SPORTS UPDATE

[Edoman]

Nigeria now 33rd in the world after moving 12 spots on FIFA ranking






Nigeria have made progress in the latest FIFA Ranking after moving 12 places up in the world.
 
In the latest ranking published by FIFA on Thursday, Nigeria climbed to 33rd in the world from 45th in the June 2019 ranking and also maintained its 3rd position in the continent.
 
The Super Eagles who finished third at the AFCON 2019 in Egypt, behind Senegal and Algeria moved from its June points of 1433 to 1481.
 
Algeria who are African champions moved 28 places to 40th in the world and climbed from 12th in Africa to fourth place.
 
AFCON silver medal winners, Senegal, moved two spots up from 22nd to 20th and also maintained their number one spot in the continent. They are still the highest-ranked African country in the world – 20th spot.
 
On the global ranking, Belgium maintained its number one spot in the world with 1746 points, followed by Brazil who have now displaced France to take the second spot.
 
Here are top 10 countries in the world -Belgium, Brazil, France, England, Uruguay, Portugal, Croatia, Colombia, Spain and Argentina.

 

by Linda Ikeji at

[Edoman]

Real Madrid midfielder Ceballos moves to Arsenal on loan

 




Arsenal have announced the signing of Ceballos from Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal.
The Spaniard move to the Emirate stadium makes it the second signing for Arsenal this summer after they secured the signature of Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano in an $8m deal.
The midfielder is now expected to wear the number 8 shirt, previously assigned to Aaron Ramsey, who left for Juventus on a free transfer.
Madrid also confirmed the move in a statement on their website, saying the player will be away for the 2019/2020 season.
Daniel Ceballos Fernández was born 7 August 1996 in Utrera, Province of Seville.
He joined Sevilla FC’s youth system in 2004 at the age of 8, but was released in 2009 due to a chronic bronchitis problem.
He subsequently played for hometown club CD Utrera, and completed his development in Real Betis after signing a professional contract in 2014, even as a junior.
He joined Madrid in 2017 for a transfer fee of around €18 million. One of his notable achievements was a brace he scored in a 2–1 away win over Deportivo Alavés.

[Edoman]

Watch the moment knife-wielding thugs attacked Mesut Ozil before teammate Sead Kolasinac helped fight them off during carjacking terror



 



Arsenal football star, Sead Kolasinac is being hailed online for his bravery after he fought off knife-wielding moped thugs with his bare hands during a carjacking attack in London.
 
Kolasinac was with his teammate Mesut Ozilwhen they were attacked by the thugs who attempted to steal the vehicle they were driving in this afternoon July 25th.

Ozil was said to be racing along North London's Golders Green Road in his black Mercedes G-Class SUV, while being pursued by two thugs on a moped.
In the video, his teammate and Bosnian international Kolasinac is seen coming out from the vehicle and going after the armed gangsters with his bare hands. 
 
It was later revealed that Ozil abandoned his car in the middle of the road and fled on foot into the Turkish restaurant Likya. Waiters and chefs at the restaurant reportedly ran to his defense and also took to the street to chase away the attackers before Police arrived at the scene.

Narrating the ordeal, Financial worker Azuka Alintah, 36, who lives nearby, said he was out shopping for food when he noticed the commotion.
It was totally mad and strange,' he told MailOnline. 'His car was standing there empty in the middle of the road with its door hanging open. It is very distinctive, with gold trim.
'Ozil looked absolutely terrified, as anybody would after being chased by men with knives. He looked like he was running for his life. And I suppose he was.
'I saw him disappear into the restaurant with the motorcycle guys on his tail. They didn't take off their helmets and were all in black, wearing long sleeved tops in this hot weather. They stood out. It was really creepy.
'God knows what would have happened if they'd caught him. It looked to me like he'd have been hacked to shreds and he clearly thought so too.
'As soon as the restaurant staff started to come to the window and to the doorway, they turned around and roared off. The police were there shortly afterwards and the road was almost blocked off.'

He added: 'It was totally surreal, just surreal and strange. You don't expect something like that to happen at any time, particularly the mid-afternoon.'
The manager of the restaurant confirmed the incident but said he had no comment to make.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said today: 'Police were called to Platts Lane, NW3, shortly before 5pm on Thursday July 25 to reports of an attempted robbery. 
'It was reported that suspects on motorbikes had attempted to rob a man who was driving a car. 
'The driver, along with his passenger, managed to get away unharmed and travelled to a restaurant in Golders Green, where they were spoken to by officers. There have been no arrests. Enquiries continue.' 
 
Watch the video below.


by Linda Ikeji at 2

[Edoman]

Virgil van Dijk and Eden Hazard announced as FIFA 20 cover stars (Photos)



 



The FIFA 20 cover stars have finally been announced.
 
EA SPORTS announced Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk as the cover stars of FIFA 20.
The Ex-Chelsea star will cover the Standard Edition of the game, while European Champion Virgil van Dijk will cover the game’s Champions Edition.
 
Speaking about covering the game, the new Real Madrid baller said

“EA SPORTS FIFA is the biggest Football game on the planet, and I have been playing it for years against my brothers. I am lucky to have been on the cover before but to be on FIFA 20 globally is amazing and I hope to excite as many gamers as I do when I take the field for Real Madrid this season!”

“It is a huge honour for me to be on the cover of FIFA 20“ said Virgil van Dijk, “I’ve been playing FIFA for as long as I can remember and so it’s an extremely proud moment for me to be representing Liverpool FC on the cover of such an iconic game“.

by Linda 

[Edoman]

Transfer: Man United goalkeeper agrees deal to join new club


on
 July 26, 2019



Manchester United goalkeeper, Dean Henderson has agreed on a second consecutive loan deal to join Sheffield United for the 2019/2020 campaign.
According to Sky Sports, Henderson will join the newly promoted English Premier League side on another season-long loan deal this summer after agreeing on personal terms with the club.

The newspaper is reporting that the deal for the 22-year-old shot-stopper will be made official within the next 72 hours by United.
Henderson was ever-present for Chris Wilder’s side last season.
The English 

[Edoman]

SPORT
Former Chelsea star, Fabregas banned for six months

 
on
 July 26, 2019



Former Chelsea midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, has been banned from driving after he was caught hitting 68mph in a 40mph zone in London, Sky Sports reports.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder was banned for six months.

The court heard that Fabregas told the police “I wasn’t going that fast”.
The 32-year-old, who now plays for Monaco, did not attend a short sentencing hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court in London on Thursday, which proceeded in his absence.
Fabregas, whose address was listed by the court as Belgravia, central London, pleaded guilty to a charge of speeding on July 11.

Prosecutor Luke Bowyer told the court that on December 4 last year police spotted the World Cup winner travelling in a grey Land Rover on a section of the A3 at the Tibbet’s slip road near Wandsworth in south-west London.
Fabregas was clocked with a ProLaser 4 speed detection device which registered him travelling at 68mph in the 40mph limit area, the court was told.
Bowyer said that when the footballer was stopped by police, he told them: “I wasn’t going that fast”.

He said Fabregas already had six points on his licence before the incident.
Representing Fabregas, Natalie Bird said the midfielder was unable to attend court because of “work commitments in Monaco”.
Fabregas joined the Ligue 1 club from Premier League side Chelsea in January this year.


SPORT

[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: Arsenal, Liverpool agree deals for Lille winger, Pepe

 July 26, 2019



Arsenal and Liverpool have both agreed deals with Lille to sign Nicolas.
L’Equipe reports that at least two other clubs have similar agreements in place with the Ligue 1 outfit.

Pepe has emerged as one of this summer’s most sought after players, after scoring 22 goals in the league last season.
A host of Premier League clubs has been linked with the Ivory Coast international, with Manchester United also monitoring the player’s situation.
With four sides having already come to an agreement with Lille, it is now up to the 24-year-old to decide his destination.

All the deals are believed to be in the region of £72million, with Serie A duo Inter Milan and Napoli, the other two clubs in the mix.





SPORT

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SPORT
Transfer: Solskjaer hints on new role for Pogba in Man Utd team

 
on
 July 26, 2019



Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signalled that Paul Pogba could be set for a different role in his team this season.
The Frenchman has been in excellent form in United’s tour of Australia and Asia over the summer, playing on the right of a two-man midfield.

Most recently, he partnered Scott McTominay in the middle of the park as United beat Tottenham 2-1 in Shanghai.
With four wins from four games in pre-season, Solskjaer is delighted with his options in midfield and believes Pogba can play in two, but has the versatility to perform in a three-man midfield as he did for much of last season.
“I thought they [Pogba and McTominay] played really well in the first-half.

“They haven’t done that before [the tour] as a two and today I thought they really looked really like a good pair.
“Of course we’ve got Fred and Nemanja [Matic] second-half, we have Andreas [Pereira], so it’s something we have to look at.
“But we controlled the game better. Second-half we didn’t keep the ball well enough, so disappointed with the second-half, how we finished, really. But it’s been a great tour. And those two played well.

“He [Pogba] can play in a two like he does for France but he has also got the freedom of picking his moments, when to go forward.
“Same with Scott, maybe his best position is like a number eight running forward. But I thought the two played very disciplined tonight,” Solskjaer told reporters.
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SPORT
Pochettino apologises to Manchester United


on
 July 26, 2019



Tottenham Hotspur manager, Mauricio Pochettino has apologised to Manchester United over the tough tackles from his team during Thursday’s International Champions Cup game.
Angel Gomes hit a late winner for United after Lucas Moura’s deflected shot cancelled out Anthony Martial’s opener in China.

Eric Bailly hurt his knee trying to block a shot from Son Heung-min while Moussa Sissoko appeared to stamp on United’s new winger, Daniel James, in the first half.
And Pochettino acknowledged his side were perhaps overly aggressive in their 2-1 defeat.
“I was a little bit annoyed about some situations, I was not happy.

“It was a friendly game and in some situations of course when you are tired, when it’s so hot you are not right with the tempo to arrive at the actions, sometimes you arrive late and something can happen.
“I apologise on behalf of our players to Manchester United,” he told reporters.
Pochettino added: “It wasn’t their intention, but sometimes when you are tired you arrive late and some things can happen.

“And I was worried because in this period of preparation it is sometimes you need to be aggressive and you need to play with passion but sometimes the focus is to build your fitness and develop the way you want to play.
“Of course I was worried, Manchester United, Eric Bailly got injured and I am sorry for that but he was alone.
“And always when the players start to build their fitness and start to fight for their place in the team, when something happens in the pre-season it’s always tough and I was a little bit worried, but in the second half the game was a bit more relaxed.”



SPORT
Pochettino apologises to Manchester United
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[Edoman]

SPORT
Guardiola names ‘most talented player’ he has ever seen in world football

 
on
 July 26, 2019



Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has identified Midfielder Phil Foden as the most talented player he has ever seen in his entire career.
He also said that the 19-year-old England youngster has everything to become one of the best players in the world.

Guardiola stated this ahead of Man City’s pre-season friendly clash against Yokohama FM on Saturday.
“Foden is the most talented player I have ever seen as a football player or manager,” Guardiola was quoted by Manchester Evening News as telling reporters at a pre-match press conference in Japan.
“He has everything to become one of the best players, not just in England.

“His only problem is that sometimes his manager doesn’t put him in the starting XI.
“Hopefully in the future he can improve. He deserves all the minutes but he knows what team he plays for and with his competitors it isn’t easy.
“But he is open-minded and he works incredibly hard in every training session. He knows I appreciate him. I’m here to help him as much as possible to become what he is and I am pretty sure both of us will get it.”


SPORT

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: Hazard sends message to Chelsea’s Pulisic


 
on
 July 27, 2019



Real Madrid forward, Eden Hazard, has backed Chelsea attacking midfielder, Christian Pulisic to be one of the best players in the nearest future.
The 28-year-old believes that the USA international can be a star at Chelsea.

Pulisic joined Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund in January but was loaned back to the Bundesliga giants for the second half of last campaign.
The 20-year-old is expected to fill the void Hazard created at Chelsea following the Belgian’s departure to Real Madrid earlier this summer in a £100million deal.
“Pulisic can be one of the best in the future for sure,” Hazard told The Associated Press.

“He can be a star. Now he’s at one of the best clubs in the world. He’s a proper player.
“He can play football.”
Hazard added: “When you play football, it’s a dream to, first, be in FIFA and then to be on the cover. You want to play more often because you’re on the cover.”

[Edoman]

SPORT
Zidane blasts Real Madrid players after 7-3 defeat to Atletico

on
 July 27, 2019



Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has lashed out at his players for “lacking everything”, as they lost 7-3 to Atletico Madrid in the International Champions Cup.
Atletico led 5-0 at half time of the pre-season fixture on Friday.

Diego Costa netted four goals, before he was sent off along with Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal, following a clash in the second half.
The margin of defeat could have been greater, if not for some desperate defending and late goals from Karim Benzema and Javi Hernandez.
Speaking after the game, Zidane told reporters: “What happened is that we entered the game very badly. A high-level competition, we entered very badly.

“At eight minutes we were down 2-0. There was no response from us to change something. The first part was difficult. We never entered the game. We have lacked everything. Especially intensity.
“They scored seven goals, it can’t happen. That is also known to the players, who are disappointed. You don’t have to spin it over. It’s a pre-season game. They’ve been better at everything. There is nothing more to talk about.
“We are preparing a season and being calm. We have to be on August 17, with the first league game. For now, we have lacked things for sure tonight.”

[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: Man Utd in shock as Lukaku-Dybala swap deal with Juventus

 
on
 July 27, 2019



Juventus have entered the race to sign Manchester United striker, Romelu Lukaku and are prepared to offer Paulo Dybala in exchange, Gianluca Di Marzio reports.
Lukaku has been linked with a move to Serie A with Inter Milan, with the Antonio Conte desperate to sign the Belgian.

Inter have been locked in talks with United for the last, but their last bid of £54m fell well short of United’s £75m valuation of the striker.
Although Lukaku is keen on working with Conte, a transfer to Juve would almost guarantee trophies.
Inter are expected to submit an improved offer for Lukaku in the coming days, but Juventus will try to hijack the deal.

The Old Lady are keen to freshen up their frontline and it’s claimed Dybala has been part of the discussions, with the Argentine lined up in a part-exchange deal for Lukaku.
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[Edoman]

SPORT
Diego Costa scores four as Atletico thrash Real Madrid 7-3

on
 July 27, 2019
By
 Ifreke Inyang [/url]


Diego Costa scored four goals, as Atletico Madrid humiliated Real Madrid 7-3, in the final match of their United States tour in New Jersey on Friday.
Real fielded a strong side once again, with new signings Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic starting up front.

But Zinedine Zidane’s men went in at the break 5-0 down.
Atletico fielded a host of new arrivals, including club record signing Joao Felix, who immediately caught Real cold on the counter before playing Costa in for his o
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[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: Gareth Bale set to sign £1million-per-week deal with new club
on
 July 27, 2019
By
 Ifreke Inyang [/url]


Gareth Bale’s representatives are in talks with Chinese side, Jiangsu Suning, about a deal which could see him earn £1million a week, Sky Sports reports.
Negotiations are believed to be progressing, but Jiangsu Suning are increasingly confident they can convince Bale to join them.

The 30-year-old has been told he can leave Real Madrid, even though he has three years left on his £600,000-a-week contract.
However, any deal will have to be concluded by Wednesday, as that is when the Chinese window closes.
Another hurdle is that all Chinese clubs have to pay 100% transfer tax on foreign signings, meaning Jiangsu Suning will effectively have to pay double to secure Bale’s services.

All proceeds from this transfer tax then go towards youth development in the country.


[url=https://dailypost.ng/sport-news/]SPORT

[Edoman]

Messi Would Be Suspended Six Months For Conject Attacks (ESPN)


The Conmebol Ethics Commission would issue its ruling next week against the Argentine player, Lionel Messi, who described the governing body of South American football as "corrupt."

"Next week, Messi's statements will fail. They would give him six months of suspension and those months of suspension can reach them on FIFA dates," said Diego Monroy, an ESPN journalist this afternoon.

"Messi would be lost: Argentina vs. Chile, Argentina vs. Mexico, in September. In October, Germany vs. Argentina and Argentina vs. the Basque national team would be lost; and in November, Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia and Argentina vs. Brazil," added the pressman .

If confirmed by the journalist Diego Monroy in the ESPN FC program, Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini, 32, could not be taken into account for the matches of the Argentine National Soccer Team for the remainder of 2019.

The Albiceleste player received from Conmebol a suspension date and the payment of $1,500 for the expulsion he received before Chile, in the duel for the third place of the 2019 Copa América, which motivated his statements against the governing body of South American football

Source: https://m.allfootballapp.com/news/Headline/Messi-would-be-suspended-six-months-for-conject-attacks-(ESPN)/1605563

[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: Guardiola hints on hijacking Man Utd’s deal for Maguire


 
on
 July 27, 2019
By
 Ifreke Inyang [/url]


Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has refused to rule out a late move for Leicester defender Harry Maguire, the UK Mirror reports.
The Premier League champions have been linked with Maguire following Vincent Kompany’s departure to Anderlecht.

City have Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi as options at present with Eliaquim Mangala also still at the Etihad, although he is likely to depart before the end of the window.
Manchester United are also interested in Maguire with Leicester boss, Brendan Rodgers, confirming two bids from unnamed clubs had been rejected.
And despite not closing the door, Guardiola insists he would be happy with his current options.

“If we believe we can, if not we will survive without a new central defender,” he told reporters on their pre-season tour.
Asked if he expects more signing to arrive, Guardiola replied: “No, not many. I like the faces that we have.
“Maybe but the transfer market is so difficult and the team is good enough. Maybe zero, maybe one, maybe one and a half.”

City closed their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 victory over Yokohama


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[Edoman]

Ex-Arsenal and Barcelona star, Thomas Vermaelen joins his former teammates Iniesta and David Villa at Japanese club Vissel Kobe



 



Former Arsenal defender, Thomas Vermaelen has joined Japanese club, Vissel Kobe from Barcelona.
 
The 33-year-old Belgian footballer joins former Barca stars Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Sergi Samper at the club, who are currently 15th in the 18-team J.League.

The defender who was unveiled on Saturday, July 27, 2019, said at his unveiling: 'I think it is a very ambitious team, if you look at the signings that they have done in the past, with Andreas (Iniesta), David Villa, Sergi Samper, and Lukas Podolski.
'I know them all very well and for me that is a big part also of why it will be easier to come in to the team.'
'When the offer came I was very excited to come to this team.'
'I played the last couple of years in Barcelona and I learnt a lot there,' said Vermaelen.
'I think that is what they ask of me, to bring the experience of what I had in Barcelona, to bring that over here, I think that is what the owner wants.'
'I will also play out from the back, like I learnt in Barcelona and also play aggressive defensively so I will try and bring the complete package into this team.'
Vermaelen, who has 70 caps for Belgium played for Arsenal from 2009-2014, before joining Barcelona, where he only made 34 appearances for the Catalan side. 

by Linda Ikeji a

[Edoman]

Drogba, Aguero tear football fans apart


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Football fans are engaged in a debate on who is a better striker between Argentine striker, Sergio Aguero and former Ivory Coast captain, Didier Drogba.

Drogba is widely remembered for his heroic goal that gave Chelsea the 2012 UEFA Champions League title.

He scored the equalising goal against FC Bayern Munich and converter he winning penalty for the London Club, in Munich.

Aguero, on his part, is remembered for the last-minute goal he scored for Manchester City against the Queens’ Park Rangers that gave his side the first English Premier League title in 44 years, also in 2012.

The two-time African footballer of the year scored 201 goals for the different club sides he played for between 1998 and 2018.

He recorded the highest with Chelsea, scoring a whopping 100 goals in 226 appearance between 2004 and 2012.

Sergio Aguero, who is celebrating his eight anniversary at Manchester City on Sunday,  has 261 goals from 2003 till date, playing for three clubs, Independente, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.

Fans, reacting on twitter,  gave their views on who is better.

For Kushveer Singh, with handle @Kushveer141 “Aguero now has been the best striker in the PL for years, many rival fans are going to say Kane is better but I don’t recall Kane having to face competition from the likes of Tevez, Balotelli, Dzeko, Negredo, Jovetic and Jesus week in and out.

However, P. Master @peter_nuhu said “Comparing Drogba with Aguero is like Comparing Nigeria with Kenya” which to me is an insult to Drogba and all Football lovers

Paindu Reports @PainduReports tweeted “On 28 July 2011, Sergio Aguero arrived at Manchester City and Premier League was never the same again.

However, Me @_KeneC revealed in his tweet “I will take Drogba over Aguero anyday anytime. Call it sentiment, I do not care. Call me when you see Aguero holding this (the UEFA Champions League trophy)

An authoritative tweet from Trendy Teacher [Kakamega Finest] @Mitira_Official read “He is Manchester City all-time highest goal-scorer, he scored his 178th City goal against Napoli. Agüero is currently the 6th highest goalscorer in Premier League history, and the highest non-European scorer in the history of the Premier League, with 164 goals. He is above Drogba”, but Oke Umurhohwo @OkeStalfy argued that “Balotelli and Costa will do the job but both will end up with a red card. Zlatan look the good choice but he won’t defend for the team. Drogba is the man for the big occasions. He tracks back, can bully, mark, defend and score key goals at the same time.

[Edoman]

Liverpool not envious of rivals’ spending, signings – Klopp


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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has insisted that he is not envious of the spending habits of rival sides, stating that his club are not in “fantasia land” with their budgets.

The Reds have followed up their Champions League-winning campaign with a relatively frugal spend during the off-season, following record-breaking deals in 2018.

While several of their rivals at home and abroad have splashed the cash since the transfer window opened, Klopp has often explained how the big-budget contracts awarded to stars such as Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson have eaten up a significant part of the fiscal pie, along with investment in their infrastructure.

Some critics have pointed to Liverpool’s lack of transfer action as signs of prospective vulnerability, but their manager has assured fans that his faith remains paramount in his squad while admitting that he is sometimes bemused by the financial outlay of other major sides.

“This year is not the end of Liverpool FC,” Klopp was quoted in The Telegraph.

“Next year there will be another transfer window. This team is really good and we have invested a lot in it. Now we have to work with that.

“I can’t say anything about what other teams are doing. I don’t know how they do it. We have to pay bills. Sorry. Everybody has to pay bills; we have to pay bills.

“We invested money in this team. Now it looks like we are not. But we are not in this fantasia land where you just get whatever you want. You cannot do it constantly.

“It looks like there are four clubs in the world who can do it constantly. Madrid, Barcelona, (Man) City and PSG. Whatever they need, they do. You cannot compare that. That is the situation.

“It is not a criticism. I know how people will take it, that I am jealous or whatever. I am not at all jealous.

“There is no guarantee we won’t draw with Leicester on a snowy pitch because we make five new signings. There is no guarantee.

“There will be average games – but that doesn’t mean we need different players. It only means we need a team that is ready that day. And that is what we have to do. We have to make sure.”

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