tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68810906312196378372024-03-13T22:11:13.036-07:00Naija Sport MagazineUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-33887258337117877022015-04-03T00:50:00.001-07:002015-04-03T00:50:45.753-07:00Adaeze Yobo Welcomes Baby Boy
<p dir="ltr">Football star, Joseph Yobo and his wife Adaeze welcomed a bouncing baby boy early hours of today April 3rd 2015. <br>
The good news was announced by Adaeze by sharing the picture below on her page. From the picture, we can tell that their son's name is Jayden. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Jayden is the second fruit of their wedding. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Big Congrats to them. <br></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/0_sgfdJ-s8/">https://instagram.com/p/0_sgfdJ-s8/</a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/2274905_yobo_jpeg2e89ecaaa2037f282bfe95fd0cfc0424"></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-52190559543746577692013-06-26T17:16:00.005-07:002013-06-26T17:18:16.367-07:00Ahead of World Championships: Athletes returning time worries Igwe <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">R<span class="Apple-style-span">enowned athletics coach, Tobias Igwe (a.k.a Toblow) has expressed worry over poor timings that Nigerian athletes returned at the recently concluded All Nigeria and Cross River Open Athletics Championship held in Calabar. </span></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Toblow said the timings were not encouraging and hoped that coaches handling individual athletes will redouble efforts in conducting intensive trainings which will shape them up properly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">“It is my belief that the coaches will do something about it before the World Athletics Championships in Moscow in August. I must confess, I am worried about the returned times of the athletes. As a matter of fact, some of our athletes failed to meet the criteria set by International Amateur Athletics Federations (IAAF).”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">He recalled that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) had said before the commencement of the meet in Calabar that the tourney would serve as platform to pick athletes that will represent the country at the World Athletics Championship in Moscow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">“Therefore, the task ahead remains enormous for Nigerian athletics, the administrators and the coaches. Something must be done to improve their timing before the meets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">“My candid evaluation is that the coaches, officials and athletes still have a lot to do. Let me however point out here that very few of them have hit the IAAF required mark. The truth is that the majority are still lagging behind.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">It is instructive to note also that we only qualified for the women 4x400m and 4x100. The 4x400m men is not there yet; they must endeavour to be among the first 16 best relay teams in the world. You can now see from that simple analysis, there is a lot of work to be done,” he stressed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">Igwe added that he was not altogether surprised that the athletes did not meet the IAAF standards because the administrators did not look inwards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">“I have associated with athletics for years and it has been a long time ago that our athletes failed to meet globally set benchmark. Where do we go from here; and my answer would be to truly resuscitate schools sports in all its ramifications. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">“The grassroots remain the easiest way out that will, at the long run, set the tone for our athletes to be great once again. That is the only short cut to be there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">“Time has come for the administrators to stop paying lips service to sports development in the country,” he added. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">The veteran coach also restated that the need for an all year round championship for athletes is long overdue as that would help in no smaller measure to keep them in shape for any international meet.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-23148830460345953312013-06-26T17:10:00.004-07:002013-06-26T17:12:55.091-07:00Sunderland boss vows to break bank for Musa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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E<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype'; font-size: 10px;">nglish Premiership club, Sunderland FC want to demonstrate their readiness for a big challenge in the coming season by making an audacious bid for Super Eagles winger, </span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype'; font-size: 10px;">Ahmed Musa.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">According to a report monitored in England, Coach Paolo Di Canio has been monitoring CSKA Moscow’s versatile forward and is preparing to make a mega money offer for the 20-year-old. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">The player, who is comfortable playing in the midfield or up front, scored 11 goals in 28 league games last season to be among the top scorers in the Russian league.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Di Canio believes the player can be an effective replacement for Benin Republic forward, Stephane Sessegnon who is set to depart the Stadium of Light.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">According to the report, Sunderland scouts were sent to Russia two months ago and prepared a dossier on the former Kano Pillars forward. The scouts were sufficiently impressed with what they saw of the former VVV Venlo player, and identified the player as a possible signing for the summer.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">The Black Cats have a somewhat limited budget to spend on new players, but with the expected departure of Simon Mignolet and Sessegnon, there will be money in the transfer kitty. Di Canio will need to spend at the very least 9 million Euros to persuade CSKA to sell one of their best young players.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Musa was part of the Nigerian side that won the African Nations Cup and also starred in the Confederations Cup. According to the reports the coach’s resolve was further strengthened by the performance of the Nigerian player at the competition.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">They were also encouraged by the fact that there would not be any problem securing a work permit in England for the player as he has already chalked in more than 70 percent games for Nigeria.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-40388128731498356722013-06-25T04:09:00.001-07:002013-06-25T04:09:44.395-07:00Breaking News...Carlo Ancelotti appointed Real Madrid boss and Blanc joins PSG<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hABcHQjyZ6E/Ucl6XegF9XI/AAAAAAAABZk/gpX8h3v_-Ig/s1600/Carlo-Ancelotti-010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hABcHQjyZ6E/Ucl6XegF9XI/AAAAAAAABZk/gpX8h3v_-Ig/s320/Carlo-Ancelotti-010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Carlo Ancelotti</span></td></tr>
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Carlo Ancelotti has taken over as Real Madrid manager, with
Laurent Blanc replacing the Italian as coach of Paris St-Germain.</div>
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Ancelotti, 54, led PSG to the French title last season<b>.</b></div>
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He has signed a three-year deal in Spain to replace Jose
Mourinho, who left to become Chelsea boss for the second time.</div>
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Blanc, 47, has agreed a two-year contract at the Parc des
Princes.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-21460338824795010682013-06-24T22:37:00.002-07:002013-06-24T22:45:56.538-07:00Messi 26th birthday pix<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KOoJ1CXhTT8/Uckrx_e-IkI/AAAAAAAABYk/g6wV-yIPI1E/s1600/messi-cesc-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KOoJ1CXhTT8/Uckrx_e-IkI/AAAAAAAABYk/g6wV-yIPI1E/s320/messi-cesc-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">“We just danced and then we played some PlayStation.”</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-34268366821551831852013-06-24T04:28:00.002-07:002013-06-24T04:28:50.644-07:00Abidal close to Monaco switch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Eric Abidal is close to a return to Ligue 1 newcomers Monaco, his agent has confirmed.<br />
The 33-year-old, who recovered from a liver transplant to return to action in April, will be a free agent at the end of the month after Barcelona announced their intention not to renew his contract.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>A number of clubs across Europe are thought to hold an interest in the full-back but Abidal’s representative David Ventidelli revealed that his preference is to return to France.<br />
Claudio Ranieri’s side have lured a number of world-class players to the principality, with Falcao, James Rodriguez, Joao Moutinho and Ricardo Carvalho all agreeing to move to the Stade Louis II.<br />
Abidal now looks set to join them, with Ventidelli admitting that a short-team deal with the club he played for between 2000 and 2002 is in the offing.<br />
He told Fichajes: “(Monaco, Lyon and Montpellier) are interested in Abidal. There’s interest from other leagues too, but Eric’s preference is to return to France for family reasons. Monaco are his number one choice.”<br />
“(The Monaco offer) is a relatively short contract because Eric is 33 years old. Despite the health problems he’s had, he is in good shape. The contract duration will be short but there could be options afforded to the player once we’ve completed negotiations.<br />
“Negotiations with Monaco will be settled one way or another by next week as Eric has other proposals. We must be respectful to other clubs.”<br />
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naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-89586742775346787312013-06-24T04:26:00.003-07:002013-06-24T04:29:40.497-07:00Gunners’ pursuit of Gonalons hits brick wall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Arsenal’s pursuit of Maxime Gonalons hit a dead-end after the defensive midfielder’s club Lyon confirmed on their official website that the player will not be sold this summer, despite reports suggesting otherwise. Arsenal and Napoli have been linked with the 24-year old but Lyon refuted all rumours after reports in the media surfaced that the French outfit have set the midfielder’s transfer fee <br />
<a name='more'></a>at €12million.<br />
The Gunners have been tracking the French international after Abou Diaby was ruled out for up to 9 months in March with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Arsene Wenger is searching for defensive options in midfield since he sold Alex Song to Barcelona last summer but has failed to find a suitable replacement.<br />
Gonalons made his professional debut with Lyon in 2009 after almost a decade in the youth system and has established himself as a key member of the club’s midfield, playing 35 of the 38 league games last season.<br />
The statement on Lyon’s official website read, “Olympique Lyonnais were very surprised to read in L’Equipe this morning that we would set a transfer figure for Maxime Gonalons and that it would be more than €12 million. The club have no intention of parting with our captain and this is a matter of clear strategy, namely the further development of our club around our best young players from the academy of which Maxime Gonalons is one of the best examples. The club therefore deny any contact and any negotiations with Napoli and regret any suggestion otherwise, as suggested in this newspaper.”<br />
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<br />naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-46506194682553245242013-06-24T04:24:00.002-07:002013-06-24T04:27:30.155-07:00Neymar has brutal quality — Iniesta<br />
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Barcelona midfielder, Andres Iniesta is relishing the prospect of teaming up with new signing Neymar next season.<br />
The Spain star has been impressed with his new team-mate’s career to date and is confident that he <br />
<a name='more'></a>and Lionel Messi will combine well together.<br />
“Neymar is a pure talent and has brutal quality,” he told Sport.<br />
“He’s a great signing. He’s very young. We’ll try to make him feel as good as possible as quickly as possible. I can’t see anything complicated with Neymar and Messi.”<br />
Barcelona endured a turbulent 2012-13, winning La Liga with a 100-point tally but falling short in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. However, Iniesta still feels the campaign was a success.<br />
“If you win the title, it cannot be a bad or average season, and considering that there were many complications, the emotional element is even more valuable,” he insisted.<br />
“It’s true that we lost the Champions League in the semis but that let us know that we need to improve.<br />
“The team have won confidence and credit. We had a great team like Madrid chasing us but we didn’t give them a chance. We got 100 points and that would be impossible if we had lost our ambition.<br />
“My only objective is to grow as a player. And I believe I have. I’m feeling very good and I can do more things than before.”<br />
Blaugrana coach Tito Vilanova spent part of the season in New York City receiving cancer treatment and the 29-year-old says he missed his boss’ influence.<br />
“Tito’s illness is very difficult. I am one of those who believe that the coach is the leader of the changing room. Obviously the coach’s health comes first,” he added.<br />
“I hope that it doesn’t happen again next season and we can continue as normal.”<br />
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naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-3952229403881690242013-06-24T04:15:00.003-07:002013-06-24T04:15:52.217-07:00Ekpo backs F/Eagles as Nigeria confront Cuba today<br />
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Former Super Eagles midfielder, Friday Ekpo believes the embattled Flying Eagles can still soar in the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, despite losing their first game.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The Nigeria national U-20 team lost 3-2 to Portugal in their opening fixture last Friday, but will confront Cuba today in their second group match.<br />
And in an interview with our correspondent, Ekpo said the team could still salvage their campaign if they beat the Cubans today.<br />
He said it is wrong to condemn the team early in the competition, believing that they have shown they have the capacity to do well if given enough support with the way they came back from 2-0 down to level up with the Portuguese.<br />
“It is unfortunate that they lost their first match because it is very important for you to win your first game in a competition like this, but we don’t have to condemn the team yet because the tournament is just beginning. I think the team is not that bad, you can see it in the way they came back from 2-0 down to level up. That showed that there is something about them.<br />
“We need to keep praying for the team and I believe they are going to come back strongly when they play their next match (against Cuba),” he said.<br />
A loss for either Nigeria or Cuba could mean the end of the road for the team. The North Americans also lost their opening fixture to South Korea 1-2 and would be desperate to take something out of this one.<br />
naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-14048943164814888782013-06-24T04:10:00.001-07:002013-06-24T04:10:09.644-07:00Akanni urges Flying Eagles to unite<br />
Ex-international, Waidi Akanni has charged the Flying Eagles to play cohesively at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey to stand a chance of advancing in the tournament.<br />
Akanni said in Lagos that the Flying Eagles would have to display all they were taught during their preparation in Germany.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>He spoke against the backdrop of the team’s 2-3 defeat to Portugal on Friday in the second game of Group B on the opening day of the tournament.<br />
Akanni, who won a bronze medal with the Flying Eagles in the 1985 edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Russia, said that the team prepared adequately for the tournament.<br />
The former midfielder commended the Federal Government for exposing the team to the invitational tournament at Toulon, France, adding that it was a rehearsal of sort for the World Cup.<br />
``They need to play as a team. Selfishness kills any team, so the players should play cohesively to ensure a victorious outing at the tournament.<br />
``They have really prepared well for this tournament taking cognisance of their participation at the invitational tournament in France.<br />
``I sincerely hope that they will go far in the tournament, their results from the last tournament in Toulon should spur them to give a good account of themselves in Turkey,’’ Akanni said.<br />
Akanni, who was also a former Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, advised the team’s handlers to work on the players’ psyche.<br />
``The players need to be prepared psychologically for this tournament because football is not just about the field, the frame of mind of the players must be worked on.<br />
``Motivation for the players is essential too; motivation is never too much for anyone to succeed,’’ he said.<br />
naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-84555717440147223462013-06-24T04:04:00.002-07:002013-06-24T04:04:58.367-07:00Coaches worried over poor timing in Calabar<br />
Some Coaches on Saturday expressed concern over the unimpressive return time posted by some of the athletes at the just-concluded All Nigeria/Cross River Open Athletics championships in Calabar.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The coaches said in Calabar that it was unfortunate that most of the athletes failed to meet the qualification standard set by the International Amateur Athletics Federations (IAAF).<br />
Mutiu Oluwa, a coach from Edo, said that the athletes must improve on their time if they were to stand any chance of qualifying for the world championships.<br />
Oluwa said that the Calabar championships proved more work was needed, adding that only the women’s relay teams were certain of qualification, as it stood.<br />
“My assessment is that the athletes still have a lot of work to do. Only a few of them have hit their qualification mark, but most are still struggling.<br />
“We’ve only qualified for the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m. The 4x400m men have not qualified, they have to be among the first 16 best relay teams in the world,” he said.<br />
Another coach, Richard Ogunleye, from Kaduna state, said he was worried about the performances of the athletes and expressed fears many of them might not qualify for the world championships.<br />
He also disclosed that only the women’s 100m, 400m and relays qualification criteria had been met, and urged the athletes to improve.<br />
“The athletes need to do more work. During our days, you might finish the 100m in 10.40 secs and still not qualify.<br />
“Having said all these, I still believe they’ve got the potential to improve, but some may not qualify for the world championships’’.<br />
Johnson Abiodun, the Chief Coach of Kwara State Athletic Association, said the athletes must be engaged in competitions frequently to perform optimally.<br />
He said it was sad to see the athletes struggling to meet the IAAF qualification requirements and urged sports administrators to go back to the grassroots.<br />
“Much of the athletes haven’t met the international standard and to my own understanding, we still need to go back to the grassroots.<br />
“The athletes must be engaged regularly in competitions. We need more competitions to bring out the best in them, but right now, we have to just hold on to what they’re able to offer,” he said.<br />
The competition ended on Friday.<br />
naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-68747961271911372312013-06-24T04:03:00.000-07:002013-06-24T04:03:03.913-07:00Keshi, bad example to Eagles — Gara Gombe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-miAgaTT_sJI/UcgZzdJ6gzI/AAAAAAAAAVo/j2BWnDk0Q1E/s1600/Keshi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-miAgaTT_sJI/UcgZzdJ6gzI/AAAAAAAAAVo/j2BWnDk0Q1E/s200/Keshi.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Former chairman of Gombe State Football Association, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe has taken a swipe on<br />
Super Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi blaming him for the players’ revolt against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>He said that coach Keshi is not leading the players by showing good example and that he should be held responsible for the revolt in Namibia.<br />
Speaking with Newswatch Sports, the controversial sports critics opined that the players learnt how to demand for their right the wrong way from the Chief Coach, who also did not know the right time and place to have announced his resignation after the Nations Cup in South Africa.<br />
Gara Gombe maintained that the players did not behave well with the way they went about protesting their bonuses that was slashed by NFF. He argued that the Chief Coach had set the tone for such action which informed why they succeeded in holding the NFF to ransom and embarrassed the nation.<br />
“The problem is that the players did not know how and where to demand for their right. But what did you expect when their coach did not know when and where to protest and tender his resignation too? So his players followed suit,” he said.<br />
Gara Gombe stressed that the action of the players must have been instigated by people who do not want the Maigari-led board to succeed.<br />
“I have this strong belief that there are saboteurs in the Super Eagles team. I also believe that the action must have been instigated. It must be investigated to avoid a repeat of such in the future,” he said.<br />
Goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, Mikel Obi and Austin Ejide were said to have spearheaded the revolt against the Nigeria Football Federation in Namibia. And it was reported that their action had the full backing of the chief Coach, Stephen Keshi.<br />
It will be recalled that Vincent Enyeama was alleged to have led a similar revolt against the nation under Samson Siasia when the Eagles refused to board a plane provided for them to travel.<br />
The action led to his exclusion from the Super Eagles team that lost 2012 Nations Cup decisive qualifier against Equatorial Guinea in Abuja.<br />
His exclusion received the backing of NFF. The Goal keeper only came back to the team when Stephen Keshi was appointed as the Super Eagles Chief Coach.<br />
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naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-82506255608372491792013-06-24T03:59:00.000-07:002013-06-24T03:59:01.949-07:00Chelsea jack up Mikel’s price tag to N4.183bn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QDfE47Zk3Hk/UcBF97GuqWI/AAAAAAAAAC8/9oWjosm47Eg/s1600/Mikel+obi+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QDfE47Zk3Hk/UcBF97GuqWI/AAAAAAAAAC8/9oWjosm47Eg/s320/Mikel+obi+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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English Premier League giants, Chelsea have jacked up the valuation of their prized player, John Mikel Obi and have told Galatasaray that only £20million (about N4,183,200,220.375) can force them to sell the midfielder.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>The Turkish giants are desperate to bring the Nigerian International to their fold ahead of the new season and have tabled just £12million (about N2.5 billion) offer.<br />
Newswatch Sports reported recently that the midfielder has instructed his representatives to suspend negotiation in respect of his transfer in anticipation of an improvement in his valuation after the Confederations Cup where he had hoped to fly with his national team.<br />
However, Chelsea were believed to be holding out for £16million which it cost them to bring the midfielder from his former Norwegian side, Lyn Oslo in 2006, but according to a source very close to the player, the Blues have now jacked up their asking price.<br />
The source said Chelsea are insisting that the former Plateau United player will not go for less than £20 million and they can only do business if the Turkish champions meet the valuation.<br />
“The transfer is becoming interesting now. I can authoritatively tell you that Galatasaray have officially tabled an offer for Mikel, but it has been rejected by Chelsea. What Mikel wanted is materializing, he wants to use this opportunity to make more money in his career. With all the noise they have been making, Galatasaray only put £12 million down for Mikel and Chelsea have said they will not accept that.<br />
“Initially Chelsea were saying £16 million but now they have increased it to £20 million. I was told that the club said for a player that has won the Champions League, Europa league and Premier League and for somebody who has also helped his country to win the African Nations Cup and now playing well in the Confederations Cup, he worths far more than the £12 million Galatasaray have put down for him.<br />
“I think the personal terms they are offering for the player is quite mouth-watering, but Mikel and the agency are pushing for more. Personal terms have been the motivating factor for the deal and everything is working fine for them. They would announce the transfer soon if Galatasaray move fast,” he said.<br />
naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-51293436947281643992013-06-24T03:43:00.001-07:002013-06-24T03:43:21.472-07:00Yobo denies England switch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Out-of-favour Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo has declared his intentions to remain in Turkey despite increased speculation about a move back to England.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Yobo was richly successful in his six year spell at Everton and has been linked with newly-promoted side, Hull City and Cardiff City as the two teams prepare for life in the Premiership.<br />
The 32-year-old defender joined Fenerbahce from Everton for €2.5 million last season and made 34 appearances last term.<br />
Fenerbahce are facing pressure as competition for foreign space increases. The Turkish Football Federation only permits six foreign players on the field at any one time.<br />
Fenerbahce now have 11 non-Turkish players and the Turkish Football Federation have just introduced a ruling which only permits six foreign players to be included in team selection for the 2013-14 season.<br />
But despite this damning reality, the player, in an interview, was unequivocal when he declared that he would not quit Fenerbahce. He said his family has settled down well in the city of Istanbul and he is keen to see off the remaining two years left on his contract.<br />
“I still have two-years left on my contract. My son goes to school in Istanbul and my family is happily settled in the city. I have no intentions of leaving<br />
“I am undergoing stem-cell therapy in the US and will be ready to take part in pre-season training,” he said.<br />
<br />naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-7849731769761007812013-06-23T15:45:00.002-07:002013-06-23T15:45:08.138-07:00Confed Cup: Enyeama blames fatigue for loss<div>
Stand-in Eagles skipper, Vincent Enyeama, has blamed fatigue as the major reason for the Eagles 1-2 loss to Uruguay Thursday at the ongoing Confederations Cup.</div>
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<a name='more'></a>And the former Enyimba goalkeeper insists that the loss was so colossal, that the team will have to do something special to defeat Spain on Sunday.</div>
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Enyeama was reacting to a question about the splendid play of the Eagles that still failed to give the team a victory.</div>
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“It’s so painful that we played well and were still on the losing side. </div>
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“I would have been a happier person if we played badly and won the game,” he said. </div>
<div>
Uruguay now have the advantage, as all they need do, is beat Tahiti and hope that Spain defeat Eagles.</div>
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naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-19496790652860920202013-06-23T15:38:00.001-07:002013-06-23T15:38:18.032-07:00Oliseh confident of Eagles qualification<br />
Former Nigerian midfielder, Sunday Oliseh has said Super Eagles are very much in the semifinals qualification race at the ongoing 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.<br />
Eagles fell to the Uruguayan foes, La Celeste 1-2 in the group’s second game in the early hours of <br />
<a name='more'></a>Friday at the Arena Fonte Nova in the city of Salvador to still hang precariously on the second spot with the last decisive group game against leaders, Spain coming up on Sunday in Fortaleza.<br />
Oliseh said nothing is certain in football until the encounter in question is decided in direct reference to the herculean game against the European and World champions, Spain.<br />
“All is not lost for the Super Eagles against the Spaniards. In football nothing is conclusively lost until the game is played. Eagles can still pull a surprise against Spain, so it’s not over for them,” said the former Nigerian captain.<br />
Oliseh accused Eagles of being clay-footed in the 1-2 loss to the South American champions, Uruguay in the second group game.<br />
“Eagles showed no pace in their passes, the opponents, Uruguay had it all and we’re not shooting to compound the problems of the night.<br />
“Nothing to blame Eagles’ goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama for Diego Forlan thundering goal for his side, the passes enroute to the goal were quick and the finishing precise and excellent,” he said.<br />
Diego Lugano and Diego Forlan scored for the South American champions while central midfielder, John Obi Mikel pulled one back for the reigning African champions.<br />
Eagles’ hope of qualification to the semifinals of the global football fiesta will be decided by their performance against Spain’s Furia Roja (Red Fury) at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza as well as the outcome in the tie involving the Oceania champions, Tahiti and Uruguay on Sunday.<br />
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naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-46609148844257852012013-06-23T09:16:00.002-07:002013-06-23T09:16:49.674-07:00Juventus, Udinese meet over Asamoah’s full ownership <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Juventus officials met their counterparts from Udinese on Tuesday to discuss their full-ownership bid for Ghana midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah.<br />
Asamoah had joined the Old Lady at the beginning of the just ended campaign in a co-ownership deal from <br />
<a name='more'></a>Udinese.<br />
9m for 50% rights for the Ghana international in a double deal which also saw Mauricio Isla also joining the champions.<br />
The Serie-A champions are now looking to buy Asamoah’s absolute rights following his impressive first season display with the Bianconeri.<br />
The 24-year-old will reportedly cost Juventus a further €8m for his full ownership – bringing his total transfer fee to €17m.<br />
Juventus have however declined to do same with Mauricio Isla who failed to rediscover his hot form after spending extensive time on the sidelines through injury.<br />
Asamoah in just his first season at Juventus has won the Italian Super Cup and the Scudetto.<br />
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naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-16822582676895985332013-06-23T09:08:00.003-07:002013-06-23T09:08:42.428-07:00Squash Federation set to relocate to Abuja<br />
Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) could relocate its headquarters to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, A top official of the federation who sought anonymity told our correspondent that the decision to move the secretariat from Lagos to Abuja dominated the board meeting and it seems the process to actualise it would commence soon.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>According to the source, the President of the federation, Adamu Ahmed Erena reasoned that movement of secretariat has become imperative to ensure effective administrative convenience.<br />
The source said the federation would table the proposal before the National Sports Commission (NSC) and hoped that the Sports Ministry would approve the move.<br />
“Squash federation may join others that have moved to Abuja very soon because that is one of the key issues discussed during the last board meeting. We are still deliberating on the modalities for the movement.<br />
“Our president wants us to move, but some members argued that the best of facilities are here in the South West and they believed it is important that the secretariat is close to where we have the facilities. What was agreed on at the end of the day was that we can move the secretariat to Abuja and Lagos will serve as liaison office. We shall commence the movement as soon as we get approval from the sports ministry,” he said.<br />
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naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-11998180658106443242013-06-23T09:06:00.002-07:002013-06-23T09:06:23.657-07:00F/Eagles got best preparations —Amadu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Amadu, says the federation has full confidence in the ability of the national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles to perform at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, declaring that they got the best of preparations for the championship.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>In a chart with Newswatch Sports, the NFF scribe noted the federation has done so much on their part to prepare the team for the World Cup. According to him, NFF is very sure that they would turn-up a good performance in Turkey despite series of bad results recorded in several friendly matches that they played, particularly at the last Toulon tournament in France; declaring that friendly matches are not enough to judge how well a team will play in a tournament.<br />
Explaining further on the team’s dismal performance during the friendly matches, he said that the coach did not use his first eleven in most of the friendly matches as he experimented with some players.<br />
“I make bold to say that this is one team that we have given the best of preparations with several friendly matches and training tours. And we are very confident that they will do well at the World Cup,” he said.<br />
Amadu declared that the federation expects nothing less than the quarter-final berth from the team, and this he said has been made known to the coach. <br />
”This team must surpass the result of the last U-20 team that got to the quarter-final in the last edition.<br />
“You know the last team under the same coach got to the quarter-final of the World Cup and it is expected that the following team should emulate or go beyond the record. So, we are really expecting so much from them,” he said.<br />
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<br />naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-29131562622430961842013-06-23T09:02:00.002-07:002013-06-23T09:02:25.803-07:00Eagles should emulate Bafana Bafana – NFF chieftain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3baYvxnwV4/UccNaNd4FeI/AAAAAAAAAHM/TbBiH5XStsg/s1600/Aminu+Maigari+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3baYvxnwV4/UccNaNd4FeI/AAAAAAAAAHM/TbBiH5XStsg/s200/Aminu+Maigari+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The Super Eagles players have been advised to emulate their counterparts from other countries that never embarrass their fatherland or hold her to ransom over match bonus, but delight in services.<br />
An executive committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who pleaded anonymity said: “the players should stop acting as if they are traitors. They are not living in the moon. They are aware of the precarious financial situation of NFF in recent time.”<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>He explained that the federation had good reasons to slash the players’ bonuses and it is not a secret in Nigeria, saying that the decision is temporal which will not last beyond the Confederations Cup<br />
“It is a naughty issue that must be thoroughly trashed out before the crucial last World Cup qualifier match against the Flames of Malawi in Calabar in September,” he explained.<br />
“We have clarified this issue oftentimes that the federation is really financially constrained. To put it mildly, the body is broke. We are just managing to stay afloat in the scheme of things. It was the major reason that led to the reduction of the number of backroom staff for the team shortly after the last Africa Nations Cup in South Africa.”<br />
He further emphasised that NFF is passing through lots of difficulties as the body receives only N1.5 billion annually from the government to prosecute all its programmes which is a far cry from reality.<br />
“It is obvious that the NFF does not just take care of the Super Eagles only. There are Super Falcons and other junior national teams to take care of in either the qualifiers or in the global football summit. Remember that there are also the Beach Eagles.”<br />
The visibly worried Glass House bigwig revealed further that the body expends as much as N120 million for each home international engagement of the Super Eagles and also N150 million on each of its away games.<br />
“Let me still remind members of the Super Eagles that the motive of national team assignment should not be tied to money, rather, patriotism, nationalism and the passion to represent ones country should remain uppermost,” he stated.<br />
He recalled what he described as the exemplary attitude of South African national team players, the Bafana Bafana during the Cup of Nations when they resolved not to ask for any bonus untill the team reached the quarter- finals stage.<br />
“That’s how it should be. National team duty should not be seen as an avenue to make more money rather their respective club sides should serve as such avenues,” he counselled.<br />
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<br />naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-8452236139297965112013-06-23T08:59:00.000-07:002013-06-23T08:59:32.348-07:00Nigerian WBO champion aims at world title<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sergeant Isaac Ekpo, the reigning World Boxing Organisation (WBO) African Super Middleweight Champion has vowed to fly Nigeria’s flag high at the world level.<br />
The 31-year-old boxer successfully defended his title after defeating Ayitey Powers of Ghana in round 10 on June 8 in Cotonou.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The military officer, who won the title first in December 2012 by knocking out Said Mada of Algeria at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, boasted that he would claim the world title.<br />
``My target is to fly the Nigerian flag high at the world level, I have not arrived yet, African title is the beginning; there are other heights to reach.<br />
``I am still working very hard, I know there are battles to fight to get there but I am confident that with commitment to training and prayer I will get to the peak.<br />
``I am set to make my country proud in the world of boxing,’’ Ekpo said.<br />
Ekpo, who promised Nigerians that he would try to bring back the glorious days of Nigerian boxing, appealed to fans to pray for him.<br />
He described the title fight as tough but said that experience and tactics made him defeat his opponent who came with many fans from London and in his home country.<br />
``Ayitey Powers is five times African Champion, he is a professional fighter based in London, he boasted that he would rob me of the title.<br />
``But I led in all the rounds which I did not believe. However, I give all glory to God and thanks to my manager, Anthony Kamal, who stood by me,’’ he said.<br />
Ranked eighth in the world by the WBO, Ekpo has had 22 fights, losing one, won 21 of which 15 were by knock-outs and six by points decisions.naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-34168429113671830492013-06-23T08:54:00.003-07:002013-06-23T08:55:41.359-07:00Federation appeals for release of seized boats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Nigeria Rowing, Canoeing and Sailing Sports Federation has pleaded with the Federal Government to release its boats that were seized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC).<br />
The president of the federation, retired Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni, made the plea at a demonstration event of the three sports at Jabi Lake in Abuja.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>According to Porbeni, even the orders given by former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the release of the boats, held at the Ikorodu sea port, fell on deaf ears.<br />
Porbeni said a total of six boats were seized by the NCS in 2006 after the federation failed to pay clearing charges of about N5 million.<br />
``Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had told the Nigerian Customs Service to waive the N5 million for us, but its officers refused.<br />
``It’s an action of a bureaucrat that prevented us from getting the boats.<br />
``I met a deputy director in the Transport ministry and he promised to get them for us, but up till now, no result; we hope it does not end there,’’ Porbeni said.<br />
The retired naval officer noted that the action of the NCS could discourage the development of the sport in the country.<br />
He expressed regrets that the incident took place when tax rebate and waivers were being given to companies and sports federations for the development of sports in the country.<br />
``As a former minister of transport and admiral, I tried to get those boats out but to no avail.<br />
`` I have not been to some ministries since I left office, but I went to the Ministry of Transport for the release of the boats.<br />
``It was as though they were for my personal financial benefit.<br />
``These are sporting equipment, not financial or leisure equipment. The international agency that donated them is not happy with us.<br />
``They now prefer assisting Togo and other neighbouring countries because we cannot utilise what they donated to us; they say they cannot give us again.”<br />
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naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-16715956800162227142013-06-23T08:48:00.001-07:002013-06-23T08:49:28.003-07:00NFF yet to pay Keshi since February<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Coach Stephen Keshi is not a happy man at the moment not because his team is not doing well but because his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation still owes him backlog of salaries.<br />
A source close to the coach told our correspondent that the federation has not paid the tactician since the last Africa Nations Cup in February.<br />
The source said the federation has blamed the delays due to the dire financial situation in the Glass House and Keshi has been forced to carry on with his assignment without an issue out of the ugly situation.<br />
It will be recalled that the salary of the coach became an issue before the start of the Nations Cup before a last minute intervention ensured the coach was paid before the start of the tournament but the source said the <br />
<a name='more'></a>desire to succeed on his job has made the coach to keep quiet all this while.<br />
“Yes, I can confirm to you that since they returned from the Nations Cup, the federation has not paid one kobo into Keshi’s account as his salary. In fact, they kept singing the same song and Keshi has not come out to complain because he promised them he would not do that anymore after what happened before the Nations Cup when he spoke to the media about it.<br />
“I think NFF is not fair to Keshi. I don’t think any coach can accept what they are doing to him. How can coaches go three four months without getting a kobo as salaries and still carry on as if nothing has happened?” he asked.<br />
The source revealed that though NFF has promised to offset the salary arrears of the coach shortly after the ongoing 2014 FIFA Confederations Cup hoping to pay from Confederations Cup windfall.<br />
FIFA pays each team that participates in the competition a graduated amount of money beginning from $1.7 million (about N272 million) for the first stage depending on the progression of the team.<br />
“They have promised to clear that outstanding salary after the tournament but we only hope they would keep their promise,” he said.<br />
Meanwhile, the source also revealed that the issue of match bonus was not the key reasons why the Super Eagles players revolted before they departed for Brazil for Confederations Cup. According to him, the players were more miffed with the manner the federation eased out former assistant coach, Sylvanus Okpalla.<br />
“Many people did not know what went down during that period. We are just painting a picture of the players being greedy, but it is far from that. The players were not agitating for match bonus alone but the manner with which NFF handled the team since after the Nations Cup. It did not go down well with them, especially some senior members of the team.<br />
“The players were not happy about the way NFF asked Okpalla to go and how they forced Keshi to accept to pay his assistant, Valerie from his own pocket. The players told NFF that as African champions the team should be treated with some respect not in the manner the federation is going about it,” he said.<br />
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naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-164104574943124462013-06-20T06:12:00.000-07:002013-06-20T06:15:39.006-07:00Nnaji writes-off local players in national team<br />
Chief Coach of national female basketball team, Scot Nnaji has written off the chances of home-based players breaking into the national team because ‘they still have more work to do’.<br />
Speaking with Newswatch Sports, Nnaji said much as there are talents in the Zenith Basketball Championship, he however doubted their ability to play in big time competitions without being knocked into proper shape.<a href="http://naijasportmagazine.blogspot.com/p/nigeria.html">Read more...</a><br />
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naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881090631219637837.post-22834365059434986442013-06-20T05:56:00.001-07:002013-06-20T05:56:43.267-07:00Turkey 2013: Portugal unleash Nigerian against Eagles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MCf0k6kt_x8/UcL2big81sI/AAAAAAAAAF8/dB_8MnR-5B0/s1600/Tiago-Ilori.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MCf0k6kt_x8/UcL2big81sI/AAAAAAAAAF8/dB_8MnR-5B0/s320/Tiago-Ilori.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Portuguese U-20 national team will unleash Tiago Ilori, a defender whose father is Nigerian, against the Flying Eagles when both teams clash at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey.<br />
The Portuguese, who were U-20 world champions in 1989 and 1991, were beaten in the 2011 World Cup <br />
<a name='more'></a>final in Colombia 3-2 by Brazil after extra time.<br />
Coach Edgar Borges has assembled another decent side for Turkey 2013.<br />
He has retained the bulk of the squad from the Toulon Tournament, meaning goalkeeper Jose Sa, skipper Joao Mario, David Luis-lookalike Tiago Ferreira, To-Ze, Tiago Silva and Aladje will again be in action against Nigeria.<br />
Ilori is expected to partner Tiago Ferreira in the heart of a well organised defence, where right fullback Tomas Dabo loves to join the attack.<br />
Italy-based striker Aladje is big and strong and his left foot is lethal.<br />
The Flying Eagles were second best when they played against Portugal at the Toulon Tournament.<br />
naijanewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986818984128498864noreply@blogger.com0