FIFA Goal Project to host Federation Cup Draws

Officials have confirmed that Thursday’s Draw Ceremony for this year’s Men and Women Federation Cup competitions will hold at the Conference Room of the FIFA Goal Project, National Stadium Complex, Abuja. The event starts at 1pm.

All 64 teams for the Men’s Draw and 18 teams for the Women’s Draw have emerged, setting the stage for the colourful event that will herald the national finals of the most prestigious football competition in the land.

Head of Federation Cup Unit, Ruth David reiterated on Wednesday that of the 64 teams in the Men’s draw, 19 are Premier League clubs, 14 belong to the second tier National League, 16 are of the Nationwide League and 15 are non-League.

The two teams that reached the final of the preliminaries in each State and the FCT have been considered, except Yobe State that failed to register any club for the competition. Of the remaining 72 clubs, eight were eliminated in last Tuesday’s play-off round.

BOXING: Floyd Mayweather Grand Arrival

Floyd “Money” Mayweather held his “Grand Arrival” on Tuesday afternoon. Thousands of fans turned out to watch a prompt Mayweather arrival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena as he was led to the stage by the Southern University Marching Band.

Floyd Mayweather Quotes:

“I don’t have anything negative to say about Manny Pacquiao or Freddie Roach. People from different teams can say things, but when it comes down to it, it comes down to the two fighters. “I don’t focus on all the festivities going on. I just focus on being the best that I can be and doing what I’m supposed to do in the gym.

“I don’t ever say that ‘this is my toughest fight’ or ‘this is my easiest’ fight. I feel like he is a competitor and anything can happen in the sport of boxing. I always want to go out there and be at my best.

“I’ve broken records before. Are we going to do record-breaking numbers again? Absolutely.

“One thing everybody plans for is to come forward and throw a lot of punches. They think it works, but it hasn’t worked in 19 years. If that’s his game plan, then we’ll just have to see how everything breaks down.

“Pacquiao would be a better fighter if he wasn’t so reckless. It’s a gift and a curse. He’s won a lot of fights by being reckless. But also being reckless can get you knocked out. Getting knocked out in a harsh way can affect you in the long run.

“People have criticized me for being a defensive fighter, but last night when I was at home sitting with my mother and my daughter, I thought to myself ‘I’m proud of myself.’ To be in a sport for 19 years, the main thing is I’m going to get out of the sport and still have a sharp mind.

“I don’t think one fight defines my career. All 47 fights played a major key. The bar is always set high for Floyd Mayweather. I think if we turn the table and if I had gotten knocked out by Marquez this fight would have never happened.

“I’m glad I was flashy and outspoken when I was younger. But I’m close to the big 4-0. I don’t have to bash anyone. I know what I can do. “Today I was thinking about how thankful I am for my fans. I’m so thankful for my fans. Every day when I’m training at the gym, there’s 200 or 300 fans waiting out there for me.

“Saturday, before and after the fight, I will still be The Best Ever. One fight doesn’t define my career. The great thing about my career is that I’m a smart businessman. A 19-year career with no punishment on the body, that’s what we should talk about.”

Leonard Ellerbe, CEO, Mayweather Promotions: “The turning point for the fight being made was when Floyd Mayweather met Manny Pacquiao and looked him in his eyes and said ‘I want to fight you.'”

* * *

Promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., this pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and SHOWTIME PPV Saturday, May 2 beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

BOXING: Last Pacman foe Algieri picks Mayweather

Former world champion Chris Algieri (20-1, 8 KOs), the last opponent of Manny Pacquiao predicts Floyd Mayweather will outpoint Pacman on Saturday in Las Vegas. “Styles make fights and I believe this is a style that suits Floyd,” said Algieri. “Floyd is the smartest fighter in the game. He will be able to pick up on certain flaws and exploit them. 

Manny is going to make him work in there and I believe that the first few rounds are going to be very interesting. Manny is a different and smarter fighter than he was before the Marquez knockout. If Manny comes in shape the way that he did against me, and if Floyd has missed a step at all, then I see Pacquiao giving him all kinds of trouble. Ultimately though, I see Mayweather winning a decision.”

Algieri returns to the ring on May 29 to take on Amir Khan at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, as the headliner of a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card on Spike TV.

BOXING: Kabore versus Fassinou on Friday in Ouagadougou

WBC International super-bantamweight champion Alexis Boureima Kabore from Burkina Faso will meet the WBC International Silver champion Fatiou Fassinou in a great African encounter.

Friday night at the palais des sports Ouaga 2000 of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the 2 champions will meet for the 3rd time in their career. In 2004 Fassinou, 22-3-1/10, knocked out the local boy inside 2 rounds but in their rematch in 2007 Kabore, 24-1-0/6, outpointed the visitor from Benin.

Kabore will make the second defence of his title he won in Dec 2013 against Reinaldo Cajina and made one succesful defence in Sep 2014 against Silvester Lopez. Fassinou won the WBC International Silver title in June 2014 against Felix Williams.

NFF Officials In London For PROZONE Wizard Training

As part of efforts to ensure adequate backroom support for the various National Teams, especially in the area of match preparation, the Nigeria Football Federation has sent four officials to the United Kingdom for specialized training on the all-inclusive match analysis software of PROZONE.

NFF Deputy General Secretary, Emmanuel Ikpeme, Assistant Director (Technical) Siji Lagunju, former international midfielder Nasiru Jibril (also personal assistant to the NFF President) and Coach Salisu Yusuf are already in London for the programme starting on Wednesday this week.

NFF’s latest move is in keeping with a promise made by its President, Amaju Pinnick, to members of the NFF Technical Study Group during a 10-day match analysis educational programme in the United Kingdom last month.

PROZONE pioneers performance analyses in sport, with a dedication to delivering insights that have genuine on-field impact. Established in 1995, Prozone has worked with many of the world’s leading clubs and organizations in sport to deliver performance analysis services.

Arguably the world’s most popular opposition scouting and post-match analysis platform, Prozone’s wizard allows instant access to every match event and links data to video, allowing coaching staff to quickly and efficiently review contextualized performance information. It is used for reflection and preparation at all levels from academy to first team

Boxing: Mayweather Grand Arrival On Wednesday

Floyd Mayweather made his “grand arrival” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas today. 

Leo Santa Cruz and others were in attendance. The event was hosted by entertainment personality Doug E. Fresh with performances by stand-up comedian, Ricky Smiley and world famous The Southern University “Human Jukebox” Marching Band.

Boxing: 1.7 million see Klitschko-Jennings; most watched HBO boxing telecast since 2012

Last Saturday night HBO Boxing televised the return of heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko to the United States for the first time in more than seven years and it proved to be a smash hit in the television ratings.

Per Nielsen Media Research, Klitschko’s fight against Bryant Jennings delivered an average viewership of 1,637,000, peaking at 1,742,000 viewers. This is by far the top performing bout on premium OR basic cable this year, and was the most watched HBO World Championship Boxing event since June 2012.

The opening bout of the telecast, Sadam Ali vs. Francisco Santana, delivered on average 1,000,000 viewers for the live, first time airing. The opening bout peaked at 1,134,000 viewers.

The entire HBO telecast on April 25th from Madison Square Garden averaged 1,300,000 viewers.

FED Cup: Draws for Federation Cup Competitions Hold Thursday

The Draw Ceremony for this year’s Men and Women Federation Cup competitions will hold in Abuja on Thursday.

In a statement to the Football Associations of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, NFF’s Head of Federation Cup Unit, Ruth David, saID the event will begin at 1pm.

Already, all 64 teams for the Men’s Draw and 18 teams for the Women’s Draw have emerged, setting the stage for the colourful event that will herald the national finals of the most prestigious football competition in the land.

David has also disclosed that of the 64 teams in the Men’s draw, 19 are Premier League clubs (Warri Wolves the only Premier League cut out after it lost to God’s Time FC in the Delta State preliminaries), 14 are from the second tier National League, 16 belong to the Nationwide League and an impressive 15 are non-League.

The two teams that reached the final of the preliminaries in each State and the FCT have been considered, except Yobe State that failed to register any club for the competition. Of the remaining 72 clubs, eight were eliminated in last Tuesday’s play-off round.

In the Women’s draw, usual suspects Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, Sunshine Queens, Delta Queens, Ibom Angels, Nasarawa Amazons and Kogi Confluence Queens make the cut. There are four non-League teams in the Women’s draw, namely Golden Babes of Ebonyi State, Moje Queens of Kwara State, Fortress Ladies of Edo State and Alberto Queens of Akwa Ibom State.

MEN’S DRAW
Caliphate Stars (Sokoto State); Kaduna United and A.B.U. FC (Kaduna State); New Stars and Zara FC (Kebbi State); Nasarawa United and Nasarawa Feeders (Nasarawa State); Rangers FC and Inter FC (Enugu State); Akampa United (Cross River State); Chuson FC (Ebonyi State); Makwada Warriors and Binani FC (Adamawa State); Akwa United and Akwa Starlets (Akwa Ibom State); Lobi Stars (Benue State); Gateway FC and Remo Stars (Ogun State); FRSC FC and FC Abuja (FCT); Bayelsa United and Nembe City (Bayelsa State); Wikki Tourists and Zabgai FC (Bauchi State); El-Kanemi Warriors and El-Kanemi Babes (Borno State); Kwara United and Kwara Academy (Kwara State); Heartland FC and Papilo FC (Imo State); New Vision FC (Ekiti State); 3SC and Crown FC (Oyo State); Idah United (Kogi State); Niger Tornadoes and Tornadoes Feeders (Niger State); Dallatu United and Shinkafi United (Zamfara State); Dolphins FC and Sharks FC (Rivers State); Plateau United and Giwa FC (Plateau State); Prime FC and Ajiroba FC (Osun State); Junior Spotlight and Spotlight FC (Katsina State); Sunshine Stars and Peacemaker FC (Ondo State); Jalingo United and FC Taraba (Taraba State); Golden Stars and Bizi Cashless (Jigawa State); Christ Ambassadors (Lagos State); Kukuruku Dragons and BJ Foundation (Edo State); J. Atete FC (Delta State); Kano Pillars and Kurmi Market (Kano State); Enyimba and Abia Warriors (Abia State); Gabros FC and Cardinal FC (Anambra State); Gombe United and Doma United FC (Gombe State)

WOMEN’S DRAW
Bayelsa Queens (Bayelsa State); Rivers Angels (Rivers State); Confluence Queens (Kogi State); Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa State); Delta Queens (Delta State); Beautiful Tour Angels (FCT); Edo Queens and Fortress Ladies (Edo State); FC Robo and COD United Ladies (Lagos State); Sunshine Queens and Rising Queens (Ondo State); Ibom Angels and Alberto Queens (Akwa Ibom State); Osun Babes and Oginni Queens (Osun State); Golden Babes (Ebonyi State); Moje Queens (Kwara State)

Basketball diplomacy: Former NBA Greats Teach Cuban Players Basketball In Post-detente Visit

 HAVANA – Former NBA greats, Steve Nash and Dikembe Mutombo, have opened their training camp for Cuban basketball players, hoping to boost the game's popularity on the communist-run island following the declaration of detente between Washington and Havana.

The flags of Cuba and the United States flew at the Havana University where the four-day camp ended on Sunday. Nash, a former MVP, and Mutumbo, a Hall of Fame inductee, were joined by ex-WNBA player Ticha Penicheiro and NBA coaches in teaching the more than 100 athletes.

The NBA is the first U.S. professional league to visit Cuba since the detente announcement. Basketball is Cuba's fourth most-popular sport, after baseball, boxing and soccer.

NIGERIA LEAGUE: NPFL Attends Inaugural World Leagues Forum

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was among the 24 leading Professional League organizations from across the world of football that met in London on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, for the first ever Global Leagues Forum.

This historic meeting brought together Presidents, Chairmen, Chief Executives and General Secretaries from Professional Leagues that represent over 1100 of the world’s top Clubs. Professional Leagues from Bolivia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, UAE, USA, as well as the European Professional Football Leagues Association, were represented. Players of clubs in these leagues provided just fewer than 90 per cent of the players who took part in the FIFA World Cup 2014.

In the NPFL delegation including Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Shehu Dikko and Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Nduka Irabor, made a strong case for the redistribution of incomes derived by the developed Leagues from the Nigerian territory.

The discussion between the leaders of Professional League football was wide ranging and focused on strategies for the successful development of Professional League football in each of their countries.

According to Renata Affonso, the Planning and Projects Manager of the Conference, it is recognized that whilst all Professional Leagues are different, the issues they face are the same as each looks to develop the professional game in their country. The World Leagues Forum thus provided a platform for sharing of experiences and approaches, with established Leagues committing to assisting developing Leagues across the world.

The Leagues agree that wherever a common view on issues can be achieved, Leagues should speak with a single voice, as leading members of the global football family. A focus of the next meeting in the USA (19-20 October 2015) will be on formalizing a new way of working more closely together

  

African Migrant Soccer Team Aims To Win Games In Italian Town Once Marred By Violence

ROSARNO, Italy – A soccer team fielding only African migrants is hoping to win hearts and games in one of Italy's poorest regions, where locals and foreigners once clashed in bloody fights. A local Catholic charity manages the team, Koa Bosco, near the town Rosarno in southern Italy.

In 2010, clashes between residents there and migrants who work picking crops in the region left 38 people wounded. The fights began when two migrants were shot with a pellet gun in an attack that migrants blamed on racism.

Koa Bosco captain Yaya Diallo, from Ivory Coast, arrived on Lampedusa island, near Sicily, in 2010. Hundreds of thousands of migrants in smugglers boats have reached southern Italy in recent years.

Coach Domenico Mammoliti, at a recent game, praised his team's "joy" in playing. 

WNBA stars arrested after fight at home

This combo of booking photos released by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, show WNBA players Brittney Griner, left, and her fiancee Glory Johnson.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Phoenix Mercury star, Brittney Griner and her fiancee, fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson, were arrested on suspicion of assault and disorderly conduct after an argument in the home they recently purchased together became physical.

The two 24-year-olds were each arrested on counts of assault by recklessly causing physical injuries and disorderly conduct for fighting. They were booked into the Maricopa County Jail in downtown Phoenix and later released.

The agent for Johnson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Griner told police that she and Johnson had been arguing every day and got into each other's faces Wednesday afternoon in the home they had bought two days earlier after Johnson said Griner "disrespected" her, according to a police report.

The WNBA and the teams said in statements that they were looking into the situation and did not comment further.

Griner is a two-time AP college basketball player of the year and led Baylor to a 40-0 season and the 2012 NCAA title. She was the No. 1 pick by the Mercury in the 2013 draft.

Manny Pacquiao arrives in Vegas

Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and his entourage arrived safely in Las Vegas Monday night for his much anticipated PPV showdown with Floyd Mayweather on Saturday. Manny was mobbed by boxing fans upon his arrival at Mandalay Bay.

Earlier in the day, after four rounds of sparring, working the mitts and a light workout, Pacquiao completed his final day of training camp on Monday at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif. From there the Pacquiao caravan, including a luxury bus festooned from stem to stern with Manny’s image, began its trek to Las Vegas for Fight Week.

TENNIS NEWS: Federer Still Fears 'Difficult To Beat' Nadal At French Open

Swiss tennis player Roger Federer speaks during a press conference in Istanbul on April 27, 2015  

Istanbul - Switzerland's 17-times Grand Slam winner, Roger Federer on Monday said he still believed Rafael Nadal was the favourite to win the French Open next month despite the Spanish star's troubled start to the clay court season.

Federer, who took his sole French Open title in 2009, this week, is refining his own clay court game at the Istanbul Open, the first ATP World Tour event to be held in Turkey and the first time that Federer has visited the country.

But Nadal, who with the exception of Federer's win has taken every French Open since 2005 to make nine in total, has shown a dip in form over the past weeks, failing to get past the third round at last week's Barcelona Open.

Swiss player Roger Federer returns the ball to a young Turkish tennis player during an exhibition tennis match after a press conference at the ATP Istanbul Open in Istanbul on April 27, 2015 

Federer said he believed that Nadal was still the man to beat on the red clay of Roland Garros, along with the in-form Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic.

"At the French Open, Rafa for me is still the favourite alongside Djokovic who has been playing so well”."Even though his (Nadal's) form is not as good as in previous years, I still believe when the French Open rolls around he is going to be very difficult to beat," he told a news conference in Istanbul.

Federer, 33, is himself looking for his own form on the slower clay after a long hard court season, having lost in the third round to Gael Monfils at the Monte Carlo Masters this month. But he said the Istanbul event was ideal for his preparations.

Spain's Rafael Nadal has won nine French Open titles

"It's about getting used to the sliding, deciding how aggressive I want to play," said the world number two. "I have been on hard courts for seven-eight months so it needs some adjustments. My game is going to get better and better as we move along."

Federer, who so far has been unable to add to his sole French Open win in 2009 and won his last grand slam at Wimbledon in 2012, acknowledged that this year's French Open "is clearly a big goal of mine". "But to play well at the French Open I need confidence. I hope that I can pick that up in Istanbul."

   

BOXING NEWS: Klitschko Defeats Jennings By Decision

IBF/WBO/WBA heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (64-3, 54 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten challenger Bryant Jennings (19-1, 10 KOs) at “The World’s Most Famous Arena”, Madison Square Garden on Saturday. 

Klitschko got off to a good start, although Jennings had some moments. Jennings started to cause Klitschko more problems in the middle rounds with his movement and rushes. Klitschko was deducted a point for holding from referee Michael Griffin. Jennings took some big shots in round twelve. Scores were 116-111, 116-111, 118-109.

This was Wlad’s 18th consecutive heavyweight title defense, a mark is surpassed only by Louis (25) and Larry Holmes (20). Counting his first reign as WBO champion, this will be Wladimir’s 23rd title defense. It was also Wlad’s first fight in the U.S. since he faced Sultan Ibragimov in this same arena seven years ago.

Next up for Klitschko, Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder? One thing is for sure, Shannon Briggs wasn’t allowed in the arena and can’t ask for the fight this time around.

TENNIS NEWS: Kuznetsova Among Seeded Losers In Prague

Prague, Czech Republic - Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia was among the seeded players shown an early exit Monday at the Prague Open.

Joining the fourth-seeded Kuznetsova as upset victims Monday were Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu and Italy's Camila Giorgi, while fifth-seeded Alize Cornet of France to avoid the quick elimination.

China's Shuai Zhang knocked out Kuznetsova with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph, while Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic thumped the sixth-seeded Begu, 6-3, 6-3. Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer rallied past the eighth-seeded Giorgi, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Cornet, though, had little trouble in her 6-3, 6-3 win over Slovakian wild card Kristina Schmiedlova. Next up for the Frenchwoman will be Czech wild card Denisa Allertova, who eased past American CoCo Vandeweghe, 6-4, 6-1.

Other winners on a busy first day included Russian Elena Vesnina, Serbia's Aleksandra Krunic and Polona Hercog of Slovenia.

Vesnina pounded Slovakia's Jana Cepelova, 6-2, 6-1, while Krunic came from behind for a 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 victory over Croatia's Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. Hercog outlasted Britain's Heather Watson, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), in a match that took more than three hours to complete. The top three seeds this week all hail from the host country.

Top-seeded Karolina Pliskova will headline Tuesday's first-round action against Germany's Annika Beck, while second-seeded Lucie Safarova will play countrymate Tereza Smitkova and third-seeded Barbora Strycova will take on American Madison Brengle.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL: Los Angeles-area NFL stadium plans feature lightning bolts, eternal flame

Latest new designs released for a proposed NFL stadium in the Los Angeles area include simulated lightning bolts for the San Diego Chargers and a flame honoring late Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis.

The thoroughly revamped plans for the $1.7 billion joint stadium proposal by the two teams came just two months after the project and an initial set of designs were first announced after it received approval from the Carson City Council.

The designs were presented in New York this week to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league's committee on possibly relocating a team to greater Los Angeles.

The flowing, metallic modern stadium design features a horseshoe-shaped seating arrangement that is open on one end.

Another stadium project, whose plans are much further along, is underway in nearby Inglewood and has St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke as a partner.

Under NFL rules, the next opportunity for a team to file to relocate to either stadium would be in January. The move would have to clear a tangle of league hurdles, including getting support from at least 24 of the 32 teams. 

BOXING NEWS: Mayweather-Pacquiao Fight Week Schedule

While the MGM Grand Garden Arena and all seats at Las Vegas closed circuit locations are sold out for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, there are still some fight week events open to the public.

Fighter Grand Arrivals: FREE
Date: Tuesday, April 28th
Time: DOORS @ 12:30PM
Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena
Note: Pacquiao will not participate

Undercard Fighter Workouts: FREE
Date: Wednesday, April 29th
Time: 3PM
Location: Lobby of MGM Grand Garden Arena

Final Weigh-in: Tickets are $10
Date: Friday, May 1st
Time: DOORS @ 12PM
Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena

Note: We understand that more than 10,000 tickets have already been sold. Any remaining tickets can be purchased through the MGM Resorts Call Center at (888) 760-7711 or at any MGM Resorts Box Office. Proceeds go to Susan G. Komen & Lou Ruvo Brain Institute.

BOXING NEWS: Pacquiao heading to Vegas today

After a final training session at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Manny Pacquiao and his team will drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Pacman will be staying at the Mandalay Bay Resort.

At StubHub, aftermarket ticket prices for Mayweather-Pacquiao range from $4600 in the nosebleed section to $361,894.46 at ringside. Aftermarket tickets for the WEIGH-IN are going for $200 to $700.

Floyd Mayweather is currently running as a -200 to -225 favorite at the online SPORTSBOOKS

BOXING NEWS: Granados-Solomon on Mayweather-Pacquiao undercard

Welterweight Adrian “Tigre” Granados (13-3-2, 9 KOs) of Cicero, Illinois gets the opportunity of a lifetime this Saturday. He will be on the undercard of the historic fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. Granados will take on unbeaten Brad Solomon (24-0, 9 KOs) in an eight round bout. Granados also just recently teamed up with Journeyman Management. 

They seem very confident that Granados will get a lot more recognition following his upcoming fight. “Adrian may not be a household name at the moment but he will be after his fight May 2nd,” said Journeyman Management CEO Andrew Zak.

Granados will enter as the underdog, which is something he has become accustomed to. Solomon is not only undefeated but is promoted by Top Rank, the shows’ co-promoter. Granadas is an all action type of fighter. He seems to feed off of these types of situations resulting in some of his career’s best fights.

His breakout moment came against former world champion Kermit Cintron in March of 2013. The bout was aired live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights as the main event. The fight was very competitive with Granados inspired fighting in front of his hometown fans and being on national TV in the spotlight. In the end the official decision was a draw.

It wasn't a win or a loss but more importantly Granados made a name for himself with his performance. He knows a win over Solomon on this kind of stage can elevate his career to the next level.

Enugu Rangers Coach, Kelechi Emeteole, says his dream is to build a team for the future. The former Heartland coach said this in a with Dream Fm Sports Yarn on Sunday after his team’s 3-0 win over El Kanemi at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

“I’m here at Rangers to build a team for the future. I can’t promise that I want to win the league title this season but I will try to do all I can to build a legacy that will bring back the glory days of Rangers”.

Speaking further, Emeteole believes that his counseling of his players will help to ensure a better outing for the team this season.

‘Apart from coaching, I also do more of counseling and I’m optimistic that will go a long way to correct some of the attitudes and actions which the players have been engaged in over a period of time”. “I know it’s not easy to achieve because a lot of the players may adhere or not, but, we will give it our best shot to correct the past ills”.

Meanwhile, the coach called on the fans of the club to support the team instead of creating disaffection when the team is not performing to expectation.

“My choice of fans is those who decide to sink with you when you are sinking and not those who will not be there for you when the road is rough. I call those ones fair-weather fans”. 

“I feel more of the pains they think they go through when the team is not doing well because I played for Rangers in those days and I’m not always happy when things are not going well”. 

“That’s what I’m here to change because we must find out why Rangers have not been winning trophies for a very long time”.

Shittu Denies Mikel Link To Real Madrid

Mikel Ob's agent has dismissed speculations linking the Chelsea midfielder with a transfer to Real Madrid in the summer transfer market.

Shittu refused to deny or confirm the reports, saying that his client still has a valid contract with Chelsea.

''I can't talk about anything regarding the reports linking him (Mikel ) with Real Madrid because he is still a Chelsea player''.

Reports claim Mikel could be heading to the Santiago Bernabéu as replacement for Sami Khedira, who is set to end his career in the next two months.

John Obi Mikel is tied to the English Premier League champions-in-waiting until the summer of 2017.

BBC WOMEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: VOTE OSHOALA

To vote for BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2015 by SMS, text the number of the player you wish to vote for to +44 7786 20 20 04. Text 1 for Veronica Boquete, 2 for Nadine Kessler, 3 for Kim Little, 4 for Marta and 5 for Asisat Oshoala.

Nigeria’s Oshoala Named In BBC Women's Footballer Of The Year Nominations

Five female players are in contention for the inaugural edition of the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award.

They are Spain's Veronica Boquete, Germany's Nadine Kessler and Scotland's Kim Little, Brazilian forward Marta and Liverpool and Nigerian youngster, Asisat Oshoala. The winner will be revealed on BBC World Service on May 26, 2015, after being decided by a public vote. Voting is open now and closes on May 11.

A panel of experts - including administrators, journalists, coaches and former players - decided the shortlist. Fans can vote online through the BBC website or by SMS.

To vote for BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2015 by SMS, text the number of the player you wish to vote for to +44 7786 20 20 04. Text 1 for Veronica Boquete, 2 for Nadine Kessler, 3 for Kim Little, 4 for Marta and 5 for Asisat Oshoala.

Reacting to her nomination, Nigeria’s Super Falcons Asisat Oshoala said: "I worked hard last year but I am surprised to be nominated and I feel very appreciated”. This award is a very good thing for women's football. It can really help us by encouraging other countries to support their ladies more and treat them the same way they treat the men”.

Meanwhile, Mary Hockaday, Controller of BBC World Service English, said: "With anticipation building ahead of the Women's World Cup in Canada in June we're thrilled to announce the shortlist for the first BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award”. "The five shortlisted players represent the creme de la creme of female footballers from across the globe." 

ALL FOR YOUR WEEKEND: PREMIER LEAGUE PICTURES

Southampton's Italian striker Graziano Pelle celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Spurs


Fans, players and officials mark the anniversary of the Bradford City fire disaster with a minutes silence prior to kick off at Southampton


Erik Lamela of Spurs celebrates scoring the equaliser against Southampton


Southampton's Italian striker Graziano Pelle heads the ball to score his second of the match... 2-1


Burnley's Danny Ings has a shot at goal blocked by Leicester City's Marcin Wasilewski


Connor Wickham of Sunderland scores the opening goal past Asmir Begovic of Stoke City


Liverpool's Raheem Sterling and West Brom's Craig Dawson battle for the ball


Ayoze Perez of Newcastle celebrates scoring the opening goal against Swansea


Adrian of West Ham saves Charlie Austin's penalty


Nelson Oliveria equalises against Newcastle


Dame N'Doye of Hull City celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace


Sergio Aguero opens the scoring for Manchester City in the Saturday Night Football game against Aston Villa

Watford Seal Promotion, Boro Slip

Watford: Clinched promotion after Boro lost and Norwich drew

Watford clinched their return to the Premier League on Saturday as they enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Brighton to win promotion.

With Middlesbrough slumping to a 4-3 defeat to Fulham and Norwich failing to see off Rotherham, the league-leading Hornets can only be caught by Bournemouth, who plays on Monday.

Watford, who now boasts five successive wins, ground out a workmanlike success before a crowd of 28,841 at the Amex Stadium to return to the top flight, eight years after their relegation from the Premier League.

NPFL: Sharks Settles In Aba For Week 6 Clash

Sharks FC arrive in Aba on Friday ahead of Sunday's Week 6 game against hosts, Enyimba.

The Blue Angels who were held to a goalless draw by visiting Bayelsa United on Thursday, will be aiming for the maximum points or pick a point away from home.

The Sharks/Enyimba game will kick off by 4pm.

Enyimba have 8 points from five matches, two points more than Sharks who are 12th on the league table.

OTHER WEEK 6 FIXTURES

                                                                      Abia Warriors vs. Shooting Stars

	Akwa United	v	Dolphins
	Bayelsa United	v	Ifeanyi Uba
	Enugu Rangers	v	El Kanemi Warriors
	Kano Pillars	v	Taraba
	Kwara United	v	Nasarawa United
	Lobi Stars	v	Giwa
	Sunshine Stars	v	Wikki Tourist
	Warri Wolves	v	Heartland

                                                                       

Boxing News: Poster T-shirt - Mayweather/Pacquiao

Full color printing on the front, with Mayweather and Pacquiao on a black background and gradient orange text, MGM Grand logo and the date May 2, 2,015. Official MVP product.

Colors:	Gray, Black, White on Regular sizes Black only for Big and Tall sizes
Material:	Cotton
Printing:	Full Color
Sides:	1
Available Sizes:	S-M-L-XL-XXL
Big and Tall:	MT-LT-XLT-XXL-XXXL-4XL-5XL-6XL
$32.00 +$8 shipping and processing