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I want to use my global network to help Nigerian soccer academies, says UK-born football agent, Nathaniel

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Chris Nathaniel has, for several years run one of the world’s leading sports talent and entertainment management agencies – his dream is to lead a Nigerian consortium to success with a Premier League team.

Based in London, United Kingdom, and operating throughout Europe and the world for some of the top names in sport, Chris reveals how it all started for him and his team and the interesting things they do for their clients.

Chris, proud of his Nigerian roots, said: “I’ve been in the sports and entertainment business for a long time. I first started with Chelsea legend, John Terry, then Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand, when they were both at their peak, so two top England stars.

“I also spent time looking after Wilfred Bonny (ex-Swansea who became the highest ever paid African player with his transfer to Manchester City), Steven Nzonzi (ex-Stoke City and World Cup winner with France in 2018), Brazilian midfielder, Robinho and now Luis Diaz (Liverpool), and quite a few other players.

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“I also looked after other talents like Usain Bolt and former WBC Heavyweight Boxing champion, Deontay Wilder, so sports and entertainment are in my blood. On the music front, I have worked with hip-hop icons like Jay Z, P Diddy, 50 Cent, and other talents, like models and actors, so quite experienced across the whole sports and entertainment industry.”

Nathaniel led the first ever African consortium to bid for a Premier League club Newcastle in 2008, unfortunately the bid was not accepted by then owner Mike Ashley, who eventually sold out to the Arabs.

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However, Nathaniel reveals he has unfinished business and has reached out to wealthy Nigerians, including Dangote, to launch another bid for a Premier league club. Nathaniel points to the recent valuation of clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham to highlight how Premier League clubs are great takeover targets – his knowledge of club values, structures and accessibility as takeover targets is second to none.

They are all profitable businesses and give tremendous global presence and Nathaniel believes having a Nigerian owner of a top club will not only be profitable, but it will give Nigeria a greater global profile, enhancing the economy and encouraging tourism. The potential for booming business in Nigeria will then help with the general development of Nigerian football.

Chris believes football in Nigeria needs an overhaul from top to bottom very similar to what the English FA did after continued failures at major tournaments. In England this resulted in a change of fortune for the English national team, which is now challenging for trophies for the first time since winning the World Cup in 1966.

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Nathaniel said: “We look after football players, we give them full support in coaching, mental health, support their passions and everything you can imagine.

“We take care of every angle for them, our job is to make sure they have long sustainable careers, make sure the right politics are played at their different football clubs, and make sure they get the best out of themselves to become the best they can be.

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El-Kanemi warriors attacked by armed robbers on Jos-Bauchi road

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El-Kanemi Warriors attacked by armed robbers

El-Kanemi Warriors players and officials were attacked by armed robbers on the Jos-Bauchi road, leaving several injured and valuables stolen.

 

 

Players and officials of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club, El-Kanemi Warriors, were victims of an armed robbery on Saturday morning while travelling along the Jos-Bauchi road.

The team was en route to Maiduguri after their 2-0 defeat to Ikorodu City in a matchday 14 fixture in Lagos on Wednesday.

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Also read: Some Super Eagles players not good enough – Sports Minister

 

Reports indicate that the attackers left several members of the squad injured, with some requiring immediate medical attention. The robbers stole valuables, including mobile phones and cash, before fleeing the scene.

The injured players and officials were quickly transported to a nearby hospital in Bauchi for treatment. While the extent of their injuries is not fully disclosed, it is understood that the team is receiving the necessary care.

In light of the attack, El-Kanemi Warriors were scheduled to host Bayelsa United in Maiduguri on Sunday, but the match is now expected to be postponed by the NPFL due to the traumatic incident and the team’s current situation.

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This attack has raised concerns about the safety of players and officials during away games in the league, particularly in regions with known security risks.

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Chris Sutton criticises Kylian Mbappe after Real Madrid’s loss to Liverpool

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Kylian Mbappe criticised after Real Madrid loss

Kylian Mbappe faces harsh criticism from Chris Sutton after Real Madrid’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool, with questions over his form and impact.

 

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has strongly criticised Kylian Mbappe following Real Madrid’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The French star’s struggles continued as he missed a crucial second-half penalty, leaving fans and pundits questioning his impact at the LaLiga giants.

 

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Also read: Kylian Mbappe fit for Champions League clash with Lille

 

Liverpool took the lead early on and sealed the victory when Cody Gakpo’s powerful header from a corner doubled their advantage.

Although Mohamed Salah also missed a penalty for Liverpool, his side’s commanding performance overshadowed the missed opportunity.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sutton did not hold back in his analysis of Mbappe’s performance. “At this moment in time, there is something missing for Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid, which will be a real conundrum for Carlo Ancelotti,” Sutton remarked.

The former Celtic and Chelsea striker added: “Let’s get it right. He had a stinker tonight. Missed the penalty and was miles off it. Him going there was supposed to take them to the next level.”

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Mbappe’s tough debut season at Real Madrid has raised concerns about his ability to adapt to the pressures of playing for the Spanish giants.

Fans and analysts alike are debating whether Carlo Ancelotti can reignite the spark that made Mbappe one of the most sought-after talents in football.

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Manchester City blow three-goal lead as Champions League drama unfolds

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Manchester City Champions League draw

Manchester City shockingly blow a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord, while PSG faces elimination after Bayern’s 1-0 win in the Champions League.

 

 

In a dramatic night of Champions League football, Manchester City’s struggles continued as Pep Guardiola’s side astonishingly blew a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord.

This setback came despite City being in firm control at the Etihad Stadium, where they sought to break a five-game losing streak in all competitions.

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Also read: Man City close in on €40m deal for Chelsea’s Kovacic

 

City had looked comfortable after Erling Haaland’s penalty just before half-time and a deflected shot from Ilkay Gundogan in the 50th minute.

Haaland added a second, making it 3-0, but Feyenoord launched a remarkable comeback starting with Anis Hadj Moussa’s goal in the 75th minute.

Santiago Gimenez scored again in the 82nd minute, and with just a minute left, Igor Paixao crossed for David Hancko to head in the equaliser, leaving Guardiola frustrated.

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“We concede a lot of goals because we are not stable,” Guardiola said after the match. “We lost a lot of games lately. We are fragile and of course we need a victory.”

The draw is a historic one for Feyenoord, marking the first time in Champions League history that a team has avoided defeat after trailing by three goals in the final 20 minutes.

The point boosts Feyenoord’s hopes of progressing, while City now sit two points outside the top eight, which ensures direct qualification for the knockout stages.

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Meanwhile, Bayern Munich’s 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain has put the French side in serious danger of elimination.

South Korean defender Kim Min-jae’s header before half-time was enough for Bayern, while PSG’s woes were compounded by Ousmane Dembele’s second-half red card.

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PSG now have just four points from five matches and sit in 26th place, a point behind the qualification spots for the knockout round.

“We need to win our last three matches, otherwise we risk being eliminated,” PSG coach Luis Enrique admitted after the match.

In other Champions League action, Barcelona secured a 3-0 win over Brest, with Robert Lewandowski scoring his 100th and 101st goals in the competition, making him only the third player in history to reach such a milestone.

Inter Milan, who remain undefeated, beat RB Leipzig 1-0 to top the group with 13 points, one ahead of Barcelona and Liverpool.

Arsenal continued their strong campaign with a 5-1 win over Sporting Lisbon, as Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Magalhaes scored in the first half, followed by a penalty from Bukayo Saka and a late header from Leandro Trossard.

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Atalanta thrashed Young Boys 6-1, with Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere both scoring twice.

Bayer Leverkusen cruised to a 5-0 win against Red Bull Salzburg, with Florian Wirtz netting a brace, and Atletico Madrid demolished Sparta Prague 6-0, with Julian Alvarez and Angel Correa each bagging two goals.

AC Milan edged past Slovan Bratislava 3-2, with Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao, and Tammy Abraham all getting on the scoresheet.

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The night of high drama saw both thrills and spills, with several clubs edging closer to securing their spots in the knockout stages, while others face mounting pressure to avoid an early exit.

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