Football

Sampaoli To Include Higuain, Dybala In Argentina World Cup Squad

Argentina coach, Jorge Sampaoli, has assured the duo of Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala that they will be part of his squad to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Sampaoli overlooked Higuain during the qualifiers but called up the former Real Madrid and Napoli striker for the Albiceleste’s last two friendlies against Italy and Spain.

David de Gea has been named as Manchester United’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for a record fourth time.

It is the fourth time in five seasons the Spanish goalkeeper has won the award. He succeeds compatriot Ander Herrera, who won it last season.

It means De Gea eclipses Cristiano Ronaldo, who won it on three occasions, in 2004, 2007 and 2008.

There has been another Port Harcourt city win in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) VAT Wonder Goal Award series and it is Sochima Elum who has made it a second win for Rivers United as he followed on the footsteps of his tame mate, Emeka Ogbugh. Ogbugh won the Match Day 15 award.

Goals from Wikki Tourists Abubakar Umar, El-Kanemi Warriors Anthony Yeful and Elum of Rivers United made the shortlist for Match Day 17 but it was the strike from Elum that secured the highest votes after fans picked their choice on the NPFL website and twitter handle.

Mega Match-Ups As CAF Champions League Group Stage Kicks Off

The 2018 CAF Champions League group phase kicks off this weekend with mega matches in Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa among the eight fixtures.

North African giants Al Ahly of Egypt and Esperance of Tunisia clash this Friday followed by TP Mazembe of DR Congo against Entente Setif of Algeria the following day.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been named the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year, the association announced on Tuesday.

Salah also won the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award in April.

Belgium and Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne came second with Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane third.

Enyimba goalkeeper, Fatau Dauda, will be fined despite apologising for his sending-off in Sunday’s goalless draw against Akwa United in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the club chairman Anyansi Agwu has stated.

The Ghana international, who has been impressive this season, was sent off for violent conduct off-the-ball in the 41st minute of the encounter.

“We are going to make a statement to serve as a deterrent, because Dauda acted alone. Such anger is not part of football. I condemn it totally,” Enyimba chairman, Anyansi Agwu told the People’s Elephant’s official website.