Sports
BYSG To Groom 20 Footballers To Stardom
Director-General of the on-going Governor Seriake Dickson’s Football Tournament, tagged “Restoration Cup Season Two’’, Mr Onoriode Akpe, says the 20 talents discovered so far from the competition will be groomed to national and international stars.
Akpe told Tidesports source in Yenagoa at the weekend that grooming the footballers was part of Bayelsa Government’s plans to achieve needful development in the area of sports.
“The talented footballers will be taken to the Samson Siasia Football Academy in Abuja for more training for better use.
“The talents will also be going to two overseas countries, Spain and Portugal for more trainings and exposure in football.
“We are set for the second round of the competition.
“And the former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia and an international football scout, Friday Akoni, will be in the state to watch the second round of the tournament to pick the best 20 talents.
“There are abundant talents in Bayelsa State.
“During the first edition, 2015; we didn’t have as many hat-tricks scored as in this, but in this second edition, we have had eight hat tricks, it is outstanding.
“Our intension is to ensure that these talents are used in the feeder and main team of the Bayelsa United and other football clubs in the state, as well as developing their career in international football.
“The best 20 talents in this tournament will be sponsored for further training,’’ the director said.
Akpe expressed optimism that the second round would be more exciting, adding that the competition had kept the youth busy, thereby reducing the rate of crimes.
He thanked the governor Dickson for the opportunity given to youths to explore their abundant potential.
Sports
CHELSEA FANS GIVE ENZO MIXED RECEPTION
Enzo Fernandez was booed by some supporters on the day when Morgan Rogers scored on his first appearance for Chelsea in a 3-1 win against Real Sociedad.
Joao Pedro also continued his fine pre-season form with a double as manager Xabi Alonso offered a glimpse of what could be his blueprint for the season.
But the action was overshadowed by the reaction to Fernandez’s second-half appearance, less than 24 hours after Chelsea’s self-imposed transfer deadline had passed.
Fernandez had been keen to join Real Madrid earlier this summer before the Spanish club ended their interest in the Argentine.
His representatives later held talks with Manchester City, but no offer was made to meet Chelsea‘s £120m valuation before Friday’s deadline.
Fernandez was booed by some early arrivals at Stamford Bridge when his name was read out 45 minutes before kick-off.
There were then audible boos when Fernandez came on in the 62nd minute.
Chelsea supporters appeared divided, with others responding by chanting his name.
Yet, it was a signal of Alonso and Chelsea‘s backing that when Reece James left the field he passed his long-time vice-captain the armband as usual.
Each touch of the ball was greeted by a mixture of boos and cheers.
It followed attempts by some supporters to move on from a saga that appears to have ended with Chelsea now expecting to keep one of their best players.
Others, however, remain unhappy with his perceived disloyalty, having come out publicly about his desire to move to Madrid, with his agent Javier Pastore also claiming he is underpaid.
It will be interesting to see how supporters of the Premier League’s other 19 clubs react to Fernandez, given his celebrations and social media jibes after Argentina beat England in a World Cup semi-final in July.
That will remain an issue whether he remains at Chelsea or Manchester City elect to revive their interest and attempt to reunite him with his former manager Enzo Maresca before deadline day on 1 September.
It took Rogers only seven minutes to score his first goal in a Chelsea shirt as he reacted quickest after Alex Remiro saved Joao Pedro’s initial header.
The £117m club record signing from Aston Villa initially looked sharp and linked well with Cole Palmer and Pedro in Chelsea‘s front three.
Within 10 minutes of his debut, supporters were already chanting his name.
However, it was understandable that Rogers faded as the match wore on, given he had trained for less than a week since returning from holiday before his 62-minute outing.
Beyond Rogers, Joao Pedro has been the star of Chelsea‘s pre-season.
In this outing he headed Chelsea back in front in the 47th minute before adding a side-footed finish 30 minutes later to seal victory after Sociedad had equalised just before half-time through Jon Mikel Aramburu’s volley.
Chelsea lost control towards the end of the first half and looked vulnerable, but they were much improved after the break.
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