Nigeria drops to 37th, Germany remains atop of FIFA Ranking

Following the recent poor runs in the performance at the on-going Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Super Eagles of Nigeria dropped down by four places in the recent FIFA rankings released on Thurday.

The Eagles were rated 33rd in the last month edition but now rank 37th in the latest.

On the Continent of Africa, Nigeria is 6th behind the likes of Algeria, Cote d’ Ivoire, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal. Cape Verde Islands, Cameroon, Guinea and Burkina Faso make up the ‘Top 10′ best teams in Africa.

Meanwhile, current world champions, Germany maintain their No. 1 spot, followed by Argentina, then Colombia who swapped places with Netherlands. 

The rest in the top 10 include Belgium, Brazil, Uruguay, Spain, France and Switzerland

Monaco chief agrees that Real's offer for Rodriguez was too enticing to be ignored

AS Monaco chief  Vadim Vasilyev has revealed that the offer received for their Player James Rodriguez from Real Madrid was too good to ignore.

James Rodriguez unveiling

James Rodriguez signed a six-year deal with with Real Madrid on Tuesday after a successful outing at the recently concluded world cup.

According top a statement on the Monaco website,  ''The Club would like to take the opportunity to thank James for the role he played in getting the Club back to the UEFA Champions League and wishes him the very best for the future.

''AS Monaco is proud to have helped James Rodriguez reveal his talent to the world as he notably made his mark on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil winning the golden boot” says "James is a fantastic player who achieved great things with AS Monaco.

The Club had no intention to sell the player, however the time came when the solution of a transfer was considered to be the most beneficial solution for all parties. AS Monaco is proud to be a party to one of the most significant transfers in football history.

AS Monaco is a Club that will continue to grow and remains focused on the future. More than ever it has the ambition to strengthen the team and continue to progress for next season.''

 

The most popular in Brazil even more than Neymar right now (Pictures)

Rodriguez will go for €90m - Monaco Owner

French newspaper Le 10 sport reports that Rybolovlev has told United and Real Madrid that James Rodriguez will cost €90m.

The Colombian international has been the cynosure of all eyes having been sensational at the World Cup in Brazil.

According to reports Manchester United and Real Madrid are the two leading contenders for the signature of the 22-year old who has seen the back of the net six times and is currently the top scorer of the tournament.

Neymar injured! Out of World Cup

Brazil defeated Colombia 2-1 to qualify for semi final but the sad news is that their superstar striker Neymar, has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup after he was reported to be suffering a fractured vertebra.

22-year-old Neymar was carried off after an aerial collision with Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga as he got a knee in the back.

“The exam showed he suffered a fracture of the third vertebra” in his back, Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said.

The Barcelona star no doubt has been a key man for the host having four goals to his name.

Brazil face Germany in a semi final contest on Tuesday.

World Cup 2014: Brazil escapes Colombia onslaught as Germany edge France to set up semi final clash

Host Brazil are though to the semi finals after beating fellow South Americans Colombia 2-1 in the Quarter final on Friday.

Captain Thiago Silva rose up early to put his side ahead while David Luiz doubled the lead with an astonishing free kick in the second half.

Colombia got a life line as James Rodriguez converted a penalty after Julio Cesar brought down Bacca in the box.

The host however set up a semi final clash billed for next Tuesday with Germany who saw off France by a lone in another thrilling encounter.

Mats Hummels did the job for the German side as he headed home earlier in the match.

Mikel Obi: A Distance From the No "10" Tradition

By Adetayo Odulaja

You remember Pele, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Ronaldinho, Francesco Totti, Kaka, the list goes on.... They all have one thing in common which is, their jersey No. 10.

Jersey No. 10 is meant for players who are "cult heroes" in their respective teams and this tradition is as old as football and the trends continue in this World Cup.

For football enthusiasts, it is only natural to expect much from any player wearing the NO. 10 for their country owing to the fact that they most times dictate the play for the rest of the team members in the attract line from the midfield. Simply put, the bulk of the team's creativity rest on their shoulders. They do the thinking, magical, unimaginable and sometimes "cheat".

We know the story of Lionel Messi, Neymar Jnr and the new kid on the block with 5goals, 4assists in 4games, James Rodriguez. However, the same cannot be said of Nigeria number 10 jersey which was made famous by the multi-talented magician, Austin "Jay Jay" Okocha Seeing the cute-looking Mikel Obi playing or acting as No. 10 completely negates the encomium and authority that comes with such a vital role.

Without undermining the effort of the Nigeria national team and it technical crew, one can say that after three matches, the team has been relatively lucky to have progressed to the round of 16 with below average performance from Mikel which has drawn criticism from the fans back home.

Many of the aforementioned names are winners of the Balon D'or and that goes to justify that the number attracted glory to their personalities.

Come to think of it, this same Mikel Obi was the cynosure of all eyes when he was second best to Messi at the World Youth championship in 2005 but today without mincing words we can tell who has evolved into a super character.

Interestingly, some believe that the player,  Mikel would have improved a whole lot if he hadn't been restricted and cultured into his new style. 

What influenced his or informs his style of play today is not the bone of contention now but to state the fact that he must step up his game to be ranked amongst the greats sooner or later because even the kids on he street would prefer a No 10 with dignity.

Brazil beat Chile on penalties, Colombia edge Uruguay to qualify for Quarter finals

Brazil have advanced to the Quarterfinals of the World Cup after beating fellow South Americans Chile 3-2 on penalties in the round of 16.

Les Celesao drew the first blood thorough defender David Luis while Chile equalized before the end of half time.

The pulsating encounter remained one goal appease after full time and extra time which took the match into penalty shootout.

Meanwhile in the other round of16 match on the night, Colombia triumphed over Uruguay beating their fellow South American side 2-0 with James Rodriguez giving a special performance to life his side past their neighbors.

Uruguay gasped for survival without their super striker Luis Suarez who is presently on suspension for biting.

Two of the four South Americans that made it through to the round of 16 have have advanced to the Quarter finals, Brazil and Colombia.

Greeks snatch Round of 16 ticket from Ivory Coast as Colombia go clear

Ivory Coast have been eliminated from the World Cup after conceding a penalty in the dying minutes to Georgios Samaras to be beaten 2-1 by the Greeks in a decisive encounter on Tuesday.

Greece took  the lead few minutes before half time through Andreas Samaris only for Wilfred Bonny to get the Africans back in at 74th minute but they failed to hold on till the end as substitute Giovanni Sio fouled Samaras in the box which proved to be the decider.

In the other Group game, Colombia thrashed Japan 4-1 to go clear as group leaders into the next round with 9pts, Greece finishing second with 4pts.