Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez trashes ‘unfit’ rumours

Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez brushed aside rumours he is out of shape following his side’s 1-1 draw away to Real Betis in La Liga.

James has struggled to win back his place in the Madrid first team this season amid stories of a poor relationship with former coach, the sacked Rafa Benitez, and that he is overweight, reports Xinhua.
His performance on the pitch and his appearance in a TV show recently appeared to confirm the stories of Benitez. But he was clearly irritated at accusations that he was not looking after himself as a professional footballer should.

Sunshine Stars Set To Return To Akure Township Stadium After LMC Pardon

1. The League Management Company have pardoned Sunshine Stars of Akure, as the Nigeria Professional Football League side can now return to the Akure Township Stadium for their home game this coming season.
   
   The NPFL side were banished from the Akure stadium towards the end of last season following the unruly behaviour of their fans in last season’s Week 36 fixture against Lobi Stars.

Dimitri Payet is on the same level as Arsenal star Mesut Ozil, says former West Ham player Trevor Sinclair

West Ham hero: Payet has made an immediate impact on the Premier League Ian Walton/Getty Images

Dimitri Payet is showing himself to be the equal of Mesut Ozil, according to former West Ham midfielder Trevor Sinclair.

The Arsenal playmaker, on course to break Thierry Henry’s record for assists Premier League season, is among the leading candidates to claim the Footballer of the Year award after a campaign in which he has been pivotal to his side’s title challenge.

Whilst it has taken Ozil two seasons to discover his breath-taking best in the Premier League Payet made the adaptation almost immediately, replicating the form that had carried Marseille to the top of Ligue 1 for much of last season and earned him an eight-figure move to the Boleyn Ground.
Payet’s early return from an ankle injury in January has coincided with West Ham storming back towards the Champions League places and Sinclair, speaking exclusively to 888poker.com, believes the French midfielder has had an equally impressive season.

Peter Okoye Of Psquare Unveils Football Academy In Lagos - Photos

Peter Okoye of popular music duo, Psquare has officially unveiled his own football academy called P-Classic Football management.

1. 
   
   
   According to the singer, he dreamt of becoming a professional footballer with his brother before they started music. Now he has the opportunity to help grassroots footballers achieve their own dreams.
   
   In his words: “When I was a kid I dreamed of becoming a professional football player. Like you all know we were playing football before we finally decided to settle for music and now we are professional and established musician but still dreaming of playing. Personally I have always been passionate about football and in other to give back I decided to sponsor a football club in OMOLE where we reside.

FIFA confirms final five for presidential election

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FIFA on Tuesday confirmed the final five candidates to take over from the banned Sepp Blatter as head of the world body one month from the vote.

FIFA’s electoral committee said that Prince Ali bin al Hussein, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa, Gianni Infantino, Tokyo Sexwale and Jerome Champagne had all been admitted for the final campaigning.

The vote, caused by Blatter’s decision to stand down amid growing scandal, will be held in Zurich on February 26.

Osimhen in Germany to perfect Wolfsburg move

– Osimhen was spotted at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport en route Germany
– He should complete his move to Wolfsburg
– It will be a four-year deal and in the range of €3.5 million
Nigerian u-17 starlet Victor Osimhen has moved to Germany to perfect his move to Bundesliga giants,



The 2015 African young player of the year was seen at the departure wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport en route Germany to seal a move worth 3.5 million Euros with the Bundesliga side.

Nwakali, Chukwueze close in on Arsenal deal

– Allwell, the younger brother of Kelechi Nwakali says his brother move to Arsenal is almost a done deal.

– Allwell also reveals that Nwakali will be joined alongside teammate Samuel Chukwueze.
– Both players worth a combined cost of £5million from Diamond Football Academy.

Allwell, the younger sibling of the Nigeria under-17 wonder kid Kelechi Nwakali has all but confirmed his brother’s move to English Premier League side, Arsenal, Daily Post reports.

According to the report, Nwakali is expected to be joined at the Emirates alongside Samuel Chukwueze, at a combined cost of £5million from Diamond Football Academy.

Nwakali and Chukwueze edge closer to Arsenal deal

BREAKING: Nigeria crash out of Chan 2016

There’s all to play for when the Super Eagles of Nigeria square up against the Syli Nationale of Guinea today, January 26, in the last round of matches in Group C at the on-going 2016 African Nations Championship in Rwanda.

Both sides occupying the top two places respectively know a win will see them book a place in the last eight at the expense of rivals, Tunisia and Niger.

Adeniji runs after the ball

Victory by any margin will guarantee the Eagles top spot, same goes for Guinea. However, any of the teams could still crash out should they slip up. This is because should Tunisia achieve a high score win over Niger Republic or vice versa then, a defeat for either Guinea or Nigeria will mark the end of the tournament.
Fully aware of the situation on ground, both teams will seek a crucial victory this afternoon when they lock horns.