Argentina coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino defended forward Lionel Messi after Diego Maradona claimed the star lacked the character to be a leader. At a promotional event prior to the European Championships on Thursday in Paris, Maradona told Pele that Messi was “a great person, but he has no personality. He doesn’t have the personality to be a leader.” Martino, who is in Chicago with the Albiceleste as they prepare for today’s Copa America Centenario match against Panama, would not be drawn into the discussion. Maradona later clarified his comments at Pele’s urging to say that he was referring to how…
Author: David Folami
Jamie Vardy and James Milner are likely to miss out when Roy Hodgson picks his England team to face Russia for Saturday’s Euro 2016 opener in Marseille, according to multiple reports. The Daily Mail claims the formation used by Hodgson in training sessions behind closed doors in Chantilly this week has led the players to believe that Vardy and Milner will be the men to pay the price for England’s underwhelming display in their final tournament warm-up game — a 1-0 win against Portugal. The Daily Telegraph, meanwhile, reports that Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana are foremost in Hodgson’s thinking…
Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Manchester United will put the 20-times English champions back where they belong, goalkeeper David de Gea says. The Portuguese coach replaced Louis van Gaal last month after United finished fifth in the Premier League to miss out on Champions League football for the second time in three seasons. “I think United needed a coach like him – a winning coach with personality,” De Gea told Spain’s Cadena Ser radio. “United’s decision to sign Mourinho is the right move.” Spaniard De Gea moved to United from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and won the Premier League in the…
Midfielder Paul Pogba still has room for improvement in his all-round game despite being one of the most exciting prospects in world football, France coach Didier Deschamps said ahead of Euro 2016 which starts on Friday. The 23-year-old has been a key member of Deschamps’ squad since making his debut three years ago and his versatility has raised expectations of his country repeating their 1984 European-title winning campaign on home soil. However, Deschamps said the 2014 World Cup’s best young player can become even more effective. “People expect too much of him because he has above-average technique,” Deschamps told Uefa’s…
France kick off their Euro 2016 campaign against Romania on Friday with the host nation desperate for a ray of sunshine after being hit by strikes, floods and scandals in the build-up. Protests against a labour law and torrential rain that has caused the Seine river to rise to levels not seen in decades have created a bleak backdrop to the tournament where France will start as favourites. A state of emergency is also still in force after last November’s Islamist attacks killed 130 people in Paris at several sites including the Stade de France, the venue for Friday’s opening…
Manchester United have made contact over a deal for Paul Pogba but the Juventus midfielder is waiting to see if Real Madrid make a move. Club sources said United have made contact with both Juve and Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, with regard to the 23-year-old, who left Old Trafford in acrimonious circumstances in 2012. Jose Mourinho has identified central midfield as a priority area and is also continuing with his pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, but United sources said he has becoming increasingly enthusiastic about the idea of buying Pogba. The prospective purchase has been discussed with super-agent Raiola…
Hosts France may be the favourites to win Euro 2016 but they must not get ahead of themselves having not played a competitive game in two years, captain Hugo Lloris said on Thursday. Les Bleus, who are ahead of world champions Germany and holders Spain in the betting, take on Romania in the tournament’s opening game on Friday at the Stade de France, before two more Group A games against Switzerland and Albania. “We don’t feel like favourites. We’ve done nothing, we’ve proved nothing,” Lloris told a news conference. British bookmakers Ladbrokes have France at 16-5, Germany 9-2 and Spain…
No amount of preparation is enough to snuff out the threat of Argentina’s “assassin” Lionel Messi, Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez said ahead of Friday’s Copa America clash between the teams. Messi was an unused substitute in Argentina’s 2-1 win over holders Chile in their opening Group D match in Santa Clara, California on Monday after a back injury but could reappear when they face Panama in Chicago. Both sides have three points after Panama marked their first appearance in the world’s oldest international tournament with a surprise 2-1 win over Bolivia, who face Chile in Foxborough on Friday. “You…
Michael Carrick has ended speculation over his future by signing a new one-year contract with Manchester United, the Premier League club announced on Thursday. Carrick was due to be out of contract in the close-season and faced the possibility of having to leave Old Trafford when Jose Mourinho was appointed to replace sacked manager Louis van Gaal. The 34-year-old was offered the chance to move to Australian outfit Perth Glory. But Mourinho believes Carrick can play a significant role in his plans to revitalise United next season and agreed to rubber stamp a new deal that keeps him at the…
England striker Wayne Rooney says it is highly unlikely that a scenario would arise causing him to switch allegiances to any Premier League side other than Manchester United or boyhood club Everton in the future. The 30-year-old, who will captain his country at the European Championship in France, joined United as an 18-year-old from Everton in August 2004, in a move that drew criticism from sections of the Goodison Park fan base. However, Rooney, who has won five league titles with United, thanked both the clubs for their support throughout his career. “Manchester United and Everton are the only clubs…
From attending numerous shows, to passing up chances to get choice seats at gigs, I have always been on the lookout for new talent to put on here. Often times I fail, researching deep into mediocrity time and time again. Sometimes it takes me an email to get a good material, or someone disturbing my music in my car as they grab my aux chord to play me something fresh. Other times, a Youtube link thrown my way from friends, industry professionals and the odd serendipity. But Kiss Daniel was special. From the first time I saw him, I knew…
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state paid an official visit to Abia state, on the invitation of the Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu. Tambuwal, who commissioned some roads constructed by the Abia state government, called on Governors in the South-East to support the grazing reserve policy of the Federal Government. The Sokoto state Governor also said the policy will stop the frequent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers. Tambuwal said “I am a Fulani man and I have herds of cattle but I restricted my cattle to a particular location because I need to monitor what they eat and constantly check on…
The Ondo state workers strike took a daring twist, as the civil servants reportedly prevented the state Governor, Olusegun Mimiko from entering the Government House. Punch reports that the Governor was forced to come out of his car and address the aggrieved workers. According to reports, Mimiko begged the striking workers to resume work, adding that the state does not have enough money to pay their salary arrears. The defiant workers however dismissed the Governor’s plea, chanting No Salary, No Work, reports say. The chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, Sunday Adeleye also told newsmen that the strike will continue indefinitely,…
President Buhari has appointed Ben Akabueze, as the new Director General (DG) for the budget office of the federation. The former budget office DG, Tijani Mohammed Abdullahi has also been promoted to serve as Special Adviser to the President on Planning. The President’s media aide, Femi Adesina also said Abdullahi will continue to assist the minister of budget and national planning, Udoma Udo Udoma. Adesina also said the changes in the ministry is part of government’s resolve to ensure that it delivers its mandate efficiently and effectively. On Wednesday, June 8, 2016, Udoma revealed that the government will pump the…
The minister of agriculture and rural development, Audu Ogbeh has revealed why the Federal Government cannot stop herdsmen who are not Nigerians. Ogbeh said on Thursday, June 9, 2016, that the ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol allows for the free movement of citizens from member countries. The minister said this in Abuja, at the Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Grazing Reserves and Stock Routes. He also said “The Nigerian constitution has given every citizen the fundamental right to freedom of movement in search of legitimate businesses; transhumance pastoralism is seen along these lines. “For pastoralists from neighbouring West African countries, access to grazing…
The Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom has declared that every Friday will be a work free farming day. Ortom said the idea of making every Friday a work free day, is to allow civil servants in the state work on their farms. The Governor said this after the 16th session of the state executive council meeting. Ortom said the move will enable the workers produce food to feed their families in this period of economic hardship. The Governor also announced that he will go on a 14 day vacation to enable him work on his farm. The Benue state…
A Lagos based lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) has said that the constitution which the country is practising, is illegal. Ozekhome also called on President Buhari to implement the recommendations of the 2014 national conference organised by former President Goodluck Jonathan. He said this in Abuja on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, while speaking to members of the South-South Pen Pusher. The lawyer also said the constitution was handed over to Nigerians by the military ruling council, led by Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar. Leadership reports that Ozekhome said “I believe that Nigeria is an ongoing project. It is like clay waiting to be…
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has revealed that the Federal Government will launch out the N500b social intervention program on Saturday, June 11, 2016. This is coming on the heels of the launch of the home grown school feeding program, which was flagged-off by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo. The Federal Government also announced the commencement of the recruitment of 500,000 teachers on Sunday, June 12, 2016. Speaking at the Buharimeter Town Hall meeting in Abuja on Thursday, June 9, 2016, the minister said “The Change we promised is real, and with the takeoff of our…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have threatened to shut down banks for sacking their workers despite the Federal Government’s order. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige had earlier ordered banks to stop sacking their staff. The Labour unions also said they support the minister’s threat to withdraw the licence of the banks that went ahead to sack their staff. They also gave the banks who laid-off their workers, a 21 day ultimatum to call back their staff or face industrial action. Vanguard reports that the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba and his…
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has said that the school feeding program of the Buhari-led administration will create jobs and also boost the economy of the community which the schools are located. He said “The ultimate objectives are bringing real change to the lives of 20 million children. “It is for creating the multiplier effect on local economies in communities where these schools are located by boosting agriculture, entrepreneurship and employment.’’ Osinbajo also said the Federal Government’s social intervention program, is not a welfare handout for the poor. Vanguard reports that the Vice President said this in Abuja, at the…