Flying Eagles head coach, Aliyu Zubairu says the men’s national U-20 football team is still a work in progress.

Zubairu stated this on Monday in Ilorin at a meeting with members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kwara Chapter.

The gaffer noted that in spite of their victory in the WAFU B championship in Togo, critical areas in the team still needed improvement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Flying Eagles’ hard-earned victory in Togo secured Nigeria’s place in the U-20 AFCON billed for South Africa in January, 2025.

The U-20 AFCON will also determine the continent’s representatives for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

“I’m somewhat dissatisfied with our defence; we were conceding goals consistently. This vulnerability cannot be overlooked on a larger stage,” he stated.

Zubairu decried the fact that the team had limited time to prepare for WAFU B championship, while stressing the need for adequate preparation for future tournaments.

“I had just 37 days from my appointment to the WAFU B tournament, and we retained only three players from the previous squad, necessitating the recruitment of new talents,” he explained.

He also acknowledged the interest from eligible players outside Nigeria, asserting that “We will not hinder their participation and are committed to selecting those with the necessary skills.”

The coach revealed that plans were underway for an early training camp ahead of the U-20 AFCON, while underlining the importance of securing a spot in the World Cup.

Real Madrid Fans Club in Kwalam, Jigawa, has suspended a member, Abbati Soja, over alleged misconduct and lack of loyalty to the club.

A statement by the club’s Chairman, Garzali Nfari, and Secretary, Aliyu Tabulet, indicated that Soja was punished for remarks considered “discouraging” after the Spanish soccer giants lost 4-0 to bitter rivals Barcelona in a La Liga encounter.

According to the statement, Soja made a statement to the effect that Real Madrid would not achieve much this season.

“That sentiment affected the morale of other members.

“The suspension, effective from Oct. 28, following a meeting of the Fan Club’s Executive Council; he remains suspended till May 28, 2025. That day coincides with the end of the football season,” it said.

The decision has sparked debate among fans, raising important questions about loyalty in sports fandom

Some have suggested that such strict actions may prove counter-productive at a time fan clubs worldwide are striving to grow their base and promote inclusivity.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 4-0 in front of their fans at the Bernabeu in the first El Clasico of the season on Oct. 26.

The win moved Barcelona six points clear of Real Madrid after 10 games in the season.

Napoli manager, Antonio Conte has sounded a note of warning to his players about how dangerous Ademola Lookman could be as they face Atalanta in a Serie A game on Sunday.

Conte, according to Football Italia has warned Napoli that if Arsenal had to make tactical sacrifices to deal with Atalanta, then so will they on Sunday, saying it is not possible for them to underestimate the match.

The Partenopei are running away at the top of the Serie A table and have won every match except for a single draw away to Juventus since the opening weekend.

As for La Dea, they have won four on the bounce domestically, scoring 15 goals and conceding two.

Worthy of note is Lookman’s wonderful performances so far this season with the Nigerian international having scored five goals and contributed as many assists in 11 games across all competitions for Atalanta.

As such, Napoli gaffer, Conte has warned his players about Lookman even as he is planning to make use of a five-man defence in their Serie A game versus Atalanta.

“This is a big danger, because Atalanta are a strong team, they won the Europa League by ending Bayer Leverkusen’s season-long unbeaten record,” said Conte in his press conference.

“It is not possible for Napoli to underestimate this match. If anything, it could be Atalanta who underestimate us, seeing what happened last season. You all keep telling me it is an advantage not playing European games, but I warn you it is a disadvantage because we don’t have such a deep squad.”

He also noted that when Atalanta drew 0-0 with Arsenal in the Champions League, the Gunners made tactical sacrifices.

“It was Matteo who gave me the idea to drop down if needed when under attack. Against Atalanta, Arsenal put Thomas Partey on Ademola Lookman to form a five-man line, sometimes Arsenal also brought Saka and Martinelli deep.

“There is an evolution, you attack in one way and defend in another. It’s not just about defenders but the whole team working together to defend.

“I have really drummed the tactical issues into the players ahead of this game and we’ll see what happens.”

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are reportedly keen on signing Ademola Lookman to replace Kylian Mbappe who joined Real Madrid during the summer transfer window.

Lookman looks a sure bet to make his departure from Atalanta in the nearest possible future with PSG looking like his next port of call in his growing football career.

In fact, the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominee and Super Eagles winger is almost certain to leave the Serie A club during the coming winter transfer window come January 2025 following interest from the Premier League but the biggest interest is from PSG.

Lookman who won silver medal at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Nigeria in Ivory Coast earlier this year has been on the radar of London-based Premier League side, West Ham United.

The skillful winger also has interest from three other clubs in the Premier League but it is more certain that they alongside West Ham will find it difficult to compete with PSG for his signature, according to Football Insider.

Reports have suggested that the Irons are ready to swoop for the Nigerian international in January, however, sources say there will be “huge interest” from Europe in the 27-year-old Super Eagles attacker.

According to a report from top French media outlet, L’Equipe, PSG will be the frontrunner for the forward if he becomes available in the coming months.

He finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings for 2024 after leading the Italian side to the Europa League trophy last term.

Lookman has already hit five goals and contributed five assists in 11 games across all competitions for Atalanta this season.

The forward who is under contract with La Dea until June 2026 hit 17 goals and notched 10 assists in 45 appearances across board during the 2023/24 season.

Manchester United have finally confirmed the appointment of Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim as the new manager at Old Trafford.

United sacked Erik ten Hag on Monday following a dismal start to the season, and immediately opened talks with the 39-year-old Amorim about replacing the Dutchman.

The club were willing to pay a €10m release clause to sign their top target before encountering issues over further compensation to acquire Amorim’s assistant coaches, leading the appointment to drag out all week

Ruben Amorim said Tuesday that “nothing is decided yet” after Manchester United made the Sporting Lisbon coach their top target to replace sacked manager Erik ten Hag.

United pulled the plug on Ten Hag’s two-year reign on Monday after a 2-1 defeat by West Ham left one of the world’s wealthiest clubs 14th in the Premier League.

Amorim quickly emerged as the leading contender to replace the Dutchman and a statement issued by Sporting to the Lisbon stock exchange said United were willing to meet his 10 million euro (£8.3 million, $10.8 million) release clause.

The 39-year-old was guarded when asked after Sporting’s League Cup win against Nacional on Tuesday night if that was his last match with the Portuguese club.

“Nobody knows whether this was my farewell match. Nothing is decided yet,” the Portuguese coach said, reported by sports daily A Bola.

Despite spending heavily in the transfer market in the summer, United have won one of their last eight games in all competitions.

Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been named interim boss but United appear to be concentrating on Amorim, who is considered one of Europe’s leading young coaches.

He has won two Portuguese titles with Sporting since joining the club in March 2020.

Amorim had dismissed the speculation when quizzed on Monday ahead of the League Cup match.

“I’m not going to talk about my future,” he said. “I’m very proud to be the coach of Sporting Lisbon.”

– ‘Incredible football’ –

Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler, a young manager already making his way in the Premier League, was asked Tuesday what advice he’d give Amorim should he leave Portugal for Old Trafford.

“Thirty-nine and he’s eight years older than me,” said Hurzeler. “He’s already achieved great things in Portugal. I’ve seen some games of him, he plays incredible football.”

Amorim was linked with the manager’s role at Liverpool following the departure of Jurgen Klopp this year, but Dutch coach Arne Slot headed to Anfield instead.

The position of Ten Hag, 54, had been repeatedly called into question after United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, who made overtures to other managers, retained him following an internal review at the end of last season when the club finished eighth in the league but won the FA Cup with a shock victory over Manchester City.

But United, who last won the Premier League in 2013, have shown little improvement this season.

The former Ajax coach, who joined United in May 2022, had fiercely defended his record, arguing he deserved respect for winning two trophies in his two full seasons.

United ended a six-year wait for silverware by beating Newcastle in the 2023 League Cup final.

However, in his second season, injuries to key players, the lack of impact from expensive signings such as Brazilian Antony and Ten Hag’s failure to implement a clear playing style put him on the road to failure.

United crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage and suffered a string of defeats at Old Trafford last season.

Ten Hag was backed in the transfer market, spending more than £600 million ($778 million) — nearly half of which went on former Ajax players.

Yet early hope this season evaporated as Liverpool and Tottenham both won with ease at Old Trafford in September.

In truth, Ten Hag oversaw just a small period of United’s more general decline since legendary former manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 after the club were crowned champions of England for a record 20th time.

Five full-time managers have come and gone since then.

Speaking post-match on Sunday to preview United’s League Cup tie against Leicester on Wednesday, Ten Hag indicated he thought winning a trophy in his third season would make it a success.

“Definitely, it’s about trophies,” he replied in comments which were embargoed until Tuesday.

“If you win a trophy in pro football, that is most important because that is what the fans expect and what we expect, to win a trophy.”