Sunday, 29 November 2015

LMC takes reform campaign to World Leagues Forum in Paris

The Nigeria   Professional Football League, (NPFL) will tomorrow in Paris, France join other world football leagues at the World Leagues ... thumbnail 1 summary
The Nigeria   Professional Football League, (NPFL) will tomorrow in Paris, France join other world football leagues at the World Leagues Forum to discuss the future of the league in the scheme of the emerging FIFA structure.


It is the second edition of the World Leagues Forum (WLF) and Nigeria will be represented by the Chairman of the League Management Company, Mallam Shehu Dikko who said it will be another opportunity to seek global partnership and support for the internal reforms in NPFL and also the on-going campaign to arrest capital flight from domestic sports industry to Europe which has denied the League the right kind of funding.

“We will use the platform to further drive the message of on-going internal reforms in the NPFL and also the case for better funding of the league and clubs for improved players’s welfare”, Dikko said to npfl.ng shortly before departing for the congress.

Organizers of the congress disclosed that all the four candidates for the next elections for the FIFA President’s office have confirmed their participation at the meeting at which they are expected to unveil their plans for world football with emphasis on the football leagues.
“We will have the opportunity to discuss the future of football and the role of the leagues in the governance landscape with Prince Ali Ben Hussein, Cheik Salman ben Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, Mr. Tokyo Sexwale and Mr. Jerome Champagne”, wrote the organizer to the LMC.
Dikko said that the forum will also avail the LMC the opportunity to further discuss developmental partnership with the leadership of the Spanish League as a follow-up to earlier correspondences already exchanged between the La Liga and the LMC.

“I will seize the opportunity to continue discussions on the possibility of partnership between the La Liga and the NPFL in line with our earlier exchangesin which La Liga had formally expressed an intent to support our development among other contact discussions with other leagues towards exploring opportunities that would drive the developmental objectives of the NPFL and indeed Nigeria Football”, Dikko stated.

Three Sportspesa Kenya Premier League officials are the other officials of league organizers in Africa invited to the meeting.

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AFCON U-23: Nigeria survive Mali’s late blitz, shoot to top

Nigeria got their campaign at the CAF U-23 Championship off to a shaky but winning start yesterday, edging Mali 3-2 in their Group B clas... thumbnail 1 summary
Nigeria got their campaign at the CAF U-23 Championship off to a shaky but winning start yesterday, edging Mali 3-2 in their Group B clash at the Stade Caroline Faye in Mbour.


A game of two halves, saw the Nigerians scoring three goals in the first half, while Mali got the second half, netting twice but falling short of nicking the equaliser, which they truly deserved on the evidence of their performance and second half display.

This is a match that Coach Samson Siasia would quickly want to forget as he attempts to qualify Nigeria for next summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.
Siasia like most Nigerians would not be happy with the second half display of his Dream Team, who largely went to sleep in the second half and almost allowing Mali to claw their way back into the game.

Parading what seemed a dream strking pair of Liverpool’s Taiwo Awoniyi and CF Sfaxien Junior Ajayi  in attack, Nigeria made a dream start when Ajayi netted the opener in the 15th minute.
Ajayi;s goal could not have come at a better time, scoring against the run of play, tipping in the ball with the back of his right foot.. He was a regular scorer during the qualifying matches for this tournament and fully deserved to get the ball rolling for Nigeria.
The goal seemed to fire Mali on with the likes of Salomon Diarra, Adaa Traore and captain Boubacar Diarra attacking the Nigerian defence, manned by Ndifreke Effiong, Sincere Seth, Segun Oduduwa and Zaharadeen Bello.

Even though they had the majority possession, Mali found Emmanuel Daniel in goal for Nigeria impregnable. The festive atmosphere in the stadium made the match all the more interesting as both west Africans went for each other’s jugulars.

In the 30th minute, Diame Traore’s free kick was blocked by the Nigerian defence line. Mali continued probing for their own goal but Nigeria stood firm and  took the lead in the 35th minute, when midfielder Usman Mohammed unleashed a  fiercesome strike into the back of Mali’s net.
And in injury time of first half, Ajayi scored his second of the night, tapping in captain Azubuike Okechukwu’s initial shot, looking like a  predator.

But in the second half, Mali gave Nigeria a scare when two goals, the first a penalty by  Adana Niane in the 54th minute and  and the second ten minutes later by Sisoko beat three ball watching Nigerians to score second goal for Mali.
Nigeria will be back to action on Wednesday against Egypt. A win for Nigeria will qualify them for the semi final.

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Bayern go 11 clear, extend Hertha’s 38-year wait

Bayern Munich went 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday with a 2-0 win at home to Hertha Berlin who have now gone 38... thumbnail 1 summary
Bayern Munich went 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday with a 2-0 win at home to Hertha Berlin who have now gone 38 years without a win at the German giants.

With second-placed Borussia Dortmund hosting VfB Stuttgart on Sunday, Bayern took the chance to extend their lead with first-half goals by Germany forward Thomas Mueller and France Under-21 winger Kingsley Coman.



Bayern show no signs of loosening their iron-grip on the Bundesliga title as they picked up their 13th win from 14 league games to give them 40 from a possible 42 points.
This was the first time in eight home games that Bayern failed to score at least four goals.
Bayern coach Pep Guardiola experimented with the starting line-up by pushing Germany centre-back Jerome Boateng into a midfield role, which led to their second goal.

They took the lead at Munich’s Allianz Arena when Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal’s cross found Medhi Benatia, whose shot was heading wide, but Mueller was on hand to head home on 34 minutes.
Bayern doubled their lead on 41 minutes when Boateng lobbed the ball into Javi Martinez, whose pass found Coman and the French winger did the rest to make it 2-0 at the break.
Hertha, who last won in Munich in 1977, are in fifth place after Borussia Moechengladbach leap-frogged them into fourth with a 3-3 draw at Hoffenheim.
Gladbach’s head coach Andre Schubert preserved his nine-game unbeaten record in the lead since taking charge two months ago.

Borussia took an early lead thanks to USA international Fabian Johnson, who then scored their equaliser to rescue a point.
Hoffenheim, chasing their first win since September, took a 3-1 lead just after the break thanks to goals by Steven Zuber, Eugen Polanski and Nadiem Amiri.
But Swiss striker Josip Drmic pulled it back to 3-2 for Gladbach before Johnson claimed his second with a superb shot three minutes from time.

Hamburg are up to sixth after their 3-1 win at Werder Bremen in the north German derby.
Hamburg raced into an early 2-0 lead as Croatia midfielder Ivo Ilicevic scored on their opening attack, then striker Michael Gregoritsch doubled their lead on 26 minutes.
Nigeria’s Anthony Ujah pulled a goal back for Werder on 62 minutes, then Germany forward Nicolai Mueller made it 3-1 to Hamburg on 68 minutes when Ilicevic’s final pass put him in behind the hosts’ defence.

Hanover eased the pressure on coach Michael Frontzeck with a 4-0 thumping at home to Ingolstadt which lifted them up to 14th and pulled them away from the relegation zone.
Japan striker Yoshinori Muto scored his seventh goal of the season in Mainz’s 2-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt.

His forward partner Yunus Malli added their second to claim his eighth while Frankfurt had captain Alex Meier sent off for a second yellow card.

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Messi, Neymar, Suarez strike to keep Barca rolling

Barcelona stretched their advantage at the top of La Liga to seven points on Saturday thanks to another clinical display from Lionel Mes... thumbnail 1 summary
Barcelona stretched their advantage at the top of La Liga to seven points on Saturday thanks to another clinical display from Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez to down Real Sociedad 4-0.
Messi was making his first league start in two months as he continues his comeback from knee ligament damage.



But the Argentine was initially outshone by his strike partners as they each swept home from two Dani Alves crosses to put Barca in command at the break.
Neymar then added his second shortly after the half-time before teeing up Messi for his first league goal since September in stoppage time.

Atletico Madrid can close the gap at the top to four points when they host Espanyol later on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are now nine points adrift ahead of their trip to Eibar on Sunday.
Barca boss Luis Enrique made four changes from the side that destroyed Roma 6-1 in the Champions League in midweek, but with Messi, Suarez and Neymar deployed once more in attack, the Catalans didn’t miss a beat.

Suarez should have opened the scoring after just two minutes when he was brilliantly played in by Neymar, but Geronimo Rulli rushed from his line to bravely smother the Uruguayan’s effort just inside his area.
The Argentine goalkeeper did well once more to deny Neymar at a narrow angle from Messi’s wonderful through ball eight minutes later.

Even when Rulli was beaten, the woodwork saved Sociedad when Andres Iniesta headed Suarez’s perfectly measured cross against the post.
The visitors’ luck eventually ran out on 22 minutes, though, when Messi released Alves down the right and Neymar was quickest to meet his low cross and drive the ball into the top corner.
Alves was the creator once more for Barca’s second just before the break as his floated cross picked out Suarez to acrobatically volley into the far corner.

Barca had to wait just eight minutes after the break for a third with the full-backs proving Sociedad’s downfall again as this time Jeremy Mathieu squared for Neymar to apply a simple finish.
That strike took Neymar and Suarez’s tally in La Liga this season to 26 — the same as the entire Real Madrid squad.

However, both then turned their hand to trying to set up Messi.
The four-time World Player of the Year fired into the side-netting and then straight at Rulli from two Neymar crosses before pulling a free-kick inches wide of the far post.
It looked like being a forlorn afternoon for Messi when his brilliant curling effort came back off the crossbar four minutes from time.

However, a final piece of magic between Neymar and Suarez allowed the Brazilian to roll the ball invitingly across goal for Messi to slot into an empty net and seal a fantastic week for Barca which has seen them take a strangle hold of La Liga and clinch their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Akwa United eye continental glory

S till basking the  joy of lifting the Federation Cup at the expense of Lobi, players of Akwa United are looking forward to going far in... thumbnail 1 summary
Still basking the  joy of lifting the Federation Cup at the expense of Lobi, players of Akwa United are looking forward to going far in the  CAF Confederation Cup next year.




Akwa United will represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup alongside Nasarawa United while Glo Premier League champions Enyimba and Warri Wolves will play in the CAF Champions League next year.

Akwa Ibom captain, Otobong Effiong said he is fulfilled like his other teammates. But he admitted that the Promise Keepers will need to bring their A-game to bear on the continent if they want to make their debut appearance worth a mention.
“It is a big achievement for us, the players, coaches, fans and the club, that we will play on the continent next year. This is a dream come true for me, and my teammates. But we must get down to work because playing on the continent is quite different and we need to make an impact and show that we are good enough to be there,” remarked Effiong.
The Akwa United man, who can play as a right and left full-back, says their survival from relegation and Cup-winning feat is “from God” like his first name Otobong when translated from Ibibio lanaguage to English means.

After playing a part in helping Akwa United win their first-ever domestic title, the Federation Cup, last Sunday, the captain of the Uyo club, Otobong Effiong, has told npfl.ng that he is savouring the chance of playing in the CAF Confederation Cup next year.
It is the first time that the Promise Keepers played in the Federation Cup final after almost two decades of their existence – 19 years to be precise. Effiong feels there is no better time to win a first domestic title as it coincides with their move to a new home – the Akwa Ibom Stadium also known as the Nest of Champions.

The Akwa United defender also recalled that the club had a wretched season and escaped the drop by the whiskers on the last day. He believes that winning the Federation Cup has made up for their poor performance in the Glo Premier League.
“Whenever I look back to the season, I am happy that we were able to stay in the (Glo) Premier League despite our struggles,” said Effiong to npfl.ng. “I remember we started the season with a 0-0 draw against Enyimba in Aba but lost to FC Taraba at home.”

Osimhen takes over Success No.9 jersey

A S a result of his late registration for the U23 AFCON, U17 World Cup hotshot Victor Osimhen will wear the Number 9 shirt the player he... thumbnail 1 summary
AS a result of his late registration for the U23 AFCON, U17 World Cup hotshot Victor Osimhen will wear the Number 9 shirt the player he has replaced would have worn.




Osimhen also wore No 9 shirt to score record-breaking 10 goals at the recent U17 World Cup in Chile.

Granada forward Isaac Success was replaced by Osimhen after Nigeria proved he has suffered a major injury that will stop him from the U23 AFCON, which starts today in Dakar, Senegal.
Incidentally, both strikers hail from Edo State.

Skipper Azubuike Okechukwu, who is based in Turkey, will maintain his favourite jersey number 14, while Taiwo Awoniyi keeps his No 18 shirt, which he also won when he led the Flying Eagles to win the African Youth Championship in Senegal in March.

CAF U-23 AFCON: Nigeria in crunchy tie against Mali

N igeria will play their opening game of the CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, when they face Mali in the group B pairing at the Caro... thumbnail 1 summary
Nigeria will play their opening game of the CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, when they face Mali in the group B pairing at the Caroline Faye Stadium in M’bour, Senegal.


At stake, is the 2016 Olympic qualification ticket. Having missed the 2012 edition and also missing the chance to win the gold medal at the 2015 Africa Games in Congo, the team coached by Samson Siasia is under pressure to deliver. The match against Mali will be a true test of their intention of restoring their dignity.

Mali, were whiskers away from beating Nigeria at the Africa Games, but for a late minute goal that rescued a point for the Nigerian team in that encounter. The Malians vowed to fight again at this tournament, even as Siasia groaned about his players inability to convert scoring chances.
But that was then, Siasia has reinforced his team with tested strikers in the mould of Junior Ajayi, Taiwo Awoniyi and FIFA Under-17 goal king Victor Osimhen fresh from his exploits in Chile 2015.
A ten day training stint in Gambia has given the Nigerian team some measure of preparedness and it remains to be seen how they off-laod in their first match of the tournament.

Mali’s strongest point is their resolute defending and their quick counter-attack. They will be coming out strong against the ‘Olympic Eagles’, but Siasia must have taken good notes and knows just what to do to keep the Malians in check.
One man that may give the Nigerians a cause for worry is Nantes’ Adama Niane who emerged as joint top scorer in the qualifiers with four goals. The forward can shoot from long range and can also trouble the defence.

Siasia varies his system depending on the opponent, but usually sets his team up in a 4-3-3 formation or a 4-4-2 which can become as attacking as a 4-2-4 as the game might be.
Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick backed the team to achieve its primary aim at the tournament.

“Siasia has brought new, exciting faces to the group and there is confidence all around again. The ticket to the Olympics is non-negotiable.”
“We won the U-20 Cup of Nations in Senegal at the beginning of the year; now, we are back there for the Olympics ticket and the trophy. We will achieve both, because Samson Siasia has put together a crack squad and he has the support of the NFF all the way.”

Vardy breaks Premier League goalscoring record

I F you’re wearing golden boots, the expectation is that you will deliver. Jamie Vardy took that questionable sartorial decision yesterd... thumbnail 1 summary
IF you’re wearing golden boots, the expectation is that you will deliver. Jamie Vardy took that questionable sartorial decision yesterday evening. However, he also did the necessary deed and extraordinary tale gathered yet another chapter.




He already shared the Premier League record of scoring in ten successive games with Ruud van Nistelrooy.
So, it was fitting that it was against Manchester United, with their travelling support singing the old songs in praise of their legendary Dutch striker, that the Sheffield Wednesday reject and alumnus of Stocksbridge Park Steels, who was still playing non-league football three years ago, chose to go one better.
The new record is now eleven successive games and Vardy has actually scored 13 in that run. Yesterday it felt as though he were trampling all over the established order, not just van Nistelrooy. Whilst Vardy was all energy and action, Wayne Rooney looked a much older man than his 30 years at the other end.

There were a few snapped shots wide, a desperate dive on 35 minutes and an attepot to fling himself at a rebound. But, bruised and seemingly hobbling with a dead leg, he was substituted on 67 minutes. It may not be the case come the summer, but yesterday evening the comparison with his Leicester counterpart and England team-mate was unkind for Rooney.
The Vardy goal when it came was a classis of its kind from Leicester this season. Kasper Schmeichel bowled the ball to Christian Fuchs who advanced upfield to play a raking pass behind United’s extremely shaky back three for Vardy to run onto.

Such is his confidence at present, few inside the King Power Stadium can have doubted the conclusion once the man of the moment began that run.
He simply sprinted across a startled Darmian, took one touch and crashed it past David De Gea.. The stadium fairly erupted as Vardy raced off to celebrate, dashing briefly past the United fans, pointing at his chest and shouting something, presumably along the lines of: ‘I’m the man now.’
And he was but it was not just him. Leicester may have to share top spot with Manchester City after this draw, but their resilience as we approach December is remarkable. They aren’t going away and were magnificent in that first half, when United reverted to their stuttering shapeless alter ego, a parody of their finest sides. And when United improved, as they were almost bound too, Leicester proved equal to their defensive task.

Yet it was first half onslaught which truly exhilarated the King Power Stadium. Vardy and Marc Albrighton has already served warning on Darmian on 11 minutes, hounding him into losing the ball and being unfortunate to concede a free kick. Darmian and Paddy McNair in particular will not remember their first-half performances fondly.

But all over the pitch Leicester were embarrassing United, none more so than Riyad Mahrez, whom Ashley Young had to pull back as he raced away on yet another counter attack and thus earned a yellow card. United’s 3-5-2 formation, simply looked ragged. And when Mahrez broke through on 31 minutes it needed the steadfastness of De Gea to block his smart shot with his knees.

Saturday, 28 November 2015

Only FIFA Congress can bar me, says Blatter

Suspended FIFA President Sepp Blatter said it was only the congress of soccer’s governing body and not its ethics committee that could bar... thumbnail 1 summary
Suspended FIFA President Sepp Blatter said it was only the congress of soccer’s governing body and not its ethics committee that could bar him from office. He said on Thursday in Zurich during a media interview, that it was only the parliament that could impeach an elected president.


“I’m not a FIFA official. I’m the elected president of the congress. “If one does not agree with the way I do my job, one has to turn to the congress that elected me,” he said.
Blatter, who was standing down in February after agreeing to lay down his mandate, criticised the ethics committee, which he had previously trumpeted as a key weapon in the battle against corruption after it was reformed and strengthened three years ago.

Blatter said the definition in the FIFA statutes indicated that he was not a FIFA official. “It is humiliating for the FIFA president that the ethics committee comes and says, you are suspended and you are not allowed to go to the office anymore.
“That’s like a police order and that hurts but it doesn’t kill me, I will fight for me and for FIFA,’’ he said.

Blatter also faces a criminal investigation in Switzerland over a two million dollars payment from FIFA to Platini.
The payment was made in 2011 for work Platini had completed nine years earlier, the Swiss attorney-general’s office has said. It added that Platini was considered “between a witness and an accused person. Blatter, reiterating comments he had made previously on the matter said contracts could be done in writing or orally.

“I had an oral contract with Michel Platini. “In 1998, when he was done with the World Cup, I needed him to work for me, at the time, he wanted one million and I said there’s no money to pay one million. “He said you can pay me later,’’ he said.

Newcastle, Sunderland scramble for Obafemi

PREMIER League clubs Newcastle United and Sunderland have been linked with signing Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins on a short-term loan d... thumbnail 1 summary
PREMIER League clubs Newcastle United and Sunderland have been linked with signing Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins on a short-term loan deal in the MLS off-season.


The Magpies have been goal shy this season and manager Steve McClaren is reportedly keen to bring Martins back to St. James’ Park, where he played for three seasons between 2006 and 2009.
Current Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce worked with Martins during his spell at Newcastle and is well aware of the West African’s abilities.
In three seasons in the MLS with the Seattle Sounders, Martins has scored 40 goals and registered 23 assists.

He was also a runner-up in the voting for the 2014 season’s MVP (Most Valuable Player).

‘No-one is irreplaceable,’ Bayern boss says of coach Guardiola

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stressed on Thursday that “no-one is irreplaceable”, ahead of a decision on the future of ... thumbnail 1 summary
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stressed on Thursday that “no-one is irreplaceable”, ahead of a decision on the future of club coach Pep Guardiola. “No-one in the world is irreplaceable at a given time. Players come and go. That also goes for coaches,” said Rummenigge in Munich on Thursday at the announcement of a new sponsor for the German champions.



Guardiola, 44, is in the third and final year of his current contract and has said he would announce his future plans before Christmas with the Bundesliga set to start the winter break on December 20.  Rummenigge confirmed that a decision would be announced before Christmas.

“It is not intended to move that date. It was always said that a decision would be taken in 2015,” said the former German international. “Maybe it’s good to have a bit of suspense,” continued the Bayern boss, adding that uncertainty concerning the coach would not prevent the players staying “very focused on their work”.

Captain Philipp Lahm said earlier this week: “If Guardiola leaves one day, for sure another excellent coach will come along, but first we have to see what happens.” The Spaniard has won 19 titles as coach with both Barcelona and Bayern and has repeatedly been linked to a series of English Premier League clubs.

Bayern’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal in the Champions League last month is the only time they have been beaten this season.  They are eight points clear at the top of the Bundesligaand need just a point at home to Olympiakos on Tuesday to reach the knock-out phase in Europe.

FIFA donates 48 confiscated luxury watches to charity

Nearly 50 luxury watches confiscated from football officials who had received them as “gifts” ahead of the World Cup in Brazil have been... thumbnail 1 summary
Nearly 50 luxury watches confiscated from football officials who had received them as “gifts” ahead of the World Cup in Brazil have been donated to charity, FIFA’s ethics committee said Thursday.


The watches, estimated to be worth 25,000 Swiss francs ($24,400, 23,000 euros) apiece, were given to street football world, an international network of groups which uses football to help young people.
Ahead of last year’s World Cup, the Brazilian Football Confederation handed out 65 gift bags each containing a Parmigiani timepiece to FIFA Executive Committee officials and members of the 32 competing associations. The gifts created a furore at the time but now disgraced FIFA bosses, including president Sepp Blatter, denied any corruption.

However, the ethics committee’s investigative branch has determined that the watches were “unauthorised gifts,” and called on officials to hand them over. It agreed not to open formal ethical proceedings against anyone who complied. The ethics committee said in a statement its probe had determined that “from the initially intended 65 watches offered by the CBF to football officials, several officials had, in fact, not received a watch”.
It said that once all potential recipients had been contacted, 48 watches were handed over. The football charity will “directly invest all resources generated through the sale of the watches into initiatives across Brazil that use football to drive social change,” it said, adding that the matter was now considered closed.

When the ethics committee ordered that the watches be handed over in September 2014, now embattled UEFA president Michel Platini publicly balked, saying he was “surprised” by the decision.  “I was not raised like that,” he said, declaring it was bad manners to return gifts and insisting he would instead establish the true worth of the watch and contribute the amount to a charity.
Platini, who until recently was the favourite to take over the reins at FIFA, has been suspended for 90 days and could now be facing a lifetime ban over a suspect payment, amid the massive scandal rocking world football’s governing body.

Current FIFA president Blatter, who has also been slapped with a 90-day suspension, also brushed aside the watch controversy when it hit the headlines last year, insisting there was no corruption involved and describing it as “a non-problem.”

Blatter has agreed to step down as FIFA boss following a special election in February, a concession made days after the United States charged 14 ex-FIFA officials and sports marketing executives with corruption amounting to $150-million going back decades.  Those indictments kicked off an unprecedented scandal at FIFA, sparking widespread calls for reform.

2018 World Cup: Abdullahi backs Oliseh to qualify

Super Eagles midfielder Shehu Abdullahi says it will be a difficult task qualifying for the FIFA 2018 World Cup but he is confident coach ... thumbnail 1 summary
Super Eagles midfielder Shehu Abdullahi says it will be a difficult task qualifying for the FIFA 2018 World Cup but he is confident coach Sunday Oliseh can lead to them to get the ticket.


Abdullahi played at right back in the two second leg Africa zone qualifier against Swaziland and did quite well especially in the return leg in Port-Harcourt.
Goals from Moses Simon and Efe Ambrose gave Nigeria a 2-0 aggregate win and a passage to the final round which starts next October.

“It’s going to be difficult. The big boys in Africa will be into the pots for the draws and I hope we get a good draw,”the AC Madeira midfielder said.
“I’m happy we are into the final leg of the draws and by God’s grace we shall make it to Russia. The team is coming together and we play better game by game.”
“Coach Oliseh (Sunday) is a good coach and I’m sure with him we can make it. The team is young and we keep improving.

“It’s going to be hard but I trust the boys to come up big when it matters. Nigeria will be in Russia in 2018 by God’s grace.”he added.
The 20 teams that have qualified for the third and final round of the qualifiers will be drawn into five, four-team groups.Teams will then play on a home and away basis with the winner of each group qualifying for Russia 2018.

The group stage of the qualifiers starts on October 3rd 2016 and will run until November 6, 2017 when the qualified teams are expected to emerge

Top athletes shun AFN camp in Port Harcourt

Top Nigerian athletes are yet to report to the camp of Athletics Federation of Nigeria running at the Port Harcourt High Performance Cent... thumbnail 1 summary
Top Nigerian athletes are yet to report to the camp of Athletics Federation of Nigeria running at the Port Harcourt High Performance Centre.



Some of the athletes who bared their minds on the exercise called by the AFN to boost preparations for the African Championships in South Africa and the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil revealed their lack of motivation to join the camp.
“Right now I am not in best mood to report to camp. I would rather face my farm work, this is because some of the allowances owed us from the All Africa Games have not been paid,” said one of the senior athletes.

Also Tega Odele an up and coming sprinter, stated that he is quite comfortable training with his coaches at the University of Benin, adding that reporting to Port Harcourt was out of the question.  Speaking on the development coordinator of the camp, Seigha Porbeni stated that some of the athletes have not reported because of they haven’t been released by their respective authorities.  “We don’t have most of the top athletes here yet. It is only Divine Oduduru and 18 other juniors we are working with.

“Some of them complained that they their schools and work places have not been notified by the AFN secretariat, and so they cannot report to camp. But we are working with what we have and expecting that things will go in full swing for our preparations towards the Africa Championships and the Olympics next year,” said Mr. Porbeni.

Pharaohs fire warning to Siasia’s Dream team

Egypt Under-23 national team coach Hossam El-Badry is confident as they are about to launch their 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations campai... thumbnail 1 summary
Egypt Under-23 national team coach Hossam El-Badry is confident as they are about to launch their 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations campaign.
The former Al Ahly manager is eyeing a top three finish at the continental tournament, which will take place in Senegal between 28 November and 12 December, to see his side qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
 

Drawn in a very tough Group B alongside Algeria, Mali and Nigeria, the Egyptians are, however, determined to progress in their bid for a Rio ticket.
“I have a target and it is to qualify for the Olympics, no matter what the names of the opponents are,” El-Badry told Algerian media El Shorouk.
“Qualifying for the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations means that your team is among the best eight teams on the continent, thus there is no room for an easy game.
“Algeria and Nigeria are continental heavyweights but I think our game against Mali will be very tough. Mali has won the Africa youth championship and they have very good players on their squad. Our game against them will be very tough.
“But we don’t fear any opponent as we look to win all our games in the continental tournament to reach the Olympics.”
Egypt will battle Algeria in their Group B opener on 29 November, before taking on Nigeria on  2 Decemberand Mali three days later.

NFF Congressmen for Leadership Training in the UK

The Nigeria Football Federation has finalized arrangements for taking Members of its Congress on a 4-day leadership training program in... thumbnail 1 summary
The Nigeria Football Federation has finalized arrangements for taking Members of its Congress on a 4-day leadership training program in the United Kingdom.
Already, the persons in the first batch of the program, which runs between 4th and 7th December in London, have secured entry visas into the United Kingdom for a training which quality is underscored by the capacity of the resource persons and the keen interest of the private sector.
Leading airline, ARIK, top bank ZENITH BANK PLC and the FROT GROUP are the sponsors of the elite program.



There are 20 persons in the first batch, made up principally of Chairmen of State Football Associations, and including the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
“The Chairmen of the State FAs are the first-line charge for real development of the game at the grassroots. They also constitute the primary constituency of stakeholders.
“We are happy to have been able to arrange this program for them, and I can assure you that the impact of this program on the development of Nigeria football will be felt in the months and years to come.”
Among the resource persons for the 4-day program are Mr. Greg Dyke, Chairman of The Football Association; Mr. Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of The Premier League; Sir Dave Richards, former Chairman of The Premier League and; Mr. David Dein, former Vice Chairman of Arsenal Football Club.
“The present NFF administration is committed to building/enhancing the capacity of all workers in the game of football. Over the course of the past year, we have organized capacity –building programs for referees and coaches in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. This is an on –going exercise.
“I want to that other sectors of the sport will also benefit, as we look to improve the capacity of everyone involved in the beautiful game,” added NFF boss, Pinnick.
The Managing Director of FROT GROUP, Mr. Frank Momoh, and the Managing Director of ZENITH BANK in London will also be at the program.
Among those in the first batch are Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Chairman of Chairmen); Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi (Osun); Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam (Imo); Busari Ishola (Kwara); Mohammed Alkali (Nasarawa); Yahuza Adamu (Bauchi); Abubakar Ladan (Kebbi); Oswald Atuake (Cross River); Frank Ilaboya (Edo); Margaret Icheen (Benue); Abdulkadir Magaji (Kaduna), James Odeniran (Oyo); Chidi Ofo Okenwa (Enugu) and; Porbeni Ogun (Bayelsa).
The second batch will go in January 2016.

Drogba to manage Chelsea

FORMER Chelsea  striker Didier Drogba says he has an agreement to return to the club once he finishes playing and wants it to be as man... thumbnail 1 summary
FORMER Chelsea  striker Didier Drogba says he has an agreement to return to the club once he finishes playing and wants it to be as manager.



Drogba, who now plays in Canada, scored 164 goals in two spells with the Blues.
“I want to give back to the club which has given so much to me. I have agreed that with the club directors,” the 37-year-old told BBC Africa.
“Why not manager? Why not sporting director, trainer at the academy or maybe an advising role for strikers?”

Drogba scored the penalty that won the Champions League for Chelsea in 2012 and won his fourth Premier League title on returning to the club last season before he joined Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer.

However, the champions have struggled this season, losing seven of their opening 12 league matches, and are 15th in the Premier League.
Drogba admitted Chelsea had been going through a “difficult moment” this season, but that back-to-back victories over Norwich and Maccabi Tel Aviv indicated this was now being reversed.
“They have quality when it comes to the players, and quality when it comes to the management,” said Drogba.

“This is a club which usually doesn’t have a bad season twice. ”Drogba has given his support to manager Jose Mourinho. “If the club has kept him that means owner, Roman Abramovich thinks that he is the right man,” he said.

Uzoenyi to quit his N100m a year job in SA

Ex-Enugu Rang-ers winger Ejike Uzoenyi is expected to soon quit South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, where he is reportedly on 5m Rands ... thumbnail 1 summary
Ex-Enugu Rang-ers winger Ejike Uzoenyi is expected to soon quit South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, where he is reportedly on 5m Rands (about 100 million Naira) a year.


Former Nigeria international Uzoenyi has not been registered for this season’s Premier Soccer League after injuries caused him to fall down the pecking order at ‘The Brazilians’.
Uzoenyi’s agent Mohammed Lawal said he hopes to agree with Sundowns to release the player in January.
“He will certainly be playing somewhere else in January,” said the Johannesburg-based agent, who claims there are interests in South Africa and overseas for the player.
Uzoenyi was recently in Nigeria to celebrate the birth of his child.

CAF U-23 AFCON: Siasia faces double pressure

NIGERIA’s Under-23 team coach Samson Siasia is under intense pressure to produce result when Nigeria tackle Mali in the group B opener of ... thumbnail 1 summary
NIGERIA’s Under-23 team coach Samson Siasia is under intense pressure to produce result when Nigeria tackle Mali in the group B opener of the Under-23 African Cup of Nations, Sunday at the Caroline Faye Stadium, in Mbour, Senegal.


The former Nigerian international is fighting hard not to be distracted by the kidnap of his mother, who is still unaccounted for, two weeks after she was taken in Bayelsa State. He is also wary of his team’s goal shy attitude.

“The coach is under stress following the kidnap of his mother. But he is not allowing it to dis tract him. He is rallying round the boys for a good outing on Sunday against Mali,” said team media officer Timi Ebikagboro.
He added that the boys are determined to reach the crucial stages of the tournament where an Olympic ticket is guaranteed.

“Spirit in camp is high, nobody wants to lose the first game, they see qualifying for Rio 2016 as a must.”
The team was held to a 1-1 draw by their Gambia counterparts in a friendly before they left for Senegal. Siasia is banking on Taiwo Awoniyi and Junior Ajayi to solve the goal scoring problem of the team as was witnessed at the Africa Games in Congo.

Former FIFA chief hospitalized in Rio

Former FIFA president Joao Havelange, a controversial figure who spent more than two decades in charge of world football, is being trea... thumbnail 1 summary
Former FIFA president Joao Havelange, a controversial figure who spent more than two decades in charge of world football, is being treated in a Rio hospital with respiratory problems.


 A spokeswoman for the Samaritano Hospital, Andresa Feijo, told AFP that the 99-year-old’s condition was “stable.”
There was no further information available but a statement was expected later Friday, she said.
Havelange, a two-time member of Brazil’s Olympic team, headed FIFA for 24 years and was also on the International Olympic Committee for half a century. He resigned as honorary FIFA president in 2013 under a cloud of corruption allegations.

Zambia test Tunisia’s might

As Zambia confront Tunisia in today’s Group A match at the CAF U-23 Championship in Senegal, Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina has bee... thumbnail 1 summary
As Zambia confront Tunisia in today’s Group A match at the CAF U-23 Championship in Senegal, Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina has been brought in to assist the Under-23’s in their quest to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time since 1988.
Lwandamina will become part of the technical team that is being led by his assistant at the senior national team, Fighton Simukonda.












Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) communications manager, Nkweto Tembwe, confirmed the news from Lusaka.
“The national team coach will travel with the Under-23 team and, besides, most of the players are also in the CHAN (African Nations Championship) team and so are the two coaches, so I see them working so well,” he said.
Simukonda, meanwhile, says he is optimistic about the team’s chances in Senegal. “Chances of performing well are there. We are going there to pass the group stage, that is why we are going there. Otherwise why are we not going there if we won’t perform?” he said. Zambia find themselves in Group A together with South Africa, Tunisia and Senegal.

Monday, 2 February 2015

Road to Rio 2016: Nigeria dig for Olympics ticket

Nigeria’s male under-23  team will tomorrow start their chase for a ticket to play soccer at the 2016 Rio Olympics, when they confront Ma... thumbnail 1 summary
Nigeria’s male under-23  team will tomorrow start their chase for a ticket to play soccer at the 2016 Rio Olympics, when they confront Mali in a CAF U-23 Championship Group B fixture at the Stade Caroline Faye in Mbour.

And for coach Samson Siasia, whose mother is still in the kidnappers’ den, after being forcefully taken against her will by three armed men at Odoni Community of Sagama local government area in Bayelsa State, it is going to be a testy time as he battles to keep a cool composure in his quest to qualify the team for a second Olympic ticket under his watch.


More than 12 days after Madam Ogere Siasia was kidnapped, the family is yet to meet up with the demand of the kidnappers, with accusations flying round that they have abandoned the kidnapped.
Though they have pleaded with the Bayelsa government to help them secure the freedom of their mother, it appears the appeal has fallen on deaf ears.
A member of the family, Denis Siasia said “the last time we spoke to the kidnappers, they threatened to bury Mama if we failed to meet their demand and we told them that we don’t have the kind of money they requested for as we were only able to raise N600, 000. From the tone of their voice, they were angry.’’

Siasia, it is recalled qualified the Dream Team to the Beijing Olympics in 2008, where they won the silver medal after losing to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentine side in the final. Interestingly, Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi was one of the stars of the Nigeria side and though he is not playing in this current tournament, he is backing Siasia to steer the team to success in Senegal.
“I feel the coach can qualify the team for the next Olympics,’’ Mikel tweeted last night.
Nigeria have won the Olympic gold once at the 2006 Atlanta Games and have always been a force to reckon with at the greatest sporting show in the world..

But Siasia will have his work cut out for him when the CAF U-23 Championship revs off tomorrow in Senegal, from where Africa’s three representatives will be determined.
Eight teams, split into two groups of four will be contesting for the three spots to Rio, with the top three finishers at the end of the tournament progressing. The Nigerians are in Group B with Algeria, Egypt and Mali, who they battle first on Sunday at the 5000 capacity Stade Caroline Faye in Mbour.
The other venue is the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor in Dakar, where hosts Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia and Zambia are expected to play.

After weeks of preparations, capped with a 1-1 draw against the Gambia U-20 earlier in the week in Brikama, Siasia fine-tuned his plans for the tournament, running from tomorrow to December 12, with the injection of new players like Chile 2015 highest goalscorer, Victor Osimhen, with the aim of spiking the team to a rousing performance in Senegal.
Blessed with a crop of gifted young players like Liverpool’s Taiwo Awoniyi and Ajayi Junior of CS Sfaxien, the onus is on Siasia’s side to roll to a sweeping victory against Mali tomorrow.
And, speaking from their Mbour base in Senegal, Siasia says he expects a stiff opposition from Mali, who he however insists will fall to the superior play of his team.

“We are here to get the ticket to play at the next Olympic Games in Rio and are aware of the threats that Mali and the other teams in our group pose to our aspirations We will remain focussed and stay dogged in our quest to achieve our target here.
“It is very important for us to start with a win in our first match and with the crop of players I have here, I feel confident that they will rise to the demands of the day and get the three points to stay in the hunt for the ticket to Rio’’, added Siasia, who guided Nigeria to a silver medal winning feat at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
But the former Flying Eagles coach has also cautioned his wards on the dangers of playing with bloated ego.

Some of the teams that have qualified for the Rio finals include hosts Brazil, Honduras, Mexico, Argentina, Fiji, Denmark, Germany, Portugal and Sweden.
Three more teams from Africa will join the Rio train by December 12 while the three qualifiers from Asia will be known on January 30 when the Asian U-23 Championship ends in Qatar, hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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