International Football Archives - Sports Village Square

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: AFRICA LOSES 1ST PILLAR OF SPORTS

BY KUNLE SOLAJA Africa’s all-time sports philanthropist, Bashorun MKO Abiola died on this date 7 July 1998. He was the continent’s best-known sports financier. He died in controversial…

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AM GLAD TOP-4 CHASE IS IN CHELSEA’S HANDS, SAYS LAMPARD

With Chelsea in an intense battle for a Champions League spot for next season, manager Frank Lampard has warned his team that it is all in their hands…

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COVID -19 STALLS 2026 WORLD CUP HOST CITIES’ SELECTION

A final decision on the venues for the 2026 World Cup being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico has been significantly delayed by the Covid-19…

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THIS DAY IN HISTORY: MUDA LAWAL AND KUNLE AWESU – UNITED ALIVE; BONDED IN DEATH

BY KUNLE SOLAJA. Was it a sheer coincidence? Former Nigeria’s left-winger, Kunle Awesu died on a July 5 date. Another national team player and contemporary at early stage,…

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US HOLD WORKSHOP FOR 17 BIDDING CITIES FOR 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP

BY NEIL SHEFFERD A virtual workshop is being held for all 17 cities in the United States that are bidding to host matches at the FIFA 2026 World…

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MYSTERY OF MUDA LAWAL’S GOALS

BY KUNLE SOLAJA. In the Nigerian national team matches of the 1970s and 1980s, there was something intriguing about goals scored by Muda Lawal who died 29 years…

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A FIRST FOR MOURINHO IF SPURS MISS EUROPE

Jose Mourinho’s plan to give Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti a bear hug ahead of their Premier League match today may not only have drawn unwelcome reminders at the…

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MUDA LAWAL: REMEMBERING NIGERIA’S FIRST FOOTBALL AMBASSADOR, 29 YEARS AFTER

BY KUNLE SOLAJA This Monday 6 July, it is 29 years since Muda Lawal, one of the best midfielders that ever graced the football turfs of Africa passed…

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LIVERPOOL MAINTAIN 100 PER CENT HOME RECORD WITH 2-0 WIN OVER VILLA

Liverpool made it 17 wins out of 17 at Anfield after goals by Sadio Mane and Curtis Jones handed the champions a 2-0 win over Aston Villa in…

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NEYMAR AGREES ON TRANSFER TO BARCELONA

Brazil’s Neymar reportedly has an agreement in place with Paris Saint-Germain regarding a potential move to Barcelona, which he left three years ago. The Brazil international turned his…

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TODAY IN HISTORY: FORMER AFRICA’S BEST LEFT-WINGER, KUNLE AWESU DIES

BY KUNLE SOLAJA The defeat and elimination of Nigeria from the quarterfinals by Italy on this date 5 July 1994 turned a double tragedy. Kunle Awesu, the former…

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FLASHBACK: 90 SECONDS TO GLORY AS SUPER EAGLES MISS WORLD CUP QUARTER FINALS

BY KUNLE SOLAJA Nigeria’s Super Eagles have scaled the group stage hurdles in three of their six World Cup appearances. But they never got into the quarterfinals as…

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FIVE-STAR MAN UNITED CLIMB INTO TOP FOUR!

Manchester United continued their charge into the Premier League top four with another devastating attacking display as they thrashed Bournemouth 5-2 on Saturday (July 4) with Mason Greenwood,…

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UPDATED: STRANGE, BUT TRUE: THE NIGERIAN FOOTBALL’S JULY DEATH ANNIVERSARIES

BY KUNLE SOLAJA Sadly, the month of July has virtually become that of memorials for football icons in Nigeria. This may sound strange, but it is true. Sports…

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LIONEL MESSI COULD BE HEADING TO CITY

Speculations are rising that Lionel Messi, who is at loggerheads with the current management board of FC Barcelona could be tempted by a reunion with former boss Pep…

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TODAY IN HISTORY: FIRST NIGERIAN PLAYER TO LIFT CONTINENTAL CUP, SAM OJEBODE, DIES

BY KUNLE SOLAJA. On this date, 4 July 2012, the first Nigerian footballer to lift a continental trophy, Samuel Ojebode of the famous IICC Shooting Stars died in…

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FIFA FINES ARSENAL OVER NIGERIAN-BORN CHUBA AKPOM’S TRANSFER

Premier League side, Arsenal have been fined £34,000 by FIFA and warned about their conduct regarding player transfers following the departures of Chuba Akpom and Joel Campbell in 2018.…

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LIONEL MESSI SET TO LEAVE BARCELONA

Lionel Messi has called off negotiations over renewing his contract with Barcelona and is ready to leave the Catalans when his current deal expires next year, according to…

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FIFA STILL CHASING MISSING $10.3 MILLION LINKED TO GERMANY 2006 WORLD CUP BID

BY MICHAEL HOUSTON FIFA President Gianni Infantino says the organisation is still trying to get its money back despite a fraud trial over a CFH10 million (£8.3 million/$10.3…

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VIDEO: MANCHESTER CITY’S BERNARDO SILVA REFUSED TO CLAP FOR LIVERPOOL PLAYERS

Liverpool fans have taken aim at Bernardo Silva after the Manchester City star appeared to refuse to participate in a guard of honour for the Premier League champions…

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AUBAMEYANG SETS ARSENAL RECORD WITH 50TH PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL

When he opened the scoring against Norwich City on Wednesday, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set a Premier League record for Arsenal that had been held by club legend Thierry Henry. The…

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