"Nigeria is one of the World's top teams so it will be a competitive match for us," said the former England and Liverpool star of the game that will be played at Millwall FC's Stadium.
"We are now stronger than we have been for some time as a national team. We have quality players that we will blend together with the right balance, spirit and mentality, but of course we also need the right tactics.
"I would say to fans from across the country, come and enjoy the game and expect a good performance!"
Nigeria have named a strong squad for the encounter, which they will use to prepare for their World Cup qualifying game against Mozambique in March.
Jamaica's Reggae Boys have, within 14 months, leapt to 66th place in the Fifa world rankings.
They won the Caribbean Championship last month and for this game, they have called up several English Premier League players including Marlon King of Hull City, Ricardo Gardner from Bolton and Ricardo Fuller of Stoke City.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Manchester City Want Didier Drogba
According to The Sun, mega-rich Manchester City are preparing a £15 million swoop for Chelsea's unsettled forward, Didier Drogba.
The Sky Blues are in need of an out-and-out striker, as the likes of Jo, Benjani and the injured Valeri Bojinov have failed to make much of an impression at Eastlands.
City boss Mark Hughes has long wanted Roque Santa Cruz to lead the line, but Blackburn Rovers continue to jack up the price on the Paraguayan hitman.
Thus, 'Sparky' has begun scouting out other potential targets, and it is thought his new favorite currently resides on the fringes at Stamford Bridge.
Drogba has fallen out of favor at Chelsea this season, as a combination of off-field drama and Nicolas Anelka's red-hot form have seen him relegated to second choice in the club's one-striker system.
Indeed, following a meek display in the Blues' recent defeat to Manchester United, the Ivorian was banished to the reserves and missed out on the FA Cup replay with Southend United.
He was also excluded from the squad for last weekend's narrow win over Stoke City, with youngsters Miroslav Stoch and Franco di Santo filling the bench instead.
There has been considerable speculation as to where the 30-year-old's future lies, with former club Olympique Marseille touted as a likely destination, but Luiz Felipe Scolari has dismissed those rumors.
However, the Chelsea manager could be tempted by the possibility of a swap deal involving Robinho, with Drogba replacing Anelka in the supposed four-man trade reported yesterday involving Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and Alex.
It remains to be seen whether Robinho is eligible to move this month, but it is nonetheless highly unlikely that City would swap him for a player who, on paper, seems an ideal strike-partner for the samba star.
The Sky Blues are in need of an out-and-out striker, as the likes of Jo, Benjani and the injured Valeri Bojinov have failed to make much of an impression at Eastlands.
City boss Mark Hughes has long wanted Roque Santa Cruz to lead the line, but Blackburn Rovers continue to jack up the price on the Paraguayan hitman.
Thus, 'Sparky' has begun scouting out other potential targets, and it is thought his new favorite currently resides on the fringes at Stamford Bridge.
Drogba has fallen out of favor at Chelsea this season, as a combination of off-field drama and Nicolas Anelka's red-hot form have seen him relegated to second choice in the club's one-striker system.
Indeed, following a meek display in the Blues' recent defeat to Manchester United, the Ivorian was banished to the reserves and missed out on the FA Cup replay with Southend United.
He was also excluded from the squad for last weekend's narrow win over Stoke City, with youngsters Miroslav Stoch and Franco di Santo filling the bench instead.
There has been considerable speculation as to where the 30-year-old's future lies, with former club Olympique Marseille touted as a likely destination, but Luiz Felipe Scolari has dismissed those rumors.
However, the Chelsea manager could be tempted by the possibility of a swap deal involving Robinho, with Drogba replacing Anelka in the supposed four-man trade reported yesterday involving Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and Alex.
It remains to be seen whether Robinho is eligible to move this month, but it is nonetheless highly unlikely that City would swap him for a player who, on paper, seems an ideal strike-partner for the samba star.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Fifteen Nigerian Footballers Killed In Bus Crash
Fifteen players of Nigerian professional league club, FC Jimeta of Adamawa, died in a road accident around Akwanga, northcentral Nigeria, on Sunday morning.
"The team were on their way to Abuja for a professional league match," explained Mohamed Sanusi, head of competition of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
"Their bus was involved in an accident and 11 players died on the spot while four others died in hospital. Two other players are on danger list."
The team bus hit a road block, somersaulted before plunging into a ditch.
The team were billed to play a league game Sunday against Prisons FC of Abuja.
In December, 18 female players were killed when their team bus was also involved in an accident.
"The team were on their way to Abuja for a professional league match," explained Mohamed Sanusi, head of competition of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
"Their bus was involved in an accident and 11 players died on the spot while four others died in hospital. Two other players are on danger list."
The team bus hit a road block, somersaulted before plunging into a ditch.
The team were billed to play a league game Sunday against Prisons FC of Abuja.
In December, 18 female players were killed when their team bus was also involved in an accident.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
FIFA Begins Inspection Visit In Nigeria
The first stop-over by Warner's team on Friday was to the country's commercial capital Lagos. They will continue their inspection Monday in the capital city of Abuja. The other cities to be visited by Fifa officials include Kaduna, Kano, Calabar, Warri, Bauchi and Enugu.
This will be Fifa's third visit to Nigeria in respect to the Under-17 Championship. In earlier visits, Fifa officials have urged the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the tournament to upgrade existing facilities and infrastructure.
Nigeria will play host to the Fifa competition after the government rescinded an earlier decision to withdraw as hosts because they could not afford to do so. However, the budget to stage the event was drastically slashed with Fifa also assuring the government it will assist by footing some of the expenses.
The country's Vice-President, Goodluck Jonathan, is personally supervising the organisation of the championship.
This will be Fifa's third visit to Nigeria in respect to the Under-17 Championship. In earlier visits, Fifa officials have urged the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the tournament to upgrade existing facilities and infrastructure.
Nigeria will play host to the Fifa competition after the government rescinded an earlier decision to withdraw as hosts because they could not afford to do so. However, the budget to stage the event was drastically slashed with Fifa also assuring the government it will assist by footing some of the expenses.
The country's Vice-President, Goodluck Jonathan, is personally supervising the organisation of the championship.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Arsene Wenger 'Hopeful' Of Bringing Arshavin To Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has intimated that the attempt to bring Andrei Arshavin to North London is moving forward, but negotiations are at a delicate stage despite the Frenchman's optimism
When quizzed as to where the Gunners were on their quest to sign the Russian, Wenger responded: "Nowhere. That means we are not close to signing anybody.
"We know what we want to do, but we are not close to signing anybody today because I would tell you [if we were]. But I have no basic news."
The Frenchman also maintained a dignified front when questioned further as to the details of the offer made by Arsenal to Zenit St Petersburg for the Russian.
"Again, we are in negotiation - yes. But we want to respect our principles," he asserted.
Regarding whether Arsenal had returned to Zenit with an improved bid for Arshavin, Wenger was poker-faced. "Nothing to disclose on that front," was his stony response.
But as to whether he remained optimisitic that a deal could be done in the next few days, Wenger was upbeat.
"I'm very hopeful; days, yes," he continued, "because the transfer market closes on January 31 and I haven't crossed halfway so it will be days."
As for the recent frenzy surrounding the transfer window and the hysteria surrounding Kaka's possible move to the Premier League, Wenger remained aloof, claiming that what happened "on a football pitch" was of far more importance to him.
He also attempted to pull the focus away from acquiring new players, insisting that working with the players already at the club and improving them was key.
"We can improve with the players we have," he stated.
When quizzed as to where the Gunners were on their quest to sign the Russian, Wenger responded: "Nowhere. That means we are not close to signing anybody.
"We know what we want to do, but we are not close to signing anybody today because I would tell you [if we were]. But I have no basic news."
The Frenchman also maintained a dignified front when questioned further as to the details of the offer made by Arsenal to Zenit St Petersburg for the Russian.
"Again, we are in negotiation - yes. But we want to respect our principles," he asserted.
Regarding whether Arsenal had returned to Zenit with an improved bid for Arshavin, Wenger was poker-faced. "Nothing to disclose on that front," was his stony response.
But as to whether he remained optimisitic that a deal could be done in the next few days, Wenger was upbeat.
"I'm very hopeful; days, yes," he continued, "because the transfer market closes on January 31 and I haven't crossed halfway so it will be days."
As for the recent frenzy surrounding the transfer window and the hysteria surrounding Kaka's possible move to the Premier League, Wenger remained aloof, claiming that what happened "on a football pitch" was of far more importance to him.
He also attempted to pull the focus away from acquiring new players, insisting that working with the players already at the club and improving them was key.
"We can improve with the players we have," he stated.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Gourcuff Is Heir To The Throne
He's never going to shake the tag now.
For the last couple years, French playmaker Yoann Gourcuff has been likened to Zinedine Zidane. Despite failing to break into the aging AC Milan squad, the youngster has a similar grace on the ball and the vision to keep attacks flowing seemlessly.
Now on loan at Bourdoux, Gourcuff is coming into his own. Some high quality matches, including in the Champions' League earned him a French national team callup, where he excelled. Now, he's busy scoring the goals that will be highlight fodder for years to come.
Against Paris Saint-Germain, he scored one of those goals. Picking up the ball ouside the 18, he roulettes around one player, shimmies around the next, and curls the ball off the outside of his right foot to score. It's dazzling and over all too quickly.
One day, your kids will debate who the next Yoann Gourcuff is.
Want proof? Watch below:
For the last couple years, French playmaker Yoann Gourcuff has been likened to Zinedine Zidane. Despite failing to break into the aging AC Milan squad, the youngster has a similar grace on the ball and the vision to keep attacks flowing seemlessly.
Now on loan at Bourdoux, Gourcuff is coming into his own. Some high quality matches, including in the Champions' League earned him a French national team callup, where he excelled. Now, he's busy scoring the goals that will be highlight fodder for years to come.
Against Paris Saint-Germain, he scored one of those goals. Picking up the ball ouside the 18, he roulettes around one player, shimmies around the next, and curls the ball off the outside of his right foot to score. It's dazzling and over all too quickly.
One day, your kids will debate who the next Yoann Gourcuff is.
Want proof? Watch below:
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Muntari: Manchester United Are Scared Of Inter
Inter midfielder Sulley Alley Muntari has followed in coach Jose Mourinho's footsteps by continuing the mind games ahead of their Champions League battle with Manchester United.
The Nerazzurri travel to Old Trafford on February 24 and the plan is to come away with a good aggregate lead from the two-legged tie. Mourinho has already fired the first warning shots and Muntari is not low on ammunition either.
"We are also very strong and they [United] are scared of us. We are not a team who are easy to beat and we have learned from our mistakes in the first phase. I am sure we will play two great games," Muntari told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.
The former Portsmouth man joined Inter in the summer after their move for Chelsea's Frank Lampard failed. Muntari insists he was prepared to be second choice had the Englishman joined the Nerazzurri.
"When I was in England, Mourinho called me and he told me that Lampard was first choice. I told him I was ready and I went there," added Muntari. "I like everything about Mourinho. He knows how to manage his players and every training session is different.
"He just has to look at you in the dressing room and you are motivated, he doesn't even need to speak to get the message across."
The Nerazzurri travel to Old Trafford on February 24 and the plan is to come away with a good aggregate lead from the two-legged tie. Mourinho has already fired the first warning shots and Muntari is not low on ammunition either.
"We are also very strong and they [United] are scared of us. We are not a team who are easy to beat and we have learned from our mistakes in the first phase. I am sure we will play two great games," Muntari told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.
The former Portsmouth man joined Inter in the summer after their move for Chelsea's Frank Lampard failed. Muntari insists he was prepared to be second choice had the Englishman joined the Nerazzurri.
"When I was in England, Mourinho called me and he told me that Lampard was first choice. I told him I was ready and I went there," added Muntari. "I like everything about Mourinho. He knows how to manage his players and every training session is different.
"He just has to look at you in the dressing room and you are motivated, he doesn't even need to speak to get the message across."
Ten African Players To Watch In 2009
10. Mustapha Jarju 'Toubabo' (RAEC Mons & Gambia)
A versatile player, who is comfortable either in midfield or as a striker. He has previously captained his country's Under-17 side and has now been strutting his stuff in Belgium for the past three seasons, first with Lierse before he joined up with Mons. He has thus far scored five goals this term after playing mostly as a striker and was very much part of the Gambian Scorpions, who came within a whisker of advancing to the final round of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
9. Faty Papy (Trabsonspor & Burundi)
Turkish club Trabzonspor got themselves a huge bargain when they signed 18-year-old Burundi international midfielder Faty Papy in December. Papy, who has won six caps for his native country since his debut against Seychelles in June, featured for Inter Star of Bujumbura before his move overseas.
8. McDonald Mariga ( FC Parma & Kenya)
At 21, this highly rated central midfielder has, within a short time, moved from modest Swedish side Helsingborgs to the Italian top flight with FC Parma, who snapped him up for a fee close to two million Euros after he impressed on an intial loan deal. He was capped at full international level in 2006 and has now been linked with a transfer to Serie A giants AC Milan as well as Napoli.
7. Clifford Mulenga ( Wits & Zambia)
Arguably the player with the most exciting left foot in the South African Premier Soccer League, he caught the eye of many with some superb displays for his country at the 2007 Fifa World Youth Championship in Canada. It was a performance that fetched him the Caf Young Player Award in 2007. However, he can sometimes be something of a character, like when he publicly slammed Zambia coach, Herve Renard, for leaving him out of a recent World Cup tie. He has since made up with the French coach.
6. Bernard Parker (Thanda Royal Zulu & South Africa)
Such is the huge promise this young Thanda Royal Zulu skipper holds that his South African club have admitted he will be lost to Europe sooner rather than later.Last season, he played in all of his club's matches while this term, he has cracked home nine goals in the league.But the highlight of his career are his goals for Bafana - four in nine matches since he was first capped in 2007.
5. Moussa Maazou (Lokeren & Niger)
The year 2008 will certainly pass as a landmark year for this 20-year-old former Sahel Sc striker. He was capped at senior level by his country against Uganda in May and since his move to Belgium same year, he has painted the Jupilar league with goals. He has thus far netted 10 goals in 16 appearances for Lokeren.
4. Macauley Chrisantus (Hamburg & Nigeria)
He is your typical centre-forward - strong on the ball, full of running and a player who knows where the goal is. He proved that at both the 2007 African Junior Championship in Togo and months later at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup, where his seven goals helped Nigeria to a third championship win. German Bundesliga outfit Hamburg gave him a professional contract in August when he turned 18 and has made the bench for several league games this season already.
3. Daniel Opare (Real Madrid & Ghana)
A super talent at right fullback, he could not have dreamt of a bigger platform to showcase his ball skills than Spanish champions Real Madrid after he emerged as the best defender at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Korea in September 2007. Blessed with great pace and precise crosses, the former Ashanti Gold midfielder is on the fringes of the Ghana Black Stars and was only dropped from his country's squad to the 2008 Nations Cup on account of an ankle injury. Injury has again ruled him out of the African Youth Championship this month, but pundits say this player in the mould of Brazil World Cup star Cafu is on his way to becoming a Galacticos.
2. Rabiu Ibrahim (Sporting Clube & Nigeria)
He has already been compared to the great Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha because of his ball skills and vision in central midfield. He was the first from an exciting generation of young players to move overseas after helping Nigeria win the Fifa U-17 World Cup in Korea two years ago. Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu is known for relying on the old guard, but now looks set to draft this youngster, 18 only in March, to add some creative juice in the Super Eagles midfield.
1.Yao Kouassi 'Gervinho' ( Le Mans & Ivory Coast)
A product of the famed Asec Academy that produced the likes of the Toure brothers, Kolo and Yaya, Didier Zokora, Aruna Didane, Kouassi is an exciting striker who shone like a million stars as Ivory Coast reached the last eight at the football tournament of the Beijing Olympics in the summer with him as skipper. He scores his fair share of goals but above all, his dribbling runs and ball skills have helped create openings from which his teammates have profited. Little wonder a man like Arsene Wenger with eye for young talent is reportedly keeping a close watch on a player good enough to carry a Brazilian nickname.
A versatile player, who is comfortable either in midfield or as a striker. He has previously captained his country's Under-17 side and has now been strutting his stuff in Belgium for the past three seasons, first with Lierse before he joined up with Mons. He has thus far scored five goals this term after playing mostly as a striker and was very much part of the Gambian Scorpions, who came within a whisker of advancing to the final round of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
9. Faty Papy (Trabsonspor & Burundi)
Turkish club Trabzonspor got themselves a huge bargain when they signed 18-year-old Burundi international midfielder Faty Papy in December. Papy, who has won six caps for his native country since his debut against Seychelles in June, featured for Inter Star of Bujumbura before his move overseas.
8. McDonald Mariga ( FC Parma & Kenya)
At 21, this highly rated central midfielder has, within a short time, moved from modest Swedish side Helsingborgs to the Italian top flight with FC Parma, who snapped him up for a fee close to two million Euros after he impressed on an intial loan deal. He was capped at full international level in 2006 and has now been linked with a transfer to Serie A giants AC Milan as well as Napoli.
7. Clifford Mulenga ( Wits & Zambia)
Arguably the player with the most exciting left foot in the South African Premier Soccer League, he caught the eye of many with some superb displays for his country at the 2007 Fifa World Youth Championship in Canada. It was a performance that fetched him the Caf Young Player Award in 2007. However, he can sometimes be something of a character, like when he publicly slammed Zambia coach, Herve Renard, for leaving him out of a recent World Cup tie. He has since made up with the French coach.
6. Bernard Parker (Thanda Royal Zulu & South Africa)
Such is the huge promise this young Thanda Royal Zulu skipper holds that his South African club have admitted he will be lost to Europe sooner rather than later.Last season, he played in all of his club's matches while this term, he has cracked home nine goals in the league.But the highlight of his career are his goals for Bafana - four in nine matches since he was first capped in 2007.
5. Moussa Maazou (Lokeren & Niger)
The year 2008 will certainly pass as a landmark year for this 20-year-old former Sahel Sc striker. He was capped at senior level by his country against Uganda in May and since his move to Belgium same year, he has painted the Jupilar league with goals. He has thus far netted 10 goals in 16 appearances for Lokeren.
4. Macauley Chrisantus (Hamburg & Nigeria)
He is your typical centre-forward - strong on the ball, full of running and a player who knows where the goal is. He proved that at both the 2007 African Junior Championship in Togo and months later at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup, where his seven goals helped Nigeria to a third championship win. German Bundesliga outfit Hamburg gave him a professional contract in August when he turned 18 and has made the bench for several league games this season already.
3. Daniel Opare (Real Madrid & Ghana)
A super talent at right fullback, he could not have dreamt of a bigger platform to showcase his ball skills than Spanish champions Real Madrid after he emerged as the best defender at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Korea in September 2007. Blessed with great pace and precise crosses, the former Ashanti Gold midfielder is on the fringes of the Ghana Black Stars and was only dropped from his country's squad to the 2008 Nations Cup on account of an ankle injury. Injury has again ruled him out of the African Youth Championship this month, but pundits say this player in the mould of Brazil World Cup star Cafu is on his way to becoming a Galacticos.
2. Rabiu Ibrahim (Sporting Clube & Nigeria)
He has already been compared to the great Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha because of his ball skills and vision in central midfield. He was the first from an exciting generation of young players to move overseas after helping Nigeria win the Fifa U-17 World Cup in Korea two years ago. Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu is known for relying on the old guard, but now looks set to draft this youngster, 18 only in March, to add some creative juice in the Super Eagles midfield.
1.Yao Kouassi 'Gervinho' ( Le Mans & Ivory Coast)
A product of the famed Asec Academy that produced the likes of the Toure brothers, Kolo and Yaya, Didier Zokora, Aruna Didane, Kouassi is an exciting striker who shone like a million stars as Ivory Coast reached the last eight at the football tournament of the Beijing Olympics in the summer with him as skipper. He scores his fair share of goals but above all, his dribbling runs and ball skills have helped create openings from which his teammates have profited. Little wonder a man like Arsene Wenger with eye for young talent is reportedly keeping a close watch on a player good enough to carry a Brazilian nickname.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
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