Asisat Oshoala wins third female African Player of the Year award

Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala was named Women's Footballer of the Year Asisat in Ghana's capital city Accra on Thursday night.

Oshoala previously won the award in 2014 and 2016. She beat Cameroonian Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene and Chrestina Kgatlana of South Africa to the top prize.

n The 2015 BBC Women's Footballer of the Year moved to Dalian Quanjian of China at the beginning of last season after enduring a not-so-successful period in England with Liverpool and Arsenal LAdies.

Iher first season in China, she notched 12 goals including a brace in the final game of the season. Her exploits earned Quanjian a league and Cup double and she was crowned the League's Best Striker.

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Salah wins African Player of the Year award

African Footballer of the Year, Egypt and Liverpool striker Mohammed Salah speaks during a press conference after the CAF awards at the Accra International Press Conference in Accra, on January 4, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / CRISTINA ALDEHUELA

Prolific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah was named African Player of the Year in the Ghanaian capital Accra on Thursday, the first Egyptian to win the award since Mahmoud al-Khatib in 1983.

The 25-year-old has scored 23 goals in 29 matches in all competitions this season for the Premier League outfit after moving from AS Roma in the summer.

He also starred for resurgent Egypt, who last year finished runners-up to Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations and secured a first World Cup appearance since 1990.

In the penultimate round of World Cup qualifying, Salah scored the brace that edged Congo Brazzaville in Alexandria, including the stoppage-time winner from a penalty that sealed a trip to Russia.

Salah's Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane, of Senegal, was runner-up and 2015 winner, Gabon and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang third after a 30-player list had been trimmed to three.

National coaches, Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials, journalists and the public were involved in the voting.

"Winning this award is a dream come true -- 2017 was an unbelievable year for me I had a fantastic time with the national team," said Salah after receiving the trophy.

"This is a big award for me, a special moment in my career. I would like to dedicate it to all the kids in Africa and Egypt.

"I want to tell them to never stop dreaming, never stop believing."

The Egyptian succeeds Algerian Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City as holder of the most prized CAF individual award.

It is the first time since 1986 that stars from the north of the continent, which along with the west is the strongest football region, have won successive titles.

Victory on Thursday completed an awards hat-trick for Salah, who was named BBC African Footballer of the Year in December and Arab Player of the Year earlier this week.

Mane was voted 2016-2017 Liverpool Player of the Season, but the 25-year-old has since been overshadowed at Anfield by Salah's scoring exploits.

He did stand out for Senegal, however, as they secured a first World Cup appearance since 2002, providing much of the creativity in a team stacked with physically formidable footballers.

Aubameyang was Bundesliga top scorer with 31 goals last season, holding off Bayern Munich and Poland ace Robert Lewandowski.

He flopped with Gabon, though, failing to take the 2017 Cup of Nations hosts past the first round and shunning several World Cup call-ups as Gabon failed to qualify.

Other award winners included Women's Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria and Youth Player of the Year Patson Daka of Zambia.

Argentine Egypt manager Hector Cuper was named Coach of Year and other honours went to Egypt (national team), South Africa (women's national team) and Wydad Casablanca (club).

Ahead of the awards ceremony, CAF president Ahmad Ahmad told a media conference why the Africa-based Player of the Year and Referee of the Year awards had been scrapped.

"When a footballer aims for excellence, they must rise to the highest standards, irrespective of where they play. We hope one day the best player will be based in Africa.

"Referees already have their rewards and marks of recognition. They are evaluated after every match and the best are designated matches like the CAF Champions League final."

Shortlists had been drawn up for both awards when the CAF executive committee decided to dump them, initially without offering any explanations.

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Mourinho dismisses Man United exit talk

Manchester United's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho. AFP PHOTO / Lindsey PARNABY

Jose Mourinho has dismissed reports he may walk out on Manchester United this summer as “garbage”, saying he sees himself staying long-term at the Premier League giants.

The United boss was in defiant mood when quizzed about his future ahead of today’s FA Cup tie with Derby, with morning reports saying club officials fear he is disenchanted with life at the club.

“Look, it depends on what you want to know and what you want to speak about,” Mourinho said. “If you want to speak about some news, I say ‘garbage’. I don’t find a better word to define the talk.

“If you want to ask me directly, which I suppose you want, if I see myself next season in Manchester United, I say I see myself here. And, as I said when I arrived, I’m going to leave when the club wants me to leave, because I have no intention to leave at all.

“My intention is to stay, and to work and to improve and to bring the club to where the club belongs and I want to stay. And I don’t see any reason not to stay.”

Mourinho has looked an unhappy figure in recent weeks as United’s title bid has faltered and they suffered a shock League Cup exit at Championship side Bristol City.

There have been suggestions that Mourinho has been disappointed at the relative lack of spending power at his disposal, claims which he also denied.

And Mourinho was upset at suggestions that his decision to live in a hotel, rather than buying a home in Manchester, is a sign of a lack of professionalism or commitment to the job. So yes, the garbage news affected me just on this aspect because it’s something I don’t admit.”

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‘I feel like a footballer again’, says Costa

Diego Costa PHOTO:AFP

Diego Costa has revealed that he ‘feels like a footballer again’ after coming off the bench to score on his second debut for Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening.

The last time the Spanish striker was on the field was in May last year after playing in the FA Cup final for Chelsea against Arsenal.

Since then, the 29-year-old returned home to Brazil for three months before getting back to match fitness for Wednesday’s 4-0 Copa del Rey win over Lleida, which Costa couldn’t be happier with.

‘Now I am very happy because I feel like a footballer again,’ Costa told reporters.

‘It is great for me to play for Atletico Madrid again, the club are very important to me and I am very happy with this.

‘I could not have asked for anything more on my second debut, to be back playing again and to have scored a goal is fantastic.’

The former Chelsea man came on as a substitute 18 minutes into the second half only to make it 3-0 five minutes later against third tier side Lleida before teammate Antoine Griezmann made it four in the final minutes.

Diego Godin broke the deadlock in the first half before Fernando Torres doubled the visitors’ lead four minutes later. 

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Knocks for CAF over absence of Desire Oparanozie at awards

Bambanani Mbane of South Africa challenges Ugochi Desire Oparanozie of Nigeria during the Women Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and South Africa 29 November 2016 at Limbe Omnisports Stadium. PHOTO: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

As the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards ceremony was going on in Accra, Ghana, yesterday, some ardent followers of women football in the continent were gnawing, raising questions on the criteria used in selecting players for the Woman Footballer of the year category.

To a majority of them, the decision by CAF to ignore Super Falcons and Guingamp of France striker, Desire Oparanozie on the list was an unpardonable error.

“Has the CAF award become a political tool in the hands of some individuals in Africa?,” one female football coach queried in a chat with The Guardian. “To me, no other female player in Africa deserves the award this year than Oparanozie. Her contributions to Super Falcons winning the last AWC title in Camemoun were more than any other player on the continent. I can’t really understand why she is not among those shortlisted for the award,” the coach lamented.

At the last edition of the African Women Nations Cup in Cameroon, Oparanozie was the sole reason why the Super Falcons smiled last in the championship. Apart from scoring the only goal for Nigeria to outclass a resilient Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the semifinal, Oparanozie accounted for the all-important goal in the final, which sent the entire people of Cameroon, including sports-loving President Paul Biya to early bed.

“If this CAF award in Ghana is for individual contribution to their national teams and clubs in 2016/1017, than CAF must have goofed in the selection of the woman footballer of the year category,” another female football enthusiast stated yesterday. “Those who did the selection/voting were not sincere because Oparanozie truly deserves to be among the three shortlisted for the award. She is the winner as far as I am concerned because she contributed more to Super Falcons success in Cameroon even more than Asisat Oshoala.

“And Oparanozie is one of the leading scorers in France where she plays club football. I remember that Oshoala major contribution to the Falcons during the AWC in Cameroon was scoring four goals against Mali. What the record of Mali when we talk of women football in Africa? When jungle became matured, it was Oparanozie who rescued the team against South Africa in the semifinal and Cameroon in the final. So why was she not among those shortlisted in the first place?.

“I remember that in 1994, Emmanuel Amunike won the African Football of the year award because of his exploits for the Super Eagles in Tunisia, where he scored two goals against Zambia in the final. That was the only match he played for Nigeria in that competition. This new CAF Executive must correct some of the glitches we noticed during the Issa Hayaltu’s regime,” the fan added.

Oparanozie, who joined the France side from Wolfsburg in 2014, has maintained a goalscoring run of 22 goals in 37 club appearances, with five goals from eight games this campaign.

She was not among the three contenders for the CAF women footballer of the year award held in Accra, Ghana yesterday. Rather, it was the trio of Oshoala, Cameroon’s Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene and South African Chrestina Kgatlana.

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Argentina begins players’ monitoring ahead of World Cup

Jorge Sampaoli

Argentina ’s coach, Jorge Sampaoli may have commenced his preparation for the World Cup in Russia, as he began a tour of the various European leagues to monitor prospective players who will make his final squad.

Like in four of the last six World Cup tournaments, Argentina will again be facing the Super Eagles of Nigeria. They will also face Iceland and Croatia.

According to Kwese ESPN, Sampaoli has up to 60 players in his radar. Quoting local media in Argentina, Kwese ESPN reported that the 57-year-old coach left the Argentine capital city, Buenos Aires for Spain on Tuesday accompanied by his assistant Sebastian Beccacece and fitness coach Jorge Desio.

Before his departure, they told the local TyC Sports: “Our first stop will be Barcelona where we will talk with [Javier] Mascherano and Leo [Messi]. We will then go to Seville, Manchester, London, Liverpool and many more places.

“It’s going to be a very long and extensive tour. We will meet many players and I hope we make the most of it. We want to gain time. I will be talking to coaches of players that we are following, watch the training sessions and speak to players. The idea is to draw conclusions that will be positive with respect to the future.”

Asked if this tour will be crucial when considering the final squad, Sampaoli said: “No, I don’t think so. There will be a lot more events in the future that will determine a list that right now is conformed of 45 to 60 players, but has to be reduced to 23.

“There are going to be players in and out depending on form and injuries. That is what we will consider when making the final evaluation.”

La Albiceleste booked their place in Russia with a 3-1 win against Ecuador, courtesy of Messi’s hat trick. Argentina will face Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria in Group D of the World Cup.

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… English FA probesinto Arsenal boss’ allegations

Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger AFP PHOTO

Arsene Wenger faces further Football Association disciplinary action after describing disputed refereeing decisions as “concerning coincidences”.

Before Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea the Arsenal boss criticised decisions and after the match said the awarding of a penalty was “farcical”.

He claimed “when it’s repeated it’s not coincidence.” Wenger has already been charged with misconduct after criticising a late West Brom penalty in Sunday’s draw.

The Frenchman has until 18:00 GMT today to respond to that charge following his conduct in the referee’s changing room at the Hawthorns after Calum Chambers was penalised for handball by referee Mike Dean.

Wenger said he would “100%” contest that charge, adding: “You can listen to every interview I said. I stick to everything I said without a problem.”

Arsenal conceded another late penalty against Chelsea, as Eden Hazard went down following a challenge from Hector Bellerin.

He has until 18:00 on Tuesday, 9 January to respond to the FA’s request for observations about the remarks he made before and after the game.

“I must say what is more frustrating for me is that it happened many times this season - at Stoke, at Watford, at Manchester City, at West Brom,” said Wenger in pre-match comments on Tuesday. “That is a concerning coincidence for me.”

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Guardiola ready to test Arsenal with £25m bid for Sanchez

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola. / AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF

Manchester City will make a decision over next few days whether to bid for Alexis Sanchez as Pep Guardiola eyes four new signings this month.

City are likely to test the water with a £25million bid but could bid as much as £35m, with Sanchez’s contract at Arsenal set to run out in six months’ time.

Guardiola will be more keen than ever to bolster his squad mid-season following Gabriel Jesus damaging his knee ligaments in the draw with Crystal Palace last Sunday.

With the Brazilian expected to face a second lengthy spell on the sidelines since his move to the Etihad a year ago, Sanchez has quickly risen to become City’s primary target.

The Premier League leaders have also made contact with Real Sociedad about the prospect of signing Inigo Martinez, who has a £28m release clause at the La Liga club.

Martinez is one of three defenders Guardiola has on his radar this month and he may look to revisit the option of signing Jonny Evans.
The West Brom centre back, however, is likely to cost more than Martinez, but is known to be admired by the City boss.

Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti, meanwhile, will set the Etihad club back almost £45m if he is to be prised away from the Nou Camp in this window.

The France international has missed the last three games through injury but has been a regular at the heart of the defence and is thought of highly in Catalonia.

Guardiola will be forced to fork out more serious money — following City’s £133m expenditure on three defenders last summer — if his back-line is to be further enforced.

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Four years after, Rivers State pays players sign on fees for 2014/15 season

Nyesom Ezenwo Wike

After about four years of inaction, Rivers State Government yesterday released funds for the payment of sign on fees owed players of Sharks, Dolphins and Rivers Angels FC for the 2014/15 season.

So football stakeholders yesterday described the late payment as an act of wickedness on the part of Rivers State government considering the huge resources at its disposal.

“It is laughable that Rivers State government could celebrate paying players sign on fees after about four year of starving them of fund,” one football analyst said yesterday. “Some of the players must have left the country for greener pasture or pitched their tent with other clubs. This is not a good image for a state like Rivers,” he added.

The funds, according to Sammy Wejinya, a Media aide to Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, were owed by the immediate past administration in the State.

Speaking on the development, the Sports Commissioner, Boma Iyaye stated that the present administration would continue to make the welfare of sports men and women in the State top priority.

He added the Rivers State Government would continue to support the two State-owned clubs, Rivers United FC and Rivers Angels FC to ensure that laurels are claimed in the upcoming campaign.

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Wenger hits out at referees, blasts media after 2-2 draw against Chelsea

Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger looks on during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 3, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Arsene Wenger was in a defiant mood following Arsenal's enthralling 2-2 draw with Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger saw his side give away a second penalty in as many games on Wednesday night after Hector Bellerin brought down Eden Hazard.

And in his post-match press conference, Wenger called the penalty decision 'farcical', criticised the game's referees and slammed the media's questions in a fascinating seven-minute rant..

Wenger transcript in full 
'I think it was a great football game. Where we saw fantastic action on both sides. A game where we have shown great mental resources. I knew before the game that the last 20 minutes could be difficult for us, because we have a big disadvantage with the schedule.

And we got again a farcical decision on a penalty, but we knew that as well before. So we have to deal with that. And that's it, basically.'
Penalty?

'I don't know. I don't want to talk about that. I'm fed up with that. The referees get away with you, with the English press always no matter what they do. You have watched the game last night. You couldn't read a line about it today. So that's that, nothing will change. So we have to deal with that and to live with that.'

Charge (from the FA)?
'Nothing at all.'
What do you mean, you knew before the game?
'I mean nothing. You are always more intelligent than everybody. So you can guess what happens.'

Last night's game (Swansea vs Tottenham)?
'Referee decision influence the game. No? Tottenham against Swansea. But nobody talks about it. So that means nothing will change.'
Offside and the no red card?
'You watched the game like I watched it.'

But I'm not important?
'No, no, you are important. You defend football.'

Will VAR change things?
'I am very sceptical.'

Will you contest the charge?
'100 per cent. You can listen to every interview I said, and I stick to everything I said without any problem. I am 35 years in football, I know what I say after the game.
And I stand up for what I said, no problem.'

Conscience is clear from what you said in dressing room?
'What I find terrible is that we have just seen a great football game and we talk only about things that are nothing to do with football. I would love at some stage that you stand up in the morning and say 'we've seen a great football game'.
But you're not interested in that. And for me, that would be nice, that at some stage we speak about football again. What are we talking about? It's nothing to do with football.'

Answer for managers to accept referee's decisions?
'That's what I do. I have no choice. But you have to say as well, at some stage, in football you have to stand up for the referee's decisions. But you have to say as well, at the moment we have to face surprising decisions.'
Pre-season meeting between players and refs?

'What I am finding is just what I want to tell you. I would love to talk about football.
Because that's what I love. And we have seen a great football game tonight. What are we talking about? Not about football.'

Is it frustrating that you are now 6th?
'Yes. That is very frustrating. We have to look at ourselves as well but still I think it was a great football game. When you look recently, our performances have been top quality but the regret we have is that we have not the results we could have had, certainly on some parts because of our problems but as well, on the other side, you have to say that we have not been gifted with luck.'

Wilshere? Outstanding?
'Yes. That's football.'
It's 2.5 years since he scored for Arsenal. Some comeback?
'Yes. I think he is at the level now where not many people expected him to be. When was the last time he played for England? It was against Iceland at the Euros. He came on. Since he has not played for England and that means everybody had given up on him.

And today nobody would be surprised if he was selected again so that means, instead of us being criticised for that, I think first of all he deserves great credit for a remarkable strength, and we do as well.'
Bellerin?
'What you get easiest at the moment, no matter who you are, is criticism. That is for free on the market and it flies around in a very severe way and every player gets that. The only response they can give is on the football pitch and he's a remarkable fighter.'

Greek kid, closing in on a deal for him?
'Yes but he is not ready to play for us. We'll give him out on loan.'

Describe emotions at the end when Morata went through?
'Look, it was a bit … I don't know. Maybe I would have gone home and committed suicide tonight.'
Must have been shocked?
'I was so close to that, yes.'

Wilshere might have had a second yellow for a dive?
'That would have made you happy.'
Seriously, though, did you see it?
'Honestly, no.'

Culled from Dailymail.co.uk

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BREAKING NEWS: Liverpool's Salah wins African player of the year award

Mohamed Salah has won the 2017 African footballer of the year award

Salah takes home the award for the first time ever, as he managed to defeat competition from fellow finalists Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the awards ceremony in Accra, Ghana.



The 25-year-old turned in a stunning campaign for Liverpool in 2017 as he scored 23 goals in 29 games after joining the English Premier League side from AS Roma.

Aubameyang, meanwhile, scored an incredible 31 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions last term, but only managed to get his hands on the DFB-Pokal with Borussia Dortmund.

The CAF Player of the Year award was initially pared down to a shortlist of 24. From there, Salah, Aubameyang and Mane were named the three finalists in December.

The winner of the award was selected by the current coaches and captain from every men’s national team in Africa.

Salah's Liverpool team-mate Sane finished second in the voting, with Dortmund star Aubameyang coming in third.

Complete list of winners at the 2017 Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards ceremony in Accra Thursday:

Player of the Year

1. Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool/ENG), 2. Sadio Mane (Senegal, Liverpool/ENG), 3. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon, Borussia Dortmund/GER)

Women’s Player of the Year

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Dalian Quanjian/CHN)

Youth Player of the Year

Patson Daka (Zambia, Liefering/AUT)

Coach of the Year

Hector Cuper (Egypt)

Club of the Year

Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

National Team of the Year

Egypt

Women’s National Team of the Year

South Africa

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Nigeria’s Asisat Osoala in a pool of tears as she emerges Africa Football Queen

Nigeria’s Asisat Osoala on Thursday emerged the winner of CAF Women’s Player of the Year for the third time.


The 23 year old was filled with emotions as she picked up her award as the 2017 African Footballer of the Year award ceremony held in Ghana.

The Nigerian football queen who plays for Chinese side Dalian Quanjian F.C. in the Chinese Women’s Super League as a forward was named best player and was the highest goal scorer at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

She was also named best player and second top goalscorer with the Super Falcons team who won the 2014 African Women’s Championship.

In an emotional Osoala described the out gone year as challenging stating that “Its truly be an emotional journey through 2017, i must say this is one of the personal moment in my career because when i left Arsenal and moved to China a lot of people said that Asisat your career is going to be gone.”

But the elated awardee rubbed off her tears of joy and said; “But i told myself that i can do this. And i think i have done that.

She however has words of advice for young African Girls, she said,” i want to use this opportunity to encourage all the young girls do not let anyone talk you down, don’t listen to anyone. follow your heart.”

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2017 CAF Awards: Full list of winners

Complete list of winners at the 2017 Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards ceremony in Accra Thursday:


Player of the Year

1. Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool/ENG), 2. Sadio Mane (Senegal, Liverpool/ENG), 3. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon, Borussia Dortmund/GER)

Women’s Player of the Year

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Dalian Quanjian/CHN)

Youth Player of the Year

Patson Daka (Zambia, Liefering/AUT)

Coach of the Year

Hector Cuper (Egypt)

Club of the Year

Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

National Team of the Year

Egypt

Women’s National Team of the Year

South Africa

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CAF awards winners

Complete list of winners at the 2017 Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards ceremony in Accra Thursday:

Player of the Year

1. Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool/ENG), 2. Sadio Mane (Senegal, Liverpool/ENG), 3. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon, Borussia Dortmund/GER)

Women's Player of the Year

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Dalian Quanjian/CHN)

Youth Player of the Year

Patson Daka (Zambia, Liefering/AUT)

Coach of the Year

Hector Cuper (Egypt)

Club of the Year

Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

National Team of the Year

Egypt

Women's National Team of the Year

South Africa

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Torino appoint former Watford coach Mazzarri

Walter Mazzarri PHOTO:AFP

Former Inter Milan and Watford coach Walter Mazzarri was handed the reins at Torino on Thursday after the Serie A side sacked Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Mihajlovic was fired following Torino's 2-0 Italian Cup defeat to holders Juventus, allowing the experienced 56-year-old to take over the northern side.

"Torino Football Club announces that it has entrusted the role of coach of the first team to Mr Walter Mazzarri," a statement on the club's website confirmed.

It said Mazzarri began work immediately and took charge of training on Thursday.

Torino had earlier confirmed Mihajlovic's departure after 18 months in charge, thanking the 48-year-old and his staff "for their commitment and passion".

Torino slumped out of the Italian Cup to Juventus amid controversy in the Allianz Stadium midweek after goals from Douglas Costa and Mario Mandzukic.

Mihajlovic had been banished from the sidelines during the game as he protested Mandzukic's second-half goal which came after a Sami Khedira challenge on Ghana international Afriyie Acquah.

He paid for Torino's recent form which has left the club tenth in Serie A with just five wins in 19 games this season including six draws in their last eight league games.

Mazzarri arrives just in time for the January transfer window.

Torino play Bologna, just below them in Serie A on Saturday, in their last game until January 21, before a two-week break.

Mihajlovic joined Torino in the summer of 2016, having been sacked by AC Milan in April that year.

He previously managed Bologna, Catania, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and the Serbia national team.

Mazzarri was sacked by Watford last May after just one season in England despite ensuring the club's Premier League survival.

The cigar-loving Italian has plenty of experience in his home country having previously coached top flight clubs including Sampdoria, Napoli and Inter Milan.

He has reportedly signed a contract with Torino until 2020.

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Asisat Oshoala aims for Women's Player of the Year hat-trick

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Mourinho dismisses Man Utd exit talk

(FILES) This file photo taken on March 16, 2017 at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north-west England shows Manchester United's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho arriving for the UEFA Europa League football match between Manchester United and FC Rostov. Mourinho is accused of tax evasion in Spain, AFP reports on June 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF

Jose Mourinho has dismissed reports he may walk out on Manchester United this summer as "garbage", saying he sees himself staying long-term at the Premier League giants.

The United boss was in defiant mood when quizzed about his future ahead of Friday's FA Cup tie with Derby, with morning reports saying club officials fear he is disenchanted with life at the club.

"Look, it depends on what you want to know and what you want to speak about," Mourinho said. "If you want to speak about some news, I say 'garbage'. I don't find a better word to define the talk.

"If you want to ask me directly, which I suppose you want, if I see myself next season in Manchester United, I say I see myself here. And, as I said when I arrived, I'm going to leave when the club wants me to leave, because I have no intention to leave at all.

"My intention is to stay, and to work and to improve and to bring the club to where the club belongs and I want to stay. And I don't see any reason not to stay."

Mourinho has looked an unhappy figure in recent weeks as United's title bid has faltered and they suffered a shock League Cup exit at Championship side Bristol City.

There have been suggestions that Mourinho has been disappointed at the relative lack of spending power at his disposal, claims which he also denied.

And Mourinho was upset at suggestions that his decision to live in a hotel, rather than buying a home in Manchester, is a sign of a lack of professionalism or commitment to the job.

"Speaking about my work and connecting my work to the garbage news is to say that the worst thing anyone can do to myself, is not to say that I am a bad manager, is not to say that I am under-performing or that I made a mistake in this game or that game, the worst thing someone can do is put one inch of doubt about my professionalism, my dedication to my club, to my job, to my players," he said.

"So yes, the garbage news affected me just on this aspect because it's something I don't admit."

New deal
Mourinho is in early talks over a contract extension with executive vice chairman Ed Woodward and believes he will remain beyond his current deal. The basic three-year contract ends in the summer of 2019, although the club holds a one-year option to extend.

The United boss also defended himself against suggestions he may have lost his passion for the intense world of top-level football.

"Because I don't behave as a clown, it means I've lost my passion?" said Mourinho

"I prefer to behave as I am, more mature, better for myself and the team. You don't have to behave like a crazy guy. It's not what you do in front of the cameras."

United expect to welcome back forward Romelu Lukaku after he suffered a suspected concussion against Southampton last week for the Friday evening cup tie with Derby.

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PSG relishing prospect of Real Madrid showdown - Emery

Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish headcoach Unai Emery / AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE

Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery is confident his side can get the better of Real Madrid as he looked ahead to next month's heavyweight Champions League showdown in an interview with AFP.

And Emery dismissed suggestions that defeat to the reigning champions would constitute a failure for a club that invested huge sums in Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Dani Alves in the hope of winning the Champions League.

"It is a chance for us to show that we are at the same level as them, that we can beat the best teams," the Spaniard said as his team prepares to return to action following the French winter break.

PSG play their first game of 2018 on Sunday away to Rennes when they begin their defence of the French Cup.

Their January schedule will be taken up by domestic action, but a nine-point lead over Monaco and Lyon at the top of Ligue 1 means they will perhaps already be starting to think about the first leg of their last-16 tie in Madrid on February 14.

"I always think positive," said Emery. "We will prepare well to come into the tie strong and compete with Real. I think we can win."

PSG are driven by the memory of what happened at the same stage of the competition last season, when they lost 6-1 away to Barcelona to go out having won 4-0 at home in the first leg in the French capital.

"We can learn a lot of things from that tie," Emery said. "I think after that tie, and after the extra step PSG have taken, we will see teams, UEFA, referees have more respect for us, and I think we are now better prepared."

- Good for France -
The extent of PSG's spending under their Qatari owners has not made themselves popular with Europe's traditional elite.

A combined outlay of around 400 million euros ($483 million) on Neymar and Mbappe alone -- the two most expensive transfer deals in history -- have led to questions as to how PSG can comply with UEFA's financial fair play rules.

But Emery, the former Sevilla coach, said: "When I was in Spain, there were two clubs with huge financial power, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Real bought the best players in the world, (Luis) Figo, (Zinedine) Zidane, Ronaldo.

"In Spain, nobody ever talked about where the money they spent was coming from. And for Spanish football it was very good.

"I am at PSG, in Paris which is one of the most visited cities in the world, with great culture.

"When the possibility arose for a financial power like that of Qatar to come in, and to have some of the best players in the world... I think the whole of France, French clubs are happy.

"It is normal that other teams are saying 'wow' because there is now greater competition.

"Outside the club there is a lot of talk about financial fair play. Here, the club is on the right road, within the rules of financial fair play."

Nevertheless, it seems certain that PSG will trim their wage bill during this month's transfer window in order to balance the books. The likes of Lucas Moura, Javier Pastore and former Newcastle striker Hatem Ben Arfa look likely to move on.

However Emery insisted that Argentina midfielder Pastore had not asked for a move amid talk that he could return to Italy.

He added: "Certain players who play less can maybe be protagonists in another team because they are good players and they don't have the chance to play here, like Lucas Moura or Hatem Ben Arfa."

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Wilshere in 'best shape ever' thanks to new diet

Arsenal's English midfielder Jack Wilshere applauding fans after the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England. Jack Wilshere's fall from grace shows no sign of slowing as the Arsenal midfielder made a shock move to Bournemouth on a season-long loan on August 31, 2016. Wilshere was once regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in the Premier League, but Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has allowed the 24-year-old to leave the Emirates Stadium in a bid to revitalise his career. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS

Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere says a new gluten-free diet has put him in the best shape of his career after reestablishing himself in Arsene Wenger's first team.

Wilshere, 26, starred in a 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea on Wednesday, opening the scoring with a thumping close-range finish.

It was not enough to earn Arsenal victory, with Eden Hazard's penalty and a late goal from Marcos Alonso putting Chelsea in front, before Hector Bellerin added a final twist in stoppage time.

The match was Wilshere's sixth consecutive 90 minutes in the Premier League after a nightmare few years blighted by injury.

"I have been dairy and gluten-free now for six weeks," Wilshere told the London Evening Standard.

"I feel that I look better, I have certainly lost a bit of weight, and am leaner. I am probably fitter as well. I feel sharper and quicker on the pitch. I feel like I can last longer.

"For example, at the end of the Chelsea game when we scored the second goal, I felt, 'Come on, we can go on again here'. I was pressing them and felt good.

"I know my body well, I know the right foods to eat and the best way to recover. I'm also getting the right amount of sleep. I've learned that over the years and I think I'm in the best shape I have ever been."

Wilshere, benefiting from an injury to midfielder Aaron Ramsey, told Sky Sports after the match there had been "no progress" in talks regarding an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of the season.

England manager Gareth Southgate has challenged Wilshere to play regularly for Arsenal before thinking about an international recall.

He last played for the national side in the defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016.

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Morata sets new record in Chelsea, Arsenal clash

Chelsea front man, Alvaro Morata missed excellent chances to score in Wednesday’s EPL match against Arsenal.


Morata’s misses have now earned him an unwanted Premier League 2017/2018 record.

Reacting, coach Antonio Conte, after the match, warned Morata that he must work harder.

Analysis after the match showed that no player has missed more in a Premier League match this season.

It also showed that Arsenal were effective at creating goalscoring opportunities from the flanks, as well as from set-pieces.

The home team were aggressive but gave away a lot of free-kicks around the box.

Chelsea too were effective at creating goalscoring opportunities from the flanks but could have scored more.

They were, however, caught offside often and had a high shot frequency when in possession.

Both teams attacked through the middle.

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