Connect with us

Sports

Kayode Rafiu: NK Maribor unveil Nigerian forward

Published

on

Theheute-

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.

Advertisement

”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.

Advertisement

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.

ALSO READ  Woman who slept with 300 men in one year loses ‘corporate’ job

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse

Published

on

Eddie Hearn has slammed Francis Ngannou for appearing to suggest that his demolishing defeat by Anthony Joshua was down to his early arrival at the arena.

Joshua knocked down the former UFC heavyweight champion three times in two rounds to secure a dominant victory in Saudi Arabia.

Ngannou, in a recent interview on the MMA Hour, said that he arrived at the Kingdom Arena, in Riyadh, two hours earlier than Joshua, appearing to suggest that this was a ‘trick’ to tire him out.

Joshua’s promoter Hearn has taken exception with the comments, suggesting the 37-year-old ‘should know better’.

Advertisement

He told Boxing Social, ‘I was baffled. It is a bit disappointing really.

“He said they got him to the arena (early), who is they? You get given times by the broadcaster.

“He said that he was made to come to the arena early to tire him out for the fight, which is really an inexperienced boxing guy talking here, he should know better.

“You get your time, which is the ideal time that the organiser or the broadcaster would like you there, you make your own mind up.

“Some fighters like to get there three hours before, some like to get there an hour before, it all depends on the fighter.

Advertisement

“If AJ is told for example that “we want you there at 10 ‘o’clock” and we know that the fight is happening at 1am, then we would come a little bit later, because he doesn’t want to be hanging around that long.’

Hearn also reacted to a social media post which contained Ngannou’s comments, stating: “I’m not sure he has come round yet.”

ALSO READ  Woman who slept with 300 men in one year loses ‘corporate’ job

Ngannou after the fight confessed that he couldn’t remember being knocked out by Joshua and that from going back to his stool in between the first and second rounds, he ‘wasn’t there anymore’.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag

Published

on

After several statements that striker Victor Osimhen was not for sale, Italian publication, Il Mattino, has reported that Napoli were considering reducing their asking price of €130m for their most prized asset.

Osimhen has always been in the news with reports linking him with a move away from Italy and he is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.

In January, English Premier League giants, Manchester United, reportedly prepared an offer of €110m as they hope to land the Nigeria international during the next transfer window.

A few days ago, rivals Chelsea and Arsenal were also said to test the waters for the Napoli striker with an offer of €90m.

Advertisement

Spanish and French giants, Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germaine have all been linked with the players.

“The Blues are interested in Napoli star Osimhen and according to Il Mattino they are ready to place a €90m bid at the end of the season,” Football Italia wrote.

“Arsenal and PSG are also interested in the Nigeria international and are willing to match the Blues’ offer. According to Il Mattino, Napoli could sell Osimhen for less than his release clause in the region of €130m.”

Despite missing a large chunk of the 2023/24 season due to injuries and his involvement with Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, the striker still boasts 14-goal involvement (11 goals and three assists) in 17 appearances in the Italian topflight league.

The 25-year-old has been in fine form for Napoli, guiding the Serie A club to their first league victory in 33 years with a league-high 26 goals in 32 Serie A games last season, and 31 goals across all competitions.

Advertisement
ALSO READ  Woman who slept with 300 men in one year loses ‘corporate’ job

For the national team, the Napoli man only managed to score a goal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast but his involvement in the team played a major role in their journey to the final of the competition, where they lost 2-1 to the hosts in the final.

Continue Reading

Sports

Eight Nigerian boxers have advanced to finals in Ghana

Published

on

Eight Nigerian boxers have secured spots in the finals of the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana, following their impressive performances in the semi-finals.

Zainab Adeshina led the charge when she defeated Grace Fanhbulleh from Liberia by a resounding 5-0 victory to secure her place in the final of the women’s 50kg category.

Joining Adeshina in the finals is Joy Ojo, who delivered a stellar performance against Khouloud Hlimi of Tunisia, to advance to the final of the women’s 57kg event.

In the women’s 75kg, UK-based Patricia Mbata, who recently lost in the final of the World Olympics Qualifiers in Italy, defeated Gramane Adosinda of Mozambique by points to also qualify for the final.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, in the men’s division, Dolapo Omole, who already qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics last year, defeated Ngulube Albert of Zambia with a commanding 5-0 victory to secure his place in the final of the men’s 57kg event.

Adding to Nigeria’s success, another UK-based boxer Adams Olaore, who has also qualified for the Olympics, delivered a dominant performance by following up his KO win in the quarter-finals with a 5-0 points win in the semis.

Olaore beat Egypt’s Ali Ibrahim to book his place in the final stage of the men’s 92kg category.

Cynthia Ogunsemilore followed this up by defeating Algerian Hadjila Khelif by points 4-1 to advance to the final stage of women’s 60kg event.

In the first KO win of the semi-final, Blessing Oraekwe stopped Tunisia’s Iben Zina Eya in round two via a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) in the women’s 70kg to book her spot in the final.

Advertisement
ALSO READ  Chelsea handed Osimhen transfer lifeline

Kareem Shukura then continued the train by stopping Kenyan Faki Amina Martha in round one via Referee Stops Contest (RSC) in the women’s 54kg contest, to also book her final place.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 TheHeute.