Sport
Sunday, 15 October 2017 04:04
Man City dazzle after Liverpool-United bore draw
Manchester City opened up a two-point lead over their neighbours Manchester United at the top of the Premier League on Saturday thanks to another display of scintillating brilliance in a 7-2 thrashing of Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium. After the earlier high noon showdown between Liverpool and a United side lacking in any great ambition ended in goalless stalemate at Anfield, City cashed in with a third straight league match at the Etihad in which they have struck at least five goals. Pep Guardiola's men became the first team to net 29 goals in their first eight league games…
Sunday, 15 October 2017 04:02
Zaha gives Palace first victory as Chelsea lose again
Crystal Palace ended the worst-ever start to a Premier League season and condemned champions Chelsea to their second successive defeat with a 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Palace had made unwanted history by losing their opening league games without scoring a goal but produced a much-improved performance as manager Roy Hodgson claimed his first win since replacing Frank de Boer last month. Chelsea have now lost three of their first eight league games and fallen nine points adrift of leaders Manchester City. A scrappy Cesar Azpilicueta own-goal handed Palace the lead in the 11th minute, but Chelsea levelled…
Friday, 13 October 2017 03:20
3.5m ticket requests for FIFA World Cup
FIFA said 3.5million requests have been made for tickets for its flagship World Cup tournament in Russia next year, as it dropped the curtains on the first sales period. The football governing body said ticket requests have been high since 14 September, with most of the applications coming from Russia. International demand accounts for more than 30 per cent, it said in a report on its website www.fifa.com.German, Brazilian, Argentinian, Mexican, US, Colombian, Egyptian, Chinese, and Polish fans all rank in the top 10, while around 150,000 tickets have been requested for the Opening Match and more than 300,000 for…
Monday, 09 October 2017 03:34
Egypt claim Africa’s second World Cup ticket, Ghana out
Egypt national football team have emerged as second African country to qualify for Russia 2018 World Cup. An injury-time penalty from Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah ensured Egypt’s qualification as they beat Congo 2-1 on Sunday to move into an unassailable position at the top of their group with one match still to complete. The Pharaohs, who have not reached the World Cup finals since 1990, needed victory in Alexandria to guarantee their place next summer after Uganda and Ghana drew on Saturday. They looked on course when Salah put Héctor Cúper’s side ahead just after the hour, only for Arnold Bouka…
Sunday, 08 October 2017 04:01
Buhari congratulates victorious Super Eagles
PRESS RELEASE President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Super Eagles on their victory Saturday over the Chipolopolo of Zambia at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The President, who described the hard-earned victory as “very sweet, soothing and a 57th Independence Anniversary gift to the nation,” applauded the team for the feat of making Nigeria the first African country to qualify for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament, with a match left to play. As he joined millions of football-loving Nigerians in rejoicing with the players and their coaching crew, Mr Buhari called on all Nigerians to apply the…
Sunday, 08 October 2017 04:00
Nigeria vs Zambia match: Five feared dead in Uyo Stadium
Five people were feared dead while scores sustained serious injuries on Saturday following a stampede at the entrance of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital. The incident occurred while football enthusiasts tried to enter the stadium. The fans, who were at the stadium to watch a match between Super Eagles of Nigeria and Chipolopo of Zambia were allegedly beaten by soldiers at the gates of the stadium with heavy sticks. The stampede occured as the crowd tried to avoid the soldiers’ sticks. The bloodstains were around the gate of the stadium. Policemen and personnel of Federal…
Saturday, 07 October 2017 04:23
Fashola to represent Buhari at Nigeria, Zambia match
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, will represent President Muhammadu Buhari at Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying showdown between Nigeria and Zambia in Uyo. Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, made the disclosure in a statement by Ademola Olajire, its spokesman, saying it learnt on Friday morning that Fashola would fly into Akwa Ibom on Saturday. He noted that Fashola, a former governor of Lagos State, frequently hosted the grand finale of the Federation Cup (now AITEO Cup) competition and was a notable football enthusiast. NFF spokesman said that top officials had also confirmed that President of the…
Friday, 06 October 2017 03:53
Late Kane goal fires lacklustre England to World Cup
Harry Kane's stoppage time goal earned England a 1-0 victory over Slovenia on Thursday and a place at next year's World Cup finals although his last-gasp effort barely masked a sterile Wembley display by the hosts. England skipper pounced from close range to convert Kyle Walker's cross in the 94th minute after a night of frustration for Gareth Southgate's misfiring team in a half-full stadium. A draw would have sufficed thanks to Slovakia's 1-0 defeat away to Scotland but Kane's effort, his 14th of the season in all competitions for club and country, at least prevented the inevitable boos that…
Thursday, 05 October 2017 04:04
Three African countries on brink of World Cup qualification
Nigeria, Egypt and Tunisia could all book their spots at next year's World Cup in the penultimate round of African qualifiers at the weekend but the other two slots will only be decided next month. A home victory over Zambia – a side they beat away at the start of the group phase – will be enough to see Nigeria return to the finals after reaching the second round in Brazil in 2014. Last month's convincing 4-0 win over Cameroon, inspired by the return of Victor Moses to the team, saw them eliminate the reigning African champions and establish a…
Wednesday, 04 October 2017 03:58
110 local, international golfers converge in Ibadan for ‘Mesiogo Open’
Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan No fewer than 110 golfers, both local and international, are expected to participate in the maiden edition of Ibadan Mesiogo Open starting today, October 4. Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Abayomi Oke, who made the disclosure on Tuesday in Ibadan, said the competition is being organized in conjunction with the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes and 3e Actuaries. Oke explained that 69 local golfers and 41 foreigners from 18 countries are being expected to be part of the competition that ends on Sunday, October 8, 2017. He said the competition will start with IMEGA…
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Monday, 02 October 2017 03:48
Nigeria’s Falconets thrash Tanzania 6-0
Nigeria Women’s U-20 team, the Falconets, are through to the next round of the 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Falconets booked their passage in style as they thrashed their Tanzanian counterparts 6-0 in Dar es Salam on Sunday. Having recorded a 3-0 win in the first leg tie a fortnight ago in Benin City, Edo State, Falconets posted a 9-0 aggregate win over the East Africans. In Sunday’s second leg tie played in Dar es Salam, four goals came in the first half and two in the second half as Falconets romped to the massive win. Rasheedat Ajibade…
Monday, 02 October 2017 03:40
Mersey misery as Koeman's Everton lose and Liverpool draw
Everton manager Ronald Koeman is under mounting pressure after they lost 1-0 at home to Burnley on Sunday, while Liverpool drew 1-1 at Newcastle United as the Merseyside clubs continued to struggle in the Premier League. Liverpool's latest slip allowed Arsenal, who beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0, to leapfrog them into fifth place as the chasing teams scrambled to keep up with the ferocious pace set by the Manchester clubs who are five points clear at the top. City and United have 19 points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur on 14, after they won 4-0 at Huddersfield Town on Saturday,…
Friday, 29 September 2017 03:54
Malawian referees banned for $20 match-fixing
Media reports in Ghana indicate that four football referees in Malawi have been found guilty of match fixing after receiving $20 between them to fix a game. The referees allegedly received $20 between them to fix a match, but returned $15 to the team involved in the bribe because it failed to win the encounter. According to GhanaSoccerNet, referee Aziz Nyirenda, assistant referees Limbani Chisambi and Stephano Gomani, and fourth official Jimmy Phiri were all found guilty. The four fixed a national cup match between lower league teams, Nchalo United and Chitipa United. The match-fixing scandal was revealed after Nchalo…
Monday, 25 September 2017 04:02
WAFU Cup: Black Stars black out Super Eagles, lift Cup
Black Stars of Ghana emerged champions of 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations on Sunday after they thrashed Super Eagles 4-1 at Cape Coast Stadium. Stephen Sarfo who was voted as man-of-the-match scored a brace for Black Stars while Atinga and Cobbinah scored a goal each for the hosts. Rabiu Ali scored a stunning free kick late in the game, but it could not change anything as the Super Eagles settled for second place. PT