Ramadan Fasting caused loss for First Bank team

                       

Football Nigeria- In the game played by First Bank Fc of Lagos against Abubakar Bukola Saraki side of Kwara state in the Nigeria National League (NNL) side, it was a loss for the Lagos side.

However, coach Osho Luqman has attributed their sides’ loss to Ramadan fasting done by his players. While speaking, he noted he got aware that majority of his squad were fasting during the break time. He also noted that he warned them not to fast on that Sunday, which they players didn’t do. This, as he said, caused them the 4-0 defeat to their hosts. First Bank Fc had earlier lost their previous game to Crown Fc before a second loss to A.B.S.

He as well applauded the Ilorin side that beat them.

What do you think? Should players fast before games as their religion required in this Ramadan period?

Rio 2016 Olympics: Nigeria’s D’Tigrees moves higher over Korea in qualifiers.

Nantes, France _ Nigeria’s Female Basketball team D’Tigress once more showed their class by winning against their Korean counterparts by 70-69 in a tight encounter in the Olympic qualifying event.
Ezinne Kalu was the heroine for the team as she hit a three-pointer to salvage a win for her country at a late time.

Game Changed for Better:
With a little time left to finish the play with Nigeria trailing 69-67, a coaching staff called a timeout and in the process, Kalu made the winning throw.
With this Nigeria moves closer to the quarter-finals and here more hard work is needed so that Nigeria could qualify just like the U-20 Flying Eagles will be representing the country too in the South American soil.

Samuel Eto'o marries wife, Georgette Tra Lou in Italy

Tra Lou Eto'o

All time leading scorer for the Cameroonian national team Eto’o, on Tuesday14th June 2016 walked down the aisle with his wife Georgette in Stezzano, Italy.
 One may wonder why it took place in Italy, but remember that the former Barcelona and Chelsea striker, Samuel Eto'o spent two seasons with Inter Milan before another stint with Sampdoria.
The couple has been married traditionally from 2007.  35-year-old Eto’o arrived the venue dressed in the cute grey suit as hs wife looked so stunning in her wedding dress which sparkled. Hundreds of guests were around in the Italian church to witness the event. Eto’o and his wife Georgette already has two kids from the union.

Barca time Re-ignited with Puyol:
Notably, his former teammate at Barcelona and ex-Spanish defender Carlos Puyol was handy to grace the spectacular event with his wife too.

Remarkable Eto’o:
Samuel announced his retirement from international football in August 2014, but he currently plays the Turkish side Antalyaspor. He won the African Player of The Year award four times as well as the elite European Champions League trophy back to back with Barcelona and Inter Milan. He remains an African Legend of the game of soccer. He has played in four World Cups and six African Nations tournament having won it twice with Cameroon.

Cheers to his marriage and T.S.W.L wishes them all the best to come!!
...

Dunga sacked as Brazilian coach

Dunga

 
52-year-old Dunga, who took the Brazilians to the current Copa America in the USA, has been sacked following a poor run in the tournament as the football powerhouse were dumped out of the competition following a 1-0 loss to Peru. The C.B.F has announced his sacking. He coached Brazil from 2006 to 2010 but was called back for a second spell in 2014. Dunga has been a successful player for Brazil having won the 1994 World Cup for his nation and also took the country to the Mundial in South Africa in 2010. He won the Confederations Cup against the USA in 2009 with the Selecao team he managed.

Copa America 2016:

Dunga's squad in their first match played a goalless draw with Ecuador. They later had a high margin score line win over weak side Haiti with 7-1. The Brazilians would have progressed only if they had gotten, at least, a draw but fate was not on their side as they lost, no thanks to a goal scored with the arm by a Peru player.  The selecao failed to move past the group stages as Ecuador and Peru moved on to their expense.

Unhappy Development:

Following this unfortunate development, Coach Dunga  Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri received his sack today.
 The Brazilian Football Confederation stated: "CBF announced on Tuesday that decided dissolving the technical staff of the Brazilian national team. The teams coordinator, Gilmar Rinaldi, coach Dunga and his entire staff, leave their positions........''

Time will tell where next would be his destination in football management.

Kelechi Nwakali to join Arsenal.

U-17 World Cup champion in Chile 2015, Kelechi Nwakali is due to join the Gunners once he signs his contract with the London club side in no distant time
He will in the coming days travel to London to perfect the move which Has been hindered for some time and will also join fellow countryman Iwobi in the reputable club side. He will feature with Arsenal in the pre-season tour to get him fixed in the club.
Kelechi who has turned 18 years, had over the weekend helped the Flying Eagles of Nigeria book a place forward in the next qualifications round for the next U-20 CAF Nations Cup to be played in Zambia 2017. He scored the second goal in the 83rd minute as the Nigerians beat Burundi 2-0 on home soil.
It is a good step in the career of the young starlet as his hard work is paying off.
Congrats to the  U-17 World Cup Golden Ball-winning captain. We hope more young Nigerian players get good contracts like his.

Nigeria wins Bronze in I.T.F Junior World Team Cup

            
Tunisia, North AFrica- Nigerian Junior Tennis team defeated Seychelles 3-0 to pick Bronze in the just concluded I.T.F World Team Cup Junior Qualifying Championship in the capital of Tunisia.
Nigerian hero, Michael Osewa proved his mettle after been beaten in the African Junior Championship in Souths Africa some months back to bounce back to clinch Bronze, beating Damien Laporte in straight sets.

The coach Muhammed Ubale led Team Nigeria returned on Saturday.
In his words ‘’we had a decent performance as we won four of our nine matches in the World Team Cup,’’ he appraised his team and was optimistic about the team getting a qualification in the upcoming year.
Other players include Musa Sani and Saminu Abubakar, who performed in their first international tournament outside the shores of Nigeria at the event in Tunis.
Surely they will do better in later events. Nigerians work hard in every sport. Just give them the support and see them fly. Good one for the country and the young lads.

Fact: NFF is owing late Coach Shuaibu Amodu

Amodu

Laying down speculation on whether NFF was owing Amodu, which some people are attributing that was one of the factors that led to his death, NFF has officially come out to say that they indeed owed the late gaffer of two months salary. In a twist, they noted that all management staff are being owed the same salary of two months not just only Coach Shuaibu Amodu.
General Secretary, Dr Sanusi of NFF made this known through a tweet on social media platform, Twitter.
The Benin-born coach has since been laid to rest according to Islamic rites. However, his death shook the nation as the nation was already mourning the passage of Coach Stephen Keshi three days before his. Keshi is yet to be buried. Coach Amodu has managed the Super Eagles of Nigeria a record five times. Amodu is  remembered also for qualifying Nigeria for the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted in Africa in 2010 but he was not deemed to lead the Eagles to the tournament when the Glass House moved to choose another manager for the event.
In some quarters, rumours were going on that he was owed 7 months which NFF has stated now to be 2 months. The NFF pledged to pay all outstanding salaries to the bereaved family.

ITALY PIPS EURO FAVORITES BELGIUM

Giaccherini scores past Courtois

          

Lyon, France- In a long-awaited encounter in the Euros finals, Italy beat Belgium down in an unexpected result. The Belgians have been tipped as a team to watch out in this finals. However, goals from Italians Giaccherini in the 32nd minute and Pelle’s in 90+2 minutes made sure they were outclassed.
Their group ‘E’ have Sweden and Republic of Ireland to play against in the coming days. Belgium dominated play in 30 minutes. Despite not having Claudio Marchisio, Verratti, Pirlo, the team led by Conte defied the odds.  Romelu Lukaku of Everton and Liverpool’s Divock Origi missed chances for the Belgians. Chelsea keeper Courtois manned the goal post, Hazard, Fellaini, De Bryune, Vermaelen, Alderweireld, Nainggolan were in play. Benteke sat out the game on the bench.
The Azzurri squad had earlier been written off, but they seem to turn around their fortune for the better. Belgium sits 4th on the group ‘E’ log.

Hear Conte after the match ‘’…..In the tournament like this, you need an alchemy of people who get on well together and the biggest satisfaction for me tonight is to see how happy they all were, also those on the bench. There’s a very good spirt in this squad.’’

The Italians have not been beaten by Belgium in their four games with them, and they have kept more clean sheets in Euros 17 than any team. They had 6 shots on target in the match than 3 of Belgium.
Mark Clattenburg was the referee in the centre.

Full time  Belgium 0 - 2 Italy
Italy will play Sweden on Friday.
Is Italy returning to a football powerhouse there were noted for before?
.

Flying Eagles tower over Burundi in CAF U-20 qualifiers

The Flying Eagles of |Nigeria are to face Sudan in the final round of qualifiers to clinch a ticket to the CAF hosted Zambia 2017 Under-20 Nations Cup. Nigeria will head to Sudan for the first leg in the upcoming final round of qualification.
In the game on Saturday 11th June 2016 in Calabar, the Eagles lived up to expectation and more to honour the fallen coaches who the country are still mourning. As the match was about to start, a minute silence was held for Coach Shuaibu Amodu, who just passed away.
A first goal by the Nigerian starlets was ruled offside. They fought on but the first 45 minutes ended with no goals. Victor Osimhen got the first goal for the home team with a penalty kick. Captain Nwakali lived up to expectation by netting the last for the Nigerian side in the 82nd minute through a penalty again. Burundi later got a consolation goal as Nigeria proceeded on 3-1 aggregate to the next round.  the game ended Nigeria 2 - 1 Burundi.
 A positive result for the country at this critical time.

Violence mars England vs Russia game in the Euros Finals.

rioting fans in Marseille

 

Fans overwhelmed the stewards in a late Friday game in Marseille between England and Russia causing trouble in the Velodrome stadium. Russian fans were reported to have set off fireworks before moving towards the area where England fans were in a bid to make trouble as the game was ending.
 There have been reported clashes between fans before the match started with some fans requiring medical attention. Even, EPL Champion Jamie Vardy’s wife, Rebekah was caught up in the incident as she made several tweets about it on Twitter noting that they were ‘teargassed and the gates  locked upon them.’ There was a failed attempt to invade the field area in the first half.
 Although calm was restored later but the absence of police during the incident has raised eyebrows. However, England and Russia may get sanctions from UEFA following the ugly incident. The violence has been reported to be going on for the past two days between fans before it entered the 3rd day with the game.
Football has been a peaceful sports, why should some people bring up violence in it??
This is condemnable.

Another Ex-Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu Passes On

Former Super Eagles coach and technical director of the NFF Shuaibu Amodu has been confirmed dead on Friday after complaints of chest pains barely days after Nigeria lost another legend in the person of Stephen Keshi.
This death coming not long has probably raised eyebrows in some quarters. The NFF announced the eternal departure on Saturday morning. Amodu was aged 58.
Shooting Stars, BCC Lions,  Sharks F.C and Orlando Pirates of South Africa, El Kanemi Warriors are among the clubs he coached in his career. His first spell as the coach for Nigeria was from April 2001 to February 2002 before he was dismissed.
His playing career ended when he broke a leg. In total, he has managed the Super Eagles a record 5 times before his demise on Friday night.
It is a sad time for the Sports sector of the country and indeed all sports lovers.
May his soul rest in Peace.

Spain's David De Gea Enmeshed in Sexual Abuse Case.

David De Gea

Spanish media on Friday10th June, 2016 published a report indicting goalkeeper, De Gea of being involved in a sexual abuse matter. The 25-year-old who expressed surprise at the news has since denied the allegation describing it as ‘False.’ HE Has  as well got in touch with his lawyers to go into the case immediately.
The Spanish goalkeeper was reported by El Diario newspaper in a court case of being named as the organiser of a sexual abuse activity which involved two other U-21 internationals in a hotel in 2012. The witness who was protected by the police was said to have revealed this in a current case in court which involves Ignacio Allende, a well-known pornography business person.
 De Gea stated ‘’ I am the first one to be surprised by this report. I deny it; it is false and nothing more, it is a lie and false,’’ to a press conference in their training camp.

Ignacio Allende is accused of dealing in prostitutes involving Spanish and foreign females as well as being into child [pornography and forced sex.
Well, our ears are on the ground to see the outcome of this as some sexual case is playing out in France between Benzema and Valbuena in what was described as ‘blackmail.’

Dimitri Payet shines as France downs Romania in a thrilling opener of the Euros 2016

Payet celebrates France' goal

10th July 2016, France – In the opening game of the Euros, home team France beat opponents Romania at the Stade de France by 2 goals to 1.  The game had ended in a deadlock in the first half as Didier Deschamps managed side couldn’t convert their chances. EPL West-ham star, Payet was the man of the match as he assisted a Giroud opener and also sealed the game after Romania equalised with a penalty caused by Patrice Evra. Chances missed by Giroud and Griezmann could have increased the tally for the Les Bleus. Lloris was on call too in the game as he made a stunning save in the 4th minute to deny Romania Stancu any headway.
It is on record that  29-year-old Dimitri Payet is the second France player after Thierry in the year 2000 to score and assist in a European finals game.

Nigeria likely to face Ghana, Algeria, or Ivory Coast for 2018 World Cup spot

 The Super Eagles are in pot 2 in the seedings as announced by C.A.F for the qualifying stage.
Mali, Congo DR, Egypt, Cape Verde join Nigeria in pot 2.

The pots seedings are thus;

Pot 1; Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia

Pot 2; Cape Verde, Egypt, Congo DR, Nigeria and Mali
Pot 3; Cameroon, Morocco, Guinea, South Africa, and Congo.

Pot 4; Uganda, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Gabon and Libya.

The games will be played from 3 Oct to Nov 14 of 2016 in away and home matches with winners of each group getting the ticket to Russia 2018. These 20 teams will further be split into five groups of four teams each tackle each other.
On this development, Nigeria may face Algeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast or Senegal. It sure won't be an easy ride for the Eagles.
But will they surmount it?

LEWANDOWSKI DIES AT 44.

Lewandowski

                                   
Barely 72 hours after Nigeria lost a legend in the person of Stephen Keshi, another coach in Germany passed on too.
Sascha Lewandowski, former Union Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen coach in the Bundesliga has passed away. He was found dead in his house in Germany. He was diagnosed with ‘acute fatigue’ syndrome which made him step down as Union Berlin coach in March of this year after he had barely started work in September of 2015. Lewandowski began his coaching profession with Vfl Bochum.
In the words of Michael Schade, C.E.O Leverkusen club ‘’Our thoughts are now with his partner and family. Sascha Lewandowski was a wonderful person who has left their mark in Leverkusen’’ he expressed the club’s sympathy.
Union Berlin president, Dirk Zingler was not left out as he sent in the club’s condolence thus ‘’ We are deeply shocked and incredibly sad. Our sincere condolences and our deepest sympathy to the family and relatives of Sascha Lewandowski.’’

May his soul rest in peace.

Stephen Keshi Dead At 54..

The African football is mourning the death of former Nigeria captain and former coach Stephen Keshi. 

In the early hours of Wednesday Morning in Benin City in Southern Nigeria, Keshi died from a cardiac arrest at the age of 54. 

Reports says He was planning to return to his base in the United States later that day and Keshi was in good health and had no previous heart problems.

Keshi had 64 Nigeria caps as a central defender between 1981-95, also had three opportunities coaching Togo before he took over as Nigerian  coach in 2011. He also coached Mali between 2008-10.

In 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title he lead nigeria to victory defeating Burkina Faso in the final in South Africa.

Big boss as he is fondly called will be greatly missed. 

Rest in peace 

Muhammad Ali Dies At 74, 10 Quotes By The Greatest.

The boxing legend and three-time world heavyweight champion, who had combat Parkinson for a long time, was admitted to hospital center with a respiratory condition prior in the week.

His family's representative Bob Gunnell affirmed Ali's passing in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday evening.

The burial service will occur in Ali's main residence of Louisville, Kentucky.

An announcement from the representative said the Ali family "would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support" and asked for privacy."

Ali "The Greatest", would be greatly missed.

Here are some quotes by the greatest.

"I don't count the sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting because they're the only ones that count. That's what makes you a champion."

"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer."

"I wish people would love everybody else the way they love me. It would be a better world."

"It isn't the mountains ahead that wear you down. It's the pebble in your shoe."

"The will must be stronger than the skill."

"Don't count the days. Make the days count."


"I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I was really the greatest."

"The fight is won or lost far away from the witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."  

"Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee. You can't hit what your eyes don't see."

"Impossible is just a word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing."

Rest In Peace "The Greatest"

Lloris To Leave Tottenham?

' Lloris

White Hart Lane- All is not well-settled for French Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who according to reports reaching TSWL Blog has rejected contract offers made to him by the London club.
Tottenham had plans to keep him in place after they had made some contracts with Boss Pochettino recently.
He had kept 13 clean sheets in 37 league matches this season. Lloris had about 2 summers ago signed a five-year deal with the Daniel Levy led management.. the number 1 goalkeeper from indications wants an improved deal to befit his status.
The French man who joined Tottenham in 2012 from home country side club, Lyon, will be leading the French to the Euro 2016 for a successful campaign.
All eyes were on Tottenham to give Leicester a chase for the title until a 2-2 draw with Chelsea scattered their hopes this finished 2015/16 season in the EPL.
The Spurs had to settle for the 3rd spot behind Arsenal after a league final loss to relegated Newcastle United.
The 29-year-old was also among the French team that bundled Nigeria out in the round of 16  of the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

NIGERIA U-23 LOSES IN SOUTH KOREA

Earlier in the afternoon, the Samson led Nigeria U23 team lost their game by a lone goal in the  Suwon International Youth Championship campaign on the Asian soil.

 The 86th  minute goal from Choi Kyubaek gave South Korea a 1-0 victory over Nigeria in a Suwon International Youth Tournament.
On Tuesday, the Nigerian team arrived with 19 players and 10 officials for the tournament which is poised to help improve the boys for the all-important Olympics to soon commence in Brazil.
 We hope the team turn around their fortunes and put this result behind.

WORLD MOST VALUABLE FOOTBALLERS: NEYMAR BEATS C. RONALDO

  

In a release made available yesterday, by CIES Football Observatory of the most costly footballers in the world, Barcelona duo of Messi and Neymar tops the list as 1st and 2nd with £163m worth and £ 155m respectively.
It was surprising to some football enthusiasts that despite winning the Champions League, Ronaldo got beaten by Neymar in the list. Antoine Griezmann comes 4th. Spanish La Liga dominates the list.
Coming to the English league, Harry Kane is now the most valuable player in the Premier League - and  fifth most valuable in the world, according to the list with £87m value placed on h
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero was the other Premier League player to make it into the top 10. His £75m ranking puts him in ninth.
Some other players based in England made the top 100, Other EPL stars that are included in the top 20 include Eden Hazard, Alexis Sanchez, Dele Alli Raheem Sterling.
Here are the top 20 List:
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - £163m
2. Neymar (Barcelona) - £155m
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - £106m
4. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) - £93m
5. Harry Kane (Tottenham) - £87m
6. Anthony Martial (Man United) - £86m
7. Luis Suarez (Barcelona) - £81m
8. Paulo Dybala (Juventus) - £80m
9. Sergio Aguero (Man City) - £75m
10. Paul Pogba (Juventus) - £70m
11. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) - £62m
12. Eden Hazard (Chelsea) - £60m
13. Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) - £58m
14. Dele Alli (Tottenham) - £58m
15. Thomas Muller (Bayern) - £57m
16. Raheem Sterling (Man City) - £56m
17. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern) - £52m
18. Alvaro Morata (Juventus) - £50m
19. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) - £48m
20. Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli) - £47

ANNOUNCED – FRESH MANAGEMENT FOR NIGER TORNADOES FC

Report reaching TSWL says that the  Permanent Secretary -Ministry of Sports in Niger state, Ramatu Suleiman has signed a report in which they have effected some changes in the management of the state-owned club.
The management will now be 8 members as contained in the statement which the team manager Garba Umaru and secretary Ibrahim Lawal were replaced.
Marketing Officer 1, Liaison Officer, and Assistant Welfare Officer are the positions that are removed entirely. The new development which was approved on Wednesday 1st June 2016 by the Commissioner of Sports Development and Youth Affairs has the Vice chairman - Musa Matene, Club Chairman – Adamu Aliyu and George Daniya ¬-Media officer still retaining their posts.
 It is looked upon that the reshuffled management takes the Nigerian year 2000 FA  Cup winners to a greater height. The club plays their home games at Bako Kontagora Stadium in the state. The team is 14th in the NPFL table from 18 games so far.

TWO NIGERIANS TO LEAD AUSTRIA NATIONAL TEAM TO EURO 2016

Okotie

Are you surprised? It is for real! Two Nigerians will be leading the Austrian national team as announced yesterday to France.
The 23 man squad contains the names of Rubin Okotie and Alaba David Olatukunbo. We all know Alaba as he’s in top form for Bayern Munich and was just capped the Bundesliga title.
The 23-year-old was named alongside Rubin Okotie whose father, a Nigerian, is also an immigrant to Austria. 28-year-old Rubin currently plies his trade with German Bundesliga 2 side, 1860 Munich. The striker who has made 55 appearances for his club side has played for Austria at under-19-level in the 2006 European Championships in Poland and under-20 level in the 2007 World Cup in Canada.

Marcel Koller, Austria manager on Tuesday, named Rubin as a striker and Alaba to hold the midfield among his 23-man Euro 2016 line-up. Also, the English Premier League title winner with Leicester City, Captain Fuchs was named.

See the Squad list:
 Goalkeepers (3): Robert Almer (Austria Vienna), Heinz Lindner (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER), Ramazan Oezcan (Ingolstadt/GER)
 Defenders (8): Aleksandar Dragovic (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Christian Fuchs (Leicester City/ENG), Florian Klein (Stuttgart/GER), Sebastian Prodl (Watford/ENG), Markus Suttner (Ingolstadt/GER),Gyorgy Garics (Darmstadt/GER), Martin Hinteregger (Borussia Moenchengladbach/GER),  Kevin Wimmer (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG)

Midfielders (9): David Alaba (Bayern Munich/GER), Marko Arnautovic (Stoke City), Martin Harnik (Stuttgart/GER), Julian Baumgartlinger (Mainz/GER), Stefan Ilsanker (RB Leipzig/GER), Jakob Jantscher (Lucerne/SUI), Zlatko Junuzovic (Werder Bremen/GER), Marcel Sabitzer (RB Leipzig/GER), Alessandro Schoepf (Schalke/GER)
Strikers (3): Rubin Okotie (1860 Munich/GER), Lukas Hinterseer (Ingolstadt/GER Marc) Janko (Basel/SUI).
Austria is in group F with Hungary, Iceland and  Portugal

SUPER EAGLES BLOW HOT OVER LUXEMBOURG

                     
The Salisu Yusuf led Eagles continued their winning streak coming from Friday’s win over Mali to beat Luxembourg by 3 goals to their only 1 goal.

The Eagles dominated the game in the first half with a lone goal before the break which came from Brown Ideye in the 36th minute.

The game had young starlets Iwobi and Iheanacho starting before Iwobi was substituted. Iheanacho had the 2nd goal for Nigeria in the 69th minute. Watford’s striker Ighalo got the final goal for Nigeria in extra time as Luxembourg’s Thill goal a consolation goal for the European country. The Red Lions leveraged on the defensive error of the Eagles to get their goal.
The game had Arokoyo of Nigeria and Janisch of Luxembourg getting booked. Nigeria made 6 substitutions against 5 made by their opponents at the Stade Josy Barthel.