Author: Chronicle Editor

Gernot Rohr failed to galvanise his Nigerian team to a winning start in their group qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Nigeria, who failed to qualify for the last two editions of the tournament, fell to their first competitive defeat to South Africa, losing 2-0 in Uyo in the Group E match. Second-half goals from Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau sealed a deserved win for Bafana Bafana against three-time African champions Nigeria. Rantie opened the scoring with a brilliant close-range header in the 54th minute. Tau broke free in a swift counter-attack, putting the ball around…

The South East Governors Forum (SEGF) has dispelled rumours that the governors have met and agreed to mobilise vehicles and cash for the evacuation of Igbo resident in the north. “The rumours should be disregarded, as they are nothing but tissues of lies,” the Chairman of SEGF and Ebony governor, Mr. David Umahi, said in a statement on Friday. “No amount of provocation would lead us to such a precipitate and irresponsible action at this time. “Those exploiting such vacuous tittle-tattle as a basis for divisive rhetoric in public spaces are simply playing juvenile politics and we urge them to…

Manchester United have made a bid of £70m for Torino’s 23-year-old Italy forward Andrea Belotti. (Independent) Real Madrid’s Spain striker Alvaro Morata, 24, has agreed to join United and is waiting for the two clubs to agree a fee of around £60m before making the move to Old Trafford. (Daily Telegraph) Morata’s representative, Juanma Lopez, had talks with Real Madrid representatives on Friday to pave the way for the former Juventus player’s move to United. (Guardian) AC Milan are reluctant to meet Diego Costa’s wages of £200,000-plus a week as the Chelsea striker seeks a new club after being told…

SuperSport will broadcast live the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa from the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday. All active DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact subscribers will have access to the encounter on SS4, while GOtv Plus subscribers can watch on SS9 at 4:30 pm. Both teams are in qualifying Group E along with Seychelles and Libya for the 32nd African Cup of Nations holding in Cameroon next year. Tunisia’s Youssef Essrayri has been appointed as the referee for the match. Zlatan not offered new Man Utd contract With over 25 years…

In bid to forestall the termination of its Calabar Towage contract, a limited liability company Global Spectrum Energy Services Limited has dragged the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) before a Federal high court in Lagos. The company is urging the court to restrain NPA and its agents from creating third party rights or carrying out any act capable of undermining or disturbing the company right to all areas of Calabar Port to be used in connection with the Towage Operation as contained in the Towage Lisence Agreement pending the hearing and determination of the arbitrary proceeding. According to an affidavit sworn…

Manchester United have not offered striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic a new contract and the Swede has been released by the club. The 35-year-old agreed a one-year contract, with an option for second season, last summer. But the extension had not been triggered by the time the Swede suffered his season-ending knee ligament injury in April. READ: Harry Kane to captain England against Scotland The Premier League’s retained list was released on Friday. Former England defender John Terry will be among the high-profile free agents available this summer, following his exit from Chelsea. Read the full retained and released list for all…

Tottenham striker Harry Kane will captain England against Scotland in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park. Kane will be making his first appearance for his country since 4 September 2016 because of injury. England’s last permanent captain was Wayne Rooney, who has been left out of the squad. “I wanted to give him that boost,” said England boss Gareth Southgate. “He was pretty chuffed. It’s a great honour.” Schalke appoint 31-year-old Domenico Tedesco as coach Kane will be making his 18th appearance for the Three Lions, having made his debut for the senior side against Lithuania under Roy Hodgson…

Bundesliga side Schalke have appointed 31-year-old Domenico Tedesco as coach to replace the sacked Markus Weinzierl. Last season, Tedesco took charge of second-tier FC Erzgebirge Aue for the last 11 games – his first job as a boss – and guided them to survival. Tedesco has signed a two-year deal at Schalke, who finished 10th in the German top-flight. The division’s youngest coach Julian Nagelsmann, 29, has extended his deal with Hoffenheim until 2021. Nagelsmann took over in February 2016 without a proper senior licence, but led them to a club-best fourth-placed finish, qualifying for the Champions League play-offs. More…

Details of the message sent by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte that caused striker Diego Costa to announce he was not wanted by the club have been revealed. Costa, 28, said on Wednesday that he had learned he was no longer part of the Premier League champions’ plans. The Italian manager had sent a text to his players wishing them a good holiday and telling them to stay fit and, after Costa replied in a jokey way, the 28-year-old was told he was no longer in the manager’s plans. The Spain international then showed the exchange to fellow players. Costa scored…

The Nigerian Army General Court Martial (GCM) has sentenced Lance Cpl Hillary Joel to death, for murdering a civilian during a cordon and search operation in Damboa, Borno State. Brigadier General Olusegun Adeniyi, President of the GCM, gave the verdict at a seating on Friday in Maiduguri. “The prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. It is clear that the accused committed the offense, contrary to the Armed Forces Act. “The court has found you guilty of the offense of murder; it has listened to the presentation by the prosecution urging that you be treated as a first offender.…