Ex-England International Ray Wilkins Dies Aged 61!

Ex-England International Ray Wilkins Dies Aged 61 In UK Hospital After Suffering A Heart Attack

Former England international Ray Wilkins has died in hospital at the age of 61. Wilkins was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting, London last week after suffering a cardiac arrest and was placed in an induced coma. 

He leaves behind his wife Jackie, with whom he had two children, Ross and Jade.Wilkins, who has bravely battled poor health including ulcerative colitis over the last few years, was given the all clear after a double heart bypass operation last July. 

Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Lineker and Frank Lampard were among the many figures who paid tribute to Wilkins, described by one mourner as 'one of the finest midfielders of his generation'. 

Two years ago he checked into the Priory Hospital in Woking for a five-week rehabilitation programme after being banned from driving for four years for drink-driving. Yet the popular former Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan midfielder continued to work in the media on a regular basis and was held in the highest regard by everyone in football.

JAY & BEY Celebrate 10th Wedding Anniversary!!!

It Jayonce's Day people!!!


It's Beyoncé and Jay Z's 10th wedding anniversary. On this day in 2008, two behemoths became legally bound, and the world was forever better for it. 

 Over the course of the last decade, there have been highs and lows, but among it all there are a few moments that have stuck with us as our personal favorites. 

 It has been 10 years of a lot of good times, sour times as reveled by both stars in their last albums but Ultimately, a period in which Love has triumphed!

These period has seen the couple blessed with firstborn and heir to the throne Blue Ivy Carter and the recent inclusions to the family, Sir and Rumi CARTER!!

10 years down, we are wishing the Happy Billion dollar couple forever more to go, this is definitely one couple we do not want to see break up EVER!!!

LONG LIVE JAYONCE!!!!

NOW THAT THE RUSSIA 2018 DRAWS HAVE BEEN HELD

The Super Eagles of Nigeria now know come summer 2018 in Russia, they would be slugging it in-group D alongside Argentina, Iceland and Croatia. Being the first and one of the 5-African nations to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Lot of football lovers are expecting much from the team, and are hoping that they can break their benchmark record of making it beyond the round of 16 at the finals.

Having appeared at five previous World Cup finals, and making it to the round of 16 in 1994 and at the last World Cup held in Brazil in 2014. Going into these finals, fans expect that with the abundance of talented youngsters in the team, the team should be able to fly the flag of the nation surpassing the round of 16 benchmark.

Gernot Rohr and the technical advisory committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) now have their work cut out for them in terms of knowing who our foes are at the World Cup. The next point of order is for them to begin prompt plans of preparing the team for competition.  They also have to look at securing quality friendly matches that would prepare the team for the way their likely opponents at the world cup play and get experience, most especially, the Iceland and Croatia national team that we have not played before in a competitive match.

Reports though unconfirmed says that preparations are in place for the Eagles to place the three Lions of England, Serbia, Denmark sometime within the available FIFA windows. If true, it is a step in the right direction and fans would expect more of these progressive preparations.

The NFF revealed weeks back that they had a meeting with team discussing the payment arrangements so as not to have match bonus and allowances issues during the World Cup. Which is another good step in the right direction, it would be good for the federation to get it right in terms of Logistics and let the team avoid the embarrassments that follow African teams at the World Cup over unpaid bonuses.

Players on their part need to sit up and continue to give their best at their various club sides and hoping they avoid injuries that could get them out of the consideration for a call-up to the national team. The ‘big boys’ in the team need to step up to the leadership role, most especially the Captain of the national team John Mikel Obi, his vice Eddy Ogenyi Onazi, and the others like Ahmed Musa, Elderson Echiejile should all buckle up and know that the onus of guiding the youngsters in the squad lies squarely on their shoulders. Their ability to succeed efficiently at this would go a long way in building the mental strength and confidence of the team as a whole going into the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Victor Agali who is the official scout for the men’s senior national team needs to get to discover the very best legs who can balance and complete the already quality-filled squad. For others who would are hopeful of making the squad also need to show why they should be included in the team.

Currently, if there is a position that most pundits and fans are not confident about in the team, it is the Goalkeeping position, since the diagnosing of Acute Leukemia in Carl Ikeme who took over from former Captain Vincent Enyeama. There has been a lack of confidence in the ability of Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa. Though newly invited Francis Uzoho impressed in the second half of the friendly match against Argentina, it is yet to be seen if the youngster can gain the confidence of the managerial coaches to become the number one goalkeeper in Russia.

Finally, on the side of football fans, let us not relent in supporting the team as best as we can. For the power of the team lies alternatively in the fans in both the stadium, and those cheering from home. Let us continue to wish the team well as they prepare to go represent the nation in faraway Russia. As usual, the hashtag is #SoarEaglesSoar and the colours are definitely green white green.

MORE PHOTOS FROM VOGUE MAGAZINE'S COVERAGE OF SERENA WILLIAMS WEDDING..

Stars were found everywhere at the New Orleans venue of the Serena and Alexis Ohanian Beauty and the Beast themed wedding..

Celebrities were sighted in the fashion show arranged kind of gathering..

The couple at some points joined The New Edition in serenading their guests happily..

LR- Tim Witherspoon, Kelly Rowland, Queen Bey and other guest...

The groom, Alexis and his geeky looking Groomsmen...

Serena and her ladies....

Bride before the ceremony

The New Edition

     Sisters in greatness, Serena with elder sister Venus.

Alexis jr and grandma.

SERENA TIES THE KNOT WITH BABY DADDY ALEXIS OHANIAN

TENNIS STAR SERENA WILLIAMS MARRIED REDDIT CO-FOUNDER ALEXIS OHANIAN ON THURSDAY IN A GLAMOROUS WEDDING IN NEW ORLEANS.

The 23-time Grand slam champion proved once again that off the tennis court she still commands star power. As she had in attendance top celebrities like the Queen of pop music Beyonce, Lala Anthony, Kelly Rowland, Kim Kardashian amongst a host of other celebrities who where in attendance in New Orleans where the Beauty and the Beast theme wedding took place.

Beyonce was caught by paparazzi arriving to New Orleans, reports also suggested her hubby who is currently on tour Jay Z was also in attendance in the wedding. 

The groom was seen few hours before the ceremony and below are pictures of other notable socialites who made it for the wedding.

Ace Editor Anna Wintour was seen arriving for the ceremony as well.

Serena's coach Patrick Mouratoglou also congratulated her on this feat on his Instagram page, wishing her happiness.

The new parents, who welcomed their first child together on September 1, 2017 were according to reports all smiles as they tied the knot on Thursday. 

Newly engaged Caroline Wozniacki was also sighted arriving for the ceremony alongside her basketball Fiance David Lee.

While, close friend Kim Kardashian was also sighted making it to the venue of the wedding in a beautiful black gown.

RnB sensation New Edition were also seen at the venue of the wedding alongside a band seen serenading the guests of the wedding.

More photos to come as we confirm.....

ROGER FEDERER DEFEATS MARIN CILIC AT THE ATP WORLD FINALS

ROGER FEDERER DEFEATS MARIN CILIC AT THE ATP WORLD FINALS

Despite losing the first set (6-7 ) of his final group game at the ongoing ATP World Finals in London, tennis big man Roger Federer came back to defeat Marin Cilic 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-1 to wrap up his perfect record of 3 wins in the Boris Becker group.

Having defeated Jack Sock in his first group match and German Alexandr Zverev in his second group match, he still continued his winning in his final group match to ensure his 100% winning in the competition.

TENSION IN MADRID DRESSING ROOM!

Reports in Spain are that Real Madrid captain and veteran defender, Sergio Ramos is not in good terms at the moment with new father and teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. 

The reason for the tensions being due to the team's current slight dip in form. With Ronaldo not comfortable with the introduction and reliance on the young chaps being inculcated into the team, but rather wants Madrid to recruit more experienced legs. 

While Ramos on the other hand, totally disagrees with Ronaldo's assessment of the team saying that with the current squad they were able to defeat Manchester United at the start of the season's European Super Cup and Barcelona in the La Liga's Super Cup. 

According to Spanish prolific newspaper, Marca, Ronaldo's assessment did not sit well with his teammates in the dressing room.  Real Madrid currently lie 8 points behind League rivals Barcelona who sit on top of the table after playing 11 games this season. 

Tensions between these big and crucial players in the team would not help Zinedine Zidane's side. Hopefully, Zidane would step in and make sure the situation does not escalate beyond control.

RUSSIA 2018 WORLD CUP SEEDINGS

Russia would be hosting the world 7 months from now. The 32 teams that have picked up there ticket to the football penultimate competition already know themselves. The official Mascot for Russia 2018 is Zabivaka.

Taking a quick look at the teams that would be taking on each other come June 2018, the national teams are that of Russia, the host nation. Others are Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France, Spain, Peru, Switzerland, England, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, Croatia, Denmark, Iceland, Costa Rica, Sweden, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria, Morocco, Iran, Serbia, Australia, Japan, Panama, Korea Republic, and Saudi Arabia.

The draw for the football showpiece would be held on Friday, December 1 2017 at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow. This is when these national teams would know who their foes would be in the group stages.

However, Pot seeding was released on FIFA’s official website today Thursday. It was based on the October FIFA world ranking and below are the teams and the pots they are:

POT 1- Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France

POT 2- Spain, Peru, Switzerland, England, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, Croatia

POT 3- Demark, Iceland, Costa Rica, Sweden, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Iran

POT 4- Serbia, Nigeria, Australia, Japan, Morocco, Panama, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia.

Nigeria from these allocations would draw a team each from POT 1-3, which due to ranking are stronger sides due to their Pot Placements. The Super Eagles of Nigeria we know qualified as the first team in the African Continent.

With the confidence the Super Eagles garnered from their recent victory over Argentina few days ago, the team would be praying for luck and no injuries come June 2018 as they prepare to take on the world flying the flag of Nigeria.