employ coaches whom they give a sense of belonging in the society.

    Speaking  ahead of  the10th anniversary  of the programme, Okereke  revealed that the academy is already making plans to have the event at the Navy Stadium which is a bigger facility and where they have also established a branch.

    ” By the time we’re going to celebrate the 10th  anniversary, it will be at Navy Stadium which is a bigger facility where we recently opened a branch.

     “During that time, we also intend to invite some of the products that have passed through the academy to tell people that these are people whom we have produced and they will also serve as role models for the kids. At that time, you are also going to see more displays than what we are witnessing in the 9th edition, ”, he assured.

    Okereke revealed that by the time the academy clocks 15 years, he will like to see PADDYSCO having its own facilities and a proper channel through which players can move abroad to play football

    ” When you look at what Morocco is doing today, you’ll discover that they have a road map for sports development. They acquired 30 hectares of land and developed a sports centre and today, the records are there for all to see.

    ” They have won the U-17 AFCON and recently U-20 World Cup and almost won the World Cup the last time. Their women also played in the 2022 and 2025 finals of the African Women Nations Cup which shows they have a plan put in place for sports development.

    ” At PADDYSCO, we have a plan and we’re taking it one step at a time. So, by the time the academy clocks 15, we hope to say, this is our own facility where we’ll be training and that this is our own camp where we’ll have our own players because you know that in Nigeria, facility is a very big problem

    ” You are also aware that in Nigeria, a child can play so well but the proper channel might not be there for him to move abroad, so, we hope to establish that channel for our players

    Some of the parents who spoke on the award; Messrs, Kenechukwu Obodoechina, Ubanatu Timothy and Pharm. Emeka Nwachukwu as well as Mrs. Adaji Janeth Ruth and Lolo Ikechukwu Cynthia commended Paddysco for the transformation it is giving the children noting that they’re happy and satisfied with the skills being exhibited by their wards.

    Mrs. Adaji Janeth Ruth said “As parents, we are happy with the improvement we’re seeing in our children. Paddysco Academy has been able to bring out some hidden potentials in our children like their football, basketball, swimming and dancing skills. The academy has also built their endurance energy which makes them play more than they did before.

    Also speaking, Mrs Lolo Ikechukwu Cynthia said: “Kudos must also go to the academy for the way they take care of the kids. They come every Saturday morning to pick them up and bring them back safely after their training session thereby creating a good bond between them and the children.

    They advised parents living within Festac Town, Amuwo- Odofin, Satellite Town , Mile 2 and environs to patronize Paddysco Academy, reminding parents that these days education has gone beyond classroom work and that children should be allowed to take part in sports, text their skills, make friends and see the other side of life.

    Two of the children in the academy; John Azubuogu who plays football and Kemberlin Nwachukwu, a basketball player, said that they’ve learnt a lot since joining the academy even as they expressed hope they will be better players in future

    The Sports fiesta/award featured various dancing performances by the kids and football and basketball displays by the various age categories to the delight of the parents and invited guests

    The award ceremony witnessed a number of awards given out including the awards in ballet, football, and staff of the academy.

    Awards were also given to the Most Valuable players, Best Behaved player and best in passion in football, basketball, swimming and dancing

    Some of the categories where awards were given are; Team Hyenas, Team Incredibles, Team Marvelous, Team Neophytes, Team Exclusives, Team Royals, Team Elastic Queens and Team Dunkers amongst others.

  • How GOtv Boxing Night Turned Combat Sports into Prime-Time Entertainment

    How GOtv Boxing Night Turned Combat Sports into Prime-Time Entertainment

    By blurring the lines between championship fighting and stadium concert production, organisers proved that boxing could be as vital and explosive to the youth as Nigeria’s biggest music stars

    When GOtv Boxing Night first morphed into “Boxing, Jams, Music,” it did more than bring boxers back into the spotlight; it turned fight nights into Lagos’ favourite December carnival. From smoke machines and stage lights to electrifying sets by Burna Boy, Mayorkun, Teni, Zlatan, and Wande Coal, the ring has become an arena of rhythm and energy. It is as much about the beats as it is about the knockouts. It was a gamble: could the audience that fills stadiums for concerts also turn up for boxing if you wrapped both together? The answer, almost a decade later, has been a resounding yes. What began as a modest sporting revival in 2014 has evolved into one of Nigeria’s biggest cultural spectacles, a vibrant fusion of competition, celebrity, and community.

    The transformation did not happen overnight. Before 2014, Nigerian boxing was gasping for air. Fight schedules were irregular, talent was underfunded, and audiences had drifted to football and Afrobeats. The sport’s aura had faded, and even its champions struggled to find platforms to perform. For the organisers, Flykite Productions, reviving boxing required more than staging fights; it needed reimagining.

    That creative breakthrough arrived in 2017, when the organisers decided to blend two of Nigeria’s greatest passions: music and sport. This marked the era of Boxing Jams Music, a fusion that would define GOtv Boxing Night’s cultural renaissance. Starting with the 17th   edition, artists like Burna Boy, Wande Coal, Teni da Entertainer, and Daddy Showkey began sharing the stage with some of Nigeria’s best boxers. “Music and boxing are major sources of entertainment,” said Jenkins Alumona, Chief Executive Officer of Flykite Productions. “Our aim was to provide a well-rounded, year-end entertainment package for Nigerians.”

    Read Also: EFCC arrests two Metro digital TV employees for alleged illegal  rebroadcast of DStv, GOtv Channel

    The idea worked brilliantly. By turning each fight night into a full-scale entertainment show, GOtv created a new category of sportainment in Nigeria. The result was a multi-generational experience: the thundering punches of rising boxing stars merged seamlessly with live performances from contemporary artists like Mayorkun, Ruger, and Peruzzi, while legends such as Daddy Showkey and Sule Malaika brought nostalgic appeal. Even the pacing of the event began to mirror that of a music concert, with comedians like MC Lively and Nasboi bridging the rounds with witty crowd interactions, and DJs keeping the energy alive between bouts.

     “We did not just want a fight night; we wanted a cultural spectacle,” one promoter explained. “Boxing had to feel cool again, something young people could brag about attending.”

    The approach worked on multiple levels. The combination of top-tier music and live sports attracted a new audience, Gen Z and millennials, who may never have followed boxing before. Many came for the music but stayed for the knockouts. “I came for Wande Coal, but I stayed for the fights,” said one fan after a previous edition. “It is the best event of Detty December.”

    The ripple effects have been immense. The event now drives massive viewership across Africa, broadcast live on SuperSport to over 50 countries. In Lagos, it has become a seasonal economic catalyst, providing jobs for sound engineers, lighting technicians, stage designers, and security teams, while boosting hotel, hospitality, and small business revenues.

    For the fighters, the transformation has been just as important. Winning the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy, the event’s coveted Best Boxer award, no longer just means prize money. It means instant fame. Champions like Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph and Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde have celebrated their wins to the roar of crowds that came as much for the music as for the match. The atmosphere, the spotlight, and the cameras have turned once-obscure boxers into household names.

    It has also become a pillar of Lagos’ creative December calendar, a highlight of the city’s “Detty December” festivities, mentioned in the same breath as the biggest Afrobeats concerts. Each Boxing Day, the Tafawa Balewa Square transforms into a carnival of lights, fists, and beats. “We will give fans a mind-blowing package of entertainment and sports,” said Bamidele Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of Flykite Productions. “This is going to be a memorable experience.”

    As the 34th  edition draws near, GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing, Jams, Music stands as proof that reinvention can save not only a sport but an entire culture around it. What began as a rescue mission for boxing has grown into a continental entertainment powerhouse, an event where Afrobeats meets uppercuts, and where Lagos comes alive under the floodlights of sport and sound.

    This December 26 at Tafawa Balewa Square, the gloves will be raised again, the stage will come alive, and the crowd will sing along. It will not just be about who wins in the ring; it will be about how GOtv continues to redefine what it means to entertain Nigeria.

  • Arsenal ‘s strength in depth good  to clinch EPL title, says Saka

    Arsenal ‘s strength in depth good  to clinch EPL title, says Saka

    Bukayo Saka believes Arsenal’s strength in depth can be the difference for the Gunners this season as they look to end a wait since 2003⁄04 to win the Premier League.

    Mikel Arteta’s men are four points clear at the top of the table from Bournemouth, with their realistic title challengers Manchester City and Liverpool six and seven points adrift respectively.

    Arsenal have finished second for each of the past three seasons when injury problems at times derailed their title challenge.

    However, Arteta now has a far deeper pool of resources to call on after a £250 million ($333 million) spend on eight signings during the transfer window.

    Saka is among the Arsenal stars, also including Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and William Saliba, to have already been sidelined by injury at times this season.

    But Arteta’s side have relied on their strength from set pieces and an excellent defensive record to win seven consecutive games in all competitions.

     “This year I feel we’re a very strong group and we’ve got a lot of quality. We’ve suffered already a lot of injuries, but the players that have come in have shown that we can all keep the level at the highest,” Saka told Sky Sports.  “I think that’s where we’ve slipped off in a few seasons, but this season, we’ve got that and it’s making me really believe we can do it.”

    Next year could be a memorable one for Saka as he also aims to end England’s long wait since 1966 to win a major tournament at the World Cup.

     “That’s my prayer. Of course it is doable,” he added on the prospect of a Premier League and World Cup double in 2026.

    Read Also: EPL: Rice, Saka score as Arsenal go top with comfortable win over West Ham

    “You can’t really do anything if you don’t believe in it. I believe it is possible. It won’t be easy, definitely won’t be easy, but yeah it is possible.”

    Saka was part of the England sides that lost two European Championship finals under Gareth Southgate.

    The Three Lions are the only European side to qualify so far for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico after a flawless start to their qualifying campaign since Thomas Tuchel took charge.

    Saka has been impressed by Tuchel and hopes his experience at the highest level of the club game with Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich can be key to England’s chances.

     “I think he is a top coach, tactical understanding and with people as well he is very demanding, he knows how to get the best out of the players I would say,” said the 24-year-old.

     “He has shown in the past he can win at the highest level and won the biggest of trophies. He has competed in many finals as well, so he has definitely got the experience and hopefully he can guide us to victory.”

  • LAFC’s Son second only to Miami’s Messi on MLS salary list

    LAFC’s Son second only to Miami’s Messi on MLS salary list

    LAFC’s Son Heung-Min joined Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi as the only MLS players to make over $10 million in annual salary. Son, a summer acquisition by LAFC has guaranteed compensation of $11.2 million, while Messi remains the league’s highest paid player at $20.4 million.

    The information is according to the MLS Players Association, which released its list of salary data Wednesday.

    The figures include just what players make in salary, including any marketing bonus and agent’s fees. They do not account for any additional agreements with the team or its affiliates, or for any performance bonuses.

    Messi also benefits from other revenue streams such as his endorsement deal with Adidas and a revenue sharing agreement with league broadcast partner Apple.

    According to Sportico, Messi stands to earn up to $150 million over the life of the 2½-year contract that was due to expire at the end of this season. Messi, the newly crowned Golden Boot winner in MLS with 29 goals in 28 games, recently signed an extension with Inter Miami that will see him remain in South Florida through the end of the 2028 season.

    Son’s LAFC contract runs through 2027 with options that could extend it to 2029.

    Read Also: ‘GOAT’ Messi inks fresh Inter Miami contract

    The top five earners were rounded out by Messi’s club teammate Sergio Busquets, who makes $8.8 million, followed by Atlanta United’s Miguel Almirón at $6.1 million and San Diego’s Hirving Lozano at $6 million.

    All data is as of Oct. 1, 2025. The salary data was annualized for players who arrived during the summer transfer window.

    Miami continues to lap the field in total team spending. Thanks to the midseason arrival of Rodrigo DePaul, Miami increased its spending to a record $48.97 million, though it missed out on a second consecutive Supporters’ Shield triumph, with the low-spending Philadelphia Union winning that trophy.

    Miami’s outlay is more than double the amount spent by 27 of the league’s remaining 29 teams.

    In terms of team payroll based on guaranteed base compensation, LAFC ranked second behind Miami at $30.1 million, followed by Atlanta United ($28.48 million) FC Cincinnati ($23.19 million) and the Chicago Fire ($23.11 million)

    CF Montreal had the lowest payroll at $12.92 million, followed by FC Dallas ($13.15 million), the Philadelphia Union ($13.43 million), Toronto FC ($13.65 million) and Minnesota United ($14.54 million).

    The average outlay per team was $19.69 million, compared to $18.41 million a year ago, an increase of 7%. The median spend per team was $18.01 million, compared with last year’s mark of $16.68 million. That represents an increase of 8%.

    The most notable difference in spending year-over-year was that of Toronto FC, whose outlay plummeted from $31.81 million in 2024 to $13.65 million in 2025. This was due in large part to the midseason departures of designated players Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi.

    The average guaranteed base compensation for the entire MLS player pool — which included pool players and retired players still owed money — continues to climb on an annual basis, rising to $632,809, up 6.1% from the September 2024 mark of $596,226. The salaries of players at the bottom of the wage scale continue to improve, as the league’s median guaranteed base compensation was $338,347, up 9.7% from the September 2024 mark of $308,375.

    MLS and the MLSPA are in the fifth year of the collective bargaining agreement that was reached in February 2021. The CBA runs through the end of the 2027 season.

    Total spend per team:

    1. Inter Miami – $48.97 million

    2. LAFC – $30.1 million

    3. Atlanta United – 28.48

    4. FC Cincinnati – $23.19 million

    5. Chicago Fire – $23.11 million

    6. Nashville SC – $22.44 million

    7. Portland Timbers – $22.44 million

    8. LA Galaxy – $22.26 million

    9. San Diego FC – $22.25

    10. New York Red Bulls – $22.07 million

    11. Columbus Crew – $19.22 million

    12. New England Revolution – $19.11 million

    13. Charlotte FC – $19.02 million

    14. New York City FC – $18.84 million

    15. Seattle Sounders – $18.25 million

    16. Vancouver Whitecaps – $17.77 million

    17. Sporting Kansas City – $17.61 million

    18. San Jose Earthquakes – $17.08 million

    19. St. Louis City SC – $16.93 million

    20. Houston Dynamo – $16.77 million

    21. Orlando City – $16.11 million

    22. Austin FC – $15.68 million

    23. Real Salt Lake – $15.66 million

    24. DC United – $14.92 million

    25. Colorado Rapids – $14.63 million

    26. Minnesota United – $14.54 million

    27. Toronto FC – $13.65 million

    28. Philadelphia Union – $13.43 million

    29. FC Dallas – $13.15 million

    30. CF Montreal – $12.92 million

  • Vinicius apologises over Clasico substitution huff

    Vinicius apologises over Clasico substitution huff

    Brazilian forward Vinicius has issued a public apology to Real Madrid after his angered reaction to being substituted during a tense 2-1 win over arch-rival Barcelona at the weekend.

    Vinicius remonstrated with coach Xabi Alonso and marched off down the tunnel after he was hauled off in the 72nd minute and replaced with Rodrygo.

    Vinicius did not mention the Real Madrid coach in his apology.

     “Today I want to apologise to all Madrid fans for my reaction to being substituted in the Clasico. Just as I have already done it in person during today’s training, I also want to apologise again to my teammates, club and president,” said the 25-year-old.

    Read Also: Alozie  reveals  secrets  behind  Super Falcons’ big win against  Zambia

    “Sometimes passion gets the better of me by always wanting to win and help my team. My competitive nature is born from the love I feel for this club and for everything it represents. I promise to continue fighting every second for the good of Real Madrid, as I have done since day one,” Vinícius said.

    The player did return to the pitch-side to see out the match, and was one of the players embroiled in a stand-off with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.

    Alonso said after the game that the matter of Vinicius’s huff would be dealt with in the dressing room.

  • Injured De Bruyne undergoes successful operations

    Injured De Bruyne undergoes successful operations

     Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne underwent an operation on his injured hamstring in his native Belgium, the Serie A club announced.

     “As planned, Kevin De Bruyne underwent surgery on Wednesday in Antwerp, following a high-grade tear of the biceps femoris in the right thigh,” Napoli said in a statement.

     “The operation went well. De Bruyne, who was assisted during the operation by the head of Napoli’s medical staff, Dr. Raffaele Canonico, will now begin the first post-surgery phase of rehabilitation in Belgium.”

    Read Also: Alozie  reveals  secrets  behind  Super Falcons’ big win against  Zambia

    De Bruyne sustained the hamstring injury while scoring a penalty for league leaders Napoli in a 3-1 win over Serie A title rivals Inter Milan on Saturday.

    De Bruyne, 34, has scored four times since joining Napoli following his departure from Manchester City in the summer, three times from the penalty spot and once with a free-kick.

    Napoli sports coordinator Gabriele Oriali said Tuesday that he expected De Bruyne to be out of action for three to four months.

  • Zambia fire ex- Chelsea manager Grant

    Zambia fire ex- Chelsea manager Grant

    Zambia have parted ways with former Chelsea manager Avram Grant after a disappointing 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, the national football association  has confirmed.

    The Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) lost at home to Tanzania, Morocco and Niger and finished fourth in the group under the 70-year-old Israeli.

    Grant was more successful in Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying, taking the southern Africa country to successive tournaments.

    Zambia exited the 2024 AFCON after the first round in Cote d’Ivoire , and will face 2025 hosts Morocco, Mali and the Comoros in Group A this December.

    Read Also: Alozie  reveals  secrets  behind  Super Falcons’ big win against  Zambia

    Announcing the termination of the contract with Grant, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) said it was necessary in order to “chart a new way forward for the Chipolopolo”.

    Referring to Zambia, Grant wrote on social media that he hopes “one day this great country qualifies for a World Cup for the first time in its long football history”.

    Grant was hired by Zambia in December 2022 having previously guided Ghana to second place at the 2015 AFCON and fourth in the following edition.

    After coaching four Israeli clubs from 1986, then the national team, Grant was hired by Chelsea in 2007. He later managed West Ham United.

  • Pedri hamstring tear adds to Barcelona injury woes

    Pedri hamstring tear adds to Barcelona injury woes

    Barcelona and Spain midfielder Pedri is set for a significant spell out after suffering a tear in his hamstring.

    On Wednesday, Barcelona confirmed that the 22-year-old had a tear in the distal biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh.

    The biceps femoris is part of the hamstring group at the back of the thigh.

    The club did not give a recovery timeline, instead stating that “the player’s recovery will dictate his return to action”.

    Pedri had played in 41 consecutive games for Barcelona, and has missed just one of Hansi Flick’s 73 matches as manager.

    The midfielder was set to miss Barcelona’s next La Liga match against Elche after receiving a red card for a late challenge on Aurelien Tchouameni during Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Real Madrid.

    Read Also: Barcelona’s Pedri prefers UCL  glory to  Ballon d’Or

    Pedri has made 215 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona since joining the club from Las Palmas in 2020 aged 17.

    The Spaniard has suffered several hamstring injuries since joining the club, including one that kept him out for over three months between September 2021 and January 2022.

    He joins a long list of Barcelona injury absentees including Gavi, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

    Flick’s side are second in La Liga, five points behind leaders Real.

    BBC