Austin Jay Jay Okocha’s strike against West Ham United on April 19, 2003, has been ranked the best Premier League goal scored by a Nigerian beating Nwankwo Kanu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and other strikes to the award. The ranking was done by the English Premier League.
Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo, has won the club’s March Goal-of-the-Month award. The Nigerian striker won his first award at the Old Trafford club after his sparkling effort goal against LASK in the Europa League. Man United made this known in a statement on its official website on Saturday.
Harry Kane fears the Premier League season may not be completed following the coronavirus pandemic unless it has reached a conclusion by the end of June. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin admitted this weekend the European football season “would probably be lost” if it won’t restart by the end of June at the latest.
Xavi believes he is ready to manage Barcelona but insists there cannot be any “toxicity” in the dressing room. The midfielder spent the majority of his playing career with Barcelona, from 1998 to 2015, playing more than 700 matches. During his time at the club he won eight La Liga titles and lifted four Champions League trophies and also played a crucial role in Spain’s three successive major tournament wins at Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.
Ethiopian athletics legend Haile Gebrselassie has donated nearly $50,000 to a committee set up to fight the spread of coronavirus in his homeland. The Covid-19 National Resource Mobilisation Committee was launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday in Ethiopia, where there are currently 21 reported cases. “It’s not time to profit but to save lives,” said Haile. “We need to support the government at this crucial time and support one another.”
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says the current football season could be lost if it cannot be restarted by the end of June. Most leagues in Europe are suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, with this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament postponed for another year. Ceferin says seasons could be finished behind closed doors.
Boxer Anthony Yarde says his father has died after contracting coronavirus. The 28-year-old light-heavyweight has urged people to stay at home, saying his father had been “fit with no health issues” before becoming ill. “I’m still in shock but maybe this can help people stay at home,” Yarde posted on social media.
Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld is trying “to bring a little bit of joy” to those with coronavirus by donating tablets to hospitals and nursing homes. The Belgium international has already paid for dozens of devices and has more on the way for those who are isolated.
The world championship could extend into January next year as Formula 1 seeks to salvage the 2020 season, says Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto. The first eight races have been called off and the British Grand Prix in July is one of the next events under threat. Binotto said teams are in “constant dialogue” with F1 on how to proceed. “We’re assessing various ideas – races closer together, maybe doing two or three races in January, cancelling (Friday) practice,” he said.
It would only be “fair” to award Liverpool the Premier League title if the season is not completed because of coronavirus, says Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. With football in England suspended until at least 30 April, Liverpool have a 25-point lead over defending champions City and are two wins from a first top-flight title in 30 years.
Football is suspended across most of world because of the coronavirus pandemic – but the game rolls on in Belarus. The Belarusian Premier League rarely gets a mention in normal circumstances yet it is attracting attention from foreign fans as one of the few places around the globe – and the only place in Europe – where football is still being played.
Turkey’s most capped player, former goalkeeper Rustu Recber, is in a “critical period” in hospital with coronavirus. The ex-Barcelona and Fenerbahce keeper, 46, won 120 caps and was one of the players of the tournament when Turkey reached the 2002 World Cup semi-finals.
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