FIFA suspends Nigeria

Minister of Sports Dr. Tammy Danagogo

THE World football governing body, FIFA, has suspended Nigeria till further notice after government interfered in the running of football in the country.

The most immediate effect of the ban is that the country will not be entitled to participate in the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, coming up in Canada between August 5 and 24, except the suspension is lifted by July 15, 2014.

Nigeria will also forfeit an U-17 African qualifier in Democratic Republic of Congo, slated for July 20, if the ban is not lifted.

But the NFF in a statement late on Wednesday denied that FIFA had stopped Falconets from travelling.

In the statement by the NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Lawrence Katken, the body said, “It is a blatant lie to say FIFA refused to issue tickets to the Falconets. What happened was that the former General Secretary, Musa Amadu, mistakenly cancelled the earlier reservations, so when the delegation got to the airport, they could not find seats on the flight.

“FIFA has told us they are working hard at alternatives, because Lufthansa Airline flights from Abuja are fully booked for the next weeks, and promised to get the players and officials to their training camp in Canada even if they have to travel in batches, from Thursday (today).

Nigerian sports minister, Tammy Danagogo, had insisted the country would not be banned.

In a press statement on the website of the world football governing body, the FIFA Emergency Committee said it decided on Wednesday (yesterday) “to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation with immediate effect, on account of government interference. Article 13, par. 1 and article 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.”

The decision, according to the statement, “follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF on 4 July 2014, in which it expressed its great concern after the NFF was served with court proceedings and consequently an order preventing the president of the NFF, the NFF Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football was granted by a High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The said court order compels the Nigerian sports minister to appoint a senior member of the civil service to manage the NFF until the matter is heard in court, without giving any date for such a hearing.

The authorities then appointed a person who decided to convene an extraordinary general assembly on July 5, 2014.

“This extraordinary general assembly was convened in violation of the NFF statutes,” FIFA said.

Originally, an elective congress had been planned by the NFF to take place on August 26, 2014.

The FIFA statement further read, “The suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their affairs.

“As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact (art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes).

“During the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches.

“In addition, neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any FIFA or CAF development programmes, courses or training during the suspension period.”

Curiously, few hours before the FIFA ban was announced, the sports minister, Danagogo, had said in Abuja that the world body had no reason to sanction the country over the removal of Maigari as the NFF president.

Danagogo, who spoke with State House correspondents shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, said FIFA would not sanction Nigeria because Maigari’s removal was not as a result of government’s interference in the affairs of the federation.

He explained that the decision to remove Maigari was taken by a legitimate NFF congress.

He said, “Nigeria is safe, I can tell you that. What FIFA wants is for the right things to be done and there should be a high-level independence in what is happening.

“So far, if you look at what has happened, I think the government has been very fair; the government has done everything possible not to unduly interfere.

“As a government, we have constitutional duty to maintain law and order. When factions in football family begin to dispute, we have a duty to see that we don’t allow them kill themselves, we don’t allow them destroy the buildings where they are operating.

“Beyond that, we have not done anything. What we have done is to see that law and order is maintained.”

The minister said that when he returned to the country from the World Cup in Brazil, the Maigari-led NFF wrote to inform him that there was a court order saying that they were not the legitimate executive council of the NFF and that a civil servant had been appointed and directed to take over.

He said the NFF through the letter urged him to intervene to maintain law and order.

He said the group of FA chairmen and stakeholders, who also did not want the Maigari government to continue, called their congress and passed a vote of no confidence in the executive council.

He said FIFA must have handed down the ultimatum to Nigeria on the matter with the belief that Maigari’s removal was an action by the government.

The minister added, “Ordinarily, the tenure of the Maigari-led executive has almost come to an end by July, August. And it is a routine, even in our politics, that once we get to election season, there is always disputes between parties who are interested.

“So, what you are seeing is the normal election conflict within the NFF. The Maigari exco had tried to set up electoral machinery to ensure they were re-elected and the majority have come together to say no.”

Nigeria was banned from age group competitions for two years by FIFA in December 1989 after the organisation discovered age discrepancies involving some of its top internationals; Samson Siasia, Andrew Uwe and Dahiru Sadi.

Also, the country was threatened with a FIFA ban in 2010 just after the Super Eagles crashed out of the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa.

Babatunde out of World Cup

Nigeria midfielder Babatunde Michael | credits: http://thenationonlineng.net

Spain redeems image, defeats Australia 3-0

| credits: NYT

Messi saves gambler £200,000

Lonel Messi

Lionel Messi’s dramatic late winner in Argentina’s World Cup match against Iran on Saturday rescued one Las Vegas gambler from losing £200,000, ESPN reports.

Messi curled in a stunning finish from outside the area in injury time to seal a 1-0 win in the Group F clash.

That strike, Messi’s second of the tournament in Brazil, came as a relief to the Argentina fans at the stadium Belo Horizonte who are dreaming of a third World Cup triumph for their country, but one punter 6,000 miles away will have felt a mighty weight lift from his shoulders for a very different reason.

An unnamed better staked $230,000 on Argentina to beat Iran at a William Hill outlet at Las Vegas’ Tuscany Casino. Such were the short odds of such a bet, it would only return a profit of $20,000.

According to company spokesman Michael Grodsky, it was the largest wager on the World Cup taken by William Hill, but that did not stop the same customer returning on Friday to put another £70,000 on the same outcome.

That pushed their potential winnings up to £18,000, just shy of 10% of the amount that would be lost if Iran upset the odds and achieved a positive result.

Carlos Queiroz’s side were just minutes away from doing just that, as they resisted the star-studded Argentina attack for the 90 minutes, only to succumb to four-time World Player of the Year Messi’s strike in the first minute of injury time and see one very relieved gambler collect their winnings.

I Caused Cristiano Ronaldo’s Knee Injury – Ghanaian Witch Doctor

Ghana’s most influential witch doctor has claimed he is responsible for the knee injury that is threatening to Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation at the World Cup.
Nana Kwaku Bonsam – whose name translates literally as “Devil of Wednesday” – predicted in February that the Real Madrid forward would be forced to miss this summer’s tournament in Brazil with injury. A statement from the Portuguese FA on Wednesday confirmed that Ronaldo is suffering from tendinosis in his left knee as well as nursing a muscle problem in his left thigh, which caused him to miss the 0-0 draw with Greece at the weekend.
Ghana are set to meet Portugal in their final match of Group G in Brasilia on 26 June and Bonsam claims to have conjured a special powder from his gods, mixed with several leaves and concoctions which have been placed around an image and caricature of the former Manchester United player.
“I know what Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury is about, I’m working on him,” Bonsam, who serves at the Kofioo Kofi shrine, said in an interview with the Kumasi-based Angel FM.
“I am very serious about it. Last week, I went around looking for four dogs and I got them to be used in manufacturing a special spirit called Kahwiri Kapam.

“I said it four months ago that I will work on Cristiano Ronaldo seriously and rule him out of the World up or at least prevent him from playing against Ghana and the best thing I can do is to keep him out though injury.
“This injury can never be cured by any medic, they can never see what is causing the injury because it is spiritual. Today, it is his knee, tomorrow it is his thigh, next day it is something else.”

Eagles land in London for Scotland

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi

The Super Eagles arrived in London Sunday afternoon ahead of their international friendly against Scotland on Wednesday. The match is part of preparations for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. The Nigerians landed just as the Scotland coach Gordon Strachan told The Scotsman that he was concerned about the physical strength of the Eagles but hopes that the fitness his players should help them to move faster on the pitch and use their speed to advantage.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Sunday with 14 players aboard the flight to Heathrow Airport. Ukraine-based striker, Michael Babatunde had already arrived at Hilton Cobhams Hotel in London ahead of the delegation from Abuja. The Eagles are staying at that venue for the friendly.

The players that left from Nigeria with Keshi are Ogenyi Onazi, Victor Nsofor, Ahmed Musa, Michael Uchebo, Godfrey Oboabona, Gabriel Reuben, Juwon Oshaniwa, Efe Ambrose and Sunday Mba. The others are Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Daniel Akpeyi, Kunle Odunlami and Ejike Uzoenyi.

Emmanuel Emenike and Ramon Azeez joined the group later on Sunday according to the team officials. The other players called up for the camping were expected to link up with the team much later on Sunday also.

The team will have their first training session on Monday evening, with all the 30 players invited for the World Cup preparation expected to take part.

The Scotland coach is hopeful that the match will serve both sides well as they aim for different goals in the next four weeks.

Strachan said, “You have to see their squad and who the coach has picked because it changes so rapidly. But I think it will be the serious time for them now. What you’ll get is pace, physical strength and a lot of them play at a good level.

“So if we’re not as physical as them then we have to move the ball about so those physical challenges aren’t there. We stick to what we’re good at. It will be good. We’ll try to outnumber people in certain areas, use our tenacity, our fitness levels. We do it in a different way to how they do it. They play at a slower pace than us, physically stronger; you don’t take on an opponent at what they are good at.”

The Scots are ranked 22 places above Nigeria’s 44th spot on the current FIFA monthly rankings.

NBA names Olajuwon ambassador to Africa

Two-time NBA champion and Basketball Hall-of-Fame Hakeem Olajuwon was on Thursday named NBA Ambassador to Africa and will play a prominent role in the development of basketball on the continent.

Olajuwon will work closely with the NBA Africa office, which is located in Johannesburg and led by Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA vice president for Development in Africa.

The Nigerian native will represent the NBA through a range of basketball development events and NBA Cares activities across the region to help grow the game, give back to communities in need, and bring attention to diplomacy through sport.

“Basketball has given me so much in life,” Olajuwon told NBA.com. “In this new role I am looking forward to impacting young Africans and utilizing the power of sport to help change lives in what is an exciting new chapter in my career.”

“We are elated that one of the greatest to ever play the game, a son of Africa, and a legend of Hakeem’s stature will officially represent the NBA in Africa,” said Amadou Gallo Fall. “He truly embodies the values of the game, and will be a great ambassador for the league and a perfect role model for Africa’s youth.”

Enyeama predicts semi-final berth for Eagles

Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama

Toure fuels talk of Man City exit

Yaya Toure has fuelled talk of a possible departure from Manchester City by saying he does not know who he will be playing for next season.

The midfielder’s agent, Dimitri Seluk, indicated he could leave because he felt he had been treated with a lack of respect by the club’s owners.

Now Toure, 31, has said “everything is open” when it comes to his future.

Asked if he could be playing for another club, he replied: “Yes. We never know in football. We never know.”
In an interview with global broadcaster beIN SPORTS, the Ivory Coast star added: “Because of the brilliant season Man City have had, everybody is talking about me and everything is open.

“My agent, Dimitri, is always on the phone and he knows what he has to do because I trust him a lot.

“We don’t know tomorrow, but my focus is on the World Cup and at the end of the World Cup we will see what happens.”

Toure signed a new four-year contract with City in April last year.

However, his future was thrown into doubt when his agent claimed that City’s owners showed him a lack of respect on his 31st birthday.

Seluk told BBC Sport that Toure was “very upset” and could leave City.

Toure initially played down the row on Twitter, writing: “Don’t take words that do not come from my mouth seriously.”

But he then posted a message that read: “Everything Dimitri said is true. He speaks for me. I will explain after the World Cup.”

Toure has been an influential player for City since he joined the club from Barcelona in 2010.

His goals and leadership helped the club win the League Cup and Premier League title this season.

The Ivory Coast are one of 32 teams competing in the World Cup and have been drawn in group C alongside Colombia, Greece and Japan.

Gunners’ll win for Wenger -Vermaelen

Thomas Vermaelen

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is determined to win the FA Cup final for manager Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman has come in for some criticism with Arsenal having not won a trophy for nine years, but only Hull City stand in the way of an 11th FA Cup win for the Gunners.

And club captain Vermaelen believes doubts about Wenger’s leadership could prove to be a driving force for the London club.

“Everybody will do it for him, for the players and for the fans,” he said. “I said there has been a lot of talking about us not winning for a long time and we are doing it together for the whole club and for him as well.

“It would be a massive boost if we could win it for the next few years as well.

“There is loads of potential in this team and a lot of good players, so it would give them confidence for the following years.

“Hull is a good team and have a great manager. The final is always something special, so it doesn’t mean we are going to win easily.”

The London club face Steve Bruce’s side in the Wembley showpiece on Saturday.

Enyeama celebrates award, hopeful about Brazil 2014

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama

Nigeria and Lille of France goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, has spoken of his joy at becoming the first goalkeeper to be named French Ligue 1 African Player of the Season.

The goalkeeper is also the first Nigerian to win the Marc-Vivien Foe prize, named after the Cameroon international midfielder who died aged 28 of a heart attack in 2003. Enyeama has played all 37 league games for his club this season while conceding only 25 goals. The Nigerian indeed impressed voters by keeping a clean sheet for 11 consecutive matches (1062 minutes). He had lost the Professional Footballers Union (UNFP) best goalkeeper award on Sunday evening to Paris Saint Germain’s Salvatore Sirigu.

The Eagles vice captain thanked Nigerians for the support he has received, which he said also made it possible for him to be named the best player this season.

Enyeama, who spoke to the Eagles media officer from France, said he was delighted and promised that he would not fail the country fans during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

He said, “It’s amazing, a great honour and I deeply appreciate it. I must first give glory to God, my team-mates, family and our beautiful fans for their remarkable support. It’s a reward for team effort and having great people in front of me. Together we’ve endured a tough but interesting season.

“Now the leagues are almost over across the world and all of us have a new focus, which is the World Cup, we will go there and enjoy ourselves and also excel for ourselves and the country. I can’t wait for the World Cup to start.”

If returnee Joseph Yobo makes it to the World Cup, it means that the goalkeeper will be in Brazil as the deputy captain having led the team through the qualifying series.

Also Fortuna Dusseldorf of Germany defender, Leon Balogun, has expressed satisfaction with the decision of Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi not to pick him for the World Cup. The player is just recovering from a toe injury he copped in the Eagles friendly game against Mexico in Atlanta, United States in March.

Balogun said it would have been unfair if a player who was just recuperating was picked ahead of a lot of others waiting in the wings.

“I have to be realistic; I had little or no chance of making the World Cup team because I have just started running now. I did five times, three minutes yesterday and today I have done three times, eight minutes and should be back playing in two weeks but that will not get me ready for the competition,” he said.

Terry signs new Chelsea deal

John Terry
| credits: File copy

Chelsea captain John Terry has signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge after agreeing terms on a one-year deal, Sky Sports reports

Terry’s contract, along with that of experienced duo Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole, was set to expire this summer.

The 33-year-old, who has captained Chelsea 490 times during his career, is understood to have originally been negotiating for a longer contract with the club he has been at since the age of 14.

But Chelsea have a strict policy of only offering one-year deals to players above the age of 30 and Terry, capped 78 times by England, has agreed to the 12-month extension.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Terry said, “I’m delighted to have signed an extension to my contract with Chelsea taking me into my 20th year with the club.

“I’d like to thank the fans and club for their continued support, and the manager who was instrumental for me the last season.”

Chief executive Ron Gourlay said, “We are very pleased John, who is an undoubted Chelsea legend, will continue to lead the team next season, as he has done for so many years with unrivalled achievement.

“Both Chelsea FC and John have been clear throughout that we wanted his outstanding career at the club to continue, and it is important the matter has been concluded so soon after the end of the season, allowing us to look forward to and plan for 2014/15.”

Despite his age, Terry made 47 appearances for Chelsea last season and was a key factor in seeing the club concede only 27 league goals – the best defensive record in the Premier League.

Terry has won 12 major trophies during his 16-year senior career with Chelsea, racking up 621 appearances for the club in addition to scooping a host of personal accolades in that time.

I’ll retire at Santos – Neymar

Brazil star Neymar intends to finish his career where it all started at Santos, but could also represent other clubs in Brazil.

The 22-year-old left Santos for Barcelona in June last year in his first move to a European club, and he has been tipped to star at the FIFA World Cup.

While a return to his homeland appears a long time away, Neymar said he would definitely play in Brazil again – with his final season to be at Santos, Goal.com reports.

“This is something to think about, I want to play for another team in Brazil, it wouldn’t be a problem to sit down and hear an offer,” Neymar said.

“The club can be from Sao Paulo, from Rio de Janeiro or from any other state of Brazil, the only that is certain is that I will end my career at Santos.”

Neymar said there were several reasons behind his decision to leave Santos, including a new challenge in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

“It wasn’t just about the money, that’s not why I left,” he said.

Brazil border operation launched ahead of World Cup

Brazil has begun a massive military operation to secure its lengthy borders ahead of next month’s World Cup.

More than 30,000 troops from the army, navy and air force are taking part in what authorities said was Brazil’s “single largest mobilisation ever”.

There are still concerns over whether some venues for the tournament will be ready in time.

Authorities are also concerned about the recurrence of street protests against the cost of holding the event.

The border security operation – codename Agata – was first carried out in 2011 and usually takes place three times a year.

It targets illegal immigration as well as drugs and arms smuggling.

Troops also monitor rivers and lakes as part of their operations in Brazil’s dense jungle.

They have not indicated when the operation will finish, but previous operations lasted between one and two weeks.

A border security operation mounted ahead of the Confederations Cup last year led to the seizure of almost 20 tonnes of drugs.

More than 600,000 tourists are expected to arrive in Brazil for this year’s tournament, between 12 June and 13 July.

Last month the BBC learned that Brazil had only trained 20% of the private security guards needed at the 12 stadiums at which matches will be played.

Authorities told the BBC that they would resort to using police or army personnel should the need arise.

No-fly zones will be enforced over stadiums during the 64 games.

In March, as part of an on-going project to drive out drug gangs of shanty towns, security forces cleared a favela near Rio airport.

The Mare slum is considered to be one of the most dangerous drug-trafficking areas in the city.

On Saturday, the stadium in which the opening game will be played hosted its first ever match.

Around 17,000 fans watched a friendly game at the Corinthians Arena, while workers continue to give the stadium finishing touches.

The official opening test for the venue is scheduled for next weekend.

Ronaldo eyes Champions League glory

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to extend his Champions League goal record in the final against Atletico Madrid – but insists the trophy itself is more important, Goal reports.

The 29-year-old broke Lionel Messi’s tally of 14 strikes in a single tournament this season, with his double in the semi-final win over Bayern Munich taking him to 16 for the 2013-14 campaign.

And Ronaldo has his sights set on adding to his remarkable scoring record in the final in Lisbon later this month – although he admits he would be delighted to see a team-mate score the winning goal.

“We’ve won the Copa del Rey, La Liga is difficult – although not impossible – and we are in the final of the Champions League. At the start of the season, we would have taken that,” he told reporters at a Samsung event when asked about Madrid’s season so far.

“We will play against a great side (in the Champions League final). Finals are always 50-50 although we know we’re facing a great rival. We hope it’ll be a great night and that we win.

“They’re a fantastic team. They’re first in La Liga and that says a lot about them. It’s beautiful to have two Spanish teams in the final, and also Sevilla, who are in the Europa League final.

“The record is good, I beat it, and it’s in the past. Now what I want is to win the Champions League and score in the final, although if a team-mate scores that’s fine, the imp

Saturday May 10th, 2014

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2014 World Cup: Jaja backs Eagles to go far in Brazil

on May 10, 2014 / in Sports 10:20 pm / Comments

Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) former chairman, Sam Jaja said that Nigeria would do well in the 2014 World Cup, next month in Brazil.
Jaja said in Port Harcourt that the Eagles build up victory and preparation were indications that the team would do well.
“The Super Eagles build up from the Nations Cup victory in South Africa to World Cup qualification is an indication that the team will do well.
“Being part of the team to play in Brazil is a great achievement, but that notwithstanding, I believe that we are going to do better than we have ever done before,” he said.
Jaja said that one good quality of the present Eagles was the character of the team.
“Coach Stephen Keshi has shown that the Eagles have character and knows what he wants to achieve.
“All we have to do now is to support the team and pray for them to do well.
“I am optimistic that Keshi has a good team that will do the nation proud at the mundial,” he said
According to Jaja, the Eagles have experienced players and have been together since they won the Nations Cup last year in South Africa.