JAPANESE KICKBOXER VOWS TO TAKE MAYWEATHER DOWN IN EXHIBITION MATCH

Former five-weight world champion Mayweather, 41, will come out of retirement to fight Nasukawa over three rounds of boxing in Saitama.

Nasukawa competes in the RIZIN Fighting Federation in both kickboxing and mixed martial arts.

People in Japan, listen. I will take down Mayweather," said the 20-year-old. 

"You should look forward to it."

Speaking at a news conference, Mayweather, who beat UFC's Conor McGregor in a boxing match in August 2017, promised to "entertain".

Monday's fight will follow boxing rules and consist of three, three-minute rounds, with Nasukawa forbidden from kicking.

Both Mayweather and Nasukawa are undefeated in their respective sports but neither's perfect record will be on the line because of the exhibition nature of the bout.

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THE ONLY THING MESSI HASN’T SUCCEEDED AT IN 2018

Barcelona's main man has finished his year with a goal against Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou, bringing his total in 2018 to 51 goals.

However, there is little thing missing when it comes to his goals: a header. This is right, Leo Messi scored zero headers in 2018 calendar year. Last time the similar has happened was 11 years ago in 2007!

Well, at least Pele would have something to brag about with his recent argument about Messi scoring only with one foot seemingly validated. 

Earlier in December, the Brazlian football legend made a very controversial statement, labelling Messi a 'one skill' player:

“How can you make a comparison between a guy who heads the ball well, shoots with the left, shoots with the right and another who only shoots with one leg, only has one skill and doesn’t head the ball well?” Pele told Brazilian daily newspaper, Folha de Sao Paulo, as cited by the Mirror.

Nevertheless, Messi has no intentions of slowing down when it comes to scoring goals. The Argentinian forward has already netted 15 this season in La Liga and looks set to continue his journey to another Pichichi award.

Messi has won the prize last season subsequently claiming the Golden Shoe for the record-breaking fifth time. Leo has scored 34 goals in La Liga last season getting ahead of Mohamed Salah (32) and Harry Kane (30).

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‘CONFIRMED’ RODRYGO REJECTED BARCA’S OFFER TO JOIN REAL MADRID

 

In summer Real Madrid reached an agreement with Santos for the transfer of Rodrygo for €45m, with the player joining Los Blancos in June 2019 and signing until 2025. Barcelona - as well as other European top clubs - were also interested in the youngster. However, the Catalans' offer of €20m has been rejected by the Brazilian side.

Nick Arcuri, Rodrygo's agent, revealed why it was relatively easy for Los Blancos to sign the Brazilian talent: “Real Madrid reached an agreement with Santos faster than other club’s because it was Rodrygo’s childhood dream," said Arcuri as per Diario AS. “Barca and other clubs loved him but he listened to Madrid’s offer and had no doubts.”

Earlier this month, the Brazilian has finished fourth in the competition for the prestigious Kopa Trophy which recognizes the best young player in the world. The trophy has been awarded to Kylian Mbappe. Earlier this year, Rodrygo experienced an almost three-month goal drought in Brazil. In addition, he only managed one goal from June 7 to November 18. 

Rodrygo's favourite position is left winger - the one which is currently occupied by Ousmane Dembele with Malcom and Philippe Coutinho being two other options. 

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NO BARCA AGREEMENT WITH PSG STAR RABIOT

 Barcelona have denied reaching an agreement to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot and dismissed allegations of impropriety in their transfer dealings.

Barca have been extensively linked with a move for Rabiot, whose contract at the Parc des Princes expires at the end of this season.

The 23-year-old withdrew from talks over an extension and has not started for the runaway Ligue 1 leaders since December 5, although head coach Thomas Tuchel insists that is a footballing decision.

PSG sporting director Antero Henrique claimed Rabiot "misled" the club over his intentions to re-sign and accused Barcelona of not following transfer rules, alleging a pre-contract agreement had been sought with the player outside of the permitted window in the final six months of a contract.

LaLiga champions Barca have released a statement in response, confirming they twice made contact with PSG over Rabiot but denying any further arrangement have been sought or agreed.

"FC Barcelona wish to address stories published in France regarding the signing of players from Paris Saint Germain, and make clear that they have not breached any rule in this regard," the statement read.

"The only contact made was during the month of August and one week ago. In both cases, this contact was made with PSG's sporting management to show FC Barcelona's interest in the player Adrien Rabiot.

"FC Barcelona have always wanted to work with the utmost transparency in their dealings with PSG and with any other club.

"FC Barcelona refute the existence of any type of agreement with PSG player Adrien Rabiot."

Barcelona are also reportedly in the running to sign highly rated Ajax midfielder Frenkie De Jong.

           
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GUARDIOLA NOT CHANGING MAN CITY STYLE

 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has no plans to change his style after back-to-back losses in the Premier League.

Ahead of a trip to Southampton on Sunday, City are 10 points behind league leaders Liverpool after suffering shock defeats against Crystal Palace and Leicester City.

But Guardiola said that was not enough to force him to change his attacking approach as City look for a return to form.

"That is not going to happen. It has not happened in the first years and it is not going to happen," he said.

"Why should I change? Because I lost two games? No way. That is not going to happen."

City broke multiple records in the Premier League last season, but they have already suffered more losses (three) this campaign.

Guardiola said he understood questions would come over his style, but added he worked quickly to work out his team's problems.

"Last season, I knew that when we were going to lose, we were going to doubt again that this is the right way," he said.

"It happened in Barcelona, where it was stable, or Bayern Munich, where we won a lot of titles but I failed because I did not win the Champions League.

"I know that's how it works in that situation, but I'm not concerned.

"When it happens, I'm a little sad and depressed for five, 10,  15 minutes and after I charge the batteries and discover why. Why do we lose? The same way as when we win. The game is nice for that: Why? why?"

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KLOPP “ALMOST CRIED” AS SALAH LET FIRMINO TAKE PENALTY

 

Jurgen Klopp said he "almost cried" when Mohamed Salah let Roberto Firmino take Liverpool's second penalty to complete his hat-trick in Saturday's 5-1 demolition of Arsenal.

Arsenal were well and truly outclassed at Anfield despite taking an early lead through Ainsley Maitland-Niles, as the Reds moved nine points clear at the top of the table.

Firmino hit back with two quickfire goals, before Sadio Mane and Salah – from the penalty spot – had Liverpool 4-1 by half-time.

The Reds were given another penalty in the second half when Sead Kolasinac appeared to nudge Dejan Lovren to the ground, but Salah allowed Firmino to take it and he duly completed his first Premier League treble.

Klopp singled that moment out at full-time.

"We knew in the second half that the game wasn't finished, so we wanted to control it," Klopp told BBC Sport.

"Mo Salah gave the penalty to Bobby [Firmino] and I almost cried because we all know how much Mo wants to score goals. It was really nice."

Klopp was also keen to laud Liverpool's response to initially falling behind, as they bounced back emphatically and swiftly.

"The response [to going behind] was world class," Klopp said. "We stayed calm and really forced the mistakes.

"Firmino's second when Sadio [Mane] won the ball - wow. It was perfect defending."

Up next for Liverpool in the Premier League is a trip to defending champions Manchester City on January 3.

Salah let firmino take penalty

ASERNAL TO ASSESS MUSTAFI,MONREAL AND BELLERIN FOR LIVERPOOL CLASH

 Shkodran Mustafi, Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin face late fitness tests ahead of Arsenal's trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal have won one of their past four games in all competitions amid a defensive injury crisis that has seen Unai Emery forced to use Ainsley Maitland-Niles at the back.

But Mustafi, Monreal and Bellerin could give the Arsenal boss a boost for Saturday's visit to Anfield, with Liverpool six points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Arsenal said in a medical update on Friday that Monreal and Mustafi will have right hamstring injuries assessed ahead of the game, with Bellerin's left calf also to be tested.

Mustafi last played in the 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town on December 8, while Bellerin has been out since a 3-2 loss at Southampton on December 16 and Monreal missed the Boxing Day draw with Brighton and Hove Albion.

There were also reports Mesut Ozil, who has struggled to nail down a spot in team since Emery replaced Arsene Wenger, did not travel to Liverpool with the squad.

Liverpool will be without defender Joe Gomez and vice-captain James Milner, with the latter struggling to recover from a muscle injury.

But Mohamed Salah will be available to Jurgen Klopp after the Egypt star avoided punishment for winning a contentious penalty in the Reds' defeat of Newcastle United on Wednesday.

MESSI COMMENT ON REAL MADRID STRUGGLES AFTER RONALDO’S DEPARTURE

Messi has given a big interview for Spanish sports publication MARCA, discussing all the aspects of his life. One of the 'hot' subjects discussed was Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational move to Juventus during the summer transfer window and

the troubles it created for Real Madrid.

The Argentinian was asked whether he is surprised that Los Blancos miss Ronaldo so much. The answer followed:

"At the beginning of the season I said they are a great club, one of the best in the world and with a lot of great players, but anyone would miss Cristiano. He scores a lot of goals and gives you many other things so it doesn't surprise me." Naturally, Real Madrid have suffered severely without their best goalscorer: at some point during the tenure of Julen Lopetegui, Madrid even went on the notorious second-longest goalless drought which lasted for about eight hours. Los Blancos were without a goal for a MONTH. They were also without a win in La Liga for the same period of time, having lost three games in a row.

Pdt Lord Ray

MESSI BACKS DEMBELE TO JOIN WORLD ELITE

 

Lionel Messi believes talented Barcelona team-mate Ousmane Dembele is a "phenomenon" capable of ranking among the best players in the world.

Dembele, 21, has scored seven goals in his second season in LaLiga and netted three times in four appearances prior to the mid-season break.

That excellent run of form stifled speculation over the France forward's future, his place at Camp Nou having been called into question following a range of disciplinary issues.

Messi lauded the World Cup winner's potential and insisted the club are committed to nurturing his development.

"On the pitch [Dembele] is a phenomenon and it depends on him [how good he becomes]," the Barca captain told Marca.

"He has all the opportunity in the world to do what he wants. He can be one of the best.

"On the other hand, he's a young guy who is adapting to the city and the club. The less you speak about it, the better. It's necessary to leave him so he can be calm.

"He has already realised his mistakes and has rectified them. We are going to help him focus on football."

Dembele appears increasingly likely to stay at Barca long-term and could be joined by promising Ajax youngsters Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt.

Midfielder De Jong is tipped to link up with the Spanish champions at the end of the season while teenager De Ligt has been a mentioned as a possible defensive reinforcement.

Messi is certain the pair would fit comfortably into Ernesto Valverde's squad.

"They come from a school very similar to ours and they work in the same way. They play like us, with the ball," he said.

"They are young players with great precision. Two very good players."

Apple Music releases A-list for Africa with two Cameroon musicians on it

                APPLE MUSIC A-LIST FOR AFRICA MUSIC 

Apple Music's A-list is a first for the streaming platform and is largely dominated by Nigeria, which has 19 songs featured. The country is followed by fellow West African nation Ghana with 13 songs. Nigerian songs featured in the list include ‘Red Handed’ (Mayorkun), ‘On You’ (Tekno) ‘Wonder Woman’ (Davido), 'Dabebi’ (Mr Eazi) and ‘One Ticket’ (Kizz Daniel), among others.

Ghana is represented by such songs as ‘Fluid’ (Amaare), ‘Stay Woke’ (DrakoVibes), 'Feels' (M.anifest) and others.

South Africa comes third with seven songs including ‘Jungle’ (Nasty C), ‘Wakanda Forever’ (Sho Madjozi), ‘Blame Fire’ (Petite Noir) and ‘Boza’ (Darkie Fiction).

Other artists who appear on the list are Jovi (Cameroon), Aya Nakamura (Mali), Vegedream (Côte d'Ivoire), King Kaka (Kenya), Mbosso (Tanzania), Toofan (Togo), Reniss (Cameroon) and Fally Ipupa (DRC).

Below is the full list:

• Mayorkun (Nigeria) feat. Peruzzi, Dremo & Yonda – ‘Red Handed’
• Tekno (Nigeria) – ‘On You’
• Kwesi Arthur (Ghana) feat. Kidi – ‘Don't Keep Me Waiting’
• Davido (Nigeria) – ‘Wonder Woman’
• Nasty C (South Africa) – ‘Jungle’
• Sho Madjozi (South Africa) feat. Ycee – ‘Wakanda Forever’
• Amaarae (Ghana) – ‘Fluid’
• Ayo Jay (Nigeria) – ‘Let Him Go’
• Mr Eazi (Nigeria) feat. Simi – ‘Surrender
• Kizz Daniel (Nigeria) & Davido – ‘One Ticket’
• Sho Madjozi (South Africa) – ‘Huku’
• Petite Noir (South Africa) – ‘Blame Fire’
• Jovi (Cameron) – ‘Ndolé’
• Aya Nakamura (Mali) – ‘Djadja’
• Vegedream (Congo) – ‘Ramenez la coupe à la maison’
• Olamide (Nigeria) – ‘Motigbana’
• DJ Snake & Niniola (Nigeria) – ‘Maradona Riddim’
• Darkie Fiction (South Africa) – ‘Bhoza’
• DarkoVibes (Ghana) feat. Stonebwoy (Nigeria) – ‘Stay Woke’
• Shane Eagle (South Africa) – ‘Gustavo!’
• R2Bees (Ghana) feat. Wizkid – ‘Supa’
• King Kaka (Kenya) feat. Kristoff – ‘Dundaing’
• M.anifest (Ghana) feat. Kwesi Arthur – ‘Feels’
• Stonebwoy (Ghana) – ‘Smile Time Done’
• Wizkid (Nigeria) – ‘Fever’
• Mr Eazi (Nigeria) feat. King Promise & Maleek Berry – ‘Dabebi
• Teni (Nigeria) – ‘Askamaya’
• Burna Boy (Nigeria) – ‘Gbona’
• D'Banj (Nigeria) feat. Cassper Nyovest – ‘Something for Something’
• Wizkid (Nigeria) – ‘Master Groove’
• Fally Ipupa (DRC) – ‘Aime-moi’
• R2Bees (Ghana) – ‘Boys Kasa’
• Anatii (South Africa) – ‘NDAWENI’
• Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) feat. Duncan Mighty – ‘Lova Lova’
• Joey B (Ghana) feat. La Même Gang – ‘Stables
• Sarkodie (Ghana) feat. King Promise – ‘Can't Let You Go’
• Mbosso (Tanzania) – ‘Hodari’
• Toofan (Togo) feat. Wale – ‘DJ Dosé
• Davido (Nigeria) – ‘Nwa Baby’
• Reniss (Cameroon) – ‘Big Tinz’
• Fally Ipupa (DRC) – ‘École’
• King Promise (Ghana) – ‘Abena’
• Olamide & Wizkid (Nigeria) – ‘Kana’
• Burna Boy (Nigeria) – ‘Ye’
• Adekunle Gold (Nigeria) – ‘Damn, Delilah’
• Toofan (Togo) – ‘Affairage’
• M.anifest (Ghana) feat. Bayku & Yaa Pono – ‘Don't Follow Me’
• Kidi (Ghana) – ‘Thunder’
• Wendy Shay (Ghana) – ‘Astalavis

PAVARD DENIES SIGNING FOR BAYERN

          PAVARD DENIES SIGNING FOR BAYERN

Benjamin Pavard has denied he has already struck a deal to join Bayern Munich from Stuttgart at the end of the season.

The France international has long been linked with the Bundesliga champions and some reports have claimed an agreement over a transfer is already in place.

However, the 22-year-old insists his future remains far from certain.

"I've not signed anything with Bayern," Pavard told Le Parisien. "The interest of such a club makes me happy, but I'm focused on Stuttgart today. I don't think about next summer."

Pavard was one of France's standout performers at the World Cup as they claimed the trophy following a 4-2 win over Croatia in the final in Moscow.

Luka Modric pipped the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe to the Ballon d'Or for 2018, though, which Pavard thinks is a little unjust.

"I'd have liked a Frenchman to win it," he said. "Players like Raphael Varane, who's the only one to have won the World Cup and the Champions League in the same year, or Antoine Griezmann had a great year. They would have deserved it."

Pavard says his own stock among fans in his homeland has increased significantly since his performances in Russia.

"In France, and especially Paris, I can't take the metro. I have to put my hood up. But it's a fame I live with well," he added.

"When I was little, I wanted to become a professional player. Now I've done it, I want to win trophies. I have already won the most beautiful trophy. I hope there will be others. In any case, I won't complain about being recognised."mong fans in his homeland has increased significantly since his performances in Russia.

"In France, and especially Paris, I can't take the metro. I have to put my hood up. But it's a fame I live with well," he added.

"When I was little, I wanted to become a professional player. Now I've done it, I want to win trophies. I have already won the most beautiful trophy. I hope there will be others. In any case, I won't complain about being recognized. 
                          
                            Pdt Lord Ray

Southern Cameroon crisis gets worse

The anglophone crisis in Cameroon started during November 2016 till date. Many lives and properties have been lost in the crisis. People have abandoned their homes and are now living in the bush. The crisis started with the lawyer strike followed by the teachers strike. From there we saw the creation of the southern Cameron’s interim government followed by the ghost town Monday’s which is still functional till date. Some members  of the interim government were abducted in Nigeria by the Nigerian government and handed over to the Cameroon government. They have appeared in public just twice for over a year now. Some towns and villages of southern Cameroon’s have been come deserted places with no sign of life. Schools are shut down children are in bushes with no hope of things getting better.
                                            Pdt Lord Ray