AIT FOOTBALL AWARDS.....LIST OF NOMINEES

the edited list will be coming soon..please bear with me!

...well it will take place next tuesday at the Presidential Hotel Port Harcourt, Rivers State, what are your predictions? your comments?...you say what???!!! lol

see you there live...stay here with me please dont go nowhere......wink wink*

Amazing 95-year-old Bronx sprinter sets world track record

Ida Keeling may be 95 years old, but she looks, acts and runs like a woman 20 years her junior.

The Bronx native set a world record last week by running 60 meters in 29.86 seconds, the fastest time ever for a 95-year-old. Setting records is nothing new for Keeling. Three years ago she broke the mark for the fastest sprint ever by a runner over the age of 90.

Keeling started running in 1983 when she was a spry 67. Even then, she says she was the oldest person around. Her daughter convinced her to take up the sport after her two sons were killed in drug-related incidents and her husband died of a heart attack. Since then, she has been competing in meets across the globe.


When she's not running in the corridors of her apartment or on the track, Keeling said she eats well and lifts weights to maintain her healthy lifestyle.

"My secret is, feel good about yourself [and] have a good attitude about yourself," she told ABC News. "I just close my eyes and say count your blessings, Ida. Count your blessings. Stay alert and focus and that's it."

That's sage advice for folks of any age.

source:Chris chase for Yahoo sports

THE 3 MASCOTS FOR THE 2014 WINTER OLYMPICS(RUSSIA) REVEALED

the snow leopard

bunny

polar bear

..........of the three, whats your pick?

birmingham/arsenal titbits....(Carling cup final 2011)

Substitute Martins earned the St Andrews club their first trophy since 1963 as he scored a dramatic winner in the 89th minute at Wembley

ARSENE WENGER:
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told his devastated squad that they cannot allow Carling Cup final heartbreak to derail their season how far can they go?

We have to be proud of our attitude, continue with our belief, pick ourselves up and face the other challenges we have.

OBAFEMI MARTINS:
The winning goal in the 2011 Carling Cup final was the easiest in the career of Obafemi Martins, according to the Birmingham hero.

"I'm glad I scored today and I'm glad we won. I think it was my second touch. I'm very happy.

"The gaffer (Alex McLeish) said to me that I would come on in the second half, so I think he did it right.

"It means a lot to the fans and players - we really need this trophy."


Skintus Maximus(SOCCER FAN)
Six years ago Wenger couldn't be bothered with the then Worthington Cup, because they were 'too good' for it, they had 'more important' cups to chase. Gooners started calling it the "worthless cup" or "the two bob bit cup"

Matt Lawton (chief football correspodent)dailymail.co.uk
Wenger blamed fatigue from a fight on four fronts, and there was a degree of lethargy in their performance that supported his view. But take nothing away from Alex McLeish and his players. They were magnificent in the way they put their relegation battle to one side and focused on winning silverware and securing their place in Europe.

Alex Mcleish(Birmingham's Coach)
No doubt you need a little bit of luck - and we deserved it today.

We didn't deal with the equaliser well

DEAN RICHARDS DIED @age 36...

LONDON, Former Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton defender Dean Richards has died aged 36 after a long battle with a serious illness.

"Everyone at Wolves was saddened to hear of the death of Dean Richards, who passed away this morning," the Premier League club said on their website - sentiments which were echoed on the websites of both Spurs and Richards' first club, Bradford City.

Richards, who won four England under-21 caps, joined Wolves from Bradford in 1995 and made 145 appearances in four years at Molineux.

"Remembered for his trademark skilful breaks out of defence as well as his ability in the air, Richards will always be fondly remembered by Wolves fans who continued to follow his career closely when he moved on to Southampton and Tottenham," said the Wolves statement.

Richards joined Southampton in May 1999 and two years later moved on to Tottenham Hotspur in an £8.1 million pounds transfer.

He played 81 times for the White Hart Lane side but was forced to retire in 2005 due to suffering frequent dizzy spells and headaches.

His last role was a youth team coach back at League Two side Bradford, the city of his birth

source@fourfourtwo.com

May he REST IN PEACE....

Fabregas ruled out of final, Walcott sidelined

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has been ruled out of Sunday's Carling Cup final against Birmingham with a hamstring injury.


Fabregas picked up the problem during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Stoke and was forced off within the opening quarter of the hour at the Emirates.


The 23-year-old was keen to do all he could to prove his fitness, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed the Spaniard will miss the Wembley showpiece.

Source:skysports

"It is a very small injury but certainly Cesc will be out for Sunday," Wenger told the club's official website "For how long [beyond that] I don't know but definitely for Sunday.


"He is disappointed. We all feel sorry and sad for him. The only way we help him now is to win the Carling Cup as he contributed a lot in this competition."

Theo Walcott has also been ruled out of the Carling Cup final after suffering an ankle injury against Stoke.

Wenger believes the injury is not serious and is hopeful of having the winger back in two weeks.

"I saw him this morning," added Wenger. "He has a classic ankle sprain.

"We don't think there is any more damage to it. But it is still a sprain.

"We are sad for him too. He is out for Sunday and maybe one or two more weeks more."


Triple boost
There was better injury news for Wenger with the Frenchman revealing Robin van Persie, Laurent Koscielny and Abou Diaby are expected to be available after they all missed the Stoke game.

Van Persie missed the match with a hamstring problem, Koscielny was sidelined with a back problem and Diaby, who was suspended, should be fit after a calf complaint.

"All the three will be available," continued Wenger. "That's the good news.

"And everybody else is all right from the Stoke game too."

Celestine Babayaro is broke; are you kidding me?

Hey guys, Do you remember Celestine Babayaro? Former Nigeria International? Well in what can only be described as shocking he has been declared bankrupt…Yep…his petition for bankruptcy was published in the London Gazette…which is the official journal of records of the British Government.


At his prime Celestine played with top English team Chelsea, earning a cool £25,000 a week.


According to Nigerian Tribune, neighbours say they feared he had fallen on hard times because the upkeep of his £475,000 home in Middlesex had slipped.

The house is also next to the home where his younger brother Kennedy lived till his death from tuberculosis in 2007.


A neighbour, who lives on the same street as Babayaro said,
You can tell money’s difficult because the home used to be maintained really nicely, but now it’s a bit of a mess. “You can see where the conservatory is starting to fall down and the garden is completely overgrown. They came and asked to borrow my lawnmower but I had to say no because the grass was too long and would have broken it.

I don’t know what to say about this, a part of me feels sorry for him…but I also think these ballers/actors/musicians need to be aware that they can’t be on top for ever…if you are lucky you get a good 5 year run! Invest your money…how can you go from making £25,000 a week to borrowing your neighbours lawnmower?!


People never learn.
Does anyone know if he still plays football, cos he bankruptcy order declares his profession as unknown.

I remember when talk was all about Celestine dating glamour model & WAG wannabe Cassie Summers. She also worked her way through some of the Chelsea team bagging Michael Essien & Steve Watts. Her exploits are all detailed in her book…yes she wrote a book! Google it

source:that1960chick

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JAYJAY OKOCHA

At the age of 37, Nigerian legend Jay Jay Okocha is not too far away from prowling the professional pitches that made him a legend across Africa. And, in fact, fans of the Super Eagles have been waiting for a top-quality replacement for the playmaker since he hung up his green jersey in 2006.

Okocha knows what it takes to compete at the top level, having played at three FIFA World Cups™, won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics and been a vital part of Nigeria's last CAF Africa Cup of Nations-winning team in 1994. He also showed off his renowned technical skills for clubs in Germany, Turkey, France, Qatar and England.

He sat down for an exclusive interview where he discussed the future of Nigerian football, both men's and women's, with determination and excitement about the future.


Q: Nigerians have been looking for another Jay Jay since you left the national team. What does Nigeria need to do now to produce another world-class attacking midfielder?
Jay Jay Okocha: I believe another Jay Jay is out there, and it’s for us to scout out another. But the most important thing is to ask a pertinent question: do we have the structure in place to be able to produce another Jay Jay Okocha, another Taribo West or another Sunday Oliseh? I think this is the real question that we should ask ourselves, and we should try and restructure Nigerian football to be able to find those talents, which are surely there and only waiting to be discovered.



Your former Nigeria team-mate, Samson Siasia, is now in charge of the national team. What are your expectations for the Super Eagles under Siasia?
First of all, I am part of the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation now, and we took a very good step by appointing Samson Siasia to lead the national team. We have started building from home by assembling the home-based players to see if we could get some of them to go on and compete against the foreign pros. But you know that Rome was not built in a day and so we need to be patient. We know that for us to bring back those glory days, we really have to accept that we are struggling now and need to give ourselves some time to build. Personally, I think we have taken very positive steps to achieving that. Also, the team will need the support of all Nigerians to succeed.

Being part of the football family now has given me the opportunity to make an impact, and my drive is to give back to football part of what the game has given to me. I still have a lot to give back.

Okocha on trying to help the game in Nigeria



How are you now giving back to Nigerian football?
To be honest, it is difficult for one man to do something in Nigeria. One needs to get other people involved especially when it comes to football development as it is very expensive and very time consuming. What I will not do is stand here and lie to you and say that I am going to do what I know that I will not do. Being part of the football family now has given me the opportunity to make an impact, and my drive is to give back to football part of what the game has given to me. I still have a lot to give back. The most important thing is for me to take part in this change that we are all seeking and make sure we come up with a structure that people would see that at least people like us are now putting back to football.



What does it mean to be an ambassador for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Germany later this year?
It’s a great feeling to be considered for this position. I hope to help create awareness for the World Cup in Nigeria and beyond. I will be promoting women’s football. As they say, the future of the game is feminine.



Nigeria are drawn in a very difficult group at Germany 2011 with champions and hosts Germany, France and Canada. What do the Super Falcons need do to go past this first hurdle?
The team should go out there full of confidence and, most importantly, prepare very well for the tournament. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. So, it is all about preparation. Once you prepare very well, you will give a good account of yourself.



It must be disturbing though that the Falcons were humbled 8-0 by Germany in a friendly at the end of last year?
I don’t really think so. You know, a friendly is a friendly. This is a major tournament that is coming up now so we can’t judge them based on that friendly. We must also look into the real details on why we lost 8-0. I don’t think we have ever lost with that kind of margin before. We just have to believe that it will end up being a big lesson for the team to prepare well next time to make sure that we don’t suffer such humiliation again.

Source:fifa.com

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ROGER MILLA

The Cameroonian icon tells tells James Eastham OF FOUR FOUR TWO how he went from amateur football to World Cup legend – at age 38...

Before Italia 90, how did you end up playing on the Reunion islands in the Indian Ocean?
It wasn’t really a choice. I’d had enough of the professional game in France and went there

to stay at a friend’s for a holiday. I ended up staying nine months and playing for one of the local football teams.

How did you go from that to playing for Cameroon at the World Cup finals?
About six months before the tournament I was back in Cameroon at a testimonial for Theophile Abega [Milla's team-mate from Spain 82]. People started to ask me why I had retired so early. The president insisted that I should be part of the team again.

Did you think your legs were up to it?
Not really, to be honest, but football’s not just a physical game. I’d always been an intelligent player, so I knew if I got into shape I had a chance. My first aim was to get fit, and then it would be up to the coach to decide whether I was good enough.

Did the government put coach Valeri Nepomniachi under pressure to pick you?
Yes. When I wasn’t playing they wanted him to put me through some really hard training sessions to get me into shape. But fortunately I was one of our best players in the pre-tournament friendlies, so I won him over on my own.

You won the opening game 1-0 against holders Argentina. Before kick-off, did you honestly believe you had a chance?
Yes, we were confident. We were up for having a good World Cup and we knew that we had to get off to a good start. Our tactics for that opening match were simply to shut out Maradona. We knew that if we kept Maradona quiet, we had a chance.

Did the Cameroon players party after the game?
No, no. We turned our thoughts to our second game straight away, because we knew if we beat Romania we were through to the second round.

You scored both goals in that game against Romania. Despite all the training, were you surprised that you could do so well at the age of 38?
A little bit. In terms of my ability, no, because I knew technically how good I was. But physically, yes, it was a bit of a shock.

We saw your celebratory dance at the corner flag for the first time against Romania. Was that something you had prepared?
No, it was totally spontaneous. I’d never done it before, not even in training.

In the second round you stole the ball from Colombia goalkeeper Rene Higuita to score. Had you planned that?
I was lucky because I played with Carlos Valderrama, the Colombia captain, at Montpellier. We had a great team, including Julio Cesar, the Brazil defender, and a young Laurent Blanc, who had come through the ranks. Through Valderrama I’d seen videos of Higuita dribbling the ball out of his area. I knew if I was quick enough I might be able to take advantage of a mistake. It worked.

So it’s Valderrama’s fault.
[Laughs] Ha, yes!

You lost 3-2 to England in the quarter-finals after leading 2-1. Do you feel the game was a missed opportunity?
Looking back now, you have to say that. We went 1-0 down, but Paul Gascoigne committed a foul in the penalty area and Emmanuel Kunde equalised from the spot – and then Eugene Ekeke put us 2-1 up. We kept going forward because we wanted to entertain people. For us, first and foremost, football was about entertainment, so we wanted to win spectacularly. But it wasn’t to be.

What was the mood like in the Cameroon dressing-room afterwards?
We were happy. England knocked us out, but we were happy because we’d had such a great tournament and gone so far. 1990 was an unforgettable experience.

How did the Cameroon squad celebrate after the tournament?
We had a tour of honour in military vehicles in Yaounde in front of thousands of people, which was great.

You returned at the 1994 finals and scored at the age of 42. Was the comeback your idea?
No, it was the Cameroonian people’s. They pushed me to play because they thought I was the only one that could score goals. They just didn’t have faith in any of the other players. At the time I was playing for Tonnerre Yaounde so I was fit and ready. Was I confident? Of course.

Have you discussed the 1990 World Cup with any of the England players since?
Just Paul Gascoigne. I met him at a testimonial match in Greece, and we had the chance to talk for a little while. He’s the only one.

How has your life changed since 1990?
It hasn’t. I realised after the tournament what an impact we’d had on people. But I’ve not changed. My image has, but I’m the same. I’m still able to lead a normal life.

SOURCE: fourfourtwo.com

I believe Roger Miller is one of Africa's greatest in the round leather game, he hass gracefully retired, *well i wont forget his SIGNATURE DANCE, LOL...wink*

GUARDIOLA SIGNS A NEW CONTRACT

This morning, Sandro Rosell and Pep Guardiola signed the contract that will guarantee the services of the FC Barcelona manager until June 30, 2012.


As a result of this agreement, Guardiola will extend his commitment to four seasons on the first team bench, which will make him the fourth ranked manager with most consecutive seasons with the first team, after Cruyff, Greenwell and Rijkaard.


Guardiola is synonymous with success


Over the previous two and a half seasons Guardiola has led the team to sporting excellence, with a total of 8 out of 10 possible titles. Moreover, this success has been achieved playing football with his personal stamp, which has won praise from all sides and has accumulated incredible individual and team records, the latest one being the record of wins (79) in his first 100 games in charge in the Spanish league.


Busy day

Guardiola, who was accompanied by his advisor, Joseph M. Orobitg went to the Club’s offices following the training session on Wednesday, the first one in preparation for the match against Mallorca at the weekend.

*im giving you my side ear, nose and eyes* says sportdiva

SOURCE:fcbarcelona.cat..

PEP GUARDIOLA

this is a quick fact about him:

As at today he has been manager for 100 league games, and his 79 wins, 14 draws and just 7 defeats, this is the best record ever for a la liga manager after the first century of games.

Real Madrid, Malaga and Sevilla are the three teams that have suffered most at the hands of Barça under Guardiola. All of them have lost on all five occasions that th

ey have faced the catalans

PREMIERSHIP AND LA LIGA RUMOUR..........

Check out the rumours below, it has been sourced from different locations let me know if you agree with them. wink wink*

Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has vowed to quit Panathinaikos after claiming he has been racially abused this season. Cisse, who also played for Sunderland, has revealed how he fears the Greek league is becoming increasingly hostile to black players. (Mail) Ronnie:my right eyebrow raised...xcuse me?!

Aston Villa are keeping tabs on Barcelona's out-of-favour defender Gabriel Milito and hope to snap him up for free in the summer. (talkSPORT)


Carlo Ancelotti wants to form a dream centre-back partnership between David Luiz and Borussia Dortmund's Neven Subotic. Club captain John Terry, 30, remains a mainstay at the heart of the Chelsea defence but Ancelotti is also looking towards the future. (talkSPORT


Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar is wanted by newly promoted Russian Premier League side FC Krasnodar. Harry Redknapp was reluctantly open to offers for the unsettled Croatia international in January, but Kranjcar has since proved an able deputy for the injured Gareth Bale, scoring in Spurs' last two Barclays Premier League matches. (Mail)


Real Madrid are monitoring Everton's midfielder Jack Rodwell, joining both Manchester United and Manchester City in the race to sign one of England's most talented young players. (Mail)


Samir Nasri has said he would consider leaving Arsenal to join Barcelona in the summer: if the Gunners win the title. Samir Nasri has revealed he could quit Arsenal this summer if they win the title – for Barcelona. “As things are right now, I am happy here and I have confidence from the manager. But things can change quickly in football, and then we may have a new situation," said Nasri. (Mirror)



Ferguson lines up Bastian for United, Chelsea circle in-form Bale, Liverpool want Pienaar


Pato or Bent set for Old Trafford, Young keeps door open for Spurs, Liverpool target striker Shechter


England captain Rio Ferdinand admitted "we should be winning games like that" after Tuesday night's goalless draw with Montenegro at Wembley.


England held by Montenegro
England's Euro 2012 qualification hopes suffered a setback when they were held to a goalless draw by group leaders Montenegro at a subdued Wembley

SOURCE:ITVSPORTS, HERE AND THERE LOL

GATUSSO HAS BEEN BANNED

UEFA have banned Milan’s Gennaro Gattuso for four European matches after his altercation with Joe Jordan in the tie against Tottenham.

The Italian midfielder clashed with the Spurs assistant both during and after the Champions League game last week which ended 1-0 to the Premiership side.

Gattuso, who claims he was provoked by the Scot, grabbed Jordan by the neck and also went head-to-head with the ex-Milanista.

UEFA’s disciplinary panel examined the incident on Monday and they’ve handed out a lengthy punishment for unsportsmanlike behaviour.

He was already booked in the San Siro game and thus suspended for the return leg, so he will be out of Milan’s next five matches in total.

The only way Gattuso could re-appear in this season’s Champions League tournament is if Milan reach the Final.

Should they not go that far then the ban will run over into the next campaign.

It’s unclear as of yet whether Milan will appeal today’s ruling. They will have three days to lodge one if that is the path they go down.

source:football-italia.net

LAGOS POLO TOURNAMENT FEBRUARY - MARCH 2011

Lagos Polo Tournament Ikoyi comes up at the Polo Club Field, Polo Road Ikoyi between February 23rd and March 6th 2011, it promised to be fun and interesting, pls read below for the Tournament calendar:


LOW GOAL WEEKEND:
23rd of February - 27th of February this dates will determine the winners DANSA CUP, LOW CUP AND OBA OF LAGOS CUP respectively.


HIGH GOAL WEEKEND:
2nd of March - 6th of March these dates would determine the winners of OPEN CUP, MAJEKODUNMI CUP, GOVERNOR'S CUP AND INDEPENDENCE CUP.

For all enquiry and more information about the event, please contact the Tournament Manager on +23412138438

see you there live!!!!muahhh

THE SOCIAL WORKER: ANOTHER DISMISSED CANDIDATE IN THE NFF BOARD

THE SOCIAL WORKER: ANOTHER DISMISSED CANDIDATE IN THE NFF BOARD: "...harbours another dismissed member again Controversy seems to be the middle name of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) headed by Alh..."

THIS YEAR SO FAR IN FOOTBALL ARCHIVES..............!

JANUARY:

...in 1977 Moral campaigner Mary Whitehouse petitions the government to send Billy Bremner back to Scotland after a series of violent challenges which she described as "symptomatic of a permissive society"

...in 2001 Conspiracy theorist Keith Gillespie tells his Blackburn teammates that 9/11 was an inside job

...in 1897 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle publishes his unpopular short story Sherlock Holmes case of the Missing Wing Back

FEBRUARY:
...in 1704 Old Etonian Casual Engineers mock "philistine" opponents Wanderers for attempting to "score" in newly-introduced "goals"

...in 1989 Sooty's sidekick Sweep is introduced to mirror the tactical adulation for sweepers at the time

...in 1994 Confused Giggs discovers loss of form is a product of a small stone in his left boot

SPORTS BREAKING NEWS

As of now, below is the breaking news and the latest happenings in the world of cup,....HMMMM, wink wink* read on

Efan Ekoku: "I can't remember the last time I bought a Toffee Crisp"

Tragedy hits Harchester as fourth plane crash in as many years kills entire squad. Again

Jimmy Greaves still alive, according to reports

Wayne Bridge sprinkles powdered blood diamonds on his Shredded Wheat, say pals

Ameobi blames Newcastle "goldfish bowl" atmosphere for his terrible memory

Gary Megson takes charge of Birmingham match as hilarious prank

Luis Suarez docked week's wages for messing up keep-ups during press photo call

Phil Neville "delighted" with first press coverage in years after Tottenham interest

Torres: "Chance to wear lovely blue shirt too good to turn down"

Andy Carroll sent home from first day of training after admitting he hates the Lightning Seeds

Cricket World Cup 2011 Daily: Opening Ceremony

THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CRICKET WORLD CUP HELD TODAY IN BANGLADESH AMIDST SONGS AND PERFORMANCE (i watched it live) SOME PEOPLE SAID ITS BORING WHILE SOME PEOPLE CLAIM IT TO BE NICE, WELL i will say okay

Sankor singing Jitbe Ebar Jitbe Cricket and Bryan Adams was the stars of the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 Cricket World Cup

WELL I WISH THE COUNTRIES REPRESENTATING AFRICA ALL THE BEST, I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED AND LET YOU KNOW WHATS GOING ON IN BANGLADESH.wink*

chao chao!!!

CALLING ON TAIWO OGUNJOBI, SANI LULU, OJO-OBA AND UCHEGBULAM

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, warned former officials of the Nigeria Football Federation to avoid any actions capable of frustrating speedy prosecution of a matter, brought before it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The case, which has been adjourned till February 25, is based on a charge challenging the anti-graft agency over an application brought before it by four former officials of the Football Federation seeking to quash charges of corruption levelled against them by the agency.
Corruption charges
Sani Lulu Abdulahi, Amanze Uchegbulam, Bolaji Ojo-Oba and Taiwo Ogunjobi, all former officials of the Football Federation, are standing trial before Justice Donatus Okorowa on a seven count charge bordering on corruptly using their offices to confer unfair advantage on themselves, defrauding the federal government to the tune of over N1.3 billion naira and $2 million (N300m) and also unlawfully issuing 1,263 tickets as complementary offers to friends, associates, political support groups and family relations.
When the matter came up for hearing yesterday, Lulu, had, through his counsel Sunday Ameh, applied for an extension of time to enable him file his written addresses out of time.
Before he adjourned the case, Okorowa said economic crimes are sensitive and ought to be diligently and speedily prosecuted. Therefore, he said, the court will not tolerate any attempt to delay the case and afterwards gave the prosecutor four days to respond to the motion brought by the former Football Federation boss seeking to quash the charges brought against them by the anti-graft agency.
He also gave Lulu’s defence counsel four days to respond on point law to the reply of the prosecution.
Accused of misrepresenting Nigeria
The accused persons were also alleged to have booked the Hampshire Hotel, South Africa, for the Super Eagles regardless of the fact that it was cheap, substandard, and unbefitting and an unlisted hotel among the approved list of hotels by the Federation of International football Association, FIFA, for lodging participating teams. The federal government had to pay $125,000 as fine for a breach of contract when it changed hotels subsequently.
Jurisdiction of the court
Ameh challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charges brought against them by the anti-graft agency, saying that it is only FIFA that has jurisdiction to prosecute them. All other defence counsels agreed with Ameh.
However, prosecution counsel, Olasupo Ashaolu, at the resumed hearing of the case, opposed the application with a 22-paragraph counter-affidavit praying the court to reject the applications of all the defence counsels, saying they lacked merit.
Ashaolu further said the crime committed by the accused persons was committed in Nigeria and as such, “coming to this court and saying they cannot be tried by Nigerian laws, except FIFA, is an aberration”.
The prosecution counsel also faulted the argument by the accused persons to the effect that the agency did not seek and get the prosecutorial consent of the Attorney General of the Federation, before commencing trial.
According to Ashaolu, the agency did not need a fresh consent of the Attorney General of the Federation to prosecute the case, as the agency has all the powers and right conferred on it by the Establishment Act to prosecute all economic and financial crimes.
Ashaolu also said the approval of funds by the Federation officials were in itself, an offence; “as there is a limit to which they can appropriate funds as clearly indicated in the Procurement Act for contract approval”.
He submitted that the applications by the accused persons are meant to delay trial. He therefore urged the court to discountenance the applications in their entirety and allow trial to commence

source:www.234next.com

ARE YOU AWARE THAT?

After a long reaserach i have deceide to bring to you some general facts in sports. Please read on

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

Pele scored 1281 goals in 1363 games

The biggest crowd ever for a football match was 198,850 people at the 1950 World Cup final in Rio

Roger Federer is the first living person to be depicted on a Swiss stamp.

Cricketer Merv Hughes has a $370,000 insurance policy on his moustache

Roger Federer says that he sleeps 11-12 hours every day

...more of this fact are coming up....

Clarification regarding 2022 FIFA World Cup dates

Following some media reports today, FIFA and its President would like to clarify the following about the 2022 FIFA World Cup dates:

- The 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups are based on FIFA’s international match calendar and this applies also to Qatar. This is what is written in the relevant documents signed by Qatar as hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

- As such, as it stands today, the 2022 FIFA World Cup is planned to be staged in Qatar, in summer.

- Any potential change to the above should first be requested by the competition organizers, ie Qatar, and presented to the FIFA Executive Committee for analysis.

- The FIFA President has not said whether or not the 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place in winter or in summer, but has simply explained what would be the process for any potential changes to the current status.

SOURCE:FIFA.COM

Five ways Arsenal can beat Barcelona

The stat gurus at Opta explain five tactics Arsenal can employ to help overcome the mighty Barcelona in Wednesday's Champions League clash


Arsenal host Barcelona on Wednesday with memories of their last hammering at the Camp Nou still fresh in the mind.

However, as Sporting Gijón proved with a 1-1 draw on Saturday, the Blaugrana are by no means unstoppable, and below Opta offer five ways in which Barça could potentially be undone.

1. Let them have the ball
Barcelona have averaged 78% possession in the Champions League this season, at least 10% more than any other side (Bayern Munich are next with 67%). However, possession does not always lead to victory. In their last match against Sporting Gijón Barça managed 82% possession, their most this season, but still failed to win.

2. Don't rely on the counter attack
Despite their almost constant possession, the best way to beat Barcelona is perhaps not on the break. They are yet to allow their opponents a single shot from a counter attack in Europe this season, and have only allowed five in La Liga.

3. Don't overlook set pieces
It sounds extraordinary for a team famed for their expansive style, but Barça have been a threat from set pieces in the Champions League this season. Just five of their 71 league goals this season have come from set pieces, compared to six of 14 in Europe (five corners, one penalty).

4. Nullify the star strikers
It is not surprising that all five of the matches that the Blaugrana have failed to win in La Liga and Champions League this season have come when one of their star strikers – Messi, Villa, Pedro – has been absent from the starting XI. Between them, they have accounted for 79% of Barcelona´s goals in Europe in 2010/11.

5. Score early
All five of the games that Barcelona have failed to win in La Liga and Champions League this season have come when their opponent has scored in the first half. It seems scoring too early is not such a bad thing against this amazing side

Source: ITV.COM

The Match will be coming up on wednesday 16th of feb 2011 @ 7PM

AFRICAN LEAGUE REVIEWS

League action remained sparse around the continent because of the ongoing CAF African Nations Championship in Sudan and the second-leg matches in the first round of both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. But of the major powers, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa continued their programmes, while in Malawi the title race reached a crucial juncture.

South Africa: Six in a row
Orlando Pirates have opened up a four-point gap at the helm of the Premier League standings after overcoming Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in a top-of-the-table clash at Soweto’s Orlando Stadium. It means they have won six successive matches, a feat the club has not achieved in the last decade. Ajax Cape Town went back second after a thrilling 4-3 win over Santos in the derby.


Big game: Pirates got an early break with a controversial 13th-minute penalty, converted by Katlego Mashego, but there was a quality about their second, powered home off the head of Thulasizwe Mbuyane after a sweeping move that carved open the Sundowns defence. ‘Downs pulled a goal back with 11 minutes left but Pirates were full value for the points, opening up a six-point gap over Sundowns. But their caretaker coach Ian Gorowa was quick to point out: “There are still ten games to go, and it’s still any team’s title for grabs.”
Headline-grabbers: Youthful striker Thulani Serero won his first cap for Bafana Bafana in midweek and then 48 hours later scored with a looping long-range winner that handed Ajax victory over Cape Town rivals Santos. Ajax led 3-1 at half-time despite an early sending off, but Santos fought back to 3-3 before Serero’s 85th-minute winner. “I’ve been moaning at him all season to shoot from distance,” beamed coach Foppe de Haan after another valuable three points.


Morocco: Two at the top
Raja Casablanca were supposed to be in CAF Champions League action at the weekend, but after the withdrawal of their Chadian opponents they resumed their league agenda with a 1-0 win over KAC Kenitra. They share top spot with OC Safi, who also squeaked home by a single goal at the weekend, beating bottom-placed Chabab Kasba Tadla. MAS Fez can join the pair on 31 points if they win away in midweek.


Big game: Champions Wydad Casablanca and military club FAR Rabat share the record for 12 league titles each in the National Botola but this season are off the pace in the championship chase. But there is still enough rivalry between seventh-placed WAC and 11th FAR to ensure intense focus on their fixtures, and this year it proved so again. The soldiers went ahead through Jawad Ouaddouch but the lead lasted just 13 minutes before Mustapha Allaoui equalised ten minutes before the interval.
Headline-grabbers: Yassine Salhi’s last-minute goal could prove a vital strike in the overall balance of the season, coming just as Raja looked to be on the verge of dropping two points at home to struggling KAC Kenitra. Salhi had come on a second-half substitute and hit the crossbar with an earlier effort before proving more serene in applying the decisive touch to his next chance at the stroke of full-time.


Nigeria: Championship credentials displayed
Dolphin FC and second-placed Sunshine Stars were both weekend winners, meaning Dolphin still have a four-point lead. But their credentials as prospective champions got a major boost with a rare away win over Zamfara United, which means the team from Port Harcourt now have seven wins in their last eight matches and all the hallmarks of a title-winning side, even if the Premier League is not yet at the halfway stage.


Big game: Newly promoted Bukola Babes have proven no infants in their debut campaign in the top flight and stretched their unbeaten run in the league to eight games after beating Lobi Stars 3-1. The home victory, with goals from Fade Adebayo, Azeez Shobowale and Abdulrahman Basiru, also moved them back to third place and sets up an intriguing encounter with Dolphin FC next weekend.
Headline-grabbers: With coach John Obuh and six players away with Nigeria’s U-20 side ahead of the start of the CAF U-20 Championship in March, it was Stanley Okoronkwo who stepped up to take responsibility and steer Sharks to a 2-1 win over Kaduna United. Okoronkwo scored either side of half-time in a rain-soaked encounter that saw Sharks glide up to fifth in the standings, seven points off the leaders


Malawi: Electric finish in the offing
ESCOM United, whose only previous championship success was in 2007, have moved to within a single win of the super league title after a 2-0 win over Big Bullets propelled then to the top. They are one point ahead of Silver Strikers, but the team run by the state utility company have two games to go and Strikers, who are the property of the country’s reserve bank, just one.


Big game: ESCOM have been playing catch up with the fixtures, but for the first time went ahead in the standings after two quick goals in the space of two minutes midway through the second half of their match against Bullets at the cavernous Kamuzu Stadium. Chimwemwe Chakhumbira and Noel Mkhandawire got the vital goals, leaving coach Charles Manda to tell reporters: “We are now in sniffing distance of the title.”
Headline-grabbers: CIVO United failed to get revenge for their recent penalty shootout loss in the cup final to Moyale Barracks, falling 2-0 to the same team and lengthening their chances of catching their rivals in third.


Elsewhere
The lead of Black Africa in Namibia’s Premier League was cut back to just a single point after a surprise 2-1 loss to Mighty Gunners.


The new season in Guinea has started with 12 teams and a goalless draw between newly promoted side Sankaran and FC Sequence.



Tevragh Zeina won 3-1 away at KSAR to go thee points clear in Mauritania’s Premier Division with a game in hand on the chasing teams.

source: FIFA.COM

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo will announce his retirement from soccer tomorrow, Tuesday 15th of February 2011

Ronnie says; growing up as a young girl i always watch him play while resting my head on the lap of my Dad, he is retiring so fast and so young, well i wish him all the best after his career, below are his words of retirement:

"I can't take it any more," Ronaldo said. "I wanted to carry on, but I can't. I plan a move (in a game) but I cannot execute as I wish. The time is up."


"My body aches. In my head I want to continue, but this body can't take much more,"

"In recent days I have cried like a baby."

He will formally end his career at a press conference at Corinthians headquarters at 12:40pm local time on the 15th of February 2011 (15:40 CET, 14:40 BST, 09:40 EST.)

The 34-year-old three-times world player of the year has a contract with Corinthians until the end of 2011 but is bringing his retirement forward following the team's shock early elimination from the Libertadores Cup.

I want to say this, noone has ever been able to break his records in the FIFA world Cup, the highest goal scorer you can ever think of.

RONALDO Luiz Nazário de Lima GOODBYE FOOTBALL LEGEND, i will miss you!

who was saint valentine?

So many questions has been raised concerning the origin of Valentine and as at now nothing much has been heard, this prompt me to do a bit online research and post this piece to my blog, please read on

Over the past 24 hours, Web interest in Saint Valentine has soared like an errant arrow. Searches on Yahoo! for "saint valentine" and "who was saint valentine" each spiked over 300 percent.

So who was St. Valentine? Was he a great lover a la Casanova? Was he even a real person? According to Catholic Online, St. Valentine was very real, but he probably wasn't a smooth operator with the ladies.

"Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who, with St. Marius and his family, assisted the martyrs in the persecution under Claudius II." For his trouble, Valentine was beaten and then executed after authorities were unable to get him to renounce his faith. His death occurred on February 14.

As with many events that occurred so long ago, other theories abound. Indeed, there were several different Valentines, and nobody is 100 percent sure which one was which. Some believe he was a priest, others believe he was a bishop, some believe he was a combination of the two, and still others believe he was someone else entirely. All that said, there is little doubt among experts that Valentine did exist in one form or another.

As for how the holiday came to represent love and kisses, there are few different theories for that as well. According to blog specializing in saints, "some believe the Romans had a mid-February custom where boys drew the names of girls in honour of the sex and fertility goddess, Februata Juno." Others feel the custom of greetings "stems from the belief that birds begin to pair on that date."

There are a slew of related searches on everything from "valentine's day poems" to "romantic movies" to (brace yourself) "good pick up lines." And it's all thanks to the one and only St. Valentine, whoever he was.

Source:yahoobuzz

#comments

#comments

........sportsmen, fans and administrators talks about their Valentine plan.....

This is how they want to spend their Valentine (unedited)

SEGUN ODEGBAMI I played for Shooting Stars FC, Ibadan, Nigeria. I support the team presently playing some of the best football the world has ever seen - Barcelona FC. My daughter, May7ven.com (check her out) will be in her debut Nigerian concert at La Campagne Tropicana, Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, on February. I shall be there with family and friends on a musical odyssey into the world of love songs with her

WUNMI THOMAS, Liverpool FC Fan, I really want a quite val day with a huge gift off course.

OLADELE MUNIRU AJIBOYE, Nigeria National Team Goal Keeper, Currently Playing In Spain Division 2b( Pontevedra Cf,) Any Way I Dnt Really Like 2 Do Life Like Dat,So I Think Am Going 2 Spend My Val With My College Here,Thanks Ma Regards Aji_Boi

SIMON ZENKE: Valentınes day mmmmm, serıously i dont have any good reply that wıll suıt ur blog because ı'll just be at home or better stıll hang out wıth friends that are single like me lol. I've played for Racıng club de strasbourg ın france but ı'm presently playıng for Samsunspor ın turkey.

BEN IROHA: Assistant Coach U23 National Team, SINCE MA WIFE IS NOT HERE WITH ME I JUST SEND HER A DOZEN OF ROSE FLOWERS.PLAYD 4 WATFORD FC ENGLAND

SHOLA FATODU, Coach Siasia Personal Assistant; Die Hard Gunners, I ll spend my valentine wit my wife after office.

BENEDICT AKWUEGBU an ex international and an ex Super Eagles: check my story in google, i will spend my valentine with my family.regards .GOD BLESS

COACH FABIO LOPEZ: i spend my valentine alone ! i never go to make party for this stupid day.

OLADIMEJI LAWAL: wt someone like u in capetown.Real madrid B,KV KORTRIJK BELGIUM,HELLENIC CAPE TOWN,JULIUS BERGER,SHOOTING STARS,FEMO SCORPIONS,etc. I support ARSENAL and REAL MADRID.

ADEFEMI OLUBAYO: Super Eagles/Skoda Xanthi,Greece.....defensive midfield/Right fullback, Will spend my Valentine in my own romantic way..hopefully and Godwiling,we will win our league game that weekend before Valentine because that would help in lightening up the valentine day more so to say, Regards

HENRY ABIODUN, Academy Program and Technical Director, Shalom Soccer Academy; Thanks Ronnie, very thoughtful of you. I am taking my sweetheart to a Valentines Banquet Dinner for some dance and food. Should be fun...Keep doing what you doing, you are really good at it. Shalom!

...watch out for more valentine scoops....stay here with me pleeeeease...dnt go nowhere...wink* Sportdiva

..around the world of sport.....with Ronnie Sportdiva

- Record-breaking Cole eyes long-term
Cole will create history in Denmark tonight when he becomes the most-capped England full-back of all time. His 87th England appearance will eclipse the record of another former Arsenal man, Kenny Sansom, and the likelihood is Cole will crash through the century barrier at some stage next season, I'm never going to give up or retire. I want to win as many caps as I can.England full-back Ashley Cole
source FIFA

- Guardiola agrees new Barça deal.
Barcelona boss Josep Guardiola has agreed a new contract with the Spanish champions. The deal will take Guardiola through to the end of next season. The former Spain midfielder had an existing agreement taking him through to this summer, but Barcelona tonight announced Guardiola will formally commit until 30 June 2012 by signing "in the next few days".
We wouldn't be what we are without Messi. Guardiola praises Lionel Messi SOURCE FIFA

- Cote divoire beats Mali in friendly, 1-0; The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire cruised to a lone goal victory over Mali in an international friendly on Tuesday in Valence, France.


- Nigeria Senior National Tea to play Sierra Leone today in Lagos (friendly Match)

- Former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman has strongly criticised the Premier League for blocking attempts to reform the game.

Triesman, who resigned in 2010, has accused Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards of using aggressive tactics and the league's financial power to bully others in the game into blocking change; please visit skysports.com for more details

- Republic of Ireland made a bright start to their Carling Nations Cup campaign with a decisive 3-0 victory over Wales on Tuesday evening. read more on skysports.com

- Barcelona director of football Raul Sanllehi has revealed there are currently no plans to launch another bid for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

- Giovanni Trapattoni will give the less experienced players in his Republic of Ireland squad chance to improve after watching them in action against Wales. sportdiva says nice one coach



GOLF
The top three players in the world - Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Tiger Woods - have been grouped together for the first two rounds of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.


- Lee Westwood has become a member of the elite group of golfers to be awarded honorary life membership of the European TourThe 37-year-old is handed the honour after becoming only the second English player to become world number one since the rankings were introduced in 1986.

Westwood took the top spot from Tiger Woods in October and followed the achievement by stating that he saw no need to join the US-based PGA Tour this season.

TENNIS
- British number one Elena Baltacha is safely through to the second round of the Pattaya Open in Thailand after a 6-2 6-3 victory over Nicha Lertpitaksinchai.

stay here for more.. muahhhh..sportdiva

LAUREUS AWARDS 2011

Laureus promotes the use of sport as a tool for social change and celebrates sporting excellence.

Laureus' core concept is simple, brilliant and daunting: to create global awards that recognise the achievements of today's sports heroes; to bring sportspeople together;Laureus comprises the Laureus World Sports Academy, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Laureus World Sports Awards. Collectively, these three elements form the essence of Laureus, harnessing the power of sport to promote social change and celebrating sporting excellence.

BELOW ARE THE NOMINEES AND THE WINNER;

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
Kobe Bryant;Andres Iniesta;Lionel Messi;Rafael Nadal;Manny Pacquiao;Sebastian Vettel
WINNER-RAFAEL NADALTennis - Spain

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year
Kim Clijsters;Jessica Ennis;Blanka Vlasic;Lindsey Vonn;Serena Williams; Caroline Wozniacki
WINNER-LINSEY VONN Skiing - USA

Laureus World Team of the Year
All Blacks;European Ryder Cup Team;Inter Milan;Los Angeles Lakers;Red Bull Formula One Team;Spain World Cup Team
WINNER SPAIN WORLD CUP TEAM

Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year
Martin Kaymer;Christophe Lemaitre;Matteo Manassero;Thomas Müller;Louis Oosthuizen;Teddy Tamgho
WINNER MARTIN KAYMER Golf Germany

Laureus World Comeback of the Year
Paula Creamer;Tyson Gay;Justine Henin;Carolina Kluft;Merlene Ottey;Valentino Rossi
WINNER VALENTINO ROSSI motor cycling Italy

Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Nominees
Verena Bentele;Matt Cowdrey;Daniel Dias;Jakub Krako;Esther Vergeer;Lauren Woolcroft
WINNER VERENA BENTELE skiing - Germany (WAOH!!!)

Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Nominees
Jamie Bestwick;Victor Fernandez;Stephanie Gilmore;Levi Sherwood;Kelly Slater;Shaun White
WINNER KELLY SLATER Surfing USA

Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award
ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Laureus Sport for Good Award
May El-Khalil , Running - Lebanon

Laureus Spirit of Sport Award
European Ryder Cup Team, Golf - Europe

This are the winners of Laureus Sport Awards 2011 which held in Abu Dhabi yesterday for more information, please follow this link
www.laureus.com

Stay here please dont go away...wink* wink*....Ronnie Sportdiva

....player slapped referee in Taraba...a supporter drove with full speed into the pitch aiming at the referee, Ayo Rahaman,

it was like play play when OSADE OSUNDE witH jersey no 29 slapped the referee because his club played draw at home when Jigawa Fc came for an away match in thei

r Home,,this are the words of the Ex. Secretary NNL, please lets read the interview that i held with him in his office yesterday.

Sportdiva: Can i meet you Sir?
Ayo:My name is Ayo AbdulRahaman the Executive Secretary, Nigeria National league.

Sportdiva: When was the Commencement of 2010/2011 league season?
Ayo: The league commenced on the 12th of december 2010 and its expected to end by 12th of June 2011, it will run for just six month.

Sportdiva: Discipline wise how has it been with the League?
Ayo: The 2010/2011 league has been promising since Decemeber 2010 except this week when we have serious assault by a player on the referee, he slapped the referee and beat him after which an unidentified supporter drove with full speed into the pitch with the aim of hitting the referee, Ronnie its a serious matter.

Sportdiva: What measures of punishment would you mete on the Club?
Ayo: The Player has been suspended indefinitely, while the club have been banished to Kontangora pending the decision of the disciplinary Commitee of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF)

Sportdiva: How have you been coping without Sponsors?
Ayo: It has not been easy, everybody knows that its not easy this is the 3rd season of the League, the 1st season was sponsored by the federal government since then nobody has been sponsoring us.

Sportdiva: Do we expect money into the League before the end of the season?
Ayo: Yeah; talk is going on with prospective sponsors, telecoms giants are struggling within themselves to get the title we are avoiding crisis so that they will not be discouraged; there are still chances for interested corporate organizations and potential sponsors.

Sportdiva: What has been the challenges apart from Sponsorship/funding?
Ayo: No supervision of the league, no access to TV Broadcast and so on, it still comes back to funding.

Sportdiva: I wish you all the best and a hitch free Season.
Ayo: Thanks

EGUAVOEN CALLS UP 40 TO OLYMPIC CAMP

Austin Eguavoen has called up 40 players for the first phase of preparation for the 2012 Olympic qualifiers.

The squad is populated by players from the Nigeria Premier league, which threw up 23 of the 40, while the First Division has six players.

The rest are from amateur clubs, unattached players and academies, including one player from the Kwara Football Academy and another from St Thomas, a giant-killing club which eliminated Dolphins from the 2000 FA Cup in the first round.

Of the Premier League clubs, Enyimba lead the call-ups with five players. Shooting Stars have three while Ocean Boys, Kano Pillars, Bukola Babes and Kaduna United supply two players each.

The invited players have been directed to report at the Millenium Hotel, Abuja on Monday February 7.

The Full List:
1. Laide Okanlawon (3SC)
2. Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)
3. Emmanuel Anyanwu (Enyimba)
4. Austin Igenepo (FC Abuja)
5. Ebenezer Odunlami (First Bank)
6. Kingsley Udoh (Heartland)
7. Chimezie Mba (Ocean Boys)
8. Jankasa Adams (Insurance FC)
9. Promise James (Bukola Babes)
10. Mukaila Mustapha (Fountain FC)
11. Gabriel Reuben (Kano Pillars)
12. Eneji Otekpa (Enyimba)
13. Ayo Saka (Ocean Boys)
14. Akeem Kings (Lagos)
15. Peter Iyamu (AC Benin Academy)
16. Ikponwonsa Ogbefum (Insurance FC)
17. Orawa Sanni (Kaduna Utd)
18. Ibrahim Alhudulahi (Gombe Utd)
19. Nwubodo Uchenna (Asseed Academy)
20. Gbolahan Salami (3SC)
21. Tomitokpe Alao (Enyimba)
22. Francis Akennu (Super Centre Kaduna)
23. Iyalekhue Oghogho (Kwara Football Academy)
24. Eruete Aghaghara (Gateway FC)
25. Ifeanyi Ede (Enyimba)
26. Usuma Umar (Sokoto)
27. Obus Aggrey (AC Benin Academy)
28. Siman Yusuf (Kaduna Utd)
29. Usuma Mohammed (Niger Tornadoes)
30. Anthony Duzie (Sagwe FC)
31. Mackson Ojobo (Enyimba)
32. Wasiu Ibrahim (Bukola Babes)
33. Femi Kayode (Akwa United)
34. Ola Ogundele (Zamfara United)
35. Tochukwu Mbachu (Warri Wolves)
36. Ayo Babalola (Crown FC)
37. Patrick Eshota (Unattached)
38. Obadaki Halilu (Kwara Utd)
39. Raheem Saka (3SC)
40. Augustine Igbokwe (St Thomas Benin City)

enownow

Osaze Odemwingie in making.............TONY OGHOGHO

Tony Oghogho Iyalekhue is a Nigerian-Russian Originated footballer(Benin City to be precise), he is a Natural right footer/left footer. he is 18years old, he grew up in Ukraine this teenager started his footballing at age 6 and was recently called up for another National assignment, i was able to catch up with him for a chat, please read on:

Sportdiva; CAN I MEET YOU?
TONY: My name is Tony Oghogho Iyalekhue

Sportdiva; WHATS YOUR CAREER HISTORY
TONY;I was enrolled in Dynamo Kiev Academy at age 6, proceeded to Arsenal Kyiv FC at age 8, i was later on promoted to their reserve team on merit(Arsenal Kyiv FC), afterwhich i got a National call to the Nigerian U17 camp for trials.

Sportdiva;WHATS YOUR NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE LIKE?
TONY;I was screened for the U17 (2009) before the World Cup but couldnt make the final list due to an Injury i secured in camp, but my appearance at the trials exposed me to foreign clubs lots of them actually showed interest in me and i got several invitations for trials.

Sportsdiva; WHAT ARE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS?
TONY; I was promoted to reserve Team of Arsenal Kyiv where i was able to score 7 goals in 19 Matches.

Sportdiva; WHATS YOUR SPECIAL SKILL
TONY; (smiling) im very good at freekick and i move very fast when playing

Sportdiva; What are your Best and Worst Moments
TONY; My best moment was when i scored a freekick for Arsenal Kyiv against Dynamo Kiev's reserve Team, we played draw and my worst moment was when i

dropped out of the U17 camp due to my injury, Ronnie it was really painful.

Sportdiva; I believe Osaze, Kalu Uche, Obasi and so on play the same wing like you how do you plan to be bigger, better and ahead of them?
TONY (with a straight look now) look Ronnie i want to play abroad, sign with a good club where my skills will be seen and i will not have to sit on the bench, this i believe would expose me to international football and skills.


Sportdiva;Whats your take on the Nigerian League?
TONY: It needs lots and lots of improvement

Sportdiva: What do you think needed to be improved?
TONY; Management, Stadia, Facilities, the pitch, upkeep of the footballers for example proper medical check ups and Insurance of the Players.

Sportdiva; Where do you see yourself in the next 5years?
TONY; (lAUGHING) in the 1st eleven of the Nigerian Super Eagles

Sportdiva; Who do you plan to be like?
TONY; Osaze has brought good name to Nigeria meanwhile I want to make my own history

Spotdiva; Thanks for your time and i wish you all the best
TONY; Thank you very much Ronnie, you are welcome

IM SINGLE AND IM LOVING IT

I am single and loving it……why do I have to feel guilty, I work real hard about it? Why do I get the kind of look from those fancy? I work, it doesn’t seem to matter……….

What the hell is wrong with mankind? Is it because im a female? My male counterpart had a table laid before them while I get mine lay by myself; even then its like a waste of time…..
Let me share with you something I came across something in the past, read and marvel………..

He makes his 1st million – HES WORKING
She makes her 1st million – SHE DEFINITELY SLEPT HER WAY THROUGH
He gets promoted – HES DEDICATED
She gets promoted – SHE IS DATING THE BOSS
He buys a new expensive car – HE HAS GOOD TASTE
She buys a new expensive car – SHE PROBABLY GOT IT FROM HER ARISTO
He is seen with lots of women – HE CANT HELP IT, THEY CANT RESIST HIM
She is seen with lots of men - SHES A SLUT
He got an award – OF COURSE HE PAID D PRICE
She got an award – SHE HAS A PRETTY FACE

Did I hear you say this can’t be true, read this please?
A friend got a better job that came with a better package and a posh car plus driver. Poor lady expected her family to be happy for her…..but guess what she got a cold shoulder
Her father exact words my daughter when you bring your husband we will celebrate
Believe me, my friend truly went husband searching………yours truly was sad for her, but there was nothing I could say to change her mind….there was no church service she didn’t attend in a bid to meet him….MR. RIGHT

And eventually she found a man, only he was MR WRONG they were married in two months in a wedding she personally sponsored and guess what she has become his punching bag, as her friend I do not get to her anymore because Mr. husband says so
Should we sacrifice our freedom for some blows on the face because we want to be called Mrs. something? Do I hear an answer?

My advice to single women out there, be the best you can be, love yourself and never let anyone push you to settle for less, just wait for your time it will come but before then let us bare our mind.
As for me i take life one step at a time, I believe there’s time for everything there is time to be single, there is time to be married, time to have kids, there is time for a divorce (for some people it’s a matter of choice), time to be widowed, time to remarry (optional), time to die and time to live.

I am single and loving it….what about you?

brief about me on my birthday

My Mum woke me up very early today with prayers, i was moved to tears when i heard my Dad's voice at the background also praying for me i feel so loved by this lovely couple tht brought me to this world though i have done things that i shouldnt do again, i have failed severally, things were rough and tough BUT i thank God for my spirit ability to tarry and move on with my life, i dont follow the crowd instead i go to where theres no path and i create a way,,,,thats me...the trailblazer.

My Sport history, well, as the only female child of my parents i grew up in the midst of my brothers and numerous uncles(my extended family is male-dominated) i played football with them when growing up, i use to be a TOMBOY lol, i dress like them, bounce like them and talk like them LMAO!, i got a turn around when i gained admission into the University i changed evrything and gave my baggy jeans, timberland, converse, bandana scarfs, face caps, big teeshirts, etc to my younger brother and i embraced my skirts and dresses,i dont joke with departmental games my ex classmates can bear me witness, i was given 2awards at the final year award nite of my department....SPORTSWOMAN OF THE CLASS and TOMBOY OF THE CLASS , i was the LIAISON OFFICER UNIBADAN ROTARACT CLUB, VICE PRESIDENT EKITI STATE STUDENTS UNION, I obtained a form to contest for the post of TREASURER Student Union Government University of Ibadan but was threatened by some thugs sent by a lady an opponent (ill never forget her, she was a law student before her rustication due to the embezzlement of Students Union MOney hahha) an opponent so i abandoned the campaign i aint a coward but i dont want to die! i lived in Queens Hall, played football for my hall, was the chairman Sport commitee QUEENS HALL, contested for Sports Minister QUEENS HALL (i was too popular to be opposed then so i went unopposed) but i was dropped cos my GPA then wasnt up to second class upper, (u call me olodo abi? go and study ECONOMICS IN UI then u will know? well after school i found myself working in the football house Abuja,,,my passion continue growing i want to do more so i took the courage to resign and do my thing in sport it earned me an honour of CAF RECOGNITION...its my journey so far in sport...my plan in future hmmm i wont say it now, but watch out for me at the top...all in the world of sport......i support LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB, that why i will never walk alone

Well i club once in a while, im religious, i live life and i work hard at the sametime....i received more than 2000 private messages on facebook and some messages on my twitter account today only, numerous wall wishes, sms and phone calls..i feel so loved, and im grateful to God, though i dont have a best friend(im not a loner)but im a friend to myself, i cherish the love i received from my Colleagues also...its so good to be twenty something..i thank my Lord for the gift of life....

I am an aquarian, im blunt, very funny but very sensitive at the sametime, i speak my mind, as in, im very bold i believe so much in God and myself and an ardent follower of Jesus Christ...i dnt smoke but snuffed cigarrete like twice at a niteclub sometimes ago..i use to drink 5shots of vodka to calm my nerves whenever im angry which makes me sleep immediately but time and maturity has changed that mentality.....i only drink white wine at home once in a while....or socially.....im not an alcoholic!


I dont really like girlfriends, but i believe much more in a malefriends i dont have a best friend, because i have had my own share of lies, backbiting, dissapointments in the hands of both sexes which make me NOT to trust any body......im living my life and im happy the way i am, i dont need an additional stress


Everyone is entitled to their life and im entititled to mine, live your life and stop talking about me..you know what?! i dont discuss people; that has long gone........if you wanna know more abt me(if neccesary) please contact me!!!!

At this point i want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOI!!!!

ANU IYANDA (NIKE FOOTBALL ACADEMY), THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Anu Iyanda is Nigerian originated but lives in the United Kingdom, he was a student of Nike Football Academy, hes hoping for the best in future and praying to God that he get a good club ASAP, Below is the interview that was conducted with him by Ronnie Sport, please read on!

RS; Can we meet you?

Anu:My name is Anu Iyanda

RS; How much are you looking forward to making your entrance to the National team?

Anu; As a Nigerian playing for the Nigerian National team would be a dream come true. When I started playing football that was what I set my eye on and by Gods grace I’ll get an opportunity to be involved with the team.

RS; What has been your professional experience?

Anu; I was on a two week trial with League 2 side Dagenham and Redbridge FC here in London late last year. It was a great experience to be part of the professional set up and train with players with more experience in the game than I have. I learned a lot and that experience has helped me to sharpen various aspects in my game.

RS; How do you train/how do you prepare for each match?

Anu; Apart from training with my football club. I do quite a lot of work on my own both on the field on the gym. I focus on keeping my fitness up and I also work on aspects of my game such as control and speed which is one of the vital things in the game today. The day before a match I like to get early night and before the match kicks off I pray to God for his help because with God all things are possible.

RS;As a Nigerian, have you been keeping an eye on the Local?
> ANU; Yeah I do keep my eye on a few results once on a while.
What do you feel about the local league/which one is your favourite?

RS; Have you ever being under any pressure?

ANU; Yeah. When you play football there is always pressure. There’s pressure for you to perform when you’re not having such a good game. There’s pressure when you join a new club and you need to show your manager and new team mates what you have to offer. I just try to stay calm, give my all and leave the rest to God.

RS; What’s your best and worst moment in football?

ANU; One of my best moments in football was being selected out of about more than a thousand young players in the Uk to take part in a Nike football camp. It was a very good experience where I was coached by highly rated coaches in England and also being selected to play in front of the Arsenal manager (Arsene wenger). It was an overwhelming experience.
One of my worst experiences in football was not getting a professional contract with Dagenham and Redbridge FC after my two week trial. It was a very trying period for me especially to deal with that sort of rejection but I think I came out strong and has helped me become a stronger individual all round.

RS; What’s your favourite football club?

ANU; I am a very big Chelsea fan.

RS; Which club are you willing to play for at the moment?

ANU; I would love to play for Chelsea but at the moment the most important thing for me is breaking through into the game.

RS; What are your plans?
ANU; My plans for the next two years by Gods grace is to get myself established in the professional game. The rest is in the hands of God.

RS;What do you do for leisure?

ANU; During my leisure time I like to read my bible, catch up with my friends and watch football on the television.

RS; What’s your message to Nigerians and you’re Fans?
ANU; My message to Nigerian fans is stay strong be positive and put God first.My message to my fans is thank you for all your support and watct out for me.

RS; Which other game do you play apart from football?

ANU; Apart from playing football I play tennis. I am involved in few athletic sports such as long jump and long distance running.

RS; What’s your favourite quote?
‘The past counts for nothing when the future is at your feet’

RS;Thanks for your time
ANU; its my pleasure Ronnie

Who will be the best signing of the transfer window?

Liverpool's Fernando Torres is being linked with a big-money move to Chelsea.

With the wheeling and dealing of football's transfer deadline day in full swing, Europe's top clubs have the last chance to strengthen their squads for the challenges ahead.

But with the stakes high, an ill-timed gamble in an inflated transfer market can lead to a downturn in a team's fortunes and it's significant that the real giants of club football – the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United – rarely make permanent signings in mid-season.
Jose Mourinho's Real did pick up Emmanuel Adebayor from Manchester City on loan, and with the Togo international making his debut promptly lost at Osasuna Sunday night to all but end their La Liga title hopes.

With the economic downturn and new UEFA rulings on "financial fair play," spending this window looked set to fall short of the near $200 million spent by English Premier League clubs alone 2008.

But it's significant that most of the window's biggest signings to date have been in the EPL, with Edin Dzeko moving to cash-rich Manchester City from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg for 31 million euros ($42 million) and Darren Bent switching from Sunderland for league rivals Aston Villa for 28 million euros ($38 million).

Much of the deadline-day interest has focused on Chelsea's pursuit of Fernando Torres, with honorable mentions for the cluster of clubs who want to get their hands on Newcastle's Andy Carroll and Sergio Aguero of Atletico Madrid.

With Torres reportedly set leave Liverpool, the Reds have sealed the signing of Uruguay sharpshooter Luis Suarez from Ajax for a relatively cut-price 26.5m euros ($36 million).

That may prove to be the best signing of all, as he's scored at nearly a goal a game for the Dutch giants, but who do you think will be the best signing of the January transfer window ?

skysports

TORRES FACTFILE

1984: March 20 - born in Madrid.

1995: Plays first youth match for Atletico Madrid.

1999: Signs first professional contract with Atletico.

2001: Becomes Atletico's youngest player with first-team debut against Leganes and is the top goalscorer as Spain win the Under-16 European Championship.

2002: Scores in the final and finishes top goalscorer as Spain win the Under-19 European Championship.

2003: Makes senior debut for Spain against Portugal.

2004: Features for Spain at Euro 2004.

2006: Scores three goals in World Cup finals in Germany.

2007: July 4 - Arrives in Liverpool and signs a six-year contract after completing a £20million transfer.

August 19 - Scores first goal for Reds in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Anfield.

2008: March 3 - Fires a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over West Ham - his third treble in his debut season with Liverpool.

April 30 - His equaliser takes Champions League semi-final against Chelsea to extra-time at Stamford Bridge, but the Blues prevail in the additional period.

May - Ends first season with 33 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for the Reds.

June 29 - Scores the only goal as Spain beat Germany 1-0 in Vienna to be crowned champions of Europe.

November - Confirms he would like to return to Atletico one day to "finish some things that are left to do".

December - Short-listed for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, which is won by then Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

2009: May - Torres fires 17 goals in 38 appearances for Liverpool, who finish second in the Premier League behind Manchester United. His tally comes despite being affected on no less than three occasions by hamstring problems.

August 14 - Liverpool confirm Torres has signed a contract extension until 2013, with an option for a further year.

December 9 - Groin problem sidelines him for over a month before he returns in a home Champions League defeat to Fiorentina.

December 22 - Admits Liverpool "don't have money to bring in the best players".

2010: February 21 - Returns as a substitute against Manchester City after a lay-off following a knee operation.

March 13 - Torres admits in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS that he will have to consider his Liverpool future if the club fail to make significant signings in the summer.

April 11 - Forced to see a specialist over continued problems with a knee injury.

April 18 - Ruled out for the rest of the season after it was confirmed he would require further knee surgery. His club statistics for the season are still impressive, with 22 goals in 32 games, including 18 in 22 league appearances.

July 11 - Collects a World Cup winner's medal with Spain after their 1-0 victory over Holland, but after fighting hard to claim a place in the squad he pulls up with an adductor problem in the final in Johannesburg, having come on as an 89th-minute substitute.

August 3 - Commits his future to Liverpool after speculation he would look to move on. He said: "My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead."

2011: January 28 - Liverpool reject bid for Torres from Chelsea. The club later reveal they have rejected a transfer request from the striker.

January 31 - Torres given permission to speak to Chelsea after clubs agree fee.

Transfer to Chelsea confirmed shortly after 11pm deadline

Courtesy of Skysports

Blues wrap up Torres deal; Blues land Spanish ace in last-gasp £50million swoop

Chelsea have completed their transfer deadline-day swoop for Fernando Torres from Liverpool on a five-and-a-half-year contract.

The deal went right down to the wire ahead of the transfer window closing, with Torres only travelling down to London late on Monday evening to undergo a last-minute medical.

But the Blues managed to push through the late deal before the window slammed shut, with the Spaniard penning a contract thought to be worth around £50million - a British transfer record.

Premier League champions Chelsea first made a move for the Spaniard on Thursday with an unsuccessful £35m offer for his services.

And Carlo Ancelotti's side persisted in their chase for the striker, despite the Reds insisting he was not on the market.

Liverpool changed their stance over 26-year-old Torres after moving for Newcastle striking ace Andy Carroll and Ajax star Luis Suarez in two last-minute swoops of their own on Monday.

Swoop
A statement on Torres' official website said: "Spain international Fernando Torres will defend the Blue shirt of Chelsea after joining the London club on the January transfer deadline.

"The striker has signed for the reigning Premier League and FA Cup champions for five and a half seasons.

"After Liverpool and Chelsea had reached an agreement, the player travelled down to London where he successfully passed his medical before agreeing personal terms.

"Fernando Torres then put pen to paper on a deal that will see the forward remain at Chelsea until June 2016."

Torres says he is delighted to complete the move to Stamford Bridge.

"I am very happy with my transfer to Chelsea and I am looking forward very much to helping my new team-mates this season and for many years to come," he said.

"Having played against Chelsea many times since coming to England, and in some very big games I will never forget, I know there are many great players here and I will work hard to win a place in the team.

"I hope I can score some important goals for the supporters to enjoy this season."


Significant
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck added: "This is a very significant day for Chelsea, capturing one of the best players in the world with his peak years ahead of him.

"We have long admired the talents of a player who is a proven goalscorer in English football and Fernando's arrival is a sign of our continuing high ambitious. I hope every Chelsea fan is as excited as I am with this news."

Torres established himself as a key player at Anfield during his time on Merseyside, but has struggled to find his top form this season.

The Spaniard, who spent almost four years at Liverpool after arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2007, could take on his former club as early as this weekend when the Reds travel to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League