"People are surprised when they see me with my grown up children" Former Super Eagles Star(SEE EXCLUSIVE FAMILY PICTURES)

By Victor Isiguzo

Prince Ikpe Ekong played for Nigeria between 2001 and 2004 earning 9 caps. 

He was part of the Nigeria squad to the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia 2004. 

He played for twelve Clubs in a career that spanned 20 years. 

The Clubs are Julius Berger FC of Lagos, Reggiana of Italy, Koper of Slovenia, Tecos UAG of Mexico, AC Bellinzona of Switzerland and FCM UTA of Romania.

Others are Shenyang Ginde of China, Xiamen Lanshi China, GAIS of Sweden, Djurgårdens IF of Sweden, Väsby United Sweden and Märsta IK. 

He was one of the most traveled Nigerian players and the second Nigerian to play in the Chinese League in 2003 after Benedict Akwuegbu who joined earlier in 2002. 

He was still very good in the game when he severed his contract with his last Club with God's calling irresistible.

He got married to the Gorgeous Patricia 19 years ago and their marriage is blessed with six wonderful Children (4 boys and 2 girls) including two sets of twins.

All his four boys Emmanuel (17), Shalom (15), twin boys Elijah and Elisha (9) play the game and are talented too.

His first Son, the big boy of the house, Emmanuel (17) is already a professional player currently signed by Italian side, Empoli since 2018 and has graduated from the initial U17 side to their U19 team. He started his career at Swedish side, IF Bromma U17 side.

Since his father does not joke with education, the Young Emmanuel who is eligible to play for any of Sweden, Italy and Nigeria combines his football with studies and he has a contract with sports wear giants, Nike and gets supply of gears worth six thousand Euros yearly.

Shalom Ekong plays for Bele Barkaby FF U17 side.

(Emmanuel and Shalom)

The twin boys, Elijah, a goalkeeper and Elisha, a midfielder play for another academy team in the Scandinavian Country.

His girls are not interested in football and have chosen their career paths, Sharon (Shalom's twin) is a fashion designer and highly talented in the craft.

Grace is a graceful gospel singer/Song Writer who also also plays Piano.

Corona Virus Times

With Corona virus shutting down the world and making every one to stay at home, Prince Ikpe Ekong is home in Sweden with every member of his family.

"Honestly I am overwhelmed seeing every member of my family together, when I look how they have all grown I just give glory to God"

"People are always looking at us and asking if we are one family when ever they see all of us together especially at the Airport when we travel together" 

On the state of the world with Corona virus ravaging Nations, the Reverend Gentleman who traded the round leather for the Bible had this to say:

"Corona Virus is a war humanity have to unite to fight and win, it's not a World war to devide us but one to unite us"

"We must learn lessons of Cleanliness being next to Godliness as many fell away from self hygiene and have to fall back inline now"

"It's a time to show love and empathy to one another irrespective of tongue or colour"

Prince Ekong is currently an Evangelist/Pastor at The Centre International Church in Sweden.

Photos: Prince Ikpe Ekong

Follow this writer on Twitter: @ralphcgeorge

Instagram: @ralphcgeorge70

Maradona Jr: When someone compares Ronaldo to Messi, I get up and leave“No one today compares to Messi”

Photo by Massimo Valicchia/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Diego Maradona, Jr. the son of the Argentine legend, has spoken out ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Napoli. The trip marks the first time Lionel Messi will play against the club most closely associated with Diego Maradona, Sr.

Maradona, Jr. has given his opinion about the inevitable comparisons between his father and Messi.

“Messi comes close to him obviously, I always said that Messi is much better than Ronaldo. He’s close to him, but you can’t compare a human being with an alien,” Maradona, Jr. told Spanish radio.

“I get up from the table and leave, because I will not sit there comparing Messi with Ronaldo. I tip my hat to Ronaldo because he’s a great forward, but he has no comparison with Messi. No one today compares to Messi,” he said.

“Messi is a phenom, yes, Messi is a player that if he chooses to score five goals in a game, he does so. There is no drama, he plays with a calmness and quality that is incredible. I adore Messi. Those who criticize Messi have no clue when it comes to football.”

Maradona, Jr. also known as Diego Sinagra due to his mother’s last name, is a footballer with a long career in the Italian lower leagues. He started out in Napoli’s youth system, and was born in Naples. His mother is from the area, as well.

“I was a good player but the expectation was too much, they wouldn’t let me grow in peace,” he reflected.

Still, he said he loved his father and was proud to be his son, and wouldn’t change him for anything. He was also clear that to him, Maradona was the best ever, and that would never change.

“I always say the same, the only player that won the FIFA World Cup by themselves was my old man, the rest needed help. In the last few years, Messi had no help.

“[Maradona] never spoke badly of Messi to me, to the contrary, he always spoke well of him. My old man loves Messi a lot. It makes sense that my old man loved him, because they always had a good relationship.

“If the two ever played together, we could close it all down and give all the cups to the team that had them.”

Messi Admires This Super Eagles Star So Much That He Voted For Him In The FIFA Kopa Awards.

The Kopa Trophy is an association football award presented to the best performing player under the age of 21. It is organised by France Football. The award is named after former French footballer Raymond Kopa.

There are many prospects around the world at that age and to have a Nigerian among them is a big kudos.

Having Lionel Messi vote for Him as the third in his list is another kudos, recognition and a confirmation of his talent.

The list had likes of De ligt, who eventually won it, Vinicius, Joao Felix, Sancho. 

Chukwueze was 9th on the list 

Anthony Joshua should avoid Tyson Fury by all means now' - Social media reacts to Fury's win over Deontay Wilder

On Sunday morning at the MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, British boxer Tyson Fury defeated American Boxer Deontay Wilder to become the WBC Heavyweight champion of the world.

Wilder who had over 40 fights undefeated and was fighting at home, lost his concentration after getting knocked down by Fury in the third round and was deemed unfit to continue by his team and referee in the 7th round after Fury gave him multiple blows to the head.

Fury now has the WBC , lineal and Ring Magazine belts and social media users were quick to have their say, with many feeling Fury is now the best heavyweight boxer in the world.

See reactions below.

Tyson Fury stops Deontay Wilder in brutal seventh-round KO to win WBC heavyweight championship (photos/videos)

Tyson Fury has become the WBC heavyweight champion of the world, defeating Deontay Wilder in the 7th round in the Heavyweight championship clash on Sunday morning Feb 23rd at MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas

 

Fury who came in as the challenger, surpassed the odds, by getting a technical knockout over Deontay Wilder.

 

In the third round, Fury knocked out Wilder, making the American fall down to the canvas, his second time of touching the canvas in his career.

 

In the last round (seventh), Fury smashed Wilder in the face with a straight right, and Wilder was trapped in the corner, causing his people to throw in the towel after noticing that he had a bloody cut on his mouth and blood dripping out of his ears. The referee immediately called off the match, granting Fury the much coveted WBC heavyweight crown, and Wilder's first loss of his career.

After the match, Wilder said:

“I’m doing good. Things like this happen. The best man won tonight, but my corner threw in the towel and I was ready to go out on my shield. I had a lot of things going on heading into this fight. It is what it is, but I make no excuses tonight. I just wish my corner would have let me go out on my shield. I’m a warrior. He had a great performance and we will be back stronger.

“Even the greatest have lost and came back, that is just part of it. You just take it for what it is. I can make no excuses tonight. I had a lot of complications. But we’ll come back stronger next time around. This is what big-time boxing is all about, the best must fight the best. I appreciate all the fans that came out and supported the show, and I hope that everyone gets home safely.”

 

Tyson Fury, the new champion, said

“A big shout out to Deontay Wilder. He came here tonight and he manned up and he really did show the heart of a champion. I hit him with a clean right that dropped him and he got back up. He is a warrior. He will be back. He will be champion again.

“But I will say, the king has returned to the top of the throne!”

 

Fury now has the WBC , lineal and Ring Magazine belts. Congrats to him!!

 

Watch videos below...

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