ubamobile

30
Thu, Jul

The Samba Boys of Brazil were completely humbled by a fantastic German side at the Estadio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday with a historic 7 – 1 demolition.

No one would have predicted that the game, which started out as a pulsating affair would end up terribly lopsided. Just 11 minutes after Mexican referee Marco Rodríguez blew the opening whistle the Germans started a feast of goals with Thomas Müller, Miroslav Klose, Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira finding the back of the net five times before half time.

 A second half brace from Andre Schürrle sealed the deal, humbling the five-time champions in a most remarkable semi final game.  A 90th minute strike by Oscar gave Brazil their only consolation, marking the first time since 1975 that Brazil would lose a match in Estadio Mineirão.

Neymar injured and Thiago Silva suspended, Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had to make some tweaks to his 4-2-3-1 and opted to have Dante fill in for Silva and Bernard for Neymar. Júlio César took his normal place in goal and was shielded by a back line of Marcelo, Dante, David Luiz and Maicon. Fernandinho and Luis Gustavo slotted in as holding midfielders while Hulk, Oscar and Bernard lined up as attacking midfielders in support of lone striker Fred.

Germany head coach Joachim Löw's 4-3-3 saw Manuel Neuer start in goal and Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Höwedes and Philipp Lahm in defense. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Khedira and Kroos composed the three-man midfield while up front it was Mesut Özil, Müller and Klose.

The match started both teams pushing forward but soon enough Germany would strike first with a Müller goal in the 11th minute. A corner kick was looped in and somehow, the Brazilian defense failed to account for Müller who was all alone at the back post and the Bayern man had all the time in the world to club in a shot past Júlio César.

Klose became the all-time World Cup leading scorer in history just 12 minutes into the game, when he netted his 16th World Cup goal. Müller laid off a perfect ball for Klose whose initial shot was blocked by Júlio César but the Lazio man would not be denied on the follow-up and it was 2-0 to Germany.

The die Mannschaft struck three more times in speedy succession. Lahm crossed from the right for Kroos who hammered in a shot to make it 3-0 in the 24th minute. The home fans, already feeling dumbfounded by what they were witnessing, may have well packed up their things and left in the 26th minute as Kroos tallied again after a horrendous giveaway from Fernandinho who was stripped by Khedira who then set up Kroos for the fourth.

The whole scene devolved into an outright humiliation in the 29th minute when a Hummels challenge on Luiz gave Khedira the ball and after a smart touch from Özil, the Real Madrid man fired in to make the score5-0. The first half only lasted 45 minutes but it must have felt like an eternity for the Seleção who were confused from top to bottom and left the pitch with their heads hung to an avalanche of jeers and whistles from their home fans.

Desperate to save face, Brazil attacked to start the second half and had a good chance through Oscar in the 52nd minute only to see Neuer make the requisite save. A minute later Neuer stood tall again when he denied Paulinho twice form point-blank range, further evidence that it was simply not to be Brazil's night at any point during the 90 minutes.

After that initial push from Brazil, Germany regained control and Müller nearly completed the set in the 61st minute only to see Júlio César barely tip away the shot over the crossbar. Brazil's abysmal defending continued and the lack of any type of marking resulted in Germany's sixth in the 69th minute when Lahm easily crossed for substitute Andre Schürrle who had acres of time and space to sweep in his shot to make it 6-0. The Chelsea man then scored his second in the 79th to complete the dismantling when he hit a shot from the left that ricocheted off the crossbar into the net.

Tuesday night's dismantling of the Samba Boys is the most dominating performance in any World Cup semi-final history.

 

With no car, no official accommodation and four months of salary arrears, relations between Keshi and the NFF had degenerated to the point that Keshi had contemplated quitting on the eve of the nations cup tournament.

But for the personal intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan who read the riot act to the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Stephen Keshi’ would have made good his resignation as coach of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles. Keshi rescinded his decision to resign as Super Eagles coach barely 24 hours after tendering his resignation letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Upon learning of the unsavory development which dampened the national mood of triumph and celebration after winning the African Cup of Nations, President Jonathan is said to have called the Sports Minister who officially headed the delegation to South Africa and instructed him to do everything within his power to get Keshi to reconsider his decision and save the country from what was turning out to be a major embarrassment. Jonathan, sources told Huhuonline.com even spoke to Keshi on the phone and pleaded with him to change his mind.

After hours of frantic negotiations which dragged on into Tuesday morning, and with all outstanding issues resolved by the minister who doubles as the chairman of the National Sports Commission, Keshi agreed to stay. He was part of the Eagles’ delegation that arrived Abuja to a tumultuous welcome on Tuesday and was present at the official reception hosted by Jonathan at State House.

Keshi admitted on arrival in Abuja that it took the intervention of the Sports Minister to rescind his decision to quit the Eagles job. The coach said he decided to call it quits because of the way he has continuously been treated by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the technical committee.

Huhuonline.com learnt from a source close to the former national team skipper that Keshi was working under conditions unbefitting of the coach of the Nigerian national team. The source explained that the NFF has treated Keshi without even a modicum of respect; hanging the prospect of hiring an expatriate coach over Keshi’s head like a sword of Damocles and acting as if they were doing Keshi a favor by giving him the job of coach of the national team.

The source told Huhuonline.com that in a malign display of sheer provocation, a member of the technical committee told Keshi his face that the NFF would appoint a foreign technical director and make him the overall boss of all Nigerian coaches, adding: “If you listened carefully, you will recall Keshi always talking about African countries’ penchant of employing carpenters and farmers as coaches because of the color of their skin. This explains why Keshi dedicated the victory of the Super Eagles to all indigenous African coaches,” the source explained.

The rift between Keshi and the NFF, the source explained, had degenerated to the point that Keshi had contemplated quitting the job on the eve of the African Nations Cup, but decided to use his position to prove that indigenous coaches could do better than the foreigners the NFF was thinking of hiring.

Huhuonline.com learnt from NFF sources that several months after he took over the job as coach of the national team, Keshi is yet to get an official car and accommodation. As if that was not enough, the Federation has not paid Keshi his salary for the last four months. Rather, NFF officials have taken turns to interfere with his job; questioning not only his selection of players but also his tactics; something Keshi with over 35 years of big football time experience considers unacceptable.

To add insult to injury, NFF officials reportedly booked their tickets back to Nigeria a day before the Nigeria-Cote d’Ivoire quarterfinal match because they believed the Eagles will be eliminated and even when the Eagles produced a heroic performance and eliminated the Elephants, the officials attributed it to mere luck. “Keshi pondered on his resignation before the final and I was not surprised that he tendered the letter after the game,” the source said.

“I don’t think the NFF has treated Keshi well; even when it was obvious that the coach was on the verge of leading the team to a great feat, he did not get the support of his employers. After the final match on Sunday, some NFF officials visited Keshi in his room in a hypocritical display of solidarity, but the coach walked them out of the room because they never believed in him. Normally, Keshi was expected to join the celebration in the hotel court, but he decided to stay alone in his room because he felt the people that employed him did not believe in him.”

The source revealed that before accepting to change his mind, the Sports Minister promised Keshi would be given a free hand to do his job, while all the money owed him would be settled immediately. He also promised a good accommodation in Abuja, and other appurtenances of his office.

The Nigerian government has already started making good the promises as Keshi received N10 million yesterday at State House during the official reception offered the Eagles by President Jonathan. In addition, he was conferred with the nation’s fourth ranking national honor – Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has finally confirmed that national coach, Stephen Keshi has not received salary for five months, dating back to when he won the African Cup of Nations in February.

Speaking with BBC Sport, NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu said the situation is still under control, as the coach hasn’t yet made an official complaint.

“Between the federation and the coaching crew, we don’t have a problem. Obligations to the coaching crew are always settled, and we have the understanding of the coaching crew in this regard,” Ahmadu said.

“We’ve been working together with Stephen Keshi since November 2011 and he knows the peculiar situation of how things are with the federation. We try as much as possible to pay our obligations, likewise the coach, and we’ve had a very good working relationship. I know the coach will not bring to the fore any such matters.”

Similarly, Assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi and Goalkeeper Trainer Ike Shorunmu have not being paid.  And Ahmadu believes people should refrain from making a mountain out of the mole hill 

“Perhaps there are people out there that want to capitalise on such matters to create problems between the federation and the coach,” he said. 

“But I know that obligations to the coaching crew are always settled, and we do have the understanding of the coaching crew in this regard. We appreciate that understanding and right now the focus is not about what is being written in the media but it is on the CHAN qualifiers.” 

Meanwhile, the home-based Super Eagles led by Keshi trumped Cote d’Ivoire 4-1 on Saturday in a 2014 CHAN qualifier with goals from Gambo Mohammed and Ifeanyi Edeh sandwiched between a Sunday Mba brace. The second leg holds in Abidjan in another three weeks.

Arsenal forward, Theo Walcott has signed a new three-and-a-half year deal worth £100,000 a week with the London club.

The deal ends weeks of speculation about the future of the 23-year-old who is the club’s top scorer yet this season, after he turned down a £75,000-a-week offer last August.

Earlier in the season, Wenger had secured new contracts for Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson. Joining Walcott to the list gives him a lot of happiness.

“We are all delighted that Theo has signed a new contract,” he said. “He joined us as a 16-year-old, and since then has developed very well to become an extremely important player for both Arsenal Football Club and England.

He described Walcott has a strong player and also a great person, saying the combination of his ability and pace makes him such a valuable asset either from the flanks or down the middle.

“Theo’s contract extension now gives us a strong nucleus of ambitious young players who have committed to the club and want to be successful with us as a group,” he added.

Walcott himself expressed happiness at extending his Arsenal career despite reported interest from the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

"I am very happy to have signed a new contract here,” he said. “Thanks to everyone for their continued support — the manager, everyone at the club and, most importantly, the fans.

“I have made it clear from the start that I wanted to stay at Arsenal, so I am pleased we have agreed a deal that everyone is happy with. What’s important now is for the team to realise its potential and win trophies.”

 

This writer resisted being drawn into a public political discussion recently, but can clearly state his minds on unbecoming events by some officials of a political party based on allegations that that would wake-up a dead soul. This writer woke up at exactly 2:58AM singing an old tune by Ebenezer Obey that says, “Oja Oyingbo ko mo pe enikan o wa o” meaning, Oyingbo market doesn’t know if someone didn’t come and it took a long time to go back to sleep because of certain reality in applying the song to the current spate of events in Nigeria. From allegation of dollars everywhere being thrown away by a certain contestant of a party in the upcoming election to reckless security damnation by some citizens. Of course that song has become relevant to some political party, not just the ruling party because the suffering of the people, the austere environment, the dollar rising prices and the tagging of being corrupt mean absolutely nothing to some of these election contestants.

Allegation in respect of doling out dollars was that the contestant were providing incentives to the voters to compromise their voting power and of course, legally speaking both the offeror and the offeree of the incentive will be determined to have acted contrary to law of the land. This writer was never approached nor would he entertain such corrupt practice, but going by the actions of his colleagues in sports environment, it is very easy to jump to the wrong conclusion. Some of these people admitted openly to this bribery for vote agenda without any reservation and this is abnormal actions which must CHANGE.

Ideally, the penalty for these actions is jail time to both receiver and the payer and of course there may not be enough space in prisons to accommodate all of them, but as a deterrent to some of these people must serve jail terms or public flogging. At this juncture, it must be asked, where does the scarce dollars come from? Postulation exists that the monies were from federal purse or ill-gotten gains but is that source anything for a debate or rather the reasoning behind why such wasteful spending occurred without the political party base of such individuals calling such persons to order. The image this writer sees from such actions can be framed metaphorically, as an individual being accused of being a thief and during such accusation the individual was observed pickpocketing one of the accusers wallet while standing. This cannot be good for the spirit of democracy or the nation’s interest.

 Another issue of concern is the potential explosive situation where certain militants from the south-south to the southwest who appeared to be brandishing dangerous weapons at some individuals while protesting against the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and outright calling for his sack. Unfortunately, there is no proof of a link to any political party as their sponsor, but they admittedly announced their support for the ruling party. This writer would have expected the ruling party leaders to renounce the actions of these groups, but the party has yet to do so and until then the voters’ insinuation and allegation that those groups were sponsored remained valid. The fear is the action of these groups when the election takes place or decision is announced for the March 28 election.

Certainly these events cannot be regarded as usual electioneering rather they are despicable criminal acts in motion and the key question is where the Attorney General is? Or why the security agencies failed to respond? Either way, no one can say with all honesty, they condoned the actions of the groups not because of right of protest, but brandishing of weapons without police authority, this writer imagines. Strange things, strange happenings, strange people and all these MUST CHANGE.

I rest for now.                                                                                      

Dr. Rashid A. Balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.), LLM(London)

...As FG Introduces Use Of MRI Scanners for Athletes

 Minister of Sport Dr. Tanmmy Danagogo has vowed to deal decisively with any coach or official who takes encourages athletes to use banned performance enhancing substances in Nigeria.

Danagogo issued the warning on Thursday in his first official reaction to the doping  allegation on teenage weightlifter Chika Amalaha, in the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. He also said the country would introduce the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as condition for double checking the status of athletes before any major competition.

"I will ensure the use of MRI scanning devices amongst other measures, as routine on our age-grade players, and pre-competition drug-test regime on athletes generally," Danagogo said.

He warned of severe consequences for any officials and coaches  who are found guilty of encouraging or condoning cheating of any kind.

"The reported first sample drug-test failure of our female weightlifter is very embarrassing and I feel so sad, although I am still convinced that 16-year-old Amalaha is innocent," he added.

"I hope she doesn't fail the confirmation test." 

Danagogo promised to use his office as sports minister to enshrine tenets of integrity and fair competition in the nation's sports,especially focusing on the youths.

The Cranes of Uganda have opted to play against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the friendly match ealier scheduled to be against the El Verde of Bolivia.

Bolivia withdrew from the friendly set for 26th March in Uyo, because of the fear of armed conflict and the tense political situation in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Nigerian officials said they they were shocked with the withdrawal because they had put everything in place to ensure a hitch-free game.

The friendly against the Cranes is scheduled for 25th March at the same Uyo, Akwa Ibom stadium.

With the latest development, Super Eagles captain and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama will now be able to win his 100th cap.

The 32-year-old had been named in the 28-man squad selected by Super Eagles assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi.

The withdrawal of the El Verde means that Enyeama would have to wait until Nigeria's friendly against South Africa on 29th March before earning his landmark 100th cap.

Other players named in the squad against Bolivia include, Brown Ideye, Anthony Ujah, Aalesund defender, Akeem Latifu; Watford striker, Odion Ighalo and Belgian club Gent Moses Simon.  

 

The chances of another El=Classico pitting Spanish giants, Real Madrid against their arch rivals Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley remained alive when the Spanish giants were kept apart in the draw for the quarterfinals.

Barcelona will face David Beckham’s side Paris St Germain - he is the only English player left in the competition - while Real Madrid will take on Turkish giants, Galatasaray. In the other two quarterfinals, Bayern Munich’s reward for seeing off Arsenal is a meeting with the Italian “Old Lady” Juventus, while the other German quarter-finalist, Borussia Dortmund will play Spanish side Malaga. Unlike in previous seasons, UEFA did not also make the draw for the semi-final pairings at the same time - that will now take place next month.

Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho is aiming to become the first manager to win the Champions League with three different clubs, having achieved it previously with Porto and Inter Milan. Real Madrid eliminated Manchester United after very questionable refereeing in the first knockout round and also qualified from a tough group comprising the domestic league champions of Spain, Germany, England and Holland. Galatasaray’s squad includes two former Mourinho favorites - ex-Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and former Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

Barcelona, who came from 2-0 down in the first leg of the last round to beat AC Milan 4-2 on aggregate, will come up against their former striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who now plays for big-spending French clubside, Paris St. Germain.

Fans around the world hope the matches among the last eight will be just as intriguing. Of all the clubs left standing after group play and the first knockout stage, Turkish side Galatasaray and Spanish side Malaga, who often get overshadowed by La Liga counterparts, are the most surprising.

Among the top contenders are Bayern Munich, which reached the final last season before upstart Chelsea claimed the trophy, fellow German club Borussia Dortmund and the two Spanish giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid. The first legs will be played on either April 2 or 3 and will be followed by the second legs the next week, on either April 9 or 10.

Meanwhile, the three English teams remaining in the Europa League were kept apart in the quarter-final draw. Tottenham appeared to be handed the easiest draw after being paired with Swiss side Basle, while Newcastle will play Benfica from Portugal and Turkish side Fenerbahce will face Lazio of Italy.

Rubin Kazan will be tough opponents for Rafa Benitez’s Chelsea team. The Russian side has already knocked out two Spanish teams - holders Atletico Madrid in the round of 32 and Levante, winning 2-0 after extra time. Rubin Kazan were unbeaten in a tough group that include Inter Milan, and are particularly strong defensively, having conceded only three goals in 10 European matches.

Spurs’ opponents Basle scraped into the quarter-finals after Russian side Zenit St Petersburg missed a late penalty against the 10-Swiss side.

The prospect of an all-German or an all-Spanish European Champions League final next month remained alive after Friday's semi-final draw. Last year's beaten finalists Bayern Munich, who have already secured the Bundesliga title, take on Spanish league leaders Barcelona.

In the other match, Borussia Dortmund will play Real Madrid, as representatives of Europe's current dominant footballing powers go head-to-head. The first leg matches will be played on April 23 and 24, with the return games on April 30 and May 1.

But with the Spanish and German teams kept apart when European football's governing body UEFA made the draw for the last four, the Wembley showpiece could just as easily feature yet another Germany-Spain clash.

Remarkably, the four semi-finalists can boast a total of 18 European titles between them. Real lead the way with nine victories, although their last success dates back to 2002. Their arch-rivals Barcelona and Bayern both have four and Borussia weigh in with their single victory in 1997 when they upset favourites Juventus 3-1 in the final.

Neutral fans were probably hoping for a Bayern v Barcelona final, promising a feast of football between arguably the continent's two top teams of the moment. The semi-final is given added piquancy in that former Barca coach Pep Guardiola is to take over the helm at Munich's Allianz Arena next year.

But Jupp Heynckes, the man he is to replace, will have reason enough of his own for wanting to reach the final -- and not simply in order to bow out on a winning note in London. He will no doubt also be hoping that Real win through to the Wembley showdown, as a fitting way to bring down the curtain on his long and distinguished coaching career against the side he led to the European crown in in 1998, bringing the Madrid giants their first title in the competition in more than 30 years.

Bayern, having comprehensively dispatched Juventus in the last round, again have home advantage first but are unlikely to find the Barca defence as porous as the Italians, who shipped four goals without reply over the two legs. However, if they are to reach their third final in four years, Bayern will have to do so without the services of leading scorer Mario Mandzukic, who is suspended for the first leg.

Barcelona, in their sixth semi-final in as many years, showed just how reliant they are on World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi in their hard-fought quarter-final triumph over Paris Saint Germain, eventually prevailing on away goals. But they needed the less-than-fully-fit Messi to come off the bench in the second leg in Barcelona to orchestrate the equaliser on the night that saw them through.

Jose Mourinho's Real are unlikely to relish the thought of another trip to Dortmund in this season's competition.In the group stages, the Germans overran Real 2-1 and then earned a deserved 2-2 draw in Madrid to finish top of the group.

And the way Real struggled to overcome game Galatasary, losing the away leg 3-2, while Dortmund were getting the better of another Spanish side Malaga with two late goals, will doubtless set the alarm bells ringing in the Spanish capital.

There is also the little matter of the bitter memory of their last German semi-final opponents, Bayern, who beat them on penalties at the same stage of the competition last season. The first leg matches will be played on April 23 and 24, with the return games on April 30 and May 1, with the final at Wembley stadium in London on May 25.

Meanwhile, in the EUROPA League semi-finals, Chelsea was drawn against Swiss side Basel while Turkish giants Fenerbache will face one of the competition favorites, Benefica of Lisbon.

After the exit of all the English Premiere League representatives -- Chelsea FC,  Manchester City and Arsenal FC -- from the UEFA Champions League at the round of 16 on Wednesday, the stage is now set for the remaining teams to move on to the quarter finals.

The draws for the quarter final fixtures took place  in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday, ahead of actions in the game which will commence on 14th April.

Spanish league, La Liga is dominating with representatives at the moment, with three of its strongest teams -- Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid -- still in the run.

Others remaining in the run are, Saint-Germain, Juventus, Monaco and Bayern Munich.

Below is the draw for actions to commence on 14th April:

 Paris Saint-Germain vs. Barcelona

  • Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid
  • FC Porto vs. Bayern Munich
  • Juventus vs. AS Monaco

 

Manchester City and Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Yaya Toure has been named the 2013 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) African Footballer of the Year.

After being nominated for the fifth straight year but only winning it for the very first time, Yaya could not hide his delight at fending off competition from Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Burkinabe Jonathan Pitroipa, and the Nigerian due of John obi Mikel and Victor Moses.

 “Thank you to all the fans around the world who continue to support me and who love me a lot”, BBC quoted Yaya as saying.

“I’m very proud; I’m very happ; this award is amazing. It’s the fifth time in a row and this time is very special”.

After Toure received the award at Manchester City’s Carrington training ground on Monday, Current Affairs Editor of BBC Africa, Vera Kwakofi spoke highly of the Ivoirian.

“We are pleased for Yaya Toure that he has finally won the BBC African Footballer of the Year on his fifth nomination for the award”, Vera said. “This shows the high esteem in which he is held by lovers of African football and the respect the fans have for his exploits for club and country”.

Toure is also in the running for the 2013 Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Footballer of the Year, an award he has won in the last two years. And should he win this time, he would have equalled Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o’s feat of winning in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

FC Barcelona Club's Medical Services have announced that FC Barcelona's manager has suffered a parotid ailment relapse. Tito Vilanova will undergo surgery on Thursday

The Club’s Medical Services have issued the following medical report on the health of FC Barcelona’s manager, Francesc ‘Tito’ Vilanova:

“An extension of the pathology has been detected in [Vilanova’s] parotid gland. The manager requires surgery which he will undergo this Thursday. He is expected to remain in hospital for three to four days.

After the surgery, Francesc ‘Tito’ Vilanova will undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatment for approximately six weeks. During this time, and depending on how well he recovers, Vilanova’s treatment may be compatible with his normal schedule.

In line with the patient’s wishes, we urge respect and privacy during this process.”

Club president Sandro Rosell confirmed on Friday that the 44-year-old will undergo further cancer treatment, making it "impossible for him to continue as coach"

Tito Vilanova has resigned as coach of Barcelona, the club has confirmed.

 Rumors emerged on Friday that the 44-year-old, who took over from Pep Guardiola prior to the 2012-13 season, was set to step down from his role after suffering another setback in his battle against ill-health.

 Club president Sandro Rosell and director of football Andoni Zubizarreta called a press conference at Camp Nou on Friday evening, where they confirmed Vilanova must undergo further cancer treatment which would make it "impossible" for him to continue in his role.

 "After looking at routine tests, there is [now] an option to continue treating his disease which means it will be impossible for him to continue as first-team coach of FC Barcelona," Rosell told reporters. "I want to ask for the maximum respect for him and his family.

 "We have got together with all of the players and the coaching staff and we have decided not to play tomorrow in Poland [in a friendly against Lechia Gdansk]. It is a very big blow, a huge blow. But Barcelona has overcome many obstacles in in its history and this will be no exception."

 The Barcelona squad, including Lionel Messi, was present in the front two rows of seats of the press conference as Rosell delivered the news.

Just four days to the 10th May deadline for the submission of final list of players selected to represent their countries at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Super Eagles chief coach Stephen Keshi, has released his 30-man list.

Keshi released the list on Tuesday, after a three-hour meeting with the Nigeria Football Federation Technical Committee at the Glass House in Abuja.

Names on the list are:

Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Victor Moses, Emanuel Emenike, Victor Nsofor, Osaze Odemwingie, Michael Babatunde, Nnamdi Oduamadi and Nwofor Uche in the attack.

John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Ejike Uzoenyi (Rangers Int’l), Sunday Mba, Gabriel Rueben, Nosa Igiebor, Joel Obi, and Michael Uchebo in the midfield.

Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Kenneth Omeruo, Joseph Yobo and  Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars) in defence.

Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim (Gombe Utd), Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves) in goal.

Keshi disclosed that all the players on the list would resume in camp by 26th May where the final 23 will be selected and made public by 2nd June. 

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will not begin their final preparations for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup until 26th May 2014, as most of the team’s players would still be involved with their clubs until then.

According to Ademola Olajire, the assistant director of communications of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the players will be busy with their clubs until the middle of May, after which the team can then begin serious preparation for the tournament.

“The players are expected to arrive at the team’s camp in the U.S. on 26th May 2014, two days to the international friendly with Scotland”, he revealed.

“Right now, the players are still committed to club activities until the second week of May when most the leagues in Europe will end. The players will have about two weeks’ rest period before the deadline for arrival in camp”.

He also spoke on the intensity of competition for places in the team, saying the players understand that they have to do their all to impress Coach Stephen Keshi or miss out on the plane to Brazil.

Still on the World Cup, club managers in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) have urged Keshi to spend time watching matches in the domestic league in order to discover more players.

“Talented players abound in the league and can still be identified if Keshi adequately monitors the competition”, Chairman of Enyimba International FC of Aba, Mr. Felix Anyansi-Agwu said.

“We have good players in the league with what Nigeria did at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa last January”.

Similarly, General Manager of Rangers International FC of Enugu, Mr Paul Ozor urged Keshi to scout for more home-based players, who could be placed on standby ahead of preparations for the World Cup.

“The players that were taken to the 2014 CHAN were not the best the country could produce”, Ozor said. “The World Cup is a different ball game. It is where the country’s best players will be needed”.

 

The Super Eagles will on Thursday, Dec. 27 depart for Faro in Portugal via  Accra, Ghana for the final phase of their preparation for the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

The team would on Thursday morning in Abuja have their last training session in the local camping phase of their preparations.

The team of players, coaches and other members would then depart same day by 3 p.m for Accra.

Team head coach Stephen Keshi told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that players who would not be making the trip to Portugal would be decamped on Thursday.

“It’s a shame that we can’t take all of them to Faro, but what they have done here shows that they are true professionals.

“This is the type of high level commitment that I am looking for, especially when players know that they are not going to travel and they still put in their best.

“It breaks my heart that I can’t take everyone of them to Portugal, but it’s good that they gave a good account of themselves for the future,’’ Keshi said.

The Super Eagles would play a friendly match with Catalonia on Jan. 2 as part of their build-up for the 2013 AFCON, otherwise known as the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Eagles are in Group C alongside defending champions Zambia, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso for the competition’s 29th edition scheduled for Jan. 19 to Feb. 10 in South Africa.

Our governments have spent billions of naira over time to promote a positive image for Nigerians everywhere.  Regrettably, the popular perception of the Nigerian character remains that of greed, self-interest and other such antisocial escapades.  The promoted brand of "Good People, Great Nation" never really took off, and it has become clear that neither catchy slogans nor sexy packaging can change public perception of what is intrinsically a bad product!  Ultimately, our football team's derisive nickname of 'Super Chickens' became a neater fit of our national image than our own self-invention of 'Giant of Africa'; consequently, most foreigners believed that nothing good could come out of this supposedly 'cursed' land!

The question then is, how did the Super Eagles against all odds win the coveted elusive ‘Africa Nation's Cup’, with qualities and focus supposedly alien to the Nigerian character?  With our tradition of tardy preparations, inadequate funding and poor team selection, how did the shrubs we sowed transform into sweet-smelling roses?

As we celebrate the unexpected exploits of the Super Eagles, we may also draw lessons from the performances of the following three members of the team; Stephen Keshi’s exemplary leadership, the indomitable spirit of home grown Sunday Mba and also, the dynamite and humble enigma called Victor Moses!

Undoubtedly, unity, cohesive teamwork, strong determination to succeed, utmost self-belief, and a driving hunger for personal glory and honour to the fatherland produced the Eagles’ unexpected success! 

Keshi's courageous leadership was certainly a major factor in the AFCON victory; his team list was based on the perceived fighting and winning mentality of each player and the readiness of his selection to play according to instructions.  Indeed, Keshi, himself maintained that individual skills alone do not win such tournaments, and in spite of intense pressure, he remained undaunted and unapologetic for leaving out some star players; for Keshi, merit without consideration of ethnic affiliations or federal character was the benchmark for team selection!

The Coach consistently took full responsibility for his team's shortcomings, without overtly apportioning blame to anyone!  Consequently, he earned his players’ respect and their resolve to give 101 per cent in every match.  Keshi, in return, showed genuine fatherly concern and motivated his players.

Meanwhile, unknown to Nigerians, Keshi was silently hurting; but despite unpaid salary arrears and other official deprivations, he refused to moan but instead encouraged Nigerians to have faith in the team’s ability, and confidently remained upbeat about fulfilling his contract terms to take the Super Eagles to the semi-finals of AFCON 2013,!

Curiously, also, unknown to most Nigerians, midway through the tournament, the Football Federation had allegedly threatened to summarily sack Stephen Keshi if he refused to accept a foreign technical adviser as his boss; in response, Keshi offered to voluntarily resign as Coach immediately after the Super Eagles unexpectedly beat the star-studded tournament favourites, Ivory Coast!  Consequently, Keshi’s dedication of the victory to all African Coaches and the subsequent aborted resignation were clear statements of protest! 

Fortunately, the Eagles camp remained unusually convivial and harmonious despite the distractions!  The excellent team spirit was no doubt a testimony of  resilience and the matured leadership skills of Coach Keshi; an attribute that has unfortunately been absent in the affairs of our nation for too long!

Keshi's effortless response to questions in both English and French must have endeared him not only to French speaking Africans, but also to those Nigerians, who cringe at the poor performance of our national leaders in front of international media. 

In similar vein, Nigerians witnessed the amazing exploits of Sunday Mba, one of six domestic players in Keshi's 23-man team.  The unusually high quota of local content was justified by the excellent performances of Mba and other homegrown players.  Mba certainly lifted the spirits of most Nigerians with his two mesmerizing winning goals against Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals and Burkina Faso in the finals respectively; better-known international icons like Pele and Maradona would have been proud to have scored either goal.  Indeed, despite technical and capacity limitations locally, there are undoubtedly many more Mbas, loaded with the ‘Nigerian Spirit’, waiting to explode in the service of our country in various fields of endeavour whenever the enabling economic environment presents itself.

Mba's electric performance and Keshi's success sent out a strong message that the object of our expensive foreign travails may actually have remained idle in the pockets of our 'shokoto'.  This same syndrome of lack of belief in ourselves, and the cringing adoration for everything foreign, even when the imported quality is inferior can still be observed in all facets of governance and corporate management in our country!

Finally, we cannot comment on the apparent total commitment of Victor Moses to the national team’s success without a twitch of guilt or at best some embarrassment.  Indeed, after his petulance in retaliation to tackles in the pre-tournament match against Cape Verde, it was unlikely that the same player would win the fair-play award in the final match of AFCON 2013.  Moses certainly responded positively to the reformative chiding by a very unhappy Coach Keshi after the Cape Verde match, as the young man subsequently rode more vicious tackles without any visible emotional outburst in the six AFCON matches played by the Super Eagles!  Despite the threatening injury he sustained in the earlier match against Mali, Moses went on to give a superlative account of himself also in the finals.

Surprisingly, Victor had a choice to play for England and ultimately enjoy the same cult status of key players in the English team, but it is to his credit and his sense of loyalty that he chose, instead, to play for his fatherland; unknown to most Nigerians, the parents of this young man were mindlessly murdered in the mayhem that followed the aborted Abuja Miss World Beauty Contest in 2002!  Painfully, the perpetrators of that heinous act remain free; Victor Moses may never forget the brutal separation from his parents, but for him to have given so much of himself to Nigeria in the AFCON 2013 tournament, the young man must have found it in his heart to forgive his countrymen!

Nigerians everywhere thank the Super Eagles, the team's support staff and travelling fans for burnishing our national image and delivering on their promise to put a smile on the faces of longsuffering compatriots; however, we also pray that our smiles become a wider grin at the Confederation Cup in June!  Good Luck!

 

By Henry Boyo

 

 

 

Having been found guilty of biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in Tuesday's World Cup clash in Natal Uruguay's striker Luis Suarez has on Thursday been banned from all soccer-related activity for four months.

He was also been banned from nine international matches and he is required to pay a fine of 82,000 euros.

The ban was proclaimed in a FIFA statement released on Thursday.

The statement read:

The player Luis Suarez is to be suspended for nine official matches. The first match of this suspension is to be served in the upcoming FIFA World Cup fixture between Colombia and Uruguay on 28th June 2014. The remaining match suspensions shall be served in Uruguay's next FIFA World Cup match(es), as long as the team (remains in the competition), and/or in the representative team's subsequent official matches.

The player Luis Suarez is banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of four months. A stadium ban is pronounced against the player Luis Suarez in accordance with article 21 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code as follows:

The player Luis Suarez is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium during the period of the ban.

The player Luis Suarez is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium in which the representative team of Uruguay is playing while he has to serve the nine-match suspension. The player Luis Suarez is ordered to pay a fine in the amount of 100,000 Swiss Francs.

Claudio Sulser, the chairman of the FIFA disciplinary committee, said the panel had taken into account all the factors in the case. It means Suarez will miss the rest of the World Cup and the start of the new Premier League season with Liverpool.

 

Former executives of the Nigerian Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, Barrister Christoher Green, Barrister Musa Amadu and Alhaji Shehu Dikko have threatened a court action against the State Security Service (SSS) and the Police over what they described as “incessant invitations and unlawful detention” if they do not desist from the act.

In a letter sent to the concerned parties, the former executives, represented by Festus Keyamo chambers urged the authorities to desist from harassing his client’s in order not to undermine the authority and jurisdiction of the court which is now seised of this matter.

The letter read: “We are counsel to Alhaji Aminu Maigari, Barrister Christopher Green, Barrister Musa Amadu and Alhaji Shehu Dikko (hereinafter referred to as ‘our client’) and on whose instructions we write to you.

“Our client informed us that upon their arrival from the FIFA World Cup Competition in Brazil on 4th July, 2014, they were arrested by your men and operatives and detained at the SSS headquarters. Our clients further briefed us that subsequently, they have been receiving series of invitations from both the State Security Service and the Nigeria Police and that when they honour those invitations despite their busy schedules, they are detained for hours without any information as to the reason for their invitation.

“Owing to the foregoing and acting on our clients’ instructions, we have instituted an action in the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking declarative and injunctive reliefs for the enforcement of our clients’ fundamental rights. Find attached the court processes.

“We are by this letter giving you notice of the pendency of this suit and respectfully urging you to desist from carrying out any action that will undermine the authority and jurisdiction of the court which is now seised of this matter. Please find attached a copy of the originating processes in this suit.

“We hope you realise that any action on your part in form of continuous invitations, harassments, arrests and detentions will undermine the authority of the court in this regard.

“We understand that these various harassments are designed to scuttle the Nigerian Football Federation Congress slated for the 30th of September, 2014 in Warri, Delta State, and your actions are at the behest of those who intend to scuttle the congress as they do not mean well for Nigerian Football. Kindly note that if your actions precipitate a crises that bungles the Congress, our clients shall not be held responsible for any fate that befalls our football from FIFA.

“We look forward to your co-operation in the circumstance.

Friday, September 26, 2014

1. The Director-General,

State Security Service,

Aso Drive,

Abuja.

2.The Inspector-General of Police,

        Force Headquarters,

        Louis Edet House,

        Central Area,

        Abuja.

Dear Sir,

INCESSANT INVITATIONS AND UNLAWFUL DETENTION OF ALHAJI AMINU MAIGARI, BARRISTER CHRISTOHER GREEN, BARRISTER MUSA AMADU AND ALHAJI SHEHU DIKKO

We are counsel to Alhaji Aminu Maigari, Barrister Christopher Green, Barrister Musa Amadu and Alhaji Shehu Dikko (hereinafter referred to as ‘our client’) and on whose instructions we write to you.

Our client informed us that upon their arrival from the FIFA World Cup Competition in Brazil on 4th July, 2014, they were arrested by your men and operatives and detained at the SSS headquarters. Our clients further briefed us that subsequently, they have been receiving series of invitations from both the State Security Service and the Nigeria Police and that when they honour those invitations despite their busy schedules, they are detained for hours without any information as to the reason for their invitation.

Owing to the foregoing and acting on our clients’ instructions, we have instituted an action in the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking declarative and injunctive reliefs for the enforcement of our clients’ fundamental rights. Find attached the court processes.

We are by this letter giving you notice of the pendency of this suit and respectfully urging you to desist from carrying out any action that will undermine the authority and jurisdiction of the court which is now seised of this matter. Please find attached a copy of the originating processes in this suit.

We hope you realise that any action on your part in form of continuous invitations, harassments, arrests and detentions will undermine the authority of the court in this regard.

We understand that these various harassments are designed to scuttle the Nigerian Football Federation Congress slated for the 30th of September, 2014 in Warri, Delta State, and your actions are at the behest of those who intend to scuttle the congress as they do not mean well for Nigerian Football. Kindly note that if your actions precipitate a crises that bungles the Congress, our clients shall not be held responsible for any fate that befalls our football from FIFA.

We look forward to your co-operation in the circumstance.

Thank you.

Yours most trusted,

FESTUS KEYAMO, ESQ.

Head of Chambers

Management of Startimes Nigeria on Tuesday unveiled plans to bid for the hosting rights of the forthcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Director Operations, Startimes, Maxwell Loko disclosed this at a press conference held in Abuja, saying the company has injected N15bn over the past two years since its entry into the Nigerian economy, via the digital terrestrial television network otherwise known as pay television.

Loko explained that the firm is currently perfecting negotiations to acquire hosting rights to air the forthcoming African Cup of Nations. He also unveiled additional packages to be provided by the company, including DVB-T2 decoder, M50 Mobile TV phone and the launch of the Door-to-Door service.\

According to Loko, the DVB-T2 technology’s unique advantage is its ability to offer more educative, informative and entertaining programmes, one frequency having the capacity for 25 channels.

Loko explained that the latest introduction places Nigeria at the same level with other African countries like Kenya, Mozambique and Uganda where, Startimes had introduced the technology.

"Besides the African Cup of Nations, which will be provided on the bouquet for Nigerians to enjoy, the Startimes DVB-T2 decoder will gather over seventy channels of great sport, music, movies, news, kids and teens entertainment, documentary, religion and lots more,” he assured.

“Other exciting channels to join the T2 decoder channel list soon are WAP TV, EuropeSports News, Africa Movie Channel, A Music Channel (AMC), Business TV, Freshwave among others.”

Loko also noted that the company has captured 16 states and promised that the expansion programme will establish its presence in 15 other states 

The Chinese company, currently sharing partnership with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), described terrestrial broadcasting all over the world as being capital-intensive.

On his part, Chief Operating Officer of Starttimes, Joshua Wang reiterated that the focus of the company is beyond profit-making but rather the challenge of achieving its corporate social responsibility, especially in relation to migration policy from analogue to digital broadcasting in the country.

“Our mission is to ensure that every home in Nigeria enjoys affordable digital entertainment backed by the collaboration with NTA, a strategic partnership that will help Nigeria in actualising its 2015 transition deadline,” he added.

The Minister of Sports Dr. Tammy Danagogo has waded into the brewing crisis between the Super Eagles and the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the world football governing body's $8 million allocation to the federation.

The players had protested to the NFF Chairman Alhaji Aminu Maigari, in the United States (US) demanding their own share of the money and threatened that should the federation refuse to pay them the money they were not going to play in the opening match of the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

But it was gathered that the NFF claimed that they have only received $1 million from FIFA out of the $8 million with which they have been organising friendly matches and pre-world cup preparations. It was also gathered that in addition to the FIFA $1 million, the Federal Government gave the NFF N850 million out of the N1.4 billion total budget for the tournament.

In a meeting held between Danagogo and Maigari, at the Maksoud Plaza Hotel, Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Monday evening, the minister charged the NNF boss to negotiate with the team to be able to reach an agreement so that the players' morale would be boosted during the tournament.

The minister was of the view that the welfare of the team should be paramount during the tournament adding that if they are not treated well and made happy, they may just go into the tournament and perform badly.

“They are the reasons why Nigeria is participating in the tournament and we should do everything within our powers to ensure that we do our best for the team," Maigari said.

He pledged to also personally appeal to the players to put the interests of the nation first during the tournament.

Meanwhile, Dr. Danagogo and Alhaji Maigari would be on ground to receive the Super Eagles team on arrival from Miami, United States (US), in Sao Paulo, on Tuesday by 8.30pm local time.

The team is expected to fly aboard an American Airline flight from the Miami International Airport and land at the Guarulhos International Airport, Sao Paulo.

On arrival, the team is expected to drive by road to their training ground in Campinas, about an hour from Sao Paulo.

The Super Eagles will play Iran in its World Cup opening match on June 16 before playing Bosnia-Herzegovina, June 21 and Argentina June 26.

Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has constituted a panel to probe the crisis over match allowance involving Super Eagles of Nigeria players in Namibia.

 The footballers had rejected the allowance approved for them by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) after two away games with the national teams of Kenya and Namibia, towards qualifications for the World Cup. As a result of the protest, the footballers initially refused to board the plane to Brazil to participate in the FIFA Confederations Cup.

The NFF had offered to pay $5000 for a win and $2500 for a draw, but the players insisted on getting $10,000 for a win and $5000 for a draw. The disagreement was resolved by the intervention of the honourable minister who got additional funds to make up for the shortfall proposed by the NFF.

The panel will be chaired Mr. Segun Adeniyi, Chairman of Thisday Editorial Board and former Special Adviser to late President Umar Yar’Adua. He was also a member of the Presidential Task Force set up to ensure Nigeria’s qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

Other members of the panel are Onoche Anibeze, Group Sports Editor, Vanguard Newspaper; Aisha Falode, sports administrator; Shehu Dikko, member of the League Management Company; Akin Oshuntokun, former MD of News Agency of Nigeria; and Garba Lawal, former Super Eagles player.

The terms of reference of the panel are to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crisis over the match bonus, develop a code of conduct for players on national assignments, and any other recommendations that may be deemed necessary.

The panel, which would be inaugurated on Thursday 11th July 2013, has two weeks to submit its report.

Roberto Mancini, Manchester City boss called for more respect at his press conference on Monday following questions about his future at the club.

Hear him:

"Why do you keep asking me about last month and last season? Why do you keep asking me about last year?" he asked reporters.

"People should have more respect for me and the players at the club."

It was revealed last week that Mancini had spoken to "seven or eight" clubs last season when it looked like the Premier League title would slip away from Manchester City's grasp.

When asked whether he could understand the supporters' unease at the situation, Mancini responded furiously.

"I stayed here, my work is here. I believe in the future of this team. For 15 years the club won nothing and now we've won the Premier League and FA Cup in two years," he said.

He added, "I come here and I am polite and I answer your questions. Every year I may have one or two situations where I could leave the club but I want to stay here and work here."

Mancini's men faces Ajax at the Etihad Stadium in a must win Champions League fixture on Tuesday night but the Italian has conceded that it’s still too early for them to be contenders for the European title.

"In the future it will be easy," Mancini continued. "But what I've had for the first three years is a new team. That's not so easy."

The Italian has a selection headache for the visit of Ajax, with injuries piling up at the club. Mancini confirmed that defenders Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards and Maicon are all injured, while Kolo Toure is not registered for the Champions League.

The Blues are also struggling in midfield as Jack Rodwell, James Milner and David Silva are all still unavailable, though Javi Garcia is back from injury, after making a substitute's cameo against West Ham.

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