Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu, who just floated a film academy, has announced that the school will be opened officially in 14 days time. Located at D’Rovans/Wallan Hotel, Ring Road Ibadan, Oyo state, the school, according to the talented actress, is an attempt to give back to the society. ‘Many people have been calling me that they want to be like me and I feel the only way for them to be like me is to get a good training. So, I decided to set up a school where they can get trained. I have been thinking of how to give…
Author: David Folami
Former Juventus coach and brain behind the Bianconeri’s 1996 Champions League triumph was recently asked about Fiorentina manager Paulo Sousa. “Sousa?” said Lippi, “I met him by chance in the hotel after the match and we had a chat. I reminded him of a midfield for Juve from 1994 to 1996: Conte, Deschamps and Sousa, in fact. Now one coaches Fiorentina with success, one is the CT of Italy and another is the CT of France.” The Portuguese player arrived at Juventus from Sporting in July of 1994. A man who tactically understood the game perfectly, he played as if…
Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday against West Bromwich Albion having somewhat fought their way through to the knockout stages of the Europa League with a drab 0-0 draw with Sion on Thursday. This has been a fractious campaign for a number of reasons. It became clear that Brendan Rodgers was no longer suitable as Liverpool manager. This season was his third attempt at balancing the rigours of a top club’s hectic schedule. The best sides have to play two games per week more often than not. That takes an intricate skill in coaching and squad rotation, with…
It hasn’t totally been a very good week for Real Madrid. Kicked out of the Copa del Rey for fielding the ineligible Denis Cheryshev in Cadiz on Dec. 2, both appeals lodged by the club since have failed to see them reinstated. On Thursday, Karim Benzema was suspended by the France Football Federation over the striker’s implication in an ongoing case of alleged extortion involving international teammate Mathieu Valbuena. On Tuesday night, before the 8-0 demolition of Malmo in the Champions League, club president Florentino Perez and manager Rafa Benitez were the subject of the Bernabeu’s ire. On Friday, in…
Being a Manchester United guy, it’s extremely understandable that David Beckham looked a little wary about being made to pose in front of a giant Manchester City flag by celebrity chum Noel Gallagher following the City-supporting musician’s concert at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday night While we’re not entirely certain about the precise sequence of events that led up to the picture being taken, it’s safe to say that Becks doesn’t look overly enthused about the whole thing. Espeially now that Manchester United just crashed out of the ucl, united fans will not be happy with this.
What a difference a decade makes. With exactly two weeks left to go until Christmas, Lionel Messi and his pals have taken to Instagram to show that they are fully prepared for the big day. Posing under the tree with wife Antonella and his two sons Thiago and Mateo, Messi beamed as he proudly announced: “Waiting for Santa Claus with my family.” It certainly looks a lot more sedate that Messi’s Christmas preparations in 2005, during which he geared up for the Yuletide festivities by donning his Santa hat and swimming with the local residents of Barcelona aquarium.
With all of these big names rumoured to be headed to Manchester, the time may finally have arrived for one of the club’s biggest names in recent years to leave. The Daily Mail says Red Devils captain Wayne Rooney could be the beneficiary of a three-year, £75m deal to join his former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG. The CSL is growing quickly in the football-crazed nation. One reason is the astronomical sums the league’s clubs are willing to shell out to lure high-profile players and managers to ply their trades there. Rooney has been…
After United crashed out of the Champions League with a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Wolfsburg, the critics are circling at the Old Trafford gates. It’s desperate times for Louis van Gaal and chief executive Ed Woodard, and in this space, desperate times call for desperate rumours. And oh do we have a beauty on that front courtesy of The Times in London. The outlet reports that Manchester United are gathering funds to make a mega move to bring one of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar (or maybe all three) to the club. OK, the chances of these…
Before now, it was straightforward enough to show Louis van Gaal’s critics a copy of the Premier League table and a picture of Manchester United’s Champions League group and dismiss their critiques on the basis that he was making progress in both. But even though Van Gaal’s injury-ravaged United remain only three points off the top in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s tricky-looking trip to Bournemouth, there are now profound questions over the quality of their team and Van Gaal’s methods. Elimination from the Champions League group stage on Tuesday was chastening. The manner in which Wolfsburg ruthlessly dissected…
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has reportedly dismissed Chelsea striker Diego Costa’s suggestion he could be set for a comeback to the Vicente Calderon. Costa left Atletico for Chelsea in 2014 and played an immense role in last season’s Premier League title success, but the 27-year-old has been linked with a move back for several months. The Spain international did not rule out a return when asked about Atletico in September, and this week he again left the door open to a potential reunion when interviewed on Onda Cero. However, Marca and Mundo Deportivo quote Cerezo as telling an awards…
Arsene Wenger’s description of Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil as “a musician who always plays the right note, and at the right moment” is not a new riff. Back in September 2014, the manager made a similar remark about his record-high £42.5 million signing. “He’s like a guy who plays the music,” the Arsenal manager said back then. “The timing of what he does is perfect, and you don’t get many players like that.” For Arsenal and Wenger, who revealed his great admiration for reggae legend Bob Marley last week, Ozil has not been the chart-topping superstar that many thought he…
Marouane Fellaini believes Manchester United could play more exciting football amid recent criticism of Louis van Gaal’s tactics. United manager Van Gaal has been under fire with his side scoring just 20 goals in 15 Premier League games, and exiting the Champions League group stages having netted seven in six matches. Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg consigned United to the Europa League, and Fellaini has called on his teammates to meet the fans’ expectations of attractive, successful football. When asked whether the club could be more exciting to watch, Fellaini told Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday: “Yes, of course. We are…
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the Premier League’s financial strenght represents a challenge to his club but denied it could lead to the exits of Lionel Messi, Neymar or Luis Suarez. Bartomeu admitted to the Financial Times that Barca are struggling to hold onto their young talent given the economic power enjoyed by clubs in the English top flight. “Our rival is the Premier League. It is not a specific club, it is the strength of the Premier League itself,” Bartomeu told the newspaper. “The 16 year olds constantly receive offers from the Premier League that are very tempting.…
Manchester City have dropped Kevin De Bruyne for the game against managerless Swansea on Saturday. City, who dropped to third place behind Arsenal and Leicester after a defeat to Stoke, have Sergio Aguero out through injury and so have opted for Wilfried Bony up front. However, the surprise decision is that £54 million man De Bruyne has been left out in favour of Jesus Navas who comes in. City can go top with a win as Leicester play on Monday and Arsenal on Sunday.
England coach Roy Hodgson has said it will be hard to leave Jamie Vardy out of his squad for Euro 2016 if the Leicester striker continues his form. Vardy broke Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 12-year record this season by scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League matches. The 28-year-old has 14 goals for the Foxes this term and has played three times for England. Hodgson said Vardy’s goalscoring record would make him a “very strong contender” to go to the tournament. “He won’t score in every game between now and when I select a team for the Euros,” said the England manager.…
Wales forward Gareth Bale believes his team can win Euro 2016 and will not just “make up the numbers” in France. Wales are preparing for their first major tournament since 1958. “I honestly believe if we have a bit of luck along the way, and play our football, we have a great chance of winning. Why not?” Bale told the BBC’s Sport Wales programme. Chris Coleman’s side will discover their group-stage opponents in Saturday’s draw in Paris. Coleman has said he would prefer to avoid England in the group stages. Wales are among the bottom seeds for the Euro 2016…
Forrmer Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is ‘interested’ in the vacant manager’s post at Swansea City. The Swans may compensate Poyet’s current club AEK Athens should he succeeds Garry Monk, who left on Wednesday after one win in 11 league games. The club wants to name a new manager before the Premier League game at home to West Ham on 20 December. Swansea’s caretaker manager Alan Curtis is in charge for Saturday’s league game away at Manchester City. Poyet is the bookmakers’ favourite for the Swans role, although former Wales winger Mickey Thomas believes Manchester United assistant manager Ryan Giggs would…
Goalline technology could be used at Euro 2016 and in next season’s Champions League and Europa League. If approved, Uefa’s system of positioning an additional assistant referee behind each goal would remain. European football’s governing body discussed the issue on Friday and said it would make a decision in January. Goalline technology was introduced in the Premier League for the 2013-14 season, and Fifa used it at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has recounted his support for troubled French striker Karim Benzema after he was indefinitely suspended from representing his country. Benzema faces criminal charges in france after allegedly becoming allegedly involved in a sex-tape blackmail attempt against international teammate Mathieu Valbuena. The 27-year-old now looks set to miss next summer’s European Championships on home soil unless the case is resolved before June, French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet said on Thursday. However, in contrast to the reaction in France, Benzema has received full support from Madrid with both Benitez and club president Florentino Perez insisting…
Arsene Wenger hopes the buzz generated from Arsenal’s against the odds qualification for the Champions League last 16 will provide a welcome increase to his side’s Premier League title charge. The Gunners recovered from a terrible start to the campaign to progress in Europe thanks to Olivier Giroud’s hat-trick in a 3-0 victory at Olympiakos on Wednesday. Sunday’s trip to bottom of the table Aston Villa gives Arsenal a good chance to maintain that momentum and Wenger has warned his players not to rest on their laurels. “We came back on Thursday morning but we have no injury worries after…