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‘My heart is here’ — Karim Adeyemi speaks on building sports facilities in Nigeria

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Karim Adeyemi, Nigerian-German footballer, says he will continue to give back to Nigerian communities because his heart “is still here”.

Adeyemi spoke with Soccernet following a recent visit to Nigeria.

During the visit, the 21-year-old was present at Olubadan stadium, Ibadan, to witness the Karim Adeyemi Foundation Academy in action. He also attended a children’s party at the Maracana stadium in the Ajegunle area of Lagos state.

In October, Adeyemi, alongside Wilfred Ndidi, Super Eagles midfielder, had donated two residential buildings to the newly revamped stadium.

The donated facilities include 96 fully air-conditioned beds, 24-hour power and solar backup, treated water supply, top-notch shower, and changing rooms.

Speaking on his drive to invest in football development in Nigeria, Adeyemi said he was moved by the sight of kids playing football on the pitch when he came to the country, and that emotion inspired him to give back to the communities.

“As I said, I think I have my roots here. My father is from here, and his heart is still here in Nigeria. Of course, my heart is also here in Nigeria,” he said.

“[There is] a story of how I came here to Nigeria. I saw the kids playing football on the street, and I played with them. It’s a small story, but it touched my heart all my life. So I try to give something back to the community.”

On his part, Yemi Idowu, chairman of the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation, said the facilities will reinforce the spirit of the youngsters in the area.

“A lot of enthusiasm, some of them are too young to understand what this is all about but at least they will remember that when they were young, they came to a place like this,” Idowu said.

“The old ones, it is just a way to reinforce the spirit behind this place which is where you can play with kids that come from all over the state of your own peer group.”

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Everton sack Sean Dyche, name club captain as interim player-manager

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Everton have sacked Sean Dyche as the club’s manager.

The Merseyside club announced the dismissal of the 53-year-old English manager in a statement on Thursday.

Everton also dismissed Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer — members of Dyche’s crew.

The club said Seamus Coleman, the team’s captain, will temporarily take charge of first-team affairs alongside Leighton Baines, Everton’s U-18 head coach.

“The process to appoint a new manager is under way and an update will be provided in due course,” the statement reads.

Dyche leaves his post a few hours before Everton played Peterborough in the third round of the FA Cup.

On Saturday, Everton suffered their eighth league defeat of the season following a 1-0 league loss to Bournemouth. The result left the Toffees in 16th position, just one point from relegation places as Everton fights against the drop in consecutive seasons.

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Roberto Carlos refutes claims of his homelessness amid split from wife

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Roberto Carlos, former Real Madrid defender, has refuted reports claiming he is homeless following an acrimonious split with his estranged wife.

Recently, there were reports that Carlos, now Real Madrid’s director of institutional relations, has moved into the club’s training ground at Valdebabas after leaving his private residence in Spain, where he had lived since retiring from football in 2016.

The reports claimed that the 51-year-old is sleeping at the club facility following a complicated divorce settlement between him and Mariana Lucon, his wife of 15 years.

The rumours added that the wife has staked a claim at the couple’s matrimonial residence, while her family occupies Carlos’ second property.

However, in a tweet on Wednesday, Carlos dismissed the reports as “false and damaging” and “baseless rumours” which were “designated to generate clicks”.

The Brazilian added that he lives “in a private residence, supported by members of my family”.

“In recent days, I have become aware of false and damaging stories circulating about me and my family.

“While I value privacy, I feel compelled to address the baseless rumours about my living situation. These fabricated stories are entirely false and seem designated to generate clicks.

“I remain in a private residence, supported by members of my family.

“My legal team is reviewing these claims and will take appropriate action.

The 2022 World Cup winner then asked that his privacy be respected “during this time”.

Carlos and Lucon married in June 2009 and have two daughters – Manuela and Mariana.

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West Ham appoints ex-Chelsea boss, Graham Potter, head coach

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English Premier League club, West Ham, has confirmed the appointment of former Chelsea boss, Graham Potter as its new head coach.

“West Ham United is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as the club’s new head coach. The 49-year-old joins the Hammers on a two-and-a-half-year contract and will take charge of his new team for the first time when the Irons travel to Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday evening.

“A highly-respected and sought-after coach, Potter has been awaiting the right opportunity after leaving his last role at Chelsea in April 2023 and was the Board’s unanimous choice to take the club forward in line with its objectives and ambitions.

“Potter, whose progressive style and flexible tactical approach previously impressed at Swedish club Östersund, Swansea City and Brighton & Hove Albion, has a passion for a return to Premier League management and is relishing the opportunity to work with West Ham United’s talented squad of international players,” the club statement read on Thursday.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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