Paul Pogba gave a passionate team talk before France’s World Cup round-of-16 win over Argentina, telling teammates “Messi or no Messi, we don’t give a s—.” Pogba was heavily criticised before the tournament after an underwhelming season with United, and a France Football poll showed fans felt the midfielder was not even worth a starting role in Russia. Coach Didier Deschamps ignored public and media opinion as Pogba started six of France’s seven matches — only missing the final group game against Denmark with France already through — and was widely regarded as one of the top performers as France…
Author: David Folami
Raphael Varane believes Kylian Mbappe is an “alien” who could win the Ballon d’Or. “If he does not win the next Ballon d’Or, we will tell him that it is not normal — we will yell at him! Yes, Kylian is a more precocious talent than I was. His intelligence and maturity really left an impression — his talent is monstrous. “I have known some extra-terrestrial talents in my time, but I think that this is the first time that I have met a young alien! Everything moves quickly. When I speak tactics with him prematch, I do not have…
Wow. After the final whistle, after the trophy presentation, after the slides on the glitter-strewn turf by the French players, after even the French fans have stopped singing, the mind is still buzzing, the heart still racing. There’s an unwritten law that World Cup finals aren’t meant to be like this; they are meant to be tight, controlled, cautious affairs punctuated by a goal when everyone has gone to sleep (or in 2010, frozen stiff). This match had everything – six goals (as many as the previous four finals together), an own goal, two goals that were controversial to say…
Wayne Rooney has said that England will find more international success if foreign Premier League coaches have “a little bit more faith in young English players.” England’s longtime captain and all-time top scorer never reached the semifinals of a major tournament with the Three Lions before his international retirement in 2016, and he was succinct when asked to name the biggest obstacle facing up-and-coming English players. “Playing. Just to continue playing in their clubs,” Rooney said on Thursday. “I think there’s more homegrown players, well not more, but homegrown players get a chance and they stay in the team, in…
Luka Modric accepted the Golden Ball award as the best player at the World Cup after his side lost to France 4-2 in Sunday’s final. Modric scored two goals in the group stage and converted both of his attempts in penalty shootouts to help Croatia reach the final. The Real Madrid star embraced Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic after being given the award by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Russia President Vladimir Putin in a rainy postgame ceremony. “I am proud of the award,” Modric said. “The incredible fan support makes me even happier. You know that despite the defeat you’ve…
Juan Mata is hoping a strong season at Manchester United will help him regain a place in the Spain team that is now led by Luis Enrique. A 2010 World Cup winner and 2012 European champion, Mata only featured once for Spain under Lopetegui, in a 2-2 friendly draw with England in November 2016. “I will do everything in my power to return to the national team,” the 30-year-old midfielder, who has scored 10 goals in 41 appearances for Spain, said to Marca. “I hope the new coach will count on me because I’m going to do everything possible to…
Thibaut Courtois has suggested that Chelsea will need to increase their contract offer to convince him to stay at Stamford Bridge after his impressive performances at the World Cup. Courtois has just one year left to run on his current contract, and Chelsea have reportedly offered him a long-term extension worth around £200,000-a-week — but the Belgian believes he has proven he is worth more with his form in Russia. “I will go back and I will see what they want and how they say it,” he said, according to the Telegraph. “Obviously, with this World Cup, I think what…
The decision was a turning point as Griezmann scored to put France into a lead they would never relinquish, as Les Bleus went on to win 4-2. Dalic said he thought such a decision had no place in a game of such magnitude. “We played well but the penalty knocked the wind out of us and after that it was very difficult,” Dalic said after congratulating France on their victory. “I just want to say one sentence about that penalty: You don’t give a penalty like that in a World Cup final.” Dalic also stood by his tactics and plans…
Robert Lewandowski has had a change of heart and now wants to stay at Bayern Munich next season, according to reports. In June, the Bayern striker’s agent Pini Zahavi said Lewandowski was seeking “a new challenge,” with the club’s top scorer from last season hoping to catch the eye of interested clubs with his performances for Poland at the World Cup. Now, according to the report, Lewandowski has decided to stay at Bayern this coming season under Niko Kovac. And incoming manager Kovac praised his star striker at his presentation as Bayern’s coach last Monday. “I think he’s a world…
Arsene Wenger says staying at Arsenal for 22 years may have been his biggest mistake and that he regrets sacrificing so much for the job. Asked what his biggest mistake in his career was, Wenger said: “Perhaps staying at the same club for 22 years. I’m someone who likes new things, likes change. But I also like challenges. I was a little bit of a prisoner to my challenge each time.” Wenger added that he has yet to decide what to do in the future and that he may need another two to three months to figure it out. And…
Ray Parlour has said he’s “gutted” that Jack Wilshere left the club, but that he understands why the midfielder prioritised regular football over remaining a Gunner. “Jack Wilshere has made a big decision and it was his to make. He met the manager and realised he might have been third or fourth in the pecking order. As a player who has missed so much football he needs to play. “He is a magnificent player — there are only two players I’ve seen as youngsters come straight through to the first-team that I have thought ‘these are going to be top,…
Luke Shaw is prepared to walk away from Manchester United on a free transfer next summer if his first-team prospects at Old Trafford do not improve, sources have said. The 23-year-old is in the squad for the preseason tour of the United States and, according to sources, is hopeful of becoming Jose Mourinho’s first-choice left-back next season. United would like Shaw to sign a new deal to protect an asset that cost nearly £30 million in 2014, but sources have said that he is ready to keep his options open, including walking away for free next summer, if he cannot…
Bukola Saraki has congratulated the Ekiti state Governor-elect, Kayode Fayemi. Fayemi was declared the winner of the July 14, 2018 governorship election. Saraki prayed that the almighty will guide Fayemi as he prepares to assume office. It reads: “Congratulations to Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Governor-elect of Ekiti State on your victory in yesterday’s gubernatorial election. May the Almighty guide you as you prepare to assume Office, and may your tenure bring more development to the State and improve the lives of its people.” Ambode of Lagos state has also congratulated Fayemi. Ambode called on the Governor-elect to ensure progress comes…
Dr Kayode Fayemi has described his victory in Saturday’s governorship election as one “ for reclaiming the land and restoring Ekiti values.” Fayemi spoke on Sunday while addressing newsmen in Isan-Ekiti shortly after he was declared the winner of the governorship election. He said: ” The victory of this election, I believe, is for reclaiming the land and restoring the values of our people. “Our values in Ekiti are respect for our leaders, commitment to our people, non brigandage, nor criminality and so on. ” This victory is a victory for all, it is not a victory for only Gov.…
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday evening arrived Netherlands ahead of his scheduled visit to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. President Buhari was welcomed by Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, President of the ICC, Vice-President of the Court, Marc Perrin de Brichambut and the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama. Others at the airport to welcome the Nigerian leader were Mr Oji Ngofa, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Mr Robert Petri, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria. Also on hand to receive the President and his delegation were Lt.Col Veenhuijzen, Aide-De-Camp to His…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that the just concluded Saturday governorship election was generally successful. Mr Oluwole Osaze -Uzzi said this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja. He said while the deployment of logistics went as planned, over 92 per cent of the polling units commenced on schedule. “Basically, the election was generally successful. We are happy that the logistic delivery went in accordance to the way it was planned. “Over 92 per cent of the polling units opened as scheduled. We are satisfied with the conduct of the…
Garba Shehu has issued a statement mocking the Ekiti state Governor, Ayo Fayose. The President’s spokesman said “In what observers said was the most intense, and a most angry campaign, the people gave their verdict: Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the one-time governor, declared persona-non-grata is now persona-grata again. “President Buhari has won this referendum. The people of the state have sent a clear message. The politics of brinksmanship, assaults, insults, abuses and Robin Hoodism disguised as stomach infrastructure has been rejected in favour of politics of inclusion, development, responsibility and good governance. “President Buhari’s war against corruption and insecurity; the message…
The Senior Pastor of the Household of God Church, Chris Okotie has appealed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to adopt him as their consensus presidential candidate in 2019. He said “In sincere humility and deference to our democratic institutions, I appeal to the APC and PDP to subscribe to this ideal by adopting me as a consensus presidential candidate at the next elections. “I ask the APC and PDP, respectfully, within the confines of conventional propriety, to temporise and observe a peaceful hiatus in the commonality of the Nigerian brotherhood, and embrace me…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday, assured the people of Ekiti and Nigerians that it is best placed to move the country forward and resolve all seemingly intractable problems. The party gave the assurance in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abudullahi, in Abuja, while congratulating Dr. Kayode Fayemi, its candidate in the just-concluded governorship election in Ekiti. Result of the poll, which held on Saturday, was announced by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday. “We assure the people of Ekiti, and indeed Nigerians, that our party is best placed to move the country…
John-Kayode Fayemi of the APC has been elected Governor of Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria. Based on the votes secured, INEC’s Chief Returning Officer for the election, Professor Idowu Olayinka, has declared Fayemi the winner. Fayemi won in 12 local governments. PDP’s Eleka won in 4. Fayemi polled a vote total of 197,459. 49-year-old Eleka secured 178, 121 votes. There was a vote differential of 19, 338. The election had instances of vote buying and was marred by violence in certain areas. Fayemi served as Ekiti Governor from 2010 to 2014 until he was prevented from a second term by Fayose.…