Olanrewaju Preaches Change in Swan as New President Emerges Today

FRED EDOREH incumbent president SWAN

The race for the next Sports Writers association, SWAN, presidency has heighten up as elections hold today at its secretariat in the main bowl of the national stadium Surulere.

Segun Olanrewaju made his intention to contest for the president after consultiing with elders of the SWAN body.

According to him, his purpose for contesting is to bring the necessary change needed in the Swan body because the Swan that he used to know is not the Swan of today.

Ishola wants revival of pro boxing in Nigeria

Former African junior welterweight champion, Nigerian Hakeem Ishola, has expressed bitterness over death of promotion and running of professional boxing in the country.
Ishola, said boxing should not be left to die, reiterating that professionals should be given the opportunity to handle the administration of the pugilist trade in Nigeria.
ha claimed that if former boxers are given the opportunity to give advice to those who are the administrators of professional boxing in the country, it will go a long way to revive the sport and bring back the lost glory.

Barclays premier league Weekend Fixtures

Arsenal	v	Manchester City	Emirates Stadium	13:45
Southampton	v	Newcastle United	St. Mary's Stadium	16:00
Stoke City	v	Leicester City	Britannia Stadium	16:00
Sunderland	v	Tottenham Hotspur	Stadium of Light	16:00
Chelsea	v	Swansea City	Stamford Bridge	16:00
Crystal Palace	v	Burnley	Selhurst Park	16:00
West Bromwich Albion	v	Everton	The Hawthorns	16:00
Liverpool	v	Aston Villa	Anfield	18:30

Sunday 14 September 2014

Manchester United

v

Queens Park Rangers

Old Trafford

17:00

Monday 15 September 2014

Hull City

v

West Ham United

The KC Stadium

21:00

Saturd

ACTING NFF PRESIDENT UMEH CHARGES FALCONETS

Chief Mike Okeke Umeh who is the acting president of the Nigerian football federation on Tuesday urged the, Falconets, to give their best in Edmonton, Canada on Wednesday and defeat England for the first time in the history of the Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup.

CHELSEA RELEAVED OVER DROGBA INJURY

it has been reported that Chelsea are feeling relieved after scans on Didier Drogba’s injured ankle showed no
damage. Drogba was seeing limping off the pitch in Budapest on Sunday during a friendly against Ferencvaros, after twisting his ankle just before half-time.

FALCONETS READY FOR SUCCESSFUL OUTING

The setting for anything from joyous celebrations to intense team-talks, the team bus – much like the dressing room – is usually a very private place. However, Nigeria captain Patience Okaeme invited us on board for a fascinating insight to her side’s preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014.

“We don’t normally listen to music on the bus or in the changing room before games, but we do sing,” said Okaeme with a broad smile, before revealing the identity of the team’s number one chanteuse: “Sarah (Nnodim) is the best out of all of us. We follow her, we clap along and we dance. It’s fun.”

With Nigeria about to play their opening game at Canada 2014, coach Peter Dedevbo and his charges are finalising their preparations, and the aforementioned bus is headed straight for the training ground, where the Super Falconets will undergo their second practice session of the day.

Today there is no singing or dancing, only a silence broken by the occasional whispered conversation.

 Dedevbo’s players are clearly saving their strength for Wednesday’s Group C clash with Mexico.
“Our preparations for the tournament have been tough because we’re training twice a day,” said the skipper. “That’s what we were doing in Nigeria, and we’ve carried on here. I’m sure it’s going to help us when the competition starts.” courtesy FIFA.COM

ENGLAND MAX WHITLOCK WINS SECOND GOLD IN GLASCOW

 England's Max Whitlock led from start to finish to win individual all-around gold at the Commonwealth Games, his second gold of the Games.

The 21-year-old. who was the leading qualifier for the final, scored solidly on all six pieces of apparatus to finish on 90.631.

He easily held off the challenge of Scotland's Dan Keatings (88.298).
English 18-year-old Nile Wilson took bronze for his first senior individual medal with 87.965.

TRANSFER GIST: EVERTON TO MAKE LUKAKU'S DEAL PERMANENT

Lukaku, 21, scored 16 goals on loan at Everton last season as the club finished fifth and qualified for Europe for the first time in five years.
Everton have called a news conference for 19:00 BST on Wednesday, at which they are expected to confirm the deal.
Lukaku, who joined Chelsea from Anderlecht for £18m in August 2011, tweeted: "Time to write a new chapter."
He spent the 2012-13 season on loan at West Brom and played only 15 times in all competitions for Chelsea.

Romelu Lukaku's career statistics
Team	League matches	League goals
Everton	31	15
West Brom	35	17
Chelsea	10	0
Anderlecht	72	33

Lukaku scored 17 goals in 38 games for the Baggies, as the West Midlands club recorded their highest ever Premier League finish of eighth.
Then last season, his performances for Everton earned Lukaku a place in Marc Wilmots's Belgium squad for the 2014 World Cup.
He made four appearances in Brazil, scoring one goal, as Belgium exited in the quarter-finals following a 1-0 loss to Argentina.
However, the frontman does not fit into the plans of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who has signed two strikers, and let two go, this summer before Lukaku's move.

TENNIS: ISNER RETAINS ATLANTA OPEN

seed John Isner claimed the Atlanta Open title for the second successive year with a 6-3 6-4 defeat of Israel's Dudi Sela on Sunday.
Standing 6-foot-10, Isner towered over the 5-foot-9 Sela and punished him with his serve.
The world number 12 cracked down 15 aces to end the run of the diminutive Sela who was playing his first ATP title for six years.
"This is my favourite time of year," American Isner told reporters. "I'm off to a very good start again. I look forward to playing Washington D.C. again (this week). I've played well there my whole career."
Isner's familiar form helped him capture the opening set in 34 minutes as he won 14 of 15 points on his dominant first serve.

Trying to close out the match, Isner fell behind 30-0 in the final game but ripped off three straight aces to clinch the victory. "Right from the very beginning I felt great," Isner said. "These (hot) conditions favour me quite a bit. I couldn't ask for better conditions."
Isner was playing his fourth Atlanta final in five years. He was runner-up to Mardy Fish in 2010 and 2011 and won the title last year by defeating South African Kevin Anderson.
Isner is now 16-3 in his career at the Atlanta Open.
Sela said he had hoped to record a win for the people back home. A 20-day-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict inGaza has claimed more than 1 000 lives.
"I wanted the win today for my people in Israel. It's not easy the situation over there and hopefully it will be better," Sela said.

ATLANTA OPEN: ISNER ADVANCE INTO FINAL BEATING JACK SOCK

Top seed John Isner has continued his love affair with the Atlanta Open by powering his way into the final for the fourth time in five years on Saturday.
The American will meet Israeli Dudi Sela on the hardcourt in Atlanta on Sunday, after dominating on serve to beat compatriot Jack Sock 7-5 6-4 in an afternoon semifinal.
The defending champion dropped only two points on first serve to wear down Sock, who became increasingly frustrated as the match progressed in searing heat, at one stage arguing with the umpire after a line call was reversed on replay.
"It was not easy conditions at all in the heat today," Isner said. "I thought I played pretty well. Jack is a really good player. I wanted to win that mat

ATLANTA OPEN: ISNER EASES PAST GINEPRI INTO THE QUARTER FINAL

Top seed American John Isner saved two match points before edging compatriot Robby Ginepri 4-6 7-6 (5) 7-5 in the second round of the Atlanta Open on Thursday.
The defending champion was set for an early exit when down 4-5 and 15-40 in the deciding third set but leant on his rocket serve to fight back, level the match at 5-5, and then break Ginepri for the first time in the contest in the following game.
Isner then disposed of the world number 281 quickly in his final service game, closing the contest with four straight aces to take his tally to 30 for the night on the Georgia hard court.
"I was a nervous wreck out there but fortunately for me I was able to hit two big serves and bring that game back to deuce and it really turned the match around," the world number 12 told reporters.

FORMULA 1: DANIEL RICCIARDO WINS HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX

 Australian Daniel Ricciardo won the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix for Red Bull on Sunday while Lewis Hamilton roared from pitlane to podium in another astonishing performance by the Mercedes driver.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was second and championship leader Nico Rosberg, who started on pole position for Mercedes, finished fourth and saw his lead over Hamilton cut from 14 points to 11.

FEDERATION CUP SHIFTED TO ABUJA

 The semi-finals in the men’s event fixes defending champions Enyimba FC against Giwa FC with Dolphins FC facing Prime FC on Thursday, before Rivers Angels tackle Delta Queens and Nasarawa Amazons go up against Sunshine Queens in the women’s event, at the same venue on Friday

NFF RENEWS KESHI'S CONTRACT

 Coach Stephen Keshi saw his current deal expired at the end of the World Cup, rumours had it that he was leaving his position after the Super Eagles were eliminated at the round of 16.

According to Acting President Mike Umeh, directed its Technical Sub committee to "open channels of communication with Mr. Stephen Keshi with a view to extending his contract, as the NFF is still interested in working with him."

However, it was resolve that all financial issues must be thoroughly deliberate and agreed on ahead of major competitions to avoid incidents of player training boycotts which happened at the World Cup finals on Brazil.

GOLDEN EAGLETS WIN IN KINSHASA

The Golden Eaglets defeated DR CONGO 1-0 away in the first-leg of their CAF African Under-17 Championship qualifying match which took place on Saturday at the Stade Tata Raphael in Kinshasa.

TRANSFER: MAN U EYES DI MARIA

The Daily Star Sunday says Di Maria has rushed an SOS half way across the world to Manchester United's USA camp pleading: Get me out of here.
United know that Di Maria is up for grabs Real's £45m asking price and will get down to business this week to act quickly once new boss Louis van Gaal gives the go ahead.
Paris St Germain are also on full alert but they have dragged their heels much to the early frustration of Di Maria, which is another reason he wants United to come and get him.
The French farce has infuriated Di Maria with the money-no-object club trying to broker a loan deal to get round Financial Fair Play demands after splashing £50 million on Chelsea’s David Luiz.
United won’t quibble over Real’s fee and Van Gaal has enough funds at his disposal to negotiate a straight cash deal.

SAM ALLARDYCE SITTING ON A TIME BOMB

 Sam Allardyce is under huge pressure at West Ham United.
The Mail on Sunday says Allardyce faces the sack before the season starts.
The owners of the east London club had come to an agreement to give Big Sam ten games into the new season to assess the situation.
But after David Sullivan’s criticism of Allardyce, especially with regard to the £15million signing of Andy Carroll last summer, matters have come to a head and caused a massive issue between the dynamic of co-owner David Gold, and assistant Karren Brady.
Gus Poyet and Slaven Bilic are two potential successors to Allardyce.

GLASCOW 2014: AUS BEATS WALES 7-1 IN HOCKEY

 Australia got off the mark in their Commonwealth Games title defence with a 7-1 victory against Wales, while Scotland suffered a 6-2 loss to India in the last game of the day at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre on Saturday.
Pool A
Australia 7-1 Wales
Commonwealth Games champions Australia put seven past Wales despite a fine performance from goalkeeper David Kettle (WAL) in its first game of Glasgow 2014.
Jacob Whetton (AUS) hit a hat-trick while Chris Ciriello and Kieran Govers each scored a goal from penalty corners. Matt Gohdes netted a double in the final minutes. Dan Kyriakides scored Wales' consolation goal midway through the second half.
India 6-2 Scotland
A hat-trick from Rupinder Singh (IND), all drag flicks from penalty corners, did the damage as Scotland lost 6-2 to India.
India again showed its penalty corner strength as Raghunath Ramachandra also scored from the set piece. Ramachandra and SINGH have now scored in successive matches from penalty corners after netting in the 3-1 defeat of Wales on Friday.
Gurbaj Singh scored the opener for India while Gurwinder Chandi netted the team's other goal - his second of the tournament.
Scotland had the home crowd on their feet when Kenny BAIN scored from the edge of the circle with a reverse sweep through the legs of India goalkeeper Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran. Scotland then scored another with a minute left as Nicholas PARKES deflected the ball home.
Pool B
New Zealand 8-0 Trinidad and Tobago
New Zealand eased ahead in the tournament with a pool B win, defeating Caribbean representatives Trinidad and Tobago 8-0. There were double strikes for Nick Haig, Simon Child and Shay Neal. Phil Burrows and Hugo INGLIS also got on the score sheet.
New Zealand's drag flick specialist Andy Hayward was rested for the game, allowing his shin injury an extra day of rest.
Malaysia 2-0 Canada
Malaysia beat Canada 2-0 in its first game of Glasgow 2014 and have the efforts of goalkeeper Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman (MAS) to thank after a superb display.
With just three places separating the sides in the world rankings - Malaysia at No.13 and Canada at No.16 - it was an incredibly tight game of Commonwealth Hockey.
Malaysia moved ahead when Ahmad Kazamirul Nasruddin finished off a penalty corner before Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin sealed the win with two minutes remaining. Canada have lost both games after a 3-1 defeat by New Zealand on day one.
Don’t forget you can keep up to date on sport and festival wherever you are, by downloading our free official ‘My Games’ and ‘My Results’ mobile apps. Find out more.
There are still some great opportunities to be at the heart of the action. All sales are now “for collection”, so you can buyonline or from the Ticket Hotline on 0800 458 2014*, then collect the tickets at our city centre George Square Ticket Office or the Venue Ticket Office.
Read our Essential guide to Buying and Collecting Tickets at Games Time.

GLASCOW 2014: JAMES COLLETTE PROPOSES IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS

 

Rugby fan James Collette popped the question to his girlfriend in front of a packed stadium at the Rugby Sevens.

James, 32, from London, chose the special moment to propose to his girlfriend Lucy Sargison, 27, who is in the Army and recently completed an eight--month tour of Afghanistan.

The two are both Rugby fans and were excited about travelling to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to watch the Sevens at Ibrox yesterday (Saturday 26 July).

James, who works in IT, planned the proposal weeks before, had the ring specially made and asked Lucy’s dad’s permission. He then contacted Glasgow 2014 organisers to see if they could help him make it happen.
Halfway through the event organisers called on James and Lucy to come on to the field of play - under the pretence they were being chosen randomly to take part in a Commonwealth quiz. But instead, James took the microphone and popped the question.
Lucy said: “I was completely shocked. I had no idea and it was just amazing. I said Yes straightaway.”
The crowd gave a big round of applause to the happy couple as they went back to their seats.

James said: “This has been the most exciting time in my life, Lucy and I met two years ago. We've been through a lot together,

GLASCOW 2014 MEDAL STANDING AS AT YESTERDAY

			1	AUS										26	21	26	73
2	ENG										23	17	17	57
3	SCO										11	8	11	30
4	CAN										7	3	8	18
5	IND										6	9	7	22
6	NZL										6	5	10	21
7	RSA										5	5	8	18
8	WAL										2	8	8	18
9	NGR										2	3	1	6
10	KEN										2	3	0	5

TRANSFER:ADRIANO RESSURRECTS AGAIN

Former Inter Milan and Brazil striker Adriano, who has not played a competitive match for nearly two years, has joined Atletico Paranaense for their tilt at the Libertadores Cup this year.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arturo Vidal has told the Italian press that he will not be going to Manchester United this summer, but admits he still does not know if he will be staying at Juventus and is waiting to hold talks over his future on Monday.

TOUR DE FRANCE: NIBALI ---"TACKLING DOPING MADE ME WIN."

 
 Vincenzo Nibali said he would never have been in with a chance of winning the Tour de France had it not been for recent improvements in tackling doping.
The 29-year-old Italian is widely regarded as a clean rider and his impending victory at the 2014 Tour has been seen as proof that cyclists can win without cheating.
The reaction to his success is a far cry from that which greeted Lance Armstrong's seven successive wins during the darkest days of blood doping and use of the banned substance Erythropoietin (EPO).
When Armstrong won his first Tour -- he has since been stripped of all seven -- there was no test for EPO while throughout his reign testers were struggling to keep up with the cheats.
But now with random out of competition tests and the biological passport, cycling has come a long way.
"Steps have been taken and great progress has been made and with it so my results have arrived," said Nibali.
"I have to thank them (doping controllers) because without these iron controls maybe I wouldn't be here today."
Barring a disaster on Sunday's final stage procession that culminates on the Champs Elysees, Nibali will join a select group of six riders to have won all three Grand Tours -- after the Vuelta a Espana in 2010 and Giro d'Italia in 2013.
He admitted that while each one had its merits, there was something special about winning the Tour.
"For me the Vuelta was the most important because it showed me that I could aim to win big tours like the Giro and the Tour in the following years," he said.
"As an Italian it's obvious that for me the Giro is very important but it's also special for the Italian fans.
 "But what makes the Tour so much bigger is the international attention it demands. It's different, it's bigger, it's more beautiful.
"The level of competition is also higher than the others, although I had great rivals in both the Giro and the Vuelta."
Nibali will become the 10th Italian to win the Tour but he said he still has some way to go to match the achievements of the likes of Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali and Felice Gimondi.
And he said he still has many ambitions left in the sport.
"I've taken my place in the history of the Tour and that's very important but those others also made their names in other great races, such as the Classics," he said.
"I never thought about making history, I just concentrated on trying to win the Tour, like I won the Giro and the Vuelta, because I'm a stage racer.
"Of course there are other races that I want to to win like the Tour of Lombardy in which I've come close many times but not had the luck.
"Or the World Championships which I tried to win last year, or Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
"I've always liked these races and I'd like to try to win them, even though I'm more suited to stage races."
Nibali has won four stages on this Tour and has never had a bad day nor lost time to any of his rivals on any stage.
But he said Sunday would probably top all the joy he's had over the last three weeks.
"I'm used to the emotions, it's not my first Tour nor my first win in a Grand Tour.
"But there have been a lot of emotions and victories, such as the one in Sheffield (on the second stage) although I think the best one will be on Sunday."
After that, he still has one more aim for the season, to win the World Championships in Spain in September.
"That's a good dream. I tried last year in Florence because I was in good form but things didn't quite go as I'd hoped.
"But I will try to do it and who knows, although after the Tour it's difficult to arrive at the end of the season in good form."

USAIN BOLT STORMS GLASCOW

Usain Bolt says his foot injury has healed and he's ready to compete at the Commonwealth Games, while being cautious about not overexerting himself.. The Jamaican sprinter is only entered into the relay in Glasgow after the left foot injury stopped him taking part in his national trials.. After flying into Scotland on Saturday, Bolt quickly dismissed doubts about his participation by saying: I am here to run. I will be running definitely.. Bolt hasn't raced yet this season. He plans to take part in the 4x100-meters relay heats on Friday at Hampden Park.. Bolt says the injury has completely gone .. I am just trying to take my time trying to get myself in running shape and not push myself too much and then get injured again..

YOHAN BLAKE OUT OF THE SEASON

 Jamaica's double Olympic sprint silver medallist Yohan Blake has been ruled out for the rest of the 2014 season after undergoing surgery on an injured hamstring, coach Glen Mills said on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old sustained the injury in the 100 metres at the Glasgow Grand Prix on July 11.
"Right now he's on crutches, he had to have an operation a couple of days ago," Mills told Reuters.
"The injury was quite severe and the original prognosis was misdiagnosed and he went Germany and when they had a good look, they realised that it was more serious and required surgery, so he'll be out for quite a long time."
Blake, who could not defend his 100m world title in Moscow last year because of a hamstring injury, had opted against racing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow starting on Wednesday to concentrate his build-up to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

USAIN BOLTS FROWNS AT DOPING OFFICIALS

 Usain Bolt believes anti-doping officials have sent a "bad message to the sport", after American sprinter Tyson Gay received only a one-year ban following a positive test for an anabolic steroid.
"I'm not really happy with the situation and with how it was done," Bolt told Reuters on Tuesday.
"I think for someone like Asafa (Powell) to get a ban of 18 months for that (stimulant oxilofrine) and then Tyson Gay get just one year because of cooperating, I think it is sending a bad message into the sport that you can do it (dope) but if you cooperate with us, we'll reduce the sentence," the 100m and 200m world record holder and six times Olympic gold medallist said.
The sanction, handed to Gay by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), ended in June this year.
Gay, who returned to competition on July 3 and ran 9.93 in the 100 metres at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting, is the world's joint second fastest man along with Yohan Blake (9.69).
Both the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) and track and field's world governing body, the IAAF, have accepted the controversial ban.
"I don't think that's the right way to go because you are pretty much telling people that this is a way out, it's a way of beating the system, so personally, I don't think the IAAF dealt with that very well," Bolt said.
Wada told Reuters in early June that it was satisfied with the decision, while later that month, the IAAF said that it would not appeal Gay's ban.
"After careful review of the full file provided by USADA, the IAAF has decided that the one-year sanction applied in the case of Tyson Gay was appropriate under the circumstances and in accordance with IAAF Rules," it said in a statement to Reuters.
Athletes normally receive two-year bans for their first major doping offence, but under anti-doping rules the sanction can be reduced for substantial cooperation.
USADA had said Gay was eligible for such a reduction because he offered what it termed "substantial assistance" in his case.

TOUR DE FRANCE LONGEST STAGE PYRENEES

Vincenzo Nibali is in the yellow jersey as the Tour de France peloton set off on the longest stage, into the Pyrenees.
The Italian holds a lead of more than 4½ minutes over second-place Alejandro Valverde of Spain.
The 237.5-kilometre (147-mile) Stage 16 from Carcassonne to Bagneres-de-Luchon features an ascent up the super-tough Port de Bales.
Valverde won a stage in the 2012 Tour that had a similar climb over the Port de Bales and a finish downhill.
Before the stage, the Lampre-Merida team said world champion Rui Costa would not start due to pneumonia. The Portuguese rider had been in 13th place, about 13 minutes behind Nibali.

© Sapa - AP

WORLD CHAMPION WITHDRAWS FROM TOUR DE FRANCE

World champion Rui Costa of Portugal withdrew from the Tour de France on Tuesday due to pneumonia, his Lampre-Merida team said in a statement.
Costa had been 13th in the standings at almost 13 minutes behind race leader Vincenzo Nibali.
His team said he'd been struggling with bronchitis in the Alps before Monday's rest day.
Lampre said: "(Costa) was forced to retire after an X-ray examination, carried out during the rest day at a clinic in Pezenas, showed an outbreak of pneumonia."
The 27-year-old had come into the race hoping to secure a high finish, having ridden as a domestique (support rider) for Alejandro Valverde at Movistar last year.
But he had been struggling to keep pace with the top riders for several days.

© Sapa - AFP

CLIPPERS COACH THREATENS TO QUIT

LOS ANGELES AP Los Angeles Clippers interim CEO Richard Parsons testified Tuesday that coach Doc Rivers told him he'll quit if Donald Sterling remains the owner of the team.

MOURINHO DELIST MIKEL AND MOSES

Jose mourinho has left Super Eagles duo Mikel and Moses out of 26-man squad for their pre season tour which was released on Monday.

DUNGA NAMED AS SCOLARI SUCCESSOR

Dunga continues from where he left behind after a  four-year tenure in charge from 2006-2010.

MONACO REGRETS SELLING COLOMBIAN STAR

AS Monaco has reiterated that they had no intention of selling  James Rodriguez to European rivals Real Madrid.

The Colombian striker was sold for 80 million euros R1.1 billion to the spanish giants after winning the golden boot award in just concluded world cup in Brazil.

JUDE ANEKE SIGNS FOR SPARTAK SEMEY

 Jude Aneke has joined kazakstani club spartak semey after he left his Egyptian club Al masary.

 The Nigerian had an unpaid wage issue with the club.

COD UNITED VS MFM

WHERE WILL YOU BE ON THURSDAY? the right place to fill your appetite is at the Agege stadium.

there will be a match between COD[city of David] united vs MFM FC in the ongoing Nigerian National League.

JUVENTUS COACH RESIGNS

 By Sampaolo

 Juventus manager Antonio Conte has resigned.
 The 44years old had guided the Turin club to a third successive Serie A title.
Conte who signed a contract extension recently in may called it quit today amidst rumours that he could take over the Italian national team job vacated by Cesare Prandelli after Brazil 2014 World Cup.

“I terminate my contract with Juventus,” Conte announced on the club’s website.

“ I made this decision because I have matured with time and my feelings led me to make this choice. It may be more difficult to keep winning with Juventus conte added.

He thanked the club for what they have given to him as a player and as a coach adding that he will continue to relate close to the club. I want to say that the journey taken in recent years has been tremendous and historic.

He thanked all the players who have made him to win and have helped him grow. he however concluded that he is thinking about the future, noting that he has no place in mind at the moment.

NIGERIA SUSPENSION: FIFA'S FIRST AXE HAMMERS ON LINUS MBA 

Former FIFA'S referee Mr Linus Mba, who was appointed three weeks ago as the Match Commissioner for the Sierra Leone and Seychelles African Cup of Nations qualifier in Freetown on July 19 has been sacked.

 The retired FIFA referee and former member of the CAF Referees Committee received his sack letter from CAF on monday regretting his ouster.

The letter which was signed by Amr Fahmy Manager, said in it that: “I regret to inform you that due to the suspension of the Nigerian FA, we had to temporarily suspend all appointments for any officials/referees from Nigeria, so we were left without any choice but to replace you for the above-mentioned match.”
Fahmy letter read: “…  price that experienced men like yourself, good servants of African football, have to pay.”

After hours before CAF’s decision, the referee consultant had received a mail message from the General Secretary, Sierra Leone Football Association, Chris Kamara, that his tickets and other documents for him and the referees were to be sent on Wednesday.

The decision came after much suggestions that before Tuesday the Nigeria suspension will be reversed to allow FIFA lift the suspension order.

The Golden Eaglets are expected to fly on Wednesday to Congo DR, while the Super Falcons are ready for the African Women Championship draws in Windhoek, Namibia, this weekend. however that would only happen if Nigeria settles it domestic football crisis and its relationship with FIFA.

Mba's fate would further explain the powers of FIFA sanctions as adopted by the football Confederations and other fifa related Federationsin the world.

covered by Teleoo sports crew a sam paul's Apokalupsis 2014   powered by: sampaolo.blogspot.com

Guardiola Praises victorious Germany team

The coach of Bayern Pep Guardiola and sporting director mr. Matthias Sammer has said that Germany are worthy victors of the 2014 World Cup.

He made this known on monday 15 of july while addressing pressmen a day after the germans were crowned world champions.

The Germans edged past Argentina 1-0 in Sunday's Final at the Maracana  after Mario Gotze's 113th minute strike, having defeated hosts Brazil 7-1, France 1-0 and Algeria 2-1 in the knockout stages of the competition.

The now four-time champions coincidentally led their group with respective 4-0 and 1-0 wins over Portugal and USA, while they drew 2-2 with Ghana.

"It is fantastic for Germany. I'd like to congratulate the players and manager Joachim Low," Guardiola said in a message on the official Bayern website.

"celebrate this unpredictable World Cup win. Germany fully deserve it."Sammer added:
"What an amazing win. I am very excited for our national team, for the coach Joachim Low and for Bayern's seven players that made the team world champions.

"This is a great achievement. The team deserves this and so all of Germany is happy  with it. mr sammer concluded"

Coach Stephen keshi's final list

  

 

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi

After months of suspense, the 23 players that will form the Super Eagles final squad for the 2014 World Cup will be known today (Monday). June 2 is the deadline set by the world football governing body, FIFA for all teams to submit their final list from the provisional 30 sent in last month.

Some other teams billed for Brazil have since announced their World Cup teams with defending champions Spain releasing their final 23 names on Saturday. Experienced strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa were both included in coach Vicente del Bosque’s final squad as he sought to cover Diego Costa’s injured hamstring.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi said on Friday that he had an idea of the players that would make the final cut but would still wait until the last minute before making it public.

Keshi, who spoke after Nigeria first work-out at the Philadelphia Eagles Stadium in Philadelphia, USA, said he wanted to take a closer look at those not on the list.

He said, “Yes, I have an idea of those who will go with us to Brazil but we will still wait till the last minute before we announce the list. June 2 is the date we are looking at.”

And after the training session on Sunday, Keshi insisted he was still ‘confused’ on which players to drop.

He said, “These players have all convinced me of their abilities but they are also confusing me on whom to pick or drop.

“It’s a difficult decision to make regarding the naming of the final 23 but we have no choice but to do it, otherwise we will be failing in our duties. The players have been so committed, so professional that you feel like shedding a tear because some of them must just go home.”

In the USA, Nigeria will play against Greece in Chester, Pennsylvania on June 3 and the United States team in Jacksonville, Florida on June 7 ahead of the World Cup which kicks off in Brazil on June 12. The 30-man squad started their camping in London with the friendly match against Scotland last week Wednesday which ended 2-2.

Those close to the selection process for Nigeria told The PUNCH that some of those who were already on Keshi’s final list were not featured in the match in London against Scotland. Top of the list of such players are the country’s number one goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi. Enyeama was voted the best African player in France and the second best goalkeeper overall for the just concluded season.

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French Open: Federer, Djokovic ease through

May 31, 2014

   

 

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic reached the last 16 of the French Open despite dropping their first sets of the tournament on Friday, ESPN reports.

Federer defeated Dmitry Tursunov 7-5 6-7(7) 6-2 6-4 to reach the fourth round for a record-breaking 12th time, while Djokovic overcame Marin Cilic 6-3 6-2 6-7(2) 6-4 as the pair continue to remain on course for a semi-final clash at Roland Garros.

There was nothing to separate Federer and Tursunov on their serves as neither player could create a break point opportunity. However, when the first break of the match came along, it turned out to be set point for Federer in the 12th game as he clinched it 7-5.

The second set followed the pattern of the first, but Federer was unable to convert any of his three set points when leading 6-5. Tursunov forced a tiebreak, came from 4-1 down and saved another set point to level the match by taking the tiebreak 9-7.

Federer seized an early break in the third set to comfortably take it 6-2 as Tursunov struggled following a lengthy injury timeout. And the record 17-time grand slam champion converted a break in the seventh game in the fourth set to go on and seal a spot in the fourth round, beating the previous record of 11 appearances held by Guillermo Vilas.

Overall, Federer converted only four of his 21 break-point opportunities against Tursunov and even joked when asked, moments after the match, whether his poor conversion rate worried him.

He next plays Ernests Gulbis, who reached the fourth round for the first time since 2008 – the year he reached the last eight – after beating Radek Stepanek 6-3 6-2 7-5.

“I don’t want to tell all my cards. But I have a game plan,” Gulbis said. “You don’t need to be scared to do certain things against him.”

Federer leads Gulbis 2-1 in their three career meetings. All of those matches were in 2010, and they are 1-1 on clay.

Djokovic secured a ninth win in as many career meetings against Cilic to join Federer and Gulbis in the last 16.

The world No.2 won five games in a row by coming from 3-1 down to take the first set 6-3. The Serb also broke twice in the second set to hold a comfortable advantage.

But Cilic came out fighting in the third set and took it 7-2 in the tiebreak after 64 minutes. The 25th seed then came from 4-1 down to level at 4-4 in the fourth set, but Djokovic won the next two games to end the challenge of his opponent.

 

Radwanska crashes out

 

The top three women’s seeds are all out of the French Open after Agnieszka Radwanska lost 6-4 6-4 to Ajla TomIjanovic in the third round on Friday, Skysports reports.

While not as big a shock as either Serena Williams or Li Na’s exits, it was a sizeable upset nonetheless and leaves fourth seed Simona Halep as the highest-ranked player remaining in the tournament.

Radwanska has never enjoyed playing on clay, particularly in the slow and heavy conditions that have been a feature of the first week at Roland Garros this year.

She reached the quarter-finals for the first time last year but was on the back foot from the start against 21-year-old Croat Tomljanovic.

It was a breakthrough at the top level for the Croatian world No 72, who is through to the fourth round at a grand slam for the first time at her maiden French Open.

This has been a tournament where the young guns have made their mark, and the powerful Tomljanovic joins Garbine Muguruza, Kristina Mladenovic and Taylor Townsend as a headline maker.

Tomljanovic, Muguruza and Mladenovic, the conquerors of the world’s top three in Paris, were all born in 1993.

The Croatian said, “After seeing the two first seeds go out, you kind of feel like ‘I can do this too’. I grew up with these girls that are beating them.

“I went on the stadium for the first time, and she kind of feels like home there, because she’s been there a lot more than I did. I went out there, and I really, inside really thought I could win. I think that showed and it is why I won.”

Tomljanovic moved to America eight years ago to train at Chris Evert’s academy and remains close with the 18-time grand slam singles winner.

“She really wants me to do well, and I can feel that from her,” Tomljanovic said. “I’m really happy that she’s someone I can rely on.”

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi says he has already decided on his 23-man squad for next month’s World Cup in Brazil but intends to wait until the Monday deadline before unveiling his roster.

Keshi earlier this month released his 30-man provisional squad for the football’s showpiece in the South American nation. And the list has been greeted with an avalanche of criticism, much of it based on the omission of Villarreal hitman Ikechukwu Uche and Schalke 04 forward Chinedu Obasi, as well as the inclusion of former Newcastle striker   Shola Ameobi and on-loan Norwich defender Joseph Yobo on the list.

Nigeria battled to a 2-2 draw against Scotland in London on Wednesday and face World Cup-bound Greece in the United States on June 3.

Speaking ahead of the clash against 2004 European champions Greece at the Philadelphia Eagles Stadium in Philadelphia on Friday, Keshi said he had made his decision on the players to board the plane to Brazil for the World Cup.

“Yes, I have an idea of those who will go with us to Brazil but we will still wait till the last minute before we announce the list,” the former Nigeria captain and Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner was quoted as saying by the spokesman for the national team Ben Alaiya.

Alaiya also quoted Keshi as saying that he had decided to delay the announcement of the list to enable him “ to have a second look at those who are not measuring up”.

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Abuja - Kano Pillars have been boosted by the provision of a new team bus for the club by the Kano State Government.

The government provided the Glo Premier League champions with a new 64-seater Marco Polo Bus which it hoped would boost the team’s performance in future national and international competitions.

Secretary to the State Government, Rabiu Bichi, also said the gift was meant to appreciate the achievements of the team on the local scene in recent times.

“The gesture is to further encourage them and appreciate the efforts they are making to bring more laurels,’’ Bichi said.

On his part, Chairman of the club, Ibrahim Haruna, lauded the government for the gift and promised that the team will do heir utmost to retain the title for a third consecutive year.

- Kick Off Nigeria

Nigeria -Tension flare up in the camp of the Super Eagles as coach Stephen Keshi is set to announce his final 23 man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

After the Nigerian national team played out a pulsating 2-2 draw against the Tartan Army of Scotland on Wednesday in London, players of the World Cup bound team have started to take blame of what may be in the coming days with many of them saying they don’t envy Coach Stephen Keshi at this very difficult period.
The team touched down in the USA ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Greece.
Team Skipper, Joseph Yobo said if he was the coach he will find it difficult to drop any of the players that is presently in the 30-man squad.
“Nigeria is blessed with talents and that is why I think all the players here merit to be in Brazil, even when we have some other very good ones still hanging out. If you watch the game against Scotland, you will know that the ‘Big Boss’ needs to be pitied over dropping players and picking those who will make the final 23. It will be tough.”
Stoke City’s Osaze Odemwingie said he was happy at the response of his teammates to his return to the national side.
“But how do we drop players now from this squad. Everybody here is good but we should leave that to the coach but I know it would be a tough task.”
England based Shola Ameobi declared that featuring for the Nigerian side has made him a better team player because of the quality of stars in camp and wished he had started playing earlier for the team. “We are all good but we should just pray for the coach to ensure that he picks the best for the World Cup.”
Towering defence ace, Azubuike Egwuekwe put it more succinctly: “When I was going into the match against Scotland I said to myself O’boy you are on trial, now I know that it’s our coach who has a really difficult job of picking the 23 players for Brazil 2014 to do.”

Barcelona banned from making transfers for the next two seasons!!

Barcelona have been banned from transferring players in the next two windows by FIFA.

The Spanish giants are deemed to have breached rules relating to the "international transfers of non-Spanish minors", according to a statement from the game's governing body, and they have also been fined along with the Spanish FA (RFEF).
Following investigations by both the FIFA Transfer Matching System and the Disciplinary Committee, Barcelona and the RFEF have both been found to have violated several provisions of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, as well as other regulations regarding the registration and participation of certain players in national competitions.
The FIFA statement added: "The disciplinary committee emphasised that the protection of minors in the context of international transfers is an important social and legal issue that concerns all stakeholders in football.
"The committee highlighted that while international transfers might, in specific cases, be favourable to a young player's sporting career, they are very likely to be contrary to the best interests of the player as a minor.

"Young football players are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse in a foreign country without the proper controls. This particular fact makes the protection of minors in football by the sport's governing bodies, especially by FIFA, even more important."
The Spanish FA, which violated article 19 of the regulations regarding the first registration of the players, has been given a period of one year in to regularise their regulatory framework and existing system concerning the international transfer of minors in football''.
Barcelona will almost certainly appeal against the transfer ban, which has cast a shadow of doubt over moves already agreed for Borussia Monchengladbach keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Croatian 17-year-old Alen Halilovic, who turns 18 in June.
Barcelona have a trio of youth players from South Korea, including much-sought after 15-year-old striker Lee Seung Woo, plus other players from Africa.
FIFA only allows international youth transfers when one of three situations apply: the player's parents have moved country for their own, non-related reasons; the move takes place within the European Union if a player is aged between 16 and 18; or the player's home is less than 50 kilometres from the national border being crossed.
Sky Sports' Spanish football expert, Guillem Balague, said: “The immediate reaction is shock, but at the same time there have been so many cases not investigated for so many years, not just at Barcelona, but at other clubs too.
“Barcelona say they are calm and they believe they have an explanation as to why and how these players have been signed. I very much doubt Barcelona would do that illegally and they must have some explanation.”