Sports
Al-Makura Donates N10m To Amazons FC
Governor Umaru AlMakura of Nasarawa State has donated N10 million to Lafia-based Nasarawa Amazons FC for clinching the 2016/2017 Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL) title.
The governor also ordered the prompt payment of the players sign-on fees worth N38 million. Al-makura made the donation at a brief ceremony held for the management and players of the club at the Government House in Lafia on Wednesday.
He said the team’s triumph was worth more than “silver and gold’’ and the only way to show gratitude which could not be enough for their efforts was to recognise and celebrate them.
“It is with the greatest delight that I on behalf of the government and people of Nasarawa State welcome our victorious Amazons home.
“What these wonderful queens have done is worth more than silver or gold.
“Today is one of the golden days of Nasarawa State because these great daughters of ours have done the state proud by winning the NWFL title.
“This makes me proud and I am appreciating them with a donation of N10 million,’’ he said. Al-Makura, who praised the Amazons for their feat, assured them that between Wednesday and today, their total sign-on fees worth N38 million would paid as a sign of the government’s commitment to their welfare.
“You are the single most exalted team among ladies in the country. I believe you are priceless. “What you have done for Nasarawa State cannot be quantified. We have already started reviewing your emoluments so that you can access them compared with other states.
“Also, I have already signed the N38 million documents for your sign-on fees. Today is Wednesday. I want to assure you that by Friday, your sign-on fees will be paid to you,” he added. The governor also revealed that the government had arranged for all necessary vehicles meant for the transportation and use by Nasarawa Amazons and Nasarawa United FC to be released to both teams on Wednesday.
“What you and Nasarawa United are doing is very encouraging and we will continue to play our part by ensuring that your welfare is always taken care of.
“I want to also inform you that we have also created a practicing pitch for your training just behind the government house,’’ he said.
He, however, urged the players to be patient with the government with regards to their emoluments compared to female footballers in Europe and other parts of the world. Al-Makura assured them that government was doing its best to develop sports to the level it should be. Thanking the governor, , the club’s Chairman, Alhaji Audu Nuhu expressed gratitude to the government for its support and assured that the team would work harder to ensure that it retained the title next season and win the Aiteo Challenge Cup also.
“I cannot say we have ever gone out without our allowances and I cannot also say that any other club enjoys the type of support we get from our state government.
“We are indeed very grateful for all the support you have given the team.
“We must thank you sir for the approval given for the prompt payment of the players’ sign-on fees.
“This is just the beginning of the laurels we are going to bring to the state. We will continue to do our best so that whatever efforts you make is seen,’’ he said.
Earlier, the team’s Captain, Mariam Ibrahim said: “I want to say a big thank you to our daddy, the executive governor of Nasarawa State for your support because without the support, we may not have achieved this goal.
“He has been very supportive and I pray God continues to protect him,’’.
Sports
Inter Best Juventus To Maintain Serie A Lead
Andrea Cambiaso scored at both ends during the first half of Saturday’s Derby d’Italia, before Pierre Kalulu’s red card forced Juventus to play the entire second half a man light.
Substitute Francesco Pio Esposito got Inter back in front with a bullet header, then Manuel Locatelli’s pinpoint finish looked to have salvaged a point for the Bianconeri, before Zielinski struck on the cusp of stoppage time.
Juventus made the brighter start, but they were masters of their own downfall in the 17th minute, when Cambiaso deflected Luis Henrique’s cross beyond Michele Di Gregorio.
Cambiaso atoned within nine minutes, catching Henrique on his heels when Weston McKennie’s cross squirmed through to the back post and applying a side-footed finish.
But after Bremer cleared Zielinski’s dinked effort off the line, Juve’s hopes were damaged when Kalulu received his second yellow card for a 42nd-minute pull on Alessandro Bastoni, though the Inter centre-back appeared to go down theatrically.
Di Gregorio made a remarkable stop to thwart Hakan Calhanoglu, but as Juventus dropped ever deeper, they were punished when substitute Esposito guided Federico Dimarco’s searching cross into the far corner with 76 minutes on the clock.
It looked like Inter would have to settle for a point when Locatelli whipped a wonderful finish into the bottom-left corner in the 83rd minute, but Zielinski had the final say as his 20-yard drive fizzed through Locatelli’s legs and beat Di Gregorio.
Sports
Szoboszlai’s Real Madrid Dream Sparks Concern At Liverpool
A cloud of uncertainty has settled over Liverpool after comments from Hungary head coach Marco Rossi reignited speculation about Dominik Szoboszlai and Real Madrid.
Rossi, who has worked closely with Szoboszlai since his teenage years, revealed that the midfielder’s lifelong ambition is to play for the Spanish giants.
“Because of the very close and direct relationship I’ve had with Dominik since he was a child, Real Madrid has always been his dream,” Rossi said.
For a Liverpool side building around Szoboszlai as a centerpiece of Arne Slot’s project, those words landed hard.
Within hours of Rossi’s remarks, Szoboszlai interacted on social media with two Real Madrid players, applauding posts from Vinicius Junior and Trent Alexander-Arnold following Madrid’s win over Real Sociedad.
His reaction to Vinicius’ post drew particular attention. The exchange with Alexander-Arnold, his former Liverpool teammate, was seen as less surprising.
Still, in the hyper-connected world of elite soccer, even a digital thumbs-up can carry weight. On Merseyside, fans and pundits quickly began dissecting the meaning behind the interactions.
Szoboszlai, Hungary’s captain, has become one of Liverpool’s most influential players. That status is precisely why Rossi’s comments triggered such an intense reaction in England.
The midfielder had just delivered on the field as well, scoring in Liverpool’s 3-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield.
After the match, Mohamed Salah heaped praise on his teammate, calling Szoboszlai “the best player in the world.” Slot struck a slightly more measured tone but echoed the sentiment.
“I think there are many elite players in the world, but I definitely agree with Mo that he is one of them,” Slot said. “He is very important for us.”
Szoboszlai is under contract at Liverpool through 2028. However, the club is reportedly eager to open extension talks in the coming months to secure his long-term future.
The player himself addressed the situation recently with notable candor.
“There’s nothing yet, to be honest. Nothing from now on. It’s not in my hands. That’s how it works,” he said. “There’s no progress, but if the right offer comes, we’ll see.”
He was equally clear about his affection for Liverpool.
“We’ll see what happens. Hopefully everyone will be happy in the end. Of course I want to stay. I like the city, I like the club, I like playing with these guys. I love Anfield, I love the fans. Let’s see what the future brings. It’s not my fault. I’d love to stay. We’ll see.”
Inter’s dramatic victory boosted their lead over rivals AC Milan to eight points, ahead of the Rossoneri hosting Como on Wednesday. Juventus, meanwhile, could drop out of the top four as Roma visited Napoli last night.
The last four Serie A matches between Inter and Juventus have produced a total of 21 goals (an average of 5.25 per game), compared to just nine in the previous six (1.5 per game).
Cambiaso became the first player in Derby d’Italia history to score and put through his own net in the same match between these old rivals, but it was Zielinski’s fifth Serie A goal of the season that proved decisive.
Inter will argue they were deserved victors after amassing 21 shots and 1.88 expected goals (xG), while Luciano Spalletti’s visitors mustered 10 shots and 0.92 xG – though the Bianconeri actually attempted six of their shots while down a man in the second half.
Sports
Wolves Beat Man Utd Conquerors
Premier League strugglers Wolves overcame resolute Grimsby Town in challenging conditions at Blundell Park to reach the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of the side that eliminated Manchester United in the last round.
Santiago Bueno scored from Wolves’ only shot on target with an hour played, diverting Joao Gomes’ cross past goalkeeper Jackson Smith with his thigh to end the League Two club’s resistance.
Unrelenting rainfall caused heavy ground underfoot and one penalty area in particular- that of Grimsby’s Smith in the first half – was already a quagmire before kick-off.
Charles Vernam shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box with just 43 seconds on the clock as Grimsby sought to catch their top-flight visitors cold.
Wolves had to wait until the 17th minute for their first opportunity of note, forward Tolu Arokodare firing over with a first-time attempt.
The white paint of the pitch markings soon blended and blurred with the mud as the surface rapidly deteriorated, and both sides struggled to stitch together cohesive attacks as passes travelled unpredictably across the sodden ground.
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