Sports at your door step

The Manchester City striker opened up his international account goalscoring account in just his third appearance to put an end to Samson Siasia side's four-game winless run Nigeria ended a run of four games without a win as Kelechi Iheanacho struck the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Mali in Rouen. The Super Eagles had failed to win since beating Niger 4-1 in January and they were kept frustrated for much of the game by Alain Giresse's side in France. Samson Siasia was shorn of a number of key first-team players for the game, with Victor Moses having asked to be left out due to fitness worries while captain John Obi Mikel joined Ahmed Musa for former defender Joseph Yobo's testimonial match. That lack of extra quality told in a match short on excitement throughout, with Odion Ighalo missing perhaps the best chance, but substitute Iheanacho struck with 13 minutes to play to secure the win. Musa Muhammed, making his Nigeria debut at the age of 19, came close to breaking ...

Former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti reveals in his new book on management what it is like to work with Manchester United target Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The enigmatic Swede has also contributed to the book about the managers he has played for during his career including incoming United boss Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer and has been linked with Manchester United.    CARLO ANCELOTTI ON ZLATAN  Subtlety is not Zlatan's strongest suit. One day on the training ground, Ibra thought that one of the young players had not given his best to the session. At the end of training Ibra called this guy over and said, 'Now, you have to go home and write in your diary that you trained with Zlatan today, because I think it could be the last time that you do.' Maybe he's not so diplomatic, but he's a winner. The biggest problem I had with him was on the training ground. Even at the...

Mats Hummels' switch of allegiance became official on Monday after he was pictured putting pen-to-paper on a Bayern Munich deal. Hummels was all smiles in Bavaria as he officially signed a five-year contract with the German giants next to club chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. The centre back also posed alongside the latter as he held a Bayern Munich home shirt ahead of next season. Earlier this month, Bayern confirmed the signing of Hummels from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund for £30million. The Germany international has long been linked with a return to the club he started his career with before leaving for Dortmund in 2009. Carlo Ancelotti, who will take over from Pep Guardiola at the end of the season, has boosted his defensive ranks with the signing and the move has been hailed by Rummenigge. 'We're delighted that Mats Hummels has decided to join Bayern,' said the Munich chairman on his club's website earlier this month. 'Mats is one of the best cen...

New managers in Manchester Journalist Andy Brassell has spoken on BBC radio on Sunday regarding one of the big questions ahead of the 2016-17 Premier League season. Over the weekend, the likes of the BBC seem to have confirmed that Jose Mourinho will be the new manager at Manchester United come the start of next season. While fans still wait for confirmation of the Special One’s arrival at Old Trafford (the news is expected to be made official on Tuesday), it’s been known for a while that Pep Guardiola will be in charge of Man City. Mourinho v Guardiola, again So who will be more successful: Pep at the Etihad or Jose at the Theatre of Dreams? Jose Mourinho’s ‘soundbites may not be enough’ to compete with Pep Guardiola if the two go head to head in the Premier League next season according to European football writer Andy Brassell: Maybe Jose Mourinho’s soundbites may not be enough to get the upper hand. There are a lot of questions to be answer...

The 34-year-old scored twice and set up another in the 4-2 win over Marseille, giving him the perfect ending to his career in the French capital, but he has much more to offer. Zlatan Ibrahimovic brought the perfect ending to his time at Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday's Coupe de France final with another impressive display. The striker was the key component in delivering yet another trophy to Laurent Blanc’s side and, with two goals and an assist, he showed once more that even at 34 he still has a lot to offer at the top level. In converting a penalty to give his side a 2-1 lead against Marseille, the Sweden international may have taken his tally to 155 goals in 180 appearances for the French side in routine and very un-Zlatan-esque fashion. However, tireless, creative and hard-working, the departing attacker was, as ever, the true leader and inspiration for the Ligue 1 champions in an otherwise flat team display. His persistence, as always, paid off late on when he ran onto a ...

The forward produced another big moment to win the Coppa Italia in extra time and demonstrate why the Bianconeri should make every effort to finance his buy-back clause. Cup finals can be low-scoring, closely matched affairs and still provide plenty of intrigue and suspense. This was not one of those cup finals. Juventus’ 1-0 victory over AC Milan to win the Coppa Italia in extra time on Saturday night was a stinker, with the Italian champions well below par in the absence of a number of important players. Their opponents were spirited and well prepared but, ultimately, limited and failed to capitalise in a more even contest than anyone expected. With Sami Khedira, Claudio Marchisio and Leonardo Bonucci among those unavailable, Massimiliano Allegri was frustratingly defensive in his outlook. The Bianconeri can be dangerous in a 3-5-2 formation but not when Bonucci’s passing from the back is missing, Mario Lemina and Hernanes play with Paul Pogba in midfield and Juan Cuadr...

The Nigerians helped the Camels end their 40-year wait for the Israeli topflight crown. Nigeria’s John Ogu and Tony Nwakaeme have won the Israeli league title with Hapoel Be’er Sheva courtesy of their 3-1 victory versus Bnei Sakhin on Saturday. Goals from Maor Bar Buzaglo, Maor Melikson, Ben Sahar helped Barak Bakhar’s win the diadem for the first time since 1976 at the Turner Stadium. The Camels finished three points ahead of runners-up Maccabi Tel Aviv, with the Nigerians playing key roles as they will feature in next season’s Champions League. It has been a rewarding season for Ogu as he was also named the Best Foreign Player in the Israeli Premier League. The award, which is voted for by club captains and coaches, saw the Nigerian pick up 64.2 per cent of votes ahead of second-placed compatriot and Be’er Sheva teammate, Anthony Nwakaeme, who polled 21.6 per cent, while Nikita Rokabitzih finished third with 14 per cent of the votes.

The third straight Europa League Cup for Sevilla is a landmark in history. The Andalucian team beat Liverpool 3-1 in the Basel final with Gameiro and Coke scoring twice. One of the main players in the final was Kevin Gameiro, who has performed an amazing season scoring 16 goals in La Liga. Barcelona is reported to be interested on signing the player as a good replacement for Suárez, Messi or Neymar. Real Madrid is also looking for a striker, especially if Jesé is finally leaving the club. According to OKDiario, Los Blancos have also shown interest in the French born player. Zinedine Zidane knows very well Gameiro when he played in Ligue One for PSG or Lorient. The Sevilla forward has also shown in the past that he could be a good player for being in the bench and reinforce the squad if needed.

Tottenham are closing in on a deal to sign Sporting Lisbon forward Islam Slimani ahead of interest from Leicester City and Manchester United, according to  A Bola . The Algeria international was in impressive form for the Portuguese side over the past season after he scored 31 goals in just 46 appearances for Lisbon in an eye-catching 2015/16 season. Unsurprisingly, Slimani’s form has caught the eye of some of the Premier League’s leading clubs, including champions Leicester, third-placed Tottenham and United. According to A Bola, Tottenham are close to completing a £15m swoop for the highly-rated Algeria forward ahead of their title rivals as manager Mauricio Pochettino looks to strengthen his squad for the 2016/17 season. Slimani has scored 47 times in 80 games in the Portuguese league for Sporting since his move from CR Belouizdad in 2013. Tottenham finished in third place in the Premier League table after a 5-1 loss to Newcastle United allowed their north...

Arsenal and Leicester have apparently been discussing the possibility of Riyad Mahrez making the switch to north London this summer, but the Foxes want Theo Walcott as part a swap deal, according to the  Metro . The report originates from Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli, who insists Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has spoken to Walcott about the switch. The England international apparently has no interest in a move to the Premieer League champions however, which could put a real spanner in the works for Arsene Wenger. Mahrez was absolutely superb this season, with his goals and assists arguably proving to be the driving force behind Leicester’s title win. He’s understandably being chased by a number of top clubs, and it seems Arsenal are pushing hard for a transfer. Arsenal fans would love to see the Algerian arrive at the expense of Walcott, with the 27-year-old really disappointing over the last few seasons. He’s failed to realise the massive potential...

Crystal Palace  hearts were torn asunder at Wembley after 10-man Manchester United came from behind to win the FA Cup 2-1. Boss Alan Pardew praised his side’s heart and passion, but admitted the team will go home and lick its wounds in the light of a heart-breaking defeat. He cut a forlorn figure in the post-match press conference, very different from the dancing Pardew seen by millions when Palace took the lead. He said: “The players have given me everything – heart and passion, it was a great cup final – Man Utd were the same and it was even in the tactical game plan. “They had more possession – they tried to get through us, but couldn’t – and with us hitting them on the break, it made for an enthralling final. “In extra-time I felt we were in control, and then there was a wonder hit to win it. It could have gone either way and unfortunately it has not gone our way. "But Crystal Palace as a football club handled themselv...

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke’s boy began their quest for a place in Zambia 2017 with a win against the Young Swallows in the War Nigeria U20 defeated Burundi 1-0 in the second round, first leg qualifier of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations U20 tournament. Agor Chukwudi’s 64th minute strike handed the Flying Eagles a valuable away win at the Louis Rwagasore Stadium, Bujumbura. The hosts who reached this stage following the withdrawal of DR Congo in the first round came into the encounter to upstage the defending champions dominated by the 2015 class that won the Fifa U17 World Cup in Chile. After a scoreless first half, Chukwudi pulled the trigger 19 minutes on resumption of the second half and held on firmly to secure victory. The second leg holds on June 11 at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar. Winner of the game on aggregate will face Sudan in the final qualifying round to book a place in the competition billed to hold in Zambia. Nigeria are defending champions of the...

Sevilla staged a remarkable second half comeback to blow Liverpool out of the water and claim their third successive Europa League, as Coke netted twice to seal a 3-1 victory in Basel.   Unai Emery's men, outplayed in the first half, responded with an emphatic second 45 minutes to leave Liverpool reeling and condemn Jurgen Klopp to a fifth-straight defeat in a major final. Liverpool, who had dispatched Villarreal so impressively in the second leg of the semi-final, were the better side in the first half and deservedly took the lead when Daniel Sturridge curled in a superb finish from the edge of the area. But Sevilla, who came from behind to beat Dnipro in last year's final, responded seconds after half-time with Kevin Gameiro's 29th goal of the season, before Coke capped a fine team move to put the holders ahead. Klopp, whose side also lost the League Cup final to Manchester City in February, introduced Divock Origi in a bid to find a response but Coke struck a crucial...

The 31-year-old is set for his seventh major international tournament, while Bayern Munich's latest signing also makes the cut Cristiano Ronaldo headlines Portugal’s 23-man Euro 2016 squad while Benfica midfielder Renato Sanches is also included. The 31-year-old, who could still win the Champions League this season if Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid on May 28, is preparing for his seventh major tournament with Portugal. Sanches, meanwhile, only made his only made his first-team debut for Benfica in October but his impressive performances for the Portuguese champions have led to a €35 million move to Bayern Munich this summer. Notable absentees for Portugal include Monaco midfielder Bernardo Silva, who misses out with a thigh injury, while Zenit midfielder Danny fails to make the cut after tearing ligaments in his knee in April. Real Madrid defender Fábio Coentrão, who has spent the season on loan at Monaco, is also ruled out through injury. Atletico Madid mi...

The Gunners have been in talks with the Switzerland international but Borussia Monchengladbach are stalling on the deal until they find a replacement. Arsenal are expected to complete the signing of Granit Xhaka before Euro 2016 after the player agreed personal terms with the club, Goal understands. Xhaka has been courted by Arsene Wenger's side for several months and while Manchester City are the most recent side to show interest in the Swiss midfielder, the player is said to favour a move to Emirates Stadium instead of Pep Guardiola's financial heavyweights. 23-year-old Xhaka wants any deal to be completed before this summer's tournament in France and chief transfer negotiator Dick Law has already drawn up an impressive financial package for the Borussia Monchengladbach star, which he is likely to accept. But Gladbach are stalling on finalising a deal until they sign a replacement for their star midfielder and have set a minimum transfer fee of €43M, which Arsenal hav...

Chelsea worst defending champion in premiership era

Arsenal 4 - 0 Aston Villa Chelsea 1 - 1 Leicester City Everton 3 - 0 Norwich City Newcastle United 5 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur Southampton 4 - 1 Crystal Palace Stoke City 2 - 1 West Ham United Swansea City 1 - 1 Manchester City Watford 2 - 2 Sunderland West Bromwich Albion 1 - 1 Liverpool

The former Uruguay internatioanl has been hired by the La Liga outfit as a replacement for Pepe Mel, having temporarily been led by Juan Merino Real Betis have hired Gustavo Poyet as their new head coach on a two-year deal. Betis have been led by Juan Merino since sacking Pepe Mel in January, and secured their safety a number of weeks ago. Poyet heads to Andalusia after spending seven months in charge of AEK Athens, leading the club to a second-placed finish in a season in which they were the only side to beat Olympiacos. Olympiacos were only prevented from winning twice in the league all season, to put Poyet's achievement into context. The former Uruguay international midfielder has previous managerial experience in England with Brighton and Hove Albion and Sunderland. Poyet spent seven years in Spain during his playing career with Real Zaragoza.

The continent's football governing body fined the NFF over fans misconduct and insecurity in the 2017 Afcon qualifier against Egypt The Confederation of African Football has sanctioned Nigeria for the overcrowding and poor security at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on March 25 against Egypt. More than 40,000 fans filled the 16,000-capacity facility, with spectators almost reaching the playing area after the Kaduna state government threw gates open in order to ensure there was adequate support for the Super Eagles. Nigeria were lucky to escape the decision without any major crowd incident that would have endangered thousands of lives in the football mad city. Nigeria were fined the sum of $5000 (995,376 Naira) for the incident. According to a statement released on the Caf website on Monday, the decision was one of many actions taken during its disciplinary board meeting held on April 18. The Egyptian federation was equally fined $5000 over incidents during the ret...

Ronaldo receives award as healthiest Real Madrid player

The summer of 2015 saw a number of high-profile transfers in the Premier League, as clubs geared up to make the most of their respective seasons. For Arsenal though, they made just the one big signing in that transfer window, sensationally bringing in Petr Cech from rivals Chelsea, finally strengthening a position that needed reinforcing for some time. Many claimed that his arrival at the Emirates would push them on to glory, with pundits almost unanimously predicting that he would earn them “10-15 points”. Things didn’t start so well for the 33-year-old though, as he was arguably at fault for both goals in West Ham United’s 2-0 win at Arsenal on the opening weekend of the campaign, while his omission from their opening two Champions League games, that both ended in defeat, left fans raging. Cech, who earns £100,000-a-week (via Mail), did recover from the early setbacks, helping the Gunners to the Premier League summit at the turn of the year, but his for...

Chelsea’s  3-2 loss to  Sunderland  on Saturday means that they can finish no higher than ninth in the table, making them the worst defending champions in  Premier League  history.  The Blues have disappointed throughout the campaign, having looked like shadows of the team that won the title last season under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese coach was sacked in December after winning only three of the first 16 games of the season and losing nine. Chelsea have stabilised under interim coach Guus Hiddink, who has lifted them into the top half of the table, but they will not be playing European football next term, leaving incoming boss Antonio Conte with a lot of work to do. Chelsea do still have two games of the season remaining, against Liverpool and new champions Leicester City respectively but any result in those matches won’t mask what has been an underwhelming campaign There was more bad news for Chelsea following the l...

Francesco Totti  may be playing his final games for  Roma  but he if he is, he is going out in style. Making his 600th appearance for the Giallorossi he showed he still has the ability to unlock a defence, splitting the Chievo back four with a lovely pass for Miralem Pjanic, who slotted home to make it 3-0 in their Serie A clash. Totti, 39, has been with Roma for his entire playing career, since 1992, and despite making fewer appearances than he would have liked this season, he has shown in recent weeks that he is still capable of producing a moment of magic. The one-touch pass showed the No.10’s class, and whether the Italian chooses to continue playing elsewhere or hang up his boots, there is no doubt Totti could still serve a team well based on this evidence. Although he has only made 12 Serie A appearances this season, Totti has still managed an impressive strike rate, scoring five goals, and has no laid on four assists too. Juventus have already been ...

Luis Suarez  scored his 300th club goal of his career on Sunday when he netted his second of a brace against Espanyol for  Barcelona .   Luis Enrique’s side ran out 5-0 winners at the Camp Nou, leaving the La Liga title in their hands for the final day of the season. Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Levante means Diego Simeone’s men are no longer in with a chance of winning the trophy due to their head-to-head record with the Catalan club, and only Real Madrid can now catch Barca. For Suarez though, the personal achievements have already continued after his double saw him reach the 300-goal milestone – and he is still only 29-years-old. The former Liverpool and Ajax player has flourished in the lethal M-S-N trio alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar in Barcelona’s attack, and, playing in the No.9 role, has found goals even easier to come by. The Uruguayan has scored 37 in 34 La Liga appearances this season, putting him four clear of Cris...

Barcelona 5 - 0 Espanyol Celta Vigo 1 - 0 Malaga Eibar 1 - 1 Real Betis Getafe 1 - 1 Sporting Gijon Las Palmas 0 - 0 Athletic Bilbao Levante 2 - 1 Atletico Madrid Real Madrid 3 - 2 Valencia Real Sociedad 2 - 1 Rayo Vallecano Sevilla 1 - 4 Granada Villarreal 0 - 2 Deportivo La Coruna

       Premier League Norwich City 0 - 1 Manchester United AFC Bournemouth 1 - 1 West Bromwich Albion Aston Villa 0 - 0 Newcastle United Crystal Palace 2 - 1 Stoke City Sunderland 3 - 2 Chelsea West Ham United 1 - 4 Swansea City Leicester City 3 - 1 Everton Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 2 Southampton Liverpool 2 - 0 Watford Manchester City 2 - 2 Arsenal

Giwa FC against Sunshine Stars is the pick of the ties to emerge from Thursday's Federation Cup Round of 64 draw in Abuja. The heavyweights are the only Nigeria Professional Football League outfits to meet at this stage of the competition, as they eye their first competition title. Furthermore, last season’s giant killing J.Atete FC were paired with Akwa Starlets in what many has described as a juicy encounter. Reigning champions Akwa United and losing finalists Lobi Stars plus Enyimba were drawn bye to the next round of the competition. MFM FC will have to deal with El Kanemi Babes FC, with FC Ifeanyi Ubah taking on Ebonyi United. Also, Katsina United FC will square up against FC Lokoja, while Gateway FC try Kano Pillars for size. DRAW IN FULL Sunshine Stars vs Giwa FC FC Ifeanyi Ubah vs Ebonyi United MFM FC vs El Kanemi Babes FC Katsina United FC vs FC Lokoja Yarmalight FC vs Warri Wolves FC Jigawa Stars vs  Gashaka G Plateau United vs Zara FC Gateway FC vs ...

Claudio Ranieri’s mum says her son has “rediscovered himself” in England having guided Leicester City to the Premier League title. While his players sat down to watch Chelsea put an end to Tottenham’s title hopes, Ranieri took his 96-year-old mother, Renata, for lunch in Rome before flying back to England. Renata has watched all of Leicester’s matches this season and “burst into tears” after Chelsea secured the draw which handed the Foxes their first ever Premier League title. Talking to Italian newspaper La Repubblica she said: “At the final whistle I burst into tears. I only heard from Claudio later because my grandchildren and my son’s cousins called. He was so happy. We all are. Now we can finally relax. “I watched every game; it was a continual series of emotions. He calls me every evening and kept me up to date on everything. This morning I bought the sports papers and saw the headlines. It was satisfying. “I h...

Watch match highlight of Madrid 1-0 Man city

The Brazilian sent Gareth Bale's thunderous strike past his own keeper 20 minutes in, and the visitors rarely looked like fighting back as they succumbed to the 2013-4 champions A Fernando own goal in the first half was enough to send  Real Madrid  into the final of the Champions League, as the hosts downed  Manchester City  1-0 in Wednesday's second leg.  Zinedine Zidane's men have a shot at claiming the club's 11th European crown at San Siro on May 28, having followed up last week's cagey goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium with a considerably more impressive showing in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday. Madrid – boosted by Cristiano Ronaldo's return to fitness, but still without Karim Benzema – capitalised on yet another injury setback for City captain Vincent Kompany to take a first-half lead when Gareth Bale's delivery looped in off Fernando. Manuel Pellegrini, seeking to ensure it was not his fin...

Watch match highlight of how At Madrid reached champions league final despite losing 2-1 to Bayern Munich

Even Fernando Torres' penalty miss failed to stop the Spanish side marching into another decider, while Thomas Muller also erred from the spot in a pulsating clash Atletico Madrid  followed up their Barcelona heroics by dumping another favourite out of the Champions League, as a 2-1 defeat to  Bayern Munich nevertheless sent them through to the final on away goals.  Atletico held a 1-0 aggregate advantage from the first leg at Vicente Calderon, but Xabi Alonso cancelled it out when his free-kick found the back of the net following a deflection off Jose Maria Gimenez. Bayern had been relentless in their pressing and were offered the chance to lead the tie for the first time when referee Cuneyt Cakir awarded them a penalty following Gimenez's foul on Javi Martinez. However, Thomas Muller, back in the line-up after being benched for the meeting in Madrid, was denied from the spot by Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Muller's failure to convert proved to have a huge cost, w...

Match highlight of Southampton 4-2 Manchester City

   England - Premier League May 1 Swansea City 3 - 1 Liverpool Manchester United 1 - 1 Leicester City Southampton 4 - 2 Manchester City     Italy - Serie A May 1 Juventus 2 - 0 Carpi AC Milan 3 - 3 Frosinone Empoli 0 - 0 Bologna Palermo 2 - 0 Sampdoria Sassuolo 1 - 0 Hellas Verona live 37' Lazio 1 - 0 Inter     Italy - Serie B May 1 Como 1 - 2 Ternana    Spain - Liga BBVA May 1 Athletic Bilbao 2 - 1 Celta Vigo Espanyol 1 - 0 Sevilla Deportivo La Coruna 0 - 2 Getafe live HT Valencia 0 - 2 Villarreal Spain - Liga Adelante May 1 Real Oviedo 1 - 0 Cordoba Elche 1 - 1 Albacete Girona 1 - 0 Tenerife Valladolid 1 - 1 Lugo Gimnastic 3 - 2 Mirandes Ponferradina 1 - 1 Zaragoza       Germany - Regionalliga Bayern May 1 Greuther Fuerth II 2 - 0 Viktoria Aschaffenburg       France - Ligue 1 May 1 Angers 0 - 1 Marseille ...

Ikorodu United 3 - 1 Heartland Owerri MFM FC 3 - 0 Akwa United Enyimba 2 - 2 Lobi Stars Ifeanyi Ubah United 0 - 0 Abia Warriors Nasarawa United 2 - 0 Warri Wolves FC Niger Tornadoes 1 - 0 El Kanemi Warriors Rivers United FC 3 - 1 Enugu Rangers Shooting Stars 2 - 2 Plateau United Sunshine Stars 0 - 1 Kano Pillars

The Portuguese star has given Zinedine Zidane's side a boost ahead of the game at the Bernabeu on Wednesday as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring problem Cristiano Ronaldo  has returned to  Real Madrid  training as he battles to be fit in time for his side's Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City. The Portuguese star has missed Madrid's last three games due to a hamstring injury  but has taken to social media in recent days to show he is working hard to regain his fitness .  Zinedine Zidane admitted prior to Saturday's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad that both Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were doubts for the clash with the tie delicately balanced at 0-0 after the first leg at the Etihad. However, Real Madrid have now confirmed that Ronaldo, who is the top scorer in this season's Champions League with 16 goals already, is back in training as they begin their preparations for the clash at the Bernabeu.