Late Stephen Keshi To Be Buried In Illah July 29

The burial arrangements for late Super Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi, have been made public.

A member of the burial committee, who is also the Delta State Commissioner for Information Mr. Patrick Ukah, revealed that the ceremonies will hold between Thursday, July 28, and Sunday, July 31, 2016.

According to Mr. Ukah, who spoke in Asaba yesterday, (Wednesday, July 20,2016), on Thursday, July 28, 2016, there will be a requiem mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 30 Airport Road, Benin City, from 9:00 am, followed by lying in state at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, by 11:00am, while a novelty match by All Stars and Tributes will also take place at the same venue.

The same day, his remains will depart Benin City for Asaba, Delta State from 1:15pm. On arrival, there will be lying in state ceremony at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Indoor Hall, Asaba, from 3:15pm, while a service of songs/vigil mass will hold at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, Delta State by 6:00pm same day.

On Friday, July 29, 2016 the body leaves Asaba for Illah by 7am, and there will be a brief stopover at the Ogbelani Palace for traditional rites as a Palace Chief by 8:00am, followed by lying in state at his family home, Ukpologwu Quarters, Illah, from 8:30am.

The requiem mass will take place at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, by 10:00am after which interment will hold at his family compound, Ukpologwu Quarters, Illah, from 12:30pm. Entertainment of guests will be at Omorka Primary School Playground by 12:30pm.

The burial ceremonies will be rounded up on Sunday, July 31, 2016 with a thanksgiving mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, by 10:00am.

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West Brom Reject Spurs Offer for Berahino

Saido Berahino Celebrates after Scoring for West Brom. Image: Getty.

West Bromwich Albion have turned down an offer from Tottenham Hotspur for striker Saido Berahino.
Spurs had reportedly been weighing an offer for the England Under-21 in the region of £15m. West Brom have not confirmed detail of the figure been tabled by the north London side.

“We have no interest in selling Saido, which is what I have told Daniel Levy,” said Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace in a statement on the club’s website.

Berahino, 22, who scored 14 goals in 38 appearances for West Brom last season, is under contract at the Hawthorns until June 2017. It has however been rumoured that the Midlands side are holding out for a £25m fee for the player.

Peace added: “I know we are living in an age where no club can say ‘never’ about the possibility of selling a player. However, the prospect of selling Saido is simply not on our agenda.

“We are going forward with Saido much in our plans.”

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My Injury Has Made Me Stronger – Osaze

Nigerian striker, Osaze Odemwingie has expressed his displeasure over his recent long term stint in the sidelines.

Osaze has been injured since last August after suffering a serious knee ligament injury in City’s 1-0 win over the Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and he resumed training with Stoke squad on yesterday.

“It has been tough but the medical staff have been brilliant and helped me enormously,” he told Stoke City website.

“Hearing the fans sing my song and looking forward to seeing me playing again is brilliant; that feeling that somebody is waiting for you is fantastic.”

“It’s been just over six months now but these injuries can be nine months, so I’m really happy that I’m back training.

“I played a few small-sided games last week and Tuesday, and tomorrow I’ll be back in the fold and hopefully I’ll be ready as soon as possible.”

Odemwingie said that the clubhas helped him a lot on his road back to recovery and also thanks the fans.

He added: “A few months ago I couldn’t walk properly, I struggled to get my knee fully extended.

“Not being able to walk slowly in the park with your family and kids to playing with top professionals is a big jump for me and I’m really looking forward to it. That’s what I’ve done for the past 12 years of my life, I got used to it and it was hard to adjust.

“But I’ve got two little kids at home and I’m at a place where I’ve really been looked after well and people want to see to me so those things made the journey back to full fitness a bit easier.”

The manager Mark Hughes added: “Peter has worked extremely hard with our medical staff and is now in a position to join in with the group. It’s fantastic to see him looking so well.”
Odemwingie was expected to miss the whole season at the initial prognosis of the injury but has made a suprise come back and could play this season.

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Messi And Ronaldo Could Play Together in All-Star game

According to the El Mundo Deportivo, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could play in the same team if new plans to host a European All-Star game come to fruition.

The two best players, the source reports, in the game would represent a ‘South Europe’ side in a proposal put forward to UEFA by a marketing company who want to replicate the success of the NBA All-Star game.

Messi and Ronaldo, who represent Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga, would line up alongside stars from Itay’s Serie A and France’s Ligue 1. They would face off against the best on offer from the Premier League, the Bundesliga and Russia’s Premier League.

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Uganda Name Strong Squad For Nigeria Friendly

Uganda coach, Micho Sredojevic has named a strong squad for next week’s international friendly match against Nigeria at the Nest of Champions stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The Cranes would be parading four goalkeepers, eight defenders, nine midfielders and four strikers.
Goalkeeper Dennis Onyango, defender Isaac Isinde, midfielder Kizito Luwagga and striker Geoffrey Massa are among the regular names in the squad, which also include other players who have been active in their respective clubs.

Uganda Defeated Nigeria in the Kampala Leg of their 2008 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier in 2007.

Uganda replaced Bolivia for Wednesday’s friendly after the South Americans opted out of traveling down to Nigeria because of the political situation, with the presidential election slated for 3 days after.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns-South Africa), Robert Odongkara, (St. George FC-Ethiopia), Jamal Salim (El Merreikh-Sudan), Ismail Watenga (Vipers FC –Uganda)

Defenders: Isaac Isinde (St. George- Ethiopia), Jjuko Murushid (Simba SC-Tanzania), Richard Kasagga (Salam Zgharta-Lebanon), Joseph Nsubuga (Bright Stars –Uganda), Ibrahim Kiyemba (Lweza FC-Uganda), Bakaki Shafiq (Express FC-Uganda), Alex Kakuba (Estoril Praia-Portugal), Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia- Kenya)

Midfielders: Dennis Guma (Al Ahed- Lebanon), Khalid Aucho (Gor Mahia -Kenya), Kizito Keziron (Vipers FC-Uganda), Derrick Tekwo (Kira Young), Mike Azira (Seattle Sounders-US), Chrizestom Ntambi (SC Villa-Uganda), Brian Majwega (Azam FC- Tanzania), Kizito Luwagga (Sporting Covilha –Portugal), Farouk Miya (Vipers FC- Uganda)

Strikers: Geoffrey Massa (Pretoria University –South Africa), Brian Umony (Saint George FC-Ethiopia), Robert Ssentongo (URA FC-Uganda), Patrick Edema (Beira Mar-Portugal)

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Cristiano Ronaldo Named World Richest Footballer

Goal.com has named Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo as the wealthiest footballer in the world with a personal fortune of £152m, about £7m more than his rival, Lionel Messi (£145m). Neymar, comes third in the list with a fortune of £97.9m.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Paris Saint-Germain and Sweden is worth £76.1m, while Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney is the highest-ranked Englishman on the list in fifth on £74.6m.

Brazilian star Kaka who just signed to MLS club Orlando City, is sixth in the rankings on £69.6m, followed by Samuel Eto’o (£63.1m), Raul (£61.6m) and Ronaldinho (£60.2m).

Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is in tenth with a personal fortune of £58m.

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Photo: Chelsea’s John Terry tucks his kids into bed with League Cup

John Terry tucks the League Cup into bed with his kids after Chelsea’s win over Spurs in Sunday’s final

The Blues captain scored the opener at Wembley as Jose Mourinho’s men wrapped up a 2-0 win over their London rivals to secure their first piece of silverware since the Portuguese coach’s return to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2013.

And veteran centre-half Terry made sure that the trophy was in safe hands after the Blues’ celebrations at Wembley – by allowing his kids to keep a watchful eye over it in their bed.

Terry, 34, uploaded the photo above onto his Instagram account and wrote: “Goodnight.”

Table-toppers Chelsea can move eight points clear of defending champions Manchester City if they win their Premier League game in hand.

The Blues are next in action when they travel to West Ham United in the top flight on Wednesday night.

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Throwback pic of Stephen Keshi, Peter Rufai, others in the 80s

Pic taken at Seoul '88 Olympic qualifiers, January 1988. It shows national team players - From left; Ademola Adesina, Sunday Eboigbe, Samuel Okwarawaji, Stephen Keshi, Peter Rufai and Coach Yussuf Salami

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Record Breaker! Barcelona’s Lionel Messi Becomes La Liga’s Top Scorer, Top Hat Trick Scorer & Assist Maker Of All Time

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi today broke the Internet after he became La Liga’s Top Scorer, Top Hat Trick Scorer & Assist Maker Of All Time. after they beat levente 5-0 tonight.
Lionel Messi banged in a hat trick as Barcelona put five past Levante to put themselves only one point behind Real Madrid in the Liga BBVA log table. And Mesi had a wonderful game as he also bagged three records on the night.

Lionel Messi started the season slowly but he has hit the ground running in 2015, banging in 14 goals this year already. In the clash against Levante however, Lionel Messi tied with Telmo Zarra for number of domestic hat tricks with 31 and also tied the record for most La liga hat tricks at 23, a record that is now shared with Cristiano Ronaldo. As if that was not enough, Messi’s assist for Neymar enabled the Argentine overtake Luis Figo’s assist haul as it was his 106th Barcelona assist. It was not just a treble of goals but it was also a treble of records for the four time Ballon D’Or winner.

Ronaldo may have been the best footballer in 2014 but in 2015, Messi has definitely put the Portuguese in the shadows, especially with today’s display.

Well see some of the best tweets by fans..
@XaviAssist
Seriously Messi is unreal. I don’t even know what to say anymore. We need a new dictionary for him.

@ManUnitedFanII
We’re lucky to witness Ronaldo and Messi‘s brilliance. They provide entertainment to millions of football fans around the world.

@BarcaDomain

And as for Messi…let’s just say FIFA should just hand him his 5th Ballon d’Or right now. ” no trophies yet
0 replies 0 retweets 0 favorites
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@OKeeffeDaniel
I think loosing the ballon d’or was the best thing that could have happened to messi

@dahrmmie_jegz1
Ronaldo only betters Messi with age. The rest.? Messi is his fvcking boss.!!

@barcastuff
it’s not even a fair fight anymore, Messi is god, Ronaldo is an exceptional player

@omojuwa
It was 8 goals at a point but Messi is now just two goals away from the current top scorer.

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Nigel Pearson Goes Unpunished Following His Clash With McArthur

Leicester City Boss Nigel Pearson Has Escaped FA Retrospective Punishment after This Incident. Image: PA.

Leicester City manager, Nigel Pearson has escaped Football Association sanctions after his clash with Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur.

He has however received a letter from the FA reminding him of his responsibilities.

Pearson grabbed McArthur by the throat after being knocked over on the touchline by the midfielder during his side’s 1-0 defeat on Saturday.

He then helped McArthur back on his feet but prevented him from returning to the pitch by grabbing his shirt.

The FA is understood to have decided against taking any action after contacting match officials, who witnessed the incidence, for subsequent enlightenment.

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NBBF Invites 14 Home-Based Players For Afrobasket & AAG Qualifiers

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has invited 14 home-based players for a training camp of the senior men’s national team in preparation for the joint 2015 Afrobasket qualifiers/ 2015 All Africa Games (AAG) qualifiers.

Member of the NBBF Media Committee Femi Adefeso speaking in Abuja on Sunday disclosed that camping activities begins on Monday, February 9.

He added that invited players “are to report at Parkview Hotel, Abuja, on February 8” while the team would receive coaching instructions from D’Tigers former assistant coaches Sani Ahmed and Ayinla Johnson, who will serve in the capacity of coach and assistant coach respectively.

The home-based players will be joined by a number of foreign-based professionals in due course, according to the statement.

D’Tigers will play Burkina Faso in the 2015 Afrobasket qualifiers later in February. The 2015 All Africa games is billed for Congo Brazaville in September.

Full list of invited players:

Abubakar Usman (Kano Pillars), Stanley Gumut (Mark Mentors), Mathew Omonya (Kano Pillars), Ibrahim Yusuf (Kano Pillars) Abdul Yahaya (Mark Mentors) and Moses Odaudu (Mark Mentors).

Victor Anthony (Mark Mentors), Azuoma Dike (Dodan Warriors), Timothy Kwaor (Mark Mentors), Onyeka Okeke (Kano Pillars) and Ibrahim Okpe (Lagos Islanders).

Dele Ademola (Kano Pillars), Adeolu Ojo (Kano Pillars) and Abdulwahab Yakubu (Kano Pillars).

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Proposed Candidates Pass Fifa Scrutiny

All four candidates proposed for the office of Fifa President have been passed eligible for the May 29 Zurich Congress.

Incumbent Joseph Blatter (Swiss), Fifa vice-president and Jordanian FA boss Prince Ali Bin al Hussein, retired Portuguese footballer Luis Figo and Dutch FA boss Michael van Praag have been “admitted and declared” for the race after an integrity check by the investigatory chamber of the independent ethic committee.

The Ad-Hoc electoral committee, in exception of chairman, Domenico Scala (an Italian and Swiss), and chairman Fifa ethics committee, Claudio Sulser (a Swiss), so as to avoid a potential conflict of interests, reviewed the authenticity of the integrity check.

A statement by the Ad-Hoc committee read inter alia: “In its new composition, the committee will continue to supervise the electoral process to ensure the correct application of the FIFA Statutes, regulations and provisions. The Ad-hoc Electoral Committee will also supervise the administrative process relating to the actual election at the FIFA Congress in Zurich on 29 May 2015 – the election day.”

Blatter, who has been head of Fifa since 1998, is seeking for a fifth tenure.

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Adaeze Yobo Looking Sexy With Her Huge Baby Bump | Photos

The pretty mother of one is expecting her 2nd child, a boy soon.Still rocking those heels

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Dream Team 3-3 Flying Eagles: U-20 Internationals Win Super 4

Nigeria Under-20 internationals twice came back from trailing their Under-23 counterparts to finish the 2015 Glo Premier League Super 4 tournament with a flourish.

The coach Manu Garba side drew 3-3 with the Olympic team and ended the pre-season tournament with 13 points from a possible 15, four points ahead of their opponent who ended as second best team.

The Flying Eagles trailed 2-1 at half time through an Oghenekaro Etebo spot kick after Peter Onyekachi equalised Taiwo Awoniyi’s opener.

Bernard Bulbwa brought the game back on level terms in the 54th minute but Etebo restored U-23 team’s lead six minutes after the hour mark.

Chidera Ezeh headed home an equaliser in the 74th minute to help secure the Eagles’s unbeaten run.

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Heartland Defender Ebue Joins Dolphins

 
Glo Premier League side Dolphins have signed former Heartland right-back Rufus Ebue.

The Port-Harcourt-based club are beefing up their squad ahead of the 2015 Caf Confederation Cup and the new Nigeria Professional Football League season and have now added three new recruits including Ebue.

The fresh signing has not been named in Dolphins squad for the Super 4 pre-season tournament in Abuja due to an ankle injury he suffered in training during the week.

Dolphins were losing finalists at last year’s Federation Cup against holders Enyimba.

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Simeone – Torres’ Brace Against Real Perfect Response To Critics

Fernando Torres Celebrates Scoring at the Santiago Bernebeu in the Copa del Rey. Image: Getty.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says Fernando Torres has proved his critics wrong after his two goals doused Real Madrid’s hopes of the Copa del Rey defense on Thursday.

Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo canceled the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker’s brace as Atleti advanced 4-2 on aggregate.

Torres scored in the opening minutes of each half to end his goal drought at the Santiago Bernebeu and set up a quarter-final meeting between the Spanish champions and Barcelona, who were 4-0 (9-0 agg) winners at Elche later on Thursday.

“He went away, grew up and now is a man. I am very happy for him. In games like this he responds as he did. The fans are happy and his arrival has helped us, despite some people’s doubts,” the Argentine coach said.

After making a quiet return in the first leg 2-0 win over Real, the Spaniard got Simeone’s nod to start in the absence of the unwell Mario Mandzukic and not even Ronaldo’s Balon d’Or pre-kickoff ceremony could deter him from wrecking havoc on Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

He poked home the opener from Antoine Griezemann’s cross just after 46 seconds but Ramos restored parity in the last minute of the first half. There were not to be a recurrence of the fightback in last season’s Uefa Champions League final as Torres again collected Griezeman’s pass, wrong-footed Pepe and fired under goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Ronaldo salvaged a door for the Los Blancos, who were left needing four goals to progress on the night.

Atletico are now unbeaten in five Madrid derbies this season but Simeone refused to accept they are now superior to their neighbours.

“Such an early goal changed the rhythm of the game. It wasn’t in the plan. Every time we face Madrid we face an extremely strong team. They are the best team in the world, they just won the Club World Cup and the Champions League.”

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KESHI, OKOCHA, EGUAVOEN FOR OKOWA FOOTBALL CLASSIC

OKOWA AND FOOTBALL


Nigeria Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi will on January 26 lead other ex-professional footballers from Delta State out against their colleagues across the country for a football Classic in honour of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

The football classic coordinator, Stephen Cole said Keshi who will captain the Delta team will lead the likes of Austin Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Austin Popo, Davidson Owumi, Victor Agali and Victor Ikpeba, among others in the novelty game.

He stated that another ex-Super Eagles skipper, Henry Nwosu will lead the likes of Austin Eguavoen, Kano Nwankwo, Taju Disu, Dahiru Sadi and Daniel Omokachi, among others.

Cole, the ex-captain of Dolphins FC and the owner of Coliphen Football Academy said the classic is to create awareness and solicit support for Okowa in his political ambition.

The director of the Nigeria players union said the programme will also feature other football teams in the state like Warri Wolves taking on Bayelsa United, while the state executive council led by governor Emmanuel Uduaghan will slug it out with the state’s House of Assembly members at the Warri Township Stadium at noon also the same day.

The event is also to bring together all ex-professional footballers from Delta State and unite Deltans as one.

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Ronaldo Asks Madrid Fans To Support Bale And Not Jeer Him

Reigning World Footballer of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Real Madrid fans to get behind Gareth Bale, after the Welsh winger came under fire for shooting wide at goal instead of laying up his team-mate during the La Liga win over Espanyol on Saturday.

Bale was jeered by fans at the Santiago Bernebeu for choosing not to set up the Portuguese for a simple tap in and, instead throwing caution to the winds following a break-away move.

Ronaldo, despite having to show his angry self after his team-mate’s selfish decision, has now called on Real fans to “be nice” to the world’s most expensive player.

Speaking to reporters at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich, Ronaldo said: “Madrid fans are always the same: they are very intense, they show what they feel, they aren’t liars.

“But I think the things with Gaz are normal because they know that Gaz is a very important player for us, a key player.

“What happened on Saturday is in the past. Sometimes I make mistakes too, so it’s part of the business, part of football. I think the people will be nice with him and they should be nice with him.”

Bale was also criticised for not passing to Karim Benzema when clean through during Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Valencia.

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Herrera, Januzaj Back in Man Utd Training

Manchester United have been boosted by the return of midfielder Ander Herrera and forward Adnan Januzaj.

Louis van Gaal’s men prepare for their first match of 2015 away to Stokes on January 1. It was a welcomed improvement at the pre-game media briefing on Tuesday, with the 63-year-old revealing Herrera and Januzaj have resumed training after recovery from injury and illness respectively.

“Herrera has trained today for the first time with us and Januzaj has also trained two training sessions with us,” said van Gaa.
Ander Herrera is Back in Man Utd Training. Image: Man United via Getty.

Ander Herrera is Back in Man Utd Training. Image: Man United via Getty.
“They don’t have match rhythm [yet]. Januzaj was ill and you have to recover from your illness, not from your tiredness. Maybe it’s worse to recover from illness.”

Asked if he would have more players available for the Stoke game than he had for the game at White Hart Lane on Sunday, Van Gaal replied, “No”.

Luke Shaw made his first-team appearance since the victory at Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur. Rafael da Silva and Chris Smalling were also named in the squad for the goalless draw after injuries.

He added: “You have seen that Smalling, Shaw and Rafael Da Silva are coming back.

“These are the first signs that we already predicted two weeks ago, that the players shall come back but they are not back with 100 per cent match rhythm, and now we have to play.

“It’s a problem for me to come through this two weeks around Christmas and New Year, all these matches. That is difficult now.”

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United Await Scan Result on Rooney’s Injury

Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney will have a scan on the knee injury, which forced him out o Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Stoke City, according to manager Louis van Gaal.

The Dutch boss, 63, speaking after United’s fourth successive wins at Old Trafford last night, also gave some positive update concerning midfielder Daley Blind’s recovery, while Angel Di Maria, who pulled up with a hamstring injury in the first half of Saturday’s win over Hull, could be sidelined for next weekend’s trip to Southampton.

“Di Maria is not so heavy (serious) but of course he shall not play against Southampton,” Van Gaal said in his post-game press briefing on Tuesday. “But you never know.”

In-form United striker Rooney, 29, was not included in the squad for the ‘Potters’ trip to Manchester, after limping out of the victory over Steve Bruce’s Hull.

“It’s his knee, but we have to wait for tomorrow (Wednesday) to say anything about him because you never know with a knee,” he said.

“My opinion is it is not so heavy but I am not a doctor. So we have to wait for the scan then we will know more. But I hope it is not so heavy.”

Van Gaal expects Blind to return from an ankle injury towards the end of this month.

On Blind’s possible return date, Van Gaal suggested: “Not next week (against Liverpool), I don’t know…Christmas maybe- maybe Chrtistmas. At the end of December maybe we there is light a the end of the tunnel.”

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