Coventry United Ladies Football Club at the verge of death months after turning professional

Coventry United Ladies Football Club will be placed in voluntary liquidation, directors have confirmed as the news broke last Thursday, December 23rd that Coventry United Ladies, mere months into their first professional season, were going into voluntary liquidation and the players and staff, many of whom had risked livelihoods and given up solid real-world jobs in professions like teaching to go pro, were jobless two days before Christmas — everyone’s worst nightmare.

This is the tale of the sudden fall of Coventry United Ladies  –the club, founded in 2013, turned professional for the 2021-22 season and sit 11th of 12 teams in the Women’s Championship.

This season was supposed to be a big one for women’s football in Coventry. After rising through the leagues and spending two seasons establishing themselves as a second-tier side, a group of local businessmen representing a company called the Mirius Group, who took a 49% stake in the club, had been involved in announcing the team would turn professional this season.

As the fallout spread fans of Championship clubs formed a campaign group, the FAWC Fan Collective or FAWCFC with the slogan #Protectwomensfootball, as reported that the team weren’t considered professional or eligible for help by the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Meanwhile, in response to the news, a fundraiser was created for the players which has gained support from across the world.

The anger and shock around the women’s football world was palpable, with fans and players in both the WSL and FAWC reacting with sadness and anger as the news just got worse and details came out over the next couple of days.

The administrators of CULFC released a statement saying the owners blamed “COVID and Brexit” for pulling the funding along with the costs associated with playing behind closed doors for the financial problems.

Wilkinson said that the players were due to have training on Thursday morning but were told it was cancelled and instead had join a zoom call at 10am the same day.

“We were read a statement from the owner and that was it. Coventry United no longer exists, your contracts are ripped up, you aren’t getting paid in December and you no longer have a club to play for,” Wilkinson added.

Wilkinson tweeted: “We had absolutely no indication that the club were in such financial difficulty and it just feels so cruel that at what should be one of the happiest times of the year, our livelihoods, our financial security and our club has been taken away from us just two days before Christmas.

“What’s hard to swallow right now is that I know many of my team-mates have sacrificed amazing jobs, careers, homes, families and more to become a full-time professional footballer for Coventry United.”

Manchester City and England defender Alex Greenwood said she was “absolutely gutted” for Coventry’s players, adding: “The sacrifices these girls make to become professional footballers to be told halfway through a season you no longer have a job, or a club, is simply not good enough!!!”

This situation has raised a ton of questions about the viability of women’s football when not bankrolled by “large” men’s teams, and more to the point, the FA’s procedures and FA & media willingness to cover and promote women’s football and teams outside the WSL.

Join the support to save Coventry United Ladies Football Club 👇🏾👇🏻👇

Supporting Coventry United’s Ladies – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/supporting-coventry-uniteds-ladies

AFCON: CAF gives green light for Stadiums to be filled up to 80% capacity

With COVID-19 living among us, CAF and Cameroon Health Ministry have given green light for stadiums across five centres of the 2021 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations to host 80% capacity of fans.

However, there are measures in place for fans honouring the games, as only vaccinated spectators with evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result not longer than 48 hours before match would be allowed near the pitches. Also, visitors have been guaranteed health safety by the host country starting at all entry points of Cameroon.

Epidemiological stats in Cameroon as of today:

Positive cases:108,676
Cured cases: 106,050
Death cases: 1,841
Active Cases: 785
Hospitalized: 81 (24 with life support)
Recovery Rate: 97.8%
Death Rate: 1.7%
Vaccine Coverage Rate: 6%

Data Source: Cameroonian Health Ministry

This is a relief as participating nations are planning to bring in hundreds of supporters to Cameroon for the showpiece which is slated for January 9 to February

Lionel Messi and Yulimar Rojas crowned AIPS America Athletes of the Year 2021

Venezuelan triple jump record holder Yulimar Rojas and Argentine football star Lionel Messi have been named the Best Athletes of 2021 in the Americas by AIPS America.

Rojas is the Best Female Athlete for the second time in a row after smashing the triple jump world record with 15.67m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to claim gold. She also won a Diamond League trophy to cap her impeccable season and she came out on top in all nine of her competitions in 2021 and produced five of the top six jumps in history in any condition.

Messi’s player-of-the-tournament performance at the Copa America proved vital in helping Argentina to a major international trophy after nearly three decades, and as a result, he also finally marked another important milestone in his career by winning a first major international title. At the club level, the Argentine also inspired Barcelona to the Copa Del Rey title prior to his move to PSG in the summer and would go on to win the Balon d’Or for the seventh time.

After ending a 28-year drought of major trophies by beating Brazil in Rio’s Maracana stadium to win their 15th Copa America title, Argentina was voted as the Best Team, while the Copa America tournament itself and the World Skating Championship held in Colombia were adjudged to have provided the Best Press Centres.

AFCON: Six foreign-based players made Egypt’s 25-man final squad

Egypt’s Portuguese coach, Carlos Queiroz has announced the final list for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will start on January 9, in Cameroon.

In his 25-man squad, Carlos Queiroz has only six (6) foriegn-based players –led by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah as there was a return call for Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” of Aston Villa, after a long period of absence due to knee injury– and 6 players from Al Ahly SC, 6 players form Zamalek FC, 2 players for pyramids, 2 players from future FC, 1 player from ENPPI and 1 player from Tala’a.

The Pharaohs holds the record for winning the seven AFCON titles, the last of which was in the 2010 edition in Angola.

Egypt plays in Group D alongside Nigeria, Sudan and Guinea Bissau, and will start their campaign against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on January 11th.

8-month old pregnant athlete wins ‘Most Outstanding Young Sport Woman’ award ahead of Oshoala in Lagos

Edo 2020 National Sports Festival gold medalist, Aminat Idrees, was awarded the ‘Most Outstanding Young Person in Sport’ at the Lagos Youth Awards.

Aminat Idrees represented Team Lagos in Taekwondo Poomsae at the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival despite being 8 months pregnant at the time.

Aminat’s award is coming eight months after inspiring Team Lagos to medals and becoming the biggest news from the Sports Festivals.

She competed with Barcelona star, Asisat Oshoala, Anuoluwapo Opeyori (Olympian, Badmington) and Seun Nariwo (Former Table Tennis Champion, Sports Administrator) in the most outstanding young person in the sports category.

The mother of one was awarded at the prestigious Sheraton Hotel, Lagos on Sunday 26th December, 2021.

Speaking after picking the award, Idrees said, “I am happy to have won the award against all odds. As we know I can’t cast all the votes myself. I sincerely appreciate every individual that voted and supported me through this. On behalf of myself and family, we are grateful.”

NPFL Matchday 3 Round-up: First defeat for Finidi George, first win for MFM as Remo Stars drop points

The two sides with a perfect start to the season dropped points on Wednesday in their matchday three encounter as Remo Stars were held by Nasarawa United and Enyimba suffered defeat at the hands of Rivers United who are the only team to secured maximum points away from home.

Remo Stars Football Club (RSFC) maintained top spot despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Nasarawa United at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo in matchday three (3) of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Remo Stars has now failed to score at least a goal in a competitive game for the first time since June 2021 (this was their 10th game in that period). This was also the first goalless draw between these two sides.

Sunshine Stars and Enugu Rangers also settled for a goalless draw at the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan.

Enyimba FC suffered its first defeat under coach Finidi George as Rafiu Kayode Isaqh’s 15 yards volley gave Rivers United maximum points at the Enyimba international Stadium, Aba.

Enyimba have now lost a competitive game at home for the first time since January 15, 2020 (0-2 against Heartland). The People’s Elephant had not lost at home in 1 year, 11 months and 14 days before today.

The goalscorer, Ishaq Rafiu become the only player to score in the first three matchdays of the NPFL this season, with 4 goals and 1 assist to his name.

In Ilorin, Kwara United defeated Wikki Tourists of Bauchi by a lone goal, at the Main-Bowl of the Kwara State Stadium Complex, thanks to Ebuka Anaekwe’s own goal that gifted Kwara United FC the second home win of the season.

An 81st-minute penalty by Friday Ubong secured a narrow win for Akwa United against Gombe United at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. The defending Champions now moved to second position behind Remo Stars on goal difference.

MFM coach reaction on his team’s first goal and first win.

The Olukoya Boys finally earned their first win of the season, as Precious Roland scored the team’s first goal of the season in the 56th minute when MFM welcomed former coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu’s Plateau United, at the Teslim Balogun stadium, in Lagos.

Lobi Stars came back from behind to win 2-1 against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Mohammed Akilu’s 40th-minute strike was cancelled by Adams Olamilekan in the 63rd-minute before Ogba Ifeanyi secured a vital 3 points in the 72nd minute at the Abubakar Tafawa Stadium in Bauchi.

Jonas Emmanuel’s 69-minute goal earned Heartland FC its first victory of the season with a narrow win over Dakkada.

After three rounds of matches, Remo Stars, Akwa United, and Rivers United are joint top with seven points. At the bottom of the log is Katsina United with zero points from two matches while Kano Pillars and Sunshine Stars have one point each.

Tomorrow 4pm:
Niger Tornadoes 🆚 Abia Warriors
Katsina 🆚 Kano Pillars

Thompson-Herah and Lewandowski named AIPS Champions of 2021

Jamaican athletics star Elaine Thompson-Herah and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski have been named the AIPS Best Athletes of 2021. This is the result of a poll by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), where a panel of 529 journalists from 114 countries voted for the Champions of 2021.

This is the first time Thompson-Herah, who won three gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, is winning the award having topped the AIPS poll for the female category with 605 points, ahead of Barcelona and Spain’s women’s Ballon d’Or winner, Alexia Putellas (490 points) and triple jump world record holder, Yulimar Rojas, who received 346 points.

In Tokyo she produced head-turning performances to become the first woman to ever win the 100m, 200m sprint double at consecutive Olympics: she won the 100 meters race with a time of 10.61 – an Olympic record and the 200 meters race in 21.53. She also scooped the 4x100m gold medal with her national team for her third gold medal in Tokyo.

Only Usain Bolt had ever achieved the feat of defending the 100 and 200 metres sprint double at the Olympic Games

Lewandowski amassed 435 points to retain the AIPS crown he won for the first time last year, ahead of 2021 Formula One World Champion, Max Verstappen, with 349 points and seven-time Balon D’or winner, Lionel Messi, with 314 points.

He broke the record that had lasted 50 years in the history of German football with his 43rd Bundesliga goal of the year on December 17 in Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win over Wolfsburg.

With that goal, Lewandowski now holds the record of the most goals in a calendar year in the Bundesliga, which was previously held by legendary German striker Gerd Müller, who scored 42 Bundesliga goals in 1972.

This year the Polish striker won the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time in his career, getting also the FIFA Club World Cup Best Player award. For the seventh consecutive year, he won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, along with the German Super Cup. Lewandowski scooped the Bundesliga Player of the Season for the fifth time in his career.

UEFA Euro 2020 champions Italy Men’s National Football Team were voted the Best Team, while the award for the Best Press Facilities went to Tokyo 2020.

Source: AIPS media

NPFL Matchday 3 preview: Fatai Osho, Fidelis Ilechukwu and Kabiru Dogo to face their former clubs as Enyimba, MFM and Kwara United host Rivers United, Plateau United and Wikki Tourist respectively

The battle for points in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2021/2022 season continues on Wednesday across eight centres in the country while two more matches follows up on Thursday.

The blockbuster fixture of the day will be between Enyimba and Rivers United, while Remo Stars will hope to continue their fairytale start to the season as they host Nasarawa United in Ikenne and there is a North-west derby between Katsina United and Kano Pillars to look forward to on Thursday.

Under Finidi George, high-flying Enyimba have won all five games conceding just one goal, while the unbeaten Pride of Rivers will also look to continue their good start to the campaign, as they visit Aba with the former gaffer of Enyimba Fatai Osho who will be looking to punish his former employers.

The last time the two sides faced off in Aba, Rivers United picked a point and will be keen to see a repeat of that.

Remo Stars and Nasarawa United will trade tackles at the Remo Stars stadium in Ikenne. The Sky Blue Stars are early leaders of the log and are yet to concede a goal in the tournament so far. On the other hand, Nasarawa United have scored four goals in two games but just two points to show for it and would be hoping for a better showing.

Pointless MFM will host former gaffer Fidelis Ilechukwu and Plateau United at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, as the hosts without a goal look to finally get on to a challenging start.

Meanwhile, Kwara United will return to Ilorin to also host former coach Kabiru Dogo and Wikki Tourists. The home side lost 1-0 to Plateau United in Jos on Sunday, while Wikki defeated Niger Tornadoes by a similar scoreline. Wikki, who are tagged ‘bad travellers’, have not won an away NPFL game since 2019.

Champions Akwa United will be at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium to face Gombe United who have never picked a point in Uyo and have lost each of their past five visits to the Orange state.

Enugu Rangers will aim to bounce back when they visit Sunshine Stars, after losing to Enyimba. The Owena Whales have won just once in the past five meetings between the two sides and will be banking on the home support to claim a first win of the season.

In the North-West derby, both Katsina United and Kano Pillars are yet to win a game this season, as the two sides will be hoping to put an end to their winless streak.

Former Remo Stars coach, Daniel Ogunmodede joins CD Feirense as assistant manager

Former Head Coach of Remo Stars Football Club (RSFC), Daniel Ogunmodede has completed his move to Portuguese side, CD Feirense where he resumed duties immediately as the Assistant to the Head Coach, Rui Ferreira who was Jose Mourinho’s assistant coach for years.

Ogunmodede joined the Remo Stars as an Assistant Coach to Nduka Ugbade when the team had the first ever promotion into the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL in 2016. He was also in charge as Head Coach of the Youth Team in 2016 where they were runners-up in the Metro League played in Lagos.

In 2017, he became the pioneer Director of the Youth Football Development and have helped develop some players who are outside the shores of the country.

In 2020, Daniel Ogunmodede was appointed the Head Coach of the senior team and the pioneer Director of the Youth Football Development.

He did a great job with Remo Stars SC last season in the NNL to bring back the team to the top tier league earning promotion to the NPFL.

Akwa United goalkeeper makes AFCON list with host nation

Cameroon head coach Antonio Conceicao Oliveira has drawn a squad list of 28 players for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by the country.

The host national will be with goalkeeper Efala Komguep Jean, who plays for Nigeria Professional Football League champions Akwa United.

The Indomitable Lions are with Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde in Group A.

The five-time winners will face Burkina Faso, runners-up of AFCON 2013 in the opening match on January 9.