Okagbare grabs a Bronze medal in the 200m

Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare won her second individual medal of the ongoing IAAF World athletics Championship this evening when she placed third in the final of the Women's 200m. She returned a time of 22.32s, same as Ivorien Ahoure who was awarded the Silver medal.

It was however double Gold for Jamacain Shelly-Ann-Fraser Pryce who came out fast from the blocks to win in 22.17s.

Okagbare's Silver and Bronze medals are the only medals won by Nigeria so far in the Championship, to place 21st on the medals table.

Arsenal, When Top-4 becomes Top Priority?

With just 24hrs to the opening of the 2013/14 English Premiership season, and another two weeks before the transfer window closes, Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal team appears to have been caught pants down and looks like a team not yet ready for the new season. With Frenchman Yaya Sanago as its solitary signing, the club has had to watch other clubs get busy in the market and at the same time watch as players targeted snub the club. It appears the club is no longer able attract top players or how else can one describe the latest story about Brazilian Luis Gustavo snubbing Arsenal to sign for mid-table German side Wolfsburg...... That summed up the club's woes in the current transfer market . But since when did Arsenal became such an ordinary club in the eyes of these players?

The answer perhaps lies in the club's failure to spend in previous transfer markets while at the same time losing its best players. While there's no doubting the club's image as a rare profit making club among clubs all around the world, such achievement at the expense of winning trophies is where the club appeared to have derailed in the last few years.

When Arsenal last won a trophy (the league cup in 2005), it had players like Ashley Cole, Viera, Fabregas, Silva, Pires, Reyes, Bergkamp, van Persie and Ljumberg. Players who were at the top of their games. Names that were enough attraction for other players to want to join Arsenal. Now fast forward eight years and what do you get? Aside Carzola and Wilshere,  most of the players currently at the club are at best either average or over-hyped players. Names that any ambitious top player wouldn't consider as capable of winning trophies.

Arsene Wenger's excuse for not bringing in Top quality players had always been the inflated price of the market hence his decision to stick with his academy products, sprinkled with some bargain buys. Year in, year out, he referred to his team as young and developing only to see the development scuppered by the loss of one or a couple of the best among them. You'd expected a team that was too shrewd to buy players in the market to at least hold on to its players but that wasn't the case and so began the gradual decline in the quality of the team. The result - a lack of success in the sporting field, meaning settling for top-4 finish was all the club could hope for season after season.

Shame that when Arsenal are now ready to spend big, the appeal the club once had is no longer there. Why  and how it took Wenger and the club Directors all of eight years to realise the simple basics of economics, that the market price of any commodity is determined by the law of demand and supply, one will never understand. It is clearer to them now that, yes, the market is inflated, but as long as there are buyers out there willing to pay over the odds for these players, that market price becomes the value of the player and not Wenger or Arsenal's valuation.

With Arsenal's 'Buy one, let four Go' transfer system, they are about to pay a heavy price for it this season. With Arshavin, Santos, Scuillaci, Denilson, Charmakh and Gervinho all allowed to leave despite no replacement, the team is so thin that it is barely able to raise a complete bench for Saturday's opener against Aston Villa. This is a game that should be a banker but any injury or card to one of the starting players puts the team into trouble. A team already crippled by injuries to Vermaelen, Sagna, Nacho Monreal, Arteta and Sanogo could be forced to play a tired Carzola who just came back from South America with the National team.

For a team whose fans pay the highest in the whole of Europe for tickets, those fans deserve better than a hopeful top-4 finish  and their realistic hopes of winning trophies should be restored

Can you identify this boxer????

Well, this is actually the scary picture of ex-Liverpool and now Fernabache player, Dirk Kuyt, seen on return to his Turkish base of Istanbul after National team assignment.

This was the eye injury he suffered from the training ground collision with National Team-mate and Swansea City's Jonathan De Guzman on Tuesday evening. While Kuyt's deep gash required five stitches, De Guzman suffered a suspected concussion and has already been ruled out of the Premiership opener against Manchester United.

Judging by the picture above, one has to admit that despite the occasional theatrics of rolling on the floor from a slight nudge, these footballers do suffer their own fair share of nasty injuries.

Ouuchhh...That sure hurts.

Marion Bartoli Retires from Tennis.

French Tennis Star and reigning Wimbledon Women Singles Champion Marion Bartoli yesterday announced her retirement from the sport, citing injuries as major reason. She made the announcement at the pres conference immediately after her 2nd round loss to Simona Halep at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati

'It's time for me to retire and call it a career. I feel it's time for me to walk away actually'. As she wiped tears off her face, She also added that 'I have pains everywhere after 45 minutes or an hour of play. I've been doing this for so long and body-wise, I just can't do it anymore'

Noted for her double-handed play, (which writer once highlighted takes a lot from her physically) Bartoli won 8 WTA & 6 ITF Career Singles titles. She also had 3 WTA & ITF Doubles titles to her name. Her finest moment in the game however came just 6 weeks ago when she won the Wimbledon Singles title, her only Grand Slam title.

We wish her all the very best for the future as she ventures into other aspects of life, which was clearly  hinted in her announcement. She said, 'There is some excitement as a tennis player. There is a lot of excitement as a woman. There is a lot of excitement as a wife. There's is a lot of excitement as a mother. There is a lot of excitement to come up'

If only Carlsberg did Debuts....

How often do you get picked to play for your National team for the first time at over 30 years of age? Rarely. Well, that's precisely what happened to Rickie Lambert who was picked to play the England friendly against Scotland on Wednesday 14th August 2013, and boy, how well did he take his chances. He not only got to play, he also scored a goal with his very first touch, hit the post and almost had a hat-trick, all in the spate of twenty-two minutes of coming on when he replaced Wayne Rooney.

At 31 years of  age, the dream of ever playing for the National team becomes a mirage but fate and self determination paid a crucial part in his call-up. For a player who had spent almost his entire footballing career in the lower divisions of English Football, Rickie benefited from Injuries and withdrawals to win his first call up to the English squad.

Rickie made his debut in the Premiership last season when he won promotion with Southampton in the 2011/12 season, after almost 14 years in the lower league with clubs that included Bristol Rovers, Rochdale and Blackpool, and he acquitted himself well to earn praises from fellow players and managers with his goals and influence on his young team.

No doubt that if Carlsberg did Debuts, they'd named it LAMBERT.

Thank you Yelena Isinbayeva.

As events on Day 4 of the Ongoing World Athletics Championship draws to a close, one athlete stole the show and that was local hero Yelena Isinbayeva. Widely regarded as one of the greatest female athletes of all time, Yelena hinted of her decision to retire at the end of this championship hence she was keen to make a good impression in front of her home fans, and she did it in spectacular fashion too.

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Shelly-Ann Fraser is World Championship Women's 100m Queen.

Reported by Jon Mulkeen:

The women’s 100m final featured the eight fastest entrants of the championships, but ultimately there was no doubt over the winner as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce triumphed with the biggest winning margin in World Championships

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11-year old South African Poet, Botlhale Boikanyo

A look back at South Africa Got Talent (SAGT) 2012 winner Botlhale, on her Final winning performance. For an 11year old, her delivery and message was something to behold. Enjoy the clip again.

Blessing Okagbare ends Nigeria's 12 year wait for World Championship medal

Blessing Okagbare became the first Nigerian athlete in twelve years to win a medal at the World Athletics Championship. On Sunday evening of 11th August, she leapt a distance of 6.99m to win a Silver medal narrowly losing the Gold medal to Olympic champion Britney Reece by.02m. The American jumped 7.01m on her second jump to clinch the title.
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Siver Jubilee of Nigeria's 'China'85' Success.

It is exactly twenty-five (25)years today when eighteen (18) Nigerian youngsters left the shores of the Country for far away China to participate in the Inaugural Fifa U-16 World Cup Championship. After 2-weeks of some exciting football matches, the Nigerian team defeated Germany in the finals by two goals to nil to lift the trophy. The second goal scored by Victor Igbinoba remained etched in the memories of millions of Nigerian who saw the historic match on Television
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Blessing Okagbare qualifies for the Semis.

Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare this morning at the Luzhniki Stadium Moscow, ran a time of 11.03 seconds to win her Heat 4 of the Women's 100m at the ongoing World Athletics Championship, Moscow 2013.

She has now been drawn in lane 4 of the Semi-Finals Heat 1 scheduled for Monday afternoon 4.05pm.
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World Athletics Championship (Moscow 2013): Women's 100m Preview.

As the heats of the Women's 100 meters kicks off on Sunday the 11th August 2013, all eyes will no doubt be on the Finals slated for Monday evening. To the keen Athletics lovers, this event no doubt is the star attraction in terms of excitement and expectation. Unlike the Mens' version which is a race between Bolt and the rest of the field, the Women's race is more keenly contested and result very unpredictable, especially this year.
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Adnan Januzaj: Manchester United's New kid on the Block

With Manchester united still pursuing Cesc Fabregas with relentless effort, could the search for a creative player in the middle of the pack be found in the little Belgian by the name Adnan Januzaj?

Still only 18, this former Anderlecht of Begium player played as a reserve last season and was voted the player of the year in the poll among the reserve players. This season however, he's been the shining light during pre-season with the senior players. A very technically gifted player, Adnan caught the eys of many Man United fans in the match against Cerezo Osaka which despite losing 2-3, he was one of the few stand out players. His sublime touches, vision and passing abilities was on full display to the delight of many, earning him rave reviews even among the senior players. Again during the Rio Ferdinand's Testimonial match against Seville, he pulled the strings in midfield and linked up well with the strikers.

Knowing David Moyes as one who is never shy of giving youngsters chances to prove themselves, Adnan could find himself in the thick of things in the new season as the current Manchetser United side is seriously lacking in creativity.

Watch clips from the Testimonial above to catch a glimpse of the player's abilities.

Yay! Everyone pees in the pool!!

Mention peeing in the pool and see how people around you go 'eeww', yuck or 'that's disgusting'. But are we really being honest with ourselves when we give those 'I'm shocked' remarks? Would an honest revelation by your sporting hero make you admit you've done it before or do it as well?

Well, relief was the word when the most decorated Olympian ever Michael Phelps admitted to peeing in the pool and adding that it was no big deal as everyone does it. 

And to lend credence to Phelps confession, another Olympian Ryan Lochte in a separate interview also admitted to doing it at the London Olympics during warm-ups for one of his races.

Socially it may not sound cool but knowing that other people do it should be enough encouragement to admit it openly if ever the topic comes up among colleagues or friend. 

Ever done it in the pool?  

Emenike's Arrival at Fernabache: Who Gets the boots?

Given the Turkish Football League rule which restrict clubs from signing more than ten(10) non-Turkish players (with only six of them allowed in the team for a match), the imminent arrival of Nigerian International striker Emmanuel Emenike at Fernabache could mean the end of one of the foreign players at the club as presently the club have Ten of such players in their fold. The list includes:

1. Joseph Yobo -             Nigeria
2. Michal Kadlec -           Czech Republic
3. Bruno Alves -               Portugal
4. Samuel Holmen -          Sweden
5. Milos Krasic -              Serbia
6. Christain Baroni -         Brazil
7. Raul Meireles -            Portugal
8. Pierre Webo -             Cameroon
9. Dirk Kuyt -                 Holland
10. Moussa Sow -          Senegal

From the above list, the defenders Kadlec (from Bayern Leverkusen) , Bruno Alves (from Shakter Donetsk) and Swedish midfielder Samuel Holmen (from Istanbul BB) could be exempted from the list of players likely to be axed as they only joined the club this close season. So that leaves the sacrificial player to be one of the remaining seven. So who is safe among this lots?

Of the last seven, Raul Meireles, Cristian Baroni, Dirk Kuyt and Moussa Sow all appear to be safe.
Raul Meireles is enjoying his football again after his nightmarish experience at Chelsea. He was a super regular last season and chipped in with some spectacular goals. Ditto the tireless Kuyt whose versatility upfront makes him a very important member of the team. Baroni adds the Brazilian flavour while Moussa Sow merits his place due to his goals last season. He was the club's top scorer last season with 16goals from 31 matches. This leaves only Yobo, Krasic and Webo as the likely man.

Nigerian National team skipper Joseph Yobo's position looked to be in danger when Fernabache brought Bruno Alves from Shaktar. Watching their partnership in the Champion's League match on Tuesday against Austrian side Salzburg however restored some hopes that Alves could have been bought to add steel, experience and number to the back-line. Presently the club have only eight (8) defenders (these two players inclusive) in the team which is about the right size. A defender less could be risky as that's the area in a team most prone to cards and suspensions. Joseph Yobo who featured 20 times last season scoring no goals, brings stability and experience to the team albeit, he's lost a bit of his pace to age. The defender is 32.

Milos Krasic. He came with a big reputation. Bought from Juventus where he spent two easily forgettable seasons, the Serbian winger (Right-sided midfielder, if you like)  played only 13 games last season with 6 of them as substitute and scoring no goal . He has been a big disappointment since he moved to Fernabache as he appeared to have played his best football for CSKA Moscow despite being only 28 years of age. The odds are stacked against him getting the chop as he operates in a midfield department where Ferna boasts most players. The team have about 12 players in that area, which could play a key role in where to save or chop.

Pierre Webo has been a useful figure in the team. He boasts of an impressive seven (7) goals from only thirteen(13) appearances last season. Although no longer a spring chicken at 31, he is nevertheless a useful squad player who has always delivered when called upon. He has good understanding on the pitch with Moussa Sow, as once again highlighted in the Champion's League match against Salsburg.
With only Kuyt, Sow, Senturk and Emenike to contend with, Webo's place could also be seen as safe especially when one considers the number of games to be played in the season... League, European and Local Cup games etc. This is where Webo could come very handy to relieve the main strikers in some of the less glamorous games or Cup matches.

From all indications really, Krasic seems the least important of the three players (as viewed by writer), the manager however has the final say in who to send packing. But one fact remains, someone has to go. Not a big deal you'd say afterall, players moving in and out of clubs is on e constant feature of the game.

Emmanuel Emenike set for Medicals at Fernabache Today.

 Here's is a video of  Nigerian international striker Emmanuel Emenike seen arriving Turkey where he will today at 6pm local time undergo medical tests at Fernabache of Turkey. Fernabache had earlier in the week agreed a 2-year deal worth 13m Euros with Spartak Moscow for the player's signature. It is believed that personal terms have also been agreed with the player.

This is Emenike's second stint at Turkish football as he's previously played for Karabukspor between 2009-20011. Interestingly he signed  for same Fernabache in 2011 but left for Spartak Moscow of Russia for 10m Euros within days of signing without kicking a ball for Ferna. The club made a cool 1m Euro on the deal as they paid only 9m Euro for his service from Karabukspor.

Emenike looks fit and match ready and may likely be on the bench for Ferna's Super Cup match against Glatatasaray in few days time (Sunday 11th) but he is a sure bet to feature in the club's opening league match of the season away to Konyaspor on Saturday 17th August given the fact that he has featured for his Russian club-side in all their matches since the start of the Russian season 4 weeks ago.

Emenike will be joining fellow countryman Joseph Yobo and several other internationals like former Chelsea player Raul Meireles, ex-Liverpool man Dirk Kuyt, Milos Krasic, Cameroonian striker Pirre Webo and Portuguese International defender Bruno Alves among others.

Life after Anzhi, which way Samuel Eto'o

Samuel Eto'o and his other high-earning team-mates at Russian club Anzhi  Makhachkala are currently faced with the tasks of searching for new clubs after billionaire club owner Suleiman Kerimov decided to downsize the club as well as its ambitions. It was even reported in some quarters that the entire team has been put up for sale and that the club now wants to invest more in developing young footballers.

It comes as no surprise really seeing as the owner was throwing money at players as soon as he took over the club in Jauary 2011. Samuel Eto'o as Captain of the club earns a staggering £330k a week which dwarfs even the earnings of Messi and Ronaldo and made him the highest paid footballer on earth. Few other players were signed on massive wages as well but sadly, all these couldn't land the club the domestic league or European titles. It took the whole of two years for the Billionaire to understand that money can't buy you instant success in football..

There are some very good footballers in the team who could easily secure contracts elsewhere but the player  likely to be hit the most remains Eto'o who due to the crazy wages he commands, may have to part with a substantial % of his wages before he could get a deal anywhere in the world. 

There has always been this danger of withdrawal of financial support (without or at short notice) by private owners  and this explains why most football followers  are in full support of the Financial Fair Play rule recently introduced by FIFA but which won't come into effect until 2014. The system adopts a pre-cautionary approach which would ensure clubs do not spend more than a certain % of their earnings. And with the increase in private ownership of clubs, this Anzhi experience could be the kick up the backside that football needs to bring it back into the real world, considering the outrageous fees and wages that's currently being thrown at players and managers. 

The message is simple and clear: The bubble can burst anytime.

When your past comes back to hunt you.

For all youngsters who still think belonging to a gang is the 'real deal' well, they might want to learn a thing or two from Belgian International striker, Ilombe Mboyo.

Born in Kinshasha DRC, 26 year old  Ilombe had the world at his feet as a growing youth player in his adopted Country Belgium. Fondly known as 'Little Pele', he played youth football with top Belgian sides Club Brugge and Anderlecht alongside the likes of Vincent Kompany  and all seemed to be going well for the young lad. He however got involved with bad companies and was convicted for a gang-rape of a 14-yr old girl when he was 16. He was sentenced to 8yrs in prison but was out after doing only 3 years. A deal that saw him train with Chaleroi while in prison as well as some sessions of counselling turned his life around and his mind was re-focused on football.

While his mate Vincent Kompany who rates Ilombe very highly, went on to play outside of Belgium for Manchester City (he's also the captain of both club and Country), Ilombe languished in the obscurity of Belgium football and only recently started making progress which was expected of his undoubted talents. He has since gone on to be capped at National level in 2012. A very successful 2012/13 season with Gent of Belgium in which he scored 20 goals led to attention of clubs outside his country seeking his services. Few premiership clubs showed interest in him and West Ham United in particular made an offer to sign him. However, West Ham fans started a strong campaign against the club signing him and this eventually led to the club officially withdrawing their bid for his services.

For a player whose story was hardly known beyond his home country, an opportunity to showcase his talent in a competitive league has led to the scrutiny of his domestic life and this has in-turn scuppered a dream move to a bigger club.

No doubt that with a past like this, he may have to deal with doors being shut on him and his chances of securing a big move may have gone with his senseless action of the past. While it may be argued that he has paid for his 'sins' by doing some time and therefore should be allowed to move on, the sensitive nature of his crime could be a hindrance and  no club would want to touch a player with such reputation.

Like the emotional scars carried for life by victims of rape, Ilombe might as well brace himself up for an eternal life of guilt and possibly lost opportunities, as a result of his juvenile delinquency.

Goal No.3 for Emmanuel Emenike.

Spartak Moscow of Russia and Super Eagles of Nigeria International striker Emmanuel Emenike continued his fine goal-scoring form on Sunday when he opened scoring in the 2-2 draw away to Kuban Krasnodar in the Russian Premier league. The Nigerian headed in a cross from teammate Jurado to open scores in the 30th minute. The host later took the lead via two second half goals before Movsisyan, who replaced Emenike in the 71st minute, restored parity within 4 minutes  of his introduction.

The goal brings to three the number of goal scored by the Nigerian this season from 4 matches. He has so far been substituted in all but one of the matches he has featured in as he continues to regain match fitness.

Over The Line: Season Preview: Chelsea

Over The Line: Season Preview: Chelsea: Chelsea endured a mixed campaign last time out during a mammoth 69-game season in which the club managed to eventually clinch a top-four spo...

Obafemi Martins scores Again.

Obafemi Martins on Saturday evening scored the first goal for his MLS club Seattle Sounders in a 3-0 victory over FC Dallas. The goal makes it the 7th for the Nigerian International in only 14 matches he's played this season, averaging a goal every other game. 

Newcastle United and it's French Legion.

Any idea what the players in the above picture share in common, well, apart from displaying the shirt of their new club? The picture dates back to January 2013 when these three players crossed border to sign for Newcastle United, all from the French League. Their signing brought to ten (10) the number of French players on the Roster of the club. Now throw in two Argentinians,two Dutchmen, two Nigerians, and a player each from Switzerland, Senegal and Slovenia, and what you have left of the team is a handful of English players.

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The Arsenal 'running man' living the Dream

The picture above is that of Vu Xuan Tien, the Vietnamese Arsenal fan dubbed the running man seen here sandwiched in between Sagna and Jack Wilshere shortly before the Gunners game against Napoli in the Emirates Cup on Saturday in London.

Vu became an instant hit on  the internet when he ran after Arsenal's team bus for miles before the players decided to stop and allowed him to join them on the bus where he took pictures with the players and had his Replica shirt signed by all the players, including Manager Arsene Wenger. 

Vu was invited as a special guest to the Emirates Cup tournament which started on Saturday 3rd August, which gave the young-man another oppourtunity to mix with his heroes in flesh. 

For those who haven't seen the video, see below

Photograph is courtesy of Jack Wilshere.

The dangers of excess Alcohol - The Gazza Lesson

How dangerous is excessive alcohol to one's system? The answer can be found in this video of Legendary footballer Paul Gascoigne. He was a guest speaker at a Charity dinner early in the year where he looked a pitiable figure... frail, fragile with both hands shaking. Gazza is only 45-yr old yet he looks 70 with incoherent speech. He has been in out of rehab and only recently was sent to a rehab in the US, paid for by fellow footballers, where he almost died during treatment and vowed never to touch alcohol again....but sadly, he is back at it again.

There's no doubting the fact that he has a battle on his hands and one can only wish him well in his quest to conquer this chronic problem- Alcoholism.

Former Arsenal Legend Kenny Sansom battles Alcoholism.

Reports from The Telegraph newspaper says former Arsenl and England left full-back Kenny Sansom, has revealed that he is battling with Alcoholism and is homeless. It was reported that the 54-year old, who made 86 appearances for the Three Lions between 1979 and 1988 and played at the world Cup twice, told how he has struggled with personal problems which had hampered him for several years.

He was quoted as saying 'I have been living homeless for 10 days, that's because i've got no money. I'm a drunk. i'm not feeling very well and i'm a gambler. I've been living on the street'. I'm just a drunk. I drink as much as i can'

The Professional Footballers' Association and Kenny's former club Arsenal have offered their support to Sansom, who had been staying with his sister Mary until recently. He confirmed his former club's support saying 'I am in a bad way. Arsenal are trying help me, but i have got to try to help myself 

One only hopes he doesn't go the way of other ex-footballers like George Best and Paul Gascoigne, two high profile players who couldn't handle their drinks and lost their battles with alcoholism,  with the former ultimately paying with his life. 

Taye Taiwo scores on debut

Nigerian International Taye Taiwo made his debut for new club Bursaspor in one of the Europa Cup qualification matches played on Thursday evening away to FK Vojvodina of Serbia and what a debut it was for him as he rescued his team from defeat with a last minute headed goal to draw the match 2-2. 

Displays like this is what he needs to get back to the National team. 

Click on link below for match highlight:

http://www.bursasportv.com/video/8471

Football's World Record Transfers

Ever since Dutch legend Johan Cruyff moved from Ajax Amsterdam to Barcelona of Spain for an unthinkable World record fee of £922,000 in 1973, football has seen the records tumble at will in subsequent years that it now stands at £80m and likely to be broken within the week by Gareth Bale's £85m transfer.

The first player to break the £1m barrier
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