Sports

Our Football Talent Hunt Will Discover New National Team Players – Philanthropist Noah Dallaji

Published

4 years ago

June 22, 2021

Eric

By Sola Ojewusi

The African Children’s Talent Discovery Foundation, ACTDF, under its President and founder, Engr. Noah Dallaji, has announced the commencement of a pan-Nigeria football talent hunt and mentoring programme for the year 2021. The event is titled: ACTDF FOOTBALL TALENT DISCOVERY.

The foundation, noted for its many philanthropic ventures that have benefitted thousands of indigent young Nigerians, is using the programme as a reliable springboard for the discovery of fresh footballing talents that would be the future crops of the nation’s football superstars.

At a well attended press conference recently, the organizers, led by Foundation founder, Noah Dallaji, informed journalists from several national and grassroots media outfits that this year’s talent hunt would take place in Bauchi, as maiden host, while thousands of participants would be drawn from all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

The press conference was attended by many of the nation’s soccer heroes including Daniel Amokachi, Tijani Babangida and EMMANUEL Babayaro, all of who expressed their willingness to serve as facilitators and mentors to the prospective talents to be discovered.

In his speech at the press parley, ACTDF founder, Engr. Noah Dallaji, promised to ensure that all participants were given equal opportunities and successful ones assisted to get to the height of their careers. “There are plans to send successful participants abroad to football academies and for trials with major clubs,” Dallaji revealed.

The philanthropist also informed the media that the hunt would take place between June 26 and 28 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi with adequate security guaranteed. “After the Bauchi event, other states of the federation will host subsequent editions,” Dallaji promised.

Meanwhile, the talent hunt’s coordinator and former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Emmanuel Babayaro told the parley that arrangements were in top gear to ensure a great, well-attended event expected to be graced by many Nigerian and African soccer greats aincluding Kanu Nwankwo, Austine Eguavon, JJ Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Joseph Yobo, Garba Lawal, El Hadj Diouf from Senegal and Appiah from Ghana amongst others. “The hunt is open to all talented young Nigerians and not just a Bauchi State show,” Babayaro revealed.

According to the organizers, interested participants should visit the ACTDF website for details of participation and rules.

Sports

CAF Crowns Ademola Lookman As African Footballer of the Year

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Eric

Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman, has been named the CAF Footballer of the Year for the past year.

Lookman was announced as the winner at an elaborate event in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night.

The Atalanta star won the prize ahead of Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

It has been an incredible year for Lookman, who became the first player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League/UEFA Cup final since 1975, netting the three goals within 26 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman was included in the Team of the Year for the Europa League, and ended the season having had a direct hand in 18 top flight goals for La Dea.

The 27-year-old was ranked the 14th best player during the Ballon d’Or gala on October 28.

Sports

Panel Clears Mbappe of Rape Allegation

Published

2 weeks ago

December 13, 2024

Eric

The Swedish Prosecution Authority announced today that the inquiry into rape allegations against French footballer Kylian Mbappé has been closed due to a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed.

This is according to multiple reports on Thursday morning.

The allegations had drawn international attention, casting a shadow over the football star’s career.

Mbappé, who had consistently denied the allegations, has yet to make an official statement regarding the decision

His legal team had previously emphasised his commitment to due process.

Mbappe was “linked to rape investigation in Sweden” and that he intended to reserve any explanations for the Swedish justice system “if necessary,” according to his lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard.

“He prioritises providing his explanations, if required, to the Swedish judiciary,” Canu-Bernard told AFP, while strongly condemning “media allegations suggesting that Kylian Mbappé had commented on the events of his trip to Stockholm.”

The case, which began earlier this year, involved accusations stemming from an alleged incident in Stockholm. The prosecutor’s decision not to press charges marks the end of months of scrutiny and speculation.

Sports

Man United Engage van Nistelrooy on Interim Basis As Ten Hag Gets the Boot

Published

2 months ago

October 28, 2024

Eric

Manchester United have announced the termination of Erik ten Hag’s contract after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to take interim charge.

The Dutchman was dismissed following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, which left United sitting 14th in the Premier League table.

A club statement said: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”