SPORTS UPDATE

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Kwara reintroduces sport festival to discover talents
January 10, 2020
 



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Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has said that the re-introduction of the state sports festival is a demonstration of his administration’s determination to bring youth to limelight and ensure their talents are identified and nurtured.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Kayode Alabi, stated this at the flag off ceremony of the Torch-of-Unity for the 7th Kwara State Sports Festival tagged: “KWASFEST 2020” in Ilorin yesterday.

He explained that the re-introduction of KWASFEST which has been moribund for almost two decades represented a progressive transition from decadence to reasonable, responsive and responsible governance that would offer entire citizens ample opportunities to be engaged meaningfully.

The governor added that apart from the festival, the State Government was taking various steps and initiating numerous schemes to mould youths in the right way.

This, he said, would be achieved through the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development to ensure that the instrumentality of sports was deployed to better the lives of the people.

 

 

[Edoman]

Kane out for four months
January 10, 2020
 
in News Update, Sports

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Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that striker Harry Kane will be out for four months after having a surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his left hamstring.

The England captain is expected to return to training in April. He suffered the injury during Tottenham 1-0 Premier League defeat at Southampton on New Year’s Day and specialists advised that an operation was needed.

A Tottenham club statement read: “Following ongoing assessment by our medical staff over the past week, we can confirm that Harry Kane will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his left hamstring.

“The striker suffered the injury during our Premier League fixture against Southampton last week and specialists have advised surgery after further review of the injury.

“The decision to undergo surgery is not expected to impact the time-frame that the England captain will be sidelined, with the expectation that he will return to training in April.”

 

[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: Harry Kane’s replacement to sign three-and-a-half deal with Tottenham for £28m



Tottenham Hotspur striker, Harry Kane’s replacement, Krzysztof Piatek is set to sign a three-and-a-half deal with Spurs.
According to the UK Sun, Jose Mourinho’s side have agreed on a £28million with AC Milan to land Piatek in this January’s transfer window.

The newspaper report that the move for the 24-year-old Polish international will be confirmed within the next 48 hours after a medical is completed.

Piatek joined AC Milan in January 2019 from Genoa for £34.2million.

Tottenham are keen to strengthen their attack line after Kane sustained a hamstring injury on his left leg that will keep him out of action until April.

Kane, who has eleven Premier League goals so far this campaign, limped off during their 1-0 defeat at Southampton on New Year’s Day.

[Edoman]

SPORT
Spanish Super Cup: Messi blasts Barcelona team-mates after 3-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid

 January 10, 2020



Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, has blamed the “childish mistakes” made by his team-mates, for their 3-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final on Thursday night.

Diego Simeone’s men took the lead through Koke.
However, Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann scored to give Barca the lead.

The Spanish champions saw two goals ruled out by VAR, before Atletico delivered the sucker punch late in the game.
Alvaro Morata converted a penalty and Angel Correa sealed the win in the 86th minute.

Atletico will now face city rivals Real Madrid, who beat Valencia on Wednesday in the other semi, in the final of the first-ever four-team Super Cup competition.

“It is a shame, we played a great game, after so long we felt good again, we were in control, dominated and attacked all the time,” Messi told reporters in Jeddah.

“We let it slip through certain mistakes when [Atletico] were already almost dead, in less than 10 minutes they turned round a game that we should have seen out.

“It hurts because it is a title and we wanted to be in the final and win it, we showed a different side to what we have been showing recently against Espanyol and at the end of last year, we played a good game but sadly we couldn’t get the victory.

“We have taken a step forward today despite the defeat but we are aware that we have not been doing things the way we want, we do not want to make these childish mistakes again.”

[Edoman]

Transfer: Three Arsenal players to leave this week



Arsenal are set to allow at least three youngsters leave on loan in the coming days, the UK Mirror reports.

Eddie Nketiah, Emith Smith Rowe and Tyreece John-Jules will leave the Emirates to gain experience elsewhere.
Nketiah, 20, was recalled from Leeds this month, for lack of playing time.

Bristol City missed out on Nketiah in the summer, but remain keen on taking him until the end of the season.
Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest are interested in the striker.

Smith Rowe has also been in discussions with interested parties over a temporary switch.

The winger impressed whilst on loan at RB Leipzig last season and is attracting further attention from the Bundesliga.
John-Jules is the third player hoping to gain first-team experience away from the Emirates, after signing a new contract in summer.

[Edoman]

Super Eagles star Oghenekaro Etebo joins Getafe on loan (photos)










Super Eagles of Nigeria star, Oghenekaro Etebo has completed a move from Eglish club, Stoke City to Getafe in Spain. 
 
The 24-year-old midfielder joined Getafe on a loan deal until the end of the current season. In the deal, the Madrid-based club has an option to sign him permanently. 
 
Sharing photos from his presentation, Etebo wrote: 'New chapter  So happy to start My New Year with a Great Team @getafecf Also want to use this opportunity to appreciate my Fans for their Effort and Support.'
 


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[Edoman]

Tottenham vs Liverpool: Mourinho envious of Klopp

 January 11


Tottenham Hotspur manager, Jose Mourinho, has admitted he is envious of the options Jurgen Klopp has at his disposal ahead of Liverpool’s visit.


Harry Kane’s injury has left Mourinho without a recognised striker, but Klopp can choose from an array of attacking talents.
The Reds boss has promised an “unpredictable” lineup against Tottenham and Mourinho has said he does not have such luxury.



“I think he has so much in his hands that he can be what he wants. He can be unpredictable.

“He can play with Firmino as a 9, with Firmino as a 10. He can play with Salah and Mane wide. He can play with Salah and Mane as strikers. He can play with Shaqiri. He can play Origi.

“He can do so many things. It’s difficult for somebody who plays against them. But I told you three months ago Liverpool were going to be champions.



“This situation is not a surprise for me. They are the best team in our Premier League. It’s a challenge,” he told a media conference.

[Edoman]

Transfer: Chelsea striker, Olivier Giroud’s new club revealed

 January 11, 2020



Chelsea striker, Olivier Giroud’s possible new club has been revealed.


According to The Guardian, Giroud has already agreed a contract with Inter Milan which runs until the summer of 2022 before leaving the Blues.


The newspaper reports that Inter and Chelsea are yet to agree on a transfer fee for Giroud.



Antonio Conte’s side are willing to offer £3.4million but the Premier League giants are demanding £8.4million.
Giroud’s current contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of the season.


The former Arsenal star only appeared in seven matches across all competitions for Chelsea this season.



The 33-year-old finds himself behind Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi in manager, Frank Lampard’s pecking order.


Speaking on Giroud’s future, Lampard told reporters at Cobham Training Centre on Friday ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Burnley on Saturday: “With Oli the situation is if it’s right for everybody, first and foremost for us as a club because he’s under contract, then we’ll look at whether he can leave the club.

“He’s been a great professional here, trained brilliantly, so I hold him in a lot of high regard for that. ‘But nothing is done yet.”

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: Man Utd’s new captain revealed as Ashley Young returns to Inter Milan

 January 11, 2020



Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, will hand Harry Maguire the captain’s armband, when Ashley Young seals his exit from the club, according to The UK Sun.


Young is the current skipper, but the 34-year-old is eager to join Inter Milan, after seeing his playing time significantly reduced this season.


Despite only moving to Old Trafford in August, Solksjaer will pick Maguire as his replacement.



With Young frequently out of the side, Maguire has effectively shared the role with him this season.


Solskjaer had in the past praised Maguire’s leadership skills and has labelled him a “warrior” this week.
Young joined Manchester United in 2011 and has made 261 appearances.

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Transfer: Solskjaer speaks on Bruno Fernandes joining Man United after 4-0 win over Norwich

 January 12, 2020



Manchester United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed he has the backing of the club’s board amid report linking Sporting Lisbon midfielder, Bruno Fernandes with a move to Old Trafford.

Solskjaer said this following his side’s Premier League 4-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday at Old Trafford.
DAILY POST had reported that Manchester United have reportedly offered defender, Marcos Rojo and 60million euros to Sporting Lisbon for their star player, Fernandes.

Asked to comment on the club’s pursuit of Fernandes, Solskjaer was quoted by Mirror UK as saying after the match: “Bruno Fernandes? I can’t talk about individuals that play for other clubs, but I’ve got to say I do have backing.

“We do have backing to do something if the right thing comes up in this window.
“The owners, Ed, they know what we’re building towards.

[Edoman]

EPL: Lampard speaks after Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Burnley, hails three players


 January 12, 2020



Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard has described his side’s Premier League 3-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday at Stamford Bridge as one of their best performances at home this season.

Lampard also hailed Callum Hudson-Odoi, Reece James and Tammy Abraham for their brilliant performances against Sean Dyche’s men.
Three goals from Jorginho, Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi gave Lampard’s men all three points against the visitors.

“It was one of our best [performances] at home this season for sure – it had everything other than more goals,” Lampard was quoted by Sky Sports as saying after the match.

“Some of the football we played was great against a Burnley team who are notoriously difficult to play against when they want to be but we made it hard for them. We were positive with our play from the first minutes of the game.

“We scored two goals in the first half [against Burnley] and that changed the face of the game. We’ve been working on that a lot, working on arriving better at crosses and scoring from them – we scored from two of those today – and there’s more to come, but that was the big difference today.”

Lampard added: “For Callum to score in the six-yard box is more exciting for me than for him to score from 35 yards without a doubt, because it means he’s prepared to run the extra bit, to sprint in there and it’s not the only time he did it today.

“That was the real Callum Hudson-Odoi and what he can be and there is obviously more to come. I thought his goal was brilliant for him and if he can carry on doing that then we know the serious player we have there.

“Reece has got a great delivery of a cross and more than that, you give him the ball and he’s technically so good as well. He’s so young and this is just the start for him. He’s a big weapon at the minute that we have to use well, we have to anticipate those crosses because there’s a lot of juice on them. We have to be ready to get across people and make goals like we did with the Tammy one.”

“I hope Tammy’s upset tonight because he should have had two or three. That’s how a striker will be and I know Tammy is like that, but at the same time, he got his and he keeps getting in there with his energy. He was that all around striker and the next stage is being that little bit more clinical but I’m delighted with Tammy.”

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: What Mourinho said afterTottenham’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool


 January 12, 2020



Tottenham Hotspur manager, Jose Mourinho has reacted to his side’s Premier League 1-0 defeat against Liverpool on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah scored the only goal of the match to give Jurgen Klopp’s side all three points against Spurs.
Reacting, Mourinho insisted that his side deserved a point against the Premier League leaders.

“I think we deserved a point,” Mourinho said as quoted by Football London after the game.
That’s why I have a good feeling from the boys. We’re talking about one of the best teams in the world at the maximum of their potential.

“We are a team with the difficulties you know. I think we deserved more.”

Mourinho added: “It was our throw-in from their goal. From that they score a goal. I am a player’s coach though so I have to be a little upset with them because yesterday we spent a lot of time working on defensive throw-ins.”

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: Aubameyang to miss Chelsea clash after red card against Crystal Palace



Arsenal captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, will miss three Premier League matches after getting sent off during the club’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Gabon striker opened scoring at Selhurst Park in the first half, before Jordan Ayew equalized with a deflected effort.
Palace midfielder, Max Meyer, looked to break down the flank before a late challenge from Aubameyang brought the attacker down.

Aubameyang was initially shown a yellow card, but video assistant referee Craig Pawson performed his checks and eventually upgraded it to a straight red.

He will now miss upcoming fixtures against Sheffield United, Chelsea and Bournemouth.

Arteta said after the game: “I haven’t seen it but I think it was a harsh challenge. There is no intention to do it but maybe he mistimed it.”

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Serie A: Zlatan Ibrahimovic makes history after scoring in AC Milan’s win over Caglia

 January 11, 2020



AC Milan striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Saturday made history after scoring a goal in his side’s Serie A 2-0 victory over Cagliari.

Ibrahimovic, who re-joined AC Milan in this January’s transfer window a few days ago, netted the second goal of the encounter in the 64 minute after Rafael Leao had given the Italian giants the lead just after half time.

According to the Daily Mail, Ibrahimovic’s goal against Cagliari means the Swedish striker has now scored in four different decades after first scoring for Malmo against Vastra Frolunda back in 1999.

It was also the 475th goal of his career so far.

The 38-year-old has played for nine different clubs in his extraordinary career so far.
He has played in Sweden, Holland, Italy, France, England and the USA.

The former Manchester United star will now hope to lead Milan to victory when they host Udinese on January 19.

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LaLiga: Barcelona striker suffer major injury blow, heads to surgery



Barcelona striker, Luis Suarez will undergo a surgery on Sunday for an injury to his right knee.

Barcelona made this known in a statement on the club’s official website on Saturday ahead of their La Liga fixture against Granada on Sunday night at Camp Nou.

The statement read: “Luis Suárez to have surgery on Sunday.

“The Uruguayan striker will be operated on tomorrow Sunday by Dr.Ramon Cugat for an injury to the external meniscus of his right knee.”

Suarez featured in Barcelona’s 3-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final encounter on Thursday.
The former Liverpool striker has scored 14 goals in 23 matches for Ernesto Valverde’s men this season.

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SPORT
Nigerian striker scores four goals as Barcelona win 6-0

 January 12, 2020



Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, bagged four goals as Barcelona thrashed Tacon 6-0 on Saturday.

Oshoala opened scoring for the Spanish side as early as the second minute of the game, after an assist from Marta Torrejón.

The Nigerian star then went on to add more goals in the 19th, 47th and 63rd minutes.

Barca’s other goals came from Jenni Hermoso and Marta Torrejón.

Oshoala has now netted over nine goals since joining the side from Chinese side Dalian Quanjian F.
It comes in a week when she was crowned the best female footballer in Africa by CAF.

Oshoala has now won the prize for the fourth time.

[Edoman]

Xavi confirms meeting with Barcelona chiefs, speaks on coaching La Liga champions

 January 12, 2020



Barcelona legend, Xavi Hernandez has confirmed that he had spoken with Barcelona chiefs, Eric Abidal and Oscar Grau amid report linking him to replace current Blaugrana manager, Ernesto Valverde at Camp Nou.

The 39-year-old also reiterated his desire to coach Barcelona where he won 25 trophies in a magnificent 17-year career at the Catalan club.

DAILY POST had reported that Valverde is under intense pressure at Barcelona after he saw his side beaten 3-2 by Atletico Madrid in Jeddah on Thursday night in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final encounter, with Diego Simeone’s side going on to face Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa final.


Report emerged on Saturday that members of Barcelona’s board, Eric Abidal and Oscar Grau, had a smooth meeting with Xavi in a bid for him to succeed Valverde.

But Xavi has now confirmed he met with Abidal and Grau.

Speaking after his side’s victory over Al Rayyan in the Prince’s Cup semi-final on Saturday, the Al-Sadd manager told a post-match news press conference: “I cannot say anything, they were here to talk to me and we discussed many things. Sorry I cannot give any more information,” Xavi told a news conference after his side beat Al Rayyan on Saturday to reach the final of the Prince’s Cup.


“I cannot hide it’s my dream to coach Barcelona, I’ve said it many times in many interviews, everyone knows I support Barcelona from the bottom of my heart.

“But I’m doing my job here, I’m doing my best. I was focused on the semi-final and now I’m focusing on the final.”

[Edoman]

Diego Simeone: “you Can Take Cristiano Ronaldo To A War And He’ll Win It For You

You can take Cristiano Ronaldo to a war and he’ll win it for you all alone, for Lionel Messi you need to bring all of his Barcelona teammates so he could actually do something.”

Cristiano Ronaldo hailed after Messi failed to lift Barcelona in Jeddah.

Juventus Super Star, Cristiano Ronaldo is the toast of Twitterati today, even without kicking the ball in the last over 90 hours.

Ronaldo is trending with over 90,000 comments, few hours after Barcelona lost their hopes of claiming the Spanish Supercopa to Athletico Madrid in Jeddah.

This seems like an act of revenge from fans of Cristiano Ronaldo after Barcelona fans had mocked him for losing Super Copa Italia to Lazio.

Atletico came from behind to beat Barcelona 3-2.

Barca looked on course for a Sunday showdown against Real when they led Atletico 2-1 with nine minutes left but instead, it will be a Madrid derby in Saudi Arabia to decide who lifts the trophy.

Koke opened the scoring early into the second half of the semi-final clash at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Messi found an equaliser minutes later before Antoine Griezmann added Barca’s second.

Diego Simeone’s men continued to fight back and pulled level through Alvaro Morata, who converted from the spot-kick.

And Atletico sealed a sensational 3-2 victory after Angel Correa found the back of the net with four minutes of normal time remaining.

Atletico will now face arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Super Cup final on Sunday in Jeddah.

Some fans also accused Lionel Messi and other Barcelona players of bullying 20-year-old Portuguese wonderkid, Joao Felix(praised as next-Ronaldo), after he squared up with Barcelona captain before half-time with the score 0-0.
However, Ronaldo made history on Monday against Cagliari by scoring his 36th hat-trick to Messi’s 34. With his latest achievement, many described the Portuguese star as a better player than Messi, when it comes to lifting their teams in difficult times.

Source: https:https://twitter.com/360Sources/status/1215521150647832576?s=19

[Edoman]

Man U coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer forced to defend his bosses Glazers & Woodward after fans chant vile abuses towards them



            


Manchester United head coach Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has come out to defend his club's owners - the Glazer family and the club's CEO Ed Woodward after fans chanted vile abuses towards both men during the club's 4-0 win over Norwich on Saturday night.
 
                              
 
The club's fans, angry at poor transfer dealings over the last 8 years at the club, made vile chants towards the Glazers and Woodward, with one fan in particular making a distasteful chant about putting Woodward on a bonfire'.
 
                
 
The 3-1 home defeat to City in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday showed the gap between the two clubs and fans are furious that the Glazers — some of whom were at Saturday's game with Woodward — have loaded £500m of debt on the club, despite taking in millions of pound nearly as income, leaving the club unable to spend large sums of money on the right players.

Solskjaer speaking to the press after Man U's win admitted hearing the chants but urged the fans to 'stick together' and support the club's hierarchy, Solksjaer said:
'I noticed (the chants). As a club we've got to stick together, we've got to be united, we are a family. I can only say from when I've been here I've been backed by the owners, I've been backed by Ed and they're supporting me.
 
'They (the fans) have just got to believe me when I say I feel we are doing loads of good things behind the scenes, we are going in the right direction. See the group today, the attitude, the work-rate, that's the core of the group that's gonna go forward. We are in all competitions. We are still in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, we're fifth in the league, still challenging, we've improved the position from last season. We've got Europa League.'
 
United are to face Wolves, Liverpool and Manchester City and a loss to any of this teams could increase fan outrage towards the club's owners..

[Edoman]

Ligue 1: Neymar reveals who to blame after PSG failed to beat Monaco

 January 13, 2020



Paris Saint-Germain forward, Neymar has blamed himself and his teammates for not playing their best game’ following their 3-3 draw with Monaco in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Neymar opened the scoring for Thomas Tuchel’s men but Monaco hit back with goals from Gelson Martins and Wissam Ben Yedder.

PSG levelled with an own goal from Fode Ballo-Toure and Neymar netted his second to put the host ahead, before substitute Islam Slimani grabbed a point for Robert Moreno’s men.

Speaking after the match, Neymar told reporters as quoted by Goal: “We scored three goals. I think that it worked well.
“We have quality, we know it. I think you made a mistake with this question but I responded.”

The Brazilian added: “It was a great game. A good test. We didn’t play our best game, but we played well.

“We created scoring opportunities for ourselves. We have to keep moving forward and do better to avoid losing home points.”
PSG are now on top of the Ligue 1 table with 46 points from 19 games, five points ahead of second-placed Marseille.