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World Cup news Nigeria: Nuno Tavares earns Portugal call up

4Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

World Cup news Nigeria: Nuno Tavares earns Portugal call up

Nuno Tavares Lazio full-back Nuno Tavares has been called up for international duty with Portugal, replacing injured Manchester United player Diogo Dalot. The team finalised its training at the Cidade do Futebol today and is flying out for Armenia, where it will play the first of two World Cup qualifiers on Saturday. Diogo Dalot had been originally in the squad, but was forced to withdraw after complaining of muscular problems. He has been replaced by Nuno Tavares, who will travel directly from Italy to Armenia and meet his teammates and coach Roberto Martinez there. Portugal will play Armenia on Saturday, then face Hungary in Budapest on September 9.Nuno Tavares is 25 years old and has only one senior cap for Portugal, earned in November 2024. Unfortunately, those injury...

4Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

premier league latest

Gianluigi Donnarumma Man City sign Gianluigi Donnarumma Manchester City announced Tuesday that they’ve signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG for €35 million (£30.3 million). The Italian goalkeeper completed the move a day earlier and will step in as Ederson’s replacement. According to The Athletic, Ederson went to Fenerbahçe in a deal worth about €14 million (£12.1 million). Meanwhile, DAZN and SportMediaset reporter Orazio Accomando also confirmed that City’s agreement with PSG is a fee of €35 million with an additional €4 million in add-ons. Although it’s the international break, Donnarumma finally spoke publicly about his new chapter. With his transfer to Manchester City all set, Donnarumma recently broke his silence about this move. Moreover, he expressed loved to manage...

4Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Football transfers Nigeria

Asisat Oshoala swaps Bay FC for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal Asisat Oshoala Nigerian superstar Asisat Oshoala has never been afraid of new challenges, and her latest move proves it. The 30-year-old striker is leaving Bay FC in the NWSL to sign with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing Saudi Women’s Premier League. Oshoala is no stranger to making history. After dominating in Nigeria, England and China, she became a household name at Barcelona, where she won multiple league titles and two UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies.In February 2024, she surprised many fans by swapping Europe for the US, joining Bay FC, a brand new NWSL expansion side.She said at the time that she wanted to step outside of her comfort zone and try something different — a mindset that seems to define her...

4Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

World football news Nigeria

Julian Nagelsmann eager for next steps on Germany’s road to World Cup Julian Nagelsmann Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann has his eyes on the big prize for Germany — winning the 2026 World Cup. This week, the Germans embark on their next steps toward achieving that goal with games against Slovakia and Northern Ireland. Nagelsmann is not apologizing for having lofty goals. ”I think it’s a healthy thing to declare a goal. It’s difficult for a team or for people in general to work and fight without a goal. It’s healthy for all of us to have the goal of becoming world champions. I also told the team that’s our goal. If any of the players think differently then they don’t even need to travel there. We’re focused on the process, we want to play game by game and find our ...

4Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Soccer updates Nigeria

William Troost-Ekong Ekong Calls for Massive Support for Super Eagles Against Rwanda on Saturday Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong, has called on Nigerian fans to stand firmly behind the team as they prepare to take on Rwanda and South Africa in the two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers within the next one week. Speaking in Uyo yesterday before Coach Eric Chelle had the first full compliment of all invited 23 players in camp, Ekong, confirmed that Eagles are well focused on the task ahead, which is to pick all six points from Rwanda and South Africa. “The boys are very focused, and we’re looking forward to the game on Saturday (against Rwanda). “I want to thank the fans for their support, and I ask them to continue encouraging us—be there in the stadium on Saturday, ke...

4Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

World cup news Nigeria

Mduduzi Shabalala ‘I'm here to help Bafana qualify for World Cup’ Kaizer Chiefs forward Mduduzi Shabalala is determined to help Bafana Bafana qualify for the World Cup as he's part of the squad for two crucial qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria, both at Free State Stadium on Friday and Tuesday, respectively. “This [being in the Bafana squad for two crucial World Cup qualifiers] is a big opportunity for me in my career. It's everyone's dream to play for their country, so I am here to help the team win the games to qualify for the World Cup,'' Shabalala, who'd never made the senior national team squad before, said. In June, the 21-year-old Shabalala was part of the Cosafa Cup in Bloemfontein, where SA lost the final 0-3 to Angola. The Chiefs man suggested that being part of t...

4Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

manchester united football transfer

Kobbie Mainoo Managing Man United - Kobbie Mainoo meeting as transfer is organised As the dust begins to settle following the summer transfer window, Manchester United are now taking stock of the business that has been done and what is to come. In truth, it was a busier summer than many of us were expecting from the Reds, particularly after United lost the Europa League final. The attack has had a complete makeover while there have been plenty of outgoings which, for a time, did not look likely. But with us firmly in the midst of the first international break of the campaign, this is a great opportunity to take stock on the summer that was and the priorities we would have for the next few weeks. Here, Football Flame has a go at managing United. Mainoo meeting The first po...

3Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

champions league news

Bukayo Saka Arsenal release squad list for Champions league Arsenal have submitted our List A squad for our upcoming UEFA Champions League league phase matches.As per UEFA regulations, List A is made up of a maximum of 25 players, two of whom must be goalkeepers. As a minimum, eight of those 25 places are reserved exclusively for 'locally trained players' and no club may have more than four 'association-trained players' listed among those eight places. A locally-trained player is classified as: Club-trained players who were on a club's books for three entire seasons or 36 months between the ages of 15 and 21 Association-trained players who were on another club's books in the same association for three entire seasons or 36 months between the ages of 15 and 21If a club ha...

3Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

latest soccer news

Federico Chiesa not in Champions league Squad for Liverpool Liverpool Federico Chiesa has been left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad. The Italian forward has been pipped to the post by young winger Rio Ngumhoa, who was included ahead of the 27-year-old in the Reds’ roster. There are strict rules set by UEFA meaning that eight players within the 25-man maximum must be ‘locally trained’, where players have spent two consecutive years with the club between the ages of 15 and 21. Usually, Ngumhoa, who has recently turned 17, would be able to play Champions League football as part of the ‘B’ squad list, but because he only joined the club from Chelsea last year, he has to be part of the ‘A’ list.As such, he ekes out Chiesa in the Arne Slot’s 22-man squad. New signin...

2Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

man u football news: Senne Lammens

Senne Lammens Manchester United is pleased to confirm that Senne Lammens has joined the club, subject to international clearance and registration. The goalkeeper has signed a contract until June 2030. Lammens has already played 64 games for Royal Antwerp and helped them win the Belgian Super Cup in 2023. The 23-year-old, who was named in the Belgium national team squad for the first time in March, kept the most clean sheets in the Belgian Pro League last season. Senne Lammens said:“I am extremely proud to be joining Manchester United; it is a real dream come true. The past few years have been an amazing journey; it’s now ended in an incredible destination and hopefully the beginning of something special. “You can feel the positive atmosphere that is being created here, an...

2Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Premier League news: Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak Liverpool’s deadline day signing of Alexander Isak marks the arrival of one of Europe’s most prolific strikers. The 25-year-old Sweden international joins from Newcastle United for a British record fee, concluding a transfer saga that stretched through the summer before a breakthrough was finally reached in the early hours of Monday morning. Isak has not featured competitively since Newcastle’s final match of the 2024-25 season and will first link up with Sweden on international duty before reporting back to Arne Slot’s squad. Supporters eager to see him in action will have to wait to see whether he is match sharp for Liverpool’s next fixture against Burnley on September 14. Speaking in his first interview with LFCTV, Isak addressed questions over his fitnes...

Laliga update Nigeria: Marc Bernal handed new squad number

2Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Laliga update Nigeria: Marc Bernal handed new squad number

Marc Bernal A member of the midfield ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona has this week been registered for league play with the club. The player in question? Marc Bernal.Youngster Bernal was the last of Barca’s stars still waiting for his registration to be completed with a view to the season ahead. This comes with the 18-year-old still in the final stages of recovery from a long-term spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.Following Héctor Fort’s last-minute deadline day departure for Elche, though, the necessary space was opened on Barca’s wage bill to add Bernal’s name. As per a report from Diario Sport:‘Barça managed to register Marc Bernal with a first-team record in LaLiga yesterday.’The midfield starlet was also handed a new squad number, taking ownership of the 22 shirt...

1Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

man utd latest news

Manchester united Real Betis strike deal for Man United star Antony Fans of La Liga outfit Real Betis have on Monday received the news which they had been patiently awaiting all summer. This comes amid confirmation of a deal being struck to bring Antony back to the club from Manchester United.The name of wide-man Antony has of course dominated the headlines across Spain and England alike for several months now. This comes after the Brazilian’s stellar loan stint with the aforementioned Real Betis last season saw the Verdiblancos make clear their eagerness to bring Antony back, this rime round on a permanent basis. For months, negotiations between the clubs had dragged on, with little sign of a positive outcome in sight. As alluded to above, though, on Monday, mere hours ...

1Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Laliga news Nigeria: Barca held to draw

Lamine Yamal Barcelona dropped their first points of the La Liga season as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano. Lamine Yamal fired Barca ahead from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Pep Chavarria shortly before half-time. But substitute Fran Perez secured a point for the hosts with a close-range volley for his first Rayo goal. Marc Bartra scored a comical own goal, wildly slicing a cross into his own net, and Aitor Paredes added a second as Athletic Bilbao won 2-1 at Real Betis. Cedric Bakambu hit a stoppage-time consolation before Athletic had substitute goalkeeper Alex Padilla sent off. Borja Iglesias scored four minutes into stoppage time as Celta Vigo escaped with a 1-1 draw against Villarreal, who led through Nicolas Pepe. Carlos Romero's goal early in the sec...

football match reviews:Cologne 4-1 Freiburg

1Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

football match reviews:Cologne 4-1 Freiburg

Marius Bulter Marius Bulter delivered a match-winning performance with a goal and two assists as Cologne defeated Freiburg 4-1 to make it two wins from two in the Bundesliga since their return. Cologne 4-1 Freiburg Goals: 1-0 Kamiński 35' (assist: Bülter), 2-0 Bülter 47' (assist: Thielmann), 3-0 Thielmann 57' (assist: Bülter), 4-0 El Mala 81', 4-1 Eggestein 84' (assist: Günter) Recently promoted Cologne welcomed Freiburg to the RheinEnergieStadion looking to build on their impressive 1-0 opening weekend win at Mainz. Freiburg, meanwhile, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Augsburg and were seeking their first points of the season, with Julian Schuster keeping faith in the same starting eleven. The first half saw Freiburg enjoy 61% possession, but it was the hosts who created the better chances. ...

1Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

African sports news

Eygpt Egypt squad for September World Cup qualifiers unveiled Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has unveiled his squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers to face Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. The list includes some fresh faces and notable returns. National Bank of Egypt defender Amr El Gazzar earns his first-ever call-up. Meanwhile, Pyramids midfielder Mohannad Lasheen returns to the fold for the first time since the Africa Cup of Nations. Al Ahly’s Marwan Attia is also back after recovering from a hernia. Mohamed Salah headlines the attacking options alongside Mostafa Mohamed and Omar Marmoush. Mohamed El Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir, Mohamed Sobhy, and Abdelaziz El Balouti form the goalkeeping unit.The full Egypt squad list: Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Mosta...

Premier League News: Brighton stun man city

31Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Premier League News: Brighton stun man city

Brajan Gruda Brajan Gruda came off the bench to score an 89th-minute goal to give Brighton their first win of the Premier League season, while condemning Manchester City to back-to-back defeats. The German attacking midfielder finished calmly to seal a comeback success after he rounded James Trafford, who had made a brilliant save to deny Jan Paul van Hecke moments earlier. City had taken a 34th-minute lead as Erling Haaland marked his 100th Premier League appearance with his 88th goal, poking home from close range.But the Norwegian spurned other chances that proved costly in the end for Pep Guardiola's side. Following a Matheus Nunes handball inside the box, James Milner converted from the penalty spot against his former club to become the Premier League's second oldest scorer...

football transfer: RB Leipzig target Harvey Elliott

31Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

football transfer: RB Leipzig target Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott RB Leipzig have expressed interest in Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott as they prepare for life after Xavi Simons, but multiple hurdles stand in the way of any potential transfer. According to ESPN Soccer, while the Bundesliga side admire Elliott’s talent and see him as a suitable replacement, the financial terms and Liverpool’s stance on retaining him remain significant obstacles. Sources told ESPN that “Leipzig are going to be reluctant to meet Liverpool’s potential €45m-50m asking price for the player.” That figure reflects both Elliott’s importance to Arne Slot’s squad and Liverpool’s reluctance to part ways with a player who has steadily grown in stature since joining from Fulham. Leipzig are bracing themselves for the departure of Xavi Simons, who is set to ...

31Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

man united new news

Emiliano Martinez Manchester United have made contact with Aston Villa to understand the conditions of a deal for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, according to Fabrizio Romano. Argentina international Martinez has been strongly linked with a move away from Villa Park this summer, even appearing to bid farewell to the fans at the end of the 2024-25 season. His transfer has yet to materialize so far this summer, but the South American has now emerged as a concrete option for the Red Devils during the closing stages of the window. Romano has revealed that Manchester United have approached Aston Villa and Martinez’s camp to discuss the possibility of a transfer before Monday’s deadline.The Red Devils are eager to add a new goalkeeper to their squad this summer after the failings of bo...

Fiorentina offered Madrid midfielder after Juventus enquiry

31Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Fiorentina offered Madrid midfielder after Juventus enquiry

Dani Ceballos Fiorentina are still active on the transfer market ahead of Monday’s deadline, and Football Flame understands that intermediaries have offered them the chance to sign Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid. Over the course of Saturday night, intermediaries offered Fiorentina Dani Ceballos, who is not currently considered ‘unsellable’ by his current employers at the Bernabeu. According to recent reports from Spanish outlet AS, Juventus have also recently made an attempt to sign the former Arsenal loanee. Fiorentina, meanwhile, have been in direct contact to discuss the 29-year-old, and the situation is one that should be monitored before the close of the summer transfer window. Fiorentina are especially likely to strike a deal for Ceballos if they end up sanctioning...