2021 UEFA SUPER CUP

The winner of the UEFA Champions League Chelsea FC will be trading tackles with the UEFA Europa League title holder Villarreal CF in Belfast tonight. This game usually serves as the curtain raiser of the new continental season in Europe.

Chelsea are the favorite due to the fire power in the hands of manager Thomas Tuchel which many are already saying might be too much for Villarreal to withstand. Although, the Blues have lost their last 3 UEFA Super Cup finals - lost to Atletico Madrid in 2013, Bayern Munich in 2014 and also Liverpool in 2019 - the last time Chelsea won this trophy was in 1998.

The Spanish side led by Unai Emery are the underdogs, however against all hurdles Villarreal beat Arsenal and Manchester United on their way to winning the Europa League trophy last season.

Emery has faced Chelsea in 5 games both in Valencia and Arsenal and has just 1 win. He has also lost all the finals he led Sevilla to play against Champions League winners in the past.

Villarreal have not nothing lose in this game, but if they win it will add to their pedigree as giant killer of European football.

Let's keep our fingers cross to see maybe Chelsea will eventually break this jinx of UEFA Super Cup finals this year.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Updates

This season Nigerian Professional Football League(NPFL) has surprised many bookies with many events and turns happening in terms of performance and results of games across the country. 

After 29 rounds of matches, just 4 points separates the league leaders Akwa United and the 5th-placed team Enyimba FC, a visible representation of how competitive the league has been.

Let's take a look at some of the statistics so far. 

289 games have been played

581 goals have been scored

Home wins - 177

Draws - 73

Away victories - 30

Home team goals  - 414

Away team goals - 167

Most wins - Nasarrawa United (11)

Most draws - Akwa United and Abia warriors (11)

Most losses - Adamawa United (17)

Matches which ended with three or more goals - 102 matches

Matches which ended with two or less goals - 176 matches 

Highest Scoring team - Kwara Utd (35 )

Least scoring team - Adamawa United (17)

Highest number of goals conceded - Dakkada FC (36)

Least number of goals conceded - Akwa United (17)

Longest unbeaten run - Akwa United (18 games)

Longest winless run - Sunshine Stars (18 games)

Highest goal difference - Akwa Utd (+19)

Least goal difference - Adamawa Utd (-19)

Best home record - Kano pillars (13 wins and 2 draws in 15 games). 

Top Scorers

Mohammed Zulkifilu (Nasarawa Utd) - 11 goals

Charles Atshimene (Akwa United) - 10 goals

Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars) -10 goals

We keep our fingers crossed to see how these  remaining games will pan out.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

European Championship

The Euro 2020 began in grand style on the 11th of June 2021 - one year behind schedule - with 24 countries all jostling for the Henri Delaunay trophy.

Soccer lovers across the world were excited to see their darling club players on the international scene donning the flag of their different nations. And for the first time in the history of Euros, 11 cities will be hosting the competition - London(England), Munich(Germany), Rome(Italy), Baku (Azerbaijan), St. Petersburg(Russia), Bucharest(Romania), Amsterdam(Netherlands), Seville(Spain), Budapest(Hungary), Glasgow(Scotland) and Copenhagen(Denmark). 

After the group stage games, Italy has been the best performing side, winning all their three games without conceding any goal. They have now gone 11 games without and are undefeated in 30 games. 

So far in this year tournament, 36 games have been played, 94 goals scored, 28 wins and 8 games ended in a draw with 2 being goalless draws. 98 yellow cards have also been issued alongside 2 red cards. 

Top Scorers

Cristiano Ronaldo -5 goals. 

Romelu Lukaku - 3 goals. 

Giorginio Wijnaldum - 3goals

Top assists

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 3 assists

As the boys have been separated from the men, here are the best legs that will be trading tackle in the round of 16.

Wales vs Denmark

Italy vs Austria

Netherlands vs Czech Republic

Belgium vs Portugal

Croatia vs Spain

France vs Switzerland

England vs Germany

Sweden vs Ukraine

Let's keep our fingers crossed to see how these games will pan out. 

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

UEFA Europa League Finale

This season Europa League has been full of intriguing and dramatic turns with many shocking results recorded throughout the season.

Football fans across the globe have been treated to goal fiesta - 611 goals have been scored so far - which started from the group stage in October 2020 then to the knock-out phase and will climax in Gdansk on the 26th of May 2021 when Villarreal takes on Manchester United.

No doubt that Manchester United are the favourite going into this game. One player who has contributed immensely to their ride to the final with his goals, assists and creative play is Bruno Fernandes. He has been unplayable atimes this season and if he brings his A-game to the party on Wednesday, you can't bet against United lifting this trophy. 

For Villarreal, Gerard Moreno has played a prominent role for the Unai Emery led side all through the season, and it needs to be stated that Emery is the most successful manager in the history of this competition with 3 titles and runner-up medal to his credits.

Villarreal finished 6th in the Spanish La Liga table this season, so winning this trophy is a huge deal to the team since it will earn them automatic qualification to the Champions League for next season.

We will continue to keep tab as the hours draw near to the final of the second most prestigious club competition in Europe this midweek in Gdansk, Poland. Which side will prevail after the 90minutes of football? I don't have the answer, maybe you do.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

Best of Europa League

The 2020/21 UEFA Europa League gradually and winding down to the grand-finale that will happen in Gdansk. The colloquial saying that "boys have been separated from men" is a good phrase one can loosely use in this case.

The four teams (Arsenal, AS Roma, Manchester United and Villarreal CF) remaining are among the biggest clubs in Europe and winning this trophy is a task none of them will take lighthearted as its the best route for three of them to be in the Champions League next season. 

Statistics 

Games played - 199

Goals scored - 600

Teams with most goals scored

Arsenal - 32 goals

AS Roma - 26 goals

Villarreal - 25 goals

Most attempts at goal

Arsenal - 175 (67 on target)

This season semi-final pitted two English teams against one Italian club and a Spanish side respectively.

Villarreal vs Arsenal

(1st-leg, April 29th & 2nd-leg, May 6th)

The coach of Villarreal, Unai Emery is a familiar name among the Gunners fan-base being a former manager, and due to his experience and records in this competition it will be difficult task to knock him and his boys out.

This is the Yellow Submarine fourth semi-final appearances in this competition, their previous appearances were in 2004,  2011 and 2016.

In the previous four meetings between both sides, Arsenal had 2 wins and the other two ended in stalemates.

So Mikel Arteta Gunners are being tip to qualify especially because winning this trophy is the most realistic way of them qualifying for the next season Champions League.

AS Roma vs Manchester United

(1st-leg, April 29th & 2nd-leg, May 6th)

Roma have been fantastic in this competition and a testament to that is the number of goals they had, including the individual brilliance of former Real Madrid forward Borja Mayoral.

The Red Devils are the favorite to win and qualify after this tie although the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led side semi-final heartaches have to be broken or else struggle continues.

The Red Devils have a better head-to-head record over the Gialorossi. Hopefully, that translates into them overcoming this hurdle by qualifying for the final.

Predictions

The final might be between the two English teams, however the pendulum can swing the other way as football has shown on numerous occasions in the past.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

The Champions of Europe

The 2020/21 UEFA Champions League has produced some memories and shocking results so far. This season semi-final fixtures pitted two English teams against one Spanish giant and Paris billionaire club.

Real Madrid vs Chelsea

(1st-leg, 27th May & 2nd-leg, May 5th)

Vinicius Jr. vs Christian Pulisic

This interesting tie might be decided by the individual brilliance of this young and brilliant forwards - Vinicius(Real Madrid) or Pulisic(Chelsea).

Vinicius' brace against Liverpool in the 1st-leg of the quarter-final got the Galacticos to this stage curently has 3 goals this season in this competition. For the American star, Pulisic, he is a game changer for the Blues but so far he has just a goal and an assist to show for all his brilliance. 

Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester City

(1st-leg April 28th May & 2nd-leg on May 4th)

Kylian Mbappe vs Raheem Sterling

The French champion have had it good in Europe this season because of the brilliance of Mbappe who has scored 8goals so far, only Dortmund's Haaland has more. So while City's Sterling has just a goal in champions league so far he has on many occasions in the past scored many important goals in big games for the Cityzens.

Both players must bring their A-game to the field to give their teams a chance of qualifying to the final, however you can say Mbappe has got the edge being a losing finalist last season, a position Man City nor Sterling has ever found themselves. 

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

The Falling Giants Competition

The UEFA Europa League is the tournament of teams that plays second fiddle to the champions of European top football - this claim might be disputed by fans of these clubs.

It serves has a consolation to these teams due to their inability to qualify for Champions League which they desire in order to rob shoulders with elite of clubs football across Europe.

Teams in this competition always compete as wounded lions, especially the lowly rated teams who always prove stubborn and show no respect to teams of high quality who missed their way in the Champions League and dropped down to this level.

Many goals have been scored so far in this season edition, and the quarterfinalists battles continues with many more goals and interesting results expected.

Arsenal vs Slavia Prague

1st-leg (8th April) & 2nd-leg (15th April)

The Gunners struggled to qualify for this stage due to their topsy-turvy form which has been evident all-through the season.

Both teams have met just twice before with the Gunners winning 7-nil during the 2007/08 Champions League season - their biggest win in Europe. However, the Czech champion are no push-over after overcoming two British teams Leicester city and Glasgow Rangers in the previous rounds, so Mikel Arteta and his lads should watch out.

Granada vs Manchester United

1st-leg (6th April) & 2nd-leg (15th April)

The Red Devils are the favourite but they sometimes find it difficult to beat Spanish opposition, although they beat Real Sociedad in round 32 with ease while they lost to Sevilla in last season semi-final.

However Granada is a tough team, two of their players are among the top 6 yellow-carded players in this competition, so they will give United a run for their money.

Ajax Amsterdam vs AS Roma

1st-leg (8th April) & 2nd-leg (15th April)

Here are two of the biggest names in European football who have found themselves in this competition.

The match is a 50 -50 tie that will produce many goals because both side scored with ease. Ajax scored 7 goals in the last round while Borja Mayoral of Roma is among the topscorers with 7goals - a goal short of the leading scorer - in this season so far.

Dinamo Zagreb vs Villarreal

1st-leg (8th April) & 2nd-leg (15th April)

This is a game that has so much excitement written all over it. The giant killers from Croatia who most pundits gave little or no chance against Tottenham in the last round with their manager in jail will be out to repeat their exploits in this round.

It is expected as well that Emery's tactics and records in Europa League can be bank on to steer Villarreal through to the next round, but it won't be easy against these resolute Croats.

To qualify for semi-final are; Arsenal, Man United, AS Roma and Villarreal. Although this predictions might change since possession doesn't win games, only goals does.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

The Champions Battles

The UEFA Champions League is the assembly of winners, where champions trade tackles and use tactics to outmatch each other over two legs of football contest.

This season edition have live up to expectations, with mouthwatering ties and goal galore experienced in almost all games so far.

And the underdog teams are working hard tactically to close the wide gap between them and the big boys, however the difference is just high profile signings cum big stars. 

The quarter-fnals stage kick start with enthusiastic fans ready to cheer their darling team from home due to Covid-19 protocols which has not allowed fans to return into the stadia across Europe. 

Real Madrid vs Liverpool

1st-leg (6th April) & 2nd-leg (14th April)

This is the rematch of 2017/18 final where the Galacticos beat the Reds 3-1 at the Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev. 

Both teams have not been convincing in recent games in their local league. It is an opportunity for Liverpool to revenge the loss three seasons ago, but Real Madrid still have the pedigree to qualify.

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund

1st-leg (6th April) & 2nd-leg (14th April)

This game will be interesting and it is expected to produce more goals because both teams for scoring many goals in games.

On paper, the Cityzens are the favourite but less fancied teams have knocked them out on big occasions in previous seasons which should give Dortmund the needed confidence going into this tie.

Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain 

1st-leg (7th April) & 2nd-leg (13th April)

The Bavarians are the defending champion, but they have a difficult opposition in last season losing finalist PSG.

This tie is a 50-50 game, with both sides boasting of superstars that can be the decider of the ties. Football itself is a game of how well you utilise your chances, so the team who best convert its chances will prevail.

Porto vs Chelsea

1st-leg (7th April) & 2nd-leg (13th April)

The Blues have lost just once in their last 15 games in all competitions under Thomas Tuchel. And the last time the Blues qualified for quarter-final was 2014.

The Portuguese champion are the surprised package among the quarter-finalist after beating Juventus on away goal rules in the last round, so they are giant killers and the Blues must be prepared to do the needful.

These are my semi-finalist predictions - Real Madrid, Chelsea, Man City & PSG to qualify for semifinals.

Due to the unpredictability that football is known for,  this predictions might change.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

New Generation of Managers

Good coaching is the architect of good football. A coach tactics determines the results of soccer games. Coach is the backbone of a winning team. Whenever a team wins laurels the coach get the accolade and if a team has a poor run of form the coach gets the boot.

In modern football, most clubs prefer to hire an experienced manager or a multiple title winning coach who can take such club to next level.

As the days of the veteran coaches like Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, Marcelo Bielsa and the likes are numbered on the touchline, let's take a look at the upcoming managers in European football.

Mikel Arteta

He has learnt on the job for 3 years under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola. He took over the Gunners from erstwhile coach Unai Emery when the ship is almost sinking.

In his first 6 months on the job, he won the English FA Cup trophy and the season curtain raiser - the Community Shield.

This season has not been rosy for Arteta and his boys, they are currently 10th on the league table and there is a high probability that the Gunners will miss out of the UEFA Champions League for the 5th consecutive season except they win the Europa league title.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

The babyface assassin was a Man United legend. He has had coaching stints in Cardiff City and Molde in Norway before joining the Red Devils first as interim manager and then the substantiated manager.

He has led united to 4 different semi-finals (2 League Cups, English FA cup and UEFA Europa League).

His team was knocked out at the group stage of this season UEFA Champions League and are currently second on the Premier League table.

Frank Lampard

The Englishman was a great player in his active days on the pitch. The Chelsea legend was the first English manager hired during this Roman Abramovich era.

He started his managerial career at championship side Derby county, and his stint at Chelsea ended on a sad note culminatung to him being sacked after a run of bad results.

However, he has the potential to bounce back strong and better in the nearest future

Scot Parker

He is an another upcoming manager,who is new in the coaching business. His Fulham led-side have been battling relegation all season in the Premier League. 

So far he has 5 wins,11 draws qnd 12 losses, and sit 18th on the log with 26 points.

Can he survive relegation this season?

Gennaro Gattuso

He has had stints in some clubs in Italian topflight and lower division.

He won the Coppa Italia title for Napoli in just 3 months after taking over last season. This season has been full of issues on and off the pitch especially concerning their record signing Victor Osimhen.

Presently Napoli has 47points, lost 8 games and sit 6th on the log.

Andrea Pirlo

The Italian legend finished his coaching badge in October 2019. And in June 2020, the Juventus legend was appointed as the Turin side U-23 coach, few days after he was named the manager of the first team taking over from Maurizio Sarri

He won Italian Super cup, and his side is in the final of Coppa Italia where they will have to face Atalanta.

Juventus might not win the scuddeto title this season because presently they are 10 points behind leaders Inter Milan on 52 points and 3rd on the log .

Steven Gerrard

The Englishman has just won the first league title of his career with Glasgow Rangers. He became the first manager in 10 years to stop Celtic from winning the SPL title.

His team has remained unbeaten so far this season with stats; 28 wins, 4 draws, and no loss in the league with 77goals scored and only 9 conceded.

His team are still flying high in the Europa League as well having qualified for the quarter-final.

There are already rumours and insinuations that he will soon take over the Anfield giants. Can he takeover Liverpool and replicate this form? Only time will tell.

Who are the next former players that will become coach in future ?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

UEFA Europa League: The second-tier competition

UEFA Europa League is the competition for the less privilege teams who couldn't qualify for champions league.

The Thursday night football is always uncomfortable for big teams due to long journey travel to match venues.

It is full of actions, freestyle skills and goal galore for the fans to groove in excitement.

Winners of this competition qualified automatically for the following season Champions League irrespective of their position in their domestic league table.

The 2020/21 round of 16 draws pit teams from 11 different countries against each other with England having the most representatives (3).

First leg ties will take place on March 11th while second-leg fixtures will be played on March 18th. At this level the boys have been separated from the men.

Olympiacos vs Arsenal

This tie is a game of significance  for the Gunners, the Greek side knocked out the Gunners in round of 32 last season, so they must be careful for history not to repeat itself.

Both side have met 10 times in European competitions, they both have 5 wins apiece.

However the North Londoners should be able to prevail this time.

Manchester United vs AC Milan

The fallen champions of European football tie is a mouthwatering fixture.

Both teams have met 10 times before now in the elite competition, the Rossoneri have qualified 4 times although United won their last meeting in 2010.

Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic might not be able to win this game for Milan against his former team, so United is tip to qualify.

Dinamo Zagreb vs Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs scored 8 goals in two matches in the round of 32 and despits their form so far and having to face a supposed minnow, it won't be easy.

Slavia Prague vs Glasgow Rangers

The recently crowned Scottish champion are the favorite to win this tie, where three Nigerians will be facing off, Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun of Rangers and Peter Olayinka for Slavia Prague. 

Granada vs Molde FK

The Spanish side Granada are the favourite to progress in this round while the Norwegian champion are the underdogs.

AS Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk 

The tie is a 50 -50 game, the Italian side are disciplined while the Ukraine side plays like the samba boys of Brazil due to many Brazilian players in their team.

Dynamo Kiev vs Villarreal

Emery and his boys from Spain are the favorite, because of his experience and records in Europa league, in 4 finals ,1 runner-up in 2017/18 (Arsenal). and 3 titles with sevilla.

Ajax Amsterdam vs Young Boys

The Dutch kings are finalist in  2015/16, and this game promises to be interesting because it will produce a lot of goals.

Ajax have the pedigree and quality to scale through to the next round but the Swiss side will give them a run for their money.

Hence we keep our fingers cross to see the teams that will progress to the quarter finals and the later stages of the competition .

Which team will emerge the 2020/21 champion?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

The Pinnacle of Football

The UEFA Champions League is the mother of all football competitions in Europe where elite teams across the leagues showcase their football playing artistry in grand style to outmuscle themselves. 

The 2020/21 knock-out stage is set to resume after the boys have been separated from the men in the group phase games which came to conclusion in December 2020.

Round of 16 Matches

RB Leipzig vs Liverpool

(Feb 16 & March 10)

This tie will be interesting as the German side are not a pushover with their last match against Man United in the group phase a testament to how good they are, but the Reds are the favorite to prevail.

Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain

(Feb 16 & March 10)

This mouthwatering tie should be a revenged mission for the Billionaires club in Paris due to their loss against the Blaugrana at the quarter-final stage of 2016/17 season, but overall the Catalans have a better head to head records.

FC Porto vs Juventus 

(Feb 17 & March 9)

The bookies are tipping the Bianconeri to qualify easily because the 2004 champion Porto are not a match for the Old Lady of Turin, but football is like a biscuit it can crack anywhere.

Sevilla vs Borussia Dortmund 

(Feb 17 & March 9)

This tie is a game of 50-50 with both side having an equal chance of qualifying to the next round. But if Erling Haaland is in top form, Dortmund have a better chance. However in their last two previous meeting, Sevilla has a win and a draw.

Lazio vs Bayern Munich

(Feb 23 & March 17)

The defending champions are the favourite but Lazio will give them a run for their money.

The last time Lazio qualified for round of 16 was in the 1999/2000 season. The Bavarian having just completed a sextuplet with their Club World Cup trophy will leave nothing to chance over the two legs.

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea

(Feb 23 & March 17)

Diego Simeone's Atletico side are famed for their resolute defence and stubborn attitide in games but the Blues are progressing impressively under new manager Tuchel and therfore will make this encounter a thrilling one. During the group stage, the Blues went 355 minutes without conceding a goal.

Both side are tie in head-to-head record with two wins and three draws apiece so the pendulum can swings to either side.

Borussia Monchengladbach vs Manchester City

(Feb 24 & March 16).

Goals come easily for both side because they play without fear and their brand of football is captivating. The Cityzens are poise to go through if they can convert their chances and also the record is on their side.

Atalanta vs Real Madrid 

(Feb 24 & March 16)

The brash newcomer are the dark horse in this tie because they have scored the most goals in two consecutive season in Serie A. However the experience of Real Madrid's manager Zinedine Zidane and his boys should count in their favour and be able to get them through to the next round. 

Let's keep our fingers cross to see the teams that will get to the semis and final of this season champions league showpiece.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

The Wobbling Reds

Liverpool are presently walking alone in the face of poor results. At the beginning of 2020/21, the Reds were touted by many pundits to retain the title after winning it for the first time since 1992 when the Premier League was renamed and has we have come to know it.

Jurgen Klopp inability to find solution to the loss of form of his famed front-trio - Mohammed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane - and without exception of the injured Diogo Jota has been the major cause of concern to their dwindling results with one of the Merseyside's low point this season being the 7-2 loss to Aston villa.

The key players in defence like Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have all been lost to various form of injuries and their the back-up players have not being able to fill-in well for them due to little or no experience. It has taken Klopp to feature midfielders like the captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in that defence line for some games this season. 

Goalkeeper, Alisson Becker who was a reputable safe-hand between the sticks for the past two seasons is presently a shadow of himself due to some errors. Since he made his debut in the league, he has the made most errors leading to goal than any other goalkeeper.

However, since Liverpool defeated Crystal Palace 7-nil on December 19 2020, things has totally fallen apart. In that period, Liverpool have won just 3 games out of 11 games in all competitions, drawn 3 and lost 5.

It seems like the Klopp's high intensity (Ghen Ghen pressing)  style is fading out due to the inconsistency of his lads.

The team is short of enough goals since the beginning of 2021 calendar year and up next against is against fearless Leicester city at the Kingpower stadium.

With Champions League knockout phase around the corner the Reds must put their house in order.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

NPFL Match Report: MFM FC vs Heartland

The Nigeria Professional Football League matchday 9 between the Olukoya boys against their former manager Fidelis llechukwu led side Heartland of Owerri at the Agege stadium ended on a good note for the away team.

The home team performance in the first half was nothing to write home about maybe due to some changes made to the starting 11 by coach Tony Bolus.

Heartland gave a good account of themselves in both half, and they drew the first blood in the 7th minute through a spotkick converted by Adachi Emmanuel, who also later got the winning goal in the 55th minute of the encounter. 

MFM had their own fair share of the game in the second half when some of the regular players on the bench came on board to add more firepower to the attack and Muyiwa Balogun scored the equaliser in the 49th minute, a goal which at the end of the match happened to be the consolation for MFM of Lagos.

They are now without a win in six consecutive NPFL matches for the first time since April 2019, with 2 losses and 4 draws being recorded within this span of games

The last 4 meetings between these two teams prior to this game had MFM in the front burner having kept a clean sheet and also avoided defeat (3wins and 1 draw).

As it stands now MFM have amassed 10 points in 9 games - an average ratio of one per game - and just 3 places above relegation.

Heartland also have been able to gather 10points with this win at the Soccer temple being their first away win of the season which ostensibly has move them out of the drop zone.

Can Tony Bolus team bounce back in their next game having only won 2 games all season?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

Most Criticised Playmaker

Mesut Ozil is a German footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and can also be deployed as a winger. He recently joined Turkish giant Fenerbahce from Arsenal FC in England after several years with the North London club. He is a fan's favourite because of his technical skills, creativity and eyes for passes.

The 2014 World Cup winner had 92 appearances and 23 goals for the German national team, but he left the side after a poor outing at the 2018 world cup no thanks to discriminative act he encountered after taking a picture with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The former Arsenal creative expert was left out of the squad list in the Premier League 25-man squad and also the Europa league squad for 2020/21 season by the coach Mikel Arteta who sighted football reasons for his decision, making former record signing last game for the Gunners be the match against West Ham United in March 2020.

He was criticize on many occasions because  he is always a shade of himself in big games.

His problem begins when he commented on the bad treatment meted out to the Uyghur Muslims in China, but the Arsenal board failed to support him due to Television coverage on the Gunners in China.

And after he was frozen out of the team, he also failed to take a pay cut due to the COVID-19 effect on sports and he questioned the board on the decision.

The team felt his absence due to their lack of creativity and goals drought at some point before the emergence of Emile Smith-Rowe who Ozil himself tagged the "difference maker" in the team.

After 7 years of loyal service to the North London faithful, Ozil's 350,000 pounds contract was terminated, he earned 5 million pounds to go free with 6 months remaining on his contract.

He was pivotal in the squad that end the Gunners trophy drought in 2013 by lifting the FA Cup. Overall, he won 3 English FA Cups and 3 Community Shields, a UEFA Europa League runner-up in 2018/19 and made 254 appearances with 77 assists and 44 goals contributions to the Emirates outfit. 

The 32-year old has now join his boyhood club Fenerbahce and the world awaits what this uncelebrated playmaker of this century will add to Fenerbahce title chase this season. He made his debut on Tuesday night playing the last 18 minutes of a 2-1 triumph over Hatayspor in the Super Lig. 

Will Arsenal regret the leaving of Ozil in future?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

NWFL: The Best of Women Football

The Nigerian Women Football League has been playing in an abridged league format since 2003, but the league body decided to change it for 2020/21 season with a  league that boasts of 14 teams playing in a straight format of home and away matches.

This season has started with a bang and the teams have entertain the spectators with galore of goals and good football, therefore women football is now producing more glamour for the spectators to groove with estacy.

And the most interesting part is that the maiden Africa Women's Champions League edition will take center stage next season, so all the teams are working hard tactically to be part of the history.

Stats after 4 rounds of matches

Bayelsa Queens have 100% record with 4 wins out of 4 games.

Pelican Stars, Nasarawa Amazons and Dream Star ladies have lost 3 games apiece.

Pelican Stars and Dream Star ladies have conceded the most goals (9)

FC Robo and Rivers Angels have scored the most goals - 10 goals apiece.

With the most clean sheets are; Edo Queens, Royal Queens and Sunshine Queens - 2 apiece.

FC Robo striker, Monday Gift has scored the only hat-trick so far - she has 5 goals in all to currently lead the goalscoring chat.

Edo Queens striker, Chioma Wogu received the first and only red card so far this season when she was sent off against Dream star ladies

In 28 games so far, 73 goals have been scored.

We have had 20 home wins, 4 away wins, 4 draws.

Less than 10 penalties has been awarded.

As the season progresses more records will be set and broken.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sport Writer and Analyst