Nigerian Football
AC MILAN TARGET NIGERIAN-BORN FIKAYO TOMORI TO PERMANENT DEAL
AC Milan hope to negotiate a lower price tag for Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori with a view to a permanent move for the loanee this summer.
Tomori joined the Rossoneri on loan with an option to buy in January having struggled for minutes under Frank Lampard in the first half of the season, and has seriously impressed since arriving at San Siro.
The defender has settled in seamlessly and forced Stefano Pioli to bench regular captain Alessio Romagnoli, meaning a permanent deal is an attractive option.
Italian journalist Nicolo Ceccarini spoke to milannews.it (as quoted by sempremilan.com) and claimed that Tomori’s form is not a surprise to the Milan camp, who had been interested in him prior to the January transfer window.
“If Maldini and Massara move towards a target it means that they are very convinced of his physical and technical qualities,” He claimed, before discussing the intricacies of a permanent deal.
“Tomori has done very well and I believe that Milan will try to sign him, but trying to lower the amount agreed for the option to buy with Chelsea.”
Milan initially managed to agree on an option to purchase the 23-year-old at the end of the loan spell for a fee of around £25m plus add-ons, but would prefer to negotiate a lower fee in order to secure him beyond the end of the season.
Ceccarini insisted that Milan see him as ‘right’ and are convinced by the England international, thus confirming that he doesn’t have doubts over the Rossoneri’s wishes to sign him permanently.
Tomori had made just one Premier League appearance this season for Chelsea before deciding to move abroad in January. He has already made eight appearances in Serie A and played every minute of all four of Milan’s Europa League knockout stage fixtures.
His performances have quickly impressed Pioli, but also Milan’s technical director and legendary defender Paolo Maldini, who has been quick to praise his impact since his arrival.
Nigerian Football
Remo Stars win Star War against Sunshine Stars to take temporary NPFL lead
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
Nigerian Football
Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
Nigerian Football
Plateau United’s Doyeni is first scorer of Season 2024/25
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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