Brazil World Cup: Eagles got a S/Final target... hmmmm really??

The Nigerian Supporters Club(Worldwide) in a World Press conference yesterday at their Ayinde Giwa secretariat set the target noting that the target was solely for musical group who have been the back-bone of all national teams at all international competitions.

Give concession to associations’ coaches: Nasir

Pakistan’s experienced coach Nasir Ismail on Monday said that Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) should reduce the fee for the Licence B coaching course for those coaches who cannot afford it.

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"Messi ‘ll destroy Nigeria" Aguero

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero has said that Argentina’s talisman, Lionel Messi has the magic to destroy all opponents of their country in the 2014 Brazil World Cup.
Argentina are aiming to win the World Cup in Brazil and one of their group opponents are Nigeria.
They  are pitched in Group F alongside Nigeria, Bosnia Herzegovina and Iran. It is a group pundits have already given to Argentina to win, given the country’s array of stars.
Players such as Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Pablo Zabaleta,  Di Maria,among others are making waves in the various leagues across Europe.
But of all the players in the rich line up,  Aguero has singled out Lionel Messi as the man  who will lead Argentina in her bid to win  her third World Cup in neighbouring Brazil.

The Manchester City striker said that with a fit Messi  Argentina opponents will have no chance in Brazil.
Expressing his admiration for the four time FIFA world footballer of the year and his expected contribution to Argentina’s success at the World Cup,  Aguero told Goal, “Messi is a spectacular player and just makes football so much easier,”  adding, “to play alongside the best player in the world is a privilege.”
Aguero believes their World Cup opponents will find it difficult to contain the trickery and craftsmanship of the Barcelona forward in Brazil. Aguero is hoping Messi can inspire Argentina to World Cup glory in neighbouring Brazil this summer.

 “He solves problems on the pitch like few others can even think about, so he can play a big part of winning the World Cup.”

He could not prioritise between the World Cup and the English Premier League title and denies there is extra emphasis on the World Cup due to it being staged in his native South America.

“First of all, I want to finish this season well with City and to be in good physical shape for Brazil,” he said.

“Basically, I want to win everything.

Stoke hughes lauds Odemwingie

Stoke City manager, Mark Hughes is delighted with the impact made by Nigerian striker, Peter Odemwingie. Odemwingie has scored five league goals for Stoke since joining from Cardiff City in January.
  His latest strike was recorded in the 62nd minute on Saturday as the Potters beat Hull City 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium on match day 32 of the 2013/14 Barclays English Premier League season.
  It left Hughes in positive spirits and he took the time to praise his Nigerian acquisition whose form in front of goal has left many an eyebrow raised. "We're pleased with what he's producing. He's obviously come in and he wasn't a risk really because he's an accomplished Premier League player who has scored goals at this level so we know what we were getting,”
  Hughes said at the post match press conference. Hughes also commended the 32-year-old for taking very little time to settle in at his new surroundings.
"You always hope the period of going to a new club, settling down and getting used to who's around you in the dressing room is short. "In fairness to Peter he's come in and seamlessly picked up some outstanding form. I think that comes in being happy in his environment and happy in the players that surround him. "We're reaping the benefits because he's a major factor in us winning today," he said on Saturday.
  Odemwingie will be hoping to force his way into Nigeria’s World Cup squad with his latest goal scoring heroics. The forward hasn’t played for the Super Eagles since February 29, 2012.
  Odemwingie earned his Nigeria debut in 2002 and has since scored nine goals in 55 appearances for the Super Eagles.

Disastrous Injury For Arsenal Ahead Of City Clash

Arsenal have received a boost ahead of the clash against Manchester City this weekend. Arsenal have a fair share of their own injury worries but they aren’t the only affected party as Manchester have theirs too.

  According to the Daily Star , the Etihad giants will be without the services of their top striker Sergio Aguero against the Gunners.
  The Argentine hit-man has been out of action owing to a hamstring injury. The absence of Aguero, is it really a boost?Yes but Manchester City are blessed with abundant of attacking talents and 8 goals in 2 matches is a testament to the fact that they aren’t really missing Aguero.
  In Jovetic, Dzeko and Negredo, Manchester City have more than enough replacement for the Argentine. In Yaya Toure, the Manchester side also boast of a huge goal outlet.
  Arsenal would do well to focus on the entire Manchester City as they can score for different outlets. The key to beating City would be defensive solidity, midfield discipline and sharp attack. They cannot afford to be profligate in attack if we really want to win the match. Hopefully, Wenger will get his selection right and the players selected would prove their mettle on the field.
  It is high time we beat a top team and banish this feeling that we can’t stand toe to toe with our title rivals.

What do you think?

IKE UCHE OUT OF WORLD CUP Keshi speaks

Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi has closed the door on striker Ikechukwu Uche for the World Cup, saying he lacks tactical discipline.
Uche has been one of Nigeria’s reliable goal scorers and has scored 12 goals this season for Villarreal. On Monday night, the striker returned to action after he was sidelined by injury for two weeks.
He last featured for Nigeria in the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations against Burkina Faso. Keshi speaking to MTNFootball.com from his base in the United States said, “Ikechukwu Uche is not a player I have not seen play. Ike Uche problem is not knowing how to play football. “His problem is that he wants to dictate how we play in Super Eagles, he wants to tell us the system we’re playing is not good.
“Uche he has a very bad habit, that if you put him in the game he is not playing to instructions and he did that in the final of AFCON against Burkina Faso, he almost cost us.
“Again he did that against Zambia, in the second match when (Efe) Ambrose was given a red card. What we told him to do, he was doing the opposite.” Keshi added: “And if you don’t respect your team mates and you don’t respect the team, then there is no point. I know he cannot do that in his club, then why do it in the national team?

“I don’t think I need a player like that in the team.”

LIVERPOOL OVERCOME SWANSEA IN DRAMATIC GOAL

Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson both scored twice as Liverpool maintained their Premier League title push with a crazy 4-3 win over Swansea City at Anfield.
In a match that showcased both their devastating attacking power and worrying defensive frailty, Brendan Rodgers’s side raced into a two-goal lead before letting Swansea draw level - then powering away to a result that sees them stay in the title race with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.
Sturridge opened the scoring in the third minute following brilliant work by Raheem Sterling, who won possession in his own half and played a perfect 50-yard through ball. Sturridge beat Michel Vorm to it, and the England striker finished into the empty net. Sterling could well join his colleague in Brazil this summer. Jordan Henderson doubled the lead on 20 minutes with a sweeping finish into the top corner from the edge of the box, but rather than consolidate the home side defended slackly. Former Liverpool man Jonjo Shelvey thumped in off the bar - his muted celebration drawing applause from the Anfield crowd - before Wilfried Bony’s deflected header beat Simon Mignolet.
Parity did not last long, as a fine Liverpool team move culminated in Luis Suarez crossing for Sturridge to head his 18th goal in 19 Premier League games this season.
Swansea equalised for the second time early in the second half when Martin Skrtel manhandled Bony and the Ivorian beat Mignolet from the penalty spot. Liverpool came again, Luis Suarez had a penalty appeal rejected after a theatrical fall, and the game’s seventh goal finally came after Ashley Williams blocked a Suarez shot.

Vorm parried Henderson’s first shot on the rebound but could do nothing about the second.     

Emenike seeks divine protection from Injurie

I actually wanted to laugh it off, but on second thought, I think its worth it, to avoid the "monkey dey walk baboon dey chop" term...

Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike is looking up to the heavens to keep him free from injuries ahead of the world cup slated for June in Brazil.
This is against the backdrop of injury the top striker suffered in the run-up to the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil last year. Emenike recently returned to action for Fenerbahce after cooping a thigh injury and as the build up continues to Brazil 2014, Emenike stated that his wish was to remain healthy and play for the Eagles at the World Cup.
“Here’s hoping I can make up for it at the World Cup. It’s an occasion that obviously means a great deal to me. Events don’t come any bigger. It’s going to be amazing. I pray that I don’t get injured this time. I injured my knee a few weeks before the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament and unfortunately had to pull out,” Emenike said.
Emenike scored two vital goals in the first leg of the World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
At the last Nations Cup in South Africa his four goals where vital in the the Super Eagles triumph.

I say amen for him ooo

Moses, Odemwingie make Pepsi 'superstar' list

Nigerian winger, Victor Moses may be enduring a torrid time at Barclays English Premier League club, Liverpool but things are looking up for him outside the pitch.
The 23-year-old who famously featured in a Samsung advert featuring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo recently was named as the brand commenced a global campaign uniting 19 of the world's best footballers. Another Nigerian, Peter Odemwingie was also selected by Pepsi. Stars selected spanned five continents and nearly 20 countries as Pepsi look to inspire fans the world over to "Live For Now" in 2014.
Leo Messi, Sergio Aguero (Argentina) and Jack Wilshere (England)will be joined by David Luiz (Brazil), Robin van Persie (The Netherlands) and Sergio Ramos (Spain) as part of the global Pepsi lineup. These super six will be bolstered by additional footballing greats from across the globe representing their home countries, including: Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Colombia), Clint Dempsey (USA), Tarik Elyounoussi (Norway), Maynor Figueroa (Honduras), and Mario Gomez (Germany). The list is completed by Vincent Kompany (Belgium), Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica), Victor Moses (Nigeria), Peter Osaze Odemwingie (Nigeria), Oribe Peralta (Mexico), Andriy Pyatov (Ukraine), Mohamed Salah (Egypt) and Gylfi Por Sigurosson (Iceland).
The Pepsi players took to social media on Thursday to unveil the entire roster in an exciting digital relay that reached fans across the globe. The global player announcement also kicked off a series of exciting year-long activities as part of the 2014 Pepsi Football campaign.
Not only will the players star in Pepsi's global television commercial released later in the year, a selection of the players will also be featured on limited edition, eye-catching packaging and point of sale across the globe, designed to bring to life their flair and enthusiasm for the game.

Happy for them

FIFA Ranking: Eagles drop

Nigeria have slipped four places to 41st in the latest Fifa world rankings, released on Thursday.

The African champions are placed seventh on the continent, behind Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Algeria, Egypt, Cape Verde Islands and Mali. Globally, there is no change in the top 25 teams, with Spain still leading the way, followed by Germany, Argentina, Colombia and Portugal. World Cup hosts Brazil are 10th.
The Super Eagles played two matches in the last ranking window, beating Ethiopia 2-1 before losing 2-1 to Mali in their African Nations Championship (Chan) opener on January 1. Stephen Keshi’s men defeated Mozambique 4-2 yesterday, and next face tournament hosts South Africa on Sunday.
Chan is an event reserved for footballers plying their trade in the country of their birth.

"EAGLES WILL BOUNCE BACK" KESHI

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi says he believes that his wards have received the baptism of fire in their Group A opening match against Mali on Saturday in Cape Town and will bounce back to ensure qualification for the next round of the tournament.
Speaking at the post match conference, Keshi admitted that the players were desperate not only to convince himself and the technical crew of their potentials but majority of Nigerians and the world that they could be part of the World Cup party.
“The pressure was massive and I expected this type of happening but I am certain that they now know that they have to satisfy themselves and have confidence in themselves, because we have lost the opening game and we have to forget that and fight for qualification from the remaining two games. He said most of the players were playing at the big stage for the first time and it showed in the manner they played, adding that he has been talking to them and he was sure that the result will show in the second game. On why the team played better in the second half than the first, the reigning African Coach of The Year, said he simply told them during the interval to loosen up and enjoy their game instead of trying to impress the coach, the fans, the nation and even scouts.
“The team will definitely get better”, Keshi assured after Mali’s shock 2-1 win over the Super Eagles on Saturday. On the players’ part, defence Trojan, Azubuike Egwuekwe who held his own in the face of misfiring mates and winger Ejike Uzoenyi who was also impressive, said they have been talking to their teammates to wake up to the reality of playing at the big stage.
“We didn’t play well at all today and we all know it but we have decided that we will come back stronger and better. I plead with Nigerians to give us another opportunity, “Egwuekwe said. Uzoenyi on his part said experience counted aplenty in the game against Mali but assured that all hopes are not lost.

Wishing you the verry best of luck...

Mourinho expects more Hazard at Chelsea

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes there is plenty of improvement still to come from Eden Hazard despite the Belgian’s fine form this season .
Hazard has netted 11 goals in some influential displays so far this term to be the Blues’ top goal scorer and his new -found work ethic has also delighted Mourinho . “ At the age of 23 to be where he is , we can only expect better, ” Mourinho said. “ But let him go. Let the top , top ones at 27 , 28, 29 years be where they deserve to be because they have careers of many years at the top . And let Eden follow his way, the way he is doing . “ I cannot expect him to be the match- winner in every game; I cannot put this kind of pressure on him. But we are very happy with him. He has improved a lot in every aspect .
“ He was known as one of the worst trainers . He was training to have some fun , always having a joke. Not top concentration. “ He has become –
I don’ t say one of the best – but a good professional in training . “ He works very hard for the team . He’s trying now. ”

CAF names Super Eagles ‘National Team of the Year’

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named the Nigerian National Football team – Super Eagles of Nigeria the ‘National Team of the Year’.

The award was given to the current Africa Champions last night January 9, 2013 at the awards ceremony held in Lagos, Nigeria.
Nigeria dominated the awards also with Super Eagles gaffer Stephen Keshi winning ‘Coach of the Year ‘, the Nigerian U17 winning ‘Youth National Team of the Year ‘, Nigeria’s Supporters Club winning ‘Fair Play Award‘ and U17 player Kelechi Iheanacho winning ‘Most Promising Talent ‘.

The prime award ‘ African Player of the Year‘ however went to Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure who beat five Nigerian players John Obi Mikel , skipper Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Emenike, Sunday Mba , and Ahmed Musa including Galatasaray FC star, Didier Drogba and Borussia Dortmund attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to win the award.

Check out the full list below

National Team of the Year Nigeria

Youth National Team of the Year Nigeria U17

Club of the Year Al Ahly

Fair Play Award Nigeria Supporters Club

Referee of the Year Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria)

Most Promising Talent Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria U17)

Coach of the Year Stephen Keshi (Nigeria)

African XI: Enyeama; Fathy, Benatia, Constant, Mikel, Yaya, Aboutreika, Pitroipa, Emenike, Gyan, Aubameyang. Coach: Keshi

African Player of the Year (Africa- based) Mohamed Aboutreika (Egypt)

African Player of the Year Yaya Toure (Cote D’Ivoire)

CAF Legend Award Bruno Metsu Jose Mehdi Faria

Chelsea star completes move away from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo has signed for Championship side Middlesbrough according to Sky Sports.

The Nigerian defender has signed for the rest of the season.
Chelsea are still involved in a number of deals. According to reports Chelsea are ready to offer Ryan Betrand to Southampton in a player exchange and money deal for Luke Shaw.
Sports Direct News has reported that Chelsea has offered Bertrand in order to reduce the high price the Saints have put on Luke Shaw. With Ashley Cole out of favour with Jose Mourinho and reports linking him to Real Madrid and a reunion with Carlo Ancelotti.,

Chelsea are in need of a top quality left back now.

Yea we've waited so long for this....

Lol, Nigeria beat Ethiopia again

Culled from kickoff.com

Nigeria beat Ethiopia 2-1 in an international friendly played at the Abuja National Stadium on Saturday evening.

The game was the first real test for the Nigerian national team who are set to make a maiden appearance at the African Nations Championship which kicks-off on January 11 in South Africa.

Enyimba striker Ifeanyi Ede gave Nigeria the advantage after scoring in the 3rd minute to put Nigeria in front.
Ede later missed a chance to extend Nigeria's lead, when he failed to connect with a pass from Rabiu Ali in the 27th minute.

The home based Super Eagles continued to dominate their opponents and their persistence paid off when Enugu Rangers holding midfielder Ugonna Uzochukwu struck to double Nigeria's lead.

Nigeria took their two-goal lead into the break, and continued to dominate the game upon resumption of the second half. But the Eagles could not translate their control of the game into goals, and were made to pay when the Ethiopians pulled a goal back against the run of play, after Chigozie Agbim parried the ball into his own net.

Agbim's own-goal led a section of the over 2000 fans present at the Stadium to call for the introduction of Golden Eaglets goalie Dele Alampasu. Despite losing their two-goal cushion, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi made some attacking changes to the team as Gbolahan Salami came on for Abubakar Aliyu, and Christian Pyagbara came on in place of Rabiu Ali.
Neither team was however able to add to their tally when Guinean referee Yakhouba Keita signaled for the end of the game.

Nigeria have now defeated Ethiopia in their last four meetings. The Super Eagles beat Ethiopia in the group stage of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, then went on to beat them over both legs of their World Cup qualifying play-off last year.

Nigeria are expected to depart for South Africa on Tuesday next week.

I feel this keshi should work on all this strikers, both the ones home and abroad ooo.

Nigeria can win World Cup, insists former coach

Nigeria's former Assistant Coach, Joe Erico, believes that his former charges have the necessary tools to go far in this year's World Cup and even win the tournament.

An interview with football411.com, Erico said that "If it is well planned, we will get the best out of the players and we may win the cup."

The Super Eagles, who won the 2013 African Cup of Nations for the third time, boast some exciting youngsters and performed admirably in last year's Confederations Cup in Brazil, missing out on a Semi-Final place after finding themselves in a group with Spain and Uruguay.
But are Erico's ideals a little far-fetched considering no African team has gone past the Quarter Finals of a World Cup? He certainly doesn't think so: "what our players need are right incentives and recognition then you will see them come up with their best form and performance."

Nigeria will be in Group F of this year's tournament, alongside Argentina, Bosnia- Hercegovina and Iran

Lets hope his predictions are right... abi?

Keshi Calls Unselected Players for Support

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has not left unselected players without encouragement.

The African reigning champion coach could do nothing than dropping some of his players as only 23 Eagles are expected to defend national colors in Rainbow Nation.

Sorry for unselected Eagles, Keshi encouraged them and call them upon to stand up tall and support their teammates set to be in action in next African Nations Championship to be held from January 11 to February 1 in South Africa. "We must pray for our brothers who made it because tomorrow it will be our turn but most importantly we must be disciplined and play consistently for our various club sides," Keshi told the players.

Nigeria is housed in Group A alongside hosts South Africa, Mozambique, Nigeria and Mali.

S’Eagles will improve ahead of CHAN 2014 – Keshi

Super Eagles’ head coach Stephen Keshi says the home-based Eagles can improve ahead of the 2014 African Nations Championship holding in South Africa in January.

Keshi said this while speaking with sportswriters at Kpor, the headquarters of Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers after the Eagles drew 1-1 with Gokana United FC, a pro-league club.

The match was part of events used to inaugurate the 8,000 capacity Gokana stadium, built by the Gokana LGA. Keshi said the home-based Eagles needed more time to improve, in spite of not having trained enough for the championship.

The coach also said there was still room for any home-based player to distinguish himself and earn a place in the main Eagles team to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

He however said the Eagles’ final team list for the CHAN tournament would be unveiled before midnight of Tuesday, Dec. 31.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Barnabas Imenger Jnr. had shot the Eagles ahead in the eighth minute while Daniel Nwosu equalised for Gokana United Speaking on the match, Patrick Nwaja, the coach of Gokana United, praised his team for holding the home-based Eagles.

“We had a few days to prepare for this friendly. If we had had more time, we could have done better.
“But I assure all our fans that we will do well in the pro-league,” he said.

Nwaja also commended the Eagles for the standard of their play in spite of the short period they had to prepare for the match as well as the 2014 CHAN.

Well we have faith...

Nigerian Obi Mikel wary of Arsenal clash

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has warned that Arsenal are no small team, as he looks forward to a clash between both sides.

Chelsea will take on Arsenal on Monday December 23, 2013 in an English Premier League tie.

Mikel said the stability in Arsenal in the current season is a thing any team should be careful about.

“There has been some stability at Arsenal. And I think people criticizing them for failing to win a trophy have helped too. They have not won a trophy yet but you can see they are heading in the right direction,” Mikel told Premier League Television (PLTV).

The Nigeria international also reserved words of praise for the Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger for staying true to his football ideologies and long-term project in North London. “Arsene Wenger is building something at Arsenal and it’s showing now in the way they are playing and their current position on the league table.

“They have a very good chance of winning the league title but so do we,” he said.

Mikel has made league 10 appearances for Chelsea this season and has scored once for the Blues against Fulham on September 21 at StamfordBridge.

Nigeria and Lille goalkeeper,

Vincent Enyeama has again been honoured in France as he was adjudged as the best player in Ligue 1 for the month of November. The Super Eagles goalkeeper beat Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the award after racking up 59 percent of the votes cast, compared to the Swede’s 32 percent and Florian Thauvin of Olympique Marseille’s distant 9 percent' Vincent Enyeamss has enjoyed an impressive run of form this season that has seen him concede in only four of his club’s 18 league games this season.

The former Enyimba and Akwa Starlets man was between the posts for Lille when they faced Paris-Saint Germain at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.