Games
PSG boss: Idrissa Gueye a pleasure to work with
Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed his delight to work with Idrissa Gueye and praised him for his contribution to his side. The midfielder is currently spending his second season at Parc des Princes, having teamed up with the club from Premier League side Everton in the summer of 2019. Gueye has featured in more than 60 games since joining the side and in the current campaign, he has made 42 appearances, scoring two goals and providing one assist across all competitions. His performances ensured the Parisians to their second spot on the Ligue 1 table and their progression into the semi-finals of the Champions League. Pochettino has lauded the impact of the Senegal international to his side ahead of their encounter with the Maroons. “He’s a player with experience, ...
Wilfred Ndidi: Kelechi Iheanacho can’t stop scoring after latest heroics vs West Brom
Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi said he is “very proud” of his compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho’s scoring feat after he grabbed a goal in their 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. Iheanacho’s 36th-minute strike wrapped up the Foxes’ victory at the King Power Stadium following Johnny Evans and Jamie Vardy’s goals. The effort made it 16 goals for the Super Eagles striker across all competitions this season, including nine Premier League goals – a new personal record. In his reaction, Ndidi – who played from start to finish alongside Iheanacho on Thursday night – said the 24-year-old is full of confidence and belief in himself at the moment. “He just can’t stop scoring at the moment, so I’m very happy for him,” Ndidi told LCFC TV. “Very proud. I just want him to keep doing the things and k...
West Ham boss allays fears of serious Jesse Lingard injury after substitution
West Ham manager David Moyes has moved to allay fears Jesse Lingard picked up an injury in the defeat at Newcastle on Saturday. The loanee, who scored his ninth goal for the club in the game, was withdrawn late on after going down with cramp. Lingard’s goal from the penalty spot made this season his best every in terms of goals scored in the top flight, doing so in just ten games for the Hammers. If they are to make the top four this season, the England international will be key, meaning that his going down sparked fears among many supporters. Lingard was quickly back on the pitch after the game and Moyes was quick to calm any worries. “I think it was just cramp, I don’t think it was anything serious,” said Moyes. Arthur Masuaku and Aaron Cresswell missed the game through injury, with the ...
Paris Saint-Germain wait for Neymar to sign contract extension
Paris Saint-Germain were revelling in the joy of knocking holders Bayern Munich out of the Champions League in midweek when Neymar offered more cause for celebration. In an interview with Brazilian broadcaster TNT Sports following PSG’s away-goals victory in the quarter-finals, Neymar dropped a clear hint that he would be staying at PSG beyond the end of his current contract. “For me there is no debate, it is obvious that I feel very comfortable here and at home at Paris Saint-Germain. I feel happier than I did before,” the world’s most expensive player said. His current contract, signed following his arrival from Barcelona for 222 million euros ($264m) in 2017, runs out at the end of next season, at the same time as Kylian Mbappe’s deal. It has been reported in France since the Bayern gam...
West Brom thrash Southampton to boost survival hopes
West Bromwich Albion improved their slender hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League as they survived VAR controversy to beat Southampton 3-0 on Monday. Sam Allardyce’s side saw Mbaye Diagne’s goal questionably ruled out by VAR early in the first half at the Hawthorns. But they recovered from that blow to sweep into a two-goal lead by half-time thanks to Matheus Pereira’s penalty and a Matt Phillips strike. Callum Robinson sealed West Brom’s second successive win after the interval as the Baggies built on their stunning 5-2 victory at Chelsea. Second bottom Albion move within eight points of fourth bottom Newcastle with seven games left. The Baggies have scored eight goals in their last two games, two more than they had netted in their previous 11 combined, but their unexpected...
Tokyo Olympics: Minister confident Nigeria will return to track and field podium
Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare is confident Nigeria’s 13 year wait for a track and field medal at the Olympics will end this year at the Tokyo Games. Nigeria last won a track and field medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when the women’s 4x100m relay team and Blessing Okagbare (long jump) won silver medals and the Sports Minister is confident track and field will start delivering the medals like it did in 1996 in Atlanta. Track and Field has accounted for 13 of the 25 medals Team Nigeria have won at the Games. The sport has also delivered two of the three gold medals won with a first ever individual gold by Chioma Ajunwa in the women’s long jump. ”The performances of our athletes so far this year have given us renewed hopes that Nigerian track and field athletes can be...
Pep Guardiola reacts as Leeds defeat Manchester City at Etihad
Pep Guardiola has said that City’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Leeds should not detract from the incredible achievements his side has accomplished this season. The Premier League leaders suffered a last-gasp defeat to Leeds at the Etihad Stadium, falling to Stuart Dallas’ injury-time strike. However, the defeat marked only City’s second loss in their last 36 games (with City winning 27 of our last 29) a feat Guardiola says should not be diminished by one result. “What happens when you lose games is that you realise how difficult what we have done so far is,” he said. “You realise how difficult it is to win 27 in 29 games. “We need points still because our opponents can win more points – but we have three finals. “I have incredible confidence with the guys. Defeat sometimes is necessary to...
PDP: Imo attacks show Governor Uzodinma’s failure
File Photo The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday said that the Monday attacks on Owerri Correctional Center and the state Police Command headquarters in Owerri were indications that the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, had failed. At a press conference in Owerri, the state capital, the PDP chairman in the state, Charles Ugwu, urged the governor to stop blame games and take responsibility. The chairman said that the party was disturbed that stranger elements could gain such easy access into the inner recesses of the central points of security administration in the state and struck without any challenge. He said, “We have therefore concluded that lives and property are not safe and secure in the state under the watch of the current regime.” “In his speeches and inte...
Kelechi Iheanacho wins Leicester City’s Goal of the Month for March
Kelechi Iheanacho has added more glorious feathers to his cap as his goal won Leicester City’s Goal of the Month for March. The Nigerian first made History With First Premier League Hat-Trick In Leicester City’s Emphatic Win Over Sheffield United The 24-year-old scored seven goals for the Foxes last month, but only one could win the goal of the month Kelechi Iheanacho has received another accolade after his goal against Burnley was voted Leicester City’s goal of the month for March. Iheanacho enjoyed a good run of form for the Foxes last month, scoring seven times in five games. The first of those strikes came in the 1-1 draw against Burnley, and it has earned him the goal of the month for March. The former Manchester City striker fired in a superb volley following a long ball from his cou...
Manchester City close in on Premier League title with Leicester win
Manchester City took another significant step towards the Premier League title with a 2-0 victory at Leicester City. The visitors dominated from the off and thought they were ahead on five minutes. Fernandinho rifled a 35-yard strike into the bottom corner, but Sergio Aguero – who was appearing for the first time since his impending summer departure from City was announced – was deemed to be offside. Kevin de Bruyne then hit the crossbar with a stunning free kick before Leicester’s best moment saw Jamie Vardy’s strike ruled out for offside on the stroke of half time. The pattern of Man City dominance continued after the break and they deservedly took the lead on 58 minutes when Benjamin Mendy showed great composure to cut inside and place a low shot into the far corner. Gabriel Jesus made ...
NSF: Edo government pledges better welfare to volunteers
The Edo Government has pledged to do its best to take care of the volunteers who will help in the hosting of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin. The State Deputy Governor, Mr Philips Shaibu, made the pledge on Friday while addressing the volunteers at the Games village, located in the University of Benin. Shaibu, who also is the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the festival, assured the volunteers that the state would welcome collaboration and cooperation of the team to ensure the success of the sporting fiesta. “This address is to assure you that we will collaborate and cooperate with you to ensure that the game is successful. “Your role as volunteers to help us guide and control our athletes as they come is paramount to the success of the games. “From th...
Mo Salah dreams of future La Liga action
Mohamed Salah has hinted his future could lie in Spanish football amid continued speculation the forward could leave Liverpool. The Premier League’s joint-top scorer this season is under contract at Anfield until 2023 but has been linked with a move elsewhere, with Barcelona and Real Madrid often touted as potential destinations for Salah if he were to depart Merseyside. Last year, the forward described the Spanish sides as two “great” clubs, but Jurgen Klopp later played down any transfer talk surrounding the Egypt international. Liverpool play Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in April as the two sides meet for the first time since 2018’s final in Kiev which finished 3-1 to the Spanish side and ahead of the games, Salah refused to rule out a future move to La Liga...
