Vincent Enyeama And Ahmed Musa Nominated For African Player of The Year | See Full List

Super Eagles Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama who keeps for Lille FC of France and Ahmed Musa of CSKA Moscow, Russia, have both been nominated for the 2014 CAF African Player of The Year Award.

They were nominated alongside Cote D'Ivoire's Yaya Toure who plays for Manchester City FC in England, Togo's Emmauel Adebayor of Tottenham Hotspurs also in England and Ghana's Asamoah Gyan who strikes for Al Ain in the UAE Pro-League.

The nominees where announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on November 6th in cairo, Egypt.

The Awards Gala is scheduled to take place on January 8 2015 in Lagos.

Meanwhile, Ejike Uzoenyi who plays for Rangers International, Enugu, is the only Nigerian footballer to make the 20-man list of African-based Player of The Year.

Good luck to the nominees.

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Omg! Checkout The Akwa Ibom New Stadium That Everyone Is Talking About, So Amazing [See Photos]

Nigeria, as a Federal Government, tried to build a stadium worth the praises - the Abuja stadium, but where is it now? Poorly built, no one takes care of it and trees now grow on the field instead of grasses.

Akwa Ibom, as a state has come up with something I call the best stadium in Nigeria. An ultra modern breathtaking stadium and a wonderful environment surrounding it.

See photos after the cut..

I hear the stadium includes hospital suites, bullet proof state boxes that sits 70, state of the art dressing room, a sick bay, and more than enough parking space for visiting fans.

The project master is Governor Godswill Akpabio (pictured above on white with President Jonathan as the President inspected the stadium before commissioning).

He has done a tremendously good job and Nigeria as a whole are proud of this project.

D stadium fine nobi lie.

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Photos: Football Players of Sharks & Dolphins FC Sleep In Front of Rivers Govt House

How can footballers be representing their state on the football pitch yet the government refuse to pay them? Too bad.

See another photo below..

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Nigeria Escapes FIFA Ban

Nigeria yesterday escaped the wrath of FIFA as Justice Ambrose Allagoa of the Federal High court sitting in Jos, Plateau State, withdrew the suit filed against the Nigeria Football Federation by the Chris Giwa-led faction.

Blatter and Amaju

Read full report below as reported by Vanguard..

FIFA had given Nigeria up till mid day today, to put its football house in order or be banned, which may not have been reviewed until the board meeting in May next year.

Messrs. Obinna Ogba and Yahaya Adamu of the Giwa-led faction had dragged the immediate past President of NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and the NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu, to court seeking for orders to restrain Maigari (first defendant), the NFF (second defendant) and the 36 Football associations (third defendants) from conducting another election after the faction claimed that their principal was the duly elected president of the federation.

The judge had fixed Thursday for the ruling on whether he has jurisdiction to hear the case following the preliminary objection raised by the NFF defence counsel, Mr. Damon Dashe, who questioned the eligibility of the court to entertain the matter.

Dashe had on Monday filed a counter affidavit to the originating summons, saying that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter since the plaintiffs hearing was delayed because he was not properly served by the counsel for the plaintiff.

He had told the court that it was incumbent on it to hear the preliminary objection, which would guide it on the proper path to follow, adding that the prayers contained in the preliminary objection is for the court to strike it out “because the plaintiffs have submitted themselves to the NFF statutes.”
However at the sitting of the court yesterday, the judge announced the dismissal of the suit following the withdrawal of the suit by the plaintiffs.

Allagoa said:

“The suit is hereby dismissed as the plaintiffs have announced their intention to withdraw the case from the court.”

Counsel for the plaintiffs, Mr. Ardzard Habilla, who spoke to our correspondent after the ruling said his client had to withdraw the case in the interest of Nigerian football and the appeal of well-meaning Nigerians for an end to the crisis in the Glass House.

He said:

“My client is well aware of the implication of another FIFA ban on Nigeria and has also listened to the appeals from well meaning Nigerians to withdraw the case from court.”

Source: Vanguard

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Sexy or Hard? See Amazing Photos of Serena Williams During Tennis Game

Wow! Check out these amazing photos of Serena Williams demonstrating her tennis skills. To me, she's got that banging body most men crave for but those legs, doh.

The above photo shows how flexible the tennis queen is. So, is she sexy or hard? What do you think? Meanwhile, continue to see more photos below..

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We Sacked Keshi To Save His Life — NFF Reveals

Coach Stephen Keshi was sacked to protect him from angry Nigerian fans who almost lynched him during Wednesday’s 2015 AFCON qualifier with Sudan, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick has revealed.

The NFF boss also revealed that he and other NFF Executive Committee members witnessed the chaos as the enraged fans threw stones and water bottles at Keshi, demanding him to be sacked in other to keep alive Nigeria's hopes of qualifying for next year's Championship which holds in Morocco.

Loud chants of “sack Keshi”, “Keshi must go”, “give us his head” and “we don’t want Keshi again” filled the atmosphere as the angry fans voiced in one accord to send their message across to NFF who swiftly acted by wielding the axe on Keshi.

It was learnt that when Pinnick yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Sports, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo, he expressed his shock at how the Coach who previously won the AFCON tournament in South Africa was treated by the fans.

He also explained that he considered Keshi's safety more important than anything else which prompted the sack adding that it was the first time in recent years that such abuses and stones were aimed at a Nigerian coach by fans, whether angry or not.

“It was too much to bear. The fans were really coming for him and it was going to be a security risk for us as people had ran out of patience and were prepared to break the law to achieve their aim. Keshi’s personal safety was paramount in our decision to relieve him of his duties”, the NFF boss said.

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Why Coaches Fear Mikel — Siasia Opens Up

Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi has come under severe criticism following his recent poor displays for the Super Eagles.

Samson Siasia

And Siasia, who brought Mikel to limelight during the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup said that his former player does not welcome criticisms and has warned that anyone who wishes to confront the Chelsea player to raise his game should also be ready for some banter from the footballer

Speaking to Africanfootball.com, Siasia said:

“Someone would have to talk to him. But to talk to Mikel, you have to be ready for your own beating.”

His statements further confirms the sort of player power Mikel commands in the Super Eagles camp of which if you can recall, was why Coach Stephen Keshi asked Ramon Azeez to sit on the bench after warming up to come in for injured Ogenyi Onazi during the Nigeria vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina match at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Instead, he asked Reuben Gabriel to replace Onazi at the request of Mikel.

Mikel Obi

Siasia added that only Mikel could talk to himself about upping his game.

“From what we have seen and what people are talking about, they don’t think he is giving his best. But he should be able to criticise himself,” argued the coach.

“He should do a self-critique. If he believes he is not doing well, he has to try and up his game.

“He has been watching the games from the World Cup, if he thinks he is not doing well, why is he not scoring, he has to be able to look at those videos and see the areas he needs to improve on.

“Nobody has to tell him. He is a professional. So, I am not going to criticise him. He has done well for this country but if he is not doing well like he used to, then something has to be done.”

Talking about what position is best for the footballer, Siasia conceded that he was equally "confused" if he best plays as a defensive or attacking midfielder.

“I am actually confused on that one, I don’t know anymore,” he admitted.

“As a defensive midfield player, it doesn’t mean you should not go forward or try to take some shots at goal. (Nemanja) Matic is doing it, Ramires is doing it, so how come Mikel is not doing it? Why can’t he cover the box-to-box play. If you don’t get into the box, you can never shoot at goal. So, that is his problem.”

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"I Can't Do Without Mikel" — Keshi

Despite Mikel Obi's lack of game time at his club, Chelsea FC, national coach Stephen Keshi has spoken out to say he can't do without the midfielder.

Mikel has been far from impressive during Nigeria's first two AFCON qualifying games which they managed to pick up a single point but Keshi still sees him as the back bone of his Super Eagles team which are struggling to fly.

He was particularly outplayed by 24-year-old Andile Jali, who plies his trade in Belgium, during Nigeria's qualifying match against South Africa which ended in a draw.

Mikel has managed only 23 minutes of game time this season for his English club, Chelsea, as he has fallen down the pecking order following the arrivals of Nemanja Matic, who arrived from Benfica and Cesc Fabregas who recently joined from FC Barcelona of Spain.

Keshi, who cited Mikel's Champions League experience as a major factor why he can't do without the midfielder said:

“Just because he is not playing in his team (Chelsea), that does not mean I cannot use him in my team, that’s the coaches’ choice,” Keshi said after Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw with Bafana Bafana in Cape Town.

“But in my team, if I think that he is good shape, with the wealth of experience he has, all his years in the Champions League, I think he’s very important for us in the team, and we just have to make the best of the situation.”

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And The Sexiest Man In The World 2014 Is ...James Rodriguez!

Colombia football star, James Rodriguez has been voted 2014 world's sexiest man.

James Rodriguez

The Real Madrid attacker who won the World Cup Golden Boot in Brazil was given the award by People En Espanol magazine after his estimated €80 million transfer from AS Monaco of France to Real Madrid FC of Spain.

However, his wife, Daniela Ospina, said what she loves most about her husband is his personality, not necessarily his looks which has earned him the prestigious award.

She said:

“He’s a very attractive man, but what I most like is the way he is, his personality. It’s what I really love.”

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old's mother says the fame has not gone into her son's head, stating that he remains very humble.

"He is still the same, what characterizes him most is his humility," Maria del Pilar Rubio said.

James, otherwise pronounced as 'Hamez' is the latest to join a host of celebrities that have won the award which includes the likes of Hollywood actors Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Matt Damon and Ryan Reynolds.

He also recently became the new “face” of Bronzini Black, a Colombian underwear brand. He has a 15 month-old daughter.

The 'sexiest man on the planet' tag now gives James bragging rights in the Santiago Bernabeu dressing room over Cristiano Ronaldo, although he still has a long way to go before matching his Ballon d'Or-winning team-mate's status on the footballing pitch.

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Desmond Elliot Confirms 'Mikel Obi Proposed To Olga Diyachenko'

Nollywood actor Desmond Elliot has confirmed that Mikel Obi has proposed to his Russian girlfriend, Olga Diyachenko.

Mikel yesterday denied proposing to Olga but this post from Desmond suggests Mikel is hiding something, maybe trying to protect his Russian doll from the clutches of angry Nigerian girls whom he has begged to leave Olga alone.

The veteran Nollywood actor wrote on his facebook page, "Mikel Obi Proposed to Olga Diyachenko" with the image below.

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"Please Leave My Girlfriend Alone" — Mikel Obi Begs Nigerian Girls

Mikel Obi has revealed that his Russian girlfriend, Olga Diyachenko, is under attack by Nigerian girls.

According to him, Olga has been receiving series of abuses on social media since reports surfaced that he had proposed to her, which he denied.

In an exclusive interview from the Super Eagles camp, Mikel said:

"Yes, she is my girlfriend, but I have not proposed to her. If that happens, it will not be hidden and everyone will know. I'm begging Nigerian girls to please leave her alone. Some Nigerian girls have already been attacking her (on social media) since this fake story came out."

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“Ikechukwu Uche Wants Us To Beg Him To Play For Nigeria” – Stephen Keshi

Nigerian Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, revealed on twitter that Ikechukwu Uche has declined to play for Nigeria unless they beg him.

Keshi- IK Uche was supposed to be part of the team that is presently in camp but he said we must beg him first to play for Nigeria .
— Nigeria Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) September 3, 2014

Wednesday's morning training of the Super Eagles in Calabar under rain drizzles pic.twitter.com/zGeaMcFY5D
— Nigeria Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) September 3, 2014

It is clear that the striker is still disappointed by the fact that he was not selected to play at the Brazil 2014 World Cup but now called to play for the Nation's AFCON qualifiers match against the Democratic Republic of Congo which will be played this Saturday at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

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"Super Eagles Can Beat Congo Without A Coach" — Former Coach Says

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to take on the DR Congo this weekend ahead or the 2015  African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

And according to former Super Eagles Coach, James Peters, the Eagles can comfortably beat Congo without a coach.

He added that the team would still deliver at their best despite the current crisis rocking the Nigerian Football Federation.

“I am so pleased that the rancour in our football will not in any way affect the team because I am optimistic that as long as the players report to camp and train they will certainly carry the day. They are professionals who are playing regularly in their clubs.

“Our boys are mostly playing in Europe, they are not playing in any of those obscure leagues and that means that they can even beat Congo and even South Africa without a coach”.

He also praised Stephen Keshi for accepting to guide the team through the qualifiers match despite not signing a new contract with the football federation.

“Keshi has demonstrated that he is a true patriot and that is why he accepted to come and handle the team without a contract”.

He however, advised football's ruling body, FIFA, to be careful when dealing with African countries saying it  is difficult to run football effectively without the support of the government.

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Manchester United Signs Radamel Falcao, Danny Welbeck Joins Arsenal

Manchester United have signed Radamel Falcao from AS Monaco on a one-year loan with an option to buy.

New signing Radamel Falcao and Assistant Manager Ryan Giggs posing with a United shirt

The deal which was the signing of the summer certainly was a shocker as the Colombian goal machine was earlier linked with Real Madrid, Arsenal, Juventus and Manchester United's city rivals Manchester City.

However, United made a swift move to land the football assassin making him the first Colombian to graze the famous red shirt.

BREAKING: #mufc is delighted to announce Radamel Falcao has joined on a 1-year loan from Monaco with an option to buy pic.twitter.com/gnhR4rdsmF

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 201

4

Radamel Falcao said:

“I am delighted to be joining Manchester United on loan this season. Manchester United is the biggest club in the world and is clearly determined to get back to the top. I am looking forward to working with Louis van Gaal and contributing to the team’s success at this very exciting period in the club’s history.

Moving to @ManUtd was my decision. It's exciting to play at the world's best club and in such a competitive league.
— Radamel Falcao (@FALCAO) September 2, 2014”

Manager Luis van Gaal had this to say:

“I am delighted Radamel has joined us on loan this season. He is one of the most prolific goalscorers in the game. His appearance-to-goal ratio speaks for itself and, when a player of this calibre becomes available, it is an opportunity not to be missed.”

Meanwhile, United sold Danny Welbeck in order to pave way for Falcao. Welbeck signed a long-term deal with Arsenal in an undisclosed fee.

Arsenal have signed Danny Welbeck for an undisclosed fee

Welbeck struggled to impress new Manager Louis van Gaal and decided to join Arsenal when he learnt United were signing Falcao.

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Footballer Emmanuel Emenike In A N30m Land Dispute With Enugu State Government

Emmanuel Emenike is currently having a dispute with the Enugu State government over 13 plots of land worth N30 million.

AfricanFootball reveals reports that the Nigerian international footballer, who currently plays for Fernabache in the Turkish league, bought the land in Enugu state with intentions to build a sports academy on it.

The report claims that soldiers have have invaded the landed property and have prevented work on the site which is really frustrating the footballer.

According to Emenike, he bought the land after the Brazil 2014 World Cup with the aid of Mr. Frank Ugwunweze, who is a special assistant to the Enugu State Governor. He also added that Ugwunweze had handed all ownership documents to him which is why he's highly furious.

He has demanded that the state government refund his money as he's no longer interested in the land.

"I worked hard to make my money, I know what I pass through on the pitch before I earn my living and it will be unfair if what am hearing about my land in Enugu State was true.'' The striker said.

 "I visit Enugu whenever I come to Nigeria, my friends stay there as well as some of my family members. And I am the kind of person who allows for advise. Even before now, I had a dream to own an academy not only in Nigeria but I believe in the saying that "charity begins at home. 

"About three, four months ago, I acquired 13 plots of land in Enugu State through the special assistant to Governor Sullivan Chime. And during the time of conversation of the land papers he never told me there was any problem on the land. He gave me all the necessary documents in my name after payment. 

"I then directed for work to commence immediately, but the state government has directed soldiers to stop anybody from working there. I don't want to believe that this is fraud. I am ready to fight it all. I am not a politician and I see no reason why my money will be held by the government house. 

"I have called some top government officials in Enugu, but all of them are not trying to be sincere. They could not help because the order came from the Governor. Nobody is trying to be sincere and as a matter of fact, I want my money back. I am very depressed that there is no confidence in investing in my country. I just don't understand the pranks. 

"Right from time, I don't like going through government for anything. I prefer to do it with my money and I see no reason why my property will be held back by government. People go to government to get free land, but I will not do that because there is no sincerity in most of the things we do. And I will not be here and somebody takes my money, it will never happen. I just want to believe that His Excellency Governor Chime was not aware of the purchase of the land, in that case, I will like to have my money back," He said.

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PHOTOS: Meet Courtney Dike, The Most Beautiful Nigerian Female Footballer

Her name is Courtney Dike, she's an American-born Nigerian female soccer player. She played for Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Canada.

On June 10, Courtney scored the fastest goal in the history of the U-20 Women's World Cup when she scored just after 18 seconds against Korea.

Her parents are both from Nigeria and she's a cousin to Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike. Football runs in her family as her elder brother, Chinedu Bright Dike, plays his football currently in the Major League Soccer with Toronto FC.

She's obviously beautiful and fresh. Looks more of a model than a footballer despite her day-to-day sporting activities. Isn't she the finest Nigerian female footballer? See more pics below..

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Nigeria Abandons 2014 Youth Olympic Games In China, All Thanks To Ebola Discrimination

Team Nigeria has been asked to return home from the on-going 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, due to discrimination against athletes.

Reports carries it that Sierra-Leone were the first country to abandon the games citing the same reason before Nigeria joined them a few hours later.

It is revealed that the athletes were being discriminated and other country's athletes seriously avoided Africans in the Games.

According to Gbenga Elegbeleye, director general of the National Sports Commission:

"Nigerian athletes were quarantined, isolated and barred from training alongside athletes from other countries since they arrived the competition venue over news of Ebola virus in Nigeria. Following this discrimination, we have resolved to pull out from the Games."

He however stated that Nigeria had protested against the inhuman treatment they were receiving but the situation remained the same.

Sports Minister, Dr Tammy Danagogo, Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, President, Engr Sani M. Ndanusa and the Director General of the National sports Commission and Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, all approved the decision and asked the athletes to return.

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Shola Ameobi Joins Gaziantep On A One-Year Contract From Newcastle

Former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi has joined Turkish second-division outfit Gaziantep Buyuksehir Belediyespor on a one-year contract.

Shola Ameobi

The 32-year-old Nigerian international spent 14 years at Newcastle as a first team player but became a free agent at the end of last season.

Gaziantep release an official statement which reads:

“We want to establish an ambitious team in the league this season, and a strong team continues to strengthen by adding players. We have therefore tied Nigerian striker Shola Ameobi — from one of the strongest teams in England, Newcastle United – to us for one year.”

Shola managed 53 goals in 312 appearances for the Magpies as he was injury plagued.

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She Takes Dope? Nigerian Weightlifter Chika Amalaha Fails Dope Test

Chika Amalha

After winning Gold in the women's 53k weightlifting category in the Commonwealth Games, Nigerian weightlifter Chika Amalaha was tested for dope and she unfortunately failed the test.

The Commonwealth Games Federation announced the suspension of the 16-year old on Tuesday. On July 25, she was asked to provide an 'A' sample which was used for the test which revealed traces of masking agents and diuretics.

She has been scheduled for another test in London on the 30th of July which she will have a 'B' sample.

Mike Hooper, who is the Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive said:

“We have issued a formal notice of disclosure to an athlete following an adverse analytical finding as a consequence of an in-competition test.

“That athlete is Nigerian weightlifter Chika Amalaha who was tested on July 25th. That athlete has now been suspended from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.”

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West Brom Signs Super Eagles And Dynamo Kiev Striker Brown Ideye For Record Fee £10million

Ideye poses with his new shirt

Super Eagles and Dynamo Kiev striker, Brown Ideye has joined West Brom of England for a record fee of £10million after signing a three-year deal with the football cub.

Ideye, who was not picked by Stephen Keshi for Nigeria's Brazil World Cup squad will wear the number 9 shirt and has joined fellow countryman, Victor Anichebe in the club.

The took to twitter to announce the deal:

"Dream come true... EPL. 

"Would like to thank my family and my agents, Hootan Ahmadi and Ali Barat, for a job well done. 

Big thanks to everyone who made this possible."

After completing the signing of the Brown Ideye, the club's manager,  Alan Irvine said:

"Brown is a quality striker and I'm looking forward to working with him. 

"He's a strong, quick, powerful player who likes to get in behind defences and has plenty of Champions League and international experience."

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