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.
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling on a five-year deal. Speaking about his new signing, Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini described Sterling as “one of the best attacking players in world football”. “I am very much looking forward to him joining our squad out in Australia later this week,” added the manager. “He is a young player with outstanding ability, and I am sure the Manchester City fans will be very excited about seeing him in action for the team.” Sterling will wear the number seven shirt.
Robin van Persie has officially completed his move from Manchester United to Fenerbahce for an undisclosed fee. The Netherlands striker, 31, was unveiled in front of about 10,000 supporters inside the club’s stadium. He said: “I promise you one thing – I will do everything in my power to help Fenerbahce win as many trophies to make you happy. Let’s do it together.” Van Persie spent three years at United, scoring 58 goals, after signing from Arsenal for £24m.
Swansea manager Garry Monk has confirmed that Spain international Michu will not play for the club again. Michu took the Premier League by storm in his first season in English football in 2012-13 when he scored 22 goals following his £2m move from Rayo Vallecano. But his second season was disrupted by injury and the same happened again when he was on loan at Napoli last term. “He won’t be with the squad this year,” Monk told the South Wales Evening Post. “I now think we have kind of moved on as a squad. We had a big transition last year.” Michu – who had a year remaining on his Swans contract – is now free return home to Spain, with reported interest from Granada and former club Rayo.
Coach Fabio Capello has left his role as Russia head coach after three years in the post. The 69-year-old signed a four-year contract extension in 2014 to keep him under contract until the 2018 World Cup, which will be staged in Russia. But the Italian’s deal has been ended after a run of poor results. Russia have eight points from six games in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, and face the prospect of needing to win a play-off to reach the tournament. They were knocked out of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in the group stage without winning a game. The Russian Football Union (RFU) said it had “reached an agreement to terminate his contract by mutual consent”. Reports in Russia suggest Capello has received 15m euros (£10.7m) in compensation from the RFU. Last month, a group of fans launched a fundraising campaign to buy the Italian out of his contract.
Bad news for Cheick Tiote – the Newcastle midfielder is training back on Tyneside after being refused a visa to join the rest of the squad in the United States. The Ivory Coast international was not among the party which jetted out to America and head coach Steve McClaren has since confirmed he did not travel because of an administrative issue. McClaren told the Chronicle: “He has had visa complications and trying to get him over the visa issue has been difficult, but it wasn’t successful. He is training back home.” Tiote was given a seven-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months and 180 hours community service in October 2013 after admitting possession of a fake driving licence – though it is not clear whether this had anything to do with the 29-year-old failing to get a visa.
Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi has hit out at Real Madrid for failing to give departing captain Iker Casillas a fitting send-off before his switch to Porto. A tearful Casillas appeared alone in the Bernabeu stadium press room on Sunday, though after much criticism from media and the fans the club responded by organising an official presentation yesterday. Xavi, who received a glittering farewell ceremony when he left Barcelona to join Qatari side Al Sadd last season, told Spanish paper La Vanguardia: “It cannot be that maturing Spanish athletes are not shown sufficient respect, that people neglect to value everything they have done for their sport and instead focus on their defects, sometimes with malicious intent.”
Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has been appointed Leicester City’s manager on a three-year contract. The 63-year-old Italian replaces Nigel Pearson, who was sacked on 30 June despite keeping the Foxes in the Premier League last season. Ranieri has not worked in England since leaving Stamford Bridge in 2004, and was sacked as Greece manager last year. “Since I left Chelsea I have dreamt of another chance to work in the best league in the world again,” he said. “I wish to thank the owner, his son and all the executives of the club for the opportunity they are giving me. Now I’ve only one way for returning their trust: squeeze all my energies to getting the best results for the team.” Ranieri left as manager of Atletico Madrid to join Chelsea in September 2000 and during his four-year spell, the Blues finished runners-up in the Premier League, reached the Champions League semi-final and were FA Cup finalists. Ranieri was replaced at Chelsea by Jose Mourinho and the Italian went on to manage Valencia, Parma, Juventus, Roma, Inter Milan and Monaco. He took over as Greece coach after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but was sacked four months later after a home defeat by the Faroe Islands.
Henry Kasperczak has been appointed coach of Tunisia for a second stint, replacing Belgian Georges Leekens. Kasperczak, who signs a three-year deal, had been on the final three-man shortlist to coach Ivory Coast. The 69-year-old parted ways with Mali after this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. He coached Tunisia for four years from 1994, leading them to runners-up at the 1996 Nations Cup where they lost to hosts South Africa in the final. The former Poland international coached Ivory Coast to third place at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and has also had spells in charge of Morocco, Mali and Senegal. His latest job was a second spell with Mali that ended after the Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea, where they failed to progress beyond the group stages despite being unbeaten. The Eagles finished tied with Guinea in Group D but were eliminated after the drawing of lots to separate the teams. Leekens left his post last month by mutual consent saying his vision for the future differed from the football association’s.
Schneiderlin, a 25-year-old France international, has signed a four-year deal, with the option for a further 12 months for a fee in the region of £25m.. He will join Louis van Gaal, fellow new boy Bastian Schweinsteiger and their new team-mates on their flight to Seattle for the start of their US tour on Monday afternoon. Schneiderlin said: “Once I learned that United were interested in signing me, it was a very easy decision to make.” “I have enjoyed seven very happy years with Southampton and it’s a club that will always be in my heart. But the chance to be part of this squad to help this great club be successful was too good to miss,” the midfielder said. “I’m excited to be starting that journey on our trip to the USA. I know what Manchester United means to fans all over the world and I’m looking forward to experiencing that.”
Manchester United has completed the signing of Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich. The 30-year-old Germany international joins United on a three-year deal. “Manchester United is the only club I would have left Munich for,” says Schweinsteiger. Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says Schweinsteiger “brings a wealth of experience and is an excellent addition to our squad”.
Stoke City have agreed a deal to sign former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson. The 30-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the option for a third year, after his release by the Reds. Potters boss Mark Hughes said of the England international: “He will be a fantastic addition. He’s a talented defender who also chips in with goals.” Hiss arrival remains subject to finalising of formalities, but he has joined up with Stoke in Singapore ahead of the Barclays Asia Trophy. It comes after Hughes confirmed that he expects goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to seal a move to Premier League champions Chelsea. Right-back Johnson, who arrived at Anfield for £17.5m from Portsmouth in 2009, will link up with summer arrivals Marco van Ginkel, Shay Given, Joselu, Philipp Wollscheid and Jakob Haugaard at the Britannia Stadium. The former West Ham trainee won 54 caps between 2003 and 2014. He appeared in the 2012 European Championship finals, and last year’s World Cup in Brazil. He spent six years at Anfield, with his final game for Liverpool coming in the 1-1 Premier League draw at Chelsea in May.
Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has just completed his transfer to Chelsea where he will become the understudy for first choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Begovic was in goal when Nigeria defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina at the group stage of 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Nigeria’s goal was scored by Begovic’s then teammate Osaze Odewingie.
Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is having a medical ahead of a proposed move to Manchester United in a deal worth in excess of £25m. The Saints have confirmed that an agreement is in place for the transfer. Schneiderlin now looks set to join Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger on United’s pre-season tour of the United States. United have already signed PSV forward Memphis Depay and Torino defender Matteo Darmian this summer. Southampton confirmed they had rejected a bid from United for the 25-year-old France international last week. But, providing there are no unforeseen issues, Schneiderlin will now join Louis van Gaal, Schweinsteiger and their new team-mates on their flight to Seattle for the start of their US tour on Monday afternoon. Last summer, Schneiderlin was a target for Tottenham and he missed the start of pre-season after telling the club he was “not mentally or physically ready” to play after a bid was rejected. But he went on to make 30 appearances for the Saints last season as they finished in seventh place. Schneiderlin join the Saints from Strasbourg in 2008 for £1.2m and has played for them in League One, the Championship and the Premier League.
Liverpool have reached an agreement with Manchester City over the £49m transfer of Raheem Sterling. The transfer of the 20-year-old England winger is subject to contract negotiations and a medical. Sterling had asked to leave Anfield and was the subject of two bids from City in June, which were rejected. The forward, who will become the most expensive English player ever, is under contract until 2017, but turned down a new £100,000-a-week deal at Liverpool. Sterling was signed by Liverpool as a 15-year-old from QPR in February 2010 and the Loftus Road club will receive 20% of any fee the Reds get for the forward. On Saturday, Sterling was named on a 30-man list for the tour of Thailand, Australia and Malaysia, but was then withdrawn. Several former Liverpool players have criticised the player since he told manager Brendan Rodgers and chief executive Ian Ayre he wanted to leave the club this summer. Former captain Steven Gerrard said he was “disappointed” in the England international. “You don’t have to throw in illness, or refuse to go on tour,” LA Galaxy midfielder Gerrard added. “The fans have shown him great support, they want him to stay and I believe that he should too.” However, it is understood the Reds decided to leave him out of the tour after the player reported for duty.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has refused to sanction the sale of midfielder John Mikel Obi, delivering a blow to United Arab Emirates suitors Al Ain and Al Wahda. The Nigeria international, who started only six league games last season, wants to leave Stamford Bridge after failing to hold down a regular starting place. The 28-year-old, who has two years left on his contract, has been told he remains part of manager Mourinho’s future plans. “There’s absolutely no truth to reports linking Mikel with a move to Turkey or any Chinese club for that matter,” a source close to the talks told BBC Sport. “Only two clubs from the UAE showed strong interest last month but they could not meet his club’s valuation. “Mikel has a contract with Chelsea until 2017, as things stand he will not be leaving the club this transfer window as speculated.” Mikel who moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2006 has increasingly become a fringe member of the squad due to the form of Nemanja Matic. With the emergence of highly-rated midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the Super Eagle has fallen down the pecking order at the club ahead of the 2015/16 season. Fenerbahce are reportedly interested in signing Mikel but BBC Sport understands Chelsea will only listen to a US $16.8 million offer. The Turkish club’s president Aziz Yildirim has told the local media they cannot meet Chelsea’s valuation. “Chelsea want €15 million and Mikel asked for €5 million a season over four years. We are talking €35 million,” Yildirim told reporters at their Topuk Yayla training ground. “This definitely is not something we can pursue.” Mikel has made 339 appearances in all competitions and has won every possible honour for Chelsea in his nine-year stint at the London club. He has won two English Premier League titles, the Uefa Champions League, Uefa Europa League, four English FA Cup, two League Cup and the Community Shield. Mikel, who has been capped 70 times by his country, won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and appeared in all Super Eagles’ four matches at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic saw off seven-time champion Roger Federer in four sets to win his third Wimbledon and ninth Grand Slam title. The Serb, 28, won 7-6 (7-1) 6-7 (10-12) 6-4 6-3 to overtake the likes of Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi and Ivan Lendl in the all-time list of major winners. Federer, 33, had hoped to become the first man to win Wimbledon eight times. The Swiss won a thrilling second set tie-break but Djokovic came through to win in two hours and 56 minutes.
Sunday 12 July 2015:
Nasarawa United 1 – 1 Ifeanyi Uba
Kwara United 0 – 1 Sharks
Abia Warriors 3 – 1 Taraba United
Sunshine Stars 2 – 0 Bayelsa United
Enugu Rangers 3 – 0 Lobi Stars
Wikki Tourists 2 – 1 El-Kanemi Warriors
Warri Wolves 2 – 1 Enyimba
Akwa United 1 – 0 Kano Pillars
Shooting Stars 3 – 0 Giwa
Heartland 3 – 1 Dolphins
Porto have agreed a deal to sign Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas from Real Madrid. Casillas, 34, who had one year left on his contract, leaves Real after 25 years, during which time he won three Champions Leagues and five Liga titles. He holds the record for Spanish caps (162) and has won two European Championships and the World Cup. Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, 24, has been linked with a move to Madrid to replace Casillas. Casillas joined Real’s youth academy in 1990, made his first team debut in 1999 and has spent his career at the club, winning 17 major honours. He was dropped by Jose Mourinho in 2012-13, with the Portuguese manager favouring Diego Lopez. In the 2013-14 season manager Carlo Ancelotti played Casillas only in the Champions League and Copa del Rey as Real Madrid won their 10th European Cup. Last season he was restored as first-choice keeper but De Gea is expected to replace him as Real and Spain’s number one.
Steven Gerrard “looked like he belonged” as he played his first game for LA Galaxy in a friendly, the MLS side’s manager Bruce Arena said. Ex-Liverpool captain Gerrard featured in the first half of a 2-1 victory over Mexican side Club America on Saturday, forcing a save from 35 yards. Captain Robbie Keane equalised after Carlos Darwin Quintero put America ahead, before Alan Gordon’s winner. Arena said the 35-year-old’s Galaxy debut was “very encouraging”. “His passing was very good,” the 63-year-old added. “His partnership with Juninho was good. He won some tackles, helped create some chances. He could have had a goal. Steven played well.”
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