Baller League

AFTER debuting for Newcastle in November 2023, Michael Ndiweni is keen to showcase his talent in the new Baller League.SunSport brings you the lowdown on the former Toon attacker set to feature for Clint 419’s FC Rules the World.Michael Ndiweni came through the ranks at NewcastleCredit: RexWho is Michael Ndiweni?Boyhood Newcastle fan, Ndiweni, joined the Magpies’ academy in 2016.After impressing in the youth set-up, he signed his first professional contract in 2022.Ndiweni went on to make one appearance for the first team, coming on as a substitute in the second-half of Newcastle’s 4-1 win over Chelsea in November 2023.Continuing to train with the senior team, he was named among the match-day subs in their Champions League group stage fixture against PSG. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn February 2024, Newcastle sent the attacker on a 6-month loan to Scottish side Annan Athletic, scoring twice in 15 appearances.Ndiweni’s time at the Magpies came to an end shortly after his loan spell in Scotland, with the North East giants choosing to release the striker at the end of 2024/25 season.Currently at Newcastle Blue Star, Ndiweni also coaches part-time in the North East as he waits for new and fresh opportunities to showcase his talent.Predominantly a centre-forward, he had an impressive record for Newcastle’s Youth teams, scoring 18 in 31 appearances for the U18s.Most read in FootballOnly 21 years old, Michael’s professional experience is limited, but he wants to platform himself at this unique tournament ahead of getting back into a professional setup. Joining fashion influencer Clint 419’s ‘FC Rules the World’, Michael was the 8th pick of the 144 involved footballers.Baller League squads in FULL26ers – J’ardell Stirling, Bilal Sayoud, Sak Hassan, Kojo Apenteng, Marcel Lewis, Jordon Ibe, Matt Chizzum, Emmanuel Rowe, Justin Dass, Spike Stegel, Vladislav Platinov, Jack Crook.Deportrio – Bakary Sako, Adam Dawson, Francis Gerald Mapolo, Zach Fagan, Marvin Sordell, Charlie Kuehn, Tommy Scott, Raphael Gas, Alex Dyer, Ruben Singale, Tristan Goodridge, Leo Serri.FC Rules the World – Michael Ndiweni, Josh Harrop, Tareiq Holmes-Dennis, Kevin Gonzalez, Oliver Bosworth, Karim Kamhouri, Erghis Pepy, Onuchi Oki, Yusuf Shentu, Alamiji Oluma, Sandro Kamara, Festus Chalet.M7 FC – Jesse Waller-Lassen, Femi Akinwande, Stefan Ilic, Jean Belehouan, Toby Bull, Sam Fitzgerald, Arjun Young, Ramez Gonzalo, Arin Zaha, Lewis Garcia, Henry Wise, Zion Nditi.MVPs United – Lorenzo Spinelli, Ashton Peltier, Jake Chambers Shaw, Ross Derham, Josh Misoki, James Canton, Alfie Matthew, Declan McCarthy, Jay Beckford, Joe Edwards, Dwayne Suel, Esteban Salgado.N5 FC – Owen Locke, Adrian Mariappa, Brian Ly, Charlie Wakefield, Dayo Adekayo, Chris Arba, Imran Kahani, Michael Class, James Alabi, Troy Molunda, Freddie Berrati, Callum Charlton.Santan FC – Michael Hill, Richard Kesey, Dominic Voss, Erick Kenco, Ranell McKenzie Lowes, Jamell Abou-Bakare, Rico Okinari, David Upu, Abdullah Gervardi, Jack Wilson, David Solidemi, Luka Valentine.SDS FC – Bruno Andrade, Bayley Brown, Ody Alfa, Cole Da Silva, David Marques Castanho, Calvin Dickson, Big John, Camillo Astreppo, Finley Chadwick, Michael Felibe, Hussein Mahdi, Tyler Edmundson.Trebol FC – Montel McKenzie, Vani Da Silva, Ciaran Clark, Isaac Modi, Ethan Oke, Reggie, Emi, Ryan Gorwell, Jordan Brown, Shani Omed, Aaron Steven, Nathan Bowen.VZN FC – Henri Lansbury, Kurtice Herbert, Jerome Sinclair, Remy Mitchell, Montel McKenzie, Florian Kastrati, Michael Olive-Wigan, Barrell Mensah, Ethan McClear, Diego Dombaboni, Jami Kheresi, Luka Barusic.READ MORE SUN STORIESWembley Rangers – Domingos Pires, Check Fayum, Ben Long, Stuart Cook, Oliver Cannon, Juan Pablo, Ruben Junior, Luke Gambin, Kaylen Kofi, Braden Shaw, Joseph Diomande, Nabid Eshari.Yanited – Kadell Daniel, Michael Hector, Mohammed Mahyoub, Remy Clerima, Percy Kiangebeni, Medy Elito, Max Pitman, Harry Cain, Henry O’Shea, Daniel Thompson, Daniel Woods, Pharrel Mensah. More

DOMINGOS PIRES has become one of the most recognisable faces on the YouTube football scene.He has played for arguably the two biggest Sunday league teams in the UK – Baiteze and SE Dons – with his move from the former to the latter causing significant buzz online.Domingos Pires plays for England’s six-a-side teamHe has also been a fixture in the non-League scene across London, where he has played for multiple clubs including the likes of Haywards Heath and Bedfont Sports.Pires’ non-League career is currently off due to personal issues and picking the family business over chasing his footballing dreams.  Pires, 25, is a left-sided player who helped Baiteze win the FA Sunday Cup.He then made the dramatic switch to their biggest rivals – SE Don – but has not appeared for the Dons since they switched Sunday League for the non-League pyramid.Read more FootballHe says he would return to Bedfont Sports if he went back to playing non-League football.  Having had offers and opportunities to play abroad and at a higher level he decided to turn down to help his family’s sandwich bar, which has since been listed for sale in late October 2024. He has continued to be a force in small-sided games and plays for England’s six-a-side team.his displays earned him the No 6 pick by Ian Wright and Chloe Kelly for their Baller League team, Wembley Rangers.Most read in FootballRoss Cable, who who coaches Domingos for England’s 6-a-side, will join Wright and Kelly on the management team.Having previously worked under Ross for several years, the left-footed wizard hopes the best can be brought out of him in this new tournament structure.When is Baller League starting and how can I watch it?Baller League will start on Monday, March 24.The first night of matches – Matchday One – will take place from 5pm, with the first match at 5.35pm.There are six matches per night with the tournament running for 11 consecutive Monday nights until May. Each match is 30 minutes but there are a number of other rules – including goalkeepers not being able to use their hands.Sky Sports Mix has coverage of the whole tournament.It is also available to stream on YouTube and Twitch.Alternatively, SunSport will live blog all of the matches as they happen.What is Baller League UK? The Baller League began in Germany, created by entrepreneur Felix Starck and aided by Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski. It is a six-a-side indoor football competition, with the first UK season taking place at the Copper Box Arena in London. Shock rule twists to be introduced for the final three minutes of each half including a three vs three format, long-range goals counting as double, and goalkeepers not allowed to use their hands. These rule twists for the final three minutes will be randomised. What are the teams in Ballers League UK? 26ers – J’ardell Stirling, Bilal Sayoud, Sak Hassan, Kojo Apenteng, Marcel Lewis, Jordon Ibe, Matt Chizzum, Emmanuel Rowe, Justin Dass, Spike Stegel, Vladislav Platinov, Jack Crook. Deportrio – Bakary Sako, Adam Dawson, Francis Gerald Mapolo, Zach Fagan, Marvin Sordell, Charlie Kuehn, Tommy Scott, Raphael Gas, Alex Dyer, Ruben Singale, Tristan Goodridge, Leo Serri. FC Rules the World – Michael Ndiweni, Josh Harrop, Tareiq Holmes-Dennis, Kevin Gonzalez, Oliver Bosworth, Karim Kamhouri, Erghis Pepy, Onuchi Oki, Yusuf Shentu, Alamiji Oluma, Sandro Kamara, Festus Chalet. M7 FC – Jesse Waller-Lassen, Femi Akinwande, Stefan Ilic, Jean Belehouan, Toby Bull, Sam Fitzgerald, Arjun Young, Ramez Gonzalo, Arin Zaha, Lewis Garcia, Henry Wise, Zion Nditi. MVPs United – Lorenzo Spinelli, Ashton Peltier, Jake Chambers Shaw, Ross Derham, Josh Misoki, James Canton, Alfie Matthew, Declan McCarthy, Jay Beckford, Joe Edwards, Dwayne Suel, Esteban Salgado. N5 FC – Owen Locke, Adrian Mariappa, Brian Ly, Charlie Wakefield, Dayo Adekayo, Chris Arba, Imran Kahani, Michael Class, James Alabi, Troy Molunda, Freddie Berrati, Callum Charlton. Santan FC – Michael Hill, Richard Kesey, Dominic Voss, Erick Kenco, Ranell McKenzie Lowes, Jamell Abou-Bakare, Rico Okinari, David Upu, Abdullah Gervardi, Jack Wilson, David Solidemi, Luka Valentine. SDS FC – Bruno Andrade, Bayley Brown, Ody Alfa, Cole Da Silva, David Marques Castanho, Calvin Dickson, Big John, Camillo Astreppo, Finley Chadwick, Michael Felibe, Hussein Mahdi, Tyler Edmundson. Trebol FC – Montel McKenzie, Vani Da Silva, Ciaran Clark, Isaac Modi, Ethan Oke, Reggie, Emi, Ryan Gorwell, Jordan Brown, Shani Omed, Aaron Steven, Nathan Bowen. VZN FC – Henri Lansbury, Kurtice Herbert, Jerome Sinclair, Remy Mitchell, Montel McKenzie, Florian Kastrati, Michael Olive-Wigan, Barrell Mensah, Ethan McClear, Diego Dombaboni, Jami Kheresi, Luka Barusic. READ MORE SUN STORIESWembley Rangers – Domingos Pires, Check Fayum, Ben Long, Stuart Cook, Oliver Cannon, Juan Pablo, Ruben Junior, Luke Gambin, Kaylen Kofi, Braden Shaw, Joseph Diomande, Nabid Eshari. Yanited – Kadell Daniel, Michael Hector, Mohammed Mahyoub, Remy Clerima, Percy Kiangebeni, Medy Elito, Max Pitman, Harry Cain, Henry O’Shea, Daniel Thompson, Daniel Woods, Pharrel Mensah.  More

OWEN LOCKE is expected to be one of the stars of the Baller League as the top pick for N5 FC.The team – managed by Arsenal legends Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg – selected Locke with the fourth pick of the draft earlier this month.Owen Locke plays for England’s disability team and is hoping to be at the ParalympicsIt was no surprise when Lehmann went for a goalkeeper first, Locke helped West Bromwich Albion win the FA Disability Cup in June 2024.Owen is a man for the big occasion and made crucial saves in a 3-2 win over former team RNC in the final.  Featuring in the European Blind Football league, he has played against many future and current Paralympic stars. Locke participated for RNC Hereford which earned him a spot in the England blind football team.Read more FootballRNC Hereford were crowned champions in the summer of 2024 beating the likes of Borussia Dortmund and the previous champions, Cecifoot Charleroi, to the trophy on their own turf. Locke’s role in this victory is emphasised by a staggering by him and team-mate Dylan Malpas conceding NO GOALS across the whole tournament.Progressing to the England blind football team in the autumn of 2023, the young shot-stopper has his goals set for the 2026 Paralympic squad.  Also starring in Futsal tournaments for Swansea’s Au Vodka team, featuring Lee Trundle, Owens experience for the huge affairs is deep and Locke looks to be an asset for Baller League side N5 FC. Most read in FootballWhen is Baller League and how can I watch it? Baller League begins on Monday, March 24 for match night one.Each night is made up of six 30-minute matches. The tournament can be watched on Sky Sports Mix – coverage starts at 5pm, with the first match kicking off at 5.35pm.The action can also be live streamed on Twitch and YouTube.Alternatively, SunSport will live blog all the actionMatches then run for 11 consecutive Monday nights until May. What are the teams in Ballers League UK? 26ers – J’ardell Stirling, Bilal Sayoud, Sak Hassan, Kojo Apenteng, Marcel Lewis, Jordon Ibe, Matt Chizzum, Emmanuel Rowe, Justin Dass, Spike Stegel, Vladislav Platinov, Jack Crook. Deportrio – Bakary Sako, Adam Dawson, Francis Gerald Mapolo, Zach Fagan, Marvin Sordell, Charlie Kuehn, Tommy Scott, Raphael Gas, Alex Dyer, Ruben Singale, Tristan Goodridge, Leo Serri. FC Rules the World – Michael Ndiweni, Josh Harrop, Tareiq Holmes-Dennis, Kevin Gonzalez, Oliver Bosworth, Karim Kamhouri, Erghis Pepy, Onuchi Oki, Yusuf Shentu, Alamiji Oluma, Sandro Kamara, Festus Chalet. M7 FC – Jesse Waller-Lassen, Femi Akinwande, Stefan Ilic, Jean Belehouan, Toby Bull, Sam Fitzgerald, Arjun Young, Ramez Gonzalo, Arin Zaha, Lewis Garcia, Henry Wise, Zion Nditi. MVPs United – Lorenzo Spinelli, Ashton Peltier, Jake Chambers Shaw, Ross Derham, Josh Misoki, James Canton, Alfie Matthew, Declan McCarthy, Jay Beckford, Joe Edwards, Dwayne Suel, Esteban Salgado. N5 FC – Owen Locke, Adrian Mariappa, Brian Ly, Charlie Wakefield, Dayo Adekayo, Chris Arba, Imran Kahani, Michael Class, James Alabi, Troy Molunda, Freddie Berrati, Callum Charlton. Santan FC – Michael Hill, Richard Kesey, Dominic Voss, Erick Kenco, Ranell McKenzie Lowes, Jamell Abou-Bakare, Rico Okinari, David Upu, Abdullah Gervardi, Jack Wilson, David Solidemi, Luka Valentine. SDS FC – Bruno Andrade, Bayley Brown, Ody Alfa, Cole Da Silva, David Marques Castanho, Calvin Dickson, Big John, Camillo Astreppo, Finley Chadwick, Michael Felibe, Hussein Mahdi, Tyler Edmundson. Trebol FC – Montel McKenzie, Vani Da Silva, Ciaran Clark, Isaac Modi, Ethan Oke, Reggie, Emi, Ryan Gorwell, Jordan Brown, Shani Omed, Aaron Steven, Nathan Bowen. VZN FC – Henri Lansbury, Kurtice Herbert, Jerome Sinclair, Remy Mitchell, Montel McKenzie, Florian Kastrati, Michael Olive-Wigan, Barrell Mensah, Ethan McClear, Diego Dombaboni, Jami Kheresi, Luka Barusic. READ MORE SUN STORIESWembley Rangers – Domingos Pires, Check Fayum, Ben Long, Stuart Cook, Oliver Cannon, Juan Pablo, Ruben Junior, Luke Gambin, Kaylen Kofi, Braden Shaw, Joseph Diomande, Nabid Eshari. Yanited – Kadell Daniel, Michael Hector, Mohammed Mahyoub, Remy Clerima, Percy Kiangebeni, Medy Elito, Max Pitman, Harry Cain, Henry O’Shea, Daniel Thompson, Daniel Woods, Pharrel Mensah.  More

MICHAEL HILL will be part of hip hop artist Dave’s Baller League team.The football coach, who came through Chelsea and Fulham’s academies and the Kinetic Foundation, has joined his long-time friend on Santan FC.Dave selected Michael Hill for Santan FC in the Baller LeagueHe is the founder of Mike Hill Coaching, partnered with Holistic Football Coaching, and possesses a proven track record of developing young players’ in-game understanding. Mike – known as Mikes – has played for Dave’s Santan FC, alongside artists AJ Tracey and Keeya Keys, in tournaments and competitions set up by the South-London artist.Known for his flair and passing ability, Dave labelled him as ‘KDB’ under old footage of Hill practicing with his weaker foot. Playing for AFC Whyteleafe, Mike won Player of the Month in September 2023, scoring five goals in five games.Read more FootballHe also won the goal of the month and four player of the match awards during that incredible streak.The midfielder has experience in lower leagues as he looks to continue his experience in unconventional tournaments on the big screen.Hill is currently signed to Rayners Lane – playing alongside former Watford striker Marvin Sordell – in the Isthmian League Division One South Central, step 4 of the non-League pyramid.Sordell is also staring in Baller League with Deportrio, managed by Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.Most read in FootballWhen is Baller League UK? Baller League is set to begin TONIGHT.The first night of matches – Matchday One – will take place on March 24. The competition will be shown on Sky Sports Mix.Coverage starts at 5pm with the first match at 5.35pm.There are Matches then run for 11 consecutive Monday nights until May. Each night is made up of six 30-minute matches. What is Baller League UK? The Baller League began in Germany, created by entrepreneur Felix Starck and aided by Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski. It is a six-a-side indoor football competition, with the first UK season taking place at the Copper Box Arena in London. Each half set to last 15 minutes. Shock rule twists to be introduced for the final three minutes of each half including a three vs three format.Long-range goals count as double, and goalkeepers not allowed to use their hands. These rule twists for the final three minutes will be randomised. What are the teams in Ballers League UK? 26ers – J’ardell Stirling, Bilal Sayoud, Sak Hassan, Kojo Apenteng, Marcel Lewis, Jordon Ibe, Matt Chizzum, Emmanuel Rowe, Justin Dass, Spike Stegel, Vladislav Platinov, Jack Crook. Deportrio – Bakary Sako, Adam Dawson, Francis Gerald Mapolo, Zach Fagan, Marvin Sordell, Charlie Kuehn, Tommy Scott, Raphael Gas, Alex Dyer, Ruben Singale, Tristan Goodridge, Leo Serri. FC Rules the World – Michael Ndiweni, Josh Harrop, Tareiq Holmes-Dennis, Kevin Gonzalez, Oliver Bosworth, Karim Kamhouri, Erghis Pepy, Onuchi Oki, Yusuf Shentu, Alamiji Oluma, Sandro Kamara, Festus Chalet. M7 FC – Jesse Waller-Lassen, Femi Akinwande, Stefan Ilic, Jean Belehouan, Toby Bull, Sam Fitzgerald, Arjun Young, Ramez Gonzalo, Arin Zaha, Lewis Garcia, Henry Wise, Zion Nditi. MVPs United – Lorenzo Spinelli, Ashton Peltier, Jake Chambers Shaw, Ross Derham, Josh Misoki, James Canton, Alfie Matthew, Declan McCarthy, Jay Beckford, Joe Edwards, Dwayne Suel, Esteban Salgado. N5 FC – Owen Locke, Adrian Mariappa, Brian Ly, Charlie Wakefield, Dayo Adekayo, Chris Arba, Imran Kahani, Michael Class, James Alabi, Troy Molunda, Freddie Berrati, Callum Charlton. Santan FC – Michael Hill, Richard Kesey, Dominic Voss, Erick Kenco, Ranell McKenzie Lowes, Jamell Abou-Bakare, Rico Okinari, David Upu, Abdullah Gervardi, Jack Wilson, David Solidemi, Luka Valentine. SDS FC – Bruno Andrade, Bayley Brown, Ody Alfa, Cole Da Silva, David Marques Castanho, Calvin Dickson, Big John, Camillo Astreppo, Finley Chadwick, Michael Felibe, Hussein Mahdi, Tyler Edmundson. Trebol FC – Montel McKenzie, Vani Da Silva, Ciaran Clark, Isaac Modi, Ethan Oke, Reggie, Emi, Ryan Gorwell, Jordan Brown, Shani Omed, Aaron Steven, Nathan Bowen. VZN FC – Henri Lansbury, Kurtice Herbert, Jerome Sinclair, Remy Mitchell, Florian Kastrati, Michael Olive-Wigan, Barrell Mensah, Ethan McClear, Diego Dombaboni, Jami Kheresi, Luka Barusic. Wembley Rangers – Domingos Pires, Check Fayum, Ben Long, Stuart Cook, Oliver Cannon, Juan Pablo, Ruben Junior, Luke Gambin, Kaylen Kofi, Braden Shaw, Joseph Diomande, Nabid Eshari. READ MORE SUN STORIESYanited – Kadell Daniel, Michael Hector, Mohammed Mahyoub, Remy Clerima, Percy Kiangebeni, Medy Elito, Max Pitman, Harry Cain, Henry O’Shea, Daniel Thompson, Daniel Woods, Pharrel Mensah. Where can I watch Ballers League? It has been confirmed that Sky Sports have signed a one-year deal to broadcast the tournament.  Matches can be purchased on NowTV. Every match will be broadcast on the channel and hosted by Chunkz and Olivia Buzaglo.  It will be aired on Sky Spors Mix from 5pm, with the first match kicking off at 5.35pm.Alternatively, SunSport will blog every match of the Baller League. More