Gideon Sports Ng

  Mario Balotelli has returned to Italy to join Serie A outfit Genoa for the 2024/25 season.  The 34-year-old signed a contract till the end of the season after leaving Turkish club Adana Demirspor in the summer. Balotelli is expected to play a pivotal role in Genoa's campaign following their poor start to the season in Serie A.  "Mario Balotelli is a new Genoa player. The Italian striker, born in Palermo on 12/09/1990, has signed a contract with his new club. In his career, Balotelli has won nine titles at a professional level with his teams. In the senior national team, he was top scorer and runner-up at the 2012 European Championship, collecting a total of 36 appearances and 14 goals. Welcome to Genoa, Super Mario!" wrote the club on their official website, announcing the signing of the forward.  Balotelli has already begun training and could make his debut for the club against Parma on October 31, 2034.     "I'm pumped, I want to get started and I ...

  The judgment on the airport controversy involving the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Libyan national team continues to stir controversy among high-ranking officials of the Libyan Football Federation (LFF).  Members of the Nigerian team contingent were left unattended for a period spanning about 20 hours upon their arrival at Al-Abraq Airport for their initially scheduled Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification fixture.  This unfortunate situation prompted a strong response from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which ultimately resulted in the disciplinary committee imposing a $50,000 fine on Libya, as well as awarding three points and three goals in favour of the Super Eagles.  In the wake of this decision, a Libyan FA chief has provided insights into the underlying reasons he believes led CAF to rule against his country.  Libyan FA chief speaks on CAF's sanction In a media interview captured by Akhbar Libya 24, FA chief, Adel Osman Al-Shaeri,...

  Zambian football is in mourning after seven players from Chavuma Town Council FC were killed in a bus crash. The country's football association (Faz) expressed its "deep shock" at the accident, which occurred on Saturday while the squad was travelling to a third-tier league game in the north west of the country. "We are in touch with the football, civil and law enforcement authorities in the province to furnish us with full details," Faz president Andrew Kamanga said. Twelve other people were injured in the accident, and five of those have been evacuated to the capital Lusaka for treatment. The names of those killed and injured have not been released. Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motsepe said he and the governing body "hope and pray" that those injured will fully recover soon. "I convey my personal and Caf's deepest condolences," Motsepe added in a statement. "May God comfort and console the family, fri...

 Newcastle are interested in a move for Leroy Sane, Bayern Munich are intent on Jamal Musiala signing a new deal, Napoli join both Milan clubs in the race for Samuele Ricci. Newcastle are tracking Bayern Munich's 28-year-old Germany winger Leroy Sane, who is out of contract at the end of the season. (Football Insider), external Bayern Munich are also intensifying talks with Jamal Musiala, 21, over a contract extension, with the Germany midfielder's current deal due to run out in 2026. (Sport1 - in German), external AC Milan, Inter Milan and Napoli are all interested in signing Torino's 23-year-old Italy midfielder Samuele Ricci. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl has defended the sale of Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt, 25, to Manchester United, saying the club's current centre-backs are more capable of defending higher up the pitch. (Mirror), external American businessman John Textor wants music star Jay-Z to join his...

Manchester United have confirmed the signings of Samuel Lusale and James Overy. United were waiting on Premier League and FA approval for their summer transfer window academy signings of Lusale and Overy to be completed but both have now officially joined the club. The signing of youth striker Chido Obi-Martin from Arsenal has yet to receive clearance but it's thought there is nothing to worry about, and his move could be completed imminently. The MEN revealed in June that Overy, who had been subject to Premier League interest since catching the eye playing for Perth Glory's senior side in a pre-season friendly against West Ham last summer when he was aged just 15, had accepted a scholarship deal at the club. Lusale is the other youngster who has moved to the academy this summer from Crystal Palace. The 16-year-old winger played in Slovakia's three group games at the Under-17 European Championship in May and was in Palace's FA Youth Cup squad last season. l they receive...

  New signing Manuel Ugarte does not start for Manchester United today as they face a Southampton side at St Mary’s desperate to get points on the board. Manager Erik ten Hag is under pressure following back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Liverpool, and he has placed his faith in surprising quarters for this game. Andre Onana will be in goal. In defence, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot continue despite shipping three goals past Liverpool last time around. Kobbie Mainoo is joined in midfield, surprisingly, by Christian Eriksen, who many thought was out of favour with Ten Hag. This means Casemiro is dropped but, presumably, Ugarte is not deemed ready to start. Up front, Marcus Rashford starts again on the left wing despite calls for him to be dropped due to bad form. Amad Diallo is recalled on the right wing with Josh Zirkzee up front. Bruno Fernandes plays in the number 10 role. Keeping Rashford, including Eriksen and omitting Ugarte and ...

  Manager Pep Guardiola says Manchester City's Premier League rivals want to see the club punished for alleged breaches of the top flight's financial rules. Guardiola says he is glad the hearing into City's 115 charges will begin on Monday. City were  charged and referred to an independent commission  in February 2023 following a four-year investigation. It is alleged City breached the Premier League's financial rules between 2009 and 2018. City strongly deny all charges and have said their case is supported by a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence". Javier Tebas, president of Spain's La Liga, is a long-time critic of City, owned by the Abu Dhabi-backed City Football Group and has repeatedly accused the them - together with Qatar-backed PSG - of being a state club and of "financial doping". Tebas says he has spoken to many Premier League clubs and believes they want to see the current champions punished. "I have spoken with many Prem...