Sports
Wolves confirm eight player departures
Wolverhampton Wanderers news from BirminghamLive as Wolves announce that Joao Moutinho and Diego Costa are among those leaving Molineux this summer
Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed that Joao Moutinho will leave the club this summer along with Diego Costa – but have not ruled out the possibility of Adama Traore staying at Molineux.
All three players are coming to the end of their current contracts with Wolves. And an update has now been given on the situation following the end of the 2022-23 season.
The club said in a statement: “Moutinho passed the 200-appearance mark for Wolves appearance under (Julen) Lopetegui earlier this calendar year, during the fifth year of a glittering career in old gold, after he joined the club from Monaco during the summer of 2018. Player of the Season following his debut campaign, Moutinho scored a collection of stunning goals for the club and was a midfield ever-present alongside Ruben Neves for much of his time at Molineux but will now move on to pastures new this summer.”
Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs said: “Joao’s going to go down as one of the best players to ever pull on the old gold, in my opinion. He was an integral part of the team the entire time he was here. Our success over the last four or five years, he’s been instrumental in. So, he now departs with nothing but thanks from the football club.
“Everything he does is meticulous. He’s shown a lot of the younger players what you have to do to look after yourself and have a good career in the game. When he first came to the club, he was a big part of the culture change, because of his work ethic and how he managed himself before and after training. He definitely raised the levels and expectations amongst the players themselves.
“When he came in, we had a huge Portuguese contingent, and he was a hero to a lot of the guys for what he’d achieved in both club and international football. He just had that presence and people wanted to follow what he was he doing. We thank Joao for all he did at Wolves and wish him the best of luck for the future.”
Costa was drafted in amid a striker crisis and made 25 appearances in his nine-month spell at Molineux, helping the team retain their Premier League status. Hobbs said: “Diego came off the back of Sasa’s [Kalajdzic] injury and has been incredible whilst he’s been here, the way he’s bought into the club, the values and the culture. On the pitch, he’s shown that he still has a lot to offer and off the pitch he’s been an incredible teammate, especially for the young Brazilians like Joao [Gomes] and Matheus [Cunha] – he’s been a real asset for them.
“We’ve seen the relationship he’s had with the women’s team, where he was in the gym in the evenings and they came in and formed friendships, and he was very supportive of them. I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done over the season – he was a really important part of what we managed to achieve, staying in the Premier League.
“It feels the natural time to part ways because he was on a one-year contract. There was some internal conversations and we felt this was right. I’ve got no doubt that Diego will get another club off the back of his performances for sure. If a club calls me to ask about the person, he’ll get nothing but praise from me.”
Traore, meanwhile, is free to speak to other clubs after five years – and 194 appearances – at Wolves but Hobbs said: “As the manager said in his press conferences recently, Adama is a player we’d like to keep and we’re still talking to him. He’s now out of contract, but it doesn’t mean there’s not an opportunity to still come to an agreement, so conversations will be ongoing. He’s probably earned the right to understand what else is out there.
“He’s a great guy around the place, always happy and friendly, so on every level we’d like to keep him. Sometimes it’s not possible, but we’ll certainly be trying. We hope we can come to an agreement but let’s see what happens over the next few weeks.”
Elsewhere, six members of the under-21s squad will be leaving the club this summer – Taylor Perry, Luke Matheson, Michael Agboola, Lee Harkin, Jack Hodnett and Jack Scott.
Hobbs added: “There are some good players in there, but we’re keen on keeping pathways clear for the younger players. We like to keep our average age young across the 18s and 21s, so some of these boys get to a stage where we have to make the decision for us, but also for them to start a career in men’s football.
“Jack Scott, for example, has already got a new club and there’s a lot of interest in all the boys. For us, it’s the right time for both sides, one so we can move 16 and 17-year-olds into the 21s and for them to start a career.
“The reality is, to reach our first-team is really tough, but there’s a lot of players who will have good careers and we think holding on to them for too long, and sending them on loans where they never really feel part of it, is not fair. It’s about finding the right time to say off you go, when they have options to get themselves going.”
The club statement concluded: “Everyone at Wolves thanks all those players departing the club this summer for their effort and wish them the best of luck in the future.”
It is uncertain whether Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has moved on from his failed attempt to join the Saudi Arabian league last season, where he could have become one of the highest-earning African players in the world.
Since recovering from his injury, things have not gone well for the Super Eagles striker.
He missed the opportunity to play for Italian giants AC Milan after failing a medical exam following a proposed move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Werder Bremen head coach Horst Steffen expressed clear frustration after Victor Boniface failed to deliver in their 1-1 Bundesliga draw against Mainz.
Following a promising full debut against Union Berlin, expectations were high for the 24-year-old, Nigerian striker, but his performance fell flat at the Weserstadion.
Boniface, who started up front for Bremen, registered no shots on target, no assists, and completed just over half of his passes.
The Super Eagles striker’s display was rated a disappointing 5, describing him as largely anonymous throughout the match.
The 24-year-old forward’s struggles made public Werder Bremen’s difficulties in breaking down Mainz’s compact defensive structure.
According to German outlet BILD, Steffen was honest in his post-match comments, saying:
“He tried to hold onto the ball up front. Today I thought to myself: come on, he can do even better.”
The coach’s remarks underlined growing concerns about Boniface’s adaptation and form since joining on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.
Boniface’s fitness and form under review Boniface’s recent form in the Bundesliga has been far from ideal.
The Nigerian forward has made seven league appearances for Werder Bremen, and has registered 255 minutes of play without a goal, as seen on Transfermarkt.
While Boniface has one assist to his name this season, the lack of end product and visible sharpness has drawn increasing scrutiny from the coaching staff.
Reports suggest that Boniface is still regaining full fitness after a series of injury setbacks and is carrying a bit of extra weight, limiting his pace.
Steffen previously criticised the striker’s tactical discipline after a 3-0 defeat to Freiburg, saying:
“He was too ‘everywhere’ for me. He should definitely be more centrally located. It wasn’t how I wanted it.”
Despite these struggles, the Werder boss has maintained that Boniface is still in transition and needs time to rediscover his top form.
Sports
(Video): Osimhen Buried Ayodele’s Prophecy; What Nigerian Prophet Said About Galatasaray Striker
Galatasaray’s in-form striker, Victor Osimhen, is making headlines as he emerges as one of the most prolific scorers in the world, showcasing his impressive talents while wearing the colors of the Turkish champions.
This remarkable performance comes in stark contrast to the predictions made by the well-known Nigerian prophet, Primate Ayodele.
Primate Ayodele has garnered a reputation for his predictions spanning both the political arena and the world of sports. His forecasts often spark interest and debate among fans and analysts alike. Notably, he gained attention last season when he made bold predictions regarding Liverpool’s match, which ultimately did not come to fruition.
As Osimhen continues to shine on the pitch, the clash between his rising prominence and Ayodele’s predictions presents a compelling narrative for football enthusiasts.
The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, issued a prophecy against the Super Eagles striker to have a rethink on his move to Galatasaray Football Club in the Turkish Süper Lig from Napoli.
Victor Osimhen, who worked hard to secure his permanent move to Galatasaray, has faced criticism from Primate Ayodele in a viral video that circulated on several social media platforms since Monday. The seer declared that the striker made the worst mistake of his life by joining Galatasaray, claiming that this decision would only bring him misery.
The prophet who had also warned Osimhen against joining Chelsea in the English Premier League last year stated that his move to the Turkish club would lead to his downfall.
Addressing the player directly, Primate Ayodele said:
“Osimhen, that four years deal is failed. That four years deal, you will not enjoy it. Osimhen, Who gave you that advice? You better have a rethink, Osimhen. Your ruin and wretchedness is about to befall you. I am telling you!”
But Osimhen’s recent dazzling performances in the colours of Galatasaray have cast doubt on the authenticity of the trending prophecy.
At a roaring RamsPark in Istanbul, the Nigerian striker reaffirmed his status as one of Europe’s most lethal forwards, scoring twice to inspire Galatasaray to a commanding 3–1 victory over Bodø/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League.
The result not only gave the Turkish giants back-to-back European wins, their first such streak in nearly a decade, but also etched Osimhen’s name in club history books, as he became the sole holder of the record for goals in the most consecutive European games for Galatasaray.
Osimhe’s superlative display has set the world ablaze again, with Barcelona reportedly interested in the Galatasaray striker, according to Mundo Deportivo. Any possible move for the 26-year-old depends on the Blaugrana’s financial situation and sporting director Deco has cooled expectations in that regard, with Gala having spent €75 million to sign the Nigeria international in the summer.
In response to the recent developments surrounding Osimhen, following a grim prediction by a Nigerian prophet, one of his closest friends (name withheld) stated that the lanky striker is concentrating on football rather than an already dismissed prophecy.
“Victor is focused and ready to do something greater for Gala, as you can see so far. As for me, the guy has already buried any doom prediction, and very soon everyone will see if the prophecy is true or false. Victor is made by football and his fans, not by a prophet on social media.”
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is increasingly mired in turmoil, with crises escalating daily.
Recent reports from a credible source have unveiled a shocking development: two influential governors from northern states, who currently serve within the PDP, are poised to defect ahead of the pivotal 2027 election.
The party’s predicament is further reflected in the exodus of members, as disheartened individuals abandon ship for the All Progressives Congress, African Democratic Congress, and Labour Party. This mass departure stems from deep-seated, unresolvable issues that have left the opposition party floundering and its leadership in disarray.
As if the situation could not become any more dire, a federal high court in Abuja has delivered a substantial blow by halting the PDP’s much-anticipated national convention, originally scheduled for November 15 and 16 in the vibrant city of Ibadan, Oyo State. This legal setback has only deepened the party’s woes, casting a shadow over its future.
In a judgment delivered on Friday, James Omotosho, presiding judge, held that by failing to conduct valid state congresses before moving to hold a national congress, the party breached provisions of the 1999 constitution, guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as its own constitution.
A source, who requested anonymity, disclosed that two Northern governors have decided to defect shortly after the Bayelsa state governors were reportedly set to join the APC on Monday.
Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, will officially join the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, TheCable understands.
Sources informed TheCable that President Bola Tinubu, APC governors, and members of the party’s national working committee (NWC) will receive Diri into the ruling party.
Sources familiar with the backroom manoeuvring said Diri, who resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15, has been engaged in discreet negotiations with APC figures to finalise his defection plan.
A party source said the delay in Diri’s formal defection was to ensure the “seamless integration of the PDP bloc into the APC’s Bayelsa structure” and to “prevent internal friction” ahead of the 2027 elections.
The defection is one of the most significant political realignments in the south-south since 2023, signalling APC’s renewed push to expand its base in the oil-rich zone hitherto dominated by the PDP.
In recent months, the PDP has been hit by a wave of high-profile defections, including several lawmakers in the national assembly, weakening its influence.
The exodus has not been limited to the national assembly. This year alone, the PDP has lost at least four sitting governors — Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Diri (Bayelsa).
The gale of departures has cut the party’s governorship count to eight, amid growing speculation that Agbu Kefas, governor of Taraba, will be the next to cross over to the APC.
Recent insights from reliable sources suggest that Liverpool’s ongoing struggle with poor performance is linked to a significant disagreement between star forward Mo Salah and the club’s head coach, Arne Slot.
This discord appears to have impacted team dynamics and cohesion, contributing to the team’s inability to secure favorable results on the pitch.
The Reds’ struggles continued as they were beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace at Anfield. Before that, they had lost four straight Premier League games, falling to seventh place on the table seven points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Slot made ten changes to the starting lineup that lost to Brentford in their previous league match, but the result didn’t improve.
According to the source, there appears to be tension between the coach and Mohamed Salah regarding selection decisions. Both parties seem to be struggling to find a common ground in their approach.
Mohamed Salah has already given an insight into Arne Slot’s likely reaction to Liverpool’s poor run of form. The Reds have lost six of their last seven games in all competitions after being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
A much-changed Liverpool side exited the competition with a whimper courtesy of an Ismaila Sarr brace and a late goal from Yeremy Pino. However, it was merely a continuation of the slump that has seen Slot’s side lose their last four Premier League matches.
The reigning champions have now fallen to seventh in the table and face a tricky test against Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday, with games against Real Madrid and Manchester City following next week. There will be plenty of eyes on how Liverpool fare this weekend as Slot looks to overcome the first major issue of his tenure.
Last season, the new Liverpool boss only added Federico Chiesa to his squad as the Reds dominated the Premier League. Liverpool’s subsequent big-money signings have led to problems with the team rediscovering the same balance.
Salah previously explained how Slot reacted to setbacks following a 3-1 home win over Southampton in March. Liverpool had fallen behind just before the break, much to the manager’s frustration, before Darwin Nunez’s equaliser and two penalties from Salah secured three points. Slot will likely have a similar reaction to his side’s recent run of defeats.
Salah admitted that the Liverpool boss had been angry with his players after struggling to create chances against Southampton and conceding moments before the interval. “It was a bit of frustration. His head was going for us,” Salah admitted.
“We were sloppy and slow in the first half. I don’t think we played good today. If you want to win the Champions League or Premier League you have to win these games like that.”
In his post-match press conference, Slot shared that he had called out his players in the dressing room. “I don’t think I was wrong this time if I said at half-time that energy levels were far, far, far too low, and that is what I had to change and that’s why we made three substitutions,” he said.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria on Tuesday qualified for the Women African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON) coming up in Morocco next year, as reported by newsdiaryonline.
The Super Falcons played 1:1 draw with their Benin Republic counterpart in the second leg of the qualifier at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta
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Nigerian defender Ashleigh Plumptre scored in the 11th minute, heading the ball home from a corner kick.
The goal compounded the woes for the Amazon, who had previously lost the first leg 2 goals to nil in Lome.
During the second half, the Beninoise came out more impressive and were rewarded in the 61st minutes through a direct free kick from Yasminath Djibril , beating Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the duo of Deborah Abiodun and Esther Okoronkwo sustained injuries and were substituted during the match.
Speaking at the post match press conference, Super Falcon’s Coach , Justine Madugu, said that though the team played below expectations, he was, however, happy for the qualification.
“In terms of results, sometimes there can be off days, there can be bad days and we want to consider today’s match from this perspective.
“The performance is not what we need but we expected it.
“It didn’t come so much as a surprise because even, at the press conference yesterday, we knew it was going to be a tough game,” he said.
The 10th time African champion will be hoping to make it 11th time at the 2026 tournament in Morocco.
Aceodds’ supercomputer, Betsie, has backed Arsenal to win the Premier League this season, as reported by Daily Post.
Betsie, however, appears to disagree with an earlier prediction made by Manchester United legend Gary Neville over how many points Arsenal will need to be champions.
Arsenal went four points clear at the top of the Premier League table after beating Crystal Palace 1-0.
As the Gunners celebrated their victory, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea all suffered defeats.
Manchester City are six points behind the Gunners, while Liverpool trail by seven and Chelsea by eight.
Neville had predicted that Arsenal are not going to have 100 or even 90 points to win the league, saying “high 80s will win them this title.”
Betsie said the Gunners would win the league with fewer points. After last weekend’s matches, the supercomputer predicted Arsenal will win with around 82 points.
It said that Liverpool will come behind with about seven points, while Man City and Chelsea will follow.
The supercomputer further predicted that West Ham, Wolves and Burnley would be relegated.
Up next for Arsenal in the Premier League is a trip to Burnley.
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