The European Championship and our Craze

Writer: Amos Joseph

The world stands agog, united and to one common goal when it comes to football. The rate at which we crave and craze for more is exceptional.

It should be noted that the Football League season In Europe and its "environs" ended some weeks back with the UEFA champions league as the icing on the cake. The world stood still for it.
Interestingly, once again the air-wave is saturated with Beautiful and delightful football "show piece or buz" so to say. It is European football obviously. 

The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA (the Union of European Football Association). 
Organised every four years with 16 participating countries paired and divided into four groups consisting of four teams each. It comes with surprises, upsets, and revelation.

Ukraine & Poland are hosts this time and football enthusiast across the globe are having a nice time as every game proves to be a potential cracker. The signs are there, ask the "Power houses" like The Netherlands, The Italians, The 3Lions, including almighty Spain and not forgetting Germany even the hosts. 

In our Clime, we have the African Cup of Nation organised by CAF for the Continent of Africa. Surely with it's audience(s) and excitement but obviously for those who care. Some say it's cultural imperialism.
Just as the stands are full in Ukraine and Poland, the viewing centres are occupied with the "Naira-making" business just as they do during the League season. 

One cannot but mention the obvious bias fans have for players of their favourite clubs and hatred for the opposition. It is allowed though.
Is there anyone who is not swept away by the level and modus-operandi of the snowy climes? Imperialism or not, the truth be told Africa must develop. By, this we're valued "abroad" and our affairs cause the world to Stand.

Super Falcons feed on Warriors Lagos

By: Amos Joseph
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have booked a place in the African Cup of Nations billed for November in Equitorial Guinea.

Photo: Supersport

The Falcons scored 4 times to wallop the Mighty Warriors of Zimbabwe in a match that ended 4-0 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

In the reverse fixture, the Falcons won 2-0 a fotnight ago to bring the aggregate scores to 6-0.

From the blast of the whistle, the Falcons started asking questions at the opponent's goal area which was rewarded in the 6th minute when veteran striker and current African footballer of the year got a goal. With intense pressure, the Falcon went for the second through Desire Oparanozie in the 14th minute while the third came in two minutes later from skilfull Esther Sunday in the first 45 minutes, the last goal was scored by Stella Mbachu in the 55th minute to complete the white-wash. 

Obviously, the fans were thrilled as they could not hold back but express their joy by cheering and applauding the players.

Coach of the Falcons, Kadiri Ikhana said congratulated the players for doing the nation proud  'the victory is expected, the girls went out and did what they had to do, attention now shifts to the friendly we have against South Africa'.

In relation to the absence of fans in the stadium, Aisha Falode stated that 'despite the absence of the Lagos fans, the girls took to the field and got maximum victory'.

Meanwhile, They are now expected to host London Olympics-bound Banyana Banyana of South Africa next weekend also in Lagos in a friendly match. When both teams first clashed a fortnight ago, it finished 1-1 in South Africa

'The police didn't rescue Christian Obodo, we did,' says community

The police yesterday took credit for the rescue of kidnapped footballer Christian Obodo, telling newsmen that they stormed the kidnappers den, rescued Obodo and arrested most of the kidnappers. But the people who live in the community where the footballer was rescued are now saying that the police had no hand in saving the footballer. According to their story, Christian Obodo escaped from the hands of the kidnappers when he was taken to a restaurant to eat last night. The footballer started screaming for help, saying that he had been kidnapped. The people in the community swiftly came to his recuse before the kidnappers could coma after him again.

They claim that they were the ones who invited the police, who then took Obodo away. According to the people of Isoko community, no one was arrested.

Platini warns Euro 2012 players: Not to Walk out of the pitch if suffer racist abuse

Mario Balotelli has said he will leave the pitch if there are racists chants in Poland and Ukraine

 

Warning: UEFA President Michel Platini says players will be booked if they walk off the pitch after suffering racist abuse

Uefa boss Michel Platini last night warned Euro 2012 stars they would be punished if they walked off the pitch after suffering racist abuse.
Italy’s Mario Balotelli claimed last week he would stop playing if he became the target of racist chants in Poland and Ukraine.
But Platini said that far from being supported, the act of protest would be met with a caution.
“It is not Mr Balotelli who is in charge of refereeing,” Platini said. “It is the referee who takes these decisions.”
Then Platini checked with former referee Pierluigi Collina, who was sitting in the audience at a press conference at the National Stadium here.

 

I am the law: Former Italian referee Pierluigi Collina

The FA via Getty

“Yes,” Platini said, “if a player leaves the field on their own, it is a yellow card.”
Platini’s inflexible stance will dismay those who are already concerned that matches at the tournament could be marred by racism.
But the Uefa president was keen to stress that he would back referees if they decided to cancel a match because of persistent racist crowd abuse.
“I am hoping that eastern European fans will make this tournament a great celebration, not a problem,” Platini said.
“But we will stop the game if there are problems because I think racism is the worst of these.
“We have given referees the power to stop games temporarily if they see a problem like this and then to cancel the game definitively if the racism keeps rearing its head.
“If the game is stopped, the matter will be referred to our disciplinary committee and they have a zero tolerance policy.”

Fergie gets a new Ka: Manchester United announce Shinji Kagawa deal

Move is still subject to a medical being completed and a work permit being issued

 

Old Trafford bound: Shinji Kagawa is set to sign for Man United

Manchester United are set to make their first signing of the summer after confirming they have "reached agreement" to buy Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund.
Negotiations have been on-going with the Japan international for a number of weeks.
The deal is subject to a medical and work permit, although this is thought to be a formality.
It is not anticipated the deal will be completed until the end of the month as Kagawa is currently on international duty and played in Japan's 3-0 World Cup qualifying round victory over Oman at the weekend.

Premier League - Barton off on holiday after arrest

Premier League footballer Joey Barton is on his way to Portugal for a holiday after being released from police custody on Monday night following his arrest for affray.

The Queens Park Rangers midfielder, 29, was involved in trouble in the early hours of Monday morning while on a night out with his girlfriend in Liverpool city centre.
Two men were arrested at the scene, outside Garlands nightclub, and Barton and a 20-year-old man were arrested on Monday afternoon. All have been bailed. After his release, Barton said via Twitter: "Looking forward to Portugal now tomo. Bit of rest and lots of golf..."
Two men, aged 21 and from the Old Swan area of Liverpool, were arrested on suspicion of a public order offence at around 5.30am at the scene of the incident. Barton was released on bail on Monday night by Merseyside Police pending further inquiries. The three other men were bailed earlier.