It was an interesting 2015 in the world of football and for us at the Newfanzone we’ve come up with a review of some of the events that shaped our year, You can also send in your reviews, comments and sports stories to fanzone.fans@gmail.com or tweet at us @newfanzone or @El_pauleta on twitter.
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Nigeria:
The year 2015 was bitter sweet for Nigerian football. Here are the major high and low points in the Nigerian football scene in 2015;
* In January 2015, Super Falcons and Liverpool striker Asisat Oshoala won the Women’s player of the year and Youth player of the year award at the GLO CAF Awards hosted in Lagos. The Super Falcons of Nigeria were named the Women’s National team of the year at the award.
* In May 2015, Super Falcons of Nigeria striker Asisat Oshoala won the inaugural BBC Women’s footballer of the year award.
* In June 2015, The Flying Eagles of Nigeria where knocked out of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand losing 1-0 to Germany in the round of 16. While the Super Falcons crashed out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada in the group stage.
* In July 2015, Stephen Keshi was sacked, spending less than 3 months in his return as the head coach of the Super Eagles.
* The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) unveiled Sunday Oliseh as the new coach of the Super Eagles in Abuja.
*In August 2015, The Super Falcons of Nigeria crashed out of the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifiers after suffering a 3-2 aggregate loss against Equatorial Guinea
* Kano Pillars suffered their first home defeat in 12 years when they lost 2-1 to Nasarawa United at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
* In September 2015, The Nigerian U-23 team won bronze at the football event of the All African Games while the Super Falcons lost to Cote d’Ivoire in the bronze medal match.
* In November 2015, The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile for a record fifth time. They join Brazil as the second team to win the competition back to back.
* Enyimba of Aba made history winning the GLO Premier League a record seventh time.
* Akwa United defeated Lobi Stars 2-1 to win this year’s Federation Cup at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
*In December 2015, The Nigeria U-23 team defeated Algeria 2-1 to win the CAF U-23 Championship in Senegal. The Samson Siasia lead side qualified for the football event of the Rio 2016 Olympics.
* In what summarizes the Super Eagles performance in the FIFA Ranking, Sunday Oliseh’s team ends 2015 as 66th in the world and 12th in Africa.
World Football Scene:
* In January 2015, Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the third time.
*In February 2015, The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire were crowned 2015 Africa Cup of Nations champions after defeating Ghana 9-8 0n penalties in Equatorial Guinea.
photo credit: Caricato da Dudek1337
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* In May 2015, Jose Mourinho led Chelsea to their fifth English League title.
* Barcelona won the Spanish La Liga title for the 23rd time.
* Sevilla made European football history by becoming the first club to win the UEFA Europa League four times.
*Arsenal won the FA Cup for a record 12th time after defeating Aston Villa 4-0 at Wembley.
* Carlo Ancelotti was sacked as Real Madrid manager.
*In June 2015, Barcelona completes a historic second treble by winning the UEFA Champions League against Juventus in Berlin. It was Barcelona fourth Champions League title in the last ten years and their fifth in team history.
* Real Madrid appointed former Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez as manager on a three-year contract.
* Serbia was crowned FIFA U-20 World Cup champions after beating Brazil in final.
* Arsenal announced the signing of Petr Cech from Chelsea on a long-term contract.
* In July 2015, The United States won their third FIFA Women’s World Cup defeating Japan 5-2 in Canada.
* Chile won the Copa America for the first time in its history after a dramatic penalty shootout against Argentina in the final in Santiago.
* Fiji broke the record for the biggest win in international football with a 38-0 victory over the Federated States of Micronesia.
* Bayern Munich completed the signing of Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk on a five-year contract for €30 million.
* Chelsea announced the signing of Radamel Falcao from Monaco on a season-long loan deal.
* Manchester United completed the signing of Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich.
* Mexico won the CONCACAF Gold Cup for a record seventh time after defeating Jamaica 3-1 in Philadelphia.
* In August 2015, after a season at Manchester United, Angel Di Maria completed his move to Paris Saint-Germain on a four-year contract.
* Arsenal defeated Chelsea 1-0 to lift the Community Shield at Wembley.
* Barcelona won the UEFA Super Cup by defeating Europa League Champions Sevilla 5-4 in extra time in Tbilisi,Georgia.
* In September 2015, Manchester United completed the signing of French forward Anthony Martial from AS Monaco on a four-year contract with the option of another year.
* Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney became England’s all-time goal scorer.
* In October 2015, Wales qualified for their first major tournament since 1958.
photo credit: Nazionale Calcio
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* Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 109th and 110th goal for PSG against Marseille to become Paris Saint-Germain all-time goal scorer.
* Brendan Rogders was sacked as Liverpool manager
photo credit: Asia Joanna
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* Liverpool appointed former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp as new manager.
* Cristiano Ronaldo became Real Madrid’s all-time goal scorer.
* In November 2015, Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema was charged with conspiracy to blackmail in Mathieu Valbuena sex-tape case.
* Claude Le Roy resigned as the head coach of Republic of Congo
* In December 2015, Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville was appointed as head coach of Valencia until the end of the season
photo credit: Erik Drost
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* A first place finish on the last FIFA ranking of the year saw Belgium claim the Team of the year award for 2015.
* France Football Federation suspended Karim Benzema from international duty amid ongoing Blackmail case.
* Chelsea terminated the contract of the “Special one” Jose Mourinho seven months after winning them the Premier League title.
* Manchester United forward Anthony Martial won the Golden Boy award.
photo credit: Antoon Kuper
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* FIFA ethics committee bans Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini for 8 years.
* Barcelona won their fifth trophy of 2015 by winning the FIFA Club World Cup for the third time with a victory over South American champions River Plate in Japan.
photo credit: Thomas Rodenbücher
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* Pep Guardiola announced he will be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season and he will be replaced by Carlo Ancelotti.
Paul Ayorinde
newfanzone 