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Football can be rewarding and can also be very frustrating. However, there are moments that remind us of why we started watching in the first place because of how magical they are.
The new English Premier League season is here. Your favourite team probably looks nothing like it did last season. All 20 teams in the league have done business to varying levels. While clubs like Manchester City have only made a few tweaks, Chelsea fans must be wondering how their boy scouts would reach the heights set by the Drogba and Hazard generations. That’s not even counting the new managers, like Lampard & Steve Bruce who have a big point to prove.
As usual, the heavyweights will likely be at the top when the season ends, but if you know the EPL, you know that any team has the potential to cause an upset.
It’s not always easy to keep up, but whatever you do, make sure you’re always keeping track of these four Premier League teams:
Everton
Last time out, Everton stuttered under the new manager, Marco Silva before showing a few flashes of brilliance towards the end of the season. Many thought the Toffees board would show Silva the door during the break, but they’ve kept their trust in him and supported the ministry by nabbing two of the world’s most promising youngsters: Alex Iwobi and Moise Kean. I wouldn’t bet against them forcing their way into the top 6 this season.
Chelsea
For more than a decade, Chelsea has been at the top of the EPL, and they’ve pulled it off mostly by signing who they want, thanks to their billionaire owner, Roman Abramovic.
This season, however, they are facing a ban on buying new players. Losing their best player, Eden Hazard now means they have to look inwards; they’ve already promoted many young prospects in Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham & Reece James.
Club legend Frank Lampard is also in charge of affairs. While their team looks considerably weaker on paper, don’t bet against them just yet. As they showed against Liverpool in the Super Cup, the boys in blue aren’t ready to give up their ‘big boy’ status just yet.
Aston Villa
The Villains, as they are also called, are Premier League regulars, although, in the last few seasons, they’ve struggled to leave their mark and cement their place. After a tough season in the Championship, Aston Villa is back at the upper echelons. This time, they look like the real deal. They’ve made some good signings and built a team around the gifted Jack Grealish, a player many have tipped to be a future England captain. You don’t want to bet against these guys.
Leicester
You can’t school a Leicester fan on success or failure. They’ve tasted both, most notably winning the EPL against all odds four seasons ago. Since then, things haven’t been great – they lost their club owner in a helicopter accident and their best player, Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City’s petrodollars. But if there’s ever a time to start rebuilding, it’s now. For me, Leicester has one of the best managers, Brendan Rodgers. And while he may not have the team he had years ago at Liverpool, he has a fine balance of experience and gifted young players. The Scot is eager to prove his worth and whether he does or not, Leicester will play some exciting football this season.
As much as we love the EPL, even the most loyal fans struggle to keep up with the teams they support. Match times are irregular AF, and as you know, man proposes, but PHCN, NNPC and the weather can have different plans.
That’s what GOtv had on their minds when they came up with the new GOtv app. With it, you can keep up with these teams on the go, and even set reminders so you don’t miss anything. It really doesn’t get better than this.
Remember all those plans you had for when you turned 25? Fully furnished home, spouse, a child, maybe one or two master degrees in the bag? All that sound familiar to you?
Well, proving we all subscribe to a different Ye when it comes to quarter-century milestones is Nigerian Defender and Super Eagles vice-captain – William Troost-Ekong.
Ekong was born in the Netherlands to a mixed Dutch and Nigerian family. His international career began when he represented the Netherlands at the Under-19 and Under-20 levels before his Nigerian heritage gave him the opportunity to make a senior international debut for Nigeria in 2015.
(Sidenote: remember friends, don’t let anyone ever talk you out of getting a double passport for your children, okay?)
He has so far appeared in at least 120 club matches and has played in 43 games between 2018 and 2019 alone. Most recent of which was the AFCON match between Nigeria and Cameroon, where the God that answereth by fire prevented a repetition of the AFCON Finals of the year 2000.
We caught up with Troost shortly after the victory on Saturday, and asked among other things, what his image of an ideal Nigeria is. To this, he had a simple response, “A Nigeria that allows for equal opportunity.” He is currently putting his money where his mouth is towards making this a reality.
A husband and father, Ekong has an added feather to his hat, seen in his burgeoning role as a humanitarian.
As a member of the Common Goal initiative co-founded by Manchester United midfielder, Juan Mata — Troost has taken on the tackling of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) head on.
NTDs are a diverse group of infections identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as diseases that predominantly infect low-income populations in tropical countries, causing a large burden of morbidity and some mortality. This is despite the diseases being treatable and preventable at very low costs. It includes such diseases as Dengue fever, guinea worm disease, soil-transmitted helminths to name a few.
About 120 million Nigerians are currently affected by the scourge, a number Troost considers unacceptable. In partnership with The END Fund and Common Goal, Troost has started a campaign to counter the scourge.
We can put an end to neglected tropical diseases (#NTDs) that affect over 120m Nigerians by ensuring that people seek free treatment across the country. Join me, @TheENDFund & @CommonGoalOrg to bring an end to NTDs in our country by spreading this message. #endNTDspic.twitter.com/N0nlP7PPCy
— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) June 19, 2019
With the AFCON taking center stage, Ekong looks to return to NTD prevention and treatment advocacy, following the finals, where Nigeria will hopefully be making an appearance, come July 19, 2019. Here’s to achieving more goals both on and off the pitch!
We can all say that Croatia played the game of their lives against France. But the thing about football is this;
If you like play with your heart and soul, if the ball doesn’t enter the post, there’s no point.
So, Croatia might have played a great game, but France scored more goals. Now, what I have to say might sound a bit wild.
But I want to point out the fact that France didn’t really win the World Cup.
When half of your team consists of Africans, who does the cup really go to? Be honest o.
Africa? Yes! Africa. All of us.
I could decide to give an analysis of every single African player on that team.
But we are going to sleep here. I promise you.
The most important thing you need to know is that from Mbappe to Pogba to Kante and Lemar, Mendy, Matuidi, Rami, Umtiti, Mendy, N’zozi, and many others are all Africans.
Infact, Lemar is half Nigerian. I’m so emotional right now
So we can also say that somehow, Nigeria won this Cup too.
Oh, I’m so proud to be Nigerian.
Infact I’m sure if we dig deep, we would find out that Pelé has African genes somewhere somehow.
Just think about this, what is Pele in Yoruba? I won’t say more than that.
Let me tell you the bitter truth, it’s okay to disagree. But just know that almost every legend in the history of legends comes from some part of Africa.
I can start mentioning names, but I don’t want us to divert.
Let’s place our focus on what is important for today. Africa borrowed France the World Cup.
Not only are we skilled, we are also generous. Wow. A whole continent.
On a serious note, whether we like it or not, Qatar 2022, Nigeria is bringing that cup home. I’m saying it with my chest.
Okay maybe just half of my chest.
I think before we end this, it’s important that we congratulate France properly.
So dear France, congratulations. You have done well.
But if you actually think Africa deserves all the accolades raise your hand.
The Nigeria vs Argentina march was tough for all of us.
We can easily say these are trying times for everyone in Nigeria, feeling everything so deeply you know.
We are all handling the situation differently, but however you are dealing with it, you definitely would have passed through these stages.
If you haven’t, then don’t come to Muritala Muhammed ever.
When that second goal by Rojo entered, you were like,
“This is a joke. I want to see the replay. I want to see the ball actually enter. Is that the side netting? Why are my trying to talk and my voice is not working? What’s going on here? These boys will score, I know it. Look at Ighalo. Is it truly over?” Denial is your name my fren.
When It eventually dawned on you that this was real life and absolutely no miracle could be performed. You were heartbroken.
“Ha my chest! God please do something, please. “They’re not giving us extra time?”
And then you start to watch replays, and listen to analysis, and your blood starts to boil.
This is so stupid, infact this entire World Cup is just annoying. What nonsense?!
THIS REFEREE IS MAD. I BLAME BUHARI. GET YOUR PVC NOW.
Because you saw how much the boys tried and it hurt even more. You try to eat, but food is not entering your mouth.
Grown person like me? Cry because of ball? Wazzaldiz?
After blaming whoever you think deserves to be blamed, you come to the conclusion for the millionth time that there’s nothing you can do but live with it.
Ha! Let’s crack some jokes all over the Internet, shall we?
After all is said and done, you know the Super Eagle’s tried their best and Nigeria is still behind them.
First, we’re going to win the Nations Cup, and we’re going to show them pepper in Qatar 2022.
Did I forget to mention that Senegal is still in the tournament, so we have an African country to support?
Let’s ask ourselves one question. Was this game a fair one? No, it was not! Before I proceed with my analysis, If you aren’t good at math, you have to follow my calculations step by step.
The Nigerian Jersey is perhaps the best Jersey the World Cup ever saw! I said it, shoot me!
Therefore,
Nigerian Jersey 1- England Jersey 0
Nigeria’s Supporters Club remain undefeated with their energy, no arguments. England fans couldn’t even try!
Nigeria 1 – England 0
Honestly, the Pepsi ad could make Nigeria pass for the new Wakanda ( going too far?)
When England produces their video, I’d give them a point. But for now,
Nigeria 1 – England 0
Not one England player can dribble the way our legendary Victor Moses ridiculed Harry Kane, his name is Moses for a reason.
Nigeria 1 – England 0
This is hard to admit but I have to say Nigeria took a big L when the commentator said “Nigeria today is not as bright as their jersey”.
I felt it in my soul. It hurt, it really did.
So, Nigeria 0 – England 1
Anyway, Nigerians made a customised keke. A whole hand painted keke (a.k.a tricycle). I bet England doesn’t even have a customised bicycle
Nigerian Creativity 1 – England Creativity 0
If I don’t add the scores from the match itself, they will say I’m biased, but do I really have to?
Okay okay okay if you insist.
Nigeria 1- England 2
