Super Eagles Climb To 33rd In Latest FIFA Ranking
In a list released today by FIFA, Nigeria has moved up to 33rd place from 45th position in the FIFA World Rankings.
Rewarding the Super Eagles’ efforts in the 32nd AFCON, the Super Eagles climbed 12 places from their 45th position in June, accruing 1481 points.
The Nigerian team finished second in the group stage, and defeated the five-time African champions, Cameroon in the Round of 16 and went on to defeat Mandela’s boys in the quarter-final.
The Super Eagles, however, remain third in Africa behind the silver medal winner, Senegal who are currently ranked 20th, and Tunisia ranked 29th.
The recent ranking shows how the AFCON champions, Algeria sky-rocketed to 40th position from 68th position making a-28-step move to the fourth in Africa while Morocco ranks 41st.
Arsenal agree £72m deal for Lille's Pepe
The Gunners will pay for the 24-year-old via a series of instalments that suit their restricted budget for this summer.
An agreement between Arsenal and Pepe's representatives still needs to be finalised.
But the transfer is expected to be completed soon.
Italian side Napoli also met Lille's asking price, but their proposal was rejected by the player's camp.
Pepe tends to operate on the right wing and cut in on to his left foot, but can also be used as a striker in a 4-4-2 formation.
He scored 23 goals for Lille last season and satisfies Arsenal's need for a wide player with pace and high technical ability.
Holloway retains featherweight title at UFC 240
Hawaii's Holloway, 27, eased his way into the fight before upping his intensity as the fight progressed to secure scores of 50-45 49-46 48-47 on the judges' scorecards to extend his winning streak at featherweight to 14 with a unanimous decision victory.
Edgar started the fight looking sharp, but as the opening round progressed Holloway started to find a home for his punches, with his right uppercut in particular having repeated success. And as the fight moved into the middle rounds Holloway hit his stride as he loaded up on his strikes and started to catch the New Jersey native almost at will.
And the Hawaiian star's composure and conditioning held up against Edgar's relentless forward pressure as he effectively counter-struck his way to a lop-sided victory on the scorecards.
Holloway took a brief break from featherweight title duties earlier in 2019 when he moved up a weight class to challenge for the vacant interim lightweight title against American Dustin Poirier.
But after suffering his first defeat since 2013, he returned to his natural weight class to successfully defend his title and maintain his dominant win streak at 145lb as he further cemented his legacy as one of the best featherweight fighters in UFC history.
After his win, Holloway said he wanted to prove a point by outworking Edgar, who has a well-earned reputation as one of the fittest fighters in the sport.
Whyte tests positive for banned substance
If the result is confirmed, 31-year-old Whyte could face an eight-year ban, because it would be his second offence.
He served a two-year ban from 2012 to 2014 for unknowingly taking an illegal supplement.
Whyte survived a ninth-round knockdown to beat Colombian Rivas on points at London's O2 Arena.
He is the mandatory challenger to WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
The WBC said it has not received any notification about a positive anti-doping test, adding that it is "reviewing the situation". The governing body said it has requested that the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) provides any available information it has.
UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) told the BBC it would be making no comment. It is not known what the banned substance is.
Representatives for Whyte have declined to comment. He can ask for a 'B sample' to be analysed - but if that also tests positive he will have to request a hearing to appeal.
from Bola Esho's Blog
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