Saturday 28 April 2012

Chelsea confirms Marko Marin's signing


It is obvious that some clubs cannot wait for the league season to end as some have snapped up players for next season’s campaign while in some coffers critical decisions have been taken. One of such teams is Chelsea FC. 
The club has announced a deal to sign Germany international Marko Marin from Werder Bremen.
According to ESPNsoccernet, Chelsea and Werder both confirmed the deal on Saturday afternoon, with reports suggesting a fee in the region of £7 million will change hands for Marin, who has already passed a medical at Stamford Bridge.
It is also speculated that striker Romelu Lukaku, who joined the Blues from Anderlecht last summer but has had limited first-team opportunities, will head to Werder on loan.
Marin, 23, joined Werder from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2009 and has since impressed at the Weserstadion with his creative play, managing 25 assists in 87 Bundesliga appearances
The winger, who has struggled for fitness this campaign, will join Chelsea in the summer, when he is also expected to be named in Germany's squad for Euro 2012.




Monday 23 April 2012

Monte Carlo Masters 2012: Nadal beats Djokovic to the title

 Rafael Nadal on Sunday beat Novak Djokovic to win eighth consecutive Monte Carlo Masters title. Djokovic went down 6-3, 6-1 in just 78 minutes.

Nadal was hardly troubled by Djokovic in this one and broke the Serb's serve five times in a one-sided affair on clay to win his 42nd straight match at Monte Carlo. It was his first title since last year's French Open and the 47th of his career. 



Saturday 21 April 2012

I saw you rejoicing at Barca's fall

Courtesy: espnsoccernet
Writer: Amos Joseph
Yes! Real Madrid on Saturday defeated Barcelona 2-1 at the Camp Nou stretching their lead to seven points.
I saw you rejoicing when Khedira scored the opener for Real Madrid, and became sober when the Catalans equalized through Alexis Sanchez. I saw how you raised the roof when Ronaldo got the killer and ended the show.
You twitted and posted comment on the various platforms. Your bias opinions of course. But too bad you're not even a Real Madrid fan. You wanted to see Bracelona's fall. why?
Oh! they seem to be the dominant party in world football? Probably you are a Chelsea faithful and need to see your team in the UEFA Champions League final or they have at one point in time denied you of your "rights"?....

Friday 20 April 2012

What A Week: Pride and Title at stake


You will agree that the 1st Leg Semi Finals of the UEFA Champions League was indeed a cracker. Expectedly, for some fans it was disappointment and vice versa at the other end.

The “supposed tactical error” as widely believed from Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena and the “One Shot One Goal” at the Stamford Bridge which ensured that Chelsea got the better of Barcelona characterized the UCL encounters.

Beyond the UCL, in Spain it is the El-Clasico. Real Madrid have seen their ten-point lead atop the table dwindled over recent weeks, and Barca would move to within a point off the leaders should they secure a victory in this Classic. Bearing in mind that both teams also have their hands full in next week’s UCL return leg.

While in England, it is the London derby. It could be recalled that the first leg ended in favour of Arsenal 5-3 against Chelsea, but at this point, it is a different ball game owing to the fact that Arsenal have the 3rd spot to play for undistracted while Chelsea have  some distractions in the FA cup and the return leg to Barcelona at Camp Nouon Tuesday . Chelsea are just two points behind the 4th placed Tottenham and will look to close the gap.

What a week you’ll say. Pride and title at stake.

Wednesday 18 April 2012

OLUBAYO ADEFEMI: One year gone already....

IN LOVING MEMORY OF A YOUNG NIGERIAN DEFENDER WHOM WE'LL NEVER FORGET. HE DIED ON 18TH APRIL 2011 AND WE REMEMBER HIM TODAY. 
                                                                      DIED AT AGE 25. 
                                                        CONTINUE TO REST IN PEACE


Tuesday 17 April 2012

WHEN WILL ONDO STATE FOOTBALL TEAMS START PLAYING AT HOME

 Writer: Abiodun Ajibade Caleb
since the 2012 edition of the Nigeria Premier League kicked off in January, the major question asked by football lovers in the state has been, when are we going to be given the opportunity to watch our football teams in the state play live? Many of them are of the opinion that they have been kept in the dark about the performances of the state owned football teams since they play their home matches in another state.


Since the commencement of the upgrading of five major stadia across the state, the fans have been deprived of watching the clubs, each of which had been their pride in the past. In 2010 when the state senior football club, Sunshine Stars, made the state proud in the top flight League and qualified as one of the three football clubs to represent the country in the 2011 Confederations cup for the first time in the history of the club, the state football lovers jumped for joy that they would watch an international football match being played in Ondo state, particularly in Akure Township Stadium. Those who had not been watching the team at all were prepared to see the Ondo state teams but the joy was short-lived when both teams relocated to Ogun State, thereby making it difficult for Supporters to watch. 


Expressing their displeasure over the snail pace at which the work on the stadia is going, some of the fans of the state-owned football clubs said, “In fact we are really disappointed that we were not able to watch all the Nigerian football matches throughout last season because of the stadium which is being upgraded, all of us were already tired of the concrete floor we used to sit on.”I believe Ondo State Sports Complex is supposed to have been upgraded from what it used to be in the past. If we have got a befitting stadium it would the delight of fans to watch football matches. Even some of us still took the pain to go as far as Ijebu ode to watch their home matches, now that transport fares have increased, I don’t think many of us can do that again.


Another supporter who would rather remain anonymous, said that he doubts if a genuine work was going on in the stadium, saying” to me I don’t believe the governor will complete the stadium. If this government will complete it at all, its going to be 'amulumala' (anyhow). The governor promised that they wanted to do spectators seats round the pitch but we can see that nothing has been done in that respect. It’s only the existing seats that have been repainted & I believe that will be the last beautification the seating arrangement would receive. 


However, to the chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency, Chief Segun Adagunodo,"not playing home matches at home has helped the teams to build up confidence to play better under tension. By the time the football pitch is completed, the players would have gained enough confidence but the state government is looking into how the football pitch at the Akure Stadium will be completed soon. The challenges will be over & the contractors are also ready to go back to the site and commence work"

The Astroturf of the akure football pitch have been laid and the posts, lines and flags already intact which made the pitch seem ready to be used, but the question, “WHEN WOULD THE STADIUM BE READY FOR USE? Is still left unanswered as the contractor is battling with the race tracks, dressing rooms, spectator’s seats and many other things that are yet to be ready in the stadium.    

Gov Mimiko welcomes Arsenal FC Partnership

 Writer: Abiodun Ajibade Caleb
Gov. Mimiko recieving Arsenal Jersey
A team of delegation from English Premier League side, Arsenal Football club recently paid a courtesy visit to the Ondo State Government, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

Receiving the five-man delegation, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Hon. Akin Akinbobola welcomed the team to Ondo state. ‘With huge pleasure I welcome you to the sunshine state, the state is a soccer-loving state with enormous followers of the English premier league, stated further that the state is ready to partner with arsenal football club.

Responding, the head of the delegation & arsenal liaison Officer, Mr Mark Ellis said the team is in Ondo state to liaise with the state government on a possible partnership towards the development of soccer in the state.” we would like to contribute to the development of football in the state through our International Soccer Schools Initiative, Arsenal FC signed such kind of a collaboration with Akwa ibom State recently and would want to add Ondo state to its list.

In his speech, the executive governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, thanked Arsenal FC for the visit, admitting the good values such kind of a partnership deal would add to the growth of football in the state. He highlighted the success achieved by his administration in sports especially football where sunshine stars qualified to represent Nigeria in last year CAF confederation cup, with the team reaching the semi final stage of the competition, first of its kind in the history of Ondo State.

DR. Mimiko stated further that his administration established the Ondo State Football Agency as part of his plans to enhance the development of football in the state and also affirmed that he would create an enabling environment by providing state of the art sporting facilities to the ones already on ground.
The Governor was however presented a customized Arsenal Football Club jersey by the delegation, as both parties exchanged gifts. Other members of the arsenal delegation include Andrew doughlas,manager(UK & Intl Soccer Schools), Joshua Morris(Head of Protocol,Danjan Sports), David Omigie (C.E.O Danjan sport).Waidi Akanni (Arsenal Tour Coordinator).Top Ondo state principal officials were also present, as well as major stakeholders in Ondo state sports were not left out at the ceremony

The delegation proceeded on an inspection tour of facilities in the state starting from the akure Township Stadium, selected Hotels & Hospitals plus a visit to the Sunshine Games village.  The arsenal officials expressed satisfaction with the facilities on ground but urge the state government to provide more. The delegation from England would also visit Niger and rivers state.     

Saturday 14 April 2012

SIMPLE THINGS: Home ground of Nigeria League teams


Dipo Dina Stadium Ijebu Ode, Home of Sunshine Stars
Many Nigeria Premier League teams have a permanent base while others do not due to the poor state of their original base. It should be noted that not all pitches are qualified or befitting to host a league match; therefore some teams have been relocated to neighbouring towns or other states as approved by the league body.
Below are the present home grounds of the Nigeria Premier League teams at this point in time.

Ilorin Township Stadium, Ilroin
Abubaka Bukola Saraki (ABS)
Uyo Township Stadium, Uyo
Akwa United
Liberation Stadium, Port Hacourt
Dolphins FC
Aba Township Stadium
Enyimba
Pantami Stadium
Gombe United
Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri
Heartland FC
Hadeija Township Stadium, Jigawa
Jigawa Golden Stars
Kaduna Township Stadium,Kaduna
Kaduna United
Sanni Abacha Stadium, Kano
Kano Pillars
Ilorin Township Stadium, Ilorin
Kwara United
Emmanuel Atongo Stadium
Lobi Stars
Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa
Ocean Boys
Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu
Rangers FC
Oluyemi  Kayode Stadium, Ado
Rising Stars
Sharks Stadium, Port Hacourt
Sharks FC
Dipo Dina Stadium Ijebu-Ode
Sunshine Stars
Bako Kontangora Stadium, Minna
Tornadoes
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi
Wikki Tourists
Warri Township Stadium
Wolves
Adamasingba Satdium Ibadan
3sc (Shooting)

Please Note: changes will be effected as the list changes in reality.

Thursday 12 April 2012

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Egypt beats Nigeria



Nigeria today lost 3-2 to the Pharaohs of Egypt in an international friendly encounter at the Al-Maktoun Stadium in Dubai.

The Super Eagles scored through Sunday Mba and Kalu Uche while the Pharaohs got their goals through Ahmed Temsah,  Mohammed Aboutreika and Ahmed Hassan Mekki.

The Eagles were made up of players from the Nigeria Premier League, while Egypt paraded their top stars in the game which is part of the rebuilding process for both teams having missed out of the last 2012 Afcon in 
Gabon and Equitorial Guinea.

According to goal.com, Nigeria will play another friendly match against Peru ahead of their 2013  Afcon qualification  match against Rwanda in June. Nigeria also have 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Namibia and Malawi in the same month.

Meanwhile, it’s the first the team will record under Coach Stephen Keshi.

Tuesday 10 April 2012

CAF COMPETITIONS: Mixed fortunes for Nigerian clubs

Last season’s Nigeria League champions Dolphins FC tried as hard as they could but could not overcome Coton Sports FC in the 2nd leg 2nd round CAF Champions League clash in Garoua. Taking a slim 2-1 advantage to the 2nd leg, it took CotonSport just 20 minutes to cancel out Dolphins 2-1 win with a lone goal to seal it up.

Sunshine Stars on the other hand staged a dramatic comeback to beat Recreativo de Libolo of Angola 3-0 and qualify for the next round on away goals rule. the Akure based side lost 4-1 in Angola a fortnight ago and the Nigerians tied the score line at 4-4 at the end of the match and that away goal in Angola completed a great come back for Sunshine.

Warri Wolves reached round of 16 in the CAF Confederation Cup after a 2-0 win over FC Kallon of Sierra Leone. Having secured impressive goal less draw in the first leg in Sierra Leone, they however progressed at the expense of FC Kallon on two goal aggregate.

The last of the representatives in the continent, Heartland of Owerri also qualified for the 3rd round of the Confederation Cup. The Naze Millionaires pipped UniSport Nkam of Cameroun 2-1 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in the return leg of the second round of the competition. The first leg in Douala a fortnight ago ended goalless. 

Saturday 7 April 2012

SIMPLE THINGS: Coaches in the Nigerian Premier League 2011/2012 season

It is believed by many that the job of a coach is one of the most insecure jobs one can find around. This is premised on the fact that these men could be fired anytime as the management of the club may so wish. Hiring and firing some say. 
Therefore, there are two kinds of coaches: sacked and waiting to be sacked. meanwhile, here are some of the coaches currently holding their position in the NPL.


Kabiru Sulaiman Dogo
Abubaka Bukola Saraki (ABS)
Solomon Ugbeide
Akwa United
Stanley Eguma
Dolphins FC
Augustine Eguavoen
Enyimba FC
Bernard Ogbe
Gombe United
Ndubuisi Nduka
Heartland FC
Abdul Pele
Jigawa Golden Stars
Larto Saleh
Kaduna United
Baba Ganaru
Kano Pillars
Tunde Sani
Kwara United
John Zaki
Lobi Stars
Samson Unuanel
Ocean Boys
Okey Emordi
Rangers FC
Sunday Erelusi
Rising Stars
John Obuh
Sharks FC
Gbenga Ogunbote
Sunshine Stars
Justin Tenger
Tornadoes
Ladan Bosso
Wikki Tourists
Maurice Cooreman
Wolves
Festus Allen
3sc (Shooting)
Kabiru Sulaiman Dogo
Abubaka Bukola Saraki (ABS)
Note: Some are holding the post as interim coaches as this list is subject to change but we will update.  

Tuesday 3 April 2012

Sack Ogunbote, Erelusi Supporters' Club tell ODSFA

Writer: Ajibade Abiodun Caleb
Following the recent run of poor form & abysmal performances displayed by the two teams representing Ondo State in the Nigerian Premier League, Sunshine Stars & Rising Stars, the Ondo State Football Supporter's Club has called upon the parent owner of both teams, Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) to completely overhaul the technical department of both teams stating that they are not impressed & satisfied with the current results of both teams.

Rising Stars
In a chat with our correspondent, a top official of the supporter's club said "we can not longer cope with the kind of results these teams are producing. Rising stars’ loss to Kwara United over the weekend made it 7 straight premier league defeats for the NPL newcomers under the tutelage of Sunday Erelusui.

He further stated “it is the joy of Ondo fans to see Rising Stars maintain the premiership slot but with the current position of the club swimming in relegation waters its more likely they return to the nationwide league, as a stakeholder in d running of football in Ondo state we are making a clarion call to ODSFA for instant review of the technical department.

While speaking on sunshine stars performance “Coach Gbenga Ogunbote has made a lot of tactical errors this season, including wrong selection of players which has caused the team a lot of bad results,3 home draws & a heavy defeat in the CAF Champions League away to libolo. We therefore implore the management to make a quick intervention into both teams in order to prevent further spate of poor performances.

Meanwhile, Sunshine Stars play host to Wikki Tourist on Wednesday in a rescheduled league match before playing the 2nd leg encounter with Recreativo Libolo in the CAF Champions League at home, as Rising Stars will take on Gombe United to end the first stanza of the season.