Neymar To Return Soon...

Brazil international, Neymar, has hinted that he will return to action in Barcelona Joan Gamper Trophy pre-season clash against Leon on August 18.

The 22-year-old attacker fractured his back during the World Cup quarter-final victory over Colombia on July 4 - and he has since been off the pitch.

Now, after make good progress recovering, Neymar hopes to return to Barcelona for pre-season on August 5 before featuring in the annual Gamper game at Camp Nou.

Popular 'manhood' and its effects on our African society

In an era dominated by men who want to live a life void of ennui, the true meaning of the term 'manhood' has been generally abused. Most men are quick to refer to the word manhood - when speaking about matters of less relevance - without thinking of its true meaning.

Although an ambiguous term, the true definition of manhood ought to be shrouded by the assumption of the full responsibilities of any man. In other words, when referring to manhood, a person should be quick to think of responsibilities - and how to assume them. However, most men of our society, today, have mistaken manhood for the sexual organ alone. Those in this school of thought feel like 'real men' when they can impregnate every woman and leave them in 'womanhood' states.

Leboeuf: Luiz is not a defender

Former Chelsea defender, Franck Leboeuf, has questioned Paris Saint Germain's decision to sign David Luiz - as he feels the skillfull centre-half has proven to be too unreliable to play in defence.

The Brazil international became the world's most expensive defender - when PSG paid Chelsea €50 million to lure the versatile defender to the Parc des Princes.

Drogba: A Great Feeling

For any player, cementing your place in the hearts and minds of a club’s supporters is no easy task, but it’s something Drogba undoubtedly achieved during his initial eight-year period as a Blue.

The affection of the Stamford Bridge faithful was secured through a host of influential displays, all manner of important goals and, of course, the penalty which saw us crowned champions of Europe in 2012.

Drogba, 36, departed the club soon after that memorable night in Munich, embarking upon spells with Shanghai Shenhua and, most recently, Galatasaray.

We want to get back to doing things well - Iniesta

 

Barcelona ace Andres Iniesta said on Friday that the Catalan club are looking to recapture the kind of form they enjoyed under the leadership of former coach Pep Guardiola.

Following the replacement of coach Gerard Martino by Luis Enrique, the Blaugrana are hoping to rebuild the squad - after they failed to win major silverware last season.

I Want To Win Trophies At Madrid - James Rodriguez

 

Newly recruited Real Madrid star, James Rodriguez, has revealed how he “dreamt” of signing for the Spanish club his whole life; and stated that he is now anxious to start winning trophies at the Santiago Bernabeu.

James, who scooped the 2014 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, joined Santiago Bernabeu from Monaco for €80 million earlier this week.

Speaking to the media, James says he is planning a lengthy and trophy-laden career at the Spanish capital.

We Are All Marked people - Tinubu

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Thursday, lamented  that the country is in the grip of terror.

Tinubu also criticised the President , Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and his administration for its “bungling, back passing and blackmailing Presidency”.

Thank God For Saving Buhari's Life - President Jonathan

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, condemned the bombings in Kaduna whilst thanking God for sparing the lives of Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) and prominent Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan denounced the targeting of political and religious leaders by terrorists; and indicated that he had directed the Police and other security agencies to take all necessary actions to apprehend the perpetrators of the attacks.

Iheanacho earns praise from Man City coach Pellegrini

Manchester City boss, Manuel Pellegrini, has heaped praise on Nigerian starlet Kelechi Iheanacho for his impressive performance in the 4-1 win over Sporting KC at the Sporting Park, Kansas on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old, who netted a screamer in the 88th minutes, was exceptional for his side on his debut appearance - as they cruised past Sporting KC.

And Pellegrini believes the young Nigerian player would be an important player for the Manchester club in the future, if he remains focused.

Bombers wanted to kill me - Gen. Buhari

Former military head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) has insisted that the second explosion that ripped through Kaduna on Wednesday afternoon was an assassination attempt on his life.

Time Right To Transfer From Barcelona - Fabregas

Spain international Cesc Fabregas says the time was right for him to leave Barcelona - when he returned to the Premier League with Chelsea this summer. 

Fabregas, who stayed three years with Barca, left the Catalan club for Stamford Bridge in June - although former club Arsenal had an option to re-sign their former captain, but didn't grab it.

However, the scrupulous midfielder made the switch to the west London club, where the chance of working for Jose Mourinho also proved to be a significant draw.

Ideye Would Need Time And Patience To Excel - Anichebe

West Brom striker, Victor Anichebe, has made a passionate appeal to fans of the West Midland team to be patient with the club record signing and fellow compatriot, Brown Ideye, as the latter adapts to the English style of play.

Ideye, 25, who is believed to be West Brom's record signing, overtook Stephane Sessegnon's 5.5 million pounds record transfer from Sunderland last year.

Israel warns Gaza Residents to Evacuate or Suffer Disaster

A leaflet air-dropped by Israeli forces warning residents to evacuate

According to BBC News, Israel has urged thousands of Palestinians in eastern and northern Gaza to leave their homes as the Israeli Army will continue air strikes - despite Egypt's intervention.

Reports claim there was an Egyptian truce initiative on Tuesday - but it has failed to halt rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas militants and other groups.
And Israel, which had its first fatality on Tuesday, said senior Hamas militants had died in strikes on Gaza overnight.

TRANSFER MARKET: Visuals Brings You Top Summer Done Deals

The Premier League gets hotter as top teams continue to do business in the summer transfer market. Visuals Blog brings to you all of the top Premier League deals done in the summer transfer window since the end of last season.

Manchester City
IN: 
Bacary Sagna              Arsenal - Manchester City                          (Free)
Willy Caballero            Malaga - Manchester City                          (£6m)
Fernando                     FC Porto - Manchester City                         (£12m)  Continue...

Chelsea Open Talks With Drogba Over Sensational Return

 

Chelsea Football Club have reportedly opened discussions with Didier drogba about bringing their former talisman back to Stamford Bridge, Daily Mail reports.

Jose Mourinho, who signed Drogba from Marseille during his first spell at Chelsea in 2004, wants to resign the  36-year-old Ivorian as a player coach - making his one of the strikers and giving him coaching responsibilities to develop his role at the club. 

The Portuguese manager needs an extra forward to support newly signed Diego Costa and the struggling Fernando Torres - who is keen to stay at Stamford Bridge despite interest from Inter Milan.

Lionel Messi not happy with Golden Ball award

After losing the World Cup to Germany, Argentina captain Lionel Messi is indifferent about the Golden Ball award as he insisted winning the collective prize for his people was more valuable.

Despite Mario Goetze's late strike giving Germany the win, the Barcelona star was still crowned the 'player of the tournament' for his outstanding performance.

However, Messi admitted it was hard to take consolation from carrying his country to the final for the first time in 24 years in the immediate aftermath of the defeat.

Germany Emerge 2014 FIFA World Cup Winners

Coach Joachim Leow was vindicated on Sunday, July 13, as the German football machines were crowned champions of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

No doubt, the best team of the tournament won the trophy; but a more appealing truth is that the Germans deserved this term's trophy more than any other country, judging by their effective team work and level of success in the last three FIFA World Cups outings -  where they were runner ups once and two times bronze winners.

‘First Half’ German Lessons Every Employee Should Learn

 

Their game started 16 years ago when they faced a Croatian side. They lost! An added four years pitched them in the finals against Brazil and the German side went down with only two missiles. The Italians gave additional two knocks after four more years. The Germans were undeterred. They came back again, this time in Africa and Spain sent them packing with just a single goal! Today, after another four good years, they are still fighting and you’ll agree with that the 7 -1 victory against Brazil is a good indication that this time they’re determined to win and lift the trophy in days to come. But there are several ‘First Half’ lessons employees have to learn from this Game of Thrones (as I’d like to call it). Continue...

Brazil Semi Final Humiliation: The Missing Ingredient and Lessons to Learn

                                                B ------------------ 1

                                                R ------------------ 2

                                                A ------------------ 3

                                                S ------------------ 4

                                                I ------------------- 5

                                                L ------------------ 6

                                                ! ------------------- 7 

It was a screamer!!! Eventually the Selecao, via Oscar, were able to cancel the expression mark which makes it seven. This is the first time Brazil were this humiliated since losing 6-0 to Uruguay in 1920.

The Brazilians were stunned as Germany got a sweet revenge of the 2-0 loss in the final match of the 2002 World Cup tournament in Korea/Japan.

Israel launches major military offensive against Hamas

The Israeli military launched what could be a long-term offensive against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Tuesday - striking at least 50 sites in Gaza and mobilizing troops for a possible ground invasion aimed at stopping a barrage of rocket attacks against Israel.

According to sources, the military said "Operation Protective Edge" aims at striking the Islamic Hamas group and ending the intensified rocket fire that has reached deeper into Israel in recent weeks, adding to the tensions over the killing of three Israeli teenagers and the apparent revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager.

Semi Final: Captain David Luiz Urges Team Mates

Ahead of the Semi Final clash between Germany and Brazil, interim captain David Luiz believes the Selecao face the "game of our lives" when they take on Germany in the World Cup semifinal in Bela Horizonte on Tuesday.

Brazil will face the German machines without star man Neymar after an injury suffered against Colombia in the last eight put him out of the tournament, and captain Thiago Silva, who was suspended.

The Germans Lack a 'Poacher' - Raul

Former Spain international, Raul Gonzalez, believes Joachim Leow's Germany lack the Jurgen Klinsmann type of approach and killer instinct - which could help fire them to glory.

Low's side have been functional rather than flamboyant in the tournament, defending efficiently and producing effective goal-scoring results; with attacking midfielder, Thomas Muller, leading the line and the 36-year-old Miroslav Klose operating as an impact substitute.

Pele backs Luis Suarez sanction

 

Footballing legend Pele has backed FIFA's stance on its decision to ban Luis Suarez from all football-related activity for four month, following his biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini on June 24.

The ruling, which also saw Suarez banned from nine international matches and fined 65,000 pounds, has been described as "too harsh", including Argentina legend Diego Maradona questioning the severity of the punishment.

But with an appeal in process, Pele believes the governing body was well within its rights to make an example of Suarez - in order to prevent a repetition of such

Gaza Launches a Dozen Rockets, Hits House in Southern Israel

 

According to recent reports, a rocket launched from Gaza slammed into a house in southern Israel on Thursday, the military said, causing no injuries but adding to the mounting tensions surrounding the suspected revenge killing of an Arab teen in Jerusalem.

Israeli media showed footage of a large hole in the house, in the southern border town of Sderot, where earlier another house was struck, causing heavy damage to the structure and a nearby road and knocking out electricity throughout the town. No one was wounded in that strike.

CONFAB: Ozekhome wants Nigeria renamed ‘AIREGIN’

Chief Mike Ozekhome, a Federal Government delegate at the ongoing National Conference in Abuja, has proposed that the name Nigeria should be changed to ‘Airegin’.

He made the proposal on Wednesday, while contributing to the debate on the report of the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government, co-chaired by retired General Ike Nwachukwu and Honourable Umaru Kumaila.

Ozekhome  argued that it was imperative to wash Nigeria of the colonial legacy saying that it was a colonial imposed name which should be changed to reflect originality, suggesting that the old National anthem, written by Mr Taiwo Akinwumi, and the old flag, which was designed with the rising sun on it should be reintroduced, as it is peculiar with all parts of the country.

Mikel Obi heaps praise on Pogba

Following the second round clash of the Fifa World Cup between Nigeria and France on Monday which ended 2-0, Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi has heaped praise on Les Blues and Juventus star Paul Pogba.

The Chelsea man has owned up that apart from the midfield duel with Pogba being "incredible", the Frenchman also deserved top marks.

World Cup 2014: Lionel Messi 'very alone' - Maradona

Napoli great Diego Armando Maradona has hinted on Argentina's poor form, saying than Lionel Messi is "alone" and singlehandedly dragging the Albiceleste through this World Cup.

The 27-year-old Barcelona ace has been named man of the match in every of Argentina's four matches at the tournament so far. He netted four goals in their first three games and laid on the 118th minute winner for Angel Di Maria in Tuesday's 1-0 last-16 win over Switzerland. 

And Maradona believes the team must raise their game if they must beat a highly spirited Belgium side in the quarter-final match, and progress to the semis.

Keshi's Exit Would Be Too Risky - Okocha

Former Nigeria captain Austine 'JayJay' Okocha believes the resignation of Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles head coach would be detrimental to the growth of the country's football.

The former Bolton Wanderer play-maker described Keshi, 52, as the "best indigenous coach Nigeria ever had" since the reign of football in the country.

Hence, Okocha stressed continuity, stating that the Delta-born coach deserves a long term job with the national team.