Sports
Ademola Lookman of Atalanta seeks transfer to PSG
Ademola Lookman of Atalanta seeks transfer to PSG
Super Eagle striker Ademola Lookman was left out of Atalanta’s squad for their Serie A opener at Lecce yesterday amid rumours about the Europa League hero’s possible move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Lookman became an Atalanta legend in May when his stunning hat-trick downed German champions Bayer Leverkusen and won the traditionally provincial club their first ever European trophy, a first major honour of any sort since 1963.
However the 26-year-old was not included in the squad for Atalanta’s trip south, where Gian Piero Gasperini’s side will begin their league campaign this evening.
Italian media have widely reported that Lookman’s representatives have told Atalanta of PSG’s interest as the club go through an eventful summer transfer window.
He turns 27 in October and scored a hat-trick in the Europa League Final against Bayer Leverkusen last season.
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Atalanta purchased Lookman from RB Leipzig in 2022 for €9.35m plus bonuses.
Born and raised in London, he scored a total 32 goals with 18 assists in 79 competitive appearances for Atalanta, most recently the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Lookman, who has played 23 times for Nigeria, scored three goals in his country’s run to African Cup of Nations final over January and February.
Meanwhile, Serbia midfielder Lazar Samardzic his arrived in Bergamo for his medical ahead of a 20 million-euro ($22 million) move to Atalanta from Udinese, as another of last season’s heroes Teun Koopmeiners agitates for a move to Juventus.
Koopmeiners was also not named in the 23-man squad for the Lecce match but Atalanta have as yet refused to agree terms with Juve who are rebuilding their team for new coach Thiago Motta.
Atalanta lost centre-forward Gianluca Scamacca to a serious knee injury earlier this month, causing them to sign his Italy teammate Mateo Retegui from Genoa.
Ademola Lookman of Atalanta seeks transfer to PSG
Sports
Ademola Lookman’s masterclass seals win for Atalanta against Fiorentina
Ademola Lookman’s masterclass seals win for Atalanta against Fiorentina
Nigerian international Ademola Lookman was the star of the show on Sunday, delivering a match-winning performance as Atalanta secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Fiorentina in an explosive Serie A encounter at the Gewiss Stadium.
Lookman not only scored the decisive goal but also provided a crucial assist that helped Atalanta draw level earlier in the match.
Fiorentina took the lead early in the game, but Lookman’s magic inspired Atalanta’s comeback.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Lucas Martinez Quarta capitalized on a rebound, rifling the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Atalanta, however, responded quickly. In the 21st minute, Lookman sent a superb cross into the box, and Mateo Retegui connected with a powerful header that left Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea with no chance, leveling the score at 1-1.
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Fiorentina regained the lead in the 32nd minute when Moise Kean tapped home after Robin Gosens headed the ball across the goal. Moments later, Kean came close to adding a third but saw his effort hit the post.
Atalanta fought back once again, and just before halftime, Charles De Ketelaere’s deft header from an Ederson free kick made it 2-2.
The momentum had shifted, and it didn’t take long for Lookman to showcase his individual brilliance. In first-half stoppage time, he embarked on a solo run, weaving through the Fiorentina defence before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner to give Atalanta a 3-2 lead.
Lookman nearly extended his tally in the second half, coming close to scoring on several occasions, including a narrow miss in the 49th minute.
Despite Fiorentina’s pressure, Atalanta held on for a crucial victory, with goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi also making a number of key saves to secure the win.
Ademola Lookman’s masterclass seals win for Atalanta against Fiorentina
Sports
AfroBasket: Junior D’Tigress fall to record champions in final
AfroBasket: Junior D’Tigress fall to record champions in final
The U-18 national women’s basketball team, the Junior D’Tigress, failed to win the FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket 2024 final on Saturday.
The team lost 56-76 to Mali that clinched a record ninth title.
A report by Premium Times notes that despite a strong start with a 5-0 run, the Nigerians struggled to keep up with the dominant Malian side.
Mali won all four quarters, taking the first 11-8, the second 18-15, the third 24-19, and the fourth quarter with a commanding 23-14.
The Malians excelled in the paint, outscoring Nigeria 30-16, and capitalised on fast breaks, adding 15 points. Nigeria’s bench was more productive, contributing 24 points compared to Mali’s 12.
Mali’s 17-year-old Oummou Koumare was named FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket’s Most Valuable Player.
Nigerian guard Idubamo Beggi earned a spot in the All-Star team of the tournament.
She scored 23 points in the opening loss to Egypt and the semifinal victory over Uganda, although the Malians held her to 14 points in the final.
Beggi also contributed 32 assists and 17 rebounds throughout the tournament in South Africa.
Sports
Haaland denied hat-trick history in Man City 2-1 victory
Haaland denied hat-trick history in Man City 2-1 victory
Erling Haaland’s double sent Manchester City three points clear at the top of the Premier League in a 2-1 win over Brentford.
City took full advantage of Liverpool’s defeat to move clear at the top by stretching their 100 per cent record to four games despite a disastrous start.
However, Haaland’s form at the start of the season remains unstoppable, even if the Norwegian just missed out on a record third consecutive hat-trick in the Premier League.
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The 24-year-old’s powerful deflected effort brought City level before he showed a combination of strength and skill to shrug off Ethan Pinnock and dink the ball over the onrushing Mark Flekken.
Only the post denied Haaland another hat-trick after half-time but he now has a Premier League record nine goals in the first four games of the season.
“He’s just an absolute machine in front of goal and I can’t speak highly enough of him,” said City’s Jack Grealish of Haaland, who had been doubtful due to the death this week of a close family friend.
“It does speak volumes about him as a person and his mental strength.”
Haaland denied hat-trick history in Man City 2-1 victory
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