Klopp has no problems winning ‘ugly’

http://ift.tt/2mBsUHF

Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on March 4, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS /

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he is happy for his team to win “ugly” during the remainder of the Premier League season if it brings results such as the fortunate 2-1 victory over Burnley at Anfield on Sunday.

Klopp’s team improved their chances of finishing in the top four, and qualifying for next season’s Champions League, thanks to Emre Can’s superb long-range shot after 60 minutes.

But, against a Burnley side with just two points away from home this season, Liverpool were forced to work hard to come back after Ashley Barnes had shot the visitors into a shock, early lead.

“I would say you need to be ready for both,” said Klopp when asked if it was important for his team to learn how to win ‘ugly’ games.

“You cannot plan an ugly game. But this was not our best game so, yes, if we want to stay where we are, then we need to win football games and we can’t make the choice and say ‘yes or no we want to play this way’,” the German added.

“We all have to get used to it a little bit. It is the first ugly game we won. Usually when we are not at our best we have lost.

“It is really good today that we could do it like this. We usually win good games, but the bad games and the average games we need to be challenging too. We were today,” he added after a victory that saw Liverpool remain fourth, still in the final Champions League place open to English clubs, and move five points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal.

Liverpool were fortunate to go into the half-time interval level with Burnley after Georginio Wijnaldum scored an equaliser deep in injury-time.

– ‘Outstanding attitude’ –
Can’s goal ultimately kept Liverpool ahead of both Arsenal and Manchester United in the chase for fourth place and, while Klopp felt the Germany midfielder should have done more to prevent Matt Lowton crossing for Burnley’s goal, he was pleased to see that his star has finally recovered from persistent injury troubles.

“Emre has an outstanding attitude,” said Klopp. “He has had a few problems with a calf which we couldn’t sort quickly enough.

“We had a lot of specialists to try and find it out and it looks like we found a solution now and he does not have these problems any more.”

Klopp added: “I like to speak positively about a player, second half Emre was very good but first half it was a challenge he should have had before their goal but things like that happen in football, it does not make you a bad person.

“We have to react and he reacted really well.”

Klopp also confirmed that midfielder Jordan Henderson will miss Liverpool’s trip to Manchester City on Sunday and will be unavailable for England’s forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Lithuania following a foot injury.

“No chance,” said Klopp. “The (international) break hopefully is two weeks, we hope that will bring him back but there will be no game in this time.

“He cannot train, for sure he cannot play against City. It makes sense he is doing the rehab. Hopefully he can run in the second week of the international break and then we will have to see.”

Burnley manager Sean Dyche now faces two more consecutive away games, halfway through a run of four in a row, with his team visiting bottom-of-the-table Sunderland on Saturday.

“It’s another ‘nearly’ for us and we have had too many ‘nearlys’ on the road,” said Dyche. “The main thing is to keep performing, and if we keep performing like that things will come our way over time.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2midTtq

Mixed reactions trail reintroduction of charges on cash deposits, withdrawals

http://ift.tt/2llIARZ

PHOTO: Probitas Report

Mixed reactions have continued to trail the reintroduction of bank charges by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on cash deposits and withdrawals.

Some bank customers in Ilorin who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, expressed different views on the CBN’s decision.

Mr Dipo Fatokun, CBN’s Director, Banking and Payments Department, had said that the decision to reintroduce the charges was consequent upon the review of charges on deposits and withdrawals in the cashless policy.

Mr Lukman Yahaya said the timing of the policy was wrong considering the economic situation in the country.

”The new policy is uncalled for with the present economy of the country.

”I am a commercial farmer and we borrow huge money from banks to carry out our farming activities, this policy will have adverse effect on us,” Yahaya said.

Another customer, Mrs Josephine Adebare, said the development would discourage customers from seeking bank facilities.

”Personally, I believe those charges are not right, especially when CBN is talking about financial inclusion and financial literacy.

”The importance of finance inclusion is to bring more customers into the saving culture; with reintroduction of charges, it might discourage depositors and those seeking other banking facilities,” Adebare said.

However, the Chief Executive Officer of Sure Doors, Adebowale Olugbenga, and also a bank customer, expressed supported for the policy, saying that it would reduce money laundering in the financial sector.

”It will be easy to control illicit funds that go to kidnappers, especially. To to me, it is a good development,” Olugbenga said.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer, Emmertex Superstores, Mr Hilary Okhifo, said the policy was a welcome development, adding that it would reduce movement of cash.

”It will help to check unnecessary withdrawals, people will only withdraw money when it is necessary,” Okhifo said.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mSIayK

Man Utd in suspense over Ibrahimovic, Rooney futures

http://ift.tt/2lGVDtl

Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (C) reacts during the UEFA Europa League football Fenerbahce SK vs Manchester United at the Fenerbahce Ulker Stadium on November 3, 2016 in Istanbul. / AFP PHOTO / STRINGER

Growing uncertainty over the futures of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney threatens to overshadow Manchester United’s all-important quest to return to the Champions League.

Ibrahimovic, the former Paris Saint-Germain striker, has been a huge success during his first season in England yet recent comments have cast doubt over whether there will be a second.

Ibrahimovic’s 26th goal for United was the winner as they beat Southampton 3-2 last Sunday to secure the League Cup, their first major trophy under Jose Mourinho’s management.

But asked if he would trigger the 12-month extension option in his one-year contract, the former Sweden international said: “We have another two months of the season to go. Let’s see how I feel, the situation.

“Somebody made up a story that if we don’t qualify for the Champions League, I will not extend. It has nothing to do with that.”

The 35-year-old has played his part in a very good spell in the cup competitions for United since their last Premier League fixture on February 11.

His hat-trick saw off Saint-Etienne in the Europa League last 32, he netted the winner against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup fifth round and scored twice to see off Southampton at Wembley.

Already dropped from the starting XI, Rooney has played no part for United for the last month, firstly as a result of a muscle injury and then because he needed root canal treatment to sort out a dental problem.

The club captain was an unused substitute against Southampton and has become an increasingly peripheral figure at Old Trafford despite breaking United’s all-time scoring record in January.

The 31-year-old is understood to be considering a return to his former club Everton, whose manager Ronald Koeman admitted on Tuesday that he was interested in signing the England captain.

– Mings not fazed –
United, unbeaten in the Premier League since October, are guaranteed to climb up from sixth place with a win against Bournemouth at home on Saturday because the two teams immediately above them — Liverpool and Arsenal — play each other the same day.

A fourth-place finish would mean Champions League football after missing out this term and midfielder Ander Herrera said: “We are playing every week now and the manager understands perfectly what we need.

“Already, we have to focus on Bournemouth as we have to be in the top four. We want to play in the Champions League next season.”

Central defender Phil Jones is ready to return after a month out with a foot injury, but attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan remains a doubt after missing the League Cup final with a hamstring problem.

Without a win in their last seven league games and having suffered four successive defeats, Bournemouth head to Old Trafford in danger of being dragged towards the bottom three.

Eddie Howe’s side sit in 14th, four points above the bottom three, but with a number of teams below them showing signs of improved form, the Cherries must halt their slide quickly.

Key to their hopes will be their ability to nullify the threat of Ibrahimovic and Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings is not intimidated by the prospect of facing the forward.

“I watched Zlatan on TV when I was a kid, but that’s the same with everything at the moment,” said Mings.

“My rise has been quite quick so the people that I’m playing against are also the people that I watched. It doesn’t affect me one bit. I’m just trying to learn and impose myself on them.

“If I start getting dazed when playing other opposition, I’d probably start showing them too much respect.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mlpqvo

Guardiola salutes Bravo despite fans doubts…See full details

http://ift.tt/2lZog67

Manchester City's Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo gestures to the Huddersfield fans after Manchester City's Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho scored his team's fifth goal during the FA Cup fifth round replay football match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 1, 2017.<br />Manchester City won the match 5-1. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF /

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insisted he has no concerns about his goalkeeper Claudio Bravo despite the club’s supporters appearing to show their displeasure at the experienced Chilean international during a 5-1 FA Cup win over Huddersfield Town.

Bravo, who has been displaced by Willy Caballero as first choice at the Etihad, let an opening goal from Harry Bunn through his legs early in the fifth round replay against the Championship side.

City supporters cheered sarcastically when Bravo made an unconvincing save in the first half and, again, later in the match when he caught a routine cross.

But Guardiola, who paid £15.4 million for his services from Barcelona last summer, insisted the performance from Bravo was up to standard.

“You would have to ask the fans (about jeering). The performance from Claudio was amazing, to make the build-up, nobody else can do that,” said Guardiola.

“He reads when the men are free. It’s not easy to read that. He gave us the opportunity to play. What the fans express, I’m not here to judge them.

“I am not worried about him, he’s strong enough. He’s one of the best. This year, he was named as one of the best five goalkeepers in the world.

“The people cannot imagine a goalkeeper is. But I know how the media works. I’m delighted and so happy that he’s with us.

“I know I can count on him. I can count on his behaviour when he’s playing and when he’s not playing. He’s always involved in the team. I just congratulate him on how he played at Huddersfield and how he played today.”

Bravo’s poor start was unimportant in the end as City coasted into the FA Cup quarter-finals where they will meet Middlesbrough.

– ‘Best of Aguero’ –
Sergio Aguero scored twice, taking his season tally to 22 goals, and Leroy Sane, Pablo Zabaleta and Kelechi Iheanacho were also on the mark for a City team that scored five for a second consecutive game, after their thrilling 5-3 Champions League win over Monaco.

For Aguero, who had lost his place after the brilliant start made by the now-injured Gabriel Jesus, the performance was particularly impressive, according to his manager.

“It was the best performance I have ever seen from Sergio in many, many things,” said Guardiola. “He was good with the ball, one against one, two against one. He didn’t lose the ball in the box.

“He scored two goals and made another one, created a lot of chances. When he plays at that level, Sergio, he is unstoppable. I’m so, so happy with the way today he played.

“I’m pretty sure he’s going to help us keep going until the end of the season.”

However, despite City having scored 10 goals in their last two games, Guardiola refused to compare City’s attacking talent with his previous teams at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

“No, come on, we are what we are,” he said. “So it is better for us not to compare with anything.

“But I think the team made a good performance. We are still in the process to grow but still we are far away from being consistent and solid. Last game we score five goals and today five, so we are scoring a lot of goals, chances are arriving, we are attacking, people enjoy the way we played and the people are happy.”

Huddersfield manager David Wagner made nine changes for the replay with an eye on a big promotion game against Championship leaders Newcastle on Saturday.

“We’re playing at home and that is our fortress,” said Wagner. “There will be a sold-out crowd, I’m totally sure our supporters will create a great atmosphere — maybe the best one ever — on Saturday.

“So we have to make sure we are as fresh as we can be and try to make sure we compete better than today.”

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lgIFGA

The Biography Of Dr SID [Age, Life Profile & Net Worth]

http://ift.tt/2lgJjDW

Sidney Onoriode Esiri (born May 1, 1980) known commonly as Dr SID, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and dentist, who is a descent of Delta state raised in Lagos. His mother a successful fashion designer and his father the legendary actor Justus Esiri who is a Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), and famous for his role as the Village Headmaster a Nigerian sitcom popular in the 1980s. The second child of 4 children from an early age he had his heart set on becoming an entertainer.

However his life took a different course graduating from the Nigerian Air force Secondary school ikeja, SID went on to the University of Ibadan (UI) to study Dental Surgery, During his school years his flair for entertainment could not be hidden as he took part in school plays, dance competitions and concerts winning numerous awards along the way.

Dr SID signed on to a fresh new record label Trybe Records (who released the Nigerian hip hop group Trybesmen) as a choreographer. He would spend the next three years touring as a backup dancer for the Trybesmen.

Dr SID got his chance in front of the mic, when he was made a member of Da Trybe, and given a spot on the song that caused a revolution in Nigerian Hip-hop, “OYA” in 2002 alongside Sasha, 2-Shotz, Timi, DEL, and the Trybesmen (Eldee, Kb and Freestyle). Over the next year SID recorded his Debut Single “Don’t Stop” and had the number 1 video on the MBI top ten for 8 weeks, His music career had to be put on hold as he had to take a year out to finish up his university degree.

Dr SID became a qualified Dentist. He moved to the UK working with the likes of JJC & the 419 squad, Felix Duke, KAS, R70 and D’Banj. Returning to Nigeria he spent the Next year working at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and then went on to serve his country at Yola in Adamawa state. He also worked at various dental clinics combining dentistry and music.

He started recording a studio album titled Prognosis which featured the single “Raise da roof”. He was nominated in the Best New Act category at the 2005 Amen Awards. He abandoned the album in 2006.

Dr SID after 3 years made the tough decision to quit practising as a dentist and concentrate fully on his music career signing on to Don Jazzy’s Mo’ Hits Records and records the Mo’ Hits Allstars collective album Curriculum Vitae (CV) which was released in December 2007. He featured on 7 of the 15 tracks released on the album, which include “Booty Call” and “Close to you”.

Dr SID spent most of 2008 touring with the Mo Hits Allstars, and performing at some of the major concerts, including the Thisday Music Festival and Star Mega Jam.

Dr SID started recording his first studio album as a solo artist under Mo’ Hits Records with producer Don Jazzy. The first single of the album Turning Point was titled “Something About You” and was released in September 2009, which moved up the African charts alongside two other Winchi Winchi ft Wande Coal and Pop Something ft D’banj.

He also performed at the MTV Africa Music Awards in Kenya as a member of the Mo’ Hits Allstars alongside D’banj, Wande Coal and Kenyan artist STL.

Mo’ Hits Records release Dr SID’s debut album Turning Point on 11 April.

Dr SID New Single off Turning Point, “Over the Moon”, hits number 1 on Nigerian top 10.

Following a fall out of the partners at Mo’ Hits Records, D’banj and Don Jazzy, Dr SID has since signed on to Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records. He also had three songs from his album featured on a Mavin Records compilation album titled: Solar Plexus.

In 2014, Dr. Sid starred in Moses Inwang’s ‘The Last 3 Digits’. He played an NYSC corp member and a friend to Nonso Diobi in the movie. The movie is packed with so many action and intrigues. The star studded movie won the People’s Film Festival’s Best International Film award in Paris, France.

Dr Sid net worth is estimated $1.2 million (net worth estimated in 2017).

* An Uzomedia Biography

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lgCNgJ

Liverpool report £19.8m annual loss

http://ift.tt/2mKerb4

Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino (L) celebrates with team-mates including Liverpool's English midfielder Jordan Henderson (R) and Liverpool's English midfielder Adam Lallana (floor) after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Stoke City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 27, 2016. Paul ELLIS / AFP

Liverpool announced a pre-tax loss of £19.8 million ($24.5 million, 23.2 million euros) for last year on Wednesday despite record revenue of £301 million.

The loss in the year ending May 2016 was due to investment in the first-team squad and pay-offs to manager Brendan Rodgers, who was sacked in October 2015, and his back-room staff.

But with commercial revenue projected to climb and Anfield’s towering new Main Stand now complete, the club predicted “significantly improved results” for the current financial year.

“These results demonstrate the solid financial progress that’s been made over the past six years under the leadership of FSG (Fenway Sports Group) with continued investment in the playing squad and the completion of the Main Stand,” said chief operating officer Andy Hughes in a press release.

“The increase in the underlying revenue adds further strength to the club’s financial position despite the cost of football rising with player transfer fees, wages and agents’ costs.”

Liverpool signed 12 players in the 2015-16 accounting period, spending £32 million on striker Christian Benteke, who has since left, and £29 million on Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino.

They agreed six contract extensions and incurred costs relating to the redevelopment of the Main Stand.

But the club also earned £49 million from the sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City.

Overall revenue has grown every year since American owners Fenway Sports Group took over in October 2010 and rose to £301 million from £279.9 million.

– ‘Solid financial progress’ –
Commercial revenue dropped slightly, falling £700,000 to £115.7 million, but there were increases in match-day (up £3.4 million to £62.4 million) and media revenue (up £1 million to £123.6 million).

Liverpool were ranked ninth in financial consultants Deloitte’s latest Football Money League despite being the only club in the top 10 who did not play in the Champions League last season.

Hughes added: “Since this reporting period … we have continued to make solid financial progress and we expect to see further growth in our revenues following the successful opening of the Main Stand and the new media deal.

“Our commercial operations continue to thrive through new partnerships, global retail growth and developing our international soccer schools, with our newest academy opening recently in Australia.

“The investments from this ownership have been a key factor to our financial and global progress.

“We have seen continued investment in the playing squad, the expanded Main Stand, the new flagship retail store opening later this year, fully refurbished retail stores in Liverpool and Belfast, and we are consulting on a proposed development at our academy in Kirkby to bring together the first team and our young players.

“These investments all contribute to further progress and strengthen the club’s financial position which ultimately serves to support all of our football ambitions.”

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are currently fifth in the Premier League table, a point off the Champions League places, reached the League Cup semi-finals and have been knocked out of the FA Cup.

They did not qualify for European football this season.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lbL3ye

The Airtel 4G Girl Is Dating This Bollywood Celebrity…Read full details

http://ift.tt/2mzAt15

The Airtel 4G girl, Sasha Chhetri, was all over the internet a few months ago. You could love her, hate her but you just couldn’t ignore her – she was everywhere! In fact, the phone company actually used that to their advantage where they plugged in that joke in their ads.

Reportedly, the babe is dating Bollywood music director Sachin Gupta, whose Shake Your Bootiya from Finding Fanny you probably remember.

Lol madness with the crazy #sashachettri. A lovable human being @ricksharani. Madness coming soon !! Shes nothing like 4g airtel girl people call her! Ha ha much more hidden inside the ricksharani!!!!

A post shared by Sachin Gupta (@sachingupta1208) on Feb 2, 2017 at 8:35am PST

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

Aw, we love when love is in the air

The post The Airtel 4G Girl Is Dating This Bollywood Celebrity is copyright of MissMalini.

Source: Miss Malini

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lRtuAC

Rumour Has It: Parineeti Chopra Has A New Man In Her Life…Read full details

http://ift.tt/2m217BP

Parineeti Chopra may have been absent from the silver screen for a long time, but the charmer has been in the news on and off. Apart from her sexy dance number in Dhishoom, the actress grabbed headlines for her drastic makeover and her break up with director Maneesh Sharma.

On the work front, Pari is gearing up for her next release, Meri Pyari Bindu opposite Ayushmaan Khurrana. She is also travelling quite a lot due to professional reasons – and we hear that during one such trip to Dubai, she was spotted with a mystery man. According to a popular tabloid, she was spotted hand-in-hand with her male companion at a popular mall in Dubai. Reportedly, when a fan asked her for a selfie, she politely refused asking for some privacy.

Oooh! Spill the beans, Pari!

The post Rumour Has It: Parineeti Chopra Has A New Man In Her Life is copyright of MissMalini.

Source: Miss Malini

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lRvuJa

Impeached South Korea president tells court of ‘regret’…Read full details

http://ift.tt/2lfNY42

South Korean acting Constitutional Court's Chief Judge Lee Jung-mi, center, attends the final hearing on whether to confirm the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, at the Court in Seoul February 27, 2017.<br />Special prosecutors investigating the swirling corruption scandal that has embroiled South Korea's impeached President Park Geun-Hye and a host of major companies lost a bid to extend their inquiry on February 27. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Ahn Young-joon

South Korea’s president expressed “belated regret” Monday over the scandal that triggered her impeachment, as the Constitutional Court wrapped up hearings on her fate and her supporters screamed threats outside.

Park Geun-Hye was elected in 2012 with the highest vote share of any presidential candidate in South Korea’s democratic era.

But she was impeached by parliament in December over a massive corruption and influence-peddling scandal that prompted millions to take to the streets to call for her ouster.

She has since been on trial for her political life at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, which is set to decide in March whether to approve her removal from office — which would trigger new elections — or return her to the Blue House.

Park has not attended any of the hearings, which began last month.

Her lawyers maintain that she was not aware of any wrongdoing and blamed her secret confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who is accused of using her presidential ties to force local firms to “donate” nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations.

In a statement read out by her advocate on Monday, Park reiterated that her only fault was trusting Choi and seeking advice from her longtime friend, who took care of her daily affairs for years, including her wardrobe choices.

“In retrospect, I have belated regret that I should have been more cautious with my trust in her,” she said in her final defence to the court’s eight sitting judges.

Park bemoaned a “miserable reality” in which her policies and actions had become objects of “misunderstanding and suspicion”.

But she has rejected repeated requests from the judges to make herself available for questioning, and has also refused to answer questions from prosecutors probing the scandal.

– ‘Kill all of them’ –
Outside the court, hundreds of Park’s elderly supporters loudly protested against the drive to remove her, with some attempting to break through hundreds of police guarding the court.

Some waved banners threatening “civil war” if the impeachment goes through, others hurled personal threats against the judges.

“I will kill all of them if they impeach the poor president!” shouted one.

Dozens of rival demonstrators held banners backing her removal.

Choi is on trial for coercion and abuse of power.

The two women became close through Choi’s father, a shady religious figure who was Park’s mentor for years.

Park’s own father, dictator Park Chung-Hee, was assassinated in 1979 by his intelligence chief.

The 65-year-old president is accused of colluding with her friend to extract money from local firms as well as letting her handle a wide range of state affairs including nominations to senior posts, despite having no official title or security clearance.

A number of former presidential advisors and cabinet members have been arrested or charged for their involvements in the scandal, including allegedly leaking secret state documents to Choi at Park’s order.

Lawmakers pushing for Park’s impeachment say she betrayed voters.

“A series of unbelievable developments in recent weeks have left South Koreans deeply insulted, humiliated and frustrated,” Kweon Seong-Dong, a member of the parliamentary impeachment committee, told the hearing.

“We urge the constitutional court to strictly hold her accountable so that people can no longer feel ashamed of the Republic of Korea.”

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lXh2BB

Saudi minister in talks with Iran team over hajj

http://ift.tt/2mk5d65

hajj

A Saudi minister held talks with an Iranian delegation about the possibility of Iranian pilgrims rejoining the annual hajj despite ruptured ties between the two countries, state media reported late Thursday.

Shiite-dominated Iran and Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia have had no diplomatic ties since early last year.

The kingdom’s minister in charge of pilgrimages, Mohammed Bentin, discussed with the Iranians “arrangements concerning participation of the Iranian faithful in this year’s hajj,” the official Saudi Press Agency said.

It did not give more details but said the meeting took place on Thursday in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.

SPA said the talks occurred in the context of meetings organised by the pilgrimage ministry with various countries about accommodation and other logistics for the hajj, which will take place around early September.

For the first time in nearly three decades, Iran’s 64,000 pilgrims did not attend last year’s hajj after the regional rivals failed to agree on security and logistics.

Tensions remain as Saudi Arabia repeatedly accuses Iran of fuelling regional conflicts by supporting armed Shiite movements in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Bahrain.

Iran rejects the accusations and says Riyadh must stop its support for Sunni “terrorists” like the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda.

But Saudi media reported in December that Bentin had invited Iran to discuss arrangements for this year’s pilgrimage.

“Iran’s policy is to send pilgrims to the hajj (this year), of course, if Saudi Arabia accepts our conditions,” Iran’s Culture Minister Reza Salehi Amiri told state television on Wednesday, when he confirmed Iran had sent a team to Saudi Arabia.

“In a letter I’ve written to the Saudi hajj minister I have specified our conditions,” he said.

“If they accept our conditions, we will definitely send pilgrims (this) year, otherwise the responsibility” will be on Saudi Arabia.

More than 1.8 million faithful took part in last year’s hajj. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims who can must perform it at least once in their lives.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lCEcel

Reunions abound as Man Utd tackle Saint-Etienne

http://ift.tt/2kJg6gt

Manchester United / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL /

Manchester United’s quest for a trophy treble continues with a meeting against a fallen French giant on Thursday as Saint-Etienne visit Old Trafford in the Europa League’s round of 32.

Although United trail leaders Chelsea by 12 points in the Premier League, they remain on track for glory in both the League Cup, where they have reached the final, and the FA Cup.

Even one season outside the Champions League is seen as a season too many for a club like United, but although Saint-Etienne last sat at Europe’s top table in 1981, Jose Mourinho remains an admirer.

“Despite many years without titles, it’s a big club with big tradition,” the United manager told MUTV after the draw was made.

“It’s the club where Michel Platini, before he went to Italy, did amazingly well in an amazing team that was dominant in France in that period, so it’s a historical club.

“And (with) the extra curiosity of a beautiful thing, which is two brothers playing against each other.”

The brothers in question are United’s record signing Paul Pogba and the Saint-Etienne defender Florentin, who will meet in a professional match for the first time.

The pair have spoken of their excitement prior to the game and another player rubbing his hands in anticipation is United’s Anthony Martial, who came through the ranks at Saint-Etienne’s arch rivals Lyon.

“There was a huge rivalry while I was still at Lyon,” the French forward, whose side are unbeaten in 16 league games, told the United website this week.

“It was always a highly charged atmosphere and they were usually massive games, the kind all players love to play in.

“Of course, it would be great if I could score against them again, but I hope we can win the game because that’s the most important thing, then it would be a bonus if I managed to grab a goal.”

– ‘Mythical stadium’ –
A goal for Martial will also have an impact on United’s finances as his 25th strike in their colours will trigger a 10 million euros ($10.6 million) payment to his former club Monaco.

Saint-Etienne could be forgiven, however, for paying more attention to Martial’s team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored 14 goals in 13 matches against them during his time at Paris Saint-Germain.

Thursday’s game will allow Saint-Etienne to end a near 40-year wait to grace the Old Trafford turf for the first time.

The sides previously met in the European Cup Winners’ Cup first round in 1977, but the second leg was played at Plymouth Argyle on England’s south coast after crowd trouble marred the first leg.

Following a 1-1 draw at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, United prevailed 2-0 in the second leg courtesy of goals from Stuart Pearson and Steve Coppell.

Saint-Etienne go into the game on the back of a breezy 4-0 win over Ligue 1’s bottom club Lorient, which defender Kevin Malcuit believes was helpful preparation.

“It’s always good to go to Manchester,” he said.

“It will be a pleasure to play at Old Trafford, which is a mythical stadium. We’re really happy to be playing this team, although we know they are stronger than us.”

In the pick of Thursday’s other first-leg ties, Serie A’s second-place team Roma travel to Villarreal, Borussia Moenchengladbach host Fiorentina and Tottenham Hotspur visit Belgian side Gent.

Fixtures

Thursday (2005 GMT unless otherwise stated):

Anderlecht v Zenit St Petersburg, Astra Giurgiu v Genk (1800 GMT), Athletic Bilbao v Apoel Nicosia, AZ Alkmaar v Lyon (1800 GMT), Borussia Moenchengladbach v Fiorentina (1800 GMT), Celta Vigo v Shakhtar Donetsk (1800 GMT), Gent v Tottenham Hotspur (1800 GMT), Hapoel Be’er Sheva v Besiktas, Krasnodar v Fenerbahce (1600 GMT), Legia Warsaw v Ajax, Ludogorets v FC Copenhagen (1800 GMT), Manchester United v Saint-Etienne, Olympiakos v Osmanlispor (1800 GMT), PAOK Salonika v Schalke, Rostov v Sparta Prague (1800 GMT), Villarreal v Roma

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kJldgV

WATCH VIDEO: Skip Ft. Zoro – Na My Money

http://ift.tt/2ksdHWL

SKIP officially drops the video to his new song “Na My Money” featuring the rave of the moment Zoro.

“Na My Money” is already an anthem in the clubs. The video was directed by MEX. Enjoy!!

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lf4xB1

‘One mistake and you’re dead’ against Barca, says Lucas…See full details

http://ift.tt/2kK3zMc

Lucas Moura. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images<br />

Lucas Moura has been knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona twice before with Paris Saint-Germain, but the Brazilian insists the French club can come out on top in the sides’ latest meeting.

PSG host the Spanish champions in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday knowing they must silence Lionel Messi, Neymar and co to maintain a realistic hope of reaching the quarter-finals ahead of next month’s return.

Paris have reached the last eight in each of the last four seasons, losing to Barcelona there in 2013 and again in 2015.

Getting to the same stage had been seen as a minimum objective this time around under new coach Unai Emery, but now the Catalans stand in their way even earlier than before.

“For me they are the best team in the world, but nobody is invincible,” Lucas, 24, told AFP in an exclusive interview.

“I think we are also very strong — for four or five years now we have been gaining respect on the European scene.”

PSG have beaten Barcelona in the recent past — Lucas was in the starting line-up for a 3-2 victory in the group stage in September 2014.

“I know you must not make any mistakes against Barca. If you make one mistake against a team like that you are dead,” he added.

“And we need to make the most of what chances we get, because we will get some. We will need to produce an almost perfect match.”

When the draw was made in December, beating Barcelona looked an impossible task for PSG but they have improved considerably since the turn of the year.

Emery’s side have won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 games, quite a turnaround from a miserable run of results prior to Christmas.

“I think the short break over the holidays did us good,” said Lucas, who used the break to get married in his native Brazil.

“We could relax a bit, forget about our problems and rest. We came back looking very strong. I think we can get to the end of the season and win trophies. We must not give up. It is to be expected that there might be a few problems.”

– Paris a ‘magnificent experience’ –
A winger with searing pace and outstanding technical ability, it is now four years since Lucas arrived in Paris with a reputation as one of the most exciting young players in Brazil.

He is just six months younger than Neymar but he has not yet become a global superstar like his compatriot, even if he is becoming more important than ever at his club.

He has 14 goals for PSG this season, cementing his place in a team finding its way following the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while Neymar, in contrast, has faced some criticism recently.

“He is an incredible player who will be very difficult to stop,” he said of Neymar.

“In terms of his statistics he has not been as good this season, but for me football is not only about statistics. Neymar, even if he scores fewer goals, is still Neymar.”

PSG’s Qatari owners have been linked with moves to sign Neymar in the recent past in their quest to really put the club on a par with the world’s top sides.

So far they have been frustrated in their attempts to make such a marquee signing, but the French capital is an attractive proposition for players.

Lucas, for one, admits he is happy there and aims to stay beyond 2019, when his contract expires.

“I hope so. That is my objective. I feel very good here. I like the city, the club, the supporters. It is a magnificent experience to live here,” he said.

“I love going to the Champs Elysees, to Trocadero, eating in a good restaurant. I hope to stay here a long time.”

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2kZiPna