Vote for your sportlineng.com player and manager of the month of January.

[center]Player of the Month[/center]

Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars)

The Kano Pillars striker is presently the Nigeria Professional Football League top scorer with 6 goals. His goals have fired Kano Pillars to the 3rd position on the log.

Junior Lokosa scored at least a goal in each of his game except in matchday five against El-Kanemi Warriors.

In his last game, he scored a brace against the defending champions, Plateau United in Kano, making it 6 goals in 5 games played.

Victor Mbaoma (Akwa United)

The former Remo Stars striker is enjoying his time with the Promise Keepers. In six games played he has scored a total of three goals.

His goals are vital to the exploits of coach Abdu Maikaba side’s top form that has taken them to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League table.

Godwin Obaje (FCIU)

The former Wikki Tourists striker who was the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League top scorer is aiming the gong once more. Although Godwin Obaje missed two games due to an injury he sustained while scoring a goal for FCIU in their 2-0 victory over Kwara United on matchday three.

Godwin Obaje who returned to action in FC Ifeanyiubah’s 1-1 draw against Akwa United on matchday six has 3 goals in 4 games.

Chinedu Ohanachom (Yobe Desert Stars)

Chinedu Ohanachom has a total of four goals in six games his goals and contribution is the driving force to what the newcomers Yobe Desert Stars are achieving at the moment.

Samad Kadiri (Lobi Stars)

The attacker has three goals in five games his contribution has been key to Lobi Stars wonderful start to the new Nigeria Professional Football League campaign.

[center]Manager of the month[/center]

Abdu Maikaba (Akwa United)
The Promise Keepers manager who has vouched to keep his side at the top of the Nigeria Professional League are enjoying good a wonderful spell at the moment.

Abdu Maikaba’s Akwa United have won four, lost 1 and drawn their last game away from home against FC IfeanyiUbah in Nnewi.

Akwa United are sitting at the top of the log with 13 points, scored the highest number of goals 10 and conceded joint least number of goals.

Kennedy Boboye (Plateau United)

Having led his side to the league title a year ago, Kennedy Boboye is not leaving any stone unturned as he attempts to do the unthinkable of a back-to-back Nigeria Professional Football League wins.

His side have been in and out of a place on the top of the log. He has led his side to 4 wins, and 2 loses in their 6 games played so far. They have scored 7 goals and conceded 3 in the process.

Ibrahim Musa (Kano Pillars)

Ibrahim Musa seems to be on the right path as he attempts to bring back the Nigeria Professional Football League title to Kano State.
He has led Kano Pillars to the third place on the log with 3 wins, 2 draws and just one defeat so far after 6 games.

Duke Udi (Sunshine Stars)

Having helped the Owena Waves to escape relegation last season, the former Nigeria International is stamping his authority in the league with his boys.

He has taken Sunshine Stars to the 4th position in the Nigeria Professional Football League log with a record of 3 wins, 2 draws and a loss.

Solomon Ogbeide (Lobi Stars)

Without the services of last season top scorer who is with CHAN Eagles in Morocco, Solomon Ogbeide has managed to produce magic with the players at his disposal.

He has led his team to the 5th place on the log with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw and a defeat. They will be playing their 6th game of the season on Thursday away at Kwara.

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Super Eagles team B goal keeper trainer Coach Alloy Agu, has revealed that captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Ikechukwu Ezenwa at the ongoing is a solid goal keeper.

The Coach made who made this known to journalist while heaping praise on Ezenwa after he was voted man of the match in the Quarter-finals game between Nigeria and Angola which ended 2-1 in favor of the Super Eagles.

“Ezenwa is a solid goal keeper.

“We have confidence in him and more than able to deliver and he is showing it.”

The Enyimba goal keeper as only conceeded two goals thus far in the tournament and is the third Nigerian player to be awarded the man of the man award after Sunday Eze and Dayo Ojo.

Nigeria will face Sudan in one of the semi-final games in Marakesh on Wednedsay.

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Ahmed Musa has declared that he is happy to be back at CSKA Moscow after his unsuccessful spell at Leicester City.

CSKA Moscow confirmed the signing of Super Eagles attacker Ahmed Musa from the 2014-15 Premier League champions Leicester City until the end of 2017/18 season today.

The former Venlo attacker joined The Foxes for a then club record fee of £16.6 million On 8 July 2016 but has struggled to reproduce the form that made the former English champions broke the bank to bring in from Russia.

Ahmed Musa scored just two goals in 22 league appearances for The Foxes, he didn’t play a single league game this season scored in the cup game which happens to be the only game he played for Leicester City in the 2017/18 season.

But the former Nigeria Professional Football League top scorer has revealed his happiness at his return to the red-blue family.

Ahmed Musa scored just two goals in 22 league appearances for The Foxes, he didn’t play a single league game this season scored in the cup game which happens to be the only game he played for Leicester City in the 2017/18 season.

But the former Nigeria Professional Football League top scorer has revealed his happiness at his return to the red-blue family.

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Actions will resume again this midweek as games will be played across the federation in the 2017-18 Nigeria Professional Football league.

Below are the games to be played on Wednesday 31st of January, 2018.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah vs Akwa United FC
Kwara United FC vs Lobi Stars FC
Niger Tornadoes FC vs Heartland FC
Yobe Desert Stars FC vs Katsina United FC
Go-Round FC vs Nasarawa United FC
Rangers Int’l FC vs Rivers United FC
Enyimba Int’l FC vs Abia Warriors FC
Sunshine Stars FC vs El Kanemi Warriors FC
Kano Pillars FC vs Plateau United FC
MFM FC vs Wikki Tourists FC


All the games will be played by 4pm.

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Chelsea have reportedly struck a deal with Borussia Dortmund to send Michy Batshuayi to the club on loan.

The Belgian international has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge due to his lack of game time.

Under manager Antonio Conte this season, the forward has started 10 games in all competitions and made a further 14 appearances off the bench.

In that time, Batshuayi has scored 10 goals, but it has become evident that the 24-year-old does not fit into the coach’s plans.

According to the Daily Mail, a deal has been agreed between the Blues and Dortmund for the striker, who is keen to move to Germany in order to boost his chances of claiming a place in Belgium’s World Cup squad.

The report adds that Conte will demand a replacement ahead of Wednesday’s transfer deadline.

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West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku has been banned for six matches for spitting at Nick Powell in his side’s FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

The 24-year-old was sent off for the incident, which came in the 49th minute of the Hammers’ 2-0 defeat at the DW Stadium.

Masuaku apologised for his actions in a statement released on Sunday, admitting it was a “totally unacceptable” reaction that was “out of character”.

The Football Association confirmed the former Olympiacos man will be suspended for six matches, meaning he will sit out games against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Hove Albion, Watford, Liverpool, Swansea City and Burnley, returning for the home game against Manchester United on March 18.

Manager David Moyes described Masuaku’s conduct as “despicable” and confirmed he would face additional punishment from the club.

“He will get something off us,” Moyes said after the match.

“Let me not hide behind it. The referee didn’t see it, he was influenced by the players, but it was the right decision [to send Masuaku off].

“We gave him a chance, we like him, he’s a good boy around the club and I’ve enjoyed him. It is out of character.”

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Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo would reportedly be open to the idea of joining Premier League champions Chelsea at the end of the season.

Speculation over the 32-year-old’s future has grown since last summer, with Ronaldo thought to be unhappy in the Spanish capital having seen Madrid fall 16 points behind Barcelona in La Liga.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also faced allegations of tax evasion last year which are understood to have increased his desire to leave Spain.
A return to former club Manchester United has been suggested for a number of years now, but Ronaldo has also been linked with Chelsea and would be willing to return to the Premier League even if it meant playing for a different club to United.

The Mirror reports that Madrid could use Ronaldo in a deal to bring Eden Hazard to the Bernabeu, although the Portugal international has also been touted as a makeweight in a swap deal for Manchester United’s David de Gea.

Ronaldo has previously insisted that he wants to stay with Los Blancos, where he has scored 426 goals in just 420 games, while United manager Jose Mourinho recently suggested that the Red Devils would be unable to re-sign the forward.

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Super Eagles striker, Odion Jude Ighalo has revealed that his ex-teammate at Watford, Cameroon’s Allan Nyom was so furious at him for turning down a move to Hebei China Fortune FC in 2015 that he called him fool and asked him to report to him every morning for hot slap.

Odion Ighalo who eventually joined another Chinese club Changchun Yatai on the last day of the 2017 winter transfer said Allan Nyom and some of his teammates couldn’t comprehend his decision to stay in England while he had offer that could pay the entire Watford squad from China.

Speaking on Sports Zone on Lagos Talks on Wednesday, the 28-year-old revealed he didn’t know Watford already accepted a bid from a Chinese club where he had previously turned down offers but because he wanted out of Walter Mazzarri’s Watford he obliged to join the Chinese club.

“I didn’t know that Watford already accepted a bid from the Chinese club because they turned down Westbrom, Crystal Palace even Sam Allardyce called me that he wanted me, I told him to table a bid and wait to see what happens because I wanted out of Walter Mazzarri’s team.

“As you guys know, I once turned down offers from Chinese clubs for two seasons even some of my teammates said I was a fool. My friend Allan Nyom the Cameroon guy that plays for Westbrom now, he said ‘Hey, you, every morning when you come inside this dressing room you have to turn your ears let me be slapping you because you are crazy for turning this kind of money down.’

He said ‘he has never seen a fool like you before, imagine if you get injured and you don’t play football in your life you don’t know what this money will do in your life,’ “I told him to calm down that I have a dream of playing in the Premier League, this is my dream. Then I haven’t even kicked the football in the Premier League because back in Nigeria I watched Premier League on TV, I said this is my dream why can I just sell my dream because of money.”

The Changchun Yatai top scorer in last season’s Chinese Super League then revealed how the President, Football Director of Hebei China Fortune FC flew to England to sign him but he turned down their offer that was more than double the £200,000 per week he is currently earning.

“But it was diffcult for me, three nights I couldn’t sleep thinking about the money. This team flew from China, Hebei China Fortune FC the one Lavezzi is playing for, they flew from china with their President and Director of the Football.

“They offered me this money, we sat down in a meeting with my agent and three of them like this, they said this is what we want to offer you, I said I didn’t want to go they asked if the money is too small we are adding another 500,000 on it again, I said it is not the money, they said go and sleep about it.

“They called me in the morning, that they were adding another 500,000, I said it is not about the money I want to play in the Premier League, I looked drained talking about it, my teammates called me names but my agent said you are the actor here, whatever you want is what we’ll do, tomorrow I don’t want people saying we made the choice for you, sleep over it and make up your decieion.

“I prayed about it and I was convinced that was not the time for me to leave, then that season I blew up in the Premier League, without that season no one will know me this much so there are disadvantage sand advantage of everything, even what I am earning now is not even half of what they offered me then but I am happy I am enjoying the football there, and I am leaving my dream.”

Odion Ighalo went on to shie that season scoring a total of 30 goals in the 2015 calender year becoming the top scorer in England that year.


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Former Golden Eaglets assistant coach Nduka Ugbade has said Kelechi Iheanacho is a much better player than Leroy Sane.

Both 21, were in the books of Premier League big spenders Manchester City last season before Kelechi Iheanacho left for the 2015-16 Premier League champions Leicester City this summer.

Since his move to Leicester City, Kelechi Iheanacho has struggled to break into the first team while Leroy Sane who was named the Premier League player of the month of October has 6 goals, 6 assist in 8 Premier League games played for City so far this season.

Yet, Nduka Ugbade who had hands in Kelechi Iheanacho’s development said during in an interview with a popular radio station in Lagos said Leicester City’s forward Kelechi Iheneacho is a better player than Manchester City’s Leroy Sane.

“I would want to believe without any recourse to say because I have coached Kelechi.

“Kelechi is a lot better if you are talking about mental speed, Sane is good but Kelechi is much better.

“If given enough the opportunity that Sane has he will do better and as you have seen before, Kelechi played lesser matches last season and scored a lot of goals.

“Among the youths of the world, I believe Kelechi has the highest mental speed, never mind what is going on at Leicester City at the moment.”


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Predict correctly the outcome of the world cup qualifier match and win big.

We are rewarding EVERYONE who predicts correctly the scoreline of the World Cup qualifier match between Algeria vs Nigeria

Entries will end by 7:00pm on Friday.

Kindly write your preferred network in your predictions.

Note! Only comments on the sportlineng website will be considered.

Predict Here: https://www.sportlineng.com/2017/11/09/128496/

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are best we have seen in the last decade, maybe the best we have ever seen play football.

The Super Stars have both won 9 Ballon D’Ors, 56 trophies, scored 1,069 goals in 1,358 games. They both have five World player of the year awards each.

They are both Super Humans who respect one another and gets motivated by the other but yet many go this one is better than the other.

It is no longer a secret that Cristiano Ronaldo JR. is a big fan of Lionel Messi. As you can see Ronaldo took his son to greet his idol Messi who was on his seat.

Can you see the expression on Ronaldo’s face? it says it all.

Again, the two best players we have seen in our time sharing warm pleasantries.

After Ronaldo had been given the award, Messi was still all smile while Ronaldo JR. was probably checking if Lionel Messi is an alien, like his father. Yes, he is.

We should just stop the hate and appreciate these guys, they will go down as the best ever to have played the sport.

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Predict correctly the outcome of the following Champions League games that will be played on tomorrow and win big.

We are rewarding the top five people who predict correctly the score lines of the two games and there will be consolation prizes for top five people who predict correctly any one of the two games below.

Real Madrid vs Tottenham
Manchester City vs Napoli

Entries will end by 7:00 pm tomorrow.

Kindly indicate your preferred network in your predictions.

Note! Only comments on the website will be considered.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have moved three places in the latest FIFA Rankings released by world football governing body FIFA on Monday.

Nigeria ranked 44th in the August rankings, but the four points picked up in the World Cup 2018 Qualifier games against Cameroon has helped the three-time African champions move three spots to 41 in the world.

Nigeria remains 5th in Africa behind Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal and Congo DR ‎who are ranked as Africa’s top teams by FIFA going by their global ranking of 28th, 30th, 32th and 35th respectively.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria recently became the first African country to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup to be hosted in Russia.

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is proud that Nigeria will be going to the World Cup and even prouder that one of his players Alex Iwobi scored the goal that ensured Super Eagles qualification for Russia 2018, reports sportlineng.com.

The 67-year-old French tactician popularly called “Baba Ijebu or The Professor” in Nigeria who is the reason most Nigerian Gunners support the London club in a video released by Arsenal media congratulated the “very very very many many many many many” Arsenal supporters in Nigeria before tipping the Super Eagles to have a good outing in Russia.

“Good morning, congratulations to all our fans in Nigeria. I know that you are very very very many many many many many and we are very proud that you qualified.

“On top of that, of course, our player scored the goal for you and that make us even prouder, well done and see you in World cup and I am very sure you will have a great trip there.”

It is interesting that fans in Nigeria are beginning to get the proper recognition from the top European clubs they support. Recently it was Manchester United during the country’s independence day, now Arsene Wenger who signed Nwankwo Kanu from Inter Milan back in 1999.

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk3F5oDI4HM


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CHAN Eagles combative midfielder Afeez Aremu has called former Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi a humble and a great leader.

Afeez Aremu who has had an amazing season since he completed his free transfer move from Rivers United to Akwa United said those who haven’t had a one-on-one relationship with the 30-year-old Tianjin TEDA midfielder will call him proud and boastful while talking exclusively to sportlineng.com about his experience in the Eagles training camp.

“It was a great opportunity for me to train alongside Mikel Obi and other Super Eagles big names. Mikel most especial made me very relaxed at the training sessions.

“If you are not close to a person you wouldn’t know his/her character, Mikel is nice, not boastful or proud and he encouraged us a lot while I was with the Eagles.”

The former Sunshine Stars midfielder who was one of the players on the standby list for Nigeria-Zambia world cup qualifier clash thanked Eagles coach Gernot Rohr for giving him the opportunity to participate in the training sessions he called “special” while hoping to have chances in future to train with the big boys and one day play for the Super Eagles.

“I am grateful to coach Gernot Rohr and the technical crew for giving me the chance to train with the big boys, it is one that I will cherish for rest of my career. I hope to have many more of such opportunities in the future and one day very soon play for the Super Eagles.

“I enjoyed the sessions I had it was a little different from the ones I have had at various level in the past because there was so much fun at the training sessions, we trained and shared jokes like one happy family.”

Afeez Aremu played every minute as the CHAN Eagles cruised to WAFU Cup final before falling short to hosts Ghana who they defeated in their last group stage game to advance in the tournament.


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One of the players that made up of the Super Eagles’ “Oyibo wall” William Troost-Ekong has called out former Super Eagles handler Sunday Oliseh.

The former Tottenham trainee cited lack of trust as the reason why he didn’t feature regularly for the Super Eagles when Sunday Oliseh was in charge before asking if the Dutch Eerste Divisie side Fortuna Sittard handler is following his exploits with the Eagles.

“He didn’t believe in me then, but I think Nigerians can see now what I can do,” Troost-Ekong told aclsports.

“I hope he’s watching his TV now and seeing us going to the World Cup. No ill feelings, I saw him at the Olympics last year and we spoke briefly.”

The former Netherlands youth international hinted he found game time hard to come by during Oliseh’s spell as manager of the Super Eagles.

Troost-Ekong, who play for Bursaspor, made only two appearances for the national team, against Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo, under the stewardship of Oliseh before he was frozen out of the squad.

“The Olympics was like a restart for my international career. I was part of the Super Eagles until Sunday Oliseh took me out because he said Oyibo boys are too soft,” Troost-Ekong said.

Nigeria have kept seven clean sheets in 15 matches William Troost-Ekong featured for the national team, and he partnered German-born Leon Balogun in central defense in five of those games, against Chad, Mali, Tanzania, Cameroun and Zambia.


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Predict correctly the outcome of the world cup qualifier match and win big.

We are rewarding EVERYONE who predicts correctly the scoreline of the World Cup qualifier match between Nigeria vs Zambia

The match is a crucial one for both sides, a win for Nigeria will secure them a ticket to Russia and a win for the Zambians will take them to equal points with Nigeria.

Entries will end by 4:30pm on Saturday.

Kindly write your preferred network in your predictions.

Note! Only comments on the website will be considered.

Predict Here: https://www.sportlineng.com/2017/10/06/predict-result-nigeria-vs-zambia/

Gov Emmanuel redeems pledge, promises more goodies Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel on Wednesday redeemed his pledge of $10,000 per goal for the matches against Cameroon to the Super Eagles, while calling on the three –time African champions to go all out for a win against Zambia on Saturday and expect ‘a handsome reward’ from him.



Governor Emmanuel had promised the players the sum of $10,000 for every goal, two days before their clash with the African champions, whom the Eagles walloped 4-0 in Uyo on the first day of September,.before earning a 1-1 draw with the Lions in Yaounde three days later.

On Wednesday, the football –loving Governor and great host of the Super Eagles in this qualifying campaign, said there is more where the money came from, if the team earns a sixth FIFA World Cup appearance by winning on Saturday.



“I know you have the quality to overcome in this important match, but I don’t want you to under –rate your opponents. I love the professionalism and dedication to the cause that you have shown since the beginning of this qualifying campaign. Those efforts have put Nigeria at the top of the table.

“I want to commend the NFF, your coaches and the support staff for the great job they have all done in support of your efforts to get to this position. You are just one win away from achieving your goal. The Zambians are taking this game as a do-or-die affair, so we need to be totally focused and play like soldiers.”



Responding on behalf of the team, Captain Mikel John Obi thanked the Governor and pledged to him and indeed Nigerians everywhere that the Super Eagles will not disappoint on Saturday.

“We very much appreciate the role Your Excellency, the Government and good people of Akwa Ibom State, the NFF and Nigerians from all walks of life have played to get us to this position in this campaign. We know how much this match means and we will go out there and do the job.”



Nigeria will qualify for a sixth FIFA World Cup appearance with the minimum victory on Saturday. The match kicks off at 5pm.

Read more Exclusives: https://www.sportlineng.com/sportlineng-journal/

One of the Super Eagles invitees for the Nigeria-Zambia World Cup must win cracker was on target in his club’s 3-1 defeat in the Europa League Group Stage on Thursday.

Anthony Nwakaeme came off the bench to put one back for his Isreal-based club Hapoel Beer Sheva as they lost 3-1 away to FC Viktoria Plzeň at Doosan Aréna on Thursday.

The home side who lost their first group stage game 3-0 to Romania’s FCSB were the better team in the opening stages of the encounter and their impressive start was rewarded with a goal from Petrzela in the 29th minutes of the game off Kopic’s assist.

At the end of the interval, it was FC Viktoria Plzeň 1- 0 Hapoel Beer Sheva. Hapoel Beer Sheva who won their first game against Lugano 2-1 came out a different team in the second half and they got their equalizer in the 69th minute through Anthony Nwakaeme.

Anthony Nwakaeme scored his goal 7 minutes after coming in for former Chelsea player Ben Saher, the Nigerian controlled a pass from Elo in front of a defender before powering in from the box.

Unfortunately for the visitors, their joy was cut short 7 minutes after Nwakaeme’s goal as Kopic who provided the hosts’ first goal put his name on the scorers’ chat and Nwakaeme and co were dealt further blow when Bakos scored the third goal three minutes after coming on to seal the win for Viktorka.

John Ogu was on for the entire duration of the match as he also couldn’t stop the hosts from beating Hapoel Beer Sheva in Czech Republic.

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Sports journalists in Oyo State under the aegis of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo State chapter have suggested a 60% privatisation of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, while the Oyo State government takes charge of the remianing 40%.

This suggestion was made on behalf of Oyo SWAN by the chairman of the association, Adeniyi Alebiosu, when he appeared before the Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Youth and Sport as one of the stakeholders invited by the committee following the relegation of 3SC to the lower cadre of the Nigerian football league in the just-concluded Nigeria Professional Football League season.

Oyo SWAN noted with dismay that 3SC which is seen as the pride of Nigerian football and one of the leading and famous football clubs on the continent of Africa since the current democratic dispensation in the country had been relegated from the top flight of Nigerian football league four times (1999, 2006, 2013 and 2017).

The association posited that as a matter of urgency, the factors that has been a thorn in the flesh of the club which is responsible for its dwindling fortunes should be address immediately without wasting time.

It was however, suggested that the club should be privatised with government holding on 40% while 60% should be given to interested members of the public to run.

“If the government refused to privatise the club, more money should be allocated to the club to enable it recruit quality players who can make the team compete favourably with its counterparts”.

Oyo SWAN, further hinted that the internal crisis rocking the club should be critically looked into and resolve amicably. Oyo State government was also advised to look into the role of the supporters club and ensure it is totally redefined. It noted that the supporters club is factionalised stressing that this is unhealthy for the growth of the club.

In order to attract sponsors to the club, Oyo SWAN suggested that the government must ensure that there is transparency in the running of the club as this remains a major way to attract sponsors. While undue interference from ex-players and former club administrators should be put to a halt.

By: Olaleye Idowu

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President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. AmajuPinnick has denied a report that claimed “a top official of AITEO group” had stated the company was not happy with the way the AITEO Cup competition was being handled by the football –ruling body.

“AITEO Group has continued to express delight at the visibility they are getting from the relationship with the Nigeria Football Federation. Top officials of AITEO Group were with the NFF in Uyo and Yaounde during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers earlier this month, and they have continued to talk about their satisfaction with the relationship and the way everything is going.

“The story is borne out of sheer mischief. The attempt was to rock what amounts to be the biggest partnership in the history of Nigerian Football but it has failed.”

Pinnick showered encomiums on AITEO Group for the noble steps they have taken to boost Nigerian Football and said the report was uncalled –for at a period positive results are gladdening the hearts of members of the football fraternity.

“AITEO Group is very happy with the handling of the sponsorship agreements on coaches’ salary and AITEO Cup. They are overjoyed we even went farther than the agreement by paying even coaches who were owed by previous NFF administrations.

“That report is not correct. It is sheer blackmail because I speak with the top echelon of AITEO everyday and they are so happy with the NFF that they are even asking to take over more properties of Nigerian Football. We are looking at the FIFA World Cup ticket; our boys are making progress at the WAFU Cup and; things are looking up.

We can do without puerile distractions.”

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Barely five months after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) celebrated two sponsorship deals with Aiteo Group, an energy company, the oil and gas outfit is considering its options following alleged poor derivatives from the agreements.

The NFF and Aiteo Group in April signed a N2.5 billion Federation Cup sponsorship deal that will see the competition run without hitches for the next five years. The deal conferred on Aiteo Group the right as titleholder for the competition, which was promptly renamed AITEO Cup.

The parties had earlier reached an agreement that placed the responsibility of payment of national team coaches’ salaries on Aiteo Group, a move celebrated by Nigerian football enthusiasts because it was seen as the permanent solution to the NFF’s perennial inability to pay its coaches.

The FA Cup deal ensures that Aiteo underwrites the costs of the organisation of the competition, which encompasses the costs of organising the competition from the round of 64 to the men and women’s finals, solidarity support to Football Associations of the 36 States and the FCT, expenses and indemnities of match officials, support to participating clubs, media, branding/activation and prize money to winners.

On its part, the NFF is expected to provide, through different activations, visibility for the Aiteo Group, especially during the Federation Cup competition and matches of the national teams. But the oil and gas outfit alleged that the NFF has not lived up to the agreements. A senior AITEO Group official told journalists last week that the company was reviewing its partnership with the NFF because it is not satisfied by the way the federation is ‘handling things.’

Pleading anonymity, the Aiteo official said: “They told us that the Aiteo Cup will be a media event, which means the competition will be widely publicized. But it is almost coming to an end and the newspapers and broadcast media seem not to know what is happening.

“We have not seen the programme for the competition. In fact, the NFF only informed us of the quarterfinals’ draws a few hours before the event. There is no plan for anything … things are not done that way. We are talking of more than N5 billion sponsorship that has been made so difficult for us to leverage on. If this NFF continued this way, we will be forced to review our relationship with them.”

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Former Chelsea manager Glen Hoddle has suggested that his former club’s new signing Davide Zappacosta has sent a strong message to Victor Moses and Antonio Conte.

Davide Zappacosta signed from Torino on the last day of the 2017 summer transfer was selected ahead of Victor Moses for the English champions first game in the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League campaign against Azerbaijan champions Qarabag and was impressive.

Victor Moses who played a total of 39 games in all competition last season was one of Antonio Conte’s regular since the Italian manager switched to a 3-4-3 formation but the former England and Tottenham manager believes an end may have come to his automatic selection because of the Italian performance against Qarabag.

“It was too easy for them, I think when you are playing an inferior team you’ve got to show that class and they did that and I think Conte will be delighted,” he told Sky Sports

“The result is good for the confidence of some of their new signings who were on the scorers’ sheet.

“Although Zappacosta’s goal was a bit of a fluke, he was very decent and Moses is sitting on the bench thinking, you know what, I have got to react to this, so the coach wins in every which way.”

Victor Moses who was one of the players rested against Qarabag is expected to start against Arsenal when Chelsea face their London rivals on Sunday at the Stamford Bridge.

Do you think Moses’ time is up?

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President of the Zambian Football Association, Andrew Kamanga, has tipped the Chipolopolo to break their World Cup jinx by beating the Super Eagles in next month’s 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo, which would put them in pole position to qualify for the tournament in Russia.

Zambia are the only team in group A, yet to qualify for any World Cup tournament. Cameroon, Algeria and Nigeria, who make up the group have all qualified for the World Cup finals.

The Super Eagles, who are unbeaten in four matches in the current qualifiers, top the table with 10 points, three more than Zambia, who they confront on October 7 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

But Kamanga believes that the Chipolopolo can break the odds and secure a first World Cup ticket, at the expense of the Super Eagles.

‘’We are putting in every effort to make sure that this team is adequately prepared as we face Nigeria, which for me is the do or die game whoever wins that game will be assured of going to Russia 2018,’’ Kamanga told fazfootball.com.

‘’But most interestingly in this group, we are the only ones who have never been to the World Cup, but with the favour we continue to draw on we should be able to qualify, come November because we have the advantage of playing Cameroon in the final round.’’

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Last season in the Nigeria Professional Football league attentions were on games involving champions elect Rangers International and Wikki Tourists who had a mathematical chance of snatching the title from the Flying Antelopes should they slack.

Rangers took care of business from their end beating El Kanemi Warriors 4-0 to render Wikki Tourists 2-0 victory over Sunshine Stars irrelevant and claimed their first title in 32 years.

Eleven months after the drama, once again going into the last games of the Nigeria Professional Football League season, Rangers International will be involved in determining who will win the title and according to Amobi Ezeaku they are delighted and battle ready.

Bar. Amobi Ezeaku who is the team manager of the Flying Antelopes told Sportlineng that the feeling in the reigning champions dressing room ahead of their last game of the season against the ‘champions elect’ Plateau United is similar to last season’s when they hosted El Kanemi Warriors in Enugu.

Rangers were crowned the Nigeria Professional Football League champions at their Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium home ground in front of their fans on 2 October 2016 and yet again they could decide who wins the title this season as both Plateau United and MFM FC go into the last game of the season as potential champions.
“I feel excited. I also feel nostalgic. The feeling of 2nd October 2016 resonates in me,” said Amobi Ezeaku.

“We felt so glad to be in the centre of a footballing history and until this day we are grateful. It is dramatic that the defending champions would be playing her final league game against the champion’s elect. The feeling is just awesome.

“It is a big game tomorrow and we are focused on doing our best. We are prepared for Platea United.

“Whoever emerges the champions after tomorrow would surely be given the mantle to be the king of the League. We’ve enjoyed our own kingship as last year’s champions and we have less than twenty-four hours to relinquish our kingship.”

Amobi Ezeaku wasn’t impressed with his team’s overall performances in all competitions in the concluding season while hoping that the 2017-18 Nigeria Professional Football League season brings them good fortunes.

“Not fully satisfied. We wished to do exploits in the champions league but that was not to be. We struggled through the NPFL and are lucky to be saved. We hope for a better season next year.”

While Plateau United who has 63 points will play Rangers at home, MFM FC with 62 points will travel to Maiduguri to play El-Kanemi Warriors who are undefeated in their last 31 home matches since a 3-1 defeat to Akwa United in March last year.

WHO WILL WIN THE LEAGUE, PLATEAU UNITED OR MFM FC?

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Augustine Azuka “Jay-Jay” Okocha’s former boss Sam Allardyce has revealed how the Nigerian and football legend became a ‘talented world class footballer’.

The winner of the first BBC African player of the year award is generally regarded by many as one of the most skillful, talented of his generation and one of his former coaches has revealed how his confidence, technique, creativity, and dribbling skills came about.

Jay Jay Okocha started his career in Nigeria at Enugu Rangers before joining a German third division club Borussia Neunkirchen, then Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga where he starred under the tutelage of Jupp Heynckes.

In total, he spent six of his early footballing years in Germany and Sam Allardyce said that was an integral part of his illustrious career.

“As you all know, I had a player named Jay Jay Okocha who left home, Africa, at the age of 14,” said Allardyce at Sky Sports debate show on Wednesday while talking about Jadon Sancho’s move from Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund.

“Okocha said that was the making of his career because of what the German system taught him, he learnt the language and become very disciplined world class talented footballer who moved on to do things not only for his country but in all leagues he played in.”

The 1994 African Cup of Nations winner went on to play for Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers, Qatar SC and Hull City before calling it quit at the age 34 due to injury.

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Zambia beat Algeria 1-0 in Constantine to move within three points of Group B leaders Nigeria in African World Cup qualifying.

The Zambians’ first victory in Algeria came after teenager Patson Daka lifted the ball home midway through the second half.

The visitors also had Kennedy Mweene to thank after the goalkeeper saved Riyad Mahrez’s first-half penalty.

Zambia meet Nigeria next, in Uyo on 7 October, in a crucial tie.
Three months ago, 18-year-old Daka was one of Zambia’s star players as the team reached the quarter-finals of the Under-20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Algeria – who performed creditably at the 2014 World Cup where they took champions Germany to extra-time – can no longer qualify for Russia next year.

The failure was greeted badly by some fans in Constantine, where the Desert Foxes missed several late chances.

They stay rooted to the bottom of the table with just one point and three defeats from their four games.


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Tyson Fury is unsure if he would be able to stage a comeback to boxing against the reigning world champion Anthony Joshua.

The self-styled Gypsy King has not been seen in action since dethroning former undisputed unified heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015, ballooning to more than 26 stone in weight while living a carefree lifestyle.

After beating Klitschko, Fury was forced to vacate the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO belts following a period of inactivity and a series of well-documented personal issues.

But the 28-year-old announced his return to the sport earlier this year, sending fans into a frenzy by posting frequent videos of himself working out in the gym.

Claiming to be motivated by the prospect of reclaiming his crown from the likes of Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker, Fury appeared to be set on losing the weight and getting back in the ring.
But in a recent interview with Box Nation, the Manchester man seemed a little less sure of his future.

“My time was two years ago,” he said.

“If I come back there will be an announcement but if I don’t then goodbye.

“For this game, you’ve gotta really love it and want it – you’ve gotta be very, very hungry.
“I’m undefeated – second in the history of heavyweight champions to retire unbeaten behind Rocky Marciano.

“I’ve unified the full division, beat the man who couldn’t be beaten – do I need to do anymore?”

Earlier this year, he revealed that promoter Eddie Hearn had reserved a date at Wembley Stadium in anticipation of a lucrative showdown between himself and Anthony Joshua.

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Manchester United already rolled out the red carpet for star recruit Romelu Lukaku.

But the Premier League giants had a proper taste of Hollywood after rubbing shoulders with some A-list celebrities on Tuesday.

In Los Angeles for the International Champions Cup, United – including former player Bojan Djordjic – bumped into WWE-star-turned-actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Standing almost two metres tall, The Rock would make a decent goalkeeper should David de Dea ever leave Old Trafford.United midfielder Juan Mata was also snapped with award-winning actress Julia Roberts following training in the United States.

Roberts is a keen football fan, having been spotted at Old Trafford and Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu in recent months.Manchester United kick-off their pre-season against MLS side LA Galaxy on July 15 before facing Real Salt Lake two days later.

United’s ICC campaign gets underway with a Manchester derby on July 20, followed by fixtures against Real Madrid (July 23) and Barcelona (July 26).

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Former Africa champion Omar Assar got a taste of what he gave Aruna Quadri as the Nigerian beat the Egyptian 4-3 in what looked a repeat of last year’s final to claim the 2017 title.

Aruna Quadri who reached the semi-finals of the African Championship for the first time last year lost to the Egyptian in the final but the Nigerian ensured there was no repeat of last year’s 4-3 defeat.

In his last three meeting with the two-time African champion, Aruna Quadri had fallen short on each attempt but the final in Morroco last night was a different case.

Having conquered Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali 4-0 in the semi-final, Quadri showed his class to beat Egypt’s Omar Assar in the final of the 2017 ITTF Africa Cup to qualify for the ITTF World Cup in France.

Throughout the encounter, Quadri who played without any coach was calm throughout the encounter even when Assar was leading, he never gave up but continued to fight.

In the Women’s singles final, defending champion Olufunke Oshonaike who has won the competition on three occasions 1992, 2002 and 2016 lost 4-0 to Egypt’s Dina Meshref.

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Robert Lewandowski would reportedly pick Chelsea over Manchester United if the pair got into a bidding war for the Bayern Munich striker.

The Poland international’s future at the Bundesliga club has fallen into doubt after reports emerged claiming that the 28-year-old is unhappy with the German outfit.

One of the forward’s representatives Maik Barthel recently revealed that his client was frustrated that the club and head coach Carlo Ancelotti failed to support him in his attempts to end last season as top scorer.

In the end, Lewandowski netted 30 goals, but Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took the individual title after bringing up his tally to 31 on the final weekend of the season.

According to Polish journalist Maciej Iwanski, the Bayern forward is contemplating his future and there has been interest from both Chelsea and United, but a move to London is his preferred choice.

The Daily Star translates Iwanski’s tweet as saying: “Today I had a very interesting conversation in the context of Robert Lewandowski with a knowledgeable Spanish colleague. He claims that Real [Madrid] will give up the fight for Robert, because they have Benzema, and he has not harmed Zidane.

“Besides, there is no good offer for the Frenchman [to leave Real]. Also. Really interesting to note when he said that ‘Besides, Real is not going to chase with others interested.’ Reportedly the wish of Robert has been… Chelsea.

“For years Jose Mourinho has been interested in Lewandowski. The player himself is considering transfer, but to London. [Lewandowski’s] agent, Cezary Kucharski, of course, does not confirm, but the one who called me – the information is checked. Believe me.”

The striker controversially joined Bayern from Dortmund in 2014.

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Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh, insisted on Tuesday that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should apologise to the government and people of the state if reports in the media that Super Eagles next home match has been moved away from Uyo is true.

Speaking in his office on the reasons advanced for the purported moving of future Super Eagles matches away from Uyo as a result of the recent 2 – 0 loss to the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Mr. Udoh described them as weak and baseless.

The Commissioner maintained that Eagles had the best of support from the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, and that the NFF should not have contemplated such a move, it at all it did.

According to him, “the 30,000 capacity facility in Uyo remains the best-maintained stadium in Nigeria and ranks among the best in the world.”

He stressed that “at no point in time were the Nigerian players booed throughout the duration of the match against South Africa, as would have been the case in other venues.”

On the distance from Le’Meridien Ibom Hotel to the Stadium, as one of the reasons for the poor result posted by the Eagles, Mr. Udoh said it could not have been because the Bafana Bafana team was also lodged at the same facility and covered the same distance before the match.

He stated that on the contrary, the Ibom Le’Meridien Hotel & Golf Resort was a nice environment for good team bonding.


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