Sport

Wednesday, 23 May 2018 05:10

Moses overcomes trauma to turn into Nigeria talisman

Victor Moses has overcome childhood trauma to forge a career that has seen him play at the highest levels of the game and return in glory to the country he once fled. Moses was only 11 when his missionary parents were killed in religious rioting in Kaduna, in north-west Nigeria, leaving him orphaned and allowed into Britain as a refugee, where he lived with a foster family. His footballing ability offered him the opportunity to go to public school on a scholarship organised by Crystal Palace, where manager Neil Warnock gave him a league debut at the age of 16.…

Wednesday, 23 May 2018 05:09

Atletico Madrid edge Super Eagles in five-goal thriller

Fernando Torres scored one of the goals as Atletico Madrid beat the Super Eagles B team 3-2 to win the inaugural Gotv Max Cup on Tuesday at Nest of Champions in Uyo. Despite parading some of their best legs, Atletico Madrid started on the back foot after falling behind to a stunning goal from Kelechi Nwakali in the 32nd minute. The former Flying Eagles captain fired in a stunner from over 20 yards with Atletico first choice and La Liga best shot-stopper Joan Oblak having no answer. Unfortunately, the celebration for Nigeria did not last long as Angel Correa provided…

Monday, 21 May 2018 04:04

Lobi Stars extend lead; other NPFL Match Day 22 results

Lobi Stars of Markudi have increased their lead at the summit of Nigeria Professional Football League table to four points. Lobi got the extra cushion following their hard-earned lone goal victory over Enugu Rangers in one of Sunday’s Match Day 22 games played across the country. Anthony Okpotu got the all-important goal for Lobi Stars as they increased their points tally to 40 points despite having a game outstanding. Kano Pillars are still second on the log after they secured a point in Lafia forcing Nasarawa United to a barren draw. A shock result was recorded in Nnewi where FC…

Sunday, 20 May 2018 04:40

Hazard the difference as Chelsea edge Manchester United in Cup final

Eden Hazard's first-half penalty proved decisive as Chelsea salvaged their season by beating Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup final in what is widely expected to be manager Antonio Conte's swansong on Saturday. The Belgian's searing pace earned the spot-kick in the 21st minute after forcing Phil Jones into a desperate lunging tackle and he coolly tucked it away for what proved to be the winner. Jose Mourinho's United were dismal in a scrappy first half and although they improved significantly after the break they were denied a record-equalling 13th FA Cup triumph. Chelsea, whose Premier League title defence…

Tuesday, 15 May 2018 04:51

2 surprises in Nigeria's provisional WCup squad

Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa were in Nigeria's provisional World Cup squad on Monday, as was the uncapped Simeon Nwankwo, a 1.98-meter (6-foot-6) striker with Italian club Crotone. Moses, Iwobi and Musa lead a strong group of forwards in the 30-man squad that also includes Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon. Nwankwo is one of two surprise inclusions by coach Gernot Rohr after scoring seven goals in Serie A this season. One of them was an overhead kick against Juventus. The other unexpected selection is home-based striker Junior Lokosa, who is the Nigerian Premier League's leading goal-scorer this season…

Monday, 14 May 2018 04:33

Lokosa nets brace as Pillars down Kastina United; other Match Day 21 results

Junior Lokosa continued his superb goal scoring form for Kano Pillars on Sunday; netting a brace in their 3-1 win over Katsina United in one of Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League Match Day 21 ties. Lokosa scored in the 8th and 48th minutes of the encounter played at Sani Abacha Stadium, thus taking his total tally of goals in the league this season to 18. He is now just five goals away from matching the 23 scored by Mfon Udoh- which is the highest by any Nigerian player in a single season. However, while Pillars were cruising in their own…

Monday, 14 May 2018 04:31

Neymar wins French league's Player of the Year award

Neymar won the French League's Player of the Year award on Sunday, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain teammates Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe. Marseille winger Florian Thauvin, the other nominee, finished fourth in Sunday's Ligue 1 awards ceremony in Paris. "I would like to thank all of my teammates," Neymar said on beIN Sports television. "I'm honored and very happy with our season. I couldn't have won this trophy without my teammates." Neymar scored 19 league goals and set up another 13 in only 20 games for French champion PSG. He has not played since cracking a metatarsal in his right…

Wednesday, 09 May 2018 03:47

FIFA hopeful VAR will prevent World Cup controversies

Frozen screens, bendy offside lines and other technical glitches have made the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system a frequent target of derision as the World Cup approaches. Two years of testing ahead of the June 14 opening game have left Johannes Holzmueller, the head of FIFA's Technology Innovation Department, "sweating...because we were unsure if everything works perfectly. "However now that we go into the World Cup we are quite sure that we will have the best setup that is possible at the moment," said Holzmueller at a media conference. But he refused to say the network of digitally-enhanced cameras overseen…

Monday, 07 May 2018 04:53

Nigeria League: Nasarawa, MFM FC win

Nine games were played in the Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday with no away victory. There were six wins and three draws in the matches played. Here are the results: Nasarawa United 2-0 El-Kanemi Warriors FC Heartland FC 1-1 Kano Pillars FC Wikki Tourists FC 1-1 Rangers International MFM FC 3-0 Niger Tornadoes Kwara United 2-1 Yobe Desert Stars FC Lobi Stars 1-0 Sunshine Stars FC IfeanyiUbah 2-1 Go Round FC Katsina United 1-0 Plateau United Rivers United 0-0 Abia Warriors NAN

Sunday, 06 May 2018 05:13

Ferguson recovering in hospital following brain surgery

Alex Ferguson, the most successful manager in Manchester United's history, underwent emergency surgery on Saturday for a brain haemorrhage, the club said. "The procedure has gone very well but he needs a period of intensive care to optimise his recovery," a statement said. "His family request privacy in this matter." United captain Michael Carrick tweeted: "Absolutely devastated to hear about Sir Alex being unwell in hospital. All my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Be strong boss." Ferguson's son Darren, the manager of Doncaster Rovers, was reported to have missed his team's match on Saturday for family…

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Thursday, 03 May 2018 04:47

FIFA proposes staging a new mini-World Cup every two years

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed staging what would effectively be a mini-World Cup, featuring eight international teams, every two years in addition to the traditional event. The tournament, known as the "Final 8", would be the climax of a proposed global Nations League competition, part of an ambitious plan to reform international football which FIFA believes could be worth $25 billion (18.3 billion pounds) in a 12-year cycle. In a letter seen by Reuters, Infantino, who has already overseen the enlargement of the existing World Cup from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2026, suggested that the new tournament…

Wednesday, 02 May 2018 04:29

Ndidi named Leicester Young Player of the Year

Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi has been rewarded for an outstanding season in England with Leicester City Young Player of the Year award. The midfielder joined the King Power Stadium outfit in January 2017 and has grown into an essential part of the team. Ndidi impressed in his first Premier League season and was named the club’s best young talent in 2016-17. And he has gone one better this season, beating Ben Chilwell and Demarai Gray to take the award for the second time. The 21-year-old has made 33 appearances to date in the league to help Claude Puel’s men stay…

Tuesday, 01 May 2018 04:04

Russia 2018: Super Eagles, 4 others to get $2m each advance pay

The five African qualified teams for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup will each receive an advance of $2 million of their prize money from FIFA towards their preparations. The decision comes on the heels of negotiations initiated by CAF President Ahmad Ahmad with the FIFA administration, leading to the exceptional agreement granted on April 12. This follows a decision by the CAF Emergency Committee on December 1, and ratified by the CAF Executive Committee on January 10. The meeting had agreed on providing exceptional financial support to the five African representatives towards their preparations for the impending tournament in…

Sunday, 29 April 2018 04:25

Injured Wilfred Ndidi's World Cup hopes in doubt

Leicester City manager Claude Puel has confirmed that Wilfried Ndidi picked a hamstring injury in Saturday's 5-0 loss to Crystal Palace while hinting it could hinder the midfielder's chances of featuring at the World Cup. The Super Eagles midfielder was forced off after 51 minutes of play as the King Power Stadium outfit were outmuscled by Roy Hodgson's side. Puel, uncertain about the severity of the injury, hopes the 21-year-old can make Nigeria’s squad to the World Cup in Russia. “I hope it is not a serious injury for Ndidi and I hope he can play in the World Cup,…

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