Nigerian singer, Emma Nyra has joined the list of musicians venturing into acting. With artistes like Falz, Sean Tizzle and just recently Davido making successful Nollywood debuts, the former Triple MG first lady has also acts in Moses Inwang’s upcoming comedy, ‘American Driver’. Emma Nyra stars alongside comedian, AY, Nadia Buari, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Anita Chris, Jim Iyke and international actor, Evan King in the movie titled, ‘American Driver’. The ‘For My Matter’ singer plays the role of a passenger who boards the lead character’s cab while on a journey. The movie, which is expected to premiere soon, is however the…
Author: David Folami
A dominant Liverpool were worthy 2-0 winners over Manchester United as the old foes met in Europe for the first time on Thursday, while Borussia Dortmund outclassed Tottenham Hotspur in their Europa League last 16, first leg. At a boisterous Anfield, Liverpool were on top from beginning to end as United lost to their great rivals for the first time under the stewardship of Louis van Gaal, a penalty from Daniel Sturridge and a Roberto Firmino effort separating the teams. Jurgen Klopp’s side will go to Old Trafford for the second leg next Thursday in a good position to advance…
Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez insists Neymar will not be leaving the Spanish and European champions anytime soon.?? Neymar has been discussing a new contract with Barca for months but the Brazil international is yet to reach an agreement at Camp Nou, amid reported interest from rivals Real Madrid and Manchester United. But Fernandez reiterated that the 24-year-old – who has scored 77 goals in 127 appearances and won six trophies since joining Barca in 2013 – is staying put. “I said it very clearly two months ago, and I will say it again now: Neymar will stay with us,”…
Lionel Messi will remain at Barcelona for at least the next five years, assured technical secretary Robert Fernandez Messi, 28, graduated through the youth ranks at Barcelona and has expressed his desire to spend the rest of his playing days with the Catalan club. However, his current deal only runs through to the end of the 2017-18 season, and speculation remains over whether he will continue on with the Spanish giants.?? But Fernandez assured Messi will at least be around until 2021 when the club are set to inaugurate the new Camp Nou. “Messi will continue in 2021, that is…
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter suffered the ignominy of being left off the organisation’s list of footballing birthdays on Thursday. The Swiss, celebrating his 80th birthday, was a notable absentee from FIFA’s daily list despite having spent more than 40 years working for the game’s governing body. Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic and veteran striker Samuel Eto’o were among those to be recognised for March 10 birthdays. Blatter stepped down as president last year and was subsequently banned from football for six years following an investigation into an alleged “disloyal payment” made to former UEFA president Michel Platini in 2011. Police…
Paul Ince does not think the Europa League is the level at which Manchester United and Liverpool should be competing ahead of the two sides’ meeting on Thursday — but he believes that United will never get back to the way they used to play. Ince was at United from 1989 to 1995 and later played for Liverpool from 1997 to 1999. The former England midfielder tasted success in Europe with United when he played in the 1991 European Cup Winners’ Cup final as they defeated Barcelona 2-1. Ince told the Irish Independent: “I wouldn’t say it’s their level when…
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini says you just have to pray when you are up against Barcelona star Lionel Messi. Messi got the better of Chiellini in last season’s Champions League final and the 31-year-old defender said he just cannot be defended against, although he does know a trick to keep Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo quiet. “Knowing all about your opponents is fundamental, even the individuals,” he said at an event in Turin, as quoted by Eurosport. “It helps you understand their characteristics. Cristiano Ronaldo is a player you mark by trying to prevent him from coming inside on his right…
Jurgen Klopp admits he is desperate to prevent Louis van Gaal getting one over him when Liverpool host Manchester United on Thursday. The Europa League tie at Anfield was described as one of the biggest tests he will face as Liverpool manager and pits him against an old foe in United’s Van Gaal. Klopp also defended his counterpart after the wave of criticism he has faced this season, but said there would be no mercy shown. “I don’t believe in enemies in football, I believe in real football opponents,” Klopp told his prematch news conference on Wednesday. “I’ve absolutely nothing…
Thomas Muller does not believe that Barcelona are a better side than Bayern Munich. Bayern are currently on course to win a record fourth consecutive Bundesliga title after Saturday’s goalless draw at Borussia Dortmund kept them five points ahead of Thomas Tuchel’s side at the top of the table. Barcelona, meanwhile, are eight points clear at the top of La Liga, with both teams still in contention for this season’s Champions League as well as their respective domestic cup competitions. When asked if reigning European champions Barca are the best team in the world, Muller, 26, said that looking at…
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has no issues with Pep Guardiola making plans for his Manchester City future, the FC Bayern Munich CEO has told Bild following the Catalan’s meeting with City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain. Guardiola and Begiristian were spotted in Amsterdam on Monday, where they reportedly discussed their plans for the 2016-17 season, when the Catalan will be in charge at the Etihad after he leaves Bayern this summer. The meeting, first reported by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, took place in a city-centre hotel, with representatives of Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan also in attendance. But the meeting in Amsterdam is…
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink said he was aware that Eden Hazard swapped shirts with Paris Saint-Germain’s Angel Di Maria at half-time of their Champions League round-of-16 second-leg match and said “it should not be done.” PSG and Chelsea were drawing 1-1 on the night as the teams we into the break at Stamford Bridge, with the visitors holding the upper hand thanks to a 2-1 first-leg win when the teams met at the Parc des Princes two weeks ago. Hazard, who has been under pressure this season due to a lack of form, exchanged shirts with Argentine Di Maria as…
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal gave an honest assessment of where his club and fierce rivals Liverpool stand ahead of their Europa League last-16 clash on Thursday. When asked about the state of English football, given United and Liverpool – historically two of Europe’s most significant clubs with eight European crowns between them – are playing in the Europa League, Van Gaal was frank in his thoughts but said the Premier League remained in a good place. “Other teams are playing in the Champions League. You are talking about Manchester United and Liverpool, we are happy to play in…
Pep Guardiola promised to focus solely on Bayern Munich in his final months in charge, but he apparently met the sporting director of future employers Manchester City in Amsterdam on Monday. Clad in a grey winter hat, thick sweater and carrying a rucksack, the 45-year-old Guardiola looked like a tourist as he was photographed entering a luxury hotel in Amsterdam on Monday morning. British tabloid The Mirror and Dutch newspaper Telegraaf both claim Guardiola met City’s director Txiki Begiristain, who was also photographed in Amsterdam on Monday, for two hours to discuss possible transfers. Guardiola is reported to have defender…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic warned that there was more to come from Paris Saint-Germain after he inspired them to victory over Chelsea in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday. The Sweden striker scored one goal and made another as PSG won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to complete a 4-2 aggregate win and reach the quarterfinals for a fourth successive season. Sent off as PSG eliminated Chelsea at the same stage last season, Ibrahimovic made his presence felt on his return to west London and vowed that the French champions were determined to make a mark on the competition. “I stayed more…
Diego Costa and Eden Hazard both sustained injuries as Chelsea crashed out of the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, interim manager Guus Hiddink confirmed after the game. Costa, Chelsea’s goal-scorer, hobbled off shortly before Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in the 67th minute to give PSG a 2-1 win on the night and complete a 4-2 aggregate victory. Hazard left the fray late on with a hip injury and was booed by a small number of Chelsea fans as he made his way over to the touchline to be replaced by Oscar. “We’ll see if there is big damage tomorrow…
English champions Chelsea face the challenge of rebuilding for the future after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris St Germain on Wednesday, interim coach Guus Hiddink said. The defeat left Chelsea with the FA Cup as their only realistic target this season because they trail Premier League leaders Leicester City by 20 points and are 10 behind Manchester City who occupy the last Champions League qualifying spot. “My opinion is that Chelsea is now in a transitional period. They have to see how to go on and try to regain the lost terrain where Chelsea used…
Leicester City’s remarkable rise to the top of the Premier League this season has not surprised Manchester City right back Bacary Sagna, who said the Foxes had been the team to beat since they escaped from the jaws of relegation last year. Claudio Ranieri’s side are currently five points ahead of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the league with nine games left to play. Under former manager Nigel Pearson, they won seven of their last nine matches last season to finish 14th after long appearing condemned to relegation. “I’m not surprised,” Sagna told British radio station Talksport. “They have quality players……
A hair’s breadth separated Leicester City and Newcastle United at the end of the relegation battle last season but a 36-point chasm and a gulf in confidence exists between the sides ahead of Monday’s Premier League clash. With Leicester’s title challenge showing no sign of wilting as the inevitable pressure of the run-in continues to mount, Newcastle’s season is seemingly skidding towards the abyss. It is by no means certain that Newcastle manager Steve McClaren will still be in the dugout for the game at Leicester’s King Power Stadium with his immediate future up in the air. A scheduled meeting…
Arsene Wenger will take stock of Arsenal’s mounting injury problems after the FA Cup holders’ progress to the quarterfinals came at a cost. Aaron Ramsey, Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista were all substituted during the comfortable 4-0 victory at Championship side Hull City that stretched the Gunners’ three-year unbeaten record in the competition. Retaining the FA Cup for a third season looks to be Arsenal’s best hope of silverware in a season where Wenger has again come under attack for his side’s failings in their efforts to win the Premier League for the first time in 12 years. They trail…
Arsene Wenger’s running feud with a section of his team’s fans showed little sign of abating after Tuesday’s FA Cup win over Hull City, with the Arsenal manager saying he had nothing to fear after supporters unveiled a banner urging him to quit. Arsenal breezed past Hull 4-0 to reach the last eight and keep their bid for a first FA Cup hat-trick since Blackburn Rovers in the 1880s alive, but some supporters remain unhappy with the manager amid a faltering league campaign. Fans at the Hull game unfurled a banner that said, “Arsene, thanks for the memories but it’s…