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Saturday, September 7, 2013

Benzema berated by French football chief

Karim Benzema has been slammed by France's football association (FFF) president Noel Le Graet after surpassing 20 hours without a goal for his country following their 0-0 draw with Georgia on Friday. The last time the Real Madrid striker scored for his country was June 5, 2012 against Estonia, when he netted a brace in a friendly leading up to that summer's European Championship.

It has since been 15 games without a goal for Benzema, and just three in the last 27 for les Bleus, prompting the French sporting chief to speak out against the forward. "There is a problem," he told reporters. "He is very disappointing. A starter at Real Madrid can’t be as bad as people say. We expect more."

Benzema, who was subbed off in the 62nd minute against Georgia in favour for Andre-Pierre Gignac, jumped to his own defence after the match, suggesting he isn’t the only player failing to find the back of the net amidst France’s five-game goalless drought. "I know when I am good or not," he told reporters. "Tonight I was not terrible. For me to do better in the next game, I will not dwell on my substitution.

"We had a lot of chances in the second half. We just didn’t score. We are disappointed tonight. We will get back to work and we will recover well because play again on Tuesday."We should not think we are already eliminated. If it is necessary to go through the play-offs, then we will. We will win and we will qualify for Brazil." France will travel to Belarus on Tuesday, where a draw would secure at least a second place finish in the group.

Friday, September 6, 2013

We hope to explore Nigeria’s weaknesses on Saturday, says Malawi trainer Saintfiet

The Belgian has stated that it will take a miracle for the Flames to defeat the more established Super Eagles in Calabar but they are willing to take their chances

Malawi technical adviser Tom Saintfiet has said his team will go into Saturday's 2014 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria as underdogs.
The Belgian also declared that his team will expect a miracle to happen in order to beat the African champions.
Saintfiet spoke to the media at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja as his team boarded their Arik Air flight to Calabar on Thursday afternoon.
The flight was however delayed for almost two hours due to visibility problems.
"I am very satisfied with my squad,” Saintfiet said. “The present team is full of young players who are ready to play in the tactical way we want them to play. Every team needs a bit of luck. The team is ready to play and I think we can recover from the flight in the next 48 hours.
"The match against the Super Eagles is not do or die affair for us. We have prepared well for this match and have an equal chance of winning the game. I believe the pressure is on Nigeria. But we will try and surprise everybody by playing a great game against Nigeria on Saturday.
"Nigeria are the champions of Africa. They are a very strong squad selected by coach Stephen Keshi. He selected a very strong team comprising of good players from Europe and local based players too. It is going to be very difficult for us. The Nigerian team has a lot of strength and quality in front of goal and are very good in the air and they can score from set pieces too.
"Despite this, the Nigerian team also has some weaknesses and we are going to use that against them,” Saintfiet disclosed.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Kim Kardashian Wants To Appear unclad In Playboy Magazine Shoot

Kim Kardashian who is now a mother has come out to say that she would love to pose unclad now that she given birth to her and Kanye West‘s daughter North West, for the infamous Playboy magazine.www.apsense.com/anwaraogbonnaya Kim Kardashain revealed this in latest scenes from her upcoming series of ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ – and has admitted she would like to take part in another risque photo shoot. Speaking before her baby’s birth, she said: ‘As soon as I pop this thing out, I want to do Playboy or some unclad shoot.

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 Brazil legend believes the 21-year-old is not yet at the same level as the Argentine or Cristiano Ronaldo, but backed him to make big strides in Europe. Brazilian legend Ronaldo believes Neymar will benefit from playing alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona.

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 has responded angrily after the coach jokingly questioned the Ghanaian's decision to move to Gelsenkirchen. New Schalke signing Kevin-Prince Boateng says Jurgen Klopp's comments regarding his transfer from AC Milan were not funny.

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

The national team’s preparation has been up tempo with the arrival in camp of top players on Tuesday afternoon as the squad prepares for Saturday’s game against Malawi, After a dull Monday afternoon, the Super Eagles camp at the Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel came alive on Tuesday afternoon with almost all the top players already in town.

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.