Nigeria League Review: Rangers climb back to top spot

Enugu Rangers

Enugu Rangers have climbed back to the top spot on the Nigeria Professional Football League table after they were able to force out a 1-1 draw against Enyimba in the Oriental Derby played in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Rangers who had a big setback last weekend when they dropped points at home against Lobi Stars knew they had to muscle out something from the derby clash and the solitary point from Sunday’s game was enough to take the Flying Antelopes to the summit of the log.

4 killed and dozens injured in Copa Liberatadores victory celebrations

 

Four football fans lost their lives in in the Colombian city of Medellin during celebrations that followed local side Atletico Nacional’s victory in Wednesday night’s Copa Libertadores final.

 

The Colombian team went on to claim their second South American title after Miguel Angel Borja’s early goal secured a 2-1 aggregate victory over Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle.

The result sparked fierce scenes with the police reporting as many as four deaths and dozens of injuries while over 100 people arrested.

Chelsea submit £38m bid for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is looking to sign a defender this summer and the Napoli centre back Kalidou Koulibaly is a target for the Blues.

The highly rated defender has been a target for Manchester United as well. The Old Trafford outfit even submitted a bid for him earlier this year.

According to latest reports, Chelsea have submitted a 38 million pounds bid for the Senegal defender. Koulibaly is apparently on top of Chelsea’s transfer wishlist right now and the player’s agent has fuelled further speculations by claiming that his client has decided to complete a transfer away from Napoli this summer.

Roger Federer to miss Rio Olympic Games and rest of tennis season

• Federer: ‘I must give my knee and body the proper time to fully recover’

• ‘I plan to put all my energy towards coming back strong,’ says 34-year-old 

 

Roger Federer will miss the Olympic Games in Rio and the rest of the tennis season, including the US Open, in order to recover from knee surgery.

The 34-year-old posted on his Facebook page and said he took the “very difficult” decision after consulting with his medical team. The 17-times grand slam champion had an operation in February before missing the French Open with a back problem.

Federer said: “I’m extremely disappointed to announce I will not be able to represent Switzerland at the Olympic Games in Rio and that I will also miss the remainder of the season. Considering all options after consulting with my doctors and my team, I have made the very difficult decision to call an end to my 2016 season as I need more extensive rehabilitation following my knee surgery earlier this year.

“ The doctors advised that if I want to play on the ATP World Tour injury-free for another few years, as I intend to do, I must give both my knee and body the proper time to fully recover. It is tough to miss the rest of the year. However, the silver lining is that this experience has made me realise how lucky I have been throughout my career with very few injuries. The love I have for tennis, the competition, tournaments and of course you, the fans remains intact. I am as motivated as ever and plan to put all my energy towards coming back strong, healthy and in shape to play attacking tennis in 2017.”

Juventus announce the club record transfer of Gonzalo Higuain

Juventus have announced that they have agreed a deal to sign the world class Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain this summer.

The Argentine striker will be a club record signing for the Italian champions, who have decided to trigger his 94 million Euros release clause.

The move has been officially confirmed on Juventus’s social media and club website.

Official: Borussia Dortmund sign Andre Schurrle from Wolfsburg

Bundesliga clubs Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg have reached an agreement for the transfer of German International Andre Schurlle, both the clubs have announced.

The 25-year-old has signed a five-year contract with Dortmund and will reportedly cost in the region of €30 million for the Bundesliga runner-ups.

Following the announcement of his transfer, Schurrle said: “Borussia Dortmund is one of Europe’s top clubs and they have a strong and extremely exciting squad.

“I know from my own experience how much strength BVB can harness through its interaction with its fans and I am now very much looking forward to experiencing that as part of the Black and Yellows for the first time rather than as a marvelling opponent.

Arsenal confirm signing of England Under-21 defensive starlet

Arsenal have confirmed that they have agreed to sign young defensive talent Rob Holding from Bolton Wanderers on a long-term contract.

It’s been a successful 12 months or so for the 20-year-old, as after making 30 appearances for Bolton last season, he picked up the club’s player of the season award.

Further, he played an integral role in England Under-21s success in their victory at the Toulon Tournament in France and will have a familiar face at the Emirates after playing alongside Calum Chambers.

Latest on Gabriel Jesus Transfer saga: Brazilian signs for Real Madrid

Gabriel Jesus’ transfer saga to Europe has been a right mess so far.

A few days ago, the player seemed destined for a move to Barcelona. Then came the interest from Manchester City and apparently their new manager Pep Guardiola swung the deal in City’s favour with a phone call.

Yesterday, reports emerged that the player has snubbed both Manchester City and Barcelona for a move to Real Madrid. The Brazilian has supposedly signed a pre-contract agreement and could join Los Blancos in January 2017 or next summer.

Chelsea submit €50m offer for Edinson Cavani

In theory, Edinson Cavani should be a happy fella at PSG right now. The departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Manchester United means Cavani by default will spearhead the PSG attacking lineup for the upcoming 2016/17 season. He has always demanded the role of a central striker and now will finally get the chance to show his true potential playing in his favoured position.

Heck, no. The player still aspires to leave the club (is he getting bored with PSG’s one-sided dominance in Ligue 1?) and several sources have confirmed to French media outlet Le 10 Sport that the player wishes to leave the French champions in order to explore a new adventure.

Sam Allardyce: New England manager confirmed; Manchester United flop wanted to replace him

 

 

Sam Allardyce has been confirmed as the new England manager on a two-year contract [BBC Sport].

The 61-year-old leaves Sunderland to replace Roy Hodgson, who stepped down after England’s humiliating last-16 defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016 and three miserable major tournament campaigns.

Allardyce’s rise to the biggest job in English football went through spells at Blackpool, Notts County, Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United and the Black Cats.

A statement from Allardyce read: “I am extremely honoured to be appointed England manager especially as it is no secret that this is the role I have always wanted.

Style games: fashion moments from the forthcoming Rio Olympics

• From Stella McCartney and Team GB to Ralph Lauren’s US uniform, Rio isn’t just for sports lovers. Next month, expect Canada to reference Gosha Rubchinskiy, golf wear to triumph and high jumpers to wear socks

H&M kit for the Swedish Olympic team.

It’s about sport, really. Sport, but also national pride, transitory crushes on archers you’ve never heard of, and predicting all the medals each country will win now that some of the Russian team has been banned from the tournament. Fashion, too, has its place, so with that in mind, here are seven looks, people and sports to look out for.

Canada’s soviet-chic uniform

The Canada uniform was designed by twins Dan and Dean Caten of Canadian brand Dsquared2 who really pushed the envelope, what with the regal blazersliteral zip-ups and tees in patriotic red and white in homage to the Canadian flag. However, in light of the news that the entire Russian team is being banned from the Olympics, we are now interpreting them as an homage to Russia, as seen through the lens of offbeat Russian designer Gosha Rubchinskiy and his eponymous label. Much better.

The Team Canada collection For Rio. Photograph: GP Images/WireImage

David Moyes to replace Sam Allardyce as Sunderland manager

• Moyes’ appointment to be announced after Allardyce’s exit confirmed
  • Former Everton manager was sacked by Real Sociedad in November 

David Moyes is to replace Sam Allardyce at Sunderland, with his appointment expected swiftly once the outgoing manager’s role in charge of England is confirmed.

Talks between Moyes and Ellis Short, Sunderland’s owner, and Martin Bain, the club’s chief executive, are understood to have reached an advanced stage. The former Preston, Everton, Manchester United and Real Sociedad manager, long admired by Short, was approached soon after Allardyce was interviewed by the Football Association last week.

Mario Gotze returns to Borussia Dortmund after leaving Bayern Munich

German International Mario Gotze has returned to Borussia Dortmund from rivals Bayern Munich on a four-year deal, both the clubs have announced.

The 24-year-old left the Westfalenstadion arena in 2013 after Bayern triggered his €37 million release clause, to make him one of the first signings of Pep Guardiola at the Bavarian club.

But after failing to establish himself as a regular starter at the Allianz Arena, Gotze has now returned to Dortmund in a deal worth £18.3m (22m euros), plus the add-ons based on the playmaker’s success in his second inning with Dortmund.

OFFICIAL | @MarioGoetze has completed a move to Borussia Dortmund.

All the best, Mario! pic.twitter.com/YTGlXamROR

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) 21 July 2016

Following his return to Dortmund, Gotze said: “When I switched from BVB to Bayern in 2013 that was a conscious decision behind [which] I will not hide myself today.

“Three years later, and with 24 years of age, I look with different eyes at my former decision. I can well understand that many fans could not understand my decision. I would not even take it so today.

“When I return to my home, I want to try to convince all people by my performances – especially those who do not receive me with open arms – that my aim is to play my best football again. For all of us, the club and the BVB fans.”

The club’s youth academy product is likely to face a hostile reception on his return to the Westfalenstadion arena, where he won two Bundesliga titles and one German Cup before joining arch-rivals in 2013.

Gotze scored three goals in just 11 league starts last season and was linked with a move away from Allianz Arena all summer with Liverpool and Tottenham also thought to be interested to sign the versatile attacker.

The German International, who scored the 2014 World Cup winning goal, is expected to directly burst into Tomas Tuchel’s starting line-up next season as a direct replacement for new Man Utd signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “I am personally very pleased that Mario has decided to return to Borussia Dortmund. I have, since his departure in 2013, always hoped that he will one day return to us.”

Gotze is now expected to undergo a medical later this week before reuniting with his Dortmund teammates in the first week of August.

Russia banned from Rio Olympics, lose CAS appeal

A decision to ban Russian track and field athletes from Rio 2016 over the country’s alleged state-sponsored doping regime has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Russia’s athletics federation was suspended by the sport’s world governing body, the IAAF, after an independent report found evidence of widespread doping.

The Russian Olympic Committee and 68 athletes appealed against that decision but after hearing evidence from both sides, CAS has ruled the ban can stand.

Separately, the International Olympic Committee is considering calls to ban all Russian competitors across all sports from the Olympic Games following a second report into state-sponsored doping.

Sam Allardyce set to be named England manager after FA board meeting

Sam Allardyce’s appointment as England’s new manager on a two-year contract is set to be ratified on Thursday after the outgoing Sunderland manager convinced the Football Association of his ability to rediscover the national team’s “missing identity”.

A meeting of the FA’s National Board at Wembley will rubber-stamp the decision already made by the ruling body’s recruitment panel of Martin Glenn, Dan Ashworth and David Gill that was mandated to identify Roy Hodgson’s successor. That trio were particularly impressed by Allardyce’s innovative, pioneering use of psychology.

Stephen O'Keefe pushes Test claim in Australian win over Sri Lanka XI

• Sri Lanka XI 229 & 83 (20.5 overs); Australia 474
• O’Keefe claims 10 wickets and scores 78 not out in 162-run win

Stephen O’Keefe takes a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Chaturanga de Silva during the first innings – one of 10 wickets the Australian took in Colombo. Photograph: Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP/Getty Images

With 10 wickets and an unbeaten 78 in Australia’s only first-class tour match before the first Test against Sri Lanka starting next week, Stephen O’Keefe did all he could to get a call-up in Kandy.

O’Keefe was the clear standout in the three-day match against a Sri Lankan Board XI in Colombo that Australia won convincingly on Wednesday by 162 runs.

The 31-year-old, aiming to get the nod alongside Nathan Lyon as the tourists’ second spinner and add to his two Test appearances, was front and centre with a handy double that included match figures of 10-64 with his left-arm spin.

Mark Cavendish pulls out of Tour de France to prepare for Olympics

• Manxman won four stages on 2016 Tour to move to 30 overall

• Cavendish will compete in the omnium in Rio  

Mark Cavendish won four stages at this year’s Tour de France to take his overall tally to 30. Photograph: Peter Dejong/AP

Mark Cavendish pulled out of the Tour de France during the rest day on Tuesday, returning to the UK in order to save his strength for his next challenge, the omnium and possibly the team pursuit at the Rio Olympic Games.

Cavendish had won four stages in the 2016 Tour, taking his overall tally to 30, but with four tough Alpine stages to come before the Tour finishes on the Champs‑Élysées on Sunday, he decided to cut his race short.

“After an extremely enjoyable and successful couple of weeks at The Tour de France with Team Dimension Data, it is with great sadness that I took the decision today to leave the race,” Cavendish said in a statement. “After the heat and intensity of the previous stages, we analysed my fatigue levels and decided I’m at a point that would have a detrimental effect on my other big goal for the year, the Olympic Games. To leave a race and organisation that I hold so much respect for and a team that I have such a special bond with, has not been an easy decision at all. I want to say thank you to them, along with all the fans for their support and encouragement, today and over the past 16 stages. I wish Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka and all the other competitors luck in the final few days into Paris, a special place that I will definitely miss the emotions of this year.”

Inter Milan plot move to sign Manchester United’s Juan Mata

Internazionale are the latest club to be linked with a move for Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata, according to reports in Italy.

Italian outlet Tuttosport are claiming that the Italian giants could make a move for the Spaniard if they are unsuccessful in their attempt to sign Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras.

Inter face competition from both Real Madrid and Barcelona for Jesus.  The 19-year-old is having an excellent season in the Brazilian Série A with the league leaders.

Paul Pogba has finally asked to leave Juventus, Five year contract agreed with Man Utd

The much talked about transfer saga of Paul Pogba seems to be nearing its conclusion and it does not end with him staying put at Juventus.

The Frenchman is a target for Jose Mourinho and Manchester United are doing everything in their power to bring him back to Old Trafford.

Allowed to leave as a free agent a few seasons ago, the Red Devils are now willing to pay a world record fee to rectify their mistake of underestimating his ability in the past.  Starved of first team football, the young Frenchman decided to end his time at Old Trafford under Sir Alex.

Mauro Icardi: Agent travelling to London today to seal €70m Arsenal deal

Inter striker Mauro Icardi’s future has come under intense speculation in the media over the past few weeks. Arsenal are reluctant to pay over €90m for Gonzalo Higuain and have set their sight on the Inter Milan striker instead.

The Gunners have made initial contact with the player and the striker is set for talks with Arsenal over a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer, according to reports from Sky Sport Italia.

Rio Olympics: who are the real winners and losers?

• Special report: With just weeks to go until the start of the Games is it possible to assess exactly how this city of more than 6 million has really been impacted – for good and bad – by the awarding of the Olympics? Jonathan Watts and Bruce Douglas of The Guardian International visit five key sections of the city to assess the event’s likely legacy, and hear tales of corruption, hope and claims of thousands of families displaced.

  The run-up to every Olympics is marked by anxiety and controversy, but Rio de Janeiro has arguably outdone all of its predecessors on this score. Against a backdrop of economic recession, the impeachment of Brazil’s president Dilma Rousseff, a Zika epidemic, resurgent crime and water pollution, the city’s officials are not only having to fight off accusations of corruption, incompetence and unbalanced priorities, they are also battling to justify whether the Games were worth hosting in the first place.
  
  
  In this polemical combat, the establishment - the Rio city government and the International Olympics Committee - argue the event boosts economic developments and raises the global profile of the host. Challenging this is an array of social activists, critical academics, political opponents, displaced residents and environmental campaigners who argue that the Olympics are disruptive, destructive and skewed to benefit a wealthy elite.
  
  
  But beyond all the angry headlines, is it possible to assess exactly how this city of more than 6 million people has really been impacted – for good and bad – by the awarding of the Olympics in 2009? To assess this in the long term, it is necessary to go beyond the media furore and focus instead on the likely legacy for Rio’s residents.
  
  
  
  One of the most controversial issues for years has, of course, been the question of displacement: just how many residents have been uprooted as a result of building projects around Rio for the Olympics, not to mention the 2014 football World Cup? Where have they been moved to, with what compensation – and who is benefitting from the property (often very central) that they left?
  

Heartland FC Coach Alphonsus Dike quits amid crisis

The Technical Adviser of Heartland FC of Owerri, Alphonsus Dike, says he has resigned following irreconcilable differences with the club’s management.

The coach told the news Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that he was resigning because the “they are not ready to do my bidding’’.

NAN reports that Dike took over from Bethel Orji on Feb. 28 following the club’s poor run in the 2015/2016 Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL).

He led the club for 11 matches with the last against Lagos-based MFM FC on Sunday at the Agege Stadium where they lost 0-2.

Reacting to Dike’s resignation, Heartland Protocol Officer, Tonex Chukwu, told NAN that the club had yet to receive a formal letter from Dike.

“I am just hearing about the resignation this morning, it is news to me. Other journalists had called me to verify same story too.

“The club has yet to receive any letter of resignation from him, so, we will treat such news as mere speculation. We did not employ him on the pages of newspapers.

“Courtesy demands that he writes to the management of the club to declare his intension.

“What I know is that he did not travel back with the team from Lagos on Sunday after the Match Day 27 fixture against MFM which we lost.

“After that, we have not heard anything from him officially,’’ he said.

Dike, a former Golden Eaglets’ coach, has also tutored Rangers International FC of Enugu, Nasarawa United of Lafia and FC Taraba before joining Heartland’s bench. 

(NAN)

Paul Le Guen turns down Super Eagles job

French Coach Paul Le Guen has reportedly turned down an offer by the Nigeria National Football to coach the Super Eagles.

The NFF Technical Committee had on Monday named the former PSG Coach as the Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles, albeit subject to approval from the Executive committee 

However reports from Le Guen’s home country (France) sparked up by French journalist, Herve Penot, who writes for L’Equipe, suggests that the 52-year-old failed to agree on some knotty issues with the NFF.

“Paul le Guen will not go to Nigeria. Conditions not met to be coach. Nothing to do with the selection today,” a tweet from the official handle of Penot read.

Ronaldo, Bale on UEFA best player shortlist

 

 

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale headlined a 10-man shortlist announced on Monday for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.

Ronaldo struck the winning spot-kick as Real claimed an 11th Champions League title, beating city rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties in May, before leading his country to Euro 2016 glory.

Fellow Portugal and Real team-mate Pepe also features on the shortlist along with Wales star Bale, who steered his country to the semi-finals of the European Championship in their first appearance at a major finals since 1958.

NFF names Le Guen Super Eagles Technical Adviser

The Technical and Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday named Frenchman Paul Le Guen, 52, as the new Technical Adviser of the senior national team, the Super Eagles. 

He will be assisted by Nigerian Salisu Yusuf, who takes the role of Chief Coach. The appointments are subject to agreement of contract terms with the NFF Executive Committee.

Mr. Le Guen led the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. He played for Brest, Nantes and Paris Saint Germain and won 17 caps for France, before coaching Rennes, Lyon, PSG (in France) and Glasgow Rangers (in Scotland). He also coached Oman.

NPFL SUNDAY RESULTS

Sunday, 17.07.2016 - 27. Matchday

14:00 h	Enyimba International FC		2 - 1		Kano Pillars
16:00 h	Rivers United FC		2 - 0		Shooting Stars
16:00 h	FC IfeanyiUbah		1 - 0		El-Kanemi Warriors FC
16:00 h	MFM FC		2 - 0		Heartland FC
16:00 h	Lobi Stars FC		1 - 0		Plateau United
16:00 h	Abia Warriors		1 - 0		Warri Wolves FC
16:00 h	Niger Tornadoes		1 - 1		Wikki Tourists

Nigerian launches new sport to compete with football

DR. OPIA

A novel sport that would compete favourably with football and other related sports, was launched by a Nigerian, Bonny Opia, on Saturday in Lagos.

At the event, Dr. Opia, a lecturer, explained that football enjoyed great followership across the world, including Nigeria, but that the newly introduced game would come with well-thought out features that would address major limitations of the current game of football.

“In principle, the new game is similar to but differ in many respects from the extant soccer game in areas such as field design, rules and method of play with invaluable new features that addresses major limitations of the current game,” Mr. Opia, a doctorate degree holder, who lectures Business Administration at the Delta State University told journalists in Lagos on Saturday.

Rangers go top of NPFL after 3-2 win at Akwa Utd

Enugu Rangers climbed to top spot in the Nigeria Professional Football League table after a well-deserved 3-2 away win over Akwa United at the magnificent Nest of Champions in Uyo. 

United defender Ibukun Harrison scored in his own net to give Rangers the lead on 3 minutes but Fortune Omoniwari restored parity for the hosts on the dot of half time. Rangers went back in front after the hour mark through a cool finish by Chisom Egbuchulam before substitute Enete Chebem sealed victory with a 74th minute goal rendering Omoniwari's late strike a mere consolation for the hosts.

Despite staying unbeaten in their last four league games, Rangers went into the game after an ignominious exit in the Federations Cup in the hands of second division Crown FC. The Flying Antelopes were however handed a dream start when a breakdown in communication between Akwa defender, Harrison and his goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode resulted in the former passing into his own net with just three minutes on the clock.

Antonio Conte reveals delight over new Chelsea signing and welcomes a familiar face back

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has hailed the signing of N’Golo Kante, describing the Frenchman as a player who can help the club get back to the top.

The combative midfielder completed his £32m move from Leicester City on Saturday, and will look forward to meeting up with his new team-mates once he returns from his post-Euro 2016 holiday.

It wasn’t the greatest of starts for Conte at Chelsea as he lost his first pre-season friendly 2-0 against Rapid Vienna on Saturday, but he remained upbeat about the future as he also looks forward to deploying Kante in a two-man midfield in an area of the pitch that he places added emphasis on.

Lewis Hamilton cruises to historic F1 British Grand Prix hat-trick

• Hamilton becomes first driver to win three in a row at Silverstone 
• Mercedes team-mate Rosberg finishes second but demoted to third 

With victory for Lewis Hamilton, plenty of wheel-to-wheel racing and more spin‑offs than seen on TV it is fair to say the British Grand Prix delivered for its 139,000 customers on Sunday.

OK, there was not the crash between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg that many mischievously yearned for in order to call Mercedes’ bluff and watch them give their prang-sters yet another “final warning”. And it would have been nice if the torrential rain which fell 15 minutes before the start of the race, drowning the track, had come a little later.

PHOTOS: Antonio Conte’s first training session at Chelsea

The moment every Chelsea fan has been waiting is here: Antonio Conte has arrived!

The Italian took his first training session at the club at the Blues’ Cobham training ground on Wednesday. The players comprised of players who did not participate in the knockout rounds of either Euro 2016 or Copa America and included the likes of captain John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, John Obi Mikel Nemanja Matic, Willian, Oscar and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Conte has extremely vocal and involved himself in the proceedings. This could be an early indication of his hard and unforgiving style, which the players will have to get used to.

Jordon Ibe agrees personal deal, completes medical ahead of £15m move to Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth are edging closer to signing Jordon Ibe from Liverpool. According to reports from Sky Sports, Ibe has agreed personal terms and passed a medical ahead of his £15m move to the Cherries.

The report claims that Bournemouth will officially announce the deal on Thursday and the winger will immediately fly out to Chicago to join up with his new teammates for the pre-season training camp in Illinois, USA.

Ibe signed a new five-year deal at Anfield last May but has dropped down the pecking orders at the club under Jurgen Klopp. He wasn’t progressing enough as Liverpool expected him to develop and therefore the move makes sense keeping the best interest of all parties involved here.

MAN UNITED: Ibrahimovic to miss pre-season; Luke Shaw set to return after 10 months out

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to be left behind for Manchester United’s pre-season by manager Jose Mourinho.

The Red Devils fly to China on Tuesday but Mourinho wants the Swedish striker to make his club debut against Galatasaray on 30 July or Everton on 3 August, meaning Ibrahimovic will miss at least the first two pre-season games against Borussia Dortmund and local rivals Manchester City.

Under Fifa rules all players must have a minimum three-week rest after a tournament and the former Paris Saint-Germain talisman remains available to take part in pre-season action since Sweden were eliminated from the Euro 16 on 22 July.

Chelsea make €30m bid for Arsenal target Gabriel Barbosa

 

Chelsea, out the blue, have joined the race to sign Brazil’s highly talented striker Gabriel Barbosa. According to reports from Brazil (sounds legit, isn’t it?), the Blues have reportedly submitted a €30m bid for the striker who is commonly known by the monicker “Gabigol”.

The young striker is only 19 but he is rated highly in his native land and in some quarters often his talents are being compared with Barcelona superstar Neymar. Gabriel was part of Dunga’s Brazil squad for Copa America Centenario and he even scored a goal in Brazil’s 7-1 win over Haiti.

The youngster is reluctant to leave the shores of Sao Paolo as yet but will consider offers from top European clubs. He has a contract with Santos till 2019 but the Brazilian club want him to sign an extension to the present deal till 2021. Gabriel, fully aware of the interest for him from top European clubs, has yet to sign a new deal (smart thinking from the Brazil striker) with his parent club.

Arsenal could make record-breaking deal for Gonzalo Higuain

 

Arsenal may need to break their record transfer fee to land Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuaín this summer.

It was reported on Tuesday that the Premier League giants would need to match the Argentines’s full buy-out clause of €94 million (£80m) to acquire their target.

Two days later and Sky Sports are reporting that Arsenal are still interested in signing Higuaín who scored a Serie A record 36 goals last season helping his side to finish runners-up behind Juventus.

The report does state that no official has been made by Arsenal but that club officials have been in contact with the player’s brother who acts as his agent.

NPFL All-Stars: Rabiu Ali, Ezenwa, 11 others hit Abuja camp

Kano Pillars midfielder, Rabiu Ali led the early arrivals as the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) All Stars camp for the first LaLiga Tour opened in Abuja on Tuesday. 

In all, 13 of the 37 players invited by coach Salisu Yusuf arrived Abuja and trained inside the Main Bowl of the National Stadium guided by Yusuf and goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorunmu.

The NPFL All-Stars, a product of the League Management Company (LMC) and Spanish League (LaLiga) techincal and commercial partnership, are due to embark on an international friendly match tour during which they will play LaLiga sides, Valencia and also play Malaga in the Carranza LaLiga World Club Tournament on August 10, 12 and 13.

Among the early arrivals are FC Ifeanyiubah's Ismaila Gata, Kano Pillars' Jamiu Alimi and Ifeanyi Matthew.

The others are Sikiru Olatunbosun, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, both of MFM FC, Lagos, Lobi Stars goalkeeper, Okiemute Odah and the duo of Charles Henlong and Al Hassan Ibrahim from Wikki Tourists. Also in camp were Plateau United's Kelechi John, Shedrack Oghali of Warri Wolves, Gabriel Wassa of Niger Tornadoes and goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa of FC Ifeanyiubah. Wassa and Ezenwa however did not train with the squad following knocks they copped in their last club engagements.

The team will resume training on Wednesday morning, and will later watch the round of 16 FA Cup cracker between Enyimba FC and El-Kanemi Warriors in Abuja.

WHERE DO YOU GO TO IF YOU NEED TO VISIT THE HOME OF AN EUROPEAN CHAMPION?

if you want to visit the country of the european champions visit PORTUGAL🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹!!!!!!!!

A photo posted by Jose Mourinho (@josemourinho) on Jul 10, 2016 at 2:38pm PDT

Portugal beat France to win Euro 2016 final with Éder’s extra-time goal

Portugal’s players celebrate after Éder scored during extra time in the Euro 2016 final against France. Photograph: Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images

Euro 2016 champions. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

In the end, Cristiano Ronaldo had his winner’s medal, even if it was not the way the great showman had intended. Portugal, the team that finished third in their group, had found a way even on a night when their greatest player left the pitch on a stretcher. The players of France were on their knees and, on the far touchline, Ronaldo could be seen trying to make sense of an extraordinary story and take in all the contrasting emotions.

Nigeria League Review: Wikki Tourists reclaim top spot

Wikki Tourists and Kano Pillars secured commendable results in their Match Day 26 games in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, on Sunday.

Pillars recorded the biggest win of the weekend; thrashing Lobi Stars 3-0 in Kano while Wikki Tourists also did their title aspirations a lot of good forcing Warri Wolves to a 1-1 draw at the Warri City Stadium on Sunday.

With the vital away point, Wikki Tourists are back at the top of the NPFL log as Coach Abdul Maikaba’s men did just enough to reclaim the number one position from fellow title contenders, Enugu Rangers.

Andy Murray wins second Wimbledon title by beating Milos Raonic

• Wimbledon 2016: Murray beats Raonic 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 • Murray claims third grand slam title of career in style 

As Andy Murray headed for the champion’s dinner at the Guildhall for the second time, three years after his first, he finally had time to properly savour the unique joy of owning not only the Wimbledon title, but the love of a nation, as well as his family.

With his wife, Kim, by his side, and his mother and father not far behind, Murray might also have spared a thought en route for his brother, Jamie, who had flown to Belgrade earlier with the Great Britain Davis Cup team in preparation for the quarter-final against Serbia later in the week. He hopes to join him shortly and then look ahead to retaining his gold medal at the Rio Olympics in August, as well as mounting a challenge with Jamie for the doubles title there. On a warm summer’s evening, life could hardly be better.

For now, though, the glow of victory gave him a more immediate rush. He had comprehensively beaten Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in two hours and 48 minutes, and Centre Court belonged to him. The applause that greeted his victory was as prolonged as his tearful celebration, his head buried in his towel as he shuddered uncontrollably.

Serena Williams’s Black Excellence comes at a vital time for America

At a time when race relations in America are approaching breaking point, Serena’s record-equalling Wimbledon win means her achievements take on greater significance than ever

 

The simple forehand volley caromed into the open court and the champion tumbled gently backward into the grass; the coup de grâce as elementary as the three service winners that preceded it. Serena Williams was the Wimbledon champion for a seventh time with a straight-sets win over Angelique Kerber – a record-tying 22nd major championship all but ending the argument over whether she is best there has ever been.

The greatest American sports tale of our time remains a work in progress: a black female Jehovah’s Witness from Compton who entered an arena populated almost exclusively by white women from more advantaged backgrounds and persevered in the face of racism, family tragedy, injuries and illness to dominate three separate eras of challengers and rewrite the history books of a sport not desperately keen to be revised. And at a moment in America where the basic value of black lives has been violently called into question, Serena’s latest showcase of unapologetic Black Excellence could not have come at a more vital time.