'JUST THE BEGINNING' JAY-Z'S ROC NATION SPORTS ENTERS AFRICAN MARKET WITH EIGHT-PLAYER HAUL

 “We’ve always recognized the immense footballing potential that exists across the continent… the sheer volume of promising young players [in Africa] is astounding.” – Nathan Campbell

Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI), a division of entertainment company Roc Nation founded by American music mogul Jay-Z, has committed to the African football market by signing up eight promising youngsters from the continent.

While they are not the agency’s first cohort of African football players–17-year-old Cape Town City winger Emile Witbooi achieved that feat earlier this year–their latest additions indicate a global company geared for long-term investment on the African continent.

“We believe Africa is a hotbed of untapped footballing potential, and our expansion here is a natural progression of our global vision,” RNSI’s Head of Global Recruitment for Football, Nathan Campbell, said in a statement.

“Our strategy is built on deep collaboration with local partners, allowing us to understand and address the unique needs of African players, ensuring they receive the best possible support to reach their full potential.”

Founded in 2019 as Roc Nation’s sports wing, RNSI represents over 100 football players, headlined by Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Endrick, alongside Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne.

The global music personalities affiliated with Roc Nation include such names as Rihanna, Alicia Keys, and J Balvin.

Roc Nation’s concerted move into African football seemed only a matter of time. The earliest sign came in 2021 through a consultancy agreement with South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns—a partnership that continues to this day.

With Witbooi signing on in February this year, it seemed only a matter of time before more African talent followed. The scale, however, was unknown.

“Africa has been a key part of our long-term global vision at RNSI,” says Campbell in an interview with FORBES AFRICA. “We’ve always recognized the immense footballing potential that exists across the continent… the sheer volume of promising young players [in Africa] is astounding.”

Six African nations are represented in their eight-player haul, from Kaizer Chiefs striker Neo Bohloko (South Africa) and Benab FC midfielder Joseph Narbi (Ghana), to Al Nasr attacker Mamadou Diallo (Guinea) and Sibonor United winger Francis Gomez (The Gambia).

The remaining four include Ifeoluwa Olowoporoku (Nigeria), Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Zimbabwe), Siyabonga Mabena (South Africa), and Ali Umar (Ghana). All players, except the latter two (18), are between 16 and 17 years old.

“We saw the opportunity not just to identify elite talent, but to partner with local stakeholders and provide the comprehensive support these young athletes need both on and off the pitch… The African players currently on our roster are just the beginning.”

RNSI has confirmed it is currently scouring Zambia and the Ivory Coast for more talent. The opportunity opens unique commercial avenues for players previously limited by access and exposure, thus uncovering Africa’s next crop of footballing prodigies.

- Freddie Hiney, Forbes

MICHAEL OLISE IS AMONG THE BEST IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

 

BELGIUM LOSS TEDESCO BRISTLES AT 'GOLDEN GENERATION' TAG

ANTON NOVODEREZHKIN/TASS

 After more than 25 minutes of questions to Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne and coach Domenico Tedesco on Sunday, the dreaded words "Golden Generation" had not yet been heard.

And then it happened -- with the very last question, to Tedesco, on the eve of his team's opening European Championship game against Slovakia.

"It's a typical German question about the Golden Generation," quipped Tedesco, who is Italian-born though a German citizen. "I was expecting that one."

One day, Belgium coaches and players will not be pulled back to the gilded crop of prospects who seemed sure to one day win an international title, and possibly should have at Euro 2016.

It's been a label, and a millstone, for Belgium since the 2008 Beijing Olympics where an emerging squad included Vincent Kompany, Marouane Fellaini and Jan Vertonghen.

De Bruyne and Eden Hazard were maturing in the team that reached the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals. The Red Devils were stunned at the same stage of Euro 2016 by Wales despite extra established stars Thibaut Courtois in goal and Romelu Lukaku in attack.

Marc Wilmots left as coach and was replaced by Roberto Martinez, who is now at Euro 2024 with Portugal.

There were eliminations as the world's top-ranked team by eventual champions: in the 2018 World Cup semifinals against France, and a Euro 2020 quarterfinal match to Italy.

Then another stunner, failing to advance from the 2022 World Cup group stage in Qatar, albeit because eventual semifinalists Croatia and Morocco did.

"Qatar is over now. It was a disappointment, yes, but it was 18 months ago," De Bruyne said Sunday ahead of the playmaker's third attempt to win a European title. "It is a new tournament, a new coach. The team has changed quite a lot."

Since the World Cup, veterans like Hazard, Dries Mertens and Toby Alderweireld have retired from the national team. Courtois fell out with Tedesco and is not in Germany.

De Bruyne is still here with Vertonghen (37), Lukaku (31) and Axel Witsel (35). Another Manchester City star, winger Jérémy Doku, is already at his third major tournament at 22 and much is expected from 21-year-old Johan Bakayoko on the right flank.

Belgium are still ranked No. 3 by FIFA.

"I wouldn't say our squad is third in the world right now but in a tournament it doesn't even matter," said De Bruyne, whose 33rd birthday falls between the round of 16 and the quarterfinals.

"There are a lot of young players in the team and they're really motivated," De Bruyne said, whose team is strongly favored in Group E that also includes Ukraine and Romania.

The 38-year-old Tedesco, leading Belgium at a tournament for the first time, acknowledged there was a squad overhaul.

"There is huge quality among the young prospects, who are already ready for this stage," Tedesco said.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.

- ESPN News Services

REAL MADRID BEATS MANCHESTER CITY 4-3 ON PENALTIES TO ADVANCE TO THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIFINALS

AP Photo 

 MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Real Madrid weathered the storm, silenced the crowd and ultimately ended Manchester City’s brief hold on the Champions League.

The all-time kings of Europe moved a step closer to a record-extending 15th title in the competition they have dominated after a 4-3 win Wednesday on penalties at Etihad Stadium.

But not before being pushed to the limit by defending champion City.

“I was pretty much dead on my feet at the end,” Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham said. “It’s so difficult. They are continuously probing with the ball and move you around. Most teams would fall apart when City get on top of you, but we stood up really well.”

The game had gone to the uncertainty of a shootout after ending 1-1 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.

City dominated the chances after going behind to Rodrygo’s goal in the 12th minute, but only had Kevin de Bruyne’s leveler in the 76th to show for its superiority, which included 64% of possession and 18 corners to Madrid’s one through extra time.

That counted for little as Antonio Rudiger struck the decisive spot kick after Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic both saw their penalties saved.

“In this competition, that’s the way football happens,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “In other sports, for (these) statistics, we would have won.”

AP Photo 

Guardiola had few complaints. He accepted his team had failed to capitalize against a Madrid team that was forced to defend deep against wave after wave of attack.

Erling Haaland hit the bar with one header in the first half De Bruyne sent an effort sailing over from inside the box in the second.

Madrid dug deep, held on and now faces Bayern Munich in the semifinals after the Germans beat Arsenal 1-0 on Wednesday and 3-2 on aggregate.

“Today it came down to mentality," Bellingham said.

The defeat ended City’s bid to become the first English team to win back-to-back Champions League titles and its pursuit of successive trebles. It is still challenging for the Premier League title and FA Cup.

Victory for Madrid saw the Spanish giant advance to the semifinals for the fourth year in row — denying City the chance to emulate that feat.

“This was about survival,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "Madrid is a club based on always fighting to stay in situations where there seems to be no way out – but we always find a way. By the time the penalty shoot-out came, we were totally convinced we’d go through.”

AP Photo 

Ancelotti has already won the Champions League a record four times as a coach — one more than Guardiola — and could extend that record by lifting the trophy for a third time with Madrid.

For Guardiola it is back to the drawing board after watching his team to relinquish the trophy it won for the first time last year and ending his own 12-year wait to triumph again in European club soccer's most demanding competition.

“I have to say thank you to these players from deep in my heart because the way they played. But football is about winning and we didn’t do enough, yet we were exceptional," he said.

This was the third straight season Madrid and City have clashed in the Champions League in what is becoming a classic rivalry. The winner of their meetings going on to win the competition in each of the past two years.

Madrid avenged last year's loss when its defense of the trophy was ended by a 4-0 rout at the hands of City in the semifinals.

England midfielder Bellingham was pivotal to Madrid’s opener with a moment of brilliance to open City up. Collecting a high ball just past the halfway line, he shook off the attention of Rodri with a deft touch to wrong-foot his opponent.

AP Photo 

The ball was worked to Vinícius Junior on the right who crossed to Rodrygo, who beat Ederson at the second attempt after his first shot was saved.

That pressure eventually paid off when De Bruyne leveled the game, lifting the ball high into the net after Rudiger could only partially clear a cross from substitute Jeremy Doku.

With no further goals in extra time, the game went to a shootout and City immediately seized the advantage after Julian Alvarez converted his opening penalty and Luka Modric’s effort was saved.

But Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin then saved successive spot kicks from Silva and Kovacic to swing the balance in the visitors’ favor. Silva’s attempt was right down the middle and easily caught chest-high by Lunin.

It came down to Rudiger to take the winning kick that sent Madrid fans wild and City supporters home.

“We suffered a lot tonight because City really put you under the cosh (pressure)," Madrid captain Nacho said. “But we are Real Madrid. We always, always fight until the very end.”

- Job Robson 

MAN CITY INJURY BLOW AS STONES, WALKER OUT FOR ARSENAL CLASH

John Stones went off injured in England's game against Belgium on Tuesday. Getty

 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been dealt a double injury blow ahead of the crucial Premier League clash with Arsenal after confirming on Friday both John Stones and Kyle Walker will miss out.

Stones and Walker picked up injuries playing for England during the international break and will not be available for Arsenal's visit to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Kevin De Bruyne, Éderson, Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji are all expected to be fit to face Mikel Arteta's side, who are top of the table level on points with Liverpool and one point ahead of City.

"Kyle and John are out, it is what it is," Guardiola told a news conference on Friday.

"Kevin is such an important player. It has been a tough season for him with injuries, being out for a long time. He trained really well yesterday [on Thursday] so we will see what we're going to do in the next days."

Stones has suffered injury problems this season and has been limited to just 22 games in all competitions. He played 90 minutes for England against Brazil last Saturday and was picked to start again against Belgium three days later.

Gareth Southgate has come in for criticism for picking Stones twice in such a short space a time but asked whether he was disappointed, Guardiola refused to get involved in the row. "I don't have any comments on that," he said.

On Sunday, Guardiola will come up against Declan Rice, a player he tried to sign in the summer. City lodged a bid for the England midfielder before he swapped West Ham for Arsenal in a club record deal worth £105 million ($132.6m)

"He's not the first one who we wanted who didn't join us," Guardiola said. "Either they don't want to come or whatever, he took his decision and good luck.

"All the teams in the Premier League would have signed Declan Rice, an international captain and a young player playing a lot of games regularly. That's why Arsenal pushed."

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent

RIO FERDINAND HAS NAMED 12 PLAYERS HE CONSIDERS AS WORLD-CLASS AS A CONTROVERSIAL JUDE BELLINGHAM CLAIM WAS MADE

 

PA Wire

Since retiring from professional football, former Manchester United defender Ferdinand has been working as a pundit, often appearing on TNT Sports’ coverage.

On Wednesday night, Ferdinand was tasked with naming a list of world-class players.

The 12 players were - Ederson, Kyle Walker, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Harry Kane, Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland.

However, fellow pundit and former Arsenal man Martin Keown questioned whether Bellingham can be considered as world-class.

He said: “I think Bellingham is one I question. He’s in amazing form, what he’s doing at Real Madrid right now, but we look at Saka.

“Saka’s been the England Player of the Year. Bellingham hasn’t got a look in. Maybe Rio is being a bit mischievous with Arsenal fans.”

Ferdinand then explained: “They’ve actually got that list a little bit wrong, because Bellingham was on the list just below that on his own, edging into there. I think the thing that lets him not be on that list, for me right now, is just time. He will be there – he’s in world-class form. You just need that time – and that’s where I see Saka.

“Saka’s got that world-class potential, he just hasn’t been exposed to the knockout stages of the Champions League – the longevity is the difference. If you look at that list, you can see they’ve played in the top, most prestigious games and they’ve produced in those moments. And they’ve all done ridiculous things over a long period of time.”

Ferdinand received criticism from Arsenal fans after claiming Saka is not world-class, he said: “Not yet. Listen, I think Saka’s been unreal. I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid.

“But I think, it’s almost like what is world-class? He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages. Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”

Marcus Chan

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EPL: MANCHESTER CITY PUT 3 PAST SWANSEA

Pep and his Manchester City team are still cruizing into victory as they put 3 past Swansea City....The game ended 1-3 as Sergio Aguero put the visitors in front then Fernando Llorente scored his first Swansea goal trough a perfect volley...Aguero got a second goal through penalty after Kevin de Bruyne was elbowed by Mike van der Hoorn...Raheem Sterling put in a 3rd goal after a counter-attack...City were of mark in the 1st half but later they gained their composure and played well...Pep is the second manager to win his 1st six Premiership games after Carlo Ancelotti who took Chelsea to victory 2009-2010.

EPL: MANCHESTER CITY CONTINUE THEIR UNBEATEN RUN BY PUTTING 4 PAST BOURNEMOUTH

Manchester City easily beat AFC Bournemouth 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium today...Manchester City are 8 wins of 8 matches in all competitions...Kevin de Bruyne opened with a low shot after a foul by Jack Wilshire...Swift counter attacks produced two goals, one from Kelechi Iheanacho and the other from Raheem Sterling...Ilkay Gungdogan finished with the 4th goal and Nolito was sent off for an attemped head-butt.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES: BELGIUM OFF TO A BAD START UNDER ROBERTO MARTINEZ

Roberto Martinez has begun his quest with the wrong foot after being beaten by Spain 2-0...David Silva scored twice as the crowed booed Martinez...The crown was unhappy due to the fact the team had only one shot on goal and the shot came from Kevin de Bruyne...Silva gave the Spanish manager Julen Lopetegui a reason to be happy early on at the 34th minute and later after the break via a penalty kick.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: AGUERO APATA HAT-TRICK NA KUKOSA MATUTA MAWILI HUKU STEAUA BUCHAREST IKILA KICHAPO CHA MABAO 5-0

Steaua Bucharest imekula kichapo balaa nyumbani baada ya Manchester City chini ya kocha mpya Pep Guardiola kuirarua 5-0...Mabao 3 kati ya hizo 5 yalitoka kwa Sergio Aguero na hapo alikosa matuta mawili...Huu ni mchuano wa Champions league wa kufuzu...

Kwa ujumla City walikuwa wako fiti sana kuliko Bucharest na kifaa chao kipya Nolito kilipiga besela na kutingisha mwamba mara 2 na kufunga bao la kwanza kuitia pasi makini sana kutoka kwa Kevin de Bruyne...

Pep alimtema tena Joe Hart kwenye squad na inasemekana Haet yuko mbioni kusema muda wowote sasa...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2016: JOE HART AMEHAKIKISHA MAN CITY HAWAFUNGWI UNGWE YA KWANZA

Joe Hart amepangua mipira mawili mwishoni wakati Real Madrid wanashambulia sana mwishoni...Umakini wa Hart umeisaidia Manchester City kwenda ungwe ya 2 bila kifungwa...Real Madrid hawakuwa wenyewe nadhani pia ni kutokana na Cristiano Ronaldo kuwa nje kutokana na kuumia paja...Aguero sasa ameenda dakika 432 bila kupiga shuti linaloelekea kwenye goli na Kevin De Bruyne apipiga 62.3% ya pasi zake na ni kiwango cha chini kabisa kwa mchezaji anayecheza nafasi yake.... Hii ni dalili Manchester City wameanza kuchoka au wanapoteza mwelekeo...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2016: KEVIN DE BRUYNE AIPELEKA MAN CITY NUSU FAINALI KWA MARA YA KWANZA

Manchester City inaingia nusu fainali ya Champions League kwa mara ya kwanza kabisa kwa kumtoa PSG kwa aggregate ya 3-2...Watu wawili wakushukuru ni Joe Hart na Kevin De Bruyne...Hart alipangua mikwaju hatari mitatu na kuwalinda City mpaka Kevin De Bruyne alipopachika bao mnamo dakika ya 76....Umati wa watu 53,039 walishangilia sana bao lilipoingia na pia mwisho wa mchezo kwani ni historia kubwa  katika club hiyo ya Man City...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.