Tyson Fury could potentially be stripped of his boxing licence at a meeting of the British Boxing Board of Control on Wednesday. Fury’s case will be discussed by officials after a reported failed drugs test in the United States and his admission in Rolling Stone magazine that he has “done lots of cocaine”. A ban is likely to expedite confirmation of a fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua for the newly-vacant world heavyweight titles.
Former Nigerian and Premier League striker Yakubu is paying for entry to Boreham Wood matches this season, but still will not commit to joining the National League club. The 33-year-old ex-Everton and Nigeria forward has been training with his local club since the summer. “Yak is courteous, he comes and watches the games, he pays entrance. He’s fully on board with what I’m doing and what the club are doing,” boss Luke Garrard said. “I’m trying my hardest to get him to sign a contract. But as it stands I don’t know his current situation in terms of where he’s going or what he has planned.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Total reached an agreement today under which the Group will become the official sponsor of African football for the next eight years. Total will support CAF’s ten principal competitions, starting with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which has a global audience. Renamed the Total Africa Cup of Nations, the tournament will be held in Gabon from January 14th to February 5th, 2017. “This partnership is a major milestone in our ongoing search for additional resources to accelerate African football’s development, bring its governance up to date, upgrade its sports infrastructure and advance its performance globally,” commented Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football. “As a leading multinational in its field, with strong ties to Africa, Total will make a significant contribution to CAF’s initiatives to foster personal and professional growth for young Africans.”
Tiger Woods has withdrawn from this week’s Safeway Open, saying his game is “vulnerable”. The 14-time major champion will not take part in the event, which would have been his return to competitive action after more than a year out. The American, 40, last competed in August 2015, since when he has twice had surgery on his back. Woods is planning to return in early December at the Hero World Challenge, which he hosts in the Bahamas. The former world number one, now ranked 786, said he had come to his decision after “a lot of soul searching and honest reflection”. In early September Woods had announced he would make his comeback at the Safeway Open before competing at the Turkish Airlines Open in November.
England captain Wayne Rooney says he “understands and respects” Gareth Southgate’s decision to drop him and accepts he is no longer the first name on the team sheet. Rooney, the country’s all-time leading scorer, will hand the skipper’s armband to Jordan Henderson for Tuesday night’s World Cup Qualifier in Slovenia and be replaced in midfield by Eric Dier. With conflict and indecision over his best position, the 30-year-old has also been dropped to the bench by Jose Mourinho at Manchester United and Rooney admits he is in a “difficult” period in his career. “I’ve played 13 years non-stop for England and given everything, and the time comes when you are not the first name on the team sheet,” he said. “It is a chance for other players. I’m not denying my game in a difficult period. I’ve been on the bench the last few games for Manchester United but that’s part of football.
Chelsea star Diego Costa was sitting down for dinner with his Spain teammates on his 28th birthday when a surprise cake was wheeled out to brighten up his international break. The pantomime villain’s usually surly features transformed themselves into an elated grin when he saw the flamboyant sparkly candle, and he gave a brief speech of gratitude before resuming his place at the table. But that wasn’t all. Slighty oddly, the squad seemingly had a whip around and decided to buy Costa, who earns a reported £185,000 a week, an LG gram ultra-thin laptop. And, judging from the striker’s delighted face, it’s just what he always wanted.
Belgium striker Christian Benteke scored the fastest World Cup qualifying goal after seven seconds against Gibraltar. The 25-year-old’s strike is also the quickest goal in Belgium’s history. The Crystal Palace striker pounced on a loose ball from the kick-off and dribbled into the box before scoring with a left-footed shot. The goal beat the record of 8.3 seconds set by San Marino’s Davide Gualtieri against England in November 1993. Benteke added his second before half-time with Axel Witsel also on the scoresheet as Belgium led 3-0 at half-time at the Estadio Algarve in their 2018 World Cup Group H qualifier. Belgium won the match 6 – 0 away in Gibraltar.
Zambia president Edgar Lungu has told the football association to employ a local coach for the national team, Chipolopolo. The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) had been looking to employ an expatriate coach and even conducted interviews for the position. Former South Africa coach Gordon Igesund was tipped for the job after impressing in interviews. But Lungu said: “Forget about an expatriate coach. We can do with an indigenous [coach].” Lungu also offered his support to interim Chipolopolo coach Wedson Nyirenda, who was appointed as a replacement for George Lwandamina last month, saying “he is doing well”. That assessment came after Zambia’s 2-1 defeat by Nigeria in their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier on Sunday. Lungu remains optimistic about Zambia’s chances of booking their place at the tournament in Russia. “We can make it. Others have made it before us. Now it is our time and I ‘m sure we will make it,” he added. “Our eyes should be on the ball, we are a winning side and we should strive to win until we get to Russia.”
Former Super Eagles of Nigeria striker, Daniel Amokachi shared a picture of himself and his twins on facebook. The boys are so grown and are footballers taking after their father. Amokachi won the African Cup of Nations and Olympic gold medal with Nigeria. He also represented Nigeria at two world cup finals. He played professional football for Ranchers Bees, Club Brugge, Besiktas and Everton where he won the English FA cup. Amokachi wrote on facebook: “Visiting my sons in Istanbul. They are eligible to play officially for #besiktas u21 soon and have been training with the first team. See me standing on my toes so that I would not look so small in between them! 
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Spain defender Gerard Pique will retire from international football after the 2018 World Cup following a controversy surrounding his shirt sleeves. The Barcelona player, 29, is unpopular with some Spain fans for his support of independence for Catalonia. In Sunday’s 2-0 win in Albania, his shirt – unlike his colleagues – did not have a Spanish flag trim on the sleeve. After social media criticism, the Spanish FA released a statement to explain why, and defend Pique. Pique was wearing the long-sleeved shirt – as was Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos – which does not feature the flag trim. The statement said that Pique had cut the sleeves off his shirt, “the same way other players have done on many occasions,” for comfort. Pique, who won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, said: “I have tried everything, but I can’t bear this anymore. “Today’s issue of the sleeves is the the straw that breaks the camel. They’ve managed to make me lose the excitement of coming here and although after Russia I’ll only be 31, I’ll leave.”
The above photo shows Wales players squad photograph prior to the kick-off in their Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia. It is quite starnge, What do you make of it?
The Super Eagles of Nigeria today at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium, Ndola defeated the Chipolopolo of Zambia 2 – 1 to kick start their Russia 2018 world cup qualifier series on a promising note. Alex Iwobi opened scoring for Nigeria in the 32nd minute while Kelechi Iheanacho scored Nigeria’s second goal in the 42nd minute to give the Super Eagles a comfortable lead going into the break. Zambia got a goal back in the 71st minute through Collins Mbesuma who capitalised on a slip from Super Eagles defender Omeruo to drive a low shot past goalkeeper Carl Ikeme. Nigeria host Algeria next in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier in November.
On Sunday the 2nd of October, 2016, the Rangers International FC of Enugu (a.k.a The Flying Anthelopes) defeated the visiting El Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri by four unreplied goals to lift the Nigerian Professional League trophy. This was exactly 32 years after Rangers last lifted the trophy. The match was played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu (nicknamed The Cathedral by football fans). This soccer cathedral of Nigeria was filled to the brim as the Rangers fans from all over the world led by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State came out to support their darling team. Legendary supporters songs of Enugu Rangers roared from the stands all through – Holy, Holy, Holy, Enugu Rangers, Another Champions!!! and Kpebe Ekpere Ka Rangers Merie were topmost amongst the songs rendered from the popular Obiagu stand especially.
The Nigerian delegation to Sunday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zambia arrived in Ndola minutes afternoon on Saturday. Nigeria’s Youth and Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung led the delegation, which included NFF President Amaju Pinnick, NFF vice presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, some Members of the National Assembly, some Members of the NFF Executive Committee, some Members of NFF Management led by Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme, few NFF Staff, some officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, some directors of the League Management Company, a number of stakeholders and representatives of the media.
Francesco Guidolin made a surprise appearance in the same hotel where his successor Bob Bradley was about to be unveiled as Swansea manager on Friday afternoon. Italian Guidolin, sacked by the Swans on Monday, spoke to a Swansea official – who explained the press conference was due to take place – before walking away. It is understood Guidolin had arrived for a meeting of his own and had not realised Bradley would be present. Swansea usually hold press conferences at their own Liberty Stadium, but that was unavailable on Friday due to the Ospreys’ rugby match against Cardiff Blues.
Tiger Woods has confirmed his entry for next week’s Safeway Open in California. The 40-year-old had always intended to make his comeback from injury at Silverado in Napa, having not played a competitive round since August of last year. Woods has been sidelined by serious back problems for a number of years, having undergone three operations during a 19-month spell.
World champion pole vaulter Shawn Barber was right to compete at the Olympic Games despite testing positive for cocaine ingested during a sexual encounter, says Athletics Canada. The 22-year-old avoided a two-year ban after successfully arguing that the drug was passed on through “kissing”. An independent arbitrator ruled no fault or negligence by Barber, who finished a lowly 10th in Rio. Athletics Canada called the decision “fair and reasonable”.
You wonder where he is. Well, former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh is the latest target for new Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock. Chamakh, 32, did not have his contract renewed by Crystal Palace last season, so is available as a free agent. The Moroccan had a three-year spell at Arsenal, plus loan spells at West Ham United and Palace before joining the Eagles on a permanent basis in 2014. The Bluebirds are expected to confirm the signings of Junior Hoilett and Sol Bamba as well as Chamakh, in time for the opening game under Warnock at home to Bristol City, on Friday, October 14.
Italy have sent striker Graziano Pelle home after he refused to shake the coach’s hand after being brought off against Spain. The ex-Southampton forward, who now plays in China, was substituted by Giampiero Ventura in the 1-1 draw against Spain on Thursday. But he walked past Ventura and ignored his outstretched hand as he made his way off the pitch for Ciro Immobile. Italy were 1-0 down at the time. “Being part of the national team begins with showing respect for the staff, team-mates and fans,” read an Italian Football Federation statement. “The head coach together with the FIGC has decided to exclude Graziano Pelle due to his disrespectful behaviour.”
Eibar team-mates Antonio Luna and Sergi Enrich have apologised after a video appeared online of them having sex with a woman. The players released a joint statement saying that they were not responsible for leaking the video of a “private act involving fully consenting adults”. The pair were dropped for Eibar’s friendly against fellow La Liga side Leganes on Wednesday. The statement, signed by both players, added: “We hope this incident won’t degrade the image of the club or of our team-mates.” They added they were sorry if the video “offended our fans and the city of Eibar in general”
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