'Barcelona wouldn't buy a fat man' - Tabarez hits back over Suarez fitness fears

 
The veteran Uruguay coach says the suspended striker is still at his peak and selected him for next week's friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Oman
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has hit out at suggestions that Luiz Suarez is overweight by insisting Barcelona wouldn't "buy a fat player".
The Barca striker is finally set to make his Liga debut later in October following a four-month ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at this year’s World Cup.
He was also hit with eight-match suspension from competitive internationals but was named in the Uruguay squad for next week’s friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Oman by Tabarez.
The South American nation's trainer swatted aside criticism over Suarez's fitness fears and insisted that the ex-Liverpool striker still has a major role to play for his country.
"I cannot imagine that a club like Barcelona would buy a fat player,” Tabarez, who has just extended his contract through to the 2018 World Cup, told reporters.
"He is in his best footballing years and, beyond his mistakes, he has everything needed to succeed.
"I believe it is important for Luis Suarez to keep in contact and training with the national team despite the ban, not only for him but for the national team overall and his team-mates.
"We have to see the things positively, because given his circumstances he could be given a ban reduction.
"Eventually at some point of the World Cup qualifying campaign we will have a fantastic addition to the national side in Suarez and we should look at it from that point of view."
Uruguay squad
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco Da Gama)
Defenders: Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica), Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez (both Atletico Madrid), Emiliano Velazquez (Getafe), Gaston Silva (Torino), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo), Mathias Corujo (Universidad de Chile)
Midfielders: Egidio Arevalo Rios (UANL Tigres), Diego Arismendi (Nacional), Camilo Mayada (Danubio), Gaston Ramirez (Hull City), Nicolas Lodeiro (Corinthians), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Defensor Sporting)
Forwards: Luis Suarez (Barcelona), Cristhian Stuani (Espanyol), Abel Hernandez (Hull City), Diego Rolan (Bordeaux), Jonathan Rodriguez (Penarol)

It's now or never for Menez at Milan

 
The Under-17 European Championship in 2004 was an important milestone in French football. Not only did the youth team win the tournament on home soil, they did it in style sweeping aside every opponent en route to beating Spain that had the likes of Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas in their ranks.
More importantly though, a certain quartet within the group gave rise to what would later be referred to as ‘Generation 1987’ - future flag bearers of the senior team still dependent on the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry.
While Hatem Ben Arfa and Karim Benzema moved up the ranks that year to join Lyon’s senior team, Samir Nasri did the same at Marseille. Jeremy Menez however, ignored interest from Sir Alex Ferguson who wished to bring the 16-year old to Manchester United and instead stayed with Sochaux becoming the youngest footballer to sign a professional contract in Ligue 1 history.
Each one of them has since left France to play abroad – Benzema to Real Madrid in 2009, Nasri to Arsenal in 2008, Menez to Roma in 2008 and Ben Arfa to Newcastle in 2010 – but despite the early promise they have all failed to live up to their initial hype.
Benzema has failed to consistently justify the hefty price tag in the Spanish capital, while Ben Arfa is out on loan at Hull City in the Premier League having fallen out with manager Alan Pardew at Newcastle. Nasri impressed at Arsenal and is a prominent member of Manchester City but his off-field antics have not really matured him into a player who could be permanently trusted. He's frozen out of the France squad for the foreseeable future, too.
Given the talent though, Menez has been the most disappointing.
While Benzema, Ben Arfa and Nasri made their debut for the Les Blues in 2007 under Raymond Domenech, it was only until Laurent Blanc took over after the 2010 World Cup debacle that Menez finally received a national call-up – six years after that sparkling show with the Under-17s.
Having signed with Roma prior to the 2008-09 season, much was expected of the then 21-year old prodigy but lack of commitment and work ethic meant he never really established himself in the Italian capital. The versatile winger who is equally capable with either foot, was heavily criticised by coaches Claudio Ranieri and later Vincenzo Montella for a lack of effort during training and “lazy” performances on the field.
The criticism seemed justified as he failed to make a difference and under their new American ownership, Menez was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for a mere €8 million in the summer of 2011. Back home with a fresh opportunity to restart a career that was going downhill, he did make a bright start to life at the French capital under Antoine Kombouare and later Carlo Ancelotti. With seven goals and 13 assists in the league, 2011-12 has been his best season till date.
Carrying his form to the European Championship that summer in Ukraine and Poland, Menez was one of the few bright spots of Laurent Blanc’s French team that went out in the quarter finals against eventual winners Spain. That tournament re-united him with the class of 1987, as Ben Arfa, Benzema and Nasri were all part of the squad.

However, with the arrival of Ezequiel Lavezzi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Menez once again found himself on the fringes of a squad that was now brimming with expensive super star signings. Moreover, the €35m singing of Lucas Moura further dented his chances at the Parc des Princes even though he did manage to build some chemistry with Ibrahimovic as PSG lifted their first league championship since 1993-94.
But Edinson Cavani – the marquee signing of the Parisians in 2013 – was the final nail in the coffin of his career with the high-spending French club. As Laurent Blanc tried to slot the former Napoli centre-forward on the wings to accommodate him alongside Ibrahimovic in his favoured 4-3-3 formation, Menez was reduced to a handful of appearances last season.
Absent from the national scene in a World Cup year, it’s fair to say the former Roma player had disappointed again as his contract with the French champions came to an end this summer.
AC Milan, however, saw an opportunity.
Undergoing a massive transformation under new manager Filippo Inzaghi and struggling financially, the Italians were quick to have the winger on board in June.
Sceptical of this move by the seven-time European champions, critics were abject over what exactly Menez would provide to the Rossoneri given his history. But the France international has silenced those voices.
With three goals in four appearances this season in the Serie A mostly as a ‘False No.9’, Menez is soon becoming a fan favourite. His audacious backheel against Parma was ridiculously brilliant, a reminder of what we know he is capable of but one that has been served with massive inconsistency. One of the better performers in the defeat against Juventus, he would have given Milan all three points away at Empoli but for his blistering shot from outside the box that hit the woodwork.

With Mario Balotelli gone and his replacement Fernando Torres yet to adjust to life in Italy, Menez has made the central position in the attacking trio of Inzaghi’s 4-3-3 his own. Too early to suggest he has turned a page but it’s a good start at least.
At 27, the talented forward still has time to resurrect his career and regain his status as the gem of ‘Generation 1987’ but much depends on how he takes it from here.
With Stephan El Sharaawy perceived to be the future on the left wing, Menez faces increased competition from Torres, a rejuvenated Keisuke Honda and Giacomo Bonaventura for the remaining two spots in the attacking third. Not to forget as Inzaghi has stressed several times, they also have M'Baye Niang and Giampaolo Pazzini waiting in the wings.
It’s paramount for ‘Superpippo’ to give the former PSG forward ample playing time and make him feel important, something he has done brilliantly so far. However, it’s equally important of Menez to give his coach constant justification to cement his place as a starter for the remainder of the season. For that, he will have to maintain his sparkling start to life at the San Siro.
There have been past examples of players like Robinho and Antonio Cassano, who despite early indications of having turned a corner at Milan, soon got back to their old ways and Menez surely does not want to be a part of that group.
Menez needs to focus and with Milan looking to get back to the pinnacle of Italian football, this is his chance to finally realise his full potential. Perhaps, it’s his only chance as it would be hard to take him seriously if he were to fail with the Rossoneri.
For a player who came to light with a European Championship on home soil a decade ago, life may just come full circle in two years time as France get ready to host the senior Euros in 2016.
Fondly nicknamed Houdini by Roma fans after the famous Hungarian stunt performer, the chance to get back into the national team should be a big enough reason for the attacker to make the best of this fresh start.

Dani Alves: I'll play in England next season

The 31-year-old defender says he will move to the "home of football" at the end of his contract at Camp Nou in June

Barcelona full-back Dani Alves says he has agreed to join a Premier League club next season.

The 31-year-old was strongly linked with an exit from Camp Nou over the summer after entering the final 12 months of his contract in June.

The Brazil international, who has won 16 trophies at Barcelona since joining from Sevilla in 2008, is yet to receive an offer of a new deal and has now opted to embark upon a new chapter of his career.

"I am moving to England next year," he told Brazil's O Globo newspaper. "I am going to play in the home of football. This will be my last year at Barcelona."

Alves did not say which club he would play for, but the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United have been linked with the defender in the past.

Former Barca manager Pep Guardiola made Alves one of his first signings when he took over from Frank Rijkaard six years ago.

He had won five trophies in six years at Sevilla and continued his winning ways with the Blaugrana as he lifted La Liga and the Champions League in his first season.

Three more Liga titles have followed and Barca were crowned champions of Europe once again in 2011.

Alves has played 303 games for the club, scoring 20 goals and providing 85 assists.

Should Siasia replace Keshi?

If the recent reports are anything to go by, it seems Stephen Keshi is about to go from the frying pan to fire. The 52-year-old could be axed from his position as head coach of the Super Eagles and replaced with former international Samson Siasia. 

It doesn’t quite take much to give credence to such reports based on evidence of disharmony in the last year or so between Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation. One thing is certain: it’s not been a jolly ride for the Big Boss at the helm since the Africa Cup of Nations triumph in South Africa, and it is not difficult to see why the NFF might want him out. 

In fact, the beginning of what now seems to be the end of his reign began in the heart of that same competition. 

The relationship between the Big Boss and the NFF is a long list of unsavory episodes: from the purported backstab by the federation when the Super Eagles were faced with an elephant-sized challenge in the form of Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals of the 2013 Afcon, to the alleged humiliation by Keshi when he apparently received all the glory for winning the tournament without mentioning the input of the Glass House, and then threatening to quit the team. 

“We all know how Keshi threatened to dump the team in South Africa shortly after the Eagles won the 2013 Afcon. The controversy generated by this singular act of his put the NFF then in a bad light,” an NFF official told Goal. 

It is that bad. 

Also, the recent disappointing results have not helped Keshi’s case. Losing 3-2 at home to the Republic of Congo and failing to get more than a point against a resolute South Africa side has contributed to the seeming loss of faith in the former Togo boss.  

Add all that to his hefty salary demand, which was trimmed down to N6 million from what was rumored to be in the range of N15 million-per-month—an amount that still exceeds the threshold of the Glass House’s current lean budget. 

“I don’t think Keshi would be retained as the Eagles coach; even the N6 million that the minister said he is requesting for cannot be met by the NFF as a matter of fact. The NFF is broke for now and the crisis has not helped matters,” the NFF official added. 

Unemployed, unwanted, and unyielding: the story of Keshi so far. 

Big Boss, Big Problems

If eventually the Big Boss is shown the door, one can safely say that the writing has been on the wall for quite a while. 

That said, the news of Siasia being his replacement, as reported by Goal, has not generated the expected response from adoring fans, who perhaps have flirted with the idea of seeing a foreigner named Super Eagles manager so much so that the present state of affairs of the federation seem to have eluded their minds.  

Is Samson Siasia then a bad choice? 

For what it’s worth, this popular Nigerian saying serves astutely as an answer: “half bread is better than nothing.” Or, for those who prefer the Pidgin English version, ‘at all at all na him bad.’ 

The NFF official went on to add that “the reason for the choice of Siasia is that NFF cannot afford the salary of a foreign coach now, so employing a foreign coach to replace Keshi is out of the issue.” 

With this revelation, it seems Nigeria will have to make do with the return of the man they call ‘SiaOne’. 

Siasia took charge of the Super Eagles in 2010, replacing Lars Lagerback, who declined a two-year extension to his five-month contract after he led Nigeria to a poor 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 

Time for the former 'Messiah' of Nigerian football to return to the hotseat?

Though many might have forgotten, SiaOne was once heralded as the ‘messiah’ of Nigerian football. He was touted to conquer Africa with a youthful swagger that saw him achieve relative success with the U-20 and U-23 teams. 

In the end, he lasted only 11 months.  

And how did the love affair turn sour, you ask? 

Simple: he failed to qualify the team for the 2012 Afcon in Gabon & Equatorial Guinea.  

That singular occurrence, which was tied to his contract, consequently led to his sack—asking if the sacking of the 47-year-old ex-international, who was seen as the perfect, youthful character to iron out the unpleasantness of the team which managed one draw and two losses in South Africa 2010, was a mistake is a matter for another editorial. 

The NFF, within their own rights, have the anointing to fire Keshi and install a new head coach they deem fit to take over the mantle. In doing so, however, caution must be exercised and hasty decisions avoided in order not to extend the vicious circle that truncates sustained progress.  

Ronaldo: Liverpool loss could be key

The Real Madrid forward scored a penalty as the European champions came from behind to win 2-1 in Bulgaria, while the Reds slumped to defeat

Cristiano Ronaldo said Real Madrid's 2-1 comeback win over Ludogorets Razgrad could prove to be a "big moment" after Liverpool were beaten in the other clash in Group B.

The reigning European champions went behind to a Marcelinho strike after six minutes in Sofia but Ronaldo lead a fight back to help secure a late victory.

The Fifa World Player of the Year had a penalty saved on 11 minutes, but equalised from the spot 14 minutes later.

European minnows Ludogorets fought hard to hold onto the draw but Karim Benzema eventually slotted home the winner for Carlo Ancelotti's Group B leaders 13 minutes from time.

After the match, Ronaldo praised their hosts but said the win proved Real's big-team mentality.

"They are a good team and with their fans behind them they got extra energy" he said. "It's really important that we won this game, but it was a tough challenge.

"Games like these happen and big teams must find an answer to such situations. I think we showed tonight we are one of them.

"But there is no perfect team in the world and so you always have to be focused – especially in the Uefa Champions League. I think it's a deserved win. We had a lot of chances and they had not so many good ones. As Liverpool lost today this win could be a big moment."

Real Madrid's next two matches in the Champions League are both against Liverpool, who lost 1-0 in Basel on Wednesday, first at Anfield and then in the Santiago Bernabeu.

Los Blancos lead Group B on six points, with Liverpool and Basel on three and pointless Ludogorets Razgrad bottom.

Messi never quite the same since PSG injury

Still a formidable force, the Argentine has returned from his hamstring problems a different player to the one hailed as the game's greatest goalscorer in 2012


Paris probably isn't Lionel Messi's favourite city. The Argentine watched on in disappointment as he was left out of the squad for the 2006 Champions League final at the Stade de France due to injury and was then laid low with a hamstring problem picked up in last year's Champions League clash at the Parc des Princes.

On Tuesday night, the 27-year-old is back in the French capital for Barcelona's group game against Paris Saint-Germain, but he returns a different player to the one that arrived in the City of Light back in April of 2013.

That game, arguably, marks a watershed moment in the Argentine's astonishing career. All appeared normal as the forward fired Barca into the lead late in the first half, but several minutes later he felt a sharp pain in his thigh on a trademark run into the area. He didn't reappear after the break.

In his absence, Barca were pegged back to a 2-2 draw and he was nowhere near fit for the second leg in the Catalan capital. Nevertheless, with the Blaugrana a goal down and heading for a last-eight exit, Tito Vilanova sent on a limping Leo and the Camp Nou crowd were lifted immediately. And one moment of magic proved sufficient as Messi helped set up Pedro for the clincher on away goals in a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Still struggling for fitness, the forward was a peripheral figure as Barca lost 4-0 to Bayern in Munich. He then came off the bench to score a wonder goal in a 2-2 draw at Athletic Club and looked ready for the Champions League semi-final second leg at Camp Nou, but was not even deemed fit to start and missed the entire game as Barca lost 3-0 (and 7-0 on aggregate). Both player and club had paid the price for the injury problems which had begun on that night in Paris.

Last season, Messi endured further pain as he suffered a recurrence of the problem against Atletico in the Supercopa, then at Almeria in September and again versus Betis in November.

Still not right, the forward took time out to recover and even returned to Argentina for fitness and recuperation sessions in December before making his comeback in January.

On his return, he still scored prolifically but saw his hunger questioned and was unable to prevent Barca from missing out on the major trophies at the end of 2013-14. He was also criticised for covering only 6.8 kilometres in the Champions League quarter-final loss at Atleti - just 1.5 more than goalkeeper Jose Pinto.

"Messi is a player on a different level to the rest, but he had a lot of muscular problems and he was less participative for a while," former Barcelona defender Miguel Angel Nadal told Goal. "He still scored a lot of goals, but he suffered and the whole team suffered.

"There were lots of things that affected Barcelona: Eric Abidal’s illness, what happened with Tito, [Pep] Guardiola’s exit… there were a lot of circumstances. The team last season was adapted to Tata’s ideas, but some of the ambition was missing and the play was less fluid. All of that contributed too."



Bang on form this term with five goals and seven assists already, it is nevertheless a very different Messi to the one that started against PSG in April last year.

"Neymar is in his second season and Barca have more alternatives than before," Nadal added. "They won’t be relying on only Messi to score goals as they did previously."

Indeed, the Argentine is currently operating - and thriving - in a deeper role under Luis Enrique as Barca opt for a slight change of direction in 2014-15. So even though his injury problems are now behind him, there will be a before and after the night at PSG when Leo looks back on his distinguished days in Barca blaugrana.

Still a wonderful player, but now a different player, the formidable goalscorer who wowed the world with 91 strikes in 2012 and 73 in 2011-12 has never really returned in the same vein since his troublesome thigh problem on that night at the Parc des Princes. Messi remains remarkable in so many ways, but has never been quite the same since suffering that inopportune injury in Paris.

Should Nigeria get a foreign manager

Would the Super Eagles be wise to offload Stephen Keshi and replace him with a manager from overseas?

Stephen Keshi's future remains in the balance. If things were uncertain after the World Cup, they are even more obscure now, following a historic defeat at the hands of the Republic of Congo and a blunt 0-0 draw against South Africa.
At the time of writing, the Big Boss looks set to lead Nigeria in their double-header against Sudan, although things will surely be clearer following the NFF presidential elections.
When the new president is elected, he will have a big decision to make. Does he stick with Keshi or look for someone new?
In this feature, two of Goal Nigeria's finest look at whether it might be wise for the federation to turn to a foreign manager as an improvement on the former national-team defender.

In Keshi we trust

Nigeria should not get carried away by the likes of the Republic of Congo and Cameroon, who have impressed under foreign mangers.
Here are three reasons why Nigeria should stick with Stephen Keshi:
1. Nigeria is a troubled ship 
The current situation is a clear case of a ship on troubled waters; and in such situations, one result is highly likely: a disruption of reliable frameworks, which curtails any form of progress.
Is it then any surprise that since the Nigeria Football Federation—the masterminds behind the framework—fell into shambles with internal power jostling leading to international embarrassment the Super Eagles have not made progress?
It would be naïve to think that the administrative arm of the team (the NFF) play no part whatsoever in the team’s overall preparations and envisaged success.
The current wranglings, which includes unresolved contract talks with the technical crew, have not created a suitable atmosphere for the team to flourish, and might be no different under a foreigner.
2. Patience is a Virtue
Joachim Low, who led Germany to a fourth World Cup title this summer, had been in charge since 2006 without lifting a single trophy; that’s eight years of shuffling, and changing, and developing and believing.
Why can’t Nigeria show such faith and patience for a manager, who within three years won the AFCON trophy that had eluded Nigeria for almost two decades, qualified the team for the World Cup with swagger and also reached the last-16 of the tournament? 
In fact, now that Keshi has equaled the records set by erstwhile coach Clemens Westerhof, it should be interesting to see how he does as he attempts to better the records he set himself. 

Keshi | Patience is a Virtue
3. Keshi is Naija-made
Goal’s Lolade Adewuyi, in three simple words, summarised the persona of the ex defender: Troublemaker, Path-maker and Legend. 
It wouldn’t be wrong to state that coaching a country like Nigeria would require one to be, at least, two of those things in order to cope in such territory—and Keshi is all three.
Having the nous for Nigerian football is essential to coaching a football-crazed nation such this. 
How else do explain the rise of a player like Sunday Mba?
In Keshi, a former captain himself, Nigeria has a man with rapt knowledge of naija football, with eyes and ears in the diaspora as well as the local league. 
In Keshi we trust.

The Irrelevance of Nation

When it comes to quality, nationality really should not matter.
Of course, that will not stop those who wish to see Keshi continue from continuing in their jingoistic crusade. So let us examine some facts.
Keshi has won one game in his last 11. To someone who might say win records are not as important in international football so long as the team win 'crucial' matches, I ask: has only one of the last 11 internationals been crucial?
The truth is that there is a level of ability and experience (and also emotional detachment) that is needed to handle a national team. The Big Boss has not done enough to convince that he can judge situations dispassionately, leaving aside his own ego.
Keshi also does not possess the level of tactical expertise required at the highest level. Instances of this are legion; only once has he successfully impacted a game via a smart tactical switch or clever substitution: away to Ethiopia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.

Keshi | A record that no longer stands up to scrutiny
This is not solely about Keshi, however. It is about the capability of Nigerian coaches to handle the national team at international level. With the erstwhile Super Eagles gaffer out of contract, who would be a reasonable appointment for the position? Austin Eguavoen has shown himself to be out of his depth; Samson Siasia was sacked upon failing to qualify for the 2012 Afcon; and…and…
Well, that’s it really. There are no options. The popular clamour for Sunday Oliseh is amusing, to put it mildly. Even stretching to someone like Manu Garba, you have to acknowledge that coaching at U-17 level is nothing to compare with the big time.
The only way to go is to appoint a foreigner. It is the pragmatic thing to do. The ideal is to have a Nigerian coaching the Nigerian national team, but for now it remains just that. To pretend otherwise is to ignore the present situation of our football.
Another common refrain is to ask whether a foreign manager can work with the NFF as currently constituted, warts and all. Well, we have had foreign coaches before, have we not? The most successful to this day is Clemens Westerhof, a Dutchman who lived in and learnt to love this country, warts and all.
All that is required is a little honesty. Let them know what they are getting into, what they will be up against, but also how great the rewards can be. Nigeria is a country brimming with talent at all levels. Anyone with a genuine love for the game will relish the challenge.
Keshi came in Nigeria’s darkest hour. In that sense, I liken him, not to Joachim Low, but to Jurgen Klinsmann. The current USA manager brought Germany out of a dark time, but knew he was not the man for the next level. Perhaps it is time for Keshi, and the horde of nationalist praise-singers, to realize the same.

Would a foreigner be better that Keshi
Let us know.

World’s top coaches reject the Russia 2018 World Cup boycott

Vicente del Bosque

Coaches from some of the world’s top teams have played down chances of a sporting boycott of Vladimir Putin’s showpiece 2018 football World Cup as a penalty for stoking the crisis in Ukraine.
Leaders of the 28-nation European Union earlier this month asked the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, to draw up new sanctions in response to claims that Russia has sent troops into neighbouring Ukraine.
A European source told AFP that the World Cup boycott idea was in a “working document discussed by the member states” detailing options for the economic sanctions, “but as a possibility for later on, not now”.
But Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, speaking at a post-2014 World Cup technical conference at Saint Petersburg poured cold water on the chances of sanctions.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin

“The idea of a boycott of the 2018 World Cup in Russia will never garner support from the family of football coaches,” Del Bosque said.
“We’re trying to unite people, not to separate them. We’re athletes. We’re not going in for politics. We support all those who play football.”
Francois Blaquart, technical director of the French Football Federation, told AFP he does not believe in the possibility of a World Cup boycott.
“I don’t believe it for a moment,” he said.
Germany coach Joachim Loew, who guided his team to World Cup victory in Brazil in July, refused to be drawn on the question of sanctions, adding that Russia coach Fabio Capello would prepare a competitive squad for their home tournament.

Joachim Loew

“I have no intention of commenting on any of the politicians’ calls and statements,” Loew told the press.
“Russia has a great desire and every possibility to hold the World Cup at a very high level.
“I have no doubts that Capello will prepare a very strong team for the next World Cup.”
Under long-term plans circulated among European diplomats alongside proposals for immediate economic sanctions, Moscow could also face suspension from Formula One races and other sporting events.
Sochi, the recent host city of the Winter Olympics, is set to host a Formula 1 GP on October 12, the race one of the centrepiece of Putin’s plan to make Russia a globally-respected host of international sporting events.

Westerhof arrives, speaks on Keshi, Ike Uche

Clemens Westerhof, arguably, Nigeria’s best ever foreign coach, arrived the country Wednesday night and continued to speak on Nigeria’s chances at the 2014 World Cup.

He spoke on the qualities of Stephen Keshi, Eagles current coach who captained the Eagles of his era, the players Nigeria could parade in Brazil and predicted a good outing for Nigeria at the World Cup.

He said that he was proud of the job Keshi is doing with Nigeria, adding that he expected nothing less going by the leadership qualities Keshi displayed as captain of the Eagles

On the players he said that they could surprise the world and repeatedly mentioned a “terrific player in Spain”among others. Asked if the player he meant was Ike Uche, he screamed ‘yes’. He has watched a couple of games Uche has played this season and said that the Villareal striker has been in great shape.

Westerhof was disappointed when he was told why Keshi may be reluctant to invite Ike Uche to camp.

Uche was reportedly said to have continuously campaigned against Keshi’s tactical approach and was said to have even complained to senior authorities about this during the last Nations Cup. Incidentally, Uche played badly during the Nations Cup. He played as support striker but was said to have bluntly refused to fall deep to mark in the games that he played. And Keshi, apparently feeling that it was unwise to invite a player who did not believe in his approach, left him out during the qualifying games for the World Cup. He was scared of sabotage and has repeatedly said that team spirit mattered so much that he would make it a strong consideration for the invitation of players to the World Cup camp.

“It is bad if Uche behaved like that. If a player did that to me off he goes, I tell you. But sometimes a coach is a father to the whole team.”

Westerhof said that Nigeria had the potential to reach the semifinal of the World Cup if “they make good selection and prepare the team very well.”

He is in town with a Dutch television crew doing a documentary on Nigerian football in his era and how he was able to earn Nigeria number a 5th place in fifa ranking. Tomorrow will be special as he marks his birthday in Lagos. Keshi, Aloy Agu, Austin Eguavoen are among those who will gather in Ikeja to wish him well when Hotel Diplomat hosts him to celebrate his birthday.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/05/westerhof-arrives-speaks-keshi-ike-uche/#sthash.ITW62i2Y.dpuf

Why coaches fear Mikel – Siasia

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has warned that anyone who wishes to talk to Mikel Obi to raise his game, should equally be ready to take a slagging from the Chelsea star.


Mikel has come under intense criticisms following his recent sluggish displays for the Super Eagles.
NOT A LAUGHING MATTER - Siasia



And Siasia, who lined

up the midfielder for the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup and then dropped him for the 2008 Beijing Olympics,  said that Mikel does not welcome criticisms.

“Someone would have to talk to him. But to talk to Mikel, you have to be ready for your own beating,” Siasia told Africanfootball.com.

This further confirms the awesome player-power the Chelsea star wields in the Super Eagles.

Siasia said that it will be up to Mikel to take the responsibility to step up his game.

“From what we have seen and what people are talking about, they don’t think he is giving his best. But he should be able to criticise himself,” argued the coach.

“He should do a self-critique. If he believes he is not doing well, he has to try and up his game.

“He has been watching the games from the World Cup, if he thinks he is not doing well, why is he not scoring, he has to be able to look at those videos and see the areas he needs
Nigeria's midfielder John Obi Mike

Nigeria’s midfielder John Obi Mike

to improve on.

“Nobody has to tell him. He is a professional. So, I am not going to criticise him. He has done well for this country but if he is not doing well like he used to, then something has to be done.”

Siasia equally conceded he is “confused” about whether the best position for the player is as a defensive or attacking midfielder.

“I am actually confused on that one, I don’t know anymore,” he admitted.

“As a defensive midfield player, it doesn’t mean you should not go forward or try to take some shots at goal. (Nemanja) Matic is doing it, Ramires is doing it, so how come Mikel is not doing it? Why can’t he cover the box-to-box play. If you don’t get into the box, you can never shoot at goal. So, that is his problem.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/coaches-fear-mikel-siasia/#sthash.WOQWPtMU.dpuf

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has warned that anyone who wishes to talk to Mikel Obi to raise his game, should equally be ready to take a slagging from the Chelsea star.
Mikel has come under intense criticisms following his recent sluggish displays for the Super Eagles.

NOT A LAUGHING MATTER – Siasia

And Siasia, who lined
up the midfielder for the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup and then dropped him for the 2008 Beijing Olympics,  said that Mikel does not welcome criticisms.
“Someone would have to talk to him. But to talk to Mikel, you have to be ready for your own beating,” Siasia told Africanfootball.com.
This further confirms the awesome player-power the Chelsea star wields in the Super Eagles.
Siasia said that it will be up to Mikel to take the responsibility to step up his game.
“From what we have seen and what people are talking about, they don’t think he is giving his best. But he should be able to criticise himself,” argued the coach.
“He should do a self-critique. If he believes he is not doing well, he has to try and up his game.
“He has been watching the games from the World Cup, if he thinks he is not doing well, why is he not scoring, he has to be able to look at those videos and see the areas he needs

Nigeria’s midfielder John Obi Mike

to improve on.
“Nobody has to tell him. He is a professional. So, I am not going to criticise him. He has done well for this country but if he is not doing well like he used to, then something has to be done.”
Siasia equally conceded he is “confused” about whether the best position for the player is as a defensive or attacking midfielder.
“I am actually confused on that one, I don’t know anymore,” he admitted.
“As a defensive midfield player, it doesn’t mean you should not go forward or try to take some shots at goal. (Nemanja) Matic is doing it, Ramires is doing it, so how come Mikel is not doing it? Why can’t he cover the box-to-box play. If you don’t get into the box, you can never shoot at goal. So, that is his problem.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/coaches-fear-mikel-siasia/#sthash.WOQWPtMU.dpuf

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has warned that anyone who wishes to talk to Mikel Obi to raise his game, should equally be ready to take a slagging from the Chelsea star.
Mikel has come under intense criticisms following his recent sluggish displays for the Super Eagles.

NOT A LAUGHING MATTER – Siasia

And Siasia, who lined
up the midfielder for the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup and then dropped him for the 2008 Beijing Olympics,  said that Mikel does not welcome criticisms.
“Someone would have to talk to him. But to talk to Mikel, you have to be ready for your own beating,” Siasia told Africanfootball.com.
This further confirms the awesome player-power the Chelsea star wields in the Super Eagles.
Siasia said that it will be up to Mikel to take the responsibility to step up his game.
“From what we have seen and what people are talking about, they don’t think he is giving his best. But he should be able to criticise himself,” argued the coach.
“He should do a self-critique. If he believes he is not doing well, he has to try and up his game.
“He has been watching the games from the World Cup, if he thinks he is not doing well, why is he not scoring, he has to be able to look at those videos and see the areas he needs

Nigeria’s midfielder John Obi Mike

to improve on.
“Nobody has to tell him. He is a professional. So, I am not going to criticise him. He has done well for this country but if he is not doing well like he used to, then something has to be done.”
Siasia equally conceded he is “confused” about whether the best position for the player is as a defensive or attacking midfielder.
“I am actually confused on that one, I don’t know anymore,” he admitted.
“As a defensive midfield player, it doesn’t mean you should not go forward or try to take some shots at goal. (Nemanja) Matic is doing it, Ramires is doing it, so how come Mikel is not doing it? Why can’t he cover the box-to-box play. If you don’t get into the box, you can never shoot at goal. So, that is his problem.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/coaches-fear-mikel-siasia/#sthash.WOQWPtMU.dpuf

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has warned that anyone who wishes to talk to Mikel Obi to raise his game, should equally be ready to take a slagging from the Chelsea star.
Mikel has come under intense criticisms following his recent sluggish displays for the Super Eagles.

NOT A LAUGHING MATTER – Siasia

And Siasia, who lined
up the midfielder for the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup and then dropped him for the 2008 Beijing Olympics,  said that Mikel does not welcome criticisms.
“Someone would have to talk to him. But to talk to Mikel, you have to be ready for your own beating,” Siasia told Africanfootball.com.
This further confirms the awesome player-power the Chelsea star wields in the Super Eagles.
Siasia said that it will be up to Mikel to take the responsibility to step up his game.
“From what we have seen and what people are talking about, they don’t think he is giving his best. But he should be able to criticise himself,” argued the coach.
“He should do a self-critique. If he believes he is not doing well, he has to try and up his game.
“He has been watching the games from the World Cup, if he thinks he is not doing well, why is he not scoring, he has to be able to look at those videos and see the areas he needs

Nigeria’s midfielder John Obi Mike

to improve on.
“Nobody has to tell him. He is a professional. So, I am not going to criticise him. He has done well for this country but if he is not doing well like he used to, then something has to be done.”
Siasia equally conceded he is “confused” about whether the best position for the player is as a defensive or attacking midfielder.
“I am actually confused on that one, I don’t know anymore,” he admitted.
“As a defensive midfield player, it doesn’t mean you should not go forward or try to take some shots at goal. (Nemanja) Matic is doing it, Ramires is doing it, so how come Mikel is not doing it? Why can’t he cover the box-to-box play. If you don’t get into the box, you can never shoot at goal. So, that is his problem.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/coaches-fear-mikel-siasia/#sthash.WOQWPtMU.dpuf

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has warned that anyone who wishes to talk to Mikel Obi to raise his game, should equally be ready to take a slagging from the Chelsea star.
Mikel has come under intense criticisms following his recent sluggish displays for the Super Eagles.

NOT A LAUGHING MATTER – Siasia

And Siasia, who lined
up the midfielder for the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup and then dropped him for the 2008 Beijing Olympics,  said that Mikel does not welcome criticisms.
“Someone would have to talk to him. But to talk to Mikel, you have to be ready for your own beating,” Siasia told Africanfootball.com.
This further confirms the awesome player-power the Chelsea star wields in the Super Eagles.
Siasia said that it will be up to Mikel to take the responsibility to step up his game.
“From what we have seen and what people are talking about, they don’t think he is giving his best. But he should be able to criticise himself,” argued the coach.
“He should do a self-critique. If he believes he is not doing well, he has to try and up his game.
“He has been watching the games from the World Cup, if he thinks he is not doing well, why is he not scoring, he has to be able to look at those videos and see the areas he needs

Nigeria’s midfielder John Obi Mike

to improve on.
“Nobody has to tell him. He is a professional. So, I am not going to criticise him. He has done well for this country but if he is not doing well like he used to, then something has to be done.”
Siasia equally conceded he is “confused” about whether the best position for the player is as a defensive or attacking midfielder.
“I am actually confused on that one, I don’t know anymore,” he admitted.
“As a defensive midfield player, it doesn’t mean you should not go forward or try to take some shots at goal. (Nemanja) Matic is doing it, Ramires is doing it, so how come Mikel is not doing it? Why can’t he cover the box-to-box play. If you don’t get into the box, you can never shoot at goal. So, that is his problem.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/coaches-fear-mikel-siasia/#sthash.WOQWPtMU.dpuf

Keshi may sign contract before Sudan clash – NFF

As part of efforts to ensure that the Super Eagles come out victorious in their next two matches in the on-going 2015 African Cup of Nations  qualifier against Sudan, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said that it is making arrangements to see that Coach Stephen Keshi signs his contract before the tie coming up in October.
NFF general secretary Musa Amadu who confirmed this in Abuja also rubbished insinuations in certain quarters that the coach may not be given a new contract due to the team’s poor outing against Congo and South Africa.
“I cannot see how the coach’s contract will affect the performance of the team.

Stephen Keshi

“I have no doubt that he will sign a new contract.
“I know that it is critically important that the coach signs his contract to secure his future and know exactly what is due to him. I am sure we will be able to sort out those things before the next two games against Sudan,” Amadu assured.
On the issue of the controversial elective Congress of the NFF, Amadu said it is not true that the Congress has been scheduled to take place in Warri stressing that what will take place in the oil rich town this weekend on September 20 is the Congress that will approve the date and venue for the election.
“As far as election and the two congresses are concerned, I have made the agenda clear that the executive committee will propose to the congress a roadmap. I can confirm to you that the first extraordinary general assembly will take place on September 20 in Warri Delta State”.
He explained that the date that has been proposed for the elective Congress is still tentative until approved by the general assembly.