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I almost signed for Manchester United – John Terry

If you don’t believe Chelsea legend, John Terry almost signed for Manchester United, this picture should serve as a little proof. 

The ex England skipper shared the image on his Instagram page with the caption, ‘Flashback to a young 14 year old JT. Who would have thought I would go onto win 4 Premier Leagues and 5 FA Cups. I have so much respect for Sir Alex Ferguson and will never forget what he done for me and my family.’
 
But JT in an old interview revealed how he was almost snapped up by former Red Devil coach, Alex Ferguson. 

‘I was Man United growing up. You know what it’s like when you’re a boy, you want to support the team that’s winning everything. And my dad and granddad were Man United fans. But my first day at Chelsea I knew that was the club I wanted to be at. I just loved it. But Man United also approached me.

‘I met Alex Ferguson – great to meet. During the school holidays I would go up to Manchester and train with their boys for two weeks, play a few games and come home. But one thing that was really special about Man United was that Alex Ferguson took time out and invited me to one of their games and to have lunch with their players.

‘So there we are – me, my mum and dad, my brother. He made me feel so special, autographs, my photo done with the Premiership trophy. I think it was hard for my dad to take that I was going to sign for Chelsea, but I had to sit him down and tell him it was definitely the right decision.’
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Eden Hazard, Jose Mourinho named EPL player and manager of the month.

Fans were given the opportunity to choose their EPL player and manager of the month of August on social media and most votes went to Chelsea player Eden Hazard and Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho.
For the manager category, the Portuguese was pitted against Stamford Bridge’s Antonio Conte,  Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola and Hull City caretaker manager, Mike Phelan but the Special One garnered more votes.
Nominees for the player of the month award included Eden Hazard, Hull City defender Curtis Davies, Manchester City midfielder, Raheem Sterling, and Manchester United right back, Antonio Valencia.  Hazard who has netted twice in 3 games, had 17 take ons and 6 key passes however picked up the award.
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Goal Nigeria and University of Sussex set to launch Atlanta '96 e-book

Leading Football website Goal.com Nigeria and the University of Sussex will on Thursday, September 8, 2016, launch an e-book in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Nigeria’s victory in the men’s football event of the 1996 Olympic Games. 

The e-book with title, ‘Nigeria’s Olympics: Sports and National Development’ is a collection of essays from the #WritingGamesNG essay competition that took place in August and is co-edited by Lolade Adewuyi and Tosin Adebisi. 

“We see this e-book as an important  contribution to Nigerian sports and scholarship that needs to be encouraged in our country as a reminder of its important football heroes,” the editors said. 

The competition, launched by Goal.com Nigeria and the University of Sussex, was open to final year students in higher institutions and serving NYSC corps members across the country. 

The winner was given an all expenses paid trip to attend the 2016 Writivism Festival in Kampala, Uganda, a foremost gathering of writers in Africa. 

At Thursday’s ceremony, the winner, as well as finalists of the essay competition, will be awarded prizes and certificates. 

The ceremony will be attended by Mr Amaju Pinnick and Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, President and 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, award judges Professors Richard Follet of Sussex and Dipo Salami of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, other dignitaries including officials of the NYSC, AIESEC and Nigeria Olympic Committee.

After the launch, the e-book will be downloadable free of charge on the Goal.com and University of Sussex websites. 
Editors’ Note

About the Co-Editors

Lolade Adewuyi, founding chief editor of Goal.com Nigeria, has been a journalist for more than a decade where he has covered presidential elections in Ghana, Togo and Nigeria. He has also been at two Fifa World Cups – South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. He holds a BA in English Studies from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife and MA in Literature from the University of Lagos. He is a fellow of the Vladimir Potanin Foundation in the 2016/17 set of the Master of Sports Administration course at the Russian International Olympic University in Sochi, a legacy of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. He is passionate about sport, music, photography and education. Connect with Lolade onTwitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
Tosin Adebisi is a Senior International Officer at the University of Sussex responsible for developing recruitment, engagement and partnerships strategy for Africa and the Middle East. His passions include mentoring, martial arts and reading. Connect with Tosin onLinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.
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Ronaldinho tricked us into believing he was joining Real Madrid – Iniesta

Excerpts from Barcelona legend, Andres Iniesta’s new book, ‘The Artist: Being Iniesta’ is gaining traction online. The ace midfielder made a startling revelation of how, ex Barcelona, Ronaldinho told him he was joining Real Madrid from Barcelona ….. at the end they realised he was playing mind games.
‘A few days before the Clásico, Dinho called me at home at night.  ‘Andrés, I know it’s 3am, but I have to confess something. In June I’ll leave Barça. I have an agreement with Real Madrid.’
It’s an incredible amount that I can’t refuse. Please do not tell anyone in the locker room or the club, do not betray me, I trust you more than anyone.’
‘He didn’t give me time to say anything. The next day, we were in training and I felt an awkward atmosphere. The whole team was silent and they were all greeting Ronaldinho like never…’
‘When the day of the Clásico came, in the locker rooms of the Bernabéu Dinho told: ‘Guys, today is a very important game, they are strong, but these days I discovered that we’re a family. I called you all during the night and I told you that I was leaving in June, but none of you spoke.’
‘I realised that we were ready to suffer in silence rather than betray each other. I’ll stay here for a long time… Now let’s go into the field and learn Madrid a lesson!”


Ronaldinho netted twice that night.
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Wayne Rooney accused of overestimating his ability

England captain, Wayne Rooney has been accused of trying hard to be like Italian footballer, Andrea Pirlo by ex  Ireland star Tony Cascarino.
Cascarino said the 30 year-old who stunned fans after playing in a much deeper position during Slovakia clash over estimated his own ability to dictate games from midfield.
“I was lucky enough to play with Glenn Hoddle and he could play a pass blind. “He didn’t have to lift his head up to know where the strikers or wingers wanted the ball, he was always one step ahead and able to play that killer round-the-corner ball.
“It’s the same with Andrea Pirlo. Ridiculously England’s midfield has three of the same in Wayne Rooney, Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson — constantly needing to lift their heads, making it much easier for the opposition to read what will happen next and pick off the pass.
“It’s a split-second thing but a vital one at the highest level. “Rooney thinks he is Pirlo, dropping deep and wanting to dictate play, but he’s not a midfielder and not the great Italian. “They just don’t look like a proper midfield unit who know how to take a back four apart.
“I was shocked with the selection of these three in the first place. Sam Allardyce has always had a midfielder who is a nuisance in the opposition box, such as Kevin Nolan at Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and West Ham United, but there was none of that yesterday.”

Source :Squawka
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Messi on his blonde hair, 'A lot had gone on'

To most of us who never stopped wondering what prompted Argentine football great, Lionel Messi’s decision to go blonde, well, the 29 year-old has finally opened up on why he opted for the new, a little bizarre look. And it had absolutely nothing to do with Neymar, as many had speculated.
“I made a change to start from zero. A lot had gone on, things had happened, and I said to myself: “I have to break this and start again.” The Barcelona player told Argentine actor, Mingo.
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AFCON 2017 Qualifiers : Nigeria beat Tanzania 1-0

A 78-minute strike by Nigeria sensation, Kelechi Iheanacho helped the Super Eagles of Nigeria to slim win over Tanzania in the AFCON 2017 Qualifiers. 
The game took place at the Nest Of Champions in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Unfortunately even with the well-deserved victory, Nigeria will not be participating in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
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Kanu Nwankwo nets hat-trick at Arsenal legends charity match

Arsenal legend, Nwankwo Kanu dazzled the world today after he netted a hat-trick at Arsenal legends charity match held at the Emirates Stadium. The clash which was between the Gunners and Milan Glorie ended 4-2.

The ex Nigeria international had predicted he would score a hat-trick and delivered on his promises for his team. He told Arsenal’s official website after the game: “It’s a special hat-trick. It is always, always good to see the supporters and to entertain them!”
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Sunderland sign Victor Anichebe

Sunderland FC have signed Nigeria international, Victor Anichebe until the end of the season. The 28-year-old became a free agent after he was released by West Brom at the end of last season.
He told safc.com: “I’m really happy to be here at a great club. I have a lot of good friends here and everyone knows that I know the manager really well. He brought me through as a young player and was a big factor in me coming here. I had a few options in England and Europe but the manager was a huge pull for me. He knows me inside out and I feel like he can get the best out of me.”
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Sergio Aguero handed 3-match ban

Manchester City striker, Sergio Aguero will miss the coming Manchester Derby after he was charged with violent conduct by The FA. The 28 year-old was handed a 3-match ban after he elbowed West Ham’s Winston Reid during their 3-1 win at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
He lost his appeal against the charge and will now miss City’s clash with the Red Devils on September 10 as well a match with Bournemouth and EFL Cup game with Swansea City.

FA Statement on Sergio Aguero

“Sergio Aguero will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after an FA charge of violent conduct against him was found proven.
“The Manchester City forward was involved in a 76th minute incident with West Ham United’s Winston Reid on Sunday [28 August 2016], which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.
“The club denied the charge and submitted further that if it was to be found proven, the standard punishment  would be clearly excessive.
“On finding the charge proven at a hearing today [Friday 2 September 2016], an Independent Regulatory Commission went on to reject the club’s further claim to decrease the three-match ban.”
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