Sport

La Liga: Flick Confirms Barcelona’s Yamal Fit To Play After Injury Break

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  Barcelona coach Hansi Flick on Friday said teenage winger, Lamine Yamal, will return after three weeks out with injury for this weekend’s game against Las Palmas in La Liga. The 17-year-old has been sidelined since early November with an ankle problem, and Barcelona have picked up just one point from the two league games he missed in that time. “Lamine Yamal is back, and he’s ready to play. We haven’t decided yet if he’ll start, but he will play,” Flick told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game. Yamal has scored six times in 16 total appearances this season and provided eight assists. Table-toppers Barcelona have failed to win any of the three matches he has not started in La Liga, losing 4-2 to Osasuna in September when he was on the bench. Barcelona are four points clear of Real Madrid but have played a game more than the defending champions. Yamal couldn’t make the team for Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League victory against Brest as he watched from the stands. Flick also said Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo is nearing a comeback after undergoing surgery in July for a hamstring injury he sustained while playing for his country at the Copa America.

EPL: Tottenham’s Postecoglou Attributes Win Against City To Tactical Discipline

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  Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has attributed Tottenham Hotspur’s massive 4-0 win against Manchester City at Etihad to tactical discipline and courage. Speaking to BBC Sports after the game on Saturday, Postecoglou said: “Proud of the lads. To come to the City at their place is a daunting prospect. It challenges every part of you. A bit of everything today. We had to be disciplined and work hard – and play decent football – and we did that. Our football was the difference today. “Outstanding performance. You have to be [clinical]. They won’t give you too many opportunities. There was calmness and maturity about how we handled the ball. Against City, you can get spooked and don’t want to play against them. But you have to play. “They test you in every way—mentally, physically, tactically. Our flat spots have been flat and something we need to eradicate. We’re a much better team this year than last year. We just need to find consistency.” James Maddison scored twice in the first half before goals from Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson sealed the win. The defeat is Manchester City’s fifth loss in a row and Pep Guardiola’s worst run in his managerial career. Punch

NBA Superstar LeBron Steps Back From Social Media Due To Negative Takes

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  NBA superstar, LeBron James, said on Wednesday he was taking an indefinite hiatus from social media after sharing a post which railed against “negative” coverage in US media. James, who has some 212 million combined followers on his Instagram and X accounts, announced his break from social media after sharing a post by Rich Kleiman, the long-time agent of NBA star Kevin Durant. “With so much hate and negativity in the world today, it confuses me why some of the national sports media still think that the best way to cover sports is through negative takes,” Kleiman wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I for one find it all a waste of breath.” Los Angeles Lakers ace James shared the post to his followers with a one word comment: “AMEN!!” The 39-year-old then followed up that post to confirm he was leaving social media — for now. “And with that said, I’ll holla at y’all! Getting off social media for the time being. Y’all take care,” James wrote on X. It is not the first time James has stepped away from social media. The all-time record points scorer has taken breaks before, but usually to concentrate on his basketball. James had hinted at disaffection with online criticism following the Lakers’ win over Utah on Tuesday, when Los Angeles rookie Dalton Knecht erupted for 37 points. Talking about Knecht’s performance, James said he had been aware of the rookie’s talent from watching his collegiate career at Tennessee. “Everybody on the internet calls me a liar all the time,” James said. “They say I lie about everything. So what am I now? I’ve been said it. I watched him. I watched Tennessee a lot.” AFP

Osimhen – Yekini Remains Nigeria’s Greatest

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  Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has hailed late Super Eagles legend Rashidi Yekini as Nigeria’s greatest striker ever, despite being on course to break the former Olympiakos forward’s goalscoring record. Osimhen, who recently equalled Segun Odegbami as Nigeria’s joint second-highest goalscorer with 23 goals after netting in the 1-1 draw against Benin Republic last Thursday, still trails Yekini’s record of 37 goals in 62 appearances for the Eagles. The 25-year-old, in a video recently posted on social media, insisted that surpassing Yekini’s record would not diminish the late striker’s legacy. “No, no. I really don’t care about this. I just want to do my job and try to win games, score goals, and provide a lot of assists for my team,” Osimhen said. “Then if I equal it, I equal it, if I surpass it, I surpass it, but that doesn’t take away the fact that Rashidi Yekini is the greatest striker the Super Eagles have ever had. This record stood for a very, very long time and it still stands, so I think we should give him his flowers and also celebrate him.” Yekini, who wrote his name in Nigerian football folklore by scoring the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal, dominated African football during his prime, claiming the top scorer award at the Africa Cup of Nations in consecutive tournaments – 1992 and 1994. The late striker’s impressive tally of 37 goals has stood for nearly three decades, highlighting the magnitude of his achievement and the challenge facing Osimhen in his pursuit of the record. Osimhen’s journey to potentially breaking the record has seen him emerge as one of Africa’s most lethal strikers, with the majority of his 23 goals coming in AFCON qualification matches, demonstrating his importance to the national team’s success. The on-loan Napoli man had the opportunity to reduce the gap to Yekini’s record on Monday but could not find the net after coming on as a 77th-minute substitute in Nigeria’s shock 2-1 defeat to Rwanda in Uyo. With potentially more games ahead in both the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, and with time on the young striker’s side, Osimhen has the opportunity to close in on Yekini’s record.

BREAKING: EPL- Tottenham Midfielder Bentancur Handed Seven-Match Ban Over Racist Remarks

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  Tottenham footballer Rodrigo Bentancur has been banned for seven matches and fined £100,000 after an independent regulatory commission ruled on his racist remarks about teammate Son Heung-min. Spurs will be without their key midfielder for an extended period following the commission’s verdict, as reported by several outlets. According to Football London, Bentancur was charged after making the comments during a pre-season interview. The Football Association imposed a seven-match suspension covering domestic fixtures and a £100,000 fine. Bentancur, a key player under manager Ange Postecoglou, has been instrumental for Spurs this season, missing only one Premier League match due to concussion. However, the Uruguayan midfielder’s suspension leaves Postecoglou with a significant gap in his squad. The FA’s statement on Monday said, “An independent regulatory commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview. “It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 by acting improperly, using abusive and/or insulting words, and bringing the game into disrepute.” Details later…   Punch

AFCON qualifier: Simon, Chukwueze, Six Others Among Early Birds In Abidjan

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  Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze were among the early birds to the Super Eagles’ camp on Monday in Coted’Ivoire, ahead of preparation for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that six other players, Amas Obasogie, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Bruno Onyemaechi, Gabriel Osho and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru also arrived in Abidjan on Monday. The Super Eagles Media Officer who confirmed the report to NAN on Monday said no fewer than eight players had arrived, adding that some others were still been expected on Tuesday. Captain William Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Simon, reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and 19 other players were invited for the qualifier. The Super Eagles will seek six points against Benin Republic and Rwanda in the closing rounds of the 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign this month. The team’s camp opened officially on Monday in Abidjan ahead of the confrontation with the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday. The Super Eagles are expected to travel down to Uyo on Friday ahead of their final qualifying game against the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Monday. The Super Eagles who are currently top of their Group D, will be certain of a place in the final tournament if they get a point against the Cheetahs, which will take then to 11 points, and with only final-day opponents Rwanda capable of catching up with them on points. However, with a current tally of seven goals for and none against (following the CAF Disciplinary Board’s award of three points and three goals for the botched Matchday 4 encounter against Libya), the Super Eagles stand head and shoulders above the Amavubi. The Rwandans have a one-goal deficit and five points in their favour going into the final two matchdays. NAN

La Liga Leaders Barcelona Lose 0-1 At Real Sociedad

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  La Liga leaders Barcelona fell to a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad on Sunday as they had a Robert Lewandowski goal controversially disallowed. Sheraldo Becker’s 33rd-minute goal consigned the Catalan giants to their second league defeat of the season, leaving Hansi Flick’s side six points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, having played an extra match. Lewandowski’s early disallowed strike led to furious debate over whether the Polish forward had been offside or not Barcelona were without teenage star Lamine Yamal after he suffered a blow to his ankle in the Champions League win at Red Star Belgrade midweek and badly missed his spark. The Catalans failed to score in a match for the first time this season across all competitions as Real Sociedad, eighth, held firm. Playmaker Dani Olmo started on the bench while defender Pau Cubarsi played in a mask after suffering a cut which needed stitches on his face in Serbia. Barcelona have struggled at Real Sociedad in the past and were given another uncomfortable night in the Basque country. Lewandowski thought he had fired Barcelona in front after 13 minutes when he reacted well to a blocked shot to fire home, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review. Referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez was told Lewandowski was offside, although the forward did not appear to be in front of Real Sociedad defender Nayef Aguerd. The semi-automated offside technology used in La Liga indicated the front of Lewandowski’s boot was off, but Spanish media furiously debated whether the technology had misinterpreted Aguerd’s heel as part of the veteran striker’s boot. With Barcelona’s strike chalked out, the hosts took control and tested visiting goalkeeper Inaki Pena several times. Takefusa Kubo’s low drive stung Pena’s fingers after a fine dribble inside from the right flank by the Japan international. Becker fired Real Sociedad ahead with a cool low finish after Luka Sucic nodded the ball into his path. Flick brought on Olmo for the ineffective Frenkie de Jong at half-time but Barcelona remained second best. Becker screwed a shot wide after Jules Kounde did just enough to put off the Real Sociedad winger, and Ander Barrenetxea also squeezed an effort wide from a tight angle after bursting into the area. Despite scoring 40 goals in their first 12 league matches Barcelona were unable to find the net or even create any significant danger in the final stages.  

Manchester United Officially Appoint Ruben Amorim As Erik Ten Hag’s Replacement

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  Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Ruben Amorim as replacement for the recently sacked coach, Erik ten Hag. Amorim, 39, emerged as INEOS’ number-one target, with the club announcing their intention to activate his €10million (£8.4m) release clause on Monday. The Portuguese coach, who previously attracted interest from Liverpool and West Ham, also has a 30-day notice period in his Sporting contract but United have paid a further €1m to release him from that early. Amorim will now start work at Old Trafford during the international break and will take charge of the team for the first time against Ipswich Town on November 24. Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain in charge on an interim basis for United’s next three games. ‘Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Head Coach of the men’s first team, subject to work visa requirements,’ a statement from the club read. He will join until June 2027 with a club option of an additional year, once he has fulfilled his obligations to his current club. He will join Manchester United on Monday 11 November. ‘Ruben is one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football. Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP; the first of which was the club’s first title in 19 years. Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to take charge of the team until Ruben joins.’ Amorim has enjoyed a remarkable managerial rise in recent years, progressing from third-tier side Casa Pia to the Portuguese top flight in just over a year. Joining Sporting in 2020, he delivered the club’s first league title in 19 years in his first full season and repeated the feat in 2023, finishing 10 points ahead of second-placed Benfica. This season, Sporting have won their first nine games and sit six points clear of Porto at the top of the table. His immediate task at Old Trafford will be to spark an uptick in performances after a dire start to the season led INEOS to pull the plug on Ten Hag’s tenure. The Dutchman appeared to be heading for the exit at the end of last season but was granted a stay of execution and a one-year contract extension after guiding the Red Devils to an unlikely FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. However, despite being backed handsomely in the summer with over £200million spent on new signings, Ten Hag’s failed to show signs of tangible improvements to start the season. Heavy early-season defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham coupled with a disappointing start to the Europa League eventually brought to an end the Dutchman’s spell at Old Trafford. Ten Hag’s former assistant, van Nistelrooy, took charge of the team on an interim basis for the first time against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. He will take charge of three further games – Chelsea in the Premier League, PAOK in the Europa League, and Leicester again in the league – before handing over the reins to Amorim. His long-term coaching future at Old Trafford is currently unclear, with Amorim also keen to bring over some of his backroom staff from Sporting as part of the deal.  

Manchester United Sack Manager Erik Ten Hag

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  “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager,” the club said in a statement on Monday. Manchester United have sacked manager Erik ten Hag following the club’s lacklustre start to the season, the fallen Premier League giants announced Monday. United dropped to a lowly 14th in the table after suffering their fourth defeat in nine league games at West Ham on Sunday and have won only one of their last eight games in all competitions. “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager,” said a club statement. “Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. “We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.” United added former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who returned to the club as Ten Hag’s assistant in July, would now serve as interim manager “whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.” Even before the West Ham loss, Dutch manager Ten Hag had presided over United’s worst start to an English top-flight campaign since the 1989/90 season. The 54-year-old’s position had been repeatedly called into question after United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe kept the former Ajax boss, on board following an internal review of his position at the end of last season after an eighth-place Premier League finish. Ten Hag was even rewarded with a one-year extension of his contract to June 2026 after a shock FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester City in May. However, he failed to find the solutions to many of his side’s struggles from last season. Former Ajax boss Ten Hag, who joined United in May 2022, had fiercely defended his record in recent weeks after winning two trophies in his two full seasons in charge. United ended a six-year wait for silverware by beating Newcastle in the 2023 League Cup final. – FA Cup reprieve – The Red Devils also reached the FA Cup final and finished third in the Premier League in an encouraging debut season for Ten Hag. However, the wheels came off in his second season as injuries to key players, the lack of a meaningful impact from big money signings and Ten Hag’s failure to implement a clear style of play led to a number of embarrassing results. United crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage after defeats by Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen, while Bournemouth, Brighton and Fulham were among the other sides to win at Old Trafford in the 2023/2024 campaign. The implementation of a new sporting structure at United, spearheaded by co-owner Ratcliffe, saw widespread change over recent months off the field with the appointment of a new chief executive, sporting director and technical director. But Ten Hag’s surprise victory over Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City side at Wembley in the FA Cup final, saw him handed a stay of execution. Any hope United’s FA Cup glory could act as a launching pad to more regular success quickly unravelled in the opening weeks of the new season. Liverpool and Tottenham coasted to 3-0 wins at Old Trafford in September, while United failed to win either of their opening two Europa League matches against FC Twente and Porto. For all Ten Hag’s faults, he oversaw just a small period of United’s more general decline since legendary former manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Since the Scot’s departute from the Old Trafford hot seat, five permanent managers have now been dismissed without United even posing a challenge for the Premier League title — a trophy they won 13 time under Ferguson. AFP

Libya Appeals CAF Ruling, Granting Nigeria Match Victory

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  The Libyan Football Federation has filed an appeal against the recent decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to award Nigeria three points and three goals following a disrupted Africa Cup of Nations qualifier initially scheduled for October 15 in Benina, Libya. The verdict also imposed a $50,000 fine on Libya, citing breaches of CAF regulations in handling the Nigerian team’s arrival and conditions. According to reports from Libyan outlet alwasat.ly, Libya has enlisted Tunisian lawyer Ali Abbas to defend its appeal, which challenges the CAF decision as “unfair,” The Nigerian Football Federation’s complaint led to an investigation by CAF’s disciplinary committee after the Super Eagles endured a reported 20-hour ordeal involving a diverted flight, a lengthy wait at Labraq Airport—300 kilometers from the intended destination in Benghazi—and inadequate facilities, including a lack of food and water. Nigeria’s contingent was eventually forced to abandon the match and return home. CAF’s disciplinary committee, chaired by Ousmane Kane, ruled in favor of Nigeria, citing violations of Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. Libya was deemed to have lost the match by forfeit with a 3-0 score awarded to Nigeria. The ruling, if upheld, places Nigeria within reach of qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, while leaving Libya out of contention with only one point in Group D.    

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