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.

Catania Players Go Naked To Score Goals

In the latest fashion statement out of Italy, soccer players are dropping their shorts to score goals.

Catania, a team in the country’s top division, unveiled the new look while taking a free kick. The players lined up in a wall and dropped their shorts in an effort to block the goalkeeper’s vision.

The Sicilian team carried out the maneuver to perfection Sunday. Three players dropped their shorts practically to their knees so Torino goalie Matteo Sereni couldn’t see the kick by Giuseppe Mascara, who scored during Catania’s 3-2 victory.

Catania is coached by Walter Zenga, a former goalkeper on Italy’s national team.

“This is a strategy that Zenga tries continually in training,” Pietro Lo Monaco, the club’s chief executive, told RAI state radio Monday.

Former referees coordinator Paolo Casarin called the move “unsportsmanlike and in bad taste.”

“It’s a trick that should not be tolerated anymore by the referees,” he said.

Lo Monaco replied: “A trick? I wouldn’t say so. It’s up to the referee to decide if it should be penalized, otherwise I don’t see where the problem is. … Good taste is relative.”

NFF and Amodu to blame as players refuse to show up for Columbia

The crisis of administration is in Nigerian Football Federation is about to bring us another national disgrace. There is the tendency to want to blame players when they refuse to honour National Call-ups for games especially when we are playing friendly matches. Then you wonder if John Terry or Lampard will give excuses just because England has a friendly game with Estonia or Belarus.

In all of this i still choose to blame the football officials in this country for failure to do what they need to do to instill discipline in the team. Amodu Shuabi is one coach in this country that has been recycled as Super Eagles coach more than any other and in all of these occasions has failed to show adequate grasp and control of his players. The choice of Amodu is wrong and will always be wrong. I have said that before on this blog and I am saying it again. Soon the honey moon period of playing teams below FIFA's Top 50 ranking will be over and we will begin to see the true team Amodu claims to be preparing to take us to 2010. He has failed many times in the past nothing so far shows he has improved.

Any discerning coach will make his players understand one thing, that football is a team game and if you do not work as a team on and off the pitch, there would be no place for such players in the team come the next qualifying game. But our quick fix attitude will never give way for proper planning and implementation of policies. It was due to refusal to honour national call-ups for friendlies like this that Nigeria lost for the first time in history to South Africa.

If we have a rule book, it should be adhered to. To this extent, nobody has to complain when players refuse to honour invitation for matches but punish offenders according to the rules. Where no exceptions are allowed, players will fall in line. Amodu does not have the guts to do that, neither does the NFF and so we will continue like this for a long time.

We should be ready to sacrifice whatever it takes to build a strong. I said this when we still had 4 years before 2010. But right, we have less that 2 years left. Do we really want to have an impact in 2010?

News In The News

Kano Pillars

The management committee of Kano Pillars Football Club has sacked the club’s goalkeeper traineer, Ali Muhammad Zoff and redeployed Coach Abdu Ahmad Pele to the State Sports Council for what it described as part of re-organization in the team.
According to the source close to the club management, the decision took place on Monday after Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima presided over the meeting between the Continental Committee and the club management as part of the plan to repositioning the team both in the Nigerian League and CAF Champions League.
Daily Triumph Sports gathered that the former Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Galadima was not happy with the way and manner things are going in the club and directed the club management to seriously warn the players and the technical crew to change their attitude as the state government will not condone indiscipline and fake injury among players.
It could be recalled that with this approval, the present management of Kano Pillars Football Club led by Alhaji Tukur Babangida was said to have received almost N400million from the state government to run the affairs of the club.
Pillars received N70 million out of N100 million approved by the state government as take-off grant three months back.  

Oje Sweet Gives further Insight on the U-17 Bruhaha

Barely a week after it announced Nigeria’s inability to host next year’s Federation of International Football Association’s (FIFA) World Cup due to cash crunch, the Federal Government did a rethink and accepted to go ahead with hosting the world youth soccer championship. This was after the initial budget of N37 billion was drastically scaled down to N9 billion.
The government, through former Sports Minister, had earlier written to the global soccer governing body, FIFA that the country lacked the capacity to deliver a world-class event as it was faced with a myriad of challenges including a deficit budget and the effects of the global financial meltdown. The letter informed FIFA that “Government efforts are now being channelled towards pruning down on expenditure and in the light of challenges confronting Nigeria, it regrets its inability to host the U-17 World Cup as earlier undertaken”.
Government’s earlier repudiation of the hosting agreement it entered into with FIFA two years ago could be traced to the scary N37 billion budget submitted to it by the event’s Local Organising Committee (LOC). Not even the hurried review of the budget to N35 billion could persuade the government of the feasibility of the project. And so, it initially appeared as if the Yar’Adua administration had made up its mind not to have anything to do with the 2009 junior world football championship, which it said was not on its priority list, until a sudden u-turn about a week later.
Several reasons have been given for the policy reversal. They include the fear of FIFA’s sanctions and possible damage the breach of agreement could do the country’s external image and the development of its youth soccer in particular.
But now that the country has managed to avoid these untoward repercussions by agreeing to host the championship as planned, we are still worried about what the international community would think about our leaders. Why, for instance, would the government take such precipitate, spur-of-the-moment decision when it was clear that all remedial avenues had not been exhausted? This apparent indiscretion has brought a lot of embarrassment not only to the government but also to the country. It would appear that the Presidency over reacted on theN37 billion-budget proposal and that shouldn’t have been the sole basis for foreclosing the hosting of the championship. If the government thought the budget was unrealistic, as it surely was, it could have called for its downward review rather than resorting to throwing the baby away with the bath water.
Although some Nigerians have said the revised budget may be too low to host a global event of that magnitude, we want to believe that the Local Organising Committee showed lack of sincerity and concern for the country’s financial position. This definitely cannot continue. What Nigeria needs now as we finally prepare to host the U-17 World Cup next year is a body of genuine patriots to organise a tournament that would be economically rewarding to the country and ultimately beneficial for the development of its game of soccer. The LOC should be spared selfish people who think more of what would accrue to their individual pockets from the “spoils” of tournament hosting. Every effort must be made to ensure that the country maximises the gains of hosting the games, which must include brilliant performance of our team at the tournament as well as a boost to the nation’s economy. The nation’s dilapidated sports infrastructure are also expected to benefit a great deal from hosting the tournament, as they must be enduringly rehabilitated. It is only an efficient LOC that can achieve these lofty goals

CHIMAOBI UCHENDU write in the  Sun News on an allege plot to desolve the NFF board.

Former chairman of Gombe State Football Association and founder of the infamous Stakeholders Forum which ousted the Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima-led Nigeria Football Association (NFA) board, Shaibu Ahmed Gara Gombe, says Nigerian football will soon experience turbulent times from tyrants, who are bent on realising their dreams from a disunited football house.
He said a plot to dissolve the present Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board, led by Sani Lulu was in the offing and he puts the time set for the plot to hatch between now and April next year.
Speaking to Daily Sunsport last weekend, Gombe said the Congress, which was made up of state FAs and clubs had already been penetrated into and warned the NFF and the Nigeria Premier League Board to guard their loins because the crisis is targeted to start there.
“Nigerian football will soon experience earthquake,” Gombe started. “I have it on good authority that Dr. Amos Adamu has recruited men to cause problems that will lead to the dissolution of NFF.
He is bent on reconstituting the NFF board to include himself, this is because of the ambition he is nursing at CAF. Remember that one cannot aim to become the CAF president without being a member of a national football federation.
“Already, I am aware of moves by his foot soldiers at recruiting state FAs and some clubs who make up the Congress to impeach the board when the crisis starts.
“The grand plan also include causing an artificial crisis between NFF and NFL, which will result into inviting stakeholders for mediation.
“At this point, the Congress would be invited to settle, the impasse and immediately this happens, the hatchet men will move for a dissolution of the board.
“I know they are playing to realize this dream before the commencement of the World Youth Championship (WYC) scheduled for Nigeria next year. Read Full Story SUN News 

Finally Kenya and mosambique are both threatening to stop Nigeria from 2010 as reported by Taiwo Adelu by PM NEWS

President of Kenya Football Federation (KFF), Mohammed Hatimy, has boasted that the Harambee Stars will stop the Super Eagles of Nigeria from playing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in South Africa.

Hatimy is confident his country will feature in the World Cup finals after they must have scaled the hurdles of Nigeria, Tunisia and Mozambique, who are their group opponents in the qualifying series for the 2010 World Cup.

“I believe Kenya can stand on the way of Nigeria to the World Cup,” said Hatimy, in a live interview on Brila F.M., early today. “We want to qualify for the 2010 World Cup at all cost, we are expecting a tough opposition from Nigeria, but Kenya will be there.

“Stopping Nigeria is possible and I believe we can as well celebrate our qualification just as we celebrated the victory of Barack Obama in the just concluded American election,” he boasted.

Hatimy noted that since he took over as the President of Kenya Football Federation, there have been notable achievements to his credit. He said Kenya, in the FIFA ranking, used to be below 100, but he can proudly say that Kenya was last ranked Number 79 in the world.

 

Harry Mangulenje, AfricaNews reporter in Blantyre, Malawi 

Mozambique has served notice to their Nigerian opponents in the World Cup zone qualifiers to be vigilant or risk being pushed out of contention. Despite miraculously squeezing through to the current stage, Mozambique team is raising hopes of going further to Africa Nations Cup in Angola 2010.

The Black Mambas say they are not taking a challenge in their tough group and are ready to make it to the Nations Cup for the first time since 1998. Coach Mart Nooij has said he is aware that other members of the group Kenya, and Tunisia are working at turning tables when the games kick off in March next year.
But the coach said he has troops that can beat any team in the World given same conditions. The Mambas passed the first round tests by a miracle after they ended as best runners-up in their group which comprised teams like Ivory Coast.
“We will not change our offensive attacking football, all Africa should know is that Mozambicans can play and they play their own game in their own way but at the end of the day they win and usually win impressively,” he said. “There are so many good things now in our country, Mozambique and I as coach and my players on the other end, we are motivated,” he said.
Nooij, a former Burkina Faso coach said he targets Nigeria for their first win. He however said the worst they want to do is to end third in the group and not slip through.
“Nigeria is the same as Ivory Coast, they play same football, have similar trend of players, we drew with them in Maputo and we nearly drew with them again at their own backyard in Abidjan, what can distract us from pushing them out,” he said.

Saturday Round-up-Unlikely Losers, Man U down, Hull City continues free fall...............

The Wanderers keeper made some sensational saves to deny the rampant Tigers, who threw everything at the visitors. Ever since they lost at Chelsea, this is their third defeat in a row.

But it simply was not enough as Matt Taylor's 51st minute strike separated the sides.

Hull boss Phil Brown hailed Jaaskelainen's performance. He said: "He's had a blinder

"He pulled off a couple of great saves, with the one from the Geovanni header the turning point.

"I was  ready to run onto the pitch with both arms raised because we had scored an equalizer and we were going to be in with a chance to win the game.

"But he had one of those days, although he is a world-class 'keeper anyway, and I've nothing but admiration for him.

"He is certainly one of the best in the Premier League, and that's the standard we have to attain.

"He has been around for 10 or 11 years now, and I remember a number of sterling performances like that when I was at the club."

Bolton manager Gary Megson also singled out Jaaskelainen.

He said: "Jussi will get the headlines, and rightly so because his performance was unbelievable, as good as you are ever going to see.

"Some of his saves, like the one from the free kick - which was bad defending from ourselves - at point-blank range was good enough.

"But to then spring onto his feet and palm it away from the other forward coming in was top-class goalkeeping.

"There are some good goalkeepers throughout the world, and we certainly wouldn't swap him for anybody.

"He is not just a terrific goalkeeper, but a good lad, a good pro, and everything that comes his way he deserves because he works his socks off in training."

Hull had fielded all their lethal attackers including the dangerous Geovanni supporting strikers Marlon King and Daniel Cousin.

It was the Brazilian who had the first chance with a low 25-yard shot that Jaaskelainen smothered. As usual, when Bolton does something extr ordinary away from Reebok, Kudos always goes to Jaaskelainen.  Hull was so dominant everyone gave them the game especially considering their form and wonders they created so far in the league.

Despite Hull's domination, it was Bolton who took the lead on 51 minutes.  Bolton Carried the day and all Kudos to their goalie who worked so hard.

Earlier on, Manchester United full of confidence visited and injury ravaged Arsenal side with confidence at an all time low.

Earlier on,  SAMIR NASRI struck twice to put Arsenal's Premier League title challenge back on track.

Arsene Wenger admitted his team's bid would have been dead in the water if they had failed to win at the Emirates against United on Saturday after.

That was on an all time low of confidence having lost a 2 goal advantage to spurs, lost to stoke and held to a goalless draw against Fernabache all within 10 days would have found it difficult if they didn't win.

Nasri got the opener on 22 minutes thanks to a deflection off United skipper Gary Neville.

He made it two after a sublime passing move found him on the edge of the box where he hammered home.

Brazilian youngster Rafael Da Silva grabbed a late consolation for United.

United's Michael Carrick fired wide from the edge of the area before Dimitar Berbatov had a goal ruled out for offside.

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner headed over from Gael Clichy's cross and Abou Diaby had a clear sight of goal but his effort was blocked by Carrick. In my opinion Arsenal should have scored at least 5 goals with Rio's poor defending if Nicholas Brendtner was worth the confidence reposed on hi my Arsene. He wasn't just there. They game should have ended 5-2.

Wayne Rooney wasted Cristiano Ronaldo's intelligent cut-back when he smashed over on 17 minutes.

And he was made to pay when Nasri netted the opener just minutes later.

Patrice Evra fouled Bacary Sagna on the right wing and Cesc Fabregas' set-piece was only cleared to Nasri on the edge of the box.

The France star's powerful drive took a wicked deflection off Gary Neville and flew past Edwin Van der Sar in the United goal.

Ronaldo almost replied when his free-kick was nearly clipped in off Clichy. But unitl Rafeal came on to do what Ronney Berbatov and Tevez couldn't do, the game was heading to 2-0 especially with 6 minutes of added time that followed ALumnia's prolonged treatment time on the pitch. Can Arsenal Start getting consistent and take the battle to Aston Villa and Chelsea?

Uduak Akpabio's World Record Attempt!

When Kaffu achieved the rare fit in Dancing to get her name into the world record register, no one expected it. Such records have a way of making people strive for excellence.

Kaffu's feat has inspired a lot of women in Nigeria and Africa as a whole to the effect that truely, what a man can do, even a woman can surpass.

Here comes another record in the making. Uduak Akpabio, a photographer and web developer in another daring attempt to go all the way. Though i know Uduak in person as he also graduated from University of Calabar like me, i heard about his bravity for the first time on facebook.

He plans to go round Nigeria in 100 days to taking photographs of her beautiful people and heritage and he plans to take a whooping 1000,000 of such photographs. The photographs will also be made into video format for distribution.

He has applied to the world record body and has claimed the right to this epoch making attempt. The problem now is finances and will do with whatever help you Nigerians can give him.

Hear him:
“I want to set a World Record for the Largest Amount of Portraits Pictures Taken by a Single Photographer, I will have a minimum target of One Million(1,000,000) Portrait Pictures, to be taken in several states of Nigeria, and these will span about 100 days. I will be working with a Digital Camera, and will be using this as an avenue to showcase the richness of culture and beauty that spans the country (Nigeria). And to also educate people on the need to support street kids, while also asking everyone of the One Million people to make a comment on the issue.”

Let join hands together with Uduak Akpabio to once again put Nigeria's name on the world map boldly. Please comment on this article and indicate here if you wish to assist him. So i can forward his phone number. Or visit the project home page at Wazup Nigeria.

Fatai Amoo on Obagol, Ogbuke Plus Probable End to English Euro Dominance

Super Eagles’ assistant coach, Fatai Amoo, is feeling up beat about the scoring form of Newcastle of England’s Obafemi Martins and Hoffenheim of Germany’s Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi in their club football and the fact that they have now won a place in the hearts of their respective coaches.

Both players have only scored four goals each for their clubs and i don't think that is enough for us all to start jubilating. We have seen it before when Obafemi in particular came out blazing and then the expectations rise, but he suddenly went under. Amoo, an ex-international, said he is very impressed with their performances. That is expected from a coach any way, but we all know the truth. Not that i am being a pessimist.

We will be able to know if it is time for huhuru when they perform against credible opposition if the rumoured friendly games ever come to be.

Amoo said he is happy that the players have hit form for their clubs, and if they can maintain their present form when the final round of the 2010 World/Nations Cup qualifying series kicks off it will be good for the country. That's what i mean-transferring that form to country

“I’m excited seeing the players scoring for their clubs,” Amoo said. “This is a good development for the boys and the country, if they keep this present form intact,” he said.

On whether Martins, a former Inter Milan of Italy forward, can still reclaim the top striker's spot in the super Eagles from Getafe of Spain’s Ikechukwu Uche, he declined  to comments.

“Martins is one of the Super Eagles’ players invited for the international friendly match against Colombia, the question of him getting back the number 9 jersey will depend on his performance during training.”

In Europe the scare and poor performances of English teams continued yesterday after Liverpool secured a scrappy win against Athletico Madrid and Chelsea lost incredibly to Roma. Yesterday saw Arsenal once again failed to deliver despite having most of the possession dropping two valuable points in a goalless draw at the Emirates against Fernanache. Manchester United secured a late goal away to celtic with a Ryan Giggs header to saved them from an Ugly draw. Are teams finally finding an answer to England's Euro dominanation?

Arsene Wenger Is the Craziest Coach In The world

Every year fans of this beautiful club are disappointed by Arsene Wenger or is it David Hill Wood? I have stopped to believe that the board always makes cash available for Wenger who will rather prefer not to buy.

I think no coach loves to lose, Arsene Wenger inclusive. Someone is definitely not telling the fans the truth. It is either Wenger is deceiving the fans, or the board is deceiving him.

The board keeps telling the world, there is money to spend, but no one is using it, instead Wenger keeps buying crumps from other clubs like William Gallas, Amaury Bischoff and now  Mikael Silverter.

After the exits of Flamini, Gilberto, it was widely expected that Arsene Wenger will bring in capable replacements. Gareth Barry and Xavi Alonso were all hitching to leave their respective clubs but wenger won't move in, instead whiel everyone was told the team was doing fine, we all saw Nasri, Silverter and Bischoff brought in. Silverter a total waste while Bischoff is yet to be dressed 10 games on.

So is it really true that Arsene wenger's team needs no fortification? If the defeat to Hull was because they were underated and the 4-4 draw to spurs was due to lose of concentration, the 2-1 defeat at stokes surely tells the truth. Arsene Wenger must review his transfer policy. It is not too late yet to do something come the January transfer window.

Hosting U-17 World Cup is Government’s Obligation to Nigerians

I have watched with rapt attention and absolute dismay these past few weeks, the theatrics, as they play out in Nigerian football. What has happened recently only goes to show that, as a Nation we are yet to really understand and accept the fact that the most important office in the country is that of the citizen.

In the last two weeks or so, lovers of football in this country have been made the pawns in a game of chess. In 2003 Nigeria was the host of the All African Games; that tournament till date has remained an issue of controversy after huge amounts of tax payers’ money was expended without recourse to the tenets of accountability to citizens who are supposed to be the most revered in any civilized clime.

Mr. Amos Adamu who was in-charge has continued to act like he owes no one an explanation. It is however, understandable Mr. President’s (Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua) hesitation about going ahead with hosting the U-17 world cup, the right of which Nigeria fought for and won, yet with tax payer’s money, after the LOC, constituting the same shylocks who run the country aground during the hosting of the All African Games, presented a budget of a whooping N37 billion for the event.

It pains me to note that in the year 2008, when other countries are working tirelessly to improve the lot of the youth, we still have people whose major interest in sports development is self aggrandizement. The importance of sports in a society can not be over emphasized and sometimes I really get bored with the monotony of having to talk about the same thing everyday, week, month and year. By the year 2009, we will continue to talk about these same issues to no avail. These scavengers are shamelessly the same people who go on TV to criticize and question Nigerians’ dedication to foreign leagues attributing it to lack of patriotism. They really think Nigerians are fools. Even if we were, I think we know the difference between good and bad-even a five year old does.

Sports development has little to do with the fans. If those appointed, elected or selected to run our football are inept and bereft of ideas or bent on grabbing as much money as they can within the period he/she is in office, I don’t think there is anything a fan can do about that. I challenge our sports administrators today to develop our league and see if the fans wouldn’t come running down to watch matches. Back to the U-17 world cup billed for Nigeria in 2009. Agreed that the LOC over killed it with that budget, the president’s attitude is what I wish to analyze here.

Let’s take it one by one. Haba! Mr. President, are you so insensitive to the plight of Nigerian football fans? Do you know how much money a country makes hosting international sports events? I am particularly surprised (despite the fact the decision has since been rescinded) that though this administration’s lethargy has failed to provide employment for the youth of this country, it was about to throw away the only opportunity it has to achieve that to some extent. I am not about to talk about how much money cooperate Nigeria can make from the influx of visitors, what the hospitality industry stand to gain, the TV and radio stations on commercials, the aviation industry considering the influx of foreigners coming in and those who may have to shuffle from one venue to another and all those big wigs in circulation. Let’s take a look at what a simple sector that affects the common man on the street stands to loose.

Millions of Nigerians have chosen to take their own destinies into their hands and have adopted a means of livelihood that has not just been enough to feed them, but clothe and even pay school fees and other basic needs- the ‘pure water’ sellers! President Yar’Adua does not need an adviser to know that sellers of pure water can change their lives for the better in just this one swop as this is neither rocket science nor brain surgery. While I do not want to sound like I am in support of reckless spending in government, it is worthy to note that no amount of money is too much to spend on a venture that promises to better the lives of Nigerians. Apart from the fact that these resources belong 100% to the people, government officials should understand that we are the only reason they should be in office at all. So what’s my point? The president did well to have pointed out that amount earmarked was outrageous but it shows total disregard to have to make Nigerians beg him to dialogue with the LOC in order to come to a common ground.

The president should be presidential enough to know that negotiations can achieve everything. He should have for the sake of Nigerians who have already spent millions to expand their businesses in preparation for the event, which in the process will employ more hands to help them out during this period, done us the favour of negotiating on our behalf. If a president gets so irritated that the plight of Nigerians becomes secondary, let me say here that such attitude is unacceptable by Nigerians.

The government owes Nigerians the obligation to provide jobs, good roads, clean water, housing and education. So far, I do not think this government has shown any desire to achieve any of this and that first decision not to host the U-17 world Cup was an affront on the youth of this country. Government should note that N37 billion or N9 billion makes no economic sense to the ‘pure water’ seller whose major concern is to stay alive with the N10 profit from sales of one bag of sachet water.

David Beckam In AC Milan

After yesterday's signing, Fabia Capello rained praises on Beckham but David Beckham's unlikely return to front-line football was sealed yesterday when he signed a three-month loan deal with AC Milan. The England boss Fabio Capello immediately commended the move that many felt he helped orchestrate in the hope of extending Beckham's England career. With beckham looking to make history as one of the most caped wingers in England, it now seems his dream will come to pass. The 34-year-old Beckham will join the San Siro club in January ostensibly to keep his fitness up during the US close season and will return to Los Angeles Galaxy in March. The MLS season finished for the Galaxy this week as they failed to make the play-offs.

While Ac Milan and is flexing muscles with cash, especially with news making the rounds they are offering $35 million for Fabregas, Chelsea does seem to be real deep in the credit crunch thing as it has hit home in the most unlikely place in football - Stamford Bridge. According to the Times, Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has been told that he must sell players before he is allowed to buy any new personnel. "Scolari had expected to be given some of the £28m that was set aside to sign Robinho in the summer before the club were gazumped by Manchester City on transfer deadline day," reports the newspaper, "but, with Chelsea looking to cut costs across all areas of their business, the money will no longer be forthcoming. This is making it look like Solomon Kalou will still move to Arsenal afterall. The Brazilian had shrugged off comments from Peter Kenyon that Chelsea would not be “active” in January, but since the chief executive's remarks at last week's NFL Global Sports Summit the message has been relayed to him internally."

Christiano Ronaldo Is Fifpro Player Of The Year

Professional footballers across the world voted Ronaldo who scored 42 goals for United last season to help them take an unprecendented brace.

Ronaldo and his team mate Rio Ferdinand were both named in the Fitpro team. Though Ronaldo was not surprised he was voted as the best by players, he said,

"To be recognised by my fellow players is amazing," said the 23-year-old.

"I would like to thank my team-mates and coaches and everyone involved at United and the national team, as well as my family and friends for their support."

Other players in the English Premier League who made the team include Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres and Chelsea and England captain John Terry also made the team.

AC Milan midfielder Kaka and Barcelona star Lionel Messi were also there representing the seria A and La Liga and Christiano Ronaldo beat them all to the award..

Ronaldo, who was the driving force behind United's Premier League and Champions League double last season, is also a strong contender to win the Fifa World Player of the Year award and the Ballon d'Or.

"Sir Alex has been a big inspiration to me," he said. "He believed in me enough to buy me. I have learned so many things from him and I am continuing to learn because he is a great manager.

"Of course, he was the main factor in keeping me here. But what happened in the summer is finished. Now my head is on the club. My focus is solely on playing well for Manchester United and winning the Premier League and Champions League again."

So far this season, Christiano Ronaldo has scored three goals after missing the start of the campaign through injury, but Ferguson believes the player will come good.

"I still think he will beat 25," said Ferguson. "It is going to be difficult because he has had a stop-start beginning to the season.

"He had the operation on his ankle so he has missed a few games and he is just getting his rhythm back.

"The number of goals he scored last year was absolutely phenomenal. But I hope he can be equally as good this year in terms of his contribution to the team."

The original 55-man FifPro shortlist included Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas. I am however surprised that neither Fabregas nor Adebayor (30 goals for Arsenal) both of Arsenal made the final Eleven.

Pro World XI:

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain/Real Madrid)

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Spain/Real Madrid); John Terry (England/Chelsea); Carles Puyol (Spain/ Barcelona); Rio Ferdinand (England/Manchester United)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (England/Liverpool); Xavi (Spain/Barcelona); Kaka (Brazil/AC Milan).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona); Fernando Torres (Spain/Liverpool); Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Manchester United)

This list again emphasizes the Premier Leagues's dominance over other leagues in the world. At last it seems a player based in England will clinch the FIFA player of the year award.

Mourinho May Make things Worse For Drogba, Says He's a Diver

Didier Drogba is currently having his recently released autobiography probed by the English FA and the FA is promising stiff sanctions if they have reason to. Drogba wrote in his book that he shouldn't have been sent out during the last seasons champions League Final against Chelsea and after watching the Video, he now wished he should have punched Vidic.

His former boss Jose Mourinho was recently interviewed and Mourinho angrily defended Drogba against accusations of going to ground too easily during his time as Chelsea boss. The English press was full with claims that Didier was a diver during Mourinho's reign as Chelsea coach and Mourinho has always defended his forward. Well it seems Mourinho is now ready to come out clean on that matter this time.

The Inter Milan chief has blasted Blues hitman Drog a year after leaving the club.

“I am no longer Chelsea coach and I do not have to defend them any more, but I think it is correct if I say Drogba is a diver.

“Drogba, Ronaldo, Torres and Van Persie are the divers. Who dives more? Who has won more penalties in recent years?”

I'm sure this will mean, Jose stops being in Drogba's good book and his probable January move to Inter Milan and now less likely.

Manchester cruises as Arsenal takes a Big Win

ARSENAL recorded their best away victory in Europe for five years as they placed one impressive-sized foot in the knockout stages on a goal-crazy night in Turkey.

We have not seen this kind of victory from the gunners since that night that can not be forgotten in a hurry at the San Siro in 2003, when a Thierry Henry-inspired side fired five past Inter Milan have the Gunners been this rampant on their travels.

Arsenal took a stranglehold of this match and on Group G, with manager Arsene Wenger believing three points from their remaining three matches should be enough to reach the next stage.

Two goals inside 70 first-half seconds, from Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott, as Cesc Fabregas sliced Fenerbahce apart, made the difference.

Abou Diaby’s third in the 21st minute,  after the Turks had pulled one back, meant four goals had been scored in 11 crazy minutes, while Alex Song’s 47th-minute goal rubber-stamped an amazing victory.

Still Arsenal were not happy, claiming a fifth goal in the closing seconds.

The Gunners, minus injured regulars Kolo Toure, William Gallas and Bacary Sagna, opted for a solid line-up, with Adebayor as a lone striker were outstanding with Ramsey coming in to add a fifth after Guiza had scored a consolation.

Meanwhile, Manchester United at home to Celtic,

Berbatov scored once in each half to stretch the European champions’ unbeaten home run to 16 before the rejuvenated Wayne Rooney continued his scoring spree with yet another 14 minutes from the end.

Both of Berbatov's goals were later adjudged from video replays to be offside.

Washington Post Endorses Senator Barack Obama for President

Today i wouldn't talking much about sports because nothing is really happening in football circles right now. Well, aprt from the fact Kunu and Utaka receive a blast from Sani Toro who is calling for them to be dropped from the national team, and the Game coming up fro Eyimba against Al haly in the weekend, i don't think there is anything we have to talk about- or worth talking about till weekend when we will begin to have good football action.

Thing is i am not a big fan of international football. I guess i should get someone to join me on this blog to atleast cover that end. That's strictly for international football buffs.
Alot has been happening arround the world and we of course are not immune to its effects. The US presidential elections is less than 3 weeks today and we are all so excited, even more than when we have our own elections in Nigeria. Before i forget, Lagos had a Local Govt. council election last weekend and it all showed why we are more excited by the US elections than ours. The AC contested their elections alone and won alone. No be me talk am oh!
talk about the US elections, i am bringing that up. Today the washington post endorses Barack Obama Over senator John Macain for president.
It is now almost certain Obama will be president as the last debate has done little or nothing to change the positions. Obama still leads with 5 points.
A black man is soon to lead the worlds most powerful country. This shows that a lot about to change about this world and soon, Color wouldn't matter anymore we hope.
Below is a full text of the washington post Endorsement.

THE NOMINATING process this year produced two unusually talented and
qualified presidential candidates. There are few public figures we have
respected more over the years than Sen. John McCain. Yet it is without
ambivalence that we endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president.
The choice is
made easy in part by Mr. McCain's disappointing campaign, above all his
irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president. It
is made easy in larger part, though, because of our admiration for Mr. Obama and
the impressive qualities he has shown during this long race. Yes, we have
reservations and concerns, almost inevitably, given Mr. Obama's relatively brief
experience in national politics. But we also have enormous hopes.
Mr. Obama
is a man of supple intelligence, with a nuanced grasp of complex issues and
evident skill at conciliation and consensus-building. At home, we believe, he
would respond to the economic crisis with a healthy respect for markets tempered
by justified dismay over rising inequality and an understanding of the need for
focused regulation. Abroad, the best evidence suggests that he would seek to
maintain U.S. leadership and engagement, continue the fight against terrorists,
and wage vigorous diplomacy on behalf of U.S. values and interests. Mr. Obama
has the potential to become a great president. Given the enormous problems he
would confront from his first day in office, and the damage wrought over the
past eight years, we would settle for very good.
The first question, in
fact, might be why either man wants the job. Start with two ongoing wars, both
far from being won; an unstable, nuclear-armed Pakistan; a resurgent Russia
menacing its neighbors; a terrorist-supporting Iran racing toward nuclear
status; a roiling Middle East; a rising China seeking its place in the world.
Stir in the threat of nuclear or biological terrorism, the burdens of global
poverty and disease, and accelerating climate change. Domestically, wages have
stagnated while public education is failing a generation of urban, mostly
minority children. Now add the possibility of the deepest economic trough since
the Great Depression.
Not even his fiercest critics would blame President
Bush for all of these problems, and we are far from being his fiercest critic.
But for the past eight years, his administration, while pursuing some worthy
policies (accountability in education, homeland security, the promotion of
freedom abroad), has also championed some stunningly wrongheaded ones (fiscal
recklessness, torture, utter disregard for the planet's ecological health) and
has acted too often with incompetence, arrogance or both. A McCain presidency
would not equal four more years, but outside of his inner circle, Mr. McCain
would draw on many of the same policymakers who have brought us to our current
state. We believe they have richly earned, and might even benefit from, some
years in the political wilderness.
OF COURSE, Mr. Obama offers a great deal
more than being not a Republican. There are two sets of issues that matter most
in judging these candidacies. The first has to do with restoring and promoting
prosperity and sharing its fruits more evenly in a globalizing era that has
suppressed wages and heightened inequality. Here the choice is not a close call.
Mr. McCain has little interest in economics and no apparent feel for the topic.
His principal proposal, doubling down on the Bush tax cuts, would exacerbate the
fiscal wreckage and the inequality simultaneously. Mr. Obama's economic plan
contains its share of unaffordable promises, but it pushes more in the direction
of fairness and fiscal health. Both men have pledged to tackle climate change.
Mr. Obama also understands that the most important single counter to
inequality, and the best way to maintain American competitiveness, is improved
education, another subject of only modest interest to Mr. McCain. Mr. Obama
would focus attention on early education and on helping families so that another
generation of poor children doesn't lose out. His budgets would be less likely
to squeeze out important programs such as Head Start and Pell grants. Though he
has been less definitive than we would like, he supports accountability measures
for public schools and providing parents choices by means of charter schools.
A better health-care system also is crucial to bolstering U.S.
competitiveness and relieving worker insecurity. Mr. McCain is right to advocate
an end to the tax favoritism showed to employer plans. This system works against
lower-income people, and Mr. Obama has disparaged the McCain proposal in
deceptive ways. But Mr. McCain's health plan doesn't do enough to protect those
who cannot afford health insurance. Mr. Obama hopes to steer the country toward
universal coverage by charting a course between government mandates and
individual choice, though we question whether his plan is affordable or does
enough to contain costs.
The next president is apt to have the chance to
nominate one or more Supreme Court justices. Given the court's current
precarious balance, we think Obama appointees could have a positive impact on
issues from detention policy and executive power to privacy protections and
civil rights.
Overshadowing all of these policy choices may be the financial
crisis and the recession it is likely to spawn. It is almost impossible to
predict what policies will be called for by January, but certainly the country
will want in its president a combination of nimbleness and steadfastness --
precisely the qualities Mr. Obama has displayed during the past few weeks. When
he might have been scoring political points against the incumbent, he instead
responsibly urged fellow Democrats in Congress to back Mr. Bush's financial
rescue plan. He has surrounded himself with top-notch, experienced, centrist
economic advisers -- perhaps the best warranty that, unlike some past presidents
of modest experience, Mr. Obama will not ride into town determined to reinvent
every policy wheel. Some have disparaged Mr. Obama as too cool, but his
unflappability over the past few weeks -- indeed, over two years of campaigning
-- strikes us as exactly what Americans might want in their president at a time
of great uncertainty.
ON THE SECOND set of issues, having to do with keeping
America safe in a dangerous world, it is a closer call. Mr. McCain has deep
knowledge and a longstanding commitment to promoting U.S. leadership and values.
But Mr. Obama, as anyone who reads his books can tell, also has a
sophisticated understanding of the world and America's place in it. He, too, is
committed to maintaining U.S. leadership and sticking up for democratic values,
as his recent defense of tiny Georgia makes clear. We hope he would navigate
between the amoral realism of some in his party and the counterproductive
cocksureness of the current administration, especially in its first term. On
most policies, such as the need to go after al-Qaeda, check Iran's nuclear
ambitions and fight HIV/AIDS abroad, he differs little from Mr. Bush or Mr.
McCain. But he promises defter diplomacy and greater commitment to allies. His
team overstates the likelihood that either of those can produce dramatically
better results, but both are certainly worth trying.
Mr. Obama's greatest
deviation from current policy is also our biggest worry: his insistence on
withdrawing U.S. combat troops from Iraq on a fixed timeline. Thanks to the
surge that Mr. Obama opposed, it may be feasible to withdraw many troops during
his first two years in office. But if it isn't -- and U.S. generals have warned
that the hard-won gains of the past 18 months could be lost by a precipitous
withdrawal -- we can only hope and assume that Mr. Obama would recognize the
strategic importance of success in Iraq and adjust his plans.
We also can
only hope that the alarming anti-trade rhetoric we have heard from Mr. Obama
during the campaign would give way to the understanding of the benefits of trade
reflected in his writings. A silver lining of the financial crisis may be the
flexibility it gives Mr. Obama to override some of the interest groups and
members of Congress in his own party who oppose open trade, as well as to pursue
the entitlement reform that he surely understands is needed.
IT GIVES US no
pleasure to oppose Mr. McCain. Over the years, he has been a force for principle
and bipartisanship. He fought to recognize Vietnam, though some of his fellow
ex-POWs vilified him for it. He stood up for humane immigration reform, though
he knew Republican primary voters would punish him for it. He opposed torture
and promoted campaign finance reform, a cause that Mr. Obama injured when he
broke his promise to accept public financing in the general election campaign.
Mr. McCain staked his career on finding a strategy for success in Iraq when just
about everyone else in Washington was ready to give up. We think that he, too,
might make a pretty good president.
But the stress of a campaign can reveal
some essential truths, and the picture of Mr. McCain that emerged this year is
far from reassuring. To pass his party's tax-cut litmus test, he jettisoned his
commitment to balanced budgets. He hasn't come up with a coherent agenda, and at
times he has seemed rash and impulsive. And we find no way to square his
professed passion for America's national security with his choice of a running
mate who, no matter what her other strengths, is not prepared to be commander in
chief.
ANY PRESIDENTIAL vote is a gamble, and Mr. Obama's résumé is
undoubtedly thin. We had hoped, throughout this long campaign, to see more
evidence that Mr. Obama might stand up to Democratic orthodoxy and end, as he
said in his announcement speech, "our chronic avoidance of tough decisions."
But Mr. Obama's temperament is unlike anything we've seen on the national
stage in many years. He is deliberate but not indecisive; eloquent but a master
of substance and detail; preternaturally confident but eager to hear opposing
points of view. He has inspired millions of voters of diverse ages and races, no
small thing in our often divided and cynical country. We think he is the right
man for a perilous moment.

Meanwhile just like I said at the beginning, i need people who can join me keep this blog good and diversed. You must love football though. If you own your own blog, that will better so you can add your signature at the bottom of your entries to get some traffick as back to your side as pay back. I don't have money to pay. The site is monitized but is non profit. See you tomorrow.