Thursday, September 5, 2013
Uche Kalu predicts Super Eagles rout of Malawi
The former Enyimba striker has confidently
predicted that the Nigerian side will have the last laugh against the
Flames on Saturday. Caykur Rizespor striker Uche Kalu has told Goal that the Super Eagles will thrash the Flames of Malawi in Saturday's final Group F 2014 World Cup qualifer at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
The Nigerian side require a draw to qualify for the last round of matches, while Malawi will need an outright win to have any chance of qualifying for the next stage. Kalu who was part of the team before injury forced him out during camping in Portugal ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations noted that there is no comparison between the two teams.
"There is no way the Super Eagles will not thrash Malawi on Saturday. I have looked at the two teams and there is nothing that will stop the Flames from losing by a wide margin," Kalu said. "This is not a question of under-rating our opponents. I am being realistic with my prediction. Yes football is unpredictable, but Malawi cannot cause an upset.
"Nobody needs to motivate them because playing in the World Cup is enough motivation to beat Malawi." Kalu said. The former Enyimba player revealed that he will be with the team in spirit from Turkey. "I will be supporting them from Turkey and I know they will make me proud."
Malawi lose to Botswana ahead of Nigeria clash
Malawi lost 1-0 to Botswana in a friendly game on Tuesday as they continued their preparations to face Nigeria in Saturday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier in Calabar. Jerome Ramatlhakwane scored the lone goal as Flames coach Tom Saintfiet tried new combinations ahead of the clash against the Super Eagles.
The Flames are expected to arrive in Calabar on Thursday from Ghana where they will fly to from Gaborone. After its controversial claims of Calabar being an unsafe city to play in, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has now declared its faith in the city having sent an advance party to visit Nigeria.
A statement released by FAM general secretary Sugzo Nyirenda praised the reception given the Malawian delegation in both Abuja and Calabar by the Nigeria Football Federation. “NFF welcomed the [visiting delegation] in Abuja as well as Calabar. They inspected some of the hotels in Calabar and they have settled for the Dannic Hotel. The hotel is new and resembles the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe and it is generally good,” Nyirenda was quoted by Nyasatimes.com.
Nigeria (on nine points) and Malawi are separated by two points going into the final Group F games this weekend with both sides still in with a chance to qualify for the play off stage. The Super Eagles need at least a draw in Saturday’s game while the Flames need nothing short of a win to brighten their chances of qualifying for their first World Cup. Kenya host Namibia in the group’s classification game also on Saturday. Nigeria vs Malawi will kick off at 4pm WAT. Join Goal for live match commentary.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Ronaldo: Neymar will learn from Messi
The 21-year-old Brazil star joined the Blaugrana in the summer from Santos and has already found the back of the net for his new club, having scored in the first leg of Barca's Spanish Super Cup clash with Atletico Madrid. And Ronaldo feels Neymar will flourish at Camp Nou, but stated he is not yet at the same level as Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I think we are going to continue talking about Messi and Cristiano, because with Neymar we will have to wait," he told Europa Press. “He is a young player, but he will learn and will become one of the best too.
"Neymar will learn a lot with Barca, with Messi, with European football and it comes in handy for there to be lots of Brazilians playing in Europe. “And, although it will be difficult at first, in the long run for Neymar it will be very good.” Barca spent €54 million to secure the services of Neymar from Santos back in June.
New Schalke Signing: Kevine-Prince Boateng
The 26-year-old spent a stint on loan at Dortmund in the 2008-09 season, under the guidance of Klopp, and impressed before continuing his career at Portsmouth and the Rossoneri. The Ghana international caused a stir when he signed for Dortmund's arch-rivals Schalke last week, and Klopp made comments in jest about the 26-year-old after admitting his surprise at the midfielder's choice of destination.
"Many people thought it was funny, but I didn't," Boateng told Sport-Bild.
"Even if 'Kloppo' and I have a good relationship, he's not going to hear me say a bad word about him, but this press conference surprised me."
Boateng played a key role in Schalke's 2-0 Bundesliga win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, ending a three-game winless run in the Bundesliga in the process. The Ghanaian joined Schalke from Milan for €15 million last month, signing a four-year deal with the German club.
Enyeama, Mikel, Moses in camp for Malawi game
However, only 12 of them trained in the evening session at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar. Among early trainers for the African champions are standing skipper, Vincent Enyeama, Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi, goalkeepers Ausin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim. New Turkey recruit, Godfrey Oboabona, James Okwuosa, who was the first player to arrive camp on Monday morning, Brown Ideye, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Lazio midfield anchor, Ogenyi Onazi and Uche Nwofor, who scored two beautiful goals against South Africa in the Mandela Challenge.
When the team arrived camp its hotel other players who came in through Abuja were already waiting. Among them were Efe Ambrose, Sunday Mba, Ahmed Musa, Obinna Nsofor and Victor Moses. Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has said he is happy with the response of the players and he expects a good game against Malawi on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke has assured that the entire state will be out to support the team on Saturday, declaring that he was sure that the team will whip the mouthy Malawians come Saturday.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Super Eagles should not underrate Malawi, says Akpoborie
The former Nigeria international has told the players who will be on duty on Saturdayagainst the Flames to take the game seriously. Former Nigeria international Jonathan Akpoborie has advised the Super Eagles that will take on Malawi on Saturday not to think that the game will be easy.
The Nigeria side would need at least a draw against the Flames to qualify for the play off stage of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Akpoborie noted that matches like this are difficult to play because everybody thinks the Super Eagles will win. "My simple advice for them is that they should not underrate the Flames of Malawi. Yes it is true that we need to play out a draw, but we should approach the game with the mindset that we must win,"
"We are far better than the Malawians. They cannot be compared to us. But that should make us handle them very well and finish off the game before they know what is happening. "Stephen Keshi has invited the best legs for this game and I know the players are confident of winning the match. But caution should be the word here.
"We have the advantage in the game. Malawi will not sit back to defend. They will attack and that will give us the opportunity to create chances and score goals. "I believe we are going to win. But we must play well to win the match," Akpoborie said. The match comes up at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Clalabar at 4pm (WAT).
Arsenal make Demba Ba enquiry
The forward has not even made the bench for Chelsea's last two fixtures despite being fully fit, and slipped even further down the pecking order when the Blues signed Samuel Eto'o last week.
With Fernando Torres and Romelu Lukaku also at Stamford Bridge, Ba is unlikely to feature much this season. Chelsea can trim their wage bill by loaning out the forward but might prefer him to go overseas rather than to a direct Premier League rival. Arsenal had an interest in signing Ba permanently in January when he was at Newcastle United but were concerned about his history of knee trouble.
Arsene Wenger wants proven back-up for Olivier Giroud, who has begun the season in outstanding form. The Arsenal manager has failed in a series of bids to land a new forward on a permanent deal this summer and has now adjusted his sights to a loan deal.
The Gunners are in advanced talks with Real Madrid to buy Ozil for €47 million and have agreed a loan deal with Palermo for Viviano, who arrived in London on Sunday night to put the finishing touches to his move.
Arbeloa: I thought Ozil was joking about leaving Madrid
Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa has revealed that he thought Mesut Ozil was joking when he told team-mates he was leaving this summer.
The Germany midfielder left the Santiago Bernabeu on transfer deadline day in a €50 million move to Arsenal, fighting off reported interest in the 24-year-old from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain.
"I'm a little surprised about the transfer," Arbeloa told reporters on Tuesday. "It's a shame and a big loss in our locker room, personally and in footballing terms.
"He said goodbye on Sunday, but I thought he was joking. Ozil is different, there is no one else like him in the world. He makes such a difference."
Fellow Madrid star and Spain international Isco - whose arrival in the summer is considered one of the reasons for Ozil being cast out of the Liga giants - lamented the ex-Werder Bremen starlet's exit to the Emirates.
"Actually, I was surprised that Ozil left and moreso because he said last week that he was going to stay," the attacking midfielder said. "Ozil, we all know, has great quality and is a player can change the balance of a game."
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