Sports
Wazupnaija – Naija Entertainment blogs & Forums – Sports
‘It is understood’: David Ornstein delivers latest update on player who is ‘next on United’s list’
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane in the summer. The Red Devils are interested in signing Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, but Kane is “next on United’s list”, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic. The report claims that while United are interested in signing the England striker, they will not do business at the proposed £120 million fee mooted within the industry. On top of that Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, will not sell Kane to another English club under any circumstances. Ornstein wrote for The Athletic: “Harry Kane is next on United’s list, but they would not do business at the proposed £120 million fee mooted within the industry. It is understood that Tottenham Hotspur chairma...
Tokyo Olympics: Minister confident Nigeria will return to track and field podium
Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare is confident Nigeria’s 13 year wait for a track and field medal at the Olympics will end this year at the Tokyo Games. Nigeria last won a track and field medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when the women’s 4x100m relay team and Blessing Okagbare (long jump) won silver medals and the Sports Minister is confident track and field will start delivering the medals like it did in 1996 in Atlanta. Track and Field has accounted for 13 of the 25 medals Team Nigeria have won at the Games. The sport has also delivered two of the three gold medals won with a first ever individual gold by Chioma Ajunwa in the women’s long jump. ”The performances of our athletes so far this year have given us renewed hopes that Nigerian track and field athletes can be...
‘So pleased’, ‘Smart’: Some Arsenal fans react to forward’s display vs Sheffield United
A selection of Arsenal fans on Twitter expressed their delight over the performance of Gabriel Martinelli against Sheffield United on Sunday. The 19-year-old has had a tough 15 months due to injuries and competition for places, and was handed only his fourth league start of the campaign yesterday. The teenager produced a lively performance with a tireless workrate, and showed good intent on goal with as many as four shots. He suffered an injury scare in the second half as he twisted his ankle but moments later, he went on to score the second goal of the game. It was a simple tap-in at the far post after an Aaron Ramsdale save off Nicolas Pepe, but he timed his run perfectly to find the back of the net. Here are some reactions from a few fans on Twitter. I’m so pleased for Martinelli. He re...
Predicted Spurs starting XI: Mourinho to make five changes; 28-year-old returns
Tottenham Hotspur will face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. Spurs have got a full week to prepare for this crucial clash as they look to return to winning ways following a disappointing 2-2 draw against Newcastle United last time out. Jose Mourinho’s side won 6-1 at Old Trafford earlier this season and has almost a full squad to choose from this time around, with Ben Davies and Matt Doherty the only absentees. However, he is likely to make a few changes to starting XI. Davinson Sanchez has done well recently, but following his sloppy performance against the Magpies, he could be dropped here. Both Toby Alderweireld and Serge Aurier should come in after their two-match absence, with the Belgian defender likely to start alongside Joe Rodon in central defence. Spurs ha...
Rangers reportedly want French defender with serious pace, once clocked at 36km/h
According to Foot Mercato (via GFFN), Scottish Premiership champions Rangers have registered an interest in Dijon centre-back Senou Coulibaly. However, Rangers face competition for the Frenchman, with Championship club Huddersfield Town also keeping tabs on the 26-year-old. Rangers are looking to bolster their squad when the summer transfer window opens to strengthen their title defence next season. Steven Gerrard’s side know that they cannot afford to rest on their laurels after knocking Celtic off their perch. Landing another quality defender will help strengthen their backline, and Coulibaly has been identified as a prospective target. The Dijon star still has two years left on his contract, and landing him might not come cheaply. Coulibaly is an all-action defender, and his serious pac...
‘Really pleased’: Jamie Carragher raves about one player after Liverpool win vs Aston Villa
Jamie Carragher has showered heaps of praise on Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Reds beat Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday. The 22-year-old scored the winning goal in the dying minutes of the match as the Reds came from behind to earn a 2-1 victory on their home turf. The result was a huge relief for the Reds – who were without a win at Anfield for their past six games. They have now picked up three wins in a row in the Premier League to keep their top-four hopes alive. A lot has been said, debated and written about Alexander-Arnold after the youngster was dropped from the England national team by Gareth Southgate. While football pundits (in general) tend to agree that the Liverpool local boy is a terrific talent and arguably one of the best-attacking rig...
Crystal Palace to compete with Italian giants for 28-year-old with 17 goal contributions
Crystal Palace will go head-to-head with AC Milan to land the signature of Marseille attacker Florian Thauvin this summer, The Sun reports. The Eagles have had another solid season in mid-table and are safe from relegation with a comfortable 12-point gap to 18th-placed Fulham. Despite this, the hierarchy may not be overly satisfied, given the club have finished in the top 10 just once since their return to the top-flight in 2013. 13 players have their contracts expiring this summer, and there could be a major rebuild before the start of the next campaign. It is now reported that Thauvin is one of their top targets, and they could compete with the Rossoneri to land his services on a free transfer. Sportslens view: The Eagles failed with a £29 million bid for Watford’s Ismaila Sarr last...
West Ham join Arsenal and two other PL teams in race for goalkeeper
West Ham United have been linked with a move for Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Seny Dieng, as reported by the Sun (via West London Sport). Dieng came to QPR back in 2016, but it was not until this season before he made his breakthrough at the club. He has spent the best part of the last five years out on loan, appearing for Whitehawk, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Stevenage, Dundee and Doncaster Rovers. Dieng claims a cross in QPR’s win over Sheffield Wednesday However, following a difficult season for regular number one Joe Lumley, Dieng got his chance in the Rs’ starting XI and has been a revelation. His performances have earned him a call up to the Senegalese national team, and he is one of the leading candidates for QPR’s Player of the Season award. In January, reports claimed that ...
‘Solidarity, effort and sacrifice’: 27-year-old posts brilliant message on Twitter after Leeds win
Diego Llorente took to social networking site Twitter to express his reaction after Leeds defeated Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday. The Whites stunned Pep Guardiola’s side 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. The emphatic victory confirmed that they will still be in the top-flight next year. Stuart Dallas scored both the goals for the Whites, including an injury-time winner to earn Marcelo Bielsa’s side all three points. However, the win looked all the more impressive given that the visitors had Liam Cooper sent off shortly before the break. Bielsa tweaked his formation by bringing Pascal Struijk. With Robin Koch alongside Llorente, the trio formed a solid backline and prevented City from wreaking havoc. The 27-year-old took to Twitter after the match, where he posted a ...
Spurs reportedly landed Portuguese to make club attractive to potential buyers
According to The Athletic, there are theories within the finance industry that appointing Jose Mourinho as head coach was part of making Tottenham Hotspur attractive to potential buyers. The Portuguese’s glamour, proven track record and medals were seen as ideal factors that could increase the club’s market value and attractiveness. However, Spurs have contested those theories, and it remains to be seen what the plans of majority owner Joe Lewis and chairman Daniel Levy are. A potential sale has been halted by the coronavirus pandemic, though. Sportslens View The club were looking to sell the naming rights of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a world-record £375 million before the coronavirus pandemic, with Levy keen on securing a deal worth around £25 million per annum for 15 years. That has ...
El Clásico’s impact on La Liga title race
In the 246th competitive fixture between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday, it was Los Blancos who came out on top at the final whistle. First-half goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos were enough to claim three points at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano despite a second-half consolation for the visitors by Óscar Mingueza. With little over a month left of the season, we look at just how their 2-1 victory has impacted the La Liga title race. Which teams are battling it out? There are three teams left fighting for the title at this stage – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Since Valencia in 2003/2004, these three are the only teams to have won a La Liga title. Atlético have done so on one occasion in that time frame, pipping Barcelona on the final day of the 2013/14 campa...
Report shares what Pochettino has told Kane on phone following Spurs exit demands
According to French outlet TF1, Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has spoken with Harry Kane to find out what he wants for the rest of his career, especially if Tottenham Hotspur fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League. – Leonardo suit de près la situation de Messi, en fin de contrat au Barça en juin prochain – Pochettino a appelé personnellement Harry Kane pour connaître ses envies pour la suite de sa carrière, notamment si Tottenham ne se qualifie pas pour la prochaine LDC (@JulienMaynard) pic.twitter.com/aIbl6GtBML — Téléfoot (@telefoot_TF1) April 11, 2021 The Athletic claimed yesterday that the England international will push for an exit this summer if Spurs fail to secure Champions League qualification. Sportslens View A reunion with Pochettino could be on the...
