Welcome To Dipo Liadi's blog: 2016

12 August 2016

Alex Iwobi Will Win EPL Young Player Of The Season - Rob Draper

When asked about who the young player of the premier league season will be, Rob Draper raised praises for Super Eagles English boy Alex Iwobi.

Phelps, 31, won his 22nd gold - more than any other Olympian - as fellow American Lochte, 32, faded to a fifth-place finish in Rio.

Phelps finished almost two seconds clear of Japan's Kosuke Hagino, with China's Shun Wang taking bronze. Briton Dan Wallace, 23, came eighth.

First gold for black female swimmer after dead heat
Phelps, who posted a time of one minute 54.66 seconds, has won more than twice as many gold medals as anyone else, with former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina second on the list with nine.

Chelsea star Mikel Obi has had to shell out $4,000 to ensure the Nigeria Olympic team caught their flight to Salvador after the hotel in Sao Paulo held the entire team to ransom over the bills incurred by additional officials.

Organisers have insisted on a team of 25 players, made up of 18 players and seven officials, and even sports minister Solomon Dalung has ordered this rule be strictly adhered to.

An impeccable source close to the team revealed that it took the intervention of the Chelsea star, who is also the team captain, who paid over $4, 0000 before the players and officials of the team were allowed to leave the hotel.

Man United vs Galatasaray: Watch Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Bicycle Kick Goal

The big man is here,that was the impression Zlatan left for Manchester United fans as he kept all chanting as he scored a super bicycle goal in his debut game. The king is here..

30 July 2016

Serena Williams Flaunts Butt By Pool Side

The tennis superstar showed her sexy figure while relaxing at by her pool side yesterday.. The curves thou....lol

01 July 2016

EURO 2016: Wales vs Belgium - All The Statistics & Facts You Need To Know

Wales were unbeaten against Belgium in their EURO 2016 qualifiers, with Chris Coleman's men winning 1-0 in Cardiff after a goalless draw in Brussels. This is the first time these teams have met in the finals of a major tournament. Wales and Belgium's last three encounters have produced only three goals.

Wales have reached the knockout stages in their two major tournament participation (World Cup 1958, EURO 2016). In 1958, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Brazil.

Henry, Terry & Others Set To Grace Yobo's Testimonial Match

Chelsea captain John Terry is the latest player from the English Premier League to confirm his availability in Port Harcourt for the Joseph Yobo Centenary Game scheduled for May 27 to celebrate the retirement of the former Super Eagles captain from football.

The centre back, who captained between August 2006 and February 2010, and again from March 2011 to February 2012, confirmed his availability for the game to Yobo last weekend.

“We are really excited by the confirmation of John Terry for the Yobo Centenary Game in Port Harcourt. He’s one big player who is very popular here in the country because of England and Chelsea’s large followership in Nigeria,” observed coordinator of the Centenary Game, Waidi Akanni.

Watford are planning to replace Odion Ighalo with another Nigerian attacker in the shape of Granada’s Isaac Success.

Ighalo’s scoring form has caught the eye of the Premier League heavyweights and a move away from the Wasps seems inevitable for the Super Eagles player.

Yet Watford have a plan in place to bring 20-year-old Success from La Liga to the Premier League, despite reported interest from Internazionale and Paris Saint-Germain.

For the second time in three years, Real Madrid will meet city rivals Atlético Madrid in the Champions League final following their 1-0 win over Manchester City in the semifinal second leg on Wednesday night at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.

Gareth Bale was the hero as his 20th minute shot forced a Fernando own goal that would end up being the lone goal scored by either side after 180 minutes of football.Real will now seek their 11th European crown at the San Siro in Milan against Los Colchoneros in a rematch of the two teams' epic final in 2014 in Lisbon.

The hosts were by far the superior side but were unable to put away a pesky City side that stayed in it until the final whistle. However, just like in their last two league encounters, it was Bale who proved to be the difference in what was a tight, tension-filled two-legged tie.There was both good news and bad news for manager Zinedine Zidane on the injury front prior to the match.

Alex Iwobi In Contention For Arsenal's Goal Of The Month

Nigeria youngster Alex Iwobi has seen his name go up as one of the nominees for the Arsenal goal of the month for April.

The 20-year-old forward has experienced a meteoric rise in the Arsenal first team, especially in the second part of the season, which has seen him start the Gunners’ last seven Premier League games, with two goals to his name.

The Iwobi goals came against Everton at Goodison Park on March 19 and against Watford at the Emirates on April 2, and it is the latter that has been nominated for the Arsenal ‘Goal of the Month’ for April.

Bayern Munich 2-1 Atletico Madrid: Watch The Goals & Highlights

Atletico Madrid progressed to the finals of the UEFA Champions League due to away goal rule. Aggregate scores (2-2)

Cristiano Ronaldo is 100 Percent Fit To Face Man City - Zidane

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has indicated that Cristiano Ronaldo is "100 per cent" ahead of the clubs' Champions League semi-final second leg with Manchester City.

Ronaldo has sat out the previous three matches - against Rayo Vallecano, City and Real Sociedad - owing to a thigh muscle strain, but appears to have proven his fitness ahead of Real's crucial encounter.

There was some bad news for the Madrid boss, however, as he confirmed that Casemiro and Karim Benzema have been ruled out of the clash.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah Will Beat Rangers Again Says Chibuzor Okonkwo

The captain of Nigeria league leaders FC IfeanyiUbah, Chibuzor Okonkwo, has said they are battle ready to beat Rangers in Enugu in a Week 11 game this afternoon to extend their dominance over their more famous foes.

Regional rivals IfeanyiUbah are the new leaders of the league after they toppled Rangers in midweek.
They now have 19 points from 10 matches, a point ahead of Rangers.

Last season, coach Daniel Amokachi got off to a flying start in charge of ‘Anambra Warriors’ IfeanyiUbah when they won 3-2 in a Week 23 clash in Enugu.

Nigeria's Super Falcons were held by their Senegalese counterparts in Friday's Africa Women's Cup of Nations qualifying game in Dakar.

Interim Nigeria head coach Florence Omagbemi listed Arsenal forward Asisat Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie from the start, and it was expected that the Falcons, favourites going into the game, would come away with a win.

The African champions had loads of scoring chances but failed to make them count until late in the first half.

We Will Attack Nigeria - Hector Cuper

Head coach of Egypt’s national team, Hector Cuper has promised that his charges will play with attacking intent against Nigeria on Tuesday when both sides meet in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying game in Alexandria.

The two sides fought out a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna last Friday with Mohammed Salah’s injury time effort cancelling out Oghenekaro Etebo’s goal for the Super Eagles on the hour.

Cuper is full of respect for the Nigerian side but believes the Pharaohs will be in fine fettle for Tuesday’s game in Alexandria.

Super Eagles did not train at the Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria Monday night because they complained of tiredness after a six-hour flight from Abuja.

The Eagles had to endure a two-hour delay at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Abuja due to late approval for the chartered flight to fly over Sudan to Egypt.

And that was after a two-hour bus ride from Kaduna to Abuja, also on Monday.

Fans Mob Musa, Mikel, Ambrose In Kaduna

Hundreds of fans mobbed Eagles stars Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa and Efe Ambrose after Tuesday evening training at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

Chelsea star Mikel was also mobbed by fans when the team trained in Abuja earlier in the day.
Celtic defender Ambrose is returning to the city where he was born and where he went on to captain the city’s biggest club, Kaduna United.

The fans wanted to touch the players they often watch in action with their European clubs on television and also take pictures and selfies with them.

The kick-off time for the crucial AFCON 2017 qualifier between Nigeria and Egypt at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on Friday has been moved by an hour, according to officials.

The match was originally fixed for 4pm local time, but it has now been shifted to 5pm as the home team have expressed concerns that the heat in the northern city of Kaduna could affect the Nigeria foreign-based players, who are just coming out of winter in Europe.

Coach Samson Siasia first raised this concerns when he took temporary charge of the team following the sudden exit of Sunday Oliseh last month.

House Of Reps Set To Probe Oliseh's Resignation

Former coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Sunday oliseh is set to appear before the House of Representatives committee on sports in Abuja on Thursday. It is not clear if the house intends to probe his resignation or if it's going to be the normal listening spree that we have seen over the years.

Oliseh resigned when the job hit its hardest rock as the Eagles are scheduled to play a must win encounter against the Pharoahs of Egypt. Failure to win means Nigeria will be at a risk of not participating in the next Africa Nations Cup.

Nigeria 6-0 South Africa: Rashidat Ajibade Nets Quadrope

Nigeria are a foot into the 2016 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup after they trounced their South African counterparts 6-0 in a first leg playoff on Saturday in Abuja.

The game was won and lost in the first half during which home team Nigeria scored all six goals with skipper Rashidat Ajibade firing four of the goals.

Fajobi Yetunde got the home team off to a flying start after a minute, before Ajibade went on a rampage.

Samson Siasia Invites Leon Balogun Ahead Of Egypt Clash

Stand by coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Samson Siasia has extended an invitation to Germany-based defender Leon Balogun for AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Egypt later this month.

According to the NFF official site, Mainz 05 defender Balogun will join a 42-man squad list announced by Siasia for matches against Egypt.

There has been a clamour for Balogun’s invitation on the back of his performances in the Bundesliga this season.

Chisom Chikatara Joins Wydad Casablanca Of Morocco

CHAN Eagles forward Chisom Chikatara has expressed his delight after he teamed up with Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca.

The former Abia Warriors forward was unveiled by the club on Wednesday in presence of the club president Said Nazareth and coach John Toshack.

'Kolanut boy' Chikatara told the press and club’s fans present at the unveiling that he will contribute his quota to help the team achieve results.

Manchester United Have Concluded Mourinho's Deal - Harry Redknapp

Speculations are flying around Manchester and has the hours fly pass daily it seems Mr Mourinho coming to Manchester United is fast becoming a reality as former coach and analyst Harry Redknapp as confirmed that the deal is done.

Manchester United have concluded negotiations that will see Jose Mourinho take over as the next manager of the club, according to Harry Redknapp.

With Louis van Gaal under pressure due to a lack of consistency with results and conservative playing style, the Portuguese has been widely touted as the Dutchman's replacement.

Coach of Clemensnäs IF from Swedish Women's Football Division 2, Perpetua Nkwocha who is a former Nigerian international has been rumoured to take over the coaching job of the Super Falcons.

Former international Perpetua Nkwocha will soon be named coach of Nigeria women’s team, the Super Falcons, to be assisted by another ex-international Ann Chiejine.

One of Nigeria's all-time greats, Nkwocha has bagged her coaching badges at her base of Sweden, while former international goalkeeper Chiejine has been assistant coach at Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingoes.

Ronaldo walked out on the press in Roma but his responses before he left are certainly admirable. "Who else has scored more goals away from home than me since I arrived in Spain", "name one player who has scored more than me" and all the journalists were unable to respond.. lol

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was riled by comments about Barcelona's forwards and reacted angrily when asked at a news conference on Tuesday about his away goals drought ahead of the Champions League tie at AS Roma.

Anything can happen in Nigeria's football house, we have seen coaches been promoted and demoted and its not new again in the country.

Let us put the records straight, Amuneke was Garba's assistant when he won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013 before Garba was promoted to handle the flying Eagles. Now that the former assistant has achieved the same height, Manu Garba has been demoted back to coach the Eaglets while his former assistant Emmanuel Amuneke has been promoted to now coach the Flying Eagles.... what a decision, amazing decision!!!

Obagoal will earn a bumper pay when his deal at Shanghai Shenhua is completed. The Nigerian international is keen for the big pay and sources say his former pay at Seattle has been doubled.

Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins will enjoy one of his biggest pay days when he joins Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua as he will pocket twice what he was on at MLS side Seattle Sounders.

The 31-year-old Martins was on $3 million at Seattle Sounders, making him the second highest earner at the MLS club behind US international Clint Dempsey.

Mikel caused a free kick 21m to Chelsea's goal post and deflected the kick into his net but the Nigerian international scored a goal back in added time in an unusual manner.

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink said he believes Mikel Obi's away goal in a 2-1 defeat against PSG in France could be key in determining the team progress to the quarterfinal of UEFA Champions League.

Mikel cancelled out Zlatan Ibrahimovic's opener before substitute Edinson Cavani earned a 2-1 first-leg win for the hosts at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

True Or False? Diego Simeone Accepts Chelsea Coaching Job

For a very long time Coach Diego Simeone has been tipped and linked to the hot seat at Stamford Bridge and reports confirm that the action filled gaffer has accepted the offer but can he escape the ruthless sacking approach of Abrahimovic when the ups are down?

Diego Simeone has informed Atletico Madrid that he will leave the club at the end of the season to take over at Chelsea, according to OK Diario.

Benfica finished second in Group C behind Atletico Madrid to reach the knockout stages while Zenit finished top in Group H ahead of Gent to reach the knockout stages.

This is the first time Benfica have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2011/12. That season, they were eliminated by eventual winners Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

Zenit have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the third time in the last five seasons (2011/12, 2013/14, 2015/16). However, they have never made it past the Last 16.

Meeting for the third consecutive time, pundits now believe that the Paris outfit is now more rated than Chelsea in Europe after the London club has fallen from grace to grass in the EPL.

Paris SG, who finished second in Group A behind Real Madrid, have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the fourth consecutive season, their best ever run. They were eventually knocked out in the quarter finals in the last three campaigns.

Chelsea, who qualified top of Group G ahead of Dynamo Kiev, have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the 12th time in the last 13 seasons.

Watford's all time Premier League highest goal scorer Odion Ighalo has stated that his toughest opposing defender in the league so far is Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny.

Arsenal claimed a 3-0 win at Watford when the teams clashed back in October last year and Ighalo remembers getting very little out of the game due to Koscielny’s presence.

"I think I have faced a lot of difficult defenders this season,” the Nigerian told reporters.

Ogenyi Onazi who plays for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and SC Lazio has pleaded to Nigerian football fans to support the Eagles as they host the Pharaohs next month at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna in a must win encounter.

Nigeria need at least four points from the home and away tie with the Pharoahs of Egypt to stand a chance of qualifying for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations slated for Gabon.

However, Onazi has expressed confidence in the ability of coach Sunday Oliseh to come up with a crack side for the clash, claiming that all hands will be on deck to do Nigeria proud.

Mr controversial has come out after admiring Neymar to promise his fans that he will name his soon coming son after the talented Brazilian. Only time and chance can tell.

Popular sports anchor Oma Akatugba is known for his love for Barcelona with Neymar being one of his favourite players. Oma posted a vine video of Neymar and promised his fans that he would name his son NEYMAR.

We certainly know that Neymar is a Brazilian and with the trend of Nigerians naming their kids after great names in the world Oma will certainly not be the first.

The League is about to start as NPFL champions Enyimba will on Wednesday face Federation Cup holders Akwa United in the annual Charity Shield match at the Abuja National Stadium. The Charity Cup is just the same with the English Community Shield.

Akwa United are brimming with immense confidence following a run of marvelous results, including beating better–fancied Lobi Stars to win the Federation Cup and conquering fellow continental campaigners (Enyimba FC, Warri Wolves and Nasarawa in two rounds of the Super Four organised by the League Management Company.

Nigeria's wining coach, Samson Siasia is preparing top friendlies for the African conquering Dream Team VI ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil. Here from Siasia...

“We are working on a friendly against Brazil for next month, we will get more details about this game next week,” said Siasia.

The match was earlier scheduled for last year in London, but was later shelved after the Nigeria Olympic team complained it was too close to the U23 AFCON in Senegal.

Premier League's top substitute goal scorer Kelechi Iheanacho has expressed his confidence that the Manchester club can still win the title despite being six points below Leicester.

Manchester City are now six points behind leaders Leicester City, but Nigeria youngster Kelechi Iheanacho has insisted they could still fight back to be EPL champions this season.

On Sunday, Iheanacho came off the bench to score his third EPL goal but it was not enough as City fell 2-1 to title chasers Tottenham Hotspur.

Oh dear, a referee got killed after issuing a red card to a player, the player left the field, took his gun from a bag and shot the ref three times... one will wonder why he owns a gun and how he got it to the field.

A football game played between neighbors in Argentina ended in bloodshed. A player shot and killed a referee and wounded another player Sunday in the Campo de la Ribera area of Cordoboa, Argentina, according to The Mirror’s Rita Sobot. Police say referee Cesar Flores, 48, showed the assailant a red card for making a heavy tackle on an opponent. The player, who is at large, then retrieved a gun from his bag and shot Flores three times.

Sources have revealed recently that recalled Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins has made a money move to join Shanghai Shenhua in China. His chances of playing for the Eagles might be cut short due to this move.

A few top players have moved to the Chinese league recently in mega money deals with the likes of Brazil and Chelsea's Ramires, Texeria taking the lead.

Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins is waiting for an entry visa to China to complete his move to Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua.

Ex Chelsea Star Florent Malouda Set To Debut Against Zamalek In Egypt

Former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda is set to make his debut for Egyptian Premier League side Wadi Degla against Zamalek on Sunday.

Egyptian media reports suggest that the 35-year-old has become the highest profile player to join an Egyptian team in their history.

Malouda joined Degla, who are owned by ambitious businessman Maged Sami, on a six-month deal last month.

Manchester United's recent defeat at Sunderland might be the end of the road for Coach Louis Van Gaal has the Sun reports that Jose Mourinho might move in to save the club as the club are six points below City rivals who lies in fourth position.

Saturday’s 2-1 capitulation at Sunderland alarmed the club’s board. But just as concerning was Louis van Gaal giving up on a top-four spot. United had been ready to stick with the Dutchman, 64, until the summer.

Now they believe they will lose nothing by swooping for the ex-Chelsea boss before their next league game at home to Arsenal on February 28.

Wenger's believe that Arsenal can win the Premier League this season was renewed yesterday after two of his substitutes got the equalizing goal and the wining goal which helped to push the Gunners to 2 points behind the table leader.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confessed that he had glimpsed the grim apparition of Premier League title failures past during his side's nerve-jangling 2-1 victory over leaders Leicester City.

At halftime of Sunday's table-topping showdown at the Emirates Stadium, Leicester led 1-0 through Jamie Vardy's penalty and Arsenal were staring down the barrel of an eight-point deficit to the summit.

Arsenal vs Leicester City Preview: Match Facts, Statistics & All You Need To Know

Leicester is 1st on the EPL table while Arsenal is on 3rd with the gunners trailing the foxes with 5 points below. Both teams have advantages but statistics prove that it might be though for Wenger's men in a must win encounter.

On the last 11 occasions that Arsenal have faced a team that was top of the Premier League, they have won just once (D4 L6) and scored only four goals (conceding 18).

Alexis Sanchez has scored four goals in his three Barclays Premier League games against Leicester City.

Nigeria's representative in the CAF Confederation Cup and the FA Cup winner Awka United has began the campaign with a win after shooting down Vita Club Mokanda on Saturday in a preliminary round first leg game.

This is Akwa United's maiden appearance on the continent and they have started well on away soil.

Returnee striker Ubong Ekpai scored the only goal of the game in the 37th minute.

Sunderland Fires Adam Johnson Over Sexual Abuse

England star Adam Johnson has been fired by Sunderland after he pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child in an ongoing court case. The English star might face a lengthy jail period if found guilty.

"In light of Adam Johnson's guilty pleas, the club has today terminated his contract with immediate effect," Sunderland said in a statement. "The club will make no further comment."

Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child, but denied two other charges, when he appeared at Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday.

U17 world champions Nigeria will begin another continental quest when they face next-door neigbours Niger in a second round qualifier in August, but their qualifying pool also has Algeria, Libya and Gabon.

Algeria and Libya will do battle in the first round between June and July, before they face Gabon in the second round in August.

The overall winners will then battle the winners of the clash between Nigeria and Niger in September to determine the qualifier for the tournament to be staged by Madagascar in April 2017.

Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United: Watch The Goals & Highlights

NFF: Troubled Oliseh Fires Back At Critics

Troubled Nigerian coach Sunday Oliseh has fired back at his critics and asking them to check his records. The one time stubborn captain of the Super Eagles his set to give it back to his critics fire for fire.Will a fire response approach help to keep Oliseh's job? Only time will tell...

Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has dared his critics, saying he has gone on the offensive after they continued to fuel speculations about his future in charge of the Super Eagles.

“Now it’s the time to attack,” declared Oliseh on a U-Tube clip.

Former Super Eagles and Arsenal star Kanu Nwankwo has been named as part of world's top football legends. With several silverware and awards to his name Kanu is the most successful footballer to come out of Nigeria.

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) have named Nwankwo Kanu in the top 48 legend of football worldwide.

IFFHS released the first phase of the list which includes Brazilian greats Pele and Ronaldo da Lima.

Wenger has admitted that Leicester City are now favourites to win the Premier League title this season. The French man believes that the Arsenal-Leicester clash will be crucial in deciding the title..

The Gunners' 2-0 win at Bournemouth was their first in five league games and moved Wenger's side up to third place, five points adrift of Leicester before next weekend's meeting between the two teams.

The Arsenal manager believes it was crucial his side ended their dismal recent run but is convinced they will now meet Claudio Ranieri's side with renewed belief.

Sunday Oliseh Has A Big Pay Off Clause In His Contract With NFF

Will the NFF really consider sacking coach Sunday Oliseh? The answer seems like a big no has the clause in his contract will help ensure the ex-international gets a fat pay off..

Broke Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will have to be ready with a handsome pay-off should they fire the country’s coach Sunday Oliseh.

Oliseh’s future as Super Eagles coach is up in the air after the country’s disappointing showing at CHAN 2016 in Rwanda and his unguarded utterances ever since.

Poor goalkeeping, sloppy defending and two missed penalties by Guinea cost them as Ivory Coast emerged 2-1 winners to take bronze at the 2016 Africa Nations Championship (Chan) on Sunday at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.

Ivory Coast started the match without two experienced defenders, Mahan Goua and Yace Marius who were both ruled out due of injury. They had both been part of Ivory Coast's five matches en-route to the final, commanding 802 minutes between themselves.

Abdoulaye Karim Cisse also started in goal ahead of Badra Ali Sangare, the latter saved a penalty against Mali before faltering as Yves Bissouma scored Mali's winner in the semifinals.

Manchester City 1-3 Leicester City: Watch The Goals & Highlights

Oliseh, NFF Agrees On Kaduna Venue For Egypt Clash

Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has agreed for the Super Eagles to welcome Egypt to the northern city of Kaduna in a crucial AFCON 2017 qualifier next month.

Media reports have suggested that Oliseh rejected Kaduna, arguing instead that the all-important AFCON showdown be played in Port Harcourt.

However, a source close to the embattled coach said this was not true.

12 August 2016

31 July 2016

30 July 2016

01 July 2016

05 May 2016

04 May 2016

09 April 2016

29 March 2016

23 March 2016

13 March 2016

12 March 2016

05 March 2016

02 March 2016

17 February 2016

16 February 2016

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11 February 2016

08 February 2016

07 February 2016

06 February 2016