Xavi Hernández announces leaving Barcelona at the end of the season.
Saturday’s 5-3 defeat to Villarreal at the Nou Camp, which has placed Barcelona 11 points behind league leaders, Girona, was not the only shocking event. Manager, Xavi also confirmed in the post match press conference that he will leave the club at the end of the season. Rumors of a potential sack was looming after 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final and the humiliating 4-2 defeat to Athletic Club in the Copa Del Rey quarter final. With this loss to Villarreal, Barcelona has now conceded 9 goals in their last two matches and 29 league goals this season, compared to 21 overall last season. Barcelona’s board will now begin to scout for a new manager to take over the role.
🚨 Xavi: “This club needs a change of dynamic. Leaving Barça is the best decision possible for all parties involved”.
“I’m the most responsible one, so the players will finally feel free now”. pic.twitter.com/2sPpFv2wyj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 27, 2024
Tobi Amusan clocks 7.77 area record in 60m hurdle in Astana.
Nigerian sprinter, Tobi Amusan looks to have picked up where she left last year. In her first race of 2024, she has just broken a 25-year old 60m indoor record previously held by Gloria Alozie. Amusan clocked the 60m hurdle in 7.77 seconds at the Astana Indoor Meet, Kazakhstan, beating United States’ Nia Ali and Ireland’s Sarah Lavin, who were second and third respectively. With this win, she set a new African women’s indoor record by beating Alozie’s 7.82 record which was set during the 1999 Madrid Championship.
Area record 🙌
🇳🇬's Tobi Amusan reigns supreme in the women's 60m hurdles as she clocks a 7.77 area record in Astana 👀#WorldIndoorTour pic.twitter.com/KrzoPnXCEx
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) January 27, 2024
Ivan Rakitić set to leave Sevilla for Saudi side, Al Shabab.
Former Barcelona midfielder and Sevilla’s captain, is set to leave Sevilla for Saudi Arabia club, Al Shabab after verbal agreement. The 35 year old Croatian has made 27 appearances, starting in 22 of them this season. Sevilla is undergoing one of its worse seasons, batting relegation, with 3 wins out of 22 league matches. Formal contract is now being worked and medicals have been scheduled for this weekend. Ivan Rakitić will travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday and the official announcement will follow.
🚨🇸🇦 Ivan Rakitić has informed Sevilla, club and his teammates that he’s set to leave.
Rakitić has accepted to join Al Shabab in Saudi.
It’s just time for formal steps now.
🩺 Medical booked this weekend.
✈️ Travel to Saudi expected on Monday.Here we go, coming soon 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/VNW5XjkYjg
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 27, 2024
Nigeria dominant against Cameroon as they book quarter final spot.
After an unbeaten group stage run, the Super Eagles are a step further to actualizing their African Cup of Nations’ dream, as they defeat Cameroon 2-0 in the round of 16 stage. Nigeria had the ball at the back of the net early in the 9th minute from Semi Ajayi’s effort but was disallowed for offside. In the 36th minute, Victor Osimhen pounced on Cameroon’s defensive mistake, setting up Ademola Lookman who slotted the ball home for the opener. Lookman scored another beautiful goal in the 90th minute, securing Super Eagles’ quarter final spot. Nigeria will now face Angola in the quarter finals.
Gelson Dala stars as Angola dismantles Namibia in AFCON last 16.
Gelson Dala scored a brace to help 10-man Angola beat Namibia 3-0 to secure a place in the last eight of the 2023 African Cup of Nations. Angola’s goalkeeper, Neblu received an early red card for holding the ball outside the 18 box. In the first half, Namibian defender, Haukongo was also sent off, after receiving a second yellow card in the 40th minute. Gelson Dala however looked to be lethal, scoring a first half brace in the 38th and 42nd minutes before Mabululu stamped the win with a beautiful goal in the 66th minute.
