Ethiopia arrive in Nigeria ahead of Saturday’s match

Players and officials of the Ethiopian national team, have arrived Nigeria aboard a chartered aircraft. The East Africans came in on Thursday afternoon, as they prepare to face the Super Eagles in the second leg of their 2014 World Cup play-off.

“They arrived at about 1pm on Thursday,” NFF’s Emmanuel Ikpeme told KickOffNigeria. “They are lodged at Channel View hotel.”

The Walya Antelopes were beaten 2-1 in Addis Ababa, thanks to an Emmanuel Emenike brace and will be looking to cause an upset when both teams file out on Saturday.

They will have an open training session on Thursday at the University of Calabar and a closed session at the U.J Esuene Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Nigerian emerges chairman of the Commonwealth Youth Council

A Nigerian, Ahmed Adamu, (pictured above) has emerged the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council. Ahmed beat several other delegates from twenty one countries to emerge the winner at a keenly contested election which held yesterday Tuesday Nov. 12th in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

Jonathan to host victorious Golden Eaglets on Sunday

President Goodluck Jonathan will Sunday night, host the Golden Eaglets to a grand reception at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.

The team yesterday, defeated Mexico Friday in the final match of the FIFA Under 17 World Cup played in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE),

A statement last night by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the president was proud of the young lads for doing the nation proud.

“President Jonathan joins other very proud and happy Nigerians in saluting the glorious achievement of the Eaglets in winning the Under-17 World Cup for an unprecedented fourth time, it said.

“The President commends the young players for the exemplary commitment, dedication, resilience, determination, patriotism and unity of purpose they displayed through-out the tournament to make Nigeria the Champions once again.

“In fulfilment of his promise of a heroes’ welcome for the triumphant Golden Eaglets on their return home, President Jonathan will host a grand reception for the team at the Banquet Hall of the State House at 7 pm Hours tomorrow in appreciation of the great feat and glory they have brought to their fatherland.

“The President also urges the leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to strive to ensure that the world-conquering Eaglets, who have shown such immense potentials as youngsters, are properly nurtured, trained and developed to represent the nation at higher levels in future international football competitions.

“He wishes the Golden Eaglets and their handlers a safe journey home and looks forward to receiving them in Abuja tomorrow (Sunday)

Nigeria – Yes, Yes, Yes!

© Getty Images

Nigeria became the most successful team in FIFA U-17 World Cup history with a 3-0 win over holdersMexico at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The final was a rematch of the 6-1 winNigeria inflicted on the Mexicans in Group F play and sees the Golden Eaglets lay hands on the junior world trophy for the fourth time in their history, one better than South American giants Brazil. When the final whistle went in the UAE capital, fans and players alike rejoiced, fingers pointed to the sky, with what has become the traditional Nigerian celebration of: “yes, yes yes!”

Arsenal always fade off in February or March, we will beat them this weekend” – Rooney

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, is confident ahead of Sunday’s clash against league leaders Arsenal, that they will get all three points, as they have mastered the art of beating the Gunners.

Real Sociedad 0-0 Manchester United: Van Persie misses penalty as Red Devils stutter

Chicharito also missed a golden opportunity as David Moyes' side let the chance to take control of its Champions League group slip in Spain.

Manchester United was left to rue a succession of individual errors after being held 0-0 by Real Sociedad on Tuesday.

Robin van Persie missed a penalty and Marourane Fellaini was sent off as United saw its four-game winless run away from home in the Champions League continue.

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The point was Real Sociedad's first of this season's competition and keeps its slim hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive given Bayer Leverkusen and Shakhtar Donetsk also drew. United remains on top of Group A with eight points, but will feel it should have taken all three with Javier Hernandez also guilty of missing an open goal.

The hosts made four changes from their 5-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday as Markel Bergara, Alberto de la Bella, Mikel Gonzalez and Imanol Agirretxe all started having been on the bench over the weekend.

David Moyes opted to field Hernandez up front with Wayne Rooney as opposed to van Persie, naming the Dutchman among the substitutes. Hernandez was one of six changes for United from its victory over Fulham in the Premier League.

The visitors started confidently and pressed Sociedad high up the pitch, creating the first chance of the match in the 10th minute. Shinji Kagawa released Patrice Evra down the left side, the Frenchman found Rooney inside the penalty area, and he flicked the ball back to the Japan international to fire a deflected shot wide.

It took the best part of half an hour for Sociedad to create an opening that came after David Zurutuza broke down the right. The midfielder pulled his cross back to Agirretxe on the penalty spot, but he skewed his effort well wide of David de Gea’s goal.

United should have taken the lead early in the second half, but Hernandez was guilty of missing an open goal in the 50th minute. Kagawa shifted the ball past Carlos Martinez and delivered a low cross into the unmarked Mexican, but he ballooned his effort over the bar from 6 yards.

The visitors’ frustration continued just after the hour as van Persie – introduced in place of Rooney – struck the post with his first touch after an excellent cross from fellow substitute Ashley Young.

The Netherlands international striker was given another opportunity to score four minutes later after Bergara was judged to have pulled back Young inside the penalty area. Van Persie’s spot kick was parried away by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo after it struck the post.

Fellaini spoiled United's night with his late dismissal after a second yellow card following a challenge on Zurutuza

Juventus 2-2 Real Madrid: Llorente rescues point in Bernabeu thriller

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale put the hosts in front after Arturo Vidal's first-half penalty but the Spanish striker sealed a share of the spoils

 

AFP

Fernando Llorente was the hero for Juventus as he earned a point for the Italian champions in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Arturo Vidal has put the visitors in front with a fierce penalty late in the first half, only for Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale to turn the match around at the hour mark.

However, Llorente's header was enough to seal a share of the spoils in a thriller at Santiago Bernabeu and keep the Bianconeri's hopes of the next round alive.

Corinthians confirm they will sell Pato to Arsenal or Spurs in January

Corinthians have admitted that they could sell Pato in the January transfer, as it emerged over the weekend that North London rivals, Arsenal and Tottenham, are interested in the Brazilian.

The 24-year-old, who left AC Milan in January, after spending several injury-ridden seasons in Italy, might be set for a return to Europe, according to the club’s director, Roberto de Andrade.

“Considering his value, I think it’s hard that he moves to another Brazilian club,” he told Radio Bandeirantes. “If those two clubs [Arsenal and Tottenham] are interested in Pato, we don’t rule out selling him in the winter transfer market.”

Pato himself revealed that Spurs came in with an offer in the summer, but he chose to stay in Brazil.

“Tottenham had called Corinthians to ask for my transfer,” he told Brazilian TV station SporTV. “I sat at the table with the club and my agent and I decided I wanted to stay.”