Connect with us

Sports

Why I Chose Arsenal  – Goykeres 

Published

on

Viktor Gyokeres has said that he decided to sign for Arsenal after the Gunners thrashed his Sporting side 5-1 in the Champions League last season.

The 27-year-old Sweden striker has joined Arsenal in a deal worth up to 73m euros (£64m) on a five-year contract.

The move was held up because of negotiations between the clubs over additional payments, with the final agreement consisting of a 63m euro initial fee plus 10m euros in add-ons.

Gyokeres was in the Sporting side dismantled by Mikel Arteta’s team in the group stage of Europe’s top competition in November.

“I just felt it was the right club for me,” said Gyokeres. “What I heard from Mikel and [sporting director] Andrea Berta and just what I’ve seen in the past years, how they’ve been playing football.

“When I played against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against.

“That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fan base.”

The move takes Arsenal’s summer spending up to about £204m, following the arrivals of Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera.

“Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels,” said Gunners boss Arteta.

“He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat.

“We’re excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to starting working with him.”

It was revealed at the start of the month how Arteta’s side had turned their attentions to Gyokeres after hitting an impasse in their bid to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.

Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta flew to Lisbon to lead negotiations with the Portuguese club.

The deal concludes the long-running saga over Gyokeres’ future, after he was linked with Manchester United earlier this summer.

Gyokeres failed to report back at Sporting for pre-season earlier this month, and the club’s president Frederico Varandas said the player would face disciplinary action.

Continue Reading

Sports

RSG Pledges To Develop  Baseball 

Published

on

Rivers State Government has pledged to provide training pitch for Baseball in the State.
The Director of Sports in Rivers State Sports Council, Obia Inyengiyikabo made pledge on Tuesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after the five days Intensive Capacity Development Course For Baseball Coaches.
Inyengiyikabo said the State Government has given priority to sport development.
” Yes we are happy for the five days Intensive Capacity development programme for baseball coaches in Nigeria.Sure by the grace of God the Governor of the  State Sir Siminialayi Fubara will provide Baseball pitch.
” This  programme, I am sure will be an eye opener for our youth to fall in love with the game. I appreciate the Global Sports Partners for finding Rivers State worthy host the  programme”,  Inyengiyikabo stated.
Meanwhile the Director of Global Sports Partner’s Coach Justin Rhondes from United States of America ( USA) expressed joy for the turnout.
He stated that seeing the coaches and players impressive turnout was  indication the game was popular in Nigeria.
” We Global Sports Partners, our key word is partner, so for us we are ready to come back to Nigeria any time.
“The  few days we have stayed  Coaches and players has benefited a lot from the programme”, he said.
Kiadum Edookor
 

 

Continue Reading

Sports

CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo

Published

on

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt contingent, comprising players, technical crew, backroom staff, and officials,  depart the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State on Wednesday, bound for Kinshasa, DR Congo. 

 

The team is set to face FC Les Aigles du Congo in the first-round first-leg match of the CAF Champions League.

 

This was contained in a press release signed by the media officer of the club, Charles Mayuku and made available to Tidesports on Wednesday.

 

He said that the highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at the 80,000-capacity Kinshasa-Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs on morrow with kickoff slated for 3:30pm. 

 

According to the statement the encounter marks the first-ever meeting between both sides in any competition, adding that an air of excitement and unpredictability to the fixture.

 

“As the Pride of Nigeria embarks on this crucial journey, the team is determined to return with a decent result that will set them up favorably for the second leg on Sunday, 28th September” the statement said.

 

 

Continue Reading

Sports

FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa

Published

on

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have slipped one place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, falling from 44th to 45th globally while maintaining sixth position on the African continent.

The new rankings, released via FIFA’s official X handle on Thursday, reflect the team’s continued struggles under Coach Eric Chelle amid a stuttering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

This marks a second consecutive decline after the Nigerian side dropped from 43rd to 44th in August on the back of poor outings in recent international matches.

Despite Nigeria’s setback, several African teams made progress. Morocco remains the continent’s highest-ranked side, sitting 11th in the world after winning eight of their last nine matches. Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire complete Africa’s top five.

Lesotho slipped to 153rd place, while Benin Republic, Nigeria’s upcoming opponent, climbed to 93rd. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, who held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in June, rose to 55th, strengthening their bid for World Cup qualification.

Zimbabwe had the biggest slide down the ranking table, dropping nine places to 125th position in the world.

The rankings highlight Nigeria’s struggle to regain form on the global stage as key rivals continue to surge ahead.

Similarly, the Super Falcons of Nigeria remain 36th best in the world], while the Spanish female national team replaced the USA at the top of the women’s ranking.

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending