Sports
Leads United Manager, Allardyce, Names Okocha In Best XI
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
New Leeds United manager, Sam Allardyce, has named Super Eagles legend, Austin Okocha, in the best 11 of players he managed in his illustrious coaching career, The PUNCH reports.
Allardyce was in charge of Bolton Wanders from 1999 to 2007, where Okocha also played from 2002 to 2006, going on to captain the side and hero-worshipped by fans of the club.
Best associated with Bolton, Allardyce named Okocha in midfield alongside Fernando Hierro, Youri Djorkaeff and Garry Speed. A chunk of other players are also from Bolton as he chose Jussi Jaaskelainen in goal; Habib Beye, Ryan Nelsen, Phil Jones and Patrick Van Aanholt made up the defence line, while Jermain Defoe and Nicolas Anelka are his favourite strikers.
READ ALSO: Fans Knock Okocha Over €150m Claim
A two-time BBC African Footballer of The Year, seven-time winner of Nigerian Player of The Year, AFCON winner in 1994 and the tournament’s best player and top scorer 10 years later, Okocha is widely regarded as one of the greatest African stars to ever play the game.
At Bolton, the Nigerian quickly endeared himself as something of a cult hero in his first season after joining PSG, before taking the armband in his second. Under Allardyce he scored 18 goals from attacking midfield in 144 games, although he is surely best remembered for his dazzling array of skills that thrilled fans and neutrals alike.
“He’s so good they named him twice! The Bolton fans printed some t-shirts with that on. Even the non-Bolton supporters enjoyed watching Jay-Jay Okocha,” Allardyce was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.
READ ALSO: World Cup: Jay Jay Okocha Predicts Winner Of England Vs Senegal Clash
Sam Allardyce made an unlikely return to the Premier League on Wednesday when the 68-year-old former England coach was hired by Leeds until the end of the season after the relegation-threatened club fired manager Javi Gracia.
Allardyce’s last coaching role was at West Bromwich Albion for the second half of the 2020-21 season, when he failed in his short-term mission to keep the team in the Premier League.
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Sports
Enabulele Hails Edo-born Athletes’ International Feats
Published
10 hours agoon
June 19, 2025By
Editor
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has expressed delight over the outstanding performance of Edo athletes representing Nigeria on the international stage.
Enabulele, while describing the athletes as worthy ambassadors of the state and the country in general, singled out the impressive participation of seven Edo kickboxing athletes in Team Nigeria at the African Union Kickboxing Championship in Cameroon.
In a congratulatory message signed by his media aide, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele lauded the accomplishments of Flora Ugwunwa and Christopher Michael, who clinched gold medals at the 2025 World Para Athletics (WPA) Grand Prix in Tunis, Tunisia.
READ ALSO: NPFL: Go For Victory, Enabulele Tasks Bendel Insurance FC
INFO DAILY reports that Ugwunwa bagged gold in the F54 women’s shot put and discus events, while Michael emerged victorious in the T11 men’s 100m event.
He said: “The remarkable performance of the country’s para-athletes in Tunisia, where Nigeria finished second overall out of 42 participating nations with 10 gold, 6 silver, and 3 bronze medals, is highly commendable.”
The Edo sports boss, while recalling the impressive performance of Team Edo during the recently concluded National Sports Festival (Ogun 2024), where Edo kickboxers secured 20 gold medals, said the feat which earned many of them national call-ups.
Enabulele reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development and consistent support for para-athletes and other promising talents who continue to bring pride to Edo State and Nigeria.
“I’m proud of our athletes. Flora, Christopher, and our kickboxing team have done exceptionally well. This is what we want to see—Edo athletes in large numbers representing Nigeria at global events,” he emphasized.
Enabulele added that the achievements of Edo athletes reflect the deliberate investments in sports development by the current administration.
Sports
Full List: Maresca No Longer Needs Nine Players At Chelsea
Published
19 hours agoon
June 19, 2025By
Editor
Chelsea are preparing for another major squad overhaul this summer, with as many as nine players set to leave Stamford Bridge.
New manager Enzo Maresca is keen to trim the squad further, targeting players who no longer fit into his long-term plans.
According to BBC Sport, the Italian tactician has identified nine players who are now available for transfer.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Chelsea Women Dance To Viral ‘Shake Body’ Song After FA Cup Win
The players reportedly on the exit list include Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi, Djordje Petrovic, Armando Broja, João Félix, Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu.
Sterling and Félix were both omitted from Chelsea’s squad for the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Sterling, who spent last season on loan at Arsenal, struggled to make an impression at the Emirates and failed to secure a permanent move.
Félix, meanwhile, was on loan at AC Milan from January until the end of the campaign, but the Serie A club have reportedly decided against making the deal permanent.
Sports
NPFL: Go For Victory, Enabulele Tasks Bendel Insurance FC
Published
2 days agoon
June 18, 2025By
Editor
The Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has charged Bendel Insurance Football Club to go for victory.
His charge follows the official announcement of the commencement of the 2025/26 season by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Board Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.
Announcing the commencement in Abuja, Elegbeleye said the season will run from August 22, 2025, to May 24, 2026.
He emphasized that maintaining a stable football calendar is critical to Nigeria’s improved performance in continental tournaments.
READ ALSO: 2024 NSF: Enabulele Confident Edo Cricket Teams Will Win Medals
Reacting to the announcement, Enabulele commended the NPFL leadership for the consistency in scheduling.
The Edo Sports Commission Boss who spoke through his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, called on players, coaches, and the entire management of Bendel Insurance FC to approach the new season with renewed vigor and a winning mentality.
“We are aware that the league calendar has been stabilized. This means every club must be better prepared. For us at Bendel Insurance, this is a fresh opportunity to compete strongly, win games, and aim for the top. The people of Edo State deserve nothing less,” he said.
Enabulele also pledged continued support for the team’s technical crew and urged the players to maintain discipline, focus, and unity both on and off the pitch, he also appreciated His Excellency, Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa for their unwavering commitment and support in elevating the team.
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