Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) has broken the record for most goals scored in international soccer matches (male) during the Portugal vs Ireland match played on 1 September 2021 at the Algarve Stadium.
Guinness World Records presented the player with honorary certificate for his incredible world record achievement.
Entering the Guinness World Record books is almost like taking a walk in the park for Cristiano Ronaldo as this is not the first time the player has been awarded with such certificate.
• The most popular football player on the social network platform.
• The Champions League king scoring most goals in a UEFA Champions League season
• Most viewed Wikipedia page of any male athlete.
• The oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick.
• Most successful penalty-taker in La Liga history.
African Pillar of Sports and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has asked the Federal Government not to wait until 2024 to begin preparation for the Olympics.
He stated this when Nigeria’s only decorated male gymnast, who won Gold at the 2019 All African games in Morrocco and equally represented Nigeria in the recently concluded Olympic games in Tokyo, Uche Eke, was honored with a three in one party in Maryland, United States of America.
Uche Eke in action during Tokyo 2020.
He said people should not just look at the trophy part of each tournament but consider the economic gain or loss that comes with it.
According to the former Abia State Governor — who during his tenure Enyimba FC won African Championship Cup and Super Cup back to back — Federal Government should begin training now to avoid losing another generation of young players in international market.
“We lost a generation of young players in the international market simply because we couldn’t qualify for soccer in the Tokyo Olympics. If we made it at soccer level, some of the players would be exposed to international clubs. Themselves, family and that of their communities will benefit. The country will also benefit because the capital inflow into our economy will be massive.”, he said.
“This is why the Ministry of Sports should increase his pace of hard work. Look at our basketball team, they are strong and formidable but we don’t need them to scatter. They need to continue practicing together and stay in action from now till 2024 Olympics. For us football lovers, it was dark moments for us seeing soccer played without Nigeria team and we don’t need that again.” – the Senate Chief Whip added.
He also called on parents and guardians to encourage their children and wards to represent Nigeria in international games rather than identifying with other countries.
“We may not have gotten to a stage we all wish our country but it’s not good for parents to discourage their children against representing Nigeria in international games. Allow them to represent Nigeria. Give them the necessary support and in turn you are contributing to the growth of Nigeria and her economy.” He said.
While praising Uche Eke for making Nigeria proud, Kalu urged the Minister of Sports to dig deeper both in and outside the country and recruit talented youths.
Nigeria’s first ever gymnast.
“We have thousands of them and if we start prepping them now, we will shine to our satisfaction.” He concluded.
The South African women’s national team, Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has named a 25-woman squad list for the Aisha Buhari Cup (ABC) that will take place in Lagos, Nigeria from 12-21 September 2021.
The national women’s team last got together in June where they were scheduled to travel to the Netherlands and play the hosts in an international friendly to enhance preparations for CAF AWCON. However, the trip was called off due to Covid-19 issues.
“It was unfortunate that the game against the Netherlands was cancelled due to us having Covid-19 positive cases in our camp just before departure. We needed this test especially after the Zambia and Botswana friendly matches in April,’’ said Ellis.
The team will assemble at the SAFA Technical Centre (Fun Valley) on Sunday, 5 September 2021 where they will undergo a week of training before departure to Nigeria.
Coach Desiree Ellis believes the ABC tournament is very important as it consists of top African opposition and she believes the opposition will give her charges the test the team requires.
“The Aisha Buhari Cup is now very important as it now allows us to play international football again. We have always asked SAFA and SASOL to get us top opposition and we are very excited about this upcoming tournament.
‘’We know that Nigeria have been very active along with Morocco who have recently played Mali in two international friendly matches. Cameroon has a new coach who is preparing their team and my good friend coach Mercy is also getting Ghana ready for the tournament,” added Ellis.
The Banyana Banyana coach added that the Aisha Buhari Cup was an ideal dress rehearsal for the AWCON qualifiers.
“It’s like a mini AWCON itself. It is an opportunity to test ourselves after having missed a lot of football over the last 18 months both locally and internationally. It’s also an opportunity to have a look at some of the overseas based players that we have not seen since 2019 due to Covid-19 protocols and quarantine regulations in the countries where they are currently playing.
“There are a few players that are not available for various reasons including injuries and visa challenges”, she concluded .
South Africa are in Group B together with Cameroon and Ghana for the ABC.
Invited Players:
Goalkeepers; Kaylin Swart (JVW FC) Regirl Ngobeni (University of Western Cape)
Defenders: Lebohang Ramalepe (Dinamo Minsk) Janine Van Wyk (Glasgow City) Tiisetso Makhubele (Tshwane University of Technology) Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) Bongeka Gamede (University of Western Cape) Koketso Tlailane (Tshwane University of Technology FC)
Midfielders: Ntombifikile Ndlovu (Sunflower FC) Ongeziwe Ndlangisa (Sunflower FC) Oratile Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) Mamello Makhabane (JVW FC) Nomvula Kgoale (Tshwane University of Technology) Thembi Kgatlana (Atletico Madrid) Refiloe Jane (AC Milan) Linda Motlhalo (Djurgardens FC) Robyn Moodaly (JVW FC) Noxolo Cesane (University of Western Cape) Gabriela Salgado (JVW FC)
Cristiano Ronaldo starts for Portugal against Republic of Ireland with just one goal from overtaking Ali Daei to become the highest scorer of all time in men’s international football.
Before the game, Cristiano has scored 109 goals for the Portuguese National team, tied with Ali Daei who scored 109 goals for Iran between 1993 and 2006 as the highest goal scorer of all time in men’s international football.
The Portuguese football player has broken the record for most goals scored in men’s international football matches during the Portugal vs Ireland world cup qualifier.
Not just another record broken, but another record earned after scoring a last-gasp winner for his country, edging them closer to next year’s World Cup.
He saw his penalty saved by 18-year-old Irish goalkeeper, before heading home two late goals.
A phenomenal run of 50 goals in his last 47 🇵🇹 Portugal appearances makes the monster from Madeira the outright leading scorer in men’s international history with 111 goals.
Breakdown of Cristiano Ronaldo’s 111 international goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo also received his EURO top scorer award yesterday.
EURO 2020 highest goal scorer.
With 134 goals, the striker also holds the title for most Champions League goals, as well as most goals in aUEFA Champions League season by an individual (17) and most goals scored in the football UEFA European Championships including qualifying matches (23).
Ronaldo is not new to being a champion even when he’s not taking the pitch.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, holds the record for most followers for an athlete on Twitter, as well as most followers on Instagram for an athlete. His Instagram account, @Cristiano, is also the overall most followed account on Instagram.
He became the only footballer to earn over $1 billion in their career and confirmed himself as one of the most sought-after, acclaimed, and successful athletes of all time.
Jenny Anusiem, a young and energetic woman driven by the passion to make an impact and support the girl-child with every factor available at her disposal was first groomed as a CEO when she co birthed “Jenny Uzo Foundation”.
At 30 she is focused, determined and a goal-getter with a burning passion to give the women folks a deserved place in our society.
Dear to her heart is the Jenny Uzo Foundation which she co-founded in 2016 and incorporated in 2018. Jenny Uzo Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded to support the girl-child by educating and empowering her academically, socially and through mentorship, thereby fostering gender equality in the society.
The dynamic entrepreneur and social change activist hails from Avutu in Obowo LGA of Imo State.
Her journey into the world of football club proprietorship was born due to the absence of female football activities in her hometown a couple of years back which irked her and pushed her to donate a trophy for the female teams in Obowo LGA.
The desire to empower the girl-child especially talented ones in Imo state through football for them to become professional players, future coaches, administrators and mentors, hence the birth of Imo Angels FC in November 2020.
Jenny recruited like-minds and experienced football administrators who in a very little time set up, nurtured and mentored one of the most talked-about female football side in the nation.
The youngest football CEO, Jenny has since been more than determine and motivated by the antecedents of the female football administrative forerunners such as Aisha Folade, late Henrietta Okaigwe, late Tessy Nwoke, Dilichukwu Onyedinma, among many others to contribute her own little quota towards the development of female football in Nigeria.
Ansu Fati has been handed Lionel Messi’s No 10 shirt at Barcelona after the Argentine left the Nou Camp for Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Fati, seen as one of the most exciting young prospects in world football, made his debut for Barcelona in August 2019 and became the youngest player to score in La Liga for the club a week later in the 2-2 draw at Osasuna.
He emerged Champions League youngest goalscorer netting his first goal for Barcelona in the win over Inter Milan in December 2019. He also became Spain’s youngest ever goalscorer in September last year during his country’s win over Ukraine.
After financial issues prevented Barca from handing Messi a new contract, the 18-year-old who has been out of action since November 2020 after suffering a ruptured meniscus, will take over the iconic jersey upon his return.
Ansu Fati gets the Barcelona number 10 shirt after Lionel Messi.
The expectation and responsibility are a lot but hopefully he could handle it, just as much as Messi did after getting the barton from Ronaldinho.
Lionel Messi handed the Barcelona number 10 after Ronaldinho.
Barcelona statement: “Ansu Fati has a new shirt number. After wearing the number 22 then 17, the young Barça striker will proudly wear the number 10 shirt – a famous jersey previously worn by legends such as Leo Messi, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo.”
All roads leads to Lekan Salami Stadium Adamasigba today as former Vice-President Abubakar Atiku, chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu and his Edo State counterpart, Governor Godwin Obaseki as well as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, will join the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, to officially unveil the remodelled Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasigba, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The remodelled 10,000 capacity Lekan Salami Sports Complex popularly known as Adamasigba Stadium, will feature a novelty match between ex-Shooting Stars players 94/98 set and former Super Eagles players 94/96 set as well as a friendly match between the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and NK Tabor Sezana, a top Slovenian league side.
The shooting Stars Football Club will return to the remodeled Lekan Salami Sports Complex which was regarded as their traditional home ground.
Many are unprecedented facilities that made Adamasingba of International Standard; standard grass pitch, a departure from the artificial turf, Sports Complex now has a training pitch, which would also serve as a kind of community centre for the Ibadan people desirous of a befitting playing field. The training pitch is one of the requirements by the world football governing body for its approval of the stadium for international football engagements.
VAR Room
Aside from these physical innovations, there are also electronic scoreboards, video assistant referee (VAR) facilities, and pitch-side monitors. The main bowl of the Lekan Salami has also been equipped with automated floodlights and sundry lighting for the security of life and property at the complex. Thus, live transmission of matches can be achieved with ease just as activities in four different stadia could be monitored live at the Lekan Salami Complex. In addition to all of these, the stadium can now boast of four new separate dressing rooms, each with its wet areas
Changing Room
Players of Slovenia’s first division side, NK Tabor Sežana arrive at the Governor’s office to pay a courtesy visit to Governor of the State Seyi Makinde ahead of the inaugural match against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) this evening at the remodelled Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasigba.
The match will be aired on SuperSport Variety 4 on DStv & GOtv, BCOS TV, Channels Television, AIT & NTA.
Following her outstanding performances while on international duty, South African referee, Akhona Makalima was recommended by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to be part of the officials who will officiate at the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
The top South African referee has over the years become one of the elite female referees having officiated on the continent’s biggest tournaments including the African Women’s Cup on Nations, CAF Champions League, and is currently one of the top officials within South Africa’s professional League.
FIFA has officially nominated 55 officials for the prestigious FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand in 2023 from over 750 female referees.
Makalima has been nominated by the world football governing body FIFA and will have to maintain her fitness and sharpness to make the final list.
FIFA has requested for Member Associations to support the nominated candidates by ensuring that they are active and officiating the best matches available to them. Member Associations have also been urged to continue developing their match officials and include them in the international programs, to continue building them for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Saul Niguez has finally completed a late deadline day loan move to Chelsea.
The Atletico Madrid midfielder has played 447 matches for Atletico and scored 53 goals. He was the subject of intense Premier League interest with Manchester United and Liverpool also battling it out for his signature.
The 26-year-old Spain international completed a last-gasp season-long loan deal with an option for a permanent transfer at the end of the season.
Saul said of his loan move to Stamford Bridge: “I am very excited to start this new challenge with Chelsea. Blues fans, I am one of you now and I can’t wait to wear the shirt, start training and see all of you. See you soon!”
Chelsea have confirmed the signing on their official social media page.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: “We welcome Saul to the club and believe he completes our squad as we compete for honours in five different competitions this season.
“He is a proven winner, a player with huge experience and we know he will be very well suited to the challenges that face us on all fronts in the coming year.”
Saúl have won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Europa League twice and the UEFA Super Cup with Atletico de Madrid. They also finished as runners-up in the Champions League final in 2015-16.
Manchester United reportedly offered Donny Van de Beek to AS Roma on loan, but Jose Mourinho did not want the midfielder.
According to LaRoma24.it, the proposal was made on transfer deadline day when United directors called Roma chief Tiago Pinto to suggest the idea.
Roma have won all four of their competitive games so far this season between Serie A and the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The same report claimed Jose Mourinho turned down Van De Beek, wanting a player with different characteristics in his Giallorossi squad.
However, the agent of Donny Van de Beek has taken a swipe at Manchester United, claiming the club blocked a transfer for the Netherlands international.
Guido Albers (Donny van de Beek’s agent): “Today I’ve been trying to find a club for Donny. Everyone knows the situation. We worked very hard for it, but the club [Man Utd] is blocking everything. There was much interest from Italy, Germany & England.”
Manchester United paid €39m to sign the Dutch international from Ajax in September 2020, but he has struggled since moving to the club, failing to establish himself as a regular in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting line-up.
MOLATsportgist 