It is another Friday and an indicator of football to be played the next day and over the weekend. It is a summary of another week and everybody loves Friday.
This week has been filled with a lot to talk about but first we move to the Emirates. Sead Kolasinac has joined Arsenal on a 5 year deal from Schalke 04. The left back adds to Nacho Monreal and Keiran Gibbs. The latter is reported to be closely monitored by Rafa Benitez with rumours of a bid from Newcastle.
You can help yourself with Kolasinac’s highlight on YouTube. It is very unlikely that Wenger would keep three left backs even though he sees Nacho as a makeshift Center back. Who next to join the Gunners?
Before we leave the Emirates, it seems Wojciech Szczesny will not return. It is a sad development that he is set to join Juventus in the Serie A. With Ospina believed to be joining Fenerbahce or a certain Turkish club soon and Cech’s season, Szczesny’s golden glove win in the Serie A was a testament of how good he is. I love the Pole and I wish this doesn’t come to pass. Arsenal, please.
Away from Europe, in the middle east, Qatar’s quest to host the World Cup in 2022 is on the line with the current crises in the region. FIFA is yet to make any comment on the development. I believe the US would be waiting on the sidelines to host the World Cup.
In Nigeria, there is news about missing balls. Rivers United claim they are yet to receive the 100 balls assigned to them by CAF for the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup. This has affected their play because they train and play with different set of balls. Is that why they have been unable to score so much goals? Who took their balls? Well, I have a pair with me.
Still in Nigeria, the South West teams in the Nigeria Professional Football League are having a hard time this season. Sunshine Stars have lost three of their last four matches with two of those losses coming at home against Lobi Stars and current leaders Plateau United. Plateau United are now 5 points clear at the top with Sunshine Stars swimming in relegation waters. Can Austin Eguavoen save them?
In Ibadan, Shooting Stars were held to a goalless draw by visiting Kano Pillars while MFM FC were at the mercies of Anthony Okpotu in Makurdi. The Panther grabbed a hat-trick against the Lagos based side who are yet to get their mojo since the beginning of the second half of the season. Remo Stars held Abia Warriors to a goalless draw yesterday in Umuahia.
There may be just one team from the South West in the NPFL next season. The top three in the NNL southern conference are not from the region.
The weekend will be about the AFCON 2019 qualifiers. In Uyo, Nigeria would host South Africa on Saturday. Nothing more than a clean sheet victory is needed. Go Eagles.
Time to join the TGIF band.
SoccerGunz 