World Cup: Nigeria beat Zambia to qualify for Russia 2018
Nigeria has become the first African nation to book a spot at the 2018 World Cup after a 1-0 win over Zambia in Uyo. 21 year-old Super Eagles forward, Alex Iwobi’s 73rd minute strike made sure the Super Eagles qualified for next summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Alex Iwobi took his national team to the world stage shortly after he came in as a substitute at the 65th minute of the game.
Andres Iniesta signs ‘lifetime contract’ with Barcelona
Barcelona midfielder, Andres Iniesta has signed a ‘lifetime contract’ with Barcelona, keeping him at the club for the rest of his career. The Spaniard has also put an end to speculation regarding his future at the club.
Meanwhile, on this day in 1996, the 33 year-old World Cup winner played his first Barcelona game for their U14B side. He has made 600 senior appearances to his name since.
Aguero to be out for 6 weeks
A street in Portugal has been named after Jose Mourinho.
In recognition of his achievements in football, Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho has been honoured in his hometown of Setubal. Local authority in Portugal renamed the former Rua da Saude road on the seafront as ‘Avenida Jose Mourinho‘. The Portuguese and his mother, Maria Julia Santos and Setubal mayor Maria das Dores Meira, attended a ceremony on Tuesday for the grand unveiling.
Speaking on the honour, the 54 year-old said. “If you ask me, if I’m grateful, excited and proud, yes of course I am. I say yes to everything,” he told reporters.
“But I still want to come to Setubal and be who I am. I come to Setubal because I love Setubal. I have my mother and I feel closer to my father. I come to Setubal because my children have never lived here and love Setubal as much or more than I do.”
He added: “Setubal remains the only city where I feel like myself, where I feel [like] Ze Mario [his Portuguese nickname], where I walk on the street and people treat me like I like to be treated.”
His mother described him as a ‘son of Setubal, a man of the world, a global personality’ and ‘one of those Setubalenses who fill us with pride because he is really special, has a special talent, has special love for their land’.
“Here, on Jose Mourinho Avenue, it is Setubal that lives and affirms itself. This is a tribute of a city and a county that want to perpetuate this special name [Mourinho] which today is one of the best-known arteries of the city.” The mayor added
Sergio Aguero fractures ribs in horror car crash.
Manchester City striker, Sergio Aguero was involved in a horror crash in Amsterdam last night & has multiple fractured ribs. According to reports in the Netherlands, the Argentine was saved by his seatbelt when the Crysler PT Cruiser he was being driven in to the airport rammed into a pole in Amsterdam, close to a pedestrian crossing.
The 29-year-old was in Holland on Thursday, September 28 night to attend a concert by singer Maluma, following Manchester City’s Champions League victory at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. Both he and the driver were saved by airbags and rushed to the hospital. He’s expected to be out for two months.
Wishing him speedy recovery
"Some cycles begin while others end" Diego Costa Thanks Chelsea.
Former Chelsea striker, Diego Costa has sent a farewell message to Chelsea following his reunion with former club, Atletico Madrid. The 28 year-old who netted 20 league goals in 2014-15 and 2016-17 campaigns will return to the Laliga club in January after his €60million move from Stamford Bridge was finalized on Tuesday.
He thanked the club on his official Instagram page saying, “Some cycles begin while others end, “My cycle at Chelsea began three years ago – three remarkable years in all aspects – and I will never forget it. Two championship titles, a Community Shield, 120 matches, 59 goals and 24 assists later this cycle has ended.
“Not the way I would have wanted – far from it – but the best way possible.
“The wonderful fans of such equally admirable club and all team-mates, as well as all clinical, administrative and logistics staff will remain forever in my mind and in my heart.
“[I] will bring them with me with the certainty that I will always be by their side as well, and I’m sure they will understand the reason why this cycle of mine has now ended – because I could not lose faith in myself. Thank you Chelsea for everything!”
Ancelotti sacked by Bayern Munich
After only one full season at Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich have sacked manager Carlo Ancelotti following Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, the club’s heaviest defeat in the Champions League group stages for 21 years. The German who replaced Pep Guardiola last summer, was sacked after a meeting of the club’s board on Thursday 5 months after winning the League.
Chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, said “The performance of our team since the start of the season did not meet the expectations we put on them. The game in Paris clearly showed that we had to draw consequences. Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and I had an open and serious discussion with Carlo today and informed him of our decision. “I would like to thank Carlo for his cooperation and regret what has happened. Carlo is my friend and will remain so, but we had to make a professional decision for the benefit of FC Bayern. I now expect the team to have a positive development and absolute performance, so we can reach our goals for this season.”
Jurgen Klopp,,Ancelotti’s assistant Willy Sagnol, former Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel and Hoffenheim’s Julian Nagelsmann are among the leading names to succeed him.
Rooney Fined And Handed Driving Ban For Drink-Driving
Former England captain Wayne Rooney in a court hearing on Monday morning was banned from driving for two years and ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work as part of 12-month community order after being caught three times the legal alcohol limit.
The 31 year-old Everton striker who was also fined £170 will take part in a drink-driving rehabilitation course, which would reduce his driving ban by 24 weeks. He was stopped by police after a night out in a black Volkswagen Beetle in Wilmslow, Cheshire, at 2am on September 1. He was later arrested and bailed.
“Following today’s court hearing I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of judgment in driving while over the legal limit. It was completely wrong. I have already said sorry to my family, my manager and chairman and everyone at Everton FC. Now I want to apologise to all the fans and everyone else who has followed and supported me throughout my career. Of course I accept the sentence of the court and hope that I can make some amends through my community service.” Rooney said in a statement
Our top reactions from Nemar-Cavani penalty drama.
A little drama played out yesterday as PSG beat Lyon 2-0 to extend its perfect record in the French league to six matches. Moments before PSG’s penalty kick, star forwards Neymar and Edinson Cavani clashed over set-piece duties.
A few minutes before that, Cavani had tried to take a free kick but Dani Alves took the ball and gave it to the former Barcelona star, unfortunately, Cavani’s 79th minute strike was saved by Lyon’s Anthony Lopes. Neymar’s action drew ire from football fans, with many claiming he was being disrespectful to a club legend, others applauded his move, adding that he is more valuable to the club and should not play the second fiddle.
Interestingly, Neymar reportedly unfollowed Cavani on instagram after the incident.
See our top reactions below.
Cavani can bully Neymar out of penalties all he wants, but if this tension continues, Neymar will be bullying him out of the club.
— Juan (@fraudiesta1) September 17, 2017
Dani Alves and Neymar so disrespectful and childish, Cavani is a club legend have some respect you just got here
— G (@crxzyslots) September 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/indermethil/status/909627538212663297
No matter how Neymar and Alves are talented, Cavani already is a legend in Paris, they can't just arrive and erase the last 5 years #PSGOL
— Beytey 🦉🇫🇷👌⭐⭐ (@Seb_Bt) September 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/PerryHayes15/status/909565444167790592
If Cavani wants to continue playing at PSG he must accept Neymar is the King.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) September 17, 2017
Egos clashing between Neymar & Cavani at PSG proves how massive Messi is — not just as a football player, but as a person.
— XH6 (@XaviAssist) September 17, 2017
Neymar:"I want to take the penalty!" Cavani: "do I look like Messi" .😂https://t.co/lRTghtMq8t
— Wism (@FCBWiz) September 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/_ASakka/status/909520487973363721
https://twitter.com/BaguetteFC/status/909519317091446786
https://twitter.com/BaguetteFC/status/909519317091446786
are we all gonna ignore the fact that Neymar actually came out of Cavani's shadow to collect the ball from Alves
— Talleyrand (@YoungBar0n) September 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/o31qas/status/909517385836744706
https://twitter.com/ebuka_akara/status/909727942242193408
Am sure Cavani is still pissed that Neymar was part of the team that demolished them 6:1 and here he is dragging setpiece with him.
— Uche Samuel (@uchesame) September 18, 2017
Neymar must have forgotten he was no longer at Barca..
He should be the playmaker now and not at the receiving end.— Olúṣẹ́gun | Agba! (@the_olusegun) September 18, 2017
I wonder when he will learn the hard fact, give it to Neymar or face the sack, cos I'm sure the quatar owners will never back Cavani
— Baamofin Lu'Jesha (@O_Nifesq) September 18, 2017