Will Harambee Stars reach the sky

Kenya will revive their 2014 World Cup hopes if they beat Nigeria in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier at Moi Kasarani. Harambee Stars are currently at the bottom of Group F with just two points after picking two draws against Malawi and Nigeria.

Going into Wednesday’s fixture, the odds are seemingly stuck against the home team, who have never beaten the Super Eagles in 11 encounters so far between the two sides.

The situation is even more complicated for the Stars this time around with the team’s all-time highest scorer Dennis Oliech suspended for the fixture. The situation leaves coach Adel Amrouche with limited choices in front of goal yet the team needs goals.
In the absence of Oliech, Amrouche is likely to use Kepha Aswani upfront. Aswani is coming back into the team on the back of an outstanding performance for his Oman side Al Nasr for whom he scored seven goals in the just concluded season.
Home-ground advantage will play a key role in pushing the Stars to victory. The Super Eagles will be motivated by their past dominance against Kenya even on home soil and so far there is no reason to believe they cannot pick victory in Nairobi.
Nigeria have had good preparations for this match which included a two week training camp in Germany culminating in a 2-2 draw against Mexico last Friday in a friendly match.
Even in the absence of Chelsea star Victor Moses, the Super Eagles still have enough fire power upfront with Ideye Brown and John Obi Mikel controlling things in midfield.

Sunday Mba: We will get the desired result in Kenya

Sunday Mba is one of the players that Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi will be relying upon to get a win against the Harambee Stars Kenya tomorrow  at the Moi Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. The undoubted hero from the last Africa Cup of Nations believes that though the team is shorn of some of its star players, the current squad will get the reslt needed against Kenya.

In the first leg in Calabar in April, Mba started but was replaced midway into the second half with the Eagles chasing an equaliser which Nnamdi Oduamadi got in added time to force the Harambee Stars to a 1-1 draw.

The Enugu Rangers midfielder played against Mexico in a friendly last Friday in which the Eagles were forced to a 2-2 draw.

“Last week, we showed character against Mexico in the 2-2 draw in Houston, Texas, and we believe we will also fly the flag high in Kenya, Namibia and also at the Confederations Cup.

“We have set a standard and Nigerians do not expect anything less,” Mba concluded.

Nigeria are ahead of Malawi on the Group F table courtesy of scoring more goals in the three matches played as both countries have five points.

Confusion in Kenya as Mikel lands ahead of Eagles

The Kenyan camp has become depressed that midfielder John Mikel Obi was on his way to Nairobi after missing the
friendly against Mexico in Texas at the weekend. They actually thought he was not coming for the game.
Chelsea FC of England ace Obi was instrumental to Nigeria’s 3-2 defeat of the Stars at the same venue on November 14, 2009 – a result that sent the Super Eagles to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.
The midfield lubricator flew into Nairobi aboard a British Airways flight on Monday evening, hours ahead of the rest of the delegation that was being expected from Frankfurt around 1.30am on Tuesday.

Mourinho is back again as Chelsea manager

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez claims Jose Mourinho will be confirmed as Chelsea's new manager on Monday. The 50-year-old took charge of his final game at the Bernabeu on Saturday as Real Madrid secured a 4-2 victory over Osasuna. Mourinho, who guided Chelsea to two Premier League titles during his first stint at Stamford Bridge, is now set to be appointed as Rafa Benitez's successor.


What is you stack in this ..?

Neymar's first day at Barcelona revealed

The Brazilian is set to join in a €28 million deal from Santos and will be unveiled to both the media and supporters at Camp Nou on Monday, June 3.

Following a photo session at midday at the Catalan club, Neymar will undergo medical tests at a nearby hospital before finally putting pen-to-paper on his five-year contract shortly before 17:00CET.

The 21-year-old will then take part in a second photo shoot in front of the club crest along with president Sandro Rosell, vice-president Josep M. Bartomeu and director of sport Andoni Zubizarreta.

Finally, doors will open to a presentation ceremony at Camp Nou for both fans and the media, prior to the player's first press conference as a Blaugrana player at 19:00CET. Around 50,000 supporters are expected to arrive for the event.

Neymar's transfer to Barcelona was agreed last week after the player opted against a move to Real Madrid or staying a further year in his homeland. He is currently in his native Brazil preparing for Sunday's friendly match against England at the Maracana.

Keshi: We lost concentration against Mexico

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi says his team had a decent outing despite drawing 2-2 against 10-man Mexico at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas early Saturday morning.

A brace from Chicharito was cancelled out by a Brown Ideye penalty and a Gerrado Torrado own goal off a deflected John Ogu shot.

Nigeria played almost half an hour with a man more after Barrera was sent off for a deliberate handball. But the Super Eagles could not make their number count as they were bettered technically by El Tri.

Nigeria played without midfielder John Obi Mikel who requested to be rested while injuries kept out Victor Moses, Kalu Uche and Emmanuel Emenike.

Keshi tested the trio of Ideye, Joseph Akpala and Nnamdi Oduamadi as the arrowhead of his 4-3-3 formation with John Ogu getting his first start in midfield alongside Sunday Mba and Ogenyi Onazi.

The back four from the Africa Cup of Nations remained in their position – Elderson Echiejile, Kenneth Omeruo, Godfrey Oboabona and Ambrose Efe while Austin Ejide kept goal before he made way for Vincent Enyeama in the second half.

Nigeria saw a raft of opportunities go wide even as they had to cope with the pace of the Mexicans who played with verve despite being a man short.

"I think the boys were not that bad, they just lost concentration," Keshi told media after the game.

"Mexico is a fantastic squad with top quality players."

With two important 2014 World Cup qualification matches coming up against Kenya and Namibia in the following weeks as well as the Confederations Cup in Brazil, Keshi says the more important task ahead is qualifying for Brazil 2014.

 "To represent Africa in the Confederations Cup is a good thing. But the Cup is not our biggest issue right now, we have upcoming qualifiers with Kenya and Namibia," Keshi said.

The Super Eagles will be in Nairobi next Wednesday to confront the Harambee Stars in a must-win encounter at Moi Kasarani Stadium.

Mourinho thanks Madrid fans for support

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has sent out a message of thanks to the club and its fans ahead of his final game in charge on Saturday.

The Portuguese trainer and Spanish giants reached a decision to tear up his contract at the end of the season, meaning that the outgoing Santiago Bernabeu boss is free to return to Chelsea in the summer.

Mourinho will take charge of his last game as Blancos coach against Osasuna at 17:00CET on Saturday and stressed that he wishes the club all the best going forward.

"I wish everyone associated with Real Madrid much happiness in the future," he said in a statement on the club's website.

"I appreciate the support of lots of fans and respect the criticism of others. Once again, a lot of happiness to everyone and, above all, good health. Hala Madrid!"

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes and Carlo Ancelotti are currently favourites to replace Mourinho - the former is being replaced by Pep Guardiola in the summer despite having won the Champions League this season while Madrid have enquired to Paris Saint-Germain about the latter.

Monaco will build a team around Falcao, says Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri has voiced his delight with the signing of Radamel Falcao and has stressed that Monaco will be building their team around the Colombia international.

The Ligue 2 champions announced on Friday that they have secured the services of the striker for a fee believed to be in the region of €60 million after previously signing Joao Moutinho, James Rodriguez and Ricardo Carvalho.

"I am very happy with the arrival of Falcao. We aim to build a strong team around him," the former Inter boss was quoted as saying by France Football.

"Falcao is a great player. He always works hard for the team, but is also very strong in front of the goal. He is quite impressive."

The 27-year-old has played a key figure in Atletico's successful season as he has guided the Vicente Calderon side to Copa del Rey glory and third place in the Liga table with his 31 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions

Victor Valdes to stay at Barcelona until 2014

Victor Valdes has insisted that he will not leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window and will stay put until the end of his contract in June 2014.

The goalkeeper told Barca earlier this season that he does not want to extend his current deal, leading to speculation that he could be on his way out of the Liga champions this summer.

Monaco were believed to be keen to lure him to France, but the 31-year-old has now made it clear that he will fulfill his contract with Barcelona.

"I owe the fans an explanation as to why I will not renew my contract. Barcelona have given me everything and this has been home for 20 years," Valdes said at a press conference.

"The pressure as a goalkeeper is huge, though, at this club. I am exhausted psychologically and I feel that my cycle at the club ends in 2014. This is not about money.

"I feel honoured that the club want me to continue, but my decision is final. I will continue to wear the Barca jersey with honour until the final day of my contract.

"I think that the club have enough time to find a good successor."

Valdes made his official first team debut in 2002-03 and has since made over 500 official appearances for Barcelona.