Football brings about thrilling moments that lives long in the
subsconcious for years.
Whether its a free kick from metres out that nests in the far corner,
a spinning dribble to create space, a sixty yard pass from deep in
midfield to set up a goal or a tackle to stop an imminent goal scoring
opportunity, football reveals different kinds of moment to different
people.
A goal scored to clinch a title or to win a tournament is always like
a signature in the memory that never fades.
Many fans would always remember Diego Maradona's hand of God goal
against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter final and his
mesmerising run and dribble that took out the entire English midfield
and defence in the same match.
This is how others would also remember Emmanuel Amuneke's goal that
clinched the gold medal in the footbal events of the 1996 Olympics in
Atlanta against Argentina. His brace two years earlier against Zambia
that won Nigeria its second Afcon title in Tunisia 94 remains an
abiding memory.
Sunday Mba's goal against Burkina Faso at 2013 Afcon which gave
Nigeria her third title is even more so, because its happened just
three years ago.
Just as there are abiding memories of joy and esctacy, so also there
are moments of anguish brought about be missing a vital goal scoring
opportunity that would have made a club or country to win a tournament
or advance to the next stage of a competition.
Asamoah Gyan's penalty miss that struck the post in the quarter final
against Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup stands as an memory of
disappointment because if that ball had gone in, Ghana would have made
history as the first African semi finalist in a World Cup. As it was
the Black Stars lost the penalty shoot out that followed.
Few would forget Victor Ikpeba's hands on head after his penalty kick
struck the under side of the bar and crossed the line, but to him it
was a miss, which handed Cameroun the Afcon title in Lagos sixteen
years ago.
There are numerous moments like this that remembers football fans of
what the game is all about. Be it moments that creates joy, or moments
that brings sadness like a Sunday Oliseh crying after the defeat to
Cameroun in the Afcon finals in Lagos in 2000, and a Buffon shedding
tears after Italy lost on penalties to Germany in one of the quarter
finals of Euro 2016.
Yet, all these moments put together whether good or bad doesn't
compare to the triumph of an underdog in football. It is such unlikely
triumphs that makes football what it is. An unpredictability that is
hinged on several factors that makes it romantic. Just like a
beautiful love story that results in a marriage.
Leicester City's run to the Premier League title last season is the
sort of thing that makes football a romantic sport. A triumph that was
never in the dreams of anybody, talk less of it happening in reality.
But it did happen, and it is a sporting triumph that would be told for
generations to come just as the William Shakepeare's Romeo and Juliet.
What made Leicester City's triumph so romantic, was that it didn't
occur by chance, they were simply the best side in the Premier League.
Leaving Leicester City's triumph, the exploits of Iceland and Wales at
the European Championships in France has provided a romantic scene to
a tournament that has been devoid of moments that will live long in
the memory.
Iceland's win over England was reminiscent of Leicester City's triumph
as they were the better side on the day. If a big team beats a smaller
team in a tournament, it doesn't make much of a news as it was
expected, but when a smaller team in every sphere of the word causes
an upset by beating a much more bigger team, the news reverbrates for
ages, and it becomes a tale that is told to generations which makes it
take the form of a romantic story in people's heart.
The Icelandic adventure might end or continue against France on
Sunday, but one thing is clear, the beautiful moments they have
created in football sphere will never be forgotten by the 330,000
Icelandic people. It will ring on for ages, just like the tales of the
Vikings.
The Welsh win over Belgium in the quarter finals created another
romantic sub plot to a tournament that has seen the underdogs come to
the party as the centre of attraction when many bookies and football
fans alike would have flirted with the more bigger teams.
These teams might not go on to win the tournament in France, but
looking at the story from another angle, an average football fan would
always remember what these teams did, because the triumph of the
underdogs certainly makes football romantic just like a love story.
Sunday, 3 July 2016
Arsenal Confirms Signing of Takuma
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Japanese international striker,
Takuma Asano.
The 21 year old confirmed a couple of weeks ago that he has been
approached by the Premier League club. And his subsequent signing was
in sync with what the player himself had told the press few weeks ago.
Arsene Wenger said of this of new signing:
"Takuma is a talented young striker and very much one for the future.
He has had an impressive start to his career and we look forward to
him developing over the next couple of years."
The younger samurai would be representing Japan in this year's
Olympics in Rio in August. He was voted as the best younger player of
the year in Japan's J-League for his prowess for his club Sanfrecce
Hiroshima.
He is likely to be fan out on loan as its unlikely that he would be
granted a work permit. The last Japanesse player Arsenal signed, Ryo
Miyachi had a couple of loan spells from the club before his contract
expired.
Going by Arsene Wenger's words, he is a player for the future, and
considering how such signings have gone in recent years, those of
Arsenal persuasion might not be enthused by a signing which will not
immediately contribute to the success of the club.
His signing brings to two the number of players that have arrived
Arsenal this summer, the other being Swiss international midfielder
Granit Xhaka who was signed in May.
Takuma Asano.
The 21 year old confirmed a couple of weeks ago that he has been
approached by the Premier League club. And his subsequent signing was
in sync with what the player himself had told the press few weeks ago.
Arsene Wenger said of this of new signing:
"Takuma is a talented young striker and very much one for the future.
He has had an impressive start to his career and we look forward to
him developing over the next couple of years."
The younger samurai would be representing Japan in this year's
Olympics in Rio in August. He was voted as the best younger player of
the year in Japan's J-League for his prowess for his club Sanfrecce
Hiroshima.
He is likely to be fan out on loan as its unlikely that he would be
granted a work permit. The last Japanesse player Arsenal signed, Ryo
Miyachi had a couple of loan spells from the club before his contract
expired.
Going by Arsene Wenger's words, he is a player for the future, and
considering how such signings have gone in recent years, those of
Arsenal persuasion might not be enthused by a signing which will not
immediately contribute to the success of the club.
His signing brings to two the number of players that have arrived
Arsenal this summer, the other being Swiss international midfielder
Granit Xhaka who was signed in May.
Friday, 24 June 2016
Nigeria In Tough Group For 2018 World Cup Qualifiers
The Super Eagles have been grouped alongside former African champions
Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia in qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in
Russia.
Nigeria, Algeria and Cameroon were all in Brazil for the last World
Cup were both the Super Eagles and Algeria advanced to the second
round two years ago.
With this group, it means, the trio might not make it to the
tournament in Russia, while it is certain that two of the last African
representatives would not make it to Russia.
The Super Eagles will have to sort out their away form if they are to
qualify for their sixth World Cup in Russia. With no substantive coach
in place, the NFF would have to quickly resolve the uncertainty over
that position as well as the venue where Nigeria would play their
matches.
Algeria, who are the highest ranked side in Africa have enjoyed a
steady rise on the continent since they started calling on players on
where born in Europe to Algerian parents following FIFA's rule change.
They will arguably be Nigeria's strongest opponent in the group, and
on current form would pose the greatest obstacle to the Super Eagles
chances of qualifying for Russia.
The indomitable lions, Cameroon is another team with a pedigree that
could hurt Nigeria's chances. They have been to the World Cup a record
seven times. With so much at stake, there will be no margin for error
for the Super Eagles in qualifying.
While Zambia will equally not be pushovers as the 2012 African
champions are a good footballing side on their day, and are strong at
home.
Nigeria will have to negotiate the qualifiers knowing that they have
no margin for errors if they are to be in Russia.
Full group.
Group A
Tunisia, Libya, DR Congo, Guinea
Group B
Nigeria, Cameroon, Zambia, Algeria
Group C
Gabon, Mail, Ivory Coast, Morocco
Group D
Senegal, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde
Group E
Ghana, Egypt, Congo, Uganda
The group winners will qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The
qualifying campaign starts in October, while the second round of
matches will be in November. The concluding rounds will be in 2017.
Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia in qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in
Russia.
Nigeria, Algeria and Cameroon were all in Brazil for the last World
Cup were both the Super Eagles and Algeria advanced to the second
round two years ago.
With this group, it means, the trio might not make it to the
tournament in Russia, while it is certain that two of the last African
representatives would not make it to Russia.
The Super Eagles will have to sort out their away form if they are to
qualify for their sixth World Cup in Russia. With no substantive coach
in place, the NFF would have to quickly resolve the uncertainty over
that position as well as the venue where Nigeria would play their
matches.
Algeria, who are the highest ranked side in Africa have enjoyed a
steady rise on the continent since they started calling on players on
where born in Europe to Algerian parents following FIFA's rule change.
They will arguably be Nigeria's strongest opponent in the group, and
on current form would pose the greatest obstacle to the Super Eagles
chances of qualifying for Russia.
The indomitable lions, Cameroon is another team with a pedigree that
could hurt Nigeria's chances. They have been to the World Cup a record
seven times. With so much at stake, there will be no margin for error
for the Super Eagles in qualifying.
While Zambia will equally not be pushovers as the 2012 African
champions are a good footballing side on their day, and are strong at
home.
Nigeria will have to negotiate the qualifiers knowing that they have
no margin for errors if they are to be in Russia.
Full group.
Group A
Tunisia, Libya, DR Congo, Guinea
Group B
Nigeria, Cameroon, Zambia, Algeria
Group C
Gabon, Mail, Ivory Coast, Morocco
Group D
Senegal, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde
Group E
Ghana, Egypt, Congo, Uganda
The group winners will qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The
qualifying campaign starts in October, while the second round of
matches will be in November. The concluding rounds will be in 2017.
Friday, 27 May 2016
Jose Mourinho Becomes Manchester United Manager
Jose Mourinho has been confirmed as Manchester United manager. He
replaces Louis van Gaal who was dimissed on Monday, two days after
winning the FA Cup.
Manchester United Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward praised the
appointment as he described the Portuguese "as simply the best manager
in the game today."
The former Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid manager was more
measured in his statement after his confirmation by saying it was a
special honour in the game to be Manchester United manager.
The eccentric Portuguese has been linked to the manager's position at
Old Trafford since last December, and he was widely reported to have
been appointed as the club's manager after Saturday's FA Cup final.
With his confirmation, he is now expected to set about rebuilding a
squad that struggled for most of last season.
With his reputation in tatters after he was sacked as Chelsea manager
following their bad start to the season, he would be keen to regain
his position in the game by moving the Red Devils to a height never
before seen since the Alex Ferguson era.
However, despite the disappointing end to his second spell at Chelsea,
his record as a Premier League manager remains up there with the best.
With three Premier League titles, three League Cups and two FA Cup.
This is before factoring in his record at Porto, Inter Milan and Real
Madrid where he won a combined five league titles, two Champions
League crown, a Uefa cup, and three domestic cups.
That he is a manager that guarantees trophies is not in doubt, but
dealing with the baggages he comes with is another issue entirely. And
talking about his other sides would inevitably bring about talk of his
time at Real Madrid where he had a heated rivalry with Barcelona whose
manager at the time was a certain Pep Guardiola. Who incidentally is
now Manchester City's manager.
The presence of this two personalities should bring added spice to the
Manchester derby next season.
Jose Mourinho will have no Champions League to feature in next season.
He would have to make do with the Europa League, a competition he has
often derided in the past. However, the last time he managed a team in
the equivalent Uefa Cup which gave way to the Europa League, his Porto
side went on to win it.
It remains to be seen what he brings to Old Trafford.
replaces Louis van Gaal who was dimissed on Monday, two days after
winning the FA Cup.
Manchester United Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward praised the
appointment as he described the Portuguese "as simply the best manager
in the game today."
The former Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid manager was more
measured in his statement after his confirmation by saying it was a
special honour in the game to be Manchester United manager.
The eccentric Portuguese has been linked to the manager's position at
Old Trafford since last December, and he was widely reported to have
been appointed as the club's manager after Saturday's FA Cup final.
With his confirmation, he is now expected to set about rebuilding a
squad that struggled for most of last season.
With his reputation in tatters after he was sacked as Chelsea manager
following their bad start to the season, he would be keen to regain
his position in the game by moving the Red Devils to a height never
before seen since the Alex Ferguson era.
However, despite the disappointing end to his second spell at Chelsea,
his record as a Premier League manager remains up there with the best.
With three Premier League titles, three League Cups and two FA Cup.
This is before factoring in his record at Porto, Inter Milan and Real
Madrid where he won a combined five league titles, two Champions
League crown, a Uefa cup, and three domestic cups.
That he is a manager that guarantees trophies is not in doubt, but
dealing with the baggages he comes with is another issue entirely. And
talking about his other sides would inevitably bring about talk of his
time at Real Madrid where he had a heated rivalry with Barcelona whose
manager at the time was a certain Pep Guardiola. Who incidentally is
now Manchester City's manager.
The presence of this two personalities should bring added spice to the
Manchester derby next season.
Jose Mourinho will have no Champions League to feature in next season.
He would have to make do with the Europa League, a competition he has
often derided in the past. However, the last time he managed a team in
the equivalent Uefa Cup which gave way to the Europa League, his Porto
side went on to win it.
It remains to be seen what he brings to Old Trafford.
Wednesday, 25 May 2016
Official: Arsenal Signs Granit Xhaka
Arsenal have announced the signing of 23 year old Swiss international,
Granit Xhaka on a long term contract for an undisclosed fee.
The 6ft 1in midfielder told the official Arsenal website that
"I am very proud of joining Arsenal. I cannot wait to move to London
and represent this special club and play in the Premier League.
"I will give everything to help Arsenal win trophies and to make the
fans happy." he said
On his part, Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger said this about his new
signing "he is an exciting young player, already with good Champions
League and Bundesliga experience.
"We have been watching him for a long time now and he is a player who
would add quality to our squad."
His arrival come on the heels of the departures of Mikel Arteta, Tomas
Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini after their contract expired.
He is the first central midfielder for the first team squad that
Arsene Wenger has signed that is over six foot for a number of
seasons.
In his four years with Borussia Monchengladbach, he made 108
Bundesliga appearances.
He was part of the Swiss squad that was eliminated in the second round
of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. And he is expected to play a key role
for the Swiss team at the European Championships in France which
starts on June 10.
He joins a central midfield that already have Santi Cazorla, Mohammed
Elneny, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey.
Granit Xhaka on a long term contract for an undisclosed fee.
The 6ft 1in midfielder told the official Arsenal website that
"I am very proud of joining Arsenal. I cannot wait to move to London
and represent this special club and play in the Premier League.
"I will give everything to help Arsenal win trophies and to make the
fans happy." he said
On his part, Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger said this about his new
signing "he is an exciting young player, already with good Champions
League and Bundesliga experience.
"We have been watching him for a long time now and he is a player who
would add quality to our squad."
His arrival come on the heels of the departures of Mikel Arteta, Tomas
Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini after their contract expired.
He is the first central midfielder for the first team squad that
Arsene Wenger has signed that is over six foot for a number of
seasons.
In his four years with Borussia Monchengladbach, he made 108
Bundesliga appearances.
He was part of the Swiss squad that was eliminated in the second round
of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. And he is expected to play a key role
for the Swiss team at the European Championships in France which
starts on June 10.
He joins a central midfield that already have Santi Cazorla, Mohammed
Elneny, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey.
Monday, 23 May 2016
Louis van Gaal Was A Dead Man Walking Before He Was Sacked
Manchester United announced the sacking of their manager on Monday.
The news of Louis van Gaal's departure had leaked minutes after the
club won their 12th FA Cup on Saturday. The media was awashed with
reports of Jose Mourinho's appointment as the club's replacement to
the Dutchman.
The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has been under
the spotlight all season going by various media reports. Leaving aside
the FA Cup triumph, he presided over a poor season by the club's high
standard.
Different words have been used to describe the Old Trafford club this
season, from boring to functional, the list is endless.
The club descended from their ethos of attacking football to a side
that was afraid to play anything resembling football.
That Manchester United only scored 49 goals in 38 league matches was a
reflection of the poor tactics deployed by the Dutchman.
He arrived Old Trafford with a reputation after he guided the
Netherlands to fourth place in the 2014 World Cup. However, after a
difficult start to his first season in charge, the club rallied round
to finish in the top four with key wins over Liverpool at Anfield and
a swashbuckling 4-1 win over city rivals Manchester City at Old
Trafford.
However, that is as good as it got for the club in his first season,
but finishing in the top four after the disaster of the David Moyes
era was regarded as a step forward for the club.
Yet, he was expected to have kicked on in his second season by making
the club title contenders, but instead they went backward after
topping the league in November. It was the high point of the first
half of the season as the team exited the Champions League at the
group stage after an error strewn 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg in Germany.
There was little joy in the Europa League as they were eliminated by Liverpool.
The Dutchman's reputation was not enhanced by the way he prevented his
team to play exciting football with his obdurate tactics. That
Manchester United went eleven games at Old Trafford without scoring a
first half goal was as strange as it was a odd statistics in many
ways.
Indeed the way this season has gone for the club, Van Gaal was walking
a tight rope and his sacking has not come as a surprise, if anything
many within the Manchester United circle are glad to see the back of
the Dutchman.
However, despite the fact that he failed to deliver a top four finish
in his last season at the club, if winning a trophy is used to judge
his time at Old Trafford, he can point to the FA cup he delivered.
A win that was significant in many ways as it was the first trophy
since Alex Ferguson left the club, and the first FA cup the club has
won since 2004.
For all the high that greeted his arrival at the club two years ago,
Louis van Gaal leaves the club without a tear from anybody associated
with the club. A cruel way to leave an organisation, but to many a
necessary cutting of ties in order for Ed Woodward and co to usher in
a new era which will start with a certain Portuguese.
The news of Louis van Gaal's departure had leaked minutes after the
club won their 12th FA Cup on Saturday. The media was awashed with
reports of Jose Mourinho's appointment as the club's replacement to
the Dutchman.
The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has been under
the spotlight all season going by various media reports. Leaving aside
the FA Cup triumph, he presided over a poor season by the club's high
standard.
Different words have been used to describe the Old Trafford club this
season, from boring to functional, the list is endless.
The club descended from their ethos of attacking football to a side
that was afraid to play anything resembling football.
That Manchester United only scored 49 goals in 38 league matches was a
reflection of the poor tactics deployed by the Dutchman.
He arrived Old Trafford with a reputation after he guided the
Netherlands to fourth place in the 2014 World Cup. However, after a
difficult start to his first season in charge, the club rallied round
to finish in the top four with key wins over Liverpool at Anfield and
a swashbuckling 4-1 win over city rivals Manchester City at Old
Trafford.
However, that is as good as it got for the club in his first season,
but finishing in the top four after the disaster of the David Moyes
era was regarded as a step forward for the club.
Yet, he was expected to have kicked on in his second season by making
the club title contenders, but instead they went backward after
topping the league in November. It was the high point of the first
half of the season as the team exited the Champions League at the
group stage after an error strewn 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg in Germany.
There was little joy in the Europa League as they were eliminated by Liverpool.
The Dutchman's reputation was not enhanced by the way he prevented his
team to play exciting football with his obdurate tactics. That
Manchester United went eleven games at Old Trafford without scoring a
first half goal was as strange as it was a odd statistics in many
ways.
Indeed the way this season has gone for the club, Van Gaal was walking
a tight rope and his sacking has not come as a surprise, if anything
many within the Manchester United circle are glad to see the back of
the Dutchman.
However, despite the fact that he failed to deliver a top four finish
in his last season at the club, if winning a trophy is used to judge
his time at Old Trafford, he can point to the FA cup he delivered.
A win that was significant in many ways as it was the first trophy
since Alex Ferguson left the club, and the first FA cup the club has
won since 2004.
For all the high that greeted his arrival at the club two years ago,
Louis van Gaal leaves the club without a tear from anybody associated
with the club. A cruel way to leave an organisation, but to many a
necessary cutting of ties in order for Ed Woodward and co to usher in
a new era which will start with a certain Portuguese.
Saturday, 21 May 2016
Leaked Photos Shows Granit Xhaka's Move To Arsenal Already Done
Arsenal are a club known for its secrecy when it comes to transfers. However, in what should come as a surprise to the club's transfer fixers, the photos of Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka, who reports circulating around is in London for his medicals was leaked by unknown persons to social media earlier today.
The leaked photos all but confirms the reports doing the rounds in the media that the player is close to completing his transfer to Arsenal.
Below are the leaked photos of the 23 year old
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