ubamobile

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Fri, Jul

Didier Drogba, former Chelsea striker has disclosed that he hopes to train with the West London club following the conclusion of the Chinese Super League season.


Shanghai Shenhua finished a lowly ninth in the CSL, after the Ivorian's eight goals in his first 11 games came too late to save his new club's domestic season. With the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations approaching, the 34-year-old is keen to maintain sharpness and is hoping his former club will help him to do so.

"It will first be necessary that I ask permission to Shanghai and Chelsea also,” Drogba told France Football. “Then, if everyone agrees, it is possible that I will go and train there until the African Cup starts."

Drogba went on to dismiss claims that he was ready to leave China due to a salary dispute as "absolutely false."

"It is absolutely false that I have been paid late at any point - I've never had this problem here," Drogba said.


 

 

Nigeria Coach, Stephen Keshi released the final list of the Super Eagles squad to the 2013 edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Portland Timbers of USA striker, Bright Dike, emerging the major omission from the initial 27-man contingent in camp.

Thirty-two-year captain of the team, Joseph Yobo will play in his sixth Nations Cup, which he long reckoned may be his final tournament.

Yobo began his career as a forward during the 10th FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999, which Nigeria hosted, and then went on to star for the senior team at the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 editions, four of which the country won bronze at.

A disappointed Bright Dike wished the team well and expressed hope that he would be considered for future tournaments, the World Cup especially.

“I am disappointed not to make the AFCON final list,” he said. “But I am thankful for the experience and opportunity. I was hoping to be at the tournament, that's soccer for you. Now I am looking forward to the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and the tournament itself.”

Keshi had earlier dropped Papa Idris (Enyimba, Nigeria), Kalu Uche of Reizpur in Turkey (who was injured), Rabiu Ibrahim (Kilamrock, Scotland) and Henry Uche (Enyimba, Nigeria). And on the final day Raheem Lawal, Benjamin Francis, Solomon Kwande and Heartland Fc goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi joined Bright Dike on the rejection list.

Chelsea FC of England midfielder, John Mikel Obi will join other stars of the team such as 11-year veteran goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, and experienced forward Ikechukwu Uche at the tournament.

Below is the full list:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel), and Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (SC Braga, Portugal), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel), Joseph Yobo (Fenerbache, Turkey), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria), Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands), and Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy), Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway), and Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria), Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine), and Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

 

 

An attempt to bite the’ dust’ would not reflect a society norm but will certainly face the wrath of such normalcy. To be an athlete is not a norm but rather a symbol of eccentrics. Let me explain, less than 10% of our society considers themselves as athletes in their lifetime for whatever reason and majority of the population will ask for what purpose would a sprinter be running or who is pursuing him /her or why an individual is chasing after football. Gratuity / rewards showered on the individual or acceptance that the person partakes in in this endeavor is not the issue rather why less than 10% consider sports good hobby for them.

Who Controls National Sports Commission (NSC)

Few days ago this writer penned a report on observation about the consensus view that the Sports Minister Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi had been reduced below a toothless barking dog by his staffs. Strange enough every single day those staffs had been coming out to reverse his directives. Below is excerpt of one of the directive and latest verbatorial by one of his staff Dictator Ojo-Oba:

·On January 7, 2013(Guardian)

The Honorable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has directed Secretaries of the Sporting Federations to prepare their handover notes ahead of their redeployment to the Commission.

·On January 9, 2013 (Punch)

The NSC on Monday announced that the secretaries of the federations/associations are to be withdrawn and redeployed to the Commission to pave the way for the employment of new secretaries from outside the government setting by the federation in what is explained as a bid to give them greater autonomy.

The minister, who was on his way to Portugal to visit the Super Eagles in camp preparatory to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup, said that there were other fresh ideas being injected to make the federations more professionally run.

·On January 22, 2013

Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi has debunked the claims that the Commission is planning to retrench all sports federation secretaries who have been redeployed to the NSC Headquarters in Abuja.

Trustsports gathered that the redeployment of the secretaries is part of the reform of the sports federations, where the federations will be empowered to appoint their own secretaries, thereby granting them greater autonomy.

Speaking at an interactive session with members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Lagos chapter at the weekend, Abdullahi made it clear that the reform is meant to make the federations function better, just as he said redeployed the secretaries would be posted to all the geo political zones of the country to administer the grassroots programme of the commission.

·On April 8, 2013 (Guradian)

Dictator Bolaji Ojo-Oba said: “So the secretaries are still in place and functional; what we have advised them is that they (sic) should prepare their handing over notes, because they will not remain in office after the new boards have been inaugurated,”

I ask, can anyone believe any new directive by the Sports Minister. I think not. Is Ojo-Oba telling Nigerians that it takes 4 months to prepare hand-over notes?  Talk about incompetency and foolishness on how Nigerians will perceive Ojo-Oba statements. Did the Minister say that those illegal secretaries should remain in office until new Boards?  I don’t think so. Is this not National Sports Confusion I wrote about last year? Is this not a palace coup? Do Nigerians care? I think they should because salaries been paid Ojo-Oba should have been directed towards athletes not him. And I ask who the hell is Ojo-Oba?

Federations’ Election is Scam, Sham and must be slammed!

Ojo-Oba who believes he is the Chairman of NSC when he announced further that the recalled NSC staffs who illegally occupied the federations’ secretariat will conduct those federations’ elections. This usurper may think he has spoken well but I hate to tell him that his pink slip at NSC is been prepared and he has just ‘gassed’-out.

Unsuspecting Nigerians would likely want to know why these Ojo-Oba statements are mere rubbish and ought to be disregarded along with its messenger, to that, I will identify few key areas where even a primary school drop-out will understand.

Firstly, any credible election demands Independent umpire and that is key requirement in conducting any election even for class prefect in schools as well as in Universities that I think Ojo-Oba holds some sport degrees. Now, why would an illegal occupier of the secretariat who also is a potential candidate is mandated to conduct an election where his / her fellow Board members are contesting? Anyone that fails to see a problem in this scenario ought to be severely ‘flogged’. If I have my way Ojo-Oba will be sent to school to learn Basic Ethics in administration.

Secondly, skills required to conduct an election must be learned and I fail to hear or see any federation secretary trained in electoral processes. I should ask, if Ojo-Oba does not know that independence is key in conducting an election then how can he comprehend that special skills are necessary? Either way it’s clear, idiocy is the only requirement because athletes are considered dumb by NSC and they failed to challenge NSC in anything, so far. I personally don’t consider any athlete dumb but I don’t understand why federations’ boards’ leadership run is not part and parcel in athletes’ quest for glory.

Thirdly, infrastructure to conduct an election (credible or not) simply does not exist although no one believes that NSC will spend less than N100 Million in salaries for its so-called illegal secretaries and many ghost workers including cats, dogs, eagles and other animals with dead men (women) names.

Fourthly, the timing is not convenient considering pending NSC Act, training for those illegal secretaries, Dictator Ojo-Oba, Sports Minister, etc. These people are never trained in conducting an election but yet an election is to take place in less than 2 weeks.

Fifthly, NSC or shall I say Ojo-Oba fails to inform Nigerians who is eligible to vote in such election, are we not to guess that only those illegal secretaries, Ojo-Oba, Sports Minister, current federations’ board members are the only ones allowed to vote. To this end I say the estimated N100Millions for this so-called election is nothing other than redistribution of the country taxpayers’ funds to the pockets of those illegal secretaries, Ojo-Oba, etc. essentially money grabs.

Moving Forward

1.Ojo-Oba must be called to order or dismissed by the Sports Minister immediately.

 2.So-called Federations’ elections must be postponed because those illegal federations’ secretaries lacked the skills to conduct any election and are not independent of those sports federations and I might add any conduct of national election will likely falls within INEC jurisdiction because it has broad powers not just derived from Nigeria constitution (on elective offices) but by any law or decree.  It is my position that independence and skills must not be toyed with, therefore, Sports Minister simply has to invite INEC to assist based on his Ministerial authority (the question is he a Minister with power).

Excerpt of INEC Act

Independent National Electoral Commission Decree (Decree No 17 of 1998)

 4. (1) The functions of the Commission shall be to-

(a) organise, conduct and supervise all the elections and matters pertaining to elections into, all the elective offices provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979, as amended or any other enactment or law;

Electoral Act of 2006 (Update)

Section 2. (1) In addition to the functions conferred on it by the 1999 Constitution, the Commission shall

have power to: (a) conduct voter and civic education.

(b) promote knowledge of sound democratic election processes.

3.The Sports Minister must seek INEC help to determine who is eligible to vote as well, failure of which, the result of such election will be scam, sham and slammed by even ghost workers.

Again, Ojo-Oba you need a serious lesson in administrative ethics, corruption, electoral processes, laws of Nigeria and many other things. I aint mad at you but I royally disagree with you.

I rest.

Dr. Rashid A. balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.),

Cross River State Government has condemned in strong terms, the purported protest by the Football Association of Malawi Chief Executive Officer, Suzgo Nyeirenda, alleging spurious claims of security challenges and substandard hotels ahead of their last Group stage World Cup Qualifier between Nigeria and Malawi slated for 7th September 2013 in Calabar.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development to Governor Imoke, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, who debunked the alleged security threat maintained that the report was untrue and unfounded and that the state is very perplexed by such a protest and demand.

 “It is common knowledge that Calabar, and indeed Cross River State is the safest and most peaceful state in Nigeria, without any incidences of acts of terrorism.  There has been no travel advisory issued against the State by any country or organization to the best of our knowledge” Ugbe explained.

He recalled that the Super Eagles, and the National U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets have played all their Qualifying matches towards AFCON 2013, Brazil 2016, and the African U-17 Championship, Morocco 2013 in Calabar, from June 2012 till date, making a total of over 9 internationally organized matches, without the city recording any security incidence.

The Commissioner maintained that,”Our hotels in Calabar and Cross River State are of World Class standard, which has increasingly attracted Conferences and events, (both national and international) to the State, making the State the No.1 tourists’ destination in the country”.

He expressed shock over the protest by Football Association of Malawi when countries like Rwanda, Liberia, Kenya, Namibia, Mali, Guinea, Niger, have played matches in Calabar in the past one year without having any cause to complain about neither the security nor the hospitality.

“It is also on record that we have hosted the FIFA World Youth Championship twice in 1999 and 2009, and on occasions, FIFA and the countries that were in the Calabar centre commended the organization and the standard of the hotels at the centre.  Newer hotels have even been built since then” he further stated.

Ugbe explained that Calabar hosts annually the biggest festival in the continent of Africa, the “Calabar Festival”, which climaxes with the biggest street party in Africa, “Carnival Calabar”, with over 500,000 revelers and spectators on the streets of Calabar, without any security challenges.

Saying, “We wish to state here clearly that Cross Riverians are peace loving and hospitable people, hence the State has become the preferred destination of choice for many, offering the warmest welcome in Africa” and asked FIFA to disregard such claims as they are baseless and without substance.

 

 

 

 

An imminent age purge in the Nigerian U-17 Golden Eaglets is threatening to hamper the country’s successful representation at this year’s edition of the U-17 World Youth Championships, billed to hold in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in October.

Officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) have recommended that players placed on Grade 5 by a recent MRI scan should be decamped rather than risking FIFA’s hammer at the championship.

FIFA accepts Grade 5 for the U-17 World Cup yet there are fears that some of the players currently on the grade could have grown past it by October when the tournament will be staged.

With the possibility that Nigeria’s MRI machine might be inferior to what would be used at UAE, NFF officials split the Grade 5 players to A and B, those in A holding a better chance of scaling the age test in Dubai.

“The final decision to do away with players on Grade 5 has thrown the Eaglets into more confusion as it means many more players will now have to be decamped,” an official, however, said.

“We don’t wish to take unnecessary risks and so this decision. It simply means the coaches have to draft capable replacements for the players to be affected by this.”

The draws for this year’s tournament will be held on August 26 in Abu Dhabi. Nigeria is one of Africa’s hopes of good participation at the final, having reached the final of the African U-17 tournament, losing only to Cote d’Ivoire on penalties

Former captain and coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Christian Chukwu has urged the Federal Government to fulfil its promise to late Thompson Oliha, who died at the weekend.

According to him, it is saddening that Oliha and all other players who won the Tunisia ‘94 Africa Cup of Nations have yet to receive government’s pledge of a house.

“To be honest, this is not too good,” he said. “He has not received the house he was promised for helping Nigeria win the Nations Cup in 1994. Now he has died, I don’t know if it is not too late for him to be given that house.”

The former assistant coach to Clemens Westerhof also spoke about the commitment of the late Oliha to the national team.

“Oliha was a perfect example in training and matches, as he was always hard working but found the time to exchange banter with players and coaches alike,” Chukwu said, adding that his death is sad and he will be sorely missed.

“He only left for Europe after the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations but even when he was based in Nigeria, he was still first-choice as the European-based players found it almost impossible to outwit him in training and matches.”

 

After Tuesday`s 3-0 defeat to Juventus, Chelsea FC Wednesday parted ways with its manager Roberto Di Matteo. The club in a statement published on its website, said,

“the team’s recent performances and results have not been good enough and the owner and the Board felt that a change was necessary to keep the club moving in the right direction.”

Full text of the statement, reads

“Chelsea Football Club has parted company this morning with Manager Roberto Di Matteo.” 

“The team’s recent performances and results have not been good enough and the owner and the Board felt that a change was necessary now to keep the club moving in the right direction as we head into a vitally important part of the season.” 

“The club faces a difficult task ahead in qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League as well as maintaining a strong challenge for the top of the Premier League while competing in three other cup competitions. Our aim is to remain as competitive as possible and challenge strongly on all fronts.”

“The owner and the Board would like to thank Roberto for all he has done for the club since taking over in March. Roberto helped guide us to an historic Champions League victory and a seventh FA Cup.”

 “We will never forget the huge contribution he has made to this club’s history and he will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge.”

 

 

 

Chelsea has announced an annual profit of 1.4 million pounds for the year ending June 30, 2012.The declaration marks the first time the Blues have made a profit since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003. The club also announced a record group turnover of 255.7 million pounds, putting the Stamford Bridge outfit into fifth in Europe in terms of generated revenue.

Chelsea’s profits in 2011-12 are a significant improvement on the club's 67.7 million pound loss for the previous financial year, while they also made a 28.8 million pound profit in the transfer market. The figures do not include the lavish investment spent on the likes of new recruits Eden Hazard and Oscar, as the money was spent in the new financial year.

However, Chelsea’s successful financial year will still not go unnoticed and was hugely attributable to the increased revenue gained from the Blues' UEFA Champions League win in May. In addition, the club was able to secure numerous commercial deals off the field, and the overall impact has delighted chief executive Ron Gourlay.

“Our club philosophy is built on success. We had that success on the field this year, as we were the first London team to win the Champions League, and we enjoyed it off the field as well and this helps us inject financial investment into the team," Gourlay said. “The big challenge is always to have a successful team on the field that wins trophies and to make a profit at the same time.

“The objectives have been set across the whole business, from the academy to Under-21s and all the way through to the first team.”

The figures place Chelsea in a much healthier position to deal with UEFA’s upcoming Financial Fair Play regulations, and chairman Bruce Buck was similarly pleased by the announcements.

“We will never forget that night in Munich and now we are celebrating serious progress off the field too," Buck said. “While we draw huge satisfaction from the achievements of the past 12 months, we are more than ever focused on continuing the story of on-field success supported by improving financial performance off the pitch.”

 

For a series of wrong calls in Wednesday’s second semi-final match between Ghana and Burkina Faso at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), Tunisian referee Slim Jdidi has earned a suspension from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Secretary-general of CAF, Hicham El Amrani, speaking at a news conference before the Burkinabe FA lodged an official appeal against Jonathan Pitroipa’s red card, revealed the disappointment of the continental body in the referee’s performance.

“There is a meeting tomorrow (Friday) to discuss the Pitroipa incident,” he said. “Pitroipa’s chances of playing in the final depend on the match report sent in by Jdidi because the organising committee does not have the power to change the referee’s decision unless the referee admits he made a mistake in his official report.”

But Gualbert Kabore, manager of the Stallions team, is hoping two-goal hero Pitroipa can still play in the final.

“The Burkina Faso Football Federation wrote an offical letter of appeal to CAF,” he said. “We lodged it in the two hours after the match as stipulated by the regulations.

“We think we have a good chance of winning the appeal.”

Continuing, he said, “There were some scandalous decisions, we don’t know why, we’re asking lots of questions; there are lots of theories.

“Curiously, the players reacted better than us [the team management staff]. They said if the referee is against us that must mean we are the stronger side.”

Referee Jdid infamously booked Pitroipa for a second time in the encounter for supposedly diving in the penalty zone and sent him out of the field but replays then showed the forward was fouled by a Ghanaian defende. Burkina Fasso also scored a legitimate goal that was disallowed while a strong penalty appeal was also turned down despite Ghana having takien the lead earlier off a controversial penalty call.

 

For fear of being attacked by Boko Haram, El Verde,  the national team of Bolivia have cancelled their friendly match with Nigeria, previously scheduled for 26th March in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

"Armed conflict and the tense political situation in Nigeria forced our withdrawal," said President of the Bolivian Football Federation, Carlos Chavez.

Commenting on the cancellation, the authorities in Nigeria  said they were shocked  by the decision, because they had already put everything in place to ensure a hitch-free game.

The game had been publicised as one in which Nigeria's Captain and goalkeeper Vinent Enyeama would have earned his 100th cap for the country.

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.  

Germany's capital will play host to the competition's showpiece for the first time in its history, with the Europa League set to be contested in Warsaw.

UEFA has announced that the 2015 Champions League final will be held in Berlin's Olympiastadion.

The stadium was built when the German capital hosted the 1936 Olympic Games but has never staged the final of Europe's top competition.

However, the continent's governing body has confirmed that the showpiece will return to Germany just three years after Chelsea claimed the title at Munich's Allianz Arena.

"I already told Michel Platini at the 2012 final in Munich that we wish to host this worldwide event again soon," German Football Federation president Wolfgang Niersbach said.

"The fact that it happened so quickly is credit to our ability to organize things and be a good host. I am looking forward to a big football party in Berlin."

Meanwhile, the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland will host the 2015 Europa League final.

The arena was built for last summer's European Championship and hosted five matches, including the opening fixture of the tournament, one quarterfinal and one semifinal.

Both the club and the Brazilian forward himself have confirmed he will formally put pen to paper on Monday and join the Camp Nou giants this summer

Barcelona has officially confirmed it has reached a deal with Santos to sign Brazilian star Neymar, who will sign a five-year contract with the club on Monday.

The forward himself also broke the news through his Instagram and Facebook accounts and revealed his appearance against Flamengo on Sunday would be his last for his boyhood club.

In a Madrid derby that went into extra time, Atletico Madrid found the back of the net twice to emerge winner of the 2012 -13 Copa Del Rey.Thus ending  fourteen years of hurt. Atletico last beat Madrid in 1999.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who was sent off via a red card, gave Real Madrid an early lead. But goals from Diego Costa and Miranda ensured that ATLETICO MADRID secured their tenth Copa del Rey title. Final scores ATM 2: RMD 1.

Erstwhile Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Shuaibu Amodu has been appointed Technical Director of the country’s football team.

Also, James Peters was appointed National Technical Director for Youth and Women Development while Kashimawo Laloko was appointed National Technical Director for Youth Development. All three coaches have been handed their letters of appointment.

Former Ethiopia Coach, Tom Saintfiet was initially appointed technical Director last year but never assumed office following opposition from a section of the country’s footballing community, leading to a revocation of his contract.

 Amodu, meanwhile, twice qualified Nigeria for the World Cup (in 2002 and in 2010) but he was sacked on both occasions before the beginning of the mundial.

One-cap Nigerian striker, Shola Ameobi has scrapped the clause in his contract that reportedly prevented his participation at the at the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa, which Nigeria won.

After the recently held FIFA Confederations Cup during which the Nigerian team proved bereft of competent striking options, National Coach Stepehen keshi reiterated his love for the Newcastle striker but said he may never again don the Green-White-Green jersey due to the clause. However, an official of the Super Eagles has now disclosed that the power-playing strike could still feature for the team.

“He said the clause has been removed and he will be ready to play for the Super Eagles anytime he is called upon,” Super Eagles official, Dayo Enebi said on Friday.

“Ameobi said he would love to play for Nigeria under Stephen Keshi because he is a good coach, and above all Ameobi is very proud to be a Nigerian and will always grab the opportunity to don the green-white colours of his fatherland.”

Excited, Keshi is already planning talks with the former England junior international, saying he has qualities and vast experience that the national team can always rely on.

 

The Golden Eaglets on Friday recorded a 3-0 win over defending champions Mexico at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi to become the most successful team in the FIFA U-17 World Cup with four titles.

The Eaglets had walloped Mexico 6-1 in their opening Group F encounter, consequently making the final a rematch that the Mexicans promised to utilise in revenging the earlier defeat.

El tri managed the first chance on goal of the encounter, when Osvaldo Rodriguez crossed from the left only for Alejandro Diaz to shoot off the right post. Then Ivan Ochoa forced the best out of Dele Alampasu with a glancing header that the keeper tipped over the bar.

However, it was the Eaglets who took the lead off a counter attack led by star midfielder Kelechi Iheanacho, who then fed the ball to striker Taiwo Awoniyi. Awoniyi in turn laid the ball for Musa Yahaha who was about to hit it when Erick Aguirre hit it into his own net.

Yahaya rattled the crossbar with a stunning effort from 20 yards much later while Awoniyi’s fantastic bicycle-kick was stopped by goalkeeper Raul Gudino.

Nigeria scored the second goal on 56 minutes, when Captain Muhammed’s swirling shot was parried by Gudino, allowing Iheanacho to stab home first time. Muhammed himself got his name on the scorers’ sheet 20 minutes from time, leaving the goalkeeper sprawling as his sublime free-kick landed in the top corner.

 

 

While the fate of the Super Eagles hangs on the balance, Ivory Coast, South Africa and (wait a minute), Cape Verde have booked their tickets for the knock-out stages.

With two points and two goals from two games played so far, Coach Stephen Keshi’s “Plan

A” of topping the group to play a quarterfinal game at Nelspruit seems to have become a luxurious desire as Keshi comes under increasing pressure for his technical and tactical options, while his selection of some players has been called into question.

Keshi however remains upbeat about the Eagle’s chances of making the round of sixteen on Tuesday in their last group game against Ethiopia; arguably the whipping boys of the group.

 

Ethiopia tops the group from the bottom having been whitewashed (0-4) by Burkina Faso in their second game. Burkina Faso needs just a draw in their last game against reigning champions Zambia who have two points and just one goal scored in their first two matches.

All the permutations show the odds are against the Super Eagles who must beat Ethiopia to ensure qualification. Since Nigeria played a (1-1) tie with both Burkina Faso and Zambia, its goal differential with the two countries is (0). Should Zambia beat Burkina Faso in their final group match and Nigeria beats Ethiopia, Zambia and Nigeria will qualify from the group with five points each. Meanwhile, if Burkina Faso beats Zambia; Nigeria will need just a draw against Ethiopia to make the knock-out stages but Ethiopia will qualify with four points by beating Nigeria.

 

In the unlikely scenario of a (0-0) tie amongst all the four teams, Burkina Faso will top the group with five points and Nigeria will still be able to sneak into the round of 16 with three points from three draws. But if Zambia plays a (2-2) tie with Burkina Faso, Nigeria is out on goal difference.

 

Ahead of Tuesday’s crucial game, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has urged the Super Eagles to redouble their efforts to qualify for the quarter finals, warning that failure to make it to the next round of the competition would be an embarrassment to the nation. “It will be a shame to the whole country if we fail to pick a quarter final ticket,” the National League’s Ahmed Kawu said in an interview.

 

Before their second match, Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi gave the players $100,000 and promised more as they progress, a motivation the players could not build on. The Federal Government had released over N700 million for the team’s preparation and participation in the tournament but as the team struggled to grab another draw against Zambia, soccer aficionados have been questioning Keshi’s technical and tactical options, including the caliber of players he assembled for the tournament.

 

Although consensus opinion agrees the team is a work in progress, of particular worry is the fitness level of some of the players for the competition, whose performance have become the source of controversy and anger. For example, team captain Joseph Yobo has been facing some fitness issues in his club and was definitely not 100% fit for this competition, yet Keshi included him.

 

Yobo, who said he was making his last appearance at the Nations Cup for Nigeria was on the bench throughout the game against Zambia. Since injury did not allow Yobo to play in some of the qualifying games, Yobo ought not to have made the final 23. It is believed Keshi included him in the squad to offer him a befitting exit from the Eagles and to recognize his services rendered to the nation.

Besides Yobo, even Gabriel Reuben was injured, yet Keshi still included his name on the list.

 

It is also hard to understand Keshi’s preference for Ahmed Musa who has not been at his best, while a player like Ikechukwu Uche has started all the first two matches from the bench. Keshi has introduced Uche late in the two games despite his good run of form, suggesting there might be some locker room issues between the coach and the player. Also, questions have arisen as to the presence of Fegor Ogude in the team, with speculations rising that Keshi like his counterparts before him, has adopted a mercantilist quid pro quo attitude of using the Nations Cup as platform to expose players and later sell them to foreign clubs for a kickback.

 

Eyebrows have also been raised over the performance of John Mikel Obi who has been anything but convincing in the midfield. Mikel Obi has not been inspiring and creative and he compounded his poor performance by losing a penalty against Zambia.

“If he had scored that goal, perhaps we could have gone two goals ahead before Zambia got their goal and in that case Nigeria would still have won. When did Mikel suddenly become a penalty player for the Eagles? He clearly showed the keeper the direction he was kicking the ball. He did the same in our last qualifier against Liberia in Calabar though he scored. Mikel is not inspiring in the midfield and he needs to up his game,” an angry supporter told Huhuonline.com at the end of the match.

Meanwhile, host country, South Africa, debutants, tiny Cape Verde and tournament favorites, Ivory Coast, have booked their tickets in the knock-out stages. After edging a gutsy Togolese side (2-1) in their first game, the Ivorians defeated Tunisia (3-0) in their second game and have Algeria, already eliminated in their third group match. Togo battles Tunisia in another make or break match for second place.

Debutants Cape Verde qualified for the last eight after coming from behind to beat Angola 2-1 in Port Elizabeth. The Angolans took the lead through an own goal from Cape Verde defender Neves. The Blue Sharks equalized with nine minutes left, after defender Fernando Varela headed in from close range.  Substitute Heldon snatched the winner in the 90th minute to secure second place in Group A behind South Africa which played a pulsating (2-2) tie with Morocco.

The bonus galore will see each player bag at least $65,000 extra should they win the trophy but the Super Eagles must first take care of Ivory Coast in one of two West African derbies that promise to generate fireworks on Sunday.  

Having already each received $30,000 for making the knock-out stages of the competition, the Super Eagles will each receive $15,000 if they beat Cote d’Ivoire and qualify for the semi-final of the 2013 AFCON on Sunday. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) disclosed that each player will earn $20,000 if they triumph in the semi-final. For victory in the finals on February 10 at the National Stadium in Johannesburg, each player will pocket another $30,000.

Guinness, the official sponsor of the Super Eagles has also made a financial commitment for goals scored at the AFCON 2013, while the Eagles are also expecting Nigeria’s richest man; billionaire business magnate, Alhadji Aliko Dangote to reach into his deep pockets after they reached the last eight. Each player received about $80,000 when Nigeria finished third at the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola.

The game against Ivory Coast will be tough, but the Super Eagles must rise up to the challenge and take their chances which will be few against an Ivorian side bookmakers consider the tournament favorites featuring an armada of stars like Didier Drogba, Gervinho, Yaya Toure, amongst others.

The quarter-finals which begin on Saturday features eight teams; seven from West Africa – Nigeria, Ivory Coast; Burkina Faso, Togo; Ghana, Cape Verde and Mali; signaling a profound domination of the 2013 edition of the tournament by West Africa. After sending the North and East Africans packing, the only outsider is the host, South Africa who play Mali in the quarter-finals. Should the Bafana Bafana lose, the semi-finals and finals will be an all-West African affair.

Ahead of Sunday’s crucial match-up, the inability to finish off teams is something Keshi has to work on in the locker room. The Eagles failed to close out their first two games from a winning position; snatching a draw from the jaws of victory against Burkina Faso who equalized with the last kick of the game to rescue a point in their opening group match. Even if the Eagles take the lead, the Ivorians will always feel there is the opportunity for a late equalizer or winner, since Nigeria has conceded late goals toward the end of their first two games.

It’s important that the Super Eagles take their opportunities, especially when facing the 1992 African champions; unarguably the dream team of the tournament. Coach Stephen Keshi needs to encourage a free-scoring tendency especially from dead ball situations like spot kicks and corner kicks because the midfield is going to be very tight in open play, so the Ivorians will be hoping to catch the Eagles napping and hit them at the break with a counter-attack.

The Elephants played to a 2-2 draw against Algeria in their last group match on Wednesday night, a match which proved to be a tough test for the Group D winners as they had to come back from being two goals down. That should tell Keshi something about the character of the Ivorian team who came back twice to beat Senegal (4-2) in the final round of qualifying matches.

Victor Moses was the hero of the day when the Eagles booked their place in the quarter-finals as he won and converted the two penalties that won the game. But that should not make him the choice penalty taker in the team. Keshi should work this out during training sessions to be ready for the eventuality of a penalty shoot-out which is mentally and psychologically draining.

However, regardless of the decision by the Egyptian referee following the controversial penalty call that gave Zambia the late equalizer against Nigeria in their second group match, the fact remains that the referee didn’t make John Obi Mikel miss the penalty, which his body language showed that he was ill-prepared to take the shot.

It was a tactical error for Mikel, who has never scored in 261 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, stepping up to take the spot kick. He hasn’t been the best option for Nigeria in this tournament, and he was obviously the wrong choice for the task. Keshi ought to have known better!

Against the Elephants of Ivory Coast, has to prove that they can dominate a game, not just put in a patchy performance and expect to win as they did against Ethiopia. Obi Mikel, despite his problems finding the net, should be shore up the midfield and control possession through the middle.

Cote d’Ivoire will be looking for its third straight win over Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations after beating the Super Eagles (1-0) in 2006, with Didier Drogba scoring the only goal, while Salomon Kalou secured another (1-0) win two years later.

On Sunday afternoon at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, the Eagles face 1992 champions Ivory Coast. The winners of this match-up will clash with the winners of the quarter-final between hosts South Africa and Mali; less fancied opponents which gives the Eagles a better shot at the finals should they overcome the Ivorians who will be a hard nut to crack.

 

 

The Super Eagles of Nigeria who began their last group match against Ethiopia as favorites clinched their quarter-final berth with a (2-0) defeat of a resilient Ethiopian side which ended the match with ten men following the expulsion of their goalkeeper, Biancha for a foul against Victor Moses who scored Nigeria’s two goals from the penalty spot.

Nigeria went into the game chasing their first win, while Ethiopia were bottom of the group with a point. The Super Eagles had their backs to the wall after drawing their first two matches against Burkina Faso and defending champions Zambia. They finished in second place in Group C with five points behind Burkina Faso with a better goal difference, having beaten Ethiopia (4-0).

Ikechukwu Uche started the match while team captain Joseph Yobo, who faced a late fitness test started from the bench and was introduced towards the end of the match.

Victor Moses scored two penalties at the 79th and 90th minutes but he scored the second with an Ethiopian player in the goal after their goalkeeper was sent off for two bookable offences. Ethiopia had already made three substitutions, so one player had to take the goalkeeper’s jersey and enter the goalposts.

When the teams last clashed, in Addis Ababa two years ago in a 2012 Nations Cup qualifying match, it ended 2-2 with Nigeria needing a last-gasp equalizer. Nigeria had won the first meeting (4-0) in Abuja.

Nigeria and Ethiopia entered the final group game knowing they both needed to find their first win in the competition to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stage. Nigeria were one of the favorites before the competition but, having conceded late equalizers in their first two games, stand third in the table behind reigning champions Zambia, and surprise package Burkina Faso.The Super Eagles have not failed to reach the last eight since 1982 in Libya, where they finished third in a group including Ethiopia and Zambia

The Super Eagles will like face tournament favorites, Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals in a match bookmakers have predicted will be a hard nut to crack for Stephen Keshi and his boys who have to up their game if they intend to make it to the semi-finals.

 

 

 

The 36 year old Egyptian referee, who officiated the match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Chipolopo of Zambia on Friday January 25th, has been dismissed from the on-going 2013 Africa Cup of Nations as a result of poor officiating.

Ghead Grisha awarded a controversial penalty to Zambia in the 85th minute which enabled them draw level in the group C match. Grisha awarded the spot kick against Onazi Ogenyi for a supposed foul on Emmanuel Mayuka. However, television replays of the tackle on the stadium scoreboard showed clearly that the offence was clearly outside the box, yet the referee went ahead to award a penalty.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF immediately sent a protest letter to the Confederation of African Football, CAF, asking the football governing body to look into the questionable call by Grisha. After reviewing the action, CAF decided that it was a bad call. “Grisha has been sent home. He will have no further action at this Cup of Nations. His decisions did not tally with best practices of the refereeing profession and we would not allow anyone to start re-writing the rules of the game here.”

“He was sent home because of his mishandling of the match. Isa Hayatou, CAF President, admitted that the penalty call by the referee was wrong. If there was a foul, it was definitely outside the 18-yard-box, and not a penalty. Referees are not allowed to re-write the rule of the game,” Hayatou was quoted to have told the Nigerian delegation.

The was jubilation in Super Eagles camp Monday afternoon as news filtered in that the Egyptian referee who awarded the dubious penalty to allow Zambia equalize has been sent home by CAF. But a top NFF official however insisted that the damage has been done and the sending away of the referee means little as it will not change the result of the match.

 

Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has congratulated the home-based Super Eagles for qualifying for the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) taking place in January 2014 South Africa.

The team qualified for the championship for the first time ever after a 4-3 aggregate win over the home-based Elephants of Cote’d’Ivoire. Although the Eagles lost the return leg 0-2 against the Ivoirians, their superior 4-1 victory in the first leg, which took place in Kaduna earlier, was good enough to ensure qualification for the team.

 The Confederation of African Football (CAF) introduced the CHAN in 2009 and it is strictly for home-based footballers in the national teams. The Honourable Minister commended the players and technical team for a job well done and assured the team of support as they proceed to the championship.  

 “I congratulate the coaching crew and all the players for the hard work, discipline and brilliance which ensured that Nigeria has qualified for the CHAN for the first time,” he said. “I am particularly pleased with the performance of the footballers who gave their best in and out of the field. This goes to show the depth and quality of the Glo Premier League.”

He also noted that the success of the team has demonstrated that the Eagles’ AFCON win was not a fluke and an indication that Nigeria is about to dominate African football for a long time to come.

 

Once upon a time, life was very valuable and cherished with minimalist tendencies, if any. Humans, animals, birds and other visible creatures roam free except for occasional predatory snipers. Yes, life was good back then because now predators are not snipers in hideout rather are in your face with knowledge that your family is watching their atrocities. Bondage I say, but God will help us out.

Case for Special Sports

The above is simply a graphic metaphor to drive home the plight of an ordinary athlete facing the continual degradation, assaults, threats and all other unbecoming conducts of so-called officials. Of course the National Sports Commission (NSC) in its (constant) sleep maintains a nonchalant attitude or ignorance towards any of such behaviors even in the event that well-meaning individuals confront it with mountainous evidences. This writer fears for the life of average special sports athlete because they keep the country image alive in all sports than our able-bodied at least for the time being.

The key point to note is that an able-bodied can seek and obtains necessary support even though may not be adequate or enough, but special sports’ athletes usually got nothing! A noted circumstance in the media recently concern an individual named Shehu Isa, who is a physically challenged individual who peddles some legitimate products at the Airport in Lagos just as other individuals. They were all driven out due to reconstruction without compensation. On the surface of this, average Nigerian will not have a problem with this scenario but a learned person will see a big discrimination written all over it for adverse effect on the physically challenged retailers. Mr. Isa cannot find alternative means of earning elsewhere and significant level owners of shops do discriminate against anyone without their physical character including physically challenged.

At no time has NSC ever declared publicly its intention to fund any special sports athlete welfare as opposed to other athletes. Furthermore, the rate of accolades given to the Sydney Olympics medalist, Blessing Okagbare and many individuals that have nothing to do with her, Coaches and other entourages though as pointed out by the majority of Nigerians as well deserved but can anyone articulate whether such praises ever gone to the families and so-called entourages of our London Olympics Paralympics GOLD MEDALISTS. To this writer, the policy of unequal treatment of the effect of a decision is discriminatory and in fact legally unsound.

The country is endowed with highly skilled legal advisers to His Excellency Mr. Goodluck Jonathan that this writer is in pain to understand how the country cannot see this adverse treatment. Good intention but bad delivery, justifying a need to slap someone silly.

The country special sports’ athletes need the nation right now before next Olympics and in some quarters some of them are already contemplating dumping the country just as other individuals.

 

New Year, New Beginning

When the media shout brain drain as reasons for the shortage of doctors but the NSC or sports officials cannot comprehend that such acknowledged phenomenon cut across all professions including sports. Again, certain states are doing their part to keep Nigerian athletes at home which is commendable and of course it is necessary to name such states, they are Delta, Lagos, Kano, Cross Rivers, Imo, Abia and a few others not in the media like Jigawa, Zamfara, Plateau. Some states strategically never announced publicly what they are doing, so it’s very difficult to suggest they are not doing anything because the results of the performances of their athletes in junior competitions were commendable. Good journalists are aware of what many states doing and that some are doing all they can for the athletes while mediocre writers are focused on propaganda for just one state simply because that state funds some of their travels and extends some monetary gains to them. This writer knows them well (however these words are interpreted).

The country must now focus on the athletes, key suggestions include:

1. Funding identified elite athletes directly from the Finance Ministry;

2. Funding local community area sports facilities directly from Finance Ministry / Public works;

3. Funding School sports program (PE aspects of the school curriculum) directly from the Education Ministry;

4. NIS must be merged with the Education Ministry;

5. The Federal Sports Facilities upgrade must be downloaded from the NSC responsibility to the Public Works mandate;

6. If the NSC is to remain a commission then at least SIX COMMISSIONERS MUST BE APPOINTED.

Political Calculation and Speculations

A news report that is essentially a propaganda tool by NSC advocating for the wreckers of sports in Nigeria to retain their political appointments as Minister, Director-General, etc. by some individuals calling themselves stakeholders headed by an individual from National Schools federations who said in advance of the President dumping Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi as Sports Minister, claimed the country needs continuity of ‘mediocrity’ where a small country like Kenya has more relevance internationally than Nigeria. To that, Mr. Mohammed (the writer believes) you are dead wrong, the country needs a rebirth in Sports where the focus is athletes not perambulators, incompetence, archaic equipment, foolish spending, duplicate agenda, weak leadership, a commission without commissioners and illegal operations.

Sani Ndanusa, the former Sports Minister and Tennis federation imposed leader also entered the propaganda bandwagon without shame. Tennis is the worst sport in Nigeria in terms of all categories of quantification whether equipment, facilities, athletes’ performance or relevance in discussion in Nigeria and Mr. Ndanusa has led this sports federation for almost 30years but yet no one is saying that his time is up not even the successive sports Ministers including the incumbent. This is really sad, where are the former ace Sadiq Abdullahi, Nduka Odizor, etc.? Those former stars ought to be ashamed of themselves for not intervening as handballers and footballers are doing just as this writer. These guys are PhD holders and some of them are respected lawyers and this writer simply can’t understand why the silence or support of sports Minister not even showing any bit of concern for Tennis.

To add further insults to Nigerians, Mr. Elegbeleye, the so-called Director-General also threw accolades to his Excellency for a job well done and this writer can then ask if Mr. President is the one doing the job, then why is the country paying Mr. Elegbeleye?

Clearly, these individuals are simply licking you know what and cannot be taken seriously. As usual, Mr. Abdullahi is AWOL in this propaganda campaign because he is now in the precarious situation of political loyalty logjam and that’s the reason of having others do the bidding for him. The writer believes the balcony closed long time ago but the replacement is another conundrum.

The Main Atrocities of NSC in 2013

NSC seized the athletics federation (AFN) control with imposing its leaders by fraudulent election process, hiring its’ coach and technical director, although it’s a welcome development for NSC to handle athlete's development but the commission cannot do that within AFN rather publicly remove all federations from sharing its own responsibility. Again good intention bad delivery, someone got to be slapped silly.

AFN lacked authority to meddle with athlete development according to the IAAF rules but in Nigeria NSC transferred such to AFN in violation IAAF standard of independence from the athletes or national government in return NSC determines AFN leadership by favoring people lacking any skill in such sport.

But the granddaddy of all NSC atrocities is the public advertorial, trips and announcement of the National Youth Games. Imagine, the sports Minister sought under-15 UK citizens by hosting a party in London at significant costs of his entourage including Mary Onyali, Elegbeleye and others rather than going to the thick forest of Abia, Enugu, Osun, Sokoto, Kano, Edo, etc. to seek under 15 talents at no cost (these states would have incurred the costs). And of course it was not reported that anyone of those UK Citizens showed up at the Youth Games and this writer is among those that demands the return of money wasted on estacode, accommodations, airline tickets (some first class), hall rental, food, drinks, etc.

Many more atrocities were chronicled by this writer throughout 2013 and in summary, Mr. Abdullahi tenure serves no purpose and a total waste of funds, therefore, he must go.

I rest for now.

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

 

 

Sandro Rosell, President of Barcelona FC has affirmed that Tito Villanova will return to his managerial duties within twenty one days.

The coach has been sidelined since mid-December, following a relapse with parotid gland cancer.

Rosell hopes that the Tito Villanova will be able to cope with his chemotherapy and coaching Barca, but insists that Vilanova’s recovery is the priority over footballing matters.

The club president told reporters in Dubai: "He will return to work in 15 or 20 days, but he will be going back and forth from the hospital and he will be resting.

“He's going to combine the treatment with his work. The most important thing is his health. For the moment, football comes second."

Rosell avoided stating that Xavi and Carles Puyol will be given new contracts at Camp Nou, but the chief insisted that he wants the Barca legends to stay with the squad.

"They are among the best players for Barcelona and for Spain, and they are important for society because they are a great example to young people,” he added. “I hope they will remain at the club in some capacity in the future."

While on the topic of contracts, Rosell also said he believed the fact that two recent signings took pay cuts to join the Blaugrana shows the commitment players have to the Catalan club.

"We have signed two players in Cesc Fabregas and Javier Mascherano who both earn a lower salary than at their previous club,” he said. “They also paid the commission on their transfer fee. They really wanted to play for us. It's a beautiful thing."

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