Sport
Labbadia to Name Foreign Assistants for Super Eagles
Newly-appointed Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia is set to name his foreign assistants, Labbadia’s appointment was confirmed on Tuesday. The German coach is expected to select two foreign assistants, while the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will appoint local coaches. Labbadia is reportedly considering Erdinç Sözer, Olaf Janßen, and Bernhard Trares for the roles.
Sözer, regarded as Labbadia’s most trusted assistant, is likely to be his top pick. The duo has collaborated at several clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, and Hertha Berlin. Sözer is currently available after leaving Turkish club Samsunspor on June 30, 2024. Former center-back Trares began working with Labbadia in 2015 at Hamburg and later at VfB Stuttgart. He is also without a club. Janßen, currently the manager of Viktoria Köln, might not be available due to his current commitments.
Major League Soccer has handed one-game suspensions to Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba after they skipped this week’s All-Star events.
Despite being voted into the MLS All-Star Game, both players were absent from the All-Star skills challenge on Tuesday and the match against Mexico’s Liga MX select side on Wednesday. Under league rules, players who miss the All-Star match without prior approval face an automatic suspension.
As a result, Messi and Alba will sit out Inter Miami’s upcoming league clash against Cincinnati. Inter Miami’s managing owner, Jorge Mas, shared that Messi is “extremely upset” about the suspension, adding, “I don’t agree with the rule, and I’ve made that very clear to the commissioner.”
Ghana’s Black Queens head coach, Kim Lars Björkegren, believes Nigeria’s Super Falcons have what it takes to overcome hosts Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria holds a strong legacy in the tournament, having won it nine times, and they continue to dominate with some of the finest talents in African women’s football.
Björkegren, whose team fell 3-1 to the Super Falcons in a friendly ahead of the tournament, says he sees more depth in the Nigerian squad. “It should be a great match. Both sides have their strengths, but I think Nigeria has more quality overall,” he said.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged the Super Falcons to give their all and bring home victory as they face hosts Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. With just 90 minutes standing between them and a record-extending 10th WAFCON title, the First Lady praised the team for their performance so far and encouraged them to finish strong.
In a video message shared on the Super Falcons’ official X account, she said, “My beautiful Super Falcons, congratulations on reaching the final. Your team spirit, dedication, and professionalism have been remarkable. You’ve become shining examples for young girls across Nigeria and Africa.”
She added, “As you take the field, may God grant you victory. Go and make us proud. Nigerians, including myself, are waiting to welcome you back with the trophy in your hands.”
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