SPORTS UPDATE

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Sport

Transfer: Maguire set to snub Man Utd for City “because of Guardiola”
 


Manchester United are set to beat Manchester United to the signing of Leicester defender, Harry Maguire, the UK Mirror reports.
Maguire has been targeted by both Manchester clubs, after another impressive campaign with The Foxes.

But City have stolen a march on their rivals, because Maguire “wants to play under Pep Guardiola”.
It is understood that United were willing to offer the England international more money, but the lure of working with Guardiola, has swung it in the champions’ favour.
Also the Red Devils cannot assure Maguire of Champions League, a competition City will be trying to win next season.

Maguire has been a Leicester player for two years, joining in a £17m move from Hull in 2017.

[Edoman]

Fernando Torres announces retirement

[/url]
[url=https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/tORRES.jpg]



Spain’s World Cup winning striker Fernando Torres announced his retirement from football on Friday, bringing an end to a glittering 18-year career.
Torres, who scored more than 100 goals across two spells at his boyhood club Atletico Madrid, also played for Premier League sides Liverpool and Chelsea and Italy’s AC Milan.
He left Atletico to join Japan’s Sagan Tosu in July last year but has struggled to hit the heights of his best days at Atletico and Liverpool at the J-League side.
“After 18 exciting years, the time has come to put an end to my football career,” the 35-year-old wrote on Twitter, adding that he would hold a news conference in Japan on Sunday to explain his decision.


Torres made his Spain debut in 2003 and scored the winning goal in the 2008 European Championship final against Germany before helping his country win their first World Cup in 2010.
He was the top scorer at Euro 2012 as Spain successfully defended their title and scored 38 goals in 110 appearances for his country in total, making him Spain’s country’s third-highest goalscorer behind David Villa (59) and Raul (44).
Torres enjoyed his most prolific spell at Liverpool between 2007 and 2011, netting 81 goals in 142 games across all competitions.
He moved to Chelsea from Liverpool for a then British record fee of 50 million pounds, and won the FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League with the London club.

[Edoman]

Petr Cech appointed Chelsea technical and performance advisor





Petr Cech with Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, who he will work closely with in his new role
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has returned to the club as technical and performance advisor.
Cech, 37, spent 11 years as a player at Stamford Bridge, winning 13 trophies, including four Premier League titles and the Champions League.
He joined London rivals Arsenal in 2015 and retired after their Europa League final defeat by the Blues in May.
Chelsea said the former Czech Republic international will "provide advice on all football and performance matters".
Cech will also "facilitate strong links" between the academy and first team.
"I feel very privileged to have this opportunity to join Chelsea again and help create the best possible high-level performance environment to continue the success the club has had over the past 15 years," said Cech, who will work closely with Blues director Marina Granovskaia.
"I'm looking forward to the new challenge and hope I can use all of my football knowledge and experience to help the team achieve even more success in the future."
Granovskaia said Chelsea "always hoped" Cech would return to the club.
Former manager Maurizio Sarri left Chelsea last week to join Juventus after one season in charge, and Derby County boss and former Blues midfielder Frank Lampard is the favourite to take over.
Chelsea are unable to sign any players after being given a two-window transfer ban by world governing body Fifa - a decision they are appealing against at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

[Edoman]

Super Eagles striker, Samuel Kalu suffers heart attack 24-hours before AFCON, collapsed while trying to take a corner kick in training






Super Eagles forward, Samue Kalu, on Friday suffered a heart attack during training in Egypt, just a day before the Nigeria’s Afcon opener
 
According to reports, the 21-year-old player collapsed while taking a corner during training and has been transported to a local hospital. He has since been confirmed 'okay' and 'stabilised'.
 
Nigeria Football Federation media chief, Demola Olajire confirmed the situation, but added that the Bordeaux winger has been advised to drink more water.
 
“I have been told Samuel Kalu has been stabilised. He was taken to hospital for tests and he is certified okay. He was dehydrated, they said. Told him he needs to be taking enough fluids,” Olaajire said.
 
Samuel Kalu has made just five appearances for the Eagles since making his debut in 2018 and has scored one goal in the process.

by Linda 

[Edoman]

Egypt 1-0 Zimbabwe: Salah Far From Impressive In Hosts' Neat AFCON Opener

With Zimbabwe goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda in fine form, Egypt had to settle for a 1-0 win in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations
Egypt got off to a winning start at the Africa Cup of Nations thanks to Mahmoud Hassan's first-half goal against Zimbabwe.

The tournament hosts would have been looking to Champions League winner Mohamed Salah for inspiration but in fact it came through a different source in the 41st minute.

24-year-old midfielder Hassan fired home the only goal of the game by cutting in from the left before curling a fine effort into the bottom corner of the Zimbabwe net.
His 41st-minute strike proved decisive as Egypt spurned a number of chances to make a bigger impact but they will be satisfied with picking up maximum points from their opening game.




See more here https://thickmatch.com/egypt-1-0-zimbabwe-salah-far-impressive-hosts-neat-afcon-opener/

[Edoman]

PORT
EPL: Frank Lampard set to snub Chelsea

Published
 
on
 June 22, 2019



Frank Lampard is set to snub the call to manage his former clubside, Chelsea, according to the Daily Mirror.
This is following a huge financial offer from Derby county to keep him at Pride Park.

The former England midfielder has been widely tipped to replace Maurizio Sarri who recenty departed to Juventus.
The newspaper reports that Derby county “have launched a last-ditch attempt” to keep Lampard, who led them to last season’s Championship play-off final.
The newspaper added that the club’s owner Mel Morris is offering him a four-year contract worth £10m.


SPORT

[Edoman]

SPORT
AFCON 2019: Iheanacho set to replace Samuel Kalu in Super Eagles squad

 
on
 June 22, 2019
By
 Ifreke Inyang [/url]


Leicester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, has been contacted and placed on standby, as Nigeria await a decision from the CAF Medical Committee on Samuel Kalu’s participation at the Africa Nations Cup.
Kalu has been confirmed “okay” and “stabilised”, after [url=https://dailypost.ng/2019/06/21/breaking-afcon-2019-super-eagles-forward-collapses-training/]he collapsed during training on Friday.

The incident happened 24 hours before the Super Eagles open their AFCON campaign against new comers, Burundi.
Kalu reportedly fell while trying to take a corner-kick and was immediately rushed to the hospital.
CAF officials are now waiting on a full medical report, which will determine whether it was a heart attack dehydration.

Since the incident happened within the 24-hour time window before a team is allowed before the kickoff of their opening game, Nigeria may be able to substitute the player if the CAF Medical Committee determines that he cannot compete at the tournament.
ColinUdoh.com reports Iheanacho has been contacted and is on standby to join the team in that event.

However, the decision to substitute the player would have to be approved by the organising committee.

Otherwise, Nigeria will be forced to prosecute the tournament with just 22 players instead of 23.

Iheanacho is one of the two players that was dropped from Gernot Rohr’s initial 25-man squad. 

[Edoman]

SPORT
Nigeria vs Germany: Super Falcons coach talks tough ahead of Round of 16 clash

Published
 
on
 June 22, 2019
By
 Ifreke Inyang [/url]


Head coach of Nigeria women’s team, Thomas Dennerby, has said his ladies will take the game to the Germans, in today’s World Cup Round of 16 clash at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble.
Germany thrashed the Super Falcons 4-0 in a group phase match at the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in China 28 years ago.

The former champions then defeated Nigeria 1-0 in another group phase match at the tournament, which they hosted eight years ago.

Despite qualifying as the last team, Dennerby insists the Falcons are up for the challenge.

“I am so happy we have made it to the knockout stage after such a tedious wait. Now that we are there, the hard wok continues.

“The Germans qualified for the tournament and for the Round of 16 like we did, so there would be no reason for any inferiority complex.

“The situation is fluid in today’s football. Glory comes to those who take their chances when they are attacking and tighten things at the back when they are on the backfoot,” he told a pre-match conference.

[url=https://dailypost.ng/]

[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: Sarri takes decision on bringing Jorginho to Juventus

 
o
 June 22, 2019



New Juventus manager, Maurizio Sarri, will not pursue a move for Chelsea star Jorginho, even though the midfielder is keen to leave Stamford Bridge and follow his old boss to Turin, the UK Sun reports.
Jorginho spent three years under Sarri at Napoli and was his first signing as Chelsea manager, joining in a £52million deal.

It has been suggested that Sarri wants yet another reunion with Jorginho, but the transfer looks unlikely.
Instead, Sarri believes Miralem Pjanic can comfortably fulfil Jorginho’s role at Juventus and “prefers” the Bosnian, believing he can develop into a key player in his system.

Not signing Jorginho would also save Juve from spending £60m and allow Sarri to reinvest in a more attacking midfielder, with Paul Pogba having been linked.

Sarri’s decision to cool his interest will be a huge blow to Jorginho, whose agent had intimated he would be willing to listen to any offer from Juve if they made a move.

“Chelsea have a four-year contract with the lad.
“We’ll wait a few days to figure out whether there is any truth in this interest mentioned in the papers.

“His past at Napoli won’t be an issue, because Jorginho is a professional. Right now, Jorginho is happy at Chelsea.
“He found a great atmosphere and we can’t really say that he’d like to go elsewhere, but anything can happen in the transfer market. We’ll wait and see,” Jorginho’s agent, Joao Santos, told Tuttomercatoweb.


SPORT

[Edoman]

SPORT
Arsenal to play Real Madrid, Barcelona in July

Published
 
on
 June 22, 2019



Arsenal will play LaLiga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, as part of their preseason next month, the club has confirmed.

The Gunners, who finished in fifth place in the Premier League last season, begin their preparations for the new campaign against Boreham Wood on July 6.

Unai Emery’s team then takes on Colorado Rapids 10 days later in Denver.

Arsenal will feature in the International Champions Cup this year, where they will take on Bayern Munich (July 18), Fiorentina (July 20) and Real Madrid (July 24).

They fly back to the UK to face Lyon in the Emirates Cup on July 28.

Preseason ends with a game against Barcelona in the Gamper Trophy at the Nou Camp on Sunday, August 4 (8pm local time).

The Gamper Trophy is an annual match hosted by Barcelona, in honour of Joan Gamper, a founding member, player, and later president of the club.


SPORT

[Edoman]

Transfer: Real Madrid take decision on Neymar deal


 
on
 June 22, 2019



Real Madrid have ruled out the possibility of signing Paris Saint-Germain star, Neymar, after numerous fan polls and on and off-field questions, according to AS.
Senior officials at the Santiago Bernabeu were discouraged by the lack of support for Neymar in fan polls, as well as issues relating to an altercation following the Coupe de France loss and falling out with his PSG team-mates.

In addition, his checkered injury history in the past two seasons, have led Madrid to rule out signing Neymar this summer.

The Brazilian forward is still determined to leave the Ligue 1 champions this summer, after getting disillusioned with life in France after only two years.
PORT

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SPORT
Transfer: Liverpool in shock move for Philippe Coutinho

Published
 
on
 June 22, 2019

 John Owen Nwachukwu [/url]


Champions League winners, Liverpool have sensationally entered the race to re-sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona this summer, according to Le10Sport.
Coutinho left Liverpool for the Catalan giants two seasons ago but failed to establish himself in Ernesto Valverde’s team.

The Brazilian, speaking at the Copa America, recently admitted he ‘doesn’t know’ if will still be at the Spanish club next season.

The Brazilian has also been strongly linked with Chelsea as a replacement for Eden Hazard, who joined Real Madrid recently.

However, the newspaper claimed that Liverpool are now seriously interested in bringing the star back to Anfield.

[url=https://dailypost.ng/]

[Edoman]

Super Falcons crash out of Women’s World Cup






The Super Falcons have crashed out of the ongoing Women’s World Cup in France after losing 3-0 to Germany today Saturday June 22nd.
 
They conceded two goals in the first half and conceded another in the second half as Germany coasted home to victory.
 
Nigeria came close to scoring early in the second half when Desire Oparanozie missed a tap in from a cross by halftime substitute, Rasheedat Ajibade.

by Linda Ikeji

[Edoman]

SPORT
2019 Copa America: Alexis Sanchez sends message to Man United after scoring against Ecuador
 
on
 June 23, 2019
By
 John Owen Nwachukwu [/url]


Chilean forward, Alexis Sanchez has sent a message to Manchester United manager, Ole Gunner Solskjaer, after scoring the winner against Ecuador in the 2019 Copa America.

Sanchez hinted that he should be given more playing time at the club.

Sanchez’s goal against Ecuador means that he has scored as many goals for Chile in the Copa America as he did for Man Utd all season.

After netting Chile’s opening win over Japan, the former Arsenal man’s strike against Ecuador proved to be the winner as La Roja secured progression to the competition’s knockout phase.
He scored once in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup last term.

Sanchez told post-match press conference that his form for United is due to a lack of opportunities, and not an attitude problem.

“I have always had the enthusiasm to play but in England, I’ve been given few opportunities lately,” Sanchez said.
“But I’m relaxed because representing your country is the most beautiful thing there is.”


[url=https://dailypost.ng/]

[Edoman]

SPORT
Nigeria vs Burundi: Atiku reacts to Super Eagles’ 2019 AFCON 1-0 win


 
on
 June 23, 2019

 


Atiku Abubakar, a presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has reacted to the Super Eagles 1-0 victory over Burundi at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, on Saturday.
A second-half goal from Shanghai Shehua striker, Odion Ighalo, gave Gernot Rohr’s men all three points against Burundi.

Atiku has now commended the Super Eagles for defeating Swallows of Burundi.
On his Twitter page, he wrote: “Congratulations Super Eagles! Great way to start the #TotalAFCON2019⁠ ⁠ competition.
“Thank you for lifting our nation’s spirit with something positive. We are solidly behind you all the way.”

Nigeria will take on Guinea in the next game on June 26.


SPORT

[Edoman]

Sport
UEFA: Redknapp predicts club to win Champions League next season

 


A former Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp has predicted the winners of next year’s Champions League.
Redknapp said that it was the turn of Manchester City to end their Champions League hoodoo next season.

City have enjoyed remarkable success in recent years, including back-to-back Premier League titles and a historic domestic treble in 2018/19 season.
However, European glory has continually alluded them
Liverpool went on to lift the iconic trophy in an all-English final against Redknapp’s former club, Tottenham in Madrid.

But Redknapp beleives that Pep Guardiola’s men are the team to beat.
Redknapp, speaking as the new brand ambassador for BetVictor’, said, “I really feel this next few years, the Champions League is going to be made for the English clubs.
“We’ve got Man City next year, I fancy them next year. I think it’s their turn to win it.
“If I had to have a bet now on next year’s winners, I’d want to be with Man City.

“I mean the two semi-finals were two of the great games we’ll ever see.
“The Barcelona game, that Liverpool performance, was just amazing, then Tottenham coming back in the second half against Ajax was incredible as well.
“I look around now, and I really can see us dominating for the next few years.

[Edoman]

Sport
Transfer: PSG’s Neymar accepts all Barcelona’s conditions
 


Paris Saint-Germain superstar, Neymar, has accepted to fulfil all three conditions from Barcelona in order to force a move back to the La Liga champions.
Neymar has been consistently linked with a return to Barcelona since joining PSG in 2017 for a world-record deal of £222 million.

The Brazilian international earlier this week revealed his intention to leave PSG for Barcelona in this summer transfer window.
 
However, according to UOL, the 27-year-old has agreed to give up his claim for a loyalty bonus which he was owed as a result of his departure from Barcelona in 2017.

The forward has also agreed to lower his salary wages and to make a public declaration of his intention to rejoin Ernesto Valverde’s side this summer.

[Edoman]

Nigeria vs Burundi: Why I didn’t start Ighalo in Super Eagles’ 1-0 win – Rohr
 


Head coach of Nigeria, Gernot Rohr, has explained why he did not start striker, Odion Ighalo, in Super Eagles’ 1-0 win over Burundi at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, on Saturday in Egypt.
Ighalo replaced Paul Onuachu in the second half of the match and scored the only goal of the encounter to hand Rohr’s men all three points against the East Africans.

Rohr stated that it was a tactical decision not to start the Shanghai Shehua star against Burundi.
”Burundi were in the same group with Mali and qualified, we saw the games, they were unbeaten in the qualifiers,” Rohr was quoted by Allnigeriasoccer as saying at his post-match after the game at the Alexandria Stadium.
”It is not easy especially as it was difficult to score the first goal. If the first goal does not come early, we suffer and have to work hard to win the match.

”Our plan was to bring in Ighalo when the other team perhaps give us more space and it happened today, but we had a big problem physically.”
”So many players were sick in the last two weeks, there was a virus and half of the team had fever, was tired and could not train,” Rohr added.
”Musa and Shehu could not complete the first half. Yesterday, we lost two players in the training session.

”I am happy that the solidarity of the team made the difference.”
Nigeria will take on Guinea in the next game on June 26.

[Edoman]

Dani Alves: Brazil right-back to leave Paris St-Germain after two seasons



Alves scored once in Ligue 1 for PSG last season and provided seven assists
Brazil right-back Dani Alves is to leave Paris St-Germain after two seasons with the French club.

The 36-year-old former Barcelona and Sevilla defender scored eight goals in 73 appearances for PSG after joining from Juventus in 2017.

Alves scored in Brazil's 5-0 victory over Peru in their final Copa America group game on Saturday.
"Today I close another cycle in my life, a cycle of victory, learning and experiences," he said on Instagram.
"It was two years of resilience and continuous reinventing to fulfil my mission, but in life everything has a beginning, a middle and an end and now the time has come to put that final point here.

"I apologise if at any point I was not up to the pitch, I apologise if at some point I made a mistake, just tried to give my best."
During his spell at Parc des Princes, Alves won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles, one Coupe de France and one Coupe de la Ligue.
Prior to joining Juventus, who released him after one season, Alves won La Liga six times as well as three Champions League titles with Barcelona.

"Thanks to all the companions for the moments lived, the laughter together, the boredom that your lazy spirits have put me through," Alves added.

"If you ever remember me, be like the good crazy of each day, with a beautiful smile on your face, with a pure energy of soul, as a professional worker and committed to the goals, as someone who just wanted you to be better each day and who tried to make them understand the true meaning of the word team.
"A big hug to all and hope you do not miss my crazy things."

[Edoman]

• From the section Women's Football
  

England topped Group D while Cameroon qualified for the last-16 after finishing third in Group E
BBC coverage
How to follow:Watch on BBC One, iPlayer, and BBC Sport website & App; listen on BBC Radio 5 Live with text commentary on the BBC Sport website.
Phil Neville says Cameroon will pose a threat his England team "has not experienced" in their last-16 Women's World Cup game in Valenciennes on Sunday.
England's three Group D victories came against higher ranked opponents than Cameroon - the lowest ranked side left in the competition.
But Neville said, "I don't think they are the 46th best team in the world.
"They are better than that. They are a team who are very unpredictable."
Cameroon dramatically beat New Zealand 2-1 in their final Group E game, scoring five minutes into injury time to reach the knockout stages of the competition as one of the best third-placed teams.
And Neville says the all-out attacking approach favoured by the Indomitable Lionesses will make them awkward opponents for England, who finished third at the finals in 2015.
"Alongside us, they were probably in the toughest group. They've navigated their way out of the group and have got dangerous players in the attacking third," Neville said.
"They're a team who will go for the victory. That is something we've not experienced so far - a team who will go for the victory. We've got to defend well against that and exploit those weaknesses."
Head coach Alain Djeumfa, who succeeded Joseph Ndoko as Cameroon boss in January believes his side are "writing history" after reaching the knockout stages in successive finals.
Djeumfa, who was Cameroon's fitness coach in Canada four years ago insists they are capable of springing a surprise, despite having had 24 hours less to prepare than England.
"Everything is in place for us to showcase our talents," he said.
"I know these players inside out. They have been made for this and have a winning spirit, a fighting spirit.
"That is our strength and I can assure you that you will see this on the pitch.
"Cameroon is gaining in strength. We're taking baby steps at the moment. We will be the underdog. But we have something up our sleeves like the boys."
The winners will face Norway in the quarter-final at the Stade Oceane in Le Havre on Thursday 27 June (20:00 BST).
Team news
England have a fully fit squad to select from after Barcelona forward Toni Duggan returned against Japan. Reading's Jade Moore is the only Lioness carrying a booking into the knockout stages.
Cameroon also have a full squad of players to select from though Christine Manie, Raissa Feudjio, Gaelle Enganamouit, Marlyse Ngo Ndoumbouck, Genevieve Ngo Mbeleck and Alexandra Takounda all start the game on yellow cards.
That means another booking would rule them out of any potential quarter-final, if Cameroon were to progress.
Who's playing?
England face Cameroon in the last-16 of the tournament on Sunday at the Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes (16:30 BST).
Where can I follow the games?
BBC Sport will have live coverage of every World Cup match across TV, radio, the Red Button and online from the group stages all the way through to the final.
Coverage of England v Cameroon will be available live on BBC One from 16:00 BST.
Players to watch
[img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img]
Nikita Parris scored in England's opening game victory over Scotland
Nikita ParrisNationality: English Position: Forward Club: Lyon Age: 25
The former Everton and Manchester City player became the Women's Super League's all-time top scorer last season prior to her move to European champions Lyon.
And the Footballer Writers' Women's Footballer of the Year, has already been identified by manager Phil Neville as someone who could develop into one of the world's best players.
Combined with an eye for goal, her pace, trickery and partnership with Lucy Bronze down the right flank usually provide the spark to England's best attacking play.

'Lovely, lovely goal' - Nchout spins two defenders to give Cameroon lead
Ajara NchoutNationality: Cameroonian Position: Forward Club: Valerenga Age: 26
When it comes to Cameroon it is hard to overlook Valerenga forward Ajara Nchout as being their main source of inspiration.
The 26-year-old has pace to burn and the capacity to outfox defenders with her trickery, as New Zealand found out to their cost in their Group E encounter when she scored twice.
Competing in her second World Cup, Nchout will be hoping to galvanise the Indomitable Lionesses, to their best ever finish after they reached the same stage four years ago.
The key facts

• This will be the first ever competitive meeting between England and Cameroon. England won their only previous Women's World Cup match versus African opposition, beating Nigeria in 1995 (3-2).
  
• Cameroon have reached the knockout stages of the Women's World Cup for the second tournament in a row. On the other occasion they lost 1-0 to China in the last-16 in 2015.
  
• England have won each of their last four matches at the Women's World Cup; the Lionesses have never before emerged victorious in five successive games in the competition.
  
• England failed to win any of their first three knockout stage matches at the Women's World Cup (D1 L2) - however, in 2015, they won three of their four such games, only losing to Japan in the semi-finals thanks to a 90th minute own goal.
  
• Ellen White has scored more goals than any other England player at the 2019 Women's World Cup, scoring three goals from six shots on target. If she scores versus Cameroon, White (4) will become the joint-highest scorer for the Lionesses in the competition alongside Fara Williams (5 goals).
  

BBC Sport has launched #ChangeTheGame this summer to showcase female athletes in a way they never have been before. Through more live women's sport available to watch across the BBC this summer, complemented by our journalism, we are aiming to turn up the volume on women's sport and alter perceptions. Find out more here.