Friday 28 June 2013

OPINION: BRAZIL VS SPAIN FINAL (Let's not pretend)

This tournament has been quite interesting for football lovers across the globe. So far, we have seen the spectacular, thrilling moments and finesse. We have also seen the depth of the super powers and the minnows.

As envisaged, Brazil and Spain will be playing in the final having overcome all the odds. Let’s not pretend we never expected or anticipated this fixture else one should question the planet you’re from.

These two teams won all three matches in the group phase to confirm their superiority over other teams in their respective groups (Brazil A) (Spain B). With emphatic victories over their opponents, it also shows that they are simply the best sides in the tourney.

Brazil in this tournament have been a shadow of themselves before the commencement of the competition. Their performance was not so convincing then, but now, one can say without fear of contradiction that they have a team ready to take on the world any day anytime.


It is also important to bring to your remembrance that the only time the Brazilians felt threatened so far was against Uruguay in the semi final when they conceded a penalty that Diego Forlan failed to net. It would have been interesting to see how the Brazilians were going to react but we were denied that glimpse.

Spain on the other hand, expectedly for many were ‘finalist in the making’ with the crop of players and style they play. Also, one should not forget that they are the reigning world and European champions. 


It should also be noted that the Spaniards are not totally invincible as seen in the semi final against Italy where they had to qualify for the final on penalty shoot-out. The Azzurris didn’t afford them much room to express themselves with their Tiki-Taka. Thats just they way to go against such a team.

Anyway, it’s ‘Joga Bonito’ vs ‘Tiki Taka’ style in the final. Spain head to Maracana with 29 matches unbeaten and a chance to win their first Confederations cup title. While Brazil hope to save and continue their 56 straight undefeated home record counting from 1975, years before Neymar was born.

The whistle and the crowd might just play a part in this crunchy encounter come Sunday. Time shall tell.

Spain seal Brazil Confederations Cup final clash

World and European Champions Spain have set a clash with Brazil in the final of the on-going Confederations cup after beating Italy on penalty shoot-out.

The 120 minutes match saw both teams play fascinating football but there has to be a winner which was finally decided when Leonardo Bonucci blazed over from 12 yards to hand Jesus Narvas a chance to see Spain through which he made no mistakes.

Italy now face Uruguay in the battle for third place while Spain trade tackles with host Brazil in a match which promises to be exciting and thrilling. Both games come up on Sunday 30 June.

Wednesday 26 June 2013

BRAZIL 2-1 URUGUAY: Paulinho sends Brazil into Confederations Cup final

Brazil will be playing in the finals of the confederations cup final for the 5th time on Sunday after defeating Ururguay in a highly competitive Semi Final match.

Fred put Brazil ahead 41' while Edinson Cavani level up after 48' of play in the second half. Paulinho's 86' header made the difference sending Brazil to the final to be played in the famous Maracan stadium.

Julio Cesar was however adjudged Man of the Match. 

No time! Keshi invites 24 home based players for CHAN

No time, attention shifted from Confederations cup and now Nigeria National team is looking forward to the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Ivory Coast billed for next weekend, Coach Stephen Keshi has released a list of 24 invited home based players.


 LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS: 


Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC) 

Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Ezekiel Bassey (Lobi Stars); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Enugu Rangers) 

Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Ayo Saka (Enyimba FC); Olufemi Oladapo (3SC); Emeka Eze (Enugu Rangers); Mohammed Ajia (Bayelsa United) 

Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC); Gomo Onduku (Bayelsa United); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Anthony Okputu (Lobi Stars); Pius Samson (Ranch Bees); Festus Ajah (Union Bank); Etebo Oghene (Warri Wolves); Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars)

 The tournament is strictly for players plying their trade in their home countries.

LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC)
Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Ezekiel Bassey (Lobi Stars); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Enugu Rangers)
Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Ayo Saka (Enyimba FC); Olufemi Oladapo (3SC); Emeka Eze (Enugu Rangers); Mohammed Ajia (Bayelsa United)
Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC); Gomo Onduku (Bayelsa United); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Anthony Okputu (Lobi Stars); Pius Samson (Ranch Bees); Festus Ajah (Union Bank); Etebo Oghene (Warri Wolves); Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars)
- See more at: http://naijasportscentre.com/home/news_page.php?newsid=501#sthash.vsOt7Kce.dpuf

LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC)
Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Ezekiel Bassey (Lobi Stars); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Enugu Rangers)
Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Ayo Saka (Enyimba FC); Olufemi Oladapo (3SC); Emeka Eze (Enugu Rangers); Mohammed Ajia (Bayelsa United)
Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC); Gomo Onduku (Bayelsa United); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Anthony Okputu (Lobi Stars); Pius Samson (Ranch Bees); Festus Ajah (Union Bank); Etebo Oghene (Warri Wolves); Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars)
- See more at: http://naijasportscentre.com/home/news_page.php?newsid=501#sthash.vsOt7Kce.dpuf
LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC)
Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Ezekiel Bassey (Lobi Stars); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Enugu Rangers)
Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Ayo Saka (Enyimba FC); Olufemi Oladapo (3SC); Emeka Eze (Enugu Rangers); Mohammed Ajia (Bayelsa United)
Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC); Gomo Onduku (Bayelsa United); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Anthony Okputu (Lobi Stars); Pius Samson (Ranch Bees); Festus Ajah (Union Bank); Etebo Oghene (Warri Wolves); Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars)
- See more at: http://naijasportscentre.com/home/news_page.php?newsid=501#sthash.vsOt7Kce.dpuf
LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC)
Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Ezekiel Bassey (Lobi Stars); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Enugu Rangers)
Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Ayo Saka (Enyimba FC); Olufemi Oladapo (3SC); Emeka Eze (Enugu Rangers); Mohammed Ajia (Bayelsa United)
Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC); Gomo Onduku (Bayelsa United); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Anthony Okputu (Lobi Stars); Pius Samson (Ranch Bees); Festus Ajah (Union Bank); Etebo Oghene (Warri Wolves); Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars)
- See more at: http://naijasportscentre.com/home/news_page.php?newsid=501#sthash.vsOt7Kce.dpuf

Tuesday 25 June 2013

Breaking: Real Madrid confirm Ancelotti as new Manager

Carlo Ancelotti has been confirmed as the new manager of Real Madrid taking over from Jose Mourinho.

Meanwhile Laurent Blanc also replaced Ancelotti at Paris Saint German. 

Source: skysports

Monday 24 June 2013

''All I want is your waist'' (Nani spotted in Miami beach)

It's off season Boy. Nani spotted cooling off in Miami Beach with his fiancé Daniela Martins. The Manchester United forward is undecided about his future and his contract expires in one year.

Arsenal, Juventus and Monaco are all reportedly monitoring the Portuguese's situation.

Confederations Cup exit: Tahiti, Nigeria, Japan and Mexico make $1.7 million



Four teams not advancing from the groups will get $1.7 million which include Nigeria, Mexico, Japan and Tahiti.

FIFA will pay $4.1 million in prize money to the Confederations Cup winner.

 According to FIFA earlier before the tournament, $20 million in total prize money will be shared among eight teams.  The prize fund was $17.6 million at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa. There, Brazil got $3.75 million for winning.

The beaten finalist will receive $3.6 million; the third-place team earns $3 million and the fourth-place team gets $2.5 million.

Meanwhile the competition which is a warm up for the World cup proper to be staged in Brazil as well in 2014 has entered the semi final stage. 

Brazil vs Uruguay (Wednesday 26th June )
Spain vs Italy (Thursday 27th June)


Friday 21 June 2013

We are not ashamed - Tahiti Coach (Beaten but not broken)

Bashed, bruised and white-washed on the field of play, yet Tahiti Coach Eddy Etaeta is proud of his team and the tremendous support they have received from football fans in Brazil.

The Oceania Champions were hit 6-1 by Nigeria and 10-0 by Spain with another bashing imminent against Uruguay in the last fixture.

Etaeta told fifa.com that ''we knew we were going to be playing in a top-class international tournament, and even though we’ve come away with a defeat, we’re looking on the Spain game as a victory.''

''What’s happened to us in Brazil has come as a huge surprise because we’ve had tremendous support from the fans despite being heavily beaten. We’ve won the hearts of the people. Obrigado everyone.''

What a spirit. Fair play it's called.

Forlan hurts Nigeria as Uruguay halt Eagles progression

Diego Forlan completed his 100th Cap for Uruguay with the winner against Nigeria on Thursday night in the Confederations cup Group B match which ended 2-1 in favour of the Americans.

Uruguay took the lead through defender Diego Lugano in the 19th minute while John Obi Mikel responded with a super finish in the 37th minute to see of the the first half. Diego Forlan therefore finished a counter attack after the Eagles lost the ball after 51 minutes of play to celebrate is centenary.

The group has been thrown open as Nigeria face Spain needing just a point to qualify for semi final while Uruguay looks forward to a dinner with Tahiti.

Thursday 20 June 2013

Spain hit Tahiti 10-0 to break FIFA record

World Champions Spain on Thursday thrashed Oceania champions 10-0 in the second Group B game involving both teams.



The world and European champions broke the record previously held by two countries: Hungary, who beat South Korea 9-0 at the 1954 World Cup and overcame El Salvador 10-1 at the 1982 tournament; and Yugoslavia, who crushed Zaire 9-0 at the 1974 World Cup


Fernando Torres hit the back of the net four times, David Villa getting a hat trick, David Silva scored twice while Juan Mata score one goal.