Category : Other Sports

Manu not under pressure

Head coach of Nigeria National U-17 team, Manu Garba has revealed that his team is more than fifty per cent ready for the 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations. Nigeria will play host Tanzania in the opening game of the U-17 AFCON on April 14. The Golden Eaglets who are five-time world champions are also billed to participate in a pre-tournament competition in Turkey next month. When asked if he was under pressure, having failed to qualify the team for the last AFCON and World Cup, the 2013 U-17 World Cup-winning coach says he is not new in the terrain and boasted that he hopes to qualify for the 2019 World Cup as African champions. ”All my life I don’t even know the word pressure because I am a firm believer of destiny. Nigeria being the best at U-17 level, I happen to be one of the coaches that have two World Cup medals,” said Manu Garba. ”I had never been under pressure because we believe in what we are doing to make sure we prepare our team very well for this competition.” ”The ultimate is to go to Tanzania first, qualify for the World Cup but most importantly, qualify as African champions. ”These are our aspirations, we just have one and half months to prepare but God willing, we would raise a team to make Nigeria proud by qualifying for t...

I’ve something in common with Ter Stegen, Leno, says Okoye

German-born Nigerian shot-stopper, Maduka Okoye has declared he has a lot in common with Germany and Barcelona goalkeeper Marc- Andre Ter Stegen and Arsenal’s Bernd Leno, as the trio honed their trade from the famous German goalkeeping school in Borussia M’gladbach, AOIFootball.com reports. The 19-year-old, who has been linked with a future invite to the national team, told AOIFootball.com in an exclusive chat, that he has learned a lot from one of the best goalkeeping schools in the world and hopes to reach the pinnacle of his career soonest. “German goalkeeping schools are one of the best in the world, if not the best. I schooled there for the better part of my life and career and also played in the youth ranks at Bayern Leverkusen,” Okoye said. He went further to tell AOIFootball.com that he trained with arguably, some of the best goalkeepers in the world and feels confident in his ability even as he continues with his development. “I schooled with the best of the best and among them was Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen who was ahead of me then but his abilities now are not surprising because of the background he started from. “At Bayern Leverkusen, I also trained with Bernd Leno and that really helped me as the coaches told me to keep improving because they saw potentials in m...

Omeruo: Nigeria can win 2019 AFCON

Nigeria international defender Kenneth Omeruo says the Super Eagles can win the 2019 AFCON set to take place in Egypt this summer. Omeruo has 41 caps to his name and was part of the Nigeria squad that lifted the 2013 AFCON title in South Africa. He also represented the Super Eagles in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The 25-year-old joined Chelsea in 2012 coming from Belgium’s Standard de Liege. Even after winning the U-21 Premier League he wasn’t able to cement his place in the first team. He joined his fair share of European clubs, on loan, including, Middlesborough, Kasimpasa and finally Leganes. Omeruo stated that Nigeria has a very young and talented squad and is able to win the tournament. “I think we have what it takes to win the AFCON. We have a good team, a young team,” Omeruo told Footballlive.ng. “We can get to the final and even win the tournament. It is just that, we will take every game as it comes with the seriousness it deserves.” Nigeria secured its place in the upcoming AFCON as they sit first in their group with 10 points and one game to spare. Their final game will be against Seychelles.

Falcons fly to Cyprus Sunday for 12-team invitational tourney

Nigeria’s female national team, the Super Falcons will fly out to Cyprus on Sunday, as they get set to commence healthy hostilities in this year’s edition of a 12-team invitational competition in the tiny Island nation. Sports247.ng gathered that Falcons’ coach, Thomas Dennerby has rolled out a list of 24 players that will don Nigeria’s green-and-white colours at the 12th Cyprus International Cup, where they will open against Austria on Wednesday, before also facing Slovakia and Belgium in Group C. Asisat Oshoala and Ngozi Ebere are back in Thomas Dennerby’s squad after both ladies missed the team’s trip to China for a similar competition last month, where they lost to the hosts and settled for bronze in the third-place match against Romania, who earlier lost to South Korea. The nine-time African champions will now aim to take the top spot at the Cyprus Cup competition, which will hold from Wednesday, February 27 to March 6 in the Mediterranean country. After battling Austria, the 39th ranked Falcons will play Belgium (21st) and Slovakia (45th) to reach the next stage of the annual invitational. The Falcons’ full list of players are three goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Confluence Queens); and Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels); as well as six def...

Cesc Fabregas Gives His Opinion On Chelsea’s Current Poor Form

Monaco star, Cesc Fabregas, has said he is shocked at Chelsea’s recent poor form. He, however, backed his former club to eventually come good. Recall that the Spaniard left the London side for AS Monaco in the January transfer window following five successful years at the club, winning the Premier League twice along with one FA Cup triumph. However, since his departure Maurizio Sarri’s men have endured a difficult few weeks, suffering embarrassing defeats to both Bournemouth and Manchester City. Speculation continues to surround Sarri’s future while questions are also being asked of the squad, but Fabregas insists the players are capable of still winning a trophy this season. Fabregas told CNN Sport. “These things happen. It’s a shame really because it’s difficult to experience 4-0 defeats, 6-0 defeats. “It does [surprise me] because I never experienced that at Chelsea in my five years. This is a good team, though, and I believe in them. “I’m sure they can still win titles this year. 100 percent I believe that, so they just need to put things together because now is the right time to do it. Nothing is lost. “They can still fight for many things and have to make sure that they don’t regret it at the end.” The post Cesc Fabregas Gives His Opinion On Chelsea’s Current Poor Fo...

BREAKING! Chelsea Finally Reveal Manager To Replace Sarri

Former Premier League champions, Chelsea have finally revealed the manager that will replace current boss, Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge. Sarri, who joined Chelsea last summer, has been under intense pressure at Stamford Bridge due to the club’s recent poor performance. The Telegraph reports that the Blues has identified England assistant ‘manager’, Steve Holland as the coach that will eventually take over from Sarri until the end of the season if he is sacked. The report claimed that Chelsea board are ready to will send an ‘SOS’ to Holland to try and salvage the remainder of their season. Holland worked as part of the coaching team under Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo, Rafael Benitez, Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink, during his time at Chelsea. Chelsea will tackle Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. The post BREAKING! Chelsea Finally Reveal Manager To Replace Sarri appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

PREMIER LEAGUE! Man City Star Defender Signs New Contract Till 2025

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has signed a two-year contract extension at the Premier League champions, taking his deal to 2025. The French centre-back joined City from Spanish La Liga club Athletic Bilbao for a club record £57m in January 2018. Laporte, 24, has established himself at the heart of Pep Guardiola’s defence, making 36 appearances in all competitions this season. “This club offers me everything I need to improve my game,” he said. “I’ve already made great strides and I want to continue getting better and better. “Obviously, I want to win silverware and I feel City is the best place to fulfil all my ambitions.” The post PREMIER LEAGUE! Man City Star Defender Signs New Contract Till 2025 appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

See Why Arsenal Striker Lacazette Is Suspended For Both Europa League Games Against Rennes

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has been suspended for three matches and will therefore miss the both of the club’s last-16 Europa League games against Rennes. Lacazette was sent off as Arsenal suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to BATE Borisov in the first leg of their last-32 tie. The 27-year-old was dismissed for elbowing Aleksandar Filipovic in the 86th minute. The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) decided to suspend him for three games so the player, having already served one match of the ban in the second leg win over BATE, will be suspended for a further two matches against Rennes. Arsenal were drawn against the Ligue 1 outfit in Friday’s Europa League last-16 draw. The post See Why Arsenal Striker Lacazette Is Suspended For Both Europa League Games Against Rennes appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

Pep Guardiola Reacts As FIFA Slam Chelsea With Transfer Ban

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said Chelsea’s prospective transfer ban will not impact Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. Guardiola also thinks City’s 6-0 defeat of Chelsea earlier this month, will give Maurizio Sarri’s extra motivation for the game at Wembley. Chelsea have been banned from signing players for two transfer windows, after being found guilty of breaching rules about signing minors by FIFA. Asked how he thought a potential ban might impact Chelsea in the coming years, Guardiola told Sky Sports: “In the future, I don’t know. “In terms of the game, it will not have any impact. “Their players and their manager will be focused on winning the game.” Asked if the FIFA decision should lead to wider concerns about the recruitment of young players, Guardiola replied: “I am not concerned with the reasons why they are banned. “I cannot speak about that, because I am not the right guy to talk about that. “I know it has changed a lot since I was a football player. “All the teams buy young players and a lot of people buy our young players, but I don’t know what happened there.” The post Pep Guardiola Reacts As FIFA Slam Chelsea With Transfer Ban appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

UEFA Europa League: Arsenal draw Rennes

English sides Chelsea and Arsenal will feel confident of reaching the 2018/2019 UEFA Europa League quarter-finals after being handed winnable ties in Friday’s last 16 draw. Chelsea have been paired with Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev, while Arsenal meet Rennes. Chelsea will host the first leg, scheduled for March 7, at home before the away tie take place a week later. Arsenal were drawn first against Rennes, but start in France before returning to London due to the UEFA city clash rule. Three-time European champions Inter Milan have been given a tough task against Eintracht Frankfurt, with the first leg in Germany, while record Europa League winners Sevilla meet Slavia Prague. Another former European champion Benfica travel to Dinamo Zagreb, Napoli meet RB Salzburg, Valencia play Krasnodar and Zenit St Petersburg take on Villarreal. Read Also: UEFA set to review 53 year old away goals rule The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the draw for the last 16 took place in Nyon, Switzerland. The Draw: Chelsea vs Dynamo Kiev Eintracht Frankfurt vs Inter Milan Dinamo Zagreb vs Benfica Napoli vs RB Salzburg Valencia vs Krasnodar Sevilla vs Slavia Prague Rennes vs Arsenal Zenit St Petersburg vs Villarreal First leg ties are scheduled for March 7, while the second legs are for March 14.(d...

France 2019: Trophy begins tour of 24 cities February 24

& As part of the build up to the FIFA Women’s world cup billed for 7 June to 7 July in France, the coveted trophy will begin world tour on Sunday February 24. The world tour is aimed at bringing the trophy closer to fans and giving them opportunity to touch and appreciate the trophy. Twenty four teams including Super Falcons will be on parade in France. The trophy will return to France in a final celebratory stop before the Women’s World Cup kicks off with the opening match between hosts France and Korea Republic on 7 June, Several of the tour’s stops will be open to the public. FIFA Legends from men’s and women’s football will be in attendance at various stops to meet fans and celebrate the imminent start of the FIFA Women’s World Cup where the best women’s footballers in the world will compete for the chance to lift the FIFA Women’s World Cup Winner’s trophy. Designed by William Sawaya and hand-crafted by Milanese specialists Sawaya & Moroni in 1998 in time for the 1999 tournament, the trophy, standing at 47cm and weighing 4.6kg, captures the athleticism, dynamism and elegance of international women’s football. Fitted with a modern, cone-shaped base that reinforces the uplifting spirit of the design, the trophy stretches skywards in the form of a spiral band, enc...

Juve defeat: Angry Ronaldo adopts Mourinho’s reaction

& Just before former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was sent packing, he reacted angrily after the team lost 3-0 to Tottenham. At a post-match meeting the special one demanded respect from the media reminding anyone who cares to listen that he alone won three premiership titles more the all the 19 premiership managers put together “I won more Premierships alone than the other 19 managers together,” Mourinho said. “Three for me and two for them” he said while putting up three fingers in the air to buttress his point. The scenario however played out again Wednesday but this time not with Mourinho but with Juventus forward and Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo after the Italian giants were defeated 2-0 by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League tie A wound-up Cristiano Ronaldo continued to taunt Atletico Madrid fans holding up five fingers in the media zone for each of his Champions League titles. Having been singled out by the Spanish supporters on Wednesday night, the Portuguese responded to taunts by repeatedly performing the gesture, a clear reference to his incredible success in the competition. And evidently the 34-year-old was still seething after the game as he marched through the Wanda Metropolitano media zone with a scowl on h...

FINALLY! Chelsea Boss Sarri Speaks On Dumping The Club For Greener Pastures

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has dismissed claims he has been approached by Roma. Reports yesterday suggested Roma have made contact with Sarri and his representatives over a move to bring him back to Serie A to replace current Giallorossi boss Eusebio Di Francesco. Sarri told BT Sport, when quizzed on the reported meeting, after Chelsea’s Europa League victory over Malmo: “No, I have a contract with Chelsea for the next two seasons so it is impossible to have another contract. “I read in an Italian newspaper something about a meeting with Franco Baldini but I think for the moment Franco is in South Africa so it is very difficult.” Italian newspaper, La Repubblica had reported that this week that Baldini, a personal adviser to Roma owner, James Pallotta, met with Sarri in London. Notwithstanding, Sarri has been under increasing pressure at Stamford Bridge following a record Premier League defeat to Manchester City and FA Cup elimination at the hands of Manchester United. The post FINALLY! Chelsea Boss Sarri Speaks On Dumping The Club For Greener Pastures appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

‘Ferguson & Wenger Were My SWEETEST ENEMIES’- Jose Mourinho Reveals

Former Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has said that legendary Red Devils boss, Alex Ferguson and ex-Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger were his “sweet enemies”. According to Mourinho, it was all about confrontation of forces between himself, Ferguson and Wenger during their time in the Premier League. He stated this ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday. “Wenger is a very intelligent person and one of the best managers in the history of football,” Mourinho was quoted by Goal as saying. “I arrived in England and I found ‘the Invincibles’ and I found Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson very much hurt by that Arsenal season. “And we were like a third force coming. Chelsea had a great desire to be champions for the first time in so many years. So, of course, it was the confrontation of forces and you can imagine that Sir Alex, Wenger and myself we were fighting for the same. We were like, I like to say in football, ‘sweet enemies’. “My feeling is where are the next ‘Invincibles’? Where are they? Who did it again? Who made people forget that he was the manager of the invincible team? Lots of philosophies, lots of talk, lots of PR. Football today is a lot about this, but [it is about] results, and who did better than him?” The post ‘F...

Chelsea Set To Appeal Against Transfer Ban Slammed By FIFA

Chelsea have been banned from signing players in the next two transfer windows for breaching rules in relation to youth players, Fifa has announced. The ban, until the end of January 2020, does not prevent the release of players and will not apply to their women’s and futsal teams. The Premier League club have said they will appeal against the decision. Chelsea have also been fined £460,000, while the Football Association (FA) has been fined £390,000. It comes following a Fifa investigation into Chelsea’s signing of foreign under-18 players, including former striker Bertrand Traore. The world governing body says it found breaches in 29 cases out of 92 investigated. “We welcome the fact Fifa has accepted that there was no breach in relation to 63 of these players, but the club is extremely disappointed that Fifa has not accepted the club’s submissions in relation to the remaining 29 players,” said a statement from the Stamford Bridge club. “Chelsea acted in accordance with the relevant regulations and will shortly be submitting its appeal to Fifa.” The post Chelsea Set To Appeal Against Transfer Ban Slammed By FIFA appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.