WEAH: From the penalty spot to the Presidential villa

With  Alan shearer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Harry Kanes of this world pulling down  set records and setting new ones, one may be tempted to think that there are no more records left and nothing new to prove.  But that of course  is fallacy which explains why the record set by George Weah as Liberia’s president elect few hours ago tickled the fancy of many.

His indeed can be dubbed consolidation haven also joined the league of history makers and record breakers when he emerged first ever world footballer of the year to be elected President. When he emerge footballer of the year in 1995 it was also history making as it would be the first time an African would be doing so and as a matter of fact the only one till date.

Perhaps when he flagged off his football career with a youth side Young Survivors Claratown in 1981, he had the dream of growing into one of the respected strikers in the world and as he graduated from junior to senior category and finally hitting it big with all the big clubs that shaped his career, Monaco, Paris Saint Germain to AC Milan where he was not only a major hit but proved to be a force to be reckoned with, it was apparent that doggedness and determination were some of his major attributes.

That fighting spirit which saw him battle for and earn mouth watering laurels in the round leather game he retained when he eventually retired in 2003 and ventured into politics.

This never-say-die attitude came handy when he announced for the first time in 2005 that he wanted to contest for the post of president and went ahead to form Congress of Democratic Change to back his ambition.

Expectedly he was seen as a green horn venturing into an unknown area; in fact those who did not think he was good enough to run for the office cited his lack of formal education in contrast with his Harvard-educated opponent, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Analysts also noted Weah’s lack of experience, calling him a “babe-in-the-woods”

But the unique thing here is, rather than chose to fight those who scored him low, he rather took note of those perceived inadequacies and worked on them assiduously. He ignored side talks to obtain his SSCE in 2006 at 40, proceeded to obtain a degree in 2011 at 45, added his Masters in 2013.  With these armed coupled with his humanitarian gestures he rose up again contested and won a senate seat in 2014, defeating the son of incumbent president, Robert Sirleaf, and three years later in 2017 he realised the dream emerging the President elect who will be officially handed the mantle of leadership in the new year.

For those wondering how he will translate the dribbles, pacy runs and flips on the pitch into political and economic realities, returning to the class room to equip himself academically coupled with the experience he has garnered in the senate in the last three years is an indication that he is not only ready to learn but also ready to bring in the tenacity that served as ginger while he played for 15 different clubs he had to lace boots for. It won’t be a surprise if a great footballer begets a great footballer, and indicators to this fact can be seen in the exploits of his son Timothy Weah who signed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2015 and plays for the United States youth team.

It was not just about club exploits for Weah, he also attempted to re-position Lone stars of Liberia not only as a player and a coach of the side but also committed his resources on two occasions to held the national team qualify for the African Cup of Nations in 1996 and 2002.As a player for the national team he made 60 appearances and scored 22 goals.  His emergence as president of Liberia is sure to rub off on the national team that is likely to have a fresh look in with a view to making them competitive again. His goodwill earned in the course of playing across the globe is sure to bring good tidings to the former war-torn enclave.

Odemwingie celebrates ‘popito’re-union

Nigeria international Peter Odemwingie hit cloud 9 with a bang after a surprise re-union with former teammate and Ivorian international Abdul Kader Keïta popularly called 'popito'

Highly elated Odemwingie who currently plies his trade with Indonesian liga 1 side Madura United posted a photo to celebrate their re-union on social media adding "A catch up with this legend. There is only one popito!”  That was not all however as he recalled apparently with nostalgia that both of them were once perfect team for French Ligue one side Lille adding “ones an unstoppable duo"

Odemwingie played for Lille from 2004-2007 while Popito played for the same club from 2005 to 2007.  Both however appear to have parted ways in 2007 when Popito joined French side Lyon while the Nigeria international headed for Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow.

There is no doubt that both players made impressive contributions while they were with Lille and enjoyed ample playing time.  

While Odemwingie made 75 appearances for the side scoring 23 goals, Popito made 73 appearances scoring 17 goals

At the national team levels while Odemwingie made 63 appearances for the 

Super Eagles scoring 10 goals, while his Ivorian friend made 72 appearances for the Elephants of Cote d Ivoire with 11 goals to his credit.

Odemwingie who joined Indonesia Madura United on 3rd April 2017 is in the list of top scorers of the league with 15 goals to his credit even as the team finished 5th on the 18-team log with 60 points in 34 matches. 

The former Stoke and Cardiff City ace 15 goals of the season put him in the 7th position on the top scorers list. Dutch import Sylvano Comvalius who plays for Bali United however tops the chart with 37 goals.

Godfrey Oboabona joins Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli FC

Nigeria international Godfrey Oboabona has signed a one-year deal with Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al-Ahli Saudi FC.

The centre-back moves to the Jeddah-based outfit on a one-year deal - with the option of a one-year extension - after leaving Caykur Rizespor, the Saudi side confirmed on their official Twitter handle.

Oboabona had spent the last four years in Turkey after joining Rizespor in August 2013, but departed the club at the beginning of the month following the Black Sea Sparrowhawk's relegation, having come to the end of his contract.

The 26-year-old was a key figure in the Nigeria side that won the Africa Cup of Nations under the late Stephen Keshi in

2013, but has lost his place in the Super Eagles in recent months, following the appointment of Gernot Rohr.

Prior falling into out of favour group, Oboabona made about 34 appearances for the national team.

He represented Sunshine Stars in the NPFL before departing for Europe in 2013 and was once forced to deny speculation that he'd criticised Arsene Wenger after being offered a trial at Arsenal.

His new club were one of the founding members of the Saudi Pro League and have never been relegated, having won three league titles, 13 King Cups and one Super Cup during their existence.

Last season they finished second in the Pro League - 11 points behind rivals Al-Hilal - and will be hoping that the addition of Oboabona can help them win their first title since 2016.

In what could pass for being his brother's keeper Oboabona recently called for national prayer for health challenged number one goalkeeper Carl Ikeme. Oboabona who described Ikeme as a worthy ambassador and a dedicated Eagle expressed optimism that fervent prayer will join in fast tracking his return to perfect health.

“This is the time for all us to be united in praying for the quick recovery of Carl, this is the time for us to raise our voice to heaven and seek divine intervention

“We must try as much as possible to always remember Carl in our daily prayers and it is my believe that he will come out stronger," he submitted

Iwobi, Lacazette dream victory against Chelsea

Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi and his Arsenal teammate and latest Emirates Stadium import Alexandre Lacazette will be hoping to hit target when they face Chelsea on Saturday in Beijing, China.

The duo have been in super form scoring goals and posting impressive assist when not in a better position to personally score in the club's on going pre-season  tour.

The Arsene Wenger tutored side were hit by stomach bug which earlier ruled out some of the players but have now recovered ahead of the clash with Chelsea with Wenger submitting that any match between the two rival teams cannot be dubbed a friendly.

A handful of players fell ill before Wednesday's game against Bayern Munich at Shanghai Stadium, but Per Mertesacker,

Olivier Giroud, Sead Kolasinac and Aaron Ramsey both took full part in an open training session at the Bird's Nest Stadium on Friday.

Theo Walcott, who like Ramsey finished the Bayern game feeling unwell, only watched the final part of the session from the sideline. Mertesacker and Giroud missed that game, while Kolasinac came off in the first half. Manager Arsene Wenger identified the illness as food poisoning in Shanghai, but the team has since changed the diagnosis to a stomach bug.

Regardless, it should give Wenger a few more options when he picks his team for their final game of the two-week trip to Australia and China.

"Today we had 21 players fit. Theo Walcott was not ready and I don't think he'll be ready for tomorrow. But there's nothing major," Wenger said.

Laurent Koscielny also declared himself available after missing the Bayern game with a back problem. The French centre-back also took full part in Friday's session to boost Wenger's defensive options.

"My back is better," Koscielny said. "I had a little pain on Tuesday morning, so I did treatment. Today I trained and I was

OK. Not 100 percent, but I'm OK for playing. So we'll see tomorrow."

Over 50,000 fans were at the Bird’s Nest on Friday, with several hundred local Arsenal fans cheering the team on during training. Before his news conference, Wenger exchanged gifts with the local organiser, handing over a signed Arsenal shirt in exchange for a personalised Chinese stamp.

Even though this is only a friendly, the Gunners are keen to maintain their unbeaten record on this tour -- especially given the fact that their rivalry with Chelsea will pick up again at the start of the season. They play each other in the Community Shield in a fortnight and Arsenal then travel to Stamford Bridge in the fifth game of the Premier League season.

"It's a friendly between Chelsea and Arsenal, and that means it's not really a friendly," Wenger said. "There's always some pride at stake and some London desire to have superiority.

"We know each other very well, and it's difficult to know how prepared Chelsea are, and how far we are with preparations but tomorrow will be a good indication. It was good against Bayern, and this is another test for us before the season."

LMC hammer for 'chairman' Christian Chukwu

Former super Eagles coach and current General Manager of Rangers international has been suspended from all league activities pending his appearance before the Ethics and Disciplinary committee.

The League management Company (LMC) that is yet to find a perfect solution to crowd trouble at match venues despite the use of banishing to neutral ground and playing behind closed doors, revealed the decision on the social media Friday, just

Rangers prepare to face ABS away on Sunday.

"Rangers General Manager, Christian Chukwu has been suspended from all NPFL activities with immediate effect pending his appearance before the Ethics Committee of the NFF," LMC announced via twitter on Friday.

The suspension which takes immediate effect is not unconnected with his alleged role in the sacking of Rangers former coach and Super Eagles assistant coach Imama Amapakabo.

Amakapabo who led the Flying Antelopes to win the NPFL title last season after 35 years in limbo, was shown the exit door following strings of poor run afterwards. Christian Chukwu who was appointed subsequently General manager of the club did not hesitate to throw out the coach even as the club's poor run failed to halt.

The LMC had referred the case to its Ethics and Disciplinary Committee adding that the referral is in pursuant to the provisions of Rule C17.5 of the #NPFL Framework & Rules"

Rangers who were sent packing in the early stages of the CAF Champions league have continued to struggle in the local scene, occupying the 14th position on the log with 39 points in 30 matches. Rangers will be going into Sunday match fresh from a 2-0 home victory against second placed MFM.