Sports Unlimited

WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHT ABOUT NIGERIA'S GROUP?

European giants FC Barcelona and Manchester United are monitoring Nigerian forward Henry Onyekuru performance at Belgian side, Anderlecht, reports in Belgium claim.
Scouts from both clubs, according to Belgian news outlet Het Laastste Nieuws, were at the Stade La Cononnier on Saturday to observe the forward who scored the winning goal for Anderlecht in their 2-1 win against Royal Excel Mouscron.
Aside from Barcelona and Manchester United, Fiorentina, Ajax, PSV, Southampton and Stoke City are also believed to have sent their scouts to see the player in action in the game.
The former Eupen striker who is on loan at Anderlecht from English Premier League club Everton has scored seven goals in 14 appearances for his club this season.
The 20-year-old forward made his official début for Nigeria in the country’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Algeria on November 10 in Constantine.

West Bromwich Albion have sacked head coach Tony Pulis.

A statement by the club Chairman John Williams read: “These decisions are never taken lightly but always in the interests of the Club. “We are in a results business and over the back end of last season and this season to date, ours have been very disappointing. “We would like to place on record our appreciation of Tony’s contribution and hard work during a period of transition for the Club which included a change of ownership. We wish him well in his future endeavours.” Assistant Head Coach Gary Megson has agreed to take charge of first-team affairs until further notice. The sack comes on the back on a poor run of form which includes a 4-0 drubbing by Chelsea in last weekend’s Premier League clash; the club’s fourth consecutive loss. West Brom’s last win in the league was a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on the 12th of August. Pulis is already being projected to take over the vacant position at Wales.

VANGUARD NEWS

Jana Novotna: Former Wimbledon champion dies at age of 49

Former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna has died at the age of 49.
The Women's Tennis Association said Novotna, who had cancer, "died peacefully, surrounded by her family".
The Czech player had lost in the Wimbledon final in 1993 and 1997 before winning the Grand Slam tournament when she beat Nathalie Tauziat in 1998.
Novotna captured the hearts of fans when she burst into tears after losing to German great Steffi Graf in 1993 and was consoled by the Duchess of Kent.
- BBC NEWS

HAVE YOU VOTED FOR NIGERIAN VICTOR MOSES?

Man Utd: Zlatan Ibrahimovic & Paul Pogba in squad against Newcastle

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba will return to the Manchester United squad for Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Striker Ibrahimovic, 36, is yet to play this season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in April.

Midfielder Pogba, 24, has not played since injuring a hamstring against Basel in September.

Defender Marcos Rojo is also available and manager Jose Mourinho said "all three will be selected".

Rojo, 27, suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in the same match as Ibrahimovic - a Europa League quarter-final second-leg victory over Anderlecht.

Mourinho said it was clear there was a "Manchester United before and after" Pogba's injury.

United recorded three wins and one draw in the four league games they played before the France midfielder was forced off during the Champions League fixture at Old Trafford.

Without him they won three Champions League games and two EFL Cup ties but lost twice in seven league games - drawing one and winning the other four.

"He has qualities that influence our approach in matches," said Mourinho.

Former Sweden striker Ibrahimovic made 46 appearances and scored 28 goals for United last season.

He was released by the club in June after his season was ended prematurely by a knee injury, but re-signed on a one-year deal in August.

-----BBC NEWS

Slaven Bilic: West Ham sack manager with team in the relegation zone
Slaven Bilic has been sacked as West Ham manager with the team in the Premier League relegation zone.
Bilic's last game in charge was Saturday's 4-1 defeat by Liverpool at London Stadium.
West Ham said the club believed a change was necessary "to move forward positively and in line with their ambition".
Former Everton and Manchester United boss David Moyes has been strongly linked with succeeding Bilic.

- COURTESY BBC

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has put the Premier League club up for sale.

"Newcastle United requires a clear direction and a path to a bright and successful future," said a club statement released on Monday.
COURTESY BBC NEWS

Ahead of El Clasico

NIGERIA'S FRIENDLY WITH BURKINA FASO SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY IN LONDON HAS BEEN CALLED OFF.
ACCORDING TO THE NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION (NFF) "SEVEN PLAYERS IN THE BURKINABE CONTINGENT FAILED TO SECURE ENTRY VISAS INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM".
THE MATCH WAS SCHEDULED AS PART OF NIGERIA'S BUILD-UP FOR THE 2019 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIER AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA IN JUNE AND THE WORLD CUP QUALIFIER AGAINST CAMEROON LATER IN THE YEAR.
IN THE FIRST FRIENDLY IN LONDON, THE SUPER EAGLES PLAYED ONE ALL DRAW WITH SENEGAL ON THURSDAY NIGHT AFTER KELECHI IHEANACHO'S LATE PENALTY CANCELLED OUT MOUSSA SOW'S OPENING GOAL.

Sergio Aguero scored his fifth goal in his last three games to help Manchester City back into third place in the Premier League and keep Sunderland rooted to the bottom of the table.

The Black Cats had defended doggedly before a swift City counter attack ended with Aguero prodding in Raheem Sterling's low cross from close range.

The visitors then clicked into gear as David Silva fed the explosive Leroy Sane for the Germany winger to double their lead after the break.

Jermain Defoe did find the net in a rare Sunderland attack late on, but his header was ruled out for offside.