Kicking off!

Readers, it is good to be back after over three weeks of Annual Leave. I must confess that in the face of the prevailing economic hardship, I managed to cool my head. I am now back and better.

Back to the business of the day. Our cover story this week is on the Africa Nations Championship, CHAN, which is in its fifth edition in Morocco. Our darling Super Eagles are among the 16 teams that are vying for the trophy at stake.

Having prepared very well for the biennial championship, the coach Salisu Yusuf tutored lads are aiming for their first CHAN trophy. The Eagles first debuted in the competition in 2014 and finished in third place.

The last edition in Rwanda in 2016 was a disaster for the team but the present squad is confident of atoning for that embarrassing showing by the Sunday Oliseh Eagles.

We have previewed Super Eagles Group C for your reading delight. You will find all you need to know about the team that will be playing Rwanda in their opening match on Monday.

Our interview is with an upcoming football player, Moses Yanmar who plays for newly promoted Yobe Desert Stars. He is confident that Yobe Stars will get a good result against their more illustrious opponents, FC IfeanyiUbah in Nnewi on Sunday.

Still on the round leather game, the 2018 season of the Nigerian Professional Football League will kick off tomorrow and the 20 clubs are all talking tough. We have previewed the NPFL week one matches for you.

Want to be abreast of the transfer deals in European football? Check out the Premier League Column by our versatile man in London, David Billington. His ears are constantly to the ground.

And to round up this edition of SHOT!, we previewed some of the matches holding this weekend in Europe. The biggest clash in the English Premier League is without doubt the fixture between Liverpool and Manchester City. Liverpool will be out for their pound of flesh against the Citizens. Enjoy this edition and keep a date with us. Happy weekend.