Super Eagles To Get $5m As 2021 AFCON Champions

Super Eagles of Nigeria will get $5 million if they become champions at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.

The CAF Executive Committee resolved to increase the prize money of this year’s edition.

The decision was taken at Friday’s EXCO meeting chaired by CAF President, Patrice Motsepe in Douala, Cameroon.

The increase is in line with CAF’s commitment to reward merit performance and enhance the status of the AFCON and will be in effect in the upcoming edition.

The new AFCON Prize Monies will see the winner rewarded with $5 million (an increase of $500 000) and runner-up will get $2.75 million (an increase of $250 000).

Semi-finalists, $2.2 million (an increase of $200 000) while quarter-finalists will earn $1.175 million (an increase of $175 000).

This represents a total increase in the AFCON prize money of $1.850m.

Hosts Cameroon and Burkina Faso will kick-off the tournament on Sunday, January 9th.

The Eagles will start their campaign with a tough tie against seven-time champions Egypt.

Meanwhile, the Austine Eguavoen-led side beat Cameroon club Coton Sport in a practice game on Friday.

Guardiola anxious not to upset fans over Etihad comments

Pep Guardiola has said he did not intend to upset Manchester City fans with comments about the size of the crowd at the Etihad Stadium for Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Fulham.
A crowd of 39,223, well short of the 55,000 capacity, watched the routine 4-0 win over the 10-man Cottagers.
After that game, Guardiola said: “Motivation was right and hopefully in the next game against United, our fans can come and make the stadium full.

“It was not full. I don’t know why. (Wednesday) gives a chance to go back to Wembley. Hopefully, they will support us more.”
When it was put to him the financial demands placed on football fans, Guardiola said on Tuesday: “I understand the fans. It was never my intention to offend them. It’s so nice to have the fans here. I am always grateful for their support.
“Since I arrived here until the last day I want to fight to play as well as possible and see the Etihad full for every game.”
Guardiola remains wary of the threat posed by Manchester United in Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final second leg after his side were beaten 2-1 at the Etihad in the Premier League earlier this season.
“It’s Manchester United. They can do it, they have done it,” said the City boss, whose side hold a 3-1 lead from the first game at Old Trafford.
“In these kinds of games against incredible teams with incredible history, they have pride and I know how difficult it will be to reach the final.”

Anthony Joshua accepts to face Tyson Fury at Tottenham's new stadium

Anthony Joshua seems to have accepted the offer to face Tyson Fury in London.
The 30-Year-old recently reclaimed his heavyweight titles after beating Andy Ruiz- Joshua is also expected to face a couple of mandatory challengers if he must keep his belts

British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has hinted that he is opened to getting into the rings with his countryman Tyson Fury.

Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium could be the venue for their fight which has not been given a date yet.Joshua recently reclaim his WBA, WBO, and IBF belts last December after beating defending champion Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia.The English born boxer of Nigerian descent has however accepted a challenge from Fury who will be facing American fighter Deontay Wilder next month.

Newmen reports that Joshua is expected to battle Kubrat Pulev in his next fight, while Bulgarian star Pulev is another mandatory challenger for his IBF crown.

Oleksandr Usyk is also waiting in line to fight Joshua for his WBO belt, but the Mirror claims the 30-year-old seems unperturbed by the above-named fighters.The publications further revealed that Joshua is keen on fighting Fury first and then Deontay Wilder next.He was recently questioned about a chance to fight his countryman and he said: "The doors are open. I'm wishing him well in February. Imagine having that fight, at Tottenham? That would be phenomenal.

"I'm supporting Fury [against Wilder] because imagine the local kids being able to watch the undisputed championship fight on their doorstep. "I'd love to do it here in the UK."Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, hinted that London is the likely destination for his client's next bout.Legit.ng earlier reported that Anthony Joshua met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, January 18, and presented his heavyweight belts to him in a beautiful scene that sent delight into the hearts of Nigerians across the world. Another Nigerian UFC fighter sends message to fans in Yoruba after recording 4th straight win (video)The world heavyweight champion defeated Mexican star Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia on December 7, to reclaim his heavyweight belts in style. 

Joshua, whose father hailed from Sagamu, Ogun State, then thanked Nigerians for their supports, promising to present his IBO, IBF, WBO and WBA belts to the president.

Ernesto Valverde sacked by Barcelona as Quique Setien appointed

Ernesto Valverde has been sacked by Barcelona after two-and-a-
half years at the Nou Camp, with Quique Setien taking over until
June 2022.

Valverde is the first manager to be sacked by Barcelona mid-
season since Louis van Gaal was dismissed in January 2003.
Barcelona are currently ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga
on goal difference and through to the knockout stages of the
Champions League, but they lost 3-2 to Atletico Madrid in the
semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday.

Valverde, previously at Athletic Bilbao and Valencia, replaced Luis
Enrique in 2017 and won back-to-back league titles during his
time in charge.

Dangote Plans Arsenal Takeover Bid For 2021

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has claimed he still plans to launch an
Arsenal takeover bid – and hinted it could happen in 2021.

Dangote, 62, is Africa’s richest man and ranks at number 136 on the Forbes
rich list, thanks to his 85% ownership of the publicly-traded Dangote Cement
and stakes in publicly-traded salt, sugar and flour manufacturing companies.
The Arsenal fan has previously discussed his desire to one day buy the club
from Stan Kroenke – and he has now placed a timeline on his plans.

Speaking on the David Rubenstein Show in America, in an interview recorded in
September, Dangote said: “It is a team that yes I would like to buy some day.
“But what I keep saying is we have $20billion worth of projects and that’s what
I really want to concentrate on. I’m trying to finish building the company and
then after we finish, maybe some time in 2021 we can.
“I’m not buying Arsenal right now, I’m buying Arsenal when I finish all these
projects, because I’m trying to take the company to the next level.”
Dangote is in the process of building the Dangote Refinery which, according to
Forbes, will become one of the world’s largest oil refineries once complete
having been in construction for three years.
It seems he may be waiting for that project to be complete before launching a
takeover bid, having earmarked 2020 as the year he would make his move in
an interview back in 2018.

Luis Suarez out for four months after knee surgery

Luis Suarez has undergone surgery on his right knee for the second time in less
than a year Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has been ruled out for approximately
four months after having keyhole surgery on an injury to his right
knee.

Suarez had suffered an injury to the external meniscus of his knee and was operated on by Dr Ramon Cugat yesterday.
The former Liverpool striker, 32, played the entire match as
Barcelona were beaten 3-2 by Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super
Cup semi-final on Friday.
Suarez - who had surgery on the same knee at the end of last
season - has played 23 games for Barcelona this season, scoring
14 goals.
Barcelona legend Xavi has been linked with a return to the club in a coaching
capacity
The Catalans are top of La Liga at the halfway point of the
season, locked on 40 points with second-placed Real Madrid, and
face Napoli in the last 16 of the Champions League.
They were knocked out of the Spanish Super Cup with a 3-2
defeat to Athletico Madrid on Thursday, a loss which has added
pressure on manager Ernesto Valverde.
That loss, which came after a surprise 2-2 league draw at
struggling Espanyol, has led to increased speculation over the
manager's position, with AS reporting that club legend Xavi has
been offered a contract to take over from the 55-year-old.

LaLiga: Xavi rejects Barcelona offer to replace Valverde

Barcelona legend, Xavi Hernandez, has decided to turn down the opportunity to
replace Ernesto Valverde as the club’s manager immediately, according to
ESPN.

Following two days of phone calls and meetings, Xavi who is currently in
charge of Al Saad, told Barca sporting director Eric Abidal and CEO Oscar
Grau, that he was open to the possibility of joining the club in the summer.
It is believed that Valverde’s job was not in immediate danger, following a 3-2
defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final.
But Barca changed their minds and sent Abidal and Grau to hold meetings with
Xavi.
Xavi however prefers to take over from the start and not in the middle of a
season.
Valverde is expected to take training on Monday morning with his squad.