Latest news with #Okocha
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘We'll pretend that didn't happen' – Laura Woods ‘pied' by Premier League cult hero, 51, after Champions League final
Scroll down to watch the hilarious moment LAUR-KWARD 'We'll pretend that didn't happen' – Laura Woods 'pied' by Premier League cult hero, 51, after Champions League final Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LAURA WOODS joked she was "pied" by former Paris Saint-Germain star Jay-Jay Okocha during the Champions League final coverage. Presenter Woods, 37, was joined by the former Bolton star after PSG smashed Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich live on TNT Sports. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Jay-Jay Okocha's exit from his live TV interview left Laura Woods embarrassed 3 Okocha missed Woods' outstretched arm before turning around Okocha initially came over to take a picture with Woods' co-stars, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Owen Hargreaves. And Woods - who has returned to presenting duties after having a baby with former Love Island star Adam Collard - invited the Premier League cult hero to chat with the panellists, who he used to play against. He revealed he was "amazed" by the scoreline and happy for his former club, who won their first ever Champions League trophy in style. After two minutes of talking, Okocha shook the three ex-footballers hands, before missing Woods out. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS CHAMPING AT THE BIT Fergie arrives at CL final as his £2m-a-year Man Utd role ends The former talkSPORT host even stretched her arm out for handshake after thanking the 51-year-old for his impromptu interview. But Okocha seemingly missed it, instead passing Woods' hand while saying goodbye to Ferdinand, before turning to the rest of the lads. But the ever-professional host saw the funny side of Okocha's mishap and said, while laughing: "Why do I always get pied. "And it's not even meant. Anyway brilliant." CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Since then, Woods replied to TNT's post on X with: " Why always me 🤣." The new mum also released pre-show footage where she dropped an F-bomb at Ferdinand for ruining her practice intro. PSG fans tear gassed in violent clashes with cops as 400 arrested and two dead after Champions League win Woods later issued a heartfelt farewell to Ferdinand on his final TNT Sports appearance. The Manchester United legend is stepping away from the broadcaster after 10 years as a pundit. Meanwhile, Kate Abdo was substituted off during CBS Sports' coverage of the Champions League final. The popular presenter, 43, was replaced by colleague Anita Nneka Jones during the build-up to the match. Two goals by Desire Doue in addition to strikes by Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu sealed a dominant win for PSG,
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘We'll pretend that didn't happen' – Laura Woods ‘pied' by Premier League cult hero, 51, after Champions League final
LAURA WOODS joked she was "pied" by former Paris Saint-Germain star Jay-Jay Okocha during the Champions League final coverage. Presenter , 37, was joined by the former Bolton star after PSG live on TNT Sports. Advertisement 3 Jay-Jay Okocha's exit from his live TV interview left Laura Woods embarrassed 3 Okocha missed Woods' outstretched arm before turning around Okocha initially came over to take a picture with Woods' co-stars, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Owen Hargreaves. And Woods - who has returned to presenting duties after having a baby with former Love Island star He revealed he was "amazed" by the scoreline and happy for his former club, who won their first ever Champions League trophy in style. After two minutes of talking, Okocha shook the three ex-footballers hands, before missing Woods out. Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS The former talkSPORT host even stretched her arm out for handshake after thanking the 51-year-old for his impromptu interview. But Okocha seemingly missed it, instead passing Woods' hand while saying goodbye to Ferdinand, before turning to the rest of the lads. But the ever-professional host saw the funny side of Okocha's mishap and said, while laughing: "Why do I always get pied. "And it's not even meant. Anyway brilliant." Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog Breaking Breaking Exclusive CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Since then, Woods replied to TNT's post on X with: " Why always me 🤣." The new mum also released pre-show footage where she PSG fans tear gassed in violent clashes with cops as 400 arrested and two dead after Champions League win Woods later Advertisement The Manchester United legend is after 10 years as a pundit. Meanwhile, Kate Abdo was The popular presenter, 43, was replaced by colleague Anita Nneka Jones during the build-up to the match. Two goals by Desire Doue in addition to strikes by Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu sealed a dominant win for PSG, Advertisement 3 Ferdinand spent a decade as a pundit for the network
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
African legends bring hope to Somalian football
When the wider world thinks of Somalia, the first things that are most likely to come to mind are conflict and the pirates who have threatened ships around the Horn of Africa in recent instability has restricted the development of sport in the country and the men's national football team, nicknamed the Ocean Stars, have not played competitively on home soil since game has historically united a population of around 17 million troubled by clan divisions, and Mogadishu could soon be granted permission to stage international matches at its 65,000-capacity National legends of African football - Emmanuel Adebayor, Samuel Eto'o and Jay Jay Okocha - travelled to the Somali capital this week to take part in an exhibition match which players and officials hope will help pave the way for the continent's top stars to return on a regular basis."This football showcase is truly a historic moment. It marks the day Somalia earned a golden place on the world stage," local youth coach and player Cabdulaahi Geesey told BBC Somali."Sharing the pitch with Okocha, Eto'o and Adebayor, wearing the same kit and even scoring a goal is a dream come true."The image these guests will carry back with them is of a peaceful Somalia, a united people and a football culture that is rising once again."Somalia deserves the trust to start hosting matches on home soil again." Former Arsenal and Real Madrid striker Adebayor hailed the match, part of a 'peace tour' backed by world governing body Fifa, as a "wonderful" thousands in attendance created an electric atmosphere in a stadium that has endured a chequered past."I know a little bit about Somalia," the 41-year-old former Togo captain said."We just pray for God to give you peace so that you can build your country."Yet the security situation in Somalia remains challenging, and the mood was tense outside the stadium, with a heavy police contingent guarding the State-aligned Al-Shabab militants launched a major offensive earlier this year and have made territorial gains since in April killed senior Somali military officials in a village 30km from Mogadishu, while several people died this month when a suicide bomber targeted an army recruitment centre in the security minister Mohamed Ali Haga described the match as a chance to "change the perception of the world towards Somalia and show the world that Mogadishu is peaceful". 'First step' to international return Somalia's footballers have always struggled to make an impact on the continental stage, and its men are currently ranked 201st out of 210 national teams in the world – with only Seychelles and unranked Eritrea beneath them in have never made it past the preliminary round in qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations and have only ever registered one win in qualifying for the Fifa World has become Somalia's most frequent venue for 'home' games during almost four decades in exile, during which time their stadium in Mogadishu was repeatedly requisitioned for military Football Association president Souleiman Waberi, who also holds high office at the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and Fifa, says the legends game is the first step to the return of the Ocean Stars."Maybe the next step will be a friendly match with another country," Waberi added."Then the Somalia FA can send a letter to Caf to request them to come to check the stadium."If it meets all criteria, Somalia can host international games here in Mogadishu."Recent home qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup have been staged as far afield as Morocco and Mozambique, but supporters are eager for their side to return to home Maxamuud was among the thousands in attendance on Tuesday to see Adebayor, Eto'o and Okocha in action."I'm genuinely very happy having three world-renowned footballers visit us, be warmly welcomed, and return safely," she told the BBC."To Somalia, I say may this peace last."Just as these players came and left in peace and good health, I hope the same will happen for others." A new dawn for stadium Built in 1977 with Chinese assistance, Mogadishu's main ground was closed in 1991 when the country descended into anarchy after the overthrow of President Siad Barre's military from the United States and Pakistan used it as a base for two years until 1995, when it reopened for a nine-year troops were then stationed there before Al-Shabab made it their main Mogadishu stronghold between 2009 and 2011.A new internationally-backed government was installed in 2012, leading to a new peacekeeping force using the stadium as an operational suffered heavily during the years of military use, but artificial turf was laid and facilities restored during a renovation in official reopening for a game between Horseed SC and Mogadishu City Club in July 2021 drew a capacity is now hoped the legends match will help demonstrate that sport can reclaim a space once dominated by violence."I know Somalia," Waberi said."It's a people of sport. There's football every day."We have a legends game, you see the stadium is full. I am sure this stadium will host international games."
