WEST HAM ANNOUNCES HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH CAPITAL OIL AND GAS, FC IFEANYI UBAH

Oil giant, Capital Oil and Gas and Anambra based NPFL club side FC Ifeanyi Ubah have inked a long term partnership deal with West Ham United FC, one of the leading clubs in the English Premier League. The deal, which was officially signed today in London is set to be unveiled at the Olympic stadium on Sunday, 21st of August before West Ham United FC's first home league match against Bournemouth.

 

This was contained in a press release made by West Ham United FC via its website www.whufc.com

 

Read the Press release below

 

"West Ham United are delighted to announce the Club’s first ever official partnership in Africa, following the signing of a long-term agreement with Capital Oil and Gas Ind. Ltd, the principal investor in the Nigerian Professional Football League outfit, FC Ifeanyi Ubah.

 

Capital Oil and Gas, a company of strategic national importance in Nigeria stands out as a leading player in the downstream subsector of Nigeria's Petroleum industry and the fastest growing indigenous Oil and Gas company in the West African sub region with a vision to become Africa's first choice provider of energy solutions through innovation, strategic partnership and clientele value added service delivery.

 

The partnership will provide Capital Oil and Gas with a range of rights to promote the business through the football club, driving visibility and awareness as well as focussing on B2B interaction through the use of hospitality at the Hammers’ iconic new home.  

 

Based in Nnewi, Anambra State, and currently competing in the Nigerian Professional Football League, FC Ifeanyi Ubah are to become the Hammers’ Official Nigerian Football Club Partner. 

 

The long-term agreement will also see the two football clubs join forces on a number of football-related projects led by FC Ifeanyi Ubah, from best-practice coaching initiatives to establishing grass roots football programmes in Nigeria, all with a view to improving the standard of football across the region.  

 

West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: “This ground-breaking partnership serves to further emphasize our growing international profile, bringing the famous West Ham United name to Africa for the first time in a partnership context.  

 

“The popularity of Premier League football in West Africa has been well documented and it is testament to the Club’s success, on and off the pitch, that we are now considered one of the most high profile and attractive clubs in the region. 

 

“We are looking forward to working alongside FC Ifeanyi Ubah and building a strong legacy in Nigerian football inspired by West Ham United.”

 

Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, owner of FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, added: “We are extremely excited to have signed a partnership with West Ham United and are excited by the prospect of what we can achieve together. This is going to be a massive turnaround for FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Nigerian football and African football by extension.

 

“West Ham were our first choice of all of the Premier League clubs given the club’s rich history, unrivalled reputation for developing talent which we strongly believe will help boost FC Ifeanyi Ubah academy and of course the fantastic new stadium in Stratford.

 

 

“Together with West Ham’s continued success on the field, this is a valuable proposition for our own club’s learning and evolution”.

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Arsenal Name Veteran Centre-Back Per Mertesacker as New Club Captain

Arsenal have confirmed that veteran centre-back Per Mertesacker will be the new club captain at the Emirates, taking over from Mikel Arteta after the Spaniard left the club and retired from football at the end of last season. 

Reports in the press overnight had suggested that Santi Cazorla might be the man entrusted with the role, but a post on the club's official Twitter account named the 31-year-old German as the man to lead the club forward. 

In a short statement on the club's website, Arsene Wenger revealed some other members of the squad - Cazorla included - would fill in for Mertesacker as he continues to recover from a knee injury which looks set to see him sidelined until around the end of the year. 

Wenger said: “Per is a very respected figure in the dressing room, is loved as well and is also a very demanding figure. I think it is absolutely natural to be [him].

“[In his absence] that’s where it will be taken by the assistants. One of them will be Koscielny, also Cazorla - the experienced players - Cech maybe. We will have a group of people that will take care of the energy levels and the problems of the team. That will be down a lot to the experienced players.”

The Gunners kick off their Premier League campaign on Sunday against Liverpool, missing not only Mertesacker but also centre-back partners Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel, leaving a gaping hole in the centre of the defence which could be filled by Calum Chambers and Rob Holding. 

Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil also look like missing out after their late returns from Euro 2016 over the summer, leaving Wenger to try to get a result with a severely depleted side. 

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Hull 2-1 Leicester: Newly Promoted Tigers Stun Reigning Champions on Opening Day

Hull City marked their return to the Premier League with a shock win over reigning champions Leicester City - the first time a newly promoted side has won on the opening day since August 2012, after goals from Adama Diomande and Robert Snodgrass came either side of a Riyad Maharez penalty.

Profligate is the word that could perhaps best describe Leicester's first half.

The Foxes had tried their luck on 10 occasions by the time the referee's whistle brought the opening 45 minutes to a close, with Jamie Vardy, Mahrez and others all guilty of failing to test opposing goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic.

What it did was give a Hull team that could only name one senior outfield player among the seven substitutes the belief that they weren't simply there to make up the numbers.

The opening goal in first half stoppage time was nothing short of brilliant when it came from Diomande, with a helping hand from Abel Hernandez.

Leicester had allowed Curtis Davies to get his head to a corner first, and after the initial effort was parried by Kasper Schmeichel, a combination of Hernandez and Diomande acrobatically turned the ball into the net, with the goal formally credited to the latter.

There was an immediate response from Leicester, though, as Demarai Gray drew a clumsy foul from Tom Huddlestone just 14 seconds into the second half. Whether the contact began inside or outside the penalty was a touch controversial, but Mahrez stepped up to make no mistake from 12 yards.

That could have been the moment that the champions showed their additional quality, but it was no more than 10 minutes before Hull had the lead for the second time.

After a cross from Mohamed Elmohamady was partially cleared, the ball dropped to Snodgrass at the edge of the penalty area with the Scottish international, who suffered a tragic dislocated knee-cap on his Premier League debut for Hull in 2014, driving the ball home.

Leicester looked to be struggling defensively without the suspended Robert Huth, and just moments prior to the goal, a defensive mix-up between Wes Morgan and summer signing Luis Hernandez had almost gifted the Tigers an earlier goal.

The away side tried to find a way back into the game - Ahmed Musa attempting to put his blistering pace to good use - but the defending from Hull was resolute and Jakupovic was called into little more than routine action.

Snodgrass even forced a further save from Schmeichel with a speculative free-kick in the final 10 minutes, while a comfortable save from Jakupovic to stop Drinkwater in stoppage time saw the last chance to spare the Foxes' blushes evaporate.

Hull: Jakupovic, Elmohamady, Livermore, Davies, Robertson, Meyler, Huddlestone, Clucas, Snodgrass, Hernandez, Diomande

Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson (Ulloa - 83'), Hernandez, Morgan, Fuchs, Mahrez, King (Amartey - 68'), Drinkwater, Gray (Okazaki - 68'), Musa, Vardy

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The real EPL Game of Thrones starts today by 12:30pm

It will be a 38-week series of battles in the English Premier league with 20 clubs jousting for one prize – the EPL’s Iron Throne and the first meaningful battle is on the opening weekend when Liverpool visit arsenal at the Emirates.

 The real Game of Thrones follows the novel titled ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ by George R. R. Martin and is set in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Paraphrasing, the EPL’s Game of Thrones will be fought for from August 2016 till May 2017 – a period of intense and high drama.

The seven kingdoms of Westeros are Manchester United, Manchester City, Leicester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

Over these seven kingdoms are three newly installed commanders and four existing commanders, who desire to chart a path away from the last seven years.

Just four teams [kingdoms] have won [sat on the iron throne] the EPL title in the last seven seasons. Chelsea have won it twice; Manchester United have won it twice; Manchester City have also won it twice and then last season, the title was won by an unfancied Leicester City team.

Tottenham and Liverpool have never won the trophy while Arsenal’s last triumph was aeons ago!

There used to be a top four but realistically, there is now a top 7. And we have the characters, which will be leading their clans to seek the iron throne – the English Premier League!

We have the teams – Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspurs and the defending champions, Leicester City.

The 2016/17 EPL season is going to be the most competitive because of the caliber of managers that will be holding the fort at these clubs. Collectively, we have managers, who have won 85 titles between them.

From Pep Guardiola, the undoubted star of the new season’s cast to Mauricio Pochettino, whose work with Spurs is showing signs of dividend, we have seven generals, who are in assiduous pursuit of the ultimate throne – the EPL title!

The 7 Commanders

So here are your commanders:

Jose Mourinho – Manchester United – – Joffrey Baratheon

The characteristic that most people detest of Mourinho is his cockiness and that resonates so well with Joffrey Baratheon. He is able to forage deeply and elicit strong emotions – whether it is to like him or to hate him; he elicits a strong response. So many people wish him evil – that he falls flat on his face. Moving to United has exacerbated this – the most hated club engages the most hated manager – a marriage made in heaven!

Pep Guardiola – Manchester City – Cersei Lannister

Many players have labeled Guardiola, as being an unempathetic person. From Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Franck Ribery, he is depicted as being arrogant and self-interested. He is only interested in his project and its success not minding the reputations of the players that are destroyed. Players like Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho have felt the full wrath of this ruthlessness while players like Eliaquim Mangala, Wilfried Bony, Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas could feel it at City.

Claudio Ranieri – Leicester City – Tyrion Lannister

The underdog who can be king or be the kingmaker. Last season, Claudio Ranieri surprised everyone [including himself] by winning the EPL title – the first league title in a 30-year career. Wily, wise and fatherly, he of the dingily-dong rhyme is poised to repeat a feat that pundits have labelled unrepeatable! No one has given Tyrion Lannister any chance but he could still sit on the iron throne.

Arsene Wenger – Arsenal – Jon Snow

Many may not like this but Arsene Wenger is the longest serving manager in the EPL, and he has had his share of majestic triumphs and despicable defeats. His story resonates with Jon Snow, who has been up and about in the past six seasons of GoT. And the particular intrigue is we do not know where he will finish but he will always be amongst the contenders, even when he has been totally written off.

Antonio Conte – Chelsea – Daenerys Stormborn

A quote from Season 5, “I am Daenerys Stormborn and I will take what is mine with fire and blood.”  Conte takes no prisoners and he has been known to be ready to fight his players when they do not carry out faithfully what he commands them. One of the new commanders but one who is already an expert in fighting fire with fire having played and managed Juventus – the most hated side in Italy.

Jurgen Klopp – Liverpool – Arya Stark

This tall and fiery German is a mirror of who Arya Stark is. He does not care about history or what has obtained – he is going to lay down his own rules and he is ready to enforce it. The master enabler of the Gengen Press, his players are like bees – looking for flowers to dominate. He is determined to take Liverpool back to where he thinks they rightly belong.

Mauricio Pochettino – Tottenham –Peter Bealish

Pochettino is the youngest of the lot but he looks to have a great future ahead on account of his ability to read games and prepare his young squad against more experienced teams. Probably the subtlest con artist of all the Lords of the seven kingdoms. He always had a plan to sit on the iron throne though not yet there – he has been able to create an army of youngsters who are ready to heed his every call.

The next in this series will be published on September 9, 2016. Do not miss it!

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Williams replaces John Stones at Everton

Everton have replaced John Stones with Ashley Williams after the Wales captain completed a £12m move to Goodison Park.

The Tofees lost Stones to Manchester City in a deal worth almost £50m, but have moved swiftly to tie up Williams from Swansea City.

“I’ve had eight great years at Swansea and, for me, the new challenge was something I felt I needed, so I’m delighted to have joined Everton,” Williams said, after signing a three-year contract.

“Everton is a great club with an unbelievable manager – a world legend in football – and I believe the club is going in the right direction. This is something I wanted to be a part of.

“I look forward to seeing what the manager’s plans are for me and the team. He’s been one of the greatest centre halves to ever play the game, so I look forward to learning from him and seeing what he can teach me.

“I really can’t wait to get out there at Goodison. I’ve always enjoyed playing on the Goodison pitch, so it will be nice to be an Everton player and experience what it’s all about when I’m part of the home team.”

Also speaking after completing the deal, Everton manager Ronald Koeman said: “We wanted to bring in a strong player in the central defence position, a player who knows the Premier League and Ashley fits the bill for us very well.”

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Leicester City confirm manager Claudio Ranieri has signed new four-year deal

Leicester City have announced that manager Claudio Ranieri has signed a new four-year deal at the King Power Stadium.

The Italian made history with the Foxes last season by guiding them to their first ever Premier League title with a 10-point margin.

Ranieri witnessed his team lose just three of their 38 top-flight games, while striker Jamie Vardy was the second-highest scorer of the division with 24 goals and winger Riyad Mahrez was named PFA Player of the Year.

Just three days before the new season gets underway, Ranieri has penned a new contract that will run until the summer of 2020.

"From the moment I talked to the owners about their vision for Leicester City, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of for a long time," Ranieri told the club's official website.

"The energy that exists at this club - from the owners and the staff, to the players and supporters - is something very special. I am very happy and proud that I will be part of it for years to come.

"Last season, that spirit and our hard work helped us to achieve something magical. If we can continue to work hard, maintain our passion and continue to fight with all our hearts, I am sure we can continue to be successful together."

Leicester vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha added: "Twelve months ago, we brought to Leicester City a man whose knowledge and experience, we felt, could lead us into the next phase of our long-term plan. What he would go on to help us achieve, in the time we have achieved it, has been beyond anything we could have anticipated.

"Claudio's qualities, both as a man and as a coach, have been very clear since the moment he arrived - qualities that have helped Leicester City to progress on every level. We have strong foundations from which to keep moving our club forward and I'm delighted that Claudio will continue to be part of that journey."

Leicester will begin the defence of their crown away to newly-promoted Hull City on Saturday.

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Arsene Wenger list out four things a player must have before he signs him

After hitting eight goals past a hapless Viking FK on Friday night, Arsene Wenger revealed that the club was on ‘high alert’ – seeking players to sign before the transfer window closes.

“It’s not the prices, it’s the players,” Wenger told Arsenal’s official website.

“At the moment I’m focused on the players we have. Today we didn’t have Ramsey, [Granit] Xhaka, Alexis [Sanchez] – he will play on Sunday.

“We still have [Mesut] Ozil at home, and [Olivier] Giroud and [Laurent] Koscielny too.

“We also have young players who came on and did well. We do not have to panic but we are on alert in the transfer market so that we can make the right move when the opportunity comes up.”

He then added, “The money is never a problem if you have to pay what is requested.”

Arsenal fans, especially the Nigerian ones have been pleading with their ‘ijebu’ manager to splash the cash and fortify the team with quality players even though he has already spent £35million on Xhaka, whilst he also snagged 20-year-old Rob Holding from Bolton Wanderers for £2.5million but the fans are not satisfied.

“The price of a player is down to four ingredients. One is the talent, two his age, three is how much you expect him to improve your team, and four his resale value.

“If he ticks all four boxes then the price is not that important. You have to find the player.” Arsenal fans, there you have it – find a player that ticks all these four characteristics and Wenger will shell out!

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Jose Mourinho hits on 'unethical' Arsene Wenger, Jurgen Klopp over Pogba comments

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has hit back at Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp for criticising the £100m valuation of his transfer target Paul Pogba.

The Red Devils are expected to announce the arrival of the Juventus midfielder before the start of the Premier League season next weekend.

It is believed that United are willing to pay a world-record fee of around £100m, which would make Pogba the most expensive footballer in history, eclipsing the £85m figure that Real Madrid paid to Tottenham Hotspur for Gareth Bale in 2013.

Wenger, who has had numerous tussles with Mourinho in the past, recently described the hefty sum as"completely crazy", while Klopp claimed that "the day this is football, I'm not in a job anymore".

In today's press conference, Mourinho hinted that Pogba's arrival is imminent, and he also described Wenger and Klopp's comments as 'unethical'.

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"I only speak about us," said Mourinho. "I heard already two of my colleagues from other clubs speaking about us. I do not like that. It is not ethical. There are things that when I do are not ethical and when others do it everything is normal, nobody says that. I do not speak about the others. They can do what they want. Our market was good.

"We made decisions, decide to bring four players not 10, that are Manchester United level. Four that we think can really improve the squad and not just be one more. This is the profile of our market.

"A young defender that needs time to be a top one but who has top potential. A creative player that we know the quality, a super striker, and we are going to get a very good midfielder. We try for balance. I am happy with my squad. I am happy with the effort of the club. The others it is their problem."

Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are the three signings that United have completed so far this summer.

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Agent Reveals Arsenal Target Antoine Griezmann Rejected Bids From England

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My Chelsea Move Is ‘Dream Come True’, Says Kante

N’Golo Kante says Chelsea have made his ‘dream come true’ after completing his £30 million switch to Stamford Bridge.

Kante joins from Premier League champions Leicester, where he featured heavily in the Foxes’ title triumph last season. The midfielder follows the arrival of Michy Batshuayi from Marseille. The 25-year-old came close to completing double joy in 2016 with success on the international stage at Euro 2016. He was part of the French squad denied a home triumph by the extra-time defeat by Portugal in the final.

After signing a five-year contract, Kante told Chelsea’s website: ‘I am so happy to have signed for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. It’s a dream come true for me. ‘The opportunity to work with Antonio Conte, a brilliant coach, and some of the best players in the world was simply too good to turn down.

“My first season in English football was very special and now I hope to go on to achieve even more during my time as a Chelsea player. I am looking forward to meeting up with my new team-mates and helping the club achieve a lot of success.’ It represents a rapid profit of more than £24 million for Leicester, who bought him from Caen last year for £5.6 million.

“We know this club, the team, needs to reinforce,’ said Conte at a press conference. I am sure that in the coming days we can reach our target and we can buy one, two, three… I don’t know how many players but players that can reinforce us for the season.”

Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo added: “N’Golo is a fantastic signing ahead of the new season and we are delighted to have been able to bring such a talented player to the club. He is a perfect fit in terms of Antonio Conte’s philosophies and the style of football he wants to play. For a player of his age he has already built up a wealth of experience and his exceptional quality will without doubt be a great addition to the team.’

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Nigerian players may not be allowed to play in the Premier League soon.

Nigeria players will be barred from securing a work permit to play in England should the Super Eagles now slip outside the top 70 teams in the FIFA Rankings.

The latest FIFA ratings have the Eagles at 70th in the world and according to experts, Nigeria players will be hardest hit should the team fall outside this ranking as one of the rules states work permit will only be considered for non-European players whose countries are within the top 70 in the world.

“If they (Nigeria) slip one more place, its players can’t play in England,” said African football expert Tunde Adelakun.

“Work permit laws for non-European players say the player’s country has to be in top 70 in the world.”

An immediate casualty of this could be Nigeria U20 skipper Kelechi Nwakali, who is set to soon sign a professional contract with Arsenal.

Nigeria international Umar Aminu of Turkish club Osmanlispor has also been linked with Premier League side Hull City, while Belgium-based Wilfred Ndidi has been mentioned to join Watford.

Nigeria stars in England include Odion Ighalo, Isaac Success (Watford), Ahmed Musa (Leicester City), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City) and Mikel Obi, Victor Moses (Chelsea). 

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Arsenal Euro Stars to Have 4 Weeks' Holiday That Could See Them Miss Season Opener

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ARSENAL OVERTAKES CHELSEA ON LIST OF VALUABLE CLUBS

Arsenal has overtaken Chelsea to become the most valuable Premier League club in London, according to Forbes’ list of the World’s Most Valuable Sports Teams.

In the latest study the Gunners have rose 13 places from last year to reach number 23 on the list, which also includes 27 NFL franchises among other sporting sides.

Dropped

Their London rivals Chelsea have dropped five places to position 36 after a season to forget last season where they failed to defend the title and missed the champions league cut after finishing at position 10 last season. Arsenal are worth £1.53billion whilst Chelsea are valued at £1.26billion. Manchester United are still the most valuable side in England with £2.51billion while Real Madrid are the most valuable football team on the planet with a value of £2.75 billion.

Forbes' top 10 most valuable teams in the world

Dallas Cowboys £3.03bn

Real Madrid £2.77bn

Barcelona £2.69bn

New York Yankees £2.58bn

Manchester United £2.52bn

New England Patriots £2.43bn

New York Knicks £2.27bn

Washington Redskins £2.16bn

New York Giants £2.12bn

Los Angeles Lakers £2.05bn

Bayern Munich    

Arsenal £1.53billion

Manchester City  

Chelsea £1.26b

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