Archive for Sports

Manchester United, Arsenal draw 1-1 in EPL clash

October 1, 2019 Football, Perspective, Sports No comments

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Arsenal on Monday in a Premier League game which was a poor imitation of some of the past clashes between the clubs.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 58th minute goal, given after VAR review, cancelled out Scott McTominay’s well-struck opener on the stroke of halftime, but it was a game which highlighted the weaknesses of the two teams.

The result leaves United in 10th place with just nine points, their worst start after seven games for 30 years and they have won just one of their last six league games.

Arsenal are in fourth spot on 12 points but their nine-point gap with leaders Liverpool illustrates just how far away they are from being real contenders.

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Lionel Messi Wins FIFA Men’s Player Of The Year Award

September 23, 2019 Football, Sports No comments

Argentine international and Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi has won the footballer of the year award at the FIFA awards.

He beat favourite Virgil Van Dijk, who won the European Player of the year prize last month.

Messi has now won six world player of the year awards, one ahead of rival, Cristiano Ronaldo

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp won the men’s coach of the year.

‘Its time to punish racists’ – FIFA urges Italy

September 23, 2019 Football, Sports No comments

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has urged Italian soccer authorities to hand out stadium bans for supporters guilty of racism after another incident in a Serie A match between Atalanta and Fiorentina on Sunday.

Play was briefly suspended after Fiore’s Brazilian wing-back Dalbert reportedly told referee Daniele Orsato he had been the target of racist abuse from fans at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma, where Atalanta are based while their ground is revamped.

An announcement was read over the stadium loudspeaker urging supporters to stop and the game, which finished 2-2, then continued, but Infantino believes the problem must be taken more seriously. Read more

National Youth Games: Lagos Sports Commission Commends Athletes

September 19, 2019 Sports No comments

The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has commended Team Lagos’ performance at the just concluded 5th National Youth Games (NYG) held in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Speaking at a reception held for the athletes at the Multipurpose Hall of Unilorin on Monday, Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Kweku Adedayo Tandoh said in spite of stiff opposition, the Team Lagos was second on the Medals Table with a total of 72 medals consisting of 22Gold, 36Silver and 14Bronze.

He recalled that Team Lagos also came second in their first outing in 2018, adding that the State’s youthful and budding athletes now need to work harder during subsequent editions to move up to the first position.

The Chairman, therefore, expressed Read more

We would do the needful for our athletes – Oyo commissioner

September 18, 2019 Perspective, Sports No comments

Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Engineer Seun Fakorede has assured athletes who represented Oyo state in the just concluded National Youth Games held in Ilorin a huge reward.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin during the closing ceremony of the 5th edition of the National Youth Games held in Marakana Stadium, Fakorede said he’s impressed with the performances of the state contingents and Oyo State appears to present the youngest athletes in this event.

“I’m quite confident to say this that His Excellency has approved the payment of the last youth games even though we were not in govt in the last edition. We’re ready to do the needful for our athletes”.

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I will give equal attention to Sports,Youth development – Dare

August 22, 2019 Sports No comments

Mr Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development has pledged to give equal attention to the development of Sports and the Youths as he strives to reposition the ministry.

Dare disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja at the sidelines of the 2019 International Youth Day.

The minister who was performing his first official assignment after his swearing in on Wednesday by President Muhammadu Buhari alongside 42 other ministers said he his ready to hit the ground running.

He assured that it was not going to be business as usual as he seeks to take the ministry to the next level in line with President Buhari’s mandate.

“I can assure you that attention will be paid to youth development and sports development. Read more

Afrobasket 2019: Buhari Hails D’tigress For Victory

August 19, 2019 Sports No comments

President Muhammadu Buhari felicitates with national female basketball team, D’Tigress, for a highly impressive outing at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2019 in Dakar, Senegal, that saw them coasting home to victory at the finals, winning the hosts, 60-55.

President Buhari congratulates the D’Tigress for a remarkably synergized play that enabled them to outpace and outplay all the teams at the tournament to retain the title they won in 2017, further consolidating their position as African champions with four titles. Read more

Nigeria’s D’Tigress defeat Senegal to retain Afrobasket title

August 19, 2019 Sports One comment

Nigeria’s female basketball team D’Tigress on Sunday defeated Senegal 60-55 to win the 2019 women’s Afrobasket title they won two years ago.

The final match played at the at the Dakar Arena, Senegal saw about 15,000 fans watch the Nigerian ladies overpower the tournament host Senegal to win back-to-back titles.

The result means D’Tigress became the first team to win back-to-back FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles since Angola followed up their 2011 triumph with another in 2013.

To make it to the final, Nigeria eased past Mali, 79-58, in Friday’s first semifinal, while Senegal defeated Mozambique 60-57.

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Ihedioha appoints Kanu Nwankwo SSA on Sports

August 15, 2019 Football, Sports No comments

Imo State governor has appointed Nigeria’s football legend. Kanu Nwankwo as his Senior Special Assistant on Sports.

Ihedioha made the announcement when Kanu visited him at the government House Owerri to present his CAF medal.

According to a statement by

“ Izuchukwu Akwarandu, the governor’s aide on new media, Kanu Nwankwo’s appointment is with immediate effect.

“Papilo, as fondly called by his fans, came to present his most recent CAF award, which was given to him at the just concluded Nations Cup in Egypt, to the sports-loving governor of Imo State. The star also presented a branded jersey to the governor.” Read more

30 years after: Soccer fans remember Okwaraji

August 12, 2019 Football, Sports No comments

Ebonyi football fans on Monday remembered the late Nigerian midfield maestro, Samuel Okwaraji, who died on Aug. 30, 2019 at the National Stadium, Lagos during a World Cup qualifier against Angola.

The fans who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki said the memory of Okwaraji who slumped during the encounter, would remain evergreen in their minds due to the rare qualities he displayed during his lifetime.

A Soccer Historian, Julius Ijeaku, recalled that he was inside the jam-packed stadium on that day as several football fans died on the terraces out of possible suffocation.

“No one took notice of Okwaraji’s slumping until Samson Siasia saw him gasping and foaming from the mouth and subsequently raised alarm.

“The medics at the stadium tried resuscitating him before taking him to the hospital and before the end of the match, news have started flying that he had died,” he said.

Ikechukwu Itumo, Team Manager of Ebonyi United FC of Abakaliki, said that Okwaraji still holds the record of Nigeria’s most patriotic player even in death.

“He was not only reputed for offsetting his air fares to Super Eagles matches and declining collecting allowances, he related with his teammates with utmost humility in spite of being a doctorate degree holder in Law. Read more

Aubameyang wins EPL tie for Arsenal at Newcastle United

August 12, 2019 Football, Sports No comments

Steve Bruce’s reign as Newcastle United manager began in disappointing fashion as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s second half goal sealed a 1-0 victory for Arsenal at a subdued St James’ Park on Sunday.

After a largely forgettable first half in which Newcastle United were slightly the better side, Arsenal eased to a comfortable three points thanks to Aubameyang’s 58th minute strike.

Newcastle United handed 40 million pounds record signing Joelinton a debut up front and he showed some flashes of intent in the first half but the hosts fizzled out after the break.

The Gunners had to wait until April to keep their first away clean sheet in the English Premier League (EPL) last season. Read more

EPL: Alex Iwobi joins Everton

August 9, 2019 Football, Sports No comments

Alex Iwobi has signed for Everton from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee after agreeing a five-year deal until the end of June 2024.

The 23-year-old forward is the Blues’ seventh and final signing of the summer transfer window following the additions of goalkeeper Jonas Lössl, right-back Djibril Sidibe, midfielders Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph and Jean-Philippe Gbamin, and striker Moise Kean.

Nigeria international Iwobi, who has 36 caps and helped his country to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals this summer, came through Arsenal’s academy before making his first-team debut for the Londoners in October 2015 at the age of 19. Read more

Arsenal FC: Nicolas Pepe becomes record signing

August 2, 2019 Football, Sports No comments

Winger Nicolas Pepe has become our record signing after joining us from Ligue 1 club Lille.

The 24 year-old Ivory Coast international completed the paperwork on his move on Thursday. He will wear the No.19 shirt.

Head coach Unai Emery said: “Nicolas is a highly-rated and talented winger who was wanted by many of the top teams in Europe.

“Signing a top-class winger has been one of our key objectives in this transfer window and I’m delighted he’s joining. Read more

History made as UEFA names female referee for men’s match

August 2, 2019 Football, Sports No comments

Stephanie Frappart will become the first female official to referee a major UEFA men’s match when she takes charge of the Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea.

UEFA have confirmed Frappart, who refereed the FIFA Women’s World Cup final between the United States and the Netherlands in Lyon, will officiate the clash between the Champions League and Europa League winners in Istanbul on August 14.

Frappart will lead a team made up of predominantly female officials in the European season’s curtain raiser, with Manuela Nicolosi of France and Michelle O’Neal from the Republic of Ireland appointed as the assistant referees.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin believes Frappart’s appointment represents another significant step forward for women’s football. Read more

Barcelona lose Copa del Rey title to Valencia

May 26, 2019 Football, Sports No comments

Valencia beat Barcelona 2-1 to win the Copa del Rey on Saturday, ending the Spanish champions’ four-year winning streak in the competition and denying them a domestic double.

Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo Moreno struck first-half goals to give Marcelino’s dominant Valencia control of the final in Seville’s sweltering Benito Villamarin stadium.

Record 30-times Cup winners Barcelona struggled without injured duo Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele but Lionel Messi pulled the Catalans back into the game with a finish from close range.

Goncalo Guedes missed a gilt-edged chance in stoppage-time for Valencia but they held on to win their first major trophy since last lifting the Cup in 2008.

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