Turkish side Trabzonspor have condemned racial abuse aimed at former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi following their win over Fenerbahce on Saturday. The former Nigeria captain, 32, was targeted on social media after a 2-1 victory that moved Trabzonspor above their opponents into third place.
Former Uganda boss Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has been appointed as coach of Zambia on a two-year-deal. Zambia have been looking for a full-time coach since Sven Vandenbroeck’s contract was not renewed in March after Chipolopolo failed to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Serbian Micho has been without a job since he left Egyptian side Zamalek by mutual consent in early December. His first competitive games in charge will be 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers home and away against Botswana.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been named the NFL’s most valuable player for the 2019 season at the league’s pre-Super Bowl awards in Miami. Jackson, 23, was in sensational form throughout the regular season, setting an NFL record for rushing yards for a quarterback as the Ravens won their division. The Ravens entered the play-offs with the best record in the NFL (14-2) but they were shocked by Tennessee in the divisional round last month.
The all-electric Formula E Championship has called off next month’s race in China amid the coronavirus outbreak. The sixth race of the 2019-20 season was due to be held in Sanya – around 1,000 miles from the centre of the outbreak in Wuhan – on 21 March. Series organisers acted after the World Health Organisation declared coronavirus a global emergency. Formula E said it was looking at the viability of postponing the event until a later date. More than 300 people have died in the outbreak so far and more than 14,000 have been infected.
Just when you think you have seen all, VAR manages to find a new way to cause controversy. This latest incident happened in a second division game in Spain between Fuenlabrada and Girona. After a high challenge on an opponent, Fuenlabrada’s Cristobal Marquez was shown a straight red card. The midfielder left the pitch and headed down to the tunnel to the dressing room. So far, so normal, right?
Daniel Maldini, son of AC Milan legend Paolo and grandson of the similarly feted Cesare, made his Serie A debut in a 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona. Unlike his family predecessors, who were both defenders, 18-year-old Daniel is an attacking midfielder. Cesare won four Italian titles during his time as a player, then had two spells as Milan manager.
Former Nigeria international Emmanuel Amuneke says he faces a “big task” after taking over at struggling Egyptian Premier League side El-Makkasa on a deal until the end of the season. The 49-year-old was confirmed as Ahmed Hossam Mido’s successor on Saturday to become El-Makkasa’s fourth manager in three years. The Faiyum-based outfit have struggled for form, sitting 15th in the table, just outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties to take his tally to 10 goals in his last six games as Juventus beat Fiorentina 3-0. The hosts were first awarded a spot kick for handball in the first half and Ronaldo swept home the penalty. Rodrigo Bentancur was fouled inside the box towards the end of the second half and Ronaldo again converted.
Novak Djokovic defended his Australian Open crown and won a 17th Grand Slam after digging deep into his physical and mental reserves to beat Dominic Thiem in a gripping five-set final. The Serbian second seed won 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 for a record-extending eighth title at Melbourne Park. Djokovic, 32, twice called the doctor while trailing before fighting back. Austrian fifth seed Thiem, 26, still awaits his first major title after losing a third Grand Slam final.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has proposed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that the Africa Cup of Nations be held every four years instead of two, as he outlined his vision to “project African football to the top of the world”. Infantino was speaking at a CAF seminar in Morocco, focusing on the development of football competitions and infrastructure in Africa. “I propose to organise the Africa Cup of Nations every four years rather than two years,” the FIFA President said. “The CAN [Africa Cup of Nations] generates twenty times less than the Euros. Having a CAN every two years, is that good at the commercial level? Has this developed the infrastructure? Think about spending it every four years,” Infantino told delegates in Rabat.
American Sofia Kenin fulfilled her potential by winning a first Grand Slam title with victory over Spain’s Garbine Muguruza at the Australian Open. Kenin won 4-6 6-2 6-2 against two-time major winner Muguruza in Melbourne. The 21-year-old was a child prodigy, who started making television appearances from the age of five and hitting with the stars soon after. “My dream has officially come true,” said Kenin, the eighth first-time women’s champion in the past 12 Slams. “Dreams come true. If you have a dream then go for it – it will come true. “These two weeks have been the best two weeks of my life.”
Manchester United have signed former Watford striker Odion Ighalo from Shanghai Shenhua on loan until the end of the season. The deal to bring the 30-year-old Nigeria international to Old Trafford contains no option to buy. Ighalo, who is still in China, scored 39 goals in 99 matches for Watford between 2014 and 2017.
Manchester United have reached an agreement with former Nigeria international Odion Ighalo on personal terms and salary over a six-month loan from Shanghai Shenhua, with an option to buy, according to Sky in Italy.
USA Gymnastics has announced a plan to pay a $215m settlement to the group of athletes abused by former national team doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar was sentenced to up to 300 years in jail in 2018 after more than 265 women accused him of sexual abuse. Later in the year, USA Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy in order to be able to resolve claims made by athletes. Athletes have now been asked to vote on whether to accept the settlement or pursue their own lawsuits.
The NBA will honour Kobe Bryant in next month’s All-Star Game in Chicago. Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The NBA has announced a new format for the game that will “increase the level of competition, provide additional excitement and make the outcome of every quarter count for charity”.
Wolves have completed the signing of Portuguese winger Daniel Podence from Olympiakos for £16.6m in a four-and-a-half-year deal. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo had been looking to bolster a squad that has played 40 competitive games so far this season. Podence has been capped by Portugal at all age levels bar the senior team.
Bruno Fernandes says he will give “everything” to bring “success and trophies” to Manchester United after joining on a five-and-a-half year deal from Sporting Lisbon. The midfielder, 25, has joined for 55m euros but add-ons could increase the overall cost to 80m euros. “For me to now play for Manchester United feels incredible,” said Portuguese international Fernandes.
China has delayed the start of its domestic football season because of the escalation of the coronavirus, which has claimed at least 170 lives. The Super League, which features ex-Premier League players including Yaya Toure, Marouane Fellaini, Oscar, Marko Arnautovic and Salomon Rondon, was due to run from 22 February to 31 October. A new starting date for the season has not yet been announced.
Novak Djokovic moved a step closer to retaining the Australian Open title with a straight-set semi-final win over injury-hit rival Roger Federer. Serbia’s Djokovic was 4-1 and 40-0 down in the opening set before recovering to win the tie-break. That laid the platform for the 32-year-old second seed to go on and win 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 6-3.
India top scorer Bala Devi’s groundbreaking move to Rangers “can be inspirational for players everywhere”, says manager Amy McDonald. Devi, 29, has joined the Scottish club from Manipur Police Sports Club on an 18-month deal and is the first professional Indian female footballer. The forward has 52 goals in 58 caps and scored more than 100 domestic goals.
Naija Sports Crib 