Monaco are the surprise package in the semis and coach Leonardo Jardim has moulded a thrilling team around the resurgent Radamel Falcao and the break-out teenager Mbappe, whose goals saw off Man City and Dortmund in the last two rounds. Mbappe, 18, who has been compared to Thierry Henry at the same age, delivered another crucial goal at the weekend as Monaco close on their first French title since 2000. It was his 14th league goal of the season. Monaco’s clash with Juventus will be a study in contrasts: the tyros against the Italian champions whose defence is backed by…
Author: David Folami
Arsenal ‘keeper Petr Cech made no attempt to hide how “angry and disappointed” he felt after a 2-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday dealt a huge blow to the Gunners’ bid to qualify for the Champions League. Goals from Dele Alli and Harry Kane saw Spurs, second in the Premier League, move a huge 17 points clear of Arsenal and ensure they would finish above their local rivals in the table for the first time since 1995. Tottenham are still very much in the title race, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side just four points behind leaders Chelsea, with both the…
Antonio Conte warned Chelsea not to take the Premier League title for granted after the leaders cleared a major hurdle with a 3-0 win at Everton. Conte’s side consolidated their position on top of the table thanks to a steely display at Goodison Park on Sunday, but second placed Tottenham remain hot on their heels. Pedro’s brilliant strike and goals from Gary Cahill and Willian secured Chelsea’s fourth win in their last five league games, sparking jubilant celebrations from Conte and his players. Cavorting in front of Chelsea’s travelling fans, Conte had the look of a man who felt his…
Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic thinks Tottenham Hotspur will take the race for the Premier League title right down to the wire, making the run-in far more difficult for the West London club than it was two years ago. Antonio Conte’s side beat Everton 3-0 at Goodison on Sunday but Spurs extended their league winning streak to nine games by downing Arsenal 2-0 in the North London derby to remain four points behind with games remaining. In the 2014-15 season, Chelsea and Manchester City were level at the top in January but City faded to finish fourth well behind the champions.…
Tottenham Hotspur must beat West Ham United on Friday night to reduce the gap with Chelsea and hope the Premier League leaders falter under pressure, striker Harry Kane has said. Second-placed Tottenham can keep their title chase alive and cut the lead at the top to one point if they beat West Ham and Chelsea fumble against Middlesbrough three days later. “We just have to try to finish strong,” Kane told British media. “We’ve got another game Friday night and it’s good to play first. Hopefully, we can drop the gap to one point and then see what happens.” Kane…
Europe’s hottest strikers from record-breaker Cristiano Ronaldo to potential heir Kylian Mbappe take centre stage this week in two tasty Champions League semifinal first legs. Ronaldo and Real host Atletico Madrid on Tuesday and Mbappe’s attacking Monaco welcome Juventus the next evening as Europe’s biggest club competition approaches its climax. Revenge will be on the menu at the Santiago Bernabeu for Atletico and their feisty Argentine coach Diego Simeone, while in Antoine Griezmann they have one of the deadliest marksmen around. Atletico will be desperate to banish the memories of gut-wrenching Champions League final defeats in 2014 and 2016 to…
Atletico Madrid captain Gabi insisted on Monday it is winning the Champions League not gaining revenge on Real Madrid that motivates him as the Spanish giants face off once more in Tuesday’s semi-final, first leg. Real have beaten Atletico in each of the past three seasons in the Champions League, including twice in the final in agonising circumstances for the red and white part of Madrid in 2014 and 2016. “I am not more motivated to play against Real Madrid than any other team,” said Gabi, 33, who has spent 10 years at Atletico in two spells. “What motivates me…
Di’ja re-surfaces with a Don Jazzy produced food-themed song titled ‘Wan chop’. This comes after her single ‘Air’. Di’ja invites her fans across the world to come have a taste of her music, style and personality using culinary metaphors. “If I put it on a platter and I serve it very hot I swear you go wan chop, oya come chop o…” she sings. Catchy song to excite and impress the Di’ja league of fans, video was directed by Clarence Peters.
Wale drops off the African inspired track ‘Fine girl’ which features Davido and Olamide. Olamide ‘tears’ the chorus on this song, while Davido sprinkles his magic on the laidback beat. Enjoy.
Beverly Naya may be considering ending her stint on Snapchat and it has everything to do with a recent post she shared about a text message she received from an Uber driver. The Nollywood actress came under fire for branding the message ‘flattering but inappropriate’ as her followers were quick to assume she took her stand because of his job as a driver. She shared a screenshot of the text message via her Snapchat account, calling the driver out for his lack of professionalism. Naya was quick to delete the post, however, following the backlash she received over the issue.…
The Federal Government has assured Nigerian workers of speedy passage of the new National Minimum Wage. President Muhammadu Buhari gave the assurance in Abuja on Monday, May 1, in a message to workers to mark the 2017 May Day. This year’s event was themed “Labour Relations in Economic Recession: An Appraisal.” Buhari said, “I am happy to inform you that Government will give expeditious consideration to the proposal contained in the Technical Committee’s Report which was submitted to it on April 6, 2017. “Government will take necessary steps to implement the final recommendation of the Main Government/Labour Committee as it…
The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu has said he will not revive any dead industry in the state. The Governor said he would instead begin new industries. Akeredolu disclosed this while addressing the workers in the state during the celebration of workers’ day in Akure, on Monday, May 1. He said a new glass industry will be established in the state to replace the dead Oluwa Glass Industry. According to him, the new glass industry would be furnished with modern equipment as the ones at the Oluwa Glass are obsolete. Akeredolu noted that with the new establishment, about 10,000…
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has cautioned both the public and private sectors’ workers on the negative impact of industrial unrest by workers. He warned that such could worsen the economic situation in the country. Ambode spoke at the Agege Stadium in Lagos as he joined workers from the state to mark the 2017 International May Day. He said that incessant strikes would create chaos rather than solve the myriads of issues plaguing the national economy. “I want to seize this opportunity to urge the organised labour to continue to show understanding while rightly insisting on due and just…
It was not a vintage showing, and not one to convince anyone that Liverpool’s place in next season’s Champions League is assured, but at this stage of the season they won’t care too much. Liverpool held off Watford just enough to secure a 1-0 victory, a win secured by the most extraordinary Emre Can goal right at the end of the first half. The victory puts Liverpool four points clear of fifth place, having played a game more than both Manchester clubs beneath them. But at the rate City and United are going at present, Jurgen Klopp might be quietly…
Philippe Coutinho had to leave Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Watford early in the first half on Monday night after picking up an injury, though he should not be sidelined for very long. The Brazilian star collided with Adrian Mariappa in the fourth minute, with the Watford defender’s knee making contact with Coutinho’s right thigh. Coutinho limped off the pitch, then briefly tried to return before the injury proved to be too much. Philippe Coutinho had to leave Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Watford early in the first half on Monday night after picking up an injury, though he should not be…
Luke Shaw’s season could be over after suffering a badly bruised foot against Swansea, sources have said. The Manchester United defender lasted just nine minutes of the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford before being replaced by Antonio Valencia. The left-back, 21, was injured in a collision with Swansea forward Jordan Ayew. And it is feared he could now miss United’s final six games of the season, starting with the Europa League semifinal first leg with Celta Vigo in Spain on Thursday. It could also rule Shaw out of a possible Europa League final in Stockholm next month should they advance…
Jose Mourinho described Manchester United’s jammed-packed schedule as “not human” after a growing injury list threatened to wreck hopes of a place in next season’s Champions League. A 1-1 draw with Swansea on Sunday was a sixth stalemate in eight games at Old Trafford and harmed hopes of finishing in the top four. To make matters worse for United, Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly also suffered game-ending injuries, leaving Mourinho with a major personnel crisis ahead of Thursday’s Europa League first leg semi-final visit to Celta Vigo. The pair joined fellow defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, who have been…
The Rivers state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of blackmailing the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris. Wike had earlier alleged that the IGP is after his life, and is planning to plant weapons in his Abuja home. The Rivers APC also called on the National Security Adviser, Minister of Interior and the Inspector General of Police to investigate the Governor’s utterances. They also Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone also said “Credible pieces of evidence at the disposal of Nigerians today confirm that Gov. Nyesom Wike had a stranglehold on the electoral…
Reminisce strikes yet again with another hit in the making titled ‘Level yen’. The rapper once again comes for his naysayers letting them know he’ll always be one step ahead of them. His lyrical prowess and delivery is never in doubt as you’d see him spit on this joint. The rap single was produced by T-Izze. Enjoy Reminisce in his element.
Rita Dominic is single at 41 and she is loving it but you also need to know why she is comfortable with her marital status. The Nollywood actress revealed the reason why she is still single during an interview with a lifestyle and fashion magazine, Schick. She revealed that she could have been married years ago but things had not panned out well for her. However, the multiple award-winning actress has not lost faith and is very hopeful that God will present the right man to her at the right time. She said, “I believe that God is in charge…