Published: February 19, 2012
QPR fullback Taye Taiwo always knew Alberto Aquilani would struggle at Liverpool.
Taiwo was with Aquilani at AC Milan before moving to QPR.
Previewing Milan's Champions League tie with Arsenal, he told the Daily Mail: "I always thought he might struggle at Liverpool. Given time and space, Alberto can kill teams with his passing. But in England everything is so quick and that didn’t give him time to pick out those passes.
''It’s like basketball in the Premier League. Italian football is much slower and that brings out the best in him. He’s gone back to Italy, been given a chance and he is proving himself now. But Alex Song will have no problem doing a job on Alberto."
(Source: TribalFootball.com)
Revealed: SK Brann Snatched OLOFINJANA From Under Anderlecht Noses
Published: February 19, 2012
Out of favor Nigeria international and Hull City battling midfielder Seyi Olofinjana missed out on a deal to sign for Belgian giants Anderlecht in the winter of 2003, it has been revealed by the online edition of Norwegian Newspaper Aftenposten.no .
Olofinjana, 31, had been scheduled to play a test game for Anderlecht. But the game was called off due to unfavorable weather conditions.
''I got a call from an agent, who said: "I have a guy here, you may not be so good as to look at him. It was coincidence,'' Per-Ove Ludvigsen, former athletic director of the Bergen based outfit told the newspaper.
The former Crown FC Ogbomosho ace was a huge success in SK Brann, who have so much confidence in Nigerian players following the displays of Olofinjana. Kim Ojo and Chuks Akabueze are on the payroll of the three-time Norwegian champions.
3SC'll Be Back To Winning Ways - AJIMOBI's Aide
Published: February 19, 2012
''The Oyo State government is not pleased with the string of poor results recorded by its team, 3SC in their recent matches, and keen to change the fortunes of the team that may lead to its management experiencing another shake-up as part of measure to get the club back to winning way” said the Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of the State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi on Youths and Sports Godwin Obode popularly known as ''Goddons''.
The SA disclosed to newsmen that after all the supports both financially and otherwise given to the club by Ajimobi’s government, “something is still fundamentally wrong with the team which I think is traceable to the people at the helm of the club affairs”, he noted.
Saying the Governor will not fold hands watching its investments on the club going down the drain, assuring measures will be taken that will get the club back to winning ways.
“Our desire and joy is seeing Shooting Stars at the top but reverse is the case now but I can assure all the follower of the traditional club that the club will still make them smile as the government would not rest on its oars until the team bounces back to its good old self”, Obode noted.
Shooting Stars host Ocean Boys of Yenegoa at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium on Saturday with victory in mind having recorded string of poor outings in their recent league matches, the last being the 2-1 loss to Wikki Tourist of Bauchi.
The club is certainly facing a tough challenge after just 2 wins so far this season and picking just 9 points from possible twenty-four in the 8 games played so far and loosing 6 points at home.
Akanbi Agiri
Published: February 19, 2012
Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi has invited only 11 foreign-based players for the their 2013 African Nations Cup qualifying engagement with Rwanda in Kigali on February 29.
The roll celebrates the return of power-playing forward Yakubu Ayegbeni and workhorse midfielder Sani Kaita, both of whom have not been internationally employed since the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.
Kaita earned a red card for retaliation in Nigeria’s second group phase match against Greece in Bloemfontein, while Ayegbeni has been overlooked since missing a sitter against the Republic of Korea in Durban that would have qualified the Super Eagles for the Round of 16 at Africa’s first World Cup finals.
Also called up are goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, defenders Joseph Yobo (captain) and Taye Taiwo, and midfielders Joel Obi, Dickson Etuhu and Victor Moses, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Ikechukwu Uche and Osaze Odemwingie.
Exclusive: ANTHONY UJAH Earns =N=60 Million Annually At Mainz
Published: February 19, 2012
Former Lillestrom golden boy and Olympic National Team striker Anthony Ujah is smiling to the bank, even if he is not guaranteed a first team shirt at Bundesliga club Mainz 05.
Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively reveal with certainty that Ujah is on a monthly salary of 25,000 euros at Mainz, which translates to approximately =N=60 million a year.
Mainz signed Ujah on a four year deal last summer for a fee of three million euros. The contract remains one of the biggest in the history of Norwegian Football.
Chased by other clubs in the Bundesliga including Hoffenheim and Hamburg, there were some incentives offered to Ujah before he signed the dotted lines with Mainz. The German club offered him a cash bonus of 70,000 euros ( =N= 14 million) for agreeing to travel with his agent to sign the contract in Germany.
Anthony Ujah, very intelligent on and off the field, is making the right investment decisions. He recently purchased a house in Norway!
Ifeanyi Abanum
Published: February 19, 2012
FC Midtjylland's Rilwan Hassan was on target on Friday in a test game between the Ikast based outfit and Fredericia, which ended 1-0 in favor of the home side.It was a brilliant individual goal by the 21-year-old Nigerian youngster. He dribbled so many Fredericia players and slotted the ball into the net.
Also paraded by the Wolves today was Jude Nworuh and Izunna Uzochukwu, but the later had to leave the pitch in the second half with a groin complaint.
Third in the Super Liga standings, five points behind Nordsjælland in second place, FCM are at home to Lyngby in their first game after the winter break.
CKSA Moscow Withdraw CHIDI ODIAH From Premier League
Published: February 19, 2012
Chidi Odiah's name was omitted from the list of players CSKA Moscow submitted to the Russian Premier League body, informs the official website of the Russian Premier League . The 28-year-old defender has mutually agreed to terminate his contract with the 2005 UEFA Cup winners.Coach Leonid Slutsky does not have faith in the Nigeria international right back, a situation which saw Odiah play only three games in the Russian League this term.
"Chidi initially treated for a long time, and then did not want to play because of fear of recurrence. I thought so. As a result, this recovery process lasted for several years. In the end, he ceased to perform well in training. That's all attitude, " Sergei Ignashevich, a teammate of Odiah said.
The army team, with the Nigeria whiz-kid Ahmed Musa in their ranks , will today play a friendly game against Ukrainian powerhouse Shakhtar Donetsk.
Lawmakers task Keshi on home-based players
Abakaliki – Two Ebonyi lawmakers, Chike Ogiji and Chukwuma Enyi, on Thursday in Abakaliki advised Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, to include more home-based players in the Feb. 29 Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda.The legislators gave the advice in separate interviews while reacting to the home-based Super Eagles’ 2-0 victory over Liberia’s Lone Stars on Wednesday in Monrovia.
Sunday Mbah scored a brace in the international friendly, the third in the series, coming after the matches against Zambia and Angola under Keshi.
Ogiji, the Chairman of the assembly committee on youths and sports, said the 2-0 result had vindicated the advocates of a formidable team from the domestic league.
“It is now time to start supplementing the home-based players with a handful of their foreign-based colleagues, who are on form and committed to the national cause.
“Keshi should invite a few foreign-based players for the Rwandan tie to beef up deficient areas in the team.
“He should deviate from the practice of his predecessors who invited up to 22 foreign-based players, only for half of them to sit on the bench,” he said.
The lawmaker said the move would also be beneficial to the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), as it would save the huge cost incurred on inviting the multitude of foreign-based players.
“The NFA, if sincere to itself, will channel the saved funds to other areas of football development now that it is complaining of shortage of funds,” Ogiji said.
Enyi, the Chairman of the assemby committee on public service, said that executing the Rwandan tie with mostly home-based players had become imperative due to time and climatic factors.
“The match will be played on Feb. 29, and most of the foreign-based players will be engaged with club activities the preceding weekend.
“They will have less time to blend with the home-based players to achieve the needed coordination for a favourable result in the match.
“The match will also be played under the hot sun, and this will be disadvantageous to the foreign-based players who ply their trade under freezing conditions in Europe,” Enyi said. (NAN)
I’ll rediscover my form with Sunshine Stars – Okunowo
as Idoko heap praise on Sunshine Stars, Rising StarsBy Ime Bassey
Rediscovering his form in the Nigerian Premier League, 32 years Sunshine Stars signing, Gbenga Okunowo has disclosed that he will hit form soon.
Okunowo who started his carrier with Shooting Stars of Ibadan in 1995 told Inside Out Premier League that he is a Nigerian that started his footballing carrier with one of the traditional teams and therefore will not find very difficult to adjust to its play.
“It is not new for me, it is only time I need to get my strides back in the league. I know it is been long I left the shores of the country but I will rediscover me form,” Okunowo said.
Commenting on the game against Shooting Stars of Ibadan which they drew 1-1 over the weekend, he said the Coach Festus Allen led boys did not deserved picking the one point they got from the match.
He also said the performance of his colleagues will be replayed again today in their midweek tie against visitors Sharks of Port Harcourt at the Dipo Dina International Stadium.
“We came here for the maximum three points but Shooting Stars were lucky to pick a one point from the game. With this deserved draw, I believe will be able to win our next game at home in other for us to move up the log as we prepare for the CAF Champions league,” Okunowo added.
Following the superb performance by the two teams under the management of the Ondo State Football Development Agency, Sunshine Stars and Rising Stars of Akure, Executive Director of the agency, Mike Idoko has heaped praise on the clubs.
Speaking to Inside Out Premier League after Rising Stars defeated Warri Wolves 1-0 at the Dipo Dina International Stadium; Idoko said the two teams’ bad start was affected by poor preparation ahead of the season.
“We must commend the agency for a good job done. Both teams from the state started badly this season but have been able to get their act together few matches. The time we had to prepare for the season was to shot as we had just one week to prepare as compare to last season which we had about a month to prepare,” Idoko said.
On the target of the agency for the season by both clubs, the Banue born club administrator said they want to see Sunshine Stars ending the season with the title and Rising Stars finishing amongst the top ten.
“We want to improve on our last season’s standing on the log. All we are asking is just the total corporation of everybody. This has showed because we spend good money on quality players,” Idoko added.
Rising Star coach gleeful, eyes 3 points against Jigawa
By Ime BasseyRising Star coach Sunday Erelesusi has phrased his joy over his sides’ victory over CAF Confederation participant, Warri Wolves.
Coach Erelesusi told Inside Out Premier League that his boys are determine to win and listen to instructions.
“I feel very elated getting the deserved victory today against a big team like Warri Wolves. It has actually moved my team up the log of the league and also off the relegation zone.
The boys were determined to win and they did it in style. They adhere to instructions from the bench. I am impressed with their play today sincerely speaking. I had to change the pattern of play for the game and it paid off,” Coach Erelesusi.
On why he rested his top striker for the game, he said, “I discovered that he has not been able to get his strides since the season commenced, so I had to rest him for others to prove themselves and they didn’t fail. I believe this will help him work harder and improve on his play”.
Baring his mind on the teams’ mid week tie against Jigawa Golden Stars in Dutse, Coach Erelesusi enunciated that his sole aim is to win the game as he knows the team very well.
“I am aiming to pick the three maximum points from the game to maintain the spirit of the boys. I know the teams very well as we both played in the Pro League last season. I hope to capitalize on the information we have on them to win the game,” Coach Erelesusi added.
We’ve just started, Ogunbote informs other clubs
We were better than Warri Wolves, Rising boss affirmBy Ime Bassey
Following his team’s 1-1 draw against Shooting Stars of Ibadan at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan on Saturday, Coach of Sunshine Stars, Gbenga Ogunbote has stated that his boys will get their strides back in the league season.
Ogunbote, who expressed his joy to Inside Out Premier League over the performance of his lads, hoped that they will consolidate on the draw in their midweek game at home to Sharks of Port Harcourt.
“It is a gradual process for us to get back to our winning ways of last season. We had a poor preparation having lost a good number of our key players to other clubs. But be that as it may, we came to Ibadan to pick the three points; notwithstanding, we are elated going home with one point.
“We will not be carried away with this performance anywhere. We want to consolidate on the victory by maximizing the spirit it will give the team in the next game against Sharks at home on Wednesday,” Ogunbote said.
We were better than Warri Wolves, Rising boss affirm
Rising Stars FC of Akure team supervisor, Olufusayo Akinkuade has voiced out that his side were better than Warri Wolves and sees them as a beatable team.
Speaking to Inside out Premier League at the Dipo Dina International Stadium after his team slim 1-0 victory over the oil rich side, Akinkuade said the Coach Paul Aigbogun led side have been playing weaker sides since the league commenced.
“Warri Wolves played a better team in us, so I don’t see them as unbeatable team. I feel they had been plying weaker teams before now. This shows that we are a good side. We have improved rapidly since our first game here against Akwa United which we drew.
“We played better in the first half despite not getting the goals as expected. I was unperturbed knowing full well that the goal will come. I only had to encourage them in the dressing room to go out to get the result which they did,” Akinkuade said.
Commenting on the midweek tie against Jigawa Golden Stars in Dutse, he said, “I hope the game will be on a better pitch because we don’t play well on rough pitch. We will get a decent result from the game if this is obtainable,” Akinkuade added.
FIFA Ranking: Nigeria drops again, as Zambia climbs to top 50
By Nnamdi OjiegoNigeria has continued to drop in position in the world football ranking. In a February ranking by FIFA, Nigeria dropped from 45th which it was in January to 56th position, even as current African champions, Zambia climbed to 43rd position.
However, despite losing on penalties in the African Cup of Nations final, Côte d’Ivoire moved up to 15th remaining Africa’s highest-positioned team.
Aside from the two finalists, third-placed Maliis now 44th, as well as host nations Gabon 45th, and Equatorial Guinea 110th have made considerable ground.
The results of 51 international matches have been taken into account in compiling the current edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Ranking, of which 32 took place as part of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations and 19 were friendlies.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be issued on 7 March 2012, one week earlier than originally planned.
Anelka lands in China amid high hopes
SHANGHAI (AFP) – Nicolas Anelka, the most high-profile foreign footballer ever to sign for the Chinese league, arrived to join up with his new side Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday, the club said.The 32-year-old former Chelsea striker posed for a photo with an immigration official at the city’s airport before being whisked through security to a special VIP exit, the state-backed media website Eastday said.
China’s legion of football fans are hoping the French international will not only boost Shenhua, who finished in the bottom half of the table last season, but also raise the standard of play in the country’s scandal-hit Super League.
“Anelka finally came to Shenhua. My dream has finally come true,” said one fan, Danni, on his microblog. “The Shenhua club’s performance will definitely be worth watching this year.”
Anelka was taken to the luxury Peninsula hotel, where he had breakfast in the lobby lounge while listening to music on his headphones, staff members said.
A Shenhua official confirmed his arrival to AFP. The club’s players arrived back in Shanghai on Wednesday after training in Spain.
One waiter who saw Anelka said the player’s star power was a draw for Chinese football. “I will definitely go see a match this season,” he said.
The season starts in March, but Shenhua have not announced specific dates.
Some fans, however, were pessimistic about the ability of one player to lift Shenhua to the top.
“Shenhua’s defence is rotten. Just depending on Anelka to win the championship is dreaming,” one said.
Anelka’s arrival comes a year after a major crackdown on widespread match-fixing that left senior officials facing jail and severely damaged the reputation of China’s Super League.
He is due to meet fans at an event Thursday, when he will launch a new online game for a Chinese company headed by Shenhua’s major shareholder — a commercial endorsement which will net him 2.7 million euros.
The Chinese club has declined to say how much Anelka will earn for his two-year contract with the team.
Shenhua, 11th in the Chinese league last season, is the latest stop on Anelka’s nomadic career, which has also taken in Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers and Turkey’s Fenerbahce.
Messi happy Barca on verge of Champions League quarter-finals
LEVERKUSEN (AFP) – Superstar Lionel Messi admitted he was relieved to leave Leverkusen with the 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen which puts Barcelona on the verge of the Champions League quarter-finals after the Round of 16, first-leg clash.Holders Barcelona took a giant step towards the last eight on Tuesday with a convincing win following a slow start as maestro Messi put in an impressive display after a quiet first half in this David versus Goliath clash.
Goals either side of half-time from Chile’s Alexis Sanchez put Barcelona into the lead before Messi claimed a late strike after converting a Dani Alves cross having initially set the Brazil defender free.
After Czech Republic defender Michal Kadlec had put Leverkusen level with a well-timed header at the start of the second-half, the hosts squandered chances to earn a draw before Messi’s 88th-minute goal put the result beyond doubt.
“It was important for us to win this match, because under Pep (Guardiola the coach) we have never won the first match in the Round of 16,” said Messi ahead of the return leg at the Nou Camp on March 7.
“We knew it would be complicated to play against the Germans.
“It’s always nice to score a goal, but the important thing was the result for the team.”
It was Messi’s defence-splitting pass which led to the first goal as Alves and Sanchez sprinted side by side after the ball and it was the Chilean who arrived first to fire past Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno on 41 minutes.
Despite a plucky display by the hosts, Barcelona simply had too much quality in their ranks to be held up by the Germans.
“I think the second half was good, we used the space better after we took the lead,” said Guardiola.
“We tried to improve our game, we had a few chances in the first half, but perhaps the final pass was missing.
“We can be happy with the performance we put in today, we have given ourselves a good chance now for the return leg.
“We know that the Germans play a good long-ball game, they use their height and Leverkusen really came at us in the second half and we know we have to be careful in the second leg.”
Despite Barcelona dominating possession, Leverkusen fought until the final whistle and coach Robin Dutt praised his team, who have now won just one of their last eight games.
“The defense was good in the first half, but we were lacking a bit of courage,” said Dutt.
“We gave them too much respect and were a bit anxious.
“It was a completely different story in the second half when we played our part in the game and caused Barcelona some problems.”
