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.”

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag said Cristiano Ronaldo could fit into his style of play but that the forward would need to build up his fitness before getting the chance to prove he deserves a place in the team.

Ronaldo did not join United’s squad for their pre-season tour to Thailand and Australia and was left out of a friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid, but played 45 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag said Cristiano Ronaldo could fit into his style of play but that the forward would need to build up his fitness before getting the chance to prove he deserves a place in the team.

Asked if the Portugal international can fit into his vision of how he wants United to play, Ten Hag told Sky Sports: “I think he can.

“But to start with he has to get fit, he’s just started.

“He is a fantastic football player, he proved it so many times, but you can always be judged on what you are now, what you are presenting now, performing now.”

Ronaldo’s future at United has been the subject of intense speculation after British media reported that the 37-year-old told the club that he wanted to leave so he can play in the Champions League.

United, who will play in the second-tier Europa League this term, open their Premier League campaign on Sunday against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Nnamdi Innocent has won Nigeria’s  9th medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.‬

‪He won a bronze medal in the Men’s Weightlifting Lightweight with a total lift of 190kg and 132.5 best.‬

Meanwhile, Ifeanyi Onyewere, Nigeria Heavyweight Boxer at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, he’s one boxer we should look out for.‬

‪Highly technical & very clinical. He has taken Nigeria to the Semi final of the ongoing birminghamcg22 ‬

Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas are set to reconverge at Como 19 years after.

Fabregas has signed a two-year contract with the Italian Serie B club after his contract with Monaco expired.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea playmaker has also invested in Como and is a shareholder.

Henry has now decided to put some of his own money into the club, ensuring an Arsenal reunion at board level on Lake Como, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

The two players join the recently-re-formed club alongside Chelsea legend Dennis Wise.

Wise is Como’s CEO having initially joined in 2019 as a consultant, as they look to guide the small club back to Serie A.

German champions, Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Nigerian youngster Daniel Francis on a three-year contract.

Francis joined the Bavarian from FC Hearts, an amateur club based in Abuja, Nigeria.

The midfielder is the first Nigerian to sign for Bayern Munich.

The 18-year-old will however be loaned out to Austrian first division club, Austria Klagenfurt until the end of the 2022/23 season.

“Daniel played to the fore during his time in the FC Bayern World Squad and acted very conspicuously in the test games, “head of FC Bayern Campus, Joschen Sauer told the club’s official website.

“He’s attracted the interest of a number of clubs, so we’re delighted he’s signed and that he can now gain match practice at Austria Klagenfurt.”

World and Olympic champion, Daniel Igali has been re-elected as the vice-president of the Commonwealth Wrestling Board.

The Nigeria Wrestling Federation President, Igali polled 17 of the available votes to beat his closest rival from Canada who got 15 votes at a meeting of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Wrestling Committee at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, to emerge one of the three vice-presidents of the body.

I was re-elected into the Executive board of the Commonwealth Wrestling Committee and retained my position as Vice-president.” Elated Igali wrote on a WhatsApp group.

The mandate which is for the next four years (2022 to 2026) will see the board improve outreach and increase its efforts for promotion and the development of wrestling within the Commonwealth.”

Former Super Eagles and Arsenal forward Kano Nwankwo has hailed the newly electd Anambra Football Association Chairman General Chikeluo Iloenyosi on his new office.

Nwankwo confirmed that Ilonyosi deserveed the sit as the Chairman of Anambra FA, describing him as someone who sleeps and eat football.

“It is a new day for Anambra FA because the man who understands football has taking over and i am ready to give him all the support he needs to achieve more.

“As he resumed office i believe he knows what is lacking in Anambra and in no time he will fix it. Nwankwo added.