Sports
UNESCO ‘deeply saddened’ over death of football legend, Pelé
UNESCO ‘deeply saddened’ over death of football legend, Pelé
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has mourned the Brazilian football legend, Pele, who died at the age of 82.
Pelé, who many regard as the greatest player of all time, died in hospital in Sao Paulo on Thursday.
He had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer since 2021.
UNESCO tweeted that it was “deeply saddened” at his passing, and extended condolences to the Brazilian people, and the wider “football family”.
The UN agency said that he had “worked relentlessly to promote sport as a tool for peace. He will be greatly missed.”
Similarly, in a tweet, the head of UN refugee agency, UNHCR, Filippo Grandi, wrote that “we are all with the people of Brazil”.
“We are celebrating a man who made millions of kids dream across continents, and generations.”
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As a 17-year-old, Pelé won his first football or soccer World Cup, in 1958, going on to lift the top trophy in the game a further two times, in 1962 and 1970.
He scored a world record 1,281 goals, playing in 1,363 games during his professional career, which began when he was just 15.
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, in 1940, the football giant, nicknamed, “the Black Pearl”, and “the King”, retired from the game in 1977.
In 1999, the Santos player and Brazil’s most venerated star, was voted player of the century in a poll of previous Ballon d’Or winners – the players who win the annual global football award for being the outstanding performers that year.
He devoted considerable time in retirement to supporting the UN and its work, both as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF, and as a UNESCO Champion for Sport, from 1994.
He was also appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the crucial UN Earth Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992, one of the first major global development and environment summits devoted to a more sustainable future for all.
At the time, the Secretary-General of the Summit, Maurice Strong, described him as not only the greatest footballer in the world, but “a universal man”, rooted in Brazil.
“His commitment to people, to the planet, really distinguish him a true citizen of our earth,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Pelé, burst onto the world soccer scene at age 16, excelling both for club team Santos and the Brazilian national side.
By the end of his career, Pelé had won three FIFA World Cups with Brazil, the most wins of the World Cup by any player.
Pelé’s first World Cup win came in Sweden in 1958, a tournament in which the phenom played an instrumental role.
He provided an assist for a goal in his only first-round-match appearance, before scoring the only goal in a quarterfinal victory over Wales.
He scored a hat-trick in the semi-final victory against France, before netting a brace in the 5-2 final over the hosts.
He would earn his second trophy in the very next tournament, in Chile in 1962, although his contributions would be much more limited. After scoring and assisting in Brazil’s 2-0 opening win against Mexico, Pelé would injure himself in the very next match and miss the remainder of the tournament.
But Brazil would continue down the path upon which they’d been set by their talisman in claiming a second straight cup, the last nation to do so and one of only two ever.
Pelé’s third and final triumph came in 1970, returning to World Cup play after vowing to never play in the competition again in the wake of the brutal targeted tackling he suffered throughout the 1966 tournament.
He made the right decision – not only did Pelé play well in Mexico, he won the Golden Ball, scoring four goals, the pick of which was the opener in the 4-1 final victory over Italy.
UNESCO ‘deeply saddened’ over death of football legend, Pelé
WAFU Qualifiers: Mailantarki Care FC beat Nigeria’s Flying Eagles 1-0
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles …
The Nigeria National team U-20 (Flying Eagles) suffered a defeat in the hands of Mailantarki Care FC in one of its series of preparatory games on Wednesday in Abuja.
The reigning Champions of the 2024 International Youth Championship in Denmark (Dana Cup) produced an all-around performance against the Nigeria National team outfit, the Flying Eagles at the FIFA Goal Project pitch of the MKO Abiola Stadium.
Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s U-20 team began preparation last week ahead of the upcoming WAFU Championship scheduled in Togo, where the representatives of the zone in the 2025 U-20 nations cup will emerge.
Sensational wing wizard Miko Dalha scored the only goal of the game following a delightful footwork before smashing into the near post before the break.
The host could have equalized from the spot deep into the game just for Mailantarki goalie Abbati Muhammed to punch away the penalty kick. However, the Flying Eagles defeated Water FC 1-nil in its first game courtesy of Bayelsa United forward Rabiu Abdullahi.
Cristiano Ronaldo Criticizes Man United Manager Erik ten Hag’s Leadership
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has openly criticized Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for his approach since taking over the club.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the Al-Nassr star voiced his frustrations over Ten Hag’s management style and mentality as the United boss.
Ronaldo, who spent two spells at Manchester United, emphasized the need for the club to have a winning mindset. “As a Manchester United coach, you cannot say you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League. Even if you don’t have the potential, you must try,” Ronaldo stated.
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While acknowledging that the appointment of the Dutch manager was a step in the right direction, Ronaldo suggested that Ten Hag needs to listen more to former players and club legends to rebuild the club effectively. “People like Rio [Ferdinand], Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, and Sir Alex Ferguson understand the club and how to handle players. Their experience is crucial for the club’s improvement,” Ronaldo added.
Since Ten Hag’s tenure began, Manchester United has seen mixed results, including a third and eighth-place finish in the Premier League and victories in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
However, Ronaldo’s second spell at Old Trafford ended on a sour note following a public falling-out with Ten Hag, which led to the termination of his contract. Ronaldo later expressed feeling “betrayed” by the Dutch manager.
Ronaldo remains a United icon, having scored 145 goals in 326 appearances and won nine trophies with the club across his two stints.
Eguavoen Eyes Victory as Super Eagles Arrive in Kigali for AFCON Qualifier
Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has expressed confidence in his squad’s “momentum” as they prepare for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
Eguavoen praised the team’s mindset following their dominant 3-0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo, stating that the players are eager to maintain their winning form. “We have the right mentality now, and the mood in camp is excellent. Everyone is focused on securing the three points against Rwanda to stay on top of the table,” he said.
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The Nigerian delegation, including 23 players and officials led by NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, arrived in Kigali on Sunday afternoon ahead of Monday’s training session. Team captain William Ekong emphasized the team’s determination, saying, “Our goal is simple – get the three points. We know Rwanda will be tough, but we are prepared to give our best from the start.”
The Super Eagles face a Rwanda team that earned a 1-1 draw against Libya in their opening match. Tuesday’s game will kick off at 3 p.m. local time (2 p.m. Nigeria time).
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