Sports
Nigeria at 2024 Olympics: We fell short of expectations, sports minister apologises
Nigeria at 2024 Olympics: We fell short of expectations, sports minister apologises
Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, on Sunday tendered an unreserved apology to Nigerians for the poor outing of the country’s team at the just-concluded 2024 Paris games, Olympics.
Nigeria, which competed in many sporting events including balls, cycling, wrestling and athletics, ended the games without a medal.
The minister said the team had fallen short of expectations.
“The Olympic Games, Paris 2024, have ended, and I accept that our performance should have been a lot better. It obviously fell short of our objectives, expectations, and hopes of Nigerians.
“I must apologise to our compatriots and reflect on what went wrong while looking forward to the Paralympic Games, Paris 2024 (August 28 – September 8th).”
Enoh recalled, “When I assumed office as the Minister of Sports Development in August 2023, I was confronted with the task of executing four international competitions namely the AFCON, the African Games, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in a matter of a few months.
“I was also reminded that the Olympic Games is the world’s supreme sports competition, and countries require at least four years to prepare for it.
“I held extensive discussions with the management staff of the Ministry and got to know that preparations for the Olympics, which was less than a year away, had not started.”
The minister credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring that funds were not a limiting factor.
He added, “Athletes competition requirements were provided, allowances
were paid early, and training grants were disbursed to all athletes.
“I made myself readily available to deal with any issue throughout the competition.
“Therefore, the underwhelming performance of our team is puzzling. We owe Nigerians an explanation.”
He also said a lot of lessons were learnt from the performance and improvements must be made in all ramifications.
He urged the sports men and women in Nigeria to “turn the disastrous outcome of the 2024 Olympics to a huge positive for Nigerian sports.”
Sports
Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game
Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game
Manchester United enjoyed a dominant performance in the EFL Cup, securing their biggest victory under manager Erik ten Hag with a crushing win over League One side Barnsley.
United sailed into the last-16 of the competition, delivering an emphatic 7-0 win.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and veteran midfielder Christian Eriksen each scored twice, while Brazilian winger Antony converted a first-half penalty, contributing to the rout.
This win marked United’s most significant victory since their 9-0 demolition of Southampton in February 2021, when Covid-19 restrictions kept the stands empty.
For Ten Hag, this match was a milestone as it was the first time his team scored five or more goals since his appointment. Eriksen’s late brace further added to the celebratory mood, capping a night that the Dutch manager described as “perfect.”
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“For the team, this is the perfect night,” said Ten Hag. “We did everything we planned—winning to reach the next round, scoring some great goals, entertaining the fans, and working on our game model, so we are happy.”
Despite the vocal support from Barnsley’s traveling fans, Darrell Clarke’s side was thoroughly outmatched.
Their most notable moment came when Clarke himself showed a brilliant touch to control a ball that had gone out of play, earning applause from both sets of supporters.
United also handed a first start to their £50.5 million signing, Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan midfielder looked assured throughout the game, giving Ten Hag confidence that his team is nearing the complete squad he envisioned when he took over in 2022.
Despite the victory, Ten Hag remains grounded. “I wasn’t devastated after Liverpool, and I’m not celebrating now. We will see where we are in May because then we have to be good,” he said, emphasizing the long-term goals for the season.
Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game
Sports
Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy
Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy
A 51-year-old Irish Liverpool fan tragically lost his life on Monday night while attempting to cross the A4 highway near Orio al Serio Airport in Bergamo, Italy.
Reports from multiple Italian media outlets indicate that the unnamed fan had just arrived in Italy from Manchester when he was struck by a vehicle.
Local authorities found the man’s body near the airport, with no sign of the two individuals who had accompanied him on the trip.
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According to the Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera, the deceased was a devoted Liverpool supporter and held a ticket for the highly anticipated Champions League match between AC Milan and Liverpool at the San Siro stadium.
The unfortunate incident occurred as he was trying to reach the NH Hotel, where he was set to stay before the big match.
Investigations are currently underway, and the tragic death of this Liverpool fan has cast a shadow over what was meant to be an exciting European adventure for supporters.
Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy
Sports
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
Saudi Arabian outfit, Al Nassr on Tuesday sacked Luis Castro as coach of the club.
The Saudi Pro League club announced on Tuesday that Castro had been dismissed from his role following weeks of speculation over his future.
“Al Nassr can announce that Head Coach Luis Castro has left the Club,” read a club statement, posted on X.
“Everyone at Al Nassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future.”
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Castro, 63, leaves Al Nassr seventh in the Saudi Pro League, three games into the new season.
Meanwhile, former AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is set to take charge of the Saudi club instead, with a deal “on the verge” of being agreed.
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
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