Why Always Him: Mario Balotelli bags Three match Suspension

Image:ESPNSoccernet

He left Manchester City for AC Milan, a move many described as a dream move for Super Mario Balotelli. He seemed to be enjoying his early times at his new haven but still makes the headlines, for the obvious reasons you'll say....

The Italian striker has netted 10gaols in 11games for the club and one begins to wonder if he indeed has been transformed. On the other hand, he still makes the headline for negative reasons, with the latest, cursing an assistant referee.

Why always him you'll say.

Balotelli received five yellow cards against Fiorentina, giving him an automatic suspension for the next match. Frustrated by the officiating, Balotelli cursed at the referee, handing him an additional two-game suspension.

Meanwhile, AC Milan announced that it will appeal the three-game suspension handed by Serie A to forward Mario Balotelli for receiving five yellow cards and cursing at the referee during the team’s 2-2 draw against Fiorentina Sunday.

“AC Milan would like to communicate that it will appeal against the three match suspension handed out to Mario Balotelli,” the team said in a statement posted on its official website.

But why always him? Mario will always be himself.

Keshi drops Yobo, so what!

Keshi and Yobo at a press conference during AFCON 2013

Nigeria Head Coach, Stephen Keshi and his captain at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations, Joseph Yobo are in a war of words.

 

The unhealthy war of words has dominated the media owing to the fact that the captain was axed from last month’s World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Calabar.

 

 

Reports suggest that Yobo is disgruntled because the head coach did not let him know he was not going to be invited for that game. In a simple and pungent response, Stephen Keshi replied that the player was not need for that game.

 

 

When we thought that was all, Keshi this week released a 29man list to represent the nation for between May to July, Yobo was not included. Yet again you'll say.

 

 

For now the coach seems to be more comfortable with the services of his new men and can simply do without any player. If he decides to prosecute any game without a particular player, being the coach, so be it. But one cannot also displace the position of the 'record-holder' captain of the Eagles who feels he deserves some respect.

 

 

If only the coach and the player will come to a common understanding and act like important people in the team that they are, have the nation at heart and ignore personality issue, all these unnecessary fuss in the media will be over.

 

 

The Super Eagles take on CONCACAF champions Mexico (rated 15th in the world) in a prestigious international friendly in Texas, USA on May 31, travel to Kenya and Namibia for 2014 World Cup qualifiers within a fortnight after, take part at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

FIFA Ranking: Nigeria moves up the ladder

African Cup of Nations champion, Nigeria have moved up the ladder in the latest February edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World ranking released on thursday.

 

According to fifa.com, the ranking is dominated by the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. By claiming their third title, Nigeria (30th, up 22) have not only ended a 19-year drought since they last won the tournament, but have also climbed 22 places to 30th – their best ranking since August 2010 – while beaten finalists Burkina Faso (55th, up 37) have moved up a massive 37 places to 55th. Hosts South Africa (60th, up 25) have also enjoyed a significant leap of 25 places.

Although former Africa Cup of Nations winners Côte d’Ivoire (12th, up 2) bowed out at the quarter-final stage, last year’s runners-up have achieved their best-ever world ranking (12th). However, the Elephants have not made it into the top ten, where Spain (1st, unchanged) continue to reign supreme ahead of Germany (2nd, unchanged) and Argentina (3rd, unchanged). England (4th, up 2) complete the top four after their home win over Brazil.

 

The first matches of the latest round of CONCACAF qualifying matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ have resulted in improved rankings for nearly all of the teams involved, with Panama (42nd, up 4), Honduras (51st, up 8), Costa Rica (53rd, up 13) and Jamaica (56th, up 2) all making progress once again. Only the USA (32nd, down 4) have fallen in the ranking. Olympic champions Mexico remain in 15th place despite their goalless draw against Jamaica in the Aztec Stadium.

 

Venezuela (45th, up 10) have returned to the top 50, which now contains all ten CONMEBOL teams.

Koko Master spotted with the Super Eagles

D’banj was spotted on the football pitch celebrating with the Super Eagles of Nigeria last night after Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso in the final of the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The pop star had earlier performed at the closing ceremony of the tournament.

‘Thanks to all my fans and to the Most High God. Hope you guys enjoyed it. Now its time to lebete nd labate. #TeamNigeria’, D’banj said on microblogging site Twitter.

 

source:thenetng.com

 

All Hail The Super Eagles

The AFCON 2013 Champions

Super Eagles 23-man list for AFCON 203 in South Africa

Meet the 23 players selected by Coach Stephen Keshi to challenge the continient for the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa from 19th Jan - 10th Feb 2013.

Courtesy:Goal.com

 Goal Keepers

Vincent Enyeama	Maccabi Tel Aviv
Austin Ejide	Hapoel Be’er Sheba
Chigozie Agbim	Enugu Rangers
Defenders:
Elderson Echiejile	FC Braga
Juwon Oshaniwa	Ashdod FC
Joseph Yobo	Fenerbahce
Efe Ambrose	Celtic FC
Azubuike Egwuekwe	Warri Wolves
Kenneth Omeruo	ADO Den Haag
Godfrey Oboabona	Sunshine Stars
Midfielders:
John Mikel Obi	Chelsea FC
Nosa Igiebor	Real Betis
Ogenyi Onazi	SS Lazio
Obiorah Nwankwo	Calcio Padova
Fegor Ogude	Valerenga FC
Reuben Gabriel	Kano Pillars
Forwards:
Ahmed Musa	CSKA Moscow
Emmanuel Emenike	Spartak Moscow
Brown Ideye	Dynamo Kyiv
Victor Moses	Chelsea FC
Ikechukwu Uche	Villarreal FC
Ejike Uzoenyi	Enugu Rangers
Sunday Mba	Enugu Rangers

Messi leads FIFA 2012 awardees, wins Ballon d'Or

messi smiles

FIFA Ballon d'Or: LIONEL MESSI

FIFA Women's World Player of the Year Award 2012: ABBY WAMBACH

FIFA Puskas Award: MIROSLAV STOCH

FIFA Coach of the Year: VICENTE DEL BOSQUE

FIFA Women's Coach of the Year: PIA SUNDHAGE

FIFA / FIFPro World XI:

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas

Defenders: Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Radomel Falcao, Cristiano Ronaldo

FIFA Presidential Award: FRANZ BECKENBAUER

FIFA Fair Play Award: UZBEKISTAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION