₦airaland Forum

Maurizio Sarri believes now is the time for Chelsea to decide on Eden Hazard’s future at the club amid continued speculation.

Links with a move to Real Madrid for the Belgium international have persisted, with the winger recently refusing to be drawn on whether he would commit long term to Chelsea and extend a contract that expires at the end of next season.
Hazard said he was “just focused on the pitch” after scoring twice in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Watford on Wednesday, the 27-year-old having now scored four goals in his last four games.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/chelsea-sarri-hazard/

Napoli will be hoping to do the same against Bologna, while Inter are away to Empoli

The 19th round of games in Italy’s Serie A season will mark the halfway point in the campaign, and defending champions and current table toppers Juventus will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record when they host Sampdoria. In addition, Napoli look to get back on track against Bologna and Inter Milan head to Empoli in search of another three points.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/serie-a-round-19-preview-juventus-look-to-winning-against-sampdoria/

Super Eagles target Philip Billing has been linked with two Premier League clubs Brighton Hove Albion and Watford reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Billing is one of the highly-rated midfielder Watford sees as a possible replacement for Abdoulaye Doucoure – who is reportedly wanted by Paris Saint-Germain.
The Daily Mail also claims that Brighton and Hove Albion hold an interest in the player, who has been a regular starter in the Terriers’ midfield this season.
The Denmark Under-21 star is having a fine campaign and has become even more important for David Wagner in the absence of Aaron Mooy, who won’t be available again until February.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/super-eagles-billing-watford-radar/

Kylian Mbappe’s remarkable rise to the top of the global game has now seen the Paris Saint-Germain forward crowned French Player of the Year for the first time.
The 20-year-old frontman has enjoyed a remarkable 2018.
He had already enjoyed a stunning rise to prominence prior to entering the current calendar year.
After bursting onto the scene as a precociously-gifted teenager at Monaco, a big-money transfer had taken him to Parc des Princes.
Another Ligue 1 title triumph was enjoyed in 2017-18, as PSG swept the board in terms of domestic honours.
Mbappe then headed to Russia with his country and a shot at World Cup glory.
He helped Les Bleus to go all the way, with a fine individual effort netted in a 4-2 final triumph over Croatia.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/mbappe-crowned-french-player/

Algerian club, USM Bel Abbes (USMBA) arrived Enugu Friday morning (today) for Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup first round, second leg fixture against Rangers billed for the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Rangers confirmed the arrival of their opponent on their official Twitter handle on Friday morning.
“Algerian side, USMA land in Enugu for the second leg, first round game on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium,” reads the Tweet on the Flying Antelope’s Twittee handle.

Both teams battled to a 0-0 draw in the first leg last week Saturday at theStade 24 Fevrier 1956, Sidi Bel Abbes.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/caf-confederation-cup/

Kenyan champions, Gor Mahia will arrive Nigeria on Friday for Saturday’s CAF Champions League , first round, second leg fixture Lobi Stars billed for the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

The contigent, comprising players and officials will fly to Abuja from Accra, Ghana and then connect another flight to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Enugu.

The Kenyans arrived Accra on Wednesday for a two-day camping exercise after they failed to secure a direct flight from Nairobi to Enugu ahead of the CAF Champion League First Round reverse fixture in Enugu.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/caf-champions-league-gor-mahia/

Tottenham and Chelsea will square off for a place in the Carabao Cup final while Manchester City face Burton Albion in the other last-four tie.

A trio of Premier League clubs are left standing in the competition but at least one will be eliminated when Spurs – 2-0 winners at north London rivals Arsenal in the quarter-finals – take on Maurizio Sarri’s side, who edged Bournemouth 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham will host the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg as they seek to avenge the 2015 final defeat they suffered at the hands of the Blues.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/carabao-cup-spurs-chelsea/

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has revealed that the inability to maintain the Abuja National stadium stemmed from the N2 billion annual maintenance bill presented by construction giants Julius Berger, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.

Permanent secretary of the ministry Olusade Adesola who disclosed this at a media brief in Abuja said that the recently concluded 19th National Sports Festival afforded the ministry the opportunity to give facelift to many facilities at the complex.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/sports-ministry-national-stadium/

Power Horse and Manchester City today announced a multi-year partnership where Power Horse becomes the Club’s Official Energy Drink Partner. The partnership will cover multiple countries across Africa and the Middle East as well as Turkey, and is spirited into being “Unstoppable Together”, which will also be leveraged across various communication channels.

Salvatore Caizzone, CEO and Shareholders Committee Member at the Power Horse Company, commented: “We are truly excited to partner with such an amazing team like Manchester City. In football as well as in business, success and winning are very important. To win you need to be tenacious, focused, work as a team and get every single ounce of energy from yourself and others.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/power-horse-and-manchester-city-jointly-announce-a-new-multi-annual-partnership/

Saturday, December 15th, 2018: Kenya was crowned COPA Coca-Cola Africa Cup champion following a dramatic penalty triumph over Nigeria in a pulsating finale at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, Kenya.

Nigeria had beaten Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana to reach the finals of the tournament. The Nigeria-Kenya match was a gruelling 90 minute match, with racy attacks by Omodara Olamilekan, Omeke Jerry and Gift Williams. The tightly fought match however ended in a stalemate. Kenya was to break free and prove triumphant in the subsequent penalty shootout.

Notwithstanding it’s second place overall, Nigeria leaves Kenya with its head high, having played impressive fast paced football throughout the tournament and seen Jerry Omeke pick up the MVP award for a string of fantastic performances throughout the tournament.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/nigeria-edged-kenya-copa-coca-cola/

Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Manchester United.

According to a Sky Sports report, Mourinho’s assistant Michael Carrick will be appointed temporary manager to take charge till the end of the season.

Mourinho’s future has been the subject of intense scrutiny this season – and the club’s worst start to a season in 28 years was confirmed with defeat at Liverpool on Sunday.
The 55-year-old Portuguese insisted at Anfield that he had not lost the dressing room, as his team sat sixth in the Premier League table and 11 points off the Champions League places.

But Manchester United announced on Tuesday that “manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect.”

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/mourinho-manchester-united/

Manchester City returned to winning ways defeating Everton 3-1 at the Etihad stadium on Saturday reports Completesportsnigeria.com.
A brace from Gabriel Jesus and another from substitute Raheem Sterling handed Manchester City their first home win over Everton since 2004.
Dominic Calvet Lewin scored Everton’s only goal.
The win sees Manchester City overtake Liverpool at the top of the table ahead of their game with Manchester United tomorrow.
Gabriel Jesus scored the opener for Manchester City in the 22nd minute moments after Richarlison squandered a glorious opportunity to hand Everton the lead.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/jesus-hits-brace-as-manchester-city-trounce-everton/

Liverpool returned to the summit of the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United at the Anfield Stadium on Sunday.

It was The Reds’ first win against Manchester United in nine meetings in all competitions.
Senegalese forward, Saido Mane gave hosts Liverpool the lead in the 24th minute chesting down Fabinho’s pass before sliding the ball under David de Gea.

United equalised in the 33rd minute through Jesse Lingard following a howler by Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson Becker.

The Brazilian failed to kept hold of Romelu Lukaku’s low cross, spilling the ball into the path of Lingard to score his first away league goal since New Year’s Day.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/shaqiri-liverpool-united/

Nigeria’s U-20 side, the Flying Eagles lost 2-0 to Senegal in the final of the 2018 U-20 WAFU Cup at the Stade Municipal de Lome on Sunday, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Senegal dominated play in the first half but were unable to find a way past the Flying Eagles defence led by skipper of Ikouewen Udoh.

Sagna Amadou however netted the curtain raiser for the Senegalese two minutes after the break.

The Flying Eagles fought hard to find the equaliser but were unable to find a way past Senegal goalkeeper, Dialy Ndiaye.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/senegal-flying-eagles/

Stephen Odey has reflected on the goal for his Swiss side FC Zurich in their final Europa League group game 1-1 away draw at Bulgarian side PFC Ludogorets on Thursday as well as his team’s chances against heavyweights Chelsea and Arsenal as the competition enters the knockout phase, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

The Nigerian striker took just 21 minutes to open scoring in the FC Zurich’s match against Ludogorets.

Odey affirms that his team will be unfazed by the Premier League giants’ pedigrees should they are pitted against any of them.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/odey-europa-league/

Kaduna Women’s hockey team confirmed their dominance in Nigeria with the addition of another gold medal to their collections in the 2018.
Following their victories at the U-15, and National Super League, the girls from Kaduna completed a golden hat-trick with the 2018 National festival medal.
Kaduna won all except their last game against Yobe to finish with 10 points and at the top of the table.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/kaduna-win-womens-mens-hockey-gold/

Super Sand Eagles head coach, Audu ‘Ejo’ Adamu, has declared that the team will now look to win the CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations title after securing a berth in the 2019 World Cup in Paraguay, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Adamu’s charges edged out host Egypt 7-6 in a thrilling semi-final contest on Wednesday in Sharm El Sheikh to grab one of the Africa’s two tickets to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay next year.

Veteran Abu Azeez scored four of the goals, to take his Nigerian tally to 103. Emeka Ogbonna netted twice and Taiwo Adams got one.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/adamu-sand-eagles/

Nigeria forward, Sadiq Umar will return to Italian side, AS Roma in January following Scottish outfit, Glasgow Rangers’ decision to cut short his loan spell
at the club, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.

Umar , 21, linked up with Rangers on a one-year loan deal at the beginning of the season, but has struggled for regular playing time at the club.

He has made just five appearances for the Light Blues and has failed to start any Scottish Premiership game during a terrible five months.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, according to a report in the Scottish Sun, has given the green light for Umar to leave Ibrox, even with three weeks before the transfer window opens for him to buy a replacement.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/rangers-set-to-dump-loanee-umar-over-poor-form/

Nigeria’s U-20 side, the Flying Eagles breezed into the semi-finals of the U-20 WAFU Cup in Lome, Togo following a 4-2 win against perennial rivals, Ghana.

Paul Aigbogun’s men who were held to a goalless draw by Niger in their opening game in the competition finished top of Group B with four points.

The Flying Eagles will face Mali in the semi-final 2018 U-20 WAFU Cup, while Niger will do battle with Senegal in the other last four clash.

Ghana took the lead through Emmanuel Toku on the half hour mark, while Emmanuel Effiom equalised for Nigeria on the dot of half time.

The Flying Eagles took the lead for the first time in the game few minutes after the break with Ibrahim Babawo converting from the spot.

Related: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/u-20-wafu-cup/

Super Sand Eagles head coach, Audu ‘Ejo’ Adamu, has declared that the team will now look to win the CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations title after securing a berth in the 2019 World Cup in Paraguay, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Adamu’s charges edged out host Egypt 7-6 in a thrilling semi-final contest on Wednesday in Sharm El Sheikh to grab one of the Africa’s two tickets to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay next year.

Veteran Abu Azeez scored four of the goals, to take his Nigerian tally to 103. Emeka Ogbonna netted twice and Taiwo Adams got one.

Azeez has scored seven goals at the ongoing championship, while Ogbonna and Adams have four each\

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/adamu-sand-eagles/

Arsenal star Alex Iwobi has revealed he could have joined Scottish side, Celtic as a teenager in 2012 reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

The 22-year-old forward told Arsenal’s matchday programme he declined offers from the Scottish side to prove himself at the club.

“My situation was weird. There was three of us at the time and we were basically told ‘stay if you want, or if not you are free to go,” Iwobi told Arsenal’s matchday programme.

“It was up to me and at that moment I went to the Crystal Palace training ground to see them.”

“I had offers from Celtic and Southampton as well. Celtic was the main one but I wasn’t ready to go to Scotland. I thought it was best to stay at Arsenal but I have to say it felt weird.”

“I was playing for England but I felt maybe I wasn’t rated. My England team-mates and everyone else was getting in my ear saying that Arsenal don’t love me because they weren’t offering me a deal.”

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/iwobi-why-i-snubbed-celtic-in-2012/

The Super Sand Eagles recorded their first win in Group B at the ongoing 2018 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt after defeating Libya 6-3 on Sunday, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

The Audu Ejor side had lost 2-0 in extra time to defending champions Senegal on penalties following a 4-4 stalemate after regulation time in their opening game on Saturday while Libya put five past new-comers Tanzania.

Emeka Ogbonna, and Abu Azeez both bagged a brace in the encounter while Emmanuel Ohwoferia and Suleiman Ogodo got one goal each for the Super Sand Eagles in the encounter.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/super-sand-eagles/

Blessing Eleke scored a brace for FC Luzern in Sunday’s 2-2 draw away at Grasshoppers in the Swiss Super League reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Eleke gave his side an early lead in the second minute for his sixth league goal of the season. Nedim Bajrami drew Grasshoppers level in the 11th minute but Lazar Cirkovic restored Luzern’s lead in the 18th minute.

Julien Ngoy strike for Grasshoppers looked to have earned the home team a point but Eleke bagged the match winner in the 79th minute after he was played through on goal by with a fine assist from Pascal Schurpf.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/eleke-hits-brace-luzern-win/

Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho made a remarkable comeback from injury after a month out on Sunday keeping a clean sheet for his La Liga Segunda side, Elche in their goalless draw at home to Sporting Gijon reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

It was his third clean sheet in four La Liga Segunda games for Elche though Uzoho has conceded five league goals in the Spanish second-tier division.

Uzoho missed Elche’s last four games after suffering a concussion a month ago and two international games for the Super Eagles against South Africa in a 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifiers and Uganda in a friendly.

He made three outstanding saves against Sporting Gijon to earn his side a point from the encounter at the Martinez Valero stadium.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/uzoho-keeps-clean-sheet-elche/

Brighton & Hove Albion manager, Chris Hughton has explained the reason Nigeria defender Leon Balogun has been restricted to only four English Premier League appearances since he joined the Seagulls on a free from FSV Mainz 05 in the summer, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Hughton who led his side to back to back wins over Huddersfield Town and Crystal Palace in the EPL reveals that the 30-year-old Super Eagles defender is third in the pecking order of the centre-halves at the club.

Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk have been the first choice partners for Hughton this season, but he urges Balogun to always take his chance when they come his ways.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/hughton-explains-baloguns-bench-role/

Super Eagles midfielder Mikel Agu is eager to leave a mark at the club following his impressive display for high-flying Vitoria Setubal who snatched a late 1-0 win at Maritimo on Saturday reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Fredrick Mendy scored the winner for the modest Portuguese team moved up to seventh in the League table.

Since Agu’s arrival at the former club of late Nigerian striker Rashidi Yekini, the club has lost once and drawn another of six league games with Agu playing every single minute in all six matches.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/victoria-setubal-run-thrills-agu/

Super Eagles defender William Troost Ekong played all 90 minutes for Udinese who shared the spoils with Sassuolo in a Serie A league game on Sunday reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

It was Ekong’s 14th successive start for Udinese since he joined the club and it was the fourth clean sheet of this season for the club.

Stadio Grande Torino, Ola Aina came on for Lorenzo De Silvestri on the hour mark for Torino who came from a goal down to beat ten-man Genoa 2-1.
Genoa had won only one of their last 35 Serie A trips to Torino, 3-2 in May 2009, interrupting 12 draws and 22 defeats.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/odey-onuachu-on-target-ekong-obi-starts-aina-play-as-sub/

The Chief of Staff to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), Alhaji Abba Kyari, was at the head of a delegation of prominent Nigerians and top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation that received the Super Falcons on arrival in Abuja on Sunday evening.

Nine-time African champions, Super Falcons, flew into the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport minutes before 4 pm, aboard an ASKY Airline flight from Accra, and were received by Kyari, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar as well as other officials of the NFF.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/presidency-nff-welcome-super-falcons/

Super Falcons duo, Onome Ebi and Tochukwu Oluehi has been named in the best 11 of the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations Cup in Ghana – AWCON 2018, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.

Reigning African women’s footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala however missed out following her uninspiring display in the competition.

Ebi, who is Super Falcons co-captain with Rita Chikwelu featured in all of the Nigerian ladies’ five games
in the competition and proved her mettle with an outstanding performance all through.

Ebi single handedly kept the tournament’s top scorer and best player, Thembi Kgatlana quiet in the final game at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.

Oluehi was no doubt a sure candidate for the AWCON 2018 best goalkeeper award. She conceded only once from open play and her heroics in the semi-final and final penalty shootout win against Cameroon and South Africa made the difference for Nigeria.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/awcon-2018-ebi-oluehi/

Super Falcons coach Thomas Dennerby has praised his side compactness in securing a ninth Africa Women’s Cup Of Nations title at the expense of the Banyana Banyana of South Africa.
Dennerby led the Super Falcons their third succesive AWCON title in his first year in charge of the team defeating the Banyana Banyana 4-3 on penalties.
In the shoot –out, Onome Ebi missed Nigeria’s first kick, hitting the upright, but after Alice Matlou and Ngozi Ebere netted, Lebohang Ramalepe booted her effort wide.

Rita Chikwelu and Nyandeni scored, as did Chinwendu Ihezuo and Mamello Makhabane, but after Chinaza Uchendu found the back of the net, Motlhalo watched in agony as Oluehi stretched to stop her kick to hand Nigeria the trophy.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/dennerby-falcons-compact-for-banyana-banyana/

Nigeria’s number one citizen, Muhammadu Buhari, has congratulated the Super Falcons for successfully defending their African Women’s Cup of Nations title following a 4-3 penalty shootout win against the Banyana Banyana of South Africa in their final clash at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.

It was Super Falcons’ ninth AWCON title. They have also won the title for the third consecutive time.

It was sweet revenge for the Falcons following a 1-0 defeat to the Banyana Banyana in their first Group B game in the competition.

Both teams cancelled out each other after 120 minutes of tension soaked encounter with reigning African women’s footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala missing a penalty in the 73rd minute.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/buhari-awcon-super-falcons/

French clubs, Paris Saint-Germain and Italian outfit, Napoli have joined the chase for versatile Nigeria forward, Henry Onyekuru, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Onyekuru who is on loan at Galatasary from English Premier League club, Everton is also believed to have attracted the interesta subject of interest of German champions, Bayern Munich.

The Bundesliga club see the pacy forward as a good replacement for their ageing former France international, Franck Ribery and are keen to sign him on a permanent deal at the end of the season.

They now face serious contest in their bid to land the young forward with PSG and Napoli now desperate to secure Onyekuru ‘ s services, according to Fotospor.

Onyekuru joined Everton last season from Belgian club, KAS Eupen but spent the season on loan with another Belgian side, Anderlecht.

Read More: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/psg-napoli-onyekuru/