July 7, 2022
The brief from today:
Super Falcons hope to get on track
Nigeria’s Super Falcons play Botswana today in the second round of matches at the 2022 Women’s AFCON. Nigeria lost their Group C opener against South Africa, 2-0, and will be hoping to get back on track. The task will be a bit more challenging after losing star player, Asisat Oshoala, in their first match due to an MCL knee strain. Oshoala is a four-time African Footballer of the Year winner, and her absence will be felt, but Nigeria, having won the competition 11 times, will be aiming to defend their title starting with today’s match. Botswana, meanwhile, won their first match against Burundi 4-2, and will hope their bright start gives them momentum despite their next opponents being more of a challenge.
Nigeria will have to manage without star player Oshoala
MLS continue to recruit
Former Manchester United midfielder, Jesse Lingard, is now a free agent, and will be heading to the US to meet with clubs looking to woo him. His agents revealed that there are two MLS sides ready to pitch their projects to him, and are also offering “ground breaking” contracts. Lingard is currently attracting interest from West Ham, where he spent six months on loan in 2021, as well as Everton. He has also received some inquiries from other European clubs during the summer, but now looks to be fielding offers from the other side of the Atlantic. With the World Cup roughly four months away, the 29-year-old will need consistent playing time, at a respectable level of quality, to get Gareth Southgate’s attention as he finalizes his England squad for Qatar.
Luis Suarez still deciding
Luis Suarez is a free agent this summer after leaving Atletico Madrid. The Uruguayan player is still assessing his options, but was rumored to be heading to Argentina to play for River Plate. That took a twist last night, as the Buenos Aires side was eliminated from the Copa Libertadores after losing to fellow Argentinians Velez Sarsfield. Suarez was looking to take part in the competition, but today announced the impact of that loss saying, “I was very excited about the possibility of going to River to fight for the Copa Libertadores. It was a dream that I had to win a cup in South America. As River was knocked out, that possibility falls away.” With that, it seems Suarez, now 35, will opt to stay in Europe as he hopes to secure his place in the Uruguay squad for the World Cup.
Suarez looking for a new club to secure his place in the Uruguay’s World Cup squad