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.

The same Moses is all we want

Victor Moses

Victor Moses is one of the foreign based players invited by coach Stephen Keshi ahead of qualifiers for the Nations Cup and World Cup 2014.

 The Wigan Athletic striker is optimistic and as quoted in one of the Nigerian Dailies he said, “To be honest, Nigeria is a massive country, they have records, they’ve played at the World Cup and also the Olympic Games so it’s a good one to represent this big country, so I’m looking forward to the games to help in any way I can so as to win so we can qualify for both tournaments.

 Well, if Moses can replicate his incredible performance that helped his team escape relegation in the English Premier League last season, then Nigerians will say "this is the Moses of our time". 

 It could be recalled how many foreign based players have let Nigerian down and the trust is gradually returning. Only time shall tell.

Turkish Super Lig: All eyes on Sani Gideon

Definitely, all eyes will be on Nigerian Born forward, Sani Gideon Adinoy who recently made history with his club Akhisar Belediyespor in Turkey.

The 22year old was a star performer for his club in the just concluded 2011/2012 season where they finished as league champios and have gained promotion for the first time in the history of the club from second division to play in the Super Lig next season.

He moved from an amateur side Izmirspor where he made a hundred percentage record scoring 3 goals in the 3 games he featured for the club before he was spotted by the Second Division side Akhisar Belediyespor.

Sani who only joined Akhisar Belediyespor in the mid of 2011/2012 season scored 3 goals in 14 appearances for the club.

He however joins the likes of Super Eagles Captain Joseph Yobo, Ekigho Ehiosun, Michael Eneramor and a host of other Nigerians plying their trade in the Turkish top flight League.

UCL FINALS: Beyond Chelsea's Destiny

Writer: Amos Joseph

What a date! One with destiny you might want to say. But realistically, it is quite obvious that something kept Chelsea going saw them to and through the finals.

Beyond the teams' Panache and finesse, these days football seem to have become intolerably cruel but also rewarding as we have seen teams with the best possession ending up losing games. Just like Bayern Munich did in the early minutes of the game.

Yes! The final show down was decided at the Allianz Arena. An arena aesthetic artistry you will planted in the North of Munich, home of the German side Bayern Munich, with an audience of 62,500 seated in the Stands and Millions watching at home mesmerized by the masterpiece of football.

Feels great to be a part of history though. But for the home fans in Munich it is a disappointing 2011/2012 season for them as they ended up with no title losing the UCL and the Bundesliga. Also in the English Clime, Chelsea's heroic achievement dashed the Champions League hopes of Tottenham as their 4th place finish on the log is nt enough to see them through to the next UCL

Chelsea fans across the world can now celebrate their first ever UEFA champions League title in style.

ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP: Simple Mathematics

Writer: Amos Joseph
It is the last round of league match in the English Premier League this weekend. It's all about survival, consolidation and glory.

Simply put, in the battle for the title, if Manchester City beat QPR at the Etihad Stadium they will be crowned champions of the 2011/2012 season while a loss will b detrimental if their city neighbors Manchester United succeed in seeing off Sunderland. 

Image: ESPN soccernet

Arsenal must get the better of Westbrom as Tottenham and Newcastle are also gunning for the same spot and a slip would delight either of the sides. Who wants the 4th? As it stands, the top three will automatically go into the group stages of next year's competition with the fourth placed team in the final qualifying round. But if Chelsea win the Champions League, that fourth placed club - currently Tottenham Hotspur - would be dumped into the Europa League. 

Bolton and QPR walk on a tight rope as a loss will not help.  For Bolton they have to win at Stoke or face life in the Championship for the first time since 2002.  If Owen Coyle can lead his side to victory they must hope QPR lose at Man City. QPR have a superior goal difference of nine and know a shock point at Eastlands will render Bolton's efforts meaningless.

Even Aston Villa should watch it because they may may be mathematically in relegation trouble, but are surely safe as they enjoy a gap of three points and 17 goals to Bolton Wanderers in the final relegation place.
We await the drama.

It is Roy Hodgson ahead of Redknapp

Image: ESPNsoccernet

Now there is an end to speculation as the Three Lions of England now have a new Manager. Don't take a guess, because you might just goof. 

After the departure of Fabio Capello as England Manager in February 2012, the English FA have been scouting for a replacement. Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp had been considered the favourite but the FA targeted Roy Hodgson due to his international experience, as he has overseen positions with Finland, Switzerland and United Arab Emirates.

The 64 years old has been appointed, granted a four-year deal and will now begin his preparations for England's Euro 2012 campaign - where they face Ukraine, Sweden and France in Group D - ahead of friendly matches versus Norway and Belgium.

He will remain in charge of West Brom for their final two Premier League matches of the season, against Bolton and Arsenal, before being released from his contract at the Hawthorns.

Sometimes, the man who reports a case first to the Police may not necessarily be adjudged winner. Sorry Harry for the distraction if any.