International Football
Gambian wrecker of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, Adama Bojang heads for further exploits in Europe
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles and their followers will not easily forget Gambian striker, Adama Bojang whose goal eliminated the Nigerian side from getting to the final match of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt last month.
The goal against Nigeria was not the only mark made by the 18-year old.
He easily blew away oppositions to earn the nickname ‘The Gambian Hurricane’.
He scored four goals to help the Scorpions reach the final where they were defeated 2-0 by Senegal.
His tally included a hat-trick in a 5-0 demolition of South Sudan in the quarter-finals and the winner against Nigeria in the last four.
Those performances have the rumour mill churning out links to some of Europe’s top clubs including Premier League duo Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, as well as Marseille, currently riding high in France’s Ligue 1, and Dutch giants Ajax.
But Bojang insists he remains grounded despite the reported interest.
“I’ve heard about the news and I am excited about it,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
“It boosts my morale. I’m focusing more on consistency which motivates me a lot, because seeing such clubs following you is a great feeling.
“Through consistency it will make them hungrier for me.”
Coached by grandad
Bojang says football is “the only game I’ve ever known” – but his family hesitated in assisting his goal of becoming a professional.
“Sometimes my mum would talk to my school team to stop me playing and focus on my education.”
Despite her initial reservations, the striker’s mother is now fully on-board with her son’s career.
“Later, she started coming to games because she sees this is what I love. She keeps supporting me and together we are making this happen,” he said.
“You have to follow your dreams and do what you love doing.”
And the family support network does not end there because the Bojangs had more than one representative at the U20 Afcon – coach Abdoulie Bojang, Adama’s grandfather.
“I’ve been with him since I was a child,” revealed the junior Bojang, discussing the importance of the relationship.
“It’s all because of him, he has played a big role for me.”
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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