Nigeria U-23 manager Samson Siasia invites 30 Players to Camp as Dream Team Start Olympic Preparation

Head Coach of the U-23 National Team , Dream Team, Samson Siasia has invited 30 players to camp in preparation for the men’s football tournament of this year’s Olympic Games, taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Samson Siasia who is also the interim coach of Nigeria Super Eagles led Nigeria Dream Team to the Final in 2008 where he lost to Messi-led Argentinal by 2-1.

Coach Siasia told thenff.com that the list of invited players led by goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel, also includes old reliables like defender Erhun Obanor, Stanley Dimgba, Kufre Ebong, Ndifreke Effiong, Ubong Ekpai and Daniel Etor.

Seria A Giant AC. Milan Sack Sinisa Mihajlovic, Replaced with Youth Coach Cristian Brocchi

After a disappointing run of five matches without a win which left them to sixth place on the table, the Rossoneri has decided to part way with manger Mihajlovic. According to the Italian press, the president Silvio Berlusconi met with Brocchi over a three-hour dinner before taking the decision to make him Milan’s fifth coach in less than three years.

Mihajlovic apperared to be aware of the development when he said in a midnight tweet: “Thanks for all the love, it was an honour.”

Empoli Loanee, Piotr Zielinski Confirms Transfer Talks with Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool target Piotr Zielinski has confirmed that he has had transfer talks with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. The Poland international midfielder, who is currently on loan at Empoli from Udinese, is being strongly linked with a move to Anfield and his comments would suggest he could be joining the Merseyside outfit in the near future.

‘There is a lot of truth in rumours about Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp is interested in me, we had some talks,’ Zielinski told Polish outlet Sportowe Fakty.

Manchester United to Sign Ross Barkley and Renato Sanches for Amazing £85m Double Deal

The Red Devils are set to overhaul their midfield this summer and have identified Ross Barkley and Renato Sanches as their leading targets. Starsport reported yesterday that Everton ace Ross Barkley was back on United’s radar and a £45m bid could be in the pipeline.

The 22-year-old has looked back to his best this season and has scored 14 goals in 47 games for club and country. The Toffees are determined to hold on to their man and have no need to sell following investment from Farhad Moshiri earlier this year.

With big money on the table and the prospect of European football next season, Manchester United may tempt Barkley to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile Portuguese newspaper A Bola claim United have had a breakthrough in their pursuit of Benfica midfielder Renato Sanches.

Incredible Arsenal Fans Have Superb Gunners-themed Wedding in Malaysia, Decorated the Whole Hall in Red and White

I think big thumbs up should go to this creative and die hard Arsenal fans who turned their wedding venue to Emirate, the gunners stadium. Kudos to the Malaysian Arsenal-mad couple, if you’re going to give your wedding a football theme, make it unique and colorful.

The venue was so designed Arsenal-like that everywhere looks like Emirate. Men in suit and the bride's maids all put on Arsenal's home jerseys. 

With Arsenal highlights showing on a big screen, the club crest splashed across the menus, a whole room decorated in red and white, and even a mini football pitch set up, this looks like one of the most fun wedding parties ever.

Yuto Nagatomo Rejected Manchester United offer to Sign Contract Extension

Japan international and Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo has extended his contract with the Italian giants until 2019 having rejected the chance to join Manchester United in January. Nagatomo, 29, has made 172 appearances for the Nerazzurri to date and explained his close relationship with the club made the decision to extend his stay at the San Siro an easy one.

"I am very happy, I love Inter, is the team with which I have always wanted to play and I feel at home," he told the club's official website. "I did not want to leave and I'm glad to stay, for this I have to thank the club, the president Erick Thohir, [vice-president Javier] Zanetti, Mr [Roberto] Mancini, staff, peers and fans. A special thought goes to my family for supporting me in this path."

He is Equipped, Able and Used to the Pressure - Hiddink Tips Anthonio Conte for Success at Stamford Bridge

Earlier this week, Former Juventus and current Italy coach was announced as the new manager of Chelsea and will be taking over the reign of the club after Euro 2016, and Hiddink  while addressing the media at Cobham ahead of their game against Swansea on Saturday, provided his view to the appointment.

‘It’s the choice of the club and when you look at his record he had a good spell at Juventus, where he won the title in Italy,’ he said.

"I Love the Premier League, and I Want to Stay Here for a Long Time" - Darmian Reaffirms Desire to Stay at Old Trafford Amid Juventus Interest

Manchester United Right back Matteo Darmian has reiterated his desire to stay at Old Trafford amid interest from Seria A Giant Juventus. The 26-year-old joined the club from Torino in the summer but a campaign riddled with fitness and form problems has restricted his progress.

The Italy international started the club's first 11 games of the season and looked assured in the full-back position but as the campaign has progressed Darmian has picked up a succession of fitness problems, including rib and shoulder injuries. The versatile defender has begun the last two matches against Manchester City and Everton either side of the international break after winning his place back in the team.

There will be More Presense of Youth Players Against Swansea - Guus Hiddink

As Chelsea injury woes continue, the manager Guss Hiddink has indicated that more youth players will feature again Swansea City on Saturday. Addressing the media at Cobham ahead of the game, the Dutchman reported there are a few players suffering with injury problems, including captain John Terry.

It was a youthful Chelsea team which started last weekend’s 4-0 win at Aston Villa, and there could be further involvement for some of those who featured, and perhaps others, tomorrow.

‘We have a few injured players so we will bring in some youngsters,’ said Hiddink.

‘John Terry is still not available, he has a little problem with his Achilles like last week. He’s been on the training pitch, doing his exercises, but he’s not fully recovered. Costa is out (suspended), as you know, Hazard is out, Matic will be out and Remy is out. Nevertheless we will bring in some youngsters as we did last week.’

Confederation of African Football CAF Mourns The Death of Uganda Goalie Abel Dhaira

CAF President Issa Hayatou has expressed the shock at the death of Uganda goalie Abel Dhaira, who passed away on Sunday, 27 March 2016 in Iceland after losing a battle against cancer.

“On behalf of the CAF Executive Committee, the entire African football family and in my personal name, we would like to convey to the family of the deceased, to his teammates of the national team, and to the Uganda Football family our deepest condolences and sympathy following his death.

Nigeria National League to Commence May 7

The Congress Nigeria National League (NNL) on Wednesday in Abuja resolved that the 2015/2016 League season would kick off on the weekend of 7th May 2016. At the Congress held at Top Rank Galaxy Hotel, Abuja, the league body also agreed to have an abridged league format of eight teams in four different groups.

Kaduna United, Sokoto United FC and Kogi United and five others have all been grouped in Group A1 in the new format. Group A2 has heavy weights like Kwara United, FC Taraba and Gombe United - all former NPFL clubsides.

Group B1 has, among others, Rivers State FA Cup champions Go Round FC, Remo Stars and Delta Force FC while ABS FC, Gateway FC, Bayelsa United FC and Prime FC of Oshogbo are part of Group B2 setting.

Chelsea Starlet Jeremie Boga May Spend Another Long Season on Loan at Rennes as the French Club is Desperate to Keep The Youngerster

According to Rennes coach Rolland Courbis, Rennes will love to keep Chelsea starlet Jeremie on loan with them for another season. Boga, 19, was an integral member of the Chelsea side that won the Uefa Youth League and the FA Youth Cup last season but was one of many Blues youngsters to leave the club in search of first-team football, signing for Rennes on a season-long loan deal last August.

The Frenchman has been managed carefully by coach Rolland Courbis this season, having started just five games but coming off the bench a further 17 times, chipping in with two goals to help his side climb to fourth in Ligue 1.

Injury Boost for Real Madrid as Striker Karim Benzema is in Line Play against Wolfsburg

The former Lyon star picked up a problem in his knee in the early part of their Champions League quarter-final first-leg 2-0 defeat at Wolfsburg on Wednesday night after a collision with Naldo but there is reason to rejoice for Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, as reports in Spain claimed that the knee injury suffered by Karim Benzema was not as bad as first thought. Marca claims that the 28-year-old forward is expected to be rested for the La Liga game with Eibar on Saturday but will be available to return to action three days later for the crucial second-leg of the European tie.

Though the Frenchman continued in the game through the pain until the 40th minute of the when Zidane decided to replace him with academy forward Jese.

Chelsea to Offer Miralem Pjanic £90,000 a Week as Negotiation Continues

Chelsea are growing increasingly confident of landing Miralem Pjanic in the summer transfer window, according to reports. Pjanic, the current leading assist maker in Serie A, has made 179 appearances for Roma since making his debut in 2011, but is now being heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.

The Evening Standard say the Blues are prepared to offer Pjanic a three-year contract of more than £65,000-a-week, which they believe the 26-year-old will sign after being frozen out at the Stadio Olympico.

Swansea City Promising Academy Star Evans Signs First Professional Deal

Swansea City scholar Keiran Evans who is one of their promising youngsters has signed his first professional deal with the club that will see him stay at the Liberty Stadium until June 2017. The Swansea-born midfielder, who turned 17 last month, has been with the club’s academy since the age of six.

The home-grown attacking midfielder was part of the Wales squad that lifted the FA Victory Shield in 2014 the first time in 66 years.

Evans, who has made 23 appearances for the Under-18s in category one this season, expressed his delight at signing his first professional deal with the Swans.

Chelsea Loanee Andreas Christensen to Spend One More Season at Borussia Monchengladbach

Chelsea youngster Andreas Christensen who has heavily impressed in Bundesliga this season will remain on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach for another season, according to the German club's sporting director Max Eberl.

Christensen signed for Chelsea from Brondby as a 15-year-old in 2012 and was sent on loan last summer , joining Gladbach on a two-year loan deal. The Danish centre-half has thrived having been handed a first-team role, emerging as one of the Bundesliga's best young talents this term.

One of the Big Reasons I Left Chelsea Was the Arrival of Guss Hiddink

Former Chelsea star, Ramires has blamed Guus Hiddink for his sudden departure from Stamford Bridge during in January. The midfielder was one of the Blues' key players under Jose Mourinho but followed the Portuguese manager out, in what has been a difficult campaign for the west London club since they won the premiership in May 2015.

The former Benfica player, Ramires joined Chine Super League side Jiangsu Suning in a £25m deal at the start of the year and has laid the blame completely on the Dutch manager for not giving him a chance to fight for a place in the first-team. 

 

He believes Hiddink was harsh in his treatment of the midfielder, who has played a key role in Chelsea's triumphs in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in the past.

Roberto Firmino Could Miss Liverpools' Europa League Clash Against Borussia Dortmund

Roberto Firmino is a major doubt for the Liverpool clash against Dortmund  on Thursday as the attacker is yet to recover from a hamstring injury he suffered during their last-16 second-leg tie against Manchester United on 17 March. The former Hoffenheim star had to pull out of the Brazil squad due to the injury and his absence will be a big blow as Jugen Klopp gets ready to face his former club.

The Brazil international has been Liverpool's in-form player since the turn of the year and had notched up seven goals and provided four assists in his last eight league appearances before suffering his injury. His return will be key for Liverpool' prospects of progressing in the Europa League and their battle to secure a top six finish in the Premier League.

Arsenal Midfielder Jack Wilshere Set to Return for the Gunners on Friday

Arsenal who are currently without three first-team midfielders with Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta, are set to be handed a massive injury boost this week with Jack Wilshere set to make his first appearance of the season with a possible outing for the U21 side when they face the Newcastle United reserves on Friday (8 April). 

 

The midfielder, who suffered a fracture just before the start of the season, is yet to kick a ball in this campaign and returned to first-team training last week ahead of the Gunners’ 4-0 win over Watford last week Saturday.

Chelsea's Newly Appointed Manager Antonio Conte to Face Suspended Six-month Sentence for Match-Fixing

A prosecutor is seeking a suspended six-month sentence for Antonio Conte for his alleged involvement in a match-fixing case.

Just a day after it was confirmed that the Italy boss would be taking charge at Chelsea following the conclusion of Euro 2016 this summer, he is facing more controversy after the formal request was made by The prosecutor in Antonio Conte's match-fixing trial, Roberto Di Martino.

Di Martino also requested that Conte should be handed an €8,000 fine in relation to accusations that the 46-year-old committed sports fraud in 2010 when he was coach of Siena.

Gabriel Agbonlahor Back into Aston Villa's First Team after Shisha Pipe Incident

 

ASTON VILLA veteran Gabriel Agbonlahor who missed last weekend match against Chelsea may return to line up this weekend after the club's official twitter handle states that the club will take no further action against forward Gabriel Agbonlahor, who was dropped after being spotted apparently smoking a shisha pipe while on holiday in Dubai.

Caretaker manager Eric Black left out the 29-year-old from the squad for Saturday's 4-0 Premier League defeat by Chelsea. But the player is now free to rejoin his team mates. This is a big boost for Aston Villa as they face a crusial battle to survive relegation.

Manchester United are Desperate to Signe Wonderkid, Ethan Ampadu

Premiership giant Manchester United are reportedly desperate to lure Exeter City wonderkid Ethan Ampadu to to old trafford. The Red Devils are well known with beautiful history of giving chances to young players and they are hoping their track record could convince Ethan Ampadu to reject offers from Arsenal and Chelsea.

Ampadu, 16, is the son of former Republic of Ireland midfielder Kwame Ampadu and the 45-year-old currently works for Arsenal’s academy.

Ampadu Jr is presently considered as one of the brightest talents in Britain and the Red Devils are clearly worried his father’s ties with the Gunners will see him move to the Emirates.

Antonio Conte Will Keep John Terry in His Squad - Ray Wilkins

Ray Wilkins expressed his view on John Terry's future under the newly appointed Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte and emphasized that he will want to keep John Terry at the club.

The premier league defending champions announced on Monday that current Italy head coach Conte will take over the reins from interim first-team coach Guus Hiddink immediately after the European Championship in France this summer.

Terry’s 21-year association with the west London club remains unclear, with the former England captain’s contract set to expire at the end of the season. He is yet to be offered an extended deal to stay on at the Premier League club.

Liverpool Have Opened Talks with Bayern Munich Over Mario Gotze Transfer - Spanish Journalist Confirmed

According to a tweet by Spanish Journalist Kike Marin (, Liverpool are in advanced talks to seal the transfer of Mario Gotze, who is keen to reunite with old manager Jurgen Klopp. The Bayern Munich forward, whose career was launched by Reds boss Klopp at their former club Borussia Dortmund, has struggled at the Allianz Arena this season.

Recent reports suggest Gotze is not in Bayern’s long-term plans, with Liverpool the frontrunners to snap him up, and this looks to have been confirmed by Spanish journalist Kike Marin.

€45m PSG Playmaker Rejected Man United for Paris - Agent Reveals

Agent Wagner Ribeiro has claimed why PSG star Lucas Moura rejected Manchester United to sign for PSG. The 23-year-old rejected the Red Devils so that he would be able to live in Paris, despite the Premier League side offering him better money than their European rivals.

Speaking to L’Equipe about the chance of Neymar moving to the Parc des Princes, Ribeiro said: ‘He’s [Neymar] already played at Parc des Princes, Stade de France too.

Chelsea Targeting £12m-rated Eredivisie's Star

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Ajax's tricky attacker who has been a consistent figure in Frank de Boer’s side for two seasons now, having made 22 Eredivisie appearances so far this term.

A big future in Holland is Ajax’s hope for El Ghazi, although interest has raised across Europe. Young striker’s short career has already seen him earn two senior Holland caps as his profile and potential continues to grow.

James Rodriguez to Cost Chelsea and Manchester United £60m

The Spanish giant Real Madrid have decided to cash on 2014 highest goal scorer and former Monaco midfilder James Rodriquez and have reportedly put a £60million price tag on Chelsea and Manchester United transfer target James Rodriquez, who has been linked with a move away from the Spanish club.

The Colombian star who is attributed with scoring from long range of the field joined the club in 2014 from Monaco after starring at the World Cup but has endured a disappointing campaign at the Bernabeu this season, which has led to speculation he could leave Los Blancos.

Read Chelsea's Statement on Conte

Chelsea announced the appointment of Antonio Conte as First Team Head Coach on Monday afternoon. Chelsea statement statement read thus;

Chelsea Director Marina Granovskaia said: ‘We are very pleased to have recruited one of the most highly regarded managers in world football and we are equally pleased to do so before the end of the current season. This aids our future planning.

Yaya Toure Will Leave Manchester City after this Season, Says His Agent

Former Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure is set to depart the Citizens by the end of the season as claimed by his agent. The 32-year-old, who has enjoyed six trophy-laden years at the Eithad Stadium, has yet to agree an extension to his current deal with City, which expires in June.

Toure’s agent, Dimitri Seluk has revealed he has received a number of offers for his client and confirmed the midfielder would be leaving City in the close season.

Chelsea Appoint Antonio Conte as Their Manager Manager

Chelsea announced the appointment of Antonio Conte as First Team Head Coach on Monday afternoon. There has been building speculation in recent weeks that the Italian is set to take over the reigns from interim boss Guus Hiddink at the end of the season and the move has now been confirmed.

Conte, who is currently in charge of the Italy national side, has signed a three-year contract at Stamford Bridge and will begin work with the London outfit after Euro 2016.