Author: Brila

WTA Chief Steve Simon has defended the right of the tournament organisers to issue wildcard entries to the returning Maria Sharapova. The Russian superstar returns to tennis after serving a 15-month doping ban at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart on Wednesday. However, the German tournament is not the only event where organisers have extended their hand to Sharapova, as Madrid and Rome have also granted her a wildcard entry. This, combined with Stuttgart tailoring the event to suit her timely return (her ban ended on Tuesday) and her role as a Porsche ambassador has sparked a backlash from…

Burnley midfielder Joey Barton said he had effectively been forced into “early retirement” after being banned for 18 months over betting offences by England’s Football Association on Wednesday. Barton, 34, was banned from “all football activity” after admitting a charge relating to 1260 bets he placed on football matches between 2006 and 2016. But he blamed his addiction to gambling and said he would appeal against the length of the ban. “I am very disappointed at the harshness of the sanction,” Barton said in a lengthy 1500-word statement on his personal website. “The decision effectively forces me into an early…

The 56-year-old is expected to sign a two-year deal with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), an appointment which has the blessing of President Akufo-Addo. The meeting which was held on Tuesday at the Flagstaff House precedes Appiah’s official announcement as coach of the senior national team. Appiah’s visit to the seat of government precedes a similar trip to the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Monday where he interacted with the Sports Minister Isaac Asiamah and other officials of the ministry. The former Kumasi Asante Kotoko defender will also be in charge of the local Black Stars and will begin his…

Group A: ESS, Hilal, Merrikh, Ferroviario B Group B: Zamalek, USM Alger, Ahli Tripoli, Caps United Group C: Sundowns, EST, AS Vita, Saint George Group D: Ahly, WAK, Coton Sport, Zanaco

It has emerged Nigeria was first contacted by FIBA Africa to replace Congo as host of the 2017 Afrobasket Championship after the Central African country opted out last Month.

The CAF confederation Cup group stage draws took place just minutes ago at the CAF headquaters in Cairo, Egypt. And Nigeria’s only representative are in Group A. Here is the full list of the official draw. Group A: FUS, Club Africain, Rivers United, Kampala CAA Group B: C.S.S, Platinum stars, MC Algers, Mbabane Swallows Group C: Zesco United, Clube R.D Do Libolo, Al Hilal Elobeid, Smouha Group D: TP Mazembe, Super Sport United, Horoya AC, CF Mounana

Former Algeria coach Milovan Rajevac has been handed the job as Thailand’s national team job. The Serbian is returning to the limelight after he was sacked by Algeria in October last year. The 63-year-old, who took Ghana to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, was interviewed for the job on last Tuesday. Thailand federation technical director Witthaya Laohakul had earlier on revealed Milovan could be appointed by the end of the week.

Africa football legend Kalusha Bwalya is the latest man to urge Ghanaians to believe and support Kwesi Appiah as he takes up his new job as coach of the Black Stars. Appiah, has arrived in Accra and will officially start work on the 1st of May in what will be his second term with the Black Stars. There are games against Ethiopia, Mexico and the United States in the pipeline this June-July to welcome him and test his readiness for the job. Regardless, Kalusha is of the view that with the right support Kwesi Appiah will be a success story.

Amsterdam Arena is to be renamed after late Dutch great Johan Cruyff, according to a statement on the stadium’s official website. Cruyff would have been 70 yesterday. Known for his ‘total football’ philosophy as a coach.   His son Jordi said the family were thrilled by the recognition, which will be ratified in the next six months. The city has also agreed to name a street, square or bridge after him in the coming months. “By naming the stadium after him we believe we have made a worthy tribute,” said the statement. “He was an Amsterdamer who was known all…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have announced a five-year Sponsorship agreement with indigenous Petroleum company, Aiteo Group, worth about ₦3 Billion.