Sports
Eligibility Rules Prevented Manchester United Move, Mikel Reveals
Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has disclosed that Manchester United were unable to sign him as a teenager due to Premier League eligibility rules governing young African players.
Mikel said he was just 16 years old when he spent a month on trial at Old Trafford, training regularly with the first team. According to him, then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson was impressed and often paired him with Roy Keane during training sessions.
Despite the interest, Mikel explained that league rules at the time required African players to have featured in at least 75 percent of their national team’s matches to qualify for a move. Having not yet played for Nigeria’s senior team, he failed to meet the criteria.
He added that his age also prevented him from playing competitive first-team football, making the transfer impossible. The revelation highlights the regulatory barriers faced by young African talents seeking early moves to top European clubs.
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Wike Says He Is Watching Oyo PDP Closely, Warns Against Internal Sabotage
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he is paying close attention to developments within the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, insisting that his interest is driven by the need to protect the party from internal sabotage and ensure its survival nationwide. Wike made the remarks while addressing members of…
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PDP to Release Timetable for Outstanding Congresses, Says Caretaker Chair
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has announced that the party will soon unveil a timetable for outstanding congresses in several states, a move aimed at ensuring a smooth national convention. Mohammed made the disclosure during a meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees in Abuja, noting that the committee…
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INEC Begins 50-Day Voter Registration Exercise Across Akwa Ibom
The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced a 50-day Continuous Voter Registration exercise across all 329 wards in Akwa Ibom State as part of efforts to deepen grassroots participation in the electoral process. INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity in the state, Bukola Ojeme, said the exercise began on Monday and will be conducted…
