Sunday, June 9, 2013
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Mikel Obi on the radar of Turkish champions
The Nigerian midfielder is been courted by the Turkish Champions though Chelsea have not offered him for sale with the arrival of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea for a second stint, word out of England say that Turkish champions, Galatasaray are courting Mikel Obi to move to Turkey.
Respected sources from London revealed that
though the Europa League champions have not made Mikel available, they
could be swayed with a big-money move from any club for a player in his
position.
“It is true that Galatasaray are interested. And if Chelsea see big
money for a player in his position (defensive midfield), I am sure they
will sell,” .
It will also be recalled that it was Jose Mourinho was the one that
brought the Nigerian to London after a battle with Manchester United in
2006.
But the question will be whether Mikel will want to leave the club
where he has won multiple titles including the Champions League. The
source added that, “He could move if he believes he will enjoy more
playing time at the Turkish club.”
Galatasaray signed Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneidjer last season to
challenge in the Uefa Champions League and they reached the quarter
final where they lost to Real Madrid.
Mikel is not expected to resume with Chelsea until July when the pre-season training will begin.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Keshi: It’s not yet finished
Coach Stephen Keshi has warned that the task of qualifying the Super
Eagles for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil was not yet finished.
Nigeria on Wednesday defeated the Harambee Stars 1-0 in Nairobi, to
stretch their lead in Group F to eight points, with two matches yet to
play against Namibia on June 12 in Namibia and Malawi in September.
Speaking after the match at the Arap Moi Stadium, Keshi said that he
was delighted with the win but stressed that his players must not get
carried away with their latest conquest.
“It was important to win this game and I am happy that the players
got the three points that we came to Kenya for. It was a good result and
it shows that we are learning with every other game. But the job is not
yet finished.
“We still have two key games to play and it is important for us to
stay focused on the target of qualifying for the World Cup. We will
continue working hard to ensure that this goal is achieved”.
Arsenal can afford Rooney, hints Gazidis
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has added fuel to the speculation linking Wayne Rooney with a move to the Emirates Stadium, revealing that the Gunners have the financial power to attract the 27-year-old.
Arsene
Wenger has already confided that it would been hard not to bid for the
striker should he become available, while it is believed that Rooney is
open to a move to north London. And now Gazidis has put more more
weight behind any move for the England international, saying that
Rooney's likely transfer cost and wage demands would be well within
Arsenal's budget.
When asked if the Gunners could afford a €20 million-plus deal, plus €200,00-a-week wage, Gazidis told reporters: "Of course we could do that. We could do more than that.
"We have a certain amount which we've held in reserve. We also have new revenue streams coming on board and all of these things mean we can do some things which would excite you. "If Arsene thinks signing big names is the right thing to do, yes. The fact is this year we are beginning to see something we have been planning for some time, which is the escalation in our financial firepower.
"We can look at some options that weren't really in our financial capability. It's a progression over the next two seasons. It's quite significant for the club." While Gazidis refused to name any transfer targets, he believes Arsenal's ambition can see them emulate Champions League winners Bayern Munich.
"We should be able to compete at a level like a club such as Bayern Munich. I'm not saying we are there by any means, we have a way to go before we can put ourselves on that level," Gazidis continued.
"I think we are an extraordinarily ambitious club.
"This whole journey for the past 10 years has been about putting us up with the best in the world and now the question is turning that platform now into on-field success."
When asked if the Gunners could afford a €20 million-plus deal, plus €200,00-a-week wage, Gazidis told reporters: "Of course we could do that. We could do more than that.
"We have a certain amount which we've held in reserve. We also have new revenue streams coming on board and all of these things mean we can do some things which would excite you. "If Arsene thinks signing big names is the right thing to do, yes. The fact is this year we are beginning to see something we have been planning for some time, which is the escalation in our financial firepower.
"We can look at some options that weren't really in our financial capability. It's a progression over the next two seasons. It's quite significant for the club." While Gazidis refused to name any transfer targets, he believes Arsenal's ambition can see them emulate Champions League winners Bayern Munich.
"We should be able to compete at a level like a club such as Bayern Munich. I'm not saying we are there by any means, we have a way to go before we can put ourselves on that level," Gazidis continued.
"I think we are an extraordinarily ambitious club.
"This whole journey for the past 10 years has been about putting us up with the best in the world and now the question is turning that platform now into on-field success."
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Ahmed Musa goal stuns Harambee Stars in Nairobi
Kenya, who had win to keep alive their hopes of gracing the World Cup final, started the match badly with defender Brian Mandela almost handing the visitors a quick goal in the 1st minute of the match.
The South African-based defender failed to deal with a loose ball after restart allowing Nigerian striker Brian Ideye to charge forward but the Super Eagles' star could not find the back of the net with keeper Ochieng’ to beat.
Five minutes later, Musa Ahmed beat the Kenyan defense but his attempt to pick out an advancing Sunday Mba was blocked by Brian Mandela.
Siasia: Eagles on the right track
Former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has praised the resilience of the Super Eagles in the team’s 1-0 victory over the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Wednesday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier.
Ahmed Musa’s 81st minute goal was all the African champions needed to garner all three points in the tough encounter in Nairobi.
Siasia who had charged the defence of the Eagles to wake up and up
their game against the Kenyans after he watched them falter in the
friendly against Mexico was a happy man after the team’s slim victory
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