Greene's punt return helps Jaguars beat Titans 19-13

 

The Jacksonville Jaguars have their first winning streak in more than two years. This one has them squarely in the hunt in the muddled AFC South.
Rashad Greene returned a punt 63 yards, setting up Blake Bortles' 5-yard touchdown pass to Julius Thomas with 3:30 remaining, and the Jaguars beat the Tennessee Titans 19-13 on Thursday night.

"We've been in these one-possession games all season. To see us do enough to get the win was great," Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said. "Fortunately, we came out on the good end."
The Jaguars (4-6) won consecutive games for the first time since December 2013 and gained ground in the division race. They have won three of four.
The Titans (2-8) lost for the eighth time in nine games and spoiled interim coach Mike Mularkey's return to Jacksonville. Mularkey was fired after one season with the Jaguars, a 2-14 campaign in 2012.
For much of the night it looked as if Mularkey would celebrate a rare win in Jacksonville.
But Greene, a rookie who missed the last seven games while recovering from a torn ligament in his left thumb, took a low kick and weaved his way down the near sideline before finally getting tackled at the 5.

Gossip column: Pelle, Oscar, Cavani, Lingard, Ritchie

Italian side Juventus are considering moves for Southampton striker Graziano Pelle, 30, and Chelsea midfielder Oscar, 24, but will struggle to meet the financial demands for both deals. (Daily Mail) 
Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard, 22, is set to earn a £50,000 bonus following his England call-up, in line with a clause in his contract. (Daily Star) 

Tuesday's Independent back page

Chelsea are monitoring Paris St-Germain striker Edinson Cavani, 28, ahead of the January transfer window. (Le10sport - in French) 
Bournemouth's 26-year-old winger Matt Ritchie is being watched by Manchester United. (Daily Mail) 

Golden Eaglets Star, Okonkwo Dedicates Goal To Mum

Golden Eaglets’ striker Orji Okonkwo has described his 35-yard screamer, which fetched second goal for Nigeria in the 4-2 defeat of Mexico in the semi finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup as his best ever.
Okonkwo had played minor part in the tournament until fate thrust him into the fray, as replacement for Funsho Bamgboye who was suspended after two yellow cards. The boy grabbed the bull by the horns to score what is known in Nigerian football parlance as ‘intercontinental ballistic missile.’
I have never scored a goal like this before and you cannot practice this kind of goal,” admitted Okwonkwo, the first boy in a family with six other children. “The goal I scored against Mexico today is a wonderful goal and I’m dedicating the goal to my mum who has been there for me; challenging me to be the best.

Henry, No. 7 Alabama's defense smother No. 4 LSU

Hit after hit, run after punishing run, Derrick Henry and Alabama's defense stole the show and proved they belong squarely in the College Football Playoff hunt.
Henry ran for 210 yards and three touchdowns and the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide's unrelenting defense smothered Leonard Fournette in a 30-16 victory over No. 4 LSU on Saturday night.

The Tide (8-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) physically dismantled the previously unbeaten Tigers (7-1, 4-1). It was a physical, no-frills performance days after some questioned the team's No. 4 College Football Playoff ranking. LSU came in at No. 2 in the CFP ranking and in control of its own fate.
"I think it shows we're ready to play whoever, whenever, and that we kind of deserve to be in the College Football Playoff again," said Alabama linebacker Dillon Lee, who had a key second-half interception.

Enyimba, one point away from 7th title

CHAMPIONS. .

Enyimba now have 68 points from 36 matches, six points clear of closest rivals Warri Wolves, who recorded   a   convincing 4-0  win  at home against Bayelsa United.
The Aba club’s remaining matches are at home to rivals Wolves this coming Sunday, before their final game at Sunshine Stars on November 15.

Mfon Udoh was the match winner for Enyimba after skipper Chinedu Udoji missed a penalty.
The all-time Nigeria league highest goal scorer Mfon Udoh made the difference when he scored in the 69th minute.
Udoh, a second half substitute, scored off a solo effort to beat Akpan Bassey in Abia Warriors goal.
Mfon Udoh has now scored five goals this season.
The hosts started well and forced a save off Femi Thomas in the third minute before Markson Ojobo made a goalline clearance.

Pakistan v England: Ben Stokes to have scan on shoulder

England's Ben Stokes will have a scan on Monday after he injured his shoulder on the first day of the third Test against Pakistan.

• The all-rounder, 24, left the field with his arm in a sling after a diving attempt to take a catch in Sharjah.
  Stokes was fielding at backward square leg when he dived in a bid to catch Sarfraz Ahmed off bowler Samit Patel.
  "As soon as he hit the ground we knew he was in trouble," England pace bowler Stuart Broad told BBC Sport.
  "It's a worry, but we have strength in batting and bowling to cover if he can't play a further part."
  He was in obvious discomfort as he lay face down and, after receiving treatment, left the pitch using his shirt as a makeshift sling.
  
  

Rory McIlroy focused on regaining top form after return to full fitness

Rory McIlroy says he is concentrating on a return to his best form, having regained full fitness as he chases a third Race to Dubai title.

The former world number one ruptured a ligament in his left ankle during a game of football with friends in July, ruling him out of several tournaments.
"I guess I'm more concerned about form than fitness at this point. My fitness is totally fine," said McIlroy.

"I'm pretty much back to where I need to be and I'm happy about that."
He added: "I've started to train the way I was before the injury. Now I'm trying to get my game back into the shape that I know that I can. I feel like I've made a few steps in the right direction."
This season's European Tour has four events remaining and McIlroy, who enjoys a 271,214-point lead over Danny Willett in the Race to Dubai, will play in this week's Turkish Airlines Open, the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Female Super 6 begins October 30 in Umuahia

All is now set for the kickoff of the 2014/2015 Super Six competition of the Nigeria Female Football League billed to take place at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Chairman of the league, Mrs. Dilichukwu Onyedinma told Sports Vanguard over the weekend that the mini tournament is expected to produce the overall winner of the season.
She said the teams that will do battle at the championship include; Delta Queens, Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, Nasarrawa Queens, Confluence Queens of Kogi and Sunshine Queens of Akure.
Speaking on the format of the play-off, Onyedinma said to make the best out of the one week granted by the Abia State government, the six teams will be grouped into two, and the winners of each of the groups will play to determine the overall champion.

United States GP: Jolyon Palmer to race for Lotus in 2016

Britain's Jolyon Palmer will race for the Lotus team in 2016. Palmer, the team's reserve driver this year, will partner Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado in his F1 debut season.
The 2014 champion of the GP2 feeder series,  Palmer won the drive following a series of appearances in practice for the team this season.

"We've seen Jolyon's hard work and talent in the way he has approached his role. He is a really popular choice for the team," said team boss Gerard Lopez.
"As well as having a great future ahead of him behind the wheel, Jolyon is an intelligent and highly marketable asset to the team. He deserves this opportunity."
Palmer said: "I'm obviously delighted that I'll be racing in F1 next year.

Stoke City secured a third straight Premier League win to add to Swansea City's problems as Bojan's early penalty settled a scrappy encounter.

The former Barcelona forward sent Lukasz Fabianski the wrong way after he was bundled over by Ashley Williams.
Stoke, now 11th in the table, had chances to extend their lead through Glen Johnson, Charlie Adam and Joselu.
Jonjo Shelvey went close to equalising when his low, angled shot hit the inside of a post and bounced out.
Yet this was a distinctly under-par performance by Garry Monk's side, who drop to 14th in the table and are without a win in five league games.
Stoke were creative, industrious, dogged and determined as they dominated the opening 45 minutes.
The hosts rallied after the break, substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson going close with a dipping shot soon after Shelvey had been denied by the woodwork.

FIFA tips Golden Eaglets for trophy, as U-17 World Cup begins in Chile

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will begin the defence of the FIFA U-17 World Cup title they won in the UAE…

THE World Football governing body (FIFA) is picked the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria among the favourites to win the Chile 2015 U-17 World Cup, which kicks off tomorrow.
The 16th edition of the youth competition, a party of 24 teams, will take place between October 17 and November 8 with a total of 504 gifted youngsters dreaming of following the footsteps of ‘senior boys,’ who used the U-17 World Cup to announce their presence.
African nations have had the edge over their European and South American rivals in the competition, having won six of the 15 previous editions.

Fifa crisis: Prince Ali says do not delay presidential election

Fifa presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein says any delay in electing Sepp Blatter's replacement would "create further instability".

The Jordanian wants to replace the suspended president of world football's governing body in February's election.
But after Blatter, 79, and Uefa president Michel Platini were suspended, Fifa is expected to discuss postponing the vote.

Prince Ali said that would "tell the world lessons haven't been learned".
Swiss Blatter and Frenchman Platini, 60, a Fifa vice-president, are both appealing against their 90-day suspensions.
General secretary Jerome Valcke is also suspended. All three deny any wrongdoing.
Confederation of African Football boss Issa Hayatou is interim Fifa president while Blatter and Platini are suspended.

Northern Ireland conceded a late equaliser away to Finland but the point means they finish top of their Euro 2016 qualifying group.

Michael O'Neill's men had looked like ending a triumphant campaign with a win having led for most of the match through a Craig Cathcart header.
Defender Cathcart, 26, glanced in his first NI goal in the 31st minute after Niall McGinn had clipped in a cross.

Central defender Paulus Arajuuri got Finland's equaliser in the 87th minute.
It was a disappointing end for Northern Ireland, but they have finished top of a qualifying group for the first time, winning six of their 10 games.
They are the first fifth seeds to win a European Championship qualifying group.

NNPC/Chevron tennis: Eze, others eye final spot

Imo State’s Tochukwu Eze is eyeing a place in the final of the NNPC/Chevron Junior Tennis Masters after brushing aside second seed Christopher Bulus in the quarter-final of the event.

Eze defeated Bulus 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 and he will be hoping to continue the winning streak when he confronts John Dickson of Bauchi State in a potentially explosive semi-final tie at the tennis courts of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Bulus was the last trainee of the Chevron Tennis Academy left in the competition before his elimination. In the other game, Dickson fought back from a set down to overcome Augustine Steven of Chevron Tennis Academy 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in a thrilling match.

Lackey dominates, Cardinals beat Cubs 4-0 in NLDS opener

 

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- John Lackey lived up to his reputation as a pitcher who craves the ball in October, helping the St. Louis Cardinals cool off the upstart Chicago Cubs.
Lackey outpitched old teammate Jon Lester, allowing two hits into the eighth inning, and rookies Tommy Pham and Stephen Piscotty each homered late for the Cardinals in a 4-0 victory Friday night in the opener of their NL Division Series.
"Tonight was special, for sure," Lackey said. "The atmosphere was outstanding, the crowd was really into it, and I knew I'd have to pitch well."

BOX SCORE:  CARDINALS 4, CUBS 0
He did it in front of a standing room only crowd of 47,830 -- the second-largest at 10-year-old Busch Stadium -- with thousands of Cubs faithful mixed into the red throng for the first postseason game between the two long-time rivals.
"Incredible. I thought his fastball was about as good as we've seen. Period," manager Mike Matheny said. "Anything you wanted to do, he pretty much had it."

Rio 2016: 30% cutback on Games budget to avoid overspend

The organisers of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games are making cutbacks of up to 30% to avoid going over the £2.38bn (US$3.6bn) budget.

Rio 2016 communications director Mario Andrada said the Brazilian public would not tolerate an overspend.
"The days of lavish spending are over," said Andrada. "We need to be creative in the way we find these savings."
Events across 50 Olympic and Paralympic sports featuring about 15,000 athletes will not be affected.
The BBC understands a crisis meeting has been held in the past few days.

AAG: Siasia happy to avoid Congo

Coach of the U-23 team, Samson Siasia

Nigeria U-23 team coach, Samson Siasia, is relieved that his team will not be meeting hosts, Congo, in the semi-finals of the men’s football event at the Brazzaville 2015 All Africa Games after both sides finished top of their respective groups over the weekend.

Nigeria came from behind to play a 1-1 draw against Senegal in their last Group B game on Saturday, a result that meant Nigeria top the group on four points. Senegal have two points but defending champions Ghana crashed out after having one point.

Congo remain leaders in Group A, despite losing 1-0 to Zimbabwe in their third game on Sunday.

Senegal took the lead in the 81st minute through Ibrahim Keita, who took on Nigeria’s defence before firing past goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel.

The Nigerians however got back into the game with Mustapha Abdullahi drawing level in the dying seconds of the game.

Yankees score in double figures for 4th time in seven games to rout Red Sox

NEW YORK -- Brian McCann, Chris Young and the rest of the New York Yankees are enjoying quite a run these days.
McCann and Young hit three-run homers during a nine-run burst in the seventh inning, and the Yankees broke loose once again, romping past the Boston Red Sox 13-3 on Tuesday night.

Down 2-1 and held to three singles going into the sixth, the Yankees suddenly struck. They wound up scoring in double figures for the fourth time in seven games -- they had gone more than a month without doing it until a 21-5 rout at Texas last week.
"Honestly, the blunt way to say it is we have a lot of really good hitters," Young said. "Everybody's a threat right now."

Holders Real Madrid will be without France striker Karim Benzema for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Juventus.

Benzema, 27, has scored 22 goals this term, but will not play against the Italian champions in Turin after failing to recover from a knee injury.
Gareth Bale is set to start for the Spaniards after returning in Saturday's win at Sevilla following a calf injury.

Juve pair Andrea Pirlo and Giorgio Chiellini are expected to play.
The veteran Italy internationals were both dropped to the bench as the Bianconeri won 1-0 at Sampdoria to clinch their fourth successive Serie A title.
Pirlo, 35, is set to renew acquaintances with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, who managed the midfielder during a successful eight-year spell at AC Milan.

Moses Kipsiro: Ugandan athlete embroiled in a macabre farce

When Moses Kipsiro rounded the final bend in the 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games eight months ago, he was third behind Canada's Cameron Levins and Kenyan Josphat Bett, and looking a little boxed in. 

The Ugandan had won a 5,000/10,000m double at Delhi 2010, beating Kenya's A team, but had flopped in the shorter distance in Glasgow five nights before.

If a gap did not open up soon, Kipsiro was heading towards another consolation prize in a career that has had too many bad breaks for a man so talented, none more so than when he was an early faller   in the final of the Olympic 10,000m at London 2012.
Occasional training partner Mo Farah - they also share an agent  - was among the beneficiaries that night.

The British superstar, who had been concerned about Kipsiro's fast finish in the build-up to the race, went on to take gold, adding the 5,000m crown to his list of accolades a week later.
Fast forward to 2014 and Levins and Bett were not as fortunate. Kipsiro passed the Canadian with 15m to go and ran down his Kenyan rival with 15cm to spare; just 0.03 seconds between them in a 28-minute race.
But now Kipsiro is the one being hunted, in danger of attracting more global fame than he could ever have wished for.

London 2012 champ Mo Farah had been worried about Kipsiro's finish in the 10,000m final but the Ugandan fell early on and could only finish 10th, with American Galen Rupp a surprise second 

Uganda is a poor country held back by civil war, corruption and tribal tensions, but the potential for development is massive. Ugandan athletics is no different.

For a decade, the 28-year-old Kipsiro has symbolised that state of affairs: a Ugandan able to beat the best from Kenya and beyond but not as regularly as Uganda would like.
Now he is the central player in a macabre farce that combines allegations of abduction, arson, black magic, murder and rape.