Another Sun Set at Dawn for Nigerian Football?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I went online this morning for the usual ritual of FaceBooking and I came across a friend’s status update where he was particularly impressed by the U-20 Eagles success. The argument that drew my attention was that, this was just another set of over-aged players set to keep us in perpetual sadness as far as football competitions exist.

I didn’t immediately understand what that meant, but then after going through several other comments, it was clear that this guy was very futuristic in his assertion.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Green eagles may have performed excellently now but it will be interesting to see how the same set of players cope when the chips are down in 5 years time when they all move up to the senior team. The argument is that, because they are already over-aged, they would have faded out in 5 years time when their opponents would be arriving their peak.

It is not out of place to have such reservations especially when one looks back at the recent show of shame at the just concluded FIFA world Cup in South Africa 2010. We saw that the best teams were mainly those teams with plenty of age on their side.

Not that I have anything against experience, but we have also seen that youth and experience can come in one package. Ready examples will be seen in the Spanish team-Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique. We can also point at players like Lionel Messi, Ozil, Miroslav Klose, Muller etc.

These are players who were not only aided by youth but by experience of competing at the highest level. Young players can garner the needed experience if they are exposed early enough. This is only possible if there is a well thought out youth development system in our football. Other wise, what we just saw isn’t really uhuru but just another sunset at dawn.

Nigeria vs Argentina: Vincent Enyeama Steals the show

Lionel Messi’s  Argentina no doubt was the better side of the encounter but the man everyone is talking about is Vincent Enyeama. I was still a student at the college of medical sciences, University of Calabar, when I heard the Peoples Elephants, Eyimba of Aba was to play some of their CAF Champions League group stage fixtures at the U.J. Esuene stadium in Calabar, and since the gate fee was pittance, I decided it was a rare opportunity to see the team that was fast consolidating a reputation as the best Club side in the country.

I can’t remember the scores but I remember Eyimba won that game after a beautiful display of football. The type that is rare in the Nigerian Premier League of today. That team for me was a master piece. A conglomeration of excellent young players through the good will of the then Governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu. My attention was particularly drawn to the young man who was Eyimba’s safe hands for the day. One particular safe he made with so much finesse made me conclude, though hurriedly, that this was a great player to be. How right I was!

Enter Vincent Enyeama!

Vincent Enyeama, a graduate of biochemistry from the University of Uyo has since then snowballed into one of the safest hands in the world by every standard.  He made the world cup party first time in 2002 at Japan-Korea straight from the local league and like he did to Messi yesterday, he made David Beckam and Paul Scholes look ordinary. He seems to have something with the big names. The confidence he exudes was primarily the reason he toppled Austin Ejide who was rather jittery in a pre-world cup friendly game against Ireland in Dublin.  Ever since he has become the undisputable Nigeria’s No. 1.

The last time I heard a goalkeeper won best player in any league was Paraguay’s  Chilavert. Vincent Enyeama is  hero at Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel where he plays, so much that he was the best player in that league last year. That is a rare achievement for a goalie. Nigerians keep wondering why the big European clubs don’t think he’s good enough. Once he was linked with Bolton, but with due respect to Bolton, we are tired of having our players play for small teams. What happens to the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool or even Arsenal. For God’s sake, Arsenal needs a goalie and Vincent Enyeama is far better than Manuel Almunia, Fabiansky and Vito Mannone and more so will cost very little. At 27 he’s got 10 more years to play at the top if he stays injury free most of the time.  If he can reproduce what we all saw against the Albeceleste, the sky could be the super Eagles limit in this world cup.

Maradona: "Nigeria is rough". Is he scared already?

In 1994, Maradona's tactics was to fall at every touch and that earned Nigeria so many yellow cards i lost count. With his current antics, it seems to me maradona has instructed messi to adopt that method.
Maradona is quoted to have described african teams as rough. Is this a bid to gain favour from the referees? Lagerback should better watch out! Maradona has already started the match off pitch. Lars Lagerback has also promptly responded by playing down the legends pedigree as a coach. I guess Lars is trying to say, you may have better players, but i am a better coach.

Kanu immediately responded at the post training press conference.

”African teams are tough and not rough. We all play professional football abroad and we know what obtains all over the world.

”On Saturday, we have a job to do and we are going to go all out to get that job done the best way we can. Maradona can say whatever but that cannot change our team pattern or style.”

The Portsmouth player stressed that the match is very crucial for both sides and Nigeria has a good chance of winning.

”Football is football any day. The Argentines should be afraid of us because we have no respect for big names. We have good players who can make things happen for Nigeria

”We have been working well to ensure we do well in the World Cup.” Kanu added.

Lagerback, however, added that he does not know Maradona at all as a coach.

”I only know him as a player and he is entitled to his opinion on whatever issue. All we have done is to prepare well and I can say we are 100 per cent ready for not just the match but the competition

”The players have worked so hard. Argentina has great team but we have to counter all of that I can tell you we are ready for the team no matter what Maradona says. His views will not change the outcome of the match in any way,” Lagaerback noted.

Is 2010 World Cup Truly Cuased?

I am propmted to make this post following the current perception
of some commentators claiming the world cup 2010 is probably caused.  
This statement came up as a result of so many stars getting injured just days to the first ever world cup in Africa Continent. It started with Rio Ferdinand, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Mikel Obi and just today, the latest star to join this long list of casualty is Arjen Robben.Dutch boss Bert Van Marwijk says:

"It doesn't look too good with Robben" 
Robben was helped to the dressing room by Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt.

    Van Marwijk said: "What my thoughts were when I saw Robben? This can't be true! I thought about this a few times the last weeks. Actually it went very good. And then this happened.

    "I think it was an unnatural move of Robben. He felt a kind of a stitch. I think it will be bad."

Not that i believe this or that i am superstitious in anyway but i can't just help but ponder. The tournament brightest seem to be dropping off the train one-by-one.
What's your take?

All Goals on VIDEO: Chelsea 7-0 Stokes

Watch Chelsea's 7-goals spanking of Stokes.

Lionel MESSI, Youngest Player To Score 100 Goals For Barcelona-Complete Video

Some people believe that Lionel MESSI is one of the best ever.However still has to achieve things that others before him achived to be considered a legend.

Messi is surrounded by one of the most talented squads in in the world and the talent at Barcelona is a key factor in his constant rise and rise unlike Maradona. That is not to take anything away from the current world Player of the year.

However, MESSI has already scored 101 goals for Barcelona, becoming the youngest ever player in the history of the club to do so. Messi is truly great and has the talent and chance to be the best of the best but only time will tell.

Last week he became the youngest ever player in Barcelona’s history to score 100 goals for the club. He then bagged his 101st goal, in the 4-0 demolition of Sevilla.

In my opinion, MESSI is already a Legend. Those who keep comparing him with Maradona and claiming he has achieved nothing yet, should not expect him to win the wrold cup before he can earn their respect. I think what he has achieved so far, individually is enough to give him the respect he deserves. Barcelona Gaffer Pep GUARDIOLA has showered praises on the player when he paid tribute to the Argentine.

Checkout Videos of Messi's 101 GOALS For Barcelona:


More Video Below:

“I congratulate him. It’s outrageous to have done what he has at his age. It only depends on him to break all possible records. He has some very, very high numbers.

“What we like most is that his ambition has no limit. I feel that he wants more. He is a wonderful example to the future generations.”

Outrageous indeed. There can be no doubt that Messi is currently the finest attacking player in the world. Period!

Team List: Lagerback's 40 Thieves+4

Again Kanu Nwankwo made the 44-man list of the new coach, at a time every football fan in Nigeria thinks he should call it quits. Utaka resurfaces following his last minute flashes these season and as promised 6 home based players join the party.

Portsmouth's John Utaka, FC Zurich's Onyekachi Okonkwo and Salzburg's Rabiu Afolabi have been handed Nigeria recalls by Technical Adviser Lars Lagerback.

Outside of that, there were no surprises in Lagerback's list of 44, released by the NFF on Sunday, with only three players getting first time call ups.

Those who advocates for more players from the domestic league would be placated after the Swede included six players from the Nigeria Premier League,and this was led by top scorer Ahmed Musa who plays for Kano Pillars.Whether Musa can replicate his league for m for the national team is a topic for the future, especially as Nigeria Premier League strikers are not known to stay consistent.

Chibuzor Okonkwo, seems to be the major casualty as he was upstaged in the home-based Super Eagles team by the impressive Terna Suswan of Lobi Stars. This could be good for competition.

Rising midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim's lack of club action also counted against him, as he was not included. But Haruna Lukman, who has locked down a place in the Monaco midfield, gets a chance to impress the new coach in camp.

The players are to report to camp in the United Kingdom from April 27 and 28. Well Lagerback and the 40 thieves plus 4. Just how well he can make a good team from this lot is yet to be seen. For now, let's just wish them well.

FULL LIST:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva, Israel), Greg Etafia (Moroka Swallows, South Africa) and Bassey Akpan (Bayelsa United, Nigeria)

Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille, France), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Onyekachi Apam (OG Nice, France), Olubayo Adefemi (US Boulogne, France), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Daniel Shittu (Bolton Wanderers, England), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Michael Odibe (Siena, Italy), Sam Sodje (Charlton Athletic, England), Rabiu Afolabi (SV Salzburg, Austria) and Terna Suswan (Lobi Stars, Nigeria)

Midfielders/Forwards: Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Victor Anichebe (Everton, England), Chinedu Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Nwankwo Kanu, John Utaka (Portsmouth, England), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, Germany), Brown Ideye (FC Sochaux, France), Femi Ajilore (Groningen, Netherlands), Joseph Akpala (FC Brugge, Belgium), Peter Utaka (Odense Boldklub, Denmark), Michael Eneramo (Esperance, Tunisia), Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza, Spain), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Sani Kaita (Alaniya, Russia), Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco, France), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Seyi Olofinjana (Hull City, England), Onyekachi Okonkwo (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Omatsone Aluko (Aberdeen, Scotland), Gabriel Reuben (Enyimba, Nigeria), Ahmed Musa, Solomon Okpako (Kano Pillars, Nigeria), Bartholomew Ibenegbu (Heartland FC).

Super Eagles 2010: Third Time Lucky with‘The Messiless One’?

Lionel MESSI has become a phenomenon of some sort in recent times. Followers of the Primera Liga have always known him to be impossible but what was left of the gen pop who new him not came to the know a few weeks ago when in his characteristic displays, he single handedly took Arsenal FC to the cleaners at the Camp Nou during the return leg of the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final. While so many football followers were amazed by the possibilities of a MESSI romance with the round leather, Nigerian Football fans are not new to his torments. In two occasions Messi has been a cause of heartbreak to Nigerians. First in 2005 @ Holland when the Mikel OBI lead Siasia’s team put up a performance that was something to be proud of at the U-20 world cup that took them to the final only to be undone by Messi.

As usual, Argentina weren’t really in it as the Nigerians looked better in every department. However, Messi’s skills were too much for us to cope with and we lost 2-1 conceding the title to the Argies.

At the last Olympic games, Nigeria found their way to the Final again. Unlike in 1996 when we won the Gold at the expense of the Argentines, it was not to be especially with Messi in the side. For the duration of the game, We were able to keep him quiet but it took just 2 seconds of magic for Messi to create the decider and that was that. Two time unlucky against Messi. Are we going to be third time lucky here?

We have been drawn against Argentina in our first group match just like in Japan-Korea 2002. In 2002, though the Argentines paraded the likes of Crespo, Sebastin VERON and BATISTUTA who of course were very big names at the time and were regarded as top favourites for the championship, we predictably lost though 1-0. This time, they do not just have a formidable team of players like Higuain, Aguero, Carlos TEVEZ, Riquelme, to mention but just a few, but they also have the almighty MESSI. The reigning world footballer of the year is even more deadly now that when he won the Ballon D’ Or and with his help, Barcelona has gone on to win six trophies in one year. What a perfect time to be in such devastating form. If that doesn't scare you, then nothing will. Unfortunately Lars Lagerback will be the first gaffer to attempt to outwit this wizkid in his own game and i’m sure every other manager will be hoping to learn a thing or two from Lagerback. Will he succeed? Twice we have been unable to stop this man when he was just a budding talent. Can the Super Eagles stop this Mature Messi on the third attempt?

Nedum Onuoha: Lars LAGERBACK'S Master Stroke?

Nigerian football has lost several talented Nigerians to other countries and it is not as if this is a new trend. The likes of Osadebe, Emmanuel Adebayor, Omotosho, and many others to mention just a few. In those days, we did not really care as a nation, the rate at which we were losing players to even fellow African Countries because, in those good old days Nigeria could afford to present two Super teams for any competition. In fact i remember once, Nigeria was said to have the highest number of professional footballers after Brazil.

But things have really gone bad since then and we now go scrapping for players in Europe's amateur division and our players now play in some of the most ridiculous leagues in the world. For Pete's sack why should Nigeria's national team goalie play his football in Isreal?
We now have players in Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen, Oman, and won't be too shocked to hear Nigerians also play in Afghanistan.

When you consider the dearth of quality players for the national team, you find it very hard to take fwhen players like Gabriel Agbonlahor, Nedum Onuoha, Victor Moses which are some of the finest footballers in the Premier League today prefer to play for England Instead. Don't get me wrong, i am not saying there is anything wrong with playing for whatever country one chooses, but it is just hard to take when you are a die hard fan of the Super Eagles and know very well what difference these players could make in the team.

This is probably one of the reasons why foreign coaches will always be preferred. Gabby is all but gone, there is nothing we can do about it. But if we can nick it, and have Nedum and Victor Moses declare for Nigeria, it will be a very big achievement for the new Super Eagles Gaffer.
The Super Eagles defence is yearning for fresh legs and more competition and the introduction of one or two very good players may just be the master stroke.

Victor Moses was like the most sort after youngster in the premiership in January when the likes of Barcelona, Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea were all rumour to be after him. However, he ended up in Wigan FC. Though i have not really watched him play, but if these teams were truly interested, i believe the lad can be a welcome addition to the Super Eagles array of near-stars.
LagerBack is said to have gone after these players and many others.'Nigerian players who should be in the national team are not there.' He had said when he first took over the job. We are told he's going arround locally and internationally looking for more players. We know these players are there. All we need is a coach who knows his job and willing to build his own team without fear of failure. A radical departure from the past is exactly what the team needs.
Most especially, if he can get Onuoha who is currently in a very good form and playing in a team with ambition to achieve things.

When a player plays for a team with ambition, it reflects in everything else. Such players refuse to accept defeat. The current situation where 80-90% of our players play for mediocre teams in Europe, Lagerback will have a big work of instilling the winning mentality.

Lars Lagerback: Profile

Lars Lagerbäck

Lars Edvin "Lasse" Lagerbäck (born 16 July 1948 in Katrineholm, Sweden) is a Swedish football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of the Nigerian Super Eagles.

He is best known as the former manager of the Sweden National Team. ^[1] He managed the Swedish National Team from 1998 until 2009 leading Sweden in five consecutive championships. He resigned as manager in 2009 after Sweden's failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Contents:
1. Career
2. Managing Career
3. References
4. External links

Lasse Lagerbäck

Personal information
Full name	Lars Edvin Lagerbäck
Date of birth	16 July 1948 (age 61)
Place of birth	Katrineholm, Sweden
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1960-1969	Alby FF
1970-1974	Gimonäs CK
Teams managed
1977-1982	Kilafors IF
1983-1985	Arbrå BK
1987-1989	Hudiksvalls ABK
1990-1995	Sweden U21
1996-1997	Sweden B
1998-1999	Sweden (assistant)
2000-2009	Sweden
2010-	Nigeria
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

1. Career

As youth, Lagerbäck played for Alby FF. When he was 13 years-old, he began playing for their P16 team. In 1970, he left and moved to Gimonäs CK under the guidance of Calle Lindelöf. ^[2] He continued to play there until 1974. ^[3] In 1974, he attended Gynastik and Idrottshögskolan (GIH), where he was a classmate of current assistant coach Roland Andersson.

2. Managing Career

2. 1. Club

In 1977, he was called up to the senior team. It was former teammate Kjell Pettersson that recommended him to Kilafors. He coached the Division IV team until 1982. In 1983, he moved to Arbrå IK until 1985. In 1987, he takes over Hudiksvall ABK but leaves by 1989. ^[4]

2. 2. Sweden

In 1990, Lagerbäck takes a job with the Swedish Football Association. He began to coach the junior levels which included Fredrik Ljungberg. He helped Tommy Svensson and Tord Grip with Swedish National Team. ^[5]

In 1996, Lagerbäck takes over Sweden B national team, until 1997. In 1998, Tommy Söderberg takes him on as assistant coach for the Swedish National Team. In 2000, he is promoted to dual-coach, a responsibility he would share with Söderberg until 2004. ^[6] Under his guidance, the Swedish National Team qualified for the Euro 2000 but lost in the group stages.

In 2002, he led Sweden to the World Cup where Sweden was in 'group death'. Sweden lost against Senegal. In 2004, Sweden qualified for their third straight championship. In the Euro 2004, Sweden made it to the quarter-finals where they lost against Holland. ^[7] That same year, Tommy Söderberg left the Swedish National Team to coach the U21 Team.

After the departure of Söderberg, Lagerbäck appointed Roland Andersson as assistant coach. In 2006, Lagerback took Sweden to their fourth consecutive championship, the first time in Swedish history. He led Sweden to the 2006 World Cup, losing against Germany 2-0 in the knockout stage. ^[8] Under Lagerbäck, Sweden also qualified for UEFA Euro 2008, however they were eliminated in the group stage after losing 2-0 against Russia. The team's early dismissal from the tournament led sport columnists to ask Lagerbäck to be sacked.. ^[9] Despite this, he signed an extension, which would keep him until the end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign. After Sweden's unsuccessful qualification campaign for this summer's World Cup in South Africa, Lagerbäck resigned. ^[10] .

2. 3. Nigeria

On 26 February, 2010, he signed a 5 month (renewable) contract that would see him lead Nigeria to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals in South Africa. ^[11]

Strengths: Lagerback earned a good reputation during his time in charge of Sweden, creating a well-drilled, hard-working team that was capable of securing results against sides with superior squads. It is understood that he was given the post after impressing the interview panel with his in-depth knowledge of Nigerian football, suggesting he is as well equipped to deal with the limited preparation time as could be hoped from a foreign candidate arriving a matter of months before the tournament.

Weaknesses: In 2007, Lagerback told the official FIFA website: "Certainly, I believe in continuity, and I think that national teams benefit from it every bit as much as clubs - if not more. After all, we don't work with our players every day like club coaches do, so it's vital to know those players inside-out, and it's only after some time you can achieve that." Although he has clearly done his research, Lagerback has very little time to get to know the players and he will struggle to experiment with tactics should his initial plans fail to succeed. The fact that his contract could well expire after the World Cup also does little to help promote a sense of stability about the side, plus in a country that expects a lot from its team, his conservative brand of football may fail to garner support.

Career high: Sweden were at their best under Lagerback during Euro 2004, when they thrashed Bulgaria 5-0 in their opening match before qualifying for the knockout stage at the expense of Italy, only exiting when they were beaten by Netherlands on penalties in the second round.

Career low: Having reached five successive tournaments in his time with Sweden, he will have been deeply disappointed at the failure to qualify for this year's World Cup, particularly as Scandinavian rivals Denmark topped the group.

Tactics: With Sweden, Lagerback favoured the 4-1-3-2 formation, with one defensive midfielder and three attacking midfielders, using the full backs to supply the width and he could well adopt a similar system in his new role. There is an issue with the lack of creative talent at present, but Lagerback made Sweden a very solid, hard-to-beat side and, given the constant changes and lack of discipline during Shaibu Amodu's recent spell, his approach should be of real benefit.

Quotes: "From what I have seen in Nigerian players, they have good individual skills and I know that the team needs to be organised - it needs to be disciplined - but, for me as a coach, I think the individual skills can do really well in the World Cup."

Trivia: Lagerback is often called 'Lasse', a common nickname for Swedes named Lars.

WC prediction: Lagerback has been set a target of reaching the semi-finals, but he is experienced enough to know that is very ambitious indeed. In a group with Argentina, Greece and South Korea, they have every chance of making it to the second round, but they will have to adapt to their new coach's methods quickly if they are to make any impression on the tournament.

Angola 4-4 Mali: kanoute Inpires a class Come back.

The african nations cup finally took off despite all the hue and cry
by some premiership coaches for the cancellation of the tournament.
While Togo has genuine concernes about further participation in the
biennial event, the same can not be said of these coaches. The fact
that they would prefer all their respective african players remained
with the club than take part in the event holding in Angola is well
documented and as such, the best response to Redknap, Avram and his
likes is a look-away.

Now to real football matters. Angola started like a team set to
fulfill all their pre-tournament threats that this is their turn. In
every department they dominated and though won two quick penalties,
one can not really take anything away from their display. It was a
class performance as they made the star studded malian midfield chase
the game for over 70 minutes. At 4-0, no one could really say the
scoreline wasn't reflective of the game. Real Madrids Diarra was
guilty so many times of lossing the ball carelessly puting consistent
pressure on the Malian defence. It was only a matter of when not how
will the Angolans score. Flavio grap two quick headed goals from
crosses and at half time the game looked settle. The second half
started in the same way the first ended. With the malian defence
jettery and naive in handling Manucho and Flavio. This time they
conceded two penalties in quick successions. After that everyone
except stephen keshi from the malian point of view looked worried. It
was game over. The Angolans thought it was time to pull out attacking
players for a few defensive options to kill off the game. The right
thing in that circumstance. But they failed woefully at it as they
couldn't hold forth, but rather the absence of threat allowed Keshi
throw everything at the Angolans. Kanoute grabbed a brace, keita got
one and a 93rd minuted equalizer left the Angolan crowd in awe and
disbelieve.
A lesson many teams just won't heed, it is not just over until it is
actually over. The Malians got 3 goals in about 8 minutes, what were
the Angolans thinking? The tournament is sure set to bring more of
this kind of excitement. Tha Malians sure can go far in this
tournament but first they need more denfensive lessons.

Amodu Shuaibu Release Final Super Eagles Team List

Amodu Shuibu released final list of Super Eagles to Angola.
What do you guys think, is this the dream team?
Nigeria's squad list:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel) Bamidele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel) Austin Ejide (unattached)

Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Danny Shittu (Bolton, England) , Obinna Nwaneri and Yusuf Mohammed (both FC Sion, Switzerland) Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France) Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Onyekachi Apam (Nice, France).

Midfielders: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England) Sani Kaita (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia) Yusuf Atanda Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Oluwaseyi George Olofinjana (Hull City, England), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain).

Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Michael Eneramo (Esperance, Tunisia), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, Germany).

English Premier League Eleven of the Decade

Everyone is talking about this and that of the decade as we approach 2010. Because of my obsession for football, i thought i should also do something of the decade. And what came into my mind was "Premier League 11 of the Decade". Now i was faced with the snag of making my selection without having anyone criticize me for leaving out their own legends.

Luckily for me, i came across a similar effort by Phil Mcnulty of the BBC and i was relieved. So Y'all can pour your anger on him not me. Surprisingly, i think his' is a little bit similar to what i had in Mind.

So Meet Phil.................

Ever had a hospital pass? The one with the red cross marked on it that you know is going to end with a large amount of personal grief - if you are very lucky?

This is mine. Namely the request to name the Premier League team of "The Noughties". The job that will please no-one and will have plenty of you waving your fist in fury at the laptop.

So apologies in advance. My only excuse for leaving out your own personal favourite or club legend is that I can only pick 11 players and there could have been so many more - and this might be the best substitutes' bench in history.

Tin hat at the ready. And try not to be too hard on me. Remember - I could only pick 11.

GOALKEEPER: Shay Given (Newcastle United,Manchester City and the Republic of Ireland) Given was a model of consistency for Newcastle United and has continued this at Eastlands.

He remains as good as ever for club and country, at 33. There has been plenty of debate about signings made by Mark Hughes, but no-one questions Given. Well worth his place in this team, just edging out Brad Friedel and Petr Cech.

RIGHT-BACK: Gary Neville (Manchester United and England) A taste not acquired by many outside Old Trafford, an outspoken champion of Manchster United and a player who has flourished at the highest level for well over a decade. At his peak peerless defensively, and while not a scorer of goals has created his share. Formed one half of a devastating right-flank partnership with David Beckham at Old Trafford.

LEFT-BACK: Ashley Cole (Arsenal, Chelsea and England) Part of Arsenal's "Invincibles" in 2004 and will travel to the World Cup with England as one of Fabio Capello's true world-class stars. Went through a period of public unpopularity after leaving Arsenal, but has been back to his best this season. His performance against Cristiano Ronaldo in the Euro 2004 quarter-final against Portugal at The Stadium Of Light remains one of the finest individual defensive displays I have ever witnessed in the flesh.

CENTRE-BACK: John Terry (Chelsea and England) Terry stood alongside Jose Mourinho as one of the shining symbols of Chelsea's resurgence under "The Special One." Brave, maybe sometimes too brave for his own good, ready to risk injury in both penalty areas and the emdobiment of what you want a defender to be, with his "over my dead body" approach to conceding goals. Not quite the force of old these days, but still formidable and worthy of a place in this team.

CENTRE-BACK: Rio Ferdinand (West Ham United, Leeds United, Manchester United and England) Thought long and hard about this one for some strange reason, with the Liverpool pair of Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia figuring prominently. The Finn might just get the award for the most under-rated defender of "The Noughties".

Ferdinand gets it, though, for his class, elegance and defensive ability that has contributed so much to Manchester United successes. But it's a close run thing with Carragher and I would see no problem exchanging the two - a cop out I know.

RIGHT MIDFIELD: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United and Portugal) Right midfield is such a low-grade description of one of the greatest players to grace the Premier League. United's most devastating weapon in recent seasons and sorely missed after his move to Real Madrid. Few players are irreplaceable, but he is one. No contest for this position.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool and England) Getting interesting now. Gerrard is my choice despite vicious competition for these positions, just getting the nod ahead of Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Manchester United's Paul Scholes.

So easy to make a case for those two, but in recent seasons Gerrard has been magnificent, occasionally carrying Liverpool on his own. Virtually won an FA Cup Final and the Champions League on his own. Dynamic and a leader - so he gets the vote.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Patrick Vieira (Arsenal and France) Gone for a partnership in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, and Vieira and Gerrard would not be too shabby. In at the start of the Arsene Wenger revolution and the significance of his contribution can be outlined by the fact they have never quite been the same since his departure. Ruthless midfield enforcer and consumate creator. Last kick for the club earned them their last trophy, the 2005 FA Cup against Manchester United.

LEFT MIDFIELD: Ryan Giggs (Manchester United and Wales) Deservedly crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2009. Could not be left out with 11 Premier League titles to his name.

Still producing outstanding performances at the age of 36, a model professional since making his debut in March 1991 and regarded as "a god" in the Manchester United dressing-room according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

STRIKER: Alan Shearer (Newcastle and England) Tough competition here, but if you want goals, leadership, bravery and someone to follow into football's trenches, Tyneside legend Shearer is your man.

Even before this decade he won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, and while not under-estimating the all-round team ethic of Kenny Dalglish's side, there would have been no title without Shearer. Shearer scored 260 goals in 441 games in the Premier League - this statistic alone ends any argument about his inclusion.

STRIKER: Thierry Henry (Arsenal and France) Henry's reputation was blemished by his recent handball for France that sent his country to the World Cup in South Africa at the Republic of Ireland's expense, but no-one can question his Premier League pedigree.

A wonderfully stylish player, he scored 226 goals in 364 games for Arsenal before leaving for Barcelona in 2007- and finally picked up the Champions League medal that eluded him with the Gunners when Barcelona beat Manchester United in the 2009 final.

So with particular apologies to Dennis Bergkamp, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes (and maybe even the likes of Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba and many others) this is my Premier League team of "The Noughties"

I shall now retreat to my bunker and leave you to pick your own....not easy is it?

By Phil McNulty BBC Sports

World Cup 2010 Group Draws and Fixtures- Can Africa Win it?

World Cup 2010 Group Draws and Fixtures

With the world cup draws now out, what do you think? Is it now Africa’s time to win it. Granted that Pele is known to be perennially wrong with his predictions. Till date he is yet to get one right, but pundits believe this could be when Pele’s predictions finally come true.

For the first time, Africa is presenting her some of her best football nations and with the mundial taking place in Africa for the first time, they are now set to have the same advantage the south Americans and Europeans have been having over the years. Home advantage and crowd backing!

World Cup 2010 group draw and fixtures

Group A Group B Group C Group D

South Africa Argentina England Germany
Mexico Nigeria United States Australia
Uruguay South Korea Algeria Serbia
France Greece Slovenia Ghana

Group E Group F Group G Group H

Netherlands Italy Brazil Spain
Denmark Paraguay North Korea Switzerland
Japan New Zealand Ivory Coast Honduras
Cameroon Slovakia Portugal Chile


GROUP A FIXTURES

Friday, 11 June 2010
South Africa v Mexico, Gp A, 15:00
Uruguay v France, Gp A, 19:30
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
South Africa v Uruguay, Gp A, 19:30
Thursday, 17 June 2010
France v Mexico, Gp A, 12:30
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
France v South Africa, Gp A, 15:00
Mexico v Uruguay, Gp A, 15:00

GROUP B FIXTURES

Saturday, 12 June 2010
Argentina v Nigeria, Gp B, 12:30
South Korea v Greece, Gp B, 15:00
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Argentina v South Korea, Gp B, 19:30
Greece v Nigeria, Gp B, 15:00
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Greece v Argentina, Gp B, 19:30
Nigeria v South Korea, Gp B, 19:30

GROUP C FIXTURES
Saturday, 12 June 2010
England v USA, Gp C, 19:30
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Algeria v Slovenia, Gp C, 12:30
Friday, 18 June 2010
England v Algeria, Gp C, 19:30
Slovenia v USA, Gp C, 15:00
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Slovenia v England, Gp C, 15:00
USA v Algeria, Gp C, 15:00

GROUP D FIXTURES
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Germany v Australia, Gp D, 15:00
Serbia v Ghana, Gp D, 19:30
Friday, 18 June 2010
Germany v Serbia, Gp D, 12:30
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Ghana v Australia, Gp D, 12:30
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Australia v Serbia, Gp D, 19:30
Ghana v Germany, Gp D, 19:30

GROUP E FIXTURES
Monday, 14 June 2010
Japan v Cameroon, Gp E, 15:00
Netherlands v Denmark, Gp E, 12:30
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Cameroon v Denmark, Gp E, 19:30
Netherlands v Japan, Gp E, 15:00
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Cameroon v Netherlands, Gp E, 19:30
Denmark v Japan, Gp E, 19:30

GROUP F FIXTURES
Monday, 14 June 2010
Italy v Paraguay, Gp F, 19:30
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
New Zealand v Slovakia, Gp F, 12:30
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Italy v New Zealand, Gp F, 15:00
Paraguay v Slovakia, Gp F, 12:30
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Paraguay v New Zealand, Gp F, 15:00
Slovakia v Italy, Gp F, 15:00

GROUP G FIXTURES
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Brazil v North Korea, Gp G, 19:30
Ivory Coast v Portugal, Gp G, 15:00
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Brazil v Ivory Coast, Gp G, 19:30
Monday, 21 June 2010
Portugal v North Korea, Gp G, 12:30
Friday, 25 June 2010
North Korea v Ivory Coast, Gp G, 15:00
Portugal v Brazil, Gp G, 15:00

GROUP H FIXTURES
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Honduras v Chile, Gp H, 12:30
Spain v Switzerland, Gp H, 15:00
Monday, 21 June 2010
Chile v Switzerland, Gp H, 15:00
Spain v Honduras, Gp H, 19:30
Friday, 25 June 2010
Chile v Spain, Gp H, 19:30
Switzerland v Honduras, Gp H, 19:3

Supporters who travelled to Wigan's 9-1 thrashing at Tottenham to be refunded

Wigan's players have offered to refund supporters who travelled to Sunday's 9-1 thrashing at Tottenham

The Latics crashed to the second worst defeat in Barclays history as they conceded eight second-half goals at White Hart Lane.

Defender Mario Melchiot admits the result was embarrassing and, along with the rest of his well-paid team-mates, will pay away fans the cost of tickets.

Melchiot told the club's official website: "We feel that as a group of players we badly let down our supporters yesterday, and this is a gesture we have to make and pay them back for their tremendous loyalty.

"There is not a lot else to say, just that as a group of professionals we were embarrassed by the way we performed, we feel it was below our standards and this is something we feel we owe to the fans.

"Now we have to draw a line under the game, focus completely on training this week and bounce back on Saturday.

"We are professionals, we will take it on the chin and move on but it's important that we do not take our supporters for granted."