Fans lack of loyalty worries Odemwingie

Former Super Eagles forward Peter Odemwingie can short of describing soccer fans as politicians on Wednesday, noting that they appear to have permanent interest and not permanent friends.

 The Rotherham United forward observed in a chat with Premier League Daily that most fans don't reckon with injured players or players being shipped out by their clubs for whatever reason but are only concerned with players that are playing on current form describing it as lack of loyalty to the players who prior to have some obstacles may have been doing everything possible to lift the club and put smiles on the faces of the fans.

"Personally, I will always take the side of the player because you can't go against the club, you are just an individual," the 35-year-old said

"You will get to a stage where if the club chooses to move you, sometimes a club gets a transfer list of players they don't want, but fans don't stick up for those players who the club said they did not want.

"They are showing no loyalty to those players that maybe came back from injury and all they think is that they want to go for better players," he regretted

Odemwingie infamously attempted to secure a Deadline Day switch from West Bromwich Albion to Queens Park Rangers in January 2013, which saw him drive to Loftus Road despite no fee being agreed between the clubs.

He was subsequently disciplined by the Baggies for his actions, but did return to first-team action under then-manager Steve Clarke before sealing a move to Cardiff City In September 2013.

Bahamas 2017: Beach Eagles know opponents February 28

Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles will know their group and opponents at the forth coming FIFA Beach World Cup billed for Bahamas on February 28.

The  Beach Soccer World Cup will hold from April 27 to May 7th.  Already hosts Bahamas, Tahiti, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, Nigeria and Senegal have picked their qualifications while the remaining eight teams will emerge after qualification tournaments in the coming weeks.

World Soccer ruling body FIFA noted in a release Tuesday that it is exactly 100 days to the Bahamas 2017 where 16 teams will face off on the white sands of The Bahamas.

To mark the milestone, Prime Minister of The Bahamas the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, other Bahamas government officials and members of the media will soon tour the new beach soccer stadium, which is nearing completion.

“The Bahamas is the first country in the Caribbean to host a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, a huge honor for us. With just 100 days to go, we are moving full steam ahead with our preparations and are working hard to ensure that the local community buys into this world-class event that will showcase The Bahamas’ sun, sand, sea and sports, and of course, our amazing culture and hospitality to the rest of the world,” said Jeffrey Beckles, Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Chairman.

“The beginning of the 100 day countdown means that the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 is just around the corner. It will come very quickly, and we are all looking forward to it. It is a very exciting moment and it is great to see how the event is firmly walking onwards, building up to what will be a spectacular sports festival,” added Joan Cusco, FIFA Beach Soccer Committee Member.

Recall that Nigeria beat Morocco 6-1 en-route qualification for the event which has been described as marriage of entertainment and sports.

Moses looking forward to FA cup 4th round

Super Eagles forward Victor Moses is still basking in the euphoria of Chelsea's 4-1 demolition of Peterborough United in the Federation Cup third round Sunday.
Although Moses was an unused substitute in the encounter he believes the victory was well deserved revealing that he is looking forward to the next round. He expressed delight that the Blues were able to return to winning ways after their winning streak was dented by a 2-0 defeat by Tottenham last week.
"Great to get back to winning ways today. Looking forward to the next round #CFC," he said on twitter after the match that saw teammate Pedro getting a brace with Michy Batshuayi and William completing the goal harvest. Consolation goal for the visiting League One side came in the 70th minute Tom Nicholas. The fourth round of FA cup will be played on the weekend commencing Saturday January 28. Chelsea will face league defending champions Leicester City on Saturday where Moses will face compatriot    Ahmed Musa who was in superlative form for his side in the FA cup, scoring two goals within five minutes against Everton at the Goodson Park. Ironically Everton enjoyed 65% possession which unfortunately fetched only a lone goal by Romelu Lukaku in the 63rd minute.

Eagles vs Lions clash: Oyongo, Bassagog fire warning shots

Super Eagles players and their technical crew may have to keep an eye on indomitable Lions duo of Ambroise Oyongo and Christian Bassogog ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in August.
 The duo who will be on duty for Cameroon at the 2017 Afcon in Gabon have continued to display super form which coach Hugo Broos believes will ultimately rub off on the World Cup qualifiers. The duo grabbed two goals in 11 minutes as the Lions handed DR Congo a 2-0 defeat in a friendly played at the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo on Thursday as part of the shape up for Afcon kick off on next Saturday. Oyongo a left back who plies his trade with MLS side Montreal Impact equally scored in his side’s 3-2 defeat of Toronto FC just before his call for national assignment. Bassogog on the other hand who plays in the midfield for Danish club AaB incidentally scored the only goal that saw the side defeat Lyngby last month.
 There are indications that Coach Broos hopes to use them to spring surprises while attention of would be opponents remain on regular strikers. Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr who is scheduled to be in Gabon for the Afcon, will no doubt have his eyes on Oyongo and Bassagog among others in the Cameroon line up and Riyad Mahrez who few hours ago emerged African Footballer of the year on the Algerian's side.
Cameroon occupy the second position in Group B of the qualifiers with just two points behind Nigeria while Algeria Zambia have a point each.

Imama Amapakabo a partner in progress -Rohr

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has declared that inputs from his local assistants will be major ingredient in his quest not only to qualify the team but also ensure impressive performance in Russia.
He singled out Rangers coach Imama Amapakabo as one coach whose wealth of experience will come handy, describing him as a dependable ally.
"He is a good coach and we interact all the time, we discuss on phone and he knows a whole lot of players in the local league capable of rising to the occasion when it matters most, ditto Salisu Yusuf,”he submitted.
Rohr's submission on Amapakabo who broke Rangers trophyless jinx is a tacit prediction that the Flying Antelopes stand a good chance of doing well in the Champions league which kicks off in February.
Rohr who has already concluded arrangement to watch matches of this year's Africa Cup of Nations which gets underway January 14 in Gabon opined that it is important that the Super Eagles maintain top shape despite failing to qualifying for the Continental show piece which has World cup qualifying opponents Cameroon and Algeria on parade.
The former Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso handler expressed optimism that the Eagles will continue to post good results in the qualifiers leading to Russia 2018.
Nigeria currently lead the group with six points with Eagles billed to host Indomitable Lions August 28 and the return leg in Yaoundé scheduled for September 7.

RANGERS INTERNATIONAL BEGIN FAN BASE CENSUS

Nigeria professional football league champions Rangers international of Enugu have flagged of census of its fan base across the country and beyond.  The exercise  is not only aimed at identifying real fans of the coal city based club but also enable the club serve its fans and well wishers better.  The flying Antelopes suffered 32 years trophy drought but ultimately broke the jinx this year clinching the league in style to earn a ticket to represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions league alongside Rivers United.  The online exercise expects fans to state thier names, age,sex location, email address and phone number. It is further gathered that a more interactive relationship is being planned between the club and its fans with the fans at liberty to suggest from time to time what they think the club is doing right and wrong all aimed at improvement for the better.
The coach Imama Amapakabo tutored side has continued to shape up ahead of the new premier league season even as the coach has declared that the team will do everything possible to put up a good show in the continent.
"We are equal to the task and are determined to make an impact in the Champions league,"he enthused
Rangers dished out the call for fan census Wednesday using the club's twitter handle‏@RangersIntFC submitting
"we encourage all our fans to fill our fan survey to help us serve you better"

BATTLE OF YAOUNDE; DIFFERENT STROKES FOR FALCONS, LIONESS

Super Falcons of Nigeria will today at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium take on the Lioness of Cameroon in their quest for 8th continental title.  The match which promises to be full of fireworks is like different strokes for both teams. While Falcons who already have seven trophies in the kitty are aiming to win for the 8th time, the Cameroonians will be playing, praying and hoping to win the
trophy for the first time. The two teams are no strange bed fellows as they have met 10 times with the Falcons winning seven times
while the Lioness have won only once at the last edition in Equatorial Guinea.  There have been two draw encounters in 2004 and 2008 respectively. That lone goal victory over Falcons in 2012 remains the biggest win for the Cameroonians while the Nigerians have 6-0 demolition of their opponents as the biggest win recorded in 1998.  Records however may not matter today as the hosts are desperate
to lift the trophy that has been elusive and will be coming out in full force with a view to clipping the wings of Falcons whose dominance women football in the continent cannot be dismissed with the wave of the left hand.  The Falcons will not only be playing against the 11 players on the pitch, but will have to contend with a vociferous home fans who have come from across the nooks and
cranny of Cameroon just to cheer their own to victory. The country's President Paul Biya and his wife are expected to grace occasion which no doubt will be an added charge on the Cameroonians to fight to the finish for title.
The Falcons no doubt have the experience haven featured and won most of the championships but on this occasion they will need to go the extra mile to be able to carry the day.  One of the things they must do is to put the ball on the ground. A close look at the matches leading to the final reveal that the Cameroonians are physical and are good in aerial ball. The falcons must be more accurate
in their passes.  There is no doubt that the pressure will be on Assisat Oshoala who has so far scored six goals in the competition.  She has been identified as the tormentor in chief and information coming out from the technical bench of Cameroon is for them to cut off supply to Oshoala and make Falcons ineffective, Coach Florence Omagbemi and his technical crew interestingly are veterans of the game and must look for away disarming their opponents. The Falcons have done it before, and they can do it again, Go Falcons Go!