The semi-final draw of EFL Cup has been confirmed as Man City face Man Utd in Manchester Derby and Leicester draw Aston Villa.


Defending champions Manchester City will face local rivals Manchester United in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Leicester City will take on Aston Villa in the other last-four clash, with the ties to be played over two legs in the weeks commencing 6 and 27 January.

Manchester United and Leicester will be at home in their first legs.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have won the tournament in each of the last two seasons and four times in the last six years.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/efl-cup-semi-final-draw-manchester.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick has disclosed that Benin City will host Nigeria's first 2022 World Cup qualifying match in March 2020.




The draw for the second round of the World Cup qualifiers will hold at the Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo, Egypt on 21 January 2020.

"This is a historic city and you cannot talk about Nigerian football without talking about Edo state," Pinnick said in an interview with Brila FM after the NFF Congress held at the ancient city.

"At a time we had five (Nigeria) Premier League clubs from Benin City - Flash Flamingoes, Bendel United, Bendel Insurance all these clubs were in Benin and they paraded most of the Super Eagles players so football is coming home and that's why we are bringing the first World Cup qualifying match to Benin City," Pinnick stated.

The 14 winners of the first round qualifiers joins the 26 top seeded teams to form ten groups of four contestants each based on the December 2019 FIFA rankings with the ten group winners then advancing to the final round where the five qualified teams for Qatar 2022 will emerge.

The last time Benin City hosted a major qualifying match for Nigeria's men's team was between 2011 and 2012 during qualifiers for the football event of the London 2012 Olympics which Nigeria like the 2020 edition failed to qualify for.

Nigeria have participated at six editions of the World Cup between 1994 and 2018 with the only absence at the tournament being the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/is-coming-home-nff-president-reveals.html

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Eden Hazard, Marcelo and James Rodríguez miss out through injury while outcasts ÁLvaro Odriozola, Brahim and Mariano are left out of the squad.


Zidane has sprung few surprises with his Real Madrid squad for the Clásico at Camp Nou on Wednesday, taking everything he has at his disposal including Gareth Bale, Vinicius and Rodrygo as the Frenchman plots a game on the front foot in the top of the table clash against Barcelona.

Bale, Vinicius and Rodrygo are included up front alongside the in-form Karim Benzema and his understudy, Luka Jovic, while the midfield is a balance of grit and grace with the return of Casemiro and the inclusion of the little used Isco.

At the back, Zidane will be pleased to be able to call on the services of Ferland Mendy after suspension and has the versatile Nacho available after the utility man’s 90 minutes at left back against Valencia marked his return from a ligament injury.

Full Squad:
GKs: Courtois, Areola, Altube.

DFs: Carvajal, Militão, Ramos, Varane, Nacho, Mendy.

MFs: Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Valverde, Isco.

FWs: Benzema, Bale, Jović, Vinicius Jr. Rodrygo.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/benzema-ramos-modric-lead-madrid_17.html?m=1


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Real Madrid's players were handed an early Christmas present by sponsors Audi as every member of the first team squad drove away with a new set of wheels.



The German car manufacturer put smiles on the faces of Zinedine Zidane and his players as the Spanish giants all got to choose which model they wanted to receive and in what colour.



Club captain Sergio Ramos opted for the most expensive drive, selecting the £86,000 Lunar Blue Audi A8 50 TDI Quattro Tiptronic.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/real-madrid-players-handed-brand-new.html


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been named the Football Supporters' Association player of the year.



More than 340,000 votes were cast by fans, with Van Dijk beating Manchester City's Raheem Sterling into second place.

The other nominations were Van Dijk's Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane, Tottenham's Heung-Min Son, Leicester striker Jamie Vardy and Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.




Van Dijk is the fourth Liverpool player to win the award in the last seven years, following Mohamed Salah, Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez.

"I'm very grateful to get this trophy. It means a lot to me," Van Dijk said.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/van-dijk-wins-football-supporters.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

The unnamed Nigerian Player who allegedly impregnated his Club President’s daughter has been identified as John Edafe and he has denied the allegations as reported.
It was reported by various media outlets earlier this week that the player was sacked by his second division Slovenian Club for misconduct and impregnating the daughter of the Club president.

In an exclusive interview with www.brila.net, the former Mighty Jets and Nove Gorica Attacking Midfielder shared his side of the story.

“Thank you for contacting me , I don’t know where the story emanated from.

“I was shocked when I read the report where they said I impregnated my former president’s daughter.

“I left Nove Gorica in 2018 and returned to Nigeria at the end of my contract,” Edafe stated.

“I can assure you that all is fine between me and the Club, the president has no daughter, and what we share is purely professional relationship and during my time in Slovenia, we didn’t share anything personal.

“The story is completely false and it must be discouraged,” the 26 year-old narrated.

Edafe further revealed that he’s on the verge of sealing a move to a club in Cyprus and will be heading out next month.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/nigerian-player-who-allegedly.html


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Mohamed Salah has revealed how he has been working on his right-foot after scoring twice to help Liverpool overcome Watford in the Premier League.


“I am practicing with my right foot now,” the Reds forward, who is naturally left-footed, admitted post-match to BT Sport .

“I had good luck with the first goal. Counter-attack and someone played a good pass and I think it was scored at the right time.

“We play against a good team today and I think they should be better positioned from where they are and hopefully we keep winning.

“I think we now have more experience. We play together for three or four years and we now when we can make the game calm and make it fast.

“Sometimes the crowd can panic a little bit but we have experience and a few games with one zero so it is fine.”

Before teammate James Milner added: “It was one of those days. The wind was difficult and it made it tough to play. We went long a few more times than we would like but sometimes you just have to play the game.

“They was always going to be up for it. A new manager coming in and we know what Nigel is like as well.

“It is not nice it affects everything, your touch, the longer passes, crosses, touch etc, but you have to deal with it. It is the same for both teams and sometimes you just have to scrap it out.”


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/im-practicing-with-my-right-foot-now.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Speaking before Friday night's Ligue 1 match against Montpellier at Stade Pierre-Mauroy (Villeneuve d'Ascq), Lille President Gérard Lopez has valued Victor Osimhen in the region of 70 million euros but has ruled out a possible departure of the Nigeria international in the winter transfer market.


It has been widely reported that La Liga champions Barcelona are plotting a move for the 2015 U17 World Cup winner and he has also been linked with a transfer to the English Premier League.

Based on Lopez's new valuation of Osimhen, the Ultimate Strikers product would beat the transfer record for a player of Nigerian descent held by Everton's Alex Iwobi if his asking price is met by an interested club.

''A departure this winter is not on the agenda," said the president of LOSC to Canal+, according to RMC Sport.

Asked to confirm rumours suggesting Osimhen is now valued at 70 million euros, Lopez replied : ''There is already interest for sums of about this level.

He is a player who is in his ascending curve.

''He is a young player, who has just arrived.

a good season in Belgium but he struggled a bit for medical reasons, he hadn't been too lucky.

''It is not only that the door is closed for this winter, I would also like to keep it closed for this summer.

The idea is to keep him one more season.

'' Osimhen could have scored his 12th goal of the season in yesterday's clash against Montpellier but missed a penalty in the 89th minute.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/lille-boss-reveals-how-much-it-will.html?m=1 MN

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Akwa Starlets recorded their first win in the top flight, courtesy of a lone goal scored by Isaac George, to see off visiting FC Ifeanyiubah, in a Matchday 4 fixture decided at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Thursday.
The League Management Company (LMC) has approved the change of name of Akwa Starlets to Dakkada International FC in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

According to a letter signed by LMC’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Salihu Abubakar and addressed to all NPFL clubs, the approval was given after the club complied with LMC requirements.

“The League Management Company (LMC) hereby approves the change of name, the club will henceforth be known and addressed as Dakkada International FC in all Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches and activities,” the letter read.

Enyimba will be the first opponent to face the third-placed Dakkada Int’l FC on Sunday when the two sides meet in a Match Day Eight fixture in Uyo.

Meanwhile, LMC have given provisional approval for Delta Force to be changed to Kwara United in the NPFL.

The LMC also approved the Ilorin Township Stadium as the venue for Kwara United home games this season.

Kwara United started the season in the Nigeria National League (NNL) where they defeated Gombe United in their first game before acquiring the NPFL status of Delta Force.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/lmc-approves-akwa-starlets-change-of.html?m=1


Cc lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Dani Ceballos has revealed he’s on track to be fit for Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth on Boxing Day.


Via his social media channels, Ceballos revealed: “There’s almost no time left! Boxing Day is my goal! 8 days until I’m back with the team!”

The Spain international has been sidelined by a hamstring problem picked up in the 1-1 draw with Vitoria on 6 November and has missed seven games so far.

Sunday’s game with Manchester City and the trip to Everton will also pass him by before he gets a chance to impress interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg.

Prior to his injury, Ceballos made 17 appearances, registering two assists and scoring one goal.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/good-news-arsenal-fans-dani-ceballos.html


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Check out list of teams that have qualified for the round of 32 in the Europa League.

List of the round of 32: Malmö, Copenhagen, Getafe, CFR Cluj, Arsenal, Frankfurt, Rangers, Porto, Ludogorets, İstanbul Başakşehir & Roma



Screenshot_20191212232347
The Europa League round-of-32 lineup


SEEDED

Ajax, Benfica, Celtic, Espanyol, Inter Milan, Salzburg, Sevilla, Basel, LASK, Arsenal, Malmo, Gent, Porto, Basaksehir, Braga, Manchester United

UNSEEDED

APOEL, Club Brugge, Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiacos, Shakhtar Donetsk, Sporting CP, Cluj, Getafe, Eintracht Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Wolfsburg, Ludogrets, Rangers, Roma, Wolves, AZ Alkmaar.

How was seeding determined?
The clubs are split into two pots, with the 12 group winners and the four best third-ranked teams in the UEFA Champions League group stage all seeded.

How does the draw work?
The seeded teams play at home in the second legs.

No team can play a club from their UEFA Europa League group or a side from the same national association.

Further restrictions will be confirmed before the draw.

When do ties take place?
The first legs are scheduled for Thursday 20 February, with the second legs on 27 February. Kick-off times are split between 18:55 CET and 21:00 CET, as they were in the group stage. The round of 16 draw is on 28 February.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/man-utd-arsenal-wolves-ajax-make-up.html?m=1


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

The PSG player says that they owe him money from his last year at Barcelona and that they 'acted in bad faith' after he left the club in 2017.


Neymar continues to bring the heat against Barcelona's board. In a new claim, the Brazilian is demanding €3.5 million in unpaid wages from his former employers according to El Mundo. The PSG player also accused Josep Maria Bartomeu of acting in 'absolute bad faith' and says he has issue 'reprisals' for Neymar leaving in 2017.

Despite the rumours of Neymar's potential return to Barcelona last summer, he continues to fight them in court. There was talk that Neymar said he would withdraw all claims, which amount to €43.6 million, provided there was an agreement to sign him back.

There was no agreement to sign him and he stayed at PSG, which saw the labour case play out although it it still pending sentence. The current case is being taken out as a separate issue. The PSG star believes that they not only owe him his renewal money but also part of his salary from his final season. That amount to €3.5 million according to the same report.

El Mundo report that Neymar says Barcelona agreed to pay these amounts but broke their promise. That's why he took out a new claim in labour court with his usual lawyers: Laffer law firm. It's a new row between Barcelona and the Brazilian that transcends sports but which makes his return to the Camp Nou even more complicated.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/neymar-claims-former-club-barca-owes.html?m=1


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Manchester City and Liverpool account for 17 of the 55 players on the FIFA TOTY shortlist. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo made the cut.

Liverpool lead the way with 10 nominations for the EA Sports FIFA Team of the Year.

FIFA players will take part in a fan vote to select their best XI from 2019 and there are almost a full team of Liverpool stars to choose from among the 55-man shortlist.

Goalkeeper Alisson is joined by full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, along with Ballon d'Or runner-up Virgil van Dijk. Klopp's first-choice midfield trio of Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum and captain Jordan Henderson are joined by formidable from three Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

It is a tale of dominance for the Premier League's top two in 2018-19 as England's domestic treble-winners Manchester City are represented by seven players – Ederson, Aymeric Laporte, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero.

Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are all present, but there is no place for the latter's Barcelona team-mate Antoine Griezmann or Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

Neymar is joined by four of his Paris Saint-Germain team-mates, while Borussia Dortmund surprisingly outstrip Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich. BVB trio Jadon Sancho, Marco Reus and Mats Hummels are in the mix along with Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich.

Andre Onana, Nicolas Tagliafico, Hakim Ziyech and Dusan Tadic make up the Ajax contingent, while the now departed De Jong and De Ligt were, of course, a key factor in their domestic double and progress to the semi-finals of Europe's top competition.

De Ligt and Ronaldo are the Juventus nominees alongside Paulo Dybala, Alex Sandro and Leonardo Bonucci.

EA Sports' 55-man shortlist for the FIFA Team of the Year in full:

Attackers

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Arsenal

Sergio Agüero - Manchester City

Karim Benzema - Real Madrid

Roberto Firmino - Liverpool

Eden Hazard - Real Madrid

Harry Kane - Tottenham Hotspur

Robert Lewandowski - Bayern München

Sadio Mané - Liverpool

Kylian Mbappé - Paris Saint-Germain

Lionel Messi - FC Barcelona

Neymar Jr - Paris Saint-Germain

Cristiano Ronaldo - Piemonte Calcio

Mohamed Salah - Liverpool

Bernardo Silva - Manchester City

Heung-Min Son - Tottenham Hotspur

Raheem Sterling - Manchester City

Midfielders

Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City

Paulo Dybala - Piemonte Calcio

Christian Eriksen - Tottenham Hotspur

Fabinho - Liverpool

Kai Havertz - Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Jordan Henderson - Liverpool

Frenkie de Jong - FC Barcelona

N’Golo Kanté - Chelsea

Luka Modric - Real Madrid

Marco Reus - Borussia Dortmund

Jadon Sancho - Borussia Dortmund

David Silva - Manchester City

Dušan Tadić - Ajax

Marco Verratti - Paris Saint-Germain

Georginio Wijnaldum - Liverpool

Hakim Ziyech - Ajax

Defenders

Jordi Alba - FC Barcelona

Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool

Leonardo Bonucci - Piemonte Calcio

José María Giménez - Atlético de Madrid

Mats Hummels - Borussia Dortmund

Joshua Kimmich - Bayern München

Kalidou Koulibaly - Napoli

Aymeric Laporte - Manchester City

Matthijs de Ligt - Piemonte Calcio

Marquinhos - Paris Saint-Germain

Sergio Ramos - Real Madrid

Andrew Robertson - Liverpool

Alex Sandro - Piemonte Calcio

Thiago Silva - Paris Saint-Germain

Milan Škriniar - Inter Milan

Nicolás Tagliafico - Ajax

Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool

Jan Vertonghen - Tottenham Hotspur

Goalkeepers

Alisson - Liverpool

Ederson - Manchester City

Jan Oblak - Atlético de Madrid

André Onana - Ajax

Marc-André ter Stegen - FC Barcelona

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/messi-ronaldo-lead-fifa-20-toty.html?m=1

With thanks to Atalanta's progression in the Champions League, Inter will be a seeded team for the Europa League last 32 draw, a report from FCInter1908.it details.


Inter finished third in their Champions League group and as a result will drop down to the second highest continental competition for European clubs.

The ties, which will be played on February 20, 2020 and the week thereafter on February 27, 2020, will be decided on Monday afternoon at 13:00 local time when the draw for the next round takes place at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

The report goes on to state that Inter could potentially end up with a very tricky draw dependent on how teams finish the group stage later on today.

Inter could potentially meet with last year's runners-up Arsenal, two time winners Porto or one time winners Manchester United if these sides are to finish second. A far kinder draw could see them draw someone like reigning Cypriot champions APOEL Nicosia.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/inter-could-face-arsenal-porto-or.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Twitter has revealed that the Spanish champions, Barcelona were the most tweeted about sports team in the world in 2019.



Barca pipped their arch-rival Real Madrid and Premiership clubs, Manchester United, and Liverpool, to scoop the top spot.



The only non-football team to make it into the top 10 are NBA side the Los Angeles Lakers, who signed superstar LeBron James in 2018.



See full list below.



Most Tweeted about Sport Teams in 2019:



1)Barcelona

2)Real Madrid

3)Man Utd

4)Liverpool

5)PSG

6)Juventus

7)Man City

Ajax

9)Flamengo

10)LA Lakers

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/twitter-has-revealed-that-spanish.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Tonight's absence for the match versus Inter will be the first time that Lionel Messi has missed a Champions League game when fit since December 2011, a report in today's print edition of Gazzetta dello Sport highlights.


The multi-time world player of the year has not been included in Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde's 20 man squad to take on the Nerazzurri in the final round of group stage action and is one of several Barcelona stars that has not been included in the squad.

With Barcelona already through to the knockout stages of the competition as group winners, it is clear that Valverde has taken the decision not to risk any of his key players given that El Clasico is coming up.

Messi's absence will come as a real boost to Inter who know that a win will guarantee them passage to the next round. Inter can also make it through if they match Borussia Dortmund's result.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/messi-to-miss-his-first-champions.html?m=1


Cc lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Freddie Ljungberg has said that Gabriel Martinelli is "like a Duracell battery" after the young forward helped to haul Arsenal to victory against West Ham on Monday.


Asked to assess the match after the final whistle, Ljungberg – who was appointed as interim head coach in light of Unai Emery's sacking late last month – told BBC Sport: "The players have belief and tried to move the ball with more tempo. West Ham got tired. The players ran their socks off and fought. I believe in them.

"When I could see them put their shift in, I could see the quality. I thought: 'It is here for the taking'.

"Martinelli did amazingly. He is like a Duracell battery, he keeps going."

Ljungberg went with Martinelli ahead of Alexandre Lacazette, a decision which raised a few eyebrows given that Martinelli, 18, was making his first start in the Premier League.


"Laca is a tremendous player but I had to make a tough decision," said the Swede.

"We have a lot to work on," he went on. "A lot of things to fix. [The team] have been under a lot of pressure but they had the mental strength to win.

"I tried to keep calm and see what was happening on the pitch. They sorted it out themselves.

"It is amazing what they did today. I just want to enjoy the day and then get to work tomorrow."

From his three games in charge, Ljungberg now has one draw, one defeat and one win. Asked what it meant to get his first victory in his post-match interview, he added: "It's a great feeling and it's a lot better to win than to lose. We shouldn't get carried away."

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/is-like-duracell-battery-ljungberg.html


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he sees a bit of Cristiano Ronaldo in Marcus Rashford after the forward netted his tenth goal in 11 games.


The 22-year-old has faced criticism for his lack of goals in recent seasons despite many tipping him to become an Old Trafford legend, with just 26 in his last two seasons at United.

But he is enjoying a rich vein of form in front of goal this term. He netted three in his last two games against Tottenham and Manchester City and has 13 strikes in all competitions - matching his total from the last campaign before the turn of the year.


Comparisons between Rashford and Portuguese superstar first came about after the England international smashed in a free-kick against Chelsea in the EFL cup that was similar to the one Ronaldo scored against Portsmouth in 2007-08.

And his manager Solskjaer admits he can see why some are linking the two together and believes their attributes are similar, backing Rashford to go on to become a star in his own right.

'It's very easy to compare the two of them, yeah,' he said.

'Both with skills, body shape, attitude, attributes - everything. The boy has every chance in the world to become a top, top player.




'Let's hope he continues like this.'

But while Rashford is finally hitting his stride and showing his clinical nature this season, the Norwegian doesn't want him to focus too much on his goal tally and would rather he work on his mental game.

'I don't want to talk about the amount of goals,' Solskjaer added.

'As long as he keeps being positive and being direct and thinking about getting in front of the goal and getting chances, he'll score goals.'

Ronaldo played for United for six years between 2003 and 2009, scoring 118 goals in 292 outings and lifting nine trophies, including three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and the Champions League.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/solskjaer-compares-rashford-to-ronaldo.html


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Nicholas Pepe inspired Arsenal to their first victory in 10 games as Freddie Ljungberg's reign finally had lift off.


The Gunners' £72million man scored a brilliant solo effort before setting up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the north Londoners came from behind to seal a 3-1 win over West Ham to notch interim boss Ljungberg's first win since taking over.

Angelo Ogbonna's opener was cancelled by Gabriel Martinelli who levelled on his full Premier League debut and Ljungberg said: 'People always ask me about Pepe, and he needs to adapt and that's not so easy, especially with his price.


'But he showed his quality tonight and he can sleep happy. He will get better and better.

'I hope the win changes the mood. They look happy. But we are demanded to win football matches and I can sense the pressure that have been under.

'That lifted a bit today. You always hope one win can transform a season - but we can't get carried away.'



On the prospect of becoming the club's full-time boss, Ljungberg, he added: 'I speak to Edu (technical director) but I've been told just to work on a game-by-game basis.'

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/ljungberg-praises-pepe-for-his-match.html


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

It has been confirmed that Benzema, Djibril Cisse & Co. lose latest legal fight in the Mathieu Valbuena sextape affair.


The French Supreme Court on Monday dismissed Karim Benzema's appeal, with which the striker of Real Madrid hoped to bury the accusation that continues since 2015 for his alleged involvement in an attempt to blackmail his teammate then Matthieu Valbuena.

Magistrates of the highest court judged that the investigators did not go beyond the legitimate limits to obtain proof of their involvement, contrary to what the player wanted.

This means that the validity of all the evidence collected by the prosecution is maintained, which could lead Benzema to sit on the bench at the end of the instruction procedure.

Opens French prosecutors up to the possibility of formally charging them with blackmail.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/benzema-facing-charge-after-losing.html


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Former world No 1 and a Danish professional tennis player, Caroline Wozniacki has announced she is retiring from tennis after next month's Australian Open.



The 29-year-old will end her career at Melbourne, where she won her only Grand Slam in 2018, in order to focus on starting a family and travelling the world with her husband and former NBA player David Lee.



Sharing the shocking news to her fans on Instagram, Wozniacki, who last competed in October, when she reached the semi-finals of the China Open in Beijing, wrote:


I’ve played professionally since I was 15 years old. In that time I’ve experienced an amazing first chapter of my life. With 30 WTA singles titles, a world #1 ranking for 71 weeks, a WTA Finals victory, 3 Olympics, including carrying the flag for my native Denmark, and winning the 2018 Australian Open Grand slam championship, I’ve accomplished everything I could ever dream of on the court.



I’ve always told myself, when the time comes, that there are things away from tennis that I want to do more, then it’s time to be done. In recent months, I’ve realized that there is a lot more in life that I’d like to accomplish off the court.



Getting married to David was one of those goals and starting a family with him while continuing to travel the world and helping raise awareness about rheumatoid arthritis (project upcoming) are all passions of mine moving forward.



So with that, today I am announcing that I will be retiring from professional tennis after the Australian Open in January. This has nothing to do with my health and this isn’t a goodbye, I look forward to sharing my exciting journey ahead with all of you!



Finally, I want to thank with all my heart, the fans, my friends, my sponsors, my team, especially my father as my coach, my husband, and my family for decades of support! Without all of you I could have never have done this!

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/caroline-wozniacki-retires-from-tennis.html?m=1

Cc lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Victor Osimhen netted his ninth Ligue 1 goal of the season to hand his team Lille a slim 1-0 win over Brest in a Friday League game played in France


It took just 16 minutes for the forward to score the goal that separated the teams at the end of regulation time as he expertly turned home a pass from Jonathan Ikone in his usual predatory style.

The goal means he has now scored five goals in his last seven games for both club and country as he scored thrice for Nigeria during the AFCON 2021 Qualifiers games against Benin Republic and Lesotho respectively.

He is presently the striker with the most goals for players at the age of 20 and below in the top five league in Europe. A form which has shot him up the radar of top teams in Europe who are lining up a move for him despite just a season in France.

Aside his goals in the Ligue 1 he also has two goals in this season UEFA Champions League despite his team struggling to make an impression in the tournament as they are presently bottom of their group.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/osimhen-nets-9th-ligue-1-goal-of-season.html?m=1


Cc lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has sensationally reveal that players of the senior national team of Nigeria use charms to aid their performance on the pitch.

The debate on if Juju really works in football particularly African football has been on for a while and Ideye has now lifted the lid on the issue insisting that the practice is well and truly the norm with Nigerian players.

Ideye who was a part of the Nigerian team that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations said it's normal for the players of the senior national team of Nigeria and players from other African countries despite the fact that the fact that most of them are either Christians or Muslims.

Although he insist he has most times rely on his natural ability and God given potential to play, same can't be said about his national team colleagues who are mostly in the act of collecting good luck charms from witch doctors to aid their performance.

“I know players who get involved with the juju men and they can’t get out, It's common in the Super Eagles ," Ideye said.

"It’s a trap. They might get short-term benefits, but in the long run they pay for it. Juju men have a lot of influence.

“These are men who are just trying to make themselves rich and tell you they can make your life perfect.

“If things like that worked then instead of Messi and Ronaldo winning world player of the year it should be some African players.

“I would advise players not to follow this route but it’s their choice, I can’t stop them.”

The former West Brom ‎striker who now plays for Greek side Aris is well remembered in Nigeria for the role he played in helping Nigeria end their long wait to lift the Africa Cup of Nations and what would have been his big break didn't happen when former Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi surprisingly dropped him from the squad to the 2014 World Cup.

Although the omission didn't affect the forward much as few months later he became the most expensive striker of West Brom when he joined them from Ukrainian outfit Dynamo Kiev for a then record transfer fee of £9m. He however failed to live up to the big money tag and left the club after just 18 months.



https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/super-eagles-players-use-juju-to-play.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

At 26, Kenneth Omeruo already own a football club in Portugal
Super Eagles and CD Leganes defender Kenneth Josiah Omeruo has told brila.net exclusively that he co-owns a football club in the Portuguese fourth division.

The former Chelsea confirmed that he is currently a shareholder of a fourth division side in Europe to help young Nigerian players who want to venture into football the opportunity.

Omeruo made this confirmation while sharing with brila.net’s Mohammed Saliu some of his humanitarian efforts and things he has done or currently doing to help the less privileged in the country.

”Now, I am working with a fourth division team which I partly own a share with, the reason is to help bring players from Nigeria straight to Portugal”, He said.

“It is difficult to wait for the U17 chance, not everyone will have that opportunity, I am also working on opening my academy so I can scout the best talents”.

“It is good to help the players and also make money in the process also, I have about 90 blind kids in Abuja that I pay their school fees in the school of the blinds, we do have their end of the year party every December in Abuja, ” Omeruo told brila.net.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/super-eagles-defender-kenneth-omeruo.html?m=1

Cc lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Germany youth international of Nigerian descent Karim Adeyemi has reacted to reports linking him with moves to Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona.


Barcelona recently saw a bid of fifteen million euros rejected for the Red Bull Salzburg starlet, while Borussia Dortmund have targeted him as a replacement for Jadon Sancho, who is attracting interest from Premier League and La Liga giants.

He trained with Chelsea and courted interest from Liverpool before joining Red Bull Salzburg in July 2018.

Adeyemi was awarded the Fritz Walter Gold Medal for the most promising talent in his age group by the DFB last August.

''First of all, I am pleased about such offers, which pushes me a lot," Adeyemi told transfermarkt.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/want-to-play-with-best-player-in-world.html?m=1

Cc lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Messi, who won the Ballon d’Or for a record sixth time on Monday, was asked at this week’s ceremony why he voted for Mane to win FIFA's 'The Best' award.


“It’s a shame to see Mane finish in fourth place,” Messi told Canal+, per the Metro.

“But I think there have been a lot of great players this year. That’s why it was difficult to choose a particular player.

“But I chose Sadio Mane because he’s a player that I like.

“Mane achieved a great year that was exceptional for the entire Liverpool team. That’s why I chose him.

“I repeat, there were a lot of very great players this year, so the choice was difficult.”


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/messi-i-chose-mane-to-win-fifa-best.html?m=1


Cc lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Eden Hazard has been ruled out of the first El Clasico of the season with his leg injury much worse than initially feared.

It was first reported that the Belgian - who sustained the injury on 27 November and it was expected initially that he would be out for just one week, but now Cadena Cope say he will miss Real Madrid’s game against Barcelona on 18 December.

Hazard was withdrawn after 70 minutes after being caught by Paris Saint-Germain defender and his fellow Belgian international teammate Thomas Meunier during their Champions League draw last week.

Zinedine Zidane stated in his post-match press conference that he is concerned by the injury but initial tests revealed the injury is not as bad as first feared.

Diario AS then reported the following day that the attacking star will only miss the upcoming games against Alaves and Espanyol but will be fit in time to face both Valencia and Barcelona later in the month.

Hazard had not broken or damaged any muscles with only bruising detected by the tests, meaning that he was thought to be likely to return in under a fortnight.

But a fresh report in Cadena Cope stated there is ‘great concern’ at the club as Hazard is still using crutches a week after the incident and is in pain when he walks, with official news of his absence confirmed on Thursday.

Hazard was replaced by Gareth Bale against the Ligue 1 giants, and the Welsh international is now likely to get further game-time in his absence.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/breaking-hazard-ruled-out-of-first-el.html

Chelsea legend John Terry revelled in his return to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night despite Aston Villa suffering defeat.

The former Blues captain was given a hero's welcome on his reunion with a club he made 717 appearances for and won five Premier League titles with.

The Villa assistant coach posted on Instagram on Thursday morning to say thank you to Chelsea for the greeting he received.

He wrote:

"Incredible to be back at the Bridge last night and see some familiar faces @franklampard @morriskid @petrcech @chelseafc.
'Very humbled and thankful for the reception I received. Love you all."


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/terry-returns-to-chelsea-poses-for.html?m=1

Georgina Rodriguez, the girlfriend to Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo has reacted as Lionel Messi clinched the 2019 Ballon d’Or award.

Rodriguez maintained that Ronaldo was the best despite losing the award the Ballon d’Or award while describing him as incomparable.

In a post on her verified Instagram page, she wrote:

“Incomparable. There are figures and titles, of all this you are the protagonist with the best results, such as the League of Nations, the Italian Cup, the Serie A Championship, Best Player of the Serie A, among others.

“But fortunately neither the awards nor the titles speak only for you, even if you have them a lot. What speaks best about you is yourself, your passion, your hunger for self-improvement, your fellowship, because you are the inspiration of Soccer and Sport for millions and millions of people.

“You are not afraid of the challenges, you leave your comfort zone and you continue surpassing yourself and showing the world what it is like to be number 1. I love you.”


https://www.instagram.com/p/B5nHXs1IXa3/?igshid=1ob6tx1a5nwxp

Barcelona have renewed the contract with 17-year-old starlet Ansu Fati until June, 2022.



The release clause will rise from €100m to €170m in his new deal.

When Fati signs a professional contract after turning 18 years old, the termination clause will automatically rise to €400.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/barcelona-renew-contract-with-17-year.html

Cc lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

The full result of FA Cup third round draw has been confirmed.


All 20 Premier League teams and all 24 Championship clubs enter the competition in the third round proper.

The result of the draw
Leicester vs Wigan

QPR vs Swansea

Fulham vs Aston Villa

Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest

Wolves vs Manchester United

Charlton vs West Brom

Rochdale or Boston United vs Newcastle United

Cardiff vs Forest Green or Carlisle

Oxford United vs Exeter or Hartlepool

Sheffield United vs AFC Fylde

Southampton vs Huddersfield

Liverpool vs Everton

Bristol City vs Shrewsbury

Bournemouth vs Luton

Brighton vs Sheffield Wednesday

Bristol Rovers or Plymouth vs Coventry or Ipswich

Eastleigh or Crewe vs Barnsley

Manchester City vs Port Vale

Middlesbrough vs Tottenham

Reading vs Blackpool

Watford vs Tranmere Rovers

Preston vs Norwich

Millwall vs Newport County

Crystal Palace vs Derby

Solihull Moors or Rotherham vs Hull

Brentford vs Stoke City

Fleetwood Town vs Portsmouth

Arsenal vs Leeds

Gillingham vs West Ham

Burton vs Northampton

Burnley vs Peterborough

Birmingham vs Blackburn


Schedule
All of this season’s third round ties are set to take place across the weekend of January 3 and January 6.

Fourth round: 25 January 2020

Fifth round: 4 March 2020

Quarter-finals: 21 March 2020

Semi-finals: 18-19 April 2020

Final: 23 May 2020


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/fa-cup-third-round-draw-man-city.html?m=1

Cc lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Lionel Messi has arrived Paris ahead of the Ballon d'Or awards going down tonight.

He was pictured with his wife and children.


Screenshot_20191202190713

The Argentine was seen getting out of the bus which transported the Barcelona players to their hotel holding his sleeping son.

Messi is expected to scoop his sixth Ballon d'Or prize.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/12/messi-arrives-2019-ballon-d-gala-with.html?m=1


Cc lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique