Rufai: Enyeama has 'shown consistency'

The Lille goalkeeper was the only Nigeria player that was included in the list of 50 best players in the world during the 2013/14 season and he finished in 27^th place. (See Enyeama's Goal 50 entry).  Former Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai has praised the inclusion of Vincent Enyeama in the Goal 50 announced on Monday. The Nigeria legend has hailed the man who took up from where he left off for his deserved inclusion among the 50 best players in the worldRufai said it is an accolade that his protégé has rightly earned, seeing that he had a great year where he kept clean sheets over 1062 consecutive minutes in the French top division and his form saw the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup and reach the second round with two shut outs.

Cristiano Ronaldo displaying his Goal 50 winnerthe in history

Ronaldo No One

While infamously declaring his preference for Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo last year, Sepp Blatter displayed a surprising level of insight when he mused that the Barcelona No.10 is “a good boy ... and that's what makes him so popular.” The Fifa president unwittingly underlined that while the Portuguese may be an advertisers' dream, he has long since lost the Public Relations battle in the war for the title of the greatest player of the 21st century. In the eyes of his critics, Ronaldo's greatest crime appears to be that he is not Lionel Messi. The suggestion that the Madeira native is lacking something seems particularly ludicrous after a season in which he scored 51 goals, 11 of which came either via his head or his ‘weaker’ left foot, and ended with him placing a Champions League winners’ medal in his trophy cabinet alongside the Ballon d’Or for 2013.

Everton agree two Lukaku deals

Lukaku is keen to return to Goodison Park on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell and the Toffees have prepared a deal worth around €25 million to sign the Belgium international. Everton have agreed two different deals with Chelsea for the potential signing of Romelu Lukaku. bBut Chelsea and Blues boss Jose Mourinho are yet to decide whether or not to let Lukaku leave Stamford Bridge permanently this summer. The striker could instead find himself on loan to Everton for a second season - his third consecutive campaign with another club since moving to Stamford Bridge after spending 2012-13 with West Brom.

Maradona: Messi didn't deserve Golden Ball

Argentina icon Diego Maradona feels Lionel Messi did not deserve to win the Golden Ball following his performances at the World Cup. The 1986 World Cup winner felt FIFA made the wrong decision to hand the award to the Barcelona star and rued Argentina's defeat to Germany. The Barcelona star beat the likes of Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and James Rodriguez to the prestigious individual award after scoring four goals in seven performances at this summer's tournament and guiding his team to the final, yet Maradona feels the 27-year-old only won it for commercial reasons.

Stoke City on trail of Michael Babatunde

Nigeria World Cup revelation Michael Babatunde has come under the radar of Stoke City, according to the player’s manager. The Super Eagles midfielder has not been short of suitors since having a good run at the World Cup with the reigning African champions. The 21-year-old impressed against Bosnia-Herzegovina and set up Ahmed Musa’s first goal against Argentina before an injury to his hand curtailed his further taking part as the Super Eagles reached the second round.

NFF court case set to be withdrawn

Reports have it that the civil suit at the Plateau State High Court in Jos which has created a lot of problems for Nigerian football could be withdrawn on Monday. The problems that have caused the Nigeria Football Federation to be suspended by Fifa could be resolved on Monday

Stephen Keshi – The Pathfinder. Legend.

The former Nigeria coach will be remembered in many different ways after his illustrious three years in charge of the African champions comes to an end. Each player were catching flights to different parts of the world following their second round exit to France, Stephen Keshi chose to reflect. Reclined on a lounge chair close to the still lake that borders the Brasilia Palace Hotel, he had one last thing on his mind - how to return home with the remaining crop of players in his care. Afterwards, he would take a deserved break with his family in the United States and then seek newer pastures with his long-serving assistant, Togolese Valere Houandinou.

Ogu: Eagles must play as a team

Nigeria international and Académica de Coimbra player John Ogu has assured football fans that the Super Eagles will bounce back when they face Bosnia-Herzegovina in their second game at the ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The Super Eagles midfielder has disclosed that team work is the key ingredient for the African champions to ensure victory against Safet Sušić’s side on Saturday

Keshi: Nigeria must do better

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has criticized his players for being "nervous and unsettled" as they kicked off their World Cup with a 0-0 draw with Iran. The 52-year-old was not happy with his side's performance in their opening game, insisting they must do better when they face Bosnia