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Paul Pogba: “I’m Coming Back” – French Star Set Return Date

Paul Pogba, the former Manchester United midfield maestro, has set tongues wagging with a tantalising hint about his imminent return to professional football following an 18-month hiatus due to a doping ban.

The French World Cup winner, who once graced the hallowed turf of Old Trafford with his flamboyant style and mercurial talent, found himself embroiled in controversy whilst plying his trade for Italian giants Juventus.

Pogba was initially slapped with a four-year suspension after traces of testosterone, a prohibited substance, were detected in his system. However, the midfielder’s unwavering assertion of innocence bore fruit as he successfully appealed the decision, resulting in a reduced ban of 18 months.

Pogba’s declaration that the incident “was not intentional” resonated with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who ultimately sided with the player’s plea. This reduction in his ban has opened the door for the 31-year-old to contemplate a return to the beautiful game as early as March 2025.

As Pogba’s enforced absence from the pitch nears its conclusion, the football world has been abuzz with speculation regarding his next destination. The termination of his contract with Juventus has rendered him a free agent, allowing him to explore a plethora of options for the next chapter in his illustrious career.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the footballing community, Pogba took to Instagram on Saturday, 15 February, to share a series of images showcasing his rigorous training regime.

The slideshow, which depicted the midfielder pushing himself to the limit in the gym, was accompanied by a cryptic caption that read: “I’m coming back,” followed by a football emoji and a charged-battery emoji. This tantalising message has left fans and pundits alike pondering the possibilities that lie ahead for the enigmatic Frenchman.

Whilst rumours of a sensational return to Manchester United have circulated, with club legend Rio Ferdinand even entertaining the notion on his YouTube channel, stating, “I’d also have a look [if he’s in a position to be re-signed],” the likelihood of such a move materialising appears slim. Despite the current midfield conundrum facing United’s manager Ruben Amorim, a reunion between Pogba and the Red Devils seems improbable at this juncture.

Instead, the prevailing whispers suggest that Pogba’s future may lie across the Atlantic in Major League Soccer. Reports from Fichajes indicate that the Frenchman is engaged in advanced negotiations with Charlotte FC, a move that could potentially see him link up with another former United star, Wilfried Zaha.

As the football world eagerly anticipates Pogba’s return to action, questions abound regarding his ability to recapture the form that once made him one of the most sought-after midfielders in world football.

Will the enforced break have dulled his skills, or will it have reinvigorated his passion for the game? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Paul Pogba’s comeback will be one of the most intriguing storylines to follow in the coming months.

For Manchester United supporters, the prospect of Pogba donning the famous red shirt once more may be nothing more than a distant dream.

However, his impending return to football serves as a reminder of the indelible mark he left on the club during his time at Old Trafford. As he prepares to embark on the next phase of his career, the footballing world watches with bated breath, eager to see if the mercurial Frenchman can once again weave his magic on the pitch and remind us all of the prodigious talent that once made him one of the most exciting players of his generation.

redmancunian.com

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Organisers Unveil Nominees For 11th Nigeria Pitch Awards In Lagos

Nominees for the annual Nigeria Pitch Awards were unveiled at a Thursday ceremony in Lagos, southwest Nigeria. Expectedly, the nomination list is packed full of notable Nigerian footballers who have made significant impacts in their careers both for themselves and the nation in the year 2024.

Clubs, coaches, administrators, state governments and governors are not left out as the Nigeria Pitch Awards recognise, celebrate and honour those who have contributed in no small ways to the country’s football development.

President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Phillips, told newsmen in Lagos at the BON Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday, that the awards processes right from voting make it unique and standout, adding that “from inception, our intention was to create an award platform that has a unique character of its own; a character moulded by our core values of transparency, credibility and integrity. To achieve this, we have followed a carefully laid out award process which brings together a College of Voters comprising some of Nigeria’s most knowledgeable, experienced and professional sports journalists and an independent collation body. As organizers, we are very proud of and deeply appreciative of our College of Voters whose decisions year after year have shown them to be true and selfless patriots.

“The award process has been designed in such a way that it will not only be transparent but also sustainable. This is why the award process transcends organizers’ personal influence while putting the responsibility of deciding winners in the hands of professional journalists with many years of experience, knowledge and expertise in reporting and analysing football. We are sure that our College of Voters will always make the best possible decisions in the interest of our football. In the same vein, our independent vote collation body is a vastly experienced and professional player in Nigeria’s accounting and auditing sector. SIAO Partners which has over two decades of experience in accounting, prides itself as Nigeria’s largest indigenous professional services firm,” he said.

Representative of SIAO Partners, Oluwadare Ojelade further reiterated the integrity of the voting process, which he said gone through a painstaking independent and transparent process determined solely by the voters who are mainly sports editors, correspondents and reporters.

According to Ojelade, voting for the 11th Nigeria Pitch Awards began on 25 November 2024 and ended on 18 January 2025, while collation of the votes by the auditing firm, SIAO Partners, was done between 6-31 January when the nominees emerged.

FULL LIST OF THE NOMINEES

QUEEN OF THE PITCH

Rasheedat Ajibade Atlético de Madrid Femenino

Asisat Oshoala Bay FC

Chiamaka Nnadozie Paris FC

KING OF THE PITCH

Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K

Ademola Lookman Atalanta BC

William Troost-Ekong Al-kholood FC

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR

Maduka Okoye Udinese Calcio

Stanley Nwabali Chippa United

Kayode Bankole Remo Stars

DEFENDER OF THE YEAR

Ola Aina Nottingham Forest FC

William Troost-Ekong Al-kholood FC

Calvin Bassey Fulham FC

MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR

Alex Iwobi Fulham FC

Frank Onyeka FC Augsburg

Wilfred Ndidi Leicester City FC

STRIKER OF THE YEAR

Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K

Victor Boniface Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Ademola Lookman Atalanta BC

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Remo Stars FC

Rangers International FC

Edo Queens

COACH OF THE YEAR

Moses Adukwu Edo Queens FC

Fidelis Ilechukwu Rangers International FC

Daniel Ogunmodede Remo Stars FC

SAM OKWARAJI AWARD

Segun Odegbami Nigerian Ex-International

Ahmed Musa Kano Pillars FC

Kunle Soname Bet9ja

STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Edo

Lagos

Delta

FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE YEAR

Remo Stars Stadium Remo, Ogun State

Mobolaji Johnson Sport Arena Onikan, Lagos State

Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR

His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State

His Excellency, Umo Eno Akwa Ibom State
His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki Former Governor, Edo State

CORPORATE SPONSOR OF FOOTBALL AWARD

GTI Financial Financial Services

MTN Nigeria Telecom

Bet9ja Sport Betting

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

George Aluo Chairman NNL

Hon. Kunle Soname Chairman, Remo Stars

Ahmed Musa Kano Pillars FC

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – PRINT

Charles Diya New Telegraph

Abiodun Adewale Punch Newspapers

Johnny Edward The Nation Newspapers

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – TV

Mozez Praiz Supersport

Blessing Nwosu Silverbird TV

Cecilia Omorogbe Channels TV

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO

Micheal Obasi Hot FM Abuja

Chuma Nnoli Nigeria Info FM

Olawale Adigun MainlandFM

Anthony Bekederemo Brila 88.9 FM

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – ONLINE

Niyi Busari BSN Sports Concept

Samuel Ahmadu Savid News

Kunle Solaja Sports Village Square

News

Lagos FA Gets New Secretary, Yusuf Lawal

*Promises Victory For Team Lagos At 2025 NSF Zonal Elimination

The newly redeployed Secretary of the Lagos State Football Association (FA), Mr. Yusuf Akolade Lawal, has vowed to lead Team Lagos to victory in the 2025 National Sports Festival Zonal Elimination, building on his past successes in boxing. His new designation is part of the strategic redeployment exercise initiated by the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) aimed at strengthening leadership and expertise across different sporting disciplines in the state.

Yusuf brings a proven track record of success to his new role. His redeployment comes after a successful tenure as the Secretary of the Lagos State Boxing Association, where he played a pivotal role in Team Lagos’ historic four-gold-medal haul at the 2024 National Youth Games. His leadership and strategic acumen were instrumental in nurturing and developing young boxing talents, culminating in the donation of a multimillion-naira boxing gym by Yucateco Boxing Promotions to the Lagos State Sports Commission. This facility will serve as a hub for training and developing future boxing champions.

Speaking on his new role, Yusuf expressed confidence in Team Lagos’ ability to excel at the Zonal Eliminations, particularly in football, where the team aims to secure qualification for the 22nd National Sports Festival, scheduled for May 16–30, 2025.

“I am honoured to serve as the Secretary of the Lagos State Football Association and will bring the same winning approach that delivered an unprecedented four gold medals for Team Lagos in boxing at the National Youth Games 2024 to football. Team Lagos is not just going there to participate; we are competing to win at the National Sports Festival. Our athletes are well-prepared, and with the support we are getting from the Lagos State Sports Commission and other sports stakeholders, we will make Lagos proud and ensure the state remains a dominant force in Nigerian sports,” Yusuf stated.

Yusuf’s emergence as the new Lagos FA Secretary came on the back of the recent internal redeployment exercise at the Lagos State Sports Commission, which took place on February 10, 2025, and saw 55 Sports Officers reassigned across various sporting disciplines, many of whom had served as secretaries for 5 to 10 years in a single sport. This initiative, backed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, aligns with the Lagos. State Government THEMES+ development framework and LSSC’s broader vision of expanding knowledge, promoting adaptability, and developing multi-disciplinary expertise among its workforce.

The Lagos State Sports Commission, under the leadership of Director General Mr. Lekan Fatodu, has put comprehensive measures in place to ensure Team Lagos dominates at the Zonal Eliminations. From intensive training camps to top-notch welfare and strategic logistical support, the Commission is committed to providing everything needed for success.

Speaking on Yusuf’s reassignment and Team Lagos’ preparations, Mr. Fatodu reaffirmed his confidence in Yusuf’s capabilities and the team’s readiness:

“Yusuf Lawal has proven himself as a dedicated and results-driven sports officer. His transition to football is part of the Commission’s development-oriented effort to replicate success across multiple disciplines. We have left no stone unturned in preparing Team Lagos for the 2025 National Sports Festival, from top-tier training camps to technical support, premium welfare, and the full backing of the sports-loving Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, our athletes are primed for success.”

The 2025 National Sports Festival Zonal Eliminations will take place simultaneously across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones from February 23 to 28, 2025. In the South-West zone, Lagos will compete against Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti across eight team sports, including football, basketball, hockey, cricket, handball, volleyball, abula, and beach volleyball.

News

Aston Villa Force Liverpool To Settle For Draw

Aston Villa held Liverpool to an entertaining 2-2 draw as the Reds stretched their lead to eight points clear at the top, but missed the chance to go 10 clear of Arsenal.

The visitors took the lead when a dreadful error from Andres Garcia, on his first Villa start, allowed Diogo Jota to square for Mohamed Salah to fire home, before Villa dragged themselves level when Youri Tielemans fired in after Liverpool failed to clear.

Ollie Watkins then put Villa ahead as he headed home Lucas Digne’s cross before the break, after which Jota struck the crossbar from range.

Trent Alexander-Arnold then fired Liverpool level with a deflected effort, before Reds substitute Darwin Nunez missed a glorious chance after being found by Dominik Szoboszlai. Villa sub Donyell Malen then almost won it with the final kick. Here are the game’s main talking points.