Sport
Thursday, 22 November 2018 05:35
Didier Drogba: Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend retires from playing
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has confirmed his retirement from playing, ending "an amazing 20 years". The Ivory Coast striker, 40, had two spells at Chelsea, scoring 164 goals in 381 games and winning four Premier Leagues and the 2012 Champions League.He spent the last 18 months of his career with US side Phoenix Rising, the club he co-owns."After 20 years, I have decided to put an end to my playing career," he told BBC World Service's Sportshour. It had been expected Drogba would retire after the United Soccer League Cup final earlier this month, with his last game a 1-0…
Sunday, 18 November 2018 05:03
Super Eagles qualify for 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
After missing out on back-to-back editions of Africa Cup of Nations, Super Eagles have booked their place at Cameroon 2019 despite playing a 1-1 draw against Bafana Bafana on Saturday at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The qualification for Eagles is coming early despite one more game to play in the qualifying series against Seychelles in March. Super Eagles since winning the 2013 edition of AFCON failed to qualify for the 2015 and 2017 editions. After five games, they now have 10 points, with one game more to be played. Having been beaten 2-0 in the reverse game played in Uyo,…
Thursday, 08 November 2018 04:55
Shooting Stars Chairman blasts Makinde over prediction for club
Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan Chairman, Shooting Stars Football club of Ibadan (3SC), Mr. Gbolagade Busari, has warned the gubernatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, to desist from his projection of doom over the position of the club in Nigeria National League (NNL). Busari in a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday, said rather than projecting doom for the club, he should rather project doom for his gubernatorial aspiration, stating that 3Sc is currently chasing promotion to Nigeria Premier League as the team has already qualified for the Super 8. He said it was rather…
Monday, 29 October 2018 03:52
Thai owner of Leicester soccer team died in helicopter crash
Thai billionaire owner of English Premier League team Leicester City was among five people who died after his helicopter crashed and burst into flames shortly after taking off from the soccer field, the club said Sunday. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, a 60-year-old entrepreneur who owns Thai duty-free retail giant King Power, bankrolled Leicester’s improbable league title triumph in 2016. “The world has lost a great man,” Leicester said in a statement. “A man of kindness, of generosity and a man whose life was defined by the love he devoted to his family and those he so successfully led.” Two members of Vichai’s…
Sunday, 28 October 2018 04:03
Leicester City football club owner's helicopter crashes outside stadium
A helicopter belonging to Leicester City football club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha crashed in a ball of flames in the club’s car park on Saturday after a Premier League match, British media said. It was not known whether Vichai, a father of four and the founder of duty-free giant King Power International, was in the helicopter when it spiralled out of control and crashed just yards from the pitch, around an hour after the game had ended. According to eyewitnesses, the helicopter just cleared the top of the stadium before it started to spin. It then plummeted to the ground and…
Thursday, 25 October 2018 04:45
Rangers secure dramatic victory over Kano Pillars to win 2018 Aiteo Cup
One of the biggest comebacks ever in Nigerian football was recorded on Wednesday as Enugu Rangers came from three goals down to beat Kano Pillars 4-2 on penalties to win 2018 Aiteo Cup (otherwise known as the Federation Cup). In the thrilling final match played on Wednesday at Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Pillars started on the front foot; scoring two goals in the first half. They added the third early in the second half. While it was already looking like a lost course for Rangers, the Flying Antelopes mustered a late comeback sparked off by the 77th-minute thunderbolt from…
Wednesday, 17 October 2018 03:57
AFCON Qualifiers: Ighalo nets brace as Nigeria beat Libya again
Odion Ighalo was the main man for Nigeria again on Tuesday as Super Eagles secured a vital 3-2 away win over Libya in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series. Ighalo, who scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture few days ago in Uyo, added two more goals to his name on Tuesday as Super Eagles not only soared past the Mediterranean Knights but to the top spot in Group E of AFCON Qualifiers. It was Ighalo who placed Nigeria on the right path scoring the opening goal early in the first half before team captain Ahmed Musa doubled the lead…
Sunday, 14 October 2018 03:59
AFCON Qualifiers: Super Eagles trounce Libya 4-0
Odion Ighalo silenced his critics on Saturday as he scored a hat trick to help Super Eagles to a comprehensive 4-0 trouncing of Libya in the Match Day 3 encounter of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series. Ighalo who had persistently been criticised for his poor goals’ return in the national team colours was at his best; scoring three goals that helped Nigeria to their first home win in AFCON qualifiers. Ighalo scored the first of his three goals from the penalty spot barely four minutes into the game and that was all Nigeria could boast of all through the…
Monday, 24 September 2018 04:12
Tiger Woods caps off amazing comeback with a win
For so many years, the scene was familiar. This time, it was surreal. “I can’t believe I pulled this off,” Woods said Sunday during the trophy presentation at the Tour Championship, where he gave thousands of delirious fans at East Lake, and millions more around the world, what they wanted to see, and what they thought they might never see again. And at that moment, Woods was overcome with emotion and paused. After two back surgeries six weeks apart, he couldn’t lie down, sit or walk without pain. Golf was the least of his concerns, so much that he once…
Sunday, 23 September 2018 03:38
Boxing: Anthony Joshua knocks out Povetkin
Anthony Joshua has successfully defended his IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight titles after a feisty seventh-round knockout over Alexander Povetkin on Saturday night The Nigeria-born British boxer didn’t look comfortable in the early rounds as blood smeared across his face, while Povetkin enjoyed a flying start to proceedings. He, however, held on and in the seventh round he did the needful to become the first ever man to knock out Povetkin in a boxing bout In the seventh round, Joshua landed a huge combination of punches to get Povetkin in trouble and send him crashing down to the mat. Povetkin…
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Friday, 21 September 2018 05:53
NFF: Pinnick re-elected in landslide victory
Mr Amaju Pinnick has been re-elected president of Nigeria Football Federation for another four-year term having emerged tops in Thursday’s poll in Katsina. Pinnick secured in a landslide victory at the Congress in Katsina, winning 34 of the 44 votes cast. Pinnick’s victory is historic as it is the first time in the history of NFF that an incumbent will be getting a second consecutive term in office via a democratic process. Though Sports Minister Solomon Dalung was absent at Thursday’s poll, observers from FIFA and CAF were in attendance to validate the election Amaju Pinnick – 34 votes Aminu…
Thursday, 20 September 2018 05:05
Ronaldo weeps after Juventus red card
A tearful Cristiano Ronaldo was controversially sent off as Juventus claimed a hard-fought win at Valencia. The Portuguese forward, making his Champions League debut for Juve, appeared to grab Valencia defender Jeison Murillo's hair as they tangled off the ball midway through the first half and referee Felix Brych consulted his assistant behind the goal before showing the five-time Champions League winner a straight red card. Ten-man Juve rallied and took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Miralem Pjanic scored from the penalty spot, and shortly after the break, the Bosnian midfielder stroked home another spot-kick.Valencia were then…
Tuesday, 18 September 2018 04:35
FIFA, CAF name observers to NFF elections
World football–ruling body, FIFA on Monday named Messrs Luca Piazza and Solomon Mudege as its observers to Thursday’s elections into Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee 2018-2022. Mudege is FIFA’s Senior Manager for Development Programmes (Africa), while Piazza is a senior official in FIFA President’s office. A statement by Mr Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications on Monday, also said Confederation of African Football (CAF) designated a member of its Executive Committee, Sita Sangare, as its observer to the big event. It said this was communicated through a letter addressed to the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi and signed by…
Sunday, 16 September 2018 04:42
Golden Eaglets qualify for U-17 Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria’s U-17 team, Golden Eaglets, will be among participating teams at 2019 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania in May. Eaglets secured their berth after they edged past arch-rivals Ghana 3-1 on penalties after fulltime scores stood at 1-1. Ghana’s Black Starlets went in front in the 54th minute after a goalless first half, which they dominated. However, Eaglets fought back to draw level 1-1. Both teams had chances to get the winner before full time, but there were no more goals. In the penalty shootout, Eaglets triumphed 3-1 and will thus join seven other teams to battle for…