NBA's Players of the Decade

The National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball is one of the most followed sports  all over the world.

The NBA has evolved perhaps more than any other major sports league in terms of its revenues.

In the 2010s, some players performance in the NBA championship for their respectively clubs can not be overlooked.

Here is a shortlist of the players and their records in no particular order.

Stephen Curry 

The 31-year old American made his NBA debut in 2009, and currently plays for the Golden State Warriors.

He was the NBA's most elite 3-point shooter in this past decade.

A six times NBA All-star.

He was named the NBA most valuable player twice, and won three NBA championships with the warriors. 

 

Other honours

3-times All NBA first team (2015, 2016 and 2019)

NBA Sportsmanship Award (2011)

NBA All Rookie first team (2010)

AP Athlete of the year (2015)

He has won 2 FIBA World Cup with the USA basketball team in 2010 and 2014.

LeBron James 

The 35-year old USA superstar, ply his basketball trade for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.

He has been regarded as one of the greatest basketball player of all time, leading to comparisons to Michael Jordan. 

Honours 

3 - NBA championships titles

4 - NBA MVP awards

3 - NBA finals MVP awards

2 - Olympic gold medals 

LeBron's team appeared in 8 consecutive NBA finals (2011 - 2018 season).

He leads the record for all time NBA play offs points scored.

He is third in all-time NBA points scored, and 8 in all-time NBA assists.

He was selected to the All NBA first team for a record twelve times, All defensive first team five times, played in sixteen NBA all star games and All-star MVP three times.

USA - Basketball male Athlete of the year (2012) and sports illustrated sportsperson of the year.

Teams he played for in the NBA

Cleveland cavaliers twice (2003 to 2010 and 2014 - 2018)

Miami Heat (2010- 2014)

Los Angeles Lakers (2018 till date).

James Harden 

The 30-year old shooting guard made his NBA debut for Oklahoma city thunder in 2009, but he plays for Houston Rockets presently.

He won Olympic gold medal and FIBA World Cup with USA in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

Honours 

2-times NBA scoring champion (2018 and 2019)

5 times: All NBA first team (2014, 2015 and 2017 - 2019).

8-times NBA All-star (2013 - 2020)

NBA Assists leader (2017)

NBA sixth man of the year KIA MVP (2012)

 

He recorded the most 50 points games this decade 18 in the process.

Kevin Durant 

The 31-year old American professional Basketball player currently plays for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA.

He played for nine seasons with Oklahoma city Thunder before joining the Golden State Warriors in 2016, and later left in 2019.

Honours

He won 2 NBA championship titles (2017 and 2018)

2 NBA finals MVP (2017 and 2018)

NBA Most Valuable Player (2014)

10-times NBA All star (2010 - 2019)

2-times NBA All-star game MVP (2012 and 2019)

6-times All NBA first team (2010--2014,& 2018)

2-times: USA Basketball Male Athlete of the year (2010 and 2016)

2 Olympics gold medals (2012 and 2016)

He also won the 2010 FIBA World Cup with USA.

4 times NBA scoring champion (2010 - 2012 2014), and other honours.

Kobe Bryant

The Basketball icon in the NBA died in an helicopter crash at the age of 41 years.

His father Jelly Bean Bryant played 8 seasons in the NBA.

Kobe played for 20 seasons in the NBA with Los Angeles Lakers (1996 - 2016)

Honours 

He won 5 NBA championship titles (2000 - 2002, 2009 and 2010).

NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (2009 and 2010)

He won Olympic Gold medals with USA in 2008 and 2010 - Beijing and London Olympics respectively.

NBA regular season MVP in 2007 - 08 season and a record-tying four times NBA All-star game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009 and 2011).

NBA All star 18 times (1998 and 2000 - 2016)

Two-times NBA scoring champion (2006 and 2007)

On January 22 2006, he scored a career high 81 pionts in LA Lakers 122 - 104 victory over the Toronto Raptors, second most points in a game in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain 100points

He scored 33,643 points, grabbed 7,047 rebounds and passed off 6,303 assists in over 1,346 career NBA games.

In 2016, he became the oldest player in NBA history to scored 60 points at 37 years and 234 days n Lakers 101 - 96 victory over the Utah jazz.

In 2018, his movie titled "Dear Basketball" won the Academy Award for best Animated short films.

Kawhi Leonard 

He is an American professional basketball player  who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference of the NBA.

The small forward played for San Antonio Spurs (2011 - 2018), Toronto Raptors (2018 - 2019) with which he won the NBA title before moving to Los Angeles Clippers.

Honours

2-times NBA Champion (2014 and 2019)

2-times NBA finals MVP (2014 and 2019)

4-times NBA All-star (2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020)

2-times All NBA first team (2016 and 2017).

Chris Paul

He currently plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA, the point guard basketball player played for New Orleans Hornets from 2005 to 2011, Los Angeles Clippers (2011 - 2017), Houston Rockets (2017 - 2019) before joining Oklahoma City Thunder

Honours

10--times NBA All-star (2008 - 2016 and 2020)

NBA All-star game MVP (2013)

4-times All NBA first team (2008, 2012 to 2014).

4-times NBA assists leader (2008,2009,2014 & 2015).

He won Olympics gold with USA in 2008 and 2012 respectively, and FIBA World Cup bronze in 2006.

Carmelo Anthony

The 36-year old American basketballer plays for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA presently. 

The power forward has represented 5 different clubs - Denver Nuggets (2003 - 2011), New York Knicks (2011 - 2017), Oklahoma City Thunder (2017 - 2018), Houston Rockets (2018 - 2019) and Portland Trail Blazers (2019 till date) all in the NBA.

Honours

10-times NBA All-star (2007, 2008, 2010 - 2017)

2-times All NBA second team (2010 and 2013)

2-times USA Basketball Male Athlete of the year (2006 & 2016)

3-times Olympic Games gold medals winner (2008, 2012 and 2016)

He also won Olympic Games bronze medal (Athens 2004), World Championship bronze (Japan 2006), and Americas Championship gold in Las Vegas (2007).

Will the next gen do better in the NBA in this decade?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

The Modern day NPFL

The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) of 2019/20 season keeps springing 

surprises to the amazement of football lovers across the country.

Presently, after 19 rounds of the matches Lobi Stars of Makurdi are leading the NPFL table with 35 points, while Plateau United follows with 33 points in second position.

NPFL Stats 

Matches played so far - 181

Matches remaining- 199

Home team wins - 108 games

Away team wins   -  23 games

Draws            -  50 games

Goals scored - 357 goals

Home goals -  247

Away goals - 110

Goalless Draws - 23 games

Topscorers 

Tasiu Lawal (Katsina United) - 8 goals

Ibrahim Mustapha (Plateau United) - 8 goals

Teams Statistics

Plateau United have scored the most number of goals so far this season - 27 goals, with  +15 goal difference.

Plateau United usually scored a goal every 63 minutes ratio, and concedes at the ratio of every 143 minutes

Adamawa United have conceded the most goals so far - 34 goals, with 20goals deficits.

Enugu Rangers and Heartland of Owerri have scored the least goals so far - 13 goals apiece.

Lobi Stars have the most clean sheets so far - 11 clean sheets, while

Plateau United have 10 clean sheets in 19 games apiece.

The second-half of the season begin this weekend.

Do you think Lobi stars can emerge champion in the NPFL this season??

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

Nigerian Super Eagles Team of the Decade (2010 - 2019 )

In this decade, the Super Eagles missed out of 2 editions of the Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) in 2015 and 2017 respectively.

In 2013, the late Stephen Keshi led Nigeria to win the AFCON title in South Africa against all hurdles.

And recently in Egypt 2019 AFCON tournament, the Super Eagles marked their return to the biennial tournament with a third place finish ( bronze medal).

Here is the shortlist of Super Eagles players according to their contribution in the 2010s.

Vincent Enyeama 

He was part of the national team from 2002 to October 2015, serving as captain from 2013 until his retirement.

He had 101 caps, 3 FIFA World Cup appearances, and 1 AFCON title.

William Troost Ekong

He made his debut in 2015 (AFCON qualifier vs Chad). He formed a brilliant defensive partnership with Leon Balogun at some point for the Super Eagles.

He won bronze at Afcon 2019 in Egypt, and he also participated at the 2018 FIFA world cup in Russia.

Kenneth Omeruo 

On 9th of January 2013 at the age of 19, he made his Super Eagles debut in a goalless draw vs Cape Verde.

He played in 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups in Brazil and Russia respectively.

He won AFCON 2013 title and AFCON 2019 bronze medal.

He also played in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Efe Ambrose

He was formerly a central defender, he played a key role when Nigeria won the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

He was also involved in 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Elderson Echiejile

He won AFCON title in 2013, and featured in 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

He was never on the losing side in 18 world cup qualifiers  matches with the Super Eagles with a record 13 wins and 5 draws.

John Obi Mikel

In his 14 years of international career which began in 2005 after starring at the U-20 World Cup in that same year, and was brought to a glittering end in 2019, he played 88 times and scored 6 goals only.

The Ex-Super Eagles captain won the AFCON title in 2013 and a bronze medal in AFCON 2019. He also played in two different editions of the FIFA World Cup (2014 and 2018).

Ogenyi Onazi

He made his debut for the national team in 2012 having represented the nation at U-17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria in 2009.

Injuries and inconsistency shortlive his time with the Super Eagles.

Whenever he is fit, he was a regular starter for the Super Eagles until 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he was an unused substitute.

Victor Moses 

He was one of  the super Eagles best players in 2013 Afcon winning Squad and he was named in  Caf's Best X1 of the tournament.

He played in 2014 and 2018 FIFA world cups .

He had 38 appearances for the National team and he scored just 12 goals.

Ahmed Musa

Our current captain is a veteran of two world cups and two AFCON editions respectively.

He has scored 4 world cup goals, 1 AFCON title and 1 bronze title. He is the super Eagles unofficial go-to-guy at FIFA world cups in this decade.

Emmanuel Emenike

He played from 2011 - 2014.

He was the 2013 Afcon topscorer, and he had one Afcon title.

He formed a good striking force with Brown Ideye for Super Eagles.

He retired on 20th of October, 2015.

Odion Ighalo 

He played for our darling national team from 2015 to 2019. He was 2019 Afcon topscorer for the qualifiers and tournament proper with 

7 goals and 5 goals respectively.

After his poor scoring performance, at the 2018 FIFA world cup in Russia, he faces a lot of criticism from football fans.

He called it a day with the super Eagles after winning bronze medal in Egypt 2019 Afcon championship.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

The Most expensive football transfers of the last decade

The evolution of football from just a sport to a commercial juggernaut has been fascinating and interesting to fans.

Once upon a time, when footballers played the game of soccer, they usually do have a regular day job.

Presently however, footballers are among the richest sportsperson in the world, and a look at how the transfer fees have escalated over the years is amazing.

Even so, four of the ten most expensive signings in the last one decade involved the purchase or sales of English Premier League players.

Spanish La liga clubs have spent the most on top talents, signing six of the top 10 most expensive players of the last decade.

In 2017/18 season, the league secured a record revenue of 4.48 billion pounds.

Here are the shortlist of Players that made it into this list;

10. Cristiano Ronaldo 

The superstar joined Real madrid from Manchester United for the then world-record fee of 80 million pounds in July 2009.

He became a legend at the Bernabeu with over 450 goals scored, alongside winning numerous titles and awards in his glittering career.

In July 2018, he joined Juventus from Real madrid for a fee of 88.3 million pounds at the age of 33 years.

So far in Turin, he has scored 46 goals in 70 games till date and has won a scuddetto title to add to his many laurels.

9. Paul Pogba 

He returned to his boyhood club, after leaving as a free agent in his teenage years.

Manchester United had to coughed out 89.3 million pounds to Juventus in August 2016 to signed Pogba.

The fee paid for him remains the highest fee paid by an English club for a player.

He has 168 appearances with 31 goals so far, and he has won the league cup and the Europa league with the red side of Manchester. 

8. Eden Hazard 

The Belgian playmaker cost more than double of what was paid for the 10th priciest footballer signed between year 2000 and 2009 - Ronaldo Nazario cost 40.5 million pounds then.

Despite having just a year left on his contract, Real Madrid paid a fee of 90 million pounds to Chelsea in 2019 to obtain the service of Hazard.

So far, he has played 21 games with 2 goals and 

2 assists to show for it.

7. Gareth Bale

The Welshman's transfer to the galaticos from Tottenham cost a fee of 90.9 million pounds back in 2014.

In Real Madrid, he has made 245 appearances scoring 104 goals and contributing 67 assists. A league title and 4 champions league titles are the laurels he has won so far with the team.

6. Ousmane Dembele 

He was signed from Borussia Dortmund to replace Neymar in Barcelona for a record fee of 105 million pounds, plus a reported 40 million pounds add- ons on August 25, 2017.

With his buy-out clause set at 400 million pounds.

Despite not shining the light as expected yet, the former Rennes forward has played 81 games for the catalonia side, scoring 20 goals and making 14 assists.

5. Antoine Griezmann 

The 208 World  Cup winner was signed by Barcelona on a fee of 107.6 million pounds from Atletico Madrid in July 2019.

Since joining in the summer, the French jewel has made 26 appearances with 10 goals and 4 assists as his contribution.

4. Joao Felix 

Atletico Madrid 's massive outlay of 126 million pounds in July 2019 for Benfica wizkid Felix is the second most expensive fee paid for a teenager after Mbappe in history.

He is regarded as one of the best talents in world football at the moment but has so far played 13 games and scored just 3 goals.

3. Philippe Coutinho 

The Brazilian playmaker moved from Liverpool to Barcelona for 130.5 million pounds in January 2018.

He played 54 games and scored only 11 goals for the catalans before joining Bayern Munich on a loan deal for 2 years in the summer of 2019.

2. Kylian Mbappe 

He is the most expensive teenager ever after joining Paris Saint-Germain on a loan deal from rival club Monaco in 2017. PSG later paid 165 million pounds to complete the deal.

So far with the Paris based club, the teenage World Cup star has played 114 games and has scored 82 goals.

1. Neymar Jr 

At the moment, he is the most expensive player ever at 199.5 million pounds.

His 2017 transfer from Barcelona to Paris  Saint-Germain cost 236% of Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid fee.

So far, he has been a decent player for the French giants, scoring 55 goals in 63 games.

His career in France though has been marred by controversies and injuries, which might be interpreted by some in certain quarters as being a wrong signing by PSG.

Which players will break the transfer record in the coming years?

Let's have your comments below.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

The Greatest Superstars of all-time

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are arguably the best footballers of this century.

They have scored a combined 704 league goals during the 2010s - the exact same number Arsenal FC scored in the English Premier League this past decade.

They've shattered countless records in the footballing scenery for years, a combined total of 11 Ballon D'or awards between them isn't enough to sum it all up.

Italian Serie A's best players of the last decade

Juventus has won 8 straight scudetto titles in the last one decade.

The Old Lady of Turin also won 4 consecutive domestic doubles between 2015 to 2018 under 

Massimiliano Allegri - the only coach to achieved this feat in the top 5 European leagues till date.

We look at some of the best players that has graced the pitch of Serie A in the last decade (2010 - 2019)

Andrea Pirlo

He lived a golden era when he played at AC Milan during the  2000s. Pirlo is the epitome of coolness and gracefulness in football.

He hoovered up 4 Scudettos with the Old Lady and made four Serie A team of the year appearances. Also winning three Serie A footballer of the year awards in that circle.

The Change of Fortune and Turnaround in the Pensioners history

In July 2003, British businessman Ken Bates sold Chelsea FC to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for 140 million pounds.

Since 2003, Abramovich has spent a whooping 92.9 million pounds on managerial compensations.

The Best Boxers of the Decade

The contact sport called boxing is one of the most entertaining sporting events presently in the universe.

The beauty of boxing is that either win or lose fighters smile to the banks after each bout.

Here is a shortlist of boxers with fantastic  career records in this decade.

Manny Pacquiao 

PAC-man made history in July 2019 with a win over Keith Thurman to become the oldest fighter in history to win a welter weight world title at the age of 41 years.

He had 71 fights, 62 wins (39 KOs), 7 losses and 2 draws. The Boxing Writers Association(BWA) named him fighter of the decade for the year 2000s (2001-2010). He is the only eight-division world champion in the history of boxing and also the first boxer to win the lineal championship in five different weight classes.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The Moneyman holds the record for most world titles held simultaneously - 5 belts ( WBC, WBA, WBO Welterweight titles, and WBA and WBC Super Welterweight titles. Ranked #1 pound for pound by the ring from July 2005, until his first retirement in June 2008, and from December 2012 until his second retirement in September 2015. One of his belts was stripped off him - the WBO 147 pound title, because of his lack of compliance.

He defeated MMA fighter Connor McGregor in 2017 to hold a perfect record 50 wins (27 KOs) in 50 bouts.

Canelo Alvarez

The Mexican super star is a four - division world champion.

He has held the unified WBA(super), WBC, the ring and lineal middleweight titles since 2018, the IBF middleweight title from May to August 2019, and the WBA(regular) super middleweight title since 2018.

He previously held the WBA(unified), WBC and ring light middle weight title between 2011 and 2013. The W.B.C ring and lineal middle weight titles between 2015 and 2018. The WBO light middleweight title from 2016 to 2017 and the WBO light heavyweight title from November to December 2019.

He has had 56 fights so far, 53 wins (36 KOs), 2 draws, 1loss. He  has won awards in each categories.

Wladimir Klitschko 

Himself and his brother held the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles as the undisputed champions from 2011 to 2015. Wladimir lost to Tyson fury in November 2015, which was his first defeat in 23 fights in over 11 years.

In April 2017, the Ukrainian legend lost to Anthony Joshua in London which was his last fight in the ring.

Vitali Klitschko 

The current mayor of Kiev held the WBC heavyweight title between 2003 to 2004 and 2008 to 2012. He had 47 fights, 45 wins and with only 2 losses in his entire boxing career. 

The record books will show him as one of the most dominant champions in boxing history.

Samuel Okon Peter

The Nigerian boxer won the WBC heavyweight title in 2008, after defeating Oleg Maskaev in the 6th round in Germany. His greatest rivals are the Klitschko brothers who defeated him 3 times and he eventually lost his title to Vitali Klitschko in 2008. He had 46 fights, 38 wins and 8 losses to date.

Andy Ruiz

He was an interim IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion after defeating the holder Anthony Joshua in April 2019 but he lost the rematch in December 2019 in Saudi Arabia.

Anthony Joshua

The current IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO inification champion of the world. The Nigerian-born British boxer has fought 25 bouts so far , 24 wins ,21 KOs and 1 loss

Tyson Fury 

In 2015, he won the unified WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles after defeating long reigning world champion Wladimir Klitschko. The victory earned him fighter of the year award and the upset of the year award by the ring. He has 30 fights so far with 29 wins(20 KOs) and 1 draw.

Deontay Wilder

He has been defending the WBC Heavyweight title which he won in 2015. In doing so he became the first USA world heavyweight champion in 9 years, which was the longest in USA boxing history.

The premier boxing champions gave him - knockout of the year award in 2016 /2017.

He has 43 fights so far with 42 wins and 1 draw.

Watch out!

In 2020 Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder might face each other.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

The Match that broke the Myth

A Brazilian born Roberto Firmino 99th minute goal broke the jinx for the reds at the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup final in Doha.

For over three decades, South American clubs have been a torn in Liverpool FC flesh when it come to tournament such as this.

In the Intercontinental Cup final that was played in December 1981, Zico led Flamengo side defeated the Liverpool team that had Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish and co, and was managed by Bob Paisley.

Zico was the player with the magic in that team as the game was practically sealed after the Brazilian side raced to a 3-nil upfront within 40 minutes of the first-half.

The reason for flamengo's superiority in the game was their quality, as Nunez scored a brace and Adilio's goal put a gloss on the scoreline. 

Liverpool had refused to participate in the Intercontinental Cup after winning the European titles in 1977 & 1978, worried about the potential brutality on the part of the South Americans.

In 1984 an Argentinian side, Independiente beat Liverpool by a lone goal to win the Intercontinental cup. And in 2005, Sao Paulo defeated the merseyside giant in the newly found FIFA Club World Cup.

Now in 2019, the current European club champion got a win that has so far eluded them for decades. After going through 90 minutes of regular football without a goal on either side against the Copa Libertadores champion Flamengo, their Brazilian import scored in the first-half of extra time to claim the title for them. 

The title win is their third trophy in six months and made them the first English club to hold the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup at the same time.

On  the European scene, Liverpool have won 6 UEFA Champions League titles (1977 ,1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, 2019); with only Real Madrid and AC Milan having won more.

Congratulations to the latest World Champion in club football.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

The Championship of the Champions

In 2005, the Intercontinental Cup was merged with the FIFA Club World Championship, and it was renamed as FIFA Club World Cup in 2006.

This competition was founded in the year 2000 (19 years ago). 7 teams usually participate in the tournament annually from 6 continents namely - Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe and the Oceania region.

Any team that wins her confederation championship is eligible to compete in the FIFA club world cup.

Value of the Competition

The winner of the club world cup receives the trophy, a FIFA world Champions certificate, and 5 million euros while the runner-up receives 4 million euros.

Stats of Competition

Auckland City FC has played the most games - 15 in 9 different editions.

Mohamed Aboutrika, Hossam Ashour and Wael Gomaa (all played for Al-Ahly of Egypt) have the most appearances - 11 games apiece

All-time Top scorer - Cristiano Ronaldo (7 goals)

Most goals scored - 32 goals by Real Madrid

Most Decorated player

Toni kroos has won the the tournament 5 times - 1 title with Bayern Munich (2013) and 4 titles with Real Madrid (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018).

Most Successful club

Real Madrid  with 4 titles and 7 club world championship in total (1960, 1998, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017 & 2018).

Real Madrid won the 2018 edition, to become the first team ever to win it three years in a row and 4 times in the competition history.

The final of this year FIFA club world cup will involve UEFA Champions League Liverpool and Copa Libertadores champion Flamengo .

Which team will win this 2019 edition?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

The League of the Century

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2019/20 season began in a grand style with a lot of surprises.

The League Management Company (LMC) just signed a multi-million Naira agreement with a foreign company for television coverage of matches,but presently the games are not on air.

After 9 rounds of games Plateau united is leading the NPFL table with 18 points - a ratio of 2 points per game by a former champion. Plateau won this title in 2016, can they emerge champions again this season?

The Stats

Games played so far - 70 

Home wins - 41

Away wins -10

Games drawn - 19 

Goals scored -139

Top scorers 

Isreal Abia (Sunshine Stars) - 7 goals

Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba Intl.) - 5 goals

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

The Transformation and Transition of the Etihad Faithfuls

Manchester City on Wednesday evening breezed past Oxford City to the semi- final of the 2019/2020 EFL Cup - a title they have won back-to-back in the past two seasons - where they will meet local rival Manchester United.

In light of these recent successes that is being recorded by the Cityzens, let's take a quick look at how it all began for the Etihad faithfuls.

In 2008 Manchester City was bought by the mega rich, Abu Dhabi United Group.

Under the Sheik Mansour's leadership, 5 different managers have tutored the team; Mark Hughes (2008 - 2010), Roberto Mancini (2010 - 2013) Brian Kidd ( interim basis 2013), Manuel Pellegrini (2013 - 2016) and Pep Guardiola (2016 till date).

Transfers 

Since 2008, the Blue side of Manchester have spent a whooping amount of over 1.5 billion pounds in the transfer market on players like Robinho, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Kun Aguero, Yaya Toure, Raheem Sterling, Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez to name but a few.

Stats

In the last one decade, Man City have played 379 games with 250 wins, 65 draws, and 64 losses. Scoring a total of 841 goals and 502 goals difference - 129 goals more than the nearest rival Chelsea.

Trophies

FA Cup - 2 titles

English League Cup - 4  titles

FA Community Shields- 3 titles

English premier league - 4-times champion

Conclusion

Manchester City is the most successful English team of the decade on the domestic scene.  Although in European continental competitions, only one semi- final ( in 2016) and two quarter-final appearances can be shown for their spending spree.

Ridwan Fabiyi

Sports Writer and Analyst 

THINGS FALL APART

Arsenal lost 3-nil at home to champion Manchester City on Sunday in a very embarrassing manner.

It is Arsenal FC worst run in 42 years (since 1977). They are currently 10th on the English Premier League log - 7 points above the relegation zone.

In their next 4 games the die may be cast - with mouthwatering ties like Everton, Bournemouth, Chelsea & Manchester United line-up on the trot. The gunners are sleep walking to relegation.

   

Arsenal has conceded first goal in their last 6 games in the league, which is the longest run in the competition's history.

The causes of the Gunners poor form can be attributed to these factors

    

Absence of owner

Stan kroenke's priorities lies with the L.A Rams and his sofi stadium project in Inglewood, which will be the most expensive stadium ever built.

To Kroenke, Arsenal is a mere cash cow. He has never put any of his own money into the club, yet the worth of his revenue is increasing by hundreds of millions of pounds every season.

When Stan Kroenke joined Arsenal in 2007, the club had just been in the UEFA Champions League final - 12 years after, the team's European ambitions are bleak.

 

Other causes of this dampening in form are;

Lack of leadership in the team

Arsenal's previous captains are rebels.

Contracts mismanagement and a spiralling wage bills

Some great players left the club with lesser transfer fees.

Wasted millions and poor squad management

Some players have yet to live up to expectations, while some didn't at all.

Ridwan Fabiyi

Sports Writer and Analyst

FINA WORLD CUP: Nwora invites 15 Players for last window of Qualifiers

Oni Afolabi

D’Tigers Head Coach, Alex Nwora has invited 15 players for the last window of the 2019 FIBA Men’s World Cup qualifiers taking place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire starting on the 18th of February

The team is dominated by players who missed out of the last phase of the qualifiers campaign hosted in Lagos.

Jekiri Tonye will likely make his debut for D’Tigers after missing out of action in the last window due to administrative reasons while Christopher Obekpa, Obinna Emegano and Efevhera Michael will also be making a return.

Ekene Ibekwe whose last appearance was at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and 34 year old Michael Umeh (2015 Afrobasket) with Italian serie A side Virtus Bologna have both been recalled to the fold.

Team captain and Sichuan Blue Whales player, Ike Diogu alongside, Stanley Okoye, Alade Aminu, Iroegbu Ike, Ike Nwamu, Ayodeji Akindele, Mbamalu Bryant, Zana Talib and Braxton Ogbueze complete the list of players invited

Nigeria will battle host- Côte d’Ivoire, Central African Republic and second placed Senegal with 16 points.

Currently ranked 33 in the world and first in Africa, the D’Tigers on a 9 match unbeaten run according to Nwora will hope to finish the campaign on a high a boost the team’s rating before the World Cup draws.

Alex Nwora said the preparation for the 2019 World Cup in China has started in earnest and it was imperative to give more quality players equal opportunity to fight for shirts.

“We were the first country in the world to qualify for the World Cup and it is very important that we start our preparation early.”

“The journey to get the team ready for the World Cup is a long one, but I am happy with the progress we have made so far.”

According to the Secretary General of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Chimezie Asiegbu, players and Technical crew are expected to fly straight to Abidjan from the clubs for logistics reasons.

INVITED PLAYERS

Iroegbu Ike (Science City Jena, Germany)

Michael Umeh (Twarde Pieniki, Poland)

Ike Nwamu (Wisconsin Herd, USA)

Ekene Ibekwe (Levallois Metropolitan, France)

Efevhera Michael (Homemtmen Basketball Club, Lebanon)

Stanley Okoye (Tecynconta Zaragoza, Spain)

Diogu Ike (Sichuan Blue Whales, China)

Alade Aminu (Hapoel SP Tel Aviv, Israel)

Christopher Obekpa (Al Riyadh, Lebanon)

Ayodeji Akindele (Fuerza Regia Basquetbol, Lebanon)

Jekiri Tonye (Gaziantep, Turkey)

Obinna Emegano (Rouen Basket, France)

Mabamalu Bryant (CD Vildivia, Chile)

Zana Talib (Montakit Fuenlabrada, Spain)

Braxton Ogbueze (Basquet Coruna, Spain)

Julen Lopetegui sacked by Real Madrid

Real Madrid have sacked Julen Lopetegui as manager of the club after four and a half months in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It is the second time Lopetegui has been sacked this year having been dismissed by Spain two days before the World Cup.

The Spaniard succeeded Zinedine Zidane in June but the crushing 5-1 El-Clasico defeat by Barcelona on Sunday - their fifth loss in six games - put the final nail on the coffin.

They have amassed a meagre 14 out of a possible 30 points in the league this season and have taken only one from their past five matches - their worst run since they went pointless in the final five games of 2008-09 season under Juande Ramos.

They are currently six points above the relegation places in La Liga and seven behind leaders Barcelona.
The three-times back-to-back Champions League winners are ninth on the La Liga table, and enduring their worst start to a league season since 2001-02.

The 52-year-old is provisionally replaced by former Argentina and Real's player, Santiago Solari who is the coach of the Castilla.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT | 2018-10-29

The Real Madrid C.F. board of directors, which met today, 29 October 2018, has made the decision to terminate Julen Lopetegui's contract as the club's coach.

This decision, which was taken with the utmost responsibility, seeks to bring about a turnaround in the first-team's fortunes at a time when all of this season's targets are still achievable.
 
The board considers there to be a large disparity between the quality within the Real Madrid squad, which boasts eight nominees for the next Ballon d'Or award - an unprecedented number in the club's history - and the team's results to date.
 
The club places on record its thanks to Julen Lopetegui and all of his coaching staff for their efforts and work and wishes them all the best in their future careers.
 
Santiago Solari will take temporary charge of the team, assuming his role as first-team coach from tomorrow (today) , Tuesday.

Gernot Rohr Unveils the Eagles that will fly over South Africa in AFCON 2019 Qualifier

Nigeria football national team Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has called up 23 players for next month’s crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg.
The same set of players will prosecute the friendly encounter against the Cranes of Uganda few days later.

Former U-17 World Cup star forward Victor Osimhen returns after a long time out, with another U-17 World Cup left-footed dazzler Samuel Chukwueze earning his first call-up to the senior squad.
Midfielder Mikel Agu, also gets a recall as well as a surprise call-up for home-based defender Adeleye Olamilekan Aniyikaye.

Nigeria tops her group with nine points, one ahead of second –placed South Africa, their foe in the upcoming game at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on Saturday, 17th November.

The Super Eagles will fly from Johannesburg to Asaba on 18th November for the friendly with the Cranes on 20th November.

All the invited players are expected to report directly to Asaba, Delta state from Monday, 12th of November.

THE 23-MAN LIST IN FULL:

GOALKEEPERS
Francis Uzoho (Elche FC, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)

DEFENDERS
Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Adeleye Aniyikaye (FC IfeanyiUbah); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)

MIDFIELDERS
Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal FC, Portugal)

FORWARDS
Ahmed Musa (Al Nasr FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain)

STANDBY
Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Nyima Nwagua (Kano Pillars FC); Sunday Adetunji (Enyimba FC); Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars FC)

AWCON CAMP UPDATE: Thomas Dennerby cut out some players from the Super Falcons Camp

Super Falcons’ Head Coach, Thomas Dennerby has cut the number of home-based professionals who have been training at the impressive Jubilee Chalets & Resort Epe, Lagos for the 11^th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals holding in Ghana.

The Swede, who graciously allowed the players to feature for their respective clubs in the Nigeria Women's Football League (NWFL) at the weekend recalled a handful of those he feels can give the invited overseas-based professional players good fight for places in the final squad.

Among those retained in camp for the second phase camping which will commence immediately are four goalkeepers- Toochukwu Oluehi, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Christy Ohiaeriaku and Onyinyechukwu Okeke.

Others are Anam Imo, Rasheedat Ajibade, Peace Efih, Glory Ogbonna, Chioma Wogu, Alice Ogebe, Amarachi Okoronkwo and Chidinma Okeke. Also retained are Ugochi Emenayo, Sarah Nnodim and Nneka Julius.

The Super Falcons are the defending champion of the Africa Women Nations Cup, a tournament they have won for a record eight times.

Accreditation for 2018 AITEO Cup Grand Finale

NFF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

This is to respectfully call on Editors/Managers of the nation’s sporting media to send in requests for media accreditation for the 2018 AITEO Cup Men’s Final holding at the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Wednesday, 24th October 2018.

The Men’s Final will see Rangers International FC of Enugu tackle Kano Pillars FC.

Also, please be informed that the 2018 AITEO Cup Women’s Final will hold at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa on Tuesday, 23rd October 2018. Applicants should indicate which of the two venues they intend to be, or if they intend to attend both matches.

Please be informed that in consideration of the size of the Media Gallery at the venue, no media organization shall be accorded more than one slot for Press and Photo –Journalist.

Media organizations are to send in their request to this email between 5pm on Friday, 19th October and 5pm on Sunday, 21st October 2018. No request will be entertained after 5pm on Sunday, 21st October 2018.

Accreditation cards will be issued at each of the venues four hours before each match.

Kindly accept the very warm sporting regards of the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation, and sincere appreciation for your usual support, understanding and co-operation.

Send your accreditation here ademola.olajire68@gmail.com

SportBetting: How to win football bets across the four major leagues

Tobi Adesina

Unlike casino & virtual bets; football or soccer (like the Americans call it) comes with some level of certainty. To a higher degree, risk could be measured via antecedents leading up to the game.

98% of my bet money goes into football. Within a calendar year; i spend a little above 500ground in staking bets. For someone who stakes that high on sportbetting, it is important you monitor 'your teams' week in week out so as to keep tabs on their form and performance.
Note: "Your teams" are those clubsides whose present form is consistently yielding profit.

For that reason alone, i select games ONLY from the four major leagues (EPL, LaLIGA, SERIE A, Bundesliga). Every sunday night, i make sure to get replays, highlights & stats of 'my teams' regardless of the outcome.

STEPS...
1. Bet early.
2. Don't select games through your bookmakers platform.
3. Have numerous bet account with various Bet companies.

Bet early: Always bet 3-4days before the game KO. Odds drop as KO time approaches. This act by bookmakers lure Punters into ACCUMULATING several games in a single ticket.
Remember, "the longer your ticket -the farther your pay-day".

Don't select games through your bookmaker's platform: This is where psychology come to play in betting. The Bet companies will always try to mess with your thinking by projecting "funny" cheap odds. If you fall prey, all your selection will be based on odds and third-party opinion. Instead, you select games from livescore portals and other fixture portal you have. Afterwards, login to your preferred Bet portal/Bet shop and play the games regardless of the odds.

Have numerous bet account with various Bet companies: With this, you can easily compare and contrast which bet company is offering you the highest return for the exact same event.

Bet Advice: Don't accumulate more than 2event, each of 2odds[max]. Total shouldn't be more than 4-5 odds combined. Revise your bet slip if you have more than.