John Obi Mikel is relishing a return to England for June’s high-profile international friendly against the Three Lions. The fixture is one of several pre-World Cup warm-ups organised for the Super Eagles, and the West Africans have set themselves a stern test when they meet England, ranked 13th in the World Rankings, at Wembley on June 2. “The match comes up only two weeks before our first match at the FIFA World Cup,” the three-time FA Cup winner told the NFF’s official website. “It will be a big occasion and a big match for both teams as we both look…
Author: David Folami
Jose Mourinho believes Manchester United have enjoyed “evolution at almost every level” in his two seasons in charge at Old Trafford. “I knew the club I was coming to,” he told Sky Sports. “I know that one thing is to go to a club that is prepared to win and you just need to arrive and give the last touches, to give your personal quality, personal knowledge and the team, and the club, is ready just for the last click. “I knew that was not the case [at United]. The owners knew that. The CEO, he knew that. So when…
As he continues to grow as a footballer, there can be little doubt that Marcus Rashford is in good hands. Already a fixture at Manchester United, the 20-year-old striker can also boast being taken under the wing of one of the best players in the world. Indeed, Rashford was beaming as he thanked Cristiano Ronaldo for the special gift he received in the mail — a signed Real Madrid shirt complete with motivational message. “Dear Marcus, keep up the good work,” the hand-written scribble reads. This isn’t the first time that Ronaldo has sent a personal gift to Rashford, with…
Gareth Bale has said it is an “honour” to be linked with a move to Bayern Munich ahead of facing them in the Champions League semifinal first leg on Wednesday. However on the morning of the match Bale said that he would consider an offer to join Bayern’s “fantastic squad” although “as of now” he was a Madrid player. “You can never rule out anything in football,” Bale said. “Currently, I play football at Real Madrid and I enjoy that. Bayern have a fantastic squad and already in the past they have always been one of the most successful clubs…
Jose Mourinho advised Scott McTominay to make sure he was “liked” by the Manchester United dressing room before he made the step up to the first-team squad. The midfielder has enjoyed his breakthrough season at Old Trafford making 20 senior appearances. The 21-year-old has said his manager has played a key role in making sure he was accepted both on and off the pitch. “Jose Mourinho has been absolutely incredible to me this year,” McTominay told the club’s website. “He’s helped me so much in terms of what I can do, from being more humble, to being better on the…
Diego Simeone has insisted Diego Costa is fit and ready to intimidate Arsenal in Thursday’s Europa League semifinal. Asked if Costa was included to intimidate Arsenal or give his teammates a boost, Simeone replied: “Knowing Diego Costa, I think all of those apply to him. “Both in England and in Spain, many teams have suffered at the hands of Diego Costa. Not just Arsenal. He has improved.” Costa left Chelsea under a cloud after a spat with Antonio Conte as he returned to Atletico in time to be registered in the January transfer window. Since then the 29-year-old has scored…
Alexis Sanchez has said that he is still getting used to life at Manchester United after a January transfer from Arsenal. He left Arsenal in a swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan leave United and has made 14 appearances for his new clubs, scoring three goals. “It is very different here,” Sanchez told MUTV. “I think United is a club with more history and we want to win trophies next year. “We need to keep progressing. United is a big club, to which I am still adapting, and I am looking forward to giving everything I’ve got next year and…
Keylor Navas has said he had shown “character” to maintain his focus after an early mistake to help his team to a semifinal win at Bayern Munich. Goals from Marcelo and Marco Asensio gave Zinedine Zidane’s side the advantage ahead of next Tuesday’s second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. Costa Rica international Navas was also at fault for Juventus’ third goal as Real almost blew a 3-0 first leg lead in the previous round, leading to further speculation over his long-term future at the club. However, speaking in the mixed zone after Wednesday’s game, Navas said he had been able…
Cristiano Ronaldo set a record with his 96th win in the Champions League on Wednesday, though he saw his goal streak come to an end. Ronaldo has now appeared in more games in which his team won than any other player, moving past Iker Casillas, as Real Madrid won 2-1 at Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal. The victory was also an important one for Real Madrid as a club as well — they became the first team to win 150 Champions League games. The landmark victory came on the same night that Ronaldo moved…
Atiku Abubakar has said that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo cannot stop his presidential ambition. Shedding more light on why he was at loggerheads with his boss, Atiku said his troubles started when he refused to support the tenure elongation plan of former President Obasanjo. According to him, what OBJ wanted was to become the life President of Nigeria, and not just a third term in office. He said “My offence was that I disagreed with him on the amendment of the constitution to remove tenure/term limits or what was popularly called the ‘third term agenda’. “In fact, he sent the then…
Alhaji Haddy Ametuo has said “some ghosts “ initiated the “Melaye , the only senator our party has in Kogi State, won with 94.66 per cent leaving the remaining 5.34 per cent to the petitioners. He expressed delight that the efforts had come to a premature end through the collective will of the people of Kogi West Senatorial District. “Melaye, the messages are very clear ; that Sen. Melaye is the most popular senator ever produced by Kogi West,” the statement said. According to the chairman, this is a sign of what to expect in the 2019 general elections. “No…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the United States President, Donald Trump to caution President Buhari. According to the PDP, Buhari has succeeded in suspending the constitution of Nigeria. This was made know to newsmen by PDP’s spokesman, Mr. Kola Ologbondiya. The party also alleged that Nigeria has become a police state, adding that the country has returned to the 1984 military era. Buttressing Ologbondiya’s statement, the PDP chairman, Uche Secondus also alleged that nobody is safe under Buhari’s government. He said “Legislators are not safe, judges are living and working in fear; the media are being harassed,…
Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has described the death of Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker, Michael Adeyemo, as a sudden, rude shock and a collasal tragedy to the state. “He was his usual self, active, effervescent, exuding infectious enthusiasm. He will be missed. “Even though death signifies the final note in the unbroken melodies of human existence, the abrupt occurrence of Adeyemo’s death, turned the sweet melodies to a painful dirge. “He would be remembered for his unalloyed contributions to the politics and development of Oyo State. “On behalf of the people and Government of Osun, I commiserate with the…
Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Chief Michael Adenuga who turns 65 on Sunday and commended his deep sense of loyalty and patriotism by investing in sectors that have created jobs for many Nigerians. President Buhari noted that Adenuga had added strong value in the provision of effective services that make life easier and more comfortable for many in the country, and across the African continent. He observed that Adenuga rose from a modest background, defied many odds, and realized his dream of setting up and grooming successful companies in the oil and gas, banking and telecom sectors. President Buhari stated that…
Bukola Saraki has said Nigerian youths have the ability to compete favourably with young people around the world if they are given the opportunity. Saraki led a minute silence in honour of the late corps member and described his visit as part of a process of immortalising Miss Ichechukwu. “Coming here always bring good memories because as governor of the state I had occasions to be here and I had cultivated a special relationship with this camp,” Saraki said. “Thus when I heard of the unfortunate incident I felt bad and decided to come and condole with you. We must…
Atiku Abubakar has described Nigerian workers as the country’s greatest weapon in celebration of Worker’s Day annually observed in the country on May 1. “Nigerian workers, I congratulate you for this day. I salute your courage and resilience going through one of the most trying economic times in Nigeria’s history. But these challenges are showing how resilient and hardworking Nigerians are and that your indomitable spirit and work ethic will continue to go unchallenged throughout all of Africa. “These values have been the bedrock of Nigeria’s labour movement since its beginning. A movement which started off to protect the welfare…
Prof. Wole Soyinka has called on the Federal Government to do more to end attacks and killings by criminal herdsmen in parts of the country. Soyinka acknowledged that a few armed herdsmen had been apprehended by security agencies but said that was not enough to put a stop to the mayhem by the criminals. He said there were so many of the criminals hiding in the forests which needed to be tracked down by security agencies. Soyinka calked for justice and restitution for victims of herdsmen attacks, saying that would give them some succour. “We must go beyond arresting a…
Churches from different denominations under the umbrella body of Christian Association Nigeria (CAN) on Sunday in Ibadan embarked on peaceful protest against the incessant killings by suspected herdsmen in the country. The Chairman of CAN in Oyo State, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, said that members had been directed to stage the protest in compliance with the directives by the national body. Akanmu said that the protest was limited to the vicinity of the churches in order to prevent it from being hijacked by hoodlums. Rev. Dr Samuel Wojuola, the Senior Pastor of Bodij-Ashi Baptist Church, Ibadan, during the rally by the…
Olusegun Obasanjo has said that nobody can intimidate him. He said “For me, I don’t think there is anyone that can intimidate me. Let me remind you, I have gone through many things. I have been jailed without committing any offence.” OBJ said this while speaking to CNM members at a town hall meeting in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo state on Saturday, April 28, 2018. “My struggle for the good of Nigeria progress of Nigeria, the unity of Nigeria, development of Nigeria will not diminish. Even now, I get people from other parties, coming to me to seek advice. I don’t…
Manchester City underlined their dominance in the Premier League with an emphatic 4-1 victory over West Ham United but Pep Guardiola says he needs one or two new players in the summer. Guardiola, who has overhauled the squad since his arrival two years ago, says a couple of additions will keep the squad fresh while he is also determined to challenge for the Champions League following their quarterfinal exit this season. “Don’t worry, we are going to spend a lot of money next season as well — maybe £1 billion or something,” he joked during his news conference. “It’s the…