Nigerian President Rewards U17 World Cup Winners!

Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has announced cash gifts to the Nigerian U-17 team, the Golden eaglets following their triumph at the Fifa U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Jonathan, who hosted the team to a grand reception at the Presidential Villa in Abuja gave each Player two million Naira each(N2m) and the Head Coach, Manu Garba received three million Naira(N3m).

The assistant Coaches, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nduka Ugbade and Emeka Amadi received two million, five hundred thousand Naira each(N2.5m).

U17 WORLD-CUP: Sweden Thrash Argentina 4-1 To Claim Bronze!

Sweden beat Argentina 4-1 at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Friday’s match for third place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in UAE. The Scandinavians were the better side from the opening whistle, Valmir Berisha again proving one of the top strikers at these finals with a three-goal day to bring his total haul to seven goals in seven games as Sweden finish their first junior world finals with bronze. 

Sweden were out in front early in the consolation undercard. Almost inevitably, it was Berisha – the Scandinavians’ goal machine here in UAE – who opened the scoring. Mirza Halvadzic kept the ball alive at the edge of the area before Carlos Strandberg, making his first start in UAE, chipped a clever ball over the top for the lurking Berisha to score his fifth of the tournament. 

U17 WORLD-CUP: Meet the Two Captains!

Team captains have a special responsibility to lead by example ahead of a big game. FIFA.com caught up with Nigerian skipper Musa Muhammed and Mexico’s captain Ulises Rivas ahead of the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in UAE on Friday. We posed five questions to the team leaders about what they expect in from the game – a rematch of the group stage contest that ended 6-1 for the Africans – their dreams of becoming world beaters, and who they’ll go to first when the final whistle blows.

FIFA.com: What kind of game do you expect in the final?
Nigeria captain Musa Muhammed: The first game that we played against Mexico is over now. It’s in the past, so we’re focusing on the next one. It will be a hard game, because it’s a final and both sides have a lot to play for. We are sure to be totally focused before we kick off.
Mexico captain Ulises Rivas: It’s a different match from the first one, for sure. It will be a tough game for us, so we’ll have to be ready. It’s a World Cup final and this is a stage where you have to be at your best.

TRAGEDY: Nigerian Referee Dies During Fitness Test

Osita Nwadashi, a member of the Lagos State Referees Council, was taking part in the exercise and was on the verge of completing the running exercise when stopped and called for medical attention. But he slumped soon after and failed to respond to all attempts to revive him.

He was taken in an ambulance to the National Hospital, Abuja where he was pronounced dead. Ahmed Maude, President of the Nigeria Referees Association, confirmed the incident. "It is a sad day for all of us," Maude said. "He was one of our more promising young referees."

It is the second time in three years that tragedy will follow the referees annual training. In 2010, two referees Oyetola Oatunde from Oyo State Referees Council, and Faloye Matthew from the Ogun State Council both collapsed and dies in similar circumstances.

According to an obviously traumatised Maude: “It was quite unfortunate. He has been certified dead by the medical personnel.” Absorbing the NRA of any complicity, Azeez insisted that his death was not lapses on the part of the association, stressing: “We had the best of everything.

SOCCER: Ramsey Steals Famous Win In Germany!

The visitors took the lead in the 62nd minute with a header from Aaron Ramsey - the side's first attempt on goal - and went on to repel a late siege from Dortmund to secure a valuable three points.

Victory leaves Arsenal top of the group on nine points, while Dortmund - who were playing their 100th tie in the European Cup - slip out of the top two as a result of Napoli's win over Marseille.

Jurgen Klopp made one enforced change from the side that stormed to a 6-1 Bundesliga victory over Stuttgart on Friday, with Mats Hummels (thigh) making way for Neven Subotic.

Arsenal, meanwhile, were unchanged from Saturday's 2-0 victory over Liverpool that sent them five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

SOCCER: Chidera Ezeh in Cloud 9 after Scoring!

Nigeria striker Chidera Ezeh was over the moon after claiming his first goal of the Fifa Under-17 World Cup against Sweden on Tuesday.

The hardworking forward put the icing on Nigeria's victory cake with a superbly taken third goal with seconds left to play, and could barely hide his joy.

READ: Nigeria put three past Sweden

CLICK HERE to watch the highlights of Nigeria beating Sweden

SOCCER: The DIVER Called Ashley Young!

One can compare Asheley's Diving techniques to the following...

Ashley Young’s ‘dive’ against Real Sociedad has gone viral on the internet – with the England winger being depicted in film posters and mocked up alongside Tom Daley on a diving board. Young won a penalty in the second half after a challenge from Markel Bergara – which was missed by Robin van Persie – as United drew 0-0 in Spain. Contact seemed to be minimal at best and even though manager David Moyes defended Young, citing a ‘tug in the bo’, there have been other less forgiving opinions as a number of former United players have lined up to criticise Young.

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