OLIVIER GIROUD: Here comes another Gunner

For all Arsenal fans, this Summer has been "good"  at least, with the signing of new players for the 2012/2013 Football Season.

Adding to the list,  Arsenal have completed the signing of Olivier Giroud. It was announced on Tuesday that the France international has agreed to join the Club for £13m after a hugely successful two-year spell at Ligue 1 champions Montpellier.

According to the 25year old forward who scored a total of 21 goals for his club in last season's campaign, “I think I have the weapons to do well here,” Giroud told Arsenal Player. “I will need some time to adapt of course, but I’m not worried about that. I think I will adapt well.

“I’m a player who likes to play, who likes to participate in the game. That’s why I think the way Arsenal play will suit me. I like scoring goals and Arsenal create a lot of chances, so if I do well, then we will do well.

“There is a nice sporting challenge as well at Arsenal, and I will play to create history and enjoy myself and give pleasure to the fans. I think that the Premier League corresponds well with me.”

With Lukas Podolski from Cologne and now Giroud, it is very clear what the Arsenal management intends to do next season. Keeping Robin Van Persie is key to the club, if it means adding to their arsenals, why not? 

Every player that joins Arsenal at this point in time should be aware of the current status of the club in terms of winning titles and pressure from fans. I will take more than skills boy. Good luck Arsenal.

Coach Keshi avoids 99-1 defeat to India

Done with the busy schedule of June, Nigeria recorded two wins at home  and one away draw  against Malawi, Namibia and Rwanda in the 2013 AFCON and 2014 Nations cup respectively.

Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi has however revealed that during the August 15 Fifa open window,  in which Nigeria was invited for Nehru Cup four-nations competition in India, he would prefer his side to play against any top African team and not India. Basically because He wants to keep the Rhythm against another African Team. 

Could it be that Keshi is trying to avoid another 99-1 defeat against India as the fable tale goes? Am sure you have at one point in time heard that story. It is a blatant lie. Nigeria has never loss against India.

Mafoluku/Oshodi Successfully host Footballers Pally

By: Amos Joseph

The match was indeed a friendly affair as football lovers in the Mafoluku and Oshodi neighbourhood trooped to Agege Stadium to watch the Europe Based professionals trade tackles with Nigerian based footballers.

Foreign Pros

The match was played last weekend and it ended 2-1 in favour of the home Based Footballers. Obviously, the fans were thrilled and pleased to have taken to the stands in their numbers as they cheered the players all the way.

 İn an interview with the organizers of the Match, İt was revealed that it took a lot of effort to put of such a game. Alexander Oluwatayo  Akande of Hong Kong Sapling said "it is indeed a pleasure to be a part of this development where the Pros had to come together to unite players who grew from our communities".

He further commended the other players who bought the idea and did everything possible to ensure that the plan saw the light of day. Among them are Azubike Hycent, Bola Akanbi Sani Gideon, coach Afolabi Ojekunle and Akeem Agbetu who could not make it down to Nigeria but sent their support.

Alexander Oluwatyo Akande

Sani Gideon 

Izunna Uzochukwu 

   

Middle: Azubike Hycent

Some of the Nigerian based players

Coach Afolabi Ojekunle (Folley)

Also, Coach Afolabi Ojekunle popularly known as coach folley, White speaking in a phone interview expressed great Joy to see the players he groomed play in different parts of the world, come together to arrange such a game.

He is currently under-going a coaching course in the United Kingdom with the London Football Association having obtained a certificate from the National Institute of Sports, Lagos Nigeria.

Agege Stadium to host Mafoluku-Oshodi Professional Footballers Pally

The Mafoluku/Oshodi Professional Footballers have arranged a football friendly match to be played on Sunday 17th June at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

Basically, the game is to foster the long existing relationship between footballers in the area. Both foreign and home based players are expected to trade tackles in the game.

Some of the Stars expected to feature are Nigerian International Sunday Stephen who plies his trade with CD Numancia in Spain, Akande Oluwatayo Alexande of Hong Kong Spling, Sani Gideon (Akhisar BelediyesporTurkey), Azubike Hycent (Spain), Izunna Uzochukwu (FC Midtjylland in Denmark),  Ranti Martins (India), Ademola Raphael (Athletico Baleares, Spain) and a host of others.

The game kicks off by 4pm on Sunday.

Super Falcons feed on Warriors Lagos

By: Amos Joseph
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have booked a place in the African Cup of Nations billed for November in Equitorial Guinea.

Photo: Supersport

The Falcons scored 4 times to wallop the Mighty Warriors of Zimbabwe in a match that ended 4-0 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

In the reverse fixture, the Falcons won 2-0 a fotnight ago to bring the aggregate scores to 6-0.

From the blast of the whistle, the Falcons started asking questions at the opponent's goal area which was rewarded in the 6th minute when veteran striker and current African footballer of the year got a goal. With intense pressure, the Falcon went for the second through Desire Oparanozie in the 14th minute while the third came in two minutes later from skilfull Esther Sunday in the first 45 minutes, the last goal was scored by Stella Mbachu in the 55th minute to complete the white-wash. 

Obviously, the fans were thrilled as they could not hold back but express their joy by cheering and applauding the players.

Coach of the Falcons, Kadiri Ikhana said congratulated the players for doing the nation proud  'the victory is expected, the girls went out and did what they had to do, attention now shifts to the friendly we have against South Africa'.

In relation to the absence of fans in the stadium, Aisha Falode stated that 'despite the absence of the Lagos fans, the girls took to the field and got maximum victory'.

Meanwhile, They are now expected to host London Olympics-bound Banyana Banyana of South Africa next weekend also in Lagos in a friendly match. When both teams first clashed a fortnight ago, it finished 1-1 in South Africa

The European Championship and our Craze

Writer: Amos Joseph

The world stands agog, united and to one common goal when it comes to football. The rate at which we crave and craze for more is exceptional.

It should be noted that the Football League season In Europe and its "environs" ended some weeks back with the UEFA champions league as the icing on the cake. The world stood still for it.
Interestingly, once again the air-wave is saturated with Beautiful and delightful football "show piece or buz" so to say. It is European football obviously. 

The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA (the Union of European Football Association). 
Organised every four years with 16 participating countries paired and divided into four groups consisting of four teams each. It comes with surprises, upsets, and revelation.

Ukraine & Poland are hosts this time and football enthusiast across the globe are having a nice time as every game proves to be a potential cracker. The signs are there, ask the "Power houses" like The Netherlands, The Italians, The 3Lions, including almighty Spain and not forgetting Germany even the hosts. 

In our Clime, we have the African Cup of Nation organised by CAF for the Continent of Africa. Surely with it's audience(s) and excitement but obviously for those who care. Some say it's cultural imperialism.
Just as the stands are full in Ukraine and Poland, the viewing centres are occupied with the "Naira-making" business just as they do during the League season. 

One cannot but mention the obvious bias fans have for players of their favourite clubs and hatred for the opposition. It is allowed though.
Is there anyone who is not swept away by the level and modus-operandi of the snowy climes? Imperialism or not, the truth be told Africa must develop. By, this we're valued "abroad" and our affairs cause the world to Stand.

Nadal beats Djokovic to claim French Open title

Image: www.cta.ca

Rafael Nadal has once again proven his mettle on the Tennis Clay Court after beating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to win a record of seventh French Open title.

The game was suspended on Sunday due to rainfall and Rafa continued his impressive run to finish victorious on Monday.

"It is an honour and for me the most important tournament, the greatest in my eyes," said Nadal.
"This is an unforgettable moment for me; there are a lot of emotions. It was a privilege to play against one of the best players in the world."

World No 1 Djokovic added: "Congratulations to Rafa and his team for another title, he is a great player. But I hope to come back next year and do even better."

Who will forget such an experience; suspense and emotions? At least, not in a jiffy. There is a dictum which says “He whom the cap fits should wear it”. Without disrespect to the person of Djokovic, Rafa is simply the “King of Clay” if not forever, but for now even as he’s still gunning for more Grand slam victories to catch up with the likes of  Roger Federer with 16, Pete Sampras on 14 and Roy Emerson on 12 - are now in his sights.

Congratulations Rafa!

Why not Chelsea - Hazard

 Chelsea have now confirmed that they have agreed a fee for Belgium and Lille of France forward, Eden Hazard. The deal is worth £32 million, and the player has accepted a contract and passed a medical. He will join up with the Blues for pre-season training.

He told French radio station RMC: "When they won the Champions League, I told myself, 'Why not Chelsea?'. There was a struggle between Chelsea and United but, for me, Chelsea has the best project. The team is young and I have a better chance to play there.

"At 21, Real or Barca would have been more difficult for me. If I play well enough at Chelsea, I could win my place in the starting team."

Meanwhile, the Blues are also reported to be after the signature of 25 year old FC Porto forward who may come in for £38 million.

Who doesn't want to play for the champions?  Right move Chelsea, wise move players.