Football

•Says no going back on Wednesday's unveiling
AS football fans in the country look forward to September 1 unveiling of Samson Siasia as Super Eagles Coach, ex-international Taribo West, who had since embraced the Church Ministry is praying fervently and has charged the Nigeria Football Federation to hold the event scheduled. Worried by the several hiccups Siasia’s appointment had suffered in recent times, West warned the NFF not to further postpone it, saying any attempt to give excuse on why the unveiling will not come up on September 1 would amount to playing pranks with Nigerians and football development in the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan had in the wake of the crisis precipitated by the disappointing outing of the Super Eagles at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa set up a Presidential Advisory Committee mandated to come up with recommendations to reposition the administration of football in Nigeria. Veteran sports journalist cum marketer, Mitchel Obi, who is a member of the 11-man commitee, explains the imperative of a new beginning in this interview with DIPO OKUBANJO.   

FROM what we have seen of the dimension the election of the Nigeria Football Federation has taken, how does it affect the workings of your committee?
Our brief is very simple, to desgin a blueprint for football development for Nigeria. It doesn't restrict itself to any particular dispensation. Of course we have a mandate given by Mr. President through the National Sports Commission, so its their responsibility to know where to apply the blueprint to be handed in by four months time.

• As Maigari seeks co-operation
After about five days postponment, the Nigeria Football Federatio (NFF)  last week Thursday, at the Nicon Luxury hotel Abuja, against all odds, staged its general elections under the watchful eyes of FIFA and CAF representatives, Primo Corvaro, Dr. Amos Adamu and El-Hadj Moucharaf Anjorin. Though the elections received criticism from Nigerian football analysts and followers alike, the newly constituted board of Alhaji Aminu Maigari has come to stay. To some of the contestants, the desired change needed in Nigerian Football management has not been achieved as many viewed the present board as a continuation of the Sani Lulu administration.
Two of the contestants, Dr. Tijjani Yusuf, a two term Secretary General of the Nigerian Football Association from North West zone (Katsina) and Bukola Olapade from South West (Ogun State), who pulled out of the elections few hours to commencement, observed that there was no truth in the whole thing.

Eagles dare to excel in Europe
ASIDES from being the biggest money spinning club soccer competition in the globe, the UEFA Champions League, an annual competition that features the domestic league champions and a motley crowd of runner-ups, has over the years generated great enthusiasm among the Nigerian audience, especially since 1995, when the duo of Finidi George and Nwankwo Kanu won the competition (then known as the Champions Cup) with Ajax Amsterdam of Holland.

A number of Nigerian internationals will also be featuring in the 2010-11 edition of the tournament with their clubs drawn to play some of the aristocrats of the European game.
Striker Obafemi Martins' new club Rubin Kazan of Russia are nestled in nestled in Group D along with former champions Barcelona, AS Roma, FC Basel and CFR Cluj. Midfielder John Mikel Obi and defender Taiwo would actually come face to face in Group F where  Mikel's Chelsea plays Taiwo's Olympic Marseille, Spartak Moscow and Zilina. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who has received rave reviews in recent times for his heroic deeds for both club and country, would strive to save Hapoel Tel Aviv from an early exit in Group B where the Israeli side confronts Olympic Lyon, Benfica and Schalke.

Also, Sporting Braga of Portugal defender, Elderson Echiejile, would want to justify the confidence reposed in him by his new club as Braga dare to excel in Group H where Arsenal, Shaktar Donetsk and Partizan Belgrade complete the pool.     

Gerrard mulls Europa glory
LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard wants to win the Europa League even though he admits it is not the club's priority this season.
The Reds have been pitted against Steaua Bucharest, Napoli and Utrecht in the group stages and after four years without a trophy Gerrard is keen to bring some silverware back to Anfield and knows Europe represents as good a chance as any.
"It's a strong group and I'm certainly looking forward to the games," he said.
"I'm confident we can get out of the group but it will be tough. The draw has given us some difficult challenges.
"I don't think the Europa League is the priority. Everybody knows that our league position, where we finish at the end of this year, is the priority.
"We haven't won a trophy for four years now so it's important we put a good show on in all the cup competitions and try to reward the fans with a final.”

'Balotelli will defy racist taunts'
MANCHESTER City forward Mario Balotelli will come face to face again with the Juventus fans who used to racially abuse him after the two clubs were paired in the same Europa League group on Friday.
Juve were forced to play a game behind closed doors in May 2009 after fans sang "a black Italian does not exist" at Balotelli during a match with his previous club Inter Milan at Turin's Stadio Olimpico.
Brian Marwood, Manchester City's head of football administration, told reporters after the draw in Monaco: "Mario, like all of our players, I'm sure, will be relishing the opportunity.
"He's a young man with an incredibly bright future ahead of him and we will give him every support and help that he needs.
"We will leave it to the authorities to deal with anything that happens but we are not anticipating any issue."
Balotelli, a 20-year-old of Ghanaian descent, made his debut for Italy in this month's friendly defeat to Ivory Coast in London.

Manager backs Odemwingie
ALBION manager Chris Brunt has backed new-boy Peter Odemwingie to be a Hawthorns hit but urged fans to be patient with the Nigeria international.
Brunt has been impressed with the £2m signing from Lokomotiv Moscow, especially after  hitting the winner on his debut against Sunderland.
But the Baggies wide man believes Odemwingie will still need time to adapt completely to life in England.
“I think everybody will expect him to do it every game but it will be tough. You can run on adrenalin in your first game because it’s such a big occasion.

•As West Brom Visits Liverpool
OSAZE Odemwingie has always strived to impress in his club soccer career. From Insurance Of Benin here in Nigeria to La Louvre of Belgium, through Lille of France and Lokomotiv Moscow of Russsia, the Super Eagles forward had endeared himself to fans with quality striking prowess accentuated by sublime burst of speed and energetic verve. Lately, Odemwingie, who since last year had expressed a desire to play in the glamorous English Premier League, finally got his wish courtesy of his move from Lokomotiv to West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee. And heannounced his arrival with a thunderous bang, scoring the lone goal that ensured the Baggies beat Sunderland 1-0 to restore some pride back to the former who only a week earlier was battered 6-0 by defending cahmpions Chelsea in the very first match of the 2010-11 season.

Barely a month after his appointment as the Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Kaduna State, Hon Abdulaziz Muhammad has captured the Federation Cup that has eluded the state since its inception. In this interview with DOMINIC UZU, the commissioner declared that the achievement was a testimony of the present state government's support for sports development.

GENERAL Manager of Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Mutiu Adepoju, has said that nothing will hinder the club in its quest to put up a successful campaign in the 2010-11 season of the Nigeria Premier League, which kicks off on September 25. In a telephone chat with National Daily, the 3SC boss expressed his confidence that the Oluyole Warriors have the wherewithal to become a strong side in the NPL once again.
Adepoju, whose management guided the five-time champions from relegation to the domestic league last season and helped them to finish eleventh, disclosed that his management had finalized plans to add more quality players to the team with a view to strengthening them ahead of the title challenge. The former Super Eagles utility player said, “The team has been training very hard for the season since July 29. In fact, they are in high spirit to start the season. They are getting all the necessary supports to motivate them to become a strong force in the league and achieve the set targets.
“We will buy more quality players to strengthen the team in order to fulfill the promise made to the technical crew at the end of last season.”

Pato Mulls Winning Streak With Milan
MILAN striker Alexandre Pato has promised to be fit in time for his side's opening game of the season against Lecce. The Brazilian striker has had his fair share of fitness problems in 2010, but would like to reassure the fans he feels in good shape. “I am improving every day,” Pato told Sky Italia. “I am satisfied with what I am doing at Milanello. I am certain that I will be here to play in the first game and do well. “I am not 100 per cent, but I am satisfied with the work that I am doing. My season will be like the others. “I am concentrating on my job to always do better because I want to win everything at Milan, not by myself but as a team.”
When asked about the prospect of Zlatan Ibrahimovic joining Milan, Pato said: “I can only talk about those players who are here and those who play with me. “The club decides about the market. I have my place here and on the market I can't say anything,” he concluded.

Ref Stabs Player To Death After Free-kick Row
A Brazilian referee is on the run after fatally stabbing a player during a match in Barriera, northeast Brazil on Sunday.
According to Marca, local referee Gregorio Edio Francisco Chaves, 26, attacked Jose Ramos da Silva during a dispute over a foul. Police reports say Chaves stabbed da Silva in the chest before turning on the 28-year-old’s brother, knifing him in the back multiple times.
Despite being treated by doctors, da Silva died at the scene. His brother, Francisco Chagas da Silva is currently recovering from his injuries.

We Will End Barca Dream Run –Valdano
REAL Madrid GM Jorge Valdano is convinced they have the squad to topple champions Barcelona. Valdano is confident they are more than a match for Barca this season.
"Barcelona is living a dream, but when they wake up there will be Real Madrid," said Valdano. "It will be difficult to topple Barca because they play from memory. They have two of the world's top players in Xavi and Messi.
“Last season there were many changes and this market campaign is complete with several additions and some young ones. The change of mentality is total.”

Eduardo relishes Russian challenge
CARLOS Eduardo is looking forward to the challenges ahead after sealing a big money switch from Hoffenheim to Rubin Kazan. The Brazilian playmaker has penned a four-year contract with the Russian champions after a reported €20million (£16.37m) switch.
The deal represents good business for the Bundesliga outfit, who signed the Brazilian for a record €7million (£5.73m) back in 2007 when they were a second tier side.
The 23-year-old managed to break into the Brazil national side during his three years at Hoffenheim but now believes it is time for new challenges, including playing in the UEFA Champions League.
He told Bild: "The time came for me to do something new.
"The Russian championship is attractive and I can play in the Champions League.”

'Utaka Will Leave Pompey'
PORTSMOUTH administrator Andrew Andronikou feels John Utaka will be a Premier League player again by the end of the month.
Pompey are eager to offload the Nigerian forward as they look to raise the £4million needed to reach their £12m target from summer player sales. "We want to sell Utaka and he has also made himself clear he wants to leave," he told The News.
“There have been a number of clubs who have been taking interest, which is obviously encouraging. "We have put a price tag on him - but the closer we get to the transfer window closing, it will be coming down.
"However, I will be very surprised if he is still at the club after the transfer window. "I'm very confident he will go, most likely to the Premier League. There are one or two Premier League clubs which feel he could do a job."

Arshavin Seeks Rovers' Scalp
ANDREY Arshavin looks forward to exacting some revenge when Arsenal travel to Blackburn on Saturday (today). Arshavin, who opened his account with a penalty against the Tangerines, feels that victory at Ewood Park would be a huge bonus heading into the international break.
"We have a very important game against Blackburn," the Russian told his personal website.
"We should win in order to leave without any worries for a break caused by the participation of the players in the national teams; this will give confidence to the team.
"In addition, we haven't forgotten about the defeat against Blackburn at the end of the last season."
"I think all the young players have become, not old, but they have experience now," Arshavin said on Sky Sports News.

Aquilani Ends Red Misery
LIVERPOOL midfielder Alberto Aquilani had during the week completed his season-long loan move to the Italian giants.
Aquilani was made available for loan by Liverpool after struggling to make an impact since his £17million move from Roma last summer. The 26 year old was signed by former Reds boss Rafael Benitez as a replacement for the influential Xabi Alonso but his first season on Merseyside was hampered by injuries.
Current Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson said last week: "It's very important that he plays regular football, every week, as the number one man on the teamsheet.
"I can't promise him that here so if a loan move to Italy could help him in that respect it might be good for all parties."

Malouda Salutes Ancelotti
WHILE manager Carlo Ancelotti has since claimed that the club’s two consecutive 6-0 wins to kick-off the new campaign are akin to an incredible PlayStation simulation, French winger Florent Malouda believes that Carlo’s half-time strategy was poised to pay dividends.
"He (Ancelotti) wasn’t angry at half-time because he knew that we were fighting to match Wigan in the physical challenge. But he said we had to improve the accuracy of our last pass,” said Malouda.
The 30-year old added: “When we start a game we start by trying to be solid and compact and to defend well. After that we know we have the quality up front and that everybody in the squad can score so that brings confidence." “We are scoring a lot of goals because we always keep the focus all game. We never lie back and say we will play easy,” he emphasized

'Tiote Will Light Up St James' Park’
THE 'Wally With The Brolly' says Cheick Ismael Tiote could be a big hit at Newcastle United. The Ivory Coast international was set to complete a £3m switch to the club this weekend, having agreed terms and passed a medical at St James's Park.
Steve McClaren – Tiote's manager at Dutch title-winners FC Twente last season – is convinced his game will be suited to English football, having played a big part in his development at Twente. Steve McClaren: "He was a very valuable member of my squad.
"He's a very strong and athletic player. He's a natural ball winner, and he'll acclimatise very well to the English game.
"He'll be a big favourite at Newcastle. "He's got a very good engine, and could prove to be a real hit at Newcastle.
“He'll be ideal for them, especially in away games when he can sit in front of the back four.
“He's technically very good, and can maybe make more of a contribution going forward than people would expect.”

•As FIFA, CAF demand credible polls
BARRING any last minute hindrance, Acting President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari, will face the most daunting task of his life this weekend as he leads the entire nation's football fraternity to conduct election into the NFF executive committee.

Despite the intense controversies that had trailed the conduct of the election scheduled for Saturday, August 21, at the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja, the outgoing NFF board led by Maigari was during the week ordered by the federal government and the world football governing body, FIFA, not to postpone the election as demanded by some candidates and other notable football aficionados in the country.

Di Matteo Confident Osaze Will Lift Club
WEST Brom boss Roberto di Matteo is confident that the arrival of his new signing Peter Odemwingie will lift the morale of his players and help lift the gloom at Albion.
The Italian gaffer also hailed the talents of Odemwingie and claimed he will give the camp a psychological boost after agreeing a transfer fee believed to be worth around £2 million from Lokomotiv Moscow.

Ozil Will Reign In Madrid For 10 Years – Mourinho
JOSE Mourinho says Real Madrid's new signing Mesut Ozil has the talent to enjoy a decade of success at the Bernabeu.
Ozil, 21, signed for Real on Tuesday in a deal worth €15 million, capitalizing on his impressive performances at the World Cup to secure a move away from Werder Bremen where he had only one year remaining on his contract.

Golf: Caddie Debunks Row With Woods
STEVE Williams doesn't believe his job as Tiger Woods' caddie is under any threat despite, media speculation about their 11-year association and concern over the champion golfer's form. Williams said he and Woods remain close friends and there is no possibility their working relationship is about to end.
“I'm sure if there was going to be some sort of parting of the ways, I'd be the first to know. “From my point of view, I don't see any chance of that happening.”

ORLANDO Pirates new signing Ezenwa Otorogu may not play any part in his team's MTN8 clash on Sunday against Santos except his international transfer papers come through before then.
Otorogu starred for Pirates in an off-season cup competition because the registration is not as stringent as what obtains with the MTN8, where a player has to be fully registered for the season.
“Pirates are still awaiting his clearance from Tunisia, where he was with Club Africain. If it does not come through before the match, he will not be involved against Santos”, a source told mtnfootball.

THOUGH the wind blew and the thunderstorm struck, still the podium for the most talked-about election into the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has come to firmly gain its stand in the annals of Nigerian football.

While the election has not been held, concerned stakeholders have adjudged it the most controversial NFF election ever as a result of the upheavals it has generated in recent times. What have caught the attention of football fans in the country and beyond are the politics, intrigues, conspiracy and power play perpetrated by football administrators, contestants and government institutions to ensure there is a paradigm shift in the nation's football fraternity.

•As EFCC burrows into NFF books
FORMER Super Super Eagles coach, Shuaibu Amodu, says the Nigeria Football Federation has yet to pay him his outstanding salaries and other entitlements months after he was unceremoniously shoved out of the national team set up. Amodu's third stint as handler of the Super Eagles came to an abrupt end after he guided the team to a third place finish but less than convincing performance at the 2010 African Cup of Nations held in January in Angola.

Yak's one of the best –Moyes
EVERTON boss David Moyes says striker Yakubu Ayegbeni is 'one of the best' in the Premier League and insists it will take a "really big" offer for the club to consider selling the Nigerian.
Moyes has already turned down two bids from West Ham for the Nigerian forward and their chairman David Sullivan said that the Hammers had cooled their interest following a difference in valuation.

SHORT-TEMPERED. Volatile. But supremely gifted. That's what Blackpool are gambling with by taking on Razak Omotoyossi. The Benin international striker has joined the Premiership new-boys on a ten-day trial and the invitation could potentially be a stroke of genius by manager Ian Holloway.

Though only 24, Omotoyossi's career has been a catalog of clashes and blow-ups with management, federations - and even his own fans. But coaches have continued to take a punt on him and when he does find himself in the right environment, Omotoyossi will deliver - as his 16 goals in just 37 appearances for Benin testify. It was Benin that actually rescued Lagos-born Omotoyossi's career.

Accusations that he assaulted a referee while playing for Nigeria's Sunshine Stars saw the local FA slap a five-year ban on the teenager. Upset by the ruling, Omotoyossi pledged his international future to Benin and was capped before video evidence proved he was nowhere near the match official when the assault took place. For all their depth, the Nigeria FA must rue the decision. In 28 competitive games with Benin,
Omotoyossi has scored 14 goals and finished joint top scorer with Inter Milan star Samuel Eto'o for the last African Nations Cup qualifying campaign. The highs and lows of his fledgling international career is mirrored at club level. Success with Helsingborgs in Sweden, playing alongside Henrik Larsson, also was littered by blow-ups with management and fans. A prank by Helsingborgs supporters advertising his sale did not go down well with Omotoyossi, who declared at the time: "If that's the case, then you reporters can write I have played my last game for the club." And that wasn't the only time he threatened to quit Helsingborgs.

A blow-up with former coach Bosse Nilsson after he was hooked in a game against Trelleborg led to Omotoyossi again declaring: "You can write that this is the last game I play for this team! "I want to go. I want to go. I've said it to the team, I've said it to everyone. I don't want to play with such pressure anymore." The then-Helsingborgs sports director Jesper Jansson admitted Omotoyossi was isolating himself from the rest of the squad, refusing to celebrate victories. "He is a bit hot tempered," admitted Jansson at the time.

Eventually, Omotoyossi, after turning down a multi-million dollar move to Groningen, signed a lucrative deal with Al-Nassr, but lasted less than 12 months in Saudi Arabia and returned to Europe at Metz. But even with the French Second Division club, Omotoyossi has invited trouble, going AWOL this summer and forcing Metz management to withdraw his wages. The striker went missing for the first three weeks of preseason training before Metz confirmed Blackpool's offer for trials. If he impresses, Holloway will find little trouble with Metz in doing business. The French club are desperate to clear Omotoyossi's big wages off their books.

The African could prove to be a career-defining signing by Holloway. Blessed with furious pace and a powerful physique, Omotoyossi's qualities are tailor-made for a team that will be relying heavily on counter attacks and individual inspiration to keep them competitive on their Premiership debut. "It's true, I'm fast," says Omotoyossi, "but as I've played in different competitions in Europe, I've learned to adjust my runs to suit different styles. But, yes, I am quick.

“I do not know how quick I am. I've never been measured, but usually I'm pretty fast when compared to my opponents. "Yes, it's funny. When I was younger, everyone said that I could never become a good soccer player because I was too fat and too short. But I was not fat, I only had plenty of muscles. When I grew, I was able to sprint very quickly.

" It was this explosive pace and individual flair that first helped Omotoyossi introduce himself to Europe's scouts at the 2005 U20 World Championships in Holland.
For Benin, he was simply electric. It was the tournament of Lionel Messi and John Obi Mikel, but Omotoyossi's performances did not pale in comparison. It's now five years on, but as he proved at Helsingborgs - and continues to do so for Benin - he will deliver exciting performances when in the mood.

For all the baggage, this writer hopes if Holloway sees something in Omotoyossi, he'll take the gamble. As a free transfer, at 24 years of age, if the Blackpool manager can somehow find what makes Omotoyossi happy, he'll have a genuine world-beater on his hands.
Omotoyossi would put Blackpool on the football map: a player who would draw interest from across Africa and the rest of the world to Bloomfield Road - and is potentially a talent capable of keeping the Seasiders up next season.

THE Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Dr. Patrick Ekeji had last week paid a visit to the office of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFFC) to explain the disbursement of government fund to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The EFCC is currently investigating the finances of the NFF under the leadership of former President, Sani Abdullahi Lulu, his vice president Amanze Uchegbulam, Technical Committee Chairman Taiwo Ogunjobi and suspended scribe of the NFF Bolaji Ojo-Oba. Lulu, Uchegbulam and Ogunjobi were impeached shortly after the South Africa 2010 World Cup, while Ojo-Oba was recently suspended by the Acting president of NFF Aminu Maigari.
A spokesperson to the NSC, Olukayode Thomas, revealed that Ekeji, who returned to his duty post immediately, was invited by the EFFC to make certain clarifications in connection with the ongoing investigation of the NFF.