Former national goalkeeper seeks N5m to treat heart enlargement
RelatedPosts Erelu Kuti appeals for peace in Iruland When Pastor Adeboye took ‘God’s Fire’ to Manchester, Ireland Euro 2020: Switzerland revive chances with win, Ireland hopes hanging Paul Obiako, a former national goalkeeper and retired football coach, is now looking for N5 million to deal with his problem of heart enlargement.Obiako, a member of the Christ the King Church team, which won the world schools football competition in Dublin, Ireland in 1977, said he was in need of financial assistance. “The ailment was first diagnosed in 2015, but it was mildly treated then. I managed it until 2020 when it deteriorated and I became increasingly weak,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Awka, Anambra.Obiako, who played for the now Rangers International FC of Enugu between 1979 and 1989, said he now needed surgery to correct the problem.He said: “The surgery needed to correct the heart enlargement requires a sum of N5 million, which I cannot afford, having retired from active service.He said: “I am a retired civil servant, and I don’t have such money.“Neither does my wife too. “So, I need the financial assistance of all Nigerians so that I can come out of this sickness and live a normal life again.“Please, I need help.”Obiako, who is presently admitted at the Heartland Cardiovascular Consultant Hospital in Abuja, was coach of the state football team of Anambra for many years before his retirement.NAN.Tags: Christ the kIng ChurchDublinIrelandPaul Obiako
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce had spoken optimistically about the prospect of tying up a deal for the 30-year-old Holland international, who has made only two appearances for the Toffees – both in the Capital One Cup – so far this season. But in a statement released by his agents Sport Promotion on Thursday Heitinga said he had not been convinced that transfer would be right for him and had therefore called it off. Press Association He added that he was confident, with the interest being shown in him, that he would be able to join another club before the end of the January transfer window. “At my age it is important to make the right choices,” Heitinga, whose current Everton contract runs out at the end of the season, said. “Then it is not just about money, because that was not a problem at West Ham United. “You must be convinced that you are making a right step and that (thought) was with me, so I cancelled (the move to) West Ham and we now await the interest of other clubs. “There is some, so I’m confident that I can find another club before January 31.” The statement by Sport Promotion made reference to the fact that West Ham are currently 19th in the Barclays Premier League table. It also said of Heitinga: “His future may lie in England, but he is also open to a departure to another top league in Europe.” And the player spoke about his desire to play for his country at this summer’s World Cup. “I want to play in every game again, because I still have a huge appetite for the ball,” Heitinga said. “I am fit and, as a footballer, in the prime of my life. “Moreover, I would like later to go to the World Cup in Brazil. “I know that coach Louis van Gaal more or less has the condition that the players he selects are playing every week. “This is not happening at Everton, so I’m looking at other options for a successful continuation of my career.” Heitinga, capped 87 times by Holland, joined Everton in 2009 from Atletico Madrid and had previously played for Ajax. He made 30 appearances for the Toffees last season, when they were still managed by David Moyes, who was succeeded by Roberto Martinez over the summer. Everton defender Johnny Heitinga has turned down a move to West Ham.
However, the 52 year-old is convinced there is more to come from the former FC Twente frontman as he decides whether or not to include him on his summer shopping list. Pardew said: “It’s important that his all-round game improves from where he is right now, but that will come with confidence and I can see him growing every day here. “I know he likes the environment that he has found himself in, and players flourish when they start enjoying their football. Hopefully he can start doing that again because he had a tough time in Germany. “I am trying to introduce him, trying to give him games where I think he can regain his confidence. “He has had some good displays for us, but there is more to come and I hope between now and the end of the year, he shows that to our fans because we know at this club that we need strikers, and I am hoping he can tick a box for us between now and the end.” De Jong’s next chance to impress could come at Southampton on Saturday with leading scorer Loic Remy missing once again with the calf injury which has forced him to sit out the last three games, although he is scheduled to return to full training on Monday. However, full-back Mathieu Debuchy is unlikely to join him for some time yet with his groin problem ongoing. Pardew said: “We think Remy will train on Monday. He is going to training over the weekend, so he has got a good chance for Manchester United. “Mathieu, we think, will be a bit longer than that, maybe another couple of weeks.” Pardew should have left-back Davide Santon available after a bout of tonsillitis, but his selection problems show few signs of abating with keeper Tim Krul the latest to join the casualty list. The Holland international damaged a knee during Tuesday night’s 3-0 home defeat by Everton and could miss the next three games, with Republic of Ireland squad member Rob Elliot set to deputise. Pardew said: “Tim won’t play, he’s out for these next two or three games for sure, so Rob Elliot will come in. “He’s got a bruise on the bone and we think it’s a minimum of two weeks. But there is no cartilage damage, nothing structural. “Rob has made his international squad and he is keen to stay in that squad and he needs to play, so the opportunity lands at his feet. “Rob is a confident goalie and he will look to take that on.” Meanwhile, Pardew has admitted managers have to accept criticism even when they feel they do not deserve it after West Ham counterpart Sam Allardyce reacted with surprise to his team being booed after beating 10-man Hull on Wednesday evening. The Newcastle manager said: “You just have to live with those days. They do happen on very rare occasions, that you win a game or you have had a great performance and the reaction of the crowd surprises you as a manager. “You just have to accept it.” Press Association Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is hoping striker Luuk de Jong can rebuild his shattered confidence to prove he has long-term future on Tyneside. The 23-year-old joined the Magpies on loan from German club Borussia Monchengladbach in January having not started a single game this season at that point and without a goal in club football since April 6. Pardew was ready to take a gamble on a man Newcastle had scouted extensively before being beaten to the punch by Monchengladbach 18 months earlier, although the Dutchman is yet to end his personal drought after eight appearances. 
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports The school said in a statement only essential game operations personnel and families of the players and football staff will be allowed to attend.West Virginia’s Big 12 home opener is Oct. 3 against Baylor.In-person classes at West Virginia start Aug. 26 for freshmen, graduate and some professional students, while upperclassmen will start classwork online. Masks must be worn on campus.The Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference are among six Football Bowl Subdivision leagues proceeding with plans to play this fall. The Big Ten and Pac-12 abandoned their fall season.___ Associated Press UConn canceled its football season this month, but the team still had been practicing on Tuesdays and Thursdays and doing weight training on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The school said other athletes who were in contact with the six players also have been placed in quarantine. It was not immediately clear if any of the infected football players were reflected in the 11 positive tests the university reported Wednesday among the entire student body.___West Virginia’s season opener against Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 12. will be held without fans because of the pandemic.Athletic director Shane Lyons said Thursday the goal is “to have fans at Milan Puskar Stadium this season, but right now that is not possible.” August 20, 2020
The Latest: 6 UConn football players test positive for virus Share This StoryFacebookTwitteremailPrintLinkedinRedditThe Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Six UConn football players have tested positive for the new coronavirus, leading the school to suspend all team activities on Thursday. Napoli says forward Andrea Petagna has tested positive for COVID-19.Petagna is asymptomatic and had the test after his brother tested positive.Napoli signed Petagna from Spal in January but he remained on loan at the rival Serie A club until the end of the season.Roma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante said Wednesday that he has the coronavirus and Cagliari announced that three other players had also tested positive.___
Chelsea have reiterated their full support for captain John Terry after the Crown Prosecution Service announced that he will be charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.The charge relates to an alleged racist comment the England defender made towards QPR’s Anton Ferdinand during the west London derby at Loftus Road on 23 October.Terry strongly denies the charge and says he is determined to prove his innocence.AdChoices广告A club statement read: “Chelsea FC has always been fully supportive of John in this matter and there is no question that we will continue to be so.“The club finds all forms of discrimination abhorrent and we are proud of the work we undertake campaigning on this important issue.”Follow West London Sport on Twitter
NEW YORK, CMC – Jamaican Junior Flemmings netted his 10th goal of the season as Phoenix Rising thumped Reno 1868 FC in a top of the table clash, to stretch their lead atop the Western Conference in the United Soccer League on Friday night.Playing at Casino Arizona Field, the 23-year-old forward opened the scoring to create the momentum as the home side ran out easy 4-2 winners, to notch their 16th win of the season and extend their winning streak to 14 games.They moved their tally to 53 points, now nine clear of Reno in second, with Fresno FC third also on 44 points.Flemmings was on the scoresheet as early as the 20th minute when he beat two defenders on the left and sent a firm 22-yard drive past goalkeeper Matt Bersano.The strike gave the hosts a 1-0 lead at half-time but eight minutes after the resumption, Daniel Musovski equalized for Reno.However, Phoenix took firm command of the contest through Solomon Asante’s penalty and Mustapha Dumbuya’s close-range finish in the space of four minutes, to lead 3-1 in the 61st minute.Corey Hertzog pulled one back in the 74th but Phoenix proved unstoppable, scoring a fourth five minutes later through Asante, to close out the game strongly.At Providence Park in Portland, Trinidadian defender Mekeil Williams scored as part of a fine comeback effort from visiting OKC Energy as they rebounded from 2-1 down at half-time to beat Portland Timbers 2, 4-2.Giovanni Calixtro had given the hosts a fourth-minute lead before Christian Eissele canceled out that advantage in the 20th minute, but Ryan Sierakowski put them back in front in the 28th.However, Williams sparked the comeback when he nodded in Rafael Garcia’s corner in the 53rd minute and Eissele and Christian Ibeagha netted goals to add the finishing touches.OKC Energy lies seventh in the Western Conference on 33 points, one ahead of Portland on 32.
Submit StumbleUpon Share In time for the start of a new European football season, UK bookmaker Coral has announced that launch of its ‘Connect App’ available to download in the Apple App and Google Play stores.First launched in 2014, Coral Connect has formed an integral part of the bookmaker’s successful omni-channel initiative bridging customer engagement across its digital and retail assets, which include the operator’s gaming machines, bet stations, digital player rewards programs and in-store terminals.Announcing the launch of the Connect App, Ladbrokes Coral development teams stated that its new release would be the ‘perfect companion’ for new and existing Connect account holders.The app will be able to monitor both over-the-counter and digital bets placed by customers. Furthermore, the new app will also boast a news and features section highlighting current form and it will stream live events, including football, racing and tennis.An account balance will be available at the touch of a button along with any promotions and cash out options. On a selection of the football coupons there will be updates available on game stats that will include: number of corners, possession percentage and shots on target.Darren Calvia Head of Omni-Channel Product, Ladbrokes Coral commented on the app launch:“The Coral Connect App is a market-leading way for our customers to enhance their shop experience with us. We know that our customers’ appetite for more flexible and engaging products is greater than ever before and this latest iteration of Connect bridges the gap between retail and online to provide the omni-channel experience they want.” Related Articles Degree 53 ‘UX Review’ reviews operators against latest Apple app guidelines January 15, 2020 Racing Post adds Betfair markets to racing app December 30, 2019 Apple delays igaming ‘Native iOS’ enforcement March 31, 2020 Share
PreviousMinnesota Twins’ Eddie Rosario, right, scores past Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Noe Ramirez, left, and catcher Rene Rivera on a double by Mitch Garver during the 12th inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Minnesota Twins’ Eddie Rosario gets out of the way of a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) SoundThe gallery will resume insecondsLos Angeles Angels starting pitcher Nick Tropeano throws against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Minnesota Twins’ Ehire Adrianza celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a single by Joe Mauer during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols, right, watches his single against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia, right, laughs in the dugout before a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Minnesota Twins’ Byron Buxton hits an RBI-double against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton catches a fly ball hit by Los Angeles Angels’ Ian Kinsler during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Los Angeles Angels third baseman Zack Cozart throws out Minnesota Twins’ Brian Dozier at first during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout is safe at third past Minnesota Twins third baseman Eduardo Escobar after advancing on a hit by Justin Upton during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols reacts after striking out with two men on base to end the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun, left, advances to second as Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier reaches for the throw after a passed ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Minnesota Twins’ Eddie Rosario, left, gets tagged out in a rundown by Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Upton reacts after flying out against the Minnesota Twins during the 11th inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Minnesota Twins’ Mitch Garver scores on a base hit by Gregorio Petit during the 12th inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Minnesota Twins’ Eddie Rosario, right, scores past Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Noe Ramirez, left, and catcher Rene Rivera on a double by Mitch Garver during the 12th inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)NextShow Caption1 of 16Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)ExpandANAHEIM — Jefry Marte walked to home plate with the cheers of 40,117 fans ringing in his ears. The Angels had loaded the bases with two outs in the 11th inning Saturday, and the crowd was standing and ready to head for the exits with a game-winning hit.Instead, Marte tapped a harmless comebacker to Minnesota Twins reliever Trevor Hildenberger, who threw him out at first base for the final out of the inning. The Angels and Twins were deadlocked heading to the 12th. The tie wouldn’t last, though.Minnesota’s Mitch Garver broke it with a run-scoring double off reliever Noe Ramirez and Gregorio Petit added an RBI single, and Fernando Rodney pitched a scoreless 12th as the Twins held on for a 5-3 victory. The Angels left 16 men on base by game’s end, including three in the pivotal 11th.Sign up for Home Turf and get 3 exclusive stories every SoCal sports fan must read, sent daily. Subscribe here.Additionally, the Angels were 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. Angels’ poor pitching spoils an Albert Pujols milestone Jose Suarez’s rocky start sinks Angels in loss to Astros Angels offense breaks out to split doubleheader with Astros Newsroom GuidelinesNews TipsContact UsReport an Error Angels’ Shohei Ohtani spending downtime working in outfield 
Joe Mauer delivered a run-scoring single and Brian Dozier knocked in the third Minnesota run with a sacrifice fly that drove Mike Trout to the warning track in center field. Tropeano avoided further trouble by getting Max Kepler to hit into an inning-ending double play.“I know I didn’t have my best stuff out there,” Tropeano said. “Everything’s good. Everything was coming out good. It was just about getting that first-pitch strike. In that third inning, I kind of fell away from it and put myself in some bad counts. Other than that, I felt good.”Minnesota starter Kyle Gibson had troubles of his own in the third, but limited the Angels to one run on Justin Upton’s run-scoring fielder’s choice. In the sixth, Andrelton Simmons tripled and scored on Luis Valbuena’s sacrifice fly to cut the Angels’ deficit to 3-2.Gibson gave up two runs and three hits with six strikeouts in six innings.Ryan Pressly relieved Gibson to start the bottom of the seventh and coughed up the lead. Upton scorched a single to left field to drive home Kole Calhoun for the tying run. Pressly struck out Zack Cozart, walked Trout and then struck out Albert Pujols to end the Angels’ threat.Upton’s two RBIs gave him 17 in May, tops in the majors this month. “You know you’re going to have 10 of those exhilarating wins during the season and 10 losses that just rip your heart out,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “This one is obviously in the tough loss basket, but you turn the page and come back tomorrow.”Ramirez (1-2) pitched three innings and was perfect in the 10th and 11th. Scioscia refused to fault him for the second bullpen meltdown in as many nights, following the Angels’ 5-4 loss Friday to the Twins. Scioscia praised Ramirez instead.“Noe did a great job for us,” Scioscia said after Ramirez gave up two runs and three hits with four strikeouts. “He gave us a bunch of looks to win the game and we just weren’t able to get that one hit to fall in. I thought everybody on the mound did a good job for us tonight.”Hours earlier, Angels right-hander Nick Tropeano seemed flawless in his return from the disabled list. He retired the Minnesota Twins in order in the first inning and then threw a 1-2-3 second in his first game since a no-decision May 1 against the Baltimore Orioles at Angel Stadium.Then the third rolled around and it looked as if Tropeano might not last the inning. The Twins battered him during a three-run third that threatened to knock him from the game and raise questions about the shoulder inflammation that sent him to the DL. But a funny thing happened. Tropeano regained his rhythm and confidence and overcame what proved to be a hiccup en route to a quality start. The Twins managed little of consequence against him outside of the third, and he tossed six strong innings before Blake Parker relieved him in the seventh.Tropeano gave up three runs and five hits with two strikeouts and three walks in six innings, departing with the Angels trailing 3-2. He threw 87 pitches, a modest number in his return to the Angels’ starting rotation. Fifty-two were strikes.Six batters came to the play to start the game and Tropeano retired all six before things went haywire temporarily in the third inning. Logan Morrison walked and went to second on Ehire Adrianza’s single. Morrison then scored on Byron Buxton’s double.Related Articles Angels’ Mike Trout working on his defense, thanks to Twitter 
Before Thursday’s development that the team would trade him, Porzingis was trying to figure out his long-term role with a team that has been deeply dysfunctional. There had been increasing tension between Porzingis and the team, rooted in the Knicks’ ongoing struggles (at 10-40, they have the worst record in the league).Porzingis wants to play for a winner in New York, but is searching for clarity on his future role with the team and Knicks direction. Porzingis — out with an ACL injury — can be a restricted free agent this summer. https://t.co/JtZzQ02FCI— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 31, 2019Had he stayed in New York, Porzingis had few alternatives. He’s a restricted free-agent this summer, so he had the option of accepting a one-year qualifying offer of $4.5 million for next season with Knicks with no guaranteed money after the 2019-20 season or signing a five-year, $158 million deal with New York.Moving Porzingis clears enough cap space for the Knicks to sign two max free agents this summer. NBA free agency rumors: Knicks have ‘strong chance’ to sign Kevin Durant if he leaves Warriors The Knicks also receive two future first-round picks as compensation from Dallas and, by shedding Hardaway’s and Lee’s contracts create the salary-cap space this summer to pursue two maximum contract free agents.17.8 – Through his first three years in the #NBA, Kristaps Porzingis has averaged 17.8 points per game, more than Dirk Nowitzki did in his first three years. Clone? pic.twitter.com/MW1rCtle1t— OptaLarry🏀 (@OptaLarry) January 31, 2019According to earlier reports, the Knicks began exploring trades in the wake of Thursday’s meeting with Porzingis.“As is standard for this time of year, we were exploring various options on potential trades,” Scott Perry, general manager of the Knicks said in a release. “Considering the uncertainty regarding Kristaps’ free-agent status and his request today to be traded, we made a trade that we are confident improves the franchise. We thank Kristaps, Tim, Courtney and Trey for their contributions and wish them all the best.”Kristaps Porzingis left the Knicks with the impression that he prefers to be traded, league sources tell @ramonashelburne and me. Knicks are expected to commence discussions on moving him ahead of next Thursday’s deadline.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 31, 2019Porzingis is out with an ACL tear and it’s unclear if he will return this season. He’s expected to be re-evaluated in the next few weeks.His name had been linked to Anthony Davis after the Pelicans star demanded a trade. The Knicks popped up in the trade rumors, with Porzingis being mentioned as a possible part of a package for Davis. The Kristaps Porzingis era in New York is over.The Knicks star met Thursday with management to express his concern over the team’s direction, and in the wake of the impression he left in that meeting things escalated so quickly that only hours later there were multiple reports that the Mavericks and Knicks were closing in on a deal that would bring Porzingis to Dallas. The rumors are no longer rumors as the Knicks announced Thursday they have received Dennis Smith Jr. and the expiring contracts of DeAndre Jordan and Wes Matthews in return for Porzingis in a deal with the Mavericks.Full press release: https://t.co/l7C9fYzlCq pic.twitter.com/ulbfRI5WHY— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 31, 2019Dallas also receives Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Trey Burke as part of the deal. Related News
He is going for a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis.Preliminary tests on #BlueJays’ Bo Bichette showed broken left hand, sources tell me and @Ken_Rosenthal. He will get a second opinion.— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) April 23, 2019MORE: Watch ‘ChangeUp,’ a new MLB live whiparound show on DAZNIt is unclear when Bichette suffered the injury. He came out in the third inning of his team’s 7-3 loss on Monday after he walked in the first inning, stole second base and then came around to score on a base hit. He stayed in the game for the second inning and was then replaced before his at-bat in the third.Bichette ranks only behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on Toronto’s top prospect list, according to MLB Pipeline. He is the No. 10 prospect in all of baseball.Guerrero also has dealt with injury issues already this year, missing three weeks with a left oblique strain at the beginning of the year. The Blue Jays’ No. 2 prospect just suffered a setback.Bo Bichette, the son of former Rockies great Dante Bichette, suffered a broken left hand this week, according to The Athletic. Bichette jumped up onto top prospects lists in 2017 along with Guerrero as he batted .384 in 70 games at the low-A level. He followed that up by hitting .323 at high-A Dunedin as a 19-year-old.He had some struggles last season at Double-A, batting .286 with 11 home runs and 32 stolen bases, but at 20 years old he was one of the youngest players in the league.He was batting .250 with one home run and eight RBIs at Triple-A Buffalo before suffering his injury this week.