SPORTS UPDATE

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SPORT
EPL: Highest goal scorers in Premier League [See top 26]

 January 3, 2020



Leicester City striker, Jamie Vardy, remains top of the goalscorers’ chart after New Year Day’s fixtures.


Vardy was absent again, as his side hammered Newcastle 3-0 on Wednesday, but still has 17 goals.


Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also on 13 goals, after he failed to score in their 2-0 win over Manchester United. Danny Ings has now drawn level, after netting the winner against Tottenham Hotspur.



Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham and Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford, did not also find the back of the net.

Premier League top scorers:
17 goals: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).



13 goals: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal), Danny Ings (Southampton).

12 goals: Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Man United).

11 goals: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Sadio Mane (Liverpool).



10 goals: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Sergio Aguero (Man City).

9 goals: Teemu Pukki (Norwich).


8 goals: Raul Jimenez (Wolves), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Chris Wood (Burnley).


7 goals: Neal Maupay (Brighton), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Anthony Martial (Man United), Richarlison (Everton).


6 goals: Ashley Barnes (Burnley), Harry Wilson (Bournemouth), Firmino (Liverpool), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Todd Cantwell (Norwich), James Maddison (Leicester City), Sebastien Haller (West Ham).

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Juventus make Swedish midfielder Dejan Kulusevski their first January signing after splashing £30m on the 19-year-old (Photos)






Italian giants, Juventus have completed the £30million signing of Dejan Kulusevski from Atalanta, but the Swedish midfielder will held back on loan to Parma until the end of the season.





According to Mail Online Sport, the £30million fee, paid in five installments, could increase by €9million (£7.6m) based on conditions built into the contract, which runs until 2024.
 
The 19-year-old is currently on loan at Parma from Atalanta, and has made 19 appearances so far this season, scoring four goals and providing seven assists. He joined Atalanta in 2016 from Swedish side Brommapojkarna, who will be receiving a per cent of the final fee from Atalanta. 
 

 
Earlier this year, the 19-year-old told Sportbladet: 'I like to have the ball at my feet' 
 
'I used to dribble a lot when I was a kid but I have got better at moving the ball more quickly.
 
'I have developed my defensive game, that was a weakness before, and that has made me a more complete player.' 

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French striker Nathael Julan, 23, dies in car crash in France






A young French striker has died in an accident at the age of 23
 
Nathael Julan, who last played as a forward for the French club Guingamp, died in a car crash after a training section on Friday, January 3, 2020. 
 
The French Ligue 2 announced the sad news on social media with a statement, which reads: "L'En Avant Guingamp is in mourning," said the club. "The club had the immense pain to learn this afternoon of the accidental death of its player Nathael Julan.
 
"On this tragic day, all members of the club join together to express their sad condolences to Nathael's family."
 

 
The club didn't give further details as they only revealed he died in a car crash after a training session.
 

 
Nathael Julan was raised at Le Havre where he made his professional debut in Ligue 2 in 2015. He made 42 appearances for Le Havre, scoring nine goals, before joining Guingamp in January 2018 when they were in Ligue 1.
 
The striker was later loaned to Valenciennes in January last year and returned to Guingamp in June, before they were relegated to French Ligue 2 last season.

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Nigerian striker Henry Onyekuru joins Galatasaray on loan from Monaco (Photos)






Nigerian striker, Henry Onyekuru has left Monaco to join Turkish side Galatasaray on loan until the end of the season.
 
The 22-year-old who joined AS Monaco on a permanent deal from Everton last summer, struggled to make it into Leonardo Jardim’s plans. 
 
This will be his second loan spell in Turkey with Galatasaray after previously signing a season-long loan back in July 2018. 
 
During his time with the Turkish club, he scored 14 goals in 35 appearances and went on to win the Turkish championship.
 
Announcing his second arrival at the club, Onyekuru shared photos of himself signing the loan deal then and wrote: 'I am so happy to announce ?Gala I’m Home! Ready to give all I have to help finish the season strong.'
 

[Edoman]

Celtic star Ryan Christie banned for grabbing Alfredo Morelos by the testicles during Old Firm derby with Rangers











Celtic and Scotland star, Ryan Christie has been handed a two-match ban after he was found guilty of grabbing Alfredo Morelos by the testicles during the Old Firm derby with Rangers. 
 
The incident happened on December 29 during the second half of the clash as Celtic lost to 2 - 1 to Rangers. The midfielder was filmed grabbing Alfredo Morelos by the testicles as he attempted to mark out the striker.
 

 
According to Mail Online Sport, the 24-year-old only conceded a free-kick during the game but after a complaint was lodged by SFA compliance officer Clare Whyte post-match, a two-match banned was issued to Christie. The midfielder will now miss the games against Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock.
 
During the same match, Morelos allegedly suffered racial abuse from Celtic fans. Rangers lodged a complaint about the abuse after the game, which is still being investigated by police, along with 'offensive social media material'.
 

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[b] Tottenham And Police Find No Evidence Of Racism Towards Chelsea's Rudiger 


Tottenham say there is no evidence to support allegations of racism from Spurs fans towards Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger during their Premier League encounter on 22 December.[/b]

Play was stopped during Chelsea's win at Tottenham after German defender Rudiger said he heard monkey noises.

A Spurs statement said the club and the Metropolitan Police had "now exhausted all avenues of investigation".

Spurs added that the police had closed the crime report on the matter.

The Tottenham statement added: "We fully support Antonio Rudiger with the action that he took - however there is no evidence to corroborate or contradict the allegation and as such neither ourselves nor the police are in a position to take any further action."

A total of six arrests were made following the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as part of the Metropolitan Police operation at the fixture, but none were linked to the incident involving Rudiger.

One Chelsea fan was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence against Spurs forward Son Heung-min, who was sent off in the match after a collision with Rudiger.

Spurs said they are able to "track every fan" using cameras at their new 62,062 stadium and that any supporter found to be guilty of racism would "receive a lifetime ban".

On Monday evening, Chelsea issued a statement which began: "We support Toni Rudiger totally and unequivocally on this matter, and as Tottenham's statement makes clear, a lack of evidence does not mean an incident did not take place.

"In responding to this incident, we must be very careful about the climate we create for players who experience and report racist behaviour.

"It is vitally important that we continue to encourage all players, whatever shirt they wear, to report racist abuse without fear of doubt or reprisal."

Earlier Tottenham explained that they had worked with professional lip readers in their investigation and that all reports had also been reviewed by the police.

Their statement added: "We are fiercely proud of our anti-racism work and our zero tolerance of any form of discrimination. This is one reason why we have attributed so much time and resource to investigating this matter.

"Had we identified anyone guilty of this we were intent on issuing them with a lifetime ban from our stadium as they would have no place among our proud, diverse fan base.

"If any new information comes to light, this will be fully investigated."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51012632

[Edoman]

SPORT
Chelsea legend reveals how he almost killed Abramovich


Chelsea legend, Pat Nevin, has revealed he nearly killed the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich, while on holiday in Scotland.
Nevin was driving around the Isle of Arran, when he nearly hit a cyclist while turning a corner.

He was shocked to see that the man he nearly knocked off the bike was Abramovich.
“About three years ago I was on holiday in Arran and I was driving up the north side of Arran,” Nevin said on BBC Radio Scotland.

“Every time you go on holiday there, you drive round the whole island.

“I came round a corner at the top just before Lochranza and I nearly hit a guy on a bike.

“I just got out the way at the last moment, I could have killed the guy. It was Roman Abramovich.
“What a story that would have been if I had killed Roman Abramovich. I just missed him.

“His yacht was off the coast and he was cycling round.
“He doesn’t know to this day that it was me.”

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Transfer: Aubameyang sends message to fans over Arsenal exit



Arsenal captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has reassured fans over his future, insisting that he is “committed and desperate to bring the club back to the top”.
Aubameyang is the Gunners’ top scorer this season, with 13 Premier League goals and 15 in all competitions.
However, the 30-year-old whose current deal expires in 2021, has been linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan lately.

Writing in the matchday programme ahead of the FA Cup tie with Leeds on Monday night, Aubameyang sought to calm the supporters

He said: “I really hope that you were proud of us after the United game [a 2-0 win over Man Utd].

“I’m sure you can see what we’re trying to do on the pitch, that you can see improvement in our performances and now it has materialised with a deserved win on Wednesday.

“The atmosphere was exceptional. When you are on the pitch and you feel the crowd roaring after every run, every tackle, every duel and after every chance, it gives you such a boost mentally. The Emirates felt like a fortress.

“You were our 12th man and I felt like Manchester United could have played for hours and they would have never scored. 
I really hope it will be like that until the end of the season. All together, we can have a great 2020! We need to be united more than ever.
“I would also like to react to some of the rumours that are going around about me in the media.

“People like making up stories and they should focus on what’s happening on the pitch.

 They talk too much and it does my head in!

“I am the Arsenal captain. I love this club. I am committed to it and desperate to bring it back to the top, where it belongs.”

[Edoman]

Liverpool announce record £80m per year jersey deal with Nike, eclipsing Manchester United's adidas contract



                       


Premier league leaders, Liverpool have finalized a staggering £80m per year Jersey deal with Nike, a British record which surpasses the £75m deal signed between Manchester United and Adidas.

The deal will commence from June 1, 2020 and allows Nike to supply Kits for the senior men's team, women's side, academy squads, coaching staff and Liverpool FC Foundation. 
 
Real Madrid (£98m) and Barcelona (£100m) are the only European football teams who will earn more than Liverpool through kit sponsorship. 
 
Liverpool said in a statement on it's website, Tuesday. 'Liverpool Football Club is delighted to announce Nike, the world's leading footwear and apparel company, as its official kit supplier from the 2020-21 season.
'The partnership coincides with our move into a new, state-of-the-art training facility in Kirkby for the 2020-21 season, a project that includes investment in improved sport facilities for the local community.' 
 
Liverpool's managing director Billy Hogan added: 'Our iconic kit is a key part of our history and identity. We welcome Nike into the LFC family as our new official kit supplier and expect them to be an incredible partner for the club, both at home and globally as we continue to expand our fanbase.

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Kanu Nwankwo pictured with Arsene Wenger at CAF Awards




       


Legendary African footballer and former Arsenal player Kanu Nwankwo was this afternoon pictured with legendary coach and former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on the sidelines of the CAF Player of the Year Awards holding tonight at Hurghada, Egypt.
 
             
Kanu posting on his Twitter account captioned the post; "Kan U guess who i'm happy to see here ? the correct answer is no other than Legendary Arsené Wenger the boss.
        

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Asisat Oshoala Wins 2019 CAF Women's Best Player


Barcelona Women & Nigeria Women star Asisat Oshoala is named 2019 African Best Women's POTY award.

It was gathered that Asisat Was absent at the award but the award was received by the Nigerian Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick.

The Super Falcons striker took to her social media page immediately to react

https://www.reportminds.com/2020/01/nigerian-barca-forward-asisat-oshala.html?m=1

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CAF Awards 2019: Sadio Mane Is Africa’s Best Player


Senegalese forward Sadio Mane has won the 2019 CAF African Player of the Year award .

He beats Liverpool ’ s teammate Mohammed Salah and Manchester City’ s Riyad Mahrez to win the award at the annual awards ceremony staged in Hurghada on Tuesday.

Mane has been a finalist in the previous three editions of the CAF Player of the Year , but in all those instances , he never went back home with the coveted piece of silverware .

Mane was Senegal ’ s main man at the 2019 AFCON where he netted three goals on the Teranga Lions’ path to the final where they lost by a solitary goal to Algeria . He netted a brace in the 3 - 0 group phase victory over Kenya and added one more in the round of 16 1 - 0 win over Uganda.

He was also a vital part of the team as they beat Benin and Tunisia in the quarters and semis respectively , his influence playing a big role in Senegal ’ s run to the final.

For his club Liverpool , Mane was just as sensational as he was for Senegal as he played another crucial role aiding them to the UEFA Champions League title for the first time since 2005 .

The forward scored crucial goals , key among them a double over Bayern Munich in a 3 - 1 victory in the round of 16 and once in the aggregate 6 - 1 win over Porto in the quarter-finals as the Reds steamrolled into the final and ultimately bag the Champions League title .

In the English Premier League , Mane shared the Golden Boot crown with Salah and Arsenal ’ s Gabonese front - man Pierre Emerick Aubameyang , all three having netted 22 times for their respective clubs . On top of that , Mane scored 39 goals across all competitions for Liverpool in the 2018- 2019 season .

The forward kept his form into the new campaign and in the season - opening UEFA Super Cup , Mane scored twice in a 2 - 2 draw with Chelsea , a game they ultimately won 5 - 4 on penalties to pick up yet another trophy.

At the just concluded FIFA Club World Cup in Doha , Qatar , Mane laid up the assist for Roberto Firmino ’ s winning goal in the final against Flamengo . The Senegalese hitman was also in the top five for the Ballon d’ Or, a crown ultimately won by Lionel Messi.

https://punchng.com/breaking-caf-awards-2019-sadio-mane-is-africas-best-player/

[Edoman]

#CAFawards: Ighalo, Chukwueze, Ndidi and Osimhen snubbed as no Nigerian player made CAF Team of the year



               


No Super Eagles player was named in the 11 man team list released by African football's governing body, CAF during it's annual end of year Awards gala in Albatros Citadel Sahl Hasheesh, Hurghada, Egypt Tuesday night.
 
                    
 
The 11 best players of the continent had stellar names like Mo Salah of Egypt and Liverpool, Mahrez of Man.City/Algeria and Saido Mane of Senegal/Liverpool but had no space in the line up for Nigerian players who did well in 2019 like Odion Ighalo, Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhen.
 
Other players that made the CAF team of the year include Onana of Ajax, Joel Matip of Liverpool and Pierre Aubameyang of Arsenal.

[Edoman]

Transfer: Chelsea to hijack West Ham’s move for 21-year-old midfielder

 January 9, 2020



Chelsea are set to hijack the bid of David Moyes’ West Ham United to sign 21-year-old midfielder, Gedson Fernandes from Benfica, Sky Sports reports.


Fernandes has drawn interest from Moyes over the past few weeks.
Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard is ready to spend £55 million for Fernandes in order to thwart Moyes’ hopes of signing the Portuguese youngster this January.



Chelsea want Fernandes to move to Stamford Bridge on loan for 18months.


Fernandes has been impressive for Benfica so far this season
He has a £102million release clause on his current deal with Benfica.

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Transfer: Dembele agrees terms with Chelsea amid controversy

 January 9, 2020



Lyon striker, Moussa Dembele has reportedly agreed on personal terms with Chelsea to move to Stamford Bridge in this January’s transfer window.


This claim was made by respected football expert, Ian McGarry.

“My information is that Chelsea have fairly agreed a contract, verbally that is, with Dembele and his representatives in terms of the player’s wages, bonuses etc, and that it remains for the club to agree the fee, fee structure and/or any add ons etc with Jean Michel-Aulas of Lyon,” McGarry told the Transfer Window Podcast.



“So I think they are ahead in this but Manchester United need goals, almost everyone in the Premier League needs to buy goals in January, that seems to be the trend always every time this window opens, that everyone is looking for a striker.”

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Carabao Cup: What Kelechi Iheanacho said after scoring in Leicester’s draw against Aston Villa

 January 9, 2020



Leicester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho has expressed happiness after scoring in his side’s Carabao Cup semi-final 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.


The Nigerian international came on as a substitute in the second half to score the equaliser for the Foxes following a fine assist from Jamie Vardy at the King Power Stadium.


Freddy Guilbert put Aston Villa ahead with their first shot of the game after 28 minutes.



In a tweet on his official Twitter page, Iheanacho wrote after the match: “Great come back Foxes. “Never quit. Happy to get another goal all glory to God.”

Iheanacho will now hope to lead Leicester to victory when they take on Aston Villa in the second leg at Villa Park on January 28.

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United States right-back Sergino Dest has left Ajax's training camp in Qatar because he did "not feel comfortable", the Dutch club have said.

It comes amid rising political tensions between the US and Qatar's neighbour Iran.

Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani was killed at Baghdad airport in an air strike ordered by US president Donald Trump.

Iran retaliated by firing missiles at air bases housing US forces in Iraq.

On Saturday, US Soccer postponed a men's training camp in Qatar - which will host the 2022 World Cup - because of "developing tensions" in the region.

Dest, 19, was born in the Dutch city of Almere but has an American father and chose to represent the US in October. He has won three caps.

"Sergino Dest has asked if he could leave Ajax's training camp in Qatar," Ajax said in a statement. "He didn't feel comfortable. Ajax understands his request and has responded to it."

Dest will return to Amsterdam to train with Ajax's reserve team.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51045524

[Edoman]

Maja enjoying Bordeaux stay
January 10, 2020
 
in News Update, Sports

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Josh Maja has stated he is enjoying his stay with Bordeaux and looking to continue his development with the Ligue 1 side.

The Nigerian winger joined the Girondins in January last year from Sunderland but struggled to adapt to the French top-flight, which limited his playing time to seven games last season.

After overcoming his initial setback, the 21-year-old has since scored five goals and provided two assists in 16 league appearances this term.

Maja, who has recently been linked with Chelsea, is delighted with his progress at the Matmut Atlantique outfit under the guidance of manager Paulo Sousa.

“I feel good. Obviously, at the start it wasn’t the way I wanted it to go, not playing as much as I wanted and picking up that injury,” he told Ligue 1 website.

“But since then, the new coach has come in, there’s a different energy at the club. That’s helped me integrate with the team and enjoy my football.

“I think it’s gone well since the start of the season, and I hope it’ll continue.”

Maja also revealed his quest to develop as a young player necessitated his move to France from England.

“It was always a goal of mine to play somewhere in Europe. France produces a lot of young players, and young players get their opportunity here, that was one of the reasons I wanted to come here,” he continued.

“Bordeaux was the right club, with great players, a great coach, and great fans. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was a challenge I wanted to take on.”

Maja will hope to make his 17th league appearance for the Girondins when they take on Lyon on Saturday.

[Edoman]

Eagles need a trophy-winning coach
January 10, 2020
 
in News Update, Sports

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[url=https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Gernot-Rohr.jpg]

 

Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Football Association Mohammed Abba Mourktar has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) not to be in a hurry to renew the contract of the Super Eagles handler Gernot Rohr after its expiration.

While advising that the job should be thrown open, the FCT FA boss lamented the non-inclusion of any Nigerian player in the CAF XI. He commended Rohr for rebuilding and restoring confidence in the senior national team, but added that needs a sound and result-oriented coach who will take the Eagles to the next level.

“There is no doubt Rohr has really done well for four years he has been in charge, we must commend him. He equally convince some of Nigerian-born foreign players to change their nationality and play for their father land but beyond that, Nigeria need a coach with winning mentality.

“We need a coach that can win trophies. Whether you agree with me or not, we are not doing well in the continent, other Africa countries have caught up with us and we are no longer the giant of Africa.  We need to go back to basics, which is grassroots football. Frankly I was not surprised at what played out at CAF Award because other countries have improved but in Nigeria we are still living in the past,” Mourktar said.

He advised that future Eagles manager must reside in Nigeria and compel to watch the NPFL games.

[Edoman]

Enyimba’s Afelokhai, five others return to training
January 10, 2020
 
[url=https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Theophilus-Afelokhai.jpg][/url]

 

Enyimba have got positive updates from the treatment table after some of their injured players returned to training and are making progress ahead of their must win CAF Confederation Cup Matchday Four tie with Paradou AC of Algeria in Aba.

The People’s Elephant have been battling with injuries to first team players but Theophilus Afelokhai, Andrew Abalogu, Stanley Dimgba and Nelson Ogbonnaya have resumed training with their teammates and could play some part in Sunday’s game if the interim coach, Fatai Osho gets the greenlight from the medical team for them to be fielded.

The media aide of the team, Bariza Zazi told NationSport that the four players have resumed training and are making progress towards a comeback to the team.

He, however, disclosed that Thomas Zenke and Ifeanyi Anaemena trained separately as they were still recovering from the injuries. Enyimba who recently changed their coach, Usman Abd’Allah with Osho are third in Group D with three points from three games ahead of their blockbuster fixture with the Algerian opposition at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba on Sunday.