Sports

Buhari congratulates Eagles Coach, Onigbinde at 80

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Adegboye Onigbinde, on his 80th birthday, slated for March 5.

Buhari’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Sunday.

The president felicitated with the highly respected football coach and administrator, his family, friends and teeming fans, on the landmark of turning an octogenarian.

He noted that at 80, football administrator had recorded a retinue of awards, recognition and achievements at national, continental and global levels.

The president said Onigbinde’s feat as a coach would always be cherished and remembered as milestone attainments for the nation.

Buhari said his wealth of experience and the leadership skills he acquired over the years would be most useful in inspiring the national team, upcoming footballers and Nigeria’s local league to greater heights.

He, therefore, prayed that the Almighty God would grant him longer years on earth and more strength and wisdom to keep serving the country.

Onigbinde, born on March 5, 1938 in Modakeke, Osun, led the national team to the FIFA World Cup in 2002.

He also took the country’s football teams to continental tournaments like the African Nations Cup and the African Clubs Champions Cup.

The Nation

Last modified on Monday, 05 March 2018 09:50

Ndidi pips Mahrez to Leicester City Man of the Match award

Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi scooped Leicester Metropolis’s Man of the Match award following their 1-1 draw towards Bournemouth in the Premier League this evening.

Leicester City specialists BBC Leicester named the quantity 25 probably the most outstanding player on the pitch ahead of Algeria star Riyad Mahrez, who popped up with a late leveler to cancel out Joshua King’s early effort.

Leicester Mercury are on the same web page as the BBC because the Nigerian was awarded the very best marks in their enjoying scores, seven along with Mahrez.

‘’The decide of the midfield three, all the time prepared to place his foot in,’’ Rob Tanner wrote.

In accordance with stats from whoscored.com, Ndidi confirmed his aerial talents towards the Cherries, finishing the sport with nine aerial duels gained, a joint-highest together with Bournemouth’s Steve Prepare dinner.

The 21-year-old made four tackles to take his tally to 120 for the season, made four interceptions and three clearances.

The former Racing Genk central midfielder has started every match played by the Foxes in the Premier League this term, 29 in complete.

Last modified on Sunday, 04 March 2018 07:59

Like father, like son: Timothy Weah makes PSG debut

Timothy Weah, the son of former Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan star, and current Liberian president, George Weah made his professional debut in the French club’s 2-0 win over Troyes on Saturday.

The US youth international, who only turned 18 last week, replaced Giovani Lo Celso for the final quarter hour after being named to the first-team squad for the first time.

“My name pushes me a little bit more because my father did very good things here. I want to do the same thing,” said Weah, who nearly scored a debut goal in stoppage time.

“Everything is going to be fine, soon I will start to score goals!”

Born in New York City, the teenager signed a professional deal with PSG last summer but has spent much of his time with the club’s reserve team in the fourth division.

“He’s a very young player but he works very hard. He played 15 minutes and had a good chance to score. He deserves it. It’s the first time, he needs to keep on working,” PSG coach Unai Emery said.

George Weah spent three successful and prolific seasons at PSG between 1992 and 1995, and remains the only African footballer to the win the Ballon d’Or award, in 1995.

Citizen

Keeping my job is my 'last worry' -Wenger

Ahead of Thursday’s Premier League clash against Manchester City, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger didn’t want to talk about his future.

The Gunners face City at the Emirates Stadium just a few days after being thrashed 3-0 by them in Sunday’s League Cup final.

"My position is my position," Wenger said. "Honestly, that's the last worry I have at the moment. My focus is to get the team ready for the game.

"I just told you what my way of thinking is; it's the next game. We're in that kind of situation. I don't ask you if your position is reviewed at the end of the season.

"My job is to perform. It's not for me to evaluate. If you need clarity, I can repeat exactly the same answer.

"Does it stop you sleeping that my position is uncertain or certain? The game on Thursday is what is important.

"I'm amazed I always have to answer things that are the same. I've been here 21 years and turned the whole world down to honour my contract.

"What is interesting in football is the performance, it is the game you will see on Thursday night. All the rest maybe makes headlines but it is not really interesting."

Sport24

Last modified on Friday, 02 March 2018 08:53

Alexis Ohanian buys billboards for wife Serena Williams

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian recently welcomed wife Serena Williams back to tennis with a series of billboards in Palm Springs, Calif.

Ohanian posted photos of his gesture Tuesday on social media.

"These just went up on alongside I-10 into Palm Springs. Junior & I wanted to welcome her back to tennis," Ohanian wrote on the posts. "Designed them myself, with some help from baby O [and assist from Initialized startup, AdQuick, where I searched + bought the billboards]. #GMOAT @ Palm Springs, California."

The billboards featured several photos of baby Alexis Olympia Ohanian, on a series reading "Greatest. Momma. Of all time." The final billboard he shared read "Serena Williams G.M.O.A.T. [Greatest Momma Of All Time] - Alexis Jr + Sr."

Williams, 36, will compete at the BNP Paribas Open from March 5 through March 18 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells. Calif. The 23-time Grand Slam champion returned to the court for the first time in December, losing in three sets to Latvian Jelena Ostapenko in Abu Dhabi. Before that appearance, Williams hadn't played competitively since winning the 2017 Australian Open. She was expected to participate in the 2018 Australian Open, but pulled out of the tournament before it began.

Alexis Olympia was born on Sept. 1, while Williams and Ohanian were married in November. Olympia and her dad were in the stands in early February to watch Williams and sister Venus Williams compete in a doubles match at the 2018 Fed Cup in Asheville, N.C.

UPI

What boxing fans are saying about Anthony Joshua after Daniel Dubois beats DL Jones

Daniel Dubois maintained his 100% knockout record in boxing with victory over DL Jones on Saturday night, taking his career record to 7-0-0.

It took the 20-year-old just three rounds to break down Jones, who also entered the bout unbeaten but was unable to handle the power of Dubois' punches.

He stayed tight in the opening rounds looking to land big punches, whereas Dubois used combinations to wear his opponent down.

And it worked. Come the third round, Jones was visibly exhausted and after taking some strong right hands from Dubois fell to the canvas at 2.23.

At that point the referee rightly stepped in, giving Dubois his seventh consecutive victory in what looks like a promising career.

Dubois is widely tipped to succeed Anthony Joshua in the heavyweight world and some even believe he's not far away from being able to challenge the current champion.

But some boxing fans aren't having it - and rightly so.

Dubois is an immense talent, there's no question, but it's still far too early to genuinely compare him to Joshua, let alone suggest a fight between the two.

What AJ has achieved requires something special and Dubois has far more to prove before we can truly believe he's capable of the same.

Nevertheless, the future is bright for Dubois and he recently discussed the idea of sparring with Tyson Fury so he can learn from the self-proclaimed 'Gypsy King'.

"Getting in the ring and learning a few more things from him - I don't mind that," said Dubois. "My management team look after all that, they arrange all that stuff but it can definitely happen."

"It excites me that he (Fury) is coming back, it adds to it all, it's a competitive division and him coming back is going to be good.”

Givemesport

Football is life in Nigeria, FIFA president says

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described Nigeria as a country with unquantifiable passion and love for football, and where football is more than a religion.

“I was told that in Nigeria football is passion, but it is a lie because it is more than that. In Nigeria I was told that football is love, “In Nigeria, I was told that football is a religion, but it is a lie. It is more than that. In Nigeria, football is life,” he said in Lagos on Monday.

Infantino spoke at the maiden edition of the AITEO-NFF Awards, which was organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and bankrolled by oil giants AITEO Group.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event held at the Eko Hotels and Suites saw Chelsea FC winger Victor Moses winning the “Player of the Year” award.

Speaking also at the event, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, pledged his administration’s continued support to football and sports in general.

“We will continue to give our unrelenting support to football and sports in general, I want to assure the President of FIFA that whenever he is coming back, Lagos will be considered to host a FIFA tournament,’’ he said.

In his address, the Deputy Managing Director of AITEO Group, Francis Peters, said the oil conglomerate was happy to be part of football history in Nigeria in good times.

NFF president Amaju Pinnick, on his part, said the awards night was to celebrate Nigerian legends for their contributions to the development of football in the country.

He also said football administration was a journey and not a destination, adding “therefore, there must be a conscious effort to minimise errors for fear of losing the opportunity.

“In Nigeria, football is a way of life and everybody is a coach. So, we need to be very careful. Football teaches us ethics and how to live a normal life,” Pinnick said.

NAN reports that Moses got the award and recognition for his stellar performances for the national team, the Super Eagles, en route their qualification for Russia 2018.

He was an integral part of the side during the historic qualification matches where he played in four of the six matches scoring Moses also helped his Chelsea side reclaim the English Premier League title in the 2016/2017 season where he featured in 40 games.

The 27-year old also got CAF’s recognition by being among the nominees for CAF’s Player of the Year award eventually won by Egypt’s Mohamed Salah.

To win the AITEO-NFF award, he beat competition from Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Lobi Stars’ Anthony Okpotu.

NAN reports that other winners at the awards include Rasheedat Ajibade who claimed the “Player of the Year (Women)’’ award and Ikouwon Udoh who emerged “Young Player of the Year (Women)’’.

Ann Chiejine won the “Coach of the Year (Women)’’ award, while MFM FC’s midfielder Sikiru Olatunbosun took the “Goal of the Year’’ award.

Remo Stars FC won the Fair Play award, while the “Coach of the Year (Men)’’ award went to Kennedy Boboye, coach of 2017/2018 NPFL champions Plateau United FC of Jos.

Channels Television won the “Developmental Award”.

The “All-Time Legendary Awards” went to Chiejine, Christian Chukwu, Uche Okechukwu, Austin Eguavoen, Felix Owolabi, Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Segun Odegbami, Adokie Amaesimaka, Mercy Udoh and Thompson Usiyen.

The Platinum Award went to Infantino.

NAN

Arsenal sign record-breaking deal with Emirates

Arsenal have announced a new sponsorship deal with Emirates Airlines which will run until 2024 and is said to be worth over $56 million per season.

In a statement released on the club website, they call the five-year extension to the current deal “largest sponsorship deal ever signed by the club” as Emirates will continue to appear on the shirts and training gear of all of the teams.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis revealed the reason behind extending the relationship with Emirates.

“Our shirt partnership is the longest running in the Premier League and one of the longest relationships in world sport. This mutual commitment is testimony to the strength and depth of our unique relationship. Emirates are again demonstrating their great belief in our approach and ambition and their significantly increased investment will help us continue to compete for trophies and bring more success to the club and our fans around the world.”

The Gunners also confirmed that their home stadium will be known as the Emirates Stadium until at least 2028, as per the agreement reached in 2012.

Where do Arsenal rank in terms of shirt sponsorship deals?

Manchester United lead the way with their deal with Chevrolet said to be worth over $74.2 million per year, while Chelsea sit in second with a $56 million per year partnership with Yokohama but the Gunners are now alongside their London rivals.

Manchester City and Tottenham are just behind them when it comes to sponsorship deals, while Liverpool’s relationship with Standard Chartered runs until the end of next season.

NBC Sport

Victor Moses wins inaugural NFF player of the year award

Victor Moses and Asisat Oshoala were the biggest winners in the inaugural edition of the Aiteo-NFF Awards 2018, after winning the men's and women's Player of the Year awards on Monday.

Chelsea wideman Moses saw off competition from Leicester City's Wilfred Ndidi and Anthony Okpotu of Lobi Stars to win the Player of the Year award.

Oshoala, the reigning CAF Women's Footballer of the Year, bested Francisca Ordega and Charity Reuben to win the female prize.

At an event held at the Grand Ballroom, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos the duo were named winners in front of an audience including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, CAF President Ahmad Ahmad and the evening's host, NFF President Amaju Pinnick.

It was an opportunity for past and present Nigerian football dignitaries to be gathered together and honoured in an award ceremony to celebrate the best of the nation's football during the last 12 months.

Coach of reigning Nigeria League Champions Plateau United, Kennedy Boboye, was named Coach of the Year award (Men), and Sikiru Olatunbosun of MFM FC was honoured with the Goal of the Year award for his exceptional strike against Enugu Rangers in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Other winners on the night were former Super Falcons goalkeeper Ann Chiejine and home-based Super Eagles left back Ikouwem Udoh, who capped a memorable year by carting home the Young Player of the Year award (Men).

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Young Player of the Year (Women)

Rasheedat Ajibade

Young Player of the Year (Men)

Ikouwem Udoh

Fair Play Award

Remo Stars FC

Fans of the Year

El-Kanemi Warriors

Coach of the Year (Women)

Ann Chiejine

Coach of the Year (Men)

Kennedy Boboye

Goal of the Year

Sikiru Olatunbosun

Development Award

Channels Sports

NFF Platinum Award

Gianni Infantino

Legend 11

Ann Chiejine; Austin Eguavoen, Christian Chukwu, Uche Okechukwu, Felix Owolabi, Nwankwo Kanu, Austin "Jay-Jay" Okocha, Segun Odegbami, Adokiye Amiesimaka, Mercy Akide-Udoh, Thomson Usiyan

Player of the Year (Women)

Asisat Oshoala

Player of the Year (Men)

Victor Moses

ESPN

Last modified on Tuesday, 20 February 2018 09:16

Coleman breaks 20 years world record in 60 metres

World silver medalist Christian Coleman broke the world record in the 60 metres, when he ran 6.34 seconds at the U.S. indoor national championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Sunday.

Fellow American Maurice Greene had held the record of 6.39 seconds for 20 years.

“It feels like a blur,” said the 21-year-old Coleman, who won the 100-metres silver medal at last year’s world championships in London.

Now he will lead the American team to next month’s IAAF world indoor championships in Birmingham, England.

The performance at high altitude in Albuquerque was particularly pleasing for Coleman after he had bettered Greene’s world record time with a run of 6.37 seconds last month in South Carolina, but was not ratified for technical reasons.

“I wanted to go get it,” Coleman said after the race.

“I put a lot of work in my start and transition. It’s all paying off.”

Reuters/NAN

More...

Man United receive apology from VAR chiefs over Mata’s goal controversy

Manchester United receive apology from VAR chiefs after Juan Mata’s FA Cup goal was disallowed showing ‘incorrect lines’

Manchester United have received an apology after Juan Mata’s goal against Huddersfield was incredibly disallowed by VAR.

The Spaniard appeared to give the Red Devils a 2-0 lead in the FA Cup tie, only for the officials to chalk off the effort with the help of the video technology.

The video assistant referees should only be summoned for clear and obvious errors, though Mata’s goal was a close call, which has led to Hawk-Eye releasing an apology for a “technical error,” report the Manchester Evening News.

The lines shown during the latest high-profile Video Assistant Referee controversy were not straight, which created much outrage on social media.

The company also remains adamant that the match officials were given straight lines to make their decisions with – and not the ones that were shown to those watching on television that were anything but.

Match referee Kevin Friend had awarded a goal until the VAR’s lengthy intervention.

There was controversy after those viewing on BT Sport were shown images of Mata’s positioning between wonky overlayed lines that created further confusion surrounding the decision.

Hawk-Eye is responsible for providing the technology used within VAR, and explained via a statement: “A technical issue led to an incorrect graphic being provided by Hawk-Eye to BT Sport last night.

“To confirm, the VAR saw the correct image with the correct lines to make the decision. This was a case of the wrong image being provided to the broadcaster and we apologise.”

Despite the confusion, the decision was shown to be correct – if very close – for viewers when BT applied their own lines to the image.

Mirror

Musa named in 50 worst players in EPL history

Do you believe it? Could the analysis be right? Is it not debatable? Could it be a case of analyst being entitled to their opinions?

Well, the story is that Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa has been named among 50 Worst players of in premier league history.

The report dished out on Wednesday on Fourfourtwo.com simply titled “Fourfourtwo: 50 worst players in premier league

History” listed the Nigerian international and Leicester city ace who recently returned to Russian club CSKA Moscow after a lull in playing time at the King Power Stadium as number 44 on the log.

With a commentary on each player, the commentary on Musa begins with “Ouch. In the glow of their Premier League-winning season, Leicester broke their transfer record to bring Musa to England for £16.6m from CSKA Moscow. How they landed on the

Nigerian forward is harder to explain, though, given that he has always been an unremarkable and patchy player who, most importantly, didn’t have a natural place in their side.

Maybe he was part of a long-term plan that Claudio Ranieri was never given time to implement? Possibly, but at no point

during his rotten 18 months at the King Power (33 games, five goals) did his transfer ever look likely to be remotely successful. Quietly, he was loaned back to CSKA in the January 2018 transfer window”

Those listed in the first batch alongside Musa include Aston Villa’s jean Makoun on 42, Southampton’s Agustin Delgado on 43, Arsenal’s Sebastien Squillaci on 45, Aston Villa’s Aleksandar Tonev on 46, Nottingham Forests’Mikola Jerkan on 47, Leeds

Roque Junior on 48, Liverpool’s Salif Diao on 49 and Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao

The report further indicates however that other players on numbers 40 to 1 will be released next week.

Musa who was superlative in his first stay with CSKA Moscow between 2012 -2016 making 125 appearances and scoring 42 goals for the side had what could pass for a nightmare following his transfer to Leicester as he struggled to have playing time.

A worried Super Eagles coach at a time told the duo of Musa and equally embattled Kelechi Iheanacho to seek other clubs where they can get playing time ahead of the World Cup. Musa’s return to CSKA Moscow was held in sports circles as it was envisaged that his chances of playing regularly is high. He has not only blended back with ease but has already scored two goals in friendly matches for the side and indication that he might return to super form when the Russian league resumes off in March.

CSKA currently 5^th on the log with 35 points in 20 matches will open up the second stanza of the league on March 3^rdwhen they host 9^th placed Ural.

The Nation

Last modified on Friday, 16 February 2018 07:16

Dutch club Fortuna Sittard sacks former Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh for ‘inadmissible actions’

Former Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has been sacked as head coach of Netherlands’ second tier side Fortuna Sittard for what the club calls “inadmissible actions”.

'Several attempts by the club to encourage a change in the coach's behaviour have unfortunately not worked, resulting in an unworkable situation,' the team said in a statement.

“The board of Fortuna Sittard emphasizes that the decision to disband Sunday Oliseh is not motivated by the current sporting performance. Because of his inadmissible actions, the coach has made the cooperation with many people within the organization impossible.

“From players to employees. Fortuna Sittard regrets the decision, but states that the club interest goes above all else.”

Portuguese-born Claudio Braga will take over as interim coach.

“Fortuna Sittard has found a temporary replacement for Claudio Braga for the on Sunday Oliseh. Until the Sittard club has found a new trainer, Braga will play the double role of head coach and Head of Youth Training,” stated the club.

Shortly after the announcement was made, Oliseh told his own side of the story, clarifying that he was suspended, rather than sacked.

“I confirm: Due to my refusal to participate in Illegal activities at Fortuna Sittard and violate the Law, I have been Suspended from my duties as Coach by the Foreign Owners of Fortuna,” Oliseh wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

“Unfortunate for the lovely fans, my players and our hard fought phenomenal positioning for Promotion.”

The 43-year-old Nigerian, however, didn’t revealed the illegal activities he refused to participate in.

Oliseh was appointed as Fortuna manager in December 2016. Since joining, he led the club from the brink to relegation to the playoffs for top-flight promotion this season.

Fortuna is currently third on the league table with 44 points, five behind leaders NEC Nijmejen.

In 2015, Oliseh was appointed by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) as the National team coach.

With the Super Eagles, he achieved an impressive statistic of 14 games (two defeats), 19 goals scored and only six conceded, qualifying the team to the CHAN tournament in Rwanda and to the Group phase of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.

In February 2016, he resigned as Nigeria’s national coach citing contract violations, lack of support, unpaid wages and benefits to his players, assistants and himself as the motive.

en.as

Mikel is as good as Modric and Rakitic - Siasia

John Obi Mikel and Croatia’s Lukas Modric and Ivan Rakitic are on the same level, according to former Super Eagles head coach, Samson Siasia.

The Super Eagles face the Europeans on June 16 for their opening Group D fixture at the Kaliningrad Stadium - with the former Chelsea man expected to lead Gernot Rohr’s men.

Regardless of Modric’s impact in Real Madrid and Rakitic’s displays for Barcelona this season, Siasia is confident that the Tianjin Teda midfielder can match rival European stars in Russia.

“Mikel is in the same quality with Modric and Rakitic, even though Modric plays in Real Madrid,” he told Goal.

“Mikel has played in Chelsea for many years and he is doing well in the Chinese Super League. I think they will fight for that position on the field of play.”

Following the Super Eagles’ unbeaten run to their sixth World Cup appearance, the 50-year-old urged Rohr’s men to prepare well and not dwell on their 4-2 victory over Argentina.

“They’ve done well but the problem is that most of our players are not playing in the big leagues and they don’t get enough playing time, the World Cup is not where to do physical activities,” he continued.

Daily Trust

Last modified on Thursday, 15 February 2018 06:49