Sports

Nixon Okwara concludes Europe trials for players

Published

6 months ago

February 5, 2021

It seems that the last is yet to been seen or heard from a Lagos based, Imo State born real estate and security expert, Prince Nixon Okwara of Onix group, on his latest theory on improved security through human development; as he has concludes every arrangements on flying some of the outstanding players of his team to Europe for trials.

This wonderful development was disclosed to Trumpeter Sports desk by one of the prospective beneficiaries, Okpara Chigozie Daniel who starred for O’nix Football Club that represented Lagos branch at the last Christmas Soccer Fiesta organised by the Isiekenesi Progressives Assembly, IPA, for indigenes of Isiekenesi autonomous community in Ideato South of Imo State.

Also Read: Charles Ugwuh Kicks Off Imo PDP Youths Football Tournament

According to the gangling striker, the scouts from Springsoca football club Lagos who came at the instance of Prince Nixon invited three players of O’nix FC for trials at their Lagos camp, after which him (Chigozie) and one other player scaled the trial, the young lad thanked everyone; the organiser, IPA, the sponsor, Victor Nwanaforo-Onyechere and above all the financier of O’nix Football Club, Prince Nixon Okwara for such life transforming opportunity and pleaded that the competition should be sustained.

Remarkably, when the founder and financier of O’nix FC, Prince Nixon Okwara was contacted, he confirmed the development, and went further to revealed that in conjunction with the National Senior Female football team Coach Finland of, Mr Victor Uzoho, who is also an Indigenes of Isiekenesi and a member of IPA; O’nix Group has concluded every arrangements to send the lucky players to Europe for trials.

Speaking further, the security expert said that the gesture has no political undertone of any type, but a human capital development and security strategies, to empower and keep young and talented youth our of crime by engaging them on skills especially the one of their choice.

It will be recalled that in preparation to the soccer fiesta, Prince Nixon spent freely on the Team-Lagos during their three months training, lodged them in a hotel enroute home for the competition with chartered buses thro and fro Lagos, lodged them in his country home throughout the duration of the Fiesta. Consequently, irrespective of all his financial commitments he left the third place cash prize won by the team for it to be sheared among the players and team officials.

Sports

I was written off but never gave up – Iheanacho

Published

3 months ago

May 12, 2021

Chibueze Okoronkwo

Leicester City’s in-form striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, says he never lost faith in himself while going through a rough patch in his career, adding that he was confident that he would return to form.

Iheanacho had his worst ever scoring run of his professional career in 2019, failing to score in over 365 days, with trio Jamie Vardy, Ayoze Perez and James Maddison all ahead of him in the pecking order.

The 24-year-old’s lack of goals at Leicester during this period also saw him lose his place in the Super Eagles, and was left out of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, the former Manchester City striker has returned to form for The Foxes and was named March’s Premier League Player of The Month and is on course for a double award for April.

Speaking with BBC Sport on his resurgence, Iheanacho said, “I think a lot of people wrote me off, but I never lost faith in myself.

“I was going through a crazy and difficult time when things just didn’t work out for me.

“But I’ve worked extremely hard, and also have the manager and other staff at Leicester, and most importantly my brother and friend Wilfred (Ndidi) who stood by me.

“It’s been a really tough ride but I’m just delighted it’s all come together for me.

He continued, “It was truly a bad patch and we all know that some people are always too quick to judge. To hear some people come out now and start saying positive things again is only normal but I don’t even bother.

“I only have to prove to myself that I can do this consistently, continue to grow, help my club and country when I get the chance to play.

“We have a lot ahead of us. It’s that time of the season where you want to fight for everything in front of you and not get carried away.”

Iheanacho is the Foxes’ top scorer this season with 18 goals from 35 matches across all competitions.

Sports

BREAKING: Man City crowned Premier League champions after United loss

Published

3 months ago

May 11, 2021

Chibueze Okoronkwo

Manchester City were crowned Premier League champions for the third time in four seasons after Manchester United crashed to a 2-1 defeat against Leicester on Tuesday.

Pep Guardiola’s side are 10 points clear of second-placed United and have wrapped up the title with three games to spare.

Also Read: Buhari okays new security measures for South-East, South-South

City, top-flight champions for the seventh time, have aready won the League Cup this season and can secure a treble if they beat Chelsea in the Champions League final on May 29.

Sports

Flick agrees German national team deal

Published

3 months ago

May 10, 2021

Chibueze Okoronkwo

Hansi Flick, who is stepping down as Bayern Munich coach at the end of this season, will take over the German national team after this summer’s Euro, a German newspaper reported on Monday.

Flick is expected to sign for three years, according to the Abendzeitung, a Munich newspaper, allowing him to lead the national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Euro 2024, which is scheduled to take place in Germany.

Flick, 56, has long been considered the preferred candidate for the post of national coach by the German Football Association (DFB).

He was assistant to Joachim Low, who is standing down after 15 years, between 2006 and 2014, when Germany won the world title.

Flick took over at Bayern in 2019 and has won seven trophies, including two Bundesliga titles and a Champions League.

Flick feuded with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic over recruitment and asked for his contract, which was due to run until 2023, to be terminated at the end of the season.

The club agreed to the request and has already announced that 33-year-old Julian Nagelsmann, who is at rivals RB Leipzig, will take over.

Bayern board member Oliver Kahn told Sky television on Saturday, after the Bavarians won their ninth Bundesliga title in a row, that “yes, everything is settled” with the DFB.

But he added that “no financial compensation” had been agreed with the DFB for the last two years of Flick’s contract.

As compensation, the two institutions are considering organising an exhibition game between the German national team and Bayern Munich, with the profits from the ticket sales going to the German champions.