Archive | July 2015

Oliseh: Coaching Super Eagles is an Uphill Risk worth Taking….

unveiling-of-Sunday-oliseh-at-Abuja

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing on his website, The new Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has the following to say about his new job:

It is definitely the most delicate job in the African Football continent and definitely the most demanding. The Job of super Eagles Coach is one many love to hate but as a Nigerian Ex international and patriot it definitely does not leave you indifferent. Many out of love and doubts for our fatherland have expressed their doubts in my coaching Crews’ and my ability to coach and take to a higher level the super Eagles.This is understandable to an extent but definitely an added motivation. I am fully aware that though this is the honeymoon period of the job as we are yet to play a game, there are all kinds of other uphill difficulties ahead of Us. Our Nation Nigeria does not boast anymore of players who are plying their trade in the most prestigious clubs as was the case in the mid-1990’s till mid 2000’s,but with a population of 170 million people we are definitely blessed with Potential. Most especially when one takes Into consideration that football is like a Religion to Nigerians.

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Cambiasso to leave Leicester….

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Argentina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso has rejected an offer to stay with Leicester. The 34-year-old joined the Foxes last summer on a one-year deal, which expired last month. New manager Claudio Ranieri said he had spoken with Cambiasso – the club’s player of the year last term – about a new deal and urged him to “please come back”. But the former Inter Milan and Real Madrid player said in a statement: “I have decided not to renew my contract with Leicester. I have taken this decision only 24 hours after receiving the proposal from Leicester because I want to give the club as much time as possible to find an alternative.”

Bolt’s now eating healthy….

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Usain Bolt is sacrificing fast food in a bid to extend his sprinting career. In an interview with the IAAF Inside Athletics programme, the 28-year-old said he had cut back “on a lot of things”. “I’ve started eating healthy. That’s the hardest thing for me right now is the sacrifices, eating vegetables all the time,” said Bolt, who had a reputation in his younger years for liking the nightlife and eating chicken nuggets. “Everything else is easy to give up, but eating healthy is really hard.” Bolt who has been struggling with a pelvic injury is due to compete at the Diamond League meet in London on Friday.

Jules Bianchi funeral….

All of our thoughts are with Jules' family and friends in Nice today. #CiaoJules #JB17

The funeral of Jules Bianchi holds in his hometown of Nice, France. Large posters of Bianchi were draped outside the entrance of the city’s Sainte Reparate Cathedral as fans gathered outside saw drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Felipe Massa and Olivier Panis arrive to pay their respects. Bianchi, 25, died on Saturday as a result of severe head injuries in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. His car number, 17, is being retired from F1 in his honour. Bianchi is the first F1 driver to die from injuries sustained in a grand prix since Brazilian triple world champion Ayrton Senna was killed at the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola in 1994.

Stambouli joins PSG….

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Tottenham midfielder Benjamin Stambouli has joined French champions Paris St-Germain on a five-year deal for a fee reported to be about £6m. The former France Under-21 player made just 12 appearances for Spurs after joining from Montpellier in September. Stambouli, 24, was in the Montpellier squad that won the 2012 Ligue 1 title. “France is going to rediscover a player that was full of promise when he was playing in Ligue 1,” said PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

Mitrovic joins Newcastle….

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Newcastle United have confirmed the signing of Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic for a reported fee of £13m. Mitrovic, 20, joins from Belgian side Anderlecht and is a key part of manager Steve McClaren’s summer rebuilding plans.

Sterling scores on Man City debut….

Raheem Sterling

New Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling scored three minutes into his debut in a friendly against Roma at the MCG in Melbourne on Tuesday. The 20-year-old, who joined City for £49m from Liverpool on 14 July, ran through on goal before finishing. Sterling started on the left side of a front three that included David Silva and teenage forward Kelechi Iheanacho before being substituted at half-time. Iheanacho also scored in a game City won 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. The game was City’s first in the International Champions Cup tournament in which they face Real Madrid on Friday. Sterling, who became the most expensive English player ever when he made the move from Liverpool to City, slipped on the ball after 49 seconds of the game and later had a strong call for a penalty turned down. He appeared to be fouled inside the area by Alessandro Florenzi, but the referee waved play on. Miralem Pjanic equalised for Roma with a stunning long-range strike before Iheanacho pounced on a poor Ashley Cole back pass to regain the lead for City early in the second half. Roma’s Adem Ljajic curled home a free-kick with three minutes remaining to take the game to penalties, where Joe Hart made two saves and also scored to give City the win.

Benteke to have Liverpool medical….

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Christian Benteke is due to have a medical at Liverpool today ahead of his £32.5m transfer from Aston Villa. Benteke, 24, joined Villa from Genk in 2012 for £7m, scoring 49 goals in 101 games. Liverpool made a move for the striker after receiving funds from the £49m sale of Raheem Sterling to Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Results of the Nigerian Premier League….

Saturday 18 July 2015:

Nasarawa United 1 – 0 Dolphin

Sunday 19 July 2015:

Enugu Rangers 1 – 2 Enyimba

Sunshine Stars 2 – 1 Taraba

Lobi Stars 3 – 3 Kano Pillars

Warri Wolves 2 – 1 Sharks

Akwa United 1 – 0 Bayelsa United

Heartland 4 – 0 Wikki Tourists

Kwara United 3 – 1 Giwa

Shooting Stars 2 – 1 El-Kanemi

Abia Warriors 1 – 0 Ifeanyi Uba

Messi lays first stone of new Gabon venue….

Lionel Messi visits Gabon

Four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi linked up with Gabonese president Ali Bongo Ondimba on Saturday to lay the first stone at a future Africa Cup of Nations venue. The Barcelona star, who won a treble of Spanish title, Copa del Rey and European Champions League last season, officially started the building process at the Port-Gentil stadium, which will host Africa Cup of Nations matches in 2017. The ceremony took place on a wide sandy ground where the stadium will be built. It was the Argentine forward’s first visit to Gabon and he signed autographs on team jerseys worn by his fans, before proceeding with the laying of the first stone, accompanied by the president. “When I was in Barcelona a few years ago, I met Messi who had told me that he would come to visit me in Libreville,” said the Gabon president. “It’s a promise he made me. He is a man of honour who just kept his word.” The new stadium will have a capacity of 20,000 and is expected to host matches from November 2016 in the build-up to the tournament. Port Gentil is Gabon’s second city.

Omeruo set for loan move to Turkey….

Kenneth Omeruo

Nigeria international defender Kenneth Omeruo is set to join Turkish Super Lig side Kasimpasa on a season-long loan deal from English champions Chelsea. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at English Championship side Middlesbrough, where he made 22 appearances in all competitions. The Super Eagle, who joined Chelsea in January 2012, was determined to fight his way into Jose Mourinho’s plans this season  but has opted for a move to Turkey instead. BBC Sport understands Omeruo will have his medical at Kasimpasa on Tuesday before signing a deal, which includes an option for the Turkish club to buy him at the end of the loan. Omeruo has come a long way since joining the Stamford Bridge outfit from Belgian side Standard Liege – developing on loan at ADO Den Haag in Netherlands in an 18-month spell from 2012 to 2013, becoming an international regular and making his mark at Middlesbrough. The centre-back was first called up by Nigeria in January 2013 and he went on to play at that year’s Africa Cup of Nations, helping the Super Eagles win the trophy, and at the World Cup the following year. At that time he was also starring at English Championship side Middlesbrough, who he joined in January 2014. He made 14 appearances in his first loan spell and after agreeing another season-long loan deal at the club he returned for a second spell to help Middlesbrough’s push for promotion in the 2014/15 season. An integral part of the Super Eagles squad which reached the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Omeruo has also represented Nigeria at the FIFA U-17, U-20 and the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Nigeria beat Congo in Olympic qualifier….

Nigeria edged closer towards qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics with a 2-1 victory over Congo Brazzaville in Port Harcourt. It was sweet revenge for Nigeria whose senior side lost 3-2 to Claude Le Roy’s Congo last year in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier – a result which ultimately denied the Super Eagles a place at the finals and a chance to defend their title. Nigeria boast a proud Olympics football record, having won gold medals at the Atlanta Games in 1996. They also finished runners-up at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where current Nigeria under-23 coach Samson Siasia (pictured) also coached the ‘Dream Team’ in China. On Sunday, it was Junior Ajayi who proved to be Siasia’s match winner, scoring both goals just after half-time, in front of 35,000 home fans. Le Roy’s Congo pulled one back in the 68th minute – but Nigeria held on to seize the first leg advantage in the under-23 level third-round qualifier. The return match is scheduled for early August and the overall winners qualify for an end-of-year tournament in Senegal from which the top three teams out of eight go to Rio.

Oriental derby on the Nigeria Premier League….

Enugu Rangers will engage Enyimba of Aba in age long regional rivalry game tomorrow (July 19). The Oriental derby will take place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu, a great cathedral of soccer in Nigeria. Rangers vs Enyimba game is always a delight to watch and the atmosphere is always wonderful. The Enugu fans will be singing “Kpebe ekpere ka Rangers merie” while the Aba fans will respond with “Nzogbu nzogbu Enyimba enyi”. There was a particular fantastic derby that Orji Uzor Kalu, then Abia governor came with full entourage to Enugu for the game which Rangers won one nil. The game was a delight to watch and that was the period Enyimba was making waves in the continent. The final whistle was blown as the then Enugu governor, Chimaroke Nnamani was entering the stadium as he rushed back from a function. Nnamani proceeded on a running lap round the field and stopped at the VIP stand to greet Kalu. Nnamani later continued his race with teeming Enugu Rangers fans down O’Connor Street, Presidential Road and down to his government house. I urge the fans to go out tomorrow and enjoy themselves.

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Gerrard scores on MLS debut….

Steven Gerrard scored on his Major League Soccer debut and had a role in two of Robbie Keane’s three goals as LA Galaxy beat San Jose Earthquakes 5-2. The 35-year-old former Liverpool captain, making his first league appearance for anyone other than the Reds, levelled in the 37th minute after Keane’s penalty made it 2-1. Gerrard, who was wearing Liverpool shinpads, charged forward from his own half and played the ball to Keane, who found Baggio Husidic and Gerrard turned his cross home from 10 yards.

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U23: Congo aim to shock Nigeria again….

Congo boss Claude LeRoy (left)

Congo coach Claude LeRoy wants to inflict further misery on Nigeria this weekend when he takes his side to Port Harcourt for a 2016 Olympic Games football qualifier. The Red Devils stunned the Super Eagles 3-2 last year in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier – it was the first home Nations Cup qualifying loss suffered by Nigeria and ultimately denied them a place at the finals and a chance to defend their title. Now, the consistently successful 67-year-old Frenchman hopes to repeat at under-23 level what he achieved at senior level and edge Congo closer to Rio de Janeiro and a first Olympics football appearance.

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Frimpong sent off after crowd anti racism gesture….

Emmanuel Frimpong

Former Arsenal player Emmanuel Frimpong was sent off playing for Russian side FC Ufa after he gestured to the crowd with his middle finger in response to alleged monkey chants. The midfielder, 23, was playing away to Spartak Moscow in the opening game of the Russian Premier League season. “When the match was stopped, the fans started shouting ‘monkey’ at me,” said Ghana’s Frimpong after the 2-2 draw. “I just did not keep my cool, I showed my emotions and it was my mistake.” Frimpong was shown the red card after half an hour of the game in Moscow, with the score at 1-1. He wrote on Twitter  after the match: “A human being shouldn’t be racially abused for the game that I love. I’m going to serve a sentence for being abused.”

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Kaboul having Sunderland medical….

Younes Kaboul

Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul is having a medical at Sunderland, according to reports. The 29-year-old Kaboul would become head coach Dick Advocaat’s fourth summer signing if he completes a move. The Black Cats have signed defenders Sebastian Coates and Adam Matthews as well as midfielder Jeremain Lens so far this summer.

Diving Giroud….

It's @Arsenal's very own flying Frenchman, @_OlivierGiroud_! #ArsenalSingapore

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been showing off his diving skills on the club’s pre-season tour of Asia much to the delight of on looking Mesut Ozil.

Robinho moves to China….

Robinho

Former Manchester City striker Robinho has joined Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande. The Brazil international, 31, has signed on a free for six months and will wear the number 60 jersey. Guangzhou Evergrande are managed by ex-Brazil and Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Valdes defends himself….

 

 

 

.....? #respect

Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes will be sold after manager Louis van Gaal claimed he “refused to play” in the reserves. But Valdes has tweeted pictures of reserve games from his time at Old Trafford.