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ALL EYES ON IGHALO AS MAN UTD FACE CHELSEA
Manchester United’s on-loan forward Odion Ighalo is still “pinching himself” after securing a move to the Premier League club he supported as a boy and could make his debut against Chelsea on Monday, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Friday.
The 30-year-old, the first Nigerian to sign for United, moved to Old Trafford from China’s Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season on the last day of the transfer window last month.
But he had to miss their training camp in Spain over fears he may not clear British immigration on their return should border restrictions tighten owing to the coronavirus epidemic, putting his involvement in Monday’s match in doubt.
“I never said he was going to be ready to play on Monday. He’ll be involved with us and he will travel down with us,” Solskjaer told a news conference.
“Now he’s out of that two-week precaution period… let’s see if he’s involved or not. We’ve kept in touch with him and we’ve done our own programme, he’s done his.
“He’s probably pinching himself at times at his favourite club at the age of 30, but he’s earned that one.”
Ighalo will meet the rest of United’s squad for the first time only today after training alone.
But Solskjaer also said the lack of knowledge of his new team’s style of play does not mean the striker cannot make an instant impact.
“Well, it didn’t take me too long. I didn’t have a training session to come on and score,” the Norwegian said of his playing days at United.
“As a striker you get thrown on out there and it might be he’ll have to come off the bench, give us a goal and he does whatever he’s done.”
The signing of the former Watford striker, who has been playing in China for three years, has been questioned by fans who feel he is not up to the club’s standards.
But Solskjaer insisted it was necessary to strengthen the attack following Marcus Rashford’s injury.
“We needed another forward and we got the chance to get Odion on a loan. He’s a goalscorer, he was top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations last summer so he can help the club,” he said.
United have beaten the Blues three times in a row under Solskjaer – in the FA Cup last season and Premier League and League Cup this term – and the manager knows defeat would leave them nine points adrift of Frank Lampard’s fourth-place team (41).
Paul Pogba remains sidelined following ankle surgery, while fellow midfielder Scott McTominay (knee) and the defensive duo of Axel Tuanzebe (thigh) and Timothy Fosu-Mensah (thigh) are not ready to play yet.
-AFP
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Ahead of Nigeria-Libya match: Some kidnapped journalists regain freedom
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
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.
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.
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
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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