New Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza says one of his first tasks will be to speak to Lionel Messi, who plans to retire from international duty, but said the conversation would not be “about convincing him of anything.” Former Sao Paulo manager Bauza was hired by the Argentina Football Federation (AFA) on Monday to replace Gerardo Martino, who stepped down after the team’s penalty shootout defeat to Chile in this summer’s Copa America Centenario final, and now immediately prepares for 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Venezuela in early September. The search for Martino’s successor was complicated by ongoing institutional…
Author: David Folami
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann scored 32 goals in all competitions last season. Antoine Griezmann’s advisor has said that the France international was happy to sign a new deal with Atletico Madrid despite interest from Premier League clubs and Paris Saint-Germain. Griezmann, 25, extended his previous deal by one year in June, meaning the attacker is now tied to Atletico until 2021. Sources said in June that Manchester United had expressed an interest and Eric Olhats has confirmed there was contact with several English clubs and PSG, but he said Griezmann had no reason to leave Atletico. “Antoine extended his…
Georginio Wijnaldum sees no reason Liverpool can’t challenge for the Premier League title after Leicester City’s surprise success last season. Liverpool have only finished in the top four once in seven seasons but Wijnaldum believes they are capable of stepping up this coming season. “Of course we can be serious challengers,” Wijnaldum is quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo. “If you play for a club as big as Liverpool you always have to be trying to win trophies – that always has to be the aim. “You’re never going to be happy with eighth or ninth here. You have…
David Moyes insists he was unfairly treated at Manchester United as he begins his new role at Sunderland. The Scot was sacked less than a season into a six-year contract after succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, with United finishing that 2013-14 campaign outside the European places in seventh. He then struggled at Spanish side Real Sociedad as well — but saw United make only limited improvements under his successor Louis van Gaal, finishing fourth and then fifth before the Dutchman gave way to Jose Mourinho this summer. Moyes maintains he was the right man for the job after…
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes the Premier League is attracting Europe’s top coaches because it offers the “biggest challenge” in the game. Klopp took over as Liverpool boss last October, and he has been joined in England this summer by former Juventus and Italy coach Antonio Conte at Chelsea and Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Guardiola arrives at the Etihad widely considered to be the best manager in world football, having won 14 trophies at Barca and three consecutive Bundesliga titles at Bayern. With Jose Mourinho having taken the reins at Manchester United, several of the most high-profile coaches are…
Manchester City have signed Germany international Leroy Sane from Schalke for an undisclosed fee. Sane, 20, has been Pep Guardiola’s top attacking target this summer, and the new City boss has secured him on a five-year deal. An ESPN FC source has revealed that City will pay £37m, with reports that performance-related add-ons could eventually take the total cost up to £46.5m. Sane could make his City debut in the preseason friendly against Arsenal in Gothenburg on Sunday. He has been capped four times by Germany and is considered to be one of the most exciting young prospects in Europe.…
President Buhari has banned the use of souvenirs like notepads, bags, pens etc. during official government functions. Punch reports that he also directed that all printing of books that have no importance to the citizens or government institutions be banned. Sources say the move is in line with the Federal Government’s drive to properly utilise government funds. The President took the decisions based on the recommendation of the Efficiency Unit – a team which he set up to work out ways on how the government can save money. According to the unit, “The directive which is a recognition of the…
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, has urged parents to live up to the responsibility of raising children in a godly manner. This is contained in a statement issued by speaker’s spokesman, Mr Turaki Hassan, in Abuja on Sunday. Dogara spoke at the dedication of twin daughters of former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Prof. Suleman Bogoro, at the Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN) Centre, Bauchi on Sunday. He said all human beings were created to live under God’s shadow, hence the necessity of dedicating new born beings to God as was…
Lagos State Government has warned traditional rulers and their relations against indiscriminate use of fake vehicle number plate. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Adebayo Taofiq, Head, Public Affairs, Lagos State Environmental Task Force and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos. The statement warned that anyone caught using fake number plates would be arrested and charged to court. “It observed that traditional chiefs and their relations use vehicles with different fake special number plates which contravene the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012. “Investigations revealed that most of these council chiefs and their relations…
A Nigerian behind an online fraud network which engineered scams worth more than $60 million (54 million euros) has been arrested in the southern oil city of Port Harcourt, Interpol said on Monday. “The 40-year-old Nigerian national, known as ‘Mike’, is believed to be behind scams totalling more than $60 million involving hundreds of victims worldwide,” the international police organisation said in a statement. “In one case, a target was conned into paying out $15.4 million,” Interpol said, indicating that the arrest was carried out with the support of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “The…
Former chairman of the DAAR communications, Raymond Dokpesi, has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is no different from his reign as a military head of state. Dokpesi made this statement on Sunday, August 31, 2016, at the PDP secretariat in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, where he went to solicit support for his ambition to become the chairman of the opposition party. The top contender in the PDP chairmanship race said just as many were locked up during President Buhari’s military reign, he has started locking many up. Dokpsei also said just the same way he was locked up as the…
Former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin has denied reports that he participated in the alleged padding of the 2016 budget. Jibrin also admitted that the situation had been made more complicated by his long silence. “Well, I wasn’t part of the insertions but I think I also didn’t help myself because I started speaking quite late. The event that pushed me to start talking doesn’t look too attractive to people because they are saying why am I talking now that I have left the position,” he said during an interview on Channels TV which…
Militant group, Adaka Boro Avengers (ABA) has put on hold its plans to declare the Niger Delta an independent republic. This was revealed via a statement released by spokesman, by General Edmos Ayayeibo. The statement reads: We received calls from prominent leaders like Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Mrs. Ankio Briggs, Chief. E. K. Clark and especially King Alfred Diete Spiff calling on the freedom fighters to abort their mission to declare Niger Delta Republic. We adhere to the voice of our people, because our struggle is for the Niger Delta people and not for selfish reason. But this is not…
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has expressed sympathy for President Muhammadu Buhari who he says always becomes president when Nigeria is in trouble. El-Rufai also sympathised with Nigerians over the current economic downturn in the country. The governor made the comments on Sunday, July 31, 2016, while attending a service at Pastor Tunde Bakare’s Latter Rain Assembly in Lagos. “We have always known that there is massive corruption in Nigeria but the revelations of the past one year have shocked even the most pessimistic of critics. Nearly 70 per cent of Nigeria’s oil revenues disappeared without a trace,” he said.…
Nollywood actress and producer, Funke Akindele, has released the trailer for the sixth season of her TV series ‘Jenifa’s Diary’. The sixth season of show features the actress alongside Falz, Lolo 1, Yemi Blaq among others. Since its debut, “Jenifa’s Diary” has also starred Banky W, Waje, Beverly Osu, Lota Chukwu, Alex Ekubo, Ali Nuhu, Toke Makinwa, Juliana Olayode, Amechi Mounagor, Wunmi Obe and more. ‘Jenifa’s Diary” is a comedy television series that depicts the hilarious and amazing adventures of Suliat, a.k.a Jenifa. A secondary school dropout turned hairdresser who lives in a backwater town called Aiyetoro, Jenifa is loud,…
After weeks of competition, Agharese Emokpae popularly known as A’rese has been announced the winner of the first season of “The Voice Nigeria.” The talented 28-year-old beat Chike, Cornel, and Brenda to win the coveted prize. Rounding out the top four was Chike (Patoranking) in second place, Cornel and Brenda took the third and fourth spot. During her blind audition, A’rese got three turns with her rendition of Adele’s ‘Skyfall.’ A’rese’s win also makes Waje the first Nigerian judge to win the show. The eight finalist were Nonso, Viveeyan, Patrick, Dewe, Chike, Brenda, A’rese and Cornel.
The record-breaking HBO drama TV series, “Game of Thrones” will officially end after its eighth season. This was confirmed by Casey Bloys, HBO programming chief, who made the announcement at the Television Critics Association’s conference. The seventh season which would be seven episodes as opposed to the show’s normal 10 episodes, will debut in 2017, while the season finale is expected in 2018. Speaking on possible spin-off, Bloys said, “we’re open to it, the producers aren’t opposed to it, but there’s no concrete plans right now”. “Game of Thrones” will begin production this summer, pushing its season seven premiere date…
Dammy Krane breaks his long silence with a new single titled ‘Thank God’. The song, which was produced by Giggz, is the first for the singer in the year 2016. Enjoy!
Rapper, Yung6ix, teams up with DJ Timmy, to produce an amazing song titled ‘Respek On My Name’. Once again, the Kash Kamp / Trick Billionaire MusiQ shows his music dexterity just like he did with a cover of Panda.
Former beauty queen, Anna Banner and Highlife singer Flavour’s daughter, Sofia, is one today, August 1, 2016! In celebration of her day, her proud parents took to social media to celebrate her. Anna Banner took to Instagram to share an adorable photo of the little cutie in a tutu writing, “Way maker , Miracle worker, Promise keeper, light in the darkness!!!! That is who you are! For you have given me an Angel in human form! My most priceless Jewel! My Heartbeat! My precious gift from Above! All i can say is Thank you! Happy Birthday My Princess Sofia my…