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Monday, 12 December 2016

BREAKING NEWS: Ronaldo Wins 2016 Ballon d'Or

The most open secret in the world had been finally confirmed as Real Madrid and Portugal attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has officially won the 2016 Ballon d'or.

France football, organisers of the Ballon d'Or announced the winner of the award on Tuesday evening on its official Twitter page.

For weeks leading up to the announcement, Ronaldo had already been touted as the winner.

The Portuguese helped Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League last season and also led Portugal to glory in the 2016 European Championship in France.

Ronaldo, 31, has previously won the award three times while Messi has won the award a record five times.

Ronaldo beat off competition from the likes of Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann.

Messi led Barcelona to La Liga and Copa Del Rey glory and also helped Argentina to the final of the Copa America Centinario which they lost on penalties to Chile.

Antoine Griezmann was on the losing side in the finals of the Champions League and Euro 2016.

Ronaldo and Messi make the list in Forbes highest paid athletes of all time

Most athletes will kill to be on this list right now. Being on this list shows how successful you are as an athlete.

Forbes has released a list of the highest paid athletes of all time. Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have made their way into Forbes alongside another footballer; David Beckham. Other popular athletes on the list are Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Floyd Mayweather.

Barcelona star Messi is ranked in 17th on the list, having earned £413m during his career while rival Ronaldo is 14th on the list after earning a total of £493m during his career.

20. Manny Pacquiao (£389 million)

18. Jeff Gordon (£409 million)

19. Oscar De La Hoya (£405 million)

17. Lionel Messi (£413 million)

16. Alex Rodriguez (£477 million)

15. Roger Federer (£477 million)

14. Cristiano Ronaldo (£493 million)

13. Lebron James (£508 million)

12. Greg Norman (£540 million)

11. Mike Tyson (£544 million)

10. Shaquille O’Neal (£556 million)

9. David Beckham (£580 million)

8. Phil Mickelson (£604 million)

7. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (£608 million)

6. Kobe Bryant (£612 million)

5. Michael Schumacher (£794 million)

4. Jack Nicklaus (£914 million)

3. Arnold Palmer (£1.07 billion)

2. Tiger Woods (£1.31 billion)

1. Michael Jordan (£1.35 billion)

Former England captain David Beckham is higher on the list than both Messi and Ronaldo, sitting pretty in ninth having earned a whopping £580m in his career.

Riyad Mahrez wins BBC African Footballer of the Year 2016 award

Riyad Mahrez has been crowned the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2016.

Fans from across the world voted for the Algeria and Leicester midfielder ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andre Ayew, Sadio Mane and Yaya Toure.

Mahrez, 25, told BBC Sport:

“It means a lot, it’s something big for African players so I am very happy, I am very proud.

“It’s always good to receive awards and for African players it’s a huge honour. To all the fans, thank you very much.Also I want to thank the Algeria fans and dedicate this to them as well and for my family.”I just have to carry on and keep going with my football and see what I can do.”

Lucas showed his intelligence - Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger was full of praise for Lucas after the Spanish striker scored his first goals for the club in EFL Cup victory in the third round at Nottingham Forest.

Perez confidence now ...
Of course, an attacker keeps growing when you score goals and I felt I showed tonight - I liked his second goal because it was not only technical, but there was determination, fight for the ball and finish, I loved it so much the role he played to Oxlade-Chamberlain, as it shows that it can be combined with others and he is a smart player.

in the second goal of Perez ...
It's fast, determined, uses well his left foot - a bit much for my taste, and not enough his right foot, but overall it's like all the players left foot.

5 GOOD REASONS MANCHESTER UNITED HAS LOST 3 MATCHES CONSECUTIVELY

On Sunday, it happened again. After bursting into the new season with 5 straight wins,Manchester United lost their 3rd consecutive game.

The first blow was struck by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Premier League. United lost 2 – 1 at Old Trafford. Then a Europa cup trip to Netherland saw United beaten by Feyenoord by a lone goal.

On Sunday, Jose Mourinho’s men stumbled again and were embarrassingly thrashed 3 – 1 by mid-table Watford in the Premier League.

Many would think with the arrival of Jose Mourinho, United wouldn’t have no problem returning back to their glory days but this isn’t so.

Here are 5 top reasons United has been poor, losing 3 competitive matches consecutively:

1. Pride

“We are United.” Manchester United, (and likely most footie-savvy peeps) still regard themselves as favorites to win most matches. Their opponents don’t think so. Due to this “superiority feeling” they hardly put in enough efforts to win matches.

2. Laziness

The United squad is lazy. The urge to chase down opponents and win the ball back isn’t there. For the past 3 matches, Mourinho’s men are comfortable to sit back and be possessed, allowing the opponents to dominate their midfields. You concede goals when this happens.

3. No creativity

The United side is lacking in creativity, at least the players that start games. United have registered less shots on targets than their opponents in their last three matches. If you don’t create goal scoring chances, you won’t score. It’s as simple as that.

4. No Passion

Alas! The days of Sir Alex Ferguson are gone, when United attack, attack and attack, with passion. The energy and passion to succeed is there. For the past 3 games, the team has been disjointed. It seems players were begged to play for free and no is really interested in winning matches.

5. Mourinho’s apparent fear of Wayne Rooney

Captain Wayne Rooney has lost his old form and glory. Nowadays he loses possession easily and hardly creates chances. However, despite his horrible performances, Mourinho has failed to leave him on the bench and allow other more creative and dynamic players (like Mata, Mhkitaryan) to play.

Furthermore, Wayne Rooney’s body language isn’t helping the whole team. He hardly make tackles or inspire his teammates to create goal scoring chances. He’s just there, and Mourinho’s obstinate decision to keep playing him has affected the team.

Source: NigerianBulletin

Arsene Wenger Reveals Team News Ahead Of Southampton Game

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed the latest news for his squad ahead of the Premier League fixture at home to Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

Here's what he said:

On Team News..

I have not seen Alexis and David Ospina because they arrived late last night (Thursday). Everyone else looks alright.

On if it will be a risk to play Alexis after long travel..

That's a decision i have to make because we play on Tuesday night so I will see. That I have to make a decision in the next 24 hours.

On Alex Iwobi and Aaron Ramsey..

Alex Iwobi is back in the squad. The only one who is not ready is Aaron Ramsey. He is good, but not completely ready for Southampton or Tuesday.

Nigeria Dream Team Beat Japan in a Nine Goal Triler

Nigeria’s Dream team won their Olympic Games opener as they beat Japan 5-4 at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus, Brazil.

The Nigerian Olympics Dream team showed no signs of fatigue having spent six-hours aboard the flight from Atlanta, United States to Brazil, as they thumped Japan 5-4 to win their Rio Olympics opener early hours of this morning.

Roma Forward, Sadiq Umar scored Nigeria’s first goal in the fifth minute, but the Japanese team equalized from the spot after Stanley Amuzie was judged to have fouled in the box which Shinzo Koroki converted. A minute later, Oghenekaro Etebo slotted home after a good chest control of a long ball from Abullahi Shehu. But the Japanese leveled back as Takumi Minamino slipped the ball under Emmanuel Daniel. Nigeria went into the lead again after some forays of attacks through Etebo.

In the second half, Etebo netted his third goal from the spot after Sadiq Umar was fouled in the box, the fifth goal also came from Etebo as Mikel’s centre ball was parried out by Japanese goal keeper for Etebo to score his fourth goal of the game.

Japan came back at the 70th minute through Arsenal new man, Takuma Asano and scored another in the added time through Musashi Suzuki, but it was the Dream Team who ran out as eventual winners of the keenly contested group opener.

Nigeria will now face Sweden on Sunday at the same stadium.

TEN Epl Stars Set To Miss The Start Of Next Season

As the English Premier League begins in few weeks, football fans are eagerly waiting for the suspense and intrigues the league is set to present, but some notable stars will miss the opening rounds of the season due to injury.

Here is a list of top football stars who will miss start of the EPL season

Ilkay Gundogan, Manchester City

The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder already had a knee injury before signing for Pep Guardiola. He is expected to be back on August 28 against West Ham United.

Ilkay

Loris Karius, goalkeeper – Liverpool

The 23-year old got injured during the Reds match against Chelsea in pres-season

Loris

Danny Welbeck, forward – Arsenal

Welbeck is out till 2017 after he suffered a cartilage damage to his knee at the ends of last season.

Welbeck

Per Mertsesacker, defender – Arsenal

The Arsenal Captain is set to spend few months on the sidelines as he picked up a knee injury in pre-season.

Mertsesacker

Vincent Kompany, defender – Manchester City

Another injury prone player is currently suffering from groin/thigh injury, he is scheduled to return in September.

Kompany

Kurt Zouma, defender – Chelsea

The defender who suffered an acute anterior cruciate ligament injury back in February will not return until October.

Zouma

Jan Vertonghen, defender – Tottenham

The spurs defender is set to miss the start of the season due to the ankle injury he picked at the Euro 2016.

Ibrahim Afellay, midfielder – Stoke City

The former Barcelona midefielder is out till early 2017 due to a knee ligament injury.

Carl Jenkinson, defender – Arsenal

Another Arsenal Player on the injury list with a cruciate injury, which he sustained while on loan at West ham.

Joe Gomez, defender – Liverpool

The 19-yearold is set to miss the start of the season due to a setback while recuperating from a knee ligaments injury he picked up in last October.

sane

Manchester City have announced the arrival of German winger, Leroy Sane from Bundesliga side, Schalke for £37m.

The delighted German winger said: I feel really good, I’m happy to be here and happy that it has all worked out. Now I can settle here in Manchester and play for City. One of the reasons I decided to join City was Pep Guardiola, he convinced me to come here and that I can continue to progress. I know I will learn a lot under him and now I can take the next step in my career.

“I think he can make me a more complete player. I think I will need a bit of time to start with because it’s another league and there’s a different style of play but I think I can adapt very quickly.” Sane added.

Commenting about the move, City manager Pep Guardiola said: “He is a special talent, and an exciting player that I think our supporters will enjoy watching. He has great technical ability, is comfortable on the ball and there is much to admire about the way he plays football. He is fast, enjoys creating chances for others, works hard for the team and scores goals, too. He also has a very positive attitude and will fit in well with our squad. At 20, he is still developing as a player but he is already a member of the German national side and I think he will be a fantastic asset to our club. We are very happy he decided to join us.”

The 20-year old who becomes City’s Fifth signing of this summer addition already has four caps for Germany and played at Euro 2016.

(Photos) Joseph Yobo Officially Unveiled As NPFL Ambassador By FIFA President

Joseph Yobo

Former Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo has been unveiled as the Nigerian Professional Football league (NPFL) by FIFA president, Gianni Infantino.

The president of the World football governing body FIFA, Gianni Infantino, who is on a 2-day working visit to Nigeria, unveiled the former skipper at a ceremony in Abuja.

Yobo also confirmed his appointment as he wrote on his twitter handle “Honored to be unveiled @LMCNPFL Ambassador by @FIFA President Gianni Infantino. We must develop our local league.”

President Gianni Infantino, Yobo and others

The Nigeria Professional Football League has made progress with positive changes in match scheduling and some other areas but needs to improve on officiating as poor officiating as reared its ugly head severally in the league in the ongoing season.

Joseph Yobo, who has 101 international caps with Nigeria and won the African Nations Cup, started from the youth ranks as part of Nigerian squad that got to the quarterfinals of the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship and made his first senior team appearance in a FIFA World cup qualifier match against Zambia in 2002. The veteran also played for a number of European clubs, notably Everton where he became the first African player to captain the Merseyside.

(Photos) Kelechi Iheanacho Makes Nigerian History With Man City In China

Kelechi Iheanacho

Super Eagles star, Kelechi Iheanacho has joined the no doubt very few number of Nigerians to have made the trip to one of the seven greatest wonders of the world in China.

Reports from China says that Iheanacho joined other Manchester City teammates to visit the iconic Great Wall of China, penning his name down as one of the youngest Nigerians ever to visit and walk on the globally recognised historic site at just the age of 19 years.

Iheanacho was chosen by Manchester City alongside Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi for a visit to the Great Wall of China where club’s new away kit was unveiled ahead of clash with rivals Manchester United on Monday.

Aguero took to Instagram to post a photo with Otamendi on the Great Wall of China, and City fans will be hoping the Argentine pair can elevate their team to Premier League glory under new boss Pep Guardiola. Also with them were James Horsfield and Samir Nasri.

The new kit, with a nod to City’s history, is inspired by the worker bee which has been synonymous with the city of Manchester since the late 19th century.

Guardiola’s side face a friendly against Manchester United on Monday in Beijing and Aguero and Otamendia have just returned for club duty after being part of the Argentina side that lost the Copa America final to Chile last month.

City’s first pre-season friendly was a 1-0 defeat by Bayern Munich on July 20, and while the former Barcelona boss will want to boost morale with a victory of their city rivals he insisted there would be no ill-feeling between him and Jose Mourinho, who he had a bitter rivalry with in Spain.

see more photo:-

Photo credit: Daily Mail UK

Just In: FIFA President, Infantino Arrives In Nigeria

Gianni-Infantino

President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino has arrived in Nigeria on a 2-day visit.

The Swiss landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja some time ago. He was not alone. With him is FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura.

Samoura confirmed the duo’s arrival with a tweet that read, “Arrived in #Abuja #Nigeria w/ President Gianni Infantino. Good 2b back to this great country; in a different capacity this time cc @thenff”

Samoura was a United Nations agency representative in Nigeria for years before her appointment as FIFA scribe by Infantino some months back. Now, she returns to Nigeria for the first time since her appointment.

Infantino, will among other activities lined up, pay a courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, according to itinerary list revealed by the NFF some weeks back.

@FIFAcom President Gianni Infantino and@fatma_samoura lands. #FIFAInNigeria pic.twitter.com/p5xAcQr5kb

— The NFF (@thenff) July 24, 2016

Just In: Nigeria Suffers Humiliating Home Defeat In Lagos

emmanuel-amuneke

The national U20 team, the Flying Eagles has crashed of the 2017 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.

The team suffered a humiliating 3-4 defeat to the Young Falcons of Sudan in Lagos on Saturday.

Although the fixture ended 5-5 on aggregate, the Sudanese went through on the away-goal rule.

Defending champions, Eagles were thought to be safe after winning the first leg 2-1 in Khartoum, but under heavy rain at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, the team fell to Sudan to miss out on the ticket to Zambia.

Samuel Chukwueze got the Flying Eagles in front after 14 minutes but the Sudanese equalized some minutes after through Ahmed. Recalled Funsho Bamgboye shot Nigeria in front again after 26 minutes, only for the Sudanese to again draw level through Halid Abdamuleem with two minutes left in the first half.

The Sudanese would not let up and hit the third goal in the second half before the Orji Okonkwo restored parity, but just as the Flying Eagles went in search of the winner, an own goal at the other end, with seven minutes left on the clock, steered the visitors through.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick, who watched the match with 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi, said: “Certainly, this was unexpected. Our boys won the first leg away in Sudan and looked strong enough to go through.

“However, in as much as we are disappointed, this is a developmental competition and we take a lot of positives from a number of very promising players that we have seen in this team. Coach Emmanuel Amuneke and the boys gave their best, but their best proved not to be good enough today.”

STEPHEN KESHI TO BE BURIED JULY 29TH

The burial of former Super Eagles captain and Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi, who died on June 8th has been slated for July 29th at his hometown, Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. According to the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah who is a member of the Keshi burial committee,‎ Keshi's funeral ceremony will commence on Thursday July 28th and end on Sunday July 31st.

The funeral would kick off in Edo State on Thursday July 28th with a requiem mass at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin-City, from 9:00 am, followed by lying in state at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, also in Benin-City, by 11:00am.

There will also be a novelty match by All Stars as well as a session of tributes in honour of the late soccer star at the stadium.

“The same day, his remains will depart Benin-City for Asaba, Delta State, from 1:15pm. On arrival, there will be lying in state ceremony at Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Indoor Hall, Asaba, from 3:15pm, followed by a novelty match by All Stars and Tributes at Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, from 3:30pm”Ukah said The service of songs/vigil Mass will the same day hold at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, by 6:00pm, according to the obsequies release. On Friday, July 29th, his body will leave Asaba for his hometown, Illah by ‎7am.

There will be a lying in state at his family home, Ukpologwu Quarters, Illah, from 8:30am. A‎ Requiem Mass will take place at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, by 10:00am followed by interment at his family compound, Ukpologwu Quarters, Illah, from 12:30pm.

A thanksgiving will be held at the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah on Sunday July 31st.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has, in a rather shocking move, denied ever appointing Frenchman, Paul Le Guen as coach of the Super Eagles!

Despite posting Le Guen’s appointment in categorical statements on its official website and official Twitter handle on Monday night that the Frenchman was new Eagles’ technical adviser and Yusuf Salisu is chief coach, the NFF board said late on Tuesday that it never said appointed Le Guen.

In the new statement released on Tuesday night, NFF head of Media and Publicity Committee, Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, denied the Frenchman’s rejection of the position, describing it as “simply preposterous”.

Snapshot of NFF’s official website showing contradicting statements on Le Guen’s appointment.

“The press statement was clear, to the effect that all appointments made at the Technical and Development Committee meeting were mere recommendations, which had to be deliberated upon and agreed to by the Board. No sub –committee in the NFF, except the judicial bodies, takes decisions. They only make recommendations.

“In truth, the Technical and Development Committee perused the profiles of all the coaches who submitted applications and find Mr. Paul Le Guen suitable for the post. But during final negoatiations, he objected to being given a target and also did not wish to live in Nigeria, which was a sore point with the Board.”

“The job of Head Coach of Nigeria is a very big one and there is no way anyone will get such a job without being handed a target. There is absolutely no issue with Le Guen saying he is not coming; several highly –qualified persons would be happy to be named Manager of the Senior National Team of Nigeria. We have a plan to take care of that eventuality,” Yahaya-Kwande said.

Snapshot of NFF’s official Twitter handle showing the Federation’s tweet of Le Guen’s appointment on Monday night.

.
Interestingly, the NFF’s earlier statement is totally at variant with this new stand. In fact a segment of the statement on Le Guen’s appointment read: “New Eagles’ boss Le Guen steered the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. He played for Brest, Nantes and Paris Saint Germain and won 17 caps for France, before coaching Rennes, Lyon, PSG (in France) and Glasgow Rangers (in Scotland). He also coached Oman.”

Earlier on Tuesday, NFF president, Amaju Pinnick had said the two sides were still discussing terms but Greennews.ng gathered that the Frenchman never even came to Nigeria on Monday for the interview with the NFF technical committee.

While the NFF did state that ‘the appointments are subject to agreement of contract terms with the NFF Executive Committee’, it was not clear why the Frenchman was announced officially by the NFF when his appointment was yet to be ratified by the NFF board.

Just In: NFF Clears Air On Le Guen Rejection Of Super Eagles

Following earlier reports that the newly appointed technical adviser of the Super Eagles, Paul Le Guen has reportedly rejected the job, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed the two sides are still discussing terms of the job.

According to NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, the details of the appointment, which was “subject to agreement of contract terms with the NFF Executive Committee”, was still being fine-tuned.

“There are certain areas of the proposed contract that he is not comfortable with and we are discussing to find the best solution for both parties.

“But some of the things we will not compromise on are qualification for the African Nations Cup and having a coach who will reside in Nigeria, not abroad.

"Any coach who will not accept those parameters cannot take on the job,” Pinnick told ESPN FC on Tuesday.

From Pinnick’s words, the NFF itself might drop Le Guen as well, and look for a new handler for the senior national team elsewhere.

It would be recalled that Le Guen, 52, topped a final shortlist of three which included current interim coach Salisu Yusuf and Belgian Tom Saintfiet but reports from France this afternoon said that Le Guen is not all right with the terms.

The newly appointed Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Frenchman Paul Le Guen has reportedly rejected the offer from Nigeria Football Federation NFF.

It was said that he refused the employment because the Nigeria Football Federation NFA failed to meet his terms and conditions.

According a reporter at L’ Euipe, Herve Penot who wrote on his twitter handle “Pour info : Paul le Guen n’ira pas au Nigeria. Les conditions pas réunies pour être sélectionneur. Rien à voir aujourd’hui avec la sélection”

Translation ”Paul Le Guen rejects Nigeria. Frenchman insists the country’s FA (NFF) yet to meet terms & conditions to be coach.”

The Technical and Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation on Mondaynamed Frenchman Paul Le Guen, 52, as the new Technical Adviser of the Senior National Team, Super Eagles. He will be assisted by Nigerian Salisu Yusuf, who takes the role of Chief Coach.

After the meeting at the NFF secretariat, Spokesman of the Committee Paul Bassey, also said that Enugu Rangers gaffer Imama Amapakabo and former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper/skipper Alloy Agu, who served as assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer for the games against Mali and Luxembourg in May, retain their places in the technical crew.

The Committee also recommended to the NFF Board, the appointment of one time Super Eagles’ assistant coach Bitrus Bewarang as the new NFF Technical Director. Bewarang, who is president of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, will replace the late Coach Shaibu Amodu.

Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to come back stronger than ever for the upcoming season after getting injured during the final match between Portugal and France at Euro 2016.

Despite, getting injured after a challenge from Dimtri Payet in the early minutes of the final game, Ronaldo continued to play through pain but limped off after 25 minutes, forcing him to the side-lines where he was still dishing out instructions and motivation to his teammates before striker Eder grabbed the only goal of the game in extra time which led the Portuguese team to victory.

The 31- year old posted a video on his Instagram account, saying, “Hi everyone! I just wanted to thank all my fans, I wanted to tell them that all is well and that I will come back much stronger. Thank you, long live Portugal!”

Most football pundits and fans have backed CR7 to win the much coveted FIFA Ballon d’or because of his victories for the both Club and Country this year.

The Portuguese will be eager to stage a comeback in the upcoming season, where he will look to beat his usual rival in Barcelona’s Lionel Messi to the League title, though he is not expected to return to action before Real Madrid’s third game in Spanish La Liga.