Sports
Shield Partners with Chelsea Football Club.
SHIELD, South Africa’s selling deodorant brand, has today announced a partnership with Chelsea Football Club. The two champion brands have come together to celebrate and inspire South Africans who are making moves, both on and off the field.
To kick-off the partnership, Shield is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – the chance for one lucky person to spend a day training with Chelsea F.C. coaches at the team’s training ground in Cobham to see what it takes to play like a champion. In addition, one lucky superfan will win a Chelsea F.C. dream trip to watch the first team training and meet the team at the Cobham Training Centre. (See further details below.)
The new partnership will inspire young, aspiring South Africans who understand that achieving success requires hard work, practice, and absolute dedication – both on and off the field. Winning requires that you get up and get moving. Sometimes that means getting up before sunrise, or rolling up your sleeves to finish that job, or even nailing that penalty kick to win the series. It’s those moments when you rely on Shield. With its superior protection, Shield keeps you dry and odour-free, so that every move you make is one you make with confidence.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Chelsea Football Club. Soccer is the most loved sport in South Africa and is a key passion point for our consumers,” said Gareth Marshall, Senior Brand Manager of Shield South Africa. “Confidence to perform in the moments that matter can often be the difference between winning and losing. With Shield, anyone can have the confidence to take on the day, no matter what their movements are. When you move with purpose, you get things done.”
Soccer is the most loved sport in South Africa and is a key passion point for our consumers
Chelsea F.C. is considered one of the most successful soccer clubs in the world, representing athletes at the top of their game. Players like Eden Hazard, Victor Moses and Cesc Fabregas are the embodiment of hard work, commitment, and absolute dedication. The team is the perfect partner for Shield to launch this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to find SA’s best aspiring soccer star and give them a chance to train like a champion.
“This partnership with Shield will provide an amazing opportunity for aspiring footballers in South Africa,” said Ian Woodroffe, international development manager of the Chelsea Foundation. “We know the country holds many players with a huge passion for football and this competition gives them the chance to demonstrate their passion and ability. The Chelsea Foundation works hard to improve the lives of young people all over the world and we look forward to extending our work in South Africa.”
The nationwide competition, launched today, is open to all South Africans. To enter, just purchase any Shield product and send your barcode for a chance to win.
Aspiring soccer players from across South Africa can win a chance to participate in nationwide trials conducted by Chelsea coaching staff to compete for the ultimate prize – a chance to train at the Chelsea Football Club for a day. There will be five heats taking place in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Durban. The knock-out rounds will be aired across South Africa on SABC’s Soccer Zone.
For those who prefer to enjoy the game from the stands, there is an opportunity for the ultimate Chelsea fan to win a Chelsea F.C. dream trip, including the opportunity to watch Chelsea play live and meet the team at Stamford Bridge Stadium.
Join the conversation by using the hashtag #MoveWithShield on Shield’s Twitter @Shield_ZA (twitter.com/Shield_ZA), Instagram @ShieldZA (instagram.com/shieldza), and Facebook ShieldZA (facebook.com/ShieldZA) accounts for more information and to follow the excitement.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Super Eagles.
This development was announced by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, in the early hours of Tuesday, following the approval of the NFF Executive Committee based on a recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee. Labbadia’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Born on 8th February 1966 in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia enjoyed a distinguished playing career, earning two caps for the German national team. His club career included stints at prominent clubs such as Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Arminia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC. Notably, he won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994.
Labbadia’s coaching career has seen him manage top-tier clubs such as Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen, among others. He holds a UEFA Pro License and is well-regarded for his tactical acumen.
With his appointment, Labbadia becomes the sixth German to lead the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr. Höner notably guided the Super Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Labbadia’s immediate task is to prepare the Super Eagles for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
Nigeria will face Benin Republic on Saturday, 7th September in Uyo, and Rwanda on Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali. The team will also play four additional qualifying matches in October and November as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, scheduled to be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles, placed in Group D, will face familiar foes Benin Republic, who recently defeated Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The draw for the AFCON qualifiers, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month, also sees Nigeria taking on Libya and Rwanda, both of whom are also part of the Super Eagles’ group for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Labbadia’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Super Eagles look to regain their dominance on the African continent and secure qualification for both the AFCON and the World Cup.
Finidi George has stepped into a new role as the technical manager for NPFL side, Rivers United, following his resignation as coach of the Super Eagles.
During his brief tenure with the Eagles, George’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Uyo and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan cast doubts on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification, prompting calls from fans for his dismissal.
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Nevertheless, Rivers United, the 2021-22 champions, expressed optimism in a statement on Wednesday via their official handle about having the former Eagles international manage their team.
“Finidi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, having had a distinguished playing career spanning over fifteen years,” the statement read.
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Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, General Manager of Rivers United FC, welcomed George, stating, “We are delighted to have Finidi George join our team. His appointment marks a new chapter in our club’s history, and we are committed to working together to achieve success.”
Expressing his gratitude to the club, an elated George remarked, “I am honored to have this opportunity, and I thank the Sports Commissioner, the General Manager, and the supporters for their confidence in me. I am committed to working hard and making the team win.”
Inter Milan were taken over by US fund Oaktree on Wednesday after the Serie A champions’ outgoing owners Suning missed a deadline to repay a debt worth hundred of millions of euros.
In a statement, Oaktree announced they had “assumed control” of Inter after the non-repayment of a “three-year loan to Inter Milan’s holding companies that matured on 21 May 2024 with a total balance due of approximately 395 million euros ($428 million)”.
Chinese conglomerate Suning have relinquished control of Inter to Oaktree three days after the team were officially crowned Italian champions for the 20th time.
Suning borrowed 275 million euros at over 12 percent interest three years ago to pay staff and players as the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the finances of clubs across Europe, putting up their controlling stake in the club as collateral.
“Oaktree is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for the long-term prosperity of Inter Milan, with an initial focus on operational and financial stability for the Club and its stakeholders,” Oaktree continued.
Inter became a powerful force at home and abroad after Suning acquired the club in 2016, with seven trophies including two Serie A titles and two European finals.
Simone Inzaghi’s team cruised to this year’s championship, winning the Scudetto with five matches remaining by beating AC Milan in a thrilling local derby.
Oaktree, which manages $192 billion in assets, said they are “committed to working closely with Inter Milan’s current management team, partners, the league and governing bodies to ensure the Club is positioned for success on and off the pitch”.
Inter ended up in the hands of Oaktree in a manner similar to the way another US fund, Elliott Management, took control of their local rivals Milan in 2018.
Elliott became Milan’s owners when Chinese businessman Li Yonghong was unable to repay a loan he had taken out when he bought the club from the late Silvio Berlusconi’s Fininvest the previous year.
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