ALL FOR SPORTS

African football needs overhauling to compete with other continents’ - Okocha

2010-06-24T05:05:00.000-07:00

Nigeria’s former star, Jay-Jay Okocha, says African football needs to "go back to the drawing board" if it is to succeed in future World Cups. The 36-year-old said that African nations were not going "that extra mile to get results".

Okocha blamed a lack of investment in local coaches and youth players, adding that the continent's big stars had not delivered on the world's biggest stage. "It's about character. Our players have not shown enough passion," he said.

"It's an African tournament - we thought we could capitalise on that. That hasn't been the story." South Africa is the first World Cup host that has not progressed past the first round despite beating France on Wednesday.

And, while Ghana also recorded a group win, the four other African nations competing - Algeria, Cameroon, Nigeria and Ivory Coast - have struggled.
"I think the players have failed to understand that they need to go that extra mile to be able to get results," added Okocha. "They are not looking for the solution on how to win games. We go back to our drawing boards and invest in youth and start planning.

"In Africa, I don't think we plan enough. We always wait for an event and then get ourselves ready for just that event." Okocha, like all of Africa's biggest sporting names, has spent the majority of his footballing career abroad, playing for European clubs, including Bolton and Hull. He believes that if African football is to move on, coaches as well as players should look to foreign leagues to gain expertise and professionalism.

"I thought that the officials should be given the opportunity to go abroad and update themselves - but we haven't done that. We've not invested in our local coaches," Okocha commented.
"After going to Europe to prove yourself as a player, you come back to that old mentality - that old way of playing.

"Then sometimes players get caught in the middle. They try to bring you down to their level - and if you don't want to come down to that level, it's as if you're losing your culture, losing your respect."
Okocha, who retired from football in 2008, had scathing words for some of Africa's better known players, criticising their performances at the Mundial when compared to what they did for their clubs.
"I don't have to cover up those players because they haven't really performed. They've underachieved," he said.

"It's all about character. I don't think our players have shown enough passion for the game. That's the difference between the way they've played here, and the way they play in their various clubs."
By George Aluo & Richard Jideaka

At last, Kanu quits Eagles

2010-06-24T04:21:00.000-07:00

Super Eagles’ skipper, Nwankwo Kanu, has finally announced his retirement from the national team after Nigeria failed to advance beyond the first round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

"I started my career in Africa and I'm happy that it ended in an African country. After this tournament, I will now go home and meet my family who were also here today to see me play my last match for team. They were all happy to see me in Nigeria's colours and I'm so happy about it.

“Don't ask me where I'm going from here. I would have to think and plan on where I'm going because there were offers everywhere”.

The Eagles’ skipper said he was disappointed that the team couldn't utilise all its scoring chances against South Korea.
Kanu began his career, aged sixteen, at First Division club, Federation Works, before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale in 1992. After a notable performance at the Under-17 World Championships he was signed by Dutch Eredivisie AFC Ajax in 1989 for €207,047. He made his Ajax debut the following year and went on to score 25 goals in 54 appearances. Kanu also came on as a sub in Ajax's 1995 Champions League final win over AC Milan. In 1996, Ajax sold Kanu to Serie

A side Internazionale for around $4.7 million; that summer he captained the Nigerian team that won gold at the Olympics, and scored two late goals in the semi-finals against powerhouse, Brazil to overturn a 2–3 scoreline into a 4–3 win in extra time.

Kanu was also named African Footballer of the Year for that year. However, soon after returning from the Olympics, Kanu underwent a medical examination at Inter, which revealed a serious heart defect; he underwent surgery in November 1996 to replace an aortic valve and did not return to his club until April 1997. In interviews, Kanu frequently cites his faith as a Christian, and has often mentioned the trying time of his career as an occasion when he prayed to God. Kanu's experience also led to his founding Kanu Heart Foundation, an organisation that helps predominantly young African children who suffer heart defects. Kanu is known throughout Africa for his philanthropic work.

From Our reporter, South Africa

Eagles fight over Lagerback •He’s the worst coach ever –Odemwingie •Let him stay –Kanu

2010-06-24T04:03:00.000-07:00

Nigeria’s forward, Osaze Odemwingie, on Tuesday descended on Coach Lars Lagerback, saying the Swede 'made mistakes' and claimed a sense of injustice at not being given enough playing time at the World Cup.

Odemwingie also suggested that he was left out of the final game against Greece because of what he said. "Three games three losses. I think a few things he did were big mistakes," Odemwingie said: "Like telling two strikers not to participate in defending.

"I think that is a big mistake with Nigerian football when we have one defensive midfielder and one creative in front of him. All our middle was open and that was the problem we had against Greece.

"Today, the instruction was that three people did not have to participate in defence. I think that also was a big mistake." Odemwingie was reported to have erupted in the dressing room after losing to Greece, and explained that he had good reason to.

"Yeah, I said to him that there are some key players in this team that he didn't give enough playing time. And I was one of them. I told him we have been here for a few years and we have qualified this team for the World Cup and he was putting us aside and it's not fair.

"Some of us like myself and Martins are leaders in this team and we have been making the difference for the country and we needed to get more playing time and more chances to play." Odemwingie then suggested that his tirade may have been the reason he was left out of against Korea.
"It is possible that that's why he didn't play me today."

By Gbolahan Dada and Kunle Solaja

You're spent force!..........…Fashanu blasts Aiyegbeni

2010-01-22T08:05:00.001-08:00

England’s former international, John Fashanu, has advised that Super Eagles’ striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, be dropped from the final squad to the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa come June.

The Presidential Task Force Committee member who returned to Nigeria Sunday night from Angola told Daily SunSport that the Everton’s striker was a disappointment on the field of play, noting that it was obvious the player is spent.

"I can’t understand how a player of his caliber can play the way he did in Angola. His performance was very suspect and he showed great signs of tiredness and not being fit for the tournament. I felt rather disappointed with his play and attitude on the field."

The former player who has returned home fully to do business insisted that should the technical crew continue to rely on players such as Aiyegbeni and his likes, the nation would be left in tears at the World Cup where the opposition will be very fierce.

He noted that after two games while in Angola, it was clear that Aiyegbeni could not cope with the speed of the game as he complained that he did not get passes from the midfield.
"That to me is a very lame excuse for any player worth his salt. As a player in the English Premiership, he should be very ready at all time to make the difference for his team and country. So much is expected of him but for me, he has been a big disappointment."
Fashanu, however, noted that unless the technical crew is courageous to pick players on merit and not sentiments, the Eagles will continue to disappoint Nigerians. According to him, there is need for drastic changes in the pattern of play of our team because at the moment, their play is still very unimpressive.

"There’s need for us all to realize at this moment that things are going to be tougher for this team as we approach the World Cup hence the changes in the team that would see us perform better in the World Cup proper."
He noted further that the time has come for the introduction of younger and hungry players who want to prove a point and make a name for themselves and the nation.

On the commitment of players, Fashanu observed that the players were not giving their all for reasons he could not understand. "The players were given all the support they needed from both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Presidential Task Force. Nigeria’s perforce at the Nations Cup is very important that is the reason for everyone concerned to have stood behind them. Why do we have to wait all the time for the last minute before we do the right thing," he queried.
Speaking on the contentious issue of Coach Amodu Shaibu, Fashanu said that while he would not want to preempt the decisions of the NFF or that of the PTF, he thinks the Edo State- born tactician has done well with the Super Eagles so far but insisted that he needs help.

"Coach Amodu is a man we should all be proud of for qualifying Nigeria to the World Cup in South Africa but I honestly think he needs help for Nigeria to make it at the World Cup finals in South Africa. The task ahead is not what we want to use the Nations Cup to equate because what is ahead is much tougher than most expect", he said.

By Joe APU

I'm battle ready for Squirrels –Osaze

2010-01-16T07:33:00.000-08:00

Osaze Odemwingie could start against the Squirrels of Benin today after the player himself confirmed that he was back to full fitness and ready to return to the pitch.

The Locomotiv Mosco FC forward sat on the bench and watched helplessly as the Pharoahs of Egypt pummeled the Super Eagles on Tuesday in the opening game of Group C at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations holding in Angola. His inclusion today is expected to add bite in the Nigerian attack which was blunt in the first match.

“I am very fit now and ready to go. Yes, I am very okay,” the speedy forward said on the Nigeria Football Federation website, saying he was disturbed, like every member of the squad, over Tuesday's loss to the Pharaohs of Egypt and is eager to step on the field against the tiny neighbours to the west today.

Odemwingie has played at three African Cup of Nations finals (2004, 2006 and 2008) and is eager to have a feel of the ball at his fourth. He was one of Nigeria's two alternate players at the 2002 World Cup finals, but did not play.
He had been disturbed by an infection since the team arrived the training camp in Durban, South Africa at the end of December.
Reporter Said.

Govs dump Yar’Adua • Now believe president’s absence is dangerous

2010-01-09T03:50:00.000-08:00

Apparently realizing the implication of a vacuum in the Presidency, following the continued absence of President Umar Musa Yar’Adua from the seat of power, state governors may have resolved to work for the swearing in of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as acting president.

Feelers from the parley the governors held before meeting with Jonathan earlier this week revealed that the consensus among the state chief executives is that if President Yar’Adua would not return to the country before the middle of the month, the vice president should be allowed to function officially as acting president.

It was gathered that governors expressed fear over the continued absence of Yar’Adua, despite the assurances that he would return to the country soon. The governors were said to have reasoned that such absence creates the impression that there is a vacuum, which could be exploited by anti-democracy elements.

Saturday Sun gathered that the governors are particularly afraid following what happened in Guinea, where the president died and such vacuum made the military to take over government.
A source close to one of the governors said: “The governors examined the implication of what is happening in the country, especially as it concerns the continued absence of the president. They said that the way things are going is not good. They are afraid of what happened in Guinea, saying that although democracy has been rooted in the country, nothing should be done to suggest that the country is drifting.”

It was gathered that the governors reasoned that if they continue to insist that there is no need for an acting president and some people capitalize on this and truncate democracy all of them would lose out.
To pre-empt this, it was gathered, the governors want Jonathan to be made the acting president, pending the return of Yar’Adua. According to the source, the governors reasoned that this has become necessary so that nobody would say that there is a vacuum in the Presidency.

The governors, it was gathered, went for the Jonathan option so that the country would run effective, especially at a time when there may be a diplomatic row between the United States and Nigeria over the blacklisting of the country because of the attempted bombing of an aircraft by a Nigerian youth.
The source said: “The governors believe that at a time when the US has blacklisted Nigeria and listing her among countries on terror watch, there should be effective leadership in the country. The governors believed that at a time President Barrack Obama is speaking on the failed terror attack involving a Nigeria, there should be somebody of that stature, who would equally speak for Nigeria. Therefore, they want to press for Jonathan to assume that responsibility.”

Saturday Sun gathered that it was based on this common agreement that the governors paid a solidarity visit on Jonathan this week, without making it look as if they are passing a vote of no confidence in the president.
At the meeting with Jonathan, sources said that the governors gave assurances that they would do everything within their power to ensure that executive power is transferred to the office of the vice presidency, in acting capacity, pending when Yar’Adua would return to work.

How to achieve this Saturday Sun gathered that one of the ways the governors want to actualize the swearing of Jonathan, as acting president is to lobby members of the National Assembly from their states.
Sources told Saturday Sun that each of the governors was given the assignment to talk to federal lawmakers from the respective states and make them understand that if nothing is done to restore confidence in government democracy may be threatened.

“Soon, the governor would be discretely meeting with members of the National Assembly to press it on them that there is the need to have an acting president. If the meetings go well, soon you would be hearing members of the federal legislature demanding that power be transferred to Jonathan,” the source said.

Yar’Adua’s daughter denied access to him
Meanwhile, despite the report that Yar’Adua was said to have spoken to Jonathan, it was learnt that access to the president in Saudi Arabia is still restricted. Sources say that many of those who had made efforts to see Yar’Adua in hospital were not allowed to do so. Also, it was learnt that the hospital in which the president is being treated has strict instruction not say anything about him.
“This is why the hospital has been referring inquiries about the president to the Nigerian ambassador in Saudi Arabia,” a source close to the presidency said.

Saturday Sun gathered that the restriction of access to Yar’Adua is not only for his associates. Some family members, it was gathered, are not also allowed to see him.

It was learnt that one of the daughters of the president was denied access to him in Saudi Arabia when she stopped by, on his way to the United States, where she had gone for the delivery of her baby. The daughter was said to have waited for days and when it dawned on her that she should not be allowed to see her dad, she proceeded to the US.

“Why the president’s daughter was not allowed to see him is because it was feared that if she saw the president, she would tell her husband the real situation. The president does not want that,” a source said.

Yuguda also visited
It was gathered that Yar’Adua’s son-in-law and governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda, was also in Saudi Arabia to see the president. Sources revealed that the governor, who just returned, stayed longer than he expected because he was not allowed access to Yar’Adua earlier.
By HENRY UMAHI

Yar’Adua has committed impeachable offence — Prof. Sam Aluko

2010-01-09T02:29:00.000-08:00

Renowned economist and former chairman of the Economic Intelligence Committee (EIC) during the regime of General Sani Abacha, Professor Sam Aluko, says that President Umar Musa Yar’Adua has committed an impeachable offence by embarking on deregulation.

Aluko told Saturday Sun that the deregulation of the Naira, civil service and oil is an impeachable offence for which the President could be impeached. He quoted a section of the constitution, which stipulates: “The state shall manage and operate the major sectors of the economy.” According to him, Chapter Two, section 16 of the constitution made it clear, among other things, that the state shall control the national economy.

The professor argued that since the National Assembly, governors and ministers swore to uphold the constitution, steps should be taken to correct the violation of the constitution or action taken against the violators. He also called on Nigerians to challenge the government in court over deregulation, saying that the government does not know the meaning of deregulation.
Aluko spoke on how he checkmated the forces pushing for deregulation during Abacha era. He also spoke on several other issues.

Nigerians can’t understand the need for deregulation and the need for the removal of subsidy when the country has crude oil. Could you please explain?
It is not only Nigerians who don’t understand deregulation. The government itself doesn’t understand what it means when it talks about deregulation. Deregulation means lack of government control. This means a free-for-all economy. Nobody leaves its economy to be free-for-all. Nobody leaves the vital sector of its economy free-for-all. Petroleum is the most vital sector of the economy today. If you talk of deregulation of the oil sector, which means down-stream, it is to deceive the people. The upstream is not deregulated. Government controls the upstream.

What is upstream and downstream?
Upstream is the exploration and allocation of oil blocks. You cannot just go and pick oil blocks. Government controls it and regulates it. They are talking of deregulating the downstream sector. That is what the public buys. The public doesn’t buy the blocks. The public buys petrol, diesel, kerosene and the gas. Instead of saying that they want to increase price, they are talking of deregulation. There is no relation between deregulation and price. China increases and decreases price and controls the economy. Cuba increases and decreases price and controls the economy. Russia was increasing and decreasing price and it controls the economy. Talking of price is not the same thing as deregulation.

Deregulation itself came into economic vocabulary through Britain and America. In those days, the economy of Britain was virtually nationalized. The public dominated the economy. Then came Margaret Thatcher in Britain and Ronald Reagan in America. They said they want the private sector to be dominant and they were talking of deregulation. Even in the circumstance, it was deregulation with strong police might, strong government control to ensure that the private sector does not misbehave and the government was able to police the private sector. It is unlike here where the government cannot even police itself. So, it is a misnomer for government to talk of deregulation. It is sacrilege against the country. It is highly contemptuous.

This is a country where we are the sixth largest producer of petroleum in the world. We should be producing, refining and exporting our excess produce. The price we are paying now for any oil product is higher than we should be paying. The cost of a litre of petrol, from exploration to the refinery, is about N12. I mean if we refine it here; from mining till the pomp price. It should be about N12.That is the cost per litre. But when you import from Britain or America or other countries, 66 per cent of the price of that import is tax put by those countries. More than two third of what we are importing is tax being paid to those countries.

It is not the cost of production there.
In Britain or America, the cost of fuel is about one third of what they are charging. The remaining two third is tax they collect from the community to finance their own government. So, when you go and import there, you are paying tax to the British government. When you come and tax us here on what you are importing, we are paying double tax. We are not only paying tax to America, Britain and all those countries, from where we are importing, we are now paying tax to the government that really should not be collecting tax. When they talk of subsidy, I have always said there is no subsidy given to petrol in this country. You have subsidy when the cost of production is higher than the selling price. The cost of production per litre, if we refine it in Nigeria, is about N12 per litre. So, if you are charging N67, it means that the consumer is paying about N55 per litre.

We are supposed to have four refineries in Nigeria. Why are they not functioning? Why do we have to import?
Really, there should not be four refineries in Nigeria. There should be 14 or more refineries in Nigeria. We have four now that are not working. They are not going to work as long as we continue to import because the importers will not allow it to work. The government itself doesn’t want the refineries to work. Before Babangida came, the NNPC engineers and staff maintained the refineries adequately and perfectly. When Babangida came and introduced SAP and said he wanted to deregulate the economy, he wanted private sector to take over the economy, he took the maintenance of the refineries from the NNPC and started awarding contract to fake people-politicians, army people who have no skill to maintain the refineries. Those people will take the contract, award the contract to some other people until the final man will not have enough money to repair the refinery. That was when the refineries went into liquidation. If only Babangida did not take the management of the repairs and the turn-around of maintenance of the refineries from the NNPC, they will not only have been maintaining the four refineries very well, they would have built four, five, 10 or more refineries by now.

At that time, Babangida introduced a system whereby he will compel the NNPC to give potential refinery builders to export the crude oil, make profit and invest their profit in building refineries. They would export two ships, make their money and disappear into thin air. That is what has been happening since Babangida time till today.

Why didn’t you correct it when you were in government during Sani Abacha era?
We corrected it. That was why, during the Abacha era, there was no question of deregulation. This is because I told them exactly what I am telling you now. When I told the Provisional Ruling Council, which was the cabinet, that for every ship-load of fuel being imported into Nigeria the profit of the importer was N110, 000 dollars, they were aghast. I said we must make the refineries work and that was why at that time, the refineries were working. In fairness to Abacha, he was a listening Head of State. Abacha would say Professor is saying something that made more sense to me than what all these people – the CBN, Ministry of Finance, and National Planning – are saying. All of them are involved in the conspiracy against this country by saying that we must deregulate, we must privatize and government must do nothing. That was why, at that time, Abacha wanted to stop importation of fuel by saying that we must make the four refineries work.

There was a time when the then minister of works, I don’t want to mention his name, but he is dead now, wanted to import bitumen. It was to be 550 million dollars worth and he went to Abacha to get permission to import. Abacha gave a covering approval. But Abacha said look, I will refer this matter to the National Intelligence Committee (NIC) chairman by Professor Aluko. He referred it to me and said I should advise him on what to do before giving a final approval.

I then called the MD of the Kaduna Refinery and told him my committee wanted to see him on Saturday about the possibility of him producing bitumen. Kaduna produces bitumen but government was not encouraging it. We went to Kaduna and asked what could we do about this. He said instead of giving them 500 million dollars to import, if we gave them 50 million dollars he would not only produce more bitumen for the refinery, but also produce for other states.

We made the recommendation to Abacha. Abacha then summoned a meeting and said they should give the money to Kaduna Refinery to produce the bitumen for the ministry of works, contractors and all those making our roads. Abacha then withdrew the provisional approval earlier given to the minister of works. The minister of works was furious because he thought of the money he would make. Abacha then removed him and asked me to nominate somebody to replace him. So, I nominated my secretary at the Economic Intelligence Committee at that time. He was then a soldier. He became the minister of works. His name is Garba Mohammed; he was a Major General in the Army at the time. Really, if we want to work, there are capable people in our system to work. But they will not let them work. That is why they keep on saying government can do nothing, government would do nothing. They say government has no business with business.

You gave the example of bitumen. What went wrong after Abacha era?
During Abacha era, the four refineries were working. They were not only working, they were also producing bitumen. Warri Refinery was working and producing. Port Harcourt was also working. Importation was reduced. At that time, the importation of bad fuel was in our refineries. When I reported to Abacha that we were importing bad fuel, he was furious. After his death, I heard that it was Abacha who imported bad fuel. It was not true because he was very furious and he summoned the minister and the GMD and said they should remove their bad fuel and stop paying them.

Another example is that the government wanted to devalue the currency. We fixed currency at that time at N21 to a dollar. People said that you cannot fix, that we must allow the market to determine the rate and I said that no civilized country allows the market forces to determine the rate of exchange, especially in a developing economy like our own. We must control it and we must regulate it. We must also regulate the rate of interest between what a bank can charge and what it can pay to the depositors. So, we fixed the rate of interest between depositors rate and every rate at four. In other words, if I put my money in the bank and they pay me 10 per cent, they must not charge more than 14 per cent to a lender.

That four per cent will be the margin for the bank. The ministry of finance went behind our back and told Abacha and the Provisional Ruling Council that it was better to allow market forces to take its place and that our naira was over valued and so on and so forth. Abacha and the Provisional Ruling Council, in their wisdom, gave approval that they should go and deregulate the exchange rate, which is what they are doing now. Instead of N21 they were using N60 per dollar. My wife was the chairman of the National Commission for UNESCO. She had a meeting with minister for education and she heard that it was N60 to a dollar for the budget of 1996. When I heard, I got in touch with the Secretary to Government of the Federation and started to speak with the head of state about the exchange rate. I told them that I was going to resign as Chairman of the Economic Intelligence Committee if government maintained the stand.

Abacha summoned a meeting of the Provisional Ruling Council and the cabinet and he said the CBN, minister of finance, National Planning Commission, the presidential advisory council came to him and said it was a good thing to deregulate and that he gave them approval. He thereafter asked them to make their case. They were all present at the meeting. After they spoke, I told the meeting that the people were deceiving government. I told the meeting that if we made it 60 dollars to the naira, our cost would also be 60 to the naira because cost would rise, and we gain nothing. I also told them that prices would rise faster than depreciation in our currency and I gave examples. I said once we moved the lead, the Naira could land anywhere. It could go to N70, N80, N90 or N500 and they said no, it wouldn’t be so.

Abacha said: ‘Professor said it could go N60, N70 or N80. To what do you say it will go?’ They said it depends. He then said: ‘Professor has made a point. I cancel the approval I gave to you.’ He said he couldn’t do it alone because the Provisional Ruling Council gave the approval because the members were misled. One of the Generals said: ‘Why do we have to go to a meeting? We have heard the two sides and we are all here. Let us vote and see if we support what these people are saying as against what the National Intelligence Committee is saying.’ They voted 24 to 0. The exchange rate remained at N21 to a dollar until Abaca died in 1998.

During Abacha period, he did not allow IMF, World Bank, which were the regulation, to talk to him at all. I told him that the people were enemies of a developing economy and would always tell him not to act. Throughout the four years we were with him, it was N 21 to one dollar. The CBN and others tried to manipulate things to sell to the banks. But, officially, it was N21 to a dollar. In the award of contract, official foreign exchange, it was N21 until the coming of General Abdulsalami in 1998. He told me later that one mistake he made was to listen to the institutions on the deregulation of foreign exchange.

Abdulsalami Abubakar regretted the action after leaving office?
He regretted it after leaving office. He told me that he was sorry to have done that. When Obasanjo came, I had a quarrel with him. We were friends and we are still friends. I still like him. I was one of those who used to brief him when he was military Head of State. When the military was about to hand over power to him in 1999, I was one of those who briefed him. We had about two weeks to brief him. I was the only one brought to the Provisional Ruling Council meeting to participate in the briefing. So, he invited me to have a close discussion with him. I had a whole evening with him in Abuja, two days before he assumed office. I told him that the refineries would not work as long as he allowed the importation of fuel. I said during his regime as military head of state, he built three of the four refineries in Nigeria.

He almost completed the Kaduna Refinery, which was concluded by the Shagari regime in 1981. I told him that during his second coming, he must build at least four five or six more. I told him that our population had increased and that the consumption pattern had increased and people were importing and they didn’t want the refinery to work. He assured me that he would not allow any importation of fuel. I told him that the export terminal he built in Port Harcourt area was being turned into import terminal. It is trite because there was no logistics for the importation of fuel. Why must we allow export terminals to be turned to import terminals? He said he would not allow that. But you could see that during his term, there was more importation than ever before and the refineries did not work.

Why?
It was simply because his political party hierarchy got control of him. Left to him alone, in his heart of heart, he would not do that. But he was a prisoner of his political party. And the party is still there. The PDP is one of the greatest enemies of this country.

When you saw him later, did you discuss it with him as you did with Abdulsalami?
Of course, I discussed it with him. I said it openly that the Abacha regime was better than his own and he said I was senile. Later, he apologized. I am sorry for him because at the end of his eight years, the refineries were worse than the beginning. Three years of his reign as military head of state, he built three refineries and made them work and as civilian president, he could not even make those three refineries work. Something must be wrong. It must be the political machine and the political machine is still there. They are saying that the president can rule from Saudi Arabia. Can Saudi Arabia President be ruling from Nigeria? Can American president rule from Japan? You can see the kind of people they are.

Deregulation is a fraudulent use of our resources. There is nothing like that. If we have a government, we should be having today more than 10 to 15 refineries. After 1999, I wrote to all the governors along the coast and told them they can’t build refineries alone. I advised that two or more governors could come together and build a refinery. Lagos alone consumes more than 30 per cent of the total consumption of refineries in the country. Lagos should be able to build a refinery either in Ikorodu or in Badagry or even on Lagos Island. None of them replied. That is because they too were involved and gaining from the importation.

Venezuela is about 38 million people and that is about one third or one quarter of Nigeria. They have eight refineries and they are building four more. The Venezuela ambassador to Nigeria recently was telling our minister of information that in their country less than N400 fill the tank of his car. He had to spend about N3, 000 to fill his tank in Nigeria.

So, deregulation is not limited to fuel?
The naira has been deregulated. Even the civil service has been deregulated. All the things that the civil service should do have been contracted to private people. Our roads have been deregulated. Our ports have been deregulated. Our road from Lagos to Ibadan has been given to a company whose chairman is a lawyer. The ports have been commissioned to private people. There is congestion there because the private people are using the ports for their interest. Almost all sectors of our economy have been deregulated. And it is contrary to our constitution. The fundamental objective of our constitution provides that the major sectors of our economy would be in the hands of the government. That is what our constitution provides.

What section of the constitution talks about this?
Chapter two. The president, Vice president, governors, deputy governors, ministers and National Assembly members swore to uphold and to respect the constitution. Section 16 of that chapter two provides: “The state shall, within the contest of the ideals and objective from which provisions are made in this constitution. That is the economic objective. The state shall harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity on an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy. The state shall control the national economy in such a manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity. Without prejudice to its right to operate or participate in areas of the economy, the state shall manage and operate the major sectors of the economy.”
That is the area of the constitution that is against deregulation. So, they are violating the oath to which they swore.

What is the consequence of the executive violating the constitution?
A breach of the constitution attracts punishments. I expect Nigerians to challenge the action of government on deregulation in court. The governors, ministers and the National Assembly members swore to the oath of office. They must defend the constitution. It is an impeachable offence. The president should be impeached.

Was the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) right to take the steps it took with regards to restructuring in the banking system?
Although we say we run a democracy, our leaders behave like czars. They behave like the feudal lords. It is the same thing when Chukwuma Soludo said for a bank to be a bank in Nigeria it must have N25 billion. The former governor of the CBN, who opposed that was retired. Soludo was put in his place. I said at that time that it was not proper for every bank in Nigeria to have N25 billion. In economics, we have large industries, small industries and medium industries. There are large enterprises, medium enterprises and small enterprises. Why must we not have large banks, medium banks and small banks? But nobody listened. Before then, banks looking for five billion naira, which was the original target given to them. They were still looking for that and it was moved it to N25 billion and they gave them only two years to raise the money. They had to play all sorts of tricks and that is what landed us where we are.

What does it portend for the economy of Nigeria?
It portends that we have to be dishonest. When you are looking for N5 billion and it is raised to N25 billion, you have to play some special pranks to get the N25 billion. They compelled so many banks to come together. That created not only boardroom problem but also managerial problems. That is what led to the problem that occurred when Sanusi came. It wasn’t strange to those of us who knew what was happening. When they were declaring all sorts of bogus profits, I asked from what economy did they make it. The economy is not functional. Therefore, what did these banks do to declare such profit? They were buying and selling dollars. They will buy dollar at a lower rate from the CBN, sell at black market rate and pocket the gain. They were doing fraudulent banking. They were not doing banking. It is not the fault of the bankers. They were compelled to do so.

You remember when Moses was caught in Egypt, when he was trying to save Israelites from the Egyptians; he said he was compelled to do it because he was an Israelite. He said he saw his people being maltreated. He said even if people thought he was an Egyptian, he was an Israelite – a Jew. Equally, the banks were compelled to do hanky- panky things. You cannot blame the new governor of CBN, who was also a victim of that system. He was in First Bank and he knew the problems that the bank had, much more than Soludo who was never a banker. When Soludo was appointed, I was very pleased. I said well, he would now take an economist rather than the view of bankers on the economy.

I thought he was going to be neutral. He was worse than even the banker. So, when this banker came and discovered what he himself has experienced within the system, he was able to expose it.
The only problem that I have is that the CBN is a banker’s bank. If I have a problem, I should report to my bank for solution and assistance. If the bank feels that I have problems, it is not for the bank to expose that problem to the public. I would have expected the CBN to call these erring banks and find out what was going on. I expected the CBN to tell them that what they were doing would not help banks, rather than expose them to ridicule. That has a lot of bad effect on the banking system. Banks are run on confidence. If somebody goes to a bank and discover the bank is collapsing, they will quickly withdraw their money. It exposes the banking system to a lot of danger.

Was the arrest of the CEO’s justified?
That is what I am saying. That you don’t just go and arrest top executives of banks. You know I was in government with Abacha. One day, General Abacha called me and said the then governor of Central Bank was misbehaving and he was going to remove him. I told him he should not remove him; that it was wrong to remove governor of the CBN. I told him he would be like Idi Amin and would destroy the financial system. I told him that if he had any problem with the CBN governor, he should call him and that if he found out that there was anything wrong, he should set up a committee to look into it. He agreed with me. He asked me to set up a committee secretly and not let the CBN governor know. I refused and told him it should not be done secretly. I told him that if I was going to investigate the CBN, I must tell the governor of the CBN, and outline the terms of reference so that he would prepare to defend himself.

I set up a committee and made one or two bankers, First Bank and other bank’s MD, part of my committee. When we looked into the matter, we discovered that it was all lies. The CBN governor had done nothing wrong. It was just a rumour because people didn’t like them. Abacha was happy and he retained the man until he died. So, you see, there are a lot of things that you cannot see from outside and you think that it is true and they might not be all true. I am not justifying the bankers, because they were not financing industries and they were not doing real banking. But I don’t think they are as fraudulent as the nation now makes them to look. They have some honour.

The way you spoke about General Abacha contradicts the impression people have about him.
You see, I am always sorry for people in government. I have a little soft spot for them. There is nobody ruling this country that will want the country to be in bad shape. But he may take some actions and react in some manners that people don’t understand. As I told you, apart from Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who I was very close to, and who listened to advice, I don’t know of other leaders who listen to advice more than Abacha. Not one. I gave you some examples. When the wife started the empowerment programme, she (Mariam) made herself the chairman of the programme to be able to run the finances, sign cheques and so on and so forth. During the 1995 budget, all the places, where the programme was mentioned, they said, accounting officer, first lady. It was in about 28 places. When I saw the budget, I called the minister of finance and asked how the first lady could be an accounting officer. The first lady was not a member of government. Even the head of state was not an accounting officer; how could his wife be accounting officer for a programme? My committee deleted anywhere first lady was written and replaced it with the permanent secretary and the director general, as the accounting officer.

I then wrote a memo on behalf of our committee to Gen. Abacha saying that I just discovered that the first lady was made accounting officer. I told him that neither him nor the first lady could be accounting officer. I told him that even he, as head of state, cannot be accounting officer. I wrote that his wife cannot be accounting officer for any programme. I wrote that we had substituted every place his wife was made accounting officer, with the director general or the permanent secretary.

Immediately Abacha saw the letter, he sent for me. He thanked me and confessed that he had raised objection to that. You can imagine what Obasanjo would have done to Mrs. Abacha if she were to be the accounting officer. He would have said Mrs. Abacha stole billions and billions of naira. The money they said Abacha stole was not true.

What of the money recovered, known as Abacha loot?
Anybody who served in government knew that Abacha controlled our budget so much that nobody could steal out of it.

Not even himself?
Not even himself. He had no right to take money. No head of state can go into the treasury and take money.

What Nigerians were told was that he commanded the CBN to bring cash.
It was a lie. Nobody can tell the CBN to bring money. He could take bribe. No CBN governor would agree to do that.

Are you saying on your honour, sir that Abacha never ordered for cash from CBN?
If Abacha were to be alive, nobody would talk of recovered loot. It is because Abacha is dead. Where is he now to come and defend himself? What happened really was that all of them were rich. Those that awarded illegal contracts are rich.

Are you saying that Abacha made his money before he became head of state?
He made a lot of the money before he became head of state. Even the Swiss ambassador told me that a lot of the money was made before Abacha became head of state. Look at Obasanjo. Obasanjo didn’t steal, but he is very rich. He is rich now. He is a member of Transparency International.

Did Abacha ever offer you money?
No. He never did. During one Christmas, I was going to my office and I discovered that they were carrying big bags. So, I asked, ‘at this time of night, what are you carrying about?’ They said they were bags of money. I said for what? And they said from the CBN. And I said for what? They said it was for Christmas bonus and Sallah. It was a time Sallah and Christmas coincided. The second day, we had a meeting and I said I wanted to raise a matter of national importance. I said Mr. Head of State and the cabinet, where, in our budget, did we put Christmas bonus or Sallah bonus? I said I saw a large number of people carrying all sorts of sack of money and they said it was official bonus they withdrew from the CBN. Abacha said the money should be returned to the CBN. That is how we stopped it. You find some people who will be going about abusing Abacha and they would come to me to see how they could get oil block, oil lifting and so on.

I always told them that I didn’t know anything about it. I have never seen a crude oil in my life. That was how we operated. A lot of my members were working so hard for government and never asked the head of state to give anything. I never asked and I will never ask. Even all this talk of severance allowance, I never got any. I was the economic adviser for four years and I did not take a kobo.
I was earning allowance as chairman, EIC. My allowance was N15, 000 a month. The government gave us a flat each and we fed ourselves. It was a part-time job. I never used government car. I had my driver.

Would you say that Abacha was a good head of state
Oh yes. After he died, I made a public statement that Abacha’s economic policy was better than that of Obasanjo. People are saying it now. Petrol was N17 per litre during Abacha era. He increased it from N14 to N17 and set up Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). Obasanjo increased petrol 12 times in eight years. Abacha increased only once by N3. Obasanjo took it from N18 to N70.

I don’t approve of all that Abacha did because no military is perfect. I don’t buy the idea that a bad civilian is better than a good military. If the military comes to power today many Nigerians would jubilate.

You spoke so well about Abacha. Can you compare him with Awo?
No. Nobody can be compared to Awo. You can’t compare any military with Awo. Awo was a democrat. I was very close to him and I was one of the closest to him in our party. Immediately he died, I stopped membership of any party.

Why?
Because he was the only one who was willing to listen to common sense. If we were in a meeting, until he listened to some of us from the university, he will not take a decision. But this set of politicians would say it is theory. But I told them that people who went to the moon are by theory. It was not by magic, it was by theory.

What is the truth about your turning down a political appointment by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the 1960s?
It has always been my own policy because I went to a school – London School of Economics, where I was given scholarship for the MSc by the Western Nigerian government. The London School of Economics gave me scholarship for PhD. So, when I finished, I came back and I was employed as a lecturer in Nigerian College. I earned 950 pounds at that time. Then, the government, of which Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the premier, offered me the post of economic adviser on 2, 050 pounds when I was earning 190 pounds at the university. I worked harder in government than I did at the university. I was ready to take the job if they would let me earn 950 pounds so that when I disagree with them, I could come back to my job. I was not sure that the job I was going to do warranted 2, 050 pounds. We were in an economy where per capital income was less than 300 pounds. The gap between the rich and the poor at that time was so much I did not want to be part of it. It was exploitative. So, I turned it down. I was ready to take it if they would let me earn my 950 pounds. The government said no. I turned it down.

What was the stand of Awolowo?
Of course, he was quite happy with me. We still continued to write papers for him. That was one of the factors that endeared me to him. He said I was somebody you could rely upon. When we were at the university, our condition of service was that we could not take extra pay. Any money we earned was paid to the university. That time, we devoted our time fully to the university.

Was Awolowo a listening leader?
He was a listening leader. The difference between Awolowo and Abacha was that Awolowo would have done his homework and would say: ‘Look, this is what I think.’ He would then ask you: ‘What do you think about what I think?’ But Abacha would ask you, ‘what do you think?’ And we would say: ‘You should not do this, it is not right.’ Most of the time, he would say: ‘Professor, you know I am a soldier. I didn’t go to school. But what you are saying look more reasonable to me than what these other people are saying. So, it was easier really to get Abacha to do certain things than for Awolowo to do certain things. Awolowo would have had his own original thinking. He would have done his own homework. But most of the soldiers in position don’t do any homework. Abacha knew a lot about the country, but by his own training, he was a soldier. He wasn’t an economist or a technocrat. Awolowo was an economist, a lawyer and a politician. He had the quality that no soldier has.
By DURO ADESEKO

NO TENSION-Diaby says he can wear Song's boots

2010-01-07T05:50:00.000-08:00

Abou Diaby is ready to fill Alex Song's boots in Arsenal's central midfield, while the Cameroon’s star is away at the Africa Nations Cup.

The Frenchman came off the bench at Upton Park to inspire the Gunners through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
And now the 23-year-old has claimed he could play in Song's defensive holding role, starting with the visit of Bolton to the Emirates Stadium yesterday.

"I will talk about that with the manager and if he wanted me to play in that position, I am happy to do it," said Diaby.

"We will see what happens. Alex is a very important player in our team. Because he is going, we have to replace him and make sure we do the same job without him."
Manager Arsene Wenger said Andrei Arshavin would be available tomorrow after suffering a foot injury but Theo Walcott will still be missing with a rib injury.
"I don't know how long Walcott will be out because he has a rib injury and they are always difficult to predict," added Wenger.

"Last time he had it on the right and this time it is on the left. Last time, he was out for nearly a month. We hope that this time, it will be much shorter."
Tomas Rosicky has signed a contract extension to keep him at the Emirates Stadium until 2012 despite a poor injury record.

The 29-year-old Czech, who was out of contract this summer after joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2006, said:

"The last two seasons haven't been easy for me because of injuries but I feel it speaks volumes about the club's belief in me for this to be signed, and I truly believe I have a lot left to offer the club, my team-mates and all the supporters."

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger has urged his on-form Arsenal squad to maintain the mental discipline that has lifted them back into the Premier League title battle.
Having seemed out of contention following a 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea at the end of November, the Gunners have since revived their challenge with five wins from six league matches.
Another win at the Emirates would move Wenger's men to within a point of leaders Chelsea and the Frenchman believes his young squad have proved their resilience.

"We have a good opportunity to come back very close to Chelsea, and we want to take it, to make it more interesting for everybody," Wenger said. "One month ago we were far from the top teams, and since have created momentum.

"We refused to give up and continued to fight and believe in our strengths.
"The biggest test in our camp was the mental strengths of the players and the solidarity of the players. That has been tested.
"What we have realised in one month gives us a good springboard to go even further. Why should we stop here?

"The next two months will determine how ambitious and how hungry we are."
Wenger added: "It does not mean Chelsea or Manchester United do not have hunger - but what I know is that within our team we have a great hunger for success. We have great solidarity and team spirit.
By RICHARD JIDEAKA, Abuja

Troussier: I’m ready to coach Eagles again

2009-11-27T01:48:00.001-08:00

Phillippe Troussier, one of the foreign coaches linked to grab Shaibu Amodu’s job has declared his readiness to coach the Super Eagles if considered for the job by the Presidential Task Force for the 2010 World Cup.

Speaking exclusively with SoccerStar from his base in France, the widely-travelled French coach said it would be a great honour for him to coach the most populous black country in the world at the first World Cup ever to be hosted on an African soil.

“Nigeria is a country blessed with talented players. I’ve been there before and proved my mettle by qualifying them for the France ’98 World Cup. I will be delighted to come back if the football authorities need my services,” he told SoccerStar during a telephone conversation from France.
By EPHRAIM NWOSU

Obuh gets N150,000 monthly salary

2009-11-27T01:41:00.000-08:00

John Obuh, who coached Nigeria’s Under-17 team to World Cup silver, earned a shocking N150 000 (about $1000) basic monthly salary.
That figure represents a massive pay cut for the former Niger Tornadoes and Kwara United coach, who is said to have earned around N500 000 per month in his last job with the Ilorin side.

KickOffNigeria.com understands that Obuh, whose net take-home pay after tax came to just over N100 000, was one of the least paid coaches on the NFF’s books.

Super Eagles coach, Shaibu Amodu, is paid N2 million per month, a figure that comes to N1.8 million after taxes, while sacked Under-20 coach Samson Siasia earned N1 million per month in his short, and unsuccessful stint with the Flying Eagles.

Obuh was on Wednesday elevated to the post of Under-20 coach by the NFF, who were expected to discuss a salary and winning bonus review for him and his assistants.
That discussion did not take place and the coach is expected to remain in the same miserly remuneration, for the foreseeable future.
Obuh will now be assisted by Abimbola Samuel and Suleiman Shuaibu. His former assistant, Monday Odigie, now takes charge of the Under-17s.
From Soccerstar Desk

Olofinjana out for 4 weeks

2009-11-26T02:25:00.000-08:00

Hull City midfielder, Seyi Olofinjana, has disclosed that he will be sidelined by a hamstring injury for at least a month.
“The doctors have said I will be out of action for about four weeks following my injury in Kenya,” Olofinjana told Nigerian sports radio station, Brila FM.

The Nigeria international suffered the injury during his country’s decisive World Cup qualifier against Kenya two weeks ago. He was forced out of the game in the first half and was replaced by Ukraine-based Ayila Yussuf as Nigeria went on to win 3–2 to qualify for next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

Olofinjana, who is now one of the most experienced players in the Nigerian team, said he was looking forward to the event.
“I can’t wait to feature at my first World Cup.

That is the ultimate dream of any footballer. I only have to work hard and pray to be free of injury so as to stand a chance of being picked for the World Cup,” Olofinjana said.

Eagles need young blood-Akwuegbu

2009-11-26T02:10:00.000-08:00

Former Super Eagles’ striker, Benedict Akwuegbu, has called for the inclusion of younger players into the Super Eagles to fight for shirts for the forthcoming Africa Nations Cup and World Cup in order to encourage healthy competition in the team.

Akwuegbu said neglecting prolific players from the age grade teams - the Eaglets and Flying Eagles - must stop henceforth for Super Eagles’ shirts to become truly competitive.
In a chat with Daily Sunsport from his London base, the former AK Storm Graz gangling striker was elated with the qualification of the Super Eagles for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and prayed for the team’s proper preparation for both the Nations Cup and the mundial billed for South Africa.

"I was more than happy after we qualified by beating Kenya in Nairobi, while God used Mozambique for us to beat Tunisia," Akwuegbu began. "After watching the match on television, I believe we must work on the team to be very ready for the World Cup in South Africa.
"The players actually did their best in that match. They gave their all, but there is still room for improvement. I think the technical crew should work on all the departments of the team and play many friendly games to fine-tune their strategies for the Africa Nations Cup and the World Cup in South Africa.

"Thank God the Nations Cup will be used to prepare the team for the World Cup. That is why they must prepare well for the Nations Cup, because emerging as African champions and going to the World Cup with that feat will send jitters into the spines of our opponents. We must start preparation for the Angola 2010 event now.

"I also advice Coach Shaibu Amodu to invite younger players to fight for shirts in the star-studded team. This will make the regular players to sit up and work hard to keep their shirts. Amodu should not encourage laziness in the team by making some players feel they are super-regulars, who whether they play well or not, have a place in the team. That won’t help the course of the team.

"I also advice that Amodu should be retained to finish the good work he started. I have been reading on the net that some people are calling for his sack for an expatriate to take over his job. For me, doing that would be ill-timed. And in fact, it is injustice on the part of that gentleman’s achievement with the team so far.
"You don’t change a winning team. Amodu has delivered. He achieved the target given to him, so why are they molesting or trying to frustrate him instead of showing him gratitude for doing a good job. For me, Amodu should be retained for the sake of continuity," Akwuegbu disclosed.

It would be recalled that Hereford United were on the trail of Akwuegbu as the man to fire them back to League One at their first attempt. Bulls’ boss, John Trewick took the 34-year-old on trial during the Edgar Street club’s pre-season preparations for life in League Two.
Indications were that Trewick believes Akwuegbu could have a part to play for Hereford, who are aiming to recover rapidly from relegation.

"He’s an ex-Nigerian international, having played something like 30 times for his country, so he knows what he’s doing," said Trewick.
"He’s obviously not as fit as he can be at the moment, but he can certainly play the game. He’s powerful, good in the air and he’s got a really good strike on him.
"He plays in a similar style to Guy Ipoua, that’s for sure, and if he can be as effective as Guy was for us, then we’d settle for that.

"We’ve had a policy at the club of living within our means and that will continue."
Earlier, a Chinese club failed to pay Akwuegbu his salary for three months when he featured for them in 2008, after which the player dragged them to FIFA's court. FIFA then ordered the club to pay the player around €35,000.
The club agreed to pay half of the amount before July, but did not, so lawyers acting on behalf of Akwuegbu are now demanding for a full payment as a result of the latest default by the Chinese club.
By CHIMAOBI UCHENDU

MLS Cup 2009: L.A. vs. Salt Lake

2009-11-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

As the reborn Los Angeles Galaxy prepare to take on Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup final on Sunday (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Galavisión), I can't help but think back to a scene in Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 13, 2008.

There were two players left in the visitors' locker room that day -- Landon Donovan and David Beckham -- after the Galaxy's 2-0 loss to Kansas City, an ugly defeat in which Donovan and Beckham, three days removed from national-team games, had played like zombies.

By then, the '08 Galaxy season was a lost cause. Not a single member of the L.A. media bothered to attend the game. As I sat interviewing Donovan at his locker, Beckham walked out of the shower and headed toward his locker right next to us.

"Hey," Beckham said. He looked ashen. Drained. Sort of ill, in fact.

Donovan, for his part, said nothing to Beckham. They long since had stopped talking on a regular basis as Beckham had withdrawn from the American star and Donovan had grown increasingly frustrated with what he saw as Beckham's lack of leadership and commitment to the team. In that tense moment, as the Galaxy limped toward a last-place finish in the Western Conference, it seemed as though the Beckham Experiment was over. Finished. A failure.

Now look. Beckham and Donovan are 90 minutes away from an MLS championship, 90 minutes away from capping a remarkable turnaround, 90 minutes away from showing once and for all that Beckham's American adventure really is about the soccer, not just a giant marketing opportunity.

L.A. will be the heavy favorite on Sunday, not least because Salt Lake had the worst record of any of the eight MLS playoff teams. But RSL has pulled off two major upsets, taking out Columbus and Chicago on the road, and I think coach Jason Kreis' outfit could keep the final close for a while. Here are three things on my mind heading into the game:

Retooled Syracuse will go as far as the once-reluctant Johnson leads Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/seth_davis/11/21/Syracu

2009-11-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

Three weeks ago, Syracuse assistant coach Rob Murphy was looking over the statistics from the Orange's first week of practice when he noticed that Wesley Johnson, the team's promising 6-foot-7 transfer from Iowa State, had taken just three shots one day and two shots the next.

"I'm talking about in the whole practice," Murphy said. During a heart-to-heart talk in the basement of Murphy's house later that night, he chastised Johnson for being so passive. "I know you're a nice kid," Murphy said, "but you took two shots in our last practice. You want to be our go-to guy? You want to be an NBA player? You can't take two shots."

Murphy recounted that story Friday night while standing in a hallway at Madison Square Garden, where the stat sheet from Syracuse's 87-71 thumping of No. 6 North Carolina told a much different story. Johnson scored 14 points in the game's first nine minutes en route to a scintillating 25-point, eight-rebound performance in the finals of the 2K Sports Classic. That outing, combined with a 17-point, 11-rebound effort in Thursday's semifinal win over California, made him the easy choice as the tournament's most valuable player.

Johnson admitted that he had been waiting for the big stage to assert himself -- "I have to pick and choose the games," he said -- but he may not have that luxury anymore. If he is going to reach his potential, and if Syracuse is going to fulfill the promise it showed this week in New York, then Johnson is going to have to shed the gentle, deferential nature that has made him so universally popular with his teammates and coaches. "He is," said Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, "the nicest kid I've ever been around, hands down."

He has a nice game, too. With his size, length, outside touch and freaky athleticism, Johnson is a prototypical NBA small forward. (During the win over Cal, he had one of the best missed dunks you'll see all season when he mistimed his leap from the left wing on a fast break and stuffed the ball into the rim.) He committed four turnovers (with no assists) in the win over Cal, but for the most part, he was poised and efficient. He shot 17 for 29 in the two games, including 6 for 12 from three-point range.

It has taken quite a bit of prodding to get Johnson to assume the mantle of primary scorer. A week after the talk in Murphy's basement, Boeheim held a team meeting and dissected the strengths and weaknesses of all the main players. When he got to Johnson, he grew angrier. "Wesley, we need you to get 30 [points]," Boeheim barked. "If you want to get 40, go get 40." After the meeting, Johnson looked at Murphy and said, "I guess you were right."

"He just has a very good spirit. He's a loving and caring kid who takes time to do everything the right way. He doesn't want to do anything wrong," Murphy said. "I told him, 'Wesley, great players are selfish.' Sometimes selfishness is looked at in negative terms, but the truth is he needs more of it."

Johnson has received similar encouragment from his teammates, who acknowledge that he has a little more nasty in him than he lets on. "He talks trash out there. He does a lot of things the camera can't catch," said 6-9 senior forward Arinze Onuaku, who had 15 points and seven rebounds against North Carolina. Gerry McNamara, the former Syracuse icon who is now a graduate assistant coach, told Johnson that once he hit the floor at Madison Square Garden, he needed to seize the opportunity. Said Johnson, "Gerry told me, when the lights come on, you're going to know it."

For his part, Johnson makes no apologies for stepping so gingerly into this role. "I can say this -- I'm a teammate first," he said. "I'm not going to go out and bombard anyone and say I'm the man. It was a must for me to step up tonight and be a scorer. I haven't really done that the first few games, but this was the best game for me to do it."

Yet, Johnson still did a good job blending in with a full team effort. Five Syracuse players scored in dougle figures against the Tar Heels, and six different players contributed during a devastating 25-3 run that blew the game open at the start of the second half. Moreover, with guys like Johnson, 6-4 senior guard Andy Rautins and 6-7 sophomore forward Kris Joseph working the perimeter, this team is uniquely well-suited to play Boeheim's vaunted zone defense, which North Carolina coach Roy Williams said Friday reminded him of John Chaney's old matchup zone at Temple for its ability to shut down long-range shooters. "It's like in football, when a defensive back closes out on a receiver," Williams said. "You think you're open and all of a sudden they block your shot."

Boeheim seconded Williams's assessment of the Orange's D. "Do you know how many times North Carolina will shoot 38 percent this year? One, maybe."

For all the balance and comity Syracuse put on display, in the end this team will go as far as Johnson will take it. After the win Friday night, Johnson, a native of Corsicana, Texas, candidly explained that the deterioration of his relationship with Iowa State coach Greg McDermott contributed to his decision to transfer. "Me and my coach's relationship got bad my sophomore year," he said. Because McDermott's offense relies on a lot of set patterns, it has taken some time for Johnson to cotton to the freedom he is granted in Boeheim's motion offense. Boehim called a lot of plays Friday night specifically designed to get Johnson the ball in places he could score.

Boeheim has been promising all summer long that Johnson would be one of the best players in the country. "Would I lie? Do I just talk?" Boeheim said during his postgame press conference. "He's going to get better, too." Later, while standing in the locker room, he was still crowing about the major step forward his star player had just taken. "He just became a top-five pick [in the NBA draft]," Boeheim said, not bothering to pretend Johnson will return to Syracuse as a senior. "If anything, he could still be more aggressive, but tonight he was the most aggressive I've seen him. That's what we need him to be."

Martins targets goal No. 6 in Bundesliga •As Wolfsburg welcome Nuremberg

2009-11-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

Fresh from Super Eagles assignment where he hit a brace against Kenya in Nairobi, Obafemi Martins will seek to increase his Bundesliga goals' tally this afternoon against Nuremberg. His team, Wolfsburg stay home at the Volkswagen Arena to the Bundesliga's new entrants currently placing 16th on the table with nine points.

Martins, at the moment, has five goals to his credit and may be going for a brace against the lowly side.
Coach Armin Veh, after the break, would be delighted to welcome the Bosnia-Herzegovina duo of Edin Dzeko and Zvjezdan Misimovic, who have been in sparkling form for the German League defending champions. Both men were impressive in their country's two-legged play-off in the European Zone of the South Africa 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Their partnership with Martins up front appears to be Veh's best option after his team surprisingly took the fifth position, leaving follower of the Bundesliga doubting their readiness to reenact those breath-taking performances that saw them claiming the league title.
Given Nuremberg's poor runs in recent times, very little spark could be expected of them today as they confront Wolfsburg. They tasted victory last on October 17, when they outscored another Bundesliga's weak link, Hertha BSC 3-0. They fell 1-0 to FSV Mainz 05 1-0 before the break and look good to continue with their streak of poor performances.

However, there is no disregarding what their lead marksman, Albert Bunjaku can do with the ball in the opponents' goal area. The Swiss has hit four times for Nuremberg, who qualified to play in the elite division this season after winning their play-off. Their manager, Michael Oenning would be aiming at putting a spanner in the works for Martins and the rest of Wolfsburg's squad.
It is, however, up to the 'Weapon of Mass Destruction' to overcome the weak challenges of their guests and hit goals to be in true contention for the league's highest goalscorers award this season.

Amodu can't stand heat in South Africa –Owoblow •Ex-Eagles' star wants sound foreign coach for Nigeria immediately

2009-11-21T07:15:00.000-08:00

Felix Owolabi, popularly known as 'Owoblow', has strongly advocated for an immediate drastic overhauling of the Super Eagles ahead of next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

The former Green Eagles' prolific left-winger, who attributed Nigeria's qualification to God's grace, said the current technical crew led by Shaibu Amodu lack what it takes to tinker the Super Eagles to a successful outing at the mundial in the former apartheid enclave next year.

“God is wonderful! Everybody must appreciate that it was by God's grace that Nigeria qualified for the World Cup. And that is because every Nigerian was committed to the project. From President Musa Yar'Adua to the Nigeria Football Federation, the Presidential Task Force, the players, the technical crew and every Nigerian citizen, everybody contributed through prayers to our qualification for the World Cup in South Africa,” Owoblow began in an exclusive chat with Saturday Sunsport early in the week.

“Initially, the players were lackadaisical in their approach to the World Cup qualifiers, but later they realised that they owed the nation a service to deliver the World Cup ticket. I think time has come for us to take a review of the rough journey to South Africa. Did we really do well? Were the coaches competent? Were they able to nurture a good team for the World Cup qualifying campaign? Certainly, all was not well,” he posited.

“We need to find possible replacements for some players in the Super Eagles' squad. Osaze Odemwingie has been fantastic. Obinna Nsofor has been marvellous. Obafemi Martins, who was given a chance at last, proved himself in Nairobi. But we need to fall back on our domestic league to get some players who can compliment the foreign-based legion, some of who have not shown enough commitment to the national team.

“Such quality players can be found in Kano Pillars, Heartland and Bayelsa United, three clubs that have proved to be among the best in Africa in recent times,” Owoblow suggested.
The respected ex-international, who is also a board member of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) says the Nigerian team require a charismatic foreign coach, who not only commands respect, but also is rated high and above the Super Eagles players, some of who, he noted, assume larger-than-life posture while on national duty.

“I have to tell the truth as a patriotic Nigerian, Coach Shaibu Amodu does not have what it takes to guide the Super Eagles to a successful World Cup campaign in South Africa.
“We need a coach who is technically and tactically sound, someone, who is high and above the players. The coach has to be someone, who can instill drastic discipline into the team. The coach definitely cannot be a Nigerian, because no Nigerian coach can take the Super Eagles to the World Cup in South Africa and get a good result,” he opined.

Owolabi, however, recommended that Amodu be allowed to be part of the technical crew to the mundial in South Africa next year to compensate him for his effort towards Nigeria's qualification for the World Cup.

“I suggest that Amodu be allowed to remain a part of Super Eagles' technical crew to the World Cup in South Africa to compensate him for his effort towards Nigeria's qualification for the mundial. This is the second time he has so contributed to Nigeria's World Cup qualification.

He was in charge of the Super Eagles when Nigeria qualified for the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan, but he was not allowed to take the team to the World Cup proper. It will not be fair if he is not part of the technical crew, who will guide the team to the World Cup in South Africa next year, but certainly not as the head coach,” he concluded.
By EMMA NJOKU

Inside AdSense: A more customized search experience for your website

2009-11-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

Inside AdSense: A more customized search experience for your website

Slovakia beats United States 1-0 in WCup warmup

2009-11-14T11:23:00.000-08:00

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) Marek Hamsik scored from the penalty spot in the first half Saturday to lead Slovakia to a 1-0 win over the United States in an international friendly.

Hamsik converted the penalty in the 26th minute with a low shot to the right corner, with goalkeeper Brad Guzan diving to the opposite direction. The penalty was awarded after United States defender Jonathan Bornstein brought downed Vladimir Weiss in the area.

Michael Bradley, the son of United States coach Bob Bradley, headed in from close range just two minutes into the game following a corner kick by Robbie Rogers but was ruled offside. Also, Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss fielded his son Vladimir in the starting lineup.

This was the first meeting between the teams since Slovakia became an independent state in 1993 following the split of Czechoslovakia. Before that, some Slovaks faced the Americans at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where Czechoslovakia won 5-1.

The United States had to play without Landon Donovan, who scored a goal Friday to help put the Los Angeles Galaxy reach the MLS Cup final with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo.

For both teams, the match was the start of preparations the World Cup after they qualified for next year's tournament in South Africa.

Slovakia upset the Czech Republic and Poland in its World Cup qualifying group to reach a major tournament for the first time. The United States finished first in the CONCACAF region, advancing to its sixth consecutive World Cup.

While both teams failed to create scoring chances in the opening stages, the Americans looked to be the more dangerous team, threatening with crosses by Rogers from the right. But Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha was firmly in charge in the area.

Clint Dempsey's shot from 10 meters (yards) missed widely in the 30th minute and six minutes later Benny Feilhaber tested Mucha with a low shot from 20 meters (yards).

A minute later, Dempsey came close with a long range swerving free kick, forcing Mucha to dive to his left to save.

In the last American chance in the first half, Bornstein crossed from the left for Feilhaber, whose diving header was saved by Mucha three minutes before halftime.

Slovakia relied on mostly harmless counterattacks at that part.

United States substitute Eddie Johnson broke down in the 51st but missed the target, while Slovakia forward Erik Jendrisek was denied by Guzan in a quick response a minute later.

In the 54th, Jendrisek failed to score again after collecting a precise through ball from Hamsik when he had just the 'keeper to beat.

Dempsey was left unmarked in the area in the 62nd but failed to control the ball and came close three minutes later when his free kick from 22 meters (yards) was deflected by the defense and the ball just missed the goal.

Guzan proved his quality again in the 74th with a perfect save in another one-on-one situation with substitute Satnislav Sestak. Substitute Sacha Kljestan almost made an immediate impact when he came on in the 82nd, forcing Mucha to a fingertip save with a free kick from the left. Bornstein produced another dangerous cross in the 90th but Mucha was ready.

After Saturday's game, the Americans close their 2009 schedule on Nov. 18 against Denmark in Aarhus. Bob Bradley may make changes for that game.

Slovakia plays Chile on Tuesday in Zilina.

Lineups:

Slovakia: Jan Mucha; Radoslav Zabavnik, Martin Skrtel, Jan Durica, Marek Cech (Peter Pekarik, 90), Miroslav Karhran, Marek Karhan (Zdeno Strba, 90), Marek Hamsik (Jan Kozak, 90), Vladimir Weiss (Juraj Kucka, 82), Robert Vittek (Dusan Svento, 68), Miroslav Stoch (Satislav Sestak, 61), Erik Jendrisek.

United States: Brad Guzan, Jonathan Bornstein, Carlos Bocanegra (Clarence Goodson, 72), Steve Cherundulo, Jonathan Spector, Robbie Rogers (Sacha Kljestan, 82), Michael Bradley, Benny Feilhaber, Clint Dempsey (Dax McCarty, 72), Jozy Altidore (Jeff Cunningham, 82), Conor Casey (Eddie Johnson, 46).
By KAREL JANICEK

Emeteole may dump Heartland ...Wants fresh contract

2009-11-14T11:15:00.000-08:00

Coach Kelechi Emeteole has hinted that he would not hesitate to grab any mouth-watering contract that comes his way if the management of Heartland fails to tidy up his new contract with the club.

The coach popularly called 'Caterpillar' in his playing days is currently observing rest after guiding the Owerri side to the final of this year's CAF Champions League where they lost to TP Mazembe of Congo DR.

“My contract with Heartland expired since July, but the management of the club pleaded with me to continue till the end of the CAF Champions League. We have finished the Champions League and I'm waiting for them to invite me for a fresh negotiation of my contract,” Emeteole told League Unlimited in a telephone chat midweek.

The Glo Premier League resumes on Wednesday next week with the former El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri tactician not certain to remain with the 'Naze Millionaires' for the rest of the season.
“I'm not sure yet whether I will be part of the team (Heartland) when the league resumes on Wednesday next week. I was told to wait until the chairman returns from Abuja for us to negotiate on my new contract. I'm still waiting for them. But if nothing happens before the league restarts after the Under-17 World Cup, I will not be part of the team.

“As it were, if any team come up with a good offer for my services, I shall not hesitate to grab it,” Caterpillar hinted.
By MERCY OKORO

South Africa 2010 W/Cup Qualifier -DECISION DAY ! • Super Eagles stake all against Harambee Stars in Nairobi ...Mozambique, Tunisia hold the ace

2009-11-14T11:04:00.000-08:00

Whether the green and white flag of Nigeria will be hoisted among the 24 countries that will converge in South Africa for next year's World Cup will be known later today. For the umpteenth time, Nigerians would have to go through 90 minutes of tension and anxiety on the last day of the African qualifiers, praying fervently for the Super Eagles to land safely at the world's greatest showpiece.

It took a tension-soaked away victory over Algeria for Nigeria to make her first appearance at the World Cup in the United States in 1994. It was the same scenario ahead of the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup finals when the Super Eagles had to engage the Sudanese national team in the famous 'Battle of Omdurman', which ended in a massive 4-0 victory in favour of Nigeria. But the Super Eagles had the Black Stars of Ghana to thank as their victory over the Lone Star in Liberia confirmed Nigeria's ticket to the World Cup in the Asian continent.

Luck, however, failed to smile on Nigeria on the last day of the African qualifiers ahead of the 2006 edition of the mundial staged in Germany, when, despite a comprehensive 5-1 win over Zimbabwe, Angola snatched the sole group ticket courtesy of the head-to-head rule even though both sides ended on the same points.

The 'Palencas Negras', as the Angolan side are known, had won the Super Eagles in their first leg encounter in Kigali, while the return leg in Kano ended in a draw.

Victory for Nigeria in today's crucial game against Kenya in Nairobi will count for nothing if Tunisia win Mozambique in Maputo as the race for tickets to next year's World Cup ends today across Africa. Tunisia currently top Group B with 11 points, while Nigeria follow with nine points. It's, therefore, a must-win situation for Nigeria, as anything short of that automatically puts paid to the Super Eagles' chance of making it to the Rainbow Nation next year even if Tunisia lose to Mozambique in Maputo today.

At the moment, Nigeria and Tunisia tie on same goal difference of +4. A draw for Tunisia and a win for Nigeria will leave both nations on 12 points each. Nigeria, therefore, need a comprehensive win to beat Tunisia to the sole group ticket to the first World Cup on African soil.

All the four teams in Group B have everything to play for in today's last round qualifying fixtures. While Nigeria and Tunisia go to the wires for the World Cup ticket, Mozambique and Kenya are desperate to go to Angola for next year's Africa Cup of Nations. Should Nigeria win Kenya and Mozambique beat Tunisia, Nigeria go to South Africa, while Tunisia and Mozambique will qualify for the Nations Cup. Conversely, should Tunisia win Mozambique and Kenya beat Nigeria, Tunisia will qualify for the World Cup, while Nigeria and Kenya go to the Nations Cup in Angola next year.

To underline the importance of today's crucial encounter, Kenya Football Federation have compelled the German Coach of Harambee Stars, Antoine Hey, to recalled Denmark-based midfielder, Emmanuel Ake and striker Dennis Oliech of Auxerre, France, as replacements for the injured duo of MacDonald Maringa and Robert Mambo, who are ruled out of the battle of Nairobi.
Kenya have vowed to spoil the party for Nigeria in order to realise their dream of featuring at next year's Nations Cup in Angola. But the Super Eagles are equally committed to victory over the Kenyans in order to land in South Africa next year.

Led by Nigeria's reigning Footballer of the Year, Osaze Odemwingie, the Super Eagles are poised to take the fight to the Harambee Stars this afternoon even in front of their partisan home fans.
“Nigerians should believe that we are going to qualify for the World Cup. I want the same atmosphere we had before the game against Tunisia when we went to Tunis and got a positive result. The game against Kenya will be a hard one, but we have to do our best to take the advantage,” Osaze remarked.
“It is unfortunate that picking a slot in the 2010 World Cup does not just depend on the result of our match against Kenya. We have to pray that Tunisia drop points from their match against Mozambique. But there is still a chance for us and we will not stop fighting for it,” Osaze vowed.

“I'm sure we will face difficulties, but we won the first leg against the Kenyans and we have to do it again. I hope we can get the full points we need and also increase our goal difference in case we tie on points with Tunisia after their match against Mozambique,” Obafemi Martins added his voice ahead of today's crucial clash.

Coach Amodu Shaibu is familiar with the crucial nature of today's match. He was in charge of the Super Eagles when Nigeria faced Sudan in the famous 'Battle of Omdurman' where the Eagles grabbed their ticket to the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan with a massive 4-0 win over the Sudanese side.
Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor and Mike Eneramo are likely to start in Nigeria's attack against the Kenyans, while captain Nwankwo Kanu, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Joseph Akpala are other options for Amodu in front. The midfield options include Yusuf Ayila, John Mikel Obi, Seyi Olofinjana, Kalu Uche, Olufemi Ajilore and workaholic Osaze.

In the defence are Joseph Yobo, Taiye Taiwo, Onyekachi Apam and returnee Chidi Odiah. Others are Dele Adeleye, Elderson Echiejile and Obinna Nwaneri. While Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba or Greg Etafia will man the goalposts for Nigeria.

Interestingly, a certain Prophet Timothy Okechukwu Ibe has told Nigerians not to get hypertensive over today's match, assuring that the Super Eagles' victory over the Harambee Stars is not only a done deal, but will come with a comprehensive 3-0 scoreline. According to the prophet, Mozambique would also beat Tunisia 2-1 to confirm Nigeria's ticket to South Africa for next year's World Cup.
Both the match between Nigeria and Kenya, as well as the tie between Mozambique and Tunisia will start at 2.00pm Nigerian time today.
By EMMA NJOKU

Keep supporting us - Eaglets captain pleads

2009-11-04T03:54:00.000-08:00

GOLDEN Eaglets captain, Fortune Chukwudi, has called on all Nigerians to give the team maximum support in its remaining matches of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup finals.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Chukwudi said the team needed the backing of Nigerians at this time and the youngsters were looking forward to a full house at the National Stadium, Abuja, tomorrow when they take on New Zealand for a place in the quarter-finals.

“We thank Nigerians for the support we have received from them so far, and we want them to continue to support us in a big way until we win the trophy. There are so many good people in this country and we love them all. We are not bothered about the insignificant few who only want to destroy,” said Chukwudi.

The Eaglets have scored six goals and conceeded four in the tournament, but this is the knockout stage and they must take their chances like never before.

“Yes, we know there is never a second chance in the knockout stages. We are prepared for battle and the prayers of Nigerians will see us through.”

Ben Nwachuckwu, Abuja

Kenya promises Nigeria hell

2009-11-04T03:33:00.000-08:00

Kenya' Deputy Minister of Sports, Kabondo Kabondo, has again boasted that Super Eagles of Nigeria would be beaten silly when they clash with Harambee Stars in the World/Nations Cup qualifier scheduled for November 14 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Speaking live from Nairobi with an Abuja-based radio station, Hot FM, Kabonda, who earlier last month told media men in Abuja that it was unfortunate that the Eagles would be calling when the generality of Kenyans wanted the ticket to go to Nations Cup badly, said that on reaching home, he became more convinced that Nigeria would fall easily in Nairobi.

"We believe we can qualify for the Nations Cup in Angola, so we are not taking chances. The current condition of our team and the climate advantage we have will help us to maul the Super Eagles by at least 5–0 with the hope that Mozambique will draw or lose to Tunisia.

"My optimism of our beating Nigeria is based on the fact that Eagles are no longer the dreaded team we used to know. That is why I believe that we will score them five times without them making any reply," he stated.

He said the Kenya Football Limited were working round the clock to ensure the Harambee Stars qualify for the CAF Nations Cup by beating the Eagles.
He assured that the Nigerian team would get fine hospitality when they visit Nairobi, but emphasised that Harambee Stars would beat them silly on the pitch.

By RICHARD JIDEAKA, Abuja

Eagles strikers not committed –Sinclair

2009-11-04T03:23:00.000-08:00

Precisely 12 days to the battle in Nairobi, where the Super Eagles will lock horns with The Harambee Stars of Kenya in the final 2010 World Cup qualifier, Nigeria Football Coaches Association chairman, Monday Sinclair has shot a look at the goals drought in the national team and exclaimed that the chances the players miss in games is unbelievable.

Sinclair urged the Eaglesí crew to work on this aspect, while stating that, if all hands are on deck, he sees Nigeria scaling through to South Africa 2010.

Our boys, in one match alone, a team will throw away 15 chances. I mean, itís terrible. This is one problem in African football. Creating the chances and not taking them.
Whether it is anxiety, lack of composure or fear, I donít know. Or lack of scoring skills. In short, let us be optimistic.

We donít say God loves Nigeria more than other countries, so he should be on our side,î said the veteran coach fondly called The Professor.
Sinclair ended with a charge to the players and coaching crew to step up their performances, with a view that better form from the squad should eventually see Nigeria at South Africa 2010.

Most depends on us. If our boys are in the best mood, they are sure of themselves and the coaches can do the job, how best they know how to do it. I believe we will go through, he expatiated.

By EMMA NJOKU, Kano

Chelsea bid to have transfer ban suspended

2009-10-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

Chelsea are seeking to have the English club's worldwide transfer ban put on hold until an appeal is heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Gael Kakuta's move to Chelsea in 2007 has seen the club slapped with a transfer ban until 2011.

The London outfit have already lodged an appeal against FIFA's ruling, which prevents the club from registering any new players during the next two transfer windows.

They had been found guilty of illegally inducing teenager Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with French club Lens two years ago.

The CAS has now confirmed that Chelsea want that ruling to be suspended until the outcome of the appeal is known, which would likely allow Roman Abramovich's club to sign players during the January window as no hearing date has yet been set.

"Chelsea Football Club and Gael Kakuta have filed appeals at the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the decision issued by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber on August 27," said a statement on the official CAS Web site.
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"Both Chelsea FC and Kakuta have requested that the FIFA decision be stayed pending the outcome of the CAS arbitration. A decision concerning the request for a stay is likely to be issued by the CAS at the beginning of November."

Kakuta is also appealing the four-month playing ban he was given by world football's governing body.
From CNN News

Lulu begs Nigerians to rally behind Eaglets

2009-10-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, has appealed to Nigerians from all walks of life to put aside personal feelings and prejudice and rally behind the national Under-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, as the John Obuh’s boys attempt to defend the FIFA Under-17 World Cup title.

“This is a time to get behind the a national project and forget personal interests and other distractions. This is a Nigeria project. This team are flying our flag and I appeal to all Nigerians to see the team as their own team.

“These young boys need all support throughout the competition. As Cup holders, we have a great opportunity to successfully defend the title. That will help the spirit of all youngsters involved in the game in Nigeria and the positive feeling will rub off on our other teams,” said Lulu Abdullahi.

“So many things have happened in the last few weeks, with so many people airing divergent views and opinions on the game. There have been misquotations and mis –representations of one’s views and statements in sections of the media, but as far as I am concerned, this is not a personal issue.

“Whoever wants to contest election into NFF Board or wants to be NFF President is free to have ambition, and should pursue their ambition with the utmost sense of responsibility, consideration for national interest and decency. Hawking of falsehood would not help, and could even hurt Nigeria football, which should be the permanent interest of all.
“I am making this heartfelt appeal because I know that with the support of all Nigerians, these boys can go all the way.

“Our team performed below expectation at the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt and all manner of masquerades came out from their hiding place, airing their views. It is unfortunate. But the truth is Nigeria is bigger than any individual.
“I desire nothing for personal interest; all I do are in the interest of development of Nigeria football”.
Nigeria take on Germany in their first match of the tournament at the National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, starting from 7pm.

Meanwhile, Head Coach of the Golden Eaglets, John Obuh will address a press conference organised by FIFA at the media centre of the National Stadium, Abuja today (Thursday) evening, starting from 6pm.
By CHIMAOBI UCHENDU

Flying Eagles have spiritual problems - Ikande

2009-10-09T04:41:00.000-07:00

The story of Flying Eagles and AC Milan player, Harmony Ikande is laced with lots of ironies. He rejected his academic pursuit for football and he never played for any big time club before he moved to Europe. Recently, he was a last-minute invitee for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup currently going on in Egypt.

The youngster spoke about his childhood, the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, AC Milan and their prospects in Europe, the problem of racism among other issues.

Ikande pointed out the problem with youth football development in Nigeria and hinged it on spiritual matters. Enjoy the chat with the youth player!

How was it growing up and how did you begin your career?
I was born in Kano, and I began my career with YSFON team, which I also captained.
My father never wanted me to play football because he preferred I go to school. I secured a scholarship to study in the US, but I opted out when my brother told me that I wouldn’t succeed combining football with academics, more so when football is not played much in America.

Today, I am grateful to God that I took that bold step. I am having the best time of my career.
Are you not disappointed you began the World Cup campaign on a poor note due to injury?
I won’t use the word disappointed, but saddened, because I was slowed down by the injury. Everybody knew that I was taken in by the injury, which prevented me from giving my best in our first two matches. When injury occurs, there is nothing you can do about it. Instead, you have to take it to avoid it getting worse.

However, I am consoled by the fact that when I was called upon, I did my best. The coach introduced me in our last group game against Tahiti, when he realised that Rabiu (Ibrahim) was tired and I was happy that the crucial goal we needed came at the right moment.

Some people said that the Flying Eagles were weighed down at the championship in Egypt by spiritual problems, do you agree to that?
Well, since you cannot see the heart of man, it is difficult to say, but we prayed as a team to overcome whatever spiritual problem we were going through.

In our first two matches, I noticed that some of my colleagues were scared, probably because of lack of experience, but not me. I am well exposed. I also work on my fitness by going to the gym.

How does it feel playing for AC Milan?
It is a great honour to be playing for one of the greatest clubs in the world. When I got to the club, I was really excited rubbing shoulders with big players like Kaka, Seedorf, Ronaldinho, Cafu and others. Playing among them has really helped my game, as I don’t feel intimidated by any big name anymore.

How do you rate the chances of AC Milan in the Champions League?
To be very honest, our chances are very slim because we have not had a good season in Europe. I guess we are undergoing some problems due to the exit of some key players and the fact that the new ones have not settled down properly for business.

I am bitter we have not done well in Europe, we have not met the expectations of our fans. Even before now, the technical crew knew we were going nowhere. But then, football is black and white; anything can still happen.
It is not easy rating the club this season, but as far as Champions League is concerned, the Cup is not ours.

So, which club do you tick for the trophy?
With the calibre of players in Real Madrid, I think they are in better stade to win the Champions League.

As a young player, how do you cope living alone in Europe?
Living alone has really boosted my career because without my parents or anybody around, I have learnt to look after myself. Moreover, I was brought up in a godly way. So, I have learnt not to let my parents and country down.

What is your take on racism in Europe?
I have never experienced it, because if you are doing well, the colour of your skin does not matter. There are black players in my club and we have all gained the acceptance of our fans, who do not bother about skin complexion.
Racism exists, but I have never been a victim of it.

By MARO ONOKPEGU, Abuja

I ’ll roast Mozambique –Obagoal

2009-10-09T04:38:00.000-07:00

Wolfsburg of Germany striker, Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins has vowed to give his best in Sunday’s 2010 World/Nations qualifier between Nigeria and Mozambique.
Obafemi said that he was delighted with his recall to the Super Eagles, but said he would not want to talk too much before entering the filed of play.

Obagol, however, stated that he intends to play his heart out and hopes his teammates do the same.
“It’s not all about talking, talking is easy. We can talk and talk all Sunday. So, that’s why we have to give our best, we have to win.

“It’s very important and people will see what will happen, because I’m here to give my best and I hope the rest of the players will do well also,” said the former Inter Milan and Newcastle United striker.
Obadrive concluded with a declaration that he foresees nothing short of victory for the Eagles at Abuja National Stadium, come Sunday, with a verdict that the team are primed to pick up all three points..
“I believe we will take all three points,” The Weapon of Mass Destruction enthused.

Local favorite Peng sends Sharapova crashing

2009-10-07T11:51:00.000-07:00

Local favorite Peng Shuai thrilled a vociferous home crowd as she progressed to the quarterfinals of the China Open in Beijing by beating in-form world number 15 Maria Sharapova in straight sets.

Peng, ranked 53rd in the world, secured back-to-back breaks to win the first set, then raced into a 5-1 lead in the second.

Sharapova, who won last week's Pan Pacific tournament in Tokyo, launched a comeback, winning three consecutive games, but Peng broke again amid deafening noise to go through 6-2 6-4.

"I was having trouble with a few things," Russian Sharapova told reporters. "It was not my day today I guess.

"Usually I'm able to fight and get myself going when things are not going well and I was not able to do that today for some reason. I'm not sure why, but sometimes you have those days."

Li Na could not join her compatriot in the last eight, crashing to a 6-2 6-0 defeat at the hands of fourth seed Elena Dementieva.

Sixth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova also progressed, beating Alona Bondarenko 6-3 4-6 6-0, while Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, conqueror of Venus Williams, saw off Aleksandra Wozniak.

Maradona considering future with Argentina

2009-10-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

Diego Maradona has threatened to quit as Argentina coach next week unless certain terms and conditions are met.

Argentina play their final two World Cup qualifiers in the upcoming week, against Peru and Uruguay, with their place in South Africa still very much in the balance.

However, Maradona has revealed he is thinking of resigning from his post even if they qualify and will meet with Argentina football association president Julio Grondona to discuss matters.

"When Grondona called me to his house and offered me the job, I told him I was the happiest person in the world," Maradona told reporters.

"But after that things happened that I didn't like and I will speak about them later. If I continue it will be under my conditions. After the qualifiers I will talk to Julio."

Maradona, who has been in the post less than a year, did not specify what conditions he would lay down, but it is thought his chief gripe is with technical director Carlos Bilardo.

The pair reportedly do not get on and barely speak to each other, with Maradona unhappy at the former Argentina coach's interference in team affairs.

Argentina go into Saturday's qualifier in Buenos Aires on a run of four defeats in the last five games, and currently lie in the play-off position in the South American zone.

Loeb closes gap after Spanish Rally success

2009-10-04T10:50:00.000-07:00

CNN) -- Frenchman Sebastien Loeb took another step towards a sixth consecutive world rally championship title by winning the Rally of Spain on Sunday -- clinching the constructors' championship for Citroen in the process.

Loeb finished 12 seconds ahead of team-mate Dani Sordo, with title rivals Mikko Hirvonen of Finland 54 seconds behind in third place.

The result was Loeb's fifth consecutive win on the all-asphalt Spanish round of the series, the 53rd of his career and his sixth this season.

Hirvonen, driving a Ford Focus, retain his world championship lead -- but he now holds a slender one-point advantage from Loeb going into the 12th and final race of the season, the Rally of Britain, on October 23-25.

"This one was tough because Dani was pushing very hard at the start, so we tried to fight, but we knew also that we mustn't make any mistakes fighting each other -- it was so important for us to finish," Loeb told the official WRC Web site.

"It was a pleasure to drive again on tarmac -- for me it's been a long time since we did it. I'm really happy, I enjoyed this victory."

Loeb looked to have closed to within one point of Hirvonen after winning the Rally of Australia last month, but the Finn was awarded the victory after stewards found that Loeb's Citroen anti-rollbars did not conform to technical standards.

Lorenzo wins in Portugal to close on Rossi

2009-10-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

FROM (CNN) -- Spain's Jorge Lorenzo led from pole position to claim an impressive victory in Sunday's Portugal MotoGP at Estoril.

The Yamaha rider moved to within 18 points of Moto GP world championship leader and team-mate Valentino Rossi, with three races remaining, after securing his fourth victory of the season by a winning margin of 6.3 seconds.

Australian Casey Stoner, who was returning to action after missing three races because of a mystery virus, finished second on his Ducati with Dani Pedrosa crossing the line in third position on his Honda and Rossi coming home fourth.

Lorenzo overcame the early surges of compatriot Pedrosa to take control of the race on the first lap and went on to lead almost from start to finish.

Stoner, the 2007 world champion, kept Lorenzo's Yamaha within his sights and did well to hold on for a deserved runner-up place.

Eight-time world champion Rossi was over 20 seconds behind the pace of Lorenzo and the Italian is likely to consider his ride a failure having managed to finish on the podium on all nine of his previous visits to Estoril.

Anelka and Malouda put Chelsea on top

2009-10-04T10:39:00.000-07:00

FROM (CNN) -- Second half goals from Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda gave Chelsea a 2-0 victory over title rivals Liverpool at Stamford Bridge to take over at the top of the English Premier League from Manchester United.

Chelsea went into Sunday's crunch encounter knowing that victory would take them two points clear after eight matches as United were surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland 24 hours before.

Anelka met a left-wing cross from strike partner Didier Drogba to beat Pepe Reina with a deft touch on the hour mark.

Fellow French international Malouda wrapped up the three points in injury time as he connected with another assist from Ivory Coast star Drogba, who worked his way clear on the right to set up the killer goal.

Moments later Yossi Benayoun spurned a glorious chance for Liverpool and Hilario saved brilliantly from Steven Gerrard as the Reds suffered a second straight defeat after losing 2-0 to Fiorentina in the Champions League in midweek.

On the balance of chances, Carlo Ancelotti's men deserved their victory, which put them back on track after a shock defeat to Wigan last weekend.

Anelka and Michael Ballack had headed opportunities in a tight first half with Fernando Torres also heading straight to Chelsea stand-in keeper Hilario when meeting a similar opportunity.

A mistake by Javier Mascherano led to Chelsea's opener as he was robbed by Frank Lampard.

He sent Drogba clear down the flank to send over an inviting cross which Anelka met first time to score his third league goal of the campaign.

Gerrard saw an effort blocked by Chelsea captain John Terry and Torres shot wide from the rebound as Liverpool pressed for an equalizer before Malouda's late strike signaled a third league defeat of the season for Rafa Benitez's men, who stay fifth.

In Sunday's other match with a bearing on the title race, Arsenal continued their fine start to the season with a 6-2 home win over Blackburn at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger's men were twice behind but turned on the style to record their fifth win from seven games to leave them six points adrift of Chelsea in fourth place, but with a game in hand.

Goals by Steven Nzonzi and David Dunn threatened an upset for Blackburn, but the Gunners hit back through goalscoring defender Thomas Vermaelen, Robin van Persie and Andrei Arshavin to lead 3-2 at halftime.

Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, making a successful return after injury, and Nicklas Bendtner scored in the second half to complete the rout.

Captain Fabregas, who was involved with five of the six goals, was delighted with his team's display to mark 13 years in charge of the north London club for Wenger.

"I'm happy with all the team's performance," he told Sky Sports.

"You can always do better. It's just one more game in the race for the title."

Elsewhere, West Ham drew 2-2 at home to 10-man Fulham in a London derby, rescuing a point with a late goal by youngster Junior Stanislas.

Gianfranco Zola's team led through Carlton Cole's first half goal and looked set for victory as Fulham's South African midfielder Kagoshi Dikgacoi was sent off in his first start for the club.

But Danny Murphy's penalty drew Fulham level early in the second half before Zoltan Gera put the visitors ahead.

Everton were held 1-1 at Goodison Park by Stoke.

F/Eagles vow to redeem image against Tahiti

2009-10-01T11:46:00.001-07:00

Just like wounded lions, the Flying Eagles have vow to stake their life and redeem their image in their match today against Tahiti after losing their first and second match in the group stage in the on-going World Youth Championship (WYC) in Egypt.
The Coach Samson Siasia led-team have not been able to record any goal since the start of the championship, have promise to spill their blood on the pitch and redeem their image and that of the coach.

Speaking to Daily Sunsport in Cairo, Hesinborg of Sweden player, Yakubu Alpha and Uche Okafor, the Kaduna United FC keeper whose mistake led to the first Spanish goal in Flying Eagles’ match on Monday says they are set to correct their past mistake.

“It is difficult to explain what is actually wrong with us, and is unfortunate that things are not working as planed. We know we have brought disgrace to our country, but we are bent on corrrcting it in our match against Tahiti to ensure we redeem our image and that of the coach which was highly rated before now.

“We have overcome the shock of the last two matches and the spirit on camp is high we are determine to go all out to right all we have gotten wrong and ensure we win our match convincingly and wait for all the losers probbably we might be among the best losers.

“We came to Egypt with a mission of bringing the trophy back to Nigeria. Though we have not won any match, we believe it is still possible that is why we want to play our match with Tahiti like wounded lions and ensure we get that three points and wait for out come of other results. All we are pleading to Nigerians to still be patient with us may be that is the process God wants us to go through before getting to the finals.
By Mercy Jacob in Cairo

Nsofor: I’m 50-50 for Abuja war

2009-10-01T11:43:00.001-07:00

Newly-signed Malaga of Spain forward, Obinna Nsofor, has declared his readiness to wreck the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia if selected by coach Shaibu Amodu to play in this weekend’s 2010 World Cup qualifier duel.

"I am fit and in form to play. As a matter of fact, I will say I am ready and rearing to go. I have been anxiously waiting for this day and I hope to play out my heart for Nigeria if given a starting shirt by the coach.

But if I don’t play, I am sure that whoever that is called upon to defend the green-white-green colours of this great country will be equal to the task," the former Inter Milan star said.

When asked about his expectation of the World Cup qualifier cracker, he affirmed: "Everybody is saying that it will not be an easy game but all I can say is that you should expect a good match and a good result. We know the herculean task facing us as well as what is at stake.

"No matter how tough it will be, we will do everything humanly possible to beat Tunisia and bag the three maximum points.
"I’ve been to the Under-20 World Cup and Olympic Games, so participating in the senior World Cup will be the high point of my career, including that of my teammates.
"Don’t worry, we are going to put broad smiles on the faces of the fans on Sunday. It’s a promise that must be fulfilled."
By EPHRAIM NWOSU

Real march on as AC Milan slump at home

2009-10-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

Real Madrid's big summer spendings continued their scoring spree in a 3-0 Champions League win over Marseille but fellow European giants AC Milan suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Swiss minnows FC Zurich.

Cristiano scored another double and Brazilian ace Kaka was also on target for Real who scored all their goals in the second half at the Bernabeu to top Group C with a maximum of six points.

World record signing Ronaldo broke Marseille's resistance in the 58th minute and then won a penalty three minutes later after being pulled down by Marseille defender Souleymane Diawara, who was sent off for a second yellow card.

Kaka converted the penalty kick and Ronaldo struck again in the 64th minute after a superb team goal.

French ace Karim Benzema and Kaka were involved to set up the Portugal ace for his ninth goal in seven games since joining Real.

By contrast, Milan were well below-par in the other Group C match, a Hannu Tihinen goal in the 10th minute enough to secure victory in the San Siro.

The Finnish defender scored with a clever backheel from a corner, but try as they might Milan were unable to grab an equalizer.

Filippo Inzaghi missed a string of chances as the result poured the pressure on coach Leonardo after a poor start to the Serie A season for his side.

They should have leveled in the closing moments as captain Massimo Ambrosini shot wide and then substitute Gianluca Zambrotta struck the post with an last-gasp effort.

Despite the defeat, Milan remain second behind Real Madrid thanks to a superior goal difference.

In Group D, Chelsea maintained their perfect start to the campaign with a 1-0 away win over Cypriot champions APOEL Nicosia.

Nicolas Anelka scored the only goal in the 18th minute as he met Branislav Ivanovic's pass first time and curled the ball home.

Chelsea missed several chances to put the game out of reach, but the home side almost salvaged a point and had their best chance when Savvas Poursaitides saw his low shot parried away by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

In the group's other action on Wednesday, Radamel Falcao and Rolando scored late goals to give Porto a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

The Portuguese side, beaten by Chelsea in their opener, are second in the group with three points.

APOEL and Atletico are on a point apiece after sharing a draw in their opener.

Falcao backheeled home in the 75th minute, while central defender Rolando added the second from close range in the 82nd.

Jankovic cruises through to Tokyo semifinals

2009-10-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

Jelena Jankovic, the highest-ranked player left in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, advanced to the semifinals on Thursday with a 6-4 6-3 win over Marion Bartoli.

The Serbian seventh seed has become the favorite for the tournament after defending champion Dinara Safina, Venus Williams, Elena Dementieva, Caroline Wozniacki, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva all suffered shock early exits.

And Jankovic confirmed that status with a dominant showing against Frenchwoman Bartoli to book a last-four clash with Li Na.

Li was involved in a marathon quarterfinal with eighth seed Victoria Azarenka, needing three hours to seal a 7-6 4-6 7-6 win.

The other semifinal will be between the unseeded Maria Sharapova, a former winner here, and 11th seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

Sharapova beat Iveta Benesova 6-4 6-3, while Radwanska was a 6-3 6-1 winner against Magdalena Rybarikova

Man City striker Adebayor escapes another ban

2009-10-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been fined £25,000 ($40,000) for his controversial goal celebration against his former club Arsenal, but only received a suspended two-match ban -- partly due to fans provoking him.

Adebayor has already served a three-match suspension for violent conduct on former team-mate Robin van Persie in a separate incident during City's 4-2 victory last month.

However, there was the possibility of further action after he sprinted the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of visiting fans following his headed goal.

It is understood the Togo striker admitted a charge of improper conduct to an English Football Association regulatory commission hearing. His admission was taken into account, as was the conduct of Arsenal fans.

"In reaching its decision the commission took into account his admission of the charge, public apology and the extremely provocative nature of the abuse he received," read an FA statement.

"However, the commission also stated that players have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a proper manner and that such celebrations are unacceptable and have the potential to cause a serious public order incident."

Arsenal fans have been criticized for personal abuse of Adebayor after he left them in the summer and the player felt he was a scapegoat for supporters during his final days at the Emirates Stadium.

The 25-year-old is now available for City's Premier League clash at Aston Villa on Monday as his two-match ban will only be activated if there is a similar breach of FA rules before December 2010.

Alonso joins Ferrari on three-year deal

2009-10-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has signed for Ferrari on a three-year deal, the Formula One giants announced on Wednesday.

Alonso will replace 2007 world champion Kim Raikkonen in Ferrari's line-up for next season.

Raikkonen is reported to be headed for McLaren to replace fellow Finn Heikki Kovalainen, with BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica moving to Renault to fill the gap left by the long-anticipated departure of Alonso.

"We are very proud to welcome to our team another winning driver, who has demonstrated his amazing talent by winning two world championships in his career to date," Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali told their official Web site.

Alonso will pair up next season with the currently sidelined Brazilian Felipe Massa, with Giancarlo Fisichell acting as reserve driver.

Massa is recovering from the serious injuries he received in a freak qualifying crash at the Hungary Grand Prix two months ago.

Raikkonen has been shouldering the burden for Ferrari since Massa's crash, but despite his efforts he has seen his contract ended a year early.

"With common consent, we have agreed to terminate the contract binding me to Ferrari to the end of 2010, one year ahead of schedule," he said.

"I am very sad to be leaving a team with which I have spent three fantastic years, during which time I won plenty of races," he added.

The 28-year-old Alonso won successive world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006 before spending an unhappy year at McLaren where he was often forced to play second fiddle to Lewis Hamilton.

He rejoined Renault for last season and scored a subsequently controversial victory in the Singapore Grand Prix.

The World Motor Sport Council cleared the Spaniard of any involvement in the race-fixing scandal which led to a lifetime ban for team boss Flavio Briatore and he claimed the final podium spot in this weekend's race in Singapore.

The Ferrari statement did not reveal the Alonso's monetary deal but media reports are suggesting he will earn $36 million per season.

Australia’s Gold Coast lure Kanu to A-League

2009-09-30T01:46:00.000-07:00

A-League glamour club, Gold Coast United will try for a second time to lure Nigerian legend and current Portsmouth striker, Nwankwo Kanu to A-League, according to reports in Australia.

The 33 year-old has regularly featured - though not necessarily as a starter in the English Premier League season, with his club without a point from their opening seven games.

Fitness it would appear, might not necessarily be an issue with the man, who won two English Premier League titles and FA Cups at Arsenal (including a double), who has been contacted by the Gold Coast in the past.

At the beginning of last year, Kanu was targeted by the newly-arriving franchise and manager, Miron Bleiberg has confirmed he is looking at the possibility of signing the veteran.
“He’s so skilful, so inventive, he would be a superb addition to the A-League,” Bleiberg said, quoted by www.goldcoast.com.au.

“This whole process is at an early stage, but he’s certainly somebody who would fit the bill of a guest player for us.”
It might just be that flamboyant Gold Coast owner, Clive Palmer sees the addition of the Premier League star as a drawcard for fans, with the new A-League club having struggled for numbers at Skilled Park this season; their biggest attendance was 7526 for the 5–0 home win over the North Queensland Fury.

By EMMA NJOKU (Just back from Mali)

Best Ogedengbe, Super Eagles goalkeeper, dies at 55

2009-09-30T01:43:00.000-07:00

The nation lost one of its best, yesterday, with the death of the former goalkeeper of the Super Eagles, Best Ogedengbe. Ogedengbe, 55, died yesterday at the foremost University College Hospital, (UCH) Ibadan where he had been on admission for two weeks, after an eye operation .

He was among the team that won the highly coveted Nations Cup in 1980.

The ex-footballer, a native of Effurun died at 7.50pm on Monday at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital of brain tumour, according to the Head of Public Relations Department, UCH, Mr. Toye Akinrinlola.

He said, "he had a neuro(brain) tumour and was operated upon last week Monday and Tuesday. He was alright and stable after the surgery. He had once been treated in a private hospital where his eyes were operated upon but when he could not control it any longer, he came to the UCH where diagnosis showed that he had a brain tumour".

"Though the hospital tried its best to save him, he later died. Akinrinlola added that when he came to the hospital, the Chief Medical Director, Professor Abiodun Ilesanmi personally took it upon himself. The wife was here and testified to the fact that the hospital really tried."
Daily Sun learnt that few of the deceased relations including his wife Folashade were with him about the time he gave up the ghost.

The deceased goalkeeper's daughter, Yejide said her father acted on the advice on a doctor to remove the growth so that it would not deteriorate. "The tumour was not affecting him physically.
She said, "I received the news yesterday(Monday) night around 10.30pm . he was not sick. He needed to go for surgery and he went for it. He went to the hospital last week Monday. He was suffering from a tumour on the eye and the head region. It was not affecting him but he was advised by a doctor. Doctors said he had to remove it to stop if from further growth.

"She described her father as a rare man with unique character and was very plain. "He had no secret. He related with everybody. He had been coaching goalkeepers for Dolphin and Sharks. He came home whenever he had break. He was a peacemaker".
Daily Sun learnt that the Oyo State Government paid N460,000 as part payment for his treatment while in the hospital. Besides, the state government was said to have shown commitment during his admission at the hospital.
News of Ogedengbe's death was greeted with shock as it filtered in the Oyo State capital city yesterday.

The General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club(3SC), Mutiu Adepoju said he received the news with shock, noting that he had visited the late goalkeeper only a few hours of his death. "I never knew he would not survive it. I was with him but left for home only to wake up and hear of the news of his death. It is a great loss to Nigerian football and to the family".

"I am still shocked oh.I was with him at the intensive care unit where he was recuperating after the eye operation which was successful.I arrived the hospital few minutes after 6 in the evening on Monday and I stayed with him at the unit till after 7.His condition was stable and I prayed for him throughout my stay .We could not however discuss anything because of the gadgets mounted on him especially around the head but one could easily see that he had stabilised.
"I received a call this morning (Tuesday) only to be told that he had passed on.What could one say other than to abide with God\s wishes.I had to rush to the hospital to confirm.My brother,it is shocking and devastating."

The Shooting stars club General manager confirmed that Best Ogedegbe was admitted to the hospital for the eye operation which was successfully carried out before there was a sudden turn around of event which eventually led to his death.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Joe Ayoola Makanjuola described the death as unfortunate and very shocking, saying it was the last thing Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala expected.
Former governor of Oyo State Dr. Victor Olunloyo described the late Ogedegbe as a naturally good goalkeeper. But regretted that "Nigerians don't nurture their sportmen. They don't nurture anybody."
The mood at the Shooting star\s club house at Onireke was sombre while condolence register had already been opened for him.

Sympathisers had already started besieging his Apata residence in Ibadan to condole the family.
Late Best Ogedegbe (MON) would be remembered for his roles especially at the former IICC shooting stars of Ibadan ,now 3SC,in winning laurels for the club both as a goalkeeper and as a trainer.
He was at the goals for the club in 1976 when the club won the first continental trophy called Winners club then(Mandela club now).The late football idol played along internationals such as late Muda Lawa, Aloyous Atuegbu,Felix Owolabi and Segun Odegbami, among others.
Until recently, late Ogedegbe was with Dolphin football club and later Sharks of Portharcourt.
Shooting stars club media officer said, "the country has lost another gem just when he was needed most".

the vice president of 3SC supporters club Mr. Ayo Ajani reacted thus when the news was broken to him by daily Sun: "Oh God! My God! this is most unfortunate, i didn't know he was sick until i read about it in newspaper yesterday (Monday). that alone brke my heart not to talk of this.
Ajani, who said he had followed the late goal keeper's career since his days in the spitfire said he was a very valuable asset to the 3sc WHEN HE JOINED THE CLUB.

Ogedegbe's widow, Folasade a director of programmes at the broadcasting Corpoartion of Oyo State (BCOS) was too grief-stricken to talk when news men visited their Owode Estate residence at Apata area in ibadan yesterday.
She waved off attempt at interviewing her, surrounded by few relations and sympathisers.
By YINKA FABOWALE, IBADAN

Tevez double gives Manchester City victory

2009-09-29T12:36:00.001-07:00

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez scored twice against his former club as Manchester City beat West Ham 3-1 on Monday to move up to fifth place in the English Premier League table.

Tevez is still fondly regarded at West Ham after almost single-handedly keeping them in the Premier League during a controversial loan spell three years ago -- and he did not celebrate either of his goals in a result that leaves Gianfranco Zola's side still third from bottom of the table.

West Ham were without England central defender Matthew Upson through injury and, in his absence, the visitors went behind after just five minutes.

Bulgarian Martin Petrov was played in down the left wing and his low cross was converted by Tevez, who was left in acres of space just four yards from goal, for his first league goal for City.

Against the run of play, West Ham levelled in the 24th minute. Alessandro Diamanti's free-kick was only cleared to Radoslav Kovac and his shot was flicked in by Carlton Cole with his back to goal.

However, City restored their advantage just eight minutes later when Petrov, making his first start of the season, drove a low free-kick around the West Ham wall and past goalkeeper Robert Green.

Tevez put the result beyond doubt in the 61st minute when heading home Craig Bellamy's free-kick after being kept on-side by Kovac.

The result puts City on 15 points, behind Liverpool and Tottenham on goal difference but with a game in hand. Manchester United and Chelsea lead the table with 18 points from their seven matches.

Juventus go top, Zaragoza draw with Gijon

2009-09-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

(CNN) -- Vincenzo Iaquinta and David Trezeguet were both on target as Juventus drew 2-2 at Genoa to move level on points with Inter Milan at the top of Italy's Serie A.

Vincenzo Iaquinta was on target as Juventus drew 2-2 at Genoa joint top of Italy's Serie A.

Juventus had taken the lead in the sixth minute of the game at the Luigi Ferraris stadium with their first meaningful attack after Claudio Marchisio broke free down the flank and delivered a low ball into the penalty area.

A dummy run from Mauro Camoranesi deceived the home defense to leave Iaquinta with time and space to smash the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

After a sluggish start the home side almost equalized in the 20th minute but Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo threw himself in front of the ball to block Giandomenico Mesto's shot.

Ciro Ferrara's side missed a chance to double their advantage on the half-hour mark when Fabio Grosso delivered a dangerous free-kick in the penalty area but Brazilian striker Amauri got in front of Iaquinta, who was better placed, but could only direct his effort wide

Mesto was not be denied a second time and in the 31st minute he equalized for the hosts when he powerfully headed Giuseppe Sculli's cross from the left past Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from close range.

Genoa looked like they had claimed the points when Hernan Crespo evaded Juventus defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Nicola Legrottaglie to head Mesto's cross past Buffon in the 74th minute.

But substitute Trezeguet was able to secure a point for the visitors six minutes from time after some lackluster Genoa defending.

Grosso chipped the ball into the box which Chiellini directed back across goal to leave Trezeguet with the simplest of headed finishes into an empty net from close range.

The point enabled Juventus to pull level on points with leaders Inter after five matches with the Milan club only ahead on goal difference while Genoa climb up to fourth place on 10 points -- three behind the top two.

Elsewhere, in Spain, Real Zaragoza battled to a 1-1 away draw against Sporting Gijon in the only La Liga fixture of the day.

After losing to Sevilla and Real Valladolid in recent games, Zaragoza secured a point after Abel Aguilar's equalized in the second half.

Sporting had taken the lead through Diego Castro's superb long-range strike in the 29th minute.

Zaragoza now move up to 15th while Sporting remain mid-table after taking five points from their first four matches.

Blatter slates clubs for absent U-20 players

2009-09-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

(CNN) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticized the leading clubs in Europe for not allowing eligible players to feature for their country at the current Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has hit out at Europe's top clubs for not releasing players for the U-20 World Cup.

The 24-team tournament -- that runs from September 24 to October 16 -- is missing a host of young talent from Italy, Germany and England -- who have been forced to stay at home because of club commitments.

Blatter told reporters: "It's not right that the big European clubs don't free up their young players for the World Cup, when they don't have any obligations and are not in the first team.

"When they aren't playing they can't gain experience. It's better for them to enjoy the second major world competition than to stay at home warming the substitutes bench." Blatter added.

Manchester United pair Danny Welbeck of England and Federico Macheda of Italy are both eligible to play in the tournament, but instead represented their club in the Carling Cup on Wednesday against Premier League rivals Wolverhampton.

The German clubs refused to release their players after a meeting with the German football Federation (DFB) in August, while the Football Association (FA) was similarly understanding with English clubs.

The Italians seem to be the big sufferers at the tournament, without the likes of Manchester United's Macheda, Roma's Stefano Okaka Chuka, and Inter Milan's Davide Santon.

Klitschko ready for WBC heavyweight defense

2009-09-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

(CNN) -- Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko -- who shares three of the four major heavyweight titles with brother Wladimir -- will put his World Boxing Council (WBC) belt on the line when he meets Cristobal Arreola at the Staples Center, Los Angeles on Saturday.

Klitschko will be putting his WBC belt on the line when he faces Cristobal Arreola on Saturday.

The 38-year-old Klitschko -- who has not lost since a 2003 defeat to Lennox Lewis at the same arena -- told reporters: "This will be fight number three at Staples.

"For me it is the biggest arena and I am ready to fight there. I will show my skills and punch in the ring. I spend a lot of time in Los Angeles and am looking forward to the fight."

Klitschko has won 37 of his 39 fights, with all but one coming inside the distance. Apart from the defeat to Briton Lewis, which was stopped because of a heavy cut over his eye, his only other defeat was to Chris Byrd in 2000 -- when a shoulder injury preventing him from continuing.

Arreola, who is unbeaten in 27 fights, including 24 KOs, is trying to become the first fighter of Mexican descent to win a heavyweight title.

The 28-year-old has added 12lbs to his weight since beating Chris Witherspoon 15 months ago and is confident of victory.

"It's not going to go far, plain and simple," Arreola said. "It is going to be a knockout fight and it is going to be exciting.

"I am going to bring emotion and determination to win the title for Mexicans and Mexican-Americans to celebrate. That is my goal."

Vettel fends off Alonso in Singapore practice

2009-09-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

(CNN) -- Germany's Sebastian Vettel fended off a late charge by Fernando Alonso to top the timesheet in the second session of free practice for this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.

Red Bull driver Vettel will need to win in Singapore to retain his faint F1 world title hopes.

The Red Bull driver, who still retains a slim hope of winning the Formula One world title, recorded the fastest lap late in the session with a time of one minute 48.650 seconds under the lights at the Marina Bay street circuit.

Alonso, who won the inaugural night race in Singapore last year, shot up into second place with his final lap of 1min 48.924 seconds -- 0.274 seconds slower than Vettel -- to give Renault some encouragement as they look to rebuild from the 2008 Singapore race-fixing scandal.

McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen showed good pace throughout to record the third fastest time at 1:48.952 while BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld took fourth with a time of 1:49.098.

Brawn GP had completed a one-two in the first session of practice earlier on Friday with Rubens Barrichello fastest and championship leader Jenson Button close behind in second.

However, neither were able to replicate that in the afternoon session with Button fifth fastest with a time of 1:49.311 while Barrichello finished down in 11th.

Vettel's team-mate Mark Webber had been showing good pace before his session ended after 34 minutes when he lost control of his car at the final turn and spun across the track before smashing into a wall.

The Australian emerged unharmed but was unable to return to the circuit for the remainder of the session although his lap time of 1:49.317 was good enough to secure sixth.

Williams' Nico Rosberg took seventh with Timo Glock was eighth in his Toyota.

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton, who has vowed to go on the attack in the final four races, could only manage ninth fastest while BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica rounded out the top 10.

Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen finished 14th with team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella, preparing for his second race with Ferrari this weekend, was two places below in 16th.

Amodu calls Utaka, Etafia, Okwosa for Mozambique … Martins, Aiyegbeni, Shittu return in his 30-man list

2009-09-24T04:43:00.000-07:00

Super Eagles coach, Shaibu Amodu, yesterday (Wednesday) released his 30-man list for the October 11, World Cup qualifier against Mozambique with some new players also in the team.

Apart from Obafemi Martins, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Danny Shittu, Yusuf Ayila, Sam Sodje, Dickson Etuhu, Uwua Echiejile, Chibuzor Okonkwo and Joseph Akpala, who are making their return into the team, new players like Peter Utaka (striker) and home-based James Okwosa (defender) are set to make their debut in the team.

Other players are Goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba, Joseph Yobo, Apam Onyekachi, Yusuf Muhammed, Olubayo Adefemi, Taiye Taiwo, Obinna Nwaneri, Ayodele Adeleye, Sani Keita, Nwankwo Kanu, John Mikel Obi, Seyi Olofinjana, Olufemi Ajilore, Michael Enerano, Osaze Odemwingie and Joseph Akpala.

Others expected to resume for camping exercise on October 6 include Victor Nsofor, and Chinedu Obasi.
By RICHARD JIDEAKA, Abuja

Vatanen critical of Piquet Jr immunity

2009-09-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

LONDON, England -- FIA presidential candidate Ari Vatanen believes that Nelson Piquet Jr should have been punished for his role in Formula One's "Crashgate" affair.

Vatanen told CNN: "I do not understand why Nelson Piquet Jr wasn't punished. For me his immunity was not correct."

The former world rally champion, who is hoping to succeed FIA president Max Mosely was scathing of Piquet Jr's behavior throughout.

"He only went public after he was sacked," Vatanen said. "He should have said no in the first place. If someone is crazy enough to propose something like that you say no. He should have been given a sentence."

Much of the criticism until now has focused on the perceived leniency of the Renault team's punishment of a two-year suspended ban plus paying the costs of the investigation. But Vatanen thinks that they have been treated fairly.

"It would be wrong to punish a team severely who is totally unaware of what a few individuals are doing. In that sense the verdict was right."

Vatanen prefers to look at the "Crashgate" punishments from a different perspective. The question, he thinks, shouldn't be why did Renault get off so lightly? But rather, why were McLaren treated so severely two years ago?

"In the light of the Renault punishment, McLaren [who were fined $100 million for spying on rivals Ferrari] received a gross miscarriage of justice," Vatanen said.

He also called into question the timing of the most recent FIA investigation. "Allegedly, Charlie Whiting [Formula One's Race Director] was told by Nelson Piquet Sr about it last year. If that is true it should have been investigated immediately. You must examine the telemetry even if someone is only hinting that this has happened.

"We must be consistent, If they [the FIA] did know, why didn't they do anything? Was it because it would have altered the championship in a way they did not like. That's incredibly serious if that is the case," Vatanen said.

The FIA -- motorsport's governing body -- announced their decision on Monday, but it has done little to dampen speculation and stories continue to spill out in its wake. Evidence submitted to the "Crashgate" enquiry which was made public on Tuesday only serve to fuel the controversy further.

In evidence submitted to the FIA, Pat Symonds, Renault's former technical director, said that it was Piquet Jr who first suggested the idea of crashing. Furthermore, Flavio Briatore's fate was sealed by a member of the Renault team, known only as "Witness X", who blew the whistle on the whole sorry affair.

Vatanen, who is running against the former Ferrari team boss, Frenchman Jean Todt to succeed Mosley is promising consistency and an end to what he calls "selective justice" if he is elected.

"Any federation is vulnerable without checks and balances. If they aren't there an organization moulds itself around the leader. That's why we need to refresh the FIA's democracy. Stagnant water starts stinking."

Since Vatanen officially threw his hat into the ring last July, he has struggled to make an impact against his higher profile rival Jean Todt. But the recent scandals in Formula One will surely help his campaign against the Mosely-endorsed Todt.

"The circumstances of today are making people realize that more of the same is not the answer," Vatanen said. "It's a cliché, but we really need change. We cannot do that with the old personnel."

Vatanen retired from motorsport in 1998 to pursue a career in politics. He was a Member of the European Parliament for a decade before standing for the FIA presidency.

As well as campaigning for a more democratically run FIA, Vatanen has been stressing the importance of mobility as a keystone of a free society and a vital tool in eradicating poverty. The election for the FIA president takes place on October 23.

"We need a break from the past," Vatanen said. "I'm proposing a new cabinet, with new people -- who are not all perfect -- but clearly don't pretend to be the owners of the federation but its servants."

By Matthew Knight

Cissoko follows Gerrard's example(2)

2009-09-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

By Chris Queroy
In the second part of our readers' Q&A with Aly Cissokho, the Olympique Lyonnais defender looks back on his time with FC Porto, sings the praises of Steven Gerrard and discusses his new-found fame.

If Lyon were to come up against FC Porto in the Champions League which player would you like to swap jerseys with and why?
Márcio Abel, 20, Porto

Cissokho: I'd like all the Porto jerseys: I absolutely loved my time there. If I could have a collection of them all, that would remind me of all the great times. But if I had to choose one, I'd swap with Jorge Fucile, the Uruguayan defender who helped me settle. We've remained very close. Let me take the opportunity raised by your question to publicly thank Porto for allowing me to make a name on the European scene.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Declan Harte, 19, County Mayo, Ireland

Cissokho: Steven Gerrard. He is the epitome of pace and power. Obviously we don't play in the same position, but he is a great example. He never ever gives up and for that alone he is a great example to all. Personally, he is an inspiration because of his quickness and strength.

What has Lyon coach Claude Puel taught you or said about your game that is different to other coaches?
Fred Skinner, Melbourne, Australia

Cissokho: Claude Puel has given me a tactical base by giving me constant advice on how to position myself and take more risks. These are new things for me. He has also taught me to coordinate my moves and runs better, and puts a lot of emphasis on the physical side of training to improve stamina. Mine has certainly got better!

Which of your new team-mates do you get on best with away from the pitch?
Paul Alberole, Avignon, France

Cissokho: Lisandro, Bafé Gomis and Delgado. I like Lisandro a lot – not only has he shared the same hotel as me, but we can also speak Portuguese, which is great.

Has it been difficult adapting from the South American-influenced Portuguese football to the French style of football?
David Da Costa, 23, South Africa

Cissokho: No, adapting to the French league hasn't been too difficult. It's true there are some aspects specific to the Liga but top football tends to be the same in all major leagues in the sense that the technical and physical requirements are high. Also, Lyon have themselves been influenced by South American football, especially the Brazilian style. Sonny Anderson [now coaching the forwards at Lyon] certainly made his mark, as have other Brazilians.

What memories will you keep with you from your time in Portugal?
Fernando Pires

Cissokho: There are lots because I've also got many memories of Vitória Setubal. But I'd single out one, in particular – the league title we won at Porto. And then, there's the Champions League tie against Manchester United. Man U was the team I supported as a child, the team I always picked on my PlayStation, and here I was, playing against them.
Do you feel you have more chance with Lyon to get closer to the Champions League final than you did with Porto? Duarte Rocha, Lisbon Portugal.

Cissokho: Maybe. The atmosphere within the Lyon camp is good, the quality is there. Olympique Lyonnais can surely go as far as Porto last season, and maybe further.

As a kid, did anyone ever tell you you weren't good enough to be at the level you are now? And what would be your advice to someone like me who wants to play at the highest level?
Rien, 16, Australia

Cissokho: A lot of people doubted my ability. But to be fair to them all, no one could have expected me to be playing in Champions League games a year or so after leaving Gueugnon [then in Ligue 2]. My advice to you and to all youngsters? Never give up! Success will come. If you don't reach the very top, at least you'll have given your utmost, as I've always tried to do.

A year ago no one had heard of you and now you are near to being called up to the French team. How does it feel?
Jerdino Aires, Maputo, Mozambique

Cissokho: All players like to be talked about. That means their work has been recognised. You have to adjust, though, because it becomes a daily pressure. You have to be careful of what you say. I now have an image to protect and to defend and I can't do anything I please.

How much has your life changed over the last year? What are the positives and what are the negatives behind your sudden success?
Frank Gee, Nebraska, US

Cissokho: I have had to adjust to the media attention. The positives and negatives are this: when journalists and reporters target you, all of a sudden you have to be open and discreet at the same time. I admit I've been talkative, especially at Porto where I let my guard down a few times. I wasn't used to this kind of attention and I never said no to any reporter. I think I've changed quite a bit: I'm still natural and open but I am much more careful about who I speak to. Since I arrived at Olympique Lyonnais, I've given only two major interviews: one to France Football magazine and the other one to uefa.com.

Cissoko follows Gerrard's example

2009-09-22T08:48:00.000-07:00

By Chris Queroy

In our latest Q&A, in which you put the questions to Europe's top stars, 22-year-old defender Aly Cissokho discusses life at Olympique Lyonnais following his summer switch from FC Porto. He talks about his proposed move to AC Milan and weighs up the possibility of playing international football for France or Senegal. Log on again on Tuesday to read the second part of this wide-ranging interview.

How do you rate Lyon's chances of winning the Champions League and, other than Lyon, who is your favourite to win the competition?
Dimitar Apostolov

Aly Cissokho: It's a hard question to start with, and a difficult answer to give! Champions League games are always tight. Our very first match of the campaign against Fiorentina [which Lyon won 1-0] showed how tense ties can be. The UEFA Champions League is really another planet compared to domestic leagues. The physical intensity and the technical ability are second to none. In that respect it's hard to say whether Lyon will go all the way or not. I'd only say we have a very good team – talented and united. One thing is certain though: if you want to go far in the competition you have to win every single game at home. Other than Lyon to win the trophy? I'd mention, not surprisingly, a couple of teams I know well: Porto, because they are still amongst the best teams in the world despite having lost quite a few players over the last few years. I'd also mention Milan. I almost joined them last summer and I still believe they have the mentality to win everything.

Where you disappointed when your alleged transfer to Milan did not get through?
Relja Atanasijevic, Belgrade, Serbia

Cissokho: No, not in the least. People think I've been resentful. That is not the case. I have no complaints, no grievances and no regret about the whole situation. On the contrary, I'd like to thank Porto for having given me the exposure, as well as Milan for expressing an interest in me. It has led to me being transferred to the best club in France, one of the finest clubs at international level.

Do you think being at Lyon and playing regularly in the Champions League will help your chances of being called up by France?
Michel Cardin, Lyon, France

Cissokho: The Champions League is certainly a great stage to be seen and recognised on. Let me just remind you that I have two nationalities: French and Senegalese. I was born in France of Senegalese parents. I am therefore eligible to play for either one of those countries since I haven't been called up by either yet. Senegal have contacted me but the national team is about to miss out on the African Nations Cup as well as the 2010 FIFA World Cup. As for France? Well, there are a few other footballers playing for Les Bleus ahead of me in the pecking order: Evra, Clichy, Abidal. It's quite a few to jump in the queue! I need time. I think the best thing for me for now is not to think about being called up and wait patiently.

What has been the highlight of your time at Lyon so far?
Patrice Fievre, Montreal, Canada

Cissokho: There have been a few already. To be honest, I felt anxious and tense for the first competitive game at Le Mans [a 2-2 draw in Lyon's Ligue 1 opener]. I was concentrating too hard on my defensive duties without being able to bring in the extra elements I delivered at Porto. I wasn't going forward enough. I gradually improved, listening to my team-mates and talking to them as well. I believe my game against Fiorentina was the highlight so far. My performance was good enough in a very demanding competition. I received a few phone calls afterwards, people telling me that I looked at ease in my boots, and it felt good to hear those things!

Music to Milan's ears

2009-09-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

By Roberta Radaelli from Milan
If Samson's strength lay in his hair, AC Milan seem to draw their force from the UEFA Champions League anthem. The competition brings the best out of the Rossoneri, so much so that they have taken to playing its theme tune ahead of Serie A games.

Motivation
"We listened to that music in the dressing room before the match," Rossoneri coach Leonardo revealed after Sunday's 1-0 victory against Bologna FC. As a motivational tool it certainly did the trick. After losing 4-0 at home to rivals FC Internazionale Milano at the end of last month a shell-shocked Rossoneri certainly needed lifting. One win from three Serie A games had fans fearing the worst about life after Carlo Ancelotti, Kaká and Paolo Maldini, but since the return of the UEFA Champions League and a 2-1 win at Olympique de Marseille, the storm clouds are clearing.

Winning feeling
"I don't know what happens to us when we hear the Champions League music, we'll have to ask a psychologist to find it out," vice-president Adriano Galliano joked after the win in Marseille. Even when they were struggling in Serie A in 2007, Milan still managed to win the UEFA Champions League and Leonardo admits the competition is part of the club's fabric. "It's something we have within us, we can't start off a season without thinking about winning it," Leonardo told uefa.com. "The Champions League is part of Milan's DNA. The fans expect it, and it's impossible for us to go on to the pitch without thinking about winning."

Ambition unchanged
Milan have always been Italy's standard bearers in Europe. They were the country's first European Cup winners in 1963, have won the trophy more times, seven, than their domestic rivals, and are the only Serie A side to have kicked off their UEFA Champions League campaign this season with victory. But of course, their upturn in fortunes this week is not down to the music alone.

Seedorf drive
Leonardo's decision to play Clarence Seedorf in behind the strikers in place of Ronaldinho provided a creative spark the Rossoneri had been lacking, while former Italy Under-21 international Ignazio Abate's inclusion at right-back has given the side pace down the wing. Seedorf set up both Milan goals against Marseille and scored the winner against Bologna. The transition post-Ancelotti, Maldini and Kaká was always going to take time, but Leonardo's side remain competitive and the ambition is unchanged.

'Prudent'
"If you think about winning every match you play in, of course you think of winning the final as well, that's normal," the Brazilian coach explained. "I think this year we've gone through a few changes so it makes sense to be a bit prudent, but the matches will determine what we can do. We've got to take it one game at a time, keeping calm, then we will see what we can achieve this year." Leonardo may not yet know how far his team will go, but he is sure they are in the right groove, especially now they have found the soundtrack to their season.

Xavi out to toast opposition for good

2009-09-22T08:36:00.000-07:00

By John Atkin & Alfredo Rodríguez

The champagne that flowed at Camp Nou this summer has long since washed away and Xavi Hernández has a sobering thought for his FC Barcelona team-mates: their last UEFA Champions League triumph was followed by a two-year lull. Yet Barça have already added UEFA and Spanish Super Cups to last season's treble and few would bet against Xavi realising his "ultimate ambition" come May, and beating Real Madrid CF in European club football's showpiece at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Tostadora
When Xavi picked up his first pay cheque at Barcelona he immediately made his way to a department store in his native Terrassa and splashed all but 50 cents on a gift for his mother: a toaster. He was eleven and had earned the princely sum of €24. Now you could add six zeros to that figure and still not get close to convincing Barça to part with one of their most prized assets. For Xavi, the Blaugrana's current high is reward for their investment. "Over the last few years a lot of our success has been achieved thanks to the youth set-up," he told uefa.com. "There are four or five players in and around the side that grew up at FC Barcelona and the history of the club, its philosophy, is engrained on us."

Cruyff debt
It is a very particular philosophy. When Xavi started training at Camp Nou Johan Cruyff's Dream Team were sweeping all before them in a manner gloriously redolent to older fans viewing the current side. With the likes of Gheorghe Hagi, Michael Laudrup and Hristo Stoitchkov blending with local talents led by one Josep Guardiola, Barcelona won four successive Liga titles between 1991 and 1994, collected the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1989 and added the 1992 European Champion Clubs' Cup.

'Technical challenge'
"Barcelona's philosophy is fundamental to our success," he said. "When Cruyff introduced this style of play people were really surprised. It's 15 or 20 years since then, and now people couldn't imagine us playing another way. Barcelona have this active, attractive attacking method, to keep possession and control the game. It's a technical challenge so when you win, it's doubly satisfying.

Pep talk
"A large part [of our current success] belongs to Pep Guardiola – the order, discipline and philosophy he brought in," added Xavi, whose side kicked off the defence of their title with a goalless draw at FC Internazionale Milano. "Obviously, if you don't have the talent then you can't achieve what we have, but you also need humility and commitment. The coach plays a major role in this." According to Luís Figo, Xavi's debt to Guardiola is even greater. "When I was at Barcelona Xavi was just emerging – at the time we called him the Master," said the Portuguese, who spent five years at Camp Nou. "He's a typical player for that position in Barcelona's system: after Guardiola came Xavi. Even when [Xavi] was just starting out he already had fantastic quality."

Maintaining momentum
A lull followed the Dream Team's success, capped by their 1994 demolition by AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League final, and Cruyff departed. Yet Xavi believes the fruits of his labour are still being harvested and in May Barça claimed a clean sweep of titles beyond even their illustrious forefathers. Now they are aiming to give their supporters, Los Culés, the sustained success they failed to do after their 2005/06 UEFA Champions League triumph.

No time to dwell
"We've come into this season after a year when we won everything, but that doesn't mean we can sit back and relax, dwell on what we have achieved," Xavi warned. "Two years ago we were in a similar position and endured a bad period – you should never lose momentum. No team has managed to defend the Champions League, so it will be a great challenge, especially knowing that the final is at the Bernabéu." Xavi's mother may be sated if her son comes home with an upgraded toaster next summer, but she will be in the minority.

Xavi Hernández spoke to uefa.com in Monaco where he collected the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year award

Barcelona claim Champions League glory

2009-09-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

Barcelona completed an historic treble with a 2-0 win over holders Manchester United in the Champions League final in Rome on Wednesday night.

Goals in each half from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi capped a dazzling performance from the Catalan giants, who dominated the showdown in the Stadio Olimpico between Europe's top two sides.
Barcelona, who are the first Spanish side to win the Primera Liga (domestic league), Copa del Rey (domestic cup) and Champions League in the same season, recovered from a shaky start to show off their own brand of flamboyant, attacking football with Andres Iniesta and Messi at the heart of their play.
The victory completed a triumphant first season in charge for 38-year-old Barca coach Pep Guardiola. By contrast, United, who were bidding for their fourth trophy of a previously triumphant season, were distinctly second best in their defense of the title they won in Moscow last year.
Alex Ferguson's men enjoyed their best spell in the opening moments with Cristiano Ronaldo testing Victor Valdes with a first-minute free kick which rebounded off the Barcelona goalkeeper and needed the intervention of Gerard Pique to prevent Park Ji-Sung from scoring.Portuguese star Ronaldo was involved again as he chested down a pass in the area and sent a shot skimming across goal and narrowly wide.
The shot count stood at five to nil to United after the first 10 minutes before Iniesta strode forward and played in Eto'o.
The Cameroon international cut inside to elude the challenge of Nemanja Vidic before toe-poking the ball home as Michael Carrick vainly challenged.
It was the ideal riposte to the early United dominance and Barca were suddenly playing with their usual swagger.
Messi and Ronaldo took turns to show their skill, with the Argentine blazing a shot over from outside the area which left Edwin van der Sar shaking his head and Ronaldo setting himself up again with neat footwork before sending an effort wide.
But it was Barcelona who approached half-time in control and Messi underlined their dominance with a surging run which took him away from four players before his shot from an acute angle was partly fumbled by van der Sar.
Carlos Tevez came on at halftime for the below-par Anderson, but it did not change the course of the match with Thierry Henry skipping inside Rio Ferdinand and seeing his shot only saved by the legs of van der Sar.
Then Eto'o played a dangerous ball across the United area and Messi appealed for a penalty after appearing to be pulled back by John O'Shea.
It was still one-way traffic and after Iniesta was pulled down, the excellent Xavi's free-kick thumped the post with United reeling.
The Premier League side's best early moment in the second half came as Wayne Rooney's dangerous cross was nearly converted by both Ronaldo and Park.
Dimitar Berbatov replaced Park but he had barely had a touch when Messi put the game beyond the English champions as he rose unmarked at the far post to head home Xavi's teasing 70th-minute cross.
United responded by surging forward and Ronaldo was denied by a desperate block by Valdes, but it was still Barca who had the best chances and captain and right-back Carlos Puyol was twice denied by van der Sar as his attacking intentions typified the evening.
Moments later he was lifting Barcelona's second Champions League trophy in four years as the stadium was lit up by a blaze of red and blue.

Aftermath of Nigeria/Tunisia match

2009-09-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

Former Super Eagles’ assistant coach, Joe Erico said it would be difficult for him to wipe from his memory, the callous way Super Eagles surrendered the 2010 World Cup ticket to the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia at the Abuja National Stadium penultimate Sunday.Erico, who was in celebration mood after handing her daughter over to her heartthrob in a consummated wedlock penultimate Saturday, said Eagles spoilt his joy.Speaking to Daily Sunsport in a chat, the former Nigerian international said he sweated profusely from the blast of the whistle till the end of that match, when he observed from the very beginning, the lacklustre performance Super Eagles were putting up in the encounter in Abuja."To tell you the truth, I am still confused. In fact, I have yet to put together what happened on September 6 in Abuja. To be sincere with you, I don’t really know what to say. I never believed that Eagles would dash our hope of being in South Africa 2010 World Cup in that shoddy manner. It was a sad situation," Erico lamented, while addressing questions on the fate of Nigeria and the possibility of the Super Eagles landing in South Africa for 2010 mundial."Immediately the match kicked off, I watched the movement of the Tunisians, I saw how determined they were and knew that we were in trouble. However, when the first goal came in our favour, I was a bit relieved. But just before I could sit back following the ecstasy of that goal, it was an equaliser. And from that moment till the end of that match, I was never myself."I realised early that it would be difficult for Eagles to defeat the Carthage Eagles, who looked more business-minded than our boys," the Jogo Bonito exponent continued."The Tunisians played out their hearts to show the whole world that they really desire to join the biggest football party in South Africa next year."In fact, the Eagles nearly gave me heart attack. Look at me, who just celebrated my daughter’s wedding on Saturday, only to wake up the following day to face a heartbreak from a bunch of non-serious Eagles. It’s quite unfortunate," he lamented."In the situation we are now, it will only take a miracle for Nigeria to make it to the first-ever World Cup on African soil, because I don’t see Tunisia dropping any point in their chase for the group’s sole ticket. We can only pray they slip, because I can’t imagine another World Cup without Nigeria, more so, the one to be played on African soil."We can still claim to have hope, because in football, it is never over until it is over," Erico concluded.

By MERCY JACOB

Messi double sparks Barca five-goal romp

2009-09-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

Argentina star Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona thrashed Atletico Madrid 5-2 in the Camp Nou to maintain their perfect start to the Spanish league season.Messi put Atletico to the sword with two goals in the Camp Nou.

Messi celebrated his lucrative contract extension at Barca, sealed on Friday, with a superb display against a flagging Atletico who have made a poor start to the season.
New signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic put Barcelona ahead in the second minute, just after Thierry Henry had hit the post in a frenetic opening.
Messi then got in the scoring act, rounding goalkeeper Roberto Jiminez after being played through by midfielder Xavi.
Daniel Alves scored the third for the reigning European and Spanish champions with a powerful free kick on the half hour mark.
Ibrahimovic, who is finding his feet after a slow pre-season campaign, then found Messi who charged past a static Atletico defense before finding Seydou Keita for a tap-in on 41 minutes.
To complete an exciting first half, Sergio Aguero pulled one back for the visitors after a mistake by Sergio Busquets.
Atletico gained respectability after half-time as Diego Forlan scored six minutes from time, but Messi rubbed it in with the fifth during injury time.
In other action on Saturday, Real Mallorca briefly went top before Barcelona won the late kick off, beating promoted Tenerife 4-0.
Mario Saurez, Artiz Aduriz, Julio Alvarez and a late Pierre Webo penalty gave Mallorca three points as they matched their best ever start to a Primera Liga season with two wins and a draw.
Espanyol moved off the bottom with their first victory of the season with a 3-2 away win at Deportivo la Coruna, while Alvaro Negredo scored his first goal for Sevilla who beat Osasuna 2-0.
In Sunday's action, big-spending Real Madrid will bid to equal Barcelona's three wins form three games when they tackle lowly Xerez.

Venezuela’s U-20 Coach, Cesar Farias, warns Nigeria, Spain, Tahiti

2009-09-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are expected to face tough oppositions in their first match in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt, as Venezuela coach has vowed to make things unbearable for the Coach Samson Siasia boys on Friday.The coach, who also handles his country’s senior team in the 2010 World Cup qualifier, promised to present the best team ever in the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt. He said his team had what it takes to rule the world."We always believed that we could do it. I can sleep easily because I didn't let the players down. I told them that we'd reach the World Cup in Egypt and we managed it. We've got a team with the desire to achieve great things and against Nigeria on Friday, the world will see a determined young team with zeal to make name for themselves and the country," he said.He said they were not afraid of the Nigerian team because they had been following all their trial matches before now.Venezuela's shock qualification for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, ‘Egypt 2009’ will go down as one of the country's biggest football achievement to date.Under the steady hand of Coach Farias, who is also in charge of the Vinotinto senior side, the hard-working Venezuelans produced the goods on home soil, qualifying ahead of the likes of six-time world Under-20 champions, Argentina.Venezuela got their South American Under-20 Championship bid off to a perfect start when they finished top of their first-round group, before following up with a 2–1 victory over Colombia in their opening six-team final round encounter. Successive 3–0 defeats by Paraguay and Brazil put their Egyptian dream in jeopardy, but a 1–1 draw with Argentina and 3–1 win over Uruguay in their final match sealed fourth place and a qualifying berth for the Vinotinto. Of their nine matches, they won three, drew four and lost two, scoring 11 goals and conceding 12 in the process.Farias's fleeting professional career as a creative midfielder, which took in just 10 games at Monagas in 1992, only served to underline his determination to succeed as a coach. Indeed, within a year, he had taken the helm at the recently formed Nueva Cadiz, where he won titles with the club's Under-17 and Under-20 teams. From there, he enjoyed successful spells at various Venezuelan top-flight clubs, before coming to international prominence when he led Deportivo Tachira to the quarterfinals of the 2004 Copa Libertadores, where they lost to Brazilian heavyweights, Sao Paulo. In 2007, while in charge of Deportivo Anzoategui, he accepted an offer to become Venezuela’s senior national team coach. He was the only senior coach to lead a side at the Sudamericano.Star players:At just 19 years of age, goalkeeper Rafael Romo is already a full-fledged football icon in Venezuela. Born on February 25, 1990, his late penalty save against Colombia in the Vinotinto's last match of the first group phase at the Sudamericano, proved decisive in ensuring his team's place in the final six-team round. Outstanding final-round displays against Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay also played a major part in his country’s qualification for Egypt 2009, while his assets include agility, sharp reflexes and surprisingly good feet for a player measuring 1.97m (over 6'4").Other Venezuelan men to watch are defender Jose Manuel Velasquez, midfielder Jonathan Del Valle and forward Jose Salomon Rondon.
From Sport desk

Ronaldo double lights up lackluster Real win

2009-09-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his sensational scoring form as Real Madrid again flattered to deceive before overwhelming bottom club Xerez 5-0 to take top spot in Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo wheels away after scoring within the first minute for Real Madrid against Xerez.Ronaldo netted two more goals, the first after only 45 seconds, to maintain his record of having scored in every game for his new club following his world-record $130 million transfer from Manchester United.
The Portugal forward followed up his brace from the midweek Champions League win in Zurich as he gave Real the perfect start, picking up a loose ball in midfield and firing in a low shot from the right edge of the penalty area.
However, the home fans had to wait another 74 minutes for another goal as Real struggled to break down a side who have yet to win a point in their first season in La Liga.
It was Ronaldo again who finally settled his side's anxiety, rising high to powerfully head home a right-wing corner from substitute Esteban Granero.
That opened the floodgates as three minutes later substitute Guti scored his third goal in three matches -- matching his sum for the whole of last season -- when he drove home a loose ball after Karim Benzema twice fluffed his attempted shots.
Ronaldo made way for Ruud van Nistelrooy after that, with his former United teammate making his first appearance in 10 months due to injury.
Summer signing Benzema finally scored his first goal for Real in the 82nd minute, with his fierce shot taking a slight deflection on its way into the net.

Van Nistelrooy then capped his comeback in the 89th minute when he coolly slotted through the legs of the goalkeeper after being found in space by Guti, putting Manuel Pellegrini's side top of the table on goal difference ahead of defending champions Barcelona, who crushed Atletico Madrid 5-2 on Saturday night.
Both teams have three wins from three league outings -- a record matched by Athletic Bilbao, who won 3-2 at home to Villarreal earlier on Sunday.
Fernando Llorente headed home David Lopez's cross in the 11th minute, and put Bilbao 2-0 ahead on 36 with a left-footed shot as the two players combined again.
Ruben Cani reduced the deficit soon after the break, but Javi Martinez rose to head home Igor Gabilondo's corner to make it 3-1, and Santi Cazorla's free-kick came too late.
valencia dropped their first points of the season, drawing 2-2 at home to Sporting Gijon despite the visiting side being reduced to 10 men for more than an hour.
David Barral put Gijon ahead in the seventh minute as he broke down the right and fired in at the near post, but Spain striker David Villa leveled 17 minutes later against the club where he started his career when he pounced after David Silva's effort was blocked.
Gijon had midfielder Michel sent off for a second yellow card soon after, but it took until the 61st minute before Villa made it 2-1 with a superb curled left-foot shot after he turned his marker in the penalty area.
Center-back Gregory earned Gijon a point in the 86th minute when he headed home after the Valencia defense failed to deal with a lofted free-kick.
Almeria beat Getafe 1-0 with Michel Macedo's 47th-minute winner the club's first goal this season, moving them up to four points in mid-table.
Real zaragoza suffered a second consecutive defeat, going down 2-1 for visitors Valladolid's first win this season.
Garcia Marquitos put Valladolid ahead after only four minutes after Da Silva Diego Costa battled to the byline and cut the ball back into his path, but Montana Jorge Lopez leveled on 26.
Gonzalez Sisi put Valladolid ahead again 11 minutes after halftime, while Lopez missed two good chances

Man United and Chelsea claim crucial derby wins

2009-09-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

Manchester United substitute Michael Owen broke Manchester City hearts with a dramatic winning goal deep into injury-time at Old Trafford on Sunday, but Chelsea stayed top of the English Premier League with a 3-0 crushing of London rivals Tottenham.

Owen cropped up in the fifth minute of added time to latch on to a Ryan Giggs pass and beat Shay Given with a trademark neat finish to give United a 4-3 victory in a pulsating seven-goal derby.City hit back to equalize three times, with Crag Bellamy's second in the last minute of normal time looking set to give them a deserved share of the spoils.

Darren Fletcher had put United ahead for the third time with an 80th-minute header, his second of the afternoon, until Bellamy capitalized on a sloppy pass by Rio Ferdinand to race half the length of the pitch to score.

Chelsea finished the day three points clear of United with six wins from six, while City were fourth behind Liverpool after their first defeat in five outings.

Tottenham dropped to sixth on goal difference behind Aston Villa, while Everton moved out of the bottom three with a 3-0 win at home to Blackburn and Wolverhampton climbed to 12th with a 2-1 victory against Fulham.

Big-spending City's title credentials faced a real litmus test at the home of their biggest rivals, and they seemed to have passed -- only to be let down by defensive frailties as United continually upped the ante.

United made a storming start to the proceedings, and with only two minutes on the clock Wayne Rooney took advantage of indecision in the City defense to score.

A quick free-kick by the superlative Giggs, playing in his 30th Manchester derby, saw him find Patrice Evra inside the penalty area.

The Frenchman picked out Rooney whose clever control saw him elude weak challenges, and he fired past Given from close range.

It might have been the signal for an easy home victory, but the visitors established a foothold in the game before a calamitous mistake by United goalkeeper Ben Foster handed them a lifeline.

Under a challenge from former teammate Carlos Tevez on the edge of the penalty area, the England international tried to dribble round the Argentine only to be robbed of the ball.

Tevez played the ball into the path of Gareth Barry, who chose his spot from 20 meters to beat the despairing dive of Nemanja Vidic.

Tevez missed a golden opportunity to put City ahead just before halftime as Kolo Toure intercepted a Rooney pass to charge forward. His neat pass fell invitingly for Tevez, but his shot thumped against the post.

United went ahead within seconds of the restart as Evra and Giggs combined down the left and Fletcher headed past Given at the far post.

But once again City did not allow United to lead for long as Bellamy cut in from the left and beat Foster with a stunning drive.

The goal sparked United into a spell of total domination and in quick succession Given made stunning saves to deny close range headers from Dimitar Berbatov, then tipped over a volley drive by the rampant Giggs.

Fletcher's header from another pinpoint Giggs cross looked to have settled the affair with 10 minutes left until Ferdinand's error set up an incredible finale, his blushes spared by Owen, who has rarely featured in league action since his arrival on a free transfer in the summer transfer window.

Chelsea continued coach Carlo Ancelotti's perfect start since leaving AC Milan in May, but Tottenham will feel aggrieved that referee Howard Webb did not award a penalty at 1-0 -- and the home side almost immediately doubled their lead.

England fullback Ashley Cole gave his side a 32nd-minute lead when he stooped to head home Didier Drogba's cross as his marker Vedran Corluka was caught ball-watching.

Spurs lost influential defender Ledley King to a recurrence of his long-term knee problems two minutes after halftime, but should have leveled when Ricardo Carvalho clearly clipped the heels of Robbie Keane just outside the six-yard box in the 54th minute.

However, Webb waved play-on -- but did not book the striker for diving, despite the Irishman's anguished pleas.

Chelsea took full advantage as Michael Ballack scrambled in the second goal three minutes later after Frank Lampard cut the ball back when Carlo Cudicini could only parry Drogba's shot.

Drogba made it 3-0 on 63 minutes after collecting Cole's long ball and holding off Corluka before rounding Cudicini to slot into the empty net.

Tottenham had French defender Sebastien Bassong stretchered off after an awkward fall, while Drogba was also replaced as he hurt himself while scuffing a shot.

Everton followed up their morale-boosting midweek Europa League win over AEK Athens with a victory that left Blackburn in the relegation zone.

Two goals from Louis Saha, who was sent off on Thursday, and another from defender Joseph Yobo -- who also scored against the Greeks -- lifted David Moyes' team to 13th place.

Promoted wolves registered their first home win of the season as summer signing Kevin Doyle scored his first goal for the club and David Edwards added a second just after halftime.

Fulham, who drew 1-1 in midweek away to Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, pulled one back with a penalty from captain Danny Murphy midway through the second half.