Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says he has no intention of benching the team’s first choice keeper, Hugo Lloris despite his not too brilliant showing of late. Mourinho while throwing his weight behind the French World Cup winner said Lloris remains one of the best keepers in the world. Lloris has faced criticism for his performances in Tottenham’s defeats to Everton and Manchester City last week, with Ilkay Gundogan’s first goal in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium going through the World Cup winner. But Mourinho insisted Lloris remains his No1 and pointed to the recent struggles of Liverpool’s Alisson Becker as a comparison. Evening Standard of London quoted the “Special One” as saying that Lloris shouldn’t be crucified or dumped because of one or two mistakes. In Mourinho’s words…“When a player is a top player, it’s not because of one mistake or two or three that means he’s not a top player again. That’s the most important thing. For me Liverpool keeper, Alisson is one of the top five best goalkeepers in the world and in the last couple of matches he’s made big mistakes. And Hugo is the same He’s an amazing, amazing goalkeeper that is performing super consistently since he recovered from injury.” Continuing Mourinho said…”He remains my No.1 choice and he has all my trust and my confidence.“ It would be noted that Tottenham has got another good goal tender in Joe Hart who Mourinho has refused to use even with the recent mistakes made by Lloris
NPFL: Heartland set to fortify team with new players
Heartland manager, Fidelis Ilechukwu says he would fortify the team with five new players now that the coast is clear for the team to sign new legs. Heartland was last week given the nod to sign new players after the ban on the team by world soccer governing body FIFA on the signing of new players was lifted. Ilechukwu while celebrating the new development and their 2-0 bashing of Lobi said he has concluded plans to strengthen his squad. “We may sign these players even before our next game,” Ilechukwu said. He was full of praise for his boys for their excellent performance that saw them beat Lobi by 2-0 at the Okigwe Township stadium in a game that was beamed live on NPFL TV. The former MFM of Lagos gaffer attributed their victory over Lobi to the encouragement given to them by the Governor of Imo state Senator Hope Uzodimma who before the game settled some of the monies being owed the players.
CAA President Commiserates With Gov. Okowa Ahead Of Father’s Funeral
Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, President of the African Athletics Confederation (CAA) has officially sent a condolence letter; commiserating with the Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his family over the demise of their father, Chief Arthur Okorie Uzoma Okowa. Malboum on behalf of the continent’s athletics family conveyed the deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to Gov.Okowa, his family and the people of the Delta State. “It is with a great sense of sorrow that I learned about the passing of your esteemed father, Chief Arthur Okorie Uzoma Okowa, the Okpara-Uku of Owa Alero.” The letter from the CAA President read in part. It continued: “At this most challenging time, I send in my name and that of the entire African Athletics family, our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to you, your family and the people of the Delta State. “It is indeed a great loss, but Chief Arthur Okorie Uzoma Okowa will never be forgotten because the ones we love are never gone; they live within our hearts. “I pray God the Almighty to give you, your family and all those directly affected, the patience, the courage and the strength to pull through this difficult period. I remain by your side as a great friend to you, your family, the people of the Delta State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Gov. Okowa is well-respected in the Africa Athletics family after he successfully mid-wived one of the best ever hosted editions of the Senior Athletics Championship (Asaba 2018). Already, the Governor has said due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family had resolved to hold a private funeral for their late patriarch sometime this month, adding that a ‘celebration of life’ event would be held in his honour in August subject to the decline of the pandemic.
