Messi: I will come back stronger

Barcelona's Lionel Messi picked up his third Golden Shoe award in the Catalan capital on Wednesday and promised to come back even stronger in 2014 following his injury problems this year. The Argentine attacker picked up his third Golden Shoe award in the Catalan capital on Wednesday and vowed to take his time as he recovers from his latest injury

Messi was handed the prize after finishing as the highest league scorer in all of Europe in 2012-13, but admitted his priority now is to get fit for action and return to his very best. "My aim is to come back even stronger," the Argentine attacker told a packed audience at the old Damm brewery in Barcelona. "I am working hard to strengthen my body and I hope to be free from injury when I return."

The 26-year-old has suffered four muscle injuries this year and is now sidelined with a hamstring problem which is set to keep him out until early next year. "I haven't put any date on my return," he explained. "It depends on how things go and when the time is right, I will come back."

Messi scored 46 league goals last season to claim his latest individual prize, and added: "It's a very special prize and recognition for what the team have been doing over the last few years - I dedicate it to the people I love.

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We had too much respect for Italy

The Nigeria coach has asked his team to stay fit after playing their last game of the year in Monday’s draw against the Azzurri in London as they look forward to Brazil 2014. Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has asked his team to go on break after playing their last game of the year in Monday’s international friendly against Italy in London.

The Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by the Azzurri at Craven Cottage in a very interesting match that was filled with scoring opportunities for both sides. It was Keshi’s last opportunity in the year to test his team after they secured their fifth World Cup ticket last weekend against Ethiopia in Calabar. “Maybe, we had too much of respect for [Italy] but I’m sure if by chance we meet at the World Cup, we will put up a better performance,” Keshi was quoted by team media officer Ben Alaiya.
The coach also dismissed the boys for the year and urged them to stay fit and relevant at their clubs in order to ensure they can make the World Cup team to Brazil. “It’s time to go back and work hard for your various club sides and stay healthy, because that will form the basis for invitation when we resume next year.

The Nigeria Football Federation is yet to announce next year’s calendar but Keshi will take charge of the local Super Eagles ahead of January’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.
Three players from the CHAN team started Monday’s friendly against Italy. 

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Mikel's legacy rests on getting to the 2014 World Cup

John Obi Mikel this week shortlisted for BBC African Player of the Year, the Chelsea man ought to be concentrated on the weekend’s clash with Ethiopia.

Mikel’s place on the shortlist for the award, where he stands alongside Yaya Toure, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Jonathan Pitroipa, and his compatriot, Victor Moses, is just desserts for a year in which he has finally delivered on the promise that has long been associated with his name. Ever since exploding onto the scene at the U-17 World Cup in 2003, Nigerians have been waiting for Mikel to finally realise his potential.

I think that the majority of us had given up hope that he would ever blossom into the new Jay-Jay Okocha, a fluid playmaker capable of anything and everything, however, we were almost all still praying that he could emerge as more than the stodgy defensive midfielder to whom regular Premier League viewers had become accustomed.

It was at the Cup of Nations earlier this year that Mikel finally began to take matches in his stride, to dominate the midfield and to drive the team forward with his majestic touches and imperious vision. I have written extensively about the value of the emergence of Ogenyi Onazi, and the Lazio midfielder’s accomplished defensive work, as well as his remarkable maturity, which have allowed Mikel to concentrate more upon the creative side of the game.

Technically, philosophically and emotionally, it is imperative for the immediate future of the nation’s football that Keshi’s Super Eagle elect arrive at Brazil intact. Mikel’s presence will doubtless be crucial for his teammates, but Nigeria’s presence will surely be crucial for Mikel. Significant contribution at the World Cup remains the one major blank spot on his verdant CV.

Follow @theosbright 

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Aiyegbeni: The Super Eagles can go beyond the first round in Brazil

Guangzhou R&F striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni is confident in the Super Eagles' chances of not just qualifying but getting past the group stages of the 2014 World Cup. The former Super Eagles striker believes that the national team can exceed expectations by making it out of the first round at the World Cup next year  “Nigeria will surely qualify for the World Cup and get to at least the second round in Brazil. “Winning the African Nations Cup, Stephen Keshi is doing very well with the national team,” the 30 year old said.

The Super Eagles hold a 2-1 advantage after a first leg victory over Ethiopia where Emmanuel Emenike bagged an invaluable brace.With Nigeria’s attention on international success, Yakubu looks back on a successful season in the Chinese Super League which saw his Canton club appoint former England and Lazio boss Sven Goran-Eriksson as manager.

The two crossed paths before at Leicester City and Yakubu has seen a huge transformation since the Swede’s arrival. “Sven brings confidence to the team and a European standard of coaching. “We are training like we would in England. The clubs training is much better than before and the team loves the sessions with him,” he said. Since Sven took over from 45 year old Brazilian Sergio Farias at the helm of the Guangzhou club there has been a definite change in mood at the club but Yakubu identifies other areas where R&F have improved.

“At Guangzhou R&F, the young number 20 Tang Miao would fit in really well in Europe,” he said when asked who he has been impressed by in the 2013 CSL season." With Yakubu due to be at R&F in 2014, what then are the aims of his club, who sit very much in the shadow of Chinese Super League winners Guangzhou Evergrande. “Evergrande are one of the best teams in the Chinese League,” he said.

The CSL is now in the off season until 2014 and Yakubu will be a keen observer of the fortunes of Nigeria and firmly motivated on more China goals in the new year.

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Manu Garba and his boys have done well so far-- Analysts

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Nigeria Defeats Mexico To Win The 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup

The Nigerian Under-17 national team today defeated Mexico 3-0 to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirate. Impressive play by the Nigerian side led to an early goal inspired by a tireless player, Musa Yahaha. Another Nigerian prolific attacker, Kelechi Iheanacho scored a second goal in the 56 minute while a third goal came off the feet of Musa Muhammed through a powerful free kick at the 81 minute. This is the fourth time Nigeria will be winning the U-17 FIFA World Cup.

Coach Garba Manu must see the final as an important assignmen

The hardest thing for Coach Garba Manu and his technical team will be how to motivate his players to see the final as another very important assignment and not as a crowning ceremony and that is because the Eaglets thrashed their final opponents, Mexico, 6-1 in their opening match.

looking at five things that the Eaglets need to do to make sure that all their skill and enterprise gets the final prize.Iheanacho has not only been a scorer of goals – five at the last match, but he has also been a veritable supplier of assists – seven at the last count. The way he has set up Taiwo Awoniyi for his last three goals showed the vision that he possesses in abundance.

His pass to set up Awoniyi for the first goal against Uruguay was pinpoint and was reminiscent of Arsenal star Mesut Ozil, while the scoop pass for the first goal against Sweden was simply sublime.

But it has to be said that he drifts out of games when the ball is not supplied to him just behind the main striker. Abdulahi Alfa and Akinjide Dairo (if he is restored to the starting 11), need to look up more and give him the ball so he can continue setting up the strikers. The key for the Eaglets is to get the ball to him quickly so that he can work his magic. And if he chooses not to pass, he has a great left foot that can deliver the goals needed.

Lille's Enyeama wants to be world’s best

Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has disclosed that his target is to be the best goalkeeper in the world. the Nigeria’s first choice and stand-in captain believes he has what it takes to become the best goalkeeper in the world

The Lille OSC man revealed this after helping his club to a 1-0 victory away to Nantes over the weekend and in the process keeping his ninth clean slate in the Ligue 1. “It’s about work, work and even more hard work. I believe in hard work. I have been watching videos and looking at my mistakes. I keep striving day and night to correct them,” Enyeama told his club’s website.

“When I make a mistake, I am hard on myself….more than I could get on someone else if he made the same mistake. “That’s the way I am. I have set very high standards for myself. I believe I can be the best goalkeeper in the world,” Enyeama concluded. The former Enyimba skipper has been in blistering form since returning from a season long loan to Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.

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Barcelona won't ditch style to beat Madrid - Fabregas

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has inisisted that the side will not scrap their style to avoid Real Madrid's strengths in Saturday's Clasico encounter. this is coming ahead of the first Clasico of the season at Camp Nou, the former Arsenal midfielder insists the Catalans know where the Carlo Ancelotti's side are most dangerous

The Liga arch-rivals clash at 18:00CET at Camp Nou in the first showdown between the sides this season, with Gerardo Martino's men sitting three points ahead of Carlo Ancelotti's third-placed side, with Atletico Madrid sandwiched between them.

In has been just under three years since the Blaugrana have beaten the Blancos on Catalunya turf in La Liga or the Copa del Rey, and while Fabregas is aware of how Madrid have exploited Barca's weaknesses in recent clashes, he insists his side will not look to abandon their manner of playing to compensate.

"Madrid haven't liked opponents ceding them possession and waiting," Fabregas, 26, told The Guardian, when asked if Barca are easy to play against for a team like Madrid.

"Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself with two lines of four in front of him; Gareth Bale would too. Karim Benzema's alone. What they like is teams like Rayo Vallecano; what they like is for the opposition to come forward with the ball and then lose it.

"In two passes, Madrid are at the other end. They have such powerful players going forward. In the last few Clasicos they've done that very well against us, to their great credit. They've won possession, been aggressive and made life difficult for us, mostly on the counterattack.

"Changing our style would be an option but Barca have to play like Barca. If we lose we have to lose playing like Barca and when we win we win like Barca.

"That's something I've learnt since returning. At Barca, no-one likes to lose. If you play well and lose or you play badly and lose, either way you've lost. But here people do appreciate that we do things a certain way, our way.

"Now we have another coach and sometimes he has other ideas, so let's see. But, in theory, we'll be the same Barcelona we always have been."

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