Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, were mentioned in the same breath as a number of the country’s movers and shakers in politics, business, and the economy on Tuesday while being honored for their FIFA World Cup bronze medal at the 14th edition of LEADERSHIP Annual Conference and Awards in Abuja.
The FIFA World Cup medal feat, achieved when outclassing Germany in the third-place match of the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India in November, swung the pendulum in their favor as the Nomination and Selection Committee awarded the team the Sportsperson of the Year 2022 category.
NFF’s Director of Media and Communications, Mr. Ademola Olajire, received the glittering plaque on behalf of the Flamingos at the Annual Conference and Awards staged at the Abuja International Conference Centre and attended by the country’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, GCON.
There were also former Kenyan Prime Minister, His Excellency Raila Odinga, FCT Minister Muhammad Musa Bello, and Chairman of Leadership Group, Mrs. Zainab Nda-Isaiah.
Award winners included Dr. Benedict Oramah, General Buba Marwa, Rtd, and athlete Oluwatobiloba Amusan (Persons of the Year 2022); Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Prince Dapo Abiodun (Governors of the Year); Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (Politician of the Year); Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe (Banker of the Year); MTN (ICT/Telecom Company of the Year) and; Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, also known as Kizz Daniel (Artiste of the Year).
Super Eagles Head Coach JoséSantos Peseiro was present at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project pitch on Tuesday morning as Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, mauled Capital City Football Academy 4-0 in a friendly match.
The warm–up game was anothertune-up session to the game against Junior Chipolopolo of Zambia on Saturday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium as part of the general preparations for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt next month.
Goals from Samson Lawal, Agbalaka Solomon, Olamilekan Adams, and Yahaya Ibrahim ensured the Flying Eagles extended their unbeaten run to sixteen games.
A delighted Peseiro, while speaking with Head Coach of the Flying Eagles, Ladan Bosso, said the team has a lot of quality.
Paseiro insisted that the U20 boys wiwouldut up a performance in Egypt that would be good enough to qualify them for the FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Indonesia later this year.
The Portuguese tactician was at the match venue with NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen and Super Eagles Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor.
The Flying Eagles will play Zambia U20 men’s team on Saturday before the team departs Nigeria for Morocco on Wednesday next week.
Superstar Grappler Talks NXT Talk and Walks a True Ghanaian son’s Walk
Koffi Kingston has attended countless WWE events, like the WWE 2K23 hands-on party in San Antonio during Royal Rumble weekend; Scott Fishman writes for MSN. Even after 16 years with the organization, he gets a buzz from appearing in a videogame or being NXT tag team champion with his New Day brother Xavier Woods. Kingston appreciates each high moment knowing the rollercoaster ride he has been on in his career. One minute riding high on “KofiMania,” and the next, he was getting decimated by Brock Lesnar.
Kingston and partner Woods are gearing up for a fatal-four-way title defense against some of NXT’s emerging superstars at the Vengeance Day premium live event on Peacock on February 4. The 41-year-old takes pride in helping emerging talent on Tuesday nights. At the same time, he isn’t quite ready to fully hand over the torch. We caught up with Kingston ahead of New Day’s big challenge.
As we look at the expansive roster of WWE 2K23, there are certainly several familiar opponents for you. Tell me your Top 5 wrestlers that have been your favorite to work with.
Koffi Kingston: We’ll keep Usos as one. I’ll say the Usos for sure. If you’ve seen our tag matches, I don’t need to explain it. Dolph Ziggler, he and I joke that back in the day, we could have a best-of-500 series. Every match was always fun and incredible. I like having matches with Sami Zayn because of the visceral reactions he can garner from the crowd. Kevin Owens is good. His skill level is amazing. Our matches are always great. The edge is really good. One of the first for me. You know it will be good when you’re in the ring with him because he is an amazing storyteller and competitor.
Who are five you didn’t like?
Koffi Kingston: You’ll see that in my book one day. When my book comes out, I’ll let you know about that.
How much fun are you having in NXT?
Koffi Kingston: Too much fun. It has been amazing to mix it up with the kids down there. People who are trying to find themselves and their characters. They are in the infancy stage of what they will become. It’s very exciting to help them along. It’s an honor to be down there. It’s an honor to be an NXT champ. We have a big match coming up at Vengeance Day. We plan to be champs for a very long time.
One of the teams you will defend against is Pretty Deadly. Do you see a little of New Day in them?
Koffi Kingston: They are awesome. We always joke that they remind us of a young New Day because of their bond, outfits, and antics. They are not afraid to try new things and be themselves with full confidence and arrogance. They love to get under people’s skin, which is awesome. You crave that as a WWE superstar. They are being able to get a reaction.
As an elder statesman, what do you make of the current atmosphere behind the scenes at WWE?
Koffi Kingston: There is so much change going on [in WWE]. I think a lot of it is for the better. People are willing to help. We realize the industry is dependent on us. We are providing information to the people that come after us. That is what we try to do as New Day. We are willing to help teams out. Helping them get established and get them over. We want to make them comfortable. It’s weird to be in that role, but a role I take seriously.
The wrestling landscape is so unpredictable now. Is there anyone you would recruit from the outside to work with?
Koffi Kingston: There are a lot of people. We’ve wanted to have a match with the Young Bucks for a long time. It’s a special time.
Along with wrestling, you’ve also collaborated with your mom on a great outreach project for the people of Ghana.
Koffi Kingston: My mom started the CLICK for Quality Education Foundation. It’s something we set up to build computer labs and libraries for kids in Gana. We have a GoFundMe to help us with the computers. We’ve found someone donating some charging stations, desktops, and monitors. We’re looking for laptops. The GoFundMe is at https://www.gofundme.com/f/clickfqe.
WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella had a highly-public relationship, engagement, and breakup with fellow WWE star John Cena. The pair got engaged at WrestleMania 33 in 2017 and had their relationship on full display during the TotalDivas and Total Bellas reality shows. However, the couple broke off the engagement in April 2018, just one month before their wedding. Bella is now married and has a son with Dancing With The Stars‘ Artem Chigvinsev, and their marriage from this past August is being shown in the new E! miniseries Nikki Bella Says I Do.
In a new interview with US Weekly, Bella revealed that the wedding dress she wore for her ceremony with Chigvintsev was the same one she chose for her planned wedding with Cena.
“I had the moment with that dress … when I saw it. It was all something that I dreamed of. I went back and forth with that decision. For me, it [reflects] how I stand as a strong woman; I was like, wait, why should I not wear what I love? Because of my past? It just didn’t make sense to me,” Bella said.
Bella has been incredibly open about why her relationship with Cena fell apart but has consistently spoken highly of him in the years since then. She even thanked him during her WWE Hall of Fame acceptance speech.
“He helped me be that fearless side and showed me a part of that world that I never saw before,” she added. “I think just because you have breakups or whatever it may be, doesn’t mean you can’t thank those people and just truly be so grateful for the help that they had.”
“I didn’t think anything about it because when you’re in those moments at the Hall of Fame, you look at your career, and you’re like, ‘Who was there, who helped me along the way?'” Bella said in a separate interview with US Weekly in 2021. “So much of the time, people will talk about themselves, and for me, I look at my career, and I know that wasn’t just because of me. It was Brie [Bella], the Bella army, the producers, all the people that believed in me, and John was a big part of that.”
As Edu agrees shock £12m January deadline day transfer
Arsenal transfer news: A move for Chelsea’s Jorginho on transfer deadline day looks set to go through as a £12million fee is agreed with rivals Chelsea, Luke Thrower reports for Football London.
Arsenal closing in on deal for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho
Arsenal have agreed a £12million deal with Chelsea to sign midfielder Jorginho on January transfer deadline day, football.london understands. The Gunners will pay £10million up front for the Italian international with a further £2million in add-ons.
The 31-year-old will join on an initial 18-month contract with the option to extend by a further year, adding some much needed depth to Mikel Arteta’s central ranks. It comes amid concerns over the options available to the Spaniard as the Gunners continue their push for the Premier League title.
With Mohamed Elneny injured for a period of time as well as an injury scare surrounding Thomas Partey after he was substituted halfway through the FA Cup clash with Manchester City, the need for signings was clear. “We need some more cover in midfield ideally if we can, but in this market it is pretty complicated to do that,” the manager said before deadline day.
A £60million bid for Brighton star Moises Caicedo was rebuffed by the Seagulls, leaving the Gunners looking at contingency plans for the final few hours. However, in Jorginho the north London outfit have an experienced winner who could be the difference between them winning the league or missing out.
At 31 he may be beyond his best, but with few options in the January window, it could prove to be some smart business. When the move officially goes through, the Italian may only have a few numbers to pick from, having only ever worn five, eight and 19 in his club career.
Potential Arsenal shirt numbers available to Jorginho: 2, 13, 20*, 22*, 26, 28, 29, 30.
*20 – Nuno Tavares is on loan at Marseille
Enzo Fernandez omitted from Benfica squad amid push for £105m Chelsea transfer
Chelsea transfer news: The Blues continue negotiations to complete a deal to sign Benfica star Enzo Fernandez and are confident of reaching an agreement over a deal for the World Cup winner, Josh Holland reports for Football London.
Chelsea continue their pursuit of Enzo Fernandez (Image: Diogo Cardoso/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Enzo Fernandez has been omitted from Benfica’s squad for tonight’s Liga NOS trip to Arouca as Chelsea continue their efforts to complete a deal worth at least £105million.
The World Cup winner has been on the Blues’ radar throughout the January transfer window as Todd Boehly looks to bolster Graham Potter’s midfield. They failed in securing a deal earlier in the window but football.london understands that Fernandez remains the priority and extensive talks have been held with Benfica.
It’s understood that Chelsea are willing to conclude a deal to make the midfielder the club’s record signing and the most expensive player in Premier League history. Benfica have demanded a £105million figure throughout the month, holding out for the player’s release clause.
As work continues in Lisbon in securing Fernandez’s services, Jorginho is edging closer to a switch to London rivals Arsenal. football.london understands that the Gunners have agreed a £12m deal to sign the Italian on an initial 18-month contract – leaving a vacant space in Potter’s midfield.
Now, with less than 12 hours remaining of the January transfer window, Chelsea have received a boost in their pursuit of Fernandez with reports that he has been left out of Roger Schmidt’s side for their league fixture against Arouca this evening.
After missing the 1-0 victory over Portimonense earlier in the month after failing to report to training, the 22-year-old has appeared in all three league games and assisted twice in the 3-0 win over Santa Clara.
However, according to journalist Duncan Castles, Fernandez will not be in action this evening for Benfica after missing training on Monday. It’s claimed the midfielder has asked the Portuguese club to accept Chelsea’s proposal.
Fixtures
ChelseaFulham Stamford Bridge, London
EvertonArsenal Goodison Park, Liverpool
Aston VillaLeicester Villa Park, Birmingham
BrentfordSouthampton Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford
Rhea Ripley looks on after winning the WWE Royal Rumble at the …Getty Images
After one of the stronger Royal Rumbles, from a storytelling standpoint, WWE pitched a bit of a stinker on Monday night. As expected, Cody Rhodes opened the show after winning the 2023 Royal Rumble, but his opening spot didn’t hit as intended, Brian Mazique reports for Forbes.
There were a couple of returns (Carmella; glad to see her healthy and Rick Boogs) that were mostly meh, mixed in with some awkward mic work.
Here is a look at the biggest winners when it comes to progressing their current character direction and over-ness with the WWE Universe.
WINNERS
Rhea Ripley
After a dominant and historic performance en route to winning the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble, Ripley delivered a strong and solo promo to announce her intentions to challenge Charlotte for the SmackDown Women’s championship at WrestleMania.
It might have made sense for Ripley to challenge Bianca Belair considering she is already on Raw and the two women are the most exciting performers in the division. However, it doesn’t seem to be the right time for Ripley to clash with Belair. Perhaps that will come at Summerslam.
Ripley seems destined to win the gold in her next opportunity and it would appear WWE is more inclined to have Charlotte put her over. After all, Charlotte’s legacy is as indestructible as anyone in history.
Ripley is arguably the WWE Superstar on the most aggressive meteoric rise. Coming off the win at The Rumble, Ripley only further solidified herself on Raw. There is a lingering program with Beth Phoenix, but that could be handled at Elimination Chamber.
Having Ripley beat Phoenix clean in an entertaining match at Elimination Chamber would be the perfect lead into a WrestleMania coronation for the Eradicator against Charlotte.
Bronson Reed
We’ve seen a ton of monstrous wrecking balls like Bronson Reed, but there has always been something a little special about the former NXT North American champion.
Reed has top-notch facial expressions, an undeniable look and the kind of in-ring explosiveness that could make him a solid upper-midcard draw. He demolished Dolph Ziggler, one of the all-time great sellers, and punched a ticket into the Elimination Chamber with his win.
LOSERS
Rick Boogs
The powerhouse returned from a ruptured Achilles, but his gimmick is about as hokey as they come. At some point, Boogs needs to turn heel in the most vicious and shocking way imaginable. He also likely needs a manager. That’s a lot of need for a guy who was given a pretty healthy chunk of a highly anticipated episode of Raw after the Royal Rumble.
Boogs beat The Miz in an “impromptu” match and then was super awkward in a backstage scene with The Street Profits and Elias. Overall, his return didn’t leave anyone wanting more.
Cody Rhodes
Rhodes is probably going to dethrone Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, and that might not be the best idea.
Don’t have a tantrum; hear me out. Rhodes’ return from a torn pectoral at the Rumble was no surprise and his victory wasn’t much of shock. He’s leaning heavier on the strong babyface presence he seems to crave with all of his pro wrestling soul, and he looks like he’s trying too hard to be adored.
Rhodes’ opening promo came off a little contrived–even for professional wrestling–and unless there was something wrong with the audio in Tulsa, it didn’t sound as though he received the sort of pop one might expect for a guy who seems ticketed to end one of the most historic title reigns in WWE history.
Is it just me, or is anyone else wondering whether Cody really is a big enough presence to be the WWE’s main babyface?
Edge
I’m not sure what happened with the Judgment Day gimmick or what the long-term plans were for Edge, but these sporadic attacks on the faction he created are getting a little stale.
The I Quit Match with Finn Balor at Extreme Rules in September was awesome, but there doesn’t appear to be a compelling spot for the Hall-of-Famer yet in the new year.
Ripley is on to bigger and better things as she is easily the Lauryn Hill to the Judgment Day’s Fugees. Damian Priest isn’t a big enough star to feud with Edge, and the same can be said for Dominik Mysterio.
We’ve seen Edge vs. Balor, so it is tough to see where or how WWE will intrigue us with this feud. Edge’s appearance on Monday was underwhelming and that should never be the case for a performer with his resume.
Match Results
Seth Rollins def. Chad Gable – Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Iyo Sky def. Candice LeRae
Johnny Gargano def. Baron Corbin – Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Rick Boogs def. The Miz
Bronson Reed def. Dolph Ziggler – Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
The Gunners could be in for a hectic transfer deadline day as Mikel Arteta looks to secure his midfield signing, Alex Turk reports for Daily Express.
Arsenal could have a busy transfer deadline day in store as incoming and outgoing business brews ahead of the January window slamming shut at 11pm. Mikel Arteta has added two new faces to his Premier League title-challenging squad this month, but he’s determined to recruit a third.
Arsenal started their January spending by completing a £27million deal for Brighton and Hove Albion winger Leandro Trossard.
It followed missing out on 22-year-old winger Mykhaylo Mudryk after Chelsea hijacked their interest to complete an £88.5m swoop.
Arteta then bolstered his defensive depth with the £20m signing of Poland centre-back Jakub Kiowir.
But he wants to complete his squad-wide winter reinforcements by acquiring a midfielder today.
Brighton and Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo has been a priority and the subject of two rejected bids, but Chelsea’s Jorginho is also a name to keep tabs on as the countdown to the deadline ticks on.
Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta could recruit Moises Caicedo or Jorginho today. (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea consider Caicedo hijack
Chelsea could complete their sensational transfer window by repeating their Mudryk hijack and snatching Moises Caicedo from under Arsenal’s noses.
Arsenal haven’t submitted an improved bid for the 21-year-old Ecuadorian since Brighton rejected a second offer worth £70m.
Chelsea are expected to sign Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez today after reigniting their interest and triggering his £105m release clause.
But the Guardian report that the Blues could also launch a stunning pursuit of Caicedo, who Graham Potter coached at the Amex Stadium.
Their London rivals’ emerging interest could prompt Arsenal into submitting a third and final bid.
Blames Nigeria Football Federation for Super Falcons’ declining standard
Ismaila Mabo
By Rasheed Adewuyi
Former Super Falcons coach Ismaila Mabo has berated the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the dwindling standard of the women national team in Africa and at the world level.
Mabo, in an exclusive interview with Sports Joust said the Falcons have been cut off technically and tactically by other African teams because of lack of proper care by the soccer ruling body adding that the women national team would perform better if given the same treatment with the Super Eagles.
“African teams are no longer scared of playing against the Super Falcons because they are not growing. Nigeria’s dominance in female football in the continent is gradually fading away because countries like South Africa, Cameroon, Morocco, and even Sierra Leone are ahead of us. Wake up NFF,” he added.
“The gap between the Super Falcons and other women national teams in Africa in the 1990s and 2000 was like ratio one to eigty but Falcons are now struggling to win against teams they had always beaten. What does that tell you?”
Mabo who was the head coach of Nigeria women’s national team at the 1999 FIFA World Cup, the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games urged the Nigeria Football Federation to find a lasting solution to the technical and tactical problems facing the Falcons before it is too late.
The Nigeria women national team is the most successful international women team in African, winning a record eleven African cup of Nations titles.
Nigeria will play in group B at the 2023 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand between July 20 and August 20.
Easy fight might blow up in Joshua’s face says Michael Hunter
Anthony Joshua (Left) agrees to fight Jermaine Franklin (Right)on April fools day
Michael Hunter labels the Anthony Joshua vs. American Jermaine Franklin clash for April 1st as a “Horrible fight” for people to watch, but he understands why it’s an important match for AJ to make, given that he’s with a new trainer Derrick James, Charles Brun writes for Boxing News 24.
Joshua might be in over his head with the technically gifted Franklin, who is arguably as skilled as Oleksandr Usyk but with better hand speed, combination punching, and size.
The decision by Joshua, his trainer, and promoter Eddie Hearn to choose the 29-year-old Franklin as the April 1st confidence-builder could blow up in their faces.
The former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) needs a victory in the worst way to keep his ten-year professional career on the tracks after losing his last two fights to Oleksandr Usyk, and three out of the last five fights.
AJ Desperate For A Win
Joshua is desperate for a win, and if he gets beaten soundly by Franklin, he might just pack it in, seeing the writing on the wall that he doesn’t have it anymore and perhaps never did.
Some would say Joshua was little more than an Eddie Hearn creation from the get-go and was carefully matched, packaged like a product, and sold to the boxing public as the real deal.
Hunter doesn’t say who he would prefer the 33-year-old Joshua to fight instead of Franklin (21-1, 14 KOs), who many felt was given the short end of the stick in his last fight against Dillian Whyte on November 26th at the Wembley Arena in London, England.
One would argue that if Franklin was good enough to defeat Whyte, that more than qualifies him to face Joshua. With Franklin’s talent, he could beat Joshua and foil his bid to turn his sagging career around, which would be a complete disaster for Eddie Hearn & his Matchroom Boxing promotion.
Hearn still doesn’t have a replacement star to take the baton from Joshua to become Matchroom’s next gravy train money guy that pours money into the company.
It was thought that Conor Benn would be the guy to take over the reins from Joshua, but with his two positive drug tests, it’s clear that he’s not going to be that guy for Hearn and his company.
Can Hearn Refurbish Joshua?
That leaves Hearn to take the role of Dr. Frankenstein to try and rebuild Joshua in his laboratory by matching him against the right guys so he can start winning again, keep his career going, and, more importantly, keep the money rolling in as long as possible, hoping that someone comes along that can be Matchroom’s next money guy.
“The fight, I think, is horrible. Them training? I think that’s a good fit for Anthony Joshua because of his simplicity,” said Michael Hunter to Pro Boxing Fans about AJ’s fight against Jermaine Franklin on April 1st at the O2 Arena in London.
“I think that’s a horrible fight, but I think that maybe it’s good for Anthony Joshua as a personal fight for him. I do think that. But as far as a fan fight, no.”
Royal Rumble Aftershock as the Road to WrestleMania 39 Hots Up
Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley appears to have unfinished business on tonight’s WWE RAW
By Edwin Emeanua (Editor)
This year’s Royal Rumble edition is now in the bag, next event on the line is WWE RAW which will go up on the air waves tonight live from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
According to WrestlingHeadlines.com, the Road to WrestleMania is definitely on the minds of every WWE Superstar as the hurly burly to make it to WM 39 now heats up.
It’s believed that Cody Rhodes will be a major attration at Wrestlemania and is in line to event his RAW return tonight.
Other likely big names gamesmanship on parade on the Monday Night Raw bills today may include Logan Paul and WWE Hall of Famer Edge.
Just as Rhodes is likely to roister his Royal Rumble victory on RAW tonight, Rhea Ripley who won the Women’s Rumble on the same night with Rhodes is also in line for a victory splash on RAW with The Judgment Day.
The arena has Seth Rollins vs. WWE United States Champion Austin Theory advertised as the local dark main event.
Gallant Girls
Ismaila Mabo
