The Saudi Professional League has become one of the hotspots in the football sphere where top players abound.

From champions league to world cup winners, the SPL has witnessed the arrival of some top players coming with a pool of experience gathered from some of the biggest clubs in European football.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund has pumped money into the league to attract some of the world’s finest players to the oil-rich country.

One of such big names is Portuguese captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in late last December. He left his old club, Manchester United on a free transfer after he’d returned for a second spell.

French players, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante both signed for Al-Ittihad.

Former Liverpool midfield duo, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson signed for Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq, respectively, and were joined by another formate Reds, Sadio Mane to Al-Nassr.

It’s reported that the PIF owns 75 per cent majority stake in four clubs in the SPL – Al-Nassr, Al Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal.

The biggest transfer in the league, however, is Neymar, from PFremch giant, PSG.

The 31-year-old attacker, who won the treble with Barcelona, and is also Brazil’s joint highest goal scorer with Pele, has had some high and low moments in his former club PSG, as he had to battle with injuries and match fitness issues.

Here, we look at the top 10 most expensive football transfers in the SPL:

1. Neymar: €90m

PSG – Al-Hilal.

2. Malcom: €60m

Zenit to Al-Hilal.

3. Ruben Neves – €55m

Wolves to Al-Hilal.

4. Fabinho – €46.7m

Liverpool to Al-Ittihad.

5. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – €42m

Lazio to Al-Hilal.

6. Riyad Mahrez – €35m

Man City to Al-Ahli.

7. Sadio Mane – €30m

Bayern to Al-Nassr.

8.  Jota – €29.1m

Celtic to Al-Ittihad.

9. Roger Ibanez – €28.5m

Roma to Al-Ahli.

10. Allan Saint-Maximin – €27.2m

Newcastle to Al-Ahli.

[Punch]

England secured their first ever place in a Women’s World Cup final after The Lionesses beat co-hosts Australia 3-1 in Sydney.

Australia manager Tony Gustavsson took a gamble starting a not fully fit Sam Kerr for the first time this tournament, signalling that the Matildas wanted to get this wrapped up in 90 minutes. Despite that statement of intent, it was a gamble that would not pay off.

In the first half, England dominated possession, though Australia set out to frustrate their attempts on goal, of which there were a few.

Despite England’s dominance, it never really felt that they were fully in control of the game, and Australia took their chances with lightning speed on the counter-attack.

For a brief spell, they felt the more dangerous side, though an inspired shot by Ella Toone gave England the lead before the first half was through.

Indeed, the partnership between Toone and Alessia Russo shone again, as it did at the Euro last summer.

In the second half, Australia came out all guns blazing, with Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord often finding themselves in the thick of it. But it was Sam Kerr who eventually equalised in the 63rd minute with a stunning strike from outside the box, to keep the Matildas in the game.

That was short lived, as Lauren Hemp showed once again how important she is to the team, emerging between the Australian defence with a fantastic finish.

Australia brought on attacking reinforcements in sub Emily van Egmond, who missed out on a starting spot due to sickness, but despite Australia’s best efforts, they couldn’t contain the pace and power of Alessia Russo, who found the net minutes before full-time.

The Lionesses will now go on to face Spain in Sunday’s final.

It’s one thing to make the final, but the challenge will be epic when England take on Spain. We’ve shown we can beat them in previous contests, but Spain were without Alexis Putellas and Jenni Hermosa in last year’s Euro. Nonetheless, if England put on a display as focussed as this, they will certainly be in with a shot.

[NationalDaily]

“Bros, you dey town?”

“Yes. Where you think say I for dey. I no tell you say I dey travel”

“I thought maybe you would have gone to Niger.”

“Go Niger go do wetin?”

“I hear some civil society groups are compiling names of persons who will go to Niger to talk to the coup leaders to give peace a chance, forget about the coup and reinstate President Muhammad Bazoum in power.”

“Of all the pressing problems that I have in Nigeria: fuel price has gone up, diesel is expensive, landlord has announced rent increase, school fees have been raised, Tinubu’s economic policy is not working, how on earth do you think that my main priority should be what goes on in Niger? People are fighting their former colonial masters, they have removed a President that is a lackey of the West, the people of Niger themselves are on the streets jubilating and hailing the coup leaders and you say, I should go there to talk to them. Please, in my capacity as what?”

“As a notable noise maker in the Nigerian society, and a champion of democracy. This is about democracy, and the need to preserve it in the West African region, from the Sahel to the rest of Africa. ECOWAS has already taken up the responsibility. The Heads of States and Governments have imposed sanctions. They have dispatched a standby force.”

“Yes, yes, I know. They have the support of the African Union, the European Union Commission, and the United Nations. Americans, the French, the Germans have military bases in Niger. They did nothing until shege happened, and now it has become our collective responsibility. Please my main responsibility now is how to pay school fees next month, and how to buy diesel for the generator at home and fuel the cars. Whatever they do in Niger is not my personal problem right now. Have you not heard that here in Nigeria, we too are trying to breathe?”

“Many Nigerians are concerned because Niger is our sister country. We have strong religious, cultural and historic affinities. Are you aware that the head of the military junta in Niger is married to a Nigerian woman from Kangiwa in Kebbi State, while the Emir of Dosso in Niger pays homage to the Emir of Argungu in Nigeria? Seven states in the North share a border of about 999 miles with Niger, including Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina. Some people sleep in Nigeria and eat breakfast in Niger. That is how close we are. And even if you are not aware of anything, are you not aware that when President Buhari was leaving office one thing he said is that if anybody disturbs him too much in Nigeria, he will relocate and join his kith and kin in Niger? Now the old man has nowhere to go. He is stuck here. You people complain too much in Nigeria. The people in Niger are in a revolutionary mood.”

“I sympathize with President Buhari. His plight must be a lesson to all persons who assume dual citizenship as allowed by the laws of Nigeria. You could find yourself in a situation where there could be issues in your two countries and you are caught betwixt and between. If gbege come gbege now, where President Buhari go run to? Father country no well, mother country dey boil. This is why I always say what we need in Africa is good governance and responsible leadership.”

“But I think that there is now some light at the end of the tunnel, though. Nigeria’s Council of Ulamaas, the Jamma’tu Izalatu Bidiah wa Ikamatu Sunnah (JIBWIS) led by the Chairman, visited Niger on Sunday. They were granted audience by the coup leaders. They met with President Abdourahamane Tchiani himself and the newly appointed Prime Minister. The coup leaders in fact sent their apologies to President Tinubu for having refused previously to grant audience to the delegations that he sent before now: President Patrice Talon of Republic of Benin, a Nigerian delegation comprising former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, Head of Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency and Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, subsequently, President Mahamat Idris Deby of Chad also went to Niger, and thereafter too, General Abdusalami Abubakar and the Sultan of Sokoto. Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi went to Niger in his capacity as the head of the Tijanniya sect. They granted him audience. The Council of Ulammas from Nigeria also went there. They met with them. I am afraid Niger may have been taken over by Jihadists and terrorists, right on our doorstep. Afterall, President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire pointedly accused them of terrorism. The good news is that they now say they want to dialogue with ECOWAS.”

“It is because the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS, the EU Commission, France and those who donate money to keep Niger going are beginning to bite hard. Yes, Niger is rich in Uranium, the seventh largest deposits in the world, but it is also a poor country that depends on about $20 billion worth of international aid per annum. The sanctions are actually not enough. I assume that the coup leaders are now panicking. The thing to do is to add more sanctions. Nigeria should take the lead by telling our daughter from Kebbi state who is married to the coup leader to pack her bags and come back home. That is one sanction that will hit home. I don’t trust Tchiani. ECOWAS must resolve to hit him hard below the belt.”

“You know sometimes, I don’t understand you. We are discussing peace, diplomacy and international relations, you are reducing everything to marital issues. What if your sister says it is in fact the coup leader of Niger that she wants and ECOWAS can go to hell, will you go and force her to leave her husband because Nigeria wants to show it has power even in the bedrooms of Niger?”

“I don’t trust General Tchiani and his men. Look at how they snubbed Nigeria, the giant of Africa”.

“Leave that giant thing. Nobody considers Nigeria a giant anymore. In fact, it is so bad, if President Tinubu himself dares to go near Niger, they will arrest him and lock him up with Bazoum and serve him agbado which they must have heard he likes a lot. And nothing will happen. In fact, some Nigerian will say it serves him right. Please leave that matter about being a giant. Nobody sees Nigeria as a giant anymore please.”

“Those boys in Niger will detain Nigeria’s President? That will be an assault on the sovereignty of Nigeria. Then, the war that nobody wants will begin immediately”

“My friend, go and calm down. You think all the Nigerians who have been saying Nigeria should not commit to any act of aggression don’t know what they are saying? ACF, Katsina Forum, Afenifere, Council of Ulamaas, HURIWA, Senator Shehu Sani, NLC, PDP, LP, you think they don’t know what they are saying? Nigeria is broke. It cannot finance any major military operation that is likely to end up as proxy war between the East and the West. It also cannot afford a full-scale war in its backyard. And what does Nigeria stand to gain from committing troops to an operation in Niger?”

“Peace and stability at home. That is Nigeria’s national interest, particularly to prevent the coup virus from spreading from the Sahel region into the West African heartland. It is not in Nigeria’s interest to have a coup anywhere around its vicinity. Nigerian citizens at the moment cannot breathe at the moment. If they get suffocated further, you don’t know what they can do. We may have to use Niger to send a strong lesson to anybody that werey is disturbing his or her head.”

“Have you thought of the implications of joining ECOWAS to send troops to Niger? Nobody knows the reaction we will get. Terrorism in the Northern borders, more refugees trooping into Nigeria, the possibility of aggrieved Nigerians supporting Niger, and sabotaging their own country. If I were President Tinubu, I will borrow myself small sense, and tread cautiously. Niger is a Banana peel for President Tinubu. He should not step on it.”

“I see we are a country of cowards. ECOWAS is a community of shadow-boxers. They don’t even have a standby force anyway. Just making mouth. In the next few days, I imagine that Tinubu and ECOWAS will try to do damage control and save face.”

“I think the former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, former Minister of Foreign Affairs put his fingers on it when he said Tinubu has no experience in international diplomacy, and he should seek the help of former Heads of State and Presidents of Nigeria. And he is right. This is not the Kabiyesi rulership of Lagos State. This is something far more complex, because of the international dimensions. Nigeria is bigger than the swashbuckling, triumphal, “awalokan” boys from Lagos.”

“Please can we talk about something else?”

“Did I not hear that one Nigerian aircraft on its way to Niger has crashed somewhere in the North? Those are the people you say are sending apologies to Tinubu? If they want dialogue, then on what terms? Will they listen to ECOWAS?”

“Can we change subject? It looks like Pastor Tunde Bakare has joined the ranks of those criticizing Tinubu? Did you listen to his state of the nation address on Sunday? Vice, Virtue, Time: three Things That Cannot stand Still.”

“What prophecies did he make? Did he predict that the Naira will be N2,000 to the dollar by October and that the pump price of petrol will be about N900 per litre?”

“He said more than that. He spoke truth to power. He said Nigeria is on a downward slope under Tinubu, and that what we have is an imperial presidency and leadership by impulse”

“Pastor Bakare is one of the original founders of the ruling APC, Nigeria’s ruling party.”

“He said APC could never have won the 2023 general election if there was no split in the PDP, and that President Tinubu is showing a tendency to act before thinking.”

“He said that? Isn’t that anti-party?”

“I think the man was speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit. I heard him saying with 48 Ministers, Tinubu is running a bloated government and abusing the tenets of neoliberalism, and that there cannot be any economic reform without economic justice, and the poor must be allowed to breathe.”

“Yes, yes, yes, on that one, he is right. The poor in Nigeria are suffocating. That is why they are now protesting in Yola, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Kano due to the high cost of living. We, the people, just want to breathe. The people are saying let government remove its knees from our necks and not choke us to death like George Floyd was choked to death in the US.”

“You know Pastor Bakare even said Godwin Emefiele, the embattled and suspended CBN Governor is a victim of vendetta, and political impunity, who is being made a scapegoat.”

“I won’t be surprised if Pastor Bakare is accused of anti-party activities and he is expelled from the APC. Has Mr. Dele Alake responded to him yet?”

“I have not seen anything. No, not yet.”

“You can be sure the President’s spokespersons are still loading their bazooka. When they fire, you will hear the boom, boom of attacks on Pastor Bakare.”

“And you think the Pastor will be bothered? Na dem dem. If they fire bazooka, he will respond with an inter-continental ballistic missile!”

“At home and abroad, just creepy stories all over within 75 days of Tinubu in office. Punitive economic policies that impoverish the people. A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that publishes a balance sheet for the first time after seven years that is fit only for the dustbin. An uninspiring cabinet list. Mediocre performance in international relations Oh, what a curious set!.”

“Oh, come on. I can think of one or two sweet stories. The Super Falcons did well in the Women’s World Cup. They may have lost out in the Round of 16, but they were good, and they deserve to be celebrated truly. Also under Tinubu, our girls won the AfroBasket Championship for the fourth time in a row, beating their arch-rivals, Senegal 84 -74. That’s something to cheer about. And our boy, Anthony Joshua knocked out Helenius in the seventh round, his first knock-out in three years… let’s be fair.”

“Yeah, I also saw the Governor of Osun State, Jackson Ademola Adeleke hosting Rasheedat Ajibade and Rofiat Imuran, two Super Falcons from Osun State and celebrating them with Jacksonian dance steps. Quite refreshing.”

“The Governor of Osun is a naturally happy man. He is always giving us good content. He should consider opening a Tik Tok page on social media, and that can be a good source of non-oil revenue for Osun state! He will beat all social media influencers at their game. He is just a natural entertainer. Nice one.”

“So which two teams do you think will make the Women’s World Cup final? Four teams are already in the semi-finals. Spain vs Sweden today. Australia vs England tomorrow.”

“I must confess this year’s Women’s World Cup has been top-notch. Record attendance. Impressive quality of play. In fact, some of those female teams are so technically proficient, if they play against the current Super Eagles of Nigeria, our male national team, they will serve them woto woto. But do I want England to win? No. For defeating Nigeria without putting up a convincing performance, No, please. Australia should beat them and Spain or Sweden should win.

“This is exactly what Pastor Bakare calls the politics of vendetta oh. Can you see that there are no saints anywhere?”

“Not exactly the same thing. I have a right to protect my country’s interest. I still don’t understand the overriding national interest that Nigeria wants to protect in Niger. I keep saying that the time may have come when we have to review this mantra about Africa being the centre-piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy process. Nigeria must be Nigeria’s number one interest, not the ego of ambitious politicians – call it Nigerian exceptionalism.”

“I hear you. Na here we dey, everything go soon clear for everybody eye. Make all of una dey talk your talk. Na here we dey as Dede dey.”

That was the lesson that I learned, over and over again, during the writing of my first book, Settlers. And, of course, the capital’s fidgety aversion to standing still has only expanded this map. What may once have been merely a tour of inter-war institutions and culturally significant buildings now encompasses markets, amapiano-fuelled day parties and sleekly appointed restaurants. 

Each one tells a story of specific African influence — and with it, of course, the linked but distinct tale of the black Caribbean diaspora — that continues to shape our mad, multi-faceted and ever-thrumming city. So here, to coincide with the paperback publication of my book, are nine unheralded landmarks that speak to the past, present and future of African London.

From the moment this east London icon was established in the late 19th century it has been the unofficial stronghold of interwoven migrant groups; a polyphonic outdoor bazaar where Irish, Jewish, Turkish, Caribbean and South Asian communities have come to haggle, gossip, buy and organise. However, from the Eighties especially, Ridley has been a particular point of connection and commerce for London’s African heritage settlers. It is a legacy written in wax print fabrics, calabash bowls and African land snails writhing in cardboard boxes. An amorphous, unruly cultural centre but also a deeply meaningful one.

Camden would probably not be the first place that most would identify as a long-standing stronghold of Black African culture. But from 1933 it was there that the West African Students’ Union opened its first hostel. Ostensibly a residence for overseas students, it was also a social club, cultural embassy and base for a powerful political pressure group (Kwame Nkrumah, first president and founding father of independent Ghana, was a regular). Also, it was home to perhaps the first formal West African restaurant in Britain.

These two roving day parties — which can be found at the likes of BoxPark Croydon as well as at far-flung editions everywhere from Malta to Margate — are nothing less than the Henny-burping quintessence of what it is to be young, black and carefree in modern London. Both founded by second-generation British-Nigerians, they balance a heavy Caribbean influence with a pronounced African accent. A truth exemplified by the Afrobeats acts that have performed (notably, Wizkid) and the fact that Dave name-checked DLT on his last EP. They continue a proud tradition of politically purposeful, diasporic partying.

In 1906, this Peckham building was turned into holy and historically significant ground. That’s because it was here that Thomas Brem Wilson — a high-born Ghanaian entrepreneur turned preacher — initiated the first black majority Pentecostal church in the country. The Sumner Road Chapel had a tumultuous existence (the fervour of its faith-healing sermons drew complaints from neighbours, bricks through the window and at least one newspaper investigation) but it established a blueprint for London worship houses tailored to the African diaspora.

Initially erected as part of a purpose-built site to mark 1924’s British Empire Exhibition, this vast “living museum” and imperial muscle-flex featured an ersatz West African village inhabited by invited Nigerians. Of course, as well as the original stadium, almost all the Empire Exhibition’s buildings have been knocked down. The sole exception is the India Pavilion which, incongruously, is now a carpet warehouse.

A spiritual antecedent of the WASU hostel, this “home from home” for London’s broad African diaspora was first established in Covent Garden in 1964. Multi-faceted and politically purposeful (the Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a fan) it is nonetheless mostly remembered for being an enormous vibe — the home of the raucous basement Soweto bar, the pan-African restaurant Calabash, and Soul II Soul legend Jazzie B’s mythical parties. Unlike so much of hazily remembered African London, it actually lives on in the form of a swish new complex in Southwark.

66 Great Suffolk Street, SE1 0BL, africacentre.org.uk

This area of Canning Town — so-called because it was a part of the city where black and white lived semi-harmoniously — was where Somali and Asian sailors put down roots after the First World War. They established a strikingly cosmopolitan community replete with mixed-heritage families and, a little later, charitable organisations such as The Coloured Men’s Institute — a proto-food bank and community centre established by a Ceylonese Methodist organiser called Kamal Chunchie. Sadly, Draughtboard Alley’s ragged utopia would not last. In 1917 it suffered racist attacks, and by 1930 Chunchie’s neighbourhood hub was demolished.

It was autumn 2014 when John Boyega took his Star Wars co-star Harrison Ford for a much-mythologised Nigerian meal at a certified Old Kent Road institution called 805. That Ford had to sprawl out in the taxi home, in a semi-catatonic state, will not surprise anyone who has taken on a platter of pounded yam and egusi stew. Still, it was fitting that 805 should be the venue for this modern piece of African-themed celebrity folklore as it was the unofficial starting line for a long list of restaurants that show how the continent continues to shape the capital’s landscape and appetites.

805 Old Kent Road, SE15 1NX; 24 Kendal Street, Connaught Square, W2 2AW; 60 Vivian Avenue, NW4 3XH, 805restaurants.com

In the Thirties, this was the name used to describe an area of Soho famed both for its dark licentiousness and as a playground for the inter-war period’s black community. A long roll call of clubs and restaurants — The Nest, The Shim Sham, and the Blitz-era Abalabi, where Nigerian musician Ambrose Campbell formed pioneering all-black band the West African Brothers  — survived an atmosphere of police raids and moral panic to become legendary cradles of sexual and social progressiveness. If Soho still has a freeness, grit and cool, then it was definably shaped by these clubs, and those of African descent.

[standard]

Rangers head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu is optimistic his team will have a good outing in the Nigeria Professional Football League next season.

Ilechukwu said the Flying Antelopes have all it takes to challenge for the title.

He admitted that the team needs some improvement but assured that the players are ready for the new season.

“We are still building, and I am optimistic that we shall be ready to hold our own should the season kickoff today,” he told the club’s media.

“Our game against Enyimba, I give it to them as they have been together for a longer period. At the same time, I commend my players for the way we played in containing them.

“Enyimba possessed more balls in the game, but we created more scoring chances but took only one. In all, I am satisfied with the output of my players ahead of the new season.”

[DailyPost]

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is hosting members of the female football team, the Super Falcons, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Super Falcons crashed out of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, having lost through penalties to the English team last Monday.

The First Lady, who held a similar meeting with the victorious Nigeria female basketball team, D’Tigresses, last Monday, has since been encouraging female sports by urging them on.

Nigerian track and field athlete, Tobi Amusan, has been cleared by the World Athletics to compete in the World Championship starting this weekend in Budapest, Hungary.

Amusan’s chances of participating at the Budapest 2023 World Championships had been hung in the balance as she was undergoing the doping investigation.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) did not include her name in the upcoming competition as the world’s athletics body had not confirmed her.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) initially suspended the 26-year-old for missing three consecutive tests but has now given her the nod to represent Nigeria at the World Championship.

She appeared before the jury Thursday and got a favourable verdict.

Amusan ran the fastest time ever in the hurdles at 12.12 seconds in the semi-final of the women’s 100m hurdles and in the final she recorded 12.06, it was adjudged to the wind aided. The stunning delivery left the world spellbound.

And ahead of the Budapest 2023 contest she is the woman to beat, but her suspension in July cast a shadow on her quest to retain the title. She had posted a 12.34 seconds after a slow start to the season.

Nia Ali leads the world ahead of Budapest athletics showpiece with 12.30 seconds. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Kendra Harrison have 12.31 season best.

After protracted negotiations between Napoli and the agent of Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen, reports have emerged that a deal has been agreed upon with the striker now set to sign a new contract with the Serie A champions.

Recently, Napoli’s head coach, Rudi Garcia, confirmed that the Nigerian would extend his stay in Naples, ending the speculation surrounding the striker’s future.

“I want Osimhen to be happy. The club and the player have executed commendable efforts. He’s an essential driving force for us; we rely on his goal-scoring capabilities,” Garcia said.

“Once the agreement is official, he’ll be able to focus solely on his on-field contributions, a prospect that I find preferable.”

Details published by Italian publication, Football-Italia, on Saturday, revealed that the Nigerian has been offered a new three years contract extension that includes a release clause at €150m and a salary at €10m (N8.4bn) per season.

This new deal is expected to run to June 2027 and will see his wages sky-rocket to €10m per season from his current €5.5m including bonuses and a portion of his image rights.

Football-Italia added that the release clause is set to be at two different levels, one for clubs outside of Italy and one specifically for the Saudi Pro League, reaching €150m.

Osimhen recently helped Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years and also became the first African to win the Capocannoniere (Serie A Top Scorer Award).

The striker also broke a 14-year jinx of being the first player since Zlatan Ibrahimovic to win the Scudetto and the Capocannoniere same season.

His impressive performance received interest from numerous clubs this summer, including Manchester United, PSG, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and several Saudi Pro League sides like Al-Hilal.

While various prominent European clubs faltered in their pursuit, the Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal seemed poised for success.

Al-Hilal made not one but two bids for Osimhen and offered an alluring salary package that would have rendered him the highest-earning African footballer in history.

However, President Aurelio De Laurentiis and Osimhen were always focused on continuing their rapport together at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

The 24-year-old forward was again on target during Napoli’s 2-0 victory against Apollon Limassol in a recent friendly match on Friday.