Sports
Arsene Wenger says lack of inconsistency made Arsenal overlooked Payet
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger passed up the chance to sign Dimitri Payet earlier in his career due to the West Ham star’s lack of consistency.
Payet has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season with nine goals – including a string of stunning free-kicks – in his debut campaign with West Ham.
The 29-year-old’s form has helped fire Slaven Bilic’s team into top-four contention, as well as earning him a recall to the France squad with Euro 2016 drawing closer.
Speaking before Arsenal’s trip to West Ham on Saturday, Wenger said of the former Marseille playmaker: “I have watched him many times, I have known him for a long time.
“When he played in Saint-Etienne, we watched him many times. He had all the attributes to be a top, top player.
“This season he has matured a lot, he is back in the national team, and that shows he has been much more consistent.
“He always had top talent, but had periods where was up and down.”
Wenger went on to say that he has not given up on reeling in Premier League leaders Leicester City, despite the 11-point gap between his team and Claudio Ranieri’s side.
He added: “Of course [Leicester can be caught], why not?
“As long as it is still mathematically possible there is a strong possibility. They have been remarkably consistent but every game is tight, can go the other way as well.
“We know that we need a near perfect run, and we don’t only look ahead but behind as we have a group of teams who can make it difficult for us.
“We have to focus on our performances and finish in strong way.”
Sports
Usyk defeats Fury to become undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk has defeated Tyson Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion of the world.
Fury and Usyk fought at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night.
Usyk won the bout through a split decision, edging the Briton 115-112, 113-114, and 114-113 on the cards.
Fury came out strong in the early rounds of the bout but Usyk was able to stave off the British fighter’s onslaught.
The Ukrainian gained momentum as the fight progressed, with his superior footwork and technical skill allowing him to evade Fury’s powerful blows and land precise shots of his own.
The Ukrainian floored Fury in the ninth round which was the turning point of the much-anticipated fight.
Despite Fury’s valiant effort to recover in the final rounds, Usyk’s dominance had already sealed the victory.
The 37-year-old Ukrainian is the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago. He has now unified the WBA, WBO, IBF, and WBC titles.
For Fury, it is the first loss in his 16-year professional career — but he will have a chance at a rematch before the end of the year.
In his post-fight interview, the British boxer accused the judges of giving the victory to Usyk because of the war in Ukraine.
“His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war,” he said.
Sports
Edem Offiong, Olajide Omotayo qualify for Paris Olympics
The Nigerian duo of Edem Offiong and Olajide Omotayo have secured tickets to represent the country at the table tennis event of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The Nigerians achieved the feat on Friday after defeating their respective opponents in the ITTF Africa Olympics qualifiers semi-final in Kigali, Rwanda.
In the men’s singles event, Omotayo defeated Congo-Brazaville’s Saheed Idowu in four straight sets to book his second appearance at the Olympics.
He featured at the Tokyo Olympics but lost 4-0 to Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia in the first round of the men’s singles event.
Olajide Omotayo has a ticket to Paris, it would be his 2nd appearance at the @Olympics.
— ITTF-Africa (@ITTFAfrica) May 17, 2024
The Nigerian was dominant in a 4-0 win over Congo-Brazzaville Saheed Idowu in the semis. #RoadToParis2024 pic.twitter.com/7zllqtkwjh
Offiong defeated Gracie Fadwa of Tunisia 4-2 in the women’s singles to earn her fifth appearance at the Olympic games.
The 37-year-old made her Olympic debut in Athens in 2004 and never failed to qualify ever since.
At the last Olympics, the Calabar-born player progressed to the second round, where Zhang Lily of the US humbled her in a match that lasted just 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, Fatimo Bello lost to Cameroon’s Hanffoy Sarah 4-2 in the women’s singles. The Cameroonian earned the Olympic ticket, and Bello would have to face Gracie Fadwa for the final automatic berth on Saturday.
Sports
NFF unveils Finidi as Eagles coach, announces technical crew
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has unveiled Finidi George as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.
The federation presented the newly appointed manager to the public on Monday at the media centre of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja
In April, Finidi was appointed as the permanent replacement for Jose Peseiro, who the former Nigerian international worked with as an assistant coach for 20 months.
At the unveiling ceremony, the 53-year-old’s technical crew members were also announced.
Daniel Amokachi, former Super Eagles player, will be the assistant coach. Olatunji Baruwa is named the goalkeeper trainer, Chima Onyeka slots in as fitness trainer and Benjamin James will also be a backroom staff member.
Dignitaries present at the unveiling include John Enoh, minister of sports development; Ibrahim Gusau, president of NFF; and Augustine Eguavoen, technical director of NFF.
Finidi was the Eagles’ interim head coach for two international friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March.
He led the Eagles to a 2-1 victory over Ghana in his first game at the helm but lost 2-0 to Mali in the second game.
Finidi’s immediate task with the Super Eagles will be the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic in June.
The Eagles drew their first two games of the campaign to Lesotho and Zimbabwe, lagging behind in third place in Group C.
-
Entertainment1 week ago
Tems announces release date for her debut album ‘Born In The Wild’
-
Religion4 days ago
Allow RCCG members attend your schools for free, Lege Miami tells pastor Adeboye
-
Entertainment5 days ago
“My dating era has come to an end” – Actress Susan Peters shed tears of joy as she hints at remarriage
-
Entertainment1 week ago
Esther Ogbu narrates how she once slept on the floor for seven days to avoid being sexually molested
-
Business5 days ago
SMEDAN begins disbursement of N5bn loans to SMEs
-
Celebrities4 days ago
‘Superstar no get money for car’ – Speed Darlington mocks Portable following his arrest (Video)
-
Sports7 days ago
Amusan sets world leading record in 100m hurdles
-
Sports1 week ago
Tijani Babangida, wife hospitalised after road accident, brother dies