LAGOS JUNE 21ST (NEWSRANGRS)-Fernando Santos had wanted to see more from his supporting cast but, well, while the Portugal manager has Cristiano Ronaldo, it is probably not essential. Ronaldo did what Ronaldo does. He got into dangerous areas, he scored and he was decisive. It did not matter that this was not a vintage Portugal…
LAGOS JUNE 20TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Nigerian football supporters have been left bemused by reports of a request to Russian officials to have live chickens taken into the World Cup venues as good-luck charms. It was reported last week, on various platforms, that Nigerian fans had been denied their requests to take chickens into the stadiums, but it’s…
LAGOS JUNE 20TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Croatia sent one of its players home Monday after he refused to take the pitch during the team’s opening World Cup match. Head coach Zlatko Dalić confirmed forward Nikola Kalinić was sent packing from the team’s base camp in Roshchino, Russia. The drastic move comes after Kalinić apparently cited a back injury…
LAGOS JUNE 18TH (NESRANGERS)-Head coach of the Super Eagles , Gernot Rohr has insisted that playing a three-man defence against Croatia was not the best decision. Gernot Rohr was reacting to criticisms surrounding his choice of 4-2-3-1 formation for the 2-0 defeat to the Europeans in their Group D opener on Saturday night. Former Nigeria…
LAGOS JUNE 18TH (NEWSRANGERS)-An Egypt team official has confirmed goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy declined to receive a player of the match trophy at the World Cup for religious reasons. The trophy, an artistic red goblet, is sponsored by Budweiser. Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol. Egypt team director Ihab Leheta told The Associated Press on Sunday…
LAGOS JUNE 17TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Brazil will be eager to bounce back in their first game against Switzerland after their dismal outing at the last World Cup, which they hosted. Coach Tite will be hoping that the players live up to expectation this time around after the disastrous outing that left their fans disappointment. This year, the…
LAGOS JUNE 17TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Nigeria ensured that Africa’s teams went 0-3 at the World Cup as they put on a lifeless display and were duly swatted aside by a Croatia side who ran out 2-0 winners. The defeat leaves the Super Eagles with much to do to escape Group D, particularly with Argentina to come in…
LAGOS JUNE 14TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The anxious wait for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is finally over as the tournament kicks off today at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. The 32 teams for the competition have all arrived and the first match of this year’s most-anticipated tournament kicks off at 4pm (Nigerian time) between hosts Russia…