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Nigeria fans have been banned from taking ‘lucky’ live chickens into the ground for their team’s opening Group D game with Croatia on Saturday.

Supporters of the Super Eagles believe the tradition of taking chickens to games brings the team luck.

However, the Russian government have banned the practice when Nigeria, competing at their sixth World Cup, play in Kaliningrad (20:00 BST).

“Fans from Nigeria asked if it’s possible to go to the stadium with a chicken. We told them that it is not possible,” Andrei Ermak, minister of culture in Kaliningrad, told Russia’s Interfax news agency.

Ermak added that the ministry will advise Super Eagles fans on areas they will be allowed to carry chickens when supporting their team.

After Saturday, Nigeria face Iceland in Volgograd on 22 June (16:00) before finishing the group stage against Argentina in Saint Petersburg on 26 June (19:00).

At the 2010 World Cup, Nigeria fans were banned from taking chickens painted in Nigeria’s colours into Ellis Park, Johannesburg, for a game against Argentina.

Source: http://sportseries.net/football/world-cup-2018-nigeria-fans-banned-from-taking-chickens-to-game/

ATLANTA — A Georgia jury has awarded an eye-popping $1 billion verdict
against a security company after an apartment complex guard was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl.

Hope Cheston was outside by some picnic tables with her boyfriend during a party in October 2012 when an armed security guard approached, attorney L. Chris Stewart told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The guard told the boyfriend not to move and raped Cheston, Stewart said.

The guard, identified in the lawsuit as Brandon Lamar Zachary, was convicted of statutory rape and is serving a 20-year prison sentence, according to online prison records.

Renatta Cheston-Thornton filed a lawsuit in March 2015 on behalf of her daughter, who was still a minor at the time. The jury on Tuesday handed down the verdict against Crime Prevention Agency, the security company that employed Zachary.

Zachary, who was 22 at the time of the rape, should never have been hired because he wasn't licensed to be an armed guard, Stewart said.

The judge had already determined the security company was liable, so the jury was only determining damages, Stewart said. After reading the verdict, Stewart said, jurors immediately left the jury box — without waiting for the judge's permission — to hug Cheston and her mother.

Attempts by the AP to reach the company for comment were unsuccessful. Online corporate registration information for Crime Prevention Agency shows that it was dissolved in 2016. The phone at a number listed online for Mario Watts, who's named on the corporate registration as the CEO and identified in the lawsuit as the company's registered agent, rang unanswered Wednesday.

The Associated Press does not generally identify victims of sexual assault, but Cheston, who's now 20, said she wanted her name used. A full-time college student who plans to spend her summer working with an organization in downtown Atlanta that helps homeless people, Cheston said she wants her story to provide strength for other sexual assault victims.

A lot of women who suffer sexual assault don't pursue justice, choosing instead to put it behind them, she said in a phone interview Wednesday.

"I feel like my case is just to show that you may not get it immediately, but you will get what you're worth," Cheston said. "This shows that people do care about the worth of a woman."

Stewart, who has tried a lot of sexual assault cases, said he was shocked when he heard the verdict. He said he had asked jurors to really determine the value of the pain caused by the rape.

"I was really proud of the jury because there is no basis in the legal world for how high a rape verdict can be," he said.

Verdicts in the tens of millions of dollars, or even hundreds of millions, are not uncommon, Jeff Dion, director of the National Crime Victim Bar Association said in an email. But he's never heard of a $1 billion verdict in a case with a single victim.

"This jury was clearly trying to send a message about bad conduct on the part of the company," Dion wrote.

It is more than likely that the security company will appeal the verdict, said Georgia State University law professor Jessica Gabel Cino. An appeals court would consider the reasonableness of the verdict and would also compare it to those awarded in similar cases to see if it's proportional, and it will likely be lowered, she said.

Cino agreed that this verdict was highly unusual but said the allegations in the case seemed especially egregious.

"The facts are just so in the plaintiff's favor when you put all of this together," she said. "I mean, it's really kind of serving up the right case on a platter to the jury."

SUPER EAGLES HEAD COACH GERNOT ROHR HAS STATED THAT 19-YEAR-OLD GOALKEEPER FRANCIS UZOHO IS NOT THE TEAM’S WEAKNESS AHEAD OF THE 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP.

Uzoho was the starting goalkeeper for the Super Eagles in the 1-0 win against Poland as well as the 0-2 defeat to Serbia in the March friendlies.

After the game some Nigerian supporters have expressed fear that the 19-year-old is a weak link and may not be ready to compete at the World Cup.

Rohr has, however, come out to back Uzoho in goal ahead of the tournament.

Rohr stated that the goalkeeping position should not be seen as a weak link as the team has two good goalkeepers in Uzoho and Ikechukwu Ezenwa.


Uzoho conceded two goals against Serbia (Pawel Andrachiewicz/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)

Rohr stated that going into the World Cup, the team must have two good options as goal keepers, and also backed the Deportivo Fabril goalkeeper for his performances in the friendly games.

“Francis Uzoho came as an option because to go to the World cup, you require two good goalkeepers and I must say he has done well in the three games he has played for the Super Eagles that I won’t be afraid to start him in our opening game against Croatia at the World Cup in Russia.”

Rohr praised the characteristics of Uzoho and refused to blame him for the defeat against Serbia.

“Francis is good and tall, and he is ready to learn. He did well in the friendly games against Argentina and Poland with two clean sheets and conceded two goals against Serbia in his third game in which I experimented with some players and tactics.” He said.

He said, “I don’t think goalkeeping is the weak link in my team,”

“After we lost Carl Ikeme to sickness, we had what seemed like a goalkeeping crisis but Ikechukwu Ezenwa did well in the qualifiers but we kept looking for options.”


Uzoho has been criticised has too young to be the starting keeper

Uzoho had the opportunity to play against Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski who is regarded as one of the top strikers in Europe, and Rohr hopes the experience will help the young goalkeeper at the World Cup.

He said, “I don’t believe he will get stage fright playing against the likes of Messi and other big names in Russia, because after playing against the likes of Lewandowski of Poland, Aguero and Di Maria of Argentina, I am optimistic that he would rise to the occasion in Russia.”

Rohr finally confirmed that the 35-man preliminary Super Eagles list will submitted to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)of Friday, May 4.

Source: http://sportseries.net/football/super-eagles-genot-rohr-backs-uzoho-says-goalkeeper-is-not-teams-weakness/

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THE third edition of the African Drums Festival has kicked started on a good note with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr Lai Mohammed in attendance.

The initiative of the Festival was borne out of the commitment of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s government to promote culture and tourism.

No fewer than 22 African countries, cultural troupes from different parts of the country and others would be participating in the three-day events, holding in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Traditional rulers from the state led by the chairman of the State Traditional Council, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo were in attendance.

Cultural troupes from Kwara and Kastina States opened this year’s festival with their performances.

The Festival Consultant, Professor Wole Soyinka was equally in attendance at the opening ceremony.

Source: http://latestnewsafrica.com/politics/nigeriapolitics/photos-from-2018-african-drums-festival/

FORMER SUPER EAGLES FORWARD PETER ODEMWINGIE HAS STATED THAT RACISM IN RUSSIA HAS BEEN EXAGGERATED.

Odemwingie who represented Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil gave his opinion about the racism scandals associated with the upcoming World Cup hosts.

Odemwingie who played for Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow for three years stated that the issue of Racism in Russia is overblown by the international media.

In an interview with Russian media outfit RIA Novosti, Odemwingie stated that there are Nigerian players in the Russian league and that the Super Eagles have nothing to fear, from the widely reported racism allegations.

Osaze Odemwingieplay Osaze Odemwingie has not played for the Super Eagles since 2014 (Getty Images)
The 36-year-old stated that players will not be willing to go back if racially abused and made an example of the return to Russia of Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa who rejoined CSKA Moscow on loan from Leicester City.

He said, ”I’m sure that in Russia there is no such problem (racism) in general, otherwise Musa would not come back, other guys would not have come in. This problem is exaggerated,”

‘Even the head coach of England Gareth Southgate recently said that this issue is being exaggerated.

“There are everywhere, even in England, people like him should speak, not to run away from the problem, but to solve.”

Osaze Odemwingie and Emmanuel Emenikeplay Odemwingie was part of the Super Eagles team to the 2014 FIFA World Cup (Twitter/FIFA)
Odemwingie concluded by saying that after the 2018 FIFA World Cup, supporters who visit Russia for the tournament will change their opinion about the country and racism.

He said, ”In Russia, many people will come to the World Cup, they need to change their perceptions, they will communicate with people, see how it really is.”

Odemwingie scored 10 goals and made a total of 63 appearances for the Super Eagles between 2002 and 2014.

Source: http://sportseries.net/football/peter-odemwingie-former-super-eagles-forward-says-racism-in-russia-has-been-exaggerated/

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Aaron Ramsey’s injury-time goal finished off a 6-3 aggregate win for Arsenal over CSKA Moscow

Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-finals, while RB Salzburg play Marseille.

The Gunners will play the first leg at home on Thursday, 26 April, with the second leg a week later on 3 May.

The final will be held in Lyon, France on Wednesday, 16 May, with the winner guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League.

Liverpool will find out who they face in the Champions League semi-finals when the draw takes place at 12:00 BST.

Arsenal won their quarter-final against CSKA Moscow 6-3 on aggregate, but were made to work in Thursday’s second leg.

Leading 4-1 from the first tie, the Gunners conceded twice in Moscow and needed late goals from Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey to make progress more comfortable.

Winning the Europa League looks to be the Gunners’ most likely way of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, with Arsene Wenger’s side sixth in the Premier League and 13 points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham.

Atletico, Europa League winners in 2010 and 2012, are considered favourites to win the competition and are second in the Spanish La Liga, 11 points behind leaders Barcelona and with the best defensive record in the league.

They came through their semi-final against Sporting Lisbon 2-1, losing the second leg 1-0 in Portugal.

Source: http://sportseries.net/football/arsenal-face-atletico-madrid-in-europa-league-semis/

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The match tough sha. Watch it live here: http://sportseries.net/football/watch-the-live-broadcast-of-real-madrid-vs-juventus-championsleague/

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Liverpool travel to the Etihad tonight for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash with City holding a 3-0 advantage from the match at Anfield last week.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have one foot in the semi-finals but the Liverpool boss has admitted the tie is far from over.

The away goal rule means Liverpool only need to score once in order to leave City needing to find the net five times in order to progress.

Salah was instrumental in the first-leg win, scoring Liverpool’s first and providing the assist for Mane’s strike.

But the Egypt international hobbled off in the second half and was not fit enough to play against Everton on Saturday.

Klopp admitted yesterday that he isn’t 100 per cent sure whether Salah will be fit to start against City.

However, Mane believes his team-mate has recovered from his knock and is ready to play.

“Bobby [Firmino] was on the bench [against Everton] and Mo had a little [issue] with his groin but I think everything is fine,” Mane told Liverpool’s official website.

“We have the players to cope with that – we are a strong team, we are Liverpool.

“We’re going to try to do our best and qualify for the next round.”

http://sportseries.net/football/man-city-vs-liverpool-sadio-mane-drops-major-mohamed-salah-fitness-hint/

STANLEY EGUMA COACH OF NIGERIAN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE (NPFL) SIDE RIVERS UNITED IS CONFIRMED TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A CAR ON MONDAY, APRIL 9 IN ENUGU STATE.

Eguma who led Rivers United to a runners-up position in the 2016 NPFL season is said not to have suffered severe effects for the accident.

Media officer of Rivers United Sammy Wejinya confirmed the accident and the condition of the coach through a statement.

“Technical adviser of Rivers United Stanley Eguma was involved in an auto accident in Enugu on Monday,(April 9) night, No life lost, More details to follow….” The statement said.

Stanley Eguma’s car accident comes after former Kano Pillars skipper Chinedu Udoji died as a result of a car crash, and newly promoted NPFL side Kwara United suffered a car crash but luckily no lives were lost.

Rivers United will hope that Eguma is not hurt as they face Akwa United in the next NPFL fixture on Wednesday, April 11 in a rescheduled fixture.

Source: http://sportseries.net/football/stanley-eguma-rivers-united-coach-involved-in-car-crash/

Transfer news LIVE: Pogba Neymar swap TWIST, Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal updates

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BARCELONA HAD GUNDOGAN DEAL
10.00: Barcelona had a deal for Ilkay Gundogan wrapped up in 2015 – only for then-manager Luis Enrique to reject the move.

That is the revelation coming out of Spain today, with newspaper Mundo Deportivo claiming Gundogan had passed a secret medical at the Nou Camp.

A £17.4m transfer fee with Borussia Dortmund was agreed.

But at the last minute Enrique scrapped the transfer and instead bought Arda Turan, who would prove a flop at the Nou Camp, from Atletico Madrid.

Gundogan waited another season at Dortmund before eventually securing his switch to Manchester City.

POGBA NEYMAR SWITCH
09.25: Talk is rumbling on about a possible deal involving Paul Pogba and Neymar.

She bookmakers are already drawing up markets for the swap deal, which could also include Anthony Martial.

And now Spanish newspaper Sport are reporting the deal could happen.

Pogba is supposedly open to the move and PSG would be interested in landing the France international.

But the departure of Neymar would likely be the biggest stumbling block, with PSG having paid £200m for the forward just last summer.

ISCO TO JUVENTUS
09.00: Liverpool could miss out on a deal for Isco this summer as Juventus enter the picture.

Liverpool are said to be keen on landing the Real Madrid star, who remains on the periphery of Zinedine Zidane’s first team.

A summer transfer could be in the pipeline, especially if he impresses at the World Cup this summer.

UPAMECANO TO BARCELONA
08.30: Arsenal’s reported interest in RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano is set to be rivalled by Barcelona.

Manchester United, Bayern Munich and AC Milan are also said to be keen on the centre-back.

But French TV station Telefoot claim Barca are preparing an £87m (€100m) deal for Upamecano, to beat off competition from the Gunners and their fellow suitors.

CHELSEA LOANEE WANTED
08.15: Bayern Munich and PSG and interested in signing Chelsea’s Kenedy.

The Brazilian has spent this term on loan at Newcastle, where he has become a fans’ favourite.

The Toon could make an offer for him in the summer but Sky Sports claim European giants Bayern and PSG are eyeing rival bids.

Kenedy recently spoke highly of his time at Newcastle, telling UOL Esporte: “If it is good for everyone, it would be a pleasure to keep donning the shirt of such a big team.

”[Benitez] insists that I learn how to speak English.

“He acts like a father, and I learn a lot from him.”

http://sportseries.net/football/transfer-news-live-pogba-neymar-swap-twist-man-utd-liverpool-chelsea-arsenal-updates/

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Real Madrid host rivals Atletico Madrid as they trail by four points in La Liga.

Zinedine Zidane will be hoping to make up some ground as they look to recover from a horror start to the season.
But the Frenchman will also have one eye on the Champions League clash with Juventus in the week despite holding a 3-0.

You can watch the live broadcast here: http://sportseries.net/live-matches/