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Former Manchester United forward Micheal Owen has hailed the impact of Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo at the club.

Ighalo has earned huge plaudits since arriving Manchester United on loan from Chinese Super League outfit, Shanghai Shenhua in January.
The 30-year-old followed up his superb display in the FA Cup win against Derby County with an impressive cameo in the 2-0 victory at Old Trafford versus Manchester City last Sunday.

“Ighalo, look at his strength and awareness. I like him, I must admit. I think he’s a great alternative,”Owen told Premier League Productions.

“Hats off to McTominay because he could have easily sat in midfield, get behind the ball, make sure we don’t take any risks. He anticipates it, he leaves his position.”
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Super Eagles right-back Shehu Abdullahi has dedicated his goal in a 3-1 away win against Balikesirspor in the Turkish 1st Lig (second-tier) on Tuesday to Bursaspor fans, Completesports.com reports.
Abdullah scored against Balikesirspor in the 60th minute to make it 3-0 for Bursaspor.
It was Abdullahi’s second goal in his last two games after scoring in his club’s 1-1 draw at Umraniyespor.

It was his fourth goal in 25 league appearances for his club in the current campaign.

“Big fight, amazing team performance at Balikesirspor. My fourth goal of the season, dedicating this to Bursaspor fans. We keep fighting together!” Abdullahi wrote on his verified Twitter handle.

The win saw Bursaspor end a run of four consecutive games without a win, drawing three and losing one.
They now climb to a third, promotion play-off spot, on 45 points in the Turkish 1st Lig 18-team log.

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Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo has revealed how he spent his lunch money watching Manchester United as a child.


Ighalo linked up with his favourite boyhood club on loan from Chinese outfit, Shanghai Shenhua on transfer deadline day.

“I know many footballers say that, when they sign for a team, this is my dream team. Respect to that but my own case was different,” he told Sky Sports.

Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo has revealed how he spent his lunch money watching Manchester United as a child.


Ighalo linked up with his favourite boyhood club on loan from Chinese outfit, Shanghai Shenhua on transfer deadline day.

“I know many footballers say that, when they sign for a team, this is my dream team. Respect to that but my own case was different,” he told Sky Sports.

“Anyone who knows me back from when I was young knows me and my siblings supported Man United, we would pay to go and watch Man United play. In Nigeria, you have to have sports channels to watch that but not everyone can afford it. My parents couldn’t afford that so you have to pay a viewing centre to watch that. We would pay to watch that.
I grew up in Ajegunle, which is like a ghetto and it was very difficult there. When it would get to the weekend, everybody was excited because they wanted to watch Man United play.

“You start saving the money they would give you to go to school. You would eat at home and they would give you some pocket money to go to school and maybe eat lunch there. But you would be saving it bit by bit and when you get to the weekend, everybody is ready.

“You have your jersey and you wash it before the weekend. You put them on and go to the viewing centre and it’s crazy there. Some other fans want Man United to lose then you’re a Man United fan and you want them to win and you start arguing, shouting, screaming and all of that.

“In some, there are 200 people in this small room. You go to another one and you see 500 people in there. Some people would stand, you’re paying but even then, you’re standing and watching it from afar. There’s a big screen and a little screen and you have to watch there.

“Back then, Manchester United were the best team in England. They won every game, every season you’d see them winning the Premier League when Sir Alex Ferguson was here. Everybody wants to associate with a team that’s winning and that’s how I associated myself. I was very young then and growing up, I followed the team to today.

“Back then, they also had an association of Man United fans so there would be a meeting once a week to talk about Man United, like a little fan forum. When I remember all that now, I laugh and say ‘wow, from Ajegunle to the Theatre of Dreams’. It’s a great moment for me and I’m enjoying every bit of it.

“It is the happiest moment of my life, playing for my dream team, the team I supported when I was young.”

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Former Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama has denied reports that he has hanged up his playing boots, Completesports.com reports.

According to local media outlets the 37-year-old, who hasn’t played a competitive fixture since April 2017, has called time on his career, but Enyeama insists that is not the case.

He told FrunSports in an exclusive interview that he still wants to play football and that he is not pursuing a career in golf: “I enjoy playing golf so I understand the confusion. I have been staying in shape.”

“It is not secret that I love football and I am still in contention to play again,” the former Super Eagles shot-stopper added.

Enyeama is one of Nigeria’s most decorated players and after winning back-to-back CAF Champions League titles with Enyimba he forged a successful club career in Israel and France.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner was capped 101 times by his country and played in three FIFA World Cup tournaments.

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Floyd Mayweather Jr is reportedly interested in buying Newcastle United as the former pound-for-pound great eyes a stake in the club.

Mayweather hung up his gloves following his victory over Conor McGregor in 2017 having amassed a fortune running into the hundreds of millions.

And after what appeared an off-the-cuff comment at a recent Q&A with fans, his team later confirmed he is interested in the Premier League club.

During the event in Newcastle, Mayweather was asked: “You’re very, very interested in buying Newcastle United…?”

And he replied: “In the U.S. we call it soccer, but the Newcastle football team is an unbelievable team… a hell of a team.

If the people want me to buy the Newcastle team, let me know!”

Read Also: Ex-Albion Star, Quashie: ‘Ajayi Is Best Centre-Back In The Championship

Predictably, there were cheers from a fanbase which has watched their side struggle under the stewardship of Mike Ashley.

Mayweather’s team then confirmed to TMZ that he is interested in investing but that no formal talks have taken place.

Newcastle, who lie 13th in the Premier League and have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, have repeatedly been linked with a takeover.

Ashley is willing to sell but recent links with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have thus far come to nothing.

It is believed Newcastle’s owner will accept £300million for the club he purchased for £135m in 2007.

Ashley has overseen a relegation to the Championship and a number of disastrous managerial appointments, including Kevin Keegan, Alan Shearer and Joe Kinnear.

Steve Bruce is currently in charge at St James’ Park having taken over from fans’ favourite Rafa Benitez.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has credited Odion Ighalo for igniting a ‘reaction’ out of Anthony Martial, with the Frenchman getting on the scoresheet in United’s 2-0 Premier League win in the Manchester derby.

Since Ighalo’s arrival in January, Martial has scored in three of their last five league games as he’s stepped up in the absence of Marcus Rashford.

Bruno Fernandes’ inventive free-kick enabled the striker to break the deadlock on the half hour at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Ederson somehow allowing his shot to squirm under his body.

And Keane believes the Nigerian’s presence has pushed Martial to new heights.

Speaking after the game, he told Sky Sports: “You’ve had a reaction as well from Martial.

“Sometimes a new striker comes in, you praise the new striker, but then that pushes the other lads.

“There’s almost been a reaction from Martial, thinking: ‘Oh, I’ve got another player to fight with for my position’. And there’s been a good reaction.”

Ighalo came on in the closing moments of the match and was involved in Scott McTominay’s stoppage-time strike.

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Harry Maguire is a doubt for Sunday’s Manchester derby after missing Manchester United’s FA Cup tie at Derby with a slight ankle injury.

Maguire faces a race to be fit to face neighbours Manchester City, in a vital match as they push for a top-four finish.

Maguire expressed his disappointment on social media after he was ruled out of the match against Derby on his 27th birthday.

“Disappointed to miss out through injury – Working hard to get fit ASAP. Good luck to the lads.”

The England international missed City’s last trip to Old Trafford, a 3-1 defeat in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg in January.

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Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr on Wednesday named his squad for this month ‘s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sierra Leone, reports Completesports.com.

Prominent on the list is Germany-based Kingsley Ehizibue.

The right-back who plays for Bundesliga club FC Cologne was born in Germany to Nigerian parents, but moved to Netherlands at two years of age, growing up in Zwolle.

The 24-year-old, who can also play as a right midfielder, started playing football at local amateur outfit CSV’28.

The defender made his professional debut for PEC Zwolle in October, 2014 in a Dutch Cup game against HHC Hardenberg and made his Eredivisie debut two months later against Willem 11.

He linked up with FC Cologne last summer, penning on a four-year contract.

Ehizibue, who has featured once for the Dutch U20 side, has scored one goal in 21 league appearances for Cologne this season.

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Josh Maja has admitted that he hopes to play in the Premier League in future, revealing his desire to one day turn out for Arsenal, the club he has supported as a boy.

The 21-year-old, who was born in London to Nigerian parents spent his youth career with high profile teams, taking in stints at Crystal Palace, Fulham, Manchester City and Sunderland.

Maja scored 17 goals across three seasons at England but linking up with French Ligue 1 club, Girondis Bordeaux.


Josh Maja has admitted that he hopes to play in the Premier League in future, revealing his desire to one day turn out for Arsenal, the club he has supported as a boy.

The 21-year-old, who was born in London to Nigerian parents spent his youth career with high profile teams, taking in stints at Crystal Palace, Fulham, Manchester City and Sunderland.

Maja scored 17 goals across three seasons at England but linking up with French Ligue 1 club, Girondis Bordeaux.


Since signing for Bordeaux in January 2019, the forward has been steadily finding his feet, racking up a total of eight goals and three assists through 30 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

But while Maja continues to improve during his time with the French side, he admits that a return to England – specifically with Arsenal – would mark a career high for the ambitious youngster.

“Obviously, growing up in London, one of my dreams is to play in the Premier League,” Maja said in an interview with beIN Sports. “Hopefully in the future, that opportunity will come.

“My team is Arsenal, so hopefully one day I’ll get the opportunity to play for them. If not, then I’ll keep supporting them anyway.”

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Vinicius Junior has revealed the reason why he celebrated his goal against Barcelona like Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo, in Sunday’s El Clasico win at the Santiago Bernabeu, Completesports.com reports.

Vinicius opened scoring for Madrid after running on to Toni Kroos’ pass before his effort which deflected off Gerard Pique beat a stranded Marc Andre Ter Stegen.

The Brazilian then proceeded to celebrate the goal just like Ronaldo always does when he scores a goal.

“He (Cristiano Ronaldo) came into the dressing room at halftime to support the team and give us moral support. That’s why I celebrated like him. He’s a winner in & out of the pitch,” Vinicius was quoted after the match.

Madrid doubled their lead in the 92nd minute through substitute Mariano Diaz who sped past Samuel Umtiti and managed to squeeze the ball into the net.

The win took Madrid to 56 points, just one point ahead of Barcelona.

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Heracles Almelo of Holland forward Cyriel Dessers has obtained a Nigerian passport paving the way for his invitation to the Super Eagles for next month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations double-header against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, reports Completesports.com.

Dessers according to a report in fcupdate.nl was issued the passport on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old was born in Leuven to a Belgian father and Nigerian mother.


Heracles Almelo of Holland forward Cyriel Dessers has obtained a Nigerian passport paving the way for his invitation to the Super Eagles for next month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations double-header against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, reports Completesports.com.

Dessers according to a report in fcupdate.nl was issued the passport on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old was born in Leuven to a Belgian father and Nigerian mother.

Read Also: Lacazette: Saka Is Premier League Best Young Player


He is now expected to be named in Nigeria’s squad for the games against Sierra Leone after pledging his allegiance to the three-time African champions.

Dessers is currently the top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie with 15 goals in 24 appearances.

The Super Eagles top Group L after winning their opening two games against Benin Republic and Lesotho.

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Dear reader, your favourite online sports news hub, Completesports.com is heading to Spain for a live coverage of a big Laliga week that the whole world had anticipated.

Laliga-crazy fans worldwide are already drooling over this Sunday’s Real Madrid versus Barcelona – the 244th El-Clasico. Completesports.com will report it live from the Santiago Bernabeu.

As you read this, Mumini Alao – yes, the award-winning veteran sports journalist, has set out on the trip to Laliga nation. He will arrive in Valencia on Wednesday, February 26.

Complete Sports and Completesports.com have been La Liga Official Media Partners for three years now. Alao is on Laliga entourage to Valencia and Villarreal during the week, culminating in Madrid to cover the El-Clasico on Sunday.

Buy your Complete Sports daily newspaper and stay tuned here on Completesports.com as the master in sports reporting serves you hot La Liga news vintage Complete Sports that you won’t read elsewhere.

Stay tuned, don’t miss out!

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Deontay Wilder will part company with coach Mark Breland after he threw in the towel in the seventh round of his defeat by Tyson Fury.

Breland has been widely praised for his decision as Wilder took a beating in the corner of the ring having been dropped twice earlier in the fight

But head trainer Jay Deas later said he disagreed with the move – and Wilder has backed up his cornerman.

After confirming he will exercise his right to a trilogy fight with Fury, Wilder revealed he is ready to change his coaching team.

“I am upset with Mark for the simple fact that we’ve talked about this many times and it’s not emotional,” Wilder told Yahoo.

“It is not an emotional thing, it’s a principal thing. We’ve talked about this situation many, many years before this even happened. I said as a warrior, as a champion, as a leader, as a ruler, I want to go out on my shield. If I’m talking about going in and killing a man, I respect the same way. I abide by the same principal of receiving.

“So I told my team to never, ever, no matter what it may look like, to never throw the towel in with me because I’m a special kind. I still had five rounds left. No matter what it looked like, I was still in the fight.

“I understand he was looking out for me and trying to do what he felt was right, but this is my life and my career and he has to accept my wishes.”

Wilder was also critical of referee Kenny Bayless who he claimed allowed Fury to hit him to the back of his head.

“The referee told me specifically that if I hit him in the back of the head or hit him on the break, he’d disqualify me,” he added.

“But I guess that was only directed toward me, because he allowed Fury to do those things. That’s the one thing that bothered me of everything.”

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Nigeria’s Under-17 women national team, Flamingos will jet out to Conakry, Guinea on Wednesday February 26 for the first leg of their U-17 Women’s AFCON qualifier against the host country at the 28th September Stadium in Conakry, Completesports.com reports.

A 30-member contingent made up of 18 players, three coaches and nine officials are expected to leave the country from Lagos for the encounter scheduled for Saturday, February 29

Flamingos have been preparing for the match in Abuja under the watchful eyes of coach Bolanle Olowokere and two others for the past two weeks, and look good to beat their Guinean counterparts over two legs to qualify for the next round.

“We have carefully selected a group of girls we feel are the best available at this moment. We have also trained to a point of pain that any thing short of a win in Guinea will not be fair to the girls. Although, we don’t know anything about our opponents, but we can manage that,” Coach Olowokere said.

“I think we have the pedigree and quality to get a good result in Conakry and make the second leg a formality. It will be tough but Nigerians should believe and pray for us,” the coach who is in charge of the team pending the appointment of a substantive Chief coach.

The second leg match will come up on March 14 at Agege Stadium in Lagos.

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Arsenal fans have compared Shkodran Mustafi to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk after a recent upturn in form.

Mustafi, 27, has become a key player under Mikel Arteta in defence, keeping three clean sheets in a row.

It is a remarkable turnaround for Mustafi who was told he could leave last summer.

After falling out of favour under former boss Unai Emery, he was set to become a casualty but no club wanted him.

His form over the years at the Emirates has seen him cost the club multiple points.

But Arteta has seemed to get him to work with equally error-strewn David Luiz in recent matches.

Arsenal have kept three clean sheets in a row and he has been one of the main reasons for that.

The ex-Valencia star has improved his range of passing, positioning and understanding with team-mates.

And according to Daily Star, Mustafi’s form has led to some Arsenal fans comparing him to Van Dijk.

One fan said: “Please can we talk how good Mustafi has been lately? Three clean sheets in a row, two away.
“He’s been immense. Arteta made him look like van Dijk lmao.”

“Mikel Arterta has transformed Mustafi from Phil Jones to Virgil Van Dijk. This man is solid,” another posted.

This supporter posted: “When are we going to admit Mustafi is one of the best defenders in EPL now and currently better than Van Dijk?”

While another said: “Mustafi MOTM and it’s not even close. Genuinely reaching form Van Dijk can only dream of.”

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Barcelona captain and talismanic forward Lionel Messi has named his top five favourites to win the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League and further predicts it would be ‘weird’ for a big club like Manchester City to miss out in the competition through UEFA ban.


Barcelona captain and talismanic forward Lionel Messi has named his top five favourites to win the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League and further predicts it would be ‘weird’ for a big club like Manchester City to miss out in the competition through UEFA ban.


Of course, Messi’s number one favourites to win this season’s title is Barcelona. He is looking to win his fifth Champions League title this time around following the disappointment of the last two editions, but he is aware that four other strong sides are good enough too to win it.

Barcelona were knocked out in the quarterfinals in 2018 by Roma, then bowed to eventual champions Liverpool in the semifinal of last season’s edition.

Messi and company will travel next week to face Napoli in the first leg of their last-16 clash as they strive to end their Champions League title drought since 2015.

In Messi’s assessment, it’s champions Liverpool, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid who can stand in Barcelona’s way this season.

Also Read – Stam: Ighalo Needs Teammates Support To Thrive At Man United

“All [the teams] are complicated and difficult. Paris went to play Dortmund and lost, Liverpool went to Atletico’s field and lost, but I think, like that and everything, Liverpool, Juventus, Paris and Madrid are the strongest today,” Messi told a wide-Mundo Deportivo.

Messi still sees Liverpool as a strong defending champions notwithstanding the Jurgen Klopp’s side’s 1-0 defeat to home side, Atletico Madrid, in the first leg of their last-16 clash.

“On the day of the draw we talked in the locker room that would be very close because Atletico competes a lot in this competition,” Messi said.

“In two-match duels they are very strong and they showed it again, that they will compete and they will be there.”

Meanwhile, Messi has spared some thoughts for Premier League side Manchester City who have been banned by UEFA for ‘serious Breaches’ of Financial Fair Play regulations.

City who were found guilty of overstating their sponsorship revenues between 2012 and 2016 have claimed innocence and intend appealing the sanction meted to them by UEFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sports.

Man City will serve a two-year ban from the Champions League should they lose the appeal at CAS. And it is their possible absence from the prestigious competition that attracts Messi’s sympathy.

“It is surprising because nobody thought that such a thing could happen, so powerful,” Messi told Mundo Deportivo.

“Paris [Saint-Germain) paid a fine or I don’t know how it went. If in the end City does not play in the Champions League for what it is,
with the players, the club, and the money it spends, it will be weird.”

Messi added: “If City do not enter the Champions League there are many players that may look for an exit, or maybe not.

“The Champions League is very attractive so two years without playing, it can be screwed.”

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Nigeria Football Federation may soon announce former Super Eagles assistant coach Daniel Amokachi as its new Technical Director, to replace Bitrus Bewarang who holds the position presently, Completesports.com reports.

Feelers from the Glass House Secretariat of the NFF indicates that the federation has been in discussion with the former Super Eagles forward and that he would by announced as soon as they finalized terms of service.

“I think the only thing delaying the announcement of Amokachi as the new Technical Director is because both parties have not agreed on the wages and conditions of service for the former AFCON winner. He was picked ahead of two other coaches who also wanted the job,” Completesports.com source divulged.

“We have two other coaches who indicated interest for the job, plus the incumbent technical director who also applied for renewal of his contract, but Amokachi seems the obvious choice. I don’t know why they settled for Amokachi, but I know that the other two have very rich CVs.

“There are other applications for vacant positions in the technical department and the federation is expected to appoint two or three among those who indicated interest.”

Amokachi was recently appointed Nigerian football ambassador by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

Completesports.com further gathered that former Chelsea FC of England and PSG FC of France Technical Director Mike Emenalo, Austin Eguavoen, Ladan Bosso, Sam Okpodu and Mutiu Adepoju are amongt those who showed interest in the job of heading and1 revitalizing the NFF technical department.

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Pep Guardiola has claimed he could be sacked by Manchester City if his team crash out of the Champions League against Real Madrid.

City have struggled to defend their Premier League title this season as they are 22 points behind Liverpool.

Guardiola’s side are in the final of the Carabao Cup and are still in the Emirates FA Cup.

But it is not secret that Guardiola and the City board have always dreamed of winning the Champions League.

They face a tough task in the round of 16 as they take on La Liga leaders and 13 times Champions League winners Madrid.

And in an interview with Football Daily Guardiola hinted he would fear for his job if they fail to progress.

“I accept it. I want to win the Champions League, I dream and will enjoy the games against Real Madrid, to see what I can do,” Guardiola said.

“And this process, the two weeks before, will be the happiest moments of my profession, to imagine what we can do to beat them.

“If we don’t beat them, then the chairman will come, or the sporting director, and say ‘It’s not good enough, we want the Champions League, I’m going to sack you.”

When asked if he truly believed that, Guardiola said: “I don’t know, many times it has happened. Or maybe he will say ‘OK you’ve done well, but what can we improve?'”

City have never progressed past the quarter-finals of the Champions League under Guardiola, and they were beaten by Tottenham at that stage last season in a dramatic tie.

Guardiola’s future has been the source of speculation recently, with suggestions he could be tempted to head to Juventus at the end of the season.

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Head coach of Sudanese Premier League side Hilal Al-Fasher, Azeez Mohammed, is confident after applying to the NFF for Nigeria’s U17s – the Golden Eaglets top job, Completesports.com reports.

After an illustrious playing career that spanned through Ranch Bees and Kaduna United and later Gombe United, Mohammed has so far made a success of his coaching career in the Sudanese Premier League.

“I arrived here (Sudan) in 2008 as a player and signed for Merreikh Port Sudan FC. Then in 2010, I played for Annasr Kareema FC. But unfortunately, I got injured and my playing career suffered an abrupt end”, Mohammed told Completesports.com Saturday morning from his base.

“After my injury finally healed, I went back to school and ventured into coaching by enrolling in the Sudanese equivalent of Nigeria Institute for Sports, NIS.

“I’ve my CAF B and C coaching badges as we speak. I took up Hilal Al-Fasher role from the lower league and we are now in the (Sudanese) Premier League for about three seasons now.”

Hilal Al-Fasher are presently 9th in the 2019/2020 Sudanese Premier League table after 17 round of matches. They also have two games in hand.

Mohammed is confident that he can man the job of Nigeria’s national U-17 team head coach very well if given the opportunity, and that it’s that self-belief that motivated him to turn in his application.

“Yes, I believe I can do a good job for Nigeria at the youth level,” he said.

“I’ve turned in my papers at the NFF expressing my desire and qualification for the U17 Golden Eaglets job.”

NFF recently threw all the age group national team coaching jobs vacant and asked interested coaches to apply.

“That was reason I applied, I’m a Nigerian and I believe I can serve my fatherland. That was reason I decided to show interest in the Golden Eaglets job,” Mohammed concluded.

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Arsenal are hoping to ‘nick’ Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight world title clash with Kubrat Pulev from North London rivals Tottenham, Eddie Hearn has admitted.

Matchroom promoter Hearn says the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is still his preferred venue for the June fight, when Joshua’s WBA, IBF and WBO titles will be on the line.

But he welcomed Arsenal’s move to poach the fight – and challenged the club to turn the Emirates into a major “sports entertainment destination” rather than just a football stadium.

The Joshua vs Pulev fight will take place on either June 13 or June 20 after Hearn revealed a deal is now agreed “in principle” with the Bulgarian to travel to the UK.

And it will be held at one of the two north London stadiums – with staff at the Emirates understood to have been advised they need to work this summer at a major event.

He said: “Terms are, I’d not say agreed, but we’re in a good position.

“We have an agreement in principle for a June fight.

“Spurs is our preference and now Arsenal have come in.

“When you go to other countries, like in the Middle East, you have Saudi Arabia, they hear Abu Dhabi or Qatar are looking at a fight.

“Well now it’s like Spurs and Arsenal.”

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Odion Ighalo has been told he will be able to travel for Manchester United’s Europa League clash against Club Brugge despite missing the club’s Marbella training camp amid coronavirus fears.

Ighalo was left in Manchester when the United squad left for Spain on Saturday amid concerns he would not be allowed back into the UK if border controls were tightened up this week to stem the spread of coronavirus.

United signed Nigeria striker Ighalo on loan for the rest of the season from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua on transfer deadline day.

Because he travelled from China, where more than 800 people have died from coronavirus, Ighalo has to be monitored for 14 days.

However, the 30-year-old did not have to go into quarantine as he travelled from Shanghai rather than Wuhan, where the virus originated.

Ighalo’s monitoring period ends on February 16, meaning he will be available to make his debut in United’s Premier League clash away to Chelsea the following day.

And United have also confirmed that he will able to travel to Belgium for the first leg of United’s Europa League last-32 clash against Club Bruges, according to the Mail.

However, it is not ideal that Igahlo has had to miss the Marbella training camp, as it would have been the ideal opportunity for him to integrate with his new team-mates and learn what United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would expect from him on the pitch.

The striker will instead follow an individual programme with personal performance coach Wayne Richardson, training alongside the Great Britain taekwondo squad in Manchester.

Explaining the desicion to leave Ighalo out of the Marbella trip, Solskjaer said: “Because of the situation in China, we’re not sure if he’d be allowed back into England if he leaves the country again, so he’s staying here working with a personal coach, individual programme and his family then can settle in England as well. That’s a plus.

“Of course he might have liked to have come with the players and got to know them, but the risk [of potential border restrictions tightening], we don’t want to take that.”

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Kubrat Pulev has warned Anthony Joshua he is “ready to come to London” to “bust up” the world heavyweight champion.

Negotiations to finalise Joshua’s next fight have hinged mainly on the location – the IBF, WBA and WBO champion’s preference is a UK homecoming after two fights abroad in 2019, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has emerged as the “frontrunner” to host a fight in June.

But Pulev has mocked Joshua, saying: “Calm down champ, I see that you are very worried to fight away from home and you are absolutely right to be, haha!

“But rest assured, if necessary I’m ready to come to London and bust you up in front of your own fans!

“Until then, tell Mr. Hearn not to get ahead of himself, we do not have a deal yet!”

Promoter Eddie Hearn claimed on Thursday a deal to pit Joshua against his IBF mandatory challenger was “very close”.

“We’ve had offers in from the Far East, Middle East, Africa, America, Turkey,” Hearn told Sky Sports News.

“He’s made it very clear to me, I want to come home. I want to box in London next. I’ve been to Madison Square Garden, I’ve been to Saudi Arabia, bring me home. Forget the other offers, bring me home.

“He wants to fight in London in June. We’re on the verge of making that happen now. Spurs is the front runner and that’s what he’s asked me to do. We’ll be delivering that for him.”

Bulgaria’s Pulev has only ever lost to Wladimir Klitschko in 29 fights but has since beaten Hughie Fury and Derek Chisora. He was initially scheduled to face Joshua at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in 2017 but withdrew injured.

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Manchester United’s new boy Odion Ighalo has been set a challenge to score 15 goals this season by fans after giving his first interview at the club.

The forward has joined from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua on loan until the end of the season.

Manchester United’s new boy Odion Ighalo has been set a challenge to score 15 goals this season by fans after giving his first interview at the club.

The forward has joined from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua on loan until the end of the season.

With previous experience of the Premier League with Watford, the 30-year-old is expected to fill the gap left my Marcus Rashford’s injury.

Ighalo’s deal was secured on transfer deadline day, leaving pundits stunned.

But the 30-year-old has revealed it is a dream come true in his first interview as a United player.

Speaking on the club’s official Twitter channel, he said: “I never thought this would happen but dreams do come true.

“I’m very happy to be here and it’s going to be a big challenge for me in my career.”

And the United faithful were delighted to see the Nigerian in United kit.

“Wish him all the best,” one supporter said.

Another commented: “You can’t not love him.”

While a third set him a challenge.

“He’s got to score 15 goals for United,” they said.

And a fourth added: “I reckon 10+ goals this season.”

A fifth even suggested they would start coming soon, with: “Ighalo to score two goals vs Chelsea.”

With a sixth simply saying: “20 goals incoming.”

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Odion Ighalo will wear boots adorning a touching tribute to his late sister Mary when he takes to the field for Manchester United.

The 30-year-old sealed his dream move on Deadline Day, when moving to Old Trafford on loan from Shanghai Shenhua.

But the Nigerian suffered the personal tragedy of losing his older sister back in December.

Ighalo revealed in a tribute to her that she died at the age of 42 on December 12 last year.

The former Watford striker has kept the details of her passing private, but was clearly close to his sibling.

He has posted a series of pictures of them together on social media, and he has made an image of Mary his profile picture on both Twitter and Instagram.

And he has posted a picture of a brand new pair of bright red Nike football boots, featuring her name written just above the trademark swoosh.

Following her name, Mary Atole, is the Nigerian flag.

Ighalo captioned an image of the boots with the message: “MARY ATOLE (nee ighalo) lives forever 12-12-19”.

Having last played for Shanghai Shenhua on December 1 in a 3-0 defeat to Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande – Ighalo has not taken to the field since his sister’s passing.

It will be fitting that on his first opportunity to pay tribute to her on the pitch, he will do so wearing the colours of Man United – the club that he grew up dreaming of playing for.

While he is not thought to be 100 percent match fit, United’s mini winter break means that they do not have a game until travelling to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on February 17.

If that comes too soon – Ighalo could debut the new boots at Old Trafford against Club Brugge in the Europa League the following Thursday.

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Odion Ighalo made a surprise January transfer window deadline day loan switch to Manchester United from Chinese Super League club, Shanghai Shenhua. Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU here highlights three reasons the former Super Eagles striker would make a big impact at the Old Trafford

PREMIER LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
Ighalo is returning to familiar territory following his previous stint with Watford. The 30-year-old spent three seasons at Watford and made huge impact with The Hornets. He scored 36 goals in 90 league appearances during his time at the club.

That experience will come handy in what is expected to be a tough spell at Old Trafford where he is expected to shoulder goal scoring responsibilities in the absence of the injured Marcus Rashford.

Established strikers like Samuel Eto’o Fils and Gonzalo Higuain have struggled in the highly physical Premier League in the past, but Ighalo have the experience to navigate through this challenge.

PROVEN GOAL SCORER
Odion Ighalo may have not been the kind of signing most United fans craved for, but they surely have a proven goal scorer in their ranks. Aside from his successful spell with Watford , he was also the leading marksman during his two year spell at Chinese Super League club, Changchun Yatai.

Ighalo scored 15 goals in 27 league appearances in his first season at Changchun Yatai and hit the back of the net 21 times in 28 games the following season.

Injury disrupted his appearance in his first season at Shanghai Shenhua, but he still managed to score 10 goals in 17 league appearances for the FA Cup kings.

On the international scene, he was top scorer during the qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with seven goals and also won the golden boot with six goals at the competition proper in Egypt.
Overall, he scored 16 goals in 35 outings for Nigeria.

TOUGH MENTALITY

Talk of a cat with nine lives, then Odion Ighalo is surely the one. The 30-year-old endured a difficult childhood to become one of the household names in the world football. From a dusty playground in Ajegunle, he has now fulfilled his dream of playing for his childhood club.

The powerful forward was singled out as the villain of the piece by the majority of Super Eagles fans after the side’s elimination from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The striker endured abuse on social media from fans who not only targeted him, but also abused his wife and called his children names too, even going so far as making death threats against the player and his family members.

Despite pressure from his family to quit national assignment right away in the face of the abuses, he stepped up his commitment and helped the Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2019, emerging top scorer with seven goals.

He then went on to claim the golden boot in Egypt 2019, before bowing out of international football.
Playing for the 20-time Premier League champions will no doubt put him under the spotlight, but Ighalo surely have what it takes to excel at the club.

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Former Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock has slammed Manchester United’s loan move for Odion Ighalo describing it as an act of “desperation”, Completesports.com reports.

United completed a six-month loan deal for Ighalo from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua on transfer deadline day.

Ighalo was brought in as a replacement for the injured Marcus Rashford.

But Warnock who took Cardiff from the Championship to the Premier League in 2018, is not convinced it would be a good move for the club.

“I am not sure if it’s the right one, if I’m honest – not for Man Utd,” Warnock said on Sky Sports.

“I just think it is too up in the air. I don’t think he has been that consistent and I don’t think he is the right type of player.

And Warnock was not convinced it would be a good move for the club.

“I am not sure if it’s the right one, if I’m honest – not for Man Utd,” Warnock said on Sky Sports.”I just think it is too up in the air. I don’t think he has been that consistent and I don’t think he is the right type of player.

“I think they have gone for the younger element at the minute and I don’t understand why they didn’t go for a Danny Ings, somebody like Danny Ings. He’s 27-years of age, English and similar to a Rashford-type of player.

“I think it is a little bit in desperation. But I think the Josh King thing was a bit of a last-minute thought.

“But I think Josh King would have been better than this for the way that they are building.”

Though United have endured their fair share of troubles of late, Warnock has paid credit to the way they are trying to rebuild the squad.

The former Sheffield United and Crystal Palace added: “I think it is the right way that they are building with Wan-Bissaka and James – people like that. That is the way forward.

“They are so far behind Man City and Liverpool – they are five years behind them.

“I think they have got to bring the youngsters back in and almost bring a Busby Babes team back into the squad and get the fans behind them that way.”

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Odion Ighalo is expected to travel with the Manchester United squad to their winter training camp.

Ighalo, 30, completed a five-month loan move to United on transfer deadline day and arrived in Manchester over the weekend. The Shanghai Shenhua striker could make his debut against fourth-placed Chelsea on February 17 but injured midfielders Scott McTominay (knee) and Paul Pogba (ankle) will not take part in the warm weather training.

United have granted their players time off until they leave for their training base on Saturday, though the club have refused to specify where they are travelling to. United are believed to be staying in Marbella, where manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took former club Molde for pre-season training in 2018.

“They’ll have a week or so off and we’ve got more days [rest] because we’re playing Chelsea on the Monday,” Solskjaer said. “So we’ll get together on the Saturday and we’ll have a good camp, working on different things.

“Of course, we’ve got a few new players, hopefully we can integrate them into the squad. [The players] have been fantastic. We’ve had to, with all the injuries we’ve had, rely on many of these to maybe play more games than they should, and they’ve been brilliant.

“Yes, we’ve had ups and downs, but it shows that we do miss the injured players so, yeah, it’ll be a nice break and I think it’s about time we had that in England. I think all teams will get their energy levels back.”

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Premier League club Crystal Palace have considered a deadline day move for Queens Park Rangers England-born Nigerian midfielder Ebere Eze, but The Eagles seem unlikely to match the Championship club’s valuation for the talented player, the Evening Standard reports.

The Sun had reported that Eze is valued at £20 million – a hefty fee for a player unproven in the Premier League.

According to The Standard, however Crystal Palace are unlikely to lure Eze across London in the final few hours of the transfer deadline day.

Crystal Palace are also set to miss out on West Ham-bound Jarrod Bowen and manager Roy Hodgson, who was apparently considering his future due to the lack of investment at Selhurst Park, is unlikely to be too thrilled by the way things have turned out this month.

Especially if a £4 million deal for West Brom’s Nathan Ferguson falls through at the eleventh hour.

Eze’s impressive performance for QPR this season could be attributed to the interest he has been getting from Premier clubs.

He has 10 goal and six assists in 31 appearances in all competitions for QPR this season.

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Super Eagles midfield strongman, Wilfred Ndidi has emerged as the 10th Most Valuable Defensive Midfielder in the world, Completesports.com reports.

The Leicester City of England star’s market value has risen considerably of late and he is currently worth €45m according to the latest Transfer Market report.

The duo of Manchester City’s Rodri and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich lead the chart with the market value of €80m each.

Liverpool’s Fabinho and Real Madrid’s Casemiro sit in the 3rd and 4th positions with a market value of 70m Euros each while Chelsea’s Jorginho occupies the 5th spot.

Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic is 6th; West Ham’s Declan Rice is 7th; Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey is 8th while Wolves’ Ruben Neves is 9th.

Ndidi however, has the duo of Borussia Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria and Arsenal’s Lucas Torreira as joint 10th with the trio all valued at €45m each.

Ndidi is also the most expensive Nigerian footballer with Everton’s Alex Iwobi (€28.80m) second and the dynamic duo of Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze (€27m), joint third.

Meanwhile, Leicester City boss, Brendan Rodgers has declared Ndidi fit for tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final.second leg clash against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

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Anthony Joshua’s clash with Kubrat Pulev could be the first fight to be staged at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

That is if promoter Eddie Hearn can convince the Bulgarian to travel to the UK.

Pulev is the mandatory challenger for Joshua’s IBF belt and the British heavyweight star wants the fight in the UK.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said last week a number of venues are in the running including Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Principality Stadium, Twickenham and the Emirates.

Spurs’ new ground was the front runner immediately after Joshua regained the WBA, IBF and WBO titles against Andy Ruiz Jnr in December.

But it is now understood Arsenal’s home is the new favourite to host the clash which will be staged in late May or early June.

Tottenham also want the fight but Hearn said last week that the dates were “difficult” at the stunning new stadium.

Hearn has held talks with Arsenal about the availability of the Emirates and it is understood now to be the preferred choice although they have yet to book the venue.

Gunners officials are starting to put in place plans for the event should they get the deal over the line in the coming weeks.

Hearn still needs to convince Pulev to travel to the UK as the Bulgarian is aware more money is on the table to stage the fight in Saudi Arabia or the Far East.

They must come to a financial deal before Friday to avoid it going to purse bids which would allow any promoter to put in an offer to stage the bout.

But an agreement on the venue could wait with Hearn aware how much the bout will generate in the UK so it won’t differ what outdoor stadium they book.

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Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr says he will meet with top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation next month (February) to talk and agree a new contract, reports Completesports.com.

Rohr is currently at the tail end of the last six months of his current contract.

The NFF is ready to renew the contract of the German tactician, but it certainly won’t be a loose deal like the previous one.

The new contract terms will require that the former Bordeaux player and gaffer must live in Nigeria – Lagos or Abuja.

He will also be allowed to travel on vacation three times in a year. Also the coach will not get an improved pay from his $55,000 per month deal.

The NFF will also ensure, unlike in the past three years where he earned wages tax free, that his income will be levied.

“We will see the leaders soon. The meeting is planned for the month of February and possibly before the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches in March. We can agree on the new contract,” Rohr told Girondis33.com.

“I have been there for more than three years and it is long for Nigeria , because rarely can a coach be maintained as long . It was possible because the results were good, the team has evolved and that we accomplished the mission of rejuvenation.

“It was planned and we managed to do it with young players including two that you know, who play for Girondins Bordeaux (Samuel Kalu and Josh Maja), and we have others in England, in Spain, etc. We no longer have a big star, because John Obi Mikel has retired. Victor Moses also retired for family and age reasons.”

Rohr added: “Our top scorer Odion Ighalo also retired after AFCON 2019 in Egypt.

“We managed to find a scorer in Victor Osimhen , and other playmakers; we have Samuel Chukweze who plays at Villarreal, the little Samuel Kalu from Bordeaux who plays very very well with us – one of the best every time he plays with Nigeria. So we have a very, very young, promising team, and I would like to continue.”

Rohr, who was appointed on a three-year contract in August 2016 and has been in charge of the Super Eagles in 39 games, with 22 wins, seven draws and 10 losses.

Source -https://www.completesports.com/rohr-i-want-to-continue-as-nigeria-coach-can-agree-new-contract-with-nff/

Nigeria’s No. 1 sports publication Complete Sports, www.completesports.com and fast-growing fans community
NaijaSuperFans.com hereby call on our loyal readers and members worldwide to support the ongoing fund-raiser by former Super Eagles player and coach, Samson Siasia to challenge his FIFA life ban from football at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

We say, let us join hands to #Help Samson Siasia Clear His Name At FIFA.

We make this passionate appeal on a nationalistic and compassionate ground and without prejudice to the reasons FIFA have adduced for imposing the maximum ban on our national compatriot.

We recall that the FIFA pronouncement only claimed that Siasia was “guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics.” The FIFA statement did not state conclusively with evidence that he had actually committed the alleged offense. Therefore, we feel that Siasia should be supported at least to state his own side of the story.

We also recall that Siasia explained that he didn’t see the FIFA emails inviting him to defend himself before the original verdict was passed because he was embroiled in the kidnap saga surrounding his mother at the time. Now, all he wants is a second chance to present his defense at the CAS.

Complete Sports, Completesports.com and NaijaSuperFans are convinced that Siasia deserves the assistance of Nigerians to present his defense at the CAS. This is someone who has brought lots of glory to our country at youth and full international levels both as a player and a coach. The least we can do is to give him an opportunity to defend himself against this life ban from FIFA, while leaving CAS to review the merits of his appeal.

Complete Sports, Completesports.com and NaijaSuperFans.com have already made our joint financial contributions to Siasia’s fund-raising campaign. Now, we invite all our readers and members to join this patriotic campaign to #Help Samson Siasia Clear His Name At FIFA. No amount is too big or too small. Please contribute now via any of the following channels:

*Samson Siasia GTBank Naira account number 0138095724.
*Samson Siasia GTBank Dollar account number 0138827431.
* https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-samson-siasia-clear-his-name-at-fifa
* https://quickraiz.com/campaign/82028-help-samson-siasia-clear-his-name-fifa