Shooting Stars: Asuquo, Edjomarigwe remain our players

The Oluyole Warriors say they are not ready to release any player as they are confident of getting a continental ticket at the end of the season Shooting Stars Sports Club have described the story of Kano Pillars snatching their winger, Tony Edjomarigwe and midfielder Philip Asuquo as untrue as the duo remain members of their team. While clarifying the issue in Ibadan, 3SC media officer Jubril Arowolo said they only permitted the two players to visit their family consequent upon the short break in the league and not until they failed to report back on the scheduled period given to them that any suspicion can be entertained. Arowolo stated further that no club has approached them for clearance that would come to a close on Friday June 28 of any of their player, so they wonder how a player can be signed without following formal procedures. “Asuquo and Edjomarigwe are players of Shooting Stars, we wonder where the website that posted the story got it from, as far as I’m concerned we are not ready to sell any player at this mid-season stage that we are finding a way to strengthen and fortify the team. “We are not happy with such one-sided report that is capable of causing rancour between the team and its teeming followers who are looking forward to a rejuvenated squad when the second round gets underway,” Arowolo noted

Brazil favourites for Confederations Cup, says Del Bosque

Vicente del Bosque has played down Spain's chances of winning the Confederations Cup final against Brazil. La Roja booked their place in Sunday's showpiece following a tense penalty shootout against Italy on Thursday, from which the Spaniards emerged 7-6 winners after Jesus Navas capitalised on Leonardo Bonucci's miss during sudden death. However, Del Bosque's men have played an extra 30 minutes compared to the Selecao and will have one day less recovery time before the final, making the Spain boss believe his side are underdogs. He told a press conference: "Brazil are the favourites. They have five World Cups, three Confederations Cups, we're going to be facing them at the Maracana and we're excited to do so. "We want to recover and get there in the best condition possible. In the next three days, we'll try to do so. "Spain played 120 minutes tonight and they are players who usually play two matches a week, so we believe that we will be able to give it our all on Sunday. "We don't know who will dominate, who will have more possession. We'll try to. Tonight, Italy were very strong and they held control of the match." The former Real Madrid coach went on to identify where Luiz Felipe Scolari's men will pose most threat to his team and concluded it would be a mistake to focus on one individual while ignoring the collective force of their opponents. He stated: "[Dani] Alves and Marcelo are great. They're able to influence a game. "Neymar is fantastic and their middle of the pitch is also absolutely fantastic, but we can't talk about just one Brazilian player who we'll guard against."

Tottenham close in on Villa

Spurs are closing in on the Barcelona striker after he reached a broad agreement on personal terms, with both clubs now negotiating a transfer fee to secure the deal ANWARASISTRANS Tottenham are closing in on a deal to sign David Villa after the Barcelona star confirmed he would like to move to White Hart Lane during talks with the player and his representatives, Goal has learned. The Spain striker has reached a broad agreement on personal terms to move to Spurs this summer and is eager to play in the Premier League. Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has spoken informally to Villa on the phone while the club's new technical director, Franco Baldini, has held productive discussions with the 31-year-old's agent. Spurs officials are understood to have been in Brazil last week, where they held talks over a deal for Villa - who is in the country for the Confederations Cup - while also reaching a €17 million agreement to sign Paulinho from Corinthians.Spurs are willing to pay the attacker more than €117,000-a-week but the former Valencia man is understood to have accepted that he must take a reduction on his €163,000 weekly salary at Barcelona. Villa-Boas has made Villa his top final-third target for the summer transfer window as he looks to boost the club's forward line and improve Spurs' chances of a top-four finish next season. Spurs tried to rival Arsenal for the Spaniard's signature in the January transfer window but Barcelona refused to sell the forward midway through the season. The Gunners have dropped their interest in Villa while Barcelona are now prepared to sell the striker, who would find his opportunities further limited next season following the arrival of Neymar at the Liga giants. Tottenham are looking to conduct their major transfer business early this year and have agreed a deal of €18m plus €2m in add-ons to sign Paulinho. The 24-year-old is expected to sign an initial four-year contract and undergo a medical after the Confederations Cup final on Sunday, having scored the late winner in Brazil's semi-final win over Uruguay on Wednesday.

John Ogu: The Confederations Cup was a great learning experience

The Academica midfielder is relishing the prospect of qualifying for the World Cup to once more play against the world's top sides having gained valuable experience this term ANWARASISTRANS With the argument still raging whether the Super Eagles had a good tournament in Brazil, one of the protagonists, John Ogu told Goal that the experience will serve the national team very well in the coming months. Ogu returned with the team following their early exit after two losses to Uruguay and Spain in Brazil last week. “The Confederations Cup was a great experience for me personally and to my football career and for the team,” Ogu told Goal. The Academica midfielder started the game against Uruguay and came on for the other two – against Tahiti and Spain. He said playing against Spaniards Xavi and Andres Iniesta was an experience that will help him get better. “It was great coming on against Spain because I like watching most of their players and playing on the same pitch with them gave me goose bumps. “This was a great learning experience for me and the other guys. The Eagles will only get better from now on because we now better understand the challenge we will face in 2014 by God’s grace when we come back for the World Cup,” he added. The 24-year old midfielder said he will be taking some weeks off the game to relax with family and friends and then to pre-season with his Portuguese club. “Right now, my focus is firmly on playing for Academica next season but you never know in football. I do not worry about transfer speculations.” Ogu also spoke about the must-win encounter against Malawi in September which will qualify the Eagles for the last round of African qualifiers. “I think with what we have seen [in Brazil] and with our performances against top sides, we know that we have to win to get to the next stage and that is the only thing on our mind,” Ogu concluded.