The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Guardiola seeks Toni’s advice on Bayern Munich job

    Luca Toni has urged former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola to take up the reins at Bayern Munich after claiming the Catalan had asked about the Bavarian giants.

    Guardiola is currently enjoying a year-long sabbatical from the game after stepping down as Barca boss at the end of last season.

    During his four-years in the Camp Nou hotseat, the 41-year-old became the club’s most successful ever manager with 14 major trophies, including three successive La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.

    The English Premier League has long been mooted as Guardiola’s next destination, with the man himself admitting the decision to move his family to New York was in part due to improving his English.

    However, reports back in June claimed Bayern had earmarked Guardiola to take over from current boss Jupp Heynckes next summer and had gone as far as to make contact with the Spaniard’s representatives.

    That was denied by Guardiola’s agent, Jose Maria Orobitg, but Toni, who played alongside the ex-midfielder at Brescia, claims he has spoken to his former team-mate about life at the Allianz Arena.

    Toni spent three years with the Bavarian giants between 2007 and 2010 and believes Guardiola the set-up of the club from top to bottom would suit Guardiola’s managerial style.

    “He asked me about Bayern,” Toni told Bild. “I think the philosophy of how that club is run pleases him. He is a very good coach, who would fit that team perfectly. He would give the German mentality some flair.”

    AC Milan and Chelsea have been heavily linked with moves for Guardiola, but Toni has urged Guardiola to head for Germany. “He should definitely coach Bayern. They are one of the best teams in the world,” said the Italian.

    German international Sami Khedira, who plays his club football with Real Madrid, also believes Guardiola would do a fine job at Bayern.

    “Everything he has done at Barcelona is worthwhile,” he said. “He is one of the coaching greats. Bayern is a great club and he would fit in very well. He would face a new challenge.”

  • Van Pelt wins in Australia

    BoVan Pelt hung onto his lead entering the final round of the Perth International. The 37-year-old Indianan closed with a 4-under 68 to edge fellow American Jason Dufner by two strokes and win the $2 million event, co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour, at Lake Karrinyup Country Club in western Australia.

    Van Pelt closed with six birdies and two bogeys to finish at 16-under 272, earning $333,330 and his first victory since the 2009 U.S. Bank Championship on the PGA Tour.

    “We had a good battle there,” Van Pelt said of his head-to-head match with Dufner, who shot a 69. “We both played well.”

    The win was Van Pelt’s first in 31 starts on the European Tour. “It’s a great feeling to come out on top,” he told reporters. “I have a lot of respect for Jason and his game. He’s a world-class player and I knew it was going to be tough today. I knew he was going to keep the pressure on me, and I needed to play well if I was going to come out on top.”

    Van Pelt added it was satisfying to finally win this year after 10 top-10 finishes in 24 starts on the American circuit. “You know, in golf, no matter how great of a player you are, you lose more than you win, even the best players of all time, they don’t win 50 percent.”

    Dufner tipped his cap to the champion of the inaugural Perth International. “Bo played really good,” the two-time PGA Tour winner this year said. “He put a lot of pressure on me to make something happen and I couldn’t quite do it. It’s been a good trip. It’s good to get back out and compete and nice to be in the hunt after a couple weeks off and after the Ryder Cup.”

    Spain’s Alejandro Canizares finished third at 11-under 277 after a 68, while tied for fifth at 280 were Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo (74), Wales’ Rhys Davies (69), Scotland’s Scott Jamieson (68), and the English duo of David Howell (71) and Paul Casey (67).

  • Lulu: My dream for Nigerian football is still on course

    Lulu: My dream for Nigerian football is still on course

    SANI LULU, former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Monday said that his vision for football development in the country was still alive.

    He said this was in spite of the case filed against him by the EFCC.

    The EFCC in 2010 filed a 10-count criminal charge against Lulu and three other former NFF officials who served with him on the board of the NFF.

    The case borders on alleged mismanagement of about N1.3 billion belonging to the football house.

    Lulu, however, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, that no group or individual would stop him from contributing his quota to the development of football.

    He said he would not be discouraged from helping to fashion out a better way for the development of football, which he had been doing through FOSLA Academy, his football academy.

    ”What we have done in the past two to three years that I started this academy, which is built around a secondary school, is to have a place where boys will be put together to pursue their educational career.

    ”We are so disciplined pursuing this course and what is important is that I have full record of their background information.

    ”Their age certificates are openly confirmed from their parents and the schools they came from.

    “So I will expose them through the secondary school programmes that I have and I believe they will be of great service to the country by the time they finish and are going to tertiary institutions.

    ”In fact, judging from the way we are managing them, they will go places,’’ Lulu said.

    According to him, the experience gathered from the grassroots in the past 20 years has placed him in a better position to identify budding talents.

    ”I am a product of the grassroots and I have played football actively. I have also rendered my services as a public servant to government, so I feel the best thing to do is to get into the grassroots,’’ he added.

    Lulu noted that poor documentation of players’ records and the lack of control are the major challenges facing football academies in the country.

    He, however, told NAN that he had enough time now to concentrate, after his reign at the football secretariat, and to coordinate the activities of young footballers, especially his students.

  • AHEAD 2013 AFCON IKE UCHE DEMANDS EARLY PREPARATION

    AHEAD 2013 AFCON IKE UCHE DEMANDS EARLY PREPARATION

    •Super Eagles boss hits Durban for draw

    SPAIN-BASED striker Ikechukwu Uche has said Nigeria will shine at the 2013 Nations Cup if the new team have enough time to prepare.

    Uche has therefore demanded for adequate preparation for the Eagles ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    Uche, who has lately averaged a goal-a-game for Nigeria, noted that the present crop of Eagles players needs more time together so as to play as a team.

    “It’s one thing for us to qualify and another for us to have a good showing at the tournament. We need time for early preparation because this is a new team and we need time to understand ourselves very well,” said the Villarreal striker, who came off the bench to score against Liberia in an AFCON qualifier in Calabar.

    “But I am confident that we would have a wonderful tournament in South Africa.”

    Meanwhile, coach Stephen Keshi has arrived South Africa for the AFCON draw.

    The Eagles coach is in Durban, South Africa with team secretary Dayo Enebi and chairman NFF technical committee, Chris Green.

    The officials, according to a top NFF official, “would outside attending the draw touch on other things the team need for a successful outing at the Nations Cup”.

    The AFCON draw will take place on Wednesday night in Durban, South Africa.

  • Deschamps leaves Marseille

    Deschamps leaves Marseille

    Ligue 1 side Marseille have announced that coach Didier Deschamps has left the club by mutual agreement.

    The 43-year-old’s future at Marseille had been uncertain with reports claiming he wanted to leave the club he had once captained after three years in charge.

    There was further speculation after Laurent Blanc stepped down as France boss on Saturday, with his former Les Bleus team-mate instantly linked with succeeding him in the role.

    On Monday the club finally put to an end such rumours by releasing a statement on their official website which reveals Deschamps’ future had been unclear for some time.

    It read: “Didier Deschamps was received on May 23 by club officials to prepare for the 2012-2013 season.

    “Didier Deschamps stated his desire to leave OM and the terms of his departure were considered.

    “In the days that followed, Mr Didier Deschamps repeatedly confirmed that he was and remained the coach of OM.

    “Olympique de Marseille and Didier Deschamps have finally decided by mutual agreement not to continue working for the 2012-2013 season.

    “Olympique de Marseille thank Didier Deschamps for his work for the team for three years and wish him good luck for the future.

    “Didier Deschamps thanks Olympique de Marseille for their support throughout these last three seasons.”

    Deschamps took over as Marseille boss in the summer of 2009 and in his first season in charge led them to the Ligue 1 title as well as the Coupe de la Ligue.

    They were runners-up the following year to Lille, although they retained the Coupe de la Ligue.

    However, last season was poor for the club who at one point endured a 14-match winless streak and they finished in 10th place although another successful cup defence saw them qualify for the Europa League.

     

     

  • CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Sunshine blew it at home –Chukwu

    CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Sunshine blew it at home –Chukwu

    CHRISTIAN Chukwu said Sunshine Stars blew the chance of advancing to the final of the CAF Champions League with the 3-3 draw in the first fixture in Ijebu-Ode.

    The nation’s last team standing on the continent lost out in their title race after the Egyptian giants, Al Ahly edged them 0-1 in Cairo on Sunday bringing the aggregate score at 3-4.

    Chukwu said the Akure Gunners’ bitter experience should serve as food for thought for others aiming for continent glory.

    “Sunshine Stars lost the title chase at home after they drew 3-3 against Al Ahly.

    “Thereafter I knew it would be hard to upturn the table against Al Ahly in Cairo and it turned out exactly as foreseen.

    “The slim 0-1 loss in Cairo was not a disgrace but potent enough to see them out of the competition.

    “They actually tried their best but sadly it wasn’t enough to see them through to the final they so much desired.

    “I say better luck and preparations next time and other teams queuing behind Sunshine on the continent must at every given time maximise their home advantage.

    “Outside your home shores it can’t be better, it’s tough and difficult,” said the former Nigerian manager to supersport.com.

    Sunshine Stars’ conquerors, Al Ahly will face title holders, Esperance of Tunisia in the two-legged final.

    Esperance edged out Congo’s TP Mazembe on 1-0 aggregate after first fixture ended goalless in Kinshasa a fortnight ago.

  • Mixed fortunes for Yak, Obagoal

    Mixed fortunes for Yak, Obagoal

    It was different strokes for the duo of Super Eagles forwards Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins on Sunday. Both players were on duty for their clubs, Guangzhou R&F and Levante respectively but failed to net the much needed goal.

    While Guangzhou lost 1-2 to visiting Dalian Aerbin, Levante however ran away with an away goal against Getafe that would have been the icing on the cake for Martins had the former Wolfsburg and Rubin Kazan striker, who played for the full duration of the game, scored in the encounter. Rather, it was his teammate Michell that took the glory after shooting the visitors into the lead in the 87th minute.

    Dalian Aerbin’s victory over Aiyegbeni’s Guangzhou R&F Sunday, was only a continuation of their recent cruise control going into the game with five victories in their last seven league fixtures.

    The visitors took the lead after just seven minutes thanks to China international Yu Liu.

    And when Brazilian playmaker Fabio Rochemback doubled the advantage just after the hour-mark, Dalian Aerbin looked like they would cruise to victory.

    They were given a scare though, with Liang Yanfeng’s 72nd-minute goal for the hosts causing them some nervy moments towards the end.

    Dalian Aerbin held on for victory though, one that lifts them to seventh on the table in the Chinese Super League (CSL).

  • AHEAD OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CLASH: Mikel: Chelsea spirit is high

    AHEAD OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CLASH: Mikel: Chelsea spirit is high

    Mikel Obi has said the great Chelsea spirit in the weekend’s derby win will lift them in Tuesday’s Champions League tie at Shakhtar Donetsk.

    Chelsea halted a poor run at White Hart Lane since August 2005 to beat London rivals Tottenham 4-2 on Saturday and consolidate their leadership of the English Premier League.

    Chelsea are now on 22 points from eight matches, four points clear of closest rivals Manchester United and Manchester City. Mikel told MTNFootball.com his club were driven to win.

    “It was a tough and interesting game as we expected and we deserved to win it,” Mikel said. “The team spirit was very high and that was why we were able to win the match. Even when we were down, we still kept fighting on until we secured victory. It was a great display and I believe we will keep it up.

    “This is a nice one ahead of our Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk.” Mikel posted a five-star display and even ventured forward in a more offensive role for the European champions. His compatriot Victor Moses was an unused substitute for Chelsea.

  • Musa nets 5th goal

    Musa nets 5th goal

    Super Eagles pacy forward Ahmed Musa announced his return to club duties Sunday with an 82nd minute goal against visiting Rubin Kazan, shooting CSKA Moscow into the second position on the Russian Premier League, just two points behind leaders Anzhi Makhachkala which stars Cameroon international Samuel Eto

    Musa, just back from the Super Eagles’ 6-1 demolition of the Lone Star of Liberia in Calabar, set up the first goal through a penalty before registering his name on the score sheet by latching onto Aleksandr Cauna’s pass to complete the 2-0 score eight minutes from time.

    Musa saw full 90 minutes action in the clash but his Liberian teammate Sekou Oliseh, who played in the opposing side on the battle of Calabar, was an unused substitute.

    Kazan had their woes compounded by a red card handed Ivan Marcano. The Spanish import had earlier bagged a yellow card before getting the marching orders in the 68th minute.

  • Ambrose: I’m ready for Barca

    Ambrose: I’m ready for Barca

    Efe Ambrose netted his first goal for Scottish power house Glasgow Celtic in the 5 – 0 spanking of St Mirren on Saturday. And the Nigeria international, who celebrated his first goal for Celtic in style, with some somersaults, insists he is ready for the Champions League on Tuesday.

    Ambrose’s reputation as a goalscoring defender is increasing. Only last weekend, his first minute header against Liberia was the tonic the Eagles needed as they hammered the Lone Stars 6 – 1.

    ”No, I am not that good in gymnastics, I am trying to learn. I was overjoyed and I had to celebrate like that being my first goal for Celtic. I am dedicating this goal to my lovely wife, ”Ambrose told allnigeriasoccer.com.

    Next for Ambrose and Celtic is a mouth-watering clash against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.

    He said: ”This is football and the game would be played for 90 minutes. We are prepared for Barcelona’s attacking threat – Messi and company – it is all about teamwork.”