Remi Garde Leaves Aston Villa

Aston Villa Manager, Remi Garde, has left the club by mutual consent, after four months in charge on the club.

The club is cutrently 12 points from safety at the bottom of the EPL table. With his exit, Garde becomes the second villa boss to lose his job this season, after replacing Tim Sherwood in late October.

A statement on the club's website read: " Manager Remi Garde ha stoday left Aston Villa Football Club by mutual consent. The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Remi for all his efforts during a difficult period and wish him well in the future. Eric Balck will take over as actng manager until the club appoints a new manger." 

Garde has been unable to turn around their fortunes winning just two league games since taking charge of the club on November 3rd, 2015.

Nigeria Says Goodbye To AFCON 2017

The Super Eagles of Nigeria, have officially said goodbye to the AFCON tournament in Gabon, after loosing 1-0 to Egypt in a crucial 2nd leg qualifying match played in Alexandria last night. 

After drawing 1-1 with the Pharoahs in Kaduna last Friday, and Chad's announcement of withdrawal from the race,  it became an Herculean task for the Super Eagles to qualify.

Nigeria missed out on the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea and were desperate for a return, and relied solely on the team's coach; Samson Siasia to display his mastery at coaching and see to the team's qualification.

The first half of the match ended goalless, but with the resolute of the Egyptians, the jinx as broken in the 65th minute, when 19 year old Ramadan Sobhy's shot after a deflection ensured that the Super Eagles dreams ended right on the pitch. 

With the Win, the Pharaohs have now secured a place in the tournament, as the lead the group with a total of 7 points.

Gary Cahill To Captain England In Friendly Against Germany

Gary Cahill, will captain the England National Team in their friendly match against Germany at the Olympiastadion on Saturday.

Cahill, who was named England's vice-captain following the disappointing 2014 World Cup campaign, will captain Roy Hodgson's side in Berlin in the absence of Wayne Rooney, who is missing the friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury suffered in February.

Roger Federer Withdraws From Miami Open

Roger Federer has withdrawn from the Miami Open after suffering from a stomach virus.

The current wold No. 3, was due to face Juan Martin Del Potro in a second round match but has been forced to pull out of the tournament after reportedly suffering gastroenteritis.

The match would have been Federer's first since his semi-final loss to world NO. 1 Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in January.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion will now be replaced by Argentinian " lucky loser" Horacio Zeballos in the main draw of the tournament. 

Egypt Rescues A Point Against Nigeria As Salah Snatches Stoppage Time Equalizer

AS Roma striker, Mohammed Salah, scored a late equalizer in stoppage time to rescue Egypt from defeat against Nigeria in the AFCON qualifying match.
The Nigerian team came out and seemed ready to leave the pitch with a 3 points against the Pharaohs. This stand was confirmed in the 59th minute as Oghenekaro Etebo fired home a rebound to give Nigeria the edge. But the joy was to be considered incomplete as Mohammed Salah came to the rescue in stoppage time and rescued a point for the Egyptians.
The second of the match is to played in exactly four days in Alexandria Egypt, the question now on everybody's lips is; will the Super Eagles return with the 3 points crucial to the tie, or will it be in favor of the Egyptians.

Footballer Adam Johnson, Sentenced To Six Years In Prison For Child Sex Offences

Ex-Sunderland Footballer Adam Johnson has been sentenced to six years in prison for child sex offences.

The 29-year-old former England and Sunderland player was sentenced by Judge Jonathan Rose at Bradford Crown Court on Thursday.

Johnson was found guilty on March 2nd of one count of sexual activity with a child and cleared of one further count. He had previously pleaded guilty to two other charges of kissing and grooming the girl, who was 15 at the time of the offences.

Johnson will appeal his conviction.

Dutch Legend Johan Cruyff Dies Of Cancer At Age 68

Dutch Legend, Johan Cruyff has died after a long battle with lung cancer at the age of 68.

A statement from his family read : " On March 24 2016, Johan Cruyff (68) died peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family after a hard fought battle with cancer. It is with great  sadness that we ask you to respect the family's privacy during their time of grief"

Cruyff a three-time winner of the Ballon D'or, he revealed in October last year that he had been diagnosed with the illness.

As a player, he won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax and eight Dutch league titles, before moving to Barcelona for a then-world record fee of 922,000 Euros in mid-season of 1973. He immediately led what had been a mid-table team to their first La Liga title in a decade, their crowning moment a 5-0 victory at Real Madrid.

Mikel Obi Named Super Eagles Captain

Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has been announced as the new captain of the Super Eagles.

The news was broken by Former Captain Ahmed Musa, who until today was the Captain of the team. Musa who replaced Vincent Enyeama after the goalkeeper announced his retirement from International football, announced Mikel as the new captain during a press conference in Kaduna ;

" I want to announce now that from today, John Obi Mikel is our new captain"

UPDATE : Iwobi Recovers, Trains With Eagles In Kaduna

Arsenal star, Alex Iwobi is back to camp and training with the rest of the team, after a food poisoning scare.

The Nigerian Football Federation announced Iwobi's recovery through its official twitter handle stating that he is set for the crucial match against Egypt.

He is pictured arriving Kaduna with the rest of the team.

I Believe In Super Eagles - NFF President

The Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick, says he believes the Super Eagles will come out victorious in the first leg of the must win match against the Pharaohs of Egypt in Kaduna this Friday.

Quoting the NFF President in a chat with completesportsnigeria.com ;

" Our boys are in the best form for the Egypt game, and if they reproduce such form in Kaduna on Friday, goals will rain against the visitors. Already some of the players have called to reassure us that they would show no mercy against Egypt and I believe them. We are not taking chances against the Pharoahs"

Alex Iwobi Falls ill, Rushed To The Hospital

Arsenal's Alex Iwobi has been hospitalized after suffering from food poisoning while on international duty.
The 19-year-old joined the Nigerian National Team in Abuja on Sunday night, hours after scoring his first Premier League goal for Arsenal.
He was reported to have fallen ill due to food poisoning and been unable to make the morning training of the team.
Iwobi is said to have fallen ill after eating a salad with the rest of the team. He is since responding to treatment, and his condition is now stable.
Iwobi was in line to start the Nigeria's AFCON qualifier against Egypt on friday night, but this now looks unlikely.

Jose Mourinho Signs Pre-Contract Deal With Man Utd

Chelsea's former manager, " The Special One" Jose Mourinho has reportedly signed a Pre-Contract deal with Man Utd. Part of the requirements states that he is to receive 15m pounds if he isn't appointed by June 1. According to reports, Mourinho is to take over as the new coach of the club this summer. 

The Portuguese coach has been linked with Manchester United ever since he was sacked by former club Chelsea in December.

According to reports from Spanish top newspaper El Pais;

" If United do not sign the final contract (with Mourinho) before May 1st,  they must pay 5m pounds; if by 1 June he's still not signed, they shall pay another 10m pounds. " May is the key, because it's the month in which the vast majority of the signings of players are closed and the plans formed"

El Pais claims that the clause has been included because senior figures at Old Traffprd, including Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton, are not entirely convinced that Mourinho is the right man to succeed Louis Van Gaal.

Theo Walcott : A Fight For His Shirt

Arsenal's Theo Walcott, is currently facing trouble in his fight to save his place in the England team and also a place in Arsenal's starting 11.

the currently out of favor and out of form striker, has to fight and impress both Arsenal's coach and also his Country's coach in order to return to the teams. He was left out of the 2016 Qualifiers match against The Netherlands and Germany, with the coach favoring Danny Drinkwater.

Saturday's trip to Goodison Park, provided some welcome relief for Arsenal, but for Theo Walcott the 2-0 win was another reminder of just how far down the pecking order he has fallen.

In a must-win game for Arsenal's fading title hopes, the 27-year-old was an unused substitute as rookie teenager Alex Iwobi marked his first Premier League start with a man-of-the-match performance and a crucial goal.

Iwobi's impact is likely to keep Walcott on the bench when Watford visits the Emirates Stadium afetr the international break. It appears Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud are Arsene Wenger's favoured options up front, while Joel Campbell and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have also been preferred on the flanks.

Raymond Moore Resigns As Indian Wells Tournament Director

Raymond Moore has resigned as Indian Wells Tournament Director. This came after he was accused by World No. 1, Serena Willams and other female tennis players for the controversial comments he made about women tennis.

Moore was criticised after claiming Women Players are riding 'on the coattails of the men and very lucky to be receiving equal prize money'.

The 69-year-old South African, a former professional player, sparked further outcry for saying ; "If I was a lady player, I'd go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born, because they have carried this sport".

Injury Scare; Joe Hart Replaced By Burnley's Tom Heaton

Burnley's goalkeeper Tom Heaton, will replace Joe Hart in England's squad for friendlies with Germany and the Netherlands.

Heaton is the only addition to Roy Hodgson's squad, even though Hart's Manchester City team-mate Raheem Sterling will also miss both games with a groin injury.

Sterling was injured in the first-half of City's 1-0 Manchester derby defeat by United on Saturday, and Hart was carried off after sustaining a calf injury in the second half.

See Alex Iwobi's Tweet Upon Arrival to Nigeria

Seems like England has lost the battle to have Arsenal star and Jay-Jay Okocha's nephew play for her. Alex Iwobi demonstrated his interest to play for the Super Eagles by answering the invite call to take part in the team to play against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Friday in Kaduna. 

Upon his arrival to Nigeria, the 19-year-old immediately went on twitter to announce his arrival. 

His feature in Friday's match, will rule him out of all eligibility to play for another FIFA affiliated National team.

Victoria Azarenka Claims Second Indian Wells Title

Victoria Azarenka defeated World No.1 Serena Williams in straight sets on Sunday to capture her second Indian Wells title.

The 26 year-old Belarussian dominated her opponent for large periods and deservedly took the match, 6-4 6-4, to claim her 19th career singles title.

Williams, who was aiming to become the first three-time winner of Indian Wells, started poorly and lost her serve in the very first game after a number of doublefaults.

The two-time Australian Open Champion began the second set in the same rich vein of form and broke Williams. Williams briefly rallied to reduce the deficit to 5-4 but Azarenka held her nerve to serve out for the title and beat the American for the first time since 2013.

The 21-time Grand Slam champion made 33 unforced errors in the match and admitted afterwards that she was disappointed with her performance. "Definitely not the game plan, said " Williams, following her defeat".

Arsenal's Elneny Makes 23-Man Egyptian Team Facing The Super Eagles

Egypt have announced a 23-Man squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers against Nigeria.

Coach Hector Cuper, included Arsenal's Mohammed Elneny, Mohamed Salah of AS Roma and SC Braga's Ahmed Hassan in a list that is dominated by players from Zamalek and Al Ahly.

The Pharoahs Full Squad:

GoalKeepers : Ahmed Elshennawy (Zamalek), Sherif Ekramy (Al Haly)

Defenders : Ramy Rabia (Al Ahly), Ahmed Hegazy (Al Ahly), Sabry Rahil (Al Ahly), Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Hamada Tolba (Zamalek), Ali Gabr (Zamalek), Mostafa Fathi (Zamalek)

Midfielders : Amr Warda (Panetolikos FC), Momen Zakaria (Al Ahly), Ramadan Sobhy (Al Ahly), Hazem Emam (Zamalek), Ayman Hefny (Zamalek), Mostafa Fathi (Zamalek)

Novak Djokovic Wins Record Indian Wells Title With Ruthless Win Over Milos Raonic

Novak Djokovic won a fifth Indian Wells title and record-equalling Masters crown with a dominant 6-2 6-0 victory over Milos Raonic in California.

The Wold No. 1 did not need to be at his best as Raonic struggled with an injury, seeing his usually reliable serve wilt in the desert heat as he lost his third Masters final.

For Djokovic though the record continue to come, he goes clear of Roger Federer with a fifth Indian Wells crown and has now drawn level with Rafa Nadal's career total of 27 Masters titles - he will start as red-hot favourite to make it 28 when the Miami Masters gets underway on Wednesday.

No Automatic Pick For Super Eagles - Siasia

Nigeria's National Team Interim Coach Samson Siasia, has warned that players must work hard to gain a starting  shirt with the Super Eagles as there are no automatic picks.

The former Flying Eagles Coach revealed that he picked players playing regularly for their clubs so he wouldn't be presented with the issue of player fitness. He said : " The Super Eagles have quality players and that is why I am happy that those who were invited fpr the Egypt are the ones playing regularly for their clubs. So the issue of fitness has been solved in a way". But we will still measure their level of fitness and readiness when they come into the country for the Match.

Siasia took up the Coaching of the Super Eagles job in the Interim, after former Coach Sunday Oliseh resigned in late February.

The match against the Pharaohs of Egypt will be played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, with the return leg played in Alexandria Egypt. The match will decide who wins the automatic qualification ticket to the 2017 AFCON championship in Group G.

Rashford ; The Premier League Hero

It was again another day for wonderboy Marcus Rashford to shine. He was the outstanding hero on his Manchester Derby debut as United all but ended City's title hopes with a 1-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Who better to settle the Derby scores than the only local lad on the pitch. With a blistering turn of pace and a cool finish beyond Joe Hart's reach, Marcus Rashford stamped United back in the challenge for the top-4 position, and became the youngest  player ever to score in a Premier League Meeting between the two sides.

Rashford's  performance, was a handsome reward for LVG's unwavering faith in the 18-year old.

EPL : Wins For Arsenal, Leicester, Norwich And Stoke City

The English Premier League Match Day 31, saw wins for Arsenal, Leicester, Norwich and Stoke City.

The Gunners after a shameless loss to Barca to crash out of the UCL on Wednesday, went all out to claim a very impressive and well deserved 3 points. Goals from Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi sealed the victory for Arsenal.

Leicester City, sealed a 3 points victory, and remained in top flight for the title challenge. The day also saw wins for Norwich city and Stoke City, with Chelsea drawing 2-2 at home with Westham Utd.

Chelsea 2 West Ham 2	West Brom             0 Norwich City              1
Watford 1 Stoke City 2	Arsenal                                        2      Everton                                         0              Crystal Palace                             0      Leicester City                                   1

World Twenty20 2016 : Joe Root Helps England Beat South Africa

England pulled off the second-highest run chase in Twenty20 international history to stun South Africa and get their World T20 campaign back on track.

Chasing 230 in Mumbai, Joe Root struck a composed 44-ball 83 after Jason Roy blitzed 43 from 16 deliveries.

England lost two wickets in the last over with the scores level before Moeen Ali sealed it with two balls to spare.

South Africa earlier posted 229-6, with Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy all making half-centuries.

For England, it was an excellent reply to a crushing defeat by West Indies in their opening game.

Asisat Oshoala Signs For Arsenal Ladies

Arsenal Ladies, have completed the signing of Nigeria International Asisat Oshoala.

The 21 year-old striker spent the 2015 season with Liverpool, where she became the first player from Africa to feature in the Women's Super League, where she scored 3 goals in 12 appearances for the Reds.

On the international stage, Asisat has represented Nigeria with disinction at youth and senior levels. In 2014, she was the player of the tournament at bothe Under-20 World Cup and the African Women's Championship. She was also named the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year in 2015.

Manager Pedro Losa said; " Asisat is a fantastic talent amnd ill be a great addition to our squad. She is quick with excellent feet and has proven she can score goals so its very positive she has decided to join us"

32 Players Begin Hostilities at Lagos Int'l Squah Classics

The best 32 players across the country are taking part in the Lagos International Squash Classics holding at teh Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The tournament which is listed as a world-ranking event by the Professional Squash Associatio0n (PSA) is a national closed satellite championship.

The tournament has a price tag of $4,000(1.2m) expected to be shared among the top players in the competition; The men will get $2,500(750,000) as total prize money while the women will take home $1,500(450,000).

Europa League Quater-Final Fixtures

Uefa Europa League :
BRAGA VS SHAKTAR DONESTSK
VILLAREAL VS SPARTA PRAGUE
ATHLETIC BILBAO VS SEVILLE
BORUSSIA DORTMUND VS LIVERPOOL
First leg matches to be played April 7th, and second leg matches to be played April 14th.

BREAKING NEWS : Man City To Play PSG In Champions League Q-Finals

The Quater-Finals round of the Uefa Champions League Draws ;
WOLSBURG VS REAL MADRID
BAYERN MUNICH VS BENFICA
BARCELONA VS ATLETICO MADRID
PSG VS MAN CITY
The first leg matches are to be played on 5th and 6th of April respectively, and second leg matches to be played 12th and 13th April.

Coutinho Saves The Day as Liverpool Advances

Liverpool progressed to the last eight of the Europa League after a 1-1 draw at United, which gave them a 3-1 aggregate win.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg at the Anfield, Liverpool went into the game in a commanding position but Anthony Martial's first half penalty brought United right back into the tie. However, a brilliant individual goal from Philippe Coutinho on the stroke of half-time gave them an all-important goal and meant United needed three goals to proceed, a feat which they could not achieve after minutes.

In Preparation for Australian GP, Mercedes, Ferrari Top Winter Spend

Ferrari have spent the most tokens developing their engine over the winter, and Renault the fewest, ahead of this weekend's season-opening Australian GP.

Teams voted to keep the quota of power unit development tokens at 32 for this season, with more areas of the engine kept open for potential improvement than originally devised under the hybrid turbo regulations. 

World Champions Mercedes, whose engine has led the way in F1's turbo era so far, have spent 19 to leave 13, while McLaren's partner Honda have used 18 as they attempt to rebound from their troubled first year back in F1.

Aubameyang Scores Twice, to Seal Victory for Dortmund

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, was the star of the night in the Europa League that featured Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur.

As in the first leg in Germany, which Spurs lost 3-0, Maurico Pochettino rested several key players with one eye on the Premier League title race.

The tie was soon put beyond them too as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired in a brilliant shot from distance after 24 minutes. This goal left Spurs needing to score at least 5 goals in order to progress, but there were no close a threat to Dortmund.

Aubameyang scored his second in the 70th minute to increase Dortmund's lead and even though Son Heung-Min replied shortly afterwards, Spurs could not avoid defeat on the night.

Spurs are now contended to turn all their attentions to the Premier League as they look to overhaul Leicester City's five-point lead with eight games left in the season.

England Unveils New Home and Away Kit in Readiness for Euro 2016

England have unveiled their new 2016 home and away kits ahead of this summer's European Championships in France.

The new home kit, created by US sports manufactures Nike, features a classic white English body with a contrasting light blue shoulder and sleeve, with a blue stripe that runs the length of the shirt and matching shorts.

This new look is to replace England's old kit, starting at the Euro 2016.

Louis Van Gaal VS Juergen Klopp; The Rivalry Continues

The Rivalry continues today as Liverpool face Manchester United in the Europa League. It is worthy to note that today's Europa Cup tie, makes it teh seventh time in their managerial careers that the two managers will be going head-to-head, with United looking to overturn Liverpool's two-goal advantage in tonight's Europa League last 16-tie.

Embattled Ex-President of FIFA takes case to CAS

Former FIFA President, Sepp Blatter has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sports against his six-year ban from football.

Blatter was initailly banned for eight years by FIFA's ethics department over a 2011 payment to UEFA President Michel Platini.

Following an appeal, the eight years ban was reduced to six years, but Blatter is still hopeful that the ban will be scrapped altogether, hence his move to appeal at teh highest and most powerful sport's judicial body.

Danny Drinkwater gets Call-Up for the English Squad

Danny Drinkwater has been called uo to the England squad for the first time for the friendlies against Germany and Holland.

The Leicester City midfielder is reaping the benefits of his club's rise to the top of the table and must now be considered part of the shake-up for Euro 2016.

The England coach, Roy Hodgson, said '' He's had a fantastic season". 

This call came about as a result of the top flight his club ha had this season, and as a result of Jack Wilshere injury and Unavailability.

Glory Night for Barca ,As They Thrash The Gunners 5-1 on Aggregate Score

The Gunners were sent packing as expected from the Champions League. Their woes were crowned by the usual suspects; Neymar, Suarez and Messi. 

The night started with Neymar pointing Barca their way into the rounds of 16, with a classical and characteristic goal.

Although Arsenal played a very impressive game, but were not lucky enough to offset the undefeated Barcelona team, who have played 38 games unbeaten in all competitions, with a 10th consecutive Champions League win at the Nou Camp.

The first chance of the night was opened by Lionel Messi, but was briliantly saved by David Ospina, before Barcelona went 1-0 up after 18 minutes, with a brace from Neymar, who was set up with assist from Suarez.

The night continued with Barcelona continuing to impress, and give a spectacular show. Their Efforts were soon to pay off  with Suarez twisting his body and connecting a scissor-kick high above the waist, sending a volley flying into the top corner for his 42nd goal of the season.

on the other end, Arsenal managed to pull one back with Mohammed Elneny finding the net, making it his debut goal for the Gunners. Arsenal also had attempts from Welbeck hitting the near post.

The night was however crowned the night with the what many would have deemed up until that minute the missing brace, which saw Messi with just 2minutes remaining on the clock, gently lifting the ball over Ospina into the net, comfortably sending Barca on their way on in the competition, and bidding the gunners a farewell back to England.