SPORT: Musa The Monster As Eagles Whip Iceland To Get World Cup Back On Track

• Ahmed Musa put Nigeria ahead just four minutes on, after the ball had been won back in the Nigerian half. Kelechi Iheanacho fed Victor Moses, who sprinted forward before lobbing the ball to Musa. The Lokomotiv Moscow’s deft touch took the ball beyond an opposing defender, creating the space for a blast of the ball that Thor Halldorsson had absolutely no chance of stopping.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria scored two goals and conceded none against Iceland to record their first points of their World Cup campaign on Friday.

Coming on the back of their impressive draw against Argentina in their opening match, Iceland underlined their intentions for the match early on, Alfred Finnbogason testing Francis Uzoho with a long-range free kick only two minutes into the game.

Although the first half ended goalless, Iceland were the more purposeful side, with the Nigerians going into the break without a single shot on target.

But the Super Eagles were a completely different side in the second half and Oghenekaro Etebo could have put them ahead in the opening seconds, but his tame shot proved no problem for Hannes Thor Halldorsson in the Icelandish goal.

Ahmed Musa put Nigeria ahead just four minutes on, after the ball had been won back in the Nigerian half. Kelechi Iheanacho fed Victor Moses, who sprinted forward before lobbing the ball to Musa. The Lokomotiv Moscow’s deft touch took the ball beyond an opposing defender, creating the space for a blast of the ball that Thor Halldorsson had absolutely no chance of stopping.

Wilfred Ndidi nearly made it two shortly after, but his well-struck, deflected shot was tipped over by Thor Halldorsson for a corner.

William Troost-Ekong then got a chance to put himself on the scorers’ sheet, but the defender hurriedly headed wide when he had the time to control the ball and unleash a shot.
The next chance fell to Leon Balogun but the new Brighton defender headed over the bar despite being unmarked.

Musa was proving to be Nigeria’s talisman on the evening, as he curled in a beautiful effort that looked destined for the top of the net but only rested against the bar.

He would not be denied a minute later, though, as he outran a defender from the left flank of the field, left Thor Halldorsson in the dust and shimmied two onrushing defenders before slotting into the net. Two-nil!

Iceland wasted a chance to pull one back from the penalty spot, but the experienced Gylfi Sigurdsson blasted wide and over the bar.
The victory moves Nigeria to second place, and the Eagles will earn a spot in the last-16 if, in their final match, they are able to equal Iceland’s result against Croatia.

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BREAKING: Advantage For Nigeria Or Iceland! Messi Helpless As Croatia Wallop Argentina

• There was still time, though, for the Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic to get his deserved goal, finishing of flowing counter-attacking team move in the first minute of stoppage time.

Croatia made nonsense of bookmakers’ predictions on Thursday evening with a stunning 3-nil defeat of pre-tournament favourites Argentina at the ongoing Russia 2018 World Cup.

Following a mildly eventful first half replete with no more than half-chances, Croatia took the lead after taking advantage of a present presented by Wilfredo Caballero in the 53rd minute. The Chelsea goalkeeper received a back pass that he could simply have ballooned back to the opposition half, but he chose to be skillful and only ended up leaving the ball in the air to the delight of Ante Rebic, who converted with aplomb.

Croatia captain Luca Modric made it two with only nine minutes left on the clock, unleashing a trademark unstoppable curler-drive that Caballero could do nothing about.
Ivan Rakitic almost made it an unexpected three in the 86th minute, but his superbly-taken free kick only danced against the crossbar.

There was still time, though, for the Barcelona midfielder to get his deserved goal, finishing of flowing counter-attacking team move in the first minute of stoppage time.

Argentina continued to look to talisman Lionel Messi for inspiration, but he was ineffective throughout the duration of the match.

Advantage is now back in favour of the Nigerians — o the Icelanders — as the winner of their match on Friday evening will occupy second place behind Croatia.

Argentina, meanwhile, are tottering on the brink of World Cup elimination, and must beat Nigeria by a heavy margin next week while hoping other results go their way.

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Fashola To Represent President Buhari As Super Eagles Clash with Zambia‎ In Uyo

The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) will represent His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) at Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying showdown between Nigeria and Zambia in Uyo.

According to a media statement from the Media Department of the Nigeria Football Federation, the former governor of Lagos State will fly into the Akwa Ibom State capital on Saturday and will be joined by the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki,and Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung.

Other government dignitaries expected at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday are the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba and Hon. Goni Bukar Lawan.

Host Governor, Udom Emmanuel and members of the Akwa Ibom State cabinet, NOC President Habu Gumel and Members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management will also be present.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles, leading the 2018 World Cup African qualifying Group B with 10 points need a win in Uyo to join the rest of the ten teams who are already through to the Mundial in Russia.

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Police Introduce Community Football Competition In Enugu State

• The Public Relations Officer of the command, Ebere Amaraizu, told newsmen on Wednesday in Enugu that the competition was one of the creative overtures to sustain peace in the state.

Competition would commence in Iva-Valley community in the Enugu North Local Government Area of the state.

He said the command would thereafter, take the competition to other communities to provide opportunities for youths to hone their skills and make their living through football.

“We are using sports, especially football, to spread the message of unity and peaceful co-existence in the communities.

“We have found out that football competitions provide scenarios to get youths’ attention and we pass peace messages in during matches."

According to him, the command wants to rekindle the spirit of patriotism and peace keeping within neighborhoods.

Amaraizu noted that the command had been using proactive means to counter criminality and hatred among youths.

“The command believes that Nigerians have a lot to gain by living and working harmoniously with one another other."

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Mourinho Escapes FA Charge After Southampton Sending Off

• Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will not face further charges from the FA after being sent off during Manchester United ‘s 1-0 Premier League win against Southampton on Saturday at the St Mary’s Stadium

  
  
  
  
  Mourinho stepped out of his technical area on to the pitch, only to be pulled out by fourth official Mike Jones who then called on the attention of referee Craig Pawson.
  After being sent off from the pitch, Mourinho shook hands with Saints staff and said: “I don’t know. I don’t know. Craig [Pawson] told me to leave, and I left.”
  Jose Mourinho was sanctioned twice last season with a touchline ban and a £50,000 fine for two incidents in November. He was sent to the stands by Mark Clattenburg during the clash with Burnley and then fined for comments he made about another official, Anthony Taylor, before United faced Liverpool.
  Those charges were taken into cosideration and the FA have decided to impose no further sanction on Mourinho this occasion.
  

   

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Barcelona Star Rakitic Still Missing ‘Big Person’ Neymar

• Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic is still saddened by the “bad decision” Barcelona made in not stopping Neymar’s world-record €222million move to Paris Saint-Germain.

   

  

  Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic is still saddened by the “bad decision” Barcelona made in not stopping Neymar’s world-record €222million move to Paris Saint-Germain.
  Neymar moved to the Paris side after a bitter row with the Spanish side that have signed Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund as replacement.
  “For me personally, it was really hard, not only because he’s one of the biggest players. But also, for me, because he’s a big person,” Rakitic told the BBC World Service.
  “He was really important for our dressing room, and for me he’s one of the best guys I know in football.
  “So for me it was really a bad decision because I liked to have him in my team.”
  
  Rakitic however states that he is not angry towards the Brazilian and hopes he succeeds in Franch capital.
  The Croatian called for Barca to show unity following the departure of a key player.
  “We have to respect Neymar’s decision to move,” Rakitic added.
  “If a team can buy him and he decides to leave Barcelona, we have to respect it and wish him the best luck.
  “Hopefully he can score a lot of goals and be happy in Paris, but we have to go on our way and be strong together without Neymar now.”
  

   

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Morata Bags Hat-trick, Lukaku, Abraham Score As Chelsea, Man United, City Win

• Alvaro Morata took his Premier League goals tally to six with a hat-trick for Chelsea who continued their impressive start to the season with a 4-0 win over Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.

   

  

   

   

  Nigeria star Victor Moses also made his fifth start of the season in the encounter in which Stoke also had several chances.
  Morata scored in the first minute of the encounter for Chelsea with a brilliant finish.
  The lead was doubled in the 32nd minute by Pedro who latched on to a poor chested back pass from Darren Fletcher to fire past Jack Butland in goal for the Potters.
  At the start of the second half, Stoke came close to pulling a goal back but efforts from Maxim Choupo-Moting, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fletcher failed to trouble Thibaut Courtois in goal for Chelsea.
  
  Morata made it 3-0 by finishing off a solo effort and the Spanish striker completed his hat-trick by tapping in a pass from Cesar Azpilicueta in the penalty area.
  Morata could have scored a double brace when he was played through on goal by Eden Hazard but his shot was inches wide.
  Also, English Premier League top teams Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur all recorded victories in their respective matchday six fixtures.
  
  
  
  
  At the Saint Mary’s Stadium, Romelu Lukaku gave Manchester United a hard fought 1-0 win over Southampton. The Belgian striker finished off his rebounded header in the 34th minute of the encounter.
  Despite the win, United surrendered their top spot to city rivals Manchester City due to an inferior goal difference.
  At the Etihad Stadium, a brace from Raheem Sterling and goals from Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero and Fabian Delph for Manchester City ensured a 5-0 thumping of Crystal Palace. The win sent Pep Guardiola’s side to the top of the EPL log with a superior goal difference over United.
  
  
  
  Everton came from a goal down to beat Bournemouth 2-1 at Goodison Park as Omar Niasse’s brace cancelled out a 49th minute goal from Joshua King.
  Tammy Abraham, the player who spurned Nigeria’s advances this week, scored his second league goal of the season for Swansea who lost 2-1 to Watford that had Isaac Success on the bench for the whole encounter.
  Burnley and Huddersfield Town played out a goalless draw.
  
  

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Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar Vie For The Best FIFA Men’s Award

• The final three nominees for the The Best FIFA Men’s Award  are Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and PSG’s Neymar

Former Nigeria captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha was one of football icons that announced the list of final nominees for World Best Players on Friday in London.

The event unraveling the eventual winner will be held on 23 October at the London Palladium.

The Best Goalkeeper Award will be competed for by Gianluigi Buffon, Keylor Navas and Manuel Neuer.

Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane tops the list of coaches for the Coach of the Year prize with Maxmilliano Aleggri of Juventus and Chelsea’s Antonio Conte the contenders.

The Best Award Final Nominees  

Men’s Player
* Cristiano Ronaldo (POR / Real Madrid)
* Lionel Messi (ARG – FC Barcelona)
* Neymar (BRA – FC Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Player
* Deyna Castellanos (VEN – Santa Clarita Blue Heat/Florida State Seminoles)
* Carli Lloyd (USA – Houston Dash/Manchester City Women)
* Lieke Martens (NED – FC Barcelona Femeni)

Men’s Coach
* Massimiliano Allegri (ITA – Juventus)
* Antonio Conte (ITA – Chelsea)
* Zinedine Zidane (FRA – Real Madrid)

Women’s Coach
* Nils Nielsen (DEN – Danish national team)
* Gerard Precheur (FRA – Olympique Lyonnais Feminin)
* Sarina Wiegman (NED – Netherlands national team)

Goalkeeper
* Gianluigi Buffon (ITA – Juventus)
* Keylor Navas (CRC – Real Madrid)
* Manuel Neuer (GER – FC Bayern Munich)

Puskas Award
* Kevin-Prince Boateng (Las Palmas)
* Alejandro Camargo (Universidad de Concepcion)
* Deyna Castellanos (Venezuela U-17)
* Moussa Dembele (Celtic)
* Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
* Aviles Hurtado (Tijuana Xolos)
* Mario Mandzukic (Juventus)
* Oscarine Masuluke (Baroka FC)
* Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)
* Jordi Mboula (FC Barcelona U-19)

Fan Award
* Borussia Dortmund supporters
* Celtic supporters
* FC Copenhagen supporters

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Dangote: I Will Fire Wenger When I Buy Arsenal

• Africa’s richest , Aliko Dangote, says one of the first moves after buying Arsenal would be to remove Arsene Wenger.

  
  Dangote will make a bold move to buy the English Premier League side as soon as the construction of his $11bn oil refinery in Lagos is completed, the multi billionaire has told Bloomberg
  
  Stan Kroenke currently owns 67 per cent of Arsenal and has insisted he has no intention of selling, but Dangote is adamant, and believes that as soon as the right offer is made, the American business entrepreneur who owns Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, Denver Nuggets of the NBA, Colorado Avalanche of the NHL and Colorado Rapids of MLS will sell.
  
  Dangote, a staunch follower of The Gunners also hints that he will fire Arsene Wenger after taking over the club.
  
  “If they get the right offer, I’m sure they would walk away,” Dangote whose fortune is around £10bn told Bloomberg.
  
  “Someone will give them an offer that will make them seriously consider walking away.
  
  “And when we finish the refinery, I think we will be in a position to do that.”
  
  “The first thing I would change is the coach.
  
  “He has done a good job, but someone else should also try his luck.”
  
  The good news is that new EPL season is upon us as new Man Utd signing Lukaku netted a brace over the weekened. Become a coach and the power to choose your perfect 11 is in your hands in the with Kickoff Legends, you can compete with friends and other soccer fans online via destop, mobile and app. As a matter of fact we just signed a Nigerian goalie for our very own team for the next season starting on Monday. In Kickoff Legends a season only lasts one week and we play against fans from around the world in Real Time. Show’em what you got and start playing for free today!

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This Is The Right Time To Face Arsenal Says Courtois

Thibaut Courtois feels the right time to face London rivals, Arsenal in the Premier League is now. This is coming after Chelsea rediscovered their form as they suffered a shock opening day home defeat to Burnley.

Curtois

Arsenal on the other hand have had a mixed start to their campaign this term, winning two and drawing two of their first four games.

Chelsea will welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge on Sunday for a lunch time kick-off on the back of a 6-0 record equalling white-wash of lowly Qarabag in the Champions League. ‘It is good to face Arsenal now,’ Courtois said.

‘Everybody is healthy and things are going well. We won at Leicester, won comfortably (on Tuesday night) and will go into the Arsenal game with a good feeling.

‘We are doing well. After the bad first half against Burnley, I think all our performances have been good. We have shown good spirit, good football and good wins most importantly of all.’ Conte’s first game against Arsenal in the league a year ago ended in a humbling 3-0 loss, a scoreline that birthed the now very reliable 3-4-3 formation which prompted a 13-game winning run.

With Arsenal competing in the Europa League and Chelsea having an extra day rest, Courtois feels his side is in a good place and have a better frame of mind. ‘Do we feel like we are in a good place? Yes,’ Courtois added. ‘Sometimes it is good to face a big team early.

Last year it didn’t work out against Liverpool and Arsenal, but this season we have already won at Tottenham. ‘Arsenal had a few bad matches, but won comfortably (against Bournemouth) last weekend. ‘For us and for them it’s a big game because we are third in the table.

‘Obviously we want to close the gap (to Manchester United and Manchester City) and take points off Arsenal as well.’

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SammySport: Neymar has joined Messi and Ronaldo in race for Ballon d’Or- Tite

• Tite who manages Neymar at national team level feels the time has come for the player to fight Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or.

Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo

The former Barcelona forward is included in Brazil’s squad to face Ecuador and Colombia, even though they have already sealed World Cup qualification, with Neymar’s new Paris Saint-Germain team-mates Dani Alves, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos also included.

 “There are three players fighting for that position: Cristiano, Messi and Neymar,” said Tite. “Cristiano and Messi are from a different generation – and Neymar will get there.

That will depend on his performances, not on whether he plays with Messi. “The essence is that he likes to play football. The important thing is that he is well and adapted in his new club. Values ​​and money do not change anything. He went to another club, as he said, to seek new perspectives.”

 PSG’s typical formation is similar to what Neymar is used to at Barcelona and this will help the 25-year-old to settle in at his new club, added the national team coach.

 “The tactical formation used by Paris is very similar to that of Barcelona, ​​it’s 4-3-3,” Tite said. “PSG use two forwards with a pivot, so it has the same design. “It only changes the characteristics of the players who will play next to Neymar.”

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SammySports: Barcelona hopeful of Coutinho, Dembele deals

• Barcelona are hopeful of pushing through deals to sign both Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho in the coming days as efforts to fill the gap left by the departed Neymar intensify. 

• The Spanish club’s general manager Pep Segura, speaking early on Thursday morning after the Spanish Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid, indicated that the transfers were “close” to being completed.

Dembele and Coutinho

Sporting director Robert Fernandez was less emphatic when asked about the deals later, although he was optimistic that both will soon be Barcelona players. “Dembele and Coutinho are two important players that we like a lot and have done for a long time,” said Fernandez at the unveiling of Brazil midfielder Paulinho, a 40 million-euro ($47 million, £36.4 million) signing from Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande. 

“They have the conditions, the age and could adapt to our football. They would be good to have here. That’s the reality.” Under pressure to spend big after pocketing a world record 222 million euros from Paris Saint-Germain for Neymar, Barcelona have already had a £90 million bid for 25-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder Coutinho rejected by Liverpool.

Spanish media have also reported that Barcelona are prepared to pay an initial 80 million euros, plus 40 million in bonuses, to Borussia Dortmund for 20-year-old French winger Dembele. Fernandez added: “With respect to Liverpool and Dortmund, when there are negotiations you need time, you need to work things into a favourable situation for players and ourselves. 

“We still have days ahead of us, would like to move things faster, but (I) do admit they’re two players we would like here. But it’s the clubs who will have the final say on if we finally achieve those two transfers.” Liverpool and Dortmund have both been adamant that their respective players are not for sale, with the Premier League club’s manager Jurgen Klopp insisting that no discussions are ongoing with Barcelona. 

“No news from me because no-one told me anything different since we spoke last time about this,” said Klopp on Thursday. 

– Suarez sidelined – 

Coutinho, currently sidelined with a back injury, last week handed in a transfer request that was turned down by Liverpool’s American owners. There have been suggestions Coutinho could agitate for a move by effectively going on strike, but while he is still injured that is impossible. Klopp conceded it is a tricky situation for all parties, but was keen not to be seen criticising the Brazilian’s attitude. 

“To be honest I have nothing to say about his attitude because since he has had a back problem he has obviously not been in training,” he said. In contrast to Coutinho, Dembele has been suspended indefinitely by Dortmund after skipping training in a personal protest to pressure the German club to sell him. He will not play in his current side’s opening Bundesliga game against Wolfsburg this weekend but Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke on Thursday rubbished the claims made by Segura. 

“Barcelona have not managed to fulfil their wish to complete Dembele’s transfer — until now, they aren’t one millimetre closer,” Watzke told German magazine Kicker. Dembele, 20, was signed from Rennes just last year and has a contract until 2021. 

Barcelona are eager to complete the signings with their opening game of the season in La Liga coming at home to Betis on Sunday. The 2-0 defeat to Madrid on Wednesday saw them lose the Spanish Super Cup 5-1 on aggregate and also saw them lose Luis Suarez to injury. 

The Uruguayan striker suffered a knee injury in the game that means he will be out for around a month, ruling him out of Barca’s first three league games and their first Champions League group match.

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SPORT: Loftus-Cheek Signs For Crystal Palace

England Under-21 midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek on Wednesday became the new Crystal Palace manager Frank de Boer’s first signing since taking over at the Premier League side last month.

 “I had the option of coming to Palace and I thought that it would be great for me,” Loftus-Cheek told Palace’s official site.

“I live not too far away, I was born in Lewisham and Palace is a good club so I thought it’s a good chance to play here and be a part of the team.

 “They have a very strong team and I’d like to be a part of that this season.” Loftus-Cheek featured six times in Chelsea’s title-winning campaign last season. He has made 32 appearances for the Blues across the last three seasons, scoring twice.

In addition to his club career, the midfielder has been capped by England at youth levels and has won 17 caps for the under-21 side since 2015.

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SPORT: Manchester United confirm Lukaku signing

• Manchester United has confirmed the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Everton on a five-year contract, with an option to extend for a further year.

Lukaku

Jose Mourinho speaking on the club’s latest acquisition said: “Romelu is a natural fit for Manchester United. He is a big personality and a big player.
It is only natural that he wants to develop his career at the biggest club. He will be a great addition to the group and I know they will make him very welcome. I am really looking forward to working with him again.”
 “I would like to start by thanking Everton and the fans for the last four wonderful seasons, I have made some special friends and we have shared some amazing moments. However, when Manchester United and Jose Mourinho come knocking at the door it is an opportunity of a lifetime and one that I could not turn down”
 “You could see the fight, determination and the spirit in this team during the Europa League final and I want to become a part of that. I cannot wait to run out at Old Trafford in front of 75,000 fans but before that pre-season is where the hard work starts and I am looking forward to that first training session” Lukaku told the club’s official website

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FIFA Ranking: Nigeria drops to 39th, Germany back atop

• The Super Eagles have dropped to the 39th spot from 38th in the July FIFA World Rankings. 

• The rankings table on FIFA’s website on Thursday indicated that Nigeria now has 715 points as against 730 it had in the June rankings.

The ranking also saw the national team become sixth in Africa behind Egypt, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia and Cameroon respectively as against Nigeria’s fourth position in the continent in June.

 On the global scene, Germany have capped a sensational week on the international stage by returning to the top of the FIFA World Rankings for the first time since being knocked off the spot exactly two years ago. 

 Following their 1-0 win over Chile in the FIFA Confederations Cup final in Saint Petersburg, Russia, the newly crowned champions have narrowly overtaken Brazil (2nd, down by 1 point) and leapfrogged Argentina (3rd, down by 1 point). European neighbours, Poland (6th, up 4) also have cause to celebrate, having risen to their best-ever ranking. Spain, however, dropped from the first ten to now place 11th.

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