23022018 - Confusion over Yobe girls; angry parents stone gov

Vanguard, FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2018 — 47
•Blatter
Blatter backs
Morocco 2026
World Cup bid
isgraced former Fifa
Dpresident Sepp Blatter
has called for Morocco to be
awarded the hosting rights
for the 2026 World Cup.
Morocco will go up
against the joint Concacaf
bid from the United States,
Canada and Mexico, with
the 68th Fifa Congress on
June 13 to decide on whether
it will select one of the
official bids.
The north African nation
have fallen short in
attempts to secure the
showpiece in 1994, 1998,
2006 and 2010.
Blatter recently ended a
lengthy Twitter silence,
having been ejected from
office in October 2015 after
evidence of a 1.3-millioneuro
“disloyal payment” to
similarly removed ex-Uefa
chief Michel Platini.
The 81-year-old is still
serving a six-year ban
from all football
activities, but posted
on social media to
throw his weight
behind Morocco’s
pitch.
Sterling’s
future in
doubt
R aheem Sterling’s
future at
Manchester City is
under increasing
doubt after talks over
a new contract failed
to materialise.
The England
international has been
one of the stars of City’s
outstanding season,
scoring 20 goals for Pep
Guardiola’s side.
But City are yet to
make a definitive
move to extend
Sterling’s
existing terms
despite the
fact he
enters the
final two
years of his
deal at the
end of the
season.
Sterling’s
current deal
is worth £180,000 per
week but he can
expect a sharp pay
rise given his
brilliant form this
season.
But discussions
over a new deal have
not been
forthcoming, news
D’Tigers begin World Cup qualifier against Uganda
Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball
team, the D’Tigers open their 2019
World Cup qualifiers today in Bamako,
•Diogu
Mali with a game against
Uganda with 2017
Afrobasket MVP, Ike Diogu
as the team’s pivot.
Playing in group B of the
qualifiers against other
teams like Rwanda and
host, Mali, D’Tigers will file
out in the second match
against Rwanda tomorrow
before ending the first round
against Mali on Sunday.
Apart from Diogu, the
other player from the 2015
Afrobasket winning squad
in the team is Ben Uzoh
both of whom will be joined
by Michael Efevberha, who
AKPEYI:
Critics won’t s
stop me
from 2018 World W
Cup
Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi “I am not competing with any goalkeeper in the
has vowed not to allow critics derail team. I am grateful to the coach for extending
him as he bids to work hard so as to invitation to me and also giving me an opportunity
make the cut for the 2018 FIFA World to play,” the former Flying Eagles goalkeeper said.
Cup in Russia.
“Nigeria have good goalkeepers waiting for this
The Chippa United
opportunity, if anyone deserves it let him play and
goalkeeper said he would let’s support him so that we can have a formidable
remain undaunted despite team for the World Cup and come back with good
harsh criticism of him, insisting results.”
that he has continued to work He said he would never defame or run anyone
hard at the club level so as to be down in a bid to make the trip to Russia and he’s
in top shape whenever he’s unhappy some people are orchestrating attacks on
called up for national duty. him.
He said as much as he is “You don’t have to talk me down with stories or
keen on making coach Gernot lie against me on the pages of newspapers
Rohr’s team to the Mundial as because you need to promote someone,” he
demonstrated by his further said.
continuous work at “I didn’t come this far in my career by mistake
the club level, he even though I wasn’t given a chance to get here;
would support but I was positive about myself and I worked hard
the decision of for it and with God’s grace I reached the level I am
the coach so today.
long it
“I haven’t reached my mark yet, yes, I made
would be in some mistakes; some of the world’s best
the overall goalkeepers have made worst slips, but they didn’t
interest of quit because they were criticized and condemned,
the team they fought through it to become the best they are
in Russia. today. So, I’m not exceptional, I will keep fighting.”
•Sterling
•Pogba
•Akpeyi
Man U to offer Pogba to Barca
Paul Pogba will
be made
available for sale
at Manchester
United this summer
with Barcelona a potential
destination, according to shock
reports in Spain.
The Catalan giants were interested
along with Real Madrid in the former
Juventus star before he returned to
Old Trafford in 2016.
Manchester United paid a then
world record fee of £89m to re-sign
the midfielder.
But under Jose Mourinho, the 24-
year-old has encountered injury
problems, dips in form and issues
surrounding his best position.
powered Nigeria’s offense
with a team-high 17.4
points per game in the
2009 edition of
FIBA Africa’s
flagship
tournament in
Libya.
Nigeria’s final roster for the
qualifiers are Ayodeji Akindele, Ojo
Michael Adetokunbo, Nwogbo Afam,
Obi Emenago, Ofoegbu Uche,
Christopher Obekpa, Omogo
Emmanuel, Bryant Mbamalu, Tali
Zanna, Ike Diogu, Ben Uzoh and
Micael Efevberha.
Despite a public defence from
Mourinho of late, the pair’s
relationship is said to be on the rocks.
They were seen having a heated
discussion during last month’s 2-0
defeat at Tottenham, while Pogba has
also been dropped to the bench in
recent games
According to Spanish outlet Don
Balon, Mourinho would now give the
green light to a departure at the end of
the season.
His representative, Mino Raiola, is
said to be offering Pogba around to
top clubs in Europe. And that includes
Barcelona, who would be intrigued by
the prospect of signing the United
man.
•Benzema
PSG, Lyon,
Monaco chase
Benzema
K arim
Benzema is
being chased
by a series of
top clubs
from France,
according to
Le10Sport.
The Lyon-born
star has had a
difficult season for Real
Madrid, scoring just three
league goals for the
Santiago Bernabeu club,
but that has not damaged
interest in him.
Moneyed PSG are
reportedly keen
on bringing
him in this
summer as the
latest superstar
to join their
side.
His
hometown
club Lyon, Marseille
and Monaco are all also
interested in giving
Benzema a shot next
season.
Lyon believe that the 30-
year-old could be a good
replacement for ex-Real
forward Mariano, who is
being chased by Atletico
Madrid after an excellent
season.
PSG are convinced he
could be a good
replacement for Edinson
Cavani, while they are
aware Neymar is likely to
be a target for Real in the
summer.
Lagos agog for
StarTimes Bayern
Youth Cup
he Lagos zonal
Ttournament of the
ongoing FC Bayern Youth
Cup holds tomorrow at
Campos Mini Stadium,
Lagos Island.
According to the sponsors
of the age-grade event,
StarTimes Nigeria, eight
teams will compete in the
final. The teams battling for
the top prize are Bethel FC,
Mission Soccer Academy,
Ablaze Academy, Lekki
Junior Striker, The Future
Academy, Esperanza FC,
Leo Football Academy and
Young Stars
The StarTimes FC Bayern
Youth Cup Nigeria 2018, a
tournament for Under-16
boys,kicked off last month,
with games played in all six
geo-political zones of the
country. This is the first
edition of the tournament
in Africa which will have
the best 10 players being
selected to play at the world
finals in Germany.
Speaking on the final,
Brand and Marketing
Director of StarTimes,
Qasim Elegbede said, ‘’this
marks the completion of the
zonal tournament and
winners here will proceed to
Abuja to battle it out for in
the National Finals on
March 10 th where a
winner will emerge”
He added that “the winner
from the Finals in Abuja will
proceed to Germany to
represent Nigeria in the
world champions
competition.”
So far, over 50 games and
150+ goals have been
recorded with 320 players
from across 6 states taking
part in the competition.