-As Warri Wolves Target Three Crucial Points
By Jerome Obuninta
By Jerome Obuninta
Warri Wolves hard working general Manager, Moses Etu, has expressed confidence that his team can dim shooting stars when both teams clash in a week 36 of the Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday at the Warri City stadium in Delta State.
The ever vibrant manager told SportsDay exclusively that they are going into that game with a positive mindset knowing how crucial the game is for his team’s stay at the top flight League.
He added that the Oluyole warriors are really doing well lately but that his team is also in great form to get all three points from that game.
He further said that both teams are attacking sides, saying his team will bring all their experience to make sure they win the game while also expecting a great match.
“My team has a great mentality and we will bring all we know from the coaching crew to the players all will play their part and I know by the grace of God we are getting all three points on Sunday,” he said
“I know it will be an attack packed game, because both side love to attack and I know my attack will come out tops in that game.
“My team is currently not in a palatable position and we hope to change that in the few games left by getting a victory against 3SC and good results on the remaining games by the grace of God,” he added
“We will continue to do our best in the remaining games till the end of the season and I know God will crown our efforts at the end of the season,” Etu concluded.
Absent Officials Keep Salisu Waiting
-To Seal Eagles Deal Next Week
-To Seal Eagles Deal Next Week
All expectations of Super Eagles assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf sealing his contract with Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have been left hanging once again, as the event has been stalled by absent officials.
Salisu disclosed as much on Thursday at the NFF secretariat, but insists the situation will not stop him from contributing his quota towards ensuring the Eagles qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Rather than be troubled by the prolonged delay in signing his contract, Salisu said he hopes to finally put pen to paper sometime next week.
The 54-year-old coach has severally been expected to sign his contract after Gernot Rohr was engaged for two-years by the NFF, but Salisu says there is no cause for alarm and restated that Nigeria will qualify for Russia 2018.
“I hope by next week I will seal my contract. The NFF lawyer who will arrange the contract is not around now,” he told reporters in Abuja.
“With the right commitment and conviction, we will qualify for the World Cup with the group of young players we now have.”
NFF Keep Eye Jordon Ibe
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have not given up hope on luring former Liverpool forward Jordon Ibe to play for the Super Eagles, despite his initial reluctance to commit his future to his father’s country.
Ibe now was approached by then Super Eagles manager Sunday Oliseh, but he asked for more time before he formerly make up his mind about switching allegiance to Nigeria.
Now at Bournemouth, he has appeared in all of their first four games of the season for the modest team. He is however still searching for his first goal of the season.
It is almost a year from the time he was approached by Nigeria, although there’s no immediate plan to reach out to him anytime soon. Nigeria could be tempted to come back for him in a not too distant future.
“We have not given up hope on him. He didn’t turn us down completely, he only asked for more time, so probably in the future we will try for him but not for now,” a member of the NFF’s technical committee said.
FOREIGN
Neymar’s Transfer Case To Reopen
Spain’s league body, La Liga has confirmed it will re-open a hearing into Neymar’s transfer from Santos to Barcelona in 2013.
Spain’s league body, La Liga has confirmed it will re-open a hearing into Neymar’s transfer from Santos to Barcelona in 2013.
The vote by Barca’s board to pay the fine approved a pact to absolve both current president Josep Bartomeu and former president Sandro Rosell of wrongdoing with regard to the transfer.
Neymar’s transfer was the subject of an alleged fraud investigation, but Barcelona agreed to pay a fine of 5.5m euros (£4.4m) to the Spanish authorities to settle the case in June this year.
However, the Spanish top-flight’s governing body has announced it will relaunch an investigation into the deal Barcelona reached with the Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office in relation to Neymar’s transfer.
A La Liga statement said: “Following widespread media reports, La Liga confirms an informative hearing will be launched with FC Barcelona in relation to the agreement reached between the club’s board and the Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office in the Neymar legal case.”
Sanchez Seeks Buy-out Clause
Alexis Sanchez has reportedly demanded to have a buyout clause included in his new contract at Arsenal.
Alexis Sanchez has reportedly demanded to have a buyout clause included in his new contract at Arsenal.
The club have opened talks with the Chile international and his teammate Mesut Ozil about extending their deals at the Emirates.
It has been reported that Ozil is keen to pen fresh terms as he believes that signing defender Shkodran Mustafi in the summer transfer window shows the club’s intent.
However, according to The Mirror, Sanchez, who is said to be happy in London, will only sign on the dotted line if he receives a substantial pay rise and has a buyout clause in place.
Last season Sanchez experienced some frustration, particularly when Wenger rested him in order not to rush the attacker back too quickly from injuries.
It is understood that the manager has spoken to Sanchez about his plans for this campaign and the need for the Chilean to accept that he will be rested on occasion.
The attacker joined the Gunners from Barcelona for £31.7m in the summer of 2014.
Robben Cautious Over Return
Bayern Munich attacker Arjen Robben is not getting carried away as he edges closer to his comeback after a spell on the sidelines due to injury.
Bayern Munich attacker Arjen Robben is not getting carried away as he edges closer to his comeback after a spell on the sidelines due to injury.
The Netherlands international suffered a groin injury during pre-season that saw him miss the start of the Bundesliga campaign, but recently resumed training with the squad.
He realises he is not there just yet, though, and is taking things one step at a time.
“You can train for yourself as much as you want, but now the part where I join the squad comes again,” Robben told Bayern TV. “We are taking things one day at a time.
“That’s the most beautiful part of it all, even though it also takes some adaptation and getting used to. I am looking forward to it and I do not have any doubts. I am full of confidence and believe in my body.
“Things are looking good, but I have learned from the past. I don’t want to celebrate too early. Things went very well on Thursday, now we’ll see how it goes on Friday.”
Barca, Madrid Watch Dembele
Barcelona and Real Madrid both reportedly sent scouts to last weekend’s Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers, with Hoops forward Moussa Dembele the subject of their attention.
Barcelona and Real Madrid both reportedly sent scouts to last weekend’s Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers, with Hoops forward Moussa Dembele the subject of their attention.
Dembele, who joined Celtic from Fulham in the summer transfer window, hit a hat-trick in his team’s 5-1 win over Rangers before leading the line against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
A tough night for Celtic saw the Scottish champions lose 7-0, while Dembele missed a first-half penalty for the visitors after being brought down by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
French Football News reports that both Barcelona and Real Madrid had scouts in attendance to watch the 20-year-old last weekend and the two Spanish giants will be monitoring the Frenchman’s performances this season.
