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Tag: FIFA

  • BRAZIL 2014: FIFA unveils new World Cup ball

    BRAZIL 2014: FIFA unveils new World Cup ball

    The ‘Brazuca’ is likely to be a huge improvement on its predecessor ‘Jabulani’, the 2010 World Cup’s official ball.

    The ‘Brazuca’ will be the official ball used during next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
    FIFA unveiled its official ball for the 2014 World Cup, which in 2012 was named ‘Brazuca’ following a public vote in Brazil which involved more than one million fans.
    The official match ball’s design is said to be “inspired by vibrant colours, passion and heritage of Brazil.” Its name is a term used by natives of the country, meaning ‘Brazilian’ or to describe the Brazilian way of life.
    The ball was unveiled during a spectacular 3D event held at the iconic Parque Lage in Rio de Janeiro, but went through a rigorous two-and-a-half-year testing process which involved more than 600 of the world’s top players.
    Players and Adidas testimonials such as Lionel Messi, Iker Casillas, Bastian Schweinsteiger and former France international Zinedine Zidane were all involved in the process and have since signed off on its use for next year’s World Cup.
    Adidas say the technology used will “meet and exceed all FIFA metrics” and will “ensure top performance for every condition.”
    “A new structural innovation with a unique symmetry of six identical panels alongside a different surface structure will provide improved grip, touch, stability and aerodynamics on the pitch. Brazuca has been thoroughly tested to meet and exceed all FIFA metrics for an official match ball, ensuring top performance for every condition,” an Adidas statement read.
  • Nigerians to watch 2014 FIFA World Cup free

    Nigerians to watch 2014 FIFA World Cup free

    Nigerians will be able to watch their favourite Super Eagles and other teams on terrestrial TV going by the recent partnership between Optima Sports Management International(OSMI) and FIFA. The world governing body awarded the exclusive free TV media rights for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and other FIFA events in the Nigerian territory. The media rights include TV, Radio and Mobile rights.

    However, the CEO of Osmi, Rotimi Pedro noted in a chat with the SportingLife that though it is free of right fees but it will be monetised through other means such as the viewing centres and advertisers who intend staking their money for leverage for their organisations.

    Pedro said:”In 2010, we had a successful outing. 2014 will indeed not be an exception. We can’t afford to disenfranchise Nigerians, majority of them still watch free TV. It is indeed available to all broadcasters including VON. We are, however, open for discussion on redistribution of the content.”

    Collaborating Pedro’s views, OSMI’s Adeoye Ronuga added:” After the World Cup draws, sponsors can afford themselves the different packages ranging from Platinum, gold and silver to suit their preferences. We have put our money in line hence the need to commercialise some aspects. There would be discounts ranging from 10 to 20 per cent for the targeted customers though.”

    In the same vein, Niclas Ericson, Director of FIFA’s TV Division, said: “FIFA is pleased to confirm our partnership with OSMI in Nigeria after the successful implementation of the media rights programme in Nigeria for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

    Nigerian football fans are in for a true treat from the upcoming event that will feature Nigeria’s national teams.”

    Meanwhile, the package of rights which OSMI has been awarded includes: 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s W/Cup; 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s W/Cup; FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup,2013 FIFA Confederations Cup 2013; FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013 ;FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013 as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

  • BRAZIL 2014 fifa world cup: Eagles get Code of Conduct

    BRAZIL 2014 fifa world cup: Eagles get Code of Conduct

    • Nigeria moves to avoid World Cup bonus row

    • FG grants NFF approval to implement directives

    Nigeria football officials are set to implement a code of conduct which they hope will prevent future rows with the national team over bonus payments.

    The move is designed to ensure there is no repeat of the dispute that almost caused the country to miss out on this year’s FIFA Confederations Cup.

    Players threatened to strike over a 50 per cent cut in their bonus for June’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Kenya and Namibia.

    Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi has forwarded a code of conduct, drafted by a committee at his ministry, for immediate implementation by the country’s football federation.

    “That’s the right step to take [approach the football body] so that the Nigeria Football Federation can ratify and implement this before the World Cup,” Julius Ogunro, Special Assistant to the Sports Minister, told BBC Sport.

    “It [the code of conduct] was kept away to allow the team focus solely on securing a World Cup ticket.

    “Now is the right time to get it done and the NFF as a parastatal of the sports ministry are well aware of its importance.

    “We need to prevent a bonus row like the one which fuelled anger and almost embarrassed the country before the last Confederations Cup in Brazil.”

    Back in June, Nigeria’s players had initially refused to go to the Confederations Cup following their 1-1 draw in Namibia in a World Cup qualifier as they were unhappy with the bonus payments offered by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    The sports ministry intervened and made extra money available, eventually allowing the squad to travel to Brazil – two days late and only about 36 hours before Nigeria’s opening game against Tahiti.

    The five-part document spells out the obligations of the NFF, coaches and players called up to the national team. Non-compliance could lead to fines, suspensions or even expulsions.

    Pay rows have often surrounded Nigerian teams, with coaches not paid regularly, while players have resisted any attempts to review their win bonus during important qualifiers or at major tournaments.

    There have been several attempts to introduce a code but they have often been met by stiff resistance from players in the past.

    “This will hopefully bring an end to ugly incidents that often portray the country in a bad light during major tournaments,” Ogunro said.

    The poor financial position of the NFF has already forced the country to cut their backroom staff and slashed the salaries and allowances of the various national team coaches, excluding coach Stephen Keshi.

  • Adidas congratulates Super Eagles at formal launch in Nigeria

    Adidas congratulates Super Eagles at formal launch in Nigeria

    As part of its strategic growth plan into Nigeria, leading sports and lifestyle brand and Super Eagles technical sponsor, adidas has formally launched its operations and also celebrated its one year anniversary in Nigeria, minutes before the country qualified for her fifth World Cup appearance coming up in Brazil next year.

    Speaking at the event, Senior Business Development Manager, Adidas, South Africa, Astruds Meintjes explained that the brand has enjoyed unrivalled success in the country due to its strategic partnership with the Super Eagles.

    “All this shows the excellent value that we are creating by consistently pursuing our strategic business plan to grow the brand in emerging markets like Nigeria,” said Meintjes. “Undoubtedly, we have learnt valuable lessons that will be beneficial to our consumers as we expand our stores to Lekki and Kano in December, and the rest of the country’s major cities in due course.”

    “I must also congratulate the Super Eagles for putting up a convincing display and earned for the country well deserved fifth FIFA World Cup qualifications. On behalf of adidas, I congratulate Nigerians, the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi and the whole team.” Meintjes added.

    Earlier in his welcome remarks, Managing Director of Mopheth Sport Nigeria Limited, Adekunle Oyegade shared his delight at Mopheth Sport’s partnership with the adidas global brand that is associated with excellence, innovation, quality, passion and performance.

    “Adidas is an aspirational brand and our presence in the Nigerian market is to fulfill the aspiration of the Nigerian consumers’ quest for authentic and quality products. Our experience in the last one year has been exciting and encouraging,” he stated.

    Speaking further, Oyegade noted that: “Today is unique for two reasons; one the Nigerian National team qualified for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and secondly, we are formally launching the Adidas brand in Nigeria, and we are glad you made out time to be with us on this day, both for National pride and to associate with two winning brands like adidas and the Super Eagles.”

    Adidas currently operates from two locations in Lagos and Abuja. The Lekki and Kano branches are expected to open shop in December 2013.

    Before October 2012, Adidas had enjoyed a strong presence in Nigeria through the sponsorship of the Super Eagles. The formal launch and plans to open other outlets in Lekki and Kano was both part of its strategic growth plan into Nigeria and an indication of brand acceptance among Nigerians.

    Activities that marked the launch included a guided tour of the adidas store, a talk through the painstaking quality-conscious production processes that every Adidas product goes through, as well as a raffle draw during which prizes including Original footballs, signed Super Eagles jersey and a winner to the UEFA Champions League game at Stamford Bridge, London.. Also there was fashion show, with models adorning adidas products on the runway, to the admiration of the invited guests.

  • NSC plans retreat on Eaglets in Calabar Dec. 20

    NSC plans retreat on Eaglets in Calabar Dec. 20

    The National Sports Commission (NSC) is putting together a retreat on sustaining Nigeria’s performance at the FIFA Under-17 World Championship.

    According to a release signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Sports, Julius Ogunro, yesterday, “The Cross River State Government will host the retreat, which will take place in Calabar, on December 20th, 2013.

    “lt will focus on providing the right orientation for the footballers of the victorious Under-17 side, the Golden Eaglets, on their career progress; drawing a blueprint for sustaining Nigeria’s performance at age-grade competitions, among others.

    “Participants will be drawn from the NSC, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), business community, ex-footballers and other sports stakeholders.”

    Some issues/topics that will be discussed at the retreat will include Developing the Right Social Skills; the ABC of Football Contracts; the Attitude for Success; Image and Media Management; Financial Management and others.

    The Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the NSC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the retreat was essential in order to document the strategies that ensured our success at the FIFA Under 17 World Cup for future purpose. He also explained that it was necessary to properly guide the young players to make the right career decisions.

    “I am sure this is the first time we are having this kind of retreat after a successful outing at a major championship. We want to provide these young boys with the knowledge, which would help them make the right career choice,” he disclosed.

  • Musa speaks about his adorable mother

    Musa speaks about his adorable mother

    Golden Eaglets’ inspirational captain, Musa Muhammed, has described his mum as ‘a jewel of inestimable value’ and the role she’s playing in his fledging career, reports MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN

    MUSA Muhammed, Golden Eaglets’ captain, is a lad of little words but he found his voice speaking about two things dear to his heart: his mum and the magic of winning the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in UAE.

    “I love my mum so much because she has been so supportive of my career since the death of our father,” Muhammed said with glee as we rode on the bus to Dubai the day after the 3-0 thrashing of Mexico in Abu Dhabi.” My mum was the first person I called immediately we were given our phones after the final because she has been so nice to me.

    For anybody in the know about the workings of the Golden Eaglets, Muhammed has every reason to be happy for obvious reasons. Picked by head coach Manu Garba (MFR) without any debate ‘because he combines two prophetic names, Musa (Moses in Christian) and Prophet Muhammed’, this guy is a true leader of men through and through. He is one of the few players that were as constant as the northern star throughout the campaign having played virtually all the team’s cumulative 49 matches and scoring seven goals including that unforgettable textbook free kick-final goal of the World Cup final match against Mexico.

    “I’m so happy and I thank God that we won this trophy after a lot of hard work,” said Muhammed, as he reflected on some of the team’s difficult moments. “It was like a dream to me when I held the World Cup trophy after we beat Mexico because we actually missed some great players through the MRI and everybody thought we won’t be able to do it.

    “When I lifted the trophy, I was still thinking if it was a dream and I remembered all the prayers of my mother for me before we left Nigeria.

    “It was a great moment not only for me, my family but for all Nigerians and I’m so happy; happy that I was the captain when Nigeria won the World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

    “I was so happy because it was the first time I would be leading a team to win a trophy and it is special because it is the World Cup,” said a thrilled Musa, who giggled like a kid with a new toy.

    Of course, they said there is no pecan without pain and Musa recollected with some nostalgia after a photo shoot with the FIFA media team ahead of the final match along with his Mexican counterpart, Ulises Rivas, at the Marina overlooking the Abu Dhabi Intercontinental Hotel how the dreaded MRI Test nearly scuppered the chances of the Golden Eaglets even before the start of the tournament, with some of the mainstay of the silver-winning squad to the CAN Under-17 Championship in Morocco decimated by the machine.

    “We have suffered so much and we won’t let Mexico go away with this trophy because this is a special moment for me,” he said of the photo session. “I looked at that trophy and I was telling myself that ‘I would be the one to lift and not that boy from Mexico.’

    “ I told myself that ‘we have to win this trophy for so many of my friends who could not make it to the World Cup because of the MRI Test, but we really have to thank the coaches for believing in the rest of us.

    “We missed great players like Alhassan Ibrahim, Mustapha Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ifeanyi Matthew, Bernard Bulbwa, Izu Omego and so many others; and I felt we should win the trophy for them.”

    On match day inside the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Musa not only led the lads out but he would prove to be a captain fantastic when he curled a ‘sublime free-kick into the top corner’ for Nigeria’s third goal against the defending champions.

    “It’s not easy being the captain of this team because we have so many players with different characters,” he said as a matter of fact. “But I had to encourage them on and off the pitch and I’m glad it turned out well for us.

    “I was always telling my teammates, especially those who came in later, that ‘we can achieve so much if they play with their heart’ and I had to show it too by example.

    “Though I’m a defender, I had to join the attack too and that was why I overlapped most times to help the attackers and I want to thank the coaches for allowing me to do this.

    “People talk about my energy but it was not easy, it was just a matter of hard work and passion I put into this game.

    “Football is my life and I thank God for hearing my prayers and that of my mother by winning the trophy.

    “I really missed my mum because she cares a lot about our welfare. I’m the second born and I have a senior brother with three others; and our mum pray a lot for us.

    “I don’t have any immediate plans about a particular club I want to play for but I know that God will surely do the best for me,” he chuckled.

     

  • NOVEMBER 2013 FIFA ranking: Keshi shocked

    NOVEMBER 2013 FIFA ranking: Keshi shocked

    • Wants Eagles to keep winning to please Nigerians

    Coach Stephen Keshi has said he is shocked Nigeria have slipped in the latest FIFA rankings despite some impressive results lately.

    Nigeria dropped three spots in the world rankings – from 33 to 36 – in the November FIFA Rankings.

    The African champions beat Ethiopia 2-0 in a 2014 World Cup play-off to qualify for the tournament finals on a 4-1 aggregate, last month. They were also forced to a 2-2 draw by four-time world champions Italy in a friendly in London.

    However, rather than enjoy a better ranking they slipped at a time when the latest rankings are expected to be considered in next week’s 2014 World Cup draw in Brazil.

    “I am shocked (by the latest rankings). We won the Africa Cup of Nations this year, qualified for the World Cup and four-time world champions Italy held us to a draw, so I am surprised,” remarked Keshi.

    However, Keshi said he will continue to lead the Eagles to victory.

    “We should continue to win and make Nigerians proud because that is what is most important to me and Nigerians. If we remain where ever we are in the ranking and keep winning and Nigerians are happy, then I am happy,” he said.

  • Ronaldo can have the Ballon d’Or, I already know that I am the best – Zlatan Ibrahimovic

    Ronaldo can have the Ballon d’Or, I already know that I am the best – Zlatan Ibrahimovic

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic has told Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribery they can have the Ballon d’Or because “I know I am the best”.

    The Swedish striker has been in superb form this year for Paris St Germain, scoring eight goals in this season’s Champions League – as many as Ronaldo.

    However, the Portuguese has emerged as favourite for Fifa’s Ballon d’Or award after netting a hat-trick for his country in last week’s 3-2 World Cup play-off victory over Sweden – with Portugal qualifying for the 2014 finals in Brazil.

    Meanwhile, France winger Ribery helped Bayern Munich secure the treble last season and was an early favourite for the award, won three times in a row by Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, until Ronaldo garnered late support for his performances with Portugal.

    “I don’t need the Ballon d’Or to know I’m the best,” said Ibrahimovic, who played a key role in PSG’s Ligue 1 title triumph last season. “It matters more to some players.

    Source: Telegraph UK

  • Three killed as World Cup stadium collapses

    Three killed as World Cup stadium collapses

    No fewer than three people have been reported killed after a crane collapsed at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo — the stadium will host the tournament’s first game.

    The incident occurred on Thursday, damaging three huge metallic parts of the ground and destroying part of the stadium’s structure.

    A construction worker at the site who asked not to be identified told Goal: “I was a little far from the place of the accident, but what I know is that that would’ve been the last piece to be installed in the stadium structure. We were lucky that several workers weren’t there at the moment, because it happened during our lunch break.”

    “The structure fell and initiated a cascade effect. We felt a strong tremor and that’s worrisome. It could’ve affected other structures.

    “I’m really sad. Some of the Corinthians’ fans are also here, around the stadium, and they are crying with what happened. I’m a Corinthians fan and I know how passionate we are, but the most important thing is the lives of the people.

    “I believe we could have more fatal victims in the next hours. What the guys around here are talking is that there are at least four people dead.”

  • Ghosts of ’94 still linger for Nigeria

    Ghosts of ’94 still linger for Nigeria

    Like they did in 1994, Nigeria will arrive at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil as African champions, and as they did in the USA, they will be looking to go beyond the group stages. However, with some similarities and vital differences between that legendary team and the current crop, FIFA.com looks closer at the two sides.

    The Super Eagles traveled to the USA blooming with a golden generation of players, who in October 1993 secured Nigeria’s first-ever participation at the finals with a 1-1 draw in Algeria that saw the west Africans top their group on goal difference from Côte d’Ivoire. few months later, Nigeria won their second CAF African Cup of Nations, beating Zambia in the final.