Former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Matt Beard has died at the age of 47, the two Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs announced late on Saturday.

Beard led Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 during his first stint at the club, before returning to the side in 2021 and guiding them back to the top-flight after two seasons in the second tier.

He left Liverpool in February, with his last coaching role coming in a brief spell in charge of Burnley between June and August.

“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends at this devastating time,” Liverpool said in a statement.

“Matt was not only an extremely committed and successful manager, he was also a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club.”

Beard began his managerial career at Millwall before moving to Chelsea in 2009. He also coached West Ham United, Boston Breakers and Bristol City.

-Reuters

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Nigerian broadcasting icon, Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako, who masterminded the television programme, Mastesports on the NTA network, has paid glowing tributes to one of the anchors of the programme, Chris Eseka, who was also a former sports journalist and football agent.

In the tribute titled:” A Master Departs for Home”, Dr Bako remarks:

In 1991, at the National Stadium Surulere, after watching a boxing event together, along with Group Captain Brai Ayonote, former Boxing Federation Chairman,  I told Chris I wanted him to join Paul Bassey and Sam John as a presenter for my new programme, Mastersports”, scheduled for live transmission soon on NTA 2.

He looked at me and was quiet for a while. I said, “What do you think?”, he replied “But I am not a TV presenter nah”.

I said I will train you, besides even SJ (Sam John) of the Sunday Times is on the show and Paul Bassey.

He then said,”I will do it if you say so”.

“MasterSports” went on air one February Saturday, at  noon on NTA 2 Channel 5. Chris became part of the success story.

Always ready to learn, always ready to improve and ever so humble, especially the way he handled fame. He mentored so many sportswriters as well as young footballers and advised even the established stars.

Before 1992, we had travelled severally times together to cover football matches all over Africa, like the Nigeria versus Cameroon World Cup qualifying in Yaounde in 1989.

Same with  tournaments like the FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi ’89  in Saudi Arabia and Algiers ’90 in Algeria.

 Chris had the respect of such big-time coaches as Amodu Shaibu and Concord Publisher Bashorun MKO Abiola, and we regularly saw the Pillar of Sports together. Sometimes, without earlier plans, on a normal Saturday afternoon, we could hop into my car and drive to Abeokuta to watch Abiola Babes trade tackles with Leventis United just like that.

In 1994, I arrived in Tunis a day late for the opening ceremony of the CAF/AFCON tourney and couldn’t get a room at Hotel Diplomat, where the team was lodged, Chris opened his doors at room 108 for me to share with him.

I can go on and on about this very reliable friend and brother.

Chris was a committed sports journalist, refined, diligent and professional. When Tony Ubani and Frank Ilaboya of Sportsville gave me an award for Sports some years ago, I dedicated it to Chris.

Rest in peace, my brother. This was very hard to write. Good night, Chris Eseka, one of the Masters!

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The final farewell for former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, begins today in Lagos. Family, friends, and the football community will gather to honour one of Nigeria’s most decorated shot-stoppers.

The programme, released by his family, details the opening of the ceremonies this Thursday. There will be a service of songs. The presentation of his biography will occur at the Raji Rasaki Estate field, Amuwo-Odofin. This event will take place from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

The funeral mass will be held on Friday at the Catholic Church of Visitation, First Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.

After the mass, Rufai will be laid to rest at the Ikoyi Cemetery. On Sunday, which could have been his birthday, a thanksgiving service is scheduled. It will be held at the Catholic Church of Visitation.

Fondly nicknamed “Dodo Mayana,” Rufai remains one of Nigeria’s most iconic goalkeepers. He represented the country at two FIFA World Cups (1994 in the USA and 1998 in France) and was part of the golden generation that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

The 61-year-old, who died on 3rd July, is remembered not only for his commanding presence between the posts but also for his leadership and commitment to Nigerian football.

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