Yaya, Mikel, Enyeama & Emenike in final shortlist for Caf player of the year award

The Confederation of African Football has released the shortlists for the 2013 African Player of the Year with four Nigerian player in the like of  Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Emenike, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa making the cut in the ten-man list that has reigning Africa’s best player Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire.

Neymar: I want to follow in the footsteps of Ronaldinho & Rivaldo

        Neymar is keen to emulate compatriots Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Romario at Barcelona and achieve greatness with the Catalans. The former Santos star hopes to reach the same heights as his illustrious compatriots during their time at Camp Nou.

Ronaldo: I think Messi will win Ballon d'Or

Brazil legend Ronaldo has backed Barcelona forward Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or for a fifth straight year. The Brazil legend has backed the Barcelona attacker, despite the fact he is currently the bookies' third-favourite to take home the trophy

Wenger hits out at Ballon d'Or obsession

Arsene Wenger has hit out at football's obsession with the Ballon d'Or and says he does not want anyone to win the game's most prestigious individual prize.The Arsenal boss believes the prize goes against the essence of the sport and tempts players into playing for themselves rather than the team

Ancelotti: I can not sign Messi when I've got Ronaldo?

  

     Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti claims he would turn the down chance to sign Barcelona forward Lionel Messi because he already has Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid boss says that he would look to strengthening other positions in the squad rather than acquiring the Barcelona star

Conte: Juventus driven to make history

The 44-year-old watched his side produce another determined display and is certain that his players' drive can help lead to success this season Antonio Conte believes it is his team’s desire "to make its mark" that is behind Juventus’s surge to the top of Serie A.

Asari Dokubo released in Benin Rep., flown to Abuja in private jet

Asari Dokubo has been released two days after he was arrested in Benin Republic. The leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force was reportedly released early this morning after President Jonathan intervened on his behalf with the President of Benin Republic, Yayi Boni.

Ten-man Madrid hammer Galatasaray

Real Madrid shrugged off Sergio Ramos' first-half red card to secure a thumping 4-1 win over Galatasaray at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Spain defender received his marching orders with the scores locked at 0-0 for tugging back Umut Bulut, but Carlo Ancelotti's side soon raced into the lead thanks to a Gareth Bale free kick.
Bulut soon leveled the scores, but Alvaro Arbeloa put the hosts back ahead just after the break, before goals from Angel Di Maria and Isco sealed a resounding victory that clinched top spot in Champions league Group B. Madrid were without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, who was nonetheless the centre of attention in the build-up as the fans showed their support for the forward's bid for this year's Ballon d'Or by wearing face masks of the Portuguese superstar. Coach Carlo Ancelotti arested Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata, with Jese Rodriguez selected up front and Casemiro handed his debut in the competition.

Opposite number Roberto Mancini, who was not in charge when the Turkish side were humbled 6-1 in the reverse fixture, left Burak Yilmaz and Wesley Sneijder on the bench. Madrid should have taken the lead inside the opening four minutes when Bale was sent racing clear by Isco, but the Welshman side-footed wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Ajax 2-1 Barcelona: Ten-man hosts end Blaugrana's unbeaten run to keep qualification hopes alive

Thulani Serero opened the scoring for the hosts in the 19th minute with a composed finish from six yards out before Danny Hoesen extended Ajax's lead just before the break with a neat piece of skill inside the penalty area. Ten-man Ajax ended a run of nine straight defeats to Spanish opposition by beating Barcelona 2-1 in Champions League Group H on Tuesday night. Barcelona were gifted a way back into the game when Joel Veltman was dismissed for bringing down Neymar inside the penalty area and Xavi scored from the spot but the Liga champions were unable to make the most of their numerical advantage.

The win moves Ajax onto seven points with one game remaining and the club's hopes of progressing to the last 16 rest on beating AC Milan at San Siro, while defeat for the Blaugrana was the club's first of the season and denied coach Gerardo Martino a share of Pep Guardiola's club record of 21 games unbeaten.

The visitors made four changes, with Carles Puyol, Martin Montoya, Alex Song and Xavi all starting for Martino's men. The South Africa international ghosted into the penalty area to meet Ricardo van Rhijn's cross from the right and the 23-year-old calmly side-footed the ball past Jose Manuel Pinto.

After Lasse Schone had missed two chances, Ajax finally doubled their lead just before the break through Hoesen. Pinto saved well from Viktor Fischer and Hoesen latched onto the loose ball, lifted it past Puyol and fired into the bottom corner. The game was turned on its head four minutes after the break as Van Rhijn played a loose pass back to Veltman. Neymar pounced but he was brought down by the defender just inside the area.

Jasper Cillessen kept the hosts in the game with a good save from Neymar on the hour and a resilient Ajax defence managed to hold on for a vital win.  Despite a confident start, Ajax were lucky to survive a swift Barcelona counterattack in the 14th minute, as Veltman made a crucial block to deny Cesc Fabregas.