MFM Coach, Tony Bolus Lauds players over opening day win

AgegePulse Magazine

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC head coach Tony Bolus has praised his charges after their 1-0 win over Heartland FC in a Matchday One fixture of the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season decided at the Okigwe Stadium in Owerri on Sunday.

The Olukoya Boys gave a good account of themselves against the Naze Millionaires as they claimed an opening day win courtesy of a 39th minute header from Clement Ogwu when he connected a long throw-in from Najeem Olayinka.

Fidelis Ilechukwu's men created lots of goal-scoring chances shortly after MFM FC's goal but the Lagos-based team goalkeeper Folarin Abayomi denied the hosts with breathtaking saves. His bright display in between the sticks earned him the man-of the-match award.

After the crucial victory Bolus appreciated his boys for their brilliant performance.

“I need to appreciate my boys for their effort today and for keeping and playing to instructions. They maintained the tempo of the game from the beginning to the end of the game. They were able to keep their cool and the ball and I appreciate their effort a lot and I believe it's going to continue till the end of the season," he said.

The former Giwa FC manager also talked about the lapses he noticed during the match and promised to make amendment before his team’s next league game against FC  Ifeanyiubah.

“There were lapses in the team despite the victory so we will go back home to the drawing board and right our wrongs.

"We had opportunities to be two to three goals up but we failed to make them count although they had theirs also but our goalkeeper was great in goal today. All the same we still need to work on the team to prepare for FC Ifeanyiubah,” he concluded.

Modric defeats Ronaldo and Salah to be crowned FIFA's The Best of 2018

Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has been named the Best Men’s Player at The Best FIFA Football Awards on Monday evening, fighting off competition from fellow nominees Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah.

The award caps off an incredible year for Modric, who won his fourth Champions League title with Real Madrid in May, before leading his country to a World Cup final in July and being crowned UEFA Men’s Player of the Year last month.

The Best Men’s Player of the Year award, formerly named the Fifa World Player of the Year, has long been dominated by both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but Barcelona forward Messi failed to make the shortlist for this years award for the first time since 2006. Neither player was present in London on Monday.

Modric’s other accolades from last season include him being awarded the Golden Ball for his performances during the 2017 Club World Cup, whilst the former Spurs man was also included in the Champions League team of the season for a third consecutive year and named the best midfielder in the competition for a second consecutive year.

"This trophy is not just mine, it’s for all my Real Madrid team-mates, for all my team-mates from the Croatia national team, for all the coaches that I have played for," Modric stated upon receiving the award.

"Without them, this would not be possible and thank you a lot to them.

"This trophy is also for my family, without whom I would not be the player and person that I am. They are my ‘the best’.

"At this particular moment, I would like to mention my footballing idol [Zvonimir Boban] and captain of Croatia generation 1998 and their first participation [at the World Cup finals as Croatia] and bronze in France.

"He was my big inspiration and that team gave us belief that we could achieve something great in Russia. Hopefully we can be the same for next generations.

"This award shows that we all can become the best with hard work, dedication and belief. All dreams can come true."

Juventus forward Ronaldo had won the two previous Best FIFA awards before this year, but was beaten to this year's crown by his former Real Madrid team-mate and also missed out of the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award to Modric last month.

The Portugal star was nominated after playing a vital part in a third successive Champions League title for Real Madrid last season. He was top scorer in the competition with 15 goals and netted 44 goals altogether for Los Blancos in 2017-18, before moving to Juventus in a deal worth a reported €100 million (£90m/$118m).

"First of all I would like to give congratulations to Mohamed [Salah] and Cristiano [Ronaldo] for the seasons they have had, and I'm sure that in the future you will have another opportunity to win this trophy," Modric said of the two fellow nominees.

Liverpool star Salah was nominated after a remarkable year that saw him score 44 goals in 52 games in his debut season with the Reds, after arriving from Roma in June 2017.

The Egyptian icon came up against both Modric and Ronaldo in last seasons Champions League final but was forced off early after suffering a shoulder injury in a coming together with Sergio Ramos. He recovered in time to represent his country at the World Cup in Russia, but was unable to guide them past the group stages.

Salah was rewarded at Monday's ceremony with the Puskas Award for best goal of the past year .

France coach Didier Deschamps was crowned Men's Coach of the Year, while football legends lined up to criticise Messi and Ronaldo for their notable snub of the FIFA event.

Five-time FIFA World Player of the Year winner Marta  won the Best Women's player award, having been runner-up last year.

Goal.com

Elbe Pharm. Nigeria committed to grassroot football development in Agege

Agege Pulse Magazine

Elbe Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of Amatem, Daravit Forte and Visita Plus storm the venue of Renew Elephant Football Fiesta to distribute free drugs, exercise books and T-shirts to players and spectators

According to the Elbe team, the move is part of their contributions towards supporting  the Renew Elephant Cup Competition.


The team added that they would partner with Elephant Club to develop grassroot football in Agege.

Chairman of Elephant Club, Prince Moroofdeen Ashade expressed gratitude to Elbe Pharm. Nigeria Ltd for their support towards adding values to the development of sporting activities at the grassroot level in Agege.