Ivan Rakitic will miss the winner-takes-all Nations League game against England at Wembley on Sunday due to injury, manager Zlatko Dalic said on Friday. Rakitic, who plays for Barcelona, came off in the 67th minute of the 3-2 home win over Spain on Thursday which gave Croatia the chance to top League A Group 4 and claim a place in next year’s four-team finals. “He will go to Barcelona, it’s a serious injury. You know that I usually take no risk. If there is a doubt that the injury could be serious, then we let him rest,” Dalic told Sky…
Author: David Folami
Before breaking into the Vasteras team as a teenager, Victor Lindelof had his head shaved. It was the idea of Robin Blomme — the injured right-back Lindelof was set to replace — because he thought it would make the 16-year-old look tougher. Blomme did the honours in the dressing room after training one day. No one was sure whether Lindelof was ready for senior football in Sweden’s Division One North (the third tier of the league pyramid) but at least he would look the part. “He wasn’t a clear star but he found a way to get into the team,”…
The Nations League is giving European national team football a welcome shot of competitive action. A similar thing happened to South America in 1996, when the current marathon format of World Cup qualification was introduced. Until that point, the continent’s 10 teams were split into groups. The process was a quick one, and there were times when the teams — especially those who failed to make the cut — would have massive gaps between competitive fixtures. From 1996, all that came to an end. Instead there were 18 tough rounds of matches, with no European-style minnows merely making up the…
Belgium were at a loss to explain their astonishing collapse against Switzerland on Sunday, when they threw away a two-goal lead, conceded five goals in an hour and missed out on the final four of the Nations League. Some players felt the World Cup semifinalists might have got carried away after they went two goals ahead after only 17 minutes. Certainly there was a point shortly after their second goal when Belgium were passing the ball around in midfield to cheers from their fans where they seemed to be tempting fate. “Arrogance? No, we were surprised on counter-attacks, we forgot…
A 1-1 draw against Bafana Bafana on Johannesburg on Saturday was enough for the Super Eagles qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with one game to spare. Samuel Kalu excelled in an unfamiliar wing-back role, and forced the opener, but who else impressed for Nigeria? After missing two tournaments, and starting qualification badly, sealing the ticket with one game to spare is a credit to the character of Gernot Rohr’s side. Despite a few hiccups, the defence held firm, and Ikechukwu Ezenwa barely had a save to make. After the high of exhilarating games against Libya, the disjointed…
Gernot Rohr would not dwell on two disallowed goals as he celebrated Nigeria’s qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals with a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the FNB Stadium on Saturday. Nigeria return to the continental showpiece for the first time since 2013 after securing the point they needed to ensure they could not finish outside of the top two in Group E. They went ahead through an own-goal from South Africa defender Buhle Mkhwanazi, but conceded late in the first half as Lebo Mothiba drew the hosts level. Nigeria also had two goals ruled out…
Harry Kane has said England must take their opportunity to win the UEFA Nations League after reaching the semifinals next summer. England came from behind to beat World Cup finalists Croatia 2-1 at Wembley, a result that saw Gareth Southgate’s side progress to a four-team mini tournament in Portugal and relegated their opponents. “It’s definitely an opportunity for us,” Kane said. “It’s another semifinal, two wins away from winning a trophy, so whoever we play will be a tough game when you look at the other groups. “We are going to have to beat another top nation, but we have…
Christian Pulisic will not move in the January transfer window, Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc told kicker amid the U.S. international’s links with Chelsea and Liverpool. Pulisic is under contract at Dortmund until 2020, and has so far not agreed to a new deal with the Bundesliga club. During the November international break, UK media outlets reported that Chelsea and Liverpool are battling for the forward’s signature and could lure him to England as early as January. But Dortmund don’t plan to let go of Pulisic, 20, as they push for their first Bundesliga title since the 2011-12 season.…
Germany will give young players a chance to stake a claim after suffering relegation from the UEFA Nations League Group A, coach Joachim Low has said. Germany face Netherlands on Monday in their last Nations League group game, having already been relegated thanks to Netherlands’ win against France, and are looking to cap a terrible year with a good performance. They started the year as reigning world champions and overwhelming favourites to retain the World Cup in Russia. Yet they exited the tournament at their earliest stage in 80 years and are heading into 2019 after a German-record six defeats…
Riyad Mahrez scored two stunning goals as former Africa Cup of Nations winners Algeria qualified for next year’s tournament on Sunday, while Guinea, Mauritania and the Ivory Coast also sealed their places. Mahrez struck twice in the opening half hour as Algeria, who won the continental title in 1990, sped into a three-goal lead away against Togo before eventually winning 4-1 to seal top place in Group D — and book their ticket to Cameroon 2019. Mauritania qualified for the first time from Group I as they came from a goal down to beat Botswana 2-1 in Nouakchott with Ismael…
Weeks after breaking the internet with his latest hit song ‘Fever’ which brought speculations from all angles as many wonder if he really is in a sexual relationship with Tiwa Savage or the music video was just a mere publicity stunt, Comedian, Basketmouth has accused Wizkid of defrauding Nigerians. It all started when Wizkid shared a photo of himself in company of friends, excitedly having a meal of what could be seen as white rice and a huge fish however, the stew was intentionally missing from the photo. The comedian then made a joke stating that the Video which got…
Travis Scott has announced the lineup of his inaugural Astroworld Festival, set to take place in Houston, Texas on November 17 at NRG Park. In addition to a headlining set from Travis, the festival will feature performances by Post Malone, Lil Wayne, Rae Sremmurd, Metro Boomin, Sheck Wes, Virgil Abloh, and more. Check out the full lineup below. The festival sold out ahead of the lineup’s announcement, and will double as Travis’ Texas tour stop on the Astroworld tour.
Award winning actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has taken to her Instagram account to preach religious tolerance, she also revealed in the post, her Islamic background. “Although I was born Muslim, today I practice Christianity, however, growing up in Kaduna, I’ve witnessed some horrors that eyes should never see, all because of religious divides and intolerance,” the actress stated. She further said, “Our faith should make us better humans. Any Act that does not show love does not serve God or humanity. Love your Neighbour …. AS YOURSELF. Peace.”
Ramsey Nouah has spoken on the quality of Nollywood films, and acting for passion or fame. The actor spoke about this to The Cable Lifestyle during the premiere of his latest film, “Crazy People.” According to the actor, while the industry has grown, the stories being told are no longer as deep as they used to be. He also stated that some people are currently acting, not for the passion, but for the fame. “Back then I realise there was so much passion. Everyone was acting not for the money but for the love of it. But today I see…
Flyboy has been on a roll this year. Since his split with former record label G-worldwide, he has been hard at work, crafting a niche for himself in the Nigerian pop scene. This year has already seen him release songs like No do, For you (featuring Wizkid), Yeba – which is arguably the biggest song of the year and his latest collaboration with Major Lazer has already amassed over 1 million views on Youtube. So it was no surprise when he turned up to the “Live Your Music” Party and thrilled fans to beautiful renditions of his smash hits. The…
The final season of Game of Thrones will be released in April 2019, according to HBO. The network also put together a short teaser to announce its #ForTheThrone campaign ahead of the final season of the show. According to Rolling Stone, HBO is planning a series of outdoor events in New York and Los Angeles to launch its #ForTheThrone campaign. “The first kicks off November 27th at Grand Central Station in New York City and will include a limited run of Game of Thrones subway cards,” RS reports. The show won its third Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series in September…
This would the most unlikely headline you would be expecting of your favourite ‘Bad Boy,’ Burna Boy, as it looks like he just might have found love. This is not a rumour or hearsay gist as the music star revealed this on his Instagram page on Friday, November 16, 2018, where he posted a photo of a yet to be identified, beautiful woman. He went on to caption the photo with a quote; “I Found The One.” Okay, guys, on a second thought, maybe this is just a promotion for a single that he is yet to release. Or is…
I Go Dye for the umpteenth time has slammed president Muhammadu Buhari over his anti-corruption fight. The comedian took to his Instagram on Friday, November 16, 2018, where he questioned the president’s anti-corruption drive. In his post, he raised an alarm over the millions of unemployed graduates. It didn’t end there, he also questioned what the loots recovered from the Abacha regime has been used for. “THERE IS HUNGER IN NIGERIA DON’T LET ANYONE DECEIVE YOU. Your Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. As madact Ambassador on make A Difference Against Corruption Today, it has expanded my passion to speak. It saddens…
It was another night of explosive African music as the One Africa Music Festival went down at the Madinat Jumeirah Al Sufough, Dubai. Held on Friday night, November 16, 2018, the One Music Africa festival brought together a nexus of stars from across the continent. There were peformances from the likes of Skales, Kizz Daniel, Eddy Kenzo, Davido, Wizkid, Niniola, Chinko Ekun, Wande Coal, Diamond Platnumz, Sarkodie as the night turned out to be a carnival of sort with exciting performances and much more.
Annie Idibia and Alexx Ekubo will be joined by music legend 2Baba as the main character of the movie, ‘Power of 1’ embark on a campaign of the synopsis of the movie. In a statement by Dubre Perekeme of Scriptorial PR, the three will visit King’s College on Friday, November 17, 2018, for the grand flag off of the ‘Power of 1’ roadshow ahead of the December 7 release of the movie. ‘The ‘Power of 1’ campaign aims to promote the belief that one person’s affirmative action can deliver positive outcomes and challenge young Nigerians to embrace the responsibility of…