₦airaland Forum

According to Dean Ammi, Senegal winger Sadio Mane has beaten Riyad Mahrez to the CAF African Player of the Year award for 2019.

The Liverpool forward has come in first place after winning the UEFA Champions League with his club, as well as making the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.

Algerian winger Mahrez has come in second place, despite winning AFCON with his country as well as four trophies with Man City under Pep Guardiola.
However ...

Read more at https://sportinglife.ng/revealed-mane-beats-mahrez-to-african-footballer-of-the-year/

World football ruling body FIFA banned the former president of Panamanian football federation Ariel Alvarado for life on Thursday after finding him guilty of bribery.

FIFA also and fined him 500,000 Swiss francs (390,821.19 pounds).

Alvarado was investigated in relation to matches organised by the Panamanian Football Association.

The investigation was also related to contracts for Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) media and marketing rights between 2009 and 2011.

The adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee said it had imposed the ban on Alvarado with immediate effect.

Read more here https://sportinglife.ng/fifa-bans-former-panama-federation-president-for-life/

Russia’s anti-doping agency RUSADA on Thursday appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against a four-year ban from major sports events.

Russia was on Dec. 9 banned as a nation by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over tampering of Moscow anti-doping laboratory data.

The ban is for a period which includes the 2020 Olympics, 2022 Winter Games and 2022 football World Cup.

Read more at https://sportinglife.ng/russias-anti-doping-agency-appeals-against-4-year-ban/

The midfielder admits he wants to help the club return to the elite after last night's Carabao Cup victory over Colchester.

"I think we have evolved a lot," the Brazil international said.

"Mentally we are more patient, we work for each other more and more

Read more at https://sportinglife.ng/pereira-sees-his-future-at-man-utd/

Nigeria-born Kamaru Usman hits Colby Covington in a mixed martial arts welterweight championship bout at UFC 245, over the weekend, in Las Vegas.

Kamaru Usman sent a bloodied, bleary Colby Covington spiralling to the ground for the second time. Usman then leaped on him and went to work on Covington’s badly injured face, battering his dazed opponent with hammer fists until the referee mercifully intervened.

Read more at https://sportinglife.ng/kamaru-usman-batters-colby-covington-at-ufc-245/

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to set yet another goalscoring landmark and help Juventus to a 3-1 home win over Udinese on Sunday that sent them back to the top of the Serie A table.

In-form Ronaldo, who has five goals in his last four games, took his tally for the season to 11 in 19 appearances, becoming the only player in Europe's top five leagues to hit double figures in all competitions in each of the last 15 seasons.

"This is how we should play, with confidence. Individual performances aren't what matters, but the collective effort."

Udinese remain in relegation trouble after falling to 17th place on 15 points, hovering just two points above the drop zone.

Gianluigi Buffon started in goal for Juventus to match Alessandro Del Piero's club record of 478 Serie A appearances, while Ronaldo was given the rare opportunity to start in an attacking trident alongside Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain.

They needed just nine minutes to find the breakthrough when Dybala's deflected shot fell into the path of Ronaldo, who fired in a low finish from the edge of the box.

After Dybala looked to have made it 2-0 with a sublime lob only for it to be ruled out for handball in the build-up, Ronaldo scored again after 37 minutes, latching on to Higuain's through ball to smash a shot into the bottom corner.

The game was over as a contest by half-time after Merih Demiral rose to head a corner towards the six-yard box, where Bonucci was on hand to nod in off the crossbar.

Ronaldo came close to a hat-trick in the second half when his powerful shot was palmed onto the post by Udinese goalkeeper Juan Musso.

The excellent Buffon was denied a clean sheet at the death when Pussetto prodded in from close range.

Elsewhere, European hopefuls Atalanta lost 2-1 at Bologna to miss out on the chance to move into the top four.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side remain sixth after goals from Rodrigo Palacio and Andrea Poli put Bologna in command before Ruslan Malinovskiy pulled one back.
https://sportinglife.ng/ronaldo-makes-history-as-juventus-go-top/

Bayern Munich players were quick to praise Philippe Coutinho after the Barcelona loanee bagged a brilliant hat-trick in Saturday’s thrashing of Werder Bremen.

The Brazilian put in his best performance since joining the club on a season-long loan in the summer with three goals, two assists and a man of the match award.

David Alaba told Bild “If you watched the game today, we have to buy him, right?” while Robert Lewandowski described Coutinho as “outstanding” and said Bayern “need this kind of player.”

Manager Hansi Flick also spoke about Coutinho in his press conference after the match and said he thought “everyone in the stadium enjoyed his performance.”

The win saw Bayern back to winning ways after consecutive defeats in the Bundesliga, although they remain six points behind leaders RB Leipzig after 15 games.

Meanwhile, the performance may offer Coutinho hope he can stay at Bayern. He has spoken of his desire to remain at the club already but his €120m purchase option may prove problematic.
https://sportinglife.ng/bayern-players-tell-club-to-sign-coutinho-permanently-after-hat-trick/

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has said he had to replace Kelechi Iheanacho before the half time break in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Norwich City due to tactical reasons.

Demarai Gray replaced the Nigerian after the Foxes had cancelled out Teemu Pukki’s opener through Tim Krul's own goal in the 38th minute.

“It was one where we wanted to go to 4-3-3 and when we moved him out to the side, he’s not a natural winger, he’s not one who can play on that outside,” the manager was quoted by Leicester Mercury.

“So I can either leave it and wait until half-time or make the change when I did. And then make the other change on half-time. It was purely a tactical one.

“He was fine. He was disappointed because he’s been terrific for us in the past few games. He understands, he knows it was nothing personal, just the flow of the game needed to change.

“It was probably the right result. We didn’t start so well in our pressing and then our passing was slow. In fairness to Norwich, they played well in that opening period.

“I felt we needed to change it. We started with the same shape as last week but it wasn’t quite working for us. We made the change and the last 15 minutes of the first half was better when we went to 4-3-3.

“In the second half we were much better, but it looked like the ball was never going to drop for us. We got the goal back as well earlier but we just couldn’t quite find that quality and final pass to get the winner.”

Before his replacement, Iheanacho was involved in a melee with Norwich City players for continuing play after the ball was kicked out to seek medical treatment for Emiliano Buendia.

In his reaction to the incident, Rodgers said the Super Eagles forward, scorer of four goals in five games this season, misunderstood the situation and he could have been expelled.

“They were disappointed that he wanted to try to get in and score. Young Kels, I’m not sure what he was thinking to be honest. He’s an honest boy. He’s clearly got kicked. Thankfully it was sorted out and nothing else happened.”
https://sportinglife.ng/leicester-v-norwich-why-i-substituted-iheanacho-before-halftime-rodgers/

Former WBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter was stopped in the first-round by Arslanbek Makhmudov in their bouts on Saturday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Peter went into the bout with the aim to rebuild his fading career in the sport that earned him fame and fortune since turning professional.

Arslanbek Makhmudov who is unbeaten (10-0, 10 KOs) however recorded a first-round TKO over 39-year-old Peter (38-9, 31 KOs) in a bout for the NABF title.

Makhmudov added Peter to his casualties by dropping him with a big right hand in the first round.
Samuel Peter “The Nigerian Nightmare” then failed to go beyond the first round after he sustained serious damage from the right hand that hit him, but medical said he’s fine afterward.

Samuel Peter’s loss was overshadowed by Anthony Joshua’s triumph over Andy Ruiz Jr. at Diriyah Arena, in Diriyah, in Saudi Arabia, as both fights were staged on the same day.
https://sportinglife.ng/how-samuel-peter-suffered-an-embarrassing-loss-in-canada/

Anthony Joshua activated the rematch clause with Andy Ruiz after the defeat back in June and since then the Brit had talked about how the next fight was about legacy, on Saturday night, December 7, in Saudi Arabia it proved to be so.

Joshua, fighting to save his legacy and continue on his path to become a lineal, undisputed heavyweight champion was captured in his selection of an Afrobeat classic in his ring walk.

Paying tribute to Nigeria and to the Legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the 30-year-old had the instrumentals of WATER NO GET ENEMY blaring on the speakers inside the Diriyah Arena.

This unique sound was noticed by a few keen ears including Nigerian sprint King Seye Ogunlewe and he tweeted:

@anthonyfjoshua Ring walk to Fela! #RuizJoshua2

Another Twitter user @ProudlyOguns also tweeted:

Did you know Fela’s music instrumental was used as an entrance song yesterday by the champ Anthony Joshua. #JoshuaRuiz2

Per By Marc Williams [talkSport], Anthony Joshua paid homage to his Nigerian roots ahead of his world heavyweight title fight with Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia.

The last time he fought Ruiz, Joshua used ‘Ye’ by Burna Boy as his entrance theme at the world’s most famous Madison Square Garden.

https://sportinglife.ng/video-fela-kutis-track-inspired-anthony-joshua-to-reclaim-world-titles/

Jose Mourinho revealed he was offered tickets to see Anthony Joshua take on Andy Ruiz tonight but had to turn turn down the invitation because the game against Burnley.

Joshua met Mourinho in 2017 after his victory against Wladimir Klitschko.

“I was invited by the Prince to be there.

“But I prefer to be in the match against Burnley.”

Mourinho is referring to Joshua’s massive fight against the Mexican in Saudi Arabia tonight at 9pm.

The Brit is aiming to win back his IBF, WBA, IBO and WBO heavyweight titles which he lost in New York six months ago.

Spurs’ new boss met the heavyweight when he attended a United training session in 2017 after beating Wladimir Klitschko.

But when asked for a prediction on tonight’s fight, the 56-year-old did not commit.

Mourinho added: “I’m not an expert.

“I just love the sport and I like Anthony very much because he’s a great kid.
“I hope he wins but in sport you can lose, so let’s see.”
https://sportinglife.ng/why-i-turned-down-invitation-to-watch-joshua-ruiz-rematch-mourinho/

Barcelona sensation, Ansu Fati, has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club with his buy-out clause having increased from €100 million to €170m.

Fati, 17, has made nine appearances in La Liga this season, scoring two goals.

The Camp Nou side also stated the buy-out clause will automatically go up to €400m when he signs a professional contract as a full member of the first team.

"For me, La Masia [Barca's academy] is the best school in the world," Fati said. "They helped me from the first day I arrived and I am extremely grateful to everyone who works there.

"They are all spectacular. From the first day, I have learned things from everyone. And they have also been there to support me through difficult times."

"Working every day with the best is a dream, and also a reward. From now onwards, what I have to do is keep working, even harder than ever, to keep getting chances and carry on on enjoying myself. The rest will come after."

Fati made his debut at the age of 16 in Barcelona's second La Liga game of the season in the 5-2 win over Real Betis and became the youngest player to start a league game at Camp Nou for the Catalans.
In his very next match -- a 2-2 home draw against Osasuna -- he became the youngest player to score and assist in the same match in La Liga history.

https://sportinglife.ng/fati-signs-new-barca-deal-with-e170m-buy-out-clause/

Zinedine Zidane and the Real Madrid hierarchy remain at odds over the signing of Paul Pogba, with the coach"desperate" for the Manchester United midfielder but President Florentino Perez deeming him overpriced.

Madrid will look to strengthen their midfield next summer and Pogba has been a long-term target, with reports of a transfer resurfacing in the Spanish media on Wednesday.

Real Madrid remains interested in adding to their midfield despite the emergence this season of Fede Valverde. The 21-year-old Uruguayan's progression and energetic, the box-to-box style have led some at the Bernabeu to argue that Pogba's signing is unnecessary.

While there is disagreement over Pogba at the club, there is unanimity in targeting Napoli and Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz. As reported by ESPN, an initial meeting took place in October to discuss the 23-year-old joining Real Madrid next summer. Fabian, 23, is three years younger than Pogba, would be cheaper at between £80m and  £100m, and would favour a move to Madrid over Barcelona or Manchester City.

Other midfield alternatives being considered to include Tottenham's Christian Eriksen and Ajax's Donny van de Beek. The Danish playmaker's Spurs contract expires in June next year, making him an affordable choice, albeit one that does not fit the same midfield profile. Van de Beek is the youngest option at 22, and a deal to bring him to Real Madrid was close to being agreed with Ajax this summer.

A January move would be unlikely as Zidane prefers to avoid the disruption of making midseason changes to his squad, with Real Madrid planning for the 2020 summer transfer window.

https://sportinglife.ng/zidane-wants-man-uniteds-pogba/

Lionel Messi's mother Celia has said the Barcelona player expected Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk to win the 2019 Ballon d'Or.

Messi beat Virgil van Dijk to the 2019 Ballon d'Or by just seven votes to claim a record sixth award, one more than rival Cristiano Ronaldo who finished third.

In an interview with CNN radio, Messi's mother said: "I am very happy. We were not expecting this.

"We thought the fifth had been the last. Honestly, this was a beautiful surprise. He (Messi) did not expect it either.

"I do not know if he found out minutes before, I do not know, but we did not know anything."

Read Also:Billionaire plans to reunite Guardiola, Messi at top European club

Messi scored 51 goals for Barcelona last season and won La Liga, while Van Dijk spearheaded Liverpool's charge to their sixth Champions League title.

https://sportinglife.ng/ballon-dor-it-was-a-surprise-gift-to-my-son-says-messis-mum/

Eggheads of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are hopeful of persuading English-born midfielder Ebere Eze to switch allegiance to the Super Eagles after he met with federation president Amaju Pinnick in London.

The 21-year-old plies his trade with Queens Park Rangers in the English Championship and has played Under-21 football for the land of his birth, but is being tempted by a switch to Nigeria.

Pinnick confirms that he spoke to the player and his family and that he asked for more time to consider his position.

“We need to make a solid representation at Qatar 2022 and it starts with improving on your squad with quality players like Eze,” Pinnick told the BBC.

“Can you imagine a midfield with Ndidi, Aribo, Etebo, and Eze? it is one that will improve our squad.

“I had a positive meeting with Ebere Eze in London and I spoke to his parents as well,” said Pinnick. He requested for the chance to continue to focus on his club career which is going well so far, and that further progress will be made in due course.
“But I am confidently hopeful that he will play for Nigeria soon.”

Nigeria recently lost out in their bid to lure Tammy Abraham away from England, but are hopeful over Eze, who has plenty of admirers in the Premier League.
https://sportinglife.ng/nff-president-reacts-to-ebere-ezes-switch-of-allegiance/

Lionel Messi has admitted on the back of his sixth Ballon d’Or triumph that “retirement is approaching”, but the Argentine hopes to enjoy “many more years” at the top and says Barcelona have nothing to worry about when it comes to his future.

Messi shows off his Ballon d'or awards

That will comes as a relief to those at Camp Nou, with it having already been revealed that an all-time great has an exit clause in his current contract.

There has been no suggestion that it will be triggered, with Messi continuing to be a talismanic presence for the reigning La Liga champions.

His efforts have once again seen him recognised as the finest player on the planet, with the 32-year-old now boasting one more Golden Ball than eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo, and there has been no sign of him slowing down.

Messi is, however, aware that he is closer to the end of his career than the start, with there an acceptance that the day will come when he is forced to hang up his boots and bring an iconic era in modern football to a close.

He told reporters at a star-studded Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris: “I'm aware of how old I am.
“And I enjoy these moments so much because I know that retirement is approaching. Time flies.”

https://sportinglife.ng/messis-confession-i-know-retirement-is-approaching/

Lionel Messi has won the IFFHS Award for World's best Playmaker in 2019 after edging out beat Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard.

Messi is known as one of the best Playmakers of his Generation and the International Federation of Football History & Statistics have given him an award for that with their annual Playmaker award.

The diminutive Argentine received 299 points from the IFFHS who received over 214 points higher than second. De Bruyne came in second place with 85 points. Roberto Firmino and Bernardo Silva rounded out the top five of the award.

Football experts in 90 countries from all continents were again impressed by the regular performances of Messi, who holds the all-time record of the IFFHS most Awards with ten in nine years.

Messi is now tied with former teammate, Xavi with four playmaker awards to their names.

The Argentine has also won four awards as top division scorer for the IFFHS as well as two awards for top International scorer.

https://sportinglife.ng/messi-claims-worlds-best-playmaker-award-2019-for-fourth-time/

Wolves boss, Nuno Espirito Santo, refused to discuss any links to Arsenal and insisted it would be disrespectful to Unai Emery.

The 45-year-old has been installed as Sky Bet's 8/11 favourite to replace under-pressure Gunners manager Emery at the Emirates Stadium.

Nuno has taken Wolves from the Sky Bet Championship to the Europa League since being appointed in May 2017.

Wolves sit fifth in the Premier League, a point ahead of Arsenal, and have lost once in their last 13 games in all competitions.

Emery's position at Arsenal has come under increased scrutiny - he is 1/3 to be the next Premier League boss to leave - following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Southampton, which left them eighth in the Premier League, but Nuno would not be drawn on the speculation.

"You know me well enough and you know I'm not going to answer that," the Wolves boss said, ahead of Thursday's Europa League match in Braga.

"I wouldn't ever mention an issue which is not a reality, mainly as speaking about a job which has a manager would be disrespectful and I will not do so.

"We are doing OK, there is a lot of room to improve, it requires a lot of work but this is what we have been doing since day one when we started in the Championship.

"There are no distractions at all. I don't talk about possibilities, I don't talk about things which are not real, what is real is that we are here, we have to train and prepare ourselves."

The Portugal international said: "It's very important to keep Nuno at the club, not only for the players but for the club as well. We have ambitions in this competition.

"Stability is needed in any club, without a shadow of a doubt, in order for the club to develop and become greater.

"It's not just about the coach. You need a good staff at the club. Nuno is an outstanding coach and also a leader, and we need him to keep developing, not only the staff but the players as well."

Wolves are a point behind Group K leaders Braga and a draw would take both teams into the final 32.

Read Also:Nuno, Hazard win Premier League monthly awards

"The approach is always the same," added Nuno. "Compete well, pay attention to all the details we have. We know we are going to face a good manager with good players."

Ryan Bennett (groin), Morgan Gibbs-White (back) and Willy Boly (fractured leg) have not travelled to Portugal.

https://sportinglife.ng/dont-drag-me-into-arsenals-job-says-santo/

Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen got a surprise visit from his former club, Sporting Charleroi on Wednesday.


Charleroi officials led by Mehdi Bayat watched the match which Lille lost 2-0 against Ajax in a Champions League encounter.


An excited Osimhen despite the loss showed how excited he was receiving the delegation.  Champions League match in the Lille stadium before finding Osimhen.


"If I'm here today, it's thanks to you all," said Victor Osimhen. "Charleroi will always be the club of my heart and I hope that I can finish my career there," said Osimhen who was moved to tears.


The Lillois then wanted to deliver a little word to Mehdi Bayat. "I can not thank you enough," said Osimhen. "I remember the 10 minutes of conversation in your office, you really changed my life forever, you all made my career amazing."

https://sportinglife.ng/you-changed-my-life-tearful-osimhen-tells-former-club-charleroi/

An eight-member FIFA delegation on Tuesday arrived India for an official inspection to evaluate the progress and preparations for the U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2020.

Ahead of the inspection, project lead of U-17 Women’s World Cup, Oliver Vogt said, “We are looking forward to seeing how things are shaping up. We saw the potential of football in India in 2017 with the men’s edition, and understand how big a success it was here in Kolkata.”

The FIFA and LOC delegation will inspect the stadium and training sites in Kolkata on Wednesday, and follow it up with an inspection in Guwahati on Thursday.

“We are confident that every stakeholder will work hard to ensure the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020 is a success and that the tournament also makes its mark in the history of women’s football.

“In this visit, besides the infrastructure of the stadium and training sites, we are interested to see the plans that the different venues have for the further development of women’s football in the country.”

Read Also:Elated Ex Falcons Coach Thomas Dennerby lands India U-17 job

The tournament will be held from November 2 to 21 next year.

https://sportinglife.ng/an-eight-member-fifa-delegation-on-tuesday-arrived-in-the-city-for-an-official-inspection-to-evaluate-the-progress-and-preparations-for-the-u-17-womens-world-cup-in-2020-ahead-of-the-inspe/

Jose Mourinho is already dreaming of winning the Champions League with Tottenham but admits it will be a tough challenge.

The 56-year-old would love to add a third crown with the London side after winning twice with FC Porto and Inter Milan.

“I love the competition as much as everyone in football,” he said. “It’s something that everybody dreams about, to win it.

“Not everyone has the privilege to be a Champions League winner, which I was happy enough to do twice.

“Do I want to win it a third time? Of course, I would love it but I know the difficulties of it," said the coach who now calls himself the "Humble One"

“But with these boys, I will never be afraid of any Champions League match that comes into our faces.

“I repeat, we need to qualify, that is the focus. I always say that.

“We have to qualify, but, as I was saying, give me time to work, give me time to float my ideas with these boys and I will have no problem at all going to any stadium at all to face any big opponent in Europe or in England.


Mourinho’s second game in charge of Spurs is the group game with Olympiacos, where a point will send them through to the knockout stages for a third successive year.

https://sportinglife.ng/mourinho-eyes-champions-league-glory-this-season/

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has not responded to the club’s offer of a new contract to stay at the club amid interest from La liga giants Barcelona.

Aubameyang, 30, has been one of the few players to maintain some level of consistency for Arsenal this season, notching eight goals in 12 Premier League games.

The sheer presence of the Gabon striker will give Arsenal fans hope of a top-four finish, but missing out may just leave the striker to consider his future.

Aubameyang will naturally want to play in the Champions League, and it’s now claimed that he has so far failed to respond to Arsenal’s offer of a new deal.

Ther Gabonese star's current deal – worth £200,000-a-week according to Spotrac – ends in 2021, meaning the goalscorer is approaching the final 18 months of his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
https://sportinglife.ng/arsenal-star-playing-hide-and-seek-with-new-deal-offer-amid-barcelona-interest/

Former Chelsea striker, Loic Remy says red-hot Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen is not his enemy contrary to report that he ‘hates’ the Nigerian, SportingLife.ng can report.

The 20-year-old former Golden Eaglets star is currently the topscorer of Ligue 1 side Lille with nine goals and two assists from 17 appearances so far this season.


Osimhen has kept the French star out of the team but Remy has revealed that he feels no animosity toward the Nigerian.

‘Victor has been a discovery for everyone. Once again, we must emphasize the recruitment of the club, very wise in its choices. I can now detect the big potential players, who are assiduous and serious in what they do. Victor is one of those,’ Remy told the club’s official website.

‘In training, he puts the intensity, it is a true finisher, a very good scorer. I see him working after the sessions, bodybuilding, taking time to take care of his body.

‘He has a complete profile and I promise him a very bright future if he continues with this mentality. People sometimes make the comparison between Victor and me, because we are both attackers.

‘But there is no animosity between us. It's someone I really appreciate. On the field, we are also complementary, we have already proved this season when the coach has aligned us both.’

Osimhen made a flying start in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as he scored three times to help the Super Eagles to wins against the Benin Republic and Lesotho.
https://sportinglife.ng/remy-i-dont-hate-osimhen/

Super Eagles' captain, Ahmed Musa would dole out about N500m to pay the tuition fee of hundred students at Skyline University Kano after he was named as ambassador to the university.

The 26-year-old became the first sportsman to be named an ambassador by the school based in the state where he made his mark as a teenager playing for Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL) side Kano Pillars.

In reaction to the gesture by the school, Musa announced on his Instagram handle that he will be sponsoring a hundred students to school in the institution as a believer in the importance of education in rebuilding Nigeria.

"I am a great believer in the importance of education hence my excitement in joining this great team to promote the vision of becoming anything you want to be in life as long as you can dream it", he posted on Instagram.

"So, I am pleased to let you know that I would be sponsoring 100 students at this university (Skyline University). Yes! 100. Details to follow shortly ", he concluded in the post written on Wednesday evening.

The cost of sponsoring a student till graduation at the school is worth 5 million Naira in tuition fee and Musa plans to bear the cost of it all for a hundred students as his way of giving back to society.

Already he is involved in several charity works, one of which is the popular sharing of food items, cash and provision of free medical services whenever he is in Nigeria for holidays. A practice he started since he was with Russian side CSKA Moscow.
https://sportinglife.ng/ahmed-musa-splashes-n-5b-to-sponsor-100-students/

Argentina legend Diego Maradona said he is to return as manager of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata - two days after quitting the club.

The 59-year-old made the announcement of his return to the Argentine club on social media.

He said the decision hade been reached after "we finally achieved political unity in the club".

"I hope [the leaders] will provide reinforcements they promised me," Maradona added.

The 1986 World Cup winner started his role at Gimnasia in early September in his first coaching job in his homeland since 2010.

The side were bottom of Argentina's 24-team top division when he took over and he has guided them to three wins in eight games to move them up to 22nd.

Read Also:Diego Maradona causes Roger Federer to break down in tears

Maradona left his previous managerial role at Mexican second division outfit Dorados de Sinaloa citing health issues.
https://sportinglife.ng/48hrs-after-quittingmaradona-returns-to-gimnasiasia-48hrs-after-quitting/

Manuel Pellegrini was heartened by his West Ham United team’s willingness to fight until the end of Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat by Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium.

Action during the West Ham, Tottenham match

The Hammers held their own for 36 minutes in Jose Mourinho’s first game in charge of the visitors, only to concede twice before half-time to Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura.

Harry Kane’s header seemingly put the game beyond the Irons shortly after the break, before consolation strikes from the returning Michail Antonio and Angelo Ogbonna gave the final score an air of respectability.

We are losing too many goals but as least we never gave up and we fought to the end to change the result, but it was not enough

“There is frustration because we could not win again here in another home game and it was a derby match against Tottenham that we wanted to win for our fans, but we couldn’t,” said the manager. “We saw that the players are playing under big pressure and they could not do what they want to do. We are losing too many goals but as least we never gave up and we fought to the end to change the result, but it was not enough.

“I think until minute 25 it was a tight game and neither us nor they had any chances to score. After that, when they scored the first goal, we were behind in the score and maybe the second they scored finished the game.

“But, I repeat, in the second half we tried to continue doing things, but you can see that the pressure to get the result was too big.”

With just two points from a possible 21, parts of the Claret and Blue Army shared their frustration at London Stadium – a reaction Pellegrini accepted.

“Of course, supporters want results and they’ve always been behind us,” he continued. “This stadium has always been full and I said when I arrived here we wanted to help the team grow one step more and we started to work.

“Now, when things are bad and we are not winning then of course they must have that reaction because there are too many games at home that we have not won.”

Michail Antonio returned to action with a goal

One positive on an otherwise disappointing day was the return of Antonio, who added purpose, strength and a goal to the forward line in an impressive 45-minute performance off the substitutes’ bench.

Read AlsoMourinho wins first game as Tottenham coach at West Ham

“I was not surprised because I have seen him working the full week,” Pellegrini observed, when asked to assess the No30’s display. “He couldn’t start the game because he is just coming back from surgery to his muscle and three months out without playing one game, but you could see in the way he was working on the training ground that his performance reflected what he was doing.”

https://sportinglife.ng/manuel-pellegrini-we-fought-till-the-end/

Jose Mourinho has already been given huge financial backing by Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports.

The former Manchester United and Chelsea boss posed for pictures for the first time on Wednesday as the new head coach of Spurs, less than 24 hours after Mauricio Pochettino was sacked.

The Daily Mail claim Mourinho will be on a £15million-a-year contract at Spurs, which is twice the amount Pochettino earned.

It will make the 56-year-old the second-highest paid boss in world football, behind only Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, who collects around £20m per year.

Mourinho’s salary is understood to be more than double what Jurgen Klopp is paid at Liverpool.

And it is largely thanks to super-agent Pini Zahavi.

The 76-year-old from Israel helped bring Mourinho to Chelsea from Porto in 2004 and not Portuguese legend Jorge Mendes, who also works closely with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Zahavi acted as an unofficial counsellor for Roman Abramovich during his early years at Stamford Bridge and helped to get Neymar’s world-record transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain over the line.

According to Football Leaks, Zahavi earned a whopping €10.7million from that deal as commission.

His first transfer dealing came in 1979 when, after bumping into Liverpool secretary Peter Robinson at Heathrow airport while waiting for a delayed flight.

He introduced the club to Avi Cohen and never looked back as he began to use his connections from his early career to help several English sides.

After bringing Ronnie Rosenthal to the Reds in 1990, Zahavi also then helped broker the deal to bring Eyal Berkovic to West Ham United from Southampton.

During his dealings with the club, he helped a young Rio Ferdinand make an £18m move to Leeds United in 2000 and then a £30m from the Whites to Manchester United just two years later. In the process, Zahavi earned a cool £1.13m.

Having got to know Sir Alex Ferguson in the late 1980’s, the Israeli began to work more closely with the Red Devils after sorting Ferdinand’s move to Old Trafford.

He was integral to agreeing Jaap Stam’s sale to Lazio for £16.5m in 2001 and then the subsequent purchase of Juan Sebsatien Veron from the same club for £28.1m in the same summer.

It is estimated he earned as much as £5m from Chelsea’s £111m splurge in the summer window of 2003, having worked closely with friend Abramovich during the Russian’s purchase of the Blues.

In January 2006, Zahavi and his partner played a role in the sale of Portsmouth to Alexandre Gaydamak.

The agent also worked on a number of deals, including bringing Avram Grant to the club initially as a technical director in June 2006, signing a two-year scouting contract worth £800,000.

When Pompey collapsed into administration in February 2010, Zahavi was one of 24 agents who were owed a combined £9m in fees.

Despite his wealth, the widower lives in a seaside apartment in his home country and rents a flat in Marble Arch.

https://sportinglife.ng/meet-the-super-agent-who-brokered-15m-deal-for-tottenham-and-mourinho/

German coach Gernot Rohr yesterday earned praises from the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare for the meritorious manner he has conducted the Super Eagles orchestra since he took the reins of the national team in 2016.

Under the former Bordeaux coach, the Super Eagles earned a qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2013 at Egypt 2019 where the team eventually clinched the bronze medal.  He also supervised the team’s qualification to the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup in a seemingly difficult group that housed three former African champions including the much-dreaded Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, Fennecs of Algeria and Chipolopolo of Zambia.

At a breakfast engagement with Minister shortly before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Rohr presented an autographed Ahmed Musa’s number 7 jersey and said the players were happy with the minister’s appointment, assuring that the Super Eagles will redouble  their efforts to ensure qualification for the 2021 AFCON to be hosted by Cameroon without dropping a point.

"First, I bring you greetings from the players and they have sent me to present this signed Ahmed Musa Jersey to you which they would have done by themselves if you were in Uyo for their game against Benin Republic,” the 66-year-old coach said. “They equally said I should thank you for your support and encouragement and to assure you that they will make you proud by qualifying for the Nations Cup in 2021 without dropping point.

“I am also happy working with this young team which I known in future Super Eagles will be a team to beat," Rohr noted.

Responding, Dare thanked Rohr for the good job he is doing and expressed satisfaction with the two recent 2021 AFCON matches as the Super Eagles beat Benin Republic (2-1 in Uyo)  and  Lesotho  (4 -2 away in Maseru) respectively.

He urged the coach to take a look at   Nigeria's Professional Football League: "Our league needs to develop and any country without a strong league can't compete globally. I urge you to look into our league to build the necessary confidence on our local players."

Meanwhile, the Minister has explained that the renewal of Rohr's contract which expires June next year depends on his employer, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Read Also; Minister charges Rohr to share tips with NPFL coaches

“The NFF will decide either to renew or not his (Rohr) contract,” he said. “It is their duty to evaluate what he has done since he took over as the head coach. I have no say on that but for me, I am happy with the progress of our young team and I urge him to do more towards winning trophies."

Read more at https://sportinglife.ng/sports-minister-gets-ahmed-musas-jersey-for-benin-victory/

Saudi Arabia based winger Ahmed Musa is now the third most capped player in the Super Eagles set-up after the exit of former captains Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama.

The 27-year-old made his 91st appearance for the senior team in Sunday's 4-2 victory against the Crocodiles of Lesotho in Maseru at the Setsoto Stadium.

This means the winger is just ten caps from equalling the records of Enyeama and Yobo.

Musa who was playing in his second match for Nigeria since returning from injury this month was a second-half substitute in the game which the three-time African champions dominated after drawing level in the first half.

Ahmed Musa (91) is now the Super Eagles' 3rd most capped player ever! Vincent Enyeama and Joseph Yobo (101 caps each) are the only players to have made more appearances for Nigeria,' read a post on the twitter handle of Soar Super Eagles.

Read Also: Ahmed Musa not sure of starting shirt against Benin

It also posted that Alex Iwobi who scored the country's equaliser against Lesotho has featured in 14 games played by the Super Eagles in 2019.

https://sportinglife.ng/ahmed-musa-10-caps-away-from-equaling-yobo-enyeamas-records/

Former UEFA president Michel Platini has slammed the use of VAR technology, the introduction of which he has always opposed, as a total nightmare, in an interview on Italian television.

"It would take half an hour to explain why it doesn't solve problems," the former France international told the "Che tempo che fa" late-night talk show on Rai on Sunday.

"It shifts them. I'm against VAR. I think it's a load of crap and unfortunately, we will not go back."

The 64-year-old has always been against the use of VAR which he refused to consider after he became UEFA chief in 2007.

European football's governing body has now also introduced the use of the video replay technology in this year's Champions League.

Meanwhile, the former Juventus star believes he could still play a role in football after his four-year suspension from the sport ended in October.

Controversial VAR, loved by some and hated by others

"At 64, I have the opportunity for one last adventure, but I have no room for error and I have to think about it," he said.

A triple Ballon d'Or winner, Platini had been expected to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016 but fell spectacularly from grace a few months earlier.

The former France captain was suspended by world football's governing body in 2015 over a controversial payment of two million Swiss francs (1.8 million euros, $2 million) that he received from Blatter.

VAR since its introduction has generated mixed reactions with some soccer fans embracing it while others insist it is on the verge of removing the fun associated with the round leather game especially suspending play for minutes for consultation
https://sportinglife.ng/ex-uefa-chief-michel-platini-slams-var-as-load-of-crap/

Leicester City would be topping the 2019/20 Premier League title race if only goals from English players counted.

A study by talkSPORT revealed that Brendan Rodgers' side would be flying high at the top thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy (11), James Maddison (4), Ben Chilwell and Harvey Barnes.

It won't come as a surprise that Frank Lampard's Chelsea would be just one point behind The Foxes in second place, with goals from Tammy Abraham (10), Mason Mount (4) and defender Fikayo Tamori helping them climb the ladder.

In terms of teams at the wrong side of the table, Wolves would be rock bottom with no English goalscorers, while Norwich and Brighton make up the relegation zone.

Here are the results in full:

1. Leicester City (Current position: 2nd)

2. Chelsea (Current position: 3rd)

P 12 ' W 7 ' D 2 ' L 3 ' GF 15 ' GA 7 ' GD 8 ' Pts 23

3. Burnley (Current position: 7th)

P 12 ' W 6 ' D 4 ' L 2 ' GF 8 ' GA 3 ' GD 5 ' Pts 22

4. Man City (Current position: 4th)

P 12 ' W 4 ' D 7 ' L 1 ' GF 8 ' GA 3 ' GD 5 ' Pts 19

5. Tottenham (Current position: 14th)

P 12 ' W 4 ' D 6 ' L 2 ' GF 8 ' GA 5 ' GD 3 ' Pts 18

6. Sheffield United (Current position: 5th)

P 12 ' W 4 ' D 6 ' L 2 ' GF 5 ' GA 4 ' GD 1 ' Pts 18

7. Newcastle (Current position: 13th)

P 12 ' W 4 ' D 6' L 2' GF 4' GA 3 ' GD 1 ' Pts 18

8. Manchester United (Current position: 7th)

P 12 ' W 3 ' D 7' L 2' GF 6 ' GA 4' GD 2 ' Pts 16

9. Watford (Current position: 18th)

P 12 ' W 3' D 7' L 2' GF 4' GA 3 ' GD 1 ' Pts 16

10. Southampton (Current position: 19th)

P 12 ' W 3 ' D 6' L 3' GF 8 ' GA 13' GD -5 ' Pts 15

11. Liverpool (Current position: 1st)

P 12 ' W 1 ' D 10' L 1' GF 4' GA 4 ' GD 0 ' Pts 13

12. Everton (Current position: 15th)

P 12 ' W 1 ' D 9' L 2' GF 4' GA 5 ' GD -1 ' Pts 12

13. Aston Villa (Current position: 17th)

P 12 ' W 2 ' D 6' L 4' GF 3' GA 6 ' GD -3 ' Pts 12

14. Bournemouth (Current position: 9th)

P 12 ' W 1 ' D 8' L 3 ' GF 5' GA 7 ' GD -2 ' Pts 11

15. Crystal Palace (Current position: 12th)

P 12 ' W 1 ' D 8 ' L 3 ' GF 1' GA 3 ' GD -2 ' Pts 11

16. West Ham (Current position: 16th)

P 12 ' W 1 ' D 8' L 3 ' GF 3' GA 7 ' GD -4 ' Pts 11

17. Arsenal (Current position: 6th)

P 12 ' W 1 ' D 7' L 4 ' GF 1' GA 5 ' GD -4 ' Pts 10

18. Brighton (Current position: 11th)

P 12 ' W 0 ' D 9' L 3 ' GF 2' GA 5 ' GD -3 ' Pts 9

Read Also: Top Five Nigeria Strikers to have played in the English Premier League

19. Norwich (Current position: 20th)

P 12 ' W 1 ' D 5' L 6 ' GF 2' GA 8 ' GD -6 ' Pts 8

20. Wolves (Current position: 8th)

P 12 ' W 0 ' D 8' L 4 ' GF 0' GA 8 ' GD -8 ' Pts 8

https://sportinglife.ng/heres-how-the-premier-league-log-will-look-with-goals-from-english-stars/

The recent general elections underscored a collective progression to political stability and democratic consolidation. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the importance of the exercise and implications for the polity.

Public consciousness is growing. The electorate is waxing stronger in their capacity for wise choices during elections. Many observers contend that future polls may get better since blind voting may continue to give way.

The recent general elections were an eye-opener. The presidential election lacked a predictive value in some states. While voters endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari in some states, they turned their back on the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors.

The candidates were on the weighing scale on poll day. Many of them lost at their polling booths, units, wards, and local governments.



A veteran journalist, Bayo Onanuga, pointed out that the power of social media was over-exaggerated during the electioneering. Those who dominated the social media campaigns got fewer votes.

Also, the endorsement of candidates by ethnic organizations paled into futility. Many big wigs fell as they were rejected by local voters during the parliamentary and governorship elections.

The poll revealed that President Buhari’s strength lay in the power and influence of local voters from his native North.

For the first time in Nigeria’s electioneering history, 73 individuals vied for the country’s presidency. For the first time also, Nigerians had to vote not with their thumbs but with any finger; to prevent “ink spilling into the box meant for another party”, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

At the end of the day, just one winner was expected – even if the contest went into a run-off.

On Wednesday, February 27, Chairman of INEC, Prof Yakubu Mahmood, declared President and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, winner of the election, having fulfilled the legal requirement of winning not only the highest number of votes (15,191,847), but also at least 25 per cent of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states. Indeed, he scaled this hurdle in 34 states. The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007, Atiku Abubakar, came second with 11,262,978 votes.

Atiku has vowed to legally challenge the results because of alleged irregularities; even as local and international observers have affirmed the overall credibility of the elections despite pockets of violence in a few states and, in the words of the European Union Elections Observation Mission (EU EOM), some “operational shortcomings”.

Without any iota of doubt, this is his right. There is, however, a growing consensus that he should rather concede defeat, for the common good.

What Nigeria needs now is an intensification of its economic diversification, scaling of its infrastructural drive and fortification of its territories against the insurgency.

Even as several Western media may have concluded that President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election is as a result of his honesty, integrity, there is evidence that Nigerians believe that there is a need for at least four more years for the administration to finish the projects being undertaken across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. As experience has shown, a new government often means the abandonment of projects. To the credit of the Buhari Administration, it has been completing many projects abandoned for many years by previous successive governments. And, even so, with much fewer resources.

Prior to the elections, while urging Nigerians to make a “sensible choice” of retaining President Buhari, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, had said: “Fundamentals of the economy are heading in the right direction. What we need to do is to consolidate on that.”

Indeed, according to the latest report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), issued a few days to the presidential election, before it was postponed for a week, many of the economic indices showed positive performances. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at about 2.38 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018. The growth in real terms (year-on-year) rose from about 1.81 percent in the previous quarter of the year. Good performance, though, economists warned that more needed to be done to stem unemployment. One good reason why there must be consolidation.

In sectors such as agriculture, which recorded annual GDP growth of about 14.27 percent, higher than 11.29 percent recorded in 2017.

The sector contributed about 23.08 percent to nominal GDP in Q4 of 2018, as against 21.93 percent in the corresponding period in 2017.



Nigeria’s drive to be self-sufficient in the production of rice is being relentlessly pursued. Indeed, according to the Africa Rice Center, Africa’s foremost research organization on rice, with its production of 4 million tonnes a year, Nigeria now ranks the highest producer of rice in Africa.

Manufacturing recorded 10.11 percent in the last quarter of 2018, as against 8.53 in the corresponding period in 2017 and third quarter performance of 2018.

Manufacturing PMI, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which had, for many months, recorded expansions rose, to an all-time high of 61.10 in December 2018, although it fell to 57.1 in February 2019.

In his 2019 State of the Union address President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump admonished opposing parties to rejection “the politics of revenge, resistance, and retribution” and embrace “the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise, and the common good.”

For all contestants to various elective offices in Nigeria’s political season, this should be the mantra.

The last words should go to President Muhammadu Buhari: “The new Administration will intensify its efforts in Security, Restructuring the Economy and Fighting Corruption. We have laid down the foundation and we are committed to seeing matters to the end. We will strive to strengthen our unity and inclusiveness so that no section or group will feel left behind or left out.”

Source: thenationonlineng.net