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November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023 IFMSPORTS

Mikel: CAF Cheated Me Out Of The African Footballer Of The Year Award In 2013

Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has accused CAF of denying him the African Footballer of the Year Award in 2013.

In an interview with Obi One Podcast, the former Chelsea player said that he was wrongfully denied the prestigious award.

Obi, 36, revealed that, unlike Yaya Toure, who won nothing, he won three tournaments but did not win the African prize.

The former Chelsea midfielder was instrumental in both the Blues winning the UEFA Europa League and Nigeria winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“In 2013, it was my trophy (CAF Award) to be won. I won the Africa Cup of Nations, I won the Champions League, the year before and the Europa League the year 2013.

“And Yaya only won… he didn’t win anything and coming into the ceremony, I thought I was winning, the information was that I was going to win it, I was told by CAF I was going to win it,” Mikel Obi said.

Mikel began his career with Plateau United before joining Norwegian club Lyn in 2004 at the age of 17. He made a contentious move to English club Chelsea in 2006 after Manchester United claimed they had already signed him.

He was with Chelsea for 11 years until joining Tianjin TEDA in 2017. He returned to England on a short-term agreement with Middlesbrough after two years in China, before joining Trabzonspor on a free transfer in July 2019.

Mikel returned to England in August 2020 to join Stoke City. He appeared 91 times for Nigeria between 2005 and 2019, scoring six goals in that period.

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023November 14, 2023 IFMSPORTS

Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill omitted from England’s Squad for November Euro 2024 qualifiers

Real Madrid’s Bellingham and Chelsea’s Colwill are both sidelined with shoulder injuries for their respective clubs.

The pair reported to St George’s Park for evaluation but have already returned to their clubs for treatment, according to the FA.

Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips will return to the squad later this week “due to personal reasons.” On Monday, the rest of the team reported for foreign duty.

Uncapped trio Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis, and Ezri Konsa were called up as late additions to the team on Monday, replacing injured James Maddison, Callum Wilson, and Lewis Dunk.

Chelsea’s Palmer and Manchester City’s Lewis were promoted from the U21s, while Aston Villa defender Konsa, who won the U20 World Cup with England in 2017, was called up for the first time.

England has already qualified for Euro 2024, but they are still competing for first place in Group C.

November 13, 2023

November 13, 2023November 14, 2023 IFMSPORTS

Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen Will Miss Denmark’s Forthcoming International Matches Due To Injury

Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen have withdrawn from Denmark’s upcoming matches against Slovenia and Northern Ireland due to injuries sustained while playing for Manchester United.

Hojlund and Eriksen were injured during United’s Premier League match against Luton Town, which the Red Devils won 1-0 courtesy to a goal from Victor Lindelof in the 59th minute.

Eriksen was allowed to go after 40 minutes with an apparent knee injury, while Hojlund was taken out in the second half with a hamstring problem.

This season, Hojlund and Eriksen are not the only Manchester United players who have been injured. Due to injuries and sickness, Erik ten Hag has been without Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia.

Given that the Red Devils are entering the busiest phase of the season, the manager will be anxious to have Hojlund and Eriksen back on the field as soon as possible.

As a result, it’s no surprise that both Hojlund and Eriksen have withdrawn from international duty with Denmark, missing the country’s scheduled games against Slovenia and Northern Ireland later this month.

Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand has chosen to replace Hojlund and Eriksen with Napoli star Jesper Lindstrom and Trabzonspor defender Jens Stryger Larsen in their Euro Qualifiers.

November 13, 2023

November 13, 2023November 13, 2023 IFMSPORTS

England Youngsters, Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis And Ezri Konsa Get First England Call-Ups

Cole Palmer of Chelsea, Rico Lewis of Manchester City, and Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa have all been called up to the senior England squad for the last Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

Palmer, a member of the Under-21s side that won the European Championship in July, was summoned by Gareth Southgate the morning after scoring a stoppage-time penalty for Chelsea in a 4-4 tie with his previous club Manchester City.

Lewis was promoted from the Under-21s despite appearing in just two Premier League games this season, one of which was on the opening day. He is a versatile player who is usually used as a full-back or in midfield.

Konsa, who won the Under-20 World Cup in 2017, has appeared in every Premier League game for Aston Villa this season. His club primarily uses him as a centre-back, but he can also play right-back.

The call-ups come after the departures of James Maddison, Callum Wilson, and Lewis Dunk. The majority of the squad is expected to report to St George’s Park on Monday, and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has indicated that Jude Bellingham will also be forced to withdraw.

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Author: IFMSPORTS

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