Former captain and coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Christian Chukwu has urged the Federal Government to fulfil its promise to late Thompson Oliha, who died at the weekend.

According to him, it is saddening that Oliha and all other players who won the Tunisia ‘94 Africa Cup of Nations have yet to receive government’s pledge of a house.

“To be honest, this is not too good,” he said. “He has not received the house he was promised for helping Nigeria win the Nations Cup in 1994. Now he has died, I don’t know if it is not too late for him to be given that house.”

The former assistant coach to Clemens Westerhof also spoke about the commitment of the late Oliha to the national team.

“Oliha was a perfect example in training and matches, as he was always hard working but found the time to exchange banter with players and coaches alike,” Chukwu said, adding that his death is sad and he will be sorely missed.

“He only left for Europe after the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations but even when he was based in Nigeria, he was still first-choice as the European-based players found it almost impossible to outwit him in training and matches.”

 

Thompson Oliha, a member of the victorious Super Eagles squad to the 1994 African Nations Cup, has died.

Oliha, who was one of the coaches at the Kwara State Football Academy in Ilorin, died this morning. He was even on the bench on Saturday when Kwara Football Academy (KFA) boys played against a Malian team. He reportedly complained of malaria and was hospitalised in the state capital before he gave up the ghost.

Kwara State Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Bunmi Adedoyin as well as Lagos State Chairman of SWAN, Fred Edoreh confirmed the tragedy. 

Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi commiserated with the family of Thompson Oliha, describing him as a very influential member of the Nigerian national team in the 90s.

“He contributed greatly to the success of that team,” the minister said in a release signed by his special adviser, Julius Ogunro.

“He was a dedicated and thoroughbred professional who always put the nation first and who was member of the golden generation of Nigerian football history.

A true patriot, he was motivated by the desire to don the Nigerian jersey than by pecuniary interests. He would be deeply be missed by the sporting community in Nigeria and the world at large. I pray that his soul rests in peace.”

African champions Nigeria snatched a winner nine minutes from time through Ahmed Musa to beat Kenya 1-0 away and boost their World Cup qualifying chances in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Musa's goal gave the Super Eagles a two-point lead at the top of Group F as closest rivals Malawi were earlier held to a goalless draw by Namibia at home in Blantyre.

Nigeria, who are heading to the Confederations Cup in Brazil later this month, moved on to eight points with two games to play as Malawi failed to keep pace.

Nigeria visit Namibia next Wednesday while Malawi host Kenya at the same time in another crucial round of matches with only the group winners progressing to the third qualifying round.

It was Nigeria's first win since they unexpectedly triumphed at the African Nations Cup in South Africa in February.

They needed an equaliser in added time at home to Kenya in March to avoid a major setback on the road to Brazil and drew 2-2 with Mexico in a friendly last week before travelling from Houston, Texas to Nairobi for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.

Germany's capital will play host to the competition's showpiece for the first time in its history, with the Europa League set to be contested in Warsaw.

UEFA has announced that the 2015 Champions League final will be held in Berlin's Olympiastadion.

The stadium was built when the German capital hosted the 1936 Olympic Games but has never staged the final of Europe's top competition.

However, the continent's governing body has confirmed that the showpiece will return to Germany just three years after Chelsea claimed the title at Munich's Allianz Arena.

"I already told Michel Platini at the 2012 final in Munich that we wish to host this worldwide event again soon," German Football Federation president Wolfgang Niersbach said.

"The fact that it happened so quickly is credit to our ability to organize things and be a good host. I am looking forward to a big football party in Berlin."

Meanwhile, the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland will host the 2015 Europa League final.

The arena was built for last summer's European Championship and hosted five matches, including the opening fixture of the tournament, one quarterfinal and one semifinal.

Barcelona star, Lionel Messi and his father Jorge Horacio have denied accusations of tax evasion for more than three years between 2006 and 2009 in the region of €4m.

Messi and his father are under the investigation of Spanish tax authorities for allegedly avoiding payment of charges due from sales of the Argentina captain’s image rights by operating through companies based outside the country.

Prosecutor Raquel Amado signed a complaint and filed it with the courthouse in the Gava district of Barcelona on Wednesday.

But denying the charges, Messi wrote: on his official Facebook account: “We have learned through the media about the claim filed by the Spanish tax authorities. 
“We are surprised about this news, because we have not committed any infringement. We have always fulfilled all of our tax obligations, following the advice of our tax consultants, who will take care of clarifying this situation.”

If convicted, the superstar faces as much as six years in prison.

Both the club and the Brazilian forward himself have confirmed he will formally put pen to paper on Monday and join the Camp Nou giants this summer

Barcelona has officially confirmed it has reached a deal with Santos to sign Brazilian star Neymar, who will sign a five-year contract with the club on Monday.

The forward himself also broke the news through his Instagram and Facebook accounts and revealed his appearance against Flamengo on Sunday would be his last for his boyhood club.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed the  Jose Maurinho is set to end his three-year spell in La Liga following a trophy-less season in the Spanish capital.

Jose Mourinho will leave his role as coach of Real Madrid at the end of the current season, the club confirmed Monday.

President Florentino Perez revealed at a press conference that Mourinho's time in charge at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu is coming to an end by mutual agreement once the 2012-13 season has reached a conclusion.

The announcement comes after a disappointing spell saw Madrid knocked out of the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund in the semifinals and defeated by rival Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, while Barcelona celebrated La Liga glory.

“The club and manager believe the time is right to bring our relationship to an end,” Perez said. “I would like to thank Jose Mourinho for all his hard work over the last three years. The team has improved over his time here and I would like to wish him all the best.

"The achievements of this season have not been sufficient for the demands of a club such as Real Madrid, or a coach like Mourinho."

Perez admitted the subject of Mourinho's future has been on the club's agenda for some time, but insisted a final decision has only been reached now and there is no agreement in place for his replacement despite suggestions Carlo Ancelotti has already agreed on a deal.

"We have come to this decision just now, although it's something that has been at the back of our mind for some time," Perez said. "We have no pre-contract signed with any manager. This is something we have to look at over the coming days."

Mourinho, meanwhile, has been heavily speculated to return to Chelsea, which is looking for a permanent replacement to interim boss Rafa Benitez.

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