Odoh remains Nigeria’s undisputed master

His stock continues to rise. Even when the odds seem stacked against him, Nigeria’s number one golfer, Andrew Odoh, always finds a way to wriggle out of a tight corner and mount the podium.
That he did on Monday when he came from the rear to win the inaugural Nigeria Masters.
The event, which teed off at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, on November 17, had a field of 57 players in the beginning, jostling for the top prize over 72 holes in a stroke play format.
Odoh had the best round of the day shooting 1 under par 71 and catapulted up the leader board from third position at the end of the fourth and final round.
Ghana’s Vincent Torgah and his Nigeria’s Kabiru Haruna had earlier tied on the first position after three rounds with a total of 220 scores. Odoh and Gboyega Oyebanji were tied on third position with a total score of 221 at the end of the third round.
However, the Nigerian, who is currently one of the star attractions at the Sunshine Tour, ensured he had the

Neymar family maintains innocence on corruption charges

NN Consultoria, the company owned by Neymar’s father, has responded to the latest attempt by Spanish prosecutors to seek a jail term for the Barcelona star, insisting the parties under suspicion will be cleared of any wrongdoing.
A two-year prison sentence and €10 million fine is being sought for the Brazil international, as well as fines and jail terms for his father and mother, over alleged corruption surrounding his transfer from Santos in 2013.
The case stems from a complaint by investment group DIS, which owned 40 per cent of Neymar’s economic rights and claims it received less money than it was entitled to following the Brazil international’s transfer.
On Wednesday, NN Consultoria issued a statement claiming the latest reports are not a new development, the case having been reopened in September, and reiterating the innocence of the striker and his family.

Spanish prosecutors seek 10 years jail term for Eto over alleged tax fraud

Spanish prosecutors are believed to be seeking a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of more than €18 million for Samuel Eto’o over alleged tax fraud.
According to reports in EFE and El Pais, the ex-Cameroon international and his former adviser, Josep Maria Mesalles, are accused of defrauding the state of €3.8 million from 2006 to 2009, during his five-year stay at Barcelona.
The charges relate to the alleged transfer of image rights to companies in Spain and Hungary to escape paying tax on endorsement deals, including the striker’s lucrative arrangement with sportswear manufacturer, Puma.
Prosecutors filed a lawsuit against Eto’o, who now plays for Turkish Super Lig club, Antalyaspor, on those

AWCON: Ghana coach unhappy over draw with Nigeria

Ghana coach, Yusif Basigi, has revealed his side wanted to win against Nigeria in Wednesday’s Africa Women Nations Cup Group B match but settled for a 1-1 draw.
The Black Queens conceded first on 19 minutes when Cynthia Adobia turned Asisat Oshoala’s shot into her own net. But Ghana equalized from the spot three minutes from the break through captain Elizabeth Addo, who was fouled by Halimat Ayinde inside the box.

Argentina remains top in FIFA ranking as Brazil move above Germany

Argentina's football team pose before a friendly match against Honduras at Bicentenario stadium in San Juan, some 1110 Km west of Buenos Aires on May 27, 2016.AFP/Eitan Abramovich

Argentina remain top of the FIFA rankings despite their struggle for consistency in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, with Brazil replacing reigning world champions Germany in second place.
Copa America holders Chile are up two places to fourth, while Republic of Ireland were big movers, jumping 10 places to 23rd.

Eagles to open 2017 with Cote d’Ivoire friendly

As part of efforts to keep the Super Eagles in tip-top shape ahead of the remaining Russia 2016 World Cup qualifiers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is arranging an international friendly game for the team against reigning African champions, Cote d’Ivoire early next year.
NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, confirmed that talks are already at an advanced stage for the game in London.
“We have lined up series of friendly games for the Super Eagles, already that of Egypt and Senegal is confirmed, and currently we at an advanced stage with Cote d’Ivoire,” he said.
“The aim is to keep them fit for the upcoming World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Cameroun next year. We need games for our team to be in top shape for the tie.
“We are leading the group but it’s just two games, so we don’t need to be carried away yet. We are leaving

Champions League rivals won’t want Man City in knockouts – Guardiola

Pep Guardiola said he was relieved to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach secured a place in the last-16 with a game to spare.
And the Manchester City boss was hopeful that regardless of what team they face in the knockout stages, advancing to the quarterfinals and beyond was a realistic goal for the squad.
Guardiola has never gone out before the semifinal stage in his managerial career and avoided a group stage exit by scurrying a point in Germany.
“We have qualified with one game left and it’s a big compliment for the team,” Guardiola told a news conference. “We made a good performance. After Borussia’s goal the game was not in our hands and it changed a little bit.
“We have qualification in the pocket until February so now we can concentrate on the Premier League and