The Champion

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The Final!

Saturday, May 23rd, 2009

After nine months of rigorous exertions on the field of play and more than a hundred matches, we are down to the finals of the 2009 UEFA Champions League. The date, May 27, 2009 will go down in history as either the day that Manchester United won their fourth European cup or the day that [...]

Post Mortem: Champions League Semi-Final

Sunday, May 10th, 2009

At the risk of been seeing as gloating, I was absolutely correct on my takes for the UEFA Champions League finals. So, Manchester United is locking horns against Barcelona in the finals of the most prestigious football club competition in the world. Who could have written such a great script as this?
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The last time [...]

Football: Nothing Like it!

Sunday, April 5th, 2009

When I did a piece on the last minute defeat suffered by Hull City against Aston Villa some months back, little did I know that the same thing is going to replay itself today. And true to the famed karmic law, Villa also suffered a last minute defeat to Manchester United in a game they [...]

What is this?

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

A couple of weeks back, I wrote on our upcoming match against the Mozambicans and I titled it ‘No Excuse’. I made reference to the point that the players have a big role to play in deciding whether Nigeria will be at SA 2010 or not. I specifically appealed to their sense of patriotism and [...]

Here We go Again.

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

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 [...]

Has the Bubbles’ Burst?

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

From the lofty heights of 24 unbeaten record prior to the game against local rivals, Espanyol and a commanding 12 points lead at the top of the table; the reality at Nou Camp is a very sharp contrast to the fairy tale run earlier commented on. Who would believe that the Catalans would draw a [...]

Who Goes Through?

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

Starting from tonight, the pictures of the clubs that would be declared quarter finalist will begin to get clearer as the first leg of the first knockout round of the UEFA champions league is played in several cities across Europe. The heat is on and only the brave and determined will survive.
Four English, four [...]

To the Injured!

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

His broken leg was held together only by his skin and the socks he wore. It was a sickening challenge and a most unfortunate injury. Within a flash, the career that took off about five months earlier became threatened and a glorious dream suddenly at risk of death! This is the apt description of what [...]

Who’s at Fault?

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

 

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 Grant [...]

What is Happening?

Friday, December 26th, 2008

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Over the past few months, we ‘ve tasted defeat in virtually all cadres of football whether in Africa or the world at large. From the Super Falcons to Flying Eagles to Falconets, it has been one story of woe or the other.
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The significance of our downward trend was so lucidly highlighted when our Under 23 [...]

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