The magnetic attraction that the Saudi Pro League have on ageing stars in Europe may soon net in Senegal’s Sadio Mane. His german club, Bayern Munich has revealed that the reigning African Footballer of year  is in talks over a potential move.

He is most likely  going to Join Cristiano Ronaldo as the  Senegal forward, 31, has received an offer to join Al Nassr.

It was that club to triggered off the movements of stars to Saudi Arabia after netting Ronaldo at the start of the 2023 season.

Mane travelled on Bayern’s pre-season tour of Asia but has been left out of Saturday’s friendly with Kawasaki Frontale in Tokyo.

“Sadio Mane is in contract talks ahead of a possible transfer and so is not in today’s squad,” the German club revealed.

Mane only joined Bayern last summer, signing a three-year contract after a 35m Pounds move from Liverpool.

He scored 12 goals in 38 appearances as Bayern won an 11th straight Bundesliga title.

But he fell out of favour during an underwhelming season, reportedly punching teammate Leroy Sane following a Champions League defeat by Manchester City in April, for which Mane was dropped from the squad as well as fined.

Al-Nassr signed five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo  in December and have followed up this summer by signing Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic,  Brazil full-back Alex Tellas and Cote d’Ivoire’s  midfielder Seko Fofana.

First Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, Felix Anyansi-Agwu has declared that the Nigeria Football Federation is proud of the Super Falcons’ outing so far at the 9^th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, while expressing confidence that the team will get to the latter stages of the tournament.

After two matches at the global showpiece in Down Under, the Falcons have earned four points, with a draw against Canada and defeat of co-host nation Australia, in itself a record for Nigeria’s participation at the championship that began in 1991.

“I am aware that our country has been in the quarter-finals of the World Cup previously in 1999, but I also know the four points we have now is the best harvest we have made after just two matches. That is gladdening, even as we encourage the girls to keep their eyes on the ball and do the business against the Republic of Ireland.

“So much is possible if the team stays focused and ambitious, which is what they have shown in their first two matches,” said Anyansi-Agwu, who is the leader of Nigeria’s delegation here.

Nigeria is one of only seven countries to have played in every single edition of the FIFAWomen’s World Cup since it started in 1991, but the Falcons’ best harvests previously after two matches have been their three points at the 2019 finals in France. In 1999, when they defeated North Korea after losing to the USA, two points were still awarded for a win in the game.

The Falcons take on the Republic of Ireland’s ‘Girls in Green’ on Monday night in Brisbane, needing a point from the encounter to be sure of a place in the knockout rounds.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Australia, Anderson Madubike on Saturday reiterated that the Super Falcons have provided himself, officials of the Nigeria High Commission and indeed all members of the Nigerian community in Australia huge bragging rights with their win over the Matildas on Thursday evening.

“I can tell you that we are very happy. Now, we walk with a fresh spring in our steps anywhere we go in the whole of Australia. The Super Falcons have done us proud and we want them to continue winning,” Madubike said in Brisbane.

The diplomat, who alongside his mission staff have worked assiduously to mobilize Nigerians across the huge territory that is Australia to support and encourage the Super Falcons since they arrived here, spoke as he hosted some board members and Management staff of the NFF at a place nicknamed Little Lagos in Brisbane.

“What we have been doing for the team is nothing special; these are the things that any mission should do for a Nigerian team wherever they find themselves. However, we are overjoyed that our little efforts have not gone in vain. The Falcons are making us happy and we believe they can go all the way,” said Madubike, who previously served in South Africa and China.

In his response, NFF’s 1^st Vice President,  Felix Anyansi-Agwu thanked the High Commissioner and his officials for being at the disposal of the team and going to lengths to support and encourage Nigeria’s campaign at the finals.

Following the 3-2 defeat of the co-hosts, Australia, by the Nigeria Super Falcons, some newspapers in Australia are calling for the sack of Australia’s Swedish coach, Tony Gustavsson.

Loud in the call was the write-up of  Robbie Slater serialised in some Australian newspapers such as The Australian.

He wrote that Australia’s Matildas’  entire World Cup is in danger of blowing up in the face of coach Tony Gustavsson, there is no doubt his job is on the line. He’s made a mess of the whole thing.

In another publication, the coach rues  making changes too late in his team’s shock defeat to Nigeria

Meanwhile the Matildas believe Sunday will be D-Day for their star player, Sam Kerr as she bids to prove her fitness for the must-win match against Canada.

Sprint hurdler and reigning World 100m hurdles champion, Tobi Amusan and three time Nigeria Shot Put king, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi have retained their number one status in the overall Nigerian women and men’s rankings for the ongoing year 2023 athletics season.

Amusan expectedly leads the rankings with 1429 points following the latest update by World Athletics on Tuesday.

The 26 year old who has been provisionally suspended by World Athletics following three Whereabouts Failures leads second place Ese Brume (1307) by 122 points.

Both athletes have been the shinning light for Nigerian track and field since 2021.

While Amusan made history by winning the Diamond League title and the World title as well as setting a 12.12 World record in the high hurdles, Brume became the second Nigerian to win medals at the World indoor and outdoor championships and in the same year after Glory Alozie.

The very pretty Favour Ofili (1243) is ranked the third best with Ruth Usoro (1233) and Rosemary Chukwuma (1229) completing the top five.

For the men, Enekwechi (1320) towers above the chasing pack led by former World U20 champion, Udodi Onwuzurike (1279) who had an impressive NCAA outdoor season, Emmanuel Bamidele who allegiance, according to World Athletics, is still with Nigeria.

Reigning Nigeria 100m champion, Ushoritse Itshekiri (1242) and Godson Oghenebrume (1240) complete the top five.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has approved the appointment of former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi as his Honorary Adviser on Sports.

Mikel’s appointment was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.

The 36-year-old was born in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.

The former Chelsea star started his career at local club, Plateau United, before moving to Norwegian outfit, Lyn Oslo at the age of 17 in 2004.

Mikel had an illustrious career winning multiple titles with Chelsea, including the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.

The former midfielder represented Nigeria for 14 years, winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Mikel represented Nigeria 91 times and scored six goals.

He quit the round leather game in 2022.