Sports

Thierry Henry resigns as France U21 manager

Published

4 months ago

August 19, 2024

Thierry Henry resigns as France U21 manager

Thierry Henry has officially resigned from his position as head coach of the France Under-21 national team.

The announcement, made by the French Football Federation on Monday, confirmed that Henry’s departure was due to “personal reasons.”

Renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano also reported the news, stating that Henry had “decided to terminate his contract” with the team. Romano added that the reasons for Henry’s decision were described as “personal.”

Thierry Henry, a legendary former Arsenal and Barcelona forward, took charge of the France U21 side in 2023.

His unexpected departure marks the end of his brief tenure with the team after leading them to the 2024 Olympics finals, where they lost to Spain. His France side finished their campaign with a silver medal.

Sports

Lille Netted Just €7M from Osimhen’s €70M Napoli Move, Club President Reveals”

Published

2 days ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Lille Netted Just €7M from Osimhen’s €70M Napoli Move, Club President Reveals”

Lille’s financial gain from Victor Osimhen’s high-profile 2020 transfer to Napoli was far less than expected, with the French club earning only €7 million despite the deal being valued at over €70 million. The shocking revelation was made by Lille’s President, Olivier Letang, who explained that the €7 million figure was the net result after factoring in the purchase price of Osimhen, four Napoli players who never played for Lille, and various intermediary fees and commissions.

“The net amount, after accounting for the player’s purchase, four players valued at €20 million who never featured for us, as well as intermediaries and commissions, was around €7 million,” Letang told L’Equipe TV.

This disclosure comes amid ongoing investigations by both Italian and French authorities into the circumstances surrounding the transfer, though Napoli has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Napoli’s legal team highlighted the club’s clean record, with lawyer Mattia Grassani emphasizing that the club had been acquitted after facing scrutiny from multiple judicial levels.

Letang, who took over as Lille’s President months after Osimhen’s departure, has now shed light on the intricate financial details behind the deal that saw Osimhen move to Italy. The striker’s move to Napoli would become a pivotal moment in his career, propelling him to stardom and helping Napoli secure their first Serie A title in 33 years.

Born in the tough environment of Lagos’ Olusosun community, Osimhen’s rise to prominence began at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot with a record-breaking 10 goals. After stints at Wolfsburg in Germany and Charleroi in Belgium, Osimhen’s impressive performances at Lille led to his transfer to Napoli, where he went on to score 76 goals in 133 appearances. In 2023, he helped Napoli end their long wait for the Serie A title, earning the Serie A Golden Boot and breaking records, including becoming the highest-scoring African in Serie A history.

Currently on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray, Osimhen has continued his impressive form, with 10 goals and five assists in just 14 appearances. Though contracted to Napoli until 2026, his future remains uncertain, as his contract includes clauses that could facilitate a permanent departure either in January or the summer. The details of his transfer and the shifting dynamics between player and club add another layer to the complex and ongoing saga of Osimhen’s career.

Sports

Controversy in Morocco as Lookman Beats Hakimi to African Player of the Year Award

Published

2 days ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Controversy in Morocco as Lookman Beats Hakimi to African Player of the Year Award

Moroccan football enthusiasts have expressed disappointment following Atlas Lions captain Achraf Hakimi’s loss in the race for the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award.

Atalanta’s Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman clinched the prestigious title during the CAF Awards ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday evening. Lookman’s achievement sees him succeed compatriot Victor Osimhen, marking consecutive wins for Nigeria in the category.

Lookman’s stellar performances in 2024 made a compelling case for his selection. He played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s historic Europa League triumph, notably scoring a remarkable hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the final—the Italian club’s first-ever European title. Additionally, the 27-year-old was instrumental in Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, contributing three goals and an assist, and earning a spot in the official Team of the Tournament.

Speculation leading up to the awards had suggested that Hakimi was the favorite for the accolade, given his outstanding contributions to both the Moroccan national team and Paris Saint-Germain throughout the year. Reports from Moroccan and French media fueled expectations of a Hakimi win, only for Lookman to be announced as the victor.

The decision has drawn criticism from Moroccan football analysts and fans. Tawfiq Al-Sanhaji, a prominent sports commentator, told 365scores: “It is a great regret for all Moroccan fans, and for all those who follow football in Morocco, because Achraf Hakimi presented distinguished levels throughout the year with the Moroccan national team and Paris Saint-Germain.”

Another sports analyst, Abdel Salam Kourahi, suggested potential internal politics within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) might have influenced the outcome. He remarked, “Perhaps there were understandings, calculations, and divisions within CAF that tipped the scales in favor of the Nigerian over the Moroccan international at the last minute.”

Some fans also pointed to past decisions by CAF, noting that Yassine Bounou, a key player in Sevilla’s Europa League victories in 2020 and 2023, was similarly overlooked for the award.

Lookman’s victory represents a milestone for Nigerian football. It is the first time in three decades that the nation has produced back-to-back winners of the African Player of the Year award, harking back to the consecutive victories of Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba in 1996 and 1997 respectively.

While Lookman’s achievements are undeniably remarkable, the debate over the decision underscores the intense passion and pride that the African Player of the Year award evokes across the continent.

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CAF Awards 2024: Sanwo-Olu Celebrates Lookman, Nnadozie, and Super Falcons

Published

4 days ago

December 17, 2024

Sahara Weekly

CAF Awards 2024: Sanwo-Olu Celebrates Lookman, Nnadozie, and Super Falcons

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman on being named the 2024 CAF Men’s African Footballer of the Year.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also applauded Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie for winning the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award and commended the Super Falcons for clinching the Women’s National Team of the Year honor.

The awards, which celebrate excellence in African football, took place on Monday night at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the governor described the winners as exemplary ambassadors of Nigeria, praising their talent and contributions to the nation’s pride on the global stage.

“As a proud Nigerian and football enthusiast, I celebrate the outstanding achievements of Ademola Lookman and Chiamaka Nnadozie at the 2024 CAF Awards. Their victories as the Men’s African Footballer of the Year and Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year are a source of immense pride,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recognition as the 2023 Women’s National Team of the Year, emphasizing their dominance as Africa’s best female football team.

“These awards reflect the dedication, skill, and hard work of our footballers. They have not only brought personal acclaim but also showcased the immense potential of Nigerian football to the world,” he added.

Governor Sanwo-Olu concluded by encouraging young Nigerian footballers to draw inspiration from the achievements of Lookman, Nnadozie, and the Super Falcons, reaffirming his government’s commitment to supporting the sport.