₦airaland Forum

tz, happy new year. . . wats good?

ehh. . . okay

Flying Eagles draw Ghana, Cameroon

John Obuh's Flying Eagles have been drawn in what immediately stands out as the Group of Death in this year's Africa Youth Championships.

At the Draw Ceremony held in the Radisson Blue Hotel, Tripoli, the Nigerian cadets were drawn with fellow powerhouses Ghana and Cameroon in Group B. Gambia, another formidable side at youth level, complete the pool.

All four teams in the pool are former champions of the tournament. Prior to the competition taking on a tournament format, Nigeria won it four years on the spin from 1983 to 1989.

Cameroon’s Lionceux, Ghana’s Black Satellites and Gambia’s Young Scorpions are among the most feared youth national teams on the continent.

Cameroon won the event when Nigeria hosted in 1995, Ghana hosted and took the title in 1999, beating Nigeria in the final and Gambia were victorious at home in 2005.

Apart from winning the tournament in Cotonou, Benin Republic in 2005 and reaching the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands the same year, the Flying Eagles also reached the competition final in Brazzaville in 2007.

Ghana’s Black Satellites are the reigning champions of the world, following a spectacular run in the FIFA U-20 World Cup staged in Egypt between September and October 2009.

Hosts Libya, Mali, Egypt and Lesotho will play in Group A of the competition taking place in Libya March 18 – April 1.

Nigeria was represented at the Draw Ceremony by the Deputy General Secretary (Technical), Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and U-20 Head Coach Sam John Obuh.

http://www.kickoff.com/news/19505/nigeria-draw-ghana-cameroon.php

This is a really tough group. Ghana are the world champions, Cameroon and Gambia are no walkover either.

[center]Ezeji’s giant strides[/center]

Success at club level is determined by the number of trophies in a club’s cabinet. For Sharks (one of Nigeria’s oldest clubs), it has been a long wait since 1972, when the club was formed.
Sharks have never won the league. Three attempts in the Fa cup (1979, 2003 and 2009) were fruitless, but the story changed in 2010.
SuperSport’s Ojeikere Aikhoje profiles the exciting career of legendary NPL star, Victor Ezeji (pictured), whose goal turned Sharks from perennial under-achievers to Wafu champions.
Every club has its talisman. Experienced forward, Ezeji occupies that position at Sharks. This explains why the club fought rivals, Enugu Rangers; to keep him this term.

Today, the Wafu victory has justified that action as the importance of Ezeji to Sharks cannot be over-emphasised.
Ezeji clearly deserves a place in the Nigeria Premier League Hall of Fame whenever it is inaugurated.
The former Super Eagles fringe player has consistently excelled at all his previous clubs in the country. Ezeji played for defunct Eagle Cement, Dolphins, Enyimba and Sharks with a stint in-between at top Tunisian side, Club African.
He remains one of the most decorated NPL players in recent years with success in the League, FA cup and individual awards.

A famous transfer to Rangers was constantly foiled by the Sharks hierarchy to ensure Ezeji’s experience propels the club to glory.
Although the forward expressed interest in the Rangers deal, he had to remain to lead a gang of youngsters into the sub-regional competition dominated by top Nigerian teams like defunct NNB, Ranchers Bees, Bendel Insurance and Shooting Stars Sports Club.

Two other Nigerian teams; Niger Tornadoes and Lobi Stars failed to make an impact in the competition.
On the eve of the Wafu cup final phase in the Togolese capital, Lome, club scribe, Cyril Wite defended the decision to prevent Ezeji’s transfer to Rangers.

“Ezeji is one of the players registered for the new season. He has played a key role in our Wafu Cup campaign and we believe his experience will be an advantage when the season begins,” he said to SuperSport.com
As expected, Ezeji who scored some of the goals in previous matches hit target against Guinea’s Horoya in the semi-finals and fired the all-important goal that put the club’s name in the history books.
His decision to stay with Sharks for the Wafu cup has yielded the desired dividends.

Rivers state governor, Rotimi Ameachi promptly rewarded each player with a car and N500, 000 for their hard work.
The forward told SuperSport.com that the Wafu cup feat has made him the happiest man on earth.
“I have won trophies at all my former clubs in Nigeria and even Tunisia, except Sharks.
“The only reason that made me return to Sharks was because the club was yet to win a trophy. I’m a fulfilled player now because the story is different. Sharks can now boast of a trophy,” Ezeji added.

Honours

The forward remains one of the few Nigerian League stars to have won laurels at every club he has played for.
Ezeji won the league at defunct Eagle Cement, but announced his arrival in the Nigerian scene during his first sojourn at Sharks. Although Sharks ended the season without any title, Ezeji scored 16 goals to emerge joint top-scorer with Joetex Frimpong.
Aba Millionaires, Enyimba, eventually dragged both players to the club in 2003 to boost its Caf champions league campaign. It was a good year for the forward and his pal, Frimpong, as Enyimba won the elusive Caf champions league and the domestic league.
However, his romance with Enyimba lasted for only one season and he returned to Port-Harcourt and signed for Dolphins, which bought the franchise of his first team, Eagle Cement.
Ezeji led Dolphins to success in the 2004 Coca-Cola FA Cup (now Federation Cup).
He was there again when Dolphins defied a heavy down-pour to defeat Bendel Insurance on penalties to win the Coca-Cola FA Cup again in 2006. His impressive performance in the competition earned him the ‘Most Valuable Player’ award.
This was after Dolphins had won the Globacom Premier League and emerged as double champions in Nigeria.
Dolphins successfully defended the title in 2007 with Ezeji as the club’s talisman. It was the second time the club would triumph over Rangers in the Coca-Cola FA Cup. .

Career Goals

Ezeji remains one of the highest goal scorers in the history of the league.
He has remained consistent on the chart since 2002 when he emerged joint scorer with 16 goals.
The former Nigerian international holds the record of being the only player to have scored four goals in a single match since the inception of the Premier League in Nigeria.
On April 4, 2009, the forward tore the defence of Wikki Tourists to shreds and made the defenders look like a bunch of tourists at the Liberation Stadium. Fresh from his stint at Tunisia’s Club Africain, Ezeji scored in the 13th, 32nd, 43rd and 73rd minutes to set a Nigerian record.
Last season, he was the leading scorer in Sharks with 12 goals. His tally included a hat-trick as Sharks battered Ranch Bees 4-0.
This term, he has scored twice.
Tunisia
His stint at Club Africain was eventful as he helped the club win the Tunisian league after 12 years under the shadows of the more established trio of Esperance Sportif, Etoile du Sahel and Club Sportive Sfaxien.

Technique

Ezeji’s training as an accountant has boosted his technique.
He’s calculative in the box. Call him a fox-in-the-box striker and you won’t be wrong.

Comportment

The forward’s comportment on-and-off the field clearly underscores his position as one of the few graduates in the Nigeria Premier League.
He is a testimony to the fact that football and education can go together with a degree in Accountancy from the respected University of Port-Harcourt. Perhaps this explains why he remains vocal when it comes to the welfare of footballers in the country.
Ezeji is clearly a role model.

The Name

For those who believe in the importance of names, it’s obvious that his name has worked for him. Victor has achieved giant strides from several victories at home and abroad.
Marriage
The forward is happily married with kids.

http://naijaligue..com/

Amaechi rewards victorious Sharks

Rivers’ State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on Tuesday kept his promise after he gave away brand new cars and cash to Sharks FC players and coaching crew following their victorious outing in the revamp WAFU Cup which they won on Sunday beating Casa Sports of Senegal 1-0 in Lome, Togo.

A sum of N500, 000 was given to each player totaling N11million and a car, the technical crew members and other officials were rewarded with a cash of one million naira each ,while the club’s Supporters Club got N500, 000.

NationSport also gathered that the governor who didn’t make specific the brand of cars, said the automobile will soon be made available to them in due time.

Reacting after the grand reception held in their honour, spokesperson of the team, Confidence Idaa said, “It was the best X-mas gift the players and officials of got as they thanked the governor for his kind gesture with a promise to win more silver ware for the state.

“We’ll also not let this WAFU Cup feat get into our heads rather it will serve as a morale- booster for us when we begin our quest in the MTN Premier

League as we host Enyimba on New Year day or on Wednesday January 5th.

Recall that this is the first major silver ware they club has won after emerging runners-up and bronze medalist in the (FA Cup) now Federation Cup.

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/football-golf-boxing/23082.html

Higuain out for the season

Rice - white rice & stew, jollof rice, fried rice

Left

Let it Shine - Timi Dakolo

Those on the '2pac is alive' divide, what does he stand to gain from faking his own death? His albums would still have sold massively if he were still alive. Is he suffering from superiority complex that he thinks of himself as Jesus Christ? I don't think a Black man will go as far as faking his own death and leaving the world to decode some meaningless cryptography. . . Tupac is long gone

^^ 100% behind you on that one

this babe has a huge fan base men, damn!

coup de theatre

Nickelback & David Archuleta - Hero

I think most brothers aren't being true here. I have no problem with girls who make up. Make up only sucks when it's not properly applied.

I think those Enyimba guys just need some financial motivation. They are being owed some mighty large sums of money.
I think Dolphins will be there or thereabout at the end of the season. They are picking up crucial points at home and also away. This win over Crown is their 2nd away win this season

Dammit! - Blink 182

^^ chei! Wey Cappadona?

[center]Week 9 Results[/center]

Warri Wolves 3 vs Zamfara 0

Rangers 1 vs Plateau United 0

Heartland 0 vs Lobi Stars 0

Crown FC 0 vs Dolphins 1

Kaduna United 1 vs Sunshine Stars 0

Gombe United 1 vs 3SC 0

Niger Tornadoes 0 vs Bukola Babes 0

Sharks FC 2 vs Enyimba 1

Kwara United 2 vs Ocean Boys 0

Another home win for Rangers. They are yet to score a single goal away from home

Barca wins 2 - 1. It could have been 50 11th straight league win. Good performance from Thiago; very promising youngster. He did very well after being brought on in the 2nd half.

Xavi has also equalled Migueli's record as the highest capped Barca player with this match being his 549th appearance for Barcelona.

Levante pulls one back. 2 - 1

Pedrooo!!! 2 - 0. Another assist by Alves

Pedro!!!! 1 - 0. Nicely set up by Alves

Halftime: 0 - 0.

Oh no! Alves clears out a goal bound Xavi ball

Messi's rested for this game. Pep must be thinking about the crucial cup tie against Bilbao.
Meanwhile, Afellay's watching from the stands and Busquet is playing as centreback

shawty is a ten - the dream

td - technical drawing
ty - ?

Checkmate - Jadakiss

de rigueur