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Tag: football

  • 2019: Football legend, Nwankwo Kanu to run for Presidency, vows to unseat Buhari

    2019: Football legend, Nwankwo Kanu to run for Presidency, vows to unseat Buhari

    Nigerian football legend, Nwankwo Kanu has announced he will run for President of Nigeria in 2019

    The former Arsenal FC and Inter Milan forward said he was inspired to aspire for presidency by the feat attained by George Weah..

    Recall that Weah, who had a very successful football career in Europe, was elected President of Liberia in the 2017 election after defeating the incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai, and sworn in on 22 January 2018.

    In an interview with Goal.com, Kanu said: “My presence here today is about the future of our country and the happiness of our people.

    “The last 18 years of leadership has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria, plus general insecurity in the land.”

    “Also, I’ll do all it takes to wrestle corruption which has become blatant and widespread. The rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption,” Kanu, who also had a successful career in Europe, added.

    “If I get your mandate, I promise to do things differently and restore honour and integrity to public service by keeping the best and attracting the best.

    “George Weah’s victory in Liberia is a pointer that this dream is very realistic with you all on my side,” he said.

    Kanu, 41, will be hoping to unseat incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari during the Nigerian general elections which will be held in Nigeria on 16 February 20

  • NUT begins first inter-primary schools football competition in Yola

    The inter-primary schools football competition for the Comrade Rodney Nathan Cup, organised by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), got underway on Friday in Yola.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition which is in its first edition kicked off with Zone H defeating Zone B 5-1 in the opening match.

    The competition, which is being organised by the Yola North branch of the NUT, has the 24 primary schools in its domain grouped into eight zones.

    Each of the zones has three primary schools under it.

    Speaking on the competition, Mohammed Mailaspy, the Chairman of Yola North branch of NUT, said it was aimed at promoting grassroots sports in the area.

    Mailaspy also said that the competition was a demonstration of the concern and welfare for pupils entrusted under teachers’ care.

    “The competition is a mark of appreciation to the state leader of the union, Rodney Nathan, for his remarkable achievements as the chairman of the state wing of NUT.

    “We therefore urge members of the public to watch the tournament with keen interest so as to identify potential football talents,’’ he said.

  • In Nigeria football is more than passion, love, religion – FIFA President, Infantino declares

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described Nigeria as a country with unquantifiable passion and love for football, and where football is more than a religion.

    “I was told that in Nigeria football is passion, but it is a lie because it is more than that. In Nigeria, I was told that football is love, but it is a lie it is more than that.

    “In Nigeria, I was told that football is a religion, but it is a lie. It is more than that. In Nigeria, football is life,” he said in Lagos on Monday.

    Infantino spoke at the maiden edition of the AITEO-NFF Awards, which was organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and bankrolled by oil giants AITEO Group.

    The event was held at the Eko Hotels and Suites saw Chelsea FC winger Victor Moses winning the “Player of the Year” award.

    Speaking also at the event, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, pledged his administration’s continued support to football and sports in general.

    “We will continue to give our unrelenting support to football and sports in general, I want to assure the President of FIFA that whenever he is coming back, Lagos will be considered to host a FIFA tournament,’’ he said.

    In his address, the Deputy Managing Director of AITEO Group, Francis Peters, said the oil conglomerate was happy to be part of football history in Nigeria in good times.

    NFF president Amaju Pinnick, on his part, said the awards night was to celebrate Nigerian legends for their contributions to the development of football in the country.

    He also said football administration was a journey and not a destination, adding “therefore, there must be a conscious effort to minimise errors for fear of losing the opportunity.

    “In Nigeria, football is a way of life and everybody is a coach. So, we need to be very careful. Football teaches us ethics and how to live a normal life,” Pinnick said.

    Moses got the award and recognition for his stellar performances for the national team, the Super Eagles, en route their qualification for Russia 2018.

    He was an integral part of the side during the historic qualification matches where he played in four of the six matches scoring three goals in the process.

    Moses also helped his Chelsea side reclaim the English Premier League title in the 2016/2017 season where he featured in 40 games.

    The 27-year old also got CAF’s recognition by being among the nominees for CAF’s Player of the Year award eventually won by Egypt’s Mohamed Salah.

    To win the AITEO-NFF award, he beat competition from Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Lobi Stars’ Anthony Okpotu.

    The other winners at the awards include Rasheedat Ajibade who claimed the “Player of the Year (Women)’’ award and Ikouwon Udoh who emerged “Young Player of the Year (Women)’’.

    Ann Chiejine won the “Coach of the Year (Women)’’ award, while MFM FC’s midfielder Sikiru Olatunbosun took the “Goal of the Year’’ award.

    Remo Stars FC won the Fair Play award, while the “Coach of the Year (Men)’’ award went to Kennedy Boboye, coach of 2017/2018 NPFL champions Plateau United FC of Jos.

    Channels Television won the “Developmental Award”.

    The “All-Time Legendary Awards” went to Chiejine, Christian Chukwu, Uche Okechukwu, Austin Eguavoen, Felix Owolabi, Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Segun Odegbami, Adokie Amaesimaka, Mercy Udoh and Thompson Usiyen.

    The Platinum Award went to Infantino.

  • FIFA president, Infantino warns corrupt football leaders

    FIFA president, Infantino warns corrupt football leaders

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino has warned football association leaders not to use money meant for the sport, for their own gain.

    Infantino said in an interview in Mauritania, making it clear that if there are any football federation leaders who want to enrich themselves with football money, they will be caught and sanctioned.

    “No one should think of using football money for his own gains,’’ Infantino stressed.

    The FIFA President was in Nouakchott, Mauritania to attend the seventh FIFA Executive Football Summit.
    Infantino said that with the increased funds FIFA is giving to its member associations, there is also increased evaluation and monitoring.

    “We are asking each football federation to sign a contract with FIFA that focuses on accountability.

    “We are monitoring and auditing centrally to make sure funds are used appropriately,’’ he added.

    Infantino also mentioned the merits of having FIFA summits take place all over the world.

    According to him, the summits are organised so that football leaders can come and discuss issues instead of coming to FIFA congresses to simply endorse things they do not understand.

    “I wanted to change the aspect of football associations just endorsing views during FIFA assemblies.

    “Instead I want them to come and sit down and discuss football freely together with the FIFA President,’’ he added.

    The summit in Mauritania that ended on Sunday discussed a range of issues pertaining to football, with the focus being on the FIFA Forward program as well as youth and women’s competitions.

    The series of summits was launched in Paris in November 2016 by Infantino, who made it clear that the beautiful game can only develop successfully if FIFA cooperates closely and communicates regularly with its 211 member associations.

    Since then, 12 strategic summits have been held around the globe in the 2016 to 2017 series, with approximately 20 member associations discussing predefined topics and inspiring each other at each event.

  • Chelsea unlucky to lose Carabao Cup clash to Arsenal – Conte

    Antonio Conte claims Chelsea were unlucky to be knocked out of the Carabao Cup following their 2-1 second leg semi-final defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday night.

    Eden Hazard opened the scoring for Chelsea but Arsenal drew level after Nacho Monreal’s header from a corner bounced off Marcos Alonso before deflecting off Antonio Rudiger into the net.

    And in the second half, a cross from Alexandre Lacazette deflected off Rudiger and fell kindly for Granit Xhaka who then poked the ball past Willy Caballero.

    “My thoughts are there is disappointment for the final result,” Conte said in his post-match interview.

    “I think my players must be pleased with their effort, we tried to reach the final, we conceded two goals and we were unlucky, two deflections.

    “It is a pity because we had a good run in this competition, it is a pity for me, the players and fans.

    “We started very well, played a good first half and in the second half I saw a lot of balance.”

    Conte lamented the loss of Willian to injury which saw the introduction of new signing Ross Barkley.

    “When there is an injury to one of your best players it is not simple, especially when on the bench the only substitue is Ross Barkley,” Conte said.

    “Barkley has a lot of space for improvement, he is working with us only two weeks but for sure today I was forced to make this substitution, but he can improve a lot.

    “I don’t need anything, I’m a coach and I continue with my players.”

  • Romario wants to head Brazilian football federation

    Former Brazil international and now Senator, Romario, has declared interest in the presidency of the country’s corruption-tainted football governing body.

    Romario, a striker in the 1994 World Cup-winning side, said on Wednesday he wants to clean up the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF).

    This is coming after FIFA’s suspension of the current head, Marco Polo Del Nero, who is accused of graft.

    “Many people have asked me to be a candidate. No one has fought more vigorously than me against this band. So, the answer is ‘yes, I can be a candidate’,” he said on Facebook.

    “I meet all the criteria, thanks to my contribution to football on and off the field,” said Romario, 51, who has been a senator since 2015.

    FIFA imposed a 90-day provisional ban from all football activities on Del Nero last Friday.

    The 76-year-old, a former member of the FIFA Council, is the latest prominent South American official to be banned by the sport’s governing body as part of its investigation into a vast corruption scandal.

    Del Nero was indicted on corruption charges in the U.S. in December 2015.

    His predecessor at the CBF, Jose Maria Marin, has been on trial in New York since November alongside Paraguayan former CONMEBOL president Juan Angel Napout and ex-Peruvian football chief Manuel Burga

  • Chinese FA wants clubs to develop youth game or lose licences

    Chinese football authorities are set to impose strict new regulations on the country’s clubs. They are now using the threat of losing their professional licences as a spur to establish a more comprehensive youth development programme.

    According to a report, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) will introduce rules in 2019 that force clubs in the top two tiers of the domestic league to create youth teams.

    The teams are to range from the under-13 bracket up to the under-19 level.

    They will play in competitions organised by the CFA and failure to comply will see the clubs forfeiting their registration to play professionally.

    However, the CFA have yet to respond to a Reuters request for a comment on the matter.

    The move marks the latest CFA directive to enhance the future prospects of the national team, who have struggled to make an international impact in the last decade-and-a-half.

    Bora Milutinovic led the country to their only World Cup appearance in 2002, before an Arie Haan-coached team reached the final of the Asian Cup on home soil two years later.

    Since then, China have struggled, with the number of youngsters in the country playing the game diminishing as a number of factors, including match fixing scandals, blighted the sport’s progress.

    Football-loving Xi Jinping’s rise to become the Chinese president in 2012 has helped reinvigorate the sport’s popularity.

    State and private entities have been throwing huge sums into the development and promotion of the game.

    High-profile imports such as Carlos Tevez, Luiz Scolari, Andre Villas-Boas and Oscar are among those who have worked in the Chinese Super League in the last 12 months.

    Also, the clubs have become more prominent on the continental scene.

    The national team continues to struggle, however, with coach Marcello Lippi calling for patience as the nation seeks to make an impact on the global stage.

    “When you talk about China, you have to think about the culture and the time China has spent with football,” he said after Tuesday’s loss to Japan in the East Asian Championship.

    “It’s very different to Europe. I‘m having to grow a team almost from scratch.”

    Under the Italian, China recorded their best performance in FIFA World Cup qualifying since 2002, but the country still missed out on a place at next year’s finals in Russia.

  • Photos: George Weah in Nigeria, visits TB Joshua for prayers ahead of Liberia rerun

    The presidential candidate in Liberia and football legend, George Weah on Sunday, worshipped at the Sunday Church service of the The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos, Nigeria.

    Weah was said to have come to the Church service to “seek God’s face” for his country. During the sermon by Pastor T.B. Joshua which was broadcast live on popular Christian channel Emmanuel TV, Joshua warmly welcomed Weah and spoke directly to him.

    “My brother is here today because he loves his country and wants God’s choice for his country,” Joshua stated. “He is not here to impose himself. What does God say about his country, Liberia? What is God’s opinion? That is why he is here.”

    The cleric went further to reiterate that he was not favoring any particular side of the political spectrum but his own role was to pray for “the will of God” to be done in the nation of Liberia “We are not herbalists or witch-doctors; we are people of God.

    God’s choice is our choice. We cannot pray against God’s will,” Joshua stressed, with Weah nodding firmly in agreement.

    “Without God’s corresponding power, we cannot pray to Him. For every step we take – every movement and action – intimation comes first,” Joshua further expounded. “There must be suggestion from the Spirit to move before we move.

    If truly I am a man of God, I must hear from God – move or don’t move.” Joshua, who is known for political neutrality, noted that Liberia’s incumbent Vice President and Weah’s contender in the upcoming presidential run-off, Joseph Boakai had also contacted him to request a meeting.

    “God’s opinion is what we should seek in our country – simple! God is the Answer, the Final,” the influential Nigerian pastor added.

    Also present in the service was Senator Yormie Johnson, a former Liberian war lord and also one of the nation’s prominent presidential candidates. Joshua was instrumental in Johnson’s conversion to Christianity and mediated his reconciliation with the family of the late Liberian President, Samuel Doe.

    “You cannot twist or bribe God; He is not a man… The best place to go is to meet people God has given the grace to be a communicator between visible and invisible,” Joshua concluded. “Meet them and let them tell you what is the way out – the next thing to do.”

    The presidential run-off elections between Weah and Boakai is scheduled to hold on November 7, 2017.

    Other prominent visitors to The SCOAN in the past have included Tanzania’s President, John Magufuli, the late President of Ghana, John Atta Mills, Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangarai and Julius Malema, South Africa’s fiery opposition leader.

  • England striker, Wayne Rooney retires from international football

    England’s striker, Wayne Rooney retires from international football with immediate effect. Rooney announced his retirement plans on Wednesday after manager Gareth Southgate tried to recall him to the squad.

    The 31-year-old — scorer of 53 goals in 119 appearances for his country — told Southgate of his decision during a phone conversation on Tuesday.

    Southgate had phoned Rooney — who had lost both the captaincy and eventually his place in the squad as he became a peripheral figure under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United last season — to congratulate him on his early season form for new club Everton.

    Rooney has looked rejuvenated and happy — scoring in both their Premier League matches so far — since he re-signed for the club that nurtured his talent as a teenager before he left for United.

    “It was great that Gareth Southgate called me this week to tell me he wanted me back in the England squad for the upcoming matches. I really appreciated that,” said Rooney in a statement sent to Press Association Sport.

    “Having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football.

    “It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family, my manager at Everton (Ronald Koeman) and those closest to me.

    “Playing for England has always been special to me. Every time I was selected as a player or captain was a real privilege and I thank everyone who helped me.

    “But I believe now is the time to bow out.”

    Rooney, England’s most capped outfield player ever, said his sole purpose now in football was to ensure Everton won trophies.

    He had alluded to what his priority was in his post-match interview on Sky Sports on Monday after he joined Alan Shearer in scoring 200 Premier League goals — made sweeter as it came against Manchester United’s city rivals Manchester City.

    “Leaving Manchester United was a tough call but I know I made the right decision in coming home to Everton,” said Rooney.

    “Now I want to focus all my energies on helping them be successful.”

    Rooney, who another former England great Gary Lineker said earlier Wednesday had been unlucky to be the only world-class player in many England sides, had one regret that he had never lifted a trophy with his country.

    “One of my very few regrets is not to have been part of a successful England tournament side,” said Rooney, whose four goals in Euro 2004 propelled England to the quarter-finals before their hopes were extinguished when he broke a bone in his foot in the last-eight match with the hosts.

    “Hopefully the exciting players Gareth is bringing through can take that ambition further and I hope everyone will get behind the team.

    “One day the dream will come true and I look forward to being there as a fan — or in any capacity.”

  • Barcelona shirts banned in Saudi Arabia with possible prison sentence

    Barcelona shirts banned in Saudi Arabia with possible prison sentence

    The Saudi authorities have banned football fans from wearing Barcelona shirt which is being sponsored by Qatar Airways, with a possible 15-year prison sentence and £120,000 fine if anyone is caught.
    The ban comes after Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Libya, Yemen and the Maldives cut off all ties with its neighbor, after they accused Qatar of supporting extremist groups. Although, Qatar have rejected the claims.
    According to Sky Italy, those caught wearing shirts with the Qatar Airways wording now face a £120,000k fine and up to 15 years in prison.
    The Spanish football club that has been sponsored by Qatar Airways for the past four seasons, have already agreed on a new four-year deal with Japanese online retailer Rakuten from the start of the 2017-18 campaign.
    Barcelona is not the only club affected by political tensions, Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain was also affected as the French club’s Qatari owners have a shirt sponsorship deal with Emirates.
    Paris Saint-Germain, who have two more seasons with Emirates, told Le Parisien: “It will have no effect on the club, there is no worry.”