₦airaland Forum

Murray played one his best tennis but you just have to agree that the next guy is better than you. It's incredible to play the way he did and still lost in 3 sets. I think he lacks the mental alertness that are only seen in Nadal, Joker & Roger

@usbcable,

It's not as if poeple dont want to recognize him as king of clay again but times change. and U know he himself even doubt if he can still be regarded as king of clay with the form of Novak. Roger used to be the king you know. But he can still amend by winning this

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) – Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Julio Grondona has accused coach Sergio Batista of jeopardizing the reputation of the national side, following the 4-1 friendly loss to Nigeria.
The humbling defeat in Abuja on Wednesday arrived just a month before the start of the Copa America (July 1-24), which Argentina will host.
"These matches aren't for making money, they're friendly matches that Batista asked for," Grondona told Argentine radio station Radio Mitre.
"You can't mess around like that with the prestige of the national side."
Grondona expressed his discontent with Batista, who had selected a squad shorn of stars and largely composed of inexperienced players for the trip to west Africa.
"It will be different in the future," warned Grondona.
"You can't play against a team like Nigeria, who fielded their best players, with a team that is not up to scratch."
For his part, Batista had claimed that "these outings are useful, whatever the result, because it allows you to see the players of the future".
Two-time world champions Argentina, who reached the quarter-finals at last year's World Cup in South Africa, face Poland in another friendly in Warsaw on Sunday.


culled from: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110602/sp_soccer_afp/fblngrargcopa2011friendlygrondona

^^^ Don't think so. With Djokovic's form, he may soon assume the role of Chief
But I see Nadal & Djokovic final. That means I am already giving Djokovic the edge over my darling Baba Twins Fed in the semis

, and he eventually made it in 5 sets. Nadal watch your back Djokovic and baba Ibeji are still around

It seems Nadal is going home sooner than I thought. When was the last time he dropped a set not to talk of 2 sets at Roland Garros. Isner is taking him to the cleaners. He needs to wake up from his slumber and do the Nadal's stuff

Thank You Nigerians By Nuhu Ribadu

Nuhu Ribadu
By Nuhu Ribadu
Last October I picked up membership of the Action Congress of Nigeria, and with that move, started an important journey, along with fellow compatriots, to help renew our dreams and our country. It was a journey and a challenge to correct what we diagnosed to be wrong and ill about governance in our country.
The moral dimension of governance in the country today remains indisputably negative, and this is not a construction in anyone’s head. The evidence speaks starkly of levels of poverty that is simply beyond belief; of a crumbled educational sector; a health sector that posts a terribly disgraceful score card; as well as an infrastructure and power sector that bear the vivid meaning of the word failure. Indeed, the picture in every sector remains one of shock, shame, and stoppage.
For the multitude of our youth that constitute 70 per cent of the population, their situation depicts a frightening reality of unemployment, and a furiously escalating surge of hopelessness, frustration, and anger.
Using the vehicle of our party, the Action Party of Nigeria, A.C.N. we traversed the broad stretch of our land retailing the message of hope, of social rebirth, and of generation change.
The elections have come and gone, and at moments like this when the results appear not to match up our expectations, the tendency is high to lapse into self-blame, and hasty but untested judgments about how we had invested in a failed project; and about how politics is too dirty and too evil.
We need to focus more on the goals of a better society and the vision of creating a community of opportunity in our country. Invariably, in that journey, disappointments and reversals will accompany us but with it will also come critical lessons, better clarity about means and ends. Ultimately we must remember that the conclusion of elections always raises the expectations of the people that things will change for the better and this election will not be different.
The truth is that the elections offered us lifetime and wonderful opportunities to encounter the vivid living realities of our people. It fundamentally challenged our received notions of development regarding one of the richest nations on the face of the earth but which nonetheless still ranks in the bottom file on all the human development indices. The election also built our resolve to be more committed to the challenge of constructing a modern, united, tolerant, just, and equitable nation on the best traditions of democracy.
Above all, however, the election also offered great opportunities for our young compatriots to partake in the civic service of helping to consolidate democracy in our nation. Some of the youngsters projected this faith by offering to serve as the brave and heroic NYSC election managers, but many more simply as voters seeking to use their thumbs to change the world.
I personally feel humbled by their role in my campaign and would like to specifically mention Team Ribadu and express my appreciation for the efforts and incredible sacrifices of these very special young men and women. I ask them to keep their vision, their hope of a new Nigeria alive, because the future belongs to them.
To those who contributed in one way or the other to the campaign, I want them to know that they earn my boundless gratitude. Many people worked tirelessly to ensure the success of our campaign; many donated their money, their precious time, family time and resources, election materials, and other items too many to be listed. I am truly grateful.
To our Diaspora support community who flew our flag in those distant shores from the US to Canada, Spain, the UK, China, South Africa, Ghana, and the Gambia. I salute and thank them for their tremendous demonstration of support in ideas, money, and valuable time. They have taught us the noble lesson that distance and a presumed comfort of exile need not inhibit the patriotic commitment to the remaking of their distress homeland.
From the very beginning, through the rough and tumbles of the campaign, the media offered us great support. I want to register my gratitude to them, but also urge them not to drop the ball in ensuring a keen audit of the governance process in the next four years.
By far, however, the lead heroes and champions of this process are the near three million voters who trooped out to cast a noble vote of support to our vision. Those votes were a testimony that a new Nigeria is possible.
I thank them earnestly; but I also urge them to continue to show keen interest and greater awareness of the importance of their votes by demanding accountability from those to whom they have bestowed the authority of leadership from local to federal institutions.
Yet we cannot lose sight of the fact that this opportunity to serve is made possible through the depth of faith, the vision, and generosity of spirit exhibited by our great party--the Action Congress of Nigeria.

In thanking the party for granting me the privilege of being their flag-bearer for this election, I also show gratitude to its leadership and members who toil for a great Nigeria knowing fully that their hopes for a better fatherland will be best served if we do not lose sight of the future.
In this journey, my good friend, Fola Adeola, cheerfully consented to be my running mate bringing in lasting values of companionship, trust, loyalty, and organisation. I thank him and his wonderful family and wish them well in the days ahead.
Finally, I wish to express my profound appreciation to my wife Zara, my children and other members of my family for their support and encouragement throughout this campaign.
Our nation is a great land, her promises are still unfolding, but with the persistence of love, unity, justice and equality, we shall conquer the stiffest challenges. God has a purpose of change and progress for Nigeria, and we shall certainly get to that promise land. Thank you, Nigeria, God Bless our nation.
Nuhu Ahmed Ribadu
A.C.N Presidential Candidate

culled from:http://saharareporters.com/article/thank-you-nigerians-nuhu-ribadu

I learnt fishes with scales on their bodies are better than those without scales like catfish, titus, etc cos they have low cholesterol and are clean since the scales help them to keep off dirt from their bodies

@ Jarus, yes let's read your view on Kwara, you seem to hide from this all this while?
Are kwarans ready to elect a woman a governor?
If PDP wins, Kwarans should still be regarded as Saraki's people since it is still another saraki
I think Belgore should be popular enough to win?

So Jarus what do you think

me think Chelsea will surprise everybody today by beating ManU. Remember Bayern Munich last year
'cos if there is any team that can defeat ManU @ OT, that team is Chelsea

I think by now, we should be discussing the semi final which is el-classico Part 2'cos this is a concluded match

- P.M. NEWS Nigeria - http://pmnewsnigeria.com -

President Jonathan Doles Out Cash Rewards To Victorious Athletes

Posted By On March 27, 2011 @ 8:35 pm In National,News,Today's Headlines | No Comments

The Federal Government Saturday doled out cash rewards for Nigerian athletes who won medals for the country at various international sports championships since 2009.

President Goodluck Jonathan

At a dinner organised for the athletes at the Banquet Hall of the presidential villa, yesterday, President Jonathan commended the athletes for their indomitable spirit and commitment to excellence, noting that they left no one in doubt that given the enabling environment, Nigerian youths can hold their own any day against the best of the world.

The President challenged the Nigerian Sports Commission and other sports agencies in the country to do everything possible to improve Nigeria’s records at the forth coming Olympics in London and other championships.

“The 2011 All African Games in Maputo, Mozambique, and the 2012 Olympics in London, England are around the corner. Now is the time for our sports administrators, the various technical teams and our gallant sportsmen and women to do all that is necessary to ensure that Nigeria not only come tops at the All African Games but also emerge among the top nations at the London Olympics,” President Jonathan stated.

He said his administration will always recognise and reward outstanding service to the fatherland in all spheres of national life.

Earlier, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, said the President Jonathan has set a noteworthy precedence in the nation’s democratic dispensation by rewarding deserving athletes with financial incentives beyond the traditional presidential handshake.

“We had a presidential directive to include every athlete who had done this nation proud at one event or the other within the given period,” he said.

Athletes and officials who were awarded various cash prizes each ranging from N150, 000.00 to N1.5m include the gold-winning Falcons at the 2010 African Women Championship in South Africa; the silver-winning Golden Eaglets team at the 2009 U-17 FIFA World Cup in Nigeria; medallists at the Youth Olympic Games, Singapore 2010; African Scrabble Championship, Ghana 2010; and the African Junior Wrestling Championship, Egypt 2010.

Others include the silver-winning Falconets at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women World Cup in Germany; medallists at the Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010; the African Athletics Championship, Kenya 2010; the World Junior Athletics Championship, Canada 2010; the World Wrestling Championship, Russia 2010; the African Scrabble Championship, Ghana 2010; African Senior Wrestling Championship, Egypt 2010; and the All African Senior Badminton Championship, Kenya 2010.

The president, clad in the traditional Nigerian green and white jersey, and flanked by First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo and his wife, Senate President David Mark and his wife, later posed for group photographs with the victorious contingents.

URL to article: http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/03/27/president-jonathan-doles-out-cash-rewards-to-victorious-athletes/

snowdrops:
How can you compare someone with a worldcup winners medal, another runners up, 2 times world footballer of the year, record of the highest number of goals scored by an individual in a world cup tournament, several junior world cup medals, champions league, uefa cup, league titles in holland, italy, spain, ?france, etc etc. The phenomenon the original RONALDO.
With a fake, turkey neck, diver called c. ronaldo. Only children who started watching football 3 yrs ago will disagree.

SPOT ON! hope it's not too late to give you a hug for this .

Baawa. Egba meji kin jarawon niyan, Ki ikan ba npuro, ikan a pe baa wa

@ Olamide, Pls dont worry, D good LORD will be with you and and be your strength. IT IS WELL

Nobody can vivdly say Barca don’t deserve going through last night but as far as I’m concerned 4 things affected the outcome of the result
1. Barca simply outplayed us in all departments. But doesn’t guarantee victory as we have seen in many occasions where the dominant team didn’t go through even after winning the match
2. The loss of goalkeeper early in the match affected substitute plans of any coach even though Almunia came in to do more than expected
3. Sending off of RVP. That was too harsh on the part of the referee. How can you accuse somebody of time-wasting just 10 minutes into a game? Even RVP grimaced when he missed the target showing that he truly didn’t hear the whistle not to talk of the fact that it was less than 2 secs after blowing the whistle that he issued the card.
4. Wenger got the tactics wrong. With the kind of defence we parade, We cant do Muourinho style against Barca. I would have expected Chamack & Bendtner upfront with Nasri & Asharvin on the wings. Cesc had no business in that match yesterday. He didn’t do anything after the first 15 mins. Even if we end up loosing (which seemed likely) being offensive would put a bit pressure on Barca defence
5. The referee allowed himself to be bullied by the players and the crowd. Even the penalty he awarded, he was sort of simply waiting for the reaction of Barca players before pointing to the spot.

Above all, there is no shame in loosing to the best team in the world. For those rejoicing over Arsenal misfortune, your time will come.

i need this result badly

Quote from: tithe on February 22, 2011, 06:52 PM
I Don't think you understand, they are having population explosion and as a result their confidence is growing day by day, they don't run again when
am approaching.


Please, if you had a similar experience let me know how u overcome them.

I had the same experience. Can you believe that I was coming down the staircase and a rat was about climbing up the stair at the same time. I actually thought d damn thing will run but to my surprise it took d next step up, i comteplated turning b4 realizing it must be a joke and i started running down the starirs to scare d rat but na so he just turn slowly like say "i just retreat for u o" .

i bought indocid tire, e be like dem come know how to bypass the trap except for the tiny/inexperienced ones. I have not be seeing them like i used to when we moved into the building but one thing we did was to make sure we dont leave any thing on the ground,(pots, kegs,just anything - as long as they dont have any hiding place, they find it difficult to stay around)  we either mount a wall hanger where we put or hang things especially in the kitchen

[img][/img]

Squilacci - from an unlikely source

Arsenal 1 - Stoke 0

These days, I am not always comfortable with Almunia, Squilacci, Eboue & most especially Diaby but I still hope for the best. At worst we get it done over at Emirate

, because I can rig/do it myself

[img]http://[img]http://[/img][/img]

I watched the press conference and he was so emotional; almost crying - he kind of feeling he still wants to do more of football but his legs are refusing to follow his heart.
We adore you Ronaldo especially your eji (tooth-gap),

Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo has confirmed his retirement from football.

The 34-year-old, who has enjoyed a glittering career in Spain, Holland, Italy and Brazil, made the announcement in his homeland.

"As you can imagine and you heard during the whole weekend, I'm here today to [confirm] I'm closing my career as a professional player," Ronaldo told a press conference this afternoon.

In an earlier interview with Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo, Ronaldo revealed that his long career and succession of serious injuries had finally taken their toll on his body.

"I want to stay but I can't. I think of a move, but I can't perform it as I want to. It's time.

"My body aches. The head wants to continue, but the body can't take much more."

Ronaldo had been expected to see out the season with current club Corinthians and retire in July but the club's early elimination from the Copa Libertadores at the hands of Deportes Tolima a fortnight ago is believed to have persuaded him to call time on his career ahead of schedule.

Earlier an emotional Ronaldo had been seen visiting his team-mates at Corinthians' training ground, where he spoke briefly before leaving to confirm his retirement to the world's media.

"I thanked all the players, the coach Tite, for all the minutes, for every second I was with them," added Ronaldo, who was flanked at the press conference by his sons Ronald and Alex, and Corinthians' president Andres Sanchez.

"It was a very beautiful career, wonderful and exciting.

"[There were] a lot of defeats and a lot of victories. I made a lot of friends, and I can't recall any enemies.

"I'm ending my career due to some very important reasons."

Asked what he would now do with his time, he added: "I have my future well organised.

"I will work for my company, I have to put a lot of dedication into that."

Ronaldo first moved to Europe as a 17-year-old in 1994 when he joined PSV Eindhoven from Cruzeiro.

A prolific scorer in the Eredivisie, he joined Barcelona despite knee problems which blighted him in his second season in Holland, going on to achieve record-breaking success in Spain.

He spent just a year at Barca, scoring 47 goals in 49 games and becoming the youngest player ever to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award, before contract wrangles saw him join Inter Milan for a then world-record fee of £19million.

His success continued at Inter, then Barca's great rivals Real Madrid, though injury problems hindered his time in Italy.

Ronaldo joined AC Milan in 2007 but after suffering a third serious knee injury he returned to Brazil in 2009.

He will perhaps be best remembered for his international exploits, having scored a record 15 World Cup goals. He scored eight in the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea alone, including both goals in the 2-0 final victory over Germany.

In total, he scored 62 times for the Brazilian national team in 97 appearances between 1994 and 2006.

His record at club level was equally eye-catching, with 352 strikes in 515 appearances.

Ronaldo Factfile

1976: Born Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, September 22 in Bento Ribeiro, Rio de Janeiro.

1990: Signs his first professional contract with Brazilian minnows Social Ramos.

1991: Joins Sao Cristovao where he scores 35 goals in 54 games.

1993: Moves to Brazilian top-flight club Cruzeiro and nets 58 goals in 60 games.

1994: March - makes international debut in the 2-1 win over South American rivals Argentina.

Part of the Brazil squad that wins World Cup in the United States, although he does not feature.

Joins Dutch side PSV Eindhoven for £4million, scoring three goals in the opening two games.

1995: Finishes season as the Eredivisie's top scorer with 30 goals.

1996: Named FIFA World Footballer of the Year.

Joins Spanish side Barcelona for £10million after scoring 42 in 43 league games for PSV.

1997: Wins FIFA World Footballer of the Year award again, becoming the only player to win the award in two successive seasons, named European Footballer of the Year by France Football and wins European Cup-Winners Cup in tense final against former club PSV.

Joins Italian giants Inter Milan for £19million after scoring 34 goals in 37 league games for Barca.

1998: Scores in Inter's 3-0 win over Lazio in the UEFA Cup final and finishes the season with 34 goals in 47 games.

July - Suffers from mysterious illness just hours before Brazil's World Cup final clash against France in Paris. A clearly-shaken Ronaldo plays regardless, as a below-par Brazil side lose 3-0 to the hosts.

September - Suffers knee injury which restricts him to only a handful of appearances over the next four years.

2002: June - Scores both goals in the World Cup final as Brazil beat Germany 2-0. Also tournament's top scorer with eight goals.

August 31 - Ronaldo signs for Real Madrid, barely an hour before transfer window closes.

December 16 - Named winner of European Football of the Year award for the second time. Becomes first player to win FIFA World Player of the Year on three occasions.

2003: April 23 - Scores hat-trick in Real's Champions League quarter-final second leg with Manchester United at Old Trafford. Real lose 4-3 on the night but go through to set up a semi-final against Juventus, which they lose.

2004: March - Agrees two-year contract extension with Real.

2006 - Despite being criticised for his conditioning, Ronaldo scores three goals at the World Cup finals in Germany to break Gerd Muller's finals scoring record. Brazil are eliminated by France in the quarter-finals.

2007: January - Joins Serie A giants AC Milan on 18-month contract after falling out of favour with Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello.

February - Scores two and sets one up in his first start for Milan, a 4-3 win over Siena.

2008: February - Suffers the third serious knee injury of his career. He goes on to be released when his contract expires in the summer without playing another game.

December - Signs for Corinthians.

2009: Helps his new side win the Copa do Brasil and a place in the Copa Libertadores.

2011: February 14 - Announces his retirement from football.

http://football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_6751399,00.html

Murray Vs Djokovic in Final
He defeated Ferer 4-6, 7-6, 7-6

Good one there by Murray taking the second set in a breathtaking fashion - 6-1. I know he'll try to wrap it up in the 3rd set as he is usually not a 5-set master like Ferrer.

mystikal:
Djoker ~ Ferrer Final.

seems likely with the way Ferrer is teaching Murray tennis lesson. But like they always say in sport, it is not over until it is over

If it can happen to Nadal, It can happen anybody. I'm not ahppy about this but what can one do. Baba Twins just lost in a straight set

dayokanu:
Yebariba sanboribobo.

Where are all the Nadal fans. Straight sets? I laff in Kirikiri.

When was the last time Fedex lost a Grand slam game in straight sets

For your listening pleasure all Nadal fans.

[flash=500,400]http://www.youtube.com/watch=/v/AgpQNENsmo4[/flash]

Shakara don end o , Nadal don get Belle shakara don end o,

It's surely going to happen NOW

What the hell is wrong with Federer. From leading a set 5-2 yo allowed him to come back & the set 7-5. Oouuuch

He's surely out of this. Djokovic will never allow you to come back into this. This should have been Fed's best chance with the exit of Nadal