When the first knockout round draw was made, I tried to make an informed guess (in football we call it analysis or preview) of what is likely to be the outcome of that round. At the end of the day, I got seven right out of the results. I even predicted the outcome of the [...]

That the Super Eagles got 100% result in the first round qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa is no longer news. However, it was by far the most outstanding first round qualifying result we’ve had as a Nation. During the matches, we displayed some good football and showed team cohesion that [...]

Within three weeks, more than twenty footballers lost their lives from unfortunate but preventable accidents! Accidents that have become almost a daily occurrence on our murderous roads and there seems to be no hope in sight to curb the unwelcome malady. Even the devil will cringe at the sight of some of the aberrations we [...]

During the EURO 2008 tournament in Austria and Switzerland last year, a small but highly skillful player emerged on the scene after a series of brilliant displays notably the defeat of the Netherlands. It wasn’t as if he was a nobody; after all, he was very instrumental in helping Zenit St Petersburg qualify for Champions [...]

  Prior to the arrival of Philippe Scolari to Stamford Bridge, the place was a fortress for almost five years. The last team to beat them at their ground was Arsenal. This remarkable run began under Claudio, the ‘tinker aman’ Ranieri and became a permanent fixture under Jose ‘special one’ Mourinho. Even the underrated Avram [...]

  What a total domination! I would never have betted against Chelsea getting at a least a draw from Old Trafford. Over the years, they‘ve been the only team to have gotten the most out of that side from their grand home.   However, today, that was not to be as the Red Devils set [...]

  Dear friend, welcome to 2009, a year of UNUSUAL EXPOLITS! Whatever your shortcomings were last year, you are free from them in this new one. I think ‘am beginning to preach!   The year that just went by had its ups and downs just like any other. It was a year of great pain [...]

  The next round of hostilities in the UEFA Champions League would not commence until February next year but the excitement even now is almost palpable!   Today, the pairings for the first knock out stage was announced and some intriguing matches were thrown up in the process. This is the best club competition in the [...]

  If there is any football match in Europe that can take the title ‘Clash of Titans’, then it would definitely be the one that involves Real Madrid and Barcelona. Over the years, these matches had served up unbelievable entertainment and intrigues that can put some box office movies to shame! The latest installment in [...]

  Nigeria will be at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa! This is the minimum that is expected of a team that holds great promise and potential for the first senior world cup to be held on the continent. My expectations are very high and deservedly so.   The Super Eagles of Nigeria plays [...]