Connect with us

SportsNews

‘An Enduring Legacy’, Otedola Pays Tribute To Christian Chukwu

Published

on

Femi Otedola, former NFF President, Amaju Pinnick with Christian Chukwu after his treatment for prostrate cancer in the UK in 2019.

The Nigerian football icon, nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for his imposing presence and the authority he exuded just in defence, died at 74, throwing family, friends, and the entire nation into mourning.

Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has joined other prominent Nigerians in paying tribute to late Super Eagles legendary former captain and coach, Christian Chukwu, who died on Saturday. 

The Nigerian football icon, nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for his imposing presence and the authority he exuded just in defence, died at 74, throwing family, friends, and the entire nation into mourning.

In a tribute to the former centre defender posted on his social media pages on Sunday, Otedola said that Chukwu creatively used the game of football as a unifying force for us as individuals and the nation in general.

“The sudden passing of the legendary Christian Chukwu, former captain and head coach of the Super Eagles, has come as a rude shock to me. As one of Nigeria’s Patriots, Christian Chukwu creatively used the game of football as a unifying force for us as individuals and the nation in general.

“His footballing career as the captain and subsequently coach of the national team remains legendary and fully etched in the annals of our national history,” the statement said.

The former national team and Enugu Rangers captain was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, and Otedola stepped in to offer financial support for his medical treatment in the United Kingdom.

The Executive Chairman of Geregu Power PLC recalled that his intervention in 2019 saw Chukwu saw through a very challenging time and gave him a new lease of life.

He condoled the family of the late legendary footballer and his fans all over the world.

“Back in 2019, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that affected his legs, I stepped in with the necessary support so as to enable him receive comprehensive care and medical treatment in the United Kingdom.

“Thankfully, that intervention and opportunity saw him through a very challenging time and gave him a new lease of life. My condolences go out to his entire family and to his fans all over the world. May you all find comfort during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.”

Chukwu captained Nigeria to their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy in 1980 and was also a former coach of the side between 2002 and 2005. He led the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2004 edition of the continental competition in Tunisia.

He devoted his club career to Enugu Rangers, where he won multiple national titles and led the club to continental glory with their 1977 African Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.

SportsNews

Club World Cup 2025: Chelsea thrash PSG 3-0 to win final

Published

on

Chelsea thrashed Paris Saint-Germain 3–0 in the Club World Cup final on Sunday.

The Blues were considered underdogs ahead of the game, in which they came up against the Ligue 1 and Champions League winners.

However, it was the Premier League club who flew out of the blocks in the first half, scoring the three goals that effectively decided the match.

Cole Palmer curled in a pair of identical goals from the right side of the box, putting Chelsea firmly in control at the MetLife Stadium.

Palmer then provided a slide-rule pass for João Pedro to make it 3–0, his third goal of the tournament since joining Chelsea.

There were no goals in the second half, as Enzo Maresca’s men held on to win the Club World Cup, in addition to the UEFA Conference League they clinched last month.

For PSG, they will not be winning an unprecedented sextuple, but they will have a chance to claim the UEFA Super Cup next month against Tottenham.

Continue Reading

SportsNews

Sporting President, Varandas reacts as Viktor Gyokeres skips pre-season amid Arsenal transfer push

Published

on

Frederico Varandas, Sporting CP president has expressed his displeasure after Viktor Gyokeres failed to turn up for the club’s pre-season amid the striker’s push to join Arsenal this summer.

Gyokeres is very desperate to join the Gunners and as a result he didn’t sto report to camp on Saturday evening for Sporting’s pre-season.

Arsenal supposedly offered a €65m bid plus €15m in performance-based add-ons, but Sporting wants a €70m plus a further €10m in bonuses for the Swedish player.

Speaking on the development, Varandas said (via Fabrizio Romano): “If they don’t want to pay Viktor’s fair market value, we are very comfortable with that for the next three years.

“This strategy is also making it more complicated for the player [Gyokeres] to leave.

“Nobody is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are”.

Varandas added that Sporting is calm as everything will be resolved before the summer transfer window will close.

He, however, suggested that the club will be imposed a huge fine on Gyokeres for not showing up for pre- season and the player will be asked to offer an apology.

Continue Reading

SportsNews

EPL: Replace Sanchez, you can’t win any trophy with him – Obi Mikel tells Chelsea

Published

on

John Obi Mikel, former Chelsea midfielder, has urged the Blues to replace goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez this summer.

According to the former Super Eagles captain, Chelsea can’t win any trophy in the new season with Sanchez as their number goalkeeper.

“A lot of the Chelsea fans can agree that we need another top goalkeeper because Sanchez isn’t doing it,” Obi Mikel told talkSPORT.

“The goalkeeper situation needs to be sorted out. We can’t go into the new season with Sanchez, I am sorry.

“I am sure that 99% of the Chelsea fans will agree with me that Sanchez isn’t the goalkeeper that’ll win us trophies. Definitely not.”

Last month, Obi Mikel urged Chelsea to sign Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.

The former Nigeria international insisted that Chelsea need Trubin in the new season.

Continue Reading

Trending