Wayne Rooney Doubtful for Sunderland | INFORMATION NIGERIA

Wayne Rooney Doubtful for Sunderland

Posted by: Omaku Cephas on May 2, 2014

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is likely to miss Saturdays Premier League game with Sunderland at Old Trafford.

Interim manager Ryan Giggs confirmed in his pre-match news conference ahead of Saturdays game against Sunderland that the 28-year-old striker has a slight groin injury and is also suffering from a bit of illness.

Giggs said: A few of the lads have had a bug. Wayne Rooney has. Anders Lindegaard has. Wayne also has a tight groin too.

Ryan Giggs Says Wayne Rooney Has a Groin Problem.

You have to be careful with the bug because the immune system is down a bit but Wayne been Wayne wants to play. We will monitor it over the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Rooney is not at the moment a doubt for England, as coach Roy Hodgson prepares to name his squad for the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil in ten days time.

Giggs hinted that Robin van Persie could feature this weekend. The Netherlands international has been out with a knee injury since scoring all three goals against Olympiakos on March 19.

Robin has been back training and looks good, added Giggs Whether tomorrow is too early, well just see how he goes today.

The Welsh boss will take charge of his second game as the Red Devils boss this weekend and should receive another rapturous reception just as that of last Saturdays 4-0 thrashing of Norwich City.

Giggs, 40, who has made 962 appearances for the champions may be too overwhelmed with his new role that might have made him reluctant in naming himself for a league match too soon.

And with his current one-year contract due for the summer, Giggs may never play for Manchester United again.

I have kept myself fit, but I might not get back in (the team), said Giggs. The lads have been doing well. We will just have to wait and see.

I have a lot to think about and whether to continue playing, but my concentration is just on now.

Pulis, Wickham Win Barclays April Award | INFORMATION NIGERIA

Pulis, Wickham Win Barclays April Award

Posted by: Omaku Cephas on May 2, 2014

Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis has bagged the Barclays Manager of the Month award for April.

Pulis, 56, guided the Eagles to four wins out of their five matches, including an impressive 3-2 win at Champions League hopefuls Everton on Wednesday, April 16. Palace were guaranteed of Premier League survival following a 1-0 win over West Ham on Saturday, April 19.

Palace currently sits 11th in the table and are 11 points clear of the relegation zone.

Tony Pulis and Connor Wickham Claims Barclays Manager and Player of the Month of April Respectively.

Sunderland striker Conor Wickham was named Player of the Month.

Wickham scored five times to take his team out of the drop zone, with key strikes against contenders Manchester City and Chelsea.

The 21-year-old brace against City earned the Black Cats solitary point a the Etihad.

Hazard is Not Ready to Sacrifice Himself 100% for Chelsea, Says Mourinho | INFORMATION NIGERIA

Hazard is Not Ready to Sacrifice Himself 100% for Chelsea, Says Mourinho

Posted by: Omaku Cephas on May 2, 2014

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says Eden Hazard is not ready to sacrifice himself 100% for his team-mates.

Mourinho was responding to reports that the 23-year-old Belgium playmaker criticised his boss tactical approaches, following Wednesdays 3-1 aggregate loss to Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Eden is a player who is not mentally ready to look back to his left-back and leave his life for him, Mourinho replied, when quizzed about the comments attributed to the new Professional Footballers Association Players Young Player of the Season.

Eden Hazard Comes Off After Picking Up Injury During Chelseas 3-1 Loss to PSG at the Parc des Princes.

The manager does not really think Chelsea can win the Premier League title, but opines they have to win both of their remaining fixtures- with Norwich and Cardiff City- and finish the season with a feeling of victory.

The Blues will end the ongoing campaign without an European trophy for the first time since winning their first European Cup in 2012, after being knocked out of the last-4, with Mourinho suffering his heaviest home-defeat in charge of the Blues.

The former Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss has been on the receiving end of several criticisms aimed at his teams defensive tactics in the semi-final first leg and in the league win over Liverpool before the midweek exit.

Hazard, who has scored 14 league goals this season, told French media that Chelsea are set up to counter-attack and not to play football

The media was reporting that he was being critical, but theres nothing critical in what he says, claimed Mourinho.

When the comment come from a player like Eden, its normal because hes not a player ready to sacrifice himself 100% for the team and the team-mates. And the comments werent critical.

Im not happy. I speak all season and I try to improve him all season.

Unless Liverpool, Manchester City, who has played one game less than its rivals in the title run-ins, slip up; Mourinho is poised to finish the outgoing campaign without a trophy for a second successive season for the first time.

When questioned on the possibility of finishing the season with a trophy. Mourinho took the media down memory lane, explaining how the 2013/14 season has been good enough for the Europa League holders.

I dont think it is a bad season. It is a transitional season and to arrive where we have arrived is very good, continued Mourinho.

If you told me that for two, three, four years in a row that we dont do more than fight for the title until the last game and to go to the Champions League semi-final, that is a good step.

Normally you compare to the season before and if you do that, Chelsea lost the title in November and when Manchester United won the title, Chelsea were something like 20 points behind. In the Champions League Chelsea were the first team knocked out in the group stage after being champions. It was a big step being able to fight for the title and the Champions League.

Last weeks 2-0 win at Anfield doused Liverpools hopes of winning the league for the first time in 24 years, and reignited Citys chase for a second in since the 2011/12 season.

Mourinho says it is in Manuel Pellegrini and his wards hands to claim a league and cup double this season.

They have three matches to win and be champions but you never know, he noted.

Not Less Than 3,000 Athletes Expected at Okpekpe Road Race | INFORMATION NIGERIA

Not Less Than 3,000 Athletes Expected at Okpekpe Road Race

Posted by: Omaku Cephas on May 2, 2014

As the 3rd of May draws near for the anticipated 10-kilometre Okpekpe Road Race in Edo State, with over 3000 athletes and participants expected, Malta Guinness has finalised plans to participate in the Road Race for the second year running, in a bid to promote healthy living as well as providing a productive platform for Nigerias vast youth population.

With this extended partnership with rights owner of the race, Pamodzi Sports Marketing, Malta Guinness Low Sugar has now become the official Malt drink for the 10-Kilometre competition.

Explaining reasons behind the partnership, Marketing Director, Guinness Nigeria, Austin Ufomba disclosed that it was in line with the companys brand purpose, which promotes healthy living and wellbeing of Nigerians as they achieve their dreams of participating in the Race.

Governor Adams Oshiomole Leads Other Top Government Officials and Dignitaries at the Okpekpe Road Race.

We see the Okpekpe Road Race as an ideal platform to touch the lives of Nigerias vast youth population as well as a way to affect the lives of the host communities of the race. Of course we all know that Malta Guinness Low sugar promotes healthy living. We feel that Malta Guinness Low Sugar as the official Malt drink for our boys through this tournament will continue to reinforce its support for healthy lifestyle.

Malta Guinness Low Sugar is all about giving the energy that every Nigerian needs to achieve their dreams as well as staying fit and healthy. This is why we have partnered with Pamodzi. This partnership with Okpekpe Road Race is all about working together to, among other things, propel the growth of road race in the country as well as offer the youths of this country a constructive endeavour to channel their energies, he said.

Source: Daily Independent (Lagos)

Enyeama Tops Nominees for Best Ligue 1 Goalie | INFORMATION NIGERIA

Enyeama Tops Nominees for Best Ligue 1 Goalie

Posted by: Omaku Cephas on May 2, 2014

Nigerian goalkeper Vincent Enyeama is clear favourite to be named best goalkeeper in the French Ligue 1 this season.

The National Union of Professional Footballers (UNPF) has unveiled nominees for the French League team of the year, and the Lille Metropole shot stopper is in contention for the number one jersey.

The former Enyimba FC goalkeeper goes up against Paris St-Germain and and Italian goalie Salvatore Sirigu, Steve Mandanda of Olympique des Maseille and Stephanie Ruffier of Saint Etienne.

Vincent Enyeama is Also Nominated for the 2014 Mark Vivien Foe Award.

The Nigerian first choice kept 11 consecutive clean sheets in league matches during the first half of the 2013/14 campaign. He finally conceded an own-goal after playing 1062 minutes of Ligue 1 games in an away match at Bordeaux. His teammate, Simon Kjaer, deflected it into his own goal a Landry N’Guemo shot that had previously hit the post.

He fell just 115 minutes shy of Gaetan Huard’s overall French top flight goalkeeping record- set during the 1992/93 season- of 1,176 clean sheets, in his first season playing as a first choice with the French club.

Enyeama is also in contention for the Ligue 1 African player of the year prize (Marc-Vivien Foe award).

Lille are in the race to finish in the final Champions League qualification slot; seven points ahead of fourth-placed St. Etienne with three matches to go.

Joel Obi On Newcastle Radar | INFORMATION NIGERIA

Joel Obi On Newcastle Radar

Posted by: Omaku Cephas on May 2, 2014

Inter Milan midfielder Joel Obi is reportedly a transfer target for Premier League club Newcastle United.

Reports in Italy indicates the 22-year-old midfielder on loan at Parma could be offloaded to Alan Pardews side, as the Tyneside club look to beef up its squad for next season.

Obi, who made his senior debut for the Nerazzurri in a Champions League game against Werder Bremen in September 2010, is unlikely to command a first team shirt under coach Walter Mazzarri in the coming season with club owner Errick Thohir set for a transfer spending spree on big name prospects.

Joel Obi Could Quit Inter Next Season.

27-year-old Slovakian attacking midfielder, Marek Hamsik, is reportedly interested in moving away from Napoli, despite adding four more years on his contract. Thohir is not ruling out the possibility of signing the attacking midfielder.

Obi joined Inter in 2005 and is under contract until July 2017.

The Super Eagles playmaker has been dogged by injuries in recent times and is a major doubt for Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil./

Table Tennis: Nigeria Advance at the WTTT Championship | INFORMATION NIGERIA

Table Tennis: Nigeria Advance at the WTTT Championship

Posted by: Omaku Cephas on May 2, 2014

Nigeria showed its supremacy over Canada in the last group match of Group E of the ongoing World Team Table Tennis Championship holding in Tokyo, Japan with a 3-1 win to finish second behind Czech Republic in the group.

Despite Toriolas 13-15, 8-11, 6-11, loss to Canadas Andre Ho in the first game, rave of the moment Aruna Quadri put the match at par when he beat Theriault Pierre-Luc 7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 12-10.

Ojo Onaolapo increased the lead with another 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 win over Vincent Rousseau-Emond. To compete the 3-1 victory over the Canadians, Toriola was made to work hard in his bid to beat Pierre-Luc 8-11, 11-13, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5.

Nigeria Secured a 3-1 Win Over Canada to Finish Second Behind Czech Republic in Group E.

Also on Thursday, Czech Republic maintained its 100 per cent record in the group with a 3-0 bashing of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Czechs won all their five matches to top the group ahead of Nigeria, which won four of the five matches to play second fiddle to the European.

Nigeria male team is still in the race for promotion, as the knockout stage of the division two will hold on Friday.

However, the female team will be fighting to remain in the division two after losing its fourth game to Turkey on Thursday.

The team inspired by Funke Oshonaike will have to redouble its efforts in the classification matches that will decide the teams that are expected to remain in division two.

Source: Daily Independent

JUST IN: Manchester United Ready To Name New Coach | INFORMATION NIGERIA

JUST IN: Manchester United Ready To Name New Coach

Posted by: Deolu on May 3, 2014

Current champions of the English Premier League, EPL, Manchester United are reportedly ready to name a new manager to replace former coach, David Moyes, on Wednesday.

David Moyes was sacked 10 days ago for what pundits called unconvincing performance.

According to latest report by Dailymail, coach Louis van Gaal is set to be confirmed as the new Manchester United’s manager on Wednesday.

It is expected that Van Gaal’s appointment will be announced after United have played their final home game of the season against Hull on Tuesday night.

* Kluivert, left, and Van Gaal expected to be named as new Man United coaches on Wednesday

And it was gathered that the current Dutch national team manager will bring his extensive Dutch backroom staff with him to Old Trafford.

It is believed that the 62-year-old will be joined at United by former Holland striker Patrick Kluivert, goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek, fitness coach Jos van Dijk and analyst Max Reekers.

However, their arrival means the club’s famous Class of 92 face uncertain futures.

 * Ryan Giggs, left on back seat, and the rest of his 92 set may be forced to leave Man Utd with the arrival of Van Gaal

Giggs has helped provide stability since Moyes was sacked 10 days ago.

The roles for interim manager Ryan Giggs and coaches Nicky b*tt, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville are up in the air, and they may be forced to take on junior roles or move on altogether.

Analysts are hoping Van Gaal would be willing to work closely with Giggs or b*tt.

PHOTOS: Yobo’s Wife Suprise Birthday Party | INFORMATION NIGERIA

PHOTOS: Yobos Wife Suprise Birthday Party

Posted by: Deolu on May 3, 2014

Nigerian Skipper and Norwich defender Joseph Yobos Wife Adaeze yesterday was treated to a huge suprise birthday bash.

Adaeze had celebrated her birthday on April 14th, with her loved ones.

Her friends however threw her a suprise of her life, when they took her out and organised her a party.

They had told her she is just going out on a girls night out but only to her amazement spring out the lovely cake and designs.

Arsenal Edge West Brom After Confirming Champions League Slot | INFORMATION NIGERIA

Arsenal Edge West Brom After Confirming Champions League Slot

Posted by: Omaku Cephas on May 4, 2014

Arsenal celebrated securing a Champions League spot for next season as Olivier Girouds first-half header gave them victory over West Brom.

The France striker grabbed the only goal in the 14th minute, when he rose in front of marker Craig Dawson to convert Santi Cazorlas corner.

The goal was Girouds sixteenth of the season and the striker is fifth on the top scorers chart.

Arsenal Celebrates Qualification for Next Seasons Champions League.

Arsenal also went close through Lukas Podolski, whose shot hit the post.

Evertons 3-2 defeat to Manchester City last night confirmed the Gunnerss claim to a fourth-place finish.

West Brom, who rarely threatened, will have their Premier League future guaranteed if Norwich lose to Chelsea.

It will be Arsenals 17th Champions League appearance on the trot.

Arsene Wenger is yet to guide the side beyond the round of 16 of Europes top tier club football in the past four seasons.