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Chuba Akpom Still Hoping to Play for Super Eagles After Years of Waiting

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Ajax striker Chuba Akpom has once again expressed his strong desire to represent the Super Eagles of Nigeria, despite years of waiting for a call-up.

Since making himself available for selection, Akpom has yet to receive an invitation from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) or Super Eagles coaches, even as he continues to perform in Europe. Speaking to Oma Sports, he remained hopeful but realistic about his chances.

“I give my best every time. I’ve been waiting since 2019. I switched allegiance a long time ago, but if it happens, it happens. I’ll just keep working hard,” he said.

Addressing misconceptions about dual-nationality players choosing Nigeria only when England overlooks them, Akpom explained that many players simply didn’t get the chance to represent Nigeria from a young age.

“It’s not about choosing Nigeria because England didn’t call. Many of us grew up in England, played for their youth teams, and followed that path. But deep down, our roots are Nigerian,” he added.

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Rio Ferdinand Blames Onana and Dorgu for Manchester United’s Defeat

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Rio Ferdinand has criticized Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana for his costly mistake in their match against Ipswich Town on Wednesday.

The former United defender also held January signing Patrick Dorgu partly responsible for Ipswich’s opening goal at Old Trafford.

As Ipswich pushed forward, Dorgu, under pressure from Jaden Philogene, appeared to have the situation under control. However, Onana rushed off his line, and Dorgu’s back pass slipped past him, allowing Philogene to score.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Ferdinand pointed out the lack of awareness between the two players.

“A terrible start. Dorgu never once looked up to see where Onana was. Onana didn’t need to come out,” Ferdinand said. “The full-back had control and could have held his ground, but the communication just wasn’t there.”

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Onana was also at fault for Ipswich’s second goal, failing to track a cross before Philogene netted his second of the night.

Since joining United from Inter Milan, Onana has been criticized for several similar errors, this has raised concerns about his decision-making.


 

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“Palmer Has So Much Talent” – Leboeuf Shows Confidence in His Comeback

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Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has backed Cole Palmer to regain his form soon, despite the midfielder’s recent struggles.

Palmer has gone seven games without a goal contribution for Chelsea, including missing two big chances in their 4-0 win over Southampton. This dip comes after a strong start to the season, where he scored 14 goals and provided six assists in all competitions.

Speaking to ESPN FC, Leboeuf downplayed concerns over Palmer’s slump, pointing out that even football legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Mohamed Salah have faced similar rough patches.

“He’s been outstanding, scoring goal after goal and standing out as one of the best,” Leboeuf said. “It’s normal for a player to go through a phase where things don’t click. But he has the talent, and I believe he’ll bounce back. He was a bit unlucky—Ramsdale made a great save on one of his chances.

“Even the greatest players have gone through spells where scoring becomes difficult, but Palmer has all the tools to turn things around. He’ll find his rhythm again and deliver for Chelsea.”

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Spanish Footballer Nico Hidalgo Dies at 32 After Battle With Cancer

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Spanish footballer Nico Hidalgo has passed away at the age of 32 after a long battle with lung cancer. His former clubs confirmed the heartbreaking news on Saturday.

Hidalgo started his football journey at Motril, making his senior debut in 2010 before joining Granada B in 2012. In 2014, he signed with Juventus but never featured for the first team, leading to a loan move back to Granada.

His career saw him play for Cádiz, initially on loan before making the move permanent in 2017. He later played for Racing Santander and Extremadura before retiring in 2022, a year after being diagnosed with cancer.

Granada paid tribute to him, saying, “With Nico’s departure, we not only lose a talented footballer but also a remarkable person. The love from his teammates, coaches, staff, and fans will always remain.”

Cádiz also shared a heartfelt message: “We will never forget your smile and joy. Your fight will always inspire us. Rest in peace.”

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