Author: Chief Editor

Juventus’s Serie A supremacy faces a stiff test with the champions just one point ahead of Lazio as the Italian league kicks off again this weekend following a three-month shutdown. A return had looked unthinkable back in April as Italy counted their daily coronavirus deaths in the hundreds for nearly 35,000 victims in the country. But the situation has improved with strict health protocols in place and all matches being played behind closed doors. Four postponed games will take place first this weekend involving teams at the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak. Atalanta host Sassuolo in Bergamo on Sunday, and…

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho is hoping to exact revenge on former employers Manchester United, while Liverpool aim to move within one win of the title as the Premier League’s return kicks up a gear across a four-day weekend of action. The English top flight got its first taste of empty stands and strict hygiene protocols on Wednesday as Aston Villa’s goalless draw with Sheffield United and Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Arsenal restarted the campaign. Despite the muted atmosphere, there remains plenty to play for at both ends of the table with the clash between Tottenham and United pivotal in…

A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, thursday, adjourned hearing on corruption charges against a governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and four others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The other four defendants in the suit are former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Lucky Imasuen; immediate past chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih; current state Chairman of PDP, Mr. Tony Aziegbemi; and Efe Erimuoghae. During the hearing, the presiding Judge, Justice M. G. Umar ruled that the charges filed…

If you are a home-based player and you believe you have the qualities needed to play for Nigeria, you now have the chance to convince the coaches with your skills. This is because Super Eagles’ Chief Coach, Gernot Rohr, has challenged players in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) to be ready for the assessment, which will begin as soon as club football returns in the country. Home-based Nigerian players have been clamouring for inclusion in the senior national team, which in recent times has been the exclusive preserve of players playing outside the country. The change began with the…

Solskjaer has challenged Paul Pogba to show leadership at Manchester United as the midfielder seeks to put a wretched season behind him. The World Cup winner has managed just eight appearances in all competitions due to foot and ankle problems and has not played since December. United’s record signing could make his long-awaited return when their Premier League campaign resumes at Tottenham on Friday, where Pogba would face former boss Jose Mourinho. United manager Solskjaer said he was confident that Pogba, linked with a move away from Old Trafford earlier this season, would recover his best form. “Paul is one…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Nigeria free of wild polio, following the completion of documentation for the free status. The UN health agency disclosed this on its regional office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, official twitter account @WHOAFRO. “Today, Nigeria’s complete documentation for Wild Polio virus free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC). “It is a historic day for Nigeria, Africa and the Global Polio Programme,’’ WHO said. Meanwhile, Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in a tweet at @drfaisalshuaib described…

After he succeeded in convincing his parent club, Shanghai Shenhua to extend his stay at Old Trafford, Odion Ighalo will from today have another chance to prove why Manager Ole Gunnnar Solskjaer did not make a mistake signing him on loan last January. Ighalo will be an integral part of Manchester United today to begin push for a Top Four finish and a ticket to the lucrative UEFA Champions League next season when they file out against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur. Before the suspension of the English topflight last March, the AFCON 2019 top scorer had logged in four goal…

A Nigerian entrepreneur, Obinwanne Okeke, popularly known as Invictus Obi, on Thursday appeared before an Eastern District of Virginia court, The PUNCH has learnt. Okeke, and conspirators appeared before the Magistrate, Judge Robert Krask, on counts bordering on fraud, forgery, among others,  said the United States Attorney’s Office in a statement. Okeke, 32, operated a group of companies known as the Invictus Group between 2015 and 2019, and was accused of fleecing unsuspecting victims of over $11 million. He pleaded guilty to the charges. The statement read, “The conspirators obtained and compiled the credentials of hundreds of victims, including victims in the Eastern District…

UEFA wants a harmonised European transfer window this summer closing on October 5, ahead of next season’s Champions League and Europa League group stages, football’s continental governing body said Thursday. Following an executive committee meeting held via videoconference, UEFA said clubs would have until October 6 to register players for the group stage of next season’s European club competitions. On Wednesday it was announced that the 2020-21 Champions League would start on October 20, with the Europa League group stage starting two days later. The summer transfer window in Europe usually closes at the start of September, although individual countries…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer heaped praise on Marcus Rashford for his work to help feed vulnerable families during the coronavirus crisis, saying it was more important than anything he would do on the pitch. The Manchester United striker has helped raise around £20 million ($25 million) for charity and this week persuaded the British government to provide free school meal vouchers during the summer holidays. Solskjaer, whose team return to action at Tottenham on Friday, said it had been “fantastic” to follow Rashford during the coronavirus lockdown. “It’s not only that he got the Prime Minister to change his mind, but…