Sports

  Former Chelsea midfielder and Nigeria international John Obi Mikel said he was quite slow to the pace expected of him by Jose Mourinho in his early days at the club. “Got sent off on my first game. Mourinho killed me. The speed of the game took me a while to understand it,” Mikel said in an interview with the ...

The Portuguese was linked with a return to the Bernabeu, but has now insisted that the Frenchman deserved the managerial position Jose Mourinho has said that he believes Zinedine Zidane is the right man for the Real Madrid managerial position. Zidane was re-appointed as Madrid’s head coach earlier this month, just 10 months after he had resigned from the same position. The Frenchman replaced ...

  Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke made history with Tanzania by guiding the Taifa Stars to their first Africa Cup of Nations appearance in 39 years after they defeated Uganda 3-0 at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam on Sunday, reports Completesports.com. Goals from Simon Msuwa, Erasto Nyoni and a sublime header from Aggrey Morris secured Tanzania’s berth ...

  Neymar watched his Brazil team in a friendly against Panama on Saturday. The PSG star was seen grinning despite being charged by Uefa for his social media outburst after the French champs’ loss to Manchester United. Neymar, 27, remains sidelined with a foot injury he suffered against Guingamp in January, which ruled him out of the Champions League tie against ...

  Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi says he played in a World Cup match in 2018 for Nigeria not knowing if he would come off the field to find out his father had been shot. The midfielder was told before facing Argentina that his father had been kidnapped for a second time. Mikel, 31, reportedly paid 10m naira (about ...

  Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho must be more committed if he wishes to return to the Super Eagles, according to coach Gernot Rohr. Iheanacho has been left out of the Eagles games against Seychelles and Egypt in Asaba. “We are not satisfied with his recent performances. He has to be more professional, it’s not good enough to be all ...

  Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been fined 20,000 euros (£17,700) by Uefa for a goal celebration in the win over Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League. The 34-year-old appeared to mimic Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who turned to fans and grabbed his crotch during his side’s 2-0 first-leg victory. Ronaldo made the gesture when completing ...

  Paul Pogba admits he’ll be coming up against a club he often learns from when Manchester United take on Barcelona in the Champions League next month. The Frenchman has enjoyed an upturn in form ever since the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in December, after his relationship with previous boss Jose Mourinho had turned notably sour. And the World Cup winner will be ...

Thibaut Courtois and Alba Carrillo   Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has risked the wrath of former flame Alba Carrillo by messaging her colleague Liz Emiliano. The Belgian shot-stopper brutally publicly rejected Carrillo after it was reported he was dating the stunning Spanish TV presenter. But the 26-year-old was quick to end the budding romance with the blonde beauty, as ...

    A scientist has revealed it is possible to clone Lionel Messi using existing technology and techniques. A clone of the Barcelona superstar would arrive as a baby with the same potential as one of the greatest players ever. Genetics expert Arcadi Navarro, head of the European Genome-Phenome Archive (EGA) made the claim during an interview on Spanish radio ...

  Former Tottenham ace Mido faces a flogging in Saudi Arabia after being accused of insulting a fan on social media. The star was sensationally axed by club Al-Wehda after abusing the supporter on social media, sources said. After he was asked to step down from his management role, Mido allegedly replied: “pu**y of your aunt’s mother”. The ex-striker, officially ...

  The chewing gum former Manchester United coach, Sir Alex Ferguson used in the 5-5 draw at West Brom in May 2013 – has been sold on eBay. The final game that Ferguson ever managed for United was a thrilling 5-5 draw against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns, and a fan in attendance that day happened to collect a ...

  A semi-professional player is under investigation in Turkey after he mocked rival fans by pulling out his genitals. Sanliurfa Genclerbirligi defender Mahmut Onur Toprak was walking off the pitch following a draw with Siverek Belediyespor in the Super Amateur League of Turkey. The fifth-tier game at the Eyyubiye Yenice stadium in Urfa, about 750 miles from Istanbul, was a ...

  Lionel Messi was received a standing ovation by almost 55,000 opposition supporters after his stunning hat-trick in Barcelona’s 4-1 win over Real Betis. The Argentine opened the scoring at the Benito Villamarin with a wonderful freekick before doubling the advantage before half-time. And he completed the scoring in Seville with a gorgeous chip with full-time fast approaching. As Messi ...

  Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr arrived in the country yesterday to begin preparations for Nigeria’s 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) last qualifying match against Seychelles, as well as the international friendly against Egypt this weekend in Asaba. The Super Eagles will host Seychelles in Asaba on March 22 and meet Egypt at the same venue on March 26. ...

  Nigeria forward Asisat Oshoala continued her impressive goal scoring form for Barcelona Ladies by netting one in their 2-0 away win against title rivals Atletico Madrid Ladies at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. It was Oshoala‘s fifth goal in five appearances for Barcelona Ladies in the Liga Iberdrola since her arrival on loan from Chinese club Dalian Quanjian in January. ...

  Juventus were made to pay for resting Cristiano Ronaldo as they suffered their first defeat of the season at Genoa. The Old Lady’s quest to go the entire campaign unbeaten ended abruptly after the home side scored two late goals to sink the Italian champions. Boss Massimiliano Allegri left Ronaldo out of the squad despite his stunning hat-trick against Atletico Madrid ...

  Genoa supporters are demanding a refund after Juventus gave Cristiano Ronaldo the day off against them. The Serie A leaders traveled to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris today looking to extend their 18-point advantage at the top. But Massimiliano Allegri‘s side will have to do it without their 23-goal top scorer. And home supporters are furious they will not be able ...

  Fenerbahce of Turkey winger Victor Moses ran into into Ogenyi Onazi inside the plane after Friday’s 2-1 win over Sivasspor in their Turkish Super Lig clash. The Nigerian who provided the assist that led to Fenerbahce‘s equaliser scored by Spain international, Roberto Soldado, posted the picture of the rare outing on Twitter. Moses did not however reveal where the ...

  A football fan has changed his middle name to show his dedication to his favourite club. Jon Derby Gjeilo, 56, who has supported Derby County in England since he was 12, also has a museum in his home dedicated to the Rams. The father of three, who has a Derby registration plate, told Derbyshire Live : “I love Derby and the ...

  Zinedine Zidane’s second spell in charge of Real Madrid started with a win as the recalled Isco and Gareth Bale downed Celta Vigo in LaLiga. Isco and Gareth Bale celebrated their Real Madrid returns under Zinedine Zidane by sealing a 2-0 LaLiga win over Celta Vigo. Santiago Solari gave Isco a minimal role in his plans but, after Zidane was reappointed to ...

  Douglas Costa has admitted Juventus stars had doubts about Cristiano Ronaldo before his switch to Italy but conceded he “won everyone over very quickly” at the club. The 34-year-old has proved a hit since joining the Old Lady in a £99m transfer last summer after nine trophy-laden years at Real Madrid. The Portuguese star recently fired the Serie A holders into the ...

    The ex-Man Utd midfielder’s first stint in management has proven to be a short one as he leaves the Latics after just over a month in charge Paul Scholes has announced he will resign from his post as Oldham Athletic manager with immediate effect, just 31 days after he took over at the League Two club. The former ...

  A former World Cup referee has been accused of sexual harassment by three former colleagues. Colombian ref Oscar Ruiz allegedly asked for sexual favours in exchange for promotions – and there were repercussions if his demands were not met. Ruiz, 49, officiated at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups but has since hung up his whistle and was ...

Neymar and ex-girlfriend Bruna Marquezine   Neymar has leapt to the defence of his ex-girlfriend Bruna Marquezine after he was pictured kissing stunning pop star Anitta at Rio Carnival this month. Actress Bruna, 23, unfollowed Anitta, 25, and deleted her Instagram account when photos of the smooch emerged. Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar today tweeted: “I do not understand, I’m a fan ...