Latest news with #Congolese-born
Scotsman
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Rangers told asking price for talented 22 y/o as 145-goal EPL striker 'weighs up' Ibrox switch
Rangers have been linked to a double transfer deal. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Rangers have been told they must cough up a significant fee if they want to land midfield target Metinho this summer after Troyes informed the club of their asking price. The talented 22-year-old is thought to be high on the list of targets for the club's new American owners, with Rangers said to have made an enquiry to the Ligue 2 club made last month following his impressive season on loan to Swiss Super League giants FC Basel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Moving to Stade de l'Aube on a £4million deal from Fluminense back in 2021, the Congolese-born player made a big impression in Switzerland's top flight, with his strong performances helping FC Basel to win their first league title since 2017. The Swiss champions are keen to keep him at St. Jakob-Park permanently too, and are keeping an eye on developments. Jamie Vardy is a free agent and has been linked with a move to Rangers. | Getty Images His form in Switzerland has now led him to become a 'major' target for Rangers this summer, with the player having just one year left to run on his current deal. However, despite this, the French outfit have slapped a huge £5million asking fee on the young midfielder's head. Troyes, who are part of the City Football Group, are reported to be willing to sanction a deal for the player, but only if their asking price if met. Elsewhere, legendary Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is be 'weighing up' a move to Ibrox after Rangers emerged as potential suitors for the veteran forward, who has scored 145 goals during his time in the English Premier League. The 38-year-old striker is a free agent after leaving the Foxes at the end of his contract, and has plenty of interest in his services, despite his advancing years with clubs in the MLS and the Saudi Pro League hopeful of landing the iconic Englishman. However, a report from the Daily Mirror claim that Vardy is tempted by a move to Ibrox this summer due to the club's potential participation in next season's UEFA Champions League. The experienced former England international last played in the competition for Leicester during the 2016/17 season, and sees Rangers as a potential route back to the competition should the club navigate their qualifying campaign. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘Not happening' – Moses Itauma next fight decision made moments after undefeated Brit's latest brutal KO
The 20-year-old now has ten blistering knockouts on his record IT BOY 'Not happening' – Moses Itauma next fight decision made moments after undefeated Brit's latest brutal KO Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MOSES ITAUMA has had a major step up in competition ruled out as his next opponent. The Chatam clubber continued his surge up the heavyweight ranks in Glasgow on Saturday night with a blistering second-round KO of Mike Balogun. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Moses Itauma blew Mike Balogun out of the water in the Glasgow clash Credit: PA 4 Boxing fans are keen on seeing the Chatam clubber take on Martin Bakole next Credit: PA 4 Promoter Frank Warren has ruled out the prospect of Itauma fighting Bakole next Credit: Getty Itauma dropped the American three times as he stretched his perfect record to 12-0, with ten of those wins coming via knockout. Boxing fans are keen for the 20-year-old to take a step up in calibre of opponent, with Congolese-born Scot Martin Bakole being touted as an ideal opponent. But Itauma promoter Frank Warren insists Bakole, who was blown out of the water in his short-notice showdown with Joseph Parker in February, isn't in the running to face the prospect. When asked if the 31-year-old could face Itauma next, Warren told Queensberry Promotion's YouTube channel: 'No! READ MORE ON ITAUMA BAL OVER Itauma floors Balogun THREE times before brutal KO to tee up Usyk undercard bout "Bakole's got to be able to get himself in shape, the state of him, not happening.' Bakole was ringside for Itauma's battering of Balogun and had some choice words for the slick southpaw. He said: "Moses has got a beautiful career before him. I want him to build up his career. "But big Martin Bakole, [right] now, I think it is too early for him. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 Martin Bakole has warned Moses Itauma he's too big a step up in opponent at this moment in time Credit: GETTY "I want him to work hard and maybe be a world champion tomorrow. "But I don't want him to pick me now because he'd be making a big mistake. Moses Itauma: Future Heavyweight King is on Track to Break Mike Tyson's Record I Contender Documentary "He's playing with the fire. [But] he's a man. If he thinks he can handle me, I'm open to it." Itauma said of his latest demolition job: "I appreciate Mike Balogun, he is one tough cookie. 'I couldn't believe he got up from the second one. "Thanks to Mike Balogun for taking the fight, because nobody else would. "I don't have to worry about doing rounds, but my team wants to see me in a 10-rounder. "And then I want in with the big dogs."
The Irish Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Not happening' – Moses Itauma next fight decision made moments after undefeated Brit's latest brutal KO
MOSES ITAUMA has had a major step up in competition ruled out as his next opponent. The Chatam clubber continued his surge up the heavyweight ranks in Glasgow on Saturday night with a 4 Moses Itauma blew Mike Balogun out of the water in the Glasgow clash Credit: PA 4 Boxing fans are keen on seeing the Chatam clubber take on Martin Bakole next Credit: PA 4 Promoter Frank Warren has ruled out the prospect of Itauma fighting Bakole next Credit: Getty Itauma dropped the American three times as he stretched his perfect record to 12-0, with ten of those wins coming via knockout. Boxing fans are keen for the 20-year-old to take a step up in calibre of opponent, with Congolese-born Scot Martin Bakole being touted as an ideal opponent. But Itauma promoter When asked if the 31-year-old could face Itauma next, Warren told READ MORE ON ITAUMA "Bakole's got to be able to get himself in shape, the state of him, not happening.' Bakole was ringside for Itauma's battering of Balogun and had some choice words for the slick southpaw. He said: "Moses has got a beautiful career before him. I want him to build up his career. "But big Martin Bakole, [right] now, I think it is too early for him. Most read in Boxing JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 Martin Bakole has warned Moses Itauma he's too big a step up in opponent at this moment in time Credit: GETTY "I want him to work hard and maybe be a world champion tomorrow. "But I don't want him to pick me now because he'd be making a big mistake. Moses Itauma: Future Heavyweight King is on Track to Break Mike Tyson's Record I Contender Documentary "He's playing with the fire. [But] he's a man. If he thinks he can handle me, I'm open to it." Itauma said of his latest demolition job: "I appreciate Mike Balogun, he is one tough cookie. 'I couldn't believe he got up from the second one. "Thanks to Mike Balogun for taking the fight, because nobody else would. "I don't have to worry about doing rounds, but my team wants to see me in a 10-rounder. "And then I want in with the big dogs ."
The Star
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Springboks call up Juarno Augustus and rookie Ntokozo Makhaza for second alignment camp
Leighton Koopman | Published 1 week ago Powerful eighth man Juarno Augustus will join the Springboks for his first alignment camp after being called up by head coach Rassie Erasmus alongside Sharks utility forward Vincent Tshituka and a surprise rookie in Ntokozo Makhaza. Augustus, affectionately known as Trokkie, has been outstanding for the Northampton Saints and there were increased calls for him to get a Bok look-in, while Congolese-born Tshituka finally received his South African ID which makes him eligible for the national side. After impressing in the Varsity Cup for the eventual winners, the UCT Tigers, Makhaza gets the nod ahead of linking up with the Cheetahs, for whom he will play during the Currie Cup later this year. The group for the alignment camp, scheduled for 22 and 23 May in Cape Town, includes 54 local and foreign-based players. Thirty-six of them will join in person, while the overseas players will link up virtually, depending on their availability. Augustus, Tshituka, and Makhaza will be joined by tighthead props Neethling Fouché (Stormers) and Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Bulls utility forward Cobus Wiese, flanker Renzo du Plessis (Lions) and the Scarlets' Marnus van der Merwe as uncapped players. Five players weren't considered due to injury. The camp will include a series of boardroom sessions as the world champions prepare for the international season, which kicks off with a first-ever home game against the Barbarians on Saturday 28 June in Cape Town. 'This is an exciting bunch of players who have all made their mark in their respective competitions this season, and we are thrilled to invite a few talented new players to the camp,' Erasmus said in a statement. 'They have all made a strong statement in big competitions under immense pressure at times, so we are looking forward to working with them. It's always difficult to reduce the size of the squad with the abundance of talent in South African rugby, but we were limited in the number of players we could select for the camp, and we are confident that we have sufficient cover in all positions within this group.' According to the coach, their plans for the start of the season are at an advanced stage. Apart from the clash with the Baabaas, the Boks will also play incoming Tests against Georgia and Italy, before heading into the Rugby Championship. 'The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season, and all the operational and logistical aspects are in place for everything to run as smoothly as possible, so we are excited for the season ahead.' Players invited to the Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town: Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouché (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks). Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp: Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier).
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Springboks to do final brush ups ahead of international season
Three players - Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus and Ntokozo Makhaza - have been invited to a Bok camp for the first time. The Springboks are set to get their final bit of preparation ahead of the international season underway on Thursday when they link up for their second and final alignment camp in Cape Town. The two-day camp will see 54 players, 36 in person and 18 from Japan and Europe online, attending a series of boardroom sessions as the Boks gear up for a busy international campaign that kicks off against the Barbarians in the Mother City at the end of next month. Most of the players attending this alignment camp, as well as a number of others not selected, will likely feature for the Boks during the incoming series against Italy and Georgia, the Rugby Championship and end-of-year-tour to the UK and Europe. There are three first-time invitees to a camp, with the Sharks' Congolese-born Vincent Tshituka, who recently received his South African ID clearing his illegibility, being rewarded for a stellar season with his call-up. Juarno Augustus has finally received what many will feel is a long overdue call-up, having impressed immensely for Northampton Saints over the years, and with him moving to Ulster from next season he will be firmly on the Bok management's watch list in the URC going forward. Surprise selection Bok coach Rassie Erasmus is well known for his surprise selections, and the big one for the second camp was that of Ntokozo Makhaza, who enjoyed a superb Varsity Cup campaign leading UCT Ikeys to the title and being named player of the tournament. But the 23-year-old Makhaza has yet to play rugby professionally, with him having signed for the Cheetahs ahead of this year's Currie Cup kicking off in July, which will be his first taste of professional rugby. Other than the three new invites, five other players attending the camp are uncapped, namely Lions players Renzo du Plessis and Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Stormers prop Neethling Fouche, Bulls utility forward Cobus Wiese, and hooker Marnus van der Merwe who has been impressing for Scarlets. A number of these players are likely to get a golden chance to make their Bok debut in the incoming series in July, as the Bok management could give a large number of fringe players a chance against the Italians and Georgians. Players who have been out of the Bok setup for over a year will also be in the mix, with Lood de Jager and Faf de Klerk, who both missed the entirety of last season through injury, and Jean-Luc du Preez, who has struggled to establish himself over the years, back on the radar.
