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Ancelotti Fed Up With 29-year-Old Real Madrid Player

Real Madrid suffered a shock Champions League defeat against Lille on Wednesday night, and Carlo Ancelotti has identified one player as his side’s weakest link.

Los Blancos were beaten 1-0 away to Lille following a 48th-minute penalty from Jonathan David.

It was not his side’s best night at the office, and Ancelotti was understandably unhappy with Madrid’s lacklustre performance.

“Lille were better and deserved to win. We were bad and slow tonight,” the Italian told reporters after the game, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

“We didn’t create, the possession was slow, no ideas. We were bad under every aspect.”

Although the entire squad must stand up and take responsibility for what was an out-of-character display, one player’s abysmal showing stood out more than others.

The 29-year-old experienced such a troublesome first half that Ancelotti hauled him off at halftime for Fran Garcia.

And according to Defensa Central, the Real Madrid boss is tired of the Frenchman’s performances and would prefer he is moved on.

Alphonso Davies on list of replacements
Mendy recently penned a deal until 2027 so is under no pressure to leave the Spanish capital.

However, with Ancelotti pushing Florentino Perez to sign Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies it seems Mendy’s days, certainly as a regular starter, are numbered.

Since the start of the season, Mendy, despite starting in all six of Madrid’s La Liga games so far, has failed to register a single goal or assist.

Davies, on the other hand, continues to impress in Germany. The 23-year-old will be out of contract at the Allianz at the end of the season, and showing no signs of committing to a new deal, looks to be heading to Madrid to link up with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.

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Southwest Zonal Eliminations: Lagos Records Big Wins In Handball, Hockey, Football, Basketball

Lagos handball teams delivered impressive wins against Oyo State on day one of the South-West Zonal Eliminations of the National Sports Festival, holding in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The men’s team eased to a commanding 40-14 victory before the women’s team secured 23-15 victory at the handball court of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Akanran.

In Basketball, Lagos women’s team defeated Ondo 47-39 after a show of resilience, commitment and determination in their first match. Their second match is against Oyo State on Wednesday (today).

Lagos hockey team also recorded wins in their games. The women’s team thrashed Oyo 3-0, while the men’s team lone goal was enough to secure three points against Ekiti.

In beach volleyball, Lagos proved the level of their performance and conveniently dispatched Oyo 2-0. In football, Lagos female team defeated Oyo 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Bada Mistura in a game played inside the main bowl of the Liberty Stadium. The male team were later forced to a 1-1 draw against Ekiti

Speaking on the first day of the South-West Zonal Elimination Ball Games, the Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu noted that the athletes have demonstrated exceptional capacity and dominance over their opponents.

“So, I think it’s a good one for Lagos state.It is the first day of the zonal elimination qualifiers. With what we have experienced today in terms of the outcomes from the different Games. We are very optimistic and positive that at the end of the day we’re going to come victorious overall.”

Fatodu added that the performance of the state athletes in their different games has been thrilling and exciting, especially with the presence of personnel of the Lagos State Sports Commission, serving as a morale booster and source of encouragement to keep soaring high.

“With what is playing out, it’s going to yield a positive results. From what we have gathered today, they are particularly appreciative and they have confide that our presence means so much to them in terms of their mental positivity, approach towards the Games and in terms of their attitude on the field of play. It is expected that it will yield positive results for us”, Fatodu submitted.

The Director General further reiterated that, “We are not in any way in doubt that our athletes will show very, very well. Because of the fact that all the necessary things that they need to do well have been provided by Mr.Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. We need to thank Mr. Governor for his commitment and always supporting sports in terms of logistics, welfare, transportation, feeding, and security. Everything is top-notch”.

Team Lagos will continue to bank on the records of dominance at the South-West as the qualifiers inch towards its conclusion, with the chance to secure slots for all ball games at the 22nd National Sports Festival – the ‘Gateway Games’ billed for Abeokuta, Ogun State in May.

News

Elo Akose, NDSF logo designer celebrates his emergence

Elo Akose, the winner of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) logo design competition, has expressed delight to see his work gaining national traction through extensive media campaign as preparations for the festival heightens.

Akose, who received a reward of N250,000 prize money, commended the organisers of the contest for providing a platform for youths to showcase their artistic talents in design.

Akose’s entry emerged the best from over 300 others that were submitted to a panel of judges set up by the project consultants, Dunamis Icon, weeks ago. The design has since been officially put to use.

“I counted myself lucky to have had my entry selected from the over 300 submitted by other contestants and would like to thank the organisers of the Niger Delta Sports Festival for the opportunity given to all of us, the contestants to be part of this project,” Akose told NDSF Media.

Akose works with Smax Digital Prints and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education (Economics) from the Delta State University.

The NDSF, the first intervention of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as part of its 25th anniversary, will hold in Akwa Ibom State from April 1 to 9. Over 3,000 athletes are expected to participate in 17 sports.