ordan Ayew has shared his enthusiasm and determination to play an important role in Leicester City’s return to the Premier League.
After initial discussions with manager Steve Cooper, Ayew is ready to embrace the challenge and contribute to the Foxes’ success in the 2024/25 season.
In his first interview after joining the club, Ayew revealed that Cooper had outlined his vision for the team and how he plans to utilise Ayew’s experience and skills.
The Ghanaian forward was impressed by the manager’s plans and is eager to work under his guidance.
“He just explained to me how he wants to use me and as a player you don’t really demand much. But when you hear that the Manager wants you, you just want to work under him and improve as well,” Ayew said.
Despite being 32 years old, Ayew remains focused on self-improvement and is determined to enhance both his game and his contributions to the team.
According to him, he is not just joining the club to coast through the season but is committed to working hard and helping Leicester City achieve their targets.
“I’m not just coming to hang around, I’m here to work hard and make sure that I help the team to reach the targets. Hopefully, we have a great season all together with the fans and I’m really confident that this will be a good year,” he added.
He could make his Leicester City debut on Saturday afternoon against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Edo Queens of Nigeria have emerged as the champions of the WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers following a commanding 3-0 victory over Benin’s Ainonvi FC in the final held on Friday.
Suliat Abideen set the tone for Edo Queens with a crucial goal just before halftime, taking advantage of their dominance in midfield to penetrate the Benin defense.
Edo Queens extended their lead in the 59th minute through Emem Essien, who has been one of the tournament’s standout players. Essien’s solo effort saw her skillfully bypass Ainonvi FC’s goalkeeper, Alassane Sauratou, to double their advantage.
The victory was sealed in the 76th minute when Ainonvi FC’s Elizabeth Ukandu, under pressure from Edo Queens’ relentless attack, inadvertently headed the ball into her own net.
Despite creating several chances, Ainonvi FC were unable to breach Edo Queens’ resolute defense, which held firm to maintain a clean sheet.
With this triumph, Edo Queens succeed Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies as WAFU B champions and will represent the region in the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League, where they will aim to continue their impressive form on the continental stage.
Nsoatreman FC have secured a significant milestone in their CAF Confederations Cup journey, advancing to the next round of the qualifying stage with a dominant 2-0 victory over TP Elect Sport in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Having already established a strong lead with a 3-0 win in the first leg in Accra, the Ghanaian side showcased their consistency and determination by completing a back-to-back triumph.
The match at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo saw Nsoatreman assert control from the outset, reflecting their intent to leave no room for complacency.
The team broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, thanks to a well-taken goal by Walid Fuseini Neymar.
Their tactical discipline and cohesive play were on full display throughout the game, culminating in a second goal by Stephen Diyou in the 86th minute, effectively sealing their progression.
Under the guidance of coach Yaw Preko, Nsoatreman has exceeded expectations in their debut continental campaign.
Their performance not only demonstrates the team’s quality but also raises hopes for further success as they prepare to face the winner of the match between CS Constantine of Algeria and Rwanda’s Police FC in the second preliminary round.
The Green and Yellows are now setting their sights on reaching the money zone of the competition, with the belief that they can defy the odds and make a deep run in the tournament.
Ghana star Mohammed Kudus delivered an impressive performance on Saturday as West Ham United secured a 2-0 away win against Crystal Palace in their second Premier League match of the 2024/25 season.
Following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in their opening game, West Ham were determined to bounce back.
Manager Julen Lopetegui named the 24-year-old Kudus in the starting lineup for the clash at Selhurst Park.
The first half ended goalless, but West Ham took control in the second half with goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen, securing the victory.
Kudus played a crucial role in the match, featuring for 88 minutes before being substituted by Jean-Clair Todibo.
During his time on the pitch, Kudus had 35 touches, made two crosses (one successful), and completed six of eight attempted dribbles. He also won nine out of 14 ground duels, although he lost possession nine times.
Kudus will be aiming to open his goal account for the season when West Ham face Bournemouth in the EFL Cup second round on Wednesday at the London Stadium, followed by a challenging Premier League fixture against Manchester City next weekend.
Nigeria’s Victor Boniface is celebrating his Super Cup win with Bayer Leverkusen in a big way with Nigerians.
Nigerian football sensation Victor Boniface is sharing his joy with fans back home after helping Bayer Leverkusen clinch the German Super Cup.
In a generous gesture, Boniface has announced a giveaway of 2 million naira (approximately $2,600 USD) to celebrate the victory.Bayer Leverkusen secured the Super Cup title with a win over Stuttgart after a 4-3 win via penalty shootout, following a 2-2 draw in regulation time, adding another feather to their cap and giving Boniface, one of the team’s key players, a reason to celebrate in grand style.
Taking to his Twitter account, Boniface shared the news of his giveaway in Nigerian Pidgin English, demonstrating his connection to his roots.
His tweet read: “If you no get stew money as today na Sunday I give small 2m giveaway ……make una meet channel 11 @_AsiwajuLerry”
Translated, the message essentially says: “If you don’t have money for food today, being Sunday, I’m doing a small 2 million naira giveaway. Please contact @_AsiwajuLerry.”
his act of generosity has sparked excitement among Nigerian football fans, many of whom are celebrating not just Boniface’s success on the field but also his willingness to give back to his community.
Boniface’s gesture highlights the ongoing connection between the talented player and his fans who fondly refer to him as ‘banger boy’. It also showcases how social media platforms are being used by athletes to directly engage with and support their fans.
As Bayer Leverkusen basks in their Super Cup glory, Boniface’s celebration extends beyond the pitch, touching the lives of his supporters back in Nigeria.
Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah scored the goals as Arne Slot’s reign as Liverpool head coach began with a hard-fought victory over newly promoted Ipswich Town at a boisterous Portman Road.
Portuguese forward Jota finished off a flowing Liverpool move involving Salah and the impressive Trent Alexander-Arnold shortly after the hour mark, side-footing the Egyptian’s low cross past Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton.
And it was 2-0 just five minutes later, Salah scoring from Dominik Szoboszlai’s pass for his ninth opening-day goal – a Premier League record.
Playing their first top-flight game in 22 years, Ipswich were more than a match for Slot’s team in the first half and went closest to opening the scoring before half-time, first through Jacob Greaves’ downward header and then Omar Hutchinson’s low drive.
But Liverpool were much improved after the restart and should have taken the lead when Jota nodded Alexander-Arnold’s inch-perfect cross narrowly wide of the far post early in the second half.
The 27-year-old made amends for that miss moments later, before Salah put the seal on a narrow win and condemned Ipswich to their first home defeat in nearly 12 months.
Antoine Semenyo’s late goal snatched a point for Bournemouth as they came from behind to hold Nottingham Forest on the opening day.
Chris Wood swept home the Forest opener in the 23rd minute after Cherries goalkeeper Neto parried a Ryan Yates shot to his feet.
It followed a broken ankle to their Brazilian midfielder Danilo, who was taken off on a stretcher after a clash with Semenyo.
Bournemouth – who had a goal disallowed in the first half – were much improved in the second half and levelled as Semenyo bundled home from close range when Forest failed to properly clear a cross.
The Black Stars forward pounced after Forest defender Harry Toffolo’s clearance struck team-mate Murillo and fell invitingly for the him.
Forest had controlled the first half and almost doubled their lead when defender Willy Boly sent a powerful header goalwards from a Callum Hudson-Odoi corner, but Neto flung himself to the left for an important save.
Without last season’s star striker Dominic Solanke, who joined Tottenham for £65m, Semenyo hopes to continuing scoring after opening his account for the season.
Ghana defender Alexander Djiku believes Fenerbahce’s dream of reaching the group stage of the UEFA Champions League under Jose Mourinho remains on course.
The Turkish giants travel to France for the third round of qualifiers against LOSC Lille with hopes of progressing to the next stage.
“Last year, we thought we could face Lille in the Conference League semi-finals, but we were eliminated by Olympiacos on penalties in the quarter-finals (Lille were also eliminated by Aston Villa). It could have happened earlier,” Djiku told L’Equipe.
Lille could have Canadian striker Jonathan David back for the tie following his participation in the Copa America.
However, Djiku is unbothered by the presence of Lille’s keyman.
“Jonathan David is a very talented player and a great mover on the pitch. He is also very effective in deep runs. Lille with Jonathan David and Lille without him are two different teams. However, we did not have a special preference for the opponent, whether it was Lille or another team. The road will be difficult but we are confident,” he added.
Reports from Paris indicate that Jamaican sprinter Sashalee Forbes will compete in the 100m dash when the track and field events commence at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on Friday. Speculation about Forbes replacing Shericka Jackson has been confirmed by Jamaica’s Athletics Manager Ludlow Watts, who told Television Jamaica that Jackson has withdrawn from the 100m event.
Sportsmax.TV sources had confirmed on Tuesday that Forbes was informed by team management that she would be replacing Jackson in the blue-riband sprint.
On July 9, Jackson experienced what was described as ‘a cramp’ during the women’s 200m race at the Istvan Gyulai Memorial held at the Bregyó Athletic Center in Székesfehérvár. The incident raised concerns about her fitness as the Olympics approached.
With no official updates from her MVP Track Club, rumors about Jackson’s health have intensified. In a recent interview with Jamaican media, Coach Stephen Francis provided limited information regarding Jackson’s condition. When asked about her health, Francis responded, “I think that is something you’re going to have to address to her medical personnel but as far as I know she appears to be okay to me.”
While Francis remained reticent about Jackson, he was more forthcoming about another athlete, Tia Clayton. He expressed confidence in Clayton’s potential to perform well in the 100m, with some local pundits predicting her success in the blue-ribbon sprint.
The confirmation from Watts brings clarity to the situation, affirming that Sashalee Forbes will indeed replace Shericka Jackson in the 100m dash.
Olympics triathletes dived into the Seine River on Wednesday after organizers declared the water in Paris safe for swimming following days of concerns about elevated bacteria levels caused by heavy rains last week.
The women jumped into the river near the majestic Pont Alexandre III around 8 a.m., with steady rain tapering off just as the athletes splashed into the water.
Some dunked their swim goggles in the Seine before putting them on and heading into the river with the Eiffel Tower in the background. The men followed just under three hours later.
The decision to go ahead with the swim for the triathlon competitions was a big deal for the city, Olympics organizers and the athletes. Officials undertook an ambitious plan, including 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in infrastructure improvements, to clean up the long-polluted Seine.
They had been steadfast in their insistence that the swimming portion of the triathlon and the marathon swimming events could safely be held in the river.
After days of uncertainty following rain on Friday and Saturday, organizers said early Wednesday that the latest tests of the water showed compliance with quality standards.
They couldn’t contain their delight that their gamble of holding Olympic events in the long-toxic river was paying off. “It’s magic,” said chief Paris Games organizer Tony Estanguet, speaking to French television. “It’s a very important legacy for Parisians to be able to swim from next year in the Seine.”
The infrastructure projects undertaken to better manage wastewater have paved the way for Paris’ ultimate goal: allowing Parisians to enjoy the waterway again after more than a century of it being off-limits, with plans to open public pools in its waters starting in 2025.
“Here we are!” French President Emmanuel Macron proclaimed on X. “Thanks to a massive investment … we have achieved in just 4 years what was impossible for 100 years: the Seine is now swimmable.”
As they swam, the triathletes stayed close to the barges and boats that line the banks of the river. Spectators watched and cheered from the stands set up along the side and from the bridges spanning the waterway. After swimming two laps in the Seine, a 1.5-kilometer (1-mile) course, the athletes emerged from the water and ran up a set of stairs to jump on their bikes for a ride through the streets of Paris, including the iconic Champs-Elysees.
During the women’s race, the 40-kilometer (25-mile) biking portion saw numerous crashes and wipeouts along wet roads, but skies were blue when the triathletes began the final leg of the race, a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) run.
By the time the men’s race started, the sun was beating down and temperatures were rising.
Cassandre Beaugrand of France won gold in the women’s event, while Julie Derron of Switzerland took silver and Beth Potter of Britain got the bronze medal.
Alex Yee of Britain won gold in the men’s race, with Hayden Wilde of New Zealand winning silver and Léo Bergère of France taking bronze.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who took a much-publicized dip in the Seine two weeks ago along with Estanguet and others to ease fears about water quality, congratulated Beaugrand for winning the first Olympic gold in the river.
“How special to see her swimming in the Seine, thank you for making us so proud!” Hidalgo said.
For her part, Beaugrand said she wasn’t very worried about swimming in the Seine “because we swam last year and no one was sick after that, so I was confident we could swim today and it would have been a shame if we didn’t.” Olympic triathletes participated in a test event in the river last August.
Yee, the men’s winner, said athletes just have to trust organizers when they say the conditions are safe.
“I’m sure we’ll find out in due time if that’s correct,” he said.
Elevated levels of bacteria in the river pushed the men’s race originally planned for Tuesday to Wednesday, when the women’s competition had been scheduled. Test events meant to allow the athletes to familiarize themselves with the course had already been canceled for the same reason on Sunday and Monday.
Paris experienced a downpour during Friday’s opening ceremony, and rain continued for most of the day Saturday, which directly affected the water quality in the Seine.
