Nigeria wins its first medal as under 23 team beats Honduras 3-2 to win the Bronze medal

Nigeria beat Honduras 3-2 to clinch the bronze medal. This is the only medal for Nigeria in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Congratulations.... Hurry!!!!!!!

Olympics: Bolt ‘the greatest’ bows out with nine golds

Usain Bolt bid farewell to the Olympics by powering to a record third straight sweep of the sprint medals and a final chance to declare himself “the greatest.” Usain Bolt No one had the power on the track nor the courage off it to contradict the 29-year-old whose blistering run gave Jamaica victory in the 4x100m relay. Allyson Felix hit her own landmark with a fifth gold as the US women won their 4x100m relay, a day after winning a reprieve into the final. The track drama Friday and the prospect of a Brazil football final on Saturday almost overcame the shame felt by many Olympians after star swimmer Ryan Lochte had to apologise for inventing a story that he had been mugged in Rio. Victory was not guaranteed when Bolt took the baton for the anchor leg, but he powered down the straight to cross in 37.27sec before soaking up the acclaim from an adoring crowd. A surprise Japan quartet came second, followed by the United States, who were disqualified to give Canada bronze. A third straight 100m, 200m and 4x100m clean sweep put Bolt alongside Carl Lewis and Paavo Nurmi on nine track and field Olympic golds. Bolt, who said at the start of the week that he would be an “immortal” if he claimed the ‘triple triple,’ had no doubt that he deserves more acclaim. “There you go. I’m the greatest,” said the Jamaican, who kissed the finish line as he played to the crowd and the cameras. And how did he achieve greatness? “Dedication. I wanted it the most. I was never satisfied.” “I hope I’ve set the bar high enough that no one can do it again,” said Bolt whose departure is a second blow to the Olympics after the retirement of swimming legend Michael Phelps with his 23 career golds. The United States women’s sprint team brilliantly beat Jamaica to complete a remarkable comeback from disqualification. Felix, long jump gold medallist Tianna Bartoletta, English Gardner and Tori Bowie combined to clock the second fastest 4x100m relay ever run, in 41.01 seconds. Felix is the first women athlete to reach five golds. – Really strong – The US team were forced into a solo re-run of their qualifier on Thursday, having overturned a disqualification for a dropped baton exchange between Felix and Gardner. “It felt like we were really strong tonight. The adversity yesterday made us even more determined and we kept fighting the whole way through,” said Felix. Greece’s Ekaterini Stefanidi won the women’s pole vault after virus-stricken defending champion Jenn Suhr crashed out. Kenyan former world champion Vivian Cheruiyot reeled in 10,000m champion Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia to win the women’s 5,000m title. – Lochte apology – Off the track, six-gold medal swimmer Lochte apologized for inventing a story about an armed mugging to cover up an act of vandalism at a Rio gas station. Apart from criticism in the United States, Lochte and three other swimmers with him face an International Olympic Committee disciplinary inquiry. “The commission members can ask to hear the swimmers and we will see if there is material for a sanction,” an IOC official told AFP. Among 22 golds decided on Friday, Spain’s Carolina Marin beat India’s P.V. Sindhu in three games to become the first non-Asian badminton women’s singles champion. Sindhu was not too disappointed. “I’m the first Indian woman to get a silver medal at the Olympics so that’s a great thing for me,” she beamed. Estelle Mossely celebrated her 24th birthday by beating China’s Yin Junhua to become the first Frenchwoman to win Olympic boxing gold. In stifling heat, world champion Matej Toth won a gruelling 50km walk littered with casualties including France’s Yohann Diniz, who soldiered on to finish seventh despite severe intestinal problems. The United States’ NBA stars beat Spain 82-76 to go into a men’s basketball final on Sunday against Serbia, who beat Australia 87-61. Another 30 golds will be up for grabs Saturday when Brazil’s soccer star Neymar takes centre-stage as his country play Germany in the final. The match at the Maracana comes two years after Germany humiliated the hosts 7-1 in the World Cup semi-final at the same legendary stadium. South Korea’s Park In-Bee goes into the last day of the women’s golf –returning to the Olympics after 112 years — with a two stroke lead over New Zealand’s world number one Lydia Ko. The 19-year-old Ko hit her first ever hole-in-one on Friday to keep up the pressure.

Enyimba players arrive Cairo and train ahead of must win CAF Champions League match (photos)

Enyimba players on Sunday arrived at Cairo, Egypt and trained at the Petrosport Stadium ahead of their must win clash against Zamalek in the CAF Champions League.Zamalek defeated Enyimba 1-0 in the first leg in PortHarcourt, Nigeria. More photos after the cut.

Photocredit: Adepoju Tobi Samuel 

Lionel Messi and Argentina teammates head to New York for 2016 Copa America final vs Chile (photos)

Current World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi alongside his Argentina teammates flew from Houston to New York city as they prepare to tackle Chile in the Copa America final this weekend.

 Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero posted pictures of themselves and the squad relaxing on the plane as the squad looked to be in high spirits ahead of the final. More photos after the cut...

 

RUSSIA 2018 draw: Nigeria to battle Cameroon,Zambia and Algeria for World cup spot

The draw for the third round of African Zone qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup took place today in Cairo, Egypt. Nigeria has been placed against Cameroon, Zambia and Algeria.

This is the final and decisive stage of the continent's preliminary competition, with only 5 teams out of the 20 teams to participate at Russia 2018. May God help us...

Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi all in the 35-man preliminary Rio Olympic squad

The Nigerian Football Federation has unveiled the preliminary 35-man football squad prepared by coach Samson Siasia, to represent Nigeria in the Summer Olympic games set for August in Rio de Janeiro.

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, Watford striker Odion Ighalo and Arsenal young revelation Alex Iwobi have all been included in the list. Seventeen of the 35 players included in the team have already had full international experience with the Super Eagles as Siasia hopes to put up a good challenge to win gold this year after falling just short in his 2008 spell in charge


A final list of 18 will be released before the team leaves for Brazil where they have been drawn to face Sweden, Colombia and Japan in the preliminary. Coach Siasia has requested for a final training camp in Atlanta, the venue of the country’s historic Olympic triumph 20 years ago, in order to prepare the boys for “victory in Brazil.”

Below is the full list of players that have been called up:

Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa FC, South Africa), Yusuf Bala (Kano Pillars), Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers), Taiwo Abdulrahman (Kwara United), Ndubuisi Agu (FC Porto, Portugal), Junior Ajayi (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense FC, Portugal), Taiwo Awoniyi (Frankfurt FC, Germany), Okechukwu Azubuike (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Etor Daniel (Enyimba FC), Augustine Dimgba (Sunshine Stars), William Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway), Saturday Erimuya (Kayseri Erciyespor, Turkey), Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense FC, Portugal), Imoh Ezekiel (Anderlecht, Belgium), Saviour Godwin (Ostende, Belgium), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England), Emiloju Julius (MFM FC), Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey), Usman Muhammed (CF Uniao, Portugal), Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium), Erhun Obanor (MFM FC), Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England), Sodiq Saliu (Seraing FC, Belgium), Abdullahi Shehu (CF Uniao, Portugal), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Seth Sincere (Rhapsody FC), Ndifreke Udo (Abia Warriors), Aminu Umar (Osmalispor, Turkey), Sadiq Umar (AS Roma, Italy)

Leicester's Jamie Vardy wins FWA footballer of the year award

Leicester City top scorer Jamie Vardy has won the Football Writers Association (FWA) footballer of the year award after having a record breaking season with Leicester City in the Premier League.

It’s been a fairy-tale year for Jamie Vardy, who has scored 24 goals for the Foxes and England this season. He has became an England National team regular this year.

As is already well known, Vardy’s incredible rags to riches life story will soon be turned into a feature length movie to be premiered in Hollywood.

The FWA website posted on Monday:

'The England international collected 36% of members’ votes, making him a clear winner ahead of Foxes’ team-mates Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante.

Vardy is now the first Leicester player to win the prestigious accolade, which has been running since 1948, and the first Englishman to be voted FWA Footballer of the Year since Scott Parker in 2011.

Photos: Joseph Yobo meets Mikel Obi, John Terry others while fans chant his name on his 'emotional' return to Everton

Nigeria’s ex-international Joseph Yobo, was a guest of honour at his former club over the weekend as the Everton former player prepares for his upcoming testimonial match to be held in Rivers State, Nigeria. The Nigeria’s ex international was presented to the fans at half time and received a stadium wide ovation from all present.

He tweeted 'Fans chanting Yobo, Yobo, Yobo as I came on against Bournemouth today. Absolutely Breathtaking! Thank you @Everton!' 

“It was a humbling and emotional moment for me,” said Yobo, who spent ten years at the Premier League club, following a move from French side, Olympic Marseille.

He took pictures with Everton's kitman, the chefs and also the club's liason officer before proceeding to Chelsea's stadium to meet up with Mikel Obi, John Terry, Radamel Falcao and some other Chelsea players.

More photos after the cut as posted on his official Twitter account.

Photos: Tottenham player Moussa Dembele gouges Chelsea's Diego Costa's eye in EPL match tonight

Violent scenes emerged in tonight's Chelsea vs Tottenham match as Tottenham midfielder Moussa Dembele appeared to jab his finger into the eyes of Chelsea striker Diego Costa during the closing stage of the game.

Chelsea and Tottenham players came together after a spat between Tottenham full-back Danny Rose and Chelsea's Willian. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino had to jump in to separate the pair.

In the heat of the moment, Belgian star Dembele got into a heated discussion with Costa and appeared to jab a finger into the Spaniard's eye. Dembele should expect to get into trouble with the FA after such display of violence tonight.

Leicester City wins 2015/216 Premier League

Following Chelsea and Tottenham 2-2 draw tonight, Leicester City is now the winner of the 2015/2016 English Premier League with 77 points. History made in Premier League. Congrats to them.

Arsene Wenger explains why he 'harshly' substituted Alex Iwobi after fans blast him

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has explained why he substituted Nigerian youngster Alex Iwobi just 10 minutes into the second half in Saturday's narrow 1-0 win over Norwich city. Alex Iwobi didn't look impressed as he was hauled off just ten minutes into the second half.

Many Arsenal fans turned on Arsene Wenger, suggesting it was an unfair treatment meted out to the Nigerian attacker, especially as he has been in terrific form for the Gunners recently.

Iwobi made way for match-winner Danny Welbeck and Wenger has offered some insight into what warranted the substitution.

“I saw the opportunity there, because Alex Iwobi comes more towards the ball but, with a runner in behind on our left side, there was some room to exploit, and Danny did that very well,” Wenger told the club’s official website. “On top of that he scored a goal when he came on.”

Iwobi, 19, has played 12 Premier League games this season and has two goals and two assists to his credit.

English Premier League Table ....as it stands

Just two more games to end this season...

Arsenal and Super Falcons player Asisat Oshoala: I want to be an inspiration to others

Only 21, and already an idol herself for younger generations of female football players in Africa. Arsenal ladies and Super Falcons attacker Asisat Oshoala spoke to FIFA explaining how she developed from playing six-a-side football with boys in Ikorodu to donning the jersey of Liverpool football club and then Arsenal Football club. Excerpts after the cut....

 

 

“When I was in school I used to play football with boys,” Oshoala told FIFA.com. “I was in this six-a-side team. The boys always used to say to me: 'Don’t go to the front, just stay at the back. Just kick the balls out. You can’t score goals. You can’t dribble past defenders.'

"And then the day came where we made it to a final. I dribbled two or three players and scored a goal. 1-0. End of the game. I remember saying to them, 'Look at that. You don’t believe in me but look at what I can do.”

 “When you have this determination, and people see this determination in you, eventually they have no choice but to give you the support you need to get you where you want to go,” explained the Arsenal Ladies player.

“I didn’t think I was even going to get to pass the ball at the U-20 (Japan u-20 Female World cup tournament) because I was so young,” said the midfielder. “I thought I was just making up the numbers.” 

Oshoala came on as a substitute in the 76th minute of Nigeria’s opener against Korea Republic. Her performance for those final 14 minutes was so impressive that she started every subsequent match at the tournament, helping Nigeria get to the semi-finals.

“Then and there I learnt that when given an opportunity, you give it your best,” she said. “You might not see them, but someone is always watching. It was a great lesson for me. It’s something I’ve carried from Japan into every match I play now.” 

“Canada was a massive one for me,” she said. “I wanted to do better. I wanted people to come not only watch my team, but I wanted them to come watch the girl who is determined, the girl who is always ready to give her best.”

Perhaps one of the most important moments took place against England in their final group stage game of Canada 2014. Locked at 1-1, England’s Bethany Mead missed a penalty in the 53rd minute. Just six minutes later, Oshoala was brought down in the box and given the same chance to snatch the lead. 

“It was a crucial penalty for the team,” she said. “We had to score. We had to win the game to qualify for the next round. It wasn’t planned that I take it. We had a penalty taker, but I could see that she was scared. I walked up to her and said, 'I’ll take it for you.'

"I wanted the challenge, I remember thinking, ‘I’m the old player in the team, I’m the one that played at the previous U-20, I should be able to step up and do it for my team.”

 “The Women’s World Cup was something completely different," Oshoala recalled. "I’d never experienced playing for such big crowds. I remember having to reprimand myself a few times.

"I kept having to remind myself to not go onto the pitch and just start looking at my idols and not play football. I kept refocusing on this thought, ‘I’m going to go there and play the game I have inside me.'”

“I want to be an inspiration to others,” she said. “So whenever I’m given the opportunity to represent my country I have to give my best.” She told FIFA.com

Watford's Odion Ighalo wants to play against Aston Villa as a tribute to his late father

Watford coach Quique Flores has revealed that Nigeria international Odion Ighalo has asked to play for Watford in this weekend's fixture against Aston Villa as a mark of respect/tribute to his late dad.
Ighalo's father, Paul Ighalo died in his sleep on Monday but Ighalo didn't fly back to Nigeria despite the club offering to give him compassionate leave.

‘I asked Ighalo what the mood is for this week,’ He wanted to stay here training and at the end of the season he wants to go to Lagos to see his family'.said Flores to pressmen during the club's pre-match press conference

‘His father passed away. He is sad but focused on the game.

‘I said do you want to train and do you want to be here? He said “yes I want to be here and I want to train. At the end of the season I want to go to Lagos but now I want to be here. He wants to dedicate the match for his father.’

Flores paid tribute to his 26 year old 16-goal top scorer saying he doesn't need extra motivation.

‘This is the kind of player who doesn’t need extra motivation,’ he said. ‘He is an amazing player, scoring goals for us at the start of the season

Kenneth Omeruo denies reports he wont be fit for next month's Super Eagles' friendlies

Super Eagles of Nigeria and Chelsea player Kenneth Omeruo who is on loan at Kasimpasa is currently nursing a groin injury but has dismissed reports that he won't be playing for the Super Eagles Friendly matches against Mali and Luxembourg next month. He also said his main reason for missing the Olympics in Rio is because his doctors have advised him not to participate as the strain from such a tournament will be too much for him to bear.

“I am happy that I have been called up for the friendly games against Mali and Luxembourg. I am looking forward to putting on the green and white of Nigeria again and giving my 100% to the team,” he told Super Eagles media officer Toyin Ibitoye.

“I am very fit and hope to stay this way for my club and country. “There is no truth in the reports that I am currently sidelined by groin injury.” Omeruo kept on telling Super Eagles media officer Toyin Ibitoye.  

 “I regret my inability to be part of the Olympic team but as a professional player one has to be guided by the recommendations of experts,” he said.

“My doctors advised that it is best I have a good rest during the off season and they felt participating at the Olympics won’t guarantee that so I had to pull out. In my absence I believe in the abilities of the national U23 team coaches and the players to do the nation proud in Rio.”

Nigerian born Chelsea player Dominic Solanke wants £50k per week after just 17mins of playing football

Dominic Ayodele "Dom" Solanke-Mitchell, a Nigerian born player currently on loan at Vitesse from Chelesa has told Chelsea that he will only commit his long term future to Chelsea if the club pay him £50,000 per week salary and promise him more game time with the first team according to reports by DailyMail.

Dominic's demands are outrageous due to the fact he has only played 17 minutes of competitive football for Chelsea's first team this season. A £50k salary will represent a ridiculous 600% increase on the 18 year old's current salary.

Solanke, who is spending the whole of this season on loan at Dutch outfit Vitesse, will walk away from Stamford Bridge as a free agent in the summer of 2017 if he does not extend his agreement.


Dominic Solanke is represented by his stepfather who is in talks with Chelsea. Solanke has represented England at under-16, under-17, and under-18 levels.

The English Premier League Table.... as at today

3 games left.....Chelsea's position tho!!

FIFA president Gianni Infantino meets Russian President Vladmir Putin (photos)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino met up with President Vladimir Putin recently, wrapping up a two-day visit to Russia in which he gave an overall positive assessment of the state of preparations for the 2018 World Cup. More photos after the cut.

Chelsea 0-3 Man City (Sergio Aguero's hat trick demolishes Chelsea at home)

Chelsea without any other trophy or ambition to fight for this season, from the first minute played without any real conviction as they were humbled by Champions League chasing Man City 3-0  at Stamford Bridge.
Three goals from Argentine hitman Sergio Aguero put misery on an already miserable Premier League season for Chelsea, with the result meaning Man City have temporarily leap frogged Arsenal into third place in the EPL standings.


Aguero opened the scoring for Man City in the 33rd minute after putting a classy finish after a fast counter attacking move by Manchester city before he then scored a second goal after good football work with Belgian and former Chelsea player Kevin De Bruyne .

Towards the end Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois committed a horrendous foul and was red carded,  resulting in Aguero finishing up the glorious night with his third goal of the match.
Chelsea would have wished former player Kevin De Bruyne  was still in its ranks,  as he was the creator in chief and his presence on the ball was always a thorn in Chelsea’s flesh.

Aguero's goals today mean he has scored in his third Premier League game in a row.  Chelsea with nothing to play for,  after its poor form under former coach Jose Mourinho will just hope for an end to this miserable season while they wait for new coach Antonio Conte to take over in the summer.

Other results today:
Norwich City 0-3 Sunderland
Everton 1-1 Southampton
Man U 1-0 Aston Villa
Newcastle 3-0 Swansea
West Brom 0-1 Watford
More photos...

 

 

 

 

Footballer John Ogu dedicates his goal to wife and unborn child with funny photo

The Nigerian professional footballer with Israel club Hapoel Beer Sheva celebrated the club's victory yesterday by dedicating the goal to his wife and unborn child.

"Thank God for d win and for the goal. Goal dedicated to my wife and unborn princess. Now focus on Cup semi on Wednesday" he captioned the photo