Sports
Kayode Rafiu: NK Maribor unveil Nigerian forward
Ishaq Kayode Rafiu, a forward from Nigeria, has been unveiled by NK Maribor, a Slovenian club.
The Nigeria Professional Football League champion Rivers United sold the 21-year-old to NK Maribor.
Last season, Rivers United won its first NPFL championship, thanks largely to Rafiu.
Nigeria has already given the striker a single international cap.
”I’m excited to be here. It took a very long time, and I am happy that I became part of NK Maribor. I promised myself that I would do everything to show what I can do and help my team,”he told the club’s official website.
“Knowing that I will be playing in Europe for the first time means the realization of my dreams.
“During the process of obtaining a visa, I was active and did not miss any training.
“Now I’m here and I can start work right away. You won’t have to wait for me, I can easily join the work as quickly as possible.”
In another report, Barcelona is nearing completion of a new contract for young midfielder Gavi.
The talented 18-year-old, whose current contract expires next summer, reached an agreement over an extension earlier this year, but plans were delayed because Barcelona was unable to complete it without using their now-famous levers, which included selling shares of the club’s TV and merchandise rights.
While negotiations with Barcelona dragged on, clubs from across Europe contacted Gavi’s camp to express interest. However, reports claim that the La Liga team has long been confident that they would eventually finalise the midfielder’s new contract.
AS Roma join Manchester City and Galatasaray in the race to sign Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina, whose contract ends in six months
Serie A giants AS Roma have expressed interest in signing Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina, joining a growing list of clubs targeting the in-form Nigeria international.
According to Italian outlet *La Gazzetta dello Sport*, the Italian side has already initiated contact with Aina’s representatives.
The full-back, who has just six months remaining on his contract with Nottingham Forest, has also attracted attention from Premier League champions Manchester City and Turkish club Galatasaray.
Aina has been pivotal to Nottingham Forest’s campaign this season, playing in all 20 of their Premier League matches.
His performances have earned widespread acclaim, including being named the Reds’ Player of the Month for December. Additionally, Aina secured the Goal of the Month award for December, underlining his impact on the pitch.
AS Roma’s interest could reignite the 27-year-old’s ties with Italian football, as he previously played in Serie A with Torino.
The lure of reuniting with the league might prove tempting, particularly with Roma looking to strengthen their defensive options.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s reported interest signals the high regard in which Aina is held, with Pep Guardiola potentially seeking to add depth to his squad. Galatasaray’s pursuit also highlights the defender’s appeal across European leagues.
With his contract nearing its conclusion, Aina will be free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs. Nottingham Forest may face a tough decision in January: sell the player to secure a transfer fee or risk losing him on a free transfer in the summer.
West Ham United has sacked Head Coach Julen Lopetegui following disappointing results in the 2024/25 season, initiating a search for a new manager.
West Ham United has confirmed the dismissal of Head Coach Julen Lopetegui after a difficult beginning to the 2024/25 season.
The club issued a statement earlier today, revealing that the results in the opening months of the campaign had failed to meet the ambitious expectations set by the Board, prompting an immediate managerial change.
Alongside Lopetegui, several key members of his coaching staff have also been relieved of their duties. Assistant Head Coach Pablo Sanz, Head of Performance Oscar Caro, Head Analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, Fitness Coach Borja De Alba, and Technical Coach Edu Rubio will all depart from the club, effective immediately.
This unexpected shake-up has sent shockwaves through the West Ham community, particularly as the Hammers had hoped for a revival under the Spanish manager’s leadership.
Despite Lopetegui’s impressive track record, including a successful stint at Sevilla, he was unable to replicate that form at West Ham, with inconsistent results leading to his departure.
The Board expressed gratitude for Lopetegui and his team’s dedication, acknowledging the difficulties they faced but reiterating the club’s commitment to achieving its long-term objectives.
“We thank Julen and his staff for their hard work and wish them the best of success moving forward,” the statement read.
With the managerial vacancy now open, West Ham confirmed that the process of appointing a new head coach is already underway.
The club will be looking for a leader who can guide them back into contention and restore hope to fans who have been disappointed by the season’s early struggles.
West Ham supporters will now be eagerly anticipating the announcement of their new manager as the search for a fresh approach to reviving the club’s fortunes begins.
Yewande Balogun, Super Falcons goalkeeper, announces her retirement from football, expressing gratitude for her journey and support along the way.
Yewande Balogun, the goalkeeper for Nigeria’s Super Falcons, has officially announced her retirement from professional football.
The 35-year-old made the announcement on social media, reflecting on her illustrious career and expressing her gratitude for the support she received throughout her journey.
In a heartfelt message posted to Instagram, Balogun shared her decision with her fans and followers:
“My body is telling me it’s time to close this chapter and hang up the boots, but I thank God for every step of this journey.
I’m forever grateful to the beautiful game and all it has given me, so here’s to continuing to find ways to give right back. Thank you for all of the love and support along the way,” she wrote.
Balogun’s career saw her playing for several clubs, with her most recent stint at French D1 Arkema club Saint-Étienne.
She was also part of the Super Falcons squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where she made one appearance for the nine-time African champions.
Her retirement marks the end of an era for the Nigerian goalkeeper, who made significant contributions to her national team. Balogun’s legacy is one of perseverance, dedication, and passion for the game.
Fans and colleagues in the football community have since paid tribute to her outstanding career, with many expressing their admiration for her skill and sportsmanship.
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