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NPFL Matchday 29 Fixtures and actions

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NPFL Matchday 29 Fixtures and actions

Match officials, Table & TV schedule

 

NPFL 2023/2024

 

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) continues this weekend and will continue into Monday when Kano Pillars play host to 3SC, NPFL reports.

 

Nine out of 10 matches will be held this matchweek as Rivers United are again involved in continental football this Sunday. Here are the match officials appointed for Matchweek 29.

 

Six LIVE matches will be broadcast on NPFL-Live and StarTimes.

 

Saturday, April 6, 2024

PLATEAU UNITED v DOMA UNITED (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live)

Referee: Dr Saidu Bashir

Assistant referee 1: Auwalu Suleiman

Assistant Referee 2: Olatunde Abdulmajeed

Fourth official: Yazid Bashir

Kick-off: 3 pm

Venue: New Jos Stadium, Jos

 

Remo Stars v Akwa United (Live on StarTimes)

Referee: Suleiman Ibrahim

Assistant referee 1: Arinze Anekwe

Assistant Referee 2: Ifeanyi Ebeneme

Fourth official: Justine Nnadi

Kick-off: 5:30 pm

Venue: Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne

 

Sunday, April 7, 2024

SUNSHINE STARS v BAYELSA UNITED

Referee: Rasheedah Abdulganiyu

Assistant Referee 1: Peter Ogwu

Assistant Referee 2: Beauty Kabedah

Fourth official: Emmanuel Kolawole

Kick-off: 4 pm

Venue: Akure Stadium, Akure

 

LOBI STARS v ENYIMBA (Live on StarTimes)

Referee: Nasiru Sani

Assistant Referee 1: Shehu Isah

Assistant Referee 2: Faith Agbons

Fourth official: Zubairu Abubakar

Kick-off: 4 pm

Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia

 

HEARTLAND v SPORTING LAGOS (Live on NPFL-Live)

Referee: Maikudi Abdullahi

Assistant Referee 1: Ikechukwu Taiwo

Assistant Referee 2: Jerry Pam

Fourth official: Akaniyene Udoette

Kick-off: 4 pm

Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba

 

ABIA WARRIORS v RIVERS UNITED (Postponed)

Referee: Saheed Babayanju

Assistant Referee 1: Sufiyanu Bazza

Assistant Referee 2: Isah Gogo

Fourth official: Mustapha Alhassan

Kick-off: 4 pm

Venue: Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia

 

KATSINA UNITED v RANGERS (Live on NPFL-Live)

Referee: Ishola Akanji

Assistant referee 1: Seun Olarenwaju

Assistant Referee 2: Musa Mustapha

Fourth official: Zakari Mohammed

Kick-off: 4 pm

Venue: Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina

 

KWARA UNITED v BENDEL INSURANCE (Live on NPFL-Live)

Referee: Ndidi Madu

Assistant referee 1: Muyiwa Oladoja

Assistant Referee 2: Mohammed Zaki

Fourth official: Opeyemi Quadri

Kick-off: 4 pm

Venue: Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin

 

NIGER TORNADOES v GOMBE UNITED

Referee: Funmilayo Alaba

Assistant referee 1: Nasiru Iyan Mafara

Assistant Referee 2: Yusuf Ibrahim

Fourth official: Usman Isah

Kick-off: 4 pm

Venue: Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna

Monday, April 8, 2024

 

KANO PILLARS v 3SC

Referee: Muntaka Abubakar

Assistant Referee 1: Mark Ivie Daniel

Assistant Referee 2: Tajudeen Bako

Fourth official: Joseph Godam

Kick-off: 4 pm

Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano

 

SmackDown results for April 5

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SmackDown results for April 5

Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, and Jey Uso whip The Bloodline on the eve of WrestleMania

 

 

 

On a special WrestleMania SmackDown, The American Nightmare and World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins joined Jey Uso in getting retribution on Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa before they collide with Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and The Rock on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKWFVn3Pnzw

 

SmackDown Results: Quick Hits

SmackDown Results: Full Details

“Big” Bronson Reed won the 2024 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

 

 

“Big” Bronson Reed etched his name in history as he thrillingly won the 2024 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

 

Omos looked like the early favorite as he tossed out Kit Wilson, prompting Elton Prince to voluntarily eliminate himself to join his Pretty Deadly partner and avoid the wrath of The Nigerian Giant.

 

As the field dwindled, Ricochet was poised to take control, but he was shockingly eliminated by JD McDonagh, who was then promptly superkicked over the top rope by Akira Tozawa.

 

Tozawa, Reed, Ivar, and Otis were the final four Superstars, and the Aussie giant stood tall after eliminating the Viking Raider.

 

Elektra Lopez def. Zelina Vega

 

 

The red-hot rivalry between The LWO and Legado del Fantasma added another chapter when Elektra Lopez stunned Zelina Vega.

 

Moments before the match began, Dragon Lee was found injured in the backstage area, leaving Vega emotional before her primary matchup.

 

Vega seemingly had the match won, but “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio interfered, allowing Lopez to hit Elektra Shock to win the bout for her group.

 

After the match, Legado del Fantasma started beating Rey Mysterio, but Andrade switched his alliances and joined the WWE Hall of Famer in the fight!

 

New Catch Republic def. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller

 

 

Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne picked up an enormous win heading into WrestleMania XL, knocking off Austin Theory and Grayson Waller.

 

Both teams will meet in the Six-Pack Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, but the duos clashed on the final SmackDown before their championship opportunity.

 

New Catch Republic isolated The Aussie Icon and hit a Birming-Hammer to secure their victory.

 

 

After the match, Judgment Day stormed the ring and destroyed both teams, sending a message that they wouldn’t easily surrender their titles.

 

Jey Uso vs. Solo Sikoa ended in a No-Contest.

 

Jey Uso battled his younger .brother Solo Sikoa in a hard-hitting, emotional matchup, but it did not see a winner as Jimmy Uso interfered and forced a no-contest.

 

Jey Uso looked strong, nailing several superkicks and a spear, sparking huge “YEET!” chants in Philadelphia, but the mood changed when his twin arrived.

 

 

Uso and Sikoa attacked their brother, but Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins came to the rescue and whipped their Bloodline enemies with The American Nightmare’s weight belt.

 

WWE.com

 

Super Falcons pip Bayana Bayana

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Super Falcons pip Bayana Bayana

Nigeria women seize the initiative in the Olympic Games qualifier against South Africa

 

Nigeria surged ahead with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against South Africa in the first leg of the final qualification round for the women at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Abuja on Friday, CAFonline reports.
Rasheedat Ajibade was the heroine for the Super Falcons as her converted penalty sealed the victory for the home side in their final qualifier.
The Super Falcons asserted their dominance early in the match, with Ihezuo narrowly missing a scoring opportunity in the fifth minute after a precise pass from Echigini.
Thirteen minutes later, Ihezuo’s header from Okeke’s cross further threatened the Banyana Banyana defense, signaling the home side’s intent.
These near misses were a prelude to Nigeria’s breakthrough just before halftime.
A determined run by Chinwendu Ihezuo into the penalty area culminated in a foul, leading to the referee awarding a penalty in favor of Nigeria.
Ajibade stepped to the spot and calmly converted, granting the Super Falcons a crucial lead as halftime beckoned.
Banyana Banyana launched a spirited fightback after the break with Seoposenwe tested Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie in the 56th minute, but her efforts were thwarted.
Nnadozie continued to showcase her prowess, making another crucial save four minutes later to maintain Nigeria’s advantage.
With the final whistle-blowing, Nigeria emerged triumphant with a slender 1-0 victory in the inaugural leg of the final qualifying round.
South Africa faces an uphill battle overturning the deficit during the return leg slated for April 9 in Pretoria.

Atlas Lionesses takedown Copper Queens

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Atlas Lionesses takedown Copper Queens

Morocco women edge closer to Olympic Games with away win in Zambia

 

 

Moroccan women’s national team edged closer to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games following their dramatic 2-1 first-leg triumph against hosts Zambia in Ndola on Friday, CAFonline reports.
The Atlas Lionesses secured the important away victory in the game’s dying embers, with striker Rosella Ayane grabbing the winner in the 95th minute.
This triumph puts the Atlas Lionesses in a commanding position as they prepare for the return leg on home soil next Tuesday.
Under the astute guidance of coach Jorge Vilda, the Moroccan squad displayed exceptional resilience and skill to outmaneuver their Zambian counterparts led by Bruce Mwape.

 

Despite facing early pressure, they withstood a penalty scare in the 33rd minute, brilliantly thwarted by Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Rmichi, denying Prisca Chilufya’s attempt.
However, just before halftime, Morocco seized the initiative with a breathtaking goal by Zineb Redouani in the 45th minute from 30 yards plus, leaving Zambian goalkeeper Eunice Sakala helpless.
Upon resumption, the Moroccans faced relentless pressure from Zambia, eventually conceding an equalizer from Lushomo Mweemba in the 80th minute.

 

Yet, with the match seemingly destined for a stalemate, Ayane emerged as the hero, securing victory for Morocco in the game’s dying moments.
As Jorge Vilda’s squad prepares to return home, they will seek to replicate the form on Tuesday when they host Zambia in the return leg.

 

Sundowns secure semi-final berth in CCL

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Sundowns secure semi-final berth in CCL

Gun down Young Africans in a tense penalty shootout victory

 

 

Mamelodi Sundowns have clinched their spot in the semi-final of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after a tense penalty shootout victory over Young Africans on Friday, CAFonline reports.
The South African giants had to dig deep to defeat their resilient Tanzanian opponents, and the match culminated in a goalless draw after extra time.
The dramatic shootout unfolded, ending 3-2 in favor of Sundowns.
Young Africans proved to be formidable adversaries, fiercely contesting every ball and frustrating their South African counterparts.
Despite relentless pressure from Sundowns, the Tanzanian side held firm, with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams particularly influential in keeping his team in the game.
A pivotal moment came in the 51st minute when Ivorian forward Joseph Guede squandered a golden opportunity to break the deal block by failing to beat the vigilant Williams in a one-on-one situation.
Despite mounting pressure, Young Africans remained resolute, with their defensive line standing firm against waves of Sundowns attacks.
The deadlock persisted until the penalty shootout, where Williams emerged as the hero. He saved two crucial spot-kicks to propel Sundowns to victory.
The triumph marks another milestone for Williams, named the best goalkeeper in the recent TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
With their place secured in the final, Sundowns now await the clash winner between ASEC Mimosas and Esperance.

SmackDown preview, April 5, 2024

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SmackDown preview, April 5, 2024

Jey Uso takes on his brother Solo Sikoa one night before WrestleMania XL!

 

Jey Uso takes on his brother Solo Sikoa one night before WrestleMania XL!

 

SmackDown Preview: Quick Hits

 

SmackDown Preview: Full Details

 

Next week on WrestleMania SmackDown, Jey Uso fights his brother Solo Sikoa before he engages in a brutal showdown with his twin brother Jimmy at WrestleMania XL.

 

In his only other singles bout against Sikoa, “Main Event,” Jey emerged victorious last August.

 

With only one night until The Showcase of the Immortals, can Jey Uso knock off his brother before he fights his twin?

 

 

Randy Orton heads to “The KO Show”

 

Next week, just one sleep away from WrestleMania, The Viper will head to “The Kevin Owens Show.”

 

With Logan Paul getting involved to make Orton and Owens lose to Pretty Deadly, each Superstar will try to devise a game plan for victory in their Triple Threat Match with Paul for the U.S. Title at WrestleMania.

 

How will each Superstar get ready for their vast WrestleMania match?

 

Who will win the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal?

 

Next week, on a WrestleMania-sized edition of SmackDown, the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal returns with many Superstars hungry to earn the coveted prize.

 

With past winners like Braun Strowman, Bobby Lashley, and Jey Uso all hoisting the impressive trophy, it’s anyone’s game this year to win it all.

 

Who will become the 2024 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Winner?

 

 

Zelina Vega collides with Elektra Lopez

 

The LWO’s bitter rivalry with Legado del Fantasma continues to rage as Zelina Vega will battle Elektra Lopez just hours before WrestleMania XL.

 

Since arriving on SmackDown, La Madrina has tormented Vega and the rest of The LWO, costing them several matches and wreaking havoc weekly.

 

Vega is tired of Lopez’s antics and will finally go one-on-one with her nemesis.

 

 

New Catch Republic battle Grayson Waller and Austin Theory before WrestleMania XL

 

Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate of New Catch Republic will take on two of their WrestleMania XL opponents, Grayson Waller and Austin Theory.

 

New Catch Republic, Theory, and Waller will compete in the Six-Pack Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania XL. Still, they’ll battle it out on the last Friday Night SmackDown for a statement-making win.

 

Which tag team will claim a huge victory just hours before The Show of Shows?

 

WWE.com

Watch Live!! Nigeria vs South Africa

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Watch Live!! Nigeria vs South Africa

Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifier | Super Falcons vs Banyana Banyana

 

 

https://youtu.be/UI5jcnch4cw

 

 

 

‘We have done our homework on Sundowns’

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‘We have done our homework on Sundowns’

Mahlatsi Makudubela hopeful of Young Africans’ triumph against the South Africans

 

 

Young Africans attacking midfielder Mahlatsi Makudubela says the club has done its “homework” on their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League opponents, Mamelodi Sundowns, as the two sides prepare to clash in the second leg of the Quarter-Finals on Friday, 05 April, in Pretoria.

 

“Skudu,” as the South African attacker is affectionately known, spoke from the Loftus Stadium on Thursday afternoon ahead of the big showdown. The showdown was preceded by a highly entertaining but tactical 0-0 stalemate in Dar Es Salaam last Friday.

 

In Sundowns, Makudubela comes up against a side that he featured for in the reserve side and says he, alongside his coach Miguel Gamondi, who was assistant coach at the club in their 2005/06 season league title triumph, has a better understanding of their opponents that they can use to their advantage.

 

“I think there is a lot that I can share with my colleagues. I have done that before, but with the coach having coached the team before, he knows the Sundowns culture. Mamelodi Sundown’s culture has never changed; it has been the same, and credit to the technical team who have done the team analysis. We are quite aware of what we can do and have done our homework,” said a confident Makudubela.

 

Continental football is certainly not new to the skillful forward, who was part of the Marumo Gallants (South Africa) team that reached the semi-finals of last season’s TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup before being scouted by the Tanzanian giants.

 

“I am going to make South Africans very proud by winning with a Tanzanian team,” Makudubela joked as he concluded.

 

Meanwhile, another Tanzanian giant in Simba AC has a huge task ahead of them on Friday as they aim to overturn a narrow 1-0 first-leg defeat to reigning champions Al Ahly in Cairo.

 

Simba suffered a narrow defeat after doing well to dominate the defending champions but failed to find the back of the net.

 

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League QF Return Leg Fixtures: 

Friday, 05 April

18h00 GMT | Mamelodi Sundowns v Young Africans

20h00 GMT | Al Ahly SC v Simba SC

 

Saturday, 06 April 

16h00 GMT | Atletico Petroleos v TP Mazembe

20h00 GMT | Asec Mimosas v Esperance

 

NPFL and the vanishing home supremacy

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NPFL and the vanishing home supremacy

Consistent spell of results away from home bring back excitement to Nigeria’s professional football league

 

 

By Harry Iwuala

 

A section of followers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) appear overly excited by the results of away teams and are given to adjudging the league to have improved when teams win on the road. On the other hand, they hit hard at organizers when all home teams win their games.

 

To some analysts, wins away from home indicate fair and firm officiating, which they conclude is a benchmark for a developed league. To these analysts, total home wins on a matchday suggest that Referees have been compromised or intimidated.

 

None of the above scenarios is perfect and absolute, as there are exceptions to all. Some have argued that the major reason for the league’s home and away routines is to enable all clubs to take advantage of their home ground. For this reason, primarily powerful squads grind out results no matter where they play.

 

In our unique environment, where several factors come into play, strong squads often struggle at away games after traveling long distances on bad roads that leave them knackered.

 

The human error factor on the part of Referees also contributes to the blips in expectations, even as it is not out of place to have manipulated officiating occasioned by home supporters’ shenanigans.

 

The stats since the resumption of the second stanza defies widespread projections of what usually obtains at this time of the season. Usually, the last lap of the season sees lots of desperate acts by teams to win by all means to either place in the continental ticket bracket or escape relegation.

 

The most astonishing result has been those of Bayelsa United, Niger Tornadoes, Akwa United and Doma United. So far, there have been 11 away wins from Matchday 20 to 28, with Heartland, Akwa United, Doma United, and Niger Tornadoes featuring in at least two defeats at home.

 

On the other hand, Akwa United and Niger Tornadoes have also popped up on two away wins, respectively, in the period under review. Plateau United, which recorded the biggest away win of 5-1 against Heartland on Matchday 22, would lose at home 1-2 to Akwa United on Matchday 27.

 

At the bottom of the log, Heartland has been the donor team of the season, both in terms of home defeats and goals conceded.

 

Another interesting perspective on the stats from Matchday 20-28 is the number of drawn games, which has reduced the home supremacy syndrome. There have been 20 drawn games in 82 fixtures covering Matchday 20-28. This means that home teams have not been able to win in 31 games in nine matchdays.

 

Chairman of the NPFL, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, described the development as evidence that “the NPFL is increasingly evolving into a very competitive league and that the zero tolerance for intimidation of Match officials is yielding expected results.

 

Elegbeleye commended Referees for their courage in interpreting the book’s rules, remarking, “While we have called out those who performed below par, it is fair also to commend the rest who have been at their best.

 

“I am particularly proud of the officials who took charge of Heartland vs. Plateau United on Matchday 22 and those in charge of Bendel Insurance vs. Niger Tornadoes in Wednesday’s Matchday 28. They showed exceptional courage in the face of home supporters’ pressure”, declared the NPFL Chairman.

 

Bamidele Johnson, a follower of Shooting Stars for decades, expressed delight at the league’s competitive direction. Johnson, who played a significant role in organizing the hugely acclaimed Naija Super 8 tournament that drew a large crown in Lagos, went on to praise the NPFL players for defying vociferous home crowds to post good results.

 

“It is a remarkable feat to travel and win amidst a hostile home crowd, and I am delighted that the NPFL is now having a good share of such results,” Johnson told NPFL Media.

 

In a post on his Facebook page, Bimbo Adeola, a core Rangers International supporter, celebrated the Enugu side’s nine games unbeaten run, including five on the road. Rangers have won away at Doma United, Niger Tornadoes, and Heartland with two draws, one each at home and away.

 

In a display of rare confidence in the organization of the NPFL, Adeola, a Sports Journalist and Media Entrepreneur, wrote, “We are Rangers; we win everywhere we go.”

 

Away Wins & Draws in 2nd Round

 

Matchday 20

Heartland 1-1 Kano Pillars

Sunshine Stars 1-1 Kwara United

Abia Warriors 0-0 Remo Stars

 

Matchday 21

Doma United 0-1 Rangers

Kwara United 1-1 Katsina United

Bendel Insurance 0-0 Enyimba

Plateau United 0-0 3SC

Akwa United 0-1 Bayelsa United

 

Matchday 22

Heartland 1-5 Plateau United

 

Matchday 23

Heartland 1-1 Sunshine Stars

Niger Tornadoes 0-2 Rangers

Doma United 0-0 Sporting Lagos

Kano Pillars 0-1 Abia Warriors

Gombe United 1-1 3SC

 

Matchday 24

Katsina United 1-1 Heartland

Bayelsa United 0-1 Niger Tornadoes

Rivers United 1-1 Kano Pillars

Rangers 0-0 Kwara United

Abia Warriors 1-1 Lobi Stars

 

Matchday 25

Doma United 0-1 3SC

Kano Pillars 1-1 Rangers

 

Matchday 26

Abia Warriors 0-0 Sunshine Stars

Gombe United 1-1 Akwa United

 

Matchday 27

Lobi Stars 1-1 Bayelsa United

Plateau United 1-2 Akwa United

Heartland 1-2 Rangers

Doma United 1-1 Gombe United

 

Matchday 28

Bendel Insurance 1-3 Niger Tornadoes

Sporting Lagos 1-1 Lobi Stars

Akwa United 0-1 Doma United

Gombe United 0-0 Remo Stars

 

Sakina Ouzraoui eyes Morocco Olympic berth

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Sakina Ouzraoui eyes Morocco Olympic berth

‘Participating in the Olympics is another dream that we want to achieve’

 

Sakina Ouzraoui has her sights set on Olympic qualification. Image credit: CAFonline

 

  • Sakina Ouzraoui has her sights set on Olympic qualification.
  • Morocco will compete for its place in the Olympic Games against Zambia over two legs.
  • “The new coach has instilled a sense of belief in the team.”

 

Tuesday, September 26, 2023, will always be a special day for Morocco’s Sakina Ouazraoui. She opened her national team scoring account against Zambia in what was, unfortunately, a crushing 6-2 defeat to the Copper Queens, CAFonline reports.

 

A lot has changed since then, with Jorge Vilda arriving in the Atlas Lionesses’ camp as the team prepares to face the Zambians over two legs to contest a place in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

 

Motivated than ever since their crushing defeat to Zambia and impressive showing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Ouazraoui speaks to CAFOnline about the potential of going to the Olympics and the team’s growth.

 

Cafonline.com: Morocco will face Zambia for a place in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. What can we expect from the Atlas Lionesses?

 

 Sakina Ouazraoui: I think it’s an elimination round like any other; we won’t put more pressure on ourselves than that. Zambia is a team we know very well. We faced them in a double confrontation last September. The result was not in our favor (editor’s note: two defeats: 2-0 and 6-2), but I think we are a completely different team now. We are more ambitious, and our game has evolved. One thing is sure: we believe in ourselves, and we will fight until the end.

 

What lessons did you learn from your last meeting against the Copper Queens?

 

Unlike Zambia, who were much more diligent, we lost control of the match. During those defeats, we learned a lot about ourselves and them. We know that this is a team with super-fast players. They played a lot on the counter-attack with Barbra Banda’s attacks. It’s up to us to keep an eye on things now.

 

Since October, Jorge Vilda, a world champion with Spain, has been Morocco’s coach. Can you describe his style and coaching method?

 

He imposed a particular vigor on the team, which shows that our game is more structured. It’s a game based on possession, and he wants us to play well. He wants to see us take charge and lead. What is crucial for him is to have a pleasant game and, above all, have fun.

 

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