Category: Sports

Sports

Mikel returns to English football, joins Stoke City

Ishaku Yohanna

Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi has joined Sky Bet Championship club Stoke City on a one-year deal, reports Completesports.com. Mikel joins Morgan Fox, James Chester and Steven Fletcher in checking in at the bet365 Stadium ahead of the 2020/21 Championship season. The former Lyn Oslo of Norway player , who won a host of domestic and European honours during a glittering 11-year stay at Chelsea, returns to English football after a spell in the Turkish Super Lig with Trabzonspor. Manager Michael ONeill said: Were delighted to bring John to the…

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Bayern trounce Barcelona 8-2 to reach Champions League semi final

Ishaku Yohanna

The Catalans were put to the sword by the rampant Bundesliga champions, exiting Europe in embarrassing fashion Barcelonas attempt to bring the Champions League back to Camp Nou after a five-year absence ended in humiliation on Friday, as Bayern Munich trounced them 8-2 in the quarter-final. The match in Lisbon started poorly for the Catalans as Thomas Muller gave Bayern the lead inside four minutes. Though a David Alaba own goal gave them hope, Barcelona were ultimately undone by the ruthless German champions. Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, Robert…

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Barca, Bayern grab last Champions League quarter-final slots

Ishaku Yohanna

Lionel Messi had a good game on Saturday as Barcelona and Bayern Munich grabbed the remaining two quarter-final tickets left in this seasons UEFA Champions League. While Barcelona thumped Napoli 3-1 at Camp Nou, Bayern Munich completed a double over Chelsea, beating the Blues 4-1 at the Allianz Arena. Unlike the Chelsea game which already looked like a lost battle, the Barca, Napoli contest was still evenly-poised having ended in a pulsating 1-1 draw in the first leg played in Naples. It only meant Genaro Gattusos men had to score…

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Real Madrid, Juventus crash out of UEFA Champions League

Ishaku Yohanna

Juventus and Real Madrid both exited the Champions League on Friday night. The Serie A champions were trailing 1-0 from the first leg in France and conceded again in Turin. Memphis Depay increased Lyons advantage from the penalty spot in the first. Cristiano Ronaldo drew Juve level with his own spot kick and added a spectacular second. But in the end, Maurizio Sarris men did not find one more goal, that would have sent them into the quarter-finals. Manchester City beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Etihad, to qualify on…

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27-year Nigerian basketball player dies in Serbia

Ishaku Yohanna

Former Florida State University center Michael Ojo died on Friday after collapsing during training in Serbia, his former team Red Star Belgrade said. He was 27. The Nigerian-born basketball player was taken to a hospital in the Serbian capital, but doctors failed to resuscitate him, Belgrade media reported. The sudden and shocking death has deeply shaken everyone in the club, Red Star said in a statement. Ojo was reported to have tested positive for the coronavirus, but also that he had recovered. Local media reported that he died of a…

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FIFA condemns Swiss probe, says Infantino remains president

Ishaku Yohanna

Gianni Infantino can remain FIFA president and should not be forced from power while under criminal investigation, world soccers governing body told The Associated Press. A Swiss special prosecutor opened a criminal case into Infantinos conduct on Thursday over his meetings with the countrys attorney general who has been leading a sprawling investigation into football corruption. There is nothing preventing the president from performing his duties, FIFA said in a statement to the AP. He will continue to fully assume his functions within FIFA. The FIFA ethics committee faced calls…

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Osimhen signs for Napoli

Ishaku Yohanna

Nigerian Striker and Ex Lilie Forward Victor Osimhen has just officially signed for Napoli for a whooping sum of 50million. Its finally done! All documents are signed. Osimhen is a Napoli player. Lille should formalise his departure this evening (Wednesday). As announced here a few days ago, the transfer is 70m + 10m bonus. Contract until 2025 + 1 year optional for the player, Get French Football tweeted. Italian daily, Tuttomercarto also tweeted, All of the paperwork and contracts have been signed off for Victor Osimhens move to Napoli. All…

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Choosing between England and Nigeria will be a ‘tough’ decision, says Arsenal winger, Bukayo Saka

Ishaku Yohanna

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka admits it will be challenging to choose between England or Nigeria, should his impressive Premier League form be rewarded with international selection. Saka stated he is open to representing the Super Eagles and the Three Lions but admitted he is yet to make up his mind on the country of his choice. “It’s a tough choice. I’m happy to have represented England at youth level but I’m also proud of my Nigerian heritage from my parents, Saka told Sky Sports. The forward has been in fine…

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Tokyo 2020: Olympics boss reluctant to hold Games behind closed doors

Ishaku Yohanna

Banning fans from the Tokyo Olympics is clearly something we dont want, International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach said, adding that multiple scenarios were under consideration for the rescheduled Games. Bach said safety was the top concern for organisers of the Tokyo Olympics, which were due to start next week but have been postponed for a year over the COVID-19 pandemic. But he clearly signalled his reluctance to hold the Games at empty stadiums, now a common sight in sport as other competitions make a tentative return from virus-enforced shutdowns.…

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Nigerias Usman beats Americas Masvidal to retain UFC welterweight title

Ishaku Yohanna

Nigerias Kamaru Usman has defeated Americas Jorge Masvidal to retain his welterweight championship in a unanimous decision at UFC 251 in the Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Sunday morning. The 35-year-old Masvidal, who stepped in at six days notice to challenge Usman after Gilbert Burns tested positive for COVID-19, had called Usman “mentally weak” prior to the fight. But Usman was unanimously adjudged the winner by 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46 to retain his crown. The 33-year-old Usman, who had the best win record in the UFC,…

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