Saturday 18 July 2015:
Nasarawa United 1 – 0 Dolphin
Sunday 19 July 2015:
Enugu Rangers 1 – 2 Enyimba
Sunshine Stars 2 – 1 Taraba
Lobi Stars 3 – 3 Kano Pillars
Warri Wolves 2 – 1 Sharks
Akwa United 1 – 0 Bayelsa United
Heartland 4 – 0 Wikki Tourists
Kwara United 3 – 1 Giwa
Shooting Stars 2 – 1 El-Kanemi
Abia Warriors 1 – 0 Ifeanyi Uba
Four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi linked up with Gabonese president Ali Bongo Ondimba on Saturday to lay the first stone at a future Africa Cup of Nations venue. The Barcelona star, who won a treble of Spanish title, Copa del Rey and European Champions League last season, officially started the building process at the Port-Gentil stadium, which will host Africa Cup of Nations matches in 2017. The ceremony took place on a wide sandy ground where the stadium will be built. It was the Argentine forward’s first visit to Gabon and he signed autographs on team jerseys worn by his fans, before proceeding with the laying of the first stone, accompanied by the president. “When I was in Barcelona a few years ago, I met Messi who had told me that he would come to visit me in Libreville,” said the Gabon president. “It’s a promise he made me. He is a man of honour who just kept his word.” The new stadium will have a capacity of 20,000 and is expected to host matches from November 2016 in the build-up to the tournament. Port Gentil is Gabon’s second city.
Nigeria international defender Kenneth Omeruo is set to join Turkish Super Lig side Kasimpasa on a season-long loan deal from English champions Chelsea. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at English Championship side Middlesbrough, where he made 22 appearances in all competitions. The Super Eagle, who joined Chelsea in January 2012, was determined to fight his way into Jose Mourinho’s plans this season but has opted for a move to Turkey instead. BBC Sport understands Omeruo will have his medical at Kasimpasa on Tuesday before signing a deal, which includes an option for the Turkish club to buy him at the end of the loan. Omeruo has come a long way since joining the Stamford Bridge outfit from Belgian side Standard Liege – developing on loan at ADO Den Haag in Netherlands in an 18-month spell from 2012 to 2013, becoming an international regular and making his mark at Middlesbrough. The centre-back was first called up by Nigeria in January 2013 and he went on to play at that year’s Africa Cup of Nations, helping the Super Eagles win the trophy, and at the World Cup the following year. At that time he was also starring at English Championship side Middlesbrough, who he joined in January 2014. He made 14 appearances in his first loan spell and after agreeing another season-long loan deal at the club he returned for a second spell to help Middlesbrough’s push for promotion in the 2014/15 season. An integral part of the Super Eagles squad which reached the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Omeruo has also represented Nigeria at the FIFA U-17, U-20 and the 2013 Confederations Cup.
Nigeria edged closer towards qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics with a 2-1 victory over Congo Brazzaville in Port Harcourt. It was sweet revenge for Nigeria whose senior side lost 3-2 to Claude Le Roy’s Congo last year in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier – a result which ultimately denied the Super Eagles a place at the finals and a chance to defend their title. Nigeria boast a proud Olympics football record, having won gold medals at the Atlanta Games in 1996. They also finished runners-up at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where current Nigeria under-23 coach Samson Siasia (pictured) also coached the ‘Dream Team’ in China. On Sunday, it was Junior Ajayi who proved to be Siasia’s match winner, scoring both goals just after half-time, in front of 35,000 home fans. Le Roy’s Congo pulled one back in the 68th minute – but Nigeria held on to seize the first leg advantage in the under-23 level third-round qualifier. The return match is scheduled for early August and the overall winners qualify for an end-of-year tournament in Senegal from which the top three teams out of eight go to Rio.
Enugu Rangers will engage Enyimba of Aba in age long regional rivalry game tomorrow (July 19). The Oriental derby will take place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu, a great cathedral of soccer in Nigeria. Rangers vs Enyimba game is always a delight to watch and the atmosphere is always wonderful. The Enugu fans will be singing “Kpebe ekpere ka Rangers merie” while the Aba fans will respond with “Nzogbu nzogbu Enyimba enyi”. There was a particular fantastic derby that Orji Uzor Kalu, then Abia governor came with full entourage to Enugu for the game which Rangers won one nil. The game was a delight to watch and that was the period Enyimba was making waves in the continent. The final whistle was blown as the then Enugu governor, Chimaroke Nnamani was entering the stadium as he rushed back from a function. Nnamani proceeded on a running lap round the field and stopped at the VIP stand to greet Kalu. Nnamani later continued his race with teeming Enugu Rangers fans down O’Connor Street, Presidential Road and down to his government house. I urge the fans to go out tomorrow and enjoy themselves.
Steven Gerrard scored on his Major League Soccer debut and had a role in two of Robbie Keane’s three goals as LA Galaxy beat San Jose Earthquakes 5-2. The 35-year-old former Liverpool captain, making his first league appearance for anyone other than the Reds, levelled in the 37th minute after Keane’s penalty made it 2-1. Gerrard, who was wearing Liverpool shinpads, charged forward from his own half and played the ball to Keane, who found Baggio Husidic and Gerrard turned his cross home from 10 yards.
Congo coach Claude LeRoy wants to inflict further misery on Nigeria this weekend when he takes his side to Port Harcourt for a 2016 Olympic Games football qualifier. The Red Devils stunned the Super Eagles 3-2 last year in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier – it was the first home Nations Cup qualifying loss suffered by Nigeria and ultimately denied them a place at the finals and a chance to defend their title. Now, the consistently successful 67-year-old Frenchman hopes to repeat at under-23 level what he achieved at senior level and edge Congo closer to Rio de Janeiro and a first Olympics football appearance.
Former Arsenal player Emmanuel Frimpong was sent off playing for Russian side FC Ufa after he gestured to the crowd with his middle finger in response to alleged monkey chants. The midfielder, 23, was playing away to Spartak Moscow in the opening game of the Russian Premier League season. “When the match was stopped, the fans started shouting ‘monkey’ at me,” said Ghana’s Frimpong after the 2-2 draw. “I just did not keep my cool, I showed my emotions and it was my mistake.” Frimpong was shown the red card after half an hour of the game in Moscow, with the score at 1-1. He wrote on Twitter after the match: “A human being shouldn’t be racially abused for the game that I love. I’m going to serve a sentence for being abused.”
Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul is having a medical at Sunderland, according to reports. The 29-year-old Kaboul would become head coach Dick Advocaat’s fourth summer signing if he completes a move. The Black Cats have signed defenders Sebastian Coates and Adam Matthews as well as midfielder Jeremain Lens so far this summer.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been showing off his diving skills on the club’s pre-season tour of Asia much to the delight of on looking Mesut Ozil.
Former Manchester City striker Robinho has joined Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande. The Brazil international, 31, has signed on a free for six months and will wear the number 60 jersey. Guangzhou Evergrande are managed by ex-Brazil and Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes will be sold after manager Louis van Gaal claimed he “refused to play” in the reserves. But Valdes has tweeted pictures of reserve games from his time at Old Trafford.
World Cup winner Kaka scored for Orlando City as the Major League Soccer side beat West Brom 3-1 in a friendly in Florida. The Baggies took a 14th-minute lead through Callum McManaman’s goal but 33-year-old Kaka, who helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup, equalised when he ran with the ball from 40 yards out and scored past Boaz Myhill. Second-half goals from Carlos Rivas and Bryan Rochez secured the win for the American side.
Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat has also been adding to his squad. The Black Cats have signed Netherlands midfielder Jeremain Lens from Dynamo Kiev for £8m. The 27-year-old, who has joined on a four-year contract, worked with Advocaat at AZ Alkmaar and PSV Eindhoven. If you want to know what sort of player he is, he’s quite happy to tell you. “My qualities are that I’m fast, I can score goals and I can create chances,” said Lens. Lens is Sunderland’s third signing of the summer after the arrivals of defenders Adam Matthews and Sebastian Coates from Celtic and Liverpool respectively.
Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes will be sold after manager Louis van Gaal claimed he “refused to play” in the reserves. The 33-year-old Spain international was a surprise omission from the pre-season squad currently touring the US. “He doesn’t follow my philosophy. There is no place for someone like that,” said Van Gaal of his January signing. United’s number one David De Gea, 24, has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer. Valdes, who won La Liga six times with Barcelona, joined United as De Gea’s back-up after recovering from major knee surgery. Van Gaal responded to questions about Valdes’ absence. He said: “Last year, he refused to play in the second team and there are other aspects you need as a keeper at United. “When you are not willing to follow those principles, there is only one way and that is out. “It is a big disappointment. It is a pity because we have given him the opportunity to rehabilitate, gave him a contract and then he is fit to play.” Valdes, whose contract expires in 2016, made three appearances for the under-21 side last season – against Liverpool in January, Chelsea in February and Spurs in March. His only first-team start was in United’s final game of last season, and Van Gaal added: “I played him at Hull because I wanted to help. I am always a very social human being.”
Sunday Oliseh today signed contract to become the new Super Eagles of Nigeria coach. He signed a contract with the NFF which ties him to the Super Eagles until 2020 thus becoming the fifth player in the 1994 class to handle the senior national team after Austin Eguavoen, Samson Siasia, Daniel Amokachi and Stephen Keshi. “It’s a great honour to be coach of this great national team,” said Oliseh at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja. “I’m not coming as a messiah. I’m coming as a man who wants to serve his country and give 150%. “Gone are the days when we had individual players who can win games on their own. But we have potential,” he said. He also laid down the law to players of Nigerian origin on his requirements before they can feature for his team. “No player outside of first division in Nigeria or elsewhere will play for the Super Eagles. We will work together with the technical committee because if we fail, they fail,” he concluded.
Stoke City have completed a deal for Barcelona winger Moha El Ouriachi, and the 19-year-old could make his first appearance for the club in today’s Asia Trophy tie against Everton. Moha turned down Barcelona’s offer of a new contract to move to the Potters, where he links-up with ex-Barca players Bojan and Marc Muniesa. He has represented Spain at youth level and – confusingly – has also been called-up by his native Morocco for their under-23 squad. Talking about the signing of Barcelona winger Moha El Ouriachi, Stoke’s chief executive Tony Scholes said: “He’s excited about joining a Premier League club, especially one that already has two former Barcelona players in their squad. “Moha has seen the progress made by Bojan and Marc and wants to try and do likewise.”
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez will miss the start of the season after helping Chile win the Copa America. The 26-year-old scored 25 goals for the Gunners last season as Arsene Wenger’s side finished third in the Premier League, and added a stunning goal as they won the FA Cup. Wenger said: “Alexis will be back with us on 3 August and usually it takes three weeks to be competitive. “With Alexis it could be a bit less. He will miss certainly the first game.” Sanchez will miss the Community Shield against Chelsea on 2 August. The Gunners open their Premier League campaign against West Ham on Sunday, 9 August, and if Sanchez did need a full three weeks to be match fit he could also miss games against Crystal Palace and Liverpool. Sanchez scored the winning penalty as hosts Chile won their first Copa title against Argentina on 4 July – the end of a 58-game season for the former Barcelona forward. Manchester City defenders Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis and Manchester United pair Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo all played for Argentina in that final. Tottenham winger Erik Lamela was an unused substitute.
Watford have signed defender Allan Nyom from Udinese on a four-year contract. The 27-year-old Cameroon right-back never played for the Italian side in six years, spending the entire time on loan with Spanish club Granada. Thirteen members of Watford’s current squad have played for Granada, Udinese or both – with all three sides owned by Giampaolo Pozzo. Nyom was part of the Cameroon squad at last summer’s World Cup finals, playing in the 4-1 defeat by hosts Brazil. He is Watford’s seventh signing of the summer after they were promoted to the Premier League in May. Nyom was still in contract at Udinese with no details of a transfer fee being revealed.
Former Nigeria skipper Sunday Oliseh will tomorrow in Abuja sign a contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the country’s new coach. The contract signing will be done at a public presentation slated for the Abuja National Stadium Wednesday morning, officials have informed. Oliseh, 40, replaces Stephen Keshi, who was sacked for a breach of trust.
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