Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Luis Enrique: PSG can beat Barcelona without Ibrahimovic



The two sides were drawn in the same group and PSG defeated Barca 3-2 in the French capital only to ultimately miss out on a top seeding for the knockout stage after being beaten 3-1 in their return clash at Camp Nou. Barcelona boss Luis Enrique does not believe that the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic will hinder Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday's Champions League showdown at the Parc des Prince, pointing out that the Ligue 1 titleholders have already proven that they can beat the Catalans without their star striker. Luis Enrique thus believes it foolish to read too much into the fact that PSG will be without the suspended Ibrahimovic and a number of injured players for their quarter-final, first-leg clash.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Stephen Keshi begs for forgiveness over Afcon 2015 miss


Coach Stephen Keshi has offered apology to the country after failing to qualify the Super Eagles for the Equatorial Guinea Africa Cup of Nations staged earlier this year. The former Mali and Togo handler has been in the news of recent with speculations rife that he might be given a second chance of handling the country despite failing to reach the 2015 Afcon as well as having scores to settle with some top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation. "Keshi has always related well with Amaju as a brother and as Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission before now. The chairman’s passion and achievements over the years bear eloquent testimony to what he is capable of replicating in his new job at the NFF,” Ado told media. In a chat with journalists, his media aide Emmanuel Ado described the relationship between the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and Stephen Keshi as of mutual respect and insists differences between them will be resolved amicably in the interest of the game.

Best football is played in Bundesliga, but Premier League is more physical - Subotic


Neven Suboti  a Borussia Dortmund defender had said that "The best football is played in the Bundesliga, which has established itself in internationally very well," he told Kicker. "It is as much on a high as the DAX [the German equivalent of the FTSE 100]. Subotic has been a key player for Dortmund for the last seven years, winning back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012 and reaching the 2013 Champions League final, but has been unable to prevent Jurgen Klopp's men from enduring a dramatic slump this season. "I can still imagine playing in a league someday which rates physical football. The game in England is tougher, more aggressive and more physical, in a sportsmanlike sense. As a centre-back I don't always want to fear just touching an opponent.

Morocco's Afcon sanctions overturned by CAS


An appeal lodged by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), and that appeal has been upheld by Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), meaning the national team will take their place in qualifying for the next edition, while their fine of €900,000 has been reduced . Morocco will have the chance to qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations after having their ban overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). After withdrawing from hosting the 2015 tournament due to concerns over the spread of Ebola, Morocco were banned from the next two editions of the competition by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).  . "The CAS Panel has upheld the appeal in a large proportion," a statement read. "The sanctions imposed by the CAF on the FRMF have been set aside, with the exception of the fine, which is however reduced to $50,000 (€45,000). "The disqualification of the Moroccan team from the CAN 2015 is final."