Football

Premier League star shocked after positive Covid-19 test

Published

3 years ago

May 21, 2020

Watford’s Adrian Mariappa has revealed that he is one of the Premier League players infected with Covid-19.

Mariappa, 33, told Telegraph Sport on Wednesday he had not displayed any symptoms prior to being informed of his positive result on Tuesday.

He stressed that he had followed all government set guidelines to the letter and the positive coronavirus test came as a shocker.

The Watford centre back will now self-isolate for seven days before another test next week.

“Ever since I got my positive result back on Tuesday, I’ve been scratching my head to try to work out how I might have got coronavirus.

“It was a big surprise because I haven’t really left the house, apart from some exercise and the odd walk with the kids. I’ve mainly just been homeschooling and keeping fit.

“My lifestyle is very quiet, so I really don’t know how I got it. Like most people, we’ve been having more deliveries of food and things, so maybe that’s one way, and my partner has been to the supermarket a few times,” Mariappa told the Telegraph.

The defender, who lives with his partner and three of his four children, has spent lockdown dividing his time between following his Watford fitness programme and homeschooling.

“I’ve felt as fit as ever, probably fitter because I’ve been working really hard. I’ve been following my training programme and I’ve not felt out of breath or ill, or anything,” said Mariappa.

The Premier League revealed on Tuesday that six people from three different clubs had tested positive for coronavirus out of a sample of 748 and Watford had confirmed three positive cases.

As per United Kingdom government guidelines published on May 11, 2020, English football was planned to restart behind closed doors from June 1.
According to English media, the UK government has set out a roadmap to exit the coronavirus lockdown situation, whose step two includes “permitting cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed doors for broadcast while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact…” as per AFP.

However, the sporting events will only be allowed to go on should the COVID-19 situation between now and June 1st improve.

Football

Club signs “25-year-old goalkeeper” but fans think he’s 45 [See photos]

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2021

Cate Iteyo

Social media across Africa on Wednesday, February 10 was sent into a frenzy by one Nigerian Club – Mighty Jets International Jos.

The Mighty Jets, took to social media to unveil their new range of kits for the upcoming Nigerian National league season while profiling its players.

One player, however, caught the eye of netizens, Goalkeeper Gobum Rotduwe.

According to the club, “Rot. D” was born on September 13, 1995, meaning he is 25 years old now.

Fans took a swipe at the club, most claiming the goalkeeper has lied about his age.

What’s your take on his age?

Football

Club signs “25-year-old goalkeeper” but fans think he’s 45 [See photos]

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2021

Cate Iteyo

Social media across Africa on Tuesday, February 9 was sent into a frenzy by one Nigerian Club – Mighty Jets International Jos.

The Mighty Jets, took to social media to unveil their new range of kits for the upcoming Nigerian National league season while profiling its players.

According to the club, “Rot. D” was born on September 13, 1995, meaning he is 25 years old now.

Fans took a swipe at the club, most claiming the goalkeeper has lied about his age. What’s your take on his age?

Football

Barcelona appoint Koeman as new coach

Published

3 years ago

August 19, 2020

Cate Iteyo

Barcelona have appointed Ronald Koeman as their next coach, the club said in a statement on Wednesday, as the Catalans look to rebuild after their 8-2 thrashing by Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week.

Koeman, who has left his role as manager of the Netherlands, has signed a two-year-deal with Barcelona, who sacked Quique Setien on Monday after he presided over the club’s worst defeat ever in European competition.

Koeman, who will be officially presented at the Camp Nou stadium later on Wednesday, is dearly loved at Barca for his role in Johan Cruyff’s hugely successful side known as the ‘Dream Team’ and for scoring the goal that delivered the club’s first ever European Cup in 1992.

The defender later became the club’s assistant coach before embarking on a career as a head coach, managing Dutch sides Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord plus Premier League sides Southampton and Everton and La Liga’s Valencia.

“Barcelona and Ronald Koeman have come to an agreement for him to be the team’s coach until 30 June 2022,” said Barca’s statement.

“A club legend and Barca’s hero at Wembley who gave fans their first European Cup, Koeman is coming back to the Camp Nou. But this time he will be in the dugout to lead the team.”