Pep Guardiola’s season, and that of the team he steers, has reached a pivotal moment. The enormity of the challenge, the steady accumulation of problems to attend to and the gradual realisation of how deep they run have brought things to a head. Once again, City’s dirty washing is out and in clear view for everyone to see. Never before has the Catalan coach been confronted with such a scenario. Breaking new geographical ground was an obvious first, as was pitting his wits against the power and glory of the Premier League, but now Guardiola faces a multipronged challenge that…
Author: David Folami
It has been a whirlwind weekend for Chelsea and striker Diego Costa. After it was reported that the Spain international was dropped from Antonio Conte’s squad following a row with the club’s physios, it emerged that Costa was the subject of a bid from Chinese Super League side reported to be Tianjin Quanjian. News over the weekend emerged that the West London club were adamant to hold on to their leading scorer. On Monday, however, that’s changed, as the Telegraph report that Conte is set to offload the striker in the summer. As this will-he-won’t-he unfolds, we asked Chelsea bloggers…
Something strange happened on Sunday afternoon. Not only did Marouane Fellaini come inches away from scoring the all-important equaliser in Manchester United’s game against Liverpool, only for the post to deny him, but Jurgen Klopp exposed a side of himself that maybe we haven’t seen before. It’s understandable that Klopp will have be frustrated to see his team concede six minutes before the end of the match. On the back of losing to 13th-placed Southampton in the League Cup and drawing 0-0 at home to League 2 side Plymouth Argyle, Liverpool really could have done with a result at Old…
Kelechi Iheanacho has told The Players’ Tribune that he had to save up around 15p ($0.18) to watch Sergio Aguero’s famous goal that secured the Premier League title for Manchester City in 2012. Iheanacho was a 15-year-old in his native Nigeria when his now teammate Aguero scored a 94th-minute winner on the final day of the season to clinch a 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers and City’s first title in 44 years. Iheanacho had never watched City before but says the moment had a big impact on him — and four years on, the strikers are now lining up…
There is a curious tendency in sport to see an outward show of emotion as some kind of transgression which is not to be tolerated; any expression of character an unwelcome diversion from the clean, clear lines along which our experience of the game should run. Alexis Sanchez’s “sulk” against Swansea City was one such moment, but there are many. You can see it in the attempt to make a unique individual like Lewis Hamilton conform to convention or the rush to vilify Nick Kyrgios when he shows his personality, warts and all, during a meltdown on a tennis court.…
Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has said he wants to finish his career at the club. Bailly, currently away with Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup, joined United last summer from Villarreal. The 22-year-old has since gone on to prove himself a key player for Jose Mourinho, and is hopeful of staying at Old Trafford for many years to come. “Hopefully I can play in Manchester all my life,” Bailly told sport360. “I am very happy here because it is such a great club. It is such an honour to play for this club and I hope I can…
Manchester United have agreed a deal to sell Memphis Depay to Lyon in a transfer worth a potential €25m to the Premier League club, sources have confirmed. Depay, a £25m signing from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2015, will fly to France on Wednesday ahead of a medical on Thursday. The Dutch winger has proven to be a huge disappointment at Old Trafford since United held off interest from Paris Saint-Germain to sign the 22-year-old. L’Equipe reported on Wednesday that the deal is not finalised but that a fee was agreed. But with United wary of completely cutting their…
Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw will get a chance to impress in the coming games as he tries to fight his way back into Jose Mourinho’s plans, Press Association Sport has reported. Shaw, who spent 10 months out following a double leg break suffered in September 2015, has seen his comeback disrupted by minor injuries. Those issues have restricted the 21-year-old’s playing time, and he has not featured since limping off at half-time in the EFL Cup quarterfinal against West Ham seven weeks ago. But the England international has been training since the start of last week. Mourinho chose not…
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to strengthen security in boundary communities between Akwa Ibom and Cross River. The house made this known on Wednesday while noting that the move will forestall further loss of lives and property. The house also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to the affected communities. This followed a motion by Rep. Henry Archibong, representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom, which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote. Moving the motion, Archibong said that there had been crises between the Ibibios in Itu…
Mr Chuks Sokari, the Branch Controller, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Awka, on Wednesday said the country was gradually becoming self-sufficient in rice production going by its availability during the Yuletide. Sokari said this during a town hall meeting in Awka with stakeholders involved in the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme for rice production in Anambra. He said the key role played by stakeholders in the country, especially in the state, contributed largely to the increase in rice yield in 2016. “I am confident that through this CBN programme, rice production will double in this country. “By extension, this is sure…
The Chairman of Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, says cattle rustlers had been returning stolen animals following peace dialogue in the State. He added that they had also, through their leader, promised to return more and surrender weapons as proof that the peace moves were yielding enormous results. Tanko, who spoke with journalists in Gusau on Wednesday, said the committee headed by the State’s Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, met all stakeholders in the area recently where peace was agreed to. According to him, the committee had equally gone round communities and rural markets across the…
The Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group has said it will not stop demanding the release of the remaining Chibok Girls. Speaking after returning from the guided tour of Sambisa forest, the group’s convener, Dr Oby Ezekwesili the BBOG remains resilient until the remaining girls in Boko Haram’s captivity are rescued. She stated this on Tuesday, January 17, at a briefing in Abuja following an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operation to the Sambisa forest, which used to be the terror group’s primary abode. Ezekwesili, however, commended the Nigerian Air Force on its innovative use of technology. She said: “By…
A Federal High Court Lagos, on Wednesday fixed Feb. 13 to hear a suit by ex-first lady, Patience Jonathan against the EFCC seeking to unfreeze her account. Also joined in the suit are; Skye Bank Plc, and a former Special Assistant to ex-President Jonathan, Waripama-Owei Dudafa. Others include Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd, Transocean Property and Investment Company Ltd and Globus Integrarted Service Ltd. The ex-first lady is demanding the sum of 200 million dollars from the commission as damages for infringing on her rights. She also prayed the court to issue…
The Nigerian Navy said on Wednesday that it had deployed troops to Rivers on a special operation code-named “Operation Rivers Sweep”. The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. James Oluwole, disclosed this to newsmen on the sidelines of inauguration of residential quarters for troops in Port Harcourt. Oluwole said the deployment which began on Jan. 7 was aimed at tackling the rising activities of illegal bunkerers in Onne Local Government Area of the state. “Operation Rivers Sweep was activated on Jan. 7 to stem the tide of increasing and disturbing reports of illegal bunkering in Onne general…
Beauty queen, actress, and philanthropist, Ibinabo Fiberesima celebrated her birthday yesterday in grand style. The event, which had the who’s who in the movie and entertainment worlds, was held at Liligate Hotel in Lekki, Lagos. Unlike other celebrity birthdays that are characterised by binge partying, Ibinabo decided to make her own different by changing the lives of deserving young Nigerians. She gave out eight scholarships to eight Nigerians from across the country. In a chat, Ibinabo thanked the recipients for allowing her to be a part of their lives. “It is good to have children who you can give the…
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, on Thursday said he was waiting on God for the choice of the candidate who would succeed him as governor in 2018. The governor made this known in Ikere-Ekiti while flagging off the last phase of the dualisation of the town’s roads, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in Ado Ekiti. The statement said that the governor, who was responding to Ikere-Ekiti people’s demand that they should produce his successor, said he had taken the matter to God in prayers and was waiting for His directive. “While saying…
It would be one of the more surprising moves of the window, but the Sun reports that Sevilla are “desperate” to take Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. The Red Devils youngster has seen plenty of game time this term, though Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s form means there are only so many starts as a centre-forward available under Jose Mourinho this season. Rashford, 19, has shown another side to his game recently by proving effective from the left wing, and Sevilla — and West Ham too — would be prepared to make him the focal point of their attack.
Nollywood actress Nkiru Sylvanus, who is popular for her role in ” Cry For Help” made her debut in the movie “The Voice.” On January 12, 2017, the actress took to her Instagram page to announce that the psychological thriller is officially available in the market. She shared a poster with the caption, “Its finally out in the market, please get a copy and tell me what u think!.” The film is written and directed by Afe Olumowe and stars the actress alongside Kenneth Okolie, Betty Njoku-Olumowe, Larry Briggs, Edwards Fom and Daniel Lloyd.
‘Man of the year’ singer Skales drops a video for the remix of latest single ‘Temper’ featuring Burna boy. A sample of Fela’s music is infused in the song’s lyrics. The song was produced by the fast rising Krisbeatz, Watch and share video as directed by Stanz Visuals.
Chiwetalu Agu has reacted to Gideon Okeke’s opinion about his use of ‘vulgar slangs’ in movies. In an interview with Sunday Scoop, the veteran responded saying that he doesn’t know Gideon Okeke. He also insinuated that the actor has no right to judge his acting style. “Anybody can say anything or come to whatever conclusion they please. The viewers would judge whether I use vulgar words in movies or not,” Chiwetalu Agu said. People who watch movies are the ultimate judges. I do not even know who Gideon Okeke is; I do not think I have ever heard his name.…