Amodu Annoys Fans: Says Super Eagles were Excellent

Nigeria’s Coach Amodu Shuaibu has provoked a lot of fans when he said in an interview after what many fans think was a lack luster perfomance of the Super Eagles that he is 75% happy with Eagles at milwall against Jamaica.

He poured praises on the players barren draw against the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica at the New Den Stadium, London on Wednesday and further to sat that the game was not a do or die affair but just a chance to test the players and try out a few tricks with his boys ahead of the commencement of the last phase of qualifiers to the 2010 World Cup stated

I was 75% happy with our perfomance. What I’m looking to add now in the World
Cup qualifying games is more incisiveness up front.

“

This game was not all about winning; it was an opportunity to see some players,”
Amodu added.Despite Amodu’s excellent ratings of the Eagles, Jamaica displayed a
spirit that can only augur well for the future.

The Raggae Boyz began to threaten the Nwankwo Kanu captained side as early as in the ninth minute when Tyrone Mears, on his debut for Jamaica sent a sweet cross from the right which found Marlon King, who delicately flicked to Demar Phillips, but his firm strike was blocked by an unflinching Danny Shittu.

The condemnation the Nigerian side received from the former BCC Lions and Orlando Pirates supremo seem to have emanated from the wave of attacks the forward men spearheaded by Ikechukwu Uche, Victor Nsofor and Osaze Odemwingie started in the 29th minute.
Many believe that amodu is not even close to the truth as what they saw there was more of the same.
He did not take any risk with players who were invited. But sticked with his usual line up whose performace was criticized against the colombians earlier on.

Many people are already calling on Amodu Shuabi to be replaced by Sampson Siasia who they believe have the technical know how and the diciplice to make the Super Eagles a great team once more.

The game watched by 5,078 crowd on Wednesday proved largely competitive and entertaining but was not enough to see the team retain it's plcae on the monthly FIFA ranking as they went down immediately the next day from previous 17th to 23rd in the world.

Do you think Amodu can do well in south Africa 2010 assuming we qualify?

Togolese and Arsenal Forward Emmanuel Adebayor Wins CAF Award

Emmanuel Adebayor Adebayor won the award ahead of Mohamed Aboutrika
Togo and Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor was named the Confederation of African Football's Player of the Year on Tuesday night in Lagos Nigeria. The award sponsored by Globalcom Nigeria had a lot of dignitaries in attendance.

He took the award ahead Mohamed Aboutrika of Egypt who had earlier won the BBC African Footballer of The year 2008 award.

This latest award comes a little over a month after being named the African Player of the Year 2008 by Super Magazine.

The award was voted for by the national team coaches of the 54 CAF member nations and the striker beat off the attentions of Chelsea star Michael Essien to lift the crystal trophy.

Blues forward Salomon Kalou was named the CAF Young Player of the Year.
Caf's figures gave Adebayor 74 points to Aboutrika's 53.

Adebayor scored total of 30 goals last season in the premierleague and for Togo.

"I'm highly honoured by what I have done in African football," said Adebayor at the awards ceremony in the Nigerian city of Lagos.

"Now that the World Cup is coming close and is in Africa, we'll work hard to win the championship."

Aboutrika won the Inter-Clubs Player of the Year award, for locally based players.

His club, Al Ahly, was voted Club of the Year, while Africa Cup of Nations winners Egypt won the National Team of the Year award and their coach Hassan Shehata was voted Coach of the Year.
Caf Award Winners:
Caf Player of the Year Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo) Inter-Club Player of the Year Mohamed Aboutrika (Al Ahly) National Team of the Year Egypt Club of the Year Al Ahly (Egypt) Young Player of the Year Salomon Kalou (Chelsea and Ivory Coast) Women's footballer of the year Alice Mattlou (South Africa) Coach of the Year Hassan Shehata (Egypt)

The Togolese who has a Nigerian origin (ftaher from Osun state in Nigeria), was there for the award with his mother and brother. He dedicated the award to his mother. We did not see other players like Cesc and Coach Arsene Wenger, who were rumoured will accompany Adebayor to the awards.

GLO-CAF AWARDS: WHY ADEBAYOR SHOULD WIN

The games have been played. The scores have been tallied. The winners have been celebrated. Now, the king is about to be crowned.

The Glo-CAF awards have come around once again, and we have three of Africa’s finest players on the forefront as nominees. Representing Ghana is Michael Essien, Emmanuel Adebayor is standing for Togo, and Mohamed Aboutrika is holding the flag for Egypt.

While all these players have some really exceptional qualities that qualified them for this stage, one of them will still be chosen as the Confederation of African Football Player of the Year Winner. This choice will be made based on qualifications.

On running a cursory survey on the general disposition towards the match, it will quickly be made obvious that most people favour Adebayor for the title. According to these supporters, the reasons are quite obvious.

Togolese player, Emmanuel Adebayor, has shown great and dazzling prospects in the last year following the departure of his France International team mate, Henry Thierry, who left their English Premier League Club, Arsenal, in favour of Spanish club, Barcelona FC. Following the exit of Henry, Adebayor has really upped the ante in his club, boasting of a repertoire of about 30 goals tally in the past year.

He not only boosted the morale of his Premier League Club, but also motivated the Hawks of Togo, where they were able to get to the qualifying round of the 2010 World Cup and The African Cup of Nations.

His chances of winning have been further enhanced by the support he has received from Football giants Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o. Drogba and Eto’o are also past winners of the CAF Player of the Year Awards.

Drogba said Adebayor deserved the award because of his output and performance in the past year. He highlighted the fact that Adebayor’s performance in Arsenal in the past year was worth rewarding.

Samuel Eto’o, who has won three of Africa football’s Star Individual prize, said that while he and Drogba were recovering from their injuries, Adebayor was busy conquering Europe.

Adebayor’s closest opponent for the title would be the Al Ahly forward, Mohamed Aboutrika. He has shown consistency for the past four years, and has shown much impact in the area of African football. He scored the only goal in the final rounds in the 2008 Nations Cup in Ghana. That was against Cameroon.

Nine months after that he stood proud after leading the Red Devils of Cairo in the defeat of another Cameroonian team, Cotonsport of Agora, to win the trophy of the African Championship.

Despite all these achievements, some spectators feel that the fact that Aboutrika plays only in Africa, and not in Europe, would be a severe disadvantage. However, former Super Eagles of Nigeria Captain, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, said that that should be an advantage, and not a disadvantage.

The fact that Ghanaian and Chelsea Player, Michael Essien, plays the defending position, and as such is in a disadvantage when it comes to goal-scoring, makes some think he would not win the award.

Whatever, the case, if either Emmanuel Adebayor, Mohamed Aboutrika or Michael Essien is selected winner of this award, it would really be something, as neither of them has been a past winner of the Globacom-CAF prestigious award.

Nigeria’s camp bubble in London as Mikel arrives Camp

Uncharacteristically, Mikel Obi became the first player to hit the Super Eagles Hilton Docklands Hotel lodgings ahead of Wednesday's international friendly against Jamaica.

His arrival appears to mean that the young lad has out ground all the delinquencies of youth and now ready for serious business with the super Eagles as they fight for a ticket to the World Cup in South Africa 2010. The 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship silver medalist arrived at the west London hotel at 12 noon Nigerian time..

The lad has been absent from the squad for a very long time and seems to be missing all the action. He has already missed out in action against Equatorial Guinea in Malabo, against South Africa in Port Elizabeth and against Sierra Leone in Nigeria, as well as the international friendly against Colombia in Bali in November.

Other players like Osaze Odemwingie, Obinna Nsofor, Femi Ajilore and the goalkeeping pair of Austin Ejide and Dele Aiyenugba are now also arriving Camp.

Players invited by coach Amodu include; goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide and Dele Aiyenugba; defenders Taye Taiwo, Danny Shittu, Obinna Nwaneri, Joseph Yobo, Onyekachi Apam, Dele Adeleye, Olubayo Adefemi and Chidi Odiah; midfielders Femi Ajilore, Sani Kaita, Mikel Obi, Seyi Olofinjana, Kazeem Ayila, Kalu Uche and Paul Obiefule and; strikers Nwankwo Kanu, Ikechukwu Uche, Joseph Akpala, Mike Eneramo, Osaze Odemwingie and Obinna Nsofor.

Kalu Uche Can’t Stop Scoring

One Nigerian that has taken the Spanish Primera Liga by storm this term is Kalu Uche who scored after just 26 minutes on Sunday as he continued his fine run for Almeria.
However, his goal was not enough to see them through as they lost 3-2 to Malaga despite going two goals up earlier on.

In France, Onyekachi Apam found incredibly found a goal for OGC Nice who went two men down losing at home to league champions Lyon.Taye Taiwo was immense in Olympic Marseilles's 1-0 victory over Bordeaux.

Adebayor Out for 3 weeks

Adebayor has scored 12 goals for Arsenal this season and did so 30 times last season. However, recently he seems to be struggling for form and many fans have attributed it to lack of credible competition upfront.
The team has had to depend too much on Robin van persie who seems to be having a rare Injury free season this term.

The Arsenal hitman, Emmanuel Adebayor has been ruled out of action for three weeks with a hamstring injury suffered in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Tottenham.

He was stretchered off after pulling up in the 35th minute of the north London derby.

Adebayor will now miss league games against Sunderland and Fulham, the FA Cup replay with Cardiff and the Champions League game with Roma all of which are very critical to the North London Club.

It would have been time for regrets and more frustration for fans had they failed to get the signature of Andre Ashavin as they were set to miss out. Good enough, it seems just the right time as Eduardo returns to full fitness despite lacking games. The Croatian international has been invited for his country’s forth coming international friendly and Arsene Wenger thinks it will be good for him to get a few more games under his belt just before a full premiership return.

Croatian striker Eduardo returned to the squad for the first time since breaking his leg almost a year ago, while young Mexican forward Carlos Vela has struggled to force his way into the first team. But Arsene insists he has enough strikers available for the task ahead.

"Adebayor is out for three weeks with a hamstring," Wenger said.

"We have Carlos Vela, we have Nicklas Bendtner, we have Eduardo we have Andrey Arshavin and we have Robin van Persie. We have plenty of strikers.

Can Ashavin step in after all the expectations?

Former Arsenal Captain and Portsmouth Gaffer, Tony Adams Sent Packing

In the last eight games involving Portsmouth, only one has not been a loss. Following Saturdays 2-3 loss to a rampaging Liverpool side Tony Adams has been shown the way out from the Pompey job and rumor has it that Avram Grant, former Chelsea man who took over from Jose Mourinho is being lined up for the job.

A statement released by the club claims it was a "difficult decision", taken after Pompey won just two out of 16 Premier League games since Adams took charge.

Adams said he was surprised to be sacked despite agreeing Pompey hasn’t been having good results since he took over from Redknapp about four months ago.

"Results have not been good, it must be said, but we're not getting done sixes and fours and performances on the whole have been good."

One should only be surprised he was sacked after claims by management, sacking him wasn’t an option.

"In the running is Avram Grant, who was director of football at Fratton Park three years ago, ex-West Ham boss Alan Curbishley.

"Grant is considered to be the favourite."
Prior to the defeat by Liverpool - their seventh loss in eight games - Adams had insisted he had the backing of the club chiefs.

Portsmouth are currently 16th in the table, one point above the relegation zone, with 14 games to play.

The club's statement added: "The owner and the board feel they have been as supportive as they can during a period when results have been poor.

"The priority for the club is to remain in the top flight and we feel the appointment of a new manager will give us the best opportunity to enable us to do this."

Adams was appointed at the end of October when Harry Redknapp, who guided Pompey to FA Cup glory last season, decided to take the Tottenham job.

Portsmouth have put in some terrific performances but they just could not get a win, and individual errors have cost them dearly in several games this season. In all, it seems like management appears to be talking with both sides of their mouths. Who sells his best players and expect to perform well in the league. In January alone, we have seen Diara and Jermaine Defoe sold out to Real Madrid and Tottenham respectively despite bringing in Pennant from Liverpool.

One would have expected that Pennant should have been brought in only to add to the existing legion-Poor Tony.

Arshavin Moves to Arsenal as Anichebe Prepares for Hull City Switch

Arsenal completed the signing of Zenit St Petersburg forward Andrei Arshavin only minutes before the transfer window slammed shut. Arshavin has signed a deal worth £70,000 a week, which ties him to the Emirates Stadium until 2012.
The Gunners have paid £10m for Arshavin, rising by a further £2m based on success-related clauses being met. Arshavin is said to have been so keen to move to to the Emirates. So keen was Arshavin to complete his move to Arsenal that he hired a private jet to fly him into London on Sunday night.

He has also accepted a £20,000 a week pay cut to join Arsene Wenger's men.
The sticking point in the deal was a huge loyalty bonus received by Arshavin upon signing for Zenit. It was awarded on the understanding that he would complete his four-year contract but having spent a little over two-and-a-half years in St Petersburg the club's board demanded the difference be returned by the player.

Zenit spent Monday ringing round Premier League clubs - targeting Tottenham in particular - in a bid to find a buyer who would pay more than Arsenal. But as it seems now, Arsenal won and zenith couldn't get the prohibitve fee they've been looking for and were forced to sell at just 12M pounds compared to the initial 20M they were asking for in the summer.

In order news, Nigeria's Victor Anichebe's move to Hull city is about to be announced. A few teams in the Premiership are awaiting FA confirmation.

So much for a mad tranfer day dealine where Premier League clubs splashed a record £178m in the January transfer window, compared with £146m in 2008, £63m in 2007 and only £35m when this was introduced in 2003. Thism kind of spending spree makes us wonder if there really is a credit crunch. Probably not in the Premier league.

We are expecting Arshavin's tranfer to be announced any moment from now.

5pm - THE TRANSFER WINDOW IS NOW CLOSED! - New Arshavin news Yet!

5pm - THE TRANSFER WINDOW IS NOW CLOSED!
4.56pm - Ipswich defender Richard Naylor has signed a 2½-year contract with Leeds.
4.55pm - Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam has signed for Blackpool on loan.
4.54pm - Chelsea midfielder Jimmy Smith has gone to Leyton Orient on loan.
4.52pm - Blackburn striker Jamie Clarke has joined Rotherham on a free transfer.
4.50pm - Chelsea have denied TV reports they want to sign Inter Milan winger Ricardo Quaresma.
4.41pm - Despite reports, Roque Santa Cruz will NOT be joining Manchester City from Blackburn.
4.38pm - TV reports say Inter Milan winger Ricardo Quaresma is a last-gasp target for Chelsea.

Transfer Deadline Day-30 mins to Go! Asharvin Completes Arsenal Medical but........

4.33pm - Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair will stay at Birmingham for the rest of the season.
4.30pm - Manchester City have rejected Newcastle's £8million bid for midfielder Michael Johnson.
4.27pm - Olivier Dacourt has signed for Fulham from Inter Milan on loan.
4.23pm - Andrei Arshavin has completed his medical at Arsenal - but Zenit are still holding out for a payment from the player himself.
4.18pm - Youssouf Mulumbu has signed on loan for West Brom from Paris St Germain with a view to a permanent deal.

Transfer Deadline day-All Transfer talk and Rumours

4pm - ONE HOUR TO GO!
3.55pm - Liverpool reveal they have agreed a fee with Tottenham for Robbie Keane.
3.54pm - Arsenal have finally found a comprimise for Andrei Arshavin and the deal should go ahead before the 5pm deadline.
3.45pm - Wigan have signed Charles N'Zogbia from Newcastle. Ryan Taylor joins the Magpies as part of the deal.
3.37pm - Arturo Lupoli is a reported target for Sheffield United who want him to replace James Beattie.
3.35pm - Giovani Dos Santos' proposed £7million switch to Portsmouth from Tottenham is off.
3.30pm - Wigan chairman Dave Whelan confirms Charles N'Zogbia will sign for Wigan today with Ryan Taylor heading in the opposite direction.
3.28pm - Norwich have taken Fulham's Aussie defender Adrian Leijer on loan.
3.20pm - Portsmouth youngster Khaleem Hyland has joined Belgian club Zulte Waregem on loan for six months.
3.11pm - Andrei Arshavin's switch to Arsenal from Zenit St Petersberg could be back on. A deal could be agreed if the Russian club settle a dispute with Arshavin over a loyalty payment.
3pm - TWO HOURS TO GO!
2.43pm - West Ham defender Calum Davenport could follow Tal Ben Haim to Sunderland.
2.34pm - Leeds United have snapped up USA youth international Mike Grella on a free transfer from Toronto FC.
2.27pm - Sunderland have sealed their move for Manchester City defender Tal Ben Haim.
2.18pm - The Premier League have given permission for deals to go through after 5pm, provided they receive email notice that the moves have been confirmed in principle beforehand.
In addition, clubs will have to prove that the adverse weather has caused the delay.
2.13pm - Striker Henri Camara has left Wigan for Stoke on loan.
2.10pm - Everton have completed their move for Manchester City striker Jo. The Brazilian has joined on loan for the rest of the season.
2.08pm - Blackpool have made their sixth signing of the January transfer window after midfielder Francesco Carratta joined on a free transfer from Royal Antwerp.
2pm - THREE HOURS TO GO!
1.51pm - Stoke have made a late attempt to capture Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley. The Potters are also interested in bringing Henri Camara and Nicky Shorey to the Britannia.
1.45pm - Doncaster have swooped to sign striker Dean Shiels from SPL side Hibernian.
1.15pm - Liverpool have confirmed they are in talks to sell Robbie Keane to Tottenham. A club spokesperson said: "We've allowed Robbie to talk to Spurs but we've not yet finalised a deal with them for the player."
12.50pm - Barnsley have completed a double loan swoop for Andranik Teymourian from Fulham and Adam Hammill from Liverpool.
12.47pm - Portsmouth have signed Greek defensive midfielder Angelos Basinas from AEK Athens. The Euro 2004 winner, 33, has penned an 18-month deal at Fratton Park.
12.45pm - Liverpool's Hungarian keeper Peter Gulacsi has joined League One Hereford on loan for the rest of the season.
12.40pm - Charles N'Zogbia is having a medical ahead of his switch from Newcastle to Wigan.
12.35pm - TV reports suggest Liverpool striker Robbie Keane is having a medical at Tottenham.
12.30pm - Barsnley have signed Coventry striker Michael Mifsud on loan until the end of the season.
12.25pm - Nottingham Forest have failed with an offer for Hibernian captain Rob Jones.
12.21pm - Hearts skipper Christophe Berra has completed his move to Championship leaders Wolves.
12.15pm - Fulham boss Roy Hodgson ends speculation linking the Cottagers with a move for Leeds United starlet Fabian Delph. He says: "We’re not looking for 19-year-olds like Delph who may be good some time in the future."
12.11pm - Manchester City keeper Kasper Schmeichel wants to leave the club on loan. He is currently third choice at Eastlands behind new signing Shay Given and England Under-21 star Joe Hart.
12.03pm - Manchester City striker Jo is at Everton's training ground ahead of a potential loan move.
11.50am - Sunderland defender Michael Liddle’s loan deal at Carlisle has been extended until the end of the season.
11.40am - The Premier League have confirmed they are in talks with the FA and FIFA over whether an extension to the transfer window deadline can be given.
The adverse weather conditions are hindering the ability for clubs to arrange medicals and negotiate personal terms with players.
11.20am - Blackburn could move for Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi if they lose Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester City.
11.15am - Bolton are weighing up a last-minute move for Lyon's Brazilian striker Fred.
10.53am - Ricardo Quaresma left out of Inter Milan's European squad amid talk of a bid from Tottenham
10.46am - Television reports claim Andrei Arshavin has failed to agree terms with Arsenal.
10.21am - Hull City have failed in a bid to bring Italian veteran Christian Panucci to the club.
10.05am - Portsmouth have offered Sean Davis a new 3½-year contract after rejecting a bid from Bolton.
9.53am - Rangers striker/midfielder/winger Alan Gow has joined Norwich City on loan for the rest of the season.
8.32am - Rumours abound that Tottenham will go back to Liverpool with a cash bid for Robbie Keane.
Overnight - Shay Given has wrapped up a move to Manchester City from Newcastle.
Portsmouth sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Theofanis Gekas on loan.

The Rise and Rise Of Mikel

Believe it or not John Mikel Obi has become a contact fixture at the midfield for Chelsea dn is fast gaining the reputation of one of the best holding midfielders in the premiership.
He has improved in so many ways and i shouldn't fail to mention that, he has also droped the habit of picking up yellow and red cards. I have been one of Mikel's greatest critics and i think i have been vindicated. I have always known that Jose Mourinho was killing Mikels carreer.
He now does what mid fielders do, create chances, and tackle and create free kicks putting the opposition under constant pressure.

One of such days wen Mikel won accorlates from the fans was in the last Champions League group matches against FC Cluj. Mikel has now gone more 12 games without a card.

Chelsea fans have voted the Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi as their best player in Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League victory over Romania Champions FC Cluj.


Mikel was in impressive form in the encounter, was responsible for keeping the score line in favour of chelsea by clearing off the line to prevent Cluj in the 17th minute and also started the move that lead to Didier Drogba’s 71st minute winner.

Fans of the club voted the Nigerian international their Most Valuable Player in the game . Mikel won with 40% of total votes, Closely followed by Drogba abd Solomon Kalou and Peter Cech.

Mikel, who has been consistent for the Blues under Brazillian manager Luic Felipe Scolari, is now ranked second with 27 points behind England midfielder Frank Lampard in the club’s best player standing so far this season.

Cech is third with 22 points in the total ranking by the fans, a poll that will be used to decide the club’s best player at the end of the season.

What all this mean for us is that we now see a more effective Mikel transfering his current fine form and technical improvement into the super Eagles. I can not forget the Mikel of Holland 2005. Welcome Back Mikel!

Arsenal can win league - Scolari , plus Kaka may Move to Inter

some funny stuffs won't you say? At the time Arsenal is having their worst ever outing, Scolari is only completing the ridicule by saying the Gunners may win the league.
The Gunners are 10 points behind Scolari's Premier League leaders, and are down in fifth place.

But scolari thinks they still have a chance. Hear him, "Even if you're 15 points clear with five games to go, you're not champions. You're only champions at the end of the last game.

"This is a big game. Wenger's team play football, so it's difficult to win."

"This is the first time I'll have played against Wenger," said the Brazilian, who was appointed as Chelsea boss in June but who used to coach in Japan alongside the Frenchman in the 1990s.

"I met him for the first time in Japan - he's been my friend for 10 or 12 years now.

"I like him as a coach. If I chose five coaches in the world as the best, he'd be one of the five.

"I watched their game against Manchester United and it was one of the best games in the Premier League. This game against Chelsea will be like that as well."

Chelsea will be without their point man Didier Drogba, who is serving a three-match ban for throwing a coin at Burnley fans during Chelsea's shock Carling Cup defeat. He is however, being properly replaced by Anelka.
Drogba is back in the news and his touted to be planning to move to Inter Milan come the summer transfer window.

But Scolari, thinks Drogba is still very much in his plans.

"Every minute in the day, I think he's happy," he added.

"He has my support every day - injured or not injured. I'm sure he's 100% committed to the club.

"All I know is that he can't play against Arsenal. I have to be thinking about the Arsenal game, not what might happen in 2010 or 2011."

On the other end, Manchester City is still waxing in the Euphoria. AC Milan superstar Kaka has opened the door for a move to Manchester City and a link-up with his Brazilian team-mate Robinho.

Arsenal Captain Gallas out; Cesc Fabregas To the Rescue

Earlier today, news came filtering that Cesc Fabregas has been named the new Arsenal Captain. Many people including myself believe it is long overdue but that is suprising especially when you consider his age.
Many people say he is young, but forget that he is the best player Arsenal has, at his aged he seems to have seen it all.
Winner of the golden both in U-17 world cup, has played in the champions league final, 2008 Euro Cup winner and many other first including becoming the youngest player to play for arsenal in the league.
His dedication is not in doubt and his elevation is one event Arsenal fans all over the world has been waiting for.
Ever since i started watching watching, i have never known a captain more hated by the Fans than William Gallas.

Well he had it coming.

Cesc Fabregas has described his elevation to the Arsenal captaincy as “a great honour”.

The Spaniard was handed the armband on Monday as a replacement for William Gallas.

At 21, Fabregas is one of the youngest captains in the Club’s long history and he admits it will be emotional experience to lead the side out for the first time against FC Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday night.

"It is a great honour for me to captain one of the biggest clubs in the world,” said Fabregas. “It is a proud moment. I know it's a big responsibility but together with my team-mates, I know we have the spirit and commitment to get back to winning ways and fulfil our potential."

Let;s wish him well and hope he lifts the team to greater heights.

Did Amodu Shuaibu Fail His First Real Test? : Columbia1-0 Nigeria

Within 24 hours Nigeria's football teams, male and female put out an uninspiring display in Cali, Columbia and Malabo, Equitorial Guinea respectively. Well the Falcons are in danger of not qualifying from the tournament's group stages for the first time. For the falcons, commentators across the country have given several reasons why the Falcons have played two games against Ghana and Tunisia and garnered just 2 points. They now must win against a well poised South African team who defeated Ghana 2-1. Whether that is possible is yet to be seen.

In Far away Cali, Columbia, a more appalling situation occurred, though it was a friendly match, it was enough to show that as usual we are set for failure to qualify for the world cup, and if we do qualify,it may be just another charade of just showing up to be counted in the world cup without any genuine intentions to create an impact. That will be true if we continue the way it is currently. Yes, we missed some players but when i saw the line up, it was actually a 'strong' team that set out to play in Cali. With the likes of Austin Ejide, Onyekachi Apam, Danni Shittu, Taye Taiwo, Christian Obodo, Sanni Keita, Solomon Okoronkwo, Chinedu Ogbuche, Ikechukwu Uche, Uche Kalu, Kanu Nwankwo, Obina Nsofor, Yakubu Ayegbeni all featuring, the technical crew probably has no excuse as far as availability of players is concerned. Nigeria is such a big football nation that, the absence of John Mikel Obi, Joseph Yobo, Obafemi Martins, Osaze and Vincent Enyeama alone should be insignificant.

For the entire duration of 90 minutes i think the super Eagles was at the receiving end. If anyone has a contrary opinion, it could be that i was watching a different game. I set the alarm on my Nokia E61 phone to wake me up at exactly 3.00 am and as expected it didn't fail me(i was sure its traditional 70s ring tone will wake me up). The reason i was so determined to watch this game was so i can have a fair idea and opportunity to give the players and technical crew an unbiased judgement. The team's performance this morning was far below average. They played with no aggression to win and sparingly troubled the Columbian goalie. Whereas Austin Ejide was called to action from the start to finish and i must say that he made some silly mistakes but who wouldn't under that amount of consistent pressure from an obviously superior Columbians.The fact that the score line stayed that low was mostly due to his heroics at goal; I think the players did all they could especially in defence where Danny Shittu and Nwaneri were never allowed a moment of rest as Camilla kept probing centrally.

For some reasons the midfield just didn't click and even when Nsofor tries to make a run along the lines, such runs always ended abruptly probably due to lack of ideas as none seems to be coming off the bench. Nwankwo Kanu was thoroughly marked and kept quiet for 90 minutes.

A more disgraceful event was Sanni Keita's sending off as the team and the entire bench protested what i think was a beautiful goal scored by the Columbians- a well deserved one- it was just a matter of time. I was really surprised! They all protested so vehemently i started doubting what i saw despite watching four replays of that goal. AIT wasn't very clear on my TV so I hope to have a fifth look at that goal. They just might be right but even if they were and the game ended goalless, we have seen enough already to know that the technical crew has nothing to offer Nigerians

We have been celebrating wins against teams like Uganda, south Africa and Equitorial Guinea and for me, this was Amodu's first real test. Who isn't doing something right, Amodu, NFF or the Players? Definitely not the players!

Please leave your comments.