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Showing posts from February, 2017

Lagos-based MFM players target continental ticket

Celebrating their 2-1 defeat of Rangers International FC of Enugu on Friday in a match played under floodlight, Lagos-based MFM FC players say they are aiming at a continental ticket after the season. The players told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos that the club would aim at finishing in the top four in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). That, according to them, will make their dream of securing a ticket to play in any of the African Football Confederation (CAF) Championships come through. The players spoke on the sidelines of the rescheduled Match Day 6 of the NPFL between MFM and Rangers International at their soccer temple, Agege Township Stadium. NAN reports that MFM’s defeat was courtesy of a wonder goal from Sikiru Olatunbosun in the 26th minute and Stephen Odey’s brilliant strike in the 65th minute. Rangers’ goal came from Bobby Clement in the 81st minute after a momentary loss of concentration by MFM players.

Southampton defence can cope with Ibrahimovic threat – Puel

Southampton manager Claude Puel has backed his patched-up defence to deal with Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Saints are without key defender Virgil van Dijk for Sunday’s Wembley showdown in the EFL Cup final. Instead teenager Jack Stephens, who is almost half Ibrahimovic’s age, is set to be handed the job of shackling United’s superstar striker — who scored twice when the two teams met in the Premier League in August. But Puel, who came up against former Paris Saint-Germain player Ibrahimovic while managing Lille in France, insists the in-form Swede holds no surprises for his side. “I know Ibrahimovic very well from the French Premier League so I cannot be surprised by him,” Puel said. “In France he was a fantastic player but all the people say ‘Okay, it is the French Premier League and not the English one.’ “But he has come here, he is 35 and he can do a fantastic job, fantastic work. He is clinical, very efficient and also he gives a good authority

Ibrahimovic comes, sees and conquers

Zlatan Ibrahimovic                                                           Having spectacularly exploded doubts about his age since joining Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic approaches Sunday’s League Cup final against Southampton seeking a second triumph of the season at Wembley Stadium. The 35-year-old made his first official United appearance at Wembley in August’s Community Shield against Leicester City, a towering late header giving him the 29th trophy of his career. He returns having confirmed that early promise with a further 23 goals in 35 games and having done more than any other player to keep Jose Mourinho’s side on course for success on four fronts. “People that know me know that I play in many clubs and I try to do my best,” Ibrahimovic said recently. “Wherever I went I won, so I am like Indiana Jones.” Famed for his larger-than-life ‘Zlatan’ persona, Ibrahimovic has not disappointed English football fans, his provocative soundbites including a c

Madrid would be crazy to pay Bale money for Alli – Salgado

Dele Alli                                                                        Michel Salgado says Real Madrid would be “crazy” to spend the same money on Dele Alli as they previously paid Tottenham for Gareth Bale. Speculation regarding a possible switch to the Santiago Bernabeu for the England international refuses to go away. Despite being just 20 years of age, the midfielder is already a proven performer for club and country. His efforts as a goal-scoring and creative threat from deep have drawn admiring glances from European superpowers, with Real said to be closely monitoring Alli’s progress. Any deal would require them to dig deep, though, with it possible that a fee similar to the £85 million package put in place for Bale in 2013 would be required to get their man. Salgado doubts that Alli is worth that at present, with question marks still hanging over the temperament of a player who picked up a reckless red card for Spurs in midweek Europa League competit

Why Man United aren’t giving up on Premier League title – Valencia

Antonio Valencia Antonio Valencia is looking for EFL Cup glory to provide the “impetus” for Manchester United to force their way into the Premier League title picture. The Red Devils are unbeaten in the English top flight since October 23, with a positive response offered a 4-0 humbling at Chelsea. Those efforts have not been enough to lift them into the top four, but they are now within touching distance. Jose Mourinho’s side sit sixth, two points adrift of the Champions League places. They are 12 behind leaders Chelsea, but success in other competitions has helped to keep the confidence flowing and belief building that anything is possible. Valencia told the club’s official website ahead of a Wembley showdown with Southampton on Sunday: “Winning the cup could give us even more impetus, as we’re already pretty high on confidence. “It’s a big thing for us, there are around 15 games left in the Premier League and anything can still happen. “While we have a cha

Kante sale has caused Leicester’s downfall – Wijnaldum

Former Leicester City midfielder N'Golo Kante Georginio Wijnaldum thinks the sale of midfielder N’Golo Kante has been a key factor in Leicester City’s fall from Premier League champions to battling against the drop. Kante was the only Leicester star to leave after their unlikely title triumph, joining Chelsea and helping his new club to establish an eight-point lead at the top of the table, while his former team are a single place above the relegation zone. Wijnaldum’s Liverpool host Leicester on Monday in the first game since the sacking of manager Claudio Ranieri and the Netherlands international highlighted Kante’s sale as a catalyst for their downfall. “Of course they have a bad run this season, they are not doing that well compared to last season,” Wijnaldum told Sky Sports. “But I think they are still a good team, almost all the players stayed. “Kante is a big miss for them, because he was a really important player in the midfield, and he keeps everyth

English speaking Cameroonians boycott AFCON trophy celebration

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon trophy tour celebration after their 2017 AFCON victory in Gabon appears to be backfiring in English-speaking regions of the country. The trophy has been touring major cities in a government bid to bolster national unity, with President Paul Biya calling people to come out massively. But the trophy got a different reception as it arrived in Bamenda in the northwest, one of the English-speaking parts of the country. Hundreds of youth jeered and booed. Most people boycotted the event. Bamenda has been the epicenter of recent anti-government demonstrations kicked off three months ago when local lawyers and teachers in English-speaking regions went on strike. The government has responded by cutting the internet to the region and deploying troops. At the trophy reception, youth leader Gregory Achu says the government’s response has made things worse. “It is not moving. It is not moving. Things are not moving. We want internet back. We

Amal Clooney Glows as she Debuts Baby Bump with Husband George at Cesar Awards

Amal Clooney and her husband George Clooney arrived on the red carpet together for the 2017 Cesar Awards on Friday night (February 24) at the Salle Pleyel in Paris, France, and she was glowing as she showed off her baby bump. The 39-year-old human rights lawyer and her husband are expecting twins. For the event, Amal was wearing a gorgeous and glam white Atelier Versace dress as she supported her husband who was being presented with a career award at the event for being “the most charismatic actor of his generation.”

Mourinho Won’t Let Emotion Cloud Rooney Decision

Jose Mourinho won’t let his heart rule his head as the Manchester United manager ponders handing Wayne Rooney a start in the League Cup Final against Southampton on Sunday. Rooney, 31, announced on Thursday that he will remain at Old Trafford for the rest of the season after turning down lucrative offers from Chinese Super League clubs. In response, Mourinho confirmed Rooney would be involved at Wembley for what could prove to be his final appearance at the famous stadium for United. Rooney has only started three games since before Christmas, all of them in the FA or League Cup, and played just 45 minutes in February, due to injury. Mourinho has not ruled out naming his club captain in his starting line-up although he will not let sentiment cloud his decision. “Only the best 11 players,” said Mourinho of his selection philosophy. “We win all together. “It doesn’t matter if you play or didn’t play, if you play a lot or don’t play much. I go for the best possible team.

Meryl Streep 'insulted' by James Corden at costume awards

Streep and Corden appeared together in 2014 film musical Into the Woods Meryl Streep may be one of the most lauded film actresses of her generation - but she is also "a complete bitch". That's according to James Corden, who went on to call his Into the Woods co-star "the worst" at a Hollywood bash. Of course, the British chat show host was only joking as he presented Streep with a distinguished collaborator prize at the Costume Designers Guild Awards. Oscar favourite La La Land and Marvel's Doctor Strange were among the films honoured at the Los Angeles event.

Sunshine Stars Protest Over Unpaid Wages

  Players of the Sunshine Stars and staff of the Ondo State Football Agency, have protested over non-payment of salary arrears as well as sign-on fees. According to the protesters, the government is owing them up to 13 months and 6 months salary arrears for the staff and players as well as sign on fees for the players. Sunshine Stars are currently 15th on the Nigeria Professional League (NPL) table with just two victories from nine league games.

Shop 13 of This Week's Best New Arrivals

  It's Wednesday, which means it's time for our weekly installment of new arrivals! For today's roundup, we've searched high and low to find the best in designer and fast-fashion pieces, all of which just hit stores, so that you can be the first of your friends to wear them. From the Burberry boots that just walked the London Fashion Week runway to the Zara kimono that will be spring's ultimate layering piece and the Acne Studios dress you'll be dying to slip into, we have something for every style type and budget. Now your only problems will be narrowing down your favorites and making room in your closet. So what are you waiting for? Shop our picks of the week below, and don't forget to check back next Wednesday for another batch of fashion finds! Jonathan Simkhai Pearl Studded Bustier ($295) There's no sign of this trend  slowing down.   Pixie Market Mustard Paperbag Belted Waist Pants ($109) How chic

Tiwa Savage, in collaboration with American rapper Remy Ma

Abuja – Mavin Records `first lady’, Tiwa Savage has debut her international campaign with a ‘single’ collaboration with Grammy-nominated American rapper Remy Ma of Fat Joe’s rap crew, Terror Squad. Tiwa Savage collaboration would be on the Remy Ma and Fat Joe joint album entitled “Plata o Plomo”, currently on the works. “She is huge, she is like the African Rihanna type, you know,” Fat Joe said referring to Tiwa Savage.    Ramy Ma    The Nigerian singer in 2016 signed a major management and distribution deal with Jay Z’s label Roc Nation in the USA. A move that made her joined the likes of Rihanna, J. Cole, Big Sean, Emeli Sande, Shakira and other American top singers who are currently signed to the entertainment company.  The “African Rihanna”, as she was popularly called by her American fans, was then tipped by industry watchers to begin the international phase of her career. She recently attended the annual Roc Nation Brunch, and was pictured with Diddy, Jay Z, DJ Khaled

We're ready for Stormers - Bulls

Nollis Marais   Bulls coach Nollis Marais is aware of the mammoth task awaiting his side at a hostile Newlands this weekend, but believes they are ready to bury their ghosts of playing in Cape Town against the Stormers. The Bulls haven’t won in Cape Town since 2011 in Super Rugby and it is a record that has become a part of their firm and intense focus going into the opening round of the competition. Add to that their opening two weeks are against teams in their conference – Stormers and the Cheetahs – and the Bulls know that if both these away games can be won, it will be a massive boost to their hopes of making the playoffs this year. But there is still a lot of work that abounds for the Bulls – especially at the breakdown where their recent trip to Brisbane was a wake up call for them in terms of what will be expected in the competition and especially breakdown intensity. “The New Zealand sides are way better than us on the breakdown intensity. It’s something we took

Tahir snubbed in 2017 IPL auction

Imran Tahir Cape Town - Imran Tahir may be the top-ranked bowler in international T20 and ODI cricket, but he is clearly not good enough in the eyes of the Indian Premier League (IPL).  The 37-year-old went unsold at Monday's auction ahead of the 2017 tournament, despite coming in with a low base price of just $75 000 (R987 000). Proteas seamer Kagiso Rabada, meanwhile, was sold to the Delhi Daredevils for $750 000 (R9.8 million).  Tahir has previously represented the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, but he lost his contract towards the end of last year.  When his name appeared in the fifth set of players on Monday, it was expected that a number of franchises would express an interest in the leg-spinner.  But, it was not to be... While the news may be shocking, it is surely good for South African cricket and the Proteas that their star spinner gets a rest. Tahir is currently in New Zealand on ODI duty with the national side and he will now be able to play One Day C

Virgin turf for Proteas as record looms

AB de Villiers     Cape Town – South Africa are one tantalising ODI victory away from becoming standalone, second best team of all time for most consecutive victories in the format. If they beat New Zealand in the second of five clashes at Christchurch on Wednesday (midnight start, SA time) they will have earned 13 triumphs on the trot. It will be their maiden experience of Hagley Oval, never previously having played an international of any format at the ground. But getting over the line in that fixture will ensure that AB de Villiers’s charges move beyond a dozen consecutive ODI wins, a landmark they presently share with a Pakistan outfit of November 2007 to June 2008 and a compatriot side under Graeme Smith’s tenure of February 2005 to October the same year. Smith’s charges, in order of achievement, beat England once (home), Zimbabwe three times (home), West Indies five times (away), and New Zealand three times (home) to reach their 12 victories, featuring such limited

Pirates shock with little-known Swede as new coach

Kjell Jonevret Cape Town - After nearly four months without a head coach, Orlando Pirates have finally revealed the name of their next mentor. On Monday, club chairperson Irvin Khoza announced that 54-year-old Swede   Kjell Jonevret   will be the new head coach of the Buccaneers. The 54-year-old hails from Sweden and has previously coached Molde FK and Viking FK. "I would like to say that I know SA football fantastically well. But I have been down here to watch a few games," said Jonevret at the press conference in Johannesburg. "I am looking forward to this a lot and it will be fantastic. I am really honoured to be standing here." It took a 6-0 league defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns and disgruntled fans to display their unhappiness in no uncertain terms, for Khoza to last week confirm that a new coach would be named. Buccaneers' fans at Loftus Versfeld halted the match against Sundowns in the 82nd minute by taking to the field of play. P

5 things Sarah Kozlowski loves about LA

SARAH KOZLOWSKI Cape Town - Sensational local actress, producer and model, Sarah Kozlowski, has just come back from doing a breath-taking photo shoot in Los Angeles. Sarah was recently in Los Angeles to discuss a potential role in an upcoming TV show, and whilst there collaborated with incredible LA fashion stylist, Madison Dixon. ''Madison is exceptionally talented and wonderful to work with! We decided to merge our creativity and love for fashion to create something magnificent! The images were themed around some of the roles I may be taking on this year". Sarah Kozlowski is set to star in a new upcoming compelling drama series,   Bones of my bones , premiering 1 March 21:30 on SABC 2. Here are 5 things Sarah loves about LA: 1. I love the fact that every waiter, yoga teacher and barista is an aspiring actor. As an actor you feel like you are a part of a bigger family that you have never met. 2. LA is a mixture of the best of Joburg and the bes