AFN names 35 athletes for Olympics

The Nigeria Athletics Federation on Tuesday named 35 athletes for next month’s  Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The athletes were selected after the All Nigeria Championships/Olympic Trials in Sapele last week.

 Africa’s fasted woman Blessing Okagbare

Fifa President Confirms Visit To Nigeria

FIFA President, Mr Gianni Infantino and the Secretary General, Ms Fatma Samoura will arrive Nigeria on July 24, 2016, on a 2–day working visit.

The President of the world football governing body confirmed the trip following a meeting with NFF President, Amaju Pinnick in Paris, France on Sunday.

€80m Offer For Morata Rejected

Real Madrid has rejected an offer of €80 million for Alvaro Morata before deciding to keep the striker at the Santiago Bernabeu. Morata was pursued by Chelsea and Arsenal,

Nigeria Football Association Lost a Great Gem today - Stephen Keshi

Keshi’s death shocking, devastating – Edo FA

The Edo State Football Association has ‎described the death of former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, as devastating to the entire football community in Nigeria.

According to the elder brother of his late wife, Ricky Aburimen, Keshi died at about 12am on Wednesday after complaining of pains in the leg.

The former Eagles captain was later rushed to the Faith Mediplex hospital on Airport road, Benin, where he was confirmed dead on arrival by a medical doctor.

“It was so devastating. At about 2am today (Wednesday), I got a call from a US based coach, Dr. Terry Eguaoje, that I should confirm what was happening to Keshi‎.

“At that time, I didn’t know what was happening; I was shocked. So, I quickly established contact with the in-law, Richard Aburimen , who told me that it was true and I was shocked.

“He said that he (Keshi) was having a leg pain, they needed to do the massage. At a point, he said that the eyes were turning and by the time they took him to the hospital, he was dead before he got to the hospital.

“To the best of my knowledge, I never knew that he was sick; that was why I said that it was so shocking. I know that he used to have this leg pain, maybe because of playing days‎. But that is all I know.

“Keshi is someone that we all love, we all know as the ‘Big Boss’. He is one player and coach that is respected and will be missed.

“He was very unique. As a captain, he was very exceptional. As a coach, he was the only one that has won the Nations Cup as a player and as a coach. It is a big ‎vacuum in Nigeria, Delta and Edo States.

“It is a vacuum in the football community. We thought that he was going to do more and more for Nigeria. But today, we cannot question God. What do we do? We pray that his soul rests in peace.”

Rashford signs new with Manchester United

Marcus Rashford has signed a new contract at Manchester United which keeps him at the club until at least June 2020 with an option to extend for a further year.

Rashford,18, came through the ranks of our academy and was handed a first-team debut for the Europa League game against Midtjylland. He grabbed his opportunity with both hands by scoring twice, a feat he remarkably repeated three days later on his first league appearance against Arsenal. Marcus has made 17 appearances and scored 8 goals.

Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said:

"Marcus is a naturally talented footballer with great potential. He has taken his chances well and has integrated into the first team very quickly. I am delighted that Marcus has signed a new contract, he is at the right club to continue his development. He is still very young and we need to be patient but he is developing in the right way and we believe he has a great future ahead of him."

Marcus Rashford said:

"I am delighted to have signed a new contract. I have always been a Manchester United fan, so to be playing in the first team really is a dream come true. I am grateful for having the chance to prove myself. To be able to play football at the biggest club in the world means everything to me and my family."

Possible lineups

Possible lineups Arsenal: Čech; Bellerín, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Coquelin; Walcott, Özil, Sánchez; Giroud. Out: Arteta (unspecified), Cazorla (knee), Gabriel (hamstring), Wilshere (calf/shin), Rosický (thigh) Misses next match if booked: Özil, Giroud, Campbell Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitić, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar. Out: Rafinha (knee), Arda Turan (suspended) Misses next match if booked: Piqué Weekend results Arsenal 0-0 Hull City The holders will travel to Humberside for a replay of their FA Cup fifth-round tie after neither side could find the winner in north London. A Joel Campbell free-kick turned onto the post by goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović was the closest either team came. Las Palmas 1-2 Barcelona (Willian José 10; Suárez 6, Neymar 39) It is eight Liga wins on the bounce for the Blaugrana, Luis Suárez opening the scoring with his 25th goal in 24 league games this season. The Azulgrana, eight points clear after their Madrid rivals both dropped points, are 32 matches without defeat in all competitions. Form guide (all competitions, most recent first) Arsenal: DWWDWL Barcelona: WWWDWW Barcelona have won their two previous two-legged knockout ties against Arsenal, in 2009/10 (6-3 aggregate) and 2010/11 (4-3), and also beat the Gunners 2-1 in the 2006 final at the Stade de France. Current coach Luis Enrique scored in both encounters in the 1999/2000 first group stage, finding the net in the 1-1 Camp Nou draw and again in a 4-2 win at Wembly

El Clasico! – Real Madrid Vs Barcelona.

The international break is over and we're back to league football across the world.

In Spain it is the weekend of the El Clasico, between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

In this latest Completesportsnigeria.com/Zenith Sports Talk Big & Win It exercise, we want you to send in your thoughts concerning the El Clasico. Have your say ahead of the big clash, and  let the world know what you feel will be the the final scoreline. We are looking for outstanding posts based on the originality of content, uniqueness of opinion/verdict from a fan’s point of view.

In each edition of this exercise, Completesportsnigeria.com’s in-house judges’ decisions are final.

A correct prediction of the big match’s scoreline could also increase a post’s chances of being selected.

Barcelona have won 27 of their last 32 matches in La Liga.
Real Madrid have scored at least 2 goals in 34 of their last 38 home matches in La Liga.

Barcelona are first in the table with 27 points, Madrid are second with 24 points. 

Do you think Barcelona will win this El Classico or Real Madrid will be the winners?

Each of the two top winners selected every week wins his/her club’s authentic shirt. Another two readers will receive one face-cap each, as consolation prizes.

Write at least one full paragraph comment (preview) on this match through the Leave A Reply field at the bottom of this page. Enter your authentic email address in the required field before posting your comment/preview.

Don’t copy and paste online stories/articles here as that will not be approved for winners’ selection.Write your full names and location at the bottom of your comment/preview (eg: Usman Mohammed, Kaduna).

More Winners Claim Their Prizes

While some of the recent winners from outside Lagos are receiving their winnings through courier service, others residing in the city visited Complete Sports offices on Monday, November 16 and claimed theirs. The picture below shows some of the winners posing with their choice jerseys won in the Completesportsnigeria.com/Zenith Sports Talk Big & Win It! series. The winning galore on your favourite sports website goes on!

Super Eagles beat Swaziland 2-0

Super Eagles Beat Swaziland 2-0 In World Cup Qualifier http://www.channelstv.com/?p=172967

Wenger Tasks Gunners On Great Performance Against Bayern

Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger, has urged his team to deliver “a great performance” and get the Gunners’ Champions League title race back on track.

Wenger believes Arsenal’s domestic form has given them the perfect base for a crack at Bayern Munich, adding that he wold not be content with a draw.

“The confidence level is there, the needed result is there as well. We know exactly what is required (because) a 0-0 is not even a good result. To score goals, we have to attack.

“It is true that (we have delivered big results) before, but we want to do it again because we feel a bit that the pain inflicted (in the Champions League) was a bit by ourselves. Maybe subconsciously we thought ‘anyway we will win these.

“Now to correct that we need a great performance. What we want to do is play up to our level that will be needed, because we play against a big team,” Wenger said on Arsenal’s website.

Meanwhile, the Bundesliga giants’ coach, Pep Guardiola, has warned his players to brace themselves for a ferocious test from an Arsenal side.

He believes the English hosts would fight for Champions League survival like wounded animals on Tuesday night.

The Gunners were beaten at Dinamo Zagreb and then suffered the embarrassment of losing at home to Olympiakos, leaving them pointless at the bottom of Group F.

Another loss when Bayern visit the Emirates Stadium would put Arsenal on the verge of a stunning exit from the tournament

Ronaldo beats Messi again

The former Manchester United forward has been presented with the prize for Europe's highest goalscorer, pipping rival Lionel Messi to the prize

Cristiano Ronaldo has been presented with a record fourth Golden Shoe award in a ceremony on Tuesday, after scoring 48 goals in the 2014-15 season. 

Ronaldo collected the award, given to Europe's highest goalscorer over a season, ahead of rival Lionel Messi, as the Barcelona forward managed a total of 43 goals, two less than his La Liga counterpart. 

The former Manchester United attacker has won the award on three previous occasions, twice while at current club Real Madrid and once when leading the forward line at Old Trafford.
The 30-year-old ended the last campaign without any silverware at the Santiago Bernabeu, as Messi's Barcelona swept to an impressive treble, but the Portugal captain has again been recognised for his individual goalscoring exploits. 

Ronaldo's remarkable goalscoring record was recently commended by the Madrid club, with a ceremony dedicated to the forward overtaking club legend Raul as the all-time top goalscorer for Los Blancos and the latest Golden Shoe award only further recognises his achievements. Goal.com

Under-17 world champions, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria would leave for Santiago in Chile on Tuesday evening.

The world champions’ arrival on the South American continent is ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup which would hold from October 17 to November 8.

The team on Monday, rounded off their tour of Argentina with aconvincing 2-1 win over the U-20 side of racing club of Buenos Aires, as Victor Osimhen and Funso Bamgboye scored the goals for the Eaglets.

Golden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, described the impressive performance of team as very encouraging, adding that the pre-World Cup camping in Buenos Aires had added value to the team’s preparation ahead of Chile 2015.

The world champions have been drawn against USA, Croatia and hosts, Chile in Group A of the World Cup tournament.