Explosion kills three, injures 10 in Ondo Nigeria

 

An explosion at a facility of the Ondo State Water Corporation in Araromi Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area has left three persons dead and 10 others injured.

Those killed in the explosion that occurred at 11.30pm on Tuesday included a boy and his grandmother.

The victims were said to have died of contamination arising from the chemicals they inhaled from one of the cylinders of the corporation that exploded on Tuesday night.

Residents of the area, many of whom were already asleep when the incident occurred, were scared out of their houses by the sound of the burst. Some others made their way to the premises of the water corporation only to inhale the poisonous fumes from the burst cynliders.

Thailand Open event sold to China

Tennis | ATP

Falling spectator numbers and a general decline in local tennis interest since the 2007 retirement of Paradorn Srichaphan has killed the Thailand Open, with the ATP 250 event sold to organisers in Shenzhen, China, officials confirmed on Thursday.

The move to the metropolis just across the border from Hong Kong comes after 11 editions in Bangkok and takes effect immediately for the event to be staged in the last week of September 2014.
The Thailand Open had been steadily declining over recent editions, with organisers finding it increasingly difficult to attract world-class players.

Chenene doubtful for Pirates clash

Football | Telkom Knockout

There is uncertainty over Bennett Chenene’s participation in Saturday’s Telkom Knockout semifinal against his former club Orlando Pirates because of a family bereavement.
Club sources said Chenene’s grandmother had passed away and they were uncertain about the funeral arrangements, which might inhibit the winger from playing in the vital cup tie at Atteridgeville.
The club already have to do without defenders Roscoe Petersen and Thabo September.

Messi lauds Ronaldo's goal-scoring power

Football | Spain

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi praised archrival Cristiano Ronaldo's goal-scoring prowess in an interview published on Thursday as speculation mounted that the Portuguese international could be picked as World Player of the Year.
A day after picking up a Golden Boot award for scoring 46 league goals last season, more than any other player in Europe, the 26-year-old Messi paid respect to his Real Madrid rival.
"I don't know if Cristiano Ronaldo is at his peak but he is always there scoring goals in all the games and taking part in his club and national side," Messi told Spanish sports daily Marca and other European sports journalists.
"He has been doing that for many years and whether he is at his peak or a bit less makes no difference."

No return date yet for Carroll

Football | Barclays Premier League

Goal-shy West Ham United still have no idea when record signing Andy Carroll will be able to return from a foot injury.
The London club, only out of the relegation zone on goal difference, host Chelsea on Saturday with manager Sam Allardyce admitting he is in the dark about Carroll's fitness.

The 24-year-old, who has not played a game for the club since signing on a permanent basis for 15 million pounds ($23.74 million) from Liverpool in June after a spell on loan, has been receiving treatment in Amsterdam since injuring his right foot in training in September.
"We are trying to get a date out of the guys over in Amsterdam but they are reluctant to give us any clear indication of when he's going to be able to join us back here and start training with the squad and getting back into the team," Allardyce told a news conference.

Ayew out for eight weeks

Football | Ghana

Ghana forward Andre Ayew has been ruled out for two months with a knee injury that requires surgery, his Ligue 1 club Olympique Marseille said on Thursday.
Ayew sustained the injury in his country's 2-1 defeat to Egypt in the second leg of their World Cup playoff on Tuesday.

Zambia call-ups delight Chilumba

Football | Zambia

Power Dynamos coach Tennant Chilumba is excited to see five of his players called up for Zambia’s 2013 Cecafa Cup outing.
The five call-ups sees Power contribute the largest number of players to Patrice Beaumelle’s 27-member provisional team named on Wednesday.
Power has not enjoyed a high profile presence in the Zambia setup for the last two years with goalkeeper Joshua Titima the only Chipolopolo regular these days.
Titima has been joined in the ranks by defender Lawrence Chungu and midfielder Emmanuel Chimpinde.

Fifa extends voting deadline for Ballon d'Or

Football | International

Fifa has extended the Ballon d'Or voting deadline, improving Cristiano Ronaldo's chances of winning after his superb performance for Portugal in World Cup qualifying.
Fifa says the contest is now open until November 29 because too many voters failed to meet last Friday's original deadline.

Ronaldo's goals, outrageous Radio commentary

Football | World Cup 2014

 















Cristiano Ronaldo's magical hat-trick may have propelled Portugal to the Brazil 2014 Fifa world Cup but it's also turned famous Portuguese commentator, Nuno Matos into an internet sensation.

Messi receives Europe's golden boot

Football | Spain

 
















Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been presented with his third Golden Boot award for scoring the most goals in Europe's domestic leagues last season.
The 26-year-old Messi helped Barcelona win the 2012-13 Spanish league title by scoring 46 goals despite missing several games with a right hamstring pull near the end of the season.