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Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo was on Thursday named European Footballer of the Year, the Portuguese striker topping the journalists’ poll ahead of Germany’s World Cup winner Manuel Neuer and Dutchman Arjen Robben.
Ronaldo is the fourth recipient of the award, succeeding Franck Ribery, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.

France’s Ribery won the award last time around ahead of Messi and Ronaldo.
This time Ronaldo prevailed in a vote by 54 European journalists which took place on the sidelines of the draw for the Champions League group stages in Monaco.
“I’ve worked hard for this award, I am very happy, I thank all my team, because without that kind of team individual awards couldn’t exist,” said the reigning Ballon d’Or titleholder, after receiving his award from UEFA chief Michel Platini.
Ronaldo failed to sparkle at the World Cup in Brazil where Portugal were eliminated in the first round, but inspired Real Madrid on the European stage.
The 29-year-old broke the record for goals, 17, by a player in a Champions League campaign last season as Madrid claimed their tenth European title.
“It was amazing, something that Madrid had looked to do for many years,” said the striker.
“As Madrid players we feel as though you have to win the Champions League. It was a fantastic season – we won the Champions League, the Spanish Cup and the (UEFA) Super Cup.”
Attacking midfielder Nadine Kessler won the women’s award ahead of Wolfburg teammates Nilla Fischer of Sweden and fellow German Martina Muller.
Kessler, 26, topped the vote of a jury of 12 journalists to succeed Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who claimed the inaugural award last year.
– See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/uefa-best-player-ive-worked-hard-award-says-ronaldo/#sthash.PV7W3Xfc.dpuf

Real Madrid striker, Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken for the first time after he was announced on Thursday, 28 August, 2014, as the best footballer in Europe for 2014.
The Portuguese striker topped the poll conducted by European football governing body, UEFA, ahead of Germany’s World Cup winner Manuel Neuer and Dutchman Arjen Robben.
Ronaldo is the fourth recipient of the award, succeeding Franck Ribery, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.
France’s Ribery won the award last time around ahead of Messi and Ronaldo.
According to the results announced on Thursday, 28 August, 2014, Ronaldo prevailed in a vote by 54 European journalists which took place on the sidelines of the draw for the Champions League group stages in Monaco.

Cristiano Ronaldo

“I’ve worked hard for this award, I am very happy, I thank all my team, because without that kind of team individual awards couldn’t exist,” said the reigning Ballon d’Or titleholder, after receiving his award from UEFA chief Michel Platini.
Ronaldo failed to sparkle at the World Cup in Brazil where Portugal were eliminated in the first round, but inspired Real Madrid on the European stage.
The 29-year-old broke the record for goals, 17, by a player in a Champions League campaign last season as Madrid claimed their tenth European title.
“It was amazing, something that Madrid had looked to do for many years,” said the striker.
“As Madrid players we feel as though you have to win the Champions League. It was a fantastic season – we won the Champions League, the Spanish Cup and the (UEFA) Super Cup.”
Attacking midfielder Nadine Kessler won the women’s award ahead of Wolfburg teammates Nilla Fischer of Sweden and fellow German Martina Muller.
Kessler, 26, topped the vote of a jury of 12 journalists to succeed Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who claimed the inaugural award last year.

The 2014/2015 Champions league draw has just ended in Nyon, Switzerland. Naij.com has been monitoring the Live draws and now bring you a rundown of the fixtures that will take place on the 17/18 and 24/25 February and and return matches on 10/11 and 17/18 March.
Paris Saint-German Vs Chelsea
Manchester City Vs Barcelona
Bayer Leverkusen Vs Athletico Madrid
Juventus Vs Borussia Dortmund
Schalke Vs Real Madrid
Shaktar Donesk Vs Bayern Munich
Arsenal Vs Monaco
Basel Vs Porto
Two of the fixtures are a repeat of the 2013/14 season as Barcelona defeated Manchester City and Real Madrid saw off the threat from Schalke. Arsenal gets a fairly easy draw in a long time and will face French giants, Monaco. Chelsea squares up with Zlatan Ibrahimovich-led Paris Saint-Germain, while Italian league winners, Juventus faces Borussia Dortmund. La Liga champions Athletico Madrid faces Bayer Leverkusen while Swiss club Basel lock horns with Porto.
It will be recalled that a 23-man shortlist for the 2014 Ballon d’Or was released by world football governing body FIFA along with France Football magazine last month.

Former France and Arsenal striker, Thierry Henry popularly called ‘Igwe’ in Nigeria has retired from professional football after an illustrious career spanning 20 years, BBC Sports reports.

Henry during his days at New york Red Bulls

The France ’98 World Cup winner, 37, left MLS side, New York Red Bulls this month amid speculations he might choose to play on at another club.
See The Champions League Last 16 Fixtures Here
“It has been an incredible journey,” he said.
Henry will team up with the soccer analysts at Sky Sports after being a World Cup pundit for the BBC for Brazil 2014.
Henry who also played for Juventus, Barcelona and Monaco, scored 175 Premier League goals and is fourth on the list of all-time scorers.
He won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups with Arsenal, where he played between 1999 and 2007 and became a legend afterwards.
In 2009, he won the Champions League trophy with Barcelona and in 2012 he returned to Arsenal for four matches on loan from the Red Bulls, coming on as a substitute to score the winner against Leeds in the third round of the FA Cup that year.
When asked if he had considered another stint at the Emirates, he told Sky Sports: “You kind of never leave Arsenal. How many comebacks do you make? At one point it will turn out to be a bad move. We all love the first Rocky but I’m not too sure about the last one.”
Henry is France’s all-time leading goalscorer, he made his Monaco debut in 1994 and he helped the club to the French Ligue 1 title in 1997.
READ ALSO: Meet Kanu Nwankwo’s Lovely Wife Amara

Thierry Henry in a sky sports studio

“I would like to thank all the fans, team-mates and individuals involved with AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and of course the French national team that have made my time in the game so special,” he said.
“I have had some amazing memories (mostly good!) and a wonderful experience.
“I hope you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed taking part”. He concluded.
Meanwhile, recent reports suggest Arsenal Football Club of England might make bids for German midfielder, Sami Khedira and Chelsea reserve goalkeeper, Petr Cech.

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi was defeated by Angel di Maria who was named Argentina’s foreign-based Player of the Year.

Angel di Maria

And it comes after Messi just broke two long-time records by becoming Spanish all time top scorer and Champions League best striker in history.

Lionel Messi

Messi won the local award every year since 2006. However this year the title was awarded to another brilliant Argentina’s national, Angel di Maria from Manchester United.
Details on The Independent.

Head Coach of Reading Football Club, Steve Clarke, has recently explained why he signed Nigerian striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, from Qatar despite various rumours that the player is already a ‘spent force’.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni

The coach revealed the main reason while speaking on Reading’s official website, Premium Times reports.
According to Clarke, one of the key qualities of the 32-year-old striker is his ability to create chances in front of goal.
“We knew what we were getting when we signed him. Yak’s a goalscorer and we brought him in for games like that, when it’s open and you know you’re going to create chances towards the end,” he said after the recent match.
Eagles Move Up On Latest FIFA Ranking
The Head Coach admitted that Reading had been facing difficult times. But he also expressed the hope that Yakubu would be able to make things a little easier for the team.
“We’ve had three difficult away games in the cup but each time the fans have gone home happy which is a little bit of joy in a difficult season. We’d take anybody next – home or away. We look forward to the draw, but the game is three weeks away. We’ve got five league games before then, first of all Wigan on Tuesday.
“There’s still work to do in the Championship. We’re seven points off the bottom and we need to secure our position.
Football Legend Diego Maradona Undergoes Face Lifting
“The play-offs look too far, so we’ve given the supporters a run to the quarter final and it would be nice to go further.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has lined up a list of tough friendly games for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The Super Eagles will play Ghana’s Black Stars in an international friendly game on March 29 in London.

An armed robbery suspect whose gang has been noted as being notorious and operating in Lagos State, has said that the police used Juju to apprehend him.
The suspect, John Uche whose gang also used charms have been robbing innocent people of their valuables before the divisional police officer of Festac police station, SP Ifeanyi Owo led a team of anti-robbery policemen to the scene.
One police constable who spoke on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the team rounded Uche up at Festac- Amuwo Odofin link bridge.
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The sergeant revealed that the two of the robbers managed to escape while luck ran out on Uche.
The police source said: “When we arrested the armed robber. He was talking to himself and beating his chest, believing that he could disappear but to no avail. He later told policemen that so you people also use ‘juju’.
Emenike On Ritual Allegations

He said the people at the station are not ordinary people. Anyway, the case has just been transferred to the Lagos State police command Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, for further investigation. We are still trailing the fleeing suspect and my divisional police officer has ordered that we should ensure we arrest them,” he said.
The belief in the supernatural has always been one of the believes of Nigerians, And some have even gone ahead to use such believes in the pursuit of easy money.

It is generally believed that the January transfer window is used for short-term fixes to a team, addressing issues that couldn’t be addressed in the summer, and the time to loan out players to give them playing time. But the 2015 January transfer window (now closed) was unusually intriguing, as some of the biggest deals ever in the history of football transpired.

Ex-Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni moved to Reading from Shanghai Chinhua

Milan brought in 4 players, Chelsea let two attackers leave and brought one in, Man United signed a 21-year-old defender with only 7 appearances to his name, Real Madrid signed two players, while Barca are still banned from doing any business.
ENGLAND
Jose Mourinho’s first signing on his return to Chelsea was world cup winner Andre Schürrle, but he has now he let the Germany international go, and in comes Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina. Mohammed Salah was allowed to join the Florence-based club on a 6-month loan deal.
Manchester United bought 21-year-old Andy Kellett from Bolton, and earlier in January announced a deal to sign Victor Valdes, who was a free agent after leaving Barcelona.
Manchester City spent close to $40m to sign Wilfried Bony from Swansea as their front line becomes too dependent on Sergio Aguero.
Leicester City bought hit man Andrea Kramaric for a club record fee of close to $15m. Newcastle meanwhile loaned out 5 youngsters to Rangers of Scotland. Former Super Eagles and Newcastle striker Shola Amoebi moved to Crystal Palace from Gaziantep B.B. of Turkey.
Another Ex-Eagles man to move was Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who moved to Reading from a Chinese club. Aaron Lennon moved to Everton on loan from Tottenham while Wilfried Zaha was re-signed permanently by Crystal Palace from Man Utd.
West Brom were able to capture Darren Fletcher from Manchester United, as well as Callum McManaman from Wigan Athletic.
Arsenal addressed their defensive problems with the signing of Villareal hardman Gabriel for a fee of around $15m while the club sent Joel Campbell the other way on loan. Yaya Sanogo also moved to Crystal Palace on loan.
ITALY
Italy was the second most active country in the January transfer window. AC Milan, who are in a steady decline, tried to arrest the slump by signing five players: Mattia Destro on loan from Roma, Cerci from Atletico Madrid, Salvatore Bochetti from Rubin Kazan, Paletta from Parma and Suso from Liverpool.
Napoli signed skillful striker Gabbiadini from Sampdoria. Roma were active in trying to arrest their inability to score goals, and signed strikers Seydou Doumbia from CSKA Moscow and Ibarbo from Cagliari. Inter Milan signed David Santon, Shaqiri and Podolski from Newcastle, Bayern Munich and Arsenal respectively. Juventus re-signed Matri and Stararo from Genoa. Sebastian Giovinco meanwhile left Juventus to sign for Toronto FC of the US-based Major League Soccer (MLS) at the young age of 27.
Meanwhile four-time African footballer of the year, Samuel Eto’o, moved to Sampdoria from Everton.
SPAIN
In Spain transfer business was kept at a minimum with the transfers of Martin Odegaard, the 16-year-old Norwegian wonderkid, and Lucas Silva (2-time Brazilian league MVP) to Real Madrid gaining the most attention. Atletico Madrid signed Fernando Torres from AC Milan and Cani from Villareal.
Villareal signed Joel Campbell on loan from Arsenal while Levante were able to sign Bryan Ruiz from Fulham.
Barcelona are still banned from signing players until at least January of 2016
GERMANY
Business in Germany was minimal with Wolfsburg signing Andre Schürrle. Bayern Munich allowed Shaqiri to move on loan to Inter Milan.
It will be recalled that four-time world footballer of the year, Lionel Messi, fueled speculation that he would moving to Chelsea with some activity on his social media accounts.

Professional football players in Nigeria earn millions of naira. They own some business and property. They invest in real estates. So there is no wonder their mansions are extremely luxurious.
1. Mikel Obi

Mikel near the one of his mansions

Mikel is a Chelsea midfielder. Now he is highest earning football player from Nigeria. Before Chelsea he played for a Norwegian club from Oslo. He joined Chelsea in 2006. Now he earns nearly N20 million per week. And this is a sum without bonuses from participating at the UEFA Champions League.
Top-5 Richest Football Players From Nigeria
Handsome player owns mansions in Lagos, London and Jos. Their worth is more than N800 million. He also has his shares in several international companies and started his own record label recently.
2. Yakubu Aiyegbeni

Yakubu Aiyegbeni

This successful Nigerian football player currently is playing for England. He is considered to be the most successful Nigerian footballer who played in the UK teams.
Nigerian Players Seal Football Deals In Europe
Yak has a mansion in London, UK, a duplex in Lagos, 2 big buildings in Benin and several hotels in Edo State. He also owns a petrol station in Benin which is rules by his brother Momo. Except estates he is a fan of luxurious cars. His garage includes BMW and a Range Rover.
3. Obafemi Martins

Obafemi likes to show his assets on his social media

Obafimi in his house near Lagos

This guy has played almost everywhere. He was a forward for the top clubs like like Inter-Milan of Italy, Newcastle united of England , Birmingham City of England, Vfl Wolfsborg of Germany. Currently he is a member of Seattle Sounders in the US. He is a fifth highest paid player in the US Major Football League.
Meet The 10 Highest Paid African Football Players
Man owns 2 mansions near Lagos worth N500 million. He also has several hotels in Italy and a mansion worth N800 million. Obafemi Martins also spent recently more than N400 million on charity.

A new report by Supersport has shown that Mikel Obi is not the nation’s richest football star as formerly claimed.
The Chelsea man is number three on the list and suprisingly it is estimated that Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Kalu Uche are the two richest footballers from Nigeria.
yakubu-aiyegbeni

The report claims that both players’ contracts at oil-rich Quatari club Al Rayyan gave them $2.5 million each year.

Mikel

Mikel Obi is next on the list, with Obafemi Martins fourth, both earning $2 million per year.
See What Reading FC Coach Has To Say About Yakubu Being A ‘Spent Force’
Emmanuel Emenike comes fifth due to his ‘tax free’ contract terms at the Turkish club Fenerbahce.

Emenike

Sixth is Brown Ideye of West Bromich Albion of England who recently signed a three-year contract with the English Premier League club.
As for the richest in Africa, no Nigerian player made the list, which Yaya Toure and Samuel Eto’o dominated.

Dino Melaye, the senator from Kogi-West senatorial district has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to respect the views of President Muahammdu Buhari on the emergence of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Punch reports.
The source notes that Melaye was referring to a statement by Buhari’s special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, in which the president said that he was willing to work with whoever the lawmakers elected.
Melaye Accuses Tinubu Of Backing Adeyemi At Court
Dino Melaye stated: “President Buhari said the election of Saraki followed constitutional provisions. At that point, the party and its leaders ought to have slowed down. Mr. President said he would work with whoever was elected. At that point, the party leaders ought to have taken direction from Buhari, who is the National Leader of the APC.The President is the National Leader of APC. The moment he said he had no preference, the party should have respected Buhari. Nigerians must realise that the people’s sovereignty is far greater than the party’s supremacy. Just like the Bible is dearer to me than the constitution.”
The senator said he had no regrets supporting Saraki, promising to protect and defend the people of his senatorial district and the Nigerian constitution.
“The gullibility of so many on the social media is embarrassing. I have no regret supporting Saraki. I worked and voted for competence. I will be the last person to support anti-party activities or support the satanic party that I assiduously helped to uproot,” he added.

Super Eagles forward, Emmanuel Emenike has narrated his ordeal hours after he narrowly escaped death in Turkey.
According to Emenike, he and his Fenerbahce teammates were left in shock after their team bus was shot at by a gunman on Saturday night in Turkey.
The Turkish league leaders were travelling to Trabzon airport to fly back to Istanbul, following their 5-1 victory over Rizespor, when the shooting happened.
BBC Sport reports that the driver was taken to hospital, but no players were injured in the attack which Emenike described as a ‘scary moment’.
Nigerian Striker Emmanuel Emenike Injured
“The incident left several players in shock on a day we should be celebrating a big away win,” Emenike told BBC Sport.
“I was on the phone with my brother when I heard the loud sound and I thought one of our tyres had busted because the bus was swerving on the road.
“But when I found our security officer in front of the bus I knew something must have gone awfully wrong.”
The 27 year old Emenike says it was not long before they realized someone had been hurt.
“We quickly realized the security guy was the one who hit the break, and he said the driver [who was already soaked in blood] had been shot.
“The word ‘shot’ came as a big shock but when we saw blood and the shattered driver’s side window, it quickly turned into a scary moment for everyone on the bus.”
He continued: “It’s unbelievable that some people actually fired shots at our bus and the driver was badly hit, a bus conveying footballers and officials.
“It’s strange, but it’s also an indication that things happen in life and no one can be guaranteed complete safety.
“I just want to wish our brave driver a speedy recovery. I will forever be grateful to him and our security man because that bus could have plunged down the bridge.
“The outcome could have been terrible and tragic but we are all here today because of them and of course God was on our side.
Emmanuel Emenike Ends His Goal Drought
For Emenike, the shooting was particularly shocking as it brought back bad memories.
“I’ve been involved in a terrible accident in Nigeria before, where my mother suffered severe bruises, and for a moment I had a terrible flashback when that bus was swerving all over the road.
“I hope this incident will be investigated thoroughly and the perpetrators are made to face the justice system.
Emmanuel Emenike has only scored four goals in 23 league appearances this season but insists this latest incident will not force him to quit the Istanbul-based club.
“I have a contract here and I love the club,” he added.
“It’s only an isolated incident and not enough to make me look for an easy way out.
“I have put the past behind me and I am only focussing on what lies ahead. I am stronger now than before and right now I just want to wish our bus driver a speedy recovery.”
Fenerbahce have since called for the Turkish Super Lig to be suspended following the attack.
Emenike, who has endured a turbulent period in Turkish football since he re-joined Fenerbahce in 2013 has been plagued with series of hard times in Turkey. Recently, he demanded to be substituted after he was booed by his own fans during their 1-0 home win over rivals Besiktas.

Former Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, spoke to fifa.com when he visited France to feature in the 12 Match Against Poverty, organised by Zinnedine Zidane and Ronaldo de Lima.
Speaking shortly after the charity game, Okocha revealed his best time as player.
When asked which is still his favourite goal of all time, he had this to say, “Yes, the one I got for Frankfurt against Karlsruhe in 1993 stands out a little for me. I was very young and I hadn’t made a name for myself yet. Klaus Toppmoller was my coach at the time and he started me on the bench for that game, which I wasn’t especially pleased about. We were 2-1 up when he finally decided to put me on. We were under pressure and my job was to keep the ball, but we put a break together and I suddenly found myself in the opposition penalty box with four or five defenders facing me. I just dribbled with the ball, going one way and then the next before putting the ball past the keeper, who was none other than Oliver Kahn.”
Arsene Wenger Heaps Praise On Okocha
The chairman of the Delta State Football Association also lauded Ivory Coast skipper, Yaya Toure who he said “is the best African player in the game right now”.
“Yaya Toure is the most consistent performer right now”, he added.
Okocha, Ronaldo, Zidane In Match Against Poverty
During his playing time, Austin Okocha was known for his step overs, skill and technique. He is widely regarded as the best Nigerian player of his generation.

Super Eagles and Lille of France shot-stopper Vincent Enyeama has made the shortlist of nominees for the best African player in France Award which is officially known as the Marc-Vivien Foé annual prize, FC Naija reports.

Nigerian legend, Vincent Enyeama

Enyeama who just recorded his 14^th clean-sheet of the season is joined on the list just published by the Organisers by the likes of the Ayew brothers; Jordan and Andre.
The Marc-Vivien Foé annual prize is meant to honour the best African player in the French Ligue 1 each year and is voted for by sport journalists selected by French media RFI and France 24.
Interestingly, Enyeama won last year’s edition and he is seen as one of the strong contenders for this year’s edition also.
More Woes For Super Eagles As Enyeama Drops Retirement Hint
This annual award was initiated in 2009 as a mark of respect to Foé, a Cameroonian international footballer, who collapsed and died on June 26, 2003 while Cameroon were facing Colombia in the semi-final of the Fifa Confederations Cup.
Aside Enyeama in 2014, other previous winners of the Marc-Vivien Foé annual prize includes; Marouane Chamakh (2009), Gervinho (2010, 2011), Younès Belhanda (2012), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2013)
Nominees list:
Jordan Ayew (Lorient, Ghana), André Ayew (Marseille, Ghana), Aymen Abdennour (Monaco, Tunisia), Nabil Dirar (Monaco, Morocco), Max-Alain Gradel (Saint-Etienne, Ivory Coast), Idrissa Gueye (Lille, Senegal), Aissa Mandi (Reims, Algeria), Vincent Enyeama (Lille, Nigeria), Benjamin Moukandjo (Reims, Cameroon), Clinton N’Jie (Lyon, Cameroon)
Enyeama will hope that he can lead the Super Eagles to another AFCON title in 2017 following the announcement of the group qualifiers of AFCON 2017. Nigeria will play seven time winners Egypt in Group G.

2014’s African Women’s Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, has signed a contract with Liverpool Ladies, BBC reports.

Asisat Oshoala is signing a contract with Liverpool Ladies.

It should be added that a 20-year-old football star moves to the FA Women’s Super League champions from Nigerian Women’s Championship winners, Rivers Angels.
Commenting on her fresh contract and new team, Oshoala said:
“To be able to join the reigning Super League champions is absolutely fantastic.
“Liverpool Ladies are a massive club with some fantastic players who I believe can help me to develop my game to the next level.
“It was also a big incentive to be able to play in the Women’s Champions League, which is a huge competition that I’m confident we can do well in.”
Photos: Asisat Oshoala Shares Experience At FIFA Player Of Year Gala
The coach of Liverpool Ladies, Matt Beard, also shared his emotions with journalist:
“She’s not the finished article yet but she’s got pace, power and she certainly knows where the goal is.
“I watched her at the Under-20 World Cup, where she was sensational, and we had early dialogue with her about coming to Liverpool.
“There’s been plenty of other interest in her in the last few months, but she chose to join us and I’m absolutely delighted.”
Although Oshoala is very young, she can already boast of her great achievements. She won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball – as Player of the Tournament – at last year’s Under-20 World Cup Finals. Moreover, she became the first player from Africa to compete in the Women’s Super League

President of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has announced that African countries would massively vote for Sepp Blatter in this year’s FIFA elections.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter

According to Euronews, Blatter is competing with four challenger for re-election on May 29, when he seeks a fifth term as FIFA President.
“You will find (that) he is very popular on the continent.
“He has done a lot for the continent. It is he who has set up the Financial Assistance Programme (FAP) and who through the Goal Project has built infrastructure in all of the countries,” said Nyantakyi.
Photos: Asisat Oshoala Shares Experience At FIFA Player Of Year Gala He also mentioned in his speech that unfortunately the European members of FIFA do not understand Blatter’s contribution. Some of them even argued that it was not Blatter’s money but that of FIFA he was using.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee member also shared his opinion:
“But that’s not the point. It is Blatter that set up all the assistance programmes that have helped boost African football.
“FIFA Goal Project is Blatter’s pet project, inaugurated not long after he came to power in 1998, and it has built training centres, accommodation, pitches and offices for cash-strapped associations.’’
Ex Nigerian Coach Musa Abdullahi Dead
It would be added that one of Blatter’s challengers is FIFA Vice-President Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan.
UEFA president Michel Platini was said to be “pleased” that Prince Ali decided to enter the race.
“I know Prince Ali well. He has all the credibility required to hold high office. We now await his proposals and his programme for the future of football,” Platini said.

The Nigerian international, Emmanuel Emenike, has dispelled rumors that he performed a spiritual ritual to put an end to his goal drought.

Emmanuel Emenike

According to Daily Post, the Fenerbahce striker had not scored for his team since November 2014, but managed to do it last weekend playing against Karabukspor.
Emenike was allegedly not feeling good about his energy. Therefore, he decided to take part in the spiritual ritual.
Commenting on the recent rumors, the footballer said:
“What did they mean by ritual to lift a curse? I take exception of such reports. I am a Christian, a proud Catholic, I never believed in rituals, I never do it and I was not involved in such as they claim.”
“Strikers always have off and on periods when it comes to goal scoring. I have had mine, it is in the past. I have returned to my best and nobody can stop me.
Asisat Oshoala Reveals Her Plans For The Season “I don’t believe in juju or whatever name they call it, my rosary is my companion and my parents never taught me to be fetish. My almighty God will do what those people behind such fake claim about me deserve.”
“When I was not scoring goals, I was criticized, now I have started scoring, they came up with rituals wahala.
“I think it’s another way of distraction, I’m not ready for that trash.”

Falconets star forward Asisat Oshoala had quite a nice time in Zurich last night at the 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or awards.
She got a chance to meet her heroes, week after grabbing two awards at the just concluded Glo CAF awards.
Yaya Toure Named Africa’s Best Player While Super Falcons Secure Place For Nigeria
Asisat had won the Youth Player of the Year and Women African Footballer of the Year.
Here she is with some of her idols.

Asisat With Fifa President Sepp Blatter

Asisat With German Keeper, Manuel Neuer

With German Coach Joachim Loew

With German Midfield Hero Toni Kroos

With Female World Player Of The Year, Nadine Kessler

With Dutch Legend Clarence Seedorf
Asisat Lamina Oshoala MON is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Rivers Angels. She was the best player and highest goal scorer at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Reports coming from the commercial town of Mubi, Adamawa state, indicate that there is jubilation all over the town following the return of the exiled Emir.
ThisDay reports that the Emir of the town, Dr. Abubakar Isa Ahmadu, returned on Friday to his palace after spending two months in exile due to repeated attacks from the Boko Haram terrorists group.
Obasanjo: Niger-Delta Amnesty Influenced Boko Haram
It would be recalled that the insurgents stormed Mubi town and destroyed its economic life wire and burnt down the Mubi International Market along with several churches.
The Boko Haram extremist reportedly invaded the palace of the Emir and hoisted their flag in the palace.
According to some of the jubilating residents, they were overwhelmed with joy and happiness following the return of their Emir, after the military recaptured the town.
Photos Reveal Aftermath Of Boko Haram Attack In Adamawa
The Emir, who was in Saudi Arabia as the state Amirul Hajj when the insurgents stormed the town on October 12, 2014 and took over his palace, making him to go into temporary exile from his kingdom.
It would be recalled that Mubi, the hometown of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Alex Badeh, fell into the hands of the Boko Haram sect in October 20, and was recaptured by Nigerian military and local vigilantes in November 13.
Meanwhile, recent reports coming from Hong and Michika in Adamawa State indicate that the Nigerian military are now hunting some Boko Haram militants, in an effort to flush out the terrorists.

A terrorism court will hear the case of two Saudi women drivers who were arrested after challenging a ban on female drivers in the Kingdom.
Twenty-five-year-old Loujan al-Hathloul was jailed on December 1 after attempting to drive to Saudi Arabia from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
A Saudi journalist, 33-year-old Maysa al-Amoudi, who lives in the UAE, was also detained as she arrived border.
Two women have been in detention for nearly a month.
Discussing Women’s Rights, Treatment In Islam
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that bans women from driving.
Details On BBC News.

Sammie Howe is making her debut here at Your Daily Girl, and after reviewing this shoot, I hope it’s the start of many appearances.

Erin Heatherton for L’Officiel Hommes Magazine France

Erin Heatherton has only appeared on Your Daily Girl 3 times now, however it’s now been twice in 2 weeks, and I am incredibly hopeful this is a sign of great things to come.