Football

The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, on Friday said the federation wants to raise $2.8 million for the Super Eagles’ participation at the Russia 2018 World Cup.

Pinnick, who disclosed this during the commissioning of Western Nigeria Football Forum office located at the famous Cocoa House in Ibadan, said good financial support was necessary for the team.

“We have to support them to succeed. We cannot afford to fail at the FIFA World Cup,” he said.

Former Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, has emerged as the latest star to join the Bundesliga Legends Network.

The ex-international who brought joy to the fans of Eintracht Frankfurt during his playing career was recognized by the German league management to merit the Bundesliga Legends Network membership following his sublime skills for the German club.

Brazil superstar Neymar is in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup and is expected to be sidelined for at least three months. The PSG star, who fractured a metatarsal and twisted an ankle late in the Ligue 1 side’s 3-0 win over Marseille last weekend, arrived back to his homeland on Thursday.

Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, has admitted that his team may have benefited from the decision to sell Philippe Coutinho to Spanish giants, Barcelona , saying his team has become more unpredictable without the Brazilian playmaker.

Liverpool fought tooth and nail to keep Coutinho away from Barcelona but ultimately failed, and agreed to sell for £138million in the January transfer window.

However, the midfielder’s departure has coincided with an upturn in their form.

Croatian authorities have charged Real Madrid’s Midfielder and captain of the national football team, Luka Modric, with perjury.

The player is suspected of making false statements at the tax fraud trial of Zdravko Mamic, a former executive director at Dinamo Zagreb.

Prosecutors say Mr Modric, 32, made a false statement in June 2017 over details of his transfer from Dinamo to English club Tottenham Hotspur in 2008.

Argentina coach Sampaoli has announced a 22-man roster for the upcoming friendlies against Spain and Italy, handing a recall to the prolific Juventus frontman Gonzalo Higuaín.

True to speculations, the coach of the two-time world champions has included the veteran Chelsea goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero on the roster, Manchester United's Rojo is also returning to the team after close to a year in the international wilderness due to injury.