Don’t go near Eaglets, NFF warns scouts, agents
Agents and scouts masquarading as contacts for members of the Nigerian U-17 side Golden Eaglets, who emerged world champions in Chile at the FIFA U-17 World Cup last month, have been barred from entering into any agreement with clubs anywhere in the world.
Disclosing this to SportingLife in Lagos on Thursday, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Melvin Amaju Pinnick vowed not to issue International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to any member of the Golden Eaglets or the country’s age-grade teams.Pinnick described the Eaglets and others as Federal Government properties arguing that these boys could not have become cash cows but for the fact that they were exposed to the world through these international competitions, sweating in Nigeria’s colours.
Pinnick insisted that the NFF would be involved in all the movements of the players in line with the dictates of the FIFA regulations, pointing out the federation will ensure that proceeds from the players’ international transfers are given to their parents not these shylock scouts and agents masquarading as the players’ contacts.
Pinnick warned foriegn clubs and their agents or scouts dealing with anyone on the players to stop such a nefearious act since nothing would come out of such transactions except through the NFF in tandem with the players’ parents or designated relatives.
It’s payback time against Croatia
Though already through to the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, Golden Eaglets have predicted a tough match between Nigeria and Croatia at the Estadio Francisco Sanchez Rumoroso in Coquimbo.
As recent as September 6, Croatia beat Nigeria 3-2 in an acrimonious encounter at the 2015 Suwon U-17 Invitational Tournament in Korea but the Golden Eaglets reckoned it would be payback time on Friday.
“We were unlucky against Croatia in Suwon because we were leading them 2-1 until few minutes to the end of the match,” recalled defender John Lazarus.”They got a penalty to equalize and the winning goal later and that stopped us from winning the tournament.
“We won’t allow that to happen against us on Friday and we will work harder to win,” added the diminutive defender who was in the U-13
National Team that won the London International Youth Tournament in 2010.
Midfielder David Enogela who made his international bow at the youth level against Croatia in Suwon after coming on as a second half substitute for captain Kelechi Nwakali, said the Golden Eaglets must be at their best against the combative Europeans.
“We saw in Suwon how physical they (Croatia) can play and I agree with Lazarus that they were unlucky to have beaten us ,” he said. “We are going to ensure that they don’t beat us on Friday and that means we have to be at our best, because they need the result more than us. “
The two matches in Group A would be played simultaneously on Friday at 12:00 midnight Nigerian time( 8:00pm local Chilean time) with the three other teams needing a win to have a realistic chance of progressing to the Round of 16 along with Nigeria. Host Chile who have one point along with USA would slug it out at Estadio Sausalito while Croatia with two points from two matches confront the Golden Eaglets in Coquimbo.
The Golden Eaglets would be without defensive midfielder Udochukwu Anumudu who was booked against USA and Chile as well as striker Funsho Bamgboye who saw red against Chile on Tuesday.
Though already through to the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, Golden Eaglets have predicted a tough match between Nigeria and Croatia at the Estadio Francisco Sanchez Rumoroso in Coquimbo.
As recent as September 6, Croatia beat Nigeria 3-2 in an acrimonious encounter at the 2015 Suwon U-17 Invitational Tournament in Korea but the Golden Eaglets reckoned it would be payback time on Friday.
“We were unlucky against Croatia in Suwon because we were leading them 2-1 until few minutes to the end of the match,” recalled defender John Lazarus.”They got a penalty to equalize and the winning goal later and that stopped us from winning the tournament.
“We won’t allow that to happen against us on Friday and we will work harder to win,” added the diminutive defender who was in the U-13
National Team that won the London International Youth Tournament in 2010.
National Team that won the London International Youth Tournament in 2010.
Midfielder David Enogela who made his international bow at the youth level against Croatia in Suwon after coming on as a second half substitute for captain Kelechi Nwakali, said the Golden Eaglets must be at their best against the combative Europeans.
“We saw in Suwon how physical they (Croatia) can play and I agree with Lazarus that they were unlucky to have beaten us ,” he said. “We are going to ensure that they don’t beat us on Friday and that means we have to be at our best, because they need the result more than us. “
The two matches in Group A would be played simultaneously on Friday at 12:00 midnight Nigerian time( 8:00pm local Chilean time) with the three other teams needing a win to have a realistic chance of progressing to the Round of 16 along with Nigeria. Host Chile who have one point along with USA would slug it out at Estadio Sausalito while Croatia with two points from two matches confront the Golden Eaglets in Coquimbo.
The Golden Eaglets would be without defensive midfielder Udochukwu Anumudu who was booked against USA and Chile as well as striker Funsho Bamgboye who saw red against Chile on Tuesday.
FIFA U-20 World Cup: Falconets Off To Kinshasa Today
The
coach of the national U-20 women side, Falconets, Peter Dedevbo, will,
today, fly out to Congo, with 18 players to honour the first leg of the
team’s 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against the
Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday.
The game will be decided at the Tata Raphael Stadium in Kinshasa.
The Falconets, runner-up at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, whipped their Liberian counterparts 14-1 on aggregate, winning 7-0 in Monrovia and 7-1 in Abuja.
The Nigeria delegation will be led by member of the NFF executive committee and chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League, Dilichukwu Onyedinma.
The team is made up of Sandra Chiichii, Aminat Yakubu, Oluwakemi Famuditi, Patience Kalu, Amarachi Ojinma, Joy Bokiri, Olubunmi Elijah, Ugochi Emenayo, Chinaza Uchendu, Yetunde Adeboyejo, Tessy Biahwo, Christy Ohiaeriaku, Glory Ogbonna, Ogechi Ukwuoma, Uchenna Kanu, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Ihuoma Onyebuchi, Omotola Omidiji.
The game will be decided at the Tata Raphael Stadium in Kinshasa.
The Falconets, runner-up at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, whipped their Liberian counterparts 14-1 on aggregate, winning 7-0 in Monrovia and 7-1 in Abuja.
The Nigeria delegation will be led by member of the NFF executive committee and chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League, Dilichukwu Onyedinma.
The team is made up of Sandra Chiichii, Aminat Yakubu, Oluwakemi Famuditi, Patience Kalu, Amarachi Ojinma, Joy Bokiri, Olubunmi Elijah, Ugochi Emenayo, Chinaza Uchendu, Yetunde Adeboyejo, Tessy Biahwo, Christy Ohiaeriaku, Glory Ogbonna, Ogechi Ukwuoma, Uchenna Kanu, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Ihuoma Onyebuchi, Omotola Omidiji.
Iwobi Joins 25 Other Eagles For Congo, Cameroon Friendlies
Nigerian-British youngster Alex Iwobi will finally get his chance to feature for the national senior male football team, the Super Eagles, when the team’s camp opens in Blegium, October 5, 2015, in Belgium, as they prepare for international friendlies against the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Lions of Cameroon.
Iwobi, 19, who trained with the U-23 squad ahead of an All Africa Games qualifying return leg match back in March is eligible to represent Nigeria, despite featuring for England at youth level.
The approach was made to get Iwobi, after FIFA stamped his eligibility to play for his Fatherland, since he has “permanent Nigerian citizenship and did not represent another association (country) in a match in an official competition”.
It is also belived that the nation’s football authority stepped up the pressure to get him to play for Nigeria, after another youth international, Jordon Ibe, turned down the opportunity to star for Nigeria, opting for England, instead.
The Super Eagles play the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 8 and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon three days later, in Belgium, as they await the winner of the preliminary round between Swaziland and Djibouti – who they will play on November 9 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup first round qualifier, with the Eagles hosting the return leg in Nigeria eight days later.
The 26 players invited to camp include;
Goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France), Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars), Femi Thomas (Enyimba FC)
Defenders Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany), Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal), Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France), Chima Akas (Sharks FC), Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey), Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)
Midfielders Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy), Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars), Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia)
Forwards Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE), Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Victor Moses (West Ham United, England), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England), Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England).
Russia retains synchro team godl at swim worlds
Russia retained its team free program title at the world aquatics championships on Friday.
Russia excelled in front of its home crowd with a
score of 98.4667 points, including two perfect 10s from the judges,
comfortably beating second-place China with 96.1333. Japan won a fight
for the bronze with 93.9 points, only 0.2 more than Ukraine.Russia has won the event at every worlds since the team free program was introduced as a separate medal event in 2007. Russia coach Tatyana Pokrovskaya said the home crowd lifted her team. "With this kind of support it all worked out," Pokrovskaya said. "The girls did great."
Friday's victory takes the host nation to seven gold medals of eight awarded in synchronized swimming at this year's worlds. The sole slip came when Christina Jones and Bill May of the United States won the mixed duet technical routine on Sunday.
China earned its seventh diving gold medal of the championships as He Chao won the men's three-meter springboard with a score of 555.05 points. He started slowly, sitting fourth at the halfway point, but charged back to top the standings with his fourth dive and did not relinquish the lead again.
The silver medal went to Russia's Ilya Zakharov, who produced the dive of the competition with four-and-a-half somersaults on his last leap of the competition. That scored 106.40 for a total of 547.60.
Arsenal Transfer News: 'The Next Cristiano Ronaldo' On Arsene Wenger's Radar?
"My biggest regret? I was so close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo, and not only did I not get him, he signed for Manchester United. So that of course still hurts today," Wenger said in a September interview.
The rest of the story is well-known. Ronaldo would dazzle the Premier League and eventually wind up with Real Madrid to become one of the greatest players of his or any generation. Arsenal and Wenger would go on to win the Premier League title one more time in 2004, but haven’t finished better than second place in a decade.
It’s not often a manager gets to make up for his biggest regrets in a sporting world that must immediately recognize an enormous opportunity and capitalize before the rest of the competition. However, Wenger might just have that chance to make up for his mistake, as the “new Cristiano Ronaldo” may be firmly in his sights.
If you believe what you read in the British tabloids, Arsenal will have to spend big to get this new potential superstar.
A report from Metro states Arsenal are lining up a budget-busting £40 million ($55.5 million) fee for Benfica forward Gonçalo Guedes, a price that recently spiked after the 18-year-old inked a new deal with the Primeira Liga outfit. The speedy 5-foot-10 starlet has gifted passing abilities, excellent field vision and tremendous athleticism, but the purported fee may be out of the price range of Real Madrid, let alone Arsenal.
Arsenal's desire for Guedes, who has just six appearances for Benfica, goes back to this time a year ago, when Guedes was only 17 and his fee was considerably less at £6 million, Daily Mirror reported. Benfica was in the process of working out a new deal with Guedes, while Arsenal chief scout Gilles Grimandi was reportedly gauging interest.
While some may eventually assert that Wenger whiffed on a star Portuguese prospect twice, the recent attention given to Guedes should be rolled back a bit. For one, and as stated before, there isn't much evidence of Guedes' first-team abilities, and for a club that should provide playing time for such a talent given they routinely defeat league opponents by more than two goals. The last time Guedes made an appearance for Benfica was when he came on as a substitute in the 90th minute of a 3-1 win over Moreirense on Feb. 21. Secondly, even if the £40 million price tag was significantly scaled back, it remains far outside Arsenal's price range. Such fees are reserved for players who are virtually guaranteed to make an immediate impact.
There is also the possibility that Guedes may not actually be that good. Despite Ronaldo’s allure and abilities being somewhat evident 12 years ago, few prognosticators could have predicted he’d turn into the megastar he is now. There are always plenty of players who generate comparisons to superstars, but most never quite live up to the expectations. For every Diego Maradona there is an Ariel Ortega. Even Freddy Adu was once regarded as "the next Pele."
Arsenal have a large collection of young players who initially showed some promise as teenagers, but seemed to fizzle out. Ryo Miyaichi and Ignasi Miquel arrived at the Emirates with the hope they can develop into possible starters, yet both seem destined to take their talents elsewhere.
While Guedes has high potential, financials will likely stand in Arsenal's way of signing him. His new contract with Benfica included a new release clause, thus triggering a fee that is £5 million more than what Wenger shelled out to Barcelona for Alexis Sanchez last summer. The clause is clearly that high so that Benfica can either scare clubs away or force them to pay dearly for maybe their most prized young prospect.
There are also some other obvious reasons why Arsenal would be hesitant to make such a shock move. At the moment, Arsenal have a cohesive group of players and no glaring need outside of defensive midfielder, which could be filled this summer by landing either Morgan Schneiderlin or Sami Khedira.
But now might be the best time to add a high-ceiling player that requires some extra time to develop. The Gunners could probably benefit from grooming a rising star, with players like Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck approaching their mid-20s, and as Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain appearing ready to take on larger roles next season.
Wenger could also use another attacker to make up for the decline of winger Theo Walcott, who has scored two goals in 26 matches this term and is out of contract in 2016. By adding Guedes, Arsenal would better ease the transition away from older players who may overstay their welcome.
Despite those factors, Wenger is no doubt focused on building off a stellar campaign and parlaying that success into next season. Snapping a Premier League title drought seems improbable this season, but the Gunners have ripped off eight consecutive league victories to move into second place on the table, just seven points behind Chelsea. It's progress for a club that had dealt with the disappointing departures of players like Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas, and seasons of barely earning a Champions League berth.
The direction of Arsenal, at least at the moment, looks bright. Adding a high-priced teenager with limited experience may derail legitimate title aspirations, but it's also an intriguing thought for the long-term future.
Sergio Romero signs for Manchester United on three-year deal
Sergio Romero (left) has signed a three-year deal at Manchester United
Manchester United have signed Argentina international goalkeeper Sergio Romero on a three-year contract.
Romero, whose deal with United includes the option of a
fourth year, moves on a free transfer from Sampdoria after his contract
expired.He was previously signed by United manager Louis van Gaal for AZ Alkmaar in 2007 from Racing Club.
Romero has also turned out for Monaco and has won 62 caps for his country, playing in last year’s World Cup final defeat to Germany in Brazil.
The 28-year-old has joined up with Van Gaal’s squad for the last part of their pre-season tour of the United States and could play some part in Wednesday’s final friendly against Paris Saint-Germain.
Romero comes in as back-up for David de Gea as things stand but that could change in the future, with Sky sources understanding United are resigned to losing De Gea, either this summer or in 2016.
Romero played for Argentina in last year's World Cup final
"Louis van Gaal is a fantastic manager and I cannot wait to get started on this new and exciting challenge in my career."
Romero’s recruitment comes as United remain in a stand-off with Madrid over their pursuit of De Gea.
Louis van Gaal has admitted there is a 'threat' David de Gea may join Real Madrid
That appears unlikely at present given Ramos’ recent appointment as captain and Real manager Rafael Benitez saying he is 100 per cent sure the defender will stay at the club.
But Van Gaal’s move for Romero will fuel speculation over what happens next.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal reveals why he brought Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero into the club
"I think Sergio Romero can fulfil that because because you have to handle quickly what may happen with David de Gea. I think he is a very good choice.
"He is the Argentinian goalkeeper. He has international experience. I know him very good because I picked him when he was 19 years old to AZ Alkmaar, my former club.
"I know him. I also know his character so I hope he can have a contribution to our selection and I have confidence he can give that."
Di Maria set for PSG move
The Manchester United future of
the unsettled Argentine Angel Di Maria was thrown into further doubt
after it emerged he had failed to join up with the club's US tour as
scheduled in California. (AFP Photo/Luis Acosta)
"I have heard that he's not on the plane so I cannot say anything," van Gaal said. "I have heard that he was not on the plane," he reiterated.
Di Maria had been excused from the first part of United's tour after playing in the Copa America.
Shortly afterwards, PSG manager Laurent Blanc said in Charlotte, North Carolina where the French champions lost on penalties to Chelsea, that transfer talks were well underway. "It's a very long, drawn-out affair," Blanc said. "Two big clubs are having talks. Let's just wait for the moment and we will see the outcome very shortly.
"For the moment, he (Di Maria) is down to play for Manchester against PSG on Wednesday. For the moment, that is. I repeat that rumour has it that this player has every possibility to join Paris Saint Germain, but ... at this moment in time nothing is official."
Di Maria joined United last year in a 59.7 million pound ($92.6 million) British record transfer from Real Madrid but has failed to settle during a difficult first season with the Premier League giants.
L'Equipe newspaper on Sunday reported that a deal to bring Di Maria to Paris was imminent and that the transfer fee would be around 63million euros ($69million, £45million) .
"There are some details that still need to be worked out between the club and the player, but there is every chance that he will join up with his future teammates in New Jersey in the coming days or even hours," the paper said.
Di Maria would be PSG's big transfer move of the summer as they look to convert their domination of the domestic scene in France onto the European stage with a first-ever victory in the Champions League.
Since
the Qatar Sports Investments took over the running and financing of the
club four years ago, a top player has been added to the squad each
summer - Javier Pastore (43million euros) in 2011, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva (more than 60million euros) in 2012, Edinson Cavani (64million euros) in 2013 and David Luiz (50 million euros) in 2014.)
Di Maria would be the latest addition to the glittering array of international talent on show at the Parc des Princes.
Rival kings rumble as Chelsea tests Barcelona
"This is a match in which you are not obsessed with the result," Mourinho said. "You want to train. You make changes in the team because you have a plan for a certain amount of minutes, but all the people make it a big atmosphere."
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique likes the idea of facing top-flight foes early in training. His side became the first European club to sweep the treble twice after taking the Champions League and La Liga plus the Copa del Rey last season, six years after first achieving the feat.
"At this point of the pre-season we've got a good tempo," Enrique said. "It's really effective to play against top-level sides. It's interesting. It's important to see players in these types of games. They can show what they are able to do."
Both clubs are off the pace in the trophy chase for the pre-season event. Chelsea dropped an opener 4-2 to the New York Red Bulls while beating Paris St. Germain 6-5 on penalty kicks after playing to a 1-1 draw. Barcelona vanquished the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 to start but fell 3-1 Saturday to Manchester United.
Chelsea had been without Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, on loan to the Blues from Monaco, due to Copa America service. But he and countryman Juan Cuadrado and Willian each played 20 minutes against PSG. Falcao pleased Mourinho in his Chelsea debut.
"He was not so tired as the others. He trained two days and the others 10 days and they are accumulating fatigue," Mourinho said. "Falcao, Willian and Juan Cuadrado are with the sharpness but without the fatigue so they looked good. It was good for them to play this 20 minutes. And it was good for Falcao from the penalty spot to put the ball in the net."
Enrique used midfielder Sergi Roberto on the backline against Manchester United after benching Brazilian defender Douglas for soreness and liked what he saw.
"Sergi Roberto at right back is an option," Enrique said. "The more options we have the better. He looked good playing at fullback."
Mourinho noted the growth in interest by Americans in football, citing his inability to anonymously move around US cities.
"Ten years ago when my players and I walked down the street it was paradise," the Portugese coach said. "Now it's not paradise anymore. So I think people know us."
FIFA selects date for next presidential election, Blatter to hold on until 2016
Leading officials from the governing body of world soccer met in Zurich on Monday to discuss when a potential election could be held to decide the successor to outgoing president Sepp Blatter.
The general consensus was that a “Extraordinary elective FIFA Congress” would take place around the Jan. 11 ceremony for the Ballon d’Or but the decision has now been made for the vote to occur a month later.
It will be the second presidential election in less than a year, as Blatter won his fifth-straight four-year term despite the May 27 election shrouded in controversy after the huge corruption scandal which indicted nine FIFA officials and 18 individuals in total.
Blatter resigned last month after 17-years as FIFA’s leader amid huge amounts of pressure from influential figures across the game, corporate sponsors and increased scrutiny by both the Swiss authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice.
As you can see from the Tweet below, FIFA will hold a press conference on Monday to discuss more details about the election, with UEFA’s current president Michel Platini emerging as the favorite to take over from Blatter.
Jose Mourinho confirms Chelsea’s top transfer target this summer
Mourinho, 52, is currently in Montreal as Chelsea continue their preseason preparations ahead of the 2015-16 campaign and the Portuguese boss believes the reigning Premier League champions are well balanced but need one more player in defense.
Reports say the Blues have had a $30 million bid for Everton’s central defender John Stones rejected, but it seems like Mourinho may go back in for the 21-year-old ball-playing center back as he informed the media on Sunday that he likes Stones and Chelsea have made a bid for the England international.
Speaking to Sky Sports from Quebec ahead of the start of their International Champions Cup games this week, Mourinho had the following to say about Chelsea’s squad.
“I am looking for a defender to finish this balance in our squad and after that we are ready to answer anything that can happen to our players,” Mourinho said. “If one of our players in a specific position wants to leave, we agree a deal for a player to leave and we have to answer immediately and bring in somebody else, because at the moment we have balance in the squad and we cannot lose that.”So, who do the Blues currently have in a defense which conceded just 32 times in 38 PL games last season?
Youngsters Andreas Christensen and Tomas Kalas will spend next season out on loan and Nathan Ake is still a few years away from being a regular. Reinforcements are needed at the back.
One area Mourinho doesn’t need to strengthen is on the wing, as he confirmed that Egyptian winger Mohammed Salah can leave if a club matches his valuation with Chelsea currently possessing five wide players. Mourinho mentioned they may move to replace Salah if he leaves, but it is believed that Barcelona attacker Pedro is not on his radar.
For now the priority seems to be getting Stones from Everton, as Chelsea aim to improve the PL’s best defense from last season.
Super Falcons Struggle To 1-1 Home Draw With Equatorial Guinea
The Super falcons on Saturday in Abuja struggled to a 1-1 home draw
with Equatorial Guinea in the first leg match of their 2016 Olympic
Games Qualifying Fixture. In the match played at the National Stadium’s mainbowl, the Falcons
really struggled to stamp their authority and put the match under
control.
With the visitors always threatening through the flanks, the Falcons who were already missing the pace of Asisat Oshoala upfront were always cautious going forward. But, after 25 minutes, Halimat Ayinde put her team in the driving seat with good shot from a good turn on the right side of the opposing penalty box.
They however failed to build on this lead, with Desire Oparanozie lacking support upfront as the Falcons looked bereft of goal scoring ideas.
When the teams returned for the second half, it was the Equatorial Guinea side that were holding the initiative as they kept the Nigerian side on the backfoot. They soon translated their dominance to advantage, with Nigerian-born Chinasa Okoro drawing the visitors level in the 62nd minute after a defensive mix-up.
The Falcons poured forward thereafter, but they were always coming up short with the forwardline failing to break down the Equatorial Guinea defence. Speaking after the game, stand-in Falcons coach Christopher Danjuma apologized to their fans and other Nigerians for the result.
He added however that his team was not going to be making excuses, even though they were encumbered by emotional problems and the absence of some players. “We apologise for the result and the way the match went. But the team, even though we are not people who will want to be making excuses, had a number of problems.
“We were affected emotionally by what happened in our camp on Thursday, and we missed some of our best players,’’ Danjuma said. On his part, coach Miguel Pozanco said his team were able to get the draw because they were a strong side and were well aware of the Falcons capabilities.
“We knew the falcons very well, and really prepared ourselves, even though we also have a good team.
“And this is why we will not take the second leg game lightly. We will not take the Falcons for granted,’’ he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the second leg match will come up in Malabo in two weeks’ time.
With the visitors always threatening through the flanks, the Falcons who were already missing the pace of Asisat Oshoala upfront were always cautious going forward. But, after 25 minutes, Halimat Ayinde put her team in the driving seat with good shot from a good turn on the right side of the opposing penalty box.
They however failed to build on this lead, with Desire Oparanozie lacking support upfront as the Falcons looked bereft of goal scoring ideas.
When the teams returned for the second half, it was the Equatorial Guinea side that were holding the initiative as they kept the Nigerian side on the backfoot. They soon translated their dominance to advantage, with Nigerian-born Chinasa Okoro drawing the visitors level in the 62nd minute after a defensive mix-up.
The Falcons poured forward thereafter, but they were always coming up short with the forwardline failing to break down the Equatorial Guinea defence. Speaking after the game, stand-in Falcons coach Christopher Danjuma apologized to their fans and other Nigerians for the result.
He added however that his team was not going to be making excuses, even though they were encumbered by emotional problems and the absence of some players. “We apologise for the result and the way the match went. But the team, even though we are not people who will want to be making excuses, had a number of problems.
“We were affected emotionally by what happened in our camp on Thursday, and we missed some of our best players,’’ Danjuma said. On his part, coach Miguel Pozanco said his team were able to get the draw because they were a strong side and were well aware of the Falcons capabilities.
“We knew the falcons very well, and really prepared ourselves, even though we also have a good team.
“And this is why we will not take the second leg game lightly. We will not take the Falcons for granted,’’ he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the second leg match will come up in Malabo in two weeks’ time.
Are U-23 Team Set To Surmount Congo Counterparts?
When the Nigerian U-23 national team known as “Dream Team VI’’ file out on Sunday in Port Harcourt against their Congo counterparts for the CAF U-23 African Championship qualifier, will they overcome them? These and many more have been the questions on the lips of many Nigeria soccer fans as both sides expressed readiness to lift the day in the encounter scheduled for the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, and dubbed “The Diables Rouges’’.
The Congolese will be led by renowned coach Claude Leroy, a French tactician and a known name in African football. Leroy has made a name coaching African teams. He has coached the national teams of Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal and now handling the national team of Congo. Already, Leroy has named 11 professional players to face their Nigerian opponents in what promises to be an interesting game.
Congo, it will be recalled, sent out highly rated Ghana to set up a clash with the Dream Team.
Leroy is on record to be the first coach to beat the Super Eagles in their fortress in Calabar last year during the Equatorial Guinea AFCON qualifying match. Football analysts believe that the Sunday clash is expected to be interesting because the Super Eagles paid back Leroy and his chargers back with a 2-0 win in Brazzaville during the same AFCON qualifying match.
“I expect Leroy to come out smoking to prove a point in Port Harcourt and his ultimate aim is to win Nigeria again,’’ said Mr Lekan Ige, Secretary, Sports Writers Association, Rivers State chapter.
But the national U-23 team coach, Samson Siasia, said though he had a lot of respect for Leroy, his team would give a good account of itself. Siasia had also assured Nigerians that his team would not disappoint them, especially, playing at home in Port Harcourt. Already, the Dream Team under Siasia’s guide, has won Gabon and Zambia before the anticipated clash with Congo.
“It is also on record that the Dream Team has won several friendly games and had remained intact since its inception’’ Timi Ebikaboro, the team`s Media Officer told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The choice of Port Harcourt and the brand new stadium, named after ex-Green Eagles winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka, has been a source of joy to many football followers in the country.
Rivers Governor, Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, accepted that the state will host the match and immediately set up a Local Organising Committee (LOC), comprising of experts to organise the match. Wike had also promised the team a hansome monetary reward to win the match. Boma Iyaye, Chairman of the Committee, said the state was ready to host the match. “The Rivers government decided to make the match free to make fans come out en masse to cheer the Dream Team to victory.
“The committee has already swung into action. We have received the team on arrival in Port Harcourt and we are working hard to make sure they lacked nothing,’’ he said. Iyaye said the committee had been working for the past two weeks to ensure that the facility met the world football governing body, FIFA’s and the African Football Confederation, CAF’s standard.
“You will see me that when we came in here, there were things we needed to update and we have done that.
“We improved on what we met to ensure that everything was brought to international standard. We just have few things to do, so, we are very prepared,” he said. According to Iyaye, what we are doing now is to dot the Is and cross the Ts. You can see the pitches lush and the dressing rooms are almost ready.
He said enough sensitisation had been done to create the culture of fans and spectators coming to the stadium to watch football. Chris Green, Chairman of the Technical sub-committee of the LOC and member of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) board, said the pitch was ready for any international match.
“The pitch is ready for football; it is well marked, very well delineated. I can say, we are ready to go,” he said. Green said the U-23 team was very important because it was next to the Super Eagles. Players in that team could as well play for the Super Eagles. “What I expect from them is, they should be very disciplined and play in accordance with what they have been taught.
“The coaches should spot their tactics and techniques, so that they deliver at the end of the day,” he said.
For Adokiye Amiesimaka, a member of the LOC, the stadium named after him is an honour. “I am grateful to the former Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi for naming the stadium after me. “I am equally grateful to Gov. Nyesom Wike for putting me in a committee to orgainse this match.
“ It is my wish and prayer that the Dream Team wins the match against Congo,’’ he said.
The Security and Medical Sub-Committees say they are ready for the match The Chairman, DSP Usman Ochenika, said arrangement had been made for adequate security for a hitch-free game. “As far as the match is concerned, we are not having any problem with regards to security. “The Rivers Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, has put everything in place to make sure that visitors and hosts with match officials and spectators as well as government officials are well protected,’’ he said.
Agba Harry, Chairman, Medical Sub-Committee, said the medical center at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium was set for any emergency that might occur during the match. “Our duty is pretty basic, we provide ambulance service, the medical center here is prepared for the match and we also have the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital for referrals. “We successfully hosted the National Sports Festival four years ago and we were excellent.
“We went to Lagos for National Sports Festival, in 2012 and our emergency preparation was the best.
“So, this one little match, for us, it is a walk in the park. We do not have issues with what we can do and what we cannot do. We’ve done it before, so, it is not a big story,” he said. Some football fans in Port Harcourt say they are expecting victory from the Dream Team. Victor Dokubo, a supporter of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, said he was optimistic the team will win Congo. “ Samson Siasia is a good coach. I have followed this team since he took over last year.
“ I am optimistic that they will win Congo and qualify for the African U-23 Championship scheduled for Senegal in November,’’ he said. Boms Amadi, a Dolphins FC supporter, echoed same view. He urged the National U-23 team not to underrate the Congolese as doing so might back fire. “In all, I expect an interesting match because Congo under Claude Leroy is aiming at winning Nigeria. But, I do not see it happening because they will meet a different Nigerian team,” he said. Football analysts believe that fans in Port Harcourt will be treated to an interesting game by players expected to be the new look Super Eagles.
From the preparations, the Dream Team will strive not to disappoint Nigerians. They know what is at stake and would draw from their experiences and those of others to be at the Senegal Championships.
Of course, they know that it is an opportunity to exhibit their skills and good performance will ultimately sell them to the soccer world.
Hope Solo On Sharing ESPYs Spotlight With Caitlyn Jenner: 'Step Aside'
Hope Solo is still glowing from her team's World Cup win, and the soccer star has no plans to exit the spotlight – even if she has to share it!
The
33-year-old sat down with Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Wednesday's
Access Hollywood Live to chat about the thrill of long-awaited victory,
and continuing the celebration with her teammates at the ESPY Awards.
However, Hope knows they'll probably need to make room in the winner's circle for another famous Olympian.
"I'm
a little upset with Caitlyn, because she's stealing the show!" Hope
joked of the ESPY Arthur Ashe Courage Award recipient and reality star
Caitlyn Jenner.
"I have some beef with her," she continued. "I'm going to tell her, 'We just won the World Cup, so step aside.'"
Hope
went on to express support for Caitlyn's personal journey and athletic
accomplishments, recalling how welcoming the fellow gold medalist has
been to the soccer phenom throughout her career.
"I
knew Bruce, and I've done several interviews with him throughout the
Olympics. … And I love him," Hope said. "I had such good rapport with
him, and I respected him so much as an athlete and as a person. He
always went out of his way to talk to me and kind of mentor me. So, I'm
really excited to see Caitlyn and see how it goes tonight."
The
U.S. women's soccer team hadn't won a World Cup since 1999, and this
most recent tournament was Hope's third attempt at the title.
"I
said it wouldn't quite feel right if I retired without having a World
Cup in hand," the goalie said. Despite feeling "complete," she added,
she's set to keep pushing her momentum and go "another round."
"I'm
not retiring, but I said it wouldn't feel right because all my life
I've tried to go after the World Cup," she explained. "It's the epitome
of soccer. That's truly what it is -- it's about the World Cup. It's not
necessarily about the Olympics, it's about the World Cup.
"It
was so triumphant. It was beautiful what our team did," she continued.
"We've come so far. We've been through a lot. It's been hard. … We
always believed, which was powerful for us. We always believed, and then
in the end we just blew everybody away."
As
for her appearance at the ESPYs on Wednesday, Hope said she can't wait
to "wear a dress" and show fans that she and her colleagues do have a
glamorous side.
"These
athletes show up and they just rock their bodies. It doesn't matter if
we're a size zero or a size two. This is our party, and it's about
celebrating being professional athletes. You're going to see all my
teammates rocking their beautiful dresses. They have muscles, and it's
okay and it's awesome and I love it."
Power rankings: Top 10 summer transfers in Europe ... so far
Seemingly, a Brazilian attacker doesn't mean what it used to. Firmino finished the Copa America as Brazil's main target man, but he only scored one goal in three starts and got the early hook in the quarterfinal loss to Paraguay. At Hoffenheim, though, Firmino led his team in assists in each of the last two Bundesliga campaigns. In 2013-14, the starlet scored 16 league goals. However, the 23-year-old scored only seven goals in his final Bundesliga season before boarding a ship to Britain. Costing Liverpool over €30 million ($33 million), Firmino feels like an expensive bet that could go bust quickly considering the physical style of the Premier League and the attacker's fragile frame. 8. Sami Khedira to Juventus
After a spotty season at Real Madrid, Khedira joined Juventus on a free transfer. The pending exit of Andrea Pirlo to the MLS should free up a bit of playing time deep in the midfield, and Khedira is a perfect fit to play the part. Add in a likely sale of either Paul Pogba or Arturo Vidal, and Khedira could be a regular starter for the Italian league and cup title holders. Despite a slew of injuries that have limited the decorated German midfielder for both club and country, the former Stuttgart and Real Madrid man is still only 28 years old. The Old Lady added a veteran that has won the Bundesliga, La Liga, UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup on a free transfer, and he has a great deal to prove in the upcoming campaign. This is a good gamble. 7. Mario Mandzukic to Juventus
With Carlos Tevez and his 20 Serie A goals heading home to Boca Juniors, Juventus did a fair bit of business early in the summer. Mario Mandzukic arrived in Turin by way of Atletico Madrid, where he knocked in 12 goals in 28 La Liga appearances. The 29-year-old Croatian striker is not exactly a spry youngster, but Mandzukic has recorded double-digit goal tallies in each of his past four domestic league campaigns. At €19 million ($21 million), Mandzukic did not come cheap, but he should be the consistent veteran scorer that Juventus needs to stay atop of Italy and continue to compete in Europe. 6. James Milner to Liverpool
After winning trophies and cashing big checks at Manchester City, James Milner joined Liverpool on a free transfer. At 29 years, Milner arrives at Anfield as more of a winger than the central midfielder that left Villa Park for the Etihad in 2010. Workmanlike in his approach, Milner is a Premier League seasoned veteran that should immediately help the Reds. His service on the ball and intelligent runs off the ball promise to make him a regular for Brendan Rodgers. Age may be a factor in the near future, but the lack of a transfer fee makes this one of the best buys of the summer so far. 5. Geoffrey Kondogbia to Inter Milan
Defensive midfielders do not always get the due praise they deserve, but 22-year-old Geoffrey Kondogbia's arrival at the Giuseppe Meazza raised eyebrows. Inter Milan has been off its historically high standards in recent years, but Kondogbia's arrival signals a change in that recent trend. Arsenal supporters will recall Kondogbia's long distance strike when AS Monaco won 3-1 at the Emirates in the Champions League round of 16. The promising midfielder has drawn comparisons to Paul Pogba from the likes of former France coach Raymond Domenech, and one would have a difficult time arguing that fact considering his ability and skill at such a young age. Kondogbia is one month older than Pogba, but his €30 million ($33 million) transfer fee should pale in comparison to the fee Pogba attracts if and when he leaves Juventus. 4. Paulo Dybala to Juventus
By now, it is abundantly clear that Juventus has done its work early in the summer transfer window. Dybala cost the Old Lady €32 million ($35 million), but the 21-year-old appears to be the real deal. At Palermo, he knocked in 13 goals and assisted on 10 others in the most recent Serie A campaign. The Argentine appears to be the latest in the never-ending golden generation of attackers arriving from the South American country. His creativity on the ball and eye for goal make him a sensational steal for the Italian champions. Dybala may not yet be a household name, but the Serie A understands his quality and had suitors lining up for his signature. Juventus is counting on Dybala to rise through the ranks as one of the top Argentines over the course of his five-year contract with the club.
3. Memphis Depay to Manchester United
With Louis van Gaal at the helm, Manchester United signing Dutch winger Memphis Depay hardly came as a shock. The 21-year-old put the world on notice in 2014, when Van Gaal utilized the youngster's speed to spark the Netherlands to third place at the World Cup. A year later, Van Gaal came back and secured the signature of the PSV Eindhoven starlet. Known as a speedster with a bag of tricks, Depay finished as the top scorer in Dutch Eredivisie last term. PSV also won the league, with Depay obviously playing a massive role in the club's success. Paying a €27.5 million ($30.5 million) transfer fee, Manchester United fought off interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool. How Depay and Angel Di Maria fit into the gaffer's plans remains to be seen, but this kid sparkles with the ball at his feet.
2. Petr Cech to Arsenal
Petr Cech is a proven shot stopper with every Premier League trophy on his CV. Also, he's won both the Europa League and the Champions League. With Cech, Arsenal can remove the lingering question mark in goal and fortify the last line of defense with one of the best goalies of all time. Unlike outfield players, goalkeepers continue to mature and perform well into their 30s, especially exceptionally tall keepers like Cech. At 33, Cech should continue to be world-class for another five or six years. With the Czech international between the posts, Arsene Wenger's dream of ending Arsenal's Premier League drought is decidedly closer to becoming a reality. Chelsea could and should regret selling the dominating shot stopper to Arsenal for about €14 million ($16 million). 1. Jackson Martinez to Atletico Madrid
The 28-year-old Colombian striker is coming off a sensational spell in Portugal. In each of his three seasons in the Primeira Liga, Martinez finished as the top scorer. Clearly a direct replacement for Mandzukic, Martinez enters the Vicente Calderon as an upgrade on the Croatian. In the process of moving to Madrid from FC Porto, Martinez spurned interest from AC Milan, Arsenal and a host of suitors screaming for his signature. Included in his record of 67 goals in 90 games for FC Porto, Martinez scored seven goals in seven Champions League games last term. So far, he has been the top signing of the summer, and the €35 million ($39 million) price tag confirms that sentiment.
Real Madrid Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, David De Gea, Sergio Ramos Latest
It would appear, though, that the long-mooted move for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is getting nearer, Madrid are now set to make an opening bid for the Spain international. Yet with it thought to amount to just £13 million, it has little prospect of being accepted. De Gea has just a year remaining on his contract at Old Trafford, leaving Real Madrid to believe they can get him at a knockdown price.
With the 24-year-old thought to be keen on a return to Madrid, where his family and girlfriend are based, United appear to be all-but resigned to losing him. But having signed the Spain international for £18 million four years ago and seeing him develop into one of the world’s top goalkeepers, the Premier League giants will be reluctant to let him go for anything less than a significant profit. Reports in England, though, have suggested that United are stepping up their search for a replacement, and have their eyes on Netherlands international Jasper Cillessen.
A compromise over De Gea’s transfer may ultimately be reached by a Madrid player being sent to Old Trafford in part-exchange. However, that player is highly unlikely to be Sergio Ramos, despite the Daily Star claiming that United are weighing up a £20 million transfer. United have been credited with interest in several Madrid stars, including Karim Benzema, but the Bernabeu club will doubtless have no interest in losing a player of the importance of Ramos, despite the defender entering the final two years of his contract.
Real Madrid are likely to take an even firmer stance over the future of Cristiano Ronaldo. Having publicly thrown his support behind Carlo Ancelotti before the Italian was replaced by Benitez at the end of the season, reports that the three-time Ballon d’Or winner was unsettled had swirled. It has been widely asserted that Paris Saint-Germain would be prepared to pay a huge fee to bring Ronaldo to the French capital, but, as was always likely, the Portuguese appears set to stay put for at least another year. A report in the Daily Mail states that Ronaldo has given his assurance to Benitez that he wants to stay with the club.
Rather than players going out, Real Madrid’s attention is likely to be focused on bringing a marquee name to the Bernabeu this summer. Unsurprisingly, it appears that the 10-time European Cup winners are one of the clubs interested in perhaps the most sought-after player around at the moment, Paul Pogba. Barcelona and Manchester City are among the prominent clubs to have been linked with the Juventus midfielder, who has excelled since leaving Manchester United three years ago. And, while Real Madrid had previously issued a statement denying they had made an approach for the 22-year-old, Zinedine Zidane, the coach of the club’s Castilla team, has revealed that they are very much interested.
“I think that he’s fantastic,” the former France star said, reports Madrid-based publication AS. “What I like about him is that he has it all. He is a complete player who also has the ability to score goals because he likes to get forward. In terms of footballing qualities, he is extraordinary.
“A lot of clubs are interested in him and so are Real. It is natural that talented players are of interest to all the big clubs. For his continued growth it is important that he has a healthy environment and I hope that he will always have that.”
Superior Barca Prolong Buffon’s Champions League Trophy Wait
Neymar
Jnr capped a wonderful evening for FC Barcelona, netting the third goal
of yesterday evening’s party in Berlin, Germany, to prolong Juventus’
goalie, Gianluigi Buffon’s wait for a UEFA Champions League trophy and
breaking Juve hearts in Torino and around the world to seal Barca’s
fifth triumph in Europe.
Ivan Rakitic got Barcelona off to a perfect start with a fourth-minute goal, but Serie A champion Juventus hit back 10 minutes after half-time through Alvaro Morata.
Barca’s cutting edge striker Luis Suarez made it 2-1 on 68 minutes, before Neymar ensured UCL success with a third deep into stoppage-time.
Barca also became the second side to win a second treble. The win is also the club’s fourth in a decade.
It was clear that without Buffon, the Catalans would have embarrassed an ill-prepared Juve side who only had spirit but no tact to back up their hunger.
the night would have been over for the Italian champions after 15 minutes. That may sound ridiculous but such was the way Barcelona started – such was the fear in Juventus eyes early on – that only the goalkeeper stood between them and complete embarrassment.
It was a night where many looked for Messi who was below par – through no fault of his own. He was not the only one missing in action, though; Pirlo, Pogba, Xavi, Iniesta and a host of others were quite quiet.
Barca joined Liverpool and Bayern Munich as record winners of the trophy, but they earned it.Juve made sure of that.
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had praised Lionel Messi before the game as ‘an extra-terrestrial who plays with us humans’. He said he hoped that for one day he would return to earth and that was what Messi did.
For once, this game was not about him even though he had a hand in both Barcelona goals, scored by Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez. Messi played well but for once, it was a team performance that won this. It was team spirit as well as brilliance that got them through against the Italian champions.
It had seemed to begin with that Barcelona would cut loose when Rakitic put them ahead after four minutes and it took a heroic effort from Juventus just to stay in the game. They equalized early in the second half but Suarez got the winner Barcelona deserved.
Ivan Rakitic got Barcelona off to a perfect start with a fourth-minute goal, but Serie A champion Juventus hit back 10 minutes after half-time through Alvaro Morata.
Barca’s cutting edge striker Luis Suarez made it 2-1 on 68 minutes, before Neymar ensured UCL success with a third deep into stoppage-time.
Barca also became the second side to win a second treble. The win is also the club’s fourth in a decade.
It was clear that without Buffon, the Catalans would have embarrassed an ill-prepared Juve side who only had spirit but no tact to back up their hunger.
the night would have been over for the Italian champions after 15 minutes. That may sound ridiculous but such was the way Barcelona started – such was the fear in Juventus eyes early on – that only the goalkeeper stood between them and complete embarrassment.
It was a night where many looked for Messi who was below par – through no fault of his own. He was not the only one missing in action, though; Pirlo, Pogba, Xavi, Iniesta and a host of others were quite quiet.
Barca joined Liverpool and Bayern Munich as record winners of the trophy, but they earned it.Juve made sure of that.
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had praised Lionel Messi before the game as ‘an extra-terrestrial who plays with us humans’. He said he hoped that for one day he would return to earth and that was what Messi did.
For once, this game was not about him even though he had a hand in both Barcelona goals, scored by Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez. Messi played well but for once, it was a team performance that won this. It was team spirit as well as brilliance that got them through against the Italian champions.
It had seemed to begin with that Barcelona would cut loose when Rakitic put them ahead after four minutes and it took a heroic effort from Juventus just to stay in the game. They equalized early in the second half but Suarez got the winner Barcelona deserved.
Flying Eagles Ready For Germany, Any Team – Garba
The Flying Eagles’ Head Coach said on Sunday in New Plymouth, New Zealand that they needed to be ready for any team if they were going to be champions.
“Our next game is against Germany but we are ready for any team, because if we want to be champions we have to be ready for of them,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the coach spoke to fifa.com moments after they overran Hungary 2-0 to advance to the competition’s Round of 16.
Speaking on the win, Garba said the game was “a very good match for us’’.
“We wanted to score more, but still I’m happy with the 2-0 result. The Hungarians play more from the wings, but we were able to control the game and the outcome.’’
NAN reports that Nigeria have thus set up a mouth-watering last-16 meeting with Germany after they leapfrogged the Magyars into second place in Group E with the win.
They ended up with six points from two wins and a loss from three games, after scoring eight and conceding four goals, with Brazil topping the group with nine points.
But the Hungarians still qualified in third-place, though, as one of the best third-placed teams and will now kick off the knockout phase against Group D winners Serbia in Dunedin.
Nonetheless, they were well beaten at New Plymouth’s Taranaki Stadium, with Taiwo Awoniyi’s brace no more than the African champions deserved for their overall dominance.
The Flying Eagles were the better side throughout, neutralising four-goal forward Bence Mervo and providing a constant threat at the other end.
They would have taken the lead as early as the 16th minute but for an incredible save from Gyorgy Szekely.
He stuck out a strong right hand to beat away Awoniyi’s powerful close range header.
The Hungary goalkeeper was merely delaying the inevitable though, and was helpless to prevent the deadlock from being broken 17 minutes later.
Awoniyi ghosted away from his marker to volley in at the near post from Saviour Godwin’s teasing low cross.
The Europeans rarely threatened a comeback but did produce one effort of note a few minutes into the second half.
Mario Nemeth was just a couple of inches away from a wonder goal, having taken aim from 30 yards and rattled the crossbar with Joshua Enaholo beaten.
However, the points — and second place — were secured in the 54th minute when Awoniyi doubled the score and his tally.
It was a goal neither Attila Osvath or Akos Kecskes will want to watch again.
The Hungary duo both went up for the same header at the halfway line, collided and missed the ball entirely.
Awoniyi could hardly believe his luck and, even though he still had some work to do, he did it in style.
He dribbled past a covering defender before rounding Szekely and tucking the ball into the unguarded net.
Speaking also after the game, Bernd Storck, the coach of Hungary, said his players were not at their best and could not have kept up with their opponents.
“Today our players’ fitness level was not at 100 per cent, as it was against Brazil, and to keep pace with an opposition like Nigeria is difficult.
“We started well for the first 15 minutes, but they were better. I wanted to give a chance to all my players so I can test their level against these quality sides and I am happy that I managed to do that.’’
He is however hopeful about their next game, against Serbia in the Round of 16.
“I have seen a little bit of their games so far, and I hope my players will be 100 per cent fit in time for that game.’’
Canada 2015: Super Falcons Berth In Canada
The team which left Abuja on Wednesday night aboard an Air France airline and landed in Paris around 5:45am (Thursday) local time, after a five-and-a half hour trip. The team waited at the Charles De Gaulle airport for five hours before connecting its fight to Toronto and, upon arrival at the Toronto Pearson International Airport, was welcomed by Nigeria’s Deputy High Commissioner, Charles N. Onianwa, who charged them to “make Nigeria proud”.
He said: “I must, first and foremost, welcome you to Canada because the tournament we are all looking forward to is a very important one. Last year, the Falconets did us proud here and now we have the Super Falcons, so expectations are high and we have no doubt that you are going to clinch the cup.”
In his response, the team’s handler, Edwin Okon, said that Super Falcons’ arrival heralds “the coming of the champions”.
He said: “Our arrival is that of champions. We are ready and I look forward to the finals and getting the cup here in Canada,” Okon boasted.
Treble-chasing Duo Vie For Ultimate Prize
Achieving the holy trinity – the UEFA Champions League and domestic
league and cup double in a season – are the major yard sticks for
deciding how much a European club has achieved, in order to claim any
form of greatness.
Pep Guardiola’s 2008-09 treble-winning Barcelona continue to be
touted as the ‘greatest football side ever’. Manchester United’s 1998-99
treble-winning season ranks at the top of Sir Alex Ferguson’s greatest
achievements in his 26-year-sojourn at the club. Inter Milan in 2009-10
and, most recently, Bayern Munich in 2012-13, have also completed the
treble in the Champions League era.
Newly-crowned Spanish and Italian champions, Barcelona and Juventus, who have a June 6 date for European club football’s ultimate prize, are now just two matches away from achieving this feat, having also progressed to the decider of their respective domestic cup competitions.
Before the Berlin showdown, Juventus will look to clinch their 10th Coppa Italia title against Lazio while Barcelona will be going for a 27th Copa Del Rey crown when they face Athletic Bilbao for the seventh time in the showpiece match.
With the majority of league titles wrapped up, last-day drama will be centred on the relegation scraps and qualification for next season’s Champions and Europa Leagues.
In England, Liverpool need a win against Stoke City to fend off Tottenham Hotspur for a spot in the Europa League. Down at the bottom, it’s a three-way fight between Hull City, Newcastle United and Sunderland to avoid following Burnley and Queens Park Rangers to the Championship.
Another season which promised so much for Arsenal after their Community Shield win at the start of the campaign sees them end it without the league title they craved so much. With an FA Cup final to look forward to, it’s not all doom and gloom for Arsene Wenger’s charges; the Gunners will look to successfully defend the cup when they take on Aston Villa at Wembley’s hallowed turf at the end of the month.
In Spain, Cordoba are the only side whose relegation has been confirmed. Five sides, Almeria, Eibar, Granada, Deportivo La Coruna and Levante are in the scrap to avoid the drop.
Nearer the top, Valencia’s season-long tussle with Sevilla for the last Champions League spot goes down to the wire. A win will secure Valencia’s qualification.
Sevilla will get a second crack at playing Champions League football next season should they win the Europa League. Los Rojiblancos who are the Europa-defending champions have a final date with Ukraine’s Dnipro later this month. A second successive title win will see them qualify for the Champions League as per UEFA’s new rule.
Newly-crowned Spanish and Italian champions, Barcelona and Juventus, who have a June 6 date for European club football’s ultimate prize, are now just two matches away from achieving this feat, having also progressed to the decider of their respective domestic cup competitions.
Before the Berlin showdown, Juventus will look to clinch their 10th Coppa Italia title against Lazio while Barcelona will be going for a 27th Copa Del Rey crown when they face Athletic Bilbao for the seventh time in the showpiece match.
With the majority of league titles wrapped up, last-day drama will be centred on the relegation scraps and qualification for next season’s Champions and Europa Leagues.
In England, Liverpool need a win against Stoke City to fend off Tottenham Hotspur for a spot in the Europa League. Down at the bottom, it’s a three-way fight between Hull City, Newcastle United and Sunderland to avoid following Burnley and Queens Park Rangers to the Championship.
Another season which promised so much for Arsenal after their Community Shield win at the start of the campaign sees them end it without the league title they craved so much. With an FA Cup final to look forward to, it’s not all doom and gloom for Arsene Wenger’s charges; the Gunners will look to successfully defend the cup when they take on Aston Villa at Wembley’s hallowed turf at the end of the month.
In Spain, Cordoba are the only side whose relegation has been confirmed. Five sides, Almeria, Eibar, Granada, Deportivo La Coruna and Levante are in the scrap to avoid the drop.
Nearer the top, Valencia’s season-long tussle with Sevilla for the last Champions League spot goes down to the wire. A win will secure Valencia’s qualification.
Sevilla will get a second crack at playing Champions League football next season should they win the Europa League. Los Rojiblancos who are the Europa-defending champions have a final date with Ukraine’s Dnipro later this month. A second successive title win will see them qualify for the Champions League as per UEFA’s new rule.
Xavi to leave Barcelona after 17 trophy filled seasons
SANT JOAN DESPI, Spain (AP) — Xavi
Hernandez is leaving Barcelona after 17 trophy-laden seasons in which he
set club records for appearances and titles won.
The 35-year-old Xavi, who has played 764 matches
for Barcelona, said Thursday he will cut his contract short by one year
and leave after this season to play for Qatari club Al-Sadd, following
in the footsteps of Real Madrid great Raul Gonzalez.Xavi will lift his eighth Spanish league trophy at Camp Nou on Saturday. He has the chance to add another two trophies to the 23 he has already won, with Barcelona set to play the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals.
"I feel that I need to leave," Xavi said at Barcelona's training ground. "I am 35 and I have spent 17 seasons here. I think it is the moment to leave." Barcelona hosts Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final on May 30 before facing Juventus in the Champions League final on June 6 in Berlin.
"The only thing left is to win the last two finals," Xavi said. "This finale is special for me, spectacular. The script couldn't be better." Xavi said he made the decision to leave a "few months ago" — despite the club offering to extend his contact — because he had lost his place in Barcelona's starting lineup.
"Now I am not playing as many minutes as I would like, I am not a starter like before. It is time," Xavi said. "I still feel like I can play." He said he will join Al-Sadd on a two-year contract with an option for a third year, as well as start a coaching job along with his two brothers and sister at Qatar's Aspire Academy. But he linked his future to a return to the Catalan club he joined as a child.
"My first goal is to return to this house," Xavi said. "My principle goal is to return as coach, a sporting director, we will see." As great as Lionel Messi is, Barcelona would never have become the team that has risen and stayed at the top of the sport for the past decade without Xavi.
Known for his vision, pinpoint passing and uncanny ability to retain possession under pressure, Xavi has been the midfield pillar for Barcelona since enrolling in its youth academy at 11 and debuting under coach Louis van Gaal in 1998.
Xavi helped Barcelona win its second European Cup under coach Frank Rijkaard in 2006 before fully flourishing under Pep Guardiola. He and midfield partner Andres Iniesta became the keys to Barcelona's intricate passing attack spearheaded by Messi and forged one of the best teams to have played the game, winning 14 of a possible 19 titles from 2008-12, including two more Champions League titles with Guardiola in charge.
Xavi retired from international competition last year following the 2014 World Cup, after he had been a key component for Spain in winning the 2010 World Cup and 2008 and 2012 European Championships. He also finished third in the voting for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Ballon d'Or voting.
Last year, Xavi contemplated leaving Barcelona after a disappointing 2013-14 campaign under Gerard Martino. New coach Luis Enrique persuaded him to stay, and even though he lost his starting job to Ivan Rakitic, Xavi often came off the bench to give Barcelona the extra control it needed.
"I could not have had a better career," Xavi said. "I am very happy with how it went, with how I performed. I don't regret anything."
GLO PREMIER LEAGUE: Sunshine Stars Lead the Pack into the Break
Sunshine Stars maintained their spot at the top of the Glo Premier
League going into the break and have the two seasoned campaigners, Kano
Pillars and Enyimba International hot on their heels. But it was Lobi
Stars of Makurdi that got rid of their nine match run of draws and
defeats to pip Heartland 1-0 for their first full points of the season
yesterday.
It was also their first win since returning to the Aper Aku Stadium after three seasons at the Katsina Ala Stadium. Lobi’s goal came off former Enyimba forward, Abdulrahman Bashir on the 19th minute. The striker who joined Enyimba from Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Babes was released by Enyimba after a season that saw him not living up to their goals’ expectations.
Paul Onobi struck on 31st minute guiding the ball from Kingsley Eduwo’s corner kick for Sunshine’s solitary goal, pushing the Akure Gunners into the 20 points mark to stay above all on the log.
Enyimba International followed up their away win in Port Harcourt with another 3-1 emphatic victory over El-kanemi Warriors. Markson Ojobo netted a brace, all from the spot while Peter Onyekachi scored the second of their three goals. Ojobo opened the goals’ account 19 minutes from the start sending goalkeeper George Michael the wrong way from the spot. Onyekachi doubled the lead two minutes into the second half before El-Kanemi launched a fight-back that was not to be. Substitute Dauda Eboh netted the consolatory goal on 66 minutes but Ojobo rolled another penalty on 75th minute to the low corner of the post to restore the two goals cushion.
Pillars extended their invincibility in Kano firing twice past Gabros courtesy of goals from Moses Ekpai and Rabiu Ali. Interestingly, both players assisted each other for the goals. Ekpai’s was a glancing header while Ali curled his past Gabros goalkeeper 25 minutes into the game. Ali would later rush to take a penalty which he failed to convert and Nwosu Oluchukwu tried to rally his mates back into the game with a 62nd minute strike that eventually did not amount to much as the defending champions picked all three points to move second on the log with 18 points.
Reprieve came to Uyo for Akwa United players, coaches and fans as the Promise Keepers stormed back from a goal down to win 2-1 against another struggling side, Shooting Stars of Ibadan. Najeem Olukokun headed the visitors in front 24 minutes into the game and they defended that lead into the second stanza. Industrious Aniekpeno Udoh found his way to vantage position to tap in Ukeme Davies deflected shot on 59 minutes. Ukeme was again the architect of their winning goal when he was brought down inside the box for Namso Edo to tuck away their first goals and win in four games.
In Oghara, Bayelsa United also got back to winning ways after five matches, defeating high riding Wikki Tourists 1-0.
In the three draws recorded on this Match Day, Sharks perhaps will be the most miserable having started off the game in firm control and took the lead 13 minutes from kick-off through Jaiyeola Yusuf. Giwa would inch their way back, equalizing through a Charles Henlong penalty after the half hour mark and seizing the initiative to almost take the lead. The Blue Angels are yet to win after seven consecutive games since winning 1-0 against Akwa United on Match Day 3.
Rangers and Nasarawa United scrapped through a nil all draw in a game that left the fans yawning from lack of exciting play by both sides while in Jalingo, Dolphins failed to hold on to their first half lead off defender Jonathan Zikiye’s blaster from 40 meters after 32 minutes. Substitute Ibrahim Sanusi scrambled home the equalizer two minutes from full time to deny Coach Stanley Eguma his chance for a first away win this season.
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: New World Cup Benchmark for Falcons
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has tasked African champion, the
Super Falcons with a new benchmark of becoming the first team from the
continent to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Minutes before the team departed its hotel for the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja on its way to Canada on Tuesday night, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, challenged the girls to shred their previous World Cup mark in Canada.
In a farewell speech delivered on his behalf by Chairman of the Nigeria Women Football League and Chairman of the NFF Women’s Football Committee, Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma, Pinnick said the present Super Falcons have the ability and capacity to go all the way.
“I know you girls are rearing to go, having conquered Mali in a big way in your last competitive match. You have always done the nation proud and I see you doing even better in Canada.
“As African champions, I want you to go to the World Cup this time with a clear determination to do better than any of your predecessors have ever done. Our record in the World Cup is quarter -final berth, set by the Class of 1999. The NFF wants you to do much better in Canada, and we believe you can.”
The Falcons play Sweden, Australia and USA in Group D of the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, their first match coming up against the Swedes in Winnipeg on June 8.
Both teams also played against each other in their opener to the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China, battling to a 1-1 draw in Chengdu.
The African champions performed creditably at the last Women’s World Cup in Germany, losing by the odd goal to the host nation and France, and beating Canada by the odd goal.
Four years earlier, the Falcons drew 1-1 with Sweden and lost 0-2 and 0-1 to North Korea and USA respectively, no doubt distracted by ill-advised agitation for increment in match bonus before the final group game against the Americans in Shanghai.
In truth, results from the last two final tournaments were an improvement on three straight losses in 1991 and 2003, and buoy the spirit of the Nigerian girls as they head to Canada.
Stand-in Captain, Osinachi Ohale, said: “We respect the teams in our group, but we do not fear any team. As African champions, we go in there with a lot of confidence. Last year, our U-20 team did very well at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, reaching the final. We are motivated by that, as well as all the efforts of the NFF on the team and the incentives by the NFF President.”
Pinnick: Good Times Returning to the League
NFF President, Amaju Pinnick (right) being introduced to
Shooting Stars players by Seun Akinyemi during weekend's Match Day 9
clash with Rangers in Ibadan
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, is confident the good old days are returning to the elite division of Nigerian football after savouring an incident-free Glo Premier League showdown between traditional rivals Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Enugu Rangers at the Lekan Salami Stadium at the weekend.
“It was just like the good old days, when people could go to any of the stadia with their families and enjoy a League match without any hassles. The officiating was spot-on, the players gave their all and both teams deserved the point they each got from the encounter.
“I just feel that the good times are returning. The efforts of the Nigeria Football Federation and the League Management Company are yielding positive dividends,” observed the NFF boss.
Pinnick, once more, praised the NFF’s Referees Committee headed by Yusuf Ahmed Fresh and the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) led by Tade Azeez.
“These two organs are working very hard to restore the glory of the League. They are complementing very well the efforts of the NFF and the LMC. The capacity –building programmes for the referees and the general re-orientation of officiating officials have not been in vain.”
Pinnick was excited after the 1-1 draw between the two powerhouse teams with mass following, and promised to watch more domestic League matches as his schedule permits. Referee Ahmed Rufai from Jigawa State was in charge.
“We are having proper and very good officiating these days. I congratulate the referees and the assistant referees, as well as our match commissioners and referee assessors. The NFF and the LMC will continue the thorough monitoring of the officials, and we insist that those who perform below expected standard will be visited with full sanctions.”
In other Week 9 matches played on Sunday, Abia Warriors lost 0-1 at home to champions Kano Pillars, while Enyimba FC won 2-1 away to Dolphins in Port Harcourt. These results took the number of away wins this season to 10, with so many credible drawn games to add to the list.
On Sunday, Nasarawa United also drew 1-1 at home to Sunshine Stars, while FC Taraba secured a point in Jos after drawing 0-0 with Giwa FC.
Okagbare Takes the Gold in Shanghai
IAAF DIAMOND LEAGUE,
Africa and Commonwealth sprint champion, Blessing Okagbare,
sign-posted what to expected at this year’s IAAF World Championship in
Beijing, China when she won the Shanghai leg of the 2015 Diamond League
yesterday.
Okagbare did it easily, beating last year’s world leader, Tori Bowie, by almost a metre, 10.98 to 11.07. Jamaican Olympic champion Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce trailed home in fifth place.
“My race was pretty good,” Okagbare said after the race. “It is not easy to compete with the best of the world – but I won. I focused on my start. Normally I don’t have the best start, but now I was leading from the beginning.”
Barely a fortnight ago, Okagbare, led the Nigerian quartet of Regina George, Dominique Duncan and Christy Udoh, to win the 4x200m gold of the Bahamas Relay.
Okagbare did it easily, beating last year’s world leader, Tori Bowie, by almost a metre, 10.98 to 11.07. Jamaican Olympic champion Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce trailed home in fifth place.
“My race was pretty good,” Okagbare said after the race. “It is not easy to compete with the best of the world – but I won. I focused on my start. Normally I don’t have the best start, but now I was leading from the beginning.”
Barely a fortnight ago, Okagbare, led the Nigerian quartet of Regina George, Dominique Duncan and Christy Udoh, to win the 4x200m gold of the Bahamas Relay.
Fraser-Pryce was not overly concerned with her 11.25 opener.
“It was one of those races,” she said. “I have time to get it right.”
Asked if she would now have her work cut out in defending her title in Beijing later in the year, Fraser-Pryce said: “I always have my work cut out. No one hands anything to you.”
Jeff Henderson led the men’s long jump from the first round to the fifth, his 8.26m coming on his first attempt.
Russian Long Jump star, Aleksandr Menkov, worked his way into contention, his winning jump coming in the fifth round. Both Chinese jumpers had their best efforts in the fourth round in a competition that swung any number of ways.
Olympic champion Greg Rutherford finished seventh with 8.05m on his first-round attempt, his lowest placing in a final since July 2012. The remainder of his series was four fouls and a run-through 6.52m.
Caterine Ibarguen led the women’s triple jump from start to finish, showing remarkable consistency early in unpredictable wind conditions – 14.68m, 14.70m, 14.68m and 14.71m on her first four jumps, before nearing her world lead with 14.85m in the fifth round.
EPL Round-up: Man City Rally To Defeat Swansea, As Arsenal, Man Utd Share Spoils
A Yaya Toure double and a late strike from Wilfried Bony on his
return to the Liberty Stadium gave Manchester City all three points in a
thrilling 4-2 win over Swansea.
Bony, who joined City in January, came on as a substitute to round off an impressive attacking display by the deposed champions, who closed in on second spot and secured their place in the Champions League group stages with a fifth successive league win.
James Milner got the other goal for City, while Swansea’s danger men Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bafetimbi Gomis got their side’s consolation goals.
Tyler Blackett’s late own goal handed Arsenal a share of the spoils at Manchester United and kept them in pole position for a top-three finish in the Premier League.
Louis van Gaal’s side made the perfect start at Old Trafford thanks to Ander Herrera’s 30th-minute volley but they could not add to their lead despite being in the ascendancy for much of the opening 60 minutes.
The visitors threw on Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere for the last 20 minutes and the move paid dividends seven minutes from time, Walcott’s cross deflecing off Blackett and past Victor Valdes to maintain the Gunners’ two-point lead over their hosts.
Bony, who joined City in January, came on as a substitute to round off an impressive attacking display by the deposed champions, who closed in on second spot and secured their place in the Champions League group stages with a fifth successive league win.
James Milner got the other goal for City, while Swansea’s danger men Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bafetimbi Gomis got their side’s consolation goals.
Tyler Blackett’s late own goal handed Arsenal a share of the spoils at Manchester United and kept them in pole position for a top-three finish in the Premier League.
Louis van Gaal’s side made the perfect start at Old Trafford thanks to Ander Herrera’s 30th-minute volley but they could not add to their lead despite being in the ascendancy for much of the opening 60 minutes.
The visitors threw on Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere for the last 20 minutes and the move paid dividends seven minutes from time, Walcott’s cross deflecing off Blackett and past Victor Valdes to maintain the Gunners’ two-point lead over their hosts.
Diego Maradona on Lionel Messi: "My goals were much more beautiful"
In the eyes of the people of Argentina, Diego Armando Maradona is still the greatest Argentine footballer of all time. Of course, he has been surpassed by Lionel Messi a long time ago, not only in results but also in performances and quality of play. But because of the bond that El Pibe de Oro has with the Albiceleste and the people of that country, many of those still love Maradona.
And
there will be comparisons between Maradona and Messi forever, just
because that’s how fandom works – when a great player shows up, you
compare it to another great player. It’s fun for debates and everything,
and it always gets better when the guys involved give some inside
information on their own feelings towards such comparisons.
In an interview to CNN, Maradona was asked about the constant comparisons between him and the Barcelona superstar, and he had a funny response. AGAIN, IT WAS A JOKE. Don’t throw stones at him:
"Messi has scored 300 goals. I’ve doubled it and all of my goals were so much more beautiful than his", he said with a laugh.
After
that, Diego got a bit more serious when talking about Leo’s playing
style: "Messi is still searching for a definitive identity to his game,
and he will find eventually. I knew what my style was from the start,
but he is still evolving and scoring a lot of goals in the process."
For those who don’t remember, Diego coached Messi during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa,
and watched in awe as Leo had a tremendous performance, but couldn’t
score a single goal in a campaign that ended with a painful 4-0 loss to
third-place Germany. The relationship between the two then was scrutinized to eternity, but they got along pretty well.
It’s good to know Maradona has no hard feelings. He’s crazy, but he’s still a cool guy.
“Danny Welbeck has a little possibility to be fit,” he told Arsenal’s official website on Thursday. “Maybe Welbeck will be available but at the moment he looks short.”
Arsenal sit third in the Premier League table, two points clear of Manchester United and with the benefit of a game in hand. Yet Monday’s 1-0 loss to Swansea, Arsenal’s first Premier League defeat in three months, means they will now be somewhat nervously looking over their shoulders hoping to avoid finishing fourth and having to face another playoff to make the Champions League group phase.
Still there looks unlikely to be a change to the starting lineup that Wenger has named for the last five matches, particularly with none of Arsenal’s other absentees back available. Mikel Arteta has been out for six months battling calf and ankle problems, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has not played since injuring his groin in the FA Cup quarterfinal against Manchester United in March, while Mathieu Debuchy has sat out the past three weeks due to a hamstring problem. And Wenger could not confirm that any of the trio would return in time for the climax of the season, in the FA Cup against Aston Villa on May 30.
“I don't know how long the others will be out for, it's difficult to say, but hopefully they will play again this season” he said.
Wenger also revealed that Aaron Ramsey has not been in training since playing the full 90 minutes against Swansea, although he expects him to be back fully involved on Friday. The Welsh midfielder had been a doubt ahead of Monday’s fixture after taking a heavy kick in the previous match against Hull City. If, as expected, Ramsey is clear to play at Old Trafford, he will likely continue in the right-wing role he has occupied in recent weeks due to the exceptional performances of Santi Cazorla in the middle. While Ramsey has also impressed in a less familiar position, the Wales international has made it known this week that he craves a return to his natural role.
“[Playing on the right] is not my preferred position,” he said, according to the London Evening Standard. “I am a central midfielder and that’s where I like to be. I like to be involved a lot more in the game. When you are out wide you don’t touch the ball for three or four minutes and I like to be at the heart of everything, trying to drive the team forward.
“But the manager’s asked me to do a job out there, and I do have the license to drift in and get involved. When we are defending, I have to stay in position but when we get the ball I can drift. I am not a winger, I can’t knock the ball beyond my man like Theo [Walcott] does. I prefer to get in the little pockets of space, get involved and play the combinations but it is important to do a job for the team.”
Mourinho rules out joining rivals in transfer bidding wars
Chelsea's Jose Mourinho shouts
instructions during the Premier League match against Crystal Palace at
Stamford Bridge in London, on May 3, 2015 (AFP Photo/Glyn Kirk)
Manchester United are planning a major overhaul of their squad after two trophyless seasons and have already been linked with big money moves for Real Madrid midfielder Gareth Bale and Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
Manchester City are also expected to strengthen in a bid to recover lost ground on Mourinho's Premier League title winners.
But Blues boss Mourinho says Chelsea, who signed Brazilian starlet Nathan this week, can afford to take a more cautious approach.
"The market is difficult. I can imagine that, this season, will be like Wall Street collapsing," he told reporters on Friday.
"I can imagine that some clubs are coming with such determination to the market that they will disrupt the market and take it in unexpected directions.
"But we are in a good situation. We have stability in our squad. We don't need dramatic changes. We have to be loyal to our players. We believe in them. We have a good squad.
"What other clubs are going to do is not going to affect our direction. If others buy 10 players each, that will not push us to do things we are not going to do. We are stable."
- Young and successful -
Last year Mourinho responded to Chelsea's failure to win a trophy by splashing out on Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, with both proving key figures in the club's title-winning campaign.
With a fairly young and succesful squad at his disposal, the former Real Madrid manager doesn't expect a repeat of that big spending this time.
"Last season we had stability to analyse the needs to improve the team. This season we have stability to keep our squad, our team, but to give some extra motivation to the squad and a couple of extra options to improve," he said.
"Every player is linked to our club. Some because they want to come, some because they want better contracts in their club.
That's the nature of the market. We are not going to get into this game. It doesn't affect us. It is what it is now. But we know what we want and it's not much."
Mourinho is also adamant he has not given up hope of keeping Petr Cech at Stamford Bridge despite the goalkeeper's agent claiming he has been given permission by Chelsea to negotiate with other clubs.
"I don't know that's absolutely true, what the agent is saying. Or maybe it is. But, after that, the player has a contract with Chelsea and Chelsea will have a very important say in the decision," Mourinho said.
"I keep saying the same: I want my best players to stay. Petr is one of my best players.
"Petr is one of my important players. So I would like to say to him to stay. That's my position.
"I am positive, I am optimistic, and I'd like him to stay, so yes, I expect him to stay. I'm optimistic he can be here next year."
Mourinho's side face West Bromwich Albion on Monday in their penultimate game of the campaign but will be without at least three first team regulars.
"For Ramires and Oscar, the season is over. For (Kurt) Zouma too. Petr Cech has a chance to be back for the last game.
"Diego Costa is, I think, selected for this game. He should be ready."
Head of English cricket: I didn't deceive Kevin Pietersen
LONDON (AP) — Colin Graves
officially took over as the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket
Board on Friday — and marked the occasion by reigniting a spat with the
country's most controversial player.
Graves chose his first day in the role to respond
to claims by Kevin Pietersen that he was deceived about a possible
recall by the national team after more than a year out of the
international game. In a saga that has dominated the sporting agenda in
England this week, Pietersen was told on Monday he had no chance of
getting back into the England set-up in the short term because there
remained a lack of trust between him and the ECB.Pietersen reacted by saying he was misled, having been told by Graves in March that there would be a "clean slate" if he signed for an English county and scored runs. Pietersen scored 355 not out for Surrey this week — a career-high score.
"My integrity has been called into question, something I can't accept," Graves said in a statement, marking his first comments as ECB chairman. "I didn't make any promises. There were no guarantees (to Pietersen)."
Pietersen had his contract terminated by England after the 2013-14 Ashes series in Australia, with the ECB saying he became disengaged with the squad and it wanted a new team ethic. Pietersen released an autobiography later in the year in which he criticized England players and officials, but he still harbored a return to the national side.
The appointment of Graves appeared to give the South Africa-born Pietersen fresh hope of playing again for his adopted country, for whom he is the all-time top run-scorer across all formats. Graves was quoted by British newspaper The Daily Telegraph in March as saying if Pietersen played for a county and scored a lot of runs, "they can't ignore him, I would have thought."
Pietersen secured a release from the start of his Indian Premier League contract and signed for Surrey, where he agreed to play for free with his salary going to charity. He started the domestic season well, with his triple-hundred on Monday coming on the same day he was due to meet the new ECB director of cricket, Andrew Strauss.
Strauss told Pietersen he would still not be picked, leading Pietersen to write in a newspaper column: "I just find it incredibly deceitful what has happened to me." Graves said: "Given the history and the book, the simple fact is that bridges have still not been rebuilt and trust needs to be restored. That takes time — as Andrew Strauss made clear this week.
"Kevin was told on Monday, and I completely support the decision that was taken. He may not have liked what he heard but it allowed him to look at his opportunities. Despite everything, he can work with us to rebuild the relationship and make a further contribution to English cricket."
Graves will move onto other issues, namely overseeing the appointment of a new coach following the firing of Peter Moores last week. There are less than two months until the start of the Ashes series and the ECB wants to make the appointment before then.
Graves is also expected to make changes to the domestic game, including the inauguration of a Premier League-style Twenty20 competition.
Allegri: Juventus stil has unfinished business at home
TURIN, Italy (AP) — What a difference a year makes.
Last season, Juventus crashed out of the Champions
League group stage following defeat at Galatasaray, while a month later
AC Milan sacked coach Massimiliano Allegri after a 4-3 defeat at Serie A
minnow Sassuolo.Now Juventus, under Allegri, is in the Champions League final after drawing 1-1 at Real Madrid on Wednesday. A treble is within grasp of the Serie A champion. "Maybe at Madrid, in the heat of the moment, we didn't realize what we'd done," Allegri said. "Reaching the final is an extraordinary achievement which rarely happens in the career of a player or a coach.
"Nobody expected it at the beginning of the season, it was something unthinkable, but we got there deservedly, with a great game at Madrid. Ours has been a gradual and constant growth. We didn't play well at Monaco but we got the result. At Madrid, we could have won or they could have."
The final on June 6 will be Juventus' first since 2003. In that time, Barcelona, which it will face in Berlin, has won it three times. "We have a good chance but it won't be easy," Allegri said. "This Juventus team has an important worth, on a European and world level.
"We have been good but also a bit lucky. We can still improve, in our style of play, and our passing. The aim at the beginning of the season was to win the (Serie A) title again, our fourth in a row, so at the moment we can be more than happy."
Juventus has exceeded expectations under Allegri, whose appointment was met by protests from the Bianconeri fans. He was seen as the opposite of Juventus hero Antonio Conte, who surprisingly quit in the offseason and was later named Italy coach.
Allegri has urged his team to put aside the Champions League final, and focus fully on domestic matters. There's fierce rival Inter Milan in the Derby d'Italia on Saturday, then Lazio four days later in the final of the Italian Cup — a competition it hasn't won in 20 years.
"The league games will help us work, and keep in good shape, then we have the final of the Italian Cup, which is our second target of the season," Allegri said. "The first was the league title, while the Champions League was a dream. Now clearly it's become the priority, but we mustn't take our eye off everything else."
Allegri also revealed he received a message of congratulations from his predecessor, as well as from Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani — although not from the club's 78-year-old owner, former Italy premier Silvio Berlusconi.
"I got so many messages, it made me happy," Allegri said. "I am pleased for the club and for the Juve fans. "Conte wrote me a message after we won the league, Berlusconi is not used to sending text messages, but Galliani wrote to me and complimented me — I still have great relationships after three and a half years at Milan."
UEFA opens disciplinary cases against Dnipro
Photo: AP
Dnipro players celebrate their victory over the Napoli during a Europa
League semi-finals, second leg soccer match between Dnipro
Dnipropetrovsk and Napoli at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kiev,
Ukraine, Thursday, May 14, 2015.
Show more
Photo: APDnipro
players celebrate their victory over the Napoli during a Europa League
semi-finals, second leg soccer match between Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and
Napoli at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday,
May 14, 2015.
Show more
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA has
opened disciplinary proceedings against Ukrainian team Dnipro
Dnipropetrovsk for racist behavior by its fans and several other
offenses during its Europa League semifinal match against Napoli.
UEFA says Dnipro is also being charged after its
supporters set off fireworks, invaded the field after the game and were
engaged in crowd disturbances in Thursday's game against Napoli in
Kiev. Dnipro won 1-0 to advance to the final.In another charge, UEFA says there was "insufficient organization" inside the stadium because stairways were blocked. The charge of racist behavior could refer to a banner that had a symbol used by the Azov Battalion, a fighting unit involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine and with links to far-right groups.
The cases will be dealt with on May 21.
Barcelona reaches CL final despite 3-2 loss at Bayern
Neymar scored two goals and Barcelona
did enough to advance to the Champions League final despite losing the
second leg of its semifinal 3-2 to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Neymar's first-half goals made sure Barcelona went
through 5-3 on aggregate following its 3-0 victory in the home leg last
week. Bayern managed a face-saving victory but has stumbled in the
Champions League semifinals in both seasons under Pep Guardiola, the
former, highly successful coach of Barcelona."We brought a good result to Munich but Bayern took the lead. That was not easy, but we reacted well," Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said. "We leveled and we created chances. The team was good and had the lead at halftime. The second half was physical, Bayern players fought and wanted to turn the game."
Barcelona, a four-time winner of the title, with two of them coming under Guardiola, reached its eighth Champions League final. "It's a wonderful goal we reached," Luis Enrique said. He and Guardiola embraced after the match.
Bayern needed to score while keeping Barcelona's high-powered attack in check. Bayern scored early through Medhi Benatia to gain some hope, but Neymar replied quickly and Barcelona booked a place in the June 6 final in Berlin despite second-half goals by Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Mueller for the home side.
Barcelona will play either Juventus or Real Madrid. Juventus leads 2-1 going into the Madrid leg of the semifinal on Wednesday. The two matches against his former team were a bitter experience for Guardiola, whose Bayern side was also eliminated in last season's Champions League semifinals by eventual winner Real Madrid.
Over four semifinal legs in his first two seasons in charge of Bayern, Guardiola's record is of three losses and only one win — the meaningless one on Tuesday. Bayern secured its second Bundesliga championship under Guardiola last month but lost in the semifinals of the German Cup and will end the season with only one trophy, while it sought to repeat the treble it completed in 2013 under previous coach Jupp Heynckes.
"I am very proud of my players," Guardiola said. "And also big compliments to Barcelona, I hope they win the fifth title." "We did everything we could. It's a pity. I hope we can play better next season" — Guardiola's last on his current contract.
Guardiola pointed out the many injuries Bayern has had to deal the entire season — wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben were both unavailable on Tuesday — and said he would now "celebrate the Bundesliga title."
Bayern, a five-time title winner, got off to the start it wanted, scoring seven minutes into the match when defender Benatia rose to head in Xabi Alonso's corner. But Barcelona's reply came in the 15th, when Lionel Messi slid a through pass to Luis Suarez, who squared the ball to the unmarked Neymar, who had a simple job of tapping home.
The tie was decided in the 29th, with Neymar's second goal. Messi won a header, got the ball to Suarez and he found Neymar at the far post. Neymar controlled the ball with his chest and drilled it past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Messi, Suarez and Neymar have combined for 114 goals this season. "They have a lot of qualities. We don't need to talk about the trio's qualities, they understand each other very well. It is difficult to control them. They used their chances," Luis Enrique said.
Speaking of Messi, Guardiola said: "He is back there where I had the privilege to train him. He is the best player of all time, I compare him with Pele. I am so happy to see this football." Neymar's clinical finishing and some good saves by its German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen left Bayern needing to score five in the second half.
Ter Stegen protected Barcelona's lead late in the first half when he stopped Lewandowski's effort despite being caught on the wrong foot. With the ball trickling toward the net, he lunged backward to push it away from the line.
The keeper also did well to smother a shot from Lewandowski and had to stretch to full length to tip over a looping header from Mueller. Lewandowski leveled in the 59th with a shot from just inside the penalty area after shaking off the tight marking of Javier Mascherano.
Mueller secured the hollow victory in the 74th, driving home from just outside the box. Bastian Schweinsteiger provided the pass and Mueller curled the ball into the bottom right corner. Barcelona could have earned a draw in stoppage time. But Neymar's squared pass to Messi was slightly off target and the Argentine could not quite connect in time. Messi had a relatively quiet night after scoring twice in the first leg.
"We forced them to take risks and we know what qualities our players have. I am very satisfied with our performance," Luis Enrique said.
10 European Internationals Who Turned Down Their African National Teams
There are a number of players of African descent who have chosen to
play for European national teams rather than represent their African
nations. Leadership Friday Sport examines 10 of these players and the
national teams they would have played for under a different set of
circumstances.
Angelo Ogbonna – Italy vs Nigeria
The defender was born in Cassino, Italy, to Nigerian parents and could therefore choose whether to play international football for either the Azzurri or the Super Eagles. He chose to defend goal for the country of his birth, and Nigeria lost out on a very talented 26-year-old with a bright future ahead of him.
Jerome Boateng – Germany vs Ghana
The half-brother of Kevin-Prince Boateng chose to represent the German national team rather than the Black Stars of Ghana, as his sibling did. Born in Berlin, both Jerome and Kevin played for Germany at youth level, and excelled, but the younger of the two remained loyal to his German birth while his former AC Milan midfielder brother represented Ghana at the 2010 World Cup. A talented defender with the ability to play on the wing, Jerome Boateng was an important element in the 2014 World Cup winning German national team.
Blaise Matuidi – France vs Angola
France international Matuidi had the choice of representing Angola if he preferred, due to the fact that his father was born in Angola before meeting his French mother. The strong midfielder has been breaking up opposing attacks for Les Bleus, deciding that the country of his birth deserved his service above that of his father’s routes.
Sami Khedira – Germany vs Tunisia
Eligible to have played for Tunisia before his decision to instead represent Germany, Khedira has developed a successful international career, winning the 2014 World Cup alongside his Mannschaft team-mates.
Danny Welbeck – England vs Ghana
The Arsenal striker has been in the England national team since 2011, having scored 13 goals in 32 appearances for the Three Lions, but he could have decided against national duty for the English in favour of Ghana, due to his Ghanaian parents. His full name is Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck, but despite being scouted by Ghana seven years ago, he decided to wait for a call up for England, which eventually came, and in a moment of absolute irony, he made his national team debut in a friendly against Ghana.
Karim Benzema – France vs Algeria
Benzema once told Radio Monte Carlo, “Algeria is my parents’ country and it is in my heart, but football-wise, I will only play for the French national team.” His parents made it possible for him to play for The Fennecs of Algeria, but by birth he is French, and he decided to create his national team career in the blue of France.
Mario Balotelli – Italy vs Ghana
The Liverpool striker is a very important national team player for the Italians, having scored 13 goals for the Azzurri in 33 appearances. Though he was born in Palermo, he could have chosen to play for the Black Stars of Ghana due to the fact that his biological parents where from the West Africa
Rolando – Portugal vs Cape Verde
The talented defender was born in Cape Verde, but he moved to Portugal when he was 14, and became a naturalized citizen in 2006. He was later chosen to represent the European nation, and is currently an important element of the defensive line at Anderlecht, where he is on loan from Porto. He has represented the Seleção Portuguesa since 2009.
Steve Mandanda – France vs Congo
The French international goalkeeper could be playing for Congo, having been born in the capital, Kinshasa, but instead he opted to build his international career with Le Bleus. The 29-year-old Marseille shot-stopper has not often been the first choice for the national team, but his consistency has provided him with a place in the squad for the 2010 World Cup, as well as the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
Luis Nani – Portugal vs Cape Verde
This talented and skilful attacker is another Portuguese international who could be turning out for the Cape Verde national team, had he not chosen to represent his adopted country. Currently on loan at Sporting from Manchester United, the 28-year-old was born in Praia, Cape Verde, and having scored 15 goals for the Portuguese throughout his 83 appearances for the side since 2006, one wonders what he could have produced for his native land.
Angelo Ogbonna – Italy vs Nigeria
The defender was born in Cassino, Italy, to Nigerian parents and could therefore choose whether to play international football for either the Azzurri or the Super Eagles. He chose to defend goal for the country of his birth, and Nigeria lost out on a very talented 26-year-old with a bright future ahead of him.
Jerome Boateng – Germany vs Ghana
The half-brother of Kevin-Prince Boateng chose to represent the German national team rather than the Black Stars of Ghana, as his sibling did. Born in Berlin, both Jerome and Kevin played for Germany at youth level, and excelled, but the younger of the two remained loyal to his German birth while his former AC Milan midfielder brother represented Ghana at the 2010 World Cup. A talented defender with the ability to play on the wing, Jerome Boateng was an important element in the 2014 World Cup winning German national team.
Blaise Matuidi – France vs Angola
France international Matuidi had the choice of representing Angola if he preferred, due to the fact that his father was born in Angola before meeting his French mother. The strong midfielder has been breaking up opposing attacks for Les Bleus, deciding that the country of his birth deserved his service above that of his father’s routes.
Sami Khedira – Germany vs Tunisia
Eligible to have played for Tunisia before his decision to instead represent Germany, Khedira has developed a successful international career, winning the 2014 World Cup alongside his Mannschaft team-mates.
Danny Welbeck – England vs Ghana
The Arsenal striker has been in the England national team since 2011, having scored 13 goals in 32 appearances for the Three Lions, but he could have decided against national duty for the English in favour of Ghana, due to his Ghanaian parents. His full name is Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck, but despite being scouted by Ghana seven years ago, he decided to wait for a call up for England, which eventually came, and in a moment of absolute irony, he made his national team debut in a friendly against Ghana.
Karim Benzema – France vs Algeria
Benzema once told Radio Monte Carlo, “Algeria is my parents’ country and it is in my heart, but football-wise, I will only play for the French national team.” His parents made it possible for him to play for The Fennecs of Algeria, but by birth he is French, and he decided to create his national team career in the blue of France.
Mario Balotelli – Italy vs Ghana
The Liverpool striker is a very important national team player for the Italians, having scored 13 goals for the Azzurri in 33 appearances. Though he was born in Palermo, he could have chosen to play for the Black Stars of Ghana due to the fact that his biological parents where from the West Africa
Rolando – Portugal vs Cape Verde
The talented defender was born in Cape Verde, but he moved to Portugal when he was 14, and became a naturalized citizen in 2006. He was later chosen to represent the European nation, and is currently an important element of the defensive line at Anderlecht, where he is on loan from Porto. He has represented the Seleção Portuguesa since 2009.
Steve Mandanda – France vs Congo
The French international goalkeeper could be playing for Congo, having been born in the capital, Kinshasa, but instead he opted to build his international career with Le Bleus. The 29-year-old Marseille shot-stopper has not often been the first choice for the national team, but his consistency has provided him with a place in the squad for the 2010 World Cup, as well as the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
Luis Nani – Portugal vs Cape Verde
This talented and skilful attacker is another Portuguese international who could be turning out for the Cape Verde national team, had he not chosen to represent his adopted country. Currently on loan at Sporting from Manchester United, the 28-year-old was born in Praia, Cape Verde, and having scored 15 goals for the Portuguese throughout his 83 appearances for the side since 2006, one wonders what he could have produced for his native land.
Sporty News: Cristiano Ronaldo put to the test by his fans
SPORT TODAY BBC WORLD NEWS
Keshi Hates My Face – Martins
The Seattle Sounders striker has speculated on why he was
left out of the national team by the Big Boss which has led to calling
time on his international career
Striker Obafemi Martins has said that his being frozen out of the national team was due to coach Stephen Keshi’s personal decisions.
The Seattle Sounders forward just came off a season where he led his side to Major League Soccer play-offs as well as winning the Supporters’ Shield.
Despite being in top form and scoring 17 goals in the just ended season where he earned nomination for the Most Valuable Player award, Martins was ignored for the Super Eagles’ 2014 Fifa World Cup campaign.
Last month he called time on his international career after earning 39 caps and scoring 18 goals in the span of 10 years playing for the Eagles.
Martins played two matches under Keshi’s watch in 2013 – a friendly against Venezuela in Miami and a World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Calabar – without scoring.
Striker Obafemi Martins has said that his being frozen out of the national team was due to coach Stephen Keshi’s personal decisions.
The Seattle Sounders forward just came off a season where he led his side to Major League Soccer play-offs as well as winning the Supporters’ Shield.
Despite being in top form and scoring 17 goals in the just ended season where he earned nomination for the Most Valuable Player award, Martins was ignored for the Super Eagles’ 2014 Fifa World Cup campaign.
Last month he called time on his international career after earning 39 caps and scoring 18 goals in the span of 10 years playing for the Eagles.
Martins played two matches under Keshi’s watch in 2013 – a friendly against Venezuela in Miami and a World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Calabar – without scoring.
Super Falcons’ Player Donates Kits To Former Team
Speaking during the presentation Halimatu said she started her career with the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria YSFON female team in Kaduna and overtime she has rode through the ranks and played for all the female National Team from the Under-17, Under-20 and now the Super Falcons.
She added that “if you don’t know where you going to, at least you should not forget where you are coming from and this is one of the reasons I had to come down here to present this jersey to this team where I started my career”.
Responding to the gesture, captain of the YSFON team, Kathrine Kenneth expressed happiness to the kind gesture of their former team and said “in fact we are overjoyed over this gesture and this would go a long way to encourage a lot of us and even encourage other younger players.
Kathrine said female football is facing serious challenge particularly in northern Nigeria, she said for girls to play football here in the north they just have to close their ears to many name-calling and stigmatization.
Coach Babangida Abubakar of the YSFON female team said female football particularly in Kaduna state has not received any support from concerned authority, and that is why the game is faced with many challenges in terms of development.
Friendlies: Fight For Your Shirt, Amokachi Tells Players
Super Eagles interim coach, Daniel Amokachi has charged all
the home-based players presently in camp ahead of the double-header
international friendly games with Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan to fight for
their place in the team, insisting that only fit players would be picked
for the training tour to Dubai.
Amokachi, who is standing-in as a coach in the absence of his boss, Stephen Keshi who is currently in USA, said he will not pick players based on name. “We don’t look at names now, it is the players that are fit. Out of the 24 players we have in camp, only five or six players have really shown that they are ready for the encounter.
“I cannot pick the 19 players for now, because every player is coming from off-season. Minus the six players, every other is on line. When you have less than ten days to prepare, names don’t matter, it is present form that matters, though we would need a little bit of experience”.
The former international urged the players not be under-rated as the they would do their best against Coted’ivoire in the friendly encounter in Dubai.
“We would do our best and believe that the players would assimilate quickly. The lapses we noticed would be worked upon because you cannot concede two goals and come back. This is something we are working on” he said.
The 1994 AFCON winning player bemoaned the inability of the Super Eagles to qualify for the championship holding in Equatorial Guinea, but wish the participating teams the best.
Amokachi, who is standing-in as a coach in the absence of his boss, Stephen Keshi who is currently in USA, said he will not pick players based on name. “We don’t look at names now, it is the players that are fit. Out of the 24 players we have in camp, only five or six players have really shown that they are ready for the encounter.
“I cannot pick the 19 players for now, because every player is coming from off-season. Minus the six players, every other is on line. When you have less than ten days to prepare, names don’t matter, it is present form that matters, though we would need a little bit of experience”.
The former international urged the players not be under-rated as the they would do their best against Coted’ivoire in the friendly encounter in Dubai.
“We would do our best and believe that the players would assimilate quickly. The lapses we noticed would be worked upon because you cannot concede two goals and come back. This is something we are working on” he said.
The 1994 AFCON winning player bemoaned the inability of the Super Eagles to qualify for the championship holding in Equatorial Guinea, but wish the participating teams the best.
Glo-CAF Awards Gala Night For Thursday
The 2014 Glo-CAF Awards gala night comes up in Lagos on
Thursday, January 8, 2015 and will be attended by many ex
-internationals including former Super Eagles Captains, Austin ‘Jay-Jay’
Okocha and Kanu Nwankwo. Globacom said Okocha and two former African
Footballers of the year, Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Nosa Ikpeba, are
expected to grace the awards aptly labelled the Oscars of African
football. It is believed that their presence at the event would spur
younger football players to greater height. Okocha distinguished himself
playing with Einthract Frankfurt FC of Germany, Fernabache of Turkey,
Paris St Germain of France and Bolton Wanderers of England. He is noted
for his flamboyant skills and dribbles on the pitch. A two-time winner
of the BBC African Player of the Year, he was honoured with the Legends
Award along with Ex-Moroccan International Mustapha Hadji at the 2011
Glo-Caf Awards. He wore many caps for the Nigerian national team, Super
Eagles before he retired about eight years ago.
Ikpeba, a former player of Monaco FC played for the France-based team for many years before moving over to Borrussia Dortmund FC in Germany. He was also in Belgium where he played for Standard Liege. He won the African Footballer of the year Award in 1997. Ex-International, Kanu Nwankwo began his football exploit as a striker in Ajax of Amsterdam and later moved to Inter Milan, Arsenal and Portsmouth amongst others. Nwankwo is rated as Nigeria’s most successful player and he earned global acclaim for his infinite capacity to score memorable goals. He won the African Footballer of the Year Award twice in 1996 and 1999.
He captained Nigerian National team, Super Eagles for many years before retiring from active football. He was the captain of the Atlanta Olympics winning U-23 team in 1996.
He established the Kanu Nwankwo Heart Foundation which has assisted a number of young children across Africa with heart challenges.
The three ex- Nigerian Internationals will lead other Super Eagles players to the event where they will have the opportunity to reminisce on their Super Eagles days, as well as meet current and ex-Internationals from different parts of Africa. The 2014 Glo-Caf Awards will hold at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.
Ikpeba, a former player of Monaco FC played for the France-based team for many years before moving over to Borrussia Dortmund FC in Germany. He was also in Belgium where he played for Standard Liege. He won the African Footballer of the year Award in 1997. Ex-International, Kanu Nwankwo began his football exploit as a striker in Ajax of Amsterdam and later moved to Inter Milan, Arsenal and Portsmouth amongst others. Nwankwo is rated as Nigeria’s most successful player and he earned global acclaim for his infinite capacity to score memorable goals. He won the African Footballer of the Year Award twice in 1996 and 1999.
He captained Nigerian National team, Super Eagles for many years before retiring from active football. He was the captain of the Atlanta Olympics winning U-23 team in 1996.
He established the Kanu Nwankwo Heart Foundation which has assisted a number of young children across Africa with heart challenges.
The three ex- Nigerian Internationals will lead other Super Eagles players to the event where they will have the opportunity to reminisce on their Super Eagles days, as well as meet current and ex-Internationals from different parts of Africa. The 2014 Glo-Caf Awards will hold at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.
Football’s Unmissable Dates In 2015
Did you think that following the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil,
the pace of the global game would slow down? If so, you’d be wrong.
Welcome to 2015, a new year packed with excitement and energy aplenty.
We have ahead of us 365 days full of football and, so you don’t lose your way among so many major happenings, FIFA.com brings you some of the highlights for you to note down in your diary.
Don’t put away the smart clothes you’ve been wearing over the holiday season just yet because, come Monday 12 January, you’ll need them to keep up with all the glitz and glamour of the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala in Zurich. Up for awards will be the finest performers of 2014, and you can keep a close eye on everything that goes on via FIFA.com’s extensive coverage.
January will also feature action in two major continental competitions, with the AFC Asian Cup to be held in Australia between the 9th and 31st of the month, as well as Equatorial Guinea’s hosting of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations between 17 January and 7 February. Quite a start to the year, and all this with many countries’ domestic league and cup action continuing at a relentless pace.
Nor must we forget continental club competitions, with the first to reach a conclusion the CONCACAF Champions League, whose kings will be crowned on 29 April. The stakes are high for national teams too, particularly in the Old Continent, where nations are in the thick of an intriguing battle to qualify for the UEFA EURO 2016.
It will be May, however, until the next FIFA competition is held. That will take place in New Zealand, the world’s finest young starlets battling it out for glory at the FIFA U-20 World Cup between 30 May and 20 June. In the midst of that showpiece also comes the high-profile UEFA Champions League final, set to take place on 6 June at Berlin’s impressive Olympiastadion.
The tempo won’t let up there either. On the same day that fans of a European club giant celebrate continental glory, it will be a huge moment for the women’s game with the big kick-off of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Canada. There the planet’s finest women’s footballers will strut their stuff until the champions are crowned on 5 July.
Next stop on our jet-set tour is Portugal, specifically Espinho, where the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will provide no shortage of thrills and spills between 8 and 19 July. And moving back to the 11-a-side men’s vintage, two huge continental competitions will also be jostling for focus around the same time: the Copa America in Chile (11 June-4 July) and the CONCACAF Gold Cup (7-26 July).
July is also poised to provide another pivotal moment on the 25th, when the Preliminary Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ takes place, bringing the next edition of the World Cup that much closer. And shortly after that will come the conclusion to the Copa Libertadores, the two-legged finale of which will be held on 29 July and 5 August.
A break before final flurry
Time now surely to take a break from international and continental action, with the focus in August and September – particularly in European climes – on the comings and goings in the transfer market and how all the new faces fare in the opening jousts of their clubs’ campaigns.
The break does not last for long, however, because 17 October to 8 November will bring all eyes back to Chile. Indeed, the Copa America hosts will soon welcome back more high-quality action in the form of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, a competition that has proved a valuable shop window for countless fledgling professionals.
Putting a stylish full stop at the end of another intense year will be the next edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, as well as the revealing of the candidates for awards at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala 2015. After that, we’re back to the beginning again.
We have ahead of us 365 days full of football and, so you don’t lose your way among so many major happenings, FIFA.com brings you some of the highlights for you to note down in your diary.
Don’t put away the smart clothes you’ve been wearing over the holiday season just yet because, come Monday 12 January, you’ll need them to keep up with all the glitz and glamour of the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala in Zurich. Up for awards will be the finest performers of 2014, and you can keep a close eye on everything that goes on via FIFA.com’s extensive coverage.
January will also feature action in two major continental competitions, with the AFC Asian Cup to be held in Australia between the 9th and 31st of the month, as well as Equatorial Guinea’s hosting of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations between 17 January and 7 February. Quite a start to the year, and all this with many countries’ domestic league and cup action continuing at a relentless pace.
Nor must we forget continental club competitions, with the first to reach a conclusion the CONCACAF Champions League, whose kings will be crowned on 29 April. The stakes are high for national teams too, particularly in the Old Continent, where nations are in the thick of an intriguing battle to qualify for the UEFA EURO 2016.
It will be May, however, until the next FIFA competition is held. That will take place in New Zealand, the world’s finest young starlets battling it out for glory at the FIFA U-20 World Cup between 30 May and 20 June. In the midst of that showpiece also comes the high-profile UEFA Champions League final, set to take place on 6 June at Berlin’s impressive Olympiastadion.
The tempo won’t let up there either. On the same day that fans of a European club giant celebrate continental glory, it will be a huge moment for the women’s game with the big kick-off of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Canada. There the planet’s finest women’s footballers will strut their stuff until the champions are crowned on 5 July.
Next stop on our jet-set tour is Portugal, specifically Espinho, where the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will provide no shortage of thrills and spills between 8 and 19 July. And moving back to the 11-a-side men’s vintage, two huge continental competitions will also be jostling for focus around the same time: the Copa America in Chile (11 June-4 July) and the CONCACAF Gold Cup (7-26 July).
July is also poised to provide another pivotal moment on the 25th, when the Preliminary Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ takes place, bringing the next edition of the World Cup that much closer. And shortly after that will come the conclusion to the Copa Libertadores, the two-legged finale of which will be held on 29 July and 5 August.
A break before final flurry
Time now surely to take a break from international and continental action, with the focus in August and September – particularly in European climes – on the comings and goings in the transfer market and how all the new faces fare in the opening jousts of their clubs’ campaigns.
The break does not last for long, however, because 17 October to 8 November will bring all eyes back to Chile. Indeed, the Copa America hosts will soon welcome back more high-quality action in the form of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, a competition that has proved a valuable shop window for countless fledgling professionals.
Putting a stylish full stop at the end of another intense year will be the next edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, as well as the revealing of the candidates for awards at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala 2015. After that, we’re back to the beginning again.
Tottenham Stun Chelsea 5-3
Despite having more ball possession and shots at goal, log
leaders, Chelsea fell 3-5 to Tottenham at White Hart Lane, London
yesterday in the star EPL New Year Day match.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men roared back to stun the Blues and send Manchester City to the top of the Premier League.
Harry Kane produced an attacking masterclass as a rampant Tottenham stunned Chelsea at White Hart Lane to send Manchester City to the top of the Premier League.
Diego Costa fired the Blues in front against the run of play on 18 minutes but goals from Kane, Danny Rose and Andros Townsend gave Spurs a convincing lead at half-time.
Kane made it 4-1 with a clinical finish on 52 minutes and despite Eden Hazard’s attempt to set up a nervy finale, Nacer Chadli struck 12 minutes from time to seal the win, though John Terry grabbed a consolation late on.
Chelsea had a total of 19 shots at goal, with only seven on target, while the hosts had 11 shots at goal, with eight on target, out of which five went past Chelsea goalkeeper.
Chelsea had 54 per cent of the possession, leaving Tottenham with only 46.
Tottenham had five corner kicks, while Chelsea got three.
The home team who did not want to take any chances conceded 14 fouls but Chelsea were more careful, conceding four less than their hosts.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men roared back to stun the Blues and send Manchester City to the top of the Premier League.
Harry Kane produced an attacking masterclass as a rampant Tottenham stunned Chelsea at White Hart Lane to send Manchester City to the top of the Premier League.
Diego Costa fired the Blues in front against the run of play on 18 minutes but goals from Kane, Danny Rose and Andros Townsend gave Spurs a convincing lead at half-time.
Kane made it 4-1 with a clinical finish on 52 minutes and despite Eden Hazard’s attempt to set up a nervy finale, Nacer Chadli struck 12 minutes from time to seal the win, though John Terry grabbed a consolation late on.
Chelsea had a total of 19 shots at goal, with only seven on target, while the hosts had 11 shots at goal, with eight on target, out of which five went past Chelsea goalkeeper.
Chelsea had 54 per cent of the possession, leaving Tottenham with only 46.
Tottenham had five corner kicks, while Chelsea got three.
The home team who did not want to take any chances conceded 14 fouls but Chelsea were more careful, conceding four less than their hosts.
2015 Glo-CAF Awards Accreditation Begins
All is set for the 2014 GLO – CAF Awards. Already, Media
Accreditation has begun in earnest with local and international
journalists expected from different parts of the world to cover the
annual soccer event that celebrates the best of African football
including footballers, coaches and administrators who have distinguished
themselves in playing or managing the game during the year under
review.
According to sources close to Globacom, the accreditation exercise for GLO-CAF Awards which is a media event is coordinated from CAF headquarters in Cairo and it opened on Monday, December 21 to close January 2, 2015. Top journalists and media houses worldwide have already indicated interest to cover the award ceremony to take place at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Lagos January 8, 2015. Three players were recently short-listed by CAF for the African Player of the year Award and the winner will be announced at Gala night in Lagos. The award categories include African Player of The Year (Based in Africa); National Team of The Year; Club of The Year; and Coach of The Year. Other categories are Women’s National Team of The Year; Women’s Footballer of The Year; Most Promising Talent; Referee of The Year; Legend of The year; Fair Play Award; Platinum Award (which has only one nominee); and Africa Finest XI.
According to sources close to Globacom, the accreditation exercise for GLO-CAF Awards which is a media event is coordinated from CAF headquarters in Cairo and it opened on Monday, December 21 to close January 2, 2015. Top journalists and media houses worldwide have already indicated interest to cover the award ceremony to take place at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Lagos January 8, 2015. Three players were recently short-listed by CAF for the African Player of the year Award and the winner will be announced at Gala night in Lagos. The award categories include African Player of The Year (Based in Africa); National Team of The Year; Club of The Year; and Coach of The Year. Other categories are Women’s National Team of The Year; Women’s Footballer of The Year; Most Promising Talent; Referee of The Year; Legend of The year; Fair Play Award; Platinum Award (which has only one nominee); and Africa Finest XI.
NFF Must Change Focus – Taribo
Former Nigeria International Taribo West said it would be
prudent for the local football fraternity to put the disappointment of
the past year behind them and focus on restoring the pride of the
national team.
West said that while there was disappointment, the Nigeria Football Federation should use all that has transpired this year as an important lesson and build on that in coming months, especially with the other representative teams in Nigeria.
“It is sad that we, the defending champions, will not be in Equatorial Guinea to defend our title. The football world is disappointed, Africa is disappointed and Nigerians are disappointed,” West told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.
“It should be a lesson for the NFF to have a family where only those with knowledge of football administration will be made to run football.
“The NFF should take note that Nigerian football is not only about the Super Eagles but also the U-17, the U-20 and the U-23 national teams. Hence, the structure for the success of these national teams in the international arena in 2015 should be of utmost concern.”
One theme which consistently comes to the fore under these circumstances is the absence of former football players in the administrative branch of Nigerian football.
“We have ex-internationals who are coaches already. However, it is not all of us who can or should be coaches.
“We can contribute a lot in the day-to-day administration of football in Nigeria.”
and propose better policies that brought success in countries where we played.
“We have a lot of knowledge that can bring changes and development from the grassroots to the senior teams,” he added.
West said that while there was disappointment, the Nigeria Football Federation should use all that has transpired this year as an important lesson and build on that in coming months, especially with the other representative teams in Nigeria.
“It is sad that we, the defending champions, will not be in Equatorial Guinea to defend our title. The football world is disappointed, Africa is disappointed and Nigerians are disappointed,” West told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.
“It should be a lesson for the NFF to have a family where only those with knowledge of football administration will be made to run football.
“The NFF should take note that Nigerian football is not only about the Super Eagles but also the U-17, the U-20 and the U-23 national teams. Hence, the structure for the success of these national teams in the international arena in 2015 should be of utmost concern.”
One theme which consistently comes to the fore under these circumstances is the absence of former football players in the administrative branch of Nigerian football.
“We have ex-internationals who are coaches already. However, it is not all of us who can or should be coaches.
“We can contribute a lot in the day-to-day administration of football in Nigeria.”
and propose better policies that brought success in countries where we played.
“We have a lot of knowledge that can bring changes and development from the grassroots to the senior teams,” he added.
NIS Win 2014 Beach Volleyball Championship
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Beach Volleyball Team have
emerged champions of the Kaduna 2014 Nigeria Volleyball Federation Beach
Volleyball Open Championship which ended on Sunday at the Sports Arena,
Murtala Square, Kaduna.
The NIS team beat their counterparts from Benue 2-0 to emerge champions. NIS defeated the Ondo State team 2-0 in the semi-final to qualify for the final.
Team Ondo won the third position of the competition by defeating team Niger 3-2 in a pulsating encounter that dragged into five sets after both side lost to the two finalists 2-0 in the semi-final played earlier in the day.
Speaking after the presentation of trophies, Chairman Nigeria Beach Volleyball Association Engineer Musa Nimrod said this competition has identified new players and also provided other experienced players the avenue to put their skills in shape.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would go far as far as Beach Volleyball is concerned, stressing the Federation would not want to waste their first place ranking and one of the best ways of doing so is by organising this competition.
He however called on the private sector for more support for Beach Volleyball, which he said has a lot of potentials to take away the youths from the streets and bring glory to the country.
Goodluck Ayansodike one of the two players who played for the NIS team said the competition has put him in shape and ready to face any challenge that might come their ways.
He hailed the effort of the Chairman of the Nigeria Beach Volleyball Association Engineer Musa Nimrod who he said has played a significant role in moving Beach Volleyball forward.
The NIS team beat their counterparts from Benue 2-0 to emerge champions. NIS defeated the Ondo State team 2-0 in the semi-final to qualify for the final.
Team Ondo won the third position of the competition by defeating team Niger 3-2 in a pulsating encounter that dragged into five sets after both side lost to the two finalists 2-0 in the semi-final played earlier in the day.
Speaking after the presentation of trophies, Chairman Nigeria Beach Volleyball Association Engineer Musa Nimrod said this competition has identified new players and also provided other experienced players the avenue to put their skills in shape.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would go far as far as Beach Volleyball is concerned, stressing the Federation would not want to waste their first place ranking and one of the best ways of doing so is by organising this competition.
He however called on the private sector for more support for Beach Volleyball, which he said has a lot of potentials to take away the youths from the streets and bring glory to the country.
Goodluck Ayansodike one of the two players who played for the NIS team said the competition has put him in shape and ready to face any challenge that might come their ways.
He hailed the effort of the Chairman of the Nigeria Beach Volleyball Association Engineer Musa Nimrod who he said has played a significant role in moving Beach Volleyball forward.
FIFA, Blatter In Secret Talks About President’s Future
Secret talks between FIFA officials and Sepp Blatter have
taken place over his future as the president of football’s world
governing body, BBC Sport has learned.
The discussions, involving representatives from a number of football confederations, are understood to have started in October 2013, at the celebrations for the English Football Association’s 150th anniversary.
Blatter has since confirmed his intention to stand in May’s presidential election and seek a fifth term of office.
However, with the 29 January deadline looming for candidates to declare their interest, there is mounting concern amongst several FIFA executives over the governing body’s future direction and leadership.
Speaking in Manilla earlier this month, Blatter reaffirmed he has support from five of the six confederations that constitute FIFA.
But BBC Sport has been told the recent crisis within the governing body, stemming from an investigation into alleged World Cup bidding corruption that culminated last week in the resignation of ethics committee investigator Michael Garcia, could yet have far-reaching effects.
Garcia quit citing a lack of independence in FIFA’s judicial processes and his belief the organisation’s culture was beyond reform.
Speaking to BBC Sport, one source described 78-year-old Blatter as being increasingly “weary” following years of fire-fighting multiple scandals, a hectic work schedule and the acrimonious fall-out from the decision to award the next two World Cups to Russia and Qatar.
FIFA sources have also spoken of how, in light of recent events, a number of potential challengers are now weighing their candidacy options.
The discussions, involving representatives from a number of football confederations, are understood to have started in October 2013, at the celebrations for the English Football Association’s 150th anniversary.
Blatter has since confirmed his intention to stand in May’s presidential election and seek a fifth term of office.
However, with the 29 January deadline looming for candidates to declare their interest, there is mounting concern amongst several FIFA executives over the governing body’s future direction and leadership.
Speaking in Manilla earlier this month, Blatter reaffirmed he has support from five of the six confederations that constitute FIFA.
But BBC Sport has been told the recent crisis within the governing body, stemming from an investigation into alleged World Cup bidding corruption that culminated last week in the resignation of ethics committee investigator Michael Garcia, could yet have far-reaching effects.
Garcia quit citing a lack of independence in FIFA’s judicial processes and his belief the organisation’s culture was beyond reform.
Speaking to BBC Sport, one source described 78-year-old Blatter as being increasingly “weary” following years of fire-fighting multiple scandals, a hectic work schedule and the acrimonious fall-out from the decision to award the next two World Cups to Russia and Qatar.
FIFA sources have also spoken of how, in light of recent events, a number of potential challengers are now weighing their candidacy options.
NFA Board To Decide On Call For Arbitration Panel, Says Amadu
Musa Amadu, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football
Association (NFA), on Tuesday said it was the duty of the association’s
board to decide on the inauguration of an arbitration panel.
Amadu who spoke to newsmen in Abuja reacted against the background of a call to that effect by Leonard Igbokwe, a contestant in the association’s Sept. 30 board elections.
“It is not the duty of the NFA management to do so, because there is a process that must be followed,’’ he said.
Igbokwe had told newsmen on Monday that the NFA had received a letter to that effect from FIFA, urging it to constitute the panel to end the NFA leadership crisis justly.
The petitioner, who lost in the election onto the board from the South-East zone of the association, had asked the NFA secretariat to facilitate the process of inaugurating the panel.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Igbokwe was one of the seven persons who wrote petitions against the NFA board elections held in Warri, Delta.
Amadu said he received Igbokwe’s letter but pointed out that there was a process that must be followed for the panel to be inaugurated.
“The letter came this (Tuesday) morning, and tomorrow (Wednesday) is the last working day before Christmas, and I am not the one to take the decision but the NFA board.
“I need to reach out to the NFA board and let it know about this, and then it will take a decision,’’ he said.
Igbokwe’s call for the inauguration of the panel followed FIFA’s decision through a letter dated Dec. 18.
The world football ruling body had said it was washing its hands off the matter concerning the elections, describing it as an “internal matter’’.
Igbokwe had on Dec. 10, through a correspondence, given FIFA a three-day ultimatum to reverse its decision upholding the NFA elections or risk court action.
FIFA in its response in the Dec. 18 letter had said it does not have the jurisdiction to determine the outcome of the elections.(NAN)
Amadu who spoke to newsmen in Abuja reacted against the background of a call to that effect by Leonard Igbokwe, a contestant in the association’s Sept. 30 board elections.
“It is not the duty of the NFA management to do so, because there is a process that must be followed,’’ he said.
Igbokwe had told newsmen on Monday that the NFA had received a letter to that effect from FIFA, urging it to constitute the panel to end the NFA leadership crisis justly.
The petitioner, who lost in the election onto the board from the South-East zone of the association, had asked the NFA secretariat to facilitate the process of inaugurating the panel.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Igbokwe was one of the seven persons who wrote petitions against the NFA board elections held in Warri, Delta.
Amadu said he received Igbokwe’s letter but pointed out that there was a process that must be followed for the panel to be inaugurated.
“The letter came this (Tuesday) morning, and tomorrow (Wednesday) is the last working day before Christmas, and I am not the one to take the decision but the NFA board.
“I need to reach out to the NFA board and let it know about this, and then it will take a decision,’’ he said.
Igbokwe’s call for the inauguration of the panel followed FIFA’s decision through a letter dated Dec. 18.
The world football ruling body had said it was washing its hands off the matter concerning the elections, describing it as an “internal matter’’.
Igbokwe had on Dec. 10, through a correspondence, given FIFA a three-day ultimatum to reverse its decision upholding the NFA elections or risk court action.
FIFA in its response in the Dec. 18 letter had said it does not have the jurisdiction to determine the outcome of the elections.(NAN)
Flying Eagles Coach Confident Of Success In Spite Of Tough AYC Draw
Flying Eagles’ Head Coach Manu Garba on Sunday said he was
confident his team would triumph at the 2015 African Youth Championship
(AYC) in Senegal in March.
In a statement by the team’s Media Officer, Samm Audu, Garba said he was confident of success in spite of a seemingly tough first round group.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian under-20 male team were on Sunday drawn in group A alongside hosts Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Congo.
“Our group seems to be tougher than the other group which has Ghana, Mali, Zambia and South Africa, but I believe we will qualify to the semi-finals along with Cote d’Ivoire,” the coach said.
“But, this is not to say that all the eight teams are not good enough to win the competition. So, we will expect no favours from any of them.
“There will be no easy groups or matches. We therefore have to prepare very well and be motivated to achieve our targets,” he added.
The Flying Eagles class of 2015 are built around the country’s under-17 team which won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013 in the United Arab Emirates.
Earlier that year, they had lost to African U-17 champions Cote d’Ivoire at the continental championship in Morocco.
However, Garba insists they will not be seeking revenge when both teams clash again in Senegal.
“We are not driven to avenge the loss in Morocco, because this will be a different competition and we will have two different teams from the ones from last year,” he said.
“We respect Cote d’Ivoire because they have a great footballing culture, but we hope to beat any team we come up against”.
The African Youth Championship will be played from March 8 to March 22.
The Flying Eagles have won a record six AYC titles, with their last triumph being in 2011, and they finished third last year in Algeria.
NAN reports that the semi-finalists in Senegal will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand later in the year.(NAN)
In a statement by the team’s Media Officer, Samm Audu, Garba said he was confident of success in spite of a seemingly tough first round group.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian under-20 male team were on Sunday drawn in group A alongside hosts Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Congo.
“Our group seems to be tougher than the other group which has Ghana, Mali, Zambia and South Africa, but I believe we will qualify to the semi-finals along with Cote d’Ivoire,” the coach said.
“But, this is not to say that all the eight teams are not good enough to win the competition. So, we will expect no favours from any of them.
“There will be no easy groups or matches. We therefore have to prepare very well and be motivated to achieve our targets,” he added.
The Flying Eagles class of 2015 are built around the country’s under-17 team which won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013 in the United Arab Emirates.
Earlier that year, they had lost to African U-17 champions Cote d’Ivoire at the continental championship in Morocco.
However, Garba insists they will not be seeking revenge when both teams clash again in Senegal.
“We are not driven to avenge the loss in Morocco, because this will be a different competition and we will have two different teams from the ones from last year,” he said.
“We respect Cote d’Ivoire because they have a great footballing culture, but we hope to beat any team we come up against”.
The African Youth Championship will be played from March 8 to March 22.
The Flying Eagles have won a record six AYC titles, with their last triumph being in 2011, and they finished third last year in Algeria.
NAN reports that the semi-finalists in Senegal will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand later in the year.(NAN)
FIFA Official Says England Had Best Bid For 2018 World Cup
FIFA official Harold Mayne-Nicholls said that England’s
failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup was by far the strongest
contender.
“How could England have only got two votes? It was a big surprise,” Mayne-Nicholls was quoted as saying in The Sunday Times.
The 53-year-old, a former Chilean football federation president, was chairman of a FIFA group tasked with assessing the strength and feasibility of the various bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals.
Having visited all 11 countries bidding, Mayne-Nicholls concluded that England had the best infrastructure and public involvement, crucial facets of any successful bid.
The bid, however, received just two votes from a possible 22 with Russia winning the right to host the 2018 tournament. Qatar secured the 2022 Cup.
“England were on the top.
“They had the best concept, the best infrastructure and the people were very much involved,” said Mayne-Nicholls.
“I was there and I saw the faces of Prince William and David Beckham, and they were shocked.
“It’s like when you are a first division team and you play a third division team and you lose by five goals,” he said.
Mayne-Nicholls has previously raised concerns about Qatar, whose bid was the only one labelled as high risk by the evaluation committee, due to the searing heat.
He again questioned the logistical issues raised by hosting the tournament in one city and said the transport and infrastructure would not be able to cope with the deluge of fans flocking to the tournament. (Reuters/NAN)
“How could England have only got two votes? It was a big surprise,” Mayne-Nicholls was quoted as saying in The Sunday Times.
The 53-year-old, a former Chilean football federation president, was chairman of a FIFA group tasked with assessing the strength and feasibility of the various bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals.
Having visited all 11 countries bidding, Mayne-Nicholls concluded that England had the best infrastructure and public involvement, crucial facets of any successful bid.
The bid, however, received just two votes from a possible 22 with Russia winning the right to host the 2018 tournament. Qatar secured the 2022 Cup.
“England were on the top.
“They had the best concept, the best infrastructure and the people were very much involved,” said Mayne-Nicholls.
“I was there and I saw the faces of Prince William and David Beckham, and they were shocked.
“It’s like when you are a first division team and you play a third division team and you lose by five goals,” he said.
Mayne-Nicholls has previously raised concerns about Qatar, whose bid was the only one labelled as high risk by the evaluation committee, due to the searing heat.
He again questioned the logistical issues raised by hosting the tournament in one city and said the transport and infrastructure would not be able to cope with the deluge of fans flocking to the tournament. (Reuters/NAN)
AYC 2015: Flying Eagles, Golden Eaglets Get Group Opponents
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria will face a still competition
against the hosts, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Congo in Group A at next
year’s Africa Youth Championship which holds from March 8 to 22. The six
times champions finished in third place last year in Algeria.
The AYC has eight teams in two groups who battle for the top three slots which decide qualification to the FIFA World Youth Championship, New Zealand 2015. Group B has Ghana, Mali, Zambia and South Africa. The Flying Eagles ended the year 2014 with a thrilling 10-0 win over NNL side, Highlanders last week.
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets who will be playing in Group A will face Niger, Guinea and Zambia. Group B has current holders, Ivory Coast pitted against South Africa, Mali and Cameroon.
Tournament will be held in Niger from February 15 to March. The top three teams qualify for Chile 2015. The Eaglets are the current world champions and have excelled four times coincidentally on Asia soil.
The AYC has eight teams in two groups who battle for the top three slots which decide qualification to the FIFA World Youth Championship, New Zealand 2015. Group B has Ghana, Mali, Zambia and South Africa. The Flying Eagles ended the year 2014 with a thrilling 10-0 win over NNL side, Highlanders last week.
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets who will be playing in Group A will face Niger, Guinea and Zambia. Group B has current holders, Ivory Coast pitted against South Africa, Mali and Cameroon.
Tournament will be held in Niger from February 15 to March. The top three teams qualify for Chile 2015. The Eaglets are the current world champions and have excelled four times coincidentally on Asia soil.
FIFA World Club Cup: Nigerian Striker Makes History
Little-known Nigeria striker Sanni Issa on Saturday made
history with his Auckland City of New Zealand teammates as they became
the first team from the Oceania to go as far as winning a medal at the
FIFA Club world Cup.
Auckland City won the bronze medal via penalty shoot outs having first played 1-1 draw with the Concaf champions Cruz Azul.
The 10-year-old Auckland City has starred in five other Club World Cups; but with very little impact at the flagship event.
However this went well this term as Tim Payne, Darren White, James Pritchett and Issa all converted their kicks for Auckland, while John Irving missed target after crashing his shot off the cross bar.
But Cruz Azul striker Formica made things worse for his team as he blasted his shot high over the bar, before Auckland goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley saved from Valadez, to hand the Kiwi side the win.
The victory thus caps a truly remarkable ten day period for the Auckland City team who have now beaten the Moroccan champions, African champions and CONCACAF champions in the space of ten days.
Already there are suggestions that Issa should be given a look-in by the national team handlers in the coming days.
Auckland City won the bronze medal via penalty shoot outs having first played 1-1 draw with the Concaf champions Cruz Azul.
The 10-year-old Auckland City has starred in five other Club World Cups; but with very little impact at the flagship event.
However this went well this term as Tim Payne, Darren White, James Pritchett and Issa all converted their kicks for Auckland, while John Irving missed target after crashing his shot off the cross bar.
But Cruz Azul striker Formica made things worse for his team as he blasted his shot high over the bar, before Auckland goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley saved from Valadez, to hand the Kiwi side the win.
The victory thus caps a truly remarkable ten day period for the Auckland City team who have now beaten the Moroccan champions, African champions and CONCACAF champions in the space of ten days.
Already there are suggestions that Issa should be given a look-in by the national team handlers in the coming days.
Tim Howard warns Simon Mignolet faces 'hard road back'
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has warned his Merseyside rival Simon
Mignolet faces a "hard road back" to regain his Liverpool starting
place.
Mignolet, 26, has been
dropped "indefinitely" by manager Brendan Rodgers
following a poor run of form.
Howard is concerned that taking the Belgium international out of the team could cause him longer-term problems.
"I think it's a hard road back when you get taken out of the team. Sometimes there is no way back," said Howard.
United States international Howard, 35, experienced a drop in form and time out of contention for the first-choice goalkeeper role when he played for Manchester United.
"It's not easy. It's a confidence position," he added.
"When you take him [Mignolet] out of the team and then bring him back, do the team and fans have confidence in him?
"With goalkeepers the next mistake is only just around the corner. If you worry about that you will crumble.
"I think a good goalkeeper always has to have a manager who believes in him."
Lack Of Nigerian Votes Cost Enyeama BBC Award—Anazodo
Anazodo, in a tweet, added that he was amused by huge amount of
discussion going on regarding the Lille’s goalkeeper inability to beat
eventual winner Algerian Yacine Brahimi to the coveted prize, as many
believe the former Enyimba player was supposed to be the rightful
winner.
Super
Sports presenter Charles Anazodo says Nigerians shouldn’t be dismayed
that Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama couldn’t scoop the BBC African
Player of the year award, considering most of them didn’t vote for him
when the poll was open.
Anazodo, in a tweet, added that he was amused by huge amount of discussion going on regarding the Lille’s goalkeeper inability to beat eventual winner Algerian Yacine Brahimi to the coveted prize, as many believe the former Enyimba player was supposed to be the rightful winner.
“Funny thing Nigerians think/believe Enyeama should have won the BBC version of the African footballer of the year. I ask, did you vote!!??" The TV personality tweeted.
It is believed that despite huge calls by the organisers, BBC, and numerous footballers of Nigerian origin (who campaigned seriously for Enyeama) many within the country failed to vote which gave Brahimi, who got a lot of votes from North Africa an upper hand in the hunt.
Anazodo, in a tweet, added that he was amused by huge amount of discussion going on regarding the Lille’s goalkeeper inability to beat eventual winner Algerian Yacine Brahimi to the coveted prize, as many believe the former Enyimba player was supposed to be the rightful winner.
“Funny thing Nigerians think/believe Enyeama should have won the BBC version of the African footballer of the year. I ask, did you vote!!??" The TV personality tweeted.
It is believed that despite huge calls by the organisers, BBC, and numerous footballers of Nigerian origin (who campaigned seriously for Enyeama) many within the country failed to vote which gave Brahimi, who got a lot of votes from North Africa an upper hand in the hunt.
New Ghana Football Coach Opens Door To Suspended Stars, Gyan Stays On As Captain
"The door is open for everyone," Grant told reporters in Accra
on Thursday. "They need to show they are willing to play – if they are
willing to sacrifice then the door is open to them.”
GhanaWeb
reports that Avram Grant, Ghana’s new national team coach, has
indicated that he is willing to consider allowing Prince Boateng and
Sulley Muntari back into the national squad, if they are willing to work
for it.
Both Boateng and Muntari were suspended during Ghana’s disastrous showing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup for alleged misconduct displayed on and off the field, and have not been recalled for national team duty since then.
"The door is open for everyone," Grant told reporters in Accra on Thursday. "They need to show they are willing to play – if they are willing to sacrifice then the door is open to them.”
Avram Grant has also expressed his support towards retaining Asamoah Gyan as team captain although soccer analysts had expected Marseille winger, Andre Ayew, to be given the role..
“I expect that we can improve in every area and we will improve; myself and my players. As far as I know, Gyan did a good job.” Avram Grant said.
Avram Grant’s first assignment as Ghana’s head coach will be to see that Ghana’s national team performs well in the coming 2015 African Cup Of Nations being hosted by Equatorial Guinea.
During AFCON 2015, Ghana’s first tasks will be to emerge from the ‘Group of Death’ preliminary stage as the nation will vie for a spot against top teams from Algeria, South Africa and Senegal.
Both Boateng and Muntari were suspended during Ghana’s disastrous showing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup for alleged misconduct displayed on and off the field, and have not been recalled for national team duty since then.
"The door is open for everyone," Grant told reporters in Accra on Thursday. "They need to show they are willing to play – if they are willing to sacrifice then the door is open to them.”
Avram Grant has also expressed his support towards retaining Asamoah Gyan as team captain although soccer analysts had expected Marseille winger, Andre Ayew, to be given the role..
“I expect that we can improve in every area and we will improve; myself and my players. As far as I know, Gyan did a good job.” Avram Grant said.
Avram Grant’s first assignment as Ghana’s head coach will be to see that Ghana’s national team performs well in the coming 2015 African Cup Of Nations being hosted by Equatorial Guinea.
During AFCON 2015, Ghana’s first tasks will be to emerge from the ‘Group of Death’ preliminary stage as the nation will vie for a spot against top teams from Algeria, South Africa and Senegal.
Chelsea Get Tough Round Of 16 Draw, City Face Barça Again
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea have pitched in a tough draw that
will see them trade tackles with French side Paris Saint-Germain, while
Manchester City will again face Barcelona in a consecutive Champions
League last 16 ties.
Chelsea’s ‘reward’ for sailing into the knockout stages unbeaten was a testing match-up against the Qatari-backed French champions who they beat on away goals in last season’s quarter-finals.
Chelsea secretary David Barnard told Sky Sports News: “PSG are known to us as we played them in the quarters last year and they’ve got David Luiz playing for them too. It’s a good draw logistically too for our supporters. Both sides have very different squads from last year, so if it was PSG or anyone else, it would’ve been the same situation.”
Like PSG, English Premier League champions City will be out for revenge after being brushed aside 4-1 on aggregate by Barça at this stage in the last Champions League campaign. City’s director of football, former Barcelona player Txiki Begiristain, said: “We have plenty of confidence with the way we qualified beating Bayern Munich at home and Roma away, so the players will be working hard to get fit and arrive in confidence for those games. We have improved our squad from last season and we have some real quality up front.”
Barcelona representative Andoni Zubizarreta said: “It is the same draw we had a year ago, it was a very difficult game and we are going to look forward to it. Manchester City have an outstanding squad with a very good coach, a very good team and are very competitive.”
We have plenty of confidence with the way we qualified beating Bayern Munich at home and Roma away
Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain on facing former club Barcelona
The last 16 draw staged at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, gave holders Real Madrid a palatable pairing against German side Schalke 04, coached by Roberto Di Matteo, who was in charge of Chelsea when they were crowned kings of Europe.
Chelsea’s ‘reward’ for sailing into the knockout stages unbeaten was a testing match-up against the Qatari-backed French champions who they beat on away goals in last season’s quarter-finals.
Chelsea secretary David Barnard told Sky Sports News: “PSG are known to us as we played them in the quarters last year and they’ve got David Luiz playing for them too. It’s a good draw logistically too for our supporters. Both sides have very different squads from last year, so if it was PSG or anyone else, it would’ve been the same situation.”
Like PSG, English Premier League champions City will be out for revenge after being brushed aside 4-1 on aggregate by Barça at this stage in the last Champions League campaign. City’s director of football, former Barcelona player Txiki Begiristain, said: “We have plenty of confidence with the way we qualified beating Bayern Munich at home and Roma away, so the players will be working hard to get fit and arrive in confidence for those games. We have improved our squad from last season and we have some real quality up front.”
Barcelona representative Andoni Zubizarreta said: “It is the same draw we had a year ago, it was a very difficult game and we are going to look forward to it. Manchester City have an outstanding squad with a very good coach, a very good team and are very competitive.”
We have plenty of confidence with the way we qualified beating Bayern Munich at home and Roma away
Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain on facing former club Barcelona
The last 16 draw staged at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, gave holders Real Madrid a palatable pairing against German side Schalke 04, coached by Roberto Di Matteo, who was in charge of Chelsea when they were crowned kings of Europe.
Mourinho Rules Out January Signings At Chelsea
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out making any January additions to his squad.
Mourinho was active in the close-season as he lured Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, Loic Remy and Cesc Fabregas to Stamford Bridge, while veteran striker Didier Drogba also made a return to the club.
Bolstered by the arrival of that particular quintet, Chelsea have set the pace at the top of the Premier League, reached the League Cup semi-finals and will face Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League.
However, Mourinho is not anticipating any activity in the transfer window next month regarding incomings or outgoings.
“We have a short squad but we’ve got good players, some younger, some older, but the squad is very, very good,” Mourinho told talkSPORT.
“Our project is to start and finish the season with the same group of players, so there will be nobody to leave and nobody to come in either.”
Bulgaria name new national football coach
Sofia (AFP) - Bulgaria named Ivaylo Petev as its national football
coach on Wednesday following the sacking of his predecessor over poor
Euro 2016 qualifying results.
The Bulgarian Football Union president Borislav Mihaylov said Petev, a former manager of Ludogorets and Levski Sofia, had been offered a three-year contract starting January 1.
Petev was previously at the helm as Ludogorets Razgrad became only the second Bulgarian team to reach the Champions League's group stage. And had won promotion and two top-flight titles in 2012 and 2013 with them prior to that.
He later coached Levski Sofia and most recently Cypriot side AEL Limassol.
Petev succeeds Lyuboslav Penev, who was sacked in November after three years in charge, due to a poor showing in Euro 2016 qualifiers.
With two losses against Croatia and Norway and a 1-1 home draw against Malta, Bulgaria is currently fourth in Group H. It next faces Italy on March 28.
The Bulgarian Football Union president Borislav Mihaylov said Petev, a former manager of Ludogorets and Levski Sofia, had been offered a three-year contract starting January 1.
Petev was previously at the helm as Ludogorets Razgrad became only the second Bulgarian team to reach the Champions League's group stage. And had won promotion and two top-flight titles in 2012 and 2013 with them prior to that.
He later coached Levski Sofia and most recently Cypriot side AEL Limassol.
Petev succeeds Lyuboslav Penev, who was sacked in November after three years in charge, due to a poor showing in Euro 2016 qualifiers.
With two losses against Croatia and Norway and a 1-1 home draw against Malta, Bulgaria is currently fourth in Group H. It next faces Italy on March 28.
McIlroy named Euro Tour golfer of the year
Rory McIlroy has been chosen as the European Tour player of the year, capping a season in which he won two majors, the Ryder Cup, and topped the money lists in Europe and the United States.
McIlroy, the world No.1, won his maiden British Open title by two strokes over Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia at Royal Liverpool in July, and less than a month later earned a second US PGA Championship at Valhalla, finishing a shot clear of Phil Mickelson.
Between McIlroy's third and fourth major wins, the Northern Irishman won the World Golf Championship event at Firestone for the first time, again with a two-shot victory over Garcia.
Overall, he took four big titles over three months, starting in May at the tour's flagship event at Wentworth, where he edged Shane Lowry by a shot on a course where he missed the halfway cut the previous two years.
That victory came days after cancelling a wedding and relationship with tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.
At the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in September, McIlroy won three points as Europe successfully defended the title.
"If I had won any one of those four titles it would have been a good year, but to win all four, to win The Race to Dubai, and to be part of another fantastic European victory in the Ryder Cup, means it is a great one," McIlroy said.
"The European Tour has always been good to me, so it is always special to be recognised in this way."
Amla, De Villiers put South Africa on top in first Test
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) - Captain Hashim Amla and his senior lieutenant AB de Villiers both hit centuries as South Africa took command after early setbacks on the first day of the first Test against the West Indies here on Wednesday.
South Africa were 340 for three at the close. Amla, captaining South Africa for the first time in a home Test, made 133 not out, while De Villiers hit an unbeaten 141. They added 283 for the fourth wicket, a South African record against the West Indies.
The pair came together with South Africa in a minor crisis after losing three wickets for no runs with the total on 57.
It was a superb display of batting by two of the best batsmen in the world but it was not a good day for the West Indians, who failed to take advantage of sending South Africa in to bat in heavily overcast conditions.
Much of the bowling was mediocre and the tourists suffered a blow when Kemar Roach, who was comfortably their best bowler, pulled up lame after bowling five balls of his 16th over half an hour after tea.
Roach was surprisingly not given the new ball and runs flowed freely from South African openers Alviro Petersen and Dean Elgar before Roach was brought into the attack after nine overs.
He made the first breakthrough in his third over when he had Petersen caught at first slip and followed up with the wicket of Faf du Plessis, who was caught behind. When Roach limped off he had taken two for 52.
Roach's wickets sandwiched the dismissal of Elgar, who was caught at gully off left-armer Sheldon Cottrell. The three wickets fell in the space of 15 balls.
Rain delayed the start by half an hour and the sky was overcast for almost the entire day but with the exception of Roach, the bowlers were not consistent enough to exploit any assistance from the conditions.
After the early setbacks, Amla and De Villiers saw their team through to lunch, adding 45 runs before the break with largely risk-free batting. Their stroke play blossomed after the interval, although Amla had an escape before he had added to his lunch score of 25.
Amla was beaten by a ball from Roach, who appealed for a catch behind. Umpire Aleem Dar turned down the appeal and a slow motion replay showed the ball brushed his off stump, causing the leg bail to lift slightly before settling back into its groove.
De Villiers was first to a half-century, reaching the mark off 78 balls with his tenth four. The 100 partnership came up at the same time off 156 deliveries. Amla's fifty followed soon afterwards off 87 balls with seven fours.
De Villiers became the fifth South African to score 20 Test centuries after facing 138 balls, while Amla?s 23rd hundred came off 161 deliveries.
With the conditions likely to favour pace bowling, South Africa opted to play four specialist fast bowlers and no spinner, with Kyle Abbott playing ahead of left-arm spinner Robin Peterson. Left-handed batsman Stiaan van Zyl was a new cap in the South African team.
The West Indies included left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn and picked three fast bowlers Roach, Jerome Taylor and Cottrell.
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