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AITEO Cup: For Lack of Seeding, NPFL Clubs Are Decimated

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
With seeding not applied in the draw of the ongoing AITEO Cup, the rank of the premier league sides is fast diminishing as the number of rookies is far more than that of the lead brands.
By the time the round of 32 will be concluded on Wednesday August 30, no fewer than seven of the 18 top division sides that entered the main national draw would have been eliminated.
That is apart from those that may also experience the possible upsets which are characteristics of national cup competitions where midgets have brought the mighty.
The early elimination of the big teams often lead to diminishing thrills and attention as a competition progresses to the final stage.
In the Round of 64, 10 of the top division club sides were pitched head on collision which meant that five of them were doomed for elimination. In the concluded matches, four of them – MFM, Enyimba, Wikki Tourists and Rivers United have already been eliminated.
One of Lobi Stars and Katsina United is doomed for similar fate. In the Round of 32, if Kano Pillars come victorious in their outstanding previous round duel with Yobe Stars, they will be pitched with fellow top division club, Akwa United to further decimate the rank of the big club.
Still in the Round of 32, Sunshine Stars will go head-to-head with Nasarawa United. Lucky Ifeanyi Ubah, at least one of his teams will make it to the Round of 16 as FC IfeanyiUbah Feeders and FC IfeanyiUbah can sort themselves out domestically.

ROUND OF 32 FIXTURES
• Sunshine Stars Vs Nasarawa United
• Akwa United Vs Yobe Desert Stars/Kano Pillars
• Osun United Vs Kwara United
• Niger Tornadoes Vs FC Atete
• Ngwa FC Vs Lobi Stars/Katsina United
• Unicem Rovers Vs Rangers International
• Ekiti United Vs Abia Warriors
• FRSC FC Vs Heartland FC
• FC IfeanyiUbah Feeders Vs FC IfeanyiUbah
• El-Kanemi Babes Vs Almar FC
• FC Abuja Vs Samba Kurna
• Plateau United Vs Ede United
• ABS FC Vs Adamawa United Feeders
• Katsina United Feeders Vs Bayelsa United
• Akwa Starlets Vs Doma United
• Delta Warriors Vs Shooting Stars

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Ahead of Nigeria-Libya match: Some kidnapped journalists regain freedom

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An unspecified number of Nigerian journalists travelling to Uyo for Friday’s Nigeria versus Libya’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match have been rescued.

This is contained in a press release by the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Thursday. The association commended the Nigerian security forces for their efforts in the rescue operation.
From the press release, it was gathered that the media men were abducted within the  Anambra and Imo states axis.

”SWAN therefore commends the security operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army and Police for their prompt action which ensured that up to six of the held Sports Journalists regained their freedom with efforts to get the remaining person freed”, reads the SWAN statement.

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Klopp becomes Red Bull global soccer chief in first job after Liverpool

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Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 19, 2024 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts as he gives a speech after his last match as Liverpool manager REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

German coach Juergen Klopp has been appointed head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.

Klopp, who ended his successful nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, will be starting on January 1, 2025.

“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” Klopp, who also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, said in a statement.

“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”

The 57-year-old joined Liverpool in October 2015 and won the Champions League, their first English League title since 1990, the Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his time in charge.

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Klopp, who also led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup and a Champions League final in 2013, had announced in January he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Klopp will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Red Bull-owned clubs in Germany, United States, Brazil and Austria, the company said.

“He will provide strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy,” Red Bull said.

Klopp will also support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.

“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more,” Klopp said.

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Some German media reported his Red Bull contract included an exit clause for the post of Germany national team coach.

Klopp has long been linked to that job, especially after his successful stint at Liverpool and with Germany struggling to make an impact on the international stage in the past decade.

-Reuters

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Cape Verdean, Delgado Rocha, to take charge of Libya, Nigeria battle in Benina

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Referee Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine of Cape Verde

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine, from Cape Verde, as referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, close to Benghazi.

He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official.

Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be in the role of commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer.

Tuesday’s encounter, which is at the back-end of a double header between both nations, will kick off at 9pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).  

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