Former Super Eagles player and 1996 Atlanta Olympic gold medallist, Daniel Amokachi, has commended the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for fulfilling a 30-year-old promise made to members of the Nigerian football team that won gold at the 1996 Olympic Games.

Amokachi said the governor’s gesture of allocating plots of land to him and fellow Atlanta ’96 gold medallists, Garba Lawal and Emmanuel Babayaro, as well as naming streets after some of the members of the victorious squad, had restored their confidence in government.

The ex-SuperEagles player spoke on Tuesday while inspecting the ongoing reconstruction of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna alongside other football veterans.

Recalling the promises made to the Dream Team after their historic triumph in Atlanta, Amokachi said successive governments had failed to redeem most of the pledges made to the players.

He said, “When we won the Olympics gold medal in 1996, the Federal Government and state governments made several promises to us, but 30 years down the line, most of those promises were never fulfilled.

“But Governor Uba Sani has fulfilled his own promise. He has given myself, Garba Lawal and Emmanuel Babayaro plots of land. He has also directed that streets should be named after some of those who have not been immortalised.

“We lack the words to thank him for this kind gesture and for his promise to ensure that veteran footballers and coaches are rewarded during their lifetimes.”

Amokachi, who is also a football manager, said the governor’s decision to honour sports veterans while they were still alive was commendable.

Also speaking, Lawal, a former Super Eagles player and ex-General Manager of Kaduna United Football Club, described the ongoing reconstruction of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium as a major development that would restore Kaduna to its position as one of Nigeria’s football hubs.

Lawal said the facility, when completed, would meet international standards and provide a suitable venue for the national team to train and play.

“Now, the Super Eagles will not have to go to Uyo to train. This one is right here at my doorstep. It’s a wonderful project and, by the grace of God, we shall come and unveil it by November,” he said.

Babayaro, another member of the Atlanta Olympic-winning team, said Sani had succeeded in bringing together members of Kaduna’s football family and reviving the state’s passion for the sport.

“Governor Uba Sani has assembled the entire football family of Kaduna State and football is thriving again like we used to know it,” the former goalkeeper said.

Responding, Sani thanked the football veterans, coaches and administrators for their contributions to the development of sports and football in Kaduna State.

The governor said Kaduna remained one of Nigeria’s leading football-producing states, noting that several players from the state had made their marks internationally.

“Kaduna is the leading footballing state in Nigeria. We have produced more stars that have gone out of the country and made their marks globally,” he said.

Sani said his administration was determined to restore Kaduna’s lost glory in sports, particularly football, through investment in sporting infrastructure.

“The last time that any CAF football tournament was played in this stadium was in 2016, when the Super Eagles played against Egypt,” he recalled.

He said the poor state of the stadium compelled him to approach President Bola Tinubu to request that the facility be handed over to the state government for reconstruction.

“I made it very clear to him that I will demolish the stadium, which had 16,000 seating capacity and was built in 1964,” Sani said.

According to him, the newly reconstructed stadium will have a seating capacity of 33,000, making it bigger than the 31,000-capacity Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

He added that the stadium would have a hybrid pitch combining natural grass and synthetic turf.

“When completed, Ahmadu Bello Stadium will be the only stadium in Nigeria with a FIFA-standard pitch,” the governor said.

Sani argued that Nigeria needed more CAF- and FIFA-standard stadia, noting that the country currently had only one CAF-standard football stadium and none that met FIFA standards.

The governor said the state government was investing heavily in sports infrastructure because of the economic opportunities created by sporting events.

“In the last World Cup that was hosted in the United States, the country made about $20bn to $24bn in terms of hotel accommodation, transportation and hospitality generally,” he said.

Sani added that Morocco generated about $1.4bn from hosting the CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournament, stressing that Kaduna was positioning itself to benefit economically from major sporting events.

Source: punchng.com

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Manchester City completed the signing of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández from Chelsea on Tuesday as the summer transfer window closed with a flurry of high-profile moves across the Premier League.

The 25-year-old Fernández joined City on a five-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2031, bringing an end to his spell at Chelsea.

The Argentina international, who won the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America, said he was eager to continue winning trophies after joining Enzo Maresca’s side.

“Manchester City are the most successful club in England in recent times.

“Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are.

“I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success.

“If you look across the squad, City have quality in every area. I want to learn from my new teammates and become a better player,” he said.

On the club website, City’s Director of Football, Hugo Viana, described Fernández as a “complete midfielder” and said the club believed he would improve the squad.

“At Manchester City, we are always looking to bring in world-class players and Enzo fits the bill,” Viana said.

“He is a complete midfielder: technically gifted, hardworking, tenacious and a goalscorer.

“To have played in two World Cup finals and won major trophies in multiple countries at just 25 says everything you need to know about his mentality, professionalism and technical quality.

“We are delighted to bring him here and feel very strongly he will improve our team,” he noted.

Elsewhere, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez completed a season-long loan move to Serie A side Como after making 112 appearances for the Blues since joining from Brighton and Hove Albion in August 2023.

Sanchez was part of the Chelsea squad that won the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup before his temporary move to Italy.

Ukraine international Mykhailo Mudryk also secured a season-long loan move, where he will reunite with head coach Roberto De Zerbi, having previously worked under the Italian manager earlier in his career.

“It’s a great feeling. I can’t wait to start training and playing for the Club, and I’m so excited to be reunited with Roberto De Zerbi,” Mudryk said.

“I’m a player who brings speed and creativity, and I want to help in both the offensive and defensive areas. I want to make the fans excited.”

De Zerbi said he was looking forward to working with the Ukrainian forward again.

“Having worked with Misha earlier in his career, I know exactly what he can bring to our team,” De Zerbi said.

“He has the quality to change a game with his speed and ability in one-vs-one situations, and is an exciting, attacking talent.”

Fofana joins Sunderland

Belgian winger Malick Fofana, meanwhile, joined Sunderland from Olympique Lyonnais on a long-term contract.

The 21-year-old, Sunderland’s fifth signing of the summer window, made 82 appearances for Lyon, scoring 18 goals and providing six assists.

Sunderland Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi said, “Malick has all the attributes to thrive in the Premier League.

“He is a player with huge potential and Sunderland AFC will provide him with the right environment to continue to develop and prosper.”

Quinten Timber joins Palace

Crystal Palace also announced the signing of Netherlands international Quinten Timber on a contract until 2031.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who has won 13 caps for the Netherlands, joins Palace after featuring for Marseille and Feyenoord.

Palace chairman Steve Parish said, “With vast experience of representing his club and country at the highest level, Quinten is a player whose leadership, tenacity and ability we are confident will flourish in the Premier League.

“Welcome to Palace, Quinten.”

Jack Grealish returned to Everton on loan from Manchester City for the remainder of the 2026/27 season after spending the previous campaign with the Merseyside club.

The 30-year-old England international made 20 Premier League appearances for Everton last season, scoring twice and providing six assists before a foot injury in February brought his campaign to an early end.

“It feels so good. I’m so happy. I think I’m at my best at everything in life, not just football, when I feel loved,” Grealish told Everton’s official website.

“That’s what the manager has given me, what my teammates have given me and especially what the fans have given me.”

Meanwhile, Premier League summer transfer window officially closed at midnight on Tuesday, meaning any deals announced afterwards would only be completed and confirmed if the required transfer documents had been submitted to the relevant authorities before the deadline.

Source: punchng.com

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