Belgium to host Nigeria vs Cameroun friendly

Source: thenff.com

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has confirmed that the Super Eagles will play Cameroon and Congo in friendly affair.

A statement released on NFF's official Twitter handle informed that the Eagles will confront Congo then take on the Indomitable Lions three days later on October 11 in Brussels, Belgium.

Nigeria last faced the Cameroonians in February 2004, in the quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

Belgian defender Gregory Mertens dies three days after suffering heart failure

Google Image: Gregory Mertens

Belgian defender Gregory Mertens has been confirmed dead three days after he suffered a heart filure while playing for Lokeren reserves in Genk.

The 24-year-old had been in a critical state after collapsing on the field 20 minutes into a reserve game against Genk on Monday.

A club statement said: "The medical staff have done everything to save Gregory, but they finally had to acknowledge their impotence.

"Gregory passed away at around 16:30."

According to sky sports, He was given emergency treatment on the pitch before being rushed to hospital where he was placed in an induced coma in an effort to save his life.

He began his career at Anderlecht, before moving to Lokeren in January last year from Cercle Bruges. He has also been capped several times by Belgium at U21 level.

Hazard rules out PSG moves, says he's fine with Chelsea

Chelsea winger Eden Hazard has insisted he wants to remain at the Stamford Bridge with the Blues despite several reports of a potential PSG move.

The Belgium international who joined Chelsea in 2012 from Lille of France for £32m says he's not thinking about a return to the Lig 1.

''PSG are in the same world than Chelsea,'' Hazard told Canal+ ''But, to be a top club they need to win the Champions League. I'm fine with Chelsea and this is where I want to continue to grow. PSG are not in my head.

''Move back to Ligue 1? Maybe one day. But only for Lille. Ligue 1 is a great league in Europe but not the best. It's a league for youngsters.''

Thomas Vermaelen sign for Barcelona, admits it's pressure playing for such a club

FC Barcelona and Arsenal have reached an agreement for the transfer of Belgian player Thomas Vermaelen who was also being chased by Manchester United. He joins the Catalans on a five-year deal.

He will sign contract papers on Sunday morning but he told Barca TV it's a privilege to play for the Catalans but admitted that playing for such big clubs come with inevitable challenges.

''I feel very happy, and am very excited to play for this beautiful club, it is one of the best in the world, it's a dream for a lot of people to play for this club, i can play for this club next coming season so am very happy with that'' Vermaelen said.

''You play with the best players in the world, and am very honoured to play with them.  It is very good for me and that means i can get a better play.

''Like always played for Arsenal and Ajax, it's not different with this club, i think you need to win every game and there will always be pressure to deliver a good performance.

''I need to adapts as quickly as possible, it's a different country and language.

Thank You: Imoh Ezekiel drops farewell message after completing his £5m to Qatar

Nigerian striker Imoh Ezekiel has finally completed a move to Qatari Club Al- Arabi in a deal worth €5million.

While appreciating Standard Liege, the Belgian club he joined from 36 Lions of Lagos since 2012, he dropped his farewell message on his Official Instagram account which reads

"So life can be this fast! Too bad am leaving Standard this way but am leaving you guys for good, but my heart still remains with Standard, I wanna say a very big thank you to Standard, for everything they have done for me and for my life because without Standard is I will be nobody.

"For that I will remain a Standardman for life.

"A very big thank you to the coaches, players and fans for the love you guys showed me. You guys are just one in a million and I'm gonna miss you so much.

For the beautiful stadium of Standard and the fans, once again thank you for the love and I hope to see you guys in the future. I love you all.

Home Sweet Home: Lukaku returns to Everton, bags £28m record deal

Source: Everton FC

Everton Football Club on Wednesday announced the permanent transfer of Romelu Lukaku after the 21-year-old striker, spent the whole of last season on loan at Goodison Park but has now become a full blooded ''Blue'' for a Club record transfer fee of £28million on a five-year contract.

Lukaku made 33 appearances and scored 16 goals during his initial spell on Merseyside and quickly made himself the delight of the fans.

Since moving to Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2011, he has had loan spells at West Bromwich Albion before joining Everton during the dramatic final minutes of the August 2013 transfer window.

Lukaku said: ''I am really excited about rejoining Everton. I had a fantastic experience last season and a great relationship with the manager, the chairman, the staff, the players and the fans. I can’t wait to get started again and I’m looking forward to a successful season.''

 

The  fee paid for Lukaku smashes the previous highest of £15million that was invested in another Belgian, Marouane Fellaini, back in August 2008 and chairman Bill Kenwright described it as being the end of an '11-month quest' to keep him at Goodison Park as reported by the club website.

Indeed, Home is where the heart is, and for obvious reasons, Goodison Park is where he finds his feet. Welcome home Rom.

Argentina, Netherlands set up semi final clash

Argentina defeated Belgium 1-0 courtesy a Higuain super strike in the 5th minute of their quarter final match in Brazil.

The lone goal separated both sides and sent the Belgians packing from the competition.

Netherland on the other hand had it tough with Costa Rica in a goalless encounter which lasted 12 minutes and their overwhelming onslaught had to be decided in the penalty shootout.

Coach Van Gaal introduced Tim Krul just before the penalties and he proved to be the hero on the night after he saved two penalties.

Argentina, Belgium make the final cut of Quarter finals

Both Argentina and Belgium had to wait until after extra time to see of their respective opponents to make it through to the Quarter finals  of Brazil 2014 World Cup.

The Lionel Messi led Argentine side benefited from a lone goal scored by Angel Did Maria two minutes before penalty shootout against Switzerland.

Barcelona star Messi was however adjudged man of the match for the 4th time in the tournament.

Belgium on the other  defeated USA by 2-1 in an action packed extra time to seal a spot in the next round of 8.

Wenger Reveals Arsenal Could have signed Hazard

Manager of Arsenal FC Arsene Wenger has revealed how he would have landed Chelsea's Eden Hazard.

The young Belgian was then being chased by Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur but it was the blues that finally got hold of the 23-year old for €40m.

According to  Wenger “Yes, I wanted to take him,”.

Wenger told BeIN Sports. “I had his agent at my home but again the barrier was financial and Chelsea made an effort that I couldn’t
make.

“He can be one of the players who grows into the [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo stature if he continues to develop well.”

Wenger, who has not yet signed a contract extension to stay at the Emirates, also admitted that he would consider coaching in Germany, if he left the Gunners.

“If I were to go somewhere then I think it would be in a different country because I am so much Arsenal that I would not like to coach anywhere else in England,” he remarked.

“Germany [is an option] because I am of German culture a little bit and it’s a country where I have never worked and I am very close to it.”