Will Okagbare rule the world in Moscow?

After weeks of anticipation, the IAAF World Championships finally gets underway today in Moscow with athletes from across the globe battling for honours in the Russian capital.

Plaudits for unselfish Martins

Obafemi Martins has received praise for his unselfish approach in last weekend’s game between Seattle Sounders and Chivas USA.

Eneramo to earn N255m annually

Nigerian striker Michael Eneramo will earn €1.2 million (N255m) annually after completing his move to Turkish Super Lig outfit Besiktas.

Yobo to sue tabloid over mother-in-law story

Yobo's wife, Ada (r) and her mom. 

Joseph Yobo is set to sue the National Enquirer.

According to an interview Yobo granted Maestro's Media, he is so pissed with what the magazine had written about him and his extended family, and this time he is not taking it lying low.

Not a millionaire? Then forget about Brazil 2014

A seat at the final will set you back N160k.

Thinking about going to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil? If your answer is “Yes” and you are not a millionaire – preferably in US dollars or any other ‘strong’ currency – then you better start saving a lot, or hope to win the Baba Ijebu lottery, and really win big. Going to Brazil next year, ESPECIALLY if the Super Eagles make it as we all expect them to, is not going to come cheap. Yesterday football’s governing body, FIFA, revealed its ticket prices for the much anticipated football fiesta.

For a Nigerian fan wishing to follow the African Champions live in Brazil, assuming of course that Stephen Keshi’s side qualifies, the cheapest ticket you can hope to purchase will cost $90 (N14,510), while the most expensive will go for $990 (N159,600).

These figures are considerably higher than the $15 (N2,420) Brazilian students, the over-60s in the Portuguese-speaking country, and those on welfare will have to pay, or the N5,000 the Brazilian working class will have to cough out to watch a match in the group phase; a figure which rises to as high as N145,000 for a category one seat at the final.

Air fares

But it is not really the ticket prices that a Nigerian fan wishing to go to Brazil should be concerned about, and it is definitely not the N743,869 you will need to purchase a South African Airways return ticket from Lagos to Rio de Janeiro, through Johannesburg, or the more enticing N291,502 Ethiopian Airlines currently charges for flights from Lagos to Brazil’s commercial capital through Cotonou.

Those will be the least of your financial concerns.

Rather, you should be worried about the cost of travelling across this vast South American country to watch your darling Super Eagles in action, as well as the money it would cost to put up in a hotel or any other boarding facility for the opening two weeks of the month-long tournament – by which time the tournament’s group phase would have been concluded and the men separated from the boys.

Where to stay

Accommodation would be a nightmare as most of the hotels have already been taken.

A huge problem for Nigerian fans, including the official supporters club who will be getting some form of financial support from the Federal Government, as well as other sponsors of the Super Eagles, will be deciding where to stay, as FIFA, as has been the case since France ’98, has yet again decided against hosting each of the eight groups in geographical clusters.

This means that players, supporters and officials face the prospect of making long trips across a country as big as West Africa even before the knockout stage commences.

For example, if the Super Eagles were to be pooled in Group A and scheduled to play the tournament’s opening match against the Brazilians, following the draws for the World Cup in December, then it means that after playing the hosts in Sao Paulo, Keshi and his boys will head off to Manaus for their second game.

Manaus is situated in the north-west of Brazil. Is more than 2500 kilometres from Sao Paulo, and takes about four hours by air.

Hotel accommodation is already difficult to come by presently in some Brazilian cities. In Rio de Janeiro there are only a couple of two- and three-star hotels offering rooms during the opening two weeks of the World Cup.

The four- and five-star hotels have gone, which according to some reports suggests FIFA’s accommodation agency has again block-booked the best places.

At the eHostel, situated 300 metres from the world-famous Copacabana beach, 16 nights in a six-bed dormitory, during the opening two weeks of the tournament from June 11-27, costs around N349,000, while a studio for three, which comes with a set of bunk beds, in apartments in the town of Praia, a distance of 9 km from the Maracana Stadium, is available for almost two million naira (actually it is N1,923,474).

And with no recognised rail network or car hire services, following the Super Eagles around during the World Cup will require a lot of flying.

In some ways the World Cup sounds like it will be a logistical nightmare next year, although seasoned World Cup campaigners, especially those from football mad countries like England, Holland and Germany, will argue that working out where to stay and how to get to matches is all part of the fun.

Vilanova leaves Barcelona

Photo credit: Getty Images

Tito Vilanova has resigned as coach of Barcelona, the club have confirmed.

D-Day for Ajose as he takes on the Hammer

Tonight in New Hampshire, in the United States of America (early hours of Saturday in Nigeria), Nigeria’s Olusegun Ajose will step into the ring with Philadelphia native ‘Hammerin’ Hank Lundy in a 10-round junior welterweight bout.

Ajose sure of victory over ‘Hammerin’ Hank

Photo credit: Fightkings.com

Olusegun Ajose is confident he will emerge victorious when he takes on ‘Hammerin’ Hank Lundy on Friday in an important junior welterweight bout taking place at the Rockingham Park, in New Hampshire, USA.

Aluko thrilled to be back

Photo credit: Hullcityafc.net

Hull City striker Sone Aluko has revealed that he is happy with his return to the team following a six-month injury absence.

Keshi calls up Emenike, Moses, for Mandela

Photo credit: Connectnigeria.com

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has recalled Emmanuel Emenike to the national team ahead of next month’s Mandela Challenge contest against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

Yobo remains Eagles skipper, says Keshi

Photo credit: Ifeanyi Ibeh

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi has declared that Joseph Yobo will continue to serve as the national team’s skipper, even if the Fenerbahce of Turkey defender hasn’t featured for the national side since the last Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Hammerin Hank vows to put Ajose under the hammer

Photo credit: Phillyboxinghistory.com

‘Hammerin’ Hank Lundy is confident of emerging victorious when he takes on Nigeria’s Olusegun Ajose next Friday, July 19, in the United States of America.

Match fixing: Business as usual in Nigeria

Photo credit: 4to-sports

Since last weekend, Nigeria has been the laughing stock of the football world after four previously unheralded teams conspired to record a shocking 146 goals in two separate games played in Bauchi State.

Saintfiet to overhaul squad ahead of Eagles clash

Photo credit: BBC

Malawian coach, Tom Saintfiet, plans on carrying out a radical overhaul of his side before next month’s World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles, insisting that he is looking for “ambitious players” capable of helping the Flames qualify for next year’s tournament in Brazil.

Taiwo faces tax rap in France

Photo credit: Getty Images

Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo is set to lose his home in France after tax fraud charges were levelled against him at a Marseille court.

Fulham join race for 'unwanted' Odemwingie

Photo credit: Guardian.co.uk

Fulham, according to reports in England, are interested in luring West Bromwich Albion forward Osaze Odemwingie to Craven Cottage ahead of the fast-approaching 2013/2014 English Premier League season.

Oduamadi targets Namibia goal

Photo credit: psl.co.za

Nigeria forward Nnamdi Oduamadi hopes to add a second international goal in Wednesday's 2014 World Cup qualifier against Namibia.

Namibia’s new coach charges Warriors to be brave against Eagles

Photo credit: Namibian.com.na

Newly named coach of the Namibian national team, Ricardo Mannetti, who was thrown into the deep end as the Brave Warriors coach following the resignation of Roger Palmgren, has called on Namibians to put behind them the Swede’s shock exit and focus on Wednesday’s encounter against Nigeria.

Lille move beckons for Imoh Ezekiel

Photo credit: Royaltimes.net

Nigerian-born striker Imoh Ezekiel could be on his way out of Standard Liege before the start of the 2013/14 season following reports linking him with a move to French club Lille.

‘Sex-hungry’ Lebanese refs jailed in Singapore

Three Lebanese football referees pleaded guilty on Monday to accepting free sex from a gambling-linked global syndicate in return for rigging a match in Singapore, with two jailed and sentencing deferred for the third.

Death threats force Namibia coach to resign

Nigeria’s Super Eagles chances of progressing to the final round of Africa’s qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup taking place in Brazil has gotten a massive boost following reports that coach of the Namibian national football team, Roger Palmgren has resigned from his post following death threats.

EAGLES BEWARE! Underrate Namibia and pay for it – Atere

By Ifeanyi Ibeh

The Super Eagles have been advised against underrating their opponents in next Wednesday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier, the Brave Warriors of Namibia, that is, if the Nigerian side still harbours aspirations of playing at next year’s football showpiece in Brazil.

Uche’s goals inspire Villarreal back to La Liga

Ikechukwu Uche with his 14 league goals has powered Villarreal back to La Liga after their ignominious demotion from the top tier last season.

Martinez plots £10m move for Moses

Victor Moses could be Roberto Martinez first signing at Everton

Bash Ali bashed by Minister’s security detail

Nigerian boxer, Bashiru Lawrence Ali, popularly known as Bash Ali, caused a stir on Thursday in Abuja as he accosted President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a bid to challenge for the world cruiser-weight title in Nigeria.

Nadal shrugs off Ferrer’s challenge to seal record French Open title

Rafael Nadal became the first man ever to win eight singles titles at a single grand slam with a straight-sets win over Spanish compatriot David Ferrer at the French Open.

Iniesta: Mourinho has ruined Spanish football

Jose Mourinho’s return to English football may have been heralded by most on these shores, but they are glad to see the back of him in Spain.

Victor Oladipo earns another award

As former Indiana star Victor Oladipo continues to see his name skyrocket up draft boards in preparation for this month’s NBA Draft, he is also continuing to rack up quite the mantle full of trophies for his tremendous junior season.

Del Bosque: Haiti game good tune-up for Spain

Vicente del Bosque was pleased with his Spain side's performance after it overcame a resilient Haiti side in a friendly clash on Saturday in Florida.

Goals from Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fabregas in the first half proved sufficient to hand La Roja the win despite Wilde-Donald Guerrier's shock strike in the final 15 minutes, and Del Bosque feels the match was effective preparation for the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

"In the first half, I think we played to our level, we controlled the ball and created chances," Del Bosque told reporters after the match. "After the break we put less pressure on, played with less intensity and Haiti were able to see more of the ball and play better, but overall it was a good test for us."

Haiti goalscorer Guerrier had celebrated the birth of his son Cristiano - named after the Real Madrid superstar - the day before the game, and he was thrilled at the way his side showcased its ability against the world's finest side.

"It was a great honour to play against the world champions, and I think we showed that Haiti is not only about the earthquake we had, but we showed that we have talent," Guerrier said. "I was very pleased to get a goal against the No. 1 team in the world. They are great players, but they are human beings, they aren't from another planet."

Spain faces Ireland at New York's Yankee Stadium on Tuesday in a final warm-up game prior to the Confederations Cup, in which it will face Uruguay, Nigeria and Tahiti in Group B. Brazil, Mexico, Italy and Japan make up Group A.

SOURCE: GOAL.COM

Suarez - Uruguay's firebrand saviour

Lambasted in Europe for his attitude on the pitch, Uruguay’s controversial Liverpool forward Luis Suarez is in contrast seen as the saviour of his country.

Fans of the Celeste warm to his goal sense and will to win, which will stand the South Americans in good stead during the Confederations Cup in Brazil.

The 26-year-old, nicknamed “El Pistolero” or the gun-slinger, once again showed his effectiveness and class with a stunning strike in the 1-0 friendly win against France in Montevideo this week.

However talented he may be, though, European fans believe Suarez is a player who has often crossed the line when it comes to fair-play.

In 2010 in the quarter-final of the World Cup in South Africa against Ghana, he deliberately stopped a shot with his hand.



The strike would have taken the Africans into the semi-final at the end of extra-time.

Suarez was sent off but Ghana then missed the resulting penalty. Uruguay eventually won the match on spot-kicks and went through to the last four.

Uruguay’s media lauded Suarez for his handball, applauding his sense of self-sacrifice, even as others saw in it characteristic cheating that led to the unfair elimination of Ghana.

In 2011, Suarez was suspended for eight matches for using a racial slur towards Manchester United’s French defender Patrice Evra.

Suarez maintained that the word he used — “negro” (black in Spanish) — did not have racist connotations in his country.

This year, too, Suarez was back in the dock and banned for 10 games after biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic on the arm during a match at Stamford Bridge.



The incident was headline news in England and even saw Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron condemn Suarez for setting “a bad example”.

The firebrand striker has always preferred to respond to his critics on the pitch: unquestionably he is an effective operator, scoring 23 goals for Liverpool last season — the second-best scoring record in the English Premier League.

“You can lose some things, but can never lose the slyness, the passion that you have had since you were a kid playing in the street,” Suarez told AFP in an interview in March.

“If I didn’t have the character that I have today on the pitch, I don’t think that I would have become the player that I am today,” he added.

Former Real Zaragoza, Chelsea and Uruguay midfielder Gus Poyet, now manager with English side Brighton explained the difficulty in dealing with a player like Suarez.

“In football, you can’t bite your opponent. But you have to take him as he is. If you want him to become a saint, then he won’t be the same,” he said.

In Brazil this month, Suarez will attempt to win another trophy, two years after showing his undoubted class in the Copa America.

But he will then have to prove himself even more useful to his country to help them qualify for the World Cup finals next year, with Uruguay currently languishing in sixth in South American qualifying.

SOURCE: AFP

Tahiti out to have fun in Confed Cup

The prospect of confronting a team boasting Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta is enough to strike fear into any opposing coach.
Unless his name is Eddy Etaeta.

The 43-year-old Tahiti manager and his players have already marked down June 20 as a date they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

It is the day the Pacific island minnows face World Cup and European champions Spain in their Confederations Cup Group B match at Brazil's temple of football, the Maracana stadium.

The outcome is irrelevant.

"We don't have anything to lose," Etaeta said on Saturday, just hours after arriving in Belo Horizonte, where his side will prepare for the eight-team tournament.

"It will be unbelievable to play against Iniesta and Xavi at the Maracana. I really hope we can score a goal against them, even though we know it's going to be difficult. We also wanted to be able to play against Brazil, and Neymar, but we haven't had that luck."

Tahiti, whose squad mostly comprises amateurs, qualified for the Confederations Cup by virtue of a 1-0 victory over New Caledonia in the 2012 Oceania Nations Cup final.



Ranked 138th by football's governing body FIFA, Tahiti made an inauspicious start to their Confederations Cup preparations by losing 7-0 to Chile's under-20s last week.

Etaeta described the result as a "spanking", vowing more spirited displays await their opponents in Brazil.

Besides Spain, Etaeta's team have been drawn in the same group as Africa Cup of Nations winners Nigeria and Copa America holders Uruguay.

"People have tipped us to lose every game," Etaeta said. "Our greatest merit is the fact we are here representing our country in this competition.Just being here is a dream for us."

The 43-year-old manager, who played five internationals for Tahiti in the 1990s, admits he has been shocked by the level of interest in his side.

Anathema to most media-weary football managers, Etaeta even expressed gratitude towards the posse of reporters shadowing his squad in Brazil.

"This type of reception is a big novelty for us. We don't have press conferences in Tahiti," Etaeta said. "Yesterday there were several journalists waiting for us at the airport. I would like to thank all of them. It was incredible."

When asked about his players' early impressions of Brazil, the coach revealed they almost felt like they were home due to several cultural similarities. There is, however, one stark difference.

"Our countries have some things in common like our tradition for dance and music. Brazilians have great beaches and so do we, as well as great festivals. But we are in awe at how big football is here. Football is popular in Tahiti but nothing like it is here."

And the Confederations Cup has not even begun.

SOURCE: NEWS.XINHUANET.COM (Michael Place)

Onazi furious over Lazio rumours

Nigerian international, Ogenyi Onazi has reacted angrily to reports supposedly coming out from his camp about his future at Italian club, SS Lazio.

The midfielder’s “girlfriend” was apparently quoted discussing his future at the Rome club where he made 15 appearances league in the 2012/13 season.

The 20-year-old has reacted with consternation at the news declaring that he does not “have any girlfriend in Rome.”

Speaking on Saturday via his Twitter account, @OnaziOgenyi, the former My People FC stalwart said the quotes attributed to the individual did not emanate from him.

“It just came to my notice that a news publication quoted someone who was referred to as my girlfriend, talking about my future at SS Lazio.

“I hereby state as follows: 1. The said girl is NOT my girlfriend. As a matter if fact, I DO NOT have ANY girlfriend in Rome.
“Thank you and God bless!,” he tweeted.

Onazi made his Nigeria debut in 2012 and has scored once in 11 appearances for the Super Eagles.

SOURCE: SUPERSPORT.COM (by Sammy Wejinya)

Spain edge Haiti in Confederations Cup tuneup

Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas and Arsenal winger Santi Cazorla each scored a goal to give reigning World Cup champion Spain a 2-1 victory over Haiti on Saturday in an international football friendly.
Cazorla, a midfielder earning his 53rd cap, blasted a left-footed shot from outside the top of the penalty area in the eighth minute to put the Spaniards ahead to stay and Fabregas followed with a header in the 19th minute.
The match also marked the return of Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas after not having played a competitive match for nearly five months. Casillas wore the captain's armband in his 114th cap before leaving at half-time.
The 32-year-old Real Madrid goalkeeper suffered a hand injury in January that kept him out for two months and then failed to recover his place in the side for the rest of the season as Jose Mourinho kept Diego Lopez in place.
Wilde Guerrier netted a spectacular goal for Haiti in the 75th minute, faking a left-footed shot to freeze a line of Spanish defenders, then dribbling past them for a solo charge at second-half Spain goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
Guerrier pulled the ball left to evade Guerrier and he left-footed a sharp-angled shot into the far side of the open net.
Hot temperatures helped prepare Spain for conditions in South America for the upcoming Confederations Cup, although they helped keep the crowd to 36,535, about half the capacity of the home of American football's Miami Dolphins.
In addition to preparing Haiti for next month's North American Gold Cup tournament, the match was a charity benefit for Haitian relief efforts as the nation continues to rebuild from a 2010 earthquake that killed 250,000 people.
The Haitians, who suffered their fifth loss in a row, face Italy in Brazil on Tuesday, the same night the Spaniards meet Ireland in New York.
SOURCE: AFP

Joel Obi linked to Newcastle, Sunderland

Newcastle United and Sunderland look set to take their fierce rivalry to another level after reports emerged from Italy that both rival clubs are interested in securing the signature of Nigerian midfielder Joel Obi.

The 22-year-old Inter Milan player broke into the Nerazzurri first team three seasons ago but saw limited playing time last season while recovering from a major injury which also kept him out of Nigeria’s successful campaign at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

With the appointment of Walter Mazzarri as the new helmsman of the Italian Serie A side, following the sacking of Andrea Stramaccioni, who was Obi’s coach right from his days in the Inter Milan youth side, the Nigerian’s chances of playing regular first-team football this upcoming season appear not so bright under the former Napoli boss.

As a result reports from the Italian peninsula suggest that Inter are looking to offload the left-sided midfielder who has appeared 54 times for the Nerazzurri and seven times for the Nigerian national team, with Tyne and Wear rivals Newcastle and Sunderland suggested as possible suitors.

The Nigerian may not come on the cheap though as, according to TransferMarkt.com, he is valued at £6 million, although as he is recovering from injury he may cost much less.

However, regardless of the speculation over his future, Obi could yet remain at Inter for the coming season if he can prove to Mazzarri during pre-season that he has a role to play for the 18-time champions of the Italian top flight division.

Nigeria squad named for Confederations Cup

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has made nine changes to his squad for the Confederations Cup from the set of players that won the African Nations Cup in February.

Keshi has called upon four uncapped players while five others only made their first international appearances in a recent friendly against Mexico.

African Nations Cup stars Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike are unavailable while Joseph Yobo, Peter Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins have also been left out.

Nigeria are in Group B along with Tahiti, Uruguay and Spain for the Confederations Cup, which runs from June 15 to 30.

Before heading to Brazil, they travel to Namibia for a World Cup qualifier in Windhoek on Wednesday.



Squad in full
Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Beer Sheva), Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv)

Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Celtic), Francis Benjamin (Heartland FC), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Solomon Kwambe, Godfrey Oboabona (both Sunshine Stars), Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag)

Midfielders: Emeka Eze (Enugu Rangers), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga), John Ogu (Academica Coimbra), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers)

Forwards: Joseph Akpala (Werder Bremen), Michael Babatunde (FC Kryvbas), Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese), Anthony Ujah (FC Cologne)

Flying Eagles look to keep building

John Obuh is no newcomer to the world of FIFA youth competitions. In 2009, he led Nigeria's Golden Eaglets to second place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Two years later he was in charge of the Flying Eagles as they campaigned in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia and later this year he will again lead the Nigerian U-20 side when they compete at the showpiece event of world youth football in Turkey. FIFA.com spoke recently to Obuh about his preparations for the tournament in Turkey and about youth football on the African continent.

In that conversation, the straight-talking Obuh stressed the value of experience in these international events, and said he is confident that these learnings will be put to good use as the Flying Eagles try to win their first FIFA U-20 World Cup. "The experience I have from the finals in Colombia in 2011, or even from 2009, when we hosted the Under-17 World Cup finals, is something that I can use now as we prepare for Turkey. It will also come to good use at the finals themselves."

The 53-year-old said one of the main challenges that he has learned as a veteran of coaching is the difficulty of getting the best out of his sometimes overwhelmed young players. Especially at the largest tournaments, he says, you never know what you will get from youth players compared to full internationals. "The older players are more mature which means they will perform under more pressure."

His charges will be feeling the pressure as he takes the side to Turkey, where he will not be underestimating his Group B opponents. "There is no group that is cheap. All are strong nations, some are very strong,” he said when asked about Korea Republic, Cuba and Portugal. However, Obuh insists he is confident that his team will arrive at the finals well prepared. "We conducted a training camp in Germany with 30 players and then I took 23 of them to the Toulon tournament, where several of the other teams that will compete in Turkey were also playing. The seven players that I left behind were those who were already in my plans. I wanted to give the other players a chance to show me what they can do."

The team achieved a morale-boosting 1-1 draw against Brazil in Toulon, and Obuh believes that the participation in the tournament will help the team at the finals. "I think few people can argue that African players do not have the skills. The skills are already embedded, but the character is lacking and that is something that we are working on."



Gunning for consistency

When discussing how to improve Nigeria and Africa’s already impressive youth record, although only Ghana have won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2009, Obuh laments the fact that there is so little continuity amongst African teams at youth level. "Many teams only start preparing when the competition is almost at hand. What should happen is that players should go from one level to the next and as many players as possible should stay together."

He believes that there is also not enough done to monitor the progress of players. "When I went to Germany and England for coaching courses, I saw how they work with their national youth teams. They are monitored throughout the season and when they play internationally, the players for the squad are called-up and the coach then works with those players. In Africa, a whole group of players is called up and the coach then still has to select his squad from those players. The coaches alone should be left to make the selection of players, but when the team is about to compete in a tournament, I need a lot of eyes to assist me to scout for players. It is very difficult to scout for players and coach them at the same time.

Obuh is both passionate and critical when he starts talking about football development in Africa. "Not enough is being done at the grass-roots level. Not enough people are working for development. They are not interested in what they put into football, but more interested in what they can get out of it. People involved in football should not be involved because they want to benefit financially, they should be involved for the love of the game and the sport. I have never seen anybody who wants to build a training facility. We have to depend on the government because there is little or no support for such things from the private industry.

"What we have to do in Africa is think ahead. Consistency is most important and we need to do well for a few years. Often when a team does well, they sit back and do not follow up that success. We have to look at younger players. We have to have sustenance for success."

SOURCE: FIFA.COM

Nigeria battle fatigue before Confederations Cup

Nigeria, already hampered by injuries, will arrive in Brazil for the Confederations Cup feeling travel weary after a punishing schedule as they prepare to fly the flag for African football.

The rigours of having to play two World Cup qualifiers away from home over a seven-day period before the tournament have been compounded by an agreement to play a friendly with Mexico in Houston, necessitating exhaustive transatlantic travel.

They have also been weakened by the absence of first-choice players Victor Moses, taking time off to rest niggling injuries after his first season at Chelsea, and strikers Emmanuel Emenike and Ike Uche, out with knee complaints.

Nigeria set off from a training camp in Germany for Texas where they drew 2-2 with Mexico at the end of last month before flying to Kenya for a morale-boosting 1-0 win over their hosts in Nairobi on Wednesday.

That Group F qualifier is followed this Wednesday by another in Namibia after which the Nigerians will leave for Brazil, where they open their Confederations Cup campaign in Belo Horizonte on June 17.

That they play tiny Tahiti in their group opener offers Nigeria some breathing room but preparations for subsequent games against Uruguay and Spain are on hold as World Cup qualification takes priority.

"Our focus is now on the match against Namibia in Windhoek next Wednesday," coach Stephen Keshi said.

"We have to pick maximum points from that match as well, to make sure of our progress in the race, even ahead of the last matches in the group."

Nigeria have a slender two-point lead over Malawi with two rounds to play.

A late goal from Ahmed Musa in Kenya provided a first positive for the Super Eagles since their unexpected success at the African Nations Cup in South Africa in February.

Instead of stepping up after winning the continental title, Nigeria were lucky to draw at home with Kenya in March and coach Keshi has been embroiled in spats with officialdom.

It followed a strange resignation by Keshi, just hours after winning the Nations Cup, that was quickly withdrawn but has led to strained relations with his employers.

Keshi said in recent interviews that his refusal to accept interference in his job means he is constantly being undermined.

Nigeria are making their second appearance at the Confederations Cup, following a fourth-place finish in Saudi Arabia in 1995.

SOURCE: REUTERS (BY MARK GLEESON)

Martins’ red card rescinded

An independent review panel has rescinded a red card given to Seattle Sounders FC forward Obafemi Martins, allowing him to play in this weekend’s Cascadia Cup matchup against rival Vancouver.

Martins was originally shown a straight red by referee Ricardo Salazar in the 71st minute of Seattle's 2-0 win at Chivas USA after a tussle with Goats player Gabriel Farfan.

But Seattle resorted to the red-card review process in place this season. MLS clubs can appeal to have red-card decisions reviewed by an independent panel made up of one representative from the U.S. Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association, and Professional Referees Organization (PRO).

The decision allows Martins to be eligible for Saturday's match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, a Cascadia Cup rivalry clash that will see upwards of 50,000 fans in attendance at CenturyLink Field, and his coach is happy to have the Nigerian international available for the cup tie.

“Getting Oba back is a big plus for us,” Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said. “Oba and Lamar [Neagle] have played together fairly well and to be able to come back with those two is a huge plus and helps us in terms of making our lineup decisions this week.”



Before being ejected in last Saturday’s match against Chivas USA, Martins scored his fourth goal of the season. He’s accomplished that in just 366 minutes, giving him a league-leading .98 goals per 90 minutes.

Even with Martins back, the Sounders will be missing six other potential starters. Eddie Johnson, Brad Evans and Mario Martinez are with their respective national teams, Osvaldo Alonso (quad) and Steve Zakuani (sports hernia) are out with injuries and Shalrie Joseph is serving the second game of his own two-game suspension.

England return beckons for Yobo

Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo looks set to make a return to the English Premier League if reports in Turkey are anything to go by, as he has been linked with a move to newly promoted side Cardiff City.

According to reports in Turkey, Cardiff City are lining up a move for the former Everton defender, who is reportedly far from happy at Turkish giants Fenerbahce, who missed out on the Super Lig title to Istanbul rivals Galatasaray last month.

Since the season ended on May 19, coach Aykut Kocaman has left the club and the 32-year-old centre back is believed to be unhappy with the departure.

In addition, Fenerbahce recently completed the £5million signing of Portuguese defender Bruno Alves from Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg, and as a result Turkish newspaper Fanatik reported that Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay's recruitment team are considering a move for the experienced star who spent nine years at Everton under David Moyes.

The fact that the Turkish Football Federation now only permits six foreign players to take the field at one time in league matches means that the man whose international career with Nigeria also looks in doubt could be available on a cut-price deal.

Yobo, who signed for Fenerbahce for £2m last summer, is Nigeria’s most-capped player having appeared 95 times for the Super Eagles in a 12-year career. And it is that kind of experience that Mackay has claimed he is looking for in his summer recruits as the Bluebirds get set for their first ever campaign in the English top flight division.

While not commenting specifically on Yobo, Mackay, speaking from his holiday in Crete, said: “Our recruitment department is in a very busy period right now working through things. Me and (Cardiff manager) Iain Moody are in touch two or three times a day. “He’s beavering away.”

Tahiti coach hoping for positive reaction as team arrive Brazil

Coach of the Tahiti national football team Eddy Etaeta has described Wednesday’s 7-0 defeat at the hands of Chile's under-20 national side as a "spanking" and hopes it will serve as an impetus to his team's FIFA Confederations Cup campaign.

On a day Nigeria’s Super Eagles were busy handing out a 1-0 defeat to Kenya’s Harambee Stars in Nairobi, the Pacific ocean island nation were on the receiving end of a massive drubbing in their final warm-up match before arriving for the eight-team tournament in Brazil with Manchester United teenage striker Angelo Henriquez grabbing a hat-trick for the Chilean side also preparing for their campaign at this month’s FIFA U-20 World Cup coming up in Turkey.

It was not the most confidence inspiring of results for the Tahitians but their coach is hoping his lads can get some sort of motivation from it as they get set for the greater task ahead.

"They are the South American champions at under-20 level and, in my opinion, will make a strong impression at the under-20 World Cup," Etaeta said, making an excuse for his team consisting mostly of part-time footballers, before adding: "I really hope this defeat will act as a trigger for us and that we will react to this spanking."

Currently ranked 135 by world football's governing body FIFA, Tahiti qualified for the Confederations Cup by virtue of a 1-0 win over New Caledonia in the 2012 Oceania Nations Cup final.

Meanwhile, the Tahitians have become the first team to arrive in Brazil for the FIFA Confederations Cup, which starts on Saturday 15 June. Wearing striking red and white floral shirts, the Tahitians stepped off their plane at the city’s international airport in the early hours of Friday morning.

Coach Etaeta said he was delighted to have arrived in Brazil for what is the biggest tournament in Tahiti’s history, and revealed his ambition to win the hearts of local fans.

“We are very pleased to be here in Brazil for the FIFA Confederations Cup, which is a massive event for Tahitian football,” said Etaeta. “We hope to get a warm welcome, win the hearts of the people of Brazil and get their support.”

Drawn in Group B at the Festival of Champions, Tahiti play African champions Nigeria in their opening match at the Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, on 17 June. Three days later, they take on reigning world and European champions Spain at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

In their final group game on 23 June, the champions of Oceania take on 2011 Copa America winners Uruguay at Recife’s Arena Pernambuco.