₦airaland Forum

Nigeria forward Kayode Olanrewaju is impressed with Shakhtar Donestk ‘ s performance in Monday’s pre-season friendly 6-1 win against Botev, Completesports.com reports.
Kayode bagged a brace in the encounter and has scored three goals in three pre-season games for the Miners. The former Austria Wien striker is also determined to keep working hard in training to keep himself in good shape for the task ahead.

– I’m very happy that we’ve achieved such an excellent result. We played well and fought to the very end, although the opponents also tried to display their strong qualities ” Kayode, a former Nigeria junior international told Shakhtar Donestk ‘ s official website.
“They are not weak opponents, we’ve just worked harder today, we acted as one team and therefore we won. “Form wise, we’re ready for the Europa League games.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/kayode-olanrewaju-shakhtar/

Meanwhile, league leaders Borussia Dortmund host Hoffenheim, while champions Bayern Munich welcome Schalke

The race to the Bundesliga title is heating up after both of the favourite candidates dropped points in the previous round. This coming Friday night (8 February) Bayer Leverkusen will hope to move closer to the top four with victory away at Mainz, while the following day both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich play at home, against Hoffenheim and Schalke 04 respectively.

Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the Bundesliga campaign already over halfway through, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/bundesliga-round-21-preview-bayer-leverkusen-look-to-jump-to-fifth/

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis has heaped plaudits on Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel ahead of the English Championship club’s Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round replay against Newport County on Tuesday, reports Completesports.com.

Mikel has made two appearances for Middlesbrough since linking up with the club on a short term contract during the January transfer window, one in the FA Cup and another in the Championship.

The former Chelsea midfielder was particularly outstanding in last Saturday’s 3-2 win against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns, and Pulis can’t hide his admiration for the Nigeria captain.

Pulis has nothing but praise for Mikel who won three FA Cup titles during an illustrious career at Chelsea.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/pulis-mikel-boro-newport/

South Africa U-20 head coach, Thabo Senong, says his team will be up for the fight against the Flying Eagles of Nigeria in Tuesday’s Group A clash at the U-20 AFCON in Niger, Completesports.com reports.

The Amajita held the hosts Niger to a 1-1 draw in the competition’s opening game on Saturday.

Midfielder Siphesihle Mkhize headed home an equalizer in the 71st minute to cancel out Abdoul Amoustapha’s 64th minute goal.

Senong charges will look to record their first win of the competition when they face the Flying Eagles at Seyni Kouche Stadium on Tuesday. The Paul Aigbogun’s team defeated Burundi 2-0 in the group’s other matchday-one fixture.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/u-20-afcon-south-africa-senong/

Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain is delighted to be reunited with Maurizio Sarri after their Napoli days, describing the coach as one ‘who gets the best out of me’.

Higuain feels relaxed in the Premier League, and he scored his first goal for Chelsea in their 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield Town on Saturday, and the former Napoli, Juventus and Milan striker admits he is loving life in England.

“I can see there is a change from the Italian League because here the defenders go into you harder, especially when you receive the ball to feet,” Higuain told the Evening Standard.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/higuain-relishes-sarri-reunion/

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero has admitted that the ball came off his arm to score his third goal as Arsenal lost 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Argentine was the man of the match for the hosts as they ripped the Gunners apart and opened the scoring within the first minute and added a second before the half-time break.

He completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute with the help of his hand.

Speaking in a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Aguero smirked when asked about the goal and whether his hand got a touch on the ball.

“I am very happy,” Aguero said on his three goals against Arsenal in a post-match interview with Sky Sports.

“It is more important to win. I honestly think it was in the chest but now I see in the TV it was a handball.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/aguero-city-arsenal/

Arsenal legend Tony Adams has faulted Unai Emery’s decision to start Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi in Sunday’s clash against Manchester City, reports Completesports.com.

Emery deployed a 3-4-3 formation against reigning champions, Manchester City with Iwobi playing on the right side of a three-man attack which had Pierre Emerick Aubamenyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

“I would have played Aaron Ramsey in midfield because he would have offered some solidity to the team in midfield not Iwobi,” Adams said prior to the game.

“Against Manchester United, Arsenal were too open and were duly punished in a swift counter-attack in which Iwobi came on and I don’t think he will be good in this formation particularly against City.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/adams-faults-iwobi-starting/

Lobi Stars forward David Tyavkase insists the club will go all out for a win in Saturday’s CAF Champions League match day three encounter against Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, reports Completesports.com.

The Makurdi club started their group stage campaign with a hard fought 2-1 home win against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa but went down to a 1-0 away loss to Ivory Coast’s Asec Mimosas on match day two.

A win against the tough North Africans will boost their chances of making it to the knockout round.

“During my stint with Enyimba, I never played against Wydad but I played against Raja Club Athletic of Morocco; and generally, we know what most teams from North Africa can do,” the 34-year-old Tyavkase said in an interview with CAFOnline.com.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/david-tyavkase-lobi-stars/
“It is true that Wydad has so far shown good form in this competition but it’s up to us to stop them on Saturday in Enugu.”

Alex Iwobi came on as a substitute for the eight time this season in the Premier League for Arsenal who secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Cardiff at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, reports Completesports.com.

It was the first game the Bluebirds played since the disappearance of striker Emiliano Sala.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 66th-minute spot kick after Bruno Ecuele Manga clumsily brought down Sead Kolasinac gave the Gunners the lead.
With seven minutes left to play, Alexandre Lacazette doubled Arsenal’s lead with a fine low strike into the bottom corner, although substitute Nathaniel Mendez-Laing pulled one back for Cardiff in added time when he curled a shot past Bernd Leno.

The Nigerian forward, Iwobi came on for Mohamed Elneny at half time in his 21st appearance of the season.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/iwobi-plays-sub-role-balogun-missing/

Flying Eagles coach, Paul Aigbogun has stated that players who did not make the team’s U-20 AFCON final cut remain an integral part of the squad.

“Yes, they are still very much part of us. We’ve been together for long, worked hard enough and understand each other well.
“It’s just that we cannot take everybody along to the finals in Niger,” Aigbogun, a former Enyimba, Warri Wolves and Gabros International FC gaffer said.

Aigbogun said the team will fly out to Niamey with the objective of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup finals, as well as winning the U-20 AFCON trophy for the eighth time.

The Flying Eagles are billed to arrive in Niamey, the venue of their 2019 U-20 AFCON group matches, Thursday morning, January 31.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/u-20-afcon-aigbogun/

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has revealed that he often gets criticised by his son, Thiago despite his massive achievements in football.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is widely regarded as one of the finest footballers to have ever played the sport.
But the Barcelona captain, La Liga’s record goalscorer, confirmed in an interview that Thiago is not always impressed.

“[He] understands football more because he’s the biggest [of Messi’s children] and he talks about everything to do with football,” Messi told World Soccer.

“I have already had some criticism from him! Barcelona, La Liga, the Champions League… he follows it all. He likes it, he asks questions and he gives me pointers when things don’t go so well.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/messi-thiago-football/

Victor Moses is thrilled to have made a winning debut with Fenerbahce in Monday’s 3-2 win over Yeni Malatyaspor in a Turkish Super Lig clash at the Ulker Stadium, reports Completesports.com.

The 28-year-old Chelsea loanee came on for Yassine Benzia in the 66th minute to help his side record their first win in their last five games.

“Very important win,” Moses said in his post-match interview.
“We are very happy. From the first moment of the match, you saw how willing and determined we were. I am very happy to be a player at this club.

“It was a great feeling coming on. The atmosphere was great and incredible. I can’t believe it. I have heard a lot about Fenerbahce fans, but it was really amazing to see them with my own eyes.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/moses-debut-fenerbahce-fans/

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not expecting any Manchester United player to leave the club before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Matteo Darmian,Antonio Valencia and Andreas Pereira are among those linked with a move but Manchester United caretaker manager Solskjaer does not expect any departures.

“At the moment I can see everyone staying at the club because no deals have been done with anyone, I think,” Solskjaer said in his pre-match conference.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not expecting any Manchester United player to leave the club before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

“But then again there are still a few more days, but I’m not too involved in the negotiations.”

“So whatever happens, happens, but it’ll be good to get the window closed so we can just focus on matters, the squad and improving the ones who stay here.”

He also admitted for the first time that he is planning ahead at the club despite been on a short term until the end of the season.

“What Manchester United are going to look like next season, with or without me, it doesn’t matter.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/solskjaer-rules-out-player-exit/

Chelsea secured comfortable progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Gonzalo Higuain’s debut.

Maurizio Sarri named the striker, who signed on loan from Juventus in midweek, in his starting XI but the new arrival had minimal impact as the holders saw off their Championship opponents at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Argentina international passed up the opportunity to make it a goalscoring bow, refusing Willian’s offer of taking the 26th-minute penalty that the Brazilian subsequently tucked away for his 50th Chelsea goal.

In the build-up to the game, Callum Hudson-Odoi had reportedly handed in a transfer request amid interest from Bayern Munich but Sarri’s selection was vindicated as the winger netted a fine second shortly after the hour.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/higuain-willian-hudson-odoi/

Three-time champions Nigeria will know their group opponents of the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations finals on April 12 when CAF stages the draw, reports Completesports.com.

The draw ceremony which will take place in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, will see the 24 qualified teams drawn into six groups of four teams each, with the two top –placed teams in each group, alongside the best four third-placed teams, progressing to the Round of 16.

The Emergency Committee of the Confederation African Football also confirmed after a meeting that the Total Africa Cup of Nations – EGYPT 2019, will be hold from Friday, June 21st to Friday, July 19th, 2019.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/super-eagles-to-know-afcon-2019-foes-april-12/

Middlesbrough’s manager Tony Pulis is delighted to complete the signing of John Obi Mikel on a six months loan deal.

The Nigeria captain opted to join The Teessiders despite attracting interest from German side Wolfsburg and AS Roma in Italy having been a free agent since the end of the Chinese Super League season in November.
“I’m pleased to get him in. He is a man with a lot of experience and quality,” Boro boss Pulis told Middlesbrough’s official website.

“He has a winning mentality and he wants to be here be a part of what we are looking to achieve.”

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/boro-pulis-mikel/

Meanwhile, Real Madrid head to Espanyol and Alaves host struggling Rayo Vallecano

Sevilla are looking to get back on track in La Liga and must take all three points when they host Levante in the 21st round of action this coming Saturday afternoon (26 January). The following day, Real Madrid will hope to continue their recent domestic recovery when they head to Espanyol, while Alaves should take all three points against Rayo Vallecano on Monday evening.

Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the La Liga campaign now past the halfway point, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/la-liga-round-21-preview-sevilla-look-to-climb-table-with-levante/

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is “not surprised” Arsenal want to sign star defender Eric Bailly, who has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford

Bailly became a mainstay in the middle of former manager Jose Mourinho’s defence following his £30 million move in 2016, but has found himself behind Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof in the pecking order under the new coach.

Arsenal are in the market for a defender following the longterm injury to young defender Rob Holding, and Bailly is familiar to boss Unai Emery, who worked alongside the 24-year-old at Villarreal.

Solskjaer was asked about the Gunners’ reported interest in the press conference before their FA Cup clash on Friday night, saying the speculation was predictable.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/solskjaer-im-not-surprise-arsenal-want-bailly/

Meanwhile, champions Manchester City head to Newcastle and league leaders Liverpool host Leicester

With the FA Cup taking centre stage this coming weekend, the next round of matches in the FA Premier League will not kick off until next Tuesday evening (29 January). On that night, Arsenal will welcome Cardiff City to the Emirates Stadium looking to break into the top four, while defending champions Manchester City visit St. James’ Park to take on Newcastle. The following day, league leaders Liverpool welcome Leicester City to Anfield.

Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the Premier League campaign now over halfway through, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/premier-league-round-24-preview-arsenal-look-to-make-top-four/

Chelsea have announced that striker Higuain has signed on loan from Juventus until the end of the season.

The Argentinian, who will wear the number nine shirt at Stamford Bridge, told the club’s website: ‘When the opportunity to join Chelsea presented itself I had to take it.

‘It’s a team I’ve always liked that has a lot of history, a wonderful stadium and they play in the Premier League, a league I’ve always wanted to play in.

‘I now hope I can give back that trust Chelsea have shown me out on the pitch. I can’t wait to start and I hope to adapt as soon as possible.’

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/higuain-joins-chelsea/

Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted a 23-month prison sentence and an €18.8million fine for tax fraud.

The Juventus star attended a court in Madrid on Tuesday to ratify an agreement already reached with Spanish prosecutors.

The 33-year-old was accused of committing four crimes against the Spanish treasury between 2011 and 2014 while he was playing for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo is alleged to have concealed income earned through image rights by using offshore companies.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/ronaldo-fined-tax-evasion/

frican champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, are billed to return to the country on Wednesday after finishing third at a four-nation invitational tournament in China, according to thenff.com.

The Super Falcons recovered from a 3-0 defeat to host nation China and thrashed Romania 4-1 in Sunday’s third-place match at the Huitang Stadium in Meizhou.

Skipper Rita Chikwelu got a brace, as defender Onome Ebi and forward Ini-Abasi Umotong weighed in with a goal each for a rout after the Romanians had threatened to assert some power by canceling out Chikwelu’s 44th-minute opener.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/super-falcons-china-cyprus/

The search and rescue effort for the missing plane that carried Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala is focused on a scenario whereby those on board made it to a life raft after landing on water.

Sala, who was confirmed as Cardiff’s record signing on Saturday after opting to leave Ligue 1 side Nantes, was on a private aircraft that disappeared near the Channel Islands on Monday, the French Civil Aviation Authority confirmed.

Following a search throughout Tuesday, Guernsey Police stated that “the chances of survival are at this stage, unfortunately, slim” if the aircraft did land on water.

The resumption of search activity was confirmed at 07:30 GMT on Wednesday, with two planes searching a targeted area.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/police-plane-carrying-sala/

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has been ruled out of action until March the club have confirmed.
Alli sustained the injury late on in Spurs’ 2-1 at Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, having earlier scored the equaliser.
He is expected to return to training in early March after scans revealed a hamstring strain.
The 22-year-old will now undergo a period of rehabilitation with the club’s medical staff.
Alli is the latest of a number of key Tottenham players to suffer injuries.
The 22 year old has scored five goals in 17 Premier League appearances.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/alli-out-till-march/

Bordeaux of France Nigerian forward, Samuel Kalu’s impressive display in his club’s 1-0 defeat of Dijon on Sunday in a Ligue 1 game at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux has been rewarded with a place in the Ligue 1 team-of-the-week by Whoscored.com.

Kalu provided the assist for Andreas Cornelius to score in the 77th minute of the game which ensured Bordeaux win and a move up to 10th on the log.

It was the Nigerian’s 12th start in 16 Ligue 1 games since he moved from Gent in Belgium last summer.And the assist was his second.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/kalu-named-in-ligue-1-team-of-the-week/

Callum Hudson-Odoi has been hailed as an “outstanding talent” by former Germany star Michael Ballack.

Chelsea winger Hudson-Odoi is a transfer target for Bayern Munich, with the Bundesliga champions’ sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic confirming last week that talks remain ongoing between the clubs.

The 18-year-old has earned 10 first-team appearances for the Blues this season but is yet to make a Premier League start and is reportedly tempted by the prospect of greater opportunities with Bayern.

“We’re talking about a player who just came recently from the youth level. He’s trying to achieve the step to the professional level in a top club,” Ballack told Omnisport.

“This makes it a lot more difficult for a young player because the standard is very, very high. It’s hard to say whether the player is good enough for this demand or not. It’s a fact that he’s an outstanding talent.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/ballack-baryern-hudson-odoi/

The Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated Romania 4-1 in the China Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Wuhua on, Sunday reports Completesports.com.

It was the first time in two decades that the nine time African Champions would record a win against an European team.
Chiwendu Ihezuo gave the Thomas Dennerby side the lead one minute into the interval.
In the second half, strikes from Onome Ebi, Rita Chikwelu and Ini Umotong secured a third place finish at the invitational tournament.
The Super Falcons had lost 3-0 to China in their first game of the competition.

The Nigerian ladies are shaping up for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France this June.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/super-falcons-beat-romania/

Manchester City went past 100 goals for the season and closed back to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool with a 3-0 win at Huddersfield Town.
Danilo’s deflected long-range effort brought up that landmark, achieved across all competitions, after 18 minutes but Pep Guardiola’s side were some way from their fluent best during the first half.

Raheem Sterling headed home the crucial second early in the second period before fellow winger Leroy Sane got in on the act, puncturing a buoyant Huddersfield crowd that came to celebrate David Wagner’s tenure.

Caretaker boss Mark Hudson stepped in after Wagner’s departure this week and oversaw a battling display, albeit from a team 10 points from safety at the foot of the table.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/epl-man-city-huddersfield/

Everton manager Marco Silva is certain that Ademola Lookman will enjoy an excellent career despite been restricted to just two Premier League starts in 12 league appearances this season.


Lookman was outstanding in his second league start of the season for Everton as they beat Bournemouth 2-0 last week.

The 21-year-old was arguably Everton’s biggest attacking threat providing the assist which allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to smash home the winning goal.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/silva-keane-hail-lookman/

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can pick up a £1m bonus if he secures a top-four finish for Man Utd this season, according to senior club sources. The Norwegian is reportedly on a six-figure package thought to be worth around £50,000-per-week during his caretaker tenure, although he can top that up further by securing Champions League football for next season.
That looked a remote prospect when the 45-year-old agreed to help his old club out late last month, following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho as boss.
United were languishing in eighth spot and nine points behind fifth-placed Arsenal, before a run of five successive Premier League wins under Solskjaer.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/ole-set-massive-top-four-bonus/

Jose Mourinho’s desire to return to elite football is not misplaced in the view of his Manchester United successor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Mourinho made his first major media appearance since being sacked by United last month when he featured as part of beIN Sports’ coverage of the Asian Cup on Thursday.
The 55-year-old insisted he would “stay where I belong; I belong to top-level football”, despite the dispiriting nature of his final months at Old Trafford.

United are a team transformed under caretaker manager Solskjaer, last weekend’s 1-0 triumph at Tottenham making it six wins out of six in all competitions, but the former Norway striker was in no mood to besmirch the achievements of a man who has won major titles in four countries.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/solskjaer-mourinho-manager/

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba praised Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for helping the Premier League club rediscover their identity.

United have won six consecutive games in all competitions since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho on a caretaker basis in December.
They have scored 17 goals in that period, boosting their chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Read More: https://www.completesports.com/pogba-man-united-solskjaer/