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Tag: football

  • Media Personality Ajifa Atuluku Releases Short Films Featuring Falzthabadguy, Bollylomo and More to Preach Love and Unity

    Media Personality Ajifa Atuluku Releases Short Films Featuring Falzthabadguy, Bollylomo and More to Preach Love and Unity

    Christmas is a season of love, and it is in this spirit that Media personality Ajifa Atuluku drops two short films titled “RELATIONSHIP – ONE NAIJA” and FOOTBALL – ONE NAIJA to preach love, unity and oneness for our people and also to get you in the yuletide spirit.

    “Relationship – One Naija” features Folarin “falz” Falana, Bolly Lomo, Serumum Ubwa, Collins Chukwu while “Football – One Naija” features Gbolahan “Bolly Lomo” Olatunde and many more.

    The films were directed by Ajifa Atuluku, produced by Amiola Aguda, Victoria Dogo, Amara Nwankpa and Luke Oyovbaire (Lukeaire films), Nuvie Films, Voiced by Sheila Ojei and supported by Ford Foundation.

    RELATIONSHIP – ONE NAIJA

    We will all find love someday

    We never know which way

    Our heart will want what it wants much to our surprise

    It will become Captivated, infatuated, seeing only love in each other’s eyes

    We will thank the day we found this love

    A perfect gift from above

    Packaged in imperfect perfection

    …it will seem

    Our hearts racing

    …for each day would be a dream

    Sometimes we would wonder If it is too good to be true

    Too scared to be heart broken, scared of facing the truth

    So we tell each other, I never want to lose you

    I choose you above all,

    I cannot spend a day without you

    Hand in hand we would run to tell the world

    The day has finally come

    We have found the perfect love

    Until those who love us, tell us that we cannot be one

    For though we may be perfect,

    He is igbo and I must go

    Who is to tell us when we are one?

    Is it you? Is it us? Or our ancestors dead and gone?

    Why should I be punished for a crime I never committed?

    Continuing this tribal war which says our love is not permitted

    This love is no weapon of war

    The battle you fight can never be won

    So tell me your story and I’ll tell you mine too

    Show me your history one page at a time

    Tell me, please tell me

    When are we one Nigeria?

     

    FOOTBALL – ONE NAIJA

    Nothing binds us more than

    …Football

    Such beautiful game,

    Bringing us together

    Like a melting pot of flavours

    It whets our passion

    Sends our hearts racing

    Roaring at the top of our voices

    Each goal a celebration

    We pledge to our nation

    A win is for our people

    Defending her unity

    A peaceful community

    Upholding her honour

    We are one Nigeria

    Nothing divides us more than

    …Football

    Such competitive game

    Ripping us apart

    Like families in time of war

    It ignites our anger

    Sends our hearts racing

    Defending our people

    Each miss becomes a chance

    To shoot down our neighbors

    Our tongues, a weapon

    Our tribes, an armor

    We’ve become a nation pretending in unison

    Switching identities

    From Igbo to Yoruba

    Hausa to Igala

    Ijaw to Efik

    Fulani to Urhobo

    We are 300 different people,

    Trapped in boxes of ethnicity

    Forgetting what unites us

    The blood which flows through us

    Because one of them has failed us

    Nothing reunites us more than

    …Football

    He who was cast down

    Has now made us proud

    So we come together again

    Chanting songs of victory

    He is one of us

    We are proud to be Nigerian

    No matter the regalia

    Until another fails us.

    When are we one Nigeria?

  • TNG review: Most shocking football retirement of 2018

    The FIFA World Cup was not only one of the most exciting event of 2018 in soccer world but also was a year which drew the curtain on a number of players international careers.

    Since the football Mundial in Russia, a number of players have said farewell to their country.

    We look at most shocking retirement announcement in 2018:

     

    Victor Moses (Nigeria)

    Chelsea defender Victor Moses announced his retirement from international football after making 37 appearances for Nigeria.

    The 27-year-old featured in all Super Eagles’ games at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and got a goal against Argentina at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg.

    Moses, who made his debut for the national team in 2012, won one Africa Cup of Nations as Stephen Keshi’s men beat Burkina Faso in the final in 2013, after missing out of the 2012 edition.

    Mesut Ozil ( Germany)

    Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil announced his immediate retirement from international football after the World Cup.

    The German gave reasons for his retirement, claiming to have been the subject of “racism and disrespect” following his high-profile and controversial meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan prior to the World Cup.

    The picture with Erdogan saw the Arsenal man pose with the Turkish president and German teammate Ilkay Gundogan.

    Gerard Pique (Spain)

    Barcelona defender Gerard Pique confirmed his retirement from international football in August shortly after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    The 31-year-old centre-back made 102 appearances for his country between 2009 and 2018, scoring five times.

    He was part of the Spain team that won their first World Cup in 2010, before adding the 2012 European Championship.

    David Silva (Spain)

    Manchester City midfielder David Silva announced his retirement from international football in August after his participation with Spain at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    Silva, 32, won the 2010 World Cup and 2008 and 2012 European Championship titles and played 125 times for Spain after making his debut in 2006.

    He said he was “very proud” of his achievements with La Roja, and that the decision to retire was “one the most difficult of my career”.

    Jamie Vardy and Gary Cahill ( England)

    England pair Jamie Vardy and Gary Cahill stepped aside from international football to allow manager Gareth Southgate to bring younger players in, according to the players.

    Vardy, who made his England debut against the Republic of Ireland in June 2015, made four appearances for England at this summer’s World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals.

    While Chelsea defender Cahill, 32, scored five goals in 61 appearances for England, having made his debut in 2010, and captained the side on several occasions.

    He made just one appearance at the World Cup, during England’s 1-0 group stage defeat by Belgium.

    Mario Mandzukic (Croatia)

    Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic also announced his retirement from international football in 2018 after Croatia reached the World Cup final for the first time.

    The 32-year-old hit the winning goal in the semi-finals against England, before scoring an own goal and one for his team in the 4-2 final defeat by France on 15 July.

    Mandzukic, who joined Italian champions Juve in 2015, scored 33 goals in 89 appearances for Croatia.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  • Maiden President Buhari football tourney kicks off on Nov. 4 in Nasarawa

    Thirty-eight teams will slug it out in the maiden President Muhammadu Buhari’s Nyanya-Keffi U-23 football tournament scheduled to hold between Nov. 4 and Dec. 9, in Nasarawa.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament will be played in a World Cup format at the football pitch of the Buratai Farm along the Abuja-Keffi expressway, Nasarawa.
    Organiser of the tournament and proprietor of Bimo Sporting Club (BSC), Chinedu Okoye, said the competition was being organised to popularise President Buhari among the youth and people of Nyanya-Keffi axis of Nasarawa State.
    Okoye said the tournament would be used to honour Buhari for the achievements recorded in football during his time as Military Head of State and now a Civilian President.
    “When he was the Military Head of State, Nigeria won the first World U-17 trophy in China captained by Nduka Ugbade and he came as Civilian President in 2015 and the team won another U-17 trophy.
    “And since President Buhari came on the saddle, all the issue of the national team players grumbling over unpaid bonuses and allowances and very scattered flight schedule for their tournaments are over and players given their due.
    “So, it is in recognition of that fact as a football stakeholder that Okoye decided to dedicate his first tournament to the President; it has nothing to do with politics, it is about acknowledging the man that means well for our football.
    “Other aims of this tournament is to mobilise the youth of Nyanya-Keffi communities towards nation building and also as an agent of building national cohesion and unity.
    “To discover the talented U-23 footballers in the affected area and expose them to bigger football careers.
    “We also want to use the tournament to popularise football among youths and people of the mentioned area,” Okoye said.
    Team Manager of Bimo FC, Iyke Igbokwe, said the competition was being organised in fulfillment of the promises made by the proprietor of the club Chinedu Okoye, when he contested for the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in September.
    Igbokwe said Okoye had promised to grow age group competitions for youths across the country.
    “We are starting from Nyanya to Akwanga area where Bimo Sporting Club is based and we are starting first with U-23.
    “We had initially wanted to start with U-20 but we discovered that there are no such age-grade teams here.
    “So, we believe that by the next edition of the tournament there will be awareness and then, it will be strictly U-20 to enable us discover the players early.
    “We have just finished the draws and youths are eager to play but that their problem is that there are no competitions to play in and we have 38 teams already registered.
    “The talents that will be discovered will be given a playing tour of Switzerland where the talented ones will pick up careers from the Swiss League, which is one of the objectives since Bimo has its root in Switzerland,” Igbokwe said.
    According to Igbokwe, the other aim of the competition is to motivate and encourage youngsters who see their mates ply football trade in Europe to make use of their talent for the good of the nation.
    He said the organiser had set aside N2.5 million for the competition from which N200,000 would go to the winning team, while the first runners-up would pocket N100,000 and second runners-up go home with N80,000.
    “We have prizes for the Most Valuable Player, Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper and the Best Coach.”
    NAN

  • I'll return to football in January – Wenger

    Former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has expressed his intention to return to football in January having received “enquires from all over the world”.
    The 68-year-old ended his reign at Arsenal last season after a disappointing end to his time at the Emirates, but he feels re-energised and ready to take up a new challenge.
    “From my 22 years at Arsenal, I have big experience on different levels. There are enquiries from all over the world,” the Frenchman said. “There are associations, national teams, it could be in Japan.
    “I believe that I will start again on January 1st,” said Wenger, who joined Arsenal from Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight in 1996.
    The former Gunners boss has been linked to the Japan head coach job, and more recently to a boardroom position at French giants PSG, but Wenger explained he does not know what role he will take up, SkySports reports.
    “I feel rested and am ready to work again. But where? I don’t know yet.”
    Wenger also addressed the issue of Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil calling time on his international career with Germany following their disappointing World Cup, and his falling out with the national federation.
    “I believe that Germany needs Ozil. I hope that Joachim Low (Germany boss) can convince him that he will come back,” Wenger said.
    “Ozil is a super football player, who was not the worst in the World Cup. I did not love that he left the German national team.
    “I love it when the players are as good as possible. He loses a bit if he does not play at an international level.”
     

  • Leukaemia: Accolades from team mates, fans as Ikeme quits football

    Leukaemia: Accolades from team mates, fans as Ikeme quits football

    Praises have been pouring in from various sources for Nigeria and Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, who retired from football on Friday on health grounds.

    Former Super Eagles’ number one Ikeme, who started the journey to the Russia 2018 World Cup with the Eagles, was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July 2017 but entered into complete remission in June.

    He announced his retirement in a statement on Wolves website.

    “I spoke with the doctor and he suggested I should retire, because of the toll the treatment has taken on my body,” Ikeme said.

    “He thinks it’s what is best for me and I can’t really risk trying to come back, my health is the priority. I want to be here for my children, family and friends. In the grand scheme of things with my life in danger, it’s the minimum price I have to pay to spend the rest of my time with my family.”

    However, praises poured in for the 32-year-old ex-Wolves keeper with his fellow keepers hailing him.

    “Having been at the club since the age of 14, Carl is far more than just a player in our eyes – he is our brother and an important part of our family,” said Wolves executive chairman Jeff Shi.

    “When Carl came to tell us (with) his news, yes there was sadness, but also great happiness to see him so healthy and hungry for the opportunities that lay ahead of him.

    “Carl is strong, a fighter, something he has proven in his playing career and also during what has been a very challenging time for him, so I have no doubt he will be a success in whatever he does next. We wish Carl all the very best for the future, but remind him he will always remain a part of the Wolves family.”

    Goalkeepers from various nationalities and clubs in England also praised their former colleague.

    In a video clip posted on the Wolves Twitter handle, while some of the players sang to the tune of the famous Cuban song ‘Guantanamera’ to render ‘One Carl Ikeme, there is only one Carl Ikeme’, others only chanted the phrase.

    Some of the keepers in the video are Iker Casillas, Petr Cech, David Seaman, Joe Hart, Boaz Myhill, Mike Stowell, Adam Federici, Walter Zenger and Mark Schwarzer

    Others are Asmir Begovic, Tomasz Kuszczak, Jack Ruddy, Andreas Sondergaard, David Stockdale, Will Norris and Lukasz Fabianski.

    Ikeme was in goal for Nigeria’s first three matches of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. His first cap was in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Tanzania in Dar es Salaam in September 2015.

     

     

  • Long Knives Are Out: FIFA – Football Is Not For Africa. Part 2 – Tony Ajero

    By Tony Ajero

    We ended the last edition of this World Cup special with one soccer administrator’s impassioned chronicle of misdeeds against NFF President Amaju Pinnick. Since then, much water has passed under the bridge – water don pass garri. Our usual soap opera unhinged very speedily: and we continue to make ourselves the world’s laughing stock. While less-endowed nations are progressing at the World Cup (which may produce a new winner outside the traditional six baba nations who have ever won the world cup) we are enmeshed in our national cesspools of corruption-laden primitive politics.

    Out there in Russia, the excitement and income generation continue. Yesterday we saw France (Les Bleus) beat Uruguay (La Celeste) two zero. France’s goals came through Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann, though Uruguay’s goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, unwittingly lent a helping hand with his blunder for the second goal in the 60th minute. For me, the game of the night was Belgium knocking out serial Champions Brazil two one. Fernandinho’s own goal and Kevin De Bruyne’s goal off a Romelu Lukaku assist in a counter attack sent the Le Selecao home. Though Courtois was beaten once, his save in stoppage time would be rightly at the top for the “Save of the Tournament.”

    As ‘Double Doctor’ Larry Izamojie, owner of Brila radio – Nigeria’s flagship sports broadcast station said after the match – one positive to take way is that our players must learn to die on the pitch, and live afterwards. The Belgians gave it their all, and are now writ large in history books. This generation of players: Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Adnan Januzaj, Marouane Fallaini, Vincent Kompany, Michy Batshuayi, Thibaut Courtois, and Christian Benteke et al will never be forgotten. They have carved a niche for themselves.

    Back home, our administrators are also carving their niche in our national history. As if waiting for the World Cup exit cue, Sports Minister Solomon Dalung promptly threw the books at Pinnick; thus enabling Mr. Giwa ride majestically into the coveted NFF Glass House, Abuja Presidency with aplomb; Nigerian politics being not for the faint-hearted, Pinnick responded quickly and dexterously, Waffi style. The timeline as captured by TheNewsguru.com is canny but not funny.

    July 2, 2018: Nigeria Faces Fresh FIFA Ban As Dalung Sacks Amaju’s NFF

    A fresh ban by the world football governing body, FIFA, may be hanging on Nigeria as the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung on Monday ordered the incumbent Amaju Pinnick-led NFF executive committee to give way to that led by Chris Giwa in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling.

    Dalung said in a statement that the directive followed a written notification signed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice requesting the Ministry to ensure compliance. Consequently, Daluncg has directed the parties involved to comply with the court order. “This is a court order and not from Dalung. I will not want to go to Kuje prison because of disobedience of court orders. Therefore, I hereby comply with the court orders of June 5th 2018, while Mr Amaaju Pinnick and others are also directed to comply with same,” said the minister.

    However, facts exclusively obtained by TheNewsGuru.com revealed that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) was yet to make such pronouncement.

     

    July 2, 2018: Chris Giwa Takes Over Office As NFF Chairman

    Following the order of Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Chris Giwa has assumed duty as President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). Minister Solomon Dalung had earlier today ordered the (Amaju-Pinnick-led) Nigeria Football Federation to vacate their office in respect to a ruling by the apex court in Nigeria, the Supreme Court.

     

    July 3, 2018: Pinnick, FIFA President Infantino, meet in Russia over crisis in Nigerian Football …as FIFA names Pinnick Match Commissioner Sequel to the sack of the Amaju Pinnick led executive of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) by the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Barr. Solomon Dalung on Monday, the President of the world football governing body (FIFA) Gianni Infantino on Tuesday met with Pinnick in Russia over the crisis. The FIFA boss met with Pinnick before the commencement of the ongoing round 16 match between Sweden and Switzerland. A copy of the match start list sent exclusively to TheNewsguru.com also showed that the embattled NFF boss was the match commissioner.

     

    July 5, 2018: CAF Appoints Pinnick First Vice President The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has appointed the former Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Chairman, Amaju Pinnick to the post of CAF’s 1st Vice-President following the resignation of Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi. CAF President Ahmad Ahmad, after consulting the members of the Emergency Committee, appointed Mr. Pinnick as 1st Vice President.

     

    July 6, 2018: EFCC Probes Amaju Pinnick, Shehu Dikko, Others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is to investigate and take necessary action against Mr. Pinnick Amaju Melvin, Mallam Shehu Dikko and three other top board members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The probe follows a petition EFCC received from a former National Team Coach, James Peters, on May 4, 2018 with a heading “Monumental Stealing and Financial Crimes in the Nigeria Football Federation.”

    It alleged “unprecedented stealing, corrupt practices and financial crimes being perpetrated.” The former Technical Director also alleged “stealing and fraudulent activities by Financial Derivatives Ltd, a company cunningly brought into the NFF by President Amaju Pinnick for the sole purpose of warehousing money outside the official accounts of the NFF in the Central Bank and diverting same for fraudulent activities.”

    Why all these struggles? Is it the love for football? Or love for Nigeria? If you understand how huge the money in soccer is, then you begin to understand the Tarka-me-I Daboh-you struggles.

    On Saturday, we will look at The Money.

    Many Nigerians are not worried about the NFF – Sports Ministry imbroglio. But we should, else our tales of woe will continue, for the 2022 World Cup has already started. Unfortunately, it augurs ill that we have one faction in Abuja and another faction in Diaspora, albeit in the almighty FIFA. A house divided against itself, the Bible says, can never stand.

     

     

  • BREAKING: Pinnick, FIFA President, Infantino, meet in Russia over crisis in Nigerian football [Photos]

    BREAKING: Pinnick, FIFA President, Infantino, meet in Russia over crisis in Nigerian football [Photos]

    …as FIFA names Pinnick match commissioner

    Sequel to the sack of the Amaju Pinnick led executive of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) by the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Barr. Solomon Dalung on Monday, the President of the world football governing body (FIFA), Gianni Infantino on Tuesday met with Pinnick in Russia over the crisis.

    The FIFA boss met with Pinnick before the commencement of the ongoing round 16 match between Sweden and Switzerland.

    A copy of the match start list sent exclusively to TheNewsGuru.com also showed that the embattled NFF boss was the match commissioner.

    Recall that the minister on Monday ordered the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF executive committee to give way to that led by Chris Giwa in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling.

    [Photos] Pinnick, FIFA President, Infantino meet in Russia over crisis in Nigerian football

    In a statement signed by the minister’s special adviser on media, Nneka Anibeze, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports development directed the Nigeria Football Federation, a parastatal under it, to comply with the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on April 27, 2018, which restored the orders of the Federal High Court, setting aside the purported election into the Executive Committee of the NFF held on September 30, 2014.

    It is expected that the meeting between the two football governing body heads will spare Nigeria from the impending ban by FIFA over the minister’s pronouncement of the Chris Giwa led NFF faction as authentic.

     

    Details shortly…

  • 135 teams to participate in Gov. Dickson’s Football Cup tournament

    Bayelsa Government on Wednesday said that no fewer than 135 teams registered to participate in the 2018 Gov. Seriake Dickson’s Football Tournament scheduled to kick-off on April 22.

    Gov. Seriake Dickson, who spoke during the official draws and kits presentation to the teams in Yenagoa, reiterated government’s commitment to sports development.

    Dickson said the state government was making plans to set up football clubs in all Bayelsa’s communities and urged the participating teams to take advantage of the tournament to improve their standing.

    Mr Perekiye Buruboyefe, the Commissioner for Sports, said that about 106 communities would be taking part in the season two of the game tagged “Restoration Cup 2018.”

    Buruboyefe noted that the competition, aimed at taking sports development to the grassroots, would go a long way in discovering football talents.

    “The game is to discover some budding talents in the state and I am sure that talents discovered will be utilized for future purposes,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Ono Akpe, Director General of the Competition, said that the game was strictly on knock-out basis and only the final two teams would emerge from the eight local council areas of the state.

    “The prize money remains the same (N11 million) as the maiden edition. The winners will get N5 million, N3 million for the second best team, and N2 million for the third best team.

    “Consolation prizes include, N500,000 for the fourth best team, N200,000 for the best behaved team, N100,000 each for the best goalkeeper, highest goal scorer, and of course, the most valuable player,” he explained.

    NAN

  • Breaking: Manchester City win EPL as West Brom shock United

    Manchester City have been crowned winners of the 2017-2018 English Premier League following a shocking defeat rivals Manchester United suffered in the hands of West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

    Jay Rodriguez scored a second-half winner to beat a woeful Manchester United and hand a third Premier League title to Manchester City.

    United had prevented City from winning the title last weekend with a stirring comeback, but an unlikely defeat to the Baggies inadvertently secured a third Premier League title for their cross-city rivals.

    Pep Guardiola’s men now hold an unassailable 16-point lead at the top of the table, meaning that with just five games to play nobody can catch the side which has led the league uninterruptedl since the fifth round of fixtures.

    With 33 games played City have won an impressive 28, with three draws and just two defeats.

    The champions have scored 93 times and conceded on 25 occasions.

    Now the title is in the bag, the club’s next challenge will be beating the record for most points in a single season.

    Chelsea currently hold that milestone, having picked up 95 points under Mourinho in 2004-5; in order to surpass the Special One, Pep and his team must take at least nine points from the 15 still up for grabs.

    United, meanwhile, face a stiff test to hold on to the second place they have occupied for almost the entire campaign.

    Liverpool are just one point behind the Red Devils with 70 points, albeit having played one more game, while Tottenham lie three points further back on 67.

     

  • Bomb kills 5 during football match

    A bomb killed five spectators at a football match in southern Somalia, police and a lawmaker said on Friday, the first time an explosion has targeted a stadium.

    The blast went off in the port town of Barawe, in the Lower Shabelle region, when residents were watching a football match on Thursday afternoon, police said, adding that al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab could be behind the attack.

    Police said it appeared to have been detonated by remote control.

    “The bomb killed five people and injured a dozen others in the football field.

    “All the casualties were from the onlookers,” Mahad Dhoore, a lawmaker for South West state told Reuters.

    Police officer Mohamed Aden said al Shabaab group was suspected of being behind the attack and put the number of dead at four and wounded at 12.

    “We believe al Shabaab was behind (it) and that the target was officials who were not seated there at the time of the match.

    “The bomb looked like a remotely controlled one that was planted there,” Aden told Reuters from Barawe.

    Al Shabaab are fighting to topple Somalia’s Western-backed central government and establish their own rule based on their strict interpretation of Islamic law.

    The group frequently carries out bombings and gun attacks in the capital Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia.

    “Al Shabaab carried out an explosion that killed teenagers who were just playing football in Barawe town.

    “Al Shabaab is the only enemy we have,” President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed said during a farewell party for Somalia’s outgoing parliament speaker.