Super Eagles stars, Victor Moses and Kenneth Omeruo will resume pre-season programme with their English Premier League side, Chelsea, on the 16th of July at the club’s Surrey headquarters before they leave for a training camp in Australia. Moses played in all three games for the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia while Omeruo starred in the team’s last two games. Nigeria failed to get past the group stages losing 2-0 to Croatia, winning 2-0 against Iceland and losing 2-1 to Argentina in Group D. Nigeria’s only three goals at the World Cup in Russia were scored by Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses. Musa netted a brace in the 2-0 win over Iceland, while Moses scored the consolatory goal when the Eagles lost 2-1 to Argentina. While Omeruo is yet to feature for Chelsea in an official game, Moses who had spent three seasons away from Stamford Bridge on loan at Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham played 38 times in all competitions over the course of the 2017/18 ...

Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has narrated how he played a key game for his team during the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup despite his father, Michael, being in captivity. Nigeria needed a draw with Argentina to advance to the round of 16 last Tuesday but, unknown to his colleagues, Mikel had a much bigger issue to deal with. Kidnappers had his father in their custody and were demanding a huge ransom. He had also been warned not to involve security agencies if he wanted his father back alive and in one piece. “I played while my father was in the hands of bandits,” Mikel was quoted by The Guardian on Tuesday. “I had to suppress the trauma. I took a call four hours before kick-off to tell me what had happened. “I was emotionally distraught and I had to make the decision about whether I was mentally ready to play. I was confused. I did not know what to do but, in the end, I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down. I had to shut it out of my head and go ...

Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong hopes the experience gained by the squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup can lead to a brighter future for the Super Eagles. Nigeria will face Seychelles in their next competitive match in September in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier after crashing out of the World Cup where they placed third behind Croatia and Argentina. “Everyone was just trying to deal with the loss and move on, so it was a quiet dressing room but definitely one that learnt a lot and hopefully formed some players,” Ekong told BBC Sport. “This is what you need as a team. When you talk about that Argentinian team, that’s a team that has experienced all levels, Croatia are the same while Iceland have played the Euros together. “You need a tournament like this just to learn what it is like to play at this level, under this pressure, in front of the whole world. “Hopefully by the next time we get to a World Cup, and if we can be part of that with all the playe...

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that the Super Eagles will suffer no more inferiority complex at the biggest stage following their exit from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Rohr who signed a two-year contract extension last year – also praised the mood within the camp despite the exit. “I think the future is for Nigeria because the spirit is wonderful, big solidarity and you see in these difficult moments how great the spirit in the team is,” Rohr told BBC Sport. “What they learned is to be better in the beginning of the match. “We reacted well in all three matches in the second half, so our start must be better. “Also – we should have no complex now. We have seen that we can win against good teams like Iceland. We had some mistakes of youthfulness, like conceding penalties, but all the time the team is in this collective spirit and I like it.” Nigeria’s next competitive match comes in September when they play an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier agains...

Super Eagles defender, Shehu Abdullahi, says the team must now fight hard to secure a place in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon after their early ouster from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The Super Eagles have failed to qualify for the last two AFCON’s despite their pedigree as one of the strongest teams in the continent. Gernot Rohr’s men already face a tough task in their bid to make it to Cameroon after losing their first qualifying fixture 2-0 at home against South Africa. The Bursaspor of Turkey defender reckons that the team must concentrate on reaching Cameroon after their unlucky exit from the 2018 World Cup after First Round. “It is important that we qualify for the next AFCON in Cameroon. We have not played in the competition for some time now and we can’t afford to miss the next one,” Abdullahi told CSN. “I believe we have a team that can get the job done despite all the odds. The teams in our group won’t hand us the ticket on a platter of gold, ...

FIFA have slammed Diego Maradona for criticising American referee, Mark Geiger’s handling of England’s win against Colombia in their Second Round clash at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The Argentinian, who is being paid £10,000-a-game to work as an ambassador for the governing body at the World Cup, described the result on Tuesday in the round of 16 as a ‘monumental theft’. It is the third controversy involving the Argentina great at the World Cup in Russia, which he has mostly attended as a VIP guest of FIFA. Maradona previously apologised for making an offensive gesture toward South Korean fans, and was filmed aggressively raising his middle fingers after Argentina scored a late winning goal against Nigeria. FIFA said Maradona’s insinuations were entirely inappropriate and completely unfounded. ‘At a time when FIFA is doing everything within its power to ensure principles of fair play, integrity and respect are at the forefront of this World Cup and how the organis...

Real Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo, has accepted a contract of €30m per season to join Italian champions Juventus, according to a reports on Diario AS. Ronaldo who scored four goals for Portugal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia before their exit wants to leave the club after a fractured relationship with Real Madrid’s President Florentino Perez and the club’s pursuit of Paris Saint Germain’s Neymar. Madrid-based Diario AS reported the Portuguese star has agreed personal terms with the Bianconeri and it is believed that the European champions will request at least €100m for the player. No deal has yet been struck but the remarkable deal appear to have taken a step closer to fruition. Meanwhile, the prospect of Ronaldo joining up with the Turin giants has been talked up by potential team-mate Blaise Matuidi , who said: “It would be great to have one of the best players in the world with Juventus in the same club that I am.”

Multiple World Boxing Heavyweight Champion, Anthony Joshua’s next two fights will be staged at the Wembley Stadium, according to Matchroom Sport. Joshua who currently holds the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO world heavyweight titles, has previously fought at the North London venue on two occasions, including last April when he defeated Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko. The Nigerian born pugilist who was once an Olympic gold medallist had been hoping to face WBC champion Deontay Wilder in his next outing. But it was revealed last months that negotiations broken down due to the WBA calling for Joshua to face mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin. That bout against Povetkin will take place on September 22 – with an official announcement expected in the next seven days – while Matchroom has also confirmed that Joshua is scheduled to compete at the national stadium on April 13. Should Joshua defeat Povetkin, promoter Eddie Hearn will likely look to re-open talks with Wilder’s team over a...

Battle between Neymar and Eden Hazard one to keep an eye on, with place in final four up for grabs World Cup favourites Brazil take on Belgium this coming Friday (6 July) at the Kazan Arena. Belgium came from two goals down to beat Japan 3-2 to reach this stage, and this game should be a real treat for the neutral between two stacking sides. Get the ball rolling First things first, head on over to the  Oddsshark  website, find your favourite betting site and get your account sorted out with a username and password. As a new customer and with the World Cup quarter-finals set to start, there should be several promotions and sales on offer for you. Where can I win money in this game? On paper, there is a whole host of attacking talent on show which should mean goals. On one side, Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus for Brazil, while the Belgians can count on Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. This could be the best tie of the quarter-finals an...

Lucas Torreira has revealed that Uruguay will be on alert to shut down France’s fast attacking talents in their Friday’s 2018 World Cup quarter-final clash at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Russia. Uruguay defence marshalled by Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez have conceded just one goal in four games so far at the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia but they will come up against the pace of Kylian Mbappe and the trickery of Antoine Griezmann who lead the French attack. “France have very important players, especially their forwards, who are very fast,” Torreira told the Uruguay Football Association’s official Facebook page. “We have to be smart and occupy the spaces very well to try to overshadow their game.” “It’s amazing how we feel that affection on his part. He is a person who transmits tranquillity and confidence. Torreira has impressed so far at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 22-year-old midfielder has attributed his form to their veteran head coach Oscar Tabarez. ...

Brazil coach Adenor Leonardo Bacchi fondly known as Tite is looking forward to a great game against Belgium in Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-final clash at the Kazan Arena. Tite’s Brazil defeated Mexico 2-0 in the round of 16 to set up a mouth watering tie against the Red Devils who also came from a two goal deficit to beat Japan 3-2 in their own fixture. “It will be a great match. Both teams excel with beautiful football. Belgium have great players and a great coach as well. I’ve always put them in the group of favourites [for the title]. It’s the same now,” Tite told a media conference in Kazan. The last meeting between both countries was Brazil’s 2-0 World Cup Round of 16 victory in 2002 over Belgium. Tite also announced that Marcelo will return at left-back against Belgium. Filipe Luis had filled in for the fit-again Marcelo when he was missing in Brazil’s last two games due to injury. “I’ve spoken with both Marcelo and Filipe Luis. Filipe played very well in b...

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has described Danijel Subasic as a hero after the goalkeeper saved three penalties in his side’s 4-3 win against Denmark in the round of 16 of this year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia. Subasic denied the trio of Christian Erikson, Michael Krohn-Dehli and Nicolai Jorgensen during the penalty shoot-outs, to send Croatia into the last eight for the first time since France 1998 World Cup. “He (Subasic) was a hero tonight. He saved three penalties in the shoot-out and you don’t see that every day. He pulled us out tonight when we needed it and congratulations to him.” Dalic posited that his side deserved to beat Denmark due to the hardwork they put in the game. “We stayed mentally strong, controlled and we won eventually. This is a reward for all our hard work, and that makes it all the sweeter. “So far we have played well, and won in superior fashion. But you have to have difficult moments. We haven’t played a great game, not like the level of our ...

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah has agreed a massive new five-year contract to keep him at English Premier League club Liverpool until 2023, the club confirmed on Monday. Salah’s deal will see him become the highest earning player in the club’s history, with his salary – which will be performance related – thought to include incentives which could take his earning to beyond £10m a year. The Egyptian broke the Premier League record for most goals scored in a 38 game season when he grabbed 32 goals last season. And in an incredible record breaking campaign took his tally for club and country to 50 goals. Liverpool were keen to give him a new contract to tie him to the club long term, with interest from the likes of Real Madrid. “I think this news can be seen for what it is; rewarding a person who performed and contributed greatly for the team and the club last season,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told the club’s official website. “It demonstrates two things very clearly a...

National Basketball Association superstar LeBron James has signed a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $154million. The 33-year-old three-time NBA champion and free agent announced his exit from Cleveland Cavaliers via his agency Klutch Sports Group on Sunday night. The Lakers finished 2017-18 with a 35-47 record and missed the playoffs for a fifth straight season. James, a 14-time All-Star and four-time MVP, spent the first seven years of his career with Cleveland before he signed with the Miami Heat as a free agent prior to 2010-11. He played in Miami for four seasons and won two championships before he re-signed with the Cavaliers in July 2014. James averaged 27.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game for the Cleveland Cavaliers two season ago. He improved on those numbers to 34 points and 9.1 rebounds during Cleveland’s run to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers are reportedly in talks with Kawhi Leonard and have spoken w...

Spanish LaLiga champions Barcelona have unveiled their new away kit for the 2018/2019 football season. The club made the announcement on their official website on Monday with stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquet, Paulinho and Samuel Umtiti modeling the new kit. A statement on the club’s website reads: “Five weeks after the unveiling of the new home kit for the 2018/19 season, this Monday you can discover what the away shirt will look like. “The new Nike away kit will be yellow, in tribute to the shirt worn during the 2005/06 season, when FC Barcelona won the double, including the second Champions League in their history. It should be remembered that yellow has historically been a lucky colour for Barça, and was also present in the second kit during the 2008/09 season – the camapign corresponding to Barça’s first treble. “The shirt includes blaugrana blue and claret flashes on the sleeves, representing the characteristic blur of speed, while the neck will have a...