We are the Super Eagles of Nigeria

The Super Eagles remain unchanged from the squad that defeated Malawi in Calabar in their last Group F game,  Nigeria have named a list of 23 players ahead of their first leg 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination fixture against Ethiopia.

The African champions take on the Antelopes inside the National Stadium, Addis Ababa on Saturday, 12th October. Both teams will clash in the return match at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday, 16th November.
Stephen Keshi has made his best selection, some sport annalist are of the opinion that this is the Nigerian best Squard called three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and six strikers as the Eagles aim for a win in Addis Ababa to make the second leg in Calabar a much easier session.

The Nigeria Football Federation is making arrangements to have the full squad train for four days in Abuja before the departure to Addis Ababa on the eve of the game.

THE FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal); Francis Benjamin (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Victor Moses (Liverpool FC, England); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Uche Nwofor (SC Heerenveen, Netherlands)
             

Roma confirm new Totti deal

The Giallorossi legend has penned a new deal that should see him end his career with his hometown club, while revealing he is open to a return to the international fold with Italy

Roma have confirmed that Francesco Totti has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain at Stadio Olimpico until 2016.

The 36-year-old's current deal had been due to expire at the end of the current season but after lengthy discussions with the capital club the Giallorossi legend revealed his delight at extending his stay with his hometown club on Friday.

"I have another two years of responsibilities and I'm sure we'll achieve some great things together," Totti told reporters at a press conference.

"I'd like to thank the president for this new contract. Everyone wanted it to happen, me and the club."

Totti retired from international duty after winning the World Cup with Italy in 2006 but his form last season - which saw him score 12 goals in 36 Serie A appearances - prompted speculation he could return to the Azzurri fold.

And though he insists his primary focus remains improving on last season's sixth place finish with Roma, the Italian admits he would consider a recall if Cesare Prandelli comes calling.

He added: "Going to the World Cup? My jersey is the Roma jersey but obviously I remain open to the possibility. We'll see."

Club president James Pallotta was sat beside Totti at the announcement of his new deal and said his committment to the club was a sign of progress.

"I'm honoured that Francesco Totti is staying here and I'd like to toast to a great future for Roma and Francesco," said Pallotta.

"There's never been any doubt in our minds that Totti would stay. He's Roma's leader and he'll be here forever.

"I'm pleased with what we've achieved in the last few months. We're a work in progress and we're forging ahead."

Totti made his Roma debut back in 1992 and has gone on to win Serie A, the Supercoppa Italiana twice and the Coppa Italia three times in his 21 years with the club.

Messi hat-trick seals convincing win for Barcelona against Ajax

Lionel Messi once more took centre stage as his hat-trick helped Barcelona to a 4-0 victory over Ajax in the Champions League. The Argentinian scored in both halves of the Group H fixture at Camp Nou to give the Blaugrana victory in their opening European encounter. It marked an emotional Champions League debut for coach Gerardo Martino, with the win coming just a few days after the death of his father. 

 After a bright opening, Messi broke the deadlock with fierce free-kick in the 22nd minute. His second came 10 minutes after half-time with a cool finish from inside the area, before Gerard Pique put gloss on the scoreline with a header from Neymar’s cross and Messi completed his treble when he feigned his shot before guiding an effort into the corner. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson could have grabbed a consolation, but he saw his 77th-minute penalty saved by Victor Valdes. Martino included Messi and Neymar in Barcelona’s starting XI, with the latter making his Champions League debut. 

 The Dutch side had Siem de Jong available, following his recovery from a collapsed lung. Barcelona dominated possession in the opening exchanges and they took the lead when Messi once again displayed his brilliance with a stunning free kick, 22 minutes in. After being felled by Lerin Duarte on the right, he picked himself up to hit a thunderous strike, with the ball going in off the the post as Kenneth Vermeer failed to keep it out at full stretch. Ajax nearly stole an equaliser on the half-hour mark when Bojan curled a cross deep towards the far post and a diving header from Ricardo van Rhijn forced a smart reaction save from Valdes. The visitors could have had a penalty when Sigthorsson went to ground under a challenge from Pique. The loose ball was met by Duarte, but he placed his first-time effort straight at Valdes. After surviving those scares, Messi effectively ended the game as a contest in the 55th minute. He controlled a Sergio Busquets pass on the right side of the box before feinting inside Stefano Denswil and firing his effort past Vermeer. Barcelona continued to press and Neymar and Dani Alves both had efforts blocked. And the pressure told in the 69th minute when Neymar delivered an in-swinging cross from the left that was met by the head of Pique to make it 3-0. Messi then completed his hat-trick with 15 minutes remaining. 

Warri Wolves captain Azubuike Egwueke: Enyimba will fall on Sunday

The Seasiders captain is optimistic that they will carry the day by beating the People's Elephant in the final of the Federation Cup in Lagos Warri Wolves captain, Azubuike Egwueke has boasted that Enyimba will fall when they meet in the final of the Federation Cup on Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

This is the Seasiders' first final in any national cup competition, while the Aba Millionaires are playing their third final in five years. Egwueke who is in the Super Eagles team that has qualified for the final game of the World Cup qualifiers said that Enyimba cannot withstand the firepower that will hit them on Sunday.

"Enyimba are just living on their past glory. They are just a club in the Premier League. They will fall on Sunday because we are destined to take this trophy back to Delta State," Egwueke said. "We are not afraid of the Aba side. They were good when they reigned [as league champions] but this is our time to take over from them. No doubt they have done well this season.

"Four of their players will not be in action because they are cup tied and only Ike ThankGod will be missing from our team. "We have proven that Warri Wolves should be respected. All I want for our supporters is to urge them to come to the stadium on Sunday and see the way Wolves will win the trophy in style," Egwueke said. The women finals between Rivers Angels and Nasarawa Amazons will start by 1 pm before the game between Enyimba and Warri Wolves.

The winners of the trophy will take home N2million.

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Cristiano Ronaldo will earn 50% more than Bale

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to sign a new five-year contract with Real Madrid before the end of this month, Goal can reveal. Having sealed the world-record signing of Gareth Bale earlier in September, Madrid have now switched their attentions to tying up the Portuguese on a new, long-term deal. Madrid have offered Ronaldo an increased wage of €15 million per annum after tax, with the agreement set to run until 2018, in a total package worth a record €155m over five years. As a total package, it is the most lucrative contract in football history and the game's largest annual wage following Samuel Eto'o's departure from Anzhi Makhachkala. By comparison, Bale will pocket €10m per annum after tax while Lionel Messi earns €13m per annum, plus bonuses, over five years. The Portuguese's current contract concludes in 2015, but Madrid are confident their star player will sign by the end of September. Ronaldo has told friends that talks are going well and Madrid hope to announce a new deal prior to the Assembly with club socios on September 22. President Florentino Perez has consistently insisted the Portuguese will stay at the Santiago Bernabeu. "He is the best player in the world and we want to make him the world's highest-paid player," the construction magnate said earlier this summer. Like Mourinho, Cristiano considered a return to the Premier League (with Manchester United), but the departure of his compatriot, the added support of Perez and the good feeling with new coach Carlo Ancelotti have helped him rediscover his happiness in Madrid. "He [Ancelotti] is a great coach, a great man, and I am happy to work with him," the 28-year-old said last month. Madrid signed Ronaldo from United in a world-record €94 million transfer in 2009, following Florentino's return to the presidency. He currently earns around €10m annually after tax. When Ronaldo arrived, however, the so-called 'Beckham Law', which allowed foreigners who had lived in Spain for less than 10 years and who earned above €120,000 per annum to pay a lower tax rate of around 23 per cent and not the usual 45%, was still in force. David Beckham was one of the first to take advantage of the legislation after his move from Manchester in 2003. However, the Spanish government has since scrapped that initiative and a new deal would see Ronaldo required to pay 52% of his salary to the taxman. Madrid will therefore be faced with an annual outlay close to €31m in order to pay the Portuguese the net €15m.

Bale should follow Ronaldo example, says Zidane

Zinedine Zidane says Cristiano Ronaldo is an example to follow for Gareth Bale when it comes to dealing with the immense pressure at Real Madrid following his world-record €100 million transfer from Tottenham this summer. The Portugal international was previously the most expensive transfer following his €94m move from Manchester United to Madrid in 2009.

And, Zidane, who moved to Madrid for around €75m in 2001, knows what the weight of expectation at the club feels like and suggests that Bale looks no further than Ronaldo, who he believes has dealt extremely well with the extra pressure his immense price tag brought with it. "The pressure [on Bale] is huge, of course, but we have the best example in Cristiano Ronaldo. He is the most expensive player in football history and he has spectacularly overcome enormous pressure.

"His stats, his performances ... Everything he gives to Real Madrid on and off the pitch is genuinely spectacular. Real Madrid do not consider his price but rather everything he brings to the club." The 24-year-old Bale could make his official Madrid debut away against Villarreal on Saturday.

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Ribery best in Europe, says Messi

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has conceded that Bayern Munich ace Franck Ribery deserved to win Uefa's Best Player in Europe award. The Argentine and Cristiano Ronaldo were pipped to the award at a Uefa ceremony in Monaco in August and the 26-year-old says Ribery's treble success with Bayern Munich meant the right man walked away with the prize.

"It was an honour to be in this race again, among the best three players in Europe," he told Uefa. "There are so many great players in the world and it is a real pleasure to be in the competition, but he [Ribery] deserved to win the trophy." The Blaugrana were humbled 7-0 on aggregate by the German giants en route to the Champions League crown last season.

And while Messi admits that the defeat left a "bitter taste" in his mouth, he believes the team must not dwell on the past if they are to bounce back from last year's disappointment in Europe. "We always want to achieve more. Winning the league was very important because of what it signified – winning it back after Real Madrid had won it last year," he added. The Catalans resume their Liga campaign following the international break by welcoming Sevilla to Camp Nou on Saturday.

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Ozil lacked strength to fight for a place, claims Zidane

Real Madrid assistant coach Zinedine Zidane has suggested that Mesut Ozil left the club because he lacked the "strength and will" to fight for his place in the team. The Germany international was unveiled at Arsenal on Thursday, following his €47 million move on deadline day.

The Spanish giants boosted their attacking options over the summer with the high-profile acquisitions of Isco and Gareth Bale respectively, and Zidane has claimed that the Gunners new-boy lacked the stomach to compete for his selection in the starting line-up. "Ozil decided to leave," he told the club's official channel. "He is a good player who has given us so much so we wish him well.

"There are players who have responded with strength and will to fight for a place, but not everyone reacted the same. The Blancos travel to newly-promoted Villarreal in the Primera Liga on Saturday where €100 million recruit Bale could be handed his debut.

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Ferguson reveals secrets of success

Legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the methods and mentality that saw him win 28 major trophies in 26 years in charge. The Scot permitted professors from Harvard Business School to observe and study his methods during his final season at Old Trafford as part of a case study, upon which he has since expanded to students in visits to the institution after his retirement. In a wide-ranging interview published in full in the Harvard Business Review, Sir Alex explained that his first move upon joining the Red Devils was to establish his famed focus on youth.

from the moment I got to Manchester United, I thought of only one thing: building a football club. I wanted to build right from the bottom," he began.

"I knew that a focus on youth would fit the club's history and my earlier coaching experience told me that winning with young players could be done and that I was good at working with them. So I had the confidence and conviction that, if United was going to mean anything again, rebuilding the youth structure was crucial. You could say it was brave but fortune favours the brave.

"At some clubs, you need only to lose three games in a row and you're fired. In today's football world, with a new breed of directors and owners, I am not sure any club would have the patience to wait for a manager to build a team over a four-year period "Winning a game is only a short-term gain - you can lose the next game. Building a club brings stability and consistency.

"One of the things I've done well over the years is manage change. I believe that you control change by accepting it. That also means having confidence in the people you hire. The minute staff members are employed, you have to trust that they are doing their jobs. If you micromanage and tell people what to do, there is no point in hiring them.

"The most important thing is to not stagnate. I said to David Gill a few years ago: 'The only way we can keep players at Manchester United is if we have the best training ground in Europe.' That is when we kickstarted the medical centre. We can't sit still.

"Most people with my kind of track record don't look to change but I always felt I couldn't afford not to change. We had to be successful - there was no other option for me - and I would explore any means of improving. I continued to work hard. I treated every success as my first. My job was to give us the best possible chance of winning. That is what drove me."

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