The organizing committee of the Akin Akinbobola Under 14 Soccer Tournament (AASTON) has said that all plans have been concluded to witness a mini-world cup closing ceremony on Friday, January 9 at the Ondo Township Stadium.
Chairman of the committee, Kayode Adeyemi dropped the hint yesterday in Ondo while addressing newsmen on the activities lined up for the final of the tournament.
He maintained that the tournament have been a huge success and it shall end beautifully on Friday.
“We have mobilized the who is who in the society, schools in the kingdom will grace the grand finale, so we are expecting a mini-world cup closing ceremony on Friday.
“The LOC has strictly selected a few secondary and primary schools to grace the occasion, but others are welcome subject to the limited resources we have. The tournament is an eye opener to greater grassroots football development in the kingdom and the state in general.
Akin Akinbobola Under 14 Soccer Tournament
“The tournament has engaged our youths for the past three weeks and we hope to bring the outstanding talents discovered during the competition together and develop so they can take up football as a career”, he said.
Adeyemi however disclosed that Sentor Ayo Akinyelure will be the father of day, Hon. Joseph Akinlaja, special guest of honour while Otunba Ade Adeniyi, Hon. Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, Mr. Siji Akindiose, Barr. Afolabi Akinsiku will all be guest.
The caretaker chairmen of Ondo West and East Local Government area of Ondo State, Biola Makinde and Wale Akinlosotu will be the chief hosts.
Sporting Hope reports that Akinsoyinu FC defeated Super Marvelous 2-0 in the s-final to book a date with Bright Future FC in the final that beat Marpec FC 5-4 on penalties after the game ended 0-0.
The loser’s final will be between Super Marvelous and Marpec FC by 12 noon.
After their splendid performances which saw them dominate most of the tournaments across the continent last year, Nigerian players will be the cynosure of all eyes as the 2015 ITF West and Central Africa Junior Championship serves off in Lome, Togo from January 9-14.
The eleven-man team, under the tutelage of Mohammed Ubale has been perfecting strategies for yet another impressive outing since the start of the week in Lagos. They are scheduled to depart for the tournament on Thursday.
2015 ITF West and Central Africa Junior Championship, Lome, Togo,
The players are Martins Abamu, Godsgift Timibra, Michael Ayoola, Oshewa Michael Mathew Abamu (all boys) while the girls players are Angel McCleod and Adetayo Adetunji, Oyinlola Quadri, Lolade Holmes, Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) President, Engr. Sani Ndanusa stated that the players were chosen based on the combination of their rankings and performance in 2014.
He disclosed that the mission of the team is to consolidate on Nigeria’s outstanding performance last year.
“We are looking forward to a great tournament in Togo and by extension the whole year ahead because we want to achieve a better result than what we had last year which no doubt ranks as one of our best in recent years. Our target is to raise the bar further by posting a far more impressive result this year,” Ndanusa declared.
Nigeria started last year by dominating the West and Central African Zonal Elimination Championship held in Abuja with 12 of its players bagging the zone’s 20 slots in the African Championship held in Nairobi, Kenya.
More eye-catching performances by Nigerian players were to follow at ITF junior tournaments in Togo and Benin where, among other of his compatriots, youngster, Joseph Imeh launched himself into prominence by winning the boy’s U-18 title in Lome and he reached the final in Cotonou a week later to move up considerably on the ITF junior rankings.
The 41-shot rally recorded by Nigeria’s Segun Toriola against Singapore’s Gao at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland has attracted the attention of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) after the rally was identified as the best in 2014 by an American-based sports media, SportsNet.
The rally, which was watched by millions of fans across the globe, has been adjudged the best sports play in 2014.
According to the Chairman, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Adham Sharara, who made this known described the rally as the top three among the 100 plays of the year listed by the sports media.
Segun Toriola
“My particular interest is to watch the Top-100 Sports Plays as shown by a network called SportsNet and I also like the top plays by ESPN. I particularly also enjoy the Top-100 “Sports Bloopers”. These are “misses”, own goals, terrible mistakes, funny incidents, etc. Of course the most amazing on SportsNet are the Top-10 plays of the year. These are really something to watch and admire the skills and abilities of top sport stars,” he said.
The erstwhile ITTF President added: “Then I watched the Top-100 plays of the year and saw some amazing plays. Some of these athletes have incredible abilities. Again, the bulk of the plays were in the traditional North-American professional sports. Some amazing “catches” in American Football, some amazing “throws” in Baseball, some amazing “dunks” in Basketball, and some incredible “stick-play” in Ice Hockey, and some fantastic scoring in Soccer.”
Continuing he said: “Lo and behold, to my amazement, for play number 3, I mean in the top 3 of all 100 plays of the year, was a long rally in table tennis. I was stunned. Table tennis made it to the top 3? I could not believe my eyes. It was truly an amazing rally between Segun Toriola of Nigeria and Gao Ning of Singapore in a semi-final team match at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. It was what seemed like an endless rally. To the experts in our sport this may not be the best table tennis point of the year, but to the TV producers, and I suppose based on what they saw, this was the best rally in table tennis for 2014, and one of the top 3 best sports play of the year.”
Almaty and Beijing submit Candidature Files for 2022 Olympic Winter Games – both cities adapt their bids to reflect Olympic Agenda 2020 “reforms”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today welcomed the Candidature Files of Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Beijing (China)*, the two cities bidding to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
Both cities are being encouraged to reflect the spirit of Olympic Agenda 2020 following the unanimous approval of the 40 recommendations at the 127th IOC Session in Monaco on 8 December. Olympic Agenda 2020, a strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, allows for more flexibility in the bid process, a stronger emphasis on legacy, lower costs and improved sustainability.
“This is an important day for the Central Asian region’s winter sports enthusiasts and athletes,” said Mrs Zauresh Amanzholova, Vice Mayor of Almaty City. “Almaty 2022 can be a catalyst for social, economic and sports growth in the region where winter sports facilities are badly needed,” she explained. “Many recommendations of Agenda 2020 were taken into consideration while developing the concept of the 2022 Winter Games. We believe our bid is a perfect fit with this new philosophy and brings essential benefits to the Almaty and Kazakhstani people,” Mrs Amanzholova concluded.
“Today is an important moment for us and a key milestone in the bidding process as we presented our Candidature File to the IOC,” said Mr Wang Anshun, President of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Bid Committee and Mayor of Beijing. “Our Candidature File embodies the requirements of the IOC and the philosophy of Olympic Agenda 2020. The important concept of running athlete-centred, economical and sustainable Games will be represented well in our bid and actual organisation of the Games in 2022,” he added.
Thomas Bach
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Today is an important day for the Olympic Winter Games in 2022 because we will now have the opportunity to see the vision of the two Candidate Cities. For the Candidate Cities, it is a unique opportunity to present their ideas about the organisation of the Olympic Winter Games, and for us a moment that we have been looking forward to for some time.”
“Working with the two Candidate Cities, we will apply the first reforms which have been approved by the IOC members very recently in Monaco as part of our Olympic Agenda 2020 roadmap. This will be done through ongoing consultation with the Candidate Cities,” he added.
The IOC has informed the Candidate Cities that the 2022 host city can anticipate a contribution from the IOC to the success of the Games of an overall estimated value of USD 880 million. This contribution consists of a share of the revenues from marketing programmes run by the IOC; a contribution related to broadcast revenues; services provided by Olympic Broadcasting Services as the host broadcaster of the Games; and assistance provided to the Organising Committee by the IOC and related entities. In addition, the IOC will also grant other rights and benefits and provide other forms of assistance to the Organising Committee for the success of the Games which are described in the Host City Contract, and this will be made public.
Changes that already apply to the 2022 bidding process include the IOC’s obligation to determine and communicate to the city at the time of its election the full composition of the Olympic programme, and new wording on non-discrimination relating to the Olympic Games and its participants – based on Fundamental Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter.
The IOC Evaluation Commission for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, chaired by IOC Member in Russia Alexander Zhukov, will analyse the Candidature Files and make on-site inspections of the two cities from 14 to 18 February (Almaty) and 24 to 28 March (Beijing). Joining the Commission will be IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi and IOC Head of Olympic Bid City Coordination Jacqueline Barrett.
Together with each bid team, the Evaluation Commission will examine the 14 themes of the IOC’s candidature questionnaire, which includes topics such as vision, legacy and engagement, transport, accommodation, finance and sustainability. The Commission will also visit the competition and non-competition venues proposed in the bid.
The Commission’s report, highlighting the risks and opportunities of the Candidate Cities’ projects and the athletes’ experience, will be published prior to the IOC 2022 Briefing for IOC Members, which will take place from 9 to 10 June 2015, and will be made available on http://www.olympic.org.
The host city for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games will be elected at the 128th IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur following a final presentation by the cities to the full IOC membership on 31 July.
Please note that the IOC will not release the Candidature Files, but has informed the Candidate Cities that they can make their files public and post them on their websites if they so wish as of 7 January (the official deadline for submitting the files was 7 January midnight CET).
Australia finishes second, followed by England and Pakistan
ICC Test Championship mace credit pakpassion.net
South Africa has retained the iconic Reliance ICC Test Championship mace and with it has won a cash award of USD$500,000 following its 2-0 series win over the West Indies in Cape Town on Tuesday.
The series win means irrespective of how both the fourth Test between Australia and India, and the second Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, pan out, South Africa cannot be removed from the top Test pedestal at the 1 April annual cut-off date.
South Africa now has 124 ratings points, and, even if Australia wins the Sydney Test, it will finish on 119 ratings points, which will earn it second position and an award of USD$390,000. A defeat in the Sydney Test will result in Australia losing points but still remaining a place ahead of third-ranked England and fourth-ranked Pakistan, who will collect USD$280,000 and USD$170,000, respectively.
The annual cut-off date for the Reliance ICC Test Championship is 1 April but because the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be played between 14 February and 29 March, these three are the last Test series of the season, thus bringing forward the annual cut-off date.
South Africa first surged to the top of the Test table in November 2009 and has held the number-one position since August 2012, following its 2-0 victory in England. This completes a hat-trick of winning the mace at the annual cut-off dates.
South Africa captain Hashim Amla collected the mace and a cheque of USD$500,000 on behalf of his side from ICC Chief Executive David Richardson in a presentation ceremony that took place after the conclusion of the Cape Town Test.
Amla, upon receiving the prestigious mace, said: “The 2014/15 Test season was a great advert for the longer format of the game. We saw enthralling battles between the Test-playing nations, which only highlighted and gave greater significance to Test cricket’s place amongst the three formats. From Bridgetown, Bulawayo, Dhaka, Galle, Lords, Sharjah and Melbourne to name a few; Test cricket has been alive across the world.
“We had a sparse Test schedule this season due to the focus on 50-over cricket, however, I am pleased by the progress our team has made with away wins in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe and a series win at home to the West Indies.
“The squad has gone through a transition period after the retirements of our legends Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith. Thankfully, we have managed to make an almost seamless transition, which is a testament to the team environment and culture.
“Our focus at the start of the season was to win games for South Africa; to work on finding winning combinations and personally, to find my feet as a new captain, so to finish on top of the Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings is almost the cherry on top. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is the obvious challenge for the first few months this year, but we have away tours to Bangladesh and India, then England at home, so I’m looking forward to an exciting year for our Test team.”
Cricket South Africa President and ICC Director Mr Chris Nenzani said: “This is a proud moment, not just for the Cricket South Africa family, but for our entire nation to congratulate the Proteas on finishing the 2014/15 season as the ICC’s number-one ranked Test team.
“Coach Russell Domingo, captain Hashim Amla, vice-captain AB de Villiers and the rest of the senior management have done a wonderful job in ensuring a smooth transition from the Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis era into a bright and promising future.
“We have been blessed with some phenomenal individual talents but to me the hallmark of the Proteas has been their team culture. They are truly a team in the broadest sense of the word and their successes are richly deserved.”
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson congratulated South Africa, saying: “The Reliance ICC Test Championship mace is a recognition of excellence and I would like to congratulate South Africa on retaining it for the third successive year by finishing the season at the top of the table.
“It has been an exciting 12 months for Test cricket. We have witnessed hard-fought matches, exceptional batting performances and the resurgence of genuine fast bowling. A combination of competitive wickets, attacking play, proactive captaincy and pragmatic officiating has provided supporters with compelling matches and series around the world. I would like to thank all the players, match officials, administrators and curators for their contributions that help ensure Test cricket continues to thrive and remains the number-one format of the game.”
Reliance ICC Test Championship table (as on 6 January 2015, after the conclusion of SA-WI Test series)
1- South Africa 124
2- Australia 117
3- England 104
4- Pakistan 103
5- Sri Lanka 101
6- India 96
7- New Zealand 94
8- West Indies 76
9- Bangladesh 32
10- Zimbabwe 18
The Reliance ICC Test Championship mace is presented to the team that tops the Reliance ICC Test Championship on the 1 April cut-off date.
The mace was in Australia’s hands for all but three months (August-November 2009) since it was inaugurated in May 2003 before India claimed it after finishing on top of the table on the 1 April 2010 cut-off date. England laid its hands on the mace when it beat India at home in August 2011. It then held on to it to receive the mace and cheque on the cut-off date in 2012.
In August 2012, England ceded the top position to South Africa in a 0-2 reversal at home an retained it for the first time at the 1 April 2013 cut-off date. After retaining the mace last at the 2014 annual cut-off date, South Africa has beaten Sri Lanka (1-0), Zimbabwe (1-0) and West Indies (2-0).
Its dominant performance in 2013 and 2014 has meant that South Africa has sealed its position as the number-one ranked Test side (on the 1 April cut-off date) to retain not only the Test mace, but also earn itself an enhanced reward of USD$500,000.
Previously, the top team on the Reliance ICC Test Championship Table received a cheque for USD$175,000, which was increased in 2014 to USD$450,000. From 2016, there will be further increases in Test prize money.
The increased incentive in the form of prize money was approved by the ICC Board in 2012 and was aimed to promote Test cricket.
A further USD$840,000 will be distributed amongst second-ranked Australia (USD$390,000), third-ranked England (USD$280,000) and fourth-placed Pakistan (USD$170,000).
About the mace
The mace was produced by the then British Crown Jeweller, Asprey & Garrard, in 2001, which was commissioned to make a distinctive prize designed to stand out from other cricket trophies.
The designers produced a 90cm silver and gold-plated trophy based on a cricket stump as its shank, topped by an orb that represents the cricket world – both geographically and through the inclusion of the emblems of all 10 ICC Members that have played Test cricket.
The stump and the orb combine to portray the mace, regarded as a symbol of authority and prestige. This is regarded as an appropriate combination given the rich history of Test cricket and its image as the most traditional and purest form of the game.
The mace sits on a wooden base with a silver-plated plaque in front with room for engravings of the sides to hold it.
The mace was valued at GBP£30,000 in 2001 and automatically passes from one team to another as results confirm a change of leadership in the Reliance ICC Test Championship table.
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has ordered Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt star Emem Eduok out of the camp of Super Eagles’ B, preparing for two international friendly matches in the United Arab Emirates.
“We are not happy with the cloud of controversy over his transfer issue and it is a terrible distraction to the team and Nigeria football generally.
Emem Eduok, Dolphins
“Telling him to leave the camp does not mean we are indicting him. We will carry out an investigation and whoever is found guilty, be he/she an agent or player manager or an official of his club, will be duly sanctioned,” Pinnick said at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja.
The NFF President has mandated the Chairman of Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu to conduct an investigation into the matter and report back to the Executive Committee at its meeting in Lagos on Thursday.
“We have to do this (send the boy out of camp) to serve as a deterrent to others. We are not blaming the player for anything yet; investigation will unravel who is guilty. But the distraction and controversy the matter has generated is not good for the camp.”
The Super Eagles B are preparing to face 2015 Africa Cup of Nations–bound Cote d’Ivoire in a friendly in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and will then play Sudan in Dubai on January 17.
Knowing a range of knots is a good way to untangle yourself from tricky situations in the great outdoors. A good repertoire of knots is also every sailor or angler’s way of proving they are worth their salt.
Most of the time, however, you’re only going to need to know a couple of knots really well, and be able to tie them every time without slipping up. The infographic below will give you a list of must-have knots for various situations, and best practices for tying them perfectly every time.
You may need to tie a rope to a tree, you may need to lash something up, or bind two ropes together. Knots serve different purposes and excel in different situations for various reasons. From sailing to mountain climbing, your backyard or the backwoods, knowing three or four knots that do different tasks well is always for the best.
If you’re into camping and want to know the best way to hang your food out of reach of bears, we’ve got the answer! Instead of randomly half-hitching your way through the task, try a clove-hitch, and ensure your food won’t slide around the branch when the wind blows your incorrect bowline attempt towards the tree trunk, within reach of woodland beasts.
Many knots go way beyond their original intended designs, and can be used in so many situations. A sheet bend is a climbing knot that can be incredibly useful at home. The knot is designed to tie two ropes of different thickness together. Many knots would slip up here, but the sheet bend uses each rope’s strength to hold itself, rather than friction from the intricate design of the two ropes, as seen in most knots. Learn how to become a knot master with the key to tying this knot and many others!
The Algerian Volleyball National team’s setter Fatima Oukazi was elected as the best athlete in her country in 2014 in the annual voting done by l’agence Algérie Presse Service (APS).
The veteran setter who played more than 200 international matches represented Algerian Volleyball in the 2014 during the FIVB Club World Championship in Switzerland with her team, the African Champions GS Petroliers. She also led her National team in the 2014 World Championship qualifiers where they missed the qualification ticket against Cameroon.
Oukazi represented her country in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games beside playing in the 2011 World Cup. She led her team to win the gold medal of All Africa Games twice in 2007 and 2011 as well as the Women’s African Nations Championship in 2009.
The voting started in 1977 and Okazi becomes the first volleyball player to win the trophy.
Fatma Okazi, GSP’s setter in the Women’s club World Championship
Previous winners
1977: Sakina Boutamine (Athlétisme) et Abderrahmane Morceli (Athlétisme)
1978: Affane Zaza (Natation) et Amar Brahmia (Athlétisme)
1979: Rachid Habchaoui (Athlétisme)
1980: Hachemi Abdenouz (Athlétisme)
1981: Lakhdar Belloumi (Football)
1982: Rabah Madjer (Football)
1983: Othmane Belfaa (Athlétisme)
1984: Mustapha Moussa (Boxe)
1985: Djamel Menad (Football)
1986: Abdelkrim Harkat (Judo)
1987: Nacera Zaaboub (Athlétisme)
1988: Azzedine Brahmi (Athlétisme)
1989: Omar Azeb (Handball)
1990: Noureddine Morceli (Athlétisme)
1991: Hassiba Boulmerka (Athlétisme) et Noureddine Morceli (Athlétisme)
1992: Hassiba Boulmerka (Athlétisme) et Noureddine Morceli (Athlétisme)
1993: Hassiba Boulmerka (Athlétisme) et Noureddine Morceli (Athlétisme)
1994: Salima Souakri (Judo) et Abdelmounaim Yahyaoui (Haltérophilie)
1995: Hassiba Boulmerka (Athlétisme) et Noureddine Morceli (Athlétisme)
1996: Salima Souakri (Judo) et Hocine Soltani (Boxe)
1997: Nouria Benida Merah (Athlétisme) et Salim Iles (Natation)
1998: Baya Rahouli (Athlétisme) et Mohamed Bahari (Boxe)
1999: Salima Souakri (Judo) et Aissa Djabir Said-Guerni (Athlétisme)
2000: Ali Saidi-Sief (Athlétisme) et Nouria Benida Merah (Athlétisme)
2001: Salima Souakri (Judo) et Salim Iles (Natation)
2002: Salima Souakri (Judo) et Aissa Djabir Said-Guerni (Athlétisme)
2003: Lamia Louali (Karaté-Koshiki) et Aissa Djabir Said-Guerni (Athlétisme)
2004: Lamia Louali (Karaté-Koshiki) et Salim Ilès (Natation)
2005: Soraya Haddad (Judo) et Abderahmane Benamadi (Judo)
2006: Leila Lassouani (Haltérophilie) et Salim Ilès (Natation)
2007: Souad Ait Salem (Athlétisme) et Lamine Ouahab (Tennis)
2008: Soraya Haddad (Judo) et Amar Benyekhlef (Judo)
2009: sondage non organisé
2010: Sonia Aslah (Judo) et Madjid Bougherra (Football)
2011: sondage non organisé
2012 : Soraya Haddad (Judo) et Taoufik Makhloufi (Athlétisme)
2013 : Amina Bettiche (Athlétisme) et Mohamed Flissi (Boxe)
2014 : Fatima Zahra Oukazi (Volley-ball) et Abdelmalek Slahdji (Handball).
Here are the top transfer rumours making the rounds as compiled by our man Paul Ayorinde.
you can follow Paul on twitter: @El_Pauleta on twitter and also follow @NewFanzone and we will follow you right back, lets keep the discussion going.
Done Deals:
– Napoli have confirmed the signings of Ivan Strinic and Manolo Gabbiadini, after the players passed medicals. Napoli completed the signing of Gabbiadini from Sampdoria for a fee of €13million while Strinic joins from Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on a free transfer.
– Genoa have confirmed that they have signed Tino Costa from Spartak Moscow on an initial loan deal.
– AC Milan have confimed the 18-month loan signing of Alessio Cerci from Atletico Madrid
– Inter Milan have completed the loan signing of Lucas Poldoski from Arsenal.
– Chelsea Ladies FC have announced the signing of Sweden’s Marija Banušić.
Wesley Sneijder, photo credit uefa.com
Today’s football reports and transfer rumours:
– Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri admits the Old Lady are looking at Wesley Sneijder, and believes the Dutchman would improve his side. “About [Wesley] Sneijder, let’s see if he comes before speculating on where he’ll play. For the moment he’s still a player with Galatasaray. The objective for Juventus has to be that of improving the team. And to improve on the technical level we must get players who are, qualitatively speaking, at the same level as those we already have, or even better. I think this team has the possibility of improving, regardless of the characteristics of the players. Sneijder of course has some great technical qualities and he’s proven that over his career. He’d be completing a strong midfield, which would also create competition in that department, and that’s important.” Allegri said
– According to reports, Tottenham will consider bids in excess of £25million for their goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
– According to reports, Manchester United and Chelsea have been told by Real Madrid that centre-back Raphael Varane will be available for a fee around £20million.
– Sampdoria are in talks over Luis Muriel and have raised their offer to €10million but Udinese are demanding for €15million.
– Southampton are reportedly keen on signing FC Porto defender Bruno Martins Indi.
– PSG manager Laurent Blanc has said he wants to keep midfielder Adrien Rabiot at the club.
– Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling is rumoured to be on the verge of a massive £25m contract with his Liverpool team.
– Everton manager Roberto Martinez has stressed that his midfielder Ross Barkley, will not be going anywhere during the January transfer window despite speculation linking him with a 45 million-pound move to Manchester City.
– Fiorentina Coach Vincenzo Montella admits to some ‘bitterness’ as goalkeeper Norberto Neto confirms he will leave the club.
– According to reports,Chelsea are in pole position to sign St Étienne wonder-kid Rayan Souici after offering him a 5-year contract.
– Olympiakos have entered into talks with OGC Nice over the possible transfer of central midfielder Didier Digard.
– Celtic are close to signing Manchester City striker John Guidetti on a permanent basis
– Derby have agreed a deal to sign Isak Ssewankambo from Dutch club NAC Breda on a free transfer.
A large number of fans turned up at the Vicente Calderon to welcome Atletico Madrid’s new signing Fernando Torres
– Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini is keen on signing Xherdan Shaqiri. “Shaqiri is another option for us, but we don’t know what will happen in the next month. We’re looking for a player who can play both as a striker and winger, and Shaqiri plays both roles.” Mancini said
– According to sources, Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric is close to joining Leicester City
– Saint-Etienne defender Loic Perrin have revealed that Arsenal “personally” contacted him to confirm their interest in him ahead of a january move
– According to reports in France, Aston Villa are interested in signing Bafetimbi Gomis from Swansea City.
– Sam Allardyce has confirmed Winston Reid is likely to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season
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