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Balotelli Dropped from Italy Squad Mario Balotelli has been left out of Italy's 23-man squad to face Portugal following criticism of his performance in the Azzurri's 1-1 draw with Poland on Friday. Italy coach Roberto Mancini admitted the Nice striker did not play well against Poland and said "his fitness levels are an issue right now" before omitting Balotelli from his squad for Monday's match. F ormer Juventus and Roma player Zbigniew Boniek accused Balotelli of being "15 kilos overweight" after his performance against Poland, which ended when he was replaced by Andrea Belotti after 62 minutes at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. There is no place in Mancini's squad for Davide Zappacosta, Lorenzo Pellegrini or Cristiano Biraghi, all of whom started the game against Poland. Alessio Cragno, Daniele Rugani and Nicolo Zaniolo have also been left out of Italy's squad for the Nations League clash in Lisbon.

Alli Withdraws from England Squad Dele Alli has withdrawn from the England squad to face Switzerland due to a minor muscle strain. The Tottenham midfielder played 90 minutes as the Three Lions lost their opening UEFA Nations League game to Spain at Wembley on Saturday. However, a slight injury sustained during that game has now seen him pull out of the squad, and Gareth Southgate has opted against calling up a replacement for the friendly on Tuesday. Indeed, Southgate has already called up uncapped Leicester duo Demarai Gray and Ben Chilwell for the clash with Switzerland. Alli has played in all four of Spurs' games thus far this season, scoring in the opening day win over Newcastle United, and played a key role in the Three Lions' run to the World Cup semi-finals over the summer. Though he was rested against both Panama and Belgium in the group stages, Alli scored a key goal against Sweden in the quarter-finals.

Modric Deserved UEFA Award More Than CR7 - Ramos Sergio Ramos insists that Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric deserved to win the UEFA Player of the Year award ahead of those with "more marketing", such as Cristiano Ronaldo. Modric's win sparked controversy in Italy, with Ronaldo's representative, Jorge Mendes, blasting the snub as "ridiculous and shameful". However, Ramos believes that Modric, who played a key role in the club's Champions League victory, deserved the award over the Portuguese. "There are few players that I am as proud of having in my team as [Modric]," said Ramos, per the Daily Mail . "He is a great friend and a great player. He is one of the few players who [if he wins] would make me as happy as if they had given it to me." Ramos also appeared to take a dig at Ronaldo in claiming that Modric is more unassuming than the Juve striker, who has yet to score a goal in Serie A. "Maybe there are player

FIFPro World XI Nominees Revealed Gareth Bale and Mesut Ozil were absent as FIFPro revealed their list of nominees for this year's World XI. The team is voted for by over 25,000 professional footballers from 65 countries around the world, with the full side set to be revealed at FIFA's The Best Awards night on September 24, with the formation listed as 4-3-3. Full list: Goalkeepers : Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, PSG, Italy) Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea, Real Madrid, Belgium), David De Gea (Man Utd, Spain), Keylor Navas (Real Madrid, Costa Rica), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona, Germany). Defenders : Jordi Alba (Barcelona, Spain), Dani Alves (PSG, Brazil), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid, Spain), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus, Italy), Virgil van Dijk (Southampton, Liverpool, Netherlands), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid, Uruguay), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich, Germany), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich, Germany), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool, Croatia), Marcelo (Real Madrid, Braz

Ability in disability, they say, is good while ability in ability is better. But extra ability is the best and is recommended. That is the intimidating quality of a man who many have called blessed! Prof. Uche E. Ikonne   Ikonne was born in Abguruke, Insulu in Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State. After attending Ngwa High School in Aba of Abia State, he studied optometry at Manila Central University, Philippines. He also graduated from a specialist Masters Degree programme in Hospital Administration and on his return to Nigeria in 1985, served as consulting optometrist at the Park Lane General Hospital, Enugu, and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Environmental Health Science from Abia State University. From 2010 to 2014, Ikonne served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Abia State University after then served as Rector, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba – (on Rescue Mission). He became the 7th Substantive Vice-Chancellor, Abia State University in December 2015. He also a

The draws for the UEFA Champions League play-offs were conducted on Monday morning in Nyon. Two sides entered the stage from the Champions Path, and were joined by the six winners from the third qualifying round. The losers from both paths enter the group stage of the Europa League. Champions Path: Red Star Belgrade/Sparta Prague vs Salzburg/Shkendija Qarabag/BATE vs PSV Eindhoven Young Boys vs Astana/Dinamo Zagreb Malmo/Vidi vs Celtic/AEK League Path: Benfica/Fenerbahce vs PAOK/Spartak Moscow Standard Liege/Ajax vs Slavia Prague/Dynamo Kyiv. The two-legged ties will take place on August 21 and 22, while the second leg takes place a week later on August 28 and 29.

As Absu is set to honour our eminent Governor. Written by: Ahamefula Israel DIGNIFYING A SCHOLAR IN GOVERNANCE: Gov. Ikpeazu's Specimen. Ahamefula Isreal  In the life of every achiever, there are usually two outstanding seasons: the first season is usually that of work, work and work. The other season that follows is usually that of recognitions, awards and rewards. For such great men and women, it might take years of hard work, unalloyed dedication to duty, unparalleled sacrifice for a cause they believe in and an unstoppable drive to lift their people from the doldrums and opprobrium to irreversible stardom, to keep working, sometimes with much fanfare while others may work their socks off silently, unnoticed, and steadily but surely until they achieve their ultimate goal. For the latter, except they have grown the needed thick skin to wade off spanners and cogs that would surely be thrown their way by impatient armchair critics and professional detractors they

 Real Madrid take final decision on Hazard Real Madrid have taken their final decision on Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. New manager, Julen Lopetegui now plans to shape his side around Spanish forward, Isco. The La Liga giants have been heavily linked with a £170million move for the Belgian international, as the player told reporters after the World Cup that he was ready to make the move to the Bernabeu. Chelsea have long been aware of Hazard’s desire to eventually move to the Spanish capital but the Blues also believe they are in a strong position to keep the player. The 27-year-old has two years to run on his deal at Stamford Bridge. AS reports that the Blues’ position has convinced Real Madrid that a deal for Hazard would prove too expensive, and new boss, Lopetegui is now ready to put his faith on Isco instead. That leaves Hazard in a precarious position as Chelsea are determined to extend his deal to make him the highest paid player in their history and also hand hi

The Vice-Chancellor, ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY. Distinguish Professor E Uche Ikonne On behalf of the Management and Senate welcomes The Academia and the public to the 40th INAUGURAL LECTURE of the UNIVERSITY. TOPIC: RADIO WAVE AS AN INVISIBLE GIFT OF OUR AWESOME GOD. Exploration in the science of Astronomy. LECTUREE: JEMIMA NHOZI OGWO Professor of Astrophysics Date: Wednesday 18th July Venue: University Auditorium Time: 11:00 am  Endeavour to come as what you will gain from the lecture will enhance you more in contributing to the development of the world. The world will keep on advancing and we will continue following the trend. Always visit us for ABSU gist and Admission procedures Fb: #Media_loudspeaker

Speech and hearing impaired couple Otu and Nseobong break internet with adorable wedding photos Congratulations are in order for adorable Nigerian couple who recently tied the knot in style in Eket, Akwa Ibom. They say love is a universal language, newly-wed couple, Otu and Nseobong have proven just that after they celebrated their love in the presence of family and friends in a beautiful wedding ceremony.  Interestingly, the couple are speech and hearing impaired but their disability only brought them closer as they walked down the aisle in their hometown on June 30. Photos from the special ceremony have been making waves on the internet with everyone congratulating the adorable couple. The lovers are also prove that love is present at the core of every human and it once the heart is willing, every other thing falls in place. Naij.com