OLIVER KHAN STILL DOESN'T LIKE ME - AUSTIN OKOCHA

Nigerian legend Austin Okocha has revealed that former Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn is still unhappy with him 23 years after he scored a wonder goal against the revered shot stopper.

Okocha stated this at an interactive media briefing tagged ‘ Bundesliga Legend Tour with Jay-Jay Okocha’ organised by Pay Television Company StarTimes and DeutsheFussballLiga.

Karlsruhe keeper Kahn had come out of his line to thwart an Eintracht Frankfurt attack during a Bundesliga game in 1993, but Okocha turned him inside with his dribbles, with the German tumbling down inside the box.

But the Nigerian was not done yet as he dribbled past more Karlsruhe defenders, going past some of them twice, before slotting in past Kahn, who had enough time to recover but couldn’t stop Okocha.

“Kahn doesn’t like me, he has taken it personal. I was just doing my job, I didn’t have the intention to hold the ball too long but he was at the receiving end. I am grateful to God for that because people can still identify me with something in Germany,” he said

Ronaldo and I have no relationship outside football - Lionel Messi

Argentine captain Lionel Messi have hinted that he enjoys no relationship with 'imaginary' competitive rival Cristiano Ronaldo outside of football business. The Camp Nou star does not think he will become friends with Ronaldo once both players retire at the end of their playing careers 

Messi, 30, has revealed that he does not have a relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, and only really speaks to his rival at awards ceremonies. Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has previously claimed that himself and Messi will likely put their on-field rivalry behind them when they finish playing and become friends, but the Barcelona forward is not confident that their future is bright beyond football. 

Messi while speaking to Spanish media Marca about his relationship with Ronaldo said: "I don't know if we will be [friends]," 

"Friendship is built through spending time together and getting to know each other. "We have no relationship, mainly because we only see each other at awards ceremonies and that's the only time we speak. Everything is fine, but our lives don't cross over very often." 

After helping Madrid win the Champions League with two goals in the final against Juventus, Ronaldo is the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or again this year. It will be the Portugal international's fifth award, equaling Messi's record tally. 

The duo have finished first and second each year since 2008, but Messi believes that their dominance will be broken in the near future as other players challenge them for the crown of the best player in the world. "There are many great players around today who can win the Ballon d'Or," the 30-year-old said. 

"In recent years there have just been two, but now players like Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Luis Suarez can compete for that award."

FIFA OKAYS OLA AINA TO REPRESENT NIGERIA

Nigeria have received clearance from FIFA for Hull City defender , Ola Aina , to represent the country .

The clearance makes Aina eligible for Monday ’ s Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier reverse fixture against Cameroon in Yaounde.

Nigeria thrashed Cameroon 4 - 0 in Uyo on Friday in the first of the double -header .

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr said Aina , who can play at right - back or left - back , could now line up in Yaounde as the Super Eagles look for a second victory in four days over Cameroon.

“ FIFA have approved Ola Aina, who can now play for Nigeria , ” Rohr was quoted as saying by Supersports. com .

Aina , who is on a season - long loan at Hull from Chelsea, was brought in by the Eagles coach to fill the gaps in the full - back positions .

The player was born in London to Nigerian parents . Although he has a Nigerian passport, he has represented England at various junior levels and so needed to apply to change his international allegiance.

Rohr had hoped to use Aina in the first clash against Cameroon but the FIFA clearance did not arrive on time .

Nigeria have nine points from three matches in Group B of the African qualifiers , while Zambia are second on four points and Cameroon remain on two points.

WAYNE ROONEY HAS BEEN ARRESTED BY LONDON POLICE!

Everton striker Wayne Rooney has been arrested on suspicion of drink -driving , the BBC and Sky Sports reported Friday .

The BBC said 31 - year - old Rooney was stopped by police near his home in Cheshire , northwest England , on Thursday night .

Rooney was seen posing in a selfie with cricketer Jack McIver in a bar in Alderley Edge earlier that day .

McIver shared the photo of the pair in the Bubble Room on Instagram at around 10 :00 pm ( 2100 GMT ) that day with the comment: “ International Break # legend ”.

Rooney , England ’ s all- time record goal - scorer , announced his retirement from international football last week, having scored 53 goals in 119 appearances for his country .

He made his decision despite England manager Gareth Southgate offering to recall him for the World Cup qualifier against Malta on Friday.

Rooney re- joined boyhood club Everton in the pre- season from Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Rooney scored in his first two Premier League games of the 2017 /18 campaign , with the forward on target last month in a 1 - 0 win over Stoke City and again in a 1 - 1 draw with Manchester City .

GOV. EMMANUEL UDOM PROMISES SUPER EAGLES $10,000 PER GOAL

The Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel , has promised to pay the Super Eagles $ 10 , 000 for every goal the team score against Cameroon in their 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo on Friday.

The governor also redeemed his pledge of $ 30 , 000 to the Eagles for their 3 - 1 win against Algeria in a 2018 World Cup Group B qualifier last year .

Emmanuel called on Nigerians to support the Eagles with prayers as well go to the Uyo stadium to cheer the team to victory against the Indomitable Lions .

“You ( Eagles) should be able to hold the Lions ; I believe the Lions by this time tomorrow (Friday ) will not be able to roar . We believe in prayers. We also need your support. You have to do something to ensure that , at least , we project our own to the world .

“ I don ’ t know how I feel when I hear of some people collecting almost £ 300 m and some of our players are equally talented enough to collect that kind of money. Nobody has the monopoly of sports . Let us also encourage our own . I ’ ll like to see some of these players there, ” he said .

LIVERPOOL REJECTS BARCA'S £90M BID FOR COUTINHO

English Premier League side Liverpool FC have rejected a bid of 100 million euros (about £90m or N45bn) from Spanish side FC Barcelona for Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

Barca’s second bid for the 25-year-old, which was rejected immediately, comprised an initial 85m euros (about £76.8m) plus 15m euros (about £13.5m) in add-ons.

Liverpool have insisted that Coutinho, who they purchased from Inter Milan for £8.5m in 2013, is not for sale.

FC Barcelona had sold Brazil forward Neymar to Paris St-Germain for a world record transfer of £200m last week and are in need of a replacement.

Coutinho, a scorer of 14 goals last season in spite of spending six weeks out with an ankle injury, had signed a new deal with Liverpool in January.

But the five-year deal did not include a release clause.

The Reds’ manager Jurgen Klopp has said they were not a “selling club’’ when Barca’s previous £72m offer was rejected in July, and that Liverpool had considered the matter closed.

LIVERPOOL, BARCA AGREE £108.8M FOR PHILIPPE COUTINHO

Liverpool’s playmaker, Philippe Coutinho, will not be at the Anfield much longer as the club have agreed an initial £108.8m fee with Barcelona.

Barca had stepped up their chase for the 25-year-old after losing Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain, and according to reports by ESPN, Liverpool have accepted an initial £81.6m fee, which could rise to £108.8m with future bonuses.

Liverpool had been unwilling to let the Brazilian leave but soften their stance after Coutinho told Anfield bosses he would prefer to make the move if a deal could be agreed between the two clubs, the outlet reported.

The deal, if it materialises, will make Coutinho the second most expensive player in football history.

UEFA SUPER CUP: REAL AMDRID VS MAN UTD STARTING LINE UP

Starting lineups in the UEFA Super Cup between Real Madrid and Manchester United at the Philip II Arena in Skopje on Tuesday (1845 GMT kick-off):

Real Madrid (4-3-3)

Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos (capt), Marcelo; Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos; Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Isco

Coach: Zinedine Zidane (FRA)


Manchester United (4-3-3)

David de Gea; Antonio Valencia (capt), Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian; Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba; Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Romelu Lukaku, Jesse Lingard

Coach: Jose Mourinho (POR)

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)

Gernot Rohr reacts to Mikel Obi’s move to China

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has said he does not have any problem with John Obi Mikel moving to China.


The captain of Nigeria’s national team, has signed a three-year deal with Tianjin TEDA, after leaving Chelsea on a free transfer.

Rohr also advised other Nigerian players to move during the January transfer window.

“Some are not playing in their clubs and now is the month, very important January when they can change clubs to play and have competition,” he told Channels TV on Friday.

“It is very important that Super Eagles players have competition in their clubs.

“He (Mikel) did not play much in the last month. He played in the Olympics, don’t forget it – he played all the games. He also played all the games for Super Eagles but (only) did not play in Chelsea.

“So I am happy that he can play now in China. It is always better to play in China than to stay in Chelsea and not play.

“He is now nearing the end of his career and it is normal that he is looking for a good contract,” the coach said.

Arsenal fans urge Wenger to splash some cash after a goalless draw against Leicester

Leicester and Arsenal ground out a 0-0 draw at the King Power Stadium as the toothless Gunners were left to rue their lack of firepower.
Both teams remain winless after their opening two Premier League games, with champions Leicester frustrating the visitors for long spells on Saturday evening.

And it only added to the growing calls for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to splash that cash and invest in a new striker.read more

Real Madrid Expelled From Copa Del Rey After Denis Cheryshev's Error.

Real Madrid have been expelled from this season’s Copa del Rey for fielding ineligible player Denis Cheryshev in Wednesday evening’s last-32 first leg game at Cadiz.
Official statements from the Spanish FA (RFEF) and the club were due later on Friday once the competition committee completed its daily cases, but Real Madrid are now expected to ask the Spanish government to overturn the decision.read more

Akwa United Shocks Lobi Stars To Win Federation Cup.

                            

Against all expectations, Akwa United yesterday defeated favourites Lobi Stars 2-1 to claim their first ever Nigeria Federation Cup at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

The Akwa Ibom owned team reconfirmed that its Match Day 38 defeat of the Benue team in Uyo that made the Promise Keepers remain in the topflight of the Nigerian professional  league was no fluke.
Nonso Edo set the ball rolling for Akwa United when his free-kick in the 36th minute found the back of Lobi net. The kick was the resultant of the infringement on Friday Ubong in the 18-yard box of Lobi.

All efforts by Lobi to cancel the advantage of Akwa met stiff resistance all through the first stanza. The effort continued in the second half but instead of reprieve, it was Abdulafeez Awakan who doubled the advantage for Akwa United in the 70th minute.
Awakan rifled home powerfully in the peripheral of Lobi box to send Akwa Ibom fans in the stands into endless celebration of a historic Federation Cup already within their reach.

Barnabas Imengar Jnr who came on as a sub however got a consolatory goal for Lobi in stoppage time from a brilliantly taken free kick. The goal was not enough to ease the pains of thousands of Benue State indigenes who were hoping to pick another Federation Cup after former BCC Lions had set the pace with the old Challenge Cup in Bauchi in 1989.

Lobi had similarly won this cup in 2003 and were hoping for an encore.
The last time Akwa United came close to winning Federation Cup was two years ago when they reached the last four. But they were stopped in their tracks by Warri Wolves.

By this victory, Akwa United will represent Nigeria in next year's CAF Confederation Cup.

Samson Siasia Begs Kidnappers To Free His Mother.

Samson Siasia

Nigeria U23 coach Samson Siasia has begged those who kidnapped his mother to free her to allow him focus on winning a ticket to next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Madam Ogere Siasia, 72, was, according to coach Siasia, abducted in the village of Odoni, Bayelsa State, by three men on motorbike.
She was the only one at home in his village taking care of his father, who is visually impaired.read more

Emmanuel Adebayor Shows Off An Aerial View Of His Cars.

Adebayor this picture shared on Facebook few mins ago ,he simply tagged it "See Am Blessed''..........i don't know what he is asking us to see,is it the cars or the house. Anyway,He is lucky!

Nigerian Female Footballer Signed To Liverpool Ladies FC.

Nigerian female footballer, Azizat Oshoala, 20 has signed a lucrative deal with Liverppol Ladies Football Club. The current African Female Footballer of the year becomes the first player from Africa to compete in the Women's Super League.

read more

Former Arsenal Striker Thierry Henry Set To Face Arsenal In A 2nd Pre-Season Clash In New York Tomorrow.

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry will face his former club tomorrow in a pre-season clash.



The Gunners legend, who now plays for MLS franchise New York Red Bulls, will face his former club in Arsene Wenger side's second pre-season clash.
Henry is still idolised by Arsenal fans, and has a statue of himself outside the Emirates Stadium.click for more;

read more

President Jonathan Donates N50million To Nigerian Football Supporters Club.

President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday at the Presidential Villa announced a donation of N50m to the Nigerian Football Supporters Club.
He said the donation was from the federal government to assist the supporters club for a hitch-free support for the Super Eagles at the World Cup in Brazil.
read more

British Woman Defrauds Osaze Odemwingie Of £70,000.

Cardiff City FC striker Osaze Peter Odemwingie has lost over £70,000 to a British woman.
The 38 year-old Claire Duke has appeared in court to defend herself for her involvement in the fraud.
She was charged with conning thousands of pounds from Premiership footballers while working as their “lifestyle coach.”
The Briton is also accused of defrauding high-profile clients including Osaze of more than £70,000 over a one year period.read more

Davido Celebrates With Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, Calls Them “Little Brothers.

To celebrate their victory as the world cup under17 champions, Davido visited the Golden Eaglets and took photos with them.
The skelewu crooner a few hours ago shared one of the photos with the caption “‘Congrats to mylil bros!!!!!! Love to see young pple prosper! The sky is the limit for these dudes!!! Champions!!”

Yeah, he called them “little brothers”.

Isaac Ikyurav-The Journey To Sacramento Football Club.

Guess alot of people have not heard about him before,i ran into his profile today and like to share it here ,Isaac Ikyurav is actually a Nigerian,from Benue,he plays football in Sacramento in United States.
 Isaac Ikyurav has gone through more change in his life than most will ever have to go through.
Not only did he have to endure seeing his father flee as a political refugee, but also his own journey to a new environment and culture here in the United States.
“I understood the reason why he left the country,” Ikyurav said. “I learned to adapt not being around my father in Nigeria.”
Growing up in Benue, Nigeria, Ikyurav was fortunate to not be in poverty like so many around him.
“It was an advantage for me because I could just focus on school and soccer instead of worrying about trying to help take care of my family,” Ikyurav said.
But only eight years ago, Ikyurav was not even thinking about making the journey to the United States. Instead, he was attending a seminary school to become a priest at his biological mother’s request.

Ikyurav’s father and stepmother made the journey back to Nigeria in 1996. When Ikyurav met his stepmother, Trunice Ikyurav, she saw the talent he possessed while he was playing a pickup game of soccer.
“I knew that he was destined not to be a priest but a talented soccer player,” Trunice Ikyurav said.One thing that his stepmother saw was his determination and humility in pursuing his dreams.

“I work with kids a lot in my career so when I met him, I saw what great heart and hunger he had to do better things in life,” she said. “But he was humble at the same time. He just didn’t know what his true calling was at the time.”

Trunice Ikyurav worked to get her stepson into the United States with a green card, but said it took longer than both were hoping for.

“The process of getting him into the US actually took over four years, so when we did get into Sacramento, Isaac was 19 years old,” she said. “So his ability to play organized soccer at a club soccer level was out of the question.”

Ikyurav went back to Nigeria for a couple of years to attend the American University of Nigeria in Adamawa, Nigeria. However, going back and forth between countries was taking a toll.

When Isaac Ikyurav did come back to Sacramento for vacation during his freshman year at American University, he went to an US College Soccer ID camp at Sac State.

Sac State holds four ID camps a year for players to showcase their skills to coaches. It is an unofficial way for the Sac State coaching staff can see the talent outside the Sacramento area.

There, men’s soccer head coach Mike Linenberger had his first glimpse of Ikyurav.

“He showed us his explosiveness and his ability to play with the ball,” Linenberger said. “After the camp was done, we talked to him to see if he wanted to play here at Sac State.”

Although given the opportunity to play at Sac State, Isaac Ikyurav had to miss the fall portion of his 2011 season.read more here http://

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