Antonio Conte delivered the tactical masterclass of Euro 2016 so far to help Italy outwit Belgium on Monday night. Scepticism has long surrounded what some feel is the worst Azzurri squad in decades, but superior organisation and shrewd strategy underpinned a strong defensive display that quelled the underwhelming stars of Belgium’s so-called “Golden generation”. The Italian lineup was not a glitzy one, with Conte using a workmanlike midfield five in front of three robust centre-backs. They alternated between 5-3-2 and 4-4-2, and shuffled from side to side in order to reduce space for Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, who…
Author: David Folami
As we complete the first lap of the European Championships, the big guns are flexing their muscles. Germany were cool and effective against Ukraine. Italy were shrewd and resilient against Belgium. Spain made their usual mistake of believing that 500 completed passes could be exchanged for a goal voucher, but remembered the rules just in time to beat the Czech Republic. If hosts France are to emerge from the contenders and lift the trophy, they’re going to have to lift their game first. They can’t always rely on Dimitri Payet to save them with a heroic performance punctuated by a…
After the joy of the most utterly unexpected of Premier League title wins, the anxiety over the future of your best players. That’s been the experience for Leicester fans this summer, with Jamie Vardy possibly on his way to Arsenal and playmaker-in-chief Riyad Mahrez linked with… well, here, there and everywhere. But the Telegraph reports that the Foxes are doing everything they can to keep PFA Player of the Year Mahrez and have offered him a new contract worth £100,000 a week. The Algeria international has been a reported target for Barcelona, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, amongst others. Leicester…
He’s one of the most sought-after players in German football — and now he’s heading for Manchester City, says the Sun. The paper says City have “sealed a £40 million swoop” for Schalke star Leroy Sane, with the Germany international all set to team up with former Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola once Euro 2016 is done and dusted. City have reportedly been watching winger Sane since last season, with officials having worked on a potential deal since the start of the year. Now, the Sun says, that work has paid off and he will join Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan…
Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta says that a deal cut with the Spanish tax authorities over the signing of Neymar in 2013 should not be allowed as it stains the club’s image while “saving the behinds” of current leaders. Barca have announced that they have reached agreement with Spain’s tax authority, Hacienda, to pay €15 million in owed taxes and a €5.5m fine, while admitting the club was at fault in the complex transfer which brought Neymar to the Camp Nou. The deal also sees current Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu and predecessor Sandro Rosell cleared of any personal wrongdoing.…
Argentina captain Lionel Messi could be left on the bench again for his country’s final Copa America Centenario group game due to fitness concerns, according to national coach Gerardo Martino. Messi came into the tournament having picked up a back injury in a warm-up friendly against Honduras, while he also missed part of the team’s preparations as he was back in Europe facing charges of tax fraud in a Spanish court. The Barcelona star sat out his country’s opening Group D 2-1 win over Chile in Santa Clara on June 6, and then entered as a substitute and scored a…
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that he has witnessed draws for European football competitions that were rigged using the “hot and cold balls” method. Blatter claims no draw for any FIFA event has ever been fixed in his 18 years as the head of the world’s governing body, but the same cannot be said about European competitions. While he did admit he had the power to affect such draw fixes, Blatter insisted it was never carried out at FIFA, even though he knew of the method which was used in such cases. “There was only one person who had…
French central defender Aymeric Laporte has pledged his immediate future to Athletic Bilbao after signing a new four-year contract at the La Liga club. The under-21 international had been strongly linked with a move to Premier League side Manchester City by the Spanish and English media but the 22-year-old has opted to remain in Bilbao. “I’ve had to think about it a lot in order to choose the best option for me and I have arrived to the conclusion that Athletic was the best solution,” Laporte told the club’s official website (www.athletic-club.eus). “I sign for four years and I’m thrilled…
Dutchman Ronald Koeman became the new manager of English Premier League club Everton on Tuesday after his previous club Southampton reluctantly agreed to release him a year early from his contract. The 53-year-old — who guided Southampton to their highest finish in the Premier League of sixth last term and a place in the Europa League — signed a three-year contract with Everton and replaces Roberto Martinez, who was sacked just before the end of the Premier League campaign. Koeman — who had said earlier this year he would see out the last year of his three-year contract with the…
The immediate past governor of Niger state, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu, has called on the Federal Government to fast track the process of diversifying the economy in order to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. Aliyu made the call on Sunday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society 2016 national unity Ramadan lecture titled “Ramadan: Modelling Change.’’ He decried the current economic crunch in the country and stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to remedy the situation instead of indulging in blame game. ”For many years we have…
Wife of Enugu State Governor, Mrs Monica Ugwuanyi, on Sunday distributed free gas cookers to rural women as her contribution to promote Campaign for Safe Cooking Environment. Ugwuanyi made the donation during the June edition of Enugu State Women Prayer Network held at Okpara Square in Enugu. “This gesture is my modest contribution to the campaign for safe cooking environment among women especially rural women in the state. “It is an established fact that the use of gas cookers poses less danger to the health of the women and their family. “This gesture will continue by the grace of God;…
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday urged the Federal Government to promote the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country. Obasanjo made the plea during a courtesy visit by the management of NIPCO Plc to Obasanjo Hilltop Estate in Abeokuta, on the need by the the Federal Government to promote use of CNG as a vehicular fuel. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CNG is natural gas under pressure which remains clear, odourless, and non-corrosive. According to Obasanjo , in a bid to promote cleaner environment, the idea why the…
In line with its commitment to stop estimated billing of electricity consumption, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) will soon distribute 200,000 smart meters to its customers. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Emeka Ezeh EEDC Head of Communications and issued to newsmen on Sunday in Enugu. Ezeh said that EEDC had awarded contract to three companies to procure the smart meters. He said that the meters would be distributed to its“Maximum Demand” customers as well as customers who wish to obtain their meters under its Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI). He said that EEDC had…
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Sunday said the installation of a viable federal structure was the only way to drive true democracy in the country. Ambode, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, made the assertion at the 23rd anniversary of the annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential Elections. The programme was organised by the state’s Office of Civic Engagement under the Deputy Governor’s Office with the theme: “Democracy and Inclusiveness — Basis for Good Governance’’. “We still have a long way to go in our country today and that is because we are…
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Sunday urged Nigerians to seek divine intervention in order to overcome the present economic challenges in the country. Okowa gave the admonition at the Divine Way Baptist Church in Asaba at the thanksgiving service of the Sixth Assembly of the Delta House of Assembly to mark its first anniversary. “ The only way out of the present situation of the country is to look unto God. “As we continue to partner with God and seek solution from God, things will get better.’’ He also urged Nigerians to repent their sins, saying that with…
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the life of the late Shuaibu Amodu was dedicated to finding and grooming Nigeria’s best soccer talents while providing them the guidance with which they excelled. Osinbajo, who said this in a statement he issued on the death of the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation and former coach of the Super Eagles, described the demise as a profound loss to the nation. The vice president said that coming only four days after the death of former player and coach, Stephen Keshi, Nigeria had lost yet another dedicated public servant who worked…
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, has condoled with the nation over the death of Shuaibu Amodu, a former coach of the Super Eagles. Amodu, who until his death on Saturday was the Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), had since been buried according to Muslim rites. Dogara in a statement issued by his Media aide, Mr Turaki Hassan, in Abuja on Sunday described Amodu as a true nationalist who dedicated his lifetime to serving his country. He said that Nigerian football was under trial because of the death of Amodu and Stephen Keshi earlier…
The Nigerian government has signed a tripartite agreement for the return of 80,000 Nigerians displaced to Cameroon by the Boko Haram insurgency. According to reports, the Federal Government signed the agreement with the United Nations High Commission for Refugee, UNHCR, and the Republic of Cameroon for the return of the refugees who fled for safety. The information was disclosed by the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Muhammad Sidi, over the weekend. Sidi made the disclosure when the African Union (AU) Humanitarian Mission, led by Aisha Abdullahi, its Commissioner for Political Affairs, visited the headquarters of the agency.…
The Federal Government has pledged to revive the moribund National Endowment Funds for the Arts in order to have a sustain system for funding of creative industry. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Saturday in Port Harcourt at the African Movie Academy (AMA) Awards night. Mohammed said that the step was parts of government efforts to strengthen the creative industry and assist practitioners in the sector. He said government would also develop regulatory bodies that would address challenges and promote service delivery in the sector. The minister reiterated government commitment to encouraging and ensuring…
Colonel Ojogbane Adegbe and Mustapha Onoiveta, have been listed among the 58 military officers retired by the Nigerian Army. According to a report by The Cable, the military personnels, who were ex-ADCs to former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, were retired by the army over allegations of partisanship and corruption. Also affected, according to the report, in the compulsory retirements is Nicholas Achinze, a colonel and former military assistant to national security advisers; Retired General Owoye Azazi, and Retired Colonell Sambo Dasuki. Other names on the retirement exercise include Maj Gen FO Ali, Maj Gen EG Atewe, Maj…