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Italian giants, AC Miland have joined Napoli in the race for Nigeria and Lille striker, Victor Osimhen.

In a surprise development, Football Italia reported  Milan had entered the race to sign Lille striker, although Napoli still remain strong contenders.

Osimhen visited the Napoli facilities, meeting with coach Gennaro Gattuso and President Aurelio De Laurentiis last week.

He wanted time to consider all the options, including waiting for an offer from the Premier League, but that does not appear to be materialising.

Instead, Football Italia sources in Nigeria now suggest Milan are in the picture too, preparing their own proposal for Lille and the 21-year-old forward.

The asking price is expected to be at least €50m, so the Rossoneri would try to include some players to lower the cost of the operation.

There had been reports in France over the last few days that . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/ac-milan-join-napoli-in-race-for-osimhen/

Nigerian Nightmare Kamaru Usman has successfully retained his welterweight championship by defeating Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251, but it's safe to say fans are far from happy with regards to his performance.

Usman made it his main goal to stop and nullify his opponent, which he did so by grappling and tackling to the mat, as well as holding him up against the cage and restricting Masvidal from doing basically anything.

There were also a lot of toe stomps going on, which received the meme treatment on social media throughout and after the fight.

Despite having a change of opponent very last minute, the Nigerian got the job done and left Fight Island with his belt still wrapped firmly round his waist.

The main event in Abu Dhabi was supposed to be Usman vs Gilbert Burns, but after he and his coach tested positive for coronavirus, they had to withdraw from fight night.

With president Dana White refusing to . . . continue reading https://sportinglife.ng/ufc-usman-knockdown-masvidal-to-keep-welterweight-crown/

Xavi has revealed his staff are preparing "a lot" to coach Barcelona as the Camp Nou great eyes a return.

The current Al-Sadd boss was linked with the Barca vacancy earlier this year when the La Liga champions sacked Ernesto Valverde, before they turned to Quique Setien in January.

Barca have struggled to convince this season – the titleholders now two points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid in the race for La Liga glory with six matches remaining.

While outlining his future plans for Barca, the 40-year-old insisted he will not come back unless he has the control to make decisions.

"The biggest hope I have now is to be Barca coach and get Barca back to winning ways," Xavi, who has led Al-Sadd to Qatari Super Cup and Qatar Cup silverware, said via Sport.

"Not me but these . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/xavi-admits-preparing-to-coach-barcelona/

Bayer Leverkusen manager Peter Bosz insists Chelsea target Kai Havertz is "not thinking too much" about a summer transfer.

Having already completed the signings of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax and Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, Havertz – along with Leicester City left back Ben Chilwell – is a top target of Chelsea as Frank Lampard continues his rebuild ahead of next season.

But while Bosz admits that time will tell whether Havertz is still at Leverkusen next season, he and the Bundesliga side appear relaxed about . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/chelsea-target-not-thinking-about-transfers-as-leverkusen-boss-hopes-to-keep-kai/

Rio Ferdinand has said he would be "very upset" as a defender with Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson after Arsenal's last-gasp winner at the shot-stopper's loan club Sheffield United.

Henderson - who has impressed for the Blades - was beaten at his near post by Dani Ceballos as the Gunners booked their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

It came after David McGoldrick thought he . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/ferdinand-very-upset-with-man-utd-keeper-henderson/

The Premier League are reportedly on the verge of giving the green light to Newcastle for their proposed £300million takeover to go ahead.

Back in April, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley agreed to sell the club to a Saudi-led consortium.

The deal has since come under heavy scrutiny with government officials, human rights groups and BeIN Sports all calling for it to not be approved.

With mounting opposition to the deal, concern was growing on Tyneside that the Premier League may decide to rule against the takeover.

However, the Daily Mail are reporting the Premier League is . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/premier-league-newcastle-takeover-could-be-complete-this-week/

PSG have made a shock u-turn on the future of Layvin Kurzawa.

The French left-back was a near certainty to leave the club this summer.

But France Football is reporting that PSG have offered him a . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/%e2%80%8bpsg-offer-long-term-extension-to-arsenal-chelsea-target-kurzawa/

PSG have made a shock u-turn on the future of Layvin Kurzawa.

The French left-back was a near certainty to leave the club this summer.

But France Football is reporting that PSG have offered him a . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/%e2%80%8bpsg-offer-long-term-extension-to-arsenal-chelsea-target-kurzawa/

Napoli had the best scoring opportunities, Gigi Buffon performing heroics for Juventus, but he was eventually beaten in a penalty shoot-out as Gennaro Gattuso wins the trophy.

The only previous Coppa Italia Final between these teams was in 2012, won 2-0 by Napoli thanks to goals from Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik.

David Ospina was suspended, so Alex Meret stepped in, while Mario Rui, Fabian Ruiz and Jose Callejon also came in after the semi-final with Inter. Dries Mertens celebrated signing his new two-year contract this morning. Juve missed Gonzalo Higuain, Giorgio Chiellini, Merih Demiral and Sami Khedira, so Juan Cuadrado replacing Danilo at right-back was the . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/ronaldo-fails-to-lift-juve-as-napoli-claim-coppa-italia/

Nigeria international, Samuel Chukuweze was on Tuesday voted the man-of-the-match for Villarreal in their hard-fought lone goal victory against Real Mallorca at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

Playing at home, Chukwueze who was also named the most stylish player by the Yellow Submarines provided the assist that led to the winning goal scored by Carlos Bacca in the 15th minute.

Only last Saturday, Chuklwueze provided the . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/chukwueze-wins-man-of-the-match-award-in-villarreals-win-against-mallorca/

Super Eagles forward Anthony Ujah took to the social media to celebrate Union Berlin's Bundesliga win over Kingsley Ehizibue's FC Koln at the RheinEnergieStadion last weekend.

See pictures here: https://sportinglife.ng/super-eagles-forward-celebrates-bundesliga-win-in-style-photos/

A series of initiatives will help Juventus and Napoli stage the Coppa Italia Final in the COVID era, including lightshows in the stands and a self-service trophy ceremony.



It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT), behind closed doors.

In a press conference this evening, Lega Serie A President Paolo De Siervo outlined a few of the tweaks made to ensure the game can go ahead with social distancing.

Christian Vieri will run an Instagram Live stream before the game, during the interval and after the final whistle.

The empty stands of . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/coppa-italia-digital-fans-self-service-trophy-to-be-on-parade/

Jurgen Klopp has told Liverpool fans to cheer his team to Premier League glory from their homes as the runaway leaders prepare for the season to restart.

Klopp’s side were two victories from winning Liverpool’s first English title in 30 years when the coronavirus pandemic forced the postponement of the season in March.

Liverpool will finally be back in action on Sunday when they face Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park in a match that could serve as their title clincher.

If second-placed Manchester City lose at home to Arsenal on Wednesday, then Liverpool need only to beat Everton to secure the club’s 19th league title with eight games to spare.

Aware that fans will be eager to celebrate their long-awaited triumph, Liverpool boss Klopp has urged them not to break social-distancing rules by gathering outside Goodison Park or Anfield.

“It’s still football and it’s still for you. That means we will be in the stadium, and you will be at home,” Klopp said in a video message on Liverpool’s website on Tuesday.

“I can promise you, we will feel your support. I will make the boys feel your support. We will use it, you are still 80 or 90 percent of the fuel in our tanks.

“We really will use that, and we will . . .continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/cheer-us-to-the-title-from-home-klopp-urges-liverpool-fans/

Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick wants his side to “seal the deal” and wrap up an eighth consecutive Bundesliga title on Tuesday with victory at relegation-threatened Werder Bremen.

Top scorer Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Mueller, one shy of the record for assists in a single season, are both available again after missing Bayern’s 2-1 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach due to suspension.

Victory at Bremen, where Bayern have won all 12 games over the last decade, will clinch a record-extending 30th league title, and the first leg of a potential treble in Flick’s debut season in charge.

“We want to finish the ... Continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/seal-the-deal-flick-urges-bayern-to-secure-title/

Nigeria's Kingsley Ehizibue and compatriot Anthony Ujah clashed in a German Bundesliga game between FC Koln and Union Berlin at the RheinEnergieStadion on Sunday.

While Ehizibue was in the starting line up for the home team, Ujah came on as a second-half substitute for Union Berlin who did just enough to claim the maximum points.

Marvin Friedrich put the visitors ahead in . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/bundesliga-ujah-shines-as-union-berlin-upset-ehizibues-koln/

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach, has consulted with around 100 members on the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

IOC chief Thomas Bach announcing unprecedented decision to postpone Tokyo Games on Tuesday

Bach spoke to the members across three different sessions.

He discussed the handling of the pandemic and listened to the thoughts of the IOC members.

Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi, IOC sports director Kit McConnell, IOC director general Christophe De Kepper and chief operating officer Lana Haddad were also present on the calls.

The IOC's medical and scientific director, Richard Budgett, also spoke about the issue of a coronavirus vaccine and the resumption of sport.

"The IOC held a series of internal consultations with . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/bach-consults-with-ioc-members-on-consequences-of-pandemic/

He recently returned to training with Juventus Football Club in Italy after spending two months in lockdown.

And Cristiano Ronaldo debuted a new hairdo on Instagram on Tuesday as he showed off his longer locks.

The footballer, 35, has normally kept his hair in a cropped style but has let it grow longer in recent months, with his tresses now going down past his eyes in length.

The sports star uploaded a snap of himself in a grey T-shirt as he stared into the camera with unruly hair.

Cristiano appeared to be seeking the advice of his followers on the 'do as he captioned the photo with . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/ronaldo-shows-off-new-hairdo-seeks-fans-approval/

Casemiro has already signed a new contract with Real Madrid through to the summer of 2023, according to Marca.

The Madrid-based daily dedicated the front page of its Wednesday edition to the news that a deal has already been agreed upon, for the next three years.

The report claims that the club view the Brazilian as indispensable and the agreement was concluded months ago.

Casemiro’s current deal was . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/casemiro-pens-new-contract-with-real-madrid/

With the coronavirus lockdown still holding sports activities to the jugular, sports fans are not only bored but  indeed ready to do and imagine anything to keep busy.

Highly respected and high flying Nollywood star Omotola Jalade Ekeinde a.ka Omo-sexy was the subject of discuss and clash among soccer fans on Facebook Tuesday.

The beautiful mother of four who remains as dazzling as ever practically tore especially premier league fans apart as they threw pebbles at each other while insisting that the Nollywood star is better in their own club jersey.

The social distancing or better still social media backlash started when . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/soccer-fans-fight-to-the-finish-on-facebook-over-omo-sexy/

Barcelona management have no fears over the plans of Lionel Messi.

With his contract carrying a break clause for this summer, there's been claims Messi could walk away from Barca and sign for long time suitors Inter Milan.

However, while his deal runs to 2021, there's confidence inside the boardroom that Messi is prepared to enter new contract talks.

The Argentine . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/barcelona-not-afraid-of-messi-exit-plans/

Victor Osimhen has agreed to join the Italian side, Napoli, according to reports from Italian media. The 21-year-old is one of the most in-demand players in Europe with the likes of Barcelona, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham all interested in him.
However, according to Italian journalist, Alfredo Pedullà via Sempremilan, Napoli are now in the pole position to sign the Nigerian after a . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/osimhen-agrees-deal-with-italian-giants/

Roma have confirmed that former academy player, Joseph Bouasse , has died following a heart attack.

The 21-year-old arrived in Rome from his native Cameroon in 2015 when he was abandoned by a people trafficker.

I started playing for Liberi Nantes before signing for Roma in 2017, where he was loaned out of Vicenza in Serie B.

continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/former-roma-player-dies-at-21-after-suffering-heart-attack/

Bournemouth winger Jordon Ibe insists he can still make it in the Premier League.

jordon ibe set to part ways with Bournemouth July 1

Ibe says he has "no regrets" with how his career has played out so far as Bournemouth prepare to let his contract expire.

When asked during a Twitter Q&A . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/jordon-ibe-i-have-no-career-regrets/

United Kingdom government has approved close contact training for football clubs.



Phase two guidance has now been issued to teams regarding the way players can interact and train.

These sports teams, including those in the Premier League, would be allowed to resume matches when the protocol reaches phase three.

That is expected . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/uk-govt-approves-close-contract-training/

An NHS study has claimed that Liverpool's controversial clash with Atletico Madrid led to an additional 41 coronavirus-related deaths.

The analysis of NHS data also concluded that the Cheltenham Festival - which controversially went ahead on March 10 - was linked to 37 additional deaths.

Liverpool's Champions League game at Anfield on March 11 was the last match played in England before lockdown measures were introduced.

Around 54,000 supporters were in attendance including 3,000 travelling Atleti fans.

During that period, lockdown measures had already been introduced in Spain with many restaurants and bars shut.

On the day of the match, LaLiga chiefs had announced that all matches would be played behind closed doors before the season came to a halt.

Spain has been one of the worst-hit nations with . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/liverpools-ucl-match-led-to-41-coronavirus-deaths-study-claims/

Nigeria striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, has said his aim of going to Mainz 05 of Germany on loan from Liverpool, is to improve his game, after which he will return to the Premier League side.

The 22-year-old scored his first Bundesliga goal in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with FC Cologne since arriving the Opel Arena last summer.

Despite his limited game time this season, the young striker is confident he has improved and is hopeful he can do same when he returns to Anfield.

“Coming here (Germany) is just to make myself better,” he said. “Even without playing for a while, coming in on Sunday shows I’ve really improved since coming to Germany. That’s the goal with being on loan,” Awoniyi told LiverpolFC.

“Even when you are . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/ex-eaglets-forward-dreams-premier-league-return/

Lionel Messi has brushed aside his fierce rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo by suggesting that he would pass to him if they played on the same side.

The 32-year-old Barcelona captain has had a heated rivalry with Juventus superstar Ronaldo on the field.

When Messi was asked if he would pass to the 35-year-old Portuguese superstar, he admitted that he would eventually do so.

"I guess so, in the end, yes," he told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

Ronaldo, who turned 35 in February, has been in fine goalscoring form as he has taken his tally to 25 in 32 appearances this season. . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/messi-responds-to-question-if-he-would-pass-to-ronaldo-if-they-played-together/

Experienced former referee Eduardo Iturralde González has claimed that 90 percent of officials within the nation are fans of Real Madrid.

Iturralde – a confessed fan of Athletic Club Bilbao – was one of the most experienced officials in Spanish football, overseeing a total of 291 matches in La Liga.

He has now come out to say that nine of every ten referees are a fan of Los Blancos, while saying that the remaining 10 percent are fans of El Clasico rivals Barcelona.

His comments come a week on from . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/90-percent-of-spanish-referees-support-real-madrid-former-official/

Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder are still expecting to have their trilogy fight this year, though the pair won't meet in America or the UK.

In February Fury beat Wilder in the pair's second fight and, despite the beating he took, Wilder triggered the rematch clause in his contract, confirming a trilogy.

Initially the pair were meant to meet in Las Vegas in the summer before that was pushed back to October, even before the Covid-19 pandemic, and now . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/tyson-fury-vs-deontay-wilder-iii-in-search-for-new-venue-date/

The Chinese Super League (CSL) will be stripped of exuberant goal celebrations – and fans – as it attempts to start during the coronavirus pandemic, reports said on Wednesday.

Hugs after goals will be banned under the new guidelines

The CSL has ambitions of launching the season in late June or early July, and Chinese football authorities have drawn up detailed plans to keep players and fans safe.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has taken a keen interest in . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/no-hugs-as-china-football-draws-up-coronavirus-battle-plan/

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disclosed that Gernot Rohr will pen a new contract next week after all details have been put together
Collins and Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr
The 66-year-old Rohr has been in charge of three-time African champions Nigeria since 2016.

The former Niger and Gabon coach qualified the country to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2019 AFCON staged incontinue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/rohr-gets-date-to-pen-super-eagles-contract-extension/

UEFA, ECA and the representatives of the European Leagues are, according to Tuttomercatoweb, studying the possibilities of a new format to accommodate the calendar.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin speaks during the UEFA Congress in Amsterdam in March

TMW claims the working group has outlined an idea to complete the Champions League with a Final Four in Istanbul later this summer.

By finishing the remaining matches in the last 16 of the competition allows them to move on to a one-match knockout system thereafter.

The four remaining teams in . . . continue reading @ https://sportinglife.ng/uefa-discuss-format-changes-to-accomodate-calendar/