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I WILL BE HERE, 100 PER CENT FOR MAN CITY, DESPITE UEFA BAN, SAYS PEP GUARDIOLA

Published

5 years ago

February 20, 2020

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he is “100 per cent” sure he will stay at the club despite the two-year ban from European football handed out by UEFA for serious breaches of Financial Fair Play rules.

There has been speculation over the Spaniard’s future, given his side could be barred from competing in the next two Champions League campaigns but Guardiola, whose contract runs until June 2021, was quick to dismiss such talk.

“Why should I leave? I said a month ago, I love this club, I like to be here. Why should I leave?,” he told Sky Sports after his team’s 2-0 win over West Ham United in the Premier League on Wednesday (Feb 19).

“If they don’t sack me, I will stay here 100 per cent, more than ever.

“First, because I want to stay. It’s something special, more than the contract I have. I said before, I say now, I want to stay and help the club and maintain this level as long as possible.”

City are appealing against the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland and the club’s hierarchy have insisted they have done no wrong and will prevail.

“We spoke with the players, in the next three months we will focus on what we have to do and after we will see the sentence. Personally, I will be here,” Guardiola told reporters.

“It is so sensitive with the legal (aspect) that I am not the person to talk about that,” he said, when asked about the case.

“I know a little bit the reasons why and I support the club 100 per cent. I trust what they told me and that is what I can say.

“When someone believes he is right, he is going to fight to the end and that is what we are going to do. It is an incredible thing to fight for our people who support this club and we are going to do it. As a club, a team, we are going to do it.”

Guardiola has won two Premier League titles at City. His side are in the last 16 of the Champions League and lie second in the domestic standings, 22 points behind Liverpool.

The former Barcelona manager said he had discussed with his players the right approach to take to the rest of the campaign, in light of the legal moves.

“We have a deal, we are professional on the pitch. What happened off the pitch, we cannot say, we cannot do much,” Guardiola said.

“So we talked about what we were going to do until the end of the season, what we have to do, especially for the people who love this club. There are many, and that is going to happen, so (we) play our games as best as possible.”

-Reuters

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MFM Women Basketball Club at Mountain top after comprehensive defeat of hosts Liberian club

Published

3 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The mountains in Monrovia, Liberia are set on fire by Mountain of Fire and Miracle Women Basketball Club who comprehensively beat hosts, Invisible Eleven by 112-42 points in one of the opening matches of FIBA Africa Women Basketball League Zone 3 Qualifiers on Tuesday.

The General Overseer of the Christian church that owns the club, Dr Daniel Olukoya promptly sent a congratulatory message even as the team prepares for another duel this Wednesday against champions of Cote d’Ivoire, Friends Basketball Association (FBA) of Cocody.

“Thank you for flying the Nigerian flag so proudly in Liberia with your big win. The MFM family expects more from you as always. We will continue to support you to reach your potential and be the best at what you do.”

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Falcons, Green Ladies’ clash in Lagos on Tuesday to start 2pm

Published

4 weeks ago

October 27, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Tuesday’s international friendly between the Super Falcons and Algeria’s Green Ladies at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos will now commence at 2pm, as against the earlier-advertised 4pm.

The Nigeria Football Federation explained on Sunday that the Algerian delegation has opted to commence their return journey on Tuesday night.

“This has necessitated us moving the match forward in order to finish the encounter early for them to prepare for their movement to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos for their return trip aboard Qatar Airways,” NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor, said.

The two international friendlies were put together by the Nigeria Football Federation to help the rebuilding process of the Super Falcons, following a below-par performance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France this summer, and the departure of American gaffer Randy Waldrum.

Two magnificent goals by Captain Rasheedat Ajibade earned the Falcons a 2-0 win over the Algerians on Saturday. A good number of home-based professionals, including former U17 stars Miracle Usani, Chioma Olise and Goodness Osigwe showed great promise in an entertaining encounter at the Remo Stars Training Complex in Ikenne-Remo.

Farid Benstiti, Coach of the Green Ladies, told thenff.com that his youthful team will prove a handful for the Falcons on Tuesday, having learnt a couple of things during the game in Ikenne-Remo.

“We will be much better on Tuesday. My girls have seen and learnt a few lessons today. We will take those lessons on board and dig our feet into the ground against the Falcons on Tuesday.”

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It’s hattrick as Morocco hosts CAF Awards for the third time in a row

Published

1 month ago

October 18, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The CAF Awards will again hold in Morocco this time on 16 December. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the prestigious ceremony, which honors the best performers in African football, will again take place on December 16 in Morocco.

This marks the third consecutive year that the North African nation will host the event, following successful editions in 2022 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora and 2023 at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech.

No specific venue has been named for the 2024 edition.

The ceremony encompasses various categories, including the coveted African Player of the Year award, which has been presented annually since 1992, with Ghana’s Abedi Pele being the inaugural recipient.

Other notable accolades include the African Women’s Player of the Year, Youth Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Club of the Year awards, among others.