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Usain Bolt makes debut for Central Coast Mariners in 6-1 victory

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Bolt

Usain Bolt made his latest foray into football with a 20 minute cameo for the Central Coast Mariners in their 6-1 win over a Central Coast Select XI.

Bolt was drafted into the Mariners attack for the final part of the game – starting on the left and eventually playing in a more advanced role.

A few good attacking moves were thwarted by the Jamaican’s heavy first touch, while he failed to get his head to a cross from Jack Clisby when the result of the game was beyond doubt.

The multiple Olympic gold medallist showed good movement and awareness – none more so when he was forced to the sidelines as a member of the team had to remove a necklace he was wearing.

Bolt appeared from the bench in the 71st minute (Image: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
He wore the number 95 shirt in reference to his 100m world record (Image: REUTERS)
Bolt seemed to enjoy his cameo (Image: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

But as the clock ticked over into stoppage time, Bolt appeared to tire quickly and stayed deep as the Mariners pushed on.

The Central Coast Stadium – which hosted an average of 7,500 fans per game in the last A-League season – had 9,958 through the gate for the Jamaican’s first Mariners match.

And the interest in the potential debut for the world’s fastest man was not confined to the ground with the match broadcast in 40 countries.

Sporting bright orange boots and gloves for the cold Friday night in Gosford, Bolt was ordered to stretch his legs twice in the first half – with one lucky fan getting a high-five as he made his way back to the bench.

Bolt’s side ran out 6-1 winners (Image: REUTERS)
He sported gloves during his cameo (Image: REUTERS)

On the pitch, the Mariners were streets ahead in the opening half and went into the break 5-0 up.

Clisby opened the scoring after just 19 seconds, with the ground’s big screen showing Bolt smiling and applauding the effort.

Bolt chose to wear the number 95 for the game against a Central Coast Select XI – an obvious nod to his world record 9.58 100m record.

The fans chanting “We want Bolt” in the second half eventually got their wish as the Jamaican strode onto the turf in the 71st minute.

The crowd chanted “we want Bolt” as he came on (Image: REUTERS)

The 32-year-old is hoping to win a professional contract with the A-League side who finished bottom of the pile in the A-League last season, winning only four of their 27 matches.

After trials in Germany and Norway – and a man of the match appearance for a Rest of the World XI in Soccer Aid – Bolt is looking to win a contract ahead of the start of the season in October.

But as a brass band paraded through the stand playing the Tetris theme tune as Bolt was on show, fans may have been feeling there are still a few more blocks which need to fall into place.

 

 

 

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German Coach, Labbadia Named New Head Coach of Super Eagles

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German tactician Bruno Labbadia

 

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.

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Finidi George Appointed as Technical Manager for Rivers United

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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.

South Africa vs Nigeria: Why we failed to defeat Super Eagles – Percy Tau

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.

Kanu advocates for establishment of standard soccer academies

 

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.”

 

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US Fund Oaktree ‘Takes Over Ownership’ Of Inter Milan

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Inter Milan’s Argentine forward #10 Lautaro Martinez lifts the trophy with teammates during a ceremony for the Italian Champions following the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Lazio in Milan, on May 19, 2024. Inter celebrates his 20th Scudetto. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

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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