NNL: War as Stores, Shooting Stars clash at Onikan

THE atmosphere which characterised the match involving Stationery Stores  FCand Shooting Stars Sports Club two decades ago would be reenacted on Thursday (Februry 27) this time at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
The week three NIgeria National League (NNL) fixture is expected to pull crowd to one of the most popular stadia in the country in the 50s then known as the King Goerge V Stadium through the 80s.
The rejuvenated Stores which last featured in the Nigerian league in 2004 returned this season having bought the slot of Union Bank FC, another Lagos side.
The Flaming Flamingoes' struggled in their debut game penultimate Sunday at the Onikan waterfront which used to be their slaughter slab' as they shared points with visiting Abia Comets FC.
The visitors were almost running away with three points before Stores secured an equaliser at the dying minutes of the group B game.
Perhaps, Stores are beginning to regain confidence in the eyes of their beloved loyalists as they last weekend in Abeokuta held Gateway FC to a 1-1 draw thus; will be facing the Oluyole Warriors on Thursday with an unbeaten run.
Interestingly, 3SC being handled by returnee coach, Franklin Howard are yet to lose as well having picked a point at Ijebu Ode against Remo Stars and last weekend at home (the Lekan Salami Stadium) pipped City of David, COD of Lagos 2-1 to amass four points.
For a team in search of lost glory, Stores will not want to disappoint their fans this time more so that they need the result that can bring back their die-hard fans back to the stadium.
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Caption: The Flaming Flamingoes.

Bosso lands Abia Warriors' N1.5m monthly job,

.NIGERIA Premier League debutants, Abia Warriors have named coach Ladan Bosso as their new Technical Adviser.
Bosso, who guided the Flying Eagles to the FIFA U-20 World Cup, Canada 2007 is to earn N1.5million monthly for one season from the Umuahia-based side.
Chairman of Abia Warriors, chief Emeka Inyama said that Bosso's appointment was based on his track record of coaching saying that he possessed what it takes to lead the team to the promised land. 
“Bosso is an experienced coach and Abia Warriors would benefit immensely from his wealth of experience. We don’t want Abia Warriors to make up the numbers in the Globacom Premier League but compete favourably. We have done our feasibility study and Bosso happens to be the right man Abia Warriors need to guide them in the elite league," said Inyama who is a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
He stated that the appointment of Bosso was not a measure to relegate ex-international, Emeka Ezeugo to the background saying that "Ezeugo was never the technical adviser of Abia Warriors rather the chief coach and he remains the chief coach of the side”.
Bosso, who has since assumed duty coached Bayelsa United last season to finish third and won a CAF Confederation Cup ticket. He also coached Bayelsa United to the League Monitoring Company, LMC-organised Super 4 League held  in Abuja last month which was won by Enyimba FC.
The Niger State born coach would also earn get a bonus of N5million if he wins a continental ticket at the end of the season.
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Caption: Bosso.

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I can still go to World Cup--Obasi

NIGERIAN international and Schalke 04 of Germany forward Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi is still hopeful of making the Super Eagles squad to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The Enugu State-born Obasi at the moment is not in the plan of Nigeria head coach Stephen Keshi and the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze medallist said he has not lost hope of appearing in the M
"The decision of the coach is final, nobody can query him but that does not mean I am out of the World Cup team," said Obasi, who is not listed for the March 5 friendly against Mexico in the United States.
The Beijing 2008 Olympics silver medallist who has just recovered from injury stated that he does not have any ill-feelings over his exit from the Super Eagles.
"In fact, I don't have anything against Keshi. Of course yes, I want to play for Nigeria again for a long period like any other player, but the truth is that we can't all be there at the same time.
"Really I don't expect the coach to give me an automatic invitation, and maybe my best is not good enough at present, but I will keep working hard. I won't give up because I have what it takes to play for the Super Eagles again," said Obasi, who played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
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Caption: Obasi.

Fallout of CAF Champions League; We saw 'hell' in Togo--Baraje

HEAD Coach of Enyimba, Zachary Baraje has commended his wards for overcoming the hostility faced before they bundled Anges de Notse of Togo out of the 2014 CAF Champions League.
The People's Elephant after a 3-1 lead in Aba suffered a 1-2 defeat at the Omnisport Stadium, Lome last Sunday to qualify for the next stage of the competition on 4-3 aggregate.
“From the minute we arrived in Lome, all of us went through a lot of mental and physical torture from our hosts. They employed all kinds of antics to prevent us from winning but in the end our hard work and experience helped to sail through,” the former Gombe United coach said.
He stated that the journey to reclaim the African title has just begun as Enyimba are drawn with AS Real Bamako of Mali in the second round of the competition.
“Yes We are happy that we have eliminated Anges but we can’ celebrate as such because the journey has just started. We will continue to work hard until we achieve our set target,” the former Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) gaffer remarked.
The two-time African champions' lone strike in Lome came through new signing from ABS of Ilorin, Abdulrahman Bashir.
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Caption: Baraje.

Messi is from another planet----Thierry Henry

FORMER French international, Thierry Henry believes that Lionel Messi is "from another world" because his former Barcelona team-mate is capable of "unimaginable" things on a football field.
The Arsenal legend spent three years playing alongside the Argentine between 2007 and 2010 and said that he witnessed Messi do things that he did not previously think possible.
"You cannot define him in words," Henry told El Mundo Deportivo. "He's from another world; the best.
"To have him beside you every day is tremendous. He does unimaginable things. I do not know just how far he will be able to go in his career, but he's definitely already an incredible player."
Henry revealed that he also loved his time under the tutelage of former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, explaining that the Catalan proved nearly as big an influence on him as Arsenal boss
Arsene Wenger.
"For me, personally, Wenger is like a father," the forward explained. "He is untouchable.
"But I must say that Pep proved surprisingly spectacular. From a strictly business point of view, he is the best boss that I've had because he gave me discipline and a proper view of the game. Everything was planned; he left nothing to chance and was always one step ahead of the others. Pep and Wenger are my two reference points [in terms of coaching]; both are extraordinary."
Turning his attention to Barcelona's Champions League last-16 tie with Manchester City, Henry is hoping that Blaugrana prevail but freely admits that they are going up against a strong side.
"It will be difficult [for Barca]," the New York Red Bulls striker conceded. "Manchester are better than ever this year. They have made a very strong investment [in their squad] and are showing their full potential in the Premier League.
"But I also think that having a rival like this will work well for Barcelona because City like to play without closing things up at the back. So Barcelona should be able to attack as they please. I'll watch the game on television and I'll be cheering on Barca like a fan."
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Caption; Messi.

Yobo turns 'bride' at Norwich City

NIGERIAN international Joseph Yobo is now being celebrated like a bride in the English Premier League side, Norwich City following his five-star performance since his arrival. He joined the EPL side from Fenerbahce of Turkey on loan in the January transfer window.
The Super Eagles captain on his debut against Manchester City was a delight to watch just as his presence has continued to thrill Norwich City chief executive David McNally.
Yobo was signed by the Canaries alongside Jonas Guttierrez and the duo are believed to be 'first class' signings.
"Those two were crucial reinforcements," he said. "Joseph has played 95 times for Nigeria and Jonas 22 times for Argentina and bringing them in on a short-term basis, knowing the character of these men is first class, was better for us than investing in a four-year contract on someone of less quality. That was the judgement we made.
"Having been in the game many years now, January is about short-term measures to ensure the squad is complemented rather than a wholesale re-shaping of the staff,” McNally.
The form displayed by the former Everton defender since his arrival in Norwich City also earned him a recall to the Nigeria camp for the friendly against Mexico on March 5 in the United States.
Yobo last's last international appearance was when he led Nigeria to win the 2013 Africa Cup of
Nations (AFCON) in South Africa.
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Caption: Yobo in the colours of Norwich City.

NNL opener: Prime lose as coach lauds players

Newly-promoted Nigeria National League side, Go Round FC on Friday began the season on a good note with a 1-0 victory over Prime FC of Osogbo.
The NNL debutants waited till 82nd minute before they got the lone strike off a penalty kick converted by Ali Chiwendu in a game played at the Krisdera Hotel Stadium, Omoku.
Speaking after the match, coach of Prime FC, Samuel Abimbola lauded his wards despite the defeat just as he called for fair officiating to make the season a memorable one.
"I give kudos to my boys for playing according to instructions, it was a good game and I must commend my players. Though we lost the match but we were not disgraced, you all saw the game and how controversial the penalty was.
"We will go back to the drawing board and correct all the errors we have noticed and prepare well for our double home games. We are still in the right track and by the grace of God this will be the last game we will lose at away," Abimbola said.
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