2013 Ballon D'or nominations announced

It is about that time of the year when players who have played impressively and worked tirelessly are given a thumb-up for their outstanding performance by the world football governing body FIFA. 

Players who made the 23-man shortlist include the regulars Messi, Ronaldo and a host of others playing in Europe. 

The list will be trimmed down to three players in early December, with national team captains and coaches, as well as a select group of media representatives, voting for the winner, who will be announced on Jan. 13 in Zurich.

The man who led Bayern to the summit of European club football last season, Jupp Heynckes, heads the ten-strong shortlist for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men's Football with fellow retiree Sir Alex Ferguson also in the running.

Ballon d'Or shortlist: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid/Wales), Edinson Cavani (Paris St Germain/Uruguay), Radamel Falcao (Monaco/Colombia), Eden Hazard (Chelsea/Belgium), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris St Germain/Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona/Spain), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich/Germany), Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund/Poland), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich/Germany), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich/Germany), Neymar (Barcelona/Brazil), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal/Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus/Italy), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/France), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich/Netherlands), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Portugal), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich/Germany), Luis Suarez (Liverpool/Uruguay), Thiago Silva (Paris St Germain/Brazil), Yaya Toure (Manchester City/Ivory Coast), Robin van Persie (Manchester United/Netherlands), Xavi (Barcelona/Spain).

Coach of the year shortlist: Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid/ex-Paris St Germain), Rafael Benitez (Napoli/ex-Chelsea), Antonio Conte (Juventus), Vicente Del Bosque (Spain), Sir Alex Ferguson (ex-Manchester United), Jupp Heynckes (ex-Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund), Jose Mourinho (Chelsea/ex-Real Madrid), Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal).

Bill Gates negotiating with Real Madrid on remaning the Bernabeau

Reports from a reputable Spanish Newspaper suggest that Microsoft owner Bill Gates has contacted Real Madrid with the intent of naming right deal for the club's stadium (Santiago Bernabeau) which may see the new name as ''Microsoft Santiago Bernabeau'' or something of that nature.

According to the report, a preliminary meeting between Mary Garana, President of Microsoft Spain, and Real Madrid head honcho Florentino Perez took place in the Royal Box at the Bernabeu during the week, though a decision isn’t expected at any point in the near future as, along with the stadium renovation plans that are already afoot, Perez  is also keen to take his time over a deal that will undoubtedly be “emotionally delicate” for fans.

Meanwhile, we have seen club stadium around the world renamed or rebranded as the case may be. Like the Allianz Arena, the Emirates Stadium, Etihad, Signal Iduna Park, Veltins Arena, Zenit’s half-finished Gazprom Arena – even Barcelona’s Nou Camp, which hasn’t been officially rebranded but is still plastered in Qatar Airways livery these days.

Kano Pillars emerge Champions of 2012/2013 Glo NPFL

Last season's champions of the Nigeria Premier League, Kano Pillars have won the League this season to be crown back-to-back champions. The Kano based team team despite losing away to Lobi stars 0-1 on final match day were able to clinch the title for the second time.

Pillars finished on the log with 63points, closely followed by Enyimba on 62points, Bayelsa United ended on 3rd spot (61pts) while El Kanemi of Maiduguri were fourth with 60pts.

At the bottom, it was an unfortunate situation for the two Kwara State clubs, as ABS FC  (private) and Kwara United got relegated, joined by 3sc and Wikki Tourist of Bauchi.

Meanwhile, Pillars and Enyimba will represent the nation in the CAF Champions League while Bayelsa United will be playing in the Federations Cup joined by Runners-up in the FA Cup Warri wolves.

Last season's champions of the Nigeria Premier League, Kano Pillars have won the League this season to be crown back-to-back champions. The Kano based team team despite losing away to Lobi stars 0-1 on final match day were able to clinch the title for the second time.
Pillars finished on the log with 63points, closely followed by Enyimba on 62points, Bayelsa United ended on 3rd spot (61pts) while El Kanemi of Maiduguri were fourth with 60pts.
At the bottom, it was an unfortunate situation for the two Kwara State clubs, as ABS FC (private) and Kwara United got relegated, joined by 3sc and Wikki Tourist of Bauchi.
Meanwhile, Pillars and Enyimba will represent the nation in the CAF Champions League while Bayelsa United will be playing in the Federations Cup joined by Runners-up in the FA Cup Warri wolves.
- See more at: http://deluxe.icelark.com/blog/sports-kano-pillars-emerge-champions-of-20122013-glo-npfl#sthash.OhyBeTWE.dpuf

Last season's champions of the Nigeria Premier League, Kano Pillars have won the League this season to be crown back-to-back champions. The Kano based team team despite losing away to Lobi stars 0-1 on final match day were able to clinch the title for the second time.
Pillars finished on the log with 63points, closely followed by Enyimba on 62points, Bayelsa United ended on 3rd spot (61pts) while El Kanemi of Maiduguri were fourth with 60pts.
At the bottom, it was an unfortunate situation for the two Kwara State clubs, as ABS FC (private) and Kwara United got relegated, joined by 3sc and Wikki Tourist of Bauchi.
Meanwhile, Pillars and Enyimba will represent the nation in the CAF Champions League while Bayelsa United will be playing in the Federations Cup joined by Runners-up in the FA Cup Warri wolves.
- See more at: http://deluxe.icelark.com/blog/sports-kano-pillars-emerge-champions-of-20122013-glo-npfl#sthash.OhyBeTWE.dpuf

Last season's champions of the Nigeria Premier League, Kano Pillars have won the League this season to be crown back-to-back champions. The Kano based team team despite losing away to Lobi stars 0-1 on final match day were able to clinch the title for the second time.
Pillars finished on the log with 63points, closely followed by Enyimba on 62points, Bayelsa United ended on 3rd spot (61pts) while El Kanemi of Maiduguri were fourth with 60pts.
At the bottom, it was an unfortunate situation for the two Kwara State clubs, as ABS FC (private) and Kwara United got relegated, joined by 3sc and Wikki Tourist of Bauchi.
Meanwhile, Pillars and Enyimba will represent the nation in the CAF Champions League while Bayelsa United will be playing in the Federations Cup joined by Runners-up in the FA Cup Warri wolves.
- See more at: http://deluxe.icelark.com/blog/sports-kano-pillars-emerge-champions-of-20122013-glo-npfl#sthash.OhyBeTWE.dpuf

Premier League possession table: Arsenal and Liverpool surprisingly low

Last year’s top two possession teams languish in 8th and 9th (but top the real table!)
Premier League average possession table:

1) Manchester City – 56%
2) Tottenham – 55%
3) Swansea- 54%
4) Manchester United – 54 %
5) Chelsea – 53%
6) Everton – 53%
7) Southampton – 53%
8) Arsenal – 52%
9) Liverpool – 51%
10) Stoke City – 50%
11) Newcastle – 49%
12) Fulham – 48%
13) Cardiff City – 48%
14) West Brom – 47%
15) Norwich – 47%
16) West Ham – 47%
17) Crystal Palace – 46%
18) Hull City – 46%
19) Aston Villa – 45%
20) Sunderland – 45%

Current Premier League table toppers Liverpool and Arsenal have not kept the ball nearly as well as they did last season, but have traded goals for possession this term.