A preview of Nigeria vs Liberia: It’s win or bust

by ‘Ifreke Inyang October is almost a month to dread for the Super Eagles. This time last year, the Nigerian national team’s dream of qualifying for the African Cup of Nations, for first time since 1986, was nipped right in the bud. The absence of Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal, etc. from the continental fiesta, that was... Read More

calabar, Cross River, football, liberia, mikel obi, nations cup, nigeria, super eagles

October 6, 2012

Assy or Classy? Girls of Brazil’s ‘Miss Bum-bum’ pageant (PHOTOS)

by Isi Esene Brazilians love football, samba, carnival and beautiful women, but only a few people know how crazy they are about perfectly shaped derrieres until now when the highly competitive Miss Bumbum pageant took the world by storm. This year’s edition has attracted over 500 participants with a grand-finale to take place later in November... Read More

ass, brazil, class, competition, feminism, football, pageant

October 4, 2012

TICKER: New FIFA ranking is Nigeria’s worst in 10 years – Click for details

The Super Eagles of Nigeria has dropped five places to 63rd in the world in the latest FIFA Rankings released by the world football governing body. This is Nigeria’s worst ranking in a decade to show the decline of the team in world football. This ranking is coming as the Super Eagles are preparing for... Read More

fifa, football, nigeria, rank

October 2, 2012

Over and out: Michael Ballack announces retirement from football

by ‘Ifreke Inyang Former Bayern Munich and Chelsea midfielder, Michael Ballack, has announced his retirement from football. The former German international, confirmed his decision, via a statement from his lawyers, in which he thanked everyone who was a part of his career. “At 36 years old I can look back on a long and wonderful... Read More

ballack, football, retirement

September 17, 2012

Osaze Odemwingie to be banned for three games

by Stanley Azuakola For his unsportsmanlike behaviour during West Bromwich Albion’s 0-3 loss to Fulham over the weekend, Super Eagles striker, Peter Odemwingie faces a three-match ban. On Saturday, as the two Barclays English Premier League teams clashed, Odemwingie kicked Fulham player, Sascha Reither, earning him a straight red card. Dimitar Berbatov had already put Fulham in front... Read More

ban, football, Fulham, Osaze Odemwingie, Sascha Reither, striker

September 17, 2012

Real Madrid: Time to get real

by Olayinka Okelana After the last round of matches, I am of the opinion that it would take another extra-ordinary run from Real Madrid to win the La Liga this 2012/2013 season. Sitting eight (8) points behind their eternal rivals, Barcelona, Real Madrid have just 4points from 4 matches – their worst start in about a... Read More

football, la liga, Olayinka Okelana, real madrid, ronaldo

September 1, 2012

We own you, Sheffield: Nigerian “buys” English football club

by Stanley Azuakola Carried away by the wealth of the big English football clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United, football fans aren’t too aware of the struggles faced by many other clubs, especially in the lower leagues. Clubs like Sheffield United. Sheffield United, which is now in the third tier of English football... Read More

football, Jacob Esan, Kevin McCabe, nigeria, playoff, premier league, Sheffield United

August 28, 2012

Wayne Rooney stays overnight in hospital after suffering deep gash (See Photos)

by Isi Esene Wayne Rooney suffered a nasty gash in a premier league match and here’s a snapshot of the Manchester United striker’s day on the pitch. The England star was left with a deep gash in his leg, a wound so serious it had to be treated in hospital. He stayed there overnight receiving... Read More

football, hospital, injury, manchester united, wayne rooney

August 17, 2012

Opinion: The EPL is back – Let’s run through the drama to come

by Onome Onodarho The wait is finally over. After three months the most exciting league in the world is back. August 18th is the beginning of a nine month rollercoaster ride with May offering the winner the coveted title of Primer League champions. The EPL has over the past few seasons shifted from its traditional... Read More

English premier league, football, Onome Onodarho, sports

July 30, 2012

Video: A red in the making? Usain Bolt auditions for Manchester United

by Stanley Azuakola Usain Bolt has nothing to prove when it comes to sprinting on the tracks. As the world record holder in the 100m and 200m sprint events, it’s safe to say he’s been there, done that and has a T-shirt for it. When he’s not sprinting though, he’s an avid Manchester United supporter,... Read More

alex ferguson, audition, football, manchester united, sprint, usain bolt, world record

July 21, 2012

“No chance” – Sir Alex Ferguson promises no repeat of Manchester United’s Champions League exit

by Adeniyi Abdul Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out any possibility of the club suffering a similar Champions League fate as last year where the team was eliminated from the competition at the earliest stage. The club had reached the final of the competition in three of the previous four editions and... Read More

alex ferguson, Basel, champions league, football, manchester united, soccer

July 12, 2012

“He will have to be disciplined” – Portsmouth isn’t too pleased with Kanu’s absence

by Adeniyi Abdul Nigerian soccer veteran Nwaknwo Kanu may be in a bit of trouble with his club Portsmouth FC due to his tardiness. The striker is said to have missed 2 days of training with his teammates at Fratton Park without offering any explanations. “Kanu is back in Nigeria” said club administrator Trevor Birch.... Read More

football, Kanu Nwankwo, nigeria, Portsmouth, soccer

July 11, 2012

Drink Responsibly: Ronaldinho loses £500,000-a-year sponsorship deal … for drinking Pepsi

by Seyi Lawal £500,000 a year for a can of Pepsi? Exactly how much Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho lost in a sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola after turning up at a press conference and sipping nonchalantly from a can of Pepsi. Ronaldinho stunned Coke chiefs at the Atlanta-based firm who immediately demanded that the plug be pulled on... Read More

coca cola, football, pepsi, Ronaldinho

July 9, 2012

Opinion: Puritan clubs (Arsenal), salary caps, and the problem with football

by Jide Taiwo For the purpose of full disclosure, I am an Arsenal fan. But that has not hindered me from seeing other clubs’ successes and the shortcomings of mine. My love for the game transcends club affiliations. The last time Arsenal won a trophy was 2005. Football has since changed since. And as each... Read More

arsenal, chelsea, football, money

July 6, 2012

Here at last: Premier League might adopt goal-line technology in 2012-13

by Chi Ibe It can be revealed that the Premier League might introduce Goal-line technology midway through the 2012-13 season after it was approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Zurich, the BBC reports. Two systems – Hawk-Eye and GoalRef – have passed Fifa’s criteria for use. The technology set to be launched... Read More

fifa, football, Goal-line technology, GoalRef, Hawk-Eye, premier league

July 5, 2012

OPINION: Nigeria and the science of soccer

by Martin Udogie NOT far, I’m afraid. And no Nigerian coach can either, under the present football environment. Soccer has gone scientific. In 2003, Real Madrid sold Claude Makelele to Chelsea for $27 million. It seemed an outrageous overpayment for a 30 year-old inconspicuous midfielder. “We will not miss Makelele,” said Madrid’s President Florentino Perez.... Read More

fifa, football, football clubs, nigeria, soccer

June 24, 2012

Explosion hits Bauchi

by Hauwa Gambo An explosion has occurred in Bauchi State a few minutes ago. We can confirm that an improvised explosive device (IED) has exploded in the busy Bayan Garin area of Bauchi township. Residents heard explosons which reportedly occured near People’s Club Hotel. The hotel has a popular football viewing centre where several people... Read More

Bauchi, boko haram, Bomb, football, Sunday

June 12, 2012

‘Forget the past, we must beat Rwanda silly’ – Super Eagles Goalie Vincent Enyeama

by Lekan Olanrewaju Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has said that the team needs to look beyond his past mistakes and focus on moving forward. The goalie who has been criticised for conceding a last minute goal which helped Malawi equalise in a World Cup qualifier against the Eagles in Blantyre on Saturday, also stated... Read More

football, Malawi, nations cup, nigeria, Rwanda, super eagles, Vincent Enyeama, world cup

May 27, 2012

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu: Dying for the English (YNaija FrontPage)

The announcement that Arsenal FC will be in Abuja this year, already shows that we might be in for even crazier times. “Buahahaha!!! See ur dead boys. Eyaah, I know say you no go fit chop for one week after this one. Hahahaha! Useless manure”. That was a friend’s Blackberry message to me on May... Read More

fan club, football, manchester united, YNaija Frontpage

May 26, 2012

Yomi Kazeem: Don’t hate the player … (30 Days, 30 Voices)

We cannot understand why some guys do not like football (I, personally think they are aliens) and we just cannot understand why anyone will want to watch Africa Magic when a football game is on! “Football is not just a matter of life and death: it’s much more important than that.” – Bill Shankly. After... Read More

football, YNaija 30 Days, Yomi Kazeem

May 21, 2012

PICTURE: Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich? No, it’s David Cameron vs Angela Merkel

by Tolu Orekoya G8 leaders took time off from trying to save the world from economic meltdown at Camp David in the US, to watch the Champion’s League final held in Germany. British Prime Minister David Cameron was supporting his home team Chelsea, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel supported her homeside team, Bayern Munich. President... Read More

.US, 2012, angela merkel, barack obama, camp david, champions league, david cameron, football

May 19, 2012

Are you bleeding blue yet? Chelsea are the European champions!

“Amazing Grace Chelsea!” is how publisher and politician Dele Momodu just put it on Twitter and he’s just about right. Chelsea FC, led we will say by the impressive Didier Dogba has won the 2012 UEFA Champions League against Bayern Munich. With this, Abrahamovic finally wins the coveted trophy. It’s also a trophy moment for... Read More

blue, chelsea, europe, football, league, uefa

May 18, 2012

Photo of the Day: Rio Ferdinand is done

By Hauwa Gambo As Sky Sports News puts it, “Rio Ferdinand has enjoyed a greatly prosperous season.” All in favour say, “Aye!”

football, rio ferdinand

May 18, 2012

Ronaldo speaks to CNN: I’m better than Messi

by Hauwa Gambo We thought only wrestlers said this kind of thing? Well, see excerpts from CNN’s interview with the footballer Cristiano Ronaldo below: It’s not a phrase that usually gets said out loud, but you have to feel sorry for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid player has just finished the season of his life,... Read More

football, messi, Mourinho, ronaldo

May 14, 2012

“The God that melted their 44-year jinx will break Arsenal’s!”- See the top ten tweets about the EPL finals

by Lekan Olanrewaju Regardless of what team you support, or if you couldn’t even be bothered to bat an eyelash over football at all, you’ll have to agree, yesterday was one for the books. From the glimmer of hope Manchester United enjoyed (or suffered, depending on how you want to look at it), to Arsenal clinching... Read More

arsenal, epl, football, manchester city, manchester united, twitter.

May 12, 2012

“Rashidi Yekini was killed” and someone should ask his family questions – Segun Odegbami

by Segun Odegbami This is one of the most difficult articles I have ever written. I now believe that the universe sought me out some months ago for an assignment, to bear witness and to testify in the unfolding events surrounding the life and death of Rashidi Yekini! But why me? Within the football circle I believe... Read More

football, Rashidi Yekini, segun odegbami

May 5, 2012

Rashidi Yekini Tribute: Long live our goal king

One of the iconic images of the 1994 World Cup in the USA, is that of a player remaining in the net for a few seconds after scoring his team’s opening goal, shaking the net and talking to himself. It seemed like he had done more than just finish off a swift, flowing move... Read More

dead, football, funeral, goal, Ibadan, Rashidi Yekini, RIP, scorer Nigeria, Video

April 25, 2012

“This is sick” – Taye Taiwo responds to rumours about twin brother’s age

by Lekan Olanrewaju For the past couple of days, a certain joke has been making the rounds on online social network Twitter about Nigerian footballer Taye Taiwo and supposed lies about his age. The message says “Nigerian Football Star Taye Taiwo Turns 25 Today In UK & His Twin Brother Turns 33 In Nigeria” although... Read More

age, football, Taye Taiwo, twin

March 22, 2012

Messi is not the greatest! “Calling Messi the best footballer ever is like referring to soap as the ultimate cleaner”

by Ifada Johnson If Messi is regarded as the best footballer, can he ever be a better defender that Baressi? His name may be Messi but he shows no mercy and leaves his opponents messy. 234 goals at only 24 years of age, and he still has a lot of years ahead to shatter all the... Read More

football, lionel messi

February 26, 2012

Stephen Keshi “not bothered” that Super Eagles are out of FIFA Top 50

By Lekan Olanrewaju Coach of the Nigerian national football team has stated that he is “not bothered” by the country’s dip in the latest FIFA World Rankings. In an exclusive interview with All Africa, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi said “I am not bothered about the Super Eagles’ rankings; my goal is to win all... Read More

fifa, football, stephen keshi, super eagles