Antonio Conte knows it won’t last forever. A run of seven wins in seven games has catapulted Chelsea to the top of the Premier League, and it coincided with his switch to a 3-4-3 (or, if you’re a touch more pedantic, a 3-4-2-1). But the success was also made possible by the fact that his first-choice XI more or less stayed healthy. And there’s a learning curve to how opposing coaches adjust to it. Over time, you’d imagine, they’ll find countermeasures. For much of the first half against Tottenham on Saturday, it appeared that time was now. Mauricio Pochettino unleashed…
Author: David Folami
Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez, the golden boy of Colombian football, has struggled to establish himself at Real Madrid since he burst into the limelight at the 2014 World Cup. However, with Toni Kroos, Alvaro Morata and Gareth Bale all out until next year with injuries, the door has opened for the 25-year-old winger to try to win over coach Zinedine Zidane. James came under scrutiny on Saturday after failing to muster a shot on goal during his third Liga start of the season in the 2-1 win at Sporting Gijon but Zidane defended him. “I don’t consider him to be…
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera says his side will be out for “revenge” when they welcome West Ham United back to Old Trafford in the League Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday. West Ham held Herrera and his teammates to a 1-1 draw on Sunday in a Premier League match that saw United manager Jose Mourinho sent to the stands for angrily kicking a water bottle. United have made their worst start to a league season since 1989, drawing their last four home games, and Herrera warned Slaven Bilic’s West Ham players to brace themselves for a backlash. “It’s positive that we…
Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho is set to make a shock move to bring his former midfielder, Mikel John Obi to Old Trafford from Chelsea. Super Eagles captain, Mikel, has not played under new Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte and there are no plans to renew his contract which runs out this season. The Sun reports that Mourinho is ready to take advantage of the situation with a cut-price New Year offer for the Nigeria international midfielder the Red Devils thought they had signed 10 years ago. Mikel had just turned 19 when the Old Trafford outfit announced on their website…
Jose Mourinho has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association (FA) after being sent to the stands during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Sunday, it was announced on Monday. It is the third time this season the 53-year-old Portuguese has been charged by the FA – he was suspended for a game and fined after an altercation with referee Mark Clattenburg and previously received a hefty fine for critical remarks about the appointment of another referee. Now he faces an almost definite touchline ban after Jon Moss sent him to the stands during the…
Andres Iniesta’s injury comeback cannot arrive soon enough for Barcelona who head into the first ‘El Clasico’ of the season on Saturday trailing La Liga leaders Real Madrid by six points. The 32-year-old midfielder damaged knee ligaments in a 2-1 win at Valencia on October 22 and returned to training on Friday. Spain international Iniesta did not feature in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad but is expected to play this weekend against Real Madrid who are unbeaten in 31 games in all competitions. “I’m hopeful of having him available,” Barca coach Luis Enrique told reporters. Barca have dropped four…
Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones has defended Jose Mourinho following the manager’s latest dismissal, saying it was just an indication of his “passion”. Mourinho left himself exposed to the risk of sanctions from the Football Association after being sent to the stands for kicking a water bottle during United’s 1-1 draw at home to West Ham United on Sunday. Having picked up 20 points from their first 13 games, United have made their worst start to a league campaign since 1989-90, but Jones said Mourinho’s latest outburst was not a sign of frustration. “No, I think that’s just passion,” said…
A former Deputy Governor of Ondo state, Alhaji Ali Olanusi has revealed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the governorship election with the help of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to Punch, Olanusi, who was Mimiko’s deputy, was impeached in 2015 for decamping to the APC. APC candidate, Akeredolu won the Ondo governorship election which was held on Saturday, November 26, 2016. He said “Without the input of the defectors, there is no way the APC could have won the election and we PDP members that defected to the APC are notable politicians in the 18…
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State will on Tuesday, Nov.29, present the Year 2017 appropriation bill to the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) for approval. A statement signed by Miss Bose Lambo, the Director, Public Affairs of the Assembly, said the presentation would commence at 10a.m., and urged invited guests to be punctual. She said, “Year 2017 Budget Estimates Presentation by His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State will hold on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at the Assembly Chambers, Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja.” The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ambode presented the 2016 budget of N662.58…
Soldiers of the Nigerian Army have killed 30 members of terrorist sect, Boko Haram in Nguro-Soye, Borno state. The terrorists were said to have been killed after an attempt to ambush a convoy of local government officials went wrong. The civilians were being escorted by troops from 121 Task Force Battalion. “I must commend the gallantry of the troops led by the patrol commanders of the 121 Battalion, Captain S. Suleiman, and Lt. N. Ayuba,” Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Gwoza Local Government Area, Hon. Saeed Salisu Sambo said according to PR Nigeria. “The incident happened at about five kilometres into…
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Edo chapter, has lauded the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for donating farm equipment worth N14 million to the association. The branch chairman of AFAN, Chief Emmanuel Odigie, made this commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Sunday. Odigie said that the farm machineries including two tractors, a harrower, a planter and a harvester, were donated to the association a month ago. He said that the use of the equipment would promote large scale farming and make it attractive to youths in the state. “I want…
The Nigerian Army Council has approved the establishment of its 8th Division in Sokoto. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Yusuf Buratai, disclosed this in Sokoto on Sunday. Buratai spoke during a condolence visit to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal over the recent demise of the 18th Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki. The COAS said that officers and men of the new Division were, however, currently operating in the North East. ”As soon the security situation in that region is fully stabilized, the Division would move to Sokoto. ”The move is part…
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has congratulated All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, on his election as Ondo State Governor-elect. The felicitation message is in a statement issued on Sunday by Mr Turaki Hassan, the Speaker`s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs. Dogara maintained that the victory of the APC in the election was a proof that the party was loved by Nigerians. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Akeredolu as winner in the Ondo State Nov. 26 governorship election with a total of 244,842 votes, ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party…
The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has said that it would clampdown on hotels without sign post across the state. Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, the Permanent Secretary and also the Acting Commissioner for the Ministry, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday. She said that any hotel operating without displaying a sign-post was operating illegally. “It is an offence for a hotel to be operating without signage. The state government is committed to monitor and hunt any hotel operating without a sign-post. “Any hotel found wanting will be brought to book and…
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has slammed the Nigeria Army for denying the Amnesty International report that alleged that they killed unarmed Biafra protesters. On Sunday, November 27, 2016, IPOB also alleged that the Army is carrying out ethnic cleansing in the name of security. According to Vanguard, the group challenged the military to use the same force being used in the South-East to fight Boko Haram. The Spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful, in a statement said “The military has exhibited the greatest level of cowardice by denying that they did not shoot and kill peaceful IPOB protesters.…
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, has expressed the Federal Government support for Governor Dave Umahi’s agric policy. According to Vanguard, Ogbeh said the government solidly backs the Ebonyi Governor’s ban on sale of foreign rice in the state. The Minister said this while on an official tour of Ettem Amagu Rice Farm in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi state. Ogbeh said “Governor, I hear you banned the sale of foreign rice in your state; God bless you for it. “I also hear you invited young men to come back from Lagos and work here.…
Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, has revealed that President Buhari jailed him for 18 months in 1984, for being wealthy. According to Punch, Anenih said he was sent to prison between March 1984 and August 1985 when Buhari was a military dictator. Anenih said “The military regime of General Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon threw me into detention for 18 months on the basis of an anonymous petition that as a prominent and wealthy politician and leader of the NPN in Bendel State, the military administrator would not find his footing unless…
Yvonne Okoro is as talented as they come. As she adds another year today Friday, November 25, 2016, Pulse Movies looks at the best four movie roles of the actress’ acting career. In no particular order, here we go; 1. “Ghana Must Go” The actress as Ama is, without doubt, one of the interesting performances in the 2016 comedy movie. Directed by multiple award-winning filmmaker, Frank Rajah, “Ghana Must Go” stars the actress alongside Ik Ogbonna, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Helen Paul, aAda Ameh and Nkem Owoh popularly known as Osuofia. 2. “The Contract” Produced by Yvonne Okoro and directed by Shirley…
Stephanie Coker is a year older today! Stephanie real name Stephanie Omowunmi Eniafe Coker is a Nigerian on-air personality and a television presenter for MTV Base Africa and Ebony Life TV. She also had a brief stint in the popular Nigerian TV Series “Tinsel”. She also took to Instagram wishing herself a happy birthday. “Thank you, lord, for blessing me with another year. I have received so many countless blessings from you this year. Words can not express how happy this child is. #28onthe28th,” she wrote.
Wande Coal follows up his attempt to get back on the airwaves with another new track, ‘Ballerz’. This is after he dropped his ‘Iskaba’ track featuring US based DJ Tunez. Go and listen.