International Football
Ghana-Nigeria World Cup matches likely to headline discussion as Dudu-Orumen hosts Eguavoen at Sportshaq 
Sixteen days to the epic confrontation of Ghana and Nigeria in Cape Coast Ghana, Nigeria’s rescue manager, Austin Eguavoen will be talking at a sports session being hosted by former Edo State Sports Commission boss, Godwin Dudu-Orumen at his sports bar, Sportsshaq on Sunday.
According to Dudu-Orumen, sports fans and members of the Nigerian football family are in for exciting moments during the hosting of the Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen, the Nigeria’s premier sports lounge SportsShaq.
Godwin Dudu-Orumen, Sportshaq’s founder and Chief Executive Officer(CEO), said Eguavoen, fondly called Cerezo, was being hosted among many reasons for the sprite, class and purpose he had brought to the Super Eagles since he was appointed Interim Manager of the team in late 2021.
Eguavoen was the on-field captain for the Super Eagles when the team first won the Africa Cup of Nations outside Nigeria’s shores.
“The Eagles were a shadow of their erstwhile rugged and purposeful selves under the German, Gernort Rohr.
“Their play was listless and uninspiring but that changed with the coming of Eguavoen.
“As we saw at the last Nations Cup, Eguavoen rejuvenated the Eagles imbuing them with the confidence and zeal that the team lacked for years under Rohr”, said Dudu-Orumen, one of Nigeria’s sports administrators and repository of football knowledge, which earned him the moniker, Football Aficionado.
Speaking further on the hosting of Eguavoen, himself a former captain of the Eagles, Dudu-Orumen said the event will attract leading members of the Nigerian sports fraternity including Barrister Seyi Akinwumi. First Vice President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Chief Segun Odegbami, former Chairman of the board of the National Institute of Sports and one-time captain of the Eagles, Dr. Larry Izamoje, one of Nigeria’s most respected journalists and founder of the country’s first sports radio station, Mitchel Obi, President of African Sports Journalists Union(ASJU) and other top journalists like Tayo Balogun, Gboyega Okegbenro and Godwin Enakhena.
He added that in addition to the personalities above, other guests to grace the occasion includes communication industry captains and brand custodians like Gamaliel Ese Onosode, Ehi Braimah, Tony Agenmomen, Igbo Amadi-Obi, Nnanke Harry-Willie, Chidi Okoro; Corporate Executives, Chidi Anadozie, Ohimai Unuigboje, legal luminaries- Chief Charles Umwensuyi-Edosomwan SAN, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, Hrm Babatunde Ogala SAN, Adedapo Tunde-Olowu SAN, Chijioke Okoli SAN, Ikenna Okoli SAN, Biriyai Dambo SAN, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Bayelsa State, Sola Aiyepeku , Chairman Lagos State Sports Commission and Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye former Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
The Football Aficionado disclosed that the event, which will commence by 6pm will afford the Super Eagles coach the opportunity to feel the pulse of the many football fans who daily throng Sportshaq to savour the best of football and other sports.
“It promises to be an interesting time this Sunday at Sportshaq. It will be an evening to remember”, Dudu-Orumen said.
Eguavoen himself is looking forward to the event as it will afford him opportunity to connect with football fans in Lagos where for many years he titillated them with his deft marking skills as a defender with the Eagles.
International Football
Former Chelsea manager, Pochettino takes over US men’s team
Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been named new coach of the United States men’s team, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday.
Pochettino, who parted ways with Premier League side Chelsea in May after one season in charge, will take the reins of the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.
The Argentine, a former Paris St Germain and Tottenham Hotspur manager, said his decision to join U.S. soccer was not just about football, but about the journey the country was on and he could not pass up the opportunity.
“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me,” he said in a statement.
“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”
U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said Pochettino was a “serial winner with a deep passion for developing players”.
“His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”
The U.S. have been without a permanent coach since a humiliating early exit from the Copa America on home soil in July led to the sacking of Gregg Berhalter after his second stint as head coach.
The 51-year-old boss was first appointed in 2018 and led the Americans to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, but just weeks later found himself embroiled in a bitter public row with one of the team’s brightest emerging talents, Gio Reyna.
U.S. Soccer’s search for a new coach when Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022 included names such as Canada coach Jesse Marsch, but they ultimately rehired Berhalter in June last year with the full support of the players.
However, it proved unsuccessful as the U.S. failed to progress beyond the group stages of the Copa America after a shock 2-1 defeat to Panama and a crushing 1-0 loss to Uruguay.
Pochettino will take over after Mikey Varas, who has been appointed interim coach, oversaw friendlies against Canada last Saturday and New Zealand on Tuesday.
The U.S. drew 1-1 with New Zealand in Cincinnati after Christian Pulisic’s goal was cancelled out by Ben Waine’s late equaliser.
The U.S. will next play friendlies against Panama on Oct. 12 and Mexico three days later.
-Reuters
International Football
BREAKING – Video: Osimhen accepts to join Galatasaray
At last, Nigeria’s striker Victor Osimhen is out of the limbo. He has accepted to join Galatasaray on loan.
He is now asking for a release clause at Napoli to become €75m instead of €130m
He also wants a break clause for January in case top clubs approach him over move.
The final points are being discussed. He has been videoed celebrating with the Turkey club’s fans.
International Football
Uruguay striker Suarez to play last international match on Friday
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez announced his international retirement on Monday, ending a 17-year career with his national team as their top scorer with 69 goals.
The 37-year-old, who has 142 caps for his country, made his international debut in 2007 and was key in the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and won the Copa America a year later.
“Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” an emotional Suarez told a press conference.
“The fact that is my decision to retire and that I’m not retired because of injuries or that they stop calling me for one thing or another, that gives me a lot of comfort, it helps me individually.
“It’s difficult but it gives me peace of mind that until the last game I have given my all, and that flame has not been extinguished little by little,” the striker added.
Uruguay take on Paraguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Friday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup before facing Venezuela four days later.
Suarez scored the stoppage-time goal against Canada that secured third place at the Copa America in July and the striker added that one of his aims was to show he could continue to contribute to the national team.
“My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team … that last goal was very nice for them and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice for them,” he said.
“I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team and, well, I had the Copa America and yes, I could have done it (retired) perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium.
“I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye with the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done.”
Suarez has already said Inter Miami will be his last club after joining the Major League Soccer side last year to reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
-Reuters
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