Osaze Odemwingie Could Return

Osaze Odemwingie has said he could still return to the Super Eagles if things are done properly. 

The West Bromwich Albion striker was sensationally left out of the 2013 AFCON party by coach Stephen Keshi, who has now said that was because of the player’s “character problems”. 

"I am not seeking a comeback (to the national team) as I have showed you last year I am not so interested now. If things get straight forward maybe one day," he tweeted

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Ghanaian footballer John Paintsil arrested for st**bbing his wife in the eye

31 year old Black Stars of Ghana defender John Paintsil has been arrested for stabbing his wife in the eye.

According to Greater Accra Police, Paintsil stabbed his wife after a quarrel over money. The wife, Richlove Paintsil, jumped the wall of their home into their neighbors home to escape the assault. John allegedly followed her into the neighbours house and assaulted the people who tried to stop him from hitting his wife.

Paintsil was later picked up by the police after neighbours called them .He is being held for assault and causing harm.

Paintsil was part of the Ghana Black Stars team that came fourth in the just concluded AFCON 2013.

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NATIONS CUP FALLOUT: CHELSEA DROPS VICTOR MOSES

English club Chelsea have dropped their Nigeria international Victor Moses from the squad to face Sparta Prague in their Europa League tie on Thursday. 

The Nigeria international had been quickly recalled for the trip to the Czech Republic which forced him to travel back to England from South Africa instead of heading to Abuja with his teammates. But Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has carefully avoided him.

It seems Benitez do not want to make the same mistake as Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, who played Efe Ambrose against Juventus two days after the Africa Cup of Nations final match against Burkina Faso in South Africa.

Ambrose, who only arrived in Glasgow on match day, turned out a huge deficit to Celtic despite his sterling performance for Nigeria in South Africa. Lennon confessed on Wednesday that he took “a gamble” by fielding Ambrose. He was disappointed.

Moses only arrived London on Tuesday for the Wednesday flight to Prague, "we had to drop him".

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Triumphant Super Eagles arrive home to heroes welcome(PHOTOS)

Nigeria’s Super Eagles arrived back home here on Tuesday, after winning the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations trophy in nearly two decades and were welcomed by adoring crowds ahead of meeting the president.

 Hundreds welcomed the team back at the airport in the capital of Abuja before an ceremony later in the afternoon at the National Stadium. 

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AFCON: Many countries woo Keshi for endorsement.

FOLLOWING Stephen Keshi’s insistence that he might not be Super Eagles coach after Sunday’s final of the African Cup of Nations, many countries have swooped on him asking for his signature to take over their national teams.

A highly authoritative source informed that some agents havebeen bordering the former skipper of the national team to talk him into considering their clients if indeed he refuses to goahead with his contract with theNigeria Football Federation.

Though the identities of the countries were not revealed, the source however said that Keshi has refused to commit himself as he reportedly told them he was still on contract with the NFF.

The rush for Keshi’s signature is not unconnected with his statement that he was not sure if he would remain Eagles coach after CAN 2013 since he is a professional coach and would go for the highest bidder.

He made this statement since according to him the Nigerian people seem not to appreciate what he is doing with the team.

But that had changed since his team woke up from their slumber and performed excellently against bookmaker’s choice, Cote d’Ivoire. Nigerians inSouth Africa have been singing Keshi’s praise and his Eagles to high heavens.

The Nigeria Football Federation which had supported Keshi financially and morally are yet to react to Keshi’s threat of jumping the ship.

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Nigerian Government To Induct Super Eagles Members Into "Hall Of Fame"

The Federal Government will make the present set of Super Eagles players the first inductees into the National Sports Hall of Fame.

Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, disclosed this on Thursday night while addressing players and officials of the team.  The Hall of Fame was recently approved by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Minister, who spoke to the team at their Garden Court Hotel abode in Milpark, South Africa, also said that the government has mapped out a heroic welcome for the team next Monday.  He was accompanied to the event by the National Football Federation (NFF) President, Aminu Maigari and other important figures in Nigeria sports administration.

He described the pride of the government at the exploits of the team so far at the African Cup of Nations and urged them to complete the job by winning the trophy.

“Victory is not everything but victory is the only thing”, he declared, echoing American football coach Vince Lombardi as he challenged them to go all out for victory in the final against the Stallions of Burkina Faso in Soweto on Sunday.

Maigari, on his part, thanked the government at the highest levels for the huge support the team has been receiving so far, saying that all obligations to the team has been met, thanks to express approval by the government at all spheres.

The NFF President revealed that he has already received words from President Jonathan of another tele-conference with the team before the final, as the last one had highly motivated the players and the President feels they need his tonic to excel in Sunday’s grand finale.

Head Coach Stephen Keshi, spoke in a similar vein, noting that the team has come too far in the competition to let its guard down.

Skipper Joseph Yobo thanked the Minister for being there for his team, and assured that the team has resolved to unite and conquer the Nations Cup trophy for Nigeria.  

“We will not let Mr. President who has been so supportive down and we cannot let our families and the people of Nigeria down,” he said.  “We are certain that the trophy will be won fair and square on Sunday.”

speaking today, midfield star, John Mikel Obi, declared that the strength of the Nigerian team is the togetherness and unity that have been missing in the squad in the past.

“We are together, united and playing for each other and that has accounted for where we are today. All credit must go to the coach who took a gamble on a very young squad, because I’m just 25 years old but am looking like the oldest in the team. This team will not only win the trophy on Sunday for the Nigerian people but will win many more trophies for a long time to come”.

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B.R.E.A.K.I.N.G N.E.W.S: Victor Moses Will Miss The AfCON final

Nigeria and Chelsea FC skillful forward, Victor Moses, has been ruled out of the final match of the African Cup of nation, AFCON 2013. 

Moses picked up an injury in the first half of the semi final match against Mali, and had to be substituted after a great 45 minutes display. 

Prior to that match, however, Moses, who has two goals in the tournament, had been injured, missing Nigeria’s first game of the tournament, against Burkina Faso, due to an injury.

A top team official of the Super Eagles said that the forward had “always been injured since we are in Faro, Portugal camp; but we have been managing and treating it.” 

“He has a torn muscle in his right leg and I want to confirm to you tha the won’t be able to play at the finals of AFCON on Sunday, he will be missed,” the official said. 

“He (Moses) wants to do more and perform extraordinarily, the doctor told me that he won’t be able to make it! but let’s see how it goes,” he added. 

Moses and tournament joint highest goal scorer, Emmanuel Emenike, both missed Friday’s Super Eagles training due to their injuries. 

Russia based forward, Emenike, might still be in for the final though. 

“He’s showing prospect and has been assisted by the team doctor, I hope he picks up today (Saturday),” the official said. 

Emenike, who has four goals at AfCON 2013, sustained his injury towards the end of the semi final match. 

Keshi is expected to announce Moses and Emenike’s health conditions at a press conference later on Saturday. 

Nigeria will play Burkina Faso in the final match of the Nations Cup on Sunday.

Source 

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Bring on Fergie and United! Ronaldo warms-up for Euro clash with 33 minute hat-trick for

Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo fired a warning to his former Manchester United team-mates by scoring his 21st hat-trick in Saturday's 4-1 demolition of Sevilla. 

After a defensive blunder let Karim Benzema open for Madrid 18 minutes in, Ronaldo unleashed an unstoppable strike to double the advantage in the 26th minute. 

 The former United star then went on to find the back of the net twice more in the 49th and 56th minute before being withdrawn just after the hour mark. 

Ronaldo did his best to make amends for his own goal that cost Madrid a loss at Granada in the last round with his 22nd, 23rd and 24th goals in the league this season. Only Barcelona's Lionel Messi, with 34, has scored more. 

 Madrid stayed in third place. It trails Barcelona by 13 points before the leader hosts Getafe on Sunday. With Madrid's Spanish league title defense all but mathematically impossible, a large share of its silverware hopes this season now rest on its round-of-16 Champions League tie with United starting in the Spanish capital on Wednesday.

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EXCLUSIVE: Injured Alexander must fight Brook or lose his world title

Devon Alexander will be forced to fight Kell Brook or relinquish his world title, Sportsmail can reveal. 

The 25-year-old was due to face Brook on February 23 in Detroit but pulled out on Monday after injuring his biceps. 

Floyd Mayweather Jnr then tweeted that he was close to agreeing a unification fight with Alexander for the IBF and WBC welterweight titles in Las Vegas on May 4. But the IBF has confirmed that Alexander will not be allowed to sidestep Brook without giving up his belt. 

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Andy Murray wants tennis to learn from the Lance Armstrong

Andy Murray wants tennis to learn from the Lance Armstrong doping scandal and introduce tighter controls.

 The British number one believes that prize funds should be reduced if it is the only way to fund more regular blood testing and protect the sport's image.

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Was this the rigged Champions League game?

English football was stunned on Monday night by claims that one of Liverpool’s Champions League games was fixed. Investigators Europol are reported to have identified their 2009 victory over Hungarian side Debrecen at Anfield as one of 380 worldwide to have been successfully targeted by a far eastern betting ring. 

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If Platini can't beat racism, then he should quit so someone else can...

Edgar Davids returns with his second Footballers' Football Column with strident views on racism in football. Barnet's player-manager calls for UEFA chief Michel Platini to leave his post if he continues to fail to rid the game of abuse. With 11 major trophies to his name and more than 20 years in professional football, 'The Pitbull' has plenty to say and he's worth listening to

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