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History will be made on Sunday July 23rd, 2017 as Ikeja City Mall in Lagos hosts the first Nigerian National Freestyle Football Championship in Nigeria, organized by Feet ‘n’ Tricks Limited.

On the choice of  Ikeja City Mall as the venue of the event, Nzewi said that the Mall has become the  prime destination of choice for entertainment and relaxation in Lagos, which will further be livened by activations never seen in this part of the world. “Freestyle football is all about entertainment, relaxation and competition, and we are set to create a new entertainment business in Nigeria,” Chief Executive Officer of Feet n Tricks, Odyke Nzewi said.

On Friday, Nzewi, said all plans had been concluded to stage a memorable event that Lagosians would remember for a long time.

Nzewi said further: “The concept is new here in the country but truth is the talents are here in abundance. We want to showcase those we have picked as finalists.

“Our team has been able to put in so much hard work in all areas of logistics to make the participants and fans enjoy the final on Sunday. We have some surprises too for a range of people on the day. We are excited and optimistic of a fantastic event.”

The event is being sponsored by GAC Motors, a product of Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor Company Limited and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The President and Founder of the World Federation of Freestyle Football, Daniel Wood, will be in attendance for the final of the first ever National Freestyle Football Championship.

Nzewi added: “Wood has confirmed to be here because many people are excited that Nigeria is joining the big league of countries that have embraced freestyle football.

“There are other top officials of the world body coming for the event, and so we have doubled our efforts to stage a great Grand Finale come Sunday in Lagos.”

Freestyle football is the art of juggling  a football using  feet, knees, lower legs, shoulders  and the head, while simultaneously performing creative moves, without the ball touching the ground.

A former Super Eagles skipper, Nwankwo Kanu, is among the three judges to officiate the final of the first ever National Freestyle Football Championship.

A former European Champion, Daniel Mikolaj, who is regarded as one of the Top 8 freestyle football athletes in the world in the past five years, is the head of the judges. Joel Asare, who is a two-time Ghanaian champion, will also be one of the judges. Asare represented Ghana in Tokyo, Japan at the Red Bull Street world finals 2013. Another football legend, Moses Amata, has been named to join the judges’ team for the forthcoming National Freestyle Football Competition.

Thousands of entries were received via the designated registration platform where participants uploaded a 30-second video of themselves freestyling.  These video entries were subjected to a screening process by professional judges after which 16 male and eight female freestyle footballers have emerged for the July 23 finals.

The winner of the championship will go home with a salon car courtesy of GAC Motors with a million naira, and will represent Nigeria at the World Freestyle Championship to be held in Czech Republic in August.

Slated to perform at the event are renowned Nigerian performers including KCEE, Timaya, Soma and SKIIBI

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SPORT: Madrid Eye Ademola Lookman As Vinicius’ Replacement

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Spanish giants Real Madrid have entered the race for in-form Ademola Lookman, with the UEFA Champions League holders keen to bring the Nigerian to Santiago Bernabéu as a potential replacement for “Vinicius Junior.”

Lookman has been in scintillating form since joining Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022 for €9.35m plus bonuses, netting 39 goals and providing 23 assists in 90 competitive appearances for the Italian side, and has attracted the interest of several top European clubs.

The 27-year-old came close to joining Paris Saint-Germain in August, with “Sports Zone” reporting that he had reached a personal agreement with the French giants.

Last season, Lookman played 45 matches, scoring 17 goals and recording 10 assists. His standout moment came in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, where he netted a brilliant hat-trick to secure the trophy for Atalanta.

He has shown no signs of slowing down this season, contributing seven goals and five assists from 12 appearances.

Though Atalanta managed to retain the Nigerian during the summer transfer window, they could soon be forced to cash in on him, with several top clubs competing for his signature following another stellar season.

Madrid are preparing for the possible departure of their star forward “Vinicius,” with Al-Hilal reportedly planning a record-breaking €300m bid for the Brazilian, a transfer fee that could surpass Neymar’s €222m move to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2017.

According to Spanish outlet “Fichajes” via “El Futbolero,” the Saudi Pro League club are eyeing “Vinicius” as a marquee signing and potential replacement for Neymar, who could depart Al-Hilal by season’s end.

Los Blancos have turned their attention to Lookman as a strong candidate to fill the void should the deal for the Brazilian go through.

“Faced with uncertainty over ‘Vinícius Jr.’s’ contract renewal, the Merengues have set their sights on a promising Serie A talent. Ademola Lookman, a winger for Atalanta, has emerged as one of the main options to take the Brazilian’s place should he decide to leave the Santiago Bernabéu,” the website wrote.

“Lookman’s qualities make him an ideal candidate to strengthen Real Madrid’s attack. His versatility to play on both wings, his speed, and his dribbling ability make him an extremely dangerous player in one-on-one situations. In addition, his ability to link up with his teammates and create dangerous plays makes him a perfect complement to Carlo Ancelotti’s style of play.”

According to Transfermarkt, the Nigerian is valued at €60m, a fee Madrid will have no problem paying.

At the recent Ballon d’Or Ceremony in Paris, Lookman was ranked 14th best player in the world and is also considered the favourite for the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.

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BREAKING: CAF Slams Libya $50,000 Fine, Awards Super Eagles 3 Points

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a $50,000 fine on Libya over the “inhumane treatment” inflicted on the Nigerian national team, while awarding the Super Eagles three points and three goals.

This was revealed by Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, in a post on his X handle on Saturday.

The decision follows CAF’s investigation into Libya’s maltreatment of the Super Eagles upon their arrival in the North African nation for the return leg of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“CAF awards three points and three goals to Nigeria. Libya fined $50,000.

“Plane was diverted 300km from scheduled airport even when the pilot told them he was low on fuel.

“One step closer to our target AFCON 2025,” Troost-Ekong wrote.

 

More to come…

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U-17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos Beat Dominican Republic, Face US In Quarter Finals

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With an 89th-minute late goal, Nigeria’s women’s U-17 national team, the Flamingos, beat hosts Dominican Republic early Wednesday in Santo Domingo in the ongoing 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Midfielder Shakirat Moshood collected the ball from 25 yards and launched a powerful left-footed strike at goal which went past the Dominican goalkeeper, marking her fourth in the tournament.

Earlier, 15 minutes into the game, Moshood’s attempt was ruled offside by the Video Assistant Referee, before team captain Taiwo Afolabi struck to force the Dominican goalkeeper to a save.

After half-time, the Flamingos kept piling the pressure on their opponents before Moshood found the net.

The win is the Flamingo’s third consecutive as they emerged Group A leaders, above Ecuador, hosts Dominican and New Zealand.

The win in their final group game has helped them amass a total of nine points.

The Flamingos have been in blistering form in the South American nation, winning their first two games, scoring eight goals, and conceding just one

Coach Bankole Olowokoore’s side began the tournament with an emphatic 4-1 win over New Zealand in the Group A opener at Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros and followed that up with another impressive 4-0 victory over Ecuador.

Olowokoore had expressed confidence that the girls would make Nigeria proud at the tourney, saying, “I will not change our messages to Nigerians but to thank and appreciate them for their support.

According to the X handle of the FIFA U-17 WWC, the Nigerian game is the highest-attended football match for any Dominican Republic National Team, which saw a record of 13,535 spectators.

The Flamingos will face their United States counterpart in the quarterfinal bout of the tournament.

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