GOLDEN SCEPTRE

After an initial denial that he was dumping his Turkish club,Trabzonspor, Ogenyi Onazi was on Wednesday unveiled by English Championship side, Birmingham City, as its latest acquisition. Chronicling his career from Lazio, Kunle Adewale writes about the potential of the move to rejuvenate his career Many would argue that the state of Nigeria’s national team is a reflection of the quality of players the country has at its disposal. While most of them are playing in lowly rated clubs, the few that play in top clubs could not boast of regular shirts except for about two or three players. Ogenyi Onazi is one of such Super Eagles players struggling in the lowly Turkey league, but things are now looking good for him. After an initial denial and with news emanating that Onazi had changed his mind about leaving Turkish club, Trabzonspor, over unpaid wages and that he had received further assurance from the club about his salary, English Championship side, Birmingham, suddenly announced him as...

Antonio Conte refused to make peace with Diego Costa as he laughed off the Chelsea striker’s claim that he has been treated like a criminal by the Premier League champions. Costa is in exile in Brazil after falling out with Blues boss Conte during the close-season when the Italian sent the forward a text message that made it clear he was no longer part of his plans. Conte had grown tired of the volatile Costa’s attempts to force a transfer throughout last term, but the Spain international revealed the contents of the text to the media, prompting the Chelsea manager to banish him from the club. Costa has gone on a PR offensive this week, criticising Conte for freezing him out and making it clear he won’t return to England because he would only be made to train with the reserves. Asked about his views on Costa’s latest outburst, Conte responded with a fit of giggles in front of the media at Chelsea’s training ground on Friday. “It’s great. I ...