Author: David McGeady

‘Ordega is going there’ – Kgatlana hints at Washington Spirit star’s move to China

Francisca Ordega is on the verge of joining a Chinese Women’s Super League outfit, according to reigning African Women Player of the Year, Thembi Kgatlana.

Ordega has been a key force since she joined National Women’s Super League side Washington Spirit from Sweden’s Pitea in 2015, scoring 13 goals in 63 outings.

The 25-year-old further inspired Nigeria to a 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations triumph in Ghana, where she scored twice and earned a 2018 African Women’s Player of the Year shortlist.

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Her form could see her bring her four-season long adventure in the American women’s topflight to an end in matter of days having attracted interests from China.

And South Africa’s Kgatlana, who was reacting to her latest move to China, also hinted that the Super Falcons star could join the list of Africans leaving America for the Far East.

“We’ve seen how a lot of Africans are now starting to move to the eastern part of the world,” Kgatlana told Safa.net.

“[Asisat] Oshoala was there [in China], Francisca Ordega is going there and Elizabeth Addo as well – all these players are from the American league.

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“There is a demand for [foreign] players in China because it’s a open market and the league is still growing. So, everyone wants to go there and try to settle and make an establishment for themselves.”

Kgatlana and her South African compatriot Linda Motlhalo joined Beijing Phoenix from Houston Dash, while Ghana’s Elizabeth Addo will finalise her move in coming days having left Seattle Reigns.

Now, Ordega’s future with the Spirit is unclear but Goal understands the Nigerian is currently back with her team in the United States and would decide on whether to stay or move soon.

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South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo joins Chinese Women’s Super League outfit Beijing Phoenix

Linda Motlhalo has joined Chinese Women’s Super League outfit Beijing Phoenix from Houston Dash on a one-year deal.

In February 2018, Motlhalo sealed her first professional move to National Women’s Super League side Houston Dash from South Africa’s JVW FC.

At Houston, the 20-year-old, featured in 21 times and scored once, providing one assist during her one-season spell with James Clarkson’s side.

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The midfielder then helped South Africa to a Women’s World Cup ticket for the first time at the 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations in Ghana, thus attracting interests from China, hence her recent exit from the USA outfit.

Having terminated her contract with Dash, Mothalo has now completed her move to the Chinese women’s topflight outfit alongside compatriot Thembi Kgatlana.

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And Kim Bjorkegren’s side will hope the arrival of the South African duo will bolster the squad in the coming campaign after they finished sixth last season.

On sealing their switch to China, the duo becomes the first South Africans to move to the Asian country in recent times.

Motlhalo and Kgatlana are expected to team up with the Beijing side after South Africa’s upcoming appearance at the 2019 Cyprus Women’s Cup which is scheduled to kick off on February 27.

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Neymar and Mbappe ‘2000 per cent’ staying at PSG – Al-Khelaifi

Paris Saint-Germain will not have to sell Neymar or Kylian Mbappe to meet Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, according to the Ligue 1 club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

PSG last year rejected allegations made by Der Spiegel and Mediapart that the club had circumvented FFP spending stipulations, saying they had “always acted in absolute compliance with the laws and regulations issued by sports institutions”.

Some claimed PSG would consider selling their prized assets to comply with the rules but Al-Khelaifi has denied that PSG will need to cash in on either Neymar or Mbappe, who have both been linked with moves away.

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“It’s not 100 per cent, but 2,000 per cent,” Al-Khelafi told Le Parisien when asked if PSG’s star duo would remain at Parc des Princes.

“They will stay in Paris. Many media, especially in France, claim that we would need to sell Neymar or Kylian. I want to confirm that Kylian and Neymar will stay here.

“Of course, we want to buy, staying within the framework of Financial Fair Play. We are confident. We have the means to recruit.”

Neymar is currently in Brazil receiving treatment on a metatarsal injury, with Mbappe having taken over as PSG’s main attacking outlet in his – and Edinson Cavani’s – absence. 

The 20-year-old recently took over the best single season mark for a French player in club history and has grown into one of the top players in the world.   

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The club are 14 points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table and hold two games in hand on nearest challengers Lille.  

They also hold a 2-0 lead over Manchester United heading into the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie, slated to take place in Paris March 6.  

PSG are back in action on Saturday with a league match against Nimes and will follow that up with a French Cup quarter-final against Dijon on Tuesday.  

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Dunne: Chilwell and Wan-Bissaka can’t turn down City move

Ben Chilwell and Aaron Wan-Bissaka would be unable to resist a summer move to Manchester City should the champions show an interest, according to former City defender Richard Dunne.

Chilwell and Wan-Bissaka have both enjoyed standout seasons so far for Leicester and Crystal Palace respectively.

Chilwell’s performances for the Foxes saw him earn his first international cap for England against Switzerland in September, going on to make a further four appearances for Gareth Southgate’s side throughout the autumn.

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Wan-Bissaka only made his senior debut for the Eagles 12 months ago but has quickly developed into one of the Premier League’s most consistent right-backs.

The duo’s performances have understandably led to speculation that one of the league’s major clubs could make a summer bid, with Manchester City among them.

The Premier League champions have been linked with a number of British youngsters in order to boost their quota of home-grown players.

Should they make an approach for Chilwell and Wan-Bissaka, then Dunne feels neither player would be able to turn down a move to Etihad Stadium.

“Chilwell would be a positive move for the club, and he’d help keep up the quota of English players at the club,” Dunne told us-bookies.com.

“He looks like a talented footballer. However, anyone that comes in as a left-back has to realise they won’t be an understudy, and due to injury problems they will be playing regularly at Man City. It’s a great chance for him to establish himself at one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

“Wan-Bissaka looked a very good player when he played the Etihad, he’s got great pace and gets up and down the pitch. He’s not as great on the ball as [Kyle] Walker, but defensively he’s excellent and very hard to beat.

“Playing with Kyle Walker will help him develop at such a young age, much like Chilwell it’s an opportunity they can’t turn down. With the chance to play Champions League football and learn under Pep Guardiola.”

Another potential home-grown target is West Ham’s Declan Rice, who recently switched his international allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to England.

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Dunne believes the 20-year-old would also be a good addition to City’s already talented squad.

“Declan Rice is a very, very talented player and he’s doing well for West Ham. I’m sure Man City will be looking at him,” added the former Republic of Ireland captain.  

“The opportunity for him to go to a big club like Man City, and the fact he’s now an English player will be a factor. They’d do well in signing him.”

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Laporte signs new Man City contract just one year after joining

Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte has signed a two-year contract extension with the club, despite having only joined them last January.

Laporte has become a central part of Pep Guardiola’s plans at the Etihad Stadium and is the outfield player to have played the most minutes for the Blues this season.

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The 24-year-old joined City from Athletic for a fee of £57 million ($74m) just over a year ago, signing a deal until 2023.

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His new deal, which also includes a wage rise, now keeps him at the club until 2025.

More to follow…

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