Argentine football legend, Diego Maradona has landed an ambassadorial role with football’s world governing body, FIFA.
“Yes, it’s now official. I can finally fulfill one of the dreams of my life, to work for a clean and transparent FIFA, with people who love football.” Maradona said in a post on his official Facebook page
A FIFA spokesperson said: “We are looking for the best way to collaborate with Diego Armando Maradona, ensuring he has a major role in FIFA activities to promote the game across the globe, through his involvement in relevant development projects and the FIFA Legends’ programme.”
Dele Alli wins Premier League Player of the Month.
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has been named Premier League Player of the Month for January. The England international fought off competition from colleague Harry Kane, Everton’s Seamus Coleman, Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez and Swansea City ‘s Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Alli, who has netted 5 goals said: “The team’s done very well this month, not just me individually. We’ve had lots of players in form so it’s an honour to win it.”
He becomes the 5th player of Nigerian Descent to win the Premier league Player Of The Month award.
Nigeria climbs to 41st on latest Fifa Rankings
Nigeria has climbed to the 41st position on the latest Fifa World Rankings released this week, despite not featuring in the just concluded African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Gabon. Reigning African Champions, Cameroon moved to the 3rd position while Egypt and Senegal occupy the 1st and 2nd position on the log respectively.
World Ranking
(1) Argentina
(2) Brazil
(3) Germany
(4) Chile
(5) Belgium
(6) France
(7) Colombia
(8) Portugal
(9) Uruguay
(10) Spain.
African Ranking
(1) Egypt
(2) Senegal
(3) Cameroon
(4) Tunisia
(5) Congo Dr
(6) Burkina Faso
(7) Nigeria
(8) Ghana
(9) Cote d’Ivoire
(10) Morocco
2018 World Cup Qualifiers: Onazi says Cameroon can never beat Nigeria
Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi is certain 2017 AFCON winners, Cameroon will not beat Nigeria in their 2018 World Cup qualifiers scheduled to hold in the coming months.
The Eagles are top of their qualifying group with six points and will host the newly-crowned African champions in August.
The return leg will be played four days later.
“I believe Cameroon can never beat us, Not just Cameroon, but any other team. We will face them just as we approached our first two World Cup qualifiers. We are looking forward to the games. We wish to congratulate Cameroon for their AFCON success, they have done very well. But that notwithstanding we are also working on our own. All our players are doing well all over Europe and as a team we are doing very well. We wait for them and we will see what will see what’s going to happen as I believe so much in our team.”
That’s the spirit man.
Rio Ferdinand is yet to grieve properly for late wife
2 years after losing his wife, Rebecca to breast cancer, ex England captain, Rio Ferdinand has said he is yet to grieve properly for his late wife. He made the disclosure on a new 60-minute BBC documentary on parents who lose partners.
“I don’t think I’ve grieved properly. I’ve not given myself that time to sit down and really flush everything out and go through it.” The father of 3 said.
The ex-Manchester United defender has been praised by Alison Kirkham, the BBC’s controller of factual commissioning and events, for participating in a “revealing and immensely personal documentary exploring the complexities of grief”. According to her, the “candid” hour-long film – called Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad – would offer audiences “an intimate exploration of the ways in which men similarly bereaved cope with their loss.”
“Rio Ferdinand has courageously allowed the cameras to follow him in this revealing and immensely personal documentary exploring the complexities of grief. This candid film will offer BBC One audiences an intimate exploration of the ways in which men similarly bereaved cope with their loss.” She added.
Source: BBC
Avram Grant resigns as Ghana coach
Days after guiding Ghana to the semi-final of the 2017 African Cup Of Nations, former Chelsea manager, Avram Grant has stepped down as Ghana coach. The Isreali was appointed manager one month before the last Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea, he confirmed weeks ago that he will leave his post as the Black Stars head coach.
‘After an extremely amicable meeting with the president of Ghana FA, and following more than two successful years in charge of the national team, I’ve informed Mr Nyantakyi that time is right for me to move on to a new challenge and I thank him for the opportunity. ‘I’ve hugely enjoyed my time in Ghana taking over after the disastrous 2014 World Cup campaign and rebuilding the squad to reach the final in the African Cup of Nations for only the second time in 23 years, and also the semi final of this year’s competition. I’m proud of the fact that I’m leaving an extremely professional, strong squad of players of a good age, who I’m sure will go on to achieve great success in the future. The passion and loyalty of the supporters is something I’ll always remember.’ He said
Sallah, Traore, Atsu, named in AFCON team of the tournament
The team of the tournament for the just concluded 2017 Africa Cup of Nations have been unveiled. Featuring former Chelsea players, Mohamed Salah, Bertrand Traore and Newcastle’s Christian Atsu. Others are in the list below
CAF Team of the tournament
Goalkeeper: Fabrice Ondoa (Cameroon)
Defenders: Modou Kara Mbodji (Senegal), Ahmed Hegazy (Egypt), Michael Ngadeu (Cameroon)
Midfielders: Charles Kabore (Burkina Faso), Daniel Amartey (Ghana), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Christian Atsu (Ghana), Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Forwards: Christian Bassogog (Cameroon), Junior Kabananga (DR Congo)
The 7 records Zlatan Ibrahimovic has set at Manchester United
Zatan Ibrahimovic is proving himself better than a number of new signings since his move to Old Trafford in the summer. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has . His recent feat was scoring 20+ goals in a season since Robin Van Persie bagged 30 in the 2012/2013 campaign, he has set 6 other great stats since playing for the Red Devils. Check them out:
1 – At 35 years and 125 days old, Zlatan is the oldest player to reach 15 Premier League goals in a single season
2 – Zlatan has now reached double figures for league goals (in Europe’s top five leagues) in each of his last 11 seasons. The only other players who can match that feat are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
3 – Zlatan has reached 15 Premier League goals for Man Utd in the fourth fastest number of games (23), behind only Ruud Van Nistelrooy (19), Dwight Yorke (20) and Robin van Persie (21).
4 – Zlatan has now scored 20+ goals at club level in 10 consecutive seasons. The last time he didn’t reach 20 goals was in 2006-07 at Inter (15).
5 – Zlatan was the first Man United player to score in his first three Premier League appearances for the club. The last United player to score in their first three league appearances for the club was Ian Storey-Moore, back in 1971-72.
6 – Of players in the big five European Leagues, only Lionel Messi (51) scored more goals than Zlatan (50) in all club comps in 2016.
7 – After he scored against Bournemouth on his Premier League debut, Zlatan has now scored on his Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Champions League debut.
Source
Cameroon win AFCON 2017
Cameroon won their FIFTH African Cup of Nations title today in a thrilling 2-1 encounter with Egypt.
Here's the goal by Vincent Aboubakar that handed Cameroon the African Cup of Nations title. pic.twitter.com/ufW454ujjg
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) February 5, 2017
Vincent Aboubakar came from the bench to score a dramatic late winner which handed the indomitable lions the keenly contested prize.
“I have been a coach for 29 years, and I’ve never had a team like this. This is a team of 23 friends.” Cameroon coach, Hugo Broos who became the first Belgian to lift the African Cup Of Nations trophy said.
Cameroon is the second team to win the title 5 times; having scooped the prize in 1984, 1988, 2000 , 2002 , 2017
Ibrahimovic sets new Premier League record
Zlatan Ibrahimovic becomes the first Manchester United player to score 20 goals in a season since Robin Van Persie in 2012/2013 /Sir Alex Ferguson retired. At 35years old, the ex Sweden international is the oldest player to reach 15 Premier League goals in a single season and has now scored or assisted 18 goals in his last 17 appearances for Manchester United (14 goals, 4 assists).
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the first Man United player to score 20+ goals in a season since Robin van Persie bagged 30 in 2012/13. pic.twitter.com/TuVZZYnfS3
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 5, 2017