Bayern Munich came back from the brink of a shock Champions League exit to beat Juventus 4-2 in extra-time, earning a 6-4 aggregate win to claim a place in the quarter-finals. Paul Pogba took advantage of some shambolic defending from the Germans to put Juve in front after just six minutes and Juan Cuadrado doubled the lead with less than half an hour gone. But just as Bayern looked like they were slipping out they came back to life and after Robert Lewandowski pulled one back, Thomas Muller levelled three minutes from the end. That forced an extra half hour and two goals in as many minutes from substitutes Thiago and Kingsley Coman completed a stirring comeback as the hosts claimed an unlikely win.

Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who joined Derby as a football advisor yesterday, has been appointed as Jordan national team manager.  “He is a world class manager with an internationally recognised record at the highest level. This is a fantastic step for the national game in Jordan, ” said Prince Ali Al Hussein, President of the Jordan Football Association.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique wants to see an end to long-term contracts for managers, believing they should be hired on six-month deals. Enrique, who has also managed Roma and Celta Vigo, has won five trophies since taking over at the Nou Camp in 2014. “I would make it so there is never a contract of more than six months,” said the Spaniard, 45. “If I’m not happy and I’m not helping, it makes no sense for me to be a coach. The shorter the better.” Enrique was appointed on a two-year contract and extended that agreement for a further season last June, keeping him at the club until at least 2017.

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Our friends living in Port Harcourt have constantly drawn our attention to the ongoing political killings in Rivers State of Nigeria. According to them, some people have been beheaded while some were set ablaze alive. Cruelty of the highest order one would say! The state government has dismissed the killings as cult related albeit it has not come out to state what steps it is taking to curb the crisis. The federal government has deployed the military to some volatile areas to help check these killings and save the populace. The All Progressive Congress (APC) has commended this move but the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has spoken emphatically against the presence of the military terming it political.

Indeed the re-run elections for federal and state legislators coming up in Rivers state on the 19th of March has heated up the policy as expected. The major political parties, the APC (led by the immediate past governor and current Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi) and the PDP (led by former Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education and incumbent state governor, Chief Nyesom Wike) have been at each other trading all manner of accusations which are normal in election situations in the country.

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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has suspended Maria Sharapova after her failed a drug test. The Russian, 28, tested positive for meldonium and has been provisionally suspended from 12 March. “We last week suspended her role as a Goodwill Ambassador,” said a UNDP spokesperson. Sharapova has held the role since 2007 and has been suspended from “any planned activities while the investigation continues”.

Three South African football officials have been banned by FIFA following an investigation into international friendlies prior to the 2010 World Cup. Leslie Sedibe, former South African Football Association chief executive, has been banned from football-related activities for five years. He has also been fined Swiss Francs 20,000. Two former SAFA referees’ chiefs, Steve Goddard and Adeel Carelse, have each received two-year bans. The sanctions relate to the proceedings against Lindile Kika, who last October was banned from all football-related activity for six years. Kika denied being involved in match-fixing. FIFA found the officials guilty of infringements of its code of ethics relating to general rules of conduct, loyalty and duty of disclosure. All bans come into force immediately. The South African FA said it welcomed the sanctions. “We are glad this matter has ultimately reached this stage since Safa reported the matter to FIFA almost four years ago,” said Poobalan Govindasamy, chairman of the SAFA ethics committee. “It had dragged on too long for our liking and was starting to have an impact on us as an association and our valued stakeholders. “At SAFA we have a zero-tolerance policy for any corrupt activity which impacts negatively on this beautiful game and for that reason we welcome strong measures against any individual who is found guilty of such offenses.”

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has escaped any retrospective action for an alleged elbow on Liverpool’s Emre Can during the Reds first-leg Europa League clash with Liverpool, UEFA has announced. Earlier, United learned they would not be punished after their supporters chanted about the Hillsborough stadium disaster during the 2-0 defeat at Anfield last Thursday.

Arsenal have made a move for Roma starlet Umar Sadiq, according to the player’s agent. The Gunners have apparently tabled an offer of £13m for the teenager with the transfer to be completed once the summer transfer window opens. This season he has scored five goals in nine UEFA Youth League games, and two from his six Serie A appearances. Arsene Wenger has been following two other Nigerians in Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze and now 19-year-old Sadiq has joined that list. However, the Frenchman will have to act fast as Borussia Dortmund are also monitoring his progress and Roma are in no rush to sell their latest starlet. The player’s agent Mohammed Lawalb said: “Yes we have been approached by Arsenal, but they are not the only team interested in Sadiq as Borrussia Dortmund are also pushing for him. “In the coming days or weeks we will know where he is heading to, but for now he is very happy and focused at Roma.”

Watford stunned FA Cup holders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium to book their place in the semi-finals at Wembley. Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo scored his first goal in 599 minutes to put the away side ahead early in the second half after Arsenal had spurned a series of good chances. Adlene Guedioura then smashed home with the visitors’ second shot on target. Substitute Danny Welbeck scored with two minutes left to set up a dramatic finish, before missing the chance to force a replay from an open goal. With Costel Pantilimon beaten after an Alex Iwobi effort had come back off the post, Welbeck could only stab the ball agonisingly wide as he struggled to keep his balance on the turn. Following defeats by Swansea and Barcelona, this was Arsenal’s third consecutive loss at the Emirates – their worst home run since moving from Highbury in 2006. And it could have been worse for the Gunners, with defender Gabriel fortunate to escape punishment for a two-footed tackle on Troy Deeney before the break.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he is likely to leave Paris St-Germain this summer after helping them clinch a fourth successive French title. The Swede scored four goals as PSG demolished Troyes 9-0 to seal the Ligue 1 trophy with eight games left. The 34-year-old told beIN Sports: “For the moment, I will not be at PSG next season. I still have a month and a half left here. “If they replace the Eiffel Tower with a statue of me, then I will stay.” Ibrahimovic has recently been linked with moves to Manchester United and Major League Soccer in the United States. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said that he wants Ibrahimovic to stay when his contract ends in June. “Zlatan is magical,” he said. “He is a great player. We are going to talk him and see what he wants to do. We want him to stay.” Ibrahimovic’s four goals on Sunday included a 10-minute hat-trick, which took his league total to 27 in 24 games this season and increased his tally in the French top flight to 102. The victory over the bottom club sealed a fourth straight title after just 30 games, a record for one of Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues.

That’s too much to ask for Ibra!

Africa’s new top ranked nation, Cape Verde, officially confirmed Felisberto Cardoso as their new coach as they announced their squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Morocco later this month. Cardoso – better known as ‘Beto’ – had been named acting coach in January after the departure of the Portuguese Rui Aguas in a spat over unpaid wages. Beto’s permanent appointment was confirmed at a news conference in Praia, where Jimmy Barros and Bassano were named the team’s new assistants. Beto had been assistant to former Portugal international Rui Aguas, who took Cape Verde to the last Nations Cup finals in Equatorial Guinea where they were eliminated after the opening group phase despite not losing a match. The island archipelago, one of the smallest countries on the continent, took over as the top ranked African team in the latest FIFA rankings with Beto telling reporters he understood the “increased responsibility” on the team.

Bournemouth striker Benik Afobe has been included in the Democratic Republic of Congo squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola later this month. The 23-year-old has represented England at youth level since 2005, having captained the Under-12s, won the Victory Shield with the U16s, and turned out for the U17s, U19s and U21s. Last month Afobe revealed that a lack of chances to make England’s senior squad could lead him to turn to the country of his parents. DR Congo coach, Florent Ibenge, has now handed him a maiden call-up in a 32-man provisional squad for the Group B fixtures at home on 26 March and away in Lubango three days later. Afobe holds dual nationality and has not played for England’s senior side, making him eligible for the Leopards – once an application has been made to FIFA and approved.

Rafa Benitez has been appointed as Newcastle manager on a three-year deal, saying he has “committed to a legendary English club”. Benitez, who arrived on Tyneside early on Friday afternoon, was announced just three hours after Steve McClaren’s sacking on Friday morning. After a brief meeting at St James’ Park, Benitez left for Newcastle’s Darsley Park training ground to meet with club staff – the players have been given the day off. It is thought Benitez will take training on both Saturday and Sunday and could be in the dugout for Newcastle’s Monday Night Football clash at Premier League leaders Leicester City. Benitez is understood to have an opt-out clause in his contract if the club is relegated.

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Newcastle United have sacked head coach Steve McClaren. The former England boss won just six of 28 Premier League games in charge of the Magpies, who are just one place off the foot of the table. McClaren and his team were booed off following Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Bournemouth at St James’ Park – their third successive league defeat. Former Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss Rafael Benitez has been tipped to take over. McClaren’s future has been a source of almost constant speculation since the defeat to the Cherries.  Continue reading →

Championship strugglers Bristol City have signed striker Peter Odemwingie on loan from Stoke City for the rest of the season. The Nigerian, 34, moves to Ashton Gate having not made a single start in the Premier League for the Potters this season. “I’m delighted we’ve been able to bring someone of Peter’s quality in; he’ll provide us with experience and hopefully goals in one form or another,” City head coach Lee Johnson told the club website. “I’m looking forward to working with him and he’ll be available for us at Fulham tomorrow.” Odemwingie’s arrival comes after Robins centre-back Aden Flint was named February’s Championship Player of the Month earlier today. The Robins are 20th in the second tier, two points above the relegation zone, with 10 games of the season remaining.

Mauricio Pochettino has been named the Premier League Manager of the Month for February after leading Tottenham to four successive victories. Spurs enjoyed a superb month on the pitch and maintained their push for a first league title since 1961, with Pochettino masterminding victories over Norwich, Watford, Manchester City and Swansea. Nigeria’s Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha, Brazil’s Ronaldinho and Argentina’s Pochettino were teammates at French club, Paris Saint Germaine.

Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster has picked up the February’s Premier League Player of the Month award. Forster made his return after 10 months out with a cruciate knee ligament injury in mid-January and has since been in great form for the Saints.

Thursday 10 March, 2016:

Borussia Dortmund 3 – 0 Tottenham

Basel 0 – 0 Sevilla

Fenerbahce 1 – 0 Sporting Braga

Shakhtar Donetsk 3 – 1 Anderlecht

Athletico Bilbao 1 – 0 Valencia

Liverpool 2 – 0 Manchester United

Sparta Prague 1 – 1 Lazio

Villarreal 2 – 0 Bayer Leverkusen

Dean Holdsworth’s Sports Shield consortium have completed their takeover of Bolton Wanderers for an initial £7.5m. Holdsworth will become the Trotters’ new chief executive and take on the running of the club from former owner Eddie Davies. Ken Anderson will become the club’s new chairman. Davies is also understood to have written off £170m owed to him by the football club. “We would also like to thank the staff, fans and club sponsors for their continued support during what has been an incredibly difficult period for all involved,” Holdsworth told the club’s official website. “Securing the club’s future was of paramount importance. This is a great day for Bolton Wanderers Football Club and Sports Shield. “We very much hope that we can build on the continued support of a club steeped in history for many years to come.”

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The Togo coach, Tom Saintfiet, says he is hopeful he may yet be able to convince Emmanuel Adebayor to return to the national team, after the striker rejected a call-up for their forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tunisia. Adebayor, who last played for his country in June 2015, said he wanted to focus on his new club Crystal Palace who he joined in January after 10 months away from professional football. But Saintfiet insisted that the 32-year-old is still key to his plans. “Me as national team coach, I want Adebayor to return to the national team, I want him to be there, I want him to play and I want him to score goals for our country,” Saintfiet said. Adebayor has had a difficult relationship with coach Tom Saintfiet in the past. The former Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal player had not been picked since failing to turn up for a Nations Cup qualifier against Djibouti in September following a row over losing the captaincy.

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Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is coming out retirement at the age of 45 to play for a Dutch amateur team. Van der Sar answered an SOS after VV Noordwijk – his first senior club – were left without cover when their keeper picked up an injury. “We are thrilled that Edwin wants to help,” Noordwijk director Peter Vink told Voetbal in de Bollenstreek.