German
Football Association is set to battle it out with the Nigeria Football
Federation for the services of Bayern Munich goal machine Melissa Ugochukwu.
Although
she has a German passport, Ugochukwu has Nigerian background through her
father’s lineage.
Since
debuting for Bayern Munich’s U17 team in the 2017-2018 seasons, the 2003-born
striker has been involved in 37 games in the B-Juniorinnen U17 Bundesliga Süd,
scoring an impressive 19 goals.
Ugochukwu
has not been capped by Germany but she is believed to be on the radar of the
German Football Association, having represented Bayern’s regional selection.
The
most notable player of Nigerian descent to represent Germany’s Women’s teams is
Navina Omilade-Keller who won the
Champions League with Wolfsburg in 2013 and Ugochukwu could follow in her
footsteps if she is not convinced to pledge her allegiance to the Super
Falcons.
Super
Eagles defender Leon Balogun was eligible for Germany before becoming cap-tied
to Nigeria.
Karim Adeyemi, Kevin Akpoguma, Felix Uduokhai,
Jordan Torunarigha and Emmanuel Iyoha have earned competitive caps for
Germany’s youth teams but remain eligible to turn out for the Super Eagles
FIFA are exploring the possibility of getting rid of linesmen and other
officials on match day and bizarrelyreplacing them with robots.
It’s
been revealed a specific department has been created by FIFA to explore the
impact technology could have on football.
If
the findings rule in favour of the technology then it’s possible that the
infamous offside flag could become a thing of the past.
FIFA
already have a department set up researching into these exact areas.
Will they replace referee assistants completely with cameras and
computers ruling offsides and throw-ins? It could happen one day.
We
could be a few years away from seeing this technology included in the game.
Despite
this, the thought of robots replacing match officials will come as a shock
following the controversy VAR is still often seeped in.
Many
football fans are still VAR sceptics so the ambition for more technology may
need to be calmed by the bigwigs.
FIFA
president Gianni Infantino is a huge VAR advocate so the ambition for more
technology doesn’t seem to be ending any time soon.
Premier League VAR chief Neil Swarbrick has defended VAR and
denied that control is being taken away from referees during matches.
He
also stated that the concerns of VAR ruining celebrations due to fans being
unaware if a goal will inevitably stand after it’s scored.
It’s
because people are not used to it yet. Sometimes it provides even more
entertainment.
We’re three weeks into VAR’s inaugural Premier League season and
it’s been a huge talking point throughout.
Manchester
City have felt the consequences in two games so far, with Raheem Sterling being
ruled offside by his arm.
They
were also denied two points against Tottenham Hotspur following a VAR review
which judged Aymeric Laporte’s involvement in Gabriel Jesus’ potential winner
as handball.
Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus appeals to the match referee Michael Oliver after his goal is ruled out by VAR during the Premier League match at The Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
Fans within stadiums during games have voiced concerns at how
poorly the information is presented to the crowd.
Whereas
TV viewers also bemoan the way it can grind games to a halt.
Or in the case of Liverpool vs Norwich on the opening evening,
halt the start of a half due to a technical issue.
Regardless
of the public opinion, technology seems to be entering the game at a rapid
pace.
Furthermore,
the debate surrounding it will surely rage on.
What
do you think about technology taking a prominent role in football? Sound off in
the comments below.
Former PSG and Super Eagles midfield maestro, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has warned Nigerian Football officials and fans against setting unrealistic target for the team ahead of the World Cup.
Nigeria will play Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in Group D of the tournament in Russia.
The former Bolton Wanderers playmaker warned that such target will put the team under pressure.
Okocha spoke with SuperSport, saying, “It will be a huge achievement if you could get out of the group stage and after which anything can happen.
“We should be careful not to set unrealistic targets for the team.”
Okocha added that playing for Nigeria was the pinnacle of his career.
“It doesn’t get any better to play for Nigeria. It was not for the money, but the pride to represent 160 million people is priceless. It was the pinnacle of my career.
“Football is not just a sport in Nigeria, it’s not just part of the religion or the culture, it is life.
“It is a great opportunity to eradicate poverty with football.
David Silva scored twice as Manchester City moved a step closer to the Premier League title, with a 2-0 win at Stoke City on Monday night.
The Spanish midfielder opened scoring as early as the 10th minute at the bet365 Stadium, side-footing Raheem Sterling’s pass past Jack Butland.
Silva then doubled the visitors’ advantage, finishing off a lovely move five minutes into the second half.
With this victory, Pep Guardiola’s side will now win the Premier League by beating Everton and second-placed Manchester United in their next two fixtures.
For Stoke city, the picture is bleaker, as they remain in the relegation zone and a point from safety with just eight games left of the season.
Nigeria’s U20 Women Football Team, Falconets, have been drawn in the same pool as perennial foes Germany, China and Haiti in Group D of the 9th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
The tournament will take place in France between 5th and 24th August 2018.
The two-time runners up, Falconets, will begin their campaign against Germany at the Stade de Marville in Saint-Malo on Monday, 6th August.
At the Draw Ceremony held inside the Opera House, Rennes on Thursday, Africa’s other flag bearers Ghana were drawn in the same Group A as hosts France, New Zealand and The Netherlands.
Ghana will go against hosts France in the tournament’s opening match in Vannes on Sunday, 5th August.
Concarneau is the other city that will host matches during the championship.
Group B has Korea DPR, England, Mexico and Brazil, while USA, Japan, Paraguay and Spain will battle it out in Group C.
Nigeria’s Group D opponents Haiti will be taking part in their first ever FIFA women’s tournament.
France will also host the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.
