Thursday 31 October 2013

Super Eagles Eagles defender set for summer move


Super Eagles first choice left-back, Elderson Uwa Echiejile won't extend his current deal with Sporting Braga.

The former Bendel Insurance and youth star signed a contract due to expire at the end of the season.

Echiejille, attracted interest from Besiktas, Norwich City and VFB Stuttgart (Germany) over the summer, and he is certain to gain more suitors once his current deal expires.

Latest Naija Goalscorers


Name: Jude Nworuh
League: Denmark
Club: AC Horsens
Time: 13. min
Against: Nordvest
Result: 0-4

Name: David Abwo
League: Poland
Club: Zaglebie Lubin
Time: 79. min
Against: Lechia Gdansk
Result: 1-3

Name: Joseph Akpala
League: Turkey
Club: Kardemir Karabükspor
Time: 47. min, 72. min
Against: Manavgat Evrensekispor
Result: 3-2

Name: Lukman Haruna
League: Ukraine
Club: FC Dynamo Kyiv
Time: 90.+3 min
Against: Shakhtar Sverdlovsk
Result: 0-4

Name: Brown Ideye
League: Ukraine
Club: FC Dynamo Kyiv
Time: 87. min
Against: Shakhtar Sverdlovsk
Result: 0-4

Name: Peter Utaka
League: China
Club: Beijing Guoan
Time: 16. min, 45. Min
Against: Shandong Luneng Taishan
Result: 1-3

Name: Gomo Onduku
League: Romania
Club: Concordia Chiajna
Time: 63. min
Against: Dinamo București
Result: 2-1

Michael Olaitan scores in Greece

Name: Michael Olaitan
League: Greece
Club: Olympiacos Piraeus
Time: 25. min
Against: Fokikos FC

Women Football: Sierra Leone Football Association dismiss U20 gaffer


The Executive Committee of the Sierra Leone Football Association has unanimously agreed to dismiss the head coach of the National Female U-20 team Hannah Williams.

The decision reached by the Executive Committee is contingent on the fact that Coach Williams failed to provide technical leadership in the away leg of the National U-20 Championship against the Nigerian U-20 on Saturday 26th October where the team lost 10 – 0.

In a technical report submitted by Coach Williams, the Executive discovered that she failed to provide supervision and guidance to the team whilst away in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Assistant Coach of the National U-20 Female team Coach Abdulai Bah has been promoted to head Coach of the National Female U-20 team.

Blues announce signing of young Burkinabe

Chelsea statement (external) on the signing of 18-year-old midfielder Bertrand Traore:

"Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce an agreement to sign Bertrand Traore. The 18-year-old has agreed a four-and-a-half year contract.

"Traore is a full international for Burkina Faso having made his debut in September 2011 a few days before his 16th birthday, and he made one substitute appearance at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. He has 10 international caps and has scored once ahead of next month's World Cup qualification play-offs in Africa in which Burkina Faso face Algeria.

"In 2011 he helped his nation win the Africa Under-17s championship. An attacking midfielder, Traore was taken as a trialist on Chelsea's tour of Asia in the summer and played a part in all three games, scoring in Malaysia and in Indonesia."

It wasn't easy convincing Suarez to stay: Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has stated the dilemma he faced trying to convince star striker Luis Suarez to stay at the Anfield club.

"It certainly wasn't an easy period. But we were very firm in our leadership that this was something we didn't want to do and that this was the place for Luis to showcase his talents," the former Swansea gaffer said.

Wednesday 30 October 2013

2014 World Cup: Brazil want to void Costa's citizenship for snub

Brazilian football wants Diego Costa's Brazilian citizenship to be voided because the striker chose to snub Brazil and play for Spain. The federation's legal department told local media on Wednesday it has grounds to ask the justice ministry to strip Diego Costa of his citizenship because of his rejection of the national team.

The federation doesn't want Diego Costa playing for Spain and said it was taking the case seriously and will act with all of its force to keep the same thing from happening again.

The Brazilians accused Spain of pressuring Diego Costa, and said the Spanish-based player made his pick for financial reasons.
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was forced to drop Diego Costa from the squad after the player announced he wanted to play for Spain instead of his native country. Diego Costa holds a Spanish passport, having moved to Spain in 2007. "The president (of the Brazilian federation) has authorized me to make a request to the justice ministry to have Diego Costa lose the Brazilian citizenship that he rejected," federation legal director Carlos Eugenio Lopes told O Globo newspaper.

Lopes said the request can be made based on an article of the constitution which says that Brazilians may lose their citizenship if they earn another nationality without meeting certain requirements to justify it. A message requesting comment from the justice ministry was not immediately answered.

"There is no doubt that Diego Costa was enticed," Lopes said. "The Spaniards spent hours putting pressure on him. It's obvious that the reason for his choice was financial."

Brazilian federation president Jose Maria Marin said on Tuesday the "case was not over yet" and he would study all possibilities to keep Diego Costa from joining Spain and setting a precedent.

"We will fight for what we believe is our right," Marin said. The federation complained about FIFA's rule that allows players to switch national teams even after playing friendlies for a different nation. It argues the friendlies are considered official by FIFA when it establishes its rankings used for the World Cup seedings, so they also must be considered official when it comes to players' appearances.

Diego Costa played a few minutes for Brazil in friendlies against Russia and Italy in March, and Scolari last week said he was going to pick him again for the November friendlies against Chile and Honduras. In his letter to the Brazilian federation rejecting the national team, Diego Costa said "it wasn't an easy decision" because of his "love to the wonderful land where (he was) born." But he said the decision made sense because Spain was where he was well received and where his professional career developed.

"To be able to defend (Spain's) colors internationally is my way to try to give back for everything that was given to me there," Diego Costa wrote. "After a long period of consideration, I decided that the best for me, for my family and for my professional career is to play for the Spanish national team."

On Atletico Madrid's website, Diego Costa said he has "a special affection" for Spain and feels "very valued" there, but admitted that he would like to retire to Brazil when his playing days are over. "It's a complicated decision because it's a decision related to the country where you were born against the country that has given you everything," Diego Costa said.

"It is a very difficult and thought out decision on my part. I hope people can understand and respect this decision, which was very difficult to take."

Scolari said on Tuesday that Diego Costa was "giving his back to what is the dream of millions, to represent the five-time world champions in a World Cup in Brazil." Scolari himself was involved in a controversy when he chose to coach Portugal after leading Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title.

He played Deco, who was born in Brazil but later earned Portuguese citizenship. Scolari contends, though, that he picked Deco only after then-Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said he didn't intend to use Deco.

Racism: CSKA Moscow punished for fans' racial abuse

CSKA Moscow will have to play Bayern Munich in a partially closed stadium as punishment after their fans racially abused Manchester City players in a Champions League match.

UEFA's disciplinary panel found the Russian champions guilty Wednesday for their fans' "racist behavior" during City's 2-1 win in Moscow last week, and applied the UEFA-recommended sanction for a club's first offense.

City captain Yaya Toure directed referee Ovidiu Hategan toward fans making monkey noises at the English club's black players.

The Romanian referee is also being investigated by UEFA for not interrupting the match to order a stadium announcement, warning fans about their behavior.

CSKA's punishment applies to Section D at Arena Khimki when defending champion Bayern visits on Nov. 27. UEFA can choose to appeal to impose a tougher sanction. "All forms of racist behavior are considered serious offences against the disciplinary regulations and are punished with the most severe sanctions," UEFA said in a statement.

CSKA is the ninth club to be punished by UEFA this season for racist behavior by fans at Champions League or Europa League matches after tougher penalties were agreed upon in May.

Dinamo Zagreb and Legia Warsaw have been convicted of repeated offenses and ordered to play one match in an empty stadium. Six clubs had partial closures imposed for first offenses: Lazio, APOEL Nicosia, Honved, Lech Poznan, Piast Gliwice and Rijeka.

UEFA did not fine CSKA, which has already earned prize money of 8.6 million euros ($11.8 million) just for qualifying for the group stage.
UEFA opened a disciplinary case based on a formal complaint by City, and reports from Hategan and match delegate Tormod Larsen of Norway.

However, UEFA President Michel Platini requested an internal inquiry involving the referee to examine why the protocol was not followed to respond to discrimination incidents during matches.

UAE 2013- Record Books

Nigeria’s victory means they have now reached at least the quarter-finals at nine of the ten U-17 World Cups they have participated in. The only time the Golden Eaglets failed to do so was at Finland 2003, when they were packing for home after the group stage.

UAE 2013- Quarter-finals


Friday 1st November
Honduras - Sweden (Al Ain, 2pm)
Brazil - Mexico (Dubai, 5pm)

Saturday 2nd November
Argentina - Côte d'Ivoire (Sharjah, 2pm)
Uruguay - Nigeria (Sharjah, 5pm)

Eaglets battling with injuries

By way of contrast, Nigeria’s frontline are not enjoying such good fortune. Against Iran, Kelechi Iheanacho may have scored his fifth goal at the competition, but he was substituted off shortly afterwards with a muscle strain. His strike partner Success Isaac succumbed to a similar fate in the side’s group game against Sweden, suffering an injury moments after scoring in the first-half that has forced him to miss his country’s subsequent encounters

UAE 2013: Round of 16 wrap

The second day of Round of 16 action at the FIFA U-17 World Cup United Arab Emirates 2013 witnessed two teams from both Africa and South America book their tickets through to the last eight. While Côte d'Ivoire narrowly edged past continental rivals Morocco, Nigeria highlighted their title credentials with a crushing victory over Iran.

Uruguay were equally dominant in overcoming tournament debutants Slovakia, but Argentina were made to work hard for their quarter-final berth against Tunisia. Today’s victors will now jostle for a spot in the semi-finals in fixtures pitting South Americans against Africans.

The results
Round of 16 - Day Two
Uruguay 4-2 Slovakia
Morocco 1-2 Côte d'Ivoire
Argentina 3-1 Tunisia
Nigeria 4-1 Iran

West Ham edge out Championship Leaders

West Ham edged out Championship leaders Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor with both goals coming from the penalty spot late on.

Matthew Taylor got the first in the 76th minute after Jason Shackell brought down Kevin Nolan while Jack Collison tucked away the second in stoppage time after being fouled by Keith Treacy, who saw red to complete Burnley's misery.

Fulham fail to fix scrappy league form

Fulham's patchy league form carried over into the cup as they were knocked out by Leicester in a 4-3 thriller at the King Power Stadium.

Hugo Rodallega capitalised on some lax defending to give them an 18th-minute lead, but Leicester scored three in quick succession either side of half-time to turn it around completely.

Wes Morgan levelled in the 41st minute on the rebound after Maarten Stekelenburg failed to hold Anthony Knockaert's free-kick, and Chris Wood put the Foxes ahead just before half-time when Philippe Senderos's clearance was blocked and the ball fell kindly.

Miguel Ignasi headed in a third early in the second half before Rodallega's almost instant response for Fulham set up a late rally, which looked complete when Giorgos Karagounis fired in an 86th-minute free-kick.

But no sooner were they level when Lloyd Dyer struck what would prove the winner.

Wenger continues miserable record against Mourinho

Jose Mourinho extended his unbeaten record in meetings with Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger as his Chelsea side triumphed 2-0 at the Emirates in the English League Cup. 

They took the lead with a touch of fortune and a sense of deja vu in the 25th minute.

It was not quite a carbon copy of Fernando Torres' late winner against Manchester City on Sunday but it was certainly close as a high, looping ball caused confusion in the Arsenal defence and the unlikely figure of Cesar Azpilicueta ran through to get a toe on Carl Jenkinson's poor header towards Lukasz Fabianski.

There was nothing lucky about the second, however, as Juan Mata showed some fine skill, controlling with his left before lashing home a right-footed shot.

England Capital One Wrap: Hernandez scores brace as United cruise

Manchester United will join Chelsea in the next round after dispatching Norwich 4-0 with Javier Hernandez scoring twice to strengthen his claims for more regular playing time.

The Mexican got his first from the penalty spot in the 20th minute after Leroy Fer somewhat needlessly felled Adnan Januzaj, and then headed in a second on the rebound early in the second half after Mark Bunn could only parry his initial effort.

Phil Jones then volleyed in a third but by then, Norwich were more concerned by the condition of Robert Snodgrass, taken off on a stretcher wearing a neckbrace, after a lengthy stoppage which followed a clash of heads.

The incident led to 11 minutes of added time being played, and United used them to add a fourth through substitute Fabio.

Tuesday 29 October 2013

UAE 2013: The competition gets to it's home stretch

The first day of last-16 action from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in UAE saw Sweden, playing in their first junior finals, edge Japan to reach the quarter-finals. There they will face off with Central American underdogs Honduras, who shocked Uzbekistan in Sharjah. The Central American Catrachos must be loving life here in the Emirates, where they are through to the last-eight after having failed to earn even a single point in their previous two involvements in the U-17 World Cup.

Mexico recovered from their terrible start to the tournament - a 6-1 loss to Nigeria - by knocking out Italy, and they will meet Brazil in the quarter-final round in what promises to be a mouth-watering contest between holders and three-time champions.

Round of 16 – Day One
Italy 0-2 Mexico (Abu Dhabi)
Japan 1-2 Sweden (Sharjah)
Brazil 3-1 Russia (Abu Dhabi)
Honduras 1-0 Uzbekistan (Sharjah)

Round of 16 - Day Two
Uruguay-Slovakia (Ras Al Khaimah, 2pm)
Morocco-Côte d'Ivoire (Fujairah, 2pm)
Argentina-Tunisia (Dubai, 5pm)
Nigeria-Iran (Al Ain, 5pm)

UAE 2013: Keeping it casual in Abu Dhabi

The earlier game in Abu Dhabi saw both coaches dressed for success. Raul Gutierrez of Mexico and Italy’s Daniele Zoratto were resplendent in fashionable, well-tailored suits. The second game, however, had a far more casual feel. Brazil’s Alexandre Gallo and Russia boss Dmitry Khomukha both looked comfortable in their shorts, track bottoms and polo shirts. In the end, and predictably, it was the Brazilians who prospered more from the casual approach, winning out 3-1 despite brave resistance from Russia.

Mexico’s pinball wizards

There was an odd moment in Mexico’s game against Italy, when a little bit of back-and-forth brought a collective giggle from the Abu Dhabi crowd.

Mexican keeper Raul Gudino tried to punch the ball out of danger, but it went straight to Antonio Romano, who headed against the post with his first touch from the edge of the box.

When the ball bounced back out again, Luca Vido tried to tap it home, only for Gudino to recover his wits and push the ball wide.

One wonders what Bora Milutinovic, who coached Mexico’s seniors when they hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1986 and was watching from the stands, must have thought about this impromptu game of pinball that broke out on the football pitch.

Mexico’s pinball wizards

There was an odd moment in Mexico’s game against Italy, when a little bit of back-and-forth brought a collective giggle from the Abu Dhabi crowd.

Mexican keeper Raul Gudino tried to punch the ball out of danger, but it went straight to Antonio Romano, who headed against the post with his first touch from the edge of the box.

When the ball bounced back out again, Luca Vido tried to tap it home, only for Gudino to recover his wits and push the ball wide.

One wonders what Bora Milutinovic, who coached Mexico’s seniors when they hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1986 and was watching from the stands, must have thought about this impromptu game of pinball that broke out on the football pitch.

Close shave helps Swede cause

The sight of Valmir Berisha poking home like a predator from close range isn’t exactly unusual here at UAE 2013. His 11th-minute opener against Japan was his third of the tournament, but it was his first with a shaved head. The assist came from winger Mirza Halvadzic, with three lines shaved into the front of his skull.

Berisha – who models his game after renegade countryman Zlatan Ibrahimovic and says Sweden can go “very far” at these finals – celebrated with his provider, the two of them running their fingers through their freshly shorn hair.

One wonders who brought along the clippers in the Sweden camp and what new hairdos we’ll see when they meet Honduras in the quarter-finals.

FIFA announce Ballon D'Or shortlists

Four days after announcing the names of the candidates for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year and the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football for 2013 awards, FIFA and France Football have today revealed the names for the men’s awards.

The candidates for the FIFA Ballon d’Or and for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football awards have been unveiled (see below). The final decisions will be made by the captains and head coaches of the men’s national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by France Football.

The winners of all of the awards will be revealed at the FIFA Ballon d’Or as part of a televised show at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 13 January 2014, during which the FIFA FIFPro World XI, the FIFA Puskás Award – for the most beautiful goal of the year – the FIFA Presidential Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be presented.

The list of 23 male candidates has been drawn up by football experts from the FIFA Football Committee and by a group of experts from France Football. The list of ten coaches has been drawn up by the Committee for Women’s Football and FIFA Women’s World Cup and by the FIFA Football Committee, as well as by a group of experts from France Football.

In early December 2013, FIFA and France Football will announce the names of the three men and three women, as well as the three coaches for women’s football and three coaches for men’s football, who have received the most votes (without unveiling the winners). The three nominees for the FIFA Puskás Award and the FIFA FIFPro World XI shortlist for the best forwards, goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders will also be unveiled in early December.

Men’s shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2013

The following 23 men (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2013:

Gareth Bale (Wales), Edinson Cavani (Uruguay), Radamel Falcao (Colombia), Eden Hazard (Belgium), Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Müller (Germany), Manuel Neuer (Germany), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Özil (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Franck Ribéry (France), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Luis Suárez (Uruguay), Thiago Silva (Brazil), Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire), Robin Van Persie (Netherlands), Xavi (Spain). 

The following ten coaches (in alphabetical order, first nationality and then team) are in contention for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football 2013:

 Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/Paris Saint-Germain FC/Real Madrid CF), Rafael Benítez (Spain/Chelsea FC/SSC Napoli), Antonio Conte (Italy/Juventus), Vicente Del Bosque (Spain/Spain national team), Sir Alex Ferguson (Scotland/Manchester United FC former coach), Jupp Heynckes (Germany/FC Bayern München former coach), Jürgen Klopp (Germany/Borussia Dortmund), José Mourinho (Portugal/Real Madrid CF/Chelsea FC), Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil/Brazil national team), Arsène Wenger (France/Arsenal FC).

 

Monday 28 October 2013

I am focused to catapult TEAP FC to the elite league says Fred Evans


Fred Evans is in another season with Nigeria National League side, TEAP FC, a club he joined from Rivers State and now focused on improving on the field and providing more assists for his team.

The young right-back knows the challenge that lies ahead of him in the new season.

Malomo and his coaches are working on the defensive side of attack-minded Fred’s game, and the young lad is keen to improve.

“It’s another year in TEAP, and I’m happy here,” Fred told teapfcabuja.blogspot.com.

“I’m young, and I have to always improve. I have to make myself do better every game.

“I have experience, and I know what I have to do in the game. I always do my best, and that is what I will do in the future.”

The Abuja-based side finished 10th in the Pool A of the 2012/13 season and Fred demanded an improvement this term.

TEAP’s 2-1 win at Old Parade Ground against Virgin Kids Academy on Friday capped a good week for the RCCG boys.

And Fred says he and his team-mates are driven by a determination not to repeat last season’s experience, where the team struggled to win some games.

“I won’t forget about last season,” he said. “We really have to think about this season, now we have to start afresh and be ready.

“Our home record is important. We have to be ruthless in Abuja. We’re in a good position, but we can’t stop. We have to keep going and give 100 per cent.”

Two second-half goals from Samuel Adeyi and Austin Oladapo set TEAP on their way to what Fred feel was a hugely important win ahead of the new week.

“I think we played really well, especially in the second half,” he said. “We came back with a win, which was really important.

“It was important – all the team and the manager were under pressure.

“We drew on Thursday at home against. We had a decent second half yesterday (Friday).

“We had a winning mentality against Virgin Kids Academy. We wanted to win, especially seeing the effort we put into the game.

“The fans were fantastic. They always support us everywhere we go.

Chikeluba on the winning side

Chikeluba Ofoedu's Karsiyaka were three-nil winners at Fethiyespor on Saturday.

The week 10 match was played at Fethiye Sehir Stadyumu.

Despite his pace, hustling and energy, former Enugu Rangers striker, Chikeluba wasn't on the scoresheet. He was substituted after 63 minutes.

Chikeluba has registered four league goals in the 2013/2014 season.

Gideon Sani and Akeem Agbetu scores in Turkey

Tavsanli Linyitspor Nigeria forwards, Gideon Sani and Akeem Agbetu were on target in the entertaining three-all draw against Vestel Manisaspor at Katahya Dumlupinar Stadyumu on Saturday.

The Turkish Division One match produced six goals and fans got a value for money well spent.

Agbetu, a former youth international put the hosts ahead in the 24th minute, while his Nigerian compatriot, Gideon Sani doubled the advantage in the 40th minute.

Ilkay Dimir replaced Sani one minute before the end regular, while Agbetu lasted the entire match duration.

Nigerian Goalscorers In Europe

Latest Nigerian goalscorers

Name: Aaron Samuel Olanare
League: Norway
Club: Sarpsborg 08 FF
Time: 44. min
Against: Odds BK
Result: 2-2

Name: Raheem Adewole Lawal
League: Turkey
Club: Mersin İdmanyurdu SK
Time: 30. min
Against: Adana Demirspor
Result: 1-1

Name: Alfred Effiong
League: Malta
Club: Qormi FC
Time: 19. min
Against: Mosta FC
Result: 1-2

Name: Marco Tagbajumi
League: Cyprus
Club: Ermis Aradippou
Time: 10. min
Against: Enosis Neon Paralimni
Result: 0-2

Name: Ibrahim Babatunde
League: Latvia
Club: FC Daugava Daugavpils
Time: 19. min
Against: FC Jurmala
Result: 0-3

Name: Abiola Dauda
League: Serbia
Club: Red Star Belgrade
Time: 45. min
Against: Radnicki Niš
Result: 1-1

Super Eagles star scores on league debut

Former Bordeaux and Wisla Krakow attacker, Kalu Uche scored a goal in his first official match for Qatari outfit El Jaish.

Uche joined El Jaish earlier this month but he needed to regain match fitness first, before coach Razvan Lucescu decided to trust him, as he did not play in any match this season in his previous club Kasimpasa and lacked fitness.

The Nigerian helped his new team to secure 4-2 away victory against Al Mua'aidar with an accurate shot past the goalkeeper into right corner in the 39th minute, making the score 3-0.

El Jaish are unbeaten in the league after 6 matches. With three wins and three draws they are currently on 3rd place.

Shaloze Udoji on target in Greece

Shaloze Chigozie Udoji scored his 4th goal of the season for Aris Thessaloniki in Greek Super League defeat on Sunday.

Aris, whose rivals, PAOK once had Ifeanyi Udeze on their payroll, suffered from a home defeat against Udoji's former team, Platanias.

Platanias took an early lead after Torres scored in the 43rd minute.

The former Platanias star levelled up with a great header in the 72nd minute, Goundulakis netted in 7 minutes to the end of the match, and the visitors earned the bragging rights.

It was the fourth goal for Udoji this season. The 27-year old Nigerian striker is a pivotal player in the colours of Aris, having joined from Atromitos, where he scored 2 goals in 16 matches.

Aris are placed 15th in the Greek Super League with 8 points after 9 games.

Germany Bundesliga 2: Olajengbesi turns out for Sandhausen in goalless encounter

St Pauli and Seyi Olajengbesi's Sandhausen settled for a point in a match that contained few clear-cut opportunities at Millerntor Stadion.

Olajengbesi's team created more chances than the home side.

The point lifts Sandhausen up to 13th, while the St Pauli are 4th on the table.

Both managers made tactical changes in attack midway through the second half after an uninspiring spell following the restart.

St Pauli now travel to Kaiserslautern, while Sandhausen host FSV Frankfurt.

"We showed our classic counter-attacking football, but unfortunately our finishing qualities let us down.

"We limited them to one header from a set-piece. In the second half we didn't pass it as well as in the first.

"It's a clean sheet for us and I'm so happy I did a wonderful job leading the defence," Olajengbesi told futbalgalore.blogspot.com.

Ujah's Cologne on top

Cologne midfielder Slawomir Peszko pop up to grab the winner against Arminia Bielefeld at Schuco Arena and catapult the Anthony Ujah's team to the summit of Germany Bundesliga 2 table..

A shot from Ujah deflected into the path of Slawomir Peszko and he expertly cut inside the opposing team's defence wall before slotting home an 80th-minute winner.

Ujah, who was a shadow of himself at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup fired blanks and was on for 90 minutes.

Bassey's Eupen maintains second spot

Eupen won a six-goal thrilling encounter against visiting Vise at the Stadion am Kehrweg on Saturday.

Nigerian born winger, Anthony Bassey started the game from the bench. He joined the fray after 64 minutes, replacing Ndumiso Mngadi. However, he fired blanks in the 4-2 win, but he took solace in being on the winning train.

Eupen, are second on the league table, with promotion to the elite division on their radar.

Spain Segunda: 2007 FIFA U17 World Cup topscorer grabs scintillating hat-trick in Spain

Chrisantus Macauley scored a scintillating hat-trick as Las Palmas continued their chase for a promotion slot to the LIGA BBVA with a nail-biting 3-2 victory over Sporting Gijon at the Estadio Municipal El Molenon.

This was a majestic individual display by the Nigerian striker, who left the field to a rapturous ovation and went down the tunnel with the match-ball under his arm.

Chrisantus fired Las Palmas in front on 8 minutes, after a delightful, jinking run that tore the Sporting Gijon defence to shreds.

The 2007 AYC and FIFA U17 World Cup topscorer added a second fourteen minutes later, heading powerfully beyond goalkeeper Pichu Cuellar, and completed his hat-trick with a glancing header from a Vicente Gomez free-kick.

Las Palmas have leaped to 6th on the table, with 17 points from 11 league matches.

Former 36 Lions starlet rescues his Belgium club

Imoh Ezekiel's 36th minute strike earned Standard Liege a point at Anderlecht and ensured the UEFA Europa League campaigners still maintained their top form in Belgium.

The hosts took the lead when an unmarked Sacha Kljestan headed home Aleksander Mitrovic's cross.

Liege gradually began to assert their authority in midfield and equalised in impressive style when Geofrey Mujangi teed up Ezekiel for his 6th League goal of the season.

Ezekiel, who turned out for 36 Lions FC during his days in the Nigeria National League (NNL), was replaced by Ronnie Stam in the 75th minute of action.

Both sides continued to drive forward but struggled to break through, settling for a hard-earned point which sends Standard Liege into week 13 at the league's summit and Anderlecht still maintaining 5th place on the Belgium Jupiler League table.

Izuchukwuka fires timely strike in Albania

Bylish Ballsh had their Nigerian import, Solomonson Izuchukwuka to thank, as he fired a timely equaliser in an Albania League match against Lushnja on Saturday.

The game which ended one-all saw the visitors taking the leading through Mikel Canka's 16th minute penalty.

Bylish started strongly and James Adeniyi had a shot saved by Mikel Spaho, Kehinde Owoeye set-up Izuchkwuka in the first half, but the striker lifted an effort over the keeper only for Erion Sular to clear off the line.

Bylish appeared to be in control after the equaliser but the upright denied them the needed victory.

Adeniyi made way for Michael Ikpe, with Izuchukwu earning a full duration appearance and yellow card in the 60th minute. Owoeye was on for 90 minutes.

Bylish are 7th on the log with 10 points from 9 games.

"We came across a very dogged and resolute Lushnja team who were smarting from last week and we knew it was going to be difficult," team gaffer and ex-international Ndubuisi Egbo said

"I knew it was a game that was all about getting the killer goal and once we got it, I thought we would go on and win but they hung on in there, we created and missed chances but that's football," James Adeniyi asserted.

"I am pleased with the performance but I think we lost concentration for the goal they scored. I say we should win those games and score more goals," Kehinde Owoeye declared.

Sunday 27 October 2013

Super Eagles star contributes brace and assist in Spain

Villarreal massacred Valencia 4-1 on Sunday in a LIGA BBVA encounter played at Estadio El Madrigal.

Super Eagles forward Ikechukwu Uche scored two goals and also created an assist.

The Yellow Submarines started the game far better than Valencia and were leading two-nil at half time.

In 17th minute, the Nigerian international received great ball from Mexico international, Giovani Dos Santos in the penalty area. He went past the defender and slided the ball into the net.

In second half Villareal was still fully in control of a game. In the 49th minute dos Santos missed the penalty, but in next action, Uche completed his brace.

Ikechukwu Uche made way for Aquino in the 73rd minute and received a standing ovation from supporters.

Villarreal are on 4th place on the log with 20 points after 10 games.

Igboun's opener turns out to be consolation for Midtjylland


FC Midtjylland and Nigerian forward Sylvester Igboun scored his first league goal in five matches, but his team lost 1-2 to FC Nordsjælland.

Igboun gave Midtjylland the lead in the 25th minute, but two goals by the hosts ensured they earned three full points at Farum Park.

The loss extended Midtjylland's winless run in the league to five matches.

Midtjylland still lead the Danish Superligaen log with 24 points from 13 matches.

Rilwan Hassan was a second half substitute in place of Jeffe Courth in the 61st minute, with Izunna Uzochukwu lasting the entire match duration.

Igboun is his club's top-scorer with 6 goals in as many matches.

Ikeme's double saves keeps Wolves within contention

James Henry scored one and made another as Wolves moved up to second in League One with victory at Bradford.

Carl Ikeme was outstanding in goal for the former English Premier League campaigners.

Raffaele De Vita fired the Bantams ahead on his full home debut after his initial header from Kyel Reid's deep delivery was blocked on the line.

But Henry's low strike levelled before the on-loan midfielder's cross was glanced in by Richard Stearman for 2-1.

Bradford pressed but substitute Nahki Wells was denied by a brilliant double save by Carl Ikeme as the visitors held on.

The hosts, who looked the livelier side in the second-half, also had a penalty appeal turned down when Reid went down after rounding Ikeme, but was booked by the referee for diving.

Ikeme's brilliance ensured that Wolves have secured their fifth straight away victory to move above Peterborough.

Shittu denied by the centre referee

Liam Trotter's stoppage-time penalty helped Danny Shittu's Millwall to snatch a point against in-form Reading.

Sean Morrison's header early in the first half gave Jonathan Obit's Reading, unbeaten at home this season, the lead.

Hope Akpan was an unused substitite for the Royals.

The draw lifts Millwall, who have won only once away from home this season, further clear of the relegation zone.

But Reading, who were aiming for a sixth victory in nine league games, lose ground on the Championship's top two Burnley and Leicester.

The offside flag brought a halt to Danny Shittu's celebrations after the defender thought he had scored at the far post.

Kelvin Etuhu and Seyi Olofinjana share entertaining draw

Kelvin Etuhu's Barnsley and Seyi Olofinjana's Sheffield Wednesday missed the opportunity to move out of the Championship relegation zone as they shared an entertaining draw at Oakwell.

Wednesday, who remain winless after their eighth draw in 12 Championship games, recently confirmed the signing of Nigerian free agent Seyi Olofinjana and the former Hull midfielder went straight into the starting line-up.

Olofinjana, a former Kwara United star was replaced by Giles Coke on the hour mark, while Etuhu came-on for Pat McCourt in the 72nd minute.

Super Eagles striker fruitful again in Turkey

Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike was twice on the scoresheet in a Turkish Super League match played against Gaziantepspor on Friday.

The league runners-up hosted Gaziantepspor in week nine encounter.

Emenike, who secured a win for his team last week, was on from the start and scored the first goal of the game after just 14 minutes of play.

The Nigerian completed his brace in the 85th minute of tension-soaked action.

The former Cape Town striker made it three goals in two league matches for the Turkish league giants.

Manchester United enjoy late victory against Stoke

It is unlikely David Moyes has had time to read Alex Ferguson's latest autobiography yet but the way his Manchester United pulled a victory from the jaws of defeat on Saturday was straight out of the old master's manual.

Trailing 2-1 at home to Stoke City in the 78th minute the black clouds looming over Old Trafford looked ominous for Moyes who was staring at a fourth defeat in nine Premier League games since taking over from the retired Ferguson.

Then Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, just as they so often did under Ferguson, dug United out of a hole.

Rooney equalised with a glancing header and with sighs of relief still echoing around the stadium, substitute Hernandez met a curling Patrice Evra ball into the box with deft header two minutes later to break Stoke's hearts.

It was a familiar scenario, but after last month's defeat by West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford and conceding a last-minute equaliser against Southampton last week, the escape was hugely significant for Moyes as he wrestles with his new job.

Ferguson's book had made the headlines for most of the week but on Saturday the spotlight was firmly on the man charged with loading the United juggernaut with more silverware.

Wide-eyed and pale-faced when his side were booed at halftime, Moyes could at last afford a smile when he walked off at the end of a gripping game in which goals from Peter Crouch and Marko Arnautovic had put Stoke little more than 10 minutes from their first victory at Old Trafford since 1976.

"It was a big challenge to make sure we won the game but we did it. We showed great energy after the midweek game against Real Sociedad to go until the end," Moyes said.

"Stoke have not scored many but they have not conceded many either, so we knew we would have to work hard after going behind. I was worried it wouldn't come - especially when we were 2-1 down. But I think we deserved it in the end.

"We kept at it and deserved to score."

While victory was welcome for Moyes, United remain in eighth spot, eight points behind leaders Arsenal, and there is still plenty of improvement needed if his side are to have a realistic chance of defending their title.

"We had more than one or two defensive issues but our goalkeeper was fantastic," he said. "We didn't defend as well as what we would like. It may be a turning point - we know we have got to do it in style here at Old Trafford."

Ancelotti cross with El Classico referee

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti complained bitterly about referee Undiano Mallenco after his side lost to FC Barcelona 1-2 in the all important 'El Clasico' at the Camp Nou Stadium.

Goals from Neymar and Alexis Sanchez had put Barca 2-0 ahead before youngster Jese Rodriguez netted a late consolation for Madrid, but Real Madrid complained about two possible penalty decisions, especially in the second half when Javier Mascherano looked to have pushed Cristiano Ronaldo in the back with the score still 1-0.

"I think it was a clear penalty. Everyone saw it except the referee," said Ancelotti, who also believed Madrid could have had another penalty after the ball rebounded off Victor Valdes and hit Barca defender Adriano on the arm while he was on the floor.

"That was a difficult decision, if he gives a penalty he will have to have given a card as well," he said, with the implication that Adriano would have been sent off as he already had a yellow card prior to the incident.

Ancelotti was also asked about his decision to play Sergio Ramos in midfield and play without a specialised striker, leaving Gareth Bale and Ronaldo in attack.

"I wanted Ramos to give balance in the middle as Illaramendi had a muscle strain after playing Juventus in midweek," he said, while adding that Bale was still in his first games for the club.

"He played well, but he needs to be able to combine more. It doesn't matter if he plays on the wing or in the middle, I wanted to pressure Sergio Busquets and look for space on the wing," said Ancelotti

Winifred delighted with ruthless sweep

Winifred Eyebhoria was delighted with her Falconets side’s performance after they whipped a sorry Sierra Leonian team 10-0.

The Pelican Stars midfielder was one of the two central midfielders in a ruthless show, which turned out be a good match for her.

“These sorts of games can go wrong for you,” she told futbalgalore.blogspot.com. “So we are happy we signalled our intentions from the blast of the whistle.

“I’m delighted with the girls – it’s these games that I love to play in the most.”

Winifred, who was reverted to her traditional role (wing)in the second half, said that she was already looking forward to the team qualifying for Canada 2014.

"We knew our quality would show in the qualifiers, and we are already looking ahead to the World Cup to be hosted by Canada in 2014," she said.

Falconets would keep a date with the Sierra Leonians in a forthnight, in Freetown.

Written By Ademetan Abayomi
08139389351

Nigeria U20 vs Sierra Leone U20: Reaction from Dedevbo and Bah

Falconets’ head coach, Peter Dedevbo, said he never expected that the girls would score such high number of goals after their unimpressive performance in the friendlies played before the rout.

He said there were still many lapses to work on and that he was not afraid of the second leg in Sierra Leone.

According to him, not all those playing in the qualifiers will feature at the world cup, adding that some new players will join the team from the U-17 team.

Sierra Leone assistant coach, Abdulai Bah, said he was not surprised at all that the Nigeria team beat his girls.

He said it was the first time the team was participating in an international competition, stressing that they were just building up a new team.

Bah said he was only exposing his players to gain experience for now, assuring that no country will be able to beat them again four years from now.

5-star Uchechi's deadly show crushes sorry Sierra Leone at Abuja National Stadium

If it is any consolation to manager Anna Williams, at least Peter Dedevbo knows exactly how she feels.

The aftermath of this mauling provided the perfect occasion for Dedevbo to silence his critics at least for now.

Uchechi nabbed a quickfire five goals, but there was also plenty of room to extol the virtues of the players who made Nigerians proud.

It was difficult to disagree with Dedevbo's praise of his players. Uchechi was simply awesome, Chidinma Edeji crowned a brilliant effort with one of his best displays.

The list goes on, Patience Okaeme a constant thorn in the side, Asisat Oshoala and Winifred Eyebhoria silky smooth in midfield and Victoria Aidelomon solid at the back.

Falconets needed just 44 seconds to signal their intent, Okaeme was unable to get her flick from Edeji's driven cross on target. Yetunde Adeboyejo was then guilty of heading Wilson Jiroro idike's accurate cross wide. Oshoala, also had two speculative shots well covered by Cecilia Bangura.

Okaeme's riffle hit the woodwork in the 8th minute, while Sarah Nnodim's solo run from the back was foiled by Benita Bah.

The early incursions of the Nigerian girls paid off in the 11th minute, when the probing Edeji cut inside the edge to lay a wicked pass to Oshoala, who sent the final jigsaw to lurking Halimatu Ayinde. The Delta Queens winger made no mistake in netting the first goal of the match.

Edeji then started to take charge of affairs from the wings, as she turned Benita Sesay to a mere spectator. She lashed on to Yetunde's dummy to double the lead. Ayinde followed up with a brace in the 25th minute of play.

However, the Peter Dedevbo-led coaching crew were dealt a massive blow when Bayelsa Queens' Yetunde was taken off due to troublesome ankle injury she sustained in the 35th minute.

It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as the magician, Sunday Uchechi took her place. The Rivers Angels goal-machine made an instant impact when she collected a shot pass from her clubside team-mate, Oshoala in the 36th minute, sending a powerful drive to the right-hand side of Bangura's goal post.

Pelican Stars winger-turned-midfielder, Winifred made a dangerous incursion to the box and she was brought down by Hannah Conteh. Uchechi stepped up to convert the penalty kick and the first half ended five-nil, much to the delight of the fans, who wanted more.

Sierra Leone had Bangura to thank for initially stemming the flow, the young keeper pulled off four good quality saves. And Falconets's first half pressure soon began to wane.

Uchechi continued her one-woman demolition job in the 52nd minute by turning in yet another Edeji's cross which Bangura was unable to deal with.

Six minutes later, Uchechi was unselfishly fed by the hardworking Okaeme and she demonstrated her deadly finishing once more, racing on to ball that bisected Ramatu Bangura and Jeneba Komara before sending an angled drive in off the post.

Edeji profited from the miss of Okaeme to score after Uchechi bombarded her way through Haja Kamara and her cross was buried with unerring accuracy.

Dedevbo could have been forgiven for wondering whether now was the time to introduce some players on the bench, with the game rapidly turning into the perfect occasion for a confidence boost.

The temptation was resisted as Okaeme felt it was time to get among the goals, this time crashing a header that deflected off Koroma. By now Sierra Leone's shell-shocked players were too stunned even to hang on to the concept of damage limitation.

Having briefly relinquished the goalscoring duties, Uchechi grabbed her fifth in the 3rd minute of added time, this time opting for the near post as the best option for Edeji's through-ball.

The stats:

Nigeria U20 women team list against Sierra Leone U20 women; Chichi Sandra, Okoye Ebere, Idike Jiroro, Oshoala Asisat, Aidelemon Victoria, Nnodim Sarah, Edeji Chidinma, Eyebhoria Winifred, Okaeme Patience (c), Adeboyejo Yetunde (Sunday Uchechi 35'), Ayinde Halimatu (Igbinovia Osarenoma 63').

Subs Not Used: Ibijoke Sangonuga, Abasi Gladys, Abiodun Kemi, Effiom Mabel, Ofoegbu Oluchi.

The goals:

Nigeria U20 women 10-0 Sierra Leone U20 women
Halimatu Ayinde 11', 25'
Chindinma Edeji 22', 61'
Sunday Uchechi 36', 37', 38', 52, 90'
Patience Okaeme 78'

Written By Ademetan Abayomi
08139389351

Friday 25 October 2013

Women Football: FIFA Ballon d’Or shortlists revealed

FIFA and France Football have today announced the names of the players and coaches on the shortlists for these awards (see below). The final decisions will be made, as usual, by the captains and head coaches of the women’s national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by FIFA.

The shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or (best male player) and the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football awards will be revealed in four days’ time on 29 October 2013.

The winners of all of the awards will be revealed at the FIFA Ballon d’Or as part of a televised show at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 13 January 2014, during which the FIFA FIFPro World XI, the FIFA Puskás Award (for the most beautiful goal of the year), the FIFA Presidential Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be presented.

The list of ten female players has been drawn up by experts from FIFA’s Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as a group of experts from France Football. The list of ten coaches has been drawn up by experts from FIFA’s Football Committee and Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as a group of experts from France Football.

In early December, FIFA and France Football will announce the names of the three women and three men, as well as the three coaches for women’s football and three coaches for men’s football, who have received the most votes (without unveiling the winners). The three nominees for the FIFA Puskás Award and the FIFA FIFPro World XI shortlist for the best forwards, goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders will also be unveiled in early December.

Women’s shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2013

The following ten women (in alphabetical order) are contenders for the title of FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2013:
Nadine Angerer (Germany), Nilla Fischer (Sweden), Lena Goessling (Germany), Saki Kumagai (Japan), Marta (Brazil), Alex Morgan (USA), Yuki Ogimi (Japan), Lotta Schelin (Sweden), Christine Sinclair (Canada), Abby Wambach (USA).

The following ten coaches (in alphabetical order, giving first nationality and then team in brackets) are contenders for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football 2013:
Gilles Eyquem (France/France U-19 National Team), Kenneth Heiner-Møller (Denmark/Denmark National Team), Ralf Kellermann (Germany/VfL Wolfsburg), Shelley Kerr (Scotland/Arsenal Ladies FC), Patrice Lair (France/Olympique Lyonnais), Silvia Neid (Germany/ Germany National Team), Cindy Parlow Cone (USA/Portland Thorns FC), Even Pellerud (Norway/Norway National Team), Anna Signeul (Sweden/Scotland National Team), Pia Sundhage (Sweden/Sweden National Team).

FIFA U17 WORLD CUP- NIGERIA VS IRAQ

NIGERIA STARTERS VS IRAQ
1 ALAMPASU (GK)
2 MUHAMMED (C)
3 OKON
4 IDOWU
6 ABUBAKAR
8 ALFA
10 IHEANACHO
11 YAHAYA
14 NWAKALI C.
18 AWONIYI
19 BELLO

IRAQ STARTERS VS NIGERIA
(GK) HAYDER 1
ALI. M 2
A. NADHIM 3
MAHDI 4
MUSTAFA 5
SHERKO 7
B. RESAN 8
(C) M. SALAM 10
A. ISAM 12
SAJJAD 17
MUSTAFA M. 19

Thursday 24 October 2013

Mourinho fined 13,000 dollars for improper conduct

The English Football Association has fined Jose Mourinho 8,000 pounds ($13,000) after the Chelsea manager admitted to improper conduct during a touchline confrontation with a referee at a Premier League match.

Mourinho was ordered from the touchline in the 70th minute of Chelsea's 4-1 win over Cardiff on Saturday after taking exception to referee Anthony Taylor warning defender Branislav Ivanovic over time-wasting at a throw-in. Mourinho sat among fans for the rest of the game.

Mourinho lost his temper after being frustrated at perceived time-wasting by Cardiff. The FA says the fine was the "standard penalty for the offense."

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Bala Nkiyu bags Flamingoes job, to be assisted by Ann Agunmanu-Chiejine

Bala Nkiyu has been installed as the chief oach of the Nigeria U17 girls aka "The Flamingoes" by the Nigeria Football Federation.

The former Niger Tornadoes gaffer was picked to head the team which has remained without a coach for quite some time due to his experience as a former Super Falcons assistant coach.

He will be assisted by Super Falcons legend and C.O.D United Ladies tactician, Ann Agunmanu-Chiejine, and Lateef Yusuf who was laid-off as Shooting Stars' goalkeeper trainer.

The girls were scheduled to do battle with South Sudan in the final round qualifiers for the fourth Edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica next year.

Nigeria exited in the quarter-final stage of the 2012 edition, held in Azerbaijan.

The qualifier was an avenue for Nigerians to get to see the likes of Chinwendu Ihezuo, Mary Ologbosere, Remilekun Omamuli, Kehinde Akinwande, Abiodun Omolola, Chimebere Opara, Long John, Uche Kalu, Joy Bokiri, Lovina Okafor, Chinwendu Opara, Esther Ndubuisi, Ginika Ikeh and a hosts of other budding talents in the Nigeria Women Football League.

The team has been tipped to break the jinx and win the FIFA youth tournament for the first time.

Earlier reports stated that South Sudan U17 team has withdrawn from the competition meaning that the Flamingoes have qualified for Costa Rica 2014.

I would like to return to Israel: Ogbonna


Ex-Enugu Rangers striker Ibe Zito Ogbonna has admitted that he would like to return to Israel where he spent his best years as a footballer.

The 30-year-old Ogbonna is a free agent for over 15 months, since his contract with Macedonian club Vardar Skopje ended in July 2012.

In interview with Israeli website one.co.il the striker reminisces about his career.

“My career crashed immediately after my stay at Hapoel, which brought me a huge contract in Cluj.

“I’m not happy about how things turned out and I wish I could turn the clock back.

“I had a lot of ups and downs during my footballing career, but I cannot complain that football taught me a lot about life and made me a better person and more disciplined.

“My dream is to return to Israel and start there again," Ogbonna admitted.

The Nigerian started his European career in Israel. During four seasons at Hapoel Tel Aviv he scored 37 goals in 116 matches, which earned him a lucrative contract with Romanian Cluj.

Unfortunately Ogbonna suffered a long-term injury after just two games for Cluj and was later released by the club.

Since then he was unable to return to his scoring form. He tried his luck in South Africa, Albania, Kazakhstan and Macedonia but never came close to the form he presented in Hapoel.

Etebo transforms Wolves form to Super Eagles

The B side of the Super Eagles defeated Lobi Stars one-nil in Abuja on Tuesday, with Warri Wolves striker, Oghenekaro Etebo grabbing the lone strike.

Karo, as he is called by his fans scored after the Lobi goalie spilled returning Ejike Uzoenyi's shot.

The match was clearly for testing purposes ahead of the friendly match against Jordan, as Stephen Okechukwu Keshi aka Big Boss used two different line-ups in each half.

The friendly match between Jordan and Nigeria will be played on Monday, 28th October in Jordan's capital - Amman.

Jordan are preparing to take-on Uruguay in a 2014 World Cup, two-legged play-off.

Referees are killing the games says Bayelsa United gaffer, Bosso

Ladan Bosso, Bayelsa United head coach has accused referee of being biased in their last league match against Gombe United, and therefore shattering club's dreams of winning the league.

With just one league round left to be played, Bayelsa were third on the log, two points behind Kano Pillars. With Pillars and Enyimba losing their last games, Bayelsa needed a win against Gombe to move up to the top, but they lost the match 1-0 in controversial circumstances.

“We deserved the trophy but for the referee’s biased officiating saw our two clean goals and penalty denied in the game against Gombe United.

“If we had got at least 40/60 officiating we would have beaten Gombe United hands down and go ahead to win the league title.

“The referee killed our dream for the title and the fact that people have called for an outright ban of the referee strengthens our stand that we were robbed in the game.

“Kano Pillars are a good side but it appeared the title has been decided prior to the last games as we were assigned match officials from Kaduna and Kano states.

“Such appointments create room for strong suspicion and rubbish the image of the league,” Bosso told supersport.com.

However, Bayelsa boss is looking forward to participate in CAF Confederation Cup, thanks to finishing 3rd and hinted that he wants to strengthen the squad.

“The target of every coach is to win the league or pick a continental ticket, we’re happy with the Caf Confederation Cup ticket.

“Bayelsa United have been on the continent previously but for any demotion or promotion there is a challenge attached to it, the Confederation Cup ticket is a challenge entrusted on our hands and we won’t disappoint Nigerians.

“I’m working on contacts to get players to strengthen the side ahead of next season’s campaign both for the domestic league and continental assignment,” the coach added.

Ofere's strike earns Trelleborg a draw



Ex-Enugu Rangers and Lecce striker, Edward Ofere scored a goal for Swedish outfit, Trelleborg , but it was only enough to secure a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Bunkeflo.

Trelleborg controlled the game from the start, but the visiting fans had to wait till the 35th minute when Ofere broke the deadlock with a volley shot.

Unfortunately for the visitors, Bunkeflo equalized just before the half-time break, in the 44th minute thanks to Jesper Claesson.

Trelleborg pushed forward in the second half, but Bunkeflo's defence kept its composure and the scoreline did not change.

Trelleborg coach Anders Grimberg was annoyed with the final result - "I think we created enough chances to win the game, but generally our passing was not good enough today".

Promotion-tipped Trelleborg are only 4th in the league table with 42 points. And with just five matches left to be played they are 11 points away from promotion spot, and 4 points from play-off spot.

Despite the not very good season, the 27-year-old Ofere can be happy with his performances this season. He scored 7 goals in 9 games since he joined Trelleborg in the middle of the season.


Busari fails to survive the executioner's knife

Coach Hakeem Busari has been sacked by recently relegated Shooting Stars Sports Club.

Busari, along with his assistants were fired, as a part of massive reorganisation at the club.

“We have already begun a massive reorganisation of the club because we do not belong in the second division and we need to start getting results.

“What we need at this time is everyone’s support and not sabotage. There is strength in unity and commitment.

“We hope we can return to the premier league after one season in the lower division,” club's board member Tunde Kelani said.

The Oluyole Warriors finished at the foot of Glo Nigeria Premier League this season, with only 46 points in 38 matches.

Written By Ademetan Abayomi.

Lafia: The saviour resigns, what next?

Former Sunshine Stars and Enyimba International Football Club gaffer, Kadiri Ikhana fulfilled his rescue mission as he saved Nasarawa United from relegation by winning against Heartland FC on Sunday.

The adventure was a fruitful one as he was a success in the quest, after taking over when the team were at the ffot of the log.

The Edo-born tactician deserves to be called the "Special One" of Nigerian soccer, with another landmark on his cabinet.

Also, former Kano Pillars star, Victor Namo became a top goalscorer of the league. This achievement can help him to play in Super Eagles shirt against Jordan.

He is certain to be wanted by top clubs in Nigeria, as Rangers tactician, Okey Emordi also resigned and a move to Enugu shouldn't be ruled out.

For Coach Ikhana it is time to take some rest. Maybe a new rescue mission will wait for him next season?

Written By Ademetan Abayomi.

I owe my praises to teammates and Masu Gida fans says Afelokhai


Skipper and number one custodian of 2012/2013 Glo Nigeria Premier League champions, Kano Pillars, Theophilus Afelokhai, has showered on his teammates and club fans after the Masu Gida retained the league shield.

Babaganaru's boys went down two-nil to Lobi Stars at Katsina Ala on Sunday, but they retained the title as Bayelsa United and El Kanemi Warrios also lost their matches to Gombe United and Elkanemi Warriors respectively.

"This is my third league title with Kano Pillars. I'm happy we have retained the title.

"Last year people said we didn't win well. Now we have won again to show we remain the best," Afelokhai said.

The goalkeeper also thanked the fans for season-long support.

"Pillars remain grateful to the fans. The players always appreciate their presence and we recognise their role in the success story," Afelokhai added.

Ijaiya bows out of the round leather game

Relegated Kwara United skipper captain Lukman Ijaiya has called it quit with the round leather game.

The former Shooting Stars forward had a career that spanned two decades, with the veteran preferring to concentrate on his future.

"I'm grateful to God for sparing my life up to this time even with all the difficulties I have faced in football.

"Although it's painful to quit now, I just have to end it here and go back to school as I would never play football for the rest of my life," the player told a reliable media voice.

The fast striker has tipped United to make a swift comeback to the Glo Nigeria Premier League, at it first time of asking.

"(It's) very unfortunate that Kwara United have been relegated, but I am sure they would come back to the top flight next year."

The void left by Ijaiya is sure to be left by United, as he was well loved and reverred by the management, coaches, players and fans of the club.

UAE 2013: Match results and fixtures


Tuesday results:

Group E - Dubai
Canada 1-1 Iran 
Argentina 3-2 Austria

Group F – Al Ain
Mexico 3-1 Iraq
Sweden 3-3 Nigeria 

Wednesday fixtures:

Group A
Slovakia - United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi)
Honduras - Brazil (Ras Al-Khaimah)

Group B
New Zealand - Côte d'Ivoire (Abu Dhabi)
Italy - Uruguay (Ras Al-Khaimah)

UAE 2013: Impressive win for Mexico and Argentina, fantastic moments to remember in the tournament

Two of the favourites for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013 crown, Mexico and Argentina, gave clear statements of their intent in recording their first victories in the United Arab Emirates. Defending champions Mexico made amends for their heavy opening defeat against Nigeria, while Argentina moved top of their group following a draw on opening day.

The Nigerians, tipped by many to go all the way, may not have been as ruthless as they were previously, but they still showed their considerable firepower in a frenetic encounter with Sweden. The Europeans were twice in front during the match, but they had to settle for a point come the final whistle.

Shaqran, the tournament mascot, was not the only one to have an aerial view of proceedings in Al Ain during Mexico’s victory over Iraq. Somewhat surprisingly, a solitary man appeared at the summit of a mountain behind one of the stands in the first half at the Khalifa Bin Zayed stadium, enjoying a unique view of the match and witnessing from afar as Alejandro Diaz, Jose Almanza and Ulises Rivas fired Mexico to victory. Despite his vantage point, he was no doubt still unable to rival the famous Hawkeye technology used in various sports.

Canada went into their match with Iran in search of a win that would bring an end to a pair of unfavourable records. However, as against Austria in their opening fixture, the Canucks were held to a draw, their fourth consecutive stalemate at a U-17 World Cup -  a run never before witnessed in the tournament’s history. It also extended the side’s win-less streak at the competition to 17 games, something only equalled in FIFA tournaments by Bulgaria (at FIFA World Cups™) and England (at FIFA U-20 World Cups).

For a side to make a substitution within the first half hour or so of a match is rare enough, but for both teams to do so is almost unheard of. Yet that is precisely what happened in Al Ain in the fixture between Sweden and Nigeria. With just 15 minutes on the clock, Sweden’s Isak Ssewankambo was forced off with injury. It was a bitter blow for the central midfielder with African roots, as he was playing his first match at the tournament. His replacement, Mirza Halvadzic, was rather more fortunate and went on to notch his side’s third goal. Meanwhile, in the 32nd minute, Nigeria striker Success Isaac, one of the early stars of the competition, also left the pitch with injury ten minutes after scoring one of the best goals so far.

European goalkeepers were not at their best this particular matchday. Sweden’s Sixten Mohlin failed in his attempt to block a shot from Musa Yahaya, allowing the ball through his legs to let Nigeria level the scores at 2-2 in the 48th minute. At almost exactly the same time in the game between Argentina and Austria in Dubai, Alexander Schlager conceded in similar fashion to hand the South Americans a 2-1 lead.

While associated with bad luck in some countries, the number has, for the most part, been positive for Nigeria. The Africans’ 3-3 draw with Sweden was their 17th outing against European opposition at the tournament and results have largely gone in their favour, with ten wins, five draws and just two defeats to show for their efforts.

“I’m leaving as a happy man because we needed to win. The lads found the confidence once more and did what was required of them to ensure success. There were one or two shaky moments but I think the boys did a great job, they worked well throughout the match and fully deserved to win. Now we go up against Sweden and that’ll be a tough game against tall and dangerous players, so we’re going to have to prepare ourselves well for it,” Mexico coach Raul Gutierrez.

Eaglets and Sweden U17 battle to a six-goal thriller

Nigeria, who won their first game in UAE 6-1 over Mexico, showed some defensive frailties in their 3-3 draw with Sweden at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. The Scandinavians, playing in their first FIFA U-17 World Cup, stuck to their game-plan and were thoroughly deserving of their share of the spoils against the Group F favourites as both sides now look in good shape to reach the knockout rounds.

The Swedes only needed 11 minutes to shock the much-feared Golden Eaglets, and the goal came from a hopeful ball lofted into the penalty area from deep in midfield. Nigerian keeper Dele Alampsu thought he had a chance at intercepting and raced out of his net, but Erdal Rakip got to the ball first and nodded across the face of goal. Valmir Berisha was on the spot to guide the ball home on the volley.

It was 2-0 to the Scandinavians eight minutes later when Anton Saletros bamboozled his man on the left flank and crossed deep into the penalty area. Berisha showed he was in the mood as he expertly headed home his second goal of the contest.

The Nigerians, traditionally slow starters, hit back in spectacular fashion with one of the best goals of the tournament. Kalechi Iheanacho, four-goal scorer against Mexico, floated in a ball from midfield. It was met by Success Isaac, who swiveled and slammed into the far corner without the ball ever hitting the grass, all in one motion, in the 20th minute.

The Africans then went close to drawing level twice in the last five minutes of the half.  Samuel Okon tried an audacious lob from 40 yards that had Sixten Mohlin in the Swedish goal back-peddling desperately, before tipping over the bar. Shortly after, substitute Taiwo Awoniyi’s snap-shot was saved again by Mohlin, the effort not able to match the outstanding approach work up the right side.

Mohlin went from hero to villain for the Swedes early in the second half. He failed to get his body behind the ball when Musa Yahaya tried a speculative shot from way out. The ball trickled between the keeper’s legs and bobbled, almost apologetically, over the line as the tried desperately to recover.

The Nigerians were in the driving seat, and the Swedes were increasingly camped in their own half. But a fast-break up the left side in the 65th minute saw Sweden back into the lead. Saletros chested the ball on goal from close range and Alampsu could only parry away. Unfortunately for the keeper, substitute Mirza Halvadzic was lurking on the doorstep and slid home to make it 3-2.

But the talented and irrepressible Africans still had something left in the tank. Awoniyi’s powerful header with ten minutes to go was too much for Mohlin to keep out and the game ended honours even. Nigeria now move on to Dubai, where they will take on Iraq in their last match of the section on 25 October, the same day that Sweden meet Mexico in Al Ain.

Kaka back to his best as Milan draw with Barcelona

Brazilian Kaka looked a player reborn while producing a superb display in AC Milan's 1-1 Champions League draw with Barcelona on Tuesday.

Kaka, back at the Serie A club after a mediocre spell at Real Madrid, set up Robinho's ninth-minute goal with a delicate pass with the outside of his foot and was a constant thorn in Barcelona's side.

Lionel Messi equalised in the 23rd minute to leave the Catalans on top of Group H with seven points from three games, two ahead of Milan and four in front of Celtic who beat bottom club Ajax Amsterdam 2-1.

It was a particularly impressive performance by Kaka given that he was nowhere near fully fit during a start to the season dogged by injury and then had to play on the left wing, most of the time part of his new team's rigid defensive system.

"Having played plenty of times against Barcelona I knew the importance of the flanks. Tactically it needed to be a match of sacrifices," the 31-year-old told reporters.

"I still need to find my best form. The manager knows where I want to play but every now and again you need to make these sacrifices."

Kaka had not started a game for Milan since making a lacklustre debut in a 2-2 draw with Torino in Serie A last month and limping off with a thigh injury.

He also looked a shadow of the player he once was when he made a 20-minute cameo appearance in a drab 1-0 win over Sampdoria at the weekend.

Milan fans, however, have been unstinting in their support for a player who refused his wages while out injured. "All this affection from the fans is an extra motivation for me," said Kaka. "Every time you play at the San Siro is special."

Barcelona held to a draw; Chelsea, Atletico win

Lionel Messi marked his first start after injury with a goal in Barcelona's 1-1 draw at AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday while Fernando Torres got two as Chelsea thumped Schalke and Atletico Madrid's charge continued.

Robert Lewandowski got the 82nd-minute winner as Borussia Dortmund put the brakes on Arsenal's campaign with a 2-1 win in London that, along with Napoli's 2-1 victory at Olympique Marseille, put three teams on six points in Group F.

There is a clear leader in Group G, where Atletico made it three wins from three with a 3-0 victory at Austria Vienna that left them a point away from the 10 that are usually enough to send teams into the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition.

With Diego Costa scoring twice, including a stunning solo effort, they went five points clear of second-placed Zenit St Petersburg, who made the most of the sixth-minute sending off of Porto's Hector Herrera - the competition's fastest ever dismissal from two yellow cards - to beat their hosts 1-0.

In Group E, Chelsea moved level on six points with Schalke 04 at the top with a 3-0 win in Germany where Torres celebrated his 100th start for the club with the fifth-minute opener and another after 69 minutes before Eden Hazard added a late goal.

The top two are clear of third-placed Basel, who have four points ahead of Steaua Bucharest on one after those two teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in Romania.

Celtic got their first points in Group H after a James Forrest penalty on the stroke of halftime and a deflected shot by Beram Kayal early in the second half helped them to a 2-1 win over Ajax Amsterdam, who got a consolation in added time.

Barca are in charge of that group with seven points, while Milan - who had gone ahead through Robinho's ninth-minute opener before Messi levelled after 23 minutes - have five points. Celtic are on three points with Ajax bottom on one.

The day's biggest statement of intent came
from 2012 European champions Chelsea, who have now made amends for the home defeat by Basel in their opener with two away victories.

Spaniard Torres, so often uninspired in domestic competition, once again shone on the big stage with two goals and could easily have had a hat-trick as he smashed a header against the bar from just inside the area.

He, like Messi, had just returned from injury and his lively contribution came at just the right time for his club.

"If you do garbage (against Basel) then you have to clean it up and we cleaned it up," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports. "We've got two matches at home so now we are in good condition to qualify and we'll try to finish top. It's an important victory for us."

The glamour match at the San Siro where seven-times European champions Milan hosted four-times winners Barcelona fizzled out in the second half after a frantic opening period of pressure from the Italians.

Milan took an early lead through Robinho following a smart exchange with Kaka after nine minutes but with Barca then dominating possession, it was a matter of time before they made it count.

Andres Iniesta found Messi - making his first start after a three-week layoff - in space on the right and the Argentine kept his cool under pressure from Kevin Constant and Riccardo Montolivo to find the bottom right corner to equalise.

"We lost two points... because we created more goal chances and for this reason we deserved a victory," said Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino, whose side, like Milan, remain unbeaten in the group.

Unlike Martino, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would have been happy with a draw in their match at home to Dortmund because it would have kept them top of Group F.

Instead, the section was blown wide open as the Londoners, who lead the Premier League after some stylish performances and had enjoyed back-to-back European wins before this match, received a reality check.

The Germans, whose coach Juergen Klopp watched from the stands as he served a touchline ban, took a 16th-minute lead through Henrikh Mkhitaryan before Olivier Giroud equalised for the hosts before the break.

Wenger had spoken of the danger of Dortmund's Polish players before the game and his fears were proved right when Lewandowski volleyed home eight minutes from time to snatch the points.

"We were not as good as we can be offensively and some of the players tonight were not as fresh as recently," Wenger told reporters. "If you can't win games you mustn't lose them.

"In the second half we were on top but if you concede two goals you can only say we have to look at ourselves at not being mature enough in situations like that. It's tight now and difficult for us. But possible."

Group G, meanwhile, is anything but open as Atletico Madrid became the only team to still have a 100 percent record after three rounds of matches.

Costa enjoyed a dream competition debut in Vienna, scoring the second and third goals including a superb effort after he raced from inside the Atletico half and danced past the last defender before slipping the ball into the corner of the net.

It was the other extreme for another Group G player, Herrera, whose first Champions League start lasted six minutes.

The 23-year-old Porto midfielder was shown his first yellow card after a foul and then picked up a second booking for encroaching on the free kick he had just given away to set a red card record he will want to forget.

The hosts almost managed to hang on for a draw before an 86th-minute header from Aleksandr Kerzhakov stole the points for Zenit, with the salt in the wound coming from the fact that ex-Porto forward Hulk had set up the goal.

Sir Fergie delivers write-ups on high

It was irreverently described as the biggest book release since The Bible and the publishers certainly guarded Alex Ferguson's latest book of revelations with more reverence than most football autobiographies.

Ferguson, who retired as Manchester United manager in May, arrived to meet the world's media in a grand, chanderliered hall off London's Trafalgar Square.

The hall was crammed with portraits of past British kings and queens on the walls and Ferguson answered question for 45 minutes, flanked by two giant illuminated photographs of himself.

Copies of "Alex Ferguson My Autobiography" were couriered to reporters who could not get to the news conference but nevertheless agreed to observe the strict early afternoon embargo.

Once the couriered books were finally opened there was a sense of anti-climax. Journalists scanning the pages for shocking revelations, dressing room secrets or deep coaching insight were left somewhat disappointed with most of the "headline news" being a revised version of previously known information.

The publishers, already assured of enormous sales, will nevertheless be delighted by the tsunami of publicity generated.

Reporters from China, Israel, Japan, Australia, France, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands were among those who attended the launch.

Two dozen TV cameras were at the back of the hall filming every word uttered by the 71-year-old Scot, the most successful manager in British football history.

He was asked for his advice on how to improve football in China, how to improve football in Israel, his favourite Italian coach - "Roberto Mancini, he had the best wine".

He was asked about qualities of leadership and whether Manchester United could recover from the poor start they had made under his successor David Moyes to the new season.

"They have had a really difficult start to the season, but Manchester United are the only club in the Premier League who can win it coming from behind. "

Much of what Ferguson has wanted to say about United since 1999 and the eight Premier League titles they have won since then is told over 350-pages.

Ferguson's thoughts on Roy Keane, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and many of the 210 players who featured for United during his 27 years do make for interesting reading.

He is particularly scathing about Keane, who he describes as a player "of energy, guts and blood" but who he had to get rid off after his never-televised interview with Manchester United TV in which he criticised his team mates.

In the book he says that Beckham thought he was too big for Manchester United and later surrendered part of his career by moving to the United States to play for LA Galaxy.

He told reporters on Tuesday though: "How can I be critical of David Beckham? He is a fantastic human being.

"He is an icon to every kid in the world, he's a very wealthy guy, how can I argue with that? I always liked him, I thought he was a marvellous boy from the time he joined us when he was 12."

Beckham eventually left for Real Madrid after a fallout with Ferguson ended with the Scot kicking a boot at the midfielder's head and Keane left the following year in 2005 after criticising his team mates on the club's TV channel.

"What you did in that video was a disgrace," Ferguson recalls of his reaction to Keane.

Ferguson said the breaking point was when Keane accused him of bringing his private life into the club.

"The hardest part of Roy's body is his tongue," Ferguson wrote.

"What I noticed that day as I was arguing with him was his eyes narrowed to black beads. It was frightening to watch. And I'm from Glasgow."

Ferguson confirmed he was offered the England manager's job twice, before Sven-Goran Ericsson was appointed in 2001 and before that in 1999 when the job went to Kevin Keegan.

"I thought about it for 10 seconds, but there was no way in a million years I could manage England - I would never be able to go back to Scotland," he said on Tuesday.

But he will be back in Scotland soon, as part of the book's launch tour.

The man himself says he has mellowed and there was little of his old venom on Tuesday.

No-one was threatened with being banned and no-one felt the snap of Ferguson's own hard tongue either.

Perhaps he is right that at the age of 71 he has mellowed. But for those missing that side of him, they just need to read the book.

Sir Fergie delivers write-ups on high

It was irreverently described as the biggest book release since The Bible and the publishers certainly guarded Alex Ferguson's latest book of revelations with more reverence than most football autobiographies.

Ferguson, who retired as Manchester United manager in May, arrived to meet the world's media in a grand, chanderliered hall off London's Trafalgar Square.

The hall was crammed with portraits of past British kings and queens on the walls and Ferguson answered question for 45 minutes, flanked by two giant illuminated photographs of himself.

Copies of "Alex Ferguson My Autobiography" were couriered to reporters who could not get to the news conference but nevertheless agreed to observe the strict early afternoon embargo.

Once the couriered books were finally opened there was a sense of anti-climax. Journalists scanning the pages for shocking revelations, dressing room secrets or deep coaching insight were left somewhat disappointed with most of the "headline news" being a revised version of previously known information.

The publishers, already assured of enormous sales, will nevertheless be delighted by the tsunami of publicity generated.

Reporters from China, Israel, Japan, Australia, France, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands were among those who attended the launch.

Two dozen TV cameras were at the back of the hall filming every word uttered by the 71-year-old Scot, the most successful manager in British football history.

He was asked for his advice on how to improve football in China, how to improve football in Israel, his favourite Italian coach - "Roberto Mancini, he had the best wine".

He was asked about qualities of leadership and whether Manchester United could recover from the poor start they had made under his successor David Moyes to the new season.

"They have had a really difficult start to the season, but Manchester United are the only club in the Premier League who can win it coming from behind. "

Much of what Ferguson has wanted to say about United since 1999 and the eight Premier League titles they have won since then is told over 350-pages.

Ferguson's thoughts on Roy Keane, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and many of the 210 players who featured for United during his 27 years do make for interesting reading.

He is particularly scathing about Keane, who he describes as a player "of energy, guts and blood" but who he had to get rid off after his never-televised interview with Manchester United TV in which he criticised his team mates.

In the book he says that Beckham thought he was too big for Manchester United and later surrendered part of his career by moving to the United States to play for LA Galaxy.

He told reporters on Tuesday though: "How can I be critical of David Beckham? He is a fantastic human being.

"He is an icon to every kid in the world, he's a very wealthy guy, how can I argue with that? I always liked him, I thought he was a marvellous boy from the time he joined us when he was 12."

Beckham eventually left for Real Madrid after a fallout with Ferguson ended with the Scot kicking a boot at the midfielder's head and Keane left the following year in 2005 after criticising his team mates on the club's TV channel.

"What you did in that video was a disgrace," Ferguson recalls of his reaction to Keane.

Ferguson said the breaking point was when Keane accused him of bringing his private life into the club.

"The hardest part of Roy's body is his tongue," Ferguson wrote.

"What I noticed that day as I was arguing with him was his eyes narrowed to black beads. It was frightening to watch. And I'm from Glasgow."

Ferguson confirmed he was offered the England manager's job twice, before Sven-Goran Ericsson was appointed in 2001 and before that in 1999 when the job went to Kevin Keegan.

"I thought about it for 10 seconds, but there was no way in a million years I could manage England - I would never be able to go back to Scotland," he said on Tuesday.

But he will be back in Scotland soon, as part of the book's launch tour.

The man himself says he has mellowed and there was little of his old venom on Tuesday.

No-one was threatened with being banned and no-one felt the snap of Ferguson's own hard tongue either.

Perhaps he is right that at the age of 71 he has mellowed. But for those missing that side of him, they just need to read the book.

David Beckham's mission was to be famous says Sir Alex Ferguson

A decade after kicking a boot at David Beckham's head, Alex Ferguson used his autobiography to criticize the star's apparent pre-occupation with fame.

At Manchester United, Ferguson developed Beckham into one of the world's most recognizable sportsmen, but the midfielder left United in 2003 for Real Madrid under a cloud after his relationship with the manager broke down.

"David was the only player I managed who chose to be famous, who made it his mission to be known outside the game," Ferguson wrote in his autobiography, which will be released on Thursday. "I felt uncomfortable with the celebrity aspect of his life."

By moving to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 after four years at Madrid, Ferguson said Beckham "surrendered a part of his career."

In the 2002-03 season, Ferguson had concerns that Beckham's "application level had dropped" and his "work-rate was dropping."

There was no way back after the February 2003 match against Arsenal. Ferguson was unhappy that Beckham neglected to track back when Arsenal scored its second goal in a 2-0 win.

"As usual, with David at that time, he was dismissive of my criticism," Ferguson wrote.

"It's possible that he was starting to think he was no longer needed to track back and chase."

In the dressing room, Ferguson recalls Beckham swearing nearby before the boot flew.

"I moved towards him, and as I approached I kicked a boot. It hit him right above the eye," Ferguson recalled. "Of course he rose to have a go at me and the players stopped him."
After that, Ferguson told the board that Beckham had to leave.

"The big problem for me - and I'm a football man - he fell in love with (former Spice Girl) Victoria and that changed everything," Ferguson said Tuesday at his book launch.

In the book, Ferguson detailed Beckham's insubordination, despairing when he refused to remove a beanie hat at a team dinner.

By that time, Ferguson said, Beckham had been "swallowed up" by publicity agents.

"David thought he was bigger than Alex Ferguson," Ferguson wrote. "You cannot have a player taking over the dressing room. Many tried. ... The focus of authority at Manchester United is the manager's office. That was the death knell for him."

Beckham was sold to Real Madrid in 2003, and made the surprise move away from Europe to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.

"I imagine he also had his eyes on Hollywood and the impact it would have on the next phase of his career," Ferguson wrote. "There was no footballing reason to go to America."
Beckham ended his stint in LA last year, then spent five months at Paris Saint-Germain before retiring.

"He is an icon to every kid in the world," Ferguson said Tuesday, stressing that he admired Beckham.

Ferguson retired in May, bringing an end to the most successful managerial career in British football history, winning 38 trophies at United over 26 years, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles.

Here are other highlights from Ferguson's autobiography:

The final days of Ferguson's reign were overshadowed by Rooney asking to leave United due to his lack of playing time. The transfer request was refused by successor David Moyes and Ferguson, who remains at United as a director, is pleased with how Rooney has done this season.

Rooney, who joined United from Everton in 2004, first stunned Ferguson in 2010 by asking to leave, complaining about the apparent lack of stars in the team.

In the book, Ferguson recalled Rooney telling him United should have signed Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil in 2010 before he joined Real Madrid from Werder Bremen.

"My reply was that it was none of his business who we should have gone for," Ferguson wrote.

Ferguson told reporters on Tuesday that Ozil, who joined Arsenal in September, was "not on our radar" in 2010.

As a Scotsman who briefly coached his country at the 1986 World Cup, Ferguson was never going to take charge of rival England.

The English Football Association tried - twice. First, in 1999 before Kevin Keegan took charge, and again the following year before Sven-Goran Eriksson was hired.

"It wasn't a bed of nails I was ever tempted to lie on," Ferguson wrote.

Later on, Ferguson was irritated by England's medical staff turning up at United's training ground to check on players.

"Often I felt that this was an insult to us," Ferguson wrote. "I wondered whether my Scottishness was a factor, a reason not to trust me."

Torres hits brace to help Blues

Chelsea FC moved into pole position in UEFA Champions League Group E with a 3-0 victory at FC Schalke 04.

Strikes in either half from Fernando Torres and a late third courtesy of Eden Hazard sufficed to complete the Blues' recovery from their matchday one defeat by FC Basel 1893. The win brings the English team level on points with their hosts, who, in spite of their spirited attempts to get back into the contest, drop behind their Premier League opponents into second on goal difference.

There was intent from both sides from the first whistle, though the Bundesliga outfit soon found themselves chasing the game. Five minutes had elapsed when the Schalke defence failed to deal with a Frank Lampard corner, giving Torres the opportunity to nod in at the far post and mark his 100th Chelsea start with a goal.

The setback did little to diminish the Gelsenkirchen club's endeavours. With a vociferous home crowd baying for an equaliser, visiting goalkeeper Petr Čech did well to maintain his focus and divert a Dennis Aogo effort away after the left-back was threaded in by Julian Draxler.

Schalke were dominating possession, with Aogo and fellow full-back Atsuto Uchida causing problems on each flank. Still, chances remained scarce until the returning Kevin-Prince Boateng fired in a bolt of a shot from distance on 39 minutes. Čech needed both hands to push it over and was forced into action again straight afterwards as Roman Neustädter – scorer of Schalke's weekend winner against Eintracht Braunschweig – headed goalwards from the resulting corner.

The interval upset Schalke's momentum somewhat and Chelsea twice came close to profiting from the lull. Again Lampard and Torres combined from set pieces, with the Spanish international first glancing a free-kick against the crossbar before heading into the side netting from a subsequent corner.

Christian Clemens cajoled the home fans with a long-range drive but as the Royal Blues poured forward in search of a leveller, Chelsea pounced. A mistake in midfield from young Max Meyer allowed Hazard to burst forward and feed Oscar, who held off the advances of Jermaine Jones to set up Torres for his fifth goal in his last five UEFA Champions League outings.

Hazard then finished off another breakaway three minutes from the end to make absolutely sure of José Mourinho's first competitive victory as a coach in Germany.

Costa inspirational for Atletico

Two goals from Diego Costa, added to Raúl García's early strike, helped Club Atlético de Madrid to a comprehensive victory at FK Austria Wien as they took full control of Group G.

Having won their first two UEFA Champions League fixtures, Diego Simeone's side kicked off full of confidence and were almost sure of the points before 20 minutes had been played. García tapped in Filipe Luis's pass to give the visitors the lead before Costa doubled their advantage with a superb individual effort and rounded off a fine evening's work with his second and Atlético's third early in the second half.

Austria had begun in positive fashion in an unfamiliar gold and black third kit but were soon on the back foot as Juanfran came forward. The Atlético right-back unleashed an early swerving drive which Heinz Lindner did well to palm behind for a corner.

The Rojiblancos' first goal was not long in coming, Koke's cute slide-rule pass down the left channel in the eighth minute springing the offside trap. Luis drew the goalkeeper before squaring for García to roll into an empty net.

Further setbacks followed for Austria, first when top scorer Marko Stankovic suffered a recurrence of his calf injury and had to be withdrawn and then when Costa cut through their defence. Picking up possession on the halfway line the forward turned, advanced, beat two defenders and coolly slipped the ball past the left leg of a helpless Lindner to make it 2-0 with less than a quarter of the match gone.

It had been one-way traffic yet suddenly Atlético started to drop deeper and Austria dominated the rest of the first period. Their best chance came when Philipp Hosiner found himself unmarked at the far post but the striker blasted a close-range volley against the crossbar.

If Nenad Bjelica's Austrian champions had left themselves with plenty of work to do, they took their spirited display from the end of the first half into the second, Florian Mader nearly bringing renewed hope with a long-range drive that flew just over.

Group G's bottom club going into this game, Austria's increased attacking urgency left them vulnerable to Atlético's slick incisive attacks – and so it proved eight minutes after the restart. Costa received a pass from substitute Emiliano Insúa inside the penalty area and turned to beat Lindner again.

Atlético now hold a five-point cushion at the top of the group, having won all three fixtures, and will look to make it four when the teams reconvene in Spain on matchday four. Austria remain in fourth position with a single point.

Lewandowski wound Arsenal

Robert Lewandowski scored with eight minutes to play to earn Borussia Dortmund a 2-1 success against Arsenal FC and leave UEFA Champions League Group F wide open.

Arsenal had seemed good value for a point after a strong second-half performance, but as they pressed for a winner they were hit on the break, Lewandowski sweeping in Marcel Schmelzer's deep cross from the right to clinch victory after Henrikh Mkhitaryan's early opener had been cancelled out by Olivier Giroud's 41st-minute strike. With SSC Napoli beating Olympique de Marseille, the Serie A side, Dortmund and Arsenal are all tied on six points as the Gunners go to Germany in a fortnight.

Arsenal had started at a blistering pace in their matchday two triumph against Napoli, but this time they were forced back in the opening stages and Dortmund's high pressing game soon claimed its reward. On 16 minutes Marcus Reus dispossessed Aaron Ramsey on the edge of his own area and the ball broke to Lewandowski, who rolled it into the path of Mkhitaryan to fire low beyond Wojciech Szczęsny.

Dortmund, back in London for the first time since their UEFA Champions League final defeat in May, looked slick and confident and with Arsenal given no time to settle, home chances were few, even if they gradually began to have more possession. Dortmund remained threatening on the break, Szczęsny saving from Reus low to his left on 35 minutes, but Arsenal were getting closer.

On 38 minutes Tomáš Rosický’s strike from the edge of the box was hacked off the line by Mats Hummels. Then, when Neven Subotić and Roman Weidenfeller got into an uncharacteristic tangle trying to clear Bacary Sagna's cross from the right four minutes from the interval, Giroud gratefully pounced to fire in the loose ball. On Arsène Wenger's 64th birthday, Arsenal finally had cause for celebration.

The second period followed a similar path to the first, with Dortmund initially in the ascendancy. Arsenal improved as the half progressed, with Mikel Arteta influential in wresting the momentum their way. Mesut Özil, hitherto quiet, sprang to life on the right and he squared the ball to Santi Cazorla – on for the injured Jack Wilshere – to smash a shot against the bar on 69 minutes.

As Arsenal pressed, though, they left themselves open to the counter, and Schmelzer ensured Lewandowski took full advantage as the clock ticked down.

Tuesday 22 October 2013

[UEFA Champions League]

FT Steaua Bucuresti 1-1 Basel
FT Schalke 04 0-3 Chelsea
FT Arsenal 1-2 Dortmund
FT Marseille 1-2 Napoli
FT Porto(Red1) 0-1 Zenit St Petersburg
FT Austria Wien 0-3 Atletico Madrid
FT Celtic(Red1) 2-1 Ajax
FT AC Milan 1-1 Barcelona

U17 women zooms to Costa Rica 2014, as South Sudan thrown-in the towel

The U-17 Women National Team, have qualified as one of Africa’s representatives at next year’s  FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals taking place in Costa Rica following the withdrawal of South Sudan from the qualifying race.

The Sudanese were to host the first leg of the qualifying fixture on the weekend of 1st – 3rd November, but threw in the towel, making 2012 quarter finalists Nigeria the first African team to reach the finals that will be staged in four Costa Rican cities.

“It’s good that the girls have qualified early. The Nigeria Football Federation will ensure the team starts preparation early enough and very ready to do Nigeria proud,” stated NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu.

Pundits had tipped the Nigerian girls to feast on South Sudan.

The four venues for the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals are San Jose, Alajuela, Liberia and Tibas.

Ogunsoto turns hero to zero

Former NEPA and Julius Berger star, Patrick Babatunde Ogunsoto, turned from hero to zero in Greece on Sunday.

The ex-Ergotelis forward reduced the tally for Acharnaikos FC in the 74th minute against Iraklis Psachna, when scores stood at 2-0.

However, the dark-skinned Nigerian got the marching orders in the 78th minute, after earning his second yellow card of the match.

The game ended 3-1 in favour of Iraklis Psachna.

Daniel Chima's volley earns Molde valuable points

Daniel Chima's volley earned Molde a narrow away win in the week 27 of the Norway Eliteserien as they beat Honefoss.

The Super Eagles hopeful made the difference as Molde took control of affairs.

Emmanuel Ekpo was introduced in place of Agnaldo Moraes in the 67th minute of play.

Molde have climbed to 5th on the log, with 41 points.