Eagles hosting off indefinitely, may get 1st October

It is no longer news that the hosting of CHAN Eagles will no longer hold as planned tomorrow February 28, with fillers indicating that the President's tight schedule is responsible for the latest indefinite postponement.

 The original idea for tomorrow was to have the team received during the Federal Executive Meeting Wednesday which incidentally will equally not hold.

The CHAN Eagles led by Coach Salisu Yusuf played in the finals of championship in Casablanca Morocco settling for the second place behind eventual winners and host Morocco, the first time Nigeria will be making it to that level.

There are however strong indication that the team may not be hosted till after the world cup in July. A reliable source who would not want to be named, gave the hint noting that there are important matters that need urgent attention for now.

The source said to have the ear of the presidency put up superior argument against’ piecemeal hosting of national teams'

"There are so many things requiring the president's attention right now. The CHAN Eagles did well and deserve to be hosted, we have those who represented the country for the first time at the winter Olympics in Korea, and the Commonwealth Games is around the corner just like the world cup in Russia. Wouldn’t it be better to have our athletes compete in all these outings and then we sit down and host them all," the source queried.

Should the Presidency buy the idea then no hosting of athletes will take place until after the world cup.  The source we further gather, even floated the idea of hosting all the athletes on October 1st, adding “In recent times October 1st which is our independent Day has been on the quiet side, we could add colour to it by using it to host all our athletes who represented the country in all the championships"

Some sports stakeholders however reasoned that the postponement may not be unconnected with the threat by Wrestlers to boycott the forth coming Commonwealth Games Gold Coast Australia over their non recognition by government.  

The wrestlers had cited the proposed reception of the CHAN Eagles and as well as recognition of the Basketball team adding that it appears that they are being treated as second class citizens after winning the African Wrestling Champions in Port Harcourt aside from other laurels they had won before then.

The government may have bought the idea to postpone the reception to avoid controversies that would draw negative comments at this time.

The CHAN Eagles arrived the country on the 6th February after playing in the Final February 4th. The team was initially billed to be hosted 7th February but the date was shifted to 14th February then to 28 before the latest indefinite postponement.

Oliseh turns attention to hobby, hails Black Panther

Former Super Eagles coach and Captain, Sunday Oliseh is not one to allow himself be depressed over turn of event.

 The suspended coach of Dutch second division side Fortuna Sittard, is rather catching his fun and putting the time he would have been using to shout out orders by the side of the pitch to attend to his hobbies.

Oliseh who did not hesitate in countering his employers charge that he is making it difficult for staff and players to work with him took to the social media to express his satisfaction with the quality of wave making new movie 'Black panther' he has just watched describing it as a must watch.

"Wow! Just saw the Black Panther. Arguably the best super Hero movie i ever saw. Loved every minute of it! A must see!" he enthused

Following his recent suspension, Fortuna Sittard and Oliseh are taking the wait-and-see posture as the club did not specify how long the suspension will last.  

Oliseh had shortly after the suspension accused his employers of trying to force him to act unprofessionally saying   I confirm: Due to my refusal to participate in Illegal activities at Fortuna sittard & violate the Law,i have been Suspended from my duties as Coach by the Foreign Owners of Fortuna. Unfortunate for the lovely fans, my players & our hard fought phenomenal positioning for Promotion,"

Sittard has threatened to drag the former Nigerian international to court over his claims that they were forcing him to break the law, but there are no indications that the club has hit the court yet. 

Oliseh took the decision to settle for Sittard shortly after leaving the Super Eagles job with CHAN 2016 edition in Rwanda as his last assignment for the national team. 

EFL Final: Whilshere still brooding over Martins shocker

Seven years after Super Eagles forward Obafemi Martins denied Arsenal the chance of lifting the EFL Cup at the Wimbley Stadium, Arsenal midfielder Jack Whilshere is still brooding over the defeat.

The England international who revealed a desire to lead the Gunners to victory in Sunday's final against Manchester City recalled with pain how Martins who currently plies his trade in China with Shanghai Shenhua, dashed Gunners dream scoring a crucial goal in front of 88,851 spectators that saw his then club Birmingham city running away with a 2-1 victory.

Arsenal were huge favourites ahead of the Wembley decider seven years ago, but Obafemi Martins' 89th-minute winner following a mix-up between Wojciech Szczesny and Laurent Koscielny - secured an unlikely Blues win.

Wilshere, who played in that match, is now hoping to go one better against Premier League leaders Manchester City in a competition Arsene Wenger has never won.

"In 2011, we were expected to win and I was convinced we were going to win and come home with silverware," he told Sky Sports.

"I think it helps as you grow up in football. You get more experience in these [situations]. I know we didn't like it, but I think it helped me in my career; it was a horrible feeling.

"We've won at Wembley in the FA Cup and it was the best thing ever. [They are] totally different emotions and we don't want to feel [defeat] again.

"We know that City will be tough, but we also know what it takes to win at Wembley, and we have a fantastic record there. It's a final and anything can happen. We'll be ready.

"Since [the Birmingham game], we haven't really been anywhere near [the final] in this competition. I want to add this trophy to my collection, and almost feel there is some unfinished business because of the 2011 final."

Wilshere was branded "the most over-rated player on the planet" by Roy Keane this week, after captaining a Europa League loss at home to Ostersunds, but the England international says he is pleased with his form after appearing to have finally shaken off his long-term injury problems.

"I'm happy with the way I've been playing and happy to be back," he added. "It was a long road back and I never doubted myself, but it was nice to prove to myself I can fight and get into this team.

"I'm enjoying being back in the first-team fold here. I had a good year at Bournemouth, but the plan was to come back here," he added, referring to last term's loan spell at the Vitality Stadium.

SheBelieves Cup: Neville leaves out Eniola Aluko

Three Lioness new coach and former Manchester united ace Phil Neville has released his 23-man team for this year's SheBelieves Cup.

 Nigeria born England international Eniola Aluko was however conspicuously missing from the list

Neville who was appointed to the position last month however named Anita Asante in his first England Women squad, with the Chelsea defender called up for the first time since 2015.

The Ghanaian born defender line up with fellow Chelsea defender Hannah Blundell and Everton's Gabby George  who could win their first caps in next month's SheBelieves Cup in the USA.

Captain Steph Houghton is included in new head coach Neville's 23-player squad, despite nursing an injured foot.

Phil however appears to be using the SheBelieves Cup to discover some new players hinting that the door remains open for all the established players ahead of the world Cup qualifiers in 2019.

Neville's squad will meet in London this week before jetting out to the USA for the four-Nation contest, comprising the hosts, France, Germany and England.

'I have been really impressed by what I have seen in the past few weeks,' said Neville, who took charge of England Lionesses last month.

'Some exciting young players have caught my eye, and not just those that have been picked for this squad.

'They will get an opportunity in the coming months to challenge the established players who, of course, deserve big respect for what they have done to take this team to third in the world.

'I also hope this squad shows that the door is not closed to anyone and that those in form will always have a strong chance of being picked.'

England's third involvement in the annual contest will form pivotal preparation for April's 2019 World Cup qualifying clashes against Wales and Bosnia.

Mo Marley will assist Neville on an interim basis, with a permanent number two not expected to be appointed until the summer.

Former England captain Casey Stoney will also join Neville's backroom staff, having this week retired from a playing career that included 130 Lionesses appearances.

Aluko who has so far made about 102 appearances for England scoring 33 goals  has not been called up to the national team since may 2016. She featured prominently in the probe into allegation of bullying and claims of racism the forced the exit of former coach Mark Simpson

The SheBelieves Cup is an invitational women's association football/soccer tournament held annually in March in the United States. In its three first years (2016, 2017, and 2018), it has been contested by the same four teams: the United States, England, France, and Germany. England have finished in the third place in two editions with USA and France winning the first and second editions respectively.

England Squad to the SheBelieves Cup:

Goalkeepers: K Bardsley (Manchester City), S Chamberlain (Liverpool), C Telford (Chelsea)

Defenders: A Asante, H Blundell, M Bright (all Chelsea), L Bronze (Lyon), G George (Everton), A Greenwood (Liverpool), S

Houghton (Manchester City), D Stokes (Manchester City)

Midfielders: I Christiansen (Manchester City), J Nobbs (Arsenal), J Scott, K Walsh (both Manchester City), F Williams (Reading)

Forwards: K Carney (Chelsea), T Duggan (Barcelona), F Kirby (Chelsea), M Lawley (Manchester City), N Parris (Manchester

City), J Taylor (Melbourne City), E White (Birmingham City)

Schumacher daughter's Gina waxing strong

Hope indeed is not lost for formular one great Michael Schumacher, as daughter Gina Maria Schumacher continues to take the family name to greater heights. 

Gina, 20, stunned the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Friday as she took part in its novice Cavalli a Roma event in Italy claiming the first position, though  she wasn't present at the prize-giving ceremony. 

Known for her impressive horse-handling skills, Gina Maria Schumacher was seen taking the reins once more as her Formula One legend father remains unable to speak or walk.

Just four months ago she showcased her riding skills at the NRHA European Derby in Lyon, France, where she was watched by her boyfriend Iain Bethke and mother Corinna Schumacher. 

It was the same month she issued a heart-wrenching appeal to reignite hope for Michael's recovery.

The seven-time world champion, 49, has been unable to walk or speak since suffering a head injury during a life-threatening skiing accident in the Alps in December 2013.

Gina reignited hope for her father to return to health as she urged the sportsman to 'keep fighting', in an inspirational Instagram message.

The record-breaking driver was put into a medically induced coma and underwent two life-saving operations at Grenoble Hospital.

In April 2014 he was withdrawn from the coma and moved to a hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland, before being brought home in September 2014.

His former boss, Luca di Montezemolo, has said she draws hope from the driver's resilience, telling Courier Dello Sport: 'As I know his strength, I dream that he will soon be among us again.'

Schumacher's record-breaking career spanned 22 years. From 1991 to 2012 he claimed seven World Championships.

The driver won 91 races and earned 151 podium finishes, bringing his career points to 1,566.

The German's first win was at the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix, with his first Championship victory coming in 1994, when he scraped first place by just one point. The Brazilian Grand Prix in 2012 was Schumacher's final race.

W/Cup: Brazil's man of faith Tite names squad

Can you believe it?

At a time when most coaches are penciling down probable players for their squad to Russia 2018, man of faith and Brazil Manager Tite has named his squad! 

The former defensive midfielder did not only name a squad but even named his starting 11 with Brazil scheduled to open their campaign in Russia against Switzerland on June 17.

Speaking on Friday, the 56-year-old revealed there was no place for Liverpool's Roberto Firmino or Paris Saint-Germain's Thiago Silva in the first XI but they are in the 15 players he has selected.

'The 11 who will start are Alisson; Marcelo, Miranda, Marquinhos, Daniel Alves; Paulinho, Renato Augusto and Casemiro,

Neymar, Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus,' Tite said in an interview with UOL Esportes.

The team are expected to play in a 4-3-3 formation when they kick start their World Cup campaign in 120 days time against Switzerland in Group E.

The other two players that have been chosen for his squad so far are Manchester City's Fernandinho and Chelsea's Willian. 

With just eight places remaining on the plane to Russia, several players will be looking to impress over the next four months.

In the Premier League, City's shot-stopper Ederson is yet to make the squad as well as wing back Danilo while Chelsea's out-of-favour David Luiz and Tottenham's January signing Lucas Moura have also missed out for now.

Juventus' Douglas Costa, Atletico Madrid's Filipe Luis and Bayern Munich's Rafinha will also be looking to stake their claim for a place in the squad. 

Brazil became the first team to qualify for the World Cup back in March and topped South American qualification.

Tite's side will be in search of their sixth World Cup and after Switzerland they will face Costa Rica and Serbia in the group stages.

More squad information may however emerge when Brazil play Russia and Germany in friendly matches in March.

A good number of the coaches heading for Russia are not thinking of rolling out the names of players just now with many hoping that injury worries and other unforeseen circumstances may be out of the way by the time the final selection is made at least a month to  kickoff 

Fortuna Sittard sacks Oliseh *says the Nigerian too stubborn for comfort

After initial assurances given to former Super Eagles Coach Sunday Oliseh by his Dutch second division side Fortuna Sittard that his position as head coach is not threatened, the club Wednesday formerly parted ways with the former Eagles Captain for what the club dubbed inevitable decision.

The club which has been on losing streak for some time now however said the Oliseh's sack has nothing to do with his recent inability to win matches but his behavior and attitude towards management and staff including players which has become too tough to bear.  The club accused Oliseh of making the working relation within the club frosty, adding that efforts made by management to get Oliseh to repent fell on deaf ears.

In what could pass for keeping the record straight and speaking out of the abundant of the heart, the club via its verified twitter handle said

"Fortuna Sittard has immediately put its coach Sunday Oliseh on non-active. The club management makes this decision as a result of the repeatedly culpable actions for a longer period by the trainer towards several persons in the organization.

Several attempts by the club to move the trainer to other behavior remained unfortunately without result, resulting in an unworkable situation as a result.

The board of Fortuna Sittard emphasizes that the decision to sack Sunday Oliseh is not motivated by the current sporting performance. Because of his inadmissible actions, the coach has made the cooperation with many people within the organization impossible, from players, to employees. Fortuna Sittard regrets the decision, but states that the club interest goes above all else.

Oliseh joined Sittard on the 27th December 2016 shortly after leading Eagles to first round ouster in the 2016 edition of Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in Rwanda.

Fortuna Sittard have played and lost five matches back to back between 12th January and 12th February, even as they host Telstar without Oliseh on Friday.