₦airaland Forum

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

The Match Day 7 of the abridged Nigeria Professional Football League on Wednesday experienced another round of football action across the nation.

Abia Warriors played host to Heartland in the Match Day 7 of the abridged Nigeria Professional Football League at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Wednesday.

Samson Obi scored the only goal of the game in the 25th minute of the encounter with a 25 yard volley to win the game for Abia Warriors.

Heartland who have never beaten Warriors in the last 7 league meetings were out of sorts to fashion ways to contain the home side.

At the FC IfeanyiUbah International stadium, the Anambra Warriors bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Gombe United.

The Desert Scorpions as Gombe are known were a stubborn side who thwarted every effort of the home side to score.

They held their grounds but succumbed to the pressure when in the 73rd minute, Ikenna Cooper scored off a Chinonso Udeh corner kick just as Nonso Nzediegwu helped secure all three points with a very late goal.

READ ALSO: NFPL Round Up: Rivers Utd Stop Niger Tornadoes; Katsina Utd Record 20th Home Win

In Kaduna, Kada City stunned El-Kanemi Warriors with a 2-1 comeback. Warriors’ Abubakar Umar opened scoring in the 16th minute to shock the home side.

In the 69th minute, Kada was awarded a penalty kick which was wasted by Kabir Sanusi but Anayo Iwuala was at the right place to equalise from a rebound.

Sanusi redeemed himself right at the death to score the winner to secure all for the Kaduna based team who are making their debut in the top flight division for the first time.

At Oshogbo Township Stadium, the South West Derby between Remo Stars and MFM Fc ended in a 1-0 victory for the Olukoya Boys through Adeniji Kabir who tapped in Joshua Abah’s low cross in the 13th minute of the encounter.

It was a different ball game at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, formerly known as the Liberation stadium where Rivers United dropped points for the first time at home this season after playing a goalless draw against Kwara United who secured their second point on the road.

The Pride of Rivers threw everything they had in their arsenal but Kwara’s defence led by Andrew Ikefe were brilliantly resolute.

In Omoku, Kano Pillars were shocked as they lost 2-1 to Go Round FC. In the 33rd minute, Akaba Otega opened scoring. However, just before the first half ended, Rabiu Ali’s equalised for Pillars from a deflected freekick.

In the 51st minute, Adeseun Adelani stunned the former champions with the second goal which was enough to win the game.

With these results, MFM FC lead Group A with 12 points while Rivers are second with 9 points with both having a game outstanding. Kwara United, Remo Stars, Lobi Stars and Niger Tornadoes occupy the last four positions.

In Group B, Ifeanyi Ubah lead the pack with 14 points from seven games with Heartland right on their heels with 12 points. Akwa United and Gombe United who both are on 5 points sit tightly at the base of the league table.

https://thesportsbay.com/25661-abia-warriors-maintain-unbeaten-run-against-heartland.html

ChiefAzubuike:
These are African spitting cobras and different from their Asian superior cousins, the king cobra.

The rate at which we kill them these days, their population will soon be threatened. Let's learn to live peacefully with these beautiful snakes. They don't bite to attack but only bite to defend. If you keep your cool, a human - Cobra cohabitation is very possible.

You are mad. I swear you are mad. Live with a snake ��

Forreellinc:
Your brother is not fine

Like you are finer. I just pity him cos he will pay all the monies the original lagbaja owes agbero. But we have lazy journalists oooo.

THIS IS NOT LAGBAJA. I REPEAT THIS IS NOT LAGNAJA. THE MAN IN THE PICTURE IS MY ELDER BROTHER.

[quote author= post=74808692]Thank you so much Mr Jide.
Bless you.[/quote]And you too brother

[quote author= post=74804393]RIP Serubawon!

Modify : (To our yoruba friends, what is the meaning of the bolded word above please?!)[/quote]Serubawon jawolaya.....
Literally it means TO PUT FEAR IN PEOPLE.

10k prior nysc and 30k after nysc

Out-of-favour Super Eagles defender, Godfrey Oboabona has returned to playing European football after a torrid summer which left him without a club, thesportsbay.com reports.

The 28-year-old was a free agent after his contract expired at Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli Saudi before joining HNK Gorica in March on a free transfer.

The AFCON 2013 winner, said that he’s happy to be playing football again and wouldn’t rule out a future return to the national team.

“It’s a nice feeling playing football again. I’m happy I’m getting playing time here in Croatia and I hope to continue improving game by game.

“Obviously, anything can happen, but I will not want to rule out the possibility of playing for the national team again, but only the handlers can decide that,” the former Sunshine Stars of Akure skipper said.

Oboabona has featured in eight league games for Gorica this season, starting in seven and helping the club keep two clean sheets

https://thesportsbay.com/24850-clubless-super-eagles-star-returns-to-top-level-football-in-croatia.html

The Chairman, Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Okoi Obono-Obla has revealed that the top Nigeria Football Federation officials indicted will be charged to court following the conclusion of investigations.

The panel is investigating a case of conspiracy and alleged diversion of public funds at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to the tune of N6.72 billion in the last four years.

In a chat with Obono-Obla on Monday, he stated he won’t engage in media trial as he has applied for a travel ban on the indicted officials and it is now left for the Nigeria Immigration service to get this enforced.

“We concluded investigations in November and after investigations, we will charge them to court tomorrow or latest Wednesday.

“I don’t want to engage any one in media trial. Anything you want, you will wait till when they appear in court and ask further questions,” he concluded.

It was gathered that the panel had in a letter to the Nigeria Immigration Service dated 11th December 2018 listed 32 Nigerians to be placed on the travel ban.

The list which had two sections had list of important personalities which had 25 persons and the second section had “NFF.”

In the NFF list the listed officials to be banned from travel include Amaju Melvin Pinnick, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, Mallam Shehu Dikko, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf, Alizor Chuks, Mohammed Cheku and Dr Sanusi Mohammed.

The officials indicted are NFF vice-presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, NFF finance director Mohammed Cheku, Alizor Chuks of the marketing department, NFF executive committee member Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ as well former excos, Chris Green and Sunday Dele Ajayi.

https://thesportsbay.com/24883-nff-top-officials-to-face-criminal-charges-over-n6-72bn-fraud.html

The Nigeria Football Federation Referee Appointment Committee has named referees that will officiates the Nigeria National League Super 8 slated for Aba on January 5.

As at the time of filing this report, only two of the eight teams, Gombe United and Real Stars are in Aba. However, our reporter cannot confirm whether Delta Force, are on their way to Aba, with only 24 hours to kick off date.

It was gathered that the five (5) clubs that failed to showed up in December for the Super 8 may not also travel for the play off.

The five NNL teams; 3sc, Kada FC, Bendel Insurance, Remo Stars and Kogi United, argued that they will play Super 8 only when NPFL relegate four teams, without that, they will not be part of the play off.

ll the teams have resumed training in their different training pitch but may not travel to Aba for the play off. It is not clear the decision the NFF will make for teams that fail to be part of Super 8.

Despite the uncertainty, the NFF has named referees to officiate the play off.

Here are the names of the match officials for the Nigeria National League Super 8 play off.

Referees Appointed for the NNL Play Off .

Referees
Bashir S. Kano Fifa
Olayinka O Lagos Fifa
Dr. Udennaka C Anambra
Nwanesi B Imo
Sani Salihu FCT
Marcus Bwashi Bauchi

Assistant Referees
Isa Usman Katsina Fifa
Peter Ogwu Bauchi Fifa
Sunny Atu Cross River
Sylvanus Umoh Akwa Ibom
Aminu Salihu FCT
Haruna Dauda Yobe

Assessor
Engr Emmanuel Imiere FIFA Rtd
C. C Chukwujekwu FIFA Rtd

Match Officials Cordinator/ Head of Refereeing Unit

Hon Sani Zubairu FIFA Rtd

Match Officials are expected to report to Aba on Friday January 4th, 2019 which is today.

https://thesportsbay.com/24727-nff-appoint-referees-for-nnl-super-8.html

cc semid4lyfe, honeric01

It is said that knowledge is power and ignorance is no excuse in the face of law and this is equally apt in the world of sports.

This article is about the most visited sports websites in Nigeria who get thousands of monthly views from readers who want to get informed about their favourite clubs, transfer news, soccer news, sports scores, sports news and trends.

Here are our top 10

Goal.com Nigeria offers football news, rumours and transfers from Nigeria, Europe and beyond. Live scores and football previews on Goal.com.

CompleteSports is one of the most widely read sports newspapers in Nigeria. It was first published in December 1995 and is the most-widely-read sports publication in the country according to All Media and Product Survey (AMPS) research, 2008 and 2009.


Brilla fm is an all-round sports network that reports news across all its platforms. It is Nigeria and Africa’s Pioneer Sports Radio.

Sportlineng.com– For total sportss and excellent coverage of all your favorite sports. Basketball, Golf, Tennis, Boxing, Cricket, Football and Formula 1

SportsWaka brings all the breaking sports news, accurate and in-depth analysis, with exclusive interviews within the sports gladiators.

Soccernet.com.ng prides itself as Nigeria’s no. 1 football website that delivers fresh contents to readers every day. It was the winner of 2014 Sports Blog of the year at Nigerian Blog Awards.

Owngoalnigeria.com aims to help provide Nigerians and lovers of Nigerian football an outlet to know the latest happenings about the Nigerian domestic league and Nigerian football in general.
owngoal

BSN Sports offers you the lates Nigeria football news, updates from Nigeria footballers abroad, super eagles news, and the latest football news in Nigeria.

Footballlive has all the comprehensive and current gist of the activities of Nigerian players at home and Abroad, on the continent and in international leagues, including happenings around the Nigerian Football Federation and the Nigerian Professional Football League.

The Sportsbay.com provide the best of Nigerian football news, gossips, celebrity lifestyle, intrigues, and behind the scenes’ gist. The SportsBay is the premium content home of sports websites across the world.

https://thesportsbay.com/24707-top-10-nigerian-sports-websites-every-sports-enthusiasts-should-know-about.html

cc semid4lyfe, honeric01

shachris02:
So the ADC can carry bomb and hard drugs into the country because he's an ADC to a sitting head of state?

People like you are the reason Nigeria is the way it is.

Sir, an ADC to a sitting president is not responsible to anybody even to the chief of army staff except the president. The army can't recall him except the president wants him to go. Just like a king with his staff and if he sends anybody with his staff, he is present there. It's the same with the ADC.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is in turmoil following the admittance from the football house to have misapplied and misappropriated the sum of N1, 372,996,192.40.

In a one-paged document signed by Mohammed Cheku Salihu, the Director Finance and Administration and endorsed with the official stamp of the Office of the President, NFF Abuja, titled: ‘retirement of World Cup funds’ 16 items were listed.

It was also disclosed that Ambassador Chris Giwa spent the sum of N140million during his short stay at the NFF while the crisis lasted according to www.nigeriasportsmouthpiece.org

However, the first to the 11th item on the document were all paid for by FIFA either before or after the tournament. These according to the document are:

*Daily allowances for players/officials ($126,771)

*Appearance fee for 3 friendly matches ($327,000)

*Return tickets for players/officials ($246,000)

*Daily allowances for competitions proper (15 days) at ($142,000)

*Estacode for the delegation including advance party ($613,858)

*Hotel accommodation ($200,000)

*Local transportation of delegates ($150,000)

*Team and delegation insurance ($286,000)

*Match tickets and others ($150,000)

*Winning bonus for players/officials (prelim) ($1,392,000)

*Return tickets for players from Russia (187,600)

One very great feature of the entire retirement is that all the figures end in round digits. The figure rather look allocated based on estimates. This is a very rare occurrence in reality.

The assumption is that, may be the NFF just rounded all gotten figures without seeking to get the details of the actual costs expended. This is a hole that can cause a new saga.

Misapplication of funds: Four items are in clear obstructions of the nation’s financial regulation. The items had the label of ‘borrowed.’ They are:

Borrowed for U-20 women team (to be returned) ($168,500)

Borrowed for U-20 women team (to be returned) ($68,500)

Borrowed for Super Eagles Seychelles (to be returned) ($158,000)

Borrowed for U-17 to Niger (to be returned) ($54,615)

These four items total the sum of $749,615. One item that is not certain is in the original approval for the World Cup expenditure is that which is titled ‘others’ which has an expenditure of $300,000.

The silent revelation was lodged on the lower side of the page which was scripted as “monies left in the account (spent by Amb. Giwa). The value is N140,000,000.00” This interprets that for the period that Ambassador Chris Giwa took over the NFF on the strength of the purported Supreme Court decision, he had spent N140m.

By admittance, of the N1.6billion released by the Federal Government, the 16 items listed in the retirement document, $4,470,844.00 was spent which was calculated at N307.00 to the Dollar amounting to N1,372,996,192.40. If the money spent by Ambassador Chris Giwa is added, that leaves a total of N1,512,996,192.40.

https://thesportsbay.com/financial-scandal-rocks-nff-over-misappropriation-of-n1-6bn/football/

Sports in Nigeria has been seen as a unifying factor necessary to hold firm the fabrics of the country and has been exploited though not fully.

Nigeria just as every other nation took part in sporting activities over the course of the year and here are some major events of the year 2019.

1. African Wrestling Championships

The 5th African Wrestling Championship was the biggest international wrestling event to be ever hosted in Nigeria.

It was staged in Port Harcourt, Rivers State from February 7th – 11th and it had no fewer than 90 wrestlers which comprising both males and females who represented Nigeria at the competition.

At the end of the 5 day competition, Nigeria emerged the overall champions, coming first in four major categories of the championship which had 90 gold medals at stake.

Team Nigeria wrestlers emerged top in the cadet women wrestling, junior freestyle, senior women wrestling and senior freestyle wrestling.

Some of the countries that participated in the championship apart from the host Nigeria are Liberia, Egypt, Guinea Bissau, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Namibia, Kenya, Burundi, Cameron and Ivory Coast.

Others are Senegal, Ghana, Uganda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Madagascar, and Senegal.

2. Winter Olympics

Nigeria made her debut at a Winter Olympics by featuring in the 2018 edition in Pyeongchang, South Korea from 9–25 February 2018.

Gbenga Elegbeleye led the Nigeria delegation which consisted of four women: bobsledders Seun Adigun, Akuoma Omeoga, and Ngozi Onwumere, and skeleton racer Simidele Adeagbo.

The quartet made history as the first African women to compete in Bobsled and Skeleton events in a competition that is a rare feature on Nigeria’s sporting calendar. Sadly, they ended the Olympics without a medal.

No African nation has won a winter medal but Nigerian women are already planning to try again at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

3. Lagos City Marathon

The Lagos Marathon is a bronze label marathon held annually in Lagos, Nigeria which took place on February 10.

Sponsored by Access Bank, over 100,000 participants were on ground vying for glory.

The race was eventually won by French-Kenyan national Abraham Kiprotich who set a new record time of 2:13:04 hours in the men’s category while Ethiopian national Alemenesh Herpha Guta came first in the women’s category.

A 10 km Family Race was introduced to encourage participation from non-professional runners for fitness, fun and health purpose

4. Commonwealth Games

Nigeria competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia from April 4 to April 15, 2018.

With a 90 member contingent, Team Nigeria finished in the ninth position winning 24 medals comprising of 9 gold, 9 silver, and 6 bronze medals which was a step below the 11 gold, 11 silver, and 14 bronze medals won at the 2014 Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Para Athletes accounted for five of the top podium placements while wrestling had three and athletics one

Team Nigeria competed in nine events – Artistic Gymnastics, Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Para Powerlifting, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, and Wrestling.

Read more at https://thesportsbay.com/top-10-sports-events-of-2018-in-nigeria/other-sports/national-sports/

The CEO of Team Nigeria UK and International, David Doherty has revealed how a Nigerian football official siphoned a shipment of over 160 pieces of Nike new boots sent by the organization.

Expressing his discontent about what went down, the former Nigerian international, Sodiq Buhari popularly known as David Doherty narrated his story.

” Really I am disheartened over this turn of events, a little effort to support young people who are interested in sports has been nipped in the bud.

“We Team Nigeria UK and International had sent 200 pieces of Nike new boots to this person who promised to facilitate the distribution of the boots.

” The boots had been sent to support the efforts of young people participating in sports at the grassroots. We intended to use those boots for an Academy we had made plans to set up with the intervention of state Govt.

” However we realised they were not forthcoming despite several meetings in person and via phone calls.

“When He received the Items in his office, He did a post on Facebook like a press release to announce and coloured the whole stuff making it look as if the state had bought our idea and we’re ready to make a go at it.

“From the 200 Boots, we asked him to donate 20 football boots to a grassroots football team that approached us for support as a give back to help the young lads, He did as instructed and made video and picture of the donation and the team also sent theirs as well.

“Thereafter he asked us to help with some for his Dad Burial that he was hosting a football tournament to honour his Late Dad and to which we supported the idea, so I think he took 16 pieces ( Lets say overall 20 boots) so we were left with 160 pieces.

“Just before we travelled to Nigeria, I personally reminded him that we would require the boots be moved to Lagos as they were to be used for Sportedu+ in schools, to which he affirmed saying No problem,

“Alas, on getting to Nigeria he still went on with the facade, making me believe that the boots were intact and he would send it over to Lagos.

“When it dawned on us that this man was not being straightforward, we questioned him over the remaining boots amounting to over 142 , he purportedly claimed that there was an issue of theft and they had been stolen from his office ” he revealed.

https://thesportsbay.com/nigerian-football-official-steal-200-nike-boots/football/

President of Nigeria football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has again revealed that he won’t be seeking for another term in office when his current tenure expires in the year 2022.

Pinncik who also serves as CAF first vice President said he’s ready to step aside for another person once he completes his tenure in office.

“After this tenure I am not contesting again, I will like to go home to my beautiful wife and kids. I bear no grudges against anyone,” he said

Pinnick however was happy the country escape the hammer of FIFA in the crisis that will be long remembered by Nigeria football lovers.

“Imagine if we had been banned, the Super Eagles who have qualified for the Nations cup in 2019 would have been denied that, the Super Falcons who have clinched their 9th African Women’s Nations cup and have a ticket to the world cup in France, our Beach Eagles who have qualified for the World cup in Paraguay, all these would not have been possible,” he submitted

The former Delta FA boss added that the country‘s two senior National teams, the Super Eagles and Super Falcons are very important to the federation, even the Eagles are a big brand but the Falcons are also getting their fair share .

“Our national teams are special brands we certainly don’t treat them with levity. The super falcons are getting their fair share. We told them if they win the nations cup they will get $10,000 each and that we gave to them.

“There were people who approached the Federation to say we want to appreciate the girls and I said no don’t give to the Federation, I will give you their account numbers and you credit them directly, let them feel that appreciation coming directly from Nigerians,” he said.

https://thesportsbay.com/i-will-step-aside-as-nff-president-in-2022-pinnick/football/

The Nigeria Football Federation has said it is not a big deal that the Super Eagles and staff are owed some months salaries.

According to the Guardian, Rohr is yet to get his bonuses for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification and his salary for two months.

“It’s evident that Gernot Rohr is not happy that the NFF has not paid his 2018 World Cup qualification bonus over a year after qualifying the Eagles for the competition in Russia,” the source stated.

It was gathered that the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi that he is being owed five months’ salary.

Sanusi speaking further said “Did he (Gernot Rohr) complained to anybody that he has not been paid his salary?

“How many media houses have paid their journalists and other staffers in their organisations since seven months ago?

“Gernot Rohr is paid his salary or not, should not be a public issue. Everybody, including Rohr has been paid his or her World Cup bonuses. The Super Eagles Team Secretary can confirm that no one is still being owed any bonus.”

Continuing, Sanusi roared; “I am being owed five months salaries, and nobody cares about my survival. Yes. I’ve not been paid my salary since five months now,”

Staff of the Glass House are not happy at the development arising from the non-payment of their salaries.

“We have not seen this type of treatment and administration since over 18 years some of us have been working here. The Christmas is a few hours away, and there is nothing to celebrate with our families. It has been so bad and harsh. The popular Glass House is no longer what it used to be,” one of the staff revealed to The Guardian.

It will be recalled that the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF had boasted last Thursday in Lagos that the NFF could beat its chest anywhere that it is 60-65% self-funded, saying that corporate Nigeria’s support for Nigerian Football had improved significantly over the years.

The NFF actually celebrated its numerous sponsors in Lagos for their morale and financial support. At the occasion were big wigs and representatives of AITEO Group, Coca-Cola, Nigerian Breweries PLC, Amstel Malta, Zenith Bank PLC, Tropical and General Investments, WAPIC Insurance PLC, Cadbury Nigeria PLC, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, FrieslandCampina WAMCO and Simba Group (TVS: Official Motorycle and Tricycle Partner of the Super Eagles, among others.

https://thesportsbay.com/its-not-a-big-deal-we-are-owing-gernot-rohr-staff-salaries-nff/football/

The Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL meeting with the Club Owners Association aimed at ratifying the proposed promotion of eight teams from Nigeria National League, NNL, to the NPFL ended in a deadlock, The SportsBay reports.

The meeting which was scheduled to start at 7pm at the Hotel Reno in Abuja began by 10:00pm Wednesday and ended 1:00am Thursday with no major conclusion.

It was however gathered that the meeting will continue later today as they seek a final solution.

It will be recalled that last week, the Nigeria National League in their Annual General Assembly meeting with the NNL club owners proposed the promotion of eight clubs to join the existing twenty NPFL teams.

According to the NNL resolution, twenty eight teams will participate in the 2018/19 NPFL season with twelve relegated to the second tier league at the end of the season.

https://thesportsbay.com/club-owners-meeting-with-npfl-ends-in-deadlock/football/nigeria-football-league/

Fayemi is a refined gentleman with impeccable character and respect for elders, institutions. He brings calm and tranquility because of his top notch training acquired from the best schools around

ignant:
Man, someone just uploaded the plantation boiz poster. I really wish Black Faze can let go of the bitterness and anger and be in peace with them.

My early 2000s can't be complete without the plantation boiz story. I still have ALL their songs.

Same with me. I have a separate folder for just their songs. Just recently downloaded ALL of Stylplus songs as well. When I want to relax peacefully I listen to Ebenezer Obey, Sunny Ade. Classic music