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SWAN Sets up committees

31/8/2016

In pursuance of its mandate and commitment to keep tab on the activities of critical stakeholders in the sports sector, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has set up a nine-man committee to manage its interactive forum called “The SWAN National Platform.”

The committee headed by ace sports journalist and General Manager, Sports, Africa Independent Television (AIT), Mr Tunde Orebiyi; is to coordinate the forum that would afford sports administrators, corporate organizations and other stakeholders to interface with sports writers with a view to engendering sports development.

The media interface is also expected to bring to the doorsteps of sports enthusiasts and Nigerians true situations in the sector and efforts of critical stakeholders towards delivering on their mandates.

Other members include Toyin Ibitoye, Abdulrahman ibn Mohammed, Jide Alabi, Mike Mbonye, Tony Ubani, Sina Abimbola and Norbert Okolie, while Abdulraheem Aodu will serve as secretary.

Meanwhile, another committee has also been set up to organise the SWAN President's Cup aimed at fostering unity and bond among sports writers across the country.

The committee headed by Mr. Fred Edoreh, Chairman of SWAN in Lagos State is expected to come up with implementable ideas and strategies towards ensuring a successful competition.

Other members include Igwe Onuoha, Idris Malikawa, Niyi Alebiosu, Nasiru Kobi, Chibueze Chidoka, and Gabriel Nwanetanya as secretary.

The committees will be inaugurated on a later date

Bet Round Table: The best Accumulators for the weekend

26/8/2016

By Sammy Omaenekun, Toritseju Williams and Ikechukwu Chukwu

Last week was not such a good week in the premiership to place bets but we still managed to get 50% of our predictions.

This week we will be giving a wide range of games cutting around the major leagues in Europe, these games are best for accumulator, but like we all know this pick are not 100% but are very close best of luck.

Saturday 27

Chelsea vs Burnley - Chelsea win

Hull City vs Manchester United -Man U win

Celta Vigo vs       Real Madrid- Madrid win

Atl. Madrid vs     Leganes- Atl. Madrid win

Excelsior vs         Feyenoord- Feyenoord Win

Ukraine
Dynamo Kyiv      vs     Vorskla       - D. Kyiv Win

Slovakia     Super Liga

Podbrezova vs      Zlate Moravce - Podbrezova Win

Sunday 28
Germany

Hertha Berlin vs Freiburg - Double Chance on Hertha Berlin

Norway

Tromso       Rosenborg vs Rosenborg Win

Pep Guardiola returns to Barcelona

25/8/2016

By PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTER

Pep Guardiola will return to Barcelona with Manchester City after his new club were paired with the Catalan giants in the Champions League.

City's new manager, who twice won the competition during his illustrious spell in charge at Barca, guided City into the group stage with victory over Steaua Bucharest in the play-off round.

The two sides were drawn together in Group C alongside Borussia Monchengladbach and Scottish champions Celtic.

Surprise Premier League winners Leicester came out in Group G at UEFA's draw with Porto, Bruges and Copenhagen.

Claudio Ranieri said: 'It's good for our fans to come here and for you (the media) - a lot of you are in the Champions League for the first time. It's a very good experience and gift for everyone here.

'It's a good experience to go around Europe. I hope it's not just three away games - I hope for a little more.

'I don't know how many (Leicester need to qualify). Sometimes eight or 10 can be good, sometimes not. Slowly, slowly.'

Arsenal will face Paris St Germain, Basle and Bulgarian side Ludogorets in Group A, with Tottenham playing CSKA Moscow, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco in Group E.

The 45-year-old also won La Liga three times in four years at the Barca helm.
But while he will be highly familiar with the club, many of City's players will also know them well.

The Spanish champions beat City at the last-16 stage in both 2014 and 2015 while goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has just completed a move from Barca to Guardiola's new side.

City also played Monchengladbach in the group stage last year en route to the semi-finals.

Their fourth opponents, Celtic, reached the group stage via a tortuous qualifying route involving ties against Lincoln Red Imps, Astana and Hapoel Beer Sheva.

Arsenal are playing in the Champions League for a 19th successive season while Spurs are returning for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign.

2016/17 UEFA Champions League group stage draw

Group A: Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Arsenal (ENG), Basel (SUI), Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL)

Group B: Benfica (POR), Napoli (ITA), Dynamo Kyiv (UKR), Beşiktaş (TUR)

Group C: Barcelona (ESP), Manchester City (ENG), Borussia Mönchengladbach (GER), Celtic (SCO)

Group D: Bayern München (GER), Atlético Madrid (ESP), PSV Eindhoven (NED), Rostov (RUS)

Group E: CSKA Moskva (RUS), Bayer Leverkusen (GER), Tottenham Hotspur (ENG), Monaco (FRA)

Group F: Real Madrid (ESP, holders), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Sporting CP (POR), Legia Warszawa (POL)

Group G: Leicester City (ENG), Porto (POR), Club Brugge (BEL), FC København (DEN)

Group H: Juventus (ITA), Sevilla (ESP), Lyon (FRA), Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)

Nigeria climbs on Basketball’s FIBA rankings

25/8/2016

In spite of their performance at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Nigeria’s D’Tigers emerged the biggest climbers in the latest Federation of International Basketball Associations, FIBA ranking.

According to the monthly ranking just released by FIBA, Nigeria emerged the biggest climbers on the ranking from 25th before the Games to 16th now, just below Venezuela, another country that improved tremendously on the table to 15 from their previous 22.

By this ranking, Nigeria is now the highest ranked African team, overtaking rivals Angola who incidentally also fell to the D'Tigers at last year's Afrobasket in Tunisia.

The Tunisians who were not at the Olympics also gained two steps to now occupy the 21st position from 23rd, ahead of Angola who fell 8 steps from 15th to 23rd.

Serbia who lost the Olympic gold to the USA also climbed three spots from 6th to 3rd while Brazil gained two steps to now occupy the 7th spot.

The USA remain top of the Ranking and are followed by Spain, semifinal losers at the Olympics.

Serbia, France, Lithuania, Argentina, Brazil, Turkey, Russia and Australia make up the top 10 countries in that order.

Da-F Basketball clinic dunks off in Port Harcourt

24/8/2016

The 9th edition of the DA-F basketball clinic dunked off in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, August 23.

Da- F Academy is the brainchild of Fubara Onyanabo, a frontline basketball coach and promoter in Port Harcourt has provisions for two hundred and fifty children and teenagers aged from seven to nineteen.

The event which holds at the Basketball court at Niger Street in the Old Port Harcourt Township will feature teachings and workshops by Pastors, motivational speakers and other public figures including China Acheru and Duncan Mighty.

“It’s the long vacation and we have provision for 250 people and you know this is for the young people,” Fubara Onyanabo told chinaacheru.com.

“The idea for something like this came up around 2001 and that was a period in Port Harcourt where youth around this area were peddling drugs and joining gangs.

“The idea is to get kids off the streets and do it with basketball,” Onyanabo said.

“Basketball is just what gathers these kids together. The main thing is shaping their lives and that’s why we get pastors, motivational speakers and all to talk to them.

“Da-F Basketball is my way of saying thank you to God for what he has done for me and also to keep the youth out of trouble and when I see these kids smiling I feel fulfilled,” Onyanabo told chinaacheru.com.

The talk sessions will have topics like, "Benefits of Seeking God, Steps to Greatness, Dangers of the Internet, Looking beyond the now, Dangers of Drug Abuse and Cultism" and many others.

The basketball extras will include, Dunking Contest, Free throws and three point contest.

Ibrahimovic show as United thrash Southampton 2-0

19/8/2016

By MARTIN SAMUEL FOR THE DAILY MAIL

There may have been a moment, after referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot, when Wayne Rooney fondly imagined he would be taking it. You know, like usual.

And then a giant man with a top-knot calmly collected the ball and placed it on the spot. Rooney lives in Zlatan’s world now. And in Zlatan’s world only one man gets to take the penalties.

So Zlatan Ibrahimovic stepped up and stuck the ball, smartly, low to Fraser Forster’s right. It was his second goal of the night and Manchester United were 2-0 up. All was right in Zlatan’s world.

Rooney won’t have minded, whether he was forewarned or not. He has got what he has needed for several years now; a proper goal-scoring foil, a partner who wants to take responsibility, to shoulder as much as share the load.

Ibrahimovic’s first goal was a header from a magnificent cross by Rooney — even if he was given too much room to deliver it – and while the pair keep harmonising like this, United may remain the team to beat in the Premier League title race.

It helps when opponents capitulate as Southampton did, a reasonably spirited performance undermined by a foolish challenge from Jordy Clasie on Luke Shaw, to concede the penalty that locked them out of the game. They did not look like coming back after that, and United could have gone further ahead with a Paul Pogba header after 64 minutes, and break through Anthony Martial a minute later.

Jose Mourinho said he didn’t expect Pogba to beat five people with his first touch.

One would have been enough, to be fair. Indeed, it is hard to imagine any manoeuvre Mourinho wouldn’t have preferred to what occurred mere seconds into the game.

It wasn’t quite an air shot from the £89million most expensive footballer in the world, but it was pretty close. Pogba got just enough on the ball to divert it into the path of a Southampton man and send United’s opponents away. The break came to nothing but, even so, it was a rather inauspicious start. Happily, it was an aberration rather than the standard for the night.

Pogba’s passing wasn’t always exemplary, but that sometimes happens with a player who is involved as much as he is.

No doubt wanting to make an impression, he was everywhere. Up in support of the forwards, back helping out Luke Shaw, he was an imposing presence, exactly what United need — the sort of midfield powerhouse Arsenal once boasted in Patrick Vieira. On occasions, an opponent would think he had him, only to be bundled off the bar, run over by this combine harvester of arms and legs.

It was March 18, 2012, when Pogba last played for United — a 5-0 win over Wolves, 1,616 days ago. He came on as a 57th-minute substitute for Michael Carrick with the score at 4-0.

It is fair to say the player who has returned is unrecognisable — not in ability, necessarily, but in confidence and impact. In the 29th minute, an exquisitely weighted chip to Juan Mata almost delivered the breakthrough, the ball headed on to Ibrahimovic whose overhead kick travelled wide. What a start to his Old Trafford career that would have been.

Undoubtedly, what Mourinho has done this summer is create a United team that lives up to the name. In the 13th minute, Rooney found Mata, whose ball reached Ibrahimovic teeing up a shot for Pogba. It was saved by Forster. Rooney, Mata, Ibrahimovic, Pogba: now that is some roll call. That is how a United build-up should sound.

Yet, as if to remind that this is still a work in progress, an act of construction on Mourinho’s part, before United opened the scoring they did give Southampton several opportunities. The best came in the 17th minute when substitute Clasie — on for Oriol Romeu, injured and unable to continue past 11 minutes — found Nathan Redmond on the right. He sped away and should have set up a first goal but overcooked his cross, which eluded Dusan Tadic at the far post, with the goal invitingly open.

Soon after, a Shane Long shot — after a free-kick was only half cleared — flew just wide, and a mistake by Daley Blind ended in a Southampton break which Long finished, weakly.
So it was United who broke the deadlock nine minute before half-time — and Ibrahimovic who rose to the occasion like a true star, once more. Of his three United goals up to this point, this was arguably the most impressive: a mighty header that left goalkeeper Forster no chance and bonded him to the home crowd, in an instant.

Claude Puel, Southampton’s manager, must be sincerely sick of the sight of Ibrahimovic by now. He faced him seven times as Nice manager and in that run Ibrahimovic scored 11 goals for Paris Saint-Germain. In the only game of that seven in which he didn’t score, it was his touch that forced a Nice player to put through his own net.

Yet a share of the spoils, at least, must go to Rooney for the cross. It is hard to imagine Old Trafford will see a better one all season. Rooney chased the ball out to the right, and had enough time to tee it up before firing it perfectly on to Ibrahimovic’s head.

It was almost a corner; and to think Rooney was denied the chance to take them for England this summer. Taking nothing away from Ibrahimovic, but it would not have required one of the world’s greatest strikers to make good on a cross like that. It was almost retro, a throwback to the days when wingers could all put in crosses, before a good ball was not one that hit the first man and went for a corner.

Even so, it still had to be converted and once it was in Ibrahimovic’s orbit, there was only one candidate for that. Pogba was lurking, but never got a look in.

Neither did Forster. Neither will many of United’s rivals unless they are prepared to hit the ground running, too.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Chei! Japanese pole vaulter’s penis costs him a place in Olympic final

19/8/2016

Source: Wires

NEVER before has a member of the male species wished for a smaller manhood.

Until now.

Japanese pole vaulter Hiroki Ogita will be ruing the size of his phallus after it caused him to foul during the qualifying rounds in the men’s event in Rio.

Ogita was attempting to clear a height of 5.3 metres in group A of the first round of the pole vault, when his leg came in contact with the bar. As he began to drop back down towards the ground, his shin grazed the bar, causing it to wobble dangerously.

But it was his penis that delivered the final blow. Already unsteady, the bar was dislodged from its holdings when Ogita’s old fellow decided to make an appearance and slap the metal. The vaulter’s arm then collected the bar as it began to fall.

Video footage showed the crushing moment the 28-year-old was let down by his trouser friend.

Where it all started to go wrong.

There is a real sense of foreboding at this point.

There’s Johnny.

Oh, the humanity.

An incredibly unfortunate end.

Unfortunately, the foul effectively cost Ogita a place in the final.

Despite clearing the height on his second attempt, the Japanese athlete was only able to make a height of 5.45 metres with his last jump, which left him in 21st place, ending his campaign in Rio.
What a way to end your Olympic dream: thwarted by the one thing no man ever wants to let him down.

If the death of Julius Caesar is the ultimate story of betrayal, this is a close second.

Culled from www.myjoyonline.com

Joao Havelange, the unlikely godfather of African football

19/8/2016

Havalange banned South Africa from football in 1976 until Nelson Mandela was released from prison

By Piers Edwards
BBC Africa sport

Joao Havelange, the former Fifa president who has died at his home in Rio de Janeiro aged 100, could be regarded as the unlikely godfather of African football.

He famously owed the developing world for his presidential election in 1974 - and despite the allegations of corruption that mired his career towards the end of his life, he is credited with huge globalisation of the game.

The canny sports administrator had done his maths on the voting system, realising that he needed to court Africa and Asia in order to win - an insight lost on his main rival in the leadership contest for football's world governing body.

The Brazilian came to power on the back of African votes - which then accounted for nearly a third of the total - primarily because his predecessor, Englishman Stanley Rous, had alienated the continent through his unremitting support for apartheid South Africa.

Cameroon became the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals in 1990, following Havelange's drive to expand the tournament

His standing was greatly boosted by the three World Cups Brazil won under his control as Brazilian Sports Confederation president, and the former Olympian adroitly exploited the issue and pledged to kick out South Africa if he took control.

There were other promises to the continent as well: An expanded World Cup, new youth tournaments and, among others, developmental help.

So, after his election, it was time to give back.

With Rous out of the way, Havelange dealt with South Africa fairly swiftly, expelling the country from Fifa in 1976, a ban which lasted until 1992, as the end of apartheid neared.

He also introduced junior tournaments - handing Tunisia the first hosting rights, in 1977, for what is called the Under-20 World Cup today.

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa in 2010, the first to be held on the continent, may never have happened without Havelange

Eight years later, he ensured Africa had the same representation as Europe and South America in the Under-17 World Cup, in contrast to the senior World Cup, as the tournament launched in 1985.

He was slightly hamstrung with his World Cup offer despite overseeing vast global expansion - having partnered with Horst Dassler, the son of the Adidas founder and the father of sports sponsorship.

With the help of improving television broadcast technology and football's hugely attractive lure for sponsors, the pair greatly enhanced football's global reach, Fifa's coffers and - as has been well documented - those of Havelange too.

Africa was not a huge market for sponsors at the time though and had to patiently wait for its World Cup places to increase from one to two in 1982, when the finals expanded from 16 to 24 teams.

In the interim, Havelange offered a host of developmental programmes and increased funding.

Fifa's finances had previously been so threadbare Rous had been limited on one occasion to handing out 20 footballs to one African country.

Today, each African country receives $500,000 (£380,000) a year as a continuation of the funding grants initiated by Havelange.

A year after his election, Havelange chose someone who came to love African football (and its voting power) to head Fifa's global developmental work: Sepp Blatter.

When the Swiss protege replaced Havelange in the 1998 Fifa elections, he continued to assist Africa in a variety of ways.

Prominent among them was the change to Fifa's method of determining a World Cup host, a decision taken to ensure that Africa got the World Cup, having controversially missed out on the 2006 finals.

As the 2010 finals kicked off in South Africa, the work started by Havelange in Africa had reached its current zenith.

Like the organisation he led for so long, Havelange was far from faultless but his campaign manifesto forced him to help Africa - which he did, despite various delays.

Today, the five World Cup places that he awarded Africa during his reign is the tally the continent still holds.

Culled from www.bbc.com

Cameroon became the first African country to get to the World Cup Quarter final in 1990

Bet Round Table: Let’s win some week 2 money

19/8/2016

By Tojitseju Williams, Ikechukwu Chukwu and Samuel Omaenikun

Last week we got 7 right out of a possible 10, here are our picks for this weekend.

Premier League Fixtures: Week 2

Friday
Manchester United vs. Southampton

Manchester united have failed to beat Southampton at Old Trafford since 2013, losing to the south-coast club 1-0 in both of the last two seasons and drawing 1-1 in 2013-14.

Mourinho would be looking to change that, slim victory for united.

SATURDAY
Stoke City vs. Manchester City

Man city should win this match but to be on the safe side over 2.5 or both team to scores looks safe.

Burnley vs. Liverpool

Liverpool have hit the ground running but you can't be too sure considering their amount of inconsistency over 2.5 is a good gamble or a Liverpool win.

Swansea City vs. Hull City

The Swans have lost key men but last week they got the job done. Hull went against all odds and beat champions Leicester last weekend. To be safe a double chance on Swansea.

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace

Tottenham victory, Palace have no fire power and Tottenham need to get their season on track.

Watford vs. Chelsea

Very slim victory for Chelsea, by expect lots of scare from the hornet's.

West Bromwich Albion vs. Everton

West Brom are difficult to break down, and Everton have not gotten their Groove on, difficult game to predict but looks like a draw match a double chance on West Bromwich Albion

Leicester City vs. Arsenal

Both teams lost last time out. Back to back defeats will be a disaster to both sides. Terrible defending on both sides not forgetting that Arsenal were the only team to do the double over Leicester last season.
Arsenal should win but to be safe both teams to score.

Sunderland vs. Middlesbrough

Sunderland will be feeling hard done after Paddy McNair's own goal cost them a point against City, Middlebrough look ready for business. A draw game double chance on Sunderland

West Ham United vs. Bournemouth

Westham desperately needs to get back to winning ways and Bournemouth didn't show enough fight again United. West Ham to win.

Get your coupons fast, then come back and share your testimony.

Bet Round table: Why you should take this serious and win big money

18/8/2016

Do you want to make big money every match day? Is it your dream to always smile to the bank even as you cheer on your favorite team as they go for a win? Think no further because the answer is right at your fingertips.

Bet-Roundtable brings to you betting tips that are sure bound to guarantee you some money as you make those bets every match day.

The English Premiership kicked-off last weekend and yours truly “BET ROUNDTABLE” had a near perfect score by predicting seven of the ten games played correctly. Can you beat that? Seven correct predictions out of ten games played on Match Day 1.

Now is there any reason why you should not read BET ROUND TABLE tomorrow?

We don’t just predict the EPL, starting from this weekend BET ROUNDTABLE will diversify its prediction series by including various leagues across Europe, South America and Africa.

Last week's previews www.chinaacheru.com/sports/bet-round-table-its-time-to-win-some-money-on-football-betting

So, if you want to win big, always keep up with our prediction series and you’re sure bound to make big bucks.