Neymar to decide between Barcelona and Real Madrid

Neymar has revealed he will take time to choose his next club after Santos accepted bids for the forward on Friday.

The Brazil international, 21, has been subject to intense interest from Barcelona in recent weeks, and it is widely believed that both the Blaugrana and Real Madrid are behind the offers for the starlet.

And Neymar - who described learning that the bids had been accepted as "the happiest moment of my life" - insists he will take his time over the decision of where he will ply his trade.

"It’s an honour, this is the happiest moment of my life and I am going to give a lot of thought to the two offers," Neymar told reporters in Brazil.

"I’m going to make this decision with my family, there’s no rush. I could make my decision in five minutes, half an hour or three days. My family will help decide what's best for me."

Neymar has long courted interest from a plethora of European giants, with Bayern Munich and Chelsea having both been linked with the player in the past along with the Spanish duo.

The Selecao starlet was named in the longlist for the 2013 Ballon d'Or which was ultimately won by Lionel Messi ahead of his Barca team-mate Andres Iniesta and Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neymar is also part of Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad for the up-coming Confederations Cup, which kicks off in Brazil in June.

Mikel return from hip injury

Chelsea fielded Mikel Obifor the full 90 minutes in the first of two high friendly matches against Manchester City on Thursday (Friday, Nigerian time).The Europa League winners raced to three goal lead by the 60th minute but were brought down to earth by City’s four goals reply. Mikel was playing for the first time after a hip injury that kept him out of the last three weeks of the 2012/13 season. He was paired in central midfield by Chelsea U-18 player, Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The Nigerian who has asked to be dropped from the Super Eagles friendly match against Mexico on May 31 spear headed the first goal as his pass from deep released Yossi Benayoun who then passed on to Juan Mata to deliver the cross from which Demba B scored with a header. Coach Stephen Keshi had stated that he was not sure about the midfielder’s fitness but having featured for all of 90 minutes against City, the Super Eagles coach can be rest assured that Mikel will be ready for Kenya on June 5. England internationals, Gary Cahill, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole will be excused from the second friendly slated for Saturday to prepare with their national team as they prosecute friendly matches against Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

Ikechukwu Uche one of the hottest scorer in his club

Ikechukwu Uche is leading the charge that may just see Villarreal gain immediate promotion back to La Liga. His two goals against Girona after last week’s goal against Alcorcon have taken him to 13 goals for the season.

Uche has come good at the end of the season with promotion in sight for the Yellow Submarine and is getting the goals that could help push the former Champions League semi-finalists back into the top flight.

There’s no reason to panic, Keshi tells Nigerians

Coach Stephen Keshi has told Nigerians not to panic as the Super Eagles prepare for crucial 2014 World Cup qualifying games and the Fifa Confederations Cup tournament – all taking place in June.

A spate of injuries, first to Scotland-based midfielder Reuben Gabriel and ace forward Emmanuel Emenike, and lately to attacking midfielders Kalu Uche and Victor Moses, had caused anxiety in some quarters and is being hyper-ventilated in public spaces and a section of the media as ‘problem in camp.’

But Keshi, who steered less-endowed Togo to that country’s only FIFA World Cup qualification eight years ago, said he was more than committed to leading his own country to next year’s finals in Brazil, no matter the challenges.

“I am never one to run away from challenges; I have confronted them head-on all my life. I have very good relationship with each and every of my players, with mutual respect and regard being the bedrock.

The team’s Novina Hotel camp in Nuremberg swelled on Wednesday morning with the arrivals of Germany-based striker Joseph Akpala and Ukraine-based forward Babatunde Michael.

Portugal-based John Ogu was being expected on Wednesday night, while defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Elderson Echiejile, as well as midfielder Nnamdi Oduamadi are expected in camp on Thursday.

First-choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, based in Israel, is expected on Friday. Scotland-based stopper Efe Ambrose and Italy-based midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has been granted permission to arrive on Saturday due to club commitments.

Ukraine-based forward Brown Ideye will join the team in Texas, USA while Ahmed Musa and Fegor Ogude will join the squad in Frankfurt after the friendly with Mexico in America, also due to club commitments.

This is an opportunity for Namdi to shine

The friendly match against the Tricolore of Mexico has thrown up some interesting and baffling questions for the Stephen Keshi-led technical crew of the Super Eagles. What with the withdrawal of Mikel Obi and most significantly the pulling out of the squad of Victor Moses, for the friendly, World Cup qualifiers and the Fifa Confederations Cup. It will be interesting to see what Keshi will do shod of his two most potent attacking players from the last Nations Cup –Moses and Emmanuel Emenike. Because it is a friendly that has only pride at stake, the coach will want to test run the players that are in camp to gauge the preparedness of the team for the must-win match against the Harambee Stars on June 5 in Nairobi. And this is where it gets doubly interesting – Moses, an orthodox winger who plays like an inverted striker is missing while the natural cover; Ahmed Musa has not been called up while Ejike Uzoenyi, who could have been the back-up is also absent. So the only player that has the capacity to fit on either wing is Varese’s Nnamdi Oduamadi, who shot into the consciousness of Nigerians with his rescuing goal against Kenya in Calabar in the first leg in March. Oduamadi is the most likely player that will be played in his stead. Now will he be able to stand the heat?

KADUNA UNITED 1-0 LOBI STARS

Lobi Stars free fall away from Katsina Ala continued in Kaduna over the weekend after they lost another game to Kaduna United. Despite squandering scoring chances in the first half, Kaduna United made amends in the second session and they were rewarded with a goal through Ali Mohammed in the 62nd minute. Like their host, Lobi Stars' players were guilty of spurning gilt edge chances that came their way with Tony Okpotu a major culprit. Kaduna United moved a spot better than last week position. They are now 15th on the log with 17 points from 13 games while Lobi are just a spot better in 14th from same number of matches and with same 17 points garnered too as Kaduna United

NEMBE CITY 2-1 WIKKI TOURISTS

Despite losing the tie, the media officer of the visiting team, Usman Abbas praised the good works of the match officials and predicted a good future for them if they continue with the way they handled the Week 13 tie involving them against Nembe City.

Wikki Tourists dominated the early exchanges and even drew the first blood in the 29th minute through Ibrahim Babale but Nembe City came back stronger and netted twice through Arinze Obioma and Joshua Ugeh in the 35th and 70th minutes in that order.

Nembe City are still living their dream in their debut campaign in the premier league as they now occupied fourth spot after 13 games with 20 points but Wikki Tourists are still with their relegation stress. They are bottom of the league with 11 points albeit with the disputed game at hand against Rangers.

Nembe City must go full throttle this midweek in their bid to control the annals of Yenagoa with a tricky local derby against Bayelsa United. Wikki Tourists will welcome Warri Wolves.

NASARAWA UNITED 0-0 AKWA UNITED

The Lafia based side lost more ground on the league table after allowing Akwa United to 'steal' a point off their back last Sunday.

A win could have seen them risen to as high as third on the log but they would be content with an eighth position with 19 points from 13 games while Akwa United's solitary point on the road ensured they jumped to 13th position with 17 points from 13 ties.

Nasarawa United with coach Alphonsus Dike at the helms have a tough road tie with wounded 3SC in Ibadan this mid week while Akwa United equally have a difficult home duel with Enyimba in Uyo.

SHARKS 1-0 SUNSHINE STARS

The Blue Angels' manager, Gbenga Ogunbote rubbed salt on the aspirations of his erstwhile club and their quest to be among the top clubs with a precious home win meant to ease their relegation worries.

Chibuzor Osigwe's solitary strike in the early part of the second half guaranteed all points in a tie the Akure Gunners sat at the back for most of the game for reasons best known to them.

Sunshine are now in 10th position from 13 fixtures despite an impressive start to the season. They have 18 points while Sharks are 18th from 13 games with 14 points to show for their efforts.

After returning empty handed from their last two consecutive away ties, the Akure Gunners will host Heartland of Owerri Wednesday in the unarguably the star match of the week while Sharks are travelling to meet El Kanemi Warriors.