The 2018 CAF Champions League group phase kicks off this weekend with mega matches in Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa among the eight fixtures.
North African giants Al Ahly of Egypt and Esperance of Tunisia clash this Friday followed by TP Mazembe of DR Congo against Entente Setif of Algeria the following day.
David de Gea has been named as Manchester United’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for a record fourth time.
It is the fourth time in five seasons the Spanish goalkeeper has won the award. He succeeds compatriot Ander Herrera, who won it last season.
It means De Gea eclipses Cristiano Ronaldo, who won it on three occasions, in 2004, 2007 and 2008.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been named the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year, the association announced on Tuesday.
Salah also won the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award in April.
Belgium and Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne came second with Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane third.
There has been another Port Harcourt city win in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) VAT Wonder Goal Award series and it is Sochima Elum who has made it a second win for Rivers United as he followed on the footsteps of his tame mate, Emeka Ogbugh. Ogbugh won the Match Day 15 award.
Goals from Wikki Tourists Abubakar Umar, El-Kanemi Warriors Anthony Yeful and Elum of Rivers United made the shortlist for Match Day 17 but it was the strike from Elum that secured the highest votes after fans picked their choice on the NPFL website and twitter handle.
Enyimba goalkeeper, Fatau Dauda, will be fined despite apologising for his sending-off in Sunday’s goalless draw against Akwa United in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the club chairman Anyansi Agwu has stated.
The Ghana international, who has been impressive this season, was sent off for violent conduct off-the-ball in the 41st minute of the encounter.
“We are going to make a statement to serve as a deterrent, because Dauda acted alone. Such anger is not part of football. I condemn it totally,” Enyimba chairman, Anyansi Agwu told the People’s Elephant’s official website.
President of the United States, Donald Trump, has hinted that the USA will be watching Nigeria and other countries “very closely” as he called for support around the world to back a joint bid from the United. States, Canada and Mexico to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Trump, earlier last week seemed to have threatened Morocco and countries that will not support the joint bid with tweet on his official Twitter handle. He appeared to have reaffirmed that stance as he met with Nigeria president Muhammadu Buhari at the White House on Monday.
Morocco have made a bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the bid has been backed by several countries from the Gulf region, in Africa and some parts of Europe and this has threatened the chances of a joint bid from the USA, Canada and Mexico.
