2023 W/World Cup: South Africa battles for hosting right

After successfully hosting the 2010 World cup, South Africa have again indicated interest in hosting the 2023 edition of the Women's world cup.

World soccer ruling body FIFA confirmed the Rainbow Nation's bid on Tuesday the thus bringing to nine the number of countries interested in hosting the event.

Other countries in the running for the hosting right include Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, South & North Korea and New Zealand.

Although all documents relating to the bid are expected to be in the custody of the world soccer ruling body by October 4th 2019, decision on which country eventually gets the nod will not be made until March 2020.

South Africa will be banking on her wealth of experience garnered in the course of hosting the world in 2010, the first time the African continent will be hosting the prestigious tournament regarded as the highest celebration of soccer excellence.

The women's world cup made its debut in 1991 with China hosting the very first edition which the United States won beating Norway in the finals.

Other countries that have hosted the championship in include Sweden 1995, USA 1999 and 2003,China 2007, Germany 2011, Canada 2015 while this year edition has will hold in France.

Although Africa is yet to host the Championship Nigeria has participated in all the editions of the women's world cup posting an impressive outing in 1999 in the USA where the Falcons made it to the quarterfinals losing 4-3 to Brazil after extra time.

Interestingly Bayana Bayana of South Africa who will be participating in this year's edition in France, are qualifying for the event for the first time in 25 years after finishing as runners up in the African Women Nation cup in Ghana. 

Isaac Success Savours Watford’s FA cup triumph from the bench

Nigeria international Isaac Success was an unused substitute as Watford edged crystal Palace 2-1 on Saturday to zoom into the semifinals of the English FA cup. 

French man Etienne Capoue shot Watford into the lead in the 27th minute at the Vicarage Stadium in front of 18,104 spectators. Michy Batshuayi however leveled up for Crystal Palace in the 62nd minute.

Both teams afterwards continued the battle of supremacy with goals at par until Andre Gray restored Watford lead in the 79tth minute. The strike turned out to be the last goal of the match as Watford held tenaciously to the advantage till the final whistle even as Crystal Palace maintained more possession which failed to turn the table.

Gray interestingly came off the bench to deliver the much needed victory

Gray’s latest heroics moved Watford closer to finally returning to the FA Cup final 35 years after they lost to Everton in their only other appearance Palace had laboured without Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Zaha, absent due to a calf strain.

Isaac Success, who saw full 90 minutes action in Watford's 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in a premier league tie just before Saturday's FA Cup tie, will be hoping to play a part in the semifinals as they await their opponents of the next stage. In continuation of the FA cup Millwall will take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday at the The Den

Oshoala eye more goals in Barca/Athletico Super Sunday clash

Super Falcons forward and African Woman footballer of the year Assisat Oshoala will be hoping to hit target Sunday as Barcelona face Athletico Madrid away  in the Primera División Femenina in what has been dubbed Super Sunday clash.

No fewer than 68,000 spectators are expected at the showdown billed for the 68,000-capacity Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Athletico revealed no more tickets are available as tickets for the match sold out just few hours after sales opened. 

The tickets that sold for £4.20 each (approximately N2,000) were quickly cleared with fans looking forward to the epic clash in which Oshoala who so far has been a hit for the Barcelona side will be hoping to increase her goal tally for the side she joined shortly after helping Falcons clinch their 9th African Nations cup in Ghana.

The crowd is tipped to be the largest ever for a club-level women's match in Europe, beating the 48,121 record that Athletic Bilbao said it set in January in a Copa del Rey match against Atletico Madrid at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao

Last season, more than 22,000 watched Atletico's women's squad play its first game at the Wanda. It usually hosts its matches at a smaller venue in Madrid.

The two-time defending champions, Atletico Madrid have a six-point lead over Barcelona with seven matches left.

The women's club game with the highest attendance in Europe reportedly was played in 1920, when 53,000 people watched Dick, Kerr Ladies play St. Helen's Ladies at Everton's Goodison Park stadium, according to the English Football Association.

The record for any women's match was the 90,185 people who watched the 1999 World Cup final between the United States and China at the Rose Bowl. At the 2012 Olympic final in London, 80,203 people saw the United States defeat Japan 2-1 to win the gold medal. 

The Barcelona ladies will not only be hoping to rise to the occasion playing away notwithstanding, they will also be hoping take revenge after a 2-0 defeat by Athletico in the Copa dela Reina on February 17.

Super Falcons to battle Spain in high profile friendly

As part of preparation for the forthcoming FIFA Women's World Cup in France, Super Falcons are to face Spain in high profile international friendly.

The showdown slated for between April 2^nd and 9th will be coming exactly two months to the kickoff of the tournament on June 7.

 Both teams had originally been scheduled to clash last year but the tie had to be put off due to other engagements but the time is considered ripe now and appropriate for both teams as they perfect strategies for the world cup.

Falcons are in Group A of the world cup alongside hosts France, Korea Republic and Norway, while Spain are in Group B with Germany, China and South Africa. 

The forthcoming friendly will definitely be a boost for the Nigerian side coming on the heels of the 4-Nations invitational in China and the Cyprus cup where they featured prominently.

Falcons are making their 8th appearance at the World cup with the 1999 edition in USA where they made it to the quarterfinals. Unlike Falcons who can be dubbed regulars at the women's world cup haven participated in every edition

still inception in 1991, Spain will be making their second appearance in France haven first  qualified in the 2015 edition in Canada where they crashed out in the group stage.

The Spain side may have had minimal appearance at the world cup the nonetheless remain formidable and have reached the quarterfinals of the Uefa Women's Championship twice viz 2013 in Sweden and 2017 in the Netherlands.

Kalu heaves sigh of relief as mother regains freedom

Super Eagles and Bordeaux of France Winger Samuel Kalu can now concentrate on national team assignment after his kidnapped mother Madam Ozuruonye Juliet Kalu was released Tuesday according to Abia State Police command.  

Madam Kalu according to the Police was released close to midnight of Monday.  The Punch quoted Abia state Police spokesman Godfrey Ogbona, as confirming the release in a chat with AFP.

“She was released around midnight (2300 GMT) of Monday and she has been reunited with her people,” he said.

“Circumstances surrounding her release have not been disclosed to me for now.

“But we are still investigating the incident in a bid towards ensuring that those who carried out the act are arrested and brought to book.”

Samule Kalu who broke into the senior national team in October last year, shortly after joining French Ligue 1 side Bordeaux from Belgian outfit Gent made the 23-man list released by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr on Monday ahead of the AFCON qualifiers against Seychelles and friendly match against Egypt respectively. The Kidnap of his mother reportedly shocked the coach who joined in prayers for her release. 

With the cheery news of her release the 21 year old can sing Hosanna in the Highest and concentrate on training ahead of Eagles double header.

 It will be recalled that Super Eagles Captain John Obi Mikel who is missing in the 23-man list dished out by Rohr, equally had the same experience during the World cup in Russia when his father Pa Michael Obi was kidnapped from his Jos home with the kidnappers asking for and zooming away with N10million before releasing him.

Liverpool place N6.1billion price tag on Taiwo Awoniyi

Any club wishing to buy Taiwo Awoniyi will have to place N6.1billion (about £13m) on Liverpool's table, it has been revealed.

 Awoniyi who is currently with his fifth club on loan since joining Liverpool in 2015, is yet to make a senior appearances for the Reds because he does not qualify for United Kingdom work permit.

The former junior international is reportedly being monitored by a number of clubs including German Bundesliga side Schalke. 

Although Liverpool will be ready to let the 21 year old Centre forward go if as much as £13m is on the table. Awoniyi's future at Liverpool could change again depending on the United Kingdom's impending exit from the European Union.

Sky Sports News understands that Liverpool are keen to retain Awoniyi but remain open to another loan deal if his work permit status is not resolved.

Awoniyi has spent spells on loan with FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen and Gent, and is currently on his second loan stint in Belgium with Mouscron.

He has scored six goals in seven games since returning to the club in January, having spent the first half of 2018-19 with their Jupiler Pro League rivals Gent.

Awoniyi came to limelight in 2010 when he was voted the most valuable player a Coca-Cola football competition in London

His performance at the competition was spotted by for Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana who made him join Imperial Soccer Academy, to begin his gradual upward improvement. 

He subsequently joined Liverpool on 31st August 2015 for a fee put at £400,000 but was immediately loaned out to FSV Frankfurt.

Rohr 23: No Seychelles challenge for Mikel, Iheanacho

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has decided there is no need to stress team captain John Obi Mikel over the forth coming AFCON qualifier against Seychelles and the friendly match against Egypt respectively.

Rohr who is looking to parade a formidable team at the 2019 Nations Cup in Egypt released a 23-man team for the two matches on Monday leaving out the Super Eagles captain who only recently joined Championship side Middlesbrough after quitting Chinese super league side Tiajin Teda. 

The decision is not unconnected with the need to allow the former Chelsea star stablise in his new club where he has already made an instant impact. 

Also left out of the squad is embattled Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho.  The former Manchester City ace has been struggling to maintain a regular place at the King Power Stadium, starting most of the times from the bench.  Teammate Wilfred Ndidi who has been enjoying regular playing slot at Leicester however made the squad.

Ndidi it will be recalled missed the last qualifier against South Africa following a caution card.

The tie against Seychelles is a mere shape up match with Eagles already qualified for the Nations Cup.  In the first leg played in September last year in Seychelles, Eagles recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory with Odion Ighalo, Chidozie Awaziem and Ahmed Musa on target.

Samuel Kalu who made Rohr's 23-man team will however need to ginger his spirit at a time when efforts are still being made to rescue his mother Madam Ozuruonye Juliet Kalu from Kidnappers den.

His case is like a replay of the experience Mikel had during the World cup in Russia when he had to endure the pain of his father's kidnap to play

Nigeria's match while efforts eventually yielded fruits as security agents rescued his father.

Here is a list of players invited for the Seychelles and Pharaohs ties billed for  22nd and 26th March respectively

Goalkeepers:

Ikechukwu Ezenwa

Daniel Akpeyi

Francis Uzoho

Defenders:

William Ekong

Leon Balogun

keneth Omeruo

Olaoluwa Aina

Chidozie Awaziem

Abdullahi Shehu

jamilu Collins

Valentine Ozornwafor

Midfielders:

John Ogu

Wilfred Ndidi

Oghenekaro Etebo

Semi Ajayi

Forwards:

Ahmed Musa

Odion Ighalo

Moses Simon

Alex Iwobi

Victo Osimhen

Paul Onujachu

Henry Onyekuru

Samuel Kalu

Mind your Language: Rape charity group warn Anthony Joshua

Nigeria born British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has come under heavy attack from Rape charity group after the group picked holes with his comment over Ronaldo and his rape allegation.

Joshua who is full of admiration for the Portugal international who he noted keeps waxing strong despite all the distractions, highlighted  tax and women as some of the obstacles of success for athletes.

'I've always said two things you'd get f***** for as an athlete is women and tax, he's got f***** for both and he's still smiling, still strong,' said Joshua at a promotional event in New York. 'You need mental strength, he's proved that.

'He's a family man, he's got that aspect, but still out working and he's dedicated to what he does.

'So as a sportsman he's had the issue of one side, he's got the family on the other side, and he balances what he's passionate about," he said

But Joshua's submission has been condemned by the Rape crisis body for England and Wales who described the submission as inappropriate and trivialisation of a serious issue.

The comment it added should not be coming from a person like Joshua considered a role model.

Katie Russell, the Rape Crisis England and Wales national spokeswoman, told The Telegraph: 'It's inappropriate, insensitive and disrespectful to make jokes or flippant remarks about allegations or instances of sexual violence and abuse in any context.

'Arguably, those in the public eye, who may be considered a role model to many, including impressionable young people, have a particular responsibility not to trivialise such serious issues.

'Experiences of sexual violence and abuse, can have wide-ranging and long-term impacts on victims,' and survivors' health, lives and relationships.

'As a society, we need to develop more empathy and understanding about that if we are ever to see more of those impacted by sexual violence and abuse get the support they need, want and deserve.'

Ronaldo has denied raping Kathryn Mayorga in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009 even as Mayorga claimed she was paid £280,000 hush money to keep quiet about the incident.

Elderson Echiejile goes spiritual craves divine favour

Journey man and Super Eagles left back Elderson Echiejile may have declared March a month of prayer with intent to receiving wave making divine favours.

The former Braga ace who has made no fewer than four loan stopovers since joining Monaco in 2014,went spiritual in a post on Saturday while ushering in the month of March."Praying to receive all the favours of the month🙏🏾 #Eue3" he enthused

Echiejile who is on loan with Belgium league side Cercle Brugge since 2018 has been on loan since 2016, moving from Standard Liège to Sporting Gijón and Sivasspor respectively.

The former Under 20 ace that was part of Super Eagles squad to the last World cup in Russia will no doubt be hoping to in contention as the Eagles prepare for final Nations cup qualifier against Seychelles this month.

Though considered inconsequential tie with the Eagles already qualified for the Nations Cup in Egypt, the match nonetheless is being used by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr to shape up his team for the continental fiesta which 7-time winners Egypt have hinted they intend to double effort to host and win.  

Nigeria will be hoping to put a good fight at the event after missing two back to back editions. Many say having an impressive outing is not negotiable especially after the team failed to fly in Russia.

Echiejile who broke into the senior national team in 2009 after has so far made 59 appearances for the national side scoring three goals in the bargain.

N90.6million up for grabs in FIFA's eNations cup

Young men and women with skills and passion for electronic sports and video games are in for a huge opportunity to earn millions of pounds while having fun.

Fifa have expanded their esports portfolio by adding a new tournament called the eNations cup.

The competition, which will take place on April 13-14, will be part of the video game FIFA 19 Global Series where the best 32 players compete to play in the FIFA eWorld Cup.

The winner of the eWorld Cup, which takes place in August, will earn prize money of nearly £190,000 (about N90.6million)

Sixteen national teams representing all of FIFA's confederations, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, CAF, OFC, AFC and UEFA will be invited to take part in the eNations Cup.

Nations can host their own eFootball Championships to find their national team where two players will be invited to represent their country.

Luis Vicente, Chief Digital Transformation & Innovation Officer at FIFA said: 'The involvement of our member associations with a dedicated nations tournament is another significant and exciting step forward for FIFA and the development of eFootball globally.

'After the successful introduction of the FIFA eClub World Cup™ in recent years and the new team mode, we are looking forward to integrating this nation vs nation competition into our eFootball portfolio.

'Furthermore, the FIFA eNations Cup represent for us another great step in the growth and development of eFootball, further enhancing engagement with fans and players worldwide as well as allowing our member associations to develop and activate eFootball programs and competitions in their country.'