Africa Best Player Award for 2016 — Who will the winner be?

Leicester City’s Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (AFP Photo/Ben Stansall)

The yearly ceremony for the award of Best African Footballer of the Year is upon us again.
How quickly time flies. Was it not ‘yesterday’ that Yaya Toure angered a lot of people by

Zinedine Zidane wants weakening Madrid to work harder

Real Madrid’s coach Zinedine Zidane made a gesture during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs SD Eibar at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid earlier today.

Zidane slammed Real Madrid’s poor starts and lack of intensity as the European champions slumped to a 1-1 draw against Eibar earlier today to drop points for a fourth consecutive game.

Zidane was a player the last time Madrid drew four straight games 10 years ago, but Los Blancos were punished for familiar failings as a slow start, which was is allowed Fran Rico to head Eibar into a sixth minute lead.

Gareth Bale levelled soon after, but without the injured Luka Modric, Real Madrid lacked the creative spark to break down the visitors after the break.

“We have to train with greater intensity, starting with me, I am the coach,”

said Zidane.

“Now there is an international break and when the players return we have to change because we can’t continue like this.”

“We always react (in the second-half), but we need to not react and instead act from the start.” Two more dropped points see Real fall behind city rivals Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga on goal difference. Barcelona can usurp both sides from the Spanish capital later on Sunday with victory at Celta Vigo. And Zidane was particularly irked having called on Real to start on the front foot after a poor first-half snapped a 16-game La Liga winning streak in their last home outing against Villarreal. “The first 45 minutes of this game and against Villarreal were identical. “What we are going to do when the players return is work harder and look for solutions. “I believe in hard work and the quality of this team. I don’t think it is an attitude problem, but something is wrong. “I think we lacked intensity and aggression in the individual battles.” Madrid’s director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueno was even more stinging in his uncharacteristic criticism of Real’s stars. “The players weren’t inspired in any sense. They didn’t create chances, apart from one for Bale. “We weren’t clear in our ideas, fluid and the we lost the individual battles. Eibar deserved the draw.” Injury problems compounded Madrid’s disappointment as Modric will be sidelined for a month after undergoing knee surgery on Sunday morning. James Rodriguez had been named in Zidane’s starting line-up, but was replaced by Mateo Kovacic after suffering a minor muscle problem in the warm-up. The top scorer at the 2014 World Cup is now a doubt for Colombia’s World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Uruguay in the next week. Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane also came off at half-time, but Zidane is hopeful Varane will be fit to lead France in their World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and the Netherlands. “We hope that he recovers quickly and it is nothing more than a knock,” added Zidane.

Zidane substitutes Ronaldo

Zidane

Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has played down any row with star man, Cristiano Ronaldo, after he was substituted against Las Palmas.

Ronaldo was taken off after 72 minutes, as Madrid were held to a 2-2 draw by Las Palmas in a La Liga match played on Saturday.

In the past, Zidane had been reluctant to substitute the Portugal captain. But with his recent injury troubles, it appears the 31-year-old will be rested a lot.

“It was not that Ronaldo was playing badly,” Zidane told reporters. "We are playing on Tuesday and Cristiano must rest too sometimes. It was just for that.

"He was playing well. Tonight I took him off thinking of Tuesday's game."

When Zidane was asked about Ronaldo's reaction, which culminated in the forward snubbing him on the touchline, he insisted that his expressions were exaggerated by the media.

“Angry? That would be your interpretation,” he added. “He always wants to be on the pitch. We have to take him out sometimes, and we did today. It does not change anything.”

Ronaldo

Ronaldo: It hurts me to see Messi in tears

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has said it hurt him to see his Barcelona rival Lionel Messi in tears following defeat in the Copa America Centenario final and that he hopes the Argentine rethinks his international retirement.

Argentina captain Messi made the stunning decision to step away from international football in emotional comments made straight after he had missed in the penalty shootout as his country lost to Chile — the third successive summer in which the Albiceleste have been beaten in a major final.

In widely reported comments made to the Argentine press and picked up by AS and Mundo Deportivo, the Real Madrid star said he had not liked seeing his Barcelona counterpart so upset and he hoped that Messi bounced back from the disappointment.

“It hurts me to see Messi in tears and I hope he returns to his national team, because they need him,” Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo has also missed some high profile penalties, most recently during Portugal’s 0-0 draw against Austria in a Euro 2016 group game, and suggested he understood what Messi was going through.

“[Messi] is not used to defeats and disappointments, not even to finishing second,” Ronaldo said. “To miss a penalty does not make you a bad person.”

NFF postpones Federation Cup matches

Abuja – The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has postponed Round of 16 matches of this year’s Federation Cup competition in the men’s category, as well as quarter-final matches of the women’s category.

In a statement on its website on Friday, NFF said the postponement was as a result of the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations and holiday.

The matches were earlier scheduled for July 5 and July 6.

“After the Federal Government announced on Wednesday that there would be public holidays on Tuesday and Wednesday for the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations, there was a compelling need to move the matches we had earlier slated for those days,’’ the NFF said in the statement.

It said the matches have now been rescheduled for July 12 and July 13.

In the fixtures, Sunshine Stars of Akure go up against Akwa United in Makurdi on July 12.

Crown FC of Ogbomosho and Rangers International of Enugu will clash in Kaduna on the same day.

Rivers United of Port Harcourt and five-time champions Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan will now battle at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on July 13.

Wikki Tourists of Bauchi confront Plateau United of Jos in Akure in other all-Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clashes also on the same day.

NPFL side FC IfeanyiUbah of Nnewi will take on Katsina United at the Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin on July 13.

Nasarawa United of Lafia will test might with Dynamite FC of Benin City at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja on the same day.

Warri Wolves are up against Prime FC of Oshogbo on the same day at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.

The postponed Round of 32 clash between Enyimba FC of Aba and El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri will however come up in Abuja on July 13 also.

This means the last Round of 16 will hold on a date to be fixed by the NFF, with the winners of the Enyimba/El-Kanemi clash taking on J. Atete FC.

In the women’s competition on July 12, Abia Angels will take to the field in Lokoja against Nasarawa Amazons, while Delta Queens and Katsina Queens do battle in Abuja.

Champions Sunshine Queens will tango with Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt in Abuja on July 13, same day when Bayelsa Queens and COD United Ladies of Lagos trade meet in Oleh.(NAN)

Source: Vanguard

Wayne Rooney Says He Won't Retire From England Duty After Euro 2016 Exit

England and Manchester captain Wayne Rooney has revealed he won't shut the door on his International career after Roy Hodgson quit as England manager last night following Iceland's shock win over England in the last 16 draw of Euro 2016.

The Manchester United forward did not have his best game as Roy Hodgson's men were humiliated on Monday night, with some calling for him to be axed from the squad before the start of this tournament.

However, Rooney said after the game that he will make himself available for the next England manager, and that he is still enjoying playing for his country.

“It's disappointing tonight, but I enjoy and am proud playing for England,” Rooney is quoted in the Daily Mirror. “I'll be interested to see who the next manager is. If selected, I'll certainly be there.”

“We can't forget he's brought a lot of young players through and I think the future's bright for England,” Rooney said. “Unfortunately it hasn't happened in this tournament but hopefully, in the future there's good things to come and although it's difficult to say and see that now, I think Roy has been good to the players and I'll be thanking him.”

Liverpool sign Senegalese forward Saido Mane from Southampton for £34m

Liverpool Football club have officially announced the signing of Senegalese winger Saido Mane for the sum of £34m after raiding Southampton of it's talents once again. The likes of Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana have left Southampton to join Liverpool in recent years and Saido Mane's capture has now been confirmed by the club.

Mane speaking to Liverpoolfc.com said: “Today is a big day and I am very happy to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. It's a club that has won a lot of trophies and has a big history. Now I am looking forward to meeting all the staff and my teammates and starting the season.”

The 24-year-old has put pen to paper on a long-term contract after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms at Melwood. He will officially become registered as a Reds player on July 1.. He has 36 caps for Senegal and has scored 10 goals for his country.

Jose Mourinho confirmed as Manchester United manager

Jose Mourinho has been officially confirmed as the new manager of Manchester United.

Reports broke on Thursday evening that the Special One had signed a deal to succeed Louis van Gaal but the club waited until Friday to announce his appointment.

In an official statement, the club announced that the Portuguese has signed a three-year contract with an option to stay at the club until at least 2020.

Mourinho replaces his former mentor Van Gaal, who was sacked on Monday despite last weekend's FA Cup final victory against Crystal Palace.

It will be the 53-year-old's third stint in English football following two previous spells at Chelsea, the most recent of which ended in December following a disastrous run of form which saw the then champions become embroiled in a fight against relegation.

Mourinho will be charged with restoring United to the pinnacle of English football having twice missed out on Champions League qualification since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement at the end of the 2012/13 season.

The Portuguese will be armed with a reported transfer kitty in excess of £200 million and could commence his summer spending spree with the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Sweden international superstar whose contract with PSG expires at the end of the month.

Sports — Chelsea’s Musonda joins Real Betis on loan

Charly Musonda.

Chelsea’s teenage attacking midfielder Charly Musonda will spend next season on loan at Real Betis, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

Musonda made 16 appearances for Betis last season following a loan move in January and the Belgium under-21 international will return to the Spanish club for the whole of next season.

The 19-year-old joined Chelsea from Anderlecht in June 2012, along with his elder brothers Tik and Lamisha.

He has since gone on to win the FA Youth Cup with the Blues and last year signed a contract extension until 2019, but has not yet featured for the first team.

A statement on Chelsea’s official website said: “Charly Musonda will continue his development in La Liga with his loan to Real Betis extended to cover the 2016/17 season.”

Cristiano Ronaldo Unable To Sleep Since His Shock Penalty Miss — Portugal's Coach

Coach of Portugal national team, Fernando Santos has revealed that his star player, Cristiano Ronaldo has been unable to sleep since his shock penalty miss.

According to the Portugal coach, Ronaldo has remained practically wide awake all nights since his costly miss. The coach is however confident that something good will come from it.

“Cristiano hasn't been able to sleep. On Sunday, I was one of the first up and he was already awake.”

“He's a winner and his experience will help him bounce back.”

“If there is a penalty in the next game, Cristiano Ronaldo will take it and he will score.”

“We played really well against Austria without scoring and we have to continue with this attitude. We made Austria, who are ranked 10th in the world, look like a small team.”

The 31-year-old Real Madrid star hit the post in Portugal's 0-0 group stage draw with Austria. And now Portugal needs to beat Hungary on Wednesday to progress past the group stage at Euro 2016 in France.

Cristiano Ronaldo loses it, grabs and flings Journalist’s microphone into lake

Portugal team captain Cristiano Ronaldo reacted angrily after he was approached by a Portuguese speaking journalist who asked him if he'll score in today's Euro 2016 must win game against Hungary. While out walking with teammates near Portugal’s hotel in Lyon, Ronaldo (yet to score in Euro 2016) was approached by the Journalist, and Ronaldo overreacted – grabbing the microphone and throwing it into a lake.

Source: Lindaikeji's Blog

Manchester United star has set a new record

Rashford

Statistics show that Marcus Rashford’s impressive introduction has shown up all of his team mates. Since his barnstorming display in the 5-1 win over FC Midtjylland, the youngster has scored 8 goals in 12 appearances, no teammate has more than 3 goals in that time.

Atletico Madrid have signed Argentinian star

Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Benfica to sign midfielder Nicolas Gaitan.

This season the player made 37 appearances as Benfica claimed a league and cup double for the third year in a row.

Nicolas Gaitan

Gaitan joined Benfica from Boca Juniors in 2010. He is also part of Argentina squad. The midfielder has made 15 appearances for his country and has scored two goals.

The 28-year-old will reportedly travel to A. Madrid to “complete all the formalities” However, no fee was disclosed when Atletico announced the news on Thursday.

Manchester United To Offer Juan Mata To Juventus In Paul Pogba Transfer

Manchester United are reportedly ready to offer Juan Mata to Juventus in order to seal the transfer of Paul Pogba.

Jose Mourinho is determined to sign the France international, whom he was also keen on during his time in charge of Chelsea.

Pogba, 23, continues to shine as one of the very best midfielders in world football, and could command a mammoth transfer fee.

According to ESPN, United may have to pay around £65million to re-sign their former player, but Mata joining in exchange is also on the table.

Mourinho sold the Spanish playmaker to United when he was still at Chelsea, and it is little surprise that he doesn't feature in his plans at Old Trafford either.

Still, the main stumbling block over the deal at the moment is Pogba's desire to wait for an approach from Real Madrid.

Chelsea's Matic Seek Mourinho Reunion At Manchester United

The Serbia international has told Antonio Conte that he wants to leave Stamford Bridge this summer and is keen on a move to Old Trafford.

Nemanja Matic has told incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte that he want to join Manchester United, according to The Sun.

The report claims that Conte has already held talks with several unsettled Chelsea stars, including Matic, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, and the Serbian midfielder has said that he is ready to quit Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho is also keen on bringing Matic to Old Trafford, despite the midfielder's alarming dip in form last season.

Mourinho has been given £200 million to spend and is also targeting a £60m move for Willian, although Chelsea are not looking to entertain offers.

West Ham Releases Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike

Nigerian football stars Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike have been released by West Ham following the expiration of their loan spells at the club.

This was announced by the club's website on Tuesday.

Moses joined West Ham from Chelsea in September 2015 on a season-long loan. He made 21 appearances and scored just one goal for the Hammers which was in a 2-1 win away to Manchester City.

Emenike on the other hand signed for West in January 2016 on loan from Fenerbahce until the end of the season with an option to make it permanent.

He made 13 appearances for the club. His only goals for the Hammers was in a 5-1 FA Cup win against Blackburn at Ewood Park where he scored a brace.

Cameroonian midfielder, Alex Song, was also released.