Polish striker, Robert Lewandowski, has been unveiled to the Barcelona fans at the Camp Nou on Friday

Lewandowski was presented as Barcelona’s new No.9 following his €50 million (£42m/$51m) transfer from Bayern Munich.

The European highest goal scorer has inherited the iconic jersey from Memphis Depay, who has been linked with a Camp Nou exit following Lewandowski’s transfer.

Lewandowski turns 34 later this month but dismissed any suggestion that his best years are behind him at his first press conference at Barca’s stadium on Thursday, even though he didn’t hit the net for the club in pre-season.

“I think my age is not important right now, it’s just a number. I feel better than when I was 29,” he said.

He added, “I know that Barcelona was not going through an easy time, but when I spoke with Joan and heard about the project and the way they wanted to follow, I thought that the best thing was to make the jump to Barcelona.”

He also spoke on the rivalry with La Liga champions Real Madrid.

“I’m not thinking about Real Madrid or Benzema, he’s an extraordinary striker, but for me, the most important thing is to win with Barcelona, not to beat him,” he said.

Ever-present African representatives Nigeria departed the shores of the country on Thursday evening for this year’s U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

Coach Christopher Danjuma picked team captain Oluwatosin Demehin and 20 others – an overwhelming majority of whom were involved in the lengthy qualifying series – to wear Nigeria’s colours at the 19-day championship.

The Falconets had to scale the hurdles presented by Central African Republic, Congo, Cameroon and Senegal, winning six of seven matches (they only drew with Cameroon in Douala) to be eligible to fly Africa’s flag once more at the finals in Central America.

Nigeria will play France, Canada and Korea in Group C of the 16-nation, which beginsAugust 10, while 2018 runners-up Spain tango with hosts Costa Rica, Australia and Brazil in Group A. Africa’s other representatives Ghana are up against holders Japan, The Netherlands and three-time champions United States in Group D.

Germany, who have also won the competition three times, including 2010 and 2014 when they beat Nigeria in the final, will play Colombia, New Zealand and Mexico in Group B.

All group phase and quarter-final matches will be played at the Alejandro Morera Soto, which is a hybrid of natural and synthetic grass called stitched grass. The semi-final, final and third place matches will take place at the Estadio Nacional.

Nigeria’s first match of the competition will be against France, hosts of the 2018 edition. At the 2014 championship in Canada, Nigeria topped a group that had Korea, who they beat 2-1. France finished in third place at the same competition as Nigeria finished as runners-up.

Nigeria bounced back to front line at the on-going World Chess Olympiad in Chennia, India with a massive win by the male and female teams against Myanmar and Zimbabwe respectively.

 The win came after a disappointing draw score-line in all- African pairing in the fifth round against Kenya and Botswana in the Open and Female section respectively, Team Nigeria bounced back to reckoning as the tournament hit half way mark.

The male team secured 2.5 to 1.5 win over Myanmar after Balogun Oluwafemi on board one secured a win against Maung Kyaw Hein and Bomo Kigigha in black pieces consolidated on Nigeria’s advantage with a win over Sai Han Thiha but Adebayo Adegboyega blundered against Kyan Mayat Aung to reduce the margin.

However, Akinseye Abiola played a draw on board four to give Nigeria a useful one and half points edge against the Asian nation. The result pushed the team to seven match points with 13.5 in Tie break 3 on the overall.

In the women section, Enomah Emmanulla Trust set the tone of a bright day for Nigeria on board one with a brilliant win against Charinda Kudzanayi of Zimbabwe but the lead was cut by half after Ofowino Toritsemuwa drew to Shaba Linda Dalitso on board two.

Tournament debutant, Ogbiyoyo Perpentual extended Nigeria’s lead on board three in black pieces against Makwena Christine but young Onoja Iyefu Joy lost to Zengeni Melisa on board four to cut Nigeria’s lead but on the overall it ended 2.5 to 1.5 in favour of the country.

The female team now has seven Match points and Tie break of 31. However, on the top boards, former world champion, Armenia still dictate the pace in the Open section on better tie break with USA and India Team two with 12 Match points and 33 Tie break 3

While in the women’s section, host India Team 2 is clear with 12 match points and Tie break 3 of 31.

Action resumes today with Nigeria likely to be paired against tough opposition in the 11-round Swiss event pairing.

Al Rayyan have signed striker Junior Lokosa on a one year contract with an option of a further extension, 

The Nigeria international joined the Qatari club side from Nigeria Professional Football League Club Kwara United.

Lokosa played for First Bank FC before moving to Kano Pillars in May 2017.

At the end of his second season with Pillars, he received the Eunisell Boot Award after his 19 goals placed him top of the NPFL scoring charts, earning him N3.8 million (N200,000 for each goal).

His build performance in 2017/2018 NPFL got him a Super Eagles call up in the preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

He was eventually dropped before the tournament in Russia after making his debut in a friendly against DR Congo in May 2018.

He later joined Espérance Sportive de Tunis in 2019, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract.

His stint with the Tunisian club was not really productive, spurring a premature severance of contract between both parties.

The Nigerian then had a stints with joined Simba FC, before joining the Afonja Warriors/ Harmony Boys in the just concluded NPFL 2021/2022 season.

Despite the failure of Nigeria qualification of 2022 FIFA World Cup been scheduled for November in Qatar, it’ll be a busy transfer window month for Super Eagles as they will battle arch-rivals Indomitable Lions of Cameroon Indomitable and Portugal in two different matches, 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the tune-up matches for November 17 against Portugal and October for the game against Cameroon, which is billed for October, though talks are still on as regards the date.

Portugal have Nigeria on the list of potential teams they will play as part of their warm-up game for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The game is aimed at preparing Portugal ahead of its group game against the Black Stars of Ghana at the World Cup.

It will be the first time Nigeria and Portugal will be meeting at senior level.

Both countries have met thrice at the U-20 level with Portugal winning all three games.

The team will use the friendly match to prepare for the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers.

The three-time African champions were earlier scheduled to face the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September, but the double-header has been shifted to March 2023 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

NFF wants to take advantage of the FIFA window and make sure the Super Eagles were kept busy following the postponement of the qualifiers.

Ever-present African flagbearers Nigeria departed the shores of the country on Thursday evening for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals taking place in Costa Rica, 

Coach Chris Danjuma has picked team captain Oluwatosin Demehin and 20 others – an overwhelming majority of whom were involved in the lengthy qualifying series – to wear Nigeria’s colours at the 19 –day championship.

The Falconets had to scale the hurdles presented by Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Senegal, winning six of seven matches (they only drew with Cameroon in Douala) to be eligible to fly Africa’s flag once more at the finals in central America.

Nigeria will play France, Canada and Korea Republic in Group C of the 16-natio tournament starting on 10th August, while 2018 runners-up Spain will tango with hosts Costa Rica, Australia and Brazil in Group A. Africa’s other flagbearers Ghana are up against Cup holders Japan, The Netherlands and three –time champions United States of America in Group D.

Germany, who have also won the competition three times, including 2010 and 2014 when they beat Nigeria in the final, will play Colombia, New Zealand and Mexico in Group B.

All group phase and quarter final matches will be played at the Alejandro Morera Soto, which is a hybrid of natural and synthetic grass, called stitched grass. The semi final, final and third place matches will take place at the Estadio Nacional.

Nigeria’s first match of the competition will be against France, which hosted the 2018 edition. At the 2014 championship in Canada, Nigeria topped a group involving Korea Republic, beating the Koreans 2-1 in a group phase match. France finished in third place at the same competition as Nigeria finished as runners-up.

FALCONETS’ FINAL TEAM FOR FIFA U20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Goalkeepers: Nelly Ekeh, Monle Oyono, Peace Obidinma

Defenders: Oluwatosin Demehin, Omowunmi Oshobukola, Rofiat Imuran, Jumoke Alani, Chidinma Ogbuchi, Oluchi Ohaegbulem

Midfielders: Bashirat Amoo, Esther Onyenezide, Adoo Yina, Motunrayo Amoo, Chinyere Kalu, Deborah Abiodun

Forwards: Blessing Okpe, Joy Jerry, Mercy Idoko, Flourish Sabastine, Chioma Olise, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu

FIFA U2O WOMEN’S WORLD CUP COSTA RICA 2022

GROUP A: Costa Rica, Australia, Spain, Brazil

GROUP B: Germany, Colombia, New Zealand, Mexico

GROUP C: France, Nigeria, Canada, Korea Republic

GROUP D: Japan, The Netherlands, Ghana, USA

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has blocked the club’s captain, Cesar Azpilicueta from joining Barcelona this summer.

Multiple reports had suggested that the club had earlier stopped the club from moving the Catalan giants.

Xavi Hernandez side is keen on signing the defender, with Azpilicueta also keen to join.

But now the Times report that the Blues owner has personally told the Spain International that the club is not letting him join the Spanish side.

According to the report, Boehly does not want to lose his experience and leadership skills ahead of the new season.

Meanwhile Arsenal midfielder, Charlie Pinto has left the club for Blackpool.

Blackpool have announced the loan signing of the 18-year-old who scored on his Gunners’ first-team debut last season.

Patino told the Tangerines’ official website: “This is a great opportunity for me, and I think I’m ready to take this on.

“It’s the next step of my career and I’m really excited to get going.”