Category: Football News

Chelsea supervisor Antonio Conte said Friday that midfielder N’Golo Kante has prepared all week and is demonstrating no evil impacts in the wake of going out quickly in the changing area a week ago.

The French midfielder missed Sunday’s match against Premier League pioneers Manchester City after the occurrence, which stunned colleagues.

“N’Golo is fine,” Conte said at his pre-coordinate public interview. “He prepared the entire week. He’s in great frame. He’s fine.

“A week ago, on Friday, it was extremely chilly. After the instructional meeting he go out quickly in the changing area.

“The specialist brought him to have numerous registration, to comprehend his physical condition. Be that as it may, it was all reasonable. I surmise that on Sunday he was well, however in the meantime it was correct not to go out on a limb, to give him the open door not to play and to rest. He’s OK. Each registration is OK, it is great.”

Conte said he had the alternative of playing either Olivier Giroud or Alvaro Morata in advance against battling Crystal Palace on Saturday. Neither began against City.

“I believe them both and for beyond any doubt I’m working with them both to acquire them the best physical shape and best condition,” he said.

“Morata is coming (back) from bizarre damage in his back. He was for quite a while out. Giroud is in great frame now, is working exceptionally well, is working each day and is in great physical condition. I put stock in a great deal in every one of my players.”

Gotten some information about his group’s certainty after four annihilations in their previous five Premier League coordinates, the Italian answered: “Without a doubt, when you lose numerous amusements consecutively it’s not basic.

“We need to lament the amusements against Bournemouth, Watford, (Manchester) United. When you play against City there is the likelihood to lose the diversion. Our certainty is typical. We are working extremely well as usual.”

Conte said David Luiz and Ross Barkley were harmed and he needed to “check several circumstances”, without really expounding.

Zinedine Zidane has tipped world football’s exchange expenses to achieve eye-watering new levels in the midst of reports Real Madrid are thinking about a uber cash move for Neymar.

Brazil universal Neymar left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record €222million bargain in August.

The 26-year-old has since been connected with an arrival to Spain, with hypothesis the Ligue 1 pioneers could enable him to leave for twofold the sum they paid.

Zidane, who was most costly player yet when he joined Madrid for Juventus in 2001, thinks spending records will keep on being set.

“I think I cost €70-72million back in my day. I imagined that was insane in those days,” Zidane told columnists on Friday.

“Possibly in an additional 10 years it will be €400million, or even before that.”

Zidane included: “Neymar is a decent player. He could play at any club.”

Madrid beat a PSG side missing a harmed Neymar in the second leg of their Champions League keep going 16 conflict on Tuesday to affirm their place in the quarter-finals.

The far reaching 5-2 total triumph keeps them on course to win the opposition for a third progressive season, yet Zidane demands he isn’t thinking about a cap trap in Europe’s first class club rivalry.

“I am just focussing on the diversion on Saturday [against Eibar],” he said

“In April we will have sufficient energy to look forward and center around the Champions League.

“We appreciate the Champions League, we are engaged and we will give 100 for every penny all through the competition.”

Chairman of Heartland FC of Owerri, Hon Goodfaith Chibuzo Etuemena (Mr Bash) recently at the Ikemba Ojukwu Centre in Owerri, brought to an end to the fictionalization crises in Heartland by joining the two teams together and declaring a ‘One Heartland FC Family’ in line with the directive of the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rocha’s Okorocha.
The meeting was attended by most of the key actors from the management and technical crew of both factions including Oscar Keke the Chief Operating Officer of the faction headed by Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo.
“I want to inform you all that the crises are over and that we no longer have factions. As from today onwards, we’re going to be having only one Heartland FC family as the governor has directed,” Etuemena stated.
” let all the technical crew members and the players under them, report to the Old Township Stadium, Owerri and join Coach Ramson group,” he directed.
The chairman said both the government and people of Imo State were unhappy that after the team went down to relegation from the premier league the management staff engaged in crises instead of thinking of how the restore it to the elite league.
He tasked all to work in unity and also to work assiduously for the promotion of Heartland back to the premier league.
Etuemena said although he would have loved to keep all staff he is inheriting on their duty posts, he nonetheless, must abide by the provisions of the administrative structure set by Nigeria Football Association and the Nigeria National League while selecting those that would work on the new management team.
About 28 staffers including management and technical crew members attended the meeting.
Etuemena said now that Heartland would be playing in the lower league, the club may not have the fund to sustain a very large staff strength some of whose position and duties, duplicate each other.
Meanwhile, Sports Ambassador observed that the team has since intensified efforts towards returning the club back to the elite division as all the players has since resumed normal training under Coach Ramson Madu at the Dan Anyiam Satdium while the management list is being awaited.

Bitrus Bewarang, the National Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), says the Federation wants to persuade 19-year-old Everton FC striker Ademola Lookman to play for Nigeria rather than England. Lookman was born in England but can play for Nigeria through his parents. He has already played for the England Under-19s and U-20s but can switch allegiances because he is yet to play for the senior side. “He has Nigerian parents and we’d need to speak to him first,” Bewarang said in an interview. Lookman moved to Everton from Charlton earlier this month in a deal that could eventually cost £11 million (about N5.5 billion). He made a goalscoring debut in the side’s 4-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday and has caught the attention of Bewarang. “I saw him against Manchester City and I was excited to see a young player of Nigerian descent shine. So, I thought why not,” said Bewarang. Ademola Lookman “It is the duty of the national coach (Gernot Rohr) to invite players to the national team, but we will help him check Lookman’s eligibilty.” Nigeria have previously succeeded in snapping up former England youth internationals like Sone Aluko, Victor Moses, Shola Ameobi and Alex Iwobi for the Super Eagles. Bewerang, who succeeded the late Shaibu Amodu as NFF’s technical director in July, is hoping that such an illustrious list could help convince Lookman to play for the three-time African champions. “We’ve managed to get players like Moses and Iwobi in the past and Lookman will be a great addition to the national team if we got him,” he said. “We have a young side. The new coach is building a strong squad and having some youngsters from the Premier League (Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi) could help his decision. “I am not desperate to see this happen but we will give it a shot.” Lookman scored 12 goals in 49 games for Charlton, who were relegated to League One at the end of last season. He won five England Under-19 caps before making three appearances for the Under-20s, scoring once.
meanwhile, the Everton rave of the moment, Lookman says he is happy representing the English national team, in his first interview since his goal scoring debut in Everton’s 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City. According to online reports there has been interest from Nigeria on holding talks with the talented 19 year old, who has represented England at various youth levels to switch to Nigeria at senior level, but it appears those speculations are way off the mark. Ademola Lookman Lookman on his part, while speaking on what prepared him for the goal scoring debut he had, pointed out the experience he had with the English youth team as one which prepared him for life in the Premier League. “I have progressed a lot the last few years, I have a very sweet experience at Charlton, learning and working my way up, which I believe is why am at Everton”, Lookman said. “Playing for England U-19s has also helped my career a lot. It got me exposed and there’s a whole joy that comes from playing international football, something I experienced with England”.

Rivers United star forward Bernard Ovoke has set a personal goals target of 20 goals this season after he opened his goals account at Akwa United Wednesday.
Super quick, extravagantly skilful, blessed with an eye for goal and in possession of a low centre of gravity, the ‘magic seven’ left fear and pain in his wake at many an NPFL side’s defence last term.
He finished as the club’s top scorer last season and has taken two league games to get off the mark this term.
His well-taken goal on Wednesday earned Rivers United a priceless point at the ‘Nest of Champions’ against a very well-drilled Akwa United side.
Ovoke said he believes his strike against the Promise Keepers is potentially the first of many to come and has now set a 20-goal-target for himself for the 2016/17 season.
“The game against Akwa United was not a bad game. I enjoyed myself and it was important to score,” he said.
“I set a target of scoring 20 goals even before we played our first game against El Kanemi Warriors.
“I cannot do it on my own as I will need the support of my teammates and our coaches to achieve it but I will work even harder than I did last season to achieve this.”
United will campaign on three front this season in what is the biggest season in the club’s history.
‘The Pride of Rivers’ will compete in the CAF Champions League and Federation Cup alongside their exertions in the NPFL.
Ovoke has set his sights high in all three competitions and said the focus remains doing well in all of them.
“The most important thing for us is to stay focused and continue working hard,” he said.
“I am convinced we have a good team and if there are no injuries, I am very certain we will achieve great things this season.
“We have been receiving great support from the sponsor (the Rivers State Government) and hopefully, we have something to give back to the fans at the end of the season.
Next up for United is a home fixture in the NPFL against Niger Tornadoes on Sunday and Ovoke said there should be no talk of taking their foot off the gas.
“We have done well so far because everybody at Rivers United has shown seriousness even before the season began,” continued Ovoke.
“We have to continue that way against Tornadoes on Sunday.
“They are in the relegation zone but at this stage of the season, you cannot really rate any team because it is still too early.
“The season will be long and demanding and we want the fans to stand by us from now till the end.”
Rivers United are currently in fourth place on the NPFL standings with four points from their first two matches.

Through a statement published on their official website, Fortuna Sittard have announced the appointment of former Nigeria international Sunday Oliseh as coach of the Dutch Eerste Divisie side.
The 42-year-old has agreed a one-and-a-half year contract with Fortuna Sittard with an option for another season with the Limburg-based club.
On his curriculum vitae, Oliseh previously managed the Nigerian national team and Verviétois, and worked as technical director of Belgian first division team Eupen .
The 42-year-old is well known in the Netherlands thanks to his spell with Ajax Amsterdam from 1997 – 1999.
He will officially start work at Fortuna Sittard on January 2, 2017.

The Honorable Commissioner for Community Government Council, Hon Chief Innocent “Obulimba” Ekeh has facilitated the travelling of 6 Youths to various Countries in Europe Asia and America to further their football Career.
According to reports gathered by Sports Ambassador not less than six players have been penciled down for trips to some Countries in America, Asia and Europe.
One of the Coordinators of Obulimba FC and the Foundation in charge of the programme, Ugochukwu Okorie (Zola) disclosed that Ugwuegbu Nelson who can play anywhere in the defense is billed to travel to Mongolia on January 7, 2017 as his paper work and Visa has been processed and procured.
While Commending the efforts of Hon Obulimba towards empowering the Youths of Owerri West and Imo State at large, Zola informed that other five players who are set to embark on similar trip any amount soon includes  Ajoku Jomba-Israel, Arinze Chigozie-Qatar and Ocheze Chika-England while Nwaerenna Emmanuel, Uwandu Chimezie and Ubochioma Mishack will also travel to Florida in America.

Enugu Rangers have maintained that they did not authorise the departure of their star striker, ChisomEgbuchulam to Tunisia where he is reportedly close to joining Etoile du Sahel.
A statement from the Rangers’ Director of Media and Publicity, Foster Chime noted that: “We were surprised to read in the papers that Chisom had travelled to Tunisia without seeking permission from us officially.
“Our players are on break and we were not in position to monitor his movement while not with us. We have started discussions with Etoile du Sahel but our valuation of the player and theirs is miles apart and we do not intend to back down on the $500,000 we have placed on him.
“He is still our player because he is still contracted to us till 2018. Etoile du Sahel cannot go behind us to discuss with Chisom directly when we have not given them the permission to do so. We have reported to the appropriate quarters from the NFF to CAF and FIFA and we are willing to explore all the possible means to ensure that we get the services of our player back if they are not willing to pay the asking price.”

The Super Falcons star met up with the Gabonese star who traveled to the French capital to celebrate the yuletide season
Desire Oparanozie emerged victorious again as she met Borussia Dortmund forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Nigerian, who helped the Super Falcons win the African Women Cup of Nation, met with the reigning African Player of the Year who lodged in the Ibis Hotel, Paris.
Oparanozie did not hide her admiration for the footballer who will battle with Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mané for the 2016 African Player of the Year crown.
“It’s boxing day guys, guess who came around…Africa’s finest, nwa ndi borussia. Happy boxing day,” she posted with a selfie with Aubameyang.