₦airaland Forum

Following the dismal performance of the Flying Eagles at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, the technical crew led by Paul Aigbogun may be probed by the Nigeria Football Federation.

The Nigeria U-20 side began their campaign with a 4-0 demolition of Qatar in the opening match but took a nosedive afterward managing to crawl into the knock out stage before bowing out after a 2-1 defeat by African brothers Senegal on Monday.

Disappointed Nigerian fans have lampooned the team with some describing them as the worst team ever to be paraded by the country in the U-20 category.

As if the dismal outing was not embarrassing enough, an allegation of bribery is reportedly being made by some players who claimed that they were dropped because they could not raise N5million allegedly being demanded by the technical crew.

The technical crew will no doubt be looking forward to having an opportunity to clear the air on such allegation and perhaps explain to the nation why the team turned into a toothless bulldog after the first match.

A member of the 1996 Olympic Gold medallist Emmanuel Babayaro did not hesitate in joining the league of those calling for a probe into the Poland outing.

He noted that the team from outset showed a lack of commitment and desire to win in the championship. The youth championship he further reasoned is very important as it provides the necessary feed for the under 23 team and the Super Eagles respectively and as such should not be operating below par.

“The technical team are not up to speed technically. It baffled me that we will be going for a World Cup without our best legs, it is a shame.

“If we play well with the youngsters and we are eliminated in the group stage it’s cool, it is developmental. We need to go for the right lads for our own future.

“The NFF should do the needful. Do proper investigation into what happened with the Flying Eagles, “he told Goal.com

Five countries Columbia, Ukraine, Italy, Ecuador and Senegal have already hit the quarterfinals.

https://thesportsbay.com/28287-nff-may-probe-paul-aigbogun-over-poor-outing-n5m-bribery-allegations-in-poland.html

Buhari will release more funds before I leave as sports minister - Dalung COMMENTS
Prior to his exist as the former minister of Youths and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung has returned some parts of the missing $150,000 back to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

It was gathered that Dalung in a phone call with the IAAF’s president, Sebastian Coe promised to return some money which he did before he left office.

This was confirmed by top officials of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in separate interviews.

Speaking with the Vice President of AFN, Hon Olamide George after his meeting with the former minister, the 50% was paid by the sports ministry to avoid ban from the IAAF.

“It is important to know that the ministry has paid part of the money to the AFN. The sad part is the board was not even aware that the ministry had paid some money back until when the minister called for a meeting and he opened up and the president could not deny,” he said.

His position was also echoed by one of the board members, Brown Ebewele who said “Yes, the sports minister has communicated with the president of IAAF on the issue and they reached an agreement. The IAAF is no longer sanctioning Nigeria.”

Also speaking with the Technical Director of AFN, Sunday Adeleye, he also confirmed that the minister had paid the money.

When asked when and who will pay the balance, he stated that the ministry, not the AFN will pay up.

“The people who know about it have already agreed to pay back 50% of the money to IAAF which includes the ministry. The ministry will pay the remaining balance because it is their debt not AFN.

Meanwhile, the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Ibrahim Gusau has been impeached by the board following his alleged role in the ‘missing’ money. The impeachment has however been declared null and void by Adeleye.

https://thesportsbay.com/27936-ex-sports-minister-solomon-dalung-returns-75000-to-iaaf.html

BARCELONA SUPERSTAR LIONEL MESSI HAS REPORTEDLY TOLD THE CATALAN GIANTS’ HIERARCHY THAT THESE THREE PLAYERS MUST BE SOLD IN THE SUMMER.
According to the Daily Star via Spanish publication Sport, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has told Barcelona’s chiefs that Philipe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic and Samuel Umtiti must be sold this summer.

Messi is clearly sick of mediocrity in Europe, the star hasn’t won the Champions League since the 2014/15 season and rival Cristiano Ronaldo has won the competition in four of the previous five years.

Messi has 4 Champions League trophies to his name and will be eager to match Ronaldo – who has five, before the pair both call time on their careers.

Attacking midfielder Coutinho has been disastrous for the Camp Nou outfit since his marquee move from Liverpool, according to BBC Sport, the Brazilian star joined the Blaugrana in a £142m deal.

Barcelona team bus leaves Messi behind after crushing defeat to Liverpool

Rakitic has enjoyed domestic success with Barcelona in recent years but the Croatian star’s form has dipped in the last few months, with Rakitic now 31 years old and the arrival of Frenkie de Jong being imminent, now could be the best time for Rakitic to leave – this summer could also be the last time where Barcelona can sell the star for a good amount of money.

Samuel Umtiti has established himself as one of the world’s best centre-backs in recent years, but after a summer of success at the World Cup with France, the defender has endured a very tough season. The star has been troubled with injuries and the 25-year-old’s place in the team has now been taken by compatriot Clement Lenglet.

If Barcelona believe that Umtiti can’t get back to where he was – selling the star could be a good decision. Ernesto Valverde’s side could still net a huge figure for the sale of Umtiti.

Barcelona clearly need something different this summer if they are to bridge the gap between domestic dominance and success in Europe. The Catalan giants need big-game players if they have any hope of winning the Champions League next season.

https://thesportsbay.com/27701-lionel-messi-gives-barcelona-board-list-of-players-to-be-sold-this-summer.html

Nigerian sensation, Samuel Chukwueze has been ranked as Africa’s most valuable U-20 player in Europe’s top five leagues by CIES Football Observatory.

According to the study by the Swiss-based organization, the Nigeria international is worth €35 million, which makes him the 12th most expensive U-20 player on the planet based on transfer market valuations.

The 50 players on the list have been ranked according to their age, position, performance, contract duration, full international and other factors.

The 19-year-old Chukwueze is enjoying a breakthrough season at Villarreal, with 37 appearances under his belt in all competitions for the first team, scoring 8 goals and providing three assists.

The Diamond Academy product is on the radar of Liverpool and Manchester City ahead of the reopening of the transfer window on the back of his fine form for the Yellow Submarine.

Nigeria’s U20 and U23 coaches and manager Gernot Rohr are all competing for his services ahead of international games in May and June.

The former Golden Eaglets ace, who is known for his pace and skilful prefers to start on the right wing and cut in to shoot with his favourite left foot.

At €150.3m, Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho is the most valuable U20 player, followed by Arsenal’s Mattéo Guendouzi (€70m) and AS Roma’s Nicolò Zaniolo (€67m).

https://thesportsbay.com/27612-samuel-chukwueze-named-africas-most-valuable-u-20-player.html

The Board of (NLO) says the matches and events in the 2018/2019 season will be streamed live.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NLO board had a week ago fixed Thursday, May 23, as the kick off date for the 2018/2019 NLO season natioNationwide League Onenwide.

A director in the board, Ebere Amaraizu, told NAN in Enugu on Friday that the board had concluded arrangement for the online telecast with two private firms.

Amaraizu said that Pipul TV and Deebeetee Projects Ltd would be providing the platforms for the life streaming of all NLO matches and other special events.

He said the life streaming would enable football fans and administrators worldwide to watch and follow happenings in the NLO.

He added that the life streaming of matches would also involve life streaming of the teams and players and their pedigree and achievements in football for all to see.

“The life streaming or online telecast of NLO matches, teams and players achievements and special events will give the league a lot of leverage.

“This will instantly expose what NLO is doing to the international football community.

“The life streaming will provide an avenue for both local and foreign football player scouts and talent hunters to easily see the array of very young abundant football talents we have here in the country.

“They might want to sign-up for their clubs or groom or brush-up further the players to produce the next generation of Messi and Ronaldo of this world,’’ he said.

According to him, the life streaming will make teams wake-up from slumber and know that it is not only winning the league that is at stake; but your players can have access to the international football transfer market.

“A team’s performance can attract international invitational football tournament for them as well.’’

The director said that NLO players, who had been transferred to the Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), are all currently doing well.

“We are proud of them as they have been good ambassadors of the NLO in carrying out assignments in their new clubs both on and off the pitch,’’ he noted.

NAN reports that NLO is the third tier of the national leagues. (NAN)



THESPORTSBAY IS AN ONLINE SPORTS NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES REGULAR SPORTS NEWS UPDATE ON A DAILY BASIS TO MILLIONS OF READERS AROUND THE WORLD.
FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES.

TWITTER @THESPORTSBAY

FACEBOOK @THESPORTSBAY

INSTAGRAM @THESPORTSBAY

https://thesportsbay.com/27544-nigerias-third-tier-football-league-to-stream-matches-live.html

xoxocandy:
you're not serious. its four people each. three in the back, one in front

It is usually 2 at the front. I pay for the two spaces all the time.

orisa37:
Every Nigerian lies about Age.

I have never lied about my age or date of birth in anything I do. NEVER

Orpe7:
You must be a KC alumni
Floreat
2000 set, Harmans house. Emmmanuel was my junior back then

Floreat. I was in 2002 set.He was one year my senior and you are two years mine.

How have you been?

kalufelix:
Who else noticed the three(3) characters in the picture eventually becomes blind. If the little man is not completely unaware of the shots chances are he has autism.

This man would be disappointed if he could see what was used for the "show off" picture.

As someone I personally know right from our secondary school days, he has always said he prefers to be blind than to see. That he believes that was what God has designed for him. He wasn't born blind though

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has resolved to build two football pitches in each of the 36 states of the federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

This was contained in a communique issued after the meeting of the NFF Executive Committee held in Asaba on Monday.

“ In line with the new thinking and focus of world football –governing body, FIFA with regards to laying less emphasis on building infrastructure and more on football pitches, the Executive Committee resolved that after the ongoing Mini-Secretariat projects must have been completed in each of the 36 States and the FCT, the mission of building two Football Pitches in each State of the Federation and the FCT would commence apace.

In the meantime, work would proceed quickly on the building of Mini-Secretariats for the next batch of selected beneficiary States as soon as the sponsors release the money for the project, expectedly before the end of March 2019.

In the same vein, the NFF board restated its passion for the youth programme that has thrown up a number of players for the junior National Teams while revealing that the finals of the NFF/Zenith Bank Future Eagles Championship will now hold in May 2019.

The board “believes that in the next few years, players from the Future Eagles Championship would constitute the dominant group in most of the National Teams”.

However, the board has restated its position that products of the Future Eagles Championship should dominate the U17 National Team, Golden Eaglets.

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/26922-nff-resolve-to-build-72-football-pitches-across-nigeria.html

I always knew he was poised for greatness. I'm glad a school mate of mine 2002 set from Kings College is making waves. Congrats Bayo

New York-born Nigerian, Folarin Balogun is threatening Alex Iwobi’s for his first team shirt after the international break.

The 17-year-old has represented England after being born in New York to Nigerian parents.

Balogun recently signed his professional contract with Arsenal and has been in great form for the London side this season.



He has scored an amazing 22 goals in 23 appearances for the Gunners’ academy team this season.

And Aubameyang, Arsenal’s record signing, singled out Balogun for praise on social media.


In reply to Arsenal’s tweet about Balogun’s red hot form, Auba posted saying the teenager was on fire lately.

But despite having played for England in last year’s European Under-17s championship, Balogun is undecided on where his international future lies.

Meanwhile, Iwobi is struggling for goals despite being backed by Manager Unai Emery and Arsenal are in the hunt for a proven wide man.

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/26807-alex-iwobi-may-lose-his-arsenal-spot-to-folarin-balogun.html

Operators of one of the leading betting companies in Nigeria, K.C Gaming Network Ltd, popularly known as Bet9ja have pulled out of the sponsorship deal it entered with the Nigeria National League (NNL) after two years of supporting the league.

In 2017, Bet9ja had signed a N200m for three years.

This was confirmed at the NNL annual congress in Abuja on Wednesday night when the omission of Bet9ja logo was conspicuously missing in the NNL AGM banner both outside the hotel gates and inside the hall, venue of the meeting.

According to an insider in the NNL, the betting company were not happy teams were not relegated from the Nigeria Professional Football League as well as the failure of the league administrators to uphold standard footballing practice, citing “contractual infidelity” on the part of the NNL.

It will be recalled that there were controversies surrounding promotion and relegation of teams from the NNL and NPFL last year.

The NNL had proposed last year to promote the 8 teams which qualified for the NNL Super 8 to the elite league which didn’t go down well with League Management Company (LMC).

The NNL blamed the crisis that rocked the Nigeria football and said that the decision was taken in the best interest of football.

It will also be recalled that the NPFL which ended abruptly did not relegate any team and this necessitated the introduction of the abridged version of two groups this season to accommodate the new entrants from the NNL.

In the same vein, the NNL managers have resolved to extend the registration of clubs by one week to enable them fulfill all registration requirements or will be delisted from the league while approving 3rd of April, 2019 as the kick-off date for the 2018/19 league season.

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/26816-why-bet9ja-broke-n200m-contract-ties-with-nnl.html

Yobe Stars Desert hopes of staying in top flight football is dimming by the week following yet another 1-3 loss in the rescheduled Match Day 3 to Abia Warriors in the abridged Nigeria Professional Football League.

The visiting side silenced the Damaturu based club when in the 36th minute, Obi Samson opened scoring from Sunday Adetunji’s assist.

In the 53rd minute, the home side were given a life line to draw level after their player was fouled in the penalty area by Abia Warriors. The resultant spot kick was converted by Philip Auta.

However, this was short-lived as Daniel Uduak scored in his own net to put Warriors back in the lead in the 61st minute.

Samson secured all three points for the away side scoring his second goal of the day to condemn the home team to their seventh defeat of the season and who for the first time have conceded more than a goal at home in the NPFL.

In Kaduna, Kada City succumbed to their fifth loss of the season following a 2-0 loss to former champions, Kano Pillars in a rescheduled Match Day 9.

Pillars Adamu Hassan opened scoring in the 11th when he reacted quickly to a loose ball in Kada City’s penalty area.

In the 62nd minute, Nyima Nwagua finished off a nice pass from Rabiu Ali to put Pillars two goals up and secure all three points of the visiting side.

At the Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina, the home side shared the spoils of war with MFM FC in another rescheduled Match Day 9.

MFM’s Akuneto Chijioke put the Olukoya Boys in the lead in the 44th minute with a screamer but that was not enough as Martins Usule leveled the score for the hosts with a close range finish for the game to end 1-1.

At the Aper Aku stadium, Makurdi, Lobi Stars put aside their continental failure to defeat Rivers United by 2-1 in a rescheduled Match Day 8.

Sikiru Alimi continued from where he stopped in the CAF Champions League by opening scoring just before the end of the first half.


At the restart of the second half, Alimi scored his brace in the 51st minute.

However, Cletus Emotan’s freekick goal helped Rivers pull one back in Makurdi but was not enough to earn the club a point.

Meanwhile, Enugu Rangers will seek to bounce back from their CAF Confederations Cup ouster when the welcome Sunshine Stars in a rescheduled Match Day 3 tomorrow.

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/26794-npfl19-kano-pillars-win-first-away-match-in-three-seasons.html

Head coach, Gernot Rohr, has said that the Nigerian Super Eagles team does not have star players like it once had.

Rohr made this known in an interview with The Interview on Tuesday.

Asked whether he could win the next African Cup of Nations to be hosted in Egypt with the crop talents in his team, Rohr said:

"We have to be optimistic but if you look at our players, how many of them are playing for big clubs? Who among them is playing in the Champions League?, Rohr said.

"I watched the last champions’ league games and no Nigerian players. We don't have the big players like we used to have in the past; the likes of Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Vincent Enyeama and the rest.

Rohr said though the present Super Eagles squad does not have star players like Austin Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, the squad has team spirit.
"What we have now is team spirit; we don't have the stars again. We have young players like Alex Iwobi playing for Arsenal in the Europa League even though he was on the bench in their last game, our strength is the team and I hope it will take us far in Egypt, said Rohr.

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/26760-super-eagles-does-not-have-star-players-anymore-gernot-rohr.html

A 8-year-old Nigerian boy, Tanitoluwa Adewunmi has become a child-chess star in the United States.

Adewunmi, whose family is homeless in Manhattan, has seven trophies after winning his category at the New York State chess championship, according to the New York Times.

The prodigy also went undefeated at the state tournament recently, outwitting children from elite private schools with private chess tutors.



Adewunmi’s rating is now 1587 and rising fast and he is being compared with the world’s best player, Magnus Carlsen, stands at 2845.

His family reportedly fled the Boko Haram insurgency and sought asylum in 2018. They arrived New York City and have, since, been living in a shelter.

Adewunmi began attending the local elementary school, P.S. 116, which has a part-time chess teacher who taught his class how to play.

Having enjoyed the game, the boy prodded his mother, Oluwatoyin Adewumi, to ask if he could join the chess club.

She reportedly sent an email to the chess club, explaining the boy’s interest in the programme and her inability to pay the fees for the programme because the family was living in a shelter.

Russell Makofsky, who oversees the P.S. 116 chess programme, reportedly waived the fees, and a year ago the boy took part in his first tournament with the lowest rating of any participant, 105.

Describing his rise, Makofsky said, “One year to get to this level, to climb a mountain and be the best of the best, without family resources, I have never seen it.”

Although his mother cannot play chess, she takes him every Saturday to a three-hour free practice session in Harlem, and she attends his tournaments.

“He is so driven. He does 10 times more chess puzzles than the average kid. He just wants to be better,” his school chess teacher, Shawn Martinez said.

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/26728-8-year-nigerian-boy-becomes-chess-star-in-america.html

Shares in Juventus jumped by 30 per cent on Wednesday after a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick catapulted the Italian football club into the quarter finals of the Champions League.

The Bianconeri were staring at a last 16 exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid ahead of Tuesday night’s home leg, having fallen to a 2-0 defeat in the Spanish capital three weeks ago.

But the Portuguese superstar and his teammates stepped up when coach Max Allegri needed them most, and produced a remarkable comeback to stun Diego Simeone’s men.

Ronaldo opened the scoring with a terrific first-half header and levelled the aggregate score four minutes into the second half.

Atletico failed to register a single shot on target during the second leg and when Ronaldo fired home a penalty with four minutes remaining for his 52nd career hat-trick, the Spanish side’s race was run and Juve had booked a quarter-final spot.

The club’s share price rose as much as 30 per cent from a Tuesday close of €1.22 to a high of €1.59 in Milan in early Wednesday trading — boosting its market capitalisation by €373m to €1.6bn.

By lunchtime its shares had settled around €1.42, marking a 17 per cent gain on the previous close.

Qualification for the quarter-finals brings with it a €10.5m windfall, according to Uefa, the governing body for European football. This comes on top of the €9.5m the club had already pocketed for its round of 16 appearances.

Juve will advance to the quarter-finals of the competition, joining Amsterdam’s Ajax, Portugal’s Porto and English clubs Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Spain’s Barcelona will face French club Lyon and Germany’s Bayern Munich will take on England’s Liverpool on Wednesday night for the final two spots.

A place in the semi-finals brings with it a €12m payout, while an appearance in the final pays a further €15m. The winner of the Champions League will bank another €4m.

The club made waves last month when it tapped international bond markets for the first time, raising €175m of five-year debt at a 3.5 per cent yield, after paying €100m to sign Ronaldo last year.

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/26655-how-cristiano-ronaldo-hat-trick-sent-juventus-shares-soaring.html

Former Arsenal midfielder, Emmanuel Frimpong, announced his retirement from football at the age of 27 on Friday.

Frimpong, who made just six appearances during his time at the Emirates Stadium before he joined Barnsley in January 2014, said he is putting an end to his football career due to a prolonged knee injury, on Twitter.

“It is with great sadness I have decided to retire from professional football,” Frimpong said.

“I have had problems with my knee for the last five years or so and have got back to playing at a professional level. But since November 2017 I haven’t been in action as I had a tear in my knee ligament.

“I decided with my own will that I will not opt for the operation since I was not enjoying football playing through pain, Frimpong added.

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/26547-former-arsenal-midfielder-retires-from-football.html

Arsenal defeated Chelsea with a three goal margin on Friday to extend their lead at the top of the Under-18 Premier League table.

Folarin Balogun, Nigerian teenage striker who recently signed his professional contract with Arsenal, gave Arsenal the lead, 26 minutes into the game.

Tyreece John-Jules put Arsenal in a comfortable lead in the 48th minute, while Greenwood’s goal in the 58th minute sealed the young Gunners’ victory in Hertfordshire.


Meanwhile, Liverpool Under-18s booked themselves an Anfield showdown against Watford in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup with a classy 5-1 demolition of Bury.

It was the perfect start to a massive week for Barry Lewtas’ talented side as they dominated from start to finish in torrential rain at Gigg Lane.

Captain Paul Glatzel struck twice to take his tally for the season to 26 goals and fellow frontman Bobby Duncan is just one behind him after completing the scoring late on.

Glatzel and Jake Cain both struck in the first half before Glatzel’s header extended their lead early in the second half.

Joe Adams pulled one back for Bury but Liverpool finished strongly with Rhys Williams and Duncan also on target.

The young Reds remain on course for the club’s first FA Youth Cup triumph since 2007 as they challenge for glory on three fronts.

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/26560-balogun-shines-as-arsenal-defeat-chelsea-to-top-league-table.html

Former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue has found love again after marrying ex-girlfriend Stephanie Boedé.

Eboue reportedly went broke after the dissolution of his previous marriage as his wife Aurelié took up to £7m of his hard earned money as a professional footballer along with his house in the United Kingdom.

The custody of his three children was also given to the European lady while the footballer was left with virtually nothing after years of playing time in the continent.



The story of Eboue marital misfortune was well documented as the former Arsenal and Galatasaray star revealed that he went on a downward spiral as he contemplated suicide

Eboue’s situation with his previous wife brought about several reactions from the football community.



Some were of the opinion that he was careless about his previous marriage while some others were of the opinion he was mismanaged and duped with some of his previous club s and teammates reportedly coming together to support him emotionally and financially in his period of difficult.

Eboue however, seems to have moved past the dark times in his career and has decided to progress in his relationship by remarrying.

The former Arsenal star has now decided to go back and marry his girlfriend whom he previous dumped early in his career for his European wife.

According to Kahawu Tungu, an Ivorian outlet, Eboue and Stephanie were lovers during his reign at ASEC Mimosas. But after his move to Europe, he met the Belgian.



Following his ordeal in the hands of his Belgium wife, Eboue has returned to his roots for his latest wedding.

According to pictures circulated on social media, Eboue who has a coaching role at Galatasaray had a few friends for a silent wedding in his hometown..

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/26458-emmanuel-eboue-finds-love-again-marries-ex-girlfriend.html

cc semid4lyfe honeric01

Three officials of Nigeria Football Federation will be arraigned and face trial today (Tuesday) 5th March 2019 in a Federal Capital Territory High Court at Maitama, accused of misappropriating $9.5 million and N1.3 million FIFA grants, the SportsBay reports.

It will be recalled that the court had adjourned the case from November 27th 2018 to 5th March 2019 and will now commence trial of the three NFF officials today in Abuja High Court after two adjournments


The defendants are Christopher Andekin, NFF Director of Administration and Finance, Reagan Zaka, Cashier and Fadanari Mamza, Head, Finance and Account Department.

They were dragged to the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on five counts bordering on criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and misappropriation.

The prosecutor, Mr Steve Odiase, told the court that the three defendants conspired between January 8 and January 26, 2015, to commit the offences, contrary to Section 97 of Penal Code.

Odiase alleged that Andekin was entrusted with money meant for the development of football in Nigeria, a grant from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

He said that Andekin, however, fraudulently diverted N1.3 million from the NFF domiciliary account with Zenith Bank, an act that is contrary to section 311 of the Penal Code.

He further alleged that Zaka on his part, fraudulently diverted $7.2 million grant from FIFA for development of football in Nigeria while Mamza diverted $2.3 million.

The defendants all pleaded not guilty to the charges, and their counsel, Mr Arinze Egbo applied for their bail.

The Judge, Justice Peter Affen upheld the administrative bail granted to them earlier by the EFCC.

The grant ($9.5m) was 2014 World Cup fund paid by FIFA to NFF for the development of grassroots football across the country but the present NFF Board in 2015 was alleged to have squandered the funds.

In addition, he ordered that the sureties should sign a bond with the registrar of the court, and the defendants should deposit their international passports.

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/26450-9-5m-fifa-grant-court-resumes-corruption-trials-of-three-nff-officials.html

The Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung has appointed a former Director-General of the National Sports Commission Mallam Alhassan Yakmut as Team Nigeria’s Chief de Mission to the 12th Africa Games in Rabat Morocco later in the year.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Dalung said the appointment said it was in recognition of his contributions to sports in the country.

According to Dalung, the sports family will gain much by tapping into Mallam Yakmut’s wealth of knowledge.

“The appointment of Mallam Alhassan Yakmut as Chief de Mission to the African Games in Morocco in June is in recognition of his wealth of experience in sports administration and his contributions to sports.

“I believe that one of the challenges of sports development is what I refer to as the ‘Theory of abandonment’.

“Once you are out of the system you are not associated with the sports family but once in a while, your experience is tapped into for the benefit of sports development.

“So I came up with the policy thrust of appointing former sports administrators and former ministers to serve in such capacity so that we can benefit from their wealth of experience.

This is to give them a sense of belonging and also recognize their contributions,” Dalung said.

Last year, a former Director-General of the then National Sports Commission Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye was appointed to lead the delegation to the Winter Olympics in Pyongyang, South Korea.

Other former administrators will also be considered for such roles, as the opportunity avails, Dalung states.

The Chief-de-Mission is the Games delegation operational leader, Team Manager and the Liason person between the host country and Nigeria.

Mallam Yakmut is a former Professional Volleyball player and a board member of the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria.

He is currently the Director, Special Duties of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

The 12th African Games will take place from August 24 to September 3, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. This will be the first time that the African Games will be hosted by Morocco.

https://thesportsbay.com/26412-morocco-2019-dalung-appoints-yakmut-as-team-nigerias-chief-de-mission.html

La Liga, the organising body for Spain’s top two soccer divisions, contributed €15.7 billion (US$17.9 billion) to the country’s economy during the 2016/17 season, according to a new study by consultancy firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

The recently released report shows that the economic impact equated to 1.37 per cent of Spain’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that year, with the soccer industry generating as many as 185,000 jobs.


La Liga and PwC last published a report in 2014, when it was revealed that Spanish soccer had an economic impact of €7.6 billion during the 2012/2013 season, equating to less than half the latest figure.


The report concluded that employment related to the soccer industry in Spain has gone up by 28 per cent compared to the last study four years ago, while fiscal contributions have increased by 41 per cent and the contribution to La Liga’s financial activity has doubled.

Commenting on the findings, La Liga president Javier Tebas said: “It confirms the enormous social and financial importance of professional football in our country and, subsequently, the importance of making responsible and well thought-out decisions about everything that affects an industry that is so relevant to our society.”

https://thesportsbay.com/26358-la-liga-clubs-fund-spanish-economy-with-e15-7bn-in-2016-17-season.html

Former Nigerian striker Emmanuel Akwuegbu has expressed his desire to see his son play football for Nigeria instead of Austria.

He also appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation to invite his 15-year old son to feature in the age grade team while speaking with reporters.

“I would love my child to represent Nigeria because that’s his fatherland, he is very skilful and scores great goals. He is just 15 and plays for the youth team of FC Wacker.


“He is a striker who can also play in the midfield, he’s got all it takes to play for Nigeria and I know he can start from the youth team to the highest level, if he keeps working hard. He can play up to the Super Eagles.

“My son Chimezie Sean Akwuegbu is just 15 and I have made him realised the fact that it is better for him to play for Nigeria and he loves the idea and I made to also know the joy it brings to wear the colour of Nigeria as a player and at his age he is looking forward to that.


“I am happy with the current NFF board which has opened doors for Nigerians in diaspora to come and play for Nigeria. I will be glad to see him play for my native country, Nigeria.

“My only regret was the injury that denied me the opportunity to play for Nigeria during the Olympic qualifiers in 1999, for Sydney Olympics and this one reason I want him to play for Nigeria.

“I remember my elder brother Benedict made us proud playing for Nigeria and I know Sean will do better in this generation because of the facilities he was exposed to from a tender age and I don’t want Nigeria to lose him the way they lost Alaba to Austria.

Chimezie Akweugbu, has played seven times for Austria U-15 team scoring four goals as a striker.

He has also played games against Bayern Munchen, Dortmund, many English team, Spanish and Italian top teams in Europa youth tournaments.

https://thesportsbay.com/26388-i-dont-want-my-son-to-play-for-austria-akwuegbu-tells-nff.html

More sordid details on the financial misappropriation have emerged in Nigeria Football Federation whose leadership have been emerged in grand corruption and fraud allegations.

In a report revealed by Basic Sports in Nigeria (BSN Sports), the NFF claimed that the federation spent $150,000 (One hundred and fifty thousand dollars) on purchases of furniture in the new secretariat at the Package B, National stadium, Abuja.

This is contained in a letter which was written by the NFF titled: “RE: CENTRAL REVIEW 2015- KEY FINDINGS REPORT” on 20th October 2016 with Ref. No: NFF/PRESIDENT/GEN/Vol.II/057 signed by the Secretary-General of the Federation, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, the federation claimed to have spent the sum of Fifty-two million and five hundred thousand naira (N52.5m) on purchases of furniture inside the new secretariat (Sunday Dankaro House) in Package B, National Stadium, Abuja.


The 10-page letter written to explicitly explain retirement of the 2014 World Cup Funds on page 8, item 3a reads thus; “Furnishing of New Secretariat at National Stadium for $150,000.”

It was revealed that no furniture has been bought into Sunday Dankaro House since the commencement of the endless building of the secretariat.

It was gathered that former Akwa Ibom governor, Godswill Akpabio donated Fifty million naira (N50 million) to NFF to complete the Sunday Dankaro House. The Secretariat was said to have been completely built through donations when former Nigeria President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan set up ‘Presidential Task Force’ aimed at raising funds for the NFF.


The Nation’s Football governing body, we also gathered decided to bring down some part of the House in the name reconstruction and seven years after, the building is yet to be completed which is becoming more dilapidated by the day.

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/26374-more-details-emerge-on-how-nff-siphoned-2014-world-cup-funds.html

La Liga, the organising body for Spain’s top two soccer divisions, contributed €15.7 billion (US$17.9 billion) to the country’s economy during the 2016/17 season, according to a new study by consultancy firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
The recently released report shows that the economic impact equated to 1.37 per cent of Spain’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that year, with the soccer industry generating as many as 185,000 jobs.
The €15.7 billion figure included a €3 billion ‘direct impact’ generated by La Liga clubs themselves and €5.6 billion worth of ‘indirect impact’ from soccer vendors. The rest was broken down into ‘sectors related to soccer’ (€4 billion) such as catering, accommodation and bars, and ‘spectator spending’ (€3.1 billion) on things like transport.
La Liga and PwC last published a report in 2014, when it was revealed that Spanish soccer had an economic impact of €7.6 billion during the 2012/2013 season, equating to less than half the latest figure.
The report concluded that employment related to the soccer industry in Spain has gone up by 28 per cent compared to the last study four years ago, while fiscal contributions have increased by 41 per cent and the contribution to La Liga’s financial activity has doubled.
Commenting on the findings, La Liga president Javier Tebas said: "It confirms the enormous social and financial importance of professional football in our country and, subsequently, the importance of making responsible and well thought-out decisions about everything that affects an industry that is so relevant to our society.”

https://thesportsbay.com/26358-la-liga-clubs-fund-spanish-economy-with-e15-7bn-in-2016-17-season.html

La Liga leaders Barcelona have revealed that the Nou Camp will become the first European soccer stadium to be equipped with a dedicated 5G network.

The 5G Stadium-Immersive Reality project, which was revealed at the Mobile World Congress, is part of a collaboration between the top-flight club, Spanish telecommunications giant Telefónica and mobile operator ecosystem GSMA to create more immersive broadcast experiences for fans.

As part of the project, a number of wireless 360-degree cameras connected to the 5G network will be installed in different locations around the Nou Camp including next to the goal and near the dugouts. Fans watching at home can then use virtual reality (VR) glasses to watch a live match as if there were in the stadium.

The 5G network will also be used to capture behind-the-scenes content from team training sessions and to provide virtual stadium tours.

The technology will be made available both in the stands and on the pitch using Telefónica’s commercial frequency band and a standard 3GPP Ericsson network. The adoption of the network will provide higher bandwidth, lower latency and edge computing to produce better quality video streams.

“For FC Barcelona it is a great pride that Camp Nou is the first football stadium in Europe with 5G internal coverage,” said Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu. “Thanks to the agreement between FC Barcelona and GSMA, with the participation of Telefónica, we have put the Camp Nou as an innovation laboratory available to the most advanced technology in mobile phones.”

“The 5G Stadium-Immersive Reality in sports pilot programme is further proof that the technology industry is diversifying towards new sectors, and becoming more and more relevant,” added GSMA chief executive John Hoffman. “With immersive reality, new generations will experience sports differently and sports fans will be offered unprecedented access, and will also be able to customise their own experiences from any angle in 360-degree.”

Barcelona’s iconic Nou Camp is set to undergo a major renovation as part of the €600 million Espai Barca project, which will see the stadium’s capacity increased to 105,000. The transformation also involves the installation of a roof to provide shelter for all seats along with a new perimeter ring that will house VIP boxes and restaurants.

https://thesportsbay.com/26346-barcelonas-nou-camp-to-develop-europes-first-5g-stadium.html

The Flying Eagles have failed to fly over the Amajitas of South Africa in the third place of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday in Niger.

Both sides ended the game goalless in regulation time, but the Amajitas went on to win 5-3 on penalties.

Just as the game against Mali, the Paul Aigbogun’s side were the better side, dominating possession but were unable to translate that into goals.



Aigbogun afforded some of his fringe players such as Detan Ogundare replacing Orewale Oredale in goal while the likes of Peter Eletu, Solomon Ogberahwe and Paschal Onyekachi all started.

Nigeria went close eleven minutes into the game when the Jamil Muhammad fired a decent effort wide of target.

The duo of Onyekachi and Maxwell Effiom equally had efforts to score in the dour first period while Amajita winger, Kobamelo Kodisang equally saw a decent chance go begging.

Yahaya Nazifi came off the bench in the second period and nearly beat South African goalkeeper, Kuhbeka with a good shot which agonizingly missed to the left of goal as Nigeria searched for the break through.

After a deadlocked encounter, it boiled down to penalties where Ibrahim Alhassan’s miss proved costly as Nigeria settled for fourth place in the tournament just as all of South Africa’s kicks got into the back of the net.

Both teams had met in the group stage of the competition and played a goalless draw before advancing to the semifinals.

By so doing, they sealed their spots at the 2019 U-20 FIFA World Cup that is billed to hold in May and hosted by Poland.

The final of the CAF tournament in Niger will come to a close on Sunday, when Senegal will take on Mali in the final by 4:30p.m in Niamey.

https://thesportsbay.com/26001-u-20-afcon-flying-eagles-lose-third-place-match-to-south-africa.html

Undefeated boxing champion, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has said he expects to earn $80 million from more boxing exhibitions in 2019.

Mayweather fought against Tenshin Nasukawa in January in Japan and is said to have picked up $9 million for the three-round showdown. In the end, the man known as Money won the fight after Nasukawa’s corner threw in the towel in the first round.

When asked what he has coming up for the year by TMZ, Mayweather said he will be involved in similar types of events in the coming months, starting in July back in Japan.



“I’ve got another one in Japan, I think in July,” said the veteran fighter. “Like $10 million, three rounds.” Mayweather went on to say that from “four or five” exhibition fights this year he is expecting to pick up a whopping $80 million.

When asked whether the rules would be the same, the 41-year-old said “always, always my rules.” When pressed on a possible opponent, Mayweather said it would be a former Japanese boxer.

Floyd Mayweather says he can make real money doing the exhibition fights with much less risk to his health.

“It’s all about being smart. My faculties are very important.”

https://thesportsbay.com/25991-floyd-mayweather-says-hes-fighting-again-in-july-for-10m.html

The coffin of footballer Emiliano Sala, who died in a plane crash between Nantes and Cardiff, arrived in Argentina on Friday ahead of his funeral in his hometown of Progreso.

The British Airways flight carrying the body landed shortly after 9:00 am (1200 GMT) at Buenos Aires airport. A van waited to drive it for funeral ceremonies in northeastern Santa Fe, the capital of Santa Fe province before it is returned to the family for final rites on Saturday.

“This is a day of historic grief for Progreso. We could never have imagined this, we are all in a state of shock,” Daniel Ribero, president of the San Martin de Progreso club, where Sala played for 10 years.



Sala’s body was recovered from the plane wreckage in the English Channel last week. He was flying to his new team, English Premier League side Cardiff City, from his old French club Nantes when his plane went missing on January 21.

The 28-year-old died of “head and trunk injuries,” an inquest in England heard on Monday.

He was travelling in a light aircraft that disappeared near the British island of Guernsey.

The wreckage was found on the seabed but 59-year-old pilot David Ibbotson remains missing.

Sala’s former team gave him a rousing send-off on Sunday, playing a French league match in a special all-black kit for the occasion, with each player wearing the Argentine’s name on the back of their jersey rather than their own.

https://thesportsbay.com/25976-emiliano-salas-body-arrives-argentina-for-funeral.html

Lionel Messi is one of the investors in the Davis Cup Finals in Madrid later this year, according to FC Barcelona team mate Gerard Pique.

The defender’s Kosmos company has been instrumental in a revamp for the historic tennis competition.

His investment firm Kosmos has backed the new format to the tune of $3 billion (£2.3 billion) over 25 years.



It will jointly run the inaugural 18-nation finals alongside the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

The competition, which has replaced the 16-nation World Group played throughout the year, will take place at Madrid’s La Caja Magica (Magic Box) stadium from Nov. 18 to Nov. 24.

Speaking before Thursday’s draw ceremony, Pique confirmed Argentina forward and fellow tennis fan Messi, who already has a stake in Kosmos, was involved.

“Leo knows more than anyone about this, because he is involved in Kosmos,” Pique was quoted as saying by British media on Friday.

“He is a partner, he is part of the Kosmos family, he likes tennis. We have a relationship of 18 years since he arrived at the club and I always try to share with him things I’m thinking, he loves to be part of it and he wanted to be part of it.”

Pique’s involvement in the ITF’s 119-year-old team competition has drawn scorn in some quarters.

Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, who will captain Australia at the event, has questioned his credentials.

Swiss great Roger Federer even suggested the competition was in danger of becoming the “Pique Cup”.

“I hate it, because it’s not about me and I don’t want my name on the competition,” Pique said.

“Davis Cup history is so big. I hope we can change this opinion. After a few years, I hope they go back and say `We were wrong, Davis Cup is more alive than ever’.

“I respect the opinion of Lleyton, he was a great player. I can understand that when a footballer comes in the tennis world it can seem a little bit awkward or strange, but at the end of the day I’m not going to be changing the rules of tennis.”

The 32-year-old Pique also said he was too busy trying to help FC Barcelona win La Liga and the UEFA Champions League than meddling too much in the ITF’s flagship tournament.

“I don’t want to be distracted because I have another job, which is to play football. It helps me be focused, more concentrated and not to make mistakes on the pitch, because otherwise I know there will be criticism,” he said in the Daily Mail.

The Davis Cup Finals, which will offer a large prize money pot, will be staged in Madrid for two years.

Later, it will possibly move to the California resort of Indian Wells owned by another Kosmos stakeholder Larry Ellison.

https://thesportsbay.com/25973-lionel-messi-to-partner-gerard-pique-in-3bn-davis-cup-investment.html

The Match Day 9 of the Nigeria Professional Football League between Abia Warriors and a rejuvenated Akwa United ended 1-1.

The game played at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Thursday saw the home side making 11 changes to the side that lost at El-Kanemi Warriors on Sunday.


The entire starting 11 that made the trip to Maiduguri are either rested or left on the bench.

From the blast of the whistle, both teams struggled to keep the ball under control on a

Playing on a bumpy pitch which made the teams struggle to keep the ball but was enough for Abia Warriors’ Chinedu Ozor to open scoring, blasting in the goal from the near post following a well delivered corner in the 28th minute.

However, in the 33rd minute, Akwa’s Mfon Udoh scored his 5th goal of the season and his second in two consecutive away games to level the score.

After the equalising goal, the game became very physical with tackles coming in from both sides.

In Osogbo Remo Stars ended their ‘home’ game in a 2-1 victory over Kwara United.

The Shagamu based club who had hitherto been banished to Osogbo by the League Management Company over fans attack on match officials.

Mathias Ogwuche hit the ball one-time from a brilliant pass by Omotayo Adebogun to put Remo in the lead in the 20th minute.

The goal seemed to spur Kwara into life as they piled pressure on the home side which paid off at the tail end of the first half courtesy of Daberechi Anyanwu’s header which put an end to their run of 405mins of league action without scoring away from home.

At the restart of the game, the home side got back in front through Mathias Ogwuche who got his second of the game to seal all three points.

In Okigwe, Heartland FC were unable to break visiting Gombe United side in a game that ended 1-1.

Chidiebere Ajoku shot Heartland into the lead rising high to nod in Uche Oguchi’s cross.

They held onto their lead till 90th minute when a penalty kick was awarded to their opponents which was scored by Chigozie Maurice.

Other results from other matches showed the game between Sunshine Stars and Bendel Insurance ending 1-1. In Omoku, it was the same scoreline between Go Round and Nasarawa United. However, it was a hard fought 1-0 victory for FC IfeanyiUbah over El-Kanemi Warriors.

https://thesportsbay.com/25957-npfl-abia-warriors-battle-akwa-united-to-share-spoils-of-war.html