Sport

Play more matches after Ethiopia, Adepoju counsels Siasia

2011-03-14T18:03:00.001-07:00

Saudi ’89 star, Mutiu Adepoju has cautioned Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia to ensure he lines up an array of friendly matches for the team after prosecuting the African Cup of Nations match against Ethiopia later in the month.
Mutiu, who is a former Super Eagles midfield ace, said that engaging the team in such friendlies will go a long way to further strengthen the expected cohesion which football followers in the country are clamouring for.
“I would have loved the match or other matches to be played in Lagos as often as possible like every other Nigerian would, but I suppose because of what happened at the last match played against Sierra Leon, it was moved. It is unfortunate that the match against Ethiopia will be prosecuted in Abuja, but Abuja is also Nigeria so we just need to give our support.
“I don’t know why some of the proposed friendlies have not been able to hold, because I am not in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), but I sincerely think after the Ethiopia match the Eagles should continue playing together in friendly matches so as to get the needed blend,” he said.
Mutiu told NationSport that what Nigerians are yelling for is nothing more than victory, adding that against the Ethiopians only an outright victory will rekindle the lost confidence in the team. He said that the visitors should not pose a threat to Nigeria’s quest to book a place in the African Cup of Nations next year.

Flying Eagles spy on Cameroun

2011-03-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

COACH of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, John Obuh, has stayed back in Dubai to spy on African Youth Championship group rivals, Cameroun when they tackle Egypt in a warm-up match.

“The team have left for Nigeria, but I’m still in Dubai because I have a chance to observe Cameroun, drawn with us in Group B of the AYC and play against Egypt in a friendly,” Obuh told MTNFootball.com.
“I will only return to Nigeria on Tuesday(today) after watching the game.”

Cameroun won 2-0 in a semi-final clash to deny Nigeria a berth in the final of the 2009 championship in Rwanda.

On Friday, the Flying Eagles lost 1-2 to their Egyptian counterparts, who have also qualified for the AYC.

On Sunday evening, the Flying Eagles were forced to a 1-1 draw by the Saudi Arabia U-20 team in continuation of their build-up for the AYC.

Chidi Osuchukwu hit target for Nigeria in the 72nd minute before the Saudis pegged the young Nigerians in the dying moments of the encounter.

“We were unlucky not to win this match because it was a far better performance by the team. We showed great character and we had already won the game and so everybody was disappointed with this draw,” Obuh said.

“This was an evening kick-off and so we did not have any problems with the weather, like we did in our first match in Dubai against Egypt.”

He stated that most of the problems with his team could be corrected in time before the AYC begins.

“We can correct the things that are affecting the team because they are usually our own mistakes. The players need to play simpler,” he said.

MTNFootball.com has also gathered that plans are underway for the team to train in Lagos on the ticket of the Lagos State Government before they head off to the AYC.

Man City wants revenge against Utd

2011-03-14T17:34:00.000-07:00

Manchester City want revenge on Wayne Rooney after the two Manchester clubs were drawn together in an explosive FA Cup semi-final.
City defender Micah Richards scored the winner that set up next month’s Wembley showdown with United.
And Richards says Roberto Mancini’s men are determined to avenge last month’s league derby defeat.
Rooney’s stunning bicycle kick gave United victory at Old Trafford and, when asked if City were out for revenge, Richards said: “Yeah, definitely, after Rooney’s overhead kick last time, but we’re looking forward to it. It should be a great game.”
City boss Roberto Mancini warned United the gap between the two sides had closed and told Sir Alex Ferguson and his players to prepare for a battle at Wembley.

Saturday's gossip column - transfers and rumours BREAKING GOSSIP

2011-03-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

BREAKING GOSSIP

1831 GMT: Bayern Munich are not after Germany coach Joachim Loew to replace Louis van Gaal, who is leaving at the end of the season, said the club's sports director Christian Nerlinger. Asked whether Loew, who has a contract with the national team until 2012, was a target, Nerlinger told Sky Television: "This is all speculation that is out there in public but there is no truth in that. We will try to find a good and convincing solution."
1036 GMT: Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has said that he would have preferred manager Arsene Wenger to keep his criticisms of Uefa and Swiss referee Massimo Busacca private. He adds to Wenger's criticisms of Uefa however, stating that its officials "don't listen to you and never have done."

William Gallas stays grounded as Tottenham Hotspur start to soar

2011-03-11T06:24:00.000-08:00

The fans are excited about outlasting Arsenal but the French defender says Spurs have achieved nothing yet

Tottenham Hotspur's William Gallas clears a Robinho effort off the line during the Champions League match against Milan. Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

The crowing from the White Hart Lane stands was loud and inevitable and for one man the temptation to join in might have felt irresistible. When William Gallas crossed the bitter north London divide last summer, he ensured that his ability to polarise opinion was ratcheted up to a new level.
Now his Tottenham Hotspur team had succeeded where Arsenal had failed 24 hours earlier, advancing into the Champions League quarter-finals. After Arsenal's elimination in Barcelona, Tottenham's 0-0 home draw against Milan on Wednesday served to prolong their heady adventure in their debut Champions League campaign.
It is generally a mistake, though, to second-guess Gallas, who can often resemble the last word on steely professionalism. Asked what he felt about Arsenal not making the quarter-finals, his response was curt. "Nothing, because now I play for Spurs and I think only about the future. The past is the past. I don't think about Arsenal. Everything is behind me."
Gallas was at odds with the general mood around the club, which gloried in the belief that Tottenham had finally proved their calibre, ahead of their hated rivals. Several Tottenham players spoke about the delight that they felt together with the club's supporters at outlasting Arsenal, while there was an element of tub-thumping about what they could achieve in the competition.
"Why can't we get to the final?" asked the striker Peter Crouch. "I can't give you one reason why not. Barça are fantastic but we have match winners too and we have shown that we can be resilient."
Even some of Milan's dejected players talked up Tottenham's chances. "They have got the quality to go far and yes, they can win it," said Kevin-Prince Boateng, a former White Hart Lane midfielder. Clarence Seedorf acknowledged Tottenham's status of "outsiders" but said: "We have seen some outsiders go all the way, so who knows?"
Gallas's reality checks felt jarring although they did echo the comments of the Spurs manager, Harry Redknapp, who is always keen to keep a lid on expectations. Gallas said that Arsenal had paid a heavy price for their failure to top their group and he said Barcelona were "the best team in the world."
"After what we saw [against Arsenal] on Tuesday night, nobody wants Barcelona," said the Frenchman, who was outstanding in the draw with Milan. In the grand sweep of the north London rivalry, it is also worth remembering that Arsenal still have a fighting chance to finish the season as the Premier League champions and/or the FA Cup winners.
Gallas's experience – his worldliness – is vital to the Tottenham squad and motivation continues to bubble inside of him. "When I signed for Tottenham," he said, "I just wanted to play football and show everyone who I am. Everyone judged me because I didn't have a good World Cup [with France] and I was injured last year.
"I had a lot of criticism but in football, it is like this. Now I am very happy to show people who I am. If I left Arsenal, it was for some reason. I will say at the end of the season."
Tottenham's supporters are excited to discover the identity of their Champions League quarter-final opponents when the draw is made on Friday of next week but Gallas's focus will not be deflected from the attempt to qualify for next season's edition of the tournament.
The importance of a top-four finish is paramount and he suggested that it would hold the key to whether he remains at White Hart Lane next season. Fears have already been raised about whether the club's star players, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, would stay on without the promise of Champions League football.
"We are fifth in the Premier League and our target is to qualify for the Champions League," he said. "Tottenham has to be big. I play with big players. I don't know yet [about next season]. I'm happy to be here and we'll try to see if I can stay for the next season. We'll see. It will be very important to be in the Champions League next season. Like I say, Tottenham has to be big."
The club has revelled in the bold strides that it has taken this season. But as far as Gallas is concerned they have achieved nothing yet.

We have done nothing wrong - Wenger

2011-03-11T06:14:00.001-08:00

Arsene Wenger will launch a stern defence when he faces up to a UEFA disciplinary charge next week but could be facing heavier sanctions after blasting Europe's governing body as arrogant and a "dictatorship".

The Gunners manager and midfielder Samir Nasri have been charged for "inappropriate language" towards Swiss referee Massimo Busacca after the final whistle at the Nou Camp, where Arsenal lost 3-1 to Barcelona and crashed out of the Champions League after having striker Robin van Persie controversially sent off on Tuesday.

Wenger responded by saying: "The only thing that people remember is that the sending off killed the game. A bit more humility would do UEFA some good. To apologise for what happened would be much better than charge people who have done nothing wrong."

Busacca caused uproar by showing Van Persie a second yellow card for shooting at goal just one second after he had blown the whistle for offside - the Holland forward claimed he had not heard it due to the noise of the 95,000-plus crowd. Wenger confronted the Swiss official after the final whistle over the sending-off and angry exchanges continued inside the tunnel.

UEFA, who could yet take further action following Wenger's latest blast, will hear the disciplinary case on March 17.

The whole incident has overshadowed what was a fine performance by Barcelona, who dominated possession as Arsenal failed to muster a single shot on goal.

There have been suggestions Wenger swore at Busacca, who is reported to have not held back either. The Arsenal boss, though, would not divulge any firm details of the alleged exchanges.

"I will keep that for UEFA if they really want to know because I will have some interesting statements to make about some statements made by people who were not supposed to say what they said," he said.

"You can check any statement I made on television after the game. If I have done anything wrong I am ready to be charged.

"As for what is said in the tunnel, if you can get just one [time] where I have come out on what has been said against me or against the referee [in a tunnel] during my 15 years in England, I will pay for you to have a big holiday."

Anichebe picked ahead of ‘Obagoal’

2011-03-09T17:26:00.001-08:00

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have picked Everton striker Victor Anichebe ahead of Obafemi Martins as a direct replacement for injured Turkey-based striker Emmanuel Emenike for a forthcoming Nations Cup qualifier versus Ethiopia.

MTNFootball.com exclusively gathered that Birmingham City cup hero Martins was pencilled to replace Emenike before the team’s selectors finally settled for Anichebe.

“The choice was between Martins and Anichebe to replace Emenike, who is injured. In the end, Anichebe got the nod,” a top team source told MTNFootball.com

Anichebe, who featured for Siasia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has returned to action after a long-term injury.

He received a late invitation for last month’s friendly against Sierra Leone in Lagos, but stayed away.

The squad coach Samson Siasia will name Thursday in Abuja will also have only two goalkeepers, Vincent Enyeama and Dele Aiyenugba, meaning no shot stopper from the Nigeria Premier League would be involved for the crucial Ethiopia clash.

However, several other NPL stars like Ekigho Ehiosun (Warri Wolves) and Osas Okoro, Chibuzor Okonkwo (Heartland) will be part of the Eagles latest squad.

Overall, Siasia will stick to the squad for the Sierra Leone friendly.

In continuation of the qualifying series for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria will host Ethiopia in Abuja on March 27.

Super Eagles move up one spot in FIFA rankings

2011-03-09T17:05:00.001-08:00

A low quality make-shift friendly match with West African neighbours, Sierra-Leone counted for so little as the Super Eagles moved just a step up in the latest rankings released yesterday by world football governing body, FIFA.

The Super Eagles now occupy the 39th spot in the world rankings.
Though the Eagles won the friendly against the Leone Stars 2-1, they still remain the fourth best team in the African continent behind the likes of Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and Egypt.
Ghana dropped one spot to become 16th in the world, but are still the highest ranked African team with Cote D' Ivoire as Africa's second best team; 25th in the world. Current African champions, Egypt are rated third in Africa while occupying the 35th spot in the world.
Minor changes
According to FIFA, a total of 55 friendly matches were taken into account for the March edition of the world rankings.
Not many changes were recorded as world champions, Spain still leads the overall standing followed by the Netherlands in second and Germany in third position.
Spain has been the top-ranked team in the world since winning the World Cup last July when it knocked Brazil from the top spot.
Even worse for the Brazilians is the fact that they have now been overtaken by fierce rivals Argentina, who now occupy fourth spot in the world rankings ahead of the five-time former world champions.
England, Uruguay, Croatia, Portugal and Greece complete the list of the top ten teams in the world.
Task ahead
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles stand a chance of making an upward movement on next month's rankings, which will be released by the world body on April 13, as they have a competitive match ahead of them later this month.
The team will take on Ethiopia in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Abuja National Stadium on Sunday March 27 with the knowledge that anything other than a victory over the East Africans will end Nigeria's dream of qualifying for the tournament to be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
With just four round of matches to go until the end of the qualifiers, the Super Eagles need a convincing victory over the Ethiopians to put back their Nations Cup participation aspirations back on the track as they currently trail Guinea on the log by three points.
Naming the squad
Only the top placed teams from each of the qualifying groups are guaranteed a ticket to the biannual African championship. But Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia has already promised to crush the Ethiopians who are currently ranked 124th in the world and 33rd in Africa.
The list of players to be invited for the must win match will be announced today by Siasia at a press conference in Abuja.
Already there are speculations over those that may likely make the team list with the likes of Obafemi Martins, Victor Anichebe and defender, Efe Ambrose expected to make a surprise return to the Super Eagles team.
The FIFA world rankings are determined by points awarded from match results in a three-year period, with more recent games given greater weight while teams get additional points for playing relatively strong opponents.

5 Things You Need to Know About Sports Supplements

2009-08-03T12:41:00.000-07:00

1. Nutrition and Training Come First
Athletes have been trying for centuries to find the magical formula to give them a competitive edge. Taking supplements is no answer to increasing performance unless you have a solid training and nutrition program. Sports supplements are a waste for weekend warrior type regimens or inadequate nutrition. Your supplements will definitely work better if you are eating a good amount of protein, vegetables and drinking lots of water.
2. Use Goals as a Supplement Program Guide
The list of supplements that are effective is much shorter than the choices available. You should be planning your supplement program to cater to your current training goals. If you're trying to build stronger muscle focus on those supplements that build and stop taking anything that would increase weight loss. You should also be cycling supplements, including vitamins. Your body creates a resistance over a long period of time and they lose their effectiveness. Take breaks every month or two to allow your body some time to reset.
3. Supplements That Promote Recovery
The first choice for recovery is a good multivitamin. It should be gender specific and in capsule form instead of tablet form so it is easy to digest in the small intestine where it will be absorbed into the blood stream. These supplements are great cell protectors against damage. Vitamin B6, E and C should be included as well as zinc, magnesium, selenium and calcium. Glucosamine should also be taken for joint and cartilage repair.
4. Supplement With Protein and Creatine
If you are training regularly, you should be consuming 1 to 1.5 gm of protein per pound of body weight. This is hard to do unless you gnaw on a porterhouse a little at a time all day. Giving yourself a regimen of protein powder will ensure you meet the protein requirements to support the building of tissues and enzymes and therefore muscle health. Mix your creatine right in with your protein. Creatine is the best selling supplement because it creates energy in the muscles. Sprinters and bodybuilders should be able to do more sets with than without creatine. For endurance athletes, creatine can buffer lactic acid build up.
5. Hyped Up Fat Burner
Good supplements will come from larger, reputable companies with a laboratory emphasis on supplement testing. Fat burners and energy enhancers are worth trying to increase performance during training or promote body fat loss. Most of these are stimulant based and should be accompanied by lots of water to avoid dehydration. They should also be cycled and you should stick to the prescribed amount or less. They'll work best if you take them one hour before you train