Welcome To Dipo Liadi's blog: January 2015

30 January 2015

TENNIS: Andy Murray Defends Outburst With Fiancee

Murray's fiancee, Kim Sears, was caught on camera apparently swearing, prompting comments on social media. Asked about that incident and the tension in the entire match, Murray said: "In the heat of the moment, you can say stuff that you regret."

There appeared to be heated words from both players during the contest. Murray put the atmosphere down to the pre-match focus on his former coach, Dani Vallverdu, who is now working with Berdych.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been charged with violent conduct after a stamp on Liverpool’s Emre Can in the Capital One Cup semi-final win. It is certainly not the first time the former Atletico Madrid striker has been in trouble with the authorities although his bad behaviour often goes under the radar.

Diego Costa has a knack of employing rather dirty tactics during games and somehow managing to get away with it.

Mathieu has admitted that a confrontation took place between Luis Enrique and Messi after the Real Sociedad game. While speaking with the private French-Monegasque radio station RMC, he attempted to play down the incident by explaining that confrontations of that kind can happen in any training session and at any club.

"It happened when we returned from our holidays. All of a sudden Leo lost his composure in training after being on the receiving end of a foul that wasn't called. The situation got pretty tense and a few harsh words were exchanged", explained Mathieu.

Tiger Woods struggled to a two-over-par 73 in the opening round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Thursday in his first PGA Tour start of the season. The former world number one was five over after 12 holes before an eagle on the 13th helped him finish eight shots behind leader Ryan Palmer. Woods, 39, missed much of last season after undergoing back surgery in March.

"I saw a lot of balls go to the right, then I started to fix it on the back nine," said the American.
The 14-time major winner sprayed his drives, under-hit several approaches and was frustrated after mis-hitting a couple of chip shots from just off the green at the TPC in Scottsdale.

At least one of the leading contenders for the Africa Cup of Nations title will be eliminated at the weekend when Algeria meet the Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals. Sunday's clash in Malabo between two teams who took part in last year's World Cup is the headline game of the last eight as the three-week tournament enters the knockout stage.

Ghana, another of the African sides who featured in Brazil six months ago, play Guinea in Malabo earlier on Sunday. On Saturday, hosts Equatorial Guinea seek to continue their fairytale run when they face Tunisia in Bata after a derby between Congo and neighbours the Democratic Republic of Congo.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA 2015: Guinea, Mali Praying For Divine Intervention

Guinea and Mali will have to wait for the drawing of lots to take place to find out who will qualify for quarterfinals. CAF Article 74 has come into play to be the tiebreaker as the teams are level in every category.

The rule is also used by the world governing football body Fifa. It is not everyone's preferred manner and most fans have actually called for penalty shootout, which is more thrilling and entertaining than a draw that basically amounts to a lottery.

When Didier Drogba returned to Stamford Bridge with Galatasaray as a Champions League opponent last March he was welcomed as a hero. Presented with a commemorative silver boot on the pitch before the match for eight years of historic excellence, his name was chanted and his entrance and exit were applauded by all four sides of a stadium adorned with loving banners.

The question of whether Frank Lampard should receive similar honours on Saturday has divided Chelsea fans.

27 January 2015

CAPITAL ONE CUP: Chelsea Wants To Make It To Wembley Says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho is looking forward to Liverpool facing a highly motivated Chelsea when they arrive at Stamford Bridge for tonight’s big cup match. The Blues are aiming for a rapid response to our first defeat of the season on home turf three days ago, as we take on opposition we know well.

‘It is a semi-final second leg, a knockout game, live or die, against a very good team,’ said Mourinho, ‘and maybe that pushes us to a good level of concentration and motivation that maybe we couldn’t reach against Bradford.

Britain's Andy Murray ended the run of home favourite Nick Kyrgios with a brilliant display to reach the Australian Open semi-finals. Murray, 27, outsmarted the 19-year-old to win 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 and set up a clash with Tomas Berdych on Thursday.

Kyrgios threatened a comeback in the second set tie-break but two superb lobs helped the Scot to a crucial lead. The sixth seed is through to his fifth Australian Open and 15th Grand Slam semi-final.
In the last four he will take on seventh seed Berdych, now working with Murray's former coach Dani Vallverdu who left the Briton's team in November.

South Africa need a win against Ghana to have any chance of keeping their African Cup of Nations dreams alive. The 1996 champions must overcome Avram Grant’s men to have any chance of staying in the competition, but even then they require a favour from Senegal, who would need to beat Algeria in the other Group C match to ensure South Africa’s progression.

Captain Dean Furman is keen to rally the troops ahead of South Africa’s final pool match.
“We take a lot of confidence from the way we have played in these two matches, even if we have not got the results we hoped for,” the midfielder said.

Former Nigerian goalkeeper Wilfred Agbonavbare, has passed away in a hospital Spain. Agbonavbare died on Tuesday morning, announced his former club, Rayo Vallecano.

"The Rayo Vallecano family and fans are in mourning. Cancer has taken Wilfred away from us this morning," Rayo announced via their official Twitter account on Tuesday.

HAWKS 112 MINNESOTA 100: Firing Horford Leads Hawks To 16th Straight Win

Al Horford isn't missing many shots these days for the Atlanta Hawks. Not that it would matter much if he did. The Hawks just keep winning.

''We always push each other to play hard,'' Horford said. ''That's why I feel like this group is a little different when it comes to that.''

Britain's Andy Murray is ready to deal with a partisan home crowd when he faces Nick Kyrgios in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Tuesday.nThe pair will meet in the night session match on Rod Laver Arena at 08:15 GMT.

Kyrgios, 19, is the first Australian man for 10 years to reach the last eight and hopes to become the first for 39 years to win the title.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA 2015: Zambia Set To Demolish Cape Verde

Zambia coach Honour Janza has said he is not banking on luck to get the vital three points against Cape Verde on Monday night in their last gasp effort to qualify to the 2015 Africa Nations Cup quarterfinals.

Chipolopolo face Cape Verde in their final Group B match in search of a win to send them to the quarterfinals of the 2015 Africa Cup. Cape Verde lie second in Group B tied on two points with DR Congo; opponents Zambia are bottom with a point while Tunisia lead on four points.

Jose Mourinho has revealed that he did not speak to his Chelsea players after their humiliating FA Cup loss to Bradford on Saturday. The Blues threw away a 2-0 lead at Stamford Bridge to lose 4-2 to the League One outfit and Mourinho was left fuming at his players’ collapse.

As such, the Portuguese has revealed that he refused to give a team-talk at full-time, such was his disdain for his side’s display.

FA CUP: Chelsea vs Bradford Preview

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says it will be "a disgrace" if the Premier League leaders are knocked out of the FA Cup by League One side Bradford. Captain John Terry and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be rested, replaced by Kurt Zouma and Petr Cech. Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah are involved after being linked with moves.

Bradford have striker Billy Clarke back in contention after six games out with a knee injury, but on-loan goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will play no part.

Amir Khan met with Manny Pacquiao in London on Friday to hold talks over a potential fight at Wembley Stadium. The British welterweight, 28, trained alongside the former pound-for-pound champion for several years under ex-trainer Freddie Roach and always maintained they could never fight.

Top seed Serena, 33, found her form to beat Ukraine's Elina Svitolina 4-6 6-2 6-0, while Venus, 34, saw off Italy's Camila Giorgi 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-1. Defending champion Stan Wawrinka beat Jarkko Nieminen 6-4 6-2 6-4.

Top seed Novak Djokovic and fourth seed Petra Kvitova are in action in the night session. Meanwhile, former champion Victoria Azarenka beat Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-4 6-4.

There are three possible results in a match: a win, draw or defeat. In most cases, a draw is what bridges the gap between the winner and loser. I have seen entertaining draws including the Angola versus Mali 4-4 draw, but what I saw when Cape Verde played DR Congo was the most atrocious game of the tournament so far.

The 30th edition has lacked the usual lustre and has done injustice to the advertisement of the game and while you try wrap your head around some of the reasons, here is why I think finding the back of the net is elusive with every kick off.

FA CUP: Low Cambridge Hold Manchester United

Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw at fourth tier Cambridge United in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday after another embarrassing outing against lower league opposition. Cambridge, promoted from the minor leagues into the professional pyramid last season, gave the Manchester millionaires a lesson in terms of desire and defensive organisation.

The home side even had the best opportunity in the first half when Josh Coulson headed over from close range as the visitors, with Wayne Rooney rested, were reduced to half chances.

Players and officials of Nigeria women’s league champions, Rivers Angels, have been voicing their excitement following the move of star striker Asisat Oshoala to English Women’s Super League champions, Liverpool Ladies.

Oshoala, who was voted the most valuable player at the 2014 Fifa Under-20 Women's World Cup in Canada, was also the top goal scorer as the Falconets finished runners-up to Germany.

South Africa's chances of progressing out of their Africa Cup of Nations group hang by a thread after Shakes Mashaba's team squandered a goal advantage for the second fixture on the trot, drawing 1-1 with Senegal in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, on Friday night.

Oupa Manyisa looked to be the hero South Africa were looking for when he put Bafana ahead a minute after halftime.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA 2015: Host In Do Or Die Clash Against Burkina Faso

Equatorial Guinea star Juvenal Edjogo-Owono has said Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations Group A clash against Burkina Faso in Bata will determine the host nation’s fate in the competition. Equatorial Guinea were forced to a 1-1 draw by Congo in the opening match of the tournament on Saturday, while Burkina Faso lost 2-0 to Gabon.

“Burkina Faso need to win the match especially after they lost their first game and we also have to win it. It’s win or die for both teams,” said Juvenal, who captained Nzalang Nacional when as co-hosts they reached the last-eight of the competition three years ago.

Fifa has recommended that an arbitration panel should be set up by the Nigeria Football Federation to resolve the disputes arising from the September 30 elections in Warri. In a letter signed by Fifa's Director of Legal Affairs Marco Villiger and Head of Corporate Legal Oliver Jaberg respectively and made available to Goal, it acknowledged the receipt of letter from Ike Igbogwe over the NFF's rejection of its request for an arbitration panel.

Fifa said it has no authority to resolve the crisis insisting it was an internal affairs and resolved to accept in entity the verdict of a 'competent body' set-up to rule over the appeals' verdict against seeking redress at a regular court.

Academica de Coimbra midfielder, Obiora Nwankwo has expressed regrets over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Equatorial Guinea. Obiora was part of Nigeria’s 2013 Afcon-winning squad in South Africa as he put in a shift to inspire the Super Eagles to their third success at Africa’s biggest football showpiece.

The midfielder says “mistakes were made” and wants things put in perspective if the Super Eagles are to rise like a Phoenix from the ashes in the coming years.

CAMEROON 1 MALI 1: Ambroise Oyongo Scores Late Equalizer

Ambroise Oyongo netted a late equaliser to secure Cameroon a 1-1 draw in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D match against Mali in Malabo on Tuesday evening. After a goalless first half, the Eagles broke the deadlock through Sambou Yatabare with just under 20 minutes to play, but the Indomitable Lions equalised in the 84th minute to secure a share of the spoils.

The result leaves all four teams level on one point in Group D, as the earlier match between Ivory Coast and Guinea also ended in a 1-1 draw.

Raheem Sterling's fine individual goal earned Liverpool a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final first leg at Anfield. An excellent solo strike from Raheem Sterling gave Liverpool a deserved 1-1 draw with Chelsea in Tuesday's first leg of the League Cup semi-final at Anfield.

The home side dominated possession throughout much of a high-intensity affair, but struggled to break down a stubborn and well-organised Chelsea outfit who were well backed up by the fine goalkeeping of Thibaut Courtois.

Jonathan Pitroipa has warned not to write off Burkina Faso's Africa Cup of Nations chances following their defeat to Gabon. Jonathan Pitroipa has backed Burkina Faso to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final ahead of Wednesday's clash with Equatorial Guinea in Bata.

The Al Jazira man was named Player of the Tournament at the African showpiece two years ago as Burkina Faso lost to Nigeria in the final.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo believes that he and Lionel Messi are motivated by the long-standing rivalry they have shared. The 29-year-old and the Barcelona star have won every Ballon d'Or between them since 2008, with the Portugal international claiming his third last week to close in on the Argentine's tally of four.

Ronaldo believes that their duopoly on football's biggest individual award is a good thing and feels they inspire their rivals to try harder to close the gap.

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has blamed the Super Eagles for not doing enough to qualify for the on-going AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.

Defending champions Nigeria crashed out on the final day of the qualifying tournament when they forced South Africa to a 2-2 draw at home in a match they needed to win and closest rivals Congo won in Sudan to qualify ahead of them.

Cameroon and Mali are set to meet in an interesting 2015 CAF African Cup of Nations, Group D opener at the Estadio de Malabo in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday night.
Kick-off is at 9pm (SA time).

Both sides will aim for three points to launch their campaign for glory in the 30th edition of the continental showpiece. In their previous meetings, both sides have already met twice at the Afcon. Their first meeting was in 1972 which ended with a 1-1 draw while Cameroon defeated Mali 3-0 in the semifinal of the 2002 edition.

Yaya Toure is confident that under coach Herve Renard, Ivory Coast will pick up a win in their opening CAF African Cup of Nations, Group D match against Guinea on Tuesday. The match is scheduled to get underway at 6pm at the Estadio De Malabo in Equatorial Guinea.

The Elephants are certainly favourites heading into the game against Guinea and Toure insists the team are driven to succeed after continuous failures in the Afcon tournament.

Liverpool are the hosts as Chelsea visit Anfield for the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final tie on Tuesday. The Premier League leaders travel to Merseyside buoyed by Saturday's 5-0 obliteration of Swansea and will be confident of securing a positive result to take back to London for the second leg next week.

Chelsea, who sit five points clear at the top of the table following Manchester City’s defeat to Arsenal, edged the last meeting between the teams as Gary Cahill and Diego Costa cancelled out Emre Can's deflected opener in the league in November.

NFL spokesman Michael Signora told NFL Network the league is looking into the Patriots' apparent use of overly deflated footballs during Sunday's 45-7 AFC title game win over the Colts.

Midway through the game, a ball was taken off the field and out of circulation, Signora told Rapoport. NFL rules stipulate game balls must be inflated with between 12.5-13.5 pounds of air. Each team must provide 12 primary balls for testing prior to the game, NFL Network reports.

Starting pitcher Max Scherzer's seven-year deal with the Nationals is worth $210 million, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. However, half of the money is deferred. Scherzer will receive $105 million from 2015-21 and another $105 million from 2022-28.

The Nationals offer ended up being $66 million more than the seven-year offer the Tigers made to Scherzer last spring. The deferrals make the value less than $210 million, but there is no income tax for non-residents in Washington D.C., according to Heyman.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA 2015: This Is The Time For South Africa To Be The Best - Ephraim Shakes Mashaba

Bafana Bafana completed their preparations on Sunday with a clean bill of health as they gear up for their opening match in Equatorial Guinea. Head coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba has selected his starting 11 to face Algeria in South Africa’s opening fixture of the Caf Orange Africa Cup of Nations Equatorial Guinea 2015 tournament.

Bafana Bafana and the Desert Foxes go head to head on Monday night at the Stade de Mongomo starting at 9pm South African time. Mashaba’s boys have enjoyed a run of 10 matches without defeat since he took over in the middle of last year.

Stoke City manager, Mark Hughes is happy at Nigeria’s absence at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Equatorial Guinea. The defending champion’s failure to reach the tournament meant that Victor Moses will be available for the Potters after returning to full fitness since late November with a thigh injury and Hughes describes it as a ‘bonus’ for the team.

The 24-year-old striker for 86 minutes as Stoke got a 1-0 win at Leicester City on Saturday as they stay 10th on the log.

AFCON 2015: ZAMBIA 1 CONGO 1

Yannick Bolasie rescued a 1-1 draw for a wasteful Democratic Republic of Congo against Zambia in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener on Sunday. Given Singuluma put 2012 AFCON winners Zambia ahead with barely a minute played in Ebebiyin, but Bolasie eventually restored parity with 24 minutes to go after DR Congo had spurned numerous chances.

Dieumerci Mbokani almost stole all three points for DR Congo with an overhead kick in the 83rd minute, but Kennedy Mweene palmed his acrobatic attempt away and Zambia held on for a draw.

AFCON 2015: GHANA vs SENEGAL PREVIEW

Solomon Asante feels Ghana are not far away from ending their Africa Cup of Nations heartache ahead of their clash with Senegal. Solomon Asante has urged Ghana to "do the basics right" as they start their campaign to end years of Africa Cup of Nations heartache versus Senegal on Monday

Ghana have won the AFCON on four occasions but have not tasted success in Africa's premier international tournament since beating Libya on penalties in the 1982 final.

Despite stubborn resistance from an out-of-form Getafe side, a typically Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid powered to a 3-0 win in La Liga. Cristiano Ronaldo was at the double as Real Madrid swept aside their Copa del Rey elimination at city rivals Atletico's hands with a 3-0 win at Getafe in La Liga.

A 2-2 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu only resulted in a 4-2 aggregate defeat as Real's Copa defence was ended at the quarter-final stage, with further frustrations creeping through in a goalless first half at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Sunday.

AFCON 2015: EQUATORIAL GUINEA 1 CONGO 1 - Bifouma Scores Late Equalizer To Denial Host Three Points

Congo spoiled 2015 Africa Cup of Nations hosts Equatorial Guinea’s party by fighting back to claim a 1-1 draw in the tournament opener in Bata on Saturday evening. Nzalang Nacional looked on course for all three points after Emilio Nsue’s first half goal, but Thievy Bifouma earned the Red Devils a share of the spoils will a late equaliser.

Equatorial Guinea started the game strongly, with Kike Boula, Javier Balboa, Iban Edu and Emilio Nsue putting on a display of skill and speed in the final third.

CBS basketball analyst Greg Anthony was arrested Friday and charged with soliciting a prostitute, according to a report by the Associated Press. Anthony, who also played in the NBA, was arrested by District of Columbia police and released Friday night. Solicitation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail.

Anthony was scheduled to announce the Michigan State-Maryland basketball game Saturday afternoon in College Park, Md. A CBS spokesman said in a statement that Anthony has been suspended.

Chelsea scored four goals in the opening 36 minutes in its 5-0 demolition of Swansea in the English Premier League on Saturday. Oscar struck first within the first minute at the Liberty Stadium. Diego Costa added two more in the 20th and 34th, before Oscar grabbed a second for a 4-0 lead at halftime.

Substitute Andre Schurrle made it 5-0 in the 79th, three minutes after replacing Willian. Leader Chelsea have a provisional five-point lead over Manchester City which hosts Arsenal on Sunday. Swansea are ninth.

Super Eagles and Stoke City striker has anger over Nigeria's inability to qualify for AFCON 2015 which will kick of today in Equatorial Guinea. The light skinned striker tweeted with his account this afternoon to show his disappointment. The striker has been injured for over 5 months and might not return until next season. See his tweet after the cut....

Carlo Ancelotti is sticking to his guns about Real Madrid's current form, despite their poor run of results in early 2015. In his opinion, the team are not tired and their form has not dipped. There are just "a few small problems" which will "soon be fixed". The Italian remains positive, focusing on his team's performance in the first half of their game against Atlético at the Bernabéu.

30 January 2015

29 January 2015

27 January 2015

26 January 2015

24 January 2015

23 January 2015

21 January 2015

20 January 2015

19 January 2015

18 January 2015

17 January 2015