Keshi Commends SAFA on Igesund

Stephen Keshi believes South Africa's decision to retain Bafana Bafana Coach, Gordon Igesund after Afcon 2013 is a lesson for for Africa on continuity and development and a vote for African coaches.

Credit: SuperSport

Keshi explained to supersport.com that

"I thought he's doing a great Job. His message is getting there. you know it's not easy. He was appointed about seven months ago and his team only lost narrowly on penalties to Mali"

Gordon is doing a great Job and I am happy they retained him after Afcon. He really got his team playing some sweet flowing football and I really enjoyed their pressing game."

"The South African Football Association(Safa) has shown a good example and they will reap their rewards in due course"

Source: SuperSport

Jose Mourinho Comeback to Chelsea!

This is very interesting. Jose Mourinho stages a comeback...

Jose Mourinho last night confirmed football’s worst-kept secret — that he is returning to manage Chelsea.

The Special One touched down at Heathrow late yesterday afternoon and was immediately photographed by members of the public. Within minutes the pictures were posted on Twitter, with excited Chelsea fans welcoming Jose home.

Barcelona versus AC Milan 4 - 0

Ownership Controversy threatens Sunday Mba's Football Career

Credit: Sam Ade Oguns

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Stephen Keshi, Nigerian national team trainer, has threatened to drop Sunday Mba if the warring  clubs over the midfielder's signature failed to reach compromise.
Mba is torn between playing for Warri Wolves and Enugu Rangers, a situation which the Nigeria Football Federation is currently investigating.
You will remember Sunday Mba scored the winning goal against Burkina Faso in the AFCON final against Burkina Faso.
Keshi  sad about the issue and has warned not to feature a rusty player in their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kenya, pointing that the controversy might distract the player from giving his best.

“The two clubs should quickly resolve the issue and think about the boy’s career as very important and not to jeopardize it,” Keshi told Goal.com on Tuesday in Abuja.

“Every local player, every Nigerian player is important for the national team. So if [Mba] is not playing I may decide to drop him. If he is not playing he may not be good for us in the team,” Keshi said.

Source: Goaldotcom

Chelsea inflicts more pain on United

Credit: Supersport.com

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Holders Chelsea inflicted more pain on Manchester United when they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 in a fluctuating FA Cup quarterfinal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The hosts, knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Tuesday after a controversial red card for Nani, took a fifth-minute lead through Javier Hernandez and soon doubled it with a Wayne Rooney free kick.


Just when the Premier League leaders had started to smell a Wembley date and some comfort after a horrible week, Chelsea made a double substitution count and pulled one back on 59 minutes through Eden Hazard before Ramires levelled on 68.

Chelsea had a golden chance to win the game in the dying seconds but United keeper David de Gea brilliantly stuck out a foot to divert Juan Mata's powerful effort, leaving the Londoners disappointed that they had not snatched victory.

"We deserved to win, the first half we made two mistakes, we conceded two goals but after we had some good chances in the counter-attack and in the second half we were on top of them," Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez told a news conference.

There is no date yet for the replay as Chelsea have a Europa League last-16 second leg to play against Steaua Bucharest this week but when they do meet again it will be amid fresh tension between Benitez and United counterpart Alex Ferguson.

The Spaniard accused the Scot of failing to shake hands with him before the match.

"I was waiting at the beginning ... I have education because I know a lot of people are watching so I know what you have to do," he said.

Ferguson, who did not give a post-match news conference, did not comment on the matter.

The day's other quarterfinal will also be replayed after Championship (second division) Millwall and Blackburn Rovers played out a 0-0 draw. Manchester City and Wigan Athletic booked their places in the semifinals on Saturday.

Issa Hayatou re-elected CAF president

Credit: Goal.com

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Confederation of African Football (CAF) - Cameroonian Issa Hayatou was unanimously re-elected on Sunday president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a new term that runs until 2017.

The Cameroonian was given a seventh term of office on Sunday during the Confederation of African Football’s congress in Marrakech, Morocco Caf incumbent president Issa Hayatou obtained a standing ovation re-election on Sunday during the body’s congress in the Moroccan city of Marrakech.

Real Madrid Beats Manchester United to Move into the Quarter Finals

Real Madrid from a position of advantage beat Machester United yesterday after scoring two goals by Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo which took the FC into the quarter-finals.

United's Sir Alex Ferguson took the unprecedented step of avoiding media duties, presumably for fear of what he might say. "The manager is not in fit state to talk to the referee about the decision," said Phelan.

     

 To say we are disappointed is an understatement," said Phelan. "We felt as though we had got things right tactically and were reasonably comfortable. That amazing decision changed things totally."

Jose Mourinho who showed sympathy towards Machester for the referee Cakir's decision to red card Nani for a high tackle on Arvelo Arbeloa. According to Maurinho,

"Football at this level is such a fine balance," he said. "Playing with a man down for such a long period of time is going to change a lot. I can say for certain Arbeloa did not feign contact. It was quite strong and he was shown a red. It could have been a yellow.
"Somebody can cry. I am the first one. My history is to play with 10 in the semi-finals, not in last 16. I try to be honest. In my opinion, the best team lost. That is football. When we were against 10, we played very well for 10 minutes. We gave them a new problem they couldn't solve.
"But I know Old Trafford and what Sir Alex Ferguson could do. We couldn't control the game by possession. That frustrated me. In that moment Diego Lopez gave us part of the victory. David de Gea was man of the match in Madrid. Today it was Diego Lopez."

However, Cristiano Ronaldo believes that referee's decision should be respected.

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Extracts from Yahoo Euro Sport

Emmenike is back on his feet

Nigeria striker, Emmanuel Emenike has returned to action after suffering a hamstring injury at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The attacker hobbled off injured in the Super Eagles’ 4-1 semifinal win over Mali on February 6 and was expected to be out of action for two months.

We are collecting spectacular moments from the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations. If you have a cool vid or clip you like to share please upload using the app below.
 

According to Supersport, it now appears that he has recovered quicker than anticipated and is now set to make a return to competitive action.

The burly attacker took to the social networking site via his Facebook account to share the good news.

“Am (I am) fine and back playing now. Thank you for all your prayers and wishes,” he wrote.

The attacker is now expected to make a swift return to the first team of Russian club, Spartak Moscow following the latest development.

Emenike finished as top scorer at the 2013 Afcon with four goals.

Source: Supersport

Nigeria leap up Fifa rankings

Nigeria leapt 22 places up the Fifa rankings on Thursday following their win at the Africa Cup of Nations but the continent remained without a team in the top ten.

The Super Eagles, who edged Burkina Faso 1-0 in Sunday's final in South Africa to win the competition for the first time in 19 years, rose to 30th place in the table, their best position for three years.

Their opponents, who exceeded expectations by reaching the final, stayed outside the top 50 but have jumped 37 places to 55th.

Nigeria Emerges Champions of Africa!

Though Nigeria began the Nations Cup on a wobbling and fumbling note, many Nigerians can now heave a sigh of relief as Stephen Keshi delivers to Nigerians the Africa Nations Cup after over a decade of "suspension".

A big thank you to the Super Eagles and specifically to Sunday Mba who overlapped from the defense to score for Nigeria the winning goal of this Nations Cup. Kudos to Stephen Keshi for his resilience, determination and focus till the end of this great African tournament.

Congratulations Naija!

Let's watch  the highlights again....

Is Burkina Faso at a Disadvantage in the Finals with the Super Eagles

Key player Jonathan Pitroipa of Burkina Faso will not feature in the Finals with the Super Eagles. I hope Stephen Keshi can capitalize on this weakness in his strategy and formation.

Ghana crashes out!

I believe that if you told the Black Stars of Ghana that the Burkinabes would defeat them will they have believed. There is a strong lesson that humility has to teach us. In spite of the poor refereeing and a disallowed goal and was denied what appeared to be a penalty when Jonathan Pitroipa went down in the area in the 117th minute, Burkina Faso still won in the penalty shoot outs. Cheers to the victorious Burkinabes. Let's see some highlights of this semi-finals match again

A review of Nigeria versus Cote d'ivoire

Something tells me that the Ivorians lost this battle because of overconfidence. Already, some of them have labelled the Super Eagles as 'Super Chickens' to be easily eaten. But you really need to understand that the eagle most times sheds of its feathers by himself so the he can fly higher than he used to. I believe the morale of the super eagles plus that humble attitude is all they will require to lift this African Cup of Nations. I hope the Ivorians have learnt their lesson this time... Let's watch the highlights of that match again

Nigeria whips Mali 4 - 1

Though the Nigerian team began this 2013 Africa Nations Cup with a somewhat disappointing start, I am impressed by the fact that Stephen Keshi seems to be getting better by the day.

The skill and attitude with which the Super Eagles now play is those we used to know in those former days. I'm really impressed,

Let's see some highlights again of the Nigeria vs Mali match.