Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has confessed that his team’s dreadful run of form has left players “afraid on the pitch” as they prepare for a daunting Premier League encounter with league leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
Barcelona’s bid to re-register summer signings Dani Olmo and Pau Victor for the second half of the season has been rejected by Spain’s football authorities, leaving both players in limbo until the summer.
Athletics coach, Olalekan Soetan has urged the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to address last year’s missteps and focus on preparing the country’s best athletes for top international competitions.
Speaking to Brila.net, Soetan warned against prioritizing continental events over globally recognized tournaments, a strategy he believes undermined Team Nigeria’s performance at the Olympics.
“To begin with, the Federation struggled with setting goals, the right goals,” Soetan said.
“The Federation started by going to African Games when the majority of the elite artists in Africa were just preparing for the Olympics.”
“Unless the Federation of Nigeria engaged their best artists at the African Games, changing to sports kick points. That is the focus of the sports ministry, which is now MSC.”
”So when they focus on continental championships or games, they score big. Because the big names in continental athletics won’t even be available at the time the African Games was on.”
He further explained the need to prioritize long-term goals over short-term gains:
“So those are the things when you prioritize continental championships or games over the main competition that can only happen in four years.”
As Nigeria looks ahead to future global events, a strategic shift could help ensure athletes are primed to excel on the world stage.
British Fencing Federation President, Pat Aiyenuro has praised the Nigeria Fencing Federation for successfully hosting the first-ever Fencing World Cup in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The event, held in late December, attracted participants from 10 nations, including Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Aiyenuro expressed her confidence in Nigeria’s ability to host more international tournaments, revealing plans for future collaborations between the British and Nigerian fencing federations to develop the sport further.
“I think that we’re going to host the African Senior Championships in the summer. So I think we’ve really positioned ourselves to be a really good host of future competitions. So we’re very likely to get more competitions,” Aiyenuro said.
She also highlighted efforts to improve the sport’s infrastructure in Nigeria, focusing on training referees and coaches.
“We’re already working on that. We want to try and get more referees qualified and also maybe to a coaching program so that we can upskill our coaches because we have the potential to have champions in Nigeria, but we just need to make sure that we get the refereeing and the coaching structure right,” she added.
Aiyenuro commended the Nigerian Federation for its forward-thinking approach.
“And so Nigerian Federation are actually thinking forward and trying to organize that as I speak now.”
With the momentum from hosting the World Cup and upcoming initiatives, Nigeria appears poised to become a significant hub for fencing in Africa and beyond.
Super Falcons interim coach, Justin Madugu has hinted at an ambitious roadmap for the Nigerian women’s national team as preparations intensify for competitions in 2025.
Speaking with Brila.net, Madugu confirmed that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is committed to maximizing FIFA international windows to ensure the team is well-prepared for future challenges.
He also assured fans that more details would be unveiled soon.
“There are things we are already working on, and by the time we are through with that, the details will certainly be made known,” Madugu said, offering a glimpse of the ongoing planning behind the scenes.
The interim coach also spoke on the importance of using FIFA windows effectively;
“For sure, in terms of preparation, FIFA windows will be utilized. The Federation has promised that FIFA windows will not pass us without anything.”
Madugu added that discussions are already in progress to finalize arrangements for friendly matches and other preparatory activities.
“We are already discussing some issues, and we are just waiting for confirmation. Once we are able to get that through, the details will be unveiled certainly,” he stated.
The Super Falcons will be looking to build on their successes from the past year, with Justin Madugu suggesting a proactive approach to maintaining the team’s competitive edge in the coming season.
Former Super Falcons coach, Rolandson Odey has thrown his weight behind interim coach Justin Madugu, asserting that he is ready to take charge of the team on a permanent basis.
Odey praised Madugu’s tactical decisions and commitment to integrating local-based players into the squad, a move he claims former coach Randy Waldrum was hesitant to make.
“Yes, of course, it’s Randy. What else do you want him to do? You tried him in one of the… in our confidence, and he did very well against the highly rated Julliard team.”
“He went to the world stage, played France, and then he would have won that game at Capital,” Odey remarked.
Odey highlighted Madugu’s bold approach, contrasting it with Waldrum’s reluctance to trust homegrown talent.
“The Super Falcons gave good account of themselves. The only opportunity, the same coach who you are talking about now, we are able to bring in some local-based players, not only inviting them or taking them to France.”
”He played not just one or two, but four out of five. Randy wouldn’t have done that because he’s scared. He wouldn’t because he doesn’t believe in the local players.”
Odey cited Madugu’s strategy of giving local players a platform, which, he believes, motivates them to excel at both club and national levels.
“For him, since he’s dined and wined with them, I’m talking about Justin Madugu, he believes the only way to encourage these home-based players is to play them.”
”By playing them, you find out that a lot of them are now willing to impress their coaches in their various clubs.”
”By so doing during the league, they also have the opportunity, who say, to also represent themselves at the national level.”
In a call for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to act, Odey concluded:
“So to me, Justin Madugu is ready, and they should confirm him and let him just continue if the NFF will do that.”
The spotlight is now on the NFF to decide whether to solidify Madugu’s position and chart a new course for the Super Falcons.
Manchester City star Rodri has was caught off-guard at Cristiano Ronaldo’s criticism of his Ballon d’Or win, reminding the five-time winner of how the prestigious award is decided.
Ronaldo, speaking after Rodri claimed the 2024 Ballon d’Or, argued that Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior was more deserving, citing the Brazilian forward’s Champions League triumph and decisive goal in the final.
In response, Rodri told Diario AS:
“A surprise, really, because he knows better than anyone how this award works and, above all, how the winner is chosen.”
The midfielder continued:
“This year, the journalists who vote have considered that I should win it. Probably, these same journalists were the ones who at some point voted for him to win, and I imagine that then he would agree.”
Real Madrid’s Boycott and Vinícius Júnior’s Success
Rodri’s win in October sparked discontent at Real Madrid, leading the club to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.
Despite the controversy, Vinícius did not leave the awards season empty-handed, later receiving FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player Award and Globe Soccer’s Best Men’s Player Prize.
Rodri acknowledged the immense competition but stood by the decision, which recognized his remarkable 2024 achievements.
The 28-year-old was instrumental in Manchester City’s Premier League title win and Spain’s European Championship triumph.
How the Ballon d’Or Changed Rodri’s Life
Speaking on the impact of his Ballon d’Or victory, Rodri said:
“It has changed my life. Many things that I could do before, obviously, I can no longer do. But hey, it is for a good reason.”
Rodri added a philosophical note:
“I have the philosophy that in life you have to take things as they are given to you.”
”There is no need to complain when things are not the way you want or go crazy when you win a Ballon d’Or.”
”God has given me what he has given me, and I am extremely grateful.”
Rodri Focusing on Recovery
Currently sidelined after tearing his ACL in September, Rodri remains determined to overcome his injury and return to form.
He concluded:
“I have to deal with everything, including injuries, and move forward.”
Stephen Curry etched his name deeper into the NBA history books on Monday night, delivering a dazzling performance as the Golden State Warriors demolished the Philadelphia 76ers 139-105 in San Francisco.
Curry was flawless from beyond the arc, hitting all eight of his three-point attempts for the first time in his illustrious career.
The sharpshooter finished with 30 points and 10 assists, becoming the first player in NBA history to record at least eight three-pointers without a miss while also tallying double-digit assists in a single game.
“I felt in rhythm the whole game. I just wanted to keep the ball moving, take good shots, and have fun out there. Nights like this remind me why I love this game,” Stephen Curry said after the game.
Stephen Curry Chasing Perfection
Curry’s performance broke new ground but fell just shy of the league’s all-time record of nine-for-nine from three-point range.
That record was set by Latrell Sprewell in 2003 and matched by Ben Gordon (twice) and Jalen Brunson in 2023.
With support from Jonathan Kuminga, who contributed 20 points off the bench, and solid showings from Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Dennis Schroder (15 points each), the Warriors improved to a 17-16 season record.
Around the NBA
In other games, the defending champion Boston Celtics edged out the Minnesota Timberwolves 118-115.
LeBron James, proving age is just a number, scored 38 points with eight assists as the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the Portland Trail Blazers 114-106, with Max Christie adding a career-high 28 points.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder solidified their position atop the Western Conference with a commanding 116-98 victory over the LA Clippers.
The Brooklyn Nets claimed a tight 113-110 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Indiana Pacers cruised to a 128-115 victory over the Miami Heat.
A Night to Remember
Curry’s record-breaking performance is yet another highlight in his Hall of Fame-worthy career.
As the two-time MVP reflected on his historic night, he kept the focus on his team:
“It’s always about the win. Records are great, but it’s the team effort that makes nights like this special.”
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet capped a phenomenal year with another historic achievement, smashing the women’s 5,000m world record at the Cursa dels Nassos road race in Barcelona.
Ademola Aare, President of the Rugby Federation of Nigeria, has passionately called on the National Sports Commission to ensure rugby’s inclusion as a core sport at the National Sports Festival.