NairaBrain ~ News » Soccer News

Yobo Goes to Fenerbahce as Everton Resist West Ham move.

soloheater — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:40:16 +0000

Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo has completed his season-long loan move from English Premier League side Everton to top Turkish side Fenerbahce.

The deal, which includes the option to make the transfer permanent when the loan ends next summer, was completed yesterday afternoon ahead of the closure of the Turkish transfer window, after the 29-year-old agreed terms and passed a medical.

A deal had been agreed between the two clubs earlier this week. Fernerbahce once had in its fold former Super Eagles captains, Okechukwu Uche and Augustine Okocha, and they have won the Turkish Super League a record 17 times; a record they share with fierce rivals Galatasaray.

Yobo, who joined Everton from French club Olympique Marseille in 2002, has not played for the Merseyside-based club this season.

His arrived Everton initially on loan from Marseille – the deal was made permanent before the end of the 2002/03 season – thus becoming the first signing to be made by the club’s boss David Moyes, who joined Everton from Preston North End.

Yobo, made over 250 appearances for Everton and back in 2007 captained the side in the absence of club captain Phil Neville, but the form of Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka saw him lose his place in the first team towards the end of last season – he started only 14 league games.

His current deal with the club doesn’t however expire until the summer of 2014 and English tabloid The Mirror reported that the defender has ruled out signing permanently with the Turkish side.

The newspaper says that the Nigerian, who only got married at the start of the year, plans to come back to England for the sake of his children’s education.

Kaita moves to Ukrain

Meanwhile, midfielder Sani Kaita has signed a three-year deal with top Ukrainian side FC Metalist Kharkiv.

According to one of the player’s representatives, Tijani Babangida, in a report on a Nigerian website, Kaita signed on Tuesday and was thrilled to turn his back on AS Monaco of France.

“It’s a big move for Kaita because Metalist are involved in the Europa League and it will therefore be a great platform for the player to show the whole world what he is capable of,” said the former Ajax and Nigeria winger.”

Metalist are drawn in Group I of the Europa League along with PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands, Italy’s Sampdoria and Debrecen of Hungary.

“He’s delighted to have finally made this switch, but we have told him that everything is now up to him – to start playing a minimum of 20 games a season. He will be judged by his performance,” Babangida added.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder, who could also have moved to English Championship side Leicester but for his lack of international games, has already played on loan in Russia.

The deal taking the 24-year-old to the Ukrainian outfit was brokered by his manager, Dimitri Seluk, who also manages Manchester City’s Ivorian international Yaya Toure.

Hargreaves in United’s 25 Man squad.

soloheater — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:00:01 +0000

All of United’s players from the first-team through to the Academy are eligible to play in the Premier League this season after the Reds submitted squad details for the 2010/11 campaign.

Sir Alex Ferguson and his fellow top-flight managers had until 17:00 BST on 1 September to submit a squad of 25 players (plus an unlimited number of U21s) to the Premier League.

There had been media debate as to whether Owen Hargreaves – still receiving treatment in the US for a tendonitis problem that has limited him to one substitute appearance since September 2008 – would make the final squad. But he has been included, along with 23 other players, in the main squad.

United’s Champions League squad has also been submitted to UEFA and now has to be verified before being confirmed.

Premier League squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak; Neville*, Evra, J.Evans*, Ferdinand*, W.Brown*, Vidic, O’Shea*, De Laet*; Nani, Anderson, Giggs*, Park, Carrick*, Scholes*, Fletcher*, Valencia, Gibson*, Hargreaves; Berbatov, Rooney*, Hernandez, Owen*. U21s: Ajose, Amos, Bebe, Blackett, Brady, R.Brown, Chester, Cleverley, Cofie, Cole, Coll, Devlin, Drinkwater, Dudgeon, Eikrem, Ekangamene, C.Evans, Fabio, Fornasier, Fryers, Gill, Hendrie, Hussain, Jacob, James, Johnstone, Keane, King, Lawrence, Lingard, Macheda, Massacci, McCullough, McGinty, Morrison, Norwood, Obertan, Petrucci, Pogba, Rafael, Smalling, Stewart, Thorpe, Tunnicliffe, Vermijl, Welbeck, Wootton. *Indicates player is home-grown.

Note: Each club must submit a squad, maximum 25 players, containing eight home-grown players (trained in England or Wales for 36 months before age 21), with an additional unlimited number of players aged 21 or under on 1 January that year

Tottenham New Boy Rafael van der Vaart: I Am Not A Real Madrid Failure.

soloheater — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:32:31 +0000

Tottenham new boy Rafael van der Vaart has declared he is ready to show the quality to rubbish reports he is a Real Madrid failure.

Spurs pulled off the shock signing of the Netherlands international at the end of the summer transfer window. After falling behind Kaka, Sergio Canales and Mesut Oezil in the Madrid pecking order, some quarters have viewed the switch as a sign of defeat.

Speaking to to www.talksport.co.uk, Van der Vaart stated he was ready to prove his worth in the Premier League.

He said: “I have not been a failure at Real Madrid.

“I have always given my best over the last few years for both club and country. Now I have arrived at Tottenham and I want to show my quality.

“A number of clubs have been interested in me, but I always wanted to consider the best option at the last moment.

“When I saw that I would not be playing, I knew I had to leave.

“The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world. I can only say if I have been worth the money at the end of the season.”

The 27-year-old added: “I don’t think I am going to have any problems adapting in England to the style of play and the country I am living in.

“The fact that Tottenham were playing in the Champions League influenced my decision a great deal. I have to earn my place in the team.

“Tottenham have a number of sensational players and I know it is not going to be easy, but that is the challenge I am looking forward to.”

Amodu asks NFF to apologise over Lagerback

soloheater — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:15:10 +0000

Amodu asks NFF to apologise over Lagerback

Former Super Eagles manager, Shuaibu Amodu, yesterday, urged the Nigeria Football Federation to apologize to Nigerians for hiring his successor, Lars Lagerback.

Lagerback took over from Amodu months before the Mundial, and led Nigeria to a first round crash, and has not returned to the country after the tournament. Lagerback’s agent has said the Swede would not return to keep with his job. Speaking at a forum organized by the House of Representatives Sports committee to review the devastating outing and general fading performance of the country’s football, Amodu said NFF members who took the decision of bringing in the new coach, took a “hasty and irresponsible” decision and deserve to say sorry to fans. “I expected people who took that decision to apologize to Nigerians for taking that unreasonable decision,” he said.

The former national team coach said it was a “disgraceful performance” that the Super Eagles failed to win a match in South Africa and also failed to justify the $1.5 million paid to Lagerback for the period he worked. Toeing a familiar argument of past Eagles handlers, Amodu said his frank position on issues often pitched him against football authorities but that he cared less about losing the job. “You can take my job away, but you cannot take my knowledge,” he said.

Coaching not the problem

The former Eagles coach said the cause of the rapidly declining status of Nigerian football, was not by coaches, foreign or local coach but by the administrative system within the country. “The problem with our football is not with a foreign or indigenous coach, but our system and mind set,” he said. He blamed the problems on the lack of continuity in the appointment of sports ministers and other key officials, who do not have enough time to articulate their programmes. He also called for adequate planning and budgetary allocation to sports while saying that local coaches should be adequately remunerated and given time to achieve results

Nigerains Falconets show class in defeat.

soloheater — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:15:22 +0000

Germany became the first host nation to lift the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup as an early goal from their penalty-box princess, Alexandra Popp, and a late own goal earned them a 2-0 victory over Nigeria’s Flaconets who showed class in defeat.

The early minute goal did not affect their positional play and total confidence on the ball. They even looked better in terms of ball play and basic football runs. What they lacked was the ability to mount pressure on the defence of the opponents as their good play happened mostly in their own half.

They left Germany as the only African team to play in the final of any FIFA Women’s World Cup or the Olympics. They made Nigeria proud and proved that President Goodluck Jonathan was ill-advised to withdraw Nigeria from FIFA events, a decision that was later rescinded. The promotion they earned Nigeria globally was huge and they return to Nigeria as Africa’s heroines.

It is the second time Germany have lifted this crown — they were also champions in Thailand in 2004 — and it was fully deserved as they wrapped up their sixth successive victory. While Nigeria were wonderfully spirited and never gave up, the home team should have made it easier for the capacity crowd in Bielefeld with a second goal before finally they put the issue beyond doubt in injury time.

Source:Vanguardngr.com

FIFA Ranks Nigeria 27th in the 2010 World Cup, Cameroun at 31st

NairaBrain — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:25:44 +0000

Nigeria’s performance at the just ended World Cup has been reflected in the ranking of all the teams that participated at the Mundial by FIFA. In a release by the world football governing body, Nigeria came a distant 27th position out of the 32 teams that participated.

Other African teams at the tournament which included Algeria, Cameroon, South Africa, Ghana and Cote d’Ivore were ranked 28, 31, 15,7 and 17 respectively
Meanwhile England’s performance at South Africa 2010 was officially her worst at a World Cup finals, according to FIFA.

The governing body’s post-tournament rankings placed Fabio Capello’s side 13th out of the 32 teams following her tame exit in the last 16.
Her previous worst placing was 11th in 1958 and this summer’s ranking is seven places lower than England’s showing at the last two tournaments.

Winner, Spain, was top followed by the Netherlands, Germany and Uruguay.
England failed to qualify for the World Cup in 1974, 1978 and 1994.
She went out in the last 16 this time after scraping through a group that included the United States, Slovenia and Algeria, before losing 4-1 to Germany in the last 16 – her heaviest World Cup defeat.
England went out in the group stage of the 1950 and 1958 tournaments, when there were only 16 teams in the tournament, but still managed to rank higher than 13th. The World Cup was expanded from to 24 teams in 1982 and to 32 in 1998.

Fifa’s rankings take into account group stage results, progress in the competition and the quality of opposition.
The top four rankings mirrored the final positions in the tournament.
Of the beaten quarter-finalists, Argentina were fifth, Brazil sixth, Ghana seventh and Paraguay eighth.
Japan, Chile, Portugal and the US were all higher than England in the table, while 2006 World Cup winners Italy were 26th and France, who triumphed in 1998, were 29th after their dismal group stage exits.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter suggested England’s poor performance could be explained by the number of foreigners in the Premier League but also pointed to the overall strength of teams at what turned out to be an unpredictable World Cup.
“England is considered as being the motherland of football, as Brazil is the heartbeat of football, but there are no small national teams any more,” he said.
“There are small countries but their national teams are very strong as football has developed.”
Despite England’s poor showing at the tournament, the Football Association decided to stick with Capello, whose contract runs until the 2012 European Championship.

Attention now turns to the friendly against Hungary at Wembley on 11 August and the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, which starts in September with back-to-back fixtures against Bulgaria and Switzerland.
Capello will discuss his plans at an FA Board meeting on Thursday.
Fifa’s latest world rankings will be released on Wednesday, with world champions Spain poised to reclaim top spot from Brazil.
Semi-finalists Uruguay are likely to jump up from their current 16th place, while England (eighth), Italy (fifth) and France (ninth) could all drop down following their under-par results in South Africa.

EFCC raids Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Office

soloheater — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:38:04 +0000

Investigation into allegations of fraud running into billions of naira in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) took a different turn Monday as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided the Glass House in Abuja. Daily Sunsports gathered reliably that the raid which lasted for more than four hours saw the operatives carting away several files that would aid their investigation in the alleged fraud of about N1.3b levelled against top officials of the NFF, following the dismal performance of the Super Eagles at the FIFA 2010 World Cup which ended on Sunday, July 11.

Spokesman of the EFCC, Femi Babafemi, who spoke with Daily Sunsports on the level of investigation so far, confirmed the raid and said the men of the EFCC gathered documents that would assist in the on-going investigation.

“Our operatives were at the NFF Glass House and spent over four hours going through documents that would be essential to their investigation. The operatives gathered some documents that will assist us in our job. The EFCC is not rushing through the allegations raised but would do its best to have a meticulous job done at the end of the day.”
Asked to react to claims by the impeached leadership of the NFF which include Sani Abdullahi (president), Amanze Ucheagbulam and Taiwo Ogunjobi; first vice president and technical committee president respectively; Babafemi said that operatives of the EFCC did not need to publicise what they were doing at the moment.

“Those thinking that we’re slow should tarry awhile as a thorough job needs to be done,” he said.
However, one of the impeached henchmen of the NFF, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, has said that he should not be painted in bad light before Nigerians, as he has no direct dealing with financial matters.

“I must say it’s unfortunate that many are of the belief that we’re already guilty and in EFCC net. I particularly have nothing to do with the day-to-day running of the NFF and had no access to finance. When I learnt of the EFCC’s summon on the pages of newspapers, I visited their office to make myself available for investigation only to be told that I have not been invited.”

Continuing, the former technical committee chairman of the NFF said that no letter has been sent to him by the EFCC. “As I speak with you, no letter has been written to me. I’m not afraid of probe. My job is technical and that has to do with players and coaches not financial. At the moment, I’ve gone back to my business and will be ready anytime I’m called upon,” he stated categorically.
Speaking on his impeachment, Chief Ogunjobi noted that he is shocked that members of the NFF could go as far as impeaching them when he and the others were not summoned before their action.

“Nobody summoned us before the house. As far as I’m concerned, I’m not guilty because the other board members took action without consulting us. Nobody has said money was mismanaged but that it was a case of insubordination and I don’t see how that concerns me.
Some of the allegations before the trio are that of the 32 teams that took part in the World Cup, the Super eagles were taken to one of the cheapest hotels called the Hampshire; a situation which cost Nigeria $125, 000 fine. Aside this the NFF cost Nigeria to loose the sum of $250, 000 in a deal meant to fly the Super Eagles from London on a charter flight to South Africa.

In an effort to ensure that the leadership of the NFF led by Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi made a successful return to office, it was alleged that he appointed his personal lawyer as chairman of the electoral body that would conduct the forthcoming elections to be attended by only 44 delegates.

Answers are to be sort also for the unbudgeted $400, 000 which was used to prosecute the international friendly match against Colombia in London. Aside this, the leadership that also includes Amanze Ucheaegulam, Taiwo Ogunjobi and Bolaji Ojo-Oba are to explain why there were over 300 people taken on a jamboree to South Africa for the FIFA 2010 World Cup in which Nigeria had just 23 players in her team. Incidentally, the football ruling body only defrays the cost of all travelling team to the World Cup not exceeding 50 while not forgetting the missing $236, 000.

There is also the investigation of the $1million grant to Nigeria participating at the World Cup and also the dismissal of Taiwo Ogunjobi by the former Military administrator of Oyo State, Col. Usman.

Source: Sunnewsonline.com

Taye Taiwo close to Premiership move

NairaBrain — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 05:44:45 +0000

Super Eagles defender Taye Taiwo could be on his way to the English Premier League as London based Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in the lead to secure his signature.

Taiwo was recently linked with a move to Atletico Madrid but the club the Spanish Primera Division outfit have not been able to tender an acceptable offer on the table.

Olympique Marseille, the club side of the Nigerian international, are asking for around £8.5 million but according to French newspaper La Provence, Atletico Madrid were only willing to pay half of that.

With other clubs, such as the English duo of Birmingham City and Sunderland, also interested in securing the services of the powerful defender, Marseille are confident one of Taiwo’s suitors will meet their asking price.

Neither side has, however, tabled a bid for the 25-year-old, who was a member of the Nigerian team to the just concluded World Cup in South Africa, but Tottenham, even though not willing to meet Marseille’s full asking price, are ready to table something better than what Atletico offered.

Tottenham don’t appear to have a problem on the left side of their defence as the likes of Gareth Bale and Benoit Assou-Ekotto currently hold sway at White Hart Lane but Welshman Bale prefers to get forward more and was utilized as a left sided midfielder towards the end of last season.

Demanding season ahead for Spurs

Since they will be competing in this season’s UEFA Champions League, in addition to the Premier League and other domestic cup competitions, their manager Harry Redknapp could be keen to strengthen his defence and have more options in the left-back position ahead of what promises to be a demanding season.

Marseille are reluctant to sell Taiwo, who joined them from Nigerian Premier League side Lobi Stars in December 2004, but may decide to cash in on the left-back whose contract ends in June 2011. Taiwo has so far refused to extend his contract with the French champions and if it remains that way, Marseille would rather accept bids from potential buyers than lose him for free at the end of the season.

Taiwo, who is renowned for his powerful shots and who loves to surge forward on the left flank, has been an integral part of the French club over the past six years and has so far made over 160 appearances for the former European champions while scoring an impressive 13 goals, mostly from free kicks and spot kicks.

World Cup claims three lives

soloheater — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:19:24 +0000

World Cup claims three lives

Tragedy struck at the weekend at the parsonage of the Assemblies of God Church, Laguru, Umuosu Ubakala, near Umuahia, Abia State, when the resident pastor, Monday Jacob, was found unconscious in his living room with his wife and two sons dead.

Mr. Jacob was said to have packed into the apartment on 30 June, and was suspected to be watching the Ghana versus Uruguay match in the ongoing World Cup last Friday when the tragedy struck, as they were found in sitting positions in front of their television.

Neighbours believed that the family must have died from the fumes from a generating set which powered the electrical appliances in the apartment, which was found at the staircase of the one-storey building with its switch button in the on position, though there was no fuel.

Investigations revealed that while Mr. Jacob was found in a sitting position unconscious when the door of the house was forced open, his first son, a final year Political Science student of Abia State University, Uturu, and his second son were also in the same position, while his wife was lying dead on a six-spring foam.

It was gathered that members of the church became apprehensive when their pastor or any member of the family was not present at the Sunday School at 8am and could not pick calls put across to them. They went to the house to find out why, but were shocked when there was no response from inside.

It was also gathered that members who had called on them on Saturday had found the doors locked and concluded that they had traveled, without knowing that the family were in distress. They were said to have contacted the police at the Ubakala Police Division who accompanied them to force the door of the house open and discovered the shocking scenario.

The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital where the three were confirmed dead, while the doctors battled to resuscitate Mr. Jacob who was struggling to breathe.

It was further gathered that Mr. Jacob has been transferred to a hospital in Enugu, as the resident doctors’ strike at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, made it imperative that he be referred to a competent hospital.

Chidi Okoroafor, the Umuahia District head of the Assemblies of God, expressed shock at the incident and said it was too early to say the cause of the incident, but assured the police have started investigation to unravel the mystery.

United To Offload Berbatov And Anderson To Fund Karim Benzema Bid

soloheater — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:03:08 +0000

striker Karim Benzema, according to AS.

Manchester United are looking to jettison Dimitar Berbatov and Anderson in order to fund a £24 million bid for

Benzema, 22, was a target for Sir Alex Ferguson last summer before he chose a move to the Spanish capital.

Despitemissing out on the France World Cup 2010 squad and grabbing nine goals in 32 appearances, the Scot remains a firm fan of the forward.

With money tight at Old Trafford, he is believed to be ready to cut loose Anderson and Berbatov to be able to afford his

man. United are hopeful Bayern Munich will offer £20m for the Bulgarian, while French trio Olympique Lyonnais, Olympique Marseille and Paris Saint Germain all expressed an interest in Anderson before a knee ligament injury in the New Year.

United Tell Inter They’ll Match Man City Bid For Mario Balotelli

soloheater — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:42:28 +0000

Manchester United are determined to go head to head with Manchester City and match any bid for Inter striker Mario Balotelli, according to Sky Sports Italia.

Balotelli, 19, is rated as the hottest talent in Italian football despite regularly getting into trouble with ex-head coach Jose Mourinho. His agent, Mino Raiola, recently confirmed the Citizens had made an offer for the player and United are determined to stop them having a clear run at him.

The Old Trafford outfit are reported to have made contact with the Inter hierarchy and told them of their intention to go toe-to-toe with neighbors. Although Balotelli has declared his intention to stay with the club despite eyeing a future move to England, the offer of Champions League could tip the balance in United’s favor.

Workers has raised alarm Over Fifa

soloheater — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:28:31 +0000

As the World Cup comes to the end in South Africa, the Building and Wood workers, International ( BWI) has raised an alarm that FIFA may be raking in about US3.3 billion at the expense of workers.

BWI said, “ FIFA has undermined the most elementary principles of the (International Labour Organisation) ILO notion of decent work and FIFA must be shown the yellow card”.

A representative of the International workers organisation, Mr. Yuson told delegates at the 99th session of the International Labour Conference just concluded in Geneva, Switzerland that “ While FIFA is expected to make a profit of US $3.3 billion from the World Cup, workers will not. Most of those working on infrastructure sites have been employed on short-term contracts, typically of three months duration without benefits and earned poverty wages of less than US $300 ( about N45,000 ) per month.

He said, “ As a result of the huge concentration of construction work, with its complex web of subcontracting arrangements, basic conditions of employment as enshrined in South African legislation have not been adhered to”..

Furthermore, Mr. Yuson told about 4000 delegates from 182 member countries that “ There was no real and effective enforcement of minimum standards by the main contractors , the Government or FIFA”.

He said although “ BWI and FIFA had signed a Memorandum of Understanding allowing trade unions to participate in joint labour inspection of work sites, the trade unions were in fact denied any direct participation tripartite inspections”.

Specifically, he said, “ At the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, trade unions were even refused the right to inspect the stadium without any reprisal from FIFA”.

Mr. Yuson and his BWI sounded a note of warning, “ The struggle for decent work continues. In the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, if FIFA fails to take serious steps to improve conditions for the workers and promote ILO standards in procurement policies, we will show them the red card”.

The ILO and FIFA headquarters are both located in Switzerland. ILO in Geneva, FIFA in Zurich.

President Jonathan orders Ngeria out of FIFA

soloheater — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:54:37 +0000

Jonathan orders Ngeria out of FIFA

ABUJA – The Federal Government, Wednesday, directed the immediate withdrawal of Nigeria from all Federation of International Football (FIFA) related events to enable the country reorganise its football administration.

President Good luck Jonathan who approved the decision following the country’s dwindling show in football in the recent past has also ordered the immediate disband of the national teams.

Presidential spokesman, Ima Niboro who briefed State House Correspondent after a meeting between President Jonathan and members of the Presidential Task Force on the 2010 World Cup, said the president also approved the auditing of all monies spent by the country during the ongoing World Cup in South Africa.

“President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that Nigeria withdrawals from international competition for two years to enable the country put its house in order”.

Niboro stated further that the president also approved that an audit of the 2010 world cup finances be looked into and bring whoever is culpable to book.

The Chairman of the Task Force and Governor of River State, Chief Rotimi Amaechi governor of Rivers state said “our recommendation is based on what is on the ground. We went to the World Cup and found all sorts of problems and we felt we should sit back and look inward”.

The governor who was joined by other members of the PTF said “we will formally write FIFA to say that Nigeria won’t engage on international football competition”.

He stated that what the government has done has nothing to do with the NFA.

He however lamented that as a nation we have not done well in continental and intercontinental football competitions stressing that “you cannot have tumour and continue to massage it with all the blood”.

A senior officials in the NFA told Vanguard that there are plans to give a five years contract to Lars Largaback to enable him raise a new team for the country.

“We are considering giving the coach a five year contract so that he can have enough time to build a new team for the country. As it is now we do not have a team and the crop of players in the Super Eagles can never play for Nigeria again,” the official who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

The source confirmed that the super eagles team would be dissolved so that the country can begin to build the team of its dream.

Source:Vanguardngr.com

Nigeria’s 23-man Squad for South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup

NairaBrain — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:30:43 +0000

Ike Uche and Victor Anichebe are the two high profile casualties of Lars Lagerback’s cull as he named his 23 players for the World Cup on Monday.

Joining the duo are Peter Utaka, Onyekachi Apam, Brown Ideye and the two domestic players Bassey Akpan and Terna Suswan.

The Swede announced the list to the players at a meeting where he called the affected players together and explained to them why they were being dropped.

“He called them together and explained that time was too short, and that injuries were also a factor,” Super Eagles Media Officer Idah Peterside told KickOffNigeria.com.

More importantly, Peterside said Lagerback assured the players that in the unlikely event of injury to any player on the 23-man squad before kickoff, he would look no farther than that seven-man group.

The contingent leaves for South Africa later on Monday.

Nigeria squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petach Tikvah, Israel)

Defenders
Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Rabiu Afolabi (SV Salzburg, Austria), Danny Shittu (Bolton Wanderers, England)

Midfielders: Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Sani Kaita (Alaniya, Russia), Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco, France), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine)

Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, Germany), John Utaka(Portsmouth, England), Victor Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)

France Name 23-man Squad for World Cup 2010

NairaBrain — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:14:27 +0000

France coach Raymond Domenech has named an experienced 23-man squad for the World Cup finals.

There were no surprises in the squad, with the 23 having been known since Lassana Diarra was ruled out of the tournament because of a stomach illness ten days ago.

There had been concern over William Gallas’s calf strain but the central defender featured in both of the recent friendlies against Costa Rica and Tunisia and even scored a second-half equaliser in Rades.

FC Girondins de Bordeaux defender Marc Planus and Olympique de Marseille forward Mathieu Valbuena both earned their first caps in those games.

“I hope Valbuena will keep shining until July 11,” said Domenech after the 25-year-old scored the winner in a 2-1 victory against Costa Rica last Wednesday.

Real Madrid CF forward Karim Benzema is the highest-profile omission.

France squad:

Goalkeepers: Cédric Carrasso (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyonnais), Steve Mandanda (Olympique de Marseille).

Defenders: Éric Abidal (FC Barcelona), Gaël Clichy (Arsenal FC), Patrice Evra (Manchester United FC), William Gallas (Arsenal FC), Marc Planus (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Anthony Réveillère (Olympique Lyonnais), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal FC), Sébastien Squillaci (Sevilla FC).

Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal FC), Alou Diarra (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Yoann Gourcuff (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Florent Malouda (Chelsea FC), Jérémy Toulalan (Olympique Lyonnais).

Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea FC), Djibril Cissé (Panathinaikos FC), André-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse FC), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyonnais), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona), Franck Ribéry (FC Bayern München), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique de Marseille).

Super Eagles Face Saudi Arabia in World Cup Build-Up Friendly

NairaBrain — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:06:58 +0000

As Super Eagles Led by Lars Lagerback file out against the Saudi Arabian national squad in its first pre-World Cup warm up match at the Alpen Stadion, Austria, Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see to team that performed very poorly in the recently concluded African Nations Cup in Angola.

The match against Saudi Arabia will give Nigerians a glimpse of what to expect at the World Cup proper as it would also give the coach a first view of his Europe-based players working together as a team.

On their part, the players who are ready to impress their new coach would do everything possible to make the final squad.

“The struggle for shirts is intense and nobody wants to fritter away the opportunity of going to the World Cup,”a camp source said, adding, “it has been tough as brothers have been pitched against brothers. But it has been a very fair competition.”

Skipper of the team, Nwankwo Kanu, had promised Nigerians of their total commitment and dedication as they prepare to face the world.

Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra to join Manchester United in £21m deal

soloheater — Fri, 14 May 2010 04:04:45 +0000

According to AS, Real Madrid defensive midfielder Lassana Diarra could return to the Premier League next season as Manchester United have reportedly expressed interest in signing the Frenchman and could pay nearly £20 million for his services.

After a very good start to the season, in which he was frequently compared to fellow Frenchman and ex-Blancos midfielder Claude Makelele, Diarra lost the confidence of coach Manuel Pellegrini, meaning he had fewer minutes and less importance within the team structure.

Thus, Los Blancos will reportedly attempt to sell the midfielder with the hope of cashing in on what could be a significant transfer fee.

Madrid bought Lass as a 2008 winter transfer recruit from Portsmouth and while United are said to be interested, Arsenal are also reportedly tempted to take the player back to the Emirates Stadium where he spent the 2007-08 season.

Diarra was called up to Raymond Domenech’s French national team squad yesterday for participation in this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

Source:Goal.com

Bet of the Day: An outsider from Switzerland

soloheater — Fri, 14 May 2010 03:38:59 +0000

Relegation-threatened Aarau host comfortable Grasshoppers, with much riding on it
Our attention turns to Switzerland for tonight’s intriguing clash between Grasshoppers and Aarau. Last week we flagged up the Hoppers to win the derby and they duly romped home 4-0 against Zurich to pocket us some easy cash
The trek to Aarau isn’t quite so clear-cut, despite the home side residing at the foot of the table. Aarau, who were once coached by current Swiss manager Ottmar Hitzfeld, are battling for survival and are locked in a two-way scrap with Bellinzona. At present they are two points behind Bellinzona, who are away at mid-table St Gallen tonight.

In the ten-team Swiss league, only the bottom side gets automatically relegated – with the second bottom team meeting the runners-up of the second tier in a play-off. Aarau MUST win tonight and hope St Gallen do them a favour to set up Sunday’s clash with… you guessed it, Bellinzona. The mother and father of Swiss matches awaits if results go Aarau’s way tonight.

Grasshoppers are a comfortable third in the league, with their Europa League play-off spot wrapped up weeks ago. The Hoppers have already lost ten games on the road this season and they won’t be anywhere near as motivated as Aarau to win this match. A shock could just be on the cards. It’s risky, no doubt about it, but you have to take a chance in this game sometimes.

Let’s lean on Erik Bruhlmann of Goal.com Germany, a firm Hoppers fan:

“Let me put it this way: If the Hoppers lose this match they should be made to walk home. Okay, it’s not all that far, but still. The most shocking thing is that Aarau manage not to get relegated year after year. It’s a football miracle, really.”

Bring it on!

* Aarau are 3.37 (237/100) to win, the draw is 3.31 (231/100) and a Grasshoppers win 1.95 (19/20)

Yesterday’s Tip
We flagged up a number of bets for the Europa League final. While Zoltan Gera, Jose Reyes and time of first goal let us down, good old Diego Forlan provided triple success by scoring first, anytime goalscorer and ensuring there were 2-3 goals in the game. Muchas gracias, Diego.

Source:Goal.com

Reported £1.5 Billion Bid For Manchester United Rejected by Glazers

soloheater — Mon, 10 May 2010 13:48:51 +0000

Reported £1.5 Billion Bid For Manchester United Rejected by Glazers
Manchester United Supporters Trust CEO disparages report.
A key figure in the movement to wrestle control of Manchester United from the Glazer family has rejected reports of a previous spurned £1.5 billion as “smacking of desperation”.

Rumours of a huge bid from the Middle East being rejected in the winter appeared in the British press this morning. The news was supposed to come as a hammer blow to the hopes of the city consortium known as the ‘Red Knights’ buying the club, as they had set a price of about £1.2 billion to carry out the purchase in the coming weeks.

Duncan Drasdo, the chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), has played an important role in forming the Red Knights group of multi-millionaires to depose the American owners. He questioned the validity of the reports.

“The timing of this public relations manoeuvre is cynical and smacks of desperation coming just ahead of the last game of the season and an anticipated bid from the Red Knights,” he said in a statement.

“Could anyone seriously believe the Glazers would reject a vastly overvalued bid of £1.5 billion just at the time when they were so desperate for money last year?

“Anyone still interested in making a bid for United would be extremely foolish not to talk to supporters and the Red Knights but it is of course very possible they are now part of the Red Knight consortium anyway.

“There can only be one deal in town for the Glazers and so this kind of PR spin won’t impact on the price.”

Source:Goal.com

Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson Commends Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti

soloheater — Mon, 10 May 2010 13:07:35 +0000

United boss is adamant that his team will return stronger next year.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has congratulated Carlo Ancelotti and Chelsea for winning the Premier League this season.

Even though United cruised to a 4-0 win over Stoke City, but Chelsea’s 8-0 thrashing of Wigan Athletic gave the Blues the title and ended the Red Devils’ hopes of winning a fourth consecutive league championship.

Ferguson has applauded Ancelotti and his team on a great achievement, but insists that United will come back stronger next year.

“This is the hardest league in the world to win and we applaud Chelsea for winning it,” Ferguson told The Sun.

“We have won it the last three years so we know how hard it is. So I congratulate Carlo who is a good manager and a good guy. Of course we’ll be back next year – that is what Manchester United do.

“Next year we will go again and try and bring back the title to the best place in the world.”

Even though United narrowly missed out on a record 19th league title this season, Ferguson still considers his side’s Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Bayern Munich as the Red Devils’ biggest disappointment of the season.

“I look at the European Cup and that was a big disappointment. We should have been in the final because we were the better team and just did not have the luck on the night.”

Ferguson has no trouble expecting the best out of his United team every season, even though the Premier League has become more difficult to win.

“It is a tougher and more competitive league nowadays and it is not easy to impose the kind of football we all want to see against every opposing team.

“There is a great expectancy at Manchester United. I have no problem with that demand, but we should remember that when I arrived at Old Trafford, Liverpool were winning the championship on a regular basis while we had gone 20 years without the title. We changed all that.”

Source:goal.com