ANCELOTTI CONFESS THAT DI MARIA COULD LEAVE MADRID

Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti confess that Angel di Maria could leave the club - news that has put Manchester United on high alert.

Reports suggest Manchester United are preparing to spend up to £100 million on Di Maria - a £50m transfer fee and around £200,000-a-week wages on a five-year deal. Di Maria has also been heavily linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Di Maria will feature for Madrid on Tuesday against city rivals Atletico in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup at the Bernabeu, but Ancelotti has revealed he does not know where Di Maria's future will be when the summer transfer window closes on September 1.

"I don't know what Di Maria has decided," Ancelotti said. "But I know that he's training and that he could help us in tomorrow's match. Until August 31 it will continue the same way and after that everything will be cleared up and things will return to normal."

Madrid have already spent around £85m to bring in James Rodriguez, the top scorer at this summer's World Cup, and Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich.

Ancelotti, though, still sees Di Maria as part of his plans, regardless of the speculation surrounding his future.

"Di Maria is available like all the others. He may or may not start the game and has opportunities, but like everyone else," he said.

"What I won't do is put out the same team in both legs. One team will play tomorrow and on Friday I will change it a little."
-Brilla Fm

World Cup star, James Rodriguez joins Real Madrid

One of the World Cup's most exciting players has joined Real Madrid.

James Rodriguez -- Colombia's star man at Brazil 2014 and winner of the Golden Boot -- penned a six-year contract with the reigning European champion after his transfer from Monaco was completed in a reported $121 million deal.

The 23-year-old midfielder's six goals and two assists at the World Cup had heads turning at all the big clubs, but Real was destined to get its man after Rodriguez told Spanish sports newspaper Marca that he dreamed of playing for "Los Blancos."

"It's really flattering to know that a club of Real Madrid's stature is interested in me. It'd be a dream to join the club of my dreams," Rodriguez said.

World Cup: The top 10 matches

Colombia greets its World Cup heroes

Colombia's James Rodriquez scores big

"Would I jump at the chance to go to Real? No doubt about it, my answer is a resounding yes," he added.

It was then only a matter of time before Real Madrid came knocking on Monaco's door.

Rodriguez joined Monaco last year for a fee of $60.8 million and scored 10 goals in 38 appearances as the French club finished runner-up to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.

Former Monaco chief executive and technical director Tor-Kristian Karlsen, who has regularly scouted players from Latin America, says Rodriguez is right up there with the world's best.

"He's possibly the best playmaker in the world at present," Karlsen told CNN in June.

Rodriguez even caught the attention of NBA star and avid football fan LeBron James.

"Man watching this Colombia game I think I have my new favorite player in the World Cup! Obviously his name help that out #Biased" LeBron tweeted.

The 10-time European champion has always aimed to buy the world's top players, and Rodriguez certainly fits the mold following his exploits at Brazil 2014, where he scored the goal of the tournament against Uruguay.

His innate ability to pick a pass and his willingness to attack with speed and control make him an exciting prospect for a Real Madrid team intent on playing a counter-attacking style of football.

After beating Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final last season, Real Madrid will want to ensure it keeps up its trophy-winning ways.

Rodriguez follows World Cup winner Toni Kroos to the Bernabeu -- the Germany midfielder was bought for a reported $34 million from Bayern Munich last week.

Culled

Iran VS Nigeria:nWorld Cup Preview As Brazillians Embraced Mikel!

Nigeria and Iran share a similiar history in their World Cup tournament as they meet in today's match at 20:00 at the Arena da Baixada. Neither side has enjoyed much World Cup success. After beating Bulgaria 1-0 in their second group game in 1998, the Nigerians have had two draws and six defeats. And Iran’s 2-1 victory over the United States in Lyon 16 years ago was their sole win at a World Cup.
However, with the recent achievements by the Super Eagles, there is a level of high hopes for the Team, thanks to Stephen Keshi. He believes his team is capable even though they failed to win any of their three pr-tournament friendlies, he added if there is any lacking, then its to put in more efforts, just hard work.

“My concern is how I’m going to bring my players to understand the style of play, to bring them back into the rhythm that we are used to, because it’s a long time we were apart,” he said.

Mikel was mob when he left his hotel to the team’s bus and onto the pitch where Brazillian raced to touch him. In a Vanguard Report

He has this to say-
‘’It is my first World Cup and I am ready just like other players are ready, too. The World Cup remains the highest height of every footballer’s ambition.
I am happy to be playing here but more importantly is that we have a dream of playing for each other. We want to make something out of the World Cup. It is not about individuals. It is about a team. And I am a member of the team
Mikel: It is good to know that many expect me to lead. In this team, the coach determines what we do and we do it according to his instructions. People might not notice the roles of players but the coach knows and we do things collectively to ensure that we come out victorious.
Mikel: There is love and unity in the team. We are like a family. All the players are ready to give their best. And with these will-power, I think that we will do well because of this determination.
Mikel: Promises? I promise good outing by the team. You are aware that all teams are well prepared for the World Cup. So, no one underestimates any team. You need to work hard first and also rely on goodluck. We’ve been working hard and deserve to do well.

  Iran (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Davari; Beitashour, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pooladi; Nekounam, Teymourian; Haddadifa, Shojaei, Dejagah; Ghoochannejhad.

Nigeria (Possible, 4-4-2): Enyeama; Ambrose, Oboabona, Omerou, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi, Azeez, Moses; Odemwingie, Emenike.

Referee: Carlos Vera (Ecuador).

What's Your Predition?
Iran 0-2 Nigeria???

"I no go fall una hands" -Stephen Keshi

As the days approach swiftly for the kick off of the World Cup, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has promised not to ‘’fall the hands of Nigerians’’, as they say in local parlance which means not disappointing Nigerians at the World Cup.
Having played two friendlies – 2-2 with Scotland and a scoreless draw with Greece, Keshi may have finally realised the task that awaits him as he plays in the World Cup as coach having been denied to take Togo to the World Cup despite qualifying them. ‘’My brother, it is not an easy job’’, he admitted to Sports Vanguard before embarking on the journey to Brazil.

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi

Two games without a win, Nigerians are hissing and sighing on the chances of the Super Eagles moving beyond the second round which has been their best mark since making their debut in USA ’94.
‘These players are careful not to get injuries. Some of them wanted to impress us after announcing the list to the World Cup’’, spokesman of the Super Eagles, Ben Alaiya quoted Keshi as saying.
Keshi knows the expectations of Nigerians and his last friendly against United States of America is expected to be better than the Greece game. ‘’I know what Nigerians want and I promise not disappoint Nigerians. It was not easy selecting these final 23 players to represent Nigeria. But, I promise that these 23 are the best we have and they will make Nigeria proud in Brazil’’, he vowed.

Culled

World Cup: Brazil City Gripped By Dengue Fever.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) – The Brazilian city where Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Nigeria’s John Mikel Obi will train for the World Cup is in the grip of a crippling dengue fever epidemic.

Workers in Campinas have embarked on a huge operation to eradicate mosquitos, which spread the disease, before the Portuguese and Nigerian teams arrive.

Some 32,384 people have been infected by dengue this year in the southeastern city about one hour from Sao Paulo. At least three people have died.

“It’s a record epidemic. It’s bigger than the 11,500 cases registered in all of 2007,” said Andrea Von Zuben, who coordinates the Campinas dengue control program.

Dengue is a viral infection carried by the aedes aegypti mosquito.

The fever is like chronic influenza with severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, vomiting and a rash.

Severe cases can be deadly. Three people have died of dengue this year in Campinas, women aged 27, 69 and 81. Three other deaths are being investigated to see if they were caused by the disease.

There is no cure for dengue, so prevention is the best medicine.

The World Health Organization recommends people in infected areas prevent mosquito bites with window screens, insect repellant and mosquito coils.

It also suggests covering up exposed skin — advice that may cramp Portuguese captain Ronaldo’s bare-chested style, a topic of much commentary after his pectoral-flexing goal celebration at this year’s Champions League final.

Brazil has been hit harder by dengue than any other country so far this century, with seven million cases reported between 2000 and 2013.

Von Zuben said the Campinas outbreak was being driven by a heatwave at the beginning of the year, the prevalence of a particularly virulent dengue strain and poor sanitation that leaves pools of standing water where mosquitos breed.

But she said the areas where the Nigerian and Portuguese squads will be are a mosquito-control priority for health officials.

“We put larvicides and anti-mosquito poisons at the airport, in the training centers and in the hotels, so the teams will run a much smaller risk than the local population,” she told AFP.

- Team doctors ‘concerned’ -

The authorities have been in touch with the teams’ doctors, who were “concerned,” Von Zuben said.

She said her staff had recommended insect repellant.

“We’ve been guaranteed that the situation has been identified and is under control. There shouldn’t be any reason for alarm,” said the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).

In early May, when Portuguese coach Paulo Bento visited the training center, city officials told him three mosquito-control operations would be carried out before the team arrives on June 11.

The army has helped sanitation workers clean up 83,000 tonnes of rubbish and dozens of buildings have been sealed off and sprayed.

Campinas is not the only city facing the dengue threat.

Medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases recently said World Cup host cities Natal, Fortaleza and Recife in the northeast were also at risk.

Of course, infectious diseases are a two-way street.

Campinas has also launched a program to give citizens free vaccinations before World Cup fans descend on the city from Africa and Europe, where “polio and measles are still persistent,” it said.

Priority will be given to taxi and bus drivers, employees at restaurants and tourist attractions, and the staff of six major hotels.

Culled

Sport News: “Without a list”...

Let but the commons hear the testament which pardon me, I do not want to read…..For they would go and kiss dead Caeasr’s wounds and dip their napkins in his sacred blood 4th Plebeian: We’ll hear the will. Read it Mark Anthony.
All:The will, the will we will hear Caesar’s will…
Mark Anthony:Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it….
-Shakespear’s Julius Caesar, Act 3 Scene 2.
Happy to be back, after three weeks that seemed like eternity.
In coming back, permit me to draw us back, back to April 22, 2014, the day we emerged from that famous Technical Committee meeting,
It is a day I will never forget. A day that the media insisted on the list. “ the list they said, we want the list.
The list was not going to be given to them by force. No one said the list was going to be given to them that day. The NFF had decided to meet with Coach Stephen Keshi to discuss World Cup plans, including of course his world cup list.

Coach Stephen Keshi

When we left the meeting, no one bothered about the plans and preparations. Will there be a friendly match in Nigeria to send off the Eagles? Will there be a fund raising to support the Eagles budget? Are we expecting the release of funds adequately and timely?. No those were irrelevant. Give us the list.
The list I said was not ready. The coach had said there was no hurry, that no country had yet released the list and that there was need for him to consult further….
The list I said was going to be ready in a week’s time. The week that followed was cacophony personified. The media went to town. Terrible reasons were advanced on why the list was not ready. Some said there was even no list at all……..others invented the blows that were exchanged at the meeting as Keshi clutched the list refusing to release it to the NFF…….
When it was time for the list to be released ( as promised ) Some of my colleagues called on D Day asking me when and how the list was going to be released. I replied that I was out of the country and some jocularly replied that not able to stand the heat, I was running away from the kitchen…..
Who, was going to release the list?
I told them that it was customary for the coach to release the list himself, and even answer some questions if need be.
Was I sure the list was going to be released?
I was sure.
As a member of the Special five man CAF Inspection team to the six countries that have bid to host the African Nations Cup in 2019 and 2021, the call of duty had taken me to Algeria and Cameroun, incidentally, two of the countries that are also going to the World Cup!
The list situation in Cameroun and Algeria was not different from the Nigeria situation. The only marked difference was that the meeting of the coaches and the Federations to discuss the list was not publicized, so no one came out of the meeting to meet a legion of reporters and a battery of cameras insisting on the list!
Like Nigeria, the coaches insisted on having their way. In Algeria there is the case of the coach dropping a player because “ ….he cannot feel him……”
When the list was finally released, the press went wild. In Cameroun, the media accused the coach of taking some players he wants to trade with. In Algeria the media believed that there should be more emphasis on fitness and ability instead of emotions……so much ink and decibels thrown forth.
At a brief ceremony held in Lagos recently with Keshi in attendance, I had the occasion to tell the media that we were all going to same destination but from different roads. That we have all contributed what we think should be a perfect list but that it can never work out that way because if Paul Bassey is coach today,( Thank God I am not ) the players he will take to the world cup will NOT be the players Tony Ubani will take…..
We have credible examples in the dropping of players like Nasri from the French list and Carlos Tevez from the Argentina list. Therefore we should all now forget the issue of list and queue behind the team, support them with our thoughts and our prayers because should Keshi fail ( God forbid ) it is Nigeria that has failed.
Why have I gone back to this? Because after Scotland’s match on Wednesday, the media is likely to surface again, because in a few days when the Coach will drop the seven that will not go to the world cup, the media will come to the fore.
I now appreciate those coaches that went straight to their twenty three. The English coach immediately placed seven players on “standby” and faced the firing squad of the media once and for all. Not so Coach Keshi who, although a lot of people believe knows the seven that will not go to the world cup must still be facing some sleepless nights as to the wish that he has made the right decisions.
Yes the media should do its work, but I will not be that player that will go and slap the referee after the penalty has been awarded, quite conscious of the fact that he will never change his mind.
No I will not. I will simply walk away, turn my back, bury my head in my hands and pray God that the penalty is not scored.
A tear for Jabby, farewell for Gusau
I was away when I heard that Public Relations maestro, longest serving image maker of the National Sports Commission and member of the Sports Veterans fraternity, Chief Ajibade Fashina Thomas has lost his son abroad. Chief Jabby, my sympathy. Be strong in The Lord.
Also of deep regret is the death of Ibrahim Gusau whose tenure as Chairman of Organising and Disciplinary committee of the league saw great improvement in the running of the league. Only the good lord will be able to console his family and members of the football fraternity in Nigeria.

Culled

Nigeria striker Shola Ameobi is to leave Newcastle after 14 years.

LONDON (AFP) – Nigeria striker Shola Ameobi sets to leave Newcastle after a decade and four with the Premier League club.

Shola Ameobi

The 32-year-old whose final appearance did not end well as he was sent off by referee Phil Dowd after earning two bookings for dissent in space of a minute in the second half of his side’s 2-1 defeat at Liverpool.
He said in a report -“Following discussions with Newcastle United, both parties felt it was the right time for us to part company,” Ameobi said.
“I have been at Newcastle United all my career and I have enjoyed every moment and always worn the famous shirt with pride. I am now looking forward to starting a new chapter in my career.
“I would like to place on record a big thank you to everyone at Newcastle United. I wish the club great success in the future and I’m sure with the team and management they have, Newcastle United will go from strength to strength.
“Finally, a big thank you to the supporters who have always been fantastic.”

Sport pays tribute to Mandela

Sport's greatest icons have paid their own tributes to South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela, who has died aged 95.

Muhammad Ali said: "His was a life filled with purpose and hope - hope for himself, his country and the world.
"He made us realise we are our brother's keeper and that our brothers come in all colours."
Pele  said Mandela was "one of the most influential people in my life. He was my hero, my friend".

Iconic former boxer Ali added: "What I will remember most about Mr Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge.

"He inspired others to reach for what appeared to be impossible and moved them to break through the barriers that held them hostage mentally, physically, socially and economically.
"He taught us forgiveness on a grand scale. His was a spirit born free, destined to soar above the rainbows. Today his spirit is soaring through the heavens. He is now forever free."
Tiger Woods,  the world's number one golfer and a 14-time major winner, said: "You will always be in my heart Mr Mandela.
"Pop [Woods' father Earl] and I felt your aura when we met, I feel it today and I will feel it forever. You have done so much for humanity."
Former England captain David Beckham  said: "My heart goes out to the people in South Africa and Mr Mandela's family. We have lost a true gentleman and a courageous human being.
"It was truly an honour to have known a man who had genuine love for so many people. Rest in peace."
Sepp Blatter, head of world football governing body Fifa, said: "It is in deep mourning that I pay my respects to an extraordinary person.
"He was probably one of the greatest humanists of our time."

Former England captain Beckham met Mandela in Johannesburg in 2003

Blatter said of Mandela's impact on football's 2010 World Cup in South Africa: "When he was honoured and cheered by the crowd at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium on 11 July 2010, it was as a man of the people, a man of their hearts.
"It was one of the most moving moments I have ever experienced. For him, the World Cup in South Africa truly was 'a dream come true'."
He added that there would be a minute's silence as a mark of respect ahead of the next round of international matches.
The Premier League confirmed a minute's applause would be held before all of the top flight matches taking place this Saturday, Sunday and Monday and the Football Association and Football League have also asked clubs taking part in their respective competitions to have a minute's applause before their matches this weekend.
Sport had been targeted for sanctions during the country's apartheid rule, leading to bans from the Olympic Games and various World Cups, and almost complete isolation by the time Mandela was released from his 27-year prison sentence in 1990.
Mandela said "sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people, in a way that little else does," and his African National Congress saw sport as a way to unite the nation.
South Africa were allowed to send a team to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and enter the 1994 football World Cup qualifiers, long before the change in the political system was complete.
"The International Olympic Committee wanted Mandela in their ranks, he was an icon of the world and at the opening of the Barcelona Games they treated him like a head of state," recalled Sam Ramsamy, former South African Olympic Committee president and now an IOC member.

The image of Mandela handing the Rugby World Cup to Pienaar has become part of South African history

After he was elected president in 1994, the 1995 Rugby World Cup was the showcase for Mandela's unifying agenda in South Africa.
One of the defining sporting images of the century was to follow in the final when, after South Africa's 15-12 extra-time victory against favourites New Zealand, Springboks captain Francois Pienaar was handed the trophy by Mandela.
In that moment, racially divided South Africa came together in a way unimaginable during the years the Nobel Peace Prize winner was incarcerated for his actions in the fight against apartheid.
South Africa rugby tweeted: "Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela. We will never forget the role you played in our country, in our sport, and for that we are eternally grateful."
South African golfer Ernie Els described Mandela as "the most amazing man I ever met. He was the father of our country and our continent".
Els recalled an afternoon when he and Woods were invited for tea by the former president. "He treated us like we were his two sons," the 44-year-old said. "His sincerity was amazing and it really left a mark on both of us."

England's record goalscorer Sir Bobby Charlton said: "Mr Mandela worked tirelessly all of his life for racial equality and his legacy will live on way beyond our lifetime.

"I feel blessed to have lived during his life span and privileged to have met him on a number of occasions."
South Africa cricketers Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock, former captain of the South Africa football team and Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar, South Africa rugby union players Joost van der Westhuizen and Bryan Habana and British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton were among the many sportsmen to share their appreciation of the former president.
Cricket South Africa used their official Twitter account to say: "RIP Tata Mandela. It is because of you that a represented Proteas team can express their talent across the globe."
In Adelaide, a couple of hours after the news of Mandela's death was announced, a minute's silence was observed before the start of play on day two of the second Ashes Test between Australia and England.
Both sets of players wore black armbands in tribute to Mandela.
Six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt also paid his respects: "One of the greatest human beings ever..May your soul rest in peace..The world's greatest fighter..."



source: bbcsport

Match Reveiw: WEST HAM UNITED V CHELSEA

An impressive display at Upton Park saw the Blues run out 3-0 winners and keep a ninth clean sheet of the season. It was a game which we controlled for long spells, as shown by our statistical analysis…
Of the two sides, we were the dominant attacking force, with Jose Mourinho's men producing 20 attempts on goal, eight of which were on target. By contrast, the Hammers registered eight efforts on goal, hitting the target only once.
Chelsea saw more of the ball over the course of the 90 minutes, enjoying a 55.2 per cent share of the possession, with a pass completion rate of 82 per cent.
Frank Lampard was once again an influential figure against his former club. The midfielder, given more license to get forward in a 4-3-3, had seven attempts on goal during the game and scored twice.
John Mikel Obi's presence in midfield undoubtedly played a key role in our ability to control the flow of the game, with the Nigerian, operating alongside Lampard and Ramires, completing 60 successful passes from 64 attempts, the highest of any Chelsea player.
Eden Hazard was a constant thorn in the Hammers' defence, and the Belgian created five chances for his team-mates, one of which was converted by Oscar. Hazard also played more passes in the final third than any other player with 20.
West Ham's Mark Noble made more ball recoveries than any other player with 16, while Ramires was our best performer in that area, the Brazilian making seven. Ball recoveries are when a player wins the ball back after it has gone loose or if the ball has been played directly to him.
Mourinho spoke in the post-match press conference of his delight with the performance of Oscar, but while the Brazilian's ability with the ball at his feet posed the home side plenty of problems, he won seven of his eight attempted tackles, the highest of any player.
With Sam Allardyce's side content to defend deep and in large numbers there was plenty of time for the Blues to play out from the back, with John Terry to Mikel the most successful pass combination over the course of the game.
There were 22 fouls committed during the game, although no player on either side received a yellow card.
It was the fourth time this season we've scored three or more goals away from home.
An impressive display at Upton Park saw the Blues run out 3-0 winners and keep a ninth clean sheet of the season. It was a game which we controlled for long spells, as shown by our statistical analysis…
Of the two sides, we were the dominant attacking force, with Jose Mourinho's men producing 20 attempts on goal, eight of which were on target. By contrast, the Hammers registered eight efforts on goal, hitting the target only once.
Chelsea saw more of the ball over the course of the 90 minutes, enjoying a 55.2 per cent share of the possession, with a pass completion rate of 82 per cent.
Frank Lampard was once again an influential figure against his former club. The midfielder, given more license to get forward in a 4-3-3, had seven attempts on goal during the game and scored twice.
John Mikel Obi's presence in midfield undoubtedly played a key role in our ability to control the flow of the game, with the Nigerian, operating alongside Lampard and Ramires, completing 60 successful passes from 64 attempts, the highest of any Chelsea player.
Eden Hazard was a constant thorn in the Hammers' defence, and the Belgian created five chances for his team-mates, one of which was converted by Oscar. Hazard also played more passes in the final third than any other player with 20.
West Ham's Mark Noble made more ball recoveries than any other player with 16, while Ramires was our best performer in that area, the Brazilian making seven. Ball recoveries are when a player wins the ball back after it has gone loose or if the ball has been played directly to him.
Mourinho spoke in the post-match press conference of his delight with the performance of Oscar, but while the Brazilian's ability with the ball at his feet posed the home side plenty of problems, he won seven of his eight attempted tackles, the highest of any player.
With Sam Allardyce's side content to defend deep and in large numbers there was plenty of time for the Blues to play out from the back, with John Terry to Mikel the most successful pass combination over the course of the game.
There were 22 fouls committed during the game, although no player on either side received a yellow card.
It was the fourth time this season we've scored three or more goals away from home.

Chelsea

World Cup 2014: The Best Starting XI of Players Who Will Not Be Going to Brazil

So with 31 spaces booked for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, it is now up to Uruguay to complete the spot remaining in their routine fixture against Jordan tonight.

However, there are those unfortunate teams who will miss out and even more disappointing is that there are world class players we will not witness on the big stage.

I've chosen a starting eleven of the players who will not be boarding the plane to Brazil in the summer.

Formation: 4-3-3

Subsitutes: Yevhen Konoplyanka, Andriy Yarmolenko, Mohamed Salah, Aleksander Kolarov, Stevan Jovetic, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

1. Petr Cech

Chelsea's number one shot-stopper and a world class keeper. He stands at the rearguard of a decent Czech Republic team, but not the ones who possessed the likes of Nedved and Koller. A huge shame we will not witness the ever-present Cech.

2. Lukasz Piszczek

Borussia Dortmund's marauding full-back, the Pole loves to gallop forward and is great in doing so. Poland failed to get out of the group with England successfully and it's a shame we will not see this mans bursting runs forward in Brazil

3. Neven Subotic

Neven Subotic occupies the centre-back role, alongside Piszczek at right-back. He faced a race against time to be fit for Brazil but even so, it's a huge loss. A solid enforcer at the heart of Dortmund's defence, Subotic's Serbia failed to qualify for the continental event in Brazil and will feel disappointed he will not show his talents on the world stage.

4. Branislav Ivanovic

Another Serbian, alongside Subotic, it is Chelsea's ever-present Ivanovic. A valuable defender and a great professional, as witnessed in the Premier League, Ivanvoic's heroic defending will not be there for all to witness in Brazil. Chelsea fans will be fairly happy him and Cech have a good rest during the summer however.

5. David Alaba

A Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup winner, yet FC Bayern Munchen's David Alaba will not be on a plane to Brazil. The Austrian full-back, who revelled during Austria's qualifying campaign, will be disappointed to miss out as will the fans watching on.

6. Aaron Ramsey

Arsenal's hero of the season so far. Smashing in the goals left, right and centre, its a shame Ramsey operates in a slightly less-efficient Welsh side. It would have been interesting to see, had he kept his form up, how Ramsey would have fared in Brazil.

7. Arda Turan

A key architect in Atletico Madrid's midfield, Turkish playmaker, Arda Turan, is another who will not be strutting his stuff in Brazil 2014. Failed to progress with a Turkish side who seemed lacklustre in their attempts to board the plane.

8. Gareth Bale

The world's most expensive player will not be present in Brazil and it's a huge disappointment. Bale lit up the Premier League last season and it would have been fascinating to see him take on the world in Brazil, however, like Ramsey, an average Welsh side failed to progress.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Is there a point explaining why? One of the world's finest footballers, Ibrahimovic proved on Tuesday night just how unlucky he is not to be going to Brazil. Scoring the two goals in the second-leg, the PSG forward must have been cursing his luck that his goals came up against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. A real shame we will not see this man in Brazil, genuinely.

11. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

He represents Gabon and as expected the African side failed to progress. It's another Dortmund forward who occupies the front role and it's a shame we will not see the pacey former St.Etienne striker in Brazil. Dortmund however, will be more than happy.




source:ftbpro

Amuneke slaps, manhandles American football agent over Iheanacho’s transfer

A football agent, Henry Galliano, was on Monday evening assaulted by a Nigerian coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, at the Rockview Hotel, Owerri, the Imo State capital. The assault, which happened at about 6:00 p.m. was caused by the decision of Golden Eaglets star, Kelechi Iheanacho, to choose Galliano as his agent ahead of one recommended by Amuneke. As agent, Galliano would be responsible for arranging club transfer deals for Iheanacho, a member of the world-conquering Golden Eaglets. Iheanacho was selected by FIFA as the best player of the just-concluded FIFA U17 World Cup in the UAE. He has since been linked to top European clubs including FC Porto and Manchester City. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that Iheanacho has signed an agent deal officially with Galliano with a copy of the agreement sent to the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. The agent also confirmed that a copy of the agreement with Iheanacho was submitted to the NFF on October 21. In a chat with PREMIUM TIMES, Galliano and his Nigerian partner, Solomon Oluwaseun, accused Amuneke of assault; and threatened to press charges against him. They said the coach invited them for a meeting before he got angry, saying that his (Amuneke’s chosen) agent must be the one to handle Iheanacho’s transfer. “The coach invited us, we went to see him and he started threatening Kelechi that he should follow him to Abuja to sign with his agent who is working with a Nasiru Jubril, a staff of the NFF; or else Nasiru, the man in charge of the ITC (International Transfer Certificate), will not release kelechi’s ITC to him and they will both make sure that he is banned from Nigeria football; also he will not get a good club. “When the agent tried to talk back, the coach slapped him and beat him up in the presence of over 25 people,” Solomon said. In his comment, Galliano said he only came to Nigeria to take Iheanacho abroad for club engagement; and he didn’t know why the coach threatened him. “I came here to take Kelechi to his club. FC Porto and Manchester City are interested in him but Manchester City has a better package. This was our discussion and conclusion when Mr. Amuneke sent for me, and asked me to go back to my cousin. “He called me names, beat me up and embarrassed me, he said it’s impossible to just take his players,” Galliano said while accusing Amuneke of racial statements. Galliano, an American, said Amuneke ordered Iheanacho to follow him to Abuja and also threatened him; which made the boy to burst into tears and went away. “Kelechi is nowhere to be found, he started crying after the threat made against him, the small boy is afraid and I hope he will not lose hope. “Amuneke said he will delay his ITC and deal with him, he called vulgar words, cursing the boys and the players,” he said. PREMIUM TIMES tried to speak to Iheanacho, but his phone was switched off. His father, when contacted, declined comment. Amuneke, a Nations Cup winner in 1994 with the Super Eagles, and current assistant coach of the Golden Eaglets, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that he assaulted the American. When contacted on phone, an angry Amuneke confirmed that he slapped Galliano. He threatened to beat him up again whenever he sees him. He, however, denied being involved in the player’s possible transfer. “Yes, of course I slapped him very well and I will do it again whenever I see him,” Amuneke said. “He is an idiot, useless white man, he wants to come and reap where he didn’t sow. “Kelechi is a nobody; yes, I said we helped him into the team, made him, moulded him into what he is today, he shouldn’t allow anybody to fool him,” the former winger said. When asked the reason for his action and his rumoured roles in Kelechi and other players transfer business, Amuneke said, “I care so much for my players, I am a coach.” “I’m not an agent but I just look out for the boys. He wants to come and sign a player just like that, he’s an idiot, I will not allow him. “Because the boy’s parents are poor and illiterate, he wants to use them. We are Nigerians and we’re not foolish,” he added. Despite Amuneke’s denial, the shady involvement of Nigerian coaches and football officials in the transfer of players to foreign clubs is something muted and known by close observers of Nigerian football. A football website, Goal.com, recently revealed that Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Mba’s move to a French club, was scuttled because of the financial demands and involvement of Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, and some officials of the NFF. Mba had been unveiled by the French club, Bastia, before he was forced to return to Nigeria. The NFF also recently suspended a former Secretary General of the Federation, Taiwo Ogunjobi, over the latter’s alleged involvement in the transfer of a Flying Eagles forward, Olanrewaju Kayode. source:Premiumtimes