SportsNews
BREAKING: Ademola Lookman wins 2024 CAF African Player of the Year

Published
4 months agoon
By
Ekwutos Blog
The announcement was made during a glittering ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, celebrating the finest talents in African football.

Ademola Lookman
The Atalanta forward had a sensational year, dazzling fans with his incredible skill, blistering pace, and clinical finishing.

Lookman
Lookman was instrumental in both his club’s success in Serie A and Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
His standout performances, including crucial goals in the UEFA Europa League and consistent brilliance in domestic competitions, solidified his position as one of Africa’s brightest stars.
Lookman edged out fierce competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to claim the coveted award.

Lookman
PUNCH Online reported in October that Lookman ranked 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings.
In May, Lookman became the first player to score a hat-trick in UEFA Europa League final as Atalanta stunned Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, dramatically halting the Bundesliga champions’ 51-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Ademola Lookman [Credit: X |
Speaking at the event, Lookman dedicated the award to his teammates, family, and the fans who have supported him throughout his career.
Other award winners include:
𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐫𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 is the Women’s Player of the Year – Zambia
The Women’s National Team of the Year is 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚.
The Men’s Young Player of the Year, for the second year in a row, is 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚 – Senegal.
The Women’s Young Player of the Year is 𝐃𝐨𝐡𝐚 𝐄𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐢 – Morocco.
The Men’s Club of the Year is 𝐀𝐥 𝐀𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐅𝐂 – Egypt.
The Women’s Club of the Year is TP Mazembe – Congo
The Men’s Interclub Player of the Year is 𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬 – South Africa
The Women’s Interclub Player of the Year is 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐚 𝐌𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐲 – Morocco
The Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year is Chiamaka Nnadozie – Nigeria
The Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year is Ronwen Williams
The Men’s Coach of the Year is 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐞 – Cote d’Ivoire
The Women’s Coach of the Year is 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐡𝐝𝐢 – TP Mazembe
The Goal of the Year is Cristovao 𝗠𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗹𝘂𝗹𝘂 – Angola
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NPFL: Sunshine Stars coach, Akinfolarin demands more from players after win against Enyimba

Published
7 hours agoon
April 14, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Sunshine Stars head coach, Bobola Akinfolarin has called for improvement from his players after their victory over Enyimba in a matchday 33 encounter.
Sunshine Stars beat Enyimba 2-1 In a keenly contested this at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.
Akinfolarin believes the players still need to improve on their physical strength.
He, however, admitted that the team is on the right path.
“We needed this. It gives us a push,” Akinfolarin told Sunshine Stars media.
“We still have work to do, especially on the players’ physical strength, but I believe we are heading in the right direction.”
Sunshine Stars will next travel to Port Harcourt for a matchday 34 clash against Rivers United.
SportsNews
Van Dijk’s Late Winner Edges Liverpool Towards Premier League Title

Published
1 day agoon
April 13, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
A record-equalling 20th English top-flight title could come as early as next Sunday if Liverpool win at Leicester and Arsenal lose away to Ipswich.
Virgil van Dijk spared Liverpool’s blushes with a late winner to beat West Ham 2-1 on Sunday and edge to within six points of the Premier League title.
Andy Robertson’s own goal four minutes from time had given the lowly Hammers a deserved equaliser after Luis Diaz put Liverpool in front early on.
Van Dijk, though, swiftly restored the lead to show Liverpool retain the mentality of champions, even if they are running out of steam in the closing stages of the season.
“That was a relief because to me it felt after West Ham scored and the way the second half went, it was maybe more that you could expect them scoring,” said Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
“But our fans and our players thought differently because from the moment they scored the 1-1, we started playing again, we started pressing again. The fans were really loud at that moment of time.”
Liverpool’s lead stretches to 13 points with six games remaining.
A record-equalling 20th English top-flight title could come as early as next Sunday if Liverpool win at Leicester and Arsenal lose away to Ipswich.
The stage was set before kick-off for Mohamed Salah to be the hero as the Egyptian was given a huge ovation just days after ending speculation over his future by signing a new two-year contract.
Salah started with the intention of making sure he was the focus of attention as young left-back Ollie Scarles struggled to cope with the Premier League’s top scorer.
The 32-year-old has failed to score in seven of his last eight Liverpool games as his sensational early season form has failed off.
But he still managed to set a new Premier League record by registering his 45th goal or assist of the campaign, the most ever in a 38-game season.
Salah outmuscled Scarles on the touchline and sprinted clear before an inch-perfect cross for Diaz allowed the Colombian to tap in for his 15th goal of the season on 18 minutes.
Defeat sees West Ham slip to 17th in the table, but they had a series of chances to take at least a point.
The fatigue that has seen Liverpool struggle in recent times was in evidence again as they had goalkeeper Alisson Becker to thank for moving another three points closer to the title.
Alisson brilliantly tipped Mohammed Kudus’ attempted chip onto the bar with the visitors first serious attack.
Jarrod Bowen had West Ham’s best chance to level when he failed to beat Alisson when one-on-one with the Brazilian before he turned away another powerful drive by Kudus.
When West Ham did finally find the net, it was thanks to two of Liverpool’s most experienced defenders.
Robertson and Van Dijk both went for the same ball and the Scotland captain diverted Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross into his own net.
The goal suddenly sparked Liverpool into life after a listless second half as Diaz’s deflected effort went over the bar.
Van Dijk took just three minutes to make amends for the equaliser as he powered in Alexis Mac Allister’s corner.
The Dutchman kissed the badge in celebration in a potential nod to him reportedly being close to following Salah in signing a new contract.
There was still more drama to come as Niclas Fullkrug hit the bar for West Ham in stoppage time.
But Liverpool held out to take another step towards the title in Slot’s first season in charge.
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EPL: Onana dropped from Man United squad to face Newcastle

Published
1 day agoon
April 13, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana will not feature in Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The Cameroon international has come under increasing scrutiny following a poor performance in Thursday’s 2-2 draw against Lyon in the Europa League.
Onana was deemed responsible for both of the French side’s goals, adding to a season already marked by high-profile mistakes.
His omission from the squad was confirmed by sources who stated it was to allow Onana to “rest and disconnect.”
The decision is not considered permanent, and the 29-year-old is expected to return for the second leg of the quarter-final tie against Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday.
The error-strewn display came just a day after former United midfielder Nemanja Matic branded Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the club’s history.
Despite the criticism, manager Ruben Amorim has offered his support.
Amorim publicly defended the under-fire keeper following the Lyon match, stating that he had personally made more mistakes this season than Onana.
Onana, who arrived from Inter Milan in 2023 for £47 million, has struggled to justify his hefty price tag. Although he has started all 69 Premier League games since joining, his form has remained inconsistent.
Since the beginning of last season, he has made eight errors leading directly to goals—the highest of any goalkeeper currently at a Premier League club.
Onana replaced long-serving goalkeeper David de Gea, a move made by former manager Erik ten Hag, who favored Onana’s ability with the ball at his feet.
Turkey’s Altay Bayindir is expected to make his Premier League debut on Sunday in Onana’s place.
It would mark just his sixth appearance of the season, having previously featured only in domestic cup competitions. He last played in January.
Off the pitch, Onana has also faced personal challenges. Last month, his wife, Melanie Kamayou, was robbed while leaving a restaurant in Cheshire.
Meanwhile, Newcastle will also be without their manager Eddie Howe for Sunday’s clash. The club confirmed that Howe had been admitted to hospital after feeling unwell for several days.

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