Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been voted the EA SPORTS Player of the Month after scoring in all of his September appearances for Arsenal.


Aubameyang netted five goals in four matches to take his tally for the Premier League season to seven in his pursuit of back-to-back Golden Boots.

And the Gabon international's strikes were vital to the Gunners going unbeaten in the month.

As well as netting both of his side's goals in a 2-2 draw at Watford, he struck equalisers against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United and a free-kick to earn a late 3-2 win over Aston Villa.


Aubameyang follows August winner Teemu Pukki and claims his second EA SPORTS Player of the Month award, adding to his prize from October 2018.

The 30-year-old topped an eight-man shortlist that also included Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, John McGinn, Ricardo Pereira, Son Heung-min and Callum Wilson.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/aubameyang-beats-de-bruyne-mahrez-to.html?m=1

Lalasticlala OAM4J, Mynd44

England new boy, Fikayo Tomori recounts how collision with former Chelsea striker Diego Costa earn him media attention at early stage of his Club career.

Tomori, 21, was still a schoolboy at the time he made headline for training-ground collision with the striker and left the latter with a broken nose.

Tomori said: “I was still in school and I didn’t actually know I’d done it.

“It was an accident. We both went up — he headed the back of my head and broke his nose.

“I didn’t know until the next day when it was all over the papers. I was getting a lot of messages as if I had meant to do it.

“I got a bit of stick. It was light-hearted, a lot of banter.

“I got back to school and people were asking me

“But he was all right about it. He didn’t kick me in training after that!”

Tomori, who has played six Premier League games for Chelsea this season, is in the England squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Czech Republic.

He turned the chance of playing for Nigeria and Canada in favor of England’s Three Lions.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/how-i-broke-diego-costas-nose-tomori.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Slavia Prague striker, Peter Olayinka, says he had a rough beginning as a young aspiring footballer.

The new Super Eagles invitee explained that he had little parental support, adding that his father didn’t think a career in football was possible.

“At first my dad didn’t support me,” he told Brilla FM.

According to him, things were tough to the extent that he could barely get food to eat before going for practice.

He said, “I was on the streets for a very long time, things weren’t easy. I suffered mostly growing up; things were difficult.

“I would drink garri and kuli-kuli or go on an empty stomach after practice. But I kept my focus and would pray for a breakthrough.

“Later he noticed I could make a living from it and he became my number one fan. He bought me playing kits and my boots.”

The 23-year-old is expected to make his debut for Nigeria on October 13 against Brazil at the National Stadium in Singapore.

Olayinka recently hit target against Inter Milan in the Champions League to become the first Nigerian to score on his Champions League debut since Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s hat-trick for Maccabi Haifa against Olympiakos in September 2002.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/i-use-to-drink-garri-to-training.html

Swedish great Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been honoured with a statue in his hometown of Malmo.

On Tuesday afternoon, supporters flocked to Malmo's stadium to see Ibrahimovic himself unveil the bronze statue, commissioned by the Swedish FA in honour of their all-time record goalscorer.

The statue is the work of Swedish artist Peter Linde and stands at 8.9 feet tall while weighing approximately half a ton - taking four years to construct.

The sculpture pays tribute to the Swede's iconic goal celebration from over the years
Hundred of fans gathered outside the stadium in Malmo as Ibrahimovic addressed the crowd at the venue where he where he made his professional debut as a teenager back in 1999.

At the public event, the charismatic 38-year-old said: 'When you come to New York you have the Statue of Liberty, when you come to Sweden you have the Statue of Zlatan.'

The effigy pays tribute to his iconic goal celebration, which fans have become accustomed to over time.

Ibrahimovic netted a very impressive 62 goals in 116 games for the Sweden national team.

Back in 2012, Ibrahimovic was also honoured back in Malmo by having his name added to the Walk of Fame of Sports at the Stadium Square in the city.

Ibrahimovic has scored more than 400 goals across his career for a number of top European sides including Barcelona, Paris-Saint Germain and Manchester United.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/zlatan-ibrahimovic-statue-unveiled-in.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Mike and Mercy have emerged the top two finalist of the season 4 edition of the reality show.

Mike, Mercy, Frodd, Seyi and Omashola were the top five finalist, until three were evicted.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/breaking-mercy-and-mike-are-top-2.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Nigeria’s Super Eagles team B on Saturday crashed out of the ongoing West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup of Nations in Senegal.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the team lost all their games so far in the tournament.

In Saturday’s encounter, the home-based Eagles lost 2-3 on penalties to Cape Verde, after the game ended 1-1 at regulation time in their classification match.

The Eagles failed to win a game in the competition having lost 2-1 to Togo in their opening game.

Sikiru Alimi opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 64th minute, in what was a cagey match up, but the Island Nation responded, and leveled up in the 87th minute.

Both sides could not be separated at the end of regulation time as the match had to be decided through the lottery and penalty shootouts.

The Eagles failed to convert three of their kicks while their opponents converted three to eliminate Nigeria from the competition.

Cape Verde progressed to the semi-finals of the plate competition and would next face the winner between Liberia and Niger.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/wafu-cup-super-eagles-crash-out-lose-on.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Bordeaux forward Samuel Kalu won’t be representing Nigeria when they take on Brazil in an international friendly game on the 13th of October, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.

Kalu missed his team 3-1 win away to Toulouse in the Ligue 1 yesterday due to a thigh injury with many saying the move was a precaution to prevent him from aggravating the injury but it appears like it’s worst than initially feared.

Reports has it that the injury will see him miss the Super Eagles high profile game against Brazil where coach Gernot Rohr was hoping to play him same way he did in attack alongside the duo of Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen in attack.

A replacement for Kalu who has found the back of the net once for Bordeaux this season ‎looks highly unlikely as Rohr still has options in wide areas to make up for his absence notably Moses Simon and Dennis Emmanuel Bonaventure.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/samuel-kalu-out-of-super-eagles.html

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Lampard talks tactics with Ex Players, Cech and Ballack

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/lampard-talks-tactics-with-ex-players.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

According to stats, Wolves are the first team to beat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium whilst keeping a clean sheet.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/wolves-first-team-to-beat-pep-city-in.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Madrid have had a far from easy start to the season. Eden Hazard has fallen into the Real Madrid squad, so much so, that even his new teammates have given him a nickname.



Real Madrid are experiencing a difficult start to the Champions League after their defeat agaisnt Club Brugges, but the players and Zinedine Zidane are keeping calm and they know that the team has potential to do well in their 'fetish' competition.

Hazard has already said in his press conference that he has to give more and Zidane defended him, making a comparison to his own starts as a player. With the cards on the table, his new teammates have welcomed the player and made him feel integrated and supported within the team.

_





After the Champions League clash at Santiago Bernabeu, Casemiro spoke in front of the media, to 'Esporte Interativo'. The Brazilian revealed the nickname that they have given the former Chelsea player.

"Eden is a great player, he has already shown as much. He is a very, very happy man. He likes to laugh and to sleep. We call him Ederzinho. He likes Brazil, he sometimes to tries to say some words in Portuguese. We give him special care," Casemiro stated.

At the moment, Hazard has yet to make his debut as a goalscorer in an official match and continues to regain fitness after he suffered an injury at the start of the season.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/real-madrid-give-eden-hazard-nickname.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

HNK Rijeka of Croatia goalkeeper David Nwolokor has pleaded with coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Gernot Rohr to hand him a chance to push for a spot in his team, Owngoalnigeria.com reports.

The 23 year old is back at Croatia after a fairly successful time on loan last season to Slovakian side SKF Sered where he made 15 appearances and conceded 20 goals he however had three sheets.

Speaking to Owngoalnigeria.com, Nwolokor who is yet to play a game for Rijeka this season as he is presently the second choice goalkeeper said he only need an invitation to show the coaches what he can do.

” I think I deserve a call up to push for a spot in the Super Eagles. The games I have played the past thre seasons across the various teams I have played is more than that of any goalkeeper of my age from Nigeria. It’s not like I am asking to be made first choice, I just want a chance”, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.

Three seasons ago he has a successful loan spell in Bosnia with NK Vitez before ‎impressing in his second loan stint with HNK Sibenik in the second division of Croatia, his performance earned him the move to SKF Sered where he spent last season on loan.

https://owngoalnigeria.com/2019/10/05/just-give-me-a-chance-croatia-based-goalkeeper-nwolokor-begs-super-eagles-coach-rohr/

England Head coach, Gareth Southgate has dismissed suggestions he called up footballers Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori to the England squad to face Czech Republic next week so they won't be able to play again for Nigeria.


Chelsea players Abraham and Tomori have been in sensational form this season and hail from Nigeria but are eligible to play for England as they were born there, and according to FIFA rules, Abraham and Tomori can still play for Nigeria even though they have played for the England youth teams- but if they play for England's senior team they can't represent Nigeria again.



The Nigeria Football Federation have attempted to convince both players to pledge their allegiance to the three-time African champions without success and Southgate has revealed that it is morally wrong to cap-tie both players just to prevent them from representing Nigeria.



Speaking to reporters after his squad announcement on Thursday, Southgate said on Abraham : ''I haven't discussed it with him, I have left Frank to have the conversation to let him know he's in the squad which is always nice for a club manager to be able to do.



They earned their spots in the team - England coach, Gareth Southgate defends calling up Tammy Abraham and Tomori



''We have got literally close to hundreds of players now in our system with dual nationality so I don't think it is ethically right just to give a player a cap to make sure they can't play for somebody else.''

He added : ''The two boys Fik and Tammy are in the squad this time on merit.
''I am not going to guarantee that they are going to get on the pitch but they have been part of our junior system, Fik came a little bit later than Tammy but he's been part of the youth team that won the World Cup.

''As far as we are concerned, the two boys have been developed through English football.
''They are English players and I'm sure they have huge desire to play for England at senior level''.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/they-earned-their-spots-in-team-england.html

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Gernot Rohr has revealed why he does not need Chelsea duo of Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori are not currently part of his plans.

The 22-year-old striker has enjoyed a good season with Frank Lampard side so far, scoring seven goals in seven games, with only Sergio Aguero managing more in the Premier League.

Abraham represented England at youth level and has also made two appearances for Gareth Southgate’s senior side, starting against Germany and coming off the bench to face Brazil in friendlies in November 2017, but could still play for the three-time Africa Champions having never represented the Three Lions in any competitive fixture.

Tomori who born in Canada has 15 caps for the Three-Lions Under-21 team but has previously said he could play for Nigeria as he is eligible through his parents.

Southgate set to name squad for their England upcoming Euro qualifiers against Czech Republic and Bulgaria on October 11 and 14, respectively, and an appearance for either player would rule out the possibility of representing the three-time African champions.

Rohr told BBC Sport: "They are both interesting players, but we have made our immediate plans without Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori,"

"They are not interested in discussing their international options at the moment and we need to respect that."

"It is also significant to note that Abraham has been assured that he will be in the England squad," Rohr added.

"Tomori is a very good friend of our player Ola Aina (ex-Chelsea and England youth international) and he said he does not want to discuss this for now.

"We have to focus on what we have and not lose focus about what people say all the time."

Rohr’s Nigeria side faces Brazil in a high-profile friendly in Singapore on October 13 before facing Benin, Togo, and Lesotho in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/rohr-nigeria-do-not-need-abraham-and.html

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Coach Gernot Rohr dismisses rumors Super Eagles lost to Madagascar because of his wife
Super Eagles Head coach, Gernot Rohr has dismissed claims that his players lost their final AFCON 2019 qualifying game against Madagascar because his wife is from the country.


The Super Eagles players had already qualified for the knockout stages of the AFCON 2019 in Egypt, which led Rohr to rest key players and play the second team- a decision that backfired as Nigeria lost by two goals to Madagascar.

Reports then surfaced that Rohr was married to a Malagasy (someone from Madagascar) and because of that didn't treat the group game like he treated the previous encounters, but he has now dismmised those suggestions calling them 'absurd'.


In an interview with German newspaper Mannheimer Morgen this week, Rohr explained : ''Some people really wanted the title, but of course we did not. There was a lack of trifles. The success hung by the thread.

''But some criticism cannot be taken seriously. Bad tongues have claimed that we deliberately lost to Madagascar because my wife came from there. That is absurd.''

Gernot Rohr’s next assignment will be on Sunday, October 13, when Super Eagles face Brazil in international friendly game at the Singapore National Stadium in Kallang.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/nigeria-didn-lose-to-madagascar-because.html

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Below is the Team of The Week for Thursday's UEFA Europa League Match day 2 games.



Nigerian Striker, Sadiq Umar scored a brace for his Serbian side Partizan Belgrade which helped them to a 2-1 win over FC Astana.

Sadiq who played for Nigeria at the 2016 Olympics is the only 'full fledged' African in the eleven selected by the statistical website.

The languid striker had limited scoring opportunities but maximized those few chances he had to put away two chances.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/nigerian-striker-sadiq-named-in-europa.html?m=1

Luis Suarez, Emmanuel Bonaventure, Achraf Hakimi and Serge Gnabry have been nominated for Champions League Player of the Week.


Suarez scored a second-half brace to help Barcelona finish a comeback and beat Inter 2-1.

Bonaventure scored twice against 13-time European Champions in Club Brugge's 2-2 draw with Real Madrid.



Hakimi netted a double to help Dortmund beat Slavia Praha 2-0 in a hard-fought victory.

Gnabry scored FOUR in the second half of Bayern's 7-2 smash over Tottenham.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/suarez-gnabry-hakimi-and-madrid-slayer.html

Lalasticlala OAM4J, Mynd44

Messi's return to the team was instrumental in Barcelona turning it around against Inter. The Argentine star completed his first 90 minutes of the season and played a key role in the second half response which saw Barça claim all three points in the UCL.

After a disappointing display in the opening 45 minutes, being 1-0 down on the scoreline, Messi spoke to his teammates in the tunnel as they prepared to go back out on the pitch. Valverde's tactical change made a huge difference but it was another example of Leo leading this Barça team.

"We aren't going to go crazy, lads. We're going out there and will press more, just as normal," Messi was caught on camera saying. Pique backed him up insisting that the team pressed as a unit otherwise it wouldn't work. Luis Suarez added a standard: "Come on, let's go. Let's go."


The little speech seemed to work as Barça scored twice to win 2-1.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/az-vs-man-utd-line-ups-captain-de-gea.html

Lalasticlala OAM4J, Mynd44

As Nigeria celebrate her 59th independence day today, Arsenal FC took to its social media space to celebrate.
The Premier League side shared a picture of the club's former player, Kanu Nwankwo Kanu.

http://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/arsenal-shares-picture-of-kanu-to.html

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Okagbare disqualified for lane infringement in 200m race
For lane infringement during the heat five of the women’s 200m race at the ongoing 2019 IAAF World Championships, Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare has been disqualified from the event.

Okagbare who would have qualified as one of the fastest time among the losers slowed down with the line in sight and finished fourth in the race won by Niger’s Aminatou Seyni who clocked 22.58secs to hit the semifinal stage.

Okagbare, a 2013 bronze medalist was holding her hammy as she walked from the track.

Being the fifth 200m heat, the Nigerien Seyni, scorched the final 80m, coming from fifth to first and dipping to win in a national record 22.58.

Based on this, the 23-year-old has an outside chance of a medal if she can improve her curve running.

Germany’s Tatjano Pinto was ahead off the bend, continuing her strong running to the line for second in a PB 22.63.

Third home was Gambia’s Gina Bass, in 22.67.


https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-okagbare-disqualified-for-lane-infringement-in-200m-race/amp/

Cardiff City must pay French club Nantes an initial six million euros ($6.5 million) in their dispute over the payment of the transfer fee for Emiliano Sala, FIFA said on Monday.

The amount corresponds to the first instalment of the 17 million-euro fee Cardiff had agreed to pay Nantes before Sala died in a plane crash on January 21 while travelling to join his new club.

Cardiff had previously resolved not to pay any of the money even though the transfer had been completed before the accident.

In relation to the remainder of the initially agreed fee, FIFA told AFP: “For confidentiality reasons, we cannot comment at this stage on potential future instalments or other conditions of the transfer agreement.”

The announcement from world football’s governing body followed a meeting by its Players’ Status Committee.

In a statement, FIFA said it had “never lost sight of the specific and unique circumstances of this tragic situation during its deliberations on the dispute at stake.”

Both clubs can appeal the decision to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Nantes had previously appealed in February over Cardiff’s failure to pay the 17 million euros they said was owed.

A Cardiff spokesperson said the club “acknowledges the decision” but added that they “will be seeking further clarification from FIFA on the exact meaning of their statement in order to make an informed decision on our next steps.”

The plane Sala was travelling on came down in the English Channel during a night-time flight.

His body was recovered, but that of the pilot, David Ibbotson, has never been found.

A report by Britain’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch in August said that Sala and the pilot were likely exposed to “potentially fatal” levels of carbon monoxide on the plane.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Cardiff was relegated from the Premier League after just one season back in the top flight.


http://www.reportminds.com/2019/10/fifa-order-cardiff-to-pay-nantes-first.html

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Asisat Oshoala came off the bench to find the back of the net as Barcelona recorded a 2-0 win over Toni Payne's Sevilla in a Spanish Primera Iberdrola encounter on Sunday.

Following a Champions League Round of 32 win over Juventus, Lluis Cortes' side was seeking to maintain their fine run against Sevilla. Jenni Hermoso and Oshoala ensured their away victory.

After several attempts, Hermoso finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute to silence the home fans in giving the visitors a lead before half time.

After the restart, the hosts' led by Payne fought hard to get on level terms but 80th-minute substitute Oshoala profited from Noelia Ramos' goalkeeping error to seal the victory for Barcelona.

Oshoala netted her third league goal of the season seven minutes after replacing Hermoso for Barcelona. The 24-year-old has now scored three times in two outings against Sevilla.

http://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/super-sub-oshoala-scores-as-barcelona.html

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Super Eagles and Torino defender, Ola Aina, has revealed that he talked to Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham over playing for Nigeria but said that it is up to the player to decide if he is ready to make the switch or not.

According to London News, Aina said that Abraham is aware of Nigeria’s interest in his services but the Chelsea forward is yet to make a final decision on his international career as he feels he still has a chance playing for England.

“I talk to him about it but I’m never the one to push someone to make a decision,” Aina said.

“He’s aware of it, I’m aware of it, we’ve spoken about it, joked about it, and eventually it’s up to him.

“He does have a fair chance of getting into the England squad so it’s whatever he feels in his heart is right to do.

“He’s a fantastic player so I’m not surprised Nigeria and England are trying to fight for him.”

The former Chelsea player added that leaving Stamford Bridge was a tough decision but believed it was the right choice.

“It was tough because that is all I knew, my whole life.

“It was a hard decision, but for me, just going on the season I had last season, it was right for me to do.”

http://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/aina-ive-spoken-to-abraham-over-nigeria.html

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Alex Iwobi was a first-half substitute for Everton against Manchester City, but the Winger was replaced in the second-half, as the Toffees suffered their third premier league defeat on a trot.



Iwobi was introduced for the injured Theo Walcott in the 7th minute, and he sparked some life into the game for the home side and contributed to Everton’s equalizer – to tie the holders 1-1 at half-time.



However, Everton will fall behind again, 2019 AFCON winner Riyad Mahrez producing another spectacular goal from a free kick (71′) to give City the lead.



However, three minutes later Iwobi was subbed off for fellow summer buy, Moise Keane.



But it didn’t stop the visitors picking up all three points as Raheem Sterling sealed a 3-1 win for Pep Guardiola’s men.



Everton slumping to their third defeat in the premier league now sees them slump to 15th place with seven points from seven games.

http://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/iwobi-subbed-on-and-subbed-off-in.html

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Footballer Jermain Defoe involved in three-car crash in Scotland (Photos)
Footballer Jermain Defoe was involved in a three-car crash in Scotland on Saturday, September 28.



The former England and Tottenham Hotspur striker, 36, who played and scored in Rangers' victory over Aberdeen was pictured speaking to police near the Clyde Tunnel in Glasgow after the incident.



Footballer Jermain Defoe involved in three-car crash in Scotland (Photos)



Defoe was involved in a collision with two other cars near Glasgow's Clyde Tunnel shortly after 6pm. His Range Rover sustained heavy damage, along with the other two cars involved.



Footballer Jermain Defoe involved in three-car crash in Scotland (Photos)



A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Police were called to reports of a three-car road traffic collision along Balshagray Avenue at 6.05pm.

'Officers remain on the scene. There are no injuries.'



Footballer Jermain Defoe involved in three-car crash in Scotland (Photos)



An eyewitness told the Scottish Sun: "Defoe and a lady - who looked like she was his girlfriend - were in the Range Rover.



"The BMW M4 sports car was travelling south. It appeared somehow to go through the central reservation and clipped Defoe's car.



Footballer Jermain Defoe involved in three-car crash in Scotland (Photos)



"It was absolutely shocking to see. A really awful smash. I thought, 'oh no - someone is bound to be badly hurt here'.



The striker who emerged unscathed from the incident posted a video message on his Instagram account to tell fans that he was 'all good'.



He said: 'Hi guys, just want to say thank you for all your lovely messages, I know you must have been so worried! 'But I'm fine, I'm all good. I'm just going to go home and rest up.

'I'm just in a little bit of shock but I'm all good. Thanks you for all your messages again.'


http://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/former-tottenham-forward-jermain-defoe.html

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Former Chelsea wing-back Ola Aina says he is loving life in Italy but admits it was not easy leaving the Blues this summer.


Aina joined Serie A side, Torino on a permanent deal after impressing on loan last season.

“It was tough because that is all I knew, my whole life,” said the former England youth international, who spent last season on loan in Turin before making the move permanent in a €10m deal.

“It was a hard decision, but for me, just going on the season I had last season, it was right for me to do,” Aina told London Weekly News.

Asked whether he considered trying to break in at Chelsea because of the club’s transfer ban, he said: “It would cross anyone’s mind. I thought about it but I wasn’t sure if it would be the right time for me.

“I had a lot of contact with Eddie Newton [the former player who is part of Frank Lampard’s management team but previously looked after Chelsea’s legion of on-loan players].

“I spoke with Eddie at length and in detail so we both came to sort of an agreement and he wished me all the best of luck and said if I ever needed his help, or some of the staff’s help in future, I could always knock on their door.”

In terms of his first-team opportunities at Chelsea, the Torino player said: “When Antonio [Conte] was there [as manager] I know I had a bit of a chance but I was still young and still had a lot to learn.”

“I had a good season here [in Italy] on loan so I was really happy to come back.

“They exercised their option and it was sort of a no-brainer really.”


http://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/aina-leaving-chelsea-for-torino-was.html

Senegal beats Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets 4-2 in their last group game at the UEFA/CAF U17 tournament in Turkey.

Senegal did not sit back to soak up the pressure, rather they launched attack after attack at their more illustrious oppponents in the world of U17 football and got rewarded for their efforts in the 29th minute courtesy of an own goal. Their celebration was cut short when they also suffered the same fate of an own goal in the 31st munute. The scoreline remained at 2-1 at the interval.

Image result for UEFA/CAF U17 golden eaglet vs turkey
A more revitalised Senegal took the game to Nigeria in the second period, bombarding the defence of the Eaglets for the equalizer. They were rewarded with a penalty which was converted for an equaliser in the 51st minute.

It was indeed explosive West African youth football on display on a neutral ground in Turkey, but it was Senegal that went ahead to score two more goals to ensure 4-2 victory at the end of 90 minutes.

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/uefacaf-u17-golden-eaglets-surrender-to.html?m=1

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Arsenal coach, Unai Emery has appointed Granit Xhaka as the club's captain.



The Switzerland international has taken the armband six times already this season, and will be supported by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette, and Mesut Ozil as fellow members of the leadership group.

Speaking via club's website, why does Emery feel that Xhaka is the best man for the job?

“First, he is mature and he has experience and we are all living all the time under pressure, under criticism as coaches, as players, as a club,” our head coach said. “The most important thing is to stand up in each moment, go ahead and [for him] to show his quality, with his behaviour, with his commitment and in the dressing room the players voted for him as the first.

“After, I spoke with him and we want to change that opinion outside because that respect that he has inside the dressing room is very, very important. And also keep moving ahead, playing, improving, and with behaviour, and his commitment. Each match for him, for me, for everybody, is a very good opportunity to show our capacity.

“I trust and believe in him and he is a good man, a good professional and a good player. Sometimes he has made a mistake, yes, but the most important thing is to analyse, to learn and to correct that in the future.

“His challenge, and our challenge, is to change that opinion and above all, show personality and improve in each match and give us his help every time. The first match is on Monday at Manchester United.”

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/xhaka-named-captain-of-arsenal-i-trust.html

lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

The U-23 team of Nigeria will find out their group opponents for the Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2019 tournament on Wednesday, October 2 at the Haramlek Palace, inside the historical Montaza Complex, Alexandria.

The draw, which was supposed to take place initially on the October 3 was brought forward a day ahead following a decision taken in consultation with the Local Organising Committee which was due to logistic reasons.

The eight teams host Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, South Africa and Zambia will know the identity of their opponents at the iconic 19th century palace.

CAF in a statement said, “The representatives of the qualified teams are expected to be in attendance for the event that will set the tone for the final tournament scheduled for November 8 to 22.

“The Egyptian capital, Cairo will host all games with matches at the Cairo International Stadium and Al Salam Stadium.

“The top three finishers at the final tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”

http://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/caf-changes-afcon-u-23-draw-date.html

Rangers International Football Club of Enugu on Tuesday signed a five-year multi million naira contract deal with Lotto SPA Italia to produce and brand all the football kits for the club.


Speaking during the signing of the contract at Rangers Secretariat in Enugu, the Rangers’ General Manager, Davidson Owumi, said the contract was between the club and Desgraf & Mart’s Ltd, a lotto agent in Nigeria.

He said the essence of the contract was to be a sort of relief in the funding of the club by the government, stressing: “This is really a land mark occasion and we are indeed very glad to be associated with this. I strongly believe that it will go a long way towards letting our teaming fans have our spots kits and as well generate income for the club.” Owumi said the contract is a landmark achievement in the history of Nigeria club football, adding: “It is the first time a club in country is attracting such a deal in Nigeria.”

The Lotto representative, Ositadimma Agu, said his company is a world brand and they decided to partner with a world brand like Rangers International FC.

Owumi and Emeka Ugwuarua, Rangers Administrative Secretary, signed for the club, while Ositadinma Agu of D&M and Nkem Iloeje signed for the Lotto SPA Italia, the kits manufacturer.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/rangers-ink-multi-million-naira-kits.html


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Siasia’s outcry is coming 25 days after the Nigeria Football Federation offered to render legal support to him.



Former Super Eagles player, Samson Siasia, needs N36m to appeal the life ban sanction imposed on him by FIFA over alleged match-fixing.

Siasia, who made this known on Wednesday, said failure to secure the money would affect his appeal of the life ban.

According to him, inability to get the money before October 10 would mean that he can no longer appeal the sanction.

Siasia appealed to the Federal Government and Nigerians for help, reiterating that he was innocent of the allegations.

He said, “My mum is with kidnappers for almost three months, friends and my government have abandoned me. It costs N36m to start my appeal against FIFA ban at CAS. It’s crazy. If I don’t pay before October 10, the appeal off.”

Siasia’s outcry is coming 25 days after the Nigeria Football Federation offered to render legal support to him.

The NFF said it had set up a team of lawyers to review the life ban sanction imposed on former Nigeria player.

While Siasia’s 79-year-old mother, Beauty Ogere, was kidnapped on July 5, FIFA banned him on August 25.

http://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/see-huge-sum-of-money-siasia-needs-to.html


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Joe Aribo picked up a head injury during Rangers' 1-0 victory against Livingston on Wednesday night and the player risks missing Nigeria's friendly match against Brazil next month.


Rangers manager Steven Gerrard told reporters today that the midfielder will not be available for selection against Aberdeen and has rated him as doubtful to make his second appearance for the Super Eagles.

''I am sure the doctor will decide in the coming days how many that will be, but he certainly won’t be available for the weekend and it could have an impact on the Europa League, next week’s fixtures and maybe international too as it is right in the centre of his forehead,'' Gerrard was quoted as saying by Rangers official website.

''So, I suppose it will depend on what type of protection in the coming weeks we can get to him and how comfortable he is as it is in a real, awkward spot.

''Despite the uncertainty surrounding Aribo's fitness, Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has included the player in his recently released squad to face Tite's team.

Rohr will hope to receive good news when Rangers medical team provides the exact number of days the youngster will spend in the treatment room.


http://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/aribo-injury-update-rangers-boss.html


lalasticlala, seun, mynd44, dominique

Messi has been named The Best FIFA Men's Player at this year's award ceremony, his wife shares a family photo to congratulate this achievement.


Antonela Roccuzzo says on Instagram: "Congratulations honey!!! Messi is The Best! How beautiful to share this with you!".

She also shares a picture with Messi's Barcelona teammates De Jong and Ter Stegen in The Best Gala.


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/honey-messi-wife-shares-joy-after.html?m=1