Nevertheless, the Ligue 1 giants seem more interested in Osimhen’s teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and have already held talks with the winger’s agent, irritating Napoli.
Sports
Benin Republic beat Super Eagles 2-1, dim Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualification
Benin Republic beat Super Eagles 2-1, dim Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualification
Benin Republic on Monday defeated the Super Eagles 2-1, causing a major setback for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Super Eagles now have only three miserable points from four World Cup qualification games and face the risk of missing the next football tournament, according to a report by Channels TV.
The Super Eagles came into the game needing a win after playing a 1-1 draw with South Africa some days back.
While the game started on a good note for the Nigerians, taking the lead on the 25th minute.
Raphael Onyedika of Club Brugge gave the Super Eagles the advantage when he slotted in cooly just inside the box.
But the Cheetahs of Benin coached by a former Nigerian gaffer Gernot Rohr levelled proceedings in the 37th minute from Jodei Dossou after a defensive error from the Super Eagles.
They compounded Nigeria’s misery just before the halftime whistle via Steve Mounie.
On the resumption of the second half, Nigeria made some changes but the hosts defended well, ending the game recording one of the biggest wins in football.
Monday’s result leaves Nigeria 5th in the Group C qualification lot for the 2026 World Cup.
Sports
Osimhen to start pre-season with Napoli
Osimhen to start pre-season with Napoli
With no offers yet in sight despite being linked with a move away from Napoli this summer, Super Eagles’ ace striker Victor Osimhen will reportedly resume pre-season training with the former Italian champions next week.
According to Football Italia, new Napoli coach Antonio Conte could meet Victor Osimhen in Castel Volturno next week as no European club has yet made a formal offer to secure the striker’s services.
The Nigeria international has a €130m clause included in his contract with the Partenopei but despite rumours linking Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United with the 25-year-old, there are still no official bids on Napoli’s table.
No club seems willing to pay €130m for Osimhen, and it may be difficult to find suitable candidates even if the Partenopei lowers the price to €100m.
Conte is prepared to part company with the striker, but if no club steps up over the next few days, Osimhen will have to start the pre-season with Napoli on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
Last week at his unveiling as the new manager of Napoli, the 54-year-old Conte described Osimhen as ‘a top player’ despite making a categorical statement about the future of the former upstart with Wolfsburg in Germany.
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“I know very well about the Osimhen situation,” Conte reportedly said. “I know that there are agreements with the club, it’s a totally different situation, which I’ll witness.
“Then if you ask me about the player, he’s a top player, but I can’t get into any discussions about Osimhen because these are previous agreements,” he added.
Yet Italian tabloid Il Corriere dello Sport has given a fresh insight on why English Premiership trio of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have put Osimhen transfer talks on hold.
It was claimed that Arsenal prefer Viktor Gyökeres to Osimhen even if they also consider the Sporting striker’s €100m clause too high.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have changed their transfer targets after the appointment of the Italian Enzo Maresca, while Manchester United have set their sights on Joshua Zirkzee and will continue relying on ex-Atalanta ace Rasmus Hojlund, especially after Erik ten Hag was confirmed in charge at Old Trafford.
Osimhen dreams of playing in the Premier League, but PSG have also been monitoring the Nigerian ace.
Sports
Updated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach
Updated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach
Super Eagles’ former forward, Emmanuel Amuneke, is set to return to coaching after a year away from the sidelines.
The former Tanzania coach has previously assisted Samson Siasia as well as Augustine Equavoen in the national team.
Amunike’s last role was with Zambia’s Zanaco FC, where he served as both coach and consultant before leaving in 2023.
He recently applied for the Super Eagles head coach position, but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) opted for Finidi George instead
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According to reports from Owerri, Amunike is close to joining Heartland, which plans to return to the elite NPFL next season.
The report added that Amuneke, who has been quietly working with his hometown club, has started recruiting players for the upcoming season.
Heartland FC was relegated to the NPFL after finishing in the 19th position on the 20-team table last season.
The club is reportedly planning to buy the NPFL slot of Beyond Limits, who earned promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL), but face participation issues due to their affiliation with Remo Stars.
Amuneke, 53, has extensive coaching experience in domestic and international football.
Updated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach
Sports
Asisat Oshoala scores first-ever penalty for Bay FC in NWSL
Asisat Oshoala Scores First-Ever Penalty for Bay FC In NWSL
Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala has etched her name in the history books by becoming the first Bay FC player to score a penalty in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Oshoala scored the winning goal in Bay FC’s 1-0 victory over Racing Louisville.
She calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot, 14 minutes before the end of the match.
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This record-setting goal adds to the former Barcelona star impressive start at Bay FC, where she previously scored the club’s first-ever goal on her debut in the USA.
Since joining the club, Asisat Oshoala has now scored three goals.
Meanwhile, her international teammate, Uchenna Kanu, did not feature in Racing Louisville’s matchday squad for the game.
Asisat Oshoala Scores First-Ever Penalty for Bay FC In NWSL
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