Vilanova leaves Barcelona

Rumours emerged on Friday that the 44-year-old, who took over from Pep Guardiola prior to the 2012-13 season, was set to step down from his role after suffering another setback in his battle against ill-health.

Club president Sandro Rosell and director of football Andoni Zubizarreta called a press conference at Camp Nou on Friday evening, where they confirmed Vilanova must undergo further cancer treatment which would make it "impossible" for him to continue in his role.

"After looking at routine tests, there is [now] an option to continue treating his disease which means it will be impossible for him to continue as first-team coach of FC Barcelona," Rosell told reporters. "I want to ask for the maximum respect for him and his family. "We have got together with all of the players and the coaching staff and we have decided not to play tomorrow in Poland [in a friendly against Lechia Gdansk].

"It is a very big blow, a huge blow. But Barcelona has overcome many obstacles in its history and this will be no exception." The Barcelona squad, including Lionel Messi, were present in the front two rows of seats of the press conference as Rosell delivered the news.

Barca won 32 out of 38 league games under Vilanova in 2012-13, lifting the Primera Division title with a record-equalling points tally of 100, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League for a record sixth consecutive season. Rosell also confirmed the club expect to announce his successor in the coming days.

Arsenal to make new £40m Suarez bid

Arsene Wenger is preparing to submit a formal offer of £35m up front, topped up by £5m of add-ons.
Sources have said the Arsenal manager will 'pull out all the stops' in an attempt to land the Liverpool forward this summer. It is understood the Gunners' initial bid that was rejected out of hand by the Merseysiders a fortnight ago was worth £30m plus £5m add-ons.
Arsenal are now prepared to go into completely unchartered territory to capture Suarez, who has become the main focus of Wenger's attention as he attempts to make a marquee striker signing. Liverpool are fighting to hold on to a player who has spoken frequently this summer of his interest in a move, most specifically to Real Madrid.

Brendan Rodgers has compared Suarez' value to that of Edinson Cavani, who joined Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday for £55m, but the Anfield manager has stopped short of completely ruling out the Uruguayan's departure, merely saying he will only leave "if something drastic happens". A bid worth £40m for a 26-year-old who is banned for the first six games of the new season might be regarded as tempting by Liverpool's America-based owners Fenway Sports Group.

Suarez has a £40m clause in his contract which his advisers believe entitles him to ask for permission to speak to any club that matches the price. But Liverpool claim they only have to inform Suarez and the clause does not oblige them to sell. Arsenal believe they have been given enough encouragement by the Uruguayan's representatives that he is keen to move to the Emirates Stadium in search of Champions League football.

The offer will be timed to coincide with Suarez returning to pre-season training following his extended summer break. The striker will link up with Liverpool on Sunday ahead of the Australia leg of their pre-season tour. Suarez has emerged as Wenger's first choice ahead of Gonzalo Higuain and Wayne Rooney, deals for who are now both on the backburner.

The Liverpool forward is regarded by Arsenal as an upgrade on Higuain, who came close to joining Arsenal earlier this month after they made an improved offer of £23.1m. However, Madrid are holding out for £25.5m for the Argentine, and, although Arsenal's interest in Higuain is still alive and a deal remains highly possible, Wenger is now concentrating on signing Suarez.

However, Arsenal will continue to monitor Rooney's situation as they step up plans to use a warchest of up to £100m to make at least two marquee signings this summer, most likely in the striker and central midfield positions.

Video: The Jumia Story

Jumia.com.ng, Nigeria's No1 online shopping destination recently celebrated her 1st year anniversary. They put a short video together to tell the story of how they've brought about significant change to Nigeria. Enjoy..

THE AGONIZING JESUS WHO LOVES YOU!

I WAS THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED. During this hour, I saw Our Lady with a Rose Flower in Her Hand. She came forward and gently said, "peace be with you, my son. Happy to see you this year of grace and I am much happy to see the Land of Adoration and of Separation. I mean the Land of Renewal given to you. I WAS THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED. Barnabas, ask me what happened". I asked: "Mother, what happened?” "Yes I am happy to that: O what happened on 1st January this year, by 3:00pm. I was there. Were you not there?" I answered, "Mother, I was there." "May be, you were not there?” She asked. Our lady continued,"But as for me and the Saints and the Angels and the whole Heaven, we were there when it happened. O, when the mighty Hand of God the Father, of God the Son, and of God the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever, in union with the hand of My Priest, the bearer of My Son's Agony, Blessed the Land of Adoration and Renewal and declared it holy, Amen. I was there when it happened. The Sun was dancing; the stars were jubilation. The trees and wind were rejoicing. I saw even pagans rejoicing, because a great thing had happened in the world. Yes, a great thing had happened in the world. The Land is Holy. In that land is planted the seed of renewal and of Holiness... Our Lady, 11th January, 2004. That was the Blessing of the holy Land of Adoration, Olo, Ezeagu LGA, Enugu State where this giant Agonizing Crucifix is Located. Please be part of this great project. For inquiry call 08035511650 or E-mail: agonizing_consoler@yahoo.com. Go there & see for yourself. To God is all the Glory forever & ever. Amen.

Efe Ambrose helps Celtic to UCL victory

The defender was part of the team that won 3-0 in Belfast on Wednesday against Cliftonville after being rushed back into the side. Efe Ambrose played in Celtic’s 3-0 defeat of Northern Irish champions Cliftonville in the Uefa Champions League second round qualifying game on Wednesday.

The defender was rushed back from his holiday by coach Neil Lennon after injuries to the team’s other defenders. Mikael Lustig, Giorgos Samaras and James Forrest scored for the Scottish champions who will see the second leg match as little more than a formality.

Ambrose played all 90 minutes of the encounter as the Bhoys chase a second season playing in the European top club competition.

Wenger: Arsenal could afford Rooney's wages

The Frenchman has suggested that the Gunners could get their own back for losing Robin van Persie to the Red Devils last summer by snatching away the controversial striker. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that the Gunners can afford Wayne Rooney's wages.

Goal reported back in early May that the north Londoners had joined Chelsea in a scramble for Rooney after it emerged that the striker wanted to leave the club. And after the Red Devils signed Robin van Persie from the Gunners last summer, Wenger has stated that he has the cash to take Rooney in the other direction should be leave Old Trafford this summer.

"It happened to us last year and it can happen to them," he told reporter's following Wednesday's 7-1 win over Vietnam. "Rooney is under contract and has two years to go so it's United who make the decision. But we would not have a problem with the wages of Rooney."

Chelsea confirmed on Wednesday that they had had an offer for the wantaway striker rejected by United, but denied the Red Devils' claims that Juan Mata and David Luiz were part of the deal. Blues boss Jose Mourinho later stated that the 27-year-old is his only remaining target this summer.

Emenike returns after a four-month injury layoff

The Afcon highest goal scorer is back playing in the league for his Russian club. Emmanuel Emenikeis back playing in the Russian league. The Nigerian came on for Spartak Moscow in the 66th minute to replace Yura Movsisyan on Tuesday evening on the opening day of the Russia Premier League at the Stadion Metallurg home of Krylya Sovetov.

Emenike had been out with two injury spells but showed that his rehabilitation was complete by coming on to help his side claim an opening day 2-1 victory over Sovetov.

Emenike last played in the league in an April 28 encounter against Anzhi Makhachkala. The Highest goal scorer at the Nations Cup with four goals scored five league goals in 16 league appearances last season.

Keshi urges his team to brace for ‘war’ in Abidjan

The national team coach says that the return leg against the Elephants will be tough as the team began training in Abuja on Tuesday morning. Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has asked for total concentration from his players ahead of their final African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifier against Cote D’Ivoire in Abidjan on July 27. He noted that the match will be like war against their West African neighbours.

Nigeria won the first leg in Kaduna 4-1 and need to avoid defeat by more than three goals in order to qualify for their first participation in the competition that will hold in South Africa next year. The team commenced training on Tuesday at the artificial pitch of the Fifa Goal Project site in Abuja with 23 players as Sunshine Stars captain Godfrey Oboabona was exempted due to his exertions at club. It was reported last week that the defender suffered a slight injury when he was mobbed by fans in Owo during training.

Keshi, who started his foreign career in Cote D’ Ivoire, told the players the Ivorians are passionate about football and they will do anything to defeat Nigeria, hence the need to forget the 4-1 win in Kaduna and concentrate on the return leg. “The win in Kaduna is history and if you have been following the media you will see that they have been making remarks that they can also beat us well. We must be ready for their antics and forget the past,” said Keshi.

The team is training at the Goal Project because the Ivorians had already informed CAF that the return leg will be played on artificial turf. On Monday evening, defender Elderson Echejile of FC Braga was at the team’s Bolton White Apartments abode to wish his mates and the coaching crew a good outing in Abidjan. Echejile came in at dinner time and went straight to see Keshi, before spending some time with most of his mates.

“It’s to encourage them to excel when they play the Ivorians and I believe they can defeat them right there in Abdjan,” he said.

Lots more foreign clubs scramble for Mohammed Gambo, says agent

The Kano Pillars striker has refused to sign for any club as he is considering all the offers before him which are coming in from several countries. More clubs have continued to scramble for the signature of Kano Pillars striker, Mohammed Gambo who is still considering which of the clubs he will eventually join when the time is ripe. Media reports had indicated the Super Eagles player had signed for Tunisian side Club Africain.

Fifa licensed agent to the Kano side, Aminu Yusuf said in Lagos that it is not true Gambo has signed for any club because he is yet to make up his mind to join any of the clubs, "I also want to inform you that clubs from Turkey, China and Saudi Arabia are willing to match whatever the Tunisian side is offering.

"Gambo has really impressed and they have seen what they like in the player who is presently with the home based Super Eagles preparing for the second leg of the CHAN qualifiers in Abidjan next week.

"All the clubs are willing to offer what they feel is good for Kano Pillars and they will be treated on their merit. But Gambo is not bothered with choosing any of the clubs to sign for, because he is busy in the Super Eagles camp where they hope to qualify for the CHAN tournmanent for the first time.

"He scored the first goal in the first leg in Kaduna and he is training alongside other players in Abuja to make sure that they triumph in Abidjan.

"When the right time comes, Gambo will surely sign for the best club that suits him, but for now, he is not thinking of what the clubs have to offer," Aminu said.