2014 World Cup

Entertainment

Photo of the day: Don't you just love this Super Eagles art work?

Yes I love this! ESPN made this splendid amazing artwork of the Nigeria Super Eagles. The artwork was done by Brazilian artist, Cristiano Siqueira, as a celebration of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Here’s wishing the team the best of luck in the forthcoming tournament. Go Eagles! Keep Soaring.
Photocredit: ESPN/Nigeria Super Eagles
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Entertainment

Brazil 2014: Inside Nigeria's base camp (Photos)

What often comes to mind when the phrase ‘base camp’ is mentioned is usually an old barrack building. Far From it. For the forthcoming tournament which will start in Brazil by June 12, 2014, our dear Super Eagles will be practising and preparing for their matches in a well-appointed hotel in Brazil.
According to Goal.com Nigeria, the hotel Vitoria Hotel Concept, Campinas a 19-floor edifice with 253 rooms was chosen by the Nigeria Football Federation. It also boasts of a spa, a hydrotherapy room, a swimming pool, a heliport, fully fitted gym, four restaurants, shopping centres, bakeries to mention a few. They will also be training at the 40,988 capacity Estadio Brinco de Ouro de Princesa stadium located in the heart of the city of Campinas.
Barbara Porto, the hotel’s General Manager told Goal.com, “We are very prepared to host the Nigerian delegation. We have three more hotels in the Vitoria chain and we have been in this market for 15 years. Last year we hosted the USA, Russia, Brazil and Poland volleyball teams for two weeks and everything was alright (food, room, events, breakfast). We are training our employees to give the best service and teaching almost all of them to speak English. I think we are not going to have any problem with the Nigerian delegation.”
Credit: Goal.com Nigeria
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Entertainment

"Ivory Coast will always let you down, Nigeria will go furthest"- Emmanuel Adebayor offers insight into African teams ahead of Brazil 2014

Togolese international, Emmanuel Adebayor has offered an insight into some of the African teams who will represent their countries at the 2014 World Cup. Speaking to Daily Express, the former Manchester City player started with Ivory Coast which boasts of fantastic players like Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, but his analysis of the team was a bit harsh.
“I never trust them. They are the country that will always let you down. I know all of them from the bench to the manager. Sabri Lamouchi their coach is my very good friend. How come for the last four or five years have they not won the African Cup of Nations? They have got the best striker in Europe in Didier Drogba. They have got the best midfielder today, Yaya Toure. You’ve got one of the best strikers in the league today, the one that plays at Swansea, Wilfried Bony. You have all of those players.
“But the thing is, are they going to be collective enough? I don’t know. I am not an Ivorian. They will be talking, laughing and enjoying themselves but when the time comes, they will forget about their job. There’s no togetherness. Everyone wants to be the hero. Everybody wants to be the one to finish on a high so the folks remember them for what I have done, not for what we have done as a generation, nor for what we have done as team. Everyone wants to be like a hero and that is what is killing Ivory Coast.”

The 30 year-old however spoke highly of the Nigeria squad: “Out of these teams, my choice for which of the African teams will go the furthest would be Nigeria because of their concentration. Because of Stephen Keshi the coach, he knows a lot about football and everything. He has been there as well as a player for Nigeria. And they have got Victor Moses, who is a great friend of mine, and I like the way he plays. Jon Obi Mikel played a lot for Chelsea this year and showed how good he is. Their goalkeeper is very good. Nigeria have all the ingredients to be good in the World Cup.”
The Tottenham forward has also backed the Ghanaian team to do well in the tournament. “Ghana have a good team. I hope they do well but they have done everything that is possible. Asamoah Gyan is a great player and great friend of mine but he is now playing in Dubai. He is still their main man. If he is not in form or if he does not match the level of the World Cup, then Ghana will struggle.
Indeed they will. In fact, during my time as a player, I got to know many of those who will be taking part in the World Cup for their respective African nations. Experienced players like Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari will need to be at their best to help Ghana.” He concluded.
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Entertainment

2014 World Cup: France unveils provisional squad

France manager, Didier Deschamps has unveiled his provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup. One would wonder why Manchester City midfielder, Samir Nasri was excluded from the squad. He’s had a fantastic season, that hasn’t gone well with his girlfriend, the irate lady wrote, “F***k France” on her twitter page. Ot even But I guess Didier has his reasons

Defenders: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid ), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool ), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal ), Lucas Digne (Paris), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (PSG), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille).

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Loic Remy (Newcastle)

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Mickeal Landreau (Bastia)

Reserves: Remy Cabella (Montpellier), Maxime Gonalons (Lyon), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Loic Perrin (Saint-Etienne), Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Etienne), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Benoit Tremoulinas (Saint-Etienne).

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Entertainment

"The boy should be forgiven". Governor Orji urges Stephen Keshi to recall Ike Uche.

Reactions have continued to trail Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi’s squad list for the 2014 World cup. Some players like Ideye Brown and John Ogu have expressed their disappointment for being excluded from the squad. Another player who shockingly didn’t make the list is Ikechukwu Uche and as far as Governor Theodore Orji of Abia state is concerned, the Villareal striker deserves to make it to Brazil in June.

A statement through his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewunmi reads thus, “As a passionate football fan, I appeal to my good friend Keshi, to have a change of mind and include Uche in his World Cup team. The boy should be forgiven since he is now remorseful. Football is a competitive game; we should not allow personal interest to override national aspirations. I salute Keshi for bringing back Yobo and Osaze. I wish he could extend same to Uche.”

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Entertainment

2014 World Cup: England unveils 23-man provisional squad

England manager Roy Hodgson has unveiled his 23-man squad for the Brazil 2014 tournament. The squad will travel to Portugal next week to begin their preparations for World Cup. They will also face Peru at Wembley on Friday 30 May. Then, Honduras and Ecuador in Miami , and then opening game with Italy on Saturday 14 June.

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (England), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Attackers: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United).

Standby: John Ruddy (Norwich City), Jon Flanagan (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Andy Carroll (West Ham United), Jermain

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Fraser Forster (Celtic).

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Entertainment

2014 World Cup: Spain unveils 30-man provisional squad

Spain, just like other countries (well, some countries) in the world has unveiled their 30-man squad for the forthcoming World Cup which kicks off in June, 2014. Most of the names are quite familiar; and from three popular leagues; Laliga, English Premier League and Bundeliga. The list was released few hours ago.

Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea),

Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona)Alberto Moreno (Sevilla), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Raul Albiol (Napoli),

Juan fran (Atletico Madrid), Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)

Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao)

Xavi (Barcelona), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Pedro (Barcelona) Jesus Navas (Manchester City) David Silva (Manchester City), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Manchester United), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)

Attackers: Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)

David Villa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Fernando Llorente

(Juventus)

GoalKeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid),

Pepe Reina (Napoli), David De Gea (Manchester United)

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Entertainment

World cup snub? Ashley Cole retires from international football.

Chelsea/England left-back, Ashley Cole has announced his retirement from international football. This news came shortly after he was dropped by Roy Hodgson’s from England’s squad to the 2014 World Cup.

The 33 year-old told reporters, “I think it’s best I retire from the England team now. We have a great manager and team and I wish them only success. I will be supporting them like a true fan. Thanks to everyone for everything. It was a pleasure to get 107 caps. Like me or not, trust me it’s hurt me to stop playing for my country.”

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"I'm very disappointed but life goes on". Brown Ideye on World Cup exclusion

Nigerian/ Dynamo Kiev forward, Brown Ideye has taken to his twitter account to vent his disappointment after he was excluded in the provisional squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“I’m very disappointed, but life does not end here. Life goes on.” He tweeted.

Super Eagles midfielder, John Ogu took the exclusion in good faith. He didn’t only wish the squad the best in the tournament, he also implored Nigerians to support and pray for them.

“Gutted I didn’t make the preliminary Squad. Nigeria is blessed with a lot of players. We all can’t make the list. Every player wants to be at the World Cup.

I want to thank Coach Keshi for opportunities he gave me. I remain grateful for all, for he made my dream come true as a player to serve my great nation, which I’m always proud of. Thanks everyone for your support. Please let’s pray for the lads. Let’s support the team as much as we can because I believe in the managers and the squad selected. We are family. I’ll come back stronger. And also thanks to the Football Federation NFF for their support to the Countries Football… God Bless the Super Eagles”.

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Entertainment, Sports

2014 World Cup: John Dumelo, Jackie Appiah, Becca, 10 others named Ghana's official ambassadors

13 Ghana celebrities have been unveiled as Ghana’s official ambassadors for the 2014 Brazil World Cup. They include Becca, John Dumelo, Jackie Appiah, Grace Ashy CK Akonnor, Tony Baffoe, Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew, Kwame Ayew, Augustine Ahinful, Samuel Osei Kuffour, Tony Yeboah, Azumah Nelson and Ali Jarrah.
As ambassadors, they are expected to make several campaigns ranging from getting the corporate world and the general public to lend their support to Ghana for the World Cup as well as raising funds to enable the supporters union of Ghana to travel to Brazil.
Photocredit: Ameyaw Debrah
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