Jay Jay Okocha honoured during PSG's home game against Monaco

Nigerian legend Jay Jay Okocha was honoured during the game between Paris Saint Germain and Monaco last night. 

Okocha had a hugely successful time at the French Giants after signing in 1998 and it was the chance for the Nigerian to see the special place he still holds in the hearts of the Parisian public. 

He took the celebrity kick-off before the beginning of the game and took the time to remember the moment he signed in the French capital: "It was an obvious choice for me to sign for Paris Saint-Germain. The atmosphere during the World Cup was incredible when I played for my country, so I didn't hesitate at all when I received the offer to play for Paris Saint-Germain."

Okocha added: "I still follow the team's performance. I'm jealous of the players that are here today - it must be a dream to play in this team now. The current owners have invested a lot of money, but brought stability and ambition. Today, Paris Saint-Germain is in its rightful place. I'm proud to call myself a Parisian and happy to see the team right at the top of the game."

It was however not a happy return for him as his side lost 2-0 to Monaco. 

Cuper: Egypt can beat Nigeria in Kaduna

Egyptian national team coach, Hector Cuper, has said his team is capable of winning in Kaduna when they take on Nigeria in the next group game of their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Super Eagles will host the Pharoahs this weekend, before travelling to Alexandria for the return leg. 

Egypt currently lead Group G with six points, while Nigeria are in second place with four points and Cuper is eyeing maximum points when they take on the Eagles at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna as they bid to secure qualification to Africa's premier football tournament. 

“The Ghana debacle will not be repeated, and we can beat the Nigerian national team,” the former Inter Milan manager said during his interaction with the media on Sunday in Cairo.

“So, I promise we will give everything in this match, but I cannot promise a win outright.”

Rashford the hero as Man United sinks City

Manchester City's poor run of form in the English Premier League continued after they were beaten at the Etihad by their city rivals, Manchester United. 

Schoolboy Marcus Rashford scored the decisive strike in the first half. The United academy graduate's 16th-minute strike was enough as United ground out a much-needed victory. It was Rashford's fifth goal on his eighth appearance for the club.

Manchester City's afternoon went from bad to worse after injuries to Raheem Sterling and Joe Hart in either half to injuries. David de Gea was never really troubled throughout the game. Sergio Aguero's header against the post was actually the closest City came to equalizing.  

The result sees United maintain their quest for Champions League qualification and a perfect response to their midweek exit from the Europa League at the hands of Liverpool. 

City remain 15 points adrift of leaders Leicester with just eight games to play and surely will be looking over their shoulders as the race for the top four heats up. Man United are now level on points with fifth-placed West Ham and just a point off their city rivals.

Manchester City must now hope their poor form does not continue. The announcement of Pep Guardiola as the next manager has coincided with their bad results. They must find a way to arrest the slide or the current Bayern Munich boss will have the Europa League to contend with. 

Alex Iwobi stars as Arsenal defeats Everton

Arsenal kept their slim hopes of winning the English Premier League title with a convincing win over Everton at the Goodison Park. 

Arsenal have had a difficult week which included eliminated from the Champions League and FA Cup by Barcelona and Watford respectively. 

Alex Iwobi was handed his first league start of his Arsenal career and he justified his manager's faith with an excellent display. His link up with Welbeck in particular caused the Toffees plenty of problems. 

Danny Welbeck finished off a flowing passing move when he went round Joel Robles in the 7th minute to give Arsenal the lead. 

Lukaku, fresh from his impressive display against Chelsea last weekend, never really got going with the Arsenal defence doing a good job of keeping him quiet. 

Alex Iwobi was having a good half and his half got even better when he finished off a long pass from Hector Bellerin in the 42nd minute. 

Arsenal remained relatively untroubled in the second half as they held on to secure a convincing and comfortable 2-0 victory. 

CHAN 2016: Nigeria thrash Niger Republic in group opener

Chisom Chikatara scored a hattrick after coming on from the bench

Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles got off to a winning start at the African Nations Championship with a convincing 4-1 win against Niger Republic.

The first half offered little promise as both sides went in level at the break with none of the teams getting the opener. But whatever coach Sunday Oliseh said at half time surely worked as the Eagles came out gun blazing. It took the Nigerian team just 30 seconds after the interval through Osas Okoro after he was set up by Tunde Adeniji.

Sunday Oliseh then looked to his bench for inspiration and brought on Abia Warriors Chisom Chikatara for Tunde Adniji. Chikatara doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 74th minute when he rifled home into the top corner.

Niger Republic reduced the deficit through Zakary Adebayor in the 80th minute but substitute Chisom Chikatara restored Nigeria’s two goal lead immediately. Chikatara then completed his hattrick late in the game to give the Nigerians an emphatic victory and an impressive start to the tournament.

Nigeria now top group C with three points.

Arsenal signs Mohamed Elneny

Mohamed Elneny has joined Arsenal FC

23-year old Egyptian midfielder, Mohamed Elneny has joined Arsenal from FC Basel.

The midfielder won three consecutive Swiss League titles and made over 90 league appearances in the three years he was with the Swiss giant. He began his senior career with El Mokawloon in the Egyptian premier league before moving to the Switzerland.

Elneny helped his country reach the quarter-finals of the 2012 London Olympics. Injuries in midfield meant that the London giants were short in midfield and with Tomas Rosicky, Flamini and Arteta all out of contract at the end of the season, Elneny can hope to play a big part in Arsenal’s long term future.

Chelsea’s renaissance continues with win over Crystal Palace

Chelsea are now unbeaten in four games

Chelsea continued their recovery from a poor start to the season with a three-nil win at Selhurst Park over Crystal Palace. Goals from Oscar, Willian and Diego Costa were enough for Chelsea as they moved further up the table.

Guus Hiddink got his first win of his second spell in a game Chelsea showed signs of returning to their previous good form in the 3-0 win. Costa laid on Oscar for the 29^th minute opener.

Willian continued his fine form in a dismal Chelsea season when he offered another excellent display which was capped by a long range finish in the second half.

Costa then got in on the act on his return from suspension in a game in which Palace lost their usual drive and verve. Chelsea are now unbeaten in four matches since Jose Mourinho’s departure while Palace lost for the first time since November.

Oliseh names 23 Eagles for African Nations Championship

Sunday Oliseh, Head Coach of the Super Eagles

The Nigerian Football Federation on Saturday in Abuja said Head Coach Sunday Oliseh has named his squad for the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.

In a statement issued by Ademola Olajire, Assistant Director (Communications), the Federation announced that the final list of 23 players had been released by the coach. He added that the Eagles B team along with the technical and backroom staff departed for South Africa on Saturday afternoon where they will take part in a 10-day training camp. They will also play two friendly games against Angola and Cote d’Ivoire on January 6 and 11 respectively.

The Federation also said that Oliseh had arrived in South Africa ahead of the delegation. The championship which holds from January 16 to February 7 sees the Eagles in Group C alongside 2011 winners Tunisia, Niger Republic and Guinea. The group games will be played in Kigali.

The full list:

Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars), Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba International FC), Okiemute Odah (Warri Wolves).

Defenders: Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors), Kalu Okogbue (Rangers International), Jamiu Alimi (Shooting Stars), Mathew Etim (Rangers International), Chima Akas (Sharks FC), Stephen Eze (Sunshine Stars),  Christopher Maichibi (Giwa FC), Samson Gbadebo (Lobi Stars)

Midfielders: Ifeanyi Mathew (El-Kanemi Warriors), Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars), Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba), Yaro Bature (Nasarawa United), Bartholomew Ibenegbu (Warri Wolves), Ibrahim Salau (Shooting Stars)

Forwards: Osas Okoro (Rangers International), Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba International FC), Tunde Adeniji (Sunshine Stars), Bright Onyedikachi (FC Ifeanyi Ubah), Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors), Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars).

Former Chelsea player is off the market

Former Chelsea player Andre Schurrle who plays for Wolfsburg, Germany is engaged to Montana Yorke. He proposed to her on New Year's Day. We wish them all the best.

Ighalo dismisses Madrid link

Odion Ighalo, Nigerian and Watford striker

Watford striker, Odion Ighlo, has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to Spanish side, Atletico Madrid.

The Nigerian international’s terrific form this season has seen him attract interest from the Spanish capital after his impressive start to his debut season in the Premier League. “I want to finish the season strongly with Watford and prove that we have a good bunch of players here. When the focus is on a strong finish, transfer talk won’t get to you”, the striker said.

Ighalo has scored 14 goals this season and has formed a terrifying strike partnership with Troy Deeney. His goals have lifted his side to the top-half of the table. He added that he was keen to get the disappointment of the Tottenham result out of the way with a good result in the next game against Manchester City. “We didn’t get the result we deserved against Tottenham but we want to put it right against Man City – that’s what is in front of me right now,” Ighalo told the BBC.