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NPFL Oriental Derby: Rangers Hold Heartland In Awka

Rangers International F.C maintained their dominance over neighbours, Heartland F.C at the weekend courtesy of a goal in each half of a highly entertaining match day 7 of the NPFL 2023/2024 fixture played in front of a massive crowd at the Awka City Stadium, Anambra State on Sunday.

Coach Ilechukwu of Rangers kept faith with the starting squad that lost narrowly to Lobi Stars but for the duo of Philip Clement and Kenechukwu Agu as Kazeem Ogunleye shot the ‘Flying Antelopes’ into an early lead with an unstoppable free kick from about 25 meters that the goalkeeper for the visiting side, Chisom Chiaha had no answer to on three minutes.

Stunned as they were, the boys of the ‘Naze Millionaires’ side under coach Christian Obi swooped on the rear of Rangers with ceaseless attacks led by Samuel Stone, Patrick Nwaogbaga, and Chijioke Opara pulling the strings but met very stiff resistance from the backline fielded by coach Fidelis Ilechukwu.

While there were opportunities to increase the tally for the Enugu side through Isaac Saviour on 43 minutes, Chukwudi Nwaodu on 18 minutes, and Chidiebere Nwobodo on 35 minutes, the visitors also created some that could not be buried, especially a late first-half rally the saw one opportunity crash against the upright and another against the crossbar as the seven-time league champions retired to the dressing room on the driver’s seat.

On resumption of play, both sides upped their game with the Owerri side pushing for an early equalizer. Still, it was the host that increased their tally in 57 minutes when Kenneth Igboke reacted the quickest to bundle home a Chisom Chiaha’s saved penalty kick taken by Godwin Obaje after a handball incident that occurred after an earlier awarded penalty for a foul on a goal-bound Obaje had been pushed out by the goalkeeper. Still, Peters Afolayan stopped the ball with his hand.

Ifeanyi Ogba blazed his effort wide off target after he was set up by Joel Okoro on 75 minutes while Chiaha produced another spectacular save to deny Kazeem his second of the day on 85 minutes from another dead-ball situation as the arbiter whistled to end proceedings to send fans of the Enugu side into wild jubilations.

With the win, Rangers bounce back into the top spot on the log with thirteen points from seven matches and will be travelling to Akure for a date with Sunshine Stars in a match day 8 fixture on November 12, 2023.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu in a chat after the win, said, “It was a good game. Heartland did very well as a team as it was a derby match. We tried our best and did not concede that is the most important thing because I told the boys that we must play without conceding a goal so that we can come up on the table and we thank God we won the game today.”

Kazeem Ogunleye was full of joy as he said, “I feel very happy about the result because we have been playing games and conceding but today, we did not concede and won. On my goal, I am very elated as I have been practising it and I am happy it went in.”

Coach Christian Obi in his post-match chat, said: “In the game of football three outcomes are expected and today we lost not for want of trying but we were unlucky against our opponents, Rangers. We made some careless mistakes, especially in conceding the first goal which jolted my boys into action but could not convert our chances when created but hit the woodwork twice. It was an unfortunate loss.”

News

Teams Recorded More Wins As JOF Kids Cup Hots Up In Lagos

Matches continued across centres in the ongoing 6th edition of U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament in Lagos at the weekend even as teams recorded more victories to stand in good position moving to the next stage of the competition.

At Lekki playground on Friday, Rock Boys from Oshodi spanked United Stars of Mafoluku, Oshodi in game that ended 1-0, while Ultimate Villa of Ikorodu beat Mushiner Babes from Mushin 2-0.

At Ojo Oniyun playground in Ebute Metta, Greater Tomorrow of Lagos Island were too much for Phoenix Boys from Apapa as they triumphed in a match that ended 3-1. It was penalty shootouts that decided the game between Striker Academy of Oko Oba and Young Boys from Ogijo after they played 2-2 draw in the regulation time. Striker Academy, however, carried the day with 5-4 penalties.

On Sunday, Dollar Boys of Ifako lost 1-2 to Future Babes from Oshodi, Landa Boys of Okokomaiko also lost their game 0-2 to Thank God Boys.

Meanwhile, the Chairman Organising Committee of the tournament, Samuel Omolola, commended the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by the teams since the beginning of the tournament.

The tournament is sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous Nigerian company, which prides itself in the development of talent of the Nigerian youth

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Morocco’s 2030 FIFA World Cup Hosting Under Threat Over Animal Cruelty Allegations

Morocco has been confirmed as one of the hosts for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, marking a historic milestone for African football.

However, this achievement is being overshadowed by disturbing allegations of animal cruelty.

Despite Morocco’s official commitment to animal welfare and a nationwide ban on animal culling, which was included in its bid to co-host the tournament, the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) claims the government has continued with mass killings of stray animals.

According to the NSPCA, Moroccan authorities have justified these killings as part of a rabies control strategy. However, recent footage captured by community members—some as recent as December 2024—allegedly shows government-employed workers brutally rounding up and killing dogs.

The reported methods of culling include:

Poisoning with strychnine, either through direct injection or by placing it in food

Prolonged suffering, as poisoned dogs are left to endure agonising deaths

Animal Welfare Organisations Condemn Morocco’s Actions
Several international animal welfare organisations, including Eurogroup for Animals, Deutscher Tierschutzbund, Animais de Rua, Animal Protection Denmark, DJGT, La SPA, FOUR PAWS, LAV, and SEY, have written to FIFA urging action.

Their letter highlights that killing street dogs is not an effective long-term solution to managing stray populations. Instead, they advocate for humane and sustainable approaches, such as sterilisation programmes and vaccination campaigns.

Calls for FIFA to Address the Issue
Animal rights groups are now pressing FIFA to intervene and ensure that Morocco upholds its commitment to animal welfare ahead of the 2030 World Cup.

This controversy raises serious ethical concerns about the country’s preparations for the tournament and whether FIFA will take action in response to these allegations.

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Osimhen demands one condition for joining Manchester United

Despite the persistent speculation regarding Victor Osimhen‘s potential transfer to Manchester United, the associated financial complexities render such a move highly unlikely.

The Nigerian striker, expected to leave Napoli permanently after the 2024/25 season, has been on the radar of several top clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea. However, with United undergoing financial restructuring, signing Osimhen may be out of reach.

Reports suggest that the 26-year-old could command wages of around £20 million per season, a figure that United’s hierarchy is reluctant to match.

Osimhen is pursuing a substantial salary that would likely establish him as the highest-paid player within the club. This financial requirement comes as a pivotal condition for his potential transfer to the prestigious Premier League team, Manchester United.

His impressive performance record and market value significantly influence these salary expectations, reflecting his desire to secure a contract that mirrors his contributions on the field.

The Red Devils, who are actively working to reduce their wage bill from last season’s staggering £365 million, are unlikely to pursue such an expensive deal.

Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson weighed in on the matter, stating that United’s current financial state does not align with signing a player of Osimhen’s profile. Speaking in an interview recently, Borson expressed skepticism about the club’s ability and willingness to afford both the transfer fee and the player’s wages,

“I think there are two aspects to the Osimhen deal, one is whether they could do it, whether they have the cash. I suspect they don’t and would need shareholders to inject more funds or take on additional borrowing,” Borson remarked.

Beyond the financial constraints, Borson suggested that Osimhen does not fit United’s current recruitment strategy.

Under their new transfer policy, the club has prioritised younger players on lower wages to stabilise long-term finances,

“A player like Osimhen is absolutely not the type of target United are pursuing in this phase,” he added.

Even if United could meet Napoli’s expected £62 million price tag, Borson argued that Osimhen’s wage demands would be the biggest obstacle,

“He’s another one of these players who falls into the £20m-a-year bracket. I don’t see United investing again at that level while restructuring,” he explained.

While Osimhen’s next move remains uncertain, one thing appears clear, Manchester United, at least in their current state, are unlikely to be his next destination.

With Arsenal reportedly interested in triggering his €75 million release clause and Chelsea’s past pursuit, the Nigerian forward’s future may lie elsewhere.

For now, Osimhen continues to impress on loan at Galatasaray, where he has notched over 22 goals and five assists in over 28 appearances this season.