Author: Brila

Arsenal legend and Belgium National team Assistant Coach Thierry Henry has reportedly verbally agreed to take over as the new Aston Villa manager. Steve Bruce currently remains in charge of the Championship outfit, but new majority shareholders Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens are understood to be considering a change following last week’s takeover of the financially-stricken club. The new owners are unconvinced that Bruce is the right man to take them back to the Premier League, and Henry quickly emerged as their number-one choice to take over. The Daily Star and The Mirror have both splashed back page spreads in recent days saying that the former Arsenal and…

Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has described Anthony Joshua as “a disgrace to boxing” for “avoiding” a title unification fight with Deontay Wilder. Joshua is set to fight Russian Alexander Povetkin on September 22 in his next bout after defeating Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker in April. Beating Povetkin would then likely lay the path for Joshua, the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO champion, to face Wilder, who has held the WBC title since 2015. “I think it’s such a sad time for heavyweight boxing because you’ve got the so-called super champion and golden boy, Anthony Joshua, and he is avoiding Deontay…

Lionel Messi is a shock target for Inter Milan with the Italians planning to lure the Barca star to Serie A and reignite his rivalry with Juve Number 7, Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has spent his entire career with Barcelona and has previously suggested that he will never play for another European team, while Barcelona would be expected to immediately dismiss any approaches for their star player. However, Inter is reportedly hoping that Cristiano Ronaldo’s move from Real Madrid to Juventus could increase Messi’s desire to play in Italy in order to reignite the rivalry between the world’s two best…

Former Super Eagles Goalkeeper and Trainer, Ike Anobi Shorunmu has insisted on the need for more competition for Francis Uzoho in the Super Eagles Number One position. Ike Shorumo stated this in a brief chat with www.brila.net’s Yinka Oyedele that the position of the national team’s goalkeeper should still be thrown open fora keener competition. Ahead of September’s regroup for the 2019 AFCON qualifiers, the former Besiktas Shotstopper said as much as Francis Uzoho needs to be encouraged, he should not at any time yet be made to think he has the number 1 shirt for keep. The legendary goalkeeper added…

English Premier League giants Chelsea have rejected Barcelona’s third and improved bid worth £55m for 29-year-old Brazilian star Willian Borges Da Silva. Barcelona are believed to have tabled an improved bid in excess of £55m last week, which the Blues have now knocked back. Willian, along with Chelsea’s Belgium duo Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois, has not traveled to Australia as he takes some time off after the World Cup. Sky Sports News suggests that Chelsea are standing firm, potentially opening the door for rivals Manchester United to make a move. Willian grew frustrated under ex-manager Antonio Conte last season, but he still…

Nigeria Under-17 National team Coach Manu Garba has expressed confidence in his team’s qualification for the forthcoming youth Championship. Garba in an interview with www.brila.net’s Pius Idoko vouched that the Golden Eaglets will strive hard to qualify for the Africa U-17 Nations Cup to be hosted by Tanzania. “Qualifying for the nations cup is the first assignment they have in their hands,” The Coach said. The ex-International also believes Nigeria will pick the sole ticket from the seven Africanrican countries that will be vying for that slot in the Group. The 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations will…

Nigeria-born and Former USA U-20 defender Jalil Anibaba has praised his fatherland’s “almost fantastic” run in the recently concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup. In an interview with www.brila.net’s Tony Bekederemo, Anibaba applauded the efforts of the Nigerian National team in Russia despite their early ouster at the FIFA Mundial. “I think the Super Eagles have done the Nation, Nigeria proud,” The former Seattle Sounder FC player stated. “The guys really showed character, they showed us Nigeria has the capacity to compete with other footballing Nations at the highest level” The 6ft defender who currently plays for Major League…

Belgian Jupiler Division club KAA Gent have confirmed the signing of Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi on loan from EPL giants Liverpool. Awoniyi recently extended his contract with the Premier League side, will spend the entirety of the 2018-2019 campaign at the East Flanders club. Last term, Awoniyi was loaned out to Royal Excel Mouscron and had his most productive season in terms of goals, netting ten goals in 31 games across all competitions. The 20-year-old forward has had loan spells with SV Frankfurt (Germany) and NEC Nijmegen (Netherlands).

Super Eagles forward and NPFL top scorer Junior Lokosa has arrived Norway on Monday Morning ahead of his trials at Norwegian premier league side, SK Brann. Lokosa has scored 19 goals for Kano Pillars in this season’s NPFL and it is understood that the Norwegian club have made an earlier official contact with the four-time Nigerian champions. Norwegian premium news outfit Bergensavisen says the 24-year-old Kano Pillars star was accompanied to Flesland by his agent, Tella Abiodun, who answered questions on behalf of the player. Meanwhile, SK Brann sports manager Rune Soltvedt says they want to check Lokosa, and…

English Premier League side Chelsea began life under new Manager Maurizio Sarri with a 1-0 victory over Perth Glory in Australia. An early goal from Pedro proved to be the difference between the two sides, but new head coach Maurizio Sarri will be pleased with the level of his side’s performance in his first game in charge of the Blues. Despite the absence of a number of players due to their participation at the World Cup, Sarri was still able to name a strong starting lineup which included new arrival Jorginho and the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata. Barkley impressed in particular, and Sarri…