Ishilove: It is quite appalling, really. If they find it difficult reading a short, six-paragraph article, I then wonder how they were able to pass their exams since their attention span doesn't go beyond two sentences.
Most of them are not interested in reading the article in the first place. They have an agenda that they must pursue, no matter what the article says.
Botragelad: No, they're only manipulating your emotions because, let's face it, you lot are a sensitive bunch, always getting worked up about something or other.
And they've held on to that. It's a right clever tactic, using your emotions as leverage against you.
🤣 And what exactly will they achieve with that? All they are doing is giving money to Silverbird.
Barcelona fans have been roasting Gemma Font for her performance. Barca's veteran goalkeeper, Sandra Panos, left at the end of the season and it seemed like Gemma Font would take over from her. However, some Barca fans are now calling for Font to leave the club. Barca bought Manchester City's keeper, Ellie Roebuck and the fans want her to be Barca's number 1.
Some fans said that Gemma Font forgot that Oshoala is no longer a Barcelona player and that's why she passed the ball to her.
The Zambian, Rachael Kundananji previously played for Madrid CFF and she gave Barca defenders a tough time back then.
Pre-match press conference featuring Barcelona FC coach Pere Romeu and star Aitana Bonmati along with Bay FC coach Albertine Montoya and star Asisat Oshoala.
I can't believe that the Bay FC press officer couldn't pronounce Aitana Bonmati's name (she's the world player of the year and one of the most famous female footballers). Asisat had to help her out.
A lot of the questions to Asisat were about how she feels playing against her former team.
FC Barcelona notches 5-2 win over Bay FC in international friendly at PayPal Park
Press Release | Bay FC Communications 08.27.24
Asisat Oshoala, Racheal Kundananji tally goals, 21 different players feature for Bay FC in front 14,187 fans
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Aug 27, 2024) – Bay FC played their second ever match against an international opponent, falling 5-2 to the reigning UEFA Champions League winners FC Barcelona in a friendly match at PayPal Park in front of 14,187 fans on Tuesday night. Bay FC utilized 21 players in the match with first-half goals from Asisat Oshoala and Racheal Kundananji. Kika Nazareth and Ewa Pajor scored goals in the first half for Barcelona, while Mapi Leon, Claudia Pina and Patri Guijarro all added goals in the second half.
Oshoala scored against her former club to give Bay FC a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute of the match. She intercepted a pass from the Barcelona goalkeeper near the edge of the box and fired a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal. Barcelona leveled the match at 1-1 in the 21st minute. Ewa Pajor dribbled down the right side of the field and slotted a pass to Kika Nazareth, who delivered a strike from the edge of the box that snuck inside the left post.
Receiving a long ball over the top from Caprice Dydasco, Tess Boade found space in the box and fired a shot from close range that was parried away by the Barcelona goalkeeper. Kundananji pounced on the loose ball and converted from close range in the 32nd minute to make it 2-1 scoreline. Barcelona answered quickly as Caroline Graham Hansen tied the match at two goals each, firing a shot from a tight angle near the right post into the back of the net.
Bay FC made eight second-half substitutes, and goalkeeper Emmie Allen made two big saves on back-to-back attempts in the 63rd minute from Pajor and Vicky Lopez to keep the match tied at 2-2. Barcelona took its first lead of the match in the 68th minute when Mapi León curled her delivery directly off a corner kick inside the near post. Barcelona added to more goals in stoppage time, which both came on longest-distance strikes from Claudia Pina and Patri Guijarro to secure the win.
Next Match
Facing a quick turnaround, Bay FC travels for a road match on Friday, Aug. 30 against Portland Thorns FC at Providence Park. The Aug. 30 match will be broadcast on Amazon Prime at 7 p.m. (Pacific).
That's blasphemy! The Bay FC press officer cannot pronounce Aitana Goatmati's name.
Barcelona FC coach Pere Romeu and star Aitana Bonmati along with Bay FC coach Albertine Montoya and star Asisat Oshoala address the press ahead of the Bay FC vs Barcelona Femeni friendly match.
Breaking Barriers: Mariam Eniola Bolaji and Chigozie Jeremiah Nnanna Set to Shine at Paris Paralympic Games 2024
In a historic moment for Nigeria and Africa, two para badminton athletes, Mariam Eniola Bolaji and Chigozie Jeremiah Nnanna, are gearing up to compete at the forthcoming Paris Paralympic Games 2024. Their notable journeys and recent achievements speak volumes about their talent, and resolute commitment to excel on the global stage.
Mariam Eniola Bolaji, a force to be reckoned with in the Women’s Singles Standing Lower 3 (WS SL3) category, has been making waves in the para badminton circuit. Her stellar performance at the 5th Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023, where she defeated the world number one in her category and clinched the gold medal, set the stage for her meteoric rise. Earlier this year, Mariam’s Gold medal win at the Egypt Para Badminton International 2024 and the Spanish Para Badminton International 2024 further solidified her status as a formidable contender. In an exclusive interview with BCA TV, Mariam expressed her excitement about representing Nigeria and Africa in Paris, stating her goal to secure a medal. She emphasized the importance of proper preparation and discipline, underscoring her thirst for success and gratitude to her supporters.
“I am very happy to represent Nigeria and Africa in Paris and I know that I need to keep the same tempo in order to achieve my goal. This was a lifetime goal to be participating in the Paralympic Games and I know that participating is not enough, but I am thirsty for a medal, and I know that with proper preparation and training, I will be able to obtain a decent result. As at now I am extremely happy, and I need to take this opportunity to fine tune myself before this prestigious games. I wish to thank everyone who has supported me and believed in me.”
Meanwhile, Chigozie Jeremiah Nnanna, currently ranked 16th in the Men’s Singles Standing Lower 4 (MS SL4) category, has been a beacon of consistency and perseverance. His commendable performance at the Egypt Para Badminton International 2024, where he reached the finals, demonstrated his tenacity and discipline on court. Additionally, his quarterfinal appearance at the NSDF Royal Beach Cliff BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2024 and his status as the African Champion in his category underscore his prowess as a top contender. In an exclusive interview with BCA TV, Chigozie expressed his gratitude to his supporters and dedication to making history for his country. He acknowledged the challenges he has faced on his journey but remained steadfast in his commitment to giving his best in Paris.
“I am very happy with myself and all the hard work that I have put in to reach where I am today. It has not been an easy journey but only my true ones and those who has helped me will know. I dedicate this victory today to all those who helped me and also to my country because I will do my very best in Paris to create history.”
Coach Dina Abouzeid Sariñena, the mentor behind Mariam and Chigozie’s success, also shared her insights in an interview with BCA TV.
“This is very satisfying when you see players attaining their goals and after all their hard work, they are finally seeing the results now. Paris 2024 was the goal that we had set since the beginning, and I am extremely happy to see it bearing its fruits now. Now the focus shifts on the preparation phase as there is not much time left. I know that they will give all their very best in Paris in order to make their country and Africa proud and I am willing to help them till the very end and I really hope that they can make history. We know that the competition is going to be tough, and we are not expecting any less as it is the highest stage that is Paralympic but on our end we are coming fully prepared to compete”
Coach Dina remarked.”
Coach Dina’s dedication and guidance have played a pivotal role in shaping Mariam and Chigozie into formidable competitors on the international stage.
As Mariam and Chigozie prepare to represent Nigeria and Africa on the global stage, their stories serve as inspirations to aspiring athletes in our continent. Their firm willpower, coupled with their noteworthy achievements, epitomizes the spirit of excellence. With the eyes and blessing of the whole of Africa upon them, Mariam and Chigozie are poised to make history and leave an indelible mark at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024
BADMINTON: Nigeria’s Eniola Rises to World Number 2, Dedicates Feat to Gov AbdulRazaq
Following Nigeria’s para-badminton sensation, @BolajiEniola9’s impressive performance at the women's singles SL-3 category at the 5th Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023 earning her a gold, she has been ranked second in Badminton Global Rating.
Eniola Mariam who shared the historic feat via her X handle (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, August 25, 2024, dedicated it to the Chairman of Nigeria Governors' Forum and Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq whose generosity and support she has enjoyed over the years.
“Your Eniola Mariam is ranked World number two according to the latest ranking by the world body. I will represent Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games starting this August…💨 I dedicated this to @RealAARahman and the entire Nigerians…💯” she wrote.
The Kwara-born athlete who has secured a spot to represent Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games starting this August following her fantastic outing in Dubai, has witnessed a significant boost in her career this year having risen from World number 7 to 5, to 3 and now 2.
In a statement on Sunday, August 25, 2024, Governor Abdulrazaq congratulated Eniola Mariam on her win in Dubai and unprecedented global rating and wished her greater wins at the forthcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and throughout her promising career.
Emma Sanders BBC Sport senior women's football reporter 11 minutes ago
Fresh guidelines for new mothers in football have been introduced by FifPro including details of how they can return to full training and elite performance.
Created in consultation with medical and legal professionals, they cover three main topics offering advice for players, their support teams and regulatory processes.
They offer clubs an improved insight into how to manage returning mothers and the step-by-step processes they should take in training, recovery and their return to play.
Areas addressed include breastfeeding, sleep hygiene, nutrition, mental health, methods of delivery, pelvic health and exercise programmes.
Female footballers and mothers were consulted to create the guidelines. Among them were ex-Jamaica international Cheyna Matthews, USA World Cup winner Crystal Dunn, Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schult and Iceland midfielder Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir, who won a claim against former side Lyon, external for failing to pay her full salary during pregnancy.
A survey by FifPro found 75% of players felt pregnancy-specific expert help was not provided by their clubs previously.
Alexandra Gomez-Bruinewoud, FifPro’s senior legal counsel, believes the priority is to continue advocating for automatic contract extensions for pregnant women at all clubs, as introduced by AC Milan earlier this month.
The average length of contract for a female professional footballer globally is currently just one year.
On the introduction of the new guidelines, mother-of-three Matthews said: "For there to be guidelines that show it’s possible [to be a mum and a footballer] is important to see. It will help people understand they don’t have to be separate.
"I kept my son away from training at first because I didn’t want to be looked at as ‘the mum’. I still wanted to be looked at as a professional."
The new guidance, she said, "eases the stress and uncertainty", adding there will "still be things to work through" but to have this baseline is "paramount for players across the world".
She added: "The biggest question was regarding training during pregnancy. How long did it take to start training again? You want to have an idea. Having those things is so important. That was the number one question."
What a way to usher in the 33rd birthday of our dear State today, in celebration of our newly crowned Champions, the Edo Queens.
In 8 years, by the grace of God, they have gone from obscurity to representing Nigeria as National Champions, and now they are THE West African Champions.
I am extremely proud of each player for the excellence demonstrated in your games, with only 1 goal conceded! An epic display of the Edo Spirit.
Thank you to my lovely wife, @BetsybObaseki - Mother of the Edo Queens. You have been a solid rock in their journey. Thank you to all coaches and supporters for your immeasurable contributions towards our Queens’ successes.
African Champions next. #AdaaEdoQueens
Edo Queens FC @EQFCofficial
With deep gratitude, we thank our Executive Governor @GovernorObaseki for the warm homecoming reception! 🌟 Your love and support for sports in Edo State inspire us every day. We promise to continue flying the Edo flag high and being proud ambassadors of your great work!