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Brazil and Paris St-Germain forward, Neymar, is set to miss the Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Real Madrid next week after being diagnosed with a fractured metatarsal and a sprained ankle.

Neymar, 26, was injured and had to be stretchered off during PSG’s Sunday’s Ligue 1 win over Marseille.

According the BBC, PSG said Neymar suffered “a sprain of the right ankle and fissure of the fifth metatarsal”.

They however did not indicate how long he would be out.

The former Barcelona star joined PSG for a world record £200m fee from Barcelona last August and has scored 29 goals in 30 games.

PSG are 14 points clear of second-placed Monaco in the league and will host Champions League holders Real Madrid on March 6, trailing 3-1 from the first leg.

during PSG’s Sunday’s Ligue 1 win over Marseille.

According the BBC, PSG said Neymar suffered “a sprain of the right ankle and fissure of the fifth metatarsal”.

They however did not indicate how long he would be out.

The former Barcelona star joined PSG for a world record £200m fee from Barcelona last August and has scored 29 goals in 30 games.

PSG are 14 points clear of second-placed Monaco in the league and will host Champions League holders Real Madrid on March 6, trailing 3-1 from the first leg.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/ucl-psg-set-miss-neymar-madrid-clash-ankle-injury/

The much awaited presidential reception for members of the home-based Super Eagles earlier scheduled to hold this Wednesday has now been put off until further notice, [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url] reports.

The Salisu Yusuf’s team came second at the 2018 African Nations Championship in Morocco earlier in the month after losing 4-0 to hosts Morocco in the final.

It was the Nigeria’s best ever placing in the history of the CHAN, having won bronze at the 2014 edition in South Africa.

The planned reception for the players and their officials has been postponed twice.

“We have been informed that the reception by the President (Muhammadu Buhari) will not hold again tomorrow,” Dayo Ojo a key member of the team informed [url]Completesportsnigeria. com[/url].

“They said the President has a busy schedule at the moment and there is no way the reception can hold now.

“We don’t know the new date yet, as they only told us it has been put off till further notice. We can only hope it will not be too long.”

Also the planned reception by the Lagos State government for the team has also been shelved and will only be staged after the presidential reception.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/presidential-reception-home-eagles-put-off/

Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho conceded twice while in action for Real Deportivo Fabril who lost 2-1 to Real Valladolid II in Sunday’s Segunda Division B league game, [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url] reports.

Goals from Mario Robles and Luis Javier Suárez denied the Nigerian international his 11th clean sheet of the season in the Spanish third tier.

The 19-year-old who will be named in Nigeria’s squad for next month’s friendlies against Poland and Serbia has now conceded nine goals this season in 15 league games for Real Deportivo Fabril.

Despite losing their 13th game this season, Real Deportivo Fabril are still third in the table with 47 points from 27 games.

Real Deportivo Fabril will face 14th-placed Coruxo F.C in their next game.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/uzoho-denied-11th-clean-sheet-valladolid-beat-real-deportivo-fabril/

‎Free agent, Chinedu Obasi, is expected to feature for Bolton Wanderers’ U-23s against Crew Alexandra tonight (Monday) as he hopes to secure a deal with the Championship club.

According to The Bolton News, Obasi, 31, who scored in his first trial game against Burnley last week which ended 1-0, is on the lookout for a new club after leaving Swedish side, AIK.

If he eventually gets signed up by Bolton, Obasi will become teammates with former Newcastle forward, Sammy Ameobi.

Bolton’s U-23s are looking to consolidate their position at the top of the Professional Development League North table.

While in Germany, he played for Schalke and Hoffenheim before joining Chinese club, ShenzhenSh

Obasi whose career has been affected by injury, was a member of the Flying Eagles squad that won silver at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands.

He was also part of the U-23 Eagles that won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

He also made the Super Eagles squad to both the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Source:[url]https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/obasi-undergo-second-trial-bolton-wanderers-%e2%80%8e/[/url]

Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who is on loan from Liverpool, was on target for Mouscron who lost 5-3 away to Anderlecht in the Belgian Jupiler on Sunday.

Awoniyi scored in the 70th minute to make it 4-1 for Mouscron.

The goal was Awoniyi’s seventh in 26 league appearances for Mouscron so far this season.

Mouscron are 13th on 30 points in the 16-club league table.

In the Spanish LaLiga, Brown Ideye featured for struggling Malaga whose poor run continued as they lost 2-1 away to Athletic Bilbao.

While Ideye played for 90 minutes, Isaac Success was an unused substitute.

It was Malala’s fourth straight league defeat which leaves them bottom on 13 points, seven points away from safety in the league table.

And in the Danish first division, Nigerian midfielder Frank Onyeka was sent off for Midtjylland who still went on to beat Hobro 2-1.

The 20-year-old midfielder was sent off after receiving his second yellow card in the 62nd minute.

Onyeka had scored in his last two league games for Midtjylland.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/awoniyi-nets-7th-league-goal-mouscron-defeat-ideye-success-lose-malaga/

Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr says next month’s friendly fixtures against Poland and Serbia present a big opportunity for players to stake claims for spots in his final squad ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url] reports.

The three-time time African champions will face Poland in Warsaw on March 23rd and take on Serbia four days later in London.

Three other build-up games against Congo, England and Czech Republic are also lined up for May 28, June 2nd and June 6th respectively.

Rohr stated that he has pencilled down a list of 28 players for two friendlies and hopes the players push hard to make the final list for the mundial.

“In the next couple of weeks we will release a list of 28 players for the friendly games against Poland and Serbia. We still have one or two players that we want to check on before coming out with the list,” the German coach told CSN at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on Wednesday.

“Moses Simon has been injured a couple of weeks now and we expect that he will be back in action for his club (Gent of Belgium) this weekend.

“There is also Ezenwa who is injured at the moment but is working hard to be fit.

“The games against Poland and Serbia is a big chance for the new players to show they have what it takes to play for us. As you know the next game will be in May so now is time for everyone who want to go to Russia to prove their quality.

“The two games are also important for us because the last time we played together was in November against Argentina. So, it will be an opportunity to work together again before the World Cup.

“In May, we will release another 30-man list for the other friendly games from which we will draw the final list for the World Cup.”

The Super Eagles will open their campaign at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on June 16 against Croatia at the Kaliningrad Stadium.

They will also face Iceland on June 22 at the Volgograd Arena. Their final group game is against Argentina on June 26 at the Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/rohr-update-world-cup-list-poland-serbia-friendlies-monitors-ezenwa-simon/

[url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url]’s JAMES AGBEREBI profiles Argentina hard man Nicolas Otamendi as we continue to run the rule over the Super Eagles’ Russia 2018 World Cup group opponents and their key players…

NICOLAS OTAMENDI

At five feet 10 inches, Nicolas Otamendi is not the tallest of defenders but what he lacks in height, he more than makes up in his aggressive style of play.

Since joining Manchester City from Spanish LaLiga club Valencia in 2015, Otamendi, 30, has remained a regular feature for the current Premier League leaders.

Otamendi has made 83 appearances, scoring six goals so far for the Premier League leaders.

This season, he has been a part of the City side that has stream rolled all before them and are on the verge of being crowned league champions.

He has played 26 of City’s 27 league games this current campaign, scoring four goals.

On the international stage, Otamendi made his debut for Argentina and was in Diego Maradona’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa but missed the 2014 edition in Brazil.

He made the Argentina squad for the 2015 and 2016 Copa America where they lost both finals to Chile.

otamendi-completesportsnigeria.com

BEST POSITION: Otamendi plays mainly in the central of defence but can also slot into the right-back position.

STRENGTHS: Otamendi is very solid in aerial duels, ball interception and has a keen eye for goals just like his strike against Manchester United showed, which secured a 2-1 win for City.

WEAKNESSES: Like earlier mentioned, Otamendi is a hard tackler but can get into trouble as he can be rash when going into tackles.

STYLE: Though hard as nails, Otamendi is also adept when it comes to playing short passes as seen with Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.

He has the ability to initiate attack from defence by simply driving the ball forward.

He is also known for his tackling ability which is the hallmark of his play.

NATIONAL TEAM STATS: Since his debut in 2009, Otamendi has made 53 appearances for Argentina and has scored three goals for the national team.

DID YOU KNOW:

-Argentina were the first country to lose in the final of the FIFA World Cup. They lost 4-2 to Uruguay in the maiden edition in 1930.

-Pedro Monzon of Argentina is the first player ever to be sent off in a World Cup final. He was shown a straight red card against then West Germany in the 1990 final in Italy which Argentina lost 1-0.

-Argentina were the first team to lose a FIFA World Cup final match without scoring. They lost 1-0 to West Germany in 1990 final while previous finals dating back to the maiden edition in 1930 saw the losers scoring at least one goal.

-Argentina hold the record as the only country who had two players sent off in a FIFA World Cup final. Pedro Monzon and Gustavo Dezotti were both sent off in the 1-0 loss to West Germany in the 1990 World Cup final.

-Argentina’s only loss to an African team at the FIFA World Cup was against Cameroon at the 1990 edition in Italy. The Diego Maradona-led side were stunned 1-0 by a Francois Oman-Biyik header.

OPINION:

Do you feel the Super Eagles possess the strike force that can cause an Argentine defence led by Otamendi problems at the 2018 FIFA World Cup?

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/spotlight-nigerias-world-cup-foes-argentinas-tough-guy-otamendi/

Ugandan point guard Joshua Johnson insists the East Africans have what it takes to qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

The Scoprions of Uganda are drawn in Group D alongside hosts, Mail, Rwanda and Nigeria for the qualifying tournament which takes place from February 23 to February 25.

They will begin their campaign against 2015 African champions Nigeria on February 23 before taking on hosts Mali and finally arch-rivals Rwanda.

“We (Uganda) have a chance to sneak in a couple of wins against Nigeria, Mali and Rwanda,” the 25-year-old Johnson told FIBA.com.

“These are world class teams (Nigeria, Mali and Rwanda) that have been doing this for a long time but one thing I can say is that, we have to respect our opponents but we should not fear them.

“As a team I think that we have to go to Mali knowing that we deserve to be here and that we did not come here by wild card or as a replacement but we got here because we deserve to.

Joshua has been included in the final 12-man Ugandan roster that will make their debut at the World Cup Qualifiers stage this weekend in the Malian capital of Bamako.

Meanwhile, the D’Tigers are yet to name their squad for the 2019 FIBA AfroBasket World Cup qualifiers despite arriving in Bamako, Mali in batches.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/fiba-world-cup-qualifiers-uganda-star-eyes-upset-dtigers/

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, says the Blues will try to do the unimaginable by knocking Barcelona out of the Champions League after the Catalan giants forced them to a 1-1 draw in the first leg Round of 16 clash at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Willian put the Blues ahead but, Lionel Messi equalised 15 minutes from full-time after Andreas Christensen’s erro, and Conte was quick to praise the young Danish defender as one of his best players on the night despite the setback.

“We were close to playing the perfect performance,” Conte said during his post match interview.

“We made one mistake, it is a pity and we are disappointed with the final result.”

It was an incredible performance,” said the Italian.

“We are talking about a very young player. It is great that he is able to play this game with maturity and personality. He was one of the best players tonight.

“It is very difficult to mention one player but I think Christensen played a top game and I was very pleased with his performance.

“We made one mistake, but we know against these opponents and players like Messi, Iniesta and (Luis) Suarez, if you make a mistake you pay.”

Conte also revealed that the second leg in Spain billed for the 14th of March won’t be easy despite trailing by away goals.

“It won’t be easy. We must be realistic because we are talking about Barcelona and they showed they are a really strong and fantastic team.

“But we also showed we are ready to work really hard in defence and have the right feeling when we get the ball to create the chances to score.

“We have to respect the opponent and when you play against Barcelona, you know very well that if you go box-to-box that is crazy. The game could not only be 1-0 but 2-0, or 4-0, 5-0, 6-0.

“We can try to do something incredible in the Nou Camp and we must play an intelligent game – we are not stupid.”

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/ucl-conte-hopes-chelsea-beat-barca-incredible-showing-camp-nou/

Last Updated: 13:40
1
Chelsea 1
Barcelona
13:40
[url]completesportsnigeria[/url]
FT; Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona

The battle will shift to the Camp Nou for the decisive second leg on March 14.

13:39
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90+1 Iniesta goes off, the Barcelona captain having been massive for his side again with, most tellingly, the vital assits for Messi's goal.

13:37
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89' Busquets is booked for a cynical foul on Hazard. The clock winds down gradually.

13:34
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87' Chelsea are determined to get more than a draw from this game and they go in search of the winning goal but Morata is booked for dissent.

13:34
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85' Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona

Five minutes of regulation time left. No gainsaying that this tie won't be decided until the second leg at the Camp Nou

13:34
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83' -

Alvaro Morata comes on for Pedro to add a little in attack while a tiring Cesc Fabregas is replaced by Danny Drinkwater to shore up midfield.

13:22
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76' Suarez is yellow carded but this last 15 minutes will be very important for both side.

13:20
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GOAL - Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona

The first Chelsea mistake in defence and it is punished by who else but Lionel Messi.

13:13
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65' Barcelona make an immediate sub as Valverde throws on Aleix Vidal in place of Paulinho.

13:11
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62' GOAL - Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona

Willian rattled the upright twice but this time he finds the bottom corner with the sharpshooter.

Advantage Chelsea.

13:11
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GOAL!!!! Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona

13:05
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55' - Barcelona relentlessly probe in search of a weak spot and they almost find one as Luisw Suarez gets to a ball and nearly gets the better of Courtois but the big goalkeeper gets down to divert it behind the post.

12:58
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50' Barcelona are back on the ball and in control, trying to take the momentum back from Chelsea side who had built up confidence gradually.

12:54
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48' Sergi Roberto squanders a great position out on the right wing with a horribly over-hit cross for Barcelona early in the second half.

12:49
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46' Second half underway.

12:35
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HT: Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona

12:32
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45' Its almost halftime and this game is destined to enter the interval at 0-0. Barcelona had the better possession but the best chance so far had come to Chelsea.

12:29
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40' Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona

The quality of the game has ramped up tremendously. Everyone on the pitch playing with amazing awareness as Victor Moses has to be alive to knock the ball behind with Jordi Alba threatens to get beyond him and to the byeline.

12:24
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35' Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona.

Less than 10 minutes to the end of the first half and it's still goalless at Stamford Bridge.


12:20
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32' Barcelona cop first yellow for Rakitic's foul on Willian, the Brazilian being one of Chelsea's brightest spot so far this evening.


12:19
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28' Chelsea with a dazzling one-touch passing as Willian flicks one round the corner and Eden Hazard's reverse ball is only just cut out.

Pedro was through if a defender hadn't got a touch...

12:17
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25' Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona

It has been one long passing game with chance at a premium but Barcelona appear the more threatening.

12:13
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23' Barcelona are suffocating the supply lines to the Chelsea attack, having a massive possession over 75%.

12:09
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18' - Lionel Messi serves up a delicious cross, chipping over Cesar Azpilicueta for Paulinho but the Brazilian cannot direct his header on target.

12:07
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14' It is Hazard's turn to shine as he skins Paulinho and gets to the byline but his cross is blocked

Still 0-0.

12:04
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12' - Lionel Messi breezes through the centre of the park with N'Golo Kante chasing after him.

Paulinho's cross cannot find anyone in the middle after the Argentine's lay-off.

11:57
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10' Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona.

11:55
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3' - Barcelona trying to lay down an early marker in the game with Lionel Messi latching on to a loose bit of Chelsea build-up play and stutters towards Cesar Azpilicueta on the edge of the box but the Chelsea captain slides in with a timely tackle.

11:50
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1' - Game gets underway from Stamford Bridge.

11:45
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Chelsea name Giroud & Morata on bench but Barcelona are unchanged with Ousmane Dembele on bench.

Chelsea unbeaten in last seven Champions League games with Barcelona.

11:45
completesportsnigeria
The line-up for both sides are out already.



Chelsea

13 Courtois

15 Moses

28 Azpilicueta

27 Christensen

2 Rüdiger

3 Alonso

22 Willian

7 Kanté

4 Fàbregas

11 Pedro

10 E Hazard

Substitutes

1 Caballero

6 Drinkwater

9 Morata

18 Giroud

21 Zappacosta

24 Cahill

70 Hudson-Odoi





Barcelona

1 Ter Stegen

20 Sergi

3 Piqué

23 Umtiti

18 Alba

5 Busquets

4 Rakitic

8 Iniesta

15 Paulinho

9 L Suárez

10 Messi



Substitutes

6 D Suárez

11 Dembélé

13 Cillessen

19 Digne

21 André Gomes

22 Vidal

25 Vermaelen

11:43
completesportsnigeria
Chelsea and Barcelona face each other for the 13th time in the Champions League and both sides are eager to have a headstart ahead of the second leg in Spain next month.

11:42
completesportsnigeria
Good evening and welcome to www.completesportsnigeria.com's liveblogging of the Champions League Round of 16 clash between Chelsea and Barcelona from Stamford Bridge in London.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/live-chelsea-vs-barcelona-uefa-champions-league/

Nigeria’s bobsled team of Seun Adigun and Akuoma Omeoga finished 20th in official Heats 1 and 2 on Tuesday at the 2018 Winter Olympics Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url] reports.

The pair (Adigun and Omeoga), making their official debut at the Winter Olympics, improved on their timing from the official training heats despite finishing bottom in the standings in heat 1 and 2 respectively.

The pair finished with a time of 52.21second in Heat 1 and 52.55 in Heat 2 as against the time of 52.96 and 53.60 seconds recorded in Sunday’s training Heats 3 and 4.

Elana Taylor and Lauren Gibbs came first with a time of 50.52 in Heat 1 while the pair of Mariana Jamaka and Lisa Buckwitz from Germany came second with a time of 50.54.

Jamie Poser and Aja Evans from USA came third with a 50.59 seconds.

In Heat 2, Mariana Jamaka and Lisa Buckwitz from Germany topped with a time of 50.72.Elana Taylor and Lauren Gibbs came second with a time of 50.81

Kallie Humphries and Phylicia George from Canada came third with a time of 50.88.

The Nigerian duo will take part in Heats 3 and 4 on Wednesday.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/winter-olympics-nigeria-bobsled-duo-improve-timing-official-heats/

Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen’s Bundesliga club Wolfsburg have appointed 52-year-old Bruno Labbadia as their new coach.

Wolfsburg confirmed the appointment of Labbadia on their verified Twitter handle on Tuesday.

Labbadia who is German-born but has Italian heritage, replaces Swiss coach Martin Schmidt who resigned on Monday.

“Bruno Labbadia is the new head-coach of the Wolves. The 52-year-old has signed on until summer 2019 and will host his first training session today (Tuesday),” Wolfsburg wrote on Twitter.

Labbadia’s first game will be an away trip against Mainz 05 in a league clash on Friday.

During his playing career, Labbadia featured for Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen and Hamburger.

And as a coach, he has handled Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburger, Stuttgart and Darmstadt.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/osimhen-gets-ex-bayern-star-labbadia-new-coach-wolfsburg/

Akwa United head coach Abdu Maikaba insists his side will overturn their first leg deficit against Banjul Hawks of Gambia when both teams clash in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie in Bakau on Wednesday, [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url] reports.

The Promise Keepers who have enjoyed a fine start to their campaign in the Nigeria Professional Football League this term went down to a shocking 2-1 defeat to their opponents in the first leg clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Maikaba is however confident his team can still make it through to the next round, stating that his charges are not under any form of pressure going into the game.

“I have been in football for many years and in all those years, I have worked with different sets of players under different managements. But there is something special about Akwa United. Everyone is fully committed and dedicated towards the success of the team at all times,” the former Wikki Tourists coach told Akwa United’s official website.

“We were surprised with the result in Uyo, but we know that no two matches are the same. The game will be decided after the second leg on Wednesday, so the tie is still alive and we have 90 minutes to decide our fate.”

“We all know the importance of this match, we have been well motivated and the fans back home have given us their support and they are also expecting something from us, so we have to reciprocate by redeeming ourselves and giving them what they deserve.”

The match will kick off at the Independence Stadium in Bakau at 6pm local time, 7pm Nigerian time.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/maikaba-akwa-united-will-advance-cafcc-despite-home-defeat-banjul-hawks/

MFM FC forward, Sikiru Olatunbosun, has assured that he and teammates will not to get carried away by the result of their fist leg fixture against Real Bamako when they face the Malians in Wednesday’s CAF Champions League Preliminary Round second leg fixture, reports [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url] (CSN).

The Olukoya Boys were held to a 1-1 away draw by their opponent in the first leg tie and are in a good position to make it to the first round in what is their debut appearance in the competition.

A goalless draw or a win at the Agege Stadium will see them scale through the hurdle.

Olatunbosun has however issued a rallying call to his teammates to forget the result of the first leg and focus on the task at hand.

“It’s easier to believe the game is going to be an easy one because of the first leg result but that will be a great mistake on our part,” he opened up in a chat with CSN.

“We have only played the first leg and it’s important to get the job done by going all out for a win against them tomorrow (Wednesday).

“They (Real Bamako) gave us a good fight in the first leg, and we are expecting another tough game from them, but we will surely be equal to the task.

“Now, we will be playing at home and we have to make the advantage count.”

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/mfm-forward-olatunbosun-must-avoid-complacency-vs-real-bamako-cafcc-prelim-2nd-leg/

Super Eagles and Chelsea star, Victor Moses, has been named Player of the Year for Men while Asisat Oshoala won Player of the Year for Women in the maiden edition of the 2018 Aiteo/Nigeria Football Federation awards, [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url] reports.

The award was held inside the Grand Ballroom of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday.

Present at the award included NFF President Amaju Pinnick, First Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, CAF President Ahmad Ahmad and Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Former Nigeria internationals Segun Odegbami, Austin Okocha, Friday Ekpo, Christian Chukwu, Mutiu Adepoju, Daniel Amokachi, Garba Lawal, Emmanuel Okala, Felix Owolabi, Wilson Oruma, Femi Opabunmi, Ann Chiejine, Rita Nwadike were present at the awards, with some of them presenting awards.

The award for the Young Player of the Year for Men went to 2018 CHAN defender Ikouwem Udoh while the Young Player of the Year for Women went to Super Falcons forward Rasheedat Ajibade.

Plateau United coach Kennedy Boboye was presented with the Men’s Coach of the Year award, while former Super Falcons goalkeeper and assistant coach Ann Chiejine went home with the Women’s Coach of the Year award.

MFM FC forward Sikiru Olatunbosun got the award for the Goal of the Year for his wonder strike against Rangers last season.

In other categories, the Fair Play award went to Nigeria National League club Remo Stars, the Fans of the Year award was presented to El-Kanemi Warriors.

Channel Sports got Sports Station of the Year, Infantino was presented with the Platinum award and also awards were given to a selected Nigerian Legends both men and women.

Also, top Nigerian artistes like Simi, Tiwa Savage, Kiss Daniel, Reekado Banks, Pato Ranking and Falz were on hand to thrill audience a tthe awards.

Winners at the 2018 Aiteo/NFF Awards

Player of the Year (Men):
Victor Moses

Player of the Year (Women):
Asisat Oshoala

Coach of the Year (Men):
Kennedy Boboye

Coach of the Year (Women):
Ann Chiejine

Young Player of the Year (Men):
Ikouwem Udoh

Young Player of the Year (Women):
Rasheedat Ajibade

Fairplay Award:
Remo Stars FC

Goal of the Season:
Sikiru Olatunbosun

Fans of the Season:
El-Kanemi Warriors

Platinum Award categories:
Gianni Infantino

Sports Station of the Year:
Channels Sport

Legends Eleven:

Ann Chiejine
Austin Eguavoen
Okechukwu Uche
Christian Chukwu
Segun Odegbami
Nwankwo Kanu
Felix Oowlabi
Thompson Usiyen
Mercy Akide
Adokiye Amiesimaka
Austin Okocha

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/moses-oshoala-win-big-aiteo-nff-awards-okocha-kanu-odegbami-legends-xi/

Nigeria striker, Brown Ideye, was voted Malaga Man of the Match in their 2-1 home defeat to Valencia on Saturday.

Malaga made the announcement on their official website on Monday after the club fans chose the Tianjin Teda on-loan striker as their best player for the game.

Ideye opened his goals account for struggling Malaga when he gave them the lead in the 27th minute.

Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin drew Valencia level on 80 minutes before Daniel Parejo scored the winner from the penalty spot with five minutes remaining in the game.

Prior to Parejo’s goal, Ignasi Miquel was sent off for Malaga after receiving a straight red card.

The defeat left Malaga bottom of the table on 13 points, seven points away from safety.

“It’s very upsetting to lose a match like this. It’s very difficult, as the team isn’t in a situation to be able to lose a match in this way,” Ideye told the media in Spain.

“On the one hand I’m happy, but on the other, sad. It’s positive for me to have scored my first goal for my team, but unfortunately we were defeated.”

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner however expressed confidence that Malaga can still escape relegation.

He added: “I say to the fans that we’ll never give up and hope they will continue supporting us and spurring us on. I understand that these are tough times for us, but I think everything will get better. There are 15 matches remaining and it’s possible to move up.”

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/ideye-voted-malaga-mvp-vs-valencia-upset-defeat/

Real Madrid survived a scare, coming from a 2-1 half time deficit to beat Real Betis 5-3 in Sunday’s thrilling La Liga Santander clash that produced eight yellow cards.

Real Madrid’s win comes days after the Los Blancos defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in the first leg of the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League.

Marco Asensio gave visitors Real Madrid the lead in the 11th minute but Aissa Mandi restored parity for the hosts with a lovely header 22 minutes later.

An own goal from Nacho Fernandez eight minutes from half time gave Real Betis a deserved lead into the break.

At the restart, Real Madrid took the initiative starving Betis of possession and five minutes later, captain Sergio Ramos made it 2-2 with a thumping header from a Lucas Vazquez corner.

The goal was Ramos’ second this season for Real Madrid.

Asensio made it 3-2 with a cool finish. The goal was the 6000th Madrid strike in LaLiga. Real Madrid are the first side in the league’s history to reach that tally.

Cristiano Ronaldo put the game beyond reach for the hosts, scoring Real’s fourth before Sergio Leon scored a late goal for Betis to make it 4-3.
Substitute Karim Benzema’s made it 5-3 for Zinedine Zidane’s side.

The victory lifted Madrid to fourth place, one point adrift of Valencia, with a game in hand while Betis stay in ninth place.
Real Madrid travel to face Leganes in their next game on Wednesday.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/real-madrid-edge-real-betis-laliga-thriller/

Nigeria’s Bobsled team began their quest for a place on podium at the ongoing 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Saturday evening, finishing 19th in the official training Heats 1 and 2, [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url] reports.

Seun Adigun and Akuoma Omeoga competed in the race and finished with a time of 54.18 seconds in Heat 1.

The Nigerian pair finished 3:07 seconds later than first-placed Canadian duo of Kallie Humphries and Phylicia George who completed Heat 1 with a time of 51:11 seconds.

Jamie Poser and Aja Evans came second with a time of 51: 32 seconds while Mariana Jamaka and Lisa Buckwitz finished third with a time of 51:33.

In Heat 2, the Nigerian duo of Adigun and Omeoga finished with a time of 53:49 seconds, 2:23 seconds off first placed duo of Kallie Humphries and Phylicia George from Canada who completed Heat 2 with a time of 51:26 seconds.

Jamie Poser and Aja Evans from USA came second in Heat 2 with a time of 51:27 while Mariana Jamaka and Lisa Buckwitz finished third with a time of 51:43.

They are expected to take part in Heat 3 and 4 on Sunday, 18th February, 2018.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/winter-olympics-nigerian-bobled-pair-place-19th-heats/

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has lashed out at persistent speculations linking him with a move to either Real Madrid, Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain with the Belgian insisting that he’s commited to staying at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgium star, the key man in Antonio Conte’s squad and is the Blues’ top-scorer this season with 15 strikes to his name in all competitions, has reportedly drawn interest from some of Europe’s biggest sides.

However, Hazard is increasingly getting weary of being linked elsewhere which could affect his ability to focus fully on affairs at his current club.

“Yes, but they are interested in me for several years,” Hazard told Telefoot. “We talk about it for a long time. When it is not Paris, it is Real. And when it is not Real, it is Paris.

“Today, I am good where I am. If one day I have to move, I will move. But for now, I am good here. I am well-rounded and I will give my best for Chelsea.

“For now, I am here. There are still games to play. There are competitions we are trying to win. And then, there is the World Cup.

“I am here. I still have two and a half years on my contract at Chelsea. I am good here. I play every game. And I manage to play well in every game.

“The fans like me. My family is good here. We will see what will happen. In football, everything can happen, but also nothing can happen.”

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/hazard-blasts-im-happy-chelsea-stop-linking-real-madrid-psg/

The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) have expressed deep shock following the sudden demise of Kano Pillars defender Chinedu Udoji in a road accident on Sunday, reports [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url].

Udoji was on his way back to the Kano Pillars club house after he visited his former Enyimba teammates at their hotel when the incident happened on Sunday night.

“The demise of @pillarsfc defender Chinedu Udoji comes as a rude shock to us this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and club. May his soul rest in peace. #RIPUdoji,” the NFF tweeted on Monday morning.

Similarly, Udoji’s former club, Enyimba Football Club of Aba have commiserated with the centre-back’s family following his untimely death.

“We are distraught at the news of the passing of club legend and former captain, Chinedu Udoji. Our commiserations are with his family at this time,” the seven-time Nigeria Professional Football League champions wrote on their official Twitter handle on Monday.

Enugu Rangers, Rivers United and other NPFL clubs also expressed their sadness over the 28-year-old defender’s death.

“What can we say? Rest In Peace Chinedu Udoji,” Rangers tweeted, while Rivers United posted a picture of Udoji with his young family.

The late Udoji featured in Pillars’ NPFL match day nine clash against Enyimba on Sunday at the Sani Abacha Stadium which ended in a 1-1 draw.

He was adjudged man of the match after the highly entertaining encounter.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/nff-enyimba-rangers-rivers-united-mourn-chinedu-udojis-untimely-death/

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar Jr has been persistently linked with Real Madrid and, as he leads his team to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening, he’ll handle the pressure excellently according to team-mate Marquinhos.

In the lead up to the blockbuster clash, the Brazil international has been linked with a shock switch to Madrid, despite only joining PSG last year.

But Marquinhos said his team-mate, who has scored 28 goals this season, would ignore all the speculation.

“Neymar is a player who controls his emotions and the pressure well, and demonstrates it on the pitch,” he told a news conference.

“He’s a player with personality. He does his talking on the pitch. He’s doing great stuff in Paris.”

PSG come up against a Madrid side that have been unable to live up to their own lofty expectations this season, including sitting 17 points behind Barcelona in LaLiga.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/psgs-marquinhos-real-madrid-links-will-not-affect-neymars-game-bernabeu/

Much of the hard work of forward Roberto Firmino have often gone unnoticed but that is changing with the departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has said.

Firmino, 26, has enjoyed a fine campaign, scoring 20 goals in all competitions this season and Klopp feels Coutinho’s move to Barcelona in January has allowed his fellow Brazilian – who has netted seven times in eight Champions League games – to take more of the limelight.

“When I came in I said immediately that I was happy Roberto was here,” the German said ahead of his side’s last-16 tie against Porto.

“I don’t think he has stepped up recently but maybe it is more obvious because his situations are not overshadowed by Phil Coutinho’s situations. That’s how it is.

“He’s a very important player and he doesn’t always have to be the standout player. As often as he can be, that’s good.

“Is he underrated? I don’t think so, not anymore. I don’t know what other people think about Roberto Firmino. But people with a football brain judge him right.”

Along with his 20 goals in 36 games, Firmino has also provided 11 assists in all competitions.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/klopp-underrated-firmino-now-getting-credit-coutinho-exit/

Angel Di Maria reckons he could play for Barcelona despite his history with their La Liga rivals Real Madrid.

The former Manchester United star spent four seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning a LaLiga crown and Champions League title among numerous other trophies.

He moved to Old Trafford for a season before joining current side Paris Saint-Germain in 2015.

And despite his history at Madrid, Di Maria, 29, said he would play for Barca if the opportunity presented itself.

“My relationship with Madrid is finished because my cycle there ended,” he told So Foot.

“Frankly, I wouldn’t have a problem to play at Barca, to the contrary.

“The only club I couldn’t play for is Newell’s Old Boys because I am a fan of Rosario Central.”

Di Maria and PSG face Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday in a first leg Round of 16 clash at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/di-maria-real-madrid-past-cannot-stop-playing-barcelona/

2018 is running by fast and so is the sporting calendar. It is no more news that the Nigerian Super Eagles of Nigeria will feature at the FIFA World Cup in Russia come 14th of June.

That’s exciting news to lots of sports loving Nigerians, however this is not the only sporting attraction to feature Nigerian’s this year. 2018 is packed with sporting events that will keep sports lovers entertained all year long. Complete Sports Nigeria (CSN) has made a pick of the Top Eight sporting events of the year.

1. African Wrestling Championships

Nigeria will be hosting the continent to the first ever wrestling tournament billed to take place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State from 7th – 11th.

The African Wrestling Championship will have in attendance African wrestlers as well as International Wrestlers. This will be a historic event and the biggest ever wrestling event to ever be hosted on Nigeria soil.

2. Winter Olympics

For the first time in History Nigeria’s flag will be hoisted at the winter Olympics bobsled event taking place in Pyeongchang County, South Korea.

This is a path never trailed by anyone in the Nation, the trio Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga will be making history at the XXIII Olympic Winter Games known as Pyeongchang 2018 billed to take place from February 9th to 25th. This is a first for Nigeria and the build up to the event has been impressive, let’s throw our weight behind the ladies.

3. Lagos City Marathon

The competition which is in its third year has continued to surpass expectations, The Lagos state governor Akinwunmi Ambode has promised to upgrade the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon to an IAAF Gold Label.

The event which is one of the most anticipated running event in Nigeria, is expected to have more than 100,000 participants this year with the introduction of the 10km Family race. Lagos City Marathon ranks high in terms of Prizes, the race is scheduled to hold February 10.

4. Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games is not new to Nigerians like the winter Olympics, the games features former colonies of Great Britain. This year’s edition is scheduled to take place in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia from 4th to 5th of April.

Nigeria will be looking to improve her medal haul from the last edition held in Glasgow, Scotland carting away a total of 11 Gold, 11 Silver and 14 Bronze medals.

5. UEFA Champions League final

This is undoubtedly the most watched sporting event in Nigeria after the Super Eagles, the followership it commands is premium and Nigerian’s are known to watch their favourite football clubs perform on the big stage.

This year we have some Nigerians featuring; Victor Moses, Chelsea, and Henry Onyekuru of Anderlecht on loan from Everton.

It promises to be a spectacular one as Real Madrid take on PSG and Barcelona take on old rivals Chelsea for a spot in the Semi-Final. The final will hold on May 26 at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Uknraine.

6. Russia 2018 World Cup

All roads leads to Russia as she plays host to the world’s biggest sporting spectacle of the year. The Nigerian Super Eagles who qualified top of the log in their group will feature alongside Croatia, Iceland and perennial foes Argentina in Group D.

Nigeria has qualified for the mundial for the sixth time and she hopes to reach the Quarter Final for the first in the team’s history. We have the opportunity to see the likes of Iwobi, Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Kane take centre stage as they vie for the topmost prize in world football. The tournament is billed to kick off on June 14 through July 15.

7. Senior Africa Athletics Championships

The 21st edition of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Senior Championships tagged ‘Asaba 2018’ is scheduled to hold from August 1st to 5th in Delta State, Nigeria.

The first time the event was staged in Nigeria was in Lagos in 1989. The Governor of the State Ifeanyi Okowa, as well as LOC Chairman, Solomon Ogba, have both encouraged Nigerians to come en-masse to experience the games giving their assurance that it will be a World class spectacle in the most conducive environment.

The who is who athletes of African track and field will be present at the games which is held to select the continent’s contingent to the International Cup in athletics later on this year.

8. U-20 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria will make her Ninth appearance in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup after the Falconets demolished South Africa’s Basetsana 8-0 on aggregate.

The Nigerian female side have been a dominant force in African football, and the falconets have been impressive as well. We are backing them to make good of the opportunity to finally win the tournament after narrowly missing out on the trophy on two occasions. The tournament will be held in France from August 5 – 24.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/2018-eight-top-sporting-events-nigeria/

Nigeria forward Sone Aluko has expressed optimism that Reading will turn their season around despite their struggles.

Reading have picked up one win from their last 12 English Championship matches to leave them just four points above the relegation zone. They are 18th on 32 points in the 24-team league table.

Last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough was their fourth loss in five games which has led to the club fans turning on their manager Jaap Stam.
But winger Aluko is certain results will soon improve.

“It’s not going our way at the minute, but I’m a big believer in making your own luck and we have to keep believing,” Aluko, who was Stam’s biggest signing last summer when he joined from Fulham, told Reading Chronicle.

“It’s easy to lose confidence when you’re losing games and you start second guessing yourselves.
“But we haven’t become bad players overnight, so we believe it will turn with hard work.”

The former Hull City star admits they have to find solutions to their problems rather dwell on them.

He added: “We’ll be working hard. We have to stick together, keep fighting and address the problems we’re encountering in games at the moment.

“We are where we are. It’s the reality, and we’ve got to deal with it.

“It’s about what’s going on between your ears as much as what is happening with the ball at your feet.

“As players, you’ve got to keep believing. And if we do, I’m confident we will turn it around.”

Reading are without a fixture this weekend due to Sheffield United’s FA Cup involvement.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/aluko-backs-struggling-reading-turn-season-around/

English Championship club Leeds United will revive a £3.5m bid for Nigerian striker Jerry Mbakogu at the end of the season, according to the Daily Mail.

Mbakogu who plays in the Italian second division for Carpi was close to a move to the English second-tier club in January but the deal fell through.

Carpi pulled out of the negotiations as they were not willing to lose their striker who has scored six goals in 19 Serie B appearances this season.

Mbakogu has been influential to Carpi’s promotional play-off chase this season.

Carpi are ninth in the Serie B table with 36 points from 24 games.

According to the report in the Daily Mail, the 25-year-old Nigerian has applied for a dual Italian passport to help smooth a deal for Leeds in the summer rather than wait on a work permit.

Mbakogu is yet to feature for the Super Eagles.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/leeds-set-make-3-5m-bid-nigerian-striker-mbakogu/

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has arrived in Germany to monitor players ahead of the international friendly matches against Serbia and Poland, [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url] reports.

The former OG Nice of France manager who qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, has also been to France to speak with some of the players he intends to bring to the national team, since he left Morocco where Nigeria participated in the 2018 CAF African Nations Championship.

According to the Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, Rohr is determined to present a strong team at the 2018 World Cup and he has been scouting round Europe to get the best players that will help him actualise his dream of excellent performances in Russia.

“Rohr is in Germany now monitoring players that could make his team for the upcoming international friendly matches that will help him get the best for the World Cup”, Ibitoye told Completesportsnigeria.com

“He is determined to present a quality team in Russia and he has started monitoring the players he wants to give the opportunities to prove what they can do for Nigeria.”

Leon Balogun and Anthony Ujah, both of Mainz, and Wolfsburg’s Victor Osimhen are some of the Nigerian players currently playing in the German Bundesliga.

Meanwhile, Completesportsnigeria.com has been informed that the list of players that will play both Serbia and Poland international friendly matches will be out in early March.

“The list will be out soon but I’m sure around early March and that is why he is trying to move round now to see the players he is going to invite,” CSN was informed.

Nigeria, who will face Iceland, Argentina and Croatia in the first round of the FIFA World Cup in Russia, will play friendly matches with Poland in Warsaw on March 23 and Serbia in London on March 27.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/rohr-hits-germany-monitor-eagles-stars-set-name-squad-serbia-poland-friendlies/

D’Tigers coach Alex Nwora is confident that Nigeria will qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China despite missing some of their key players for the qualifiers, [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url] reports.

Nigeria have been drawn alongside hosts Mali, Uganda and Rwanda for the FIBA qualifiers which will take place from 23 February to 25 February, 2018.

Nwora admitted that the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) could not get some of the players for the qualifiers due to the new qualification format.

“It was tough to getting key players with leagues across the world already in full swing,”Nwora told the media department of the NBBF.

“Active players in their respective clubs who are available have been invited to represent Nigeria. We have a very formidable team that I believe will sail through during the qualifiers.”

Nwora recalled two players from the victorious 2015 AfroBasket Championship squad and five from the squad that won silver in Tunisia in 2017 to his preliminary squad for the qualifiers.

The 2019 FIBA World Cup will tip off on 31 August and end on 15 September in China.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/dtigers-coach-nwora-sure-fiba-world-cup-ticket/

Nigeria’s Russia 2018 World Cup group opponents Croatia have picked Liverpool’s home ground Anfield as venue for their international friendly fixture against five-time world champions Brazil scheduled for June 3rd, reports [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url].

Officials of the Croatia Football Federation and their Brazilian counterparts agreed on the date for the friendly towards the end of last year with Stamford Bridge, home of English Premier League champions Chelsea, and Anfield proposed as venue for the game.

According to a report in Croatian online news hub, Sportske. jutarnji.hr, the two federations have now agreed for the game to be held in Anfield.

The Croats who have a South American team, Argentina in their group will use the game to test strategy ahead of their game against the Albiceleste who they will face in their second group game at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Croatia will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their opening fixture at the global fiesta on June 16 at the Kaliningrad Stadium.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will run from June 14 to July 15 in Russia.

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/nigeria-foes-croatia-choose-anfield-world-cup-friendly-vs-brazil/

As the Champions League Round of 16 clash between Barcelona and Chelsea draws near, former player Alexis Sanchez has recalled how Barca superstar Lionel Messi couldn’t hold back the tears after they lost a semi-final tie to Chelsea in 2012.

Messi missed a penalty as the Catalans surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with the Premier League side – who were playing with 10 men after John Terry’s sending off – which saw them lose the tie 3-2 on aggregate.

Sanchez, who started that game for Barca, has revealed how hurt his former team-mate was in the wake of the defeat and feels it shows the demands players place on themselves at the highest level of the game.

The Manchester United forward, who earns a reported £350,000-a-week at Old Trafford, also believes players can be unfairly criticised based on the money they earn.

“I think football saves many people,” Sanchez told Sky Sports. “It can give you a life of luxury, but people don’t see all the effort that goes in behind the scenes.

“That might mean not seeing your family, or missing your mother’s birthday, many players are so focused that they miss the birth of their children.

“You might cry during a game if you lose a final. That’s all part of football. In the Barcelona dressing room after the Chelsea game, I saw Leo cry. That’s because players demand so much from themselves. People don’t see that.

“Sometimes people say things such as, ‘He’s got too big for his boots’ or say, ‘He’s changed’. You buy a flash car and people say that you’re a show-off.

“I’ve learnt so much over time and with the experience that I’ve gained. You can’t please everyone. There’ll always be one or two who get angry. I’ve learnt so much from playing football: I love football and that’s what I do. I enjoy myself and I’m just trying to be happy.”

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/champions-league-messi-cried-chelsea-beat-barcelona-2012-sanchez/

Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi has urged Arsenal fans to keep faith with the team despite their 1-0 defeat to North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Saturdays Premier League clash.

Spurs deservedly secured all three points thanks to league top scorer Harry Kane whose 49th minute header was the difference between both teams.

The win took Spurs to fourth place, seven points clear of Arsenal on 52 points in the league table.

Iwobi, who was brought on in the second half of the game, told the club’s fans via his Instagram account that the team will be working hard to get back to winning ways starting with Thursday’s Europa League round 32 clash away to Swedish club Oestersunds.

Iwobi said: “Being an Arsenal fan myself, Saturday’s defeat was very disappointing and hard to take.

“I know it’s hard to believe but we know exactly how you are feeling.

“We have another match in a few days and trust me we’ll be putting in 100% to try and make this right.

“Massive love to all our fans for your support. #BIG17.”

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/iwobi-arsenal-fans-know-feel-spurs-defeat/

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that his side were destined to lose 1-0 in Sunday’s English Premier League game against Newcastle United at St James Park.

Matt Ritchie scored the only goal in the 65th minute to condemn United to their fifth league defeat of the season while the win moved Newcastle to 13th in the English Premier League table.

Mourinho also praised the resolute defending of the Magpies during the clash.

“They fought like animals – I hope they take that as a compliment. The gods of football were on their side,” Mourinho said during post-match interview.

“It wasn’t going to happen for us today. Newcastle gave what they have and what they don’t have, that’s a beautiful thing in football.

“They fought for their point, a point is what they had in mind. We made a defensive mistake and when they were in front they had only one thing in mind and gave their lives to keep a clean sheet.

“My verdict is that we could’ve been here for 10 hours and not scored a goal. Newcastle played with their lives and defended with their lives.

“They got from us a defensive mistake and from a lateral free-kick they scored. The gods of football were clearly in their side. They must have an amazing feeling after giving absolutely everything.”

Mourinho also rued his side’s missed chances from the game and the foul Chris Smalling conceded that led to the goal.

“Score a goal. We had some [chances] with the score at 0-0. Alexis [Sanchez] had an open goal and then the countless opportunities of the last 20-25 minutes. The double [miss] of Martial is incredible in the last minute,” Mourinho added.

“A defender has to concede free-kicks now and again. It was an intuitive thing. Players [who do it] in the box deserve a card more than [Chris] Smalling in that situation. Clearly I know we lost the duel in the air and it’s difficult to accept that.”

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/mourinho-gods-soccer-newcastles-side-man-united/