A football academy expert, Usman Ya’u, on Sunday, began scouting for footballers with special talents in Bauchi state.

Speaking during the 2025 Usman Ya’u Unity Cup organized for all the tertiary institutions in Bauchi metropolis, Ya’u explained that the essence of the competition was to identify football talents and project them in a global world

According to him, the competition was also to unite all the students across Bauchi state as a whole.

“Some of the issues we are facing in Nigeria currently is the lack of unity, patriotism and understanding of each other.

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“So, I took it upon myself to see what are some of the things I will be able to contribute to my state.

“We have done so many things from the grassroot and then we decided how do we come to tertiary institutions because these are people that are going to be the leaders of tomorrow, professionals and people that are going to lead us in many aspects of our lives.

“We decided that football is one of the things that unite us all and that’s what sport does.

“As you can see from the crowd, you will see all the calibre of people from males, females, the young and the old. Everybody is here regardless of culture, religion, age or where you are coming from,” he said.

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The football expert said that the competition would be able to unite the students of tertiary institutions and bring them together irrespective of where they come from.

He explained that 10 institutions in Bauchi metropolis were participating after which players with special talents would be discovered.

“I have a football academy in my local government, Darazo and we are hoping to go to Europe next year, so, this is an opportunity for scouts across Bauchi to come and see the kind of grassroot talents that we have,” said Ya’u.

Similarly, Mohammed Nasir, Secretary, Local Organising committee of the competition, said that the essence of the tournament is to bring unity among the students of Bauchi state tertiary institutions and to also identify talents to develop sports from the grassroot.

READ ALSO: Talents Hunt: Bauchi Goes After Students For International Representation

Also speaking, Usman Abubakar, a lecturer from the School of Nursing, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH), said it was high time such competition is organized.

“This is because as medical personnel, we know the importance of exercise and unity.

“Organising such a competition will bring unity among the youth and we thank the organisers for organising such a competition,” he said.

Nuhu Abubakar, Students Affairs Coordinator, College of Agriculture, Bauchi, believed that the competition would improve sportsmanship, adding that it was an avenue for the students to familiarise with each other.

He called on the players to obey the rules and regulations of the competition, saying it was not a donor die affairs.

German champions Bayern Munich have agreed to sign Liverpool winger Luis Diaz in a £65.5 million ($88 million) deal, according to multiple reports on Sunday.

Bayern had an initial offer of £59 million rejected by the Premier League champions last week, but their improved bid looks set to bring the Colombia international to the Allianz Arena.

Diaz has reportedly been given permission to leave Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Asia in order to complete a medical with Bayern.

He joined Liverpool from Porto in January 2022 and won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Anfield.

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The 28-year-old made 50 appearances and scored 17 goals in all competitions last season as Arne Slot’s team clinched the English title for the first time in five years.

Diaz was left out of Liverpool’s 4-2 friendly defeat against AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday as speculation mounted over his future.

“In Lucho’s (Diaz’s) situation, there’s a lot of rumours around him lately and I cannot go into that,” Slot said after the Milan match.

“He’s training really well with us but we have decided for now not to play him yet.

“I’m used to talking to most of my players on a regular basis. I cannot comment much more about that.”

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Diaz’s impending signing gives Bayern a quality replacement for Germany forward Jamal Musiala, who has been ruled out for a “long period” after he suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle at the Club World Cup this month.

Liverpool have been busy in the transfer window, bolstering their attacking options with expensive swoops for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

Defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez arrived from Leverkusen and Bournemouth, respectively, while goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili joined from Valencia.

The Reds are also believed to be interested in making a bid for Newcastle’s £150 million-rated striker Alexander Isak.

AFP

Real Madrid is ready to sell three of their senior first-team players this summer transfer window.

As reported by Diario AS, the Los Blancos are open to sell the likes of David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, and Rodrygo this summer.

The report added that it won’t be easy for Real Madrid to achieve their aim this summer.

Real Madrid also put on the table the possibility of paying Alaba part of the money and ending his contract, but the defender said no because he wants to stay at Santiago Bernabeu.

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Alaba, Rodrygo and Mandy need to decide on their future ahead of the upcoming new season.

The trio didn’t play in Real Madrid’s Club World Cup semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain some weeks ago.

With the latest development, their future at Madrid is currently not clear and they are not guaranteed a regular playing game-time under manager Xabi Alonso this season.