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Futbol

The Ex-Preston Defender Managing Two National Teams

International managers ordinarily have fewer games in which to prove themselves than coaches at club level, but a lack of matches is not a problem Scott Wiseman has to worry about. The 39-year-old has been in charge of the Gibraltar women's team since 2023 and recently oversaw the first competitive international fixtures in their history in the 2024-25 Nations League. Then, earlier this month, former Gibraltar defender was appointed interim manager of the men's side after his long-standing predecessor Julio Cesar Ribas stepped down because of personal reasons. Wiseman - who played for teams including Rochdale, Barnsley, Preston North End and Salford City before ending his career at Gibraltar club Lincoln Red Imps - now has to juggle the demands of the men's World Cup qualifying openers and the women's team's next set of Nations League group fixtures. The men begin their qualifying campaign for next summer's tournament with games against Montenegro and Czech Republic on 22 and 25 March, while the women face Slovakia and Faroe Islands on 4 and 8 April. Far from being overawed, however, the Hull-born coach is relishing the challenge. "It's fantastic," the former right-back, whose 38 appearances for Gibraltar included their first game as a Uefa member, told BBC World Service. "It's a privilege to do one [job], let alone be given the opportunity to do two. "It's no different than a coach who's working day in, day out in England. There are games on a Saturday and Tuesday sometimes, and the preparation for staff and coaches there is very difficult. "This is no difference in my eyes, except it's two different national teams on different schedules. "[My wife] was hoping for a bit more 'me time' after I retired. Fortunately, she's very understanding." Wiseman started his coaching career with Gibraltar's elite development teams while still playing for Lincoln Red Imps and went on to coach the women's Under-19s as well as the men's Under-16, Under-17s and Under-19s. The majority of Wiseman's coaching team with the women's senior side - with whom he says he has a "good working relationship" - have joined him in his new role with the men's senior team. Preparations have been further simplified by promising displays by the women in their opening Nations League fixtures against Moldova and Faroe Islands last month. Both games ended in a 1-0 defeat, but Wiseman saw plenty of positives. "We exceeded expectations massively," he addedd. "Yes, we lost both games, but the strides the women have made is fantastic. "We left that on such a high, we have less work to do in our next [games], to a certain degree. We've managed to box a lot of that preparation off." As for the men, their reward for a second-place finish in League D of the Nations League is a two-legged play-off with Latvia in March next year, the winners of which will be promoted to League C. Wiseman, who was eligible to play for Gibraltar through his mother, says the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign should be seen as a foundation and "bounce-board" for the ties with Latvia. "The expectation for the next 12 months has to be leading towards the Nations League play-offs," he said. "We've picked a very young squad - one of the youngest squads I've been a part of. "We've never had a point in Euro or World Cup qualification, so we could really use this campaign as a foundation for the younger boys coming through and get the international experience we're going to need." Wiseman is however not certain whether he will still be in charge for that play-off. "I'm not sure," he said when asked about his future. "This is something we haven't discussed yet. [Ribas' resignation] was very close to this international window, so we had to be very reactive. "It was an easy fit for the association. Past these games, we haven't discussed it." You can listen to the interview in its entirety in the next episode of Sports World on Sunday, 23 March.

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News_Naija

Expert Advocates Govt, School Partnership For Entrepreneurship Studies

The Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria, Ugonna Achebe, has called for increased collaboration among schools, parents, and the government to cultivate a new generation of solution-oriented entrepreneurs. Achebe emphasized that schools must go beyond traditional teaching methods by integrating entrepreneurship programmes, encouraging hands-on learning, and fostering problem-solving and teamwork. “Embedding innovation into the academic structure helps students see education as a tool to build real businesses and solve community problems,” he said. He also noted that parents play a critical role in nurturing entrepreneurial thinking by promoting curiosity, creativity, and calculated risk-taking at home. “Supporting their children’s ideas, no matter how small, and validating their dreams can make all the difference,” Achebe added. On the role of government, he urged policymakers to invest in scalable youth entrepreneurship programmes, provide access to digital infrastructure, and establish policy frameworks that empower young entrepreneurs to experiment, fail, and grow. “Public-private partnerships can amplify the impact of these efforts across the continent,” he remarked. Achebe further highlighted the importance of consistent mentorship, access to resources, and opportunities for young people to take on leadership roles. He explained that JAN’s Company Programme challenges students to tackle real-world problems and equips them with the skills to build measurable and impactful businesses. “Support also means creating safe spaces for failure, where students can learn from setbacks without judgment. Providing access to startup capital, innovation hubs, and alumni networks can help gifted students transition from school-based companies to scalable ventures,” he noted. Achebe stressed the importance of sustaining innovation beyond graduation, stating, “With the right support system, today’s student CEOs can become tomorrow’s African business leaders.” He also announced that Junior Achievement Nigeria is set to host the 2025 Africa Company of the Year competition, in December 2025 in Abuja. “The competition will gather top student entrepreneurs from across the continent to showcase their innovations and compete for the prestigious title of Africa Company of the Year. “It aligns with JAN’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship by offering young innovators a global platform to develop and present their business solutions,” he said. Speaking on the upcoming event, Achebe said the competition—hosted annually by JA Africa—provides students with opportunities to build real businesses, pitch their ideas, and gain international exposure. With Nigeria as the 2025 host, participants will present their ventures to industry leaders, investors, and seasoned entrepreneurs. Achebe noted that beyond the competition, ACOY also offers mentorship, networking, and hands-on experience to help students navigate the global business landscape. Reflecting on previous successes, Achebe praised Nigerian students’ consistent excellence at ACOY. “In 2024, Smart Sprout from Darun Noor Intercontinental School, Kano, showcased their Smart Sprinkler for sustainable farming. In 2023, Sustainable Future Advocate Company from Kosofe Senior College, Lagos, won the Public Choice Award and Delta Air Lines Social Impact Award in Kigali. “In 2018, Inventive Explorers from Caro Favoured College, Lagos, claimed victory in Ghana with their rechargeable handheld LED traffic lights. These achievements reflect JAN’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with the skills to compete on global platforms,” he said. Achebe described hosting ACOY 2025 in Abuja as a significant milestone for both Nigeria and JAN, reinforcing the country’s status as a hub for youth-driven innovation. “The competition will spotlight young entrepreneurs, attract investment, and foster conversations around entrepreneurship, job creation, and sustainable development. Participants will pitch their businesses to panels of investors and industry experts, receiving valuable feedback. ACOY 2025 promises to leave a lasting impact on the future of African entrepreneurship,” he said. He added that The event will also include mentorship sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities, culminating in prestigious awards that celebrate innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Achebe called on corporate bodies, government institutions, and other relevant agencies to partner with JAN in shaping the future of African entrepreneurship. “As ACOY 2025 approaches, Junior Achievement Nigeria invites corporate partners, government bodies, business leaders, philanthropists, and individuals to contribute—by sponsoring aspects of the competition, volunteering as mentors or judges, and supporting young entrepreneurs through funding or internships,” he added. “Junior Achievement Nigeria is a member of JA Worldwide, one of the world’s largest and most impactful youth-serving NGOs. Since 1999, JAN has equipped young Nigerians with the skills, mindset, and confidence to thrive in the global economy. Through hands-on programmes in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and work readiness, JAN empowers young people to become job creators and outstanding professionals.”

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Instablog9ja

19-yr-old Native Doctor Kpais Client While Testing Odeshi Charm In Edo

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Instablog9ja

Hours Before Being Neutralized By Nigerian Troops, T3rrorist Kingpin Halilu Buzu Appeared On TikTok, Urging His Associates To Stop Targeting Poor Civilians And To Focus Their F+ght On The Military