Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
Nigeria arrive Durban for Nelson Mandela Challenge against South Africa
The Super Eagles are in high spirits as they face Bafana Bafana in Wednesday’s friendly in the coastal city of Durban. Nigeria arrived in Durban on Monday morning ahead of their Nelson Mandela Challenge game against South Africa at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday evening.
A full strength squad led by coach Stephen Keshi has arrived the coastal city as the Super Eagles warm up towards September’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Malawi. Only three players, Chelsea duo of John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses and Valerenga's Fegor Ogude are expected on Tuesday morning in Durban in time for the prestige friendly.
Keshi arrived with four players from the Nigerian league - Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwueke, Sunday Mba and Godfrey Oboabona. He told local media on arrival that he hopes to give the South Africans a good game to honour Nelson Mandela, one of Africa’s foremost nationalists.
At the team's Southern Sun hotel lodge, several invited players were already in their rooms. Among the early birds were late call ups, Chippa United’s James Okwuosa and Free State Stars’ Gege Soriola, who are both based in South Africa. There was also Obinna Nsofor, Elderson Echjiele, who were the first Europe-based players to arrive Durban.
Other early comers included Uche Nwofor, Efe Ambrose, Ogenyi Onazi and Brown Ideye. By lunch time, Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi arrived with stand-in skipper Austin Ejide.
Ameobi said he was happy to rejoin his teammates after missing the last Africa Cup of Nations due to issues in his contract.
The Super Eagles will have their first training session later in the evening at 7:30 (6:30pm West African Time). The team will train at the same time on Tuesday before the cracker against Bafana Bafana on Wednesday at 8:15pm.
Tickets for the game have been pegged at between R50-R200. The last time Nigeria played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in February, they defeated Mali 4-1 in the semi final of the Africa Cup of Nations on their way to winning the title for a third time.
Nelson Mandela Challenge is not a friendly game in any way, insists Sunday Mba
The Super Eagles midfielder has confessed that Wednesday's game against Bafana Bafana is more serious than a friendly match. Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Mba has told Goal that Wednesday's Nelson Mandela Challenge game against South Africa's Bafana Bafana is not in any way a friendly match.
Mba noted that the South Africans are prepared for the game and would want to beat the reigning African champions to make a statement that they are a good side. The Enugu Rangers player, who scored the goal that won Nigeria the last Africa Cup of Nations final against Burkina Faso, revealed that the Super Eagles players will definitely be taking the game seriously. “That game on Wednesday is not a friendly match in any way. We are African champions and every team will want to beat us to boost their confidence," Mba told Goal. “Bafana Bafana are rebuilding and this is one game that they will want to use to get their confidence back in shape.
"Yes it is a friendly game, but it is more than that. We also need to do well and win the game to get prepared for the next game in the World Cup qualifiers against Malawi in Calabar. “I am looking forward to a good game because it is a perfect opportunity for us to show Africans that we are a good side that deservedly won the Africa Cup of Nations. “A lot of our players are back so we are going to get a full squad for the game. I want to do well and make sure we keep our record against the South Africans," Mba concluded.
Bafana Bafana have never defeated Nigeria since they first clashed in the 1994 World Cup qualifiers.
Video: Flavour N'abania New York Live band Concert US Tour 2013
Flavour N'abania just concluded his US Tour 2013. The sold out tour saw him perform live with his live band in Dallas Tx, Houston Tx, Maryland MD, and New York NY.
The tour was presented by Big A Entertainment and African Muzik Magazine, two entities that are committed to promoting African Music outside the borders of Africa.
Watch as Flavour N'abania thrilled his fans to some of his most popular songs...
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Fabregas pulls out of Spain squad with ankle injury
The Barcelona midfielder hobbled out of action in the 82nd minute of the Catalans' 3-1 win over Malaysia on Saturday, having scored the opener and set up further goals for Neymar and Gerard Pique. The 26-year-old was assessed by doctors on Sunday after arriving back in Spain, with the Liga giants subsequently confirming that he will not feature for la Roja in their upcoming clash.
A statement on the club's official website said: "Cesc Fabregas had a number of tests this morning after arriving back from Malaysia to measure the extent of the ankle injury he picked up in Saturday’s match.
"It has subsequently been confirmed that the player has sprained a ligament in his right ankle.
The news comes as a blow to new boss Gerardo Martino, a week before the start of the Liga campaign.
Fabregas - who has been the subject of interest from Manchester United throughout the close season - made 32 league appearances last season, scoring 11 times. He now faces a race against time to be fit for the season opener, as Barca begin their title defence against Levante next Sunday.
Falcao and Monaco start with a bang
The Colombia international netted with just three minutes to go in his first game for the victorious Rouges et Blanc, while Lyon also made a winning start to their campaign, Radamel Falcao scored on his Ligue 1 debut to help big-spending Monaco record an opening-day 2-0 victory over Bordeaux.
The Colombian striker had to wait until the final three minutes to get his first strike for the club, reacting quickest to control a loose ball before squeezing his shot under Cedric Carrasso from close range.
Falcao's strike came five minutes after substitute Emmanuel Riviere had broken the deadlock with a left-footed volley shortly after replacing James Rodriguez.
Speaking to journalists after the game, El Tigre reflected upon the club's opening matchday fortunes. "First match, first win - it's a good thing. It's given us confidence for what is to follow." "We had many chances in the first half. But the team kept going. This was more difficult in the second half and we had to wait for the right time. This has brought us a smile."
Clement Grenier and Yoann Gourcuff also got their names on the scoresheet as Remi Garde's side made short work of the team they finished one place and three points ahead of last season. Like Monaco, fellow Ligue 1 newboys Nantes started their campaign with a victory. Toulouse had a disappointing start the season with a 3-0 defeat at Valenciennes. Uros Spajic's sending off just after the half hour gave the hosts a penalty that Maor Melikson converted, with Jose Saez and Gregory Pujol sealing the three points in the second half.
There were also opening-day victories for Lille and Rennes over 10-man Lorient and Reims, respectively, while Evian were held to a 1-1 draw by Sochaux after Roy Contout's strike cancelled out Fabrice Ehret's opener.
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