Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has revealed he was always terrified to play against Ivory Coast legend, Didier Drogba.

Mikel Obi and Drogba played together at Chelsea in the Premier League and won many titles together.

But they faced each other a few times at the international level.

One of those came at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

In a video shared on CAF’s online social media, Mikel Obi said he was scared of Drogba because the striker is a great goal scorer.

“Obviously, the player I never wanted to meet, that I was lucky I didn’t meet quite a lot, was Didier Drogba. You know, I was always scared of meeting him. Because I knew at some point in the game he would score,” he said.

City FM is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Programme: CITY TALKS WITH REUBEN ABATI

Time: 12:00pm

Guest: Abiodun J. Owonikoko Esq., SAN

Topic: "Supreme Court affirms Tinubu's victory in Presidential election"

Date: 28th October, 2023
                         
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Nigerian sprinter, Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha has been banned for three years for doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Friday, October 27.

Nwokocha who won gold in the 4x100m relay at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, tested positive for Ostarine and Ligandrol in a sample collected on 3 August 2022.

She has reportedly admitted to the doping violation and accepted the sanction of a three-year ban. She has also been stripped of her gold medal from the Commonwealth Games.

The statement by the AIU reads: “The AIU, the Athlete and the World Anti-Doping Agency (“the Parties”) subsequently entered into a Case Resolution Agreement in accordance with Rule 10.8.2 ADR pursuant to which the Athlete acknowledges that she has been found to have committed ADRVs under Rule 2.1 and Rule 2.2 of the CGF ADR (and the ADR) by virtue of the CGF Decision, which is final and binding upon her;

“The Athlete agrees to be sanctioned with a period of Ineligibility of three (3) years; the Parties agree that taking into consideration the criteria in Rule 10.8.2 of the ADR, the period of Ineligibility shall commence on the date of Sample collection, i.e., 3 August 2022. Therefore, the period of Ineligibility shall be in effect until, and including, 2 August 2025; and in accordance with Rule 10.10 of the ADR (and to the extent that any results are not already disqualified by operation of the CGF Decision), the Athlete’s competitive results from 3 August 2022 until the date of the Provisional Suspension imposed by the AIU viz. 2 September 2022 are Disqualified with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prize money/prizes.”

[OpinionNigeria]

• Competition: Premier League
• Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CEST
• Venue: Selhurst Park (London)

For the last decade, Crystal Palace were constantly a mid-table team in the English top-flight division, finishing between 10th and 15th place. This season, at least at the start, the Eagles are again at the middle of the table, with 12 points in 18 matches, already eight above the danger zone. 

Tottenham are coming to this season after the worst one in the last 14 years. The Spurs finished 8th and missed Europe by one point. Over the Summer, the club made significant changes by adding new coach Ange Postecoglou, selling Harry Kane, and using that money to add a few excellent players. Although it is still early, Tottenham looks great and are deservedly at the top of the league with 23 points in nine rounds. 

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham pick: Tottenham to win

Crystal Palace had a very good start to the season, winning three of the first five games (four in the league & one in the Carabao Cup). Still, in the next six games, the Eagles won just once and had massive problems offensively, scoring just twice during that period. 

Tottenham won seven of ten games this season in all competition and, along with Arsenal, are the only undefeated team in the Premier League. Their only loss this season came in the Carabao Cup vs Fulham on the road, but after the penalty shootout in a match where they heavily rotated the squad. 

Even though many of us expected Tottenham to suffer offensively without Kane, that has not been the case so far. The Spurs have been great offensively, scoring two or more goals in eight of ten matches this season. 

In the previous years, Tottenham had very little problems with Crystal Palace, as they beaten them in four of the last five games. Considering the difference in h2h games and a massive difference in form, we expect the Spurs to walk away with all three points. 

• Competition: Premier League
• Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CEST
• Venue: Selhurst Park (London)

For the last decade, Crystal Palace were constantly a mid-table team in the English top-flight division, finishing between 10th and 15th place. This season, at least at the start, the Eagles are again at the middle of the table, with 12 points in 18 matches, already eight above the danger zone. 

Tottenham are coming to this season after the worst one in the last 14 years. The Spurs finished 8th and missed Europe by one point. Over the Summer, the club made significant changes by adding new coach Ange Postecoglou, selling Harry Kane, and using that money to add a few excellent players. Although it is still early, Tottenham looks great and are deservedly at the top of the league with 23 points in nine rounds. 

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham pick: Tottenham to win

Crystal Palace had a very good start to the season, winning three of the first five games (four in the league & one in the Carabao Cup). Still, in the next six games, the Eagles won just once and had massive problems offensively, scoring just twice during that period. 

Tottenham won seven of ten games this season in all competition and, along with Arsenal, are the only undefeated team in the Premier League. Their only loss this season came in the Carabao Cup vs Fulham on the road, but after the penalty shootout in a match where they heavily rotated the squad. 

Even though many of us expected Tottenham to suffer offensively without Kane, that has not been the case so far. The Spurs have been great offensively, scoring two or more goals in eight of ten matches this season. 

In the previous years, Tottenham had very little problems with Crystal Palace, as they beaten them in four of the last five games. Considering the difference in h2h games and a massive difference in form, we expect the Spurs to walk away with all three points. 

Former Liverpool star, Mark Lawrenson has predicted the outcome of this weekend’s Premier League matches taking place across different grounds in England.

Manchester United will host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Chelsea will tackle Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Arsenal will clash with Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium and Liverpool will face Nottingham Forest at Anfield.

Providing his predictions, Lawrenson told Paddy Power:

Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford
Arsenal 3-0 Sheffield United
Bournemouth 2-0 Burnley
Wolves 1-1 Newcastle
West Ham 2-0 Everton
Aston Villa 2-0 Luton
Brighton 3-0 Fulham
Liverpool 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City.

[Leadership]

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he could start some key players against Real Madrid on Saturday who have been out injured in recent weeks, if they arrive 100 percent fit.

The Spanish champions have been without forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong and defenders Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto in the lead-up to the match.

However all those players took part in training on Friday except for the latter, with Xavi saying he was surprised by their recoveries and determination to play against Real Madrid.

“I was surprised to see them in training too,” Xavi told reporters on Friday.

“Players that we had almost ruled out and they want to be there, they all want to play.

“They all feel very good and you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for the squad list.”

Barcelona’s only out-and-out striker Lewandowski has not played since going off injured against Porto in the Champions League on October 4 with an ankle problem.

“Evidently I won’t tell you the line-up or give clues, (but he’s) feeling very good, he’s well,” said the coach.

“They all feel good and want to be there — it’s a very important game.”

De Jong last played in September before he suffered an ankle sprain, while a hamstring injury has ruled Pedri out since August.

Winger Raphinha has been out with a thigh problem since September, while Kounde suffered a knee sprain against Granada on October 10.

Xavi said he would have no hesitance to start any of the returning players if they are fully fit.

“If they are 100 percent, I’ll play them, there’s no problem,” added the coach.

Barcelona have been forced to lean heavily on youngsters from their La Masia youth academy, with Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal and Marc Guiu all scoring important goals.

Xavi had some advice for the younger players who may feature against league leaders Real Madrid.

“Having homegrown players is a boost, it’s fantastic to have players from La Masia, they know about the rivalry, they know the importance of the game, it’s always fundamental,” said Xavi.

“(In the Clasico) there are always more nerves, more tension, controlling those nerves, controlling your character, the tempo of the game, it’s hard, because the heart is hot, but (you need) a cold head, I think that’s the key to these games.

“There is more emotion and desire than normal, but control is key.”

The coach noted Jude Bellingham’s impressive impact since arriving at Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

The England international has netted eight goals and is the division’s leading scorer.

“Bellingham is very important for Madrid with their change of system, he has freedom, and attacks well from deep,” added Xavi.

[Vanguard]

Nigeria forward, Victor Boniface has been presented with his Golden Boot prize for finishing joint top scorer in the UEFA Europa League last season.

Boniface shared the award with Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford.

The duo scored six goals in Europe’s second tier club competition last term.

The 22-year-old was presented with the award ahead of Bayer Leverkusen’s home clash against Qarabag at the BayArena on Thursday night.

Boniface’s impressive performance earned him a move from Belgian Pro League club, Union St Gilloise to Leverkusen in the summer.

The Nigerian striker has already registered two goals and an assist in three outings for Die Werkself this season.

Union Berlin have hit Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana with a one-week ban after his angry reaction to being subbed off in the side’s recent UEFA Champions League 1-0 home defeat to Napoli.

Fofana, who once again failed to score a goal or provide an assist for Union Berlin, was withdrawn in the 70th minute during the encounter against Napoli.

As the 20-year-old made his way past manager Urs Fischer, he refused to shake the coach’s outstretched hand or even make eye contact.

There was also a brief coming-together between Fofana and Fischer.

However, the decision to reprimand Fofana was confirmed by Union Berlin spokesman, Christian Arbeit, with manager Fischer saying: “Football is a team sport, you have to fit in and sometimes put yourself second. We hope that he learns from this.”

Fofana will not be considered for selection against either Werder Bremen at the weekend or Tuesday’s German Cup tie against Stuttgart as a result of the suspension.

The youngster will also train separately from the first-team squad for the duration of his suspension, before rejoining team training on Wednesday 1 November.

Meanwhile, Fofana, who moved to Chelsea from Molde last January, had already issued an apology via his social media account.

He said, “Following my behaviour during my exit from the field, I wanted to apologise to the club, the coach, my team-mates and the supporters.

“This gesture was not intended and in no way does it represent my attitude, all this was generated as a result of frustration because I wanted to continue helping the team to obtain a positive result.”

In a remarkable feat, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has broken a record set by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry back in 2006. Salah scored a goal during Liverpool’s 5-1 victory against Toulouse in the Europa League at Anfield on Thursday night.

Coming on as a substitute with approximately 20 minutes remaining, the Egyptian international netted a sensational strike in the 93rd minute.

Diego Jota, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, and Ryan Gravenberch also contributed with goals for Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Salah’s goal against Toulouse brings his total to 43 goals in major European competitions for Liverpool, the highest ever scored by any player for an English club.

Out of those 43 goals, 41 were scored in the Champions League, with the remaining two being scored in this season’s Europa League campaign.

Hence, Salah has surpassed Henry’s previous record of 42 goals during his time at Arsenal – 35 in the Champions League and seven in the UEFA Cup.