Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zimbabwe International Tawanda Chirewa on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa pens loan deal with Huddersfield Town from Wolverhampton

English League One side Huddersfield Town have confirmed the signing of Tawanda Chirewa on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. He will play for the team until the end of the 2024/25 season.

Tawanda Chirewa, 21, is a full international player for Zimbabwe. He was loaned to Derby County in the Sky Bet Championship for the first half of the 2024/25 season before returning to Wolves earlier this month.

Wolves value Chirewa highly. He has already played in eight Premier League games and two Emirates FA Cup matches, including the derby against West Bromwich Albion. He was last on the bench for Wolves during their victory over Aston Villa last Saturday.

Chirewa was born in Chelmsford and began his youth career at Ipswich Town. He joined Wolves in September 2023 and made his international debut for Zimbabwe in March 2024.

He is the fourth player to join Huddersfield Town during the January 2025 transfer window, following Ruben Roosken, Joe Taylor, and Dion Charles. Chirewa will wear the number 27 shirt.

Tawanda Chirewa, the new signing, expressed his excitement about joining the club: “I’m really happy to be here and grateful for this opportunity during an important time in the season.

“I’ve heard great things from Nigel and Joe about the club, the coaches, and the fans. I can’t wait to experience it myself. I had other options, but Huddersfield Town felt right. After speaking with Mark and Michael, I’m eager to start as soon as possible.”

Ex-Super Eagles defender Taye Taiwo inducted into Marseille Hall of Fame
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ex-Nigeria defender Taye Taiwo inducted into Marseille Hall of Fame

The former Super Eagles defender, Taye Taiwo, has been given a special recognition by the French Ligue 1 team Olympique Marseille. He’s now a part of their esteemed Club of Legends.

Taiwo, who played for Marseille from 2005 to 2011, made a significant impact during his six-year tenure, scoring 25 goals and providing 23 assists in 271 appearances. He was a key member of the team that won the Ligue 1 title, the League Cup, and the French Super Cup.

At 39 years old, the Nigerian international, who also had stints at AC Milan and QPR, retired from professional football in 2019 and has been residing in France since then. Marseille’s Club of Legends serves as a hall of fame, recognizing players who have made notable contributions to the club’s history.

With this induction, Taiwo joins an elite group of players, including Samir Nasri, Lorik Cana, and Mamadou Niang. His recognition is a testament to his outstanding achievements and contributions to the club. Taiwo is one of only four Nigerians to have played for Marseille, alongside Wilson Oruma, Joseph Yobo, and Victor Agali.

https://twitter.com/OM_English/status/1886133115275317587

CAF confirm dates for Inter-Club quarterfinals draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF confirm dates for Inter-Club quarterfinals draw

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed when and where the quarter-final fixtures for the 2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will be decided.

The draw is set to take place on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in Doha, Qatar, in collaboration with beIN Sports. During this event, CAF will determine the quarter-final pairings for both competitions.

The CAF Confederation Cup draw is scheduled for 14:00 GMT (16:00 Cairo time), with the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League draw following at 15:00 GMT (17:00 Cairo time).

Both tournaments will feature quarter-finals played over two legs. The first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League is slated for April 1-2 and April 8-9. The quarter-final matches for the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will occur on April 2 and April 9, 2025.

The reigning champions will be part of both draws: Al Ahly SC for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and Zamalek SC for the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Final Stage Qualified Teams:

Al Ahly SC (Egypt), Al Hilal (Sudan), AS FAR (Morocco), Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns,  Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Pyramids (Egypt), MC Alger (Algeria).

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-Final Stage Qualified Teams:

Zamalek SC (Egypt), Asec Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire), Al Masry (Egypt), CS Constantine (Algeria), RS Berkane (Morocco),  Simba SC (Tanzania), Stellenbosch FC (South Africa), USM Alger (Algeria).

For more on the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, visit www.cafonline.com

Ivorian striker Emmanuel Latte Lath move to Atlanta United completed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivorian striker Emmanuel Latte Lath move to Atlanta United completed

Middlesbrough has formally announced the transfer of striker Emmanuel Latte Lath to Atlanta United for a fee of £22.5 million.

The Major League Soccer side confirmed that the contract for the Ivory Coast international is through the 2028 MLS season with an option for 2029.

This transaction represents a record sum received by Middlesbrough and is noted as the highest fee ever paid in Major League Soccer (MLS) history, successfully completed just prior to the transfer deadline on Monday.

Emmanuel Latte Lath, a 26-year-old international from Ivory Coast, has made a significant impact at Middlesbrough since joining from Swiss club St. Gallen in August 2023, scoring 27 goals in 59 Championship appearances.

His standout season was 2023-24, where he netted 16 goals and two in the EFL Cup. In April, he scored eight goals in six games, earning Player of the Month honors. He ranks among the top six center forwards in several categories since the start of last season.

Guinean striker Mai Traore joins League Two side Nott County
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Notts County bolster squad with Guinean striker Mai Traore

English League Two third-place team, Notts County has bolstered their squad with forward Mai Traore from Norwegian club Fredrikstad for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old player from Guinea will have a two-and-a-half-year contract, with an option for another year if the club chooses.

Traore started his career in Scandinavia with Swedish club Vasalunds IF, where he scored 23 goals in 29 games in 2020. His performance earned him a move to Viking FK in Norway.

He joined Fredrikstad last January and has played over 60 matches in the Norwegian top league.

“Mai is an exciting signing for us,” said Notts director Richard Montague.

“He adds speed, strength, and the ability to score and assist goals. He is good at pressing, has strong link-up play, and being left-footed adds variety to our attack.

“His time in Scandinavia shows he can have an immediate impact for us, and we believe he has great potential to improve.”

Notts County is currently third in League Two and will play at home against Morecambe on Saturday.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1886384655894474895

John Eustace from Rovers believes that Augustus can be a game-changer
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Rovers’ John Eustace believes that Augustus can be a game-changer

Blackburn manager John Eustace is hopeful that Augustus Kargbo can make a big impact for Rovers. Kargbo is the team’s third signing of the January transfer window.

Currently sitting in fifth place as they fight for promotion to the Premier League, the Sierra Leone international joined the club from Cesena, a Serie B team in Italy, on a permanent transfer that runs until 2027. Eustace, the 25-year-old coach, believes that Kargbo has the skills needed to enhance his squad.

The fans met Kargbo before Friday night’s win against Preston North End. He may debut for Blackburn when the team plays Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night.

Eustace is happy to add more players to help score goals. Kargbo joins Adam Forshaw and Dion Sanderson as new signings.

“He brings pace and power and can play in any forward position,” Eustace said in an interview with RoversTV, highlighting Kargbo’s strengths. “We are pleased to get this signing done, and we will see what happens next.

“We want to be positive and effective in the final third of the game.

“I know the club has worked hard to bring him here, and I hope he makes a big difference.”

The former AC Reggiana 1919 attacker could make his English Championship debut on Tuesday when they face Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Blackburn manager John Eustace and new acquisition Augustus Kargbo, who he believes can make a big impact for Rovers.
Blackburn manager John Eustace and new acquisition Augustus Kargbo, who he believes can make a big impact for Rovers.
Paul Onuachu nets to help Southamtop beat Ipswich Town
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s Paul Onuachu nets winner to help Southampton beat Ipswich Town

Nigerian International Paul Onuachu scored a late goal, giving Southampton their first Premier League win since November against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon.

Southampton remains bottom of the table with nine points from 24 games. This victory ended a six-game losing streak and was their first win under manager Ivan Juric.

Southampton manager, Ivan Jurić said, “It’s a great feeling. The players deserved it because they worked hard. They played well before but didn’t win. Today we won. We will enjoy tonight. I believe the team can improve.”

Southampton took the lead when fellow Nigerian Joe Aribo’s shot surprised Ipswich keeper Arijanet Muric. Liam Delap equalized before halftime, getting past captain Jan Bednarek to score.

In a dull match, both teams had chances, but Onuachu scored from a rebound after a save by Muric. Ipswich looked poised to escape the relegation zone but remained in 19th place.

McKenna acknowledged, “We had a better game but didn’t win. We must keep playing well and improve.”

Ipswich has conceded 14 goals in four straight losses. They saw Southampton’s visit as a chance to turn things around but need to be more effective in front of goal.

Despite decent play, Ipswich struggled to score. A weak early shot from winger Enciso, saved easily by Ramsdale, showed their ongoing scoring issues.

Zamalek enter race to Alhassan Koroma in the current transfer window
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zamalek enter race to sign Alhassan Koroma in current window

Zamalek’s Board of Directors is focused on acquiring Sierra Leone international Alhassan Koroma as part of their efforts to strengthen the first football team during the current winter transfer period.

According to Cairo 24, the African giants aim to sign the 24-year-old winger from Al-Shahaniya Club in Qatar, who also plays for the Sierra Leone national team.

Zamalek intends to bring in Alhassan Koroma on a six-month loan, with an option to buy at the end of the season if the player performs well with the team.

So far this season, Koroma has played 14 matches for his Qatari club, scoring four goals and providing four assists.

Notably, Alhassan Koroma scored the winning goal for his team in their recent match against Al Wakra, which features Hamdi Fathi, the former star of Al Ahly and the Egyptian national team.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1885755136225554910

Egypt's Mohamed Salah becomes Premier League sixth all-time top scorer
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah into Premier League top six all-time top scorers

Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been a key player in Premier League history and continues to rise in all-time goals rankings.

He scored two goals, making him the sixth-highest scorer in Premier League history and helping Liverpool maintain a nine-point lead at the top of the table.

Salah scored the first goal from a penalty at Bournemouth and added another goal 15 minutes before the end of the match, securing three points for his team.

Salah is one of only five players in Premier League history to score 20 or more league goals in five or more seasons. He joins well-known players like Alan Shearer, Sergio Agüero, Harry Kane, and Thierry Henry.

He also surpassed Frank Lampard to become the sixth-highest goalscorer in the league’s history.

In a season where Arne Slot hopes to win league honours, he may owe some of that success to Salah.

Sierra Leone winger Augustus Kargbo pens Blackburn Rovers deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone winger Augustus Kargbo pens Blackburn Rovers deal

Blackburn Rovers have signed Sierra Leone international Augustus Kargbo on a permanent deal until 2027. The 25-year-old forward joins from Cesena on a two-and-a-half-year contract, with details of the transfer fee undisclosed.

Kargbo, who is Rovers’ third signing of the January transfer window, started his professional career at Campobasso and later moved to Crotone in Serie B. After a successful loan at Reggiana, where he scored 11 goals and helped the team gain promotion, he made his Serie A debut with Crotone.

Kargbo scored three goals in 18 appearances for the Serie B side this season – all coming in the opening nine games of the season.

In August 2023, Kargbo joined Cesena and had a standout season, scoring nine goals in 31 appearances, helping the club win the Serie C title. He has also found the net for the Sierra Leone national team, with five goals in 21 caps.

The transfer is pending approval from football authorities, and he will be available for selection once international clearance and visa requirements are met.