We will bring Tornadoes back to glorious moments

Suleman David was the team manager of Niger Tornadoes football club in 1996, from whence he raised to become club chairman when he got appointed as club chairman in 1998, leading Tornadoes to a WAFU cup continental campaign in 2000, before he was shown the exit door in 2004.

Four weeks into the ongoing Nigeria premier league season, Suleman was appointed once again to steer the management of Niger Tornadoes, in an interview, the former technical committee chairman of the then Nigeria football association, bares his mind on the challenges confronting his team and how they intend to overcome the administrative hurdles staring at the newly inaugurated management of Niger Tornadoes..

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What are your plans for the team, the team is under some kind of pressure, what are your plans to improve the fortune of Niger Tornadoes?

We have great plans for the team, as a matter of fact, the most fundamental plan we have for the team is to first and fore most remove the team from the relegation zone, at the time we came in, it was lying at the bottom of the league table, we had the immediate task of ensuring it moves away from that zone, which we are gradually doing and we will continue working to ensure that the club is back to reckoning, you know Tornadoes is a house hold name in Nigerian football, we want it to remain so, it is , very unfortunately the team is in the situation it is today, so we shall work towards that to ensure we lift the team higher, than it is today.

When you came in, what were the problems you identified, that were actually affecting Niger Tornadoes?

The team had multiple problems, when we came in, first of all, there was disharmony between the supporters and the management of the team, there was disharmony between the fans and the then head of the technical crew, for what they perceived as poor recruitment for the season, and there was lost of confidence between the management and the players themselves, they lost their concentration, their psychology was low and there was no team spirit, therefore we met multiple of problems on the ground and we are gradually working towards surmounting them and I think very soon, we shall be able to say we have done it.


What are you impressions about the premier league?

The league has been very wonderful, the league board has been doing their best and they have left no one in doubt about their capacity to really lift the image of football, particularly the local league, but one thing is very fundamental here, you see the league board alone can not do it, there are other factors that contributes to over all success, all the key players in the industry must come together and ensure they support the mission and vision of the league board, before we can say we have arrived there, I use this forum to call on all key players to come on board and partner with the league board and ensure that we have a very credible league in Nigeria.


What initiatives is being put in place to ensure the people of Niger state and beyond are involved in the running of the club?

First of all you need to build confidence, you have to build that confidence in the people, unless you build that confidence in the people there is no way you can get people coming nearer you, and the only way you can get people coming nearer you ids through building confidence in the system and to encourage grass root development, because it is only when you encourage grass root development, that people would see themselves as part of the system and they would come and try to contribute their own quota.
So we are trying to see, how we can encourage people to come and join hands with us and ensure, we create that awareness that is required to make Tornadoes a global team.

Do you have plans of recruiting better players and technical staff?

O f cause, there is no team in the world that does not go through re engineering from time to time, as the league continues, we discover some good players, who are ready to come to Tornadoes, we are ready to discuss with them, with the view of bringing them in, some of our own that we think are not living up to expectation, we will ask them to look for a better place or a club that is within their own level, naturally, it is natural to continue re engineering the team.

Thank you Mr Chairman for your time.

It is my pleasure; my doors are always open to the p

Gamba new Asian club champuions

Gamba reign to join world's elite
Gamba Osaka are the new kings of Asia. It was always going to be difficult for Adelaide United to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg in Japan, and after the Reds conceded two early goals, the tie was all but over.Although Aurelio Vidmar's team put up a spirited fight in the second period, Gamba never looked in danger of losing the game, and maintained their fresh, attacking brand of football right up to the final whistle.

As continental champions, they have now secured a place at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008, alongside their already-qualified opponents."As a coach I'm very satisfied, it's something I have aimed for throughout the season," said Gamba's Akira Nishino. "The standard has been very high and I'm really very happy that we have won."For Gamba and myself this is the second time we have played in the Asian Champions League, and we were always thinking about doing better than before. But we honestly never thought about this result until we got through to the final."

United captain Travis Dodd paid homage to Gamba's success. "It seemed like they had 15 players out there," he gasped."They found space, their movement off the ball was unbelievable and they're easily the best team we've played in this competition."

The gameAdelaide United 0-2 Gamba Osaka Gamba Osaka win 5-0 on aggregate
Adelaide, without key defensive lynchpins Angelo Costanzo and Eugene Galekovic, had no option but to attack from the outset, and that they did, throwing men forward in search of an early goal. But it was at the other end that the scoring was opened on five minutes, when United's stand-in keeper Mark Birighitti fumbled a shot from Hayato Sasaki into the path of Gamba's Brazilian striker Lucas Severino, who pounced on the loose ball and put the Japanese visitors 4-0 ahead on aggregate.

Things got even worse for Adelaide ten minutes later, when a sublime pass from Takahiro Futagawa put Lucas in the clear once more.

The Brazilian deftly evaded the advancing Birighitti and slotted home the second, to effectively put an end to Adelaide's Champions League dreams.
Cristiano looked to have given Adelaide the sniff of a comeback when he headed in a cross from the left on 27 minutes, but the linesman's flag denied the Brazilian. Gamba, meanwhile, had a number of chances to extend their lead before the break, but could not apply the finishing touch to any of their many sweeping moves. In the second half, the home side rallied, driven on by their captain Travis Dodd, and came close to scoring on a number of occasions. But with Sota Nakazawa defiant at the back, Adelaide failed to breach the Gamba rearguard.

The final whistle sounded to wild celebrations from the boys in blue.Football Federation Australia CEO, Ben Buckley, nevertheless praised the Reds' achievement. "Even though Adelaide were beaten by Gamba Osaka, it's a fantastic achievement for a club from the A-League to get this far in just the second year of participating in the competition," he said.The two sides will now prepare to compete against the world's elite next month.

Gamba's formidable performance will have certainly given Japan 2008 favourites Liga de Quito and Manchester United food for thought

Gov Muazu ginger Tornadoes with car gift By Abdulgafar Oladimeji and Nduka Onyeobalu

(The cars donated to Niger Tornadoes by Gov Muazu)

Niger state governor Dr Muazu Babangida has donated a 36 seater air-conditioned bus, a Peugeot 406 and a Tepee mini bus to the management and supporters club of the premier league side Niger Tornadoes, as part of his moral boosting contribution towards the team’s quest to move out of the relegation zone and put in a strong challenge for a continental place next season.

Presenting the fully air conditioned bus to the chairman of the supporters club, Saturday evening at the Late Bako Kontogora stadium, senator Dahiru Sukuta, who made the presentation on behalf of the state government, pledge the state governments continuous support to the club, particularly at a time when they keep roaming around relegation zone on the league table.


“The governor will continue to give you all the support to ensure you get off the relegation zone and even to go continental, so i have the honor to present to you a 36 seater air-conditioned bus, donated to you by the governor of Niger state in fulfillment of his promise to you during the last meeting of stake holders not long ago”.

Receiving the bus on behalf of members of the supporters club, Ahmed Alhaji Ahmed, chairman, Niger Tornadoes football club, supporters club, was overwhelm by the gesture from the state government, he painted a picture of the sufferings, they ve been encountering prior to the bus donation from the state government, whenever they had to travel to cheer their side on away league fixtures.

Ahmed Alhaji was full of praises of the state government, he then highlighted on how the bus would be put to use in the interest of the club, saying it will boost their efforts in rendering back up support to the team.

In his words” It is my happiest day in life, because we have been waiting for long, I mean waiting for a governor that would come and assist us, by providing us with a bus, Governor Muazu Babangida has wiped our tears. This has never happened in the history of supporters club in Niger state, this will go a long way in making sure, we fully contribute our quota in rescuing the team from relegation zone, with our support, that of the management and our players, we are going to rescue the team and have a continental ticket by the grace of God”.

Senator Dahiru, when presenting a Peugeot and Tepee mini to official of the club, praised the new management, led by Suleman David, charging them that with this encouragement from the Niger state government, it is believed that the team will soon move away from the Nigeria premier league dead zone.

“We overhaul the management of Tornadoes because things were not going well, since we brought the new management in, we have seen a lot of improvement and in order to give you all the encouragement, the governor and the government of Niger state, thought it worth while to present to you, two official vehicle, to make the movement of officials easy. We feel that with this encouragement of giving you transportation means, in order to be able to go round, we think Tornadoes will go out of relegation zone”.

Shehu Isa, club fanatic, hailed the donation from the state government, describing it as motivational, he said, “ It came to me a surprise, I pray that, this will mark a new beginning in the history of our great club, Tornadoes, we are in need of a standard stadium, hopefully the government will look into this need , which is crucial to football in Niger state”

Niger Tornadoes were an impressive side last season, but kicked off the on going Glo sponsored Nigeria premier league season on poor home and away runs, a reason that propelled the sack of the entire management of the team, paving for the installation of a new management three weeks into the new season, headed by former chairman technical committee in the Ibrahim Galadima led NFA, Suleman David

Niger Tornadoes Brace Up To Upset

By Abdulgafar Oladimeji and Nduka Onyeobalu


Last season they fought to the wires for the Nigeria premier league title, though lost out at the last lap, Niger Tornadoes of Minna they are, though still fighting to stamp their feet this season, they are up beat toward clinching a continental ticket at the end of the ongoing Globacom sponsored Nigeria premier league.

The Minna lads last season sent bookmakers offside, when they humiliate twice African club champion, Eyimba , snatching the points at stake against the Aba millionaires in Aba, the uncompromising boys from Minna then tutored by John Oboh whom deserted the club this season had a sugar daddy romance with the top spot most part of last season, leading the way all through to the dying days of the league before relinquishing their lead.
I believe we are on course and we will pouch a continental ticket are the views of Mohammed She, club media officer in a chat with sports station, Brila fm monitored in Abuja.

Suleman David, is well thought to be experience by local fans and league watchers, it is believed he would turn around the tided, by invoking a technical magic wand from his store of experience having held forth as the chairman technical committee of the Nigeria football association.

Tornadoes has been partying around relegation zone from the onset of this years Nigeria premier league season, the man saddled with the responsibility of running the technical crew has been coach Danjuma,, his derives optimism from his technical crystal ball and is optimistic his side would bounce to reckoning soon.
Prior to the commencement of the league this season, Niger Tornadoes w, have been tipped as a team to watch out for, considering the challenge they pose to big names in the Nigeria league giving them a good run for their money, though most believe it is to early to write off the most impressive team last season, saying they might just spike it right before the next rounds of action.

Shortlists for FIFA awards revealed

Who will be honoured with the title of FIFA World Player and FIFA Women's World Player for 2008? FIFA has today announced the names of the nominees (see below) and the final decision will be made by the captains and head coaches of the men's and women's national teams.

At the beginning of December, FIFA will announce the names of the three men and women who have received the most votes and the winners will be revealed at the 18th FIFA World Player Gala at the Zurich Opera House on 12 January 2009.

The lists of 23 male and 10 female candidates for these prestigious awards have been drawn up by football experts from the Football Committee and the Committee for Women's Football and the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The following 23 men (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the title of FIFA World Player 2008:

Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Sergio Agüero (Argentina), Andrei Arshavin (Russia), Michael Ballack (Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Deco (Portugal), Didier Drogba (Côte d'Ivoire), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Steven Gerrard (England), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Kaká (Brazil), Frank Lampard (England), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Franck Ribéry (France), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), John Terry (England), Fernando Torres (Spain), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands), David Villa (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).

The following 10 women (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the title of FIFA Women's World Player 2008:

Nadine Angerer (Germany), Shannon Boxx (USA), Cristiane (Brazil), Daniela (Brazil), Marta (Brazil), Birgit Prinz (Germany), Christine Sinclair (Canada), Kelly Smith (England), Hope Solo (USA) and Ingvild Stensland (Norway).

FIFA ZURICH A CORRUPT HEAVEN

Blatter & Havelange named in Swiss bribes trial (Curlled from Transparency.org)
For more than a decade Andrew Jennings has been telling anybody who would listen that the sports marketing company ISL paid industrial-scale bungs to the men who control world sport. In March 2008 he travelled to a criminal court in Switzerland to hear prosecutors reveal it was even worse than he’d imagined.
Tuesday March 11, 2008, Zug: Here they come, pretending it’s just an ordinary day, past the hyenas hovering in the glass and brick canyon leading to the court door, nod to familiar faces, sorry can’t stop to chat, daren’t be late.

Up until the dawning of this century it was so different. The Big Six happily gave us interviews, smiled for our cameras, catered the vol-au-vents and waved releases announcing New Clients! New Sports! Global Domination!

The Prosecutor here in the small Swiss City of Zug is demanding up to four-and-a-half years in jail for what’s becoming the biggest corruption scandal in sport. When International Sport and Leisure – always known as ISL - went down the toilet in the Spring of 2001 they owed more than $300 million, the second largest bankruptcy in Swiss history.

Their biggest and best contract was the marketing and television rights to the World Cup in 2002 and again in 2006. It cost them $1.2 billion to buy from FIFA but they could sell for lots more – and take 25% commissions on the way. How could such fantastically clever business whizzes go wrong? Where did the money go? By the end of today we should be getting some clues.

The square courtroom is the first surprise. It could be a conference room for salesmen in a no-frills business motel. At best it’s down-market Swedish, designed by the guy who trucked in the ready-mix. No podium, all of us on one level. And that’s hardwearing, composite flooring. The tall, lithe and quite lovely figure of 41-year-old blonde Presiding Judge Ziegler in her dark pant-suit (‘I’m Carole, spelled like the French,’ she purrs to me in a coffee break) sits flanked by her two middle-aged male colleagues at a table against the back wall.

There’s more rows of tables and chairs at the back for the reporters, Swiss, Germans, French - and me from an offshore island. In front of us a dozen or so strained relatives and an attentive young man in a suit who we’ll identify later. Facing the judges the once Big Six sit squashed with their lawyers and their tables are squeezed across the whole breadth of the room.

They’ve plenty to worry about. The prosecutor wants to stiff them for embezzlement, fraud and fraudulent bankruptcy as well as damaging creditors and falsification of documents. That’s enough scandal to fill our notebooks. But we want more; we came here for bribes. Be patient.

On the far right of the line-up is Daniel Beauvois, early 50s, living again in Brussels. With his swept-back greying hair and trim beard he’s the only one who looks creative. Daniel is lucky, he joined ISL to run their television operations long after the bribery scams were put in place. But he could still end up breakfasting on Swiss-government issue muesli because all six are accused of nicking around £45 million pounds they should have paid to FIFA. FIFA! At last Herr Blatter and his organisation get their names on the court record. It’s 11.02 on Tuesday March 11, two hours into the evidence.

Nigeria Draws Tunisia Egypt Handed An Easy Grouping- Abdulgafar Oladimeji and Nduka Onyeobalu

African champions Egypt will be satisfied with their drawThe draw for the final round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations has taken place in Zurich, with Egypt being handed what many would consider to be the best of the five group draws. While Super Eagles of Nigeria would lock horns against Carthage Lions of Tunisia in group B
The African champions will face Algeria, Zambia and Rwanda in Group D as they attempt to reach their third World Cup finals.
Cameroon, the highest ranked African country, were drawn against Morocco, Gabon and Togo.
Ghana will face Benin, who have cruised through the qualifiers to date, as well as Mali and Sudan.
Nigeria will face Tunisia, Kenya, and Mozambique, while 2006 World Cup finalists Ivory Coast will meet Guinea, Burkina Faso and Malawi.

Amr Zaki Talks Tough On 2008 African Player Of The Year Awards

Zaki: Now is my time

Amr Zaki began the 2008/09 season as a little fish in the ocean that is the English Premier League. Seven rounds into the campaign, however, the player Wigan Athletic have on a season-long loan from Zamalek has established himself as one of the competition's most fearsome predators.
Powerful, pacy and relentless, the Egyptian is the competition's joint-leading marksman, alongside Jermain and Defoe and Fernando Torres. Riding a wave of confidence, Zaki spoke exclusively to FIFA.com about life in the Premier League, and his country's chances at the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 and of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
Amr, ten years ago you were at Mansoura in the Egyptian second tier. Did you ever envisage playing in the English Premier League?Amr Zaki?
Well, I used to wear the jersey of some of the players I compete against today while watching them on TV and cheering for their clubs, but looking back at my start, I think I made quick and tremendous progress. I actually started with a third division side in Egypt, El Merrikh, before I joined the Mansoura in my hometown. I managed to make my first team appearance for their senior team when I was only 16 years old and a few years later, I joined ENPPI in the Egyptian top flight for a record fee at the time. Looking back at such a journey, I thank God for helping me climb up the stairs of football so fast, and while I am still only 25 that's what makes me full of confidence when I rub shoulders with superstars every Saturday.You didn't mention your spell at Lokomotiv Moscow.I have to admit I'm not very proud of this experience. After Egypt won the Africa Cup of Nations at home in 2006, ENPPI, put me up for sale. The winter transfer window was already closed by that time in Europe, with the exception of Russia. Lokomotiv Moscow made a good offer. However, I only stayed there for three months and did not play a single game, mainly because I was injured most of the time and suffered from home sickness and the terrible climate.
But you've managed to overcome these obstacles at Wigan?
It is very different this time: I am now at the place I dreamt of being since I was a kid. I knew what was waiting for me and I am getting all the support I need. The club are doing their best to make me feel comfortable, and they even helped me bring my family to England to make me feel at home. I cannot even begin to describe how grateful I am to the Wigan fans, who have been just fantastic.Do you think if you had moved to a bigger club you could have made an even greater impact in the Premier League?Wigan may be a small city but they are definitely not a small team. We play some of the best football in the league and we have superstar players like (Emile) Heskey and (Antonio) Valencia. Even in the games we lost this season, we were the better side but were just unlucky.
So you're committed to Wigan, despite reports suggesting you would like to move to one of the Premier League's 'big four' in January?
All my efforts now are focused towards helping Wigan win matches and scoring goals for them. This is the least I can do for the team and for my manager Steve Bruce, who insisted on signing me after one of he longest transfers negotiations in modern football. He always believed in me, and now it is my turn now to pay him back and meet the expectations of the Wigan fans.
Turning to the national team, Egypt have not qualified for the FIFA World Cup since 1990. Do you believe you can qualify for South Africa 2010?
Thinking any differently would be kind of madness after winning the Africa Cup of Nations twice in a row. There is no doubt that we are the best African team at this stage. And we as players have the confidence to make it all the way to South Africa. The next phase of the qualifiers will be very tough with only the elite teams competing. But this is when we're at our best, playing against the big names.
Are there any teams you would like to avoid in the third phase of African Zone qualifying?
I fear no-one. It should be the other way round, other teams fearing playing against us. There are at least eight to 12 teams in Africa that deserve to play in the FIFA World Cup finals, but only the fittest will survive.
How do you rate Egypt's chances at the FIFA Confederations Cup next year?
It will simply be thrilling to play against Brazil, Italy or Spain. But as the champions of Africa people will expect us to play for victory, and I guess this is what we should do.
You scored for Egypt with your first touch after replacing Mido in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Senegal in 2006. Was this your greatest moment for your country?
Many people believe so, although they tend to forget that I played every game in this tournament and performed even better in other matches.
It's an exciting time in Egyptian football. How do you feel about Egypt hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year?I have very fond memories of this competition because we won the African title in 2003 in Burkina Faso, and I was part of that team. We went on to reach the last 16 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Dubai, where we lost to Argentina. Our coach at the time was Hassan Shehata, who later used the same plyaers to win the Cup of Nations title in 2006 and 2008. I think people are really elated in Egypt that such an event is coming home. It will be a huge festival of football like it was at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006.
You played the lead role in an Egyptian movie with Mohamed Shawky earlier this year. Does this mean you are considering a career change?
No way! We did it during the summer break for the fun of it. It was an interesting idea and the film is now in the cinemas. I just hope it will be successful.While helping Wigan and Egypt remain among your objectives, what are your personal goals?I think it is time I won the African Footballer of the Year award. No Egyptian player has won this title for over 25 years, which is disappointing. Many people have told me that I am the top contender. This sounds logical because it really has to be an Egyptian this year after we managed to hold on to our continental title, which was the biggest football event in Africa this year. If there is anybody who can compete with me for such a title, it is Mohamed Aboutrika - he has helped Al Ahly dominate club football in Africa.
What about players from other countries?
I have all the respect for stars like Kanoute, Keita, Drogba and others, but I am convinced that 2008 was Egypt's year. We could not have done any better to deserve such a title.

European Football Anti Racism week

European Action Week against Racism in Football takes off

The next 13 days will see European football stand united against racism and discrimination, with the launch of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) Action Week.

The initiative, coordinated by the European network and supported by UEFA will feature nearly one thousand initiatives by campaigners, fans, clubs, national associations and ethnic minority groups across Europe. The 9th edition of the FARE Action Week runs from 16 to 28 October and will see an unprecedented 40 European countries involved in an concerted effort to rid the game of racism and exclusion.

Top leagues and clubs celebrate diversity
This season 14 top national leagues across Europe – ranging from the German Bundesliga and the English Premier League to the Super League in Greece and Ukraine - are channelling the power of football to get a message across to the millions of people touched by game. Also, a selection of professional clubs such as PSV Eindhoven, Slovan Liberec or Young Boys Berne will be joining their supporters to celebrate the contribution of ethnic minorities to football. One example is Paris Saint Germain’s fixture on Saturday, which will see them link up with French FARE partner LICRA, to hold an anti-racism day at the Ligue 1 match against Lorient.

Racism has not vanished
The recent case of Atletico Madrid demonstrates that openly expressed racism and far-right agitation is still alive in some football grounds. The strong disciplinary decision taken by UEFA is likely to help tackle racism as the annual weeks of action is launched today. The sanctions are the largest to have been imposed on any football body for racism. In addition to sanctions FARE has called for renewed efforts to tackle all forms of discrimination.

Kurt Wachter of the Austrian FARE partner FairPlay. Different Colours. One Game. said

“Penalties act as a wake-up call for clubs and associations failing to address the racism problem at heart. FARE’s approach was always to raise awareness and to educate. There is a need to build partnerships with those fans and minorities who are challenging racism on a daily basis. The Action Week is a unique opportunity to spotlight these grass-root groups who are often on the margins of football.”

Challenging Homophobia: The last taboo
This year the FARE network supports a growing number of initiatives and fan groups who deal with homophobia, which see some as the last taboo in football. The FC Barcelona Gay and Lesbian Fanclub Penya Blaugrana de Gais i Lesbianes and their Swiss counterparts at FC Basel, Querpass Basel will organise activities around the Champions League match of the two teams. In the Action Week the Gay and Lesbian federation of Flanders Holebifederatie launches an awareness-raising campaign against homophobia in mainstream sport. They ask each sport club to display a poster and to signing a declaration against homophobia. The Football Association is hosting tonight a panel debate at the FA Headquarters, Soho, London with a panel featuring gay rights campaigners.

Yesterdays’ FIFA World Cup qualifiers between the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus in Dublin and Austria vs. Serbia in Vienna already marked the start of the biggest anti-racism campaign in European sport.

Spain Remain Afloat Top FIFA Ranking

There are no changes to the top three in the latest edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking: European champions Spain remain unchallenged at the top and have even managed to extend their lead over their nearest challengers Italy and Germany. Things are far more exciting in the next few spots in the ranking. Brazil (4th, up 2), the Netherlands (5th, down 1) and Croatia (6th, down 1) are all within a few points of each other and, together with Argentina (7th), are locked in an exciting battle. Russia (9th) have moved up three places, thus managing to break back into the top ten at the expense of Turkey (13th, down 3).The month's biggest winners, however, are unquestionably from Oceania. On the back of two convincing victories over New Caledonia in their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying campaign, New Zealand have gained 268 points and are currently ranked 54th. This means the All Whites are once again the highest-ranked OFC team. Other climbers this month include Israel (16th, up 3), Lithuania (37th, up 17) and FYR Macedonia (46th, up 10), all of whom have recorded their best placing since the ranking was introduced.A total of 125 international 'A' matches have been played worldwide since the last edition of the ranking, of which 106 were qualifiers for South Africa 2010. The remaining internationals were qualifiers for the CONCACAF Gold Cup (six matches) and friendlies (13 matches).

Global Tournament For The Homeless Nets Five Hundred Thousand Pounds

The Vodafone Foundation has announce its support for the Homeless World Cup Foundation, with a £500,000 start-up package to be granted over the next two years. The funds will be used by the Homeless World Cup Foundation to build the infrastructure for the development of grass roots football programmes in over 60 nations. The grant will also enable the charity organisation to employ a CEO for the first time.The Homeless World Cup is an annual international tournament which provides the opportunity for homeless people to change their own lives. Starting with just 18 countries, this year’s seven-day contest will unite 56 nations and include a women’s tournament when it kicks off in Melbourne on 1 December 2008. Since being established by social entrepreneur Mel Young in 2003, it has achieved rapid growth. The programme now reaches 30,000 players and has a global ambition to engage one million players in over 75 nations.According to research, 77% of players involved experience a significant life change; no-longer using drugs and alcohol, moving into homes, jobs, education, training, repairing relationships and becoming coaches or players with semi-pro teams. 94% claim to have a renewed motivation for life.Over the last five years, The Vodafone Foundation has invested over £100 million in social investments around the world. It will continue invest in exciting sport initiatives which have the ability to reach out to the most marginalised and disadvantaged groups in communities around the globe. Between now and 2010 The Vodafone Foundation has committed £12million for programmes such as the Homeless World Cup which have positive effects on health, education and help alleviate poverty.Mel Young, President and founder of the Homeless World Cup comments: “The Homeless World Cup has demonstrated that football can change lives, it can change the world. We are extremely grateful to The Vodafone Foundation’s start-up funding which provides a giant leap towards building a £5million annual fund to achieve our ambitions. We have a fabulous opportunity ahead, a great challenge and we need more people and more organisations to take The Vodafone Foundation’s innovative lead to get football changing the world.”Andrew Dunnett, Director of The Vodafone Foundation says: “We are delighted to support a project that has an enterprising attitude to make a difference on an international scale. The Vodafone Foundation is committed to funding projects that create a strong force for change and high level impact. Having already directly improved the lives of thousands of people, The Homeless World Cup is a great project.”

Siasia Must Stay Back Says Nigerians

Weks after the nigeria U-23 lost to Argentina in the male finals of the football events at the games. Nigerians are reacting in line with their usual , how, why, what and when of football, Abdulgafar Oladimeji reports.


Name Idowu Ajayi-Technical Engineer

We were destined to win our game against Argentina in the final football match at the Beijing Olympics, the boys played well , infact, there is need to graduate them into the senior national team.
President Yar adua, needs to congratulate and encourage to impress on their minds that Nigerians really appreciate their patriotism.

Name Adedayo Amos – Engineer

The Nigerian U-23 did well in China, though they lost to Argentina in the finals , twice, which are in the U-20 FIFA championship in Holland in 2005 and the honorable 1-0 in the Beijing finals
I exempt goalkeeper Ambrose Vanzekin from any blame, he reacted properly under the circumstance that prevailed, football is all about mistakes been made.
I call on president Yar adua to encourage these lads, for example, awarding them a three bedroom flats and a car each, would go a long way in psyching them up, likewise our future football generation.
These boys should be kept together, am confident, come next world cup Nigeria will rule the world.

Wasiu Adewale- Automobile Technician

The boys performed well, a good and interesting performance it was in Beijing, Brazil lost to Argentina by three goals to nil, that shows the class of the argentines.
I do not buy the argument that goalkeeper Vanzekin caused Nigeria not winning the gold, he might have erred, what about the saves he made? Why not consider his efforts?.
Our government should reward the team, we never anticipated they would have gone this far in the Olympics, rewarding them will encourage upcoming sportmen and our sportmen in general to deliver their best, when representing the country at major competitions.
Samson Siasia should be integrated into the technical crew of the Super Eagles, I am hopeful, 2010 would be our year of joy.

Jerry Kadiri-Mechanical Engineer

Talking about Nigeria versus Argentina Olympic finals , the boys played to their very best, the coach has been a very good coach, he is consistent, it is one thing to be a good coach, it is another to be consistent, a slight mistake which could happen to anybody in football led to the 1-0 painful lost, though, goalkeeper Vanzekin abandoned his goalpost without watching out to know that Sani Keita has provided depth against the Argentine attacking duo, in the whole the did well.
I am looking forward to 2010, if Siasia is given the chance, Nigeria boasts of the best talent in the world, but godfatherism is our problem, Nigeria football Federation, must allow the best to emerge, NFF is our problem.
Nigerian government must refrain from making unfulfilled promises to the team, any promise made in form of reward in their efforts should be those that can be accomplished , instead of making unfulfilled promises.

David Thomas- Electrcal Engineer

We can not blame coach Siasia over our lost, it has been destined that Nigeria would lose to Argentina, the argentines were not the better side,but they were better prepared, when you look at the time they spend preparing for the Olympics.
Why blame the goalkeeper? Where were his defenders.
I advise the government to keep these boys together and ensure they become our next Super eagles, these boys are better than the super Eagles, they would out play the Super Eagles on any day.
Siasia should be involved in graduating these boys to the Super Eagles, with this step taken, am sure Nigeria would go places

Football Live To The Homeless- By Abdulgafar Oladimeji

Hundreds of players from world over would trade tackles at the Federation square in Melbourne at the 2008 edition of the Homeless World cup.

First time in its history, the tournament feature a female football contest with eight nations , Zambia, Liberia, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Paraguay, Uganda, Kyrgzstan, and Columbia vying for golry at the grounds in Fedration square and Biarrary Marr.

the Homeless World Cup according to statistics rel;eased after the competition held in Cape Town , South Africa in 2006, disclosed that, the championship has left an appreciable double impact on the lives of participants.

Mel Young founder and president Homeless World Cup said " The Homeless World Cup has demostrated that sports has tremendous power to change lives, to change the world".

The report in depth revealed that, ninety two percent of players who took part in the tournament have a new motivation for life, ninety three players overcame alcohol dependency, thrity five percent secured regular employment, forty four percent recorded improved housing situation,and , seventy two percent stuck to football as a means of lielihood.

Records unfold that over 52 nations have competed in the Homeless World Cup Male event, while keen watchers are pessimistic, this years editon in Melbourne would turn a larger success.

Pillars Fund Raiser Unprofessional- By Abdulgafar Oladimeji

Football critics have dismissed the move to raise funds through public launching to boost the finances of Kano Pillars football club to enable the Nigeria league champions, embark on a successful continental campaign next season.

A public fund raising ceremony slated for Friday 5t September 2008, which had to be postponed owning to the death of a state legislator, was aimed at raising funds for the Pyramid city side.

This initiative has come under heavy criticism, described as one of the indicators of the shabby manner in which so called professional club side s are managed in Nigeria.

Clubs are meant to be ran as private enterprises and not reliant donations, professional football clubs are money spinning structures and are not Non- Governmental organization, said one stake holder who would not want his name on print.

Bothering the minds of seasoned football analyst are – Why the need for a fund raiser, can’t the owners of the club fund its continental engagement next season? Where the fund raiser never takes place or fail to generate enough fund what happens?, where pledges are made and not fulfilled are we in to see Pillars fc failing to honor engagements when the campaign kicks off

OlympicsFootball Final- Nigerians Roar Argentina Must Crash

Will history repeat itself in Nigeria U-23 beating Argentina, or the spirit of revenge invoked by the South Americans would prevail.

Nigeria U-23 will take on Argentina, who handed arch rival Brazil 3-0 in the second semi finals to book their place in the final cracker of the Male football event at the ongoing Beijing Olympic Games in Far East China

A Kanu Nwankwo inspired U-23 came from behind to deny Argentina victory at the final of the Atlanta Olympic games in 1996.

Abdulgafar Oladimeji went to town in the ancient city of Kano, sough ting the views of the football loving populace in the Pyramid city.

Excerpts are distinct views on the game



Usman Sanda – Coach Dabo Babes Football Club- National Amateur Divison One

My feeling about the Olympic games male football final coming up on Saturday morning is this, I am sure by the grace of God we would win against Argentina, Siasia is a good tactician, we have quality players, good midfielders, in the likes of Sani Keita, a very good attacking row in Osaze, Obasi, Nsofor and Anichebe.
Am convinced Nigeria will win the encounter.
Isha Allahu.

Abdulkadir Abdullahai a.k.a Owolabi- Official- Jigawa Goldent Stars Supporters Club

In my opinion our U-23 team will humiliate the Argentine s 3goals to nil. Insha Allah
With the way Siasia is handling the team, we can only achieve our objective which is winning the gold medal, we boast of quality players in the team, though, our attackers need to do more in their finishing touches.
I appeal to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to reward these lads for the good job done, when they return home from China, where it possible the president should have traveled to China to watch the final between Nigeria and Argentina, this could have helped to motivate the U-23 team.

Nura O Really Team Manager Jarma Football Club- Kano State premier league side

We are proud of the present U-23 team tacking on Argentina in the Olympic Male Football event final, this cracker takes us back memory lane, when Nigeria edged Brazil in the semi-final and defeated Argentina in the final 3-2 to clinch Gold medal at the Atlanta 96 Olympic games.
I am urging our Nigeria players to invoke the spirit of Atlanta 96, they have completed their mission in China, what is left is for them to be decorated as Olympic champions, there by making history in repeating the defeat handed Argentina at the 1996 Olympic games Male football final.
The people of Northern Nigeria are strongly behind Sani Keita.
Isha Allah, we are confident, he will return home with an Olympic gold medal.

Salisu Ibrahim a.k.a Odiye Coach Red Eagles – Kano State


All our players need to do is to imbibe confidence when taking on Argentina on Saturday morning, they should take off their minds from the possibility of unfair officiating, this set of Nigerian players played against the same crop of Argentine players in the final game of the FIFA U-20 championship in Holland in 2005, here again they are clashing in the final of the male football event final in the Olympics. I am hopeful our Nigerian team will subdue them this time; I am wishing them all the best of luck.

Mallm Adams Engine Oil seller – Obasanjo Way Kano State


We are hopeful and there is no cause for alarm in the game against Argentina, God willing, we will thrash the Argentines by 3 goals to nil, our opponents (Argentina) rely solely on Lionel Messi, a tree does not make a forest, our boys are good, Nigerians should pray for them.

Awesu Hussaini – Councilor Community Development Fagge LocaL Government


I congratulate Nigerians on the wonderful performance posed by the team, secondly I am calling on our lads(Nigeria U-23) to give in their best as has been the case from the commencement of the competition, like having it at the back of their hearts that victory come s from God, therefore they should go for gold.
That the president is not credited to have commented on the success so far would not in any way affect their performance in the final against Argentina, the boys have a great heart for this nation(Nigeria), Though, had the president (Yar dua) made specific promise, it would encourage them the more, but, by the way the boys are all out, Insha Allah victory is ours.


Aliu Usman Aliu a.ka Headmaster- Secretary All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Fagge Local Government Kano State

My opinion on the final match between Nigeria and Argentina is that I am hundred percent confident on the Nigerian team, my fear is the crafty style of play usually adopted by the Argentine s , when they come up against a highly physical side like Nigeria, they fall unnecessarily, they behave like women, when they are marked.
I am confident because we have a good coach, our boys have a good technique and discipline.
Definitely, President Yar adua failing to speak on their effort will affect the psychology of the boys, a statement from the president would really have motivated the boys the more, they have a great heart for this country Nigeria, even if they lose to Argentina, am satisfied with their performance so far, but I know for sure victory will come our way come Saturday morning in China.

Kano Pillars Sing CAF champions league song

Pillars sing CAF champions league song

By Abdulgafar Oladimeji


In a build up toward launching a strong campaign in the CAF champions league next season, Kano Pillars football club would engage the services of experienced players from a list of targeted 18 players on its intended sign on list.

Speaking in an interview in Kano, the Kano Pillars henchman, Tukur Babangida admitted that his side will be going to the continental battlefield for the first time, this in his opinion makes it a Herculean task which must be tackled from all fronts. He said, “we have so many players in mind to strengthen our team for the African Club Championship, we have penciled down 18 players that we are going to invite, out of the 16, we hope to sign on 8”.

The Kano soccer warlords who were crowned champions for the first time in club history. Babangida disclosed is putting in efforts to embark on a training tour of Europe, all in view to better sharpen the pyramid lads technically against the fierce challenge they are bound to encounter next season at the local scene with their status as reigning champions and as the side hoisting Nigeria s flag on the continental scene next season.

A budget the club Caesar disclosed would be sent to the state government on how much is needed to carryout their onslaught this coming football season.

On their planned European tour he said that, talks are on with an agent who is expected to secure sponsors to bankroll the proposed training tour of Europe by Kano Pillars F.C.

Tukur Babangida dismissed the threat to their campaign next season by a rumored possible mass exit by the bulk of the core players who led the Green and Yellow Boys to clinching the Globalcom sponsored premier league last season, saying that, so far no player has applied or approach his led management for a transfer. In the case of the former 11-17 war horse, Bello Kofar Mata, the club chairman revealed is on his possible to Norway for trials.

He down played the rumor of veteran tactician Kadiri Ikhana parting ways with the club on completion of his contract, he said, “it is rumored that our coach is leaving, he has a contract till on the 27th of July, then we will know whether to strengthen our technical department for the CAF champions league”.

Kano pillar made history when they got crowned as double champions, when they carted home the supper 8 tourney trophy contest held in Kano.

The Kano side camp is expected to come alive from the 14th of this month for pre-season programme.


Ends.

Alhaji Tukur Babangida is the chairman, Kano pillars football club. He spoke on the teams preparation for the African Club Championship and the next premier league season. He also commented on pillars feat as double champions and the motivations by the state government.

Below is the interview:









Congratulation on pillars double, the premier league and the supper 8. As league leader, your team will now participate in the African Club Championship where they will face other formidable things especially from the North-African Countries. How prepared are you for the challenges ahead?

Thank you very much, being a champion is not an easy thing and again it is not easy to maintain a position at the top because other clubs in that category will also be working towards being there and try to pull you down, so as far as we are concerned as the management of Kano pillars, we know we are going to have a Herculean task ahead of us, very challenging task, as I said apart from the local league where your are the champion we are going to play the African Club Championship where we are going to face champion clubs from different countries, that won’t be easy and again, this is the first time Kano is to participate in that competition. So, it is a very serious and challenging task ahead of us. Our intension as we are aware of the task ahead of us is to see the level of our players, their capabilities and their based on the recommendation by the technical crew, because we have to get a recommendation from them. It is the crew that will tell us the department where we are deficient and find ways of fortifying the department. As at today, we have a report from the technical adviser of Kano pillars and we are meeting, the pillars management to discuss the technical report and come out with our decisions on what we are going to do to strengthen Kano pillars. At the same time we intend to present our budget to the state, what we intend to spend as far as the league and championship are concerned. But for what we are going forward to the state what we intend to spend on the premier league. The NFA will still give us guidelines on the amount we are going to invest in the African Club Championship, but as you know during registration, we are not going to wait for tat because where you register for the African Club Championship. So our registration will contain both our premier league and Champion. By 13th of July Kano pillars will commence training. What we intend doing is to have both open and close contest before the competition and this training will start and from there we are going to play. The charity cup which is on the 26th July where ever we are going to have the annual general meeting.

Do you have any plan for international friendly as part of the build up?

You see, playing international friendliest is capital intensive, it is very expensive, however, we have been in touch with some agents who wanted us to go for some European tours, we are still talking but if we can get sponsorship to that effect we will definitely be happy, we will honour it.

Have you made efforts in getting some organizations to bankroll such Europe tour?

As I said earlier, we are in touch with an agent who is working out the possibilities of realizing this dream through sponsorship for marches in Europe. As I said, I have proposal for that but a lot of money is involved and we cannot afford such huge financial commitment now when we don’t have money to register our club, so that is why we are looking for sponsorship. If we get one, definitely we will honor it.


Like you rightly pointed out it is not getting to the top that is the issue put sustaining it, so what are your plains to keep the club on top for at least some time?

With the commitment of the government, the people of Kano state, supporters and well-wishers, with their players and financial banking and with the technical input by the technical crew we are going to maintain the position by the grace of God. Presently despite the fact that we have remours that our coach is leaving us, I know his contact will expire by the 27th of July; it is then that we will take a decisive action on how to strengthen our technical department. But as I said, with the commitment of the government and the people of Kano we are going to maintain that position.

What has the state government done specifically to appreciate the feat preformed by pillars as double champions?

Right from time, we on the part of the management we wrote to the government we put our request regarding players welfare, they also respond by approving it and making the money available. So, in appreciation of wining the cup, I am sure the government is planning some thing big for the boys. Some thing is the opting.

In the course of strengthening Kano pillars for the forth-coming premier league and African Championship, do you have plans for new players, what is your budget?

We have many players in mind but it doesn’t mean the players you have in mind will all come, some may come, some may not come, if they have better offer somewhere but as at now we have penciled down about 16 players what we are going to invite out of this numbers we may be able to have at least 8, but as I said, you may invite them so may come, some may not come. As soon as we start training, we shall invite the players and they will be in camp.

How true that some of your players are leaving for professional football abroad?

Professional football is a business; if a player wants to leave you can’t hold him back because you can’t force him to play for you. If any player wants to leave, we will allow him to go. As at this moment, apart from Bello Kofar-Mata whose agent wanted to take him to the Norway, there is no other player that I know of. But the rest is press speculation. No other clubs at players have contacted me for that purpose.

Chairman, what has been the relationship between the pillars management, the technical adviser, Kadiri Ikhana. Since his bribery outburst that has raised questions on the Nigerian football?

Right from the time, we have shared sound relationship, the chief coach and his crew, the management of pillars and players, it has been very cordial and up to this time, I think there is no bad feeling either by management or the coach. We have been maintaining our cordial relationship and we will continue to maintain it.
If you have your way, will you press the coach to remain in pillars?

If I have my way, I would love him to remain in pillars because it is with his efforts pillars were able to achieve such feat for the first time, so, it will not be nice for such coach to leave like that, in my opinion, he ought to have stayed till the end of the African Championship, to guide the players. At least he could have remained for two (2) seasons. But, if he insists on going, there is nothing we can do.

How much of a pressure is the management putting to keep him?

We are still discussing with him, since his contact is not yet over, we want after his contact expires, but we have been having fruitful discussion, like I said, we are still talking. For now, we are on recess, when we are pack he too will be back and we will talk.

What would you say inspired pillars to such wonderful performance last season?

Is commitment, dedication from players, coaching crew and management, supporters and the government which is the sols sponsorship, they release finds on time to the club.