Sports

Again, Football Legend Pele Hospitalised

Published

3 years ago

December 3, 2022

Editor

Brazilian football legend Pele, who was hospitalised this week amid ongoing cancer treatments, has developed a respiratory infection, but is in stable condition and “showing general improvement,” his doctors said Friday.

The 82-year-old icon, who has been in fragile health in recent years, was hospitalised Tuesday in Sao Paulo for what doctors said was a “reevaluation” of the chemotherapy he has been undergoing since surgery to remove a colon tumour in September 2021.

“The medical team diagnosed him with a respiratory infection, which is being treated with antibiotics,” the hospital said in a statement.

“The patient’s response has been adequate, and he remains in a standard room,” not intensive care, it said.

“He is stable and his health is showing general improvement. He will remain in the hospital in the coming days to continue treatment.”

Pele’s public appearances have grown increasingly rare, but he maintains an active presence on social media.

On Thursday, he took to Instagram to thank well-wishers for their messages, posting a photo from World Cup host country Qatar, where his picture was projected in lights on a skyscraper.

“It’s always nice to receive positive messages like this. Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes!” he wrote, describing his hospital stay as a routine visit.

Pele got more messages of support ahead of five-time champions Brazil’s World Cup match against Cameroon Friday.

Fans at Lusail stadium held up a giant green-and-yellow banner with a picture of Pele in his iconic number 10 jersey and the message, “Get well soon.”

The same message was displayed on the avenue outside the stadium.

Considered by many the greatest footballer of all time, Edson Arantes do Nascimento — Pele’s real name — is the only player in history to win three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970).

AFP/PUNCH

Sports

NPFL: Bendel Insurance Announce Departure Of 25 Players

Published

17 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Bendel Insurance have announced the departure of 25 players ahead of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.

Captain Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi, Austin Ogunye, and Bernard Ovoke are among the top stars who have left the Benin Arsenal.

Other key players, who left the club are Moses Abioye, Uche Collins, Michael Enaruna, and Uche Collins.

The Benin City club are expected to make new signings to replace the departed players before the commencement of the new campaign.

Insurance finished in a respectable fifth position last season with 56 points from 38 games.

They will face El-kanemi Warriors in their opening fixture of the new season.

Sports

PHOTO: Okocha Hosts Ex-coach Clemens Westerhof In Lagos

Published

3 days ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

Nigerian football icon Jay-Jay Okocha recently hosted his former Super Eagles coach, Clemens Westerhof, at his Lagos home.

Westerhof, who posted photos from the visit on Instagram on Friday, called it an “unforgettable night of my life” and thanked Okocha for his warm hospitality.

Westerhof, a Dutch national, managed the Nigerian national team from 1989 to 1994.

Under his leadership, the Super Eagles won their second Africa Cup of Nations title in 1994 and made their FIFA World Cup debut the same year, impressively topping a group that included Argentina, Bulgaria, and Greece.

Okocha made his national team debut during Westerhof’s tenure and later became one of Nigeria’s most iconic footballers.

Sports

Transfer: Atalanta Hold Lookman Back From Inter Milan Move

Published

4 days ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has again told his Italian side, Atalanta, about his desire to leave this summer.

The camp of the Super Eagles’ forward conveyed the player’s decision to the club on Tuesday after Inter presented a written proposal of €42m plus €3m add-ons.

Atalanta are insisting on €50m valuation for the Nigerian international and there is no green light to the move as of now, according to football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano.

Meanwhile, as earlier reported, Lookman’s international teammate, Victor Osimhen will land in Istanbul on Wednesday with medical scheduled for Thursday at Galatasaray.

Meanwhile, Álvaro Morata has been waiting for Osimhen’s arrival so as to leave the club and did not train with the team on Tuesday. The Spaniard wants to join Italian side, Como.

Ronano reports that Morata has no intention to stay at Galatasaray and is only keen on the Como move.