Halmstadt was far below any standard of Allsvenskan level so far, having just one victory in first twelve rounds, additionally adding three draws and eight defeats, they couldn't expect more but to be at second from the bottom position, having still just two points less than play-out placed Kalmar and five less than safely placed Sundsvall. Their performances so far weren't promising at all and...
After a international break Lillestrom responded well with a narrow 1:0 home victory two weeks ago against Viking as they recorded fifth consecutive official victory and third in a row in Eliteserien, however couldn't build up on that and impress on the road last weekend when they visited Valerenga and suffered 3:1 defeat. Truth to be told, they opened up the match in a great way, taking the lead...
When Messi met his wife (Antonella) when he was five years old
I am shy
How Antonella already saw his future
Don’t talk too much, ayav seen your future, it is bright and shining like Colina’s head
How she accepted Messi
I love you as Balotelli loves red cards
How she stuck with Messi since
You and I are stuck for live, like football to your foot
Messi, whenever he sees Antonella
My sweet potato Anto…
How other girls tried to entice Messi when he became a star
So you mean I am handsome, even as I short, be like imbecile
Antonella when she sights other girls trying to have Messi
You want to die or you want to go on excursion to heaven?
How Messi turned other girls down
Please hollit! I am loyal, I am not a Figolike person
What haters expected Messi to do when Antonella got pregnant
What Messi did instead
How Messi proposed to Antonella
I fell in love with a fine girl, now my life is like the beautiful game
Association of slay mamas who have been hoping Messi will dump Antonella for them
Anti-Messi people aka Ororo Fans Club are like
Is he the first person that will marry? Tee Billz and Tiwa did more than this.
Meanwhile, wedding crashers aka mogbo moya people wishing the wedding was somewhere in their locality
Free jollof rice, amala and semo for don sure this weekend
The post Lionel Messi’s wedding story in 14 pictures appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Regardless of what happens in the FIFA Confederation Cup 2017 final in St. Petersburg, one thing is sure. After Brazil (4 titles), France (2), Argentina, Mexico and Denmark (1 each), there will be a new name on the trophy.
Gerry Davis's side will face into stifling conditions at Sarıyer Yusuf Ziya Öniş Stadyumu as temperatures have been over 30C degrees all week.
"We've had a good week and the conditions are an obvious challenge. It's still very hot every day. It was 37C degrees coming home from training today. That's hot even for Istanbul," said Davis.
"We've managed it quite well and put huge emphasis on hydration and recovery. Players have taken that information on board and we feel that they are adapting well to the conditions.
"Playing in the heat creates a different challenge than a normal game for us. So game management will be vitally important. We've certainly impressed it upon the players. It's not a normal scenario."
Davis and the Irish coaching staff have done their analysis on the Russians and the Irish coach anticipates a tough opener in Group B regardless of the heat.
"We've managed to get two videos from the Russian side's qualifying games. They came through a very tough group where three teams ended up on five points," said Davis.
"They are a well-organised outfit and dangerous from set-pieces. We'll be prepared for that. They're very attack-minded and maybe more direct than you'd expect from a continental team.
"We're more focused on how our players perform. It's a new experience for most of the game and we've been pleased with how the likes of David Stack, Chris Smith and the new faces have settled in. They've done really well in training. Everybody in the group has bought into what we're doing.
"There's good unity in the group and we'll be as prepared as possible. It's up to us to go out and perform now."
Live updates will be available here: http://ift.tt/2trTvgb...
Arsenal’s forward Alexis Sanchez says he knows where he will play next season as he continues to dribble the Gunners in their bid to have him extend his contract.
The 28-year-old has one year left on his deal at the Emirates and has yet to commit his future to the Premier League club amid interest from the likes of Manchester City.
“Right now I’m focused on the Confederations Cup,” he told reporters ahead of the final against Germany. “When this is finished, I will see if I stay or if I go.
“[My decision] is clear but I can’t tell you.”
The Chilean scored 30 goals last season and the Gunners are determined to keep hold of their top scorer.
The post Alexis: I know where I will play next season appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis has assured fans that the club will sign top-quality players while also urging the fans to back coach Arsene Wenger. He however did not mention the name of any target, as top-quality in Arsenal’s context could be a new Yaya Sanogo.
‘We’re looking for top-quality players,’ Gazidis said at a fan event on Thursday. ‘We’ve got three times as many scouts as we had four years ago. I believe that to be a world-class football club you’ve got to be world class off the pitch.’
Gazidis denied there was an element of sentimentality behind the decision to give Wenger an extended stay.
‘It wasn’t a sentimental decision,’ he said. ‘It was a mutual one… I care about the club and those values. I want the club to be successful.’
‘There has been disagreement,’ he added. ‘There has been a lack of unity and dissatisfaction. The board knows that.
‘I beg you, please come together and give our manager and this team support. I want the atmosphere to be united and it has been a struggle because we haven’t had that.’
Last season, the Gunners won the FA Cup but finished fifth in the Premier League, failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in Wenger’s 21-year tenure.
The post Arsenal CEO assures fans of quality signings appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Finding the weight of history against them, El Tri went down 4-1 to Germany, a painful reverse that they can nevertheless learn from.
Nigeria National League side Mighty Jets of Jos have sacked 40 players for under-performing. With local rivals Plateau United doing very well in the Nigeria Professional Football League, doing badly in the second tier was unacceptable by the management and the players have been told to find new clubs or maybe new jobs.
Jets’ sporting director, former Super Eagles striker Benedict Akwuegbu, says the players were simply not delivering: “We had a big squad of 65 players, too crowded and unproductive, so we had to release 40 players,” he said.
“We only need 35 players for the season and some players were not even registered but training with the club. It was just too much.
“What we’ve done is retain the ones who have something to offer and bring in 10 new players as well. It’s like separating wheat from the chaff.
“The atmosphere has changed now and we now have a squad capable of fighting in our tough quest for promotion.”
Jets had high hopes of promotion this season, but instead find themselves in seventh position in the 13-team Northern Conference.
The post Plateau club sacks 40 players appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Real Madrid young midfielder Enzo Zidane has joined Alaves. Zidane, who is the son of head coach Zinedine Zidane came up through the Madrid academy and scored in his lone appearance with the senior team in November in a 6-1 Copa del Rey win over third-tier Cultural Leonesa.
A statement on Alaves’ official website said: “Deportivo Alaves wants to welcome Enzo Zidane and wishes him the best of luck for the new season.”
The 22-year-old appeared in 78 games for Madrid’s Castilla reserve team, scoring seven goals with 15 assists.
The post Zidane leaves Real Madrid appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Porto communications director Francisco J. Marques has accused reigning Portuguese league champions Benfica of using jazz (juju) to win the past two seasons. Marques said he saw emails that Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira and Dr. Armando Nhaga, the national Police Commissioner of Guinea-Bissau, exchanged earlier this year regarding agreements for witchcraft services. Though it seems the so called sorcerer can’t cure the Bella Guttman curse, that has seen Benfica lose every European final since 1962.
Marques told reporters: “In 2015-16, Benfica spent €75,000 (£65,945) to fix the Championship [using sorcery].”
The Porto communications chief claimed that Nhaga warned Benfica that their attempts to win a fourth straight league title could be in jeopardy due to “sabotage” if the club did not increase their payments for using their services with respect to the 2015-16 campaign.
Marques said he was disgusted by the revelations.
“We are talking about witchcraft,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands of euros were spent on that.
“I don’t know what to make of this.
“This calls into question the coach, the players, but also [club executives] Paulo Goncalves and Pedro Guerra.
“There are people that in order to win, anything goes.”
Benfica won a record fourth straight Portuguese league title in May with one game to spare, with Porto finishing runners-up, six points behind the champions. Maybe we should contact Benfica to give us the contact of their jazzman or sorcerer or jujuman, so the Super Eagles can win the World Cup.
The post Porto accuses Benfica of using ‘jazz’ to win appeared first on Soccer Nation.
A 4-1 win over Mexico, inspired by a quick-fire start, saw FIFA World Cup holders Germany tee-up a FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 final with Chile.
Portugal's central midfielders William Carvalho and Adrien Silva speak with FIFA.com after their heart-breaking defeat by Chile in the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 semi-finals about their performances and desire to do well for their nation.
After Chile secured their place in the Russia 2017 final, our team reporter Diego Zandrino analyses La Roja's semi-final victory over Portugal by posing five questions to the finalists.
Germany have not lost a penalty shootout at senior level for over 40 years. Following the country's victory over England on penalties in the U-21 European Championship semi-finals on Tuesday, Joachim Low spoke about how he approaches taking spot-kicks.
Typically Nigerians are a different breed from the rest of the world.Our way is our way; be it the horseplay of appointing a manager without wrapping a thrilling story round it or how our footballers amuse us. We copy nobody; we ain’t Mrs. Trump. Loathe us or love us for who we are, we don’t give a damn. Here are eight ridiculous facts about Nigerian players.
British/American accent
A Nigerian footballer can play anywhere in the world be it Finland, Azerbaijan or Bangladesh whether or not they speak English wherever they go, Nigerian footballers always return with an American or in extreme cases, British accent.
Though you can’t blame them, no one likes to be oppressed especially when Mikel Obi or Victor Moses is in camp with their tush way of talking. Moreover, it is not a matter of playing in England, Kanu Nwankwo played in the EPL for years and he still has a special Igbo/British accent.
Football age
1+1 isn’t 2 when it comes to age in Nigeria and rarely do Nigerians grow older rather we grow younger. A Nigerian footballer is most times younger than his younger sibling.
If you don’t get it, we can’t explain further. We don’t want to spoil anyone’s market with our big mouth before someone say we mentioned Ahmed Musa.
Everywhere is greener than Nigeria
Everywhere and anywhere outside Nigeria is a greener pasture as long as he can also be tagged ‘foreign based player’. A Nigerian footballer is everywhere across the globe, mention it- Niger, Chad, Tajikistan, Tahiti and even maybe Antarctica.
Is it your pasture?
NPFL is like an academy
After ten years playing in the local league, he cannot sign a professional contract with a foreign club because he is not 18 yet.
Again, we didn’t mention Ahmed Musa
Role model is always someone they can father
A Nigerian player probably started his career with Jasper united or Eagle’s Cement but his role-model is Jack Wilshere.
But how? They don born Wilshere when all these clubs dey exist?
Childhood dreams
He joins a team in the J-League (that is Japanese league if you don’t know), then says it was his childhood dream to play for the club; he had been a fan of the club for a long time. Don’t be surprised if the club was formed two years ago.
Nigerian players are usually responsible
Nigerian players marry early unlike the rest of the youths in Nigeria. He is probably still an under 21 player but he is getting married to his long-term girlfriend who is probably a university graduate. Don’t do the math.
Moses Simon is 22, he is married. Ogenyi Onazi is 23, he is married. Julius Agahahowa got married at 19. Young men, be like our footballers. Get married!
Retirement
They retire earlier than their football idols. We have a ‘Little Messi’, who probably idolizes Lionel Messi. While Messi is still playing at the top level, our ‘Little Messi’ is in the NPFL after a sojourn in Europe.
The post #TBT: Eight Crazy things about Nigerian footballers in pictures appeared first on Soccer Nation.
The president of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has vowed that the Super Eagles will revenge their 2-0 loss to Bafana Bafana earlier this month when both sides meet again in the reverse leg of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) qualifying group E match in South Africa. The South Africans gained freedom from the shackles of endless beating at the hand of the Super Eagles with a 2-0 win in Uyo.
“I promise you, we will not only qualify for the AfCON but, we will beat South Africa in South Africa,” Pinnick said.
Second half goals from Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tao gave Coach Staurt Baxter a perfect start on his return as the new coach of Bafana Bafana. The second leg of the tie will be played 12th October 2018.
The post Pinnick: Super Eagles will beat Bafana Bafana in South Africa appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Transfer market hottest property Kylian Mbappe has changed his header on twitter to a picture of him celebrating a goal and running past a giant advertising screen, with the word – ‘priceless’ – alongside him. The young French international has been linked with a move away from Monaco this summer, with a number of suitors lining up to price him away from the Ligue 1 club.
The likes of Arsenal and Real Madrid have been touted to have submitted world record bids for the 18-year-old, though one wonders what Arsenal are doing in this type of conversation, Arsene Wenger has been a long time admirer of the attacker.
Mbappe scored 26 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions last season, and has also won four caps for France after a sublime breakthrough season.
The post Mbappe drops transfer hint appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has suggested that Bayern Munich are not interested in Alexis Sanchez, he said they are only interested in youngsters. Chile international Sanchez has been a reported target of the club, but Hoeness suggested the 28-year-old forward does not fit the the club’s transfer profile. Good news for Arsenal fans who are hoping that their last season topscorer won’t leave the Gunners to a club where league titles are won and where the Champions League can be won.
“You can’t build a new team with €100 million transfers for 29- and 30-year-olds,” he said.
“I fully support what’s been done so far — it’s highly satisfactory and it all makes sense. Sule, Rudy, Gnabry and Tolisso are players with huge potential for the future,” Hoeness said. “As chairman of the supervisory board I’m very pleased with our transfer policy up till now, because it was implemented with great care.
“Real Madrid deservedly won the Champions League last season, but against which opponent was this team under severe pressure? Against us. After 90 minutes and going into extra time we were leading 2-1 in the Bernabeu.”
Bayern have made four signings so far this summer, adding midfielder Corentin Tolisso from Lyon, former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry from Werder Bremen and Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy from Hoffenheim.
The post Bayern Munich president plays down interest in Alexis Sanchez appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos has come to the defense of his players after they missed all of their three spot kicks in their penalty shoot-out defeat against Chile at the ongoing Confederations Cup. Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani — all saw their efforts saved by Manchester City sweeper and Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
“The goalkeeper was fantastic but the three players who failed their penalties were heroes in the European Championship against Poland,” Santos said.
“I always defend my players. It’s my decision who takes them.”
Santos also defended his decision to push Ronaldo further back in the order.
“That was the order we chose,” Santos said. “These three players scored their goals in the Euros.
“There’s no point thinking along those lines [that the order could have been changed after the first was saved].”
The game finished scoreless after 120 minutes and went to penalties, where Chile came out victorious.
The post Portugal coach explains why Ronaldo did not play first penalty against Chile appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been allowed to return home from the FIFA Confederations Cup after confirming he has become a father, following the birth of twin boys via a surrogate mother. The Selecaos lost out to Chile in the semi-final match on penalties, the Portuguese contrived to make Manchester City Claudio Bravo appear like a proper goalkeeper after he saved all their 3 penalty kicks.
‘I was in the service of the National Team, as it always happens, body and soul, even though I knew my two sons were born,’ said Ronaldo, in a statement on Facebook.
‘Unfortunately, we have not been able to achieve the main sporting objective we wanted, but I am sure we will continue to give the Portuguese joy.
‘The President of the Portuguese Football Federation and the National Selector had an attitude today that sensitized me and I will not forget.
Ronaldo, who already has a seven-year-old son – Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr – from a previous relationship, announced the news just hours after Portugal were eliminated from the tournament.
The 32-year-old forward will be allowed to miss Portugal’s third-place play-off against either Germany or Mexico in order to return home to his young family.
The post Ronaldo opts out of Portugal’s third-place match appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Even though they failed to make more impressive performance in the Prva liga competition, we can still say that Domzale had a pretty positive previous season, as the side managed to win the Slovenian Cup final game against Olimpija Ljubljana, celebrating the victory just a month ago with a narrow 1:0 result, thanks to a goal from Dobrovoljc in 61st minute.
As for the league competition, they have ended the season at fourth position, having just four points less than second placed ND Gorica, while Maribor was simply much more stronger than any other opponent during the season. Domzale is playing much better at home and they know that they need to exploit home advantage, since their results on the road looked too unimpressive last season, having just four victories out of eighteen matches on the road. Their preparations involved a friendly match against Crotian side Zapresic which the Slovenians won with a late goal by Ozbolt for the 1:0 final result.
They will try to improve in Europa League from the previous season, when they managed to progress over Lusitanos and Shakhtyor Soligorsk, however failed against Premier League side West Ham (2:1 home victory and 0:4 away defeat) in third round. Midfielder Kombi Mandjang won’t be playing here. Defender Gacan, forward Hebaj and midfielder Sipek won’t be playing here, but all being newcomers.
Flora Tallin, on the other side, ended the previous season only at fourth position as they had seven points less than champions from Infonet Tallin. On the other side, they failed to impress in Cup competition reaching only 1/8 finals stage where they got excluded by Kalju with a 1:0 one-legged game. Luckily for them, the new season has started in a way better manner.
After seventeen rounds played, Flora has 15-2-0 record and are leading the table having four points more than second placed Levadia, managing to get fifteen consecutive victories in their Meistriliga after two starting draws early in March. Flora had a friendly game against AIK last week, taking a surprising 2:0 victory on neutral location thanks to goals from Alliku and Sappinen in second halftime, however needs to be said that the Swedish side rotated a lot.
Their recent European outings weren’t that impressive, suffering ten straight exclusions (most recently against Dinamo Tbilisi, Shamrock Rovers, Basel, Kukesi, Rabotnicki and last year, exclusion to side from Gibraltar Lincoln Red Imps). Offensive midfielder Martin Miller (10/4) is kinda long term injury.
Flora is doing very well in their domestic league, but that’s not comparable to their opponents in first rounds of European competitions. Domzale is quite stable club these years and already have plenty of experience in Europe in previous years. They looked rock solid, especially at the back in previous season and if the team shows anything close to previous few months, I don’t see many problems for them in front of own fans.
Domzale vs Flora is a post written by one of the authors on Betshoot. A sports betting website, that provides daily betting tips and a monthly tipsters competition.
A modest side from San Marino will once again have a chance to present themselves in European competitions, this time playing in the first round of Europa League against Macedonian Rabotnicki. Tre Penne had a decent previous season, as the team managed to win the Cup competition in the finals over La Fiorita 2:0, however they didn’t manage to get Champions League qualifiers losing the domestic league in play-off stage.
They reached the finals, however La Fiorita was better this time, celebrating with a 2:1 result after extra-time. Their season has ended late in May and since the league starts later, it’s hard to say that the amateurs from San Marino had real preparations for this one, as in every previous season. They already had five outings in Europe in previous few years, being twice defeated on all occasions so far (Zrinjski, Rad, Dudelange, The New Saints), with exception of victory against Armenian side Shirak 1:0 at home back in 2013, but they got outplayed on the road with a 3:0 defeat later on.
Rabotnicki, on the other side, disappointed a bit in previous season, as the team only managed to get the third position and more worrying was the fact that they have ended the season with twenty-nine points less than champions from Vardar and sixteen points less than second placed Shkendija. On the other side, they were quite safe with European exit, so the team didn’t care much for their results towards the end of the season.
They have ended the season with two straight defeats, last one being against relegation struggling from Bregalnica Stip 6:2. Now, they turn their attention to European matches as it’s one of rare chances to test their players a bit more. The side is having much more experience as a club in Europe, even reaching the play-off stage of Europa League twice in recent times, losing to Lazio in 2011 and to Rubin only with a 1:2 aggregate result back in 2015. As for the Cup competition, they were eliminated by Shkedija in 1/8f finals stage with a 2:0 aggregate score later in previous year. Defenders Najdovski (20/1) and Shikov (15/0) are suspended for this one, while midfielder Elmas (33/6) will miss too.
Visiting side managed to overpower such opponents in previous years with ease. Having in mind that it’s off-season for both teams, I give plenty of more chances to players of Rabotnicki. They are not European cream, however should be more than quality for the amateurs from San Marino this time. Two goals difference is surely objective target for them.
Tre Penne vs Rabotnicki is a post written by one of the authors on Betshoot. A sports betting website, that provides daily betting tips and a monthly tipsters competition.
St Johnstone actually had a pretty decent previous season, as the team ended at fourth position in Premiership, having twelve points more than fifth placed Hearts and having nine less than Scottish giants of Glasgow Rangers. They have ended the season with two narrow home victories against Partick and Hearts both 1:0, before losing to Glasgow Rangers 1:2 in the last round of Scottish Premier League.
They had one more important friendly match before the start of the European campaign, as the team won over Welsh side Connahs Qey 2:0 last Saturday evening thanks to goals from Alston in 46th and Cummins in 75th minute. Their team captain Steven Anderson and fellow defender Keith Watson are missing for this one. Midfielders Stefan Scougall and Kyle McClean are set to make debuts. Left back Scott Tanser should be registered in time for this one.
One of the positive sides for this clash for Trakai is the fact that they are in the full swing of their season, as the Lithuanian side already played three competitive matches during this month. After sixteen rounds played in the new Lithuanian championship, Trakai stands at second position with seven victories, seven draws and two defeats, having ten points less than leaders from Zalgiris.
As for the previous season, they ended also at the second position with nine points less than Zalgiris, while the side also lost the Super Cup competition against Zalgiris earlier this year with a narrow 1:0 result (thanks to second placed position in League competition, while they were excluded in 1/8 finals of the domestic Cup). Currently they are undefeated in last eight competitive matches, six in league and two in Cup), coming from a 3:0 home victory over Utenis last Wednesday evening. The side is having terrible 0-7-1 record away from home and they know that their realistic chance here lies with the home game and they need to avoid heavy defeat in Scotland now.
St Johnstone knows that they need to give a really good fight in front of own fans to get a convincing result ahead of the second leg in Lithuania. Season is still early for them, however I strongly believe that the Scottish side has what it takes to get a victory which would bring them much closer to the second qualifying round. Overall, I see the match being very open and the visiting side being threatening as well, since this match comes too early in the season for hosts.
St Johnstone v Trakai is a post written by one of the authors on Betshoot. A sports betting website, that provides daily betting tips and a monthly tipsters competition.
Shylo Malsawmtluanga, who is widely regarded as one of the finest players to emerge from the Mizoram region in India's north-east, discusses the future of Indian football and his hopes for the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup in the country.
Clondalkin 0-2 ETB Carrigaline
Mick Conroy's Cork outfit had most of possession in the first half in a very entertaining game but failed to break down a very resolute 'home' defence which was well-marshalled by Dolapo Lawal. Cal Sheehy opened the scoring mid way through first half.
Clondalkin created the better opportunities as Sam Afolabi went close after a right wing pull back from Glen Fullam and Eoin Devereux got in on goal a few times but failed to hit the target.
The game was more even in the second half with Clondalkin's Leon Foley's long range free-kick being well saved by the Carrigaline goalkeeper.
Claudio Silva was very prominent for Clondalkin in the middle of the pitch and sent Dean Longhi away on the left hand side on a few occasions.
Substitute Ryan McCarthy side-footed home a corner from Graham Bogue in the final minute to wrap up the victory for Carrigaline.
Man of match for the winners was Ben O'Riordan at the heart of the defence with Evan Galvin also putting in a top display in midfield.
Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus is excited by the potential signing of Dani Alves by the Manchester club. Jesus is delighted at Dani Alves ability and the energy he will bring to the club. Jesus’s compatriot, Alves is expected to join the Citizens as Pep Guardiola refreshes an aging defence with a ‘young’ 34-year-old player.
“It has not yet materialised, but when it does, I’ll be quite happy,” he said.
“I will be happy not just because of his quality, but for the energy he has. I really like the energy he has, it motivates the group, motivates people to always want to win in life and in the game.
“I’m worried he’s not sure yet. Come on, shall we, Dani? (laughs). Between Chelsea and City, it would take Pep Guardiola to make that difference.”
The 34-year-old right-back, who confirmed his departure from Juventus on Tuesday, is set to join City after agreeing a two-year deal.
The post Jesus wants Dani Alves at Manchester City appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Photo Caption:Dr Dayo Osholowu (left), Terry Envoh (middle), Dr Sunday Onimisi Salami (right)
After 2 year of inaction occasioned by a persistent hip problem, former Nigeria U-17 and U-20 international, Terry Envoh believes his injury hell is over and expects to be back in action within a year. Terry first suffered a horrible hip injury in 2014 and missed the entire 2015 season through a hip impingement injury and even when he returned, he struggled to play at the high level that led football watchers to tip him for super stardom.
Hopes of a full return to fitness and resumption of his career however, emerged over the weekend via social media on Monday when pictures emerged of Terry undergoing surgery with a FIFA recognised Sports Medicine team led by Dr Sunday Onimisi Salami. Dr Salami is a Sports Traumatologist and Arthroscopic-Orthopedic Surgeon and also a member of the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS). He leads the Kasi Health Sports Medicine team in Lagos Nigeria that now offers hope for many Nigerian athletes whose careers have stalled due to injuries that have been poorly treated and sometimes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as in the case with Terry Envoh.
“I had no idea about any of the Sports Medicine experts here in Nigeria and was referred by a former colleague whose career had also been saved by Dr Salami and is back in the league scoring goals,” Terry said when we put a call through to him. “Given how the operation went, I am certain my injury hell is over and I will follow through my recovery road map.”
Photo Caption: The operation being carried out by Dr Salami and Dr OSholowu
Speaking to Dr Sunday Salami, the Chief of Surgery and Consultant Arthorscopic-Orthospedic Surgeon and Sports Traumatologist at Kasi Health, who said Terry required a very complex surgery to put his hip joint back in playing condition and get him back on the football field. He performed the complex surgery with his team and confirmed that the injury has not ended the player’s career.
“Terry Envoh’s surgery was successful and we fully expect him to make a full recovery. By no means should an injury like that truncate the career of such a talented young man” Dr Salami said. “We are confident he will return to elite level of play even with the 2 years of injury as we have fully fixed the problem with the hip. It also helps incredibly that he is a very determined and positive young man and has already began rehabilitation under our care. In fact, I see him eventually earning a call up to the Super Eagles once he starts playing regularly again. That is his dream and we will make sure he gets all the help and support necessary to achieve it.”
Dr Dayo Osholowu, Director of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at Kasi Healthcare, the team overseeing Envoh’s recovery also said Terry’s positive mindset means he stands a good chance of full recovery. ” A patient’s mindset and disposition is extremely essential in recovery. It is that positive mindset that will mean that patients will follow through on all the recovery programmes we carefully design for them. To see him so determined and focused even after going through so much is refreshing and we envisage that he will be back on the pitch within 9 months. Dr Osholowu is an Alumnus of the prestigious FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence Johannesburg where he earned a postgraduate certification in Football Medicine. He has served with international teams including the Athens 2011 Special Olympics World Games Medical Team, South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cups & is a member of the international FIFA Medical Network
The post My injury hell is over – Terry Envoh appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Footballers when they make money
You know say money no be problem
How they evade tax payment
The same skill we dey take dribble for pitch
How they feel like when they evade tax payment
We the bad sharp guys
How the tax authorities start suspecting cases of tax evasion
How the tax authorities starts making their findings
Ronal…do…10 million pounds
READ ALSO; Footballers and loyalty to their clubs in 16 pictures
READ ALSO; How Real Madrid tore Juventus tight defence apart in 10 pictures
When the tax authorities discover massive cases of tax evasion
En…Oluwa oooooooooo!!!!! Chineke meeeeee!!!!!
Footballers when they hear that the tax authorities have discovered them
Shuo! Na to run like Evans o
The evaders when they hear the tax authorities are coming for them
How they start denying
Na my agent
How the tax authorities go after the evaders
We catch you, barawo!
When the tax authorities get hold of the offenders
Na tape rule we go take measure your jail term
How the evaders start begging for leniency when found guilty
The post Footballers and the Spainish tax authorities in 12 pictures appeared first on Soccer Nation.
Former Liverpool player Steve Nicol says Liverpool needs a player like Virgil van Dijk but believes the Dutch international is not worth £60m. Nicol, a five-time league winner at Anfield is also not sure if van Dijk can step up and deliver for the Reds. In Nicol’s opinion, they will be smoking something at Anfield if they paid £60m for van Dijk.
“If the price is right, then yes,” Nicol said when asked if the transfer for the Netherlands international could still happen.
“If the price is right, which I hope is not £60m, because I don’t think he’s worth £60m.
“Liverpool need a centre-back, I guess sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Whether the valuation is correct or not, Liverpool need a centre-back.
“He is a good player, the question is can he deliver at Liverpool? He did it at Southampton, can he do it at one of the big boys? I don’t know.”
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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is angry with Real Madrid but he believes the Portuguese won’t leave. There have been reports that Ronaldo is not happy with Real Madrid for failing to back him strongly over tax evasion issues, as tax evasion seems to have become an achievement in Spain.
“I know Cristiano is angry, but I think he will stay,” Perez said.
“I haven’t spoken with him,” Perez said of Ronaldo. “The only thing that has to be done is to wait and talk after the Confederations [Cup].”
“I have spoken with Mendes about him. No need to worry more than [is needed].”
“He is a man of integrity and has fulfilled with his duties,” Perez said. “There are many people who have wanted to hurt him with taxes and other topics and he feels it.”
The 32-year-old has been accused of tax evasion by authorities in Spain, and reports in Portugal earlier this month suggested Ronaldo wants to leave Madrid.
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Dani Alves has penned a farewell letter to Juventus fans, stating that his decision to leave has nothing to do with money as a move to Manchester City looks certain. He however did not state clearly his reason for deciding to leave, apart from saying he has a spontaneous reaction to life. Maybe the spontaneous reaction that some cool cash can spur or it has always been his childhood dream to play for Manchester City.
“I would like to thank all the Juventus fans for the year I experienced, the teammates for welcoming me like the professionals that they are, for a club that wins and reaches finals.
“I think that my respect for this club and its supporters was my dedication, my passion and all the efforts to make this club a greater club every single day.
“I apologise to the Juventus fans if sometimes they thought I had done something to offend them. This was never my intention, I just have a very spontaneous approach to life that few understand… although it appears that I am not perfect, however, my heart is pure.
“Today ends our professional relationship and I will take with me all of those who with love and true heart make Juve a great club. As everyone knows, I always say what I think and feel…
“I feel that I should say thank you to Mr Marotta for the opportunity he gave me, he’s a great professional and someone who loves his job like few others…
“I don’t play football for money, I play football because I love the profession and those who are part of it. I leave it up to you to judge what I have done and worked for.
“I love football and money will never keep me in any place.”
Juventus chief executive Beppe Marotta confirmed last week that Alves would be released from his current contract, despite having one more year remaining on a two-year deal with the Italian champions.
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Mauricio Isla speaks to FIFA.com about facing up to Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the Confederations Cup semi-finals and what his approach will be to that task.
