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I did not want to write anything about the ongoing African Nations Cup in Angola untill i watched the Super Eagles play. After seeing the likes of Ivory Coast and the rest play, it was time to watch my own team play defending champions Egypt in Benguela. What can i say, the Super Eagles disappointed every Nigerian by losing to the Pharoahs.

The Egyptians started cautiously, but when they went behind to Chinedu Ogbuke’s clinical finish in the twelveth minute, they upped the tempo and eventually caught a flat footed Nigerian defense off guard to benefit from Vincent Enyeama’s ill timed run to equalise.

The Egyptian equalizer did not surprise me much, what did was the way the Nigeria team approached the match in the second half, just passing the ball around as if they had 3 goal advantage. How on earth would a team play such football at such a level. No tactical nor technical soundness.

Just how long will Nigerians be subjected to that sort heartbreak, and how many matches will we play and lose before Amodu is finally shown the door out of that team?

But for patriotism in my blood, i would have wished that we don’t even qualify for the next round so that everybody will see just how technically and tactically inefficient Shaibu Amodu really is.

Popularity: 10% [?]

My heart literally stopped when Kenya equalized to tie the game at 2 goals apiece, and that, when Mozambique had scored against Tunisia to give us hope.
But no sooner had the Kenyans equalized than Obafemi Martins scored what turned out to be the winning goal.
I could not stop shouting and celebrating, for we have finally made it to Africa’s world cup. Did is say i shouted, yeah, like most other Nigerians who had previously given up hope and had written off the chances of the Super Eagles ever hoisting the Nigerian flag at next year’s mundial. Ain’t we all hypocrites, well that’s story for another day.

It was really hard to imagine Africa hosting it’s first ever world cup and Nigeria not being there, not being at a second successive world cup.
But it is like a new wind is blowing behind our back, and this is quite refreshing. Today we play for a chance to win the Under 17 world cup for a record 4th time, and it seems like the luck and fortune brought in by the scintillating performances of the Golden Eaglets have also shown on the senior national team.

Okay, so we have qualified, therein lies our problem. We are never proactive. All of us, even the shit heads in the so-called glass house, the NFF know that their man, i.e Amodu is not a capable hand. He does not have the technical nor the tactical ability to blend the gifted individuals that make up the Super Eagles. He should be relieved of the post and a more capable hand given the job.

A lot of people are calling for a foreign technical adviser, but i will fault this because with barely seven months to kick off, we need somebody who is not only versed in the workings of Nigerian football, but one who is also technically sound.

Siasia has proven that he is not only sound, but also very stubborn, a vital ingredient needed to succeed as a coach of any of the national teams. I think the NFF should not delay in naming him the next coach head coach of the national team.

But hey, we have qualified for the world cup and that from a very unlikely situation. I don’t know about you, but am now making my preparations for my trip to South Africa.

UP SUPER EAGLES

Popularity: 34% [?]

I often ask myself why i love the beautiful game so much, the answer is so elusive, but one keeps buzzing in my head.

Chelsea is one club side that has joined the league of  real ball players. They are now so far from the dull long balls type  of football they were used to not so long ago. But is it everyday you have to play so well to win a match? I don’t think so.    The most important thing for me at times is having a clinical finisher. Chelsea are very fortunate, they have Didier Drogba.

If you watched the Blues play Athletico Madrid on Tuesday, you will agree that they are very fortunate.

Coming back from the 3 match ban imposed by UEFA for his outburst in last season’s semi-final match against Barcelona, he scored their 2 goals as the drew 2-2 in Madrid. In a match that also saw 2 goals from Sergio Aguerro, Chelsea did enough to get themselves into the next round of the CPL

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti had rested regular first-team players Nicolas Anelka and Deco as well as Michael Ballack with a game against Manchester United coming upon Sunday.

But he was forced to bring the trio on as he tried to get his team back into the game.

Deco sent a volley narrowly wide before the substitutions worked as Drogba nodded in from six yards.

The Ivory Coast international striker then left two defenders in his wake to break clean through on goal and, despite his first shot being saved, he made no mistake from the follow-up to take his tally to 12 goals for the season.

Popularity: 22% [?]

On a rainy night across Europe, English heavyweights Manchester United and Chelsea maintained their perfect records in the group phase of the UEFA Champions League to move closer to the last 16. Elsewhere, AC Milan staged a thrilling comeback to inflict a first defeat of the season on Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, the venue for this season’s final.

The results

Group A
Bordeaux 2-1 Bayern Munich
Juventus 1-0 Maccabi Haifa

Group B
CSKA Moscow 0-1 Manchester United
Wolfsburg 0-0 Besiktas

Group C
Zurich 0-1 Marseille
Real Madrid 2-3 AC Milan

Group D
Chelsea 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Porto 2-1 APOEL Nicosia

The big game
Real Madrid 2-3 AC Milan
Goals: Raul 19, Royston Drenthe 76 (Real Madrid); Andrea Pirlo 63, Alexandre Pato 66 and 88 (Milan)

This classic match-up did not disappoint. On an evening when Real’s star signing Kaka was reunited with his former team-mates, the Spaniards struck first, Raul seizing on an error by Milan keeper Dida to roll the ball into an empty net. With an hour on the clock and the hosts seemingly in control, the match took an unexpected turn. Trying his luck from fully 35 metres out, Andrea Pirlo saw his dipping shot surprise Iker Casillas at the near post to pull the Italians level.

And when Casillas misjudged Massimo Ambrosini’s superb flighted ball over the top of the Merengue defence, livewire Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato was on hand to slide the ball into the unguarded net and give Leonardo’s men the lead. Their pride stung, Real surged forward in search of an equaliser, which duly came when Rosyton Drenthe thumped a low drive past Dida from Raul’s precise corner-kick.

Chances came at both ends as the pace continued to quicken, and after the two sides each had goals disallowed, that man Pato popped up with a late winner, side-footing Clarence Seedorf’s delicious chipped pass into the roof of the net.

The other games
Bordeaux took a two-point lead at the top of Group A by edging an injury-ravaged Bayern Munich side 2-1. After inadvertently putting the Germans ahead with a misplaced header, Girondins defender Mickael Ciani promptly redemeed himself by levelling the score with a nonchalant back-heeled flick from a corner. Ciani’s central-defensive partner Marc Planus then stole in ahead of the Bayern defence at a set-piece to stab the French champions in front. And had Hans-Jorg Butt not saved two second-half penalties, the final scoreline could have been even worse for the visitors, who had two men sent off.

Juventus moved into second place after earning a narrow 1-0 win over a bold Maccabi Haifa side. Giorgio Chiellini scored the only goal of the game with far-post header, though I Bianconeri needed a typically classy save from Gianluigi Buffon late on to cling on to the points.

Shorn of the services of several first-teamers, Manchester United drew on their vast European experience to chisel out their third straight win in Group B. Their victims on this occasion were CSKA Moscow, the only goal of the evening coming when Ecuador international Antonio Valencia fired home Dimitar Berbatov’s fine flicked header four minutes from time. In the other game in the section, Wolfsburg and Besiktas cancelled each other out in a goalless draw.

While Real Madrid were tripping up at home, Marseille were doing their Group C chances a power of good by earning a valuable 1-0 win away to Zurich. Argentinian defender Gabriel Heinze’s superb volley proved the difference between the sides. Despite the defeat, the fourth-placed Swiss are still in contention in a surprisingly open section.

Meanwhile, Chelsea would seem to have Group D all wrapped up after extending their 100 per cent record with a typically ruthless 4-0 win at home to struggling Atletico Madrid. Salomon Kalou set the Blues on their way with his first European double, before Frank Lampard and a Luis Perea own goal underlined their superiority on the night.

Porto weathered torrential rain and a battling performance by APOEL Nicosia to tighten their grip on second place. After falling behind early on the Portuguese hit back to secure a 2-1 victory, both goals coming from Brazilian striker Hulk, the first of them the result of a fine team move.

The stat
66 - Legendary Real Madrid forward Raul won his duel with fellow veteran gunslinger Filippo Inzaghi by scoring his 66th goal in Europe’s premier club tournament. The scorer of 226 goals in La Liga, 44 for Spain and 27 in other official competitions, the No7 now has 363 career strikes to his name.

Goal of the night
Chelsea 1-0 Atletico Madrid (Salomon Kalou 40)

Chelsea’s passing game finally clicked five minutes from half-time when Ashley Cole scampered in behind the Atletico defence and latched on to a blind pass by Frank Lampard. The England left-back surged towards the by-line before cutting the ball into the path of the unmarked Salomon Kalou, who side-footed home to complete a textbook move.

Key Matchday 4 encounters
Group A: Bayern Munich have no option but to go for the win when they entertain Bordeaux in a fortnight’s time. The French side, on the other hand, will be happy with a draw.

Group C: The return match between continental heavyweights AC Milan and Real Madrid should prove one of the highlights of the season so far.

Popularity: 31% [?]

I bet a lot, and i make a lot of money in it, but i don’t like cup games for the obvious reasons. Pitting big teams against so-called-minows, whose only time for fame and fortune is when they play the big boys.

Before this season’s CPL, did  you know a certain Kazan, Rubin Kazan actually. I bet you did not.I certainly never heard of them until they made it to the league stage of Europe’s elite cup affair.

Well, whether you heard of them or not, they have come to the party in style. And the big boys better sit up because they will bite you in the ass. And that is exactly what they did to Barcelona yesterday at none other place than the Camp Nou. Not an easy task you would say, but they did it.

That game was not the only game in match-day 3. Infact, yesterday was war. Inter could not beat Dynamo Kyiv. For a full load-down of all group games yesterday, read on.

Fiorentina moved above Liverpool and into second place in Group E following a dramatic 4-3 win against Debrecen as the Reds went down 2-1 against Lyon at Anfield.

Six of the seven goals came in the first half in Hungary.

Peter Czvitkovics gave the hosts an early lead after converting a Jozsef Varga cross, but a fine finish from former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu soon levelled the game.

Mutu then turned provider for Alberto Gilardino who calmly slotted home after 10 minutes, with Gilardino returning the favour by setting up Mutu to drill home from outside the box shortly after.

Gergely Rudolf curled into the top corner to bring Debrecen back to 3-2 but a powerful left-footed shot from Mario Santana restored the Italians’ two-goal cushion just before the break to cap an incredible first half.

Adamo Coulibaly headed home for the hosts late on to set up a grandstand finish, but Fiorentina held on for the points.

In an incredible night of action, Barcelona suffered an amazing 2-1 home defeat to Rubin Kazan, while Inter Milan were held to a surprising 2-2 draw by Dynamo Kiev.

There is now a three-way tie for top spot in the group table, with Kazan, Barcelona and Kiev all on four points. Jose Mourinho’s Inter are rock bottom with only three points from their three games.

But the result at the Nou Camp will send shockwaves around the footballing world after Kazan pulled off one of the greatest upsets in club football history.

Aleksandr Ryazantsev gave the visitors a shock lead after just two minutes, picking up the ball and letting fly from 25 yards with a stunning drive that flew into the top corner – the fastest ever Champions League goal scored by an away team at the Nou Camp.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised with his first Champions League goal for his new club early in the second half after being set up by Xavi.

But Gokdeniz Karadeniz finished off a superb breakaway move following a mistake in the Barcelona midfield late on to stun the reigning European champions.

At the San Siro, Taras Mykhalyk gave Kiev the lead after five minutes before Dejan Stankovic smashed home an equaliser for Inter on the half-hour.

An own goal from Lucio restored the visitors’ lead but a Walter Samuel header secured a deserved draw for the Italian side just after the break.

Sevilla eased past Stuttgart 3-1 and qualified from the group stages in record time following Rangers’ 4-1 defeat against Unirea Urziceni .

The Spanish side only needed Rangers to draw to go through after just three games, providing they were victorious in Germany.

Sebastien Squillaci headed the visitors into the lead after a fine cross from Adriano after 23 minutes – the defender’s first Champions league goal in more than five years.

Jesus Navas made it two with a right-footed shot after 55 minutes before Squillaci (72) headed home his second to restore the cushion.

Brazilian Elson pulled one back for the hosts only a minute later but it was never going to be enough to stop a rampant Sevilla securing their passage to the next round.

Arsenal have had their lead at the top of Group H reduced to just one point after their 1-1 draw against AZ Alkmaar and Olympiakos’ late 2-1 win against Standard Liege.

The Greek side looked in trouble when Liege took something of a surprise lead in the first half – Igor de Camargo slipping the ball past home goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolis after being put through by Milan Jovanovic.

But a free-kick from Luciano Galleti was headed in by Kostantinos Mitroglou to bring the hosts back on terms and a late winner by Ieroklis Stoltidis sealed the victory, and prompted some wild celebrations from the home crowd.

The Greek side are now just one point behind the Gunners in the group table.

Popularity: 37% [?]

Guys, Champions League match-day 3 is suddenly upon us, and as a Red Devil, i am worried. I have never been to Moscow before, but i have seen endless pictures of the Russian capital, i imagine how cold it gets there and by implication, how difficult it can be to play football.

Popularity: 29% [?]

I know a lot of people will crucify me if i say that Ryan Giggs is the best footballer in Europe. But on a serious note, he has to be. He has scored in every premier league season since inception of the world’s most exciting league, can you beat that.

For Giggs to make the short list for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, shows  that the world appreciates his contribution to the game of football.

A host of other premier league players also made it to the short list. The full list is below for your delight.

Full list of nominees:

Andrei Arshavin (Russia) Arsenal
Karim Benzema (France) Olympique Lyon then Real Madrid
Iker Casillas (Spain) Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) Manchester United then Real Madrid
Diego (Brazil) Werder Bremen then Juventus
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) Chelsea
Edin Dzeko (Bosnia) VfL Wolfsburg
Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) Barcelona then Inter Milan
Cesc Fabregas (Spain) Arsenal
Fernando Torres (Spain) Liverpool
Diego Forlan (Uruguay) Atletico Madrid
Steven Gerrard (England) Liverpool
Ryan Giggs (Wales) Manchester United
Yoann Gourcuff (France) Bordeaux
Thierry Henry (France) Barcelona
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) Inter Milan then Barcelona
Andres Iniesta (Spain) Barcelona
Julio Cesar (Brazil) Inter Milan
Kaka (Brazil) AC Milan then Real Madrid
Frank Lampard (England) Chelsea
Maicon (Brazil) Inter Milan
Lionel Messi (Argentina) Barcelona
Luis Fabiano (Brazil) Sevilla
Franck Ribery (France) Bayern Munich
Wayne Rooney (England) Manchester United
John Terry (England) Chelsea
Nemanja Vidic (Serbia) Manchester United
David Villa (Spain) Valencia
Xavi (Spain) Barcelona
Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast) Barcelona

As an African, it pleases me to see a couple of Africans in the short-list as well. But worth mentioning is the fact that no Italian has merited a listing,that is really surprising.

Related links

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8313058.stm

http://sports.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/18/ronaldo-messi-nominated-for-ballon-dor.htm

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/united-veteran-still-up-there-with-the-best

Popularity: 43% [?]

In my years of watching the beautiful game, i have seen real bizarre things. Today was really one of the most bizarre happenings on the field of play. I really feel sorry for Liverpool because they could ill-afford what befell them today at the hands of Sunderland.

A Darren Bent short hit a red beach ball that had Reyna fooled into diving to save the beach ball,instead of the deflected ball that ricocheted into the net for the only goal of the match.

This incident raises a lot of questions concerning referees and the decisions they sometimes allow to stand. In my opinion, the goal should never have been allowed to stand. Its so unfair.

A fourth defeat of the league season will only add to the question marks over Liverpool’s title credentials after they were outplayed without injured midfielder Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres.

Ahead of a week in which they face a crucial Uefa Champions League tie against Lyon and host Manchester United, they only added weight to critics who label them a two-man team.

Liverpool were lethargic and looked at unease with a 5-4-1 formation manager Rafael Benitez had opted for as he tried to cope with injuries and tiredness after the recent internationals.

Benitez was probably hoping that full-backs Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio, as well as wingers Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun, would have more of an impact going forward.

But Sunderland, with a near-capacity 47,000 crowd behind them, did not let Liverpool settle and aggressively took control of the game before being rewarded with the lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances.

Bent’s shot went in off a beach ball and, to compound Liverpool’s misery, it was one punched on to the pitch by one of their own fans. A clear case of one causing one’s own downfall you might say..

Oh! for the records, Chelsea were beaten by Aston Villa, while Manchester United and Arsenal both won at home respectively.

Popularity: 33% [?]

It wasn’t a thrilling game, far from it, but Ghana became the first African country to win the FIFA Under 20 World Cup, doing so with a man less against Brazil.
In a previous post, i did say that if Ghana made it to the semi-final, then they will go all the way and win the trophy.
It wasn’t an easy match, but what in this world is easy. They held their nerves after going a man down when Ado was sent off in the first half to win by sudden dead penalty shootout.
Guys, am so happy, am off to get myself a little drunk. Talk you after premier league matches tomorrow.

Popularity: 52% [?]

I am so thrilled that an African country is playing in the final of this world cup. After watching the Ghanaians play, i knew they would get to the final. I have to say here that some of their displays in defense is worrying. They score  a lot of goals, but they also have lapses in their defense that needs to be corrected before Friday’s final.

If we go by what the Brazilian coach has said, then there will be lots of goals. Below is an extract from an interview after their win over Costa Rica in the semi-final.

“I’m fully aware that we haven’t played a fantastic match,” he said after the game.

“But I’m very happy that we’ve reached the final, which was our main goal.”

Brazil have scored 14 goals compared to Ghana’s 16 so far and Rogerio thinks it is the attacking qualities of both teams which marks them out.

“Ghana has reached the final and has done so with all the qualities that they have,” he said.

“This shows a lot about the team. They deserve to be there.

“Being a team that plays offensively just like Brazil, this should be good for the show and for the kind of match we’ll have on Friday.

“What eventually happens is that teams like Brazil and Ghana, who can really attack, will eventually reach the final – as they have here.”

Personally, i think the Brazilians have not really played like Brazilians teams play, but they have scored lots of goals.

I also think that Ghana having scored more goals than any team in that Tournament is my favorite to win the cup for the first time for Africa.If the maintain their game plan minus conceding late goals, then the cup is theirs.

Popularity: 39% [?]