Shakhtar Donetsk’s Georgian defender #13 Giorgi Gocholeishvili (2R) and Barcelona’s Portuguese forward #14 Joao Felix (R) vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group H football match between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Barcelona in Hamburg, northern Germany on November 7, 2023.

Barcelona slumped to a 1-0 defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, spurning the chance to seal early qualification to the Champions League knock-out stages.

Danylo Sikan’s dipping header in the 40th minute secured Shakhtar a famous victory as Xavi Hernandez’s flat Spanish champions failed to trouble their Ukrainian opponents.

Barcelona still lead Group H ahead of Porto, second, hosting Royal Antwerp later on, with the Portuguese side able to pull alongside the Catalans on nine points with victory.

“It’s a tough defeat, we wanted to seal qualification, but it couldn’t be,” Barca midfielder Oriol Romeu told Movistar.

“We have to improve and give up fewer chances to our opponents, we have to look for solutions, because this is tricky for us.”

Romeu said his team had to look in the mirror after their disappointing display.

“Every defeat is a warning,” he added. “We have to be self-critical and see what we did wrong, to correct it quickly.”

After failing to progress from the group stage for two seasons running, Barcelona saw this clash as an opportunity to get the job done with two games to spare.

However Shakhtar, playing their home games in Hamburg because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, held their own from the start.

Barcelona missed big chances in the first match in October but this time Marino Pusic’s team shut down their uninspired visitors, who produced just one shot on target.

Xavi insisted his team’s performance in the narrow 1-0 league win over Real Sociedad on Saturday was unacceptable, despite the good result, but his team did not heed the coach’s words.

Shakhtar forced Marc-Andre ter Stegen into the first save of the game, with the German goalkeeper denying Mykola Matviienko at the near post after he got in behind Joao Cancelo.

Ilkay Gundogan and Raphinha lashed over from distance as Barca created no danger, with veteran striker Robert Lewandowski woefully disconnected on his return to Germany.

The former Bayern Munich forward has not scored in any of his last six appearances for Barca, amounting to his worst run of goalscoring form for over a decade.
– Sliced open –

The hosts took the lead a few minutes before half-time, easily slicing the visitors open when Giorgi Gocholeishvili took advantage of Barcelona left-back Marcos Alonso being a long way out of position.

The full-back crossed for Sikan, who beat Andreas Christensen in the air and headed beyond the reach of Ter Stegen.

Ter Stegen saved from Gocholeishvili early in the second half as Shakhtar continued as they left off.

Just before the hour Xavi took action, sending on speedsters Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal, as well as Pedri, looking to shake up his team’s lifeless display.

Barcelona were better but not bright enough, as Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk enjoyed a quiet night.

Shakhtar’s latest young Brazilian winger, Newerton, scored a stunning second in the final stages but it was chalked off for offside — it would have been a superb way to crown a glorious night for Pusic’s team.

Barcelona had seven minutes of added time to work with but could not find a breakthrough, with Felix unsuccessfully appealing for a penalty after he was clipped on the edge of the box.

The Ukrainian champions, third, celebrated joyously at full-time and now sit only three points behind Barcelona, who host Porto in their next Champions League match on November 28.

Leicester City have been struggling to retain the services of Nigerian duo Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, with several clubs looking to land them in January.

Both Foxes stars will be out of contract at the end of the season and with several clubs considering a move for Ndidi and Iheanacho in January, Leicester could be forced into letting them go if they cannot tie them down to fresh terms before then.

The Foxes have enjoyed an excellent start to the 2023/24 season as they eye a return to the Premier League winning 13 of their 15 Championship matches so far, losing two, and currently sit four points clear at the top of the table.

Ndidi has been key to Leicester’s early success and is undoubtedly one of their best players. The midfielder has made 15 appearances in all competitions this term, scoring three goals and making four assists.

As for Iheanacho, he has featured 17 times for the Foxes this season finding the back of the net six times and making two assists.

According to TEAMtalk, Leicester have been working hard to tie both Ndidi and Iheanacho down to new contracts but there has been no breakthrough.

Ndidi has been with Leicester since 2017 and has become a hugely popular figure. Still, the 26-year-old is now garnering interest from across Europe with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid inquiring about the midfielder, while Lyon and Monaco are also keen.

However, there is also interest from within the Premier League with Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Brentford amongst those considering a January approach for Ndidi.

 Brentford who could replace Ivan Toney in January are one of the teams showing a keen interest in Iheanacho. There is also interest from Crystal Palace and West Ham in the striker.

Christopher Danjuma, head Coach of Nigeria’s Under 20 football team, the Falconets has invited 19 players for  the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup second round, first leg qualifying match against Tanzania. 

The match would be played on Nov. 12 at the Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 3pm Tanzania time (1pm Nigeria time)

The 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists have been in camp in Abuja for more than two weeks.

The Falconets will take on the Tanzanian girls on Nov. 19 for the return leg at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The winner on aggregate would progress to the third round of the race to Colombia in 2024.

Nigeria qualified for the third round following the withdrawal of Mauritius from the qualifiers.

After the Tanzania fixture, the Falconets will have one round to go before the qualification for the world cup in Colombia in September 2024.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) appointed Letticia Antonella Viana from e-Swatini as referee for the match and her compatriots Patricia Mkhaliph.

Others are Siphiwayikhosi Nxumalo and Nothando Nkhumane as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official, while Kenyan Margaret Omondi will serve as match commissioner.

Rachel Nzigire from Democratic Republic of Congo will be the center referee for the second leg, with Ngarassoum Victorine as assistant referee 1.

Rachel’s compatriots, Carine Puazi and Carine Ampur will be assistant referee 2 and fourth official, with Christine Ziga from Ghana as match commissioner.

The Full List

Goalkeepers: Anderline Mgbechi, Delta Queens, Shukura Bakare, Nasarawa Amazons and  Faith Omilana, Naija Ratels.

Defenders: Oluchi Ohaegbulem, Nasarawa Amazons, Comfort Folorunsho, Edo Queens, Rihanat Kasali, Bayelsa Queens, Jumoke Alani, Edo Queens, Shukurat Oladipo, FC Robo Queens and  Semilore Oladeji,Naija Ratels.

Midfielders: Adoo Yina, Nasarawa Amazons, Taiwo Afolabi, Delta Queens,  Shola Shobowale, Nasarawa Amazons,  Aminat Folorunsho, Rivers Angels and Chioma Olise, Edo Queens.

Forwards: Opeyemi Ajakaye, FC Robo Queens, Judith Okah, Remo Queens, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Rivers Angels,  Chisom Chima,  Bayelsa Queens and Janet Akekoromowei, Asisat Academy.

Australia is among the candidates to host the second edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. In 2025, the United States will host 32 clubs from across the world. Australia wants to be the second nation to host this tournament that is replacing the annual Club World Cup.

Recently, Australia backed out of the bidding to host the 2034 men’s World Cup. In doing so, it confirmed Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host. Instead, Australia said it wanted to focus on other tournaments. For example, Australia wants to host the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup after hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The other tournament Australia named was the 2029 FIFA World Cup. Focusing on hosting that tournament is cheaper and sooner than the 2034 World Cup.

The Standard reports Australia spent $30 million on its bid for the 2022 World Cup. That received just one vote. Therefore, it crashed out of the host bidding process in the first round. It would be a battle for Australia to financially compete against Saudi Arabia, which appeared to be the only country interested in hosting the 2034 World Cup.

That left the 2029 Club World Cup, which could be a grand success with so many teams involved. At 32 competitors, top teams from across the world will compete in this tournament. For example, the 2025 edition in the United States will bring 12 teams from UEFA and six from CONMEBOL. As of the end of 2023, that includes the likes of Chelsea, Palmeiras, Manchester City, Flamengo and Real Madrid. In addition to the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League winner, the eight highest-ranked teams by FIFA will compete. That could lead to titanic clashes in the United States in the summer of 2025.

Come 2029, the outlook of Europe’s elite clubs may change. The same applies to the state of soccer in South America, North America and the always-changing Asia. If more stars continue to move to Saudi Arabia, for example, there will be added intrigue in a global club competition.

Australia wants to cash in on that potential tourism and interest in a non-international team tournament. Plus, depending on the success of the competition in the United States four years prior, the Club World Cup could be a great success.

The statue of Christ the Redeemer is lit up with the Brazilian flag colors to celebrate the national soccer team’s victory in the FIFA World Cup match against South Korea, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil December 5, 2022

Brazil has submitted a letter of intent to soccer’s governing body FIFA to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, the South American country’s Minister of Sports Andre Fufuca said on Saturday.

Fufuca presented the documents to FIFA President Gianni Infantino while he was in Rio de Janeiro for the Copa Libertadores final, which was won by Brazilian club Fluminense for the first time.

“I delivered it to FIFA and Brazilian Football Confederation on behalf of President Lula,” Fufuca said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The Government Declaration formalising Brazil’s intention to host the 2027 Women’s Football World Cup and the government guarantees required for countries bidding to host the World Cup.”

Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands submitted a joint expression of interest in April to host the tournament, while the other joint bid includes the United States and Mexico. Brazil and South Africa were the other two countries to submit a bid.

The FIFA Congress will appoint the hosts via public voting on May 17, 2024.

Australia and New Zealand hosted the 2023 edition of the tournament, which was won by Spain. The U.S., Mexico and Canada will co-host the men’s World Cup in 2026.

A Czech football club playing in the lowest division has made the sports pages across the country after 16 of its players were booked at the same time last weekend.

TJ Sokol Upohlavy’s players decided to make a splash as they were trailing TJ Sokol Libochovany 6-0 in their game in the lowest district tier last Saturday.

When Martin Blizil scored to make it 6-1 in the 82nd minute, all 11 of the team’s players on the pitch took off their shirts in celebration – a deed punishable by a yellow card.

Five substitutes came off the bench to celebrate with them, also taking off their shirts and earning a booking.

“The last game didn’t really go our way, but our players maybe set a world record,” the team said on Facebook after losing the game 6-2 in the end.

Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh on Tuesday inaugurated the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the 22nd National Sports Festival slated to take place in Ogun State next year.

Inaugurating the committee at the media centre inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium Complex Abuja, the minister charged members of the committee to work hard to deliver a seamless and successful games next year.

The minister who noted that delivering a successful games requires hard work however noted that with the commitment of Ogun State Government and the calibre of members of the committee, he was optimistic that the committee would surmount all the challenges to deliver a successful games.

Enoh observed that the normal practice was for the funding of the games to be shared between the Ministry of Sports and the state hosting the games.

He stated that with the National Sports Industry Policy kicking in, sports should be seen as not only recreation but business.

He observed that after 22 editions, the National Sports Games has become a brand capable of attracting corporate  sponsorship.

The minister therefore encouraged the committee to package the games in such a way to make it attractive for the private sector to sponsor.

He described sports as a multi billion business adding that if private sector driven sports industry could work in other climes, there is no reason it should not work in Nigeria.

Senator Owan Enoh appealed to the private sector and corporate organizations to support sports development in the country.

Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated committee, Ismaila Abubakar,the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and Chairman of the Organizing Committee informed the Minister that members of the committee were fully aware that the responsibility of organizing successful games rest on them.

He assured him that the committee would mobilise both human and material resources to ensure that the games is hosted without hitches.

Earlier, Wasiu Isiaka,the Ogun State Commissioner of Sports assured the Minister that the state was fully prepared to deliver a successful games.

The Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the National Sports Festival comprises Ismaila Abubakar, Permanent Secretary of Sports Development as Chairman and Bukola Olapade, (Chairman LOC) as Vice Chairman.

Other members of the committee are Dr. Paul Onyeudo, Olufehinti Olusegun, Mohammed Manga, Gregory Zi, Ms Fadeke Fadeyibi,  Abolore Alanamu, Patrick Okeke, Mrs. Amaka Ashiofu, Prof. Olawale Moronkola,  Habu Gumel, Sunday Odebode, Emmanuel Utobo, Bamiduro Olumide and Brendan Ndifon.