Thieves in the early hours of Wednesday invaded the camp of the Super Falcons in Banjul, The Gambia.
The Super Falcons are due to play their Gambian counterpart for a ticket to the finals of the African Women Nations Cup.
Valuables were stolen from the camp by the invaders, including personal effects of the Nigerian players.
The second leg of the qualifying match is slated for the Agege Township Stadium in Lagos on Monday.
according to the list released by Forbes Magazine, US boxer Floyed Mayweatherhas regained his title in the Forbes rankings of the world’s top 100 earning athletes.
He earned a $275m (£205m) for his boxing match in August against UFC star Conor Mcgregor, who is number four on the US business magazine’s list.
Messi has overtaken rival, Cristiano Ronaldo on the list of the World’s top 100 earning athletes 2018.
Messi has edged out Ronaldo in this year’s latest list of top 100 earning athletes in the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo – top for the past two years – drops to third, with Lionel Messi edging him out of second place.
There are no women on the list, after the previous sole entrant, Serena Williams, dropped out of the chart.
The top 100 athletes earned a total of $3.8bn, up 23% from last year, Forbes said.
F1 driver Lewis Hamilton is the top Briton at number 12 with $51m.
Mayweather – one of whose nicknames is Money – saw his sports earnings added to by $10m from endorsements.
“Boxing’s biggest night of 2017 helped Mayweather and McGregor earn nearly $400m combined,” said Kurt Badenhausen, senior editor at Forbes Media.
“But basketball players dominate the top 100 overall thanks to a soaring salary cap triggered by the NBA’s $24bn TV contract.”
He added: “Forbes’ lists of top-earning athletes have long been testosterone heavy. But there has always been at least one female athlete, and as many as three, who qualified since the list was expanded to at least 50 names in 2010. Not this year.”
The top 10
1. Floyd Mayweather – boxing ($285m)
2. Lionel Messi – football ($111m)
3. Cristiano Ronaldo – football ($108m)
4. Conor McGregor – mixed martial arts ($99m)
5. Neymar – football ($90m)
6. LeBron James – basketball ($85,5m)
7. Roger Federer – tennis ($77.2m)
8. Stephen Curry – basketball ($76.9m)
9. Matt Ryan – American football ($67.3m)
10. Matthew Stafford – American football ($59.5m)…
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have revealed their new squad numbers ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup.
The squad numbers were made known via a 59 second video on the team’s twitter handle @ngsupereagles on Monday.
Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa would adorn the number one jersey, while Spanish based Francis Uzoho has 23 leaving Daniel Akpeyi with 16 jersey as skipper Mikel Obi retains his number 10.
Newly signed Brighton and Hove Albion player, Leon Balogun, will settle for number six, while Russia based Byran Idowu will wear the number two shirt.
Portuguese based Tyronne Ebuehi will be seen in number 21, as fellow defender, Chidozie Awaziem will put on number 20 while Abdullahi Shehu holds 12.
Midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is with number 17 jersey while recuperating Wilfred Ndidi will wear number four.
Forwards Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho will grace numbers 18 and 14, respectively.
Chinese based Odion Ighalo has nine; leaving newly capped Simeon Nwankwo with number 13, as Russia-based Ahmed Musa holds seven.
Chelsea’s Victor Moses stays with 11, as William Troost-Ekong has number five and Elderson Echiejile with three.
Jersey number 19 is given to John Ogu while Italy based Joel Obi has 15, leaving Oghenekaro Etebo with the number eight shirt and Kenneth Omeruo on 22.
The team continues its build up for the World cup, as it prepares to face Czech Republic on Wednesday in Austria.…
Below is a list of fixtures for the Russia 2018 world cup.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have bee placed in group D alongside Croatia, Argentina and Iceland. Their first game will be against Croatia on the 16th of June.
The final 23 man list has been released by coach Gernot Rohr.
See the Russia 2018 world cup fixtures below.
FIFA WORLD CUP 2018 RUSSIA GROUPS
Group A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay
Group B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran
Group C: France, Australia, Peru, Denmark
Group D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
Group G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England
Group H: Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan
FIFA WORLD CUP 2018 RUSSIA FIXTURES
THURSDAY, June 14/6/2018
1.RUSSIA vs SAUDI ARABIA (8:30pm)
FRIDAY, June 15/6/2018
2.EGYPT vs URUGUAY (5:30pm)
3.Morocco vs Iran (8:30pm)
4.Portugal vs Spain (11:30pm)
SATURDAY, June 16/6/2018
5.FRANCE vs AUSTRALIA (3:30pm)
6.ARGENTINA vs ICELAND (6:30pm)
7.PERU vs DENMARK (9:30pm)
8.CROATIA vs NIGERIA (5:30pm)
SUNDAY, June 17/6/2018
9.COSTA RICA vs SERBIA (12:30am)
10.GERMANY vs MEXICO (8:30pm)
11.BRAZIL vs SWITZERLAND (11:30pm)
MONDAY, June 18/6/2018
12.SWEDEN vs SOUTH KOREA (5:30pm
13.BELGIUM vs PANAMA 8:30pm
14.TUNISIA vs ENGLAND 11:30pm
TUESDAY, June 19/6/2018
15.POLAND vs SENEGAL (5:30pm)
16.COLOMBIA vs JAPAN (8:30pm)
17.RUSSIA vs EGYPT (11:30pm)
WEDNESDAY, June 20/6/2018
18.PORTUGAL vs MOROCCO (5:30pm)
19.URUGUAY vs SAUDI ARABIA (8:30pm)
20.IRAN vs SPAIN (11:30pm)
THURSDAY, June 21/6/2018
21.FRANCE vs PERU (5:30pm)
22.DENMARK vs AUSTRALIA (4:30pm)
23.ARGENTINA vs CROATIA (11:30pm)
FRIDAY, June 22/6/2018
24.BRAZIL vs COSTA RICA (5:30pm)
25.NIGERIA vs ICELAND (8:30pm)
26.SERBIA vs SWITZERLAND (4:30pm)
SATURDAY, June 23/62018
27.BELGIUM vs TUNISIA (5:30pm)
28.GERMANY vs SWEDEN (8:30pm)
29.SOUTH KOREA vs MEXICO (11:30pm)
SUNDAY, June 24/6/2018
30.ENGLAND vs PANAMA (5:30pm)
31.JAPAN vs SENEGAL (8:30pm)
32.POLAND vs COLOMBIA (11:30pm)
MONDAY, June 25/6/2018
33.SAUDI ARABIA vs EGYPT (7:30pm)
34.URUGUAY vs RUSSIA (8:30pm)
35.IRAN vs PORTUGAL (11:30pm)
36.SPAIN vs MOROCCO (10:30pm)
TUESDAY, June 26/6/2018
37.AUSTRALIA vs PERU (7:30pm)
38.DENMARK vs FRANCE (7:30pm)
39.NIGERIA vs ARGENTINA (11:30pm)
40.ICELAND vs CROATIA (11:30pm)
WEDNESDAY, June 27/6/2018
41.S. KOREA vs GERMANY (7:30pm)
42.MEXICO vs SWEDEN …
Zinedine Zidane has quit as Real Madrid manager just days after becoming the first coach to win the Champions League in three consecutive seasons.
Zidane, 45, replaced Rafael Benitez in January 2016 and despite his European success has come under pressure for winning only one La Liga title during his two and a half years in charge.
He told Real president Florentino Perez he would be leaving on Wednesday before informing captain Sergio Ramos.
Zinedine Zidane
“This team has to continue winning and need a change. After three years they need a new voice, a new way of saying things – possibly another way of working.
“That’s why I’ve taken that decision. I love this club, I love the president, he’s given me the chance to come as a player and a manager. I’m eternally grateful to him but today for me and for everyone we have to change.”
Perez said Zidane’s decision was completely unexpected after the club’s 13th Champions League title last weekend.
“It is a sad day for me and will be for the fans, the players and everyone at the club,” said Perez. “I wanted him to be next to me forever. But I know it is his final decision.
“I would have liked to convince him to stay on but I know what he is like.”
Sergio Ramos✔@SergioRamos
As a player and coach you decided to say goodbye at the top. Thank you for two and a half incredible years. Your legacy will never be erased, one of the most successful chapters in the history of our beloved @realmadrid
Zidane opted to rest Ronaldo more in his final season in charge, while Bale became frustrated with limited first-team opportunities.
“I had the …
Seems like Nigeria is already winning even before the start of the FIFA world cup in Russia. The Nigerian jersey has been voted the best jersey out of the 32 nations participating in this year’s world cup.
In a poll conducted by Sky Sports, the Nigerian shirt garnered over 40,000 votes to beat world champions Germany to second place with 21,000 votes.
It will be recalled that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nike who are their official kits sponsor unveiled the official 2018 World Cup kits for the Super Eagles in London on February 7, 2018 to much fanfare.
Speaking on the jersey, Nike said:
“With a culture as vibrant as Nigeria’s, the collection had a lot to live up to.
“The central design theme is an abstract feather pattern inspired by the team’s “Super Eagles” nickname. Last seen during Nigeria’s 1994 appearance on the world stage, the design has been enlivened to capture the energy of the 2018 team.”
The home kit pays subtle homage to Nigeria’s ‘94 shirt, worn by Nigeria’s first team to qualify.
It carries a familiar badge modelled after the 1996 gold medal-winning Dream Team while honouring the 1994 shirt won by the national team.
Nike’s Football Design Director, Dan Farron said in designing Nigeria’s kit, the goal was to tap into the attitude of the nation while keeping in mind the full identities of players.
The American kit maker revealed that demand for the lively jersey had hit over three million worldwide before it officially hit the shelves last week.
…
Unai Emery is to become our new head coach. He joins the club after completing a two-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain, where he recently landed the treble of Ligue 1, Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue.
Unai, 46, previously spent three seasons with Sevilla, leading them to an unprecedented three consecutive Europa League titles, establishing the club as a major force in the Spanish league.
Announcing the appointment, chief executive Ivan Gazidis said: “Unai has an outstanding track record of success throughout his career, has developed some of the best young talent in Europe and plays an exciting, progressive style of football that fits Arsenal perfectly. His hard-working and passionate approach and his sense of values on and off the pitch make him the ideal person to take us forward.
“We conducted a confidential, wide-ranging and rigorous search involving extensive background references, data and video analysis, and personal meetings with all the candidates we shortlisted. All were interested in the position and we were unanimous in our choice of Unai to drive the next chapter of our history.”
Majority owner Stan Kroenke said: “We’re delighted to welcome Unai to Arsenal. He’s a proven winner. We’re confident that he is the right person for the job and that he will work to deliver the triumphs our fans, staff and everyone who cares about Arsenal want.
“Several things stood out during his interview and the entire process; his football knowledge, energy, determination and love of the game. His familiarity with our club and our players, the Premier League and the game in Europe were all very impressive. He shares our vision to move forward, to build on the platform created by Arsène Wenger and help this club enjoy greater success.”
Unai said: “I am thrilled to be joining one of the great clubs in the game. Arsenal is known and loved throughout the world for its style of play, its commitment to young players, the fantastic stadium, the way the club is run. I’m very excited
A penalty goal by Eden Hazard ensured Chelsea beat Manchester United to win their 8th Fa Cup trophy…
Manager Paul Lambert has left relegated Stoke City four months after joining the club to replace Mark Hughes.
Stoke ended a decade in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory at Swansea on Sunday, but Lambert managed only two wins from his 15 games in charge.
“Whilst he was unable to guide us to safety, it certainly wasn’t due to a lack of effort, professionalism and dedication,” a Stoke statement said.
The Potters added that they plan to name a new boss “as soon as possible”.
Last week, the club’s owners said they would continue to give managers time “to prove themselves”.
However, the departure of the ex-Aston Villa and Norwich boss leaves Stoke looking for a third manager in a year.
“The club would like to thank Paul for his work over the past four months and wish him well for the future,” the club statement said.
“Paul would like to thank the board, players and staff for the opportunity and their support. He would also like to thank the fans for their unwavering support. Whilst looking forward to his next challenge, he would like to wish the club every success next season.”…
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be the 21st FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial international football tournament contested by the men’s national teams of the member associations of FIFA.
It is scheduled to take place in Russia from 14 June to 15 July 2018, after the country was awarded the hosting rights on 2 December 2010.
The Anticipation for the Worlds most prestigious tournament is soon to be short-lived. A global event, in its 21st edition, guides us to Eastern Europe, where in the Summer of 2018, all eyes will be on Russia.
32 countries. 64 matches. 12 Venues. 11 Cities.
This will be the first World Cup held in Europe since the 2006 tournament in Germany, and the first ever to be held in Eastern Europe. All of the stadium venues are in European Russia, to keep travel time manageable.
The final tournament will involve 32 national teams, which include 31 teams determined through qualifying competitions and the automatically qualified host team.
Of the 32 teams, 20 will be making back-to-back appearances following the last tournament in 2014, including defending champions Germany, while Iceland and Panama will both be making their first appearances at a FIFA World Cup.
A total of 64 matches will be played in 12 venues located in 11 cities. The final will take place on 15 July at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
The winners of the World Cup will qualify for the 2021 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Teams
Africa (5)
Egypt
Morocco
Nigeria
Senegal
Tunisia
Asia (5)
Australia
Iran
Japan
Korea Republic
Saudi Arabia
Europe (14)
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
England
France
Germany
Iceland
Poland
Portugal
Russia
Serbia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
North, Central America and Caribbean (3)
Costa Rica
Mexico
Panama
South America(5)
Argentina
Brazil
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
First Timers
Euro 2016 Cinderella and fan favorite Iceland, will be making its first appearance in a World Cup. “Our Boys” stole the spotlight in The Euro 2016 competition, much imputed to their followers and their representation as a whole in that tournament. It’s reported that 10% of …
FIFA will give Nigeria and four other African football federations a $2million advance each on World Cup prize money, to pay player bonuses before the tournament in Russia.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) says the agreement for Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia will help “settle beforehand the question of bonuses.”
The 32 federations sending teams to the World Cup get $1.5m each from FIFA to prepare, plus at least $8m in prize money after the tournament.
The winner gets $38m.
CAF also added that money disputes at previous World Cups “affected badly the image of African football, with a considerable impact on team performances”.
At the 2014 World Cup: Cameroon arrived late, Ghana’s government had to fly in $3m cash to avert a strike and Nigeria players canceled a team training session.…
“After careful consideration and following discussions with the club,I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season.
“I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.
“I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.
“I want to thank the staff, the players, the Directors and the fans who make this club so special.
“I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high.
“To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club.
“My love and support for ever.”…
goals from E Dzeko (6),D De Rossi (58 pen),K Manolas (82)
Was enough to send Roma to the Semi finals on Away goals rule…
Barcelona were far from their best but managed to secure a 4-1 first-leg victory at the Nou Camp to take full control of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Roma.
Ernesto Valverde’s side struggled for rhythm for much of the game against the Italian side, but built a three-goal advantage thanks to own goals either side of half-time from Daniele De Rossi (40) and Kostas Manolas (55) and a tap in from Gerard Pique (59).
Edin Dzeko gave Roma a late glimmer of hope heading into next week’s second leg at the Stadio Olimpico by scoring an away goal, but Luis Suarez (87) landed a late blow as Barca put one foot in the last four.…
Liverpool produced a blistering first-half display to stun Manchester City 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Anfield on Wednesday.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring after 12 minutes before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made it 2-0 shortly afterwards with a superb strike.
City looked in disarray defensively and they fell further behind after half an hour as Sadio Mane headed home.…
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero did not make the trip to Liverpool’s Anfield and has been ruled out of today’s Champions League quarter-final first leg tie after failing to recover in time from a thigh injury.…
Wilkins was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, London last week after suffering a cardiac arrest and was placed in an induced coma.
A statement issued by St George’s Hospital on behalf of Wilkins’ family read: ‘It is with great sadness we announce that Raymond Colin Wilkins passed away this morning.
‘We would like to thank St George’s staff for the amazing work they have done to care for our beloved Ray.
‘We would also like to say thank you for the many goodwill messages we have received from Ray’s friends, colleagues, and members of the public.
‘Ray leaves behind his loving wife, Jackie, daughter Jade, son Ross, and his beautiful grandchildren, Oliver, Frankie, Ava, Freddie, Jake and Archie.
‘We are asking for privacy at this very difficult time.’
Wilkins, who has bravely battled poor health including ulcerative colitis over the last few years, was given the all clear after a double heart bypass operation last July.
Two years ago he checked into the Priory Hospital in Woking for a five-week rehabilitation programme after being banned from driving for four years for drink-driving.
Yet the popular former Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan midfielder continued to work in the media on a regular basis and was held in the highest regard by everyone in football.
Born in Hillingdon, Wilkins came through the ranks at his boyhood club Chelsea and made his first-team debut against Norwich City at the age of 17 in 1973…
Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has called up team captain Mikel Obi, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and Victor Moses in a 28-man squad for the Poland and Serbia friendly matches. Gernot Rohr Newsmen report that the friendly matches are in preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Russia.
Home-based goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who stood between the sticks for the very crucial last four 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying games, leads the goalkeeping section.
He will be joined by Spain-based Francis Uzoho and South Africa-based Daniel Akpeyi. Former junior international Kenneth Omeruo is also back among the defenders, as well as Joel Obi among the midfielders. Eagles’ Team B regulars such as defender Stephen Eze and forward Gabriel Okechukwu were also handed opportunities.
Russia-based Brian Idowu, who scored against Argentina on his debut in a friendly in Krasnodar in November, has also got another call-up. Junior Ajayi of Egyptian side Al Ahly, who earned an Olympic bronze in Brazil in 2016, also made the list.
Nigeria will trade tackles with Poland at the 43,000-capacity Stadium Wroclaw on March 23. Four days later, the Eagles will take to the pitch against Serbia at The Hive in London, the home ground of Barnet FC and London Bees.
The matches are the first two in a list of six friendly games planned for the Super Eagles by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ahead of the World Cup in Russia.
THE FULL LIST Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC) and Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa).
Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Ado Den Haag, The Netherlands); Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England); Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge KSV, Belgium) and Brian Idowu (Amkar Perm, Russia). Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey) and Stephen Eze (Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Bulgaria).
Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Las Palmas, Spain); John …
