DOUBT OVER PELE'S VISIT TO NIGERIA

The proposed visit of Football legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pele to Nigeria may be put on hold unless the 75 year old  recovers quickly from illness.
The former Brazil star was forced to withdraw last minute from lighting the cauldron to mark the start of the Rio games at the iconic Maracana Friday.
The three-time World Cup winner, is the most famous athlete in Brazilian history and was due to perform the coveted task of capping off the showpiece, however  the former Santos  star in a statement regretted that he is not able to take up the task because he is not 50-50 but prayed for a successful Olympics.
Pele said in a statement: "Dearest friends,
"Only God is more important than my health.
"In my life I have had fractures, operations, pains, hospital stays, victories and defeats, and I always respect those who admire me.
"The responsibility for the decisions is mine … I have always tried not to disappoint my family and the Brazilian people.
"In this moment I am not in the physical condition to participate in the opening ceremony of the Olympics.
"And as a Brazilian, I ask God to bless all who participate in this event and that it will be a great success and end in peace," he said
The proposed visit billed for August 11-12 will focus on youth empowerment and development
It would be the second time Pele would be visiting Nigeria should he eventually recover fast enough to make the trip.  The first was in 1967 when Nigeria was neck deep in a civil war that lasted three years.

DON'T GAMBLE WITH YOUR FIRST MATCH: DISU WARNS DREAM TEAM

Former Technical Director, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Tunde Disu has challenged Coach Samson Siasia and his boys to do everything possible to earn victory in their first match against Japan August 4.

Winning the first match in a competition like the Olympics he said, serves not only as a ginger but will put the boys in the right mood to aim for gold.

He expressed delight that the team were able to play some quality friendly matches at home and in the United States before the kickoff, noting that the shape up matches must have given the technical crew ample opportunity to underscore the strength and weakness of the various departments.

""It is very important that they win the first match.  You can’t underestimate the magic of winning the first match in a competition like the Olympics, it puts the entire team in the right frame of mind and that can be very productive, “he enthused  

The former Flying Eagles coach said the teams in Nigeria’s Group viz Japan, Sweden and Columbia stand equal chance of progressing adding that accuracy and ability to convert chances created will be an added advantage for any team hoping to shine in Rio.

Nigerians who have been keeping tabs on the team are however hoping that reported last minute departure from Atlanta training base where the team had been stranded, does not box the team into a corner. The Nigeria vs Japan match is billed for 22.00 hours early Thursday, 2am in Nigeria. A source in the team’s camp confirmed that the team eventually left Atlanta about 34 hours to the match.  The flight is expected to last for about 9 hours 22 minutes leaving the team about 24 hours to refresh and hit the pitch.

CONTE DEMANDS AGGRESSIVE FOOTBALL FROM MIKEL,MOSES

Super Eagles duo John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses must be ready to play aggressively if they are to be among Chelsea regulars in the new season.
New Blues coach Antonio Conte who gave the indication, said aggression and intensity will be the watch word at the Bridge under his guidance.
The former Juventus and Italy boss is well-known for his energy on the sidelines, showcased at times during his side's 1-0 International Champions Cup win over Liverpool. Conte believes that the new season will be full of fireworks adding that Chelsea must be combative to stand a chance of flying above hurdles.
"I like it if my team plays with great aggression and high intensity. I like to see that," Conte said.
"We train to prepare for that because I want my team to have an identity. I want it so that if you see us, you recognise 'Oh, Chelsea are playing'.
While Moses hopes to flag off the season with the tie against West Ham August 15th,  Mikel who has been named Team Nigeria captain to the Rio Olympics can only return  August 27 against Burnley after the Games.

FLYING EAGLES CRASH A BITTER LESSON -SOFOLUWE

Former international Yisa Sofoluwe has described Flying Eagles surprise ouster from Zambia 2017 as a bitter lesson that confirms that football has gone beyond permutations.  He wondered how many people envisaged that the team will crumble at home after achieving a vital 2-1 away win.

The misfortune he further noted is not unconnected with our usual loss of concentration and tendency to play to the gallery when it matters most. "This definitely is a bitter lesson that confirms that anything can happen in football.  It is a 90 minutes game and until the final whistle you don't lose focus," he said

The former Super Eagles dean of defence warned that even qualification for 2018 World cup could hit the rocks if distractions currently taking the stage at the Glass House are not quickly resolved to get the national team on track.

"We are out of Gabon 2017, out of Zambia 2017 and now left with World Cup 2018 and you need to focus early to stand a chance in that one, unfortunately current distractions over coaching crew are also indications that we may also gamble with that,” he submitted.

TOO HOT FOR OPPONENTS: SERENA CLAIMS 22ND GRAND SLAM

American queen of the courts Serena Williams  claimed her 22nd Grand Slam title and her SEVENTH Wimbledon glory Saturday after overpowering Angelique Kerber.
Williams, 34, served her way to a 7-5 6-3 win to defend her Wimbledon crown 14 years after she won her first.
The tally of 22 Grand Slam wins equals Steffi Graf's open era record.
Serena's win also ensures she got revenge on Kerber after the German turned her over in the Australian Open final.
The World No.1 fought back tears as she said: "It [the record] has been incredibly difficult not to think about it.
"It makes the victory even sweeter to know how hard I worked for it."
Kerber troubled Williams at time but the American's serve was just too hot to handle.
She faced just one break point, which she saved with an ace, and won 89 per cent of first serve points.
"This court feels like home" she said after winning the battle of centre court
Gracious runner-up Kerber said: "I've had the best two weeks at Wimbledon. It's an honour to play at Centre Court.
"But congratulations to Serena. It's an absolute honour to play against you and share a court with you."

OLISEH THREATENS LITIGATION OVER DEBT OWED HIM, LUSCUITO BY NFF

Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has threatened litigation over huge amount of money allegedly owed him and his former Assistant Loscuito by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Oliseh who dumped the national coaching job shortly after CHAN 2016, took to his twitter account @SundayOOliseh to condemn the Glass House over their refusal to respond to series of letters written to them by his assistant over the unpaid debt hinting that possible suspension of Nigeria by CAS cannot be ruled out. Oliseh who could be said to be fighting his course pari pasu with that of his assistant said"

"For 5 months, Loscuito lawyers letters to D Nff have been ignored, Should CAS suspend Nigeria it is not his fault Before they lie to you again"

The former Super Eagles captain then followed up with possible hint of litigation when he added

"Hope NFF will pay coach Luscuito and I the huge amount they owe us without litigation whilst alive pray they listen"

However in a swift reaction NFF who have had to make do with caretaker coaches to prosecute the Afcon qualifiers that ended in fiasco following Oliseh sudden resignation, told whoever cares to listen that they do not owe the former coach a dine. 

The Glass House equally took the social medium to state their own case via @thenff.

"NFF can confirm it is not owing former super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh any money whatsoever"

The case between NFF and Sunday Oliseh have been described as inconclusive in some quarters after the imbroglio forced House committee on sports to summon both parties especially after Nigeria booked early exit in CHAN hosted by Rwanda.  The summon was however put in the cooler after the Glass House complained that it will distract the national team that was then preparing for double headed Afcon qualifier against Egypt.  Unfortunate Nigeria failed to qualify but the case had remained in the cooler.

RUSSIA 2018: NO VISA MIGRAINE FOR NIGERIANS

Nigerians and other soccer fans who will be heading to Russia to enjoy the 2018 World cup will not have any problems
procuring visas. This follows the signing into law a visa-free system specifically for the world cup by the Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The bill stipulates that "fan-ID" holders will be allowed to enter the world’s largest nation without having a Russian visa and stay for the duration of the tournament as well as for a period of 10 days before and after. Signing the said bill however does not mean that it would be an all comers affair as the said fans will however be expected to present valid passport, ticket for a match or document verifying the purchase of a ticket
The draft law was passed last month by both houses of the Russian Parliament - the State Duma and the Federation Council.
Although Nigeria Football Federation are yet to appoint a coach to tinker Super Eagles to shape in their quest to get a ticket for Russia 2018, soccer loving fans in the country are praying and hoping that the would- be coach is able to rise above Algeria, Zambia and Cameroon to earn the needed ticket.
The Glass House is expected to announce a short list of applicants for the job on Friday. Caretaker coach Salisu Yusuf  who is one of  the applicants has already told the Amaju Pinnic led NFF that he wants the job and will not play a second  fiddle.  The former Enyimba sweat merchant who has been assistant for a while believes he has what it takes to pilot the affairs of the team and is optimistic he can earn the needed ticket to Russia.