Tuesday 22 September 2015

See what a Nigerian who is the world's strongest footballer promised Diego Costa



Probably the most hated striker in the Premier League at the moment, Diego Costa is still receiving lashes over his shenanigan against Arsenal at the weekend.

Since the exit of Luis Suarez to Barcelona in 2014, Costa has somewhat taken over the thrown as EPL 'bad boy' and now a Nigerian has promised to "snooze" the Spain international if they ever clashed on the pitch.

AFC Wimbledon striker Adebayo Akinfenwa says he is ready to suffocate Costa if the pair squared up in a game.

The powerful striker retained his title as the strongest player on EA sports game FIFA 16 this year, holding off competition from Chris Samba and Wilfried Bony.

And in the wake of Diego Costa's latest on-field antics against Arsenal's Gabriel Paulista, Akinfenwa has admitted he would win if they ever came to blows.

Speaking at the FIFA 16 launch, he said: "I’m gonna have to keep it real. If it came down to it I’d have to snooze Diego Costa.

"I like him as a player but there’s only one winner if he comes up against me."

However, Costa may have to form a queue, as the strong-man - nicknamed The Beast, has his eyes firmly set on whoever takes his FIFA crown.

He added: “One day it’ll happen, when I retire. Whoever beats me I’ll definitely be calling them out to go toe-to-toe.”

Ighalo make Premier League Team of the Week



Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo has been included in the Barclays Premier League Team of the Week for week six for the first time in his career.
 of the Week
Ighalo followed up his match winning strike against Swansea with a brace on Saturday as Watford defeated Newcastle 2-1 at St. James' Park.

His double at the weekend took his goal tally for the season to four in five games totaling an unbelievable 20 goals in 2015 alone.  

The team of the weekend as released by the  Premier League official website is dominated by Manchester United, with no single place for any member of the West Ham United side that ochestrated Manchester City's first defeat of the season.

The former Granada man is joined in attack by United's rave of the moment, Anthony Martial, flanked by Chelsea's Eden Hazard and Juan Mata.

In midfield league top scorer Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City partners Tottenham attacking sensation Heung-Min Son.

While Liverpool's Alberto Moreno at left-back, is the only defender to be included that failed to score at the weekend.

Newcastle's Daryl Janmaat, Chelsea's Kurt Zuoma and Martin Rusell of Norwich City all scored for their respective clubs just as a Red Devil, David De Gea gets the nod in goal.

Team of the Week for week six :

David de Gea (Manchester United), Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle United), Russel Martin (Norwich City), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea), Alberto Moreno (Liverpool), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City), Heung-Min Son (Tottenham), Juan Mata (Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Odion Ighalo (Watford) and Anthony Martial (Manchester United).​

Monday 21 September 2015

Enyimba, Wolves slip as Sharks, Bayelsa swim deeper into relegation waters



The intrigues of the Nigeria Professional Football League returned on Sunday with tussle for the league crown becoming more stiffer just as the battle for survival intensifies.

Title hopefuls, Enyimba and Warri Wolves both lost grip with defeats on the road while Sharks, Bayelsa United and Taraba United further sunk into relegation waters with defeats at the weekend.

The Aba Elephants fell 2-1 to El Kanemi in Katsina after Benjamin Turba and Efe Yarhere struck before the first half-hour mark. A late consolation from Nzube Anaezemba was not enough for the visitors who still sit on the summit of the league with 55 points.

Henry Ochuba and Ifeanyi Onyeali canceled Joseph Osadiaye's effort to ensure second-placed Wolves suffered a shock 2-1 defeat away to Abia Warriors in Umuahia.

Wiki Tourist edged closer to second-placed Wolves after beating Bayelsa United 2-0 in Bauchi. Mubarak Umar and Nafiu Ibrahim scored in both halves to take the Bauchi side to 51 points on the log - same as Wolves who have a superior goal difference.

In Owerri, Lobi Stars caged Heartland to a barren draw and coach, Justin Tenger is wholly happy with the outcome.

"The barren draw is worth celebrating as it did not come so cheap, it was a hard fought game for both sides," Tenger told SuperSports after the game.

Dolphins breathed some life into their relegation fight with a comfortable 3-1 mauling of fellow strugglers, Taraba United.

Charles Okoro scored as Giwa FC piped strugglers Sharks 1-0 in Jos, while FC IfeanyiUbah and champions, Kano pillars drew 1-1 in Nnewi.

At the Lafia Township Stadium, top scorer Esosa Igbinoba scored his 14th goal of the season as Nasarawa United were 1-0 victors over visiting Rangers.

In the last game of match-day 30, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) overpowered 2015 Federation Cup finalist, Akwa United 1-0 in Ibadan.

Taribo confirms using charms to play


Taribo admitted contacting marabouts and herbalists to help him play better than his colleagues and even win matches for the country and his various clubs.
Also notable of his football active days was his crazy hairstyle, which stood him out of the pack, but little did many know about his involvement in occultism.
Taribo in his words said “Of course yes (I was involved). I don’t know why people decline to talk about their involvement with charms; Football has to do with a lot of powers. When there are big events, you look at the stadium, you see people, fans invoking all kinds of things; magicians are there, voodooists are there.
In my playing days, when I was ignorant, I used to get some mallams and babalawos (traditional doctors) to make charms for us, which we took to (national) camp. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t.
‘In some clubs, before every game, the president or leader of the club will give you a lucky charm to play with. They will tell you to put it in your boots or socks and play. It’s their superstitious belief; that it can help them win matches.