african and world sports updates - Africas Leading Internet Newspaper

Zenith Bank to pay Olisehâ€™s salary for one year

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has revealed that Zenith Bank will pay the salary of Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, for a year.

Oliseh took over the national team in July, on a deal that ensures he reportedly earns N5million a month.

â€œZenith Bank have undertaken to pay Olisehâ€™s salary for a year. This will take a lot of burden off the federation,â€ Pinnick said.

â€œThe bank has also sponsored the countryâ€™s top referees for refresher courses in London.

531

Jose Mourinho bags 5 Guinness Book of World records certificates

Chelsea F.C's manager, Jose Mourinho has made an impressive entrance into the Guinness Book of World records 2016 version with a 5 record broken.

The Chelsea coach was awarded certificates for the following records...

Most Champions League titles with different clubs (two)

Most points in a premiere season (95)

Longest football unbeaten home run by a manager (nine years)

Most games unbeaten at home in the premier League (77)

Youngest manager to reach 100 Champions League matches (49 years 12 days)

534

Enyeama opts out of first game. Musa takes mantle of leadership

The LOSC Lille goalkeeper has declined being part of Sunday Olisehâ€™s first game in charge of the Super Eagles when they take on Tanzania on Saturday Nigeria captain and most experienced player, Vincent Enyeama has opted out of the national team as they travel to Dar es Salaam to face Tanzania in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match on Saturday, coach Sunday Oliseh has revealed. In what is Olisehâ€™s first game in charge of the Super Eagles, the 101-cap goalkeeper has told the technical crew he wonâ€™t be coming. â€œ[Enyeama] asked to be withdrawn from this game, for which reason I donâ€™t know, I think you have to ask him personally,â€ Oliseh told media on Wednesday in Abuja. â€œThe late withdrawal has put me in a very tight situation because I must confess that the task ahead of us is a very difficult one and I didnâ€™t need this extra burden. â€œWeâ€™re practically starting this team from the scratch, itâ€™s not very pleasant but thatâ€™s life,â€ he said. Enyeama had been embroiled in a battle with the Nigeria Football Federation after Juneâ€™s qualifier against Chad when he spoke about security fears in host city Kaduna. Even though Oliseh stood in stout defence of the Lille goalkeeper when the NFF threatened to ban him from the national team, it seems Enyeama will not be taking the olive branch handed out to him.In his stead, 22-year-old striker Ahmed Musa is tipped to captain the side, albeit in an interim capacity until the situation about Enyeamaâ€™s future with the national team is resolved. The CSKA Moscow striker, who has the highest number of caps in the absence of John Obi Mikel, has been in top form, scoring five goals in the Russian top flight this season. â€œIâ€™m not under any pressure to lead the team because I have done that against South Africa [in March 2015] and by the grace of God weâ€™re going over there for the three points,â€ Musa said. In goal, Oliseh would hope newly invited Carl Ikeme of Wolverhampton Wanderers steps up to the plate and makes it count against the Taifa Stars. â€œIâ€™m just enjoying being here to train with the boy and the coach,â€ Ikeme said when asked about the pressure of stepping into Enyeamaâ€™s big shoes. Nigeria will fly out to Dar es Salaam on Thursday for the game against Tanzania. The Super Eagles need a win to keep up with Group G leaders Egypt who play away to Chad in Ndjamena

478

Manchester united announce martial transfer

Manchester United have confirmed the arrival of Anthony Martial from Monaco. The 19-year-old striker will cost the Old Trafford club Â£36million â€“ making him the most expensive teenager in football. Martial insists he is not bothered by his huge price tag and vows he will deliver in the Premier League. â€œI donâ€™t feel the pressure. I know there is pressure but Iâ€™m ready for it,â€ he said. â€œIâ€™m very hapy because itâ€™s a big club in England. Iâ€™m very proud. I m very happy because I worked hard for this and my family is very happy about it. â€œItâ€™s not easy to speak about myself but I am a very fast player. â€œI spoke with the coach and I know that I need to work very hard. I hope that everything will go well for me at this club.

Iâ€™m very happy because the supporters are great here. I will be ready when the time comes [to make his debut].â€ Martial has signed a four-year deal with United and will be available for selection after the international break. Manager Louis van Gaal said: â€œAnthony is a naturally talented, young, multi-functional forward with great potential. â€œWe have been watching him for a while now and he has developed immensely during his time at AS Monaco. â€œI am delighted he has joined Manchester United as I believe this is the right club for him to continue his development as a young player. â€œHe has all the attributes to become a top football player; however we need to give him time to adjust to his new environment and the rhythm of the Premier League.â€

468

Barcelona defeat Sevilla to win Super Cup

Pedro Rodriguez was Barcelonaâ€™s hero, as the Catalans beat Sevilla 5-4 in the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday night in Georgia.

Lionel Messi replied Ever Banegaâ€™s free-kick in the 3rd minute, with a pair of equally superb free-kicks, to give Barca a 2-1 lead, before Rafinha added a third as half time approached.

Luis Suarez pounced to make it 4-1, but Unai Emeryâ€™s men fought back to level the game 4-4, thanks to goals from Jose Antonio Reyes, Kevin Gameiro and Yevhen Konoplyanka.

The game went into extra time and Pedro was quickest to react to Messiâ€™s rebound to seal the game.

This win ensures the Nou Camp side have already won four trophies this year alone and could win six by the end of 2015.

609

Jay Jay Okocha may Returns To Football With English Club

Former captain of Nigeriaâ€™s Super Eagles, Jay Jayâ€™ Okocha may Returns To Football With English Club

The former Botlon Wanderers skipper, was reported to have played 45 minutes for Wolvertonâ€™s reserves but is yet to say if he would stay with the club permanently.

473

Algeria Football Association placed a ban on clubs signing foreign players.

Algeria Football Association placed a ban on clubs signing foreign players.

It said the decision was taken "due to financial difficulties, inability to obtain foreign currency to pay players legally, training compensation and solidarity".

The governing body also said the decision was taken to combat "the fraudulent actions of some players' agentsâ€.

Foreign players already at Algerian clubs will be allowed to play until the end of their current contracts.

Do you see this decision affecting the football game in Algeria?

Photo:AP

468

Siasia not afraid of tough group :2015 all africa Games

Samson Siasia has expressed his confidence in qualifying for the 2015 All African Games, after the draws were made on Thursday.

Nigeriaâ€™s U-23 team are in Group B with two-time champions Egypt, Ghana and Senegal in the quadrennial African multisport event scheduled to hold between September 3 and 18 this year.

The Dream Team handler admitted that it is a difficult group, but insists his team will do well at the competition.

â€œWe have been zoned in difficult group, but if you want to emerge champion of any tournament you canâ€™t avoid the strong teams in the competition,â€ Siasia told Goal.

â€œSo, we will continue to work very hard on this team to make it a winning team. We donâ€™t have to be afraid of any team if we desire to win this competition, but sincerely speaking, it is a difficult group and could be termed to be group of deathâ€

518

Adam Johnson charged: Sunderland and England footballer charged with sexual offences involving child under 16 and 'grooming'

England and Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson has been charged with three counts of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

The 27-year-old, from Castle Eden, County Durham, was initially arrested on 2 March.

He was also charged with one offence of grooming when he answered bail at a police station earlier, Durham Police said.

He will appear before Peterlee Magistrates' Court on 20 May.

Sunderland AFC initially suspended the winger pending the outcome of the investigation, but this was lifted on 18 March.

The club are yet to comment on the charges.
'Lifelong anonymity'

Gerry Wareham, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said he had authorised police to charge Johnson under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

He said the offences are alleged to have been committed on a single victim between 30 December 2014 to 26 February this year.

"May I remind all concerned that the defendant has a right to a fair trial," he said.

"It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

"I would also remind people that the complainant in this case is entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

Born in Sunderland, Johnson began his career at Middlesbrough FC before moving to Manchester City and then Sunderland for Â£10m in 2012.

Credits: BBC
Read More

534