MEDIA
After heroic performance against at Old Trafford, Uzoho may be Man United-bound
Man United made hard work of it again against Omonia Nicosia but they have all but qualified for the knockout stage of the Europa League.
According to Manchester Evening News, Nigeria’s Francis Uzoho may be on the radar of Manchester United following his spectacular form last Friday.
“Going off Manchester United’s penchant for recruiting back-up goalkeepers who have excelled against them, Francis Uzoho’s chances of an Old Trafford transfer are auspicious”, reports the newspaper.
The only difference is Uzoho did not step off the pitch undefeated.
For 93 minutes, he was until Scott McTominay rifled the ball in from close range.
In the 90th minute, McTominay almost endangered spectators with a shot and that was the cue for thousands to vent and exit.
The days when United supporters stayed until the final kick belong to yesteryear. Uzoho collaped to the turf at full-time and was hauled up by his manager Neil Lennon.
The mentality of this United squad is still a work in progress and labouring to two wins over the Cypriot league runners-up underlines that. McTominay’s mentality is never lacking and his recovery was a swift one.
Thirty-four attempts, 13 corners, 12 saves, one stubborn custodian and one goal.
Uzoho was blamed for Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup yet has salvaged his calendar year with a night to remember, despite the belated blemish.
Omonia Nicosia were deprived of their impressive goalkeeper Fabiano yet Uzoho was as vigilant and busier, denying Marcus Rashford twice in the first-half and grazing Casemiro’s piledriver onto the crossbar. There were two saves inside the first 30 seconds of the second-half.
Tom Heaton and Martin Dubravka, spectators in the dugout, and Lee Grant were men possessed against United before they transferred to the club. Uzoho is a boyhood United fan and vowed he would “die” in goal against them. His goal certainly led a charmed life
In the 87th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo was impatiently demanding the ball’s return and Erik ten Hag scratched his goatee quizically.
Ten Hag found the solution, though. Substitutes Christian Eriksen and Jadon Sancho created the opening for fellow substitute McTominay.
The ignominy of two goalless home group games would have all but guaranteed United an additional knockout tie in February. Real Sociedad beat FC Sheriff and have taken maximum points and it remains likely there will be something to play for in the return tie in San Sebastian on November 3.
Omonia had the disadvantage of playing on Monday, losing to AEL. Their 5-3-2 formation was hardly watertight – United unleashed more efforts at goal than in Cyprus – yet there is something about insipid Thursday nights that drain the entitled of focus and United’s finishing was feckless.
Winning the group has been incentivised as the runner-up has to endure a two-legged tie against a team demoted from the Champions League. United are all but through, with only a point required at home to Sheriff in a fortnight.
United’s travelling supporters possibly hope they do finish second as Barcelona, Juventus, AC Milan, Ajax, Sporting Lisbon, Atletico Madrid or Sevilla could await. Shakhtar Donetsk has the appeal of a trip to Warsaw, the Ukrainian team’s temporary residence.
Two free midweeks in February are particularly appealing to Ten Hag with two Premier League fixtures already postponed and yet to be rearranged, with the King’s coronation coinciding with a capital trip to West Ham.
United were more penetrative with Sancho and Luke Shaw combining down the left and Eriksen, benched for the first time all season, joined the cavalry in the 70th minute.
Tyrell Malacia and Fred demonstrated why they have had seats reserved for them of late. Antony, guilty of botching a chance he converted on his debut and at Goodison Park, regressed after a promising performance against Everton.
“F–k’s sake,” Lennon roared amid United’s dominance. He was soon cursing at his own side’s bluntness. United peppered the ‘keeper’s goal, rattled the woodwork and with a goal apparently inevitable the best chance of the first-half fell to Omonia. Selfishly, Bruno disregarded the free Andronikos Kakoulli, who was square.
A stricter referee would have expelled Lisandro Martinez for his barge on Kakoulli as he attempted to seize on Diogo Dalot’s hospital pass. It was a careless night at both ends.
The fixture was primarily enriched by the sight of 4,500 Cypriots in the away end, almost all of them bedecked in Omonia green. Lennon, synonymous with Celtic, will have appreciated that on his return to a stadium he last played at 14 years ago in the Champions League. The Ulsterman savoured every second, recording a video on his phone with the stands empty prior to kick-off.
Old Trafford was impressively vast for such a humdrum fixture, another reminder the Europa League would be better off scrapping the ‘league’ element and reverting back to straight knockout ties.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s candour about potentially buying United was felt as thousands stood and clapped during a rendition of “Stand up if you hate Glazers”. Many sported this season’s replica shirts and all had already lined the Glazers’ wallets by stepping inside the stadium.
It is a complex and nuanced situation but such chants are not going to significantly startle a family that has owned the club for nearly 18 years and has the safe distance of the Atlantic Ocean between them and the mob in Manchester. Momentum has not been as sustained as the captivating, if flawed, green and gold campaign and the mobilising is not as febrile as in 2005.
On this evidence, United are not worth their valuation. Uzoho’s has soared.
Veteran sports journalist Mumini Alao is set to unveil his much-anticipated autobiography on August 10 at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), with a distinguished lineup of guests from Nigeria’s political and sports spheres expected to grace the occasion.
The event, which will take place at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall in Akoka, will serve as both a celebration of Alao’s illustrious career spanning over three decades and a platform for engaging national discourse on sports development.
A public lecture titled “Rethinking the Current Football Business Model in Nigeria as a Catalyst for Sports Development” will accompany the launch.
Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, will deliver the keynote address, while Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), will chair the occasion.
Kabiru Amadu, Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, will co-launch the book, and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau, is billed as a special guest.
Mumini Alao, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most respected sports journalists, is currently Executive Consultant at Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper. He previously served as Group Managing Director of the company.
Alao holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD in Mass Communication from UNILAG and is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) as well as an associate of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).
In 2023, he was inducted into the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (CiArb), reflecting his broader professional footprint.
The book launch promises to be a landmark gathering, bringing together thought leaders to reflect on Alao’s journey and the broader trajectory of Nigerian sports.
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In a disturbing development highlighting the dangers faced by journalists in North Africa, French sports reporter Christophe Gleizes has been sentenced to seven years in prison by an Algerian court for simply doing his job.
Gleizes, a contributor to acclaimed French publications So Foot and Society, was convicted on Sunday, June 29, by the Tizi Ouzou court on charges of “apology for terrorism” and “possession of publications intended to spread propaganda that harms the national interest.” An immediate arrest warrant was issued.
The verdict has sparked outrage in press freedom circles and sports journalism communities, as observers label the trial as politically motivated and devoid of credible evidence.
Gleizes, co-author of the investigative book Magique Système, which explores the exploitation of African footballers, had travelled to Algeria in spring 2024 to research a story on JS Kabylie—one of the country’s most storied football clubs from the 1980s. He was also preparing a tribute to the late Cameroonian footballer Albert Ebossé, who died under mysterious circumstances after a match in Algeria in 2014.
His arrest on May 28, 2024, was reportedly linked to past online exchanges (from 2015 and 2017) with a local football club figure associated with the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK), a group banned in Algeria. However, his 2024 interactions were reportedly limited strictly to football-related inquiries for his feature on JSK.
For over a year, Gleizes had been trapped in Algeria under judicial supervision, barred from leaving the country—a form of de facto house arrest. Now, with a harsh prison sentence handed down, the case is seen as yet another blow to press freedom in Algeria, particularly for journalists covering sensitive issues, even in sports.
Many in the football and media world are calling for Gleizes’ immediate release, condemning what they describe as the criminalisation of journalism and the silencing of free expression under the guise of national security.
The case raises fresh concerns about the increasingly hostile environment for international journalists in the region—even those covering the beautiful game.
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The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has officially unveiled the commemorative logo for its 60th anniversary, marking a major milestone in the Association’s illustrious journey since its establishment in 1964.
The body was founded on February 1, 1964, when a group of journalists met in Lagos. The founding leaders who met at the Broad Street Lagos offices of Daily Times elected Adebayo Thompson of Morning Post as their founding chairman.
Babington Bakare was elected as the vice chairman. The founding secretary was Maurice Domboh of West African Pilot while the treasurer was Ishola Folorunsho of the Radio Nigeria. Cyril Kappo of Daily Times was the inaugural assistant secretary while Ajibade Fashina-Thomas of Daily Times was the publicity secretary.
The ex-officio members were Peter Osugo (Daily Times) and Sola Oluwole of Daily Express.
In reality, SWAN will be celebrating 60 years plus one. According to a press statement by the national executive of SWAN, the unveiling of the anniversary logo signals the beginning of a series of activities lined up to celebrate six decades of outstanding contributions to sports journalism, development, and advocacy in Nigeria.
The logo, creatively designed in vibrant green and white, proudly incorporates the figure “60” and the SWAN emblem — a reflection of the Association’s legacy and enduring impact in the sporting landscape of the country.
A ribbon bearing the inscription “Years Anniversary” boldly affirms the significance of the diamond jubilee.
SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin described the unveiling as a symbolic moment of pride, reflection, and rededication.
“As we unveil this logo, we are not just celebrating the past 60 years, but also reigniting our collective commitment to professionalism, integrity, and the promotion of sports through responsible journalism,” he stated.
He added that the anniversary celebration will feature a rich lineup of activities, including awards, public lectures, media games, recognition of sports icons and veterans, as well as a gala night to honour distinguished personalities who have supported SWAN’s mission over the years.
The three-day anniversary event will be held in October, aligning with Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration.
The 60th anniversary comes as SWAN intensifies its role in shaping narratives around sports governance, policy, and inclusive participation across all levels.
Members of the media, partners, stakeholders, and the general public are enjoined to join in the celebration of this historic achievement and support the Association’s vision for the future.
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