Real Madrid player, Sergio Ramos will not be leaving Madrid or signing a new deal with the club until 2020. The 29-year-old’s new deal with the Spanish giants will end in 5 years time.
The Spanish defender brought his wife, Pilar Rubio, and his family to a special event put together by the club.
“I want to stay at this club and enjoy it as long as I can. My heart and my head has always been with Real Madrid. My extension was never a money issue. I have never said I wanted to leave Real Madrid. Money has never been my motivation, my family is. I always wanted to retire here at Real Madrid. The truth is clear: I never wanted to leave Real Madrid.” He said.
Super Eagles’ Head Coach Sunday Oliseh has invited 18 overseas-based professionals for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam. First –choice goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama headlines the list that also has defenders Godfrey Oboabona, Leon Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo, midfielders Rabiu Ibrahim, Lukman Haruna and Joel Obi, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike and Anthony Ujah.
There are a number of surprises, in line with Oliseh’s earlier pledge to make current form and first –level football key indices for selection. There are goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, midfielder Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu and forwards Emem Eduok, Sylvester Igboun and Moses Simon. All the 18 players, who will join up with the 23 home boys who arrived camp in Abuja on Monday, are expected in Abuja on Monday, 31 st August, 2015 at the latest.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)
Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey)
Midfielders: Joel Obi (Torina FC, Italy); Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu (FC Amkar Perm, Russia); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); Lukman Haruna (Anzhi Machatsjkala, Russia); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emem Eduok (Esperance ST, Tunisia); Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE); Anthony Ujah (Werder Bremen, Germany); Sylvester Igboun (FC UFA, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium).
The Bundesliga returned last weekend and fans are already treated to fantastic football, great tecnique/style of play and most importantly – barrage of spectacular goals. The league may not exactly be brimming with quality or fierce title competition as opposed to other top leagues in Europe but fans are assured one thing each time they step into the stadium to watch a match – Entertainment.
Bus parking or pragmatic play seem like a taboo in the league and all teams regardless of how precarious the situation they are in may seem always come out to play unlike what applies in some other leagues where teams settle for a boring draw even before the blast of the whistle.
The first week of the Bundesliga produced 28goals – and that’s just from 9 matches! That brings us nicely to an average of 3 goals per game. Massive. Bayern Munich got things started with a 5nil whitewash of Hamburg courtesy of goals from Benatia, Muller, Lewandoski and Douglas Costa while other teams like Schalke 04, Borrusia Dortmund and FC Cologne followed suit with emphatic victories.
Whatever the league lacks in competition, it makes up for in entertainment and that is the whole essence of football. Fans deserve intriguing games that would keep them on their feet, not games that would rock them to sleep.
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The most beautiful cars ever made are all in one place today
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The beauty of the past
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1970’s Lancia in all its glory. Photo by Nadine A. Gardner
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Timeless classic
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Retro car with “Farmer Boy” plate
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Smart investment
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Matches, goals, victories and defeats, here are three things I picked up from the English Premier League over the weekend.
1. MANCHESTER CITY MEAN BUSINESS: Manuel Pelligrinni’s side had a disappointing run last season given their stand as the defending champions and the pedigree of players they paraded. Their failings in Europe was very much still obvious and they failed to pick points in the league when it mattered. All of these contributed to them losing out in the title race and having an all round underwhelming season.
Going into the new season, Pelligrinni promised some reshuffling and resurgence, and indeed, it appears he meant every word. Manchester city have been very active in the transfer market; laying off unwanted players in order to free up space and lighten financial burden and also making credible additions. Prominently, they have snapped up Fabian Delph from Aston Villa and Raheem Sterling from Liverpool. In the midst of these, they have also managed to keep their key players.
All of these show seriousness and clear mindset of set goals and objectives.
So far, Manchester city have gotten maximum 6points from two games, scoring 6 and conceding none. They are defending well, scoring freely and offering a pleasant style of play.
Yesterday’s bashing of the defending champions, Chelsea, is a big statement! City are in town and they are taking no prisoners!
2. MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE A PROBLEM SCORING GOALS: A slim 1nil win over Tottenham courtesy of an own goal from Kyle Walker in the opening game and another victory in similar fashion against Aston Villa (courtesy of Janujaz’s strike) has opened a new and genuine concern at Manchester United – scoring goals.
Sergio Romero looks solid in goal which makes De Gea’s absence largely unfelt, the defence is rock solid (Matteo Darmian is a beast!!) and the midfield looks sorted although the style of play has not fully established but the primary problem is upfront which is where victory is affirmed or denied. Memphis Depay is yet to replicate the kind of feat that attracted the club to him and Rooney is also yet to find his feet.
6points from two games and two clean sheets may look good on paper, however, it must be considered that they are yet to face a stiff opponent (due respect to Spurs and villa) and an own goal doesn’t happen in every game. This is a league where title race goes down to the wire and something ‘little’ like the goal difference may end up determining who goes home with the trophy.
3. CHELSEA NEED TO SPEND: Weeks into the transfer window, Chelsea’s odd silence was surprising to me given the club’s penchant for spending. Jose Mourinho must have thought that he has enough players to prosecute the entire season but results are however proving him wrong. Very wrong.
The embarrassing defeat yesterday at the Etihad affirms the initial fears that majority of the players are jaded, uninspired and tired. Worse still, the bench isn’t exactly filled with options. Good options.
Half fit first choice striker who fights more than he scores these days, creative but not so solid midfield, overplayed and slow defence – All of these are definitely not features of a team that wants to be crowned champions of the EPL or a team that intends to take anything out of the season.
Chelsea’s consistency has been replaced with poor performance and lack of will. The defeat against Arsenal in the community shield, 2all draw against Swansea and the drubbing against city are clear indicators.
Mourinho might need to stop talking (nonsense) and bring out the cheque book while there is still time because games are not won in a press conference, they are won on the field with players. Good, inspired and well rested players.
Somebody tell Jose Mourinho to wake up and smell the coffee. The Chelsea boss has described his side’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City as “a fake result”. Coming from the Special One, it has to be a fake result.
Speaking shortly after the game yesterday. The Portuguese claimed Chelsea were the better side during the second half and that City’s decision to bring on Martin Demichelis handed them their emphatic victory.
He told Sky Sports. “The best team in the first half won the game. The best team in the second half was Chelsea for sure. We had a difficult first half, we didn’t create a lot and our goalkeeper made a few important saves.
“Second half everything was different. If the 1-0 was a doubtful result at minute 70, 3-0 is completely fake. At 1-0 Chelsea were the best team for the whole second half.”
They make a change because they feel 1-0 is in danger and we concede a second goal. If 1-1 a different story, their team is in trouble.
Their decision to bring on (centre-back) Martin Demichelis is an intelligent change, the sort of change I get criticised for all the time.
“Their midfield was in trouble, probably they should finish the game with nine men. In the end I have to be happy with the second half we did. That is not enough to win the game.”
Pellegrini’s reply to the ‘fake result” taunt”.
“In the first half we deserved at least three goals. It was more equal in the second half. Chelsea played better but I just remember Joe [Hart] making one save at 3-0. Our team played better and three is the least we deserved.”
Real Madrid talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged the most charitable professional athlete in the world. The list was published by a site called Look To The Stars which keeps track of celebrity benevolence. There are two footballers in the list, the second is Brazil/Barcelona’s Neymar.
Ronaldo’s charity work has not gone unnoticed. He has a long history with Save The Children charity. He provided aid for Madeira when floods struck the island off Portugal, sponsored children’s surgeries. Others organisations he’s supported include UNICEF, World Vision, to mention a few. His arch rival, Lionel Messi didn’t even make it to the list.
Freeman Osonuga, a medicine and surgery graduate of the Olabisi Onabanjo University is about to get a spot in history books. He is set to become the first Nigerian and first black African to fly to space, courtesy of the Rising Programme.
The Rising Star programme invites both One Young World ambassadors and outstanding members of the public aged 18 to 35, to nominate themselves to take on the trip of a lifetime. He submitted his name and luckily for him, he was part of those picked for the trip.
A 2015 WIRED Innovation Fellow, the 30 year-old will be speaking live at the WIRED 2015 conference in October, London. He was part of the African Union team of Ebola responders in Sierra Leone.
Lemme explain to those who don’t get the drift. The name Eva Carneiro should ring a bell to real Chelsea fans. Long story short. She’s Chelsea’s team doctor. She fell out with the Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho after she entered the pitch to treat Eden Hazard as Chelsea were defending a set piece during their 2-2 draw at home to Swansea City a week ago.
Mourinho claimed she didn’t understand the game, one thing led to another and she was stripped of her match day duties, a development which saddened most if not all Chelsea fans.
So this naughty Manchester City fan today decided to irk the hell out or better still poke fun at of the Blues manager today. He sat near the Chelsea dugout, dressed up as a doctor with a white jacket and stethoscope and a badge round his neck which read “Chelsea Team Doctor”- representing the absent Eva Carneiro.
I hope Eva sees the picture and smiles. As for Mourinho, hope he noticed the dude before the game.
Goodluck Jonathan gave one of the most shameful and ridiculous excuses of any person who ever occupied the exalted office of President when he claimed ignorance of the serious malfeasances that went on during his administration. That was passing the buck taken to a new low. Certainly, any leader who claims ignorance of the torrents of putrefying and sordid corruption stories that flowed under and through his presidency is only being clever by half. Surprised? How could Jonathan claim he was “hearing for the first time” about some of these scandals? Wasn’t it at the peak of some of these scandals he announced to a stunned world that “stealing is not corruption”?
The game changed when Buhari became the flag bearer of a resurgent opposition. Those who did not take him seriously during his pre vious campaigns when he talked about taking on corruption head-on are now doing a rethink. In fact, word on the street is that even some leaders of his party (APC) can no longer afford to pass the night in the same place on consecutive days. Those in his party who thought they could order him around because they were instrumental to his victory are now busy burying the corruption skeletons in their cupboards. Those we thought were Ministerial shoe-ins don’t even have the courage to stand before the man anymore. They had kleptomaniacally soiled their oats and Buhari knows. And they know he knows. The fear of Buhari is now the beginning of wisdom.
It was this same fear that got Jonathan scurrying over to Abdulsalam Abubakar ‘s house, and then to Aso Rock the other day seeking cover; seeking insulation and possibly redemption from the anti-corruption axe Buhari is wielding with indiscriminate ferociousness. Like an apparition, Jonathan reportedly snuk into the seat of power and begged Buhari to adhere to the pre-concession deal brokered by Abubakar in which Buhari purportedly promised to not humiliate him. What a shame! Jonathan went from the guy asking that his Ministers should not be probed a few weeks ago to one asking that he himself be spared today.Buhari IS a General, guys. Buhari will always remain a General. Don’t ever forget that. Many people speak derogatorily about OBJ being “wily” and IBB being “Maradonaic”.
These ARE Generals! (Even after retirement, you still refer to a General as General.) Forget that nonsense about calling Buhari “President Buhari” instead of “General Buhari.” Behind that façade of a soft-spoken and gentle mien lies a lethal tactician. Everything in his DNA is military discipline and doctrine. So, why would he show his hand to Jonathan by telling him on the eve of his’s concession of defeat that he would, in fact, be targeted? Why, especially when it was obvious to everybody Buhari was going to win anyway? That would amount to telling the enemy when your forces would attack, where they would attack, the number and types of weapons they have, and their numerical strength. That would be suicidal. Buhari played him. Period. Only a gullible person would be so fooled. Jonathan was so gullible he must have been the only one in that room, during the Abdulsalam-brokered meeting, who believed Buhari would not go after him and corruption.
Throughout his presidency, Jonathan displayed a degree of gullibility and ineptness that dwarfed Shehu Shagari’s during his 1979-1984 misrule. How could he have missed the most ubiquitous proofs of grand larcenies that went on under his very nose? How on earth could anyone have tolerated Stella Oduah at the Aviation ministry for as long as Jonathan did without answering any of the accusations against her? Who else would have hired Femi Fani-Kayode (or whatever he is now called) to manage his campaign funds when the man still had corruption and money-laundering cases pending in court? How could Diezani Alison-Madueke have held on to the Petroleum Resources ministry for so long in the face of the mind-boggling, licentious scandals reported by everybody close to that ministry?
Who, in his right senses, would have fired CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for exposing the humongous graft going on in the oil sector while keeping Super-Ministers Okonjo Iweala and Alison-Madueke who should have been queried about the missing money in the first place? Do we want to talk about pardoning convicted felon – Diepreye Alamieyeseigha or turning a blind eye to James Ibori until the British Metropolitan Police picked him up? Who hobnobbed with Gani Adams and Tompolo (a.k.a. Government Ekpemupolo)? Who had nothing to say to Musiliu Obanikoro, Ayodele Fayose, Iyiola Omisore, Aliyu Momoh despite the preponderance of evidence of corruption during Ekitigate?
Under GEJ, impunity reigned supreme. Profligacy was the norm. But the EFCC and ICPC went into near-comatose. They were reduced to running after theft of measly sums in the neighborhood of N1 million and wasting resources on credit card fraudsters while bigtime thieves laughed all the way to their banks. Under GEJ, even the EFCC chairman was accused of corruption!
But he was not short of advice. Those of us who are little fries wrote about it. Big pens like Wole Soyinka wrote about it. Big guns like OBJ fired off a few rounds. But rather than heed advice, GEJ doubled-down and continued to bask in the delusion of ephemeral grandeur, acting as if he would be President for life. He buried his head in the sand like the proverbial ostrich and pretended that all was well. Rather than listen, he sent his attack dogs after everybody who had anything deemed unsavory to say.
Reuben Abati even boasted once that his boss’ opponents underrated him at their own perils; that GEJ knew how to “wrong foot” them at every turn. They forgot they were dealing with the real “big boys” of Nigeria. GEJ forgot that they actually “let” him be President and they could “take” the presidency from him if they chose to do so. No sooner had he become President than he started behaving as if (and indeed his wife said it publicly many times that) it was now the turn of “his people” to do whatever pleased them with the nation’s resources. Talk about the child who was tasting soup for the first time and messed up his clothes in the process. Now, he is making nocturnal visits to the new powers-that-be, looking for salvation and claiming he did not smell the rot in his government.
Those who backed IBB and his fellow travelers in overthrowing Buhari in 1985 knew that the Buhari/Idiagbon anti-corruption freight train was coming through their lives. But they didn’t reckon with Nemesis. They didn’t reckon with the likelihood that Buhari would return, albeit through the ballot box, some 30 years later, to continue where they had stopped him.
When a person tries to accomplish a mission two, three or four times, you have to believe in his doggedness and you have to take him seriously. Many people (me included) who criticized Buhari for not having picked his Ministers by now have been shut up by the apparent success of this anti-corruption crusade. Let the house mice go forth and announce to the bush mice; that there is a new Sherriff in town. His name is General Muhammadu Buhari. And Stealing is now Corruption.
