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Flamingos to hit Monrovia on Thursday

Dominican Republic 2024:  As Nigeria faces Liberia in a FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying fixture

 

Women's U17 World Cup qualifier
Women’s U17 World Cup qualifier

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

The delegation of Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, will fly into the Liberian capital, Monrovia, on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying fixture, first leg encounter against their Liberian counterparts.

 

To reach this stage, the 2022 World Cup bronze medallists dispatched their counterparts from Central African Republic and Burkina Faso with high-goal margins. Central African Republic fell by a dozen goals on aggregate while the Burkinabe girls were routed 7-1.

 

Liberia, who ejected Senegal from the race, face an uphill task against the nimble-footed Nigerian girls with Coach Bankole Olowookere insisting that the Flamingos are determined to be in the Dominican Republic to have the opportunity to challenge for the trophy this time around.

 

Sunday’s match has been slated for the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex at Paynesville – the same venue where the Super Eagles defeated the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone last year to qualify for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

 

 

Fifteen Eagles land in Uyo camp

World Cup Qualifier: Five others berth in Lagos, Abuja

 

Eagles training in Uyo Monday
Eagles training in Uyo on Monday

 

 By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

The quintet of defenders Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Calvin Bassey, midfielder Frank Onyeka, and forward Paul Onuachu are already in the country.

 

They are on their way to Uyo to join fifteen other players already on the ground, as the Super Eagles’ preparations for Friday’s 2026 FIFA African World Cup qualifying match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana swing into new gear.

 

A total of 15 players trained on Monday morning in Uyo, with Head Coach Finidi George telling the players afterward that the three points at stake in Friday’s encounter must end up in Nigeria’s kitty.

 

While the quintet (three in Abuja and two in Lagos) are being expected at the team’s Ibom Hotel and Resorts, the trio of midfielders, Alex Iwobi, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, and forward Ademola Lookman are expected to arrive in the country on Tuesday.  

 

There was no training session on Monday evening, as the players get countenance intensive sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, hopefully with a full house.

 

The delegation of Bafana Bafana is expected to arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday, with the team already booked into Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in Ikot-Ekpene.

 

 

Will Ospreay reigns on in AEW

AEW Collision Results for June 1, 2024

 

CONTAINS SPOILERS

AEW COLLISION was broadcast from the Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, CA!

It’s Saturday night and you know what that means! Saturday night’s alright for fighting!

Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.

Tony Schiavone was in the ring to interview FTR—Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler—to kick off tonight’s show!

Cash: “Everybody here, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It’s a little embarrassing to stand out here after Sunday, knowing we lost and didn’t get the job done. At the end of the day, we knew we weren’t 100 percent, we knew what we were facing. We limped in Sunday, we crawled out. I said The Elite would have to kill us because we’d die for AEW. I don’t know if The Elite noticed that we’re not dead yet.”

Dax: “I didn’t even want to come out here tonight because I let my team down. I had to ask myself, is it even worth it anymore? Then I slapped myself in the face and said you’re damn right it’s worth it. If I have to breathe my last breath to fight for every man and woman back there who get a paycheck from this company, then that’s what I’ll do. 

“One day Bryan Danielson will be back. Darby will be back. FTR will be back. And it will be the summer of AEW, and we will get you back Elite. Top Guys, out!”

Footage played of “The Scapegoat” Jack Perry backstage from after Double Or Nothing!

Perry: “I just got set on fire in the name of saving AEW. But when are people going to realize that nobody believes in the spirit of AEW more than me. Even after this company turned its back on me and left me for dead. But I continue to fight and sacrifice. You can hate me, or you can come with me, but I’m going to continue to shape the future through blood, sweat, and fire.”

Undisputed Kingdom’s Roderick Strong (with ROH World Tag Team Champions Matt Taven & Mike Bennett)

vs.

Lio Rush!

Roddy chopped and stomped at Lio, swarming Lio in the corner. Roddy blasted Lio with another chop and then a suplex, looking to make a statement after his title loss to Will Ospreay at Double or Nothing. 

“We are seeing Roderick Strong at his vicious best right now,” said Tony Schiavone. 

Outside the ring Matt Taven taunted Lio, putting Lio’s entrance jacket on. Lio rocketed outside the ring with two tope suicidas to Roderick Strong. Roddy rallied back with a back breaker, yanking Lio off the turnbuckles. Roddy followed up with an Olympic Slam for a near fall. 

Lio stunned Roderick with a kick to the head. Lio spiked Roderick with a DDT for a near fall. Lio Rush climbed to the top turnbuckle. Taven and Bennett tried to interfere, but Lio wiped them out with a moonsault from the apron. Lio drilled Roddy with a stunner for a two-count. Lio climbed back up top and went for the frog splash, but Roddy raised his knees to counter it. Roderick rocked Rush with the End of Heartache and pinned Rush.

“Great win for Roderick Strong in his efforts to regain gold in All Elite Wrestling,” said Tony Schiavone. 

Lexy Nair was backstage trying to get an interview with Roderick Strong and the Kingdom!

Strong barged through to the production area where Tony Khan was producing the show with Christopher Daniels!

Strong: “Tony, I was supposed to be the last man in the Forbidden Door Gauntlet. I was supposed to be at Forbidden Door as the number one contender. C’mon, Tony, you’re someone just like me. You overcame your neck issues. Your neck strong just like me! Ospreay got lucky at Double Or Nothing. I should be the number one contender. So, I want Swerve on Wednesday. Give me Swerve and I will beat Ospreay at Double Or Nothing as World Champion!”

Tony Khan: “I think that’s a great idea. This Wednesday at Dynamite, Swerve versus Roderick Strong for the AEW World Championship! The winner will wrestle Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door!”

Daniel Garcia & “The Wrestler” Katsuyori Shibata

vs.

The Workhorsemen—Anthony Henry & JD Drake!

“Daddy Magic” Matt Menard joined the broadcast booth for this match. 

Henry walloped Shibata with stinging kicks. Shibata fired back with a penalty kick! Garcia tagged in but the Workhorsemen isolated Garcia in their corner. Drake chopped Garcia. Daniel Garcia ducked a second chop and fired back with a flurry of strikes. 

Henry nailed Shibata with a shining wizard knee strike. Henry tagged in but Shibata tripped up Henry. Garcia rocked Henry with a pair of swinging neck breakers. Henry backed Garcia into the corner, and it was divide and conquer as JD Drake and Henry swarmed Garcia with strikes. 

Garcia grabbed Drake and drilled him with a side suplex. Shibata tagged in and pump kicked Anthony Henry. Shibata took on both men with pump kicks. Shibata nailed Henry with a running dropkick. Shibata lit up Henry’s chest with chops and then Garcia charged at Henry with a double knee strike. Garcia power bombed Henry and went for the cover, but JD Drake ran in to break up the pin attempt.

 

Drake suplexed Garcia and then Henry squashed Garcia with a double foot stomp. Drake went off the top with a moonsault onto Garcia, but Shibata broke up the pin. Shibata plastered Drake with a PK and then Garcia covered Drake for the pin fall victory!

Stokely Hathaway and Kris Statlander were backstage!

Stokely: “Wow, what a week. We’ve read your letters and listened to your calls. Willow, we owe you an apology and we got you a little gift.”

Statlander: “Yeah, we got you something you could relate to.”

Kris Statlander had a small garbage can in her hands and she and Stokely picked through it.

Stokely: “This looks like garbage. Oh, I get it! It’s because Willow Nightingale, you are a piece of garbage. But you know what? Stat, tell them about next week.”

Statlander: “I’ve got a better idea. How about I warn them about next week? Because I am going to decimate anyone who gets in my way.”

Stokely: “And take out the trash!”

Thunder Rosa vs. “The Golden Queen” Reina Dorada!

Thunder Rosa and Reina Dorada began the match grappling on the mat. Thunder Rosa used a springboard arm drag and then a dropkick to take down Dorado. Thunder Rosa smashed Dorada with a double stomp. Thunder Rosa applied a Venus De Milo move right out of Deonna Purrazzo’s playbook.

Dorado waffled Thunder Rosa with a forearm. Thunder Rosa cracked Reina back with a forearm of her own and then a Tijuana Bomb, but Dorada kicked out! Thunder Rosa applied a submission and Reina Dorada tapped out!

Trios Match!

Cage of Agony— “The Machine” Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona

vs.

KM, Danny Rose & Ricky Gee!

Cage planted KM with one hand! Cage followed up with a German Suplex. Cage deadlifted KM with a suplex from outside the ring back into the ring. Danny Rose jumped off the turnbuckles, but Cage caught him and chucked him overhead. 

“This has been a demolition,” said Nigel. 

Cage of Agony grabbed Danny Rose by the limbs, threw him into the air, and then Bishop Kaun scored the pin.

Blackpool Combat Club’s Claudio Castagnoli vs. Johnny TV (with Taya Valkyrie)!

Johnny TV tried for a low blow, but Claudio caught Johnny and nailed Johnny with a tilt awhirl back breaker. Johnny TV used a leg trip on Claudio and followed up with a kick to the back of Claudio’s head. Claudio countered a neck breaker with a back slide for a near fall. Claudio double stomped on the chest of Johnny TV, but Johnny kicked out at the two-count.

Claudio hoisted up Johnny TV for a delayed vertical suplex and after close to a minute in the air, Claudio planted Johnny TV. Claudio signaled for the Giant Swing, but Taya grabbed Johnny’s arms. The ref was distracted by Taya as he tried to eject her from the ring. While the ref was dealing with Taya, Johnny cracked Claudio with a low blow. 

Nigel suggested that Claudio may be mad at Bryan Danielson for wanting to tag with Eddie Kingston at Anarchy In The Arena before Eddie was replaced by Darby due to injury. Tony Schiavone admonished Nigel for trying to stir up trouble. 

Claudio clobbered Johnny with European Uppercuts and then went for the Giant Swing but Johnny countered with a rollup for a near fall. Johnny TV used a swinging neck breaker on Claudio. From outside the ring, Taya slapped Claudio, but it woke up the big guy. As Claudio approached Taya, Johnny TV flipped onto Claudio with a tornillo! Johnny TV tried for the Starship Pain, but Claudio knocked Johnny TV off his perch. Claudio smashed Johnny with an avalanche flatliner from the top turnbuckle.

Claudio applied the sharpshooter and once again Taya grabbed Johnny TV’s arms. Johnny TV tried for a low blow a second time as Taya was distracting the ref, but Claudio was ready. Claudio manhandled Johnny TV with the Giant TV. Claudio drilled Johnny TV with a running lariat and pinned Johnny TV!

Shane Taylor Promotions’ Lee Moriarty & Shane Taylor (with Anthony Ogogo)

vs.

West Coast Wrecking Crew—Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs!

 

Moriarty and Isaacs began for their respective teams. Moriarty dropkicked Royce but Royce rammed Lee with a running shoulder tackle. Royce body slammed Lee. 

Jorel and Royce used tandem offense on Lee showing off great synergy. Royce charged at Lee, but Lee countered with a flatliner on the turnbuckles. Taylor tagged in and cracked Royce with a knee strike. Shane Taylor hit Royce with jabs, forearms, and a headbutt. Royce rocked Shane with a knee and tagged to Jorel.

Jorel charged at Shane with shoulder tackles, but Shane didn’t budge. Shane Taylor splashed Jorel, but Royce broke up the pin fall attempt. Jorel jumped off the turnbuckles, but Shane countered with a wicked forearm. Taylor hoisted up Jorel and dropped Jorel on Taylor’s knees, picking up the pinfall victory!

The Iron Savages were backstage with strong words for the Trios Division!

They put the trios division on notice until Killswitch interrupted, exploding onto the scene!

“The Patriarchy’s monster is furious!” said Nigel.

Killswitch pummeled the Iron Savages, taking on all three men by himself!

“They’re being decimated by this monster!” said Schiavone.

“I hope he’s not coming this way,” replied Nigel.

Collision Main Event Time! AEW International Championship Match!

“The Aerial Assassin” Will Ospreay (c.)

vs.

Kyle O’Reilly!

Kyle kicked Will in the face. Will took down Kyle with a hurracanrana. Will jumped over the top with a crossbody press from inside to outside the ring, crashing onto Kyle on the arena floor. 

Ospreay had Kyle caught up against the ropes and clocked him with a chop. Kyle wiped out Will with a beautiful leg sweep. Kyle applied a hammer lock and then punished Kyle with knee drops on the shoulder.

“Daddy Magic” Matt Menard and Daniel Garcia were scouting the competitors on a backstage monitor. 

Ospreay walloped Kyle with a springboard forearm for a near fall. Kyle yanked Ospreay’s arm, planting Ospreay hard on the ring apron. Ospreay’s leg was caught in the ropes. Kyle saw that Will was an open target and dropped a knee from the top rope onto Will for a near fall. Kyle put Will in an arm bar. Will rolled to the ropes to force the ref to break the hold. 

Kyle whipped Will into the barricade. Kyle charged at Will with a running dropkick. Kyle put a guillotine choke on Will, but Will countered with a vertical suplex and then a Tiger Driver for a near fall on Kyle O’Reilly!

Will climbed to the top turnbuckle but Kyle kicked out Will’s legs. Kyle was relentless but Ospreay connected with a kick. Will tried for a 450 but Kyle dodged it. Will went for an Os-Cutter, but Kyle had it scouted and kicked out Will’s legs. Will went for another Os-Cutter, but Kyle countered with an arm bar! Kyle turned it into a triangle choke hold. Ospreay broke the hold by power bombing Kyle while Kyle had the arm bar on!

Ospreay blasted Kyle with two kicks to the head. Kyle escaped a Tiger Driver with a suplex. Will cracked Kyle with the Hidden Blade out of nowhere! Will went for another Hidden Blade, but Kyle caught Will beneath the chin with a rising knee strike to the jaw!

The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”

Both men were on their knees and began to trade headbutts from all fours. They got to their feet and exchanged forearms. After an intense flurry of offense from both men, countering one another, Ospreay rocked Kyle with the Storm Breaker and pinned Kyle!

“What an amazing main event! Will Ospreay leaves it all in the ring every time and the same can be said for Kyle O’Reilly,” said Schiavone. 

Credit: AEW

It’s going down in AEW Dynamite tonight!

AEW Dynamite Preview for May 29, 2024

DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2024 is behind us, FORBIDDEN DOOR 2024 is just around the bend, but there’s a great deal of mileage before All Elite Wrestling between now and June 30th, and it begins tonight with DYNAMITE’s return to the fabulous KIA Forum! 

 

 

The fallout from Sunday night’s pay-per-view extravaganza will be felt, a night where we witnessed Will Ospreay dethrone Roderick Strong as AEW International Champion while Mercedes Moné competed for the first time in over a year, and claim the TBS Championship from Willow Nightingale! Two hard-fought matches led to two championships changing hands. Still, the AEW faithful also watched as AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, Unified World Trios Champions The Bang Bang Gang, TNT Champion Adam Copeland, AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm, and FTW Champion Chris Jericho went through their crucibles and survived with championships intact! Then there was the absolute chaos of Anarchy in the Arena that took its toll on every individual involved, and likely stole some time from those men’s careers! Let’s not forget the return of Maxwell Jacob Friedman to the AEW fold either…

 

 

The replay is now available for those who may not have had the opportunity to witness DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2024 just yet, but it’s also time to head towards the FORBIDDEN DOOR of UBS Arena on Long Island! That means tonight on DYNAMITE, brought to you by HBO’s HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, fans will witness the return of the Casino Gauntlet Match with the winner earning an AEW World Championship opportunity on June 30th, and AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland battling the last member of The Patriarchy he hasn’t faced: Killswitch! “The Learning Tree” Chris Jericho presents his first edition of “TV Time…”, and we anticipate hearing from Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway about their actions at DON ’23! 

Wednesday night is loaded up, so make a point to stop by AEW’s official YouTube channel before the show begins, as well as our assorted social media platforms, for highlights from last week’s episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, as well as highlights from DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2024, and more!

Credit: AEW

WWE NXT results, May 28, 2024

0

Jordynne Grace storms NXT Ring to challenge NXT Women’s champion Roxanne Perez

 

Jordynne Grace, the TNA Impact Knockouts champion made her NXT appearance early tonight to underscore the WWE and Impact Wrestling alliance.

 

https://youtu.be/jsnhI5XaesE

 

Grace was introduced by NXT general manager Ava as the next challenger for NXT Women’s champion Roxanne Perez’s title. The women will clash at NXT Battleground 2024 on June 9.

 

WWE NXT Results: Quick Hits

 

 

Michin def. Tatum Paxley – Women’s NXT North American Championship Qualifier

 

 

Michin is one step closer to making history as she defeated Tatum Paxley in a Women’s NXT North American Championship Qualifying Match.

 

Before the bell could even ring, both Superstars battled it out as Paxley tried to grab the newly unveiled title from the grasp of rapper Sexyy Red, and Michin didn’t take kindly to the disrespect.

 

Michin looked as impressive as ever as she hit a huge dive to the outside as well as a devastating pounce, but the resilient Paxley absorbed every big shot and came just seconds away from winning the match herself.

 

The two Superstars matched each other’s energy, but a perfect counter from Michin allowed her to hit a nasty boot in the face to win the bout and punch her ticket to Battleground.

 

 

The interesting relationship between Ridge Holland Chase U added another chapter when Holland took on Riley Osborne in singles action.

 

Holland looked dominant early on, tossing Osborne around the ring, but he decided to take it to the next level by introducing the steel steps.

 

However, when he went for the steps, Holland caught a glimpse of the anguish on Thea Hail’s face and it seemed to greatly affect him.

 

After the look from Hail, Holland’s anger subsided greatly, but he still kept the pressure and defeated Osborne clean with a Redeemer DDT.

 

The O.C. def. Malik Blade & Edris Enofé

 

 

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson reaffirmed their status as one of the top tag teams in NXT by stomping out the team of Malik Blade & Edris Enofé.

 

Blade and Enofé looked strong early on, but their momentum became derailed Anderson hit Blade and the domino effect led to Brinley Reece getting hit by Enofé.

 

With Reece gone, Blade and Enofé seemed to stop believing they could win as one Magic Killer from The O.C. ended the match for good.

 

Lola Vice def. Arianna Grace

 

https://youtu.be/pG7C32LpNDA

 

After a brief backstage discussion, Lola Vice made an example out of Arianna Grace and called out her NXT Battleground opponent, Shayna Baszler.

 

Grace did all she could, but one devastating spinning back fist from Vice gave her the win.

 

After the match, she called out Baszler and the two had to be held back from brawling with each other.

 

Dante Chen def. Lexis King

 

 

Lightning struck twice as Dante Chen stunned Lexis King for the second consecutive week, but King got the last laugh.

 

King was looking to prove a point, but one mistake allowed Chen to roll him up and secure the win.

 

The arrogant King proceeded to snap and destroy Chen before hitting him with a Coronation on the exposed floor on the outside.

 

Kelani Jordan def. Wren Sinclair – Women’s NXT North American Championship Qualifier

 

https://youtu.be/zyVKozFZr2U

 

Kelani Jordan punched her ticket to Battleground by defeating Wren Sinclair in the final NXT Women’s North American Championship Qualifying Match.

 

Sinclair and Jordan went back and forth trading pinfall attempts, but the core strength of Jordan allowed her master the moment as she laid Sinclair out in a perfect position.

 

Jordan scaled the turnbuckle and hit a scintillating split-legged moonsault to advance to NXT Battleground.

 

Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans w/ Sexyy Red def. Gallus

 

 

The NXT Champion teamed up with Je’Von Evans to take on Joe and Mark Coffey of Gallus, and they even had rap superstar Sexyy Red in their corner.

 

Gallus was none too thrilled with the antics of their opponents and their new cohort and brutalized Evans by slamming him into the steel steps.

 

The Young OG tagged in the champ, and he proceeded to clean house, doing so by hitting a pair of Book Ends in a nod to the WWE Hall of Famer on commentary, Booker T.

 

Joe Coffey tried to grab the NXT Title, but Sexyy Red ripped it from his hands as Evans flew over the top rope to take him out. Williams used the chaos to line up Mark Coffey for a Trick Shot and win the match.

 

Ethan Page arrives in NXT and attacks NXT Champion Trick Williams

 

 

After the match, Lash Legend came down to the ring and confronted Trick over the attacks on Noam Dar and Oro Mensah.

 

 

Just as Trick was responding to Lash’s query, Ethan Page made his NXT debut and attacked the NXT Champion.

 

Credit: WWE

Finidi George’s football philosophy

Super Eagles invitation favors an ultra-attacking mindset

 

 

By Ed Emeanua

 

Finidi George might have revealed his football philosophy in his first competitive call-ups for the Super Eagles in next month’s doubleheader for the Africa FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bafana Bafana and the Les Guépards (The Cheetahs).

 

The New Super Eagles boss has chosen the likes of Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Stanley Nwabali in a 23-player list he intends to confront South Africa and the Benin Republic in 2026 FIFA Senior World Cup qualifying matches.

 

George also recalled goalkeeper Maduka Okoye to the Super Eagles setup. Defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi are also included. Turkey-based midfielder Fisayo Bashiru, Bayer Leverkusen of Germany’s Nathan Tella, and forward Paul Onuachu also got the nod.

 

However, the invitation of Remo Stars’ defender Sadiq Ismael who has been handed his first senior national team invitation has sent tongues wagging over the new Super Eagles manager’s likely tactics in the upcoming WCQ matches.

 

The likes of team captain William Troost Ekong, Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, and Kenneth Omeruo have been cast aside by the former Ipswich of England attacker.

 

 

George seems to have opted for ultra-modern attackers and midfielders against a stellar and modest defense set up in his first competitive call-up for the national team. The new Nigeria manager has signaled his football philosophy to be one of a conscious cohesive brand of attacking ball game.

 

Just like Telê Santana da Silva, Brazil’s manager to the 1982 World Cup in Spain, the disdain for hardened defenders in lineups over attack-conscious stars is equally glaring in George’s mindset.

 

Santana is famous for saying: “I’d rather lose playing beautiful football than win playing badly”.

 

Santana’s Brazil failed to win, notably so, but Seleção Canarinha matched their coach’s words. So magnificent was the football they dished out that they persist as one of the most adored sides in the football’s history.

 

Like Santana found out to his chagrin in 1982 and later in 1986 in Mexico, Goerge should also realize that ultra-attacking football has its share of drawbacks.

 

Telê Santana da Silva, also known as Telê Santana (July 26, 1931 – April 21, 2006) was a Brazilian football manager and former player (right-winger)

 

The only reason for the choice of players George has opted for is that the Nigeria boss could be favoring an ultra-offensive formation in a 3-5-2 formation with the trio of Chidozie Awaziem, Ajayi, and Bassey in defense.

 

His five-man midfield wall could include Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Samuel Chukwueze, and Lookman, with the duo of Osimhen and Victor Boniface in attack.

 

George could choose to play the more modest attacking formation in a 4-3-3 formation which would include either Sadiq Ismael or Benjamin Tanimu in defense in a four-man defensive formation. His three-man choice of midfielders in such a setup would fall on Ndidi, Iwobi, and Onyeka, while Lookman, Osimhen, and Boniface feature in the attack line.

 

Full List

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

 

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

 

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)

 

Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)

 

Mercedes Moné Captures The TBS Championship

TBS Championship Match!

Willow Nightingale (c.) (with Stokely Hathaway & Kris Statlander) vs. “The CEO” Mercedes Moné!

 

 

There were dueling chants at the start of the match. Mercedes took down Willow with an arm drag and rolled Willow up with a crucifix for a near fall. Willow paint brushed Mercedes, AEW reports.

Willow charged at Mercedes, but Mercedes pulled the ropes down and Willow’s momentum carried her through them and to the floor. Willow intercepted a sliding dropkick and power bombed Mercedes onto the apron!

Willow dropped Mercedes with a delayed vertical suplex for a two-count. Willow walloped Mercedes with a German Suplex.
Mercedes countered a gut wrench suplex attempt and targeted Willow’s ankle with a chop block. Mercedes splashed Willow with a leaping double knee stomp for a near fall.

Mercedes had Willow in an ankle lock. Willow escaped with more paint brush strikes. Mercedes wiped out Willow with a vicious dragon screw leg whip.

Mercedes blasted Willow with a backstabber. Willow grabbed an ankle lock, but Mercedes escaped. Mercedes ran off the ropes, but Willow pounced her!

“What a shot, man. Haymaker Jones,” said Taz.

The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”

Willow stunned Mercedes with a spinebuster! Mercedes countered a power bomb, but Willow hit a fisherman’s suplex for a two-count.

Willow tried for a superplex, but Mercedes slipped out and power bombed Mercedes. Willow chopped at Mercedes’ ankle and then dropped her on the apron with a knee breaker!

Willow swung Mercedes around the ring in an inverted cloverleaf. Willow followed up with a Death Valley Driver in the corner.

Willow went for a cannonball, but Mercedes moved out of the way! Mercedes smashed Willow with a meteora for a near fall! Mercedes followed up with another meteora, this time from the apron and smashing Willow onto the floor.

While Stokely and Statlander were arguing with the referee on the apron, Willow doctor bombed Mercedes and went for the cover. The ref finally turned around and began the count, but Mercedes had enough time to recover and kick out.

“The retain was there but Stokely and Statlander realized they screwed up,” said Taz.

“Willow had the win. She can’t allow this to affect her,” replied Excalibur.

Willow went for another doctor bomb, but this time Mercedes escaped and locked in the cross face on Willow. Mercedes transitioned to the STF.

Willow reached the ropes and forced the ref to break the hold. Mercedes planted Willow with the Moné Maker and pinned Willow!

“She earned this one!” said Tony Schiavone.

And new TBS Champion… “The CEO” Mercedes Moné!

 

Raw preview, May 27, 2024

Raw Preview: Full Details

 

Liv Morgan defends Women’s World Title against Becky Lynch inside a Steel Cage!

Tonight, any questions regarding Liv Morgan’s Women’s World Title win over Becky Lynch at WWE King and Queen of the Ring will be answered as they battle inside a Steel Cage.

 

This past Saturday, Morgan finally defeated Lynch for the first time to win the Women’s World Championship, the very title Rhea Ripley had to vacate after being injured by Morgan.

 

Her win, however, was tainted by “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio, who tried to help The Man by giving her a steel chair. His plan backfired, as Morgan took advantage by DDT-ing The Man into the chair to win the match.

 

Can The Man win back her title, or will Morgan cement herself as the Women’s World Champion?

 

 

Braun Strowman looks to tear apart JD McDonagh

 

As revealed on Raw Talk, Braun Strowman will officially make his in-ring return when he takes on The Judgment Day’s JD McDonagh.

 

Two weeks ago on Raw, McDonagh officially warned Strowman to not interfere with Judgment Day business, but his plea went unheard. This past Raw, Strowman interfered in The Judgment Day’s match against Awesome Truth for the World Tag Team Title, causing McDonagh and Finn Bálor to lose the match.

 

With McDonagh being told to personally take care of the Strowman problem, McDonagh now has a monster of all monster’s matches lined up against Strowman.

 

Can Strowman make his return match victorious or will McDonagh find a way to cut down the monstrous Superstar?

 

Pitch Awards: Nwosu endorses Elegbeleye

Former Super Eagles Star pitches for Elegbeleye

 

Henry Nwosu

 

A former Super Eagles player, Henry Nwosu has endorsed the nomination of the Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye for the annual Pitch Awards Sportsmanship category for the year 2023.

In a touching testimony, Nwosu who has coached several professional league sides including Union Bank of Lagos and Gateway of Abeokuta, described the former National Assembly member as embodying the traits that are needed for leadership in the country.

 

“When I was the Coach of the U-17 team back in 2008, Elegbeleye saw me in Abuja and showed interest in how I was getting on with the job. I didn’t have an official car and was moving around in taxis.

 

“Three days afterward, he called me to take delivery of a car. I didn’t ask for it and it was not as if we had a relationship beyond saying hello”, Nwosu recalled of his encounter with the then House of Representatives member.

 

On the Pitch Award, Nwosu who remains one of the best Super Eagles midfielders insisted that Elegbeleye merits the nomination and in his words, “he deserves to win this award and any award meant to recognise selfless contribution to sports by an individual”.

 

He said the selfless contributions of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) second vice president is such that “unlike some other people who would assist a Coach the way he did for me, Elegbeleye never for once called to send any player or players to me. He didn’t even make a public show of the gift but was always ensuring that I had a free hand and was comfortable to carry out the task assigned to me by the NFF”

 

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, and Remo Stars Chairman, Hon. Kunle Soname are the other two nominees for the Sportsmanship Award category.

 

Elegbeleye was in April crowned the Sports Administrator Of the Year, 2023 at the Sportsville Awards.

 

 

McKenna to stay at Ipswich Town

As interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Brighton cools off

 

McKenna was attracting interest from Brighton, Chelsea, and Man Utd Image Credit: Skysports

 

Kieran McKenna secured back-to-back EFL promotions to take Ipswich into the Premier League for the first time in 22 years; the 38-year-old was linked with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Brighton; McKenna is set to sign a new long-term contract with the Tractor Boys, SkySports reports.

 

Kieran McKenna is set to stay at Ipswich and sign a new long-term contract after attracting interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, and Brighton.

 

The 38-year-old coach has guided Ipswich to back-to-back EFL promotions and a first Premier League campaign at Portman Road for 22 years, but there were question marks over whether he would remain at the club next season.

 

Sky Sports News revealed McKenna was a candidate for the vacant Brighton job following Roberto De Zerbi’s departure, while Man Utd officials met with representatives of the Ipswich boss.

 

McKenna was also linked with replacing Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea but was told by phone on Sunday that the club was looking elsewhere.

 

Sky Sports News also learned that Ipswich Town majority shareholder Ed Schwartz flew into the UK from the United States at the end of last week for talks with the club’s chief executive officer Mark Ashton and McKenna. It is understood discussions were over a proposed new deal.

 

And now the speculation around the Ipswich boss’ future is set to end with McKenna poised to extend his stay at Portman Road in what would be a major boost for the newly-promoted club.

 

Ipswich appointed McKenna in 2021, and in his first full season in charge, he led Ipswich to promotion from League One to the Championship.

 

It was followed by a second consecutive promotion with Ipswich getting out of the Championship at the first attempt to reach the Premier League for the first time since 2002.

 

How McKenna got double-promotion

Ipswich Town’s players are covered in champagne as they celebrate promotion to the Premier League

 

On December 16, 2021, Ipswich confirmed 35-year-old Manchester United assistant manager McKenna had been appointed their new manager on a three-and-a-half year contract, Adam Williams reports for SkySports.

 

“Kieran who?” was understandably the majority of the reaction beyond those who may not have been familiar with McKenna’s work under Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford alongside Michael Carrick.

 

Softly spoken at first, but methodical, clear, and honest in his media engagements, fans soon welcomed the departure from McKenna’s more brash and at times, overbearing predecessors.

 

Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna reflects on a successful night after beating Coventry 1-2, taking them closer to a Premier League promotion.

Promotion would prove too tough a task to achieve in the remainder of that season as Ipswich finished 11th but already McKenna had irons in the fire for his first full season in charge.

 

Freddie Ladapo, Dom Ball, and Leif Davis would be the notable summer signings and from the off, it was clear the race to win League One that season would be hotly contested.

 

Plymouth set and maintained the pace throughout while Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday, and Barnsley tried to keep up.

 

After slipping down to fourth on February 14 with a goalless draw at Bristol Rovers, thoughts were understandably turning to another season of disappointment with Town eight points adrift of the top two.

 

Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna discusses what it means to accomplish back-to-back promotions for the club and also what he looks to achieve with the side now they are in the Premier League.

But January’s transfer window had already seen four key additions George Hirst, Harry Clarke, Massimo Luongo, and Nathan Broadhead. They would prove to be pivotal as Ipswich went on to win 13 of their 15 remaining league games, including eight in a row, to amass 98 points and automatic promotion back to the Championship after a four-year absence.

 

It felt good to be back in the second tier and as this season began, many supporters were hoping to just win more games than they lost and use it as a chance to continue building on the good work of the previous 18 months.

 

But 46 games later they are heading back to the top flight. A season of free-scoring, free-flowing, full-throttle football has seen both Ipswich’s and McKenna’s stock soar.

 

What now for Man Utd?

Erik ten Hag will be replaced as Manchester United manager only if the club believes there is a better option out there.

The final decision on Ten Hag’s future will be made during the season review United are carrying out now.

Ten Hag is waiting for the outcome of the review but is convinced he is the best man for the job. He is confident United will perform much better in the league next season if he stays – especially if key players remain fit and the club signs a center-back, midfielder, and striker.

Kieran McKenna says speculation linking him with the vacant Chelsea and Brighton jobs is not his focus after leading Ipswich Town to the Premier League.