More Footy News

Intermilan and Super Eagles player Victor Obinna has been loaned to Real Betis.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1707/inter/2009/01/30/
1084549/inters-obinna-loaned-to-real-betis

Werder Bremen and Ivory Coast Striker Boubacar Sanogo goes on loan to Hoffenheim
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/
soccer/01/27/transfer.roundup.ap/

The African Youth Championship final is set as Cameroon fresh off a 2-0 victory over Nigeria meet up with Ghana. Ghana beat South Africa 4-3 in a thriller of a match.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200901290199.html

NHL news

Congrats to Jarome Iginla for scoring his first ever goal in an NHL All-Star game
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/
playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NHL&id=
631&line=79999&spln=1

Same to Kyle Okposo who is heating up at the time when he should be encountering the rookie wall. Okposo netted in back to back games and helped his New York Islanders upset the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/
playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NHL&id=
2265&line=79836&spln=1

Flying Eagles qualify for semi's of AYC

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria came back with a vengeance in their final group game of the African Youth Championship against Cote d'Ivoire.
The U-20's thrashed their Ivorian counterparts 3-0 with goals from Chrisantus Macauley, Haruna Lukman and a brilliant third goal by midfield maestro Rabiu Ibrahim.
Nigeria will now face Cameroon in the semi-finals.

http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=6391

Transfer News

Makinwa to Chievo
Super Eagles striker Stephen Makinwa has officially completed a move from Lazio to Chievo of the Italian Serie A. Makinwa fell rapidly down the pecking order of strikers at the Rome Club and after handing in a transfer request, Chievo came through with a loan move for the player.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1639/chievo/2009/01/22/1072771/official-lazios-makinwa-to-chievo

Ghaly to Al-Nasr
Egyptian international midfielder Hossam Ghaly sealed a transfer to Al-Nasr after a controversial time at Tottenham. Ghaly endured a turbulent time at Spurs, most of it of his own making but received a late Christmas present with this move.

Flying Eagles lose to South Africa in AYC

Nigeria's Flying Eagles are on the brink of missing out on the U-20 World Cup in Egypt later this year after they lost to South Africa 2-1 in their second group match of the African Youth Championship.
The young Eagles led by Coach Ladan Bosso, also ignominiously entered the record books by being the first Nigerian team, male or female, to lose to a South African side in a competitive match. Now the Flying Eagles are in a position where they need to beat Ivory Coast on Sunday and hope South Africa also defeats Egypt.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/27052/50/


http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=133698

Jarome Iginla and Kyle Okposo

Calgary Flames star Jarome Iginla is still a sprite 31 years old and growing up in Canada he had a long list of Hockey heroes, but now Iginla has become a hero to a growing crop of young Hockey players entering the NHL and none more special than Kyle Okposo.
Okposo is a young right winger for the New York Islanders and just like Iginla, Okposo is the son of a Nigerian father and a North American mother. Okposo grew up in Minnesota and despite the meagre amount of players of color in the NHL, Okposo had Jarome Iginla to look at for inspiration. Here's a link to a great article about Okposo's journey to the NHL and his admiration for Iginla.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=00065b0c-24dd-45a8-b4bb-1af95059df63

Okeafor and Iwebema help lead Arizona to Super Bowl

Despite the best efforts of Victor Abiamiri and the Philadelphia Eagles defense to stop the Arizona Cardinals in the second half, the Cardinals are on their way to their first ever Super Bowl Appearance. Chike Okeafor found himself assisting in tackles all over the field to help the Cardinals get revenge on the Eagles for the Week 13 loss in Philly.
Congrats to Okeafor, Kenny Iwebema and the entire Cardinals team as they confounded critics all season with their play and just when everyone had jumped off the bandwagon, the Cards picked up their play in the post season en route to an appearance in Tampa in a fortnight against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?game_id=54463&season=2008&displayPage=tab_gamecenter

Manucho goes on loan to Hull City

Manchester United and Angola striker Mateus Alberto Contreiras Gonçalves aka Manucho has gone on loan to surprise EPL newbies Hull City. The Tigers have shocked many of their Premiership opposition en route to 8th spot in the table as of January and now they've pulled off a loan for the striker. Manucho has found it difficult to break into the United squad rotation this season and a loan out to another EPL side such as Hull City should enable Manucho to gain more experience in the EPL while boosting his self-confidence if the goals start raining in.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jan/16/hull-city-manchester-united-manucho-loan-deal


EPL TIDBIT
Chelsea gaffer Luiz Felipe Scolari has dropped Didier Drogba for the match vs Stoke City on Saturday. Drogba was omitted from the squad that faces Southend in the FA cup in midweek action and now it seems he is still out of Scolari's good graces.
There are many problems behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge starting with the manager's relationship with his assistants and then his players and it remains to be seen if all the drama will lead to Chelsea losing out on the third Champions League spot or if they can hold onto it now that they've vacated the top two.

MLS-US Soccer news

The 2009 MLS draft was held on Thursday in St. Louis and a few players of African descent found themselves in the pro ranks by the end of the day.
D.R. Congo born former Arsenal youth player, Steve Zakuani was the first pick in the draft going to the expansion Seattle Sounders. The Striker considered offers from a number of teams in England before deciding to start out as a professional in the MLS.
Babajide Ogunbiyi was the 18th pick going to the New York Red Bulls. The defender impressed a lot of MLS coaches over the past week with his ability and will get an opportunity to play for the MLS Cup runners up.
Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe went to the Colorado Rapids with the 28th pick.
Quincy Amarikwa went to the San Jose Earthquakes with the 32nd pick.

Other tidbits,
Senegalese #2 keeper Bouna Coundoul will be testing the market in Europe after deciding not to resign with the Colorado Rapids.

NBA round up

Here's a quick NBA round-up for the hoop heads.

Kelenna Azubuike- Still in good form for the Golden State Warriors. Had 20+ pts in last two games since returning from the Flu. Azubuike is also second in rebounds and fifth in scoring with 13.6 ppg on the Warriors.
http://www.mercurynews.com/athletics/ci_11426403

Luol Deng- Just returned from ankle injury, had 14 pts in loss to Portland.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/scorecard/nbanews.asp?articleID=249534

Emeka Okafor- Had an off night in recent loss to the Cavaliers but is still in the mix to make the Eastern Conference All-Star team as a reserve.

Victor Abiamiri returns to help Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Victor Abiamiri returned to the field for the Eagles for the first time since the Eagles regular season loss to the Washington Redskins. Abiamiri lined up for the Eagles this past Sunday against the New York Giants and helped his team knock Eli Manning and company out of the NFL playoffs in a 23-11 victory. Abiamiri had a fairly quiet game with two solo tackles, one assisted tackle and no sacks but the second year end has become an important part of the Jim Johnson led defense and the Eagles coaches see nothing but good things in the future for the big guy. The Philadelphia Inquirer had a short article about the potential return of Abiamiri before last Sunday's game.
Watch Victor take on Chike Okeafor, Kenny Iwebema and the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20090108_Victor_Abiamiri_eager_to_return.html

CAF Awards to take place in Nigeria

CAF have moved their annual awards from Senegal to Nigeria and it will now take place on February 10th.
The three nominees for the CAF player of the year award will be announced this week from a list that includes Michael Essien, Amr Zaki,Mohammed Aboutrika, Emmanuel Adebayor and Didier Drogba.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2009/01/10/1053701/caf-awards-moved-to-nigeria

Man.Utd & Chelsea do battle on Sunday

It's time for another clash of the titans in the English Premiership. On Sunday Manchester United and Chelsea play each other in a match that takes on added importance after league leaders Liverpool played a 0-0 draw with Stoke City on Saturday. Chelsea are now four points out of first and United are eight points back but with 2 games in hand after Sunday's match. United will have a fit Rooney, Ronaldo and Berbatov ready for action while Chelsea have Michael Ballack and Jose Bosingwa returning from injury as well as Captain John Terry returning from suspension.
Every time these two heavyweights get together, one remembers the protracted struggle over Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel. Most of us know the story by now but a quick summary for those who don't. Back in 2005, a young Mikel was playing in Norway and signed a contract to move to Man.United. Chelsea countered United's claim that Mikel was heading to Old Trafford and after talk of coercion, claims and counterclaims, Chelsea paid up for Mikel and got their player.

Game time is 11am EST on Fox Soccer Channel in the USA.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/85/england/2009/01/10/1054267/prem-preview-manchester-united-chelsea

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_preview/0,19764,11065_3081126,00.html

Le Havre interested in Manucho?

According to numerous outlets, French Ligue 1 side Le Havre have made an inquiry about Angolan international and Manchester United Striker Manucho. The French side are said to be in negotiations already but one wanders if Sir Alex is ready to part with the Angolan so soon, especially as Manucho has made just one Premiership appearance.
Nonetheless the Angolan needs regular 1st team football and if he doesn't get it at Old Trafford don't be surprised if he makes a move out of Manchester in the summer.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/2008/12/21/manchester-united-striker-manucho-set-to-sign-for-le-havre-115875-20986349/

Freddy Adu staying with Monaco

US midfielder and former youth standout Freddy Adu has suffered a bumpy stay in Europe, but after an excellent performance in a friendly vs Juventus, AS Monaco manager Ricardo Gomes has stated Adu will be staying on till the end of the season. The diminutive playmaker has seen little action for the Monagesque side this season in Ligue 1 since he moved on loan from Benfica. Despite his rough stay in Europe, it is easy to forget Adu is just 19 as the Tema, Ghana born player has been on the footy scene since he was 12. With the right coach and in the right system, one hopes Freddy will find his footing in Europe, if not a move back to MLS might be just the tonic to boost Adu's confidence.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1614/americans-abroad/2008/12/31/1035406/adu-to-stay-with-monaco

Obafemi Martins needs hernia surgery

Super Eagles and Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins is preparing to undergo surgery on his troublesome hernia in Germany on Monday. The 24 year old former Internazionale forward has been out since December 14th when he played for the Toon in a 3-0 victory over Portsmouth. The groin problem has been a point of contention between Martins representatives and the Newcastle United medical staff, as Martins reportedly suggested the Tyneside medics were slow in picking up on the injury and it took a trip to see medics in Italy before the correct diagnosis was made. Despite the back and forth, Martins injury has finally been diagnosed properly and the expectation is for a short layoff after the surgery and then a return for Obagoal in the run-up to the close of the Premiership season and in time to return to the Super Eagles for World Cup qualifying.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=607546&sec=england&cc=5901

Jarome Iginla added to Western Conference All-stars

Calgary flames right-winger Jarome Iginla was named to the NHL's Western Conference All-Star team today. The five time All-star missed out on being a starter for the Western Conference team despite putting up numbers projecting to another 100 point season. Despite Iggy's solid season so far, he ended up sixth in the voting for forwards with 411,862 votes. Nonetheless congrats to Jarome on another All-star nod.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Sports/Iginla+Kiprusoff+shut+fans+star+starters/1140427/story.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iJYog79KwhU4ELKBaEsr82_rJXvQ

Stephen Appiah training with Tottenham

Black Stars of Ghana captain Stephen Appiah is in North London this week training with Tottenham Hotspur with a view to signing a contract with the side. The former Udinese, Juventus and Fenerbahce midfielder has been out of club football since August when he ended his deal with Fener. Very few Premiership managers scout and work with African players better than Harry Redknapp and one would assume Sulley Muntari put in a good word to both parties about the other. Hopefully Appiah and Tottenham can seal the deal before the end of the January transfer window.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7813007.stm

Footy-Ten Africans to watchs in 2009

Goal.com's Samm Audu has a nice piece on the ten young African talents he feels are ready to break out in 2009. Here's the list.

10. Mustapha Jarju 'Toubabo' (RAEC Mons & Gambia)

A versatile player who is comfortable either in midfield or as a striker. He has previously captained his country's Under-17 side and for the last three seasons has been strutting his stuff in Belgium, first with Lierse before he joined up with Mons. He has thus far scored five goals this term after playing mostly as a striker, and was very much part of the Gambian Scorpions side who came within a whisker of advancing to the final round of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

9. Faty Papy (Trabsonspor & Burundi)

Turkish club Trabzonspor got themselves a huge bargain when they signed 18-year-old Burundi international midfielder Faty Papy in December. Papy, who has won six caps for his native country since his debut against Seychelles in June, featured for Inter Star of Bujumbura before his move overseas.

8. McDonald Mariga (FC Parma & Kenya)

At 21, this highly rated central midfielder has, within a short time, moved from modest Swedish side Helsingborgs to Italy's top tier (albeit briefly) with FC Parma, who snapped him up for a fee close to €2 million after he impressed on an intial loan deal. He was capped at full international level in 2006 and has now been linked with a transfer to Serie A giants AC Milan as well as Napoli.

7. Clifford Mulenga (Wits & Zambia)

Arguably the player with the most exciting left foot in the South African Premier Soccer League, he caught the eye of many with some superb displays for his country at the 2007 FIFA World Youth Championship in Canada. It was a performance that fetched him the CAF Young Player Award in 2007. However, he can be something of a volatile character, like when he publicly slammed Zambia coach Herve Renard for leaving him out of a recent World Cup tie. He has since made up with the French coach.

6. Bernard Parker (Thanda Royal Zulu & South Africa)

Such is the huge promise this young Thanda Royal Zulu skipper holds that his South African club have admitted he will be lost to Europe sooner rather than later. Last season he played in all of his club's matches, while this term he has cracked home nine goals in the league. But the highlight of his career are his goals for Bafana - four in nine matches since he was first capped in 2007.

5. Moussa Maazou (Lokeren & Niger)

The year 2008 will certainly pass as a landmark year for this 20-year-old former Sahel SC striker. He was capped at senior level by his country against Uganda in May, and since moving to Belgium he has painted the Jupiler league with goals. He has thus far netted 10 times in 16 appearances for Lokeren.

4. Macauley Chrisantus (Hamburg & Nigeria)

He is your typical centre-forward - strong on the ball, full of running and a player who knows where the goal is. He proved that at both the 2007 African Junior Championship in Togo and months later at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, where his seven goals helped Nigeria to a third championship win. German Bundesliga outfit Hamburg gave him a professional contract in August when he turned 18, and he has made the bench for several league games this season already.

3. Daniel Opare (Real Madrid & Ghana)

A super talent at right full-back, he could not have dreamt of a bigger platform to showcase his ball skills than Spanish champions Real Madrid. He caught Europe's attention when he emerged as the best defender at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Korea in September 2007. Blessed with great pace and precise crosses, the former Ashanti Gold midfielder is on the fringes of the Ghana Black Stars and was only dropped from his country's squad to the 2008 Nations Cup on account of an ankle injury. Injury has again ruled him out of the African Youth Championship this month, but pundits say this player in the mould of Brazilian World Cup star Cafu is on his way to becoming a Galacticos.

2. Rabiu Ibrahim (Sporting Clube & Nigeria)

He has already been compared to the great Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha because of his ball skills and vision in central midfield. He was the first from an exciting generation of young players to move overseas after helping Nigeria win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea two years ago. Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu is known for relying on the old guard, but now he looks set to draft this youngster, 18 only in March, to add some creative juice in the Super Eagles midfield.

1. Yao Kouassi 'Gervinho' (Le Mans & Ivory Coast)

A product of the famed Asec Academy that produced the likes of the Toure brothers - Kolo and Yaya - Didier Zokora and Aruna Didane, Kouassi is an exciting striker who shone like a million stars as he skippered Ivory Coast to the last eight at the Beijing Olympics in the summer. He scores his fair share of goals but, above all, his dribbling runs and ball skills have helped create openings from which his team-mates have profited. Little wonder a man like Arsene Wenger, with his keen eye for young talent, has reportedly been keeping a close watch on a player good enough to carry a Brazilian nickname.

Samm Audu
http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2009/01/01/1035671/feature-ten-african-players-to-watch-in-2009

Do you agree or do you feel some won't succeed? Do you think some need a bit more seasoning before it's their time to shine? Let's hear it.

NFL PLAYOFFS

The NFL playoffs begin today and a few players of African descent will be in action today. Check out:

(1) Chike Okeafor-#56 Linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals
(2) Kenny Iwebema-#91 Defensive End for the Arizona Cardinals
(3) Tony Ugoh-#67 Left Tackle for the Indianapolis Colts
(4) Joseph Addai-#29 Running back for the Indianapolis Colts
(5) Brendon Ayanbadejo-#51 Linebacker and Special teams ace for the Baltimore Ravens
(6) Ike Ndukwe-#68 Right Guard for the Miami Dolphins
(7) Akin Ayodele-#51 Linebacker for the Miami Dolphins
(8) Victor Abiamiri-#95 Defensive End for the Philadelphia Eagles
(9) Ovie Mughelli-#34 Fullback for the Atlanta Falcons

Rabiu Ibrahim News

Rabiu Ibrahim, the silky smooth playmaker that led Nigeria's U-17 squad to victory at the 2007 U-17 World Cup in Korea is apparently in the 2009 plans of Super Eagles gaffer Amodu Shaibu. Amodu is prepping for Nigeria's second round of qualifiers and will be submitting a list of players for consideration when the matches come around. Rabiu is currently plying his trade with Sporting Lisbon in Portugal and is being brought on slowly by the Lisbon side. Fans in Nigeria and at Sporting Lisbon are eager to see Rabiu make the step up for club and country and we'll get an idea of where the youngster is at as he will be representing Nigeria at the African Youth Championships in Rwanda between January 18th and February 1st.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2008/12/26/1028458/rabiu-ibrahim-in-nigerias-world-cup-plans

http://allafrica.com/stories/200812151072.html

EPL News

Kolo transfer request?

The drama at the Emirates this season has taken another turn at the start of the January transfer window. The word is that Arsenal's Ivorian international defender Kolo Toure has handed in a transfer request that was rebuffed by Arsenal Chairman Peter Hill-Wood. Toure is apparently unhappy that he's moved down the ladder on Manager Arsene Wengers list of defenders as Johan Djourou has recently taken Kolo's spot on the pitch. Add in rumors of a falling out with Central defensive partner and disgruntled former Gunners captain William Gallas(not really a fault on Kolo's part as who hasn't fallen out with Gallas?) and we can see why Kolo wants out but one would be hard pressed to believe Arsene would let him leave during the January window.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1712/arsenal/2009/01/01/1035856/breaking-news-arsenal-turn-down-kolo-toure-transfer-request


As the Drogba turns
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba can't stay out of the news lately. Droggles is being hit with a £100,000 fine after publicly criticising Chelsea for not giving him enough support after the death of his Grand-mother in the summer. The Ivorian said he felt lonely and unmotivated after the incident and he blamed Chelsea for offering no support during that difficult time. Unfortunately for Drogba, word came out that Chelsea had in fact provided a private Jet to fly him to Ivory Coast at the time and now Drogba's remarks appear to have unsettled his Chelsea team-mates once more.
It is highly doubtful Chelsea will sell Drogba in the January window but the Ivorian's position in the squad for next season is definitely in doubt and it seems his time at Chelsea is drawing near.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/01/01/didier-drogba-to-be-hit-with-100-000-fine-for-chelsea-dig-115875-21008103/



Injury to Amr Zaki

The Egypt and Wigan striker has aggravated a knee injury and is being forced to miss Wigan's third round FA Cup tie versus Tottenham on Friday. Zaki just returned from a Hamstring strain and his presence will be sorely missed up top for a Wigan side that will be looking for fit strikers.

http://www.football365.co.za/story/0,22162,14340_4728449,00.html