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Bukayo Saka crowned England Men’s Player of the Year for 2022-23

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Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka has been crowned the England Men’s Player of the Year for the 2022-23 campaign, scooping the accolade for the second time in a row.

Amid another strong domestic campaign with the Gunners during their unexpected Premier League title charge, the winger continued to go from strength to strength in an England jersey.

A regular starter for Gareth Southgate during the 2022 World Cup, Saka came up with three goals in Qatar and won a penalty for Harry Kane to convert in their quarter-final defeat to France.

Since the turn of the year, Saka has played his part in four successive Euro 2024 qualifying victories for the Three Lions, firstly scoring and setting up Kane in a 2-0 win over Ukraine in March.

The Arsenal youth product then lit up Old Trafford with his first career hat-trick in a 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia in June, becoming the first Gunners player to do so for England’s men’s team since Theo Walcott against Croatia in 2008.

All in all, Saka’s record for England now stands at 11 goals and seven assists from 28 appearances across all competitions, and the attacker – who turned 22 on Tuesday – has been rewarded for his endeavours with a second successive Men’s Player of the Year prize.

The attacker won the award over Declan Rice and Kane in the 2021-22 season, and the latter has also placed third this time around, with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham in second.

“I’m really grateful, thank you to everyone that made this happen,” Saka told England’s media channels upon being presented with the trophy by Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison. “It’s a nice birthday gift as well so I’m happy.”

Saka remains the only Arsenal representative to have been named England’s Men’s Player of the Year since the award’s inception in 2003, while only Danny Welbeck (second in 2014) and Walcott (third in 2008) have previously made the top three.

In addition, the 22-year-old has become just the fourth man to scoop the award two years running, with Kane being the last English player to do so in 2017 and 2018.

Wayne Rooney achieved the feat on two occasions – taking home the accolade in 2008, 2009, 2014 and 2015 – prior to which Frank Lampard won the 2004 and 2005 prizes.

Saka and England are currently gearing up for Saturday’s Euro 2024 qualifier with Ukraine and their 150th Anniversary Heritage match versus Scotland on September 12, although the Arsenal protege did not train with the team on Tuesday.

Chelsea’s Levi Colwill and Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson also remained inside the facilities, but the trio’s absences are only believed to have been precautionary.

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Lagos FA Bans Dangerous Weapons At Match Venues, To Strengthen Security At Stadia

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The current management of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) has read out the insurgency that led to violence at venues in Lagos State and therefore provides a list of permitted stadium facilities and prohibited items.

According to a document signed by the association’s secretary, Akeem Rabiu-Okikioposu, the LSFA states that any item that could be used as a weapon and/or endanger public safety is now rejected. in state stadiums. These items include cans or bottles, glass vessels, knives and blades, laser pointers, pointed-tip umbrellas, poles thicker than a ‘pencil’ (0.5cm), smoke canisters, weapons and ammunition.

The Lagos FA Association also prohibits the placement in the gaming facilities of any item that may disrupt the conduct of the game or disturb other fans, regardless of whether such item is illegal or carried for a specific purpose.

These items include spray cans, audio-video recorders, balls, beach balls or projectiles, cameras with an external flash or interchangeable lenses (not intended for professional photography), drones, flares, fireworks/missiles/explosives, flares, electrical/optical illusions, Frisbee, laptop/tablet. not permitted on seats, large suitcases, large bags or large back, pets (other than service animals), signs/flags/banners, company signs or inappropriately marked signs or items, selfie poles, tripods/monopods, unauthorized flyers, unlicensed musical instruments such as trumpets, drums and other equipment that may cause disruption or nuisance, but supporters club must be accredited to bring these instruments into stadiums.

The FA noted that Lagosians have always loved match days, hence the LSFA’s determination to provide a security architecture that ensures people’s safety without disrupting them.

“Football events are exciting. They are full of intense emotions and passions. That’s why we attach great importance to making every event as safe as possible because it is special and the fans deserve to be safe.

“We use our experience and knowledge to develop and deliver football security solutions that make every football event enjoyable. Good security doesn’t mean the experience can’t run smoothly, and the most important thing about this big day is enjoying it safely. Based on this, we might highlight stadium-permitted items on each football event day,” the FA said.

However, Lagos FA management assured fans that “the security team has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the necessary planning and organization is in place behind this magnificence.”

“The team is overseen by facilities management over security and administration through to traffic and parking coordination. Our essential services are at the heart of every successful event.

“LSFA is committed to setting the standard for the industry, the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) personnel are well trained, qualified and full of initiative suitable for the project.

Meanwhile, the Lagos FA also listed some items that are not banned but allowed in stadiums. These items include bags that may be subject to security screening, cameras with a lens of 3 inches or less without lighting, tripods, selfie sticks or monopods, flags, food and fruit, plastic bottles, small umbrellas, small cameras and binoculars.

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Thomas Partey returns to Arsenal from injury

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Thomas Partey has returned to Arsenal training ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Lens.

Partey had been absent from the Gunners’ line-up since before last month’s international break due to a groin injury he sustained on the eve of the match with Manchester United.

This injury led him to miss the 3-1 win as well as subsequent fixtures against Everton, PSV, Tottenham, Brentford and Bournemouth.

Partey is now back in full training with team-mates as they prepare for their second Champions League group stage match of the campaign. However, it is more likely that Partey returns for Sunday’s crunch showdown with title rivals Manchester City.

As reported by football.london last week, Partey was recovering well from his groin injury and is aiming to be fit for the upcoming clash with City at the Emirates Stadium on October 8. While it is yet to be confirmed if Partey will be included in the Arsenal squad that travels to France, his imminent availability for selection is a significant boost for Mikel Arteta.

In further positive news for Arsenal, Bukayo Saka was also seen participating in Monday morning’s training session at London Colney. There had been concerns about the winger’s fitness after he suffered a knock during the 4-0 victory over Bournemouth at the weekend, which resulted in him being substituted in the second half.

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Excellence Reward: Super Falcons’ Halimat Ayinde Bags Award In Sweden

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Super Falcons midfield General Halimat Ayinde has been recognised and rewarded by the Nigerian community in Malmo, Sweden.

Ayinde was celebrated and given an award for her patriotic and selfless service to Nigeria and the community during the last FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.

” I am honoured to receive this meritorious award from the Nigerian community in Malmo, Sweden.
Your support and recognition means the world to me. I will keep working hard to make you proud”, she resounded on her official Facebook page.

The Rosegard FF player was greatly missed by the Super Falcons after serving out a red card suspension together with Rasheedat Ajibade in the third place match against Zambia in the last Women African Cup Of Nations in Morocco. The Super Falcons eventually lost the match by a lone goal.

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